How to Read a Meta-Analysis? A Guideline for Clinicians

Meta-analysis is a statistical analysis that combines the results of relevant studies performed for same purpose and is used as a tool for evidence-based medicine to support clinical decision making. Because a meta-analysis includes advanced statistical analysis, the report is not easily understandable to clinicians. In this study, we aimed to write a guideline for clinicians to help them understand the statistical analysis part of a meta-analysis and interpret graphs and results of a meta-analysis

Approximation of fixed points of nonexpansive mappings and quasinonexpansive mappings in a Hilbert space

In this paper, we give a simple proof and some generalizations of results in Falset, Llorens-Fuster, Marino, and Rugiano (2016).Comment: 8 page

The effects of desert dust storms, air pollution, and temperature on morbidity due to spontaneous abortions and toxemia of pregnancy: 5-year analysis

Epidemiological studies have suggested an association between particulate air pollution, increased temperatures, and morbidity related to pregnancy outcomes. However, the roles of desert dust storms and climatological factors have not been fully addressed. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the association between desert dust storms, particulate matter with a diameter <= 10 mu m (PM10), daily temperatures, and toxemia of pregnancy and spontaneous abortion in Gaziantep, South East Turkey. The study was conducted retrospectively at emergency department of two hospitals in Gaziantep city. Data from January 1, 2009, to March 31, 2014, were collected. Patients, who were diagnosed with toxemia of pregnancy and spontaneous abortion by radiological imaging modalities, were included in the study. Daily temperature ranges, mean temperature values, humidity, pressure, wind speed, daily PM10 levels, and records of dust storms were collected. A generalized additive regression model was designed to assess variable effects on toxemia of pregnancy and spontaneous abortion, while adjusting for possible confounding factors. Our findings demonstrated that presence of dust storms was positively associated with the toxemia of pregnancy both in outpatient admissions (OR=1.543 95% CI=1.186-2.009) and inpatient hospitalizations (OR=1.534; 95% CI=1.162-2.027). However, neither PM10 nor maximum temperature showed a marked association with spontaneous abortion or toxemia of pregnancy in our study population. Our findings suggest that desert dust storms may have an impact on the risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes such as toxemia of pregnancy. Health authorities should take necessary measures to protect pregnant women against detrimental effects of these storms

TNF-α and IL-1 β Cytokine Gene Polymorphism in Patients with Nasal Polyposis

Objective: Nasal Polyp (NP) is a benign mass of the paranasal sinuses that protrudes into the nasal cavity. The exact underlying pathogenesis is not known. In this study we aimed to determine the genetic susceptibility of NP formation in relation to TNF-α-308 and IL-1β-511 promoter region gene polymorphisms.Methods: A total of 71 patients with NP with asthma (n=21) or without asthma (n=50) were taken as the study group, and 91 healthy volunteers were taken as the control group. Blood was gathered into EDTA-containing tubes, and patient DNA was extracted. The polymorphisms of the IL-β and TNF-α cytokine genes were analyzed using real time polymerase chain reaction.Results: The GG genotype in the TNF-α-308 region and the CC genotype in the IL-1β-511 region were found to be risk factors for NP formation (OR: 9.2, p=0.007 and OR: 33.3, p=0.001, respectively). Regarding allelic frequencies, the G allele at the TNF-α-308 promoter region was a risk factor for NP formation (OR: 6.06, p<0.001).Conclusion: TNF-α GG genotype in the -308 promoter region and the IL-1β CC genotype in the -511 region are genetic risk factors for NP formation

The predictors of COVID-19 mortality in a nationwide cohort of Turkish patients

he COVID-19-related death rate varies between countries and is affected by various risk factors. This multi center registry study was designed to evaluate the mortality rate and the related risk factors in Turkey. We retrospectively evaluated 1500 adults with COVID-19 from 26 centers who were hospitalized between March 11 and July 31, 2020. In the study group, 1041 and 459 cases were diagnosed as definite and highly probable cases, respectively. There were 993 PCR-positive cases (66.2%). Among all cases, 1144 (76.3%) were diagnosed with non-severe pneumonia, whereas 212 (14.1%) had severe pneumonia. Death occurred in 67 patients, corre sponding to a mortality rate of 4.5% (95% CI:3.5–5.6). The univariate analysis demonstrated that various factors, including male sex, age ?65 years and the presence of dyspnea or confusion, malignity, chronic obstructive lung disease, interstitial lung disease, immunosuppressive conditions, severe pneumonia, multiorgan dysfunction, and sepsis, were positively associated with mortality. Favipiravir, hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin were not associated with survival. Following multivariate analysis, male sex, severe pneumonia, multiorgan dysfunction, malignancy, sepsis and interstitial lung diseases were found to be independent risk factors for mortality. Among the biomarkers, procalcitonin levels on the 3rd-5th days of admission showed the strongest associations with mortality (OR: 6.18; 1.6–23.93). This study demonstrated that the mortality rate in hospitalized patients in the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic was a serious threat and that those patients with male sex, severe pneumonia, multiorgan dysfunction, malignancy, sepsis and interstitial lung diseases were at increased risk of mortality; therefore, such patients should be closely monitored

The effect of nurse managers' servant leadership on nurses' innovative behaviors and job performances

Purpose This study aims to determine the effect of servant leadership on nurses' innovative behavior and job performance and to examine the moderator role of servant leadership in the relationship between nurses' innovative behavior and job performance based on the self-determination theory and social exchange theory. Design/methodology/approach This correlational study included 885 nurses selected from three public hospitals in Istanbul using the convenience sampling method. Data were analyzed using descriptive tests, correlation analysis and linear and hierarchical regression analyses. Findings The nurse managers' servant leadership behaviors were statistically significantly related with the nurses' innovative behaviors and job performances: servant leadership behaviors of the nurse managers increased the nurses' innovative behaviors and job performances and found to partially play a role of a moderator in the effect of nurses' innovative behaviors on job performance. Practical implications This study shows that positive nurse outcomes will be achieved when nurse managers show an ethical, humanistic, empathic, mutual benefit and service-oriented approach and adopt a servant leadership approach as appropriate to the nature of nursing. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by revealing the effect of nurse managers' servant leadership on nurses' innovative behavior and job performance, as well as the partial moderator role of servant leadership, which has not been studied before as a part of the relationship between innovative behavior and job performance

Relationship of Gratitude and Coping Styles with Depression in Caregivers of Children with Special Needs

This is a cross-sectional, descriptive and correlational study aiming to reveal the relationship of gratitude and coping styles with depression in caregivers of children with special needs. As a result of the study, which was conducted with 330 caregivers, it was determined that the caregivers' level of gratitude was high. In this study, it was found that the caregivers used mostly turning to religion, planning, positive reinterpretation, and instrumental social support as coping styles respectively. It was established that there was a significant correlation between caregivers' depression level and gender, education level, level of gratitude, focus on and venting of emotions, substance use, behavioural disengagement, positive reinterpretation, using emotional social support and planning coping styles. The depression disclosure level was found to be 17.8%. For holistic nursing care, the assessment of spiritual care and spiritual needs of caregivers is very important because of its positive effect on mental health