Psychosocial skills training on social functioning and quality of life in the treatment of schizophrenia: A controlled study in Turkey

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the impact of a psychosocial skills training program, consisting of psychoeducation, interpersonal group therapy and family education incorporated into social skills training, as an integrative approach on social functioning and quality of life of patients with schizophrenia, in comparison to standard care for an 8-month period. METHOD: Thirty patients with DSM-IV schizophrenia were included in the study. Patients were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Quality of Life Scale (QLS), Social Functioning Scale (SFS), and Global Assessment of Function (GAF) at baseline. Fifteen patients underwent an 8-month psychosocial skills training group program and another fifteen patients (waiting list) continued in standard care. Both groups were reassessed and analyzed at the end of the study. RESULTS: Two groups were not statistically different in terms of total PANSS, QLS, SFS, GAF scores, and demographic characteristics at baseline. However, there was a significant improvement in the mean total QLS, SFS, GAF, and even in total PANSS scores (respectively from 64.46 ± 19.58 to 89.67 ± 24.10, P < 0.001, from 93.20 ± 22.85 to 132.60 ± 33.85, P <0.002, from 57.40 ± 8.78 to 63.86 ± 7.57, P <0.012, and from 63.53 ± 14.48 to 53.33 ± 15.71, P <0.029) for those who underwent the PSST program, but there was no statistically significant change for those on standard care at the end of the study. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the 'social functioning' and 'quality of life' benefits of the psychosocial skills training program for patients with schizophrenia. It can be concluded that this comprehensive psychosocial skills training program might be an important contribution to the functioning of the patients

Effects of shearing procedures on oxidant-antioxidant status in Chios sheep

The aim of the study was to evaluate the stress response and the oxidant/ antioxidant equilibrium against shearing process in sheep. Blood malon-dialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) concentrations, plasma cortisol, glucose and cholesterol concentrations as well as plasma total antioxidant activity (AOA) were measured in 18 female Chios sheep one hour before a traditional shearing procedure and immediately after. Circulating MDA and cortisol concentrations were dramatically increased compared to initial values after shearing whereas GSH concentrations were significantly depressed. The variations of the other biochemical parameters were not significant. These results demonstrate that MDA and GSH are the most powerful markers for evaluating the oxidant/antioxidant status and that shearing was a stressful situation leading to an oxidative stress which can be amplified by strong glucocorticoid secretion

Awareness of osteoporotic patients

PubMedID: 15197545Osteoporosis has recently been recognized as a major public health problem by some governments and health care providers. Despite significant progress in knowledge about osteoporosis, public awareness is required for effective management if precautions are to be taken. The aim of this study was to evaluate the educational status of osteoporotic individuals, and their awareness about the disease and sources of information. We also aimed to compare the variables between the geographical regions of the country, since significant differences exist in socioeconomic status and lifestyle within the same cultural context. This multicenter study was carried out in eight cities located in six different geographical regions between September 2001 and January 2002. To our knowledge, this is the first multicenter study in Turkey evaluating the relationship between awareness of osteoporotic patients and other variables such as educational level and economic factors. Ten centers took part in this study and consecutive patients with either femoral or lumbar T-scores below -2.5 SD were enrolled into the study group. Bone mineral density was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Patients were interviewed using a questionnaire on past medical history, education, awareness about their disease and risk factors for osteoporosis. A total of 540 women (93.8%) and 36 men (6.3%) were included in the study. Fifty-four percent of patients declared that they were aware of osteoporosis. With regard to sources of information, 56.8% of patients reported physicians as the main source of information. Awareness of the patients was negatively correlated with age (P = 0.025, r = -0,94) but positively correlated with education (P = 0.0001, r = 0.327), level of physical activity (P = 0.001, r = 143), calcium intake (P = 0.005, r = 119) and modern clothing style (P = 0.0001, r = 309). Educational status of the patients was negatively correlated with BMI (P = 0.0001, r = -283) and positively correlated with physical activity (P = 0.0001, r = 268), modern clothing style (P = 0.0001, r = 600) and smoking (P = 0.0001, r = 273). Regional comparison of female patients demonstrated that significant differences exist in terms of educational status, clothing style, smoking, level of physical activity, calcium intake, and knowledge about osteoporosis. As a result, education has profound effects on awareness about osteoporosis and many aspects of human behavior, such as calcium intake, physical activity, clothing style and smoking. Significant disparities may be observed between the geographical regions of the same country. © International Osteoporosis Foundation and National Osteoporosis Foundation 2004

YumurtacI Tavukların Diyetlerine Eklenen Değişik Düzeylerdeki Haşhaş Tohumu ve Haşhaş Tohumu Ya ğının Oksidan-Antioksidan Denge Üzerine Etkileri

This study was conducted to determine the effect of rations containing different amounts of Poppy seed (PS) and Poppy seed oil (PSO) on oxidant-antioxidant balance in laying hens. There was a control (unsupplemented) and six experimental groups (supplemented with 0.5,1.0 and 1.5 % PS and 0.5,1.0 and 1.5, % PSO ). Totally 360 and 24 weeks old laying hens were utilized. The experiment was lasted for 8 weeks. The blood malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NOx), vitamin C, -carotene and vitamin A and levels, between PS groups did not differ. The reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in 1.0% and 1.5 % PS groups increased significantly compared to controls group. The MDA level was found to be significantly lower in the 0.5 % PSO group than in the controls and other PSO groups. The GSH levels in 0,5 % and 1.0% PS groups increased significantly compared to controls group. The NOx levels in 0,5% PSO group significantly decreased compared to other experimental groups. The Vitamin A levels in 0,5%, 1,0% and 1,5 PSO groups increased significantly compared to control group. The vitamin C and carotene levels between PSO groups did not differ. According to the findings of this study, the 0.5% supplementation of PSO to the diets of laying hens decrease the blood MDA levels and increase the GSH and vitamin A concentrations. It is thought that 0.5% PSO supplementation can be used effectively as an antioxidant supplement in laying hens

Evidence for theory of mind deficits in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder

WOS: 000230292000005PubMed ID: 15992392i) To investigate the subtle ToM (theory of mind) deficits in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder. ii) To investigate the impact of non-ToM cognitive deficits on ToM abilities. Forty-three euthymic patients with bipolar disorder and 30 healthy control subjects were involved in this study. ToM was assessed by the Eyes test and the Hinting task. Both groups were also evaluated with a comprehensive neuropsychological battery including tasks for basic emotion and face recognition. The patient group was impaired on both of the ToM tasks. The patient group also showed impairment in many cognitive tasks including tasks related to sustained attention. Even euthymic patients with bipolar disorder may be impaired in advanced ToM tasks. Executive dysfunction and some other cognitives deficits such as basic emotion recognition may be at least partly responsible for this result