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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.

AIM: To evaluate the retinochoroidal microvascular circulation and anatomical structure of diabetic and non-diabetic patients with epiretinal membrane (ERM) with the help of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) and compare them with healthy control subjects. METHODS: In this prospective, cross-sectional study, a total of 165 eyes were evaluated, including 50 eyes of patients with diabetic ERM, 54 eyes of idiopathic ERM (iERM) patients, and 61 eyes of healthy controls. Macula and disc angiography was performed by OCT-A. Macular vessel density (VD) ratio was evaluated by dividing the VD of the foveal region by the VD of the parafoveal region. Statistical calculations were evaluated at the 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: Macula superficial VD values of ERM cases were lower than that in the control group, while foveal VD was higher in ERM cases. Macula deep VD values of ERM cases were lower in all quadrants, except the fovea. The width of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area was significantly lower in the ERM groups, and the FAZ width was lowest in iERM group. Macula superficial VD ratio was significantly higher in the ERM groups, but there was no significant difference between ERM groups. Macula deep VD ratio was significantly higher in the iERM group than in the control group. CONCLUSION: Diabetic and idiopathic ERMs differ in their mechanism of formation and clinical presentation, as well as their effect on retinal vascular structures. If the relationship of increase of retinal thickness with vascular integrity can be demonstrated with OCT-A, then, OCT-A can be used as a guide for ERM prognosis.

Aim: The research was carried out to draw attention to online fresh meat sales and the precautions to be taken in this area by determining some quality characteristics of fresh meat sold online. Materials and Methods: The pH values of the samples were determined using a digital pH meter and the temperature values were determined using an infrared sensor-operated immersion thermometer. The color values of the samples were determined by measuring the L*, a*, and b* color values with a Chromameter color measuring device. The total viable counts was determined in Plate Count Agar medium, coliform bacteria number in Violet Red Bile Agar medium, Staphylococcus spp. number in Baird Parker Agar medium supplemented with Egg Yolk Tellurite Emulsion using classical culture techniques. Results: The mean pH values of pieced, cubed and minced meat purchased online and customers were respectively 5.62/5.62, 5.64/5.70, and 5.81/5.84. The average temperature values of pieced, cubed, and minced meat purchased online and customers were respectively 11.35/11.1°C, 11.26/11.7°C, and 12.07/12.7°C. Total viable counts of pieced, cubed, and minced meat purchased online and customers were respectively determined as 5.69/5.09, 6.34/5.68, and 7.01/6.36 log10 cfu/g. Temperature values and microbiological results determined in both meat samples purchased online with cold chain and customers without cold chain were similar. Conclusion: In light of the results, it is thought that the temperature values, packaging forms, and shipping conditions of online meat should be more prominent in the reorganization of legislation.

Autosomal dominant hyper-IgE syndrome (AD-HIES) is an inborn error of immunity (IEI) caused by a dominant-negative mutation in the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT 3). This disease is characterized by chronic eczematoid dermatitis, recurrent staphylococcal skin abscesses, pneumonia, pneumatoceles, and extremely high serum IgE levels. Loss-of-function STAT3 mutations may also result in distinct non-immunologic features such as dental, facial, skeletal, and vascular abnormalities, central nervous system malformations and an increased risk for bone fractures. Prophylactic treatment of Candida infections and prophylactic antimicrobial therapy for staphylococcal skin infections and sinopulmonary infections are essential. An awareness of the oral and maxillofacial features of HIES may facilitate early diagnosis with genetic counselling and may improve future patient care. This study describes oral, dental, and maxillofacial manifestations in 14 patients with genetically defined AD-HIES. We also review the literature and propose recommendations for the complex care of patients with this rare primary immunodeficiency.

Objective Dipeptidase-1 (DPEP-1) is a recently discovered leucocyte adhesion receptor for neutrophils and monocytes in the lungs and kidneys and serves as a potential therapeutic target to attenuate inflammation in moderate-to-severe COVID-19. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the DPEP-1 inhibitor, LSALT peptide, to prevent specific organ dysfunction in patients hospitalised with COVID-19.Design Phase 2a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, trial.Setting Hospitals in Canada, Turkey and the USA.Participants A total of 61 subjects with moderate-to-severe COVID-19.Interventions Randomisation to LSALT peptide 5 mg intravenously daily or placebo for up to 14 days.Primary and secondary outcome measures The primary endpoint was the proportion of subjects alive and free of respiratory failure and/or the need for renal replacement therapy (RRT). Numerous secondary and exploratory endpoints were assessed including ventilation-free days, and changes in kidney function or serum biomarkers.Results At 28 days, 27 (90.3%) and 28 (93.3%) of subjects in the placebo and LSALT groups were free of respiratory failure and the need for RRT (p=0.86). On days 14 and 28, the number of patients still requiring more intensive respiratory support (O2 ≥6 L/minute, non-invasive or invasive mechanical ventilation or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) was 6 (19.4%) and 3 (9.7%) in the placebo group versus 2 (6.7%) and 2 (6.7%) in the LSALT group, respectively (p=0.14; p=0.67). Unadjusted analysis of ventilation-free days demonstrated 22.8 days for the LSALT group compared with 20.9 in the placebo group (p=0.4). LSALT-treated subjects had a significant reduction in the fold expression from baseline to end of treatment of serum CXCL10 compared with placebo (p=0.02). Treatment-emergent adverse events were similar between groups.Conclusion In a Phase 2 study, LSALT peptide was demonstrated to be safe and tolerated in patients hospitalised with moderate-to-severe COVID-19.Trial registration number NCT04402957.

Abstract This article analyses the racial framing of the humanitarian encounter between Turkish and African Muslims as a trope of first contact. Intensifying humanitarian relations with Africa south of the [...]

This part issue aims to re-centre the African continent in debates on the intersectionality of race and religion. Africa became a colonial laboratory for racializing religious difference in the ethnological [...]

Purpose: Electric bicycles (e-bikes) achieve higher speeds than pedal bicycles, but few studies have investigated the impact on injury rates specific to the pediatric population. Utilizing the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), we compared rates of pediatric injury for e-bikes, bicycles, and gas-engine bicycles (mopeds) from 2011 to 2020. Methods: Descriptive and bivariate inferential analyses were performed upon NEISS estimates of e-bike, bicycle, and moped injuries in children aged 2–18 years. Analyses were stratified by patient age and helmet usage. The Mann-Kendall test of trends was used. Results: We identified 3945 e-bike, 23,389 moped, and 2.05 million bicycle injuries. Over time, the incidence of injury increased for e-bikes (Kendall's τ=0.73, p = 0.004), decreased for pedal bicycles (Kendall's τ= − 0.91, p = 0.0003), and did not change for mopeds (Kendall's τ = 0.06, p = 0.85). Males accounted for 82.5 % of e-bike injuries. The age group most commonly affected by e-bike injury (44.3 %) was 10–13 years old. The proportion of injuries requiring hospitalization was significantly higher for e-bikes (11.5 %), compared to moped and bicycle (7.0 and 4.8 %, respectively, p

Smart polymers synthesized from renewable sources are precious because of the environmental pressures of producing polymers from fossil fuels. This study develops a new formulation of polyurethane (PU) from partly renewable resources. PU composites were prepared from castor oil (CO), polyethylene glycol (PEG3000), and hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI). CO was used as both polyol and crosslinker. Butanediol and/or low molecular weight polyethylene glycol (PEG300) were added to the reaction medium as a chain extender. As a magnetic particle, natural magnetite or carbonyl iron was used in various amounts (0–10%). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), scanning electron microscope (SEM), optical microscope, and goniometer were used to characterize all composites and pure PU. A bending test was applied to investigate the shape fixity and shape recovery ratios of the samples. A range of hydrophilic/hydrophobic PU composites (water contact angle is between 56–87°) having various melting and glass transition temperatures were successfully prepared. A PU composite having a good shape recovery ratio (Rr = 96.1%) in a magnetic field was prepared using 10% magnetite. The PU composites were also thermosensitive.

Garre’s osteomyelitis is a rare chronic inflammatory disease with reactive peripheral bone formation due to low-grade local infection. Here, we present a 12-year-old female with chronic osteomyelitis and proliferative periostitis with no definite source of infection, such as caries or periodontitis. The patient had a history of 4-5 hospitalizations with the same symptoms intermittently over the previous two years at the hospital which referred her to our hospital. The patient had undergone a biopsy at the referring hospital, and she was referred to our hospital with a histopathological diagnosis of osteoid osteoma. Physical examination showed a unilateral swelling in the right mandible at admission to our hospital. Since we could not exclude the diagnosis of bacterial osteomyelitis, antibiotics were continued. Periapical radiography, magnetic resonance, computed tomography, and clinical features supported the diagnosis of Garre’s osteomyelitis, so antimicrobial therapy was discontinued. Her biopsy materials were re-examined by the pathologist at our hospital, and Garre’s osteomyelitis was considered. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were started. We added colchicine treatment because she failed to achieve remission, and normal facial symmetrical morphology was not achieved in the two-month follow-up period. However, the symptoms regressed within one year, and the swelling disappeared.

An intravaginal sponge impregnated with progesterone is commonly used for estrus induction and synchronization in ewes. Although using an intravaginal sponge containing progesterone positively affects the synchronization rate, varying degrees of vaginitis occur during its application. This study aimed to investigate the impacts of various intravaginal treatment options on the vaginitis severity and pregnancy rate in Merino ewes synchronized with intravaginal sponges impregnated with progesterone. During the breeding period, 589 ewes, aged 2–6, received intravaginal sponges for 14 days. The control group (CON) received no treatment, whereas vaginal sponges absorbed with enrofloxacin (ENR), Lactobacillus plantarum (LAC), or Lactobacillus plantarum supernatant (CFS) were applied in the treatment groups. All groups received 500 IU of equine chorionic gonadotropin intramuscularly. The ENR group showed lower scores in vaginal discharge and sponge odor compared with the CON, LAC, and CFS groups. Although estrus responses did not differ between groups, the pregnancy rate tended to be higher in the ENR group. In conclusion, intravaginal ENR application, but not LAC or CFS, reduced vaginitis severity and tended to increase pregnancy rates in ewes synchronized with intravaginal sponges impregnated with progesterone.

In this study, it was aimed to determine the negative effect of different types of exercise on ovarian reserve of sedentary women. A total of 40 sedentary women who met the criteria for admission to work were categorized as aerobic exercise (AE; n:20; age: 33.0±2.0 years old) and strength exercise (SE; n:20; age: 32.7±2.1 years old) groups. Participants in both groups received two different exercises of 60-minute with an intensity of 60-70% for 16 weeks and 4 days per week. Participants' anthropometric (body weight, BMI, waist and hip circumference, waist and hip rate (WHR)), estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH) follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and levels antimülerian hormone (AMH), which used as over-reserve indicators, were measured for before and after exercise. Comparisons of these parameters were evaluated at p<0.01 and 0.05 levels. The mean of anthropometric and biochemical parameters of the AE and SE groups were statistically similar in before exercise. After exercise program, body weight, BMI, waist and hip circumference values of both groups were significantly decreased (p<0.01 and p<0.05). There was no significant correlation between AMH, E2, FSH and LH levels of the AE group (p>0.05). In the SE group, there was a decrease in AHM level (p<0.05) and an increase in FSH level (p<0.01). There was no significant correlation between E2, and LH levels of the SE group (p>0.05). As a results; strength exercise triggers to decrease in serum AMH levels and to increase in serum FSH levels. For this reason, strength exercise practices can have negative consequences for fertility, especially for women with lower ovarian reserve values.

This study analyzes drought conditions in the Aegean region using monthly precipitation data from nine stations between 1972 and 2020. The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) was calculated for 1-, 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month periods to evaluate drought conditions at different timescales and station-specific conditions. The results indicate that short-term droughts are more frequent but shorter in duration, while longer periods exhibit fewer but more prolonged droughts. The relative frequency of drought across all periods ranges between 9% and 27%. The İzmir and Denizli stations were highlighted due to their representation of coastal and inner regions, respectively. The findings show that coastal stations, like İzmir, experience more frequent wet years compared to inner stations like Denizli, which have more dry years. Time series linear autoregressive (AR) models, using SPI-12 data, were developed to represent long-term drought trends and forecasts. The best-fitting models were determined using AIC, AICC, FPE, and Var(e) criteria, with AR(2) generally being the most suitable, except for Denizli. This integrated analysis of SPI and AR models provides a robust basis for understanding regional precipitation regimes and predicting future droughts, aiding in the development of effective drought mitigation strategies and water resource management. Future research is anticipated to extend this analysis to encompass all of Turkey and explore various time series models’ applicability.

In this study, the effect of carrot fiber and certain gums on the physicochemical, textural, microbiological, and sensory properties of block-type melting cheese, which holds a significant place in our daily food consumption, was investigated. The study also aimed to determine the impact of carrot fiber and other gums on cheese properties, as well as on yield and meltability. Carrot fiber was used at levels of 2.5% and 5.0% by weight, while carrageenan and xanthan gum were each used at levels of 0.25% and 0.50%. The cheeses were analyzed on days 1, 15, and 30. At the end of the study, it was determined that the highest total dry matter, fat, and protein values were found in the control sample due to the addition of water when preparing the cheeses with fiber and gum. The highest dry matter, fat, salt, and protein ratios were 59.65%, 29.40%, 1.48%, and 24.48%, respectively, in the control sample. The lowest fat, salt, and protein ratios were 25.00%, 1.31%, and 22.07%, respectively, in the 5.0% carrot fiber sample. The lowest dry matter value was found in the 0.5% xanthan sample, namely 53.62%. The highest L* value was measured in the control sample at 86.89, while the lowest was measured in the 5.0% carrot fiber sample at 81.86. The lowest a* and b* values were 2.82 and 29.42, respectively, in the control sample, while the highest values were 6.20 and 37.37, respectively, in the 5.0% carrot fiber sample. It was observed that the use of carrot fiber imparted an orangish color to the cheese. It was observed that the pH values of the samples were similar. According to the sensory evaluation results, the most liked sample was the control sample with 8.5 points, followed by the 0.25% xanthan sample with 8.0 points. The 5.0% carrot fiber sample received the lowest sensory appreciation with 6.1 points. It was understood that the use of carrot fiber gave the cheese an orangish color. Although the meltability varied according to the amount of gum and fiber used, it was measured at 6.92 cm in the 0.25% carrageenan sample on the first day and at 6.79 cm in the control sample on the last day of storage. It was observed that the use of fiber decreased the total bacterial count, while the use of gum increased it.

Background/Aim: Diabetic foot infection (DFI) occurs frequently in patients, followed up with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). For this reason, antibiotic treatment is often used in patients followed with DFU. Inappropriate use of antibiotics and increasing antibiotic resistance threaten public health. We aimed to investigate the microbial spectrum and antimicrobial resistance patterns isolated from diabetic foot infections in Turkey and help clinicians to choose optimal antibiotics empirically. Materials and Methods: This study was planned as a retrospective, single-center, cross-sectional study. Two hundred sixty-two patients whose causative microorganism was isolated in culture of tissue between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2022 were included in this study. Bacterial profile and antimicrobial resistance patterns were analyzed. Results: Four hundred thirty two isolates from 262 patients isolated in culture of tissue were evaluated. Of these microorganisms, 57.60% were Gram-negative, 41.20% were Gram-positive bacteria, and 1.2% were Candida spp. The most frequently detected Gram-positive microorganism was Staphylococcus spp. Gram-negative microorganisms were Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). Polymicrobial infections were observed in 40.5% of the patients. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp. rate was 51.3%, while extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) resistance for E. coli was 66.7%. Conclusions: Due to increasing antibiotic resistance rates, treatment of common infections becomes more difficult. Knowledge of the microbiological profile and antibiotic resistance patterns of patients with DFIs is useful to guide empirical therapy.