Geographical Regions Of Turkey Research Articles

EFFECT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON EXERCISE, NUTRITIONAL BEHAVIORS AND PERCEIVED STRESS STATUS OF ADULTS

The aim of this descriptive study is to evaluate how COVID-19 pandemic has affected exercise, eating behaviours and level of perceived stress in adults. 1037 people living in different geographical regions in Turkey were reached. The proportion of those who did not exercise regularly during the quarantine period increased at a statistically significant level. The majority of the participants expressed that they made changes in their eating habits to protect themselves against the coronavirus. 48.7% of them stated that their desire to eat intensified during the quarantine period due to boredom and stress. Perceived Stress Scale mean score was higher in female participants compared to their male counterparts and this difference was statistically significant. Participants' perceived stress levels are high, stress has an impact on nutritional behavior, and social ways of coping with stress need to be learned. Wrong nutritional choices that may occur due to changing emotional state should be prevented. A healthy diet and physical activity movement should be started by constantly sharing information on dietary recommendations and home exercise practices specific to COVID-19; in this way, it may be possible of people and to protect people against diseases by balancing the energy intake during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Wheat Stripe Rust Pathogen (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici) in Turkey.

Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is one of the most important diseases threatening wheat production both in Turkey and worldwide. However, the underlying genetic dynamics of Pst populations are not fully known in Turkey. To determine the population genetic structure and migration network among regional Pst populations, a total of 140 Pst isolates collected from six geographical regions of Turkey from 2018 to 2020 were sampled and genotyped using 21 simple sequence repeat loci. A total of 70 multilocus genotypes were identified and classified into the three major genetic groups by Bayesian assignment. The highest genotypic diversity was detected in Southeastern Anatolia, showing its critical role as one of the source populations to trigger possible stripe rust epidemics. Analysis of molecular variance revealed the highest variation (90.25%) within isolates. The migration network generated by the number of effective migrants showed that the highest migration (1.0) was determined between Southeastern Anatolia and Central Anatolia, and considerable levels of migration (>0.2) were determined among the other regions, except for the Black Sea. Linkage equilibrium (P ≥ 0.05) was detected for many geographical regions, except for Marmara (P = 0.00) and the Mediterranean (P = 0.03), suggesting that reproduction of Pst populations is most likely sexual or mixed (sexual and clonal). To sum up, this is the first study on the genetic relationships and population genetic structure of the Pst population in Turkey, and these findings may provide critical information to develop management strategies for wheat stripe rust.

Examination Of The Relationship Between Exercise Addiction And Physical Self-Concept Levels Of Students Studying At The Faculty Of Sport Sciences

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between exercise addiction and physical self-esteem levels of students studying at the Faculty of Sport Sciences. Survey method was used as the research design in the study. The scope group of the study consisted of students studying in the faculties of sport sciences of 7 universities, randomly selected as one from each geographical region of Turkey. "Personal Information Form" was used to obtain the socio-demographic information of the participants, "Exercise Addiction Scale (EIS)" was used to determine the level of exercise addiction and "Physical Self Scale" was used to determine the level of physical self. Normality test was performed on the data obtained and it was determined that the data were normally distributed. Independent Sample T test was used for pairwise comparisons, One Vay ANOVA for multiple comparisons and Tukey HSD test was used to determine the source of difference. Pearson correlation test was used to determine the relationship between the two scales. In the statistical analysis and interpretations of the data, p

Anatomy of a Nation: Exploring Weight, Height, and BMI Variations among Turkish Adults (2008-2022)

Objective: The rapidly changing demographics and lifestyles of the global population demand updated anthropometric data to ensure appropriate designs, interventions, and policies. Recognizing the lack of recent comprehensive anthropometric data on the Turkish adult population, the primary objective of this study was to present an authoritative perspective on the evolution of average heights and Body Mass Index (BMI) distributions in Turkey, focusing on the period between 2008 and 2022. Materials and Methods: Data for this research was sourced from the Türkiye Health Survey conducted by TurkStat. Our sample encapsulated diverse age groups over 15, covering all seven geographical regions of Turkey, ensuring nationwide representation. Comprehensive analyses were undertaken to segregate the data based on sex and age group, providing a nuanced insight into height variations and BMI distributions. Results: Our findings suggest that the overall average height for the entire Turkish population remained relatively consistent during the study period, with males averaging around 173 cm and females approximately 161 cm. Interestingly, the 15-24 age bracket registered a noticeable height increase, suggesting a potential growth trend in the younger generation. In terms of BMI, our research revealed a consistent distribution across all categories over the years. However, there was a slight decrease in underweight individuals, particularly among males, and an upward trend in the 'pre-obese' category, especially in the male demographic. The obese category experienced a minor increase from 2008 to 2016 but showed signs of stabilization in recent years. Conclusion: Given the dynamic nature of population health and growth patterns, this study underscores the significance of continuous anthropometric monitoring. Our findings offer a modern benchmark for various stakeholders – from health professionals to designers – to appropriately tailor their solutions and interventions for the Turkish populace. Furthermore, the subtle shifts in BMI categories over the years highlight potential focus areas for public health initiatives, emphasizing the importance of diet, lifestyle, and exercise in ensuring a healthy nation.

Molecular epidemiological investigation of carbapenem resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from intensive care unit patients of six geographical regions of Turkey.

Klebsiella pneumonia causes serious infections in hospitalized patients. In recent years, carbapenem-resistant infections increased in the world. The molecular epidemiological investigation of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates was aimed in this study. Fifty carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates from six geographical regions of Turkey between September 2019-2020 were included in the study. The disk diffusion method was used for the antibiotic susceptibility testing. The microdilution confirmed colistin susceptibility. Genetic diversity was investigated by MLST (Multi-Locus Sequence Typing). The resistance rates were as follows: 49 (98%) for meropenem, 47 (94%) imipenem, 50 (100%) ertapenem, 30 (60%) colistin and amoxicillin-clavulanate, 49 (98%) ceftriaxone, 48 (96%) cefepime, 50 (100%) piperacillin-tazobactam, 47 (94%) ciprofloxacin, 40 (80%) amikacin, 37 (74%) gentamicin. An isolate resistant to colistin by disk diffusion was found as susceptible to microdilution. ST 2096 was the most common (n:16) sequence type by MLST. ST 101 (n:7), ST14 (n:6), ST 147 and ST 15 (n:4), ST391 (n:3), ST 377 and ST16 (n:2), ST22, ST 307, ST 985, ST 336, ST 345, and ST 3681 (n:1) were classified in other isolates. In İstanbul and Ankara ST2096 was common. Among Turkey isolates, the most common clonal complexes (CC) were CC14 (n:26) and CC11 (n = 7). In Turkey, a polyclonal population of CC14 throughout the country and inter-hospital spread were indicated. The use of molecular typing tools will highlight understanding the transmission dynamics.

Attitudes and Beliefs of 4th Grade Primary School Students towards Social Studies Course

The social studies course can be described as an ongoing process that is attempted to prepare the individuals for life through transfer of culture and ensures the socialization of the individuals. It is thought that students’ beliefs and attitudes towards this course are essential for achieving the objectives of the course. The objective of this research is to determine the attitudes and belief levels of 4th grade students towards the social studies course with respect to various variables and to review the relationship between attitudes and belief levels towards the social studies course. During the research, descriptive survey and relational survey models, which are both quantitative research methods, were used in combination. The study population consists of primary school students throughout Turkey in their 4th grade during the 2022-2023 academic year. 1326 primary school students in the 4th grade were selected from 7 geographical regions of Turkey by utilizing the simple random method and constitute the sample group of the study. The research data were collected using the “Social Studies Course Attitude Scale” and the “Social Studies Course Belief Scale”. As a result of the study, it was determined that there was a positive and moderate relationship between the students’ attitudes and beliefs towards the social studies course, and it was noted that students’ attitudes and beliefs towards social studies course were significantly high.

Evaluating the effect of the SPI and SPEI methods on drought monitoring over Turkey

Drought indices are one of the most widely used methods for drought monitoring because they are easy to apply and interpret. The two most widely used drought index methods are the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) method, using the precipitation parameter as input, and the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) method, which uses the Potential Evapotranspiration (PET) values addition to precipitation. The primary goal of this study is to compare the two methods for determining drought characteristics in different climatic and geographical features in Turkey. The drought characteristics are calculated using meteorological data between 1970 and 2021 for 199 synoptic observation stations in seven geographical regions of Turkey with SPI and SPEI methods for the 3-, 6-, and 12-month time scales. The study's findings indicate that while the correlation coefficient (CC) between the two indices is generally high (ranging from 0.81 to 0.93, depending on the region and time scale), it is lower in regions with a low Aridity Index (AI) value, particularly for the 3-month time scale. For the 6- and 12-month time scales, no relationship is observed between AI and CC. Additionally, SPEI detected a higher occurrence percentage of moderate and severe droughts across all geographical regions (with an increase of up to 15 % compared to SPI), while SPI observed higher percentages of extreme droughts. The study results conclude that SPI and SPEI methods demonstrate significant differences in detecting certain drought characteristics after the 1990s, underscoring the necessity to consider temperature variations in drought monitoring, particularly in the context of ongoing climate change.

Lung cancer from suspicion to treatment: An indicator of healthcare access in Turkey

BackgroundLung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Before beginning lung cancer treatment, it is necessary to complete procedures such as suspecting lung cancer, obtaining a pathologic diagnosis, and staging. This study aimed to investigate the processes from suspicion of lung cancer to diagnosis, staging, and treatment initiation. MethodsThe study was designed as a multicenter and cross-sectional study. Patients with lung cancer from various health institutions located in all geographic regions of Turkey were included in the study. The sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the patients, the characteristics of the health institutions and geographic regions, and other variables of the lung cancer process were recorded. The time from suspicion of lung cancer to pathologic diagnosis, radiologic staging, and treatment initiation, as well as influencing factors, were investigated. ResultsThe study included 1410 patients from 29 different medical centers. The mean time from the initial suspicion of lung cancer to the pathologic diagnosis was 48.0 ± 52.6 days, 39.0 ± 52.7 days for radiologic staging, and 74.9 ± 65.5 days for treatment initiation. The residential areas with the most suspected lung cancer cases were highly developed socioeconomic zones. Primary healthcare services accounted for only 0.4% of patients with suspected lung cancer. The time to pathologic diagnosis was longer in the Marmara region, and the wait time for staging and treatment initiation was longer in Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia. Patients who presented to chest disease referral hospitals with peripheral lesions, those with early-stage disease, and those who were diagnosed surgically had significantly longer wait times. ConclusionThe time between pathologic diagnosis, staging, and treatment initiation in lung cancer was longer than expected. Increasing the role of primary healthcare services and distributing socioeconomic resources more equally will contribute to shortening the time to diagnosis and improve treatment processes for lung cancer.

Bioactive potential of ripened white cheeses manufactured in different geographical regions of Turkey.

This study investigated the potential bioactive properties of white cheeses produced in different regions of Turkey, including their potential antioxidant, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities. The cheese samples were analyzed both before and after in vitro digestion. The study found that all cheese samples exhibited significant angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition activity both before (45.5%-70.1% for 0.03gcheese/mL) and after in vitro digestion (25.5%-63.5% for 0.0167g cheese/mL), whereas α-amylase inhibition activity was present in all samples (in the range of 5.1%-50.0% for 3.0×10-5 gcheese/mL) but disappeared after digestion, and α-glucosidase inhibition activity was only detected after in vitro digestion (from 20.5% to 60.4% for 5.6×10-5 gcheese/mL), indicating potential antidiabetic properties. However, antimicrobial and anticancer activities were not observed in any of the samples. The results also suggest that the bioactivity potential of white cheese may vary depending on the region of production, as cheeses from the Marmara region exhibited high α-glucosidase inhibition activity after digestion. In conclusion, while white cheese is a valuable addition to the diet due to its high nutritional value and potential health benefits. This study revealed the bioactive potential of ripened white cheese and in vivo investigations of the cheese components would better show their possible benefits. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Although the bioactivity potentials varied among the ripened white cheese samples produced in different regions of Turkey, a consistent trend was observed in terms of their presence or absence. Our research revealed that all ripened cheese samples demonstrated significant potential antioxidant and antihypertensive activities, as well as potential antidiabetic properties. Moreover, it can be interpreted that ripened white cheese has the potential to reduce the digestion of carbohydrates when consumed with carbohydrate-rich foods. Although the present results provide limited practical findings directly applicable to the industry, if the data and information obtained from this study are further explored and further studies delving into specific mechanisms of bioactive components could emerge.

Psychological Distance in Climate Change: The Role of Climate Change Denial, Contact with Nature and Political Opinion

This study was designed to investigate the psychological distance perception of Turkish people and the role of their political views on climate change. Descriptive data were obtained on different aspects of psychological distance such as temporal, social, geographical and uncertainty. The study also evaluated the relationship between contact with nature through climate change and climate denial. The research is a descriptive study. Climate change denial scale and nature contact scales were used to measure the levels of climate change denial and contact with nature. Data were collected online from 123 people living in different geographical regions of Turkey. Group comparison findings based on individuals' assessments of their political views (left/right) are consistent with the literature. Significant differences in denial of climate change were observed among groups separated by political views. In addition, a significant relationship was found between age and denial of climate change. Our findings are important in terms of revealing some social and cognitive factors in the perception of the climate change problem in our country and helping to develop more effective strategies in combating climate change.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SIGNALLING ENTREPRENEURIAL ORIENTATION AND RELATIONSHIP LENDING FOR SMES’ BANK CREDIT ACCESS

Although SMEs matter for the development of economies, they need financing that is the main impediment to their survival. To overcome this barrier, SMEs might reduce information asymmetries between them and banks by signaling their entrepreneurial activities that are based on Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) and by having frequent contact with banks in a lending relationship. In this regard, this paper purposes to find out the impacts of signaling EO and relationship lending on bank credit access of SMEs. To fulfill this aim, the researcher has applied stratified random and purposive sampling methods to create the research sample from SMEs that operate in various geographical regions of Turkey. The researcher also employs a self-administered internet-mediated questionnaire to collect data from 479 SMEs. Moreover, this paper runs Binary Logistic Regression Test to analyze the impacts of signaling EO and lending relationship on bank credit access. According to the results, trademark ownership, R&D subsidies received by SMEs and closeness of communication between SMEs and banks positively affect bank credit access of SMEs. On the other hand, patent ownership, R&D investments and alliances of SMEs with prominent firms do not influence their credit access.

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Advanced Breeding Materials in Field Trials in Different Geographical Regions of Turkey

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Advanced Breeding Materials in Field Trials in Different Geographical Regions of Turkey

Assessment of the Levels of Potentially Toxic Elements Contained in Natural Bentonites Collected from Quarries in Turkey.

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) are an important type of pollutant, causing constant and far-reaching concerns around the world due to their increase in the mining process. Bentonite formed by the alteration of glass-rich volcanic rocks is a smectite clay consisting mostly of montmorillonite. Bentonite is an important mineral used in a wide range of applications in many fields such as oil and gas, agriculture, food, pharmacological, cosmetic, and construction industries due to its unique qualities. Given the widespread distribution of bentonite in nature and its use in a wide variety of consumer products, it is inevitable that the general population will be exposed to PTEs contained in bentonites. In this study, concentrations of PTEs in 69 bentonite samples collected from quarries located in different geographical regions of Turkey were analyzed by an energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometric method. The average concentrations of Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Zr, and Pb in bentonite samples were found to be 3510, 95, 129, 741, 30,569, 67, 168, 25, 62, 9, 173, and 28 mg/kg dry weight, respectively. Results of the enrichment factor relating to Earth's crust average indicated moderate enrichment with Cr, Ni, and Pb and significant enrichment with Co and As.

Determination of protein levels and amıno acid composition of bee pollen collected from different geographical regions of Turkey

In this study, determination of the amino acid profile of bee pollen produced in different parts of Turkey and performed to determine the protein level. The research was carried out with a total of 90 specimens from East-Southeast Anatolia, Central Anatolia, Black Sea, Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean. According to the analysis results, alanine (143,40 ± 0,0) in bee pollen on mg / g basis, arginine (34,45 ± 0.0), histidine (32,55 ± 0.09), isoleucine (20,94 ± 1,24), leucine (23, 75 ± 1.27), lysine (31.15 ± 0.43), methionine (39.10 ± 1.32), phenylalanine (20.09 ± 0.95), proline (309.05 ± 28.56) and valine (15.79 ± 0.88) amino acids were detected. According to the analysis results, protein level of bee pollen in mg / g basis in Black Sea region (127,27 ± 0.31), Marmara region (117,56 ± 0.31), Mediterranean region (115,66 ± 0.31), Central Anatolia (115,09 ± 0.31), Aegean region (110,06 ± 0.31) and East-South East Anatolia (124,9 ± 0.31). The differences between the regions were found in Protein and amino acid levels (P

Antibiotic associated diarrhea in outpatient pediatric antibiotic therapy

BackgroundAntibiotic-associated diarrhea is one of the most frequent side effects of antimicrobial therapy. We assessed the epidemiological data of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in pediatric patients in our region.MethodsThe prospective multi-center study included pediatric patients who were initiated an oral antibiotic course in outpatient clinics and followed in a well-established surveillance system. This follow-up system constituded inclusion of patient by the primary physician, supply of family follow-up charts to the family, passing the demographics and clinical information of patient to the Primary Investigator Centre, and a close telephone follow-up of patients for a period of eight weeks by the Primary Investigator Centre.ResultsA result of 758 cases were recruited in the analysis which had a frequency of 10.4% antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Among the cases treated with amoxicillin-clavulanate 10.4%, and cephalosporins 14.4% presented with antibiotic-associated diarrhea. In the analysis of antibiotic-associated diarrhea occurrence according to different geographical regions of Turkey, antibiotic-associated diarrhea episodes differed significantly (p = 0.014), particularly higher in The Eastern Anatolia and Southeastern Anatolia. Though most commonly encountered with cephalosporin use, antibiotic-associated diarrhea is not a frequent side effect.ConclusionThis study on pediatric antibiotic-associated diarrhea displayed epidemiological data and the differences geographically in our region.

The effect of air quality parameters on new COVID-19 cases between two different climatic and geographical regions in Turkey.

Different health management strategies may need to be implemented in different regions to cope with diseases. The current work aims to evaluate the relationship between air quality parameters and the number of new COVID-19 cases in two different geographical locations, namely Western Anatolia and Western Black Sea in Turkey. Principal component analysis (PCA) and regression model were utilized to describe the effect of environmental parameters (air quality and meteorological parameters) on the number of new COVID-19 cases. A big difference in the mean values for all air quality parameters has appeared between the two areas. Two regression models were developed and showed a significant relationship between the number of new cases and the selected environmental parameters. The results showed that wind speed, SO2, CO, NOX, and O3 are not influential variable and does not affect the number of new cases of COVID-19 in the Western Black Sea area, while only wind speed, SO2, CO, NOX, and O3 are influential parameters on the number of new cases in Western Anatolia. Although the environmental parameters behave differently in each region, these results revealed that the relationship between the air quality parameters and the number of new cases is significant.

Genetic Variants Associated with Severe Hypertriglyceridemia: LPL, APOC2, APOA5, GPIHBP1, LMF1, and APOE.

High triglyceride (TG) levels are associated with an increased risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and pancreatitis. The objectives for this study were to evaluate for the coexistence of severe HTG and pancreatitis in two different geographic regions of Turkey and to identify rare variants that cause monogenic HTG in our country. In our study from 2014 to 2019, patients with severe HTG who presented to the endocrinology outpatient clinics with TG levels >500 mg/dL (5.7 mmol/L) were evaluated. The LPL, APOC2, APOA5, GPIHBP1, LMF1, and APOE genes were sequenced using next generation sequencing to screen for potentially pathogenic variants. Potentially pathogenic variants were identified in 64 (47.1%) of 136 patients. Variants in LPL were seen in 42 (30.9%) cases, APOA5 variants in 10 (7.4%) cases, APOC2 variants in 5 (3.7%) cases, LMF1 variants in 5 (3.7%) cases, and APOE mutations in 2 (1.5%) cases. In the subgroup that experienced pancreatitis (n = 76, 56.3%), LPL variants were seen at higher frequency (P <0.001) than in the subgroup with no history of pancreatitis (n = 60, 43.7%). Patients who developed pancreatitis (56.3%) demonstrated a median TG of 2083 mg/dL (23.5 mmol/L), and patients without pancreatitis (43.7%) demonstrated a median TG of 1244.5 mg/dL (14.1 mmol/L) (P <0.001). Accurate approach to HTG diagnosis is important for the prevention of pancreatitis and ASCVD. Evaluation of variants in primary HTG after excluding secondary causes may help provide a patient-centric precision treatment plan.

An Investigation of Students’ Preferences, Satisfaction and Performance in Online Assessment Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic in Türkiye

This study aimed to discuss the online/e- assessment methods applied in the education faculties of state universities during the Covid-19 pandemic and to reveal student satisfaction and achievement in such methods. Accordingly, the relationships between student grades, the preferred method, and student satisfaction levels were examined by residential region and gender. The study was conducted on 371 university students from seven universities in different geographical regions of Turkey. A survey design, one of the quantitative research methods, was preferred in the study. The analysis results showed that the most preferred online assessment methods by the academics during the Covid-19 pandemic included homework (93%), timed online examinations (92%), and online presentation (76%). When students’ attitudes towards those assessment methods were examined, we found that students’ favorite online assessment method was homework (71%), and timed online examinations (46%) and online presentations (31%) were the least preferred methods. Besides, the students received the highest grades (76 and above) by doing online homework (72%), online presentations (69%), and projects (62%). They received the lowest scores in online examinations (50%).

Evaluation of The Significance Grades of The Problems Experienced by Mathematics Teachers in Distance Education in The Covid-19 Pandemic by The Entropy Method

The entropy formula, created by Claude E. Shannon using probability calculations, is an essential and objective measurement method used in multi-criteria decision-making. The purpose this study was to evaluate the problems experienced by mathematics teachers during the Covid-19 and the degree of importance of these problems were determined. Expert opinions were used to identify the problems. In the study, the ‘Entropy’ method was used to determine the degree of importance of the problems. After determining the problems, a questionnaire was applied to 22 teachers working in different geographical regions of Turkey and with different service lengths. According to the entropy results, it has been determined that the most critical problem faced by mathematics teachers in the distance education process is the ‘communication problem’ between students and teachers. In conclusion, mathematics teachers must find the right learning method to overcome communication problems so that in the future, distance learning will not experience obstacles.

Evaluations of Turkish Soldier Beetle (Coleoptera: Cantharidae) Fauna from the Zoogeographical Perspective

In this study, zoogeographic evaluations of the Turkish Cantharidae family were performed. In this context, the faunistic similarities between the geographical regions of Turkey, Turkey- neighbor countries, and the Turkey-Subregions of the Palaearctic region were compared. According to current literature, the Turkish fauna of the Cantharidae is composed of two subfamilies, 15 genera, and 254 species (of which 167 are endemic species). The Mediterranean region has the most species (106 species) and the most endemic species (74 species). The highest similarity is found between the Central Anatolian and Aegean regions (60.2%). Cantharis livida Linnaeus, 1758 is distributed in all Turkey geographical regions. The Turkish cantharid fauna is more similar to that of Iran than other neighboring countries when comparing subregions of the Palaearctic region. The Cantharidae fauna of Turkey showed the most similarity to the fauna of the Middle East with a rate of 55.2%.