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  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 21
    Citation - Scopus: 20
    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
    Citation - WoS: 3
    Citation - Scopus: 3
    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
    Synthesis and Electropolymerization of a Selenophene Based Chemiluminescent Monomer and Its Use in Blood Detection
    (Elsevier Sci Ltd, 2025) Balci, Burcu; Cakal, Deniz; Cihaner, Atilla
    A new selenophene based trimeric chemiluminescent compound, namely 5,7-di(selenophen-2-yl)-2,3-dihydrothieno[3,4-d]pyridazine-1,4-dione (S2T-Lum), was synthesized in two steps via electron donor-acceptor-donor approach. Its chemiluminescent reaction with hydrogen peroxide was investigated in an alkaline solution in the presence of various catalysts such as different metal ions, hemin and blood samples and the results were compared with its thiophene analogue (T2T-Lum) and luminol. It was found that S2T-Lum was very sensitive to copper(II) and iron(III) ions, and blood samples. Also, it can be easily concluded that S2T-Lum as a new member of luminol type compounds is a potential candidate for the detection of blood findings in forensic science. Furthermore, S2T-Lum has an irreversible oxidation peak at 1.28 V vs Ag/AgCl, which is responsible from its electropolymerization. S2T-Lum was successfully polymerized electrochemically via potentiodynamic electrolysis without cleavage of its chemiluminescent active appendage. To the best of our knowledge, its corresponding polymer PS2T-Lum film is the first member of selenophene based luminol type electroactive polymers.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 8
    Citation - Scopus: 8
    Improvement of Optical Properties and Redox Stability of Poly(3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene)
    (Elsevier Sci Ltd, 2018) Ertan, Salih; Cihaner, Atilla
    In order to improve the optical properties and redox stability of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) without changing its electrochemical and electrochromic behaviour, it was supported with alkyl-substituted polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) cage. The corresponding copolymers were obtained electrochemically via potentiostatic or potentiodynamic methods and compared to the parent homopolymers. Electrochemical polymerization of EDOT and POSS containing EDOT called EDOT-POSS in various monomer feed ratios was performed in an electrolyte solution of 0.1 M TBAPF(6) dissolved in a mixture of dichloromethane and acetonitrile (1/3: v/v). Just as PEDOT, the copolymers represented the similar band gap (1.61 eV), redox and electrochromic behaviors. On the other hand, when compared to the parent PEDOT, the presence of POSS cages in the copolymer backbone improved the redox stability and optical properties of PEDOT such as higher percent transmittance change (65% at 621 nm), higher transparency at oxidized state, lower switching time (similar to 1.0 s) and higher coloration efficiency (463 cm(2)/C for 95% switching) as well as higher electrochemical stability (86% of its electroactivity retains after 1750 cycles under ambient conditions).
  • 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: 11
    Citation - Scopus: 11
    Electrochemical and Optical Properties of Substituted Phthalimide Based Monomers and Electrochemical Polymerization of 3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene Oligomeric Silsesquioxane (poss) Analogue
    (Elsevier Sci Ltd, 2019) Cakal, Deniz; Ertan, Salih; Cihaner, Atilla; Onal, Ahmet M.
    A new series of donor-acceptor-donor type trimeric monomers bearing substituted phthalimide units as acceptor units and thiophene and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) as donor units was synthesized and characterized. The strength of acceptor units and intramolecular charge transfer between donor and acceptor units were investigated by using electrochemical and optical methods. The main advantage of phthalimide unit over other acceptor units is the ease of its functionalizability. Thus, utilizing this property, a phthalimide derivative (E2P-POSS) bearing polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) cage was introduced successfully with EDOT and polymerized electrochemically. The corresponding electroactive polymer, PE2P-POSS, has a band gap of 1.72 eV and is an electrochromic polymer: gray when neutralized and eggplant purple when oxidized.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 30
    Citation - Scopus: 32
    Effect of Fluorine Substituted Benzothiadiazole on Electro-Optical Properties of Donor-Acceptor Type Monomers and Their Polymers
    (Elsevier Sci Ltd, 2020) Cakal, Deniz; Ercan, Yunus Emre; Onal, Ahmet M.; Cihaner, Atilla
    A series of trimeric monomers bearing thiophene donor units and fluorinated analogues of benzothiadiazole acceptor units was synthesized via donor-acceptor-donor approach and polymerized electrochemically in order to investigate the effect of fluorine atom on electro-optical properties of both monomers and their corresponding polymers. All monomers exhibited solvatochromic and fluorescent properties. The introduction of fluorine atom into the conjugated backbone increased the oxidation potentials. Upon moving from nonfluorinated to fully fluorinated analogues, the oxidation potential shifts anodically from 1.30 V to 1.7 V. As in the case of monomers, the fluorine atom substitution also resulted in a decrease in the HOMO energy level of the corresponding polymers, leading to an increase in the electrochemical band gap energy (1.71-1.97 eV). This result can be attributed to deviations from planarity and also to decrease in the effective conjugation length. The polymeric film also exhibited electrochromic properties under various external potentials. Switching time and coloration efficiency values decreased with increasing number of fluorine atom substitution.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 10
    Citation - Scopus: 11
    Evaluating the Current Situation of Oral and Dental Healthcare Services in Turkey and Recommending Solutions
    (Elsevier Sci Ltd, 2017) Ekici, Omer; Tengilimoglu, Dilaver; Isik, Oguz
    Objectives: To identify issues with Turkeys oral and dental healthcare services and develop recommendations for their effective resolution. Methods: This study analyzes Turkey's oral and dental healthcare system and its problematic issues and surveys other systems and reform strategies being implemented worldwide. The questionnaire-based field survey asked 560 dentists and 84 managers working in public oral and dental healthcare centers in 12 different regions and 52 central and chamber directors affiliated with the Turkish Dental Association about dental health issues and potential restructuring in dental healthcare in Turkey. The survey comprised four sections that, in addition to gathering participant information, inquired into the current overall condition of the Turkish dental healthcare system, the problems necessitating system restructuring, and recommendations to resolve these problems. Results: Participants agree that there are structural and functional problems in Turkey's dental healthcare system. Although there is an overall consensus in regard to the recommendations for resolving the problems, priorities differ among participant groups. However, participants do agree that preventive services in Turkey are insufficient and require improvement. Conclusions: This study exposed issues in oral and dental healthcare services in Turkey that fall into four categories: management and organization, service delivery, human resources, and financing. Based on the results, we propose a new organization model for oral and dental healthcare in Turkey that is integrated within the healthcare system using a public health approach and that prioritizes preventive healthcare services. (C) 2017 Fellowship of Postgraduate Medicine. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 24
    Citation - Scopus: 23
    Synthesis and Electrochemical Polymerization of D-A Type Monomers With Thieno [3,4-c] Pyrrole-4,6 Acceptor Unit
    (Elsevier Sci Ltd, 2018) Cakal, Deniz; Ertan, Salih; Cihaner, Atilla; Onal, Ahmet M.
    In this study, three new donor-acceptor-donor type monomers bearing 1,3-dibromo-5-(2-ethylhexyl)-4H-thieno [3,4-c]pyrrole- 4,6(5H)-dione (A) as an acceptor unit and thiophene, 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) and 3,3-didecy1-3,4-dihydro-2H-thieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxepine (didecyl-ProDOT) as donor units were synthesized via Stille cross-coupling reaction and their electrochemical polymerization by repetitive cycling was reported. The electrochemical and optical properties of the monomers ((5-(2-ethyl-liexyl)-1,3-di(thienyl-2-yl)-4H-thienolr-3,4-cl pyrrole-4,6(5H)-dione (TAT), 1,3-bis(2,3-dihydrothieno[3,4-1)] (1,4]dioicin-5-yl)-5-(2-ethylhexyl)-4H-thieno(3,4-c) pyrrole-4,6-(5H)-dione (EAE) and 1,3-bis(3,3-didecyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-thieno[3,4-1)111,41-dioxepin-6-yl)-5-(2-ethylhexyl)-4H-thieno[3,4-apyrrole-4,6(5H)-dione (PAP)) and their corresponding polymers called PTAT, PEAE and PPAP were investigated and it was found that EDOT units containing monomer and polymer (EAE and PEAE) have lower oxidation potentials and lower band gap value as compared to didecyl-ProDOT and thiophene units containing monomers and polymers (PAP, TAT and PPAP, PTAT). Spectroelectrochemical investigations conducted on electrochemically obtained polymer films revealed that polymer films exhibited electrochromic behaviors: brick red to gray for PTAT, blue/violet to highly sky blue for PEAE and blue to highly light blue for PPAP in their neutral and oxidized states, respectively. Moreover, PAP was also polymerized chemically using FeC13 as an oxidizing agent. Both chemically and electrochemically obtained PPAP were found to be soluble in some organic solvents and their dichloromethane solutions can be reversibly oxidized and reduced using antimony pentachloride and hydrazine hydrate solutions, respectively.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 7
    Citation - Scopus: 10
    Improving Sleep-Wake Behaviors Using Mobile App Gamification
    (Elsevier Sci Ltd, 2022) Ilhan, Ayse Ezgi; Sener, Bahar; Hacihabiboglu, Huseyin
    Gamification can be used to encourage people to perform challenging tasks. Gamification can also be useful in altering unwanted habits and enhancing subjective well-being. Everyday health is affected by sleep-wake habits to a significant extent. Therefore, we can come across gamified products and mobile applications related to subjective well-being and sleep/wake activities. This paper presents a study investigating whether gamification can be used to affect sleep-wake behaviors in a positive way. The paper presents a quantified relationship between wake-up, go-to-sleep, work (start) hours and gamified features. For this purpose, a gamified mobile alarm clock application called the Sleepy Bird was designed, created and tested in a user study. The study included twenty-six participants in an A-B experimental set-up: thirteen participants using a gamified version and thirteen participants using a non-gamified version of the app for two weeks. The participants who used the non-gamified version had a poorer motivation to begin their day at the required times in comparison to those who used the gamified version. It was also observed that gamification made favorable modifications to participants' sleep-wake behaviors.