Investigation of the effect of Ramadan fasting on serum levels of melatonin, cortisol, and serotonin: the case of Turkey

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of Ramadan fasting on melatonin, cortisol, and serotonin levels.

METHODS

In this study, the blood of 19 healthy male individuals between the ages of 26 and 51, registered in Agri (Turkey) Family Health Center and fasting during Ramadan, was studied. The study was carried out in 2021-2022. The SPSS-22 package program was used in the analysis of the data. Wilcoxon analysis was used in the study.

RESULTS

It was determined that the pre-test-post-test melatonin and cortisol levels of the individuals were not statistically significant (p>0.05). It was determined that the pre-test-post-test serotonin difference of the individuals was statistically significant (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

It has been determined that Ramadan fasting increases the serotonin level of individuals but does not change the levels of melatonin and cortisol. It was determined that the level of happiness of individuals increased after Ramadan fasting. Longitudinal studies on the effects of Ramadan fasting are recommended.

The effect of rumination and elder abuse level on successful aging in elderly individuals: Analysis with a machine learning approach

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to determine the effect of rumination and elder abuse levels on successful aging in elderly individuals.

METHODS

This descriptive-correlational study was conducted with older individuals (n = 297) in Ağrı, Turkey, between October 2021 and May 2022. SPSS-22 and R v.4.1.3 were used in the study. Analysis was done with machine learning and artificial neural networks.

RESULTS

In the study, the mean age of the older individuals was 67.49 ± 3.04. Statistical estimates showed the regression model to be significant and usable, F(2,294) = 116.659, P = 0.001. Elder abuse and ruminative thought levels together explained 43.9% of the total variance (R²  = 0.439) of successful aging. The regression model indicated that increases in both the elder abuse level (t = -3.672, P < 0.001) and the ruminative thought level (t = -12.771, P < 0.001) of participants caused a statistically significant decrease in the successful aging level. The combined elder abuse and ruminative thought levels had a greater effect on successful aging (Model 1: F = 45.321, Model 2: F = 116.659, R² Change = 0.309). The R² value of the Random Forest regression model was 0.529, showing that the independent variables could explain 52.92% of the variation in the dependent variable. According to the SHapley Additive exPlanation values, which show the contribution or importance of each variable in the estimation of the model, it was determined that the most important variables for estimating the Successful Aging Scale variable were ruminative thought style and elder abuse screening.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study indicates that a decrease in the levels of rumination and elder abuse could lead to improvement in successful aging. Longitudinal studies on successful aging in older individuals are recommended.

Investigation of the Relationship Between Xenophobic Attitude and Intercultural Sensitivity Level in Health Education Students

INTRODUCTION

Intercultural sensitivity and xenophobia levels of health education students can affect the care they give to the patient. It is important to know the level of intercultural sensitivity and xenophobia of students receiving health education and to determine the relationship between them. The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between xenophobic attitudes and intercultural sensitivity among university students.

METHODS

This quantitative cross-sectional research was conducted in between January and June 2022 with health education students. The study conducted with health education students at Gumushane University and Agri Ibrahim Cecen University. Child Development, Nursing, Emergency Management Services/Technicians, Nutrition and Dietetics, Elderly care, Social services, Medical Laboratory Techniques, and Disabled Care studying at these universities were included in the study. Students who received health education and wanted to participate voluntarily in the study were included. Students aged 18 and over, studying in the health education department of the university, studying in the 1, 2, 3, 4th classes and volunteering to participate in the study were included in the study. The Introductory Information Form, the Xenophobia Scale, and the Intercultural Sensitivity Scale were used to collect the research data.

RESULTS

This study was conducted with 789 students. According to our study, a significant negative correlation was found between the students' xenophobia scale and the intercultural sensitivity scale total score means (p < .05). Intercultural sensitivity has a negative and significant effect on the level of xenophobia (β = -0.116; t (787) = -3.283, p = .001). A significant difference was found between the students' Xenophobia Scale total score mean and gender, department, and grade (p < .05) as was the case between Intercultural Sensitivity Scale total score mean and gender, department, grade, immigrant acquaintance, and foreign language knowledge (English language) level (p < .05).

DISCUSSION

Intercultural sensitivity has a negative and significant effect on the level of xenophobia. It can negatively affect the level of caregiving of students receiving health education. It is thought that intercultural sensitivity will be developed by including course content in the curriculum to increase students' intercultural effectiveness and awareness levels and to reduce xenophobic prejudices.

Identification of nursing students' attitudes toward older people

OBJECTIVES

The present study aims to identify nursing students' attitudes toward older people.

METHODS

This descriptive study was conducted with 166 nursing department students enrolled in a four-year undergraduate programme in a university located in Eastern Turkey. The participants were chosen using convenience sampling method, and data were collected through the Descriptive Characteristics Form and Turkish version of Kogan's Attitudes toward Older People Scale (KAOPS).

RESULTS

It was found that the students participating in the study had positive attitudes toward older people, and the mean scores of those who wanted to work with older people after graduation were significantly high (p < 0.05). Scale mean scores according to receiving gerontology nursing course showed that there were no significant differences between the groups who received gerontology nursing course and who did not.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that nursing students' attitudes toward older people were positive. Cultural features of the region where the study was conducted are considered to have effects on this result. Impact statement: As nursing students will provide care to older people in the future, it is important to know and assess their attitudes towards the older.

Second Trimester Fetal and Maternal Epicardial Fat Thickness in Gestational Diabetic Pregnancies

Our aim was to evaluate the association between gestational diabetes mellitus and sonographically measured fetal epicardial fat thickness between 24-28 weeks' gestation. This was a cross-sectional study that included 40 pregnancies with gestational diabetes mellitus, matched with 40 normal pregnancies with similar maternal age, body-mass index, gestational age, fetal gender, and fetal abdominal circumference on ultrasound. Fetal epicardial fat thickness was measured and recorded during ultrasonography at 24-28 weeks of gestation. Maternal evaluation included measurement of maternal epicardial fat thickness, using echocardiography. Fetal and maternal epicardial fat thickness values were compared across the groups. Ultrasound views of fetal epicardial fat thickness were evaluated independently by 3 perinatology fellows to determine inter- and intra-observer variability. Partial and intraclass correlation analyses were used. Fetal and maternal epicardial fat thickness measurements were moderately correlated (r=0.63). Mean fetal and maternal epicardial fat thickness values were higher in gestational diabetes mellitus pregnancies (p=0.004 and p<0.0001, respectively) compared to controls. Fetal epicardial fat thickness was positively correlated (r=0.43) with postchallenge 2-h glucose values. Inter- and intra-observer agreement was high, demonstrated by strong correlations (r=0.99 and r=0.99, respectively) across fetal epicardial fat thickness measurements of the examiners. Fetuses from gestational diabetes mellitus pregnancies have significantly higher fetal and maternal epicardial fat thickness values compared to nongestational diabetes mellitus pregnancies. Fetal epicardial fat thickness obtained during second trimester fetal anatomy ultrasound may potentially be a reliable indicator for gestational diabetes mellitus. However, clinical validation studies are needed.

The effect of conversion type on P wave dispersion in patients with atrial fibrillation

AIM

The aim of this study was to investigate whether conversion type of atrial fibrillation (AF) to sinus rhythm affects the P wave dispersion (PD) in patients with AF.

METHODS

Based on conversion type, 95 consecutive patients with AF<3 months were divided into 3 groups: spontaneous cardioversion (SC) (N.=33, mean age: 60.6+/-11.6 years), pharmacologic cardioversion (PC) (N.=32, mean age: 59.2+/-9.6 years) and electrical cardioversion (EC) (N.= 30, mean age: 65.3+/-10.6 years). P wave duration (maximum and minimum) were measured in 12-lead ECG, and PD was calculated.

RESULTS

Left atrial diameter and AF duration were significantly higher in EC (43.6+/-4.8 mm and 794.1+/-815.1 h) than SC (38.5+/-3.9 mm and 13.8+/-18.3 h) and PC (40.9+/-4.5 mm and 65.3+/-148.5 h) groups (P<0.01). P maximum was much longer in EC group compared with SC and PC group (121.6+/-9.7, 108.4+/-6.4 and 115.8+/-8.6 ms, P=0.01, respectively). There was a significant difference in PD among SC, PC and EC groups (44.4+/-9.2, 49.5+/-8.7 and 53.5+/-8.8 ms; P=0.005, respectively). PD correlated with AF duration (r=0.36, P=0.03), left atrial diameter (r=0.45, P=0.002) and conversion type (r=0.29, P=0.03). However, there was no significant association between PD and conversion type in multivariate analysis. The prolonged PD resulted from AF duration (P=0.01) and the left atrial size P=0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that conversion type of AF to sinus rhythm has no effect on P wave duration and independent of AF duration and the left atrial diameter.

Analysis and modelling of land-based nutrient pollution by watershed models coupled with GIS: a case study from Turkey

Diffuse pollution is usually temporally and spatially uncertain, and thus hard to analyze. In many cases, discretizing a diffuse source of pollution into individual point sources can ease diffuse pollution modelling and analysis, and therefore reduce high uncertainty especially in the spatial distribution of pollution loads. This is however a difficult task, since quite a number of sub-drainage areas, with complex structures and land-use properties, has to be delineated. Watershed models can be used to delineate the sub-drainage areas in a watershed with high accuracy and locate the related outlets which connect the sub-drainage areas to the main waterbody in a watershed. In this study, such an approach has been used on a case study to model the diffuse nutrient loads carried to streams that reach to a medium-sized lake in Turkey. The annual nutrient loads, which were calculated by using mathematical models, were then converted to a load-map with the help of a geographical information system.

Complications associated with percutaneous placement of intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation: can unsheathed insertion reduce limb ischaemia?

Complications related to percutaneous placement of intra-aortic balloon pump counterpulsation are still high despite major refinements in catheter design and techniques. One hundred and forty-eight patients in whom intra-aortic balloon pumping was inserted were classified into two groups on the basis of the insertion technique. Group I included 103 patients in whom the conventional percutaneous insertion was used. A sheathless insertion technique was used in group II (n = 45). The overall complication rate was 16.6% (25 of 150), in which lower limb ischaemia was the most common complication. The limb ischaemia was noted in 12 patients (11.5%) in group I and 4 patients (8.9%) in group II (statistically not significant). Peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus and female gender were found to be significant predictors of limb ischaemia (p = 0.01, p = 0.02 and p = 0.03, respectively). In conclusion, sheathless insertion of intra-aortic balloon pump catheters does not reduce the incidence of limb ischaemia.

Circulating cytokines and complements in chronic heart failure

Elevated levels of cytokines and complements have been reported in patients with advanced heart failure, but the exact clinical significance remains unclear. Therefore, assessments correlated with hemodynamic and clinical variables may provide important insight into the actions of cytokines and complements in chronic heart failure. The authors evaluated the clinical significance of cytokines and complements. The study included 60 subjects (50 men, 10 women); 34 had idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and 26 had ischemic heart disease (IHD). Tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-2 receptor concentrations in chronic heart failure were greater than in control subjects (20.0 +/- 0.4 vs 18.0 +/- 0.5 pg/mL, p<0.05 and 817.23 +/- 63.50 vs 642.75 +/- 27.31 pg/mL, p<0.05, respectively). There was no significant difference between DCM and IHD patients in circulating levels of the cytokines and the components complements (p=NS). Additionally, although functional classes III and IV heart failure patients showed a tendency to increase the levels of the cytokines and the component complements, these differences were not statistically significant (p=NS). Similarly, correlation analysis showed that the levels of the circulating cytokines and the component complements had independent value for mortality. These results suggest that humoral and cellular immunity abnormalities may play an important role in the pathogenesis of heart failure and dilated cardiomyopathy.

Plasma leukocyte elastase concentration and coronary artery disease

It has previously been shown that leukocyte elastase is involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Few studies have addressed the relation between leukocyte elastase concentrations and coronary artery disease (CAD). The authors investigated (1) the clinical significance of leukocyte elastase determination in the diagnosis of CAD and (2) the relation between plasma leukocyte elastase concentration and lesion morphology. The study included 185 subjects (140 men, 45 women) who underwent coronary angiography during investigation of chest pain; 135 had coronary stenosis (Group I) and 50 had nonstenotic coronaries (Group II). Among Group I patients, those with simple atheromatous plaques were distinguished from those with complex plaques. Elastase concentrations in Group I were greater than in Group II (57.1 +/- 1.16 micrograms I[-1] vs 27.6 +/- 1.0 microgram, I[-1], P<0.001), and greater in complex plaque patients than in those with simple plaques (64.5 +/- 1.24 micrograms I[-1] vs 45.9 +/- 1.01 micrograms I[-1], P<0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed (1) that elastase concentration, age, and sex had independent value for prediction of CAD and (2) that among Group I patients, the risk of complex plaques was greatest for those with high elastase concentration. These results suggest that plasma leukocyte elastase concentration is a sensitive diagnostic marker of CAD and that high values of elastase may indicate the presence of complex atheromatous plaques.