Beliefs and behaviors of patients' relatives towards childhood epilepsy in Turkey.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Beliefs about health-related problems throughout history are conveyed differently. Unsafe practices based on the superstitious beliefs of patients' relatives in situations requiring emergency medical attention, such as childhood epilepsy, or in the treatment of chronic diseases may be harmful to children's health. Our study aims to determine the superstitious beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours of the relatives of children with epilepsy. METHODS: A total of 252 relatives of patients diagnosed with childhood epilepsy were included in this cross-sectional study conducted between 15 September and 15 October 2019. The data collection form contained questions about the sociodemographic information of the participants and their beliefs and behaviours towards the disease. The frequency (percentage) and mean were used to summarise the data obtained through the application of the questionnaire, and Student's t-test and correlation methods were used for group comparisons; p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: In the study, 77.0% of the participants were women, 77.4% were mothers, 43.3% were primary school graduates, 71.8% were unemployed, 77.7% had a low income, 52% lived within a distance of less than 1 km, and 157 of them used folk medicine. There was no relationship between education, income, distance from health institutions, occupation, use of traditional methods, and superstitions. A relationship was found between the relatives of patients with resistant epilepsy who stated that the cause of the disease was superstition (p = 0.036). There was also a correlation between the use of traditional methods (p = 0.006), presence of resistant epilepsy, indication of the cause of the disease as superstition (p = 0.004), and use of traditional methods (p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that approximately four-fifths of the participants had superstitious beliefs about epilepsy and exhibited attitudes and behaviours suggestive of neglect that are unsafe for children. Whilst the individual characteristics of the participants did not affect negative attitudes and behaviours, the presence of resistant epilepsy in their children increased the negative attitude tendency.

Assessment of physical violence against research assistants and nurses in an university hospital / Evaluación de la violencia física contra investigadores asociados y enfermeras en un hospital universitario / Avaliação da violência física contra assistentes de pesquisa e enfermeiros em um hospital universitário

Abstract: 14. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of physical violence and related factors among assistants and nurses. This cross-sectional study was included 166 research assistants and 209 nurses who worked at the University Hospital. The data was collected with a self-administered questionnaire. As 12.0% participants had a history of physical violence at workplace within the last 6 months. The perpetrator was a patient relative in 41 (78.8%) and the patient himself/herself in 18 (34.6%).The most common place of violence was emergency unit for the assistants and in-patient unit for the nurses. The emergency unit was observed to have a higher incidence of violence than other departments. One of every ten health care workers appears to be a victim of physical workplace violence. Between health care workers with patient/the relatives of the patient of the impact on relations the close of violence to be examined separately according to occupational groups. As a result, professional differences between nurses and doctors should be taken into consideration while investigating health violence. Each professions of healthcare have different professional practice and ethical obligations on the relationship between health care provider and patient /relatives.

Resumen: 18. El objetivo de este estudio consiste en determinar la prevalencia de la violencia física y otros factores relacionados contra investigadores asociados y enfermeras. Este estudio transversal incluyó 166 investigadores asociados y 209 enfermeras trabajadores del hospital universitario. Los datos fueron recolectados mediante un cuestionario autoadministrado. 12% de los participantes informaron de violencia física en su lugar de trabajo en los últimos seis meses. El perpetrador fue un familiar de un paciente en 41 de los casos (78,8%) y pacientes en 18 casos (34,6%). La unidad de emergencia fue el lugar más común donde ocurrió la violencia para los investigadores asociados y la unidad de pacientes para las enfermeras. Se observó que la unidad de emergencia tuvo una mayor incidencia de violencia que otras unidades. Uno de cada 10 trabajadores de la salud es víctima de violencia física en el trabajo. Se examinó separadamente, según grupos de trabajo, el impacto en las relaciones de la violencia contra trabajadores de la salud por parte de pacientes o familiares de estos. Como resultado, se aconseja tener en consideración diferencias profesionales entre médicos y enfermeras cuando se investiga la violencia en el cuidado de la salud. Cada profesión del cuidado de la salud tiene diferentes prácticas profesionales y obligaciones éticas entre el proveedor de salud y el paciente y familiares.

Resumo: 22. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a prevalência de violência física e fatores relacionados entre assistentes e enfermeiros/as. Este estudo transversal incluiu 166 assistentes de pesquisa e 209 enfermeiras que trabalhavam no Hospital Universitário. Os dados foram coletados através de um questionário autoaplicável. Como resultado, 12,0% participantes apresentaram um histórico de violência física no local de trabalho nos últimos 6 meses. Como autores da violência foram identificados: os familiares dos pacientes em 41 questionários (78,8%) e o paciente em si em 18 (34,6%). O local mais comum de violência foi a unidade de emergência para os assistentes de pesquisa e a unidade de internação hospitalar para os enfermeiros/as. Na unidade de emergência, observou-se que há uma maior incidência de violência do que em outros departamentos. Um de cada dez trabalhadores na área de saúde demonstra ser vítima de violência física no local de trabalho. O impacto das relações de violência entre profissionais de saúde e pacientes/familiares deve ser examinado separadamente, de acordo com cada grupo ocupacional. Como resultado, diferenças profissionais entre médicos e enfermeiros/as devem ser consideradas ao investigar violência na área da saúde. Cada profissional de saúde possui diferentes práticas profissionais e obrigações éticas na relação entre médico e paciente / familiares.

Assessment of Environmental Attitudes and Risk Perceptions among University Students in Mersin, Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Environmental destruction is one of the most important problems in this century. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the environmental attitudes and perceived risks associated with environmental factors of the students. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 7 faculties of Mersin University. The research data were collected using a questionnaire. The questionnaire included sociodemographic characteristics, the "Environmental Attitudes Scale," and the "Environmental Risk Perception Scale." 774 students who filled out questionnaires were evaluated. RESULTS: The sample included 55.8% females. Environmental Attitudes Scale mean scores of students were identified as 81.1 ± 11.3. The highest perceived risk was release of radioactive materials associated with nuclear power generation. The environmental attitudes and risk perception scores were higher in Health Sciences than in the other faculties. Females were more positive towards the environment and had higher risk perceptions than the men. There is a negative correlation between age and resource depletion risk and global environmental risk score. CONCLUSION: Students had a positive attitude to the environment and had moderate-level risk perception about the environment. Environmental awareness of students, especially those studying in the Social Sciences, should be increased. The environmental education curriculum should be revised throughout all the courses.

A Classical Wooden Vaginal Speculum Mentioned in Old Medical Manuscripts.

The subject of this paper is the story of an ancient medical instrument. This instrument is a wooden vaginal speculum used in classical and Islamic medicine. Its drawings can be found in Abulcasis al-Zahrawi's and Serefeddin Sabuncuoglu's illustrated books of surgery.

THE OPINIONS OF HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS ABOUT EXPOSED DISCRIMINATION BASED ON HOSPITALS OR HEALTH PERSONNEL.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper is to determine whether age discrimination exists for hospitalized patients. METHODS: This study was conducted on 298 hospitalized patients at the Mersin University Medical Faculty Hospital in Mersin, Turkey, in May 2012. The questionnaire consisted of 8 questions trying to determine patients' socio-demographic attitudes and consisted of 22 items prepared by the authors. RESULTS: It was determined that 54.9% of the patients included in the study were male, 73.3% of them were married, 80.9% were subject to the social security system. A total of 87 participants reported that the physical conditions of the hospital were not appropriate. Approximately half of the patients mentioned that health care personnel explained what needed to be done to their relatives instead of the patients themselves. CONCLUSION: Patients were negatively affected by the physical characteristics of the hospital and were uncomfortable with, some negative attitudes of the health staff.

Variables affecting medical faculty students' achievement: a mersin university sample.

BACKGROUND: TRAINING PROVIDED IN MEDICAL FACULTIES IS MAINLY COMPOSED OF TWO PHASES: preclinical and clinical. Preclinical period, or the first three years, consists of theoretical classes and practical implementations to develop vocational skills. In the clinical period, students are given applied courses. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the role of demographic characteristics and medical students' life habits on their academic achievement. PATIENTS AND METHODS: For this purpose, a 20-item survey form with two sections developed by the researchers was used. Students were also asked to identify the averages of committee exams as the academic achievement indicator. Participating students (n = 287) were from Mersin University Medical Faculty during 2012-2013 session. RESULTS: Totally, 60.3% of the students were males with an average age of 21.16 ± 1.39, and their general grade point average was 63.39 ± 9.08. Students in their second year (P = 0.000), who were females (P = 0.000), graduated from Anatolian Teachers High Schools (P = 0.002), financially well off (P = 0.026), stayed in state hostels (P = 0.032), did not smoke (P = 0.042) and regularly did sports (P = 0.016) were significantly more successful compared to others. CONCLUSIONS: Students' socioeconomic resources and habits play roles on academic achievement. Solutions that incorporate economic support which can eliminate negative situations leading to inequality of opportunity among students would increase students' achievement.

[Determining the biomechanical quality of normal and osteoporotic bones in rat femora through biomechanical test and finite element analysis]. / Normal ve osteoporotik siçan femurunda kemigin biyomekanik kalitesinin biyomekanik testle ve sonlu elemanlar analizi ile belirlenmesi.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the biomechanical quality of cortical bone in normal and osteoporotic rat femora with the use of biomechanical analysis and finite element analysis. METHODS: Fourteen young adult female Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 225-250 g were randomized into two groups equal in number. One group underwent bilateral ovariectomy under ketamine anesthesia. Fourteen weeks after ovariectomy, bone mineral density was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in two groups and the rats were sacrificed under high-dose ketamine anesthesia for removal of all the femora. The right femora were subjected to biomechanical tension tests. In the left femora, cortical bone sections were visualized by computed tomography and finite element analysis was performed on computer-generated three dimensional images using the ANYSIS 9.0 software. Deformation, stress, and strain values obtained by the two analyses were compared. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, bone mineral density decreased by 29%, and decreases in deformation, stress, and strain values were 39%, 51%, and 64%, respectively, in the ovariectomized rats (p<0.05). No significant differences were found between the results of biomechanical measurements and finite element analysis (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that finite element analysis can be used in vivo to determine biomechanical quality of bone in osteoporotic patients.

Biomechanical evaluation in osteoporosis: ovariectomized rat model.

The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of ovariectomy on rat femur biomechanical parameters. Bone mineral density (BMD) and histological investigation were also evaluated. Fourteen female Sprague-Dawley rats (seven ovariectomized, seven control) were used. BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorbsiometry. Bone biomechanical parameters were measured in femoral midshaft with tensile test using a biomaterial testing machine and maximum load, stiffness, energy absorption capacity (structural properties), ultimate stress, ultimate strain, and elastic modulus (material properties) were calculated. Diaphyseal cortical bone thickness was measured by using histological method. The ovariectomized (OVX) rat femur's BMD was 14% lower than control rats (p=0.006). Mean maximum load was 55% less than the control group's (p=0.0001). Stiffness was 72% less in OVX rats (p=0.05). Femurs of rats with OVX had 32% less absorbed energy than controls (p=0.09). From the stress-strain curve ultimate stress, ultimate strain and elastic modulus was calculated. Elastic modulus was 53% less than controls (p=0.05). Ultimate stress decreased 21% in OVX rats (p=0.097). Ultimate strain was 25% less than controls in OVX rats. Cortical thickness was significantly decreased in OVX rats than in controls (p<0.05). In conclusion, femur biomechanical parameters are decreased in osteoporosis.

Low-exposure cadmium is more toxic on osteoporotic rat femoral bone: mechanical, biochemical, and histopathological evaluation.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of low-exposure Cd on normal and osteoporotic bone. For this purpose, 12-week-old Sprague-Dawley female rats were assigned randomly to a control group, a Cd group, and an ovariectomy (OVX)+Cd group. OVX+Cd rats underwent bilateral ovariectomy via ventral incision. Twelve weeks after ovariectomy, cadmium chloride (CdCl(2)) was given to rats (Cd and OVX+Cd groups) as intraperitoneal (ip) injection of 0.5mg/kg three times a week for 18 weeks and distilled water was given to control group via ip route for 18 weeks. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured at mid-diaphysis femoral region by dual-energy X-ray absorbsiometry. Cross-sectional area of the femoral shaft was evaluated by computerized tomography. Biomechanical measurements were performed at the mid-diaphysis of the left femur. Collagen fibers were evaluated at light microscopic level. BMD, cortical thickness, cortical area, and femur length were not changed in Cd and OVX+Cd groups in comparision to controls. In the OVX+Cd group, strength, displacement, energy, stress, strain, and toughness were significantly lower than those of the control group. The Cd concentration of bone was significantly increased in the OVX+Cd group compared to that in the control group. Collagen fiber intensity was decreased in all groups except control group. The results of the present study indicate that the administration of low-dose Cd does not affect normal bone biomechanical parameters, but it has a significant effect on osteoporotic bone.

Histoacryl glue in meniscal repairs (a biomechanical study).

The purpose of this study was to investigate the biomechanical efficacy of Histoacryl (cyanoacrylate, N-asetil 2 butyl sistein) in meniscal tear repair. In our study, the primary stability of three different repair techniques in delaying the formation of a gap of 2 mm was investigated. A meniscal tear was repaired with two vertical sutures and Histoacryl in the first group; it was repaired only with Histoacryl in the second group, and with only two vertical sutures in the third group. Menisci were then placed in a tensile loading machine, and the primary stability of the repair zones was measured until a displacement of 2 mm occurred. Biomechanical force was significantly (P<0.05) high (112.0+/-17.20 N) in all groups when vertical suture and Histoacryl glue were used together during displacements of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mm. We believe that Histoacryl is superior to vertical sutures regarding gap delaying. It potentiates the effect of vertical suture strength, permits early motion and thus merits an in vivo study.

Two stage EDTA anti-calcification method for bioprosthetic heart valve materials.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of two-stage EDTA treatment in diminishing calcific degeneration in bovine pericardial bioprosthetic heart valve material. MATERIAL/METHODS: Conventionally preserved pericardium specimens were divided into two groups. Group I (controls, n=18) pieces were first fixed in phosphate-buffered solution (PBS)+0.6% glutaraldehyde at +4 degrees C for 24 hours, then stored in PBS+0.2% glutaraldehyde at room temperature for 6 days. Group II (study group, n=18) pieces were treated with PBS containing 100 microg/ml ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) at +4 degrees C for 24 hours, then fixed in PBS+0.6% glutaraldehyde as was group I at +4 degrees C for 24 hours. After a second exposure to PBS containing 100 microg/ml EDTA at room temperature for 24 hours, they were stored in PBS+0.2% glutaraldehyde at room temperature for 4 days. Pericardial patches were inserted into the dorsal pouches of 18 juvenile male Wistar rats. After 7 weeks of implantation, all the pericardium pieces were harvested from sacrificed rats. The calcium content and biomechanical properties of the explanted tissues were evaluated and also examined histopathologically. RESULTS: The difference in the calcium content of the control and study groups was statistically significant. Biomechanical and histopathologic assessment also supported these findings. CONCLUSIONS: Application of two-stage EDTA was found to be useful in the attenuation of calcification in bioprosthetic heart valve materials with mildly increased durability. As calcification was reduced by approximately 50%, it can be considered for use with other agents as an adjuvant treatment.

Acute effect of single-dose cadmium treatment on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in ovariectomized rats.

We investigated the acute effect of single-dose cadmium (Cd) treatment on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in liver and kidney of rats following an ovariectomy operation. Twenty-eight female Wistar albino rats were used and were divided into four groups: I, control (n=7); II, cadmium (Cd, n=7); III, ovariectomized (Ovx, n=7); and IV, ovariectomized+cadmium (Ovx-Cd, n=7). Fourteen of the rats were ovariectomized. Twelve weeks later, cadmium chloride (CdCl(2), 5 mg/kg) was administered i.p. as a single dose to the Cd and Ovx-Cd groups. Twenty-four hours after the injection, all rats were sacrificed and had their liver and kidney tissues removed for the measurement of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. SOD activity showed a significant decrease (P<0.001) in both organs of Ovx and Cd rats in comparison to controls. CAT activity was significantly decreased (P<0.01) in the liver of Ovx and Cd groups but not in the kidneys of both groups compared to control values. MDA concentrations were higher (P<0.05) in both organs of Ovx and Cd rats than those values observed in the control group. Similar patterns of changes were observed in the Ovx-Cd rats, but the increase in the MDA levels and the decrease in the antioxidant enzymes for the Ovx-Cd group were higher than those of the Ovx and Cd groups. Based on the data, it can be stated that cadmium increases the effect of ovariectomy on lipid peroxidation, impairs the antioxidant defense system, and induces oxidative stress.

The evaluation of micronucleus frequency by acridine orange fluorescent staining in peripheral blood of rats treated with lead acetate.

The data concerning the mutagenic, clastogenic and carcinogenic properties of inorganic lead compounds have been conflicting. Here, we evaluated the frequency of micronuclei in the peripheral blood of female rats treated with three different lead acetate doses. Outbred female Wistar rats were treated by gavage once per week for 10 weeks with cumulative doses of 140, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight (body wt) of lead acetate. Mitomycin C (MMC) 2 mg/kg body wt was used as a positive control. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of lead acetate on peripheral blood reticulocytes using the micronucleus test following chronic exposure. The results show the effects of lead acetate in peripheral blood reticulocytes. These effects are both cytotoxic and genotoxic because of a decrease in the number of polychromatic erythrocytes in the peripheral blood and an increase in frequency of micronucleated reticulocytes, respectively.