Social Capital Formation among Turkish Women

The purpose of the current study was to identify Turkish women’s social capital formation. This study consisted of 170 women with low SES residing closer to shantytowns. The authors performed the Logistic regression analysis to examine the social capital formation (civic engagement, trust, social participation, and social networks) of women in terms of six variables (age, educational level, employment and marital status, homeownership, community centers, and the length of stay in the same neighborhood) in four different community centers in Ankara, Turkey. Logistic regression results suggest that the length of stay in the same neighborhood was associated both with staying in touch with neighbors (social networks) and trust in municipal service provision (trust), and women’s educational level was associated with voting (civic engagement) and the utilization of municipal services (social participation). Further research should be conducted by comparing men’s and women’s social capital creation by adding other variables

Anti-Neuronal Autoantibodies Associated with Epilepsy and Related Neurological Syndromes

Autoimmunity and inflammation can be shown as causative factors of epilepsies of unknown cause. The clear relationship between seizures and certain autoimmune diseases has been revealed in recent years. The detection of autoantibodies in the serum of patients with epilepsy supports this notion. Most of the epilepsy-associated antibodies occur against molecules on the surface of neurons, whereas the remaining autoantibodies target intracellular antigens. In this article, we summarize anti-neuronal autoantibodies associated with epilepsy and associated neurological syndromes

Long-Term Effects Of Olanzapine in Various Movement Disorders

Objective: The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the efficacy of olanzapine in long-term treatment in various hyperkinetic movement disorders

Community based mental health services, in the eye of community mental health professionals

Objectives: This study aims to provide views of psychiatrists, nurses, social workers and psychologists who work in community mental health centers (CMHCs) that provide services to individuals, as well as learn how to define their professional roles and responsibilities in these CMHCs. Methods: This study is designed as a qualitative research to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the views of research professionals. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 11 voluntary participants from eight CMHCs in Ankara. Collected data were subjected to a qualitative analysis. Results: The opinions of the professional staff are detailed under four headings: stigmatization, perspective of services, problems and suggestions. Conclusion: CMHC professionals generally are evaluating community-based services in a positive manner. Recommendations include implementing regulations for development of CMHCs that are regionally based with an individual focus and integration

Syndrome of Headache Accompanied with Transient Neurologic Deficits and Cerebrospinal Fluid Lymphocytosis

The syndrome of headache accompanied with transient neurologic deficits and cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytosis (HaNDL), is a rare, benign and self limiting syndrome. In the 2nd Edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders, HaNDL syndrome was defined in secondary headache group as "Headache attributed to non-vascular intracranial disorder". The etiology of HaNDL is still unknown. In recent years, some authors have shown that ion channel autoimmunity might at least partially contribute to HaNDL pathogenesis. In this paper, the definition of HaNDL syndrome, clinical picture and epidemiology of HaNDL syndrome, etiopathogenesis, differential diagnosis and treatment will be reviewed with the recent literature

Investigation of the prognostic value of adipokines in multiple sclerosis

Background: Adipokines may be involved in multiple sclerosis (MS) as well as other inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to analyze the value of serum adipokine levels as biomarkers in determining the clinical progression of MS

Adipokines in Multiple Sclerosis Patients with and without Optic Neuritis as the First Clinical Presentation

Background: Adipocytokines have been implied to be involved in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis. MS patients whose first clinical episode is optic neuritis (ON) have been reported to display a milder disease course. In this study, we aimed to show whether this milder disease course is related to reduced adipokine production. Methods: A total of 55 (24 with ON as the first clinical episode) relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients and 40 healthy individuals were recruited. Concentrations of adipokines were measured in sera by ELISA. Results: The levels of adiponectin, leptin, resistin, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and IL-8 were significantly higher in RRMS patients compared with healthy controls. RRMS cases starting with ON had lower expanded disability status scale scores. Serum adiponectin, leptin, resistin and MCP-1 levels were significantly lower in MS patients, whose first clinical episode was ON. Conclusions: MS patients with ON as the first manifestation display both lower disability scores and reduced serum adipokine levels implying that adipocytokine production is associated with MS progression. Exact mechanisms of this association in MS patients with first episode ON need to be further studied

Iatrogenic Botulism After Botulinum Toxin Type A Injections

Therapeutic use of botulinum toxin type A (BT/A) is well known, effective, and safe. Iatrogenic botulism that presents with generalized weakness, dysphagia, and respiratory distress is a rare but significant complication in BT/A treatment. In this study, we report 4 patients who developed iatrogenic botulism after receiving therapeutic doses of BT/A for spasticity and blepharospasm. One patient was placed in intensive care unit, but consequently, every patient recovered fully. The cause of BT/A as an adverse effect is most likely hematological spread of the toxin

Efficiency of Repeated Botulinum Toxin Type-A Injections in Post-Stroke Distal Limb Spasticity

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess cumulative effect of repeated Botulinum toxin type-A (BT-A) injections in stroke patients with distal upper and lower limb spasticity