The internal consistency reliability and construct validity of the Turkish translation of the beliefs about appearance scale

The aim of this study was to adapt into Turkish and examine the psychometric properties of the Beliefs about Appearance Scale (BAAS), which was developed by Spangler and Stice (2001) in order to measure the beliefs about appearance. The participants of the study were 274 current Sakarya University students. In this study, the psychometric properties of the scale were examined by means of item analysis, exploratory factor analysis, criterion-related validity, internal consistency and split-half reliability methods. The findings have confirmed that BAAS was a sufficiently valid and reliable measuring instrument

Accumulation of Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein in Psoriatic Skin and Changes of Plasma Lipid Levels in Psoriatic Patients

Background. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by an accelerated turnover of epidermal cells and an incomplete differentiation in epidermis with lesion. However, the exact etiology of psoriasis is unknown. Abnormalities in essential fatty acid metabolism, free radical generation, lipid peroxidation, and release of lymphokines have been proposed. Objective. Our purpose was to evaluate the plasma lipids and oxidized low-density lipoprotein accumulation in psoriatic skin lesion in order to ascertain the possible participation of oxidative stress and oxidative modification of lipids in pathogenesis of psoriasis. Methods. The study group included 84 patients with psoriasis, and 40 sex- and age-matched healthy volunteers. Blood lipid profile was determined. Psoriatic and nonlesional skin samples of psoriatic patients were evaluated for the presence of oxidized low-density lipoprotein by using an immune-fluorescent staining method. Results. The mean levels of lipids (total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL cholesterol) in patients with psoriasis were found to be significantly higher than those of healthy subjects. Psoriatic skins were shown positive oxidized low-density lipoprotein staining. There was no staining in nonlesional skin samples of the same individuals. Conclusion. Lipid peroxidation mediated by free radicals is believed to be one of the important causes of cell membrane destruction and cell damage. This study shows for the first time the accumulation of oxidized low-density lipoprotein in psoriatic skin lesion. We believe that accumulation of ox-LDL in psoriatic skin may have an important role in the immune-inflammatory events that result in progressive skin damage

Reliability and validity of the Turkish Version of the UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS-8) among university students

AbstractThe aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the short-form UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS-8) in Turkish undergraduate students. A total of 553 university students from Sakarya University participated in the research. The psychometric properties of the scale were analyzed by means of internal consistency, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and criterion-related validity methods. The exploratory factor analysis resulted in a factor, and confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated that the model fitted well with the original scale. The Turkish version of ULS-8 demonstrated good psychometric properties, with a high level of internal consistency. The Turkish version of the ULS-8 is a brief, reliable, and valid instrument for the assessment of loneliness

Bilişsel Esneklik ve Mental İyi Oluş arasındaki ilişkide Olumsuz Değerlendirilme Korkusu ve Akademik Mükemmeliyetçiliğin Sırasal Çoklu Aracı Rolü

This study examined the serial multiple mediator roles of the fear of negative evaluation and academic perfectionism on the relation between cognitive flexibility and mental well-being in a sample of Turkish university students. A total of 320 students [162 (50.6%) female and 158 (49.4%) male, M age = 20.37; SD = 2.05] in two separate public universities were involved in this study. The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale, the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory, the Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale, and the Academic Perfectionism Scale were used to obtain the data. We investigated the serial multiple mediations roles by using bootstrapping based PROCESS macro (Model 6). The results revealed that significant relationships between the variables. Moreover, the findings indicated that fear of negative evaluation and academic perfectionism subsequently and partially mediated the relation between cognitive flexibility and mental well-being.Bu çalışmada Türk üniversite öğrencilerinin bilişsel esneklik düzeyleri ile mental iyi oluşları_x000D_ arasında olumsuz değerlendirilme korkusu ve akademik mükemmeliyetçiliğin sırasal çoklu_x000D_ aracılığı incelenmiştir. İki farklı devlet üniversitesinde öğrenim gören toplamda 320 [162 (%50.6)_x000D_ kadın ve 158 (%49.4) erkek, Yaş ort = 20.37, ss = 2.05] öğrenci çalışmaya dahil olmuştur. Warwick-_x000D_ Edinburgh Mental İyi Oluş Ölçeği, Bilişsel Esneklik Envanteri, Olumsuz Değerlendirilme Korkusu_x000D_ Ölçeği Kısa Formu ve Akademik Mükemmeliyetçilik Ölçeği verilerin elde edilmesinde_x000D_ kullanılmıştır. Çalışmada incelenen sırasal çoklu aracılık rolü PROCESS makrosu (Model 6)_x000D_ kullanılarak incelenmiştir. Araştırmanın sonuçlara göre, çalışmanın değişkenleri olan bilişsel_x000D_ esneklik, ruhsal iyi oluş, olumsuz değerlendirilme korkusu ve akademik mükemmeliyetçiliğin_x000D_ birbirleriyle anlamlı ilişkiye sahip oldukları görülmüştür. Ayrıca bilişsel esneklik ile mental iyi_x000D_ oluş arasında değerlendirilme korkusu ve akademik mükemmeliyetçiliğin sıralı kısmi aracı rolleri_x000D_ istatistiksel bakımdan önemli bulunmuştur.Bu çalışmada Türk üniversite öğrencilerinin bilişsel esneklik düzeyleri ile mental iyi oluşları arasında olumsuz değerlendirilme korkusu ve akademik mükemmeliyetçiliğin sırasal çoklu aracılığı incelenmiştir. İki farklı devlet üniversitesinde öğrenim gören toplamda 320 [162 (%50.6) kadın ve 158 (%49.4) erkek, Yaş ort = 20.37, ss = 2.05] öğrenci çalışmaya dahil olmuştur. Warwick- Edinburgh Mental İyi Oluş Ölçeği, Bilişsel Esneklik Envanteri, Olumsuz Değerlendirilme Korkusu Ölçeği Kısa Formu ve Akademik Mükemmeliyetçilik Ölçeği verilerin elde edilmesinde kullanılmıştır. Çalışmada incelenen sırasal çoklu aracılık rolü PROCESS makrosu (Model 6) kullanılarak incelenmiştir. Araştırmanın sonuçlara göre, çalışmanın değişkenleri olan bilişsel esneklik, ruhsal iyi oluş, olumsuz değerlendirilme korkusu ve akademik mükemmeliyetçiliğin birbirleriyle anlamlı ilişkiye sahip oldukları görülmüştür. Ayrıca bilişsel esneklik ile mental iyi oluş arasında değerlendirilme korkusu ve akademik mükemmeliyetçiliğin sıralı kısmi aracı rolleri istatistiksel bakımdan önemli bulunmuştur

Adaptation of the fear of COVİD-19 scale: Its association with psychological distress and life satisfaction in Turkey

The world is currently experiencing a pandemic of an infectious disease called COVID19 which has drawn global intensive attention. While global attention is largely focusing on the effects of the coronavirus on physical health, the impacts of the coronavirus on psychological health cannot be overlooked. Therefore, this study aims to adapt the Fear of COVID-19 Scale into Turkish and investigate the relationships between fear of COVID19, psychological distress, and life satisfaction. Data were collected by convenience sampling method, which allowed us to reach total 1304 participants, aged between 18 and 64 years, from 75 cities in Turkey. In the adaptation process of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, confirmatory factor analysis, Item Response Theory, convergent validity, and reliability (Cronbach’s α, McDonald’s ω, Guttmann’s λ6, and composite reliability) analyses were performed. Additionally, the mediating role of psychological distress on the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and life satisfaction was tested. The unidimensionality of the 7-item scale was confirmed on a Turkish sample. Item Response Theory revealed that all items were coherent and fit with the model. The results indicated that the Turkish version of the scale had satisfactory reliability coefficients. The fear of COVID-19 was found to be associated with psychological distress and life satisfaction. Results indicated that the Turkish version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale had strong psychometric properties. This scale will allow mental health professionals to do research on the psychological impacts of COVID-19 in Turkey

Use of the systemic immune-inflammation index to predict the severity of pneumonia in the emergency department

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the use of the systemic immune-inflammation index obtained by hemogram parameters in determining the clinical severity of pneumonia. Material and method: This study was conducted retrospectively with a total of 6,802 patients diagnosed with viral and bacterial pneumonia from January 1, 2013, through January 1, 2023, at the emergency department of a tertiary hospital. The patients’ age, gender, white blood cell, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet counts, clinical outcomes (mortality and discharge), and mechanical ventilator requirements during treatment were obtained from the electronic patient files. Results: The mean age of the patients was 62.3 ± 17.3 years, and 57.8% (n = 3,928) were male. The systemic immune-inflammation index was found to predict mortality in patients with a sensitivity of 77.9% and a specificity of 36.2% at a cut-off value of 114.72 [area under the curve (AUC): 0.654]. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the systemic immune-inflammation index was statistically significant in determining mortality among the patients (p < 0.001, 95% confidence interval: 0.639–0.669). The systemic immune-inflammation index was found to predict the mechanical ventilator requirement with a sensitivity of 70.0% and a specificity of 47.5% at a cut-off value of 137.88 (AUC: 0.629). According to the ROC curve analysis, the systemic immune-inflammation index was also statistically significant in determining the mechanical ventilator requirement among the patients (p < 0.001, 95% CI: 0.599–0.658). Conclusion: The systemic immune-inflammation index was found to be valuable in determining clinical severity in patients with pneumonia

Effects of Additives Application to the Growth Media on Seedling Development

In some countries, which have the field of seedling production, it is very important to produce at an advanced level in vegetable cultivation. In Turkey, already traditional methods of seedling production are widely available. However, in recent times the use of soil conditioners has attracted considerable attention in organic and conventional breeding. Soil conditioners are divided into organic (such as straw-straw, compost, vegetable wastes, worm or poultry stew, plant extracts) or inorganic (such as perlite, sand, clay, vermiculite). In this context, studies on suitable environments and methods for growing seedlings are ongoing. In our study, lettuce, rocket, tomato and cabbage leaf extracts were applied in different combinations like liquid fertilizer. Number of leaves and shoots, leaf width, crown thickness, seedling height, chlorophyll measurement and presence of anthocyanins were determined from cauliflower, broccoli, parsley, cabbage and lettuce. The effects of these applications varied according to the species, and almost all applications were found to increase the measured parameters

Behcet's disease and renal failure

Background. The aims of this study were (i) to investigate the prevalence of Behcet's disease (BD) among dialysis patients in Turkey, (ii) to report the clinical characteristics of patients with BD and endstage renal disease (ESRD), (iii) to evaluate the effect of ESRD on course and activity of BD and (iv) to analyse the published data about BD and renal failure. Methods. A questionnaire investigating BD among dialysis patients was submitted to 350 dialysis centres and we obtained the data for 20 596 patients from 331 dialysis centres. We submitted a second questionnaire regarding clinical characteristics of the patients with BD and ESRD. The PubMed and Web of Science databases were used for the analysis of BD and renal failure. Results. Fourteen patients with BD were determined and the prevalence of BD was 0.07% among 20 596 dialysis patients in Turkey. None of the patients has had a new manifestation of BD after initiation of haemodialysis treatment. The analysis of previous data about renal BD demonstrated 67 patients with renal failure. Conclusions. The most common cause of renal failure in BD is amyloidosis. Routine urine analysis and measurement of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels are needed for early diagnosis. Vascular access-related problems are common and the activity of BD appears to decrease in patients with ESRD after initiation of haemodialysis

Comparison of female sexual function and sexual function of their partners between groups of pregnant and non-pregnant women

Objectives: To compare the female sexual function index and sexual function of their partners between groups of pregnantand non-pregnant Turkish women.Material and methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 321 women, including 252 healthy pregnant and 69 healthynonpregnant women. Assessment of female sexual function index (FSFI), ARIZONA scores of their partners were comparedin relation to some of the sociodemographic characteristics and pregnancy trimesters.Results: Comparison of the groups revealed a significantly higher FSFI score in the non-pregnant group whereas the ARIZONAscore was significantly higher in the pregnant group (p < 0.001). Age, gravidity, parity and smoking rate adjustedmean differences of scores remained statistically significant (p < 0.001). Higher ARIZONA (> 11) score rate was significantlyhigher in pregnant groups (55.6% vs 23.2%, p < 0.001). Pregnancy was a risk factor for high ARIZONA score [OR: 4.1 (95%CI 2.2–7.6, p < 0.001)]. Lower FSFI score rate was significantly higher in the pregnant group (26.4% vs 69.4%, p < 0.001).Pregnancy was a risk factor for low FSFI score [OR: 6.4 (95% CI 3.5–11.7, p < 0.001)].Conclusions: Both female sexual function index and ARIZONA scores of their partners were found to be significantly differentbetween groups of pregnant and nonpregnant Turkish women which indicated altered sexual function of couplesduring pregnancy

Clinical features of winter sports injuries: A prospective single center study

Introduction: This study aimed to present the epidemiological and clinical effects of skiing training and use of protective equipment on skiing, sledding and snowboarding injuries. Methods: The patients were evaluated in two groups according to both their skiing experience and use of protective equipment. The characteristics of the patients, such as age, gender, injury area, and injury type were statistically evaluated according to the groups. Results: A total of 191 patients, 68 (35.6%) female and 123 (64.4%) male, were evaluated. There was a significant difference between the patients with and without skiing experience (P=0.001). When the patients were evaluated according to the presence of protective equipment, 25 (59.5%) patients who had no experience did not wear protective equipment, and this rate was statistically significant compared to the experienced group (P=0.001). Concerning the diagnoses of the patients according to injury areas, joint dislocation and soft tissue trauma were mostly detected in the upper extremities, bone fractures in the lower extremities and organ injury in the thorax. Conclusion: Shoulder and wrist traumas were the most common injuries among the patients with previous skiing experience while tibial fractures were mostly seen in those without such experience. Tibia fractures were mostly observed in the patients using protective equipment, and skin incisions in those that did not use protective equipment. Therefore, in winter sports injuries, patients’ skiing experience and protective equipment use should be questioned and more attention should be paid to the above-mentioned injuries