Examination of Science Achievement in the 8th Grade Level in Turkey in Terms of National and International Exams Depending upon Various Variables

The aim of the present study is to examine the effect of demographic characteristics of students in Turkey upon their performance in TIMSS, an international assessment exam and Secondary Education Transition Examination which is a national exam (OGS). One of the fields of sciences, biology is taken into account as student performance. As a result of the t-test analysis, it was determined that gender has a statistically significant effect on the students’ TIMSS and TEOG exam results; besides, it was found that female students are more successful compared to boys Whether students receive private tutoring which refers to the economic characteristics of the students has not statistically significant effect on TIMSS biology scores, while it has a positive and significant impact upon OGS biology scores.  Moreover, findings revealed that parental educational level has a positive and significant effect on TIMSS and OGS scores of the students. Keywords: TIMSS, TEOG, science achievement, Turkey, private tutorin

Echocardiographic evaluation of diastolic functions in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: A comperative study of diastolic functions in sub-phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous endocrine disorder among reproductive-aged women. It is known to be associated with cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the echocardiographic data of patients according to the phenotypes of PCOS. Methods: This study included 113 patients with PCOS and 52 controls. Patients were classified into four potential PCOS phenotypes. Laboratory analyses and echocardiographic measurements were performed. Left ventricular mass was calculated by using Devereux formula and was indexed to body surface area. Results: Phenotype-1 PCOS patients had significantly higher homeostasis model assessment — insu­lin resistance (HOMA-IR) (p = 0.023), free testosterone (p < 0.001), LDL cholesterol levels (p < 0.001) and free androgen index (p < 0.001) compared with the control group. There were significant differences between groups regarding the septal thickness, posterior wall thickness, Left ventricular ejection frac­tion, E/A ratio and left ventricular mass index (for all, p < 0.05). PCOS patients with phenotype 1 and 2 had significantly higher left ventricular mass index than the control group (p < 0.001). In univariate and multivariate analyses, PCOS phenotype, modified Ferriman-Gallwey Score and estradiol were found as variables, which independently could affect the left ventricular mass index. Conclusions: This study showed that women in their twenties who specifically fulfilled criteria for PCOS phenotype-1 according to the Rotterdam criteria, had higher left ventricular mass index and decreased E/A ratio, which might be suggestive of early stage diastolic dysfunction. (Cariol J 2017; 24, 4: 364–373

Relationship between the mean platelet volume values and tilt-table test results in patients with vasovagal syncope

Impaired sympathovagal balance, the main pathophysiological mechanism under the vasovagal syncope (VVS), may play a role on platelet sizes. Although it has been shown that mean platelet volume (MPV) is increased in patients with vasovagal syncope, its nature in syncope subgroups is unknown. Herein, we aimed to compare MPV values among patients with different head-upright tilt-table (HUTT) test results. Patients who underwent HUTT test were analyzed retrospectively. Patients demographic data and their complete blood count samples within the 24h of test were obtained from hospital data network. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to their HUTT test results; group I: cardioinhibitory type, group II: mixt type, group III: vasodepressor type and group IV: negative result. There were no statistical differences regarding the age and gender between the groups. There was statistically significant difference between groups, regarding the values of MPV, platelet distribution width (PDW), hemoglobin and hematocrit. In patients with vasodepressor type response, MPV was statistically significantly higher compared with control and other groups (p [Med-Science 2018; 7(1.000): 110-113

Did we overcome rheumatic heart disease or is it still a public disease burden?

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD), affecting approximately 32 million people all over the world is one of the major causes of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality especially in developing countries. In this ongoing pilot study, we aim to investigate the prevalence of both definitive and borderline RHD in Turkey as a developing country. A total of 386 healthy young individuals (45 female, 341 males) who applied to our Cardiology Clinic for being military personnel coming from different regions of Turkey in the year 2015, were recruited for our study. 2012 World Heart Federation (WHF) criteria for echocardiographic assessment and diagnosis of RHD were used. Study population was classified into one of the three groups as normal, borderline RHD and definitive RHD. The three groups were similar in terms of baseline characteristics and laboratory findings. Definitive and borderline RHD were found in 11 (2,9%) and 29 (7,5%) individuals, respectively. Abnormal thickening of the anterior mitral valve leaflet (AMVL) was found statistically significant between the normal and the RHD groups (3.1±0.6 vs 4.2±0.9, p [Med-Science 2018; 7(1.000): 186-190