A SCALE DEVELOPMENT STUDY FOR PREFERENCES OF LOCAL FAST-FOOD RESTAURANT

This research aims to develop an attitude scale towards preferences of Local Fast- Food (LFF) restaurants. 705 valid questionnaires were used randomly divided into two. At first, Parallel Analysis test and Explanatory Factor Analysis (EFA) were applied to the primary data set (n1=350). 11 items with communalities values less than 0.50 and without factor load were ejected from the scale. The remaining 10 items in the scale were grouped under four factors. The number of dimensions was investigated with the Parallel Analysis method, and the number of dimensions was verified by testing with EFA. These dimensions are “menu”, “service”, “locality” and “portion”. Secondly, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was applied to the secondary data set (n2=355). Because the t value of the variables is greater than ±1.96, it was determined that all factors are explained by the relevant variables. Finally, as for that, to determine the measurement invariance, the models were compared by performing configural, metric-weak, scale, solid, and partial invariance analysis with CFA. Negative items should be reverse coded in the analysis. It can be stated that the factorization of these 10 statements ensures reliability and validity and can be used in future research

Polymorphisms in the tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene in Turkish women with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia

The genetic background predisposing pregnant women to pre-eclampsia/eclampsia (PE/E) is still unknown. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether there is an association between the TNF-alpha-308 and 850 polymorphisms and PE or eclampsia. In this study, 40 cases of eclampsia, 113 cases of PE and 80 normotensive control cases were genotyped for the TNF-alpha-G-308A and C-850 polymorphisms. At position 308, the replacement of Guanine with Adenosine was denoted as TNF2. We found a significant difference between the TNF2 allele frequencies of the eclamptic, pre-eclamptic and normotensive controls. TNF2 (AA) polymorphism frequency was significantly higher among the eclamptics and pre-eclamptics (control : 5%, PE : 13.3%, E : 12.9%). A significantly different genotype distribution of C-850T polymorphism was observed between the PE/E and control groups, with the frequency of the variant TT genotype being significantly reduced in the preeclamptics (PE : 17% ; E : 17.5%) when compared with the control group (24.3%). We have demonstrated an association between TNF-alpha polymorphisms and pre-eclampsia susceptibility. However, it is not known whether C-850T polymorphism has a functional effect on the TNF-alpha gene. In addition, it was not possible to determine whether this polymorphism promotes the progression from PE to eclampsia because of no statistically significant difference between eclampsia and the controls

Computed tomography as a predictor of the extent of the disease and surgical outcomes in ovarian cancer

Objectives: The aim of the present study is to determine the predictive value of Computed Tomography (CT), alone or in combination with serum CA-125 levels, for preoperative staging, detection of the extent of the disease, and surgical complications in patients with ovarian carcinoma. Material and methods: One hundred and fourteen patients diagnosed with ovarian carcinoma following an exploratory laparotomy with a preoperative CT scan, performed between January 2007 and June 2013, were enrolled in the study. Preoperative CT and intraoperative surgical findings were compared using 14 parameters and predictions of CT for gas­trointestinal, genitourinary, and cardiovascular complications. All radiological features and clinical characteristics were analyzed statistically. Results: CT and surgical findings correlated (sensitivity/ specificity) as follows: uterine and tubal spread (66%/89%), cervical involvement (100%/80%), peritoneal nodulesincreased density-carcinomatosis (57%/93%), omental involvement (68%/95%), retroperitoneal involvement (25%/84%), ascites (85%/87%), perirectal and perivesical fat plan obliteration (43%/94%), liver metastasis (50%/91%), small and large bowel involvement (47%/95%), adnexal mass (94%/70%), and other metastases (47%/86%). Also, CT findings were found to be statistically insignificant for prediction of mesenteric involvement, bladder metastasis, and diaphragmatic involvement. The overall CT sensitivity and specificity at detecting intraoperative findings was 91% and 71%, respectively. We found a statistically significant correlation between intestinal involvement on CT and the necessity of additional surgical procedures. Conclusions: CT is a widely used imaging method in the preoperative evaluation of ovarian cancer. However, its predictive value, sensitivity and specificity differ, depending on the anatomical region

Comparison of conservative and radical surgery in the management of placenta previa percreta

Objective We aimed to compare the uterine sparing (US) surgery and hysterectomy for placenta previa percreta (PPP) management. Methods Data from PPP patients with anterior invasion who underwent US surgery and caesarean hysterectomy were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical and surgical outcomes of patients with PPP were compared according to the type of surgery. Results The mean intraoperative blood loss was lower in US surgery group than in caesarean hysterectomy group (1227.78±204.80 ml vs 1442.22±125.68 ml; p=0.017). The hemoglobin drop was also significantly lower in the patients with US surgery (1.87±0.68 g/dl vs 2.88±1.04 g/dl; p=0.026). Moreover, the mean total transfusion rate was also significantly lower in the patients with US surgery (1.33±0.87 U vs 2.33±0.71 U; p=0.016). Conclusion Uterine sparing surgery reduces intraoperative blood loss and transfusion rate in PPP patients with anterior placental invasion compared to hysterectomy. The temporary blockage of bilateral uterine and uteroovarian arteries with Satinsky clamps may potentially contribute to the success of US surgery

Study of zeolite influence on analytical characteristics of urea biosensor based on ion-selective field-effect transistors

A possibility of the creation of potentiometric biosensor by adsorption of enzyme urease on zeolite was investigated. Several variants of zeolites (nano beta, calcinated nano beta, silicalite, and nano L) were chosen for experiments. The surface of pH-sensitive field-effect transistors was modified with particles of zeolites, and then the enzyme was adsorbed. As a control, we used the method of enzyme immobilization in glutaraldehyde vapour (without zeolites). It was shown that all used zeolites can serve as adsorbents (with different effectiveness). The biosensors obtained by urease adsorption on zeolites were characterized by good analytical parameters (signal reproducibility, linear range, detection limit and the minimal drift factor of a baseline). In this work, it was shown that modification of the surface of pH-sensitive field-effect transistors with zeolites can improve some characteristics of biosensors

Evaluation of epicardial fat tissue thickness and aortic stiffness in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus

Objective We aimed to assess the relationship between gestational diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease by measuring epicardial fat tissue thickness and aortic stiffness in pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus. Methods 28 pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus and 25 pregnant women without gestational diabetes mellitus were included in the research. Body mass index, laboratory values, blood pressure measurements and obstetric history findings of the study population were recorded. All participants of the study population were evaluated with transthoracic echocardiography between 24 and 28 weeks of gestational period. The measurement of epicardial fat tissue thickness was taken and aortic stiffness index was also calculated. Results The age, gravidity, parity and obstetric history of the two groups were similar. Epicardial fat tissue thickness was found significantly higher in gestational diabetes mellitus group than control group (0.416 cm and 0.336 cm, respectively; p<0.001). However, no significant difference was found in aortic stiffness measurements of the two groups (p=0.079). Conclusion According to the results of our study, epicardial fat tissue thickness was found to be statistically significantly higher in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus compared to the control group. The fact that no difference was detected in other cardiovascular parameters suggests that measurement of epicardial fat tissue thickness in gestational period may be a beneficial adjunctive tool in early detection of gestational diabetes mellitus

Relapsing remitting multipl skleroz tedavisinde fingolimod kullanımı

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system and is characterized by inflammation, demyelination, and axonal loss. Fingolimod is the first oral drug for the treatment of MS approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, European Union countries, and various other countries. The compound exerts its effect via interaction with lysophospholipid receptors known as sphingosine-1 phosphate receptors. Although fingolimod has a very convenient daily oral dosing, it may cause development of bradycardia at the first dose, macular edema, infection, all of which require attention. Randomized double-blind clinical trials have shown that fingolimod significantly reduces relapse rates and is beneficial in brain magnetic resonance imaging measures when compared with both placebo and intramuscular interferon beta-1a. This review describes the characteristics of fingolimod concerning its efficacy, safety, and tolerability in the clinical context of the management of MS.Multipl skleroz (MS) merkezi sinir sisteminin enflamasyon, demiyelinizasyon ve akson kaybı ile karakterize kronik otoimmün, nörodejeneratif bir hastalığıdır.Fingolimod Amerikan İlaç ve Gıda Dairesi ve Avrupa Birliği üyesi ülkelerin de bulunduğu 80’den fazla ülke tarafından onaylanmış ilk oral MS ilacıdır. Bu bileşik,sfingozin-1 fosfat olarak bilinen lizofosfolipid reseptörleri aracılığı ile etkilerini gösterir. Günlük oral yolla kullanımı kolaylık sağlamakla birlikte bazı hastalardailk doz sırasında bradikardi gelişmesi, maküler ödem, enfeksiyon gibi bazı dikkat edilmesi gereken durumlar ile karşılaşılabilmektedir. Randomize çift-kör klinikçalışmalar, plasebo ve intramüsküler interferon β-1a tedavilerine kıyasla fingolimodun atak sıklığını anlamlı derecede azalttığını ve beyin manyetik rezonansölçütleri üzerine yararlı etkiler gösterdiğini ortaya koymuştur. Bu derlemede, fingolimodun klinikte MS hastalarının yönetimindeki etkinliği, güvenliliği vetolerabilitesi ele alınmıştır

Design of Zeolite Modified Electrodes and Their Influence on Biosensor Performance

Enzyme-based biosensors have been of intense investigation and field-effect transistor (FET)-based sensors are one of the widely produced, miniaturized silicon-based semiconductor devices used to quantify ion concentrations in the analyte solution. Overall, current research has focused on enhancement of the sensitivity, detection limit, selectivity and the storage stability of these electrochemical biosensors. For this purpose, variety of modification methods on electrochemical biosensor surfaces is proposed. At present, use of new nanosized materials in biosensor design is a promising approach to improve analytical characteristics of the devices. Zeolites are perspective nanomaterials for biosensor modification. They are inorganic compounds, the structure of which is a crystal lattice consisting of alumina and silica tetrahedra bound by oxygen atoms. This framework forms a lot of pores and channels which considerably increases the zeolite surface. In the current study, a review on precise control over structural and chemical properties of zeolites and their consequent effect on electro-chemical biosensors will be given. All results suggest that the methodology of surface immobilization and zeolitic properties such as Si/Al ratio, surface roughness, particle size, hydrophilicity and the ability to create gold nanoparticles within the nanopores effect and ultimately enhance the biosensor sensitivity and stability. Considering the important biological role of urea as a diagnostic indicator of kidney failure and major uremic toxin, its determination was needed in medical diagnostics. It was shown that distinction of healthy people from people with renal dysfunction became easier by zeolite modified biosensors. Our results show that the performance of constructed ISFET-type biosensors strongly depends on Si/Al ratio of employed zeolite nanoparticles as well as the type of enzymatic reaction employed. All fabricated biosensors demonstrated high signal reproducibility and stability. The obtained results were used for the development and design for an experimental prototype of novel nanobiosensor located implant

A Research on Brunout Syndrome of Banking Employees in Kırklareli Province

Yoğun iş temposunda ve stres altın çalışan bireyler, zamanla enerji kaynaklarının tükendiğini ve işin gerektirdiği yoğun çalışma düzenine artık cevap veremediklerini düşünmeye başlarlar. Birey önce fizeksel sonra da ruhsal enerjisini kaybeder ve ruhun çöküşü tükenmişlik olarak karşımıza çıkar. Yapılan araştırmalarda insana hizmet eden, hizmet kalitesinde insan etmeninin önemli olduğu mesleklerde tükenmişliğin daha fazla yaşandığı görülmektedir. Bu bağlamda, bankacılık mesleği, stresli ve yoğun iş yüküne sahip olması, işin gereği olarak taşıdıkları finansal riskler ve son yıllarda sektörde oluşan hızlı değişimlere bağlı olarak bankaların kapatılması, birleştirilmesi ve el değiştirmesi sonucu istihdama ilişkin sorunların ortaya çıkması nedeniyle çalışanların tükenmişlik yaşayabileceği bir meslek haline gelmiştir.Individuals working under intensive workload and stress start thinking that their energy sources are draining and they cannot respond to intensive working conditions the job necessitates over time. The individual first loses his physical and then mental energy and the breakdown of the soul comes up as burnout. In researches done, it has been seen that in occupations serving people where the human factor is of high importance, burnout is more likely to be experienced. In this context, because of its intensive workload, financial risks it carries as a part of the work and as a result of the emergence of problems related to employment due to the rapid changes in the sector such as shutting down, merging or handing over banks, banking has become an occupation in which employees can experience burnout