Cytokines in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Cytokines are cell molecules that are secreted by immune cells and aid cell to cell communication in immune responses and stimulate the movement of cells towards sites of inflammation, infection and trauma. So, the cytokines are the main part of the immune network to provide the communication in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) too. In RA, cytokines may be classified into four groups: pro-inflammatory cytokines, inflammatory cytokines in joints, anti-inflammatory cytokines and natural cytokine antagonists. After the initial stimuli have occurred, cytokines play a role in communication between the parts of immune system in every step of the pathophysiology process of RA. The differentiation of narve T cells into Th17 cells results in inflammation (synovitis) in joints. B cells further the pathogenic process through antigen presentation and autoantibody and cytokine production. The release of cytokines, especially tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1, causes synovial inflammation. In addition to their articular effects, pro-inflammatory cytokines promote the development of systemic effects (anemia, cardiovascular disease, fatigue and depression). So, cytokines are the main molecules contributing to all facets of the disease

The Effect of Counselling on Anxiety Level from the Perspective of Ecological Systems Theory: A Quasi-experimental Pre-test - Post-test Control Group Study

In this study, we aimed to examine how counseling service provided to college students, through a contextual clinical counseling model, affects the anxiety level of college students at a university in the east of Turkey. We followed a quasi-experimental with pretest-posttest and with control group design method. The experimental group comprised 205 and the control group comprised 75 college students. Seven supervisors with PhD degree in counseling and counselor education provided weekly supervision to 120 counselors-in-training who provided individual counseling services to the participants. Each client in the experimental group received in average six sessions, each for 45-55 minutes. We have used an adapted version of Beck Anxiety Inventory for Turkey to examine the clients’ anxiety levels. Throughout the counseling process, we have collaborated with the psychiatry department at the university when it was necessary. Additionally, in order to conduct the complex quasi-experimental study in a smooth process, we developed and utilized the contextual clinical counseling model, as such models are utilized in some of the best counseling departments in the USA. The model facilitated to conduct the complex and dynamic research and providing the services with limited resources. That means optimized the resources through the model and got significant results. As a result, receiving counseling service seems significantly decreasing anxiety level for this sample. The current study meets some important gaps in mental health. We disccussed the findings from an ecological systems theory perspective and suggested some implications in mental health

The Effect of Suspension Workout on Agility and Forces Performance in Elite Basketball Players

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of suspension training on agility and strength performance in elite male basketball players. The study was carried out on Demir İnşaat Büyükçekmece male U-21 basketball players who are the members of one of the U-21 teams of the Turkish Basketball Federation. 20 volunteer basketball players with age of 18,3 ± 0,3 years; the training ages of 6.5 ± 1.3 years; the lengths of 189.45 ± 7.3 cm; weights of 82.9 ± 7.8 kg and body mass index of 23 ± 1.3 were participated in the study. This group was used as both control and experimental group. Following their first tests, the group participating in the study continued their regular routine training for 6 weeks. After six weeks, the second measurements were taken. These measurements were also accepted as the last measurement of the group which was considered as the control group, while those measurements were accepted as the first measurement of the test group. Afterwards, suspension training (TRX) was performed twice a week right along with basketball training for 6 weeks. At the end of six weeks, the tests were repeated and the level of development of the test group was determined. In the study group, right and left hip flexility test, sitting down flexibility test, standing long jump test, vertical jump test, back and leg strength, T-test and 20-meter sprint tests were performed. The obtained data were analyzed in the SPSS program and descriptive statistics, Anova Test and Bonferroni correction were performed. As a result, there was a significant difference in hip flexion, jump, strength and agility tests (p <0.05). According to these results, suspension TRX training was found to have positive effects on elite male basketball players

Futbolcularda Farklı Düzlemlerde Yapılan Pliyometrik Antrenmanların Sürat ve Kuvvet Performansına Etkileri

This study was carried out to determine the effects of pliometric studies on the speed and strength performance of football players in sagittal and forentral plane. 60 athletes participated in the research and the average age of the team was 18.25 ± 0.6 year. The football players were randomly divided into three groups: sagittal group (SG), frontal group (FG) and control group (K). Although SG and FG groups did pliometric training in addition to their weekly training, K group didn’t any training. Body composition measurements, leg strength, standing long jump, 10-meter speed, 35-meter speed, and T-test measurements were performed before and after eight weeks of study. SPSS 20 package program was used for statistical analysis. A T test was performed to assess the difference between the measures and the level of significance was assessed at p <0.05. T drill, 10 meter sprint, long jump, standing long jump were significantly different in SG. (p <0.05). However, there was no difference in the 35m speed test. Again, there was a significant difference T drill, long jump and leg strength in FG. (p <0,05). There was no significant difference in the 10m speed, the 35m speed tests and the long jump test. As a result, test results showed similar results in pliometric studies in the sagittal and frontal planes.Bu çalışma, futbolcularda sagittal ve forantal düzlemde yapılan pliyometrik çalışmaların sürat ve kuvvet performansına etkilerini belirlemek amacıyla yapıldı. Araştırmaya Galatasaray futbol takımının altyapısında ve yaşları ortalaması 18,25±0,6 olan 60 sporcu katıldı. Gruplar rastgele yöntemle eşit olarak sagittal grup (SG), frontal grup (FG) ve kontrol grubu (K) olarak üç gruba ayrıldı. SG ve FG haftalık antrenmanlarına ek olarak pliyometrik çalışma yapmalarına rağmen K grubu herhangi bir çalışma yapmadı. Sekiz hafta süren çalışmanın öncesinde ve sonrasında vücut kompozisyonu ölçümlerinin yanı sıra sürat ve kuvvetle ilgili; bacak kuvveti, durarak uzun atlama, 10 metre ve 35 metre sürat testleri ve T testi ölçümleri yapıldı. İstatistiksel analizde SPSS 20 paket programı kullanıldı. Ölçümler arasındaki farkın değerlendirilmesi için T Testi yapıldı ve anlamlılık düzeyi p<0,05 düzeyinde değerlendirildi. Yapılan değerlendirmede SG’ de; T drill, 10 metre sürat, durarak uzun atlama, sırt bacak kuvvetlerinde anlamlı bir fark gözlendi (p<0,05). Ancak 35m sürat testinde ise fark yoktu. Yine FG’ de T dril, durarak uzun atlama ve bacak kuvveti testlerinde anlamlı fark gözlendi (p<0,05). 10m sürat, 35m sürat ve durarak uzun atlama testlerinde ise anlamlı fark yoktu. Sonuç olarak sagittal ve frontal düzlemde yapılan pliyometrik çalışmalarda test değerleri değişiklikler gösterse de benzer sonuçlar ortaya koymuştur

The prevalence of obesity and the factors affecting obesity in the students of secondary education

Background: Childhood obesity has reached alarming dimensions all around the world. In this study, our objective is to determine the prevalence of childhood obesity in the secondary education as well as genetic, cultural and environmental factors giving rise to obesity, nutritional habits, family history and activity status.Methods: The research was performed on 750 students aged between 14-18. Body Mass Index (BMI= weight/height2 (kg/m²)) and Relative Body Mass Index (Rel BMI)  values of each child were calculated by making use of their height and weight measurements. An evaluation was made through the use of a questionnaire form consisting of 46 questions that questioned the family history, nutritional habits and activity status of the children at issue.Results: About 41.7% of 750 children incorporated into the study were female, whereas 58.2% of them were male. The age distribution was between the age range, 14-18. According to BMI values, 12.3% of the children were overweight, while 4% of them were obese. According to Relative BMI values, on the other hand, 10.4% of the children were overweight, whereas 12.9% of them were obese. When the children’s nutritional habits, activity status and family history were evaluated, we ascertained that doing physical exercises irregularly, consuming pastry foods at home and the presence of obesity history within the family had all led to the development of obesity as well as being overweight (p <0.05).Conclusions: In these research subjects comprising children of secondary education, we showed that the nutritional habits, cultural nutritional differences and the insufficiency in physical activities as well as the genetic susceptibility in children could be the determinants in obesity development

BURNED OUT AND AVOIDED: STIGMATIZING PROCESSES AMONG PSYCHIARISTS

Background: The stigma of mental illness has been reported as a serious barrier in lives of people with mental illness. Besides blocking admission to mental health services, it was found associated with terminating appropriate treatment. As well as relatives, neighbours or friends, it is shown that patients face stigma from psychiatrists. The aim of this study is to evaluate stigmatizing attitudes of psychiatrists and to find out its relationship with burnout and psychological flexibility. Subjects and methods: 256 psychiatrists all along Turkey were participated and age, gender, duration that spent as a clinician and psychotherapy training have been recorded. Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, Maslach Burnout Inventory and Mental Illness: Clinicians’ Attitudes (MICA) Scale were used to evaluate participants’ psychological flexibility, burnout level and stigmatizing attitudes respectively. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was used to assess direct and indirect influences on stigma. Results: There were statistically significant differences between residents and senior psychiatrists in all three scales. Psychotherapy training was found significantly associated with lower levels of stigma. Stigma was found to be predicted by duration, age, and burnout levels. In SEM analyses psychological flexibility was found to predict stigma indirectly via burnout. Conclusion: Increasing contact with the stigmatized and education are two widely used methods against stigma. In years their effects were found limited and temporary. Burnout in clinicians is an important parameter in many aspects as well as its relation with stigma. There are limited data to decrease burnout in psychiatrists. There are some evidence that shows Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is effective to decrease burnout and stigma in clinicians. In the means of additional ways when dealing with stigma, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can be a powerful tool while it targets to increase psychological flexibility

Interleukins As a Marker of Inflammation in Diabetic Foot Syndrome and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Conclusion: According to our results, IL-12 P70, IL-17 and IL-18 can be used as biomarkers for diabetic foot. Further studies arc needed to show the role of IL-12 P70, IL-17 and IL-18 levels as a biomarker in chronic inflammatory diseases

The Effect of Targeted Antibiotic Prophylaxis on Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Following Prostate Biopsy: A Prospective Randomized Trial

Objective:Targeted antibiotic prophylaxis in prostate biopsy is recommended for patients at risk due to increased complication rates seen in recent years. Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is currently one of the most prevalent complications with a rate of more than 40%. The study examined the effects of targeted antibiotic prophylaxis on biopsy-related LUTS and to compare the results with standard prophylaxis.Materials and Methods:A total of 240 patients were included in the study, 120 of whom had been administered targeted antibiotic prophylaxis and 120 of whom had received ciprofloxacin treatment between January 2021-Januray 2023. Patients’ results before the procedure, on the 7th day, and in the first month were prospectively recorded and compared.Results:While Qmax mean values were measured as 18.3±5.1 mL/s in the targeted prophylaxis group and 17.4±4.6 mL/s in the control group (p=0.157) before the procedure, these values were found to be 14.6±3.3 mL/s and 11.7±4.1 mL/s (p<0.001) on the 7th day and 16.8 16.8±4.3 mL/s and 14.9±3.5 mL/s (p=0.013) in first month, respectively. IPSS mean scores of the groups were calculated as 16.8±4.3 mL/s and 14.9±3.5 mL/s (p=0.013) before the procedure, respectively, while these scores were found to be 18.12±6.1 and 22.97±7.4 (p<0.001) on the 7th day and 17.5±5.5 and 22.8±7.5 (p<0.001) in the first month, respectively.Conclusion:In this study, we found that targeted antibiotic prophylaxis had a significant effect on preventing biopsy-related LUTS. We believe that routine application of targeted antibiotic prophylaxis can be effective in reducing the rates of biopsy-related LUTS

Effects of Glucose Control on Hematological Indices in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

Aim: We aimed to investigate the effects of diabetes treatment modalities on haematological parameters and leukocyte formula in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Materials and Methods: The study included 102 patients with type 2 diabetes, out of which 51 receiving insulin treatment and 51 receiving oral antidiabetics (OAD). Hemogram data of insulin and OAD treated groups were compared.Results HbA1c levels were 11.12 ± 2.09 mg/dl in insulin group and 7.94 ± 2.1 mg/dl in OAD group p=0.001. Platelet counts were 27866.67 ± 77693 109/L before treatment and 258941.18 ± 69068.2 109/L in OAD group at six months, p: 0.015 whereas; 293011.76 ± 73711.21 109/L before treatment and 289492.86 ± 82631.49 109/L in insulin group at six months p: 0.821. Monocyte counts were 0.47 ± 0.12 109/L before the treatment and 0.57 ± 0.12 109/L in mix insulin therapy subgroup at six months, p:0.004; monocyte percentage was % 6.11 ± 1.74 before the treatment and %7.51 ± 2.57 in mix insulin subgroup at six months p:0.039;  Basophiles counts were 0.1 ±  0.02 109/L before treatment and 0.09 ± 0.04 109/L in intensive insulin therapy subgroup at six months, p: 0.005; Lymphocyte and basophils counts were significantly decreased at six months insulin treatment as compared to the pretreatment values.Conclusion: This study showed that, glucose control effects; blood indices HbA1C, basophiles, eosinophils, platelets and lymphocytes counts

Association between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and nutritional status in geriatric patients

Background Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and presence of malnutrition have been found to be associated with mortality and morbidity in various clinical conditions. We investigated the association between NLR and nutritional status in geriatric patients. Methods This cross-sectional study included 95 geriatric (age >= 65 years) patients from general internal medicine outpatient clinic of a university hospital. Nutritional status of the patients was evaluated using Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index, albumin, total cholesterol, body mass index, mid-arm circumference, and calf circumference. NLR was calculated from the complete blood count results. Results A total of 59 patients were female, and the mean age was 73 +/- 9.8 years. According to the MNA, 51.6% of patients had a normal nutritional status, and 48.4% were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. The mean NLR of patients with malnourished or at risk of malnutrition was significantly higher than that of patients with normal nutritional status (P = 0.004). There was a negative correlation between NLRs and the MNA scores (r = -0.276, P = 0.007). Optimal NLR cutoff point for patients with malnourished or at risk of malnutrition was 1.81 with 71.7% sensitivity and 63.3% specificity [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.562-0.780, P = 0.004]. Logistic regression analysis revealed that elevated NLR was an independent factor in prediction of malnutrition or risk of malnutrition in geriatric patients. Conclusion These results demonstrated that NLR was associated with the nutritional status of geriatric patients. NLR may be a useful nutritional marker for evaluating the nutritional status of geriatric outpatients