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Progress Test (PT) is a form of assessment that simultaneously measures ability levels of all students in a certain educational program and their progress over time by providing them with same questions and repeating the process at regular intervals with parallel tests. Our objective was to generate an item bank for the PT and to examine the possible fit of CAT for PT application. This study is a descriptive study. 1206 medical students participated. During the analysis of the psychometric properties of PT item bank, "the Rasch model for dichotomous items was used". Several CAT simulations were performed by applying various stopping rules of different standard errors. CAT simulation estimates were compared with the estimates generated from the original calibration of the Rasch model where all items were included. After Rasch analysis, a unidimensional PT item bank consisting of 103 items was obtained. The item bank reliability was calculated as 0.77 with Person Separation Index (PSI) and Kuder-Richardson Formula 20 (KR20). A high correlation between [Theta] estimations obtained from paper-and-pencil ([Theta]RM) and CAT applications ([Theta[subscript CAT]) was detected for simulation conditions ([N(0,1)] and [N(0,3)]) at the end of our analysis. In CAT, estimation can be made with an average of 14 questions (reduced 86,4%) and 17 questions (reduced 83,4%) [for N(0,1) and [N(0,3) respectively] with reliability of 0,75. This study reveals that it is possible to develop an appropriate item bank for the PT, and the difficulty of administering large number of items in PT can be scaled down by incorporating CAT application.

Objectives: To determine the effect of intravesical onabotulinum toxin‐A (BoNT‐A) treatment on sexual functions in female patients with refractory interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). Methods: Female patients with IC/BPS refractory to previous treatments were included in the study between January 2020 and April 2022. Patients were treated with the trigone‐sparing injection (Group 1) or trigone‐included injection (Group 2) techniques. 100 Units of BoNT‐A was applied submucosally on 20 different points. The patients were evaluated with visual analog scale (VAS), O'Leary‐Sant Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index (ICSI), Interstitial Cystitis Problem Index (ICPI), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaires, 3‐day voiding diary, uroflowmetry, and post‐voiding residual volume analysis in the preoperative period, as well as on the 30th and 90th days postoperatively. For the repeated measurements, analysis of variance was used to assess the time‐dependent variation across groups. Results: The baseline FSFI score of the patients was 15.96 ± 3.82. Following the treatment, the FSFI scores were 22.43 ± 4.93 and 24.41 ± 5.94 on the 30th and 90th days, respectively (p <.001). We observed statistically significant improvement in all FSFI subdomains (p <.05). Statistically significant improvements with treatment on ICSI, ICPI, and VAS scores were achieved (p <.05). Preoperative FSFI scores were similar in Group 1 and Group 2 (p =.147). While the preoperative FSFI scores were 17.00 ± 3.73 and 14.84 ± 3.72 for Group 1 and Group 2, respectively, the scores after the treatment were 22.85 ± 5.01 and 21.98 ± 5.01 on the 30th day, and 24.62 ± 6.06 and 24.19 ± 6.05 on the 90th day postoperatively. Significant improvement was observed in FSFI scores with treatment, and no difference was observed between the two groups in terms of treatment response (p =.706). Conclusions: Intravesical BoNT‐A injection in the treatment of women with refractory IC/BPS improves sexual functions. It also significantly improves pain and symptom scores. Both trigone‐sparing and trigone‐including injections are similarly safe and effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the importance of neuro-ophthalmological magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in the identification of the aetiology of rhinorrhoea, and the differentiation of spontaneous rhinorrhoea from non-spontaneous rhinorrhoea. MR images of 25 patients with spontaneous and 21 patients with non-spontaneous rhinorrhoea were evaluated for the presence of neuro-ophthalmological findings of intracranial hypertension (IHT). These include optic nerve vertical tortuosity, optic nerve sheath enlargement, flattening of the posterior sclera and optic nerve protrusion, as well as other MRI findings of ICH, such as partial empty sella, dilatation of Meckel's cave and the presence of arachnoid pits. IHT findings were more common in the spontaneous group. Six criteria (optic nerve distention, optic nerve vertical tortuosity, posterior flattening of the sclera, partial empty sella, Meckel's cave dilatation and presence of arachnoid pits) differentiate between patient and control groups. Patients with spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks should be evaluated for signs of IHT on MRI, as they are present in the majority of spontaneous CSF leaks and are representative of increased intracranial pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim This study aimed to explore the potential of an inclusive and fully integrated measurement system for the Activities component of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), incorporating four classical scales, including the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), and a Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT). Methods Three hundred patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) answered relevant questions from four questionnaires. Rasch analysis was performed to create an item bank using this item pool. A further 100 RA patients were recruited for a CAT application. Both real and simulated CATs were applied and the agreement between these CAT-based scores and 'paper-pencil' scores was evaluated with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Anchoring strategies were used to obtain a direct translation from the item bank common metric to the HAQ score. Results Mean age of 300 patients was 52.3 ± 11.7 years; disease duration was 11.3 ± 8.0 years; 74.7% were women. After testing for the assumptions of Rasch analysis, a 28-item Activities item bank was created. The agreement between CAT-based scores and paper-pencil scores were high (ICC = 0.993). Using those HAQ items in the item bank as anchoring items, another Rasch analysis was performed with HAQ-8 scores as separate items together with anchoring items. Finally a conversion table of the item bank common metric to the HAQ scores was created. Conclusion A fully integrated and inclusive health assessment system, illustrating the Activities component of the ICF, was built to assess RA patients. Raw score to metric conversions and vice versa were available, giving access to the metric by a simple look-up table. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aims to adapt the Neurobehavioral Rating Scale-revised form (NBRS-R) for Turkish traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients and to investigate the inter-rater agreement of the Turkish revised scale. Patients and methods: A total of 45 patients (36 males, 9 females; mean age 31.1±13.0 years; range 18 to 60 years) with TBI were included in this study between September 2013 and August 2014. A semi-structured interview was set up for Turkish patients using a multidisciplinary approach (physiatrist, psychiatrist, neurologist and psychologist) with the participation of four rehabilitation centers. Questions were prepared for each of the 29 items, based on the recommendations of the original NBRS-R form. Four different interviewers from the four centers applied this form to a total of 45 TBI patients. Results: The items evaluated by intra-class correlation coefficient showed satisfactory stability and the reliability of the items ranged from moderate to very good. Conclusion: The NBRS-R form can be suggested to provide a reliable and easily reproducible evaluation method of neurobehavioral deficits in TBI patients who speak Turkish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We examined the change in apelin concentration and its relationship with left ventricular diastolic function in patients treated for hypertension. Methods: Ninety treatment-naive patients with newly diagnosed hypertension and 33 age- and sex-matched control subjects were prospectively enrolled. Patients with hypertension were randomized to treatment either with telmisartan 80 mg or amlodipine 10 mg. Apelin concentration was measured and echocardiography was performed at baseline and after 1 month of treatment. Results: The data of 77 patients and 33 controls were analyzed. Mean age, gender, baseline blood pressure, apelin levels, and echocardiographic measurements were similar between the treatment groups (p>0.05 for all). Apelin concentration was significantly lower in patients with hypertension than in controls. There was a significant increase in apelin level after 1 month of treatment in both groups (0.32±0.17 vs. 0.38±0.17 ng/dL in telmisartan group, p=0.009, and 0.27±0.13 vs. 0.34±0.18 ng/dL in amlodipine group, p=0.013). Diastolic function improved significantly in both groups (p<0.05) but was not significantly associated with change in apelin concentration. Conclusion: Apelin concentration increased significantly after 1 month of effective treatment with telmisartan or amlodipine to a similar extent. Change in apelin concentration was not associated with improvement in diastolic function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Aim To develop a Turkish version of the 25-item Cardiff Visual Ability Questionnaire for Children (CVAQC) and to evaluate the validity and reliability of the questionnaire. Methods The study involved two main phases. The first phase involved a cross-cultural adaptation of the CVAQC from English into Turkish. The second phase involved the completion of the Turkish version of the CVAQC by 150 partially sighted children (6-18 years old) and validity and reliability checks. Extent and construct validity were investigated using Rasch analysis and reliability by internal consistency and person separation index (PSI). Results An adequate conceptual equivalence was achieved following the linguistic adaptation process. The dataset for validation comprised 150 participants, 88 (58.7%) of whom were male. Evidence of disordered thresholds was found for one item (item 17). This item was recorded by collapsing two categories and ordered thresholds were evident. All items of the CVAQC were found to fit the Rasch model (χ2 (df)=59.90 (2), p=0.159). The internal construct validity was good (mean item fit (SD) -0.054 (1.132), person fit (SD) -0.629 (2.079)) indicating a single underlying construct. The reliability was good with Cronbach's α of 0.91 and PSI of 0.94. Differential item functioning (DIF) was tested for age, sex, diagnosis, degree of visual impairment, and comorbidity. Evidence of DIF was found on age for one item (item 10, reading the board at school). Conclusions The Turkish version of the CVAQC is a valid, reliable, and unidimensional questionnaire for partially sighted children aged 6-18 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine the clinical features and the distribution of diagnosis in partially sighted school-age children, to report the chosen low vision rehabilitation methods and to emphasize the importance of low vision rehabilitation. Materials and Methods: The study included 150 partially sighted children between the ages of 6 and 18 years. The distribution of diagnosis, accompanying ocular findings, visual acuity of the children both for near and distance with and without low vision devices, and the methods of low vision rehabilitation (for distance and for near) were determined. The demographic characteristics of the children and the parental consanguinity were recorded. Results: The mean age of children was 10.6 years and the median age was 10 years; 88 (58.7%) of them were male and 62 (41.3%) of them were female. According to distribution of diagnoses among the children, the most frequent diagnosis was hereditary fundus dystrophies (36%) followed by cortical visual impairment (18%). The most frequently used rehabilitation methods were: telescopic lenses (91.3%) for distance vision; magnifiers (38.7%) and telemicroscopic systems (26.0%) for near vision. A significant improvement in visual acuity both for distance and near vision were determined with low vision aids. Conclusion: A significant improvement in visual acuity can be achieved both for distance and near vision with low vision rehabilitation in partially sighted school-age children. It is important for ophthalmologists and pediatricians to guide parents and children to low vision rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study assessed the ability of tissue harmonic imaging ultrasound combined with power Doppler ultrasound in the detection of childhood febrile urinary tract infections in comparison with the gold standard reference method: Tc-99m dimercaptosuccinicacid renal cortical scintigraphy. Material and Methods: This prospective study included 60 patients who were hospitalized with a first episode of febrile urinary tract infections. All children were examined with dimercaptosuccinicacid scan and tissue harmonic imaging ultrasound combined with power Doppler ultrasound within the first 3 days of admission. Results: Signs indicative of acute infection were observed in 29 patients according to the results of tissue harmonic imaging ultrasound combined with power Doppler ultrasound while dimercaptosuccinicacid scan revealed abnormal findings in 33 patients. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of tissue harmonic imaging combined with power Doppler ultrasound using dimercaptosuccinicacid scintigraphy as the reference method in patients diagnosed with first episode febrile urinary tract infections were calculated as 57.58% (95% confi - dence interval: 40.81%-72.76%); 62.96% (95% confidence interval: 44.23%-78.47%); 65.52% (95% confidence interval: 52.04%-77%); 54.84% (95% confidence interval: 41.54%-67.52%); respectively. Conclusions : Although current results exhibit inadequate success of power Doppler ultrasound, this practical and radiation-free method may soon be comprise a part of the routine ultrasonographic evaluation of febrile urinary tract infections of childhood if patients are evaluated early and under appropriate sedation. (Turk Pediatri Ars 2015; 50: 90-5) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the frequency and predictability of side effects, including tremor, cramp, and palpitation, due to treatment in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. Methods: We prepared a standard questionnaire for 299 patients concerning their diagnosis, treatment, and side effects of the treatment in February 2007 at Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pulmonary Diseases. We prospectively examined the clinical status of the patients and side effects of the treatment at the 15th, 30th, and 180th days of the treatment. Results: In our study, there were 38 (12.7%) patients with drug-induced tremor. Of these, 27 (71.1%) had asthma (p=0.004) and 18 (47.4%) had anamnestic palpitation. Drug-induced tremor risk was 15.3 times higher in patients who used a beta-mimetic compared with those who used any drugs. Cramp risk increased with beta-mimetic use only. In our study, drug-induced tremor was still present at the 180th day of examination in 32 (84.2%) patients. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that side effects, including tremor, palpitation, and cramp, were more common in our patients compared with those in other studies. These side effects were directly related to the primary disease and the use of beta-2-agonists. Another finding of our study is that tolerance did not develop as much as that reported in literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: During interventions, firemen are exposed to fire smoke. Fire smoke contains many air pollutants. Smoke exposure may increase the risk of pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of long-term occupational smoke inhalation on respiratory functions and related risk factors in working firemen. Methods: Between February and March 2012, 523 working firemen were retrospectively evaluated within the scope of a screening program in Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital. The study included 250 firemen actively participating in a fire and a control group of 273 firemen working in the office. Detailed evaluation of the firemen included age, gender, height, weight, spirometric measurements (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, PEF, FEF25-75), smoking status and duration, duration of work, and comorbidities. Results: According to the results obtained from the study, FEV1 values were significantly decreased in firemen actively participating in firefıghts compared to the low-risk group. The duration of the study did not significantly affect pulmonary functions. Conclusion: Respiratory functions decrease in active working firefighters. Development of diseases related to exposure to smoke may be prevented by the development of more effective apparatus protecting from smoke, working in cycles in different fire types, quitting smoking, and regular annual screenings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: The multidimensional evaluation of patients with chronic neck pain is important for planning the treatment program. The aim of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Neck Bournemouth Questionnaire (NBQ)., Materials and Methods: The internal construct validity of the NBQ was examined by the fit of the data to the Rasch measurement model. External validity of the NBQ was evaluated by testing for expected associations of Rasch transformed NBQ score with the corresponding variables through the process of convergent validity. The reliability of the NBQ in terms of both internal consistency and test-retest reliability was assessed by the person separation index (PSI) and differential item functioning (DIF) by time effect., Results: It was determined that the questionnaire has 2 factors. None of the items of Factor 1 (F1) and Factor 2 (F2) showed DIF. The reliability of F1 (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.89, PSI = 0.87) and F2 (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.77, PSI = 0.87) was good with Cronbach’s alpha and PSI. There was a good correlation between NBQ/F1 and the Neck Disability Index (NDI) (r = 0.673) and Neck Pain and Disability Scale (NPDS) (r = 0.709). Also, there was a correlation between NBQ/F2 and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) (r = 0.552) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) (r = 0.410)., Conclusion: The Turkish version of the Neck Bournemouth Questionnaire is valid and reliable., Competing Interests: none declared, (This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.)

Objectives: To determine the clinical features and the distribution of diagnosis in partially sighted school-age children, to report the chosen low vision rehabilitation methods and to emphasize the importance of low vision rehabilitation., Materials and Methods: The study included 150 partially sighted children between the ages of 6 and 18 years. The distribution of diagnosis, accompanying ocular findings, visual acuity of the children both for near and distance with and without low vision devices, and the methods of low vision rehabilitation (for distance and for near) were determined. The demographic characteristics of the children and the parental consanguinity were recorded., Results: The mean age of children was 10.6 years and the median age was 10 years; 88 (58.7%) of them were male and 62 (41.3%) of them were female. According to distribution of diagnoses among the children, the most frequent diagnosis was hereditary fundus dystrophies (36%) followed by cortical visual impairment (18%). The most frequently used rehabilitation methods were: telescopic lenses (91.3%) for distance vision; magnifiers (38.7%) and telemicroscopic systems (26.0%) for near vision. A significant improvement in visual acuity both for distance and near vision were determined with low vision aids., Conclusion: A significant improvement in visual acuity can be achieved both for distance and near vision with low vision rehabilitation in partially sighted school-age children. It is important for ophthalmologists and pediatricians to guide parents and children to low vision rehabilitation., Competing Interests: No conflict of interest was declared by the authors. Financial Disclosure: The authors declared that this study received no financial support.

Introduction: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) are major angiogenic mediators in neovascularization process. In current literature both biomarkers are discussed separately and only for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). So in this study we aimed to examine them together for both cell types NSCLC and small cell lung cancer (SCLC)., Patients and Methods: 100 patients with lung cancer were enrolled to this single center study. 87 of patients were diagnosed with NSCLC including 28 adenocarcinomas and 59 squamous cell cancers and 13 were SCLC. Results were compared with 30 healthy volunteers. Pre-treatment serum VEGF and Ang-2 levels were measured by using ELISA method., Results: While serum Ang-2 levels were higher in patients than healthy controls (23395 pg/mL vs. 4025 pg/mL, p< 0.001), VEGF levels didn't differ (2308 pg/mL vs. 2433 pg/mL, p> 0.05). There was no difference between cases with SCLC and NSCLC in terms of Ang-2. But serum VEGF values were significantly lower in SCLC than NSCLC and control groups. None of these mediators were correlated with cell type, tumor size, TNM staging, performance status and operability. VEGF levels were higher in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but it was not significant. Three cut of values were determined according to sensitivity and specificity by using youden index. They were 8515.73 pg/mL (sensitivity 78%, specificity 76%), 7097 pg/mL (sensitivity 80%, specificity 70%) and 11063.48 pg/mL (sensitivity 76%, specificity 70%). Patients with SCLC had shorter survival time above cut-off values (p> 0.05). VEGF and Ang-2 showed a weak positive correlation (p= 0.1 and r= 0.638)., Conclusion: In conclusion, serum VEGF wasn't useful to predict lung cancer, prognosis or cell type. Albeit Ang-2 was higher in patients with lung cancer without any effect on survival. Due to the heterogeneity of the studies done with serum measurement Ang-2 on tumor tissue should be more meaningful.