Oya Ögenler

Biomechanical evaluation in osteoporosis : ovariectomized rat model

The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of ovariectomy on rat femur biomechanical parameters. Bone mineral density (BMD) and histological investigation were also evaluated. Fourteen female Sprague–Dawley rats (seven ovariectomized, seven control) were used. BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorbsiometry. Bone biomechanical parameters were measured in femoral midshaft with tensile test using a biomaterial testing machine and maximum load, stiffness, energy absorption capacity (structural properties), ultimate stress, ultimate strain, and elastic modulus (material properties) were calculated. Diaphyseal cortical bone thickness was measured by using histological method. The ovariectomized (OVX) rat femur’s BMD was 14% lower than control rats (p=0.006). Mean maximum load was 55% less than the control group’s (p=0.0001). Stiffness was 72% less in OVX rats (p=0.05). Femurs of rats with OVX had 32% less absorbed energy than controls (p=0.09). From the stress–strain curve ultimate stress, ultimate strain and elastic modulus was calculated. Elastic modulus was 53% less than controls (p=0.05). Ultimate stress decreased 21% in OVX rats (p=0.097). Ultimate strain was 25% less than controls in OVX rats. Cortical thickness was significantly decreased in OVX rats than in controls (p<0.05). In conclusion, femur biomechanical parameters are decreased in osteoporosis.

Assessment of Environmental Attitudes and Risk Perceptions among University Students in Mersin, Turkey

Background Environmental destruction is one of the most important problems in this century. Objective The aim of the study was to determine the environmental attitudes and perceived risks associated with environmental factors of the students. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in 7 faculties of Mersin University. The research data were collected using a questionnaire. The questionnaire included sociodemographic characteristics, the “Environmental Attitudes Scale,” and the “Environmental Risk Perception Scale.” 774 students who filled out questionnaires were evaluated. Results The sample included 55.8% females. Environmental Attitudes Scale mean scores of students were identified as 81.1 ± 11.3. The highest perceived risk was release of radioactive materials associated with nuclear power generation. The environmental attitudes and risk perception scores were higher in Health Sciences than in the other faculties. Females were more positive towards the environment and had higher risk perceptions than the men. There is a negative correlation between age and resource depletion risk and global environmental risk score. Conclusion Students had a positive attitude to the environment and had moderate-level risk perception about the environment. Environmental awareness of students, especially those studying in the Social Sciences, should be increased. The environmental education curriculum should be revised throughout all the courses.

Opinions of nurses on the ethical problems encountered while working as a team in intensive care units

Background The intensive care unit entails working as a team in rescuing patients from life-threatening conditions. The care being given by the team could also be done by nurses and other health professionals through the coordinated use of all medical practices. Objective To determine the opinion of nurses on the ethical problems they experienced while working as a team in the intensive care units of a university hospital. Method The descriptive research was conducted on nurses working in intensive care units (n = 96). A 56-item data collection form consisting of two parts developed by the researchers was used. Frequency (percent) and median were evaluated, and statistical calculations were used for group comparisons. Results Out of the 82 (85.4%) nurses who participated in the study, 65 (82.3%) were university graduates. About 52 (66.7%) of the participants were female with a mean age of 28.12 ± 5.84; 26 (31.6%) had intensive care certification, and 54 (65.1%) had ethical training. The internal intensive care unit nurses were less satisfied with their jobs, able to use tools, said that they had the right to refuse the patient compared to the surgical intensive care unit nurses. Discussion and conclusions: It is a positive situation for the participants to score low with ethical problems based on suggestion as the probability of meeting with their teammates. However, it is important that the problems that affect the motivation of the nurses are different according to the intensive care unit and the employees.

Evaluating a Group of Medical School Students’ Opinions in Terms of Quality

The special importance medical education has among sectors is universal, and its most important expectation is to fulfill a certain quality of standards that contribute to its basic universal perfectionism. The aim of our study is to evaluate medical students’ expectations from medical education and how these expectations are realized within the academic process in terms of quality and standards. The universe of the study consists of 230 students. The students were asked two open-ended questions in order to understand what they had expected after successfully passing the student selection and placement system exam (OSYS) and whether their expectations had been fulfilled or not. In summarizing the data frequency, averages, standard deviation, and mean were used; the t-test was used to compare student data, with p < .05 assumed as statistically significant. In our study, 116 (41.4% female, 58.6% male) students were accessed between the ages of 20-28 (average age = 22.12, SD = 1.43). Their score average for the OSYS is 501.85 (SD = 11.85). Their native regions are the Mediterranean (54.3%) and southeastern Anatolia (28.4%). As far as quality standards, 70 students (60.3%) stated having expectations about their profession’s features. Fifty percent stated their expectations had been fulfilled, 35 (30.2%) stated their expectations had not been fulfilled, and 23 (19.8%) did not state a clear opinion. The OSYS average score for students who stated their expectations had been fulfilled is found to be lower than the average score of those who stated their expectations had not been fulfilled. (p = .00). In our study, we observed students to have expectations about post-graduation, the academic process, and social environment in terms of the quality of standards in medical education. As a result, increasing students’ knowledge levels on quality is thought able to develop their expectations positively and contribute to the quality of medical education.

Evaluation of a Group of Medical School Students’ Opinions on Quality of Education

Medical education has a special importance among sectors, and the fulfillment of certain quality standards related with reflecting basic universal perfections is the most important expectation. The aim of our study is to evaluate the expectations of the students in medical school for medical education and the realization status of their expectations within the academic process in terms of quality and standards. The universe of the study consists of 230 students. Two open ended questions were asked to students in order to understand what their expectations were after being successful in OSYS and whether their expectations were fulfilled or not. In summarization of data frequency, average ±standard deviation, and median was used. In comparison of data the Student-t test was used and p < .05 was assumed to be statistically significant. In our study 116 (41.4% female, 58.6% male) students were reached with an average age of 22.12±1.43 between 20-28). Their OSYS point averages are 501.85±11.85. Their birth places are 54.3% Mediterranean region, and 28.4% Southeastern Anatolian region. According to quality standards 70 students (60.3%) stated that they have expectations about the features of the profession. 50% of them stated that their expectations are fulfilled, 35 of them (30.2%) stated that their expectations are not fulfilled and 23 of them (19.8%) did not state a clear opinion. The OSYS point averages of students who stated that their expectations were fulfilled were found to be lower than the ones who stated that their expectations were not fulfilled (p = .000). In our study it was observed that students have an expectation about post-graduation, academic process and social environment in terms of quality standards in medical education. As a result it is considered that improving the knowledge levels of students about quality will develop their expectations positively and will contribute to medical education quality.