The role of free vitamin D and vitamin D binding protein in SARS-Cov-2 infection in children.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have discussed the effects of serum vitamin D deficiency in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) patients. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection severity and free vitamin D (FVD) and bioavailable vitamin D (BAVD) levels in children. METHODS: A prospective case-control study design was used. Participants were divided into three groups based on the World Health Organization COVID-19 Clinical Progression Scale. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (ng/mL), albumin (g/L), and vitamin D binding protein (ng/mL) levels were evaluated to investigate the relationship between disease severity and FVD and BAVD levels. RESULTS: In total, 82 participants were included in the study. Of those, 24.4% were uninfected (n = 20), 50% had a mild case of SARS-CoV-2 (n = 41), and 25.6% had a moderate case (n = 21). There was a statistically significant difference in FVD and BAVD levels between the groups (p = 0.026). Median FVD (p = 0.007, Cohen's d = 0.84) and BAVD (p = 0.007, Cohen's d = 0.86) levels were significantly higher in the mild group compared to the moderate group. FVD and BAVD metabolites were moderately positively correlated with lymphocyte counts (FVD: r = 0.437, p < 0.001; BAVD: r = 0.439, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to demonstrate a relationship between SARS-CoV-2 symptom severity and FVD and BAVD levels. The relationship between FVD and BAVD levels and lymphocyte counts could play an important role in symptom severity and should be evaluated in further studies.

The Effect of 2 Different Distraction Methods on Pain, Fear, and Anxiety Levels During Venous Blood Draw in Children in a Pediatric Emergency Unit: A Randomized Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: Blood draw procedures can cause pain, fear, and anxiety in the pediatric population. PURPOSE: To compare the effects of watching cartoons either with virtual reality (VR) or via a tablet on pain, fear, and anxiety during venous blood draw procedures in children. METHODS: A randomized controlled study was conducted with 159 children aged 5 to 12 years in the pediatric emergency unit. The 3 groups included cartoons with VR (n = 53) or a tablet (n = 53), and a control group (n = 53). RESULTS: Children in the 2 intervention groups had lower perceptions of pain, fear, and anxiety, with those watching cartoons via VR having the lowest perceptions. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study showed a reduction in the perception of pain, fear, and anxiety in children who watched cartoons with VR or tablets during blood draw procedures. Nurses should consider using these nonpharmacological methods to reduce pain, fear, and anxiety, among pediatric patients.

Timing of Post-bath Skin Moisturizer Application to Newborn Infants: A Randomized Controlled Study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the timing of postbath moisturizer application affected the skin moisture (SM) and body temperature (BT) of newborn infants. METHODS: The researchers conducted a randomized controlled study with 80 newborns who were monitored in a university hospital between March 2017 and May 2018. In both the control and experimental groups, newborns were bathed and dried. However, in the control group, moisturizer was applied immediately to the newborn's body, whereas in the experimental group, moisturizer was applied 10 minutes after the completion of the bath. Researchers evaluated the BT and SM of all infants both before and immediately after the bath and at 10, 20, 40, and 60 minutes postbath. RESULTS: The control and experimental groups were similar according to the descriptive characteristics of the infants (P > .05). In both groups, infants' SM values increased in the first 10 minutes after the bath compared with the prebath values (P < .05). However, the whole-body SM value of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group 60 minutes postbath (P = .027). There was also a statistically significant change in the body temperatures of infants in both groups after bathing (P = .004). CONCLUSIONS: Waiting 10 minutes postbath before applying moisturizer positively affected newborns' SM and BT. Additional research with a broader age range and a more diverse sample is needed to further clarify the effects of postbath moisturizer application timing on newborns' SM and BT.

The effect of buzzy and cold spray on pain, anxiety, and fear of children during venipuncture in pediatric emergency department in Turkey; A randomized controlled study.

PURPOSE: It was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Buzzy and cold spray in reducing pain, anxiety, and fear of children during venipuncture in the emergency department (ED). METHODS: This study is an experimental, parallel-group (intervention-control), randomized controlled, single-blind design. The study was conducted with 161 children aged 5-12 years in pediatric ED. Data were collected by the 'Personal Information Form', 'Wong Baker-Facial Expression Rating Scale', 'Child Anxiety Statement Scale', and 'Child Fear Inventory'. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Mann Whitney U test, Kruskal Wallis H test, and Intraclass Correlation. RESULTS: Descriptive features of the children were homogeneous. 'Wong Baker-Facial Expression Rating Scale', 'Child Anxiety Statement Scale', and 'Child Fear Scale' score averages of the children in the control group were higher than the children in the Buzzy group and the cold spray group (p < 0.001). The pain scores of the Buzzy group were higher than those in the cold spray group (p < 0.001). The anxiety and fear mean scores of the children in the Buzzy and cold spray groups were similar (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: It was determined that Buzzy and cold spray were more effective than standard care in reducing the level of pain, anxiety, and fear in children ages 5-12 years during venipuncture in the pediatric emergency. The cold spray was more effective in reducing pain than Buzzy. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Nurses can use Buzzy and cold sprays to manage the fear, anxiety, and pain associated with venipuncture.

The relationship of childhood trauma with cyberbullying and cyber victimization among university students.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship of childhood trauma with cyberbullying and cyber victimization levels among health sciences and medical faculty students. METHOD: This study was conducted with 350 students studying at the health sciences and medical faculty of a university in Istanbul. The data were collected using an information form, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, the Cyber Bullying Scale, and the Cyber Victimization Scale. RESULTS: A significant positive correlation was found between the childhood trauma and cyberbullying and cyber victimization levels of the students. A significant positive correlation was also found between cyber victimization and cyberbullying levels. CONCLUSION: Students at risk of cyber bullying and cyber victimization should be identified, and awareness and coping programs should be planned.

Turkish Version of the Test Your Memory (TYM-TR) as a Screening Tool in Memory Clinics.

INTRODUCTION: This study compared the Turkish version of Test Your Memory (TYM) MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) and CDT (Clock Drawing Test) in patients with neurocognitive disorder. METHODS: After a thorough medical workup, patients with a diagnosis of neurocognitive disorder were enrolled. A cross-sectional design was used to compare the TYM results with those of MMSE and CDT. RESULTS: This study was conducted on 100 patients, including 46 males and 54 females, aged 52 to 86. The majority of patients were diagnosed with vascular neurocognitive disorder. The z-score of TYM-TR was significantly lower in the domains of registration, recall, visuospatial, and total score. The same results were achieved when CDT was added to MMSE. The same pattern was observed separately for those who were diagnosed with a mild or major neurocognitive disorder. CONCLUSION: Patients' cognitive deficits might be more evident when measured by the TYM-TR compared to the MMSE.

[The Effect of Chronic Cigarette Use on Cognitive Function]. / Kronik Sigara Kullaniminin Bilissel Islevler Üzerine Etkisi.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of chronic cigarette smoking on the cognitive function in people who have no other mental or physical illness other than tobacco use disorder. METHOD: The study was carried out on three groups: smokers (n = 71), former smokers (n = 39), and non-smokers (n = 49). The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Stroop Color and Word Test (ST), Trail Making Test (TMT), Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT), and Serial Digit Learning Test (SDLT) were applied to the 3 groups participating in the study. Groups were compared with the Three-Factor Covariance Analysis. RESULTS: Stroop test 4th card time score which determined the basic level of color discourse in the smoker group was significantly higher than the non-smoker group. The Trail Making Test-B time scores were significantly higher in the smoker group than the non-smoker group. And Trail Making Test-B time points were significantly higher in the former smoker group than nonsmoker group. Auditory Verbal Learning Test - verbal learning scores were lower in the smoker group than the non-smoker and former smoker group. There was no significant difference in verbal learning scores between the non-smoking and former smoker groups. The neurocognitive deficits in smokers appear to be related to dose and duration. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that auditory verbal memory, visualspatial processing, and attention areas may be a selective area of disability in smokers. A major limitation is the fact that general cognitive performance levels of participants was not assessed by a general criteria such as Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS).

[The Relationship between Violence and Clinical Features, Insight and Cognitive Functions in Patients with Schizophrenia]. / Sizofrenide Siddet Davranisinin Klinik Özellikler, Içgörü ve Bilissel Islevler ile Iliskisi.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the predictive factors of violent behavior in schizophrenia and the relationship between violent behavior and insight and cognitive functions in this study. METHOD: 68 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia were separated into two groups; with a history of violent behavior (n = 30) and without (n = 38). Both group swere administered the Positiveand Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire, Schedule for Assessing the Three Components of Insight, California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT), Trail Making Test, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, and Stroop Test. RESULTS: Male gender, the number of hospitalizations, incompliance with the treatment, alcohol and substance abuse, the number of suicide attempts, the mean score of PANSS positive symptoms, PANSS general symptoms and PANSS total were significantly higher in patients with schizophrenia with a history of violent behavior, compared to non-violent group. Long delayed response subsection of CVLT mean score was lower in patients with violent behavior. Incompliance with the treatment (OR:5.927, p=0.041), alcohol and substance abuse (OR:21.089, p=0.000), and PANSS total score (OR:1.053, p=0.011)were identified as predictive factors of violent behavior in patients with schizophrenia. CONCLUSION: Lack of insight and executive function impairment are the core symptoms of schizophrenia and not seems to be associated with violent behavior in patients with schizophrenia. Impairment of memory may be associated with violent behavior in patients with schizophrenia. Incompliance with treatment, alcohol and substance abuse, and the severity of positive symptoms are important factors in predicting violence behavior in patients with schizophrenia.

Autoerythrocyte sensitization syndrome associated with grief complications.

The clinical presentation of a patient with autoerythrocyte sensitization syndrome associated with a complicated grief reaction is reported. A 50-year-old female patient presented with recurrent episodes of painful ecchymotic bruising on the lower extremities which started in 1995 after the sudden death of her son and exacerbated almost every year at approximately the same time her son died as an anniversary reaction. No pathological findings were detected in the laboratory examinations. The diagnosis was confirmed by induction of similar lesions by i.d. injection of the patient's own washed erythrocytes and whole blood. Psychiatric assessment revealed that the patient was depressed, socially introverted, overly defensive and avoidant in interpersonal relationships. Antidepressant treatment and psychotherapy for major depression and grief complications were started with the patient. Having an awareness of this rare condition will assist in the prevention of unnecessary investigations in such cases and will allow early referral for appropriate psychological counseling.