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In this study, it was aimed to determine the views of music teachers who delivered distance musical instrument education within the scope of amateur music education during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study group of the research consisted of 19 music teachers determined by the purposive sampling method, and the data were obtained with a semi-structured interview form, most of which consisted of open-ended questions. In line with the findings obtained from the study, it was determined that the musical instrument education carried out by the teachers participating in the research during the pandemic had a positive impact on the lesson process, the motivation of the student, self-confidence, study discipline, and individual responsibility. In addition, it has been determined that teachers have experienced some negativities in terms of the teaching process and technology in distance education carried out during the pandemic.

The aim of this study is to examine the open access theses in the Social Sciences group with virtual reality in the title of the review results made in the Council of Higher Education Thesis Center, through systematic review and content analysis method. It is thought that this study will narrow the wide scope of the notion of virtual reality and can describe the change and development over the years in the context of the field of social sciences. In the research, 54 postgraduate theses were examined and the distribution of the theses with virtual reality in their title were analyzed according to the years they were published, by type, by languages, by universities, by departments, according to the purpose of theses, by type of virtual reality software used, by type of virtual reality hardware, by the names of software and hardware. Since theses on educational sciences were intense, analysis was also carried out according to research methods, data collection tools and samples. In addition, the distribution of keywords in theses was also determined. Based on the obtained data, the highest number of theses was reached in 2019, while most of the theses were completed as master's thesis. While theses on virtual reality are mostly completed at Bahçesehir University, they intensify on the Department of Computer Education and Instructional Technology in terms of department type. In the theses, especially virtual reality game experiences are aimed. 3600 Video and 3D Games are the most used software types, while the Virtual Reality Headsets are the most used hardware. Oculus Rift is the most used virtual reality hardware brand. Beside these, it is found that quantitative method is mostly preferred, the most used data collection tool is questionnaire, and the most used sample group is undergraduate students.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of perfectionism, social competence and psychological well-being on physical activity of physical education students of the University of Gümüshane in Turkey. To measure variables some questionnaires were used: Wells and Cartwright-Hatton (2004) for perfectionism; Julvez et al. (2008) for social competence, Reif (1995) for psychological well-being and Charbonneau et al. (2001) for performance sport. The reliability of the questionnaires was also assessed by Cronbach's alpha test. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the perfectionism questionnaire was 0.74, for social competence questionnaire 0.81, for the psychological well-being questionnaire 0.85, and for the sports performance questionnaire equal to 0.89. Questionnaires were distributed among the statistical sample (142 physical education students of the University of Gümüshane, Turkey). Findings showed that perfectionism has no significant effect on students 'athletic performance, but then the normal perfectionism with a beta coefficient of 0.16 and abnormal perfectionism with a beta coefficient of -0.308 (negative) had a significant effect on students' athletic performance. Also, social competence with a coefficient of beta of 0.631 and its nine dimensions had a significant positive effect on physical activity of physical education students of Gümüshane University. Psychological well-being with a beta coefficient of 0.74 and its six dimensions had a significant positive effect on physical activity of physical education students of Gümüshane University. It can be concluded that with the increase of social competence and psychological well-being of students as well as their normal perfectionism can improve performance of students. But with an increase in abnormal perfectionism, students' athletic performance decreases.

The main purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of spiritual intelligence and optimistic on creativity of team and individual athletes of Trabzon University. In order to measure the spiritual intelligence, the optimism and the creativity variable, the standard questionnaires (Amram and Dryer, 2008), (Webber and Smokowski, 2018) and (Torrance, 2000) were used respectively. The reliability of the questionnaires was also evaluated by Cronbach's alpha test, respectively. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the spiritual intelligence, optimism and creativity questionnaires were 0.75, 0.83, and 0.81 respectively. The questionnaires were comprised of a sample of 148 students from Trabzon University: 74 of team athletes such as soccer, volleyball, basketball and handball as well as 74 individual athletes such as tennis, badminton, track and field, swimming, etc.. The findings showed that: spiritual intelligence and optimism has a significant effect on creativity of all team and individual athletes. Spiritual intelligence and optimism has a significant effect on creativity of individual athletes. Team and individual athletes have a significant difference in optimism and creativity variables. So the observed significant difference was due to more creativity of team sportsmen.

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of cultural intelligence and creative thinking on the practical technical capabilities of Trabzon University Physical Education Students. In order to measure the cultural intelligence, creative thinking and technical capabilities in sport, the Standard questionnaires of Early and Ang (2003), Torrance (2000) and Behringer et al. (2011) were used respectively. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the cultural intelligence, creative thinking and technical capability questionnaires were 0.79, 0.8, and 0.85, respectively. Questionnaires were distributed to 120 students, (40 for football, 40 for volleyball and 40 for badminton classes). The findings showed that cultural intelligence and creative thinking have a significant positive effect on the technical capabilities of Trabzon University Physical Education students in all three football lessons (foot technical capability), volleyball and badminton (hand technical capability). Also, cultural intelligence and creative thinking have a significant positive effect on the technical capabilities of football classes (foot technical capability). Cultural intelligence and creative thinking have a significant positive effect on the technical capabilities of students in volleyball classes (hand technical abilities). Cultural intelligence and creative thinking have a significant positive effect on the technical capabilities of badminton classes (hand technical ability). Finally, it can be said that cultural intelligence and creative thinking have a significant positive effect on the practical technical capabilities of physical education students of Trabzon University participating in practical lessons (football, volleyball and badminton) both simultaneously and separately in each classroom.

Public health is facing a worldwide challenge due to the emergence of multiple antibiotic resistance in ESKAPE (Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli) infections. The natural antimicrobial nature of bee venoms makes them promising antimicrobial candidates against antibiotic-resistant pathogens. In this study, melittin and apamin bee venoms were investigated to generate novel antimicrobial agents effective against ESKAPE microorganisms. The antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of melittin and apamin synthesized from endemic Apis mellifera L. bee venom were tested against ESKAPE microorganisms using minimal inhibition, minimal bactericidal inhibition and time-kill curve methods. The in-vitro cytotoxicity effect of melittin and apamin for L929 fibroblast cells was also examined. Synthesized melittin and apamin (0.78-600 μg/mL) were antimicrobial against ESKAPE pathogens. Time-kill curve studies confirmed the growth retardation effect and bactericidal activity of melittin and apamin. Antibiofilm studies also showed that melittin and apamin significantly (melittin 8%-82%, apamin 1.8%-78%) inhibited the biofilm formed by ESKAPE pathogens. Melittin and apamin were not cytotoxic to L929 fibroblast cells. We found that melittin and apamin have high antibacterial properties. These naturally synthesized bee venoms offer a promising powerful solution to fight various pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome and familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) are autoinflammatory disorders typically characterized by recurrent fever attacks. These recurrent fever attacks can lead to depression and anxiety in mothers of these patients. This study aimed to compare the depression and anxiety levels in mothers of PFAPA and FMF patients. This study is a cross-sectional observational study. 48 mothers of children with FMF and 70 mothers of children with PFAPA participated in the study. Mothers in these two groups were compared in terms of anxiety and depression by using the validated Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Depression and anxiety scores of mothers were found to be similar in FMF and PFAPA groups. Moderate or high level of anxiety was seen in 32% of mothers of patients with PFAPA and 27% of mothers of patients with FMF. 23% of mothers of patients with PFAPA were evaluated as having moderate or severe depression, and 18% of mothers of patients with FMF were evaluated as having moderate depression. There was no statistically significant difference between the duration, frequency of attacks, recurrent hospitalizations, sociodemographic characteristics, and inventory scores. Depression and anxiety scores of mothers with children diagnosed with FMF and PFAPA are similar. These two diseases affect families psychosocially at similar levels. It is important to provide psychosocial support to families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Colchicine forms the mainstay of treatment in FMF. Approximately 5–10% of FMF patients are colchicine resistant and require anti-IL-1 drugs. We aimed to compare the characteristics of colchicine-resistant and colchicine-responsive patients and to develop a score for predicting colchicine resistance at the time of FMF diagnosis. Methods FMF patients (0–18 years) enrolled in the Turkish Paediatric Autoinflammatory Diseases (TURPAID) registry were included. The predictive score for colchicine resistance was developed by using univariate/multivariate regression and receiver operating characteristics analyses. Results A total of 3445 FMF patients [256 (7.4%) colchicine-resistant and 3189 colchicine-responsive) were included (female:male ratio 1.02; median age at diagnosis 67.4 months). Colchicine-resistant patients had longer, more frequent attacks and were younger at symptom onset and diagnosis (P  < 0.05). Fever, erysipelas-like erythema, arthralgia, arthritis, myalgia, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, chest pain, comorbidities, parental consanguinity and homozygosity/compound heterozygosity for exon 10 MEFV mutations were significantly more prevalent among colchicine-resistant than colchicine-responsive patients (P  < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis in the training cohort (n  = 2684) showed that age at symptom onset, attack frequency, arthritis, chest pain and having two exon 10 mutations were the strongest predictors of colchicine resistance. The score including these items had a sensitivity of 81.3% and a specificity of 49.1%. In the validation cohort (n  = 671), its sensitivity was 93.5% and specificity was 53.8%. Conclusion We developed a clinician-friendly and practical predictive score that could help us identify FMF patients with a greater risk of colchicine resistance and tailor disease management individually at the time of diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backgrounds: In the present study, a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced experimental sepsis rat model was used to explore the effects of baicalein on inflammatory cytokine levels and oxidative stress as well as the possible regulatory role of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). Methods: For that purpose, 42 Wistar albino rats were equally divided into control, sham, sepsis, B50 + S, B100 + S, S + B50, and S + B100 groups. The B50 + S and B100 + S groups received baicalein before the induction of sepsis, while the S + B50 and S + B100 groups received baicalein afterwards. Experimental sepsis in related groups is generated through ligation of cecum and a puncture in cecal wall. Serum samples were used for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) analyses, and tissue Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione (GSH), IL-6, and NF-κB levels were measured. Results: Compared to the control group, there were significantly increases in the serum TNF-α, IL-6, tissue MDA, and NF-κB levels and decreases in the tissue SOD and GSH levels in the septic group (P < 0.05). Compared to the septic group, inflammation and oxidative stress were reduced in the baicalein-treated groups. Although all of the pre- and post-treatment protocols alleviated inflammation and oxidative stress to varying degrees, pre-treatment with 100 mg/kg was the most successful. Conclusions: Findings of this study indicated that baicalein has the potential to reduce sepsis-related oxidative stress and inflammation in the lungs and that pathological outcomes could be regulated via NF-κB transcription factor activity. Graphical Abstract Forty-two adult rats were equally divided into 7 groups. Animals in sham, sepsis, S + B50, and S + B100 were deep anesthetized (1) and the rats in sepsis, S + B50, and S + B100 groups were exposed to CLP surgery (2), and the S + B50, and S + B100 groups received baicalein 1, 6, and 12 h post-surgery (3). The animals in B50 + S and B100 + S received baicalein for seven days (4) before deep anesthesia (5) and CLP surgery (6). All animals in pre (7), and post (8) treatment groups were euthanized and lung tissues were used (9) for biochemical, immunohistochemical, and ELISA Analyses (10). CLP surgery resulted with upregulation of oxidative stress and inflammation (11). Both pre and post-treatments were beneficial, and pre-treatment was more successful with regulatory activity of NF-κB signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remote laboratories are technologies that aim to increase the effectiveness of educational programs. European Remote Radio Laboratory (ERRL) is an e-learning project for students, teachers and technicians who will use very important devices of a radio frequency laboratory remotely. As a solution we have developed an e-learning system which aims to support the ERRL learners while studying on how to use equipments in the system. The system is developed according to the electronic performance support system (EPSS) approach. An EPSS is a computer-based, well-structured system which improves the performance of individuals. It is an electronic infrastructure that contains, stores and distributes personal (individual) or corporate knowledge to enable people to reach necessary levels of performance in the fastest possible time and with minimum teaching support of other people. This paper discusses how the content for such a system is developed and how this content is interactively used in the EPSS platform. The technical details of the developed EPSS are also discussed in this study. We believe that this paper will help instructional system designers for designing different alternatives to improve learners' performance.

This study aims to find out requirements and needs to be fulfilled in developing remote Radio Frequency (RF) laboratory. Remote laboratories are newly emerging solutions for better supporting of e-learning platforms and for increasing their efficiency and effectiveness in technical education. By this way, modern universities aim to provide lifelong learning environments to extend their education for a wider area and support learners anytime and anywhere when they need help. However, as far as the authors concern, there is no study investigating the requirements and needs of remote laboratories in that particular field in the literature. This study is based on electrical engineers' and technicians' perspectives on the requirements of a remote laboratory in RF domain. Its scope covers investigation of the participants' perceptions toward computer mediated communication and it attempts to answer the questions: which studying strategies are preferred by the learners and what kind of RF laboratory content should be provided. The analysis of the results showed that, geographic independence, finding quickly the elements of past communication and temporal independence are declared as the most important advantages of computer-mediated communication. However, reading significant amount of information is a problem of these environments. In the context of how to show the content, respondents want to see shorter text on the screen. Therefore the instructions should include little amount of text and must be supported with figures and interactive elements. The instructional materials developed for such learner groups should support both linear and non-linear instructions. While analyzing the content to be provided, we have seen that, most of the participants do not have access to high level equipments and traditional experiments are considered as the necessary ones for both engineers and technicians. (Contains 13 tables.)

Objective: Scleroderma (SSc) is a rare autoimmune tissue disease. There is currently no effective treatment for SSc. The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of upadacitinib and PD29 on total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH) peroxidase levels, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-13 ( IL-13) in kidney tissues of an experimental SSc model. Materials and Methods: The experimental design was established with five groups of eight mice: Control, bleomycin (BLM) (5 μg/kg), BLM + upadacitinib (3mg/kg), BLM + PD29 (5 mg/kg) and BLM + PD29 + upadacitinib group. BLM was administered subcutaneously once a day for 21 days. PD29 was administered subcutaneously and upadacitinib (gavage) were injected for 21 days. Renal tissues were collected at the end of the experiment. Renal TOS, TAS, MDA, CAT, GSH levels, and IL-6 and IL-13 gene expressions were evaluated. Results: Upadacitinib and PD29 affected oxidant status and TOS. MDA levels decreased, and GSH, CAT, and TAS levels increased. Also, upadacitinib and PD29 decreased inflammation via IL-6 and IL-13 cytokines. Conclusion: Upadacitinib and PD29 may have therapeutic roles for SSc renal crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ovarian cancer ranks as the eighth most prevalent form of cancer in women across the globe and stands as the third most frequent gynecological cancer, following cervical and endometrial cancers. Given its resistance to standard chemotherapy and high recurrence rates, there is an urgent imperative to discover novel compounds with potential as chemotherapeutic agents for treating ovarian cancer. Chalcones exhibit a wide array of biological properties, with a particular focus on their anti-cancer activities. In this research, we documented the synthesis and in vitro study of a small library of chalcone derivatives designed for use against high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) cell lines, specifically OVCAR-3, OVSAHO, and KURAMOCHI. Our findings revealed that three of these compounds exhibited cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effects against all the tested HGSOC cell lines, achieving IC50 concentrations lower than 25 µM. Further investigations disclosed that these chalcones prompted an increase in the subG1 phase cell cycle and induced apoptosis in OVCAR-3 cells. In summary, our study underscores the potential of chalcones as promising agents for the treatment of ovarian cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the frequency and typing of viral and bacterial pathogens in patients with a preliminary diagnosis of respiratory tract infection during the epidemic period in Türkiye. Material and Method: The study included the respiratory pathogen analysis results of 215 patients aged 0-17 years admitted to the Pediatrics Department of Kütahya Health Sciences University Evliya Çelebi Training and Research Hospital between October 2022 and March 2023 with symptoms of respiratory tract infections. Twenty-three viruses and six bacteria in the respiratory panel were studied using multiplex real-time PCR. Samples were obtained from a nasopharyngeal swab in non-intubated patients and tracheal aspiration material in intubated patients. Results: While 92.1% of the patients were positive for one or more agents, no agent was detected in 7.9%. Among the positive results, the rate of the single pathogen was 27.3% (n=54), while the rate of multiple pathogens was 72.7% (n=144). Respiratory syncytial virus was the most common viral agent with a rate of 23.3% and Adenovirus with a rate of 19.1%, while Haemophilus influenzae (48.8%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (29.3%) were the most common bacterial agents. Conclusion: In this study, viral and bacterial pathogens have been studied intensively in children. Simultaneous, rapid, and sensitive detection of these agents is essential in preventing unnecessary antibiotic use and infection control. This is also important in terms of reducing mortality and morbidity rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an auto-inflammatory disease that causes recurrent episodes of fever, abdominal pain, chest pain, and arthritis. Although FMF is well known, protracted febrile myalgia syndrome (PFMS) is a clinical condition that is rare and difficult to diagnose than other symptoms of FMF. PFMS causes fever, myalgia, and acute phase reactant elevation that lasts 2-4 weeks if corticosteroid treatment is not given. In some cases, fever may not be seen. The purpose of this report is to share our experience with PFMS patients in our clinic. Methods: This is an observational, retrospective, single-centre study. We evaluated patients who had been diagnosed with PFMS at our paediatric rheumatology clinic. Results: Protracted febrile myalgia syndrome was observed in 14 patients. Nine of the patients were female. The median age at the time of diagnosis of PFMS was 10 years. Only three patients had previously been diagnosed with FMF. Most of our patients were patients who had no previous complaint of FMF. PFMS attack was seen as the first clinical manifestation of FMF in 11 patients. Two patients who did not respond to steroid treatment improved with anakinra treatment. Conclusions: PFMS is a rare condition of FMF disease. It may be the first clinical manifestation of FMF disease. Fever may not be seen in all patients. Clinicians should be aware of this situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]