Assessment of cactus pear leather (pestil) as a new snack food.

In this study, selected nutritional and functional properties of cactus pear and cactus pear leather (pestil) processed with different dryers (oven type and pilot scale tray dryers) were evaluated. For this aim, the fruits collected from three different districts of Turkey were processed and the most suitable region and processing method were investigated. Processing with different dryers had significant (p < 0.05) impact on total acidity, total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, color and hydroxymethylfurfural values of pestil samples and the best results including antioxidant capacity (66.91-70.25%) and total phenolics (1.79-2.01 g gallic acid equivalent per kg) were obtained with the tray dryer. On the other hand, mineral contents (Na, K, Ca, Mg and Fe) of the products were not significantly (p > 0.05) affected from different dryers. Pestil obtained by tray drying gave the highest rate for the taste. According to the results, the fruits collected from the Aegean region of Turkey were more convenient for processing. Because there is a limited number of studies on this fruit, data provided in the present study may also contribute to further studies.

Effect of music therapy on nursing students' first objective structured clinical exams, anxiety levels and vital signs: A randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Music is a tool that can be used to reduce stress and anxiety, maintain vital signs at normal levels, and increase exam success. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the effect of music therapy on nursing students' first objective structured clinical exam success, anxiety levels, and vital signs, and to reveal their views about music therapy in the context of an exam. DESIGN: Mixed-pattern single-blind randomized controlled qualitative study. SETTING: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey. PARTICIPANTS: First-year students enrolled in the Fundamentals of Nursing II course were randomly assigned to an experimental (n = 61) or control group (n = 64). Twenty-two (22) experimental group students provided the sample for the qualitative stage. METHODS: Data were collected between February and June 2018 using the Informative Features Form, State-trait Anxiety Inventory, Vital Signs Assessment Form, Skill Checklists, and Focus-group Interview Form. All students completed the theoretical classes, laboratory classes, and small-group studies. The experimental group participated in five music therapy sessions two weeks before the exam. All students' vital signs were measured before and after the exam. Three focus group interviews were conducted with the 22 experimental group students in the week after the exam. RESULTS: The blood pressure values of the experimental group before and after the exam were significantly lower than those of the control group (p < 0.05). No significant difference was observed between exam success and anxiety levels between the two groups. In the focus group interviews, students said they found music therapy suitable for reducing anxiety in their daily lives, but not before the exam. CONCLUSIONS: Music therapy had positive effects on the students' blood pressure but had no effect on exam success or anxiety levels. This study suggests that more music therapy sessions be conducted with different groups of students in greater numbers before different exams.

Self-efficacy, depression and self-care activities of people with type 2 diabetes in Turkey.

Background: Self-efficacy related to self-care behaviors in people with type 2 diabetes has been well reported. However no work has been reported in Turkey that uses reliable instruments to examine the relationships among self-care activities, depression and self-efficacy. Aim: This study aims to investigate self-care activities, depression and self-efficacy among people with type 2 diabetes in Turkey. Methods: The sample included 200 patients with type 2 diabetes from an endocrinology outpatient clinic at a university hospital. Self-care activities, self-efficacy, and symptoms of depression were measured using established instruments: The Summary for Diabetes Self-Care Activities, the Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory. Descriptive and correlational statistics were used in data analysis. Findings: One in three (37.5%) of participants had depression symptoms. Beck Depression Inventory scores were higher in women and in those with a lower education level, had diabetic complications and difficulty in meeting health care costs. The mean self-efficacy score was 66.5 ±â€…14.0; those who lived alone, were unemployed and knew their HbA1c level had significantly higher scores (p < .05). Demographic and diabetes characteristics including age, education, social support, diabetes complications, HbA1c level, and having diabetes education were found to be significantly associated with all self-care activities except smoking. Conclusion: The association between self-efficacy and self-care activities was positive. Interventions to improve patients' self-efficacy and self-care are needed in order to maximize diabetes self-management.

The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis.

Context • Hemodialysis (HD) is a frequently used method for the treatment of chronic renal failure. Patients show many symptoms and problems, depending on the success of HD and the disease. Today, one of the most commonly used methods, in addition to pharmacological treatments, for ensuring symptom control and reinforcing a patient's well-being is complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Objectives • The study was conducted to determine the benefits of the use of CAM for patients undergoing HD. Design • The study was descriptive. Setting • The study took place at 3 dialysis centers located in Kayseri, Turkey. Participants • Participants were 198 patients who had been receiving HD treatment for ≥6 mo at the 3 centers, between June 1, 2014, and August 31, 2014. Outcome Measures • The data were collected using a questionnaire with 24 questions that was prepared by the research team and was based on surveys in the literature. Descriptive statistics and a χ2 test were used in the statistical analysis of the data. Results • Of the 198 patients, 54.5% were female, 51.5% were aged ≥60 y, 52.0% were graduates of primary schools, and 53.0% were homemakers. Regarding CAM, 63.1% of the patients stated that they had used it after the start of dialysis and 64.8% of those patients stated that they had benefited from the treatments. Whereas 48.0% of the patients who used CAM had used herbal products, 91.2% had used mind-body interventions and manipulative and other methods, such as massage, hot-cold applications, and praying. Conclusions • The study found that more than half of the patients who underwent HD used ≥1 CAM method, had benefited from CAM, and had not informed the health care personnel about their use of CAM.

The effects of hysterectomy on body image, self-esteem, and marital adjustment in Turkish women with gynecologic cancer.

The purpose of this research was to investigate the differences in the effect of hysterectomy on body image, self-esteem, and marital adjustment in Turkish women with gynecologic cancer based on specific independent variables, including age, education, employment, having or not having children, and income. This cross-sectional study compared a group of women who underwent a hysterectomy (n = 100) with a healthy control group (n = 100). The study findings indicate that women who had a hysterectomy were found in worse conditions in terms of body image, self-esteem, and dyadic adjustment compared to healthy women. In terms of dyadic adjustment and body image among women who had undergone a hysterectomy, those with lower levels of income and education were found in poorer conditions. The study's findings show that hysterectomies have negative effects on body image, self-esteem, and dyadic adjustment in women affected by gynecologic cancer. Nursing assessment of self-esteem and marital adjustment indicators and implementation of strategies to increase self-confidence and self-esteem are needed for high-risk women.

Testicular cancer awareness and testicular self-examination among university students.

BACKGROUND: This study was planned to determine the knowledge of testicular cancer (TC), risk factors and testicular self-examination (TSE) among university students. METHODS: A survey study was conducted at a university located in Ankara, Turkey with 634 male students. RESULTS: Almost half of them (44%) heard TC during their education and life but majority of participants has lack of knowledge about sign and symptoms of TC. Only 5.9 % of them (n = 38) indicated they received information on TSE and 17.7 % have performed the practice of TSE before; only one in a forth (n=21) performed monthly. The reason for not doing TSE was mostly (83.4%) 'not having knowledge' and 'not seen as important' (55.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Adding the education on TC, risk factors and TSE into their curriculum is proposed.

Low back pain: prevalence and associated risk factors among hospital staff.

AIM: This paper is a report of a study conducted to describe the prevalence and risk factors for lower back pain amongst a variety of Turkish hospital workers including nurses, physicians, physical therapists, technicians, secretaries and hospital aides. BACKGROUND: Hospital workers experience more low back pain than many other groups, the incidence varies among countries. Work activities involving bending, twisting, frequent heavy lifting, awkward static posture and psychological stress are regarded as causal factors for many back injuries. METHOD: A 44-item questionnaire was completed by 1600 employees in six hospitals associated with one Turkish university using a cross-sectional survey design. Data were collected over nine months from December 2005 to August 2006 and analysed using Chi square and multivariate logistic regression techniques. FINDINGS: Most respondents (65.8%) had experienced low back pain, with 61.3% reporting an occurrence within the last 12 months. The highest prevalence was reported by nurses (77.1%) and the lowest amongst secretaries (54.1%) and hospital aides (53.5%). In the majority of cases (78.3%), low back pain began after respondents started working in the hospital, 33.3% of respondents seeking medical care for 'moderate' low back pain while 53.8% (n = 143) had been diagnosed with a herniated lumbar disc. Age, female gender, smoking, occupation, perceived work stress and heavy lifting were statistically significant risk-factors when multivariate logistic regression techniques were conducted (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Preventive measures should be taken to reduce the risk of lower back pain, such as arranging proper rest periods, educational programmes to teach the proper use of body mechanics and smoking cessation programmes.