A Model Proposal for Developing a Solution and Determining the Administrative Problems of Hospitals in Turkey: The BUY Model.

Background and Purpose: This study was conducted in line with the request of the senior management of a hospital. The objective of the current research is to identify managerial problems through the relationship between health employees' perceptions of organizational justice, trust in the manager and the organization, and job satisfaction; develop a solution proposal over the relationships between these variables and motivation variables; and present a model proposal (BUY Model) as a result. Methods: The study sample is comprised of 673 employees. The study data were collected online using a questionnaire consisting of five scales. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistical methods, correlation analysis, and regression analysis. Results: The findings obtained from the study showed that the participants' perceptions of organizational justice, trust in the manager and the organization, job satisfaction and motivation were generally at a moderate level. The study also determined that trust in the manager and the organization had a partial mediation effect on the effect of organizational justice on job satisfaction and the variables of trust in the organization, organizational justice, and trust in the manager, respectively, and especially, the job satisfaction variable also affected motivation. Conclusion: The BUY model was developed to identify problems related to the management of healthcare human resources and solve these problems. Considering the importance of the concepts of job satisfaction and motivation in terms of employee performance, health service quality, and patient satisfaction, it is thought that the developed model will benefit managers of health institutions in increasing the job satisfaction and motivation levels of health employees.

Epidemiology of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents: A 50-year, single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Global variations in epidemiology of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) exist. This study is designed to examine demographic and clinical features of T1DM over the past 3 decades as well as evolving trends in epidemiology over last 50 years. METHODS: Clinical characteristics of 925 patients with T1DM over last 30 years (1990-2019) were evaluated and compared to previously published data of 477 patients diagnosed between 1969 and 1990 from one of the major referral centers for diabetes in Turkey. RESULTS: Mean age at diagnosis decreased from 9.5 ± 4.0 to 7.1 ± 3.6 years within the past 50 years (p < .001). Age at diagnosis peaked at 12-14 years between 1969 and 1990, then fell to 10-11.9 years between 1990 and 1999, and to 4-5.9 years between 2000-2009 and 2010-2019 (p = .005). Although the percentage of patients diagnosed <6 years of age is gradually increasing, the percentage between the ages of 6 and 11.9 years is decreasing, and the percentage diagnosed ≥12 years remained stable. A total of 47.5% of patients had ketoacidosis, 38.2% had ketosis, and 14.3% had only hyperglycemia. 23% of patients had severe diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), whereas 42% had moderate. Over last 3 decades, there has been no change in frequency of ketoacidosis at presentation, but there has been significant decline in severity (p = .865, and p < .001, respectively). Although the frequency of patients with mild DKA increased over time, frequency of patients with moderate DKA decreased; however, no significant difference was observed among patients with severe ketoacidosis. DKA was more frequent and severe in patients <6 years of age (p = .005, and p < .001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Age at diagnosis shifted to younger ages in T1DM in the past 50 years. Half of patients had ketoacidosis at diagnosis and frequency of presentation with DKA did not decrease, but severity decreased slightly. Increase in prevalence of T1DM in the younger age group and the fact that half of patients present with DKA indicate that awareness should be increased in terms of early diagnosis and treatment.

Genetic architecture of white striping in turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo).

White striping (WS) is a myopathy of growing concern to the turkey industry. It is rising in prevalence and has negative consequences for consumer acceptance and the functional properties of turkey meat. The objective of this study was to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and functional analysis on WS severity. Phenotypic data consisted of white striping scored on turkey breast fillets (N = 8422) by trained observers on a 0-3 scale (none to severe). Of the phenotyped birds, 4667 genotypic records were available using a proprietary 65 K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip. The SNP effects were estimated using a linear mixed model with a 30-SNP sliding window approach used to express the percentage genetic variance explained. Positional candidate genes were those located within 50 kb of the top 1% of SNP windows explaining the most genetic variance. Of the 95 positional candidate genes, seven were further classified as functional candidate genes because of their association with both a significant gene ontology and molecular function term. The results of the GWAS emphasize the polygenic nature of the trait with no specific genomic region contributing a large portion to the overall genetic variance. Significant pathways relating to growth, muscle development, collagen formation, circulatory system development, cell response to stimulus, and cytokine production were identified. These results help to support published biological associations between WS and hypoxia and oxidative stress and provide information that may be useful for future-omics studies in understanding the biological associations with WS development in turkeys.

Molecular Characterization of Giardia intestinalis and Cryptosporidium spp. Detected in Humans in Agri, Türkiye.

Background: We aimed to determine the prevalence of Giardia intestinalis and Cryptosporidium spp. in patients who admitted hospital with diarrhea and to gain information about the transmission of these parasites in Agri, Türkiye. Methods: This study included 184 patients who applied to Agri-Diyadin State Hospital, Türkiye in 2022. The immunochromatographic card test was used for detection of the G. intestinalis and Cryptosporidium spp. Nested PCR-RFLP analysis of the COWP gene and sequence analysis of the gp60 gene were used to genotype and subtype Cryptosporidium spp., whereas Nested PCR and sequence analyses of ß-giardin gene were used genotype G. intestinalis. Results: Of the 184 stool specimens examined, 12 (14.29%) and 7 (3.80%) were positive for G. intestinalis and Cryptosporidium spp., respectively. The Cryptosporidium species were identified as C. parvum belonging to the IId sub-type family. The G. intestinalis were identified assemblages A. Conclusion: Assemblage A, which is associated with diarrhea, is responsible for giardiasis and C. parvum IId subtype, often found in sheep, goats and cattle, is responsible for cryptosporidiosis in Agri, Türkiye.

Molecular Characterisation and Antibody Response to Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Vaccinated and Infected Cattle in Turkey.

Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) is one of the most important respiratory pathogens of cattle. In this study, frequency of infection, analysis of variants, and the immune status of vaccinated and non-vaccinated cattle were studied. Blood (n = 162) and nasal/oropharyngeal (n = 277) swabs were collected from 62 cattle herds in Turkey. Lung samples (n = 37) were also taken from dead animals and abattoirs. Antibodies to BRSV were detected in 76 (46%) out of 162 sera. The antibody levels in the vaccinated and non-vaccinated groups were statistically significant. Among 277 nasal/oropharyngeal swabs and 37 lungs, ten nasal/oropharyngeal and four lung samples were positive for BRSV-RNA. BRSV-G gene sequences of 5 out of 14 RT-PCR positive samples showed that all viruses clustered as Group-III in phylogenetic analysis with 88-100% homology. Similarity with previous Turkish BRSVs was 89-98%, and that with BRSVs detected in the USA and Czechia was 89.47-93.12%. BRSV continues to circulate in Turkish cattle, and vaccination seems beneficial in preventing BRSV. The diversity of the BRSVs found in this study needs be considered in vaccination strategies.

Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a multivalent herpesvirus vectored vaccine against H9N2 low pathogenic avian influenza in chicken.

The application of recombinant herpesvirus of turkey, expressing the H9 hemagglutinin gene from low pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAIV) H9N2 and the avian orthoavulavirus-1 (AOAV-1) (commonly known as Newcastle Disease virus (NDV)) fusion protein (F) as an rHVT-H9-F vaccine, is an alternative to currently used classical vaccines. This study investigated H9- and ND-specific humoral and mucosal responses, H9-specific cell-mediated immunity, and protection conferred by the rHVT-H9-F vaccine in specific pathogen-free (SPF) chickens. Vaccination elicited systemic NDV F- and AIV H9-specific antibody response but also local antibodies in eye wash fluid and oropharyngeal swabs. The ex vivo H9-specific stimulation of splenic and pulmonary T cells in the vaccinated group demonstrated the ability of vaccination to induce systemic and local cellular responses. The clinical protection against a challenge using a LPAIV H9N2 strain of the G1 lineage isolated in Morocco in 2016 was associated with a shorter duration of shedding along with reduced viral genome load in the upper respiratory tract and reduced cloacal shedding compared to unvaccinated controls.

Assessment of breast cancer awareness among female pharmacy students at a university in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Female breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer, and knowledge of breast cancer risk factors, and symptoms is crucial for early diagnosis and prevention. This study aims to evaluate breast cancer awareness among female students at a pharmacy faculty in Turkey. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey study was conducted among female students at the Suleyman Demirel University Faculty of Pharmacy between 2 November and 17 November 2023, in Isparta, Turkey. RESULTS: This survey was answered by 237 (74.5%) female students. The median breast cancer risk factors score was 8 (IQR, 5-11), and the median breast cancer symptoms score was 5 (IQR, 2-8). Additionally, the breast cancer risk factors score was 46.16% (mean/max = 8.31/18, SD = 4.33) and the breast cancer symptom score was 58.5% (mean/max = 4.68/8, SD = 2.8). Few of the respondents (26.2%, and 20.3%, respectively) knew breast cancer risk factors such as late menopause, and no childbirth experience. Most respondents correctly answered symptoms of breast cancer, such as a painless and palpable breast lump, indrawing of the nipple, and sudden changes in breast shape (76.8%,44.3%, and 67.1% respectively). The students' sources of information were medical websites (29.5%), social media (27%), physicians (22.8%), friends & family (14.8%), and pharmacists (5.9%). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that students' knowledge of breast cancer risk factors was poor, but their knowledge of breast cancer symptoms was acceptable. Breast cancer awareness courses should be included in faculties. Additionally, more attention should be given to different educational interventions such as social media, television, and brochure distribution.

Treatment initiation rates of patients with positive anti-hepatitis C virus results in tertiary hospitals in Turkey.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this national, multicenter, cross-sectional, retrospective chart review study was to determine the proportion of patients in Turkey who received hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment after receiving positive anti-HCV results during HCV screening. METHODOLOGY: Data related to patients' demographics, laboratory results, time interval from obtaining a positive anti-HCV result to treatment initiation, specialty of the physician requesting anti-HCV screening, and type of hospital were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 1,000 patients who received a positive anti-HCV result, 50.3% were male and 78.5% were screened for HCV-RNA. Among HCV-RNA screened patients, 54.8% (n = 430) had a positive result. Among patients who tested positive for HCV-RNA, 72.8% received HCV treatment in line with their positive anti-HCV results. The median time from obtaining a positive anti-HCV result to initiation of HCV treatment was 91.0 days (interquartile range 42.0 to 178.5). Non-surgical branches requested HCV-RNA testing more frequently than surgical branches (p < 0.001). The rate of access to HCV treatment was higher among patients screened in university hospitals than among patients screened in training and research hospitals (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate a higher rate of treatment initiation among patients with HCV infection than is described in the published literature. Furthermore, the time from screening to treatment initiation was considerably shorter compared with other international studies. However, since HCV-RNA testing was not requested in a significant portion of patients with a positive anti-HCV test result, there might be a large patient population with HCV who do not receive treatment.

Inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes and Clostridium botulinum in Uncured Shredded Pork and Turkey Packaged Under Reduced Oxygen Conditions.

Cooked, uncured meat products packaged under reduced oxygen packaging conditions require the control of anaerobic and facultative anaerobic pathogens if they are held at temperatures greater than 3°C at retail or consumer level. The objective of this study was to determine the inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes and Clostridium botulinum in cooked, uncured shredded turkey and pork formulated with synthetic or clean-label antimicrobials. Treatments of shredded meat products were prepared with or without antimicrobials using turkey thigh or breast that were cooked to 85°C, shredded, and chilled before inoculation with the target pathogen. L. monocytogenes inoculated samples were stored at 7.2°C, whereas C. botulinum samples were stored at 12.8°C; triplicate samples were assayed every 2 weeks. In the first set of experiments, L. monocytogenes populations increased 2 to 3 logs within 2 weeks of storage at 7.2°C in both meat control treatments without antimicrobials and in pork with 4% lactate-diacetate blend (LD). A 1-log increase was observed in turkey with 4% LD and Pork with 2% cultured dextrose-vinegar-rosemary (CDVR) under the same storage conditions; a 1-log increase was observed in turkey with CDVR at 4 weeks. The second set of experiments tested the effect of pH reduction (to less than 5.5 by the addition of 0.5% citric acid) in combination with 2% CDVR when added to the brine precook or postcook during shredding. Populations of L. monocytogenes increased 4-log within 2 and 4 weeks at 7.2°C for the control turkey and pork formulations, respectively. No growth was observed in 12 weeks for any antimicrobial CDVR-CA treatments regardless of how antimicrobial was added. Similarly, botulinum toxin was detected in both control treatments at week 2 at 12.8°C, but no toxicity was observed in either antimicrobial treatment through 12 weeks. These data suggest that a combination of 2% cultured dextrose-vinegar-rosemary extract plus 0.5% citric acid to reduce pH inhibits the growth of L. monocytogenes and toxin production of C. botulinum in uncured shredded turkey and pork products stored under mild temperature abuse conditions for up to 12 weeks in reduced oxygen packaging.

A scoping review of post-earthquake healthcare for vulnerable groups of the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquakes.

BACKGROUND: Identifying healthcare services and also strengthening the healthcare systems to effectively deliver them in the aftermath of large-scale disasters like the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquakes, especially for vulnerable groups cannot be emphasized enough. This study aimed at identifying the interventions undertaken or proposed for addressing the health needs or challenges of vulnerable groups immediately after the occurrence of the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquakes, as well as for prioritizing their healthcare service delivery in the post-Turkey-Syria earthquake. METHODS: In this scoping review compiled with the five steps of the Arksey and O'Malley framework, five databases, including PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, OVID, and Google Scholar, were searched for studies published between March and April 2023 in line with the eligibility criteria. Interventions for enhancing post-earthquake healthcare services (PEHS) were grouped into seven (7) categories, adopted from previous guidelines and studies. Each one was assigned a default score of a value equal to one (1), which, in the end, was summed up. RESULTS: Of the 115 total records initially screened, 29 articles were eligible for review. Different interventions they reported either undertaken or proposed to address the healthcare needs and challenges, especially faced by the most vulnerable groups in the aftermath of the Turkey-Syria earthquakes, were categorized into 7 PEHS. They were ranked with their scores as follows: humanitarian health relief (25); medical care (17); mental health and psychosocial support (10); health promotion, education, and awareness (9); disease surveillance and prevention (7); disability rehabilitation (7); and sexual and reproductive health (5). CONCLUSION: Since there are no proper guidelines or recommendations about the specific or most significant PEHS to prioritize for vulnerable groups after the occurrence of large-scale earthquakes, this scoping review provides some insights that can help inform healthcare service delivery and prioritization for vulnerable groups in the post-2023 Turkey-Syria earthquakes and other similar disasters.

The role of cumulative risk and armed conflict exposure in adolescent psychological symptoms in Turkey.

Exposure to risk factors and adversity may cause immediate, and sometimes prolonged, psychological symptoms in adolescents. Identifying universal and specific risk factors in a particular context and examining their cumulative effects is crucial for understanding the mechanisms underlying psychological symptoms and informing about strategies for intervention. Using concurrent measures, the current study aimed to examine the role of armed conflict experiences and cumulation of other risk factors (e.g., maternal psychological symptoms, socioeconomic indicators) in predicting adolescent psychological symptoms in an underresearched community. The sample included 161 adolescents (54.7% female) aged 11-14 years (M = 12.36, SD = 1.27) and their mothers living in the east of Turkey. The cumulative risk index was calculated by summing the standardized scores of the corresponding factors. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted to predict internalizing and externalizing symptoms among adolescents by introducing demographic variables (age, gender) in the first step, armed conflict experiences and cumulative risk in the second step, and their interaction in the final step. Results showed that the levels of internalizing and externalizing symptoms were predicted by gender, armed conflict experience and cumulative risk. Being a girl was associated with higher levels of internalizing symptoms and lower levels of externalizing symptoms. Higher levels of internalizing and externalizing symptoms were predicted by exposure to armed and cumulative risk. After controlling for other factors, the interaction of armed conflict experience and cumulative risk significantly predicted externalizing, but not internalizing symptoms. These findings suggested that cumulative risk was a stronger predictor of psychological symptoms, and further amplified the strength of the association between armed conflict experiences and externalizing symptoms. These findings can be used in the formulation of intervention strategies and policies to promote psychological well-being in adolescents living in armed conflict zones under multiple risks.

Echinococcus granulosus Sensu Stricto and Echinococcus multilocularis in a Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) in Turkey: Further Evidence for Increased Risk of Alveolar Echinococcosis in Urban Areas.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify Echinococcus species by morphological and molecular means. METHODS: A dead gray wolf (Canis lupus) was found near Erzurum province and brought to the parasitology laboratory. Sedimentation and counting technique (SCT) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis were conducted. RESULTS: The SCT implications indicated that the wolf had a substantial worm burden (62,720 and 49,280 parasites) due to a co-infection of E. granulosus s.l. and E. multilocularis. Genus/species-specific PCR was used to analyze DNA extracted from adult worms and confirmed as E. granulosus s.s. and E. multilocularis, utilizing COI and 12S rRNA gene sequence analysis, respectively. CONCLUSION: This report presents the first co-detection of E. granulosus s.s. and E. multilocularis in a gray wolf found in an urban area in a highly endemic area for human echinococcosis in northeastern Turkey. The results emphasize that AE is not only a problem of rural areas, but also occurs in urban areas, which may pose a threat to public health. Therefore, surveillance in urban areas is crucial. The need to develop new control strategies for domestic and wildlife in the study area is also highlighted.

Earthquake in Turkey: The Triangle of Life and Disaster Kits Saves Lives.

OBJECTIVE: Precautions taken before an earthquake are of vital importance. When buildings collapse, the weight of the ceiling crushes objects such as furniture, leaving a space or void within the rubble. This area is called the "triangle of life." The larger and stronger the object, the more it will maintain its volume; the more the object maintains its volume, the larger the void will be, and the less likely it is that the person who uses this void will be injured. METHODS: Durable, solid furniture such as beds and tables that can be tipped over during an earthquake in appropriate areas in the building can form a living triangle. Creating and using the triangle of life is the method of protection in an earthquake that produces the highest probability of survival. RESULTS: Two earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.8 and 7.5 occurred in Kahramanmaras, Turkey, on February 6, 2023. This report presents the case of a 43-y-old female victim of these earthquakes who used the triangle of life to survive; she was removed from the rubble 164 h after the earthquake. CONCLUSIONS: The case provides evidence that predetermining areas in which the triangle of life can be formed and storing supplies necessary for survival can decrease morbidity and mortality in an earthquake.

Gastrointestinal response to the early administration of antimicrobial agents in growing turkeys infected with Escherichia coli.

This study investigated the effects of the early administration of enrofloxacin (E) or doxycycline (D) for the first 5 consecutive days of life, or the continuous administration of the coccidiostat monensin (M) throughout the rearing period on gastrointestinal function in turkeys infected with avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) in an early or later stage of rearing. Experiment 1 lasted 21 d, and turkeys in groups E, D, and M were infected with APEC on d 15. Experiment 2 lasted 56 d, and it had a factorial arrangement of treatments where birds in groups E, D, and M were infected with APEC on d 15 or d 50. In both experiments, control groups (C) consisted of infected and uninfected birds without antibiotic or coccidiostat administration. On d 21 (Experiment 1) and d 56 (Experiment 2), 8 birds from each subgroup were killed, and the ileal and cecal digesta were sampled to analyze the activity of bacterial enzymes and the concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). The experimental treatments did not affect the final body weight or body weight gain of birds. Both experiments demonstrated that APEC contributed to an increase in ammonia levels of the cecal digesta (means from 2 experiments: 0.311 vs. 0.225 mg/g in uninfected birds) and ileal pH (6.79 vs. 6.00) and viscosity (2.43 vs. 1.83 mPa⋅s). Moreover, the E. coli challenge enhanced the extracellular activity of several cecal bacterial enzymes, especially in older turkeys infected with APEC in a later stage of life. The continuous administration of monensin throughout the rearing period resulted in a weaker gastrointestinal response in older birds, compared with the other 2 antibiotics administered for the first 5 d of life. The results of the study are inconclusive as both desirable and undesirable effects of preventive early short-term antibiotic therapy were observed in turkeys, including normalization of ileal viscosity and cecal ammonia concentration (positive effect), and disruption in cecal SCFA production (negative effect).

The effect of environmental health education on microplastic pollution awareness.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research is to investigate the effect of environmental health education given at the ninth-grade level on the microplastic pollution awareness level of students. METHODS: This pretest-posttest experimental study with a randomized control group was conducted between 2022 and 2023 in three high schools in a province in eastern Turkey. The sample of the study consisted of 90 ninth-grade students (experimental group: 45, control group: 45), and the sample magnitude was determined by power analysis. Tools such as the "Personal Information Form" and "Microplastic Pollution Awareness Scale (MPAS)" were used to collect data. Training was given to the experimental group as a nursing intervention in a total of four sessions at 15-day intervals. No intervention was applied to the individuals in the control group. RESULTS: While no significant difference was observed in the MPAS total score in the control group according to the pretest and posttest mean scores, a significant difference was observed in the MPAS total score in the experimental group (p < 0.05). When the posttest mean scores of the experimental and control groups were examined, it was observed that the posttest mean scores of the experimental group were higher than the posttest mean scores of the control group and there was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It was observed that the microplastic pollution awareness level of the experimental group students who received environmental health training increased significantly. The issue of environmental health should be integrated into the education curriculum in schools and students' awareness levels should be increased.

Development of real-time PCR assay for quantitative detection of Clostridium septicum.

Cellulitis is an important disease in commercial turkey farms associated with significant economic loss. Although the etiology of cellulitis is not fully elucidated, Clostridium septicum (C. septicum) is one of the main causes of this infectious disease. In this study, we report the development of a quantitative real-time PCR (qRT PCR) assay targeting the alpha-toxin gene (csa), which involves a prior 15-cyle PCR using a nested pair of primers to increase the detection sensitivity. Additionally, the TaqMan probe was employed to increase the target-specificity of the assay. The performance of our nested qRT-PCR assay was evaluated using Clostridium isolates from turkey farms, representing both septicum and non-septicum species, as well as sponge swab samples from turkey farms. Our step-by-step development of the assay showed that the csa gene is a suitable target for specific detection of C. septicum strains and that the inclusion of nested PCR step significantly increased the detection sensitivity of the final qRT PCR assay. The performance of the assay was also validated by a high correlation of the threshold cycle numbers of the qRT PCR assay with the relative abundance of C. septicum read counts in 16S rRNA gene microbiota profiles of the C. septicum-containing samples from turkey farms.

Slatted floor reduces the welfare and increases the foot pad dermatitis and growth performance of Turkeys under Egyptian conditions.

Background: When Turkeys' legscome in contact with their dropping during the growing stage results in footpad dermatitis condition which affects the poult's welfare and productivity. Aim: Our experiment aimed to detect the impact of various bedding substrates on the wellbeing, and performance of growing Turkey under Egyptian conditions. Methods: 180-day-old Turkey poults were allocated into three treatments. In treatment I, the poults [60 each with three replicates (n = 20 birds)] were kept on wood shavings (WS); in the second treatment, the poults were housed on chopped wheat straw (CWS). However, in the third treatment, they kept on a plastic slatted floor (PSF). Results: The greater feed intake and body weight were recorded in poults reared in PSF compared with those kept in other treatments (WS and CWS). Feed conversion ratio did not show any significant difference. The mortality percentage was higher in the PSF group than in the WS one. The frequency of feeding and drinking behavior was higher in poults reared on WS treatment compared with other treatments CWS and PSF. On the other hand, resting behavior showed the highest frequency in poults kept in PSF. Contrary, the lowest frequency of walking behavior was recorded in poults reared in PSF treatment. In addition, the poults kept in WS had a longer tonic immobility reaction period followed by those kept in PSF and CWS. Concerning foot-pad dermatitis, the highest score of 0 was observed in the CWS group, while the highest score of 1 was recorded among poults kept in the WS group. On the other side, the highest score 2, 3, and 4 was observed in the poults reared in the PSF group. Heterophil/Lymphocyte ratio of Turkey poults was higher in PSF. While T3 and T4 concentrations in blood were not affected by using different bedding materials. Conclusion: It is concluded that the slatted floor was good for Turkey producers from the point of performance but, it is the worst from the point of welfare.

Economic costs of non-native species in Türkiye: A first national synthesis.

Biological invasions are increasingly recognised as a major global change that erodes ecosystems, societal well-being, and economies. However, comprehensive analyses of their economic ramifications are missing for most national economies, despite rapidly escalating costs globally. Türkiye is highly vulnerable to biological invasions owing to its extensive transport network and trade connections as well as its unique transcontinental position at the interface of Europe and Asia. This study presents the first analysis of the reported economic costs caused by biological invasions in Türkiye. The InvaCost database which compiles invasive non-native species' monetary costs was used, complemented with cost searches specific to Türkiye, to describe the spatial and taxonomic attributes of costly invasive non-native species, the types of costs, and their temporal trends. The total economic cost attributed to invasive non-native species in Türkiye (from 202 cost reporting documents) amounted to US$ 4.1 billion from 1960 to 2022. However, cost data were only available for 87 out of 872 (10%) non-native species known for Türkiye. Costs were biased towards a few hyper-costly non-native taxa, such as jellyfish, stink bugs, and locusts. Among impacted sectors, agriculture bore the highest total cost, reaching US$ 2.85 billion, followed by the fishery sector with a total cost of US$ 1.20 billion. Management (i.e., control and eradication) costs were, against expectations, substantially higher than reported damage costs (US$ 2.89 billion vs. US$ 28.4 million). Yearly costs incurred by non-native species rose exponentially over time, reaching US$ 504 million per year in 2020-2022 and are predicted to increase further in the next 10 years. A large deficit of cost records compared to other countries was also shown, suggesting a larger monetary underestimate than is typically observed. These findings underscore the need for improved cost recording as well as preventative management strategies to reduce future post-invasion management costs and help inform decisions to manage the economic burdens posed by invasive non-native species. These insights further emphasise the crucial role of standardised data in accurately estimating the costs associated with invasive non-native species for prioritisation and communication purposes.

Metaphoric perceptions of individuals with diabetes in Turkey: A content analysis.

Background: The diagnosis of diabetes mellitus adversely impacts the quality of life due to treatment, changes in daily life, functional disability, and emerging complications. Using metaphors to convey perceptions of diseases and life experiences is crucial for understanding healthcare behaviors. Objective: This study aimed to explore the metaphorical perceptions of "diabetes" and "being a person with diabetes" within a sample group of individuals with diabetes in Turkey. Methods: A qualitative design was employed to investigate the metaphoric perceptions of 72 people with diabetes. Data were collected face-to-face between 15 May and June 2023 using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using content analysis. Results: From the statements of the individuals with diabetes in the sample, seven metaphoric themes related to diabetes - "pain and distress, helplessness and hopelessness, instability, attention and sensitivity, captivity, positive outlook and acceptance, deprivation" - and six metaphoric themes concerning being a person with diabetes - "suffocation and distress, helplessness, powerlessness and disappointment, captivity, attention and sensitivity, guilt, and being worn out" - were identified. Commonly recurring sub-themes with negative connotations included "darkness, well, convict, prison, captivity, microbe, infectious disease, a hot flush, guilt, clouding life, and being ruined." Some positively framed statements included "friend, traffic sign, and driving a car." Conclusion: The majority of patients in the study used negative metaphors, with fewer expressing positive sentiments regarding the necessity of accepting and paying attention to the disease. Defining individuals' metaphorical perceptions of their disease may enable the provision of better quality and holistic care. Nurses, in particular, play a crucial role in facilitating behavioral changes for patients with diabetes to achieve self-management.