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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]

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Anesthesia & Reanimation is the property of Turkish Society of Anaesthesiology & Reanimation and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Rheumatology is the property of Turkish League Against Rheumatism / Turkiye Romatizma Arastirma ve Savas Dernegi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: Psychometric properties of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS-II) in stroke have received some attention recently, mostly using classical approaches, but there is still an absence of investigation from a modern psychometric perspective. This study aimed to test the reliability and validity of the WHODAS-II in stroke, using modern psychometric analysis. Methods: A total of 188 community-dwelling poststroke patients were recruited. Internal construct validity was assessed by Rasch analysis, reliability by internal consistency and person separation index (PSI), and external construct validity by associations with Functional Independence Measure (FIM™). Results: Rasch analysis indicated that total score (based upon 32 items, omitting the work-related items) was satisfactory, after adjustment for local dependency. The proposed 'activities' and 'participation' components also satisfied Rasch model expectations. An existing short form was problematic due to inclusion of a work-related item, but an alternative 10-item version was acceptable. Cronbach's α for the WHODAS-II, its domains and components varied between 0.83 and 0.99 and PSI between 0.70 and 0.95. External construct validity was confirmed by expected correlations with FIM™. Conclusions: WHODAS-II provides a reliable and valid instrument for measuring disability and components of 'activities' and 'participation' in stroke survivors. Various combinations of the item set may provide a range of scales to suit most research needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most cases of idiopathic Parkinson disease (IPD) are believed to be due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between toxocariasis and Parkinson disease (PD). Patients were selected from people who were admitted to the Movement Disorders Branch, Neurology Department of Elazig University Faculty of Medicine Elazig, Turkey. We studied specific IgG antibodies against Toxocara canis (T. canis) in 50 patients with idiopathic Parkinson and 50 healthy volunteers. We investigated the clinical history of three patients infected with T. canis. We also studied specific IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in these groups. Antibodies anti-Toxocara canis were found in 3 idiopathic PD (6%) (P = 0.121) and antibody titer was not found in control. A patient had history of the presence of dog in current dog ownership. We did not detect any statistically significant association between T. canis and IPD. But, we believe that further comprehensive studies are required for understanding whether there is a causal relation between toxocariasis and PD. We didn't find possible association between Toxoplasma gondii and IPD (P = 0.617). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Anatolian Journal of Psychiatry / Anadolu Psikiyatri Dergisi is the property of Anatolian Journal of Psychiatry and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: The aim of this study was to adapt the student version of the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (JSPE) to Turkish medical students in order to assess its reliability and validity, and to analyze the gender and year differences. Materials and Methods: The student version of the JSPE was translated into Turkish using back-translation procedures, and was administered to 752 medical school students from the first to fifth years of study. To assess the dimensionality of the scale, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for categorical data was carried out. Internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach's alpha. Subscale scores were compared in terms of gender and year. Results: The three-dimensional structure of the JSPE was confirmed by CFA except item 18. The internal consistencies of the subscales were 0.83, 0.70 and 0.60, respectively. There were statistically significant gender and medical school year differences in terms of "perspective taking" and "compassionate care" scores. Conclusion: The student version of JSPE was successfully adapted, and the adapted scale can be used in Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the psychometric properties of the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) and the modified HAQ (MHAQ) in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Materials and Methods: The internal construct validity of the HAQ-DI and MHAQ were assessed by Rasch analysis and external construct validity by associations with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Index of Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS-II) and the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). Reliability was tested by internal consistency and person separation index. Results: Two hundred and fifteen outpatients with knee OA (mean age±standard deviation (SD) 57.7±10.9 years; 81% female) filled in the assessment scales including HAQ-DI, WOMAC, WHODAS-II and the NHP. MHAQ was not administered as a separate measure but scored by using the HAQ-DI forms. Both the HAQ-DI and the MHAQ data satisfied Rasch model expectations with a mean item fit of 0.096 (SD 1.186) and -0.312 (SD 1.063), and person fit of 0.307 (SD 0.895) and -0.329 (SD 0.879), respectively. Both scales were unidimensional and showed no differential item functioning. The reliabilities of both scales were good with high Cronbach's alpha and PSI levels above 0.85. However neither of them was particularly well targeted to the current population who displayed a level of disability much below the average difficulty level of the scales. External construct validity was confirmed by expected correlations with WOMAC, WHODAS-II and NHP. Although the distribution of both scales was right skewed, the floor effect was more prominent in MHAQ. Conclusion: Both the HAQ-DI and MHAQ are found to be reliable and valid to assess physical disability in patients with knee OA. However, the possible floor effect in this diagnostic group should be kept in mind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences is the property of Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: An important aspect of the ‘description’ of a variable is the shape of its distribution, which tells you the frequency of values from different ranges of the variable. Typically, as most of the statistical tests are based on the normality assumption, a researcher is interested in how well the distribution can be approximated by the normal distribution. Unless there are extreme violations of the normality assumptions, approved statistical tests usually provide accurate results. Although simple descriptive statistics can provide some information relevant to this issue, more precise information can be obtained by performing one of the tests of normality to determine whether the sample comes from a normally distributed population or not. Aim: Lilliefors corrected Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Shapiro-Wilk, D'Agostino Pearson and Jarqua-Bera tests were aimed to be compared in terms of Type I error and power of the tests. Materials and Methods: The simulation was run 1000 times for 23 different sample sizes and for 8 different distributions. Lilliefors corrected Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Shapiro-Wilk, D'Agostino Pearson and Jarqua-Bera tests were compared in terms of Type I error and power of the tests. Results: The most powerful results for normal distributions were given by the Jarqua-Bera and for nonnormal distributions by the Shapiro-Wilk test. Conclusions: As it had the lowest Type I error rate, the Jarqua-Bera test was superior for normal and standard normal distributions. For nonnormal distributions, achieving sufficient power at smaller sample sizes, the Shapiro-Wilk was the most powerful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the intraocular pressure (IOP) measured by dynamic contour tonometry (DCT), Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT), non-contact tonometry (NCT) and Tono-Pen and also to assess whether ocular parameters such as corneal thickness, keratometry and axial length affect the measurements by the tonometers. Materials and Methods: One hundred healthy subjects prospectively underwent IOP measurement with DCT, GAT, NCT and Tono-Pen. The correlation between the tonometer readings as well as the effect of keratometry, central corneal thickness (CCT), axial length and anterior chamber depth on IOP measurements were assessed. Results: DCT readings were higher than NCT (ΔIOP=2.0±3.2 mmHg, p<0.001) and GAT (ΔIOP=1.3±2.1 mmHg, p=0.003) but not Tono-Pen (ΔIOP=0.1±2.7 mmHg, p=0.981). DCT, GAT and NCT correlated positively with CCT (p=0.039, p=0.020 and p=0.001). GAT and NCT readings were significantly higher in eyes with thick cornea (>568 μm) compared to eyes with thin cornea (<535 μm) (p=0.021 and p=0.003). Ocular parameters other than CCT did not have a significant effect on the readings of tonometers. Conclusion: Despite significant correlation; DCT readings were higher than GAT and NCT but not Tono-Pen. DCT, NCT and GAT readings significantly correlated with CCT. GAT and NCT readings were significantly higher in eyes with thick cornea compared to eyes with thin cornea. [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.

Purpose: To investigate the interrelation between serum E2 level on hCG day, score of transferred embryos and pregnancy achievement., Methods: Records of 350 women aged 18-40 years who underwent ovarian hyperstimulation in fresh cycles down regulated either with GnRH agonist (n = 70) or GnRH antagonist (n = 280) followed by oocyte pick-up, ICSI and embryo transfer are retrospectively analyzed., Results: Median E2 levels on hCG day of cycles ending with and without pregnancy were similar (p = 0.308). ROC curve for AUC of E2 on hCG day with dependent variable pregnancy rate also demonstrated that the E2 level on hCG day cannot be used to predict pregnancy in IVF/ICSI cycles (AUC 0.532, 95 % confidence interval: 0.471-0.593). Grouping cycles according to their E2 levels on hCG day also did not demonstrate any detrimental effect of either low or high E2 levels on hCG day both in agonist and antagonist cycles. Pregnancy rates are strongly correlated with mean and total score of transferred embryos. Interrelation of E2 on hCG day and pregnancy rate is independent from score of transferred embryos., Conclusions: E2 on hCG day is not correlated with pregnancy rates and cannot be used to predict pregnancy in neither agonist nor antagonist cycles, no matter its level or percentile is used.

The relation between cyclooxygenase enzymes and E-cadherin, along with the roles of these markers in the prediction of survival in optimally cytoreduced serous ovarian cancer patients was investigated. Individuals who underwent primary staging surgery and achieved optimal cytoreduction (largest residual tumor volume<1 cm) constituted the study population. Specimens of 32 cases were immunohistochemically examined for cyclooxygenase-1, cyclooxygenase-2, and E-cadherin. Two could not be evaluated for E-cadherin and cyclooxygenase-1. Overall, 14/30, 19/30, and 15/32 cases were positive for E-cadherin, cyclooxygenase-1, and cyclooxygenase-2, respectively. The expressions of E-cadherin and cyclooxygenase-2 were inversely correlated (p:0.02). E-cadherin expression was related with favorable survival (p<0.001). The relation between the expression of cyclooxygenase enzymes and poor survival did not reach statistical significance. On multivariate analysis, E-cadherin appeared as an independent prognostic factor for survival. In conclusion, E-cadherin expression is strongly linked with favorable survival. E-cadherin and cyclooxygenase 2 may interact with each other during the carcinogenesis-invasion process. Further studies clarifying the relation between E-cadherin and cyclooxygenase enzymes may lead to new preventive and therapeutic targets in ovarian cancer.

Background: An association between the ABO blood group and the risk of certain malignancies, including pancreatic and gastric cancer, has been reported previously. However, it is unclear whether this association is valid for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). In this study, ABO blood groups and the Rh factor were investigated in a series of GIST cases., Material and Methods: In 162 patients with GIST, blood group and Rh factor were examined and compared with a control group of 3,022,883 healthy volunteer blood donors of the Turkish Red Crescent between 2004 and 2011. The relationship of blood groups with tumor size, mitotic activity, and age were also evaluated., Results: Overall, the ABO blood group and Rh factor distributions of the 162 patients with GIST were similar to those of the general population. There were no significant differences between both ABO blood types and Rh factor in terms of tumor size, mitotic activity, and age., Conclusion: This is the first study reported on this issue. In our study, we didn't find any relationship between GIST and ABO blood group and Rh factor. However further studies with larger number of patients are needed to establish the role of blood groups in this population.