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Now showing 1 - 10 of 24
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 5
    Citation - Scopus: 7
    Analyzing Two Decades of Intimate Partner Femicide-Suicides in T?rkiye*
    (Elsevier Sci Ltd, 2023) Cavlak, Mehmet; Odabasi, Aysun Balseven; Mutlu, Niluefer Dilara Ar; Erbaydar, Nueket Paksoy
    Intimate partner femicide-suicide (IPF-S) is an understudied subgroup of homicide-suicide deaths. Limited research has been conducted on IPF-Ss in the Eastern Mediterranean region. This study thus aimed to evaluate the characteristics of IPF-Ss that occurred in Turkiye between 2000 and 2019. IPF-Ss (n = 226) were extracted from electronic news stories. Data on victims, perpetrators, their relationships, and incidents of murder and suicide were collected. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and logistic regression analysis, mortality rates, and proportion of IPF-S in femicide calculations were conducted, showing that 13.3% of the femicides (n = 1699) were IPF-Ss. The IPF-Ss increased in 5-year intervals and were the highest during the 2015-2019 period (62.5%). Victims were married in 48.2% of the cases and 56% were aged <35 years, while 51.3% of the perpetrators were married and 52.6% were aged >40 years. In 42.0% of the cases, the perpetrator lived with the victim. Most (79.2%) of the cases took place in urban settlements, and the perpetrators used firearms in 84.1% of femicide cases. Firearm use was the most common method in cases where IPF-S was planned (OR = 2.98), when the IPF-S method was the same (OR = 29.6), and when the perpetrator committed suicide (OR = 7.82). In addition, it was found that firearm ownership is an important risk factor for IPF-S in Turkiye. Therefore, we recommend legislation to restrict firearms, as well as new measures to prevent illegal access to weapons.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 5
    Citation - Scopus: 6
    Pressure Injury Knowledge of Turkish Internship Nursing Students
    (Elsevier Sci Ltd, 2021) Sonmez, Munevver; Tasdemir, Nurten; Oren, Nursen
    Aim: This study aimed to describe the pressure injury (PI) knowledge of Turkish internship nursing students (INSs). Materials and methods: This descriptive study was performed using the Turkish version of the Modified Pieper Pressure Ulcer Knowledge Test. The study population consisted of INSs in a nursing program in the West Black Sea Region, Turkey. The sample of the study was 278 (74.1% of a total of 375 volunteer INSs). Results: The mean knowledge test score was 29.03 +/- 7.15 (range 11-44). The prevention/risk score was higher; only 28.4% of the students had a satisfactory test score. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that the INSs had significant knowledge gaps regarding PI. Nursing students' knowledge deficiencies regarding PIs should be identified at undergraduate level, and the necessary educational measures should be taken.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 2
    Citation - Scopus: 2
    Incidence of Medical Device-Related Pressure Injuries and Identification of Risk Factors in the Neonatal Unit
    (Elsevier Sci Ltd, 2024) Yarkiner, Zalihe; Bahar, Arzu; Sonmez, Munevver; Kapan, Emine; Sahin, Simge; Kostekci, Ezgi; Erdeve, Omer
    Aim: This study was conducted to investigate the incidence of medical device-related pressure injuries (MDRPIs) and the risk factors influencing their occurrence in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Method: This study is a prospective, descriptive study. The research was conducted with 116 newborns between June 1, 2022, and June 1, 2023. Newborns who stayed in the neonatal intensive care unit for at least 24 h were observed daily for medical device-related pressure injuries under and around each medical device throughout their stay in the intensive care unit. The "Case Report Form," "MDRPIs Monitoring Form," "Braden Q scale for children," National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP) Pressure Grading, and Glasgow Coma Scale were used in the research. Results: The incidence of medical device-related pressure injuries is 35.3 % (41/116). It was found that 38.1 % (16/42) of medical device-related pressure injuries developed due to Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) probes, and 33.5 % (14/42) developed due to medical devices related to the respiratory system. In terms of anatomical location, 38.1 % occurred on the forehead, and 23.8 % on the arm/leg. The difference between birth weight, gestational age, development of MDRPIs in newborns receiving sedation and inotropes was found to be statistically significant. Regression analysis identified gestational age (p = 0.040, OR = 0.795, 95%CI = [0.632-1.000]) as an independent risk factor for the occurrence of medical device-related pressure injuries. Conclusions: The incidence of medical device-related pressure injuries in newborns was relatively high in this study, with gestational age being the most significant risk factor for MDRPIs formation. It is crucial for neonatal intensive care nurses to consider associated risk factors while providing newborn care and implement appropriate preventive measures to reduce the incidence of MDRPIs.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 1
    Citation - Scopus: 1
    Identifying Risk Factors for Blood Culture Negative Infective Endocarditis: an International Id-Iri Study
    (Elsevier Sci Ltd, 2024) Filiz, Mine; Erdem, Hakan; Ankarali, Handan; Puca, Edmond; Ruch, Yvon; Santos, Lurdes; Agalar, Canan
    Background: Blood culture-negative endocarditis (BCNE) is a diagnostic challenge, therefore our objective was to pinpoint high-risk cohorts for BCNE. Methods: The study included adult patients with definite endocarditis. Data were collected via the Infectious Diseases International Research Initiative (ID-IRI). The study analysing one of the largest case series ever reported was conducted across 41 centers in 13 countries. We analysed the database to determine the predictors of BCNE using univariate and logistic regression analyses. Results: Blood cultures were negative in 101 (11.65 %) of 867 patients. We disclosed that as patients age, the likelihood of a negative blood culture significantly decreases (OR 0.975, 95 % CI 0.963-0.987, p < 0.001). Additionally, factors such as rheumatic heart disease (OR 2.036, 95 % CI 0.970-4.276, p = 0.049), aortic stenosis (OR 3.066, 95 % CI 1.564-6.010, p = 0.001), mitral regurgitation (OR 1.693, 95 % CI 1.012-2.833, p = 0.045), and prosthetic valves (OR 2.539, 95 % CI 1.599-4.031, p < 0.001) are associated with higher likelihoods of negative blood cultures. Our model can predict whether a patient falls into the culture-negative or culture-positive groups with a threshold of 0.104 (AUC +/- SE = 0.707 +/- 0.027). The final model demonstrates a sensitivity of 70.3 % and a specificity of 57.0 %. Conclusion: Caution should be exercised when diagnosing endocarditis in patients with concurrent cardiac disorders, particularly in younger cases.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 3
    Citation - Scopus: 4
    A Simple Method To Set the Spray Properties for Flame Spray Pyrolysis Production of Nanoparticles
    (Elsevier Sci Ltd, 2020) Alhaleeb, Mustafi A.; Machin, Nesrin E.
    The most critical part of the flame spray pyrolysis (FSP) process is the nozzle, since it plays a key role in setting the spray properties. In this study, we developed an approach to adjust the nozzle throat gap size for a desired dispersion gas flow rate and upstream pressure, based on the external size and shape of a two phase external mixing nozzle. An equation was derived and validated by comparing the predicted gas flow rates with the data provided in a commercial nozzle supplier chart. Experiments were also conducted in our lab-scale FSP reactor to test the validity of the predictions. The approach developed here was found to closely predict the gap size necessary to pass the required dispersion gas flow at a desired pressure drop. Error in predictions was found to be less than 3% at an upstream pressure range of 3-10 bars. The isentropic flow assumption for perfect gases across the convergent-divergent nozzle was found to fail below 2 bars, consistent with the theory applied. By using the method here, the nozzle setting for a desired operation in an FSP process can be easily done, minimizing the time-consuming trial and error steps needed otherwise.
  • Review
    Citation - WoS: 44
    Citation - Scopus: 43
    Profiling Infectious Diseases in Turkey After the Influx of 3.5 Million Syrian Refugees
    (Elsevier Sci Ltd, 2020) Ergonul, O.; Tulek, N.; Kayi, I; Irmak, H.; Erdem, O.; Dara, M.
    Background: Since 2011, the conflict in Syria has led to over five million refugees. Turkey hosts the highest number of Syrian refugees in the world. By February 2019 over 3.6 million people had fled to Turkey to seek safety. Only 6.1% of Syrian refugees live in temporary shelters. Owing to the disrupted healthcare services, many children coming from the conflict zones are less likely to have received vaccination. In temporary shelters immunization coverage is >95% and the refugee population is receptive to vaccination. Aims: The objective of this study was to review the infectious diseases situation among Syrian refugees in Turkey. Sources: We have reviewed the reports and studies provided by the governmental and non-governmental organizations and obtained more detailed data from the Ministry of Health in Turkey. Content: Between 2012 and 2016, 1 299 209 cases of respiratory tract infection and 158 058 episodes of diarrhoea with 59 bloody diarrhoeas were reported; 1354 hepatitis A cases and 108 active tuberculosis cases were detected and treated in the temporary shelters for Syrian refugees. Overall in Turkey, 7794 cutaneous leishmaniasis have been reported. Implications: Since the influx of Syrian refugees, there has been an increase in cases of leishmaniasis and measles. No significant increase was detected for tuberculosis, other vector-borne infections, and healthcare associated or sexually transmitted infections. The Syrian refugees can be considered as a vulnerable group in Turkey due to their living and working conditions. Based on available data and our detailed analysis, the numbers show a stable situation regarding infectious diseases. (C) 2019 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 20
    Citation - Scopus: 19
    Medical Device-Related Pressure Injuries: Knowledge Levels of Nurses and Factors Affecting These
    (Elsevier Sci Ltd, 2022) Sonmez, Munevver; Sönmez, Münevver; Bahar, Arzu; Sönmez, Münevver; Nursing; Nursing
    Aim: The knowledge level of nurses plays a key role in preventing medical device-related pressure injuries. This research aimed to investigate the knowledge levels of nurses with regard to medical device-related pressure injuries and the factors affecting these. Materials and methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 355 nurses between December 15, 2020 and March 31, 2021. Data were collected using the Nurse Information Form and the Medical Device-Related Pressure Injuries Knowledge Questionnaire. Results: The mean score of the nurses for the Medical Device-Related Pressure Injuries Knowledge Questionnaire was 22.11 +/- 5.79. The nurses obtained the highest score from the "Description" sub-dimension of the test, whereas the lowest scores pertained to the "Staging" sub-dimension. Only 23.1% of the nurses stated that they had general knowledge about medical device-related pressure injuries. A significant difference was determined between the mean scores that the nurses got from the Medical Device-Related Pressure Injuries Knowledge Questionnaire and their gender, work experience in the intensive care unit, frequency of encountering a medical device-related pressure injuries and their previous training on such injuries. In addition, a positive relationship was determined between the level of knowledge about medical device-related pressure injuries and age and seniority. Results: It was concluded that the level of knowledge of nurses about medical device-related pressure injuries was insufficient. We therefore recommend that a regular training program be provided to nurses on medical device-related pressure injuries in order to reduce the incidence of these injuries and to provide a quality and safe care service to patients.
  • Article
    Knee Hyperextension in Chronic Stroke: Associated Biomechanical and Neuromuscular Factors
    (Elsevier Sci Ltd, 2025) Korkusuz, Sueleyman; Korkusuz, Busra Seckinogullari; Ozgoren, Nihat; Aritan, Serdar; Ceren, Ali Naim; Topcuoglu, Mehmet Akif; Balkan, Ayla Fil
    Background: This study aimed to determine the gait phase in which knee hyperextension occurs in stroke patients and to investigate the factors associated with knee hyperextension. Methods: This study included 30 stroke patients aged between 40 and 70 years with maximum knee hyperextension during the stance phase of gait. Muscle strength was evaluated with manual muscle test, and muscle tone was assessed with the Modified Ashworth Scale. Kinematic evaluation of the patients was made using the motion analysis system. Additionally, categorisation was made according to the stance phase of gait, where knee hyperextension was at its highest. Findings: A weak relationship was found between maximum knee hyperextension angle and gastrocnemius spasticity, a moderate relationship between knee flexor muscle strength, and a moderate relationship between ankle dorsiflexor muscle strength. In addition, a weak relationship was found between the maximum knee hyperextension and pelvic retraction angles. According to this clustering, it was observed that 66.67 % of the participants (20 people) showed maximum knee hyperextension in the single support phase. It was observed that the participants who had maximum knee hyperextension, especially after the mid-stance phase, had higher mean gastrocnemius spasticity. It was also observed that participants in Cluster 4, with a greater amount of maximum knee hyperextension, had the worst clinical parameters. Interpretation: Our study observed that the degree of maximum knee hyperextension was related to knee flexor and ankle dorsiflexor muscle strengths, gastrocnemius spasticity and pelvic retraction. As clinical parameters worsened, maximum knee hyperextension was thought to occur late in the stance phase. Clinical Trial code: NCT05679700
  • Review
    Citation - WoS: 190
    Citation - Scopus: 202
    Stimulus-Responsive Sequential Release Systems for Drug and Gene Delivery
    (Elsevier Sci Ltd, 2020) Ahmadi, Sepideh; Rabiee, Navid; Bagherzadeh, Mojtaba; Elmi, Faranak; Fatahi, Yousef; Farjadian, Fatemeh; Hamblin, Michael R.
    In recent years, a range of studies have been conducted with the aim to design and characterize delivery systems that are able to release multiple therapeutic agents in controlled and programmed temporal sequences, or with spatial resolution inside the body. This sequential release occurs in response to different stimuli, including changes in pH, redox potential, enzyme activity, temperature gradients, light irradiation, and by applying external magnetic and electrical fields. Sequential release (SR)-based delivery systems, are often based on a range of different micro- or nanocarriers and may offer a silver bullet in the battle against various diseases, such as cancer. Their distinctive characteristic is the ability to release one or more drugs (or release drugs along with genes) in a controlled sequence at different times or at different sites. This approach can lengthen gene expression periods, reduce the side effects of drugs, enhance the efficacy of drugs, and induce an anti-proliferative effect on cancer cells due to the synergistic effects of genes and drugs. The key objective of this review is to summarize recent progress in SR-based drug/gene delivery systems for cancer and other diseases. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 5
    Citation - Scopus: 5
    Comparison of the Efficacy of Subcutaneous Versus Vaginal Progesterone Using a Rescue Protocol in Vitrified Blastocyst Transfer Cycles
    (Elsevier Sci Ltd, 2023) Yarali, Hakan; Mumusoglu, Sezcan; Polat, Mehtap; Erden, Murat; Ozbek, Irem Yarali; Esteves, Sandro C.; Humaidan, Peter
    Research question: Does administration of subcutaneous (s.c.) progesterone support ongoing pregnancy rates (OPR) similar to vaginal progesterone using a rescue protocol in hormone replacement therapy frozen embryo transfer cycles?Design: Retrospective cohort study. Two sequential cohorts -vaginal progesterone gel (December 2019-October 2021; n=474) and s.c. progesterone (November 2021-November 2022; n=249)-were compared. Following oestrogen priming, s.c. progesterone 25 mg twice daily (b.d.) or vaginal progesterone gel 90 mg b.d. was administered. Serum progesterone was measured 1 day prior to warmed blastocyst transfer (i.e. day 5 of progesterone administration). In patients with serum progesterone concentrations <8.75 ng/ml, additional s.c. progesterone (rescue protocol; 25 mg) was provided.Results: In the vaginal progesterone gel group, 15.8% of patients had serum progesterone <8.75 ng/ml and received the rescue protocol, whereas no patients in the s.c. progesterone group received the rescue protocol. OPR, along with positive pregnancy and clinical pregnancy rates, were comparable between the s.c. progesterone group without the rescue protocol and the vaginal progesterone gel group with the rescue protocol. After the rescue protocol, the route of progesterone administration was not a significant predictor of ongoing pregnancy. The impact of different serum progesterone concentrations on reproductive outcomes was evaluated by percentile (<10(th), 10-49(th), 50-90(th) and >90(th) percentiles), taking the >90(th) percentile as the reference subgroup. In both the vaginal progesterone gel group and the s.c. progesterone group, all serum progesterone percentile subgroups had similar OPR.Conclusions: Subcutaneous progesterone 25 mg b.d. secures serum progesterone >8.75 ng/ml, whereas additional exogenous progesterone (rescue protocol) was needed in 15.8% of patients who received vaginal progesterone. The s.c. and vaginal progesterone routes, with the rescue protocol if needed, yield comparable OPR.