The aim was to investigate whether neurodegenerative biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) differentiate patients with suspected normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) who respond to CSF drainage from patients who do not respond. Methods: Data from 62 consecutive patients who presented with magnetic resonance imaging changes indicative of NPH were studied with regard to cognitive and gait functions before and after drainage of 40-50ml of CSF. Additionally, S100 protein, neuron-specific enolase, β-amyloid protein, tau protein and phospho-tau were determined in CSF. Statistical analyses were carried out with ANOVA and multiple linear regression. Results: Patients with CSF constellations typical for Alzheimer's disease (n = 28) improved significantly in cognitive and gait-related functions after CSF drainage. In contrast, those patients without a CSF constellation typical for Alzheimer's disease (n = 34) did not improve in cognitive and gait-related functions after CSF drainage. In addition, positive CSF biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease predicted these improvements. Interpretation: Our data suggest an association between Alzheimer's disease and NPH changes, supporting the recently suggested dichotomy of a neurodegenerative NPH and a true idiopathic NPH, with the latter appearing to be rare.

Zusammenfassung Der Transfer von neurowissenschaftlichen Befunden in die schulische Praxis wurde begleitet von der Entstehung von Fehlkonzepten über das menschliche Gehirn, sogenannte Neuromythen. Neuromythen sind unter Lehrkräften weltweit verbreitet. Unklar ist, ob Neuromythen bereits zu Beginn des Lehramtsstudiums bestehen und ob diese im österreichischen Bildungssystem eine ähnlich hohe Prävalenz aufweisen wie in anderen Ländern. Die vorliegende Studie untersucht, ob österreichische Lehramtsstudierende ihre Ausbildung bereits mit dem Glauben an Neuromythen beginnen. Darüber hinaus soll die Rolle des Wissens über das menschliche Gehirn für die Prävalenz von Neuromythen kritisch hinterfragt werden. 582 Lehramtsstudierende bearbeiteten zu Beginn ihres Lehramtsstudiums 40 Aussagen über das menschliche Gehirn; 20 dieser Aussagen waren Neuromythen und 20 korrekte Aussagen über das menschliche Gehirn, sogenannte Neurofakten. Es zeigte sich, dass bereits zu Beginn des Lehramtsstudiums mehrere Neuromythen eine hohe Prävalenz aufwiesen. Analog zu anderen Ländern bezogen sich die prävalentesten Neuromythen auf Lerntypen und auf ein getrenntes Arbeiten der Gehirnhälften. Darüber hinaus wurde gefunden, dass Neuromythen kein eindimensionales Konstrukt abbilden. Schließlich zeigte sich, dass das Wissen über das menschliche Gehirn nicht mit dem Glauben an Neuromythen zusammenhing. Da Neuromythen bereits zu Lehramtsstudienbeginn stark vertreten sind, sollte die Lehramtsausbildung diese auch auflösen. Hierfür scheint es ratsam zu sein, nicht nur generell Wissen über das menschliche Gehirn zu vermitteln, sondern Neuromythen gezielt zu thematisieren. Dies sollte insbesondere für jene Neuromythen getan werden, deren Umsetzung zu potentiell schädlichen Schulpraktiken führen könnte.

In spite of its effectiveness, implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) patients face psychological problems such as shock-related anxiety due to device shocks. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a web-based intervention program for ICD patients would reduce shock-related anxiety and improve quality of life compared with usual care. This was a randomized controlled trial study including a total of 76 patients. Data were collected using Turkish versions of the Florida Shock Anxiety Scale and Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) at 0 (baseline), 3, and 6 months. Following intervention, there was a significant decrease in shock anxiety levels of patients and a statistically significant increase in social functioning, role-physical, mental health, vitality, and bodily pain subdimensions of SF-36. While no statistically significant difference was found between groups in terms of summary scores of SF-36, our results suggest that web-based interventions can be useful for ICD patients.

The results of this study show the importance of being aware of the symptoms when deciding to seek treatment. It is recommended to develop training programs about AMI symptoms and the importance of receiving early medical help by targeting society in general and the individuals with a diagnosis of coronary artery disease and their relatives in particular, and to organize awareness-raising campaigns supported by the media.

ÖZET ABSTRACTAim/background: Loneliness occurs in all stages of life, and a major problem for most of the elderly. To determine the prevalence of loneliness and evaluate the effects of socio-demographic, health characteristics, life satisfaction, activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living among elderly people. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 160 participants in three regions of İzmir. Measures were included a demographic questionnaire, the UCLA Loneliness Scale, the Life Satisfaction Scale, the Katz Index of Activities of Daily Living and the Lawton and Brody's Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Index. Data were analysed via the independent t-test, Kruskal-Wallis test, ANOVA test, Pearson's correlation and multiple linear regression with stepwise analysis. Results: The loneliness rate was 46.9% among participants. A great difference existed between loneliness level and marital status, education level, place of residence, selfreported health, self-reported sleep quality, exercise and instrumental activities of daily living. Life satisfaction, activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living were negatively associated with loneliness. Conclusion: Elderly care services should be designed with a multidisciplinary approach, and nurses should especially assess loneliness in elderly with low levels of self-care capacity and reduced social contacts to develop appropriate nursing interventions.