Purpose: This study proposes the best clustering method(s) for different distance measures under two different conditions using the cophenetic correlation coefficient. Methods:In the first one, the data has multivariate standard normal distribution without outliers for n = 10, 50, 100 and the second one is with outliers (5%) for n = 10, 50, 100. The proposed method is applied to simulated multivariate normal data via MATLAB software. Results: According the results of simulation the Average (especially for n = 10) and Centroid (especially for n = 50 and n = 100) methods are recommended at both conditions. Conclusions: This study hopes to contribute to literature for making better decisions on selection of appropriate cluster methods by using subgroup sizes, variable numbers, subgroup means and variances.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence, risk factors of urinary incontinence (UI) and to assess its impact on the quality of women’s life. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed 1050 female participants aged between 20-80 years. A questionnaire form, including the socio-demographic characteristics and risk factors and the "International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form" were used for the data collection. Results: The mean age of women was 48.80±11.53 years. The prevalence of UI was 44.6%. The distribution of the types of UI was 31% stress incontinence, 47.4% urge, and 33.1% mixed type. Although 95.5% of the women reported a negative impact on the quality of life, admission to a health center was only 63.9%, and 64.7% of the women had not received any medical help. The statistical analysis revealed that menopause, constipation, hypertension, diabetes, family history and parity are associated with UI as risk factors. Conclusion: We suggest that in the early diagnosis and treatment of urinary incontinence (UI), mental, educational and psychosocial support should be given to patients together with medical therapy.

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A total of 504 bovine faecal samples collected from intensively managed beef farms in Afyon province of Turkey were examined to determine the types and prevalence of coccidian parasites present. Coccidian oocysts were found in 20.04% of all the samples examined by sucrose-flotation. The species detected and their prevalence were Eimeria bovis (34.55%), E. auburnensis (23.03%), E. canadensis (14.55%), E. brasiliensis (10.91%), E. zuernii (6.67%), E. bukidnonensis (3.03%), E. cylindrica (2.42%), E. ellipsoidalis (1.21%), E. illinoisensis (1.21%), E. alabamensis (1.21%) and Isospora sp. (1.21%). Mixed infections of two to four species were found in 43.6% of the animals. The overall prevalence of coccidial oocysts in faecal samples was 27.23% for calves, 15.65% for cows. Linear regression analysis showed that there is a significant reduction in the OPG (the number of oocysts per gram of feces) levels (P<0.05) in cows infected with Eimeria. No cases of clinical coccidiosis were observed in this survey.

Objective: Hypertension is a major public health problem worldwide with increasing prevalence. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of hypertension and related risk factors among adult population in Afyonkarahisar region. Methods: In this cross-sectional research, regarding the population distribution totally 2035 subjects, randomly selected from 75 different parts of our city, both the urban and the rural areas, were included in this epidemiologic research. After the administration of a questionnaire to the subjects, blood samples were taken and physical examinations were performed. Socio-demographic features, diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension, family history of hypertension, coronary heart disease (CHD), smoking, and number of births were evaluated as possible risk factors for hypertension. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test, Chi-square test and binary logistic regression analysis. Results: The overall prevalence of hypertension was 24.2% (31.3% in women, 14.1% in men, p<0.001). Its prevalence increased with age (from 2.2% to 50.4%, p<0.001). Age, gender, DM, family history of hypertension, body mass index (BMI), CHD and income levels were significant risk factors. Diabetic patients had 2.35 times (95%CI 1.70-3.25: p<0.0001) more risk, people who had positive family history 2.23 times (95%CI 1.62-3.07: p<0.0001) more risk and those with high BMI 2.15 times (95%CI 1.66-2.78: p<0.0001) more risk to develop HT than who did not have these factors. In addition, women have 2.74 times (95%CI 2.08-3.62: p<0.0001), more risk than men for HT. We determined CHD and low income as other risk factors for HT (OR=2.32, 95%CI 1.48-3.64: p<0.0001) and OR=1.47, 95%CI 1.08-2.02: p=0.016 respectively). Conclusion: Hypertension is an important health problem in our region. We think that it is possible to reduce the hypertension prevalence with lifestyle changes and educating people, regarding the risk factors. (Anadolu Kardiyol Derg 2012; 12: 47-52) Key words: Hypertension, logistic regression analysis, risk factors, prevalence 47 ÖZET Amaç: Hipertansiyon gittikçe artan prevalansı ile Dünya' da önemli bir halk sağlığı sorunudur. Bu çalışmanın amacı Afyonkarahisar ilinde hipertansiyon prevalansı ve buna bağlı risk faktörlerini irdelemektir. Yöntemler: Şehrin 75 farklı bölgesinden, nüfus dağılımı göz önüne alınarak toplam 2035 birey, randomize olarak hem kent hem de kırsal bölgeden seçilerek bu epidemiyolojik kesitsel çalışmaya dahil edildi. Bireylerden anket uygulamasının ardından kan örneği alındı ve fizik muayene yapıldı. Sosyodemografik özellikler, diyabetes mellitus (DM), hipertansiyon, ailede hipertansiyon öyküsü olması, koroner kalp hastalığı (KKH), sigara, doğum sayısı gibi hipertansiyon için muhtemel risk faktörleri değerlendirildi. İstatistiksel analiz Student t-testi, Ki-kare testi ve lojistik regresyon analizi ile yapıldı. Bulgular: Hipertansiyonun genel prevalansı %24.2 idi (kadınlarda %31.3, erkeklerde %14.1, p<0.001). Yaş ilerledikçe prevalansı artış gösterdi (%2.2'd...

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Experimental and field studies have proven that the bovine herpesvirus type-4 (BHV-4) infection leads to various reproductive system problems. In this study, the role of BHV-4 infection in repeat breeding was investigated serologically. Eighty-four samples were obtained from repeat-breeding diagnosed cows in two organized dairy herds; an equal number of healthy cows were sampled from the same farms. The rest of the samples (105) were obtained from reproductively normal cows that were breeding in 18 small enterprises as a control group. The seropositivity proportion in repeat-breeding diagnosed cows was found to be significantly higher (69% (58/84)) than other cows (44% (37/84)) on the same farms. The lowest antibody positivity value for BHV-4 was detected as 24.7% (26/105) in the samples from family-type small farms. The odds ratio (OR) value was calculated as 2.834 in repeat-breeding diagnosed and healthy cows on the same farms, while 6.778 was determined in cows with and without reproductive problems on organized farms compared to small farms. As a result, the BHV-4 infection can be considered one of the reasons for repeat breeding besides other reproductive disorders.

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