Relationship between internet addiction and alexithymia among university students.

PURPOSE: Epidemiological studies concerning internet addiction found that 50% of internet addicts also have other kinds of psychiatric disorders. This study aims to examine the relationship between alexithymia and internet addiction levels among Turgut Özal University students in Ankara, Turkey. METHOD: University students (1,107 students; 452 students from 12 associate degree programs and 655 students from 10 undergraduate programs) participated in the study. The researchers used the personal information form, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale and the Internet Addiction Scale. The approval for the current study was received from the Turgut Özal University Medical Faculty Clinical Studies Ethics Committee. RESULTS: The number of the alexithymic students was 12.5% whereas the number of the students who were internet addicts was 13.5%. The internet addiction scores were higher among alexithymic individuals than the non-alexithymic (p.

Serum copper and zinc concentrations in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

The aim of this study was to measure the alterations in serum trace elements, including zinc and copper in patients with chronic hepatitis C and to compare them with the results of healthy individuals. Seventeen patients with chronic hepatitis C and 17 healthy individuals were included in this study. Serum zinc and cooper concentrations were measured by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer of patients with chronic hepatitis C and the results were statistically compared with those of healthy individuals. Serum zinc concentrations were 105.6+/-22.8 microg/dl in patients with chronic hepatitis C and 94.41+/-19 microg/dl in healthy controls, respectively. Serum copper concentrations were 103.17+/-20.8 microg/dl in patients with chronic hepatitis C and 90.8+/-14.3 microg/dl in healthy subjects, respectively. Serum zinc and copper concentrations were not found statistically different in patients with chronic hepatitis C compared with those of healthy individuals (p>0.05). In conclusion, serum trace element concentrations did not show statistical alterations in patients with chronic hepatitis C compared to healthy subjects.

Serum copper and zinc concentrations in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

The aim of this study was to measure the alterations in serum trace elements, including zinc and copper in patients with chronic hepatitis and to compare with the results of healthy individuals. The serum zinc and copper concentrations were measured by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer in sera of patients with chronic hepatitis and statistically compared with those of healthy individuals. One hundred and five subjects, 71 patients with chronic hepatitis B (46 asymptomatic carriers, 25 chronic active hepatitis B) and 34 healthy individuals were included in this study. Sera of patients with chronic hepatitis and statistically compared with those of healthy individuals. Serum zinc concentrations were 104+/-24.98 microg/dl in asymptomatic carriers, 97+/-16.03 microg/dl in chronic active hepatitis and 108+/-21.07 in healthy controls, respectively. Serum copper concentrations were 88+/-17.8 microg/dl in asymptomatic carriers, 86+/-20.02 microg/dl in patients with chronic active hepatitis B and 88+/-13.59 microg/dl in healthy controls, respectively. Serum zinc and copper concentrations were not statistically different in patients with chronic hepatitis B compared with those of healthy individuals (p>0.05). Serum trace element concentrations did not show statistical alterations in patients with chronic hepatitis B compared with healthy subjects.

Factors affecting daily instrumental activities of the elderly.

BACKGROUND/AIM: In order to determine elderly people's capabilities in daily activities, we evaluated the factors that may affect their daily instrumental activities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed an observational, analytical, and cross-sectional study on 101 patients above 60 years of age in 2008 and 2009. We applied the Lawton Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL) scale, the Standardized Mini-Mental State Examination (SMMSE), and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) during one-on-one interviews with the patients. Demographic data and disability levels were also recorded. These data were used to evaluate the possible effects of factors on the IADL scale. RESULTS: Statistical analyses indicated that total scores of instrumental activities are affected negatively by increased age, female sex, and literacy (P < 0.001, P = 0.005, and P = 0.021), whereas scores are affected positively by educational level (P = 0.047). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that increased age, sex, literacy, and education levels influence elderly people's daily instrumental activities. Daily functional activities and factors influencing these activities should be determined in order to increase elderly people's quality of life and independence. It is important to evaluate elderly people's capabilities in daily activities.

Hypertension: does impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation affect superoxide scavenging?

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of acute nitric oxide synthase inhibition on mean arterial blood pressure, oxidative stress markers such as plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, intracellular antioxidant enzyme activities such as copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) and catalase and on trace elements important for activity and stability of Cu/Zn-SOD. Wistar-Kyoto rats (approx 150 g) (n=11) were treated with Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl esther (L-NAME) (0.5 mg/mL) for 2 d. Age- and bodyweight-matched rats (n=10) were used for control group. Their systolic blood pressures and heart rates were recorded daily during the experimental period and also before their blood samples were drawn. Plasma MDA, plasma and red cell zinc and copper concentrations, and red cell Cu/Zn-SOD and catalase activities were determined. A progressive rise in systolic arterial blood pressure was observed compared to the control group (p<0.001). The heart rate of the experimental group was reduced on the third day (p<0.05). Plasma MDA concentration and red cell catalase activity were increased in the experimental group (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). Plasma copper and red cell zinc concentrations were also increased significantly in the experimental group (p<0.001 and p<0.01, respectively). In conclusion, impairment in endothelium-derived relaxation altered mean arterial blood pressure, oxidant status, and trace element concentrations.

Endothelin-1 induced alterations in oxidative-nitrosative stress markers.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this preliminary study is to investigate the effects of exogenous Endothelin-1 (ET-1) on systolic blood pressure and heart rate as well as on plasma nitric oxide metabolites, malondialdehyde, copper and zinc concentrations and red cell superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. METHODS: Thirty Wistar-Albino male rats, 8-10 weeks old, with a mean body weight of 285 gm were used in the study. Daily systolic blood pressures were measured by tail plethysmography. Following exogenous administration of ET-1 (1 nmol/kg) systolic arterial blood pressures were recorded and blood samples of control and experimental groups were drawn. Nitric oxide metabolites (nitrite, nitrate), malondialdehyde, copper, zinc concentrations in plasma, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities and copper, zinc concentrations in red cell were determined both in control and experimental groups. All laboratory procedures were performed at the Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey in 2003. RESULTS: There were statistically significant increases in plasma nitrate, red cell superoxide dismutase activity, systolic arterial blood pressure and statistically significant decreases in red cell catalase activity, plasma copper, red cell zinc concentrations in experimental group due to exogenous ET-1 administration compared to controls. CONCLUSION: There appears an important interaction between exogenous ET-1 and oxidative-nitrosative stress markers which may affect the progression of hypertension.

Prolonged electroconvulsive therapy seizure in a patient taking ciprofloxacin.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can be used for the treatment of mental disorders, either alone or along with psychotropic agents and/or drugs for other medical conditions. We present in this case report a patient with postpartum depression on ciprofloxacin therapy for a urinary tract infection. The seizure in the first ECT treatment lasted for 30 seconds. While under the care of ECT, the patient was diagnosed as having a urinary tract infection; therefore, ciprofloxacin therapy of 1000 mg/day was initiated. Her second ECT seizure, which was on the third day of ciprofloxacin therapy, was terminated with 3 mg of intravenous midazolam at the 150th second. The ciprofloxacin therapy was discontinued. The patient had not previous history of epilepsy, and the investigation results for the extended seizure were found to be normal. The ECT therapy was restarted 3 days later, and total of 8 treatments were completed, lasting 35-70 seconds. Because the first ECT lasted for 30 seconds and subsequent therapy, which was reinitiated 3 days after the discontinuation of ciprofloxacin, lasted no longer than 70 seconds, the extended seizure in this patient is thought to be related to ciprofloxacin.