Effect of Nonpharmacological Methods on Pruritus in Patients with Liver Disease and Liver Cirrhosis: Systematic Review.

Background: Pruritus is a symptom that greatly affects the quality of life in patients with liver disease and liver cirrhosis. Since most pharmacological methods for itching have limited efficacy, there is a need to assess the effectiveness of nonpharmacological methods.

Purpose: This systematic review aims to examine the effects of nonpharmacological methods on itching in individuals with liver disease and liver cirrhosis.

Brief Report: Turkish Validity and Reliability of the HITS Intimate Partner Violence Screening Tool With Women.

The current study examined the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the HITS (Hurt-Insult-Threaten-Scream) tool which was developed to screen for intimate partner violence. 154 Turkish women participated and completed the Turkish version of the HITS (HITS-TR). The validity of the language and factor structure were evaluated.

Is mean platelet volume related to disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus?

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a connective tissue disease that is chronic, recurrent and multisystem with unknown aetiology. There is still no single biomarker that is pathognomonic for the disease. We know that platelets are the main part of haemostasis and thrombosis.

Effectiveness of acupuncture on pregnancy success rates for women undergoing in vitro fertilization: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To investigate the effect of acupuncture on pregnancy success rates applied before and after embryo transfer (ET) among women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Materials And Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 72 infertile women undergoing IVF were randomized to acupuncture (AG; n = 36) and control group (CG; n = 36). Three sessions of acupuncture were applied to AG, the first was one week before ET, the second was 30 min before ET, and the third was 30 min after ET.

Effectiveness of breathing exercises during the second stage of labor on labor pain and duration: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Some research exists on the effect of non-pharmacological approaches for labor pain relief. However, there is limited information about effectiveness of breathing exercises in pregnant women to reduce maternal pain during labor.

Objective: To determine whether breathing exercises for pregnant women during the second stage of labor have beneficial effects on maternal pain, duration of labor, and the first-minute Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity and Respiration (APGAR) scores.

The Effects of Auricular and Body Acupuncture in Turkish Obese Female Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial Indicated Both Methods Lost Body Weight But Auricular Acupuncture Was Better Than Body Acupuncture.

It was aimed to observe the efficacy of body acupuncture and auricular acupuncture for the management of obesity. Fifty female obese patients were randomized into 2 groups; a Body Acupuncture Group (GBA; n=25) and an Auricular Acupuncture Group (GAA; n=25). All patients were followed up for 12 weeks.

Is mean platelet volume a new activity criteria in Behçet's disease?

The aim of this study was to assess mean platelet volume (MPV) and its relationship with disease activity in patients with Behçet's disease. Thirty-six patients with an age of 38.9 ± 11 (mean ± SD) years and 40 controls aged 36.

Vitamin D levels in children diagnosed with acute otitis media.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between Vitamin D deficiency and acute otitis media infection.

Methods: The randomised, single-blind, case-control study was conducted at the Paediatric Department of Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey, from January to April 2010. It comprised ambulatory children diagnosed with acute otitis media and healthy controls.

Peer teaching experience of the first year medical students from Turkey.

Objective: To document peer teaching activity performed by first-year medical students and their views on the teaching activity.

Study Design: Survey.

Place And Duration Of Study: Medical Education Department, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey, in the 2012 - 2013 academic year.

Effects of oral isotretinoin on lipids and liver enzymes in acne patients.

Isotretinoin has been used to treat severe inflammatory acne that is resistant to antibiotics or topical agents; however, it also may cause alterations in lipids and liver enzymes. In this retrospective study, we evaluated changes in lipids and liver enzymes in 322 acne patients who had been treated with oral isotretinoin at our institution over a 3-year period. Each patient's medical records were evaluated to determine baseline triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels compared to levels recorded at 3 and 6 months following initiation of treatment with oral isotretinoin.

What do trainers think about trainer training courses?

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the training-of-trainer courses given to medical school faculty members, and to ensure the standardisation of training..

Methods: The study comprised faculty members attending seven training-of-trainer courses held at the Ataturk University, Turkey, from November 2010 to May 2011.

Evidence based medicine: teaching, learning and practice: results of a cross-sectional study from Turkey.

Objective: To assess the level of understanding related to the significance of evidence-based medicine among physicians.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted between March and October 2012 using an online questionnaire that was sent out to physicians and academics working as faculty at training hospitals across Turkey. The questionnaire consisted of questions about the knowledge, attitude and behaviour towards evidence-based medicine.

Does bosentan protect diabetic brain alterations in rats? The role of endothelin-1 in the diabetic brain.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major problem all over the world, affecting more people in recent years. Individuals with diabetes are more prone to disease than non-diabetics, especially vascular complications. The aim of this study was to examine the roles of the endothelin (ET)-1 in brain damage formed in a streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetes model, and the effect of bosentan, which is the non-specific ET1 receptor blocker in the prevention of the diabetes-induced brain damage.

Acupuncture decreases matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity in patients with migraine.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of acupuncture on the serum matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) level and activity in patients with migraine.

Methods: After baseline testing, eligible patients with migraine according to the criteria of the International Headache Society who volunteered to join the study were included (n=27). The patients received 10 sessions of acupuncture treatment.

Effects of ear acupuncture therapy for obesity on the depression of obese women.

Background: Obesity is one of the leading health risks worldwide, and depression is among the leading causes of the burden of disease. These disorders are increasingly prevalent as comorbidities. Depressive symptoms are associated with obesity, and are more common in women.

The effect of pedometer use on physical activity and body weight in obese women.

Physical activity and healthy eating are of the utmost importance in treatment of obesity. However obese generally tend to have a sedentary lifestyle. Walking is a form of physical activity that is both simple and can be performed by everyone, but it requires an objective measurement.

Antioxidant status in blood of obese children: the relation between trace elements, paraoxonase, and arylesterase values.

Obesity is known to lead to complications involving several systems. The basic mechanism in obesity-related complications is chronic inflammation and increased oxidative stress. Trace element levels in obese children may vary due to poor nutritional habits.

Urinary tract infections in neonates with jaundice in their first two weeks of life.

Background: Hyperbilirubinemia is a frequently seen condition in neonates. This study was undertaken to determine the role of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in the etiology of indirect hyperbilirubinemia in neonates with jaundice in their first two weeks of life.

Methods: The study was conducted prospectively.

[Four malaria-import patterns: sporadic region].

Malaria, as it has been during history, is an important parasitic infectious health problem nowadays. In Turkey, the most common kind of malaria is Plasmodium vivax, and P. falciparum is rarely observed in import events.