Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess practice of breast cancer early diagnosis methods among women and the factors associated with this practice. Materials and Methods:The population of this cross-sectional study consisted of 410,377 women over the age of 20, living within the administrative borders of Samsun province. Stratified systematic sampling was used in the selection of the 800-member sample. The Health Belief Model Scale, a questionnaire consisting of open and closed-ended questions, was used to elicit women's demographic data and determine their awareness on early diagnostic techniques. The questionnaires were administered face-to-face by visiting individuals' addresses.Results: 80.5% of women had knowledge on breast self-examination (BSE). 12.6% of the women who were aware of BSE stated that they regularly performed BSE. 30.4% of women had clinical breast examination (CBE) by health personnel at least once, while 36.8% of women over 40 years of age obtained mammography at least once. Factors associated with women's performance of BSE were age, having received education about breast health, perception of severity, barriers for BSE and self-efficacy. Factors affecting CBE included age, presence of history of breast cancer in a relative or friend, having received education about breast health; while factors associated with women's undergoing mammography were identified as age, a family member with a history of breast cancer and barriers for mammography. Conclusion:Determination of the factors associated with practice of breast cancer early diagnosis methods, and implementation of planned training programs based on these results is important in increasing compliance with these methods.

We performed a questionnaire study to determine knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) among people intending to participate in the Hajj or Umrah Muslim pilgrimages. Of the 381 respondents aged between 17 and 85 years, 55% had never heard of MERS, while only one in three knew that it is a respiratory disease. Approximately half were insufficiently informed about protective measures. Prospective pilgrims do not seem prepared to take such precautions.

The present results point that high leptin, resistin and ghrelin levels may be involved in the early pathophysiological process which can lead to later obesity and MeS in patients with bipolar disorder.

Background/aim: Neurotrophins are one of the most important molecule groups affecting cerebral neuroplasticity. The amount of evidence about the role of changes in neuroplasticity in the pathophysiology of bipolar disease is growing. Materials and methods: We measured serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2, neuritin 1 (Nrn 1) in bipolar 1 manic episode patients (n = 45) and healthy control group. Results: When controlled for age, BMI and cortisol, it was found that the serum levels of BDNF, NGF, NT-3, VEGF and FGF-2 of bipolar manic episode patients were not statistically different compared to those of the control group. GDNF level and Nrn 1 levels were significantly lower (P = 0.003 and P = 0.025 respectively) while IGF-1 levels were significantly higher than the control group (P = 0.0001). ROC analysis was performed and the area under the the curve was calculated as 0.737, 0.766 for GDNF, IGF-1 respectively. Conclusion: The changes in the levels of GDNF, IGF-1 and Nrn 1 might be involved in pathopysiology of bipolar disorder, and GDNF, IGF-1 may be considered as state markers in bipolar manic episode.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess women aged over 20 living in the province of Samsun in terms of risk of breast cancer. Materials and Methods:The study population of this descriptive research consisted of 410,377 women aged over 20 living within the administrative borders of the province of Samsun. Stratified systematic sampling was employed in the selection of an 800-member sample. A questionnaire was used drawn up by the authors and inquiring into women's demographic characteristics and risk factors for breast cancer. Surveys were performed between 01.04.2013 and 30.06.2013 at face-to-face interviews at individuals' home addresses. The Gail model was used in calculating women's risk levels for breast cancer.Results: 3.1% of women had a first-degree relative (mother, sister or daughter) with a history of breast cancer; 1.4% of women had a history of breast cancer and 8.0% a history of benign breast changes, while 50.4% of women who had entered the menopause were overweight or obese. We determined that 11.3% of women had a high risk of contracting breast cancer within the following 5 years. Conclusion:Determining the distribution of risk factors for breast cancer is important in terms of identifying the at-risk group and will represent the basis for developing future programs.