Journals
2025 EN
Özbay Ahmet · Kahraman Süleyman
This study examined the relationship between the impact of weight on quality of life (QoL), emotional appetite, and psychological well-being. The study included 124 individuals with obesity with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 30 kg/m 2 , 129 individuals with overweight with a BMI between 25 and 29.9 kg/m 2 , and 123 normal-weight individuals with a BMI less than 25 kg/m 2 who applied to certain nutrition and dietetics clinics in Istanbul. We administered the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life Scale (IWQOL), Emotional Appetite Questionnaire (EAQ), and Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWS) to the individuals. The QoL and psychological well-being scores in the group with a normal BMI showed a strong positive association. Positive emotional appetite ratings, psychological well-being, and QoL showed a noteworthy positive link in the BMI group with overweight. The study revealed a negative relationship between a bad emotional appetite and psychological well-being. The QoL and psychological well-being scores in the BMI group with obesity showed a strong positive association. In addition, the psychological well-being scores of those in the normal and overweight BMI groups were significantly higher than those in the BMI group with obesity. The negative emotional appetite scores in the BMI groups with obesity and overweight were significantly higher than those in the normal BMI group. Those in the normal BMI group had significantly higher positive emotional appetite scores than those in the BMI group with overweight did. Findings indicate significant associations between BMI, QoL, and psychological well-being, with potential interventions identified to enhance patient care and support. These results underscore the critical role of social work in addressing weight-related psychological and emotional challenges within health care settings.
Journals
2025 EN
Öner Miray · Akbıyık Hilal · Gürsoy Selim
+3 more
This study reports an adsorption treatment strategy for the removal of cadmium ions from wastewater using manganese (II) phosphate nanoplates (Mn 3 (PO 4 ) 2 NP) as adsorbent. The proposed method was combined with flame atomic absorption spectrometry to aid in quantification. Different concentrations of cadmium were spiked to synthetic domestic wastewater and applying the optimized treatment conditions yielded removal efficiency values in the range of 82–99%. An adsorption capacity ( q e ) of 16.4 mg/g was calculated for 25 mg/L Cd 2+ under the optimum conditions of pH 9.0, 50 mg Mn 3 (PO 4 ) 2 NP and 60 s mixing by ultrasonication. Equilibrium values obtained using four types of Langmuir adsorption isotherm models were modeled mathematically, and the results showed that the Type 1 isotherm model fitted well with the experimental data. According to these results, the maximum adsorption capacity ( q m ) was calculated as 20.01 mg/g at optimum conditions. Removal efficiency and the established equilibrium between the adsorbent and the adsorbate validated Mn 3 (PO 4 ) 2 NPs as an effective adsorbent for the removal of Cd 2+ from wastewater.
Journals
2025 EN
Ertekin Özge · Abasıyanık Zuhal · Kahraman Turhan
+2 more
The Six-Spot Step Test (SSST) is a valid measure to assess the ability of people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) to maintain balance whilst challenging stability during walking. This study aimed to compare the performance of three different SSST conditions in pwMS and healthy controls (HC) and to explore whether incorporating cognitive tasks into the SSST improves its discriminative capacity by increasing cognitive load. Fifty-two pwMS (median EDSS = 1.75) and 19 HC were recruited. Participants performed the SSST under three different task conditions: conventional SSST, SSST with word-list generation task (WLG), and SSST with the serial-7 backward task. The dual-task cost (DTC) was calculated for two cognitive task conditions. There was a significant difference across different SSST conditions in both groups. There was also significant condition*group interaction [F (2,132) = 3.69, p = 0.028, η 2 = 0.053]. PwMS completed all SSST conditions in a longer duration compared to HC. The DTC of SSST with backward and WLG tasks was greater in the MS group than in HC. However, there was no significant differences in the number of correct answers during the dual-task conditions between pwMS and HC. All three conditions showed excellent discriminative ability between pwMS and HC (Area Under Curve value > 0.8). The SSST had the ability to discriminate between pwMS and HC in both conventional method and with secondary cognitive task. The SSST could be used to evaluate early walking and dual-task deficits even in pwMS with mild disability for future research and clinical practice.
Journals
2025 EN
Savaş Merve · Gönüldaş Miraç · Kahraman Beğen Senanur
+1 more
The cerebellum is approximately 10% of the brain volume and is responsible for attention, language, emotion and cognitive functions. Linguistic processing difficulties and cognitive impairments may be observed in individuals with cerebellar lesions depending on the location and severity of the damage. There is no study evaluating language in Turkish-speaking individuals with cerebellar lesions. To determine the differences in linguistic and visuospatial skills of Turkish speaking individuals with cerebellar lesions compared to control groups, including a right hemisphere lesion group and a healthy control group. Fifteen patients with cerebellar lesion (without hemispatial neglect and dysarthria), 15 patients with right hemisphere lesion due to right arter cerebri media (without hemispatial neglect) and 15 healthy control were included. To clarify the language impairment specific to cerebellar lesions, we also included individuals with right hemisphere lesions, which are typically assumed not to present with aphasia. The Language Assessment Test for Aphasia (ADD), Benton Judgment of Line Orientation Test, Benton Facial Recognition Test, Single Letter Deletion Test were used. The “Accident Scene” picture was used for collecting narrative speech samples. After a three group comparison a post-hoc pairwise analysis was performed. Among the microstructural parameters in the narrative language analysis, the effort ratio was significantly higher in the cerebellar lesion group compared to the healthy control group. Among the non-verbal cognitive tests, the Benton Facial Recognition Test score was significantly lower in the cerebellar and right hemisphere lesion group compared to the healthy control group. Total score, naming and grammar scores in the ADD test were significantly lower in the cerebellar lesion group compared with the healthy control group. There was no difference between cerebellar and right hemisphere lesions in terms of ADD score, ADD subtests and narrative parameters. In Turkish-speaking individuals with cerebellar lesions, verbal productivity may be interrupted by effort behaviours, and standard aphasia assessment tests may reveal impaired grammar and naming performance without a diagnosis of aphasia. In addition to reduced efficiency in verbal production, facial recognition may be impaired. We found no difference between individuals with lesions in the cerebellum and right hemisphere. This suggests that ischemic damage may affect different components of language independently of the diagnosis of aphasia.
Journals
2025 EN
Karaca Nur Banu · Kahraman Aysu · Buran Sinan
+11 more
This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the comparison of functionality, mood, and biopsychosocial status in rheumatic patients with and without self-reported bowel problems and the evaluation of Bilişsel Egzersiz Terapi Yaklaşımı (BETY) – (Cognitive Exercise Therapy Approach in English) ’s impact on these factors. The study included 718 patients with eight different diagnoses of rheumatism. The presence of self-reported bowel problems in rheumatic patients was assessed with item 10 of the BETY-Biopsychosocial Questionnaire (BETY-BQ), functionality with the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), emotional status with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and biopsychosocial status (BPS) with the BETY-BQ. Sixty-five rheumatic patients were included in BETY group exercise sessions for 3 months, 3 days a week. The rate of self-reporting bowel problems in the total cohort was 61.6%. Among all BPS parameters examined, a significant difference was found in favor of rheumatic individuals who did not report bowel symptoms ( p <.005). All patients included in the BETY sessions achieved improvement in all parameters, including bowel symptoms ( p <.005). Many patients suffered from bowel problems. The investigated parameters of rheumatic patients with bowel symptoms were negatively affected. BETY improved all parameters, including bowel symptoms. BPS features should be considered in disease management in rheumatic patients reporting bowel problems. BETY should be used as an exercise intervention based on the BPS model in these patients.
Journals
2025 EN
Özata Gündoğdu Kübra · Doğan Emine · Çetinkaya Reyhan
+1 more
This study aimed to the detect of structural and functional changes in the retina and choroid in patients with vitiligo using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Thirty patients with vitiligo and 30 healthy participants were enrolled in the study. Central macular thickness (CMT), retina nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, choroidal thickness (CT), foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, and superficial and deep vascular density (VD) ratios were compared between the groups. The mean age was 43.32 ± 12.13 and 45.90 ± 7.50 years, respectively ( p = 0.435). CMT, RNFL thicknesses (except temporal quadrant), CT, superficial and deep VD, and FAZ area were similar between the two groups ( p > 0.05 for all). Temporal RNFL thicknesses were lower in vitiligo patients than in control groups ( p = 0.005). There was a moderate negative correlation between the duration of vitiligo disease and the mean RNFL thickness, inferior RNFL thickness, superficial total, superior, superior inner, outer, and superior outer VD values. No correlation was found between the VASI (Vitiligo area scoring index) score in vitiligo patients and OCT and OCTA values. Although it is known that vitiligo causes melanocyte loss in ocular tissues, there was no significant effect of vitiligo on superficial and deep retinal VD. Further comprehensive studies with a larger and more diverse population of vitiligo patients are needed to explore this further.
Journals
2025 EN
Doğan Emine · Aydemir Semih · Özata Gündoğdu Kübra
+1 more
To evaluate systemic inflammatory marker levels in patients with neovascular glaucoma (NVG). A retrospective analysis was conducted on 35 NVG patients followed between 2017 and 2024. Data on age, gender, underlying diseases and durations, NVG diagnosis and duration, and comorbidities were collected. Laboratory parameters were assessed in two periods: before NVG diagnosis (Group 1) and after NVG diagnosis (Group 2) and compared with a healthy control group (Group 3, n = 35). Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII), and Triglyceride/Glucose Index (TyG) were calculated. The mean age was 61.4 ± 10.7 years in NVG patients and 57.3 ± 6.7 years in controls ( p = 0.23). NVG was bilateral in 7 (20%) and unilateral in 28 (80%) patients. Underlying causes included diabetic retinopathy (60%), central retinal vein occlusion (25.7%), ocular ischemic syndrome (11.4%), and central retinal artery occlusion (2.9%). NLR and SII values were significantly higher in Groups 1 and 2 compared to controls ( p < 0.05). Although Group 2 had higher NLR and SII than Group 1, the difference was not significant ( p 1 = 0.212, p 2 = 0.239). TyG was significantly higher in Group 2 than in Groups 1 and 3 ( p 1 = 0.025, p 2 = 0.013). NVG patients showed significantly elevated NLR, SII, and TyG values compared to healthy controls. These findings suggest a potential role of systemic inflammation in NVG pathogenesis.
Journals
2025 EN
Yildirim Tamer · Kahraman Sakip
The study aimed to develop and validate a nanoscience and nanotechnology (NST) teaching module for pre-service science teachers in Turkey where NST education has not been formally integrated into the teacher education curriculum. The research, driven by the concurrent triangulation method, was completed in six stages: (1) The content was defined and the syllabus was developed (2) A pilot study was conducted on seven subjects both to evaluate the course plans and activities and to develop the items of the Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Achievement Test (NST-AT) (3) Experts reviewed the items of both the NST-AT and the Nanotechnology Attitude Scale for K-12 teachers (NAS-T) (4) The second pilot study was conducted both to validate the NST-AT and NAS-T and to re-evaluate the course plans and activities (5) Qualitative data collection tools were developed and validated (6) An intervention was performed on 16 subjects to assess whether the NST teaching module presented using an inquiry-based approach was effective on their nanoscience and nanotechnology achievements and attitudes towards nanotechnology. The results showed the NST teaching module had a positive impact on subjects' both cognitive and affective outcomes. The pre-service teachers' views of the activities in the NST teaching module were quite positive.
Journals
2025 EN
Henna Hicham · Toubakh Houari · Kafi Mohamed Redouane
+3 more
This research provides a method that accelerates learning and avoids local minima to improve the policy gradient algorithm’s learning process. Reinforcement learning has the advantage of not requiring a model. Consequently, it can improve control performance, mainly when a model is generally unavailable, such as when an error occurs. The proposed method efficiently and expeditiously investigates the action space. First, it quantifies the resemblance between agents’ and traditional controllers’ actions. Then, the principal reward function is modified to reflect this similarity. This reward-shaping mechanism guides the agent to maximize its return via an attractive force during the gradient ascent. To validate our concept, we establish a satellite attitude control environment with a similarity subsystem. The outcomes demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of our method.
Journals
2025 EN
Kahraman Selma · Kaçkin Özlem · Timuçin Arzu
Aims : We aimed to identify the unique challenges and opportunities faced by international student nurses in Türkiye when practicing patient care. This understanding is essential for educators, healthcare institutions, and policy makers to create more inclusive and supportive environments that enhance learning and professional development. Addressing these challenges can lead to better integration of foreign student nurses into the healthcare system, ultimately improving patient care quality. This research is important for all stakeholders in healthcare - educators, administrators, policymakers, and patients - because a diverse and well-supported nursing workforce is essential for the delivery of culturally competent and high-quality care. Methods : This study employed interpretative phenomenology. Data were collected from 12 foreign nursing students from Iraq, Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the Netherlands. Data were collected between 01 and 20 May 2023 in the Nursing Department of the Faculty of Health Sciences of a state university in the province of Şanlıurfa, located in the southeastern region of Türkiye. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s method. Results : We identified four themes: “Metaphors describing patient care practices,” “Factors affecting care practices,” “Needs for education and support,” and “Opportunities during patient care practices.” Positively influencing factors included better education and living standards and economic benefits, while negatively influencing factors were traumatic events before studying abroad, racial discrimination, language and cultural differences, negative emotions, peer victimization, and lack of use of standards. Interviewees reported a need for training and support and that patient care practices provided opportunities for greater awareness, responsibility, and professional integration. Discussion : Positive and negative experiences of foreign student nurses were evident in the delivery of patient care practice. Interventions are needed to alleviate negatively influencing factors, provide training and support for students, and improve opportunities for foreign nationals. Identification of these factors can help medical educators to develop culturally sensitive and inclusive approaches, as well as individual/organisational facilitators that enhance existing opportunities and remove barriers.