Investigation of the cortical activity during episodic future thinking in schizophrenia: A functional near-infrared spectroscopy study

Episodic future thinking (EFT) refers to mental simulation of possible future events, a process that mostly depends on episodic memory (EM). EFT impairment in schizophrenia was proposed to disturb continuity in self-functioning. Schizophrenia patients are also impaired in EM as well as executive functions (EFs). In the present study, we aimed to clarify the relationship between EFT and memory functions in schizophrenia by assessing (a) whether a group of individuals with schizophrenia (schizophrenia group [SG]) who have relatively intact long-term memory functions differ from healthy controls (control group [CG]) in terms of EFT performance, and (b) whether such difference is biologically represented in terms of cortical activity. We also aimed to clarify the role of EFs in EFT in 3 task conditions: past remembering with a single cue (PR), future imagination with a single cue (FI-1C), and future imagination with 3 given cues (FI-3C). Cortical activity was monitored by functional near-infrared spectroscopy. Although the two groups showed a comparable performance in the PR, the SG performed worse than the CG in the two future-imagination conditions. In the CG, mental flexibility predicted EFT, and EM predicted PR. No such relationship was observed in the SG. In the CG only, activity was higher in the FI-1C than the PR in the middle and superior temporal cortices. In the SG, activity in the rostral prefrontal cortex (rPFC) was negatively correlated with performance in FI-3C. These results suggest that EFT is still observed but not associated with EFs in individuals with schizophrenia having relatively intact memory functions. Altered activity in the rPFC may be associated with EFT impairment in schizophrenia. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Cutaneous analgesia before transradial access for coronary intervention to prevent radial artery spasm

Aim:

Transradial access (TRA) for coronary intervention is increasingly used in current clinical practice. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the hypothesis that cutaneous analgesia before TRA for coronary intervention at a puncture site 30 minutes before puncture can reduce patient discomfort and the incidence of radial artery spasm (RAS).

Methods:

Patients (n=104) undergoing planned coronary interventions using TRA were prospectively randomized to receive either 1 mL of 1% lidocaine subcutaneously (n=52) (control group) or subcutaneous lidocaine plus 5% lidocaine cream (n=52) cutaneously 30 minutes before puncture (treatment group). The primary endpoint was angiographically or clinically confirmed RAS. Secondary endpoints were the occurrence of patient discomfort in the forearm during the procedure and access-site crossover to the femoral artery. Patient discomfort was quantified with a visual analogue scale (VAS) score.

Results:

Fifty-two patients in the treatment group (60.5±9.4 years of age and 16 female) and 52 patients in the control group (60.4±9.7 years of age and 16 female) were included in the final analysis. Radial artery spasm occurrence decreased in the treatment group compared to the control group (26.9% vs 9.6%; p=0.04) accompanied by a VAS score of 3.7±1.8 in the treatment group and 4.9±2.0 in the control group; p=0.02. The access site crossover rate did not differ between the groups (7.6% vs 21.1%; p=0.09).

Conclusion:

Cutaneous analgesia before TRA for coronary interventions is associated with a substantial reduction in the RAS and the procedure-related level of patient discomfort.

ASSESSMENT OF WARFARIN TREATMENT EFFICACY BY MEANS; OF USING COAGULATION TEST RESULTS WITHIN THE THERAPEUTIC RANGE

Time in Therapeutic Range (TTR) is a value used to assess the efficacy of Warfarin treatment. The aim of our study is to determine the effective INR levels and the rate of TTR in patients on Warfarin regimen due to Atrial Fibrillation (AF) or Mechanical Prosthetic Valve (MPV). A total of 94 patients (58 female, and 36 male, mean age: 64.9±11years) on Warfarin treatment due to AF or MPV with at least 10 INR levels measurements in the last 6 months were included in this retrospective study. The patients were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 consisted of the patients with Valvular AF (n=47); Group 2 included the patients with Non-Valvular AF (n=47); TTR and INR levels were compared. The average of INR values were found as 2,4 (min: 1,3, max: 4,3) in all patients; 2,3 (min: 1,3, max: 4,2) in Group 1; 2,6 (min: 1,3, max: 4,3) in Group 2. The average of TTR values was found 40.3% (min: 10%, max: 80%) in all patients; 43.8% (min: 10%, max: 80%) in Group 1; 36,8% (min: 10%, max: 80%) in Group 2. INR and TTR values are needed to assess the effectiveness of the Warfarin treatment. The patients in treatment with Warfarin should be well trained and frequently monitored. On the other hand, the underlying factors of the TTR values being determined as lower in the Turkish patient population might be due to the lower socio-economic and socio-cultural status, inadequate education levels, and the insufficient information on use of the medication provided by the doctors to the patients.

Slow ventricular response atrial fibrillation related to mad honey poisoning

Mad honey poisoning which is induced by Grayanotoxin (Andromedotoxin), is also known to have adverse effects in the cardiovascular system leading to different clinical entities. This toxin is produced by a member of the Rhododendron genus of plants of two R. Luteum and R. Panticum. In this article, we presented a case of slow ventricular response atrial fibrillation complaints with nausea, vomiting, dizziness and chest pain about an hour after eating honey produced in the Black Sea Region.

Dose evaluation in criticality accidents using response of Panasonic TL personal dosemeters (UD-809/UD-802)

This study gives the results of dosimetry measurements carried out in the Silène reactor at Valduc (France) with neutron and photon personal thermoluminescence dosemeters (TLDs) in mixed neutron and gamma radiation fields, in the frame of the international accident dosimetry intercomparison programme in 2002. The intercomparison consisted of a series of three irradiation scenarios. The scenarios took place at the Valduc site (France) by using the Silène experimental reactor. For neutron and photon dosimetry, Panasonic model UD-809 and UD-802 personal TLDs were used together.

Occupational exposure to ionising radiation with thermoluminescence dosimetry system in Turkey, in 2003

The individual annual dose information on classified workers who are occupationally exposed to extended radiation sources by using thermoluminescence dosimetry system, in Turkey, was assessed and analysed by the Ankara Nuclear Research and Training Centre (ANAEM) dosimetry service at the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK) for the year 2003. A total of 3721 persons were monitored with TLD and the data presented in this report were obtained by using TLD technology in 2003. The annual mean effective doses received from external radiation in different fields of activities and the distribution of the annual effective dose by dose intervals are presented. The collective annual dose by field of activity is estimated and the contribution to the total annual collective dose is determined.

Cardiac emergencies caused by honey ingestion: a single centre experience

An unusual type of food poisoning is commonly seen in the Black Sea coast of Turkey attributable to andromedotoxin containing toxic honey ingestion. This study is a retrospective case series of 19 patients admitted to an emergency department in 2002, poisoned by "mad" honey. All of the patients had the complaints of nausea, vomiting, sweating, dizziness, and weakness, several hours after ingesting "mad" honey. Physical examination showed hypotension in 15 patients, sinus bradycardia in 15, and complete atrioventricular block (AVB) in four patients on admission. Two patients with bradycardia and two with AVB fell and injured their heads. Three of them presented with local haematoma. One patient had a 6 cm cut on his head without any neurological deficit and his cranial computed tomography imaging was normal. Hypotension and conduction disorders resolved with atropine treatment, resulting in complete recovery within 24 hours.

Occupational exposure to ionising radiation in the region of Anatolia, Turkey for the period 1995-1999

For this study, the individual annual dose information on classified workers who are occupationally exposed to extended radiation sources in Turkey, was assessed and analysed by the Ankara Nuclear Research and Training Centre dosimetry service at the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority for the years 1995-1999. The radiation workers monitored are divided into three main work sectors: conventional industry (8.24%), medicine (90.20%) and research-education (1.56%). The average annual dose for all workers in each particular sector was 0.14, 0.38 and 0.08 mSv, respectively, in 1995-1999. This paper contains the detailed analysis of occupational exposure. The statistical analysis provided includes the mean annual dose, the collective dose, the distributions of the dose over the different sectors and the number of workers who have exceeded any of the established dose levels.

Serum trace elements status of rabbits supplemented with Nigella sativa, vitamins C and E, and selenium against damage by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine

In this study, we investigated the effects of Nigella sativa, vitamins C and E, and selenium on the levels of trace elements in the serum of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG)-injected rabbits. The rabbits were separated into one control and three experimental groups, each consisting of eight rabbits. MNNG was administered to all rabbits at a dose of 20 mg/kg. Group A received a suspension of N. sativa, group B received a combination of vitamins C and E and selenium, and group C received MNNG without any additional treatment. Group D did not receive any treatment and acted as control. The concentrations of serum zinc, copper, and iron were determined for groups A, B, C, and D. The zinc levels were 155.3+/-25.8, 304.7+/-14.22, 117.2+/-27.9, and 87.0+/-8 ng/dL for groups A-D, respectively; copper was measured at 234.8+/-31.9, 214.3+/-14.2, 196.5+/-19.3, and 359.2+/-19.9 ng/dL and iron levels were 276.3+/-10.71, 260.8+/-7.15, 211.2+/-13.47, and 223.4+/-9.5 ng/dL, in the stated group order. There were statistically significant differences between groups (p<0.05). The results obtained in this work may be of use for monitoring and preventing the nocive effects of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and similar carcinogens.

The effects of growing conditions on oil content, fatty acid composition and tocopherol content of some sunflower varieties produced in Turkey

The properties of some extensively cultivated sunflower seed varieties in Turkey and their oils were investigated. 1991-1992 crop year sunflower varieties harvested from Trakya University, Tekirdag Agricultural Faculty, Experiment field of Crop Science Department were used as research materials. The oil content, fatty acid composition and tocopherol content of sunflower seeds in 1991 and 1992 crop years were determined as 44.2-51.2% (on dry weight basis), 43.0-51.5% (on dry weight basis); oleic acid 14.8-18.5%, 32.9-40.1%; linoleic acid 69.5-74.5%, 49.7-55.7% and tocopherol content (as alpha-tocopherol) 648-860 mg/kg, 524-880 mg/kg, respectively. It was determined that the growing conditions significantly affected the fatty acid compositions of sunflower varieties studied. While the oleic acid content of the 1992 crop increased, the linoleic acid content of the same crop decreased compared to the 1991 crop.