Effect of nano-TiO2 size and utilization ratio on the performance of photocatalytic concretes; self-cleaning, fresh, and hardened state properties.

In this study, photocatalysis technology was used to reduce water pollution. Decolorization of Reactive Black 5 using nano-TiO2 (NT) as a photocatalyst was investigated by adsorption and degradation experiments. Effects of NT particle size and utilization ratio on the time-dependent flow performance, compressive-flexural strength, and Bohme abrasion resistance of cementitious systems were investigated. In addition to the NT-free control mixture, a total of six photocatalytic self-cleaning mortar mixtures (PSCM) were prepared using NT in two different particle sizes (28 and 38 nm) and three different ratios (0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%). The PSCM sample containing 38 nm NT exhibited superior performance in terms of photocatalytic properties compared to the 28 nm state. It was observed that the flow performance of PSCM mixtures with NT substitution is adversely affected regardless of the NT type. Mixtures containing NT with a lower particle size (28 nm) had higher compressive and flexural strengths.

Novel diarylated tacrine derivatives: Synthesis, characterization, anticancer, antiepileptic, antibacterial, and antifungal activities.

In this study, our goal was to synthesize novel aryl tacrine derivatives and assess their potential as anticancer, antibacterial agents, and enzyme inhibitors. We adopted a two-step approach, initiating with the synthesis of dibromotacrine derivatives 3 and 4 through the Friedlander reaction. These intermediates underwent further transformation into diarylated tacrine derivatives 3a-e and 4a-e using a Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction. Thorough characterization of these novel diarylated tacrines was achieved using various spectroscopic techniques. Our findings highlighted the potent anticancer effects of these innovative compounds across a range of cancer cell lines, including lung, gynecologic, bone, colon, and breast cancers, while demonstrating low cytotoxicity against normal cells. Notably, these compounds surpassed the control drug, 5-Fluorouracil, in terms of antiproliferative activity in numerous cancer cell lines. Moreover, our investigation included an analysis of the inhibitory properties of these novel compounds against various microorganisms and cytosolic carbonic anhydrase enzymes. The results suggest their potential for further exploration as cancer-specific, enzyme inhibitory, and antibacterial therapeutic agents. Notably, four compounds, namely, 5,7-bis(4-(methylthio)phenyl)tacrine (3d), 5,7-bis(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)tacrine (3e), 2,4-bis(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-6H-cyclohepta[b]quinolin-11-amine (4e), and 6,8-dibromotacrine (3), emerged as the most promising candidates for preclinical studies.

Effect of Silica Fume Utilization on Structural Build-Up, Mechanical and Dimensional Stability Performance of Fiber-Reinforced 3D Printable Concrete.

It is known that 3D printable concrete mixtures can be costly because they contain high dosages of binder and that the drying-shrinkage performance may be adversely affected. Mineral additives and fibers are generally used to control these negative aspects. In this study, the use of silica fume, a natural viscosity modifying admixture, was investigated to improve the rheological and thixotropic behavior of 3D printable concrete mixtures reinforced with polypropylene fiber (FR-3DPC). The effect of increasing the silica fume utilization ratio in FR-3DPC on the compressive strength (CS), flexural strength (FS), and drying-shrinkage (DS) performance of the mixtures was also examined. A total of five FR-3DPC mixtures were produced using silica fume at the rate of 3, 6, 9, and 12% of the cement weight, in addition to the control mixture without silica fume. As a result of the tests, the dynamic yield stress value decreased with the addition of 3% silica fume to the control mixture. However, it was found that the dynamic yield stress and apparent viscosity values of the mixtures increased with the addition of 6, 9, and 12% silica fume. With the increase in the use of silica fume, the CS values of the mixtures were generally affected positively, while the FS and DS behavior were affected negatively.

Use of recycled mortar as fine aggregates in pavement concrete applications.

The use of recycled aggregates derived from construction and demolition wastes increased in the concrete construction industry. While the coarse fraction (i.e., from 5 to 20 mm) was successfully recycled, the fine fraction (i.e., from 0 to 5 mm) is hardly recyclable given its heterogenous nature and poor physical properties. This paper assesses the feasibility of recycled mortar aggregate (RMA) in pavement concrete applications requiring superior resistance to weathering and wearing effects. Three concrete strength grade categories prepared with different water-to-binder ratios (w/b) of 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6 are investigated; the natural sand replacement levels by RMA varied from 0 % to 60 % by volume, at 20 % increment rates. Test results showed that the detrimental RMA effect on durability depends on the concrete strength category, requiring proper adjustment of the maximum replacement rate to maintain acceptable losses in performance. Hence, the higher strength grade mixtures prepared with 0.4 w/b were found to yield significant drops in durability reaching 25 % in water sorptivity, 18 % in abrasion, and 22 % due to freeze/thaw (F/T) cycles. In contrast, the lower strength grade concrete made with 0.6 w/b exhibited marginal degradation in strength and durability, despite the incorporation of 60 % RMA. The resulting losses in sorptivity, abrasion, and F/T cycles were limited to 13 %, 8 %, and 12 %, respectively.

De Novo Malignancies After Kidney Transplant: Where Do We Stand and Does the Head and Neck Region Require More Caution?

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of de novo malignancies arising in kidney transplant recipients followed in a tertiary hospital in Turkey and to examine the tumors in the head and neck region as a subgroup. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from kidney transplant recipients treated at our institution between January 2010 and July 2022 were retrospectively analyzed in this single-center study. Data regarding malignancies were noted according to the pathologists' reports. In situ malignancies and those arising after graft loss were not evaluated. RESULTS: The study population comprised 231 patients (165 men; 71.4%) with a median follow-up of 11 years (2853 patient-years). The recipients had a higher cancer risk than the general population (standardized incidence rate = 3.04; 95% CI, 1.82-4.26). Thirty de novo malignant tumors were detected in 24 patients (10.4%). The mean age at diagnosis of cancer was 54.88 ± 11.44 years. The median time from transplant to cancer diagnosis was 11.5 years (range, 7-18.8 y). Nonmelanoma skin cancers (56.7% of all tumors) were the most common malignancies. Twenty-two lesions (73.3%) that developed in 17 patients (7.4%) were localized to the head and neck region: 15 (68.2%) were cutaneous and 7 (31.8%) were noncutaneous. The median time from transplant to head and neck cancer diagnosis was 12 years (range, 7.5-17.5 y). Mortality rate was higher in cancer patients (10 [41.7%] vs 17 [8.2%]; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of de novo malignancy in kidney transplant recipients was relatively higher compared with previous data. Nonmelanoma skin cancers were the most common type. Three-quarters of all lesions were in the head and neck region, and two-thirds were of cutaneous origin.

The relationship between depression, anxiety, quality of life levels, and the chronic kidney disease stage in the autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

PURPOSE: Decreased quality of life, anxiety, depression, and other negative psychosocial factors in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) may lead to the patient's attitudes that reduce treatment effectiveness. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between the depression, anxiety, perceived social support, genetic psychosocial risk and quality of life levels, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage in ADPKD and to investigate the relationship between these variables/parameters and the dietary compliance that is an essential factor in the course of the disease. METHODS: 100 ADPKD patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. EuroQol-5D-3L (EQ-5D-3L) health-related quality of life index, EuroQol-5D-3L visual analog scale (EQ-5D-3L VAS), multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS), patient health questionnaire (PHQ)-9, and genetic psychosocial risk instrument (GPRI) were applied to the patients. RESULTS: There is a relationship with negative regression coefficient between the CKD stage and the total scores of the EQ-5D-3L and EQ-5D-3L VAS scales (p < 0.000 and ß = - 5.355, p < 0.000, and ß = - 8.394, respectively). There is a relationship with positive regression coefficient between the CKD stage and MSPSS total score and level (p < 0.000 and ß = 0.364, p < 0.000 and ß = 0.331, respectively). There is no relationship between the CKD stage and GPRI total score (p = 0.800). In addition, there is a relationship with positive regression coefficient between the dietary compliance and EQ-5D and EQ-5D VAS total scores (p = 0.006 and ß = 2.687, p = 0.004 and ß = 3.148, respectively). There is a relationship with negative regression coefficient between the dietary adherence and PHQ-9 total score and CKD stage (p = 0.003, p = 0.006, and ß = - 0.692, respectively). CONCLUSION: As the CKD stage increases in the ADPKD patients, the quality of life decreases, whereas the level of anxiety and depression increases. It has been seen that the ADPKD patients with more depressive complaints have less dietary compliance. In this particular patient group, the early detection and treatment of psychosocial difficulties and the work to improve the quality of life that affect the course of the ADPKD may be as important as the medical treatment. To determine the needs of ADPKD patients with multiple physical and psychosocial difficulties and to perform appropriate interventions, we think that there is a necessity for a specific scale that evaluates these effective components together in the ADPKD process.

Factors Affecting eHealth Literacy of Early Adolescents: School-based Research.

The purpose of the research were to describe eHealth literacy and identify factors affecting the eHealth literacy of early adolescents. This descriptive and correlational study was conducted in a government secondary school in the west of Turkey. The research sample consisted of 1347 adolescents in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades in the academic year 2016-2017. An adolescents' description form and the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) were used to collect the data. The mean score on eHEALS was 23.81 ± 6.94. Multiple regression analysis showed that being in the 11-12 year age group (ß = 0.528, p < 0.001), having a father with a high school or university level education (ß = 0.055, p = 0.038), and carrying out research in the internet on health related topics (ß = 0.118, p < 0.001) were determinant at 32% (F = 56.901, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.32) on the adolescents' eHealth literacy. The mean eHEALS score in the study demonstrated that the e-health literacy of the adolescents was rather low and inadequate, and that there were gaps in the adolescents' knowledge and skills about how and where to find quality eHealth information. Nurses are expected to provide eHealth literacy training that will help to find information on the internet and interpret and assess it, and this will develop eHealth literacy of adolescents. Integrating online health information sources into the school health education curriculum in line with developed strategies can be suggested because it is an attempt to improve the eHealth literacy of adolescents.

Comparison of geriatric nutritional risk index and creatinine index in short-term mortality prediction in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to analyze and compare the predictive values of the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) and Creatinine Index (CI) in the short-term mortality of maintenance hemodialysis patients and to determine their best cut-offs. METHODS: A total of 169 adult hemodialysis patients were included in this retrospective, cross-sectional, and single-center study. The demographic, clinical, and laboratory data of the month in which the patients were included in the study were obtained from their medical files and computer records. All-cause death was the primary outcome of the study during a 12-month follow-up after baseline GNRI and CI calculations. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 57 ± 16 years (49.7% were women, 15% were diabetic). During the one-year observation period, 19 (11.24%) of the cases died (8 CV deaths). The optimal cut-off value for GNRI was determined as 104.2 by ROC analysis [AUC = 0.682 ± 0.06, (95% CI, 0.549-0.815), p = 0.01]. The low GNRI group had a higher risk for all-cause and CV mortality compared to the higher GNRI group (p = 0.02 for both in log-rank test). The optimal sex-specific cut-off was 12.18 mg/kg/day for men [AUC = 0.723 ± 0.07, (95% CI, 0.574-0.875), p = 0.03] and was 12.08 mg/kg/day for females [AUC = 0.649 ± 0.13, (95% CI, 0.384- 0.914), p = 0.01]. Patients with lower sex-specific CI values had higher all-cause and CV mortality (p = 0.001 and p = 0.009 in log-rank test, respectively). In multivariate cox models, both GNRI [HR = 4.904 (% 95 CI, 1.77-13.56), p = 0.002] and sex-specific CI [HR = 5.1 (95% CI, 1.38-18.9), p = 0.01] predicted all-cause mortality. The association of GNRI with CV was lost [HR = 2.6 (CI 95%, 0.54-13.455), p = 0.22], but low CI had a very strong association with CV mortality [HR = 11.48 (CI 95%, 1.25 -104), p = 0.03]. DISCUSSION: In hemodialysis patients, GNRI and CI have similar powers in predicting all-cause short-term mortality. The association of CI with all-cause death depends on gender. On the other hand, sex-specific CI predicts CV mortality better than GNRI.

Vitamin D deficiency may predispose patients to increased risk of kidney transplant rejection.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency occurs in more than 80% of kidney transplant recipients. Its immunomodulatory effects can predispose transplant recipients to rejection and chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN). This study determined the association between serum 25 (OH) vitamin D, biopsy-proven allograft rejection, and CAN rates. AIM: To determine the relationship between serum 25 (OH) vitamin D level and biopsy-proven allograft rejection and CAN rate in renal transplant recipients. METHODS: Adult renal transplant recipients followed at the clinic between January 2013 and 2018 were included. Recipients requiring graft biopsy due to declined function, hematuria, and proteinuria were reviewed. The two groups were compared regarding collected data, including the biopsy results, immunologic parameters, vitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), phosphorus, albumin levels, and graft function tests. RESULTS: Fifty-two recipients who underwent graft biopsy met the inclusion criteria. In all, 14 recipients had a vitamin D level > 15 ng/mL (group 1) vs ≤ 15 ng/mL (group 2) in 38. In total, 27 patients had biopsy-proven rejection, and 19 had CAN. There was only 1 recipient with biopsy-proven rejection in group 1, whereas there were 24 patients with rejection in group 2. The rejection rate was significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1 (P < 0.001). Four patients were diagnosed with CAN in group 1 vs fifteen in group 2. There was no significant difference in the CAN rate between the two groups. PTH was higher at the time of graft biopsy (P = 0.009, P = 0.022) in group 1 with a mean of 268 pg/mL. Donor-specific antibodies were detected in 14 (56.0%) of the recipients with rejection. Vitamin D level was 9.7 ± 3.4 ng/mL in the rejection group vs 14.7 ± 7.2 in the non-rejection group; this difference was statistically significant (P = 0.003). The albumin levels were significantly lower in patients with rejection than in those without rejection (P = 0.001). In univariate regression analysis of risk factors affecting rejection, sex, serum vitamin D, phosphorus and albumin were found to have an impact (P = 0.027, P = 0.007, P = 0.023, P = 0.008). In multivariate regression analysis, the same factors did not affect rejection. CONCLUSION: The serum 25 (OH) vitamin D level in kidney transplant recipients remained low. Although low serum vitamin D level emerged as a risk factor for rejection in univariate analysis, this finding was not confirmed by multivariate analysis. Prospective studies are required to determine the effect of serum vitamin D levels on allograft rejection.

Effect of tunica albuginea incision on testicular tissue in testicular torsion.

BACKGROUND: Testicular torsion is the underlying cause in 15-20% of children presenting to the emergency department with scrotal pain. Testicular torsion, which is defined as the rotation of the testis around itself at the level of the spermatic cord, may cause organ loss due to impaired circulation. It is recommended to detortion the testis within the first 6 h to prevent organ loss. The aim of the study is to examine the effect of Tunica Albuginea incision (TAI) made in addition to detorsion (DT) on the viability of the torted testis. METHODS: The research has an experimental design. The study was carried out on three groups of rats (Sham, testicular torsion-(T-DT), TAI, and testicular torsion-detortion. After 10 days of follow-up, testes in the groups were taken for pathological examination. In the pathological examination, necrosis, ischemic changes, Johnsen score, edema, inflammation, and basement membrane thickening were evaluated and scored in all pathological samples. RESULTS: Necrosis, ischemic changes, edema, inflammation, and basal membrane thickening were found to be significantly less in the TAI group. Furthermore, the mean Johnsen Scores were significantly different between the T-DT (7.44±0.52) and TAI (8.60±0.51) groups. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the testicles in the TAI group were better preserved than the testicles, in which only DT was applied. It can be argued that in testicular torsion, the DT procedure is not sufficient to protect the testis, and it would be bene-ficial to add TAI to the procedure.

A new marker predicting gestational diabetes mellitus: First trimester neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a condition that is very common during pregnancy and has negative consequences for both mother and fetus. Insulin resistance has been shown as an important cause in the pathogenesis of GDM and low-level inflammation is suggested to be one of the underlying causes of insulin resistance. We aimed to investigate whether the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), which is an indicator of systemic inflammation, is a predictor for GDM. A total of 228 pregnant women, including 128 GDM (patient group) and 100 healthy pregnant were included in the study. GDM was diagnosed with a 1-step approach between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. We found a significant increase in NLR in the 1st and 3rd trimesters in the GDM group compared to healthy pregnant women, which supports that systemic inflammation starts in the early stages of pregnancy and continues throughout pregnancy. We also reported a positive correlation between NLR and fasting plasma glucose and body mass index in both trimesters. We showed that first trimester NLR independently predicted the development of GDM.

Electrocardiographic variables associated with underlying Brugada syndrome or drug-induced Type 1 Brugada pattern in patients with slow/fast atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia.

Background: The coexistence of clinical atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) and drug-induced type 1 Brugada pattern (DI-Type 1 BrP) has been previously reported. The present study was designed to determine the 12-lead ECG characteristics at baseline and during AVNRT and to identify a subset of 12-lead ECG variables of benefit associated with underlying Brugada syndrome (BrS)/DI-Type 1 BrP among patients with slow/fast AVNRT. Methods: A total of 40 (11 numerical/29 categorical) 12-lead ECG parameters were analyzed and compared between patients with (n = 69) and without (n = 104) BrS/DI-Type1-BrP matched for age, female gender, body mass index, left ventricular ejection fraction and comorbid conditions. Five distinct types of ECG pattern (Type A/B/C/D/E) in V1-V2 leads during AVNRT were defined. Results: A total of nine electrocardiographic variables, four at baseline, and five during AVNRT were identified. At baseline, patients with BrS/DI-Type 1 BrP had higher prevalence of interatrial block, leftward shift of frontal plane QRS axis, the absence of normal QRS pattern (the presence of rSr' pattern or type 2/3 Brugada pattern) in V1-V2 and QRS fragmentation in inferior leads compared to patients without BrS/DI-Type 1 BrP. During AVNRT, patients with BrS/DI-Type 1 BrP had higher prevalence of Type A ECG pattern ("coved-type" ST-segment elevation) in V1-V2, Type C ECG pattern (pseudo-r' deflection in V1 and "RBBB-like" pattern in V2), pseudo-r' deflection in V1, QRS fragmentation in inferior leads and "isolated" QRS fragmentation/notching/slurring in aVL compared to patients without BrS/DI-Type 1 BrP. Conclusions: We identify several electrocardiographic variables that point to an underlying type 1 BrP among patients with slow/fast AVNRT.

A rare case of acute acalculous cholecystitis secondary to hantavirus infection with renal syndrome.

Hantaviruses are single-stranded RNA viruses. They are transmitted to humans by rodents and insectivore hosts. Some Hantavirus subtypes are the causative agents of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), which is characterized by fever, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney injury. Hantavirus infection is difficult to diagnose due to its non-specific clinical symptoms. Causes of acalculous cholecystitis are severe trauma or burn, surgery, long-term starvation and some viral infections. It is very rare for Hantavirus to cause acute acalculous cholecystitis. The treatment of acute acalculous cholecystitis is usually directed towards its symptoms. A 22-year-old male forest worker was admitted to our emergency outpatient clinic with the complaints of fatigue, oliguria, fever, abdominal pain and vomiting. After the clinical and laboratory examinations, HFRS and acute cholecystitis secondary to Hantavirus infection were diagnosed. The patient's condition and clinical findings improved after supportive treatment. Hantavirus infection should be considered in patients with acute kidney injury, cholecystitis and thrombocytopenia (Fig. 2, Ref. 10). Keywords: Hantavirus, acute kidney injury, acalculous cholecystitis, thrombocytopeni.

Deviant Behavior of Pedestrians: A Risk Gamble or Just Against Automated Vehicles? How About Social Control?

Recent evidence suggests that the assumed conflict-avoidant programming of autonomous vehicles will incentivize pedestrians to bully them. However, this frequent argument disregards the embedded nature of social interaction. Rule violations are socially sanctioned by different forms of social control, which could moderate the rational incentive to abuse risk-avoidant vehicles. Drawing on a gamified virtual reality (VR) experiment (n = 36) of urban traffic scenarios, we tested how vehicle type, different forms of social control, and monetary benefit of rule violations affect pedestrians' decision to jaywalk. In a second step, we also tested whether differences in those effects exist when controlling for the risk of crashes in conventional vehicles. We find that individuals do indeed jaywalk more frequently when faced with an automated vehicle (AV), and this effect largely depends on the associated risk and not their automated nature. We further show that social control, especially in the form of formal traffic rules and norm enforcement, can reduce jaywalking behavior for any vehicle. Our study sheds light on the interaction dynamics between humans and AVs and how this is influenced by different forms of social control. It also contributes to the small gamification literature in this human-computer interaction.

An experience in the COVID-19 pandemic period: Turkish Cardiovascular Surgery Online Board Exam 2020.

Background: The aim of this study was to provide information about the results of the Turkish Cardiovascular Surgery Board written exam, which was held online due to the pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional study included a total of 41 cardiovascular surgeons and residents (39 males, 2 females) in November 21st, 2020 between 10:00 A.M. and 12:00 P.M. After the online exam was completed, data on participant information and answers to exam questions were obtained from the information system. Results: Of all participants, 39% were working in university hospitals. A total of 82.9% of the participants were specialists. The total mean score of the participants was 60.3±10.2 and 53.7% of them were declared successful-passed. Aortic surgery (63%), heart failure surgery (50%), and mitral valve surgery (50%) were the most incorrectly answered questions. Conclusion: With the online exam, the Board gained different experiences regarding exam planning and implementation. The Turkish Cardiovascular Surgery Board did not give up the Board exam during the pandemic period and conducted a reliable written exam with many participants.

Can patient-physician interview skills be implemented with peer simulated patients?

INTRODUCTION: Patient-physician interviewing skills are crucial in health service delivery. It is necessary for effective care and treatment that the physician initiates the interview with the patient, takes anamnesis, collects the required information, and ends the consultation. Different methods are used to improve patient-physician interview skills before encountering actual patients. In the absence of simulated patients, peer simulation is an alternative method for carrying out the training. This study aims to show whether patient-physician interview skills training can be implemented using peer simulation in the absence of the simulated patient. METHODS: This is a descriptive quantitative study. This research was conducted in six stages: identification of the research problem and determination of the research question, development of data collection tools, planning, acting, evaluation, and monitoring. The data were collected via the patient-physician interview videos of the students. The research team performed descriptive analysis on quantitative data and thematic analysis on qualitative data. RESULTS: Fifty students participated in the study. When performing peer-assisted simulation applications in the absence of simulated patients, the success rate in patient-physician interviews and peer-simulated patient roles was over 88%. Although the students were less satisfied with playing the peer-simulated patient role, the satisfaction towards the application was between 77.33% and 98%. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In patient-physician interviews, the peer-simulated patient method is an effective learning approach. There may be difficulties finding suitable simulated patients, training them, budgeting to cover the costs, planning, organizing the interviews, and solving potential issues during interviews. Our study offers an affordable solution for students to earn patient-physician interview skills in faculties facing difficulties with providing simulated patients for training.

Effectiveness of TI-RADS and ATA classifications for predicting malignancy of thyroid nodules.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid cancer is one of the most common cancers and is especially common in young patients. Therefore, effective recognition and treatment of thyroid cancer are essential for patient survival. OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness of standard guidelines for predicting thyroid malignancy. To do so, thyroid nodules were classified according to the categories of the American Thyroid Association (ATA) and Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) guidelines, and compared with fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 1741 thyroid nodules with a final diagnosis in 1121 consecutive patients. The FNAB was recommended for all patients according to ATA guidelines and subsequently performed. The nodules were reclassified according to TI-RADS guidelines. RESULTS: Comparing nodules classified according to ATA and TI-RADS in terms of ultrasonography (US) features with the Bethesda cytological diagnosis classification System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology, 37.6% of the nodules classified in the high-risk category according to the ATA classification were found to be malignant cytology, 10.4% suspicious for malignancy, 4% non-diagnostic, 9.6% indeterminant cytology, and 38.4% benign. According to the TI-RADS risk category, 50% of those with high suspicion were malignant, 13.3% suspicious for malignancy cytology and 36.7% were benign. For the TI-RADS guidelines, the best cutoff value for differentiating benign and malignant nodules was found to be 4.5 (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.962, 95% CI = 0.943-0.981, p < 0.001). For the ATA guidelines, the best cutoff value for separating benign and malignant nodules was 4.5 (AUC = 0.917, 95% CI = 0.875-0.959, p < 0.001). The diagnostic performances of the TI-RADS and ATA score systems were evaluated using highly suspicious nodules. The sensitivity and specificity of highly suspicious nodules, according to both TI-RADS and ATA guidelines, were both high. Sensitivity and specificity of ATA classification were 80% and 96.3%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of TI-RADS classification were 76% and 97.5%, respectively, but positive predictive value was low (63.3% compared to 55.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Both, the ATA and TI-RADS classifications can effectively predict malignancy risk of thyroid nodules and may thus decrease unnecessary FNAB.

Faculty development program for coaching in nursing education: A curriculum development process study.

AIM/OBJECTIVE: This study aims to develop a Faculty Development Program for Coaching that can be used in teaching psychomotor skills in nursing education. BACKGROUND: Knowledge, skills and attitudes of faculty members play a significant role in students acquiring basic nursing psychomotor skills before clinical training. DESIGN: It is a curriculum development process study. METHODS: The study sample comprised 149 nursing faculty members in all nursing faculties in Turkey. This study combines the Delphi survey, analysis of psychomotor skills training programs and a literature review with the Triangulation Strategy. RESULTS: A Faculty Development Program for Coaching consisting of six modules and 34-hours was developed. The program including various teaching strategies. Participant's achievements are assessed by grading individual assignments. CONCLUSIONS: The Faculty Development Program for Coaching was developed to be used in all nursing faculties. When this faculty development program is implemented, it will enable researchers to make national and international comparisons in this field.