Izmir University

To determine how visual motion direction and the engagement of central versus peripheral visual fields modulate cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMP). We investigated whether optokinetic stimulation and smooth pursuit, delivered centrally or peripherally, alter cVEMP latency and amplitude. Forty-five healthy adults completed cVEMP testing across seven visual conditions: baseline (fixed gaze) and various optokinetic stimulation directions and smooth pursuit tasks. These stimuli were delivered using either a light bar (central vision, n=13) or an expanded visual surround (peripheral vision, n=32). Primary outcomes were P13 and N23 latencies and peak-to-peak amplitudes, with within-subject comparisons assessing deviations from baseline. Central visual stimulation via the light bar produced no significant changes in cVEMP latencies or amplitudes relative to baseline (p > 0.008). In contrast, peripheral stimulation yielded significant latency prolongations, most prominently for N23 during vertical and horizontal optokinetic motion. P13 effects were less pronounced and inconsistent. Amplitudes did not show systematic changes across any condition. The divergent behaviour of P13 and N23 indicates differential susceptibility of early versus later cVEMP components to visual and cognitive influences. Peripheral visual motion exerts a more substantial influence on vestibulo-collic pathways than central foveal input, primarily by delaying cVEMP latencies without enhancing amplitudes. This pattern contrasts with prior vection-linked reports of latency reductions and amplitude increases, suggesting distinct neural processing for vection versus purely visual motion cues. These findings highlight the potential to leverage peripheral motion to modulate otolith reflex timing in vestibular rehabilitation, warranting confirmation in patient cohorts and with explicit vection quantification

This reply addresses the comments by You et al. regarding our article entitled "The effect of supervised aerobic exercise on adipokine and myokine biomarkers in patients with cancer during systemic chemotherapy." We appreciate their constructive remarks concerning study design, sample composition, and biomarker assessment timing. In this correspondence, we clarify that these aspects were explicitly acknowledged as limitations in our original paper and further elaborate on the methodological and ethical considerations underlying our approach. We agree that future randomized and multicenter studies with standardized biomarker protocols are needed to deepen the understanding of exercise-oncology interactions. Such academic exchanges contribute meaningfully to refining research quality and promoting the integration of exercise as an essential component of supportive cancer care.

The objective of this research was to explore how nurses’ perceptions of work-life quality influence their job satisfaction within intensive care settings. The study also aimed to determine the effect of work life quality on job satisfaction of critical care nurses. This investigation utilized a descriptive, cross-sectional design. Participants included 136 intensive care nurses employed across public and private hospitals in İzmir between March and July 2024. Data were gathered through structured face-to-face questionnaires, which incorporated three validated instruments: “The Nurse Information Form”, “The Nursing Work Life Quality Scale”, and “The Minnesota Job Satisfaction Questionnaire”. Statistical analyses were conducted using Pearson’s correlation coefficient, independent samples t-tests, and one-way ANOVA to identify both relational patterns and group-level distinctions. The analysis revealed a robust and statistically significant positive association between the quality of work life and job satisfaction (r = 0.717, p < 0.001). Job satisfaction levels differed significantly by gender and parental status (p < 0.05); however, no comparable variation was observed in work-life quality across these factors. Additionally, marital status, educational background, and type of intensive care unit demonstrated no significant influence on either variable (p > 0.05). The results clearly illustrate that the perceived quality of work life is a crucial determinant of job satisfaction among nurses in critical care units. Strategic interventions aimed at improving working conditions could substantially enhance motivation, professional commitment, and staff retention, thereby strengthening both individual well-being and institutional effectiveness within healthcare organizations.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, following cardiovascular diseases. Radiotherapy (RT), a common cancer treatment modality, often induces both physical discomfort and psychological distress, including pain and anxiety. Although music interventions have shown promise in reducing such symptoms, most studies lack a theoretical foundation, limiting their generalizability and application in nursing practice. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a music intervention on pain, anxiety, and vital signs in patients undergoing RT, using the Roy Adaptation Model (RAM) as the theoretical framework. A randomized controlled trial was conducted between May 2024 and April 2025 in the Radiation Oncology Department. A total of 120 patients were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 60) or control group (n = 60). The intervention group listened to specially composed therapeutic music via speakers for 20 to 40 min during weekly RT sessions. Pain (Visual Analog Scale), anxiety (Facial Anxiety Scale), and vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate) were measured before and after RT sessions. Data were analyzed using paired-sample t-tests and Cohen's d for effect sizes. The music intervention significantly reduced pain and anxiety scores in the intervention group compared to the control group (p < .001). Additionally, positive changes in vital signs were observed, including decreased systolic blood pressure and heart rate. The findings support the regulatory and cognator adaptive responses described in RAM, indicating that music functions as an effective coping mechanism for physiological and psychological stressors during RT. Music intervention is a safe, non-pharmacological, and cost-effective strategy for enhancing patient adaptation during RT. This study contributes to the evidence base by integrating a theoretical model into clinical nursing practice and underscores the importance of model-based interventions in improving holistic patient care.

Abstract Background Menopause has been associated with an increased risk of kidney stone formation; however, its impact on surgical outcomes in women undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for complex stones remains unclear. This study aimed to compare surgical success, perioperative outcomes, and complication rates between premenopausal and menopausal women undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy for staghorn stones. Methods Female patients who underwent prone PCNL for staghorn kidney stones between January 2024 and January 2026 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into premenopausal (n=81) and menopausal (n=75) groups. Demographic characteristics, perioperative parameters, complication rates, and residual stone outcomes were compared between groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of residual stone formation. Results A total of 156 patients were included. Age and body mass index were significantly higher in the menopausal group (p&lt;0.001 and p=0.0003, respectively). Operative parameters, including stone burden, stone density, operative time, nephroscopy time, and fluoroscopy time, were comparable between groups. Residual stone rates were 38.3% in the premenopausal group and 22.7% in the menopausal group, with borderline statistical significance (p=0.053). In multivariable analysis, menopausal status was independently associated with a lower risk of residual stone formation (OR 0.36; 95% CI 0.15–0.82; p=0.016), while stone burden was identified as the strongest independent predictor (OR 1.08 per 100 units; 95% CI 1.02–1.13; p=0.008). Overall and major complication rates did not differ significantly between groups. Conclusions Menopausal status did not adversely affect complication rates or postoperative recovery following prone PCNL for staghorn kidney stones. Although residual stone rates were lower in menopausal patients, stone burden remained the primary determinant of surgical success. Menopause should not be considered a limiting factor for PCNL in women with staghorn stones.

Aim: This study aims to compare postoperative outcomes between patients undergoing endoscopic versus microscopic transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas.Material and Methods: A retrospective cohort of 71 patients treated at Ankara Atatürk Training and Research Hospital between 2009 and 2013 was analyzed. Forty patients underwent endoscopic surgery, and 31 patients underwent microscopic surgery. Pre- and postoperative assessments included hormonal evaluations, visual function, radiological findings, and surgical complications.Results: Gross total resection was achieved in 82% of the endoscopic group compared to 74% in the microscopic group. Visual improvement was more prominent in the endoscopic group. CSF leak rates were low and comparable. Hormonal remission rates were similar between groups. Hospitalization duration was shorter in the endoscopic group.Conclusion: Both techniques are safe and effective, but the endoscopic approach may provide better visualization, facilitate higher resection rates, and lead to faster recovery.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the content, characteristics, and quality of the most-viewed YouTube videos on vaginitis, assessing their accuracy and potential role in patient education.Materials and Methods: On December 26, 2025, a new YouTube account was used to search “vaginitis” and “vaginal infection.” The first 100 videos were screened; 53 were excluded due to non-English language, lack of audiovisual content, or duplication, leaving 47 videos for analysis. Videos were categorized by content (disease explanation, treatment, personal experiences, other) and by uploader (academic, physician, paramedic, commercial, patient), further grouped as medical vs. non-medical. Video metrics (views, likes, like-to-view ratio, views per 1,000, Video Power Index [VPI]) and quality scores were recorded. Data were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U and Fisher’s exact tests; interrater reliability was assessed with ICC.Results: Of the videos, 72.3% covered disease explanations, 12.8% other topics, 10.6% personal experiences, and 4.3% preventive measures. Uploaders were physicians (46.8%), academics (27.7%), commercial sources (12.8%), patients (8.5%), and paramedics (4.3%). Median views were 55,337 (range: 581–11,041,478), median likes were 402 (range: 11–295,000). VPI did not differ significantly between professional and non-professional sources (6.06 ± 30.80 vs. 2.29 ± 4.53; p=0.451), but quality scores were higher for professional sources (9.70 ± 4.03 vs. 6.20 ± 2.39; p=0.014). Videos uploaded in 2021 or later had higher VPI than earlier ones (0.556 vs. 0.114; p=0.003), with no significant difference in quality (p=0.083).Conclusion: Most YouTube videos on vaginitis focus on definitions, with limited guidance on prevention or self-care. While professional sources provide higher-quality content, engagement metrics do not correlate with reliability. Promotion of expert-led videos and automated quality control measures is warranted.Keywords: Vaginitis, Vaginal infection, YouTube,