What Could Aid in Slowing Down Cognitive Function?

The objective of this research was to assess the relationship between cognitive function, physical activity level, nutritional and depression status in the elderly. Materials and Methods. A total of 200 individuals (≥ 65 years) were included in the study. General characteristics of the individuals, biochemical findings, nutritional habits, 24-hour physical activity level and food consumption records were assessed. Cognitive function and depression status were screened by the Standardized Mini-Mental State Examination (S-MMSE) and Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form (GDS-SF), respectively. Results. Thirty-eight (19%) of the 200 individuals were diagnosed with dementia. On the evaluation of all the individuals, moderate and statistically significant negative correlation (r=-0.558, p < 0.01) was found between the S-MMSE and GDS-SF values. In addition, a moderate and statistically significant positive correlation was found between the S-MMSE and physical activity level values (r=0.553, p < 0.01). Vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, and zinc intakes were lower in women than in men (p < 0.05). Moreover, it was observed that the vitamin B3 and calcium intakes were below the recommended daily intake in both the genders. Conclusions. Proper nutritional treatment and increasing the levels of physical activity may aid in slowing down the progression of dementia

Corporate Real Estate Holdings and Financial Performance of Restaurant Firms

Most restaurant firms, by their operational nature, own and operate a large amount of corporate real estate (CRE), even though real estate is not their primary business activity. This is not only common across restaurant firms of different sizes but also linked to their sales and profitability. Borrowing the arguments of resource-based theory and using financial data for the years between 1999 and 2014, this study investigated the relationship between CRE holdings and restaurant firm performance in the United States. Briefly, our findings demonstrate that the CRE ratio and the rent ratio, in particular, have different impacts on restaurant firms’ financial performance and market-driven risk structures when different forward lags are considered

First-principles calculations to investigate the structural, electronic, elastic, vibrational and thermodynamic properties of the full-Heusler alloys X2ScGa (X = Ir and Rh)

This study has investigated ab initio pseudopotential calculations on the structural, electronic, elastic, vibrational and thermodynamic properties of the full-Heusler X2ScGa (X = Ir and Rh) alloys. The calculations have taken place under consideration of the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) of the density functional theory (DFT) with using the plane-wave ab initio pseudopotential method. According to the calculations, the major contribution to electronic states at the Fermi energy has been achieved by d orbitals, revealing a more active role for transition metals Ir (Rh) and Sc atoms. The reckonings point out that the Ir2ScGa and Rh2ScGa have metallic behavior at the equilibrium lattice constant with the density of states (DOS) at the Fermi level (N (EF)) of 1.412 states/eV and 1.821 states/eV, respectively. The results of the elastic constants showed that these compounds met the criteria for Born mechanical stability. It was also observed that they have a ductile structure and exhibit anisotropic behavior according to Pugh criteria. Besides, the full phonon spectra and their projected partial density of states of the alloys have been analyzed with the first-principle linear-response approach of the density-functional perturbation theory. All the alloys behaved dynamically stable in the L21 phase. Furthermore, internal free energy, entropy, specific heat capacity at constant volume and vibrational free energy changes of Ir2ScGa and Rh2ScGa alloys were analyzed and discussed between the temperature range of 0–800 K using the quasi harmonic approximation. According to the results, these alloys are potential candidate for industrial use. © 2020 Elsevier Lt

Intraocular Hemorrhage due to use of Sildenafil in a Patient with Diabetes

Sildenafil is one of the most commonly used drugs for sexual dysfunction or to increase libido, and it regulates endothelial nitric oxide synthase enzyme via selective phosphodiesterase-V inhibition. Sildenafil can be easily obtained without a medical indication or prescription yet it is not considered as a completely safe medication. Hemoptysis and hemorrhagic stroke are some important adverse effects of sildenafil. The case of the current report was a 67-year-old diabetic patient with simultaneous anterior and posterior segment hemorrhage after the use of 100 mg sildenafil citrate. Anterior chamber clearance and pars plana vitrectomy were performed for the patient because the hyphema and vitreous hemorrhage did not resolve during the follow-up period. There are very limited data available in the literature suggesting an increase in the risk of hyphema or vitreous hemorrhage due to the use of sildenafil. This is the first report that reveals the bleeding effect of sildenafil use in a patient with type 2 diabetes

Anatomy of spinal nerves in the first Turkish illustrated anatomy handwritten textbook

“Teşrih-ül Ebdan ve Tercümânı Kıbale-i Feylesûfan” is the first handwritten anatomy textbook with illustrations written in Turkish in 17th century by Şemseddîn-i İtâḳî. “Teşrih” has different meanings such as anatomy, skeleton, and cutting a corpse into pieces [1]. “Teşrih-ül Ebdan ve Tercümânı Kıbale-i Feylesûfan ” means dissection of the body and scholars’ birth knowledge [2]. Since this is the first handwritten textbook in Turkish, it has great importance in the development of medicine in Ottoman Empire. This book was written while Grand Vizier Recep Pasha was in power, and it was dedicated to the Sultan of that period, Murat the IVth [3, 4]. It is thought that the book was written in 163

The Relationship of Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio with Vitreomacular Traction Syndrome

This study was conducted to reveal the role of systemic low-grade inflammation by calculating the Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) in Vitreomacular Traction Syndrome (VMTS) of different etiologies. A retrospective examination was made of the medical records at a tertiary referral hospital. The study included 31 patients with diabetic VMTS, 27 patients with idiopathic VMTS, and 35 healthy subjects as the control group. The White Blood Cell (WBC) counts and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) was compared. There were  insignificant differences between the groups in terms of mean age and female/male ratio (P>0.05). The mean ± Standard Deviation (SD) of NLR was calculated as 2.43 ± 0.83 in the diabetic VMTS group, 2.38 ± 0.96 in the idiopathic VMTS group, and 1.83 ± 0.52 in the control group (P=0.007). The values of the diabetic and idiopathic VMTS groups were significantly higher than those of the control group (P=0.002 and P=0.032, respectively). However, differences between the diabetic and idiopathic VMTS groups were insignificant (P=0.651). This study found significantly higher NLR in patients with diabetic and idiopathic VMTS than the control group. Elevated NLR could therefore be a potential indicator of VMTS, irrespective of the etiology

Prevalence and risk factors of vitamin D deficiency in patients with widespread musculoskeletal pain

Objective: Vitamin D deficiency is a worldwide common health problems. Vitamin D deficiency in adults has been associated with proximal muscle weakness, skeletal mineralization defect, and an increased risk of falling. Patients with vitamin D deficiency commonly complain of widespread pain in the body. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and risk factors of 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency in patients complaining of widespread musculoskeletal pain. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 8457 patients with widespread musculoskeletal pain (7772 females, 685 males), aged 46.7 (range 20-100) years were included. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was measured with ELISA method. Patients were classified into two groups: 1) Patients with vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/ml) and 2). Patients without vitamin D deficiency ( >20 ng/ml). Results: Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was found to be 71.7%. A binary logistic regression model showed that low 25(OH)Vit D level was associated with gender, age and month in which 25(OH) hypovitaminosis was determined. The risk of low 25(OH) Vit D was found to be 2.15 times higher in female patients and 1.52 times higher on March and 1.55 times higher on April. Conclusion: This study indicates that Vitamin D deficiency should be taken into consideration in patients with widespread musculoskeletal pain, and some precautions such as sunbathe during summer should be recommended patients having risk of vitamin D deficiency. J Clin Exp Invest 2013; 4 (4): 48-49

Evaluation of risk factors associated with pancreatic adenocarcinoma in Black Sea region, Turkey

Aim: To evaluate the risk factors in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma in Turkey's Black Sea region and to determine groups at high risk for pancreatic cancer. Methods: 106 newly diagnosed pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients living in Black Sea region of Turkey who applied to our clinic between January 2015 and December 2016 were included in this study. In the same period a control group was formed with 92 patients of similar age. Both groups were asked to fill out a form that questioned the pancreatic cancer risk factors. Data were analyzed. Results: Pancreatic cancer risk was 3.5 times higher in people over 65 years of age. Patients with deficient level of serum vitamin D level (&lt;20 ng/ml) had 10.2 times more risk of pancreatic cancer than patients with normal level of Vitamin D (≥30 ng/ml). While newly diagnosed type 2 diabetics had 19.5 times higher risk of pancreatic cancer, long term type 2 diabetics had 1.2 times higher risk than normal individuals. Those with pancreatic cancer in family had 4.3 times higher risk than those who did not. It was observed that people with rhesus (Rh) antigen negative blood group has 70% less risk of pancreatic cancer. Conclusion: Determination of pancreatic cancer risk factors, organization of imaging and screening programs for high-risk people can provide early diagnosis of the disease and prolong survival