Development of stigma scale for women with mental illness in perinatal period, validity and reliability study.

AIM: Although there are many scales that measure stigma, there is no scale with the necessary adequacy to measure stigma in the perinatal period. The study aims to develop the stigma scale for women with mental illness in the perinatal period and test its validity and reliability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants were reached via patients, visitors, and hospital staff who applied to Sakarya Training and Research Hospital between 01/06/2022 and 01/12/2022. Two hundred people (female n = 134, male n = 66) aged 18-65 participated in the study and "Sociodemographic data form," "Perinatal Mental Illness Stigma Scale (PMISS)," "Social Distance Scale," and "Beliefs Towards Mental Illness Scale" were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22 and the AMOS 26 program. RESULTS: The Content Validity Index of the scale items was between 0.80-1. Cronbach's alpha coefficient score of the general scale was 0.94, the "Discrimination and Prejudice" sub-dimension was 0.93, and the "Labeling" sub-dimension was 0.88. It was determined that item-total score correlations varied between 0.410 and 0.799. P value calculated < 0.05 in Barlett's test and 0.94 in the Kaiser-Meyer Olkin test. These values show that factor analysis can be applied to the scale. According to the Exploratory Factor Analysis result, the scale has a 2-factor structure, explaining 60% of the total variance. The Guttman Split-Half coefficient of the scale was 0.882, and the Spearman-Brown coefficient was 0.883. The scale was reapplied to 30 participants with an interval of three weeks. The correlation coefficient between the two measurements was 0.91, indicating that the scale satisfies the invariance principle over time. CONCLUSION: The PMISS is a reliable measurement tool that can be used to investigate stigma towards mental illness during the perinatal period in the Turkish population.

Development of a mobile monitoring program for anxiety and depression in pregnancy and evaluation of 3-month results.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to develop a mobile mental health application (app) to scan the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and related factors during pregnancy; examine the effect of the app on pregnant women; and determine the factors related to using such an app. METHODS: A software platform called Perinatal Anxiety Depression Monitoring Platform (PADIP) was developed. This study included 320 pregnant women: 160 in the PADIP group and 160 in the control group. The PADIP group was screened monthly for 3 months for depression, anxiety, and sleep quality, and instant feedback was provided on scale scores. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, there was a significant decrease in depression and anxiety scale scores in the PADIP group but no significant difference in scale scores in the control group. The interface used for the app was important for scale scores. It was preferred by pregnant women with a high education level, higher Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale scores, and lower sleep quality scores. CONCLUSIONS: PADIP use was associated with a decrease in depression and anxiety scores of pregnant women. It was more useful for patients with higher education levels and a history of a psychiatric disorder, but further research is needed to develop a more comprehensive model.

Antipsychotics Induced Reproductive Toxicity by Stimulating Oxidative Stress: A Comparative in Vivo and in Silico Study.

The pathophysiological mechanism behind the link between antipsychotic drugs and sexual dysfunction is still unknown. The goal of this research is to compare the potential effects of antipsychotics on the male reproductive system. Fifty rats were randomly assigned into the five groups indicated: Control, Haloperidol, Risperidone, Quetiapine and Aripiprazole. Sperm parameters were significantly impaired in all antipsychotics-treated groups. Haloperidol and Risperidone significantly decreased the level of testosterone. All antipsychotics had significantly reduced inhibin B level. A significant reduction was observed in SOD activity in all antipsychotics-treated groups. While GSH levels diminished, MDA levels were rising in the Haloperidol and Risperidone groups. Also, the GSH level was significantly elevated in the Quetiapine and Aripiprazole groups. By causing oxidative stress and altering hormone levels, Haloperidol and Risperidone are damaging to male reproductivity. This study represents useful starting point for exploring further aspects of the underlying mechanisms reproductive toxicity of antipsychotics.

An Online Distance Tracker for Verification of Robotic Systems' Safety.

This paper presents an efficient method for minimum distance calculation between a robot and its environment and the implementation framework as a tool for the verification of robotic systems' safety. Collision is the most fundamental safety problem in robotic systems. Therefore, robotic system software must be verified to ensure that there are no risks of collision during development and implementation. The online distance tracker (ODT) is intended to provide minimum distances between the robots and their environments for verification of system software to inspect whether it causes a collision risk. The proposed method employs the representations of the robot and its environment with cylinders and an occupancy map. Furthermore, the bounding box approach improves the performance of the minimum distance calculation regarding computational cost. Finally, the method is applied to a realistically simulated twin of the ROKOS, which is an automated robotic inspection cell for quality control of automotive body-in-white and is actively used in the bus manufacturing industry. The simulation results demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.

Real-Time Fault Detection and Condition Monitoring for Industrial Autonomous Transfer Vehicles Utilizing Edge Artificial Intelligence.

Early fault detection and real-time condition monitoring systems have become quite significant for today's modern industrial systems. In a high volume of manufacturing facilities, fleets of equipment are expected to operate uninterrupted for days or weeks. Any unplanned interruptions to equipment uptime could jeopardize manufacturers' cycle time, capacity, and, most significantly, credibility for their customers. With the help of smart manufacturing technologies, companies have started to develop and integrate fault detection and classification systems where end-to-end constant monitoring of equipment is facilitated, and smart algorithms are adapted for the early generation of fault alarms and classification. This paper proposes a generic real-time fault diagnosis and condition monitoring system utilizing edge artificial intelligence (edge AI) and a data distributor open source middleware platform called FIWARE. The implemented system architecture is flexible and includes interfaces that can be easily expanded for various devices. This work demonstrates it for condition monitoring of autonomous transfer vehicle (ATV) equipment targeting a smart factory use case. The system is verified in a designated industrial model environment in a lab with a single ATV operation. The anomaly conditions of the ATV are diagnosed by a deep learning-based fault diagnosis method performed in the Edge AI unit, and the results are transferred to the data storage via a data pipeline setup. The proposed system's Edge AI solution for the ATV use case provides significant real-time performance. The network bandwidth requirement and total elapsed data transfer time have been reduced by 43 and 37 times, respectively. The proposed system successfully enables real-time monitoring of ATV fault conditions and expands to a fleet of equipment in a real manufacturing facility.

Klotho, BDNF, NGF, GDNF Levels and Related Factors in Withdrawal Period in Chronic Cannabinoid Users.

Klotho and neurotropic factors have recently been shown to be related to some psychiatric disorders and neurocognitive disorders, but there is no study on this issue within substance users. In this study, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), glial derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and klotho serum levels of a patient group consisting of 27 chronic cannabis users according to the DSM-V and 27 healthy volunteers were compared, and their relationships with other the clinical features of other patients were evaluated. Clinical scales, the Buss-Perry Aggression Scale, and the Substance Craving Scale were repeated on the first day of hospitalisation and on the seventh day of withdrawal. BDNF, GDNF, NGF and klotho levels were analysed using the ELISA method. There was no differences between the cannabinoid use disorder group and the control group regarding their klotho and other neurotrophic levels, but initiation age of cannabis use was negatively correlated with these levels. In addition, there was a relationship between verbal aggression scores and BDNF and NGF levels. There was a positive correlation between klotho and neurotrophic factors in all groups (patient group Day 1, patient group Day 7, control group) (p < 0.01). When comparing the difference between the correlations using the cocor (a comprehensive solution for the statistical comparison of correlations), the klotho-GDNF and klotho-NGF correlations for the first day of the patient group and the control group were different. In this study, rather than a difference in klotho levels and neurotropic factors, a significant relationship between these markers and each other and clinical parameters was demonstrated; further studies are needed to understand the exact mechanism.

BDNF, GDNF, NGF and Klotho levels and neurocognitive functions in acute term of schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Klotho and its relationship with neurotrophic factors and cognition in schizophrenia has not yet been investigated. In this study, the hypothesis that the blood serum levels of BDNF, GDNF, NGF and Klotho in schizophrenia patients and healthy controls would be related to cognitive functions was investigated. METHODS: In this study, two groups were assessed: schizophrenia patients (case group) who were hospitalised in the Psychiatry Clinic of Sakarya University Training and Research Hospital and healthy volunteers (control group). The patients were evaluated on the 1st and 20th days of their hospitalisation with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), the General Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF) and the Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI). For cognitive assessment, both groups were evaluated with the Wechsler Memory Scale-Visual Production Subtest (Wechsler Memory Scale III-Visual Reproduction Subtest) and the Stroop test. RESULTS: BDNF, GDNF, NGF and Klotho levels were lower in schizophrenia patients than in healthy controls. In the schizophrenia patients, on the 20th day of treatment, there was a statistically significant increase in BDNF compared to the 1st day of treatment. BDNF, GDNF and Klotho showed positive correlations with some cognitive functions in the healthy controls. BDNF, GDNF, NGF and Klotho levels were intercorrelated and predictive of each other in both groups. CONCLUSION: This study suggests a relationship between cognitive functions, neurotrophic factors and Klotho. Most of the results are the first of their kind in the extant literature, while other results are either similar to or divergent from those generated in previous studies. Therefore, new, enhanced studies are needed to clarify the role of Klotho and neurotrophic factors in schizophrenia.

The relationship between expressed emotion, personality traits and prognosis of alcohol and substance addiction: 6-month follow-up study.

AIM: Preventing relapses in addiction and related factors are still being investigated. There is inadequate data, specifically, on the effects of expressed emotion (EE) among key relatives of patients with alcohol and substance use disorder (ASUD), the personality traits of patients, and the clinical features of addiction on relapses. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This study was conducted with patients with ASUD (n = 102, 98 male) and their relatives (n = 102, 44 male). The Dependency Profile Index, and the Temperament and Character Inventory were applied to the patients, while the EE scale was applied to key relatives. Relapse rates were evaluated six months later. RESULTS: EE levels among key relatives of patients were found to be associated with early relapse rates (p = 0.002). In addition, the individuals the patients lived with (p = 0.041), income level (p = 0.048), working status (p = 0.039), time spent in profession (p = 0.007), and severity of addiction (p = 0.016) were all found to be significantly associated with relapses. The personality traits of patients were not related to early relapses. In logistic regression analysis, EE and time spent in a profession were found to be significantly associated with relapses (p = 0.014, 0.043 respectively), while other variables were not significant. CONCLUSION: The relationship between relapse in the early period of abstaining from substance use and EE levels of key relatives seems to be a greater determinant for ongoing success than several other variables in patients with ASUD, including addiction severity. The research suggests that families be involved in programs that help prevent relapses.

The efficacy of gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculectomy combined with phacoemulsification.

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) with or without cataract extraction (CE) in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEX) patients. METHODS: A retrospective, non-randomized study included 108 eyes of 108 patients, with a mean age of 65.96 ± 14.84 years, who underwent GATT to treat open-angle glaucoma. We have compared two groups, GATT alone or GATT combined with CE and followed-up minimum for 12 months. Preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) compared with final IOP, medication numbers, and BCVA levels. Surgical success was determined as IOP reduction > 20% from baseline, IOP between 5-21 mmHg, if surgery was done for intolerance to medications, preoperative < 21 mmHg with medications, postoperatively < 21 mmHg without medications, and no need for further glaucoma surgery. Also, we defined success with medications and success without medications. High success is defined as IOP < 16 mmHg without medications. RESULTS: Success percentiles were found 87.5% for GATT and 83.8% for GATT with CE group (P = 0.811). IOP percentile changes were - 44.25 ± 21.32 in GATT group, - 32.29 ± 23.41 in GATT with CE group, statistically higher change observed in GATT group (P = 0.009). Final IOP levels were found statistically indifferent for comparing GATT and GATT with CE groups and between PEX and POAG groups (respectively, P = 0.412, P = 0.335). CONCLUSION: We observed GATT alone has a superior lowering effect on IOP than combined surgery. Final IOP values and success percentiles show us combined surgery is also effective.

Development, validity and reliability study of a compliance scale for the COVID-19 outbreak prevention recommendations

Background/aim: During the intense periods of the COVID-19 pandemic, legal measures were taken for its containment. However, since legal precautions cannot be implemented continuously, hand washing, mask usage and obeying social distance rules are important in combating the pandemic. Complying with these rules is mostly individual decisions. The behavior of individuals has a prominent place in the course of the pandemic. In this study, we aimed to develop a scale which could measure compliance with outbreak measures. Materials and methods: This study was conducted in two stages after evaluation of the content validity of the item pool formed by the research group by experts. For construct validity, the scale subdimensions were determined in 250 people between the ages of 18-70 years at the first stage and the definitive version of the 20-item scale was constructed. In the second stage, exploratory factor analysis was repeated in a group of 484 people, and confirmatory factor analysis was performed. Cronbach's alpha coefficients, Spearman-Brown coefficients, test-retest methods were used to determine reliability. Results: The variance explanation of the scale consisting of 20 items and two subdimensions in the explanatory factor analysis is 63.434% (n = 484). Confirmatory factor analysis resulted in CMIN/DF = 3.540, RMR = 0.043, NFI Delta 1 = 0.928, TLI rho 2 = 0.939, CFI = 0.947, RMSEA = 0.072, SRMR = 0.0368. Cronbach's alpha value of the scale is 0.95; and the Spearman Brown coefficient equal length analysis resulted in 0.928. The temporal consistency of the scale was evaluated with the test-retest method (P = 0.893). The structure, content validity, temporal consistency, item discrimination, and internal consistency were evaluated and found to have acceptable valid, reliable properties. Conclusion: The outbreak prevention recommendation compliance scale is a valid and reliable tool with which compliance with the prevention plans can be evaluated.

Klotho, vitamin D and homocysteine levels during acute episode and remission periods in schizophrenia patients.

AIM: Neurodegenerative processes are effective in schizophrenia. However, the underlying causes of the symptoms and associated factors have not yet been fully elucidated. Recent research has focused on the relationship between neurodegeneration and vitamin D, Klotho and homocysteine levels. In this study, we aimed to investigate this relationship in schizophrenia. METHOD: This study included 30 schizophrenic inpatients, 30 schizophrenic outpatients in remission and 28 healthy volunteers as the control group. The psychiatric diagnoses of our patients were evaluated according to DSM-IV criteria. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale and the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale were used for clinical measurements. Serum Klotho, homocysteine, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and folic acid levels were analyzed using ELISA and compared with clinical properties. RESULTS: The PANSS scores and CGI scores were higher in schizophrenic inpatients than outpatients, and the GAF scores were lower (p < 0.05). Three groups were compared for Klotho, homocysteine and vitamin D serum levels; Klotho levels were elevated but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). However, vitamin B12, folic acid and homocysteine levels were higher in schizophrenic patients than the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of homocysteine with concomitant higher levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid suggest a relationship of this pathway with schizophrenia. Differences in Klotho levels were elevated but it was not significant. Replication studies to investigate probable associations with larger samples are needed.

Affective temperaments during pregnancy and postpartum period: a click to hyperthymic temperament.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy and postpartum periods are the main reproductive periods during which women experience mood disorders. Affective temperaments are known antecedents of mood disorders and their importance is increasing in time for early diagnosis and determining risky groups. But data about affective temperaments during perinatal period is limited. METHODS: Women during pregnancy and perinatal period and healthy controls who are not in perinatal period are included in the study. 83 pregnant women in 1st trimester, 94 pregnant women in 2nd trimester and 115 pregnant women in 3rd trimester; 32 women in 1st month postpartum and 89 women in 2nd month postpartum; and 88 healthy non-pregnant women with similar ages were evaluated regarding their temperament evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego auto-questionnaire (TEMPS-A) scores. RESULTS: Women in perinatal period had higher scores of hyperthymic temperaments than the control group. Women in the 2nd month of postpartum period had also higher anxious temperament scores. And women in the second trimester had the highest hyperthymic temperament scores. CONCLUSION: Pregnancy and postpartum periods correlate with hyperthymic temperament characteristics in women without active psychiatric diagnosis. Future studies will help to understand if this is a mental quietness or increased risk for bipolarity.

Alterations of the hematologic cells in synthetic cannabinoid users.

BACKGROUND: Functions, morphology, distributions, and index of the circulating cells are the most useful parameters that indicate various inflammatory and toxic conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of these parameters in patients diagnosed with (synthetic) cannabis use disorder. METHODS: This study included a total of 40 patients in the study group (SG) with synthetic cannabis use; and 40 healthy individuals as the control group (CG). Participants, who had hematological disorders and other chronic diseases, were excluded from the study. All hematological parameters of SG were compared with CG. Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) values were calculated and compared between groups. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of WBC, MCH, RDW, MCV, MPV, and NEU, LYM%, MONO% parameters (P<.05). MPW and LYM% were significantly lower in SG compared to CG. WBC, MCH, RDW, MCV, MPV, MONO, and NEU parameters were significantly higher in SG compared to CG (P<.05). UIBC and TIBC levels were significantly higher in SG compared to CG (P<.001). Although there was statistically significant difference between groups in terms of NLR, there was no significant difference for PLR values. CONCLUSION: Our data suggested that chronic use of cannabinoids can lead to deterioration of hematopoietic cells. Chronic use of cannabinoids was consistent with subthreshold/subclinical megaloblastic anemia with iron deficiency. Inflammatory cells, especially neutrophil and monocyte counts were higher in SG compared to CG. Thus, recovery of subclinical hematological parameters should be considered in cannabis use disorder patients.

Antipsychotic Use Pattern in Schizophrenia Outpatients: Correlates of Polypharmacy.

BACKGROUND: This study investigates the antipsychotic use patterns of patients with schizophrenia and its correlations in their daily drug use patterns. METHODS: Patients with schizophrenia who have regular records at two different community counselling centres (CCS) were included in the study. Information about their medications and sociodemographic data was recorded through face-to-face interviews and supporting information about their drug use patterns was obtained from their relatives/caregivers/nurse. The Clinical Global Impression Scale (severity of illness) and the General Assessment of Functionality scales were also administered. RESULTS: Patients with schizophrenia used 2.0 ± 0.81 antipsychotics daily and 3.52 ± 2.55 pills (1-18). Seventy-one percent of the patients used two or more kinds of psychotropic drugs. The most frequently used antipsychotics were quetiapine, a second generation antipsychotic, and haloperidol, a typical antipsychotic. Clinical severity, regular visits to a CCS and use of depot antipsychotics were independent predictors for polypharmacy. CONCLUSION: The rate of polypharmacy use is high in Turkey. There are multiple risk factors related with polipharmacy. New studies should focus risk factors for preventing polypharmacy.

INTRAVITREAL BEVACIZUMAB IN THE TREATMENT OF CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULAR MEMBRANE DUE TO ANGIOID STREAKS.

PURPOSE: To investigate the results of intravitreal bevacizumab for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to angioid streaks and to assess the factors influencing disease progression. METHODS: Patients treated with intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 mL) for CNV secondary to angioid streaks were reviewed retrospectively. In addition to demographic findings, ophthalmologic findings at baseline and during follow-ups were recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-three eyes of 20 patients (mean age, 45.7 years; 7 women) were included in the study. Mean follow-up was 23 months. Mean number of injections was 5.1. Initial and final logMAR visual acuity was not different (0.53 ± 0.33 and 0.60 ± 0.40 logMAR, P = 0.79). At the last examination, patients with final active CNV (N = 14) were younger (mean age, 42 years) than patients with final inactive CNV (N = 9) (mean age, 52 years). The former group required higher number of injections (6.6 vs. 2.8, P = 0.013). Eyes with pseudoxanthoma elasticum (N = 10) needed injections every 4.4 months while the others (N = 13) every 7.2 months (P = 0.072). Pseudoxanthoma elasticum positivity ended up with active membranes in 70% of the cases, composing half of the overall final active CNVs in this study. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal bevacizumab stabilized vision in eyes with CNV and angioid streaks. At younger ages, CNV behaved more aggressively and seemed to be more resistant to treatment.

CORRELATION OF CHOROIDAL THICKNESS AND BODY MASS INDEX.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the possible changes in the microvascular structure of the choroid by measuring choroidal thickness (CT) in four different body mass index (BMI) groups of healthy individuals. METHODS: One hundred and sixty eyes of 160 healthy individuals (70 females and 90 males) were included in this cross-sectional study. Healthy individuals were divided into 4 groups according to their BMIs. Cases with BMI ≤ 18.50 formed Group 1, cases with BMI between 18.50 and 24.99 formed Group 2, cases with BMI between 25.00 and 29.99 formed Group 3, and cases with BMI between 30.00 and 34.99 formed Group 4. The CT was measured by the enhanced depth imaging technique of the spectral domain optical coherence tomography. The CT was measured at subfoveal area and at 500-µm intervals to the nasal and temporal to the fovea up to 2,000 µm. The measurements were then statistically compared among the four groups. RESULTS: The mean ages were 26.5 ± 6.9 years (range: 18-39 years) in Group 1, 27.2 ± 5.0 (range: 21-38 years) in Group 2, 28.5 ± 5.9 (range: 20-40 years) in Group 3, and 29.25 ± 5.6 (range: 20-40 years) in Group 4. The mean subfoveal CT (in micrometers) was 378 ± 86 (range: 189-563) in Group 1, 384 ± 102 (range: 225-643) in Group 2, 314 ± 66 (range: 160-455) in Group 3, and 317 ± 63 (range: 220-411) in Group 4. There was a statistically significant difference among the 4 groups in regard to CT in all locations (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated that BMI may have an influence on the CT of healthy persons. Individuals in both Group 3 and Group 4 have thinner choroids than the individuals in both Group 1 and Group 2.

23 gauge pars plana vitrectomy for the removal of retained intraocular foreign bodies.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the morpho-functional outcomes and safety of transconjuctival 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy(PPV) for removal of intraocular foreign bodies (IOFBs). METHODS: A retrospective study of 36 consecutive cases (mean age; 34,2 ± 10,9 years (between 15 and 60), 27 M,9 F) of 23-G PPV for the removal of IOFBs during the period of April 2009 and December 2011 and followed 9,4 ± 6,4(2-27) months were conducted. Visual outcomes, slit lamp biomicroscopy, intraocular pressure (IOP), and posterior segment visualization by indirect ophthalmoscopy, A-B mode ultrasonography, and computed orbital tomography were performed for all cases. Main outcomes including anatomic and visual outcomes, and both intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 36 cases available for the study, the IOFBs (size range, 3 to 12 mm) could be removed in all eyes. Mean preoperative LogMAR BCVA was 1.44 ± 138 (range, 1.00 to 0.00) and mean postoperative LogMAR BCVA at final visit was 0,78 ± 0,98 (range, 1.00 to 0.00). (P = 0,007) Anatomic success was obtained in 97.2 % of eyes. 16 patients needed primary wound repair due to the leakage in insertion sites before the PPV, however remaining 20 cases were not. Fibrin reaction was seen in 8 (22.2 %) patients in early postoperative period, intraocular pressure elevation was detected in 12 (33.3 %) patients in which the silicone oil was used as an intravitreal tamponade, one patient with silicone oil tamponade developed band keratopathy and phthisis bulbi. CONCLUSIONS: 23-Gauge PPV is a feasible, effective approach in the surgical management of the patients with posterior segment intraocular foreign bodies.

Comparison of intravitreal ranibizumab in phakic and pseudophakic neovascular age-related macular degeneration patients with good baseline visual acuity.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of intravitreal ranibizumab for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration between phakic and pseudophakic eyes with visual acuity ≥0.5 Snellen equivalent. METHODS: This was a retrospective, interventional, comparative study. The newly diagnosed neovascular age-related macular degeneration patients with visual acuity of ≥0.5 Snellen equivalent were included in the study. The patients were divided into two subgroups: phakic group and pseudophakic. All patients received three consecutive monthly intravitreal ranibizumab injections, and then, reinjection was performed as needed. Patients were examined monthly, and the data at the baseline, at Months 3, 6, 9, and 12 were evaluated. The changes in visual acuity, central retinal thickness, and the number of injections were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The study included 96 eyes of 96 patients (56 phakic and 40 pseudophakic). Mean Snellen visual acuity at the baseline, at Months 3, 6, 9, and 12 was 0.56 ± 0.09, 0.64 ± 0.15, 0.62 ± 0.21, 0.60 ± 0.22, and 0.61 ± 0.20 for the phakic group; and 0.55 ± 0.08, 0.63 ± 0.14, 0.60 ± 0.13, 0.58 ± 0.14, and 0.59 ± 0.13 for the pseudophakic group, respectively. The change in mean visual acuity and central retinal thickness at the study visits was not statistically significant between the 2 groups (P > 0.05 for all). Mean injection number at Month 12 was 4.5 and 4.3 in the phakic and pseudophakic group, respectively (P = 0.5). CONCLUSION: Intravitreal ranibizumab treatment on an as-needed treatment regimen is effective in preserving vision and improving central retinal thickness in both the phakic and pseudophakic group of neovascular age-related macular degeneration patients with good baseline visual acuity.

Affective temperaments in pregnancy.

AIM: There are many studies on the mood disorders that occur during pregnancy, but no studies that question how affective temperaments, which are the antecedents of the mood disorders, are influenced by pregnancy. This study aims to examine the affective temperaments in women without any psychiatric diagnoses during the pregnancy period. METHOD: The study included 100 pregnant women at the third trimester of their pregnancy (pregnant group) and 75 non-pregnant women (control group). Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Axis-I Disorders (SCID-I) was used for the evaluation of psychiatric disorders; Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego Auto-questionnaire (TEMPS-A) was used for the evaluation of affective temperaments. RESULTS: The cyclothymic, irritable and anxious temperament scores of the pregnant women were significantly lower than that of the non-pregnant women (p < 0.05). Pregnancy predicted lower scores of cyclothymic, irritable and anxious temperaments. Younger age and lower levels of education were predictors of higher cyclothymic, anxious and depressive temperament scores. Younger age also predicted higher irritable temperament scores. CONCLUSION: The third trimester of pregnancy is associated with significantly lower affective temperament. Future studies may help to understand the biological background of the present findings.

The effect of chronotypes on follow-up outcomes of patients with substance use disorder.

Substance use disorder (SUD) can have circadian characteristics and individuals with evening chronotype are more prone to addiction. In this study, the effect of chronotypes on the treatment outcomes of SUD was investigated. The study included 66 patients who were diagnosed with SUD according to DSM-5. Two clinical interviews were conducted at 6-month intervals, and remission/relapse status was evaluated at the second interview. The Structured Clinical Interview Form for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I), Addiction Profile Index Practitioner Form, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index and Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) were applied to the patients. MEQ scores of relapsed patients were found to be different in terms of eveningness than those in remission (45.62 ± 8.70 versus 49.75 ± 7.60, p = 0.045). As the craving and addiction profile index total scores (addiction severity) increased, eveningness chronotype scores also increased (r = - 0.387 and r = - 0.286, respectively). The mean scores of craving and BDI were higher in relapsed patients compared to those in remission (p = 0.003 and p = 0.015, respectively). Our results suggest that patients with SUD had a lower morningness chronotype than the general population; additionally, more relapsed patients had an eveningness chronotype. Thus, chronotypes may play a role in the onset, prevention, and treatment outcome of SUD.