PubMed İndeksli Yayınlar Koleksiyonu
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12573/397
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Article Electrospun PCL/PEG Nanofibers Incorporating Plantago Lanceolata Extract and Clove Oil for Dual-Function Wound Dressings(IOP Publishing Ltd, 2026) Teke, Selin Nur; Yuruk, Adile; Isoglu, Ismail AlperIn this study, we developed electrospun polycaprolactone/polyethylene glycol (PCL/PEG) nanofibers loaded with Plantago lanceolata (P. lanceolata) extract and clove oil to evaluate their combined potential for wound healing and antibacterial activity. PCL/PEG nanofibers were electrospun and post-loaded with P. lanceolata extract at 5%, 10%, and 15% (w/v), together with 1% (v/v) clove oil. Scanning electron microscope analysis showed a uniform, bead-free nanofibrous structure, with fiber diameters ranging from 768 +/- 140 nm to 892 +/- 206 nm and pore sizes from 3.93 +/- 0.97 & micro;m to 6.20 +/- 1.16 & micro;m. The nanofibers exhibited swelling ratios between 103.23 +/- 16.42% and 133.93 +/- 40.45% within 1 h and showed gradual degradation ranging from 25.92 +/- 2.84% to 57.76 +/- 0.92% over 21 d, with cumulative extract release approaching a plateau by day 28 under the experimental conditions. The incorporation of plant extract and essential oil initially increased the water contact angle from 15.97 +/- 1.07 degrees to 48.61 +/- 7.85 degrees, indicating that the nanofiber surface remained hydrophilic; at higher extract contents, the nanofibers transitioned to a superhydrophilic state. Antibacterial activity was primarily governed by clove oil, yielding up to 85.16 +/- 0.36% efficacy against E. coli (E. coli) and 79.90 +/- 0.29% against S. aureus (S. aureus). While P. lanceolata extract alone showed limited antibacterial activity, its presence within clove oil-loaded nanofibers consistently enhanced antibacterial performance at the composite level. In vitro scratch assays demonstrated pronounced wound closure at later time points (72-96 h), particularly for nanofibers containing higher extract concentrations, confirming the dominant contribution of P. lanceolata to the healing response. Overall, the electrospun PCL/PEG nanofibers represent a dual-function wound dressing, with clove oil contributing antibacterial protection and P. lanceolata extract supporting wound healing.Article Dissecting the Strain and Sex Specific Connectome Signatures of Unanesthetized C57BL/6J and DBA/2J Mice Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging(Wiley, 2026) Neuberger, Thomas; Kamens, Helen M.; Zhang, Nanyin; Ünsal, Hayreddin Said; Arefin, Tanzil M.Mouse models are an essential tool for understanding behavior and disease states in neuroscience research. While genetic and sex-specific effects have been reported in many neurodegenerative and psychiatric illnesses, these factors may also alter baseline neuroanatomical features of mice. This raises the question of whether the observed changes are related to the disease being studied (i.e., pathological differences) or if there are baseline strain or sex differences that may predispose animals to different responses. Over the past decade, tremendous effort has been made to map neural architecture at various scales; however, the complex relationships, including identifying genetic and sex-specific differences in brain structure and function, remain understudied. To bridge this gap, we used C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice, two of the most widely used inbred mouse strains in neuroscience research, to investigate strain and sex-specific features of the brain connectome in awake animals using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). By combining resting-state functional MRI and diffusion MRI, we found that the motor, sensory, limbic, and salience networks exhibit significant differences in both functional and structural domains between C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice. Further, functional and structural properties of the brain were significantly correlated in both strains. Our results underscore the importance of considering these baseline differences when interpreting brain-behavior interactions in mouse models of human disorders.Article Three-Dimensional Culture Enhances the Antimicrobial Activity of Mesenchymal Stem Cells against Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia Coli O157:H7 in Vitro(Oxford Univ Press, 2026) Fidan, Özkan; Türkyılmaz, Süheyla; Bicer, Mesude; Öztürk, Esengül; Sener, FatmaAims This study examines the in vitro antibacterial activity of palatal adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PAT-MSCs) and the expression of antimicrobial peptide LL-37, with a particular focus on the effect of three-dimensional (3D) nanofibrillar cellulose-based hydrogel against Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) harboring stx1 and/or stx2 genes isolated from mastitis milk in Turkey.Methods and results The antibacterial activity of conventionally cultured PAT-MSCs and 3D-cultured PAT-MSCs (PAT-MSCs-3D) was evaluated against STEC isolates and Escherichia coli ATCC 35150 using quantitative colony-forming unit (CFU) assay. The expression levels of antimicrobial peptide (AMP)-encoding genes were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR, and AMP production was further validated by immunocytochemical staining. The results indicated that PAT-MSCs-3D exhibited significantly enhanced antibacterial efficacy, resulting in marked bacterial inhibition of all tested STEC strains, with bacterial reductions reaching up to 6-7 log under specific experimental conditions. Molecular and immunocytochemical analyses demonstrated increased expression of the antimicrobial peptide LL-37 in PAT-MSCs-3D compared to 2D cultures.Conclusions Our results show that culturing PAT-MSCs in 3D conditions leads to a significant enhancement in their antimicrobial properties, which could be linked to the upregulation of LL-37.Article Radar Resolution Enhancement Based on Burg-Aided MIMO-DBS and Burg-Aided MIMO-SAR †(MDPI, 2026) Bekar, Muge; Bekar, Ali; Baker, Christopher John; Gashinova, Marina; Pirkani, AnumAutonomous systems require sensors that provide high-resolution imagery in adverse lighting and weather conditions for advanced situational awareness. In this regard, radars are a mandatory component of autonomous systems. Although Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) radars provide high angular resolution beyond that of their actual physical dimension, much higher cross-range resolutions are required, especially in traffic congested areas, to differentiate and recognize closely positioned targets. The motion of the MIMO radar platform can be exploited to obtain higher cross-range resolution in the off-boresight direction, using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Doppler Beam Sharpening (DBS) techniques, but improvements in the boresight direction, the most crucial direction for path planning, require the use of super-resolution techniques. This paper proposes a technique that combines the Burg algorithm with MIMO-SAR and MIMO-DBS radar data to enhance the cross-range resolution in the boresight direction and to achieve further enhanced cross-range resolution in off-boresight directions. The proposed technique is applied to both frequency domain and time domain data in back-projection (BP) and DBS image formation processing. A comprehensive comparison is made, with evaluation of corresponding performance and operational complexity. The performance of the technique is validated through simulation, lab-based and real-world experiments at a frequency of 77 GHz.Article Leveraging Clinical Data for Early Heart Disease Prediction: A Machine Learning Approach With Interpretability Analysis(SAGE Publications Ltd, 2026) Qumsiyeh, Emma; Al-Wirdian, Qassam; Ersoz, Nur SebnemBackground: Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, highlighting the need for early and accurate diagnosis to support effective prevention and treatment strategies. Methods: This study presents a machine-learning-based approach for predicting heart disease using clinical and demographic data from a publicly available dataset. Four widely used classification algorithms-Logistic Regression, Random Forest, K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), and Decision Trees-were evaluated to identify the most effective predictive model. The dataset underwent comprehensive preprocessing, including handling missing values, categorical encoding, and feature normalization, to enhance data quality and model robustness. Model performance was assessed using accuracy, precision, recall, and AUC-ROC metrics. Results: Findings show that hyperparameter-optimized models, particularly Random Forest and KNN, demonstrated strong predictive performance. Explainability techniques, specifically SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP), were incorporated to improve interpretability, transparency, and clinical trust. SHAP values were used to analyze feature importance and provide explanations for individual predictions. Conclusion: The results underscore the potential of interpretable machine-learning models as valuable tools for early diagnosis, risk stratification, and clinical decision support. Future research should employ larger datasets and investigate real-time predictive applications further to enhance the generalizability and clinical utility of these models.Article Comparison of Rapamycin and 3-Methyladenine in Cisplatin-Induced Experimental Cardiotoxicity(Wiley, 2026) Kaymak, Emin; Karabulut, Derya; Yalcin, Betul; Guner, Serife Ayaz; Ozturk, Emel; Findik, Fatma; Boyvat, DuduIn this study, we evaluated how cisplatin cardiotoxicity affects the histological and endocrine functions of the heart and autophagy while using Rapamycin(Rapa) and 3-methyladenine(3-MA) as autophagy activators and inhibitors. Control, Cisplatin (Cis), 3-methyladenine + Cisplatin (3-MA + Cis) and Rapamycin + Cisplatin (Rapa + Cis). Rapa and 3-MA were administered for 15 days, while a single dose of cisplatin was administered on the 7th day. Natriuretic peptide receptor-A(NPR-A), receptor-B(NPR-B) and biochemically atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide(BNP) levels were evaluated in heart tissue. Cis caused a statistically significant increase in NPR-A and NPR-B expression, as well as ANP and BNP levels. However, the levels of Beclin-1 and LC3B were not statistically significant. Rapa was more effective than 3-MA + Cis on NPR-A and NPR-B expressions, but did not show the same effect on ANP and NT-proBNP levels. Cis caused an increase in Beclin-1 and LC3B levels, while a decrease was observed in both 3-MA + Cis and Rapa + Cis groups. Our results revealed that Cis cardiotoxicity disrupts autophagy and endocrine function of the heart. It was concluded that by continuing the activator and inhibitor substances after Cis application, more effective results can be obtained in Beclin-1 expression than LC3B expression and that they can be effective in eliminating the toxicity of Cis.Article Cellulose-Based Hydrogel Matrix Enhances Antimicrobial and Biofilm-Inhibitory Responses of Palatal Mesenchymal Stem Cells(Springer Heidelberg, 2026) Fidan, Özkan; Bicer, Mesude; Öztürk, Esengül; Sener, FatmaMesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as promising alternatives to fight drug-resistant bacterial infections. This study investigates the antibacterial activity of palatal adipose tissue-derived MSCs (PMSCs), particularly when cultured within a 3D nanofibrillar cellulose hydrogel, against four clinically relevant pathogens: Pseudomonas aeruginosa K6, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25,923, Bacillus cereus K9 and Escherichia coli O157:H7. This study showed that both PMSCs alone and PMSCs in 3D cellulose-based hydrogel effectively inhibited the growth of bacterial burden. Notably, PMSCs cultured in the 3D system demonstrated an excellent effect, reducing bacterial burden by up to 14 log in E. coli and 12 log in P. aeruginosa K6 at a 120 & micro;L inoculum after 2 h of incubation. RT-PCR and immunocytochemical analyses found out a remarkable upregulation of the Cathelicidin (LL-37) in PMSCs 3D cultures compared to PMSCs. Furthermore, 3D cellulose-based hydrogel exhibited a significant biofilm-inhibitory effect, reaching a 57.65% reduction. The results demonstrated the importance of 3D cellulose-based hydrogel for treating antibiotic-resistant infections. PMSC therapy based on 3D hydrogel may therefore be offered as more effective antimicrobial agent to overcome drug-resistant bacterial infections.Article The Effect of Video Modeling on Gymnastics-Based Motor Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder(MDPI, 2026) Bozdag, Berkan; Sonmez, Huseyin Gazi; Turan, Ebru; Aldhahi, Monira I.; Kilinc, Omer; Ergin, Murat; Kocak, Calik VeliBackground and Objectives: While the effectiveness of video modeling (VM) in teaching academic, daily living, and social skills to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is frequently investigated, studies examining the use of VM in teaching gymnastics-based motor skills are limited. This study aimed to examine the effects of VM on the acquisition and maintenance of a gymnastics-based motor skills in preschool children with ASD. Methods: The study employed a multiple-probe method across participants in a single-subject research design. Three preschool children diagnosed with mild ASD participated in this study. Baseline, intervention, and follow-up data were systematically collected and analyzed. Social validity data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with parents and special education teachers. Results: The percentage of correct responses increased throughout the VM intervention sessions, and all participants reached the proficiency criterion. Follow-up data collected after the intervention showed that the acquired skill was maintained, and the percentages of correct responses ranged from 80% to 100%. Social validity findings revealed that both teachers and parents perceived VM as an effective and feasible teaching approach for teaching motor skills to children with ASD. Conclusions: The research findings demonstrate that VM is an effective and socially valid teaching method for teaching and maintaining gymnastics-based motor skills in preschool children with ASD. These results contribute to the existing literature by demonstrating the applicability of video modeling in the context of gymnastics-based training.Article Performance Evaluation of Multi-Modal Radar Signal Processing in Dense Co-Existent Environments(MDPI, 2026) Norouzian, Fatemeh; Bekar, Muge; Bekar, Ali; Gashinova, Marina; Pirkani, AnumThe wide-scale deployment of radars, distributed across a platform and across multiple platforms for reliable 360 degrees situational awareness (SA), introduces the challenge of radar interference. Interference can broadly be categorised as self-interference (between radars mounted on the same platform) and mutual interference (signals received from radars on other platforms). Both types of interference impede the reliability of SA delivered by such systems, particularly in dense environments where numerous radars operate simultaneously within the same frequency band. This work presents a comprehensive evaluation of a multi-modal beamforming approach that combines unfocused synthetic aperture radar with the traditional Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output beamformer to enhance radar resolution and suppress interference. Additionally, various aspects of sensor configurations defining hardware and software capabilities of state-of-the-art radars are discussed, and a systematic analysis of signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio at each step of the processing is presented. Extensive simulations and experimental results in both automotive and maritime environments are shown to validate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.Article Follow-up of Health-Related Physical Fitness Elements in Mild Intellectual Disability for Three Years: A Sex Comparison(PeerJ Inc., 2026-03-04) Bozdağ, Berkan; Sönmez, Hüseyin Gazi; Prieto-González, Pablo; Karahan, Mustafa; Canli, Umut; Ergin, Murat; Koçak, Çalık VeliChildren with mild intellectual disability (MID) have significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and cognitive, social, and motor skill behaviors. Understanding the development of physical fitness in boys and girls with MID, and identifying sex-related differences can help devise interventional programs to improve physical fitness in these groups. The aim of this study was to compare sex differences in the time-dependent changes in health-related physical fitness components in individuals with MID. A longitudinal design was employed over three years. A total of 111 individuals with MID (46 girls and 65 boys) aged between 10 and 14 years (mean age 11.97 +/- 1.39 years) participated in the study. The physical fitness levels of the participants were assessed using the Brockport Physical Fitness Test (BPFT) battery. The tests included body composition (body height, body mass, and body mass index), aerobic endurance (15 m Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) test), and musculoskeletal function (dominant handgrip strength, back-saver sit-and-reach, and trunk lift). The results revealed that, over time, the longitudinal developmental trajectories for body mass, body height, aerobic endurance, and dominant handgrip strength were more favorable for boys. However, the longitudinal development curves for body mass index (BMI), trunk lift, and flexibility were similar for both boys and girls. The findings of this study provide valuable evidence for developing targeted physical activity programs for individuals with MID, and demonstrate the need for programs aimed at increasing aerobic endurance and muscle strength in girls with MID.