Health anxiety status of elite athletes in COVID-19 social isolation period.

AIM: The aim of this study is to examine the health anxiety states and behaviours of athletes during the social isolation period due to COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: 250 elite athletes participated in the study. 154 of the participants were males and 96 were females. Health Anxiety Scale was used to determine the health anxiety states of the participants in the COVID-19 pandemic process. RESULTS: Our findings revealed that athletes who were tested for COVID-19 and who thought they had symptoms of the disease had higher levels of health anxiety and athletes who reported a temporary loss in athletic performance had higher disease anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that the COVID-19 pandemic and social isolation process have some effects on athletes' health anxiety. It will be beneficial to provide psychological support in this period for athletes to have a fast return to competitions and match after the pandemic (Tab. 5, Ref. 24).

Inflammation increases MMP levels via PGE2 in human vascular wall and plasma of obese women.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in several inflammatory processes including obesity-related vascular diseases and graft failure of coronary artery (CA) bypass grafts [internal mammary artery (IMA), saphenous vein (SV)]. In these inflammatory conditions, the release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is increased via the activity of inducible microsomal PGE synthase-1 (mPGES-1). Our aim was to investigate whether MMPs and their endogenous inhibitor (TIMPs) may be regulated by PGE2 under inflammatory conditions in human vasculature and perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT), as well as in plasma of obese patients. METHODS: MMP-1,-2 and TIMP-1,-2 densities were measured in human plasma (n = 68) as well as in supernatants of human vascular wall (IMA n = 16, SV n = 14, CA n = 13) and their PVAT. The effects of inflammation and mPGES-1 inhibitor (Compound III, 10 µM) on MMPs regulation were evaluated. The correlations between PGE2 and several parameters were calculated in plasma from patients with or without obesity. RESULTS: The vascular wall and PVAT from SV exhibited the greatest MMP-1,-2 release. An increase of MMP-1,-2 and/or a decrease of TIMP-1 quantities have been detected under inflammation only in vascular wall not in PVAT. These changes under inflammation were completely reversed by inhibition of mPGES-1. In obesity, C-reactive protein (CRP), biomarker of inflammation, and PGE2 levels were increased. PGE2 contents were positively correlated with some anthropometric parameters and plasmatic CRP in both genders, while the correlation with the plasmatic MMP-1 density was significant only in women. CONCLUSIONS: The greater MMP activity observed in SV may contribute to the increased prevalence of graft failure. Under inflammation, the greater mPGES-1 and PGE2 levels lead to enhanced MMP activity in human vascular walls. The positive association between PGE2 and MMP-1 or CRP has been observed in plasma of women. We suggest that mPGES-1 inhibitors could prevent graft failure and obesity-related vascular remodeling mostly in women.

Prostanoids in the pathophysiology of human coronary artery.

Coronary artery disease is one of the leading causes of death in wordwide. There is growing evidence that prostanoids are involved in the physiology and pathophysiology of the human coronary artery by controlling vascular tone, remodelling of the vascular wall or angiogenesis. In this review, the production of prostanoids and the expression of prostanoid receptors in human coronary artery in health or disease are described. In addition, the interactions between sex hormones and prostanoids, their participations in the development of coronary artery diseases have been addressed. Globally, most of the studies performed in human coronary artery preparations have shown that prostacyclin (PGI2) has beneficial effects by inducing vasodilatation and promoting angiogenesis while reverse effects are confirmed by thromboxane A2 (TxA2). More studies are needed to determine the roles of the other prostanoids (PGE2, PGD2 and PGF2α) in vascular functions of the human coronary artery. Finally, in addition to the in vitro data about the human coronary artery, myocardial infarction induced by cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor and the protective effects of aspirin after coronary artery bypass surgery suggest that prostanoids are key mediators in coronary homeostasis.

Fatigue in systemic lupus erythematosus : Association with disease activity, quality of life and psychosocial factors.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine which disease-related factors and non-disease features can explain the presence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-related fatigue in Turkish patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out with 99 SLE patients and 71 healthy controls. To assess fatigue and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) the participants were asked to complete two questionnaires: the short form-36 health survey (SF-36) and the multidimensional assessment of fatigue (MAF) scale. Anxiety and depression of participants were assessed by the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). RESULTS: A total of 99 patients (female/male 95/4) and 71 controls (female/male 40/31) were studied. The mean age and standard deviation (±SD) of patients and controls were 43.3 ± 12.2 years and 43.2 ± 12.1 years, respectively. The mean (SD) disease duration was 7.8 ± 5.3 years and median SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) score was 0 (range = 0-16). The level of fatigue was higher in patients compared to controls with mean MAF scores of 24.7 ± 12.2 and 12.8 ± 9.9 (p < 0.001), respectively. The HADS-D and HADS-A scores were also significantly higher in SLE patients (6.6 ± 4.3 vs. 3.6 ± 2.9, p < 0.001 and 7.2 ± 4 vs. 4.9 ± 4, p = 0.007, respectively). There were no significant associations between the MAF and SLEDAI scores (r = 0.05, p = 0.63) but MAF scores positively correlated with age, HADS-A and HADS-D scores and negatively correlated with physical component summary (PCS), mental component summary (MCS) and each domain of SF-36 except role emotional in SLE patients. CONCLUSION: Fatigue is an important factor influencing patient daily life independent from disease activity in our study. The SLE patients with severe fatigue should also be assessed for other possible underlying causes such as anxiety, depression and poor quality of life.

Risk factors for malignancy in systemic sclerosis patients.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease with multisystem involvement. An increased incidence of cancer in SSc patients compared with the general population has been reported in several reports. Our aims in this study were to determine the most common malignancies and to investigate the possible risk factors for the development of malignancy in patients with SSc. Three hundred forty SSc patients from 13 centers were included to the study. Data of the patients were obtained by evaluating their medical records retrospectively. A total of 340 patients with SSc were evaluated. Twenty-five of the patients had 19 different types of malignancy. Bladder cancer was the most common type of cancer with four patients and was followed by breast cancer with three patients, and cervix cancer and ovarian cancer with two patients each. Other types of cancers such as squamous cell skin cancer, adenocancer with an unknown origin, multiple myeloma, chronic myeloid leukemia, papillary thyroid cancer, larynx cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, follicular type non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), endometrium cancer, colon cancer, uterus cancer, neuroendocrine tumor, glioblastoma multiforme, and soft tissue sarcoma were diagnosed in one patient each. The only cancer type that showed an association with cyclophosphamide dose was bladder carcinoma. Other malignancies did not show a correlation with age, sex, smoking, type and duration of the disease, autoantibodies, organ involvement, and dose and duration of cyclophosphamide therapy. Cancer may develop in any organ in patients with SSc. Continuous screening of the patients during a follow-up period is necessary for the early detection of the tumor development.

Identifying the determinants of microalbuminuria in obese patients in primary care units: the effects of blood pressure, random plasma glucose and other risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the demographic characteristics, blood pressure and blood glucose and the other related factors that affect the microalbuminuria levels in the obese patients aged 40 and above who applied to the primary care for medical evaluation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The population of the research, which was a cross-sectional type, comprised obese patients aged 40 and above who had applied to the community health centers in the center of Malatya. A total of 422 obese patients consisting of 116 males and 306 females were included in the research. The anthropometric measurements of the participants were determined, their blood pressures and their random blood glucoses were evaluated, as well. A microalbuminuria measurement was performed in the urine samples taken from the patients using "Nycocard Reader II" device. FINDINGS: The incidence of microalbuminuria in patients was found as 31.5%, whereas the incidence of macroalbuminuria was 6.6%. The incidence of microalbuminuria in female patients was 32.7%, while it was 28.4% in male patients; on the other hand, the incidence of macroalbuminuria in female patients was found as 6.8%, whereas this percentage was determined as 7.8 in male patients (p > 0.05). The probability of the incidence of microalbuminuria increased 2.8 times more in those with the diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg and above when compared to those without it (GA: 1.79-4.56), whereas the incidence increased 3.2 times more in those with the random blood glucose of 200 mg/l and above (GA: 1.32-7.84) (p < 0.001). In our study, among the variables predicting the microalbuminuria in obese patients; the cutoff values of the diastolic and systolic blood pressures, the waist circumference were found as >85 mmHg; >130 mmHg; >141 mg/dl, respectively, in male patients and found as >85 mmHg, >114 cm, and 109 cm, respectively, in female patients. The sensitivity and specificity of the tests indicating the cutoff values showed significance (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant relevance between the microalbumin levels of the obese patients via the anthropometric criteria, except for their waist circumference (p > 0.05). RESULT: In this study, the blood pressure and blood glucose levels of the patients along with their waist circumference that indicated a central obesity were specified as the determinants of microalbuminuria. While the obese patients are being evaluated in terms of proteinuria, the cutoff values of these variables can be taken into consideration.

Activation of the JAK/STAT pathway in Behcet's disease.

Th1/Th17-type T-cell responses are upregulated in Behcet's disease (BD). However, signaling pathways associated with this aberrant immune response are not clarified. Whole-genome microarray profiling was performed with human U133 (Plus 2.0) chips using messenger RNA of isolated CD14(+) monocytes and CD4(+) T cells from peripheral blood mononucleated cell (PBMC) in patients with BD (n = 9) and healthy controls (HCs) (n = 9). Flow cytometric analysis of unstimulated (US) and stimulated (phytohaemagglutinin) signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT3) and pSTAT3 expressions of PBMCs were also analyzed (BD and HC, both n = 26). Janus family of kinase (JAK1) was observed to be upregulated in both CD14(+) monocytes (1.95-fold) and CD4(+) T lymphocytes (1.40-fold) of BD patients. Using canonical pathway enrichment analysis, JAK/STAT signaling was identified as activated in both CD14(+) monocytes (P = 9.55E-03) and in CD4(+) lymphocytes (P =8.13E-04) in BD. Interferon signaling was also prominent among upregulated genes in CD14(+) monocytes (P = 5.62E-05). Glucocorticoid receptor signaling and interleukin (IL-6) signaling were among the most enriched pathways in differentially expressed genes in CD14+ monocytes (P = 2.45E-09 and 1.00E-06, respectively). Basal US total STAT3 expression was significantly higher in BD (1.2 vs 3.45, P < 0.05). The JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway is activated in BD, possibly through the activation of Th1/Th17-type cytokines such as IL-2, interferon (IFN-γ), IL-6, IL-17 and IL-23.

Familial Mediterranean fever gene (MEFV) mutations and disease severity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): implications for the role of the E148Q MEFV allele in inflammation.

OBJECTIVE: Observed low prevalence of SLE among familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients in several large cohorts suggests a possible protective effect of the MEFV mutations from SLE. In contrast, SLE patient carriers for the common MEFV mutations had rather complex disease expression with an increased frequency of febrile episodes and pleurisy and a decreased renal complication rate. Our aim was to investigate the prevalence of MEFV gene mutations in patients with SLE and their effect on organ involvement in a well-defined group of biopsy-proven SLE nephritis patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The prevalence of four MEFV gene mutations (M694V, M680I, V726A and E148Q) was investigated in 114 SLE patients and effect on disease severity was analyzed in patients with biopsy-proven SLE nephritis. RESULTS: None of the SLE patients fulfilled the revised Tel-Hashomer criteria. Fourteen of 114 SLE patients (12.2%) were found to carry at least one MEFV mutation. A single patient in the SLE-Nephritis group was compound heterozygous for M694V/M680I mutations and only one patient in the SLE-Mild group was homozygous for E148Q mutation. Carrier frequency was similar to controls in SLE patients (12.2 vs 18.8%, p = 0.34). After the exclusion of the less penetrant E148Q mutation, re-analysis revealed an association between exon 10 mutations and SLE nephritis (p = 0.050, odds ratio (OR) = 4.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.04-16.6). Carrier rate for the E148Q mutation decreased in the SLE group (controls vs. SLE = 20/186 vs. 3/114, p = 0.08) and E148Q mutation was absent in SLE nephritis (controls vs. SLE nephritis = 20/186 vs. 0/47, p = 0.016, OR = 11.69, 95% CI = 0.69-197.13). CONCLUSIONS: Carrier rate for the studied MEFV mutations was slightly lower in the SLE group, which is in agreement with previous observations that FMF may confer some protection from SLE. Exon 10 mutations were associated with SLE nephritis after the exclusion of the E148Q mutation. The significance of the E148Q as a disease-causing mutation is controversial, and whether E148Q substitution is a polymorphism generally affecting inflammatory pathways is not addressed in the current literature. In this regard, absence of the E148Q mutation in SLE nephritis may serve as a clue for further investigation into its role as a general modulatory polymorphism for inflammation. This clarification is necessary to conclude whether other more penetrant MEFV gene mutations confer susceptibility to nephritis in SLE.

Usage of whey protein may cause liver damage via inflammatory and apoptotic responses.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the long- and short-term inflammatory and apoptotic effects of whey protein on the livers of non-exercising rats. Thirty rats were divided into three groups namely (1) control group, (2) short-term whey (WS) protein diet (252 g/kg for 5 days), and (3) long-term whey (WL) protein diet (252 g/kg for 4 weeks). Interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and cytokeratin 18 (CK-18-M30) were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemical methods. Apoptosis was evaluated using the terminal transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling (TUNEL) method. Hepatotoxicity was evaluated by quantitation of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Based on the biochemical levels and immunohistochemical results, the highest level of IL-1ß was identified in the WL group (p < 0.01). The IL-6 and TNF-α results were slightly lower in the WS group than in the control group and were highest in the WL group (p < 0.01). The CK-18-M30 and TUNEL results were highest in the WS group and exhibited medium intensity in the WL group (p < 0.01). AST results were statistically significant for all groups, while our ALT groups were particularly significant between the WL and control groups (p < 0.01). The results showed that when whey protein is used in an uninformed manner and without exercising, adverse effects on the liver may occur by increasing the apoptotic signal in the short term and increasing inflammatory markers and hepatotoxicity in the long term.

Right ventricular and atrial functions in systemic sclerosis patients without pulmonary hypertension. Speckle-tracking echocardiographic study.

BACKGROUND: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a systemic connective tissue disease and cardiac involvement is one of the most important causes of death. Right ventricular (RV) systolic dysfunction is a poor prognostic finding in SSc patients. Assessment of RV function has some difficulties because of its crescent shape and extensive trabeculations. Two-dimensional (2D) speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) is an angle-independent quantitative technique to evaluate myocardial function. The aim of this study was to assess the RV and right atrial (RA) functions of SSc patients without pulmonary hypertension by using 2D STE. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 40 patients with SSc (mean age 48.5 ± 11.4 years, 28 female) and 40 healthy volunteers (mean age 45.9 ± 7.6 years, 21 female) were included in the study. All subjects underwent transthoracic echocardiography for evaluation of RV and RA functions with 2D STE. RESULTS: Although left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions, systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), and RA measurements were similar in both groups, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and maximum systolic myocardial velocity (S') were decreased in SSc patients. The RV free wall global longitudinal strain (GLS) of SSc patients was lower than the controls (- 18.5 ± 4.9 % vs. - 21.8 ± 2.4 %, p < 0.001) and the RA reservoir and conduit functions were also decreased in SSc patients compared with controls (34.4 ± 9.9 % vs. 39.7 ± 11.2 %, p = 0.027 and 15.0 ± 5.7 % vs. 18.7 ± 6.4 %, p = 0.009, respectively). Disease duration was inversely correlated with RVGLS and TAPSE (r: - 0.416, p = 0.018 and r: - 0.383, p = 0.031, respectively). CONCLUSION: The use of 2D STE can be helpful in the detection of impairment in RV and RA functions in SSc patients with normal PAP.

Ankylosing spondylitis and a diagnostic dilemma: coccydynia.

OBJECTIVES: Coccydynia is defined as pain in or around the tail bone area. The most common cause of coccydynia is either a trauma such as a fall directly on to the coccyx or repetitive minor trauma. The etiology remains obscure in up to 30% of patients. The literature on the contribution of rheumatic diseases to coccydynia is scarce. Our objective was to investigate the prevalence of coccydynia in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. METHODS: One hundred and seven consecutive patients with AS were evaluated for coccydynia were enrolled between January and November 2012 for a cross-sectional analysis. Seventy-four consecutive patients were followed for mechanical back pain as controls and the AS patients were interviewed for the presence of coccydynia. The data collected was evaluated on SPSS® version 11.5 and Microsoft Excel® Programmes. RESULTS: Prevalence of coccydynia in AS (38.3%) was significantly higher than the control group (p<0.0001) in both female and male AS patients (female AS vs. control=40.9% vs. 18.4%, p=0.015 and male AS vs. control=36.5% vs. 8.0%, p=0.005). Both genders were affected equally in the AS group whereas coccydynia was slightly more frequent in female patients in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Coccydynia is a previously neglected symptom of AS and it is almost three times more common in AS than in non-specific chronic low back pain. Our observation may implicate that inflammatory diseases have a role in the etiology of coccydynia, especially in those without a history of recent or past trauma and coccydynia may be a factor associated with the severity of AS as well.

Effect of exercise on appetite-regulating hormones in overweight women.

Over the past decade, our knowledge of how homeostatic systems regulate food intake and body weight has increased with the discovery of circulating peptides such as leptin, acyl ghrelin, des-acyl ghrelin and obestatin. These hormones regulate the appetite and food intake by sending signals to the brain regarding the body's nutritional status. The purpose of this study was to investigate the response of appetite-regulating hormones to exercise. Nine overweight women undertook two 2 h trials in a randomized crossover design. In the exercise trial, subjects ran for 60 min at 50% of maximal oxygen uptake followed by a 60 min rest period. In the control trial, subjects rested for 2 h. Obestatin, acyl ghrelin, des-acyl ghrelin and leptin concentrations were measured at baseline and at 20, 40, 60, 90 and 120 min after baseline. A two-way ANOVA revealed a significant (P < 0.05) interaction effect for leptin and acyl ghrelin. However, changes in obestatin and des-acyl ghrelin concentration were statistically insignificant (P > 0.05). The data indicated that although acute treadmill exercise resulted in a significant change in acyl ghrelin and leptin levels, it had no effect on plasma obestatin and des-acyl ghrelin levels.

Characterization of emission properties of Er3+ ions in TeO2-CdF2-WO3 glasses.

TeO(2)-CdF(2)-WO(3) glasses with various compositions and Er(3+) concentrations were prepared by conventional melting method. Their optical properties were studied by measuring the absorption, luminescence spectra and the decay patterns at room temperature. From the optical absorption spectra the Judd-Ofelt parameters (Ω(t)), transition probabilities, branching ratios of various transitions, and radiative lifetimes were calculated. The absorption and emission cross-section spectra of the (4)I(15/2) to (4)I(13/2) transition of erbium were determined. Emission quantum efficiencies and the average critical distance R(0) which provides a measure for the strength of cross relaxation were determined.

Characteristics of meat emulsion systems as influenced by different levels of lemon albedo.

The effect of the addition of lemon albedo on the functional properties of emulsions was studied by using a model system. Oil/water (O/W) model emulsion systems were prepared by the addition of two types of lemon albedo (raw and dehydrated) at five concentrations (0.0%, 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5% and 10%) to mechanically deboned chicken meat. The emulsion capacity, stability, viscosity and flow properties of the prepared model emulsions were analyzed. In addition, the colour parameters of cooked emulsion gel were determined. The addition of lemon albedo increased the emulsion capacity (EC) and the highest EC value was reached with 5% of albedo added. However, further increase in the albedo concentration caused an inverse trend in the EC values. A similar trend was observed in the emulsion stability (ES) values. Dehydrated albedo (DA) addition caused higher EC and ES values than did raw albedo (RA). DA increased the L(∗), a(∗) and b(∗) values of the cooked emulsion gels. Emulsion viscosity (EV) values were positively correlated with an increase in albedo concentration and the highest EV value was obtained from the emulsions with 10% albedo. Albedo addition did not change the flow properties of the emulsions and, in addition, increased the pseudoplasticity. As a consequence, the use of lemon albedo might be a potential dietary fiber source to enhance the functional and technological properties for frankfurter-type meat products.

Thermal and optical properties of Tm3+ doped tellurite glasses.

Ultraviolet, visible (UV/VIS) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) measurements were carried out in order to investigate the optical and thermal properties of various 0.5 mol.% Tm2O3 containing (1 - x)TeO2 + xLiCl glasses in molar ratio. The samples were prepared by fusing the mixture of their respective reagent grade powders in a platinum cricuble at 750 degrees C for 30 min. DTA curves taken in the 23-600 degrees C temperature range with a heating rate of 10 degrees C/min reveal a change in the value of the glass transition temperature, Tg, while melting was not observed for the glasses containing LiCl content less than 50 mol.%. These glasses were found to be moisture-resistant. However, the glasses with LiCl content higher than 50 mol.%, in which a melting peak was observed at Tc = 401 degrees C, were moisture-sensitive. Absorption measurements in the UV/VIS region of the glasses without Tm2O3 content show that the Urbach cutoff occurs at about 320 nm and, is relatively independent of the LiCl content. Six absorption bands were observed in the Tm2O3 doped glasses corresponding to the absorption of the 1G4, 3F2, 3F3 and 3F4, 3H5 and 3H4 levels from the 3H6 ground level of Tm3+ ions. The spectra also show that the integrated absorption cross-section of each band depends on the glass composition. Judd-Ofelt theory was used to determine the Judd-Ofelt parameters as well as the radiative transition probabilities for the metastable levels of Tm3+ ions in (0.3)LiCl + (0.7) TeO2: 0.01 Tm2O3 glass which is moisture-resistant.

Disinhibition in rat superior colliculus mediated by GABAc receptors.

The stratum griseum superficiale (SGS) of the superior colliculus contains a high concentration of the recently described GABA(C) receptor. In a previous study, it was postulated that activation of these receptors on inhibitory interneurons functions to disinhibit projection cells that relay visual information to the thalamus and brainstem. To test this model, we used in vitro whole-cell patch-clamp methods to measure effects of GABA and muscimol on EPSCs and IPSCs evoked in rat SGS by electrical optic layer stimulation. The neurons were filled with biocytin for later morphological characterization. As expected, bath applications of GABA and muscimol always strongly depressed evoked PSCs at concentrations of >100 and >1 micrometer, respectively. However, at lower agonist concentrations, which most likely activate GABA(C) but not GABA(A) receptors, effects were not uniform. Evoked responses were suppressed by both agonists in 48% of the neurons, whereas the remaining cells exhibited enhanced responses with increased evoked EPSCs, decreased evoked IPSCs, or both types of change. Most morphologically identified cells with suppressed responses (14 of 17 cells) had morphological characteristics of putative GABAergic interneurons, whereas almost all cells with enhanced responses (8 of 10 cells) had morphological characteristics of projection cells. Finally, all effects of GABA and muscimol at low concentrations were blocked by (1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine-4-yl) methylphosphinic acid, a specific GABA(C) receptor antagonist, but not by the specific GABA(A) receptor antagonist bicuculline. Taken together, these results indicate that in SGS, GABA(C) receptors are predominantly expressed by GABAergic neurons and that activation of these receptors leads to disinhibition of SGS projection cells.

Thermal properties and optical transition probabilities of Tm3 + doped TeO2-WO3 glass.

Glasses with the composition of (1 - x)TeO2 + (x)WO3, where x = 0.15, 0.25 and 0.3 were prepared and, their thermal and absorption measurements were carried out. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) curves taken in the 23-600 degrees C temperature range with a heating rate of 10 degrees C/min reveal a change in the value of the glass transition temperature, Tg, while crystallization was not observed for the glasses containing a WO3 content of more than 15 mol%. All the glasses were found to be moisture-resistant. The absorption bands corresponding to the absorption of the 1G4, 3F2, 3F3 and 3F4, 3H5 and 3H4 levels from the 3H6 ground level of the Tm3+ ion were observed in the optical absorption spectra. Integrated absorption cross-sections of each band except that of 3H5 level was found to vary with the glass composition. Judd-Ofelt analysis was carried out for the samples doped with 1.0 mol% Tm2O3. The omega2 parameter shows the strongest dependence on the host composition and it increases with the increasing WO3 amount. The value of omega4 increases rather slowly while the value of omega6 is practically independent of the composition. The strong dependence of the parameter omega2 indicates that this parameter is related to the structural change and the symmetry of the local environment of the Tm3+ ions in this glass.