16372 research outputs found
Sort by
Seedling Survivability and Change of Some Physiological Characters for Drought Resistance in Wheat
Full text linkDetection of genotypic variation in response to water stress at the seedling stage provides important contributions to plant breeders in the rapid and effective selection of drought-resistant genotypes. The study was conducted in 2021 under in vivo conditions using soil samples taken from the trial area of Nam & imath;k Kemal University Faculty of Agriculture Department of Field Crops and 45 genotypes, including 39 bread wheat, 1 rye, 1 Spella, 2 Kavl & imath;ca, and 2 Einkorn populations. Seedling survivability, stomata density, stomata width and length, seedling development score, canopy temperature, and chlorophyll content were examined to determine the early drought resistance in the experiment. When 45 genotypes in different maturing groups were examined for seedling survivability after drought application, the highest seedling survivability was found in Esperia, Rumeli, Krasunia O'deska, Almeria, Falado, and Rebelde varieties with 5 score values. Adelaide, President, Selimiye, Hakan, Quality, Hamza, LG 59, Golia, Siyez 1, and Siyez 2 genotypes showed the lowest seedling survivability. Esperia, Rumelia, Krasunia O'deska, Almeria, Falado, and Rebelde varieties, which have a high seedling survival rate, have low canopy temperature and high chlorophyll content. The data obtained show that early seedling survivability can be used in the selection of genotypes for drought resistance
Retrospective Assessment of the Treatment Effectiveness of β-lactam/β-lactamase Inhibitor and Carbapenem Groups Antibiotics in Upper Urinary Tract Infections Caused by Extended Spectrum β-lactamase Producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella Pneumoniae
Full text linkAim: The rate of infections caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria is increasing globally. The resistance problem, which has spread especially since the 21(st) century, has led to an increase in the use of carbapenem group antibiotics in clinical cases of upper urinary tract infection (UUTI) caused by these bacteria. In this process, the increase in the number of bacteria, including carbapenemase-producing bacteria, and the slowly developing new antibiotic processes have led experts to different antibiotic therapies. In light of this situation, current evidence regarding the effectiveness of beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitors (BL/BLI), which are considered an effective treatment alternative for UUTI due to ESBL-producing Enterobacterales, is still controversial. The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of BL/BLI versus carbapenems in the treatment of UUTI due to ESBL-producing Enterobacterales. Materials and Methods: Our study included 176 patients diagnosed with UUTI caused by ESBL-producing Escherichia coli(E. coli) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) and treated with carbapenem or BL/BLI group antibiotics. Patients' age, gender, underlying diseases, biochemical test results, isolated microorganism and their antibiotic susceptibility, immunosuppressive therapy in the last month, accompanying bacteremia, complicating factors, having UUTI in the last year, a history of using antibiotics in the last 3 months, and a history of hospitalization admission were recorded. Results: In patient distribution, carbapenem was used in the treatment of 99(56.2%) patients and BL/BLI treatment was used in 77(43.7%) patients. The mean age of the patients was 66.81 +/- 13.82 (years), 107 (60.8%) patients were in the >= 65 age group and 88 (50%) patients were female. It was found that 79 (45%) of the patients had malignancy and 75 (42.6%) received immunosuppressive treatment. No statistically significant difference was found in clinical response and treatment outcomes (7(th), 14(th) and 30(th) day mortality) between the groups receiving specific treatment (p>0.05). Conclusion: BL/BLI (piperacillin-tazobactam) may be an effective alternative to carbapenems in the treatment of UTI due to ESBL-producing E. coli or K.pneumoniae
Transperineal microwave thermoablation for benign prostatic hyperplasia-related lower urinary tract symptoms in an elderly patient
Full text linkTransperineal prostate microwave thermoablation (TPMT) has been established as a safe means of treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH); however, its effectiveness in addressing BPH-related lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) remains unexplored. This case study aims to evaluate the efficacy of TPMT in LUTS attributed to BPH. An 84-year-old man with LUTS due to BPH-induced bladder outlet obstruction, unresponsive to previous medical treatments, and failed prostate artery embolization, underwent TPMT. Three coaxial needles were positioned at the midline, right, and left sides of the hypertrophic transitional zone of the prostate. Microwave energy, with parameters determined using liver data and targeted ablation area, was applied at 2,450 MHz in continuous mode. The tissue temperature was monitored using bilateral thermocouple sensors. The patient exhibited no changes in defecation rhythm, abdominal discomfort, or anorectal pain. Temporary postoperative hematuria was promptly resolved through saline irrigation within 6 hours, and hematological evaluations showed normal results. Significant clinical improvements were observed (e.g., prostate volume, prostate-specific antigen levels) accompanied by an increase in peak flow rate. Thus, TPMT appears to be a promising intervention for bladder outlet stenosis and LUTS induced by BPH
Comparison of coagulation-Fenton oxidation and coagulation-adsorption processes in textile and chemical industry mixed wastewater
No full textBACKGROUNDIn this study, the treatment of mixed wastewater from textile and chemical industries using coagulation followed by Fenton oxidation or adsorption processes was investigated. In the coagulation process, the effects of pH and coagulant dosage were examined using polyaluminium chloride, FeCl3 and alum. The effects of Fe2+ and H2O2 concentrations, pH and oxidation time on Fenton oxidation of coagulated mixed industrial wastewater were also investigated. In the adsorption process, the effects of pH, adsorbent dosage and adsorption time were evaluated using coconut-based activated carbon (Coconut-AC) and coal-based activated carbon (Coal-AC).RESULTSIn coagulation, 68.5% chemical oxygen demand (COD), 63.1% total organic carbon (TOC) and 94.3% color removal were achieved with FeCl3 at pH 5 and a coagulant dose of 600 mg L-1. Coagulation-Fenton oxidation resulted in 95.7% COD, 84.1% TOC and 99.0% color removal with 1500 mg L-1 Fe2+ and 6000 mg L-1 H2O2 at pH 3. In the coagulation-adsorption process, 97.5% COD, 95.5% TOC and 99.5% color removal were obtained using Coconut-AC with an adsorbent dosage of 40 g L-1 at pH 3, while 92.3% COD, 82.4% TOC and 99.2% color removal were obtained with Coal-AC at pH 3 and an adsorbent dosage of 30 g L-1.CONCLUSIONEffective treatment of mixed industrial wastewater from the textile and chemical industries can be achieved more quickly using Coconut-AC for adsorption following coagulation. Conversely, the same removal efficiencies can be reached over a longer duration with Fenton oxidation after coagulation. (c) 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).Tekirdag Namik Kemal University, Tekirdag, Turkiye [NKUBAP.06.YL.23.516]This study was financed by a research project grant from Tekirdag Namik Kemal University (project no. NKUBAP.06.YL.23.516), Tekirdag, Turkiye
Navigating Uncertainty: Assessing Variants of Uncertain Significance in the CDKL5 Gene for Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy Using In Silico Prediction Tools and Computational Analysis
No full textMutations in the CDKL5 gene are associated with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE), a severe disorder characterized by developmental delay and epileptic activity. In genetic analyses of DEEs, variants classified as pathogenic confirm the diagnosis of the disease while Variants of Uncertain Significance (VUS) remain in a gray area due to insufficient evidence. This study aimed to optimize the interpretation of VUS in the CDKL5 gene by evaluating the performance of 22 in silico prediction tools using 186 known pathogenic or benign missense variants from the ClinVar database. The best-performing tools were then applied to analyze CDKL5 VUS variants, complemented by the evaluation of evolutionary conservation, structural analyses, and molecular dynamics simulations to assess their impact on protein structure and function. The results identified SNPred as the most reliable tool, achieving 100% accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. Other high-performing tools, including ESM-1v, AlphaMissense, EVE, and ClinPred, demonstrated over 98% accuracy. Among 44 CDKL5 VUS variants evaluated, 20 were initially classified as pathogenic by these tools. However, further evaluation using stringent criteria-incorporating conservation scores, structural disruptions identified by Missense3D and PyMol, and molecular dynamics simulation results-led to the reclassification of 8 VUS variants as potentially pathogenic and the remaining 12 as variants with conflicting data. This comprehensive approach provides a robust framework for the classification of VUS in the CDKL5 gene, offering critical insights for accurate diagnosis and treatment strategies in DEE. These findings will serve as a valuable resource for clinicians and geneticists in resolving the diagnostic ambiguity associated with VUS
Broomcorn Stalk Fiber in Nonwoven Reinforced Polylactic Acid Matrix Composites
No full textThe broomcorn plant (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is one of the main cereal crops and its grains are used in food and feed sectors while its stems are used in broom production and as a building material. Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biobased polymer that is widely used as a matrix material in natural fiber-reinforced composites. In this study, the aim is to use broomcorn plant stems, which are agricultural waste, as reinforcement in composite production. For this purpose, fiber was obtained by purifying broomcorn plant stems from woody cells with enzyme and NaOH. To easily comb the fibers, 10 wt% cotton was added and blended and turned into nonwoven fabric via needle punching. Then, PLA was combined with the matrix using the hot press method to produce single and double-layered composites. To characterize the broomcorn fiber reinforced composite material, strength, elongation, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared instrumental methods were used within the standards. According to the analysis results, broomcorn fiber has a high potential as a new reinforcement material suitable for composite production. © 2025, North Carolina State University. All rights reserved
Prurituslu Yaşlı Hastaların Etiyolojik ve Klinik Olarak Değerlendirmesi: 700 Hastanın Retrospektif Kesitsel Bir Analizi
Full text linkPruritus is one of the most common symptoms in the elderly. It can be associated with dermatological, systemic, neurological, or psychogenic disorders. Identifing the underlying origin and appropriate management of patients are important due to its negative impact on quality of life. We aimed to investigate the demographic and clinical features, etiologies, laboratory work-up, and management of elderly patients with pruritus. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with pruritus aged ≥ 65 years who attended our outpatient clinic between January 2014 and June 2024. Etiological origins were categorized as dermatological, systemic, neurologic, psychogenic, drug-associated, or mixed. A total of 700 patients were included. Pruritus began between the ages of 65-75 years in 69%. Of the patients, 140 (20%) had acute and 560 (80%) had chronic pruritus. Pruritus was localized in 299 (42.7%) and generalized in 401 (57.3%) patients. The trunk, upper and lower extremities were the most common sites of pruritus. The most common causes of pruritus were dermatological (83.6%), followed by systemic (5.6%) and psychogenic (5.1%) origins. The most common dermatological cause of acute pruritus was scabies (20.5%), whereas chronic pruritus was xerosis (32.9%). Chronic renal failure was the leading systemic cause in both acute and chronic pruritus (30% and 42.5%, respectively). In conclusion, the demographics, clinical, and etiological factors of pruritus in the elderly can differ according to the geographic region, sample size, age groups, socioeconomics, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Each patient must be examined and treated individually.Pruritus yaşlılarda en sık görülen semptomlardan biridir. Dermatolojik, sistemik, nörolojik veya psikojenik bozukluklarla ilişkili olabilir. Yaşam kalitesi üzerindeki olumsuz etkisi nedeniyle, altta yatan nedenin belirlenmesi ve hastaların uygun şekilde tedavi edilmesi önemlidir. Bu çalışmada, pruritusu olan yaşlı hastaların demografik ve klinik özelliklerini, etyolojilerini, laboratuvar çalışmalarını ve tedavilerini araştırmayı amaçladık. Ocak 2014 ile Haziran 2024 arasında polikliniğimize başvuran ≥ 65 yaş prurituslu hastalar üzerinde retrospektif kesitsel bir çalışma yürütüldü. Etiyolojik faktörler; dermatolojik, sistemik, nörolojik, psikojenik, ilaç ilişkili veya mikst olarak kategorize edildi. Toplam 700 hasta çalışmaya dahil edildi. Pruritus hastaların %69'unda 65-75 yaşları arasında başlamıştı. Hastaların 140'ında (%20) akut, 560'ında (%80) kronik pruritus vardı. Pruritus 299 (%42,7) hastada lokalize iken 401 (%57,3) hastada jeneralizeydi. Gövde, üst ve alt ekstremiteler pruritusun en sık görülen yerleriydi. Pruritusun en sık görülen nedenleri dermatolojik (%83,6) iken, bunu sistemik (%5,6) ve psikojenik (%5,1) nedenler izliyordu. Akut pruritusun en sık görülen dermatolojik nedeni skabiyez (%20,5) iken, kronik pruritusta kserozis (%32,9) idi. Kronik böbrek yetmezliği hem akut hem de kronik pruritusta en sık sistemik nedendi (%30 ve %42,5). Sonuç olarak, yaşlılarda pruritusun demografik, klinik ve etiyolojik faktörleri coğrafi bölgeye, örneklem büyüklüğüne, yaş gruplarına, sosyoekonomiye, yaşam tarzına ve çevresel faktörlere göre farklılık gösterebilir. Her hasta, bireysel olarak değerlendirilmeli ve tedavi edilmelidir
Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Quality of Life in Obese Women: A Qualitative Study
No full textThis study was conducted to determine lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and their impact on the quality of life in obese women with LUTS. This study was conducted using a qualitative method at a university hospital. In-depth interviews were conducted with 30 obese women who had LUTS and no chronic illnesses using a semi-structured interview form. The interviews were evaluated through content analysis, and themes were identified and findings were interpreted. Qualitative analysis revealed that LUTS significantly affected women's lives, with complaints increasing as the degree of obesity increased. Most women reported searching for a restroom when going out, being unable to perform religious practices such as prayer, and experiencing negative effects on their sexual lives. Most women indicated that the causes of urinary tract symptoms were pregnancy/birth, excess weight and ageing. In conclusion, it was observed that obesity causes LUTS in women and negatively affects their quality of life
Chemical Profile, Antiproliferative and Antioxidant Activities of Genista januensis subsp. lydia (Boiss.) Kit Tan & Ziel (Fabaceae)
No full textThe aim of this study was to investigate the anticancer and antioxidant activities of Genista januensis subsp. lydia (Fabaceae) extracts and to isolate the phytochemical compounds responsible for these activities. The G. januensis plant was extracted by maceration with solvents of increasing polarity. The total phenolic/flavonoid content, antioxidant activities and anticancer activity were investigated by performing cytotoxicity, apoptosis and cell cycle analyses in crude extracts. We found that the EtOAc extract had the highest antioxidant and anticancer activities and this extract was selected for isolation studies. All purified flavonoid compounds from the EtOAc extract were elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR and mass spectroscopic methods and compared with the literature. A new biflavonoid 4 was isolated together with three known isoflavonoids (genistein (1), genistin (2) and 4'-hydroxyisoflavone (3)) from Genista januensis subsp. lydia (Fabaceae). MTT analysis of compounds 2, 3, and 4 was used to evaluate the anticancer activity. Compound 4 was invesigated for its antioxidant activities. These findings suggest that G. januensis subsp. lydia represents new potential natural sources of effective antiproliferative and antioxidant agents.Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Tekirdag Namik Kemal University [NKUBAP.01.OENAP.21.318]; Council of Higher Education (YOK) [100/2000]Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no competing in-terests.This study was funded by the Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Tekirdag Namik Kemal University. Project number: NKUBAP.01.OENAP.21.318.Buse Nur Y & imath;ld & imath;r & imath;m is also grateful for the PhD Scholarship Programme of the Council of Higher Education (YOK, 100/2000) , Turkiye
Breath of relief: Transforming pediatric asthma care with telemedicine-guided exercises
Full text linkBackground: Alternative non-pharmacological strategies such as breathing exercises can be used in combination with pharmacological treatments. Objective: The aim of this randomized, controlled, single-blind study was to investigate the effectiveness of breathing exercises in asthma patients on respiratory function, symptom control and quality of life. Methods: We enrolled pediatric asthma patients who were eligible and motivated for the study and randomly assigned them to either the exercise group (EG) or the control group (CG). The CG received a postural exercise program, while the EG received a breathing exercise program. At baseline and after 12 weeks, respiratory function (FEV1-FVC-FEV1/FVC-PEF), symptom control (using asthma control test, asthma control questionnaire, global initiative for asthma symptom control assessment), quality of life (using pediatric asthma quality of life questionnaire), breath-holding test (BHT) and sit-to-stand test (30sSTS) were assessed and compared. Results: One hundred twelve patients were randomized, and 99 (n = 51 EG, n = 48 CG) completed the 12-week study. Baseline data were also similar in both groups. After 12 weeks, FEV1, Peak expiratory flow (by spirometry and peak flow meter) and BHT were significantly better in EG than in CG (p = 0.01 and p = 0.007 and p = 0.005, respectively). Asthma Control Test and GINA symptom control tool values were also significantly better in both groups. Discussion:Our participants were children with mild to moderate asthma. We conclude that our results show that breathing exercises can be an effective intervention for children with partially controlled asthma with FEV1,PEF, and BHTs.Istanbul Universitesi-Cerrahpasa [TSA-2022-36154]Istanbul Universitesi-Cerrahpasa, Grant/Award Number: TSA-2022-3615