The effects of critical thinking instruction through asynchronous learning tools on writing

In writing classes, besides mastering the language items and writing rhetoric, students are required to use some high order thinking skills to be able to write academically. Hence, this study basically aims to see the effectiveness of the use of critical thinking skills on writing achievements of the Turkish EFL students. The purpose of the study is to see if online critical thinking treatment affects students’ use of critical thinking skills in their writings. In addition, students’ attitudes towards asynchronous learning tools during the study were observed. At the beginning and end of the study, 16 students in control group and 16 students in experimental group answered the questions in the critical thinking disposition scale. In addition to this, their writing performances were evaluated before and after the study. Meanwhile, experimental group students were exposed to 8-week online critical thinking treatment. The data gathered were statistically analysed and the results indicate that while the students’ writing performances do not differ significantly before and after the online critical thinking treatment, it has significantly contributed to the studentS’ use of critical thinking skills while writing

Effects of different pulmonary surfactants in the prevention of postoperative intraabdominal adhesion formation

Background: After abdominal surgery, the formation of postoperative adhesion is a serious problem. The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of 2 different pulmonary surfactants, poractant and beractant, on adhesion prevention in an experimental model. Materials and Methods: An experimental intraabdominal adhesion model was created in 18 adult female rats by cecal abrasion. The rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups. Group I received no further treatment, whereas groups II and III received intraperitoneal poractant and beractant, respectively, before closing the incision. On the 15th postoperative day, all rats underwent relaparotomy, intraabdominal adhesions were scored macroscopically according to Canbaz scoring system, and the cecum in each animal was evaluated microscopically. Results: The median adhesion scores of group II and III rats were significantly lower when compared with group I (P = .02). Group III had a lower median adhesion score than did group II, but this did not reach significance (P N .05). Conclusion: These observations suggest that intraperitoneal instillation of both pulmonary surfactants is associated with lower adhesion scores, higher adhesion-free cases, and improved histologic findings

EFFECTIVENESS OF REFORMER PILATES EXERCISES ON SYMPTOMS AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN CHILDREN WITH BLADDER AND BOWEL DYSFUNCTION

Objective. The study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of reformer pilates exercises on symptoms and quality of life in children with bladder and bowel dysfunction (BBD). Methods. Children diagnosed as having BBD by a physician and aged between 5-18 years were included in this study. They were divided into two groups: urotherapy group (control) and reformer pilates group (study). Written consent was obtained from both the children and the parents. Children in both groups received a standardized urotherapy. The study group also had 30 minutes of reformer pilates exercise sessions for 2 days a week. BBD symptoms were assessed using the Voiding Disorder Symptom Scoring (VDSS) and Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction Questionnaire (BBDQ). Quality of life was assessed using the Pediatric Incontinence Questionnaire (PinQ). Assessments were performed before and 8 weeks after the reformer pilates exercises. Results. The study included 25 children (10 [40%] boys and 15 [60%] girls). Their median age was 9 years and their body mass index was 17.58 kg/m2. Of these 25 children, 16 were born by normal delivery, 9 of whom were delivered by cesarean section. None of the children used diapers during the day, but 10 of them continued to use diapers at night. The control (n = 16) and study (n = 9) groups were similar in terms of physical properties. The VDSS, BBDQ, and PinQ scores were significantly decreased in both groups (p < 0.05). The decrease in BBDQ and VDSS scores were more prominent in the study group than in the control group. The clinical trial registration number of this study is NCT05779709 (ClinicalTrials.gov.) Conclusion. Reformer pilates exercises can provide additional benefits in the treatment of children with BBD as they were effective in reducing BDD symptoms and enhancing quality of life

Impact of ligating gonadal or adrenal collateral veins with the left renal vein on renal function and histology in right-nephrectomized rats

Background: In cases of trauma to the left renal vein (LRV), its ligation near the inferior vena cava (IVC) is considered, but the consequences are not always good. We investigated the role of collateral venous drainage after ligation of the LRV by studying the renal function and histology after ligation of the LRV near the IVC alone or with ligation of the gonadal or adrenal collaterals, in right-nephrectomized (RN) rats. Material and methods: Ligation of the LRV near the IVC alone (group 1) or with ligation of the adrenal (group 2) or gonadal (group 3) collaterals was studied in RN Wistar rats (n = 18 per group). The renal histopathology (ischemic cortical necrosis) and functional status (urea, creatinine, sodium, and potassium) were compared. Results: In RN rats, the results were better when ligating the LRV near the IVC alone or with the adrenal collaterals [mortality 4/18 (22.2%) and 3/18 (16.7%), respectively] than when ligating the LRV near the IVC plus the gonadal collaterals [mortality 15/18 (83.3%)] (p < 0.0001). All early deaths occurred within three days and resulted from serious histopathological (ischemic cortical necrosis) and functional (increased urea, creatinine, and potassium; decreased sodium) renal damage. Conclusion: In right-nephrectomized rats, the LRV near the IVC and the adrenal collateral can be ligated, while the gonadal collateral should be preserved. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Surgical Associates Ltd

Factors Predicting Microinvasion in Ductal Carcinoma in situ

Background: Whether sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) should be performed in patients with pure ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast has been a question of debate over the last decade. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with microinvasive disease and determine the criteria for performing SLNB in patients with DCIS. Materials and Methods: 125 patients with DCIS who underwent surgery between January 2000 and December 2008 were reviewed to identify factors associated with DCIS and DCIS with microinvasion (DCISM). Results: 88 patients (70.4%) had pure DCIS and 37 (29.6%) had DCISM. Among 33 DCIS patients who underwent SLNB, one patient (3.3%) was found to have isolated tumor cells in her biopsy, whereas 1 of 14 (37.8%) patients with DCISM had micrometastasis (7.1%). Similarly, of 16 patients (18.2%) with pure DCIS and axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) without SLNB, none had lymph node metastasis. Furthermore, of 20 patients with DCISM and ALND, only one (5%) had metastasis. In multivariate analysis, the presence of comedo necrosis [relative risk (RR)=4.1, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.6-10.6, P=0.004], and hormone receptor (ER or PR) negativity (RR=4.0, 95% CI=1.5-11, P=0.007), were found to be significantly associated with microinvasion. Conclusions: Our findings suggest patients presenting with a preoperative diagnosis of DCIS associated with comedo necrosis or hormone receptor negativity are more likely to have a microinvasive component in definitive pathology following surgery, and should be considered for SLNB procedure along with patients who will undergo mastectomy due to DCIS

High-resolution diffusion-weighted imaging compared with conventional diffusion-weighted imaging and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging with regard to image quality and assessment of breast cancer morphology

PURPOSETo evaluate the image quality and tumor morphology depiction ability of high resolution (HR) diffusion- weighted imaging (f-DWI) in comparison to conventional DWI (c-DWI) and dynamic contrast- enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in the primary breast cancer setting.METHODSThe f-DWI, c-DWI, and DCE-MRIs of 160 malignant breast masses were evaluated retrospectively by two independent radiologists. Data on image quality [sharpness, distortion, and perceived signalto- noise ratio (SNR)], apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value, lesion size, and tumor morphology (shape, margin, and internal pattern) obtained on f-DWI, c-DWI, and DCE-MRI were compared. Consistency between the readers and imaging methods for morphological parameters was analyzed.RESULTSThe ADC values measured on f-DWI were significantly lower than those measured on c-DWI for both readers (P < 0.001 for each), whereas mean lesion size was significantly larger in c-DWI than in f-DWI and DCE-MRI for both readers (P < 0.001 for each). Higher consistency values were obtained for f-DWI compared with c-DWI when correlated with DCE-MRI for each morphological parameter. The least distorted images were obtained using DCE-MRI compared with c-DWI and f-DWI for both readers, whereas the highest distortion scores were obtained using c-DWI. Sharpness and perceived SNR scores were rated as significantly higher for f-DWI and DCE-MRI images compared with c-DWI by both readers (P < 0.001 for all). The concordance between c-DWI and DCE-MRI was fair to slight (κ = 0.15 to 0.41), whereas concordance between f-DWI and DCE-MRI was significantly better (κ = 0.68 to 0.87) for each reader and for all morphological parameters (P < 0.001). The highest concordance between the readers was achieved in margin assessment (κ = 0.87 to 0.89) regardless of the MRI method, followed by shape and internal pattern parameters (κ = 0.63 to 0.79).CONCLUSIONThe results demonstrated that f-DWI produces higher-quality images than c-DWI, enabling the morphological features to be identified in similar detail to that offered by HR DCE-MRI. Accordingly, f-DWI, as a method that highly correlates with DCE in determining the morphological characteristics of breast cancers, seems to have potential in the evaluation of breast tumors in patients for whom the use of contrast media is contraindicated

Ethyl 4-hydr­oxy-9-tosyl-9H-carbazole-3-carboxyl­ate

In the title compound, C22H19NO5S, the carbazole skeleton is nearly planar [maximum deviation = 0.043 (1) Å] with the pyrrole ring oriented at dihedral angles of 2.32 (6) and 1.77 (6)° with respect to the adjacent benzene rings. The dihedral angle between the benzene ring of the tosyl group and the carbazole skeleton is 82.25 (5)°. Intra­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bonding results in the formation of a planar six-membered ring, which is oriented at a dihedral angle of 3.06 (4)° with respect to the adjacent carbazole skeleton. In the crystal structure, weak inter­molecular C—H⋯O inter­actions link the mol­ecules into infinite chains and π–π contacts between the benzene rings and between the pyrrole and benzene rings [centroid–centroid distances = 3.374 (1) and 3.730 (1) Å, respectively] may further stabilize the structure. A weak C—H⋯π inter­action is also present

Macular Imaging Characteristics in Children with Myelinated Retinal Nerve Fiber and High Myopia Syndrome

Objectives:To investigate the macular imaging features in patients with unilateral myelinated retinal nerve fiber (MRNF) and high myopia syndrome.Materials and Methods:Six patients with unilateral MRNF and high myopia syndrome and 13 myopic controls were enrolled in this study. Spectral domain (SD) optical coherence tomography (OCT), SD enhanced depth imaging OCT, and OCT angiography (OCTA) imaging results of MRNF-affected eyes were compared with the fellow eyes and myopic controls.Results:All patients had abnormal foveal reflex and/or ectopia. No significant difference in retinal thickness parameters were noted between the groups. In OCT scans, posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) was observed in 4 out of the 6 MRNF-affected eyes. Regarding OCTA parameters, only a significant increase in acircularity index was noted in myelinated eyes (p=0.01).Conclusion:All patients demonstrated normal foveal contours, macular structure, and OCTA features except for a higher acircularity index. The incidence of PVD was notably increased in the myelinated eyes

Alterations of thyroid volume, levels of thyroid hormone and autoantibody in women with hashimoto's thyroiditis

INECIKLI, MEHMET FATIH/0000-0002-9796-8223WOS: 000215587000011Aim: Our aim was to investigate the changes in thyroid volume, thyroid hormone and autoantibody levels after 2 years in newly diagnosed euthyroid women with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and women with HT treated with levothyroxine (L-T4). Material and Method: We enrolled 60 women with HT (mean age 39.6 +/- 10.8 years) in this study. 27 patients were newly diagnosed and euthyroid (euthyroid group) and L-T4 group (n=33) consisted of women with HT treated with levothyroxine. Thyroid ultrasonography was performed and free T3 (fT3), free T4 (fT4), TSH, anti-thyroglobulin autoantibody (anti-TG) and anti-thyroid peroxidase autoantibody (anti-TPO) levels were measured. Thyroid volume was calculated with ellipsoid formula: (Volume (ml) = Length (cm) x Width(cm) x Thickness (cm) x 1/6 (sic)). Results: Median thyroid volume increased in all subjects (8.6 (1.8-46) vs 10.8 (3.9-54.5) ml, p=0.008). While serum fT3 levels decreased (2.9 +/- 0.5 vs 2.5 +/- 0.3 pg/ml, p0.05). the change in thyroid volume was negatively associated with thyroid volume at basal (r= - 0.290, p=0.027) and TSH (r=-0.271, p=0.039) and positively correlated with fT3 (r= 0.356, p=0.006). While thyroid volume increased in euthyroid group (9.8 (6.6-35.1) vs 12.5 (6.9-54.5) ml, p=0.006), there was not a change in L-T4 group (7.5 vs 8.3 ml, p=0.428). Discussion: Thyroid volume increased in euthyroid women with HT, however did not change in patients treated with levothyroxine in two years. While thyroid autoantibodies did not change in two groups, hypothyroidism developed in 7.4% of euthyroid subjects