Evaluation of anxiety and depression in asthma patients during the COVID-19 pandemic

Aim: To determine the frequency of the development of anxiety and depression in asthma patients who attended an outpatient clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic, whether these rates were higher than those of the healthy population, and whether there is a possible relationship between asthma control levels, anxiety, and depression. Method: A total of 112 patients with asthma and 81controls, whose mean ages and genders were matched, were included in the study. Demographic data of the two groups and general information about their asthmatic conditions were recorded. Asthma control tests (ACTs) were performed to determine the level of asthma control. The Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory were administered to the asthma patients and controls. The groups were compared in terms of their Beck depression and anxiety scores and asthma control. We investigated whether there is a relationship between asthma control level and anxiety and depression scores. Results: Of the asthma patients, 78.6% were found to have anxiety, and 48.2% reported depression, while 32.1% anxiety and 12.3% depression were found in the control group. Depression and anxiety scores were significantly higher in asthma patients than in the control group. It was observed that 59% of the patients had very poorly controlled asthma, and as the ACT levels of the patients worsened, depression and anxiety scores increased. Conclusions: To reduce the frequency of anxiety and depression in asthma patients, it is essential to provide accurate information about COVID-19 and to effectively control asthma. Therefore, asthma patients should be informed about COVID-19 and advised to engage in regular outpatient examinations

Analysis of Anger Expression Style – Continuous Anger and Personality Types of Professional Soccer Players

The purpose of this study was to analyse the anger expression styles, the continuous anger and personality types of players who play football in the professional league. The research group consisted of 133 soccer players who are playing in sports teams in the Turkish Super League: Ankara Sport Club, Gençlerbirliði Sports Club and Hacettepe Sports Club in the first league, Turk Telekom sports in the second league, and Keçiören Gücü Sports and Ankarademir Sports playing in the third league in the 2008–2009 football season. The Eysenck personality inventory was modified to Turkish by Bayar in 19831, having been developed by Eysenck and Eysenck in 19752 and the continuous anger – anger style scale (SOTO) was modified to Turkish by Özer in 19943. The state trait anger scale (STAS) was originally developed by Spielberger in 19834. All these were used on soccer players participating in the study to determine the continuous anger and anger styles in this study. In the interpretation of data, a meaningfulness of p<0.05, was applied by using regression analysis, the Kruskal Wallis Test, the one-way variance analysis (ANOVA) test and the Tukey test to find the differences among the groups. The SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) programme was used to find the accounted values and to evaluate the data. According to the results of this study, regarding the education level variable, while there was a meaningful difference between the continuous anger sub-dimension and anger control sub-dimension than continuous anger – anger expression styles, no significant difference was found among personality type sub-dimensions (psychoticism, extrovert, neurotic, false). In addition, a significant relationship was found between psychoticism, extrovert, neurotic, and lie sub-dimensions and the personality type sub-dimensions of professional players’ constant anger-anger expression styles

MDCT Findings of Denim-Sandblasting-Induced Silicosis: a cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Denim sandblasting is as a novel cause of silicosis in Turkey, with reports of a recent increase in cases and fatal outcomes. We aimed to describe the radiological features of patients exposed to silica during denim sandblasting and define factors related to the development of silicosis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sixty consecutive men with a history of exposure to silica during denim sandblasting were recruited. All CT examinations were performed using a 64-row multi-detector CT (MDCT). The nodules were qualitatively and semi-quantitatively analyzed by grading nodular profusion (NP) on CT images.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Silicosis was diagnosed radiologically in 73.3% of patients (44 of 60). The latency period (the time between initial exposure and radiological imaging) and duration of silica exposure was longer in patients diagnosed with silicosis than in those without silicosis (p < 0.05). Nodules were present in all cases with centrilobular type as the commonest (63.6%). All cases of silicosis were clinically classified as accelerated and 11.4% had progressive massive fibrosis (PMF). Mild NP lesions were the most prevalent in all six zones of the lung. The NP score was significantly correlated with the duration of silica exposure, the latency period, presence of PMF, and pleural thickening. Enlarged lymphadenopathy was present in 45.5% of patients.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The duration of exposure and the latency period are important for development of silicosis in denim sandblasters. MDCT is a useful tool in detecting findings of silicosis in workers who has silica exposure.</p

Prediction of mechanical and radiation parameters of glasses with high Bi2O3 concentration

This study aims to perform multidirectional characterizations on nuclear shielding efficiencies on some bismuth-based glasses. Accordingly, the γattenuation coefficients for xBi2O3-(75-x)B2O3–25Li2O (x = 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 the 70 mol%) were widely evaluated using simulations and theoretical methods. Linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) of the glasses was obtained by the Monte Carlo general-purpose simulation code FLUKA and compared with the XCOM database up to 15 MeV. Moreover, LAC values have been utilized to evaluate related parameters like mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), total molecular cross-section (σt), total atomic cross-section (σa), half-value layer (HVL), total electronic cross-section (σe), mean free path (MFP), effective atomic number (Zeff), and effective electron density (Neff). The results noted that the XCOM and FLUKA data of the shielding parameters are in great agreement. Relatively higher density (5.818 g/cm3), greater LAC, MAC, Zeff, and lower HVL, MFP values are achieved for 70Bi2O3-5B2O3–25Li2O glass. Accordingly, this glass sample is a better gamma shield. © 2021 The AuthorsTaif University Researchers Supporting Project number (TURSP-2020/45) Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia

Global disparities in surgeons’ workloads, academic engagement and rest periods: the on-calL shIft fOr geNEral SurgeonS (LIONESS) study

: The workload of general surgeons is multifaceted, encompassing not only surgical procedures but also a myriad of other responsibilities. From April to May 2023, we conducted a CHERRIES-compliant internet-based survey analyzing clinical practice, academic engagement, and post-on-call rest. The questionnaire featured six sections with 35 questions. Statistical analysis used Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression (SPSS® v. 28). The survey received a total of 1.046 responses (65.4%). Over 78.0% of responders came from Europe, 65.1% came from a general surgery unit; 92.8% of European and 87.5% of North American respondents were involved in research, compared to 71.7% in Africa. Europe led in publishing research studies (6.6 ± 8.6 yearly). Teaching involvement was high in North America (100%) and Africa (91.7%). Surgeons reported an average of 6.7 ± 4.9 on-call shifts per month, with European and North American surgeons experiencing 6.5 ± 4.9 and 7.8 ± 4.1 on-calls monthly, respectively. African surgeons had the highest on-call frequency (8.7 ± 6.1). Post-on-call, only 35.1% of respondents received a day off. Europeans were most likely (40%) to have a day off, while African surgeons were least likely (6.7%). On the adjusted multivariable analysis HDI (Human Development Index) (aOR 1.993) hospital capacity &gt; 400 beds (aOR 2.423), working in a specialty surgery unit (aOR 2.087), and making the on-call in-house (aOR 5.446), significantly predicted the likelihood of having a day off after an on-call shift. Our study revealed critical insights into the disparities in workload, access to research, and professional opportunities for surgeons across different continents, underscored by the HDI

Level of Perception of Individualized Care and Satisfaction With Nursing in Orthopaedic Surgery Patients

Lately, individualized nursing care and patient satisfaction are important and current issues being discussed. But there is not enough information for patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the individualized care perception and satisfaction in nursing care levels in orthopaedic surgery patients. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 156 patients who underwent orthopaedic surgery. Data were collected using the personal information form, the Individualized Care Scale, and the Newcastle Satisfaction With Nursing Scale. The Spearman correlation analysis and descriptive statistics were performed. The mean individualized care and satisfaction with nursing care scores were found to be close to the preset maximum value, and it was determined that an increase in the level of awareness about nursing interventions and the level of perceived individualized care caused an increase in satisfaction levels regarding nursing care. Nurses should recognize the importance of performing individualized care in order to increase the level of satisfaction with nursing care in orthopaedic surgery patients

The oral adverse effects of isotretinoin treatment in acne vulgaris patients: A prospective, caseucontrol study

Background: Isotretinoin is the most effective therapy to treat severe acne vulgaris and its systemic adverse effects have been well documented, but little is known on dental side effects over the course of treatment.Objectives: This prospective case-control study aimed to evaluate the oral adverse effects of isotretinoin in Turkish patients with acne vulgaris; compare oral conditions between patients and normal controls; and investigate the association between salivary parameters and International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) scores.Materials and Methods: For 6 months, the patients (n = 45) received isotretinoin daily (0.5 mg/kg). The age-matched untreated controls (n = 45) were patients without acne. Both groups were examined before the study and at 6 months for salivary flow, buffer capacity, microbiologic tests, and caries status (based on the ICDAS). Salivary parameters and ICDAS scores were analyzed by Spearman’s rank correlations. Data were statistically analyzed by the Mann–Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed rank tests, and McNemar’s Chi-square tests (P &lt; 0.05).Results: Twenty-two isotretinoin-treated patients and 18 controls completed the study. At baseline, the groups were not significantly different in the evaluated parameters (P &gt; 0.05). At 6 months in the isotretinoin-treated group, salivary flow and buffer capacity significantly decreased, and the ICDAS scores significantly increased (P &lt; 0.05). The changes in these criteria from baseline were insignificant in the controls (P &gt; 0.05). Intraoral pathogen counts were not significantly different between the groups, compared to baseline (P &gt; 0.05). Stimulated salivary parameters in both groups were not correlated significantly with the ICDAS scores.Conclusions: Isotretinoin significantly affected salivary flow, buffer capacity, caries lesion activity scores for 6 months. However, salivary parameters and caries lesion activity scores had no significant correlations.Keywords: Acne vulgaris, dental caries, International Caries Detection and Assessment System, isotretinoin, salivary flo