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Analyzing the linkage between Islamic financial literacy and Islamic banking services adoption: evidence from Turkey
No full textPurposeThe purpose of this study is twofold. First, this research explores the level of Islamic financial literacy of customers in the context of Islamic banking. Second, this study examines the determinants of customer adoption of Islamic banking in Turkey. Design/methodology/approachThis study gathered sample data from 409 participants determined using the purposive sampling method. In the study, first, the reflective measurement model is used to examine the reliability, validity and multicollinearity problems of the variables. Then, AMOS structural equation model (SEM) is used to reveal the relationship between Islamic financial literacy and Islamic banking services. Additionally, this study performed both descriptive and inferential analysis to understand customer literacy about Islamic banking and their adoption behavior of Islamic banking. FindingsThe results obtained from descriptive assessment indicate that Turkish customers of Islamic banking possess sufficient literacy about Islamic banking. Moreover, the results from SEM indicate that the adoption of Islamic banking by customers is significantly predicted by the role of Sharia Board management, Islamic banking and purpose of financial institution, religious factor and legitimacy of Islamic financial system. Research limitations/implicationsThis study focuses only on the level of knowledge and perceptions of customers who have accounts in Islamic banks or financial institutions in Turkey. It does not focus on the level of knowledge and perception of Muslims who do not have accounts in Islamic banks and financial institutions. Originality/valuePrevious studies on Islamic banking are mostly studies that investigate customers' perceptions of the Islamic banking system and why individuals prefer Islamic banks. In particular, studies examining the relationship between individuals' Islamic financial literacy level and Islamic banking preferences are limited. This study is considered to be an original study as it investigates the relationship between the Islamic financial literacy level of individuals and their adoption of Islamic banking services in Turkey
Can the Gut Microbiota Serve as a Guide to the Diagnosis and Treatment of Childhood Epilepsy?
No full textBackground: To investigate the activity of the gut-brain axis in the pathogenesis of childhood epilepsy and to define biomarkers capable of assisting with determining new strategies in that context. Methods: Twenty children with epilepsy of “unknown etiology” and seven healthy controls in the same age group were included in the study. The groups were compared using a questionnaire. Stool samples were stored in tubes containing DNA/RNA Shield (Zymo Research) with a sterile swab. Sequencing was carried out using the MiSeq System (Illumina). The 16S rRNA sequencing of samples using next-generation sequencing involved V4 variable region polymerase chain reaction amplification concluded by 2 × 250-bp paired-end sequencing of amplicons and at least 50,000 reads (>Q30) per sample. DNA sequences were classified at the genus level using the Kraken program. Bioinformatics and statistical analysis were then performed. Results: Individuals’ gut microbiota relative abundance values differed between the groups at the genus, order, class, family, and phylum levels. Flavihumibacter, Niabella, Anoxybacillus, Brevundimonas, Devosia, and Delftia were seen only in the control group, whereas Megamonas and Coriobacterium were observed only in the epilepsy group. The linear discriminant analysis effect size method identified 33 taxa as important in differentiating the groups. Conclusions: We think that bacterial varieties (such as Megamonas and Coriobacterium) that differ between the two groups can be employed as useful biomarkers in the diagnosis and follow-up of epileptic patients. We also predict that, in addition to epilepsy treatment protocols, the restoration of eubiotic microbiota may increase the success of treatment. © 2023 Elsevier Inc
The effect of stuttering on symptoms of depression and social anxiety in adolescents
No full textOBJECTIVE: This study aims at examining the relationship between the severity of stuttering, which makes it difficult to speak and communicate, and the symptoms of depressive and social anxiety disorders during adolescence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 65 children between 14 and 18 years old, diagnosed with stuttering, were included in the study, regardless of gender. Stuttering Severity Instrument, Beck Depression Scale, and Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents were administered to all participants. RESULTS: The mean age of the 65 patients was 15.41±0.93. Out of them, 36 (55.4%) were female and 29 (44.6%) were male. In terms of stuttering levels, 25 participants (35.8%) had mild stuttering, 20 (30.8%) showed moderate stuttering, and 20 (30.8%) had severe stuttering. Depression levels of individuals diagnosed with stuttering increased significantly in parallel with the severity of stuttering (p<0.001). The social anxiety scale total score and subscale scores of individuals diagnosed with stuttering also increased significantly in parallel with stuttering severity (p[removed
Effect of Welding Process Parameters on the Strength of Dissimilar Joints of S355 and Strenx 700 Steels Used in the Manufacture of Agricultural Machinery
No full textThe paper evaluates the possibility of using dissimilar materials joined by welding technology in the construction of agricultural machinery. The desire to design larger and more efficient structures requires designers to combine materials with different mechanical and structural properties. In such a case, it is very important to properly select welding parameters so that, on the one hand, the quality of the joint meets the standard requirements, and on the other, the welding process is not too energy-intensive. In this paper, overlay joints connecting S355 steel with Strenx 700 steel were analyzed in terms of strength for three different values of welding parameters and different thicknesses. The starting point was the reference parameters recommended by the company’s welding technologists, which were reduced by 10 and 20% according to the linear welding energy. The study compared the strength, ductility and macrostructure of the joints, as well as the energy intensity of the process. The proposed dissimilar joints achieved approximately a 10% increase in the strength limit of the components in comparison to the previously recommended welding parameters. Additionally, finite element analysis calculations of the improved designs showed significant weight reduction (up to 40%) for the relevant agricultural machinery components. © 2023 by the authors
Radioligand Therapy With 177Lu-PSMA-I&T in Patients With Metastatic Prostate Cancer Oncological Outcomes and Toxicity Profile
No full textIntroduction This study aimed to investigate the oncological outcomes and toxicity profile of 177Lu-PSMA-I&T radioligand therapy (RLT) in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), as well as our initial experience in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). Patients and Methods A total of 38 consecutive patients with metastatic prostate cancer (33 mCRPC and 5 mHSPC) received 177Lu-PSMA-I&T RLT, with a median of 2 cycles per patient (range, 1-7). Response to RLT was evaluated based on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) changes and imaging response. Clinical progression-free survival and overall survival were used to report oncological outcomes. Toxicity was assessed using the Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events criteria. Results In mCRPC, 22 (69%), 18 (56%), and 11 (34%) patients achieved any PSA decline, PSA response of 30%, and PSA response of 50%, respectively. The clinical progression-free survival and overall survival after the first cycle of RLT were 6.3 and 21.4 months, respectively. In mHSPC, 177Lu-PSMA-I&T RLT resulted in excellent PSA response (93.0%-99.9%) in all cases. Clinical progression and cancer-related mortality occurred in only 1 case. Toxicity profile was favorable in both mHSPC and mCRPC. Conclusions 177Lu-PSMA-I&T RLT demonstrated favorable PSA response (30%) in over half of the patients with mCRPC and excellent PSA response in all patients with mHSPC. Toxicity profile was favorable in both mHSPC and mCRPC settings. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of 177Lu-PSMA-I&T RLT in the management of metastatic prostate cancer. © Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved
Agglomerated serum albumin adsorbed protocatechuic acid coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles as a theranostic agent
No full textIron oxide nanoparticles have been one of the most widely used nanomaterials in biomedical applications. However, the incomplete understanding of the toxicity mechanisms limits their use in diagnosis and treatment processes. Many parameters are associated with their toxicity such as size, surface modification, solubility, concentration and immunogenicity. Further research needs to be done to address toxicity-related concerns and to increase its effectiveness in various applications. Herein, colloidally stable nanoparticles were prepared by coating magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MIONPs) with protocatechuic acid (PCA) which served as a stabilizer and a linkage for a further functional layer. A new perfusion agent with magnetic imaging capability was produced by the adsorption of biocompatible passivating agent macro-aggregated albumin (MAA) on the PCA-coated MIONPs. PCA-coated MIONPs were investigated using infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and dynamic light scattering while adsorption of MAA was analysed by transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction methods. Magnetic measurements of samples indicated that all samples showed superparamagnetic behaviour. Cytotoxicity results revealed that the adsorption of MAA onto PCA-coated MIONPs provided an advantage by diminishing their toxicity against the L929 mouse fibroblast cell line compared to bare Fe3O4 © 2023 IOP Publishing Ltd
Violence responsibility, attitudes toward violence, and factors affecting violence: Examining the intimate relationships of university students
No full textObjectives: The goal of this research is to evaluate the university students'violence responsibility and attitudes toward intimate relationship.Methods: The research was performed in a descriptive and cross-sectional design with students at the Health Sciences Faculty of a private university in Istanbul. The research universe consisted of 2057 students in the 2017-2018 academic year. On the other hand, the sampling was calculated by using the formula with a known universe, and it was found that at least 384 students should be reached. 424 of the students who volunteered to participate in the study between February and July 2018. The data were collected via e-mail using a Personal Information Form, Attitudes Toward Dating Violence Scales, and Intimate Violence Responsibility Scale.Results: It was determined that 89.6% of the students were female, 98.3% were single, 40.6% were studying in the nursing department, and 29.7% were first year students. It was found that 20% of the students used violence before, 57.1% witnessed, 5.7% were exposed to violence in the relationship, and 2.6% used violence in the relationship. A sta-tistically significant relationship was found between the attitudes toward dating violence and gender (p<0.05). It was observed that as the students' grades increased, the level of intimate violence responsibility decreased. It was deter-mined that the mean scores of the sub-dimension of violence recognition in The Intimate Violence Responsibility Scale were higher and significant (p<0.05) for those who used violence and those who were exposed to violence.Conclusion: It was determined that one-fifth of university students exposed to violence, and more than half of them witnessed. It was found that age, gender, family type, and the use of violence affect the level of violence acceptance. The students' responsibility in intimate violence was found to be associated with gender, class, family type, and dura-tion of relationship
Weber's gland immune/histopathology in pediatric recurrent tonsillitis and obstructive tonsillar hypertrophy cases
No full textOBJECTIVE: Recurrent tonsillitis and obstructive tonsillar hypertrophy are very common in childhood and constitute the two major causes of tonsillectomy in this age group. There is no study in the literature on the immune/histopathological changes in the recurrent and obstructive tonsillar hypertrophy of Weber's glands. In this study, we aimed to histopathologically and immunohistochemically examine the Weber's glands of pediatric patients with recurrent.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 63 patients, with 31 patients aged 6-9 who had surgery for recurrent tonsillitis, and 32 patients aged 6-11 years who had surgery for obstructive tonsillar hypertrophy, were included in the study. The removed Weber's glands were included in the obstructive tonsillar hypertrophy or recurrent tonsillitis group according to the patient's clinical diagnosis. All specimens were coded with a numbering method, where only the surgeon knew which patient was in which group. All specimens were evaluated in the same histology center and by the same histologist, unaware of the clinical diagnosis of the patients (blind).
RESULTS: The comparison of Weber's gland immunohistochemical parameter scores of the groups revealed that the scores of the RT group were significantly higher for all three parameters (VEGF: t=6.777; p<0.001), (EGFR: t=4.386; p<0.001), (IL-6: t=5.072; p<0.001). The comparison of the groups in terms of inflammation, basement membrane thickening, myoepithelial cell and glycoprotein accumulation revealed significantly higher Weber's gland evaluation scores in the RT group for all four parameters. (inflammation: t=7.794; p<0.001), (basement membrane thickening: t=6.582; p<0.001), [myoepithelial cell: t=3.693; p<0.001), (glycoprotein accumulation: t=5.287; p<0.001)].
CONCLUSIONS: Histopathological and immunohistochemical examination of Weber's gland in pediatric recurrent tonsillitis and obstructive tonsillar hypertrophy cases revealed inflammatory changes in both disease groups. As expected, inflammatory manifestations were more common in the recurrent tonsillitis group. Besides, inflammatory changes detected in Weber's glands of obstructive tonsillar hypertrophy cases without a history of tonsillitis may contribute to the Weber's gland hypothesis, which attempts to explain the etiology of peritonsillar abscess
Hair Loss Profiles and Ritlecitinib Efficacy in Patients with Alopecia Areata: Post Hoc Analysis of the ALLEGRO Phase 2b/3 Study
No full textIntroductionRitlecitinib demonstrated efficacy in patients with alopecia areata (AA) in the ALLEGRO phase 2b/3 study (NCT03732807). However, hair loss presentation may vary based on location (e.g., scalp, eyebrow/eyelash, body). Here, we sought to identify distinct hair loss profiles at baseline and evaluate whether they affected the efficacy of ritlecitinib.MethodsPatients with AA aged & GE; 12 years with & GE; 50% scalp hair loss were randomized to daily ritlecitinib 10 mg (assessed for dose ranging only), 30 or 50 mg (& PLUSMN; 4-week, 200-mg loading dose), or placebo for 24 weeks. Latent class analysis (LCA) identified hair loss profiles based on four baseline measurements: clinician-reported extent of scalp (Severity of Alopecia Tool score), eyebrow hair loss, eyelash hair loss, and patient-reported body hair loss. Logistic regression evaluated ritlecitinib (50 and 30 mg) efficacy vs placebo using Patient Global Impression of Change (PGI-C) and Patient Satisfaction with Hair Growth (P-Sat; amount, quality, and overall satisfaction) responses at Week 24, adjusting for key covariates, including latent class membership.ResultsLCA identified five latent classes: (1) primarily non-alopecia totalis (AT; complete loss of scalp hair); (2) non-AT with moderate non-scalp involvement; (3) extensive scalp, eyebrow, and eyelash involvement; (4) AT with moderate non-scalp involvement; and (5) primarily alopecia universalis (complete scalp, face, and body hair loss). Adjusting for latent class membership, patients receiving ritlecitinib 30 or 50 mg were significantly more likely to achieve PGI-C response (30 mg: odds ratio, 8.62 [95% confidence interval, 4.42-18.08]; 50 mg: 12.29 [6.29-25.85]) and P-Sat quality of hair regrowth (30 mg: 6.71 [3.53-13.51]; 50 mg: 8.17 [4.30-16.46]) vs placebo at Week 24. Results were similar for P-Sat overall satisfaction and amount of hair regrowth.ConclusionDistinct and clinically relevant hair loss profiles were identified in ALLEGRO-2b/3 participants. Ritlecitinib was efficacious compared with placebo, independent of hair loss profile at baseline.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT03732807
Diagnosis and management part II
No full textA differential diagnosisis essential in diagnosing skin diseases and indicates a physician’s knowledge and levels of experience in specific areas. As a result of developing technologies, it has become easier to diagnose diseases more rapidly
in light of printed and/or online sources; however, clinical
knowledge remains the physician’s most powerful weapon.
It can help physicians rapidly achieve an accurate diagnosis
and avoid unnecessary studies for the patient and the health
care system