The Individuals Control Chart in Case of Non-Normality

This article examines the effects of non-normality as measured by skewness and provides an alternative method of designing individuals control chart with non-normal distributions. A skewness correction method for constructing the individuals control chart is provided. An example of thickness of biscuit process is presented to illustrate the individuals control chart limits

Examining Cronbach Alpha, Theta, Omega Reliability Coefficients According to Sample Size

Differentiations according to the sample size of different reliability coefficients are examined. It is concluded that the estimates obtained by Cronbach alpha and teta coefficients are not related with the sample size, even the estimates obtained from the small samples can represent the population parameter. However, the Omega coefficient requires large sample sizes

Statistical Methods and Artificial Neural Networks

Artificial Neural Networks and statistical methods are applied on real data sets for forecasting, classification, and clustering problems. Hybrid models for two components are examined on different data sets; tourist arrival forecasting to Turkey, macro-economic problem on rescheduling of the countries’ international debts, and grouping twenty-five European Union member and four candidate countries according to macro-economic indicators

Evaluation of teaching forensic nursing course on undergraduate nursing student's forensic nursing knowledge

Background: The aim of the forensic nursing (FN) education is to provide nursing students with the basic knowledge of FN that they can use in the clinical area. Objective: The study evaluated the effect of integrating forensic nursing into the undergraduate nursing curriculum on 2nd- and 4th-year students’ knowledge level of FN. Participants: The target population of this study was composed of 2nd- and 4th-year students in the nursing department at a foundation university in Istanbul. The study was conducted with 95 nursing students who agreed to participate in the study. Methods: The research was planned as cross-sectional and descriptive. The questionnaire form was developed with the help of literature by experts in the field. Each correct answer was scored as 4 points, and the total score could range from 0 to 100. Results: The average age was 21.64 ± 1.16, and 66.3% (n = 63) was female. Out of the 95 students, 50.5% (n = 48) were in 2nd year, and 49.5% (n = 47) were in 4th year. A total of 47.4% (n = 45) of the students took a FN course, and 52.6% (n = 50) did not take FN course. The average level of knowledge for those who took FN course was 52.09 ± 12.31 and for those who did not take FN course was 46.16 ± 12.18. According to the status of taking FN course, a significant difference was found between the average level of knowledge (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These results emphasize the importance of integration of FN into the undergraduate nursing curriculum. © 2022, The Author(s)

Investigation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Formation and Quorum Sensing Genes in Piperacillin/Tazobactam and Ciprofloxacin Sub-minimal Inhibitory Concentrations

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a non-fermentative, oxidase-positive, motile gram-negative bacillus widespread in nature. The virulence factors of P.aeruginosa including the ability to grow under minimal growth conditions, the widespread presence in nature, and the ability to form biofilms make P.aeruginosa a highly important bacterium along with its resistance mechanisms against many antibiotics. The ability to form biofilms increases the symptom severity in diseases caused by P.aeruginosa and causes difficulties in the treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sub-minimal inhibitory concentrations (sub-MIC) of piperacillin/tazobactam (TZP) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) which are used for the treatment of P.aeruginosa infections on biofilm formation and to investigate the relationship between the severity of biofilm formation and Quorum Sensing (QS) genes. The study included 24 P.aeruginosa isolates from the culture collection of Medical Microbiology Laboratory of Gazi University Faculty of Medicine. MIC values of TZP and CIP antibiotics were determined by the microdilution method. The biofilm layers in the antibiotic-free medium and in the sub-MIC (MIC/2, MIC/4 ve MIC/8) concentrations of antibiotics were visualized by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The QS genes (lasl, lasR, rh/I, and MIR) of the 24 isolates with known biofilm characteristics were identified via the amplification of chromosomal DNA by using PCR method. In the study, it was foundthat both antibiotics reduced biofilm formation in a dose-dependent manner in sub-MIC concentrations compared to the antibiotic-free condition and that MIC/2 was the concentration, which reduced the biofilm formation most. These results were further confirmed by viewing the SEM images. The QS genes lasl, lasR, and Mil were detected in a total of 19 isolates with moderately strong and strong biofilm formation, the rh/R gene was detected in six of the strong biofilm-forming isolates, in four of the moderately strong biofilm-forming isolates, and in three of the weak biofilm-forming isolates, respectively. The investigation of the effects of sub-MIC concentrations of antimicrobials, used for the treatment of P.aeruginosa infections, on the biofilm formation of P.aeruginosa and the investigation and better understanding of the QS systems associated with biofilm production will allow for finding out new treatment approaches and offer different options in combating infections with high morbidity and mortality

Lower serum prohepcidin levels associated with lower iron and erythropoietin requirements in hemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C

Background: Patients with chronic HCV infection have increased liver iron. Recently identified protein hepcidin synthesized in the liver, is thought to be a key regulator for iron homeostasis and is induced by infection and inflammation. Lower erythropoietin and iron supplementation requirements were previously reported in HD patients with HCV infection. We investigated the association of prohepcidin with inflammation and iron parameters in HD patients with and without chronic HCV infection

Lower serum prohepcidin levels associated with lower iron and erythropoietin requirements in hemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Patients with chronic HCV infection have increased liver iron. Recently identified protein hepcidin synthesized in the liver, is thought to be a key regulator for iron homeostasis and is induced by infection and inflammation. Lower erythropoietin and iron supplementation requirements were previously reported in HD patients with HCV infection. We investigated the association of prohepcidin with inflammation and iron parameters in HD patients with and without chronic HCV infection.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sixty patients (27 male, 33 female, mean age 50 ±15 years) on chronic HD were included. Parameters related to iron metabolism (ferritin, serum iron and total iron binding capacity (TIBC)), inflammation (hs-CRP, TNF-α and IL-6) and prohepcidin levels were measured. The response to treatment (erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) resistance index) was assessed from the ratio of the weekly erythropoietin (rhuEPO) dose to hemoglobin (Hb) per unit weight.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Serum prohepcidin levels of HCV positive patients (135 ± 25 ng/mL) were significantly lower than HCV negative patients [148 ± 18 ng/mL, (p = 0.025)]. Serum IL-6 levels of HCV positive patients were also significantly lower than HCV negative patients (p = 0.016). Serum prohepcidin levels were positively correlated with ferritin (r = 0.405, p = 0.001) and IL-6 (r = 0.271, p = 0.050) levels in HD patients. In the HCV positive group, serum prohepcidin levels significantly correlated with ferritin levels (r = 0.514 p = 0.004). In the HCV negative group, serum prohepcidin levels significantly correlated with serum IL-6 levels (r = 0.418, p = 0.027). In multiple regression analysis performed to predict prohepcidin in HCV positive patients, serum ferritin was found to be an independent variable (r = 0.28, p = 0.008).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>HCV positive HD patients have low levels of serum prohepcidin and IL-6 which might account for iron accumulation together with lower iron and rhuEPO requirements in these patients.</p

Immunosuppressive Agents in the Treatment of Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis

INTRODUCTION: Treatment of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) is often unrewarding with approximately 60% of patients progressing to end-stage renal failure within 10 years. In our study, we compared the efficacy of CS alone versus low dose CS + another immunosuppressive agent retrospectively. MATERIAL an

Conversion to Sirolimus in Renal Transplant Recipients: A Single-Center Experience

Maintenance immunosuppression with calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) following renal transplantation is associated with nephrotoxicity and accelerated graft loss. Sirolimus (SRL) is a nonnephrotoxic immunosuppressive agent. We retrospectively analyzed our experience with kidney transplant recipients who were converted from CNI to SRL. A total of 58 renal transplant recipients were converted from CNI to SRL. SRL was started at a dose of 0.075 mg/kg and, at the same time, CNI dose was reduced by 50% daily for 3 days. SRL trough levels were targeted between 8 and 12 ng/mL. When target trough levels were achieved. CNI was withdrawn. The main indications for switching were posttransplant malignancies (n = 32) and chronic allograft. nephropathy (CAN) (n = 10). The mean time from transplantation to conversion was 84 +/- 71 months. Mean serum creatinine level was 1.63 +/- 0.52 mg/dL before conversion. Serum creatinine levels at the 1, 3, 6 months, and 1, 2, 3 years after conversion were 1.64 +/- 0.58 mg/dL (P = 0.67), 1.52 +/- 0.53 mg/dL (P = 0.414), 1.62 +/- 0.62 mg/dL (P = 0.734), and 1.48 +/- 0.58 mg/dL (P = 0.065), 1.58 +/- 0.53 mg/dL (P = 0.854), 1.88 +/- 0.77 mg/dL (P = 0.083), respectively. Daily proteinuria levels increased from 0.04 +/- 0.11 g/day at baseline to 0.55 +/- 1.33 g/day (P = 0.037) after conversion, in the responders group. In the nonresponders group, baseline proteinuria was 0.13 +/- 0.25 g/day, and increased to 1.44 +/- 2.44 g/day after conversion (P = 0.008). SRL was discontinued in 16 patients (31%) because of the occurrence of severe side effects. The proportion of patients remaining on SRL therapy over time was 43.1% at 1 year, 15.5% at 2 years after conversion, and 10.3% at 3 years after conversion. SRL conversion may be very useful in patients suffering from neoplasia; however, frequent side effects related with this intervention should be considered, and routine conversion from CNI to SRL to reduce nephrotoxicity should be discouraged