WoS İndeksli Yayınlar Koleksiyonu

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14627/6

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Development and Psychometric Properties of the Self-Efficacy Scale for Symptom Management and Self-Care in Patients with Cardiac Surgery
(Springer Publishing Co, 2025) Aksut, Rabia Saglam; Capik, Canturk; Elmas, Tugce Bozkurt
Background and Purpose: Evaluating self-efficacy for symptom management and self-care is crucial for ensuring follow-up care after cardiac surgery. As there is not yet a validated measurement tool for this evaluation, the aim of this study was to develop the Self-Efficacy Scale for Symptom Management and Self-Care (SESMSC: Cardiac Surgery) in patients with cardiac surgery and to examine its psychometric properties. Methods: The Symptom Management Theory and Bandura's Self-Efficacy Theory were used as the theoretical background for scale development. A multiphase design was utilized. The initial development phase consisted of item generation and expert panel review. The second phase comprised a three-step validation process: (a) face and content analysis (CFA) for construct validity, and (c) Cronbach's alpha, test-retest, and item- total correlation analysis to assess internal consistency reliability. The sample (n = 401) was randomly divided into two subsamples for EFA and CFA (EFA group: n = 201; CFA group: n = 200). Results: EFA suggested a 20-item, two-factor structure with factor loadings of .342-.782. The two subscales of the scale were labeled symptom management self-efficacy and self-efficacy for ch's alpha, test-retest, and item-total correlation results demonstrated acceptable internal consistency reliability. Implications for Practice: The SESMSC: Cardiac Surgery may be a useful tool to evaluate self-efficacy for symptom management and self-care after cardiac surgery. Further evaluation in independent samples is needed to investigate its psychometric properties and usefulness in clinical practice.
Measuring Narcissism in Cyberspace: Psychometric Evaluation of the Turkish Online Narcissism Personality Inventory (ONPI)
(Istanbul Univ, Methodology & Sociology Research Center, 2025) Aytac, Sevinc Serpil; Bilir, Kadriye Burcu Ongen; Aydin, Gulden Cetin; Yuzaki, Engin
The widespread use of digital technologies and the increasing prevalence of internet usage in a globalized world have significantly influenced individuals' personality traits. In particular, the restriction of face-to-face interactions during global pandemics has led individuals to maintain their lives in digital environments. These developments have made it increasingly important to investigate the relationship between internet use and personality characteristics. This study aims to adapt the Online Narcissistic Personality Inventory (ONPI), developed by Chou and Farn (2015) based on the 40-item Narcissistic Personality Inventory by Raskin and Terry (1988), into Turkish and to examine its psychometric properties. The study sample consists of 397 individuals from diverse age groups and socio-demographic backgrounds. Data was analyzed using SPSS 30 and AMOS 30 software. According to the results of the exploratory factor analysis, the item factor loadings ranged from 0.466 to 0.812, and the total variance explained by the scale was found to be 58.36%. Confirmatory factor analysis results (Chi-square/df:2.584; RMSEA:0.063; NFI: 0.84; IFI: 0.90; TLI: 0.87; CFI: 0.90; GFI: 0.90) indicated that the scale exhibits a five-factor structure with 27 items. The internal consistency of the scale was high, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.93. Additionally, the item total correlations ranged between 0.326 and 0.700. The findings demonstrate that the Turkish adaptation of the Online Narcissistic Personality Inventory is a valid and reliable measurement tool.
Implementation of the Homeostasis-Enrichment (Hep®) Approach for an Infant at Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Report
(Necmettin Erbakan Univ, Fac Medicine-Neu Press, 2025) Balikci, Aymen; Balikci, Ayse Firdevs Aracikul; Demirbag, Izgi Miray; Sirma, Gamze Cagla; Beaudry-Bellefeuille, Isabelle; May-Benson, Teresa A.
Background and Clinical Significance: This case report explicates the implementation and outcomes of the Homeostasis-Enrichment-Plasticity (HEP (R)) Approach in a 10-month-old male infant with an increased risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who exhibited challenges in sensory functioning and motor development. Case Presentation: The intervention was carried out utilizing the eleven-step HEP (R) Approach process. The Peabody Developmental Motor Scale-2 (PDMS-2), Test of Sensory Function in Infants (TSFI), Adaptive Behavior Assessment System-3 (ABAS-3), and Goal Attainment Scale (GAS) were used as outcome measures before and after the intervention. A pediatric physical therapist conducted an hour-long intervention weekly for 10 weeks using the HEP (R) Approach implementation guide. Post-intervention, the infant's fine and gross motor skill scores in the PDMS-2 and General Adaptive Composite in the ABAS-3 exhibited significant improvement, as determined by the 95% confidence interval overlap analysis. The TSFI total score also improved categorically. An overall GAS score of +1.6 corresponded to a t-score of 74.12, indicating significant progress towards the individualized intervention goals. Conclusions: The HEP (R) Approach enhanced motor development, sensory functioning, general adaptive skills, and parental goals in a 10-month-old infant at risk for ASD. The results support further examination of the HEP approach's effectiveness in infants at risk for ASD.
Effects of Left and Bilateral Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Pain, Mood, and Autonomic Nervous System in Female Patients With Fibromyalgia: a Randomized Controlled Trial
(Taylor & Francis Inc, 2025) Akkurt, Mustafa Ferit; Ozden, Ali Veysel; Akkurt, Halil Ekrem; Akkurt, Burcu; Bildik, Celaleddin
Introduction: Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is a complex disease characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, emotional disturbances, and autonomic dysfunction. Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) has emerged as a potential noninvasive approach to modulate FMS-related symptoms. Purpose: To compare the effects of left and bilateral taVNS on pain, mood, functionality, and autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity in individuals with FMS. Methods: Forty female individuals with FMS were assigned to either a left (n = 20) or a bilateral (n = 20) taVNS group. Both received 11 sessions of taVNS targeting the tragus and concha regions (30 minutes each, 25 Hz, 300 mu s) over nonconsecutive days, excluding weekends and menstrual periods. Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) were assessed. ANS activity was evaluated via heart rate variability (HRV). After 11 sessions of taVNS, a 2-week follow-up was performed. Results: No significant differences were observed between groups except for FIQ and BAI on day 28 (p = .002-0.008). Both groups showed significant within-group improvements in VAS (r = 0.87-0.94; p < .001), BDI (r = 0.46-0.71; p < .001), FIQ (r = 0.95-0.99; p < .001), and BAI (r = 0.69-0.94; p < .001) scores. Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) (p = .365-0.776) and Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) (p = .598-0.880) indices, which are the subparameters of HRV, showed no significant between-group differences, with small effect sizes (r < 0.15). Conclusion: Both stimulation protocols effectively reduced pain and improved mood and functionality in fibromyalgia, indicating a safe, noninvasive adjunctive treatment option. Clinicaltrials.gov: (Identifier: NCT06871306).
Evaluation of Pulmonary Function Test and Peripheral Muscle Strength in Smoking and Non-Smoking University Students
(Georg Thieme Verlag KG, 2025) Tekeoglu Tosun, Anil; Yilmaz, Nergis; Uysal, Ogulcan; Aydin, Buket; Cambel, Ilayda; Karagozoglu Coskunsu, Dilber
Objective This study was conducted to compare pulmonary function and peripheral muscle strength in smoking and non-smoking university students. Materials and Methods Data were collected from 120 volunteer university students aged between 18 and 25 years, who were divided into two groups regardless of gender after their smoking status had been determined. Data were collected using a sociodemographic form, the Pulmonary Function Test (PFT), and the Five Times Sit-to-Stand and Six-Minute Walk tests to assess peripheral muscle strength. These tests were applied to both smoking and non-smoking groups. Results According to GLI 2012 reference values, female non-smokers exhibited significantly higher FEV1 and FEV1/FVC z-scores compared to female smokers (p<0.001 and p=0.008, respectively), whereas no significant differences were observed among males. No significant differences were found between smokers and non-smokers in peripheral muscle strength tests overall; however, gender-specific analyses revealed significant differences in some tests. Conclusion Significant differences were found in some pulmonary function tests between smoking and non-smoking university students, while no overall difference was observed in peripheral muscle strength. Gender-based subgroup analyses suggested varying effects on muscle strength and pulmonary function. Developing targeted smoking awareness programs for university students is important for public health.
Turkey on the Fault Line: The Impact of the Earthquake on the Labor Market
(Wiley, 2025) Demirkilic, Serkan; Ozbay Das, Zuhal; Aydin, Guney
We assess the impact of the 2011 earthquakes of eastern Turkey on the labor market and the potential resilience strategy by exploring heterogeneity among subgroups. Our findings indicate a rise in low-skilled employment and an increase in the wage rates for low-skilled women following the earthquake. The instant response to earthquakes varies according to the residents' education level. The manufacturing sector was significant in enhancing the workers' resilience. The results further reveal that the return to the family business may have helped to mitigate the negative economic conditions created by the earthquakes.
Post-Truth Populism as an Emerging Electoral Strategy: The Case of Turkey's 2023 Elections
(Routledge Journals, Taylor & Francis Ltd, 2025) Eldem, Tuba
This article develops a new theoretical framework to explain how right-wing populist incumbents mobilise electoral support in competitive authoritarian regimes. It argues that post-truth populism, defined as the strategic fusion of securitised discourse and emotionally charged identity appeals with epistemic manipulation, enables populist leaders to shape the political battlefield through affective and symbolic narratives rather than policy content. Drawing on discourse analysis of President Recep Tayyip Erdo & gbreve;an's 2023 campaign in Turkey, the article shows how the ruling coalition reframed the elections as an existential struggle against internal and external enemies while simultaneously offering emotionally resonant promises of national revival. Rather than focus solely on institutional advantages or voter grievances, this study foregrounds the discursive agency of populist leaders and their ability to manufacture fear, pride and loyalty. By analysing how Erdo & gbreve;an's campaign displaced economic accountability with emotionally saturated, post-factual narratives, the article contributes to literatures on populism, post-truth politics and securitisation. It argues that the convergence of post-truth politics and populist securitisation forms a powerful mechanism for authoritarian endurance in hybrid regimes, transforming elections into moralised referenda on identity and national survival.
New Diclofenac Hydrazones: Design, Synthesis, in Silico Studies and Anticancer Evaluation Against Breast Cancer
(Elsevier, 2026) Birgul, Kaan; Oktay, Lalehan; Bekci, Hatice; Cikla-Suzgun, Pelin; Durdagi, Serdar; Kucukguzel, S. Guniz
Breast cancer remains one of the most prevalent and lethal malignancies among women, highlighting the urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies that can overcome resistance mechanisms. The p38 alpha mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK14) plays a key role in inflammation-associated oncogenic signaling, making it an attractive molecular target for drug development. In this study, a novel series of diclofenac-based hydrazone derivatives (4a-4o) were designed, synthesized, and characterized using FT-IR, 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy, thin-layer chromatography, and elemental analysis. Computational target profiling using SwissTargetPrediction identified MAPK14 as the primary predicted target. Molecular docking against the MAPK14 crystal structure (PDB ID: 1WBS) revealed high binding affinities (-11.41 to -8.34 kcal/mol), supported by MM/GBSA free energy calculations and molecular dynamics simulations, which confirmed stable ligand-protein interactions through hydrogen bonding with Asp168 and Glu71. In vitro cytotoxicity assays on MCF-7 (luminal A) and MDA-MB-231 (triple-negative) breast cancer cell lines demonstrated low-micromolar IC50 values, with compounds 4c, 4d, and 4e showing the strongest activity (2.1-4.5 mu M), surpassing the reference drug Tamoxifen. Overall, the results indicate that diclofenac hydrazones represent promising candidates anticancer properties through MAPK14 inhibition, providing a foundation for the development of next-generation therapeutics against breast cancer.
The Futures of New Diplomatic History in a Shifting International Order
(Brill, 2025) Papuccular, Hazal
This essay reflects on the agenda of globalizing diplomatic history as put forward in the manifesto "Provincializing `New' Diplomatic History." It first emphasizes that the Manifesto overlooks key structural dynamics, such as the transformation of the global order. These structural shifts have the potential to significantly influence the trajectories of global diplomatic history. This signifies that the suggestion for global diplomatic history is not merely an epistemic endeavor, but one that must also grapple with the politics of writing global - diplomatic - history in an age of rising disconnections and in an increasingly post-Western world order. Second, the essay points out that New Diplomatic History remains useful in many contexts, even if in a somewhat parochial form, because in many non-Western settings, it still represents a nascent approach to study diplomatic history. Thus, it still holds the potential to generate novel contributions to the historiography of diplomacy.
Safety and Efficacy of Depatuxizumab Mafodotin Monotherapy or in Combination With Temozolomide in Patients With/Without EGFR-Amplified Recurrent Glioblastoma: A Systematic Review
(Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2025) Moghib, Khaled; Hassan, Malak A.; Eljadid, Ghaith Y.; Salomon, Izere; Algazar, Mansour A.; Abu Arafeh, Muhannad Wael; Ibrahim, Ismail A.
This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of depatuxizumab mafodotin as a monotherapy or in combination with temozolomide in patients with recurrent epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-amplified glioblastoma multiforme, focusing on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus databases up to August 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies were included, comparing depatuxizumab mafodotin alone or with temozolomide in patients with and without EGFR amplification. Data extraction encompassed participant demographics, treatment regimens, and clinical outcomes. Of 102 screened publications, 10 RCTs and cohort studies involving 1431 patients met the inclusion criteria. The included studies examined depatuxizumab mafodotin as a standalone therapy and in combination with other agents, revealing OS ranging from 5 to 14 months and considerable variability in PFS. While depatuxizumab mafodotin shows the potential to improve survival outcomes, the heterogeneity in results highlights the need for further research. Future studies should refine patient selection criteria and explore alternative therapeutic combinations, such as depatuxizumab mafodotin with gemcitabine or cisplatin, to optimize treatment strategies.
Psychological Effects of Robotic Rehabilitation in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury: A Narrative Review
(BMC, 2025) Ibrahim, Ismail A.; Mounir, Mennatallah M.; Hussein, Omar; Parnian, Nadieh; Sefertas, Ece; Ravanbod, Amin; Arican, Tuna Eren
IntroductionSpinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with severe physical, psychological, and social burdens. Robotic rehabilitation, especially robotic-assisted gait training, is increasingly used to improve functional recovery. Nonetheless, its psychological effects which are key to motivation, compliance, and long-term prognosis have received little scrutiny.MethodsWe conducted a narrative review across five databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane, Embase) from inception to January 2025. Studies were included if they evaluated robotic rehabilitation in SCI and reported psychological outcomes. Findings were synthesized thematically into domains of anxiety/technophobia, motivation/engagement, self-efficacy/dependence, and frustration/quality of life.ResultsRobotic systems frequently improved autonomy, motivation, and self-confidence, which corresponded to less depression and a better quality of life. Nevertheless, negative effects including technophobia, frustration from technological malfunction, and loss of self-efficacy from excessive dependence were found. Patient experiences ranged: empowerment and new optimism were reported by some patients, whereas others experienced the devices as complicated, emotionally alienating, or inadequately adjustable.DiscussionRobotic rehabilitation has a dual psychological effect. On one hand, it encourages engagement and emotional resilience; on the other, it carries risks of interdependence and diminished autonomy. There are ethical issues to be resolved access disparities, data protection, and preserving human connection that require careful management. The inclusion of psychological screening, education of patients, and specific goal-setting within protocols can maximize results.ConclusionRobotic rehabilitation is highly capable of promoting progress after SCI if psychological considerations are completely incorporated into rehabilitation interventions. A multimodal approach that is interdisciplinary and ethically solid is required to achieve optimized functional improvement as well as psychosocial health.
Ultrasound Measurements of Pelvic Floor and Diaphragm Muscles in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients With Urinary Incontinence
(Springer London Ltd, 2025) Balaban, Mehtap; Dusgun, Elif Sena; Nur, Hifziye Pervin; Lalecan, Nida; Sertcelik, Umran Ozden; Celenay, Seyda Toprak
BackgroundThe precise manner in which morphological properties of pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) and diaphragm muscle in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients with Urinary Incontinence (UI) are affected remains unclear.AimThis study aimed to compare the ultrasound measurements of PFMs and diaphragm muscle in COPD patients with and without UI.MethodsThirty COPD patients with UI [UI group, age: 61.00 (42.00-70.00) years, body mass index: 27.86 (20.20-54.69) kg/m2] and thirty COPD patients without UI [N-UI group, age: 64.00 (47.00-70.00) years, body mass index: 27.11 (20.30-35.94) kg/m2] were included. The PFMs contaction assessment and diaphragm muscle morphological properties were evaluated using the Logiq S7/Expert ultrasound device. The percentage of change in thickness of diaphragm muscle, known as the diaphragm thickening fraction index (DTFI), was also calculated.ResultsIt was found that the PFMs contraction (p = 0.018) and DTFI (p = 0.016) values were significantly lower in the UI group compared to the N-UI group. No significant differences were observed in the diaphragm thickness score during the inspiration (p = 0.973) and expiration (p = 0.233) between the groups.ConclusionsPatients with COPD and UI exhibited diminished the PFMs contaction severity and DTFI compared to those with COPD but no UI. It should be considered that UI comorbidity in COPD may negatively affect PFMs contaction severity and diaphragm muscle morphological properties.
The Relationship Between Internalized Stigmatization and Depression Among Adolescents With Substance Use: A Cross-Sectional Study
(Cambridge University Press, 2025) Demir, M.; Gumus, F. C.; Dikec, G.
Burn Rehabilitation: Evaluation of Physiotherapists' Knowledge and Awareness Levels
(Elsevier Sci Ltd, 2025) Seyyah, Mine; Akkurt, Mustafa Ferit; Yilmaz, Nergis
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of knowledge and awareness of physiotherapists working in Turkey about burn rehabilitation. Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between March and June 2025 and data were collected using Google Form. A total of 324 people were included in the study. The level of knowledge and awareness of the participants about burn rehabilitation was evaluated with 28 questions created by taking expert opinion. Results: While 25.6 % of participants had experience in burn rehabilitation, only 1.2 % frequently encountered burn patients. Although 60.5 % had taken courses on burn rehabilitation, only 15.1 % considered their knowledge sufficient. Correct response rates to key knowledge questions were 78.7 % for exercise applicability, 79.6 % for timing, 54.6 % for the most common burn type in Turkey, 35.8 % for edema management, and 13 % for pressure garment duration, revealing gaps in clinical knowledge. Additionally, 92.9 % believed early physiotherapy improves recovery, and 98.4 % reported positive effects on quality of life. Discussion: Our results indicate that although most physiotherapists had taken courses on burn rehabilitation, their knowledge remains insufficient, whereas their awareness is high, underscoring the need for targeted training and certification programs.
Effectiveness of Vibration in Reducing Pain and Improving Satisfaction During Subcutaneous Injections: A Randomized Crossover Clinical Trial
(Taylor & Francis Ltd, 2025) Yildirim, Dilek; Kugu, Emre
AimThe pain experienced during and after the injection may cause discomfort and lead individuals to develop a negative perception toward future injections. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of vibration stimulation on pain induced by subcutaneous injections and patient satisfaction.MethodsThis was a prospective, randomized, single-blind, crossover study design. Data were collected from 85 patients. Vibration and non-vibration subcutaneous anticoagulant injections were administered randomly by the same investigator following a standardized procedure. Pain and satisfaction were evaluated by a study-blind investigator using the Visual Analogue Scale immediately after the injection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Student's t-test, paired sample test, and a generalized linear mixed model.ResultsA total of 175 injections were analyzed. It was found that the pain level of patients was lower when vibration was applied (4.06 +/- 1.68 vs. 5.32 +/- 2.19, p = 0.004). Additionally, patient satisfaction was higher when vibration was used (7.17 +/- 1.71vs. 5.97 +/- 2.46, p = 0.011).ConclusionThe results of this study demonstrated that vibration was effective in reducing the pain associated with subcutaneous anticoagulant injections and in increasing patient satisfaction. Vibration can be used as a method to alleviate pain from subcutaneous anticoagulant injections and enhance patient satisfaction. Clinically, this suggests that incorporating vibration during subcutaneous injections can be a simple, non-pharmacological strategy to improve patient comfort and adherence to therapy.
Accelerated Planar Development of Convex Free-Form Mesh Patches Using a Variable Step-Size Energy Dissipation Approach
(Sciendo, 2025) Yavuz, Erdem; Yazici, Rifat
Free-form complex surfaces are prevalent in modern graphic applications. With the increasing prevalence of complex 3D surfaces enabled by advances in range scanning and 3D printing technologies, minimising parameterization times for large meshes has become crucial. This paper proposes an efficient approach for the planar development of convex free-form mesh patches using an improved energy-based technique with a variable step-size algorithm. Building upon the energy model of Wang et al., our study addresses the limitations of conventional energy dissipation algorithms, which employ fixed step sizes. The proposed variable step-size method, particularly suitable for convex or disk-shaped mesh surfaces, dynamically adjusts steps, significantly reducing energy dissipation iterations. Leveraging our previous geometric flattening method, we further enhance planar surface development using an advanced mass-spring-based approach. Here, we show that our method accelerates the mechanical flattening process while maintaining high accuracy, achieving a shape error of 0.400 and an area error of 0.147 after 36 iterations for the Surf1 patch, reducing the required iterations by nearly half compared to the fixed step-size method. This study contributes to advancing the field of surface parameterization and flattening, with potential applications in various industries.
Investigating the Personal and Professional Variables That Predict Discrimination Attitudes Among Nurses and Physicians
(Wiley, 2025) Tekin, Suat; Seren, Arzu Kader Harmanci
Introduction: Healthcare professionals are expected to provide holistic care to their patients without discrimination based on factors such as religion, language, age, gender, and race. Design: It is a cross-sectional descriptive study. Aim: The study aimed to examine the discriminatory attitudes of nurses and physicians working in hospitals in Sanliurfa and to define whether the personal and professional variables predict discriminatory attitudes among them. Methods: The STROBE reporting method, which is one of the EQUATOR guidelines, was followed. Data were collected from a total of 376 physicians and nurses through online platforms between March and June 2020 via the information form and the Discrimination Attitude Scale. Results: The discriminatory attitudes of the nurses and physicians participating in the study were above average. The total discriminatory attitudes scores of the participants varied according to sex, income levels, profession, hospital experience, and unit (p < 0.05). In addition, sex, profession and unit variables predicted the total discriminatory attitudes of nurses and physicians (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Although nurses' and physicians' discriminatory attitudes scores were generally higher, the highest mean score was in the subscale "discrimination against other nationalities." Sex, profession, and unit variables predicted the total discriminatory attitudes of nurses and physicians. Further quantitative and qualitative research is needed to understand the reasons for the highest discriminatory attitudes towards other nationalities among healthcare professionals, to overcome this issue. Clinical Relevance: Nursing or healthcare managers, as well as policymakers, may consider the predictive variables when staffing and training nurses and physicians working in similar regions and conditions.
Logistics Performance and Agricultural Exports: Evidence From Sub-Saharan Africa
(Routledge Journals, Taylor & Francis Ltd, 2025) Vardar, N. Baris; Cifter, Atilla; Delipinar, Gul Esin; Tekelioglu, Mehmet Gurel
This paper investigates the relationship between logistics performance and agricultural exports in Sub-Saharan Africa. Using dynamic panel data from 2012 to 2022, we examine the impact of various components of logistics performance on aggregate agricultural exports. We also analyse how logistics performance affects exports in agricultural subsectors. Our results show that improvements in logistics infrastructure, customs procedures, and international shipping services significantly increase agricultural export performance. The food and live animals subsector benefits the most, followed by crude materials and animal and vegetable oils and fats subsectors. We also find that financial development, foreign direct investment, and world demand are important drivers of agricultural exports in Sub-Saharan Africa. We include institutional quality indicators in our analysis for robustness checks, showing that governance factors also play a significant role in boosting exports. These findings highlight the need for targeted investment in logistics and complementary economic policies, supported by good governance, to harness the region's agricultural export potential and promote sustainable economic development.
Unraveling the Potential of Stem Cell Therapy in Motor Neuron Disease: A Narrative Review
(Bentham Science Publ, 2025) Essa, Syed Muhammad; Khosa, Noor Ahmed; Kakar, Amanullah; Ozturk, Basar; Ibrahim, Ismail A.; Haq, Noman
Motor neuron disorders (MNDs), including ALS, are deadly neurodegenerative conditions that cause progressive motor neuron degeneration. With neuroprotection and the potential for neuron regeneration employing MSCs, ESCs, iPSCs, and NSCs, stem cell treatment presents a viable alternative to current medicines, which only control a limited number of symptoms. Following PRISMA criteria, this narrative review methodically screened 1248 records from the Cochrane, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus databases. Following a thorough screening process, 22 studies, including preclinical models and 19 clinical trials, were analysed to assess the therapeutic mechanisms, safety, and efficacy of stem cell therapies for MNDs. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy has shown a promising safety profile and possible therapeutic efficacy in ALS, with no substantial transplant-related toxicity noted. ALS functional rating scale-revised (ALSFRS-R) scores and forced vital capacity (FVC) assessments from clinical trials, such as those evaluating autologous bone marrow-derived MSCs, demonstrated stabilisation in ALS development. Studies have also emphasised as to how immunomodulation and neurotrophic factors play a part in MSC-based therapies. Recent data indicate that repeated intrathecal MSC injection could extend the duration of therapeutic advantages. Clinical trials have shown safety and early efficacy signals for motor neurons produced from embryonic stem cells (ESCs), especially using AstroRx (R). This suggests that ESCs could be a viable option for regenerative medicine. Nonetheless, issues, like host integration and differentiation optimisation, still exist. Although clinical translation is still in its early stages, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and their derivatives provide disease modelling and patient-specific therapeutic applications. Stem cell therapy holds promise for treating MND, with MSCs leading the way in current trials. It is necessary to enhance ESC- and iPSC-based techniques to tackle integration issues. To ensure long-term safety and efficacy, therapies must be developed using standardised protocols, patient stratification, optimised delivery, and large-scale studies.
Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis of Characteristics, Patterns, and Causes of Retractions in Pediatric Literature
(Springer, 2025) Abo-Elnour, Dina Essam; Helal, Mohamed Mohsen; Albalasy, Abdulrahman Ahmed; Abdul-Hafez, Hamza A.; Abdelkader, Ahmed; El-Sherbini, Eman Raafat; Amer, Samar A.
This study aimed to systematically identify the key characteristics of retracted articles in pediatric literature and explore the patterns and reasons of pediatric retraction from 1995 to 2024. We searched PubMed and Retraction Watch databases to identify all retracted publications in the field of pediatrics. After the screening process, data were extracted into Excel. Statistical analysis was conducted using Jamovi and Excel. A correlation matrix was used for the important retraction-related factors. After screening, 590 unique retracted pediatric articles were included, with most of them, 572 (96.9%), having retraction notices available; 516 (87.5%) published as open access; 433 (73.4%) from Asia-mostly China; 348 (59%) retracted by the publisher; 301 (51.0%) published by Hindawi; 275 (46.6%) observational studies; and 221 (37.5%) retracted due to misconduct. Articles with four authors showed the highest retraction rate, and the retraction rate generally decreased as the number of authors increased. Most retractions occurred in 2023. The most common pediatric age group included in the retracted papers was children. The median H-index of authors of retracted papers was 8 for first authors and 10 for senior authors. The median time from submission to acceptance of retracted papers was 50 days and that from publication to retraction was 15 months. Additionally, time to retraction was positively correlated with the journal's impact factor (r = 0.106, p = 0.015) and the citation count (r = 0.213, p < 0.001) but showed no significant correlation with time to acceptance (r = - 0.019, p = 0.675). Conclusion: The increasing number of retracted pediatric papers reflects a growing concern with a complex pattern and various determinants. Researchers and publishers should adopt strong regulations and guidelines to improve the integrity of scientific research, especially pediatric research.

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