SCIENCE TEACHERS' EXPERIENCES IN PREPARING A SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH PROJECT: AN ACTION RESEARCH

The aim of this study was to investigate the perspectives of science teachers who are pursuing postgraduate studies on their experiences in preparing a research project and to explore the effects of this experience on the participants. In this context, a qualitative research method was employed using an action research design. Seven science teachers who met the research criteria participated, and the research was conducted for 14 weeks during the fall semester. Semi-structured interviews, peer assessment forms, and project evaluation rubrics were used to collect data. The data collected from the interviews were analyzed using content analysis technique. The results indicated that the participants had insufficient knowledge about preparing a research project before the training, but they achieved a certain level of competency by the end of the training. The participants gained knowledge about the stages of the project, how to write the project, what originality means and its importance, and the criteria of a good project as a result of the training. The teachers gained an important understanding about the importance of originality and planning while preparing the project, and they had the most difficulty in determining the originality of the project. In addition, the participants agreed that teacher competency in preparing and conducting a qualitative research project is very important

Prognostic value of gross tumor volume delineated by FDG-PET-CT based radiotherapy treatment planning in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We aimed to assess whether gross tumor volume (GTV) determined by fusion of contrast-enhanced computerized tomography (CT) and 18F-fluoro-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography-CT (FDG-PET-CT) based radiotherapy planning could predict outcomes, namely overall survival (OS), local-regional progression-free survival (LRPFS), and progression-free survival (PFS) in cases with locally advanced pancreas cancer (LAPC) treated with definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 30 patients with histological proof of LAPC underwent 50.4 Gy (1.8 Gy/28 fractions) of radiotherapy concurrent with continuously infused 5-FU followed by 4 to 6 courses of maintenance gemcitabine. Target volume delineations were performed on FDG-PET-CT-based RTP. Patients were stratified into 2 groups: GTV lesser (GTV_L) versus greater (GTV_G) than cut off value determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and compared in terms of OS, LRPFS and PFS.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Median GTV delineated according to the FDG-PET-CT data was 100.0 cm³. Cut off GTV value determined from ROC curves was 91.1 cm³. At a median follow up of 11.2 months, median OS, LRPFS and PFS for the entire population were 10.3, 7.8 and 5.7 months, respectively. Median OS, LRPFS and PFS for GTV_Land GTV_Gcohorts were 16.3 vs. 9.5 (<it>p </it>= 0.005), 11.0 vs. 6.0 (<it>p </it>= 0.013), and 9.0 vs. 4.8 months (<it>p </it>= 0.008), respectively.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The superior OS, LRPFS and PFS observed in GTV_Lpatients over GTV_Gones suggests a potential for FDG-PET-CT-defined GTV size in predicting outcomes of LAPC patients treated with definitive C-CRT, which needs to be validated by further studies with larger cohorts.</p

Videofluoroscopic and Manometric Evaluation of Oropharyngeal and Esophageal Motility Disorders

Background: Esophageal motility studies are performed in patients who have dysphagia that is not explained by stenosis. Diagnosis can be challenging and requires expertise in the interpretation of tests and symptoms

Systematic review of Lyme disease in Turkey

###EgeUn###A systematic review was conducted with the aim of describing the demographical data, features and outcomes of patients with Lyme disease (LD), reported from Turkey. Three international database (electronic PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus) and two national database (Ulakbim and Turkmedline) searches were performed using the following keywords (['Lyme' or 'Borrelia burgdorferi' or 'Borrelia' or 'Borreliosis'] and 'Turkey [ and/country]'). National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNNDS) of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria were used for classification. A PRISMA-based algorithm was used for systematic review. There were a total of 75 LD cases in 36 different reports. Studies related to LD are confined to case reports. We believe that LD is an important healthcare problem in Turkey and to our knowledge this is the first systematic review from this country

Mid-Regional Pro-Adrenomedullin (MR-proADM) as a Biomarker for Sepsis and Septic Shock: Narrative Review

WOS: 000447923900041PubMed ID: 30177659Early identification and diagnosis of sepsis and septic shock is vitally important; despite appropriate management, mortality and morbidity rates remain high. For this reason, many biomarkers and screening systems have been investigated in accordance with the precision medicine concept. A narrative review was conducted to assess the role of mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM) as a biomarker for sepsis and septic shock. Relevant studies were collected via an electronic PubMed, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library search. The review focused on both diagnosis and prognosis in patients with sepsis and septic shock and specifically in subpopulations of patients with sepsis and septic shock with burns or malignant tumors. No exclusion criteria regarding age, sex, intensive care unit admission, follow-up duration, or co morbidities were used so as to maximize sensitivity and due to lack of randomized controlled trials, opinion paper and reviews were also included in this review. A total of 22 studies, one opinion paper, and one review paper were investigated. MR-proADM levels were found to be useful in assessing patients' initial evolution and become even more useful during follow-up with increased area under curve values in the mortality prognosis by exceeding values of 0.8 in the data shown in several studies. These results also improve along with other biomarkers or severity scores and especially correlate with the organ failure degree. The results of this study indicate that MR-proADM is a good biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of sepsis and septic shock patients as well as for organ failure. Although several publications have discussed its role as a biomarker for pneumonia, its value as a biomarker for sepsis and septic shock should now be assessed in randomized controlled trials and more collaborative prospective studies with larger patient samples.CIBERES; Fondos FEDER, Institudo de Salud Carlos III; Madrid, Spain; European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Basel, SwitzerlandThis research was supported in part by CIBERES, Fondos FEDER, Institudo de Salud Carlos III; Madrid, Spain and an Observership Grant from the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Basel, Switzerland

Prevalence of human papilloma virus in HIV-positive patients: A preliminary study

19th Annual Meeting of the European-Society-for-Clinical-Virology -- SEP 14-17, 2016 -- Lisbon, PORTUGALWOS: 000390584800188European Soc Clin Viro

Urodynamic Curve Patterns may Predict Female Bladder Outlet Obstruction and Detrusor Underactivity

OBJECTIVE To search for independent predictors for distinguishing bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) and detrusor underactivity (DU) in female patients with voiding difficulty

A Rare Cause of Brain Abscess: Streptomyces spp

WOS: 00041999210000

Three Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy and Androgen Deprivation Therapy in Patients with Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer; Hacettepe University Experience

The aim of this study into evaluate the treatment results of three dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer (CLPC). Between June 1998 and December 2011, 577 patients with the diagnosis of CLPC were treated. ADT was started 3 months prior to radiotherapy (RT). 3DCRT was delivered to prostate and the seminal vesicles (SV) to a total dose of 70Gy. Additionally, patients with lymph node (LN) positivity received 50.4Gy RT to pelvic LN's. Median follow up time was 65 months. Five-ten years overall survival (OS), cause specific survival (CSS), PSA relapse-free survival (PSA-RFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rates were 92-74%, 97-91%, 77-55% and 94-88%, respectively. OS was negatively affected from LN positivity (p < 0.001). In the subgroup of patients With GS 8, there was no significant difference between < 1 years and 1 years of ADT in terms of CSS, PSA-RFS and DMFS. OS was better in patients with < 1 years of ADT (p = 0.01). Five year OS (p = 0.02), CSS (p = 0.05), PSA-RFS (p = 0.01) and DMFS (p = 0.07) rates were inferior in the high risk group patients that used ADT 1 year. Acute and late RTOG grade III/IV gastrointestinal system toxicity rates were 1.7% and 5% and acute and chronic RTOG grade III/IV genitourinary system toxicity rates were 1.4% and 5%, respectively. 3DCRT and ADT combination is an effective treatment modality with acceptable toxicities in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer

Vaginal cuff brachytherapy practice in endometrial cancer patients: a report from the Turkish Oncology Group

Purpose: The American Brachytherapy Association is attempting to develop standards for delivering brachytherapy, although differences in practice have been reported in the literature. This study evaluated vaginal cuff brachytherapy (VBT) practice and quality of life-related recommendations among Turkish radiation oncologists. Material and methods: A nationwide web-based 17-item survey was distributed to the members of the Turkish Society for Radiation Oncology. These members received e-mail notifications, and a link was posted on the Turkish Society for Radiation Oncology internet site to solicit voluntary responses The survey addressed the simulation processes, target volume, prescribed dose, delivery schedules, and recommendations related to vaginal side effects. Results: Fifty-seven radiation oncologists responded to the survey. The most used dose fraction schemes for adjuvant VBT were 7 Gy x 3 fractions (30%), 5.5 Gy x 5 fractions (26%), and 6 Gy x 5 fractions (28%). The preferred VBT scheme was 5 Gy x 3 fractions (50%) when the external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) dose was 45 Gy external radiotherapy, while the preferred schemes were 6 Gy x 3 fractions (30%) or 5 Gy x 3 fractions (32%) when the external radiotherapy dose was increased to 50.4 Gy. One-half of the respondents delivered VBT twice a week, and the dose was prescribed to 0.5 cm from vaginal mucosa by 86% of the respondents. There was no common definition for the dose prescription length, which was defined as 3 cm from the vaginal cuff in 33% of responses and as 4 cm in 35% of responses. For serous and clear cell histological types, 38% of the respondents targeted full cylinder length. To prevent vaginal side effects, 78% of the respondents recommended using a vaginal dilator and/or sexual intercourse after VBT. Conclusions: This survey revealed variations in the clinical practice of VBT among Turkish radiation oncologists, which suggests that standardization is necessary