Validation of Turkish version of brief negative symptom scale

Objective: Negative symptoms in schizophrenia have been assessed by many instruments. However, a current consensus on these symptoms has been built and new tools, such as the Brief Negative Symptom Scale (BNSS), are generated. This study aimed to evaluate reliability and validity of the Turkish version of BNSS.

Methods: The scale was translated to Turkish and backtranslated to English. After the approval of the translation, 75 schizophrenia patients were interviewed with BNSS, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS) and Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale (ESRS). Reliability and validity analyses were then calculated.

Results: In the reliability analysis, the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.96 and item-total score correlation coefficients were between 0.655–0.884. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.665. The inter-rater reliability was 0.982 (p?Conclusions: Our study confirms that the Turkish version of BNSS is an applicable tool for the evaluation of negative symptoms in schizophrenia.     

A case of Kaposi's sarcoma following treatment of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and a review of the literature

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is an unusual tumor principally affecting the skin of the lower extremities. Although the association between KS and renal transplant has been well documented, there are a few KS cases in the literature associated with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis or other glomerular diseases. This report presents a patient with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) who developed KS following treatment with long-term medium dose glucocorticoid and short-term additional immunosuppressives. The KS cases associated with glomerulonephritis are also reviewed. KS is a rare complication in glomerular diseases that may (or may not) be related to immunosuppression. Hence, immunosuppression treatment should be carefully planned in glomerulonephritis treatment and avoided if they are not essentially necessary.     

Comparison of solvent-dehydrated allograft dermis and autograft rectus fascia for pubovaginal sling: questionnaire-based analysis

Objectives To evaluate the efficacy of pubovaginal sling using human cadaveric dermis processed by solvent dehydration and compare results to those of another group in which autograft rectus fascia was used. Material and methods The efficacy of autologous rectus fascia (group 1, n = 25) or solvent-dehydrated cadaveric dermis (group 2, n = 24) for pubovaginal sling were compared in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Surgical outcome, patient satisfaction and quality of life was assessed by the urogenital distress inventory (UDI-6) and the incontinence impact questionnaire (IIQ-7). Results Mean follow-up for patients in group 1 and group 2 were 18 and 13 months, respectively. Our questionnaire-based assessment revealed that SUI was either cured or improved in a total of 21 (84%) patients in group 1 and 19 (79%) patients in group 2. No statistically significant difference was found for the overall success (P < 0.05) and no major complications were encountered in both groups. Conclusions Use of allograft dermis as an alternative to autologous rectus fascia for pubovaginal sling had comparable improvement in patient satisfaction and quality of life at intermediate term.     

Anticipation of monetary and social reward differently activates mesolimbic brain structures in men and women

Motivation for goal-directed behaviour largely depends on the expected value of the anticipated reward. The aim of the present study was to examine how different levels of reward value are coded in the brain for two common forms of human reward: money and social approval. To account for gender differences 16 male and 16 female participants performed an incentive delay task expecting to win either money or positive social feedback. fMRI recording during the anticipation phase revealed proportional activation of neural structures constituting the human reward system for increasing levels of reward, independent of incentive type. However, in men activation in the prospect of monetary rewards encompassed a wide network of mesolimbic brain regions compared to only limited activation for social rewards. In contrast, in women, anticipation of either incentive type activated identical brain regions. Our findings represent an important step towards a better understanding of motivated behaviour by taking into account individual differences in reward valuation.     

How image quality can be improved: our experience with multidetector computed tomography coronary angiography

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to investigate the factors that may influence image quality on multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) coronary angiography (CA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred twenty-four consecutive patients (161 men and 63 women; mean age, 52 years; age range, 34-76 years) evaluated with MDCT CA were included in the study. The evaluation of the quality of the patients' images was mainly based on the contrast material phase (early phase, optimal phase, or late phase) and the level of stepladder artifact (none, acceptable, or unacceptable). In addition, factors such as patient selection, patient preparation, scanning, processing, and steps of analysis, which may be affecting the quality of a final image, were examined independently. RESULTS: Patients who could not achieve sufficient breath-holding despite multiple breath exercises, those with a calcium score of 500 or higher, those with a heart rate greater than 90 bpm after metoprolol administration (because of shortening of the diastolic phase in the most still period), and those whose scanning was not completed were excluded from the study. The results for the remaining 224 patients were evaluated. Based on the contrast phase, there were 66 (29.5%) patients in the first group (early), 93 (41.5%) in the second group (optimal), and 65 (29%) in the third group (late). Among the 224 patients, the images of 152 (67.9%) had no stepladder artifact, those of 67 (29.9%) were of acceptable image quality, and those of 5 (2.2%) were of unacceptable image quality. CONCLUSION: It is important to obtain high-quality images to achieve correct interpretation with coronary artery CT angiography. This study aimed to describe a technique performed on 224 patients based on an array of factors ranging from patient selection to postprocessing. The results show that patient selection, cooperation with the patient, and breath-holding exercises play a very important role in obtaining the best images. In addition, a proper scanning technique (e.g., placement of electrocardiographic electrodes and contrast material phase) and postprocessing (e.g., reconstruction interval) may also contribute to obtaining high-quality images.     

Comparison of efficacy of silicone gel,silicone gel sheeting,and topical onion extract including heparin and allantoin for the treatment of postburn hypertrophic scars

We compared the efficacy of silicone gel (Scarfade^®), silicone gel sheet (Epi-Derm™), and topical onion extract including heparin and allantoin (Contractubex^®) for the treatment of hypertrophic scars.