Knowledge and attitudes regarding dementia and related factors in undergraduate nursing students: A cross-sectional study

The increasing aging population globally has clearly led to a significant rise in the prevalence of dementia. Undergraduate nursing students are poised to play a pivotal role in the care of people with dementia (PwD), as the next generation of healthcare providers. The purpose of this study was to (1) investigate knowledge and attitudes regarding dementia of undergraduate nursing students and determine related factors, and (2) determine the dementia issues on which they lack knowledge about. A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 645 undergraduate nursing students in Turkiye. Data was collected with the descriptive characteristics form, dementia knowledge assessment scale (DKAS), and dementia attitudes scale (DAS). Descriptive statistics and multiple regression were used for data analysis. The DKAS and DAS mean score of the students were 15.45 ± 5.94 (range: 0–29), and 94.05 ± 12.10 (range: 55–134), respectively. Students were found to lack knowledge regarding treatment, etiology, communication, and symptoms of dementia. The total score of DKAS was predicted by sex (β =.151, p <.001), completion of a geriatric nursing course (β=.266, <.001), and prior experience of caring for a PwD (β=.165, <.001). Sex (β=.107, <.001) and total scores of DKAS (β=.202, <.001) predicted the total scores of DAS. Awareness of dementia was not very high among the nursing students, and their attitudes toward the condition were moderate. To effectively address the specific areas of deficiency identified in the DKAS, educational strategies should be tailored to improving the knowledge about dementia. This approach is essential for fostering more positive attitudes, and has the potential to contribute to better care for PwD in the long term

Do the Past ESG Scores Efficiently Predict Future ESG Performances?

Given the effects of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) scores on financial performance and stock returns, the prediction of future ESG scores is highly crucial. ESG scores are calculated using an enormous number of variables related to the sustainability practices of firms; thus, it is impractical for investors to come up with predictions of ESG performance. This paper aims to fill this gap by using only the past score-based and rating-based ESG performance as the determinant of future ESG performance using four machine learning-based algorithms; decision tree (DT), random-forest (RF), k-nearest neighbor (KNN), and logistic regression (LR). The proposed model is validated in BIST sustainability index companies. The results suggest that past ESG grade-based and numerical scores can be used as a determinant of future ESG performance. The results prove that a simple indicator could serve to predict future ESG scores rather than complex data alternatives. Using data from BIST sustainability index companies in Turkey, the findings demonstrate that past ESG grades and scores are reliable predictors of future ESG performance, offering a simple yet effective alternative to complex data-driven methods. This study not only contributes to advancing sustainable finance practices but also provides practical tools for emerging markets like Turkey to align corporate strategies with global sustainability standards. The methodological contributions also have broader relevance for international financial markets.</p

Safety and Efficacy of Nusinersen Focusing on Renal and Hematological Parameters in Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Background: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a motor neuron disease caused by mutations in the SMN1 gene. Nusinersen, an antisense oligonucleotide, has been shown to improve motor function in SMA patients. However, concerns regarding its renal safety remain as previous studies have linked similar treatments to renal toxicity. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the nusinersen treatment on platelet counts and renal functions, specifically urine protein excretion, in SMA patients and to estimate safe urinary protein levels before administration of each intrathecal injection. Methods: This retrospective study examined data from 33 patients with SMA to assess the effects of nusinersen on motor functions and laboratory parameters including platelet count, serum creatinine, urine protein, and urine creatinine. Measurements were taken at baseline andprior to each maintenance dose, after the completion of four initial loading doses. The baseline values were compared between SMA Type 1 and Type 2 patients, while the changes in these values over time were analyzed within each group. Results: No significant adverse effects on platelet counts or renal functions were observed. Urine creatinine and protein levels were significantly higher in SMA Type 2 patients compared to SMA Type 1 at baseline; these parameters remained stable in SMA Type 2 but increased significantly after the loading doses in SMA Type 1. Motor function improvements were observed in both groups, with the most significant gains in SMA Type 1 after the loading doses. Thus, improvement in motor functions was associated with increase in urine creatinine. Conclusion: Nusinersen treatment did not cause significant renal toxicity or affect platelet counts. Urine creatinine levels may serve as a potential biomarker for assessing treatment response in SMA Type 1

A comprehensive assessment of headache characteristics, management, and burden of migraine in comparison with tension-type headache in Türkiye: Results of a cross-sectional survey of adult patients

OBJECTIVES: Migraine is a common cause of headache and a leading cause of morbidity in Türkiye. This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and management of migraine and to compare migraine with tension-type headache (TTH) regarding the burden of disease and healthcare resource utilization. METHODS: A total of 1368 patients (aged 18-65 years) with migraine or TTH were surveyed regarding sociodemographics, headache characteristics, clinical management, disease burden, quality of life, and healthcare resource utilization within the previous 12 months. Data from 1053 patients meeting the criteria for definite migraine (dMIG) or definite TTH (dTTH) were analyzed. RESULTS: The frequency and duration of attacks, the number of monthly headache days, days with analgesic consumption, and headache severity were significantly higher in dMIG compared to dTTH. Only 36.8% of definite migraineurs experiencing ≥4 monthly headache days were on preventive treatment. The negative impact on quality of life and economic loss were also higher in dMIG. Although more patients with dTTH visited a physician in the previous year, the number of physician visits was higher in dMIG. The groups were comparable regarding the percentage of patients who underwent radiological investigations due to headache; however, patients with dMIG had more brain magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scans. CONCLUSION: Timely and accurate diagnosis and optimal management of migraine are crucial due to its significant burden. Educational programs for patients and healthcare providers, along with adherence to and persistence with preventive medications, may improve clinical outcomes

Ultraviolet aging behavior of polypropylene sacks by outdoor weathering

Polypropylene (PP) sacks are widely used in outdoor commodities, resulting in wear and tear due to weathering. This work studied the mechanical and chemical performance of typical polypropylene woven sack samples outdoor-weathered for 21 days. Rather than using the general regional information posted by the meteorology authority, two custom-designed, location-specific devices have been developed to measure the exact atmospheric temperature, humidity, and ultraviolet (UV) intensity at the experimentation site. The effects of outdoor weathering on unit weight, mean thickness, tensile strength, elongation-at-break in warp and weft directions, bursting strength and height were investigated by fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging. The mechanical and chemical performances of original and weathered polypropylene samples were compared. The performance differences were evaluated and compared statistically by analysis of variance (ANOVA). Although the samples were weathered for only 21 days, a dramatic drop was observed in their mechanical performances. As a result of photo-oxidation, both the tensile strength along the warp and weft directions and the bursting strength of the weathered samples declined severely (88.3%, 95.6% and 97.8%, respectively). Furthermore, the elongation-at-break in warp and weft directions and height of weathered samples increased sharply (91.5%, 90.4% and 71.5%, respectively). The FTIR, DSC results and SEM images substantiated the observed performance deteriorations. Graphical abstract: (Figure presented.

Anti-Obesity Effects of Calcium Fructoborate by Inhibiting Adipogenesis and Increasing SIRT’s Expression in 3T3-L1 Cells

Obesity is a global public health problem that can lead to mortality and morbidity. Studies on the pathophysiology of obesity for effective and safe treatments are focused on the mechanisms of adipogenesis. The association between boron treatment and weight loss has been reported, but its anti-adipogenic mechanisms and effects on preadipocytes remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects of boron compounds boric acid (BA) and calcium fructoborate (CaFB) on adipogenesis using the most widely used in vitro 3T3-L1 cellular model. In our study, cytotoxicity, Oil Red O (ORO), gene and protein expression analyses and cellular NAD measurements of boron compounds were performed. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα) transcription factors are the main regulators of adipogenesis, and boron compounds affect them at gene and protein levels by showing anti-obesity effects. This is the first study to show that CaFB has anti-obesity properties in mouse adipocytes. Sirtuins, known as the longevity genes, were also activated from boron treatment. Results of this research provide new basic knowledge and insights into the effect of boron-based compounds on obesity. It also offers potential prospects for the development of effective treatment and/or supportive treatment methods