The association between the prevalence of restless leg syndrome, fatigue, and sleep quality in patients undergoing hemodialysis

Objective: To determine the prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) and to compare CRF patients with or without RLS in terms fatigue and sleep quality. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 220 patients (18-75 years) who were undergoing dialysis 3 times weekly in Çorum Province, Corum, Turkey, between January 2014 and January 2016. The diagnosis of RLS was based on the diagnostic form proposed by the international RLS study group. Sleep quality was evaluated using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), and severity of fatigue was determined by using fatigue severity scale (FSS). Results: Of all the participants, 16.8% (n= 37) (Group 1) were found to have RLS, while 183 patients had no RLS (Group 2). The mean ages were similar between groups. With respect to laboratory analyses, a p-value of <0.05 was considered in Group 1 than in Group 2. Restless legs syndrome was mild (7.1%), moderate (46.4%) and severe (39.3%) in patients with RLS. Factors associated with the severity of RLS included weight, duration of dialysis, anuria, iron, total iron binding capacity, calcium and transferrin saturation. The PSQI and FSS scores were significantly worse in Group 1 (p<0.001). Conclusion: Restless legs syndrome is a common condition in patients undergoing hemodialysis; the results of our study confirm the adverse effects of RLS in terms of many aspects of sleep quality and fatigue. © 2018, Saudi Arabian Armed Forces Hospital. All rights reserved

Prominent features of platelet count, plateletcrit, mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width in pulmonary tuberculosis

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the relation of platelet count (PLT) and plateletcrit (PCT), mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW) with other acute phase reactants and radiological extent in pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). METHODS: One hundred patients with PTB (Group 1), 50 patients with community-acquired pneumonia (Group 2) and 28 healthy control individuals (Group 3) were included in this analytic study. RESULTS: WBC (White Blood Cell), ESR (Eritrocyte Sedimentation Rate), CRP (C-Reactive Protein), PLT and PCT values were both in Group 1 and Group 2 than in Group 3. PDW values were significantly higher in Group 1 than Group 3. WBC, ESR and CRP values were lower, while PLT and PCT values were higher in the Group 1 compared to Group 2 (p < 0.001). PLT was positively correlated with CRP and ESR values in the tuberculosis group (p < 0.001), while it was not correlated with CRP and ESR in the pneumonia group (p > 0.05). ESR, CRP, PLT and PCT values were found higher in radiological advanced stage (Stage 3) patients with PTB, while hemoglobin (Hb) was found lower (p < 0.05). Higher WBC, ESR, CRP and PCT values as well as radiological advanced stage were more common in PTB patients with thrombocytosis compared to the patients with normal platelet count, whereas Hb was found lower in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that reactive thrombocytosis and higher PCT and PDW develop frequently in PTB and there is a relation between thrombocytosis and acute phase reactants, that is the inflammatory response. In addition, tuberculosis with radiological advanced stage is seen more frequently in the patients with thrombocytosis and higher PCT, drawing attention to the possible role of platelets in the cell-based immune process of tuberculosis

Reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment I

The Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA)-I is widely used assessment tool for evaluation of balance and gait properties. The aim of this study was to translate POMA-I to Turkish and to assess its reliability and validity. People with amputated lower extremities using prosthetics, those who underwent orthopedic surgery within the last 6 months, those dependent on wheel chairs and also bed-ridden patients, subjects with dementia and Alzheimer's disease, and illiterate people were excluded. After translation into Turkish, the Turkish version of the scale was applied on the participants at 2-week intervals. Volunteers ≥65 years of age were enrolled in the study. Internal consistencies of POMA subscale scores of postural balance and gait, and total score were calculated using Cronbach's α coefficient. The Turkish version was evaluated with respect to inter- and intrarater reliability and test-retest reliability intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). For validation, Pearson's correlation coefficient between POMA and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT) was estimated. Eighty participants enrolled in the study with a mean age of 76. 5 ± 6. 75 years. In the reliability evaluation of the scale, considering postural balance, gait, and total score, Cronbach's α coefficients were found to be 0. 72, 0. 83, and 0. 88, respectively. ICCs were detected above 0. 70 for test-retest reliability and also for interrater and intrarater reliability. In validation study POMA total score had a strong positive correlation with BBS total score (r = 0. 86, p<0. 0001), and also a negative correlation with TUGT (r = -0. 75, p < 0. 0001). According to the results of this study, the Turkish version of the POMA-I scale has been found to be a reliable and a valid scale for elderly Turkish people. © 2012 European Group for Research into Elderly and Physical Activity (EGREPA)

Changes of Nutritional and Physical Quality Characteristics During Storage of Osmotic Pretreated Apple Before Hot Air Drying and Sensory Evaluation

The aim of this research was to increase the application of different osmotic dehydration solutions to decrease the drying time, and decrease the loss of quality after drying and during storage of apples. Sucrose and trehalose solutions with 20 and 50 Brix concentrations were applied. Drying experiments were performed at 50, 60 and 70C using a hot air dryer. Changes in color, water activity, vitamin C, dry matter, total phenol content and mechanical properties were determined with 3-month intervals. Trehalose pretreatments, especially with 50 Brix concentration, generally decreased the drying time. Trehalose pretreatment with 20 Brix had better effects on quality characteristics. Texture of the samples pretreated using 50 Brix sucrose and trehalose stayed more stable just after drying. Lowest change in puncture force was found in 50 Brix trehalose-treated samples even after 12 months. Samples pretreated using 20 Brix trehalose had the higher preference by the panelists. Practical ApplicationsApple drying is rather important because of large production capacity in the world. For reducing quality losses and the cost, osmotic pretreatments and then using cabin or tunnel dryers, which are based on hot air circulating, have been widely used. Usually sucrose, dextrin, glucose have been used for osmotic dehydration implementations to fruits like apple, kiwi and mango, until now. Sucrose implementation is the most successful for fruits and therefore it has widest usage in fruit processing. But there are many disadvantages of using sucrose like caramelization and changes in flavor and viscosity. Our previous research showed that trehalose has rather good effects to improve the quality of dried vegetables such as carrot and potato. The results of this research can also serve as a valuable resource to further researches for utilization of alternative osmotic materials such as trehalose similar to our research to decrease negative effects of drying process.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [TOVAG-105O544]This project was supported by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) (TOVAG-105O544)

Effects of Supplemental Feeding of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) Seed on Milk Yield, Composition, Sensory Properties and Some Blood Parameters in Lactating Goats

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of supplemental feeding of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) seed on milk yield, composition and some blood parameters in lactating goats. In this study, ten lactating goats in the second lactation were used. Their milk yields were closer to each other. Experimental goats were divided into 2 groups as control (C) and Fenugreek (F), equally. They were individually kept in pen sized 2x2 m. C goats did not consume fenugreek seed while F goats were allowed to consume daily 50 g fenugreek seed for each just before the meal in the mornings. The experiment lasted for 63 days of which 7 days are for adaptation and 56 days are for treatment period. Results showed that fenugreek seeds supplementation increased feed intake (2876.4 vs 2716.4 g, P<0.01) and milk yield (1010.6 g vs 879.7 g, P<0.01) in lactating goats. Fat corrected milk yield was higher in F goats (865.2 g) than that of C goats (780.0 g) (P<0.01). Serum glucose, total cholesterol and protein levels were not affected while serum triglyceride level and prolactin hormone level increased by fenugreek seed supplementation (P[removed

Cost analysis and related factors in patients with traumatic hand injury

The aim of this study was to measure the direct and indirect costs and factors influencing these costs in patients presenting following traumatic hand injury. We assessed patients aged 18-65 years who were in work. Hand injury severity and functional status were assessed. Direct costs, including medical care expenses, and indirect costs, including lost productivity, were calculated. Seventy-nine patients of a mean age of 32 years were included. The mean direct cost for each patient was $1772 (47$1891 (53% of total cost). Injury severity, time to return to work, and hospitalization time were the main parameters of increased total cost in a linear regression analysis. © The Author(s) 2012

Surface roughness and Streptococcus mutans adhesion on surface sealant agent coupled interim crown materials after dynamic loading.

BACKGROUND With the application of surface sealant agents, smooth surfaces can be achieved in a shorter time when compared with conventional polishing. However, studies on the performance of these agents against chewing forces are not many. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surface roughness and Streptococcus mutans adhesion on surface sealent coupled interim prosthetic materials after chewing simulation. METHODS One hundred and twelve specimens were fabricated from two poly(methyl methacrylate) (Tab 2000, Dentalon Plus) and two bis-acryl (Tempofit, Protemp 4) interim crown materials and divided into 4 groups (n = 7) according to applied surface treatment: conventional polishing (control) and 3 surface sealant (Palaseal, Optiglaze, Biscover) coupling methods. The surface roughness values (Ra) were measured with a profilometer before (Ra0) and after aging through dynamic loading in a multifunctional chewing simulator for 10,000 cycles at 50 N load combined with integral thermocycling (between 5 and 55 °C) (Ra1). Specimens were incubated with Streptococcus mutans suspension and the total number of adherent bacteria was calculated by multiplying the counted bacterial colonies with the dilution coefficient. RESULTS Surface sealant agent application significantly decreased the surface roughness compared with conventionally polished specimens, except for Optiglaze or BisCover LV applied Protemp 4 and Palaseal or Biscover LV applied Tempofit. Surface roughness after dynamic loading showed a statistically significant increase in all groups, except for the control groups of Tab 2000 and Protemp 4. A positive correlation was found between surface roughness values of interim prosthodontic materials and the quantitiy of Streptococcus Mutans. CONCLUSIONS Even though surface sealant agent application significantly decreased the surface roughness compared with conventionally polished specimens, dynamic loading significantly increased the surface roughness of all surface sealant coupled materials. The Ra values of all test groups were higher than the plaque accumulation threshold (0.20 µm). Streptococcus mutans adhered more on rougher surfaces

Turkish version of the paindetect questionnaire in the assessment of neuropathic pain: A validity and reliability study

Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop a Turkish version of the painDETECT questionnaire (PD-Q) and assess its reliability and validity. Methods: Two hundred and forty patients who were diagnosed by expert pain physicians in daily clinical practice and classified as having either neuropathic, nociceptive, or mixed pain for at least 3 months were enrolled in this study. After the usual translation process, the Turkish version of the PD-Q was administered to each participant twice with an interval of 48 hours. The Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS), Douleur Neuropathique en 4 questions (DN4) and a pain visual analog scale were assessed along with the PD-Q. Chronbach's α was calculated to evaluate internal consistency of the PD-Q. Intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated to examine test-retest reliability. Convergent validity was assessed by correlating the scale with LANSS and DN4. Discriminant statistics-sensitivity, specificity, Youden index, positive predictive value, negative predictive value-were also assessed. Results: A total of 240 patients with chronic pain, 80 patients in each neuropathic, nociceptive, and mixed pain group, were included in this study. Mean age of the patients was 54.1 years, and majority of the patients were female (52.9%). Chronbach's α of the Turkish version of the PD-Q was 0.81. The test-retest reliability of the Turkish version of the PD-Q was determined as 0.98 for the total score and ranged from 0.86 to 0.99 for individual items. The Turkish version of the PD-Q was possitively and significantly corralated with LANSS (r 0.89, P<0.001) and DN4 (r 0.82, P<0.001). When the two cutoff values in the original version were used, sensitivity was found 77.5% for a cutoff value ≤19, and specificity was 82.5%. Sensitivity and specificity were 90% and 67.5%, respectively, for the other cutoff value ≤12. Scores ≤12 represents a negative predictive value=87%, and scores 19≤ represents a positive predictive value=82%. When mixed pain patients were included in the neuropathic pain group, discriminant values were reduced as expected. Conclusions: The Turkish version of the PD-Q is a reliable and valid scale to be used to determine neuropathic component of chronic pain in Turkish patients. © 2013

Senaryo analizi için dinamik bir yaklaşım önerisi

This paper proposes a dynamic scenario analysis approach in order to understand the uncertainties about the future.  The development of alternative futures/scenarios is an important part of strategy making. This paper's objective is to propose an improved scenario analysis model based on Powell's scenario analysis approach, namely, EFAR (Extended Field Anomaly Relaxation) (Powell, 1997). This improved model is referred as REFAR (Revised EFAR) hereinafter and is expected to provide a useful guide both in public and private organizations, during their scenario planning activities. REFAR aims to eliminate the basic drawbacks of EFAR and improve its efficiency by the help of cognitive maps and artificial neural networks. In the application part of the research, REFAR is applied to Turkey's inflation analysis. Initially the probable scenarios are built, and the transitions between them are analysed. The basic scenarios finally reached through REFAR, the transition among each key scenarios as well as among the scenarios grouped under each key scenario are explained in detail. The scenarios within each key scenario clusters provide a detailed picture of all the possible futures that may be encountered. Using them, it is also possible to see the possible transition and the resulting changes that will occur within the other scenarios in the same key cluster and in the scenarios of other clusters that the scenario of interest is in direct relation with. Keywords: Cognitive mapping, neural networks, scenarios.Bu &ccedil;alışmada, gelecekteki belirsizlikleri anlamaya y&ouml;nelik olarak kullanılan senaryo analizi i&ccedil;in dinamik bir yaklaşım &ouml;nerilmektedir. Powell (1997) tarafından ortaya konan EFAR (Durum Bozukluklarının Giderilmesine Y&ouml;nelik Bir Yaklaşım / Extended Field Anomaly Relaxation) modeli; senaryo analizine dinamik bir yapı kazandırmıştır. Ancak bazı zayıf y&ouml;nleri mevcuttur ve geliştirilmeye a&ccedil;ıktır. Bu ama&ccedil;la, bu &ccedil;alışmada EFAR yaklaşımındaki zayıf y&ouml;nleri gidermeyi ve b&ouml;ylece onu, daha etkinleştirmeyi hedefleyen yeni bir model: REFAR (D&uuml;zeltilmiş / Revised EFAR) modeli &ouml;nerilmektedir. Bu doğrultuda bilişsel haritalar ve yapay sinir ağlarından yararlanılmıştır. Uygulamada REFAR modeli aracılığıyla, T&uuml;rkiye&rsquo;de enflasyon konusunda karar vericilere destek olabilecek nitelikte dinamik bir senaryo analiz yapısı oluşturulmuştur.&nbsp;Anahtar Kelimeler: Bilişsel haritalar, senaryolar, yapay sinir ağları

Diz osteoartriti olan yaşlı hastaların ev egzersiz tedavisine uyumu

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the compliance to home-based exercise regimen by elderly patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Patients and methods: Between May 2012 and May 2013 year, a total of 72 patients (54 females, 18 males) over 65 years old with knee osteoarthritis admitted to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation outpatient clinic were included in the study. The patients were given a home-based exercise program. They were recommended to perform the exercises 10 times twice a day, for a month. We evaluated the patients’ demographic data, comorbid diseases, whether they exercised previously and compliance to exercise. Results: All patients’ home exercise program compliance was 62.5%. Males were more compliant than female patients and high education and comorbidity were also associated with poor compliance. Conclusion: The compliance of the geriatric patients to home-based exercise program is difficult and multiple variables affect the compliance