Silk fibroin as a novel coating material for controlled release of theophylline

The aim of this study was to explore potential use of the silk fibroin (SF) as an aqueous coating material for theophylline tablets. We have examined the film forming and coating properties of heat-treated fibroin, SF solution having different amounts of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC) cross-linked SF. Heat-treated SF material possessed a brittle structure, which resulted in poor film forming and coating properties. The optimum PEG amount in SF solution was determined as 17% (by weight) for an acceptable film forming and zero order release profile. EDC cross-linked SF has shown a very good film forming and coating property with a potential for sustaining the drug release from coated theophylline tablets. Dissolution data for coated theophylline tablets were analyzed using Ritger and Peppas equation to describe the mechanism of drug release. Drug release from the EDC coated tablets followed zero-order kinetics. Release rate constants were found to be 0.26, 0.19, 0.16% min-1 for single-coated, double coated, and triple coated tablets, respectively. These results clearly demonstrated that silk fibroin has high utility as a novel aqueous coating material for controlled release products

Sports sponsorship of communication companiesİletişim şirketlerinin spor sponsorluğu

The purpose of this research has been to determine the opinions of consumers the impact of the sports sponsorship done by the telecommunication companies on the development of sports and sports related activities. The effects of sports sponsorship on consumers and sports, and at what level have the communication (GSM) companies achieved to their target audience by supporting sports sponsorship have been tried to be determined. A descriptive method has been used in this study. The universe of the study for quantitative data has been composed of students who study four-year sports education program at state universities higher education institutions and the people residing in Ankara. On the other hand the sample has been composed of 361 students studying at four-year sports education institutions of higher education of the state universities in Ankara and 500 residents of central Ankara. A sports sponsorship scale has been developed for the data. The validity of this scale has been done by concerning the item-total correlations result, and also exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis has been performed. Alpha Cronbach's coefficient has been calculated for the reliability. The items included in the scale have been evaluated by five-point Likert scale. Sports Sponsorship scale has 25 items in three dimensions which are cooperation, support and impact. Since the data has not distributed normally, Mann Whitney U test, a non-parametric test, has been used for two groups while the Kruskal-Wallis test has been used for more than two groups. The Mann-Whitney U test has been manually applied in order to find the different group in the case of there has been a difference between groups according to the Kruskal-Wallis test results. The result of this study indicates that there has usually been a positive understanding of the practice of sports sponsorship done by GSM communication companies. It has been found that the population of the people who had attended this research have preferred A while the majority of students who had attended this research have preferred C for their communication. In the light of the findings from the both populations, A, C and B GSM companies have supported sport more, respectively. Regarding the genders; there has been no difference between the views of public and the students on the cooperation, support and impact sub dimensions of sports sponsorship. People in the middle age, according to the younger and older groups, have thought that the impact and collaboration dimensions of sport sponsorship has been more realized. It has been determined that primary school graduate population have looked more favourably to the sports sponsorship application done by the communication companies.Extended English summary is in the end of Full Text PDF (TURKISH) file. ÖzetBu araştırmanın amacı, iletişim şirketlerinin spor sponsorluğunun, sporun ve spor faaliyetlerinin gelişimine etkisi konusunda tüketicilerin görüşlerinin belirlenmesidir. Spor sponsorluğunun tüketicilere ve spora olan etkileri ile iletişim (GSM) şirketlerinin spor sponsorluğu yaparak hedef kitleye ne ölçüde ulaştığı belirlenmeye çalışılmıştır. Araştırmada betimsel yöntem kullanılmıştır. Araştırma evrenini Ankara’da bulunan devlet üniversitelerine bağlı dört yıllık spor eğitimi veren yükseköğretim kurumlarında öğrenim gören öğrenciler ile Ankara’da ikamet eden kişiler örneklemini ise Ankara’da bulunan devlet üniversitelerine bağlı dört yıllık spor eğitimi veren kurumlarda öğrenim gören 361 öğrenci ve Ankara’nın merkez ilçelerinde ikamet eden 500 kişi oluşturmuştur. Verileri elde etmek için spor sponsorluğu ölçeği geliştirilmiştir. Ölçme aracının geçerlik çalışması için madde toplam korelasyon değerlerine bakılmış ve açımlayıcı ve doğrulayıcı faktör analizi yapılmıştır. Güvenirlik için Alpha Cronbach’s katsayısı hesaplanmıştır. Ölçekte yer alan maddeler 5’li Likert tipi derecelendirme ölçeği ile değerlendirilmiştir. Spor Sponsorluğu Ölçeğinde işbirliği, destek ve etki olmak üzere üç boyutta 25 madde yer almıştır. Veriler normal dağılmadığı için; non-parametrik testlerden ikili gruplar için Mann Whitney U testi, ikiden fazla gruplar için ise Kruskall-Wallis testi kullanılmıştır. Kruskall-Wallis testi sonucu gruplar arasında fark bulunması durumunda ise Gruplar arasında farklı olanı bulabilmek için manuel olarak Mann Whitney U testi uygulanmıştır.                                                                                     Araştırmadan elde edilen sonuçlara göre; iletişim şirketlerinin spor sponsorluğu uygulamalarına yönelik genelde olumlu bir anlayış vardır. Araştırmaya katılan halkın haberleşmede A şirketini tercih ettiği, öğrencilerin büyük çoğunluğunun ise C şirketini tercih ettiği tespit edilmiştir. Her iki grubunda, sırasıyla A, C ve B GSM şirketlerinin sporu daha fazla desteklediği yönünde görüş belirttiği saptanmıştır. Halkın ve öğrencilerin cinsiyetlerine göre spor sponsorluğunun işbirliği, destek ve etki alt boyutlarına ilişkin görüşleri arasında fark bulunamamıştır. Orta yaş grubundaki halkın, genç ve yaşlı gruptakilere göre, sponsorluğun etki ve işbirliği boyutunun daha çok gerçekleştiğini düşündüğü tespit edilmiştir. İlköğretim mezunu halkın, iletişim şirketlerinin spor sponsorluğu uygulamalarına daha olumlu baktıkları tespit edilmiştir

Sports sponsorship for communication companies reliability and validity study of measurementİletişim şirketlerinin spor sponsorluğu ölçeğinin güvenirlik ve geçerlik çalışması

Nowadays, the concept of the sports sponsorship is considered as a marketing activity that attracts the attention of the company from every sector. The aim of this study is to develop a scale to determine how communication companies' sports sponsorship practices are perceived. Research is a screening model. 47 items and personal information were included in the test form of the measurement tool.  The evaluation of the items in the scale form was made with a 5-point Likert-type rating consisting of values ranging from 1 to 5. The validity and reliability studies were performed by applying the measurement tool to 250 participants who participated voluntarily. The item total correlation values were examined for the validity study and explanatory and confirmatory factor analysis was applied. For reliability, Cronbach's Alpha coefficient was calculated. In communication Companies Sports sponsorship scale, there are 25 items totaly; 9 items in cooperation dimension, 8 items in support dimension and 8 items in impact dimension. The increase in points that can be taken from the subscales of the scale indicates that sports sponsorship practices are positive and helpful. As a result, the Communication Companies Sports Sponsorship Scale was found to be valid and reliable.Extended English abstract is in the end of PDF (TURKISH) file. ÖzetSpor sponsorluğu kavramı günümüzde her sektörden şirketin dikkatini çeken bir pazarlama faaliyetidir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, iletişim şirketlerinin spor sponsorluğu uygulamalarının nasıl algılandığını saptamak için bir ölçek geliştirmektir. Araştırma tarama modelindedir. Ölçme aracının deneme formunda 47 madde ve kişisel bilgiler yer almıştır. Ölçek formunda yer alan maddelerin değerlendirilmesi 1’den 5’e kadar değişen değerlerden oluşan 5’li Likert tipi derecelendirme ile yapılmıştır. Ölçme aracı gönüllü katılan 250 kişiye uygulanarak, geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışması yapılmıştır. Geçerlik çalışması için madde bütün  korelasyon katsayılarına bakılmış, doğrulayıcı ve açımlayıcı faktör analizi uygulanmıştır. Cronbach’s Alpha katsayısı ile güvenirlik hesaplanmıştır. İletişim Şirketleri Spor sponsorluğu ölçeği, etki boyutunda 8, işbirliği boyutunda 9 ve destek boyutunda 8 madde olmak üzere toplam 25 maddeden oluşmuştur.  Ölçek alt boyutlarından alınabilecek puanların artması, spor sponsorluğu uygulamalarının olumlu olduğunu göstermektedir. Sonuç olarak, İletişim Şirketleri Spor Sponsorluğu Ölçeğinin geçerli ve güvenilir olduğu saptanmıştır

Lms Selection Process For Effective Distance Education System In Organizations

 Towards the end of the 20th century, especially development of science and technology brought some innovation to some conceptual area such as education. In society, to build a quality and civilized life, education emerges as a one of the most important actors. Unfortunately, the rights in education of the every person in society may be delayed due to financial problems, physical disabilities, time pressure, geographical distances or any other reasons. Distance learning is a one of the method that provides education for people by eliminating these disadvantages. Since end of the 19th century, distance education has been provided with some methods such as TV, radio, mail and etc. Especially, in the beginning of 21th century; internet is widely used by everybody. New technological environment has brought a new opportunity for distance education. Learning Management System (LMS) is the most important actor of the internet based distance learning that brings together educators and students for training. LMS allows to deliver materials, having assignment and quizzes and other educational activities. Whether educational institutions or organizations that are emphasis on the training of employees can use LMS platform. Every organization has to decide which LMS is suitable for them. Decision makers face to solve this kind of problems because every LMS has different characteristics and different learning process. This study is focused on choosing suitable LMS for organizations by using AHP methods. Two groups of LMS, open source software’s (Moodle and Sakai) and commercial software’s (BlackBoard and Sharepoint LMS), are compared by using selecting criteria’s. These criteria’s are license costs, flexibility, security, user interface and prevalence of use. In the decision process, different weight ratios are used depending on their priority. The findings of this AHP Process are discussed. Keywords: Distance Learning, LMS, AHP, Decision Making Proces

Convenient Novel Method for Diagnosing Diastolic Dysfunction: Electrocardiographic Diastolic Index

Background and Aim:Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is the primary pathophysiology in patients with preserved ejection heart failure. Hypertension (HT) results in myocardial structural changes and accelerates the progression to LVDD. Electrocardiographic diastolic index (EDI) calculated from electrocardiogram parameters can provide information about the correlation between hypertrophy of the left ventricle and LVDD. We investigated the predictor of EDI in detecting LVDD in patients followed up with HT.Materials and Methods:This study included 202 consecutive patients with HT between January 2022 and March 2022. The patients were classified without and with LVDD. The EDI is created as (V5-R amplitude + V1-S amplitude x aVL-R amplitude/PWL-I amplitude). The prediction value of the EDI for LVDD was evaluated by curve analysis of the receiver operating curve. Multivariate and univariate logistic regression analyzes were used to evaluate the free predictors of LVDD. Two multivariate models were used (model I: EDI as a continuous variable and model II: EDI as a categorical variable).Results:The patients were classified into two groups by showing LVDD. The average age of the study population was 50 ± 14 years, and 57.4% of the patients were female. The patient EDI value was 8.5 ± 7.3. The EDI value of the first group was remarkably lower than that of the second group. When the limit value of EDI is greater than 7.4 mV, it predicts LVDD with 63.6% sensitivity and 79.8% specificity. In univariate logistic regression analysis, the presence of LVDD was associated with EDI. Two different multivariate regression models were constructed to evaluate EDI as both a continuous variable and a categorical variable. EDI was determined as an independent predictor of LVDD in both models.Conclusion:The EDI is an essential assessment tool in predicting DD in patients who are followed up with HT because it is a cheap, accessible, and easy-to-use formula

PCDTBT:PCBM Tabanlı Organik Schottky Diyotlarının ve Heteroeklem Güneş Hücrelerinin Optoelektronik Karakterizasyonu

Bu çalışmada Gümüş/n-tipi Silisyum/poly[N-9′-heptadecanyl-2,7–carbazole–alt-5,5-(4′,7′-di–2–thienyl-2′,1′,3′-benzothiadiazole:[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester/Altın (Ag/n-Si/PCDTBT:PC61BM/Au) organik metal-polimer yarıiletken Schottky bariyer diyotları, polimer arayüz olarak %20 PCDTBT ve %80 PCBM karışımı kullanılarak üretilmiştir. Üretilen diyotların 240 - 350 K sıcaklık aralığında akım-voltaj ölçümleri yapılarak, bu sıcaklıklardaki diyot idealite faktörü değerlerinin 1,80 ve 2,26 aralığında değiştiği gözlemlenmiştir. Çalışmanın ikinci aşamasında, İndiyum Kalay Oksit/PCDTBT:PCBM/Gümüş (ITO/PCDTBT:PCBM/Ag) organik güneş hücresi %20:%80 PCDTBT:PCBM hacimsel oranına sahip olacak şekilde üretilmiş ve güç dönüştürme verimi % 0,85 olarak bulunmuştur

Comparison of Different Treatment Methods for Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of different therapies for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss and prognostic factors, and determine the most successful treatment according to the audiogram type and time from onset to treatment.Methods:A total of 90 cases from February 2009 to January 2015 were classified under Group I oral treatment (methylprednisolone, acyclovir, betahistine-dihydrochloride, and vitamin B12); Group II oral treatment + intratympanic steroids (ITS); Group III oral treatment + hyperbaric oxygen; and Group IV only ITS. A pure tone average (PTA) improvement of less than 10 dB was assessed as “no improvement,” a PTA of 10 dB or more or a 10% or more increase in the speech discrimination score (SDS) as “partial improvement,” and a hearing threshold within 10 dB and SDS within 5%-10% of the unaffected ear as “full improvement.”Results:Overall, 32.2% patients showed full and 28.9% showed partial improvement, whereas 38.9% showed no improvement. There was no significant difference in terms of mean hearing gain between the different treatment methods. As the degree of hearing loss and time from onset to treatment increased, improvement worsened (p0.05).Conclusion:The most important factors affecting prognosis were the time from onset to treatment, hearing loss severity, and audiogram type. Only ITS avoided side effects and reduced hospitalization. ITS in the first two weeks, followed by hyperbaric oxygen were considered as the treatment priority

Molecular Survey of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Aborted Fetuses of Sheep in the Iğdır Province of Türkiye

Toxoplasma gondii, an obligatory intracellular protozoan parasite, can infect a wide range of warm-blooded animals, including livestock species. T. gondii is a zoonotic protozoan parasite that affects both humans and other warm-blooded animals. The aim of this study was to detect T. gondii by using PCR in the brain tissues of 60 aborted sheep fetuses from the Iğdır Province in Türkiye. For this purpose, 60 brain tissue samples of sheep were collected within the lambing seasons of 2023 in Iğdır, Türkiye. The DNA extraction was performed using the PureLink™ Genomic DNA Mini Kit from brain samples. The PCR was performed with the appropriate primers from the obtained DNA samples. T. gondii was found in the brain (16.6%) samples of aborted sheep fetuses. According to the present study, T. gondii infection can be one of the causes of fetus abortion of sheep in Iğdır province, Türkiye. This result emphasizes the need for vigilance and preventive measures in managing this potential public and animal health concerns

Maternal and neonatal outcomes of pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection in our tertiary hospital

Objective: To evaluate clinical features, laboratory test results, and maternal and neonatal outcomes of pregnant patients with the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Methods: We reviewed clinical data from pregnant women with a laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2, who were admitted to our university hospital in Türkiye. Demographic and clinical characteristics, laboratory test results, and maternal and neonatal outcomes were collected. Results: A total of 46 pregnant women were included in this study. The mean maternal age was 28 (min. 21 – max. 39) years and gestational age was 31 (min. 26 – max. 41) weeks. Two (4.37%) pregnant women were vaccinated with 1 dose of BioNTech® vaccine, and all other patients were unvaccinated. Shortness of breath was the most common symptom present in 15 cases (32.6%). Twenty-seven (58.69%) pregnant women gave birth in the preterm period, and 19 (41.30%) in the term period. Six (13.04%) pregnant women were followed up in the Anesthesia Intensive Care Unit. Two women with critical COVID-19 died in the postpartum period. Conclusion: COVID-19 infection has negative consequences in terms of maternal and neonatal outcomes. The most common causes of adverse neonatal outcomes are iatrogenic or spontaneous preterm births, while the most common causes of adverse maternal outcomes are prolonged hospitalization time, increased likelihood of intensive care hospitalization, and maternal deaths. The most effective way to prevent this situation is to get vaccinated regardless of trimester