Search

Abstract Despite the extensive research on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) exploring various treatment strategies, the survival outcomes have remained unsatisfactory. The aim of this research was to evaluate the ability of machine learning (ML) methods in predicting the survival probability of HCC patients. The study retrospectively analyzed cases of patients with stage 1–4 HCC. Demographic, clinical, pathological, and laboratory data served as input variables. The researchers employed various feature selection techniques to identify the key predictors of patient mortality. Additionally, the study utilized a range of machine learning methods to model patient survival rates. The study included 393 individuals with HCC. For early-stage patients (stages 1–2), the models reached recall values ​​of up to 91% for 6-month survival prediction. For advanced-stage patients (stage 4), the models achieved accuracy values ​​of up to 92% for 3-year overall survival prediction. To predict whether patients are ex or not, the accuracy was 87.5% when using all 28 features without feature selection with the best performance coming from the implementation of weighted KNN. Further improvements in accuracy, reaching 87.8%, were achieved by applying feature selection methods and using a medium Gaussian SVM. This study demonstrates that machine learning techniques can reliably predict survival probabilities for HCC patients across all disease stages. The research also shows that AI models can accurately identify a high proportion of surviving individuals when assessing various clinical and pathological factors.

This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the motivations that key policy documents have put forward as justifications for Sweden's mother-tongue instruction in immigrant and historical minority languages as a multicultural policy that has endured for nearly half a century. The diachronic development of these motivations is analysed in four periods and interpreted with the help of Ruiz's (1984) orientations in language planning. The corpus consists of 26 key policy documents making up the coordinative discourse among policy actors. Based on an innovative mix of qualitative and quantitative methods, the motivations are presented in a three-tiered taxonomy consisting of motivational units, themes and language-planning orientations. The results point to both continuity and change in how mother-tongue instruction has been justified over time. Confirming previous research, the results show that the language-as-resource orientation has played a central role in justifying both the establishment and the maintenance of mother-tongue instruction in Sweden and that language as right complemented this orientation. Furthermore, the study illustrates that the language-as-problem orientation need not always be detrimental to bilingualism and minority-language maintenance. Contrary to some claims in the literature, it is argued that language as extrinsic resource is not necessarily underpinned by neoliberalism, as there are also social liberal and conservative inroads to this orientation. The paper concludes that although the language-as-resource orientation plays an indispensable role in supporting bilingualism in education, not only the language-as-right orientation but also the language-as-problem orientation should not be neglected.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the clinical characteristics of pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) based on a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with those of pregnant women who had normal test results and to evaluate the potential role of serum fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) levels in the diagnosis of GDM. Method: This prospective, controlled cohort study a total of thirty-six pregnant women diagnosed with GDM based on a 75-g OGTT and thirty-six pregnant women with normal test results who presented to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Health Sciences Turkey, Prof. Dr. Cemil Taşcıoğlu City Hospital between 01/12/2021 and 01/04/2022 were included in the study. The participants’ age and obstetric outcomes Neonatal characteristics, and laboratory results, including FGF-21 levels, were recorded. Results: When the general characteristics of the participants in our study were evaluated, no statistically significant differences were found between the groups with and without gestational diabetes in terms of age, gravidity, parity, weight, birth weight, birth length, gestational week, hemoglobin, platelet count, and alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels, indicating that the two groups were similar (p0.05). However, a statistically significant difference was found between FGF-21 levels and amniotic fluid index (AFI) increase (p=0.003). It was observed that participants with increased AFI had higher mean FGF-21 levels than those with normal AFI. Conclusion: In this study, serum FGF-21 levels were higher in pregnant women with GDM than in those without GDM.

This study comprehensively investigates the frequency- and temperature-dependent viscoelastic properties of two elastomer materials, focusing on the comparison between experimental results and theoretical models derived from Prony series coefficients. Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) was performed across a broad temperature range of 0–100 °C and frequency range of 0.1–100 Hz to generate storage modulus and relaxation modulus data for both materials. Relaxation tests were conducted at 25 °C to further characterize the time-dependent behavior. Time–Temperature Superposition (TTS) was applied to the resultant shift factors used to fit both Williams–Landel–Ferry (WLF) and Arrhenius equations. Additionally, sinusoidal sweep tests were carried out at 0 °C, 25 °C, 50 °C, and 80 °C, with frequencies ranging from 1 Hz to 1000 Hz, to experimentally determine the natural frequencies of the elastomers. The findings demonstrate that Prony series coefficients derived from storage modulus data offer a more accurate prediction of the viscoelastic response and natural frequencies compared to those derived from relaxation modulus data. The storage modulus data closely match the experimentally observed natural frequencies, while the relaxation modulus data exhibit larger deviations, particularly at higher temperatures. The study also reveals temperature-dependent behavior, where increasing temperature reduces the stiffness of the materials, leading to lower natural frequencies. This comprehensive analysis highlights the importance of selecting appropriate modeling techniques and data sources, particularly when predicting dynamic responses under varying temperature and frequency conditions.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of the dopamine agonist cabergoline in uncontrolled acromegaly despite long-acting somatostatin analog (SSA). Methods: Thirty-five patients with acromegaly who were followed up in the department of endocrinology and metabolism of our university were analyzed. Thirty-five patients with acromegaly who did not respond adequately to postoperative SSA and in whom cabergoline was added to the treatment were analyzed. Patients were retrospectively evaluated in terms of age, gender, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) values before and after cabergoline, disease duration, treatment dose, adenoma size, growth hormone level, and prolactin staining on pathologic examination. Results: Seventeen (48.6%) patients were female. The median age was 46.0 (41-53) years, and the median disease age was 10 (3-43) years. Twenty-eight (80.0%) were macroadenomas, 7 (20.0%) were microadenomas, and prolactin staining was observed in 10 (27.8%) cases. The IGF-1 level was 443 (346-628) ng/mL before cabergoline treatment and 27.4% decrease in IGF-1 was observed after treatment (p

Abstract Background Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI, or prodromal AD) are highly significant for early diagnosis, clinical trials and treatment outcome evaluations. Electroencephalography (EEG), being noninvasive and easily accessible, has recently been the center of focus. However, a comprehensive understanding of EEG in dementia is still needed. A primary objective of this study is to investigate which of the many EEG characteristics could effectively differentiate between individuals with AD or prodromal AD and healthy individuals. Methods We collected resting state EEG data from individuals with AD, prodromal AD, and normal cognition. Two distinct preprocessing pipelines were employed to study the reliability of the extracted measures across different datasets. We extracted 41 different EEG features. We have also developed a stand-alone software application package, Feature Analyzer, as a comprehensive toolbox for EEG analysis. This tool allows users to extract 41 EEG features spanning various domains, including complexity measures, wavelet features, spectral power ratios, and entropy measures. We performed statistical tests to investigate the differences in AD or prodromal AD from age-matched cognitively normal individuals based on the extracted EEG features, power spectral density (PSD), and EEG functional connectivity. Results Spectral power ratio measures such as theta/alpha and theta/beta power ratios showed significant differences between cognitively normal and AD individuals. Theta power was higher in AD, suggesting a slowing of oscillations in AD; however, the functional connectivity of the theta band was decreased in AD individuals. In contrast, we observed increased gamma/alpha power ratio, gamma power, and gamma functional connectivity in prodromal AD. Entropy and complexity measures after correcting for multiple electrode comparisons did not show differences in AD or prodromal AD groups. We thus catalogued AD and prodromal AD-specific EEG features. Conclusions Our findings reveal that the changes in power and connectivity in certain frequency bands of EEG differ in prodromal AD and AD. The spectral power, power ratios, and the functional connectivity of theta and gamma could be biomarkers for diagnosis of AD and prodromal AD, measure the treatment outcome, and possibly a target for brain stimulation.

Objective: To determine the academic and professional profiles of midwives studying at the Department of Midwifery in Türkiye, to examine their attitudes towards graduate education and related factors.Methods: This study was carried out descriptive and cross-sectional study with 190 midwives actively continuing their postgraduate education and who met the inclusion criteria. The study was conducted between April 2021 and July 2021. Descriptive Information Form and Attitude Scale Towards Postgraduate Education were used to collect data. Results: Thinking about becoming an academician in the future, being satisfied with the performance of the academicians in postgraduate education, thinking that clinical experience is necessary before postgraduate education were determined as the factors affecting the attitudes of midwives towards postgraduate education.Conclusion: It is thought that determining the attitudes, expectations and problems of midwives towards graduate education and developing solutions for problems will increase positive attitudes towards graduate education.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the association between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and cryptogenic stroke (CS) in patients diagnosed with patent foramen ovale (PFO) using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Methods A retrospective, single-center study was conducted at a tertiary education and research hospital from January 2015 to December 2023. The study population included 1017 consecutive patients with sinus rhythm diagnosed with PFO, of whom 210 had CS. The TyG Index was calculated using triglyceride and fasting glucose levels. Results Patients with CS were older (47.53 ± 12.34 years) compared to control group (44.40 ± 17.82 years, p = .005). The proportion of males was higher in the CS group (56.2%) compared to the control group (48.3%, p = .042). Laboratory findings revealed higher TyG Index (8.87 ± 0.51 vs 8.63 ± 0.55, p

Abstract Background Structural income inequality – the uneven income distribution across regions or countries – could affect brain structure and function, beyond individual differences. However, the impact of structural income inequality on the brain dynamics and the roles of demographics and cognition in these associations remains unexplored. Methods Here, we assessed the impact of structural income inequality, as measured by the Gini coefficient on multiple EEG metrics, while considering the subject‐level effects of demographic (age, sex, education) and cognitive factors. Resting‐state EEG signals were collected from a diverse sample (countries = 10; healthy individuals = 1394 from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Cuba, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Turkey and United Kingdom). Complexity (fractal dimension, permutation entropy, Wiener entropy, spectral structure variability), power spectral and aperiodic components (1/f slope, knee, offset), as well as graph‐theoretic measures were analysed. Findings Despite variability in samples, data collection methods, and EEG acquisition parameters, structural inequality systematically predicted electrophysiological brain dynamics, proving to be a more crucial determinant of brain dynamics than individual‐level factors. Complexity and aperiodic activity metrics captured better the effects of structural inequality on brain function. Following inequality, age and cognition emerged as the most influential predictors. The overall results provided convergent multimodal metrics of biologic embedding of structural income inequality characterised by less complex signals, increased random asynchronous neural activity, and reduced alpha and beta power, particularly over temporoposterior regions. Conclusion These findings might challenge conventional neuroscience approaches that tend to overemphasise the influence of individual‐level factors, while neglecting structural factors. Results pave the way for neuroscience‐informed public policies aimed at tackling structural inequalities in diverse populations.

Osmanlı modernleşmesinin en önemli adımlarından birisi Tanzimat'ın ilanıyla birlikte başlayan süreç olmuştur. Tanzimat, Osmanlı Devleti'nin siyasetine, ekonomisine ve idari yapısına etki yaptığı gibi aynı zamanda kültür ve sanat yaşamını da etkilemiştir. Batı ile kurulan ilişki hem Osmanlı hem de Cumhuriyet döneminde Batı kültürünün, sanatının Anadolu coğrafyasındaki gelişimini de doğrudan etkilemiştir. Tiyatro sanatı da bu etkiden nasibi almış ve özellikle yerli eserlerin yazılması, yerli oyunların sahnelenmesi gibi konularda bu ilişkinin belirleyiciliği tartışma konusu olmuştur. Örneğin 1949 yılında kurulan Devlet Tiyatroları'nda yerli oyunlara geniş bir alan bırakılmamıştır. 2000 yılından sonraki süreçte ise Türk tiyatro kültürüne çok önemli katkılar sağlayan yerli oyun temsillerinde ciddi bir artış olduğu görülmektedir.

One of the most crucial elements influencing the efficacy of artificial insemination applications is semen quality. It is known that post-thaw semen quality was affected by thawing method. Errors made during the thawing process can compromise the motility, viability, morphology and DNA integrity of spermatozoa after thawing. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of four distinct thawing procedures on post-thaw semen quality in bulls. The first group was designated as 24°C (n=8); the straws in this group were thawed in a water bath at 24°C for 60 seconds. Second group was designated as 32°C (n=8); the straws in this group were thawed in a water bath at 32°C for 60 seconds. Third group was designated as 38°C (n=8); the straws in this group were thawed in a water bath at 38°C for 30 seconds. And the fourth group was designated as 70°C (n=8); the straws in this group were thawed in a water bath at 70°C for 7 seconds. Following the thawing process, motility, sperm morphology, viability, and DNA damage rate in spermatozoa were evaluated. Results showed that in 32°C group and 24°C group sperm motility significantly decreased when compared to 70°C and 38°C groups. Additionally, the 24°C group exhibited a significantly elevated DNA damage rate compared to the 70°C group, while no differences were observed in the other groups. In conclusion, the most ideal thawing procedures are at 70°C for 7 seconds and at 38°C for 30 seconds are recommended to get optimum sperm quality from frozen bull semen after thawing.

This case study critically examines the long-term detrimental effects of female genital mutilation (FGM), specifically focusing on the development of clitoral epidermoid inclusion cysts. The study illuminates the often-overlooked post-mutilation complications that extend beyond immediate physical trauma, encompassing significant anatomical alterations with potential psychosocial implications. As a direct consequence of FGM, clitoral epidermoid inclusion cysts represent a physical manifestation of such prolonged complications, contributing to discomfort, potential sexual dysfunction, and an overall decline in quality of life. In an unusual case, a 38-year-old African woman presented with a painful clitoral tumor intermittently draining for three years. The study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive preventive measures, early diagnosis, and effective management strategies in affected populations to mitigate the enduring consequences of this harmful practice.

Objective: To evaluate possible temporomandibular disorders (TMD) symptoms that may occur due to mask use in dentists during the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic period and identify potentially effective factors. Methods: An online questionnaire consisting of three parts was sent to dentists and clinical dental students. The first part included questions regarding sociodemographic information. In the second part, questions were asked to evaluate stress levels, TMD symptoms, and treatment of TMD, if any, before (T0) and during the pandemic (T1). In the last part, professional mask choice, mask-related parafunctional movements, and breathing patterns while wearing a mask were evaluated. Results: TMD symptoms and stress levels were significantly higher at T1. An increase in mouth breathing and mask-related parafunctional movements was reported during the use of N95 masks compared with daily life in dentists whose professional mask selection was an N95 respirator. The change in temporomandibular joints pain and muscle pain at rest between T0 and T1 was higher in those whose professional mask choice was N95 respirators than in those who chose to wear one surgical mask. Conclusion: The increase in mouth breathing and mask-related parafunctional movements during the use of N95 respirators may increase TMD.

The structure of yeast cells, which are rich in bioactive compounds, makes them an attractive encapsulation vehicle due to their antioxidant, antibacterial, and antimutagenic properties. In this study, black chokeberry extract was encapsulated with different wall materials (maltodextrin, gum arabic, mixture of maltodextrin and gum arabic, plasmolyzed yeast, and non-plasmolyzed yeast) by freeze-drying. While the highest encapsulation efficiency was obtained with maltodextrin (98.82%), non-plasmolyzed yeast (86.58%) emerged as a viable alternative to gum arabic. The largest particle size was observed in plasmolyzed yeast microcapsules. Yeast-coated capsules exhibited a spheroidal morphology. Differential Scanning Calorimetry revealed high thermal stability for all microcapsules, with the gum arabic-coated microcapsules demonstrating the greatest stability. After the simulated gastric and intestinal fluid treatment, plasmolyzed yeast provided the highest retention, with 63.45% and 77.55% of phenolics, respectively. The highest 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) activities were found in yeast microcapsules, with no significant difference between them. In 2,2′-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS•+) scavenging activity, the least loss (approximately 10%) was observed in non-plasmolyzed yeast samples after intestinal digestion. These results showed that yeast can be used as an alternative coating material in the encapsulation of phenolics, and it contributes to the bioavailability of microcapsules with its protective effect during digestion.