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Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14411/22
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Article Assessment of the Effectiveness of Serum-Infrared Spectroscopy in Conjunction with Multivariate Analysis Methods for Atherosclerosis Diagnosis(Nature Portfolio, 2026-01-03) Cevik, Dilek; Telkoparan-Akillilar, Pelin; Yonar, DilekAtherosclerosis is a progressive disease characterized by lipid accumulation and fibrous elements in large and medium-sized arteries, and remains a leading cause of death worldwide. A deeper understanding of its molecular nature is critical for developing novel strategies for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. This study evaluates attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy combined with multivariate analysis techniques to differentiate and classify atherosclerosis by identifying disease-specific spectral variations. Spectral analyses indicated statistically significant differences in lipid (p < 0.0001), protein (p < 0.01), nucleic acid (p < 0.0001), and glucose (p < 0.0001) content of serum samples in the atherosclerosis group compared to controls. Patients with atherosclerosis exhibit altered lipid metabolism, marked by a decrease in saturated lipids and an increase in unsaturated lipids compared to healthy individuals. Additionally, elevated levels of protein, RNA, glucose, and conformational changes in DNA were key spectral features, distinguishing atherosclerosis from controls. Principal component analysis (PCA) successfully differentiated patients from controls, while classification models based on linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and support vector machine (SVM) achieved accuracies of 96.61% and 93.22%, respectively. The ability of FTIR spectroscopy to detect subtle biochemical alterations suggests its potential for early diagnosis. These molecular markers may appear prior to clinical symptoms, highlighting the method's potential for future screening, pending validation in at-risk or preclinical cohorts.Article Citation - WoS: 5Citation - Scopus: 3A Benchmark of Expert-Level Academic Questions to Assess AI Capabilities(Nature Portfolio, 2026-01-28) Phan, Long; Gatti, Alice; Li, Nathaniel; Khoja, Adam; Kim, Ryan; Ren, Richard; Scaramuzza, Davide; Park, Jongee; Hausenloy, Jason; Hendrycks, Dan; Mazeika, Mantas; Zhang, Oliver; Dodonov, DmitryBenchmarks are important tools for tracking the rapid advancements in large language model (LLM) capabilities. However, benchmarks are not keeping pace in difficulty: LLMs now achieve more than 90% accuracy on popular benchmarks such as Measuring Massive Multitask Language Understanding(1), limiting informed measurement of state-of-the-art LLM capabilities. Here, in response, we introduce Humanity's Last Exam (HLE), a multi-modal benchmark at the frontier of human knowledge, designed to be an expert-level closed-ended academic benchmark with broad subject coverage. HLE consists of 2,500 questions across dozens of subjects, including mathematics, humanities and the natural sciences. HLE is developed globally by subject-matter experts and consists of multiple-choice and short-answer questions suitable for automated grading. Each question has a known solution that is unambiguous and easily verifiable but cannot be quickly answered by internet retrieval. State-of-the-art LLMs demonstrate low accuracy and calibration on HLE, highlighting a marked gap between current LLM capabilities and the expert human frontier on closed-ended academic questions. To inform research and policymaking upon a clear understanding of model capabilities, we publicly release HLE at https://lastexam.ai.Article Citation - Scopus: 1Protective Role of Bromelain’s Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Experimental Lower Limb Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury(Nature Portfolio, 2025-11-25) Sezen, Saban Cem; Demirtas, Huseyin; Yildirim, Alperen Kutay; Ozer, Abdullah; Dursun, Ali Dogan; Kucuk, Aysegul; Arslan, Mustafa; Ozalp, Veli Cengiz; Kucuk, Işın GunesIschemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is a multifaceted pathological process characterized by excessive oxidative stress and inflammatory responses upon restoration of blood flow. Bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme complex derived from pineapple, exhibits robust antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of bromelain on oxidative stress and inflammation in an experimental rat model of lower limb ischemia-reperfusion injury. Twenty-four male Wistar Albino rats were randomly allocated into four groups: Sham-operated control (SHAM), Bromelain-only (BR), Ischemia-Reperfusion (IR), and Ischemia-Reperfusion with Bromelain treatment (IR + BR). Bromelain (40 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally before ischemia induction. The IR model involved 45 min of infrarenal abdominal aorta occlusion followed by 120 min of reperfusion. Oxidative biomarkers (total antioxidant status [TAS], total oxidant status [TOS], oxidative stress index [OSI]) and histopathological parameters (muscle atrophy, degeneration, leukocyte infiltration, internalization of nuclei, fragmentation, and hyalinization) were analyzed. Significant increases in muscle degeneration, leukocyte infiltration, nuclear internalization, fragmentation, and elevated oxidative stress biomarkers (increased TOS and OSI, decreased TAS) were observed in the IR group compared to controls. Bromelain treatment (IR + BR) significantly ameliorated these effects, reducing muscle tissue damage, inflammation, and oxidative imbalance compared to the untreated IR group. Bromelain effectively mitigates lower limb ischemia-reperfusion injury by reducing oxidative stress, restoring antioxidant capacity, and suppressing inflammatory responses. These protective effects suggest that bromelain holds potential as a therapeutic agent for managing oxidative and inflammatory damages associated with IR conditions, warranting further clinical investigation.Article ACPA Prevents Lung Fibroblast-to Transformation by Reprogramming the Tumor Microenvironment through NSCLC-Derived Exosomes(Nature Portfolio, 2025-11-28) Boyacioglu, Ozge; Kalali, Berfin Deniz; Recber, Tuba; Gelen-Gungor, Dilek; Nemutlu, Emirhan; Eroglu, Ipek; Korkusuz, Petek; Kilic, NedretNon-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for most lung cancer cases. Current treatments often cause systemic side effects or lead to drug resistance, prompting the development of new therapies targeting tumors and related cells simultaneously. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are crucial stromal cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME), making them potential targets for therapy. Previously, we found that the CB1 receptor agonist ACPA has anti-tumor effects on NSCLC, inhibiting pathways such as Akt/PI3K, JNK, glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and the urea cycle both in vitro and in vivo. We hypothesize that ACPA could enhance therapy by inhibiting the transformation of lung fibroblasts into CAFs via exosomes. Control and ACPA-treated NSCLC cell exosomes exhibited similar size, PDI, ZP, and high expression of CD9, CD63, and CD81. ACPA-treated exosomes showed reduced levels of miR-21 and miR-23. These exosomes decreased fibroblast viability within 12 h by disrupting pentose phosphate, lipid, and amino acid metabolism, and by lowering PDPN, alpha-SMA, and FAP expressions. This research highlights ACPA as a promising chemotherapeutic agent, capable of improving NSCLC treatment and reprogramming the TME with more targeted therapies.Article Citation - WoS: 1Citation - Scopus: 1Organ-Protective Effects of Fullerenol and Desflurane in a Rat Model of Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury(Nature Portfolio, 2025-11-17) Kip, Gulay; Koksal, Zeynep; Yigman, Zeynep; Kucuk, Aysegul; Arslan, Mustafa; Akarca Dizakar, Saadet Ozen; Sivgin, VolkanTo investigate the protective effects of fullerenol applied before ischemia induction and desflurane anesthesia applied during ischemia-reperfusion (IR) induction in the lungs and kidneys of a lower-extremity IR injury rat model. After receiving ethical approval, we randomly divided 30 rats into five groups: sham (S), IR, IR with 100 mg/kg fullerenol (IR-FUL), IR with 6.7% desflurane (IR-DES), IR with 100 mg/kg fullerenol and 6.7% desflurane (IR-FUL-DES). Fullerenol was administered 30 min before the IR procedure in the IR-FUL and IR-FUL-DES groups, and desflurane was administered during the IR procedure in the IR-DES and IR-FUL-DES groups. During the procedure, an atraumatic microvascular clamp was placed in the aorta for 120 min. The clamp was then removed to achieve reperfusion for 120 min. Finally, at the end of reperfusion, we evaluated the extracted lung and kidney tissue samples and assessed them biochemically and histopathologically. The lung damage scores of the IR-FUL, IR-DES, and IR-FUL-DES groups were significantly lower than those of the IR group (p < .0001, p = .002, and p < .0001, respectively). The renal tubule injury scores of the IR, IR-FUL, IR-DES, and IR-FUL-DES groups were significantly higher than those of the S group (p < .0001). By contrast, the renal tubule injury scores of the IR-FUL and IR-FUL-DES groups were significantly lower than those of the IR group (p < .0001 and p = .001, respectively). Moreover, kidney intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1) expression was significantly lower in all the treatment groups, particularly the IR-FUL group, than in the IR group, and lung ICAM1 expression was significantly lower in the IR-FUL and IR-FUL-DES groups than in the other treatment groups. In the lung and kidney tissues, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels, catalase activity, glutathione-S-transferase activity, and arylesterase activity were relatively high in the treatment groups. The application of fullerenol before and after desflurane anesthesia during IR has protective effects on rat lungs and kidneys. In particular, histopathology confirmed that the application of fullerenol 30 min before IR induction and desflurane anesthesia during IR induction reduced oxidative stress and alleviated IR-related damage in the lungs and kidneys. These findings may have important translational relevance, suggesting potential perioperative strategies for protecting organs from ischemia-reperfusion injury in clinical settings.Article Citation - WoS: 3Citation - Scopus: 6Cross-Cultural Data on Romantic Love and Mate Preferences From 117,293 Participants Across 175 Countries(Nature Portfolio, 2025-07-01) Kowal, Marta; Sorokowski, Piotr; Gjoneska, Biljana; Pisanski, Katarzyna; Pfuhl, Gerit; Aguilar, Leonardo; Prazeres, FilipePsychological studies on close relationships have often overlooked cultural diversity, dynamic processes, and potentially universal principles that shape intimate partnerships. To address the limited generalizability of previous research and advance our understanding of romantic love experiences, mate preferences, and physical attractiveness, we conducted a large-scale cross-cultural survey study on these topics. A total of 404 researchers collected data in 45 languages from April to August 2021, involving 117,293 participants from 175 countries. Aside from standard demographic questions, the survey included valuable information on variables relevant to romantic relationships: intimate, passionate, and committed love within romantic relationships, physical-attractiveness enhancing behaviors, gender equality endorsement, collectivistic attitudes, personal history of pathogenic diseases, relationship quality, jealousy, personal involvement in sexual and/or emotional infidelity, relational mobility, mate preferences, and acceptance of sugar relationships. The resulting dataset provides a rich resource for investigating patterns within, and associations across, a broad range of variables relevant to romantic relationships, with extensive opportunities to analyze individual experiences worldwide.Article Citation - WoS: 1Citation - Scopus: 2Chemical Mechanical Polishing as an Alternative Surface Treatment Technique for Corrosion Prevention of Carbon Steel in an Acidic Medium(Nature Portfolio, 2025-04-30) Ahmed, Mohamed; Ali Al-Timimi, Buthainah; Al-Ali, Maha; Abdullah, Ghassan H.; Khalaf Atiyaha, Safa; Yaseen Ali Aljanabi, Ahmed; Mel, MaizirwanChemical mechanical polishing (CMP) has been a standard technique in semiconductor manufacturing for achieving smooth surfaces. CMP utilizes a synergistic interplay of chemical and mechanical interactions to achieve the desired removal rates, selectivity, and ultimately planarity with different substrate materials. In this study, the impact of CMP on the surface properties of steel used in the petroleum industry was examined, with a focus on its corrosion behavior posttreatment. Steel samples were subjected to CMP with and without an oxidizer in a silica-based slurry, and their surface characteristics were compared to those of samples polished mechanically. The addition of an oxidizer to the slurry resulted in increased material removal rates and the formation of an oxide layer on the surface; this phenomenon was not observed in CMP without an oxidizer. However, in mechanical polishing, the action of silicon carbide grains on the steel surface led to an increase in the removal rate but caused a decrease in its corrosion resistance. Compared with other treatments, the oxide layer provided a good protective barrier against corrosion and improved the corrosion resistance of the steel substrate. Based on the results from the practical study, an improvement in the corrosion resistance properties was observed due to the chemical reaction of the oxidizer and the mechanical action of the silica nanoparticles; these results showed the importance of chemical mechanical polishing as an alternative method to reduce the corrosion of steel in acidic environments. Additionally, the effect of hydrogen peroxide in a silica slurry with respect to the wettability, surface roughness, and hardness of steel was examined using contact angle measurements, profilometry, scanning electron microscopy, and microhardness tests.Article Citation - WoS: 5Citation - Scopus: 7Antioxidant Activity of Micractinium Sp. (Chlorophyta) Extracts Against H2O2 Induced Oxidative Stress in Human Breast Adenocarcinoma Cells(Nature Portfolio, 2024-11-11) Bulut, Onur; Kose, Iskin Engin; Sonmez, Cagla; Oktem, Huseyin AvniIn response to the growing demand for high-value bioactive compounds, microalgae cultivation has gained a significant acceleration in recent years. Among these compounds, antioxidants have emerged as essential constituents in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries. This study focuses on Micractinium sp. ME05, a green microalgal strain previously isolated from hot springs flora in our laboratory. Micractinium sp. cells were extracted using six different solvents, and their antioxidant capacity, as well as total phenolic, flavonoid, and carotenoid contents were evaluated. The methanolic extracts demonstrated the highest antioxidant capacity, measuring 7.72 and 93.80 mu mol trolox equivalents g-1 dry weight (DW) according to the DPPH and FRAP assays, respectively. To further characterize the biochemical profile, reverse phase high-performance chromatography (RP-HPLC) was employed to quantify twelve different phenolics, including rutin, gallic acid, benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, and beta-carotene, in the microalgal extracts. Notably, the acetone extracts of Micractinium sp. grown mixotrophically contained a high amount of gallic acid (469.21 +/- 159.74 mu g g-1 DW), while 4-hydroxy benzoic acid (403.93 +/- 20.98 mu g g-1 DW) was the main phenolic compound in the methanolic extracts under heterotrophic cultivation. Moreover, extracts from Micractinium sp. exhibited remarkable cytoprotective activity by effectively inhibiting hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress and cell death in human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cells. In conclusion, with its diverse biochemical composition and adaptability to different growth regimens, Micractinium sp. emerges as a robust candidate for mass cultivation in nutraceutical and food applications.Correction Antioxidant Activity of Micractinium Sp. (Chlorophyta) Extracts Against H2o2 Induced Oxidative Stress in Human Breast Adenocarcinoma Cells(Nature Portfolio, 2025-02-06) Bulut, Onur; Kose, Iskin Engin; Sonmez, Cagla; Oktem, Huseyin AvniCorrection to: Scientific Reportshttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-63960-6, published online 11 Nov 2024. In the original version of this Article, author Onur Bulut was incorrectly affiliated with “Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Konya Food and Agriculture University, 42080 Konya, Türkiye.” His correct affiliation is listed below: Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Atilim University, 06830, Ankara, Türkiye The original article has been corrected. © The Author(s) 2025.Article Author Correction: Using Urine Ftir Spectra To Screen Autism Spectrum Disorder(Nature Portfolio, 2024-03-21) Sarigul, Neslihan; Bozatli, Leyla; Kurultak, Ilhan; Korkmaz, Filiz[No Abstract Available]