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Colloidal drying is a method that is used in many areas but leads to particle agglomeration. In this study, the effects of drying methods on the agglomeration, dispersion, and silanization efficiency of silica nanoparticles (NSp) were investigated using vacuum oven dryer (VOD), rotary evaporator (RE), and freeze-dryer (FD) methods. In addition, dried silica nanoparticles were mechanically ground using a conventional ball mill system, and the relationship between grinding effect and agglomeration was investigated. The results of the SEM analysis showed that the surface energy, which increased with the reduction of the grain size as a result of the prolongation of the grinding time, caused the agglomeration of the grains. BET analysis, it was observed that the surface areas of silica nanoparticles vary depending on the drying method. Contact angle measurement was performed to investigate the silanization ability of silica nanoparticles and it was determined that silica nanoparticles with the low surface area had the lowest contact angle. Therefore, the silanization ability of silica nanoparticles was observed to increase with the reduction of agglomeration. As a result, the VOD technique, which allows the production of low surface area silica nanoparticles, was chosen as the best method for increasing the silanization efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of reference, which is discussed in the framework of how singular terms refer and the conditions under which a successful reference is achieved in the philosophy of language, differs from the problem of the meaning of religious and metaphysical expressions in religious language. The issue of reference in religious language is discussed within the framework of which theory will explain the reference of religious and metaphysical expressions in general, especially which approach provides the reference of the term “God”, and whether the theory is consistent in terms of theism. The contribution of the theory to theological problems and practical religious life is an essential criterion in terms of which theory will be taken as the basis in the reference of the term “God”. In addition, some requirements have been developed for successful reference in religious language. According to accessibility, users of the term “God” should be easily able to efficiently apply the rules of successful reference required by theory. According to the scope, which is the second criterion, religious language users should be able to co-refer to the term “God”. Therefore, it can be said that the theory that provides wider co-reference in terms of religious language is successful. Regarding the literature, two theories come to the fore in religious language: the descriptive theory and the causal theory of reference. Applying the theories above to religious language, especially to the term “God”, is a highly controversial issue. It is possible to talk about these theories' philosophically consistent and inconsistent aspects, the possibilities they provide for the problem of reference, or the problems they cause. According to the descriptive theory, which claims that name refers to object with which compatible with the description, the term “God” is synonymous with the description of "the one and perfect creator of all that exists" and refers to through this description. It is possible to say that in the history of philosophy, philosophers have descriptively considered the term “God”. According to the causal theory of reference which claims that the referent is determined by the initial baptism and reaches subsequent users through the causal-historical chain, God is a rigid designator. If the causal theory of reference is taken as a basis in the reference of the term “God”, the name-referent relationship and how the connection between the causal-historical chain and the referent will be provided are the main points need to be explained. In this study, the causal theory of reference will be examined about the problem of reference in religious language. For this reason, the claims of Richard B. Miller who was the first to apply a causal reference to religious language, William P. Alston who developed the theory in religious language, Jerome I. Gellman who added new dimensions to the theory and made it more coherent for theism, and Meghan Sullivan who associates the theory with semantic hiddenness and adds a theological dimension will be discussed in our study. In addition, the consequences of the problem of reference to God on religious pluralism will be discussed. It is noteworthy that Miller, who applied the theory to the religious language for the first time, did not address the problem that the term's referent cannot be empirically determined. In addition, it is possible to say that Gellman, one of the philosophers who applied causal reference to the religious language, developed the theory, made it more suitable for religious language, and met the criticisms against it. Gellman's understanding of multiple causal references, which includes direct, indirect, and deferred aspects for successful reference, is important because it contains the possibility that God may be called eschatological in the future. While the inability to determine the term’s referent until Gellman guided the discussions on the problem of reference, the problematic aspects of the causal chain in terms of theism came to the fore with the concept of semantic vulnerability that Sullivan added to the literature. In addition, Sullivan differs from other thinkers who advocate causal reference with the problem of semantic hiddenness and the solution she proposes. With this solution, it’s possible to say that Sullivan added a theological link to her theory of causal reference. In addition, the most striking result of the causal reference theory is that it forms the basis for religious pluralism. While Miller and Alston support Hickian pluralism, Sullivan has a more complete understanding of pluralism compared to Hick. While the emergence of different religions in Hick's pluralism stems from the limitation of human perception, Sullivan explains different religions by revealing God himself in different ways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic has led to the spread of telemedicine management of ketogenic diet therapy (KDT) in children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). In this study, we evaluated the views and satisfaction of families about telemedicine and KDT management. Families of 25 children who underwent KDT for DRE were included in the 17-item questionnaire. Nearly half of the families had a primary education level. Most children with DRE were in the process of maintaining KDT. 88% of the families were applying KDT with telemedicine due to the pandemic. 60% of families found it difficult to start KDT via telemedicine, but 96% reported that reaching the KDT team via telemedicine was sufficient. The necessity of laboratory analyzes and evaluation of the results of the KDT team was evaluated as good in 72%, and their response when dietary changes or vitamin addition was required was evaluated as good in 68%. All families were satisfied with the management of the KDT team in emergencies. 60% of the family recommended others to follow the KDT with telemedicine at all times and 40% recommended them during the pandemic period. According to the results of our study, in selecting patients who will be started with telemedicine and KDT, it should be noted that the families have sufficient education levels. The use of the telemedicine method may be a good option in the presence of an experienced and trained team in KDT management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to develop a measurement tool to achieve ketogenic diet management in parents of children with epilepsy and examine its Turkish psychometric properties. The study was conducted on 317 parents using a descriptive correlational method. Data analysis and evaluation were performed using factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha, and item – total score correlation. The scale consists of 20 items and unidimensional factor. As a result of the exploratory factor analysis, the total explained variance of the unidimensional factor was 63.809%. Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the scale was 0.971. The four-weeks test-retest reliability evaluated with intra-class correlation was 0.87. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated, the model fit index results were recorded as follows: 0.95 as the Goodness-of-Fit Index; comparative fit index, 0.96 and normed fit index, 0.94. The study determined that the Ketogenic Diet Management Scale for Children with Epilepsy-Parent Form is a measurement tool that can be used by health professionals and that is used to evaluate parents' ketogenic diet knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS) is now the most common cause of acute flaccid paralysis in children, information on the long‐term follow‐up of GBS is still limited. Identification of prognostic factors can play an important role in treatment strategies and the follow‐up of patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of monitoring the GBS disability score (DS) in predicting morbidity and mortality. Methods: The patients were separated into two groups those with DS≥ or <3 on admission. These groups were compared in respect of demographic data, clinical and laboratory findings, and the DS recorded on admission and at first, third, sixth, 12th, and 24th months. Results: The study included 44 patients (54.5% male, 45.5% female) with a median age of 5 years. The most common involvements during the disease were weakness, ataxia, neuropathic pain, cranial neuropathy, respiratory distress, autonomic dysfunction, and psychiatric symptoms, respectively. In patients with a DS of ≥3, the time from onset of symptoms to hospital admission was shorter, and the length of hospital stay was longer. Children with back pain and autonomic dysfunction had a DS of ≥3. A high 3‐month DS was found to be a significant predictor for the development of sequelae. Conclusions: Although progressive muscle weakness and inability to walk are the most common symptoms of GBS, it should be kept in mind that atypical manifestations such as hemiplegia and ophthalmoplegia may also occur. For an objective assessment of clinical improvement during follow‐up, the DS for motor functions can be used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ketogenic diet (KD) remains a valuable treatment option for children with drug-resistant epilepsy. However, it may cause many well-known adverse effects such as dyslipidemia or kidney stones. But, its effects on thyroid functions are largely unknown. Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the KD on thyroid functions in children with drug-resistant epilepsy. Method: A total of 66 children (35 females) aged 3–193 months (median, 52 months) with drug-resistant epilepsy who received a KD for at least 12 months were enrolled in the study. All children were started on KD with 3:1 ratio which was then adjusted as clinically necessary. Serum free-thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations were measured before starting treatment and at the first, sixth and twelfth months of treatment. Changes in FT4 and TSH concentrations over 12 months were analyzed. Results: Median serum FT4 and TSH concentrations, and the frequencies of patients with low FT4 and high TSH concentrations did not change significantly in the study sample over the 12-month study period. Serum FT4 levels increased significantly and TSH concentrations decreased insignificantly in four patients receiving L-thyroxine replacement therapy. During the 12-month treatment period, BMI-SDS increased, and the number of antiepileptic drugs decreased significantly. Conclusion: It appears that KD therapy does not impair thyroid functions in children with drug-resistant epilepsy. KD can be used safely along with L-thyroxine replacement even in children with pre-existing subclinical hypothyroidism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]