Sivas Cumhuriyet University

Monosodium glutamate (MSG), a widely used food additive, has been associated with various health concerns, including potential reproductive toxicity. This study investigated the protective effects of black garlic (BG) ethanol extract against MSG‐induced ovarian damage in rats. Thirty‐two female rats in estrus were randomly divided into four groups (n = 8 per group): control (saline), BG (250 mg/kg BW), MSG (4 mg/g BW), and BG+MSG (combined treatment). Treatments were administered daily for 14 days. Ovarian tissues were collected for histopathological, immunohistochemical (IHC), and biochemical analyses. Histopathological examination revealed a significant reduction in cystic follicles in the BG+MSG group compared to the MSG group (p < 0.0001). IHC analysis showed decreased immunoreactivity of endothelin‐1 and endothelin‐2 in the BG+MSG group compared to the MSG group (both p < 0.01). Biochemical assays demonstrated significantly increased follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol levels in the BG+MSG group compared to the MSG group (all p < 0.05), while progesterone levels were significantly lower in the MSG group compared to the BG+MSG group (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that BG ethanol extract may mitigate MSG‐induced ovarian dysfunction in rats by alleviating degenerative changes in follicles and modulating hormonal levels. This study provides insights into potential natural interventions for MSG‐related reproductive toxicity.

Batteries are one of the most important systems in electric vehicles. The performance of batteries varies depending on temperature, and high battery temperatures reduce battery efficiency and life. In recent years, intensive studies have been carried out on passive systems to prevent the battery module from heating, and many studies have been conducted especially on the use of phase change material (PCM). In this study, a novel battery module design created using PCM is tested by setting up experimental setups at both different discharge rates and different ambient temperatures, and the cooling performance of PCM is examined. As a result, it was found that the temperature increase in the PCM decreases during the melting process and the increase in the battery surface temperature varies according to the current value of the total heat generated in the battery. If the total heat generated in the battery increases, both the battery surface temperature and the temperature rise rate increase; if the total heat generated in the battery is constant or decreasing, the battery surface temperature increases but the temperature rise rate decreases.

In the nursing care of children with diabetes, therapeutic play can be used to enable children to express their feelings, to cope with the disease and to accept it as a part of their lives by facilitating their adaptation to treatment and thus to improve their quality of life. This study was conducted to understand the effect of structured play therapy education on psychological adjustment, quality of life and metabolic control of children with diabetes mellitus. In the study, quantitative and then qualitative exploratory sequential mixed design was used. The quantitative phase of the study was conducted with a single-group quasi-experimental pre-test–post-test method, and the qualitative phase of the study was conducted with focus group interviews with children with type 1 diabetes mellitus and their mothers who received play therapy and thematic analysis of the interviews. Of the children participating in the research, 61.9% are 8 years old, 42.9% are girls and 85.7% are attending school. After the training given with play therapy, the children’s HBA1c values decreased from 7.66 to 7.45 (p < 0.001), their psychological adaptation increased (p < 0.001) and the quality of life scale score increased from 81.93 to 85.88 (p < 0.001). In qualitative findings, children expressed feelings such as not being understood, difficulty during school lunch hours and shame. They also stated that learning through games is better. In line with the results obtained from this research, it can be said that the game plays a key role in improving the quality of life, increasing psychological adaptation and reducing HbA1c levels.

Like other chemotherapeutic agents, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) targets cancerous cells, but it also causes many unwanted side effects on healthy tissues and cells. Based on the undesirable effects of 5-FU, the aim of this study was to determine how 5-FU affects lung tissue and whether nobiletin has any protective effect. The study consisted of negative control, Nobiletin, 5-FU and Nobiletin + 5-FU groups. Nobiletin and Nobiletin + 5-FU groups received 10 mg/kg Nobiletin i.g. for 7 days. On day 8, 100 mg/kg 5-FU was administered i.p. to 5-FU and Nobiletin + 5-FU groups. Biochemical and immunohistochemical analyses were performed on the lung tissues dissected at the end of the study. 5-FU caused growth retardation, disturbed the oxidant-antioxidant balance by increasing MDA levels and decreasing GSH levels, triggered cellular apoptosis by increasing Bax and caspase-3 levels and decreasing Bcl-2, also increased lung tissue inflammation and damage by increasing NFκB and IL-1β levels. However, it was determined that Nobiletin prevented the disruption of the oxidant-antioxidant balance, showed significant anti-apoptotic effects, especially by reducing Bax levels and partially modulating caspase-3 and Bcl-2 levels, and also exhibited anti-inflammatory effects by reducing NFκB and IL-1β levels and supported the normal development of animals. Our results showed that nobiletin pretreatment showed anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the NFκB pathway in 5-FU-induced lung injury, suppressed oxidative stress with its antioxidant activity and was effective in modulating cellular apoptosis with its anti-apoptotic activity. In conclusion, Nobiletin has been shown to have an important potential in reducing fluorouracil-induced tissue damage by acting through multiple pathways. Graphical Abstract

The study was conducted to examine the relationship between perceived self-stigma and health promotion self-care in patients with type 2 diabetes. The study was conducted with 206 patients with type 2 diabetes who were hospitalized in the endocrinology clinic of a state hospital between July and September 2023 and met the study inclusion criteria. Data were collected using a patient identification form, the Type 2 Diabetes Stigma Assessment Scale (DSAS-2) and the Diabetes Health Promotion Self-Care Scale (DHPSC). Data were analyzed using SPSS Statistical software (Version 22), which combines descriptive and analytical statistics. The participants’ DSAS-2 and DHPSC total mean scores were 47.85 ± 17.81 and 87.83 ± 19.19, respectively. A moderate, negative and statistically significant relationship was found between the participants’ DSAS-2 and DHPSC total mean scores (r: 0.467, p:0.000), suggesting that health-promotion self-care is a predictor of perceived stigma. The study revealed that the patients with type 2 diabetes experienced moderate levels of stigma, and as the level of perceived stigma increased, their self-care behaviors were negatively affected.

This study aimed to detect the presence of bovine papillomavirus (BPV) in the testicular tissue of bulls over 1‐year old by immunohistochemical, immunofluorescence and molecular assay targeting methods. In addition, γH2AX and cytochrome c expressions were evaluated by immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent methods in samples positive for BPV agent. In this study, 100 testicular specimens that did not show any macroscopic papilloma findings were collected. Testicular tissues were collected and examined using histologically and molecularly methods. In the present study, immunopositivity was detected in 6 (6%) samples with the IHC method and in 11 (11%) samples with the IF method. In addition, BPV positivity was detected in four (4%) samples by the PCR method and four (4%) samples determined to be BPV positive by PCR also showed immunopositivity in IHC and IF methods. γH2AX immunopositivity was seen in two of the BPV‐positive samples by the IHC method, and γH2AX immunopositivity was observed in four of the samples determined to be positive for the BPV agent by the IF method. Cytochrome c immunopositivity was found in all the samples determined positive for the BPV agent. When the findings were evaluated, the presence of the BPV agent in the testicular tissues of cattle that did not have macroscopic papillomas was revealed for the first time. It was thought that the BPV agent caused double‐stranded DNA breaks and increased cytochrome c expression.

Introduction A new set of 1,2,4-triazine combined 1, 2, 3-triazole hybrids were designed computationally for predicting anti-diabetic potential. All the derivatives taken for study exhibited excellent anti-diabetic potential with significant IC50 values. Methods The present research includes the development of pharmacophore models, 3D QSAR, virtual screening, molecular docking, and evaluation of models based on certain criteria. The DHRRR_1 showed the best pharmacophore model with a survival score of 5.9937. The 3D QSAR analysis developed a model with the values of R2 = 0.9714 and Q2 = 0.7202. The binding pose and affinity of the most potent compound, 10c, in the active site of α-glucosidase was investigated using in-silico molecular docking analysis. Results It was observed that compound 10c demonstrated promising binding affinity with a score of -8.078 kcal/mol and exhibited binding interaction with the essential amino acids ASN301 and LEU227. There were five compounds (1-5) that showed significant binding affinity towards the target comprising active amino acids (ASH202, ASP333 and VAL335). The molecular dynamic study showed the stability of ligand-protein binding interactions. Conclusion The results of the present investigation can accelerate the optimization and reformation of the latest anti-diabetic agents that target the α-glucosidase.

Pedestrian attitude is an important issue in road safety. In order to understand pedestrian attitudes, it is necessary to study their sociodemographic and psychological characteristics. With respect to this, the aim of the study was to examine age and sex differences in impulsive behavior and the role of impulsive behavior on pedestrian attitudes in Türkiye. A total of 347 Turkish pedestrians (145 male, 202 female) completed the Pedestrian Attitude Questionnaire (PAQ), the Urgency Premeditation Perseverance Sensation Seeking (UPPS) Impulsive Behavior Scale, and a Questionnaire Form. First, the psychometric structure of the PAQ was found to support the original structure, addressing attitudes towards other road users and attitudes towards traffic rules. With increasing age, negative attitudes towards traffic rules decreased. Female pedestrians also showed more negative attitudes towards other road users. The results of hierarchical regression analyses indicate that impulsive behavior is significantly associated with pedestrian attitudes depending on sociodemographic factors. The findings suggest that pedestrians’ impulsive behavior may influence their attitudes in traffic, but this influence varies by age and sex. The outcomes have important implications for intervention studies and road safety.

Introduction Athletes competing in weight-class sports often seek to gain an advantage by competing at lower weights. Athletes competing in weight-class sports often seek to gain an advantage by competing at lower weights. To achieve this, they aim to lose weight during the competition period, leading to various physiological and psychological changes. This study aimed to investigate the biochemical, hormonal, and psychological effects of weight reduction in elite wrestlers during the competition phase. Methods Thirty-seven elite male free style wrestlers (age: 19.02 ± 1.27) participated in the study. Samples were collected 5 days before and on the day of the match. Results A significant decrease in body weight was observed (p < 0.05). Levels of creatine, BUN, sodium, hematocrit, hemoglobin, LDH, and cortisol increased, while albumin, testosterone, and FSH levels decreased. There were no significant differences in potassium, ALT, AST, TSH levels. State and trait anxiety scores of the wrestlers increased significantly during the RWL period. Conclusion The study concluded that elite wrestlers experienced significant changes in physiological and psychological parameters during the competition periods. These findings underscore the importance of careful monitoring of RWL strategies by coaches and athletes to mitigate the adverse effects on nutritional status, psychological well-being, and physical performance.

Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis are zoonotic protozoan parasites that are widely seen in domestic and wild animals worldwide. While these pathogens, which affect the digestive system of the hosts, cause high economic losses in animal breeding, they are also considered an important public health problem. In recent years, molecular-based studies revealed that 120 genotypes belonging to 44 Cryptosporidium species and eight G. duodenalis assemblages (G. duodenalis A–H) circulate among hosts. The aim of the study was to determine the presence and prevalence of cryptosporidiosis and giardiosis in buffaloes, for which there was only one previous study on the subject in Türkiye. In this study, Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis were researched in water buffaloes using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing. A total of 510 water buffalo stool samples were obtained from Sivas province, an important water buffalo breeding center in Türkiye. Cryptosporidium spp. were detected in 20 samples (3.92%), whereas five samples (0.98%) were found to be infected with G. duodenalis. DNA sequence analyses of 18S rRNA and β-giardin genes revealed that five Cryptosporidium species, C. occultus (n = 1), C. andersoni (n = 1), C. ryanae (n = 16), C. parvum (n = 1), and C. bovis (n = 1), and G. duodenalis assemblages E were circulated in water buffaloes in Türkiye, respectively. In this work, C. ryanae was the most prevalent Cryptosporidium species, and DNA sequence analyses of these samples showed that 100% nucleotide identities were present between them. Cryptosporidium occultus (PP754270), C. andersoni (PP754271), C. ryanae (PP754272–PP754279, PP754281–PP754285, PP754287–PP754289), C. parvum (PP754280), and C. bovis (PP754286) obtained from water buffaloes in this study shared 98.59–100%, 99.88–100%, 99.49–100%, 99.62–100%, and 99.87–100% nucleotide similarity with isolates present in GeneBank, respectively. In addition, G. duodenalis (PP798352–PP798356) isolates had 99.56–100% (β-giardin) nucleotide identities with G. duodenalis isolates. The existence of cryptosporidiosis (the five species) in water buffaloes was reported for the first time in the country. Moreover, one species (C. occultus) has been reported for the first time in Türkiye.

Aim The aim of the study was to assess the validity and reliability of the Citizenship Fatigue Scale in a Turkish context. Method This methodological study involved 321 randomly selected nurses from a population of 650 at a public hospital. Data were collected using the Nurse Information Form, Citizenship Fatigue Scale, and Compulsory Citizenship Behavior Scale. The scales' validity and reliability were assessed through content and construct validity, test-retest reliability, internal consistency, criterion-related validity, and item-total score correlations. Results The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) values and Bartlett's test of Sphericity for the Citizenship Fatigue Scale were found to be significant. The scale items were grouped under a single factor, with an eigenvalue greater than 1, accounting for 68.41% of the total variance. It was determined that the factor loadings of the scale items ranged from 0.624 to 0.879. A positive and significant correlation was found between citizenship fatigue and compulsory citizenship (r = 0.654; p = 0.000), confirming the criterion validity of the scale. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the scale was found to be 0.929, indicating high internal consistency. Conclusion As a result of the validity and reliability analyses conducted in this study, it was determined that the Citizenship Fatigue Scale is a valid and reliable measurement tool for use with nurses in Türkiye. It is recommended that the scales be tested on samples from different occupational groups to further assess their applicability and generalizability. Implications for nursing practice and nursing policy: Measuring organisational citizenship fatigue among nurses is necessary to identify, prevent or reduce the factors that cause this fatigue. This study provides information in this area and helps managers and organisations to identify the causes of citizenship fatigue among nurses. Policy makers and managers should develop and implement interventions at both organisational and individual levels.

Background This study aimed to evaluate the effects of administering flunixin meglumine (FM) and meloxicam (M) on specific days post‐mating on progesterone (P4), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), oxidative stress index (OSI), pregnancy‐specific protein B (PSPB), pregnancy‐associated glycoprotein (PAG) concentrations and fertility parameters in Awassi sheep. Methods Seventy‐five Awassi sheep were divided into three groups of 25: control, M and FM. On days 9 and 10 post‐mating, the control group received saline, the M group received 0.5 mg/kg M and the FM group received 2.2 mg/kg FM. Blood samples were collected on days 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 17 post‐mating. Results Statistically significant time‐dependent differences in P4, TAS, TOS, OSI, PSPB and PAG concentrations were found between the groups ( p < 0.001). TAS was highest in the M group and lowest in the control group ( p < 0.001). TOS was higher in the control group and lower in the M group ( p < 0.001). PSPB and PAG were highest in the control group and lowest in the M group ( p < 0.05). Limitation Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm the findings. Conclusion FM and M significantly affected oxidative stress parameters and early pregnancy factors but not fertility parameters.

In this study, the magnetic field, hydrostatic pressure and temperature dependent electronic and optical properties of asymmetric quantum wells which have some exponential potentials in the absence and presence shallow donor impurities are investigated. Calculations are made within the framework of the effective mass and parabolic band approximations. In the absence and presence of the donor impurity, we calculated the total absorption coefficient including linear and nonlinear terms for transitions between the lowest two levels. In addition, by using a variational approach, we investigated the binding energies of the 1 s and 2 s donor impurity states The results show that the total absorption peaks shift to the blue shift with the effect of external perturbations, whereas redshift in the presence of impurities. This indicates that the impurities can effectively change the band gap of semiconductors, allowing the semiconductor to absorb lower energy photons, and making it possible to design materials with special optical properties such as light absorption and emission properties.

The present study aimed to unveil the gastroprotective potential of Vaccinium macrocarpon (VM) extract and its mechanism of action against indomethacin (INDO)‐induced gastric ulcers in rats. To achieve this goal, rats were pretreated with either omeprazole (20 mg/kg) or VM (100 mg/kg) orally for 14 consecutive days. Gastric tissue samples were collected and various parameters were evaluated to understand the mechanism of VM's action, including the levels of superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, glutathione, CAT and transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β), as well as the mRNA expression levels of tumour necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 1 beta, nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) and inhibitor kappa B (IκB). Additionally, the immunopositivity of cyclooxygenase (COX)‐1, COX‐2, PGE2, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and caspase‐3 was assessed. The total amount of phenolic compounds present in the VM extract was high (58.08 µg/mL gallic acid equivalent/mg extract). The healing effect of VM was demonstrated by an increase in the expression of PCNA. Furthermore, the level of TGF‐β was found to increase upon treatment with VM. Analyses of COX‐1, COX‐2 and PGE2 expression in gastric tissue confirmed the gastroprotective effect of VM. Notably, the expression of NF‐κB was markedly reduced, whereas that of IκB was substantially increased. Overall, the findings of this study demonstrate that VM extract has gastroprotective and curative effects against INDO‐induced ulcers through its antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, mucosal regenerative and anti‐apoptotic activities. Therefore, VM may serve as a useful adjuvant treatment for nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs–induced gastric ulcer disease.

This study aimed to report a tularemia outbreak in Sivas and describe the epidemiological and diagnostic characteristics of the patients. Patients aged 18 and over followed up with a diagnosis of tularemia in Sivas Cumhuriyet University Hospital, Sivas Numune State Hospital, and Sivas State Hospital Infectious Diseases Outpatient Clinics and wards between November 2023 and May 2024 were evaluated. 205 adult patients with tularemia were included. The most common symptoms were sore throat (73.2 %, n=150), swelling in the neck (70.2 %, n =144), and fatigue (55.1 %, n =113). The most common form was oropharyngeal (82.4 %, n =169) and glandular (14.6 %, n =30). Lymphadenopathy was detected in 182 (88.8 %) patients, the most is cervical lymphadenopathy (60 %, n =123). Lymph node drainage/excision was performed on 50 patients (24.3 %). There have been no deaths in this outbreak. This study presents patient data from the tularemia outbreak in Sivas