Comparing the Working Memory Capacity with Cognitive Flexibility, Cognitive Emotion Regulation, and Learning Styles of University Students: A Domain General View

Introduction: The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship of working memory capacity with the use of cognitive emotion regulation strategies, cognitive flexibility level, and learning styles of university students. Methods: In the present study (N = 39), the participants completed the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, Cognitive Flexibility Scale, Kolb Learning Styles Inventory, and Vermunt Learning Styles Inventory and three WM capacity (WMC) tasks that are Rotation Span Task, Operation Span Task, and Symmetry Span Task. Their WMCs were assessed, and the relationship of it was compared with cognitive emotion regulation, cognitive flexibility, and learning styles. Results: The results indicated that there is a significant difference and negative correlation (r= −0.341) between Operation Span Task and refocus on planning. Findings of the research indicated correlations between emotion regulation strategies and between cognitive flexibility and two emotion regulation strategies that are refocus on planning (r = 0.528) and positive reappraisal (r = 0.574). Only one learning style that is Processing Strategies in Vermunt Learning Style Inventory was found significantly different in terms of the cognitive flexibility level of the participants. The results also indicated a positive correlation between verbal and spatial WM tasks which support the domain general view for WMC. Conclusions: Further studies are advised to be conducted between cognitive emotion regulation strategies and working memory capacity as these findings may have significant implications for understanding the correlation between memory and emotion

Effect of prior beta-blocker use on in-hospital atrial fibrillation development in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Background and Aim There are conflicting results about the early administration of beta-blockers (bb) on in-hospital mortality and arrhythmias. Here, we wanted to investigate the effects of chronic bb use on in-hospital Atrial Fibrillation (AF) development in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) patients. Materials and Methods A total of 814 consecutive patients with STEMI were included in the study. They were divided into two groups according to whether they are using bb on admission or not. They were followed for AF development in-hospital and predictors of AF were determined by multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results Of the 814 patients, 103 (12.67%) patients were already using bb, while 711 (87.3%) were not. There were no significant differences in the frequency of AF development [3 (%2.9) vs 30 (%4.2), p = .788] between the groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that left atrial (LA) diameter is the only independent predictor of in-hospital AF development. Conclusions Our study showed that chronic bb use does not have an effect on in-hospital AF development in STEMI patients. Nevertheless, LA diameter was found to be an independent predictor of AF

High Ascending Vertebral Artery: Case Report

We noted that right vertebral artery of a 59-year-old male cadaver run towards the skull base and entered transverse foramen of fourth cervical vertebra (C4) after it branches from right subclavian artery. The length of the vertebral artery between its origin and the entrance point to the C4 (first part of the artery, V1 segment) was 11.8 cm and showed no tortuosity. The left vertebral artery was found normal. The frequency of this variation was reported between 0.5% and 2.08% in the literature. This type of variation of the vertebral artery may cause iatrogenic injuries during surgery of this region, especially when performing anterior and lateral approaches, and may cause difficulties in interpretation of the radiologic images, so it should be kept in mind

The Relation Between Echocardiographic Epicardial Fat Thickness and CHA2DS2-VASc Score in Patients with Sinus Rhythm

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the predictive value of epicardial fat thickness (EFT) in CHA2DS2-VASc (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥75 years, diabetes mellitus, previous stroke or transient ischemic attack, vascular disease, age 65-74 years, sex category) score risk groups. Methods: A total of 158 consecutive patients (75 females, 83 males, mean age 70.8±6.3 years) admitted routinely for cardiologic control were divided into two groups according to their CHA2DS2-VASc scores (scores 0 and 1 were regarded as low risk, and score ≥2 as high risk). One hundred twenty-five of 158 patients had a high-risk score. Results: Mean EFT was significantly higher in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group (4.34±0.62 vs. 5.37±1.0; P<0.001). EFT was positively correlated with CHA2DS2-VASc score (r=0.577, P<0.001). According to receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis, EFT value of 4.4 mm was found to be predictive of high risk in CHA2DS2-VASc score with 80% of sensitivity and 79% of specificity (C-statistic = 0.875, P<0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.76-0.90). And according to multivariate logistic regression analysis, EFT was an independent predictor of high thromboembolic risk in terms of CHA2DS2-VASc score. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that echocardiographic EFT measurement could provide additional information on assessing cardiovascular risks, such as thromboembolic events, and individuals with increased EFT should receive more attention to reduce unfavorable cardiovascular risk factors and the development of future cardiovascular events

Health-Related Adverse Events and Associated Factors in Recreational Divers With Different Certification Levels

Background. There is a paucity of research on diving-related health issues and associated factors. This study aimed to examine the health problems encountered during diving and to ascertain the factors associated with adverse events. Methods. The sample of this descriptive study consisted of 132 recreational divers from diving schools in Ankara. The researchers collected the data using a questionnaire developed according to the relevant literature. Results. Diving-related health issues including barotraumas, nitrogen narcosis, and decompression sickness were mostly dependent on depth. The divers with higher certification levels witnessed diving-related adverse events more frequently and a significant increase in health problems with greater depth attained (p0.05). Conclusions. The finding implies the importance of adherence to the depth limit of 40m for recreational divers, being a slow ascend diver, and utilization of a buddy system in order to prevent diving-related adverse events. A data recording system related to diving and regulations particularly for tourist divers in the countries attracting tourists is required.WoSScopu

Does Dexmedetomidine Provide Cardioprotection in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting With Cardiopulmonary Bypass? A Pilot Study

Objective: The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate whether dexmedetomidine has a cardioprotective effect during coronary artery bypass graft surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB)

Immediate and long term effects of percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty on atrial conduction velocities in patients with mitral stenosis

© 2019 CardioFront LLC. All rights reserved.Background: P-wave dispersion (PWD) is an electrocardiographic (ECG) marker of nonuniform and heterogeneous atrial conduction with ECG leads of different orientation. The aim of our study was to investigate the immediate and long term effects of successful percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty (PMBV) on PWD in severe rheumatic MS patients and to analyse the restenosis, atrial fibrillation (AF) and redo balloon valvuloplasty rate. Methods:We enrolled 41 consecutive MS patients with sinus rhythm who underwent PMBV. A 12-lead ECG and transthoracic echocardiography were performed for each patient one day before, within 72 hours after the procedure and followed up by clinical visit at a mean of 5,57±1,46 (3-8) year.The mean patient age was 44.1±10.86 years. Results: Pmax 1(pre PMBV) and PWD 1(pre PMBV) decreased 1-3 days after PMBV. MVA improved immediately after the procedure; but lately the mean MVA decreased significantly indicating the initiation of restenosis. Composite endpoints were associated with LA 1 (p = 0.02), MVA 2 (1-3 days after PMBV) (p= 0.019), mean gradient 2 (p= 0.028), PWD 3 (3 years after PMBV) (p < 0.001) and Pmax 3 (3 years after PMBV) (<0,001). AF incidence was associated with PWD 2 (p=0,019) and PWD 3 (p=0,010). There was 14 composite endpoint on follow up and at multivariate analysis PWD 3 was identified as an independent predictor of the composite endpoint (p=0.048, hazard ratio=1.36, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1,002-1.867). Conclusions: This study has demonstrated that Pmax and PWD significantly decreased within 3 days after PMBV. Furthermore, long term PWD was associated with AF and identified as an independent predictor of the composite endpoint

Characterization, epidemiological profile and risk factors for clinical outcome of infective endocarditis from a tertiary care centre in Turkey

Background: We aimed to investigate the clinical, laboratory, microbiological characteristics of IE in a single tertiary care centre in Turkey and to identify the factors associated with in-hospital mortality. Methods: A total of 155 consecutive adult patients (>= 18 years) admitted to our single tertiary care hospital between 2009 and 2019 with definite infective endocarditis were retrospectively included in the study. Results: The mean age of the patients was 58 years. Among 155 endocarditis episodes, 60% involved prosthetic valves, 35.5% had native valve endocarditis (NVE) and 4.5% were device related. Prosthetic valve disease was the most frequent predisposing valve lesion followed by degenerative valvular disease. Vegetations were detected in 103 (66.5%) patients by transthoracic echocardiography and in 145 (93%) patients by transoesophageal echocardiography. The most commonly affected valve was the mitral valve in 84 (54.2%) patients, followed by 67 (43.2%) aortic valve. Staphylococci were the most frequent causative microorganisms isolated in both NVE (31.8%), prosthetic valve endocarditis (38.9%) and device related IE cases. At least one complication was present in 70 patients (45.2%). One hundred and eight patients underwent surgical therapy (69.7%). Age, syncope, heart failure, perforation, septic shock, renal failure, high red cell distribution width, atrial fibrillation, hypocalcaemia, pulmonary hypertension were associated with high mortality. Conclusions: We identified a 10-year presentation of IE in a referral centre in Turkey. Likely other series, we observed more staphylococcus endocarditis with the aging of the population. Surgery was associated with higher in-hospital survival. Age, syncope, perforation, septic shock were independent predictors of mortality