Showing papers by "Başkent University published in 2021"

Perspectives, fears and expectations of patients with gynaecological cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A Pan-European study of the European Network of Gynaecological Cancer Advocacy Groups (ENGAGe).

Abstract: Background The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on European gynaecological cancer patients under active treatment or follow-up has not been documented. We sought to capture the patient perceptions of the COVID-19 implications and the worldwide imposed treatment modifications. Methods A patient survey was conducted in 16 European countries, using a new COVID-19-related questionnaire, developed by ENGAGe and the Hospital Anxiety & Depression Scale questionnaire (HADS). The survey was promoted by national patient advocacy groups and charitable organisations. Findings We collected 1388 forms; 592 online and 796 hard-copy (May, 2020). We excluded 137 due to missing data. Median patients' age was 55 years (range: 18-89), 54.7% had ovarian cancer and 15.5% were preoperative. Even though 73.2% of patients named cancer as a risk factor for COVID-19, only 17.5% were more afraid of COVID-19 than their cancer condition, with advanced age (>70 years) as the only significant risk factor for that. Overall, 71% were concerned about cancer progression if their treatment/follow-up was cancelled/postponed. Most patients (64%) had their care continued as planned, but 72.3% (n = 892) said that they received no information around overall COVID-19 infection rates of patients and staff, testing or measures taken in their treating hospital. Mean HADS Anxiety and Depression Scores were 8.8 (range: 5.3-12) and 8.1 (range: 3.8-13.4), respectively. Multivariate analysis identified high HADS-depression scores, having experienced modifications of care due to the pandemic and concern about not being able to visit their doctor as independent predictors of patients' anxiety. Interpretation Gynaecological cancer patients expressed significant anxiety about progression of their disease due to modifications of care related to the COVID-19 pandemic and wished to pursue their treatment as planned despite the associated risks. Healthcare professionals should take this into consideration when making decisions that impact patients care in times of crisis and to develop initiatives to improve patients' communication and education.

Conjunctivitis as sole symptom of COVID-19: A case report and review of literature.

Abstract: Introduction:Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel virus causing an ongoing pandemic in 2020. Although the symptomatic patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 generally sh...

A multi-country test of brief reappraisal interventions on emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has increased negative emotions and decreased positive emotions globally. Left unchecked, these emotional changes might have a wide array of adverse impacts. To reduce negative emotions and increase positive emotions, we tested the effectiveness of reappraisal, an emotion-regulation strategy that modifies how one thinks about a situation. Participants from 87 countries and regions (n = 21,644) were randomly assigned to one of two brief reappraisal interventions (reconstrual or repurposing) or one of two control conditions (active or passive). Results revealed that both reappraisal interventions (vesus both control conditions) consistently reduced negative emotions and increased positive emotions across different measures. Reconstrual and repurposing interventions had similar effects. Importantly, planned exploratory analyses indicated that reappraisal interventions did not reduce intentions to practice preventive health behaviours. The findings demonstrate the viability of creating scalable, low-cost interventions for use around the world.

Quasinormal modes, quasiperiodic oscillations, and the shadow of rotating regular black holes in nonminimally coupled Einstein-Yang-Mills theory

Abstract: In this paper, we obtain an effective metric describing a regular and rotating magnetic black hole (BH) solution with a Yang-Mills electromagnetic source in Einstein-Yang-Mills (EYM) theory using the Newman-Janis (NJ) algorithm via the noncomplexification radial coordinate procedure We then study the BH shadow and the quasinormal modes (QNMs) for massless scalar and electromagnetic fields and the quasiperiodic oscillations (QPOs) To this end, we also study the embedding diagram for the rotating EYM BH The energy conditions, shadow curvature radius, topology, and the dynamical evolution of scalar and electromagnetic perturbations using the time domain integration method are investigated We show that the shadow radius decreases by increasing the magnetic charge, while the real part of QNMs of scalar and electromagnetic fields increases by increasing the magnetic charge This result is consistent with the inverse relation between the shadow radius and the real part of QNMs In addition, we have studied observational constraints on the EYM parameter $\ensuremath{\lambda}$ via frequency analysis of QPOs and the EHT data of shadow cast by the M87 central black hole We also find that the decaying rate of the EYM BH is slower than that of the neutral and ends up with a tail We argue that the rotating EYM black hole can be distinguished from the Kerr-Newman black hole with a magnetic charge based on the difference between the angular diameters of their shadows

Optogenetic Spreading Depression Elicits Trigeminal Pain and Anxiety Behavior.

Abstract: Objective Cortical spreading depression (SD) is an intense depolarization underlying migraine aura. Despite the weight of evidence linking SD to the pain phase of migraine, controversy remains over a causal role of SD in cephalgia because of the invasive nature of previous SD induction methods. To overcome this problem, we employed a novel minimally invasive optogenetic SD induction method and examined the effect SD on behavior. Methods Optogenetic SD was induced as a single event or repeatedly every other day for 2 weeks. Endpoints including periorbital and hindpaw mechanical allodynia, mouse grimace, anxiety, and working memory were examined in male and female mice. Results A single SD produced bilateral periorbital mechanical allodynia that developed within 1 hour and resolved within 2 days. Sumatriptan prevented periorbital allodynia when administered immediately after SD. Repeated SDs also produced bilateral periorbital allodynia that lasted 4 days and resolved within 2 weeks after the last SD. In contrast, the hindpaw withdrawal thresholds did not change after repeated SDs suggesting that SD-induced allodynia was limited to the trigeminal region. Moreover, repeated SDs increased mouse grimace scores 2 days after the last SD, while single SD did not. Repeated SD also increased thigmotaxis scores as a measure of anxiety. In contrast, neither single nor repeated SDs affected visuospatial working memory. We did not detect sexual dimorphism in any endpoint. Interpretation Altogether, these data show a clinically congruent causal relationship between SD, trigeminal pain and anxiety behavior possibly reflecting SD modulation of hypothalamic, thalamic and limbic mechanisms. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Knowledge, preventive behaviors and risk perception of the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study in Turkish health care workers.

Abstract: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak spread to over 100 countries with a total of 100,000 cases during the first week of March 2020. Health care workers, as those on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic, are more susceptible to infection. Inadequate related knowledge and preventive behaviors among health care workers might lead to delayed treatment and result in the rapid spread of the infection. Therefore, this study evaluated the knowledge of health care workers with regard to COVID-19. A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 10-18, 2020. Participants were general practitioners, specialists, and nurses working at the forefront of the pandemic. Their knowledge, preventive behaviors, and risk perceptions concerning COVID-19 were evaluated using an online questionnaire created by our medical specialists. The questionnaire consisted of 29, 5, and 4 items about COVID-19 knowledge, preventive behaviors, and risk perceptions, respectively. A total of 251 health care workers completed the questionnaire. The mean age of the participants was 33.88±8.72 years old, and the sample consisted of 68 males (27.08%) and 183 females (72.91%). While there was no difference between the percentage of correct answers given by female and male participants to knowledge-based questions (p>0.05), the percentage of correct answers to the questions on preventive behaviors was significantly higher in female participants than in males (p<0.001). The overall average percentages of correct responses were 91.66% for knowledge-based questions and 85.96% for preventive behavior questions. The scores for knowledge-based questions were higher for medical specialists, whereas nurses scored higher on preventive behavior questions. Government hospital staff showed a significant difference in preventive behaviors compared to that of university hospitals (p<0.05). In addition, there was a positive correlation between knowledge scores and preventive behaviors. Although all the participants (100%) knew that contracting COVID-19 can lead to death, only 66.93% of them were willing to get vaccinated themselves. The knowledge level of health care workers concerning COVID-19 was above 90%, but the level of competence in terms of preventive behaviors was found to be low, especially in males.

Axion-plasmon or magnetized plasma effect on an observable shadow and gravitational lensing of a Schwarzschild black hole

Abstract: In this paper, we study the influence of the axion-plasmon, as proposed in [Phys. Rev. Lett. 120, 181803 (2018)] on the optical properties of the Schwarzschild black hole. Our aim is to provide a test to detect the effects of a fixed axion background using black holes. To accomplish our goal, we explore the effect of the axion-plasmon coupling on the motion of photons around the Schwarzschild black hole and check the possibility of observing those effects upon the black hole shadow, the gravitational deflection angle, Einstein rings and shadow images obtained by radially infalling gas on a black hole within a plasma medium. We find that these quantities are indeed affected by the axion-plasmon coupling parameters which consequently generalize some of the well-known results in the literature. It is shown that the size of the black hole shadow decreases with increasing axion-plasmon if observed from a sufficiently large distance.

Sensor-Based MIP Technologies for Targeted Metabolomics Analysis

Abstract: In recent years, metabolomics, identification and profiling of metabolites, have gained broad interest compared to other omics technologies and are progressively being utilized for biomarker discoveries. Therefore, the application of metabolomics in different fields are increasing day by day because of its high throughput results. However, the application of metabolomics requires state-of-the-art analytical approaches for the analysis. The complexity and limited availability of these instruments are restricting parameters for applying metabolomics studies in routine analysis. This problem may be overcome with molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-based electro sensors since they have high selectivity, sensitivity, easy applicability, portability, and low cost. This is the final step before developing end point-of-care tests (POCT), which patients can easily apply. MIP sensors will have more applications in the targeted metabolomics analysis to develop POCT systems. This review analyzes various metabolites using MIP-based electrochemical methods for their potential usage as POCT and biomarker research based on targeted metabolomics analysis requirements. The future applications for the sensitive assay of metabolites in medicine and clinical trials are also discussed.

A FMEA based novel intuitionistic fuzzy approach proposal: Intuitionistic fuzzy advance MCDM and mathematical modeling integration

Abstract: This study proposes a novel three-stage intuitionistic fuzzy risk assessment (RA) approach based on Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA). In this study, it was paid attention for considering real constraints of firms such as capital, time etc. to prevent nan-fatal failure modes (FMs), interactions between FMs and risk level similarities created by risk factors (RFs). At the first stage of the proposed approach, RFs’ weights are computed by a new intuitionistic fuzzy weighting method considering similarities between RFs for risk levels that they can create. At the second stage, Modified Intuitionistic Fuzzy Multi Attribute Border Approximation Area (MIF-MABAC) including interactions between FMs is used to determine the rankings of FMs by using Extended Haussdorff distance function. At the third stage, two intuitionistic fuzzy mathematical models are established to show the effect of the real constraints of the firm to identify the risk types (RTs) that must be avoided primarily. It was seen that the first model gives the same ranking results with the MIF-MABAC. Additionally, when including the real constraints, the first model can give the more suitable results than the second model. The results obtained from the first model show that experts’ assessments and mathematical modeling identify the same FMs for preventing primarily. This study is the first one to suggest a new RA approach that reflects the real constraints of the firms to RA. Additionally, this is the first study that models’ interactions between FMs and risk level similarities created by RFs.

Factors affecting nurses' professional commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.

Abstract: AIM: This study aims to investigate the factors affecting nurses' professional commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic BACKGROUND: Commitment to a profession requires doing the best for that profession In the case of the nursing profession, professional commitment gains greater importance in times of crisis, like the COVID-19 pandemic METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 389 nurses in the Turkish state hospital Institutional permissions, ethical approval and written consents from the participants were obtained before carrying out the study RESULTS: The participants' mean Perceived Organizational Obstruction Scale score was 2007 ± 806 (min = 50, max = 350), and their mean Nursing Professional Commitment Scale score was 7120 ± 1194 (min = 300, max = 1030) Socio-demographic variables and perception of organisational obstruction predicted 367% of the variance in the professional commitment (p < 001) CONCLUSION: A road map based on the study results was developed for hospitals and nurse managers to maintain and increase nurses' professional commitment IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: The results of this study may help institutions and nurse managers understand the factors affecting professional commitment during the pandemic as a whole, as well as determine primary strategies based on the importance of these factors

Post-transplantation cyclophosphamide versus antithymocyte globulin in patients with acute myeloid leukemia undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation from HLA-identical sibling donors: A retrospective analysis from the Acute Leukemia Working Party of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation

Abstract: BACKGROUND Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Addition of antithymocyte globulin (ATG) or post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCY) to standard immunosuppressive agents reduces GVHD in different donor settings. METHODS We compared the outcomes of adults with acute myeloid leukemia undergoing allo-HSCT from HLA-identical sibling donors after the use of PTCY (n = 197) or ATG (n = 1913). RESULTS Patients in the PTCY group were younger than those in the ATG group (median age, 47 vs 54 years; P < .01). Peripheral blood was the most frequently used stem cell source, being significantly more frequent in the ATG group than in the PTCY group (95% vs 70% P < .01). The conditioning regimen was more frequently myeloablative in the PTCY group than in the ATG group (59% vs 48%; P < .01). Time to neutrophil engraftment was shorter in the ATG group than in the PTCY group (17 vs 20 days; P < .01). No differences were observed according to the other transplantation outcomes, except for chronic GVHD of all grades and extensive chronic GVHD at 2 years, which were significantly lower in the ATG group compared with the PTCY group (P < .02). CONCLUSION PTCY is feasible in an HLA-identical sibling setting, and despite similar outcomes, ATG may be associated with lower incidence of chronic GVHD.

Comparison of bacterial and fungal biodiversity of Turkish kefir grains with high-throughput metagenomic analysis

Abstract: Kefir is a health-promoting fermented drink having complex microbiota. This complex microbiota consists of bacteria and yeast association that is bound together with a polysaccharide called kefiran. To date, the complex microbiota of fermented foods was enlightened with culture-depended methods, however, recently, metagenomic studies have been started to use to reveal microbial diversity of fermented foods such as kefir. In this present study, we investigated the microbiome of two artisanal Turkish kefir grains (namely, A and G) by high-throughput sequencing at the species level. Additionally, physicochemical analyses were carried out besides enumerations of lactobacilli, lactococci, total aerobic, and bifidobacteria in fermented milk kefirs. In these two kefir grains, different bacterial and fungal populations were revealed. In kefir grain A, Bifidobacterium longum was the dominant species while in kefir grain G, Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens was dominant. Concerning fungal diversity, in kefir grain A, Naumovozyma dairensis was the dominant yeast, while in kefir grain G, Zygosaccharomyces rouxii was dominant. High-throughput sequencing studies have revealed that kefir grains were typically dominated by lactobacilli. But, in this study, Bifidobacterium longum was found as a dominant bacterium in kefir for the first time.

Human Activity Recognition by Using Different Deep Learning Approaches for Wearable Sensors

Abstract: With the spread of wearable sensors, the solutions to the task of activity recognition by using the data obtained from the sensors have become widespread. Recognition of activities owing to wearable sensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers, etc. has been studied in recent years. Although there are several applications in the literature, differently in this study, deep learning algorithms such as Convolutional Neural Networks, Convolutional LSTM, and 3D Convolutional Neural Networks fed by Convolutional LSTM have been used in human activity recognition task by feeding with data obtained from accelerometer sensor. For this purpose, a frame was formed with raw samples of the same activity which were collected consecutively from the accelerometer sensor. Thus, it is aimed to capture the pattern inherent in the activity and due to preserving the continuous structure of the movement.

Changes in antimicrobial resistance and outcomes of health care-associated infections.

Abstract: To describe the change in the epidemiology of health care–associated infections (HAI), resistance and predictors of fatality we conducted a nationwide study in 24 hospitals between 2015 and 2018. The 30-day fatality rate was 22% in 2015 and increased to 25% in 2018. In BSI, a significant increasing trend was observed for Candida and Enterococcus. The highest rate of 30-day fatality was detected among the patients with pneumonia (32%). In pneumonia, Pseudomonas infections increased in 2018. Colistin resistance increased and significantly associated with 30-day fatality in Pseudomonas infections. Among S. aureus methicillin, resistance increased from 31 to 41%.

Accepting Restrictions and Compliance With Recommended Preventive Behaviors for COVID-19: A Discussion Based on the Key Approaches and Current Research on Fear Appeals

Abstract: COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) is a novel coronavirus which was first detected in late December 2019 in the Wuhan Province of China. This novel coronavirus, caused by a zoonotic beta-coronavirus (SARS-CoV-), is described as highly infectious. The World Health Organization (WHO) named the novel coronavirus as COVID-19 on February 11, 2020, and declared it as a "pandemic." Almost all countries have undertaken wide-scale precautions so as to prevent or limit the spread of the virus, with most having practiced some form of "lockdown" along with "social distancing," as well as dispensed recommendations for proper hand washing, avoiding touching the face, wearing facemasks, and using disposable tissues when either coughing or sneezing. Whereas it is well known that slowing the spread of this new epidemic requires the cooperation of all citizens, some people still seem to willfully disregard the rules and guidelines, and thereby ignore the health risks posed to both themselves and to others they come into contact with. People have responded differently to lockdown rules and social distancing practices. Whilst the majority follow the rules and recommendations with great care, others are more lax or simply refuse to comply. These differences might be accounted for according to a number of factors including personal, social, cultural, mental, and economic variables. Being persuaded to comply with preventive rules, especially those concerned with health-related behaviors, also bring certain other factors into play. Fear is one of those factors, and is one of the most powerful. It is well known that fear-based appeals can be effective in inculcating health behaviors, with many theories having been developed in this area. However, both the content of the message (the level of the fear it contains) and certain personal variables can determine the persuasive power of the fear appeal. It can even have an adverse effect if not properly applied. Many theories have been developed to address the persuasive effectiveness of the fear appeal (e.g., fear-drive theory, protection-motivation theory), and this study aims to discuss these individual differences in precautionary and preventive measures for the COVID-19 pandemic within the framework of the basic assumptions of these theoretical approaches.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy for oligoprogressive lesions in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients during abiraterone/enzalutamide treatment.

Abstract: Background Metastasis-directed therapy (MDT) utilizing stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for oligoprogressive lesions could provide a delay in next-line systemic treatment (NEST) change while undergoing androgen receptor-targeted agents (ARTA) treatment. We evaluated prognostic factors for prostate cancer-specific survival (PCSS) and progression-free survival (PFS) to characterize patients receiving treatment with ARTA who may benefit from MDT for oligoprogressive lesions. The impact of MDT on delaying NEST and the predictive factors for NEST-free survival (NEST-FS) were also assessed. Materials and methods The clinical data of 54 metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients with 126 oligoprogressive lesions receiving abiraterone (1 g/day) or enzalutamide (160 mg/day) before or after systemic chemotherapy were analyzed. A median of three lesions (range: 1-5) were treated with MDT. The primary endpoints were PCSS and PFS. The secondary endpoints were time to switch to NEST and NEST-FS. Results The median follow-up time was 19.1 months. Univariate analysis showed that the number of oligoprogressive lesions treated with SBRT and the time between the start of ARTA treatment and oligoprogression were significant prognostic factors for PCSS, and the timing of ARTA treatment (before or after chemotherapy) and the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response after MDT were significant prognostic factors for PFS. Multivariate analysis showed that early MDT for oligoprogressive lesions delivered less than 6 months after the beginning of ARTA and higher PSA levels after MDT were significant predictors of worse PCSS and PFS. The median total duration of ARTA treatment was 13.8 months. The median time between the start of ARTA treatment and the start of MDT for oligoprogressive lesions was 5.2 months, and MDT extended the ARTA treatment by 8.6 months on average. Thirty-two (59.3%) patients continued ARTA treatment after MDT. ARTA treatment after chemotherapy, early oligoprogression requiring MDT, and lower radiation doses for MDT were independent predictors of NEST-FS in multivariate analysis. Conclusions MDT for oligoprogressive lesions is effective and may provide several benefits compared to switching from ARTA treatment to NEST. Patients with early progression while on ARTAs and inadequate PSA responses after MDT have a greater risk of rapid disease progression and poor survival, which necessitates intensified treatment.