The Change in ELT Pre-service Teachers’ Cognition During Teaching Practicum

The aim of this study was to examine the change of ELT pre-service teachers’ cognition during teaching practicum uncovering their beliefs regarding language teaching, being a teacher and dynamics of practicum. To adopt a comprehensive perspective on how the participants’ cognition evolved as a result of practicum, qualitative research design with open-ended surveys before and after the practicum process was conducted with ELT pre-service teachers. The findings were evaluated and discussed in terms of a certain framework with change categories of Cabaroglu and Roberts (2000). The results indicated that the practicum is apt to change the pre-service teachers’ beliefs through awareness, elaboration, addition, re-ordering and reversal as a result of practicum. As the results suggest the practicum provides a real-life context for the pre-service teachers, they could adopt their grounded beliefs, which were acquired as language learners, and transform them into language teachers’ beliefs. As the participants stated the mentor, supervisor and classroom dynamics enabled such transformation, mostly in positive route. However, there are some stable beliefs that did not change during the practicum. The participants kept some functioning beliefs for their teaching practice. The results implied the complexities of the practicum process on the pre-service teachers’ cognition

Çok geç başlangıçlı "Trikotilomani": bir olgu sunumu

Trichotillomania is a chronic psychiatric disorder that repetitive hair pulling which leads to marked hair loss, negative effects on all areas of the person's functioning. Although trichotillomania has been known for many years, it has attracted less attention than other psychiatric disorders. Therefore, the information about its epidemiology, etiology, clinical feature and therapeutic approaches are limited. Trichotillomania usually begins in early childhood or adolescence. It is more common in women than men. Cases are frequently referred to the first dermatology outpatient clinics due to marked hair loss. Trichotillomania is one of the common issues of psychiatry and dermatology. In patients with trichotillomania, comorbid psychiatric disorders often accompany the clinical picture. The most common psychiatric comorbidities are mood disorders and anxiety disorders. In this study, we report a male patient who was treated with a diagnosis of very late onset trichotillomania with comorbid depression. The fact that trichotillomania started at an advanced age is a feature that makes our case interesting.Trikotilomani, yineleyen saç yolmalar sonucu belirgin saç kaybına yol açan, kişinin işlevselliğinin tüm alanlarını olumsuz etkileyen süregen seyirli bir ruhsal bozukluktur. Trikotilomani uzun yıllardır bilinmesine rağmen diğer ruhsal bozukluklardan daha az ilgi çekmiştir. Bu nedenle epidemiyolojisi, etiyolojisi, klinik görünümü ve tedavi yaklaşımları ile ilgili bilgiler sınırlıdır. Trikotilomani genellikle erken çocukluk ya da ergenlik döneminde başlar. Kadınlarda erkeklere göre daha sık görülmektedir. Belirgin saç kaybı nedeni ile olgular ilk kez dermatoloji polikliniklerine başvururlar. Trikotillomani psikiyatri ile dermatolojinin ortak konularından biridir. Trikotilomanili olgularda eş tanılı psikiyatrik bozukluklar da sıklıkla klinik tabloya eşlik eder. En yaygın görülen psikiyatrik eş tanılar duygudurum bozuklukları, anksiyete bozukluklarıdır. Bu çalışmada eştanılı depresyonu da olan çok geç başlangıçlı trikotillomani tanısı ile tedavisi düzenlenen bir erkek olgu sunulmuştur. Trikotillomaninin ileri yaşta başlamış olması olgumuzu ilginç kılan bir özelliktir

QT ve P dalga dispersiyonu üzerine Gilbert sendromunun etkisi: gözlemsel bir çalışma

Amaç: Gilbert sendromu (GS) aterosklerotik kalphastalığı sıklığını azaltır. Bu çalışmanın amacı P dalga dispersiyonu (Pd), QT dispersiyonu (QTd) gibi aritmi risk belirteçlerinin sağlıklı bireylerle kıyaslandığında GS’li hastalarda azalmış olup olmadığını değerlendirmektir. Yöntemler: Hastanemiz iç hastalıkları polikliniğine başvuran toplam 61 GS hastası (31 kadın, 30 erkek) kesitsel gözlemsel bu çalışmaya dahil edildi. Sigara içmeyen 61 sağlıklı (31 kadın, 30 erkek) kişi çalışmaya alındı. İki grup da 16-45 yaş grubu arasındaydı. Antropometrik ölçümler, laboratuvar ve elektrokardiyografik bulguların sonuçları her katılımcı için kaydedildi. Veri analizi için bağımsız örneklem t-testi ve kümelenmiş ANOVA kullanıldı. Bulgular: GS grubunda Pd 36±16,7 msec, QTd 48,7±10,7 msec ve kalp hızı (KH) 74±8 atım/dk idi. Kontrol grubunda Pd 51±28 msec, QTd 53±12 msec ve KH 78±10 atım/dk idi. Hasta grubunda Pd (p<0,001), QTd (p=0,038) ve KH (p=0,021) kontrol grubundan anlamlı düşük bulundu. Sonuç: Bizim çalışmamızın sonuçlarına göre, bu hastalarda artmış bilirubin düzeyi, KH, Pd ve QTd’de azalma ile ilişkilidir, bunun sonucu olarak kardiyak aritmi ve koroner arter hastalığı insidansı azalabilir. Bu kategorideki hastalarda aritmi riskinde bilirubinin koruyucu rolünü göstermek için daha kapsamlı çalışmalara ihtiyaç vardır.Objective: Gilbert's syndrome (GS) decreases the incidence of atherosclerotic heart disease. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the arrhythmia risk markers such as P-wave dispersion (Pd), QT dispersion (QTd) are reduced in patients with GS compared with healthy subjects. Methods: Sixty-one patients diagnosed with GS (31 females, 30 males) who had applied to the internal medicine outpatient clinic in the hospital were included in this cross-sectional, observational study. A control group of 61 healthy persons (31 females, 30 males), who were non-smokers and drinkers, were included. Both groups were between 16-45 years old. Results of anthropometric measurements, laboratory assays and electrocardiographic findings were recorded for each participant. Independent sample t-test and nested ANOVA were used for data analysis. Results: In the GS group were Pd value 36±16.7 msec, QTd 48.7±10.7 msec and heart rate (HR) 74±8 beat/min. In the control group were Pd 51±28 msec, QTd 53±12 msec and HR 78±10 beat/min. The Pd of patients group (p<0.001), QTd (p=0.038) and HR (p=0.021) were significantly lower than the control group. Conclusion: According to our study's results, in these patients, increased bilirubin levels are associated with decrease in HR, Pd and QTd, which consequently might decrease the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias and coronary artery disease. Further studies are needed to clarify the protective role of bilirubin in risk of arrhythmias in this category of patients

H1N1 virüs enfeksiyon nedeniyle meydana gelen myokardit

A 25-year-old male patient, applied to emergency department with complaints of fever lasting for 3 days, non-productive cough and tachycardia. Troponin I level was 18 ng/ml. The patient had no previously known disease and was hospitalized in coronary intensive care unit. We presented a case of acute myopericarditis occurred after an acute influenza infection, caused by H1N1 virus that recently led to pandemics worldwide

Gilbert sendromlu hastalarda aort sertliğinin değerlendirilmesi: Artmış bilirubin düzeyinin koruyucu etkisi

Amaç: Gilbert sendromu (GS) indirekt bilirubin artışıyla karakterize otozomal resesif bir hastalıktır. Gilbert sendromunda aterosklerotik kalp hastalığı insidansı azalmıştır. Biz bu çalışmada GS’nin varlığı ve nabız dalga hızı (NDH) arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemeyi amaçladık. Yöntemler: Bu çalışmaya hastanemiz iç hastalıkları kliniğine başvuran 32 kadın (yaş: 27.12±7.27) ve 26 erkek (yaş: 26.63±5.84) olmak üzere toplam 58 GS’li hasta alındı. Kontrol grubu olarak benzer yaş grubunda olan 35 kadın (yaş: 27.33±8.06, p=0.716) ve 23 erkek (yaş: 27.38±6.91, p=0.923) olmak üzere 58 sağlıklı katılımcı çalışmaya dahil edildi. Her iki grubun NDH’si sağ karotis ve femoral arterlerden ölçüldü. Bulgular: Gilbert sendromu grubunun yaş ortalaması 26.03±8.22 yıl ve sağlıklı grubun yaş ortalaması 26.60±5.84 yıl idi. Gilbert sendromu grubunun diyastolik kan basıncı (67.76±8.59 mmHg) ve NDH’si (5.63±1.12 m/s) kontrol grubundan (71.72±7.28 mmHg, p=0.008; 6.18±1.22 m/s, p=0.014) anlamlı olarak daha düşüktü. Gilbert sendromu gru- bunun yüksek yoğunluklu lipoprotein düzeyi (1.4±0.3 mmol/L) kontrol grubundan (1.2±0.3 mmol/L mmol/L, p=0.029) anlamlı şekilde daha yüksekti. Sonuç: Biz bu çalışmada, GS’li hastaların NDH değerlerini sigara içmeyen, yaş uyumlu sağlıklı bireylerden düşük bulduk.Objective: Gilbert’s syndrome (GS) is an autosomal reces- sive disease that is characterized by an increase in indirect bilirubin (IB). The incidence of atherosclerotic heart disease is decreased in GS. This study aimed to investigate the relation between pulse wave velocity (PWV) and the presence of GS. Methods: The study included 58 GS patients (32 females, age; 27.12±7.27 years, 26 males, age; 26.63±5.84 years) admitted to the internal medicine clinic of the hospital. The control group included 58 healthy individuals (35 females [27.33±8.06 years old, p=0.716] and 23 males [27.38±6.91 years old, p=0.923]). PWV of both groups was measured from the right carotid and femoral arteries. Results: Mean age of the GS group was 26.03±8.22 years, while that of the healthy group was 26.60±5.84 years. The GS group’s diastolic blood pressure and PWV were significantly lower than those of the control group: 67.76±8.59 mmHg vs 71.72±7.28 mmHg; p=0.008, and 5.63±1.12 m/s vs 6.18±1.22 m/s; p=0.014 respectively. The GS group’s high density lipo- protein (HDL) level was significantly higher than that of the control group: 1.4±0.3 mmol/L vs 1.2±0.3 mmol/L, p=0.029. Conclusion: This study found PWV among GS patients to be lower than that among non-smoking and aged-matched healthy controls

Evaluation of bone marrow functions and new inflammatory markers in patients with immunocompetent herpes zoster

Background and Design: Herpes zoster (HZ) is a viral infection characterized by dermatomal vesicles caused by the reactivation of the latent varicella-zoster virus (VZV). There are conflicting reports regarding the effects of VZV on bone marrow functions. In this study, we aimed to evaluate bone marrow function and systemic inflammation in immunocompetent HZ patients. Materials and Methods: This study included patients aged &#8805;18 yr diagnosed with HZ and admitted to a dermatology outpatient clinic between June 2011 and June 2021. Hematological parameters in routine hemogram tests of patients with HZ and new inflammatory markers, such as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic immune inflammation index, and platelet-neutrophil ratio (PNR), were determined and compared with healthy control groups. Results: Thrombocytopenia was observed in 6.1% and lymphopenia in 8% of 461 HZ patients. The mean leukocyte (white blood cell), lymphocyte, neutrophil, eosinophil, and platelet (PLT) counts in HZ patients were statistically significantly lower than in the control group (p&lt;0.05). NLR and PLR values were statistically significantly higher in HZ patients than in the control group (p&lt;0.05). PLT, eosinophil count, and PNR values were statistically lower in HZ patients aged &#8805;65 yr than in patients aged &lt;65 yr, whereas mean platelet volume and NLR values were higher (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Thrombocytopenia and lymphopenia may occur in immunocompetent HZ patients. NLR and PLR values increase in HZ patients. The increase in inflammatory markers and decrease in platelet count are more evident in HZ patients aged &#8805;65 yr

Increased pulse wave velocity and carotid intima-media thickness in patients with ulcerative colitis

Durakoglugil, Emre/0000-0001-5268-4262WOS: 000322650900024PubMed: 23508984Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized with chronic, progressive inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. the association of UC with cardiovascular disease is still a matter of debate. the aim of this study was to investigate whether carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) as surrogates of atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness are increased in patients with UC. Our study was cross-sectional and observational in design. Baseline characteristics were recorded during interview with the patient. Patients with previous cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic renal failure, and infectious and inflammatory disorders other than UC were excluded. Thirty-seven consecutive patients with UC and 30 control participants underwent cf-PWV assessment and CIMT measurement. the diagnosis of UC was based on clinical, radiologic, endoscopic, and histological findings. CIMT, cf-PWV, and C reactive protein were significantly higher in patients with UC. Although linear regression analyses identified UC as an independent predictor of CIMT (beta +/- A SE, 0.39 +/- A 0.08; p < 0.001), only age independently predicted cf-PWV (beta +/- A SE, 0.08 +/- A 0.03; p = 0.003) in our study population. Moreover, we revealed higher CIMT and PWV values in patients with higher disease activity and more extensive involvement, compared to patients with mild activity and limited disease. We revealed increased pulse wave velocity and CIMT in patients with UC. UC appears to be associated with arterial stiffness and atherosclerotic burden, but the underlying mechanisms require further studies to be identified

Predictors of Outcome in Patients with Advanced Nonseminomatous Germ Cell Testicular Tumors

Background: Predictor factors determining complete response to treatment are still not clearly defined. We aimed to evaluate clinicopathological features, risk factors, treatment responses, and survival analysis of patient with advanced nonseminomatous GCTs (NSGCTs). Materials and Methods: Between November 1999 and September 2011, 140 patients with stage II and III NSGCTs were referred to our institutions and 125 patients with complete clinical data were included in this retrospective study. Four cycles of BEP regimen were applied as a first-line treatment. Salvage chemotherapy and/or high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) with autologous stem cell transplantation were given in patients who progressed after BEP chemotherapy. Post-chemotherapy surgery was performed in selected patients with incomplete radiographic response and normal tumor markers. Results: The median age was 28 years. For the good, intermediate and poor risk groups, compete response rates (CRR) were, 84.6%, 67.9% and 59.4%, respectively. Extragonadal tumors, stage 3 disease, intermediate and poor risk factors, rete testis invasion were associated with worse outcomes. There were 32 patients (25.6%) with non-CR who were treated with salvage treatment. Thirty-one patients died from GCTs and 94% of them had stage III disease. Conclusions: Even though response rates are high, some patients with GCTs still need salvage treatment and cure cannot be achieved. Non-complete response to platinium-based first-line treatment is a negative prognostic factor. Our study confirmed the need for a prognostic and predictive model and more effective salvage approaches

Plasma catestatin concentration is independently correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in untreated hypertensive patients

29th Turkish Cardiology Congress of the Turkish-Society-of-Cardiology (TSC) with International Participation -- OCT 26-29, 2013 -- Antalya, TURKEYCetin, Mustafa/0000-0001-6342-436X; Durakoglugil, Emre/0000-0001-5268-4262WOS: 000329858400426Purpose Catestatin (CST), a novel peptide derived from Chromogranin A, has diverse cardiovascular actions in addition to diminished sympathoadrenal flow. We intended to investigate metabolic and vascular associations of CST.Turkish Soc Cardio

The relationship of plasma catestatin concentrations with metabolic and vascular parameters in untreated hypertensive patients: Influence on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol

Objective: Catestatin has several cardiovascular actions, in addition to diminished sympatho-adrenal flow. Decreased plasma catestatin levels may reflect a predisposition for the development of hypertension and metabolic disorders. We planned to investigate the possible roles of catestatin in untreated hypertensive patients. As a secondary objective, we compared catestatin concentrations of healthy subjects with those of hypertensive patients in order to understand whether catestatin is increased reactively or diminished at onset. Methods: Our study was cross-sectional and observational. The patient group, comprising 109 consecutive untreated hypertensive patients without additional systemic or coronary heart disease, underwent evaluations of plasma catestatin, waist circumference, lipid parameters, left ventricular mass, carotid intima-media thickness, and flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery. Additionally, we measured catestatin con- centrations of 38 apparently healthy subjects without any disease using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Results: We documented increased catestatin concentrations in previously untreated hypertensive patients compared to healthy controls (2.27±0.83 vs. 1.92±0.49 ng/mL, p=0.004). However, this association became insignificant after adjustments for age, gender, height, and weight. Within the patient group, catestatin levels were significantly higher in females. Among all study parameters, age, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) corre- lated positively to plasma catestatin, whereas triglycerides, hemoglobin, and left ventricular mass correlated negatively to plasma catestatin. We could not detect an association between vascular parameters and catestatin. Catestatin levels were significantly elevated with increasing HDL-C (1.91±0.37, 2.26±0.79, and 3.1±1.23 ng/mL in patients with HDL-C 60 mg/dL, respectively). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed age (beta: 0.201, p=0.041) and HDL-C (beta: 0.390, p<0.001) as independent correlates of plasma catestatin concentration. Additionally, male gender (beta:-0.330, p=0.001) and plasma catestatin (beta: 0.299, p=0.002) were significantly associated with HDL-C concentrations. Conclusion: We documented that plasma catestatin is an independent predictor of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. In addition to antihy- pertensive effects, catestatin appears to be related to improved lipid and metabolic profiles. Coexistence of low catestatin levels with low HDL-C may provide a probable mechanism for the predictive value of low HDL-C for increased hypertension and cardiovascular events