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Boriding of pure iron was investigated using the powder pack method with boriding powder mixtures containing different weight fractions of ZrB2 (5 %, 10 %, 15 % and 20 %). The samples were borided in an electric resistance furnace for an exposure time of 4 h at 1,173 K temperature under atmospheric pressure. Borided samples were characterized by optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction analyses and microhardness tests. Results showed that the boride layers consisted mainly of FeB and Fe2B phases. No significant difference in boride layer thicknesses (average 140 μm) could be observed as a function of ZrB2 content. The needle-like morphology of the boride layer became more prominent with increasing weight fraction of ZrB2 in the boriding powders. The average microhardness of the boride layer decreased with increasing ZrB2 content due to changes in the morphology of the boride layer.

The radiation shielding properties of three different stainless steels have been investigated. For this purpose, linear attenuation coefficients at photon energy levels of 662 keV and 1250 keV have been measured. The obtained results showed that ferritic stainless steel was more capable in stopping the high energy photons than its non-magnetic counterpart.

In this study, the effect of cooling rate and heat treatment on the microstructural and mechanical characteristics such as microhardness of low-carbon microalloyed steel was investigated by means of optical microscopy and Vickers hardness tests. The cooling rates were controlled by introducing air-cooling, furnace-cooling, water-quenching and liquid nitrogen quenching. The obtained results showed that the difference of cooling rates and the heat treatments significantly affect the microstructure and mechanical properties of steels. These tendencies were dominant in liquid nitrogen cooled for 1073 K at 4 h and 1273 K heat treatment processes.

In this study, the temperature dependence of p-type semiconductor diodes that are a part of in-vivo dosimetry system was assessed in Co-60 photon energy. The collimator and gantry angle on zero degree, SSD 100 cm, field size 20x20 cm2 was selected. The IBA EDP-5, EDP-10 and EDP-20 diode types that included in this study have different thickness of build-up material so the depth of measurements at water equivalent phantom by FC65-p ion chamber was selected at 5, 10 and 20 mm. Along the process the room and phantom temperature was measured and recorded (19°C). The special water filled PMMA phantom was used for diode set-up on its surface and a thermometer for determine phantom temperature was employed. Each type of diodes irradiated separately for one minute and the signal to dose sensitivity and calibration was performed at room temperature (19°C) by OmniPro-InViDos software with DPD-12 electrometer. Examination was repeated from 33°C to 20°C temperatures. The temperature correction factors were found from slope of the linear drawings for each diode types. The obtained correction factor for EDP-5 and EDP-10 was 0.29 %°C/cGy and 0.30 %°C/cGy respectively, that higher than recommended factor (%0.25°C/cGy). While the more fluctuation for EDP-20 was realized.

Background/aim: Obese individuals often exhibit vitamin D deficiency, potentially due to sequestration in fat cells. Little is known about how vitamin D 3 enters adipocytes and associates with the intracellular lipid droplet., Materials and Methods: Newly differentiated human and mouse (3T3-L1) adipocytes and primary mouse adipocytes were treated with vitamin D 3 covalently linked to green fluorescent BODIPY (VitD-B) or Green BODIPY (GB) as control. Cells were exposed to 10-100 nM concentrations for various lengths of time (1-48 h). Fluorescence microscopy assessed vitamin D distribution., Results: VitD-B demonstrated stable incorporation into adipocytes without enzymatic cleavage, as HPLC showed no free vitamin D 3 after 72 h. Fluorescence microscopy showed GB uptake was rapid and persisted for 48 h. VitD-B uptake was more gradual compared to GB in the human and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Primary mouse adipocytes exhibited similar uptake patterns, with VitD-B appearing within 1 h and fluorescence intensity increasing 1.2-fold at 8 h and 5.7-fold at 24 h. GB exhibited rapid fluorescence uptake in these same cells, 29-fold higher than VitD-B at 1 h. At 24 h, some VitD-B treated cells exhibited greater fluorescence intensity around the surface of the lipid droplets, which was not observed in GB. Isolated lipid droplets exhibited rapid and immediate uptake of both VitD-B and GB, indicating a strong affinity for these lipid structures. The time-dependent accumulation of vitamin D 3 in human adipocytes mirrored VitD-B uptake., Conclusion: VitD-B is a reliable proxy for studying the dynamics of vitamin D 3 uptake in adipocytes., (Copyright © 2025 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)

Background: Although nutritional status is influenced by multidimensional aspects encompassing physical factors, there is limited research on this complex relationship., Objectives: This study aimed to examine the interaction between physical activity level indicators and the nutritional status of adults in Türkiye., Methods: A total of 3,970 individuals aged 18 years or older, residing in Afyonkarahisar (Türkiye), participated in this study. Data were obtained through face-to-face interviews with a questionnaire, using simple random sampling among adults. One-day food consumption was recorded using a 24-h dietary recall (24HDR). Physical activity levels were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)., Results: This study comprised 3,970 participants: 2,087 (52.57%) men and 1,883 (47.42%) women. Among them, 32.64% smoked cigarettes, and 8.72% consumed alcohol. About 40% of adults were overweight, and 16.33% were obese. All participants had inadequate intake levels of potassium, calcium, and iron when compared to the recommended amounts. Physical activity levels showed a weak positive correlation with dietary energy, carbohydrates, protein, fat, and cholesterol, and a weak negative correlation with age, waist-to-hip ratio, and BMI of participants., Conclusion: This study provides insights into the importance of addressing both physical activity and nutritional status. It was found that the weekly duration of physical activity for women was lower than for men. As a result of the nutritional status evaluation, it was found that the daily energy intake of men was higher than that of women., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Karaca Çelik, Morales-Suárez-Varela, Uçar, Soriano, İnce Palamutoğlu, Baş, Toprak, Hajhamidiasl, Erol Doğan and Doğan.)

Ewing sarcoma (ES) usually arises from long bones and affects the head and neck region in only 1%-4% of cases. We reported clinical, radiographic, cytomorphologic, and histomorphologic findings of the ES in the mandible, because of its rarity and radiologically misinterpreted as a parotid gland tumor. A 26-year-old male patient presented with a history of painfull cheek swelling. On magnetic resonance imaging, a mass measuring 50 × 48 × 45 mm was found eroding mandible and pushing back the parotid gland. Aspiration cytology was performed with suspicion of parotid gland tumor. Small, nucleated cells with nuclear indentation, inconspicuous nucleoli, and occasionally rosette-like arrangement were observed. Neuroendocrine immune markers were positive on cell block. It was diagnosed as small round cell neoplasm with neuroendocrine differentiation and biopsy was suggested. The differential diagnosis considered soft tissue and parotid gland tumors. The small round cell tumor morphology was seen on biopsy specimen and immunostaining was applied. The diagnosis for this case was ES of the mandible. ES of the mandible is unusual. Although the histogenesis is still unknown, various cells have been proposed as cells of origin namely, endothelial, hematopoietic, fibroblastic, mesenchymal stem cells or neural derived mesenchymal stem cells. Small cell morphology, CD99, CD56, neuron specific enolase, and synaptophysin expressions confirmed the diagnosis of ES. The differentiation of the ES from other small cell tumors may be difficult and requires awareness for histological and immunohistochemical features. It should be kept in mind that the diagnosis can be challenging due to uncommon locations and radiological misinterpreted., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is often used to increase muscle strength and functionality. Muscle architecture is important for the skeletal muscle functionality. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of NMES applied at different muscle lengths on skeletal muscle architecture. Twenty-four rats were randomly assigned to four groups (two NMES groups and two control groups). NMES was applied on the extensor digitorum longus muscle at long muscle length, which is the longest and stretched position of the muscle at 170° plantar flexion, and at medium muscle length, which is the length of the muscle at 90° plantar flexion. A control group was created for each NMES group. NMES was applied for 8 weeks, 10 min/day, 3 days/week. After 8 weeks, muscle samples were removed at the NMES intervention lengths and examined macroscopically, and microscopically using a transmission electron microscope and streo-microscope. Muscle damage, and architectural properties of the muscle including pennation angle, fibre length, muscle length, muscle mass, physiological cross-sectional area, fibre length/muscle length, sarcomere length, sarcomere number were then evaluated. There was an increase in fibre length and sarcomere number, and a decrease in pennation angle at both lengths. In the long muscle length group, muscle length was increased, but widespread muscle damage was observed. These results suggest that the intervention of NMES at long muscle length can increase the muscle length but also causes muscle damage. In addition, the greater longitudinal increase in muscle length may be a result of the continuous degeneration-regeneration cycle., (© 2023 The Authors. The Anatomical Record published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Association for Anatomy.)

The concept 'parenting styles' has been widely examined to understand the etiology of narcissism for decades. This study aimed to systematically review the empirical research literature regarding the association between perceived parenting styles and narcissism. In this study, Ebscohost, Wiley Online Library, Taylor&Francis, Springer Link, PubMed, PsycNet, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases were searched using identified keywords. An extensive database search resulted in 75 identified publications. Of these, 60 were scrutinized, and in the end, ten studies were included in the review for data synthesis. To reach a common conceptualization on the parenting styles, the results were evaluated based on Baumrind's typology. As a result of this systematic review, we can conclude that there is a relationship between narcissism and parenting styles. In particular, perceived permissive parenting was positively correlated with narcissism. However, the relationship between narcissism and other parenting styles is more complex. Therefore, more high-quality empirical studies are needed to investigate the relationship between parenting and narcissism.

Vitamin D deficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels <20 ng/mL in serum) is a common health condition among pregnant women, especially in high-risk groups. Evidence has connected vitamin D levels with many health-related problems during pregnancy, including gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. Because of vitamin D’s effect on both mother and fetus, we systematically review the association between 25(OH)D level and its health effects. From a total of 143 studies, 43 came from PubMed, 4 from Cochrane, and 96 from EMBASE. After screening, we identified 38 studies as candidates for inclusion. Ultimately, we limited this review to 23 articles originating from 12 countries, written in English or Spanish, and conducted between 2010 and 2022. We conducted this review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and evaluated the quality and strength of the evidence by using the Navigation Guide Systematic Review Methodology (SING). These systematic reviews summarize findings that support vitamin D’s role in reducing risks of multiple outcomes and the possible contribution of adequate vitamin D levels to a healthy pregnancy.

Vitamin D has well-defined classical functions related to metabolism and bone health but also has non-classical effects that may influence pregnancy. Maternal morbidity remains a significant health care concern worldwide, despite efforts to improve maternal health. Nutritional deficiencies of vitamin D during pregnancy are related to adverse pregnancy outcomes, but the evidence base is difficult to navigate. The primary purpose of this review is to map the evidence on the effects of deficiencies of vitamin D on pregnancy outcome and the dosage used in such studies. A systematic search was performed for studies on vitamin D status during pregnancy and maternal outcomes. A total of 50 studies came from PubMed, 15 studies came from Cochrane, and 150 studies came from Embase, for a total of 215 articles. After screening, 34 were identified as candidate studies for inclusion. Finally, 28 articles met the inclusion criteria, which originated from 15 countries. The studies included 14 original research studies and 13 review studies conducted between 2012 and 2021. This review was finally limited to the 14 original studies. This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, and the quality and strength of the evidence was evaluated using the Navigation Guide Systematic Review Methodology (SING). We found evidence that supports the idea that supplementary vitamin D for pregnant women is important for reducing the risk of gestational diabetes, hypertension, preeclampsia, early labor, and other complications. The data retrieved from this review are consistent with the hypothesis that adequate vitamin D levels might contribute to a healthy pregnancy.