Choroidal Thickness in Mild Autonomous Cortisol Secretion.

Objectives: To evaluate the patients with mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) by means of choroidal thickness (CT) and also investigate whether CT may be a diagnostic tool in the management of MACS or not.

Methods: Twenty-seven patients with MACS and 25 age-sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled in this cross-sectional comparative study. All the participants underwent CT measurement by using Spectralis optical coherence tomography (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) with enhanced deep imaging mode at the subfoveal, 500-1000-1500 µm nasal and 500-1000-1500 µm temporal to the foveola.

Altered Cerebrospinal Fluid Neurofilament Light Chain but Not Neurogranin Levels Are Associated with Response to Ocrelizumab Treatment in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: A Preliminary Study.

Introduction: Ocrelizumab is a CD20-targeting monoclonal antibody used for treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). Serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neurofilament light (NFL) chain levels are reduced in MS patients under ocrelizumab treatment indicating a preventive action against neuro-axonal degeneration. Our aim, in this preliminary study, was to explore the impact of ocrelizumab treatment on synaptic integrity through assessment of neurogranin levels.

Frequency of Metabolic Syndrome in Paget's Disease of Bone.

Objectives: Our aim is to verify the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Paget's disease of bone (PDB) and to reveal the relationship between MetS and bone alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels.

Methods: Twenty-three patients with PDB and 30 healthy subjects matched with age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) were recruited from the outpatient clinics of endocrinology. The ınternational diabetes federation -2006 MetS criteria were used for the evaluation of all participants.

A Reflection on the Tensions of Acting in Dual Roles of Doctoral Researcher and Practitioner when Evaluating a Lifestyle Intervention for Breast Cancer Patients.

This reflection was completed as part of a doctoral project to develop and trial a lifestyle intervention for people following the completion of their treatment for breast cancer. In this study the graduate student acted in the dual roles of nutrition practitioner and researcher. This article uses the experience, reflection, action (ERA) cycle of reflection to consider some of the tensions faced due to the divergent priorities and requirements of these two roles.

Effects of Individual and Co-exposure of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles and Copper Sulphate on Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus: Nanoparticles Enhance Pesticide Biochemical Toxicity.

Copper, like iron and zinc, is one of the most essential trace elements for organisms. Different forms of copper have distinctive and specific uses. For example, copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NP) are widely used in the world as a nanomaterial.

Fingolimod impairs inactivated vaccine (CoronaVac)-induced antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Background: The impact of disease-modifying treatments on humoral response induced by inactivated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines is understudied.

Methods: We recruited 34 persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) under fingolimod treatment and 25 healthy individuals. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG indices were measured by ELISA in sera of participants after CoronaVac vaccinations.

Parathyroidectomy Results in Primary Hyperparathyroidism: Analysis of the Results From a Single Center.

Objectives: The curative treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is surgery. Persistent and recurrent disease may develop after surgical treatment. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the surgical cure rate in patients who underwent surgery for PHPT in our clinic.

An Investigation on Freshwater Fish Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758): Assessing Hemotoxic Effects of Different Copper Compounds Used as Nanomaterial or Pesticide.

Considering the constant exposure of fish to copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) and copper sulphate (CuSO) in natural aquatic environments as a result of increased usage of these chemicals in industry, medicine and aquaculture/agriculture over the past few decenniums, the current investigation aimed to reveal their comparative hemotoxic effects on freshwater fish Oreochromis niloticus by measuring hematological and blood oxidative stress biomarkers and Cu levels. Fish were exposed to 0.05 mg/L CuO-NPs and CuSO for 4 and 21 days.

Risk of hypercalcemia in patients with very high serum 25-OH vitamin D levels.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the risk of hypercalcemia in patients with very high levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D).

Methods: The distribution of patients who were screened for 25(OH)D in our hospital between January 2014 and December 2018 was evaluated and patients with serum concentrations of 25(OH)D >88 ng/mL were selected. Then, biochemical parameters of the cases with 25(OH)D >88 ng/mL were compared according to calcium status, vitamin D level (group 1, 88-100 ng/mL; group 2, 100-150 ng/mL, and group 3, >150 ng/mL), and gender.

Systematic approach for content and construct validation: Case studies for arthroscopy and laparoscopy.

Background: In minimally invasive surgery, there are several challenges for training novice surgeons, such as limited field-of-view and unintuitive hand-eye coordination due to performing the operation according to video feedback. Virtual reality (VR) surgical simulators are a novel, risk-free, and cost-effective way to train and assess surgeons.

Methods: We developed VR-based simulations to accurately assess and quantify performance of two VR simulations: gentleness simulation for laparoscopy and rotator cuff repair for arthroscopy.

Prediction of Attendance Demand in European Football Games: Comparison of ANFIS, Fuzzy Logic, and ANN.

An artificial neural network (ANN), adaptive neurofuzzy inference system (ANFIS) models, and fuzzy rule-based system (FRBS) models are developed to predict the attendance demand in European football games, in this paper. To determine the most successful method, each of the methods is analyzed under different situations. The Elman backpropagation, feed-forward backpropagation, and cascade-forward backpropagation network types are developed to determine the outperforming ANN model.

Development of self-esteem from age 4 to 94 years: A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies.

To investigate the normative trajectory of self-esteem across the life span, this meta-analysis synthesizes the available longitudinal data on mean-level change in self-esteem. The analyses were based on 331 independent samples, including data from 164,868 participants. As effect size measure, we used the standardized mean change per year.

Texture based skin lesion abruptness quantification to detect malignancy.

Background: Abruptness of pigment patterns at the periphery of a skin lesion is one of the most important dermoscopic features for detection of malignancy. In current clinical setting, abrupt cutoff of a skin lesion determined by an examination of a dermatologist. This process is subjective, nonquantitative, and error-prone.

Codevelopment of well-being and self-esteem in romantic partners: Disentangling the effects of mutual influence and shared environment.

Common sense suggests that romantic partners tend to be interdependent in their well-being and self-esteem. The authors tested the degree to which codevelopment in romantic partners (i.e.

Frequency of Erectile Dysfunction in Males with Central Serous Chorioretinopathy.

Objectives: To evaluate the frequency of sexual dysfunction and associated factors in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR).

Material And Methods: Fifty-eight CSCR patients who met the inclusion criteria and 99 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were prospectively investigated for sexual dysfunction and associated factors. All participants were investigated using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Scale (BAS), and the15-question Index of Erectile Function-15 (IIEF-15) and by extensive examination of CSCR, associated factors, and confounding factors.

The impact of dementia on women internationally: An integrative review.

Women are disproportionately affected by dementia, both in terms of developing dementia and becoming caregivers. We conducted an integrative review of English language literature focusing on the issues affecting women in relation to dementia from an international perspective. The majority of relevant studies were conducted in high-income countries, and none were from low-income countries.

Supporting completion of an online continuing professional development programme for newly qualified practitioners: A qualitative evaluation.

Background: Development programmes to support newly qualified practitioners gain confidence in their first professional role often show varied levels of engagement, due to competing priorities and demands. In Scotland, the Flying Start NHS® programme uses a structured programme of online and work-based learning with associated mentoring, to support individuals through an often difficult transition to become capable, confident practitioners. Whilst the programme was generally well received, the factors leading to widely varying completion rates between professions and organisations were not well understood.

Development of self-esteem and relationship satisfaction in couples: Two longitudinal studies.

We examined the effects of self-esteem development on the development of relationship satisfaction in 2 samples of couples. Study 1 used data from both partners of 885 couples assessed 5 times over 12 years, and Study 2 used data from both partners of 6,116 couples assessed 3 times over 15 years. The pattern of results was similar across the 2 studies.

Family-based childhood obesity interventions in the UK: a systematic review of published studies.

Family-based programmes that emphasise lifestyle and behaviour change using psychological principles have been shown to be effective in targeting childhood obesity. While there is some evidence that evaluates UK family-based obesity interventions at a local level, no review to date has addressed this nationally. This review presents the available evidence from UK family-based childhood obesity interventions.

The Diagnostic Utility of Color Doppler Ultrasonography, Tc-99m Pertechnetate Uptake, and TSH-Receptor Antibody for Differential Diagnosis of Graves' Disease and Silent Thyroiditis: A Comparative Study.

Objective: The differential diagnosis of Graves disease (GD) and silent thyroiditis (ST) is important for the selection of appropriate treatment. To date, no study has compared the diagnostic utility of color Doppler ultrasonography (CDUSG), Tc-99m (technetium-99m) pertechnetate uptake, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)-receptor antibody (TRAb) for the differential diagnosis of these two conditions. In the present study, we compared the diagnostic utility of inferior thyroid artery (ITA) peak systolic and end diastolic velocities (PSV and EDV) measured by CDUSG, Tc-99m pertechnetate uptake, and TRAb for differential diagnosis of GD and ST.

The relationship between low maternal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and gestational diabetes mellitus according to the severity of 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency.

Objective: To assess the relationship between low maternal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and gestational diabetes mellitus in Turkish pregnant women according to the severity of 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency and assess intact parathyroid hormone levels in women with gestational diabetes mellitus and controls with low and sufficient 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels.

Methods: We analyzed serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and intact parathyroid hormone levels in 234 women with gestational diabetes mellitus and 168 controls. To define the deficiency status, 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were further classified into severely deficient, deficient, insufficient and sufficient groups.

Immunohistochemical expression of ErbB2 in adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas: a possible target for immunotherapy.

Aim: To determine the immunohistochemical expression of ErbB2 in adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas (ACP) and to assess its relationship with nuclear expression of β-catenin in surgically resected human ACP tissue sections and to estimate whether these tumors could be candidates for anti-ErbB2 therapy.

Material And Methods: The ErbB2 and β-catenin immunostaining was performed on paraffin embedded tissue sections of 20 ACP using avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method. ErbB2 immunoreactivity was interpreted according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology/ College of American Pathologists criterions for breast carcinoma.

The effectiveness of local child weight management programmes: an audit study.

Background:   Many different child weight management programmes exist, with varying degrees of evaluation to provide evidence of their success. The purpose of this research was to use a standardized approach to audit the effectiveness of weight management intervention programmes in the West Midlands region of the UK, specifically to assess the benefits to participating children in terms of health improvement and behaviour change.

Methods:   An audit of seven family-based intervention programmes currently in place in the West Midlands.