Oxidative stress in systemic sclerosis literature review

Sistemik sklerozun etyopatogenezi iyi bilinmemektedir ve başlangıç dönemindeki endotel hasarında oksidatif stresin rol oynadığı düşünülmektedir. Sistemik sklerozda ve Raynaud fenomeninde, antioksidan potansiyalde azalma ve dolaşımdaki serbest radikallerde artma tesbit edilmiştir. Oksidatif stresi saptamak için aşırı miktarda serbest radikal üretildiğini ve/veya antioksidan eksikliğini göstermek gerekir. Sistemik sklerozlu hastalarda plazma antioksidan enzim düzeylerindeki azalmanın nedeni bilinmemektedir. Antioksidanların intermediate metabolizmasındaki değişiklikler veya sık Raynaud fenomeni epizotlarını takiben ortaya çıkan hipoksi tarafından antioksidanların tüketilmesi neden olabilir. ıskeminin kendisi özellikle de hipoksiyle birlikteyse doku hasarına neden olabilir. Aktive olmuş oksijen türevleri hasarı hem başlatıp hem de ilerlemesine neden olurlar. Endotel hücrelerinin fonksiyonel bozukluğu en çok hastalığın erken dönemlerinde ortaya çıkar.Etiopathogenesis of systemic sclerosis is not well-known and oxidative stress has been supposed to play a role in the endothelial damage at the initial phase of the disease. In systemic sclerosis and Raynaud phenomenon, decrease in antioxidant potential and increase in the free radicals were detected in circulation. It is necessary to show production of excess amounts of free radicals or deficiency of antioxidants to detect oxidative stress. In patients with systemic sclerosis, the etiology of decrease in the antioxidant enzymes is unknown. Changes in the intermediate metabolism of antioxidants or consumption of antioxidants caused by hypoxia which is induced by Raynaud phenomenon may be the cause. Ischemia itself, especially if it is together with hypoxia may cause tissue damage. Endothelial cell dysfunction occurs especially at early stages of the disease

INFLUENCE OF A GAME-BASED APPLICATION ON SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS' SAFE INTERNET USE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of a game called Wild Web Woods (WWW) designed by the European Council for safe Internet use on secondary school students’ safe Internet use. In line with this purpose, for the purpose of determining the students’ awareness of safe Internet use, a total of 504 students from different regions in Turkey were reached. In the study, a 25-item questionnaire developed by the researchers was applied to the students. The results of the data analysis revealed that the students generally had sufficient levels of awareness of safe Internet use. In the study, 28 5th and 6th grade students attending a secondary school in the city of Balıkesir took part in the application phase of the WWW game. These students were introduced to the WWW game and asked to play the game. Following this, scenario-based application questions prepared by the researchers were directed to the students. In order to provide data triangulation and to determine the students’ views about this new application, open-ended questions were directed to the students. The results demonstrated that the students’ awareness of safe Internet use generally increased. Almost all the students taking education on safe Internet with the help of the WWW game gave correct answers to the scenario-based application questions. The qualitative data were interpreted within the scope of “Diffusion of Innovations Theory”, and the related themes were obtained. The students regarded this game as an innovation, entertained while playing the game and stated that they wanted to use it in future. This situation can be explained as diffusion of the related innovation

Content Analysis of Master Theses and Dissertations Based on Action Research

Action Research (AR) is becoming popular in the field of education, and according to literature, it could be stated that AR studies have positive influence on practice in education. The present study aims at conducting content analysis of action research (AR) master theses and doctoral dissertations submitted at the level of Turkish higher education. A total of 10 master theses and 18 doctoral dissertations were analyzed to determine their action research type, keywords, theoretical framework, academic discipline, test and analysis, data collection tools, participants, variables and research interest and leader institutions. Furthermore, the action research purposes of these theses and dissertations were analyzed with qualitative methods. In this respect, the present study is thought to be significant in that by reviewing the action research theses/dissertations, it helps clarify the current status of the action research field in Turkey and determine the research trends in this area. As a result, more than half (57%) of theses/dissertations were determined to fall into the “Technical/scientific/collaborative” type. Besides, in relation to theoretical frameworks, “constructivism” was found to be dominant in the theses/dissertations analyzed. Interview and participant observation notes were the most popular data collection tools. Lastly, according to their statements of purpose, the theses/dissertations could be gathered under 3 themes: “development”, “actualization”, and “application”

A patient-driven registry on Behçet’s disease: the AIDA for patients pilot project

IntroductionThis paper describes the creation and preliminary results of a patient-driven registry for the collection of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and patient-reported experiences (PREs) in Behçet’s disease (BD).MethodsThe project was coordinated by the University of Siena and the Italian patient advocacy organization SIMBA (Associazione Italiana Sindrome e Malattia di Behçet), in the context of the AIDA (AutoInflammatory Diseases Alliance) Network programme. Quality of life, fatigue, socioeconomic impact of the disease and therapeutic adherence were selected as core domains to include in the registry.ResultsRespondents were reached via SIMBA communication channels in 167 cases (83.5%) and the AIDA Network affiliated clinical centers in 33 cases (16.5%). The median value of the Behçet’s Disease Quality of Life (BDQoL) score was 14 (IQR 11, range 0–30), indicating a medium quality of life, and the median Global Fatigue Index (GFI) was 38.7 (IQR 10.9, range 1–50), expressing a significant level of fatigue. The mean Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ) necessity-concern differential was 0.9 ± 1.1 (range – 1.8–4), showing that the registry participants prioritized necessity belief over concerns to a limited extent. As for the socioeconomic impact of BD, in 104 out of 187 cases (55.6%), patients had to pay from their own pocket for medical exams required to reach the diagnosis. The low family socioeconomic status (p < 0.001), the presence of any major organ involvement (p < 0.031), the presence of gastro-intestinal (p < 0.001), neurological (p = 0.012) and musculoskeletal (p = 0.022) symptoms, recurrent fever (p = 0.002), and headache (p < 0.001) were associated to a higher number of accesses to the healthcare system. Multiple linear regression showed that the BDQoL score could significantly predict the global socioeconomic impact of BD (F = 14.519, OR 1.162 [CI 0.557–1.766], p < 0.001).DiscussionPreliminary results from the AIDA for Patients BD registry were consistent with data available in the literature, confirming that PROs and PREs could be easily provided by the patient remotely to integrate physician-driven registries with complementary and reliable information

THE EFFECT OF VERMICOMPOST ON GROWRTH AND NUTRIENT ELEMENT CONTENT OF TOMATOES AND PEPPERS

Kompost konusundaki çalışmalarda vermikompost yönetiminin kentsel ve endüstriyel organik atıkların geri kazanımı, tükettiğimiz sebze ve meyvelerin, sağlıklı ve doğal olabilmesi için önemli bir gübre olan vermikompost materyalinin son yıllarda yapılan birçok çalışmada önemi ortaya konulmuştur. Açık koşullarda tesadüfi deneme desenine göre yerleştirilen, 2000 g’lık saksılarda yürütülen bu çalışmada; vermikompost V1:% 0 (kontrol), V2:%5 (100 g), V3:%10 (200 g), V4:%20 (400 g), V5:%30 (600 g) miktarlarda uygulanarak biber ve domates üzerindeki gelişimine etkisinin karşılaştırılması amaçlanmıştır. Yapılan bu çalışmada domates bitkisinde N, P, Zn, Cu, Mg elementleri ile biber bitkisinde N, P, Mg elementleri arasında pozitif (+) yönde ilişki gözlemlenmiştir. Potasyum değeri domates bitkisinde % 30’luk dozda en yüksek değer % 0,62 olarak hesaplanmıştır. Biber bitkisinde ise % 20’lik dozda en yüksek potasyum değeri % 7,35 bulunmuştur. Domates bitkisinde çinko elementinde en yüksek değer olarak 58 mgkg-1 iken biber bitkisinde çinko değeri ise 34 mgkg-1 olarak bulunmuştur. Yapılan regresyon analizleri sonucunda Domates bitkisi için Vermikompost konuları ile Mangan (Mn) bitki besin elementi arasında R2=0,958 oranında güçlü bir ilişki bulunmuştur. Biber bitkisinde ise uygulanan vermikompost miktarları ile besin elementi içeriği arasında en güçlü ilişki R2=0,885 ile Magnezyum bitki besin elementi arasında görülmüştür.Compost their studies in vermicompost management of urban and industrial organic waste recycling, the food consumed in fruits and vegetables, in a study in which a major fertilizer to be healthy and natural vermicompost material in recent years has revealed the importance. According to the random test patterns placed in open conditions, potted in this study conducted in 2000 kg; vermicompost V1:0% (control), V2:5% (100 g), V3:10% (200 g), V4:20% (400 g), V5:30% (600 g) did vermikompos applied in amounts aimed to compare the effect of growth on pepper and tomato. In this study done on tomato plants, N, P, Zn, Cu, N and Mg elements in the pepper plant, P, Mg elements in the positive (+) direction relationship was observed. Potassium values tomato plant 30 % at the highest dose were calculated 0,62 %. Pepper plants in the 20 % at the highest dose of potassium values were 7,35 %. Tomato plants at the highest value of elemental zinc as zinc 58 mgkg-1, while the value of pepper plants was found to be 34 mgkg-1. As a result of the regression analyzes made, a strong correlation was found between the Vermicompost topics for tomato plants and Manganese (Mn) plant nutrients at R2 = 0.958. In the pepper plant, the strongest correlation between the amount of vermicompost applied and the nutrient content was found between the magnesium nutrient element and R2 = 0.885

Bosentan for digital ulcers in patients with systemic sclerosis : single center experience

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effects of bosentan on the prevention and treatment of digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients.Patients and methods: The study included 30 patients (4 males, 26 females; mean age 49.6±15.4 years; range 23 to 71 years) diagnosed with SSc and treated with bosentan for digital ulcers. Bosentan was administered to all patients for a mean of 14±10.3 months. All SSc cases were refractory to calcium channel antagonists or angiotensin II inhibitors. The diagnosis of SSc was based on the American College of Rheumatology criteria and patients were classified as limited or diffuse cutaneous SSc according to the LeRoy classification.Results: Mean disease duration was 8.8±8.0 years and mean duration of digital ulcers was 29.4±6.6 months. Under the bosentan treatment, eight patients (26.7%) developed new digital ulcers; all of these patients had diffuse cutaneous SSc. Health Assessment Questionnaire scores improved after 12 months and 24 months of treatment (p<0.001). Three patients (10%) developed pulmonary arterial hypertension under bosentan treatment [two patients (6.6%) had SSc-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension and one patient (3.3%) had interstitial fibrosis-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension]. The anti-centromere antibody positive patients were predominantly classified as limited cutaneous SSc. Of the patients positive for anti-topoisomerase-1 antibodies, a high proportion was classified as diffuse cutaneous SSc. Pulmonary fibrosis was most frequent in the anti-topoisomerase-1 antibody subset. New digital ulcers developed mainly in the anti-topoisomerase-1 antibody positive patients.Conclusion: Bosentan may be used either alone or in combination with other treatments when digital ulcers worsen and may be expected to suppress the development of new ulcers and severe pain. Further preclinical studies are required shedding light on the etiopathogenesis of SSc and larger clinical trials are needed for more definitive treatment strategiesObjectives: This study aims to investigate the effects of bosentan on the prevention and treatment of digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients.Patients and methods: The study included 30 patients (4 males, 26 females; mean age 49.6±15.4 years; range 23 to 71 years) diagnosed with SSc and treated with bosentan for digital ulcers. Bosentan was administered to all patients for a mean of 14±10.3 months. All SSc cases were refractory to calcium channel antagonists or angiotensin II inhibitors. The diagnosis of SSc was based on the American College of Rheumatology criteria and patients were classified as limited or diffuse cutaneous SSc according to the LeRoy classification.Results: Mean disease duration was 8.8±8.0 years and mean duration of digital ulcers was 29.4±6.6 months. Under the bosentan treatment, eight patients (26.7%) developed new digital ulcers; all of these patients had diffuse cutaneous SSc. Health Assessment Questionnaire scores improved after 12 months and 24 months of treatment (p<0.001). Three patients (10%) developed pulmonary arterial hypertension under bosentan treatment [two patients (6.6%) had SSc-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension and one patient (3.3%) had interstitial fibrosis-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension]. The anti-centromere antibody positive patients were predominantly classified as limited cutaneous SSc. Of the patients positive for anti-topoisomerase-1 antibodies, a high proportion was classified as diffuse cutaneous SSc. Pulmonary fibrosis was most frequent in the anti-topoisomerase-1 antibody subset. New digital ulcers developed mainly in the anti-topoisomerase-1 antibody positive patients.Conclusion: Bosentan may be used either alone or in combination with other treatments when digital ulcers worsen and may be expected to suppress the development of new ulcers and severe pain. Further preclinical studies are required shedding light on the etiopathogenesis of SSc and larger clinical trials are needed for more definitive treatment strategie

Assessment of left ventricular function by tissue Doppler imaging in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (ASp)is a chronic, inflammatory and systemic disease affecting pericardium, myocardium and the conduction system of the heart. In this study, we aimed to analyse left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions using tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). 30 patients with ASp and 30 healthy volunteers having the similar demographic characteristics were included. Left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions were assessed by using two dimensional (2D) echocardiography, M-mode, pulsed-wave (PW) and tissue Doppler echocardiography. The peak systolic velocity (Sm), early diastolic myocardial peak velocity (m), late diastolic myocardial peak velocity (Am), isovolumic acceleration (IVA), myocardial precontraction time (PCTm), myocardial contraction time (CTm), myocardial relaxation time (RTm), and myocardial performance index (MPI) were measured at septal and lateral mitral annulus. In conventional echocardiography, end-diastolic interventricular septum and posterior wall diameters were higher in patients with ASp than the control group. The ratio of E/A was significantly lower and deceleration time was significantly prolonged in patients with ASp, but mitral E and A velocities, isovolumic relaxation time and MPI were similar in patient and control group (P>0.05). Left ventricular lateral and septal wall tissue Doppler echocardiography showed that Em, Em/Am ratio and CTm were significantly lower, IVRTm was longer and MPI was higher in patients with ASp. No significant differences were detected between the groups for IVA, Sm, Am, PCTm, PCTm/CTm ratio (P>0.05). We have demonstrated that in patients with ASp, diastolic functions were impaired but systolic functions were preserved by using TDI

Association between single nucleotide polymorphisms in prospective genes and susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis and inflammatory bowel disease in a single centre in Turkey

To establish the prevalence of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1), IL-23 receptor (IL-23R), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT-3) and Janus kinase 2 (JAK-2) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in a Turkish population.Materials and Methods: A total of 562 subjects who presented at the Ankara University internal medicine departments of rheumatology and gastroenterology outpatient clinics were recruited in this study, including 365 patients with AS, 197 patients with IBD and 230 healthy controls. ERAP1, IL-23R, STAT-3 and JAK-2) were genotyped in competitive allele-specific polymerase chain reactions. Results: The ERAP1 (rs26653) polymorphism was found to increase the disease risk in patients with AS and IBD compared with the control group (p=0.02 and p=0.01, respectively). In addition, this polymorphism revealed a significant relationship with the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and the Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI) in patients with AS (r=0.829, p<0.001 and r=0.731, p<0.001, respectively). Conclusion: The ERAP1 gene polymorphism might be a risk factor in the pathogenesis of AS and IBD. In contrast, IL-23R gene polymorphisms may serve a protective role in AS and IBDTo establish the prevalence of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1), IL-23 receptor (IL-23R), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT-3) and Janus kinase 2 (JAK-2) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in a Turkish population.Materials and Methods: A total of 562 subjects who presented at the Ankara University internal medicine departments of rheumatology and gastroenterology outpatient clinics were recruited in this study, including 365 patients with AS, 197 patients with IBD and 230 healthy controls. ERAP1, IL-23R, STAT-3 and JAK-2) were genotyped in competitive allele-specific polymerase chain reactions. Results: The ERAP1 (rs26653) polymorphism was found to increase the disease risk in patients with AS and IBD compared with the control group (p=0.02 and p=0.01, respectively). In addition, this polymorphism revealed a significant relationship with the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and the Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI) in patients with AS (r=0.829, p<0.001 and r=0.731, p<0.001, respectively). Conclusion: The ERAP1 gene polymorphism might be a risk factor in the pathogenesis of AS and IBD. In contrast, IL-23R gene polymorphisms may serve a protective role in AS and IB