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Effect of large neutral amino acids treatment on blood phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan levels in adolescent and young adult PKU patients
No full textObjective: We aimed to evaluate the change in phenylalanine (Phe), Tyrosine (Tyr), and Tryptophan (Trp) blood levels in classical PKU patients treated with large neutral amino acids (LNAA) supplementation. Methods: Twenty-nine PKU patients treated with LNAA between 2013-2022 were enrolled in the retrospective observational study. Four cases were excluded from the statistical analysis due to missing data. Results: The median age (min-max) onset of LNAA was 11.6 (8-38.1) years, and the median duration (min-max) of LNAA use was a median of 42.7 (5-105) months. The mean current age of the patients was 19.70 +/- 9.96 years. The final blood levels of Phe, Tyr, and Trp did not change significantly (p>0.05) from the baseline. At the last measurement, the Hb value increased significantly (p0.05). It was seen that there was an increase in the employees' productivity at work, the success of the students in the course, and the focus on maintaining attention. Conclusions: We want to highlight that LNAA could be a treatment option for adolescents or adults who are not adhering to a Phe-restricted diet
I Am Learning to Protect Myself with Mika: An Evaluation of Self-Protection Behaviors of Turkish Preschoolers
No full textChild sexual abuse (CSA) prevention programs contribute to increases in children's knowledge and skills to protect themselves from CSA. However, there is a paucity of research investigating self-protection behaviors among children to demonstrate whether relevant CSA knowledge and skills are transferable in risky situations. We aimed to examine the effectiveness of the I am learning to protect myself with Mika program on preschool children's self-protection behaviors. The sample included 51 preschool children (54.9% girls) from Izmir, Turkey and their parents. The mean age of the children was 65.57 months (SD = 7.21). The present study employed a posttest-only control group design, and the classrooms were randomly assigned to the intervention and wait-list comparison groups. The participating teachers implemented the program over a five-week period. Then, children's self-protection behavior was assessed with children from both groups using a role-play scenario involving a request from a stranger. Accordingly, we tested whether children in the intervention group were more likely to demonstrate self-protection behaviors compared to those in the comparison group. The findings showed that the intervention group (77.3%) rejected the offer from strangers and behaved more safely than did the wait-list comparison group (24.2%; chi(2)(1) = 13.879, p < 0.001). I am learning to protect myself with Mika was found to be effective in contributing to preschoolers' self-protective behaviors. The promising results obtained in this study may encourage further exploration of the behavioral outcomes of sexual abuse prevention programs
Outcomes for Patients with Obesity Undergoing Adrenalectomy for Pheochromocytoma: An International Multicenter Analysis
No full textObjective: The impact of obesity on outcomes after adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma is unclear. This study aims to evaluate outcomes after minimally invasive and open adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma in patients with obesity and to determine factors that may affect outcomes. Summary Background Data: Patients undergoing adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma in 46 international centers between 2012 and 2022 were reviewed, analyzing baseline information, length of hospital stay (LOS), and postoperative complications. Patients and Methods: Obese (body mass index (BMI) ? 30 kg/m2) and nonobese patients were compared. Multivariable analysis was utilized to evaluate outcomes and risk factors for complications, LOS, and increased comprehensive complication index (CCI). Results: Of the 2016 patients, 639 (31.7%) had obesity. Operative time (110.0 versus 105.0 min; p = 0.467), conversion to open rate (3.1% versus 4.7%; p = 0.079), estimated blood loss (20.0 versus 20.0 ml, p = 0.088), rate of complications (19.3% versus 20.8%; p = 0.425), and CCI were similar. However, patients with obesity required a median of 1 day longer LOS (4.0 days versus 5.0 days; p < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, obesity was not significantly associated with complications or higher CCI. Analyzing solely obese patients, laparoscopic (OR 0.24; p < 0.001) and robotic (OR 0.22; p = 0.011) approaches were independently associated with less morbidity. Additionally, multivariable modeling demonstrated that a retroperitoneal approach in patients with BMI ? 30 kg/m2 was independently associated with reduced CCI (? 3.74; p = 0.017). Similar results were demonstrated when analyzing severe obesity (BMI ? 35). Conclusions: Obesity does not increase complications or CCI following pheochromocytoma resection, but it does increase LOS. A retroperitoneal approach may uniquely benefit patients with obesity. In view of rising obesity rates, these results warrant further research to validate findings. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved
Reproductive pattern of the Phorcus turbinatus (Born, 1778) on littoral zones in Aegean Sea
No full textThe purpose of this study was to look into morphometric changes and establish the reproductive cycle. Phorcus turbinatus morphometric correlations were established, and the reproductive period and body indices were ascertained by taking histological sections. The idea that the primary growth occurs in the gastropod's shell due to shell thickness can be supported by the meat yield and condition index, which exhibit a negative relationship with weight increase. The average annual HBA is 15.27 +/- 0.26 mm. The overall weight was 1.60 +/- 0.07 g on average. The range of the gonad index was 1.23 to 2.81%. Throughout the winter, the condition index was low; in the spring and summer, it rose. The results showed that the condition index was 4.24 +/- 0.95-23.77 +/- 4.48%, and the meat yield was 17.34 +/- 0.99-33.27 +/- 1.29%. P. turbinatus gonad stages were identified histologically as early active, late active, ripe, spawning, and recovery. Development and maturation over the course of the year demonstrate that, with the exception of the winter, reproductive activity is not interrupted. The primary reproductive phase was found to be between November and June, with temperature and nutrition assumed to be the abiotic elements influencing this, according to an analysis of data collected throughout the year
Baskı yöntemleri ile üretilmiş geniş alan perovskit fotovoltaik modülü için film oluşum süreçlerinin incelenmesi
No full textPerovskit güneş hücreleri, günümüz fotovoltaik teknolojileri arasında en hızlı gelişme gösteren teknoloji olmuştur ancak bu yapıdaki hücrelerin ticarileşme yolundaki en büyük engellerden biri laboratuvar boyutunda (<1 cm2) olan hücrelerin geniş alana uygulanmasıdır. Bu amaç doğrultusunda yapılan bu çalışmada perovskit güneş hücrelerinin geniş alanda üretimi için farklı yöntemler, malzemeler, çözgenler, kurutma yöntemleri; buna bağlı etkileri incelenmiştir. Ortaya çıkan homojensizliklerin ve süreksizliklerin nasıl ortadan kaldırılacağına dair araştırma yapılmıştır. Çalışmanın ilk bölümünde yarık kaplama yöntemi ile yapılan kaplamaların optimizasyonu gerçekleştirilmiştir; yapılan kaplamalar ısı tabancası, hava bıçağı ve hava tabancası yöntemleri ile kurutulmuştur. Yapılan kaplamaların morfoloji ve yüzey homojenliği üzerindeki etkileri incelenmiştir. İkinci bölümünde mürekkep püskürtme yöntemi kullanılarak kaplama yapılmış; mürekkep püskürtmenin önemli bir parçası olan dalga formunun damla şekli üzerindeki ve baskı eş yüksekliği ile ilgili inceleme yapılmıştır. Sonrasında da yapılan kaplamalar ısı tabancası, vakumlu yöntemler, hava tabancası yöntemi ve son olarak azot yardımlı vakum kurutma yöntemi ile kurutulmuştur. Kaplamaların özellikleri incelenmiştir. Yarık kaplama yönteminde elde edilen en homojen yapı nozul kullanılan hava tabancası uygulamasında olmuştur. Mürekkep püskürtme yönteminde ise en homojen yapı azot yardımlı vakum kurutma yönteminde olmuştur. Tez çalışmasında elde edilen bulgular neticesinde akışkanların etkisinin önemi anlaşılmıştır; homojen yüzeylerin elde edilebilmesi için ıslak yüzeyin homojen kaplanması ve homojen gaz akışı olması gerekmektedir. Bu bulguların yanı sıra kristallenmenin termodinamik olarak etkileri de gösterilmiş, çekirdeklenme aşamasında oluşan yüzeylerin kusurların kinetik ve termodinamik etkiler üzerinde durulmuştur.Perovskite solar cells have emerged as the fastest-developing technology among today’s photovoltaic systems, yet one of the greatest barrier on the route to commercialization is scaling up laboratory-scale devices (<1 cm²) to large-area modules. In this work, a variety of different coating methods, materials, solvents and drying techniques for large-area production of perovskite solar cells are examined, along with the effects of each method. Strategies for eliminating the resulting nonuniformities and inconsistencies are also investigated. In the first part of the study, coatings applied by slot-die coating were optimized. Then coated films were dried using a heat gun, an air-knife and a nitrogen gun. Their effects on film morphology and surface uniformity were analyzed. In the second part, coatings were deposited via inkjet printing. Critical parameters of the waveform were studied for the droplet formation and the uniformity of these droplets. These films were then dried using a heat gun, vacuum methods, nitrogen gun, and finally nitrogen-assisted vacuum drying, and their properties were evaluated. Among the slot-die coatings, the most homogeneous morphology was achieved with nozzled nitrogen gun drying. For the inkjet-printed films, gas assisted vacuum drying produced the most uniform surfaces. The findings underscore the importance of fluid dynamics: to obtain a homogeneous surface, both the wet film and the drying gas flow must be uniform. Additionally, the thermodynamic effects of crystallization are demonstrated, with emphasis on the kinetic and thermodynamic influences that surface defects experience during the nucleation stage
Sabit ortodontik apareylerin ve şeffaf plakların DNA hasarı yönünden karşılaştırılması
No full textAmaç: Çalışmanın birincil amacı, sabit ortodontik apareylerin ve şeffaf plakların genotoksik etkilerinin değerlendirilmesi ve DNA yapısı üzerindeki etkilerinin belirlenmesidir. Çalışmanın ikincil amacı sabit ortodontik tedavi yönteminin ve şeffaf plaklarla gerçekleştirilen ortodontik tedavi yönteminin DNA hasarı açısından karşılaştırılmasıdır. Yöntem: Çalışmamızın sabit ortodontik apareyler grubuna, Ege Üniversitesi Diş Hekimliği Fakültesi Ortodonti Anabilim Dalı'na ortodontik tedavi amacıyla başvuran hali hazırda alt ve üst çenede American Orthodontics firmasının 22 slot MBT Mini Master Braket Serisi ile tedavi gören, çalışmamıza katılmaya gönüllü olan hastalardan ortodontik tedavisinin 8.-9. aylarında olan hastalar (30 birey); şeffaf plak hasta grubuna Align Technology firmasının Invisalign plakları ile tedavi görmekte olan şeffaf plaklarını haftada bir değiştirecek şekilde tedavi planı oluşturulmuş tedavisinin 8.-9. ayında olan hastalar (30 birey); çalışmamızın kontrol grubuna ise Ege Üniversitesi Diş Hekimliği Fakültesi Ortodonti Anabilim Dalı'na tedavi için başvurmuş fakat daha tedavisine başlanmamış hastalar (30 birey) dahil edilmiştir. Çalışmamızda sabit ortodontik aparey kullanan, şeffaf plak kullanan ve aparey kullanmayan hastalardan bukkal mukoza sürüntü örnekleri alınmış olup, bu apareylerin bukkal mukoza hücrelerine genotoksik etkileri Comet Assay yöntemi ile incelenmiştir. Comet Assay yönteminde hasar görmüş DNA bozulmamış DNA'dan daha uzağa göç ederek bir "kuyruklu yıldız" şekli oluşturmaktadır. Oluşan kuyruklu yıldızlar, görüntü analiz yazılım paketlerinden 'CaspLab - Comet Assay Software Project' ve 'Comet Score 2.0' yazılımları kullanılarak tanımlanmış ve değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular: Comet uzunluğu, sabit ortodontik aparey, şeffaf plak ve kontrol grupları arasında anlamlı farklılık göstermiş olup (p<0,001), sabit ortodontik aparey grubunda comet uzunluğu daha yüksek bulunmuştur. Kuyruk uzunluğu üç grup arasında anlamlı farklılık göstermiştir (p<0,001) ve sabit ortodontik aparey grubunda kuyruk uzunluğu daha yüksek bulunmuştur. Baştaki DNA yüzdesi, sabit ortodontik aparey grubunda anlamlı düzeyde düşük, şeffaf plak ve kontrol gruplarında anlamlı düzeyde yüksek bulunmuştur (p<0,001). Kuyruktaki DNA yüzdesi, sabit ortodontik aparey grubunda anlamlı düzeyde yüksek, şeffaf plak ve kontrol gruplarında düşük bulunmuştur (p<0,001). Kuyruk momenti, sabit ortodontik aparey grubunda anlamlı düzeyde yüksek, şeffaf plak ve kontrol gruplarında düşük bulunmuştur (p<0,001). CASP ve Comet Score 2.0 programlarından elde edilen bulgular genel olarak birbirleriyle uyumlu olup, bazı parametrelerde az miktarda farklılıklar gözlenmiştir. Sonuç: Çalışmanın sonucunda, sabit ortodontik aparey kullanan hastalarda, şeffaf plak kullanan ve kontrol grubundaki hastalara göre bukkal mukoza hücrelerinde daha fazla DNA hasarı tespit edilmiştir. Bu durum, sabit ortodontik apareylerin şeffaf plaklara göre daha fazla genotoksik etkiye sahip olabileceğini düşündürmektedir.Objective: The primary aim of the study is to evaluate the genotoxic effects of fixed orthodontic appliances and clear aligners, and to determine their effects on DNA structure. The secondary aim is to compare fixed orthodontic treatment method and orthodontic treatment method with clear aligners in terms of DNA damage. Method: The fixed orthodontic appliances group of our study included patients (30 individuals) who applied to Ege University Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Orthodontics for orthodontic treatment, currently being treated with American Orthodontics' 22 slot MBT Mini Master Bracket Series in the lower and upper jaw, and in the 8th-9th months of their orthodontic treatment and volunteered to participate in our study. The clear aligner patient group included patients (30 individuals) being treated with Align Technology's Invisalign aligners, with a treatment plan of changing the clear aligners weekly, and in the 8th-9th months of their treatment. The control group of our study included patients (30 individuals) who applied to Ege University Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Orthodontics for treatment but had not yet started their treatment. In our study, buccal mucosa swab samples were taken from patients using fixed orthodontic appliances, clear aligners, and those not using appliances, and the genotoxic effects of these appliances on buccal mucosa cells were examined using the Comet Assay method. In the Comet Assay method, damaged DNA migrates further than undamaged DNA, forming a "comet" shape. The resulting comets were identified and evaluated using image analysis software packages 'CaspLab - Comet Assay Software Project' and 'Comet Score 2.0'. Results: Comet length showed significant differences between the fixed orthodontic appliance, clear aligner, and control groups (p<0.001), with the fixed orthodontic appliance group having a higher comet length. Tail length differed significantly among the three groups (p<0.001), with the fixed orthodontic appliance group showing a higher tail length. The percentage of DNA in the head was significantly lower in the fixed orthodontic appliance group and significantly higher in the clear aligner and control groups (p<0.001). The percentage of DNA in the tail was significantly higher in the fixed orthodontic appliance group and lower in the clear aligner and control groups (p<0.001). Tail moment was significantly higher in the fixed orthodontic appliance group and lower in the clear aligner and control groups (p<0.001). The findings obtained from CASP and Comet Score 2.0 programs were generally consistent with each other, with minor differences observed in some parameters. Conclusion: As a result of the study, more DNA damage was detected in buccal mucosa cells of patients using fixed orthodontic appliances compared to those using clear aligners and the control group. This suggests that fixed orthodontic appliances may have more genotoxic effects compared to clear aligners
Comparison of the clinical characteristics of children with Silver-Russell syndrome genetically confirmed or not and their response to growth hormone therapy: a national multicenter study
No full textObjectives Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS) is a rare imprinting disorder characterized by intrauterine and postnatal growth retardation. Its genetic etiology shows a heterogeneous distribution. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of children diagnosed with SRS, their response to growth hormone therapy, and compare the data of genetically confirmed and clinically diagnosed SRS cases.Methods A total of 69 patients were included in the study. Genetically confirmed cases were considered Group 1, and cases with a clinical diagnosis according to the Netchine-Harbison scoring system were considered Group 2. The anthropometric data of the patients at birth, at the time of diagnosis, before and during the first year of growth hormone (GH) treatment, final height-SDS values of patients who reached final height, and accompanying comorbidities were recorded.Results In Group 1, 75.8 % had hypomethylation in the ICR1 region, 13.7 % had maternal uniparental disomy 7, 6.8 % had an IGF-2 mutation, and 3 % had a duplication in the 11p15 region. Central precocious puberty, gastroenterological, and neurologic comorbidities were found to be more frequent than those from other systems. Final height-SDS was -2.32 +/- 1.57 (n=5) in Group 1 and -2.41 +/- 0.86 (n=5) in Group 2.Conclusions 11p15 LOM was the most common genetic disorder in children with SRS in our case series. Gastroenterological problems and neurologic complications were observed frequently in these cases. Central precocious puberty was more commonly observed compared to the general population. The duration of treatment was the most critical factor in the success of GH therapy
Yeni teknolojilerle sinemanın dönüşen kimliği: Sanal gerçeklik ve 360 derece video
No full text19. yüzyılın sonunda gerçekleşen ilk film gösteriminden beri sinema izleyicisi iki boyutlu düzlemde, dikdörtgen çerçeve ile sınırlandırılmış perde veya dijital ekranda, birbirinin ardılı olan devinimli görüntülere oturarak tanıklık etmektedir. 21. yüzyılın başlangıcından itibaren yükselişe geçen bilişim, bilgisayar ve özellikle oyun teknolojileri birçok görsel sanatın eser üretim, dağıtım ve gösterim biçimini yeniden şekillendirdiği gibi sinema literatürüne de yeni bir hikâye anlatım formu katmaktadır: VR Film. Sinema ve yeni teknolojilerin kesişim kümesinde bulunan VR film, geleneksel anlatıların izleme eyleminden öte giyilebilir teknolojiler aracılığıyla üç boyutlu sanal evrende gerçek zamanlı mekânsal deneyim sunmaktadır. VR filmi hem üretim formu hem de deneyim aygıtları perspektifinde sadece teknik ve araçsal bir meseleye indirgemek yetersiz olacaktır. Bu bağlamda, karanlık kutudan sinematografın keşfine, ses ve renk teknolojisinden sinemanın sayısallaşmasına ve yapay zekâdan sanal gerçekliğe teknolojik gelişmelerin izini sürmek, izleri belirginleştirmek ve sinema ile teknoloji arasındaki ilişkiyi anlamlandırmak sinemanın gelecek perspektifini anlamak için yol gösterici olacaktır. Araştırma, yeni medya araç ve teknolojileriyle beraber sinema dilinde yaşanan dönüşümü tespit etmek ve henüz teknolojisi, terminolojisi, dili, sınırları ve geleceği tam olarak oluşmamış VR film kavramının kuramsal çerçevesinin oluşmasına katkı sağlamayı amaçlamaktadır. Bu bağlamda araştırma, söz konusu yeni teknolojinin temel kavramlarını tanımlayıp üretim, dağıtım ve gösterim süreçlerinde diğer formlardan farkını ortaya koyarak yeni bir anlatım mecrası ve film dili bağlamında alan literatürüne katkıda bulunmayı hedeflemektedir. Araştırma, 360 derece video formatına sahip filmler ile tam etkileşimli VR film kullanıcı deneyimlerini merkezine alıp VR film nedir? sorusunun izini teknolojik, deneyimsel ve anlatısal perspektiften sürmektedir. Araştırmada, kurmaca ile belgesel kategorisinde 360 derece video formatına sahip film ve animasyon kategorisinde ise tam etkileşimli VR film deneyimleyen yönetmenlerin kullanıcı görüşü, algı ve deneyimlerine nitel araştırma yöntemi kullanılarak odaklanılmıştır. Bu doğrultuda amaçlı örnekleme yöntemi ve bu örnekleme yöntemi içerisinde ise maksimum çeşitlilik örnekleme tekniği ile ölçüt örnekleme tekniği iç içe kullanılarak her bir kategoride 10, toplamda 30 katılımcı görüşü yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme tekniğiyle elde edilmiştir. Veriler, anlatısal ve deneyimsel olmak üzere iki ana tema çerçevesinde betimsel ve sabit karşılaştırmalı analiz yöntemleriyle çözümlenmiştir. Sonuç olarak, VR filminin 360 derece video formatı ve geleneksel anlatılarla yalnızca ortak bir deneyim aygıtı kullanımı açısından benzerlik taşıdığı, ancak bunun ötesinde anlamlı bir ortak yönünün bulunmadığı tespit edilmiştir. VR filminin; üretim formu, yönetmenin konumu ve izleyici otonomisi, duygusal katılım ve karakterle ilişki kurma düzeyi, algısal gerçekçilik seviyesi, mekânsal deneyim, daldırma, orada olma hissi ve etkileşim seviyesi açısından, kendine özgü bir teknoloji, biçim ve anlatıya sahip olduğu belirlenmiştirSince the first film screening at the end of the 19th century, cinema audiences have been witnessing successive moving images on a two-dimensional plane, either on a screen bounded by a rectangular frame or on a digital display, while seated. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the rise of informatics, computer, and especially game technologies has reshaped the modes of production, distribution, and exhibition of many visual arts, while also introducing a new storytelling form into cinema literature: the VR film. Positioned at the intersection of cinema and new technologies, VR film offers a real-time spatial experience within a three-dimensional virtual universe through wearable technologies, going beyond the mere act of watching traditional narratives. Reducing VR film solely to a technical or instrumental issue would be inadequate when considering both its production format and experiential devices. In this context, tracing technological advancements, from the dark box to the discovery of the cinematograph, from sound and color technologies to the digitization of cinema, and from artificial intelligence to virtual reality, clarifying these traces and making sense of the relationship between cinema and technology will be instructive for understanding the future trajectory of cinema. This research aims to identify the transformation in the language of cinema brought about by new media tools and technologies and to contribute to the formation of a theoretical framework for the VR film concept, whose technology, terminology, language, boundaries, and future are not yet fully established. In this context, the study seeks to define the fundamental concepts of this emerging technology and highlight its differences from other forms in terms of production, distribution, and exhibition processes, thereby contributing to the literature within the framework of a new narrative medium and film language. The research focuses on films in the 360-degree video format and fully interactive VR film user experiences, exploring the question What is a VR film? from technological, experiential, and narrative perspectives. Using a qualitative research method, the study examines the user opinions, perceptions, and experiences of directors who engaged with 360-degree video format films in the fiction and documentary categories, and fully interactive VR films in the animation category. Purposeful sampling was employed, integrating maximum variation and criterion sampling techniques, and a total of 30 participant views, 10 from each category, were collected through semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed using descriptive and constant comparative analysis methods within the framework of two main themes: narrative and experiential. As a result, it has been determined that VR films share similarities with 360-degree video formats and traditional narratives only in terms of utilizing a common viewing device, but beyond this, they lack any significant commonality. VR films possess a unique technology, form, and narrative structure, differing in terms of their production format, the director's role and viewer autonomy, the level of emotional engagement and connection with characters, the degree of perceptual realism, spatial experience, immersion, sense of presence, and level of interactivity
Impact of COVID-19 and lockdown on outcomes of COPD patients in Turkey: lessons for the future
No full textBackground: The COVID-19 pandemic and related public health restrictions have substantially altered healthcare access and delivery, particularly for patients with chronic conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown measures on COPD-related symptoms and hospital admissions, and to compare these outcomes with the pre-pandemic period. Methods: This multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2021 and February 2022 across ten tertiary pulmonary outpatient clinics in Turkey. A total of 347 COPD patients were included. Data on demographics, spirometry, symptom progression, medication access, COVID-19 history, and hospital admissions were collected via structured questionnaire and medical records. Pandemic-related outcomes were compared with data from the pre-pandemic year (March 2019–March 2020). Additional multivariable regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of hospital admission and COVID-19-related hospitalization. Results: The mean number of hospital admissions significantly decreased during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period (p < 0.001), while patient-reported respiratory symptoms increased over time. Hospital admissions were lowest during the first pandemic period, when restrictions were most intense. Regression analyses showed that lower FEV?, advanced GOLD stage, and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) use were independently associated with increased hospital admissions. COVID-19 was diagnosed in 21.1% of patients. Lower FEV?, GOLD stage, and smoking were significantly associated with COVID-19-related hospitalization. Conclusion: Although COPD-related hospital admissions decreased during the pandemic, respiratory symptoms progressively worsened. These findings reflect the complex interplay between public health measures, healthcare accessibility, and chronic disease management. Disease severity and airflow limitation were key determinants of adverse outcomes. Maintaining access to routine care and adopting personalized approaches in COPD management are essential during public health emergencies. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved
Linear and nonlinear rheological properties of gelatin-chitosan hydrogels: Evaluation of crosslinker concentration and temperature effects
No full textThis study provided insights into how varying temperature (4 degrees C and 37 degrees C) and genipin (GP) concentration affect the viscoelastic properties of gelatin:chitosan (Gel:Chi) hydrogels, as examined through small-amplitude oscillatory shear (SAOS) and large-amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS) measurements. Frequency sweeps were conducted to capture changes in the microstructures of the gels before and after the application of large deformations. At 37 degrees C control hydrogels exhibited more liquid-like behavior (tan delta >1) up to gamma(0):10% while at 4 degrees C, they displayed solid-like gel behavior (tan delta 0) and shear-thinning (v(3)/v(1) < 0) behavior in the nonlinear viscoelastic region, except for the control_37 degrees C. The effect of LAOS deformation on G ' and G '' was more pronounced than viscosity. These findings suggested that incorporating Chi with Gel can improve the mechanical properties of the gels and the gel structure could be adjusted by varying the GP concentration and temperature to achieve the desired elasticity.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkiye (TUBITAK) [2214-A]This research was supported by a fellowship awarded to Ozge Ata from the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkiye (TUBITAK) through the 2214-A International Research Fellowship Programme for PhD Students. We are grateful to Ramakrishna Badugu PhD and Greg Kamykowski PhD for their invaluable technical support