Karabuk University Research Articles

Evaluation of Pediatric Patients Admitted to the Hospital for Drug Intoxication

Abstract Objective: Drug poisoning is the most common form of poisoning in children, and it is a situation that can lead to fatal consequences, but can be prevented if appropriate precautions are taken. Children are the future of a society, so drug poisoning poses an important public health problem. Factors such as high-dose drug combinations, misuse, poor storage conditions, and children's access to drugs can all contribute to drug intoxication. The aim of this study is to understand the effects of drug poisoning on children, to identify the characteristics of these children and to raise awareness about the measures that can be taken to prevent this problem. Material and Methods: This study was conducted retrospectively on 100 patients who applied to the pediatric emergency department of Karabuk University Faculty of Medicine Education and Research Hospital with the complaints of drug use and drug exposure. Results: It was observed that the mean age of the patients was 7.65±6.51 years, 58% of them were girls and 71% of them accidentally drank drugs. When the drugs consumed by the patients were examined, it was determined that the analgesic-anti-inflammatory (Paracetemol) group was the highest with 18%. When the hospitalization status of the patients was examined, it was seen that 22% of them were not hospitalized. It was observed that 56% of the patients experienced symptoms, and the most common symptom was nausea and vomiting with 33%. No mortality was observed in any of the patients. Conclusion: Study results show that children often take drugs accidentally. The fact that analgesic-antipyretic group drugs are mostly encountered suggests that it is a predictable result of their widespread use in the community. In addition, the high hospitalization rate with 78% unfortunately leads to an extra expenditure of our limited resources for a condition that could have been prevented. For this reason, establishing an effective public health policy and taking preventive measures for commonly used drugs can reduce the frequency of poisonings. We think that our findings will guide clinicians. Keywords: Drug poisoning, intoxication, drugs, pediatric patients

Evaluation of post cardiopulmonary resuscitation patıents followed in intensive care unit: A one-year retrospective analysis.

Aim: Post Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) patients are a critical patient group. Despite the development of treatment options and guidelines, mortality and morbidity rates in these patients are still high. We aimed to obtain a descriptive data for post CPR patients admitted to Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Material and Methods: This single-center, retrospective observational study was conducted in the mix ICU’s at the Karabuk University Hospital in Karabuk, Turkey, from Jan 2023 to Jan 2024. Demographic data of the post-CPR patients, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) and Glasgow coma scores (GCS), length of stay in the ICU and mortality were recorded through our hospital database. Results: During the study period,78 patients were evaluated. The mean age of the patients was 75.01 ± 9.6 years, and 42 of them were female (53.84%). The mean APACHE II scores on ICU admission was 21.15 ± 7.2, and mean GKS was 8.29 ± 2.4. Comorbid disease was present in 96.15% of the patients, and 35 patients had 3 or more comorbid diseases. Twenty-six patients survived whereas 52 died in ICU. APACHE II scores and. the lactate level were higher, whereas GCS score was lower in nonsurvivors. Conclusion: High mortality rates have been reported for post CPR patients. There are many factors that have been suggested to be prognostic for these patients. In our died patients, the lactate level and their APACHE II score were higher and their GCS scores were lower.

WHISPERS IN THE WORKPLACE: HOW ORGANIZATIONAL GOSSIP AFFECTS THE OPPORTUNITY AND PREVALENCE OF WORKPLACE FRIENDSHIPS?

This research focuses on the negative effects of gossip within the scope of social exchange theory. The aim of the study is to determine how job-related and non-job-related gossip behaviors of administrative staff at universities affect the opportunity and prevalence of workplace friendship. To achieve this goal, a study was conducted using data obtained from 300 administrative staff working at Karabuk University through a questionnaire. Hypotheses in line with the study’s purpose were tested using path analysis within the scope of structural equation modeling. The study found that both job-related and non-job-related gossip behaviors have a negative effect on workplace friendship. However, while job-related gossip behavior has a strong effect on the opportunity for friendship, non-job-related gossip has a stronger effect on the prevalence of friendship.

Comparative analysis of combined spinal–epidural anesthesia and general anesthesia in percutaneous nephrolithotomy: a prospective study on surgical team and operating room personnel satisfaction

ObjectiveWe aimed to investigate the efficacy and complications of combined spinalepidural anesthesia and general anesthesia in percutaneous stone surgery prospectively.Materials and methodsThe study prospectively included patients who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy with general anesthesia (Group.1) or combined spinal–epidural anesthesia (Group.2) at the Department of Urology, Training and Research Hospital, Karabuk University. between December 2018 and December 2019. The effect of the anesthesia technique on the comfort and satisfaction of the operating room personnel, surgeon and anesthesia team were prospectively evaluated and recorded.ResultsDuring the postoperative period, the spinal anesthesia group had a significantly lower visual analog score than the general anesthesia group. No patient in either group required narcotic analgesics during the postoperative period. In terms of overall satisfaction scores, the surgeon performing the surgical procedure had a significantly higher satisfaction score in the general anesthesia group than in the CSEA group. The score was considered good in the general anesthesia group and moderate in the CSEA group. Personnel satisfaction was higher in the patient group that underwent CSEA. In the general anesthesia group, the score was considered to be average. In the CSEA group, the satisfaction score was considered good, with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). The anesthesia team’s satisfaction score was moderate, with no significant difference between the CSEA and general anesthesia groups (p > 0.05).ConclusionPCNL under CSEA can be performed safely in certain individuals. Different anesthetic techniques may have varied levels of satisfaction among the surgical team.

Retrospective Analysis of Our Experience with Percutaneous Tracheostomy in Our Intensive Care Unit

Aim: Percutaneous tracheostomy (PT) application has advantages such as being able to be applied at the bedside in a short time and less bleeding. It is frequently preferred in intensive care units with indications such as prolonged artificial respiration requirement, facilitating weaning, and providing emergency airway. It is an alternative method to surgical tracheostomy. In this study, we aimed to retrospectively evaluate the percutaneous tracheostomy cases we performed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in the last three years.&#x0D; Material and Methods: Patients who underwent percutaneous tracheostomy in the 3rd Level our Hospital between January 2018 and December 2022 were examined. Demographic data of the patients, diagnosis of hospitalization, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II Score (APACHE II score), hospitalization time, intubation time, time from intubation to tracheostomy, early and late complications of tracheostomy were retrospectively analyzed.&#x0D; Results: Ninety-seven patients were analyzed. The mean age of the patients was 77.6±10.9 (range, 41-100) years and the female-male ratio was 40/57. The most common hospitalization diagnosis was neurological reasons (54.6%). The patients were intubated for 20.3±7.9 (range, 7-48) days and the total length of stay in the ICU 65.3±30.3 (range, 17-175) days. The number of patients who developed complications related to the PT procedure was 17 (12.9%).&#x0D; Conclusion: Percutaneous tracheotomy, which is performed in the ICU with indications such as the need for prolonged mechanical ventilation, facilitating weaning, and providing an emergency airway, is a simple, minimally invasive procedure with a low complication rate.

EXPLANATION OF “ORDER” AND “CHAOS” THROUGH “SEQUENCES”: ABSTRACT THINKING IN BASIC DESIGN EDUCATION

This study aimed to demonstrate high potential in using mathematics to facilitate the transmission of&#x0D; design principles in basic design education. It provided an example of how students’ previous mathematical&#x0D; knowledge could be utilized to assist them in understanding the initial design principles. In this respect,&#x0D; “sequence” as a mathematical concept was used to explain the concepts of “order” and “chaos” to the first-year&#x0D; industrial design students who had basic mathematics knowledge. The case was studied as part of a workshop&#x0D; in which students from a Karabuk University's basic design studio participated. As part of the workshop’s&#x0D; theme, waste materials were utilized in the design process. The purpose of this study was to provide a teaching&#x0D; method for improving the dialog between teachers and students in basic design studio without providing&#x0D; existing examples which can interfere the learning process and limit or hinder the students’ creativity. A&#x0D; similar methodology can be developed based on other mathematical concepts in order to clarify and teach&#x0D; design principles in the future.

EVALUATION OF THE FOREIGN STUDENT ASSOCIATION BY THE MEMBERS VIA RELIABILITY ANALYSIS

A student association could be established in a university or between the students outside the university. It can be established in accordance with special laws in order to discuss and solve the common problems of the students. The first step to establish an association is to choose the representatives of the students. After discussing the common problems of the students, the solutions and decisions are made by the representatives of the association within group which is in charge according to slate and policy of the association. The representatives members could be ranked within a group less or more than 13 members as the president, vice president, general secretary, etc. One of the association representative’s duties is to find solutions to the problems and guide the students to be more effective in their study life. This study was carried out on the Yemeni Student Association in Karabuk University. The representatives of the association are 13 students, and the total number of Yemeni students in Karabuk University is around 600 students. According to the questionnaire shared with the students, the members who are getting helped by the association are approximately 303 students. In this study, to evaluate the internal consistency and impartiality among the association member answers using the reliability analysis, 18 questions were asked in a survey and the number of students who answered the questions was 109 students. The method used in the reliability analysis was the Cronbach Alpha method. If α (Cronbach Alpha) ≥ 0.70, then the content of the questions is appropriate and the reliability analysis is accepted which means the internal consistency and impartiality among the association member answers are (very or highly) reliable. Otherwise, the reliability analysis should be re-applied by exchanging the order of the scales (answers) or by deleting items (questions). The survey was shared using Google Form containing 18 questions and 5-point Likert scale. The application of the reliability analysis was made by using SPSS program, and the categorical values were exchanged to numerical values before analysis. The categorization of the categorical values was as follows: Demographic information : age, gender (1=male, 2=female), educational status: (1=language preparation, 2= university), and compatibility questions (strongly agree=1, agree=2, disagree=3, strongly disagree=4, undecided=5). The number of questions which reliability analysis was applied on was 15 questions starting from Q4 to Q18. According to SPSS results, Cronbach alpha value was 0.939, so reliability analysis was accepted.

Additive manufacturing of bionanomaterials for biomedical applications based on TI6AL4V and PLA: a systematic review

Additive manufacturing (AM) is the owner of a huge potential as a manufacturing technology in fabricating functional implants, and scaffolds for biomedical applications. AM, which includes 3D printing (3DP) and 3D bioprinting, can be the solution to produce several needs such as scaffolds/implants, tissue or organs, or medical devices by combining different biomaterials with nanomaterials. Titanium and its alloys and Polylactic acid (PLA) are commonly used in bone tissue repair with their superior bio-functionality. The rapid advancement of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology has enabled the fabrication of porous titanium and polymer composite scaffolds with controllable microstructures, which is regarded as an effective method for promoting rapid bone repair. An electronic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Elsevier, Embase, and other numerous databases up to December 2021 which are accessed by Karabuk university. To evaluate the possibility of bias and methodological quality, the SYRCLE tool and the last version of the CAMARADES list were used, respectively, a meta-analysis could not be performed. This systematic review is aimed to evaluate the common biomedical potential of 3D-printed porous Ti6Al4V (Ti64) and PLA matrix scaffold for repairing bone defects to investigate the influential factors that might affect its osteogenic availability. The most ideal parameters for designing the Ti64 scaffold were found to be a pore size of around 300-400 m and porosity of 60-70%, while PLA scaffolds show 350-400 m and nearly the same percentage in porosity as Ti64.

Techno-economic and environmental analysis of microgrid: A case study of Karabuk University

Techno-economic and environmental analysis of microgrid: A case study of Karabuk University

The effect of povidone-iodine rectal cleansing on post-biopsy infectious complications

Objective To evaluate the effect of pre-biopsy povidone-iodine rectal cleansing on post-biopsy hospitalization rates due to prostate biopsy-related infectious complications. Material and methods In this retrospective study, we reviewed 552 patients who underwent ultrasonography-guided transrectal prostate biopsy between 2014 and 2022. Group 1, 361 patients (January 2014–October 2020) were not applied povidone-iodine rectal cleansing, and group 2, 191 patients (November 2020–January 2022) were applied povidone-iodine rectal cleansing since we changed our biopsy protocol. All patients were given the same antibiotic prophylaxis, ciprofloxacin 500 mg, and ornidazole 500 mg twice daily starting 24 h before the biopsy and lasting a total of 5 days. Sodium phosphate enema was applied to all patients in the biopsy morning. The outcome was the hospitalization rates of patients because of infectious complications a month after the biopsy. Results No patients were hospitalized in the povidone-iodine rectal cleansing group because of biopsy related complications. The hospitalization rate of group 1 was 3% and there was a statistical difference between groups. Conclusion The povidone-iodine solution is cheap, safe and easy to apply. The povidone-iodine rectal cleansing method seems to decrease infectious complications related to prostate biopsy procedure, but we need a randomized controlled trial to confirm our study. Trial registration We got permission for this retrospective study from the Karabuk university ethics council with the number 2021/649 on 1 October 2021.

Correlation of the transcutaneous bilirubin and serum bilirubin levels measured before and after phototherapy in newborns: a prospective observational study

Aim: The purpose of the present study was to show the reliability of the transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) measurement as an alternative method to total serum bilirubin (TSB) when starting treatment with phototherapy (PT), which is one of the most important treatment methods of hyperbilirubinemia as a very common practice in the neonatal period and eliminates the disadvantages of blood collection.&#x0D; Materyal and Method: Two measurements were made to evaluate whether there was a correlation between the total serum bilirubin and transcutaneous bilirubin level measurement for follow-up in newborns who were hospitalized and prospectively followed up in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit of Karabuk University Medical Faculty Training and Research Hospital between April 13 and June 30, 2022 (Level III Neonatal Center) who were scheduled for starting phototherapy. The primary result was the correlation between TcB and TSB at the first 24 hours and after, at the initiation of FT, termination of FT, and 12 hours after PT was discontinued.&#x0D; Results: The TSB and TcB values of the newborns ​​were measured at the beginning of PT, at the end of PT, and 12 hours after PT was ended. The first measurement values ​​were 11.60±5.16 and 10.72±4.02, respectively; the second measurement values ​​were 7.45±2.34 and 6.35±2.83, respectively; and the third measurement values ​​were 8.03±2.45 and 7.35±2.63 mg/dL, respectively. A strong positive correlation was found among all measurement values. Also, when the newborns who received FT for the first 24 hours were evaluated by subgrouping, the high correlation between TcB and TSB levels continued.&#x0D; Conclusion: The present study showed that there is a significant relationship between TcB taken from the covered skin and TSB at the start, end, and 12 hours after PT. Also, when the newborns who received PT for the first 24 hours were evaluated in a subgroup, it was found that TCB measurement predicted the TSB level at a high level before and after PT. Based on these findings, it was concluded that TcB measurement, including in the first 24 hours, is reliable in the follow-up of newborns receiving PT for the treatment of hyperbilirubinemia. However, we think that larger prospective controlled studies are required in this respect.

Comparison of sulfur ointment and permethrin treatments in scabies.

Scabies is a contagious, parasitic skin disease that adversely affects the quality of life and, can cause systemic complications if it is not properly treated. Sulfur ointment and permethrin cream are among the most used topical agents in the treatment of scabies. In this study, we aimed to compare the efficacy of sulfur ointment and permethrin cream in the treatment of scabies. In this single-center study, patients who were diagnosed with scabies in the dermatology outpatient clinics of Karabuk University Training and Research Hospital between April, 2021 and September, 2021 were investigated retrospectively. Age, gender, date of diagnosis, topical agent used for scabies treatment, and response to the treatment at the control examination in the second week were recorded. The patients were divided into two groups those receiving 5% permethrin cream or 10% sulfur ointment, and the treatment efficacy of both agents was compared. This study showed that 10% sulfur ointment was significantly more effective in treating scabies than 5% permethrin cream (p< 0.001). Moreover, younger patients with scabies responded better to both treatments. 10% Sulfur ointment can be considered a safe and effective topical option in the treatment of scabies. The resistance to 5% permethrin cream, which is the most commonly used agent for scabies, can be a concern as an unexpected low success rate was obtained in this study.

Evaluating mental health literacy in a university hospital: A cross-sectional study

Objective: Mental state and social condition are integrally linked to a person’s physical health. The present study investigates the mental health literacy levels of patients aged 30–50 years who presented to the outpatient clinics of training and research hospital, as well as the relationship between mental health literacy and sociodemographic characteristics.&#x0D; Material and Method: This cross-sectional study included 522 patients aged 30–50 years who presented to the Adult Outpatient Clinics of Karabuk University Training and Research Hospital between October and December 2021. The participants were administered a two-part, 33-item face-to-face questionnaire, in which the first part included 11 items assessing sociodemographic characteristics, and the second part included a 22-item scale comprising three (knowledge, belief, and resource-oriented) subscales for the measurement of the level of Mental Health Literacy (MHL).&#x0D; Results: The mean scores of knowledge, belief and resource-oriented subscales were 8.92±0.98, 1.16±0.92 and 3.37±0.71, respectively, and the mean total MHL scale score was 13.46±1.39. The participants' education level, employment status, financial status, presence of chronic and psychiatric diseases, and psychiatric medication were significantly associated with the MHL scale scores (p=0.013, p=0.023, p=0.024, p=0.000, p=0.000 and p= 0.000, respectively). &#x0D; Conclusion: As the level of MHL increases, so does the person’s awareness of the symptoms of mental health disorders and the correct use of appropriate treatment resources. It is believed that training programs aimed at improving mental health literacy will improve health-related social outcomes, thereby reducing the burden of disease.

Diş Çekim Endikasyonu ve Sosyodemografik Özelliklerine Göre Üçüncü Molar Diş Prevalansı

Amaç: Bu çalışma; toplumda üçüncü molarların çekim endikasyonlarını, gömüklük oranlarını, çekim tekniklerini ve cinsiyet-yaş dağılımlarını bulmayı amaçlamaktır.&#x0D; Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu çalışmada; 2018 – 2021 yılları arasında Karabük Üniversitesi ve İstanbul Üniversitesi Diş Hekimliği Fakültelerinde üçüncü molar dişleri çekilen 1718 hasta incelendi. Çekim endikasyonları, çekim teknikleri ve gömüklük oranlarının yaş ve cinsiyete göre dağılımları tespit edildi. Çekim endikasyonlarını değerlendirmek için; çürük, ortodontik amaçlı, perikoronitis varlığı, kist-tümör oluşumu, profilaktik, komşu diş hasarı, periodontal harabiyet, atipik ağrı, planlanan implant kriterlerinden yararlanıldı. &#x0D; Bulgular: Hastaların %53.73’ünün erkek, %46.27’ sinin kadın olduğu görüldü. En fazla üçüncü molar dişi çekilen yaş grubunun 18-29 (%49.94) yaş aralığı olduğu tespit edildi. En çok çürük (%45,11) sebebiyle üçüncü molarlara çekim endikasyonu verildiği ve bunu perikoronitisin (%22.41) takip ettiği görüldü. Erkeklerde komşu diş hasarı (%6.93) ve çürük (%50,27) endikasyonuyla yapılan çekimlerin kadınlardan daha fazla olduğu görüldü. Kadınlarda ise atipik ağrı ve perikoronitis endikasyonuyla yapılan üçüncü molar çekimi daha fazlaydı. Alt üçüncü molarların daha sık cerrahi yaklaşımla (%87.58) çekildiği ve üst üçüncü molarlara göre daha fazla kemik (%85.32) ya da mukoza (%71,65) retansiyonunda pozisyonlandığı belirlendi.&#x0D; Sonuç: Üçüncü molar dişleri çok farklı endikasyonlarla çekilmektedir ve bunlar arasında çürük ve perikoronitis ön plandadır. Farklı yaş gruplarında ve cinsiyetler arasında çekim endikasyonlarında belirgin farklar mevcuttur. Alt ve üst üçüncü molarların gömüklük farklılıklarının göz önünde bulundurulması ve uygulanacak çekim yaklaşımının tedavi öncesi değerlendirilmesi hem hekim hem de hastaya kolaylık sağlayacaktır.

The effects of intermittent fasting on nighttime blood pressure levels

Hypertension, a preventable disease with a high prevalence, is frequently seen in obese patients with cardiovascular risk factors. Our study aimed to investigate the effect of an intermittent fasting regimen on nighttime blood pressure levels. Patients who applied to Karabuk University Faculty of Medicine Training and Research Hospital Cardiology and Family Medicine Polyclinic between January and March 2021 and were followed up for 24 hours on an outpatient basis were included in this self-controlled interventional study. Patients underwent a second 24-hour Holter blood pressure follow-up after one month of diet, and the results were compared. The study was conducted with 30 subjects who adhered to a one-month intermittent fasting regimen. 63.3% of the patients were male, and the mean age was 54.60 ± 9.71 years. One month later, 13 patients whose nighttime blood pressure improved were assigned to Group 1 and 17 patients to Group 2. There was no important variance between the groups in terms of gender, age, height, waist circumference and BMI (p=0.609, p=0.105 and p=0.087, in order of). Mean VA and BSA were considerably lower in Group 2 (p=0.027 and p=0.045, in order of). HT duration was longer in Group 1 (p=0.001). There was no important variance between the groups in terms of smoking, alcohol use, average daily sleep time, salt intake awareness and exercise habits. The rate of snacking habits in Group 2 was statistically considerably higher (p=0.033). Intermittent fasting may be beneficial in preventing nocturnal hypertension.

Contribution of Universities to the Economic Development of their City: An Application on Foreign Students at Karabuk University

Üniversiteler, ekonomik büyüme ve gelişme sürecinin en önemli aktörlerinden biridir. Üniversiteler, bir yandan beşeri sermayenin gelişimine katkıda bulunarak işgücünün yeni üretim teknolojisini daha iyi bir şekilde kullanabilmesine olanak sağlamakta, diğer yandan da hem şehir hem de ülke ekonomisine doğrudan ve dolaylı önemli katkılarda bulunmaktadır. Ülke ekonomileri açısından son derece önemli olan üniversitelerin bağlı oldukları bölge ekonomisine, doğrudan, dolaylı, uyarılmış ve dinamik(katalizör) katkılarının bulunduğunu söylemek mümkündür. Bu çalışmada Karabük üniversitesindeki yabancı uyruklu öğrencilerin Karabük ekonomisine katkılarının hesaplanması amaçlanmış, bu amaca ulaşmak için de Karabük Üniversitesinde eğitim görmekte olan 400 adet yabancı uyruklu öğrenciye anket uygulanmıştır. Daha sonra bu anket sonuçları SPSS 17.0 programı aracılığıyla analiz edilmiştir. Yapılan analiz neticesinde Karabük Üniversitesinde eğitim – öğretim gören yabancı uyruklu öğrencilerin aylık ortalama gelirlerinin 1195TL, ortalama harcamalarının 1027,5 TL ve tasarruflarının ise 167,5 TL olduğu tespit edilmiş. Kişi başına yapılan aylık ortalama harcama giderinden hareketle Karabük Üniversitesinde 2020-2021 eğitim öğretim yılında eğitim görmekte olan toplam 10223 adet yabancı uyruklu öğrenci tarafından yapılan harcamaların 2020-2021 eğitim-öğretim yılında Karabük şehir ekonomisine sağladığı dolaylı gelir katkısının 84.033.060 TL ve toplam uyarılmış statik katkısının da 599.155.717,8 TL olduğu tespit edilmiştir.

An overview of the effect of stirrer design on the mechanical properties of Aluminium Alloy Matrix Composites fabricated by stir casting

An overview of the effect of stirrer design on the mechanical properties of Aluminium Alloy Matrix Composites fabricated by stir casting

The Relationship between Organizational Justice, Organizational Trust, and Organizational Citizenship Behavior: A Case Study of the Employees of the Karabuk University

Employees and institutions are being forced to evolve and innovate because of technology advancements, globalization, and increased competitive circumstances in the era we live in. Globalization and growing competition have prompted firms to make the most of their current financial and human resources and develop staff capabilities. Employees’ experience, creativity, understanding, and knowledge are regarded as essential competitive assets for organizations looking to boost their competitive potential, differentiate themselves from their rivals, and establish a common language across the firm. In this context, the human factor is seen as the most striking component of the employee/human resource when it comes to achieving the institution’s objectives. The fact that the human element of the employee/human resource behaves by organizational objectives is intimately linked to the organization’s high feeling of fairness. The term "organizational justice" refers to organizational members’ perspectives of interaction, distribution, function, and distribution within the organization. The idea of "justice" is one of the topics examined in human resource management, organizational psychology, and organizational behavior literature. The fact that the phenomenon of justice is a crucial aspect in the active fulfillment of institutions’ tasks underpins this.

The Effects of Educational Service Quality and Socio-Cultural Adaptation Difficulties on International Students’ Higher Education Satisfaction

The potential international university education market value is expressed in billions of dollars. Countries are trying to increase their competitiveness to attract international students and get a decent market share. Countries that can accurately analyze the factors affecting the country and school preferences of international students will be more advantageous in developing appropriate competitive strategies. The primary purpose of this study is to try to understand and explain the effects of the quality of university education service and socio-cultural adaptation difficulties factors on the satisfaction levels of international students. The research was carried out at Karabuk University, with the highest number of international students in Turkey. The data obtained through an online questionnaire using the convenience sampling method from 413 international students were analyzed with the “Structural Equation Model.” According to the analysis results, assurance and empathy from service quality dimensions, and cultural differences and religious belief variables from socio-cultural adaptation difficulties positively affect general student satisfaction. The research sample mostly consists of Syrian students who migrated to Turkey due to the war and bright students from low-income African, Asian and Middle Eastern countries. Turkish universities form attraction centers for international students flowing toward western countries. In this respect, the results of the research offer original contributions to the higher education literature.

Molecular Epidemiological Analysis of Bacillus Pseudo-Outbreak due to Contaminated Culture Tubes Containing Stuart Medium.

It is challenging to determine whether Bacillus species other than Bacillus anthracis cause infections. Pseudo and true outbreaks of Bacillus spp. have been noted. Here, we present a molecular analysis of a Bacillus spp. pseudo-outbreak caused by contaminated culture tubes containing Stuart medium. Between January and March 2015, a high percentage of Bacillus spp. was isolated from the wound samples of inpatients at the Karabuk University Hospital, and an outbreak was suspected. Environmental and staff nasal samples were cultured aerobically, and Bacillus spp. were isolated from some of them. However, the isolation of Bacillus spp. in throat cultures of outpatients suggested contamination caused by culture tubes containing Stuart medium. We examined two lots of culture tubes used in the hospital. Although the culture tubes' expiry date and storage conditions were suitable, Bacillus spp. grew in one of these lots. A total of 47 Bacillus spp. isolated during this period were identified, and the clonal relationship among the isolates was investigated by arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction. Twenty-seven strains were identified as Bacillus megaterium and 20 as Bacillus firmus. Of the four strains isolated from the Stuart medium, two were identified as B. firmus and the other two were B. megaterium. Two B. firmus strains isolated from the Stuart medium and two B. firmus strains obtained from the coronary intensive care environmental samples were matched and clustered within the same genotype. We recalled all culture tubes containing Stuart medium. After another brand's culture tubes were distributed, no growth was observed. It was then understood that the pseudo-outbreak source was contaminated culture tubes containing Stuart medium. Microbiological controls of medical materials and equipment should be regularly checked to prevent outbreaks (true or pseudo).