ObjectiveTo compare the diagnostic values of the Schirmer’s and tearfilm breakup time (TBUT) tests and the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) in dry-eye syndrome.Subjects and methodsThirty-five employees of Ümraniye Training and Research Hospital who used computers in their daily work participated in this prospective study. All participants completed the OSDI. Following routine ophthalmologic examination, the TBUT and Schirmer’s test were undertaken and outcomes were compared.ResultsThe mean age was 29.09 ± 6.73 (range 20–46) years. Mean OSDI questionnaire, TBUT, and Schirmer’s test scores were detected as 37.12 ± 19.05 (range 4–75), 11.37 ± 3.69 seconds (range 4–18 seconds), and 25.80 ± 8.43 mm (range 6–35 mm), respectively. There was a significant inverse correlation between the OSDI and TBUT scores (r = −0.385, P = 0.022). No significant correlation existed between the OSDI and Schirmer’s test scores.ConclusionDry eye is a common problem among computer users. The OSDI questionnaire, used together with the TBUT, is easily performed and may be of benefit in supporting the diagnosis of dry-eye syndrome.

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The etiology of autism is unclear, however autism is considered as a multifactorial disorder that is influenced by neurological, environmental, immunological and genetic factors. Growth factors, including epidermal growth factor (EGF), play an important role in the cellular proliferation and the differentiation of the central and peripheral nervous system. In this study we hypothesized that EGF may play a role in the pathophysiology of autism and examined serum EGF levels in children with autism. We measured serum levels of EGF in the 27 autistic children and 28 age- matched normal controls. The serum levels of EGF in the subjects with autism were significantly higher than those of normal control subjects. However, there were no correlations between serum EGF levels and clinical variables in the subjects with autism. This is the first report demonstrating the increased serum levels of EGF in children with autism. This study suggests that increased levels of EGF might have an importance in the pathophysiology of autism.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had negative effects throughout the whole world, including education systems. To overcome this negativity, all educational institutions have turned to internet-based education. However, the educator’s self-efficacy is of more importance in this system. This study aimed to reveal the connection between the University academic staff’s genders, ages, titles (doctorate/non-doctorate), and work year characteristics and their self-efficacy beliefs about their educational Internet usage. The sample consists of 100 [51% (n = 51) female and 49% (n = 49) male] academic staff, who were selected according to convenience sampling in the Faculty of Education and Faculty of Sport Sciences at Uludag University. In this study, the “Educational Internet Usage Self-Efficacy Beliefs” scale, developed by Şahin (2009), was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics refer to number and percentage for qualitative variables; quantitative variables are summarized using mean, median, standard deviation, and minimum and maximum statistics. Univariate analyses used binary group comparisons with the Student’s t-test and relationships between numerical variables and Spearman correlation coefficients. Multiple regression analysis was used, in conjunction with the backward method, for the multivariate linear regression method. Analysis results alpha (Type I error) value was evaluated at the level of 0.05 significance. The mean level of self-efficacy belief of academic staff is 109,42. Since the highest score that can be obtained from the scale is 140, the relationships between scale score and age and duration of service variables are significant according to the univariate analysis, while differences in gender and PhD and non-PhD groups are not significant. When multiple linear regression analysis is applied with the backward stepwise method, age and academic title variables are significant in the model. Additionally, the mean scale scores of PhD academicians are higher than others.

Lipid peroxidation or oxidative damage might play a role in the aetiopathogenesis of anxiety disorders. LOOH may be a potential biological marker for anxiety disorders in children.