Atatürk University

Although the demand for freshly squeezed natural fruit juices has increased in recent years, the shelf life of these products is short. In thermal processes applied to extend the shelf life of these products and increase their storage stability, significant losses in color and other sensory properties occur depending on the applied temperature. In this context, the preference for a high-pressure homogenization process is increasing, especially as an alternative to the thermal process applied in fruit juice and beverage technology. This study aimed to determine the effects of ultra-high-pressure homogenization on some quality properties of chicory root juices. In this study, the effects of ultra-high-pressure homogenization at control (0 MPa), 50 MPa, 100 MPa, 150 MPa, and 200 MPA, and production stages on some quality parameters and properties of chicory root juice were investigated. The treatment of ultra-high-pressure homogenization affected chicory root juice properties as total soluble solids (P<0.01), pH (P<0.01), L* (P<0.01), a* (P<0.01), b* (P<0.01), a*/b* (P<0.01), chroma (P<0.01), hue angle (P<0.01), and total color difference (ΔE) (P<0.01). Increasing ultra-high-pressure homogenization levels in chicory root juice increased pH (P<0.05), a* values (P<0.05), the a/b* ratio (P<0.05), while L* values (P<0.05), b* values (P<0.05), chroma (P<0.05), and hue angle values (P<0.05) reduced compared to the control sample and production stages. The use of ultra-high-pressure homogenization (100 MPa and 200 MPa) contributed to improving the total soluble solids and redness values of chicory root juice. Our study showed that the ultra-high-pressure homogenization process improved the quality of chicory root juices. Key words: Chicory root juice, ultra-high-pressure homogenization, color, pH, total soluble solids

Lipid rafts are specialized microdomains within cellular membranes enriched with cholesterol and sphingolipids that play key roles in cellular organization, signaling, and homeostasis. This review highlights their involvement in protein clustering, energy metabolism, oxidative stress responses, inflammation, autophagy, and apoptosis. These findings clarify their influence on signaling, trafficking, and adhesion while interacting with the extracellular matrix, cytoskeleton, and ion channels, making them pivotal in the progression of various diseases. This review further addresses their contributions to immune responses, including autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammation, and cytokine storms. Additionally, their role as entry points for pathogens has been demonstrated, with raft-associated receptors being exploited by viruses and bacteria to increase infectivity and evade immune defenses. Disruptions in lipid raft dynamics are linked to oxidative stress and cellular signaling defects, which contribute to metabolic, neurodegenerative, and cardiovascular diseases. This review underscores their potential as therapeutic targets, discussing innovations such as engineered lipid raft transplantation. Advances in analytical techniques such as mass spectrometry have expanded our understanding of lipid raft composition and dynamics, opening new directions for research. By consolidating the current insights, we highlight the therapeutic potential of lipid rafts and highlight the need for further exploration of their molecular mechanisms.

Antioxidants had a growing interest owing to their protective roles in food and pharmaceutical products against oxidative deterioration and in the body and against oxidative stress-mediated pathological processes. Screening of antioxidant properties of plants and plant derived compounds requires appropriate methods, which address the mechanism of antioxidant activity and focus on the kinetics of the reactions including the antioxidants. Many studies have been conducted with evaluating antioxidant activity of various samples of research interest using by different methods in food and human health. These methods were classified methods described and discussed in this review. Methods based on inhibited autoxidation are the most suited for termination-enhancing antioxidants and, for chain-breaking antioxidants while different specific studies are needed for preventive antioxidants. For this purpose, the most commonly methods used in vitro determination of antioxidant capacity of food and pharmaceutical constituents are examined and also a selection of chemical testing methods is critically reviewed and highlighting. In addition, their advantages, disadvantages, limitations and usefulness were discussed and investigated for pure molecules and raw plant extracts. The effect and influence of the reaction medium on performance of antioxidants is also addressed. Hence, this overview provides a basis and rationale for developing standardized antioxidant capacity methods for the food, nutraceuticals, and dietary supplement industries. Also, the most important advantages and shortcomings of each method were detected and highlighted. The underlying chemical principles of these methods have been explained and thoroughly analyzed. The chemical principles of methods of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) radical scavenging, 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonate) radical (ABTS·+) scavenging, ferric ions (Fe³⁺) reducing assay, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, cupric ions (Cu²⁺) reducing power assay (Cuprac), Folin–Ciocalteu reducing capacity (FCR assay), superoxide radical anion (O2·−), hydroxyl radical (OH·) scavenging, peroxyl radical (ROO·) removing, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) decomposing, singlet oxygen (¹O2) quenching assay, nitric oxide radical (NO·) scavenging assay and chemiluminescence assay are overviewed and critically discussed. Also, the general antioxidant aspects of the main food and pharmaceutical components were discussed through several methods currently used for detecting antioxidant properties of these components. This review consists of two main sections. The first section is devoted to the main components in food and their pharmaceutical applications. The second general section includes definitions of the main antioxidant methods commonly used for determining the antioxidant activity of components. In addition, some chemical, mechanistic, and kinetic properties, as well as technical details of the above mentioned methods, are provided. The general antioxidant aspects of main food components have been discussed through various methods currently used to detect the antioxidant properties of these components.

In this study, Ag nanoparticles decorated poly(l-cysteine) (PCs) electrodes (Ag@PCs) were developed for the non-enzymatic determination of H2O2. Additionally, the electrochemical synthesis of Ag@PCs nanostructures on the pencil graphite electrode surface was achieved for the first time. Different techniques such as X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy were used in the analytical and morphological characterization of the produced Ag@PCs modified electrodes. As-prepared Ag@PCs electrodes were examined as electrode materials in the non-enzymatic determination of H2O2. Electrochemical determination of H2O2 was investigated using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry techniques. While the detection limit of the sensor was 0.26 µM, its sensitivity and linear range were calculated as 142.47 μA μM⁻¹ and 250−3560 µM, respectively. Moreover, high selectivity towards H2O2 was achieved in the presence of interfering species at the Ag@PCs electrode. Ag@PCs electrodes have great potential for applications involving the electrochemical detection of H2O2.

A computational study of the regioselective aerobic oxidative cleavage of 1‐arylbutadienes is carried out employing density functional theory and high‐level coupled‐cluster methods, such as coupled‐cluster singles and doubles with perturbative triples [CCSD(T)]. The results demonstrate that the reaction proceeds either via the intramolecular reduction or dimerization of peroxyl radical. These findings are in contrast to a previously proposed mechanism that progresses via formation of the dioxetane ring. The computations further indicate that the homolysis of SS bond of diaryl disulfide derivatives cannot be achieved by irradiation with direct visible light under the reaction conditions due to the high bond dissociation energy.

Pelargonium species are aromatic plants, the extracts of which from both underground and above‐ground tissues have been traditionally used to treat various diseases. Scientific studies have predominantly focused on Pelargonium sidoides DC. (PeSid) and Pelargonium reniforme species. In Türkiye, Pelargonium endlicherianum Fenzl. (PeEnd) and Pelargonium quercetorum Agnew (PeQue) species of the Pelargonium genus are naturally distributed. This study aimed to determine the antioxidant properties, phenolic profiles, mineral content, color parameters, and antibacterial activities of ethanol and methanol extracts from these Pelargonium species. Antioxidant parameters and color values varied significantly ( p < 0.01) both among the species and depending on the solvent used (ethanol or methanol). In color measurements from dried plant powders, PeEnd exhibited the highest a *, b *, and C * values, whereas PeSid showed the highest L * and h° values. Regarding mineral content, PeSid had the highest Na, K, Cu, and Se levels, whereas PeQue exhibited the highest Mg, Mn, and Fe levels, with significant differences among the species ( p < 0.01). Furthermore, the extracts demonstrated antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus , Salmonella Typhimurium , Escherichia coli , and Listeria monocytogenes .

The increasing use of Congo Red has raised worldwide concern owing to its detrimental impact on aquatic ecosystems and their inhabitants, prompting increased attention to advanced toxicity assessment studies and sustainable bio-removal practices. In the present study, (i) new insights into Congo Red toxicity were obtained using in vitro model systems and a molecular docking approach, (ii) a sustainable biosorbent from F. excelsior biomass was developed, and (iii) the detoxification potential of the biosorbent was investigated for the first time. CR application up to a concentration of 10 ppm caused a significant decrease in physiological parameters. The germination rate of H. annuus L. seeds were reduced to 60%. Moreover, significant decreases were observed in fresh weight (245 ± 0.7 mg), dry weight (25 ± 0.01 mg), root (1.8 ± 0.1 cm), and shoot lengths (3.2 ± 0.2 cm). Significant alterations in oxidant-antioxidant dynamics, including SOD, CAT, POD, and MDA, were observed after CR exposure. Additionally, increasing the CR concentration from 2 to 10 ppm caused a significant reduction in the mitotic index (14.9%) and an increase in chromosomal aberrations (4.9%) in A. cepa root cells. Molecular interactions between CR and target receptors associated with in vitro parameters (SDP1, PCK1, WRKY transcription factors, B-DNA dodecamer, CAT, POD, and SOD) were determined by molecular docking analysis. FEO biosorbent treatment significantly detoxified CR solutions, and improvements in the values of the tested physiological, biochemical, and cytogenetic parameters were observed. The biosorption process included the zero charge point, pH, initial dye concentration, biosorbent dose, stirring speed, and temperature parameters. The FEO biosorbent removed 92% of the CR from the aqueous solutions. Moreover, the Langmuir isotherm model was found to have a higher R2 value of 0.903. The correlation coefficient of the pseudo-second-order kinetic model (R2 = 0.991) was found to be higher. The process was determined as endothermic and spontaneous according to the ∆G values (- 6.36, - 4.47, - 2.59 and - 0.7 kj/mol) found in the thermodynamic studies. These results indicate that FEO biosorbents have valuable features against CR toxicity in aqueous solutions.

The disease named tropical theileriosis is caused by the protozoan pathogen Theileria annulata ( T. annulata ) transmitted through Hyalomma species ticks. The current study has been designed to determine the haematological, inflammatory and oxidative stress status in cattle naturally infected with T. annulata . The study consisted of two groups: a control group (10 cattle) and a theileriosis group (10 cattle). Compared to the control group, the animals in the theileriosis group exhibited a significant decrease in erythrocyte count, haemoglobin count, haematocrit levels and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, while a notable increase in mean corpuscular volume was observed ( p < 0.001; p < 0.01; p < 0.01; p < 0.05; p < 0.05, respectively). However, no significant differences were found between the groups for the other haematological indices ( p > 0.05). In terms of oxidative stress markers, the theileriosis group exhibited higher malondialdehyde (MDA) ( p < 0.001) and significantly lower superoxide dismutase (SOD) ( p < 0.001) levels compared to the control group. No significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of catalase (CAT) levels. Compared to the control group, haptoglobin (Hp) ( p < 0.001) and procalcitonin (PCT) ( p < 0.001) levels were significantly higher in the theileriosis group, while no significant difference was observed in neopterin levels between the two groups ( p > 0.05). In conclusion, significant differences were identified in haematological indices, acute phase response, inflammatory marker levels, and oxidative stress marker levels in theileriosis. Additionally, Hp and PCT levels may be crucial in determining the inflammatory status.

In the study, the catalytic pyrolysis behavior of low-rank Umutbaca coal with the addition of CaO was examined using thermal analysis methods. For this purpose, the effect of adding CaO to coal on both the pyrolysis temperatures of the coal and the composition of the gas and solid product (char) was investigated. Also, the kinetic analysis was carried out to characterize the catalytic pyrolysis process by adding CaO to coal. Using the data obtained in TGA at heating rates of 2.5, 5, and 10 °C/min, the activation energies required for the pyrolysis process of coal both with and without CaO were calculated by KAS and FWO methods. Thermodynamic parameters including ∆H, ∆G, and ∆S were calculated with activation energies obtained from the FWO method. The thermodynamic suitability of adding CaO to a low rank coal such as Umutbaca for the pyrolysis process was investigated.

Biometric technologies are fast becoming a requirement in security systems today, providing solutions where traditional means alone would not be adequate. This paper proposes FootprintNet, a Siamese network that utilizes pre-trained convolutional neural networks, specifically EfficientNet, MobileNet, and ShuffleNet, to improve the robustness and accuracy of footprint recognition. By learning the ability to identify fine distinctions between images of footprints, FootprintNet offers great biometric identification potential. Detailed analysis of the Biometric 220 × 6 Human Footprint dataset shows a true positive rate over 99% under various thresholds and a precision rate of 100% during training. Most importantly, this system is also applicable to newborn and infant identification, making it especially significant in medical settings, including hospitals and birthing clinics. Furthermore, the model sizes range from 7.8 MB (ShuffleNet) to 24.5 MB (EfficientNet), which makes FootprintNet deployable on low-computational-power devices—a highly desirable trait for mobile or high-security applications.

In this study, a new type of Klarner tweezer, which has multiple hydrogen bonding acceptors, was synthesized. This tweezer is based on the bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane framework and comprises two near‐parallel flat aromatic rings as pincers and a pyrazine unit as the tether. The synthesis was carried out by the annulation of a bicyclic α‐amino ketone. Surprisingly, this reaction took place stereo‐selectively, though the initial alpha‐amino ketone starting material was racemic. This unexpected result was explained by theoretical studies.

Background Deltoid Muscle intramuscular (IM) injection is a standard nursing procedure that often causes discomfort and anxiety. Helfer Skin Tap (HST) and ShotBlocker have been introduced to reduce injection-related pain and improve patient experience. Aim This study compares the effects of the deltoid muscle intramuscular injection techniques Helfer Skin Tap, ShotBlocker, and Standard Technique on patients' pain, comfort, satisfaction, and fear levels. Design The study used a single-center, randomized, Controlled interventional study design in which three injection techniques were applied to one group. Participants Forty patients participated in the study. Methods A single-center randomized controlled interventional study was conducted with patients from the Emergency Department of Atatürk University Study Hospital. Data collection tools included forms for sociodemographic characteristics, pain assessment, comfort levels, satisfaction, and fear related to injections. The interventions were applied once daily for three days, and data were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. Results Compared to the Helfer Skin Tap and Standard Technique, the ShotBlocker technique caused the most minor pain and fear and the highest levels of comfort and satisfaction among patients. Conclusion The findings suggest that the ShotBlocker technique is the most effective in reducing pain and fear while providing the highest comfort and satisfaction levels. This indicates its potential for widespread adoption in clinical practice to improve patient outcomes during deltoid muscle IM injections. Trial registration This research is a randomized controlled study. Therefore, a registration number was applied for at ClinicalTrials.gov. The registration number was obtained with the number “NCT05577832”. (First Posted 13/10/2022) Conclusion and implications for nursing and/or Health policy Due to its superior performance, the ShotBlocker technique should be integrated into nursing education and practice. This technique can improve the quality of patient care and enhance the patient experience during deltoid muscle IM injections.

Background: Breast lesions are a common clinical condition in women and a frequent reason for hospital admissions. While hospital visits for suspected malignancy are known to cause significant psychological distress, there is limited data on the psychological impact of benign breast lesions (BBL). This study aims to address this gap by evaluating psychological symptoms in women with BBL. Methods: The study included 103 women diagnosed with BBL as the patient group and 69 women as the control group. All participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). All women participating in the study were given detailed information about the study and their consent was obtained. Results: Women with BBL had statistically significantly higher BDI, BAI, and PSQI scores compared to the control group. Furthermore, a positive correlation was identified between BDI, BAI, and PSQI scores. Women with BBL had significantly higher symptoms of anxiety, depression and varying degrees of sleep disturbance compared to controls. Conclusions: A diagnosis of BBL is associated with increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. Additionally, these symptoms exhibit a linear relationship, emphasizing the need for psychological evaluation and support for women with BBL to mitigate potential mental health issues.

Tramadol (TRM) is a synthetic opioid analgesic that acts on the central nervous system and is used to treat moderate or severe pain. However, the incidence of its abuse is increasing. Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a natural flavonoid known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. In this study, we determined the ameliorative effects of RA against TRM-induced neurotoxicity. Thirty five rats were divided into 5 groups; control, RA, TRM, TRM + RA25 and TRM + RA50. TRM 50 mg/kg was administered intraperitoneally, and RA 25 and 50 mg/kg doses were administered by oral gavage for 14 days. Water Maze Test (WMT) was performed to assess cognitive function. Oxidative stress, inflammation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, apoptosis damage pathways, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) activities were determined in brain and hippocampus tissues. The structural and functional integrity of the tissues were also analyzed. RA decreased TRM-induced increased oxidative stress, inflammation, ER stress, and apoptotic damage levels. In addition, it improved neuronal survival and activity by bringing BDNF and GFAP activities closer to normal in brain tissue. RA restored the structural properties of brain and hippocampus tissues disrupted by tramadol. These findings were also demonstrated using WMT, which improved the arrival time to the quadrant in which the platform was located and the time spent in the quadrant. RA reduces TRM-induced neurotoxicity by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, ER stress, and apoptotic damage and increases neuronal survival and activity.

The purpose of this study is to measure the effects of acrylamide (AA) on bone marrow and blood and the protective efficacy of boric acid (B) in rats. The animals were divided into five groups: control, B, low-dose B + AA, and high-dose B + AA. After the 15 th day of the experiment, their blood and bone marrow were harvested to be kept for hematological analyses. While white blood cells (WBC) increased following the administration of AA, bodyweight, red blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and bone marrow nucleated cell counts significantly decreased in number. Conversely, bodyweight and all these hematological parameters significantly increased apart from WBC in the B + AA groups AA when compared to the control. However, high-dose B was more effective than low-dose B in preventing AA-induced bone marrow and hematological damage. The present study suggests that B treatment could help protect bone marrow and hematological parameters against AA-induced toxicity. Graphical Abstract

You are what you eat. Genetically modified (GM) foods are transforming modern agriculture by enhancing nutrition, sustainability, and resilience to environmental challenges. This review highlights the benefits of GM crops, including pest resistance, nutrient enrichment, and roles in mycotoxin reduction, biofuel production, and pharmaceuticals. Although GM foods offer solutions for global food security, concerns persist regarding allergenicity, cancer risk, reproductive health, and gut microbiota disruption. Advanced detection methods, such as PCR‐based assays, immunoassays, and next‐generation sequencing (NGS), are pivotal for accurate GM foods identification and regulation, ensuring unauthorized modifications are excluded from the food supply. Emerging technologies, including CRISPR‐based diagnostics, promise greater specificity and affordability for molecular‐level GM foods detection. The review advocates a multidisciplinary approach—integrating genetics, immunology, and toxicology—to address safety concerns and refine detection technologies. International regulatory frameworks must balance innovation with health and environmental safeguards. Consumer education is vital for fostering trust and acceptance of GM foods. Future developments may include crops fortified against malnutrition, resilient to climate change, and engineered for medicinal properties. Collaboration among researchers, regulators, and the public is critical to maximize the benefits of GM foods while ensuring their safety and sustainability in addressing global challenges.

This manuscript provides a comprehensive overview of the synthesis, characterization, and photophysical and electrochemical properties of terpyridine-based metal complexes (C1–C20). The synthesis of these terpyridine (TPY) complexes involves the coordination of TPY ligands (L1–L11) with transition metal ions, leading to a variety of novel structural and electronic configurations. The characterization of TPY ligands and their complexes is carried out using various techniques, including UV-Vis spectroscopy, NMR, FTIR and mass spectrometry. To the best of our knowledge, for the first time, we comprehensively investigate the photophysical, solvatochromic, electrochemical, and computational properties of an extensive series of TPY-based metal complexes (C1–C20) within a single framework. The solvatochromic behavior of the synthesized complexes (C1–C20) is explored, revealing their sensitivity to solvent polarity, which is a key factor influencing their photophysical properties. The TPY-based complexes (C1–C20) exhibited solvent-dependent fluorescence behavior, with distinct ILCT and MLCT mechanisms, and enhanced fluorescence in specific solvents, particularly for Zn(ii) and Cu(ii) complexes. The absorption and emission characteristics of the complexes are studied in dilute solutions to explore their structure–property relationships. Additionally, the electrochemical properties of the TPY-based metal complexes (C1–C20) are investigated, highlighting their redox activity and potential for use in energy storage and conversion applications. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are employed to provide detailed insights into the electronic structure and reactivity of these complexes, supporting the experimental observations. The correlation of electronic band gaps with photophysical and electrochemical behaviors showed compounds as promising candidates with efficient charge transfer and strong fluorescence. The integrated analyses reveal the exceptional potential of this scaffold for advanced materials applications, highlighting its versatility and significance in cutting-edge research.

Weevils are beetles belonging to the superfamily Curculionoidea, known for their elongated snouts commonly named as rostrum. This superfamily is the most species-rich group in Insecta as well as Animalia kingdom, all they are considered phytophagous. The broad nosed weevil genus of Pholicodes Schoenherr, 1826 is solely Palearctic distribution with forty species. In this study, two new species Pholicodes artemisiae sp. nov. and Pholicodes hakkaricus sp. nov. are described from eastern Turkey. Morphological taxonomic characters are digitally illustrated. The new species Ph. artemisiae sp. nov. is associated with Artemisia plant and Ph. hakkaricus sp. nov. collected on Inula helenium L. in the habitat mountain slopes.