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Preschoolers have different experiences in different environments. These experiences can stimulate children’s imaginations. This longitudinal study examines the impact of preschool children’s three-year experiences in early childhood institutions, which are their primary educational environments. The question ‘Do preschoolers imagine different things as their experience expands?’ was discussed by examining the drawings and narratives of a total of 15 children aged 3, 4 and 5 who attend kindergarten in a city centre in southwest Türkiye. The children were asked to draw their imagining and describe these drawings. Children’s drawings and narratives during the three-year study were evaluated as quantitative and qualitative data. Preschoolers imagined mostly on four topics involving plants, people, animals and place. Children’s narratives reveal the richness of their imagination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis article focuses on the Kenyan novelist Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor’s The Dragonfly Sea (2019) and examines how dividuality as an eco-decolonial move is manifested in the novel. Dividuality, as I argue, derives from an ecodecolonial approach and challenges the human-nature dualism, and at the same time extends the Western-oriented, enlightened image of a firmly insular person into a less bounded and porous presence comprised of both human and nonhuman forces. From this vantage point, this article claims that the notion of the dividual in Owuor’s text helps us imagine the act of witnessing beyond European and Western thought with regard to being in the world, history, memory, and environment at large. Witnessing, as perceived in this article, is recognised as a mode of being in the world from an everyday perspective, be it individual, political, social, or environmental. In this way, The Dragonfly Sea, gestures toward what I call “slow wit(h)nessing” in this study as an open-ended and permeable act which is significantly constituted by slow and entangled interactions and exchanges among humans, animals, plants, seascapes, landscapes, matter, and spirits through transoceanic experiences in Kenya, China, and Turkey. This article draws from and builds on the theories of dividual personhood from McKim Marriott’s seminal work on Indian cultural material analysis to Marylin Strathern’s innovative Melanesian ethnography as well as Bracha Ettinger’s inspiring study on the collapse of boundaries between the “I” and the Other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the overlooked dimension of Ottoman colonialism through an analysis of resource extraction in the Keban and Ergani mines during the early modern era. Situated in the Kurdistan province, these mines played a pivotal role in furnishing essential minerals for the Ottoman state's fiscal and military exigencies. Departing from conventional narratives, which often emphasize discursive practices or focus solely on settler colonialism, the study adopts an extractive colonialism framework to reveal the intricate relationship between imperialism, resource exploitation, and i ndigenous resistance. Ultimately, it contributes to the burgeoning literature on the coloniality of Kurdistan by providing empirical evidence of economic exploitation, environmental degradation, and the erosion of local autonomy in the face of heightened state centralization, control, and economic expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This special‐issue introduction highlights the burgeoning movement toward decolonizing Kurdish studies, outlining its challenges and opportunities within the academic landscape. Central to the authors' discussion is the concept of the coloniality of power, which offers a framework for understanding the enduring oppression faced by Kurds within the context of ongoing colonial domination in the Middle East. The introduction delves into themes of historical erasure and academic marginalization, shedding light on the struggle for recognition within not only national and regional variants of area studies such as Turkish, Arab, Iranian, and Middle East studies but also the Euro‐American academy more broadly. Furthermore, the introduction underlines the potential of decolonial methodologies in reshaping the study of Kurds and Kurdistan, emphasizing the significance of amplifying voices from the ground, including those of Kurdish intellectuals, activists, and politicians. Through critical reflexivity and engagement with diverse perspectives, the editors of this special issue call for a reimagining of Kurdish studies that prioritizes epistemic decolonization, centering the experiences and agency of Kurdish communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-leverage points, known as good and bad leverage points, are also known as points away from center of x space. Bad leverage points are marginal values that show the incompatibility with misclassified observations and other observation values at x space. In the identification of bad leverage points, the problems of masking and swamping constitute a problem for the logistic regression model just as in the linear regression model. In this research, in addition to existing deviance components (DEVC), robust deviance components (RobDEVC) that are used to identify bad leverage points, different robust methods recommended to be used at the management of deviance components were examined. Also, for these methods, robust cut-off value combinations were examined as well. With the conducted simulation, robust methods recommended to be used in the deviance component method have shown better performance to identify bad leverage points by showing different cut-off values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the impact of the earthquakes that occurred in the first half of the 3rd millennium BCE on Western Anatolian settlements, aiming to determine the dates of the earthquakes that happened during the prehistoric period using the earthquake layers of the settlements and associated C14 data. The focus of the paper is the investigation of the effects of two earthquakes that occurred in the region during the first half of the 3rd millennium BCE on the settlements of the region. The first earthquake occurred around 2800 BCE and damaged settlements in the area of İzmir. Evidence of this damage is provided by traces of fire and destruction in the archaeological layers. In addition to the building materials and techniques of the period, the common use of side walls of buildings 25 m in length and their construction in blocks increased the destructive effects of earthquakes. In the wake of earthquakes, some structural changes were made, and the masons of the period tried to take measures against earthquakes by using new construction techniques. The earthquakes of the first quarter of the 3rd millennium BCE may have caused political turmoil in Western Anatolia, as they had the potential to create social unrest. The earthquakes that hit the İzmir region in the first half of the 3rd millennium BCE led to the abandonment of settlements, a reduction in the sizes of settlements, or changes in social organisation. In this paper, the earthquake layers of Bakla Tepe and Liman Tepe, which contain the oldest archaeological earthquake remains found to date in Western Anatolia, are analysed in detail for the first time. Highlighting the importance of archaeological data, this paper also offers new perspectives for understanding the profound and permanent impacts that natural disasters had on ancient societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Severe congenital neutropenia is a rarely encountered heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by myeloid maturation arrest in the bone marrow. The present study aimed to discuss clinical and laboratory findings, genetic mutations, therapeutic approaches and outcomes in these rarely seen seven cases followed up with the diagnosis of Kostmann syndrome in a single center so as to make a contribution to the literature. Method: In this retrospective study, data of the seven cases followed up with the diagnosis of Kostmann syndrome were retrieved from the patient files. The diagnosis was established based on an absolute neutrophil count of <500/mm³ persisting for more than 3 months and presence of HAX-1 gene mutations detected by positive molecular genetic analysis. Results: All patients were born to consanguineous parents. Six of the seven cases had sibling history. All cases had homozygous HAX-1 mutation. Case 1 had motor-mental retardation and case 5 had urogenital system anomaly. Mortality or malignancy was not encountered in any of the cases despite the absence of prophylactic granulocytecolony stimulating factor (G-CSF) therapy. Conclusion: The diagnosis and differential diagnosis of congenital neutropenia must be considered in the patients presenting with neutropenia and recurrent infections. Monitoring of the cases with severe neutropenia like Kostmann syndrome carries extreme importance. Families should be educated in terms of early signs of infection and importance of regular patient monitoring for prophylactic G-CSF-free management of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Tobacco use is an important risk factor for more than 20 types of cancer, especially cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and many other health problems. Cigarettes are one of the most commonly used tobacco products in the world, and they can cause both physical and mental addiction. Adolescence is known to be the highest-risk period in terms of addiction among all age groups. As a result, smoke-free campus practices have become even more important in universities. This study investigates the prevalence of smoking among Pamukkale Medical School students and their views and behaviors regarding smoke-free campus practices. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 548 medical students at Pamukkale Universıty Faculty of Medicine during the academic year 2021-2022, between April 1-29, 2022. A face-to-face interview was conducted. Students' smoking status and their views about a smoke-free campus were assessed. In the questionnaire, the independent variables were socio-demographic characteristics, duration of staying in a smoke-free environment, smoking status in the place of residence, areas where smoking is most common, Fagerström nicotine dependence level, knowledge about smoke-free campus applications and campuses with the smokefree application. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 21.0 package program was used to analyze the data. Descriptive statistics are presented with numbers and percentages for categorical variables, while the arithmetic mean and standard deviation are used for continuous variables. The chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables, and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov analysis was used to test the compatibility of data to normal distribution. RESULTS: The student smoking rate increased significantly as the number of semesters increased (P = .021). The smoking rate of male students was higher than that of female students (P = .001). The smoking rate of students living with their family or relatives was lower (P = .020). Smokers (14.7%) were more likely to have heard about the introduction of smoke-free zones on campus than nonsmokers (11%) (P = .280). 81.4% of students affirmed the statement, "The number of smoke-free rooms should be increased," and 84.3% responded, "I support the existence of smoke-free spaces." Nonsmoking students (90.8%) are more likely to agree that smoke-free spaces should be increased than those who smoke (57.7%) (P < .001). Among the students, 17.6% of nonsmokers and 37.8% of smokers find the information about smoke-free spaces sufficient (P < .001). The rate of those who consider smoke-free space inspections to be sufficient is lower for nonsmoking students than for nonsmokers (P = .017). Nonsmokers (89.5%) support the existence of smoke-free spaces to a higher degree than smokers (71.2%) (P < .001). CONCLUSION: One-third of Pamukkale University Faculty of Medicine students smoke, and smoking rates are higher among men and those who do not live with family or relatives. All participants strongly support the existence of smoke-free zones (84.3%), while a proportion of tobacco users (31.4%) support the implementation of a smoke-free campus. Student opinions of the smoke-free zones and the smoke-free campus application are more positive among nonsmokers than smokers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study investigates the etiological factors, clinical presentations, and laboratory findings in cases diagnosed with hyperprolactinemia, focusing on the prevalence of prolactinoma and macroprolactinemia in children and adolescents. Methods: We evaluated 38 cases of hyperprolactinemia identified from August 2019 to January 2023. The study involved assessing demographic data, symptoms, physical examination outcomes, and laboratory results, including prolactin levels and pituitary adenoma dimensions obtained from MRI scans. Results: In this cohort of 38 patients diagnosed with hyperprolactinemia, a significant majority, 94.7%, were female, with an average age of 15.9 years. The most common presenting complaints were menstrual irregularities (45%). Galactorrhea, which was observed in 64% during physical examinations. Prolactinoma was present in 44.7% of cases, with prolactin levels being statistically higher in these patients compared to those with non-prolactinoma hyperprolactinemia. Microadenomas were more common (58.8%) than macroadenomas (41.2%). No patients underwent surgical treatment, and all patients receiving medical treatment were prescribed cabergoline. Notably, two cases with prolactinomas also had central hypothyroidism. Conclusion: Prolactinoma is the leading cause of severe hyperprolactinemia in children, a demographic where prolactinomas are rare, complicating diagnosis and management. Macroprolactinemia, often asymptomatic, emerged as a significant contributor to elevated prolactin levels in our cohort. This study underscores the importance of considering macroprolactinemia in the differential diagnosis of hyperprolactinemia when no other etiology is apparent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study deals with the development processes of Türkiye and China in terms of sustainability and investigates to what extent the development processes in these countries were affected by leading sustainability indicators. Within this purpose, the impacts of selected sustainable development indicators such as external debt stock, energy import, innovation, share of investment, human capital, income inequality, and renewable energy on per capita output were estimated via the separated autoregressive distributed lag models for each country. The findings suggest that gross fixed capital formation, energy import, human capital, and both residential and non-residential patents have positive impacts on per capita output in both countries. Income inequality has a negative impact in Türkiye and a positive impact in China while the share of renewable energy usage has a positive impact in Türkiye and a negative impact in China. External debt stock, on the other hand, has a negative impact in Türkiye while no significant impact was observed in China. To sum up, even though these two countries have the status of developing countries, it is understood that they have quite different economic characters in some respects, at least in the context of sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alarm fatigue resulting from exposure to multiple alarms is an important problem that threatens patient safety. The fact that each device in intensive care units works with different alarm systems increases the number and variety of alarms. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of alarm fatigue on the tendency of nurses working in intensive care units to make medical errors. Study Design: A cross‐sectional and correlational design were used in this study. The study was carried out with 382 intensive care nurses who could be reached via an electronic questionnaire. Data were collected using a 'Personal Information Form', the 'Alarm Fatigue Scale (AFS)' and the 'Medical Error Tendency Scale in Nursing (METSN)'. Results: The mean age of the nurses who were included in the study was 31.52 ± 5.66. While 70.2% of the participants were women, 67% had bachelor's degrees, and 65.4% had been working in the intensive care unit for 1–5 years. The mean total METSN score of the participants was 229.29 ± 15.32, and their mean total AFS score was 20.02 ± 6.15. A negative and weak significant correlation was found between the total mean AFS and METSN scores of the participants (r = −0.275; p <.001). As the alarm fatigue levels of the participants increased, their medical error tendencies increased. It was determined that a one‐unit increase in the alarm fatigue level of intensive care nurses increased their tendency to make medical errors by 0.263 units (p <.001). Conclusions: It was found that the nurses had a low tendency to make medical errors and moderate levels of alarm fatigue, and an increase in their alarm fatigue levels significantly increased their medical error tendencies. Relevance to Clinical Practice: Institutions should establish alarm management procedures in units with multiple alarm systems, such as intensive care units, and examine the effects of alarms on employees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Identifying mortality risk in critically ill children is central to diagnostic and treatment practices. For this purpose, scoring systems, such as the Pediatric Index of Mortality 3 (PIM 3), have been proposed; however, the role of biochemical markers, such as albumin-corrected anion gap (cAG) and lactate clearance (LC), in predicting mortality in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) patients is yet to be explored. Aims: To evaluate the predictive value of the cAG and LC for mortality in pediatric patients admitted to a PICU. Study Design: Retrospective single-center cohort study. Methods: Clinical and laboratory data from the time of PICU admission were collected, and patients were classified into based on their 0- and 6-hour of admission lactate levels into an LC(+) group (patients with normal or decreasing lactate levels) or an LC(-) group (increasing lactate levels). LC and cAG levels were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test and Student's t-test, respectively. Additionally, multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of LC and cAG on mortality. Results: We included 825 patients in the study; the mortality rate was 8.6%. The absence of LC [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) =4.735; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.163-10.367; p < 0.001], cAG (AOR =1.064; 95% CI: 1.010-1.122; p = 0.019) and PIM 3 (AOR = 1.871; 95% CI: 1.553-2.254; p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for mortality. Using the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of PIM 3 as a predictor of mortality, area under the curve values of 0.832 (95% CI: 0.805-0.857; p < 0.001) for the original score and 0.858 for a revised PIM 3 score (based on the β coefficients obtained for cAG and LC; 95% CI 0.832-0.881; p < 0.001) were obtained, which was significantly different (p = 0.027). Conclusion: A cAG value > 18 at the time of PICU admission high lactate levels which do not decrease within 6 hours of hospitalization are associated with an increased risk of mortality. The revised PIM 3 score, which includes cAG and LC, is a better predictor of mortality than the classical PIM 3 score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Publications have shown increased rate of precocious puberty and rapidly progressing puberty during the pandemic period. During the pandemic period, obesity has become widespread in children due to sedentary life, an increase in the time spent at home, and prolonged use of mobile devices. Obesity is a significant contributor to early puberty in females.We aimed to investigate whether obesity is a factor in the increase of puberty precocious cases during the pandemic. Material and Methods: In the study, female patients diagnosed with Puberty precocious /Rapidly Progressive Puberty in our clinic were divided into three groups August 2019-February 2020 before the pandemic (Group1-G1), August 2020-February 2021 during the pandemic (online education - Group2-G2), August 2021-February 2022 during the pandemic (face-to-face education -Group3-G3). The groups were retrospectively compared in terms of clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings. Results: A total of 495 female patients were included in the study. There was no difference between the groups in terms of age at the presentation. The most common complaint at presentation in the three groups was thelarche. Also, presentation with combination of thelarche and pubarche was more common in G3, and presentation due to menarche was more common in G2 (p=0.011). No difference was found between the groups regarding body weight SDS, and height SDS. The BMI SDS was 0.69±1 SD for all patients, 0.78±0.94 SD for G1, 0.67±1 SD for G2, and 0.67±1 for G3, and the BMI SDS of the groups were comparable (p=0.630). The majority of patients at the presentation were Breast Tanner stage 3. G2 (9%) and G3 (9%) were presented with Breast Tanner stage 4 at a higher frequency compared to G1 (2%). There was no difference between the groups' FSH, LH, estradiol, LHRH test peak FSH, peak LH, and LH/FSH values. There was no difference between the bone ages of the groups at the presentation. The uterus size, right and left ovary volumes of G2 and G3 were significantly bigger than those of G1 (p=0.001). No difference was found between the groups in the rates of precocious puberty and rapidly progressing puberty cases. Conclusion: In our study, the age at presentation and BMI were similar pre-pandemic group G1 and during the pandemic, online education (G2) and pandemic face-to-face education (G3). We determined that obesity may not be one of the factors triggering precocious puberty cases during the pandemic period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou are used in global positioning studies, while IRNSS and QZSS are used regionally. Until recently, point positions were determined using GPS, GLONASS, and BeiDou satellite systems. Since 2020, the Galileo satellite system has also been used. The accuracy of point positioning with GNSS depends on the satellite system used, processing software, data collection time/interval, etc. In this study, the effect of the Galileo satellite system on point positioning was investigated depending on the data logging time. For this purpose, daily RINEX data of 7 selected TUSAGA stations between October 15, 2020, and November 13, 2020, were analyzed in 2, 4, and 12-hour increments using 14 IGS station RINEX data, and the solutions were evaluated with GAMIT/GLOBK according to GPS (G), GLONASS (R), Galileo (E), and GPS+GLONASS+Galileo (GRE). As a result of the evaluations, the approaches of other satellite combinations to the daily coordinates obtained using only GPS were analyzed. In the analyses conducted, it was concluded that the accuracy increases as the measurement time increases and that GRE, Galileo, and GLONASS satellite combinations provide the best approximation to GPS coordinates, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thymbra spicata subsp. spicata L. is a member of the Lamiaceae family, which is used in Türkiye against various health issues among other uses. The main components of T. spicata essential oil (TE) were identified as carvacrol (52.3%) and p-cymene (21.1%) using GC-FID and GC/MS. The in vitro effects of TE on Miapaca-2 and HUVEC cell lines were reported for the first time. The initial results showed that TE applied to Miapaca-2 cell lines at concentrations of ≥62.18 g/mL for 48 hours could reduce cell growth and induce apoptosis. The application of relatively high concentrations of TE (≥82.91 g/mL) significantly (P<0.001) suppressed cell growth. Administration of relatively high TE concentrations (≥82.91 g/mL) significantly (P<0.001) suppressed cell growth. Concentrations of TE lower than 20.73 g/mL did not affect the viability of the HUVEC cell line in 48 hours. The IC50 value for Miapaca-2 cells was 62.18 µg/mL, and HUVEC cells' IC50 value was 263.97 µg/mL for 48h. The number of apoptotic cells in Miapaca-2 (55±5%) and HUVEC (38.33±6%) were significantly higher (P<0.001). Significantly lower migration rates (P<0.001) were seen for Miapaca-2 (52±5%) and HUVEC cell lines (64±1.67%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arrogant behaviors negatively affect relations and communication within the organization. The primary purpose of the research is to determine the effects of colleague arrogance on collaboration, organizational gossip, and emotional exhaustion. Quantitative research method was adopted. Within the scope of the research, a questionnaire form was prepared on an online platform and applied between 16 January-10 February 2023. The questionnaire was sent to the academicians via e-mail, and 391 academicians participated. Looking at the results of the regression analysis, the perception of colleague arrogance has a negative and significant effect on the collaboration of academicians. The perception of colleague arrogance positively and significantly affects the emotional exhaustion of academicians. When we look at another finding, colleague arrogance positively and significantly affects negative work gossip. At the same time, the perception of colleague arrogance does not have a significant effect on positive work gossip. In conclusion, we think this research has brought a different and vital perspective to the perception of colleague arrogance. In organizational arrogance research, the importance of investigating the emotions and behaviors that occur in individuals has been put forward first. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Genistein has an anti-inflammatory effect that may be beneficial in many inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of supplementation of oral/enteral nutrition (EN) with genistein on the level of inflammatory cytokines in septic patients. Materials and Methods: This prospective, randomized controlled study included critically ill adult patients with sepsis receiving EN or oral/EN. The patients were randomly divided into a genistein or a control group. Genistein (60 mg/day) was administered as a supplement to EN in the genistein group and the control group received only EN or oral/EN. Serum interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB-1), tumor necrosis factor alfa (TNF-α), procalcitonin (PCT), and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations were serially measured at the baseline, 24th hour, and 72nd hour after admission. Results: Thirty-two participants (genistein group: 16 patients, control group: 16 patients) were included. The mean age was 56±17 years. The serum IL-1β concentration in the genistein group was significantly higher than that of the control group in follow-up (p=0.001). The control group had a significantly lower serum IL-6 value at the 72nd hour compared with the baseline and 24th -hour values (p=0.001). The TNF-α concentration was significantly greater (p<0.001, both groups), while the PCT values were lower in follow-up measurements (genistein group: p=0.031; control group: p=0.004). The CRP level was higher in the genistein group than in the control group at the baseline (p=0.019) and significantly lower in follow-up measurements (p=0.028). At all of the study time points, the serum IL-6, TNF-α, HMGB-1, and PCT level of the genistein group was similar to that of the control group. Conclusion: Genistein supplementation may add to the inflammation process and worsen the prognosis of sepsis patients in the acute period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cut-down de Bruijn sequence is a cyclic string of length L , where 1 ≤ L ≤ k n , such that every substring of length n appears at most once. Etzion [ Theor. Comp. Sci 44 (1986)] introduced an algorithm to construct binary cut-down de Bruijn sequences requiring o (n) simple n -bit operations per symbol generated. In this paper, we simplify the algorithm and improve the running time to O (n) time per symbol generated using O (n) space. Additionally, we develop the first successor-rule approach for constructing a binary cut-down de Bruijn sequence by leveraging recent ranking/unranking algorithms for fixed-density Lyndon words. Finally, we develop an algorithm to generate cut-down de Bruijn sequences for k > 2 that runs in O (n) time per symbol using O (n) space after some initialization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In laparoscopic distal colon surgery, diverting ileostomy is often used to improve the anastomosis leakage and eliminate the need for secondary surgery. However, complications related to the stoma and its closure have led to new searches. The rectal tube has started to be used as another method to reduce the anastomosis leakage by reducing intestinal pressure and providing drainage. In this study, we aimed to compare the effect of the rectal tube and diverting ileostomy on the outcomes of patients who underwent laparoscopic pelvic subperitoneal surgery. Methods: Retrospective information was obtained from 66 patients who underwent laparoscopic pelvic subperitoneal surgery in our clinic between 2013 and 2019. The patients were evaluated in two groups: ileostomy and rectal tube. Demographic data, operation findings, pathological results, and follow-up information were evaluated. Results: Fourty-one of 66 patients who underwent colorectal pelvic peritoneal surgery were in the rectal tube group and 25 were in the ileostomy group. The majority of the patients in the ileostomy group were males (22-88% vs 23-56%, p=0.007); however, there was no difference between the two groups in terms of age, body mass index, comorbidity, and the previous abdominal operation. In the rectal tube group, the number of patients who were diagnosed as having rectal tumors and consequently underwent low anterior resection was higher. In the ileostomy group, the operation time was longer (476±130 vs. 341±114 mins, p=0.0001) and amount of peroperative bleeding was higher (261±260 vs 128±98 mL, p=0.02). Intraoperative and postoperative complications of the patients were similar in both groups. The pain scale on the postoperative second day was lower in the rectal tube group (2.8±1.5 vs. 4.7±2.9, p=0.008). Although the pain scales on day 1 and day 3 were lower in the rectal tube group, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The oncological results were similar during the average follow-up period of 28.3±18.5 months. The cosmetic scores of the patients were better in the rectal tube group (9.3±0.9 vs. 7.2±1.9, p=0.001). Conclusion: In laparoscopic pelvic subperitoneal colorectal surgeries; it has been observed that the results of the rectal tube are not worse than ileostomy, it can be preferred in appropriate cases and reduce stoma-related problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research introduces a scientific methodology to identify areas affected by gully erosion using Geographic Object Based Image Analysis (GEOBIA) and Random Forest (RF) supervised machine learning. The GEOBIA and RF were applied in Besni district, which has a Mediterranean climate, of Adiyaman province in Turkey by including many factors in the model. Estimation Scale Parameter (ESPII) algorithm was used in the segmentation phase. The novelty of this study is the implementation of RF supervised classification algorithm to classify a large number of objects determined after the segmentation process, due to the large size of the study area. Therefore, open access data has been evaluated with high classification accuracy without the need for labor. Precision, Recall and F1-Score values were calculated using true positive (TP), true negative (TN), false positive (FP) and false negative (FN) values based on field observations and Google Earth images of the study area. The TP, TN, FP and FN values were 0.90, 0.95 and 0.92, respectively. In addition, a Kappa-index was calculated as 0.88. The gully erosion map obtained using aforementioned methodology can be used to take necessary measures to prevent further degradation and plan sustainable land uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the economic, financial and political situation of the Ottoman Empire in a time period starting with the 1838 Balta Limani Treaty (BLT) and lasting until the World War I is analized. Especially, the financial integration of the Ottoman Empire to the world via BLT, the analysis and effects of political governance are discussed. With the BLT enactment, the Ottoman lands had opened to international trade and as a result, the Ottoman Empire had started to have a current account deficit. In the following period, international trade took a new dimension and created an international payments system for the Ottoman Empire. This situation caused that the banking system enter the Ottoman Empire economic system and constituted the basis of banking structure. As a result of the BLT agreement, it caused economic relief at first, but caused economic and financial difficulties in the following period. With the emergence of political processes, the BLT began to be interrogated. Howeber these interrogations were made for the use of the system, not the system itself. In this context, administrators believed to be “more qualified” were frequently changed. Ottoman rulers thought of political or financial support from European states rather than long-term economic results. In the following periods; foreign borrowing in 1854, the establishment of the Ottoman Bank in 1863 and the transfer of the power to money printing, and finally the moratorium process in 1876 were lived. Although it was tried to escape of this process by establishing of Duyun-ı Umumiye in 1881, the political system lost its effectiveness and as a result, the control of finance and economy was completely in the hands of foreigners and non-Muslims. Briefly in the article; the comparative analysis of the political power struggle and the financial power struggle is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

School satisfaction is an important factor for students in school processes. In this context, the mediating role of school burnout in the relationship between school satisfaction and subjective well-being was examined in this study. The sample of the study consisted of a total of 380 secondary school students, 200 of whom were girls and 180 were boys. The data of the study were collected with comprehensive school satisfaction scale for children, school burnout scale and adolescent subjective well-being scale. Correlation and structural equation model (SEM) analysis were used in the analysis of the data. As a result of SEM analysis, it was found that school satisfaction was a negative predictor of school burnout and a positive predictor of subjective well-being. School burnout was found to be a negative predictor of subjective well-being. In addition, it was found that school burnout was partially mediated in the relationship between school satisfaction and subjective well-being. The results of the study were discussed in the light of the literature and suggestions were made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the regions where Cynara cardunculus L. is cultivated in Turkey are revealed, with data obtained from several locations in Turkey. Furthermore, the installation of active biogas plants in these regions has been identified, and the utilization of Cynara cardunculus L. residues as a biomass source, particularly in Izmir biogas plants, has been investigated. To begin, the amount of Cynara cardunculus L. cultivated in the world and Turkey has been determined. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)'s recent data for 2019, approximately 1.6 million tons of Cynara cardunculus L. were produced globally, with Turkey accounting for nearly 2.5% of this quantity. The data from the Biomass Energy Potential Map for Turkey (BEPA) was reviewed, and it was calculated that approximately 40 thousand tons of Cynara cardunculus L. are produced in Turkey each year. Furthermore, the agricultural production of this crop in Turkey generates roughly 225 thousand tons of residues. In comparison to other regions, the Izmir region generates 32.5% of Turkey's Cynara cardunculus L. residues. However, no research on the evaluation of this residue potential and the utilization of Cynara cardunculus L. residues in biogas production has been conducted to date. As a result, it was aimed at the residual potential of Cynara cardunculus L. in various regions of Turkey, as well as its potential utilization as a biomass resource for biogas plants in these areas. It has been calculated that 1.65% of the Izmir population could supply its energy demands by utilizing the energy equivalent of the Izmir region's wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) comprises 85%-90% of primary renal malignant tumors originating from the renal tubular epithelium and has different genetic characteristics. This study aimed to investigate the potential predictive role of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and metabolic parameters in overall survival (OS) analysis in patients with RCC. Methods: 18F-FDG PET/CT images of 100 patients performed for initial staging before surgical or oncological treatments were analyzed retrospectively. Maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax-T) of the primary tumor was calculated and its relationship to patient survival was analyzed. The median follow-up time was 5.61 years (0.01-8.7 years). Results: SUVmax-T levels in the patients ranged from 2.1 to 48.9 (median 5.9, mean 9.0±7.9). SUVmax-T was significantly higher in RCC-related death more positive than in the negative cases (p<0.001). However, there was not any statistical significance for gender and pathological subtypes on the survival outcomes of patients (p=0.264 and p=0.784). The patients' 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year OS rates were 71%, 61%, and 57%, respectively. The highest action of SUVmax-T for estimating OS was a cut-off level of 5.4, which maintained sensitivity and specificity of 81% and 75%, respectively. However, cancer staging remained independent significance for OS (p<0.001). Conclusion: SUVmax of primary tumor and cancer stage were demonstrated as significant prognostic factors for OS in patients with RCC. Evaluation of 18F-FDG accumulation with PET/CT may help plan treatment strategies and predict survival outcomes of these patients at diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

School burnout has been the subject of research as the form of professional burnout seen in students who continue their education life. In the relevant literature, it is seen that the factors that increase or decrease school burnout and the negativities caused by school burnout are examined. However, it is noteworthy that the issue of coping with school burnout, which is a common problem that almost every student experiences at certain times in their education life, is not addressed. In this review study, the concept of school burnout was first explained, and then the concepts of coping and coping with school burnout were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the midst of a crisis of nature and ecology that threatens the existence of all forms of life on Earth, we are in a period in which man is seeking a new and supportive relationship with the world. During this period, from the depletion of resources and the extinction of some living species to the burden of extreme environmental pollution and toxic waste, our planet has faced unprecedented problems. The population explosion on a scale never before witnessed, the increase in industrialization, technological manipulation and international armament have exacerbated this situation. For this reason, basic elements such as sufficient water, clean air and arable land that sustain life have been put at risk in many respects. This risk has endangered the harmony inherent in the entire fabric of life on Earth and the system that makes human life possible. For this reason, nature and the world that constitutes the ecological environment are in serious problems that urgently await our attention. Such complex and far-reaching problems, on the one hand, are characterized by economic, political and social factors; on the other hand, it emerges as a result of intellectual, ideational and religious understandings. In order to find a solution to this, broader or different philosophical and religious understandings are needed. In this respect, some views that put nature and ecology on the agenda should be re-evaluated. Because the views mentioned contribute to shaping the attitudes of man towards nature and ecology and to raising awareness. In this study, in the light of these problems, Mevlana's views will be applied. Mevlana is one of the important figures who left his mark on the period and our age with his logical inferences, unique style and rich fiction with his knowledge, wisdom and accumulation. He is an influential thinker in the field of Sufism, literature and philosophy. One of the issues that take place in this vast world of thought is his discourses on the concepts of nature and ecological consciousness, which he operates in the context of the principle of the integrity of nature. In his thought, this consciousness, its implications for nature and ecology are processed around the philosophy of process and the approach of divinity. Revealing and analyzing this perception of consciousness of Mevlana and his messages on the subject in the light of the philosophy of process that maintains its vitality within the boundaries of today's philosophy of religion is valuable in terms of the importance, problematic and purpose of the study. In addition, comprehending Mevlana's description and conception of nature and ecological consciousness, examining it in terms of process philosophy, determining that it prioritizes some processist data, creates an integration with some processist dynamics and has a comparable essence is of great importance in terms of the problem and purpose of the study. Because one of the main purposes of this study is to understand and examine Mevlana's view of God, which plays an important role in comprehending this understanding of consciousness, in the context of the panentheistic approach to divinity. Another aim is to determine that the analysis of the concepts, expressions and ideas put forward by Mevlana about this consciousness in terms of philosophy of religion with special reference to his works sheds light on the consciousness of nature, which is a global and contemporary problem, and also prepares the ground for the richness of subjects in the philosophy of religion. In order to clarify the aforementioned issues, the concepts that stand out in the formation of this consciousness, especially Mevlana's concepts of nature and ecological consciousness; holistic approach in the context of the structuring of nature consciousness, living nature or the talk of nature; issues such as the existence and food chain of ecological consciousness and their metaphysical and physical dimension were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to produce a soil organic carbon (SOC) content map with high accuracy and spatial resolution using the most effective factors in the model. The spatial SOC estimation success of Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW), Ordinary Kriging (OK), Empirical Bayesian Kriging (EBK), Multi-Layered Perception Network (MLP) and MLP-OK Hybrid models were compared to obtain the most reliable model in estimating the SOC content. The study area was located in Besni district in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey. Total of 132 surface (0–30 cm) soil samples were collected from the covers 1330 km2 land and analyzed for SOC, lime, clay and sand content and soil reaction included in the estimation models. Mean annual precipitation and temperature, elevation, compound topographic index, enhanced vegetation and normalized difference vegetation index, were also used as the inputs in the modelling. The spatial distribution of SOC was determined using a MLP and a two-stage ensemble model (MLP-OK) combining the estimation of OK residuals. Soil surveys and covariates were used to train and validate the MLP-OK hybrid model. The MLP-OK model provided a more accurate estimation of SOC content with minimal estimation errors (ME: -0.028, 45 MAE: 0.042, RMSE: 0.066) for validation points compared to the other models. The MLP-OK model outperformed other models by 75.09 to 77.92%. The MLP-OK model estimated the lower and upper limits of the estimated and the measured values in a consistent manner compared to the other models. The spatial distribution map of SOC content obtained by ANN-kriging approach was significantly affected by ancillary variables, and revealed more detail than other interpolation methods in the northern, central, southwestern and southeastern parts of the study area. The results revealed that the assembling of MLP with OK model can contribute to obtain more reliable regional, national and global spatial soil information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Androgen deprivation therapy is the first line of treatment for advanced prostate cancer (PC). However, PC progressed in most patients when it becomes resistant to castration. This study aimed to investigate the possible role of interleukin-23 (IL-23), a cytokine expressed in various cancers, in the development of resistance to castration and prognosis in PC. Methods: Twenty-three patients with PC were consecutively enrolled in the study to undergo gallium-68 (Ga-68) prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). Among those patients, 13 were newly diagnosed as treatment-naive (ND), while 10 were evaluated for disease progression under hormonotheraphy. Before PET/CT, 5 mL of venous blood samples was obtained from the study participants. Serum levels of IL-23 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using an IL-23 receptor kit. The relationship of ND and castration-resistant (CR) groups with serum IL-23 level and the correlation of the rate of lymph node involvement, skeletal and distant metastasis Gleason scores, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, and maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the prostate gland with IL-23 levels were analyzed. Results: Ga-68 PSMA PET/CT revealed that 13 (56.5%) patients had skeletal metastases, 10 (43.5%) had non-pelvic nodal metastasis, and 3 (13%) had distant-organ metastasis. The difference between the serum IL-23 levels of the ND group and the CR group was not significant (p=0.664). The IL-23 levels were not significantly different between patients with and without metastatic disease. Further, no significant association was found among age, IL-23 levels, and total PSA levels as well as primary tumor SUVmax and serum IL-23 levels. Conclusion: Although a significant correlation was found between serum IL-23 levels and the development of castration resistance, the metastatic stage and SUVmax were not proven decisively. Thus, it can be assumed that IL-23 has no major role in the development of castration resistance and prognosis in PC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A female patient diagnosed of infiltrative breast carcinoma using tru-cut biopsy underwent 18flourine-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for staging. The tumor was located in the superior external quadrant of the right breast, and did not exhibit pathological uptake in 18F-FDG PET/CT. Later, gallium-68 (68Ga) fibroblast activation protein-specific inhibitor (FAPI)-04 PET/CT imaging was performed and the primary tumor showed intense radiotracer accumulation. This presumes that 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT imaging is superior to 18F-FDG imaging in detecting the primary tumor in breast cancer, thereby suggesting the replacement of FAPI by 18F-FDG in breastcancer staging in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to examine the contributions of self-transcendence, conservatives, self-enhancement, openness to change and trait anxiety in predicting the self-concept of individuals in middle childhood. The data of this research were collected from 4th and 5th grade students in middle childhood. A total of 218 students, 108 (49.5%) female and 110 (50.5%) male, of the participants of the study. Demographic information form, Pier-Harris Self-Concept Scale, Trait Anxiety Scale and Portrait Values Scale were applied to the participants. The obtained data were tested with hierarchical regression analysis. As a result of the analysis of the data, trait anxiety significantly predicted the unhappiness, anxiety, maladaptive, intellect and love-popularity sub-dimensions of the self-concept. Basic values significantly predicted some sub-dimensions of self-concept. As a result of testing the scores they got in the sub-dimensions of self-concept between boys and girls, while girls scored high in the physical, intellect and popularity sub-dimensions of self-concept, boys got higher scores only in the maladaptive sub-dimension. The results are discussed in the context of trait anxiety and basic values literature [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Androgen deprivation therapy is the first line of treatment for advanced prostate cancer (PC). However, PC progressed in most patients when it becomes resistant to castration. This study aimed to investigate the possible role of interleukin-23 (IL-23), a cytokine expressed in various cancers, in the development of resistance to castration and prognosis in PC. Methods: Twenty-three patients with PC were consecutively enrolled in the study to undergo gallium-68 (Ga-68) prostatespecific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). Among those patients, 13 were newly diagnosed as treatment-naive (ND), while 10 were evaluated for disease progression under hormonotheraphy. Before PET/CT, 5 mL of venous blood samples was obtained from the study participants. Serum levels of IL-23 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using an IL-23 receptor kit. The relationship of ND and castration-resistant (CR) groups with serum IL-23 level and the correlation of the rate of lymph node involvement, skeletal and distant metastasis Gleason scores, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, and maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the prostate gland with IL-23 levels were analyzed. Results: Ga-68 PSMA PET/CT revealed that 13 (56.5%) patients had skeletal metastases, 10 (43.5%) had non-pelvic nodal metastasis, and 3 (13%) had distant-organ metastasis. The difference between the serum IL-23 levels of the ND group and the CR group was not significant (p=0.664). The IL-23 levels were not significantly different between patients with and without metastatic disease. Further, no significant association was found among age, IL-23 levels, and total PSA levels as well as primary tumor SUVmax and serum IL-23 levels. Conclusion: Although a significant correlation was found between serum IL-23 levels and the development of castration resistance, the metastatic stage and SUVmax were not proven decisively. Thus, it can be assumed that IL-23 has no major role in the development of castration resistance and prognosis in PC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cases of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)-associated medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or C-cell hyperplasia are rarely associated with other endocrine tumors or cases with a multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2. In these patients, mutations were detected in the NF1 gene but no mutations were detected in the RET gene. Although vandetanib has been shown to improve progression-free survival in adults with advanced MTC, data in pediatric patients are limited. Herein, we report the use and outcome of vandetanib in a pediatric MTC case in which NF1 gene and RET proto-oncogen mutation were identified together. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are limited data on the long-term outcomes of COVID-19 from different parts of the world. Aims: To determine risk factors of 90-day mortality in critically ill patients in Turkish intensive care units (ICUs), with respiratory failure. Study design: Retrospective, observational cohort. Methods: Patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and who had been followed up in the ICUs with respiratory failure for more than 24 hours were included in the study. Their demographics, clinical characteristics, laboratory variables, treatment protocols, and survival data were recorded. Results: A total of 421 patients were included. The median age was 67 (IQR: 57-76) years, and 251 patients (59.6%) were men. The 90-day mortality rate was 55.1%. The factors independently associated with 90-day mortality were invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) (HR 4.09 [95% CI: [2.20-7.63], P < .001), lactate level >2 mmol/L (2.78 [1.93-4.01], P < .001), age >60 years (2.45 [1.48-4.06)], P < .001), cardiac arrhythmia during ICU stay (2.01 [1.27-3.20], P = .003), vasopressor treatment (1.94 [1.32-2.84], P = .001), positive fluid balance of ≥600 mL/day (1.68 [1.21-2.34], P = .002), PaO2/FiO2 ratio of ≤150 mmHg (1.66 [1.18-2.32], P = .003), and ECOG score ≥ 1 (1.42 [1.00-2.02], P = .050). Conclusion: Long-term mortality was high in critically ill patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in intensive care units in Turkey. Invasive mechanical ventilation, lactate level, age, cardiac arrhythmia, vasopressor therapy, positive fluid balance, severe hypoxemia and ECOG score were the independent risk factors for 90-day mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to determine the relationship between the tumor load and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) positivity by comparing CEA positivity and volume-based positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) preoperative parameters in patients with colorectal cancer. Methods: This retrospective study included a total of 87 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent PET/CT between January 2018 and December 2019 and had simultaneous CEA measurements. CEA level ≥5 ng/mL was accepted as positive. Patients who underwent surgery or received chemotherapy/radiotherapy were excluded from the study. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) values were calculated using 18fluoro-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT images of the patients. Results: CEA was positive in 43 (49.4%) patients. The site of the primary lesion was the rectum in 40 (46%) patients, sigmoid colon in 19 (21.8%), ascending colon in 14 (16.1%), descending colon in 9 (10.3%), transverse colon in 3 (3.4%), hepatic flexure in 1 (1.1%), and descendingsigmoid colon junction in 1 (1.1%). No significant association was noted between the intestinal segment of the primary lesion and CEA positivity (p=0.878). Moreover, no significant difference was found among SUVmax, MTV, and TLG values of the primary tumor and CEA positivity (p=0.611, p=0.980, and p=0.527, respectively). Conclusion: Preoperatively, no significant relationship was found between CEA positivity and volume-based PET/CT parameters, specifically MTV and TLG, in patients with colon cancer. CEA positivity in the preoperative period has low diagnostic effectiveness independent of the tumor load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effects of coating material type and core:coating material ratio on encapsulation efficiency and thermal stability of microencapsulated phenolic compounds found in rosehip plant were investigated. Maltodextrin and gum arabic were used as coating materials and both materials were mixed with phenolic extract powders in ratios of 1:20 and 1:30 by weight. The microencapsulation process was carried out by freeze-drying. In order to evaluate the thermal stability of microencapsules, they were added to the cake dough and after baking process, their thermal stability was examined. The most suitable coating material and core:coating material ratio, which resulted in the highest encapsulation efficiency, were gum arabic and 1:20, respectively. The microencapsulation process was found to increase the thermal stability regardless of coating material and core:coating ratio (P <0.05). The highest thermal stability was obtained when gum arabic was used as coating material and 1:30 was used as a core:coating material ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of this article is to analyse J.M. Coetzee's Disgrace (1999) from a posthumanist perspective. By focusing on the character David Lurie, this article analyses the complex materiality of bodies and the agentic powers of nonhuman entities in coping with individual trauma, where agency is no longer considered to be the distinguishing quality unique to humans. In so doing, it highlights the interdependence of the human and the nonhuman and the idea that environment is not a mere canvas onto which characters' traumas are being reflected. On the contrary, it is a material-affective matrix which becomes a catalyst for making sense of the world in post-apartheid South Africa. At the same time, as this article argues, it decentres the sovereignty of the human subject. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the metabolic parameters obtained from 18fluorine-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and gallium-68 (68Ga)-prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET/CT and investigate the relationship between serum alpha-fetoprotein and PET scan parameters in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: Fourteen patients were recruited after dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the upper abdomen, and 18F-FDG and 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT imaging studies were conducted. Regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn from lesion-free liver tissue, abdominal aorta (A), and right medial gluteal muscle (G) for the background activity. Maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) of these regions were compared with the SUVmax of primary tumor (T). Results: On visual assessment, five patients (36%) experienced low 18F-FDG uptake in the primary lesion, three patients (21%) experienced moderate uptake, and six patients (43%) experienced high uptake. However, only one patient (7%) showed low 68Ga-PSMA uptake, two patients (14%) showed moderate uptake, and 11 patients (79%) showed high uptake. Four patients with a low 18F-FDG uptake showed high 68Ga-PSMA uptake, while one patient exhibited low uptake with both 18F-FDG and 68Ga-PSMA. The number of lesions on 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT and MRI was significantly higher than 18F-FDG PET/CT (p=0.042 and 0.026, respectively). T/A and T/G values were significantly higher in 68Ga-PSMA than 18F-FDG (p=0.002 and 0.002, respectively). Conclusion: 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT is superior to 18F-FDG PET/CT in the staging of hepatocellular carcinoma. High 68Ga-PSMA uptake could be promising for PSMA-targeted radionuclide treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is an endogenous hormone that acts as a ligand for several cellular receptors. An age-dependent decline in circulating levels of DHEA is linked to changes in various physiological functions. In gynecological clinical practice, DHEA is commonly prescribed to induce ovulation. Some clinical studies report a positive association between high serum concentrations of DHEA and an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. However, the in vitro physiological effects of DHEA on ovarian cancerous cells have not been explored thus far. In this study, we aimed to investigate the physiological effects of DHEA treatment (0-200 µM, 24-72 hours) on MDAH-2774 human ovarian cancer cell line and primary HuVeC human endothelial cells. Materials and Methods: The physiological effects of DHEA treatment (0-200 µM, 24-72 hours) on MDAH-2774 human ovarian cancer cell line and primary HuVeC human endothelial cells were investigated with the (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) test, acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining, and scratch assay. Results: DHEA treatment promoted proliferation of the MDAH-2774 cancer cell line in a dose-dependent manner (r=0.6906, p<0.0001, for 24 hours) (r=0.6802, p<0.0001, for 48 hours) (r=0.7969, p<0.0001, for 72 hours). In contrast, DHEA inhibited proliferation of the primary HuVeC cells (r=0.9490, p<0.0001, for 24 hours) (r=0.9533, p<0.0001, for 48 hours) (r=0.9584, p<0.0001, for 72 hours). In agreement with these observations, DHEA treatment resulted in a dose-dependent increase in the number of necrotic cells in the primary HuVeC cells (r=0.97, p<0.0001). However, the number of necrotic or apoptotic cells did not change significantly when the MDAH-2774 cells was exposed to DHEA. Moreover, we found that DHEA treatment reduced the migration rate of HuVeC cells in a dose-dependent manner (r=0.9868, p<0.0001), whereas only a slight increase was observed in the MDAH-2774 ovarian cancer cell line (r=0.8938, p<0.05). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that DHEA promotes the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. Moreover, DHEA induced necrosis and inhibited proliferation in endothelial cells. Although mechanistic evidence is required, our preliminary findings imply that exposure to high doses of DHEA may be associated with an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Betahistine is a histamine analog commonly prescribed for symptomatic treatment of vertiginous symptoms. In vitro studies have shown that betahistine was not toxic at the prescribed doses in a nasal epithelial cell line. However, the effect of betahistine on other cell types has not been studied. In this study, we aimed to investigate some of the physiological effects of betahistine on L929 fibroblast, A549 lung cancer, human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVEC), and Ishikawa endometrial cell lines. Materials and Methods: Cellular proliferation was assed assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, apoptosis was evaluated by acridine orange-ethidium bromide staining, and cellular migration was assed assessed by scratch assay. Results: Betahistine treatment (0.1-0.5 mg/mL, 24 hours) can inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in HUVEC, A549, Ishikawa, and L929 cell lines. Betahistine (=0.1 mg/mL) significantly increased the number of apoptotic cells (HUVEC: 26.3%, A549: 17.3%, L929: 8.6%, and Ishikawa: 2.3%). Betahistine at doses over 0.1 mg/mL significantly suppressed the cell migration rate in all of the cell lines. In contrast, exposure to a low dose of betahistine (0.025 mg/mL) induced migration rates of HUVEC and Ishikawa cells by 81% and 48%, respectively. Conclusion: Betahistine may alter the processes of cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and cellular migration in a cell line- and dose-dependent manner. In this sense, proliferative and metastatic properties of certain cancer cells can potentially be altered in response to betahistine treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Origanum onites L. belongs to the Lamiaceae family which is commonly used for symptomatic treatment of the diseases of the gastrointestinal, endocrine, and respiratory systems in Turkish ethnobotanical studies and public. In this study our aim was to investigate the physiological effects of O. onites essential oil (OE) on A549 human lung cancer, MIA PaCa human pancreas cancer and HUVEC human endothelial cell lines. Our findings showed that O. onites OE treatment at all concentrations (4.79-191.6 µg/mL, 24 h) can inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in A549 and MIA PaCa cell lines (P < 0.0001). Although =19.16 µg/mL OE treatment for 24 h did not inhibit cell proliferation in the HUVEC cell lines, higher concentrations of OE (=38.32 µg/mL) significantly inhibited cell proliferation. Apoptotic cell counts were significantly (P < 0.0001) higher in all cell lines at both incubation times (24 h 56.3 ± 7%, 48 h 53 ± 5% for A549, 24 h 44 ± 7%, 48 h 44.7 ± 7% for MIA PaCa, 24 h 48.7 ± 6%, 48 h 49.3 ± 5% for HUVEC). Migration rates were decreased significantly (P < 0.0001) (24 h 64 ± 6%, 48 h 67.2 ± 4% for A549, 24 h 49 ± 5%, 48 h 69.35 ± 5% for MIA PaCa, 24 h 47 ± 5%, 48 h 69.6 ± 2% for HUVEC). Based on these results, OE has been shown to have promising anticancer effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Refeeding hypophosphatemia (RH) is common in critically ill patients and is associated with high morbidity and mortality, but the influence on appetite-regulating hormones is unknown. This study aimed to determine the association between serum levels of phosphorus and specific appetite-regulating hormones in critically ill patients. Materials and Methods: This study was performed prospectively in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). The study included patients aged =18 years who were admitted to the ICU and feeding at least 72 hours (h). Serum was obtained at baseline, 24 h, and 72 h later for concentrations of leptin, adiponectin, ghrelin, resistin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). Phosphorus levels were accepted at =2.4 mg/dL for RH. Results: Of the 26 cases, 17 (65%) were male. The baseline phosphorus levels at baseline, 24 h, and 72 h were 3.58±0.94 mg/dL, 2.61±1.05 mg/dL, and 2.91±0.76 mg/dL, respectively. RH rate was developed 24 h, 72 h, and over time in 38%, 15%, and 42% patients, respectively. Adiponectin levels at 24 h were significantly different between patients who developed RH and those who did not develop RH. A positive correlation was observed between 24 h serum adiponectin level and 24 h phosphorus level. A positive correlation was found between baseline serum ghrelin level and baseline phosphorus level. No significant difference was found between RH and insulin, leptin, ghrelin, resistin, IGF-1, and GLP-1 at baseline, 24 h, and 72 h. Conclusion: RH was found to be of high ratio in critically ill patients. Adiponectin level was found to be high at 24 h in patients with RH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, I tackle the center-periphery dynamics under planetary urbanization by focusing on Gebze, the gigantic industrial city just outside of Istanbul's administrative borders. Through an empirical study of peripheral urbanization processes in the Gebze-Istanbul axis, the paper engages with the planetary sub/urbanization debates and serves the triple purpose: (I) to emphasize the significance of peripheralization and the center-periphery dialectics to critique the predominant emphasis on centrality in urban and regional research which relegates the socio-spatial and political transformations of the peripheries to the background, (II) to offer an alternative approach to depictions of cities as sentient, anthropomorphic actors in a hierarchical and competitive Darwinian ecology, and (III) to contribute to planetary sub/urbanization debates by zooming in on some of the micro-spaces of peripheral Gebze during the extended urbanization process in greater Istanbul. Through a transdisciplinary methodology, the paper provides a local ontology by displaying how peripherality is constructed not merely from above and the center by the state or economic actors, but also by the people from below and the periphery, as it were, during their everyday rhythms, activities, negotiations, and coping. By resisting the merely expanded application of the term suburban, and instead taking seriously the complex web of governance, agency, defeat, organization, and exploitation within the lives of Gebze's inhabitants, the article concludes that such phenomena make any universalizing claim about the urban or the suburban incomplete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to analyze Edgar Allan Poe’s fiction and poems from a psychoanalytic perspective. The Romantic writer’s short tragic life was governed by his Oedipus complex and a strong death drive as the result of his traumatic experiences at an early age. He witnessed his mother’s battle with tuberculosis, which was followed by her death. Throughout his entire life, he has searched for a mother figure. In his works, Poe revives his mother in his portrayals of female characters in the forms of vampires. These characters and all their experiences in his writings appear as uncanny reflections from his unconscious, which he had a strong grasp on long before Sigmund Freud researched and theorized these terms. Resulting from a strong death wish, Poe’s narrators, who are mere reflections of himself, create dark, tomb-like settings where they isolate themselves from reality or consciousness, focusing on the female vampire figures who they admire. However, these figures also horrify Poe as they are the embodiments of death itself. In creating these undead women, Poe expresses his strong desire to reunite with his dead mother and endeavors to uncover the link between life and death, a secret that the female holds. This research focuses on Poe’s short stories “Berenice”, “Ligeia”, “Morella” and “The Fall of the House of Usher” in addition to various of his poems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To analyse the relationship between histology of head and neck cancers and maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and metabolic tumor volume (MTV). METHODS Positron-emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) examinations of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and non-squamous cell carcinoma (non-SCC) tumors with 52 patients reviewed from 2007 to 2019 retrospectively. MTV and SUVmax values of primary tumor were measured in PET/CT and both groups were statistically compared. RESULTS The median SUVmax value was 17.88 (3-52) and MTV was 5.40 (0-329). No significant difference was established between the groups in terms of age, gender and MTV (p=0.948, p=0.166 and p=0.189) respectively. SUVmax value in SCC group was significantly higher (p=0.003) than the non-SCC group. CONCLUSION Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) have higher SUVmax values than non SCC tumors. No significant difference was established between the groups in terms of MTV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article proposes a dialectical theoretical framework for the analysis of media and media communication. The study begins with the determination that a genuine theoretical analysis of media and communication must take into account certain constitutive relations and processes within the social whole, since communication is not part of a single social structure or a distinctive structure within a social system. The article tries to formulate and analyze these relationships and processes in the form of dialectical tensions and patterns created by simultaneous, twin and overlapping dialectic relationships and processes of individualization-socialization and classification-massization. In doing so, the article reinterprets the forms of old and new media and of communication and highlights blogs as they reveal a true communicative media potential; the article also discusses concepts such as "free labor", which is also used by those who approach communication and media issues from political economy, and proposes new concepts such as virtual class and virtual petty bourgeoisie. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, silver nanoparticle (AgNP) synthesis was carried out using Onosma sericeum Willd. aqueous extract for the first time, with a simple, economical, and green method without the need for any other organic solvent or external reducing or stabilizing agent. A variety of AgNPs, all of different particle sizes, were synthesized by controlling the silver ion concentration, extract volume, temperature, and pH. It was determined that the optimum conditions for AgNP synthesis were 1 mM AgNO3, pH 8, 25 °C, 20 g/200 mL extract, silver nitrate, and extract ratio 5:1 (v/v). The AgNPs were defined using UV-Vis spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The particle size distribution and zeta potential measurements of the AgNPs were measured using the dynamic light scattering (DLS) technique. It was determined that the AgNPs with a particle size of less than 10 nm showed a higher catalytic effect in the reduction of 2-nitrobenzenamine. It was also found that these nanoparticles had a cytotoxic effect on the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line depending on dosage and time. The resulting IC50 values were between 76.63 µg/mL and 169.77 µg/mL. Furthermore, the biosynthesized AgNPs showed effective antibacterial activity against the Acinetobacter baumannii bacteria. The results of the study showed that synthesized AgNPs can have a promising role in biomedical and nanobiotechnology applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to investigate the characteristics and outcomes of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Materials and Methods: This study was performed retrospectively in a medical ICU. All patients admitted to were either laboratory-confirmed or clinically probable COVID-19 patients, and all patients admitted to our ICU during this period were enrolled in the study. Results: We enrolled 47 patients. The mean age was 68.4±13.4 years and 66% of patients were male. The most common co-morbidities were hypertension (66%) and cardiovascular diseases (40%). The mean APACHE II score was 22.4±8.5, and the first-day median SOFA score was 5 (range: 1-12). Hydroxychloroquine was the most common drug prescribed (78.7%). All patients received at least one antibiotic other than Azithromycin as the most common drug was Piperacillin-Tazobactam (63.8%). Among 47 patients, 55.3% (28 patients) who were admitted to the ICU needed invasive mechanical ventilation. Prone positioning was used in 23% (6 patients) of mechanically ventilated patients. The mean positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) was 10±3 cm H2O. The median PaO2/FiO2 ratio was 200 (range, 91-458). The most common ventilator mode was SIMV-PSV volume-controlled mode. ICU mortality rate was 34% (16 patients). Conclusion: The most common reason to admit SARS-CoV-2 infected patients to our ICU was acute respiratory failure and hypoxemia during the first month of pandemics. COVID-19 patients have a high mortality rate when they develop severe disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present study aims to evaluate vitamin D (Vit D) level in critically ill patients and to assess its level about morbidity and mortality. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in an intensive care unit (ICU). Vit D level was measured on admission, third and seventh day. Results: Of the 62 patients, the median Vit D level at baseline and on the third and seventh days was 12.8 mcg/L, 8.35 mcg/L, and 9.30 mcg/L, respectively. Vitamin D level was low (<30 mcg/L) in 92% of patients at baseline and 97% on the third day. 23% of the studied patients developed a new site infection. No statistically difference in the Vit D level at baseline, or on the third or seventh day based on the presence of infection (p=0.556, p=0.404, p=0.439, respectively). The most commonly seen infections were ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI). The growth of Acinetobacter baumannii was the most frequent. Vit D level (p>0.05) might not have a causal role in mortality (ICU, 30-day, and 6-month), and no correlation was found between them. Conclusion: The level of Vit D was low. Our study did not show any relationship between mortality rates and Vit D level, but VAP and CRBSI were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydatid disease (HD) is a zoonosis caused by the larval form of the Echinococcus granulosus parasites in which human is the intermediate host. Hydatid cysts mainly develop in the liver and lungs. However, they can be found in all anatomical locations, especially in endemic areas. Herein, we present a case of HD involving the liver, kidney and breast with the findings of mammography, ultrasonography and computed tomography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to identify the children suffering from imaginative fears and to determine whether or not children having these fears are different from the children have no such fear in terms of their creative imagination. For this purpose, 233 children from the age group of five-six years in a kindergarten in the southwestern Turkey participated in the study. The data were collected by using the Koala Fear Questionnaire, which was developed by (Muris, P., Meesters, C., Mayer, B., Bogie, N., Luijten, M., Geebelen, E., ... Smit, C. (2003). The koala fear questionnaire: a standardized self-report scale for assessing fears and fearfulness in pre-school and primary school children. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 41, 597–617.) and whose Turkish validity and reliability studies were conducted, as well as Test of Creative Imagination- Child Form, which was developed by (Gündoğan, A. (2017). The test of creative imagination: making the test suitable to the age group of 5–6 years. Early Child Development and Care. doi:10.1080/03004430.2017.1372429). At the end of the study, it was found that creative imaginations of the children suffering from imaginative fears were also high. Furthermore, five-six year-old children suffering from imaginative fears were determined to use behavioural and pretense strategies rather than cognitive strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]