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The EURO-QOL (EQ-5D), a generic quality of life measure, is a self-report scale. The aim was to study the reliability, validity and feasibility of the Turkish version of the EQ-5D as an instrument to evaluate quality of life in lung cancer patients in Turkish society. A prospective cohort study carried out within the framework of the multicenter Lung Cancer Association Project which was conducted in collaboration with Turkish Thoracic Society, Lung and Pleural Malignancies working group and Health and Quality of Life Society. A total of 266 patients were included in the study with a mean age of 61.3 years. 75,9% of the patients had chemotherapy alone; 9% received sequential chemotherapy and radiotherapy, 8,6% were given concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and 6,4% of them received radical radiotherapy alone. EQ-5D score measures at the moment of diagnosis were found to be moderately reliable while measures at the 3rd chemotherapy cycle, 5th chemotherapy cycle and after the radiotherapy were highly reliable. The items of the EQ-5D were found to be consistent among themselves. EQ-5D Visual Analogue Scale scores at diagnosis, the 3rd cycle, the 5th cycle and following radiotherapy were assessed to be correlated with each other. EQ-5D scale was found to be valid as it meets the conditions of 6 fit indices in our study design. The psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the EQ-5D questionnaire is a valid and reliable scale for patients with lung cancer in Turkey and it can be safely used in clinical practices. © 2018, UHOD - Uluslararasi Hematoloji Onkoloji Dergisi. All rights reserved., The authors would like to thanks and express our gratitude to Turkish Thoracic Society and Turkish Society for Quality of Life Research (SAYKAD) for support and encouragement.

Background: Multiple beams are generally used with an increased possibility that the beam axis intersects the treatment table. Treatment tabletops are commonly made of carbon fiber due to its high mechanical strength and rigidity, low specific density, extremely light and low radiation beam attenuation properties. Purpose of this paper is investigated the dose changes in the buildup region and beam attenuation by a carbon fiber tabletop for high energy 6-and 18-MV photon beams. Materials and Methods: Measurements were performed for 10 cm × 10 cm and 20 cm × 20 cm field sizes. The surface dose and percentage depth doses (%DD) were measured by a Markus parallel plate chamber at a source-surface distance (SSD) of 100 cm for 6 MV and 18 MV photon beams. Attenuation measurements were made at the solid-water phantom for gantry angles of 0o and 180o rotation of the beam. Results: A carbon fiber tabletop increases the surface dose from 12.87% to 86.65% for 10 cm x 10 cm and from 8.72% to 71.16% for 20 cm × 20 cm field at 6 and 18 MV, respectively. The surface dose with the carbon fiber tabletop in an open field (0o) increases with field size. Conclusion: The carbon fiber tabletop causes a substantially increased surface dose, and also significantly decreases the skin-sparing effect, which is clinically important. The dosimetric effect of the tabletop may be higher, especially for the intensitymodulated radiation therapy depending on the beam orientation. © 2018 Food and Drug Law Institute. All rights reserved.

BACKGROUND: Our purpose is to examine the relationship of Health related quality of life measured by EORTC QLQc30, QLQ-LC13; FACT-L, LCSS, Eq5D) with survival in advanced lung cancer patients. A total of 299 Lung Cancer (LC) patients were, included in this national multicenter Project entitled of "the LC Quality of Life Project (AKAYAK). Baseline scores were analyzed by using Cox's proportional hazard regression to identify factors that influenced survival. Univariate and multivariate models were run for each of the scales included in the study. RESULTS: Mean and median survival were 12.5 and 8.0 months respectively. Clinical stage (as TNM), comorbidity; symptom scales of fatigue, insomnia, appetit loss and constipation were associated with survival after adjustment for age and sex. Global, physical and role functioning scales of QLQc30; physical and functional scales of LCS and TOI of the FACT-L was also associated with survival. Mobility and Usual activities dimensions of the Eq5D; Physical functioning and the constipation symptom scale of the QLQ-c30; and LCS and TOI scores of the FACT-L remained statistically significant after adjustment. LC13 and LCSS scales were not predictors of survival. CONCLUSIONS: HRQOL serves as an additional predictive factor for survival that supplements traditional clinical factors. Besides the strong predictive ability of ECOG on survival, FACT-L and the Eq5D are the most promising HRQOL instruments for this purpose.

Background: Our purpose is to examine the relationship of Health related quality of life measured by EORTC QLQc30, QLQ-LC13; FACT-L, LCSS, Eq5D) with survival in advanced lung cancer patients. A total of 299 Lung Cancer (LC) patients were, included in this national multicenter Project entitled of "the LC Quality of Life Project (AKAYAK). Baseline scores were analyzed by using Cox's proportional hazard regression to identify factors that influenced survival. Univariate and multivariate models were run for each of the scales included in the study. Results: Mean and median survival were 12.5 and 8.0 months respectively. Clinical stage (as TNM), comorbidity; symptom scales of fatigue, insomnia, appetit loss and constipation were associated with survival after adjustment for age and sex. Global, physical and role functioning scales of QLQc30; physical and functional scales of LCS and TOI of the FACT-L was also associated with survival. Mobility and Usual activities dimensions of the Eq5D; Physical functioning and the constipation symptom scale of the QLQ-c30; and LCS and TOI scores of the FACT-L remained statistically significant after adjustment. LC13 and LCSS scales were not predictors of survival. Conclusions: HRQOL serves as an additional predictive factor for survival that supplements traditional clinical factors. Besides the strong predictive ability of ECOG on survival, FACT-L and the Eq5D are the most promising HRQOL instruments for this purpose.

Background and aim: There are a significant number of Turkish speaking immigrants living in London. Their special health issues including women's health, mental health, and alcohol and smoking habits has been assessed. The aim of this study was to explore the ongoing challenges in access to health care services and its impact on Quality of Life of immigrants. Material and methods: This cross-sectional population-based study was conducted between March and August 2010 with Turkish immigrants (n = 416) living in London. Of these, 308 (74%) were Turkish and 108 (26%) were Turkish Cypriots. All healthy or unhealthy adults of 17-65 years of age were enrolled. A structured questionnaire with 44 items in five subcategories and 26-items WHOQOL BREF were used. Results: Mean duration of stay for Turkish Cypriots (26.9 +/- 13.9 years) was significantly longer than Turkish immigrants (13.3 +/- 7.5) (p < 0.001). Turkish immigrants (n = 108, 36.5%) need interpretation more often when using health services than Turkish Cypriots (n = 16, 15%) (p < 0.001). Multivariate analyses suggested significant effects of older age, non-homeownership, low socioeconomic class, poor access to health services, being ill, poor community integration and being obese on physical well-being and also significant effects of low income and poor community integration on perceived overall Quality of Life (WHOQOL) of the participants. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate how the health and well-being of members of the Turkish speaking community living in London are affected by social aspects of their lives. Providing culturally competent care and interpretation services and advocacy may improve the accessibility of the health care.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of gestational age on clinical, laboratory findings and maternal- perinatal outcomes in eclamptic patients. Material and Methods: A retrospective review of 37 patients with eclampsia between January 2007 and January 2010 was performed. Data were separated into two groups by gestational age at the onset of disease: Group 1 (34 weeks). Clinical signs and symptoms, laboratory findings, the timing of the convulsions, maternal and perinatal outcomes were evaluated. Results: No differences were observed between the two groups for the clinical and laboratory characteristics except gravidity, need of intravenous antihypertensives and hospitalization time. Neonatal mortality was 24.3% for all patients, 42.1% for Group 1. In our study, the timing of convulsions were antepartum (81.1%), intra partum (10.8%), and postpartum (8.1%). Intrapartum and postpartum eclampsia occured significantly higher in late onset group. No maternal deaths occured during this study and all women recovered with no long term sequelae. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that gestational age at admission was strongly associated with neonatal outcomes but no association observed with maternal outcomes, laboratory findings and clinical course of eclampsia. These results should be support by systematic quantitative reviews. Copyright © 2012 by Türkiye Klinikleri.

PubMed ID: 21652294, Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe the psychometric properties of the Myocardial Infarction Dimensional Assessment Scale (MIDAS). Methods: This is a methodological cultural adaptation study. The MIDAS consists of 35-items covering seven domains: physical activity, insecurity, emotional reaction, dependency, diet, concerns over medication, and side effects which are rated on a five-point Likert scale from 1: never to 5:always. The highest score of MIDAS is 100.Quality of life (QOL) decreases as the score of scale increases. Overall 185 myocardial infarction (MI) patients were enrolled in this study. Cronbach alpha was used for the reliability analysis. The criterion validity, structural validity, and sensitivity analysis approach was used for validity analysis. New York Heart Association (NYHA) and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society Functional Classifications (CCSFC) for testing the criterion validity; SF-36 for construct validity testing of the Turkish version of the MIDAS were used. Results: The range of Cronbach alpha values is 0.79-0.90 for seven domains of the scale. No problematic items were observed for the entire scale. Medication related domains of the MIDAS showed considerable floor effects (35.7%-22.7%). Confirmatory Factor analysis indicators [Comparative Fit Index (CFI)=0.95 and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA)=0.075] supported the construct validity of MIDAS. Convergent validity of the MIDAS was confirmed with correlation of SF-36 scale where appropriate. Criterion validity results was also satisfactory by comparing different stages of the NYHA and the CCSFC (p

WOS: 000295438300031 In the present study, the heat capacities of the nuclear fuels were computed using the series expansion relation for integer and non-integer n-dimensional Debye functions involving binomial coefficients and incomplete gamma functions. The proposed approach is novel as it uses the non-integer n-dimensional Debye functions for accurate calculations of the heat capacities C-V and C-P. The algorithm is used to simulate the variation of the heat capacities with temperature dependence of the nuclear fuels UO2 and NpO2. Analysis using computer simulation proved that the formula was in excellent agreement with the results reported in the literature. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

This paper describes the development of a Quality of Care and Support (QOCS) scale for use with adult persons with physical and intellectual disabilities. In the pilot phase of the study, 12 centers from around the world carried out focus groups with people with physical and disabilities, their carers, and with professionals in order to identify themes that were relevant for their quality of care. Items generated from the focus groups were then tested in a pilot study with 1400 respondents from 15 different centers worldwide, with items being tested and reduced using both classical and modern psychometric methods. A field trial study was then carried out with 3772 respondents, again with the use of both classical and modern psychometric methods. The outcome of the two rounds of data collection and analysis is a 17-item module for assessment of quality of care in physically or intellectually disabled people. Further modifications are also proposed for the use of the QOCS with adults with intellectual disabilities, including simplification of wording of some of the items, the use of a three-point response scale, and the inclusion of smiley faces.

PubMed ID: 20952354, Objective: Any disease specific Health Related Quality of Life Instrument for Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) is lacking in Turkey. The aim of this study is to adapt the Chronic Heart Failure Questionnaire (CHQ) into Turkish and probe the reliability and validity of this questionnaire. Methods: There are four dimensions of this 20 items scale. These dimensions are: Dyspnea (5 items), fatigue (4 items), emotional status (7 items) and mastery (4 items). Response options were evaluated using a 7 -point Likert type scale. Quality of life (QOL) improves as the score increases. A total of 205 CHF patients hospitalized in the Department of Cardiology of Ege University hospital were enrolled in this study. The CHQ was applied to the patients twice with a wash-out period of 15 days. Confirmatory approach was used during the reliability and validity analysis. Cronbach alpha test was used for the reliability analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used for the construct validity testing. NYHA classification for testing the criterion validity; SF-36 and WHOQOL-100 General Health and QOL facet for convergent validity testing of the Turkish version of the CHQ were used. Responsiveness to change was evaluated by Effect Size analysis by using test-retest data. Results: The range of Cronbach alpha values is 0.72-0.94. A considerable ceiling and floor effects were observed for the dyspnea dimension of the scale but no problematic items were observed for the entire scale. The CFA results supported the original four factors scale structure. Criterion and construct validity rebuts were satisfactory. Effect sizes obtained among dimensions of the CHQ were between 0.13 and 0.56. Conclusion: Overall results revealed that Turkish version of the CHQ is a reliable and valid instrument to be used for the evaluation of CHF patients. © 2010 by AVES Yayi{dotless}nci{dotless}li{dotless}k Ltd.

Nükleer seviye yoğunluğu bilgisi, reaktör fiziğinde istatistiksel hesaplamaların yapılmasında, astrofizikte ve ağır iyon çarpışmalarının incelenmesinde önemli bir rol oynar. Nükleer enerji seviye yoğunluğu hem parçacığın anlaşılması hem de çeşitli reaksiyonlarda gamma ışını yayınlanması için önemli bir fiziksel niceliktir. Seviye yoğunluk parametre terimleri genellikle uyarılma enerjisi ile birlikte nükleer seviye yoğunluğunun değişiminin tanımlanmasında kullanılır. Bu parametre tek-parçacık modelindeki kabuk etkisine bağlı olarak uyarılma enerji ile birlikte değişir. Tek-A'lı deforme çekirdeklerin genel yapısı, kabuk model potansiyelinden hesaplanan tek-parçacık durumları üzerine inşa edilen dönme bantları ile karakterize edilir. Deforme olmuş potansiyeldeki enerji düzeyleri yörüngenin uzaysal yönelimine bağlıdır. Bu çalışmamızda, bazı Yb-izotopik nadir-toprak çekirdeklerinin enerji spektrumlarından yararlanarak enerji seviye yoğunluk parametreleri belirlenmiştir. Daha sonra elde edilen enerji seviye yoğunluk parametrelerinin detaylı band analizleri yapılarak, deneysel sonuçlarla karşılaştırılmış, özellikle incelenen tek-A'lı büyük deforme potansiyele sahip çekirdeklerin parametrelerinin belirlenmesinde sadece tek bir bandın etkili olamayacağı sonucuna varılmıştır.

The WHOQOL-OLD is an international cooperation of 22 research centres under the sponsorship of the WHO for the development of an intercultural instrument for the assessment of quality of life in old age. This article outlines the fundamentals of the WHOQOL-OLD project and presents the current results of the empirical investigations for the German version of WHOQOL-OLD. Since it is an essential aspect of the WHOQOL project to include both the perspective of medical experts and that of lay persons, focus groups were conducted with lay people and health professionals at the outset of the project. The aim of these focus group discussions was to test the dimensional structure of the quality of life concept for elderly adults and to develop facet definitions. The results of the focus groups showed that elderly people associate social, physical as well as environment-related aspects with the term quality of life. The results of the international focus groups are largely identical with those of the German focus groups.