Morphological characterization of the Polatli sheep in terms of live weight using data mining algorithms.

The aim of this research is both to estimate the live weight (LW) of Polatli sheep (Ile de France × Akkaraman (G1)) by considering some body measurements (withers height (WH), rump height (RH), body length (BL), chest depth (CD), chest width (CD), chest girth (CG), cannon bone circumference (CBC)), age, and sex variables as independent variables using C&RT (Classification and Regression Tree), CHAID (Chi-square Automatic Interaction Detector), and MARS (Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines) algorithms and to determine the significant independent variables in the estimation of live weight. For this purpose, a total of 210 sheep were used, including 180 females and 30 males of different ages, for the estimation of LW. The calculated Pearson correlation coefficients between LW and WH, RH, BL, CD, CW, CG, and CBC characteristics are 0.897, 0.896, 0.853, 0.948, 0.550, 0.914, and 0.798, respectively (p < 0.05). In the application of data mining algorithms as prediction models, a cross-validation of 10 was used, while for tree-based algorithms, the parent node was set to 10 and the child node to 5. While CHAID and C&RT algorithms each used 8 independent variables to explain the variation observed in LW, the MARS algorithm used 9 independent variables. In Polatli sheep, the sheep with the highest live weight was found in the node with age > 3 and CD > 36 cm cutting point in the CHAID algorithm (93.571 kg). In the C&RT algorithm, it was predicted to be (91.316 kg) when age > 0, CD > 36.5 cm, and CBC > 9.5 cm. When evaluated considering commonly used criteria, the prediction performances of CHAID, C&RT, and MARS algorithms were calculated as follows: RMSE (root mean square error) values are "5.788, 5.103, 4.005"; SDR (standard deviation ratio) values are "0.254, 0.224, 0.176"; MAPE (mean absolute percentage error) values are "7.555, 6.675, 5.682"; Adj-Rsq (adjusted R-squared) values are "0.935, 0.950, 0.969"; and AIC (Akaike information criterion) values are "741.436, 688.489, 582.792," respectively. In terms of prediction performance, among the tree algorithms (CHAID and C&RT), C&RT was found to be the best, while considering all performance measures, it was observed that the MARS algorithm exhibited the best performance. Consequently, it has been determined that C&RT and MARS algorithms can be safely employed in morphological characterization studies for the identification of indirect criteria and the formation of elite herds in terms of LW. This decision allows for the reliable use of these algorithms to facilitate the selection of indirect variables and the establishment of elite populations in breeding programs focusing on live weight.

Determination of COVID-19 Phobia Level in Health Care Workers.

The aim of this study is to determine the COVID-19 phobia level in healthcare workers. The socio-demographic characteristics form and the Coronavirus 19 Phobia (CP19-S) Scale were used as data collection tools. The surveys were shared online on social media. 467 healthcare workers who agreed to participate in the study were reached. Employees who got 55.30 ± 14.64 points from the scale total scores and university graduates were found to have an average of 55.51 ± 14.11, and their families averaged 57.84 ± 15.05. As a result, it was determined that the COVID-19 phobia levels of healthcare workers were affected by situations such as gender, education level and elderly family members. In this case, the importance of determining the working areas of healthcare professionals according to their phobia levels is emphasized, as it will affect the quality of care given to patients during the pandemic process.

Effect of shearing on some physiological and hormonal parameters in Akkaraman sheep.

OBJECTIVE: Shearing is one of the practices that is applied periodically to fiber producing animals, which can also alter resistance of animals to high temperatures in especially summer months. This study aimed to investigate effects of shearing on some physiological and hormonal parameters in Akkaraman sheep during summer season. METHODS: This study was carried out on 39 non-pregnant Akkaraman ewes (aged 1.5 years at the beginning of experiment). The 39 ewes were chosen randomly from the flock belonging to the Erciyes University and they were assigned to two groups as follows: i) group A (n = 20) designed as the control group, they were shorn and group B (n = 19) designed as the experimental group, they were unshorn. Prior to the shearing (-1 day) and on days 1, 7, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 following the shearing, blood samples were taken from the vena jugularis of each sheep. Cortisol, ß-endorphin, growth hormone (GH), thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70) concentrations were determined using the enzyme immunoassay method. Body weight (BW), rectal temperature (RT), pulse rate (PR), and respiratory rate (RR) of each sheep were recorded at the same time. The data obtained were analyzed using two-way repeated measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed a significant effect of shearing×period interaction (p<0.01) and a significant effect of period (p<0.01) on BW, HSP-70, cortisol, T4 and RT, PR, GH, ß-endorphin, T3, respectively. Also these analysis showed no significant effect of shearing× period interaction or period on RR. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the thermoregulation abilities of sheep were affected by shearing treatment and the shorn ewes were less affected by heat stress. In conclusion, based on the data of this study, shearing can be considered as a necessary management practice that requires protection for sheep from the effect of heat stress.

Relationship between insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations and body trait measurements and climatic factors in prepubertal goat kids.

This study aimed to investigate relations between insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations and some body trait measurements (body weight, withers height, rump height, body length, chest depth, chest width, chest girth and cannon bone circumference) and climatic factors in prepubertal male and female White (75 % Saanen and 25 % Kilis goat) and Angora goat kids. For this purpose, blood samples were regularly taken from the vena jugularis, and body trait measurements were regularly carried out (every 15 d for 5 months) on each kid. The IGF-1 analysis on the blood serum was performed using the enzyme immunoassay (EIA) method. Climatic values and the length of the photoperiod were obtained from the Turkish State Meteorological Service for the experimental period, and the temperature-humidity index (THI) was calculated using these values. Statistical analysis showed that the IGF-1 concentrations were higher ( P < 0.05 ) in female White goat kids. Furthermore, differences in IGF-1 concentrations were found ( P < 0.05 ) between periods and between the gender groups for both the White and the Angora goat kids. Moreover, the difference between the IGF-1 concentrations between genders was higher ( P < 0.05 ) in White goat kids. Additionally, positive and significant correlations were found between IGF-1 concentrations and some body trait measurements in prepubertal kids, except for in female White goat kids. In summary, it was found that there was a significant relationship between IGF-1 concentrations and growth characteristics of the goat kids. Furthermore, IGF-1 concentrations in the goat kids were significantly influenced by climatic factors such as photoperiod, temperature and the temperature-humidity index, with the release of IGF-1 increasing due to increases in the photoperiod and the environmental temperature.

Prevalence of malnutrition in COPD and its relationship with the parameters related to disease severity.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the nutritional status and anthropometric values in a group of patients with COPD and to examine the relationship between these factors and disease severity. METHODS: A total of 105 COPD patients were included in this cross-sectional study. The patients underwent spirometric exmination. Mini nutritional assessment form was applied, and the anthropometric values of the patients were measured by bioelectrical impedance method. Nutrient registration forms were given using a 3-day, 24-hour recall method to assess the nutrient uptake. COPD severity was determined using the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease criteria, and the correlations between nutritional status and disease severity parameters were measured. RESULTS: The prevalence of malnutrition in our patients with COPD was found to be 17%. Spirometric parameters were found to be significantly lower in patients with low body mass index (BMI) and malnutrition. As the modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale score increased, the frequency of malnutrition increased (P=0.002). Positive significant correlation was found between spirometric variables and muscle mass and fat external tissue volume of the patients. Patients receiving higher protein content in diet showed a better muscle mass amount (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study results confirmed that malnutrition is an important and frequently encountered problem in COPD patients, and spirometric values of the patients with malnourishment and with low BMI are significantly lower. We think that nutritional status should be evaluated in every COPD patient, and nutritional intake should be tailored individually.

Pelvic floor muscle strength of women consulting at the gynecology outpatient clinics and its correlation with sexual dysfunction: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the pelvic floor muscle strength of the women andevaluateits possible correlation with sexual dysfunction. METHODS: In this cross-sectional type study, stratified clusters were used for the sampling method. Index of Female Sexual Function (IFSF) worksheetwere used for questions on sexual function. The pelvic floor muscle strength of subjects was assessed byperineometer. The chi-squared test, logistic regression and Pearson's correlation analysis were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Four hundred thirty primiparous women, mean age 38.5 participated in this study. The average pelvic floor muscle strength value was found 31.4±9.6 cm H2O and the average Index of Female Sexual Function (IFSF) score was found 26.5±6.9. Parity (odds ratio OR=5.546) and age 40 or higher (OR=3.484) were found correlated with pelvic floor muscle weakness (p<0.05). The factors directly correlated with sexual dysfunction were found being overweight (OR=2.105) and age 40 or higher (OR=2.451) (p<0.05). Pearson's correlation analysis showed that there was a statistically significantlinear correlation between the muscular strength of the pelvic floor and sexual function (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: The results suggested subjects with decreased pelvic floor muscle strength value had higher frequency of sexual dysfunction.

Prion protein gene polymorphisms in Turkish native goat breeds.

Susceptibility to 'scrapie' disease in goats is influenced by polymorphisms of the prion protein (PRNP) gene. The aim of this study was to identify PRNP gene polymorphisms in a total of 356 scrapie disease-free goats from 10 Turkish native breeds. Eighteen single-nucleotide polymorphisms were detected in the caprine PRNP open-reading frame. Ten previously described amino acid substitutions (I142M, H143R, N146S, N146D, R151H, R154H, P168Q, R211Q, Q222K and P240S) and two novel dimorphisms (G134E and Q163P) were identified. The strongest association between caprine PRNP and relative resistance to scrapie disease has been reported previously for polymorphisms at codons 146 (S/D) and 222 (K). In the present study, these three PrP variants were relatively rare with 6.3%. This is the first report on PRNP gene variation in Turkish native goat breeds and our knowledge of these polymorphisms will assist goat breeding programmes to reduce the risk of scrapie.

The role of tuberculosis in COPD.

BACKGROUND: Influence of tuberculosis (TB) on the natural course of COPD has not been well known. This study was designed to investigate the effects of history of TB on the long-term course of COPD. METHODS: Patients hospitalized with COPD exacerbation were consecutively included (n=598). Cases were classified into two categories: those with TB history and those without. Clinical, demographic, and radiological features were meticulously recorded, and patients were followed up for hospitalizations due to exacerbation and for overall mortality. RESULTS: A total of 93 patients (15%) had a history of TB. On average, patients with past TB history were 4 years younger than the rest of the patients (P=0.002). Our study revealed that patients with past TB were diagnosed with COPD 4 years earlier and died 5 years earlier as compared to the patients without TB. In addition, in the past TB group, rate of hospital admissions per year was higher compared to the group that lacked TB history (2.46±0.26 vs 1.56±0.88; P=0.001). Past TB group had higher arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) and lower forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1; P=0.008 and P=0.069, respectively). Median survival was 24 months for patients who had past TB and 36 months for those who had not. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that although 3-year survival rate was lower in patients with past TB, it was not statistically significant (P=0.08). Cox regression analysis showed that while factors such as age, PaCO2, hematocrit, body mass index (BMI) and Charlson index affected mortality rates in COPD patients (P<0.05), prior history of TB did not. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that a history of TB caused more hospitalizations, reduced respiratory functions and increased PaCO2. It was found that, despite similarity of the overall mortality, COPD diagnosis and death occurred 5 years earlier in patients with past TB. We conclude that history of TB has an important role in the natural course of COPD.

Prevalence of obesity and affecting factors in physically disabled adults living in the city centre of Malatya.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of obesity, and the risk factors associated with it, in physically disabled adults living in the city centre of Malatya, Turkey. METHOD: This research was designed as a cross-sectional study conducted on physically disabled people aged 20-65 years living in the city centre of Malatya. The prevalence of obesity in disabled people was within 95% CIs, the power was calculated as 80%, and the sample size of our population was calculated as 258 individuals. RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity was found to be 13.2%. The relationship between disability type and obesity status was found to be significant. The prevalence of obesity was 21.3% in visually impaired people, 17.9% in speech-impaired people, 17.8% in hearing-impaired people and 6.5% in orthopaedically disabled people. CONCLUSIONS: Educational interventions on nutrition and lifestyle can be effective considering the high prevalence of obesity in visually impaired people, the prevalence of weakness in orthopaedically disabled people and the risk related to the area in which body fat is localised even when body mass index is within the normal range. Training disabled people in sports appropriate to their disability type and building appropriate facilities for those sports might have a positive effect.

The prevalence of nutritional anemia in pregnancy in an east Anatolian province, Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Anemia is considered a severe public health problem by World Health Organization when anemia prevalence is equal to or greater than 40% in the population. The purpose of this study was to determine the anemia prevalence with the associated factors in pregnant women and to determine the serum iron, folate and B12 vitamin status in anaemic pregnants in Malatya province. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional survey. A multi-sage stratified probability-proportional-to-size cluster sampling methodology was used. A total of 823 pregnant women from sixty clusters were studied. Women were administered a questionnaire related with the subject and blood samples were drawn. Total blood count was performed within four hours and serum iron, folate and B12 vitamin were studied after storing sera at -20 C for six months. RESULTS: Anemia prevalence was 27.1% (Hb < 11.0 gr/dl). Having four or more living children (OR = 2.2), being at the third trimester (OR = 2.3) and having a low family income (OR = 1.6) were determined as the independent predictors of anemia in pregnancy. Anemia was also associated with soil eating (PICA) in the univariate analysis (p < 0.05). Of anaemic women, 50.0% had a transferrin saturation less than 10% indicating iron deficiency, 34.5% were deficient in B12 vitamin and 71.7% were deficient in folate. Most of the anemias were normocytic-normochromic (56.5%) indicating mixed anemia. CONCLUSIONS: In Malatya, for pregnant women anemia was a moderate public health problem. Coexisting of iron, folate and B vitamin deficiencies was observed among anaemics. To continue anemia control strategies with reasonable care and diligence was recommended.

Prevalence of COPD: first epidemiological study of a large region in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Although chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide, epidemiological data on COPD is very limited. This study was designed to obtain some baseline data on COPD in the Malatya region of Turkey. METHODS: Sixty clusters from urban and rural regions were randomly selected. Ten and seven consecutive households were included in the study from each urban and rural cluster, respectively. A validated questionnaire on the epidemiology of COPD was completed for each participant over 18 by a pulmonary physician. Each subject underwent standard spirometric measurement and early bronchodilation testing. RESULTS: A total of 1160 participants completed the study (93%). Some 6.9% of the participants were found to have COPD (F/M=1/4). While the prevalence of COPD was 18.1% in current smokers over 40 years of age, the prevalence was 4.5% among younger smokers. Some 25.5% of the women and 57.2% of the men were current smokers. Biomass exposure, as a sole reason for COPD, was significantly common among female patients living in rural areas (54.5%). In the development of COPD, the relative risk ratio of cigarette smoke was found to be 3.4 and 3.3 times higher than biomass exposure and occupational exposure, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking rate and COPD prevalence were found to be unexpectedly high in the region, and biomass exposure is still an important cause of COPD, particularly among females living in rural areas. We think that national policies against smoking and biomass exposure should be implemented immediately.

[Prevalence of depressive symptoms, ways of coping, and related factors among medical school and health services higher education students]. / Tip Fakültesi ve Saglik Yüksekokulu Ogrencilerinde Depresif Belirti Yayginligi, Stresle Basaçikma Tarzlari ve Etkileyen Faktörler.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to explore the prevalence of depressive symptoms, ways of coping, and their relationships to sociodemographic variables among students of the Medical Faculty (MF) and the Health Services Higher Education School (HSHES) at Inönü University. METHOD: The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Styles of Coping Inventory (SCI), and a sociodemographic questionnaire were used. RESULTS: Among the HSHES students (n = 128), the prevalence of depressive symptoms was higher. The MF students whose fathers had a higher level of education had higher BDI scores. The MF students from families with lower levels of income had a higher frequency of depressive symptoms. In both groups, the students with previous histories of psychiatric and physical ilness had higher BDI scores. Among the MF students, older age (OR = 2.72), and among the HSHES students, having a previous history of psychiatric disorder (OR = 5.25) and female gender (OR = 1.85) affected the prevalence of depressive symptoms. The HSHES students used passive styles of coping more frequently. Active coping styles were used more frequently by the male students in both groups. The HSHES students whose mothers had lower levels of education, had higher passive coping style scores; active coping styles and higher family income correlated positively. In both groups, BDI and active styles scores correlated positively. Passive styles were used more frequently by male and female students that had a higher frequency of depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: The rate of mental health problems was quite high among the students. Preventive mental health programs should be developed and implemented.

Physical, emotional and sexual violence during pregnancy in Malatya, Turkey.

BACKGROUND: In Turkey, violence against women was established as a critical area of concern related to women and various prevention strategies have been developed since 1980. There are limited numbers of studies on violence during pregnancy in the country. This study was performed to determine the prevalence of physical, emotional and sexual violence during pregnancy in Malatya province and the associated factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional interview survey was conducted among pregnant women living in Malatya province between October 2003 and May 2004. Stratified probability-proportional-to-size sampling methodology was used for selecting the study population. A total of 824 pregnant women from 60 clusters were studied. Association between violence prevalences and womens' sociodemographic, fertility and behavioural characteristics were evaluated. RESULTS: During pregnancy 31.7% of women were exposed to any form of violence. Emotional violence was the most frequently reported form (26.7%), followed by sexual (9.7%) and physical violence (8.1%). Regular smoking [odds ratio (OR) 1.6], unwanted pregnancy (OR 1.8), living in urban area (OR 1.5), low education level of husband (OR 1.7), low family income (OR 1.9) and being in second trimester (OR 1.4) were determined to be the main predictors of overall violence during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Violence during pregnancy is a common public health problem in Malatya. Low education level in partners, low family income, husband's unemployment, urban settlement, unwanted pregnancy and smoking should alert health staff towards violence at pregnancy and training of health personnel on the subject is recommended.

University hospital physicians' attitudes and practices for smoking cessation counseling in Malatya, Turkey.

The aim of the study is to determine attitudes and self-reported practices performance for smoking cessation counseling of the physicians working at a university hospital in Malatya, Turkey. All physicians who were providing health care to adult patients in 19 outpatient clinics at the hospital were administered a self-reported questionnaire. Of the physicians, 26.5% reported that they were always asking about their patients' smoking history and 22.6% were always advising their smoker patients to quit. Men non-smoker physicians more often practiced counseling than men smoker physicians. Negative attitudes of physicians about smoking cessation counseling negatively effected their practices. Negative attitudes were significantly higher among men smoker physicians than non-smokers but attitudes did not differ among female smoker and non-smoker physicians. The findings showed that smoking cessation counseling was rarely practiced by physicians and physicians' practices differed by their smoking behavior, departments and attitudes towards smoking cessation.

Hepatitis B seroprevalance and risk factors in urban areas of Malatya.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To determine the prevalence of hepatitis B viral markers and to assess possible risk factors in urban areas of Malatya. METHODS: This was a sero-epidemiological, community based cross-sectional study and included 646 participants( female 352, male:294) from 192 houses. A face to face questionnaire was carried out and HBsAg, anti-HBc and anti- HBs markers were analyzed from blood samples using Micro ELISA technique. RESULTS: The prevalence of HBsAg, anti-HBc and anti-HBs were found to be 6.0%, 29.3% and 30.3% respectively. In the final logistic regression, HBV infection (=anti HBc+) was independently associated with the age group of 21 years and older (OR=3.7, 95% CI=1.884-7.494), in illiterate subjects (OR=2.1, 95% CI=1.180-3.326), in farmers and labourers (OR=2.8, 95% CI=1.042-7.953) and in these with multiple sexual partners (OR=2.1, 95% CI=1.574-8.168). In addition, HBV infection was significantly higher in circumcised male children compare to uncircumcised ones ( chi2=5.58, P=0.01), in ones who gave birth to child at home compare to in ones who gave birth to a child at hospital ( chi2=13.86, P=0.0001). CONCLUSION: The results of our study indicate that Malatya province has a moderate endemicity with regard to HBV infection.