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Comparative Analysis of Total Antioxidant Status (TAS) of Ready-to-Consume Turkish Coffees With Different Flavoring Agents
No full textThe production and consumption of both traditional and flavored Turkish coffee varieties are widespread in several countries, including Turkey. However, the health effects of flavorings used to enhance the flavor of commercially flavored coffees remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the total antioxidant status (TAS), a biomarker of health, in plain and commercially flavored Turkish coffees (blackberry, wild strawberry, hazelnut, vanilla, rose Turkish delight, and chocolate) commonly consumed by the Turkish population. In this study, a total of 24 different coffee samples of 6 different brands with plain, blackberry, wild strawberry, hazelnut, vanilla, rose delight, and chocolate flavors were examined. TAS analysis of the samples was performed with a commercial test kit based on (2,2 '-azino-di-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline sulphonate) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, and the results were expressed in mmol Trolox equivalent (TE)/L. The results showed that blackberry-flavored(3.14 +/- 0.07 mmol TE/L) and vanilla-flavored (3.13 +/- 0.07 mmol TE/L) Turkish coffees exhibited lower TAS levels compared to plain Turkish coffee (3.23 +/- 0.01 mmol TE/L) and coffees flavored with wild strawberry (3.24 +/- 0.04 mmol TE/L), chocolate (3.22 +/- 0.01 mmol TE/L), hazelnut (3.22 +/- 0.01 mmol TE/L), and rose delight (3.23 +/- 0.01 mmol TE/L) (p < 0.05). In conclusion, individuals who want to diversify their Turkish coffee consumption while maintaining or improving their health may prefer wild strawberry-, chocolate-, hazelnut-, and rose delight-flavored coffees over blackberry- and vanilla-flavored coffees. This study highlights the potential health benefits of certain flavored coffees as an alternative to traditional plain Turkish coffee.Gazi niversitesiThe authors have nothing to report
Association of problematic internet use with health-related daily habits in adolescents: evidence from a school-based survey
No full textBackground. With the development of technology, easier access to the internet and its excessive use have led to problematic internet use (PIU). The prevalence of PIU and its association with lifestyle behaviors in adolescents have become subjects of increasing academic interest. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of PIU among Turkish high school students and to investigate its association with sleep, physical activity and dietary habits. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted on high school students between October 2019 and March 2020. Participants completed a questionnaire regarding demographic characteristics, internet use, lifestyle habits and the Young Internet Addiction Test-Short Form (YIAT-SF). Results. Among the total 951 participants, the mean age was 15.3 +/- 1.0 years, 42.3% were female, and the prevalence of PIU was determined as 12.1%. It was shown that having daily internet usage time >= 2 hours on weekdays, having at least one type of sleep problem, having breakfast less than 3 days per week, eating salty snacks >= 3 days per week, consuming sugary-carbonated drinks >= 3 days per week were associated with PIU. Conclusions. PIU is a widespread public health problem that is negatively associated with the daily health habits of adolescents. There is a need for nationwide school screening programs for this problem and rehabilitation of adolescents diagnosed with PIU
Evaluation of microplastic release due to the use of different types of toothbrushes: An experimental study
No full textAmaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, farklı markalara ait çocuk diş fırçalarının kullanımı sonrası tükürük örneklerinde mikroplastik varlığını ortaya koymak ve diş fırçası kıllarının oral mikroplastik maruziyetine olası katkısını değerlendirmektir. Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışmaya 7–14 yaş arası çocuklar dahil edilerek, beş farklı markaya ait diş fırçaları (Oral-B, TePe, Splat, Curaprox, Rocs) katılımcılara dağıtılmıştır. Deney grubunda, fırçaların bir aylık kullanımından sonra tükürük örnekleri toplanmış; ön çalışma grubunda ise fırça kullanımı öncesinde alınan tükürükler çeşitli kombinasyonlarla (saf tükürük, tükürük + RIPA, tükürük + mikroplastik + RIPA) hazırlanarak analiz edilmiştir. Çalışmada mikroplastik tespit yöntemlerinden, etiketleme yöntemlerinden biri olan Nile Red boyası kullanılarak floresan mikroskobu (Texas Red, Parlak Alan ve Faz Kontrast filtreleri altında görüntüleme) tercih edilmiş; bunun yanı sıra Dijital Mikroskop analizi de yapılmıştır. Bulgular: Ön çalışma grubuna ait tükürük örneklerinde floresan mikroskobu altında anlamlı bir ışıma tespit edilmezken, deney grubunda fırça kullanımından sonra toplanan tüm örneklerde tükürüklerde benzer morfolojide ve yoğunlukta tekrarlanabilir şekilde mikroplastik partiküller gözlenmiştir. Görsellerde mikrometre ölçeğinde farklı boyutlarda partiküller belirlenmiştir. Dijital mikroskop altında ön çalışma grubunda herhangi bir boyama gözlenmezken, deney grubunda Nile Red kaynaklı kırmızı renkli boyalı alanlar yine mikroplastik varlığına işaret etmektedir. Sonuç: Mikroplastikler çevresel kirliliğin önemli bir bileşeni haline gelmiş ve hem ekosistemler hem de insan sağlığı üzerinde potansiyel riskler oluşturmaktadır. Bu çalışma, çocuk diş fırçalarının kullanım süreci boyunca mikroplastik salınımına neden olabileceğini ve bu partiküllerin tükürük yoluyla ağız ortamına geçebileceğini göstermiştir. Gelecekte plastik fırçaların ağız sağlığı için sunduğu faydalar göz ardı edilmeden biyobozunur veya doğal materyallerden üretilmiş alternatif diş fırçalarının geliştirilmesi, oral mikroplastik maruziyetini azaltmak için önemli bir adım olabilir. Anahtar Kelimeler: plastik diş fırçası, floresan mikroskop, dijital mikroskop, RIPA, mikroplastikObjective: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the presence of microplastics in saliva samples collected after the use of different brands of children's toothbrushes and to evaluate the potential contribution of toothbrush bristles to oral microplastic exposure. Materials and Methods: Children aged 7–14 years were included in the study, and five different brands of toothbrushes (Oral-B, TePe, Splat, Curaprox, Rocs) were distributed to the participants. In the preliminarygroup, saliva samples were collected after one month of toothbrush use, while in the control group, saliva collected before toothbrush use was prepared in various combinations (pure saliva, saliva + RIPA, saliva + microplastic + RIPA) and analyzed. For the detection of microplastics, Nile Red staining, one of the labeling methods, was applied. Imaging was performed using fluorescence microscopy (Texas Red, Phase Contrast, and Bright Field filters), and digital microscopy analyses were also conducted. Results: While no significant fluorescence emission was observed in the control group saliva samples, microplastic particles with similar morphology and density were consistently detected in all preliminary group samples collected after toothbrush use. Micrometer-scale particles of varying sizes were identified in the images. Under digital microscopy, no staining was observed in the control group, whereas red-stained areas derived from Nile Red indicated the presence of microplastics in the experimental group. Conclusion: Microplastics have become a major component of environmental pollution, posing potential risks to both ecosystems and human health. This study demonstrated that children's toothbrushes may release microplastics during use, which can subsequently be transferred into the oral cavity through saliva. In the future, without disregarding the oral health benefits of plastic toothbrushes, the development of biodegradable or natural-material alternatives may represent an important step toward reducing oral microplastic exposure. Keywords: Plasti
The Association Between Premature Ejaculation and Non-Dipper Blood Pressure: A Cross-Sectional Study
No full textBackground/Objectives: Premature ejaculation (PE) is one of the most common sexual problems in men. Autonomic nervous system (ANS), which is an important determinant of circadian changes in blood pressure (BP), also has a mechanism that controls ejaculation. We aimed to investigate the relationship between PE and BP variability. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 80 normotensive patients with PE and 80 healthy volunteers. All the participants underwent 24-h ambulatory BP measurement. Participants were categorized into two groups based on the percentage of nocturnal BP dipping: the dipper BP (DBP), and non-dipper BP (NDBP) groups. Results: The frequency of the NDBP pattern was significantly higher in the PE group compared to the control group (48% vs. 28%, p = 0.009). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the NDBP pattern remained significantly associated with PE [odds ratio: 0.399, 95% confidence interval: (0.207-0.770), p = 0.006]. Within the PE group premature ejaculation diagnostic tool (PEDT) scores were significantly higher in individuals with NDBP than individuals with DBP (15.62 +/- 2.85 vs. 14.32 +/- 2.65, p = 0.038). Conclusions: The frequency of the NDBP pattern was significantly higher in the PE group among normotensive individuals. Additionally, within the PE group, PEDT scores were significantly higher in individuals with the NDBP pattern. A multidisciplinary approach and large-scale prospective studies are necessary to fully elucidate the relationship between PE and the cardiovascular system
Examination of mandibular radiomorphometry in pediatric population according to age and gender
No full textPurpose: This study aimed to compare and evaluate mandibular measurements obtained from digital panoramic radiographs in a pediatric population according to age and gender. Materials and Methods: This retrospective crosssectional study analysed 100 digital panoramic radiographs of individuals aged 6-13 years (59 females, 41 males). A series of measurements was recorded for specific mandibular structures, including the gonial angle, ramus height and width, corpus length, and anterior corpus height. Results: Statistically significant differences were observed in mandibular ramus height (R2;53.96, L2;53.61) and mandibular corpus length (R4;81.64, L4;81) parameters across age groups in females, with the lowest values noted in the 6-7 age group. In males, significant differences were found in mandibular ramus height (R2: 45.62, L2: 245.19) parameters according to age, with the 6-year age group exhibiting the lowest mean values (48 +/- 0). However, no statistically significant difference was observed in the measured parameters between genders across the age groups. Conclusion: This investigation revealed no statistically significant differences in the measured mandibular parameters between the sexes. Nevertheless, the observed parameters consistently increased with advancing age, aligning with findings reported in similar studies. Further research employing diverse methodologies in subadult populations is warranted to establish robust standards for sex and age estimation
Evaluation of Hep-2 Cell Patterns: How Often Do We Report Cytoplasmic and Mitotic Patterns?
No full textThe indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) method for anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) testing is pivotal in the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases. Despite extensive research on nuclear staining patterns, cytoplasmic and mitotic patterns remain less understood. This study retrospectively analyzed 12,674 ANA test results from a tertiary medical microbiology laboratory over three years to assess the prevalence and diagnostic implications of these patterns. ANA positivity was observed in 24.2% of samples, with cytoplasmic and mitotic patterns accounting for 9.2%. Notably, these patterns were predominantly found in ANA-negative samples, with intercellular bridge (AC-27) emerging as the most frequent pattern. While a substantial proportion of cytoplasmic and mitotic patterns were detected among rheumatology patients, no significant correlation was identified between specific patterns and autoimmune diagnoses. These findings underscore the importance of consistent reporting of cytoplasmic and mitotic patterns, as recommended by the International Consensus on ANA Patterns (ICAP). The incorporation of these patterns into routine diagnostic reports has the potential to enhance diagnostic accuracy, particularly in cases ANA-negative. Further research is essential to elucidate their clinical significance and optimize laboratory practices.The indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) method for anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) testing is pivotal in the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases. Despite extensive research on nuclear staining patterns, cytoplasmic and mitotic patterns remain less understood. This study retrospectively analyzed 12,674 ANA test results from a tertiary medical microbiology laboratory over three years to assess the prevalence and diagnostic implications of these patterns. ANA positivity was observed in 24.2% of samples, with cytoplasmic and mitotic patterns accounting for 9.2%. Notably, these patterns were predominantly found in ANA-negative samples, with intercellular bridge (AC-27) emerging as the most frequent pattern. While a substantial proportion of cytoplasmic and mitotic patterns were detected among rheumatology patients, no significant correlation was identified between specific patterns and autoimmune diagnoses. These findings underscore the importance of consistent reporting of cytoplasmic and mitotic patterns, as recommended by the International Consensus on ANA Patterns (ICAP). The incorporation of these patterns into routine diagnostic reports has the potential to enhance diagnostic accuracy, particularly in cases ANA-negative. Further research is essential to elucidate their clinical significance and optimize laboratory practices
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on CLABSI Rates and Antibiotic Resistance: A Multicenter Study in Türkiye
No full textObjective: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted infection control practices in healthcare settings. Previous studies have reported increased rates of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI), particularly during the early stages and peak periods of the pandemic. This multicenter study aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on CLABSI rates in Türkiye over a four-year period from 2019 to 2022. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected CLABSI data from hospitals across various regions of Türkiye between 2019 and 2022. The study period was divided into three phases: pre-pandemic, early pandemic, and late pandemic. Demographic and clinical characteristics, mortality rates, and microbiological data were analyzed. Pathogen distribution and antibiotic resistance patterns were compared between the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. Results: A total of 25 hospitals participated in the study. The CLABSI rates per 1000 catheter days were 4.26 in 2019, 4.13 in 2020, 3.68 in 2021, and 3.53 in 2022. Across all periods, 3238 pathogens were identified. Gram-negative bacteria predominated both before and during the pandemic, with Acinetobacter baumannii (18.6%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (17.8%) being the most common. Notably, an increase in carbapenem and colistin resistance in K. pneu-monia was observed during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period. Conclusions: In Türkiye, the predominant causative agents of CLABSI did not change during the pandemic, with Klebsiella spp. and A. baumannii being most frequently isolated. However, the rise in CLABSI-associated mortality during the pandemic highlights the broader impact of healthcare system disruptions. © 2025, DOC Design and Informatics Co. Ltd.. All rights reserved
Radiographic acetabulotrochanteric distance measurement as a novel method for determining leg length discrepancy in patients with hemiarthroplasty
No full textObjectives: This study aims to evaluate the interobserver reliability and interobserver reproducibility of radiographic acetabulotrochanteric distance (ATD) measurement and to investigate its accuracy by comparing it with conventional radiographic methods used in leg length discrepancy (LLD) measurement. Patients and methods: Between January 2017 and January 2022, a total of 97 patients (39 males, 58 females; mean age: 77.8 +/- 7.1 years; range, 61 to 91 years) who underwent pelvic radiographic evaluation and hemiarthroplasty (HA) due to femoral neck fracture were retrospectively analyzed. For ATD measurement, the distance between the line connecting the upper cartilage of the acetabulum (AC) and the extreme point of the greater trochanter (GT) was used. The AC-GT measurement on both sides was compared with bottom of the ischial tuberosities-lesser trochanter (BI-LT), center of the femoral head-BI (CH-BI), inferior acetabular teardrops-LT (IT-LT) measurements. The agreement between the methods was examined with the intraclass correlation coefficient (CCI). Results: According to the AC-GT & BI-LT, AC-GT & BI-CH methods, there were very strong (ICC: 0.75), moderate (ICC: 0.69) and acceptable (ICC: 0.33) agreements, respectively. Significant agreement was found between all measurements (p0.8). Conclusion: The ATD measurement correlates well with known measurement techniques on pelvic radiography and can be used as an alternative to this method. It has excellent intra-and interobserver agreements. This method can predict LLD after HA, but does not consider other length differences in the lower limbs
Mean Platelet Volume A Potential Indicator for Preeclampsia
No full textAmaç Bu çalışma, preeklampsi gibi gebelik hipertansiyonu ve proteinüri ile karakterize bir hastalığı olan annelerin bebeklerinde trombositopeni görülme sıklığını belirlemeyi hedeflemektedir. Ayrıca, trombositopeninin etkisi altında kalan bebeklerin trombosit hacimlerinin (MPV) normal gebeliklerden doğan bebeklerin MPV'si ile karşılaştırılması planlanmaktadır. Bu çalışmanın sonuçları, gebelik sürecinde trombositopeni ile karşılaşan bebeklerin sağlık durumları hakkında fikir verebilecektir. Ayrıca, trombositopeninin MPV ile ilişkisi incelenecek ve bu ilişkinin aydınlatılması, trombositopeninin etkisini daha iyi anlamamızı sağlayacaktır. Yöntem Bu araştırma, trombositopeni gelişen ve gelişmeyen preeklamptik annelerin bebekleri ile normal gebeliklerden doğan bebeklerin trombosit sayıları ve MPV'leri arasındaki farkları belirlemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Çalışma için lokal etik kurulun 129 nolu onayı temin edilmiştir. Bu doğrultuda, gebelik yaşı benzer olan 60 yenidoğan bebek, üç gruba ayrılmıştır: trombositopeni gelişen 20 preeklamptik anne bebeği (Grup A), trombositopeni gelişmeyen 20 preeklamptik anne bebeği (Grup B) ve trombositopeni gelişmeyen 20 normal anne bebeği (Grup C). Bu çalışmada, tıbbi kayıtlardan elde edilen hematolojik veriler kullanılarak, bebeklerin doğum ağırlıkları, trombosit sayıları ve MPV'leri, yaşamın ilk 72 saati içindeki süreçlerine göre karşılaştırılmıştır. Bu analizler, trombositopeninin bebeklerin doğum ağırlığı ve trombosit sayısı üzerindeki etkisini belirlemek ve trombositopeni ile MPV arasındaki ilişki incelenmiştir. Bulgular Bu çalışmanın bulgularına göre, trombositopeni gelişen preeklamptik annelerin bebeklerinde, trombosit sayısı düştükçe MPV değerlerinin arttığı gözlemlenmiştir. Grup A bebeklerinde, trombosit sayılarının en düşük olduğu ve MPV değerlerinin en yüksek olduğu görülmüştür. Ancak, yapılan istatistiksel analizler sonucunda, MPV ve trombosit sayıları arasında anlamlı bir korelasyon saptanmamıştır. Ayrıca, MPV değerleri açısından gruplar arasında anlamlı bir fark tespit edilememiştir (p=0.053). Sonuç Preeklamptik annelerin bebeklerinde trombositopeni gelişme olasılığının artmasıyla birlikte, trombositlerin hacimlerinin değişebileceğini ve bu durumun MPV değerlerini etkileyebileceğini göstermektedir. Ancak, MPV ve trombosit sayıları arasındaki korelasyonun bulunmaması, trombositopeni olgusunun tek başına yeterli bir gösterge olmadığını ve trombositlerin fonksiyonlarına da dikkat edilmesi gerektiğini vurgulamaktadır. Bu nedenle, bu bulgular, preeklamptik annelerin bebeklerinde trombositopeni gelişme durumunda, hem trombosit sayılarının hem de fonksiyonlarının takip edilmesinin önemini ortaya koymaktadır. Trombosit hacmindeki artış, trombosit yıkımının bir göstergesi olarak kabul edilirken, azalma ise trombosit yapımındaki yetersizliğin bir göstergesi olarak kabul edilir. Bu çalışmanın sonuçları, preeklamptik anne bebeklerinde görülen trombositopeni durumunun etiyolojisinin sadece trombosit hacmi ile açıklanamayacağını ortaya koymaktadır. Bu durum, trombositopeninin nedeninin sadece trombositlerin azalması veya yıkımı olmayabileceğini düşündürmektedir. Başka faktörler de trombositopeni gelişimine katkıda bulunabilir. Bu nedenle, trombosit hacmi tek başına bir gösterge olarak kullanılamaz ve trombosit yapım ve yıkımının yanı sıra diğer faktörlerin de dikkate alınması gerekmektedir. Sonuç olarak, preeklamptik anne bebeklerinde trombositopeninin nedenleri hakkında daha fazla araştırma yapılması gerekmektedir.Objective: This study aims to determine the frequency of thrombocytopenia in infants born to mothers with pregnancy-induced hypertension characterized by high blood pressure and proteinuria, such as preeclampsia. Additionally, the thrombocytopenic infants' platelet volumes (MPV) will be compared to those of infants born from normal pregnancies. The results of this study can provide insights into the health status of infants experiencing thrombocytopenia during the pregnancy process. Moreover, the relationship between thrombocytopenia and MPV will be examined, and understanding this relationship will help us better comprehend the impact of thrombocytopenia. Methods: This study aims to determine the differences in platelet counts and mean platelet volume (MPV) between newborns of preeclamptic mothers who develop thrombocytopenia and those who do not, as well as newborns from normal pregnancies. To attain this objective, a total of 60 infants with comparable gestational ages were segregated into three distinct groups. The first group comprised 20 infants born to mothers suffering from preeclampsia who exhibited thrombocytopenia (Group A), the second group included 20 infants born to mothers with preeclampsia but without thrombocytopenia (Group B), and the third group consisted of 20 infants born to mothers with uncomplicated pregnancies (Group C). Using hematological data obtained from medical records, the newborns' birth weights, platelet counts, and MPVs were compared according to the first 72 hours of life. These analyses aimed to determine the impact of thrombocytopenia on newborns' birth weights and platelet counts and to investigate the relationship between thrombocytopenia and MPV. Results: According to the findings of this study, it was observed that as the platelet count decreased in newborns of preeclamptic mothers with thrombocytopenia, mean platelet volume (MPV) values increased. In Group A infants, where platelet counts were the lowest, the highest MPV values were observed. However, statistical analysis revealed no significant correlation between MPV and platelet counts. Additionally, no significant difference was detected between the groups in terms of MPV values (p=0.053). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that as the likelihood of developing thrombocytopenia in preeclamptic mothers increases, the volumes of platelets can change, which can affect MPV values. However, the lack of correlation between MPV and platelet counts emphasizes that thrombocytopenia alone is not sufficient evidence and that platelet functions should also be considered. Therefore, these findings highlight the importance of monitoring both platelet counts and functions in the case of thrombocytopenia in infants born to preeclamptic mothers. An increase in platelet volume is considered an indicator of platelet destruction, while a decrease is considered an indicator of insufficient platelet production. The results of this study demonstrate that the etiology of thrombocytopenia observed in infants born to preeclamptic mothers cannot be explained solely by platelet volume. This suggests that factors other than platelet reduction or destruction may also contribute to the development of thrombocytopenia. Therefore, platelet volume alone cannot be used as an indicator, and other factors, including platelet production and destruction, must also be considered. In conclusion, further research is needed to investigate the causes of thrombocytopenia in infants born to preeclamptic mothers
Evaluating The Role of the Ombudsman Institution in the Oversight of Public Administration in Türkiye: A Mixed-Methods Study
No full textÇalışma, Tu?rkiye’de kamu yönetiminin denetiminde Ombudsmanlık Kurumu’nun rolu?nu? değerlendirmek amacıyla, nitel ve nicel verilerin kullanıldığı karma bir yöntem benimsemiştir. Araştırmada kurumun denetim mekanizmalarındaki boşluğu ne ölçu?de doldurduğu, vatandaş başvurularının kamu kurumları nezdinde nasıl karşılandığı ve diğer denetim mekanizmalarıyla kıyaslandığında etkilik du?zeyi sorgulanmıştır. Literatu?r taramasıyla kurumun tarihsel gelişimi, yapısal özellikleri ve işlevleri incelenmiş; 2013–2023 yıllarına ait yıllık raporlardaki istatistiki veriler analiz edilerek grafiklerle sunulmuştur. Bulgular, kurumun idarenin karar alma su?reçlerinde vatandaşların haklarını koruma, hukuka uygunluğu gözetme ve kamu kurumlarının hesap verebilirliğini artırma yönu?nde etkili olduğunu göstermektedir. Tavsiye kararlarının önemli ölçu?de kamu idareleri tarafından yerine getirilmesi, kurumsal meşruiyet ve etkinliği gu?çlendirmektedir. Kurumun yasal yetkilerinde yapılacak iyileştirmelerle daha işlevsel bir denetim mekanizmasına dönu?şebileceği ve kamu denetiminde şeffaflık ile hesap verebilirliği destekleyen tamamlayıcı ve dönu?ştu?ru?cu? bir rol u?stlendiği sonucuna varılmıştır.This study evaluates the role of the Ombudsman Institution in overseeing public administration in Tu?rkiye, using a mixed-methods approach based on qualitative and quantitative data. It examines how far the Institution fills gaps in existing oversight mechanisms, how public bodies respond to citizen applications, and how effective it is compared with other oversight actors. A literature review traces its historical development, structure and functions, while statistical data from annual reports for 2013–2023 are analyzed and presented with graphs. The findings show that the Institution protects citizens’ rights in administrative decision-making, promotes legal compliance and strengthens the accountability of public institutions. The high rate of implementation of its recommendations by public bodies enhances its legitimacy and effectiveness. The study concludes that, with improvements in its legal mandate, the Ombudsman could become a more functional mechanism of public control and that it already plays a complementary and transformative role in promoting transparency and accountability