Examining the generalizability of research findings from archival data

This initiative examined systematically the extent to which a large set of archival research findings generalizes across contexts. We repeated the key analyses for 29 original strategic management effects in the same context (direct reproduction) as well as in 52 novel time periods and geographies; 45% of the reproductions returned results matching the original reports together with 55% of tests in different spans of years and 40% of tests in novel geographies. Some original findings were associated with multiple new tests. Reproducibility was the best predictor of generalizability-for the findings that proved directly reproducible, 84% emerged in other available time periods and 57% emerged in other geographies. Overall, only limited empirical evidence emerged for context sensitivity. In a forecasting survey, independent scientists were able to anticipate which effects would find support in tests in new samples

A Prospective, Multicentered Study to Assess Social Adjustment in Patients with an Intestinal Stoma in Turkey

PubMedID: 26479123Patients with a stoma undergo physiological, psychological, and social adjustment to their new life situation. A descriptive, prospective study was conducted to assess adaptation among patients >18 years of age with a new temporary or permanent colostomy or ileostomy living in Turkey and receiving care at a participating stomatherapy unit. The study took place between September 1, 2011, and September 1, 2012. During hospitalization and following discharge, patients with a stoma received training and counseling according to their individual characteristics and their physiological, psychological, and social needs. Each participant completed the 19-item Identification Form for Patients with a Stoma at the beginning of the study to document sociodemographic and stoma characteristics. To assess adjustment to the stoma, The Ostomy Assessment Inventory (OAI-23) was administered 2 times-the first within 1 month and the second within 6 months after surgery or when a temporary stoma was closed (whichever came first). This instrument comprised 23 items regarding adaptation to the stoma using Likert-type response options (0-4 range). Total scores ranged from 10 to 92, with higher scores indicating better adjustment. The instruments were completed by stoma and wound care nurses during face-to-face interviews. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney, and Wilcoxon tests. Of the 135 participants, the majority (77, 57.0%) were male; 73 (54.1%) had a colostomy, and 106 (78.5%) had a temporary stoma. The primary reason for stoma creation was cancer (89, 65.9%). Mean total OAI-23 scores were 48.63 ± 13.75 at the first administration and 50.59 ± 13.89 for the second. In terms of sociodemographic factors, significant increases in mean scores from the first to the second survey time were noted among patients in the 50-69 age group, women, married persons, and unemployed persons (P less than 0.05). With regard to stoma characteristics, the OAI-23 scores of patients with planned stoma operations and persons with permanent stomas increased significantly (P less than 0.05) between assessments. Significant increases in OAI-23 scores also were noted among persons who did not receive information before the operation, patients whose stoma site was not marked, and patients who had experienced a complication (P less than 0.05). Postoperatively, it is important to consider sociodemographic and stoma characteristics as well as preoperative variables that may influence adaptation to stoma. Additional larger, multicentered studies with extended patient follow-up are warranted

Changes in acute viral hepatitis epidemiology in the Turkish adult population: A multicenter study

PubMed: 29749324Background/Aims: The present study aimed to determine the changes in the epidemiology of hepatitis in recent years in an adult Turkish population. Materials and Methods: Overall, 852 patients with acute viral hepatitis from 17 centers were included in this study. Their sociodemographic characteristics, clinical courses, treatments, and laboratory findings were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The most commonly found microorganisms were the hepatitis B virus (55.2%) and hepatitis A virus (37.6%), and the types of acute viral hepatitis differed significantly according to the age group (p=0.001). The most frequently reported symptom was fatigue (73.7%), and the most common complications were cholecystitis (0.4%) and fulminant hepatitis (0.4%). The median hospital stay was 9 days (range 1-373). In total, 40.8% patients with acute hepatitis B virus developed immunity. Conclusion: In Turkey, there are significantly large adolescent and adult populations susceptible to acute viral hepatitis. Therefore, larger vaccination programs covering these age groups should be implemented. © Copyright 2018 by The Turkish Society of Gastroenterology

Genetic Polymorphisms in PRM1, PRM2, and YBX2 Genes are Associated with Male Factor Infertility

PubMed ID: 29227750Aims: The etiology of infertility is still unknown in almost half of all male infertility patients. In sperm, DNA condensation differs from somatic and female gamete cells, with the protamine (PRM) gene and its transcription factor, Y-box binding protein 2 (YBX2), playing key roles in making the structure more compact. Protamine polymorphisms have been studied in different populations, but various results have been acquired. Materials and Methods: In our study, we examined, for the first time in a Turkish population, the association between protamine gene alleles (PRM1 c.-190C>A, PRM1 c.197G>T, and PRM2 c.248C>T), and YBX2 (c.187T>C and c.1095 + 16A>G) and male infertility. This was accomplished using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses of 100 infertile and 100 fertile Turkish men. Sperm DNA fragmentation analysis was performed using the Comet technique. Results: We found that the AA and CA genotypes of the PRM1 c.-190C>A polymorphism had a significant association with infertility (p A polymorphism is associated with sperm DNA fragmentation, which may impact male infertility in the Turkish population. Further research with larger groups and in various other study populations will be required to clarify the impact of protamine and YBX2 gene polymorphisms on male infertility. © Copyright 2018, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. 2018.Firat University Scientific Research Projects Management Unit: 10B3330028We thank Zeynep Bıyıklı Genc¸türk for statistical analysis assistance and biologist Sibel Arat for collecting the samples. This study was supported by a grant from Scientific Research Projects of Ankara University (project no. 10B3330028)

Identifying gene-environment interactions in schizophrenia: Contemporary challenges for integrated, large-scale investigations

Recent years have seen considerable progress in epidemiological and molecular genetic research into environmental and genetic factors in schizophrenia, but methodological uncertainties remain with regard to validating environmental exposures, and the population risk conferred by individual molecular genetic variants is small. There are now also a limited number of studies that have investigated molecular genetic candidate gene-environment interactions (G 7 E), however, so far, thorough replication of findings is rare and G 7 E research still faces several conceptual and methodological challenges. In this article, we aim to review these recent developments and illustrate how integrated, large-scale investigations may overcome contemporary challenges in G 7 E research, drawing on the example of a large, international, multi-center study into the identification and translational application of G 7 E in schizophrenia. While such investigations are now well underway, new challenges emerge for G 7 E research from late-breaking evidence that genetic variation and environmental exposures are, to a significant degree, shared across a range of psychiatric disorders, with potential overlap in phenotype. \ua9 2014 The Author