Ekinci, Hasan Buğra; Malli, Ahmet Yavuz

This study aims to explain how perceived social support is associated with innovative behavior in sports professionals. The psychological processes explaining this relationship are not sufficiently explained in the literature; in particular, the roles played by intrinsic motivation and cognitive flexibility in this process need to be investigated in more detail. In this context, the sequential mediating roles of these two variables were tested within the framework of the Ecological Dynamics Approach, and a comprehensive model that could contribute to the development of innovative practices was proposed. This cross-sectional study was conducted using data collected from 243 sports professionals working in the province in Eastern Turkey. To examine the predictive role of perceived social support on innovative behavior, a series of mediation models were tested using the PROCESS macro. In this model, intrinsic motivation and cognitive flexibility were positioned as sequential mediators. The analysis revealed that perceived social support did not have a statistically significant direct link with innovative behavior; instead, this relationship was mediated entirely through intrinsic motivation and cognitive flexibility. Specifically, the sequential mediation pathway was found to be significant, in which perceived social support is positively associated with intrinsic motivation and then cognitive flexibility, which in turn relates to higher levels of innovative behavior. The findings support the Ecological Dynamics Approach, which posits that innovative behavior is a dynamic product of individual-environment interaction. Social support functions not only as a motivational factor but also as a contextual affordance that supports cognitive flexibility. This study provides a theoretical and practical framework for explaining the psychological mechanisms that support innovation in sports.

Coban, Furkan; Lan, Yuzhou; Yetisgin, Gül; Yuca, Hafize; Aydın, Bilge; Angın, Hilal; Demirci, Betül; Karakaya, Songül

The increasing global burden of oxidative stress-related conditions, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders underscores the urgent need for multi-targeted, plant-based therapeutic agents. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties of various Satureja hortensis and Satureja montana extracts and essential oils. In vitro biological activities were assessed through α-glucosidase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibition assays, along with DPPH• and ABTS• + radical scavenging assays. At a concentration of 100 µg/mL, S. hortensis root methanol extract (ShRME) and herb water extract (ShHWE) exhibited strong α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (69.88% and 71.23%, respectively). Conversely, S. montana herb water extract (SmHWE) and methanol extract (SmHME) showed the highest DPPH• radical scavenging activity (36.28% and 24.37%, respectively). S. montana essential oil (SmEO) demonstrated notable inhibition of AChE (32.58%) and BChE (41.62%) at 1000 µg/mL, while S. hortensis essential oil (ShEO) inhibited BChE by 44.39%. GC-MS analysis revealed that SmEO primarily contained carvacrol (43.72%), γ-terpinene (17.24%), and p-cymene (14.56%), while ShEO was rich in thymol (39.84%), γ-terpinene (20.16%), and p-cymene (13.72%). These phenolic monoterpenes are likely contributors to the observed antioxidant and cholinesterase inhibitory activities. Principal component analysis explained 74.8% of the total variance and clearly separated the samples based on their activity profiles. Extracts were closely associated with glucose-regulating effects, while essential oils clustered with enzyme-inhibiting neuroprotective activities. These findings highlight the multifunctional therapeutic potential of Satureja species and support their further investigation as candidates for the development of plant-derived agents against oxidative stress, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Cevik, Ramazan; Pala, Omer Osman

Objective This study aimed to assess the impact of Mulligan Reverse Natural Apophyseal Glides (RNAGS) applied to the upper thoracic region on pain, movement limitation, and function in individuals with mechanical neck pain. Methods Conducted between January 2021 and May 2021, the study involved 69 participants randomly assigned to a sham group, physiotherapy group, and Mulligan group. A two-week, 11-session treatment program was administered with shared physiotherapy interventions and stretching exercises to all groups. The Mulligan group received additional mobilization with the Mulligan RNAGS technique. The sham group received sub-standard Mulligan mobilization. Outcome measures included Range of Motion (ROM), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and Neck Disability Index (NDI). Results No baseline differences were found in measurements among the groups. After the intervention, all groups showed increased ROM and decreased VAS and NDI scores (p<0.001). The Mulligan group exhibited significantly greater improvement in VAS, ROM, and NDI compared to other groups (p<0.001). The sham group demonstrated greater improvement in NDI and extension ROM compared to the physiotherapy group (p<0.001). Conclusion Mulligan RNAGS technique in the upper thoracic region proved beneficial for pain relief, range of motion, and functionality in mechanical neck pain. Long-term effects warrant further exploration through population-based studies.

Akgül, İsmail; Kaya, Volkan; Tanir, Özge Zencir

Fish remains popular among the body's most essential nutrients, as it contains protein and polyunsaturated fatty acids. It is extremely important to choose the fish consumption according to the season and the freshness of the fish to be purchased. It is very difficult to distinguish between non-fresh fish and fresh fish mixed in the fish stalls. In addition to traditional methods used to determine meat freshness, significant success has been achieved in studies on fresh fish detection with artificial intelligence techniques. In this study, two different types of fish (anchovy and horse mackerel) used to determine fish freshness with convolutional neural networks, one of the artificial intelligence techniques. The images of fresh fish were taken, images of non-fresh fish were taken and two new datasets (Dataset1: Anchovy, Dataset2: Horse mackerel) were created. A novel hybrid model structure has been proposed to determine fish freshness using fish eye and gill regions on these two datasets. In the proposed model, Yolo-v5 and Inception-ResNet-v2 and Xception model structures are used through transfer learning. Whether the fish is fresh in both of the Yolo-v5 + Inception- ResNet-v2 (Dataset1: 97.67%, Dataset2: 96.0%) and Yolo-v5 + Xception (Dataset1: 88.00%, Dataset2: 94.67%) hybrid models created using these model structures has been successfully detected. Thanks to the model we have proposed, it will make an important contribution to the studies that will be conducted in the freshness studies of fish using different storage days and the estimation of fish size.

Cosgun, Cansu; Cosgun, Muharrem Said; Buyukturan, Oznur; Buyukturan, Buket

Purpose Shoulder disorders may occur for procedural reasons in patients fitted with a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED). This study aimed to examine the effects of CIED implantation on shoulder functions and scapular dyskinesis. Materials and methods Thirty patients fitted with a CIED formed the study group (SG), whilst 30 participants without a CIED formed the control group (CG). The range of motion (ROM), grip strength, lateral scapular slide test (static), scapular dyskinesis test (dynamic), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Shoulder Score, and the Short Form-36 Health Survey (Physical and Mental Component Summary [PCS and MCS]) were applied in the study. Results The shoulder's mean flexion and abduction ROM on the implant side were found to be significantly lower in the SG than the CG (p = .016 and p = .001, respectively). Similarly, a significant grip strength loss on the implant side was detected in the SG than in the CG (p = .036). Static and dynamic scapular dyskinesis frequencies were shown to be significantly higher in the SG than in the CG (p = .002 and p< .001, respectively). The ASES Shoulder Score and PCS score were significantly lower in the SG than in the CG (p = .014 and p = .007, respectively). However, no difference was revealed between the two groups with respect to the contralateral upper limb. Conclusion The frequency of scapular dyskinesis and disability was higher, and upper limb functions, grip strength, and physical subdivision of quality of life decreased in CIED recipients. These findings suggest that such parameters should be included in physiotherapy assessment and treatment programs. Copyright:

Gümüş, Burak; Karavaş, Erdal; Taydaş, Onur

Introduction In this study, we evaluated whether it is possible to perform forensic radiological skeletal age estimation via radiological examination of the ilioischial, ischiopubic, and iliopubic synchondrosis regions of the pelvis. Methods This study was conducted by retrospectively examining the abdominopelvic images of individuals aged 8–16 who had applied to the hospital for any reason without having a chronic disorder and who had undergone computed tomography. Two radiologists retrospectively reviewed the images. The BT images of the pelvis ilioischial, ischiopubic, and iliopubic synchondrosis regions were evaluated as follows: 0: open, 1: semiclosed, and 2: closed. The data were evaluated using the SPSS 17 program. Results Two hundred sixty-three children (118 girls and 145 boys) between the ages of 8 and 16 years without any health problems participated. There was a significant difference between the groups for all the evaluated synchondrosis joints in girls and boys (p<0.001 for each group comparison). We observed that ilioischial, ischiopubic, and iliopubic synchondrosis closed earlier in girls than boys. In addition, we found that the joints were closed at the age of 15 and over in boys and at 14 and over in girls. Discussion Some studies have previously evaluated synchondrosis by using computed tomography. We showed that forensic radiological skeletal age estimation could be performed by examining ischiopubic-ilioischial-iliopubic synchondrosis in pelvis computed tomography images. The pelvis is more resistant to decay than other parts of the body. Furthermore, pelvis bones can withst and the effects of postmortem animal attacks for a longer period. Therefore, we believe that forensic age estimation can be made on corpses with no extremity, a damaged chest, or whose only pelvic bones are assessable through the method we use. Conclusion In our study, the ischiopubic-ilioischial-iliopubic joints were open in those aged nine and under and closed in those aged 15 and above. Ilioischial, ischiopubic, and iliopubic synchondrosis were observed to close earlier in girls than in boys. We consider that our study will be beneficial in the 8-16-year-old age group if used. In addition, our study can be used to determine the radiological bone age in cases with wrist bone abnormalities or wrist amputation.

Hatipoʇlu, Mükerrem; Saʇlam, Mehmet; Köseoʇlu, Serhat; Köksal, Ekrem; Keleş, Ali; Esen, Haci Hasan

The purpose of this animal study was to evaluate the effects of hawthorn (Crataeus orientalis M Bieber.) extract on serum oxidative status and alveolar bone loss in experimental periodontitis. Twenty-seven Wistar rats were assigned to one of the following groups: nonligated+ placebo (saline) (NL, n = 9), ligature only+placebo (saline) (LO, n = 9), and ligature and treated with hawthorn extract in saline (H, n = 9) (100 mg/kg orogastrically, once a day for 11 days). Periodontitis was induced by submerging a 4/0 silk ligature in the sulcus of the mandibular right first molars of rats, and the animals were sacrificed after 11 days. Micro-CT examinations were performed for linear and volumetric parameter assessment of alveolar bone. Periodontal tissues were histopathologically examined to assess the differences among the study groups. Levels of serum total antioxidant status (TAS)/total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were also analyzed. Alveolar bone loss was significantly reduced by hawthorn administration compared to LO group (p<0.05). The number of inflammatory cells and osteoclasts in the LO group was significantly higher than that of the NL and H groups (p< 0.05). The number of osteoblasts in the LO and H groups was significantly higher than that of the NL group (p<0.05). TOS and OSI levels were significantly reduced in H group compared to LO group (P <0.05) and TAS levels were similar in H and NL group (p< 0.05). Hawthorn extract showed inhibitory effect on periodontal inflammation and alveolar bone loss by regulating TAS, TOS and OSI levels in periodontal disease in rats when administered systemically.

Szabó, Nora-Emöke; Zhao, Tianyu; Çankaya, Murat; Stoykova, Anastassia; Zhou, Xunlei; Alvarez-Bolado, Gonzalo

Background: An essential phenomenon during brain development is the extension of long collateral branches by axons. How the local cellular environment contributes to the initial sprouting of these branches in specific points of an axonal shaft remains unclear. Methodology/Principal Findings: The principal mammillary tract (pm) is a landmark axonal bundle connecting ventral diencephalon to brainstem (through the mammillotegmental tract, mtg). Late in development, the axons of the principal mammillary tract sprout collateral branches at a very specific point forming a large bundle whose target is the thalamus. Inspection of this model showed a number of distinct, identified cell populations originated in the dorsal and the ventral diencephalon and migrating during development to arrange themselves into several discrete groups around the branching point. Further analysis of this system in several mouse lines carrying mutant alleles of genes expressed in defined subpopulations (including Pax6, Foxb1, Lrp6 and Gbx2) together with the use of an unambiguous genetic marker of mammillary axons revealed: 1) a specific group of Pax6-expressing cells in close apposition with the prospective branching point is indispensable to elicit axonal branching in this system; and 2) cooperation of transcription factors Foxb1 and Pax6 to differentially regulate navigation and fasciculation of distinct branches of the principal mammillary tract. Conclusions/Significance: Our results define for the first time a model system where interaction of the axonal shaft with a specific group of surrounding cells is essential to promote branching. Additionally, we provide insight on the cooperative transcriptional regulation necessary to promote and organize an intricate axonal tree.