Investigation of Phytochemical, Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Potentials of Scabiosa L. (Caprifoliaceae) Species with Chemometric Methods.

In this research, the total phenolic and flavonoid amounts, phenolic compositions, in vitro antioxidant, antibacterial and antidiabetic properties of the methanol extracts obtained from Scabiosa L. (Caprifoliaceae) species distributed in the flora of Türkiye were investigated using chemometric methods. For this purpose, principal component (PCA) and agglomerative hierarchical clustering analysis were performed as chemometric methods. Chlorogenic acid, quinic acid and cyranoside were determined in the extracts. According to chemometric analysis, S. columbaria subsp. ochroleuca var. ochroleuca and S. triniifolia species were found to be valuable in terms of methanol extract yields, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant and antidiabetic activities while S. columbaria subsp. ochroleuca var. webbiana species were found to be valuable in terms of phenolic composition. The methanol extracts of Scabiosa species showed high antioxidant activity, with high phenolic and flavonoid contents. Among the tested 13 bacteria, Scabiosa extracts showed only low activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The extracts showed high α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. The results show that Scabiosa methanol extracts may be a source of alternative antioxidants that may be beneficial in slowing or preventing the progression of various oxidative stress-related diseases.

Comparative analysis of phenolic compositions and biological activities of three endemic Teucrium L. (Lamiaceae) species from Turkey.

This study investigates the chemical compositions and biological activities of the methanol extracts of three endemic Teucrium species (T. ekimii, T. pestalozzae and T. semrae) collected from Turkey. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were assessed spectrophotometrically. The total phenolic and flavonoid content in the T. ekimii methanolic extract were importantly higher than other both extracts. The polyphenolic components of the extracts were identified by liquid chromatography. Seven phenolic compounds were identified namely catechin, rutin, luteolin, apigenin chlorogenic acid, sinapic acid and rosmarinic acid. Antioxidant activities were determined by five in vitro assays namely phosphomolybdenum assay, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, ß-carotene bleaching assay, ferric ions reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and cupric ions reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC). The total antioxidant activity method exhibited that T. ekimii methanol extract exerted better antioxidant activity. The methanol extract of T. ekimii showed better antiradical scavenging activity as measured by DPPH assay. The antimicrobial capacities were determined by agar diffusion assay. Three endemic Teucrium species tested showed slight antibacterial activity only against Aeromonas hydrophila, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Streptococcus pneumoniae. The findings showed that three endemic Teucrium species may be utilized as natural sources of antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds in food and farmacy products.

The effect of stigmatization education on the social distancing of nursing students toward patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia.

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of a program designed to reduce nursing students' social distancing from individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. METHOD: This experimental study was designed using a pretest, a posttest, and a control group. All participants were nursing students, of which 25 were included in the intervention group and 23 were placed in the control group. A 13-week program was offered to the intervention group. The measuring instruments consisted of a personal information form and the Social Distance Scale. Data were analyzed using the two-way repeated measures analysis of variance. FINDINGS: A significant difference was found between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The Education Program on Stigmatization in Schizophrenia is an effective intervention that reduces the social distance of nursing students from individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia.

The effect of mindfulness levels on the life satisfaction of nursing students.

PURPOSE: This study was carried out to determine the effect of mindfulness levels on the life satisfaction of nursing students. DESIGN AND METHODS: A descriptive correlational study was conducted on 333 nursing students enrolled at a state university in Turkey. FINDINGS: The statistical analysis of the data indicated that students' mindfulness levels had a significantly positive impact on their satisfaction with life. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Activities that include exercises, meditation and training geared to raise the level of mindfulness can also be beneficial in terms of increasing satisfaction with life.

Reproductive Biology of Astragalus argaeus (Fabaceae), a critically endangered endemic species.

Astragalus argaeus is an endemic plant species that is under critical risk of extinction. Here we investigated its population census, breeding system and reproductive success to determine the main factors affecting restricted distribution of this species. According to the results from pollination experiments, A. argaeus was autogamous but benefit from the cross pollination (xenogamous) and the presence of pollinators increases fruit set. The pollen/ovule ratio of A. argaeus was calculated as 3119,which correspond to facultative xenogamy. Reproduction biology data obtained by both methods are quite compatible with each other. Pollen viability and stigma receptivity data showed that both stigma receptivity and pollen viability were high and was no temporal isolation throughout the anthesis. Seed viability of A. argaues was determined as 52%. The low reproductive success of the species could be attributed to low seed viability and germination rates, small population size and variations in season and climate.

Factors affecting nurses' professional commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.

AIM: This study aims to investigate the factors affecting nurses' professional commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic. BACKGROUND: Commitment to a profession requires doing the best for that profession. In the case of the nursing profession, professional commitment gains greater importance in times of crisis, like the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 389 nurses in the Turkish state hospital. Institutional permissions, ethical approval and written consents from the participants were obtained before carrying out the study. RESULTS: The participants' mean Perceived Organizational Obstruction Scale score was 20.07 ± 8.06 (min = 5.0, max = 35.0), and their mean Nursing Professional Commitment Scale score was 71.20 ± 11.94 (min = 30.0, max = 103.0). Socio-demographic variables and perception of organisational obstruction predicted 36.7% of the variance in the professional commitment (p < .001). CONCLUSION: A road map based on the study results was developed for hospitals and nurse managers to maintain and increase nurses' professional commitment. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: The results of this study may help institutions and nurse managers understand the factors affecting professional commitment during the pandemic as a whole, as well as determine primary strategies based on the importance of these factors.

Athyrium plants - Review on phytopharmacy properties.

Athyrium plants consist of more than 230 species that are largely distributed in the Sino-Himalayan region and the Western Pacific islands. Athyrium species are being used in traditional medicine worldwide to treat various ailments such as cough, rheumatic pain, scorpion stings, sores, burns and scalds, intestinal fever, pain, specifically breast pain during child birth, to increase milk flow, as an antiparasitic, anthelmintic, and carminative. A deep look in the literature has revealed that Athyrium species have been poorly investigated for their food preservative applications and in vivo and in vitro biological and phytochemical studies. However, some Athyrium species have demonstrated antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiproliferative and anti-HIV potential. Athyrium multidentatum (Doll.) Ching is the most investigated species and the biological activities of their extracts, such as they antioxidant properties, seem to be related to the sulfate contents of their polysaccharides. This review provides an update on the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and biological properties of Athyrium plants that might be useful for further research. Of course, well-designed clinical trials will be required for some species to be used as therapy.

Achieving consensus on the undergraduate curriculum of public health nursing in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to construct a consensus on the undergraduate learning objectives and topics for public health nursing (PHN) in Turkey. DESIGN: A three-round e-mail-based Delphi study was conducted between May and July 2015 with a national sample. SAMPLE: Ninety-one academics from 54 universities were invited as experts to participate by e-mail. Fifty-nine academics from 43 universities participated in the study. MEASUREMENTS: Data were analyzed by computing the median, quartiles one and three, and the interquartile range for each learning outcome and topic. Consensus was considered as less than the interquartile range of 1.2. RESULTS: Experts who participated in the study added 70 learning outcomes, eight main topics, and 278 sub-topics during the first round. Round I generated 170 learning outcomes, 28 main topics, and 385 sub-topics. At the end of Round II, consensus was reached on 126 learning outcomes, 22 main topics and 168 sub-topics. At the end of Round III, consensus was achieved for 126 learning outcomes, 22 main topics, and 169 sub-topics. CONCLUSION: The learning outcomes and topics that were decided upon through a consensus process will contribute to the standardization and development of PHN education.

Reliability and Validity Study of the Turkish Version of Child and Adolescent Social Support Scale for Healthy Behaviors.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate adaptation, validity, and reliability of the Turkish version of the Child and Adolescent Social Support Scale for Healthy Behaviors (CASSS-HB). METHODS: The CASSS-HB was translated using translation and back-translation. This was a methodological study conducted with 860 students (11-14 years old). Content and construct validity were assessed to test the validity of the CASSS-HB. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of the scale was performed and the reliability of the scale over time (the test-retest method) was examined. RESULTS: Psychometric analyses of the Turkish version of the CASSS-HB indicate high reliability and good content and construct validity. CONCLUSIONS: It can be seen that the items comprising the scale appear to be acceptably capable of measuring the variable of social support in terms of healthy behavior in children and adolescents. Healthcare professionals can thus use the scale for determining the degree of social support students of the ages 11-14 receive in terms of developing healthy behavior.

Aloe Genus Plants: From Farm to Food Applications and Phytopharmacotherapy.

Aloe genus plants, distributed in Old World, are widely known and have been used for centuries as topical and oral therapeutic agents due to their health, beauty, medicinal, and skin care properties. Among the well-investigated Aloe species are A. arborescens, A. barbadensis, A. ferox, and A. vera. Today, they account among the most economically important medicinal plants and are commonly used in primary health treatment, where they play a pivotal role in the treatment of various types of diseases via the modulation of biochemical and molecular pathways, besides being a rich source of valuable phytochemicals. In the present review, we summarized the recent advances in botany, phytochemical composition, ethnobotanical uses, food preservation, and the preclinical and clinical efficacy of Aloe plants. These data will be helpful to provide future directions for the industrial and medicinal use of Aloe plants.

Comparison of phenolic components and biological activities of two Centaurea sp. obtained by three extraction techniques.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to compare the polyphenol content, total phenolic, total flavonoid, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the extracts obtained from Centaurea amaena Boiss. & Balansa and Centaurea aksoyi Hamzaoglu & Budak. METHODS: Both species were subjected to maceration, Soxhlet and ultrasonication extractions with methanol in order to macerated (ME), Soxhlet (SE) and ultrasonicated (UE) extracts. Their phenolic profiles were qualitatively examined by LC-MS. Their antioxidant activities were determined by phosphomolybdenum, ß-carotene bleaching and DPPH assays. Agar diffusion and broth dilution methods were carried out to find the antimicrobial activity of these extracts against fifteen microorganisms. RESULTS: Quercetin, quercetin-3-ß-D-glucoside and protocatechuic acid were the main components of the both extracts obtained by Soxhlet extraction. The highest phenolic and flavonoid contents were found in the UE for both species. All the extracts exhibited good total antioxidant and DPPH radical scavenging activity. UE obtained from C. amaena showed the highest antioxidant activity with the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents. The antibacterial activity of UE obtained from C. amaena was better than other extracts and antibacterial activity of C. amaena was also better than C. aksoyi. DISCUSSION: This study confirms that ultrasonic extraction may be an ideal, simple and rapid method to obtain polyphenol-rich extracts have antioxidant as well as antibacterial activity from both Centaurea species especially from C. amaena.

Exposure to Violence of Secondary School Children with Visual Impairment.

Although violence is a serious issue that children face all over the world, there is little known about the extent of the violence children with disabilities experience. This study was conducted to identify the frequency of exposure to violence that students with visual impairment experience in any environment, directly or as a witness, and the factors associated with this exposure. The study was conducted as descriptive research at a Secondary School for the Visually Impaired in 2011-2012 with 84 individuals. A questionnaire on demographics, a Violence Exposure Scale, and face-to-face interviews were used as data collection tools. It was found that the large majority of the children with visual impairment in the study had encountered violence on one occasion or more, recently or in the past. The number of students recently exposed to violence was higher than the number of children encountering violence in the past. The mean scores of the students who had recently experienced violence were higher than the scores for exposure to violence in the past. A large majority of the students with visual impairment in the study, all of the boarding students, and most of the day students had been exposed to violence once or more both recently and in the past. It was found that being male, having a congenital visual impairment, and living as a boarding student were risk factors in terms of violence. It may be recommended that school nurses more closely monitor this group of students for signs of violence.

In vitro antimicrobial studies of new benzimidazolium salts and silver N-heterocyclic carbene complexes.

A series of new benzimidazolium salts (1a-g) were synthesized from the reaction of 1-(4-vinylbenzyl)benzimidazole with various alkyl halides. These salts were used to synthesize silver N-heterocyclic carbene (Ag-NHC) complexes (2a-f). The thirteen compounds were characterized by FT-IR, NMR ((1)H and (13)C) spectroscopic methods and an elemental analysis technique. These selected candidates were tested for their in vitro antimicrobial activities. Antibacterial and antifungal results indicated that the new salts, and particularly their silver complexes, were found to be strongly effective against seven Gram (-) bacterial strains, three Gram (+) bacterial strains and one yeast (Candida albicans).

Smoking and desire to quit smoking behavior in a sample of Turkish adolescents.

INTRODUCTION: The age of starting the habit of smoking, one of the top causes of many illnesses, is usually in the period of adolescence. This study was conducted to determine students' smoking status and to explore their desire to quit and their experiences during the cessation process. METHODS: This descriptive study was performed with 934 adolescents between the ages of 14 and 20 years at a vocational high school located in Istanbul, Turkey. The data were collected by using a survey form. RESULTS: The mean age of the adolescents was 16.38 ± 1.12 years. Among the adolescents, 90.3% were male. Of the group, 29.9% reported that they had smoked at least once, and 12.1% of the participants smoked regularly. Among the students who smoked, 80% reported that they wanted to quit smoking. Among the smokers, 55.2% reported that they tried to quit smoking but could only stop smoking for a period of between 1 day and 1 month at maximum (71.4%). A group of 68.9% reported that they wanted to quit because they were afraid of getting sick in the future, 28.8% indicated economic reasons to quit smoking, and 24.2% reported that they wanted to stop smoking because they did not want to damage the environment. CONCLUSION: More than half of the smokers among the students had tried to stop smoking, but most of them had failed to quit. These results indicate that schools need programs for the cessation and the prevention of smoking.

A comparative study on phenolic components and biological activity of some Senecio species in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: The phenolic components and biological activity of nine Senecio species growing in Turkey were investigated. METHODS: Senecio species were extracted with methanol. The content of total phenols was determined using Folin-Ciocalteu method, while individual phenolic acids and flavonoids were detected using HPLC analysis. Also, to determine the antioxidant capacity, phosphomolybdenum assay and 1,1-diphenyl picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity assay were used. Antimicrobial activity of extract was determined using agar diffusion and broth microdilution method. KEY FINDINGS: The total phenolic contents of the extracts were found to be highest in Senecio cilicius and Senecio mollis extracts (117.45 and 113.40 mg equivalent to gallic acid/g, respectively). S. salsuginea showed the strongest free radical-scavenging activity with IC50 (the concentration providing 50% inhibition) = 26.23 µg/ml and S. mollis showed the highest antioxidant capacity in the phosphomolybdenum method (434.48 mg equivalent to ascorbic acid/g). The extracts exerted promising antibacterial activity against most of the test bacteria (minimal inhibitory concentration = 6.25-12.5 mg/ml), but no activity was observed against Candida albicans. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated that nine Senecio species possess high antioxidant and antimicrobial activity in accordance with the high amount of phenolic contents in the extracts that might be natural agencies used in many areas such as food, pharmacy and alternative medicine.

The Volatile Compounds and Bioactivity of Achillea sieheana Stapf. (Asteraceae).

The in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil and methanolic extract of Achillea sieheana Staf. (Asteraceae) were investigated in this study. The chemical composition of the essential oil isolated by hydro-distillation from the aerial parts of A. sieheana was analyzed by GC-MS. Camphor (43.36%), Artemisia ketone (25.95%), 1.8-cineole (6.29%) and camphene (4.77%) were the main components in the essential oil. Their antioxidant activities were also evaluated using phosphomolybdenum, ß-carotene bleaching and 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assays. A. sieheana methanolic extract showed an effective DPPH scavenging activity (IC50 = 87.04 µg/mL). The extract had also a high reducing effect (71.08%) on the oxidation of ß-carotene. In addition to evaluating the antioxidant activity of this plant, the total phenolic and flavonoid contents were measured in the extract. The antimicrobial activities of the methanolic extract and the oil were also tested against 13 bacteria and two yeasts. The results showed that both had strong antimicrobial activity against the tested microorganisms.

Biological activities of Wiedemannia multifida (Linnaeus) Bentham and Wiedemannnia orientalis Fisch. & Mey.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate total phenolic, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of methanolic extracts of the Wiedemannia multifida (W. multifida) and Wiedemannnia orientalis (W. orientalis). METHODS: Phosmomolybdenum assay, DPPH radical scavenging activity and ß-carotene-linoleate bleaching were used to evaluate the antioxidant capacity. RESULTS: The total phenolics were found to be (22.45±0.60) and (9.53±0.00) mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g in W. multifida and W. orientalis extracts, respectively. The predominant phenolic compounds identified by HPLC-DAD in the both extracts were rutin+ellagic acid and kaempferol. Total antioxidant capacity and DPPH radical scavenging activity of W. multifida were higher than W. orientalis. In ß-carotene-linoleic acid system, both extracts exhibited strong inhibition against linoleic acid oxidation. Antimicrobial activity was assessed by the agar diffusion method against fifteen microorganisms. Both extracts exhibited remarkable antibacterial activity. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that methanolic extracts of W. multifida and W. orientalis could be a good source of antioxidant and antimicrobial agents in foods, pharmaceuticals preparations.

Cytogenetic effects of nine Helichrysum taxa in human lymphocytes culture.

Helichrysum Mill. (Asteraceae) species have been used in folk medicine for thousands of years in the world. The in vitro cytogenetic effects in human lymphocytes of nine Helichrysum taxa used in Turkey folk medicine were investigated. Blood samples were obtained from healthy donors, non-smoking volunteers, which were incubated and exposed to increasing concentrations of methanol extracts of Helichrysum taxa (0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg/mL). The inhibitory effects of H. stoechas (L.) Moench subsp. barrelieri (Ten.) Nyman, H. armenium DC. subsp. armenium, H. armenium DC. subsp. araxinum (Kirp.) Takht., H. plicatum DC. subsp. plicatum, H. compactum Boiss. and H. artvinense P.H.Davis & Kupicha on the mitotic index and replication index indicate that these taxa can have genotoxic and mutagenic effects. They should therefore not be used freely in alternative medicine although their antiproliferative activity may suggest anticarcinogenic properties. Increase effects of H. stoechas subsp. barrelieri, H. armenium subsp. armenium, H. armenium subsp. araxinum, H. chasmolycicum P.H.Davis, H. plicatum subsp. plicatum, H. compactum and H. artvinense on the micronucleus rates showed that these taxa can have genotoxic and carcinogenic effects.

Gamma radiation sensitivity of the eggs, larvae and pupae of Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).

BACKGROUND: This study focused on determining the minimal effective gamma radiation dose that prevents commodity damage caused by the Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella (Hübner). The study was also designed to assess the effect of releasing either partially sterilized males alone or both partially sterilized males and females on the reproductive potential of P. interpunctella populations. RESULTS: The dose of radiation required to prevent larval emergence from irradiated eggs was 350 Gy, and the same dose was also required to prevent adult emergence from mature larvae. A dose of 300 Gy was not able to prevent adult emergence from irradiated pupae. The dose at which 100% sterility was achieved in treated females mated to treated males was 300 Gy for the parental generation of irradiated pupae. Fertility of the parental males from irradiated pupae was 48.17% at 300 Gy in treated males crossed with untreated females, but male progeny of irradiated male parents had a residual fertility of 11.06% at the same dose. CONCLUSION: F(1) males from irradiated pupae were more sterile than parental males. To prevent larval emergence from irradiated eggs, a dose of 350 Gy is required. The same dose is required to prevent the larvae from reaching the adult stage.