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Amaç: Otizm spektrum bozukluğu (OSB), erken çocukluk dönemlerinde sosyal etkileşim ve iletişim becerilerinde yetersizlik, kısıtlı ilgi alanı ve stereotipik davranış örüntüleri ile karakterize nörogelişimsel önemli bir bozukluktur. Bu çalışmanın amacı OSB tanısı almış çocuğu olan ebeveynlerin aşılar hakkında genel bilgilerini ölçme, aşıya karşı tutumlarını belirleme, aşı karşıtlığının oranı ve nedenlerini saptamaktır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışma, OSB tanılı çocukları olan ebeveynlerden birisi ile, yüz yüze görüşmek sureti ile, anket yaparak gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bulgular: Elde edilen verilere göre; kontrol grubu ile karşılaştırıldığında, otizmli çocukları olan ebeveynlerin; aşılar hakkındaki bilgi düzeylerinin, ve aşı reddi tercihlerinin daha yüksek olduğu, aşıların içeriklerinden daha çok şüphe duydukları, özellikle canlı virus aşılaması ile otizmin başlaması arasında, zamansal ilişki olduğuna inandıkları belirlenmiştir. Sonuç: OSB tanılı çocukların rutin çocuk-ergen psikiyatristleri tarafından, rutin kontrollerinde; ailelerin aşılar hakkındaki düşünceleri, kaygıları ve kaçınmaları değerlendirilmelidir.

Test geliştirme sürecinin birçok adımı vardır. Bu süreçte en önemli adım, testin geçerliliğini vegüvenilirliğini belirlemektir. Madde yanlılığını belirlemek ise, testin geçerliliği ve güvenilirliği için önemlibir kavramdır. Bir maddenin yanlı olması için, Değişen Madde Fonksiyonu içermesi gerekir. Bununlabirlikte, yalnızca DMF'nin varlığı, maddeyi yanlı yapmaz. Maddeye verilen cevaplardaki farklılık, altgruplardaki deneklerin yetenek düzeylerinde farklılık ortaya çıktığında olması gereken bir durumdur. Budurumu yanlılık olarak yorumlamak doğru değildir. Heterojen bir popülasyon üzerinde bir testyapılacaksa, yanlılık analizi ölçüm sürecinin en önemli bileşeni haline gelir. Buradaki en önemli hedefdenekler için adil, hassas ve duyarlı ölçümler yapmaktır. Bu çalışmada, Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesiİstatistik ve Bilgisayar Bilimleri Bölümü'ndeki 3. ve 4. sınıf öğrencilerinin olasılık teorisi okuryazarlıkdüzeyleri ölçülmüştür. 3. ve 4. sınıf öğrencilerine 10 maddelik bir okuryazarlık testi uygulanmıştır.Öğrencilerin cevaplarına göre cinsiyet ve sınıf seviyesinde yanlılık analizi yapılmıştır. DMF analiziyaparken, Raju’nun Alan Ölçümü ve Lord’un ?2İstatistiği kullanılmıştır. Analizler R yazılımı kullanılarakyapılmıştır. DMF içeren maddeler için uzman görüşüne başvurulmuştur. Analiz sonuçlarına göre, bazıtest maddelerinin cinsiyet ve sınıf düzeylerine göre yanlı olduğu tespit edilmiştir. The process of test development has many steps. The most important step in this process is todetermine the validity and reliability of the test. Detection of item bias is an important concept for thevalidity and reliability of test. In order for an item to be biased, it must contain differential item function(DIF). However, the presence of DIF alone does not make the item biased. When there are differencesin the skill levels of the subjects in the sub-groups, it is expected that there will be differences in theresponses to the item. Nevertheless, it is not correct to interpret this situation as bias. If a test is to beperformed on a heterogeneous population, bias analysis becomes the most important component ofthe measurement process. The primary objective here is to make fair, precise and sensitivemeasurement for subjects. In this study, probability theory literacy levels of 3rd and 4th grade studentsat the Department of Statistics and Computer Sciences of Karadeniz Technical University weremeasured. A 10-item literacy test was applied to all 3rd and 4th grade students. According to theanswers of the students, bias analysis was conducted on gender and class level. When performing DIFanalysis, Raju’s Area Measurement and Lord’s ?2Statistics were used with the help of R software. Expertopinion was consulted for items containing DIF. According to the results of the analysis, some test itemswere found to be biased by gender and grade levels.

When the measurement theory is examined, it is possible to come across two theories. The first of these is Classical Test Theory and the other is Item Response Theory. There are many features that distinguish Item Response Theory from Classical Test Theory. One of these is the parameter invariance feature. When the literature is examined, it is seen that the invariance feature is still the subject of debate. Based on this information, in this study, the final exam data of Karadeniz Technical University Statistics and Computer Science Department Object Oriented Programming course were examined. The exam consists of 23 items and was applied to all students who took the course. Before starting the analyzes, it was determined that the model supported by the data was the Two Parameter Item Response Theory Model. When examining the invariance property of the item parameters, the participants were subdivided according to gender and the number of times they took the course. For the person parameters, the items were divided according to difficulty and discrimination indexes. The response vector for each subtest was obtained by simulation, with a character similar to the real data. According to the results obtained, it is interpreted whether the parameter invariance feature is provided or not., Ölçme teorisi incelendiğinde, temel olarak iki kurama rastlamak mümkündür. Bunlardan ilki Klasik Test Kuramı, diğeri ise Madde Tepki Kuramıdır. Madde Tepki Kuramını Klasik Test Kuramından ayıran birçok özellik mevcuttur. Bunlardan biri de parametre değişmezliği özelliğidir. Literatür incelendiğinde değişmezlik özelliğinin hala tartışma konusu olduğu görülmektedir. Bu bilgilerden hareketle bu çalışmada, Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi İstatistik ve Bilgisayar Bilimleri Bölümü Nesneye Yönelik Programlama dersinin final sınavı verileri incelenmiştir. Sınav 23 maddeden oluşmaktadır ve dersi alan tüm öğrencilere uygulanmıştır. Analizlere başlamadan önce, veri tarafından en çok desteklenen modelin İki Parametreli Madde Tepki Kuramı Modeli olduğu belirlenmiştir. Madde parametrelerinin değişmezlik özelliğini incelerken, katılımcılar cinsiyet ve dersi alış sayılarına göre alt bölümlere ayrılmıştır. Kişi parametreleri için ise maddeler, güçlük ve ayırt edicilik indekslerine göre ayrılmıştır. Her bir alt test için gerçek veriye benzer karakterde tepki vektörü simülasyon ile elde edilmiştir. Böylelikle, mevcut olan az miktardaki gerçek veri arttırılarak daha doğru sonuçlar elde etmek amaçlanmıştır. Analizden elde edilen sonuçlara göre madde ve kişi parametrelerinin tahminlerinin parametre değişmezliği ilkesine uygun olup olmadığı yorumlanmıştır.

One of the most important factors that should be examined when determining the performance of a multiple-choice item in the measuring instrument is the effectiveness of distractors. The performance of the items formed with effective distractors is higher. At this point, the process of preparation of distractors also plays an effective role. It is important to note that a strong and effective distractor does not carry any information about the correct answer. Investigating the reason why respondents chose distractors in a measuring instrument consisting of quality items is an important part of the item analysis process. When calculating item statistics during the known item analysis process, wrong answer options, i.e. distractors, are not included in the calculation. In distractor analysis, the power of these false answer options, which are not included in item analysis, is investigated and comments are made on the quality of these options. Thus, it is possible to have an idea of how the item of interest works in the measuring instrument. In this study, Statistical Literacy Test was applied to the students of the Department of Econometrics, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Karadeniz Technical University, and distractor analysis was conducted for the items covered by the test. The analyzes were performed with the help of R software. Based on the results obtained, comments were made about whether the distractors in the items were effective and strong.

WOS: 000447832500007 Introduction: The aim of the present study was to determine concomitant congenital anomalies and variations of the temporal bone in patients with a pneumatized petrous apex and to investigate the relationship of non-pulsatile subjective tinnitus and peripheral vertigo with petrous apex pneumatization. Methods: Temporal multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) images of 2120 patients were obtained from the hospital's digital database between 2009 and 2017. The MDCT scans were performed for various preliminary diagnoses including non-pulsatile subjective tinnitus, peripheral vertigo, hearing loss, otitis, and otalgia. Petrous apex pneumatization was detected in 192 patients. Twenty-six patients with temporal bone trauma were excluded from the study. One hundred sixty-six patients were included in the study. Temporal bone MDCT images were evaluated for concomitant congenital anomalies and variations. Results: The incidence of diffuse petrous apex pneumatization was 9%. Excessive temporal bone pneumatization and high jugular bulb (JB) were found to be most prevalent in patients with petrous apex pneumatization. There were statistically significant differences between petrous apex pneumatization and peripheral vertigo (p=0.009). However, there were no statistically significant differences between petrous apex pneumatization and non-pulsatile subjective tinnitus (p=0.62). Conclusion: The most common variation was the high JB, and the most common anomaly was the dehiscent internal carotid artery in patients with petrous apex pneumatization. Moreover, there was no statistically significant relationship between non-pulsatile subjective tinnitus and unilateral or bilateral petrous apex pneumatization.

WOS: 000434256000004 PubMed: 29112638 Objective The aims of this study are to evaluate the utility of sonoelastography for parotid gland masses and to determine which cutoff strain ratio (SR) would be best for the differentiation between benign and malignant lesions. Methods From August 2015 to December 2016, 39 parotid gland masses were examined prospectively by ultrasonography and strain sonoelastography. Elastographic scores were determined by a 4-point scoring method. Interventional procedures were performed on all patients after sonographic examinations. The lesions were divided into groups as benign or malignant according to histopathological findings. The difference in elastographic scores between benign and malignant masses was evaluated. Results Among the 39 parotid gland masses, 33 (84.6%) were benign and 6 (15.3%) were malignant tumors with 53.8% (n = 21) of the lesions being on the right side. Pleomorphic adenoma (41%) was the most common neoplasm followed by Warthin tumor (28.2%). The median elastographic score was 2 (range, 1-3) for benign tumors, and it was 3 (range, 2-4) (P = 0.003) for malignant tumors. Median SR was 1.11 (range, 0.26-2.15), and it was 2.75 (range, 1.03-3.54) (P = 0.01) for benign and malignant tumors. In the receiver operating characteristic analysis, the cutoff value of the SR was 2.1, sensitivity was 83.3%, specificity was 97%, positive predictive value was 83.3%, negative predictive value was 97%, and accuracy was 94%. Conclusions There was a statistically significant difference between benign lesions and malignant lesions in both elastography score and SR. It is possible that elastography can improve the noninvasive diagnostic accuracy for certain pathological conditions.

WOS: 000422900600006 The aim of this study is to determine the effect of informative priors for variables with missing value and to compare Bayesian Cox regression and Cox regression analysis. For this purpose, firstly simulated data sets with different sample size within different missing rate were generated and each of data sets were analysed by Cox regression and Bayesian Cox regression with informative prior. Secondly lung cancer data set as real data set was used foranalysis. Consequently, using informative priors for variables with missing value solved the missing data problem.

WOS: 000450690600016 PubMed: 28931341 Aim: Teratogenicity is a problematic issue for pregnant women because of X-ray radiation, drugs, and genetic and unknown variables. First-generation antiepileptic drugs (AED) like valproic acid are well-known teratogens for developing fetuses. However, their usage is necessary in order to prevent maternal seizures. The underlying mechanism of birth defects associated with AED exposure remains unclear and information about the neurotoxic effects of prenatal exposure to AED is still limited. Oxcarbazepine (OXC) and gabapentin (GBP) are second-generation AED. It still remains unclear how much these drugs are safe during pregnancy. This study aimed to investigate whether any neurotoxic effect of OXC and GBP in utero exposure on the developing brain. Methods: Eighteen pregnant Wistar albino rats were divided into six groups. The first group was exposed to OXC at 100 mg/kg/day, the second to GBP at 50 mg/kg/day, and third to saline (0.9% NaCl) at 1.5 ml/day between the first and the fifth days of gestation. The same procedure was applied at the same dosages between the 6th and the 15th days of gestation for the 2nd three groups. Five female offspring (total n = 30, 45 days old) were taken from each group and stereological methods were applied in order to analyze the total and dopaminergic neuron number of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). Conclusion: The result is that the OXC and GBP exposure at different gestational periods may not give rise to congenital malformation and it appears that the GBP exposure during the organogenesis period proliferatively affects the total number of neurons. Ondokuz Mayis University's Scientific Research Project Office [PYO.TIP.1904.10.025] Ondokuz Mayis University's Scientific Research Project Office supported this project (project number: PYO.TIP.1904.10.025). We wish to thank Biopharma Drug Company for their support in providing the drugs.

Background Spouses are often significant source of support and the spouse’s views about rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are related to better psychological and physical health in women with RA. Objectives The aim was to investigate the effect of spouses’ illness perceptions on health status of women with RA. Methods One-hundred and one married women diagnosed with RA and their husbands were enrolled. Husbands’ beliefs about RA were assessed by husband-version of the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised (IPQ-R). Visual analogue scale-pain (VAS-pain), DAS-28, the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were evaluated in patients. Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Spearman’s correlation tests, multiple regression analyses were used for statistical analysis. Results Median age of patients and husbands were 57(22–75 years and 60(24–77 years, respectively. There were positive correlations between consequences subscale and VAS-pain, HAQ-DI, and BDI (p Conclusions We found that in general having more pessimistic illness perceptions in spouses was related to higher disability, pain and depression levels in women with RA. Having more optimistic perceptions of spouses about RA may result in improved health status in women with RA. References [1] Matheson L, Harcourt D, Hewlett S. ‘Your whole life, your whole world, it changes’: partners’ experiences of living with rheumatoid arthritis. Musculoskeletal Care2010;8:46–54. [2] Sterba KR, DeVellis RF. Developing a spouse version of the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised (IPQ-R) for husbands of women with rheumatoid arthritis. Psychol Health2009;24(4):473–87. [3] Sterba KR, DeVellis RF, Lewis MA, DeVellis BM, Jordan JM, Baucom DH. Effect of couple illness perception congruence on psychological adjustment in women with rheumatoid arthritis. Health Psychol2008;27(2):221–9. Disclosure of Interest None declared

Background Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease with a usual onset in the third decade of life, when persons are committed to various social roles that adults fulfil. 1 When evaluating the outcomes of clinical care, social role participation is an increasingly important outcome, especially when considering diseases with substantial limitations in physical functioning such as inflammatory rheumatic diseases. 2 The Short Form of the Social Role Participation Questionnaire (s-SRPQ) is a questionnaire which was developed to assess effect of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) on participation. 2 Objectives This study aims to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the s-SRPQ in Turkish patients with AS. Methods The Turkish version of s-SRPQ questionnaire was obtained after a translation and back translation process. The study sample included 100 AS patients (59 males, 41 females; mean age 42.00±11.00 years; range 19 to 69 years). To assess the test-retest reliability of the Turkish s-SRPQ, the questionnaire was reapplied 15 days after the first interview (interclass correlation coefficient, ICC). Cronbach’s alpha (a) was used to evaluate the internal consistency. The s-SRPQ was compared with Short Form-36 survey (SF-36), Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life questionnaire (ASQoL), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), and Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) for convergent validity. The internal structure of s-SRPQ was examined by factor analysis. Results For s-SRPQ/experienced physical difficulties; the individual item ICC ranged from 0.78 to 1.00 and Cronbach’s alpha value ranged from 0.88 to 1.00. For s-SRPQ/satisfaction with role performance; the individual item ICC ranged from 0.93 to 0.98 and Cronbach’s alpha value ranged from 0.96 to 0.99. KMO values was determined as 0.90 and 0.89 in the s-SRPQ/experienced physical difficulties and s-SRPQ/satisfaction with role performance, respectively. Bartlett’s test of sphericity had a p s- SRPQ/experienced physical difficulties scores and BASDAI, BASFI, and ASQoL scores (p Conclusions Turkish version of s-SRPQ has good comprehensibility, internal consistency, and validity and is an adequate and useful instrument for the assessment of participation in Turkish patients with AS. References [1] Sieper J, Braun J, Rudwaleit M, Boonen A, Zink A (2002) Ankylosing spondylitis: an overview. Ann Rheum Dis61(Suppl 3):8–18 [2] Oude Voshaar M, van Onna M, van Genderen S, van de Laar M, van der Heijde D, Heuft L, et al. (2016) Development and Validation of a Short Form of the Social Role Participation Questionnaire in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis. J Rheumatol43(7):1386–92 Disclosure of Interest None declared

WOS: 000452898000004 PubMed: 30816359 Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Short Form of the Social Role Participation Questionnaire (s-SRPQ) in Turkish patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Patients and methods: The Turkish version of s-SRPQ questionnaire was obtained after a translation and back translation process. The study sample included 100 ankylosing spondylitis patients (59 males, 41 females; mean age 42.0 +/- 11.0 years; range 19 to 69 years). To assess the test-retest reliability of the Turkish s-SRPQ, the questionnaire was reapplied 15 days after the first interview (interclass correlation coefficient [ICC]). Cronbach's alpha (a) was used to evaluate the internal consistency. The s-SRPQ was compared with Short Form-36 (SF-36) survey, Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life questionnaire (ASQoL), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), and Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) for convergent validly. Results: For s-SRPQ/experienced physical difficulties; the individual item ICC ranged from 0.78 to 1.00 and Cronbach's alpha value ranged from 0.88 to 1.00. For s-SRPQ/satisfaction with role performance; the individual item ICC ranged from 0.93 to 0.98 and Cronbach's alpha value ranged from 0.96 to 0.99. The Turkish version of s-SRPQ/experienced physical difficulties scores correlated with the SWLS and SF-36 sub-parameters negatively; and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, and BASFI, and ASQoL positively. The SRPQ/satisfaction with role performance scores correlated with the SWLS and SF-36 sub-parameters positively; and BASDAI, and BASFI, and ASQoL negatively. Conclusion: Turkish version of s-SRPQ has good comprehensibility, internal consistency, and validity and is an adequate and useful instrument for the assessment of participation in Turkish patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

WOS: 000438245400013 Background: More data needed about the variations of the skull base and relationships between the structures which form the skull base and paranasal sinuses to minimize the complications during endoscopic sinus surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between Cribriform Plate (CP) dimensions, frontal sinus ostium sizes and frontal sinus volumes. Materials and Methods: We measured the depth and width of the CP, the larger anteroposterior and side-to-side diameter of the frontal sinus ostia and the frontal sinus volumes on Computerized Tomography (CT) images of 120 adult subjects. Results: The mean depth of CP was 8.43 +/- 1.62 mm at the right side and 8.48 +/- 1.66 at the left side. The mean frontal sinus volumes were 4.83 +/- 3.58 cm(3) at the right side and 5.09 +/- 3.74 cm(3) at the left side. There were significantly larger frontal sinus volumes in males (male/female median values: 4.50/3.54 cm(3); p=0.03). There were significant positive correlations between CP depth, larger side-to-side and anteroposterior diameter of the frontal sinus ostium and frontal sinus volume (p

kemal, Ozgur/0000-0002-6419-6204 WOS: 000413849000001 PubMed: 28799451 Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of jugular bulb-vestibular aqueduct dehiscence (JBVAD) in patients undergoing temporal bone multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and assess the relationship between JBVAD and hearing loss with the findings of audiometry. Methods: About 1503 temporal bone MDCT scans were evaluated for the prevalence of JBVAD. Correlation of the imaging findings and audiometric data was performed. Patients were divided into two groups, those with and those without hearing loss, and were statistically compared. Results: Jugular bulb-vestibular aqueduct dehiscence was detected in 124 of the 1503 patients with a prevalence of 8.2%. MDCT images of 56 of the 124 patients were normal except for JBVAD (n=38) and close proximity of the jugular bulb (JB) and vestibular aqueduct (VA) (n=18). A total of 23 of 38 patients with JBVAD and 7 of 18 patients with close proximity of the JB and VA had hearing loss detected by audiometric evaluation. Conclusions: The most common hearing loss was detected as sensorineural hearing loss in patients with JBVAD. Also, median air and bone conduction and air bone gap values were found statistically higher in patients with hearing loss versus those without hearing loss.

PubMed: 24063620 The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between the etiology of late-onset childhood autism and anaerobic bacteria. Thirty children diagnosed with autistic disorder and control group have been included in the study. 3-(3-hydroxy phenyl)-3-hydroxypropionic acid (HPHPA) excretion rates which is a metabolic product of the genus Clostridium, were measured via mass spectrometry-gas chromatography (MS-GC) method from urine samples. When the assayed average HPHPA values compared with each group, a statistically significant difference was found (p < 0.05). Data obtained from this study support the existence of a significant correlation between autism etiology and anaerobic bacteria. © 2014 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

WOS: 000418648300007 PubMed: 29901016 Objectives: This study aims to assess the factor structure of the Turkish Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the relationship of illness perceptions with disease activity and psychological well-being. Materials and methods: One hundred and fifty RA patients (8 males, 142 females; mean age 51.1 +/- 12.7 years; range 21 to 81 years) were included in the study. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the factor structure of the IPQ-R. Pain was assessed by visual analog scale, disease activity by Disease Activity Score 28, depression by Beck Depression Inventory, global life satisfaction by the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and illness perception by the IPQ-R. Results: Three items (items 12, 18, 19) were deleted because of poor factor loadings. The modified 35-item model showed good reliability and discriminant validity. Beck Depression Inventory scores were correlated with identity, consequences, and emotional representations subscales positively (p0.05). Conclusion: The Turkish IPQ-R appears to be a useful clinical assessment tool to evaluate RA-related illness perceptions. RA healthcare should include psychological intervention to strengthen patients' beliefs about their RA regardless of disease activity.

Hava kirliliği insan sağlığı üzerine pek çok etkisi vardır. Bu çalışmada amaç Samsun’da hava kirliliğinin özellikle astım ve bronşit hastaları üzerine etkilerinin neler olduğunu incelemektir. Son yıllarda pek çok hastalığın görülme sıklıkları artmıştır. Astım artan bu hastalıklardan en önemlisidir. Ayrıca bronşit ve solunum yolu enfeksiyonları da diğer artan hastalıklardır. Bu artışın nedeni hava kirliliğinin etkisi de olabilir. Genelleştirilmiş tahmin denklemleri (GTD) kullanılarak hava kirleticileri ile astım-bronşit semptomları arasındaki ilişkiler incelenmiştir, Air pollution has many effects on the human health. The purpose of this study will be to examine what is known about how air pollution affects health, especially patients with Asthma and bronchitis in Samsun. Over the past several years the incidence of a number of diseases has increased greatly. Asthma is perhaps the most important disease with an increasing incidence, but other diseases, such as bronchitis and respiratory infections also have been increasing. The cause of these increases may be due at least in part to the effects of air pollution. Relationships between symptoms of asthma and bronchitis were searched using generalized estimating equations

PubMed: 27171829 Background: Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), a new biomarker, is a soluble form of membrane-bound receptors secreted from different immune cells. The aim of the present study is to determine plasma suPAR levels in Behçet’s disease and their correlation with disease activity. Methods: Thirty Behçet’s disease patients determined according to the International Study Group criteria for Behçet’s disease diagnosis and 41 healthy subjects were included in the present study. Micro-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to obtain quantitative data. Data of both groups were statistically analyzed. Results: The comparison of C-reactive protein and suPAR plasma levels of the control and Behçet’s disease group revealed statistically significant differences (respectively, P = 0.003 < 0.05 and P = 0.020 < 0.05). However, plasma suPAR levels related with disease activity revealed no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The present study is the first study analyzing suPAR levels in Behçet’s disease patients and their correlation with disease activity. However, further prospective studies with larger patient series using suPAR as a new plasma biomarker are required to diagnose and monitor Behcet’s disease and to support the findings of the present study. © 2018 Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd. The present study is supported financially by the Konya Training and Research Hospital-Education and Research Fund.

WOS: 000370808100018 We aimed to determine whether increased levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) directly cause hepatic deterioration and whether it is decreased by ascorbic acid (AA) as an antioxidant. The study included three groups: Control (n = 10), ADMA (n = 10), and ADMA + AA (n = 10). ADMA was administered at 2 mg kg(-1) day(-1) and AA was given at 50 mg kg(-1) day(-1) for 10 days. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase, and alkaline phosphatase activities were analyzed. Histomorphological evaluation of the liver was performed based on the Ishak scoring system. When compared with the control, ALT and ALP levels of the ADMA group were significantly higher (P = 0.006 and P = 0.041, respectively). When compared with the control, interface hepatitis, confluent necrosis, focal necrosis, histological activity index, severity of hepatitis, and portal inflammation were significantly higher in the group administered ADMA. The mentioned biochemical/histopathological parameters were lower in the ADMA + AA group when compared with the ADMA group even if no significant difference was encountered (P > 0.05). The results indicate that ADMA is a factor in the formation of liver injury. Insufficient recovery in biochemical/histopathological parameters when AA was given make us consider that different factors other than prooxidant factors are effective in the formation of liver injury.

Kanat, Ayhan/0000-0002-8189-2877 WOS: 000292816700054 PubMed: 21492735 OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of duraplasty based on cerebellar tonsillar descent (CTD) grade in the surgical treatment of Chiari malformation type I (CM-I). METHODS: Medical records and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of 82 patients with surgical correction of CM-I performed at the authors' clinic from 1998-2009 were reviewed. The preoperative CTD grading scale was obtained. Patients were divided two groups: duraplasty group (group 1) and nonduraplasty group (group 2). The preoperative and postoperative size of the syringomyelia cavity, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores, recovery rate, and postoperative complications were determined. RESULTS: There was 58 patients in group 1, who underwent combined foramen magnum decompression, C1 (and C2 if necessary) laminectomy, and duraplasty; the 24 patients in group 2 underwent posterior fossa decompression (PFD) alone with no dural opening performed. There were no statistically significant differences between preoperative and postoperative size of the syringomyelia cavity and JOA scores of duraplasty (group 1) and nonduraplasty (group 2) groups in CTD grades 1 and 2; in CTD grade 3, the decrease in syrinx cavity and clinical improvement were statistically better in group 1 compared with group 2 (P < 0.05). Complications in group 1 were statistically significantly increased compared with group 2 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that PFD and duraplasty for the treatment of CTD grade 3 Chiari malformation may lead to a more reliable reduction in the volume of concomitant syringomyelia and JOA scores. In CTD grade 1 and 2 patients, PFD without duraplasty may be performed.

WOS: 000284490800022 PubMed: 20729762 The aim of the study was to compare 3 stool antigen tests for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in adult patients with dyspeptic complaints before eradication therapy. We compared 2 enzyme immunoassays (EIAs: Premier Platinum Helicobacter pylori Stool Antigen [HpSA] Plus and Helicobacter pylori Antigen [Hp Ag]) and one immunochromatographic assay (H. pylori fecal antigen test-lateral-flow chromatography) in detecting H. pylori. All the investigated stool antigen tests were made of monoclonal antibodies. We evaluated 168 adult patients with H. pylori infection by using 2 criterion standard methods (histological and rapid urease tests) together. The sensitivity and specificity were 90% and 91%, respectively, for the Premier Platinum HpSA Plus, 77% and 91%, respectively, for the Hp Ag, and 81% and 92%, respectively, for the H. pylori fecal antigen test, respectively. The best agreement between the criterion standard tests and the stool antigen tests used in the study was with the Premier Platinum HpSA Plus. Immunochromatographic assay-based stool antigen test (H. pylori fecal antigen test) was found to be more sensitive than the EIA-based test (Hp Ag). One of the 2 important conclusions obtained from the study was that the Premier Platinum HpSA Plus was found to be the most accurate test for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection in adult dyspeptic patients before eradication therapy, and the other was that monoclonal and high-quality, reliable immunochromatographic assay tests are a good option especially for small hospital laboratories that do not have appropriate equipment for performing the EIA and working on few samples.

WOS: 000445218100021 PubMed: 29549037 Background: Ulnar variance, or the difference in height between the joint surfaces of the distal radius and ulna, may play a role in several diseases of the wrist. Hypothesis: This study was to conduct a detailed analysis of ulnar variance in a wider case series by dividing the patients' radiographs into groups according to age, gender, and side. Materials and methods: Twenty groups were created in order to investigate the change of ulnar variance according to age, gender, and side. Each group was planned to have 30 wrists. Wrist radiographs were scanned retrospectively, and ulnar variance was measured using the method of perpendiculars. Patients with any arthritic conditions, avascular necrosis, congenital deformities, bone and soft tissue tumors, and previous fractures or surgeries, and those radiographs, which were not at the exact anteroposterior position, and with insufficient technique were not included the study. Results: Six hundrends wrists (300 males [150 right, and 150 left wrists], and 300 females [150 right, and 150 left wrists]) were included in this study. There was a significant difference between the males (median: 0.4, minimum: -3.8, maximum: 5.1) and females (median: 0.85, minimum: -4.8, maximum: 5.7), regardless of the age and side (p = 0.043). In the right wrists only (regardless of age), there was also a significant difference between the males (median: 0, minimum: -3.8, maximum: 5.1) and females (median: 0.8, minimum: -3.9, maximum: 5.7) (p = 0.025). No statistically significant differences were found within the males and females with regard to aging, or between the sides in the same sex in any decade. In addition, there were no significant differences between the same sides in the males and females in any decade. Discussion: Although this study has one of the larger series in the literature, further studies should be done in different populations and ethnicities to obtain more accurate results, and to understand the relationship between ulnar variance and specific wrist disorders. (C) 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

In this randomized controlled study, we investigated the effects of autologous Hemobag blood transfusion (AHBT) and allogenic blood transfusion (ABT) in off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery.Sixty patients who underwent surgery between February 2008 and August 2008 were randomized into 2 groups. The AHBT group (n = 30) consisted of patients who received autologous Hemobag blood transfusion, and the ABT group (n = 30) consisted of patients who received allogenic blood transfusion. All patients underwent OPCAB via sternotomy. The time to extubation, chest tube drainage volume, postoperative white blood cell counts, amount of blood transfusion, sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein concentration, postoperative temperature, and the presence of atelectasis were recorded in the intensive care unit.Intraoperative bleeding and fluid resuscitation were similar in the 2 groups (P.05); however, there were significant decreases in postoperative blood loss, extubation period, postoperative white cell counts, sedimentation rate, incidence of atelectasis, C-reactive protein, and fever in the AHBT group compared with the ABT group (P.05). The rate of atrial fibrillation in the AHBT group tended to be lower than in the ABT group.Autologous blood transfusion in OPCAB may be beneficial in certain cardiac surgery patients; however, these beneficial effects require further study to be proved.

This study focuses on a specific case of Generalized Linear Models for multinomial responses and investigates their analysis using Bayesian methods. The important problem of surgical planning for arterial occlusive disease is considered in some detail, as a medical application of these models. The study investigates the potential benefits which accrue when these ideas are applied to the important medical problem of locating and assessing the severity of lower-limb arterial occlusive disease.

Traumas are among important causes of morbidity and mortality in the pediatric group. Our aim was to evaluate the predicting effects of general trauma scores on mortality and morbidity rates.The files of 74 patients, who were admitted to our hospital with trauma between the years 2006 and 2008, were retrospectively investigated. Patients' ages, sex, types of trauma, the time between the trauma and entrance to the hospital, vital and laboratory findings, length of hospital stay, length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, surgical interventions, the organs affected by the trauma, morbidity, and mortality rates were recorded., glasgow coma scale (GCS), abbreviated injury scale (AIS), trauma score-injury severity score (TRISS), revised trauma score (RTS), injury severity score (ISS), pediatric trauma score (PTS), specific trauma scores for lung, liver, and spleen were calculated using the data in the files.The mean age of patients was 7.0+/-4.34 (1-16) years and 50% of them were men. The types of the trauma were blunt in 66 (89.2%) patients, penetrating in 5 (6.8%) patients and injury due to gun shot in 3 (4.1%) patients. The mean time between the trauma and entrance to the emergency service was 80.40+/-36.67 (10-120) min. Emergency operation and elective surgery was performed in 13 (17%) and 20 (27%) patients, respectively. The mean length of hospitalization was 4.50+/-7.93 (1-35) days.Seven (9.5%) patients needed ICU. The morbidity and mortality rates were 60.8% (n=45) and 2.7% (n=2), respectively. AIS, ISS, TRISS and PTS were independent predictors of morbidity (p0.05). AIS and ISS were independent predictors of the length of hospital stay (p0.05). RTS, TRISS, ISS and PTS were independent predictors of the need for ICU (p0.05). Among laboratory findings, blood glucose, AST and ALT were found to be independent predictors of liver trauma.ISS was found to be more valuable than other trauma scoring systems for prognostic evaluation of pediatric trauma patients. On the other hand, blood glucose, AST, and ALT are easily available, cheap, and valuable alternative laboratory findings in prognostic evaluation.

WOS: 000392980100004 PubMed: 29900999 Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Turkish language version of VITACORA-19 ( psoriatic arthritis quality of life questionnaire) in patients with psoriatic arthritis. Patients and methods: The Turkish version of VITACORA-19 questionnaire was obtained after a translation and back translation process. The study sample included 61 PsA patients (22 males, 39 females; mean age 46.5 +/- 12.2 years; range 19 to 71 years). To assess the test-retest reliability of the Turkish VITACORA-19, the questionnaire was reapplied 10 to 15 days after the first interview (interclass correlation coefficient). Cronbach's alpha (a) was used to evaluate the internal consistency. VITACORA-19 was compared with visual analog scale for physician and patient global assessments, the Health Assessment Questionnaire, and Nottingham Health Profile for construct validity. The internal structure of VITACORA-19 was examined by factor analysis. Results: The individual item intraclass correlation coefficient ranged from 0.77 to 0.98 and Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.77 to 0.98. The Cronbach's alpha value for whole scale was determined as 0.96. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling adequacy was 0.90, and Bartlett's test of sphericity had a p

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease characterized by a progressive airflow limitation. Soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) is released from the membrane-bound plasminogen activator, and is positively correlated with the activation of immune system. Aims: Release of inflammatory mediators is increased in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), particularly during exacerbations. The objective of this study was to compare plasma levels of suPAR and serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) during exacerbation and stable periods in patients with COPD. Study Design: Prospective clinical study. Methods: The patients with COPD were divided into 3 groups for evaluations: those with stable COPD [SCOPD] (n= 54), pre-treatment acute exacerbation COPD [AECOPD] (n= 53), and post-treatment AECOPD (n= 52). Plasma suPARand serum CRP levels were assessed for each patient. Results: Whereas the increased serum CRP levels of the participants were 54.82±56.63 mg/l during acute exacerbation period, during the stable period it was 5.02±6.31 mg/l and statistically significant (p= 0.0001). The suPAR level was 1.28±0.52ng/ml during the acute exacerbation period vs.1.21±0.59ng/ml during the stable period, without a difference (p= 0.49). There was a statistically significant decrease in the CRP serum levels; yet, although not statistically significant a remarkable decrease was seen in the suPAR levels obtained before and after the management of exacerbations (p= 0.001 and p= 0.06 respectively). Conclusion: These results support the idea that suPAR, a novel biomarker, might be an important indicator if verified with further prospective studies in evaluating COPD exacerbations and treatment response like CRP used for decades. © Under License of Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

PubMed: 25742234 Objective: The study was designed to determine the relationship between survival time of standardized uptake value (SUVmax and SUVmean) and metabolic tumor volume (MTV) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and examine the impact of demographic, clinical, and radiological data of these patients on survival. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the records of 79 patients with NSCLC who presented to our hospital between May 2010 and March 2013, received a final diagnosis, and underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT for staging. Clinical, radiological, and 18F-FDG PET/CT parameters with an impact on prognosis such as the SUVmax of the primary tumor as calculated by the volumetric region of interest in the 18F-FDG PET/CT scans during initial diagnosis, mean SUV of the tumor, and MTV obtained with a threshold of SUVmax greater than 2.5 were recorded and statistically analyzed. A statistical analysis was carried out based on the clinical, radiological, and PET/CT findings of the patients who were divided into 2 groups: survivors and nonsurvivors. Results: Seventy patients (88.6%) were men, and 9 (11.4%) were women. The mean age was 63.65 ± 11.51 years in the nonsurvivor group (n = 40) versus 62.74 ± 10.60 years in the survivor group (n = 39) (Table 1). The mean survival time from diagnosis was 7.9 ± 6.52 months in the nonsurvivor group versus 14.09 ± 7.41 months in the survivor group. The mean survival time was 12.9 ± 7.9 months for those aged 60 or younger, whereas it was 9.9 ± 7.2 years for those aged 60 or older. According to the Cox regression analysis, higher MTV [relative risk (RR), 1.006; P = 0.03] and mean SUVmax (mSUV) (RR, 1.302; P = 0.03) had a significant impact on shortening of the mean survival time. However, no statistical significance was reached for SUVmax measurements (RR, 0.970; P = 0.39). Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between increased tumor size (

Kelkitli, Engin/0000-0001-7342-1760 WOS: 000334270700018 PubMed: 24337486 The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) at diagnosis has been shown to be a prognostic factor for survival in solid tumors. The NLR at diagnosis as a prognostic factor for multiple myeloma (MM) has not been studied. Therefore, the focus of the study was the correlation of NLR with the proven prognostic parameters in patients with MM. A total of 151 MM patients who fulfilled the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) criteria were enrolled in the study by a retrospective review of the patients' records. One hundred fifty-one age- and gender-matched healthy controls were also included in the study. NLR was calculated using data obtained from the complete blood count (CBC). NLR was significantly higher in MM patients than the control group (2.79 +/- 1.82 vs. 1.9 +/- 0.61, respectively; p < 0.0001). The median follow-up on living patients in this study was 41 months. NLR at the diagnosis was found to be an independent predictor for overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) by univariate and multivariate analysis. Patients with a NLR < 2 at diagnosis experienced superior OS compared with patients with a NLR a parts per thousand yen2 (5-year OS rates were 87.5 and 42.4 %, respectively; p < 0.0001). In a similar fashion, superior EFS was observed in patients with a NLR < 2 at the diagnosis compared with patients with a NLR a parts per thousand yen2 (5-year EFS rates were 88.4 and 41.8 %, respectively, p < 0.0001). This study suggests that NLR at the diagnosis is a simple, inexpensive, possible prognostic factor to assess clinical outcomes in MM patients.

WOS: 000313379200009 PubMed: 23441395 There is an increasing interest in the use of hospital admission for Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in studies of short-term exposure effects attributed to air pollutants. However, little is known about the effect of air pollutants on COPD symptoms. This study was undertaken to determine whether there was an association between air pollutant levels and both hospital admissions and symptoms for COPD. For model comparison, we present Generalized Linear Model, Generalized Additive Model and a general approach for Bayesian inference via Markov chain Monte Carlo in generalized additive model. Furthermore, for comparing the predictive accuracy, Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) approach is given.

WOS: 000322923000009 PubMed: 23551920 Background: Several noninvasive diagnostic tests based on the detection of Helicobacter pylori stool antigen (HpSA) have been developed. The aim of the study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of 5 HpSA tests-2 monoclonal enzyme immunoassay tests (EIAs: the Premier Platinum HpSA Plus test and Helicobacter pylori Antigen (Hp Ag) test) and 3 rapid immunochromatographic assay (ICA) tests (the ImmunoCard STAT! HpSA test, one step HpSA test, and H. pylori fecal antigen test)-for diagnosing H. pylori infection in adult patients with dyspeptic symptoms before eradication therapy. Materials and Methods: A total of 198 patients with dyspeptic symptoms were included in the study. A gastric biopsy was collected for histopathology and rapid urease testing. Stool specimens for HpSA testing were also collected. Patients were considered H. pylori positive if two invasive tests (histological and rapid urease tests) were positive. Results: The sensitivity and specificity were 92.2% and 94.4%, respectively, for the Premier Platinum HpSA Plus test; 48.9% and 88.9%, respectively, for the HP Ag test; 86.7% and 88.9, respectively, for the One Step HpSA test; 68.9% and 92.6%, respectively, for the ImmunoCard STAT! HpSA test; and 78.9% and 87%, respectively, for the H. Pylori fecal antigen test. Conclusions: The Premier Platinum HpSA Plus EIA test was determined to be the most accurate stool test for diagnosing H. pylori infections in adult dyspeptic patients. The currently available ICA-based tests are fast and easy to use but provide less reliable results.

WOS: 000298113400011, PubMed: 21940466, Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global health care problem. Diagnosis of HCV infection is mainly based on the detection of anti-HCV antibodies as a screening test with serum samples. Recombinant immunoblot assays are used as supplemental tests and for the final detection and quantification of HCV RNA in confirmatory tests. In this study, we aimed to compare the HCV core antigen test with the HCV RNA assay for confirming anti-HCV results to determine whether the HCV core antigen test may be used as an alternative confirmatory test to the HCV RNA test and to assess the diagnostic values of the total HCV core antigen test by determining the diagnostic specificity and sensitivity rates compared with the HCV RNA test. Sera from a total of 212 treatment-naive patients were analyzed for anti-HCV and HCV core antigen both with the Abbott Architect test and with the molecular HCV RNA assay consisting of a reverse transcription-PCR method as a confirmatory test. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the HCV core antigen assay compared to the HCV RNA test were 96.3%, 100%, 100%, and 89.7%, respectively. The levels of HCV core antigen showed a good correlation with those from the HCV RNA quantification (r = 0.907). In conclusion, the Architect HCV antigen assay is highly specific, sensitive, reliable, easy to perform, reproducible, cost-effective, and applicable as a screening, supplemental, and preconfirmatory test for anti-HCV assays used in laboratory procedures for the diagnosis of hepatitis C virus infection.

AIM The correlation between hematoma volume and outcome in ruptured arteriovenous malformations (AVM) with accompanying posterior fossa hematoma was retrospectively evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS Microsurgery operations were performed on 127 patients with intracranial AVM between January 1998 and January 2009 at our clinic. Fifteen (11.8%) patients were identified as suffering from posterior fossa AVM, and twelve of these patients presented with a cerebellar hematoma. All patients were clinically evaluated according to the following criteria: modified Rankin Scale (mRS) prior to surgery, Spetzler-Martin grade (SMG) of the AVMs, hematoma volume prior to surgery, and mRS following surgery. RESULTS Postoperative mRS scores were significantly lower than preoperative scores (p=0.0001). Postoperative outcomes were concordant with the SMG of the AVMs (r=0.67, p=0.033), hematoma volume (r=0.537, p=0.072) and preoperative mRS scores (r=0.764, p=0.004). These analyses show that the postoperative mRS score is strongly correlated with a preoperative mRS score, hematoma volume and SMG. CONCLUSION Posterior fossa AVMs present an increased risk for hemorrhage and for increased morbidity and mortality. Cases with hematoma should be operated on an urgent basis. We conclude that hematoma volume is a factor that impacts postoperative results and prognosis. SMG and preoperative mRS scores were also correlated with outcome.

WOS: 000302959400035 PubMed: 21831462 The FES-I is a questionnaire which was developed to assess fear of falling. The aim of this study was to evaluate validity and reliability of a Turkish language version of the FES-I in Turkish older people. The study sample included 70 volunteers with an age range of 65-81. To assess the test-retest reliability of the Turkish FES-I, questionnaire was applied again 10-15 days after the first interview (interclass correlation: ICC). FES-I was compared with The Modified Barthel Index (MBI), the timed up and go test (TUG), and The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) for construct validity. Cronbach's alpha (alpha) was used to evaluate the internal consistency. The internal structure of the FES-I was examined by factor analysis. ROC plots were used to define cut-point for the FES-I scales. Cronbach's a of the Turkish FES-I was 0.94 and the individual item ICC ranged from 0.97 to 0.99. The Turkish FES-I total scores were correlated with TUG positively, and MBI, and BBS negatively. The cut-off score to differentiate between persons with fear of falling and persons without fear of falling was 24 points. It was found that the Turkish version of the FES-I was a reliable and valid measure of fear of falling in Turkish older people. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

This study was performed to assess the effects of different imputation methods on the performance of a biplot technique. We selected the Fisher's iris data as our reference dataset. Some elements of the Iris data were deleted in different rates under missing at random MAR assumption to generate incomplete datasets which had 3.5%, 7%, 15%, 20% missing value. Datasets with missing values were completed by four imputation methods [mean imputation, regression imputation, expectation maximisation EM algorithm, multiple imputation MI]. The new imputed datasets were analysed by biplot technique and their results were compared with original complete biplot of the data. The results of biplot analysis were similar in all the imputation methods when missing rate is low under MAR assumption. Even when the missing rate was greater than 10%, results of EM and MI methods were similar to real values and graphical representation of original data. For multivariate methods, we also propose filling in the missing value with the arithmetic mean of the imputed estimates which are obtained with multiple imputation. This paper also indicates that the use of biplot technique for the comparison of the missing value imputation methods provides a useful visual tool.