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Ocular and ophthalmologic adverse effects may occur in patients with [beta]-thalassemia major (BTM) treated regularly with blood transfusions and iron-chelating agents. We hypothesized that olfactory dysfunction may be present in [...]

ABSTRACTPURPOSEAlthough attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most frequently seen psychiatric disorders in childhood, its etiology and pathophysiology are not fully elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between ADHD and RELN gene in Turkish children.METHODDNA samples were harvested from 102 patients with ADHD and 94 healthy controls. Three single-nucleotide polymorphisms of reelin gene (rs1270519, rs362691, and rs734147) were genotyped using real-time polymerase chain reaction.RESULTSA significant difference was detected between ADHD and control groups regarding rs1270519 polymorphism while no significant difference was detected between the groups regarding reelin rs362691 and rs734147 polymorphisms.CONCLUSIONIt was found that reelin rs12705169 gene polymorphism could play a role in ADHD etiology, indicating the need for further studies to investigate the relationship between ADHD and reelin gene polymorphism.

Ocular and ophthalmologic adverse effects may occur in patients with ß-thalassemia major (BTM) treated regularly with blood transfusions and iron-chelating agents. We hypothesized that olfactory dysfunction may be present in this patient population. We aimed to investigate olfactory dysfunction in patients with BTM and to determine etiologic factors. A total of 43 patients with BTM were included in the study. Forty-three subjects without nasal complaints, history of facial trauma, or nasal surgery were included as the controls. All participants had nasal endoscopy. The use of iron-chelating agents by patients with BTM and their duration of use were recorded, as well as hemoglobin and ferritin levels. The Sniffin Sticks test (SST) was used to assess olfactory function, comparing results between the BTM and control groups. The correlations of SST scores with the other study parameters were analyzed. Eight (18.6%) of 43 patients in the BTM group and none of the subjects in the control group had hyposmia (p < 0.001). Older age, low hemoglobin level, and longer use of deferoxamine were found to be correlated with olfactory dysfunction. Olfactory dysfunction can occur in patients with BTM treated with iron-chelating agents. The results suggest that screening for olfactory function should be part of the routine follow-up of patients with BTM.

AbstractDiazinon (DI) is an organophosphate. Thymoquinone (TQ) is produced from Nigella sativa. This study was a biochemical investigation of the protective properties of TQ as a supportive treatment in brain damage caused by diazinon. Rats were divided into four groups of eight, as follows: Group 1, control; group 2, DI; group 3, DI + TQ; and group 4, TQ. Groups 2 and 3 received DI. Groups 3 and 4 received TQ. In group 2, NO levels were higher and SOD levels were lower compared to the control group. In groups 3 and 4, NO levels were lower and SOD levels were higher than in either the control or group 2. In group 4, DNA damage was lower than in group 2, but the difference between groups 2 and 3 was not significant. The results suggest that TQ, because of its antioxidant properties, can be used to treat oxidative stress caused by DI intoxication.

AbstractWith the globalization of the English language as a communication tool and the increased use of technology, the characteristics of learners and teachers are changing. In order to meet the demands of the learners, teachers must keep up-to-date and improve their teaching practices and beliefs, which necessitates professional development (PD) and in-service training for English as foreign Language (EFL) teachers. The purpose of this systematic review was to review the research studies that had been conducted in the area of EFL Teachers’ Professional Development (PD) in Turkey. This meta-analysis reviewed the literature on professional development and in-service training of EFL teachers in journal articles, thesis and dissertations published between 2000 and 2012. A systematic review of literature was performed to examine the current status of EFL Teachers’ professional development. Through the systematic review the methods and results of different research studies were analyzed through a collection of systematic techniques. The results of the study indicate that two broad terminologies has been used in the research literature, many of the studies were evaluative in nature and almost all of them were conducted at English Preparatory Schools at universities. Although the studies had provided many recommendations for professional development, there have been only a handful of studies that examined the impact of PD programs. Through the systematic review, the authors provided recommendations for future researchers and policy-makers.