Gülnar ve Silifke (Mersin-Türkiye) ilçelerindeki bazı doğal sit alanlarının flora, genel vejetasyon yapısı ve EUNIS habitat tiplerinin incelenmesi

Gülnar ve Silifke (Mersin-Türkiye) ilçelerindeki bazı doğal sit alanlarının flora, genel vejetasyon yapısı ve EUNIS habitat tiplerinin incelenmesi Bu araştırma Mersin (Türkiye) ili Gülnar, Mut ve Silifke ilçelerinde bulunan Çağlayan, Ilısu ve Yerköprü Şelalesi, Göksu Deltası, Narlıkuyu, Roma Kalıntıları, Şeytanderesi ve Cambazlı Sarnıcı ile Akdere Tahta Limanı doğal sit alanlarının floristik özelliklerini, EUNIS habitat tiplerini ve genel vejetasyon yapısını belirlemek amacıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırmada toplam 65 familya ve 174 cinse ait 218 farklı takson tespit edilmiştir. Çağlayan Şelalesi’nde 31, Ilısu Şelalesi’nde 32, Yerköprü Şelalesi’nde 55, Göksu Deltasında 62, Narlıkuyuda 47, Roma Kalıntılarında 26, Akdere Tahta Limanında 63, Şeytanderesi ve Cambazlı Sarnıcında 85 takson belirlenmiştir. Bu araştırmada toplam 8 adet (%3.66) endemik bitki taksonu tespit edilmiştir. Fitocoğrafik bölgelere göre taksonların 77 taksonun Akdeniz (%35.32), 11 taksonun Avrupa-Sibirya (%5.04), 7 taksonun İran-Turan (%3.21) elementi, 45 taksonun Geniş yayılışlı (%20.64) ve 78 taksonun fitocoğrafik bölgesi belli olmayan (%35.77) şeklinde dağılım gösterdiği belirlenmiştir. Bu çalışmada 9 ana habitat, 22 alt habitat tipi tanımlanmıştır. Genel vejetasyon yapısı itibariyle çalışma alanlarının tamamında Quercetea İlicis ve Cisto-Micromerietea sintaksonomik sınıflarının karakter türlerine rastlanılmıştır. Göksu Deltası ile Şeytan Deresi ve Cambazlı Sarnıcı hariç diğer tüm alanlarda Quercetea Pubescentis sınıfının karakter türleri gözlemlenmiştir. Şeytan Deresi ve Cambazlı Sarnıcı ile Akdere Tahta Limanında diğerlerinden farklı olarak Querco-Fagetea sintaksonomi sınıfına ait karakter türler bulunduğu belirlenmiştir. Anahtar kelimeler: Doğal sit, flora, eunis habitat tipleri, vejetasyon, mersin.The aim of this study was to determine the floristic characteristics, EUNIS habitat types, and general vegetation structure of Çağlayan, Ilısu, and Yerköprü Waterfalls, Göksu Delta, Narlıkuyu, Roman Ruins, Şeytanderesi, and Cambazlı Cistern and Akdere Tahta Port natural site areas in Gülnar and Silifke districts of Mersin (Türkiye). According to the findings, 214 different taxa belonging to 65 families and 173 genera were identified. A total of 31 taxa were identified in Çağlayan Waterfall, 32 in Ilısu Waterfall, 54 in Yerköprü Waterfall, 62 in Göksu Delta, 47 in Narlıkuyu, 26 in Roman Ruins, 63 in Akdere Tahta Port, 84 in Şeytanderesi, and Cambazlı Cistern. A total of 8 (3.66%) endemic plant taxa were identified in the research areas. According to the phytogeographic regions, 77 taxa are Mediterranean (35.32%), 11 taxa are Euro-Siberian (5.04%), 7 taxa are Irano-Turanian (3.21%), 45 taxa are widely distributed (20.64%), and 76 taxa are of unknown phytogeographic region (35.77%). In this study, 9 main habitats and 22 sub-habitat types were identified. In terms of general vegetation structure, characteristic species of Quercetea ilicis and Cisto- Micromerietea syntaxonomic classes were found in all study areas. Character species of Quercetea pubescentis class were observed in all areas except Göksu Delta, Şeytan Creek, and Cambazlı Cistern. In Şeytanderesi and Cambazlı Cistern, and Akdere Tahta Port, character species belonging to the Querco-Fagetea syntaxonomy class were found differently from the others. These results contribute to the flora and vegetation literature by determining the flora of Mersin province, determining the EUNIS habitat types of natural sites in this country, and determining the general vegetation structure of the research area

Patient adherence and outcomes under long-term oxygen therapy: A multicenter study

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) improves survival and outcomes in chronic respiratory failure. This multicenter study assesses the factors affecting adherence in patients undergoing long-term oxygen therapy and evaluates its impact on the frequency of hospital visits. METHODS: Clinical and demographic data of patients receiving LTOT who were admitted to the study centers between January 1 and June 30, 2024, were recorded. Patients who adhered to LTOT for ≥15 hours per day, including both daytime and nighttime use, were classified as fully adherent. Data from adherent patients were compared with those of non-adherent patients. Factors affecting LTOT adherence were determined using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Among the 374 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 40.6% were classified as adherent to LTOT. Emergency room visits (median: 3/year) and hospital admissions (median: 1/ year) were more frequent among LTOT-adherent patients over the past year. Regression analysis identified a body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m2 and type 2 respiratory failure as independent predictors of LTOT adherence. Among patients with type 2 respiratory failure, those with a BMI <25 kg/m2 were found to be more likely to adhere to LTOT, with a specificity of 74.1% and a sensitivity of 44.9%. A reduction in the frequency of emergency room visits was observed in the group that adhered to LTOT for one year. CONCLUSIONS: A BMI <25 kg/m2 and type 2 respiratory failure can predict adherence to LTOT

The effects of digital games on pain, fear, anxiety, and physiological responses in children during port catheter needle insertion: A randomized controlled study

Purpose This study examined the effect of playing a digital game during port catheter needle insertion on pain, fear, anxiety, and physiological responses in children aged 6–12 years undergoing chemotherapy. Methods This randomized controlled trial was conducted with 56 children in a pediatric hematology-oncology unit. Participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group, which played a digital game via an online platform during the procedure, or to the control group, which received standard care. Data were collected using the Demographic Form, Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale, Children's State Anxiety Scale, and Children's Fear Scale. Results Children in the experimental group reported lower pain and anxiety compared to controls, with mean post-procedure anxiety scores of 1.61 ± 0.737 versus 2.32 ± 1.634 (p = 0.049). Fear levels decreased significantly in both groups (p 0.05). Conclusions This study highlights the efficacy of digital games in reducing pain, fear, and anxiety in children with port needles, as well as in stabilizing heart rate. Consequently, it is recommended that digital games be incorporated into clinical practice as an effective distraction method for pediatric patients during invasive procedures. This study has significant implications for nursing practice, demonstrating that digital games are a cost-effective, accessible, and child-friendly non-pharmacological intervention. By reducing distress and enhancing coping, digital games can be integrated into routine nursing care to improve children's experiences and foster trust in clinical settings

Effect of Percutaneous Transluminal Balloon Angioplasty on Inflammatory Biomarkers in Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease

Background Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is characterized by chronic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. Percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (PTA) restores limb perfusion, but its effects on systemic inflammatory burden are not fully defined. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of PTA on 30-day inflammatory biomarkers and hematological parameters in patients with lower extremity PAD. Methods In this prospective observational study, 47 adults with newly diagnosed PAD (lower extremity stenosis ≥50%, ankle-brachial index [ABI] <0.90) underwent PTA. Venous blood samples were collected 1 week before and 30 days after the intervention. Plasma interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-13, transforming growth factor-beta, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were measured by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, fibrinogen, and complete blood count were performed to calculate the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR). Paired tests were used, and P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results Proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α) decreased significantly (all P < 0.001), IL-10 increased ( P = 0.002) and IL-13 and transforming growth factor-beta remained unchanged. CRP and fibrinogen decreased (both P < 0.001), procalcitonin slightly increased ( P = 0.018), and NLR decreased from 2.8 ± 0.9 to 2.1 ± 0.5 ( P < 0.001). ΔABI was inversely correlated with ΔCRP ( r = −0.334, P = 0.022) and Δfibrinogen ( r = −0.315, P = 0.031). ABI improvement was greater in men, TNF-α reduction was greater in infrainguinal lesions, and IL-8 and NLR responses differed by smoking status. Conclusion PTA leads to a significant short-term improvement in limb perfusion and a concomitant reduction in systemic inflammatory burden, suggesting beneficial immunomodulatory effects beyond mechanical revascularization