Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa Üniversitesi
Recent publications
Background Low back pain is the third most reported complaint after headache and chronic fatigue, and more than 80% of the population will experience low back pain at some point in their lives. Objectıve We conducted this study to investigate the effects of instrument-assisted manipulation (IAM) and mobilization with movement (MWM) on joint range of motion (ROM), pain, proprioception, endurance, back awareness, and disability in individuals with chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNSLBP). Methods 51 participants with CNSLBP were randomized to one of three groups: (1) MWM; (2) IAM; or (3) core exercise. Joint ROM, pain, proprioception, endurance, back awareness, and disability were assessed at baseline, week 2 and 6. Results Joint ROM and activity pain scores increased in all groups (p < 0.05). Both activity and resting pain improved in the MWM group (p < 0.001; p = 0.004). Most measures related to proprioception improved in the MWM group (p = 0.005; p = 0.016; p = 0.016). Endurance increased in all groups, but the flexor endurance increase was higher in the MWM group (p < 0.05). Back awareness and disability increased in all groups (p < 0.05), but disability increased most in MWM group (p = 0.022). Conclusıons MWM could effectively improve pain, proprioception, endurance, and disability.
In recent years, increasing economic competition between countries has brought environmental pollution and carbon emissions. Especially in developing countries, the flexibility in the implementation of laws causes this pollution to increase even more. Taking environmentally friendly measures on a global scale while developing both economically and socially is defined as sustainable development. Sustainable development is a priority research area at the country and regional level and has become the new goal of world development. The aim of the study is to create a Sustainable Development Index for BRICS-T countries by compiling data from the OECD. The variable pool used in the applied method is quite wide and is basically divided into three groups: economic, environmental and result indicators. Additionally, another aim of the study is to examine the relationships between external debt stock, R&D expenditures and renewable energy use in the Sustainable Development Index. In the analysis conducted using the Panel ARDL method, while no relationship was found between the external debt stock and the Sustainable Development Index for BRICS-T countries, it was concluded that there was a negative relationship between R&D expenditures and the Sustainable Development Index, and a positive relationship between the use of renewable energy and the Sustainable Development Index.
Background The Low Back Activity Confidence Scale (LoBACS) was developed to evaluate self-efficacy in individuals with low back pain (LBP). Objective This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of Turkish version of LoBACS in individuals with non-specific LBP. Methods The study included 105 participants (66 female, 39 male) with a mean age of 40.94 ± 14.65 years. The cultural adaptation and psychometric evaluation of LoBACS followed international standards and COSMIN guidelines. Reliability was assessed using the Cronbach's α and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Structural validity was tested with Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Pearson correlation analysis examined the relationships between LoBACS and the Waddell Disability Index (WDI), Modified Oswestry Disability Index (MODI), Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Short Form-36 (SF-36), Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Results The Turkish version of LoBACS showed high reliability (ICC = 0.850, Cronbach's α = 0.919). CFA and fit indices supported its validity. Correlations between LoBACS and other measures ranged from −0.192 to 0.542. No floor or ceiling effects were noted. Conclusion The Turkish version of LoBACS is a reliable and valid tool for assessing self-efficacy in individuals with non-specific LBP, suitable for both research and clinical settings.
Aim The pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV) and triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index are very important parameters that predict contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) well in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). There are limited data on the predictive value of CIN derived from the combination of PIV and TyG index compared to the use of PIV and CIN alone in patients with STEMI who underwent PCI. We aimed to evaluate the ability of the combination of PIV and TyG index, routinely obtained on admission, to identify STEMI patients at risk of CIN. Method Between 2018 and 2024, 2367 patients with STEMI who underwent PCI were included. CIN was defined as a 25% or 0.5 mg/dL increase in creatinine from baseline within 48–72 h after PCI. Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis was performed to predict the development of CIN. Results In ROC analysis, the cut-off values of PIV and TyG index for best predicting CIN were 548, and 8.97 respectively. The combination of two markers was the most powerful predictor of CIN risk when included in a single variable such as high PIV or high TyG index. Furthermore, the co-presence of high PIV and high TyG index exhibited the highest specificity for CIN(82%) compared to high PIV(77%) or TyG index(71%) alone. Conclusion The combination of PIV and TyG index, a simple and cost-effective risk assessment, may be a more reliable prognostic indicator for predicting the development of CIN in STEMI patients undergoing PCI than the use of PIV and TyG index alone.
Objective Preference for outdoor and indoor exercises is essential when choosing a place to exercise. This study compared adults' healthy lifestyle behaviors and life satisfaction according to physical activity location preferences. Subject and Methods The study is conducted using a cross‐sectional design between May and October 2023, with visitors to a gym ( n = 270). The study sample included participants in the activities of two outdoor sports groups and two gyms operating. Study. The questionnaire for data collection consists of demographic characteristics, Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile (HPLP), Life Satisfaction Scale (SLS), Three‐Factor Eating Questionnaire‐R (TFEQ). Percentage, mean, standard deviation, t ‐test, ANOVA posthoc analysis, and Chi‐square tests were used to analyze the data. Results The mean age of the participants was 25.87 ± 8.59 years. The rate of people doing indoor activity is 67.4%. The rate of those who prefer outdoor exercise is 87.8%. Many parameters were significant for indoor and outdoor exercisers compared to those in a single location ( p < 0.05). Conclusion Healthy lifestyle behaviors are better for those who prefer both locations for exercise. A fuller picture of this study is that balance is important for the preference of outdoor and indoor exercises. Individuals should be encouraged to exercise outdoors and indoors.
Background Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a safe method of choice for patients who need long-term nutritional support. However, complications and high mortality rates have been reported. Based on 8 years of experience in tertiary care hospitals, we aimed to identify risk factors associated with major complications and 30-day mortality after PEG. Methods Patients who underwent PEG in the General Surgery clinic of Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University, Faculty of Medicine between January 2014 and March 2022 were included in the study. Data regarding patient demographics, comorbidities, laboratory data, drugs used together, and indications for PEG tube placement were collected. Results There were 429 patients. The mean age of the patients was 66.9±16.75 years, and 180 (44%) patients were female. The mean follow-up period was 8.84±6.75 months. Twenty patients (4.9%) had major complications. Female sex [Odds Ratio (OR) 0.33, 95% CI, CI=1.23-8.87, P =0.02] and diabetes mellitus (DM) (OR=0.23, 95% CI=1.93-6, P =0.002) were the independent variables associated with major complications. The all-cause 30-day mortality rate was 5.9% (n=24). Malignancy, DM, corticosteroid use, low albumin, and platelet values were associated with increased mortality in multivariate analysis as indications for PEG. Conclusions Female sex and patients with DM may potentially face major complications. The patients with cancer, diabetes, and corticosteroid use were associated with higher mortality. In addition, low serum albumin and platelet levels were an effective factor for survival in patients undergoing PEG, and this should be taken into account in decision-making.
In this paper, controller tuning methods based on stability region centroid methods reported in the literature are used to design PI-PD controllers for unstable, integrating and resonant systems with time delay. By analyzing the stability boundary locus (SBL) for the PD controller, which is utilized in the inner loop of this structure, the controller parameters are obtained using three methods which are the Weighted Geometric Center (WGC), Centroid of Convex Stability Region (CCSR), and Stability Triangle Approach (STA). These techniques were applied analytically, step by step. For the closed loop transfer function obtained in the inner loop of the controlled system, these three methods were utilized to design the PI controller in the outer loop, individually. Unit step responses of the controlled system, using PI-PD gains determined by each method, have been obtained. Furthermore, a disturbance of a certain time and amplitude was added to the systems to test the disturbance rejection behavior and the robustness performance of the methods. Perturbed responses were obtained through changing the model parameters at a certain rate. Time domain performance metrics were analyzed to compare the responses. The simulations were evaluated using settling time, rise time, and percentage overshoot as the assessment criteria. As a result of this study, the effectiveness of three methods, namely WGC, CCSR, and STA, in controller design for unstable, integrating, and resonant time-delay systems has been demonstrated. In addition, a comparison of time domain performance metrics is presented for the nominal and perturbed systems. Based on these comparisons, it is concluded that the methods outperform each other only in some time response performance measures. The presented results showed the advantages of these methods over each other in terms of some performance criteria. The contribution of this study to the literature is the comparative analysis of these three analytical methods.
Background SARS-CoV-2 infection is marked by an excessive inflammatory response, leading to elevated production of pro-inflammatory cytokines through activation of intracellular pathways like mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Viruses can use the MAPK signaling pathway to their advantage, but the relationship of this pathway to the severe SARS-CoV-2 period has not been fully elucidated. MAP2K4 is involved in the MAPK signaling pathway and affects cellular processes such as cell-cell junction, cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Methods and results In this study, we sought to determine the associated biomarkers that are involved in the MAP2K4 pathway and elucidate its possible roles in terms of some clinical features associated with COVID-19. We evaluated the expressions of MAP2K4, SNAI1, SLUG, ZEB1 and E-Cadherin. For this purpose, we prospectively recruited 66 individuals, 39 of whom were women and had a mean age of 65 years. The results revealed that MAP2K4 upregulation increased SNAI1 gene expression level whereas E- Cadherin level was decreased in SARS-CoV-2 positive participants. In addition, negative correlations were determined with PLT, Lymphocyte and CKMB and E- Cadherin levels in positive participants. We also observed a negative correlation between the MAP2K4 and AST, and a positive correlation between SLUG and BUN, ZEB1 and CK. Conclusions We conclude that SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers fibrosis by increasing MAP2K4 regulation. Additionally, this is the first study to demonstrate the possible contribution of MAP2K4 in influencing COVID-19 clinical features, which may be relevant for identifying COVID-19 positive participants with severe complications.
In recent decades, rapid development has exacerbated climate challenges, posing serious threats to ecological sustainability. To address these issues, renewable energy, ICT technologies, financial development, and globalization have emerged as essential tools for mitigating ecological impacts and fostering green economic growth. These measures align closely with the goals of COP 28, the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. However, the United States faces considerable challenges in reconciling socio-economic development with environmental sustainability. This study, therefore, investigates the key drivers of CO2 emissions (CO2) in the United States using data from 1990Q1 to 2021Q4. The study employs wavelet quantile-on-quantile regression along with quantile cointegration to analyze these dynamics across different quantiles and timeframes. The results from the study showed that across all quantiles and periods, ICT adoption technologies and fiscal decentralization increase CO2, while globalization, renewable energy consumption and financial development lessen CO2.
Background Adults with diabetes encounter various challenges related to managing their condition. In this study, we explored the experiences of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus with low socioeconomic status in Türkiye. Methods This study was conducted as a phenomenological qualitative research. The purposive sampling method was used to select adults with type 2 diabetes. Data saturation was achieved with 20 patients. The data were collected through a demographic information form and a semi-structured questionnaire. The participants were interviewed by phone. The interviews were conducted in a quiet environment where the participants could respond comfortably. During the data analysis process, the content analysis approach suggested by Graneheim and Lundman (2004) was used. This method involves identifying meaningful units within the text, coding these units, and developing sub-themes and main themes. The MAXQDA 20 software was used for data management. Results The participants were between 41 and 71 years old. Four main themes and ten subthemes were identified in the analysis. Themes: The identified themes included difficulties with dietary management of diabetes, individual difficulties, difficulties with self-management in diabetes, and coping strategies. According to Theme 1, it was observed that the participants experienced difficulties in managing nutrition in diabetes due to the economic aspect of diet and the inability to adapt to the diet. According to Theme 2, it was observed that the participants faced physical, psychological, and social difficulties. According to Theme 3, it was observed that the participants faced difficulties related to diabetes self-management, including blood glucose monitoring, insulin injection administration, and maintaining glycemic control.” According to Theme 4, it was observed that the participants attempted to cope with diabetes-related difficulties through healthy lifestyle habits and family support. Conclusion Our findings indicate that adults with type 2 diabetes in low socioeconomic status face challenges related to biopsychosocial factors, nutrition, and diabetes self-management. However, these individuals managed their difficulties by adopting healthy lifestyle behaviors and relying on family support. The challenges faced by adults with diabetes may be alleviated through awareness training on dietary management and glycemic control.
Although the green and blue dividends associated with circular economy have been widely advocated, whether circular economy necessarily guarantee environmental quality remains unclear. To provide a more precise insight, in this case for a novel case of all the European Union countries, environmental effect of the share of used material resources from the reuse of waste materials is examined over the period 2010–2021. The results reveal that the reuse of waste materials statistically (i) increase CO2 emissions in most quantiles in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, and Slovenia, (ii) mitigate CO2 emissions in most quantiles in Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Spain, and Ireland, and (iii) either increasing or reducing CO2 emissions depending on the quantile of material circularity use rate and CO2 emissions in Czech Republic, Germany, Luxembourg, Sweden, and Latvia. This result points to a more policy driven approach.
Background Isolated rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) is characterized by loss of the normal atonia of REM sleep accompanied by repetitive motor and behavior phenomena of dream content. Objective To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the original form of the Innsbruck Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder Diagnostic Inventory (IRBD-9) scale (IRBD-9-TR) and ensure that this screening test can be easily used in the Turkish language. Methods The present is a multicenter and prospective study involving 184 patients: 51 with iRBD and 133 healthy controls. The iRBD patients were not diagnosed before submitted to video polysomnography (vPSG) and filling out the IRBD-9-TR. Results The optimal cut-off value for the IRBD-9-TR symptom score was of 0.28, with a sensitivity of 0.941 and a specificity of 0.947, and 94.4% of the patients were correctly diagnosed. The rotated factor loadings for the diagnostic accuracy of each individual question showed that the short version of the IRBD-9-TR (questions 1, 2, 3, 6, and 8) presented higher specificity and excellent discrimination of iRBD patients from healthy controls. The Cronbach's α coefficient for the symptom section of the IRBD-9-TR was of 0.857, and the Kappa coefficient, of 0.885. Conclusion The short version of the IRBD-9-TR presents good validity and reliability to be used as a screening test to assess iRBD patients. It is convenient and potentially useful in both outpatient clinical and epidemiologic research settings.
Background Different educational methods play an important role in oral hygiene education programs. This study aims to evaluate the impact of various educational methods on the oral hygiene knowledge of primary school children. Methods A total of 490 primary school students participated in this cross-sectional study. The students were assigned to one of three groups: a verbal explanation group, an animation group, or a peer-led reels group. Before and after the intervention, the students completed questionnaires assessing their oral hygiene knowledge. Results A significant increase was observed in the post-educational knowledge levels of the children in three educational methods (p < 0.001). The study found that the main effect of educational methods was statistically significant (p < 0.001). However, effects of gender, and tablet/mobile phone use, respectively, were not statistically significant (p = 0.694, p = 0.641). The animation group (6.73) and the verbal expression group (6.57) had the highest post-training knowledge levels, respectively, while the peer-led reels group had the lowest (5.95) (p < 0.001). Conclusions All three educational methods are effective in promoting oral hygiene, but due to the accessibility and consumption of information in the current technological era, animation videos may be more useful and suitable for modern education. Trial registration ID: NCT06569745; Date: 21.08.2024; ‘retrospectively registered’.
Background Cut flowers rapidly decline in quality and shorten their vase life after harvest. Various post-harvest methods are being sought to extend their vase life. This study investigated the effects of different storage environments and Streptomycin treatments on postharvest quality and vase life of gerbera flowers. For pre-water absorption treatments, harvested gerbera flowers were all treated with silver thiosulfate (STS 0.2 mM) under room conditions for 6 h. Then, Streptomycin treatments were used alone and combined with sugar at different concentrations in 3 different environments. Their different storage environments were used under room conditions after being kept in STS for 6 h (1st environment), under room conditions after being kept at 2 °C in cold storage for 48 h (2nd environment), storage in cold storage at 2 °C until vase life expires (3rd environment). Vase solution Streptomycin concentrations were 0 (control), 200, 400, and 600 ppm alone, combined with 5% sugar. The experiments were conducted in a completely randomised design (CRD) with three replications and three cut flowers were used in each replication. Results Streptomycin yielded the best outcomes for vase life especially when it was combined with sugar, increasing the vase life as compared to the control. Compared to the control treatments, with streptomycin treatments, the greatest increase in vase life was observed in 600 ppm Streptomycin + 5% Sugar treatments of the 1st environment (67.5%) (8.22–13.77 days). When the treatments were compared, the longest vase life (13.77 days) was obtained in 600 ppm Streptomycin + 5% Sugar treatment in the 1st environment, the longest vase life (16.67 days) was obtained in 200 ppm Streptomycin + 5% Sugar treatment in the 2nd environment and the longest vase life (73.50 days) was obtained in 600 ppm Streptomycin + 5% Sugar treatment in the 3rd environment. When the environments were compared, the longest vase life (59.17 days) was obtained in the 3rd environment. Conclusions As a result of this study, it was determined that the use of Streptomycin in combination with sugar gave better results compared to the control group. Streptomycin concentration of 600 ppm is recommended for extending the vase life of cut flowers and this combination may be an alternative and effective method. A streptomycin concentration of 600 ppm at room conditions and 200 ppm at low temperatures such as cold storage is appropriate.
Protic ionic liquids or protic molten salts (PILs or PMOSs) consist entirely of ions and can undergo almost unlimited structural changes. ILs have been extensively used in the field of electroanalysis due to their high electrochemical stability and ionic conductivity. In this study, the usability of a PMOS as an ionophore was investigated. Firstly, 2‐phenylethylammonium benzoate (2PEAB) was synthesized, and then polymer membrane sensors containing this ionophore were prepared. The prepared sensors exhibited very high selectivity towards silver(I) ions. The novel silver(I)‐selective potentiometric sensor had a wide linear working range over the concentration range of 1.0 × 10⁻¹–1.0 × 10−5 M, a low detection limit of 7.14 × 10−6 M, and Nernstian response of 59.3 ± 3.7 mV/decade. The prepared sensors had a relatively fast response time of <7 s, good reproducibility and a wide pH working range (4.0–10.0). The newly developed silver(I)–selective sensors were used as indicator electrodes for the potentiometric titration of silver(I) ions with sodium chloride and were successfully applied for the determination of silver(I) ion content in various water samples.
Even though the effect of oil price shocks on macroeconomics has been extensively investigated, the literature on how efficiency in household energy use affect crude oil price volatility is yet explored. This study unveils whether household energy efficiency lower crude oil price volatility asymmetrically in the United States using the historical and forecast dataset that spans from 1970:Q1-2040:Q1. Applying the multivariate case of Quantile-on-Quantile Regression, the empirical results show that household energy efficiency dampens crude oil price volatility with a stronger connection in quantiles before the median quantiles of crude oil price volatility. However, the effect of household energy efficiency decreases with an increase across quantiles of the crude oil price volatility. The results further show that energy-related CO2 emissions and retail electricity price intensify crude oil price volatility with varying effects across quantiles. These findings are similar to the sensitivity analysis and robustness checks. Overall, the policy implication of our findings is that government and policymakers need to demonstrate unequivocal commitments to improving not only energy-efficient practices at household level but also to mitigate energy-related environmental disasters.
Astragalus tokatensis is a local endemic species and no study exists on this species. In this study, hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and water extracts were obtained from the parts of root, leaf and flower of A. tokatensis. The phytochemical analyses of hexane and methanol extracts were identified and characterized using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) and liquid chromatography‐high resolution mass spectrometry (LC‐HRMS), respectively, for the first time. The total 11 fatty acid and 8 flavonoid derivatives was detected in GC‐MS and LC‐HRMS analyses, respectively. Total antioxidant levels (TAL) and total oxidant levels (TOL) values of extracts were investigated. TAL and TOL values were given as mM Trolox equiv./L. and μM H2O2 equiv./L, respectively. The α‐amylase enzyme activity of all extracts was examined, and it was found that the extracts had no significant effect on the α‐amylase activity. Also, the DNA protective activities of the leaf and flower extracts were determined by using gel electrophoresis method and it was seen that all flower extracts had high DNA protective activity. Moreover, Docking assays showed that the limited interactions of sinapinic acid and salicylic acid, the most abundant in the methanol extracts, with α‐amylase, supported the weak inhibitory effects observed experimentally in the methanol extracts.
Institution pages aggregate content on ResearchGate related to an institution. The members listed on this page have self-identified as being affiliated with this institution. Publications listed on this page were identified by our algorithms as relating to this institution. This page was not created or approved by the institution. If you represent an institution and have questions about these pages or wish to report inaccurate content, you can contact us here.
1,867 members
Mustafa Bayram
  • Department of Food Engineering
Adem Keskin
  • Department of Biology
Arda Yıldırım
  • Department of Animal Science
Ilyas Can
  • Department of Biology
Ahmet Bursali
  • Department of Biology
Information
Address
Tokat, Turkey