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Background. Catatonia is regarded as a diverse type of motor dysregulation syndrome that includes mutism, immobility, catalepsy, negativism, stereotypies, and echo phenomena. Catatonia is known to coexist with a wide range of physical and mental health conditions, including mood disorders, schizophrenia, autoimmune disorders, and metabolic abnormalities. Albeit, the association between obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and catatonia is underreported, and mechanisms are not well elucidated. Study. In this study, we present a case of a 36-year-old woman who developed episodes of catatonia during the course of her obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Success rates have been recorded with both benzodiazepines and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Gauging the severity of her symptoms and poor drug compliance, the patient was opted for and successfully treated with ECT. She was also educated about OCD through a series of therapy sessions and exposure and response prevention (ERP) principles. She was maintained on ERP and adjunctive clonazepam upon discharge. On subsequent follow-ups, the patient seemed to be doing well and was eager to begin her job again. Conclusion. Our study shows a possible link between OCD and catatonia. Additionally, robust studies are needed in order to determine the pathophysiology of catatonia and the mechanism of ECT so that more beneficial therapeutics can be developed. A combination of ECT and antidepressants with ERP therapy for recurrent catatonia with OCD could be effective as a therapeutic modality.

It has been aimed to compare the level of cell-free nucleic acids (DNA, RNA, and miRNA) concentrations in laryngeal cancer patients with the control group composed of healthy individuals. It has been utilized 46 patients with laryngeal carcinoma who were previously diagnosed and treated were included and 46 healthy individuals were included as a control group. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from all participants. DNA, RNA, and miRNA were fluorometrically measured. We applied Mann Whitney U test to compare both groups and the adjusted general lineal model to identify associations between nucleic acid concentrations and tumor stages. Circulating cell-free microRNA and RNA concentrations in the laryngeal cancer patients were significantly different (p

This observational cohort study investigated the potential of a novel sperm-washing medium (SWM) enriched with serotonin (5-HT), L-carnitine (L-C), and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) to enhance sperm motility and reduce DNA damage. It compared this innovative medium (5-HT/L-C/CoQ10 SWM) with two widely used commercial media (SWM 1 and SWM 2). Ninety-eight volunteers from an infertility clinic provided semen samples, which were divided into three aliquots for analysis in different SWMs: group 1, SWM was composed of hydroxyethyl piperazineethanesulfonic acid (HEPES), sodium bicarbonate, human serum albumin (HSA), taurine, and gentamicin sulfate (SWM 1); group 2, SWM was composed of HEPES, sodium bicarbonate, and HSA (SWM 2); and group 3, SWM was composed of HEPES-buffered human tubal fluid supplemented with 5-HT, L-C, and CoQ10 (5-HT/L-C/CoQ10 SWM). Sperm motility was categorized as progressive, nonprogressive, or immotile. Apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and DNA fragmentation were also assessed. There were no significant differences in total or progressive sperm motility among the groups. Spermatozoa in group 3 exhibited reduced apoptosis, necrosis, and ROS levels and increased viability. No significant differences were observed in the DNA fragmentation index among groups. The 5-HT/L-C/CoQ10 SWM reduced sperm oxidative stress and apoptosis compared with those of the two commercially available SWMs, suggesting that 5-HT/L-C/CoQ10 SWM could be useful for enhancing in vitro fertilization success rates.

Abstract Background The temperature changes, chemical agents, and brushing activity that resin composite restorations are exposed to in the oral environment can cause changes in surface roughness. In this study, the aim was to investigate in vitro the clinical one-year surface roughness changes of different types of composites (flowable or conventional) from the same companies by subjecting them to immersion in solutions, brushing, and thermal cycling procedures to simulate intraoral conditions. Methods Four different resin composite brands were included in the study using both their conventional (Charisma Smart, 3M Filtek Ultimate Universal, Omnichroma, Beautifil II) and flowable resin composites (Charisma Flow, 3M Filtek Ultimate Flowable, Omnichroma Flow, Beautifil Flow Plus F00), giving 4 groups with 2 types of resin composite in each. 40 samples were prepared for each group/resin type, for a total of 320 samples. After initial surface roughness measurements by a mechanical profilometer, the samples were divided into 4 subgroups (n = 10) and immersed in solutions (distilled water, tea, coffee, or wine) for 12 days. The samples were then subjected to 10,000 cycles of brushing simulation and 10,000 cycles of thermal aging. Surface roughness measurements were repeated after the procedures. For statistical analysis, the 3-way analysis of variance and the Tukey test were used (p

Soybean is an important industrial oilseed plant. As a relatively fast, flexible, cheap, and viable method, mutation breeding, which induces significant random genetic variations, is a widely used method in crop science. In the present study, we investigated physiological para - meters, genetic variability, yield, and quality properties of salinity-tolerant mutant plants derived from Ataem-7 and S04-05 soybean varieties by Cs-137 gamma radiation-induced mutations. The SM4 and SM3 mutants exhibited a greater genetic distance than all other salinity tolerant mutants did. SM3 mutant presented 16.8% lower lipid peroxidation under salinity stress. The most significant photosynthetic pigment increase was detected for chlorophyll b in SM4 and SM3 mutants, with values of 1.88 and 2.07-fold, respectively. The SM3 mutant exhibited the highest yield, at 437.6 kg/ha in the M3 generation, while AM1 presented the highest yield in the M4 generation. The AM1 mutant also had the highest pod count by 122.2 per plant. In the AM1 mutant, the photosynthetic pigment increase was 16.69% for chlorophyll a, 37.9% for chlorophyll b and 22.9% for total chlorophyll. These results provide a basis for future investi- gations in soybean mutation breeding studies for salinity stress tolerance, and also indicate the effectiveness of mutation breeding methods in agricultural breeding programs.

Studying genes associated with exercise-related physiological systems and metabolic pathways has proven to be an effective method for identifying genetic markers associated with enhanced athletic performance. One of the extensively studied genes in genetics is "Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE)" which has a significant role in regulating blood pressure, plasma volume, and the development of cardiac and skeletal muscle. The objective of this study was to determine the different results and genetic variations in the effects of ACE gene polymorphisms on the performance of the 30m sprint test and the arrowhead agility drill test in active adult males after a 6-week training program. Following the manufacturer's instructions, genomic DNA was extracted from participant mouth swab samples using the Buccalyse DNA Extraction Kit from Isohelix. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 25 application was used to perform statistical analysis on the research data. The findings indicate that 45.7% of the participants possess the I/D genotype, 31.4% possess the I/I genotype, and 22.9% possess the D/D genotype. There was no notable disparity in the performance of the arrowhead agility test and the 30 m sprint test among the different genotype groups (p

INTRODUCTION: In animal models of obesity, adipocyte-derived versican, and macrophage-derived biglycan play a crucial role in mediating adipose tissue inflammation. The aim was to investigate levels of versican and biglycan in obese children and any potential association with body adipose tissue and hepatosteatosis. METHODS: Serum levels of versican, biglycan, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured by ELISA. Fat deposition in the liver, spleen, and subcutaneous adipose tissue was calculated using the IDEAL-IQ sequences in magnetic resonance images. Bioimpedance analysis was performed using the Tanita BC 418 MA device. RESULTS: The study included 36 obese and 30 healthy children. The age of obese children was 13.6 (7.5-17.9) years, while the age of normal weight children was 13.0 (7.2-17.9) years (p=0.693). Serum levels of versican, hsCRP, and IL-6 were higher in the obese group (p=0.044, p=0.039, p=0.024, respectively), while no significant difference was found in biglycan levels between the groups. There was a positive correlation between versican, biglycan, hsCRP, and IL-6 (r=0.381 p=0.002, r=0.281 p=0.036, rho=0.426 p=0.001, r=0.424 p=0.001, rho=0.305 p=0.017, rho=0.748 p32% provided a predictive sensitivity of 81.8% and a specificity of 70.5% for hepatosteatosis [area under the curve (AUC): 0.819, p1.75 yielded a predictive sensitivity of 81.8% and a specificity of 69.8% for predicting hepatosteatosis (AUC: 0.789, p

Injury risk analysis is critical to preventing injuries' physical and psychological impact. The purpose of this study was to develop a new tool to evaluate the risk of injury particular to the Turkish get up (TGU) exercise. According to expert opinions, the Turkish Get Up Injury Risk Tool (TUGIR) is a biomechanical assessment tool developed based on the Turkish Get Up (TGU) movement. It evaluates the alignment and quality of movement during the exercise to assess the risk of injury. The upper and lower quarter Y balance tests (YBTs) and Functional Movement Screening (FMS) were performed to determine construct validity. A total of thirty- three wrestlers performed all the tests. Reliability was assessed by internal consistency determined with Cronbach's alpha coefficients and inter-rater reliability determined with Kendall's coefficient of concordance. The injury risk cut-off value was calculated according to the Angoff method. The internal consistency of the TUGIR was found to be 0.77 and 0.76, respectively, quite reliable for the right and left sides. Kendall's concordance coefficient of the total score was determined to be 0.998 for both sides. The injury risk cut-off value was found to be %72 for the overall TUGIR score. A low to moderate association was observed between TUGIR and YBTs—FMS. The TUGIR is a novel, reliable, and valid tool for assessing injury risk in sports. This tool offers several advantages, including being an easy-to-use, low- cost, and comprehensive method that can reflect sports-specific biomechanical characteristics. This research could lead to the use of this tool to assess the risk of injury in other sports branches.

This study analyses how and why the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) securitises climate change in the Arctic. The study recognises that climate change has not only endangered the environmental security of the Arctic but has also intensified geopolitical competition over the region’s resources and trade routes as a threat multiplier. Regarding the impact of the changing structure of the region from the “cooperation front” to the “competition area”, the study reveals that NATO considers climate change as a part of the collective defence dimension of its organizational identity, along with increasing geopolitical competition, to develop an integrated approach in its Arctic policy. Drawing on the Copenhagen School and social constructivism, the study presents that NATO resorts to securitisation discourses that concretise the threat to address climate change within the scope of its organizational identity.

Developing, experimenting, and sharing critical pedagogical approaches is becoming increasingly important in architectural education, which supposedly superposes theory and practice. In this article, the authors reveal and reflect on an enriching pedagogical approach to the traditional architectural design studio. It is acknowledged that students develop comprehensive examination and internalization abilities by developing reflective thinking and self-evaluation abilities that complement each other. Based on the pioneer educational theory of John Dewey, the researchers' selected instructional interventions. Using the action research method, four additional modes conceptualized towards disciplinary literacy -reading, mapping, discussion, and peer assessment- were injected into the traditional studio process during a semester of architectural design course. The pedagogical approach is built on questioning the two basic creativity-based abilities of learners: reflective thinking and self-assessment. The fundamental questions are: How can a reading-discussion setup designed to nurture disciplinary literacy in the design studio be a factor in developing reflective thinking ability? How can the systematic peer assessment exercise be a factor in the students' self-assessment and reflective thinking skills as a learning outcome? The results argue for the effects on students' intangible skills. The model studio setup exhibited two remarkable findings, showing that (i) the reading-discussion mode is more effective in generating reflective thinking and (ii) the systematic peer review exercise is more effective in gaining self-assessment ability. The aim is to contribute to the theory of education by making the model application in the field of architectural design studio accessible and reflective for other educators.

المخلص: أهداف البحث: يعد مؤشر نمط الحياة للبحر الأبيض المتوسط أداة قياسية تستخدم لتقييم مدى التزام الفرد بنمط الحياة للبحر الأبيض المتوسط الصحي المعروف بفوائده المتعددة. ويميز هذا المؤشر عن غيره من المقاييس المماثلة أنه يجمع بين تقييم النظام الغذائي ونمط الحياة في تقييم واحد شامل. طرق البحث: تم تطبيق استبانة على 300 فرد تتراوح أعمارهم بين 19 و 65 عاما. ثم أعيد تطبيق الاستبيانات على 87 شخصا شاركوا في البحث. أرسل الاستبيان، الذي تضمن معلومات عامة ومؤشر نمط الحياة للبحر الأبيض المتوسط ومعلومات عن القياسات الأنثروبولوجية، إلى مستخدمي منصة إلكترونية. تم تحويل المقياس إلى النموذج التركي المعمول به من قبل مجموعة خبراء. تم تقييم موثوقية إعادة الاختبار باستخدام معامل الارتباط داخل الطبقة. كما تم حساب معاملات كابا وتقديم رسوم بلاند-ألتمان لكل بند لتقييم الموثوقية. النتائج: تم حساب متوسط درجات الاستبيان قبل وبعد إعادة التقييم، وبلغت 14.5 ± 3.68 و 14.3 ± 3.81 على التوالي. وبلغ معامل الارتباط البيني (ر) لاختبار موثوقية إعادة الاختبار 0.817. الاستنتاجات: أكدت هذه الدراسة موثوقية وصحة النسخة التركية من مؤشر نمط الحياة للبحر الأبيض المتوسط. وتعد هذه أول دراسة تقوم بترجمة هذا المؤشر إلى لغة أخرى، مما يفتح المجال لتكييفه مع لغات أخرى مستقبلا. Abstract: Objective: The Mediterranean Lifestyle Index (MEDLIFE) differs from similar scales in that it concurrently includes diet and lifestyle. The current study translated MEDLIFE into Turkish, and assessed its reliability and validity. Methods: A questionnaire was administered to 300 individuals 19–65 years of age. The questionnaire was subsequently re-administered to 87 research participants. The questionnaire, asking for general information, MEDLIFE, and information regarding anthropometric measurements, was sent to the users of an online platform. The scale was converted into the applicable Turkish form by an expert group. Test-retest reliability was evaluated with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). In addition, kappa coefficients (k) and Bland–Altman graphs were determined for each item to assess reliability. Results: The mean scores before and after were 14.5 ± 3.68 and 14.3 ± 3.81, respectively, and the intercorrelation coefficient r was 0.817 for test-re-test reliability. Conclusion: The validity and reliability of the scale in the Turkish language was confirmed. This study is the first to translate MEDLIFE into another language and may aid in assessing the scale's adaptability to other languages. Food consumption record and physical activity record studies must be performed to ensure validity.

Video activism prominently advocates for human rights and justice by circulating records of abuses and state violence's impact on daily life. However, in the over-saturated online space, these images lose context amid constant sharing, demanding attention. Hence, organizing them within the framework of social struggles, resistance, and justice is crucial. In this context, digital activist archive initiatives (e.g., 858.ma 2018; labournet.tv 2011; Arkib Filem Rakyat 2023; B’Tselem 2012) not only make sense of the surplus of internet images but also act as a counter-practice that challenges the states’ official archiving practices and its claim of monopoly over history. Activist archiving practices wrest control away from established institutions, enabling the dissemination of alternative histories through images. As a result, these archives preserve the experiences of social groups ignored by official ideology and foster the proliferation of grassroots practices. Furthermore, the video activist archive emerges as an alternative platform that is generated collectively to reproduce knowledge and sociopolitical relations based on solidarity. This essay will center on a study of bak.ma - the digital media archive of social movements created following the Gezi Park protests (Istanbul, 2013). It seeks to examine how this archive constructs a social memory beyond state-approved knowledge and practices, achieved through decentralized and collective data collection that restores control of protest movements to the people. Additionally, this essay will also shed light on the challenges inherent in activist initiatives, encompassing issues like censorship, accessibility, the reproduction of knowledge, activist labor and sustainability.

To this day, there exists skepticism about the reliability and clinical utility of the diagnostic criteria and classification of schizoaffective disorder. In addition, the treatment of schizoaffective disorder, especially of treatment-resistant cases, has been minimally investigated. As a result, formulating official treatment guidelines for schizoaffective disorder has been challenging. We present a case of a 27-year-old female, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, for whom, for over 5 years, trials of traditional treatments, to include psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, and electroconvulsive therapy, were either partially effective or discontinued due to intolerable side effects. The subsequent off-label use of lumateperone led to an adequate response. Lumateperone is an atypical antipsychotic, approved by the Food and Drug Administration for schizophrenia and bipolar depression in adults. Interestingly, it has a similar structure and mechanism of action to paliperidone, the only Food and Drug Administration-approved medication for schizoaffective disorder. Through this case report, as an example of lumateperone’s effectiveness and tolerability, as well as a literature review of its pharmacodynamics, we make the case that lumateperone emerges as a promising option for schizoaffective disorder, especially treatment-resistant cases.

The main actors responsible for pesticide use behavior are farmers. Still, factors are influencing the pesticide use behavior of farmers in the background. The theory of planned behavior is a widely used concept that explains farmers’ pesticide use behavioral intention. However, previous studies show that behavior is not included in the model. As a novelty, it was investigated whether behavioral intention transforms into behavior in this study. In this context, it is the first study conducted in Turkey. Turkey is in the top three for pepper production in the world. In addition, pepper is among the agricultural products that use the most pesticides. This study aims to determine and explain Capia pepper farmers’ pesticide reduction intention and pesticide use behaviors in Turkey. For this purpose, the pesticide use behaviors of farmers in the province of Çanakkale, which ranks first in Capia pepper production in Turkey, were analyzed with the Structural Equation Model. Face-to-face surveys were conducted with 206 Capia pepper farmers selected by a proportional sampling method. The research results show that subjective norms and attitudes are important determinants of farmers' willingness to reduce pesticide use. Likewise, perceived behavioral control is a unique factor in farmers' use of pesticides. However, farmers' intentions to reduce pesticide use were not reflected in their actions. It is important to increase awareness among farmers about pesticide behavior. Agricultural policy implications should be planned that target the perceived behavior, subjective norms, and attitudes of farmers regarding pesticide use.

Abstract In this study, 2 yeasts, Candida zeylanoides isolate Y12‐3 (MN073455.1) and Hyphopichia pseudoburtonii isolate Y12‐1 (MN073489.1), were isolated from rainbow trout hindguts. Their identity was confirmed by amplification of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene regions. Their in vitro probiotic properties showed that they were hydrophobic and did not inhibit bacterial growth. However, they displayed positive co‐aggregation with several bacterial pathogens. It was interesting that Y12‐1 and Y12‐3 isolates survived and grew well in bile salt concentrations ranging from 0.6% to 1.5% and at low pH conditions. After a 35‐day feeding trial, the results of dietary incorporation of the yeast isolates showed that serum myeloperoxidase activity was unchanged in the treated and control groups. Meanwhile, serum lysozyme activity in yeast groups was decreased significantly compared to the control. However, fish fed with Y12‐1 had higher total protein, albumin, and globulin than other groups. Total cholesterol levels were decreased significantly in yeast groups compared to the control. Interestingly, the Y12‐1 and Y12‐3 groups showed higher survival (69.05% and 80.95%) after the challenge with Lactococcus garvieae compared to the control (45.24%). In brief, the aforementioned findings showed that Y12‐1 and Y12‐3 strains could be potential probiotic candidates for use in rainbow trout farming.

Introduction: Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) has attracted attention for its use in the detection of intra-abdominal pathology for pediatric patients. However, computed tomography (CT) remains the gold standard for the assessment of blunt torso trauma. The study examines the effectiveness of FAST both in the detection of intra-abdominal pathology in pediatric patients (

Abstract Background The aim of the present study was to investigate the micro-shear bond strength (µSBS) of various restorative materials applied on two different fast-setting calcium silicate-based materials and to evaluate the effect of restoration time on µSBS. Methods A total of 180 acrylic blocks with a cavity in the center were randomly divided into 2 main groups according to the capping material to be used (Biodentine or RetroMTA). The specimens were also randomly divided into 3 groups according to the restoration time (3 min, 12 min, 24 h). After the specified waiting periods, glass hybrid material (EQUIA Forte HT), resin composite (Filtek Z550) and light-cured calcium silicate material (Theracal LC) were placed on the specimens with tygon tubes. The specimens were kept for 24 h and then subjected to µSBS test. Statistical analysis was performed by 3-way ANOVA followed by Tukey test for pairwise comparisons (α = 0.05). Results There is a statistically significant difference (p 12 min > 3 min). The µSBS obtained for the Biodentine-resin composite at the end of the 3 min setting time is significantly lower (p

Not available.

This study develops a holistic approach that underlines the effect of spatial, behavioral, and perceptional dimensions on walkability at the neighborhood scale. The study recognizes quantitatively measured tangible factors and qualitatively assessed intangible values to evaluate the level of walkability in Besiktas, Istanbul (Turkey). The research explores the independent and combined effects of physical characteristics, individual perceptions, and walking behavior on walkability. Geographic Information Systems urban analyses, space syntax analysis, and observation to establish an analytical framework for spatial and behavioral dimensions of walkability in Besiktas central district are used as a methodology. Additionally, perceptional data is gathered through an experimental approach, which involves participants walking along pre-determined routes using cartography techniques and employing “shared walks” as a mobile method. The results of study confirmed previous findings from studies that the physical, social, and typological attributes of the built environment have a significant correlation between walking behavior and the physical and social aspects of the built environment. This study provides a comprehensive walkability assessment framework, encompassing quantitative and qualitative dimensions. By incorporating spatial, behavioral, and perceptual dimensions, this approach provides an efficient and integrated analytical methodology for evaluating walkability, distinguishing itself with its originality in the field of walkability research.

The study describes organic producers’ perceptions of organic livestock production, product commercialisation, use of contentious inputs such as allopathic antibiotics, antiparasitics and vitamins and bedding materials availability in Mediterranean (MED) and North/Western European (NWE) countries. A total of 426 MED (46.2%) and NWE (53.8%) responses were analysed revealing more difficulty finding information on alternatives to antiparasitics and antibiotics than on bedding materials. They identified ‘feeding/nutrition’, ‘animal health’ and ‘welfare’ as the most relevant topics in their farms. Whereas ruminants and monogastrics farmers in the NWE region also indicated ‘organic regulation’ as relevant, farmers rearing ruminant species in the MED region identified farm profitability and commercialisation. Farmers still mainly relied in conventional treatments but they often applied phytotherapy, although >61% of the participants did not treat their animals in the last year. If treated, most of them administered on average one course of antibiotic treatment per animal (>62%). In the MED region, the main sources of information on alternative treatments were veterinarians (>60%) and the Internet (>32%). In the NWE region, it was other farmers for producers including ruminant species (>63%) and veterinarians (>77%) for monogastric farmers. In the NWE region, direct commercialisation and through a cooperative and/or food industry were the most frequent channel used; while, in the MED region, they were the food industry and/or direct commercialisation. In conclusion, this survey provides novel cross-European insights into organic livestock producers' concerns. A particular value of the survey is that MED countries, which are often underrepresented, were well sampled.

Amaç: Telepazarlama, telefon aracılığı ile satış yapmak üzere kullanılan pazarlama yöntemlerinden biridir ve günümüzde yaygın olarak kullanılmaktadır. Bu çalışma, bankaların uzun vadeli mevduatlarını telefon aracılığıyla satmak için kullandıkları telepazarlama çağrılarının başarısını tahmin etmek amacıyla hesaplamalı bir model önermektedir. Yöntem: Toplamda 45.211 adet telepazarlama çağrısı 16 öznitelikle birlikte dikkate alınmıştır. Veriler %70 eğitim ve %30 test veri seti olmak üzere iki ayrı sete ayrılmıştır. Model için k-en yakın komşu (k-EK) makine öğrenmesi kullanılmış ve ilgili modelin hiperparametrelerinin Bayes optimizasyon yöntemi ile otomatik olarak belirlenmesi sağlanmıştır. Bulgular: Gerçekleştirilen analizler sonucunda; %94,68 doğruluk, %62,96 hassasiyet ve %99,01 özgüllük değeri elde edilmiştir. Önerilen hesaplamalı yöntem sayesinde daha başarılı telepazarlama aramalarının yapılması sağlanarak, uzaktan satış oranının artırılması ve amaca yönelik olarak daha uygun potansiyel müşterilerin saptanması sağlanabilir. Özgünlük: Bu çalışma kapsamında k-EK algoritmasına ve hesaplamalı modelin yapılandırılması için Bayes algoritmasına odaklanılmıştır. Literatürde benzer çalışmalarda manuel olarak belirlen hiper-parametre değerlerinin mevcut çalışma kapsamında otomatik olarak saptanması sağlanmıştır. Sonuç olarak, telepazarlama alanında kullanılabilecek yeni bir hesaplamalı model önerisi gerçekleştirilmiş ve ümit verici sonuçlar elde edilmiştir.

Abstract Cervical cancer has recently become one of the most prevalent cancers among women throughout the world. Traditional cancer therapies generate side effects due to off-target toxicity. Thus, novel cancer medications coupled with suitable drug delivery systems are required to improve cancer therapies. Melittin peptide has a high affinity to disrupt cancer cells. In this study, we designed targeted and redox-responsive Melittin conjugates for cervical cancer and then tested them in vitro. Folic acid and squamous cell carcinoma-specific peptide (CKQNLAEG) were used as targeting agents to design various conjugates. Our findings indicate that both anticancer conjugates were effective against different cancer cell lines, including MCF-7, C33A, and HeLa. Moreover, these conjugates were found to have antioxidant and antibacterial effects as well as reduced hemolytic activity. The CM–Target (N-terminus cysteine modified-Melittin–targeting peptide-functionalized conjugate) has become more stable and acted specifically against squamous cell carcinoma, whereas folic acid (FA)–containing conjugates acted efficiently against all cancer types studied, especially for breast cancer. According to our results, these anticancer conjugates may be possible anticancer drug candidates that have fewer adverse effects.

The bread wheat cultivar (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Sagittario) as a parental line and its mutant, drought-tolerant lines (Mutant lines 4 and 5) were subjected to polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced drought. Drought stress resulted in decreased chlorophyll levels and the accumulation of proline and TBARS, despite increases in activities of catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase enzymes. Transcription of the genes encoding these enzymes and delta-1-pyrroline 5-carboxylase synthetase was induced by drought. 2-DE gel electrophoresis analysis identified differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the mutant lines, which are distinguished by “chloroplast”, “mitochondrion”, “pyruvate dehydrogenase complex”, and “homeostatic process” terms. The drought tolerance of the mutant lines might be attributed to improved photosynthesis, efficient ATP synthesis, and modified antioxidant capacity. In addition to proteomics data, the drought tolerance of wheat genotypes might also be assessed by chlorophyll content and TaPOX gene expression. To our knowledge, this is the first proteomic analysis of gamma-induced mutants of bread wheat. These findings are expected to be utilized in plant breeding studies.

Fried potato products are the largest dietary source of acrylamide, a potential carcinogen formed at high temperatures. Previous studies suggested that garlic powder could decrease the development of acrylamide; however, there has not been much focus on the effect of garlic extract. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of garlic extract exposure on the development of acrylamide in French fries in popular home cooking techniques such as pan-frying, air-frying, and oven-frying. Initially, the antioxidative profile, total phenolic content, and chlorogenic acid content of garlic were analyzed. Subsequently, potatoes were treated with garlic extract and fried using pan-frying, air-frying, and oven-frying techniques. Acrylamide levels were then quantified through HPLC and compared to control groups. The findings showed that garlic exposure increased the acrylamide formation in French fries obtained with air-frying (311.95 ± 0.5 μg/kg) and with oven-frying (270.32 ± 23.4 μg/kg) (p < 0.005 *). This study offers new insights into varying acrylamide formation levels in domestic practices. Unlike previous studies, this study is the first to question the effect of aqueous garlic extract exposure. Further research is required to comprehend the interaction between garlic exposure and acrylamide formation in household settings.

Abstract Recent reports on antibiotic resistance have highlighted the need to reduce the impact of this global health issue through urgent prevention and control. The World Health Organization currently considers antibiotic resistance as one of the most dangerous threats to global health. Therefore, Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising for the development of novel antibiotic molecules due to their high antimicrobial effects, non-inducing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) properties, and broad spectrum. Hence, in this study, we developed novel antimicrobial peptide/polymer conjugates to reduce the adverse effects of TN6 (RLLRLLLRLLR) peptide. We demonstrate how our constructs function in vitro in terms of antimicrobial activity, hemolytic activity, cytotoxicity, and protease resistance. Our findings show that our molecules are effective against different types of microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-resistant S. aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enteroccus faecium, and Candida albicans, which are known to be pathogenic and antibiotic-resistant. Our constructs generally showed low cytotoxicity relative to the peptide in HaCaT and 3T3 cells. Especially these structures are very successful in terms of hemotoxicity. In the bacteremia model with S. aureus, the naked peptide (TN6) was hemotoxic even at 1 µg/mL, while the hemotoxicity of the conjugates was considerably lower than the peptide. Remarkably in this model, the hemolytic activity of PepC-PEG-pepC conjugate decreased 15-fold from 2.36 to 31.12 µg/mL compared to the bacteria-free 60-min treatment. This is proof that in the case of bacteremia and sepsis, the conjugates specifically direct to bacterial cell membranes rather than red blood cells. In addition, the PepC-PEG-pepC conjugate is resistant to plasma proteases. Moreover, morphological and intracellular damage of the peptide/conjugates to Escherichia coli are demonstrated in SEM and TEM images. These results suggest our molecules can be considered potential next-generation broad-spectrum antibiotic molecule/drug candidates that might be used in clinical cases such as bacteremia and sepsis.

This qualitative study aims to investigate the researcher identity development of novice and experienced researchers. In the study, which adopted the case study, one of the qualitative research designs, the maximum diversity and criterion sampling methods were used. Data were collected through interviews with seven novice and five experienced teacher educators. Data were analyzed by content analysis through MAXQDA software. Results showed that experienced and novice teacher educators shared similar views while depicting research and revealing the influential factors in developing researcher identity. It was found that researcher identity was developed through the interaction of three main components: academic, social, and individual factors. While individual factors were at the core of a researcher identity development process, academic and social factors influenced researcher identity through three phases: exploration, engagement, and continuous development. For each phase, there were academic and social factors that had a prevalent influence on researcher identity construction.

Aims:This study examined the relationship between depression with fatigue, quality of life (QoL), and gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS).Methods:This prospective study included patients diagnosed with RLS. Depression, fatigue, QoL and gastrointestinal symptoms were evaluated with Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Fatigue Severity Scale, RLS QoL Questionnaire and Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale, respectively. Multiple regression was performed to determine the relationship between fatigue, QoL, gastrointestinal symptoms, and depression.Results:The final sample included 19 patients [mean age: 42.6±12.7 years, female: 11 (57.9%)]. The level of depression positively correlated with fatigue, QoL, and gastrointestinal symptoms scores. These variables explained 57.1% of the variance in depression scores in patients with RLS (R=0.755, R2=0.571 F=6.645; p=0.005).Conclusions:This study showed that patients with RLS experience worsening QoL, fatigue, and increased gastrointestinal symptoms with increasing depression scores. Managing RLS may require tackling depression and depression-related symptoms with a multifaceted approach.

Introduction: The aim of the current study was to look into any potential ameliorative benefits of boric acid on liver damage in rats caused by cyclophosphamide (CTX). Materials and Methods: Four groups; control, boric acid, CTX, and boric acid + CTX, were created. Female Wistar albino rats were given daily injections of CTX (75 mg/kg) to create the liver damage model. Cyclophosphamide (75 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally, and boron (1.3 g/rat/day) was administered by gavage every day for two weeks in the boric acid+CTX group. The histopathological changes were evaluated in ovarian tissue staining with hematoxylin and eosin, masson tricrom, and periodic acid Schiff. We assessed ovarian tissue enzyme activity as malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Results: Images in the boric acid+CTX group had lower histological evaluations than those in the CTX group under the light microscope. According to the findings, boric acid reduced the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver tissues. Additionally, boric acid improved the actions of oxidative stress indicators to reduce oxidative stress brought on by CTX and upregulated antioxidant parameters. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study have demonstrated that CTX- induced liver injury can be alleviated by reducing the tissue MDA levels, increasing the liver’s SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT activities. In order to reduce the liver damage caused by CTX, boric acid may be administered as a dietary supplement or functional food.

Abstract Background It was aimed to investigate the psychological effects of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on children and adolescents. The effects of disease process on development of psychiatric disorders, the course of pre-existing disorders, and peer relationships of children who have had COVID-19 infection were evaluated. Fifty three patients (28 girls and 25 boys) who were aged 12 ± 2.64 years and diagnosed with COVID-19 infection within the last 3–9 months, were randomly selected and included. Sociodemographic form, Beck Depression Inventory/Children’s Depression Scale, Symptom Checklist 90-Revised were given to the participants, and a semi-structured interview was used to establish psychiatric disorders before and after COVID-19 infection. Parents were asked to fill in Conner’s Rating Scale-Parents and Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Function. Results Compared to pre-pandemic, duration of physical activity and time spent with peers were decreased, while screen exposure was found to be increased. Subclinical psychiatric symptoms were exacerbated after infection and most affected area was eating problems with loss of appetite and weight. Conclusions In conclusion, our data showed that COVID-19 is associated with an increase in psychiatric disorders among children and adolescents, and further studies are needed in a larger population to investigate the causes and consequences of these effects.

Background and Aim:Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is the primary pathophysiology in patients with preserved ejection heart failure. Hypertension (HT) results in myocardial structural changes and accelerates the progression to LVDD. Electrocardiographic diastolic index (EDI) calculated from electrocardiogram parameters can provide information about the correlation between hypertrophy of the left ventricle and LVDD. We investigated the predictor of EDI in detecting LVDD in patients followed up with HT.Materials and Methods:This study included 202 consecutive patients with HT between January 2022 and March 2022. The patients were classified without and with LVDD. The EDI is created as (V5-R amplitude + V1-S amplitude x aVL-R amplitude/PWL-I amplitude). The prediction value of the EDI for LVDD was evaluated by curve analysis of the receiver operating curve. Multivariate and univariate logistic regression analyzes were used to evaluate the free predictors of LVDD. Two multivariate models were used (model I: EDI as a continuous variable and model II: EDI as a categorical variable).Results:The patients were classified into two groups by showing LVDD. The average age of the study population was 50 ± 14 years, and 57.4% of the patients were female. The patient EDI value was 8.5 ± 7.3. The EDI value of the first group was remarkably lower than that of the second group. When the limit value of EDI is greater than 7.4 mV, it predicts LVDD with 63.6% sensitivity and 79.8% specificity. In univariate logistic regression analysis, the presence of LVDD was associated with EDI. Two different multivariate regression models were constructed to evaluate EDI as both a continuous variable and a categorical variable. EDI was determined as an independent predictor of LVDD in both models.Conclusion:The EDI is an essential assessment tool in predicting DD in patients who are followed up with HT because it is a cheap, accessible, and easy-to-use formula.

The degree of monomer conversion (DC) values of three different dental composites were examined using three different methods: surface microhardness (ratio of bottom/top), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Two of the dental composites included in the study were nanohybrid (Dentsply Neo Spectra ST HV and Omnichroma), and one was a microhybrid-labeled newly marketed composite containing nanoparticles (Dentac Myra). Composite discs were prepared according to the methodology for all methods and analyzed (2 mm thickness × 5 mm diameter). Surface microhardness values were measured in Vickers Hardness Number (VHN), while FT-IR and DSC values were obtained in percentage (%). Significant differences were observed in both bottom/top surface microhardness values and DC values obtained from FT-IR. However, there was no statistical difference in the ratio of bottom/top microhardness values. Neo Spectra ST HV exhibited superior performance in both microhardness and monomer conversion compared to the other two composites. Newly marketed Myra showed values close to Omnichroma. It was found that the values obtained by the DSC method were parallel to those obtained by FT-IR. In conclusion, the structure of dental composites leads to different mechanical properties. Additionally, DSC measurements and FTIR spectra were found to be complementary techniques for characterizing monomer conversion values.