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  • Article
    The Effect of a Single Session Rubber Hand Illusion on Pressure Pain Is Not Long-Lasting
    (John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2025) Ceylan, H.; Acet, N.; Günendi, Z.
    Background: Rubber hand illusion (RHI) is an experience that causes changes in body perception and awareness as a result of the integration of simultaneous perceived visual and tactile stimuli. After synchronous brush strokes with rubber and real hands, the person perceives the rubber hand as their own. RHI is known to alter pain perception. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the effects of RHI on pressure pain threshold and continuity of this effect. Methods: Twenty-three volunteers who developed RHI were included in our study and two conditions, illusion (synchronous) and control (asynchronous), were applied. The illusion condition was created by synchronous brush strokes, while the control condition was created by asynchronous brush application using different frequency and different finger areas in the same individuals. In both conditions, pressure pain threshold measurements with an algometer were performed at four times: baseline/1st measurement, during the brush stroke/2nd measurement, at the end of the brush stroke/3rd measurement and after the hand was removed from the environment/4th measurement. Results: It was shown that RHI increased the pressure-pain threshold (p = 0.004) in healthy volunteers. Asynchronous brush strokes arranged as a control trial significantly decreased the pressure pain threshold (p = 0.002). Conclusions: It was found that the threshold values that change during the brush strokes return to the initial state after the brush strokes are terminated and the rubber hand is removed from the environment so that the effect of the illusion does not last for a long time with a single session application. © 2025 European Pain Federation - EFIC ®.
  • Article
    Selection of DNA Aptamers Against Parathyroid Hormone for Electrochemical Impedimetric Biosensor System Development
    (John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2025) Didarian, Reza; Bargh, Saharnaz; Gulerman, Almina; Ozalp, Veli Cengiz; Erel, Ozcan; Yildirim-Tirgil, Nimet
    This work presents the pioneering development of an aptamer-based electrochemical biosensor for real-time monitoring of parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, with a focus on intraoperative assessment during parathyroid surgery. It introduces, for the first time, the selection and characterization of aptamers targeting distinct segments of the PTH peptide. The study demonstrates the feasibility and efficacy of the biosensing platform through a precisely designed experimental framework, including SELEX-based aptamer selection, aptamer-peptide interaction analysis, and biosensor fabrication. The SELEX process yields aptamers with notable binding affinities to different fragments of PTH, with the PTH (53-84) aptamer showing particularly sensitive binding to the hormone's C terminus, allowing for precise PTH analysis. Electrochemical characterization reveals significant changes in electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) signals upon exposure to varying PTH concentrations, highlighting the sensor's sensitivity and selectivity. The increase in charge transfer resistance (Rct) values with rising PTH concentrations underscores the biosensor's capability to detect PTH-induced structural changes, validating its potential for accurate measurement. The biosensor shows remarkable selectivity in the presence of common interferents in serum samples, ensuring precise PTH detection. Stability assessments over a 45-day storage period demonstrate the biosensor's robustness and long-term reliability, affirming its practical suitability. In summary, the developed aptamer-based biosensor represents a promising tool for sensitive and selective PTH detection, with potential applications in biomedical research and clinical diagnostics, particularly for intraoperative PTH analysis during parathyroidectomy. Continued research and optimization efforts hold promise for enhancing its performance and expanding its utility in diverse healthcare settings.
  • Article
    Bacterial Profiling of Brined Grapevine Leaves Collected From Different Local Markets in Türkiye
    (John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2025) Ucak, S.; Yegin, Z.; Yurt, M.N.Z.; Sudagidan, M.; Altunbas, O.; Ozalp, V.C.
    Microorganisms linked to the grapevine, Vitis vinifera, can impact crop quality, plant growth, and human and plant health. This study examined the bacterial community structures of brined grapevine leaves (n = 56) taken from seven distinct regions in Türkiye using next-generation sequencing technology. Investigations were also conducted into the samples' chemical properties. Firmicutes was the dominant phylum, followed by Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. Bacillaceae was the predominant family in the analyzed samples, followed by Clostridiaceae, Peptostreptococcaceae, and Enterobacteriaceae. Bacillus was the dominant genus, followed by Lysinibacillus and Clostridium sensu stricto. The samples exhibited differences in terms of pH, total acidity, and salt content. The pH values of the brined grapevine leaves ranged from 2.31 to 6.91, the acidity levels ranged from 0.09% to 1.80%, and the salt percentages ranged from 3.39% to 49.14%. This research provides pioneering information for bacterial community analysis of brined grapevine leaves. © 2025 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.
  • Article
    Citation - Scopus: 1
    Development of a Questionnaire To Assess Phosphate Knowledge in Children With Chronic Kidney Disease and Their Caregivers
    (John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2025) McAlister, L.; Shaw, V.; Pugh, P.; Joyce, T.; Snauwaert, E.; Bathgate, F.; Lambert, K.
    Introduction: Hyperphosphataemia is a common complication of paediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD), despite the use of phosphate binders and the numerous strategies employed to reduce dietary phosphate (P) intake. This article describes the development of two self-administered semi-structured Phosphate Understanding and Knowledge Assessment (PUKA) questionnaires. The purpose of these is to assess challenges with adherence and measure declarative nutrition and procedural knowledge of phosphate in children and young people (CYP) with CKD and their caregivers. The aim is to create questionnaires that will be used for future studies investigating the relationship between knowledge and blood P-levels. Methods: Questions were generated from a literature review, clinical experience and feedback from a survey sent to UK paediatric kidney dietitians. The content, format and style of the questions were adapted and validated via expert consensus (including a psychologist, play therapist, paediatric kidney dietitians and nephrologists from the international Paediatric Renal Nutrition Taskforce, and our Young Persons’ Advisory Group), two caregivers and two CYP. A draft questionnaire was piloted with five caregivers and CYP with CKD to ensure face and content validity. To allow utilisation in a planned multi-centre trial, it was translated into five languages (Dutch, French, German, Italian and Turkish). The final English version questionnaires were used in a sample of CYP with CKD stages 4–5 and on dialysis (CKD4-5D), and caregivers, from three UK paediatric kidney centres. Results: From an initial pool of 80 questions, 37 were included in the final PUKA questionnaire. Thirteen were knowledge-based, and a knowledge score was developed. An adult and a child-friendly format were designed. Pilot testing confirmed face validity to ensure the questions were understandable. Forty-four CYP with CKD4-5D and 33 caregivers completed the final English PUKA questionnaires, with over 80% rating it easy to complete. The median time required to complete it was 11:06 min (IQR: 7:22–16:31). Conclusions: The PUKA questionnaires are a valid and reliable tool for measuring P-related knowledge and experiences of managing phosphate in CYP with CKD and their caregivers. © 2025 The British Dietetic Association Ltd.
  • Article
    Citation - Scopus: 3
    Intensive Care Nurses' Knowledge and Practices Regarding Medical Device-Related Pressure Injuries: a Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study
    (John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2024) Kurtgöz,A.; Kızıltepe,S.K.; Keskin,H.; Sönmez,M.; Aşatır,İ.
    This study aims to determine the levels of knowledge and practices of intensive care nurses regarding medical device-related pressure injuries (MDRPIs). This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out between September 2023 and February 2024, involving 143 nurses working in intensive care units across three hospitals in Türkiye. The data were collected using the demographic form and the Medical Device-related Pressure Injuries Knowledge and Practice Assessment Tool (MDPI-ASSET). Of the nurses, 74.1% have encountered MDRPIs in their unit, 63.6% feel that their knowledge about MDRPIs is insufficient and 90.2% express a desire to receive training about MDRPIs. The participants' total mean MDPI-ASSET score was 11.12 (out of 21). The nurses achieved the highest mean score on the Aetiology/risk factors sub-scale and the lowest mean score on the Staging sub-scale. The analysis revealed significant differences in the mean MDPI-ASSET total scores among nurses based on the status of previous encounters with MDRPIs (t = 2.342; p = 0.021) and their feelings of responsibility for the development of MDRPIs (t = −2.746; p = 0.007). In this study, the knowledge and practices of intensive care nurses regarding medical device-induced pressure injuries were found to be inadequate. Given the frequent occurrence of MDRPIs in intensive care units, it is necessary to support nurses with continuous organizational-level training to improve the quality of care for critically ill patients. © 2024 The Author(s). International Wound Journal published by Medicalhelplines.com Inc and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.