bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physical factors in medical rehabilitation of children with damage to the capsulal-ligating apparatus of the knee joint
Authors: Vakhova Ekaterina L. , Khan Maya A. , Vybornov Dmitriy Yu. , Isaev Ivan N.
Published: March 2024

Pathology of the knee joint in children is a pressing problem in pediatric traumatology, orthopedics and pediatrics. The frequency of injuries to the knee joint is determined by the complexity of its structure, biomechanical features with a high probability of overload. At the same time, intra-articular injuries in children and adolescents, accounting for up to 7% in the structure of inpatient pathology, are the cause of pronounced functional disorders of the lower limb and the risk of developing post-traumatic osteoarthritis.
Currently, physical factors are widely used at various stages of medical rehabilitation of children with damage to the capsular-ligamentous apparatus of the knee joint. The conducted studies have established the effectiveness of using local air cryotherapy in the early postoperative period, characterized by a pronounced anti-edematous, analgesic effect. Early regression of pain and elimination of microcirculatory disorders in the area of injury as a result of a course of pulsed low-frequency magnetic therapy at various stages of medical rehabilitation of children with damage to the capsular-ligamentous apparatus of the knee joint have been recorded. The beneficial effect of a pulsed low-frequency electrostatic field on indicators of orthopedic status, and thermography indicators in the area of injury in children with knee joint injuries has been established. Data were obtained on more pronounced regression of pain, earlier restoration of range of motion in the damaged joint and relief of signs of post-traumatic synovitis with the complex use of a pulsed low-frequency electrostatic field and robotic mechanotherapy in children with damage to the capsular ligamentous apparatus of the knee joint. The obtained clinical and functional results are of great importance for injuries of the knee joint with the risk of contractures in the postoperative period.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of complex physical therapy and SIS-therapy in the treatment of cervical disc herniation in the cervical spine
Authors: Bezrukova Olga V. , Kotenko Konstantin V. , Vasilyeva Ekaterina S. , Korchazhkina Natalya B.
Published: March 2024

This article provides a review of the literature evaluating treatments for cervical disc herniation.
As the most common cause of neck pain and even disability, cervical disc herniation often requires a multifaceted approach to treatment. The author examines the effectiveness of complex exercise therapy, including a number of therapeutic exercises and methods of manual therapy and SIS-therapy, using a high-intensity magnetic field. The review contains a description of various clinical trials, and also presents comparative functional characteristics of these methods to assess the effectiveness, safety and effectiveness of treatment. The author conducted a comparative analysis of the SIS-therapy method with the exercise therapy method in the treatment of herniated discs of the cervical spine based on consideration of such aspects of their impact as the mechanism of action, effectiveness, safety, accessibility and convenience, time and cost, and overall impact on health. The results show that complex exercise therapy and SIS-therapy are the most promising non-invasive treatment methods that can significantly improve the degree of pain relief, mobility and overall quality of life of patients with cervical disc herniation. The article provides recommendations for the implementation of these treatment methods in clinical practice and suggestions for further directions of research.
Psychotic Experiences Questionnaire. Part 1
Authors: Sagalakova Olga A. , Truevtsev Dmitry V. , Zhirnova Olga V.
Published: March 2024

BACKGROUND: The rationale for the concept of psychotic and psychotic-like experiences, delusions and auditory hallucinations, on the basis of which the Psychotic Experiences Questionnaire was developed.
AIM: The purpose of this study is to present the results of testing and validating of a questionnaire that assesses the severity of psychotic experiences. The study aims to determine the content of the experience at different phases of manifestation, including the phase of psychotic-like experiences, as well as metacognitive appraisals of the experience and its relationship to social anxiety.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: The sample of 122 respondents includes non-clinical and two clinical groups — with symptoms of the affective spectrum and with symptoms of the psychotic spectrum. To assess the convergent validity of the Questionnaire, the Russian-language Symptom Check List-90-Revised was used. Metacognitive appraisals of psychotic experience and the overall severity of social anxiety (“Social Anxiety and Social Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire”) were measured.
RESULTS: The structure of the Questionnaire obtained by cluster analysis was verified by confirmatory factor analysis, and optimal agreement between theoretical and empirical models was demonstrated (CFI=0.998; TLI=0.998; SRMR=0.102; RMSEA=0.02; RMSEA p-value=0.986). Three scales and corresponding subscales (six categories) defining the phases of unfolding of psychotic experience were identified. The high reliability and item consistency of the Questionnaire was determined using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Convergent validity was assessed using Pearson correlation analysis of the questionnaire scales with the SCL scales — psychoticism, paranoid ideation and obsessive-compulsive symptoms; reliable and adequate statistical relationships were obtained. The role of social anxiety and metacognitive appraisals of psychotic experiences in their actualisation and maintenance is shown. The conceptualisation of thought the emergence of intrusions, “voices” as a dialogical embodiment of the internalised experience of social defeat in re-expanded inner speech is presented.
CONCLUSION: The results of approbation and validation of the questionnaire are presented, and the relationships of the psychotic experiences component with its metacognitive appraisals and social anxiety are described. The concept of psychotic experiences is considered a continuum in which disruptions in the usual controllability of mental processes vary range from mild (objectification of thinking) — to moderate (disturbance of self-perception, intrusive phenomena, including “voices”) — to severe (disturbance of the sense of agency, including command “voices”).
Is anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis real? II. Therapeutic challenges
Authors: Snedkov Evgeny V. , Volchek Igor A. , Lemeshev Ilia V.
Published: March 2024

The first part of the review challenges the diagnostic concept of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis (ANMDARE). The second part focuses on analyzing current therapeutic approaches. It is demonstrated that the use of antipsychotics or immunosuppressants poses the risk of severe complications, potentially leading to fatal outcomes, in the near or distant future. Comparing clinical and neurobiological effects associated with antibodies to the GluN1 subunit of the glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR1-AB) and the administration of subanesthetic doses of the non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist Ketamine highly suggests a neuroprotective, health-promoting role of NMDAR1-AB, which should not be suppressed but rather potentiated. Benzodiazepines and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) remain the treatment of choice for acute polymorphic hyperkinetic psychoses.
“Tandem anorexia” in dizygotic twin sisters Masha and Dasha
Authors: Mendelevich Vladimir D. , Nesterina Maria K.
Published: March 2024

The article describes a unique combination of anorexia nervosa in 15-year-old dizygotic twin sisters, Masha and Dasha, which developed synchronously and proceeded with a similar clinical picture. Within six months from the time they jointly made the decision to change their eating habits and follow a special diet, each of the sisters lost more than 25% of her body weight. However, they each still had an obsessive fear of gaining weight, preoccupation with appearance, dissatisfaction with their figures and volumes of various body parts, and also periodically disrupted their menstrual cycles. The mechanism of the development of eating disorders in each of them was analyzed and it was concluded that the principle of fierce competition between them turned out to be fundamental. The twin sisters constantly compared the results of weight loss, making sure that the other did not achieve better results. This was accompanied by emotional reactions such as resentment, irritation, complacency or gloating. It is concluded that the clinical case of “tandem anorexia” in dizygotic twin sisters Masha and Dasha allows us to confirm the fact that the formation of “pair psychopathology” (in this case, eating disorder) may be associated not so much with genetic factors, but with psychological mechanisms and should be taken into account when choosing a treatment strategy.
Why invent the bicycle?
Authors: Pashkovskiy Vladimir  E.
Published: March 2024

The article is a critical analysis of the diagnostic search carried out on the basis of an assessment of Sasha Shch’s mental state. From the authors’ point of view, the boy has a functional language disorder within the framework of residual encephalopathy with mental atony. The article is of a debatable nature and is of interest to specialists.
Clinical spectrum of frontotemporal dementia: schizophrenia-like symptoms and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (family case study)
Authors: Mendelevich Elena G.
Published: March 2024

Frontotemporal dementia is a heterogeneous pathology with various clinical, histological, and genetic variants. The behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) in some cases presents differential diagnostic difficulties when distinguishing from primary mental disorders. The article provides an observation of patient K., who was observed at the initial stage of the disease with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. The comparison of psychopathological and behavioral symptoms with the presence of a family history of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) served as a turning point to a different interpretation of the pathology and recognition and confirmation of the “definite diagnosis” — bvFTD.
Clinical subtypes of postpsychotic depression in the first episode of schizophrenia: results of a cross-sectional observational study
Authors: Antokhin Evgenii Yu. , Neznanov Nikolai G. , Vasileva Anna V. , Budza Vladimir G. , Boldireva Tatyana A. , Kozlov Yaroslav S.
Published: March 2024

BACKGROUND: Clinical diagnosis of depression in schizophrenia is difficult because of the dimensional overlap of a number of affective symptoms with negative manifestations of schizophrenia spectrum disorders. In the very first attack of schizophrenia, when the negative symptom complex is not yet clear enough, the difficulties of differential diagnosis become even more relevant, especially when depression occurs in the post-attack stage during the formation of remission and the manifestation of postpsychotic depression.
AIM: To establish a diagnostic approach based on a combination of clinical-psychopathological and psychometric methods for the assessment of postpsychotic depression in patients with a first episode of schizophrenia.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: We are examined 1112 patients who had suffered a first psychotic episode. Аfter introducing inclusion/exclusion criteria, two groups were formed in the final design: 243 patients with postpsychotic depression (PPD) and 119 patients without depression in partial remission. Clinical-psychopathological, psychometric (PANSS, CDSS, SCL-90-R scales), and statistical (descriptive, non-parametric statistics — significance level p 0.05) methods were used.
RESULTS: Based on the concept of positive-negative affectivity, three types of PPD have been identified: with signs of positive affectivity — anxious, sensitive-psychasthenic, depersonalisation-hypochondriacal and melancholic-anergic subtypes; with signs of negative affectivity anhedonic, dysthymic-apathetic and dysphoric subtypes; formed due to psychopathological manifestations of the non-affective register — obsessive-ruminative, agoraphobic, paranoid-symbolic subtypes. Patients who were diagnosed with PPD with positive affectivity after an attack were predominat (p 0.05): 46.91% of the total number of depressed patients. PPD formed due to non-affective spectrum disorders is accompanied by the strongest subjective severity of suffering in patients, compared to patients diagnosed with PPD with positive affectivity. Subjectively, the easiest for patients is PPD with negative affectivity, which, however, does not mean that it can be considered as favourable from the standpoint of therapy and rehabilitation.
CONCLUSION: PPD is detected in a significant number of patients with a first psychotic episode, even after excluding the group with pharmacogenic depression, both due to subjective complaints, nosogenic depressive experiences, and as a result of a psychometric assessment of the patients’ condition. The concept of “dissociated post-attack depression” is substantiated.
School shooting: are psychiatrists capable of preventing tragedies?
Authors: Portnova Anna A. , Sivolap Yury P.
Published: March 2024

Armed attacks with numerous victims committed in educational institutions of various levels, mainly (but not always) with the use of firearms, have received the generic name “school shooting”, and attackers are most often called “school shooters”. The United States is the leader in the prevalence of mass murders in educational institutions, although these tragic incidents also occur in other countries, and their number shows a tendency to constantly increase. Since any murder is an abnormal phenomenon, the question of the mental health of school shooters naturally arises. Research shows that not all assailants show symptoms of mental disorders; the most common cause of armed attacks is bullying and the desire to take revenge on offenders for cruel humiliation. In cases where a mental disorder is still diagnosed, not all students, as well as their family members, agree to receive psychiatric care. The prevention of armed attacks must be carried out by the efforts of school counsellors and school psychologists with the possible involvement of psychiatrists, although the potential of psychiatric care in the prevention of school murders, according to the authors of the article, is quite limited.
A case of cerebellar mutism initially diagnosed as adjustment disorder with anxiety
Authors: Çomak Gülşah , Macit Şeyma Selcen , Tufan Ali Evren , Öztürk Yusuf
Published: March 2024

Cerebellum, along with balance and motor function, also plays a role in higher cognitive processes and affect regulation. Left cerebellar hemisphere may be responsible for executive tasks while right cerebellar hemisphere may play roles in language perception, speech timing, motor planning, transient storage of verbal information, verbal fluency and processing grammar. “Cerebellar mutism” (CM) defines absence or severe reduction of speech along with irritability, emotional lability and social withdrawal . CM may develop in 11.0-29.0 % of children after surgeries involving the posterior fossa and is especially seen among patients with medulloblastomas and/ or brainstem lesions. However, cases developing after ischemic strokes involving the cerebellum have also been described. In CM patients who were operated on for tumors, typically, the speech is normal for a brief period after surgery and deteriorates thereafter. In the majority of patients, mutism resolves after weeks to months although it may persist longer in some. The exact pathophysiology of CM is unclear and features of the syndrome may be interpreted as psychological in origin. Here, we report diagnosis of CM in a three-years old toddler.
Effect of sacubutril/valsartan on Tp-e, QT, QTc, Tp-e/QTc parameters in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Genç Ahmet , Yılmaz Öztekin Gülsüm Meral
Published: March 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate ventricular repolarization before, at the first month, and sixth month after Sacubutril/Valsartan, an angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) treatment in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Materials and Methods: We included 49 patients with HFrEF who switched to ARNI therapy. The 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) was evaluated before ARNI therapy and also during the first and sixth months of the therapy. We evaluated demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters, as well as medications and ECG data, including heart rate. Additionally, we examined QT, QTc, Tp-e, Tp-e calculated (Tp-ec), Tp-ec/QTc, Tp-e/QT, and Tp-e/QTc.

Results: After receiving ARNI treatment, ventricular repolarization indices were significantly reduced in the first and sixth months compared to before treatment. Specifically, the QTc values decreased from 457.6 ms to 443.8 ms, and the Tp-e/QT ratio decreased from 0.21±0.03 to 0.19±0.03. Additionally, the QTc values decreased from 457.6 ms to 444.9 ms, and the Tp-e/QT ratio decreased from 0.21±0.03 to 0.18±0.03. However, when the first and sixth months under ARNI treatment were compared, no significant difference was found (QTc: 443.8 ms vs. 444.9 ms, Tp-e/QT: 0.19±0.03 vs. 0.18±0.003).

Conclusion: ARNI treatment in HFrEF positively affected QTc, Tp-e, and Tp-ec intervals and Tp-e/QT, Tp-e/QTc, and Tp-ec/QTc ratios, which are indicators of ventricular repolarization. Moreover, this effect started in the first month and continued in the sixth month.
Impact of transport outcomes of outborn newborns with critical congenital heart disease on surgery time and mortality rates
Authors: Tepe Tugay , Kurtoğlu Ahmet İbrahim , Yapıcıoğlu Hacer , Özdemir Mustafa , Narlı Nejat , Özlü Ferda , Erdem Sevcan , Ünal İlker
Published: March 2024

Purpose: Transport of neonates with critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) necessitates professional and experienced staff and, well-equipped facilities for both the procedure and post-operative care. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of transport on operation time and survival in neonates with CCHD and determine the relationship between transport characteristics and clinical status.

Materials and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional cohort study was conducted on all infants with CCHD who were transported to a university hospital between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019. Transport characteristics such as transport distance, accompanying healthcare provider, vital signs, oxygen saturation levels, prostaglandin E1 (PGE) use, and respiratory support were recorded. The effects of transport characteristics on surgery time, complications, and mortality were analyzed. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (STAT) Score was used to analyze mortality-related risks for congenital heart disease. They were compared with inborn newborns with CCHD.

Results: A total of 55 patients with CCHD were evaluated. Thirty-one newborns (56.4%) were inborn (Inborn group), and 24 newborns (43.6%) were transferred from another center (Outborn group). There was no difference between the groups in terms of gender, gestational age, birth weight, pre-operative time, and hospital stay. Although the Outborn group had fewer STAT Score categories, there was no difference in the 30-day survival or mortality rates. In the Outborn group, five patients (20.8%) with duct-dependent CCHD were transported without PGE treatment and six duct-dependent (25%) patients received oxygen during transport inappropriately.

Conclusion: The administration of PGE and oxygen therapies to specific transported infants was inappropriate. Therefore, referral or transport team members should be familiar infants with CCHD. The impact of transport on surgical timing did not yield a significant effect. However, similar mortality rates were observed in both groups, despite the Outborn group demonstrating lower STAT scores. This may indicate the significance of referring intrauterine transportation to experienced cardiovascular centers.
Parental attitudes, child mental health problems and gender factor in the divorce process
Authors: Güler Aksu Gülen , Kılıçaslan Fethiye , Kütük Meryem Özlem , Tufan Ali Evren , Kayar Ozan , Toros Fevziye
Published: March 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relationships between parental attitudes throughout and after the divorce process, child’s gender, and mental health. Another objective of this study was to explore factors that may potentially affect the occurrence and progression of psychopathological issues in children whose parents have divorced.

Materials and Methods: The study involved 129 children and adolescents, ranging in age from 2 to 18 years, whose parents had officially divorced. Information was gathered using both a Sociodemographic Information Form and a Divorce Questionnaire. Psychiatric diagnoses were assessed based on the diagnostic criteria outlined in DSM-5.

Results: Majority of the sample (88.4%) exhibited one or more psychopathologies. The most prevalent psychopathology was attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (57.4%). The sex of the child did not have a significant impact on the presence of psychopathology. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the age of the child at the time of divorce were associated with an elevated risk of psychopathology in the child, while being female decreased the risk of psychopathology.

Conclusion: Divorce can be a mentally challenging life event for parents and children. During this process, it can be beneficial to seek professional support for the child’s mental health to proactively identify and address situations that could potentially impact the child's mental well-being
Comparison of nailfold capillaroscopy findings in COVID-19 survivors with and without rheumatic disease: a case-control study
Authors: Kaplan Hüseyin , Cengiz Gizem , Şaş Senem , Kara Hasan
Published: March 2024

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the nailfold capillaroscopy (NFC) findings of patients with rheumatic disease and healthy controls (HCs) who survived coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Materials and Methods: This study included patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who recovered from COVID-19 and HCs. NFC was performed for all participants. NFC findings of the three groups [patients with COVID-19 (group 1), HCs with COVID-19 (group 2), and HCs without COVID-19 (group 3)] were compared.

Results: A total of 142 individuals (group 1, n = 42; group 2, n = 50; group 3, n = 50) were included in the study. Hospitalization and oxygen therapy were more common in group 1 than in group 2. The median time from a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-positive real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test to NFC was 10.3 (6.3–24.4) weeks in group 1 and 17.1 (6.1–44.9) weeks in group 2. All NFC findings did not differ among the groups except for capillary ramifications, which were higher in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3. Underlying rheumatic disease was the only predictor that was significantly associated with capillary ramifications.

Conclusion: The NFC findings of COVID-19 survivors with and without rheumatic disease were substantially similar to those of HCs who did not have COVID-19. Capillary ramifications may result from an underlying rheumatic disease in patients with axSpA, PsA, and RA.
Saponin rich Gypsophila eriocalyx Boiss methanolic extract (GEME) exhibit anticancerogenic effect against neuroblastoma cancer cell line (SH-SY5Y)
Authors: Niğdelioğlu Dolanbay Serap
Published: March 2024

Purpose: Herein, we sought to determine whether of saponin rich Gypsophila eriocalyx methanol extract (GEME) would exhibit any anti-carcinogenic activity on neuroblastoma cancer cell line (SH-SY5Y).

Materials and Methods: We therefore determined GEME’s saponin composition using LC-MS analysis, its impact on cell viability using MTT analysis, flow cytometry, and to find out its impact on apoptosis using qRT-PCR analysis.

Results: In the LC-MS analysis we determined that GEME contained high amounts of saponin (0.05-0.48 µg/g). We determined that GEME had an IC50 dose of 100 μg/mL at 48 hours. GEME had the effect of substantially increasing the percentage of apoptotic cells (5.19% and 65.21%) and disruption of mitochondria (46.18%). We also demonstrated that BCL2 gene expression (2.76 fold) was significantly reduced than that of the control while BAX (2.21 fold), CASP3 (2.43 fold), CASP7 (2.98 fold), CASP8 (2.23 fold), CASP9 (2.78 fold), and CYCS (2.12 fold) genes were expressed significantly higher than those of the control.

Conclusion: Considering the findings, it becomes clear that saponin-rich GEME stands out as a significant anticarcinogenic agent. Its remarkable efficacy is demonstrated through its capabilities to notably reduce cell viability, effectively trigger apoptosis, and significantly increase the rate of mitochondrial disruption in cancer cells.
Morphometric analysis of adrenal gland in people living with human immunodeficiency virus
Authors: Kabakcı Ayşe Gül , Kuşcu Ferit , Pişkin Ferhat Can , Taşova Yeşim , Bozkır Memduha Gülhal
Published: March 2024

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the effect of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection on adrenal gland morphometry according to age, gender, body weight, survival status and CD4/CD8 parameters.

Materials and Methods: In this study, the CT archives (130 men and 30 women) of 160 people living with HIV infection who had imaging for any reason between 2008 and 2020 were scanned. Ages, years of follow-up, body weights, heights, CD4 and CD8 values of people with human immunodeficiency virus were obtained simultaneously with the CT examinations of the people. Anatomical measurements, adrenal gland shapes, length, corpus thickness, medial thickness, lateral thickness, distance to next anatomical structures (esophagus, vertebral column, vena cava inferior, aorta abdominalis and diaphragm) were evaluated.

Results: In our study, the average age was 40.29±13.19 (male: 39.78±12.50, female: 42.53±15.88), body weight and height were respectively 67.04±18.10 kg 157.92±6.21 cm in women and 77.06±12.93 kg, 171.67±8.97 cm in men, living with HIV infection were included. As anatomical measurements, the length, corpus thickness, medial crus thickness, lateral crus thickness, distance to the esophagus, columna vertebralis, vena cava inferior, aorta abdominalis and diaphragm of the adrenal gland were found respectively on the right; 4.77±1.70 cm, 3.59±1.23 mm, 2.76±0.83 mm, 2.79±0.87 mm, 3.21±1.21 cm, 1.45±0.85 cm, 0.92±0.57 cm, 2.41±0.65 cm, 1.57±0.84 cm and on the left; 5.78±2.8 cm, 3.77±1.43 mm, 3.38±1.17 mm, 2.92±1.06 mm, 3.10±1.26 cm, 2.11±0.7 cm, 4.10±0.83 cm, 0.90±0.45 cm, 1.21±0.73 cm. The most common adrenal gland type was recorded as Y. Additionally, the mean values of CD4 and CD8 were found to be 322.66±309.35 and 1024.48±930.15, respectively.

Conclusion: Some anatomical measurements of the adrenal gland of people living with HIV can be affected by age, gender, body weight, survival status and CD4/CD8 parameters.
Machine learning-based analysis of MRI radiomics in the discrimination of classical and non-classical polycystic over syndrome
Authors: Zengin Fıstıkçıoğlu Neriman , Rona Günay , Serel Tekin Ahmet , Arifoğlu Meral , Düzkalır Hanife Gülden , Evrimler Şehnaz , Özçelik Serhat , Aydın Kadriye
Published: March 2024

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the value of radiomics analysis on T2-weighted Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI) images in differentiating classical and non-classical polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Materials and Methods: A total of 202 ovaries from 101 PCOS patients (mean age of 23±4 years) who underwent pelvic MRI between 2014 and 2022, were included in the study. Of the patients, 53 (52.5%) were phenotype A, 12 (11.9%) were phenotype B, 25 were phenotype C (25.1%), and 11 were phenotype D (10.9%). 130 (64.4%) of the ovaries were classical PCOS, 72 (35.6%) were non-classical PCOS. The ovaries were manually segmented in all axial sections using the 3D Slicer program. A total of 851 features were extracted. Python 2.3, Pycaret library was used for machine learning (ML) analysis. Datasets were randomly divided into train (70 %, 141) and test (30 %, 61) datasets. The performances of ML algorithms were compared with AUC, accuracy, recall, precision and F1 scores.

Results: Accuracy and AUC values in the training set ranged from 57%-73% and 0.50-0.73, respectively. The two best ML algorithms were Random Forest (rf) (AUC:0.73, accuracy:73%) and Gradient Boosting Classifier (gbc) (AUC:0.71, accuracy:70%). AUC, accuracy, recall and precision values and F1 score of the blend model obtained from these two models were 0.70, 73 %, 56 %, 66%, 58%, respectively.

Conclusion: Radiomic features obtained from T2W MRI are successful in distinguishing between classical and non-classical PCOS.
Genotype-phenotype correlation and mutation spectrum of HBB gene in the Hatay province of Turkey
Authors: Kaçmaz Murat , Aşıkovalı Semih
Published: March 2024

Purpose: Thalassemia carriage and hemoglobinopathies are quite common disorders in Turkey, especially in the Çukurova region, including Hatay province. Due to the high case population and genetic diversity in our region, this study aimed to investigate the genotype-phenotype correlation in the HBB gene.

Materials and Methods: The data of patients who applied to Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Medical Genetics or Hematology Clinic between January 2010 and November 2022 were evaluated retrospectively.

Results: A total of 40 (100%) cases, comprising 25 (62.5%) homozygous and 15 (37.5%) compound heterozygous genotypes, were included in the study based on the mutation profiles in the HBB gene. In the analysis of the cases, it was seen that there were 17 different variants and 22 distinct genotypes. The three most common variants identified in this study were IVS-I-6 (T>C), IVS-I-1 (G>A), and IVS-II-848 (C>A). Of the cases with homozygous genotypes, 13 (52%) had the IVS-I-6 (T>C) variant. The most frequent genotypes observed in cases with compound heterozygous genotype were IVS-I-6 (T>C)/IVS-I-110 (G>A), IVS-I-6 (T>C)/Hb Knossos, and IVS-I-110 (G>A)/-101 C>T, each in 2 (13%) cases.

Conclusion: This study provides information on the phenotypic characteristics of very rare genotypes. We think that this information will be very beneficial, especially for clinicians interested in prenatal diagnosis, preimplantation genetic diagnosis, and postnatal genetic counseling.
CAPE ameliorates vascular damage caused by sepsis
Authors: Çimen Leyla , Çetin Aysun , Elmalı Ferhan
Published: March 2024

parameters of vascular and oxidative damage caused by sepsis and to evaluated the effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on these damages.

Materials and Methods: Wistar-Albino male rats were used for this study. Rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 10). Group 1 animals were intraperitoneally (i.p) injected with sterile saline (Control Group). Group 2 animals were i.p injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), 20 mg / kg-weight dose (Sepsis Group). Group 3 animals were i.p injected with lipopolysaccharide, 20 mg / kg-weight dose. Immediately after LPS injection, CAPE was i.p injected at single dose, 10 µmol / kg-body weight (Treatment Group). A single dose of CAPE, 10 µmol / kg-body weight / day, was injected i.p to Group 4 animals for 5 days. After 5th day CAPE injection, a single dose of LPS 20 mg / kg-weight was injected (Protective Group). At the 6th hour after the injections applied to all groups, blood sample were taken intracardiac and their serum were separated for the studies. Homocysteine (Hcy), asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, the protective and therapeutic effects of CAPE on these parameters was investigated.

Results: Control group Hcy, ADMA, ET-1 and VCAM-1 levels were found to be 4.987 ± 0.096 µmol/l, 0.803 ± 0.020 nmol/ml, 21.123 ± 2.575 ng/l, 3.155 ± 0.078 ng/ml, respectively. Sepsis group Hcy, ADMA, ET-1 and VCAM-1 levels were found to be 8.975 ± 0.160 µmol/l, 3.953 ± 0.678 nmol/ml, 52.446 ± 2.546 ng/l, 10.783 ± 1.068 ng/ml, respectively. Treatment group Hcy, ADMA, ET-1 and VCAM-1 levels were found to be 5.286 ± 0.037 µmol/l, 1.304 ± 0.040 nmol/ml, 27.995 ± 1.299 ng/l, 3.72 ± 0.073 ng/ml, respectively. Protective group Hcy, ADMA, ET-1 and VCAM-1 levels were found to be 5.401 ± 0.042 µmol/l, 1.431 ± 0.056 nmol/ml, 32.708 ± 1.326 ng/l, 4.058 ± 0.069 ng/ml, respectively. It was observed that the Hcy, ADMA, ET-1 and VCAM-1 levels of the sepsis group increased significantly compared to the control group (p0.05). It was observed that CAPE treatment significantly decreased these parameters levels. However, the use of CAPE as a protective was not as effective as its treatment effect.

Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that sepsis resulted in increase Hcy, ADMA, ET-1, VCAM-1 levels. All these changes indicate that sepsis-mediated vascular damage is increased. Our results demonstrated that CAPE is more effective in preventing sepsis-mediated damages when given as a treatment.
Effect of vitamin D in experimental varicocele model in rats
Authors: Ağtürk Gökhan , Tümer Cemil , Tutuk Okan , Doğan Hatice , Özcan Oğuzhan , Özgür Tümay , Gülbol Duran Gülay , Temiz Muhyittin
Published: March 2024

Purpose: Varicocele is a pathological condition that affects approximately 20% of adult men, causing infertility and sperm deterioration. The aim of our study was to investigate the efficacy of vitamin D (Vit. D) in the pathophysiology of varicocele. We performed biochemical, gene expression analyses and histopathological to evaluate the efficacy of vitamin D in the experimental varicocele model.

Materials and Methods: In the study, 30 adult male Wistar Albino rats were used. The rats were divided into 3 groups equally as control group, experimental group (varicocele), treatment group (varicocele + D vit.). The treatment group received 500 IU/kg D vit. intramuscularly.

Results: Histopathological, TRPM2-8 gene expression and biochemical analyses were performed on testicular and blood samples collected at the end of the experiment. The experimental group showed a deterioration in tubular structure, a decrease in total antioxidant levels and an increase in total oxidant levels. The treatment group, on the other hand, showed an increase in TAS, a decrease in TOS and a beneficial improvement in tubular structure disorders. Analysis of gene expression levels showed that TRPM2-8 expression levels were significantly increased in the varicocele group and decreased in the treatment group.

Conclusion: In the varicocele model, the use of vitamin D had a significant effect on TRPM2-8 gene level, pathological seminiferous tubules and biochemical values. Further studies are needed to determine the clinical application of vitamin D in varicocele disease.
In silico investigation of potential COVID-19-associated microRNA signatures
Authors: Asfa Seyedehsadaf , Ökmen Didem , Pavlopoulou Athanasia
Published: March 2024

Purpose: The global pandemic COVID-19, caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, is persistent despite the increasing vaccination rates, with new cases being reported per week. MicroRNAs, that is, non-coding RNA species that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level, play a pivotal role in the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle, pathophysiology and host’s anticoronaviral responses. The objective of this study was the in silico discovery of functionally associated miRNAs that likely co-regulate COVID-19-related genes

Materials and Methods: In the present study, an integrative bioinformatics approach was employed, including database searching, gene set enrichment analysis, network-based and microRNA target prediction methods, towards the discovery of epigenetic determinants of COVID-19.

Results: An intricate microRNA-target gene network was constructed, and a set of 8 highly interacting microRNAs, that potentially co-target and co-regulate key COVID-19-related genes, was detected. These miRNAs and their corresponding genes are likely involved in the host’s response to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Conclusion: The 8 functionally associated miRNAs could constitute a signature for COVID-19 diagnosis.
Solid pseudodopillary tumor of the pancreas in children
Authors: Küpeli Serhan
Published: March 2024

Solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas (SPTP) is mostly seen in young women in the second and third decades of life; it is quite uncommon in children. In this review, to deal with the current medical experience with SPTP in pediatric age group was aimed. In childen, SPTP demonstrates different clinical features. Complete resection is curative in most patients. In children, the optimal surgical strategy for SPTP is still obscure. Instead of radical resections, limited pancreatic resections, such as enucleations, with negative surgical margins should be attempted. For unresectable or recurrent tumours, cisplatin-based chemotherapy might be considered.
Türk yaylarının yapımında kullanılan geleneksel ve yeni nesil tutkalların yapışma performanslarının karşılaştırılması
Authors: Parlak Salih , Gönültaş Oktay
Published: March 2024

İlkel toplumlardan günümüz modern ordularına kadar insanoğlu varoluşundan beri rekabet ve savaş halinde olmuş, bu mücadeleyi kazanmak için farklı silah sistemleri geliştirmiştir. İlk kullanılan ve geliştirilen silahlardan olan ok ve yayın ilk kez ne zaman, nerede kullanıldığı belli değildir fakat savaşlarda en etkili silahlardan biri olmuştur. Bütün kültürlerde ok ve yay kullanılmasına rağmen geliştirilmesi ve kompozit yay formunu alması göçebe Orta Asya kültürlerinde olmuştur. Kompozit yayın imalinde ana bileşenlerin en önemlisi olan hayvansal tutkalların işlevini vurgulamak gerekir. Ahşap, boynuz ve hayvan tendonlarından oluşan malzemeleri güçlü bir şekilde bir arada tutan tutkalların imali ve kullanımı kompozit yayların yapımını mümkün kılmıştır. Bu makalede yay yapımında kullanılan geleneksel tutkallar ile yeni nesil tutkalların yapışma performansları çekme testi ile karşılaştırılmıştır. Çalışmada Tatar akçaağacından (Acer tataricum L.) hazırlanan ahşap yapışma örnekleri 10 farklı tutkalla 5 bar basınç altında sıcaklık uygulanmadan yapıştırılıp hazırlanmıştır. Çekme testlerinde elde edilen verilere göre en yüksek yapışma mukavemeti deri tutkalından elde edilmiştir. Hayvansal tutkalların kimyasal yapıları, yapısında bulunan fonksiyonel gruplar ve faklılıkları FTIR analizi ile incelenmiştir. Elde edilen spektruma göre hayvansal proteinler için karakteristik pikler belirlenmiştir. Ancak farklı kaynaklardan elde edilen örneklerin amid pik şiddeti farklılıkları ve dalga boyu kaymaları ortaya konulmuştur. Ayrıca lap shear yapışma testi örneklerinin yapışma hattı ışık mikroskobu altında tutkal penetrasyonu ve ahşap tutkal etkileşimi açısından incelenmiştir.
Batı Akdeniz Bölgesinde uygulanan sürdürülebilir orman yönetimi sosyo-ekonomik fonksiyonlar ölçütüne ilişkin orman mühendislerinin görüşleri
Authors: Hakverdi Ayşe Esra , Akyol Ayhan , Tolunay Ahmet
Published: March 2024

Bu çalışmada, Batı Akdeniz Bölgesi’nde bulunan Muğla, Isparta ve Antalya Orman Bölge Müdürlüklerindeki ormancılık çalışmalarıyla birlikte Sürdürülebilir Orman Yönetimi sosyo-ekonomik fonksiyonlar ölçütünün uygulanabilirliği araştırılmıştır. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu, Batı Akdeniz Bölgesi’nde görev yapan 117 orman mühendisi oluşturmuştur. Araştırmada mühendis görüşlerinin belirlenmesi amacıyla 9 bölümden oluşan anket formu uygulanmıştır. Elde edilen verilerin analizlerini yapmak için, SPSS 28.0 programı yardımıyla; frekans ve yüzde, ortalama, ikili grup karşılaştırmasında t testi (independent samples t test) ikiden fazla grup karşılaştırmalarında ise tek yönlü varyans analizi (one way anova) kullanılmıştır. Tek yönlü varyans analizi sonucunda gruplar arası anlamlı bir fark bulunması durumunda ise Tukey HSD (multiple comparisons) testleri uygulanarak farklılıkların hangi gruplardan kaynaklandığı belirlenmiştir. Çalışma sonuçlarına göre, orman mühendisleri ölçütü oldukça önemli bulmaktadırlar. Ölçüte yönelik bilgi ve farkındalık düzeyleri oldukça yüksektir. Ancak, ölçüte yönelik algılanan ölçme zorluğu da yüksektir. Bu nedenlerle ölçütün ölçülebilirlik düzeyini arttırmaya yönelik çalışmalar yapılmalı, özellikle sosyal içerikli göstergelerde standartlar geliştirilmeli ve izleme çalışmalarına devam edilmelidir.
Prediction of screw withdrawal resistance for plywood laminated panels and sandwich panels
Authors: Uysal Mesut , Güntekin Ergün
Published: March 2024

Sandwich panels are favorable materials for structural or non-structural components due to durability, lightness, and longevity in service life. This study aimed to predict screw withdrawal resistance of the plywood laminated medium-density fiberboard and particleboard, and sandwich panels. In predicting the screw withdrawal resistance, withdrawal load capacity, density, and withdrawal stiffness of the materials in each layer, screw penetration depth, and screw diameter were considered. Moreover, the screw withdrawal strength of the panels was examined. Screw withdrawal tests of panels were conducted according to TS EN 13446 standard. The test results showed a proportional correlation between the density and screw withdrawal strength of the panels. The highest screw withdrawal strength was obtained for sandwich panels made of plywood and medium-density fiberboard (12.51 MPa). Furthermore, the difference between experimental and predicted screw withdrawal resistance changed from 0.20% to 24.86%. Besides, there was no statistically significant difference between the screw withdrawal strength of the top and bottom face-laminated panels. The test results showed that both face laminated panels (sandwich panels) had higher screw withdrawal strength, density, and experimental and predicted screw withdrawal resistance compared to one face laminated panels.
Effect of ternary deep eutectic solvents on delignification of stone pine cone
Authors: Özgürlük Özge , Özlüsoylu Şeyma , Gülsoy Sezgin Koray , Kılıç Pekgözlü Ayben
Published: March 2024

Due to their cost-effectiveness and environmentally friendly nature, deep eutectic solvents (DESs) hold great potential for applications in biomass conversion and the production of green chemicals. In this study, the delignification of the stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) cone was performed using seven different ternary deep eutectic solvents (TDESs). TDES treatments of stone pine cone samples were carried out in a microwave for 30 min. at 150 °C. The two-based components of TDESs were choline chloride (ChCl - 1 mol) and lactic acid (LA - 9 mol). The formic acid (FA – 2 mol), boric acid (BA – 1 mol), acetic acid (AA – 2 mol), sorbitol (S – 1 mol), triethylene glycol (TEG – 2 mol), ethylene glycol (EG – 2 mol), and glycerol (G – 2 mol) were used as third component of TDES. ChCl:LA:BA gave the lowest solid residue yield (57.90%) and highest lignin purity (86.89%). Klason lignin content of control was 35.08%. The lowest lignin content (19.42%) and highest delignification (68.89%) were obtained with ChCl:LA:FA treatment. The lowest and the highest L* values were obtained from ChCl:LA:BA and ChCl:LA:EG treatments with 21.76 and 37.36, respectively. This results showed that the third component of TDES affects the delignification efficiency of stone pine cone.
Chemical composition of essential oil extracted from lavender growing in Kastamonu, Türkiye
Authors: Tahmas Kahyaoğlu Deren , Özen Mürüvvet Begüm , Yıldız Hilal
Published: March 2024

Lavender and lavender oils have been used as traditional herbal medicines for centuries. Nowadays, lavender and its essential oil are valuable materials used in many industries, e.g., food, cosmetics, perfume, sanitary products, and pharmaceuticals. Since the components of valuable oil differ depending on the growing region, these components must be identified to ascertain the oil's quality and potential uses. The essential oil composition was obtained from the stemmed fresh flowers of Kastamonu, Türkiye cultivars of lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia var. Super) via a Clevenger-type hydrodistillation apparatus. Then, the essential oil was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and 14 components were identified. Linalool and linalyl acetate were the main components, with 28.44% and 17.12%, respectively. In this study, we aimed to evaluate our results by comparing them with Pharmacopoeia Europaea and ISO standards to determine the quality of the essential oil and its possible areas of use. The findings of this study showed that lavandin essential oil is a high-quality essential oil as it contains high levels of linalool and is free of camphor. In addition, while the linalool, terpinen-4-ol, and camphor contents of the variety complied with the lavender oil standards set by ISO 3515:2002, the linalyl acetate content was found below this. Due to its high linalool content and lack of camphor, the extracted lavandin oil can be predicted to be suitable for use in the food, beverage, aroma, pharmaceutical, perfume and aromatherapy industries.
Investigations of the spatial and climate characteristics of natural pure chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) forests: A case of Zonguldak Regional Directorate of Forestry
Authors: Aksoy Hasan
Published: March 2024

Chestnuts with high economic and socio-cultural value (Castanea sativa Mill.) must determine forests' spatial and climatic characteristics to improve them, increase fruit yield, and effectively combat diseases and pests. This study aimed to determine the spatial and climatic attributes of pure chestnut forests spreading within the borders of the Zonguldak Forestry Regional Directorate. A total of six criteria were used for spatial and climatic analyses: total precipitation (mm/year), annual mean temperature (C°), wind speed (m/s), altitude (m), slope (%), and aspect (°). Climate values were calculated as maximum, minimum, and average values, respectively; 1 619.25, 866.95, and 1 024.07 mm/year for total precipitation (mm/year), 13, 6 and 11.76 C° for annual mean temperature (C°), 6.62, 0.22 and 2.46 m/s for wind speed (m/s). The spatial characteristics were calculated as 1 221.68, 33.24, and 300.23 m for the height (m), 32.43%, 7.34%, and 18.63% for the slope (%) and finally, 338.63°, 18.18° and 184.18° for the angle (°), respectively, in terms of maximum, minimum and average values. Bartın Forest Management Directorate (FMD) ranks first with 57.18% of the natural chestnut forests spread the most in the study area, while Zonguldak FMD ranks second with 21.45% and Ulus FMD ranks third with 17.13%. The results obtained from the study based on the location and climate will contribute to the selection of the most suitable place for the new chestnut forest afforestation studies to be established and increase the percentage of success.