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Assessing eco-friendly activities as part of sustainable tourism and recreation planning.
No full textThis study aims to determine the potential of the area for diversifying ecologically based tourism and recreation activities, with a focus on balancing conservation and use to reduce the pressures on natural and cultural landscape values. Data related to the area were examined according to sustainable tourism principles, resulting in the identification of five feasible ecologically based tourism and recreation activities. In the subsequent phase, to analyze the compatibility of these activities with the area’s natural and cultural landscape values, suitability class values were mapped using GIS, based on evaluation criteria and indicators. The analysis identified suitable and highly suitable areas for camping, hiking, trekking, landscape, and nature photography, which were marked on the maps. By overlaying the activities, optimal land use was determined to cover 16.25% of the total area. Finally, the activities were assessed within the optimal land use framework using one-way analysis of variance, and relationships between different groups were identified. As a result, the most suitable activities for the study area were landscape and nature photography, while caravan camping was identified as a suitable activity
The validity and reliability study of the turkish version of the health behavior scale for cancer patients
No full textAIM: The aim of the study was to conduct a validity and reliability study of the Health Behavior Scale for Cancer Patients and to adapt the scale to the Turkish language and culture. METHODS: The research is a methodological study. The sample consisted of a total of 440 cancer patients who came to the outpatient chemotherapy unit and oncology outpatient clinic of a university hospital and followed the social media accounts of a cancer-related association. Patients aged 18 and over and with at least a primary school education were included in the study. Data were collected between January and December 2022 with the Descriptive Characteristics Form and The Health Behavior Scale for Cancer Patients. For the validity analysis, language equivalence, content validity, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed. For the reliability, internal consistency, item-total score correlation, and test-retest were performed. RESULTS: According to the exploratory factor analysis, a two-factor structure was obtained and confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis. According to the factor loadings (0.60-0.87), total variance explained (61.575), and fit indices, the construct validity of the scale was found to be sufficient. In the reliability analyses, Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient (0.85) was found to be highly reliable. It was determined that there was a very strong relationship between the pre-test and the post-test (r = 0.87, p < .001). CONCLUSION: The Health Behavior Scale for Cancer Patients has been revealed to be a valid and reliable measurement tool suitable for Turkish culture. Using this scale, cancer patients' adherence to medical health services and individual protective health behaviors can be determined
An investigation of the relationship between cognitive flexibility and hope levels of university students
No full textBu araştırmada üniversite öğrencilerinin bilişsel esneklikleri ile umut düzeyleri arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bununla birlikte bilişsel esneklik ve umut düzeyinin bazı sosyodemografik değişkenlerine göre anlamlı farklılık gösterip göstermedikleri araştırılmıştır. Araştırmanın örneklemi, 2024-2025 yılında Bandırma Onyedi Eylül Üniversitesi’nde öğrenim gören 409 (%55,50’si kadın, %44,50’si erkek) üniversite öğrencisinden oluşmaktadır. Çalışmada veriler; Bilişsel Esneklik Ölçeği (BEÖ), Sürekli Umut Ölçeği (SUÖ) ve Kişisel Bilgi Formu aracılığıyla elde edilmiştir. Bilişsel esneklik ile umut arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemek için Pearson Momentler Çarpımı Korelasyon katsayı; cinsiyete göre farkları değerlendirmek için Bağımsız Örneklem T-testi; sosyoekonomik düzey, öğrenim görülen fakülte, sınıf düzeyi, ebeveynlerin eğitim durumu ve kardeş sayısı gibi demografik değişkenlere göre farklılıkları belirlemek amacıyla ise ANOVA testi kullanılmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda üniversite öğrencilerinin; bilişsel esneklik düzeyleri ile umut düzeyleri arasında güçlü ve pozitif bir ilişki bulunmuştur. Ayrıca bilişsel esneklik düzeyinin, umut düzeyinin anlamlı bir yordayıcısı olduğu belirlenmiştir. Üniversite öğrencilerinin bilişsel esneklik ve umut düzeyleri, cinsiyet, sınıf düzeyi ve ebeveyn eğitim düzeyi değişkenlerine göre anlamlı bir farklılık gösterirken; kardeş sayısı, aile gelir düzeyi ve fakülte türü açısından anlamlı bir farklılık saptanmamıştır.This study aimed to examine the relationship between cognitive flexibility and hope levels among university students. In addition, it investigated whether cognitive flexibility and hope levels significantly differed according to certain sociodemographic variables. The sample of the study consisted of 409 university students (55.50% female, 44.50% male) enrolled at Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University during the 2024–2025 academic year. Data were collected using the Cognitive Flexibility Scale (CFS), the Dispositional Hope Scale (DHS), and a Personal Information Form. The Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient was used to analyze the relationship between cognitive flexibility and hope, the Independent Samples t-test was conducted to examine differences by gender, and the ANOVA test was employed to determine differences based on demographic variables such as socioeconomic status, faculty, grade level, parents’ educational background, and number of siblings. The results revealed a strong positive correlation between cognitive flexibility and hope levels among university students. Furthermore, cognitive flexibility was found to be a significant predictor of hope. Cognitive flexibility and hope levels significantly differed according to gender, grade level, and parental education level, whereas no significant differences were observed in terms of number of siblings, family income level, or faculty type
Typing of respiratory syncytial viruses detected from respiratory tract samples by molecular methods
No full textAmaç: Nazofaringeal sürüntü örneklerinde multipleks polimeraz zincir reaksiyonuyla (PZR) tespit edilen Respiratuvar sinsityal virüslerin (RSV) moleküler yöntemlerle tiplendirilmesi, tiplerin mevsimsel dağılım, yaş, cinsiyet kategorileriyle ilişkisinin belirlenmesi, elde edilen verilerin epidemiyolojiye katkı sağlamasıdır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Multipleks PZR yöntemiyle RSV varlığı tespit edilmiş, -80°C’de saklanan, 0-90 yaş hastalara ait nazofaringeal sürüntü örneklerinden viral RNA izolasyonu sonrası cDNA sentezi gerçekleştirildi. Hedeflenen bölge PZR ile çoğaltılarak jel elektroforezi ile doğrulandı ve pürifikasyon işlemi uygulandı. Sekanslama işlemi, Sanger dideoksi dizileme yöntemiyle gerçekleştirildi ve elde edilen diziler biyoinformatik araçlarla analiz edildi. Alt tip belirleme, filogenetik ağaç oluşturma, dağılım analizleri yapılarak veriler istatistiksel olarak değerlendirildi. Bulgular: Tiplendirilebilen 52 örneğin %71’i RSV-A, %29’u RSV-B olarak belirlendi. RSV-A alt grubunun tamamı GA.2.3.5, RSV-B alt grubunun tamamı GB.5.0.5a genotipine ait olup en sık rastlanan soylar sırasıyla RSV-A için A.D.1 (%78) ve RSV-B için B.D.E.1 (%80) olarak tespit edildi. Aralık ayında RSV-A saptanma ihtimali, ocak ayında ise RSV-B saptanma ihtimali istatistiksel anlamlı bulundu (p=0,0138, p=0,0024). 2025 yılında RSV-B alt grubunda artış istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bulundu (p=0,0001). Sonuç: Çalışmamız, bölgemizde RSV-A GA.2.3.5 ve RSV-B GB.5.0.5a genotiplerinin baskın olduğunu gösterdi. Pandemi sonrasında, küresel artış eğilimiyle uyumlu şekilde RSV-B’nin artışı ve RSV-B için hakim soyun B.D.E.1 olduğu gösterildi. Çalışmamız, RSV için 2024’te önerilen standart filogenetik sınıflamanın ve RSV aşılarının kullanım onayı almasının ardından ülkemizde yapılan ilk RSV tiplendirme çalışmasıdır. Çalışma, RSV epidemiyolojisi ve dinamikleri hakkında önemli veriler sağlarken, aşıların kullanıma girmesi halinde elimizde temel verilerin olmasına katkı sağlayarak, yeni aşılama ve enfeksiyon kontrol stratejileri için bilimsel bir temel oluşturmaktadır.Objective: This study aims to type Respiratory Syncytial Viruses (RSV) detected in nasopharyngeal swab samples using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), analyze their seasonal distribution, and investigate their association with age and gender categories by molecular methods and contribute to epidemiology of RSV. Materials and Methods: Viral RNA was isolated from nasopharyngeal swab samples collected from patients aged 0-90 years, which had been stored at - 80°C and detected positive for RSV using the multiplex PCR method. cDNA synthesis was performed, and the target region was amplified by PCR, validated through gel electrophoresis, and purified. Sequencing was conducted using the Sanger dideoxy method, and the sequences were analyzed with bioinformatics tools. Subtype identification, phylogenetic tree construction, and distribution analyses were performed, and the data were statistically analysed. Results: Of the 52 typable samples, 71% were identified as RSV-A and 29% as RSV-B. All RSV-A strains belonged to the GA.2.3.5 genotype, while all RSV-B strains belonged to the GB.5.0.5a genotype. The most common lineages were A.D.1 (78%) for RSV-A and B.D.E.1 (80%) for RSV-B. The detection probability of RSV-A in December and RSV-B in January was statistically significant (p=0,0138, p=0,0024). In 2025, a statistically significant increase was observed in the prevalence of RSV-B (p=0,0001). Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that RSV-A GA.2.3.5 and RSV-B GB.5.0.5a genotypes are predominant in our region. After the pandemic, an increase in RSV-B cases, consistent with the global upward trend, was observed, with B.D.E.1 identified as the dominant lineage for the RSV-B subgroup. This study represents the first RSV typing research conducted in our country following the implementation of the standardized phylogenetic classification proposed in 2024 and the approval of RSV vaccines. While providing essential data on RSV epidemiology and dynamics, this study contributes to the availability of baseline data in case of vaccine implementation and establishes a scientific basis for new vaccination and infection control strategies
Prediction of cardiac arrhythmias in cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors using electrocardiogram
No full textBackground/Objectives: Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-associated cardiovascular adverse events are relatively uncommon; they can be life-threatening, particularly when involving malignant ventricular arrhythmias. Electrocardiographic markers such as P-wave dispersion (PWD), QT dispersion (QTd), T-peak to T-end (Tp-e) interval, and Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios have been linked to an elevated risk of both atrial and ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death across various cardiac conditions. Monitoring these parameters may aid in identifying the risk of arrhythmogenic events in cancer patients undergoing ICI therapy. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed 42 patients with cancer who received ICI therapy and had serial 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) performed at baseline and at three-month intervals during the first year of treatment, from May 2022 to November 2023. ECG parameters including PWD, QTd, Tp-e interval, and Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios were measured and compared between baseline and follow-up time points. Results: The median follow-up duration was 5.3 months (range: 0.5-18.9 months). No statistically significant differences were observed in any of the ECG parameters between baseline and subsequent measurements (p > 0.05). One patient developed atrial fibrillation during the third month of treatment. Additionally, one patient exhibited a left anterior fascicular block, and another experienced frequent ventricular extrasystoles. No malignant ventricular arrhythmias were reported throughout the study period. Conclusions: This study found no significant changes in electrocardiographic markers associated with arrhythmia risk during ICI treatment. Larger, multicenter, prospective studies with extended follow-up are warranted to further elucidate the cardiovascular safety profile of ICIs
The evaluation of nutrient compositions of alfalfa hay and corn silage used in dairy farms in marmara region, türkiye
No full textThe study aimed to demonstrate the nutritional variations of alfalfa hays and corn silages used in dairy farms in Marmara Region, T & uuml;rkiye. In addition, the present study was conducted to evaluate the relative feed value (RFV) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) levels of these forages. Twenty diverse alfalfa hay and twenty-six diverse corn silage samples were taken from dairy farms (n=17) with a minimum of 50 lactating cows in Marmara Region throughout 12 months. The highest variations in nutrient composition for alfalfa hay samples were found for neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) levels. The highest variations concerning the nutrient content of corn silage samples were observed for starch, NDF and ADF values. Correlations between RFV and TDN equations and RFV and crude protein (CP) were significant for alfalfa hay (P<0.001). Correlations between RFV and TDN equations and RFV and starch content were significant for corn silage (P<0.001). RFV calculation can be used as an indicator for evaluating the quality of alfalfa hay according to our results of the correlations between RFV and TDN equations and the RFV and CP content. In addition, RFV for corn silage can be considered with respect to the quality evaluation because of the significant correlations between RFV and TDN equations and RFV and starch content. The results obtained from our study will contribute to the database of nutrient compositions of alfalfa hay and corn silage
Evaluation of risk factors for kidney function decline and chronic kidney disease in living kidney donors
No full textBackground/Objectives: Living kidney donors (LKDs) can be at risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Several conditions are associated with hyperfiltration, such as solitary kidney, obesity, and high protein consumption. In this regard, we aimed to evaluate the risk factors for kidney function decline in LKDs and the effect of daily protein intake. Methods: Data collected from 220 living kidney donors (mean age: 48.35 +/- 12.4 years; 55% female) between 2016 and 2023 were evaluated. One-year and long-term outcomes were evaluated following donor nephrectomy, along with the risk factors for GFR decline and the development of CKD. Results: The percentage of eGFR decline was 31.15 (IQR: 19.81-37.5) in the first year and 28.18 (IQR: 18.75-38.16) in the third year after donation. None of the donors had end-stage renal disease during the 31 (IQR: 19-71) months. CKD developed in 31 (23.1%) LKDs. In the first year, the risk factors associated with a decline in eGFR exceeding 30% included male gender (OR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.11-0.57; p: 0.001) and baseline eGFR value (OR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.92-0.98; p: 0.002). At the final visit, the risk factors were male gender (OR: 7.19; 95% CI: 3.06-16.94; p < 0.001), age (OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.02-1.10; p: 0.001), and BMI (OR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.01-1.23; p: 0.030). For the development of CKD, the risk factors were male gender (OR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.09-0.71; p: 0.009) and baseline eGFR (OR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.83-0.93; p < 0.001). No association was observed between daily protein intake and renal outcomes in LKDs following donor nephrectomy. Conclusions: In the present study, there was no significant unexpected decline in kidney function in donors in the short-term and the medium-term. Age, BMI, and low basal eGFR values should be carefully considered for LKD evaluation. Furthermore, our findings indicated that protein intake does not substantially impact the GFR. Further controlled studies are required to support our findings
Risk factors for persistent candidemia and prognostic implications: Results from the ECMM Candida III study.
No full textCandidemia is a severe complication in critically ill and immunocompromised patients, and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. While early fungal clearance may improve outcomes, the association between follow-up blood culture (FUBCs) results and clinical outcomes remains insufficiently explored. This sub-analysis of the ECMM Candida III study investigates predictors of persistent candidemia and the impact of positive FUBC results on clinical outcomes.The multicenter ECMM Candida III study enrolled adults with culture-proven candidemia from 60 European centers (2018-2019). This sub-analysis included patients with at least one FUBC result reported (n = 258; 40.8%). Statistical analysis used SPSS 29 and R. Binary logistic regression was used to identify predictors of persistent candidemia. To assess mortality risk factors, Cox proportional hazards regression models were constructed.Of 258 patients, 52 (20.2%) had persistent candidemia based on positive FUBCs (median duration of candidemia 6 days). Utilization of echinocandins as first line treatment was less frequent (61.5% vs. 78.2%; p=0.014) in those with positive FUBCs. Mortality was significantly higher in the FUBC-positive group (50% vs. 32%; p=0.016). In the multivariable logistic regression model, lower EQUAL Candida Scores, reflecting reduced adherence to guideline-recommended management, were independently associated with persistent candidemia (OR 0.003, 95% CI 0.0002-0.07; p<0.001). Univariable Cox regression identified persistent candidemia ≥5 days (HR 2.16; 95% CI 1.33-3.53; p= 0.002) as a significant predictor of mortality. In the multivariable Cox regression model, intensive care unit (ICU) admission (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.02-2.50; p= 0.039) and persistent candidemia ≥5 days (HR 2.06, 95% CI 1.26-3.37; p= 0.004) remained independent predictors of mortality.Persistent candidemia was predicted by poor adherence to treatment guidelines, as shown by low EQUAL Candida Scores, particularly due to the lack of initial echinocandin use. After controlling immortal time bias, persistent candidemia ≥5 days and ICU admission remained independent predictors of mortality in the multivariable model
The relationship of strength-based parenting with the negative effects of earthquake: mediating roles of optimism, resilience and mindfulness
No full textEarthquakes are natural disasters whose devastating effects are widely known and in early February 2023, 11 provinces in T & uuml;rkiye were deeply shaken. It was important to examine the protective factors against the negative effects of earthquakes to develop effective interventions and significant recovery. Hitherto, research in the literature focused more on the negative effects of the disaster and paid less attention to the conditions under which the forces that support well-being, such as optimism, resilience, and mindfulness. Thus, in the current study, we tested the relationship between Strength-based Parenting and depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms and the mediating role of optimism, resilience, and mindfulness in such a relationship. 408 university students who survived the devastating earthquake were included in the study. Participants filled out the Strength-Based Parenting Scale, Optimism and Pessimism Scale, Brief Resilience Scale, Mindfulness Scale, and Depression, Stress, Anxiety Scale (DASS-21). In the results, strength-based parenting was found to be positively correlated with optimism, resilience, and mindfulness while negative correlations were detected with depression, anxiety, and stress. Moreover, optimism, resilience, and mindfulness were found to mediate the relationship between strength-based Parenting and depression, anxiety, and stress. In this manner, the results showed that strength-based parenting has a protective role against the negative effects of the earthquake by contributing to optimism, resilience, and mindfulness. Thus, strength-based parenting appears promising in natural disaster studies
Synthesis, characterization and use of photocatalytic-magnetic polymers in the adsorption and decolorization of dyes
No full textManyetik ve fotokatalitik özelliklere sahip m-poli(EGDMA-VPBA)@TiO2, m-poli(EGDMA-1-VIM)@WO3 ve m-poli(EGDMA-1-VIM)@ZrO2 polimer matrisli kompozit partiküller süspansiyon polimerizasyonu yöntemiyle sentezlenmiştir. Sentezlenen partiküllerin karakterizasyonu için FTIR, XRD, ESR, BET ve SEM-EDS elementel haritalama analizleri gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bu partiküller sulu çözeltilerden Reaktif Siyah 5 boyar maddesinin uzaklaştırılması amacıyla hem adsorpsiyon hem de fotokatalitik dekolorizasyon çalışmalarında kullanılmıştır. Adsorpsiyon çalışmaları kapsamında, pH, polimer miktarı, sıcaklık, zaman ve başlangıç boyar madde konsantrasyonu parametrelerinin adsorpsiyon kapasitesi üzerindeki etkileri incelenmiştir. m-poli(EGDMA-VPBA)@TiO2, m-poli(EGDMA-1-VIM)@WO3 ve m-poli(EGDMA-1-VIM)@ZrO2 partiküllerinin adsorpsiyon kapasitelerinin sıcaklık ile arttığı belirlenmiştir. Adsorpsiyonun doğasını açıklamak için izoterm ve kinetik modeller incelenmiş; tüm partiküllerin adsorpsiyon verilerinin Langmuir izoterm ve yalancı ikinci dereceden kinetik modellerine uyum sağladığı tespit edilmiştir. Adsorpsiyon çalışmalarının ardından, fotokatalitik dekolorizasyona etki eden polimer miktarı, zaman ve boyar madde konsantrasyonu parametreleri incelenmiştir. Fotokatalitik etkinin boyar madde konsantrasyonunun düşük ve polimer miktarının yüksek olduğu koşullarda optimum seviyeye ulaştığı tespit edilmiş olup, dekolorizasyon kinetiklerinin Langmuir-Hinshelwood modeline uygun olduğu belirlenmiştir. Elde edilen deneysel veriler, m-poli(EGDMA-VPBA)@TiO2, m-poli(EGDMA-1-VIM)@WO3 ve m-poli(EGDMA-1-VIM)@ZrO2 partiküllerinin su ortamından Reaktif Siyah 5 boyar madde gideriminde ikincil bir kirliliğe neden olmadan, kolay ve etkili bir şekilde kullanılabileceğini göstermektedir. Bu çalışma kapsamında m-poli(EGDMA-1-VIM)@ZrO2 partiküllerinin sentezlenen diğer partiküllere kıyasla daha üstün bir performans sergilediği ortaya konmuştur. Bu bulgular, su ortamından etkin boyar madde giderimi sağlayacak yeni malzemelerin geliştirilmesine katkı sağlamaktadır.Magnetic and photocatalytic m-poly(EGDMA-VPBA)@TiO2, m-poly(EGDMA-1-VIM)@WO3, and m-poly(EGDMA-1-VIM)@ZrO2 polymer matrix composite particles were synthesized via suspension polymerization. FTIR, XRD, ESR, BET, and SEM-EDS elemental mapping techniques were employed to characterize the synthesized particles. These particles were used in both adsorption and photocatalytic decolorization studies to remove Reactive Black 5 dye from aqueous solutions. Within the scope of adsorption studies, the effects of pH, adsorbent amount, temperature, time and initial dye concentration parameters on adsorption capacity were examined. It was determined that the adsorption capacities of m-poly(EGDMA-VPBA)@TiO2, m-poly(EGDMA-1-VIM)@WO3, and m-poly(EGDMA-1-VIM)@ZrO2 particles increased with temperature. Isotherm and kinetic models were examined to explain adsorption; the adsorption data for all particles conformed to the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics. Following the adsorption studies, the parameters affecting photocatalytic decolorization, including the amount of polymer, time, and dye concentration, were investigated. It was observed that the photocatalytic performance reached its optimum level under conditions of low dye concentration and high adsorbent amount, and the decolorization kinetics were found to be in accordance with the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model. The obtained experimental data show that m-poly(EGDMA-VPBA)@TiO2, m-poly(EGDMA-1-VIM)@WO3, and m-poly(EGDMA-1-VIM)@ZrO2 particles can be effectively used in the removal of Reactive Black 5 dye from aqueous solutions, indicating that they can be applied easily and effectively without causing secondary pollution. Moreover, m-poly(EGDMA-1-VIM)@ZrO2 particles outperform the other synthesised particles and contribute to the development of noval materials for effective dye removal from aqueous solutions.Ar-Ge Merkezi (BUTEKOM) A.