A 16-Year Retrospective Study Examining Socio-Demographic Factors among Suicide Decedents in Bolu Province, Northwestern Turkey

This study aimed to examine the socio-demographic features of completed suicides in Bolu province, northwestern Turkey, between 2003 and 2019, using corpse examinations and autopsy reports to provide epidemiological data with a view to helping prevent suicidal behavior. Of the 108 suicides examined, males accounted for 84.3%, and females accounted for 15.7%. The suicide rate was the highest in the 25–34 age groups and among those of an unknown marital status. Suicide in an unknown location in the group aged 24 years and below was significantly higher than among age groups, while the workplace was significantly higher in those aged 35–64 years. In both genders, the home and its surroundings comprised the leading location of the suicide event, with an unknown location found to be significantly higher in males. The most common suicide method was identified as hanging, with no statistically significant difference between demographic groups with respect to method, and the highest suicide rate was observed in 2016–2019. With regard to time of year, winter was found to be significantly higher among those aged 24–34 years, whereas those aged 65 years and above were likelier to die in spring or summer (p=0.014). Several risk factors were identified, most of which could be detected and resolved before the suicidal act. Studies such as this are extremely valuable for their contribution to preventing suicide by identifying such risk factors

Total intracranial and lateral ventricle volumes measurement in Alzheimer's disease: A methodological study

Measuring of brain and its compartments' sizes from magnetic resonance (MR) images is an effective way to assess disease progression in neurodegenerative disorders, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD). The objective of this study was to compare total intracranial volume (TIV) and lateral ventricle volume (LVV) in patients with Alzheimer's disease with those in elderly control subjects, and to compare an automated method (automatic lateral ventricle delineation [ALVIN]) and a manual method (Image)). MRI of the brain was performed on 20 patients with Alzheimer's disease and 18 control subjects. The TIV was calculated by a manual method and the LW was calculated by using two methods: an automated and manual method. We found a significant increase in LVVs in Alzheimer's disease patients compared to control subjects, but no difference in TIV between the two groups. A perfect agreement, with 0.989 (0.973-0.996) intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and 0.978 (0.946-0.991) concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), was observed between the manual and automatic lateral ventricle measurements in Alzheimer patients. The results revealed that LVV measure has predictive performance in AD. We demonstrated that ALVIN and ImageJ are both effective in determining lateral ventricular volume, providing an objective tool for quantitative assessment of AD. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

The Impact of Education About Cervical Cancer and Human Papillomavirus on Women's Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors and Beliefs Using the PRECEDE Educational Model

WOS: 000460400000009PubMed: 29461283Background Early detection of cervical cancer improves the chances of successful treatment. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the effect of education about cervical cancer and human papillomavirus on the healthy lifestyle, behavior, and beliefs of Turkish women who were without cancer, using the PRECEDE education model. Methods This qualitative and quantitative study was conducted as a prospective, randomized, 2-group (intervention and control) trial at a community training center in north Turkey. A total of 156 Turkish women who were without cancer participated in this study. The semistructured interview form, the SF-36 Health Status Questionnaire, the Health Belief Model Scale for Cervical Cancer and Pap Smear Test, and the Healthy Lifestyle Behavior Scale II were used. Results The subdimension scores of the Health Belief Model Scale for Cervical Cancer and Pap Smear Test were found to be higher among women in the study group (cervical cancer seriousness, P = .001; health motivation, P = .001) as compared with the control group after the education program. The SF-36 Health Status Questionnaire domain scores for physical role limitations, mental role limitations, and general health perceptions increased in the study group after the intervention. Conclusion The posteducation health motivation of women in the study group was improved, the women's perceptions of obstacles to Papanicolaou testing decreased, and through increased knowledge and awareness, the rate of Papanicolaou testing increa[214S560]This project, no. 214S560, was supported by TZBITAK

EVALUATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL AND CYTOTOXIC EFFECTS OF FOUR TURKISH SPECIES OF ERYNGIUM L.

The antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects of various endemic and non-endemic Eryngium species from Turkey were investigated. Nine endemic and two non-endemic Eryngium species were analyzed using a microdilution assay for their antibacterial and antifungal activities. Cytotoxic activities of E. pseudothoriifolium, E. thorifolium, E. davisii, and E. falcatum, on prostate carcinoma and endometrial cancer cells were analyzed by cytotoxic activity assay. It was observed that 16 out of 22 extracts (aerial or root part) showed antibacterial activities. Fifteen out of 22 extracts showed antifungal activity with the lowest MIC (156 mg/l) value against Candida albicans ATCC 10231 and C. tropicalis ATCC 750. Aerial parts of E. pseudothoriifolium, E. thorifolium, E. davisii, and E. falcatum exhibited cytotoxic effects on endometrial cancer cells. This evaluation of tested endemic Eryngium species' antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities is the first of its kind

Detection of the frequency of PER-1 type extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates in Turkey: a multicenter study

Background/aim: beta-Lactamases are an important resistance mechanism in Acinetobacter baumannii. Pseudomonas extended-resistance (PER-1) type beta-lactamase-producing strains have been reported from various geographic locations; however, PER-1 type beta-lactamases from Turkish hospitals have not been investigated extensively. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of PER-1 type beta-lactamases in A. baumannii isolates in various regions of Turkey