Does categorizing scale scores with cutoff points affect hypothesis-testing results?

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the hypothesis test results after categorizing the scale scores with cut-off points and to assess whether similar results would be obtained in that best represent the categories.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between March 15 and 20, 2023 via the Lime Survey. The questionnaire included questions about the sociodemographic and life characteristics of the participants and the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II).

Kefir treatment ameliorates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in rats.

Aim: To investigate the preventive effect of kefir on colitis induced with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in rats.

Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar-albino rats were randomized into four groups: normal control, kefir-control, colitis, and kefir-colitis groups. Rats in the normal and kefir-control groups were administered tap water as drinking water for 14 d.

Plasma lipoprotein(a) levels in patients with slow coronary flow.

Introduction: Slow coronary flow (SCF) is a microvascular disorder characterized by delayed opacification of coronary vessels with normal coronary angiogram. It may be due to endothelial dysfunction and diffuse atherosclerosis. Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is related to cardiovascular events.

Oxidative status, inflammation, and postoperative atrial fibrillation with metoprolol vs carvedilol or carvedilol plus N-acetyl cysteine treatment.

Background: Atrial fibrillation is associated with inflammation and oxidative stress.

Hypothesis: Carvedilol and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) combination decreases inflammation, oxidative stress, and postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) rates more than metoprolol or carvedilol.

Methods: Preoperative and postoperative total oxidative stress (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and white blood cells (WBC) were measured in metoprolol, carvedilol, or carvedilol plus NAC groups, and association with POAF was evaluated.

[The evaluation of serum vitamin B12, folic acid and hemoglobin levels in patients with recurrent minor aphthous stomatitis].

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the serum levels of hemoglobin, vitamin B12 and folic acid in patients with recurrent minor aphthous stomatitis.

Patients And Methods: Between June 2010 and January 2012, a total of 112 patients including 57 with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (study group; 30 males 27 females; mean age 36.7±13.

Strict heart rate control attenuates prothrombotic state and platelet activity in patients with non-valvular permanent atrial fibrillation.

Background: The underlying mechanisms of increased risk of thrombo-embolism in atrial fibrillation (AF) are not completely understood; however, substantial evidence supports that AF is associated with a prothrombotic state. Accordingly, we hypothesized that strict rate control could attenuate platelet activity and thrombotic state in patients with non-valvular AF.

Methods: Seventy-five patients with non-valvular AF were divided into 2 groups based on heart rate: (1) normal ventricular rate (n = 34, 18 female) and (2) high ventricular rate (n = 39).

Effects of maternally exposed coloring food additives on receptor expressions related to learning and memory in rats.

Exposure to artificial food colors and additives (AFCAs) has been implicated in the induction and severity of some childhood behavioral and learning disabilities. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nACHRs) are thought to be effective in the learning and memory-generating process. In this study, we investigated the effects of intrauterine exposure to AFCAs on subunit concentrations of NMDARs and nAChRs isoforms in rats.

Plasma concentrations of asymmetric dimethylarginine, nitric oxide and homocysteine in patients with slow coronary flow.

Objectives: Slow coronary flow (SCF) is slow progression of contrast agent in the coronary arteries in the absence of stenosis in epicardial coronary vessels. Endothelial dysfunction and diffuse atherosclerosis have been proposed for the etiology of SCF. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis, levels are associated with an increased risk of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis.

Effects of maternally exposed colouring food additives on cognitive performance in rats.

Artificial food colourings and additives (AFCAs) have long been suggested to adversely affect the learning and behaviour in children. In this study, we aimed to provide additional data to clarify the possible side effects of colouring additives on behaviour and memory. We administered acceptable daily intake values of AFCAs as a mixture (Eritrosin, Ponceau 4R, Allura Red AC, Sunset Yellow FCF, Tartrazin, Amaranth, Brilliant Blue, Azorubin and Indigotin) to female rats before and during gestation and then tested their effects on behaviour and on spatial working memory in their offspring.

Protective effects of β-glucan against oxidative injury induced by 2.45-GHz electromagnetic radiation in the skin tissue of rats.

In recent times, there is widespread use of 2.45-GHz irradiation-emitting devices in industrial, medical, military and domestic application. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of 2.

The protective effect of adrenomedullin on renal injury, in a model of abdominal aorta cross-clamping.

Renal injury induced by aortic ischemia-reperfusion (IR) is an important factor in the development of postoperative acute renal failure following abdominal aortic surgery. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of adrenomedullin (AM) on kidney injury induced by infrarenal abdominal aortic IR in rats. Thirty-two Wistar Albino rats were randomized into four groups (eight per group) as follows: Control group, IR group (120-minute ischemia and 120-minute reperfusion), IR + AM group (a bolus intravenously of 0.

Aspirin increases NMDA receptor subunit 2A concentrations in rat hippocampus.

The N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), a heteromeric protein, is a glutamate receptor that has three classes of subunits: NR1, NR2, and NR3. It has been reported that these receptors are involved in synaptogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and many other processes in the central nervous system. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of aspirin on hippocampal NMDARs.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester modulates gentamicin-induced oxidative nephrotoxicity in kidney of rats.

In this study, the modulator effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on the oxidative nephrotoxicity of gentamicin in the kidneys of rats was investigated by determining indices of lipid peroxidation and the activities of antioxidant enzymes as well as by histological analyses. Forty female Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into four groups, namely control, gentamicin, CAPE, and gentamicin plus CAPE. On the 12th day of the study, all rats were sacrificed and then blood samples and kidneys were taken.

The impact of smoking status on antioxidant enzyme activity and malondialdehyde levels in chronic periodontitis.

Background: The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of smoking status on the systemic and local superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in subjects with chronic periodontitis (CP).

Methods: Sixty-five CP patients (23 smokers [CP-S], 23 former smokers [CP-FS], and 19 non-smokers [CP-NS]) and 20 periodontally healthy non-smoker controls (PH-NS) were included in the study. After the clinical measurements, serum and gingival tissue samples were collected.

Adrenomedullin attenuates aortic cross-clamping-induced myocardial injury in rats.

Background: In this study we investigate the effects of adrenomedullin on myocardial injury after ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) after abdominal aortic surgery.

Methods: Thirty-two Wistar rats were randomized into 4 groups (n = 8) as follows: control group (sham laparotomy), the aortic I/R group, aortic I/R plus adrenomedullin group (underwent aortic I/R periods, and received a bolus intravenous injection of .05 μg/kg/min adrenomedullin), and the control plus adrenomedullin group.