Relationship between musculoskeletal pain and Vitamin D levels in elderly women

Introduction: Pain is a common symptom of aging. Vitamin D is an effective pre-prohormone with ubiquitous receptors in many tissues, including the musculoskeletal system. Vitamin D deficiency is known to cause pain, proximal muscle weakness in lower extremities, skeletal mineralization defects, balance disorders, increased risk of fall and fracture, and reduced functional capacity. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D levels and the musculoskeletal pain in female patients aged 65 years or over. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study included 120 female patients aged 65 years and over who were admitted to physical therapy and rehabilitation outpatient clinic. The participants were administered a questionnaire consisting of demographic data (age, education, occupation, sun exposure, physical activity levels, intake of calcium-rich foods), musculoskeletal pain, and location of the pain. The levels of 25(OH) vitamin D (vitamin D), calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and parathormon in the serum were recorded from the hospital database. Results: Of the participants, 101 (84%) had vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency, 83 (69%) had musculoskeletal pain, and 37 (31%) had no pain at all. Serum vitamin D levels were significantly lower in those who had pain (p=0.008). Sixty-two (75%) of the patients with musculoskeletal pain (n=83) had vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. Among those with musculoskeletal system pain and vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency (n=62), the pain was most frequently localized to the lower back (41%) and upper back (32%). Conclusion: It is important to evaluate serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels particularly in elderly female patients admitted with musculoskeletal pain. Vitamin D deficiency should be kept in mind for female patients suffering from the lower and upper back pain. Considering the role of vitamin D on the musculoskeletal system, assessment of vitamin D levels and, in case of deficiency, supplementation therapy is recommended for elderly women

Analysis of intestinal and nasopharyngeal microbiota of children with meningococcemia in pediatric intensive care unit: INMACS-PICU study

This article belongs to the Special Issue Pediatric Diagnostic Microbiology.Microbiota composition might play a role in the pathophysiology and course of sepsis, and understanding its dynamics is of clinical interest. Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is an important cause of community-acquired serious infection, and there is no information regarding microbiota composition in children with meningococcemia. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the intestinal and nasopharyngeal microbiota composition of children with IMD.[Materials and Methods]: In this prospective, multi-center study, 10 children with meningococcemia and 10 age-matched healthy controls were included. Nasopharyngeal and fecal samples were obtained at admission to the intensive care unit and on the tenth day of their hospital stay. The V3 and V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene were amplified following the 16S Metagenomic Sequencing Library Preparation.[Results]: Regarding the alpha diversity on the day of admission and on the tenth day at the PICU, the Shannon index was significantly lower in the IMD group compared to the control group (p = 0.002 at admission and p = 0.001, on the tenth day of PICU). A statistical difference in the stool samples was found between the IMD group at Day 0 vs. the controls in the results of the Bray–Curtis and Jaccard analyses (p = 0.005 and p = 0.001, respectively). There were differences in the intestinal microbiota composition between the children with IMD at admission and Day 10 and the healthy controls. Regarding the nasopharyngeal microbiota analysis, in the children with IMD at admission, at the genus level, Neisseria was significantly more abundant compared to the healthy children (p < 0.001). In the children with IMD at Day 10, genera Moraxella and Neisseria were decreased compared to the healthy children. In the children with IMD on Day 0, for paired samples, Moraxella, Neisseria, and Haemophilus were significantly more abundant compared to the children with IMD at Day 10. In the children with IMD at Day 10, the Moraxella and Neisseria genera were decreased, and 20 different genera were more abundant compared to Day 0.[Conclusions]: We first found alterations in the intestinal and nasopharyngeal microbiota composition in the children with IMD. The infection itself or the other care interventions also caused changes to the microbiota composition during the follow-up period. Understanding the interaction of microbiota with pathogens, e.g., N. meningitidis, could give us the opportunity to understand the disease’s dynamics.This study was supported by the Eskisehir Osmangazi University Scientific Research Grant (2018/11046).Peer reviewe

"My money in E-purse" searching problems in self service user interface

The purpose of this study is to investigate the usability problems while using one of the applications of smart card, electronic purse with self service interfaces of NETMATIK. The usability problems of this self service interface were evaluated by heuristic evaluation and user trials.Two target groups, students and staffs, were involved in user trial. The average age for the first (younger) group was 18 while it was over 40 for the second (older) group. The problems that two target groups have encountered were evaluated seperately and the effect of age differences on problems has been explored whether it is the same for both target groups or not. The result of this study shows that both target groups had approximately same problems with the interface; however, these problems are more severe for the older groups. The common problems which both groups have with the interface are being timed out by the system, failing to enter password for card, failing to enter required password for e-purse. Implication for interface design is discussed

Evaluating working memory capacity and cognitive load in learning from goal based scenario centered 3D multimedia

The purpose of this study is to investigate working memory capacity and cognitive load in learning from Goal Based Scenario centered 3D multimedia learning environment (GBSc3DM) designed based on Cognitive Load Theory (CLT). GBSc3DM was developed in two versions. In the designed of the first version (+CLT) cognitive load principles were applied. In the second version (-CLT), however, the principles were violated. 47 11(th) grade high school students were selected based on their working memory capacity (WMC). A series of parametric and non parametric statistical techniques were used to analyze the data. The findings are discussed in the following sections

COGNITIVE LOAD AND GOAL BASED SCENARIO CENTERED 3D MULTIMEDIA LEARNING ENVIRONMENT: LEARNERS' MOTIVATION, SATISFACTION AND MENTAL EFFORT

This study investigated the learners' satisfaction, motivation, and mental effort in Goal Based Scenario centered 3D multimedia learning environment (GBSc3DM). The design of the GBSc3DM was based on the Cognitive Load Theory (CLT) principles. Two versions of the GBSc3DM were developed. While Cognitive Load Theory principles were taken into account and implemented in the design of the first version (+CLT), those principles were not applied in the design of the second version (CLT). A total of 82 9th grade high school students participated in the study. Mixed methods were used to gather the data. The findings of the study revealed that the learners were satisfied with the Goal Based Scenario components and the CLT principles implemented in the first version of GBSc3DM. The learners pointed out that GBSc3DM and CLT principles motivated them to learn the topic. However, not only were the learners not satisfied with the second version (CLT), but they also found it distracting. The findings showed that the learners invested higher mental effort in the second version (-CLT) of GBSc3DM

Valorization of leather industry waste in polyurethane composites for reduced flammability

Industrial wastes are considered a major cause of environmental pollution, and studies on valorizing these wastes and converting them into value-added products have gained importance. This study investigated the potential use of buffing dust (BD) waste from chromium-tanned leather as a filler for polyurethane (PU) matrix. PU + BD composites containing different concentrations of filler, ranging from 1 to 4%, were produced. Compressive strength, thermal stability, thermal conductivity, and flammability of PU + BD composites were analyzed. Regarding the compression module, PU with 2% filler performed similarly to neat PU, while 1% and 3% provided comparable results. The addition of 3% leather waste is feasible and preferable as it enables the incorporation of a higher amount of waste without compromising the compressive strength properties of the PU. PU + BD composites had similar heat isolation properties to neat PU and reduced the flammability of the polyurethane composites. Incorporating leather waste particles into PU + BD composites could be a sustainable promising alternative approach for reducing the flammability of PU, where lower flammability is required.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) under the 2209-A University Students Research Projects Support Program [1919B011803196]This research was financially supported by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) under the 2209-A University Students Research Projects Support Program, Project No: 1919B011803196. We are grateful to Ege University Planning and Monitoring Coordination of Organizational Development and Directorate of Library and Documentation for their support in editing and proofreading service of this study

CARBON FOOTPRINT AND ENERGY BALANCE OF BIODIESEL PRODUCED FROM TANNERY FLESHINGS

WOS: 000341075400003This paper analyzes, from a life cycle perspective, the environmental performance of biodiesel obtained from leather industry fleshing waste (BDF). The indicators used for this environmental evaluation are: global warming potential (GWP) and energy return on investment (EROI). The contribution of each process-step in both GWP and EROI was determined. Transesterification of fat to obtain the BDF has been proved to be the most significant step in the process, mainly due to the consumption of methanol A comparison between BDF and petroleum diesel obtained from non-renewable oil has also been performed using the same indicators. The results show a clear preference for BDF, although data from industrial real plants has to be considered in further works for BDF process to provide more accurate results

TURKISH UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' TECHNOLOGY USE PROFILES AND THEIR THOUGHTS ABOUT DISTANCE EDUCATION

This study presents the results of a survey implemented to investigate Turkish university students' technology use profile and their thoughts about distance education. The sample of the study is 6504 students from four universities in Turkey. The results of the study are reported in five main sections: 1) demographic information of the students, 2) students' Internet and computer-use opportunities, 3) students' computer skills, 4) studying styles of the students, and 5) thoughts concerning Internet-based distance education. The results of this study show that 38% of the students have home computer with an Internet connection, and 64%, 53%, and 30% of the students connect to the Internet for communication, newsgroups, and web searches, respectively. In addition, the findings show that the students prefer to access the Internet from either Internet cafes or their homes. Blended learning is the most favorite learning environment among these students

Yaşlı kadınlarda kas-iskelet sistemi ağrısıyla D vitamini düzeyleri arasındaki ilişki

Introduction: Pain is a common symptom of aging. Vitamin D is an effective pre-prohormone with ubiquitous receptors in many tissues, including the musculoskeletal system. Vitamin D deficiency is known to cause pain, proximal muscle weakness in lower extremities, skeletal mineralization defects, balance disorders, increased risk of fall and fracture, and reduced functional capacity. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D levels and the musculoskeletal pain in female patients aged 65 years or over. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study included 120 female patients aged 65 years and over who were admitted to physical therapy and rehabilitation outpatient clinic. The participants were administered a questionnaire consisting of demographic data (age, education, occupation, sun exposure, physical activity levels, intake of calcium-rich foods), musculoskeletal pain, and location of the pain. The levels of 25(OH) vitamin D (vitamin D), calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and parathormon in the serum were recorded from the hospital database. Results: Of the participants, 101 (84%) had vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency, 83 (69%) had musculoskeletal pain, and 37 (31%) had no pain at all. Serum vitamin D levels were significantly lower in those who had pain (p=0.008). Sixty-two (75%) of the patients with musculoskeletal pain (n=83) had vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. Among those with musculoskeletal system pain and vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency (n=62), the pain was most frequently localized to the lower back (41%) and upper back (32%). Conclusion: It is important to evaluate serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels particularly in elderly female patients admitted with musculoskeletal pain. Vitamin D deficiency should be kept in mind for female patients suffering from the lower and upper back pain. Considering the role of vitamin D on the musculoskeletal system, assessment of vitamin D levels and, in case of deficiency, supplementation therapy is recommended for elderly women