Search Results (54)

Land use/land cover (LULC) changes significantly affect hydrological processes in watersheds. In this study, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT+) model was employed to investigate the hydrological response to LULC changes in the İznik Lake Watershed, a region of significant environmental and social importance in the Marmara Region of Türkiye. This study provides a novel understanding of water balance dynamics of the İznik Lake Watershed through hydrological modeling. The SWAT+ model was calibrated and validated against observed monthly flow data from two gauging stations using three objective functions: Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), Kling–Gupta efficiency (KGE), and the percent bias (PBIAS). The model was utilized to evaluate the impacts of LULC change on water balance components such as surface runoff, percolation, lateral flow, water yield, and evapotranspiration. The results revealed that the expansion of urban areas and reduction in forest land have led to an increase in surface runoff and a decrease in lateral flow and percolation, which in turn have impacted the overall water yield of the watershed. The findings of this study can inform land use planning and management decisions to mitigate the negative impacts of LULC changes on water resources in the İznik Lake Watershed and similar regions. Full article

Türkiye represents an important biogeographic region connecting Southeast Europe with Southwest Asia, where pig domestication began in the western Palearctic. We studied the phylogenetic relationships and spatial distribution of new and published mitochondrial D-loop sequences of wild boars from Türkiye, other parts of the Middle East, and from around the world to understand migration patterns within Asia Minor and other parts of the Middle East as well as across the Bosphorus/Sea of Marmara/Dardanelles, a current migration barrier to Southwest Europe. Our phylogenetic (ML, BI) and spatial (Geneland) analyses revealed haplotypes both endemic to Anatolia and with a wider distribution in the Middle East as well as European (E1) lineages. The latter suggested possible rare immigration into Anatolia at present times and prehistorical/historical anthropogenic translocations of wild boars or pigs, such as during the pre-Hellenic, Roman, and Byzantine periods or during the European crusades, and subsequent introgression into Anatolian wild boars. Import of pigs with E1 haplotypes and introgression into wild boars during the medieval Empire of Trebizond particularly by Italian merchants or settlers, is also suggested. Anatolian lineages that may have formed the basis of the archaic domestication process of pigs in the western Palearctic are discussed. Full article

Plastic and especially microplastic (MP) pollution has posed a serious threat to the marine environment for decades. Studies on MPs have started to gain momentum especially in the Sea of Marmara (SoM), which is an international waterway, under the pressure of intense maritime traffic and exposure to domestic and industrial discharges. The aim of this study was to evaluate the MPs found in surface sediments collected from the coastal area of the SoM according to the locations and to reveal the extent of the existing pollution. This is the first study to examine MPs in both the surface sediments of the entire shorelines of the SoM, which have not been previously reported, and in the surface sediments of Çanakkale Strait. Accordingly, the highest MP abundance was detected at Yenice station (St 15) with 1286 items/kg, and the lowest MP abundance was detected at Turan Village station (St 14) with 199 items/kg. The most dominant shapes across all sampling stations and months were fiber (37%) and fragment (26%), while the most dominant color was blue (35%). According to the polymer characterization results, PE (polyethylene) was found to be the most dominant polymer type. Additionally, most stations were found to have “Moderate” and “High” pollution levels in terms of the contamination factor (CF), and regions were classified as “Moderate” and ‘High’ in terms of the pollution load index (PLI), with the St 15 station specifically exhibiting “Very High” pollution levels. Furthermore, hazard index (HI) and pollution risk index (PRI) values were also calculated regionally, revealing that regions have pollution levels classified as “High”, “Very High”, and even “Dangerous”. This study concluded that there are no areas with low pollution levels in SoM, and that the threat posed by MP pollution in this sea is increasing. Furthermore, this study found that stations with high MP pollution levels are located near river discharges and that rivers significantly contribute to MP pollution in the seas. The findings are of great importance in terms of the need to implement sustainable plans and measures to prevent pollution in the SoM and to take concrete steps to protect and ensure the sustainability of coastal ecosystems, particularly those under serious pollution threats. Full article

Microplastics (MPs) have become a global issue due to their potential adverse effects on sustainable marine resources and human health. In this study, MP pollution was investigated using natural mussels from all shelf regions of the SoM (Sea of Marmara), which is under the influence of many pollutant sources. A total of 322 mussels were collected along the entire coastline, and MP analyses were performed on these mussels. Mussel tissues were digested using a KOH solution to separate the MPs. Following extraction, the samples were filtered and the particles remaining on top were examined physically and chemically. In the study, the highest values were detected in samples taken both from locations under anthropogenic influence, especially from points close to where rivers flow. Across all the samples, the most predominant shape was fiber (61.08%), color was blue (57.87%) and size was (<0.5 mm) (62.55%). FTIR analysis shows that PE is the most common polymer type (44%). Calculated on the basis of 100 g of daily consumption, the annual ingestive exposures to MPs were found to be 1940, 342, 41 and 39 items for children, adolescents, female adults and male adults, respectively. As a result of a detailed risk assessment related to chronic daily intake (CDI) and microplastic carcinogenic risk (MPCR), it was determined that children are the most vulnerable group exposed to MPs and that these seafood products should be consumed with caution by children to prevent potential hazards. Additionally, it has been determined that the southern shelf and the Çanakkale Strait are the areas under the most intense pollution pressure according to the calculated MPCf and MPLI values. These findings are very relevant in terms of taking practical steps to take plans and actions to prevent contamination in the SoM and ensure the sustainability of food safety in the consumption of products obtained from the sea. Full article

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of family physicians and family health personnel who are responsible for childhood vaccination services in primary care regarding meningococcal, rotavirus, and human papillomavirus vaccines. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2021 and January 2022. A total of 700 healthcare professionals from all geographical regions in Turkey were included in the study. The participants filled out an online questionnaire consisting of 39 questions created with Google Forms. Results: Of the participants, 340 (48.6%) are family physicians, and 360 (51.4%) are family health personnel. Most participants are from the Marmara region, Turkey’s most densely populated region. The most recommended vaccine among the participants was rotavirus (84.3%), while the least recommended vaccine was human papilloma virus (47.6%). The number of family physicians recommending meningococcal and human papilloma virus vaccines was significantly higher than that of family health personnel (p < 0.001). Furthermore, there was a statistically significant correlation between seeing a patient with these viruses in one’s professional life or considering the severity of these three diseases to be severe and recommending these vaccines (p < 0.001 for both). However, lack of knowledge about vaccines and doses, the high cost of vaccines, and concerns about side effects were among the reasons for not recommending vaccines. Conclusions: Healthcare professionals involved in childhood immunization should be trained to increase their knowledge and awareness on this issue. The training plan and curriculum should take into account the issues raised in our research, such as age, occupation, region of residence, and professional experience. In general, knowledge about the efficacy and safety of vaccines will help healthcare professionals develop their confidence in vaccines and willingness to recommend childhood vaccines to others. Full article

This study presents a systematic analysis of stable isotopes (δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O) in Pentelic marble from the ancient quarries of Mount Pentelikon, Greece. A total of 610 samples were collected from 83 quarry pits, including all identified ancient extraction sites, to build a comprehensive reference database. Of those, stable isotope ratios of carbon and oxygen were measured for 384 samples. The results reveal significant variability in stable isotope values across different quarry regions, challenging the assumption of isotopic homogeneity in Pentelic marble. Notably, distinct δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O patterns allow differentiation between quarry areas and specific extraction zones. These findings provide a more refined isotopic framework for provenance studies of ancient artifacts. Application of the new database suggests that marble for the Parthenon’s West Pediment was sourced from the northern upslope quarries in Aspra Marmara, whereas structural elements of the Parthenon were extracted from the lower Spilia Divail quarry, as well as other pits across the ancient quarry zone. The results demonstrate that multiple quarry pits from both the lower slope and upper slope quarries were exploited for the construction of the Parthenon. This research highlights the benefits of extensive sampling and stable isotope analysis in identifying quarry sources, emphasizing the value of undertaking detailed and thorough field surveys and sampling programs to gain new perspectives into ancient resource use. Full article

This study evaluated heavy metal levels (Pb, Cd, Hg, As, Cu) and the presence of Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes in mussels and commonly consumed fishery products from the Marmara region of Türkiye. Health risks were evaluated using total hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI) values, while microbial risks in fresh and ready-to-eat (RTE) products were estimated via the Risk Ranger tool. Among 625 samples, Hg (36.96%; CI95 = 33.27–48.81), Pb (9.76%; CI95 = 7.67–12.34), and Cd (19.36%; CI95 = 16.45–22.64) exceeded permissible limits, except in crabs, which remained compliant. Anchovy, sardines, bluefish, shrimps, and octopus met EU Cd limits. Shrimps exhibited higher As_in levels than crabs (p < 0.05), while squids had significantly higher As_in than octopus but lower Pb (p < 0.05). Microbiological analysis detected Salmonella spp. in 4.00% of samples (CI95 = 2.50–6.30) and L. monocytogenes in 4.24% (CI95 = 2.70–6.59). Surmullet, bluefish, red mullet, crabs, mussels, and octopus tested negative for both, while anchovy was negative for Salmonella spp. only. THQ and HI assessments emphasized the need for environmental monitoring to mitigate heavy metal contamination. The detection of pathogens highlights the importance of stringent surveillance measures to ensure the safety of fishery products and bivalves. Full article

Although researchers have shown great interest in the antecedents and consequences of internet use due to the internet becoming a part of daily life, there is a gap in the literature regarding the factors that affect teachers’ use of the internet for creative purposes. This study aims to empirically examine teachers’ use of the internet for creative purposes and explores its relationship with emotional intelligence, computer anxiety, and the perceived ease of use of the internet. Furthermore, the possible intermediary effect of the perceived ease of use of the internet on creativity among these variables is also empirically investigated. In this context, data were obtained from 264 teachers in the Marmara Region in Turkey using a survey method. To test hypothesized relationships, structural equation modeling was conducted. Findings revealed that computer anxiety has a negative effect on creativity, while perceived usefulness, emotional intelligence, and the perceived ease of use have a positive effect. Our results also supported the partial mediating role of the perceived ease of use in the relationships between emotional intelligence and creativity, as well as between perceived usefulness and creativity, and the full mediating role of the perceived ease of use in the relationship between computer anxiety and creativity. Therefore, this research extends teachers’ understanding of technology acceptance and creativity by linking the two. Moreover, research findings provide important information to shape educational policies or professional development programs on the basis of digital education and offer a different approach to educators. Full article

Rubella Virus, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Herpes Simplex Virus-2 (HSV-2), Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can cause serious fetal disease. The seropositivity rates of these agents vary among countries and geographic regions. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence rates and diagnostic methods used in studies investigating the seroprevalence of viral pathogens in the TORCH group among pregnant women in Turkey between 2005 and 2024. A systematic search was conducted using electronic databases between January 2005 and January 2024. A total of 60 studies meeting the inclusion criteria were included. Data quality control was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute guideline prevalence studies checklist. Heterogeneity was measured using the I-squared (I²) statistic in the Comprehensive Meta Analysis (CMA) program. The average seropositivity rates for Rubella, CMV, HSV-2, HBV and HCV in Turkey were determined as 91.18%, 94.81%, 35.52%, 1.66% and 0.25%, respectively. When the diagnostic methods were examined, it was determined that ELISA and ECLIA methods were used most frequently. The seropositivity of the agents did not show statistically significant differences according to the year periods, geographical regions and age of the patients (p > 0.05). The highest prevalence rates of Rubella and HSV-2 in pregnant women were reported in the Mediterranean region, the highest prevalence rates of CMV and HCV in the Southeastern Anatolia region and the highest seroprevalence of Anti HBs in the Marmara region. The results of this study support the necessity of increasing public awareness in the control of fetal infection caused by TORCH viral agents, prenatal screening, vaccination for Rubella and HBV and compliance with hygiene conditions for agents such as CMV, HSV-2 and HCV. The results of this study highlight the need to increase public awareness on prenatal screening for the control of fetal infection caused by all TORCH viral agents, vaccination for Rubella and HBV and compliance with hygiene conditions for agents such as CMV, HSV-2 and HCV. Full article

Background and Objectives: Checkpoint kinase 2 (CHEK2) is a tumor suppressor gene involved in DNA repair and cell cycle regulation. Pathogenic or likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants in CHEK2 are associated with increased cancer risk. Conversely, recent large cohort studies have identified certain variants that, despite being classified as P/LP by in silico analysis, are considered low risk. Thus, the genotype–phenotype correlations of CHEK2 require a better understanding. In this study, we aimed to characterize germline CHEK2 variants from a group of individuals who applied to cancer genetic clinics in the Marmara Region of Türkiye. We also aimed to assess the phenotypic impacts of these variants by using a new score of statistically significant in silico predictors (SSIPs). Methods: We analyzed 1707 individuals with high risk cancer predisposition, focusing on germline CHEK2 variants, using SSIP scores and population-specific data. Results:CHEK2 variants appeared in approximately 8% of cases. The SSIP scores indicated that the missense mutation, p.Arg117Gly, significantly impairs DNA repair. Almost half of the variants had higher allele frequencies than the variants listed in the Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD), and three variants had significantly higher frequencies compared to the variants listed on the Turkish Variome database (p.Thr476Met, p.Arg137Gln, c.592+3A>T), emphasizing the importance of population-specific data. Conclusions: This comprehensive analysis of CHEK2 variants in the Turkish population provides crucial insights for cancer geneticists and oncologists. Our findings will help to enhance the evaluation and management of cancer predisposition associated with CHEK2 in Türkiye and other regions that have significant Turkish populations. Full article

Problem: Basketball and football teams in Türkiye have the capacity to travel hundreds of kilometres for league matches. In general, such major leagues and leading teams travelling from Türkiye have not been sufficiently researched in the context of Türkiye’s leading leagues and teams. In this context, the aim of this study is to assess and compare the carbon footprint of the transport activities of basketball and football teams in Türkiye for their home and away matches for the 2023–2024 season. Methods: The research is based on EN 16258 and ICAO carbon emissions methodologies. This study aims to calculate and compare the carbon footprint of different transport methods, including bus and plane, used by five basketball and football teams in Türkiye. Results: The findings show that there are significant differences between the teams in terms of travelling distances and carbon footprints. Trabzonspor from the Black Sea region released the highest CO₂ emissions from air travel with a total of 91,667.1 kgCO_2e, while Fenerbahçe Beko had the lowest CO₂ emissions with 5316.72 kgCO_2e. In terms of bus travel, Gaziantep FK led the CO₂ emissions with 4356.45 kgCO_2e, while Türk Telekom was the team with the lowest CO₂ emissions with 1233.225 kgCO_2e. The findings also reveal a notable difference in the number of trees teams need to plant to offset their carbon emissions. Because of their travel patterns, Antalyaspor would need to plant 3481 trees, whereas Fenerbahçe Beko would only need to plant 348 trees. Conclusions: Air travel is emerging as the dominant source of CO₂ emissions and has a greater impact on the environmental impact of teams that rely heavily on airplanes. In this study, the league structure and duration play a critical role in shaping the carbon footprint of sports teams. The football season, which is longer compared to basketball, requires more frequent travel, especially for teams in more remote regions, resulting in higher carbon emissions than basketball. The dominance of Marmara region teams in basketball has a negative impact on the carbon footprint since these teams generally have shorter travel distances. Full article

Türkiye is one of the first regions where olives were domesticated, and olives reflect the country’s millennia-old agricultural and cultural heritage. Moreover, Türkiye is one of the leading nations in olive and olive oil production in terms of quality and diversity. This study aims to determine the current and future distribution areas of olives, which is important for Türkiye’s socio-economic structure. For this purpose, 19 different bioclimatic variables, such as annual mean temperature (Bio1), temperature seasonality (Bio4), and annual precipitation (Bio12), have been used. The RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 emission scenarios of the CCSM4 model were used for future projections (2050 and 2070). MaxEnt software, which uses the principle of maximum entropy, was employed to determine the current and future habitat areas of the olives. Currently and in the future, it is understood that the Mediterranean, Aegean, Marmara, and Black Sea coastlines have areas with potential suitability for olives. However, the model projections indicate that the species may shift from south to north and to higher elevations in the future. Analyses indicate that the Aegean Region is the most sensitive area and that a significant portion of habitats in the Marmara Region will remain unaffected by climate change. Full article

Perfluoroalkyl and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are among the synthetic chemicals employed by various industries since the 1950s and the most critical persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that led to emerging concerns due to high persistency, toxicity, mobility, and environmental bioaccumulation. Although there are more than 5000 types of PFASs, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorosulfonic acid (PFOS) are the two chemicals whose employment is highly restricted and banned by the Stockholm Convention. In the present study, certain water resources in the Marmara Region, the most densely populated and industrial region in Turkey, and the waters of Turkey’s two largest drinking water reserves, Beyşehir and Eğirdir lakes, were investigated. The study was carried out in two seasons, spring and autumn. The lowest and highest PFOA concentrations were determined between 1.77 ± 0.1 and 6.71 ± 2.9 ng/L in all surface waters, and the highest PFOS concentrations were between <LOQ and 3.27 ng/L. PFOA concentrations were higher when compared to PFOS concentrations in all water sources, and PFOA and PFOS concentrations were lower in spring compared to autumn. In some commercially procured fish from water resources, 7.48 ng/g PFOS was detected in Küçükçekmece Lake pike, and 2.5 ng/g PFOA was identified in Eğirdir Lake trout. PFOA and PFOS were not detected in other fish tissues. Full article

İzmit Bay, a 50 km long inlet at the eastern end of the Marmara Sea, is crucial for the region’s economy, culture, and marine ecosystem. The bay’s water circulation regulates nutrient distribution, stratification, sedimentation, oxygen levels, heat, and pollution levels. It is also influenced by meteorological events, such as short-term moderate to strong wind conditions. This study investigated the sensitivity of İzmit Bay Water Circulation to wind speed, direction, and duration using the MITgcm model with Orlanski boundary conditions and process-oriented modeling. The simulations showed that under weak forcing conditions, seawater temperature, salinity, and stratification do not significantly vary. However, strong forcing and wind speeds (statistically defined by percentiles of observation data) of 4.9 m/s (75%), 6.7 m/s (90%), and 10.1 m/s (99%) generate significant mesoscale and sub-mesoscale processes, depending on the direction. Westerly component winds cause downwelling at the eastern coastline, while easterly component winds bring sub-surface water to the surface. Strong winds from N, NE, and E sectors lead to the rise in lower-layer waters in the western basin, forcing them to overflow through the Hersek Delta sill into the central basin. Overall, severe wind events greater than 4.9 m/s (75%) significantly affect the bay’s hydrography by transforming the upper layer, with a decrease in temperature up to 5 °C and an increase in salinity up to 10 ppt. Full article

This study aims to reveal the long-term station-based characteristics of precipitation in Istanbul, a mega city located on the continents of Europe and Asia, with complex topography and coastline along the Marmara and Black Seas. Using data from five different stations, three located in the European continent and two in the Asian continent, with measurement periods ranging from 72 to 93 years, wet and dry days have been identified, statistics on precipitation conditions during the warm and cold seasons have been generated, categorization based on precipitation intensities has been performed, and analyses have been conducted using extreme precipitation indices. At stations located in the northern part of the city, higher annual total precipitation has been observed compared to those in the south. A similar situation applies to the number of wet days. While during the cold season, the wet and dry day counts are nearly the same across all stations, this condition exhibits significant differences in favor of dry days during the warm season. Apart from dry conditions, “moderate” precipitation is the most frequently observed type across all stations. However, “extreme” events occur significantly more often (6%) during the warm season compared to the cold season (2%). Long-term anomalies in terms of annual precipitation totals have shown similarity between stations in the north and south, which has also been observed in longitudinally close stations. Despite the longer duration of the cold season and stronger temperature gradients, extreme rainfall events are more frequent during the warm season, primarily due to thunderstorm activity. While trend analyses revealed limited significant trends in precipitation intensity categories and extreme indices, the study highlights the importance of comprehensive examination of extreme rainfall events on both station-based and regional levels, shedding light on potential implications for regional climate change. Lastly, during the cold season, the inter-station correlation in terms of annual total precipitation amounts has been considerably higher compared to the warm season. Full article