The interplay of spiritual health, resilience, and happiness: an evaluation among a group of dental students at a state university in Turkey

Abstract Background Dental education is one of the disciplines where students are most significantly affected psychologically. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between spiritual health, resilience and happiness levels of dental students at a state university in Turkey. Methods This cross- sectional study included 212 students from the 3rd, 4th and 5th grades of the faculty of dentistry. A questionnaire consisting of 4 sections was used in the study. The sections of the questionnaire include students’ general and academic information, Turkish adaptations of the Spiritual Well-Being Scale, The Brief Resilience Scale, and the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire-Short Form. Data analysis was performed with IBM SPSS 25 package program. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to assess the normal distribution of the data. The Mann-Whitney U test was preferred for comparisons between two categorical variables and one numerical variable. The Kruskal-Wallis H test was employed for comparisons involving two categorical variables and one numerical variable. The presence of a relationship between two numerical variables was examined using the Spearman test. Results In terms of resilience and happiness scores, males had higher scores than females. It was determined that third graders scored higher than fifth graders in harmony with nature scores, and third graders scored higher than fourth graders in deregulation scores. There was a positive correlation between happiness, spiritual well-being and resilience; a negative correlation between happiness and anomie. There was no significant relationship between age and happiness scores. As a result of multiple linear regression to determine the factors affecting happiness; increases in spiritual well-being and resilience will lead to an increase in happiness levels. Conclusion This study concluded that increased levels of spiritual well-being and resilience among a group of dental students would lead to increased levels of happiness. However, further research is needed to understand the relationship between mental health, resilience and happiness levels during dental education

Micro and nanostructural analysis of a human tooth using correlated focused ion beam (FIB) and transmission Electron microscopy (TEM) investigations

In this study, natural molar human tooth specimens were investigated for determining their micro- and nanoscale structural morphology, chemistry and crystallinity. The differences were tracked comparatively for both enamel and dentin layers and at their interfaces. Although dental material structures are hard and tough and the cross-sectioning of these materials using mechanical methods is challenging, FIB-SEM dual-beam instruments serve for preparing ultra-thin homogenous lamella sections. In this work, both FIB-SEM and TEM based advanced characterization methods were applied to reveal different morphological characteristics of dental tissue via complementary imaging and diffraction analysis. In addition, SEM-EDS and Raman spectroscopy techniques provided additional information about the elemental distribution and the chemical composition differences of the dental tissues. According to electron microscopy examinations at the intersection between the enamel and the dentin layers, it was shown that the enamel was denser and polycrystalline, while the dentin layer was porous, fibrillar and of negligible long-range order, due to its tubular structure and organic components. In particular, EDS mapping and linescan analyses showed almost no differences in the elemental distribution. Raman results confirmed that both tissues had similar chemical composition except dentin showed spectral background effects in the spectrum due to its tubular structure and organic components

Vacuum Assisted Closure Improves the Quality of Life in Patients with Diabetic Foot

Background : Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is the most common endocrine disease worldwide. One of the most important chronic complications of this disease is the development of diabetic foot. The management of diabetic foot wounds is quite important with respect to public health

Effect of photocatalytic pretreatment on the membrane performance in nanofiltration of textile wastewater

Traditional methods like biological treatment, flocculation-coagulation, adsorption, and advanced oxidation are commonly employed for textile wastewater treatment, but their sustainability is hindered by issues such as the adverse impact of textile wastewater on microorganisms and the requirement for substantial chemical usage. In response to increasingly stringent legal discharge standards, membrane technologies are emerging as prominent alternatives for effective textile wastewater treatment. The application of photocatalysis as a pretreatment to improve effluent quality and treatment performance has shown effective results in the treatment of textile wastewater by nanofiltration (NF). However, innovative solutions are needed to improve the efficiency of UV photocatalytic reactors. Here, the TiO2/halloysite nanotube (HNT) photocatalyst was shown to completely remove dyes under UV illumination. Two wastewater samples from photocatalytic (PC) pretreatment were treated using innovative NF membranes with different contents. The study examined the impact of PC pretreatment on the flux of wastewater from a textile factory heat recovery tank, which increased from 18.32 to 27.63 L/m2.h. The membranes achieved > 98% removal in COD, while bare membrane achieved 95% removal in conductivity. The addition of s-DADPS as monomer and HNT as nanoparticles to the membranes with different compositions affected the cross-linking in the TFC layer. During the tests conducted on the water extracted from the dyeing tank, the color was completely eliminated without any loss of flux. Additionally, improvements in COD removal were observed

Examining the impact of soluble salts on dolomite deterioration

Salt weathering is known to be destructive to the historical buildings, which are constructed of porous stone materials. The study has the focus on salt weathering assessment on dolomite, a building stone that has been widely used in Anatolian monuments. The study is composed of laboratory analyses and non-destructive investigation techniques in order to better understand the causes and mechanism of decay. The artificially weathered dolomite samples by salt crystallization cycles were prepared at various states of deterioration, by exposing them to 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 cycles of NaCl and Na2SO4 crystallization. Both fresh and artificially-weathered samples were examined in terms of their basic physical and physicomechanical properties, such as bulk density, effective porosity (total open porosity), ratio of fine pores, water absorption capacity, thermal dilatation coefficient, ultrasonic pulse velocity and modulus of elasticity. The thermal inertia characteristics of the samples were also determined by quantitative IR thermography (QIRT). The microstructural properties of the samples before and after the salt weathering cycles were investigated by means of stereomicroscope image analyses, XRD and SEM analyses. The state of deterioration or soundness of the samples were also defined by joint interpretation of ultrasonic and thermal inertia data. The results have shown that the change in durability characteristics in dolomite can be assessed accurately by monitoring their performance properties in terms of basic physical, physicomechanical and thermal properties. The data achieved is supported by microstructural properties of the fresh and artificially deteriorated samples. Deterioration of dolomite depending on salt crystallization cycles generally arises at the stone’s weak parts like impurities, veins and cracks within the stone. The XRD analyses of the impurities formed in the cracks as well as SEM analyses verified the presence of calcite veins, iron oxide and clay minerals in the cracks. Ultrasonic and thermal inertia values of fresh and deteriorated samples established the reference/control data that can be used for in-situ examination

The comparative effectiveness of fingolimod, natalizumab, and ocrelizumab in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

© 2023, Fondazione Società Italiana di Neurologia.Background: Fingolimod, natalizumab, and ocrelizumab are commonly used in the second-line treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). However, these have only been compared in observational studies, not in controlled trials, with limited and inconclusive results being reported. A comparison of their effect on relapse and disability in a real-world setting is therefore needed. Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of fingolimod, natalizumab, and ocrelizumab in reducing disease activity in RRMS. Methods: This multicenter, retrospective observational study was carried out with prospectively collected data from 16 centers. All consecutive RRMS patients treated with fingolimod, natalizumab, and ocrelizumab were included. Data for relapses, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores, and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were collected. Patients were matched using propensity scores. Annualized relapse rates (ARR), time to first relapse, and disability accumulation were compared. Results: Propensity score matching retained 736 patients in the fingolimod versus 370 in the natalizumab groups, 762 in the fingolimod versus 434 in the ocrelizumab groups, and 310 in the natalizumab versus 310 in the ocrelizumab groups for final analyses. Mean ARR decreased markedly from baseline after treatment in all three treatment groups. Mean on-treatment ARR was lower in natalizumab-treated patients (0.09, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.07–0.12) than in those treated with fingolimod (0.17, 0.15–0.19, p<0.001), ocrelizumab (0.08, 0.06–0.11), and fingolimod (0.14, 0.12–0.16, p=0.001). No significant difference was observed in mean on-treatment ARR between patients treated with natalizumab (0.08, 0.06–0.11) and ocrelizumab (0.09, 0.07–0.12, p=0.54). Compared to fingolimod, the natalizumab and ocrelizumab groups exhibited a higher percentage of relapse-free patients and a lower percentage of MRI-active patients at year 1. No significance differences in disability accumulation were determined between the therapies. Conclusion: Natalizumab and ocrelizumab exhibited similar effects on relapse control, and both were associated with better relapse control than fingolimod. The effects of the three therapies on disability outcomes were similar

Which swallowing difficulty of food consistency is best predictor for oropharyngeal dysphagia risk in older person?

WOS: 000476771900010Key summary pointsAimOur aim was to investigate which swallowing difficulty of food consistency in older people who did not have any disease that might affect swallowing functions, and which symptoms were most likely related to oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) risk.FindingsWe have found that the eating/drinking difficulty of thick liquids was the highest predictive value with respect to OD risk and the eating difficulty of mixed content food had the highest diagnostic ratio.MessageThe present study reports that even in older person who do not go to the hospital with the complaints of swallowing difficulty, the difficulty of swallowing thick liquids and especially the mixed content food should be questioned. AbstractPurposeThe present study aimed to investigate which swallowing difficulty of food consistency in participants over 65years of age who did not have any disease that might affect swallowing functions, and which symptoms were most likely related to oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD).MethodsThe cross-sectional and multicenter study was conducted at 12 hospitals including 883 participants aged >= 65years who were fed orally and who were admitted to the physical medicine and rehabilitation outpatient clinics between September 2017 and December 2018. Demographic characteristics were recorded. Katz Daily Living Activities Index (KDLAI), swallowing-related quality of life scale (Swal-QoL) and 10-item Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) were used. The participants were asked the yes or no questions including swallowing difficulty of various types of food consistency with the face-to-face interview.ResultsParticipants were divided into two groups as normal swallowing (EAT-10= 3 group) (n=244) according to the EAT-10 scores. While there was no difference related to number of teeth and KDLAI scores between groups (p=0.327 and p=0.221, respectively), the significant difference was found between groups in terms of yes/no questions and Swal-QoL scores (p<0.05). Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that eating difficulty of mixed content food provided maximum sensitivity (99%) and eating/drinking difficulty of thick liquid had maximum specificity (77%). The higher area under curve was in eating/drinking difficulty of thick liquid (0.891), and higher positive likelihood ratio (LR) was eating/drinking difficulty of thick liquid (4.26) as well as lower negative LR was eating difficulty of mixed content food (0.01). The higher diagnostic odds ratio was eating difficulty of mixed content food (367.0), and the higher posttest probability was eating/drinking difficulty of thick liquid (0.211).ConclusionWhile eating difficulty of hard solid food is the most common symptom in healthy participants over 65years of age, the eating difficulty of thick liquids is the highest predictive value related to oropharyngeal dysphagia risk. Also, the eating difficulty of mixed content food had the highest diagnostic ratio

Which swallowing difficulty of food consistency is best predictor for oropharyngeal dysphagia risk in older person?

© 2019, European Geriatric Medicine Society.Aim: Our aim was to investigate which swallowing difficulty of food consistency in older people who did not have any disease that might affect swallowing functions, and which symptoms were most likely related to oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) risk. Findings: We have found that the eating/drinking difficulty of thick liquids was the highest predictive value with respect to OD risk and the eating difficulty of mixed content food had the highest diagnostic ratio. Message: The present study reports that even in older person who do not go to the hospital with the complaints of swallowing difficulty, the difficulty of swallowing thick liquids and especially the mixed content food should be questioned. Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate which swallowing difficulty of food consistency in participants over 65 years of age who did not have any disease that might affect swallowing functions, and which symptoms were most likely related to oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD). Methods: The cross-sectional and multicenter study was conducted at 12 hospitals including 883 participants aged ≥65 years who were fed orally and who were admitted to the physical medicine and rehabilitation outpatient clinics between September 2017 and December 2018. Demographic characteristics were recorded. Katz Daily Living Activities Index (KDLAI), swallowing-related quality of life scale (Swal-QoL) and 10-item Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) were used. The participants were asked the “yes” or “no” questions including swallowing difficulty of various types of food consistency with the face-to-face interview. Results: Participants were divided into two groups as normal swallowing (EAT-10 < 3 group) (n = 639) and OD risk groups (EAT-10 ≥ 3 group) (n = 244) according to the EAT-10 scores. While there was no difference related to number of teeth and KDLAI scores between groups (p = 0.327 and p = 0.221, respectively), the significant difference was found between groups in terms of yes/no questions and Swal-QoL scores (p < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that eating difficulty of mixed content food provided maximum sensitivity (99%) and eating/drinking difficulty of thick liquid had maximum specificity (77%). The higher area under curve was in eating/drinking difficulty of thick liquid (0.891), and higher positive likelihood ratio (LR) was eating/drinking difficulty of thick liquid (4.26) as well as lower negative LR was eating difficulty of mixed content food (0.01). The higher diagnostic odds ratio was eating difficulty of mixed content food (367.0), and the higher posttest probability was eating/drinking difficulty of thick liquid (0.211). Conclusion: While eating difficulty of hard solid food is the most common symptom in healthy participants over 65 years of age, the eating difficulty of thick liquids is the highest predictive value related to oropharyngeal dysphagia risk. Also, the eating difficulty of mixed content food had the highest diagnostic ratio

Erdemli Zaman Serisi Deniz Araştırmaları 2018

Denizel ortamda kaynakların aşırı kullanımı, kirlilik ve iklim değişikliği gibi etkenlerden meydana gelen değişimlerin düzenli ve uzun süreli gözlemlenmesi ileride oluşturulacak sayısal modeller ile öngörü sistemlerinin oluşturulması açısından önem arz etmektedir. Denizlerde ölçüm ve öngürülerin oluşturulması bilimsel açıdan önemli olduğu kadar denizle ilişkili tüm sosyo-ekonomik alanlar içinde yer alan pek çok sektörü yakından ilgilendirmektedir.. Doğu Akdeniz’de yaklaşık 25 yıldır sürdürülen çalışmalar, özellikle yaz kış tabakalaşmalarında önemli değişimler olduğunu ve tabaklaşma döneminin uzadığını göstermektedir. Bu değişimlerin gözlenmesi ve ileride hem iklim değişikliği hem de sistemin nasıl evrileceğini anlamak ve gerekli tedbirleri alabilmek için on yıllar seviyesinde yapılan zaman serisi çalışmaları öne çıkmaktadır. Erdemli Zaman Serisi çalışması kapsamında toplanacak ve üretilecek veriler bir çok analize ve son ürün olarak da model çalışmalarına temel girdi sağlayacaktır. Sonuç olarak, 2018 yılında da yapılacak bu çalışma ile ileride yapılacak ileri analizler ve modeller için temel girdi sağlayacağı gibi bölgedeki bir çok canlıyı (balık ve diğer deniz ürünleri dahil)etkileyecek yıllara ve mevsimlere bağlı ekosistemdeki değişimlerin saptanabilmesine olanak sağlayacaktır