Coping styles for sexual dysfunction and stress among married women of reproductive age: a cross-sectional study from Turkiye.

Objectives: To identify sexual dysfunction in married women of reproductive age, and to examine its relationship with stress coping styles. METHODS: The cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted between February and June 2019 at the obstetrics and gynaecology outpatient clinic of Gulhane Training and Research Hospital in Ankara, Turkiye. The sample comprised married women aged 18-49 years who had an active sexual life over the preceding month, and were neither pregnant nor in the postpartum phase. Data was collected using the Female Sexual Function Index, and the Stress Coping Styles Scale. Data was analysed using SPSS 22. RESULTS: There were 216 women with mean age 33.58±6.77 years. The mean Female Sexual Function Index score was 22.29±6.08. The mean Stress Coping Styles Scale subscale scores were: self-confident 20.71±3.53, helpless 18.07±4.27, submissive 12.13±3.00, optimistic 13.70±2.35, and seeking social support 11.89±2.01. The total Female Sexual Function Index score had a positive, significant correlation with self-confidence (r=0.15; p=0.03) and seeking social support subscales (r=0.18; p=0.01) and a negative, significant correlation with submissive subscale (r=-0.17; p=0.02) of the Stress Coping Styles Scale. CONCLUSIONS: Establishing awareness among women about sexual dysfunction and improving effective coping styles may contribute to improved sexual health among women.

Clinical Performance of Posterior Indirect Resin Composite Restorations with the Proximal Box Elevation Technique: A Prospective Clinical Trial up to 3 Years.

PURPOSE: The study evaluated the clinical performance of partial indirect resin composite (PIRC) restorations with "proximal box elevation" (PBE) placed in molars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-three patients received 80 posterior PIRC (SR Nexco, Ivoclar Vivadent) restorations. Large posterior defects with cuspal loss and deep cervical margins were included in the study. PBE was performed prior to preparation and impression making. Two independent observers evaluated the restorations using the FDI criteria (scores 1-5) for esthetic, functional, and biological properties. Patients were recalled at 6 months and 1, 2, and 3 years. Overall success rates were calculated (Kaplan-Meier analysis) and compared (log-rank tests) according to baseline variables. The impact of the baseline variables on the failure of the restorations was analyzed (multiple proportional Cox regression). RESULTS: Seventy-nine (98.7%), 69 (88.4%), 66 (92.9%), 44 (86.2%) and 45 (91.8%) PIRCs completed their follow up at baseline, 6 months, and 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively. In total, 10 failures were observed: 5 with partial loss, 4 with material chipping, and one with secondary caries, yielding an overall success rate of 87.5% and a survival rate of 93.8%, with a mean observation time of 26.5 ± 13.6 months. CONCLUSIONS: PIRCs with PBE demonstrated a high survival rate and satisfactory esthetic properties. Failure was less likely for PIRC restorations with partial cuspal coverage (onlay) compared to full cuspal coverage (overlay).

Exploring the impacts of Covid-19 on the electronic product trade of the G-7 countries: A complex network analysis approach and panel data analysis.

The present study attempts to explore the impacts of COVID-19 on the intra-group electronic product trade of the world's seven largest economies. In line with this purpose, we performed a complex network analysis of the electronic product trade of the group of seven (G-7) countries and China, as well as a panel data study comprising solely the G-7 countries. In this regard, we investigated the trade networks within the G-7 countries, to which China has been added, and determined the prominent countries in the network during the pandemic to be China, the USA and Canada. The findings also revealed that China, one of the pioneering countries in electronic product trade, has the most ties in electronic products exports with the USA, the other countries with which the USA had the most ties were Japan and Germany, apart from Canada. It was discovered that Germany was the most active country in the network, following the USA, in terms of export ties and the number of export countries in its network. The panel data analysis, on the other hand, yielded two different models, namely import and export, based on 22 months of data, from March 2020 to December 2021, considering the World Health Organization's (WHO) declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic on March 11, 2020. The findings showed that independent variables affecting the electronic product trade within G-7 countries bore different effects in both models, that the deaths/cases ratio, the tests/cases ratio and the number of cases had adverse impacts while the population had positive impacts on exports in the first model, and that the tests/population ratio had adverse effects while the number of tests and the population had positive impacts on intra-group electronic product imports.

Trace element levels in serum and gastric mucosa in patients with Helicobacter pylori positive and negative gastritis.

BACKGROUND: Most trace elements are inhibited by Helicobacter pylori-infection, and variations in specific element levels are linked to the development of stomach cancer. This is the first study to show the relationship between serum and tissue concentrations of twenty-five trace elements and H. pylori infection status. This study purposed to define serum and tissue trace element levels of 25 healthy individuals with Helicobacter pylori-positive gastritis and Helicobacter pylori-negative gastritis and to reveal their relationship with the disease. METHODS: Study groups consisted of sixty-two patients with Helicobacter pylori-positive, thirty-seven patients with Helicobacter pylori-negative, and thirty healthy individuals. Serum and tissue concentrations of twenty-five elements (aluminum, boron, arsenic, barium, calcium, beryllium, copper, cadmium, iron, chromium, mercury, lithium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, manganese, nickel, phosphorus, lead, scandium, strontium, selenium, tellurium, titanium, zinc) were defined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. RESULTS: Except for copper, lithium, and strontium elements in serum samples, other trace elements differed significantly between the groups (p < 0.05). The serum chromium (p = 0.002), mercury (p = 0.001), boron (p < 0.001), and cadmium (p < 0.001) levels of H. pylori-negative gastritis and H. pylori-positive gastritis participants were significantly different, and their serum concentrations were less than 0.5 µ/l. Boron, barium, beryllium, chromium, lithium, phosphorus and strontium elements in tissue samples did not differ significantly between the groups (p > 0.05). Manganese, nickel, tellurium and titanium elements were not detected in tissue and serum samples. The mean concentrations of calcium, beryllium, chromium, iron, potassium, lithium, magnesium, scandium, and selenium were higher in the tissues of patients with H. pylori gastritis compared to healthy control tissues. Also, cadmium could not be detected in tissue samples. There was a significant difference between H. pylori-infected tissue and serum chromium levels (p = 0.001), with lower levels detected in tissue samples. CONCLUSION: This is the first study that we are knowledgeable of that reports the concentrations of twenty five elements in both serum and tissue samples, as well as the relationship between trace elements and Helicobacter pylori-infection status. Dietary adjustment is indicated as an adjunct to medical therapy to stabilize trace elements because Helicobacter pylori bacteria cause inflammation and impair element absorption in gastritis patients. We also think that this study will shed light on studies on the relationship between Helicobacter pylori-trace elements and serum-tissue/healthy serum-tissue trace element levels of patients with Helicobacter pylori gastritis.

First-Principles Investigation of Charged Germagraphene as a Cathode Material for Dual-Carbon Batteries.

As part of the concerted effort for development of energy storage technologies, dual-ion batteries (DIBs) or dual-carbon batteries (DCBs) are attracting interest, owing primarily to their eco-friendly active materials. The use of carbon as the active materials of DCBs brings about several challenges involving capacity and stability. This contribution aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the structural and electronic properties of Ge-doped graphene (Germagraphene) as a novel cathode material for DCBs. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are combined with the effective screening medium (ESM) method for analyzing the electronic and band structure of PF6 - anion-adsorbed Germagraphene under a potential bias. These theoretical investigations indicate that the use of Ge as a dopant for graphene has a positive impact on the adsorption of the anion on the cathode under both neutral and electrically biased conditions.

The Effect of Bright White Light on Fatigue Levels in Patients with Gynecological Cancer: A Randomized Control Trial.

Objectives: Bright white light (BWL) therapy is one of the non-pharmacological methods in the management of fatigue. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of BWL on fatigue levels in patients with gynecological cancer who were receiving chemotherapy. Methods: This randomized controlled study were made with 72 women (intervention (n:36) and control (n:36) groups) at gynecologic oncology clinic. Standard BWL at the intensity of 10,000lux was applied to the patients in the intervention group at the same time every day between the second and the eighth days of the chemotherapy cycle. Fatigue levels of all patients (n: 72) were evaluated on the first,ninth and 21st days. Results: The first, ninth, and 21st days general fatigue scores of intervention and control groups was 4.876 ± 0.000;4.384 ± 0.270;4.387 ± 0.258 and 4.876 ± 0.000;5.033 ± 0.270;4.984 ± 0.258, respectively (p = 0.100). Interference of fatigue with daily life scores was found statistically different between the intervention and control groups in the first, ninth, and 21st day, respectively 4.55 ± 0.26; 3.53 ± 0.23; 3.57 ± 0.22 and 4.95 ± 0.26;4.79 ± 0.23;4.82 ± 0.22 (p = 0.029). Conclusions: BWL therapy was effective in reducing interference of fatigue with daily life in patients receiving chemotherapy, but did not affect the general fatigue level of the patients. Based on the available data, it is possible that the application of BWL may have a positive effect on general fatigue when the number of samples and the application time are increased. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05009693.

A histopathological and stereological study of the effects of acetylsalicylic acid on doxorubicin-induced hepatotoxicity in mice.

Doxorubicin (Dox) is an anthracycline antibiotic with antineoplastic activity. Acetylsalicylic acid (Asa) is recommended for use as a prophylactic for thromboembolism during treatment of cancers. We investigated liver toxicity due to combined use of Dox and Asa in chemotherapy regimens. We used 140 Swiss albino mice divided into four main groups: control, Dox, Asa, and Dox + Asa. Each group was subdivided into seven subgroups based on time of sacrifice, i.e., 6, 12, 24, 48 h and 7, 14, 21 days. Quantitative and histopathological changes in liver were assessed by light microscopy and stereology. The portal triad area of the Dox and Dox + Asa groups was increased significantly compared to controls at 6 h, whereas in the Asa group, the means were similar to controls. Assessment of histopathology indicated an increased time-dependent degeneration and necrosis of liver tissues in mice in the Dox and Dox + Asa groups. The protective effects of Asa were not evident in Dox + Asa group. When Dox and Asa were administered together, degenerative changes were greater than for in the group that was given Dox alone. We found that Asa and Dox combined therapy increased tissue damage.

Effects of upper extremity aerobic exercise training on oxygen consumption, exercise capacity, dyspnea and quality of life in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary and extrapulmonary impairments are prevalent in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) which is a rare, chronic and progressive disease. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of upper extremity aerobic exercise training on exercise capacity, oxygen consumption, dyspnea and quality of life in patients with PAH. METHODS: In a prospective, randomized controlled, double-blinded study, eleven patients in training group applied upper extremity aerobic exercise training (50-80% of maximal heart rate), 15-45 min/day, 3 days a week for 6 weeks and 11 patients in control group alternating active upper extremity exercises for the same period. Exercise capacity evaluated using six minute walk test (6MWT), oxygen consumption simultaneously measured during 6MWT using a portable instrument, dyspnea modified Borg scale and Modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale and quality of life Short Form 36 Health Survey, before and after the exercise training. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics of groups were similar (p>0.05). Dyspnea (p<0.001) and peak oxygen consumption (p = 0.031) were significantly improved in training group compared the controls. Dyspnea, exercise capacity, peak oxygen consumption, minute ventilation, tidal volume, end tidal carbon-dioxide pressure, and vitality, social functioning and role-physical were significantly improved within training group (p<0.05). Oxygen consumption at anaerobic threshold were significantly decreased within control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Upper extremity aerobic exercise training improves oxygen consumption, and decreases dyspnea perception. It is a safe and effective intervention in patients with PAH. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT02371733).

Inhibition of acrolein-induced apoptosis by the antioxidant selenium.

In this study, the effects of a potent antioxidant, selenium, on apoptosis induced by acrolein, a cytotoxic and genotoxic environmental pollutant, were investigated by immunohistochemical and electron microscopic methods. One hundred adult male Wistar albino rats were used in the study. The rats were divided into four main groups: control, acrolein, selenium, and acrolein + selenium. The animals in the experimental groups were given 1 mg/kg/day selenium and 4 mg/kg/day acrolein daily for 7 days by gavage. After drug administration, each group was divided into subgroups according to the time they were to be euthanized: 12th hour, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th day. The rats in each group at the determined time were euthanized and their livers were removed. Routine histological procedures were performed for light and electron microscopy examinations. After applying the Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay on the liver sections, apoptotic index values were calculated. Comparing the liver sections of the rats in the acrolein group and the control group, acrolein was found to cause a significant increase in the apoptotic index. The apoptotic index values of the acrolein + selenium group decreased compared to the acrolein group. In the electron microscopic examinations, apoptotic findings were observed in the liver tissues of the rats given acrolein, such as chromatin condensation in the nucleus of hepatocytes, dilatations in the perinuclear space, and cytoplasmic vacuolization. These apoptotic findings were not observed in the acrolein + selenium group after the 12th hour. These findings show that selenium may potentially be useful as a protective agent for people exposed to acrolein.

Stereological examination of curcumin's effects on hippocampal damage caused by the anti-epileptic drugs phenobarbital and valproic acid in the developing rat brain.

The anti-epileptic drugs phenobarbital and valproic acid have an extremely strong negative effect on cognitive processes such as learning and memory in the developing brain. We examined whether or not curcumin has protective effects on neuronal injury caused by these drugs in the developing rat brain. Young male Wistar rats were studied in two groups, a 7 days old and a 14 days old group (35 rats in each). Both groups were then divided into 7 sub-groups as the control, curcumin, dimethylsulfoxide, phenobarbital, valproic acid, phenobarbital + curcumin, and valproic acid + curcumin groups (n = 5 in each group). At 24 h after the intraperitoneal injection of the compounds, the rats were sacrificed, and the hippocampal tissue was subjected to stereological analysis with the optical fractionation method. Total numbers of neurons in the hippocampus of the 7 days old and 14 days old rats were calculated. It was found that treatment with phenobarbital resulted in a loss of 43% of the neurons, and valproic acid induced a loss of 57% of the neurons in the 7 days old rats. Curcumin prevented this loss significantly with only 19% in the phenobarbital group and 41% in the valproic acid group. In the 14 days old rat groups, phenobarbital was found to reduce the number of neurons by 30%, and valproic acid reduced it by 38%. Curcumin treatment limited neuronal loss to 3% in the phenobarbital + curcumin group and 10% in the valproic acid + curcumin group. These data strongly indicate that curcumin is a protective agent and prevents hippocampal neuronal damage induced by phenobarbital and valproic acid treatment.

How production-based and consumption-based emissions accounting systems change climate policy analysis: the case of CO2 convergence.

Much of the existing research analyses on emissions and climate policy are dominantly based on emissions data provided by production-based accounting (PBA) system. However, PBA provides an incomplete picture of driving forces behind these emission changes and impact of global trade on emissions, simply by neglecting the environmental impacts of consumption. To remedy this problem, several studies propose to consider national emissions calculated by consumption-based accounting (CBA) systems in greenhouse gas (GHG) assessments for progress and comparisons among the countries. In this article, we question the relevance of PBA's dominance. To this end, we, firstly, try to assess and compare PBA with CBA adopted in greenhouse gas emissions accounting systems in climate change debates on several issues and to discuss the policy implications of the choice of approach. Secondly, we investigate the convergence patterns in production-based and consumption-based emissions in 35 Annex B countries for the period between 1990 and 2015. This study, for the first time, puts all these arguments together and discusses possible outcomes of convergence analysis by employing both the production- and consumption-based CO2 per capita emissions data. The empirical results found some important conclusions which challenge most of the existing CO2 convergence studies.

Three-Dimensional Imaging in Orthodontics.

Orthodontic records are one of the main milestones in orthodontic therapy. Records are essential not only for diagnosis and treatment planning but also for follow-up of the case, communicating with colleagues, and evaluating the treatment outcomes. Recently, two-dimensional (2D) imaging technology, such as cephalometric and panoramic radiographs and photographs, and plaster models were routinely used. However, after the introduction of three-dimensional (3D) technologies (laser scanner, stereophotogrammetry, and computed tomography) into dentistry, 3D imaging systems are more and more commonly preferred than 2D, especially in cases with craniofacial deformities. In fact, 3D imaging provided more detailed and realistic diagnostic information about the craniofacial hard as well as soft tissue and allowed to perform easier, faster, and more reliable 3D analyses. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the 3D imaging techniques, including their advantages and disadvantages, and to outline the indications for 3D imaging.

Turkish University seniors' knowledge of and opinions on fertility and expectations of having children.

BACKGROUND: In recent years the trend of postponement of child bearing has been increasing. AIM: To assess knowledge on fertility and expectations of having children in seniors at a Turkish University. METHODS: The cross-sectional study sample (n=485) comprised senior students of the University in the branches of medicine, social sciences, and life sciences. Data were collected via a self-administered questionnaire in 2015. RESULTS: The mean age of the students was 23.03±1.93 and 98.1% were unmarried. 88.45% of these students wanted to have children in the future. A higher percentage of females planned parenthood in the future than males. Males desired more children than females. Most students wanted to have their first child at age 25-29. Males wanted to have their first and last child later than did females. In case of infertility, 74.4% of females and 54.2% of males stated that they can benefit from assisted reproduction techniques. Students overestimated the success rate of assisted reproduction techniques. The percentage of students who were aware of the age at which fertility begins to decline was low. CONCLUSION: The expectations of seniors at a Turkish university to have children in the future are high, with insufficient knowledge on fertility.

Using Computerized Cytomorphometry to Distinguish between Benign and Malignant Cases in Thyroid Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology.

BACKGROUND: Only a small number of studies on computerized cytomorphometry have been performed for thyroid FNAC. The present study aimed to determine the usefulness of computerized cytomorphometry methods to further classify thyroid lesions as benign or malignant and to compare the practicability and value of using Papanicolaou (Pap) and Giemsa stains in thyroid FNAC by evaluating their association to various cytologic nuclear parameters. METHODS: Fifty-eight thyroid lesions diagnosed by FNAC and categorized according to the Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology were evaluated in terms of various cytologic nuclear parameters, including nuclear area (NA), nuclear perimeter (NP), nuclear density (ND), long nuclear diameter (LND), and short nuclear diameter (SND). The Pap- and Giemsa-stained slides were examined separately. RESULTS: In the malignant cases, NA, NP, LND, and SND were higher than in the benign cases for both the Pap and Giemsa stains. NA, NP, LND, and SND were higher in Giemsa than Pap for both the benign and malignant groups. Statistically significant differences were detected between the benign and malignant cases in the AUS category. CONCLUSIONS: Computerized cytomorphometry is useful in distinguishing between benign and malignant lesions in thyroid FNAC. The measurement of cytologic nuclear parameters in cases suggestive of AUS may be useful for the probable classification of cases as benign or malignant. Although further studies are needed, in nuclear morphometric assessment of thyroid FNAC, Giemsa staining may be more useful and valuable than the Pap stain because of its association with various cytologic nuclear parameters. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2016;44:902-911. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Efficacy of Diode Laser and Gluma on Post-Preparation Sensitivity: A Randomized Split-Mouth Clinical Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of a 940-nm diode laser and Gluma desensitizer on post-preparation sensitivity of prepared teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with 76 teeth participated in the study. For each patient, prepared molar or premolar in one quadrant were individually irradiated by laser. In the symmetrical quadrant, Gluma was applied onto the prepared teeth. No treatment was performed in the control group. Temporary crowns were placed after preparation. Pain response to tactile stimulus was assessed at one day, one week, and two weeks using visual analog scale (VAS). Intergroup comparisons were made with Kruskal Wallis test (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Mean VAS scores of the control group were statistically higher than laser and Gluma groups (p < 0.017). The difference between VAS scores of the laser and Gluma groups was statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A significant reduction in level of sensitivity after both treatments was observed. The reduction of sensitivity with Gluma was not significantly superior to laser. No significant additional reduction occurred in level of sensitivity from the first day to the second week after both treatments. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The application of Gluma or a 940-nm diode laser may be considered as effective in reducing sensitivity after tooth preparation without superiority of either method. (J Esthet Restor Dent 28:405-411, 2016).

The evaluation of reliability and contribution of frozen section pathology to staging endometrioid adenocarcinomas.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the reliability and accuracy of intraoperative pathological findings, compared to permanent section (PS) and to understand contributions of frozen section (FS) to final staging in patients with endometrioid carcinomas. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of 79 patients undergoing intraoperative FS and with endometrioid adenocarcinomas. Intraoperative pathological findings were compared with final results as to grade, depth of myometrial invasion (MI), cervical involvement, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) and stage. We also analyzed whether staging procedures like pelvic or para-aortic lymph node metastasis, peritoneal cytology and extension beyond of uterus were related to FS findings. Staging was based on the FIGO 2009. RESULTS: FS results were agreement in 89.9 % for grade, 88.6 % for depth of MI, 100 % for cervical invasion, and 92.4 % for LVSI, compared with PS. On FS, 12, 16.6 and 44.4 % of specimens in stages of IA, IB and II became upstaged in final pathology, respectively. Of 79 cases, 5 (6.3 %) were upstaged to IIIC1, and 3 (3.8 %) were upstaged to IIIC2 because of lymph node metastasis. A significant relationship was detected between lymph node metastasis, and FS grades (p = 0.001), LVSI (p = 0.000), cervical invasion (p = 0.006) and MI (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: We consider that intraoperative FS is a useful procedure to identify poor prognostic pathological factors. While grading, depth of MI, cervical stromal invasion and LVSI on FS are significant in predicting lymph node metastasis, the existence of cervical stromal invasion and LVSI should be considered more effective parameters in the identification of metastatic endometrial cancer risks.

Interactive data mining for molecular graphs.

Designing new medical drugs for a specific disease requires extensive analysis of many molecules that have an activity for the disease. The main goal of these extensive analyses is to discover substructures (fragments) that account for the activity of these molecules. Once they are discovered, these fragments are used to understand the structure of new drugs and design new medicines for the disease. In this paper, we propose an interactive approach for visual molecule mining to discover fragments of molecules that are responsible for the desired activity with respect to a specific disease. Our approach visualizes molecular data in a form that can be interpreted by a human expert. Using a pipelining structure, it enables experts to contribute to the solution with their expertise at different levels. In order to derive desired fragments, it combines histogram-based filtering and clustering methods in a novel way. This combination enables a flexible determination of frequent fragments that repeat in molecules exactly or with some variations.