PubMed İndeksli Yayınlar Koleksiyonu
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14627/8
Browse
Browsing PubMed İndeksli Yayınlar Koleksiyonu by Title
Now showing 1 - 20 of 188
- Results Per Page
- Sort Options
Review Citation - WoS: 0Citation - Scopus: 0Age-Specific Seroprevalence of Hepatitis a Virus in Turkey Between 2000 and 2023: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis(Mdpi, 2024) Kahraman Kılbaş, Elmas Pınar; Koroglu, Mehmet; Demiray, Tayfur; Terzi, Huseyin Agah; Kilbas, Elmas Pinar Kahraman; Tıbbi Hizmetler ve Teknikler BölümüBackground: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a leading cause of acute viral hepatitis and is primarily transmitted by the fecal-oral route. The clinical presentation and progression of the disease varies according to the age of the patient. Turkey is classified as a moderately endemic country, and HAV infection continues to be an important public health problem worldwide. Methods: In this study, a systematic meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate age-specific HAV seroprevalence rates in Turkey between 2000 and 2023. A comprehensive literature review identified 57 articles that met the inclusion criteria. The studies were assessed for quality, and seroprevalence rates were evaluated across four different age groups. Statistical analyses were performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software (CMAVersion 3.0) and SPSS (SPSS Statistics 25.0). Results: HAV seroprevalence rates were found to be 73.18% in the 0 < 5 age group and 90.90% in the >35 age group. The overall seroprevalence estimated using a random effects model was 64.5% (95% CI: 58.3-70). High heterogeneity was observed among the studies, and the prevalence estimates changed when low-quality studies were excluded. Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests that the increasing trend in HAV IgG seroprevalence in Turkey, especially among young populations, is likely due to the vaccination program initiated in 2012. Furthermore, the heterogeneity observed among regions highlights the importance of regional public health strategies. Future studies should focus on providing more detailed data to evaluate the long-term effects of vaccination and to explain regional differences in HAV seroprevalence.Article Citation - WoS: 0Citation - Scopus: 0Ameliorative Effects of Myrtus Communis L. Extract Involving the Inhibition of Oxidative Stress on High Fat Diet-Induced Testis Damage in Rats(Taylor & Francis Ltd, 2024) Şener, Göksel; Koroglu, M. Kutay; Hersek, Irem; Ertas, Busra; Sen, Ali; Sener, Goksel; Ercan, Feriha; Eczacılık Meslek Bilimleri BölümüThe possible protective effects of Myrtus communis L. (MC) extract on a high fat diet (HFD)-induced testicular injury in a rat model were investigated using histological and biochemical methods. Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: a standard diet control group; a HFD group; and an HFD+MC group. The HFD and HFD+MC groups were fed with a HFD for 16 weeks. MC extract (100 mg/kg) was given orally five days a week to the rats in the HFD+MC group during the last four weeks of the experiment. Leptin, triglyceride, high-density lipoproteins, cholesterol, estrogen, testosterone, LH and FSH were analyzed in blood serum. Sperm parameters were evaluated from the epididymis. Testicular morphology, proliferative, apoptotic and NADPH oxidase-2 (NOX2)-positive cells were evaluated histologically. Testicular oxidative stress parameters were analyzed biochemically. In the HFD group, lipid and hormone profiles were changed, abnormal spermatozoa, degenerated seminiferous tubules with apoptotic and NOX2-positive cells were increased in number, and sperm motility and germinal proliferative cells decreased compared to the control group. Moreover, testicular malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine and myeloperoxidase levels increased, whereas glutathione and superoxide dismutase levels decreased in the HFD group compared to the control group. All these histological and biochemical features were ameliorated by MC treatment of HFD-fed rats. In conclusion, HFD caused alterations in sperm parameters and testicular morphology by increasing oxidative damage and apoptosis. MC extract may have potential protective effects by inhibiting oxidative damage.Article Citation - WoS: 1Citation - Scopus: 1Analysis of Substance Use and Mental Disorder Diagnoses in Adolescents With a History of Delinquency: a Cross-Sectional Study(Springer, 2024) Dikeç, Gül; Dikec, Gul; Tas Soylu, Gulsenay; Bilac, Oznur; Uzunoglu, Gulcin; Ayakdas Dagli, Dilek; Hemşirelik BölümüThis study aimed to evaluate substance use and comorbid mental disorders in delinquent adolescents presenting to a child and adolescent psychiatry outpatient clinic. This study included 47 adolescents aged 15-18 years and had a history of delinquency. Data were collected using the Addiction Profile Index Adolescent Form (API-A) and an information form. Results indicated that the adolescents' mean age is 16.11 +/- 1.05 years, 78.7% had committed crimes against property and 34.0% against the person, and 34.0% were also victims of crime. Mean API-A total scores indicated that their level of substance use was low. In addition, mean API-A total scores showed significant differences according to the adolescents' migration status, age, economic status, school attendance, mental disorder diagnosis, duration of mental disorder, and type of offense (p < 0.05). The benefit provided by timely and appropriate psychosocial interventions may have a key role in solving this problem for adolescents and improving their future as adults.Article Citation - WoS: 8Citation - Scopus: 7Antibiotic Use and Influencing Factors Among Hospitalized Patients With Covid-19: a Multicenter Point-Prevalence Study From Turkey(Galenos Publ House, 2022) Ağalar, Canan; Cag, Yasemin; Karabay, Oguz; Kurtaran, Behice; Guclu, Ertugrul; Ogutlu, Aziz; Agalar, Canan; Tıbbi Hizmetler ve Teknikler BölümüBackground: Broad-spectrum empirical antimicrobials arc frequently prescribed for patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) despite the lack of evidence for bacterial coinfection. Aims: We aimed to cross-sectionally determine the frequency of antibiotics use, type of antibiotics prescribed, and the factors influencing antibiotics use in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. Study Design: The study was a national, multicenter, retrospective. and single-day point prevalence study. Methods: This was a national, multicenter, retrospective, and single-day point-prevalence study, conducted in the 24-h period between 00:00 and 24:00 on November 18, 2020, during the start of the second COVID-19 peak in Turkey. Results: A total of 1500 patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of COVID-19 were included in the study. The mean age +/- standard deviation of the patients was 65.0 +/- 15.5, and 56.2% (n = 843) of these patients were men. Of these hospitalized patients, 11.9% (n = 178) were undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation or ECMO. It was observed that 1118 (74.5%) patients were receiving antibiotics, of which 416 (372%) were prescribed a combination of antibiotics. In total, 71.2% of the patients had neither a clinical diagnosis nor microbiological evidence for prescribing antibiotics. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, hospitalization in a state hospital (p < 0.001), requiring any supplemental oxygen (p = 0.005). presence of moderate/diffuse lung involvement (p < 0.001), C-reactive protein >10 ULT coefficient (p < 0.001), lymphocyte count < 800 (p = 0.007), and clinical diagnosis and/or confirmation by culture (p <0.001) were found to be independent factors associated with increased antibiotic use. Conclusion: The necessity of empirical antibiotics use in patients with COVID-19 should be reconsidered according to their clinical, imaging, and laboratory findings.Article Citation - WoS: 7Citation - Scopus: 7The Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antiplatelet Effects of ribes Rubrum L. Fruit Extract in the Diabetic Rats(Wiley, 2022) Şener, Azize; Sen, Ali; Sekerler, Turgut; Algul, Fatma Kader; Cilingir-Kaya, Ozlem Tugce; Sener, Azize; Temel Eczacılık Bilimleri BölümüThe prothrombotic and inflammatory state plays a significant role in the occurrence of cardiovascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this study, the antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antiplatelet potentials of the extracts obtained from Ribes rubrum were investigated. The antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities of the ethanol and water extracts of R. rubrum were evaluated by in vitro methods. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also determined. The experimental diabetes model in rats was induced with streptozotocin (STZ). After hyperglycemia occurred, the ethanol extracts of R. rubrum (RRE, at 100 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg doses) were administered to the treatment groups for 14 days. Blood glucose, lipid profile, plasma, and pancreas tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels were determined and compared at the end of the experiments. P-selectin levels and mitochondrial membrane polarization (MMP) of platelets were also measured. In vitro study, the RRE showed potent anti-inflammatory activity. Administration of RRE (at 100 mg/kg doses) to diabetic rats lowered blood glucose level insignificantly. The results showed that there was an increment in levels of TNF-alpha in plasma and pancreas tissue of the diabetic group compared to the control group. R. rubrum extract regulated and normalized their levels in plasma and pancreatic tissue. RRE at both doses significantly decreased platelet P-selectin levels and prevented STZ-induced loss of MMP in platelets. The results of current research indicate that RRE extract has potent anti-platelet and anti-inflammatory effects and may be beneficial in preventing diabetic complications. Practical applications Hyperglycemia causes dyslipidemia, advanced oxidative stress, platelet activation, and inflammation in diabetes mellitus. Plants with various medicinal properties are of worldwide interest for the treatment of diseases due to their biological activities. In this study, the antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects of extracts of Ribes rubrum (%100 ethanol, 50% ethanol, water) were evaluated by in vitro and in vivo methods. The diabetes model was induced with streptozotocin (STZ). The rats were divided into control, diabetic control, R. rubrum-100 mg/kg, and R. rubrum-500 mg/kg doses groups. Blood glucose levels, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), platelet P-selectin levels, mitochondrial membrane polarization of platelets were examined. The present study has shown that R. rubrum has anti-inflammatory and antiplatelet activity. R. rubrum may be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of DM complications due to its anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic effects.Review Citation - WoS: 24Appraising Systematic Reviews: a Comprehensive Guide To Ensuring Validity and Reliability(Frontiers Media Sa, 2023) Shaheen, Nour; Shaheen, Ahmed; Ramadan, Alaa; Hefnawy, Mahmoud Tarek; Ramadan, Abdelraouf; Ibrahim, Ismail A.; Flouty, OliverSystematic reviews play a crucial role in evidence-based practices as they consolidate research findings to inform decision-making. However, it is essential to assess the quality of systematic reviews to prevent biased or inaccurate conclusions. This paper underscores the importance of adhering to recognized guidelines, such as the PRISMA statement and Cochrane Handbook. These recommendations advocate for systematic approaches and emphasize the documentation of critical components, including the search strategy and study selection. A thorough evaluation of methodologies, research quality, and overall evidence strength is essential during the appraisal process. Identifying potential sources of bias and review limitations, such as selective reporting or trial heterogeneity, is facilitated by tools like the Cochrane Risk of Bias and the AMSTAR 2 checklist. The assessment of included studies emphasizes formulating clear research questions and employing appropriate search strategies to construct robust reviews. Relevance and bias reduction are ensured through meticulous selection of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Accurate data synthesis, including appropriate data extraction and analysis, is necessary for drawing reliable conclusions. Meta-analysis, a statistical method for aggregating trial findings, improves the precision of treatment impact estimates. Systematic reviews should consider crucial factors such as addressing biases, disclosing conflicts of interest, and acknowledging review and methodological limitations. This paper aims to enhance the reliability of systematic reviews, ultimately improving decision-making in healthcare, public policy, and other domains. It provides academics, practitioners, and policymakers with a comprehensive understanding of the evaluation process, empowering them to make well-informed decisions based on robust data.Article Citation - WoS: 0Citation - Scopus: 0Are Child and Parent Health Behaviors Associated With Childhood Obesity? a Descriptive and Methodological Study(Elsevier Science inc, 2023) Öztürk, Gizem; Kolcu, Merve; Hemşirelik BölümüPurpose: This study was conducted to determine the relationship between child and parents' health behaviors and childhood obesity. In addition, an adaptation of the Turkish version of the Family Health Behavior Scale (FHBS) was performed in this study.Design and methods: This is a descriptive and methodological study. The research sample consisted of 358 parents who have a child between the ages of 5 and 12 studying in one of the seven state schools at the kindergarten, primary, and secondary school levels in Istanbul. Data were collected between February 2022 to May 2022 using the Parent and Child Descriptive Information Form, the Family Nutrition and Physical Activity (FNPA) Screening Tool, and the FHBS. IBM SPSS 25.0 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA) and SPSS AMOS 21.0 software were used to analyze the data.Results: It was found that the confirmatory factor analysis result of FHBS confirmed the original structure of the scale, and Cronbach's Alpha coefficient was calculated as 0.80. A positive correlation was found between the parents' total scores of FNPA and FHBS (r:0.511, p < 0.001).Conclusions: It is recommended to evaluate the child and their parents holistically in preventing and managing childhood obesity. School health nurses should plan family-centered interventions to improve health behaviors and carry out these interventions with a multidisciplinary team. Moreover, it has been determined that FHBS is a valid and reliable measurement tool for the Turkish population.Article Citation - WoS: 4Assessment of the Effectiveness of Patient Education and Interviews in Improving Medication Adherence of Renal Transplant Recipients(Springernature, 2022) Akıncı Akşit, Naile; Ozbas, Ayfer; Akinci, Serkan; Hemşirelik BölümüBackground Non-compliance with immunosuppressive drugs has been reported as the most significant cause of graft loss. Since non-compliance with immunosuppressive drugs is preventable, certain approaches based on the risk factors and causes of non-compliance can help eliminate this problem. Aims The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of patient education and interviews in improving medication adherence of renal-transplant recipients. Materials and methods This study was designed as a randomized controlled trial. Using the G*Power program, the sample size was calculated as 60 subjects, with 30 in both the intervention group and control group. Data collection tools included a patient information form, a pretest-posttest, a drug monitoring form for kidney transplant patients, the Immunosuppressive Therapy Adherence Scale, measurement of tacrolimus blood levels, and a training booklet. Results The mean knowledge score in the intervention group was 12.17 +/- 3.39 at baseline, and it increased to 20.73 +/- 1.57 after the intervention. The mean scores on the Immunosuppressant Therapy Adherence Scale were 11.67 +/- 0.55 and 10.70 +/- 0.99 in the intervention group and control group, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the pre- test and post-test means on the Immunosuppressant Therapy Adherence Scale in the intervention group. The mean Immunosuppressant Therapy Adherence Scale score was higher in the intervention group. In the measurement of tacrolimus blood levels, medication adherence was found the be higher in the intervention group. The difference between the groups was statistically significant. There was a positive correlation between the tacrolimus blood levels and the Immunosuppressant Therapy Adherence Scale scores in both groups. Conclusions To conclude, our results have demonstrated that patient education and interviews improve immunosuppressant medication adherence in renal transplant recipients. Using direct or indirect methods proved similar outcomes, suggesting that both evaluation methods are safe.Article Citation - WoS: 0Assessment of the Psychometric Properties of the Online Education Student Satisfaction Scale: a Methodological Study(Springer Publishing Company, 2024) Harmancı Seren, A.K.; Alan, H.; Türkmen, E.; Gungor, S.; Baykal, Ü.Background and Purpose: Assessing student satisfaction is essential in evaluating the quality of education. The number of valid and reliable tools that measure students’ satisfaction with online education is limited. This methodological study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the online education student satisfaction scale. Methods: Eleven academicians from the nursing field provided expert opinions on content validity. Separate 25 students evaluated the language clarity of the draft scale. The study sample included 525 third- and fourth-year nursing students. Finally, a group of 30 nursing students different from the sample participated in the test–retest. The study created an item pool based on the recent literature. The researchers calculated the items’ content validity rates and the scale’s content validity index by taking the experts’ opinions. In addition, item–total score correlation analysis, exploratory factor analysis, discrimination analysis, stability test, and internal consistency analysis were performed. Results: An item with a low-correlation value was excluded from the scale. The correlation coefficients of the remaining items were between.536 and.811. In the second round of exploratory factor analysis, a five-factor structure emerged that explained 72.1% of the total variance. In addition, item discrimination, stability, and internal consistency test results ensured that the scale was valid and reliable. Conclusions: The online education student satisfaction scale with five subdimensions containing 28 items is a valid and reliable tool. Researchers, educators, and managers may use it to evaluate students’ satisfaction with online education. © Copyright 2024 Springer Publishing Company, LLC.Article Citation - WoS: 14Citation - Scopus: 13Assessment of the Quality and Reliability of Information on Nutrition After Bariatric Surgery on Youtube(Springer, 2020) Sevdin, Sezen; Kermen, Seda; Sevdin, Sezen; Yildiz, Nida; Guclu, Duygu; Beslenme ve Diyetetik BölümüBackground YouTube (TM) is a platform that many people, including patients, use to access health information. Recent studies have revealed that videos on YouTube (TM) are misleading or that medical videos may not contain appropriate information. This study aimed to assess the quality and reliability of videos on nutrition after bariatric surgery. Materials and Methods The keywords "after bariatric surgery diet" and "weight loss surgery postop diet" were used, and the first 100 videos for each keyword on YouTube (TM) were analyzed by considering the source, duration, content, and the number of likes of the video. The popularity of the video was calculated using the video power index (VPI) and view rate. The educational quality of the videos was evaluated using the DISCERN score, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) score, the Global Quality Score (GQS), the usefulness score, and a novel postoperation nutrition score (PONS). Results One hundred fourteen patients were included in the study. The mean duration and number of views were 12.51 min and 87,558.46, respectively. The DISCERN score, JAMA score, GQS, and usefulness score of the physicians or dietician-based videos were significantly higher than those of the patient-based videos (p < 0.001). Positive correlations were found between the VPI and view ratio, as well as between the duration and number of likes. Additionally, the DISCERN score was significant correlated with the duration and number of likes. Significantly positive correlations were found between the usefulness score and duration, usefulness score and number of likes, and PONS and duration (p < 0.01). Conclusions Informational videos on nutrition after bariatric surgery on YouTube (TM) are of low quality. Although the videos uploaded by physicians and dieticians have higher quality, only a few are available. Additionally, patients prefer to watch low-quality videos.Article Citation - WoS: 1Citation - Scopus: 1The Association of Demographic, Psychological, Social and Activity Factors With Foot Health in People With Plantar Heel Pain(Wiley, 2024) Gulle, Halime; Morrissey, Dylan; Tayfur, Abdulhamit; Coskunsu, Dilber Karagozoglu; Miller, Stuart; Birn-Jeffery, Aleksandra V.; Prior, TrevorBackground: Plantar Heel Pain (PHP) can be a debilitating musculoskeletal condition from which only 50% recover within a year due to poor understanding of the mechanisms explaining severity and predicting outcomes specific to PHP. Objective: To explore associations between biopsychosocial variables and the severity of people with PHP. Secondly, to determine what combination of self-reported factors distinguishes people with PHP from other foot pain (OFP). Methods: We collected data from 235 participants, including 135 (%57) PHP (age 44 +/- 12 years, 66% female) and 99 OFP (%43) (age 38 +/- 11 years, 57% female) using 5 demographic, 13 biomedical, 8 psychological, 3 social and 8 activity-related factors. These were tested in linear and logistic regression models. Results: Quality of life (QoL) (beta = 0.35; p < 0.001), education (beta = -0.22; p = 0.003), gender (beta = -0.20; p = 0.007), morning pain duration (beta = -0.18; p = 0.01) and disease duration (beta = -0.15; p = 0.040) were significantly associated with severity of PHP. The second model, without QoL, showed that having sensitisation (beta = -0.18; p = 0.002) and a higher level of morning pain (beta = -0.20; p = 0.01) are associated with severity. The logistic regression results revealed that people with PHP tend to have a systemic disease (OR = 3.34; 1.53-7.76), express more kinesiophobia (OR = 1.02; 1.01-1.14), are less likely to have previous injuries (OR = 0.40; 0.19-0.81), worse morning pain (OR = 1.02; 1.01-1.03) and standing pain (OR = 2.60; 1.39-4.87) compared to people with OFP. Conclusions: People with PHP have higher associated levels of a range of psychological, social and activity related factors than people with OFP. The findings highlight the importance of considering psychosocial assessments alongside physical examination.Article Citation - WoS: 15Citation - Scopus: 20Balance Training in Modern Dancers Proprioceptive-Neuromuscular Training Vs Kinesio Taping(Science & Medicine inc, 2018) Tekin, Demet; Agopyan, Ani; Baltaci, Gul; Terapi ve Rehabilitasyon BölümüKinesio tape and proprioceptive exercises are both used for increasing balance in dancers. The purposes of this study were to: a) determine the acute effect of kinesio tape (KT) application on the ankle joint on balance performance, b) investigate the effects of an 8-week proprioceptive-neuromuscular (PN) training program on balance performance, and c) compare their effects vs modern dance technique classes alone. Thirty-three trained, university-level modern dance students (9 male, 24 female) were divided randomly into three groups: kinesio tape (KT, n=11), proprioceptive-neuromuscular (PN, n=11), or control (n=11). Static (turn-out passe-opened eyes/releve and turn-out passe-closed eyes/flat foot), semi-dynamic (airplane), and dynamic balance (monopodalic-straight and -transverse in a turn-out passe-eyes opened/flat foot) tests were performed before and after the intervention. One day after pre-tests, KT mechanical correction technique was applied to the left ankle joint (supporting leg) in the KT group, and tests were repeated to determine the acute effect of KT. The PN group participated in an 8-week balance training program (2 days/wk, 60 min/day) involving exercises using stable and unstable surfaces. Significant improvements were observed for all static and dynamic balance tests in the PN group; semi-dynamic airplane and dynamic monopodalic-straight and transverse tests improved in the KT group; and only semi-dynamic airplane test scores changed significantly for the control group (p<0.05). Our findings suggest that with the exception of the semi-dynamic airplane test, both PN training and KT application were more effective at improving balance performance for modern dancers than modern dance technique classes alone.Article Citation - WoS: 2Citation - Scopus: 2Best Practice Recommendations for Dysphagia Management in Intensive Care Unit (icu): a Delphi Study From Multidisciplinary Experts in Turkey(Springer, 2024) Umay, Ebru; Eyigor, Sibel; Demirag, Kubilay; Kaymak Karatas, Gulcin; Gundogdu, Ibrahim; Giray, Esra; Adiguzel, EmreThere is no study about all aspects of oropharyngoesophageal (OPE) dysphagia from diagnosis to follow-up in a multidisciplinary manner in the world. In order to close this gap, we aimed to create a recommendation study that can be used in clinical practice, addressing all aspects of dysphagia in the ICU in detail with the opinion of experienced multidisciplinary experts. This recommendation paper was generated by a multidisciplinary team, using the seven-step process and a three-modified Delphi round via e-mail. Firstly, 15 open-ended questions were created, and then detailed recommendations including general principles, management, diagnosis, rehabilitation, and follow-up were created with the answers from these questions, Each recommendation item was voted on by the experts as overall consensus (strong recommendation), approaching consensus (weak recommendation), and divergent consensus (not recommended).In the first Delphi round, a questionnaire consisting of 413 items evaluated with a scale of 0-10 was prepared from the opinions and suggestions given to 15 open-ended questions. In the second Delphi round, 55.4% were accepted and revised suggestions were created. At the end of the third Delphi round, the revised suggestion form was approved again and the final proposals containing 133 items were created. This study includes comprehensive and detailed recommendations, including a broad perspective from diagnosis to treatment and follow-up, as detailed as possible, for management of dysphagia in patients with both oropharyngeal- and esophageal-dysphagia in ICU.Article Can Manual Therapy Alter Muscle Stiffness in Patients With Spinal Accessory Nerve Injury(Wiley, 2025) Simsek, Ferhat; Naci, Baha; Kilicoglu, Meltem Bozaci; Alkan, Zeynep; Topcuoglu, Osman Melih; Gormez, Aysegul; Okyar, Ali FethiObjective. Shoulder and neck dysfunctions resulting from spinal accessory nerve injury impair quality of life. This study aims to investigate the effects of manual therapy in combination with standard physiotherapy on the mechanical properties of muscle, neck and shoulder function, pain, and quality of life in head and neck cancer patients. Study Design. Prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial. Setting. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery of a university hospital. Methods. A total of 26 participants were randomized into two groups. The control group (n = 11) received standard physiotherapy including therapeutic exercises, scar tissue massage, and education. The intervention group (n = 10) received manual therapy consisting of soft tissue, myofascial release, and mobilization techniques in combination with standard physiotherapy. Outcome measures were mechanical properties of muscle, neck and shoulder active range of motion, shoulder pain and disability, and quality of life. Results. Upper trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscle stiffness increased significantly in the control group (P < .01), whereas a significant reduction was observed in the intervention group compared to the control group (P = .001). A reduction in muscle thickness was observed bilaterally in both groups (P < .01). Moreover, all participants showed improvements in neck and shoulder active range of motion, shoulder pain, and quality of life (P < .01). Conclusion. Manual therapy in addition to standard physiotherapy was more effective in improving neck and shoulder function, quality of life, and reducing muscle stiffness compared to standard physiotherapy alone. Therefore, clinicians should consider incorporating manual therapy into their treatment protocols to optimize patient outcomes.Article Citation - WoS: 1Citation - Scopus: 0Carvacrol Improves Cognitive Dysfunction by Decreasing Amyloid-Β Accumulation and Regulating Neuroinflammation in Ovariectomized Renovascular Hypertensive Rats(Springer, 2024) Şener, Göksel; Ertas, Busra; Aydin, Yasemin; Sener, Goksel; Eczacılık Meslek Bilimleri BölümüHypertension contributes to both the development and progression of brain damage and cognitive dysfunction in the postmenopausal period in women. Carvacrol (CAR), which can easily cross the blood-brain barrier, exhibits neuroprotective properties due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects. In the present study, we have examined the effect of CAR treatment on learning-memory impairment in a post-menopausal hypertensive rat model that was induced by ovariectomy following two-kidney, one-clip renovascular hypertension surgery. From the third week after the establishment of renovascular hypertension in ovariectomized rats, CAR (40 mg/kg) was administered once daily for consecutive 7 weeks by gastric gavage. Systolic blood pressure was estimated by the tail-cuff method once a week. At the end of the study, cognitive functions were evaluated with behavioral tests and also neurochemical changes were measured in serum, cortex, and hippocampus by ELISA test. Blood pressure was decreased with CAR treatment in hypertensive rats. Serum estrogen levels decreased in ovariectomized rats and did not change with CAR treatment. CAR demonstrated beneficial effects on learning and memory tests as determined by increased recognition index, the number of platforms crossed, and time spent in the target quadrant. Due to CAR treatment, there was a marked reduction in the hippocampal and cortex amyloid-beta, osteopontin, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels, and acetylcholinesterase activity, while an increment in neprilysin and interleukin-10 levels was found. In conclusion, since CAR suppressed amyloid-beta deposition and neuroinflammation in ovariectomized-hypertensive rats, it is thought that it may be protective against memory disorders in postmenopausal hypertensive women.Article Citation - WoS: 0Citation - Scopus: 0Clinical Outcomes of Conservative Versus Surgical Treatment for Patients With Proximal Humeral Fracture Before Physiotherapy(Acta Medica Belgica, 2024) Özdinçler, Arzu; Alpozgen, A. Zengin; Gungor, F.; Ozdincler, A. Razak; Altun, S.; Fizyoterapi Ve Rehabilitasyon BölümüFear of movement, pain, and loss of shoulder function are the most common problems irrespective of their approach to management after proximal humeral fracture (PHF). However, it has been unclear whether there could be differences between both treatments in early clinical outcomes. It can help physiotherapists to guide in choosing treatment approaches. This study aimed to compare kinesiophobia, pain, range of motion (ROM), shoulder function, and Quality of life (QoL) in patients treated with either conservative (CT) versus surgical (ST) after PHF. In addition, it aimed to determine correlations between fear of movement and seconder outcome measures. This cross-sectional study enrolled the patients having 5-6 weeks (being permitted active movement) after being treated either CT or ST and receiving no physical therapy. Pain, passive and active ROMs, shoulder function, fear of movement, and QoL were evaluated. 42 patients were recruited. Kinesiophobia scores were similar (p=0.55) and moderate in both groups. There was a significant difference in degrees of shoulder active flexion, active and passive abduction in favor of the CT group (p=0.05, p=0.02, p=0.04, respectively). However, there was no difference between groups regarding the remaining clinical outcomes. Furthermore, kinesiophobia showed a moderate negative correlation with energy/fatigue, social functioning, and general health. These findings showed that patients treated surgically did not have more kinesiophobia, less function, and QoL before starting physiotherapy, despite having soft tissue damage and different types of fractures. However, surgically treated patients had significantly less range of motion.Article Citation - Scopus: 0Coach Candidates' and Coaches' Nutrition Knowledge Affects Dietary Recommendations Indirectly: Mediator Effects of Self-Efficacy(Mdpi, 2025) Altinok, Oyku; Bas, MuratBackground/Objectives: The nutritional knowledge and behavior of athletes are considerably influenced by the dietary recommendations of their coaches, which, in turn, affect their health and performance. In the context of social cognitive theory, this study examines the impact of general and sports nutrition knowledge (GeSNK), nutrition self-efficacy (NSE), and nutrition counseling self-efficacy (NCSE) on the dietary recommendations (DRs) provided by coach candidates and coaches (CC&Cs). Additionally, it explores variations in GeSNK, NSE, and NCSE among CC&Cs based on their sports positions, genders, and types of sports. Methods: This study included 70 coach candidates and 102 coaches, with data collected via validated scales for GeSNK, NSE, and NCSE. Using the PROCESS macro, the serial multiple mediator model was applied, and group comparisons were conducted via the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: The results revealed that 36% of participants achieved adequate GeSNK scores, but only 6.4% abstained from providing DRs. Participants engaged in individual sports exhibited higher NSE and NCSE scores than those involved in team sports. Additionally, 22.7% of CC&Cs identified their former coaches as a primary source of nutrition information. The study findings revealed that GeSNK, NSE, and NCSE significantly influenced DRs, collectively accounting for 23% of the variance in DRs. The direct effect of NCSE on DRs was statistically significant, whereas the direct effects of GeSNK and NSE were not significant. GeSNK and NSE jointly explained only 41% of the variance in NCSE, suggesting that additional factors influencing NCSE and DRs remain unexplored. Conclusions: To address the issue of inadequate dietary recommendations stemming from insufficient information, it is crucial to identify and understand these additional factors affecting NCSE and DRs. Diversifying nutrition education programs to enhance the nutrition knowledge of CC&Cs is essential. Furthermore, fostering collaboration between CC&Cs and nutritionists can ensure that athletes receive accurate and comprehensive nutritional guidance.Article Cochleogram-Based Speech Emotion Recognition With the Cascade of Asymmetric Resonators With Fast-Acting Compression Using Time-Distributed Convolutional Long Short-Term Memory and Support Vector Machines(Mdpi, 2025) Parlak, CevahirFeature extraction is a crucial stage in speech emotion recognition applications, and filter banks with their related statistical functions are widely used for this purpose. Although Mel filters and MFCCs achieve outstanding results, they do not perfectly model the structure of the human ear, as they use a simplified mechanism to simulate the functioning of human cochlear structures. The Mel filters system is not a perfect representation of human hearing, but merely an engineering shortcut to suppress the pitch and low-frequency components, which have little use in traditional speech recognition applications. However, speech emotion recognition classification is heavily related to pitch and low-frequency component features. The newly tailored CARFAC 24 model is a sophisticated system for analyzing human speech and is designed to best simulate the functionalities of the human cochlea. In this study, we use the CARFAC 24 system for speech emotion recognition and compare it with state-of-the-art systems using speaker-independent studies conducted with Time-Distributed Convolutional LSTM networks and Support Vector Machines, with the use of the ASED and the NEMO emotional speech dataset. The results demonstrate that CARFAC 24 is a valuable alternative to Mel and MFCC features in speech emotion recognition applications.Article Citation - WoS: 0Citation - Scopus: 0Comparative Cross-Sectional Study on Sexual Function of Couples During Pregnancy: Assisted Reproductive Techniques Versus Spontaneous Conceptions(Womens Health & Action Research Centre, 2024) Dinmez, Sinem; Dinmez, Sinem; Torun, Sebahat D.; Osmanoglu, Usame O.; Ebelik BölümüThis study aims to compare the sexual functions of couples undergoing assisted reproductive techniques (ART) with those conceiving spontaneously during pregnancy. A total of 102 couples participated in this cross-sectional study, with 68 couples in the spontaneous conception group and 34 couples in the ART group. Data collection was conducted face-to-face in the antenatal clinic using separate "Descriptive Information Form" for women and men, "Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI)" for women, and "Libido Scoring System (LSS)" for men. Descriptive statistical methods, Chi-square and Fisher exact tests, t-test, and Pearson correlation test were used for data analysis. It was observed that the mean FSFI total scores of women who conceived spontaneously and through ART during pregnancy were at a good level (>= 30), while the mean LSS scores of their partners were at a moderate level (5-7). No statistically significant distinction existed among the groups. Further research is advisable by adjusting the sample selection criteria, such as gravida, duration of ART treatment, and gestational age.Article Citation - WoS: 1Citation - Scopus: 3Comparison of in Vitro Antifungal Activity Methods Using Extract of Chitinase-Producing aeromonas Sp. Bhc02(Springer, 2023) Kızıltaş, Gülesme; Yilmaz, Gulesme; Tıbbi Hizmetler ve Teknikler BölümüBiological control to prevent fungal plant diseases offers an alternative approach to facilitate sustainable agriculture. Since the chitin in fungal cell walls is a target for biocontrol agents, chitinases are one of the important antifungal molecules. In this study, the aim was to investigate a new chitinase isolated from a fluvial soil bacterium and to show the antifungal activity of the characterized chitinase by comparing the three common methods. The bacterium with the highest chitinase activity was identified as Aeromonas sp. by 16 S rRNA sequence analysis. Following the determination of the optimum enzyme production time, the enzyme was partially purified, and the physicochemical parameters of the enzyme were investigated. In the antifungal studies, direct Aeromonas sp. BHC02 cells or partially purified chitinase were used. As a result, in the first method in which the Aeromonas sp. BHC02 cells were spread on the surface of petri dishes, no zone formation was observed around the test fungi spotted on the surface. However, zone formation was observed in the methods in which the antifungal activity was investigated using the partially purified chitinase enzyme. For example, in the second method, the enzyme was spread on the surface of PDA, and zone formation was observed only around Penicillum species among the test fungi spotted on the surface. In the third method, in which the necessary time was given for the formation of mycelium of the test fungi, it was observed that the growth of Fusarium solani, Alternaria alternata and Botrytis cinerea was inhibited by the partially purified chitinase. This study concludes that the results of the antifungal activities depend on the method used and all fungal chitins cannot be degraded with one strain's chitinase. Depending on the variety of chitin, some fungi can be more resistant.