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Having knowledge of Climate Change (CC) and its impacts on agriculture is essential for survival of the world and fulfilling the growing demand for food. Therefore, university graduates as future agricultural experts should have sufficient knowledge on CC and its impacts on agriculture. This study aimed to determine CC Knowledge Levels (CCKL) of candidate graduates and to examine the factors influencing their knowledge levels. The data were collected via a face-to-face survey with 506 students in 16 agricultural economics departments in Turkey. CCKL were determined through a five-point Likert scale statements and using ordered probit model to analyze the factors affecting CCKL. The results of the study revealed that 64.42% of candidate graduate students had high CCKL, whereas 33.2 and 2.37% of them had moderate and low levels. Probit model results showed that the variables of gender, acquiring CC knowledge from university, and number of sufficient academic staffs had statistically positive effects on CCKL of candidate graduates. The research mainly concluded that not all students could achieve sufficient knowledge on climate change from their undergraduate programs. The departments of agricultural economics should include more compulsory courses on CC in their undergraduate program curriculums and employ academic staff with specialization on CC in order to increase the students' CCKL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective Intra-abdominal adhesions are an important surgical problem. Colorectal operations are a major cause of adhesive obstruction. Radiation therapy (RT) is frequently used as an adjuvant therapy to surgery for rectal cancer, though its value for colon carcinoma remains unclear. Peritoneal injuries including the surgical trauma, tissue ischaemia as well as RT are associated with peritoneal fibrinolytic activity. A sodium hyaluronate and carboxymethylcellulose bioresorbable membrane (Seprafilm®) has been used to reduce intra-abdominal adhesion formation. We have investigated the effect of Seprafilm® on intra-abdominal adhesion in rats receiving RT after the resection of the left colon. Materials and methods Thirty-two male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: group 1 (n=16), control (colon resection, no Seprafilm®); group 2 (n=16), study group (colon resection and Seprafilm®). All the rats received 50 Gy RT after left colon resection. Intra-abdominal adhesions were evaluated by grading and measurement of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) as a tissue adhesion marker in peritoneal samples from the rats. tPA was determined using a commercially available ELISA kit. Results The levels of tPA were significantly increased in group 2 rats compared with those in the control group (P=0.0276). It was also seen that adhesions in the rats receiving Seprafilm® were significantly less severe than those in the control group. Conclusion Our findings suggest that the intraperitoneal administration of Seprafilm® reduced the frequency and strength of adhesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polyphenol content of propolis has received a lot of attention due to the benign biological properties noted in the chemical composition studies. However, there are very limited studies about other chemical components found in trace amounts in nature which contribute to the therapeutic properties of propolis. The present study, therefore, investigated the amino acid and vitamin composition of propolis. Propolis harvested by 60 colonies of Apis mellifera caucasica belonged to local non-migratory beekeepers. The A. m. caucasica is known for its distinctive propolis collecting capability which native to the secluded Ardahan Province of Turkey. Vitamin (Thiamine, Riboflavin) combinations of propolis were determined using the HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) fluorescent detector. An amino acid analysis was also performed with the UFLC (Ultra-Fast Liquid Chromatography) system consisting of binary pump and UV/VIS. Our findings record that the vitamin and amino acid content of propolis samples collected from three areas of different altitudes in the same region differed from each other. Vitamin B1 content and Vitamin B2 content ranged between 0.025-0.16 mg/100g, and 0.304-0.777mg/100g, respectively. A maximum amount of amino acid was reported as leucine, while a minimum amount of amino acid was seen as tryptophan in Ardahan propolis. Consequently, the vitamin and amino acid content of propolis, which derived from secondary plant metabolites of resin, varied depending on their geographical altitudes. Those vitamin and amino acids found in the propolis composition are believed to have beneficial therapeutic properties.

Introduction: Propranolol, a nonselective beta-blocker used in the medical treatment of infantile Hemangioma (IH), has been shown to decrease the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and reduce angiogenesis with its antiproliferative and antiangiogenetic effects., Materials and Methods: It has been reported that the storage, transport, and secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are associated with platelet volume indices (PVI). We aimed to investigate the effect of propranolol on PVI in IH patients. Propranolol treatment was started on 22 IH patients. Platelets, mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and plateletcrit values in the follow-ups at months 0, 1, and 2 were compared between 22 patients who received treatment and 25 patients who did not., Results: While a statistically significant difference between months 0, 1, and 2 in PDW and MPV values was detected in the treated group, it was not detected in the untreated group. Taking into consideration that VEGF levels were higher at the beginning of the treatment in the pathophysiology of the disease, it was thought that the decrease in VEGF levels by propranolol may have led to a decrease in MPV and PDW levels in the treatment group., Conclusion: Consequently, in IH cases, propranolol response follow-up can be evaluated with PVIs, especially MPV and PDW, and it may facilitate clinicians' monitoring of the disease after propranolol administration., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Neuroblastoma is one of the common tumors of childhood. The demonstration of new factors such as isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) and isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2) mutations will be important in the diagnosis and treatment. IDH1 and IDH2 mutations have been found in many types of cancer, such as malignant gliomas, acute myeloid leukemias, chondrosarcoma, and thyroid carcinoma. This study aimed to investigate the presence of IDH1 or IDH2 mutations in patients with neuroblastoma and to determine whether these mutations were different in terms of age, clinical findings, and response to treatment., Methods: Biopsy specimens of 25 patients with pediatric neuroblastoma patients were evaluated for IDH mutations. The clinical and laboratory features of the patients with/without mutation were retrospectively analyzed from a hospital database., Results: A total of 25 patients for whom genetic analysis could be performed were included in the study (60% male, n=15). The mean age was 32.2±25.9 months (3 days-96 months). IDH1 mutation was detected in 8 (32%) and IDH2 mutations in 5 (20%) patients. These mutations showed no statistically significant relationship with age, tumor localization, laboratory results, stage, and prognosis. However, in the case of IDH mutation, patients were diagnosed at the advanced stage., Conclusions: This study demonstrated the relationship between neuroblastoma and IDH mutation for the first time. Because to the fact that the mutation is very heterogeneous, it would be appropriate to conduct a larger series of patients in terms of the impact of the clinical significance of each mutation on the diagnosis and prognosis., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: The authors have no conflict of interest to declare., (©Copyright 2023 by the Istanbul Medeniyet University / Medeniyet Medical Journal published by Galenos Publishing House.)

Objective: This study aims to reveal the oxidant and antioxidant status in nurses with chemotheropathic drug exposure and radiology unit workers exposed to ionizing radiation (IR)., Methods: Nineteen radiology unit workers, 14 nurses, and 15 controls were included the study. All of the participants using antioxidants, vitamin supplements, smokers, any therapeutic drugs, and exposed therapeutic or diagnostic X-ray or chemotherapeutic drugs in 12 months were excluded from the study. Total and native thiols, disulfide/native thiol percent ratios (SS/SH), disulfide/total thiol percent ratios, disulfide amounts, and native thiol/total thiol percent ratios, ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) were determined., Results: Disulfide levels, disulfide/total thiol ratio, and disulfide/native thiol ratio of serum samples of both radiology unit workers and nurses were significantly higher and ratio of native thiol/total thiol was lower than the control group. The radiation dose in radiology unit workers was mean±SD: 0.02±0.009, median (min-max): 0.02 (0.001-0.04). Thiol-disulfide homeostasis was disturbed and the balance shifted in the direction of oxidant damage, even at low-dose IR exposure and normal range., Conclusion: As far as we know, the current findings first demonstrate an apparent chronic oxidative stress in the subjects who were occupationally exposed to antineoplastic drugs and radiation even if annual radiation exposure dose measurements are normal., Competing Interests: No conflict of interest was declared by the authors., (© Copyright 2023 by Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Health.)

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of specialization on technical efficiency of beef cattle farms in Samsun province, Turkey. Farm-level cross-sectional data was collected from randomly selected 171 beef cattle farms. Stochastic frontier analysis was used to determine technical efficiency of beef farming and to identify inefficiency determinants. The model results revealed that mean technical efficiency of specialized and combined cattle farms was 0.66 and 0.55, respectively, whereas it was 0.61 on average. Besides, mean technical efficiency of 29.76% of combined cattle farms were lower than 0.50 whereas this rate was solely 5.74% for specialized cattle farms. The results of the study highlighted that specialization increased technical efficiency in beef production. Efficiency model revealed that an increase in use of all inputs except for roughage increases the amount of beef. The higher elasticity of concentrate feed, capital expense and other expense relative to other inputs indicated that these inputs are more effective on beef production. On the other hand, the variable of labor had no significant effect and indicated that beef production was not labor-intensive. The sum of input elasticity was 0.52 and highlighted that cattle farms operated under decreasing return to scale. Inefficiency model revealed that record keeping and herd size reduced the level of inefficiency, whereas non-agricultural income, fodder crop area and external input rate increased. Cattle farms should be encouraged to improve farm size and keep farm record with specialization, and the government should direct a large part of its support to specialized cattle farms to improve beef farming with technical efficiency., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Background: Anthracycline chemotherapy is used to treat a variety of cancers. However, late cardiac effects of anthracycline chemotherapy, such as subclinical left ventricular dilatation and/or dysfunction, have been observed in more than half of long-term survivors of childhood cancers. A major risk factor for anthracycline cardiotoxicity is intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). We assessed the significance of IUGR as an important risk factor for late cardiotoxic effects of anthracycline therapy in asymptomatic long-term survivors of childhood cancers., Materials and Methods: The study included 61 survivors of childhood cancers. Cardiac functions were prospectively studied using both conventional and non-conventional echocardiographic methods (two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography) after completion of the treatment. The patients were divided into two groups based on their birth weights: Group 1 (patients with IUGR) and Group 2 (patients with normal birth weight)., Results: Conventional echocardiography revealed a similar and normal range of left ventricle systolic and diastolic functions in both groups. However, global longitudinal and circumferential strain values demonstrated subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction in both groups as compared with normal reference strain values. Furthermore, Group 1 patients had significantly lower global longitudinal and circumferential strain and strain rate values than those in Group 2 patients., Conclusion: Asymptomatic long-term survivors of childhood cancers with a history of IUGR may have an increased risk of anthracycline cardiotoxicity due to the low content of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). IUGR is a risk factor for late anthracycline cardiotoxicity.

Aim: This study used a randomized controlled trial design and was carried out to examine the effect of education on diabetes self-management and self-efficacy in patients with type 2 diabetes., Methods: The study was carried out between July 2016-March 2017. Data were collected using information form, Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire (DSMQ), self-efficacy scale for patients with type 2 diabetes (DSS).The individuals in the experimental group were given education. Both groups were reminded about the control time of their metabolic values on the phone in the 3rd and 6th months., Results: The average age of the individuals was 59.91 ± 8.93 (n = 78), 62.8% (n = 49) were female, 92.3% (n = 72), were married, 42.3% (n = 33) were high school graduates and their diabetes duration was 7.05 ± 3.9. There was a statistically significant difference in the 6th month metabolic values in the experimental group compared to the control group. When diabetes self-management and self-efficacy were examined, a statistically significant difference was found in the experimental group compared to the control group at 3rd and 6th months (p < 0.05, p < 0.01)., Conclusion: In this study, a significant increase in diabetes self-management and self-efficacy and a significant decrease in metabolic values were observed as a result of education and phone reminders given to individuals with type 2 diabetes., (Copyright © 2021 Primary Care Diabetes Europe. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: The present study investigates the reason for the onset of fever after chemotherapy (CT) for cancer with the aim of reducing unnecessary medical care., Methods: A total of 37 consecutive cycles of CT for cancer were analyzed retrospectively from the files of patients. Fever was defined as a temperature of ≥ 38 °C lasting for 1 h., Results: The study sample included 23 males and 14 females (aged 8.43 ± 5.04 [min-max]). Fever was observed in all 37 cycles of chemotherapy agent (CA), which included cytarabine (ARA-C), dacarbazine, cyclophosphamide, irinotecan, adriamycin, etoposide, ifosfamide, cisplatin, and methotrexate. Fever was recorded within the first 12 h following treatment with ARA-C (45.9%), dacarbazine (16.2%), or cyclophosphamide (8.1%). A physical examination of the patients yielded normal results, C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) values were within the normal range, the median absolute neutrophil count (ANC) was 3200/uL (0.00-16.340/uL), and a median sedimentation (ESR) level of 10 mm/h (2-59) was determined. All fevers were accepted as having resulted from CT based on the above criteria. Paracetamol and diphenhydramine were administered and the patients' treatments were continued., Conclusion: Febrile episodes occurring within the first 6 h following treatment were considered to constitute an adverse drug reaction after CT for the treatment of cancer. While ARA-C fever has been previously reported on in the literature, it should be kept in mind that CT fever can be seen with different CA. Physicians should be aware of this aspect of chemotherapy-associated fever and avoid unnecessary examinations and treatments, including antibiotics.

Background: N-acetylcysteine (NAC) may be useful in the management of chemotherapy-induced liver injury., Aims: The present study evaluates the possible therapeutic effects of NAC on chemotherapy-induced hepatotoxicity., Methods: A total of 102 patients' files who were diagnosed with cancer between 2015 and 2019 were evaluated retrospectively. Two patient groups with and without NAC were selected. NAC was administered in a 3-μg/kg IV dose in a 24-h infusion to 70 patients when any alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) values reached three times the normal levels. The other group consisted of 32 patients who were not treated with NAC. Alanine aminotransferase and GGT values were recorded at pretreatment, and on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th days in both the NAC and non-NAC groups from files., Results: In the NAC group, ALT and GGT values on day 1, 3, 5, and 7 differed from each other, decreasing from day 1 to day 7. A statistically significant difference was noted between the values in the NAC group (p < 0.001). In the non-NAC group, the ALT values on day 7 were lower than the ALT values on day 1. A comparison of the ALT and GGT values in the NAC and non-NAC groups found that the values in the NAC group decreased earlier than in the non-NAC group., Conclusions: This study shows that NAC has a therapeutic effect on hepatotoxicity in children being treated with chemotherapeutic agents due to underlying malign diseases. The early reduction in the results of liver function tests is important for the continuation of chemotherapy.

Background: L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria (L2HGA) is a rare neurometabolic disorder characterized by a slowly progressive clinical course, psychomotor and mental retardation, macrocephaly, dysarthria, seizures, and cerebellar and extrapyramidal findings. The diagnosis depends on the presentation of increased levels of L-2-hydroxyglutaric acid in the urine, plasma, and cerebrospinal fluids. Patients with L2HGA have an increased risk for the development of cerebral neoplasms which, though rarely, can be the initial presentation of the disease. Moreover, patients with L2HGA have an increased risk for the development of cerebral neoplasms., Cases Presentation: Although psychomotor and mental retardation, macrocephaly, dysarthria, seizures, and cerebellar and extrapyramidal findings are the most common characteristics of the disease, we present two rare cases admitted with tumoral symptoms., Conclusion: Patients with L2HGA have an increased risk for the development of cerebral neoplasms.

Propolis is a resinous bee hive product that has many biological activities. In this study, a total of 11 raw propolis samples were collected from various geographical areas in Turkey. Phenolic compounds were extracted from all samples and analyses of total phenolics and flavonoids and total antioxidant capacities were performed. All the samples showed high total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant capacities. Moreover, the in vitro bioaccessibility of Turkish propolis samples were investigated according to simulated in vitro gastrointestinal digestion method. Bioaccessibility was increased through the gastric and intestinal phases. Furthermore, the composition of polyphenols (phenolic acids and flavonoids) in Turkish propolis extracts was investigated by LC-MS/MS method. A total of 32 phenolic compounds, including Caffeic acid phenylethyl ester (CAPE) which was observed in all samples, were identified in the samples. Higher CAPE contents were determined in the samples from the Marmara region which is in line with its higher antioxidant capacity values. As a conclusion, propolis samples collected from different geographical locations differ for their phenolic and flavonoid contents, individual phenolic profile and bioaccessibility., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), may be due to different causes. It may develop secondary to hypertension, renal decompensation, electrolyte imbalance, and chemotherapeutic drugs. We describe a case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in which PRES developed secondary to hyponatremia despite being normotensive during receipt of chemotherapy. Magnetic resonance imaging findings were suggestive of PRES. Partial diffusion restriction was observed in lesions in the bilateral occipitoparietal regions and the cerebellum. The patient was treated with appropriate medications with the resolution of his stroke-like symptoms. No neurological deficit was observed and clinical condition improved. The patient continued with chemotherapy. Early diagnosis and treatment of this syndrome is important in terms of preventing neurological sequelae. Cases of secondary PRES developing for several etiological reasons have been reported in induction therapy, but no pediatric cases of PRES developing secondary to hyponatremia despite being normotensive while receiving chemotherapy in acute lymphoblastic leukemia have previously been reported.

Zeolites are crystalline hydrated aluminosilicates with remarkable physical and chemical properties, which include losing and receiving water in a reverse way, adsorbing molecules that act as molecular sieves, and replacing their constituent cations without structural change. The commercial production of natural zeolites has accelerated during the last 50 years. The Structure Commission of the International Zeolite Association recorded more than 200 zeolites, which currently include more than 40 naturally occurring zeolites. Recent findings have supported their role in stored-pest management as inert dust applications, pesticide and fertilizer carriers, soil amendments, animal feed additives, mycotoxin binders and food packaging materials. There are many advantages of inert dust application, including low cost, non-neurotoxic action, low mammalian toxicity and safety for human consumption. The latest consumer trends and government protocols have shifted toward organic origin materials to replace synthetic chemical products. In the present review, we summarize most of the main uses of zeolites in food and agruculture, along with the with specific paradigms that illustrate their important role. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Palynological spectrum, proximate and fatty acid (FA) composition of eight bee bread samples of different botanical origins were examined and significant variations were observed. The samples were all identified as monofloral, namely Castanea sativa (94.4%), Trifolium spp. (85.6%), Gossypium hirsutum (66.2%), Citrus spp. (61.4%) and Helianthus annuus (45.4%). Each had moisture content between 11.4 and 15.9%, ash between 1.9 and 2.54%, fat between 5.9 and 11.5%, and protein between 14.8 and 24.3%. A total of 37 FAs were determined with most abundant being (9Z,12Z,15Z)-octadeca-9,12,15-trienoic, (9Z,12Z)- -octadeca-9,12-dienoic, hexadecanoic, (Z)-octadec-9-enoic, (Z)-icos-11-enoic and octadecanoic acids. Among all, cotton bee bread contained the highest level of ω-3 FAs, i.e. 41.3%. Unsaturated to saturated FA ratio ranged between 1.38 and 2.39, indicating that the bee bread can be a good source of unsaturated FAs.

A 12-year-old boy presented to our department with firm papules on the fingers of both hands, erythematous scaly plaques on the dorsum of the hands and elbow, and deformities and limitation of motion in the joints of the hands and feet. His parents reported that the eruption started 6 years prior to presentation. He was previously diagnosed with psoriasis by physicians and acitretin treatment was given. However, he did not benefit from the treatment.

Background: Deficiency of vitamin B12 (VitB12) causes failure of erytrocyte maturation leading to cell lysis. Red blood cell lysis causes excess heme production that ends with hyperbilirubinemia. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the role of VitB12 in neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (NNH) with prolonged jaundice and to compare patients with control group who did not develop hyperbilirubinemia., Methods: A total of 20 patients (M/F = 13/7) with jaundice and 20 healthy controls (M/F = 11/9) were included in the study., Results: The mean indirect bilirubin level of patient group was 9.91 ± 1.90 mg/dL (6.71 - 15.2 mg/dL) and control group was 3.18 ± 1.24 mg/dL (1.16 - 4.96 mg/dL). The mean VitB12 level of patient group was 119.9 ± 43.9 ng/L (42.35 - 178 ng/L) and the control group was 286.17 ± 97.43 ng/L (207.90 - 624.10 ng/L). There was a statistically significant difference in terms of VitB12 level (< 0.001) between the study groups., Conclusion: To our knowledge, this study is the first study showing that low VitB12 level has been observed as a risk factor in NNH for the first time in the literature. We suggest that prophylactic use of VitB12 by pregnant women so will greatly benefit to prevent VitB12 deficiency and its complications in the first years of life such as NNH.

Penile ulcers may be caused by several different agents. Rarely, cutaneous leishmaniasis may also be accompanied by penile ulcers. We report a five-year-old boy with who had an ulcer on the glans penis. Smears from the ulcer demonstrated amastigotes, biopsy showed histopathological features of leishmaniasis and Leishmania was grown in culture. Treatment with meglumine antimoniate injections led to improvement.

Objective: The aim of our study was to assess the relationship of beliefs about medications questionnaire (BMQ) scores of asthmatic children presenting to the emergency department and their parents with asthma severity parameters., Methods: Eighty children with asthma presenting to the emergency department with acute asthma findings and their mothers were enrolled in the study. BMQ was applied to all parents and children older than 7 years of age. Asthma severity clinical score was recorded., Results: The mean age of children (39 males, 41 females) was 49.1 ± 42.8 months. Parent necessity and concerns scores were significantly correlated with their counterparts in children (r = 0.74 and r = 0.60, respectively). Difference between necessity and concerns scores was correlated between parents and children (r = 0.60, p = .002). Child's necessity score was significantly correlated with respiratory severity score (r = -0.43, p = .036)., Conclusion: BMQ necessity and concerns scores of asthmatic children in the emergency department and their parents are correlated with asthma severity. Although not assessed in this study, this result may be attributed to the relationship of necessity and concerns with drug adherence. Therefore, increasing the knowledge about asthma medications in asthmatic children and their parents may contribute to asthma control and decrease their emergency visits with acute asthma findings.

Purpose: Although one of the most common genetic polymorphisms that predispose to venous thromboembolism (VTE) is factor V 1691 G-A (Factor V Leiden; FVL), the effect of this polymorphism on the development of VTE in cancer patients is unclear. We have therefore performed a meta-analysis to estimate the risk of VTE associated with FVL among cancer patients., Materials and Methods: Relevant studies published before May 2006 were retrieved from Pubmed/Medline. We selected studies comparing the prevalence of FVL in cancer patients with VTE with cancer patients without VTE. Both fixed and random effect models were used. P-values and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated by Fisher's exact test., Results: Pooled results from 9 studies, comprising 397 cancer patients with VTE and 678 cancer patients without VTE revealed that the prevalence of FVL was higher among cancer patients with VTE (7.3%) than those without VTE (4.6%) (chi(2) = 34.633 > chi(2) (18; 0.05) =28.869) (p=0.013). It was also found that mean effect size of FVL was 0.22 (95% CI 0.051-0.4892). Using the homogeneity test, there was evidence of statistical heterogeneity (Q(hom)= 46.334> chi(2) (8; 0.05) =15.507) (p=0.0000)., Conclusion: Although the published studies were small and the meta-analysis demonstrated an association of FVL with cancer-related thrombosis, testing for FVL can be routinely used as part of clinical thrombophilia assessment in cancer patients from the regions with high incidence of FVL.