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Abstract The present study aimed to determine the antibacterial, antioxidant, cytotoxic activities and element levels of Verbascum lasianthum Boiss. ex Bentham. The free radical scavenging activity, total phenolic content, total antioxidant capacity, total oxidant capacity levels were analyzed as the antioxidant parameters. Seven bacteria and one yeast strains were used to determine the antimicrobial activity. The cytotoxic effects of plant extracts were determined using A549, MCF-7, HepG2 and SH-SY5Y cell lines. The findings demonstrated that the antioxidant activity increased with an increase in the phenolic content of extracts. This species is rich in bio-elements such as Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, and Mg. Different concentrations of extracts could have antibacterial activity. This plant had an apparent cytotoxic effect only in the A549 cell line and increased the proliferation in other cell lines. The findings demonstrated that plant could be used alone or as a supplement to the current treatment protocols in diseases due to their antioxidant, antibacterial and cytotoxic effects. However, it is recommended that Verbascum L. species intended for use in therapy should be procured from areas where there is no soil pollution or organic farming is preferred. more...

Binte Zehra,1,* Ayaz Ahmed,1,* Rizwana Sarwar,2 Ajmal Khan,3 Umar Farooq,2 Syed Abid Ali,4 Ahmed Al-Harrasi3 1Dr Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan; 2Department of Chemistry, COMSATS University Islamabad Abbottabad Campus, Abbottabad, Pakistan; 3Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Nizwa, Sultanate of Oman; 4Hussain Ebrahim Jamal Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan *These authors contributed equally to this work Background: Globally, the prevalence and mortality rates of lung cancer have been escalated with the increasing trend of tobacco smoking. The toxicity and irresponsive nature of the available drugs for lung cancer treatment demands an alternative approach.Methods: In this study, four known compounds namely, cirsimaritin (4′,5, -dihydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyflavone) (1), eupatorin (5,3′-dihydroxy-6,7,4′-trimethoxyflavone) (2), betulin (Lup-20 (29)-ene-3, 28-diol) (3), and β-amyrin acetate (12-Oleanen-3yl acetate) (4) have been isolated from the leaves extract of Quercus incana. Preliminary screening of these natural compounds (1–4) was performed against non-small cell lung carcinoma (NCI-H460) and normal mouse fibroblast (NIH-3T3) cell lines.Results: The compounds were found to be antiproliferative against cancer cells with wide therapeutic index in comparison to the normal cells. Effects of betulin (3) on cell migration, invasion, apoptosis, and expression of important apoptosis- and metastasis-related markers were observed at different concentrations. The results showed significant dose-dependent induction of apoptosis after the treatment with betulin (3) followed by increased expression of the caspases family (ie, caspase-3, -6, and -9), proapoptotic genes (BAX and BAK), and inhibiting anti-apoptotic genes (BCL-2L1 and p53). Furthermore, wound healing and transwell invasion assays suggested that betulin (3) could also regulate metastasis by inhibiting MMP-2/-9. Osteopontin, a central regulator of apoptosis and metastasis was also inhibited in a dose-dependent manner.Conclusion: The present findings suggest that betulin (3) can be an attractive chemotherapeutic target for treating resistant lung cancers. Keywords: Quercus incana, betulin, cirsimaritin, eupatorin, b-amyrin acetate, non-small cell lung carcinoma, metastasis, MMP-2, MMP-9, apoptosis, caspases, osteopontin more...

A positive test result for BRCA1/2 gene mutation is a substantial risk factor for breast and ovarian cancer. However, testing is not always covered by insurance, even for high risk women. Variables affecting willingness to pay (WTP) have implications for clinic-based and direct-to-consumer testing. The relative impact of objective and subjective numeracy on WTP, in the context of worry, perceived risk (of having the mutation and developing breast cancer) and family history, was examined in 299 high-risk women, not previously tested for BRCA1/2. Objective and subjective numeracy correlated positively with one another, yet only subjective numeracy correlated (positively) with WTP. This could not be explained by educational level or worry. In line with the numeracy result, other objective factors including family history, age, and Ashkenazi descent were not correlated with WTP. Perceived risk of having a mutation was also correlated with WTP, though perceived risk of developing breast cancer was not, perhaps because it lacks direct connection with testing. Thus, subjective confidence in the ability to interpret test results and perceived risk of a positive test result are more important drivers in paying for BRCA1/2 testing than factors more objective and/or further removed from the testing itself (e.g., perceived risk of developing cancer, family history). Findings underscore the need for genetic counselling that makes probabilistic information accessible and intelligible, so as to build confidence and promote accurate perception of mutation risk and ultimately better decision-making. more...

In recent studies, papers related to the multiplicative based numerical methods demonstrate applicability and efficiency of these methods. Numerical root-finding methods are essential for nonlinear equations and have a wide range of applications in science and engineering. Therefore, the idea of root-finding methods based on multiplicative and Volterra calculi is self-evident. Newton-Raphson, Halley, Broyden, and perturbed root-finding methods are used in numerical analysis for approximating the roots of nonlinear equations. In this paper, Newton-Raphson methods and consequently perturbed root-finding methods are developed in the frameworks of multiplicative and Volterra calculi. The efficiency of these proposed root-finding methods is exposed by examples, and the results are compared with some ordinary methods. One of the striking results of the proposed method is that the rate of convergence for many problems are considerably larger than the original methods. more...

The aim of this paper is to formulate some different sums adapted to the Brousseau sum for Vietoris' numbers. For this purpose, we firstly give our auxiliary results concerning the sequence of Vietoris' numbers of order 2n and 2n + 1. Moreover, we consider alternating summations and some other weighted sums for these rational number sequence and derive them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The purpose of оur research was to evaluate the effect of remote education on ocular health among medical students during the current COVID-19 pandemic. The students included in the study were 219 in total, all from Medical Universities in Bulgaria. They were asked about their eye health and comfort during the distance-learning semester. They were interviewed anonymously, with an online questionnaire, between April 1-30, 2021. The findings of the study highlighted that digital learning increases screen time, at potentially dangerous for eye health levels. The most common presenting complaints were eye fatigue (83.1%), tearing (epiphora) (58.9%), dry eyes (58.4%), blurred vision (40.2%), photophobia (37.4%), itchiness (34.7%) etc. Regarding the longest uninterrupted time spent working on a computer, 32% of the students reported 1-2 hours without a break, 57.1% - more than 2 hours, and only 3.7% spent less than 20 min before taking a break. As the conclusion of this study, it was observed that distance learning during the pandemic and social isolation adversely affected eye health and eye fatigue among medical students. Increased screen time during online semester causes digital eye strain, which interferes with the quality of life and is an emerging public health issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Objective: Central venous catheters are mainly used for safe fluid infusion, total parenteral nutrition, and evaluation of hemodynamic parameters. Complications related to central venous access can occur during insertion, after insertion or during catheter maintenance. The aim of this study was to investigate the demographic data and the presence of catheter-related complications in pediatric patients with central venous catheters in our hospital. Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed demographic data and the presence of catheter-related complications in pediatric patients with central venous catheters in our hospital from June 1, 2019, to February 28, 2023. Results: Patients who underwent central venous catheterisation in our hospital between June 2020 and February 2023 were included in the study. When the demographic data of the patients were evaluated, 141 (57.8%) of our patients were male and 103 (42.2%) were female, and there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. In the femoral group, catheterisation of the right femoral vein was preferred more than the left vein (72.2%-27.7%), whereas in the jugular-subclavian group, the right internal jugular vein was preferred more than other sites. The risk of infection was statistically higher in the femoral group compared to the subclavian group. Conclusion: In clinical practice, we think that the risk of complications can be reduced in central venous catheter applications in pediatric patients by experienced personnel by complying with asepsis/antisepsis conditions and using appropriate imaging devices. more...

Abstract Background Adequate, balanced, and individualized nutrition, planned according to the patients’ life expectancy in palliative care units, is crucial for maintaining essential functions. Aim To determine the knowledge levels of nurses working in palliative care units regarding enteral nutrition practices and their perceptions of nutritional care quality in their units. Methods This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in 25 palliative care units located in Izmir, Türkiye, between June and September 2022. The study sample consisted of 205 nurses working in palliative care units. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, an Enteral Nutrition Practices Knowledge Form, and the Nurses’ Perceived Nutrition Care Quality Assessment Scale. The STROBE checklist was also utilized. Results The study found that the majority of participating nurses (94.6%) were female, with 78.5% holding bachelor’s degrees. The median knowledge score for enteral nutrition: 15 (range: 2–27), perceived care quality score: 36 (range: 9–45). Those with enteral nutrition training had significantly higher knowledge scores (p more...

Objective: In recent years, the importance of quality of life (QoL) in healthcare has increased significantly, particularly in the management of chronic diseases such as prostate cancer (PCa). We aimed to show the effects of functional outcomes of treatment options, such as retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP), radiotherapy (RT), and active surveillance, on QoL in patients with localized PCa. Methods: Questionnaires on demographic characteristics, QoL, urinary incontinence (UI) level, patients' knowledge of complications before treatment, and treatment of complications were completed. Patients diagnosed with PCa were divided into three groups: RRP, RT, and RRP combined with RT. Results: There was no statistical difference between the treatment groups in terms of QoL, Mini-mental test scores, age, body mass index, prostate-specific antigen level, Charlson index, and International Society of Urological Pathology grade score, but UI scores were lower in the RT group. The most important finding was that QoL was statistically higher in patients who were informed about UI and erectile dysfunction (ED) before treatment and in patients who were treated for UI or ED after treatment. Conclusion: Our study suggests that the choice of treatment (RRP, RT, or RRP combined with RT) does not significantly affect the overall QoL of patients with localized PCa. However, patient education about potential complications, such as ED and UI, followed by appropriate treatment appears to be crucial for improving QoL after treatment. more...

Objectives: Effective education and support for adults with dementia and their caregivers around pandemic issues is critical for protecting them. Animation-based learning has shown promise in patient education. We collaborated with educators and support staff at Alzheimer's Association Connecticut (AACT) to conduct a mixed-methods study and develop an animated e-curriculum addressing pandemic related challenges.Methods: We conducted focus groups and surveys with dementia and caregiver educators and support staff at AACT for the initial needs assessment and the later e-curriculum evaluation. An interdisciplinary team of educators followed a step-wise process to transform the needs assessment results into an animation based e-curriculum.Results: Participants identified the following pandemic challenges: 1) social isolation, 2) caregiver fatigue, 3) safety, and 4) difficulty navigating the healthcare system. The overall quality and usefulness of the e-curriculum was "very good" or "excellent".Conclusions: An animated e-curriculum addressing pandemic related issues relevant to adults with dementia and caregivers had positive reviews and was associated with improvement in self-reported ability to perform curriculum objectives among community dementia educators.Practice Implications: The pandemic challenges identified may facilitate the development of further resources. Additionally, this project may serve as a guide for clinicians interested in incorporating animation into education efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

AimThis study aimed to investigate the causes and risk factors of colorectal cancer (CRC) in a Turkish population, focusing on various modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors.MethodsA hospital-based case-control design was employed to compare individuals with CRC (cases) to individuals without CRC (controls). Male and female participants were recruited from the surgery, internal medicine, and out-patient departments. The study encompassed socio-demographic data, clinical information, radiological diagnoses, and biochemical measurements. Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were used to determine associated risk factors of CRC.ResultsThe study included 704 individuals with CRC and 704 controls. Significant socio-demographic disparities were observed between the groups, with over 30% of the cases having lower levels of education and income compared to the controls. Lifestyle factors such as obesity, higher rates of smoking (cigarettes and hookah) and alcohol consumption were more prevalent among cases than controls. Further significant associations were identified with intestinal inflammation, obesity, processed food consumption, and symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramps, diarrhea, constipation, blood in stool, bloating, irritable bowel syndrome, nausea/vomiting, anemia, stress, fatigue, weakness, and weight loss. Diet analysis revealed that individuals with CRC consumed more red meat, processed and fast foods along with less pulses and vegetables. Genetic predispositions and exposure to chemicals also correlated strongly with increased CRC risk. Multivariable regression analysis identified, nausea/vomiting, constipation, intestinal disease, genetics factor, hookah-nargileh use, history of any cancer, family history of bowel cancer, constipation, cigarette smoking, stress, milk-yogurt consumption, obesity and red meat consumption as significant determinants for CRC.ConclusionCRC risk is influenced by dietary, lifestyle, and genetic factors. Awareness of hereditary risk and participation in screening are crucial. Lifestyle changes, such as avoiding smoking, hookah, and alcohol use, and adopting a healthy diet, are essential for prevention. more...

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to investigate the morphology of maxillary first premolar mesial root concavity and to analyse its relation to periodontal bone loss (BL) using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and panoramic radiographs. Methods The mesial root concavity of maxillary premolar teeth was analysed via CBCT. The sex and age of the patients, starting position and depth of the root concavity, apicocoronal length of the concavity on the crown or root starting from the cementoenamel junction (CEJ), total apicocoronal length of the concavity, amount of bone loss both in CBCT images and panoramic radiographs, location of the furcation, length of the buccal and palatinal roots, and buccopalatinal cervical root width were measured. Results A total of 610 patients’ CBCT images were examined, and 100 were included in the study. The total number of upper premolar teeth was 200. The patients were aged between 18 and 65 years, with a mean age of 45.21 ± 13.13 years. All the teeth in the study presented mesial root concavity (100%, n = 200). The starting point of concavity was mostly on the cervical third of the root (58.5%). The mean depth and buccolingual length measurements were 0.96 mm and 4.32 mm, respectively. Depth was significantly related to the amount of alveolar bone loss (F = 5.834, p = 0.001). The highest average concavity depth was 1.29 mm in the group with 50% bone loss. The data indicated a significant relationship between the location of the furcation and bone loss (X2 = 25.215, p = 0.003). Bone loss exceeded 50% in 100% of patients in whom the furcation was in the cervical third and in only 9.5% of patients in whom the furcation was in the apical third (p = 0.003). Conclusions According to the results of this study, the depth of the mesial root concavity and the coronal position of the furcation may increase the amount of alveolar bone loss. Clinicians should be aware of these anatomical factors to ensure accurate treatment planning and successful patient management. more...

Rapid technological developments in the language services industry including content creation and translation have always provoked fear among human agents, such as language service providers (LSPs), translators, reviewers, and academicians thinking that technology would eliminate the need for humans. This fear can be traced even back to the years typewriters were invented and used in the language services industry, or personal computers replaced typewriters in the process. The twenty-first century, especially the 2010s, witnessed the emergence and rapid development of machine translation (MT), in particular neural machine translation (NMT). Coupled with the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI), human content creators and translators are now face to face with a new competitor. Although the tools used in the industry have changed in line with the technological advancements, achieving quality output has always required the competence of human content creators and translators. This competence has three important pillars: language skills, expertise in the area of specialization, and technological skills. This paper discusses that technological tools such as MT and generative AI demand human intervention to create and translate quality and effective content, which is only possible by acquiring the complete set of the above skills. Focusing on creating content for user manuals, this paper examines how to ask the correct questions, that is, how to give the correct prompts to guide chatbots such as ChatGPT to achieve quality content, thus identifying the limits and benefits of AI in an area of specialization. more...

Background/Objectives: It has been shown that the use of statins in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) worsens hyperglycemia and hemoglobin A1c levels but may help in the preservation of pancreatic β-cell function. The potential role of a high pancreatic fat fraction (PFF) in this process has not yet been clarified. This study aimed to investigate whether the liver fat fraction (LFF) and PFF in T2DM patients is affected by statin therapy. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved a total of 140 T2DM patients, including both those who were receiving (n = 70) and those who were not receiving (n = 70) statin therapy. The mapping of the LFF and PFF utilizing the IDEAL-IQ sequence was conducted in magnetic resonance imaging. Results: In T2DM patients who used statins, the median PFF was higher compared to those who did not use statins (8.4 vs. 6.2%, p = 0.021), while the median LFF was found to be similar (8.4 vs. 8.9, p = 0.572). Variations in PFF were associated with the use of various statins (non-statin group: 6.2 vs. atovastatin: 8.7 vs. rosuvastatin: 3.2 vs. pitavastatin: 9.2, p = 0.004). The multivariable regression analysis indicated that insulin usage decreased log(LFF) by a factor of 0.16-fold (ꞵ ± SE = −0.16 ± 0.05, p = 0.010), and rosuvastatin usage reduced log(PFF) by 0.16-fold (ꞵ ± SE = −0.16 ± 0.07, p = 0.025), irrespective of other risk factors. Furthermore, the use of atorvastatin (ꞵ ± SE = 0.17 ± 0.06, p = 0.011) and pitavastatin (ꞵ ± SE = 0.19 ± 0.07, p = 0.008) were independently associated with an increase in log(PFF). Conclusions: In patients with T2DM, statin use did not show a significant effect on the liver fat fraction, but it caused differences in the pancreatic fat fraction. The observation of a lower pancreatic fat fraction in patients taking a rosuvastatin and atorvastatin dose of 40 mg/day suggests that different types and doses of statins may have varying effects on pancreatic fat accumulation. more...

We present the case of an 87-year-old female with a one-week history of redness, swelling, and pain in the left eye, accompanied by headache and neck pain. Computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated extreme enlargement of the supraorbital artery, engaging the superior rectus muscle of the left eye. We could not find similar articles in well-recognized scientific networks. Conservative treatment was conducted, with no improvement. The patient refused surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Background/Objectives: Renal cell carcinoma is an aggressive form of kidney cancer, contributing to an estimated 138,000 deaths globally in 2017. Traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation are generally considered ineffective. Additionally, CD47 has been identified as a crucial tumor antigen involved in the development and progression of various cancers, including renal cell carcinoma. The interaction of CD47 with SIRPα triggers a “don’t eat me” signal to the macrophages, inhibiting phagocytosis. Much progress has been made in targeting CD47 for cancer immunotherapy in solid tumors (STs) and hematological malignancies. This study aimed to evaluate CD47 expression in malignant and benign renal cell tumors and compare it with prognostic histopathological parameters. Methods: We included 160 malignant and 26 benign tumors. The malignant tumors consisted of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) subtypes including 37 clear cell, 30 chromophobe, 30 papillary type 1, 29 papillary type 2, and 34 unclassified RCC cases. As for the benign tumors, we included 26 oncocytoma cases. All samples were stained with anti-CD47 antibodies by immunohistochemistry methods. Results: The statistical analysis yielded a significant correlation between CD47 expression and survival, metastasis, and capsule invasion for the unclassified RCC cases. We did not find any further significant correlation between CD47 expression and the studied parameters. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first to research CD47 expression in benign and malignant renal carcinoma subtypes. Further large-scale studies are needed to determine the expression profile of CD47 in renal cell tumors. more...

Abstract Senescent microglia are a distinct microglial phenotype present in aging brain that have been implicated in the progression of aging and age-related neurodegenerative diseases. However, the specific mechanisms that trigger microglial senescence are largely unknown. Quinolinic acid (QA) is a cytotoxic metabolite produced upon abnormal activation of microglia. Brain aging and age-related neurodegenerative diseases have an elevated concentration of QA. In the present study, we investigated whether QA promotes aging and aging-related phenotypes in microglia and C. elegans. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that QA, secreted by abnormal microglial stimulation, induces impaired mitophagy by inhibiting mitolysosome formation and consequently promotes the accumulation of damaged mitochondria due to reduced mitochondrial turnover in microglial cells. Defective mitophagy caused by QA drives microglial senescence and poor healthspan in C. elegans. Moreover, oxidative stress can mediate QA-induced mitophagy impairment and senescence in microglial cells. Importantly, we found that restoration of mitophagy by mitophagy inducer, urolithin A, prevents microglial senescence and improves healthspan in C. elegans by promoting mitolysosome formation and rescuing mitochondrial turnover inhibited by QA. Thus, our study indicates that mitolysosome formation impaired by QA is a significant aetiology underlying aging-associated changes. QA-induced mitophagy impairment plays a critical role in neuroinflammation and age-related diseases. Further, our study suggests that mitophagy inducers such as urolithin A may offer a promising anti-aging strategy for the prevention and treatment of neuroinflammation-associated brain aging diseases. more...

The quantity of wastewater being discharged into the environment due to the rise in industrial activities is progressively growing over time. Aside from large environmental risk posed by untreated wastewater discharge, the reuse of treated water prevents wastage of large amounts of water. For this reason, in this study, the reuse potential of an organized industrial zone wastewater was investigated by membrane processes. The appropriate membrane type and rejection performance were determined for various pollutant parameters including conductivity, chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN), chloride, and sulfate. Laboratory-scale batch membrane filtration experiments were performed by using three different membrane types (BW30, XLE, and X20). The experiments were conducted at 15 and 20 bar pressures and flux data were collected during the operations. The results showed that BW30 and X20 membranes could be operated comfortably with 80% recovery for the wastewater containing low and high sulfate concentrations. For the wastewater with low sulfate concentration, the fluxes of BW30 and X20 at 20 bar were 19.7 and 16.4 L/m2/h, respectively, at 80% recovery. On the other hand, for the wastewater with higher sulfate concentration, the fluxes of BW30 and X20 at 20 bar were 8.6 and 11.5 L/m2/h, respectively. HIGHLIGHTS Two different wastewater samples released in the organized industrial zone were treated in the wastewater treatment plant.; Reverse osmosis filtration process was applied using three different membrane types (BW30, XLE, and X20).; X20 membrane was chosen as the most suitable membrane type with 80% water recovery under 20 bar pressure.; more...

Objective: To reveal the profile and practice in patients with acute stroke who received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA) and/or neuro-interventional therapy in Türkiye. Materials and Methods: On World Stroke Awareness Day, May 10, 2018, 1,790 patients hospitalized in 87 neurology units spread over 30 health regions were evaluated retrospectively and prospectively. Results: Intravenous tPA was administered to 12% of 859 cases of acute ischemic stroke in 45 units participating in the study. In the same period, 8.3% of the cases received neurointerventional treatment. The rate of good prognosis [modified Rankin score (mRS) 0–2] at discharge was 46% in 83 patients who received only IV tPA [age: 67 +- 12 years; National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS): 12 +- 6; hospital stay, 24 +- 29 days]; 35% in 51 patients who underwent thrombectomy (MT) alone (age: 64 +- 13 years; NIHSS: 14.1 +- 6.5; length of hospital stay, 33 +- 31 days), 19% in those who received combined treatment (age: 66 +- 14 years; NIHSS: 15.6 +- 5.4; length of hospital stay, 26 +- 35 days), and 56% of 695 patients who did not receive treatment for revascularization (age: 70 +- 13 years; NIHSS: 7.6 +- 7.2; length of hospital stay, 21 +- 28 days). The symptom-to-door time was 87 +- 53 minutes in the IV treatment group and 200 +- 26 minutes in the neurointerventional group. The average door-to-needle time was 66 +- 49 minutes in the IV tPA group. In the neurothrombectomy group, the door-to-groin time was 103 +- 90 minutes, and the TICI 2b-3 rate was 70.3%. In 103 patients who received IV tPA, the discharge mRS 0–2 was 41%, while the rate of mRS 0–1 was 28%. In 71 patients who underwent neurothrombectomy, the mRS 0–2 was 31% and mRS 0–1 was 18%. The door-to-groin time was approximately 30 minutes longer if IV tPA was received (125 +- 107 and 95 +- 83 minutes, respectively). Symptomatic bleeding rates were 4.8% in IV recipients, 17.6% among those who received only MT, and 15% in combined therapy. Globally, the hemorrhage rate was 6.8% in patients receiving IV tPA and 16.9% in MT. Conclusion: IV thrombolytic and neurointerventional treatment applications in acute ischemic stroke in Türkiye can provide the anticipated results. Heterogeneity has begun to be reduced in our country with the dissemination of the system indicated by the 'Directive on Health Services to be Provided to Patients with Acute Stroke.' more...

ÖzBu araştırmada, Bakara sûresinin ilk 50 âyetinde hal olarak konumlandırılan kelimeler konu edinmiştir. Araştırma esnasında İ’râbü’l-Kur’an kaynaklarında incelenen söz konusu kelimelere ilişkin farklı gramatik yorumların da olduğu gözlemlenmiştir. Tesbit edilen değerlendirmeler; tümdengelim, karşılaştırma ve açıklama yöntemiyle ele alınmış ve okuyucunun bilgisine arz edilmiştir. Bu çalışmada öncelikle i'rabın tanımı, önemi, , i'rab - Kur'an ilişkisi, i'rab- nahiv ve i'rab- lahn konusuna denilmiş, hȃl kavramı incelenmiş ve i'rabın tarihsel sürecine dikkat çekilmiştir. Daha sonra ayetlerin arapça metni ve mealine bütün olarak yer verilip, ilgili kelimenin farklı i'rab yorumları belirtilmiştir. Araştırma neticesinde; belli bir ögenin nahiv yönünden başka şekillerde tahlil edilmesinin mümkün olabileceği ve bunun, farklı manalara ulaşmada önemli bir metot olduğuna dikkat çekilerek i'rab bilgisinin, doğru anlamın tespitindeki rolüne işaret edilmiştir. Zira İslâmî ilimlerde temel amaç, Kur'an’ın mesajının en doğru şekilde anlaşılmasıdır. Ayetlerde farklı i'rab vecihlerinin olması anlamı etkilemektedir. Bu sebeple Kur'an'ın doğru anlamak için özellikle iyi derecede i'rab bilgisine ihtiyaç vardır. more...

Amaç: Küresel ısınma ve iklim değişikliğiyle mücadelede sürdürülebilirliğe yönelik yenilikçi yollar arayışı uluslararası gündemde özellikle son birkaç yıl içerisinde daha fazla önem kazanmıştır. Avrupa Birliği’ne göre bu konuda en önemli yollardan biri olarak addedilen eko-inovasyon, olumsuz çevresel etkilerin azaltılmasını ve kaynakların daha verimli kullanılmasını sağlayan bir araçtır. Bu bağlamda çalışma temel olarak, eko-inovasyon performansının ekonomik büyüme üzerinde nasıl bir etkiye sahip olduğunu araştırmayı amaçlamaktadır. Yöntem: Araştırmanın örneklemi olarak Avrupa Birliği ülkeleri seçilmiş ve analizler, Eurostat veri tabanından elde edilen ikincil verilerle uygulanmıştır. Bu çalışmada, eko-inovasyon performansı ve ekonomik büyüme, sırasıyla eko-inovasyon endeksi ve gayri safi yurtiçi hasıla (GSYİH) kullanılarak ölçülmüştür. Ampirik analiz panel veri yöntemiyle gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bulgular: Araştırmanın sonucuna göre AB ülkeleri için 2013-2022 döneminde eko-inovasyondaki %1’lik artış ekonomik büyümeyi %0,53 oranında arttırmıştır. Eko-inovasyonun son 10 yıllık dönemde AB üyesi ülkelerin ekonomik refahında yükselme etkisi yarattığı ifade edilebilir. Özgünlük: Mevcut çalışma, eko-inovasyon performansının ekonomik büyüme üzerinde nasıl bir etkisi olduğu sorusunu tartışarak literatüre teorik ve ampirik olarak, yönetici ve politika geliştiricilere ise sunduğu önerilerle katkı sağlayan ülke düzeyindeki ilk çalışma olma özelliğine sahiptir. more...

The potential impact of the virus on food safety during the COVID-19 outbreak has posed a critical challenge to governments, the food industry, and consumers worldwide. The aim of this study is to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of adult people regarding food safety during the COVID-19 outbreak. It is a cross-sectional study which is based on internet survey data of 1049 residents from seven regions of Turkey. The survey includes questions about the level of knowledge and attitude toward food safety during the COVID-19 outbreak. It has been observed that over 90% of the participants have correct knowledge about what to do in food shopping during the COVID-19 process. 56.6% of the participants stated that COVID-19 can be transmitted through food or food packaging, 81.0% stated that food packages should be disinfected in order to be protected from COVID-19 and 37.7% stated that COVID-19 is more resistant than other bacteria or viruses. While the presence of gender (p = 0.748) and chronic disease (p = 0.181) does not affect the number of correct answers to questions about food safety during the COVID-19 process, education (p more...

Objective: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common directly preventable cause of ischemic stroke. There is no dependable neurology-based data on the spectrum of stroke caused by AF in our country. Within the scope of NeuroTek-Turkey, hospital-based data on acute stroke patients with AF were collected to contribute to the creation of acute stroke algorithms. Materials and Methods: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common directly preventable cause of ischemic stroke. There is no dependable neurology-based data on the spectrum of stroke caused by AF in Türkiye. Within the scope of NöroTek-Türkiye (TR), hospital-based data on acute stroke patients with AF were collected to contribute to the creation of acute-stroke algorithms. Results: The rate of AF in patients hospitalized for ischemic stroke/TIA was 29.8%, of which 65% were known before stroke, 5% were paroxysmal, and 30% were diagnosed after hospital admission. The proportion of patients with AF who received 'effective' treatment [international normalization ratio ≥2.0 warfarin or non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) at a guideline dose] was 25.3%, and, either no medication or only antiplatelet was used in 42.5% of the cases. The low dose rate was 50% in 42 patients who had a stroke while taking NOACs. Anticoagulant was prescribed to the patient at discharge at a rate of 94.6%; low molecular weight or unfractionated heparin was prescribed in 28.1%, warfarin in 32.5%, and NOACs in 31%. The dose was in the low category in 22% of the cases discharged with NOACs, and half of the cases, who received NOACs at admission, were discharged with the same drug. Conclusion: NöroTekTR revealed the high but expected frequency of AF in acute stroke in Türkiye, as well as the aspects that could be improved in the management of secondary prophylaxis. AF is found in approximately one-third of hospitalized acute stroke cases in Türkiye. Effective anticoagulant therapy was not used in three-quarters of acute stroke cases with known AF. In AF, heparin, warfarin, and NOACs are planned at a similar frequency (one-third) within the scope of stroke secondary prophylaxis, and the prescribed NOAC dose is subtherapeutic in a quarter of the cases. Non-medical and medical education appears necessary to prevent stroke caused by AF. more...

Orbital cellulitis is a serious, life-threatening infection, typically in paediatric patients, and its bilateral presentation in adults is atypic. We present an unusual bilateral manifestation of orbital cellulitis and abscess, caused by Enterococci in an adult patient. E. faecalis is an extremely rare cause of orbital inflammation and we found three published case reports only, all of which are unilateral and seen in children. A 51-year-old male presented with 1-week history of pyrexia, painful proptosis, periorbital swelling, and low vision of both eyes. He was diagnosed with bilateral orbital cellulitis and was treated with empiric antibiotic medication for 8 days, but symptoms persisted. MRI showed bilateral intra- and extraconal fluid-intensity collections. Microbiology was taken from the orbit and revealed Enterococcus faecalis invasion. Pus collections were drained for 1 week. Systemic and intraorbital antibiotics were administered. The patient recovered and vision returned to normal. This is a rare case of bilateral orbital cellulitis and abscesses with invasive E. faecalis infection. E. faecalis infection of the orbit is unusual and should be considered, especially if patient does not respond to empiric antibiotic therapies. more...

Background and Objectives: Defining the exercise habits of individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) may help to determine optimal rehabilitation programs. This study aimed to investigate the physical and psychological parameters associated with exercise barriers in older individuals with AD, with the goal of informing more effective rehabilitation programs. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional prospective study was conducted with 50 individuals with AD. The individuals were evaluated with the Exercise Benefit/Barriers Scale (EBBS), the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Five Times Sit to Stand Test (FTSTS), the Barthel Index (BI), the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results: There was a significant positive correlation between age with EBBS-Exercise Barriers (r = 0.308; p = 0.029) and EBBS-Total Score (r = 0.295; p = 0.038). There were significant negative correlations between the time of diagnosis with EBBS-Exercise Benefits (r = −0.569; p = 0.000), EBBS-Exercise Barriers (r = −0.324; p = 0.022), and EBBS-Total Score (r = −0.508; p = 0.000). There was a positive correlation between MMSE and EBBS-Exercise Benefits (r = 0.465; p = 0.001), EBBS-Exercise Barriers (r = 0.471; p = 0.001) and EBBS-Total Score (r = 0.519; p = 0.000). There were significant positive correlations between FTSTS and EBBS-Exercise Barriers (r = 0.340; p = 0.016), and EBBS-Total Score (r = 0.280; p = 0.049). There were positive correlations between BI and EBBS-Exercise Benefits (r = 0.362; p = 0.010), EBBS-Exercise Barriers (r = 0.377; p = 0.007), and EBBS-Total Score (r = 0.405; p = 0.004). Conclusions: Exercise barriers/benefits were associated with cognition and post-diagnosis duration in individuals with AD. Individuals with lower physical function had lower exercise perception. In addition, living with relatives or caregivers led to better exercise benefit scores. more...

Introduction: In clinical practice, inadequate pain inhibition leads to increased morbidity and mortality. Increased intracellular calcium, oxidants, and proinflammatory cytokines are known to play a role in the pathogenesis of postoperative pain. Therefore, we investigated the analgesic effects of benidipine, paracetamol, and benidipine-paracetamol combination (BPC) on postoperative and normal pain thresholds in rats.Material and methods: Sixty-four male albino Wistar rats weighing 285–295 g were used. The without-incision rats were divided into 4 subgroups: healthy control, benidipine alone, paracetamol alone, and BPC. The scalpel-incision rats were divided into 4 subgroups: scalpel incision, scalpel incision + benidipine, scalpel incision + paracetamol, and scalpel incision + BPC. Paw pain thresholds of rats were measured using a Basile algesimeter. Biochemical analyses were performed on the paw tissues of 6 rats randomly taken from the experimental groups, each containing 8 rats. Rats were sacrificed immediately after the measurements. After the pain threshold tests were finished, the paw tissues were removed and malondialdehyde (MDA), total glutathione (tGSH), cyclooxygenase (COX), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were measured.Results: There was no significant difference between the groups in paw pain threshold and measured biochemical parameters in rats without incision. The decrease in the pain threshold of the incised paw was also best prevented by BPC, followed by benidipine and then paracetamol. Furthermore, increases in scalpel-incised paw tissue MDA, COX-2, and IL-6 levels and the decrease in tGSH were significantly suppressed by benidipine and BPC, while paracetamol could only significantly inhibit the increase in IL-6 production.Conclusion: The combination of the L-type Ca2+ channel blocker benidipine and paracetamol (BPC) may provide potent analgesia. Our experimental results support that BPC may be useful in the treatment of severe pain that cannot be adequately inhibited by paracetamol. more...

Masdariyecizāde Hüseyin Efendi, one of the lecturers at Mühendishāne-i Berrī-i Hümāyūn (The Imperial School of Military Engineering), wrote a treatise in h.1238/c.1822 on the ancient problem of trisecting an angle smaller than ninety degrees using Euclidean geometry. This famous problem has its roots in the ancient Greek. The treatise contains an assumed solution to the problem by using tools of Euclidean geometry, a straightedge (an unmarked ruler) and a compass. The proof is recorded under the signatures indicating the approval of the engineering faculty. The available academic literature on this treatise generally contains comments denigrating the work, the author and the scholarly environment of the period based on the claim that it had already been proven at the time Hüseyin Efendi published his treatise, that a positive result could not be reached with the limited tools used in the solution. All this contemporary research is originated from a sole source, Salih Zeki Bey’s articles on the subject written a century ago, the accuracy of which is debatable in terms of its contents. This study focuses on the claims based on this common source as well as the history of the solution to the problem, and thus provides a correction to the erroneous information on the subject. more...

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, son kilometre koli teslimatı alanıyla ilgili sistematik bir literatür taraması gerçekleştirmek ve literatürde yer alan yükselen eğilim ve teknolojilere bir bakış açısı sunmaktır. Yöntem: Çalışma kapsamında sistematik bir literatür taraması gerçekleştirilerek tanımlayıcı analizler gerçekleştirilmiş ve son kilometre koli teslimatı yazını kapsamında literatürde yer verilen yeni iş modelleri, yükselen eğilim ve teknolojiler belirlenerek gruplanmış; detaylı bir şekilde açıklanarak tanıtılmış ve her birinin sağladığı potansiyel faydalar ifade edilmiştir. Bulgular: İlgili literatür taramasının analizlerinde son kilometre koli teslimatı kavramıyla ilgili yayın sayısında önemli bir artış görülmektedir. Çalışmaların büyük çoğunluğu, nicel teknikleri uygulamaktadır. Literatür taraması neticesinde, en çok yayın yapılan dergiler ve dergilerin etki faktörlerine de yer verilmiştir. Üç gruba ayrılan ve alt başlıklarıyla detaylandırılan eğilim ve teknolojiler ise teknoloji odaklı teslimat seçenekleri, çevre dostu teslimat uygulamaları ve yeni iş modelleridir. Özgünlük: Bilinebildiği kadarıyla bu çalışma, son kilometre koli teslimatı alanında bu kadar detaylı incelenen ilk Türkçe literatür taramasıdır. more...

Summary: The mathematical sciences, and particularly probabilistic and statistical methods, are key to understanding the dependencies of the systems. The purpose of this paper is to encourage a wider recognition by engineers of a new generalized principle which in its mathematical form is a powerful instrument for the solution of practical problems. Generalized probability density function was introduced to permit analysis without pre‐knowledge of the source of the data. The fundamental principles are extended to apply the most related engineering applications without the need to know the type of source generating the data. The generalized model presented eliminates preliminary work in engineering problems. The proposed model introduces an exponential density function to produce a direct solution to randomly varying data. The exponential density function is fully compatible with applications containing randomly distributed data. The success of the generalized model presented is due to the calculated parameters in the exponential density function. The method is applied to various problems chosen from the field of engineering with great success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Purpose – This paper aims to explain the effects of color, lighting, and music as store environment cues on the perceptions among consumers of store personality, store image, and on their own store preferences. Design/Methodology/Approach – An experimental approach was employed to determine these effects, using a between-subjects factorial design including two levels of color, lighting, and music. The data were collected from 600 participants through face-to-face surveys. A video design of a fictional store environment was shown to the subjects and survey questions were applied to eight different experimental groups by providing manipulation control. Results and implications – The results demonstrate that consumer perceptions of store image, store personality, and store preferences differ with changing color, lighting, and music variables. Additionally, these variables differ in their interactions with each other and in their total interactions. Limitations – While the present study sheds light on the influence of color, lighting, and music cues of the fashion store environment on consumer perceptions of store personality and image, as well as their store preferences, interactions between store environment cues and other attributes in stores should also be explored. Originality – This study examines the impact of store environment variables in their different aspects on consumer perceptions of store image and store personality, as well as consumer store preferences, by focusing on Mehrabian and Russell’s (1974) Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) model as its theoretical background. more...

The article explores education outcomes for those receiving training in patient priorities aligned care. The authors report on developing an interactive, virtual training for fellows in geriatric medicine, geriatric psychiatry, palliative care, internal medicine and geriatric pharmacy students studying at the Yale School of Medicine, the Baylor College of Medicine and the Mountain Area Health Education Center. Discussion and results of the project are also offered. more...

This study seeks to investigate and understand the perceptions of and lifestyle changes adopted by healthcare workers (HCWs) in Turkey who were on the front line of the fight against the outbreak of COVID-19. A total of 33 female HCWs with bachelor’s degrees were included in the study. In-depth interview techniques were used. The data analysis was performed with MAXQDA 2020 qualitative data analysis package program. The female HCWs perceived COVID-19 as rapidly contagious, deadly, dangerous, and long-term. Their perception as to the cause of the outbreak was akin to conspiracy thoughts such as bioweapon. In addition, the study determined that social media was the preferred medium for getting news because the news given in the traditional media was not trusted. It was seen that the attitude of participants regarding the preventive measures was in line with the recommendations of international organizations. In terms of lifestyle changes, for example, the dietary habits and physical activity levels of all the HCW participants, changed and online environments were used for communication/socialization. Those HCW participants who smoked, stated that smoking increased the risk and severity of COVID-19, and they declared an increase in the amount of their use. Those HCW participants who consumed alcohol, reported that alcohol consumption increased during the period of the outbreak in order to maintain socialization and relaxation. Those HCW participants who did not smoke or drink alcohol mentioned that they did not intend to start. This study contributes to an understanding of the impact on HCWs of significant health events especially in terms of their perceptions of and their lifestyle changes as a result of such health events. more...

Objective: Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disease characterized by thrombocytopenia caused by the formation of antibodies against platelets. Mucosa-associated invariant T cells (MAIT), a subset of unconventional T cells present in the blood and mucosa, are activated in an MR-1-mediated manner, respond to certain infections and cytokines and produce various effector cytokines. Case report: In this study, changes in blood MAIT cells were investigated in pediatric ITP patients who received and did not receive Eltrombopag. Twenty healthy volunteers (n:20), 60 untreated, and 16 treated patients (with Eltrombopag) were included in the study. Methodology: PBMCs isolated using the Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient were stained with appropriate surface markers and subjected to flow cytometric analysis. In addition, intracellular cytokine staining was performed to measure the level of IFN-γ, IL17A, IL-22, TNF-α cytokines after PMA/Ionomycin stimulation, and all data were analyzed using FlowJo and GraphPad 8. Results: Independent of Eltrombopag treatment, MAIT cell absolute counts were decreased in ITP patients. CD45RO levels of the CD8+MAIT subtype increased, αβ+ T cells decreased, and γδ+ T cell frequency increased in ITP patients. In patients, the frequency of MAIT cell-derived IFN-γ and TNF-α decreased, MR-1 expression, which is responsible for MAIT cell activation in the CD3−fraction, increased, and this level decreased to the levels in healthy controls in individuals receiving Eltrombopag treatment. Conclusion: The low HLA-DR levels seen in CD3- cells in ITP patients reached the levels of healthy controls in the group receiving Eltrombopag. These results show that the number and activation status of MAIT cells in ITP patients change and Eltrombopag treatment modulates MAIT cell activity. more...

Objectives: The objectives of this retrospective study are to measure the amount of the alveolar crest cortication and cortication around the mandibular canal, and to evaluate bone density values of alveolar crest, cortication around mandibular canal, and possible implant placement area for edentulous sites. Material and Methods: Six hundred forty-two cone-beam computed tomography scans from 642 subjects were evaluated in four centers. Cortical thicknesses of alveolar crest and mandibular canal cortical borders (buccal, lingual, apical, and coronal) in each mandibular posterior teeth region were measured. Bone density of alveolar crest and mandibular canal cortical borders (buccal, lingual, apical, and coronal) in each mandibular posterior teeth region were recorded. The correlations between numeric variables were investigated using Pearson’s correlation test. Results: The largest cortical border of the canal was measured 1.1 (SD 0.71) mm at the left second molar area and in coronal side of the mandibular canal (MC). Left and right first premolar regions showed higher bone density values compared to the other sites in all bone density values evaluations. The buccal side of the canal at the right first premolar region showed the highest bone density values (832.32 [SD 350.01]) while the coronal side of the canal at the left second molar region showed the lowest (508.75 [SD 225.47]). The bone density of possible implant placement area at the both left (692.25 [SD 238.25]) and right (604.43 [SD 240.92]) edentulous first premolar showed the highest values. Positive correlations between the bone density values of alveolar crest and the coronal side of MC were found in molar and left second premolar regions (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Results may provide information about the amount of cortication and bone densities tooth by tooth for posterior mandible to surgeons for planning the treatment precisely. more...

Objective: Nutritional status assessment, dysphagia evaluation and enteral feeding decision are important determinants of prognosis in acute neurovascular diseases. Materials and Methods: NöroTek is a point prevalence study conducted with the participation of 87 hospitals spread across all health sub regions of Turkey conducted on 10-May-2018 (World Stroke Awareness Day). A total of 972 hospitalized neurovascular patients [female: 53%, age: 69+-14; acute ischemic stroke in 845; intracerebral hematoma (ICH) in 119 and post-resuscitation encephalopathy (PRE) in 8] with complete data were included in this sub-study. Results: Gastrostomy was inserted in 10.7% of the patients with ischemic stroke, 10.1% of the patients with ICH and in 50% of the patients with PRE. Independent predictors of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) administration were The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at admission [exp (β): 1.09 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05-1.14, per point] in ischemic stroke; and mechanical ventilation in ischemic [exp (β): 6.18 (95% CI: 3.16-12.09)] and hemorrhagic strokes [exp (β): 26.48 (95% CI: 1.36-515.8)]. PEG was found to be a significant negative indicator of favorable (modified Rankin's scale score 0-2) functional outcome [exp (β): 0.032 (95% CI: 0.004-0.251)] but not of in-hospital mortality [exp (β): 1.731 (95% CI: 0.785-3.829)]. Nutritional and swallowing assessments were performed in approximately two-thirds of patients. Of the nutritional assessments 69% and 76% of dysphagia assessments were completed within the first 2 days. Tube feeding was performed in 39% of the patients. In 83.5% of them, tube was inserted in the first 2 days; 28% of the patients with feeding tube had PEG later. Conclusion: The NöroTek study provided the first reliable and large-scale data on key quality metrics of nutrition practice in acute stroke in Turkey. In terms of being economical and accurate it makes sense to use the point prevalence method. more...

Aims:Debate over the optimal timing of oocyte denudation following oocyte retrieval continues. Multinucleation has been associated with lower embryo quality and implantation rate. Defining oocyte characteristics might increase the chances of better embryo selection. This study aimed to investigate the laboratory and clinical outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection when the oocytes were denuded immediately after oocyte retrieval.Methods:A prospective randomized sibling-oocyte study was performed. The participants were under 40 years of age with more than 5 oocytes. Patients with male factors were excluded. The study and control groups were formed by simple randomization. The study group underwent oocyte denudation immediately. In the control group, oocytes were routinely incubated in an equilibration solution for 2 h until the removal of the cumulus cells. Outcome measures were normal fertilization (two pronuclei, 2PN), multinucleation rate, the proportion of good quality embryos, blastocyst formation, and pregnancy rate.Results:A total of 792 oocytes were collected from 54 participants (mean age: 30.6±3.7 years). The fertilization rate was higher in the study group (n=209 in 376) compared with the controls (n=201 in 416) (55.6% vs. 48.3%, p=0.041). The multinucleation rate (6.6% vs. 4.3%, p=0.150), proportion of grade 1 embryos on day 3 (48.7% vs. 43%, p=0.112) and day 5 (27.7% vs. 23.8%, p=0.214), the proportion of embryos reaching blastocyst stage (34.0% vs. 28.1%, p=0.072), and the pregnancy rates (78.6% vs. 71.4%, p=1.000) were similar.Conclusions:Our results demonstrated that immediate removal of cumulus cells does not have any negative impact on intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes. more...