Clicker yönteminin atlarda duyarsızlaştırma eğitimine etkisi

Encouraging horses to do tasks willingly during training relating to their welfare is important. Horses are trained for desensitization using de-spooking tracks. In this study, the efficacy of using the clicker method during desensitization to obstacles and novel objects is investigated. Fourteen Arabian horses participated in the study. Their success in completing the tasks, as well as their heart rate and behaviour were examined. The average achievement for the hanging pool noodle door task was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the clicker group (100%) than in the control group (43%). Average heart rate is highly significant (P<0.01) in the clicker group (139.28 pcs/minute) than the control group (109.42 pcs/minute). In the scope of frightening behaviours, "trot" was determined highly significant (P<0.01) in the control group than the clicker group. Clicker training appears to provide an advantage due to its ease of application, low cost, and fast learning by horses. The findings suggest that this method is advisable because of its efficacy during desensitising of horses using the de-spooking track. Fulfilling tasks willingly during training is also important for the horse’s welfare and trainer’s safety.Eğitim sırasında verilen görevi kendi istekleriyle yerine getirmeleri, atların refahı ve başarıları açısından oldukça önemlidir. Bu amaçla atların temel eğitimleri sırasında ürkekliklerinin azaltılması ve çeşitli seslere, nesnelere karşı alışmalarının sağlanması için duyarsızlaştırma eğitimlerinde bazı parkurlardan yararlanılmaktadır. Bu araştırmada atların farklı zemin üzerinde yürüme ve nesneler arasından geçme (dar alan, top, şemsiye, halka, branda, yandan engelli kapı ve üstten engelli kapı) gibi bazı görevleri yerine getirmesi sırasında clicker metodunun kullanımının atın parkurdaki başarısına etkisi araştırılmıştır. Bu amaçla 14 baş Arap kısraktan yararlanılmıştır. Atların parkurda görevleri yerine getirme başarıları, kalp atım hızları ve davranışları incelenmiştir. Üstten engelli kapı görevini başarma ortalaması, clicker uygulanan grupta (%100) kontrol grubuna (%43) göre önemli düzeyde (P<0.05) yüksek bulunmuştur. Ortalama kalp atım hızı clicker uygulanan grupta (139.28 adet/dk) kontrol grubuna (109.42 adet/dk) göre önemli düzeyde (P<0.01) yüksek olmuştur. Kontrol grubunda clicker uygulanan gruba göre; ani durma, süratli veya dörtnala kalkma davranışlarının önemli derecede (P<0.01) yüksek olduğu belirlenmiştir. Sonuç olarak, clicker yönteminin atlar tarafından hızla öğrenilen, uygulaması kolay ve maliyeti düşük bir yöntem olması ve aynı zamanda görevlerin başarılmasındaki etkinliği nedeniyle at eğitiminde kullanılması tavsiye edilebilir. Bununla birlikte, clicker metodu kullanılarak atın görevleri kendi isteğiyle yerine getirmesinin hem antrenörün güvenliği hem de hayvan refahı açısından önemli olduğu söylenebilir

Association of serum ADMA, SDMA and L-NMMA concentrations with disease progression in COVID-19 patients

IntroductionThis study determines and compares the concentrations of arginine and methylated arginine products ((asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), n-monomethyl-1-arginine (L-NMMA) and homoarginine (HA)) for assessment of their association with disease severity in serum samples of COVID-19 patients. Materials and methodsSerum arginine and methylated arginine products of 57 mild-moderate and 29 severe (N = 86) COVID-19 patients and 21 controls were determined by tandem mass spectrometry. Moreover, the concentrations of some of the routine clinical laboratory parameters -neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), C-reactive protein, ferritin, D-dimer, and fibrinogen measured during COVID-19 follow-up were also taken into consideration and compared with the concentrations of arginine and methylated arginine products. ResultsSerum ADMA, SDMA and L-NMMA were found to be significantly higher in severe COVID-19 patients, than in both mild-moderate patients and the control group (P < 0.001 for each). In addition, multiple logistic regression analysis indicated L-NMMA (cut-off =120 nmol/L OR = 34, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.5-302.0, P= 0.002), CRP (cut-off = 32 mg/L, OR = 37, 95% CI = 4.8-287.0, P < 0.001), and NLR (cut-off = 7, OR = 22, 95% CI = 1.4-335.0, P = 0.020) as independent risk factors for identification of severe patients. ConclusionsThe concentration of methylated arginine metabolites are significantly altered in COVID-19 disease. The results of this study indicate a significant correlation between the severity of COVID-19 disease and concentrations of CRP, NLR and L-NMMA

Elderly and aged asthma have different characteristics: results of a multicenter study

Background/aim: Characteristics of asthma in the elderly population is not well-known. The aim of the present study was to evaluate asthma in the elderly population, to compare disease characteristics between patients diagnosed <60 (aged asthma) and ≥60 (elderly asthma) years of age. Materials and methods: The study was a prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional type. A questionnaire was filled out to patients 60 years of age and over, that have been followed for asthma for at least 3 months. Asthma Control Test (ACT), eight-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) was filled out, inhaler device technique was assessed. Results: A total of 399 patients were included from 17 tertiary care centers across the country. Mean age was 67.11 years and 331 (83%) were female. The age at asthma diagnosis was ≥60 in 146 (36.6%) patients. Patients diagnosed ≥60 years were older (p < 0.001), had higher education level (p < 0.001), more commonly had first-degree relative with asthma (p = 0.038), asthma related comorbidities (p = 0.009) and accompanying rhinitis/rhinosinusitis (p = 0.005), had better asthma control (p = 0.001), were using less controller medications (p = 0.014). Inhaler technique was correct in 37% of the patients with no difference in between the groups. Treatment compliance was better in elderly asthma patients (p < 0.001). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, having well-controlled asthma (odds ratio = 1.61, CI = 1.04-2.51), and high medication adherence rate (odds ratio = 2.43, CI = 1.48-4.0) were associated with being in the elderly asthma group. Conclusion: The characteristics of asthma are different among patients aged 60 years and over which seems to be related to onset age of asthma. In our cohort, the elderly asthma patients had higher education level, and treatment adherence and asthma control was better. Patients diagnosed ≥60 years of age did not have more severe disease

Inappropriate antimicrobial use in Turkish pediatric hospitals: A multicenter point prevalence survey

Objectives: Although well-defined principles of rational antimicrobial use are available, inappropriate prescribing patterns are reported worldwide. Accurate information on the usage of antimicrobials, including factors associated with and influencing their use, is valuable for improving the quality of prescription practices. Methods: In this cross-sectional point prevalence survey, data on patients hospitalized in 12 different children's hospitals were collected on a single day. Appropriateness of prescription was compared between the types of antimicrobials prescribed, indications, wards, and presence of/consultation with an infectious disease physician (IDP). Results: A total 711 of 1302 (54.6%) patients evaluated were receiving one or more antimicrobial drugs. The antimicrobial prescription rate was highest in pediatric intensive care (75.7%) and lowest in the surgery wards (37.0%). Of the 711 patients receiving antimicrobials, 332 patients (46.7%) were found to be receiving at least one inappropriately prescribed drug. Inappropriate use was most frequent in surgery wards (80.2%), while it was less common in oncology wards (31.8%; p < 0.001). Respiratory tract infection was the most common indication for antimicrobial use (29.4%). Inappropriate use was more common in deep-seated infections (54.7%) and respiratory infections (56.5%). Fluoroquinolones were used inappropriately more than any other drugs (81.8%, p = 0.021). Consultation with an IDP appears to increase appropriate antimicrobial use (p = 0.008). Conclusions: Inappropriate antimicrobial use remains a common problem in Turkish pediatric hospitals. Consultation with an IDP and prescribing antimicrobial drugs according to microbiological test results could decrease the inappropriate use of antimicrobials