Examining of Conservatory Students' Mental Well-Being Levels Aspects of Various Variables

The basic aim of this study is to specify mental well-being levels and investigate some various conservatory students. Conservatory students studying at Dicle University and Gaziantep University State Conservatory in the 2020-2021 academic year participated in the research. Purposeful sampling was used in this study, which was carried out with a quantitative research model. Data collection has been made via Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale and socio-demographic information form designed by the researchers. In the data analysis, the Mann-Whitney U test was used for pairwise group comparisons and the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparisons of more than two groups. While a significant difference came up among the mental well-being levels of conservatory students and the variables of age, the department they study, academic achievement levels, family income status, and number of siblings, no meaningful difference came up among the variables of gender, music style they listened to, and where they live. It is thought that this research is considerable in terms of contributing to the development of the methods applied in the education of conservatory students and to the studies applied in this field

Silicafume/Polyethylene glycol (PEG) composite as a novel form-stable phase change material for thermal energy storage

Bu çalışma yapıca kararlı yeni bir faz değişim materyali olarak silikafume / polietilen glikol(PEG) kompozitinin hazırlanması, karakterize edilmesi ve ısıl enerji depolama özelliklerinin belirlenmesi üzerine amaçlanmıştır. Kompozitler PEG’insilikafume içine vakum altında emdirme yöntemiyle hazırlanmıştır. Erimiş PEG silikafume içerisinde akma davranışı göstermeden %30 oranında hapsedilebilmiştir. Üretilen kompozit faz değişim malzemesi (FDM); SEM ve FT-IR analiz teknikleri kullanılarak karakterize edilmiştir. Kompozit FDM’nin ısıl enerji depolama özellikleri DSC analizleri ile belirlenmiştir. DSC analiz sonuçları kompozit FDM’nin erime noktasının ve erime entalpisinin sırasıyla 27.70 o Cve 87.09J/g olduğunu göstermiştir. Çok sayıda gerçekleştirilen ısıtma-soğutma döngüleri sonucunda kompozit FDM’lerinin kimyasal olarak kararlı ve enerji depolama özelliklerini önemli düzeyde koruduğunu göstermiştir. TG analiz sonuçları silikafumeye emdirilen PEG’in termal kararlılığının yüksek olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Kompozit FDM’lerin ısıl iletkenliği farklı oranlarda karbon nano tüp (CNTs) ilave edilerek arttırılmıştır. Ayrıca CNTs ilavesinin kompozit FDM’nin ısıl enerji depolama ve salıverme süreleri üzerindeki etkisi araştırılmıştır.This paper is aimed to prepare, characterize, and determine thermal energy storage properties of silicafume/polyethyleneglycol(PEG) composite as a novel form-stable composite phase change material(PCM). The composite PCM was prepared by incorporating PEG in the silicafume by using vacuum impregnation method. The PEG could be retained by 30 wt% into the silicafume without the leakage of melted PEG from the composite. The composite PCM was characterized by using SEM and FT-IR analysis techniques. Thermal energy storage properties of the composite PCMs were determined by DSC analysis. DSC results showed that the melting temperature and latent heat of the composite PCMs are 27.70 o Cand 87.09 J/g, respectively. Thermal cycling test was conducted to determine the thermal reliability of the composite PCM and the results showed that the composite PCM had good thermal energy storage reliability and chemical stability. TG analysis revealed that the impregnated PEG into the silicafume had good thermal stability. Thermal conductivity of the composite PCM was improved by adding carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in different mass fractions. The effect of CNTs addition on the thermal energy storage/release times of the produced composite PCM was also tested

Investigation of the Reasons Behind Preferring Faculty of Dentistry Atatürk University Among the Enrolled Students

Objective: To evaluate the reasons behind choosing Atatürk University Faculty of Dentistry among the enrolled students in the academic terms of 2019-2020 and 2020-2021. Methods: The study was conducted by survey data collection method. The surveys were applied to a total of 202 students whom are enrolled in the faculty of dentistry for 2019-2020 academic year and a total of 168 students for 2020-2021 academic year. Descriptive, frequency analysis, and cross tables were used in statistical analysis of the data obtained. Results: As a result of the analysis, it was found that the preference order of Atatürk University Faculty of Dentistry was 8.6 ± 5.5 for the students of the 2019-2020 academic term and 9.7 ± 6.1 for the students of the 2020-2021 academic term. Conclusion: As a result of the answers to the questionnaire questions, it was found that the students whom are enrolled in our faculty in both terms preferred the dentistry profession and our faculty with prior knowledge, and that the pandemic period did not have a significant effect on their preferences such as profession, city, university. Keywords: Choice of profession, Covid-19, Dentistry, Education Atatürk Üniversitesi Diş Hekimliği Fakültesini Kazanan Öğrencilerin Meslek ve Fakülte Tercih Nedenlerinin İncelenmesi ÖZ Amaç: Bu çalışmada, Atatürk Üniversitesi Diş Hekimliği Fakültesi’ni 2019-2020 ve 2020-2021 akademik dönemlerinde kazanan öğrencilerin meslek ve fakülte tercih nedenlerinin değerlendirilmesi amaçlandı. Yöntemler: Çalışma anket ile veri toplama yöntemi ile gerçekleştirildi. Anketler 2019-2020 akademik döneminde diş hekimliği fakültesini kazanan toplam 202 öğrenciye, 2020-2021 akademik döneminde ise toplam 168 öğrenciye uygulandı. Elde edilen verilerin istatistiksel analizinde deskriptif, frekans analizi ve çapraz tablolardan yararlanıldı. Bulgular: Yapılan analizler sonucunda Atatürk Üniversitesi Diş Hekimliği Fakültesi’nin tercih sıralamasının 2019-2020 akademik dönem öğrencileri için 8.6±5.5, 2020-2021 akademik dönem öğrencileri için ise 9.7 ±6.1 olduğu görüldü. Sonuç: Anket sorularına verilen cevaplar neticesinde her iki dönemde de fakültemizi kazanan öğrencilerin diş hekimliği mesleğini ve fakültemizi önceden bilgi sahibi olarak tercih ettikleri; pandemi döneminin meslek, şehir, üniversite gibi tercihler üzerinde önemli bir etkisinin olmadığı sonucuna varıldı. Anahtar Kelimeler : Covid-19, Diş hekimliği, Meslek seçimi, Öğrenc

Combinations of scleroderma hallmark autoantibodies associate with distinct clinical phenotypes

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by the presence of SSc-specific or SSc-associated antibodies (SSc-Abs): anti-topoisomerase I (ATA), anti-centromere (ACA), anti-RNA polymerase III (ARA), anti-U3RNP (U3RNP), anti-U1RNP (U1RNP), anti-PmScl (PmScl), anti-Ku (Ku) and anti-Th/To (Th/To), each being associated with specific clinical features and prognosis. The detection of more than one SSc-Abs in SSc patients is rare and only few data about these patients' clinical phenotype is available. The aim of our study was to evaluate the frequency and the disease's features associated with the presence of > 1 SSc-Abs positivity in a large cohort of SSc patients. The autoantibody profiles of 2799 SSc patients from February 2001 to June 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with > 1 SSc-Abs were identified. Clinical features were collected and compared to a large historical cohort of SSc patients with single SSc-Ab positivity. SSc patients were excluded if previously treated with rituximab, intravenous immunoglobulins or stem cell transplantation. Non-parametric tests were used for statistical analysis. Nearly 5% of SSc patients from our cohort had ≥ 2 autoantibody positivity, and 2.3% (n = 72) had ≥ 2 SSc-Abs positivity. Th e most common combination was U1RNP and ATA (35%). These patients were younger than patients with single autoantibody positivity and showed more commonly a diffuse cutaneous SSc form. They also had higher rates of overlap features compared to ATA patients. Other combinations included U1RNP and ACA (13%), ATA and ACA (7%) and U1RNP and PmScl (5%). In our study we observed that, while infrequently, SSc patients can present with a combination of two SSc-Abs and that the double positivity can influence their clinical phenotype compared to patients with single SSc-Ab positivity. The importance of re-testing SSc-Abs in patients with changing clinical phenotypes was also highlighted, as this may confer a differing risk stratification

Leptomeningeal metastasis in primary uterine cervical cancer: a rare case and review of the literature

Objectives. Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) of primary uterine cervical cancer is rare and treatment options are limited. In this case report and literature review, we aimed to present a patient with cervical cancer with LM and discuss previously reported cases in the literature.  Case presentation. Our case was a 58-year-old patient who was initially diagnosed with metastatic primary uterine cervical cancer and treated with chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy. During follow-up, she developed neurological symptoms, and LM was detected in the craniospinal regions. Cerebrospinal fluid cytology examination has confirmed metastatic disease. The patient was treated with concurrent intrathecal methotrexate and whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT). A good clinical and cytological response was obtained. However, while intrathecal methotrexate was being continued after WBRT, she succumbed to hematological toxicity before the radiological response could be evaluated. Conclusions. LM is an extremely rare and catastrophic distant spread pattern in patients with cervical cancer. In the literature, a total of 26 patients were reported up to date. Median survival after detection of LM was nine weeks, including our case. Multimodal treatment combinations such as systemic and intrathecal chemotherapy and radiotherapy (RT) were used. However, most of these reports did not have detailed information about toxicity. Despite the combined use of aggressive treatment modalities, patients have limited survival and very high risks of hematologic toxicity. Concurrent use of intrathecal chemotherapy and radiotherapy should be avoided due to increased risk of morbidity

Endothelial function in patients with familial Mediterranean fever-related amyloidosis and association with cardiovascular events

Objectives. Secondary amyloidosis is the most important complication of FMF and endothelial function is more severely impaired. Elevated asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) may mediate the excess cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk of this group. We aimed to compare endothelial function characteristics, including ADMA, in patients with FMF-related amyloidosis and primary glomerulopathies and to define risk factors for a CVD event. Methods. We undertook a cross-sectional study with prospective follow-up including consecutive patients with FMF-related amyloidosis (n = 98) or other non-diabetic glomerulopathies (n = 102). All patients had nephrotic-range proteinuria and normal glomerular filtration rate. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) was assessedand ADMA levels, CRP and pentraxin 3 (PTX3) were determined. Patients were followed for cardiovascular events. Results. Amyloidosis patients secondary to FMF showed higher levels of ADMA, CRP and PTX3 and lower FMD as compared with patients with other glomerulopathies. Cardiovascular events (n = 54) were registered during 3 years of follow-up. Increased ADMA levels and lower FMD were observed in patients with cardiovascular risk in both groups, but especially in individuals with amyloidosis.Conclusion. Patients with FMF-related amyloidosis have increased CVD event risk, probably related to the high ADMA levels, elevated inflammatory markers and decreased FMD measures observed in these patients

Health Benefits of Nut Consumption

Nuts (tree nuts and peanuts) are nutrient dense foods with complex matrices rich in unsaturated fatty and other bioactive compounds: high-quality vegetable protein, fiber, minerals, tocopherols, phytosterols, and phenolic compounds. By virtue of their unique composition, nuts are likely to beneficially impact health outcomes. Epidemiologic studies have associated nut consumption with a reduced incidence of coronary heart disease and gallstones in both genders and diabetes in women. Limited evidence also suggests beneficial effects on hypertension, cancer, and inflammation. Interventional studies consistently show that nut intake has a cholesterol-lowering effect, even in the context of healthy diets, and there is emerging evidence of beneficial effects on oxidative stress, inflammation, and vascular reactivity. Blood pressure, visceral adiposity and the metabolic syndrome also appear to be positively influenced by nut consumption. Thus it is clear that nuts have a beneficial impact on many cardiovascular risk factors. Contrary to expectations, epidemiologic studies and clinical trials suggest that regular nut consumption is unlikely to contribute to obesity and may even help in weight loss. Safety concerns are limited to the infrequent occurrence of nut allergy in children. In conclusion, nuts are nutrient rich foods with wide-ranging cardiovascular and metabolic benefits, which can be readily incorporated into healthy diets

Evaluation of nutritional status in pediatric intensive care unit patients: the results of a multicenter, prospective study in Turkey

IntroductionMalnutrition is defined as a pathological condition arising from deficient or imbalanced intake of nutritional elements. Factors such as increasing metabolic demands during the disease course in the hospitalized patients and inadequate calorie intake increase the risk of malnutrition. The aim of the present study is to evaluate nutritional status of patients admitted to pediatric intensive care units (PICU) in Turkey, examine the effect of nutrition on the treatment process and draw attention to the need for regulating nutritional support of patients while continuing existing therapies.Material and MethodIn this prospective multicenter study, the data was collected over a period of one month from PICUs participating in the PICU Nutrition Study Group in Turkey. Anthropometric data of the patients, calorie intake, 90-day mortality, need for mechanical ventilation, length of hospital stay and length of stay in intensive care unit were recorded and the relationship between these parameters was examined.ResultsOf the 614 patients included in the study, malnutrition was detected in 45.4% of the patients. Enteral feeding was initiated in 40.6% (n = 249) of the patients at day one upon admission to the intensive care unit. In the first 48 h, 86.82% (n = 533) of the patients achieved the target calorie intake, and 81.65% (n = 307) of the 376 patients remaining in the intensive care unit achieved the target calorie intake at the end of one week. The risk of mortality decreased with increasing upper mid-arm circumference and triceps skin fold thickness Z-score (OR = 0.871/0.894; p = 0.027/0.024). The risk of mortality was 2.723 times higher in patients who did not achieve the target calorie intake at first 48 h (p = 0.006) and the risk was 3.829 times higher in patients who did not achieve the target calorie intake at the end of one week (p = 0.001). The risk of mortality decreased with increasing triceps skin fold thickness Z-score (OR = 0.894; p = 0.024).ConclusionTimely and appropriate nutritional support in critically ill patients favorably affects the clinical course. The results of the present study suggest that mortality rate is higher in patients who fail to achieve the target calorie intake at first 48 h and day seven of admission to the intensive care unit. The risk of mortality decreases with increasing triceps skin fold thickness Z-score

A multi-country test of brief reappraisal interventions on emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased negative emotions and decreased positive emotions globally. Left unchecked, these emotional changes might have a wide array of adverse impacts. To reduce negative emotions and increase positive emotions, we tested the effectiveness of reappraisal, an emotion-regulation strategy that modifies how one thinks about a situation. Participants from 87 countries and regions (n = 21,644) were randomly assigned to one of two brief reappraisal interventions (reconstrual or repurposing) or one of two control conditions (active or passive). Results revealed that both reappraisal interventions (vesus both control conditions) consistently reduced negative emotions and increased positive emotions across different measures. Reconstrual and repurposing interventions had similar effects. Importantly, planned exploratory analyses indicated that reappraisal interventions did not reduce intentions to practice preventive health behaviours. The findings demonstrate the viability of creating scalable, low-cost interventions for use around the world