Search Results (19)

This study evaluated the phenolic, carotenoid, and elemental compositions of three hawthorn species—Crataegus: C. tanacetifolia (yellow), C. orientalis (orange), and C. microphylla (red)—collected from Şebinkarahisar, Türkiye. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) analysis revealed that C. microphylla had the highest phenolic content, notably epicatechin, gallic acid, and quercetin. It also showed the highest levels of β-carotene and lutein, highlighting its nutraceutical potential. C. orientalis was rich in rutin and taxifolin. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) results showed significant mineral content, including Fe, Mn, Ca, and Se. About 60 g of dried hawthorn could meet 7–8% of daily selenium needs. In C. tanacetifolia, toxicological tests showed no substantial health hazards, with target hazard quotient (THQ) values below 1 and carcinogenic risk (CR) values within tolerable levels (e.g., Ni-CR: 4.68 × 10⁻⁵). Lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) levels were below detection thresholds in all samples, indicating that hawthorn fruits from this location are safe. The study also shows how species-specific and geographical factors affect hawthorn fruit nutrition and safety. Full article

This study highlights the importance of managing and analyzing customer reviews to gain a competitive advantage and improve customer experience in the hospitality industry. In this context, a deep learning-based sentiment analysis system of hotel customer reviews is developed to evaluate service quality within the scope of sustainable tourism. The study analyzed 15,522 customer reviews of five-star hotels in Antalya using text mining, topic modelling, and deep learning-based sentiment analysis. The reviews were classified as positive, negative, or neutral. The findings show that Hotel HB2 has the highest performance, with an F1 score of 97.9%. Overall customer satisfaction is 91%, while emotional satisfaction stands at 77%. Key factors, such as cleanliness, food quality, and staff professionalism, were found to play a critical role in customer loyalty. Additionally, this study integrates sustainability-orientated themes by identifying customer feedback related to environmentally friendly practices and sustainable hotel operations. The results provide evidence that customer satisfaction is not only influenced by service quality but also by the perceived environmental and social responsibility of the hotel. Machine learning techniques have emerged as effective tools for analyzing large-scale customer reviews, offering valuable insights to rapidly and accurately capture customers’ emotions, expectations, and perceptions. As a comprehensive application of sentiment analysis and text mining, this research offers hotel managers a practical framework to enhance service quality, foster customer loyalty, and develop sustainability-orientated strategies. This study contributes to the literature by linking AI-driven sentiment analysis with sustainability practices in the tourism sector. Full article

Background: Acute phosphate nephropathy (APN) is an underrecognized cause of acute kidney injury (AKI), typically associated with the use of oral sodium phosphate (OSP)-based bowel preparations. It is characterized by calcium phosphate crystal deposition within the renal tubules and may result in permanent renal impairment. Despite known risks, phosphate-containing solutions are still widely used without sufficient risk stratification. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 517 native kidney biopsies performed in our nephrology clinic between 2017 and 2022. Among these, 12 patients with unexplained AKI and recent colonoscopy history were identified. In nine cases, non-specific tubular deposits on routine staining prompted further histochemical analysis. All had a history of recent OSP-based bowel cleansing. The use of von Kossa staining confirmed calcium phosphate deposition, consistent with APN. Results: Out of 517 kidney biopsies performed during the study period, 9 patients were diagnosed with APN based on histopathological findings following recent colonoscopy and OSP-based bowel cleansing. The mean age was 58.7 years, and three were female. Hypertension was present in seven patients, diabetes mellitus in three, and epilepsy in two; one patient had no comorbidities. Baseline renal function was normal (mean serum creatinine 0.86 mg/dL) and increased to 1.76 mg/dL at three months post-exposure. All biopsies revealed tubulointerstitial calcium phosphate deposits and interstitial inflammation; mesangial hypercellularity was observed in five cases, tubular atrophy in three, and acute tubular necrosis in one. All samples stained positive with von Kossa staining. Over time, all patients developed chronic kidney disease, and one progressed to end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis. Conclusions: In patients presenting with unexplained AKI and recent OSP-based bowel preparation, APN should be considered in the differential diagnosis. When routine histology is inconclusive, definitive diagnosis may require special histochemical staining. Risk-based restrictions on phosphate-containing agents are warranted to reduce preventable kidney injury. Full article

Numerous factors contribute to COVID-19 symptoms, with individuals who have pre-existing health conditions at the highest risk for severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study investigated the socio-demographic and comorbidity profiles within a large Turkish population diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2, including 47,875 patients diagnosed between March 2020 and May 2022 across six hospitals in different Turkish cities. Patients with SARS-CoV-2 confirmed via laboratory tests and presenting symptoms were included. The data collected covered socio-demographic details, infection onset dates, COVID-19 symptoms, pre-existing health conditions, radiological findings, treatments, disease progression, and relevant variables. A total of 47,875 files were included in the analysis. The median age was 43.7 years, with 84.5% testing positive for PCR SARS-CoV-2, often correlating with severe symptoms. Notably, 11.8% of the participants exhibited mild symptoms, and approximately 12.8% had comorbidities, increasing to 17.6% among severe cases. Females with PCR-positive COVID-19 had a comorbidity rate of 13.8%, compared to 12.5% in males. Among the patients with comorbidities, those aged 70 and above had the highest rates, at 22.1% (n = 1103). The most prevalent comorbidity was hypertension, followed by diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Severe cases had a significantly higher prevalence of comorbidities (58.4%) compared to non-severe cases (27.6%). We hope that the evaluation of our findings will contribute to the research and treatment processes of the COVID-19 outpatients. Full article

Background: As colorectal cancers are histopathologically and molecularly highly heterogeneous tumors, it is necessary to consider the tumor’s microenvironment as well as its cellular characteristics in order to determine the biological behavior of the tumor. This study included 100 patients who underwent resection for colorectal cancer. We aimed to investigate the relationships between the expression status of the HIF-1α, LOX and ITGA5 proteins and clinicopathologic parameters. Methods: HIF-1α, LOX and ITGA5 antibodies were applied immunohistochemically to tissue microarrays prepared from tumor samples. Expression status in the tumor microenvironment were evaluated using a combined scoring system based on staining intensity and the percentage of positively stained cells. Nuclear HIF-1α expression in tumor cells was quantified, with >1% considered positive. The staining of HIF-1α, ITGA5 and LOX was analyzed in relation to prognostic and molecular features. Results: The staining of HIF-1α, ITGA5 and LOX in the tumor microenvironment demonstrated a positive correlation with one another and with HIF-1α and LOX expression in tumor cells. In patients with KRAS, NRAS or BRAF mutation and the moderate to strong expression of all three of these proteins in the tumor microenvironment, the number of metastatic lymph nodes was higher than in other patients. Stage IV patients with the moderate to strong expression of HIF-1α, ITGA5 or LOX in the microenvironment had lower progression-free survival than those with weak expression (p < 0.05). In addition, female gender; moderate to strong HIF-1α, LOX and ITGA5 stromal expression; and metastatic first line chemotherapy only were found to be independently associated with an increased risk of progression. Conclusions: These markers may be useful in predicting treatment responses and may also guide the development of alternative or combined treatments that specifically target molecules such as HIF and LOX. Our study should be supported by more comprehensive studies addressing the tumor stroma and its prognostic importance. Full article

This research aims to investigate the associations between comorbidities and clinical outcomes, specifically their impacts on mortality rates among COVID-19 inpatients, while also assessing the varying significance of different comorbidities. We conducted this study to understand the interplay between SARS-CoV-2 infection, socio-demographic factors, disease severity, and co-morbid conditions in a sample of 26,835 hospitalized COVID-19 cases. Our analysis extended to examining the frequency of infection symptoms, pre-existing health issues, treatment strategies, intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stays, clinical symptoms, and radiological findings. Among the 26,883 cases analyzed, comprising 53.7% males and 53.3% females with an average age of 48.5 years, we observed mean clinical values for temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure. Leveraging logistic regression modeling helped untangle the complex relationships and confounding variables influencing COVID-19 mortality. Notably, our findings underscored the significance of total length of stay, prolonged ICU stays exceeding ten days, and the presence of significant symptoms in affecting mortality rates among COVID-19 patients. These insights unveil potential trends crucial for informing future management strategies tailored to the needs of COVID-19 patients, emphasizing the importance of addressing comorbidities and optimizing care approaches for better outcomes. Full article

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of diosmin and hesperidin in diabetic neuropathy using a rat model, focusing on their impact on nerve regeneration through the fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and galectin-3 (gal3) pathway. Materials and Methods: Forty adult male Wistar rats were used in this study. Diabetes was induced using streptozotocin (STZ), and the rats were divided into control, diabetes and saline-treated, diabetes and diosmin + hesperidin (150 mg/kg) treated, and diabetes and diosmin + hesperidin (300 mg/kg) treated groups. Electromyography (EMG) and inclined plane testing were performed to assess nerve function and motor performance. Sciatic nerve sections were examined histopathologically. Plasma levels of FGF21, galectin-3, and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured as markers of oxidative stress and inflammation. Results: Diabetic rats treated with saline displayed reduced nerve conduction parameters and impaired motor performance compared to controls. Treatment with diosmin and hesperidin significantly improved compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude, distal latency, and motor performance in a dose-dependent manner. Histopathological examination revealed decreased perineural thickness in treated groups. Additionally, treatment with diosmin and hesperidin resulted in increased plasma FGF21 levels and reduced plasma levels of galectin-3 and MDA, indicating decreased oxidative stress and inflammation. Conclusions: Diosmin and hesperidin exhibited protective effects in diabetic neuropathy by promoting nerve regeneration, enhancing nerve conduction, and improving motor performance. These effects were associated with modulation of the FGF21 and galectin-3 pathway. These findings suggest that diosmin and hesperidin may hold potential as adjunctive therapies for diabetic neuropathy. Full article

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between the psychological needs of athletes who attend gyms, the spirituality index of well-being, and motivation in sports, and to determine the mediating role of the spirituality index of well-being between psychological needs in sports and motivation in sports. Although sports spirituality is rapidly developing in the international literature, sports and spirituality have not been studied together in the national literature before. Therefore, this study holds the distinction of being one of the pioneering research efforts on the subject of spirituality in athletes in Türkiye. In this context, the data of 422 athletes, 176 women and 246 men, who have been attending gym facilities in Antalya for at least one year, were included in the research. Participants were administered a personal information form, Psychological Need States. It was found that the spirituality index of well-being is positively related to all satisfaction subscales and negatively related to all frustration subscales of psychological needs and that the life scheme is related to many subscales of sport motivation. Furthermore, it was also found that the spirituality index of well-being is a mediating variable between psychological needs in sports and motivation in sports. The data draw attention to the importance of sports spirituality. It is recommended to integrate spirituality into healthcare for athletes. Full article

Blastocystis is the most common gastrointestinal protist found in humans and animals. Although the clinical significance of Blastocystis remains unclear, the organism is increasingly being viewed as a commensal member of the gut microbiome. However, its impact on the microbiome is still being debated. It is unclear whether Blastocystis promotes a healthy gut and microbiome directly or whether it is more likely to colonize and persist in a healthy gut environment. In healthy people, Blastocystis is frequently associated with increased bacterial diversity and significant differences in the gut microbiome. Based on current knowledge, it is not possible to determine whether differences in the gut microbiome are the cause or result of Blastocystis colonization. Although it is possible that some aspects of this eukaryote’s role in the intestinal microbiome remain unknown and that its effects vary, possibly due to subtype and intra-subtype variations and immune modulation, more research is needed to characterize these mechanisms in greater detail. This review covers recent findings on the effects of Blastocystis in the gut microbiome and immune modulation, its impact on the microbiome in autoimmune diseases, whether Blastocystis has a role like bacteria in the gut–brain axis, and its relationship with probiotics. Full article

(1) Introduction: The impact of multifocality/bilaterality on the prognosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is a matter of debate. In order to clarify this debate, several studies have attempted to identify additional parameters associated with poor prognosis, including total tumor diameter (TTD), in the context of multifocal PTCs. In this context, this study was carried out to investigate the impact of TTD on tumor recurrence and lymph node metastasis (LNM) in PTCs. (2) Materials and Methods: The sample of this single-center retrospective study consisted of 706 patients diagnosed with PTC. TTD was calculated as the sum of the largest diameters of tumor foci in multifocal tumors. The resulting TTDs were grouped into TTDs ≤ 10 mm, TTDs > 10 mm, TTDs ≤ 20 mm, and TTDs > 20 mm, using 10 mm and 20 mm as cutoff values. (3) Results: There was no significant difference between multifocal papillary microcarcinomas (PTMCs) with a TTD of >10 mm and unifocal PTCs with a primary tumor diameter (PTD) of >10 mm except for advanced age and lymphovascular invasion (LVI). In addition, perineural invasion (PNI) and TTD > 10 mm were found to be significant risk factors for LNM, and PNI, TTD > 10 mm, TTD > 20 mm, and bilaterality were found to be significant risk factors for recurrence. LVI, and TTD > 10 mm were found to be independent significant predictors for recurrence, and LVI and extrathyroidal extension (ETE) were found to be independent significant predictors for LNM. (4) Conclusions: Considering TTD > 10 mm in recurrence risk categorization models and adopting a clinical approach that takes into account multifocal PTMCs with TTD > 10 mm along with unifocal PTCs with PTD > 10 mm may be more useful in terms of clinical management of the disease. Full article

Estradiol (E2), a follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), AMH, and inhibin B levels, along with AFC and MOV, are used to determine ovarian reserve in pre-menopausal women. Studies have shown that AMH levels are more sensitive than those of E2, FSH, and inhibin B and that AFC and MOV can be used to evaluate ovarian reserve. AMH, AFC, and MOV measurements were performed before and after adjuvant SC in 3-month periods for one year. Patients were classified as experiencing chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea (CIA) if they did not have menstrual cycles for a period of six months or longer following the conclusion of their chemotherapy treatment. We aimed to evaluate the factors affecting chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea in breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy and the performance of baseline measurements of AMH, AFC, and MOV to predict chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea. The effects of different chemotherapy regimens on the AMH level, AFC, and MOV in CIA patients were investigated. Seventy-one patients were eligible for this study, and the median age was 38 years (range: 23–45). The median follow-up was 37 months (range: 20–51), and CIA developed in 62% of the patients. The AMH level and AFC were significantly decreased one year after SC (p < 0.0001), whereas MOV was not (p = 0.507). AMH levels before chemotherapy (median: 1.520 vs. 0.755, p = 0.001) and at the end of the first year (median: 0.073 vs. 0.010, p = 0.030) and pre-treatment AFC (median: 12 vs. 4.50, p = 0.026) were lower in patients with CIA compared to those without CIA. The AMH levels before SC were the most valuable and earliest factor for predicting CIA development. In addition, there was no difference between the chemotherapy regimens (including or not including taxane) in terms of CIA development. Full article

Peripheral nerve damage is a significant clinical problem with limited therapeutic options. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) have emerged as a promising therapeutic approach due to their regenerative potential. However, the underlying mechanisms by which ADSCs promote peripheral nerve regeneration remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of syndecan-1 and heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70) in mediating the regenerative effects of ADSCs on peripheral nerves. ADSCs were characterized and isolated from the adipose tissue of rats. In vitro experiments were conducted to evaluate the ability of ADSCs to secrete syndecan-1 and HSP-70 in response to stress conditions. To evaluate the therapeutic potential of ADSCs, rats with sciatic nerve injuries were treated with ADSCs and assessed for functional recovery, nerve regeneration, and changes in syndecan-1 and HSP-70 levels. Regeneration was evaluated with Electromyography (EMG) histology. The results showed that ADSCs could secrete syndecan-1 and HSP-70 in response to stress conditions. Furthermore, ADSC treatment significantly improved functional recovery and nerve regeneration and increased syndecan-1 and HSP-70 levels in the injured nerve. On the other hand, ADSCs make improvements histologically through the influence of Nerve growth factor (NGF), Malondialdehyde (MDA), and EMG. Full article

Climate awareness caused by the threat of global warming is the number one agenda item for developed and developing economies. Plans developed in this context, environmentally friendly trends in economic activities, and countries’ efforts to adapt to sustainable development have enabled new road maps. The most important of these efforts is the Paris Climate Agreement signed in 2015 and the Green Deal implemented by the European Union (EU) within the framework of this agreement. In this study, the carbon emissions of Turkey, which has important trade relations with the EU, were estimated using machine learning techniques, and a prediction was made for 2030 based on the results obtained. These results were evaluated in line with the targets of the Green Deal. The R² of support vector regression (SVR), which was applied in the model as one of the machine learning techniques, was found to be 98.4%, and it was found to have the highest predictive power. This technique was followed by multiple linear regression (MLR) with a 97.6% success rate and artificial neural networks (ANN) with a 95.8% success rate, respectively. According to the estimates achieved with the most successful model, SVR, Turkey’s carbon emissions are expected to be 723.97 million metric tons (mt) of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in 2030, the target year set by the EU. This level is 42% higher than the target that needs to be achieved given the data existing in 2019. According to these results, Turkey will not be able to reach the targets set by the EU unless it increases its coal-based energy consumption and provides incentives for renewable energy sources. Full article

We aimed to understand and resolve anti-vaccine attitudes by examining the factors associated with vaccine attitudes and exploring potential strategies to improve childhood vaccination rates. Between 2014 and 2021, a total of 628 families refused vaccination in Adiyaman. A total of 300 families accepted visits and were visited. During the visits, the families were administered a questionnaire to determine the reasons for vaccine rejection and their opinions on the matter. While providing general information about the vaccine, parents were encouraged to reconsider their decision, and at the end, parents completed the questionnaire. The questionnaire included sociodemographic questions, reasons for vaccine refusal, and a vaccine attitude scale. Among the participants in the study, 9.3% were convinced about the vaccine. The mean vaccine attitude scale score was calculated as 23.6 ± 2.5 (min = 15–max = 29). Significantly higher rates of persuasion were observed among fathers (17.3%) compared to mothers (7.7%) (p = 0.038). Participants who had received some vaccinations had a higher rate of persuasion (11.6%) compared to those who had not received any vaccinations (2.6%) (p = 0.02). Childhood vaccine refusal is a complex issue that has been the subject of numerous studies. Studies on this subject will increase awareness of vaccines. Full article

In this study, recycled and commercial Ti6Al4V powder was added to polyester composites at various filling ratios by weight fraction. Three weight fractions of Ti6Al4V particles, 0%, 5%, and 10%, were chosen for study. By examining the mechanical and microstructural properties of polyester composites, the effects of the Ti6Al4V powder proportion by weight fraction and particle size parameters were investigated. With the filler loading, a 39% increase in the tensile strength of the composites was achieved. A minor decrease in flexural strength was observed at 5% filler weight fraction. The addition of the recycled Ti6Al4V powder to the polyester matrix slightly reduced the thermal conductivity of the composite over that of the neat polymer. However, the incorporation of the commercial Ti6Al4V powder fillers in the polyester matrix considerably increased the thermal conductivity of the composites, suggesting several potential uses. The presence of high levels of oxygen in the powder led to reduced thermal conductivity of the composites due to the reduction in phonon scattering. Full article