The Frequency of Health Anxiety, Coronavirus Anxiety and Anxiety Disorder in Patients With Tinnitus During the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Impact of Pandemic on Tinnitus.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the frequency of anxiety disorder, coronavirus anxiety and health anxiety in tinnitus patients during the pandemic and also, determined the psychophysiological impact of COVID-19 on tinnitus. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary central pandemic hospital from 15 July 2021 to 15 December 2022. In total, 124 patients with tinnitus and 77 healthy controls participated in the study. The sociodemographic data, a set of valid and reliable assessment instruments were used to measure outcomes of anxiety disorder, coronavirus anxiety, health anxiety and severity of tinnitus. RESULTS: Patients with tinnitus were found to experience higher levels of coronavirus anxiety, health anxiety and anxiety disorder than controls (p < 0.05). In tinnitus patients, the frequency of coronavirus anxiety was 22.6% and anxiety disorder was 18.5%. Notably, the levels of tinnitus severity were moderate to severe in more than half of the patients (51.6%) and also most of them (81.3%) reported that the severity of tinnitus during the pandemic was higher compared with the pre-pandemic. CONCLUSION: Tinnitus patients had high levels of anxiety disorder, coronavirus anxiety and health anxiety. In line with these findings, it was evaluated that there was a relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic with psychological problems and tinnitus. Therefore, the predominance of tinnitus symptoms at presentation should not lead the clinician to neglect the underlying psychopathological problems in these patients.

Investigation of coronavirus anxiety, health anxiety, and anxiety symptom levels in vertigo patients during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic adversely affects the mental health of vertigo patients. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of coronavirus anxiety, health anxiety, anxiety symptom levels, and demographic variables on vertigo and its severity in vertigo patients during the pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from May 15 to November 15, 2021. In total, 118 patients with vertigo and 82 healthy controls participated in the study. Besides demographic and clinical data, Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS), Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale-Anxiety Subscale (HAD-A), and Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI) were applied to all participants. Additionally, Vertigo Symptom Scale-Short Form (VSS-SF) was administered to vertigo patients. Results: According to the findings, vertigo patients experienced higher levels of coronavirus anxiety, health anxiety, and anxiety disorder compared to the healthy controls. In vertigo patients, the rate of coronavirus anxiety was 20.3%, and the rate of anxiety disorder was 32.2%. Majority of the patients (80.5%) were found to have severe-level vertigo. Additionally, most of the patients (82.1%) reported that the severity of vertigo during the pandemic was higher than before the pandemic. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic causes serious mental health problems in vertigo patients, and pathological levels of these problems increase the discomfort of vertigo. Therefore, psychological assessment should be considered in these patients, and required psychological support and guidance services should be provided.

Investigation of coronavirus anxiety, health anxiety, and anxiety symptom levels in vertigo patients during COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic adversely affects the mental health of vertigo patients. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of coronavirus anxiety, health anxiety, anxiety symptom levels, and demographic variables on vertigo and its severity in vertigo patients during the pandemic. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from May 15 to November 15, 2021. In total, 118 patients with vertigo and 82 healthy controls participated in the study. Besides demographic and clinical data, Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS), Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale-Anxiety Subscale (HAD-A), and Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI) were applied to all participants. Additionally, Vertigo Symptom Scale-Short Form (VSS-SF) was administered to vertigo patients. RESULTS: According to the findings, vertigo patients experienced higher levels of coronavirus anxiety, health anxiety, and anxiety disorder compared to the healthy controls. In vertigo patients, the rate of coronavirus anxiety was 20.3%, and the rate of anxiety disorder was 32.2%. Majority of the patients (80.5%) were found to have severe-level vertigo. Additionally, most of the patients (82.1%) reported that the severity of vertigo during the pandemic was higher than before the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic causes serious mental health problems in vertigo patients, and pathological levels of these problems increase the discomfort of vertigo. Therefore, psychological assessment should be considered in these patients, and required psychological support and guidance services should be provided.

Research of the Coronavirus Anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Quality of Life, and Stress Coping Styles in COVID-19 Survivors.

The COVID-19 survivors suffer from severe psychosocial challenges related to the current pandemic. In this context, it was aimed to evaluate the coronavirus anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and also determine the quality of life (QOL), and coping styles with stress in survivors by comparing them with non-COVID controls (NCs). This study was conducted from April 15 to October 15, 2021, as a cross-sectional study design. The study included 339 survivors who were confirmed with COVID-19 through clinical tests in the last 3 months and 321 NCs who had not been infected with COVID-19. Besides sociodemographic and clinical data, a set of valid and reliable assessment tools were used to measure outcomes of coronavirus anxiety, coping styles, post-traumatic stress, generalized anxiety, and quality of life. The total scores of IES-R, GAD-7, and CAS were significantly higher in survivors than in the NCs. These results revealed that survivors manifested higher levels of coronavirus anxiety, generalized anxiety, and post-traumatic stress symptoms (p < 0.05). In survivors,  the rates of GAD and coronavirus anxiety were found to be 59.3% and 25.7%, respectively. Additionally, the majority of survivors (89.4%) reported the severity of anxiety as moderate to severe, and also almost two-thirds of them reported the psychological impact of the pandemic as moderate to severe. Furthermore, survivors were found to have a lower quality of life. The findings of this study indicate that survivors experienced higher levels of coronavirus anxiety, generalized anxiety, and post-traumatic stress, and had lower QOL. In addition, it was determined that survivors haven't been using active styles adequately in coping with stress. Thus, psychological intervention studies should be conducted and public mental health strategies should be developed. Providing psychosocial support and psychological guidance will contribute to mental health well-being, and improve the QOL and coping strategies.

Evaluation of psychopathological symptoms, death anxiety, coronavirus anxiety, suicide risk, and associated risk factors among hemodialysis patients in the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Hemodialysis (HD) patients have significant mental health problems related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the psychopathological symptoms, death anxiety, coronavirus anxiety, suicide risk, and associated risk factors in HD patients during COVID-19. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from July 15 to October 15, 2021, with 114 HD patients who were undergoing treatment in two central dialysis units. RESULTS: It was determined that HD patients had high levels of psychopathological symptoms. Approximately, one-third of HD patients (31.6%) had high to very high-level death anxiety. Additionally, of the participants 30.7% had coronavirus anxiety, and also the rate of severe suicide risk was 10.5%. CONCLUSIONS: HD patients have experienced various mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychosocial support and interventions need to be planned by the healthcare system and healthcare providers to help HD patients in managing their disease and related mental health problems.

Research on the frequency of post-traumatic stress disorder in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: It is highly probable that the COVID-19 outbreak, one of the most severe pandemics to which humanity has been exposed, will promote post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a serious mental illness that decreases quality of life and functionality of healthcare workers (HCWs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. AIMS: This study aims to research the frequency of PTSD in HCWs who are working in a central pandemic hospital, during the COVID-19 outbreak. METHODS: In total, 300 HCWs were included in the study. Diagnosis of PTSD was made according to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, and the severity of PTSD symptoms was evaluated using the PTSD Checklist - Civilian Version Scale. RESULTS: In total, 21.6% (n = 65) of the HCWs were diagnosed with PTSD, 18.3% of them were female (n = 55) and 3.3% were male (n = 10) participants. The mean PCL-C score of participants diagnosed with PTSD was found to be 60.38 ± 4.81. No statistically significant difference was found between profession groups diagnosed with PTSD. CONCLUSIONS: HCWs who are working directly with COVID-19 patients have significantly higher levels of PTSD. PTSD can lead to severe negative consequences such as lower quality of life and loss of workforce and productivity, if it is not diagnosed and treated early. Therefore, it should become a routine to continuously monitor and establish early targeted mental health interventions.

Effect of heat treatment on some mechanical properties of laminated window profiles manufactured using two types of adhesives.

The mechanical properties of laminated window profiles manufactured using two types of adhesives were determined. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of heat treatment on some mechanical properties of laminated window profiles that manufactured from Kosipo (Entandrophragma candollei Harms.) using different type adhesives. Commercially produced polyurethane based Macroplast UR 7221 and polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) adhesive were used for experiments. The overall test results were found to be comparable to those obtained in the previous studies. Both types of adhesives resulted in significant differences in their strength characteristics at 95% confidence level. Adhesive UR 7221 improved the overall properties of the samples in contrast to PVAc.

The effects of heat treatment on the physical properties and surface roughness of Turkish Hazel (Corylus colurna L.) wood.

Heat treatment is often used to improve the dimensional stability of wood. In this study, the effects of heat treatment on the physical properties and surface roughness of Turkish Hazel (Corylus colurna L.) wood were examined. Samples obtained from Kastamonu Forest Enterprises, Turkey, were subjected to heat treatment at varying temperatures and for different durations. The physical properties of heat-treated and control samples were tested, and oven-dry density, air-dry density, and swelling properties were determined. A stylus method was employed to evaluate the surface characteristics of the samples. Roughness measurements, using the stylus method, were made in the direction perpendicular to the fiber. Four main roughness parameters, mean arithmetic deviation of profile (Ra), mean peak-to-valley height (Rz), root mean square roughness (Rq), and maximum roughness (Ry) obtained from the surface of wood were used to evaluate the effect of heat treatment on the surface characteristics of the specimens. Significant difference was determined (p = 0.05) between physical properties and surface roughness parameters (Ra,Rz, Ry, Rq) for three temperatures and three durations of heat treatment. The results showed that the values of density, swelling and surface roughness decreased with increasing temperature treatment and treatment times. Turkish Hazel wood could be utilized successfully by applying proper heat treatment techniques without any losses in investigated parameters. This is vital in areas, such as window frames, where working stability and surface smoothness are important factors.

Physical and mechanical properties of European Hophornbeam (Ostrya carpinifolia Scop.) wood.

The main purpose of the study was to determine some physical and mechanical properties of European Hophornbeam (Ostrya carpinifolia Scop.) wood of which is not any detailed previous research in the literature. The sample trees harvested from a mixed beech-oak-hornbeam stand in the Zonguldak Forest Enterprises, north western part of Turkey. Conventional methods followed and the test procedures were performed on small clean specimens. European Hophornbeam wood's air dry and over dry densities were determined as 890 and 853 kg m(-3); density value in volume (basic density) was determined as 671 kg m(-3); volumetric shrinkage and swelling were determined as 23.02% and 24.94%; Fiber saturation point (FSP) was found 34.21%; MOR, MOE, compression strength parallel to grain, impact bending, tensile strength parallel and perpendicular to grain, and Janka hardness values (parallel and perpendicular to grain) were determined as 131.50 N/mm2, 11501.06 N/mm2, 66.94 N/mm2, 18.66 N/mm2, 105.49 N/mm2, 7.11 N/mm2, 6.89 and 5.63 kN, respectively.

The effects of heat treatment on physical and technological properties and surface roughness of Camiyani Black Pine (Pinus nigra Arn. subsp. pallasiana var. pallasiana) wood.

Heat treatment is often used to improve the dimensional stability of wood. In this study, the effects of heat treatment on physical properties and surface roughness of Camiyani Black Pine (Pinus nigra Arn. subsp. pallasiana var. pallasiana) wood were examined. Samples obtained from Yenice-Zonguldak Forest Enterprises, Turkey, were subjected to heat treatment at varying temperatures and for varying durations. The physical properties of heat-treated and control samples were tested, and oven-dry density, air-dry density, and swelling properties were determined. The mechanical properties of heat-treated and control samples were tested, and compression strength, and Janka-hardness were determined. A stylus method was employed to evaluate the surface characteristics of the samples. Roughness measurements by the stylus method were made in the direction perpendicular to the fiber. Four main roughness parameters, mean arithmetic deviation of profile (Ra), mean peak-to-valley height (Rz), root mean square roughness (Rq), and maximum roughness (Ry) obtained from the surface of wood were used to evaluate the effect of heat treatment on the surface characteristics of the specimens. Significant difference was determined (p=0.05) between physical and technological properties, and surface roughness parameters (Ra, Rz, Ry, Rq) for three temperatures and three durations of heat treatment. Based on the findings in this study, the results showed that density, swelling, compression strength, Janka-hardness and surface roughness values decreased with increasing treatment temperature and treatment times. Increase in temperature and duration further diminished technological strength values of the wood specimens. Camiyani Black Pine wood could be utilized by using proper heat treatment techniques without any losses in strength values in areas where working, stability, and surface smoothness, such as in window frames, are important factors.

The effects of heat treatment on technological properties in Red-bud maple (Acer trautvetteri Medw.) wood.

Heat treatment is often used to improve the dimensional stability of wood. In this study, the effects of heat treatment on technological properties of Red-bud maple (Acer trautvetteri Medw.) wood were examined. Samples obtained from Düzce Forest Enterprises, Turkey, were subjected to heat treatment at varying temperatures (120 degrees C, 150 degrees C and 180 degrees C) and for varying durations (2h, 6h and 10h). The technological properties of heat-treated wood samples and control samples were tested. Compression strength parallel to grain, bending strength, modulus of elasticity in bending, janka-hardness, impact bending strength, and tension strength perpendicular to grain were determined. The results showed that technological strength values decreased with increasing treatment temperature and treatment times. Red-bud maple wood could be utilized by using proper heat treatment techniques with minimal losses in strength values in areas where working, and stability such as in window frames, are important factors.

The effects of heat treatment on some technological properties of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) wood.

Heat treatment is often applied to wood species to improve their dimensional stability. This study examined the effect of heat treatment on certain mechanical properties of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), which has industrially high usage potential and large plantations in Turkey. Wood specimens obtained from Bolu, Turkey, were subjected to heat treatment under atmospheric pressure at varying temperatures (120, 150 and 180 degrees C) for varying durations (2, 6 and 10h). The test results of heat-treated Scots pine and control samples showed that technological properties including compression strength, bending strength, modulus of elasticity in bending, janka-hardness, impact bending strength and tension strength perpendicular to grain suffered with heat treatment, and increase in temperature and duration further diminished technological strength values of the wood specimens.

The haphazard wooden material converted to healthy MDF product.

During machining of wood and wood composites materials, fine particles and dusts are created. These minute wooden materials can easily be carried out to human lungs by air and can cause serious health problem. Even though this material is too fine and created in huge amount, it can be stored and used as raw material in wood composite industry. The addition of wood dust into MDF contents can improve the physical and mechanical properties of the products. Small particles can fill the spaces between fiber and act as matrix material to improve adhesion properties. However, the addition of dust into MDF receipt decreased bending strength, internal bond values and MOE. In contrast, these mechanical strengths meet the standard values and fulfill the requirements.