Investigation of the Relationship Between Cognitive Functions and Retinal Findings From Spectral Optical Coherence Tomography in Patients With Schizophrenia and Their Healthy Siblings

Objective@#Retinal structural changes which were investigated by optical coherence tomography (OCT) have been reported in schizophrenia. Since cognitive dysfunction is a core feature of schizophrenia, the correlations between retinal findings and cognitive functions of patients and their healthy siblings may provide insight into the pathophysiological processes of the disorder. We aimed to investigate the relationship between neuropsychiatric tests and retinal changes in schizophrenia patients and their healthy siblings. @*Methods@#We measured OCT parameters and cognitive performance (via Trail Making Tests, verbal fluency tests, and The Digit Span Tests) of 72 participants (36 patients with schizophrenia and 36 healthy siblings) and disease severity (with Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Global Assessment of Functioning, and Clinical Global Impression scales) in patients with schizophrenia and evaluated the relationship between retinal findings and clinical parameters, especially neurocognitive tests. @*Results@#We found decreased ganglion cell layer-inner plexiform layer thickness and macular volume in the patient group. There were strong correlations between neurocognitive tests and OCT findings in both groups. On the other hand, there was not any correlation between retinal findings and disease parameters. @*Conclusion@#The cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia may be more closely related to structural changes in the retina.

Compliance of the web-based distance training and consultancy on individual's treatment having suffered myocardial infarction and its effects on well-being

Objective: to determine the compliance of the web-based remote training and counselling, required by the individuals suffering from myocardial infarction [MI], for their treatment and its effects on the functionality and well-being of the individual with some parameters determined by means of virtual platforms and information technologies

Study Design: an experimental study

Place and Duration of Study: two hospitals in Sakarya, Turkey, from 2015 to 2016

Methodology: the study population included individuals being treated due to acute MI in the hospital. One hundred and twenty individuals were divided into two groups to receive intervention [n=60] and control group [n=60]. The data have been collected via Patient Information Form, The Myocardial Infarction Dimensional Assessment Scale [MIDAS] and Patient Follow-up Form

Results: the test and control groups' demographic data were homogenously distributed. At the discharge, the MIDAS total score average was 30.0 for the control group and 26.43 for the test group. These values were determined as 28.57 for the control group and 13.57 for the test group at 3 months [p<0.001]

Conclusion: web-based remote training and counselling prepared the individuals after myocardial infarction to the treatment and their well-being in a positive way

Syrian civil war: the experience of the surgical intensive care units

Objective: Since the civilian war in Syria began, thousands of seriously injured trauma patients from Syria were brought to Turkey for emergency operations and/or postoperative intensive care. The aim of this study was to present the demographics and clinical features of the wounded patients in Syrian civil war admitted to the surgical intensive care units in a tertiary care centre

Methods: The records of 80 trauma patients admitted to the Anaesthesia, General Surgery and Neurosurgery ICUs between June 1, 2012 and July 15, 2014 were included in the study. The data were reviewed regarding the demographics, time of presentation, place of reference, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II [APACHE II] score and Injury Severity Score [ISS], surgical procedures, complications, length of stay and mortality

Results: A total of 80 wounded patients [70 males and 10 females] with a mean age of 28.7 years were admitted to surgical ICUs. The most frequent cause of injury was gunshot injury. The mean time interval between the occurrence of injury and time of admission was 2.87 days. Mean ISS score on admission was 21, and mean APACHE II score was 15.7. APACHE II scores of non-survivors were significantly increased compared with those of survivors [P=0.001]. No significant differences was found in the age, ISS, time interval before admission, length of stay in ICU, rate of surgery before or after admission

Conclusion: The most important factor affecting mortality in this particular trauma-ICU patient population from Syrian civil war was the physiological condition of patients on admission. Rapid transport and effective initial and on-road resuscitation are critical in decreasing the mortality rate in civil wars and military conflicts

Catheter indwell time and phlebitis development during peripheral intravenous catheter administration

Intravenous catheters have been indispensable tools of modern medicine. Although intravenous applications can be used for a multitude of purposes, these applications may cause complications, some of which have serious effects. Of these complications, the most commonly observed is phlebitis. This study was conducted to determine the effect of catheter indwell time on phlebitis development during peripheral intravenous catheter administration. This study determined the effect of catheter indwell time on phlebitis development during peripheral intravenous catheter administration. The study included a total of 103 individuals who were administered 439 catheters and satisfied the study enrollment criteria at one infectious diseases clinic in Istanbul/Turkey. Data were compiled from Patient Information Forms, Peripheral Intravenous Catheter and Therapy Information Forms, reported grades based on the Visual Infusion Phlebitis Assessment Scale, and Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Nurse Observation Forms. The data were analyzed using SPSS. The mean patient age was 53.75 +/- 15.54 [standard deviation] years, and 59.2% of the study participants were men. Phlebitis was detected in 41.2% of peripheral intravenous catheters, and the rate decreased with increased catheter indwell time. Analyses showed that catheter indwell time, antibiotic usage, sex, and catheterization sites were significantly associated with development of phlebitis. The results of this study show that catheters can be used for longer periods of time when administered under optimal conditions and with appropriate surveillance

Serum Chitotriosidase Activity in Pulmonary Tuberculosis: Response to Treatment and Correlations with Clinical Parameters

BACKGROUND: Chitotriosidase is an accepted marker of macrophage activation. In this study, we investigated serum chitotriosidase levels in pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). METHODS: Forth-two patients with PTB and 30 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. The radiological extent of PTB, radiological sequela after treatment, and the degree of smear positivity were assessed. Chitotriosidase levels were measured by a fluorometric method. RESULTS: The serum chitotriosidase levels of the PTB patients were significantly higher than those of the control subjects (39.73+/-24.97 vs. 9.63+/-4.55 nmol/mL/h, P<0.001). After completion of the standard 6-month antituberculous treatment, chitotriosidase levels in PTB patients significantly decreased (10.47+/-4.54 nmol/mL/h, P<0.001). Chitotriosidase levels correlated significantly with the radiological extent of PTB, degree of smear positivity, and post-treatment radiological sequela score (r=0.439, r=0.449, and r=0.337, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that serum chitotriosidase levels increase in PTB; therefore, chitotriosidase can be used as a marker of disease activity, severity, and response to treatment.

Levels of anxiety and ways of coping of family members of patients hospitalized in the Neurosurgery Intensive Care Unit

To evaluate the levels of anxiety and ways of coping of family members of patients hospitalized in the Neurosurgery Intensive Care Unit [NICU]. The descriptive study was carried out with the families of 120 patients hospitalized in the NICU of a University Hospital in Turkey, between November 2005 and July 2006. Data were collected using a questionnaire for demographical information, The State and Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Ways of Coping Inventory. Statistical analysis of the data was carried out with SPSS software, using arithmetic mean and standard deviation, percentage, t test, Kruskall Wallis, Mann-Whitney U, and correlation analyses. Of the family members evaluated, 56.7% were males and the mean age of the family members was 34.7 +/- 11.13. The average score for the State Anxiety was 47.03 +/- 9.55, and Trait Anxiety was 44.11 +/- 7.62. Financial problems were the main source of anxiety, being experienced by 56.7% of the participants due to hospitalization of the patient in the intensive care unit. Submissive and helpless coping styles were observed more frequently, as the level of anxiety increased. In light of these findings, it has been found that members of the families of the patients hospitalized in the NICU experienced a significant amount of anxiety, and that they faced difficulties in coping with anxiety, indicating that they require help and support

Evaluation of quality of sleep and effecting factors in hospitalized neurosurgical patients

To evaluate the quality of sleep and effecting factors in hospitalized patients in a neurosurgery clinic. This research was conducted as a descriptive study in a neurosurgery clinic of a University Hospital, in Turkey, between November 2005 and June 2006. The study sample consisted of 102 patients who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected using the "Questionnaire Form," which included socio-demographic, illness, sleep, and hospital characteristics, and the "Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index" [PSQI]. The data obtained were assessed by SPSS 10.00 Program, using number, percentage, arithmetic mean, t-test, variance, and correlation analysis. The mean age of the patients was 43.22 +/- 16.72 years, 54.9% were females, and 72.5% were married. Hospitalization duration of the patients was 14.31 +/- 8.97 days on average, 84.3% had previous hospital experience, and 72.5% had knowledge about their illnesses. Of them, 51% expressed a sleep problem. Pain [41.2%] and noise [31.4%] was found to affect the sleep quality of hospitalized patients. Of the patients hospitalized in the neurosurgery ward, 64.7% were found to have poor quality of sleep prior to admission, while poor quality of sleep was determined for 49% before being discharged from the hospital. However, a better sleep quality was noted prior to discharge, compared to that at their admission to the hospital. Varied degrees of quality of sleep have been reported by the patients and influences of personal and environmental factors on sleep quality have been noted. Strategies to enhance physical and mental comfort, and to minimize disruptions should positively enhance sleep quality