Mental Health Problems Among Adolescents With Mild Intellectual Disability and Relation to Sleep Quality and Perceived Social Support: A Comparative Study

The current cross-sectional study sought to determine the mental health problems of adolescents with mild intellectual disability (ID) and influencing factors. This study, which used a comparison group, was performed with 188 adolescents (91 with mild ID and 97 without ID) between January 2019 and June 2019 in Turkey. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Perceived Social Support Scale. Adolescents with mild ID were at higher risk for mental health problems compared to those without ID. According to linear regression analysis, sex, age, birth order, maternal age, parents' educational level, sleep quality, and perceived social support were statistically significant predictive factors of mental health problems in adolescents with mild ID. Results of this study indicate that adolescents with mild ID are at greater risk for mental health problems and that effective prevention/intervention strategies are needed. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 62(3), 39-50.].

Effect of Personality Traits and Emotion Regulation Strategies on Risky Behaviors in Adolescents

The current study investigated the effects of personality traits and emotion regulation strategies on high-risk behaviors among adolescents (N = 1,572). This study used a cross-sectional and correlational research design. Multiple linear regression was used for analysis. A 1-unit increase in extraversion and neuroticism led to a 0.391- and 0.365-unit increase in high-risk behaviors, respectively. However, a 1-unit increase in agreeableness and conscientiousness led to a 0.307- and 0.365-unit decrease in high-risk behaviors, respectively (p < 0.05). A 1-unit increase in external and internal dysfunctional emotion regulation strategies led to a 1.34- and 0.548-unit increase in high-risk behaviors, respectively. However, a 1-unit increase in internal functional emotion regulation strategies led to a 0.641-unit decrease in high-risk behaviors (p < 0.05). Regression analysis showed that age, school type, sex, grade level, father's educational level, father's child-rearing style, and school performance were associated with more high-risk behaviors (p < 0.05). There were correlations between some personality traits, emotion regulation strategies, sociodemographic characteristics, and high-risk behaviors. Early intervention programs targeting dysfunctional personality traits and emotion regulation skills in adolescence may prevent the development of risky behaviors in adulthood. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 62(2), 23-36.].

The Relationship Between Spiritual Well-Being and Post-Traumatic Growth in Turkish Patients Undergoing Solid Organ Transplantation

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between spiritual well-being and post-traumatic growth in solid organ transplant patients. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 366 patients who presented to the organ transplantation polyclinic of a university hospital between September 2021 and February 2022 in Turkey. The mean Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory and Spiritual Well-Being Scale scores of solid organ transplant patients were 81.33 ± 20.28 and 37.18 ± 8.69, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between post-traumatic growth and spiritual well-being. According to linear regression analysis, spiritual well-being, gender, marital status, transplanted organ, donor type, and previous mental disorders were statistically significant predictive factors that affected post-traumatic growth. Spiritual well-being was an important variable that affected post-traumatic growth in solid organ transplant patients. Therefore, healthcare providers can provide individualized psychosocial-spiritual care and counseling services that increase post-traumatic growth in patients after organ transplantation.

Art Therapy as a Nursing Intervention for Individuals With Schizophrenia

The aim of the current study was to determine the effects of group art therapy on clinical symptoms, alexithymia, and quality of life among people with schizophrenia. This single-blinded, randomized controlled trial was performed with 66 individuals with schizophrenia from a community mental health center in western Turkey between September 2021 and February 2022. Following art therapy, the intervention group had lower severity of positive, negative, and general psychopathology symptoms; lower levels of alexithymia; and higher levels of psychological health, social relationships, and total quality of life than the control group; and the difference between groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Results reveal that art therapy combined with pharmacological therapy contributes to good clinical outcomes among individuals with schizophrenia. This evidence can guide psychiatric nurses to use art therapy to reduce psychopathology severity and increase functionality and quality of life among individuals with schizophrenia. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx(xx), xx-xx.].

The effect of visual and/or auditory distraction techniques on children's pain, anxiety and medical fear in invasive procedures: A randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to determine the effects of visual and/or auditory distraction techniques applied to children aged 7-12 during invasive procedures on pain, anxiety, and medical fear.

METHODS

This single-blinded, randomized controlled trial was carried out in the pediatric emergency department of a public hospital between November 2021 and March 2022. In the study, 144 children were assigned to three different intervention groups, in which a kaleidoscope, music, and virtual reality were applied during invasive procedures, and the control group in which the standard invasive procedure was applied, by using the stratified block randomization method. The data were collected using a Personal Information Form, Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale, Children's Anxiety Meter-State, and Child Medical Fear Scale.

RESULTS

In the study, the levels of pain, anxiety, and medical fear after the invasive procedure were lower in the intervention groups than in the control group. In addition, there was no difference between the three different distraction techniques in terms of reducing pain and medical fear, but the virtual reality application was more effective in reducing the level of anxiety.

CONCLUSION

Visual and/or auditory distraction techniques are effective methods that can be used by nurses in pediatric healthcare to reduce invasive procedure-related pain, anxiety, and medical fear.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

This study provides evidence that can guide the use of non-pharmacological methods such as distraction to prevent the traumatic effects of invasive procedures in children.

Turkish adaptation of the nursing student academic resilience inventory: A validity and reliability study

BACKGROUND

Due to the stressful nature of nursing education, it is stated that academic resilience is an important skill for students. However, there is no measurement tool to determine nursing students' academic resilience in our country.

OBJECTIVES

This study was conducted to adapt the nursing student academic resilience inventory to Turkish and determine its validity and reliability.

DESIGN

A descriptive, cross-sectional, and methodological design was used.

SETTING

The study was conducted with nursing students between May 2022 and June 2022.

PARTICIPANTS

The study included 250 s, third, and fourth-year nursing students.

METHODS

The data were collected using a personal information form, the nursing student academic resilience inventory and the resilience scale for nurses.

RESULTS

The inventory showed a 6-factor structure, namely optimism, communication, self-esteem/evaluation, self-awareness, trustworthiness, and self-regulation and consisted of 24 items. In confirmatory factor analysis, all factor loads were found to be >0.30. The fit indexes of the inventory were χ2/df = 2.294, GFI = 0.848, IFI = 0.853, CFI = 0.850, RMSEA = 0.072, and SRMR = 0.067. Cronbach's alpha of the total inventory was 0.887.

CONCLUSIONS

The Turkish version of the nursing student academic resilience inventory was shown to be a valid and reliable measurement tool.

Students as teachers: effect of the peer education model on reducing smartphone addiction in adolescents

The group at the highest risk of smartphone addiction is adolescents. In particular during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, factors such as conducting education online, curfew and the increase in the monotonous time spent at home have led to an increase in the use of smartphones among adolescents. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of the peer education model on reducing smartphone addiction in adolescents. The present semi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test control group was carried out with 622 high school students in Turkey. The study was carried out between September 2021 and February 2022 in two stages. In the first stage, the peer educator education program on smartphone addiction in adolescents was implemented. In the second stage, the peer education program was implemented and monitored. While there was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of the mean scores they obtained from the Smartphone Addiction Scale at the pre-test (P > 0.05), the difference between them was statistically significant at the post-test (P < 0.001). This study demonstrated that the peer education model was effective in reducing smartphone addiction in adolescents. Thus, it can be recommended that school-based peer education programs for adolescents should be prepared and implemented.

The relationship between basic psychological needs and emotional and behavioral problems in middle school students

BACKGROUND

Basic psychological needs are universal sources of mental growth and development.

PURPOSE

This study investigated the relationship between basic psychological needs and emotional and behavioral problems in middle school students.

METHODOLOGY

This study adopted a cross-sectional and correlational research design. The sample consisted of 1099 students from three middle schools with different socioeconomic backgrounds. Data were collected using a sociodemographic characteristics questionnaire, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and the Basic Psychological Needs Scale (BPNS). The data were analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

A one-unit increase in autonomy, competence, and relatedness led to a 0.312, 0.263, and 0.312 decrease in emotional and behavioral problems, respectively (p < 0.05). The regression analysis showed that gender (female), academic performance (poor), mother's parenting style (authoritarian), and father's parenting style (permissive) were the risk factors affecting participants' emotional and behavioral problems (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that some basic psychological needs and sociodemographic characteristics make middle school students more likely to develop emotional and behavioral problems. Authorities should develop interventions on basic psychological needs to promote emotional and behavioral development. Researchers should assess the effectiveness of those interventions.

Relationship between suicide risk, and violence tendency and eating attitude in working and non-working adolescents: a comparative study

Although adolescent suicide rates increase significantly, the suicide risk and associated factors in working adolescents is generally neglected. In the present study, it was aimed to determine suicide risk and related factors such as violence tendency and eating attitude in working and non-working adolescents. This case-control study was conducted with 325 adolescents (161 working adolescents, 164 non-working adolescents) between November 2018 and January 2019, in Turkey. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Suicide Probability Scale, Violence Tendency Scale and Eating Attitude Test. In the study, the suicide risk was significantly higher in working adolescents (80.79 ± 29.99) than in non-working adolescents (71.90 ± 26.46). Also, working adolescents were determined to be at more risk in terms of violence tendency, eating disorder and substance use than were non-working adolescents. According to linear regression analysis, sex, mother's attitude, presence of a physical or mental illness, alcohol use, violence tendency and eating attitude were statistically significant predictive factors of suicide risk in working adolescents. Researchers, healthcare professionals, educators and policymakers have important responsibilities to improve the mental health of working adolescents.

Effects of the psychiatric nursing course on students' beliefs toward mental illness and psychiatric nursing perceptions in Turkey

PURPOSE

To investigate the effects of the psychiatric nursing course on students' beliefs toward mental illness and psychiatric nursing perceptions.

DESIGN AND METHODS

This experimental study was carried out with 80 students enrolled for the psychiatric nursing course.

FINDINGS

The mean score of the Beliefs toward Mental Illness Scale decreased, and the mean score of the Psychiatric Nursing Perception Scale increased after the course. The difference between the measurements was statistically significant (p < 0.05).

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

This study shows that psychiatric nursing course is effective in decreasing students' negative beliefs toward mental illness and increasing positive psychiatric nursing perceptions. Students' attitudes about mental illness and psychiatric nursing should be determined from the very first year of their education, and their negative beliefs should be intervened with.

Complementary health approaches use in Turkish patients with mental disorders: Related factors and perceived benefits

PURPOSE

The present study was performed to determine the prevalence, characteristics, perceived benefits, and predictors of complementary health approaches use (CHA) in Turkish patients with mental disorders.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The present study was performed with 413 patients with mental disorders.

FINDINGS

In the present study, 62.2% of the patients had used CHA in the last 12 months. The most common types of CHA used were religious/spiritual activities and herbs. According to the multivariate logistic regression model, sex, education level, marital status, employment status, medical diagnoses, and duration of diagnoses were significantly associated with increased CHA use.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The CHA use by patients should be investigated, and education and counseling should be provided by health professionals to improve patient safety and patient outcomes.

The relationship between personality traits, menopausal symptoms and marital adjustment

This study was aimed at determining the relationship between personality traits, menopausal symptoms and marital adjustment in postmenopausal women. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 599 postmenopausal women who presented to the family health centers between September 2018 and February 2019. Data were collected with the Personal Information Form, Marital Adjustment Test, Cervantes Personality Scale and Menopause Rating Scale. The mean marital adjustment score of the postmenopausal women was 44.03 ± 10.75. The correlation analysis revealed significant negative correlations between marital adjustment, and personality traits and menopausal symptoms. Education level, economic status, duration of menopause, neurotic and inconsistent personality traits, somatic, psychological and urogenital symptoms were determined to be statistically significant predictive factors of marital adjustment in postmenopausal women.

Association between Turkish clinical nurses' perceptions of individualized care and empathic tendencies

PURPOSE

This study aimed to determine the association between nurses' perceptions of individualized care and empathic tendencies.

DESIGN AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted with 269 nurses working in Yozgat City Hospital between June 2018 and December 2018. Data were collected with the Personal Information Form, Individualized Care Scale-A-Nurse Version, Empathic Tendencies Scale. For the analysis, descriptive statistics, t test, analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation, multivariate linear regression analysis were used.

FINDINGS

Marital status, education level, length of service, clinic worked in, number of patients, and empathic tendency level was determined to be statistically significant predictive factors for nurses' perceptions of individualized care (P < .05).

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Nurse managers can organize in-service training programs to improve clinical nurses' perceptions of individualized care, empathic tendencies, and skills.

Comparison of students' use and acceptance of emergency online learning due to COVID-19 in the USA, Mexico, Peru, and Turkey

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and pursuant to the governments' order of citizens remaining at home, several countries were required to transition from face-to-face instruction to an online model to provide higher education to their students. While factors affecting the use of online learning are diverse and have been studied by models of use and acceptance of technology, this cross-sectional study explores the factors unique to the current emergency situation that influence students' use and acceptance of emergency online learning. Moreover, it proposes a model to predict a student's cognitive engagement in Mexico, Peru, Turkey, and the USA. This is a quantitative study with an exploratory and descriptive scope and cross-sectional design. Data was collected from 1009 students from the four countries, who completed surveys anonymously. The factors analyzed were attitude, affect, and motivation, perceived behavioral control (ease of use, self-efficacy, and accessibility), and cognitive engagement. The data was analyzed using descriptive, correlation, and regression analysis. The predictive model shows that students' attitude toward online learning impacts their cognitive engagement in Mexico, Peru, and the USA. Furthermore, self-efficacy is a significant moderator for cognitive engagement in all four countries. The model also shows that each country has different determinants for cognitive engagement. Understanding the factors that affect the use of emergency online learning is essential for the success and/or achievement of its maximum benefits in situations like a global pandemic. Limitations of this study have been identified as use of convenience sampling, and an inability to explore factors related to instruction and system attributes. Professors who did not teach online learning lacked knowledge about online educational strategies and used the technological resources that were immediately available to them. Therefore, research that explores the use of instructional strategies and the use of technological systems during emergency online learning is necessary. This study includes suggestions to incorporate open educational resources that use microlearning and emphasizes the importance of student self-efficacy; because it was predictor of cognitive engagement in all four countries. Faculty and higher education institutions can and should develop strategies to increase students' sense of self-efficacy.

Association Between Spiritual Well-Being and Resilience Among Turkish Hemodialysis Patients

This study aimed to determine the association between spiritual well-being and resilience among Turkish hemodialysis patients. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 134 hemodialysis patients treated at two state hospitals' hemodialysis units between February 2019 and July 2019. The data were collected with a Personal Information Form, the Spiritual Well-Being Scale and the Resilience Scale for Adults with the face-to-face interview technique. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics, t tests, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation and multivariate linear regression analysis were used. The patients' spiritual well-being levels were high, while their psychological resilience levels were medium. There was a moderate positive correlation between spiritual well-being and resilience (p < 0.01). Education level, economic level, duration of disease and spiritual well-being were determined to be statistically significant predictive factors of the patients' resilience (p < 0.001). In this context, nurses may provide psychosocial and spiritual care, education and counseling services that will increase patient's resilience.

Sexual Dysfunction in Postpartum Turkish Women: It's Relationship with Depression and Some Risk Factors

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in postpartum Turkish women, and the relation between sexual dysfunction and depression, and some risk factors. This study was conducted with 530 postpartum women who had given birth during the previous 2-12 months. Data were collected with the Personal Information Form, Index of Female Sexual Function, and Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale. For the data analysis, descriptive statistics, the Chi-square test, and Pearson correlation analysis were conducted using SPSS version 16. In the study, 74.3% of the postpartum women experienced sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction was more prevalent in women who were high school graduates, whose reported economic status was middle class, who had a history of high-risk pregnancy, and whose menstruations did not recommence. It was also prevalent in women who experienced dyspareunia, who did not use a family planning method, who used withdrawal family planning method, and who experienced postnatal depression. A medium correlation was determined between the sexual dysfunction and postnatal depression. Assessment of the sexual dysfunction prevalence and risk factors of postpartum women enables healthcare professionals to use necessary intervention strategies.

Clinical and Laboratory Features of Metformin Intoxication in Suicidal Patients Attending an Intensive Care Unit

Introduction

This study has been performed for the purpose of researching the complications occurred at patients who took metformin overdose in an attempt to suicide. None of the patients has the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and never used metformin.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out with 21 patients who has neither diagnosed diabetes mellitus nor taken metformin for suicide before.

Results

It was observed that there is a moderate, negative (r = -0.63) statistically significant correlation (P < 0.001) between the time of applying to the hospital and arterial blood pH at the arrival and a statistically significant positive mild correlation (P < 0.041) between applying and blood lactate level (r = 0.45), and a moderate positive (r = 0.63) and statistically significant correlation (P < 0.001) between the total metformin dose and blood lactate level at the arrival and a positive, moderate (r = 0.68) significant correlation (P < 0.001) between the creatinine and metformin dose at the arrival. Lactic acidosis has been detected at 8 of 21 patients, 6 patients were hemodialized, 2 patients needed mechanical ventilation, and 2 patients died. It is observed that there is no mortality for early hemodialized patients.

Conclusion

The most important reason of the mortality in patients who has metformin intoxication is metformin-associated lactic acidosis (MALA). It was considered that hemodialysis therapy could be effective in MALA.

The Magnitude and Determinants of Emotional-Behavioral Problems in Working Adolescents in Turkey

OBJECTIVE

Working adolescents are at a greater risk of mental disorders than are non-working adolescents. The present study was aimed at determining the magnitude and determinants of emotional and behavioral problems in working adolescents.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted with 343 adolescents attending two vocational training centers in the province of Balikesir between January 2016 and March 2016. The data were collected with the Personal Information Form, and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. In the analysis, descriptive statistics, the t-test, Mann Whitney U test and one way ANOVA were used.

RESULTS

In the study of the adolescents, 16.9% were determined to have abnormal emotional and behavioral problems. Of the participating adolescents, girls, those with physical illnesses, living in fragmented families, perceiving their economic status as good, having fathers with primary school education and/or having mothers with high school or higher education had significantly higher emotional and behavioral problem scores (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

In this study, approximately one-fifth working Turkish adolescents had abnormal mental status. Based on the aforementioned results, it can be suggested to develop intervention programs for the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of emotional and behavioral problems in working adolescents.

Investigation of the relationship between suicide probability in inpatients and their psychological symptoms and coping strategies

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between suicide probability and psychological symptoms and coping strategies in hospitalized patients with physical illness.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2014 in Bandirma State Hospital, Balikesir, Turkey. The sample of the study consisted of 470 inpatients who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate in the study. The data were collected with the Personal Information Form, Suicide Probability Scale, Brief Symptom Inventory and Ways of Coping with Stress Inventory.

RESULTS

In the study, 74.7% were at moderate risk for suicide, whereas 20.4% were at high risk for suicide. According to the stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, sub-dimensions of the Ways of Coping with Stress Inventory and Brief Symptom Inventory were the significant predictors of suicide probability.

CONCLUSION

The majority of the patients with physical illness were at risk for suicide probability. Individuals who had psychological symptoms and used maladaptive coping ways obtained significantly higher suicide probability scores.

Suicide Risk in the Hospitalized Elderly in Turkey and Affecting Factors

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the suicide risk among the elderly hospitalized and treated because of physical illnesses, and the factors affecting the risk.

METHODS

The study has a cross-sectional design. It was conducted with 459 elderly people hospitalized and treated in a public hospital between May 25, 2015 and December 4, 2015. Data were collected with the Personal Information Form, Suicide Probability Scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. For the analysis, descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and logistic regression analysis were used.

RESULTS

In the study, 24.0% of the elderly were at high risk for suicide. Suicide risk was even higher among the elderly in the 60-74 age group, living alone, drinking alcohol, perceiving his/her religious beliefs as weak, being treated for cancer, having the diagnosis 11 years or over, having a history of admission to a psychiatry clinic, and being at risk for anxiety and depression.

CONCLUSION

In the study, approximately one out of every four elderly people was at high risk for suicide. Therefore, older people should be assessed for suicide risk and programs targeting to prevent the elderly from committing suicide should be organized.

Alexithymia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: the role of anxiety, depression, and glycemic control

OBJECTIVE

This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of alexithymia in patients with type 2 DM and the factors affecting it.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted with 326 patients with type 2 DM. Study data were collected with the Personal Information Form, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Glycemic control was assessed by glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) results. The analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, Pear-son's correlation, and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Of the patients, 37.7% were determined to have alexithymia. A significant relationship was determined between alexithymia and HbA1c, depression, and anxiety. According to binary logistic regression analyses, alexithymia was 2.63 times higher among those who were in a paid employment than those who were not, 2.09 times higher among those whose HbA1c levels were ≥7.0% than those whose HbA1c levels were <7.0%, 3.77 times higher among those whose anxiety subscale scores were ≥11 than those whose anxiety subscale scores were ≤10, and 2.57 times higher among those whose depression subscale scores were ≥8 than those whose depression subscale scores were ≤7.

CONCLUSION

In this study, it was determined that two out of every five patients with DM had alexithymia. Therefore, their treatment should be arranged to include mental health care services.

Levels of Aggression among Turkish Adolescents and Factors Leading to Aggression

Aggression, an increasing problem among adolescents, is a potential threat to public health as it can lead to violence. Determining the factors causing aggression plays an important role in taking measures to reduce violence. This study aimed at determining the level of aggression among adolescents and at identifying the factors associated with high levels of aggression. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 2,409 Turkish adolescents. Data were collected with the Socio-demographic Questionnaire, Aggression Scale, Perceived Social Support Scale, and Communication Skills Attitude Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, t-test, and logistic regression. The participants' mean aggression score was 91.83 ± 24.05, and 24.0% of the adolescents' aggression levels rated high. According to the logistic regression model, aggression was 1.26 times higher among males, 1.92 times higher among those who perceived their mental health as poor, 1.58 times higher among those with suicidal ideation, 1.29 times higher among those who did not get prepared for university entrance exams, and 1.62 times higher among those who perceived their school performance as poor. Perceived family social support was a protective factor against high aggression. Approximately one out of every four adolescents in the two Turkish high schools where the study was conducted was determined to display high levels of aggression. Therefore, in order to reduce aggression among adolescents, programs such as coping management and coping with anger should be applied by nurses. Programs should include not only students but also families.

Internet Addiction in High School Students in Turkey and Multivariate Analyses of the Underlying Factors

The aim of this study is to examine the Internet addiction among adolescents in relation to their sociodemographic characteristics, communication skills, and perceived familial social support. This cross-sectional research is conducted in the high schools in some city centers, in Turkey, in 2013. In this study, cluster sampling was used. In each school, a class for each grade level was randomly selected, and all the students in the selected classes were included in the sample. One thousand seven hundred forty-two students aged between 14 and 20 years were included in the sample.The mean Internet Addiction Scale (IAS) score of the students was found to be 27.9 ± 21.2. According to the scores obtained from IAS, 81.8% of the students were found to display no symptoms (<50 points), 16.9% were found to display borderline symptoms (50-79 points), and 1.3% were found to be Internet addicts (≥80 points). According to the results of the binary logistic regression, male students and the students in single sex vocational schools were found to report higher levels of borderline Internet addiction. It was also observed that the IAS score increases when the father's educational level increases and when the students' school performance is worse. On the other hand, the IAS score decreases when the student grade level, perceived family social support, and communication skills scores increase.The risk factors for Internet addiction are being a male, low academic achievement, inadequate social support and communication skills, and father's high educational level.

Theoretical studies of molecular structure and vibrational spectra of melaminium acetate acetic acid solvate monohydrate

The molecular geometry and vibrational frequencies of melaminium acetate acetic acid solvate monohydrate in the ground state have been calculated by using the Hartree-Fock (HF) and density functional method (B3LYP) with 6-31++G(d,p) basis set. The results of the optimized molecular structure are presented and compared with the experimental X-ray diffraction. The molecule contains the weak hydrogen bonds of N-H...O and O-H...O types, and those bonds are calculated with HF and DFT method. The computed vibrational frequencies were used to determine the types of molecular motions associated with each of the experimental bands observed. In addition, calculated results are related to the linear correlation plot of computed data versus experimental geometric parameters and IR data.

Molecular structure, IR and NMR spectra of 2,6 distyrylpyridine by density functional theory and ab initio Hartree-Fock calculations

Vibrational frequencies and gauge including atomic orbital (GIAO) 13C NMR and 1H NMR chemical shift values of 2,6 distyrylpyridine (C21H17N) in the ground state have been calculated by using the Hartree-Fock (HF) and density functional method (B3LYP) with 6-31G(d) basis set. These methods are proposed as a tool to be applied in the structural characterization of 2,6 distyrylpyridine (C21H17N). The title compound has C2v point group, thus providing useful support in the interpretation of experimental IR data. In addition, obtained results were related to the linear correlation plot of experimental 13C NMR, 1H NMR chemical shifts values and IR data.

Theoretical studies of molecular structure and vibrational spectra of melaminium citrate

The molecular geometry and vibrational frequencies of melaminium citrate in the ground state have been calculated using the Hartree-Fock (HF) and density functional method (B3LYP) with 6-31G(d) basis set. The optimized geometric bond lengths and bond angles obtained by using HF and density functional theory (DFT, B3LYP) show the best agreement with the experimental data. Comparison of the observed fundamental vibrational frequencies of melaminium citrate and calculated results by density functional B3LYP and Hartree-Fock methods indicate that B3LYP is superior to the scaled Hartree-Fock approach for molecular vibrational problems.

A theoretical study on 1-(thiophen-2-yl-methyl)-2-(thiophen-2-yl)-1H-benzimidazole

The molecular geometry and vibrational frequencies of 1-(thiophen-2-yl-methyl)-2-(thiophen-2-yl)-1H-benzimidazole (C(16)H(12)N(2)S(2)) in the ground state has been calculated using the Hartree-Fock (HF) and density functional method (B3LYP) with 6-31G(d) basis set. The optimized geometric bond lengths and bond angles obtained by using HF and DFT (B3LYP) show the best agreement with the experimental data. Comparison of the observed fundamental vibrational frequencies of 1-(thiophen-2-yl-methyl)-2-(thiophen-2-yl)-1H-benzimidazole (C(16)H(12)N(2)S(2)) and calculated results by density functional B3LYP and Hartree-Fock methods indicate that B3LYP is superior to the scaled Hartree-Fock approach for molecular vibrational problems.

Vibrational spectra and molecular structure of chiral and racemic 4-phenyl-1,3-oxazolidin-2-one by density functional theory and ab initio Hartree-Fock calculations

The vibrational frequencies and molecular geometry of (R)- and (rac)-4-phenly-1,3-oxazolidin-2-one (4-POO) in the ground state have been calculated using the Hartree-Fock and density functional method (B3LYP) with 6-31G(d) basis set. The optimized geometric bond lengths are described better by HF while bond angles are reproduced more accurately by DFT (B3LYP). Comparison of the observed fundamental vibrational frequencies of (R)-POO and (rac)-4-POO and calculated results by density functional B3LYP and Hartree-Fock methods indicate that B3LYP is superior to the scaled Hartree-Fock approach for molecular vibrational problems.

Theoretical studies of molecular structure and vibrational spectra of 2-amino-5-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole

The molecular geometry and vibrational frequencies of 2-amino-5-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole (C8H7N3S) in the ground state has been calculated using the Hartree-Fock and density functional method (B3LYP) with 6-31G(d) basis set. The optimized geometric bond lengths and bond angles obtained by using HF and DFT (B3LYP) show the best agreement with the experimental data. Comparison of the observed fundamental vibrational frequencies of 2-amino-5-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole (C8H7N3S) and calculated results by density functional B3LYP and Hartree-Fock methods indicate that B3LYP is superior to the scaled Hartree-Fock approach for molecular vibrational problems.

Osteoarthritis and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: clinical similarities and differences

Osteoarthritis and osteoporosis are two major health problems affecting more than 60% of post-menopausal women in the United States. The promotion of healthy aging and the prevention and reduction of morbidity and mortality is a main concern for healthcare providers. The similarities and differences in pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment for osteoarthritis and osteoporosis are often not clear for clinicians. Some osteoporosis treatments, including bisphosphonates and vitamin D, seem to have a beneficial effect on osteoarthritis as well. A review of these two conditions in terms of bone mineral density, bone turnover, hormonal effects, and treatment options will be discussed.

Variola virus immune evasion proteins

Variola virus, the causative agent of smallpox, encodes approximately 200 proteins. Over 80 of these proteins are located in the terminal regions of the genome, where proteins associated with host immune evasion are encoded. To date, only two variola proteins have been characterized. Both are located in the terminal regions and demonstrate immunoregulatory functions. One protein, the smallpox inhibitor of complement enzymes (SPICE), is homologous to a vaccinia virus virulence factor, the vaccinia virus complement-control protein (VCP), which has been found experimentally to be expressed early in the course of vaccinia infection. Both SPICE and VCP are similar in structure and function to the family of mammalian complement regulatory proteins, which function to prevent inadvertent injury to adjacent cells and tissues during complement activation. The second variola protein is the variola virus high-affinity secreted chemokine-binding protein type II (CKBP-II, CBP-II, vCCI), which binds CC-chemokine receptors. The vaccinia homologue of CKBP-II is secreted both early and late in infection. CKBP-II proteins are highly conserved among orthopoxviruses, sharing approximately 85% homology, but are absent in eukaryotes. This characteristic sets it apart from other known virulence factors in orthopoxviruses, which share sequence homology with known mammalian immune regulatory gene products. Future studies of additional variola proteins may help illuminate factors associated with its virulence, pathogenesis and strict human tropism. In addition, these studies may also assist in the development of targeted therapies for the treatment of both smallpox and human immune-related diseases.