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Abstract Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected healthcare service systems and personnel worldwide. Important decisions have been made such as surgical activity changes, recommendations to cancel elective surgery, and shifting surgeons to other medical activities. However, following the collection of new data and acceptance that this pandemic would last for at least a few years, firstly elective cases and then laparoscopic operations were started again. While it was reported that the COVID-19 virus was detected in the abdominal cavity in studies published in the form of series of a few cases, there is no clear information about the virulence of this detected virus yet. In guidelines published as recommendations by surgical associations, it is stated that it could be performed by taking the necessary precautions, but open surgery needs to be preferred in positive cases. We aimed in this study to show minimally invasive surgery is safe with all the precautions made preoperatively for both patients and surgical crew. Material and Method: We retrospectively examined the laparoscopic cases included between August 2020 and December 2020 at the General Surgery Clinic of the Hitit University Erol Olçok Research and Training Hospital from the hospital’s information system. We collected the ages of the found cases, their preoperative COVID diagnostic tests, and their COVID polyclinic visitation data in their postoperative follow-up. We also examined whether or not the surgical team involved in the surgeries of these patients was diagnosed with COVID-19 within 2 weeks following these surgeries. Results: A total of 124 laparoscopic cases were included at our clinic between August 2020 and December 2020. Most of these cases (68.5%) were laparoscopic cholecystectomy cases. A total of 124 laparoscopic cases were included at our clinic between August 2020 and December 2020. Most of these cases (68.5%) were laparoscopic cholecystectomy cases. The surgical team comprised the surgical nurse and operating room personnel under the leadership of the surgeon. Based on verbal questioning, it was determined that no person from the team involved in these surgeries was infected with SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion: In our study, as a result of our application of all these recommendations in the literature, we did not encounter any contamination in the 124 laparoscopic surgery cases we examined. In conclusion, we think that laparoscopic surgery may be performed safely with taking the necessary precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

Septicemia caused by Gram-negative bacteria is an infection associated with liver dysfunction. Quercetin is a natural flavonoid found in vegetables and fruits and has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cytoprotective and antiallergic properties. This research aims to investigate the effects of quercetin on the liver against tissue damage due to sepsis-induced oxidative stress. Thirty-two male rats were used in the study. The animals were randomly divided into 5 groups. Quercetin was dissolved in 20 mg/kg of olive oil daily for 15 days and given through oral gavage. The cecal-ligation sepsis model was applied to the group 3 and group 4. In histopathological evaluation; inflammation involving moderate neutrophils and lymphocytes was observed in most portal areas in the group where sepsis was created (Group 3). In the sepsis group administered quercetin (Group 4) only a few portal areas had a milder inflammation with fewer neutrophils than the sepsis group. There was a significant difference between group 3, 4, and all other groups in ALT and AST values. A significant difference was observed between group 3, 4 and other groups in terms of tissue MDA, GSH levels. It was concluded that quercetin, a powerful antioxidant, can reduce liver damage caused by sepsis and has the potential to be used to help treat sepsis.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues infecting people causing deaths globally. Although various medicines have been tried to combat with COVID-19, there is no medicine or treatment that has been validated yet. People have been using natural products for centuries against bacterial and viral illnesses. This study aimed to test the effects of the biomolecule oleuropein, whey collected from industrial waste and soaproot extracts obtained from Gypsophila arrostii Guss. var. nebulosa Boiss. amp; Heldr. and Saponaria officinalis L. on the expression of the human ACE2 gene as SARS-CoV-2 receptor on the A549 adenocarcinoma cell-line by Real-Time Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). According to the cytotoxicity tests, G. arrostii var. nebulosa and S. officinalis extract treatments showed a dose dependent cytotoxic effect on the cells. The EC50 values of G. arrostii var. nebulosa and S. officinalis were found to be 54.3 μg/ml and 17.3 μg/ml, respectively. Oleuropein showed moderate cytotoxic effects with the EC50 value over 250 μg/ml. Whey (fermented and non-fermented) did not show any cytotoxic effect at the applied doses. The qPCR results showed that the ACE2 mRNA level decreased by 89.8% and 35.2% due to the fermented and non-fermented whey extracts, respectively. Similarly, G. arrostii var. nebulosa and S. officinalis downregulated ACE2 by 79.8% and 90.1%, respectively. In contrast, oleropein upregulated ACE2 (102.8%). Our results showed that the natural supporting products produced from soaproot extracts and fermented whey can be used against COVID-19 by both cancer patients and people in potential risk groups.

Developing technology enables more accurate and efficient measurement with the help of low-cost sensors. Therefore, in this study, a gaussmeter that can be used for agricultural purposes was developed using a low-cost microcontroller development card. The developed low-cost gaussmeter includes an inexpensive magnetic field sensor, a microcontroller development card, and LabVIEW software. Magnetic field measurements, based on the optimization of the microcontroller-based gaussmeter, were developed with the HAL503 Hall Effect sensor with the help of LabVIEW software. A high regression was observed between the values obtained from the device and the results found from the calculations made using theoretical magnetic field formulas and the measured values. It was observed that it works with an average accuracy of 99.6% for 3 different thickness magnets. According to the developed measuring device results of 6, 8, and 10 magnets sizes, R2 values were evaluated as 99.8%, 99.7%, and 99.3%, respectively.

Background. Iron refractory iron deficiency anemia (IRIDA) is a rare autosomal recessive type of anemia characterized by unresponsiveness to oral iron therapy and partial response to parenteral iron therapy. In this article, we report the clinical presentation of four patients with IRIDA admitted to our clinic, including their laboratory values at admission and after oral and parenteral iron treatment, and the analysis of their mutation(s) in TMPRSS6 gene. Case. Four patients from different families, aged between 3 and 14 years, two girls and two boys, two of whom were from consanguineous marriages, who were diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia in primary health care institutions and referred to our clinic because of inadequate response to oral iron treatment were included. Patients were evaluated for the differential diagnosis of microcytic, hypochromic anemia and investigated for the etiology of IDA. Homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations causing defective matriptase-2 protein expression were detected in the TMPRSS6 gene; these mutations included four frameshift mutations-two of which were the same in two cases and causing premature terminal stop codons-and a nonsense mutation, all of which were previously demonstrated in the literature. The response to parental iron therapy ranged from complete non-response to mild to good response in hemoglobin levels, but none of the patients showed improvement in iron parameters. Conclusions. Increased awareness of IRIDA and keeping it in mind in the differential diagnosis in the presence of hypochromic microcytic anemia that does not respond to iron treatment will be crucial in improving the diagnosis and treatment of the disease and ultimately enhancing the quality of care for affected individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Exosomes are suggested as cellular components with therapeutic and prognostic potential in various disease therapies and exhibit different secretion profiles under cellular stress. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which play an important role in regenerative medicine, are particularly rich in exosome release compared to other cell types. In this context, the effect of exosomes obtained from palatine tonsil tissue derived MSCs (T-MSC) under different temperature conditions on cell proliferation were investigated in vitro on cancer and healthy cells. Methods: Exosomes were isolated from MSCs under normal temperature conditions and heat stress, and their concentrations and size distribution were determined by nanoparticle tracking analysis. The effects of exosomes obtained under different conditions on cell proliferation in healthy and cancer cell lines were determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, while their effects on cell migration were evaluated by wound healing assay. Results: Exosomes obtained under normal temperature conditions and heat stress did not exhibit very different properties in terms of size distribution, but particles were obtained at approximately 2 times higher concentrations under normal temperature conditions. They showed different effects in terms of cell proliferation. Exosomes obtained under normal conditions significantly increased cell proliferation in keratinocyte cells depending on the concentration. However, exosomes obtained in cancer cells, especially after heat stress, significantly inhibited cell proliferation. Conclusions: While exosomes obtained under heat stress come to the forefront in inhibiting cell proliferation in cancer cells, exosomes obtained under normal conditions stand out as effective in wound healing by stimulating increased normal cell proliferation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the effect of osteoporosis education on osteoporosis knowledge level (OKL) and behavioral changes in daily life in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Patients and methods: Between May 2019 and December 2019, a total of 54 patients (34 males, 20 females; median age: 68.5 years; range, 50 to 87 years) were included in the study. We randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio, patients with PD to receive either only the brochure or in addition to this a verbal osteoporosis education. The patients were randomized into the control (n=27) and intervention groups (n=27). Seven of the patients (two in the control group and five in the intervention group) were lost to follow-up. The patients were assessed at baseline and Week 12. The primary outcomes were Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) score (0-400) and daily calcium intake (DCI). The secondary outcomes were revised 2011 osteoporosis knowledge test (rOKT) score (0-32), frequency of falls, smoking and alcohol use at Week 12. Results: The median total PASE score was 81 (range, 0 to 205) for the intervention group, compared to 61 (range, 0 to 242) for control group at Week 12. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups at Week 12, except for the medians of the frequency of falls that was significantly lower in the intervention group (p<0.05). A significant improvement from baseline was observed in the median rOKT scores (control group 16 (range, 6 to 21) to 19 (range, 11 to 25); intervention group 13 (range, 6 to 24) to 18 (range, 9 to 24); p<0.001) and DCI (control group 855 (range, 420 to 1,640) to 890 (range, 550 to 1,660); intervention group, 870 (range, 400 to 1,385) to 1,020 (range, 400 to 1,940) mg/day; p<0.01) in both groups. Also, a significant improvement in the leisure activities (PASE subgroup) was observed in the intervention group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Osteoporosis education had some positive effects in patients with PD, even when only given the brochure. With additional verbal education, more benefits can be obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impacts of climate change (CC) are intensifying and becoming more widespread. Greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) significantly contribute to CC and are primarily generated by transportation—a dominant segment of supply chains. City logistics is responsible for a significant portion of GHGs, as conventional vehicles are the primary mode of transportation in logistical operations. Nonetheless, city logistics is vital for urban areas' economy and quality of life. Therefore, decarbonizing city logistics (DCL) is crucial to promote green cities and sustainable urban living and mitigate the impacts of CC. However, sustainability encompasses the environment, economy, society, and culture, collectively called the quadruple bottom line (QBL) pillars of sustainability. This research uses the QBL approach to review the extant literature on DCL. We searched for articles on SCOPUS, focusing on analytical scholarly studies published in the past two decades. By analyzing publication years, journals, countries, and keyword occurrences, we present an overview of the current state of DCL research. Additionally, we examine the methods and proposals outlined in the reviewed articles, along with the QBL aspects they address. Finally, we discuss the evolution of DCL research and provide directions for future research. The results indicate that optimization is the predominant solution approach among the analytical papers in the DCL literature. Our analysis reveals a lack of consideration for the cultural aspect of QBL, which is essential for the applicability of any proposed solution. We also note the integration of innovative solutions, such as crowdsourcing, electric and hydrogen vehicles, and drones in city logistics, indicating a promising research area that can contribute to developing sustainable cities and mitigating CC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the development of antimicrobial technical textiles using silver‐infused polypropylene fibers to meet the escalating demand for enhanced protection against pathogens in medical settings. Various polypropylene‐based fibers with different silver concentrations and cross‐sections were produced through spinning experiments, resulting in six distinct fiber types. Comprehensive analyses, including differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X‐Ray diffraction (XRD), were conducted to evaluate thermal and structural properties. Physical strength and morphological characteristics were examined to determine optimal compositions. Subsequently, selected fibers were spun into yarns and knitted to create textile surfaces. Evaluation encompassed physical attributes, color, morphology, water vapor permeability, and antimicrobial efficacy against Gram‐negative bacteria, particularly E.coli. The results demonstrated over 99% antibacterial activity across all samples, highlighting their potential utility in medical textiles and other applications. Additionally, the study revealed that the water vapor permeability values were higher in fabric samples without silver nanoparticle additives, with a negligible decrease observed in samples with higher silver nanoparticle concentrations. The antibacterial activity was found to increase with higher silver concentrations in trilobal cross‐section samples. Round cross‐section samples exhibited higher antibacterial activity at the same silver concentration. These findings provide valuable insights for future antibacterial‐based fiber production studies and literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this study is to reveal the relationships between nature-based tourists' self-determined travel motivations, ecologically responsible attitudes and subjective well-being within the scope of self-determination theory. Empirical analyses show that there are positive relationships between nature-based tourists' self-determined travel motivations, ecologically responsible attitudes and subjective well-being. The conceptual model was tested using Smart-PLS with 268 valid survey responses. The results of the study showed that there are positive and significant relationships between nature-based tourists' self-determined travel motivation, ecological responsibility attitudes and subjective well-being. Research integrating self-determination theory and nature-based tourism is relatively limited and the results of this study enhance our understanding of the topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective: To evaluate choroidal thickness (CT) and central macular thickness (CMT) in eyes with keratoconus and subclinical keratoconus (SKC), and in ageand sex-matched healthy controls. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 18 patients with keratoconus in one eye and SKC in the other, and 18 controls. The CMT and CT measurements were obtained from all participants. Measurements were taken at the subfoveal CT, the CT at 750 μm nasal and temporal to the fovea, and the CT at 1500 μm nasal and temporal to the fovea. Results: No significant difference was noted in the mean CMT values among the three groups (p>0.05). The mean subfoveal, N750, N1500, T750, and T1500 CT values in the keratoconus group were significantly higher than those in the SKC and control groups (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the mean CT values of the subfoveal, N750, N1500, T750, and T1500 regions between the SKC and control groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Although we have shown that CT is increased in patients with keratoconus, the measurement of choroidal and macular thicknesses does not appear to be a useful technique to differentiate eyes with SKC from healthy eyes or to follow the progression of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Duzce University Journal of Science & Technology is the property of Duzce University Journal of Science & Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Studies on Turkish Language & Literature in the Balkans is the property of Studies on Turkish Language & Literature in the Balkans and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: Mechanical obstruction is the most common form of nasal obstruction. Among the types of mechanical obstructions, septum deviation and inferior turbinate hypertrophy are the most prevalent. Objective: This study evaluated the early clinical outcomes of inferior turbinate radiofrequency and inferior turbinate lateralization combined with septoplasty in the treatment of nasal obstruction symptoms. Methods: The research retrospectively evaluated data from 33 patients (24 male, nine female) undergoing septoplasty and inferior turbinate radiofrequency (RF group) and 32 patients (24 male, eight female) treated with septoplasty and inferior turbinate lateralization (LAT group), who were admitted, with complaints of nasal obstruction, to the University of Health Sciences, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, between January 1, 2017 and January 1, 2018. The patients’ preoperative and 6-month postoperative symptoms were evaluated via the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation, the NOSE scale. Results: The mean preoperative NOSE scores were 10.3 ± 4.2 in the RF group and 10.9 ± 4.9 in the LAT group, and the mean six-month postoperative scores were 1.09 ± 1.3 in the RF group and 1.2 ± 1.3 in the LAT group. There was no significant difference in NOSE scores between the two groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The data obtained in this study show that both methods result in similar outcomes in terms of relieving nasal obstruction symptoms in patients requiring inferior turbinate intervention. Therefore, the researchers believe that, in each case, the intervention method should be selected at the discretion of the patient and surgeon(s).