Self-management challenges of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Ekurhuleni district primary health care facilities amid COVID-19 lockdown.

BACKGROUND:  Self-management is highly recommended in managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown, many restrictions were imposed, which might have affected the continuum of care and self-management. However, little is known about how people with T2DM experienced self-management during COVID-19 lockdown within the primary health care (PHC) facilities. AIM:  The study explored and described the self-management challenges of adults with T2DM in Ekurhuleni PHC facilities amid COVID-19 level 5 and 4 lockdowns. SETTING:  The study was conducted in three community health centres in Ekurhuleni which are rendering PHC services. METHODS:  A phenomenological, qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive design was utilised. Purposive sampling was used to select adult patients with T2DM. Data were collected telephonically between July 2022 and August 2022 using semi-structured interviews. Inductive content analysis was used to analyse data. RESULTS:  Two themes emerged from the interviews, namely, uncontrolled blood glucose levels and financial challenges. CONCLUSION:  The patients with T2DM experienced uncontrolled blood glucose levels and financial challenges during the COVID-19 lockdown. Guidelines to improve self-management programmes during restrictions are needed to promote good health during future pandemics to prevent complications and mortality. The telehealth model can be designed to monitor chronic patients at home during lockdown as a two-way communication.Contribution: More knowledge and insight into self-management and health promotion of patients with T2DM was provided by this study. Increased training needs arose for PHC nurses in managing and monitoring patients.

Effect of polycystic ovary syndrome on the life quality of young women.

OBJECTIVE: The study evaluated the opinions of polycystic ovary syndrome on the life quality of women. METHODS: A total of 249 women with polycystic ovary syndrome participated in this descriptive study between October 2022 and July 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey. FINDINGS: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Quality of Life was significantly correlated with age (p=0.000) and frequent weight loss diets (p=0.000) (p<0.01). Among the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Quality of Life total score and polycystic ovary syndrome symptoms, those with hormone imbalance and insulin resistance had the highest mean scores, while those with menstrual irregularity and fatigue had the lowest. CONCLUSION: Advancing age changes the quality of life of women with polycystic ovary syndrome. To prevent the negative impact of polycystic ovary syndrome on women's quality of life, it is recommended that health professionals develop effective care plans utilizing available evidence.

Frequency of sarcopenia in Turkish women with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of sarcopenia and its clinical significance in Turkish women with SLE, exploring the association between muscle mass, muscle strength and SLE disease activity. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Gazi University Hospital's Department of Rheumatology from January to December 2020. It involved 82 patients with SLE, diagnosed according to the 2019 American College of Rheumatology/European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology criteria, and 69 healthy controls. Sarcopenia was assessed using hand grip dynamometry (hand grip strength (HGS)) and bioelectrical impedance analysis for muscle mass, with sarcopenia defined according to the 2018 European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People criteria and specific cut-offs for the Turkish population. The main outcomes measured were the presence of sarcopenia and probable sarcopenia, HGS values, skeletal muscle mass index and SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K). RESULTS: Among the patients with SLE, 51.2% met the criteria for probable sarcopenia and 12.9% were diagnosed with sarcopenia. The mean HGS was significantly lower in the SLE group (21.7±4.9 kg) compared with controls, indicating reduced muscle strength. The prevalence of anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibodies was 82.9%. Multivariate regression analysis identified height and levels of anti-dsDNA antibodies as independent predictors for developing probable sarcopenia. No significant association was found between clinical parameters, including SLEDAI-2K scores, and sarcopenia status. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcopenia is prevalent among Turkish women with SLE, with a significant proportion showing reduced muscle strength. The study found no direct association between sarcopenia and SLE disease activity or clinical parameters. These findings underscore the importance of including muscle strength assessments in the routine clinical evaluation of patients with SLE to potentially improve management and quality of life.

The potential range of west Asian apple species Malus orientalis Uglitzk. under climate change.

The wild relatives of cultivated apples would be an ideal source of diversity for breeding new varieties, which could potentially grow in diverse habitats shaped by climate change. However, there is still a lack of knowledge about the potential distribution of these species. The aim of the presented work was the understand the impacts of climate change on the potential distribution and habitat fragmentation of Caucasian crab apple (Malus orientalis Uglitzk.) and the designation of areas of high interest according to climatic conditions. We used the MaxEnt models and Morphological-Spatial Analysis (MSPA) to evaluate the potential distribution, suitability changes, habitat fragmentation, and connectivity throughout the species range in Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, Russia, and Iran. The results revealed that the potentially suitable range of M. orientalis encompasses 858,877 km², 635,279 km² and 456,795 km² under the present, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenario, respectively. The range fragmentation analysis demonstrated a notable shift in the edge/core ratio, which increased from 50.95% in the current scenario to even 67.70% in the future. The northern part of the range (Armenia, northern Georgia, southern Russia), as well as the central and western parts of Hyrcania will be a core of the species range with suitable habitats and a high connectivity between M. orientalis populations and could work as major refugia for the studied species. However, in the Zagros and central Turkey, the potential range will shrink due to the lack of suitable climatic conditions, and the edge/core ratio will grow. In the southern part of the range, a decline of M. orientalis habitats is expected due to changing climatic conditions. The future outlook suggests that the Hyrcanian forest and the Caucasus region could serve as important refuges for M. orientalis. This study helps to understand spatial changes in species' range in response to climate change and can help develop conservation strategies. This is all the more important given the species' potential use in future breeding programs aimed at enriching the gene pool of cultivated apple varieties.

Profile, reasons for hospitalization and nursing diagnoses of refugee-native patients admitted to internal medicine clinic-an evaluation from nursing perspective.

PURPOSE: The study aims to evaluate the hospitalization diagnoses and nursing diagnoses of the refugee and local population hospitalized in internal medicine clinics, which are especially important in the early diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of chronic diseases, and to emphasize their importance in nursing care. METHODS: The study was carried out in a descriptive retrospective design. The files of 3563 patients admitted to the internal medicine clinic of a training and research hospital in Türkiye in 2022 were evaluated. SPSS 26.0 program was used for data analysis. RESULTS: In the study, 95.3% of hospitalizations were native and 4.7% were refugee patients. It was determined that refugee patients admitted to the internal medicine service had a lower mean age compared to the native population (p < 0.05), but there was no difference in the duration of hospitalization (p > 0.05). When the medical diagnoses of hospitalization were examined, it was determined that the highest number of hospitalizations in the native and refugee populations were for bacterial infections in both genders. In nursing diagnoses, it was determined that both populations and genders were diagnosed with infection risk by the medical diagnoses of the patients. CONCLUSION: As a result of the study, it was observed that the duration of hospitalization, reasons for hospitalization, and nursing diagnoses of local and refugee patients were similar. In addition, it was determined that the patients' medical hospitalization diagnoses and nursing diagnoses were compatible.

Is it possible to identify COVID-19 infection-related biomarkers during pregnancy?: A prospective study in Turkish population.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has raised concerns about the potential complications it may cause in pregnant women. Therefore, biomarkers that can predict the course of COVID-19 in pregnant women may be of great benefit as they would provide valuable insights into the prognosis and, thus, the management of the disease. In this context, the objective of this study is to identify the biomarkers that can predict COVID-19 progression in pregnant women, focusing on composite hemogram parameters and systemic inflammatory and spike markers. The population of this single-center prospective case-control study consisted of all consecutive pregnant women with single healthy fetuses who tested positive for COVID-19 and who were admitted to Bakirköy Dr Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, a COVID-19 referral hospital, between April 2020 and March 2021, with an obstetric indication, during their second or third trimester. The control group consisted of consecutive pregnant women with a single healthy fetus who were admitted to the same hospital within the same date range, had demographic and obstetric characteristics matching the patient group, but tested negative for COVID-19. The patient and control groups were compared in terms of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), platelet-to-neutrophil ratio (PNR), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and systemic inflammatory and spike markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), cluster of differentiation 26 (CD26), and B7 homolog 4 (B7H4). There were 45 (51.1%) and 43 (48.8%) pregnant women in the patient and control groups, respectively. There was no significant difference between the groups in demographic and obstetric characteristics (P > .05). The PNR, PLR, and CRP values were significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group (P < .05). On the other hand, there was no significant difference between the groups in IL-6, IL-10, CD26, and B7H4 levels (P > .05). The findings of our study showed that specific inflammatory markers, such as CRP, PLR, and PNR, can potentially predict the course of COVID-19 in pregnant women. However, more comprehensive, well-controlled studies are needed to corroborate our study's findings and investigate other potential inflammatory markers.

Investigation of hematologic findings related to brucellosis in Anatolian region.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of hematologic findings and the relationship between hemogram parameters and brucellosis stages in patients. METHODS: This multi-center study included patients older than 16 years of age who were followed up with a diagnosis of brucellosis. Patients' results, including white blood cell, hemoglobin, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, mean platelet volume, platelet and eosinophil counts were analyzed at the initial diagnosis. RESULTS: In this study 51.3% of the patients diagnosed with brucellosis were male. The age median was 45 years for female and 41 years for male. A total of 55.1% of the patients had acute brucellosis, 28.2% had subacute, 7.4% had chronic and 9% had relapse. The most common hematologic findings in brucellosis patients were anemia (25.9%), monocytosis (15.9%), eosinopenia (10.3%), and leukocytosis (7.1%). Pancytopenia occurred in 0.8% of patients and was more prominent in the acute phase. The acute brucellosis group had lower white blood cell, hemoglobin, neutrophil, eosinophil, and platelet counts and mean platelet volume, and higher monocyte counts compared to subacute and chronic subgroups. CONCLUSION: It was noteworthy that in addition to anemia and monocytosis, eosinopenia was third most prominent laboratory findings in the study. Pancytopenia and thrombocytopenia rates were low.

Adaptation of the Child sexual abuse myth scale to Turkish culture: A reliability and validity study.

This study aims to analyze the reliability and validity of the Child Sexual Abuse Myth Scale (CSAMS) in Turkish society. This methodological and cross-sectional study was conducted with 334 individuals between the ages 19 to 65. Data were collected through the Personal Information Form and the Child Sexual Abuse Myth Scale. Content Validity Ratio values of the scale items in the study ranged between 0.500 and 1.00, and the Content Validity Index was found to be 0.68. Exploratory Factor Analysis was appropriate based on Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin Measure of Sampling Adequacy (KMO = 0.809) and Barlett's Test of Sphericity (X2 = 1269, p < 0.001). Factor Analysis resulted in 4 sub-scales (Accusation, Causality, Normalization, and Sexist Approach). Item factor loads of the scale were found to range between 0.501 and 0.839, and the total explained variance was 59.4 %. Pearson correlation coefficients of all the items ranged between 0.32 and 0.60, and Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.81. Accusation, Normalization, and Sexist Approach sub-scale scores were found to increase with age. Sub-scale scores were found to demonstrate significant differences by gender, marital status, education level, working or not, income level, family type, number of siblings, and number of children (p < 0.05). The findings of this study show that the CSAMS is valid and reliable for Turkish culture in its 14-item and 4 sub-scale form.

Psychological well-being for cognitively impaired people scale: Assessing reliability and validity of Turkish version.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Psychological Well-Being of Cognitively Impaired People (PWB-CIP) scale in people with dementia in nursing homes. METHOD: It was conducted with 70 people with dementia and 12 formal caregivers in two nursing homes. This study used translation and back translation for the scale's language equivalence and expert opinion for content validity. The reliability and validity were tested by exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, test-retest correlation analyses, and internal consistency. RESULTS: The PWB-CIP was clustered under two factors. Cronbach's alpha scores for positive affect (α = 0.624), and negative affect (α = 0.822) factors were satisfactory. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed an acceptable level of fit (GFI = 0.905, p < 0.001, CFI = 0.94, RMSEA = 0.067). The test, retests were positively correlated (r: 0.756, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The 9-item PWB-CIP is a valid and reliable instrument for the examined Turkish sample. The PWB-CIP demonstrated robust psychometric properties in the context of nursing homes, indicating its suitability for assessing the well-being of individuals with dementia. NURSING IMPLICATIONS: The validated PWB-CIP can serve as a valuable tool for nurses and caregivers in evaluating the psychological well-being of cognitively impaired individuals in nursing home settings, enabling targeted interventions to enhance their overall quality of life.

Impact of vaccination on ICU admissions of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in a country with a heterologous vaccine policy.

INTRODUCTION: Vaccination against coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is highly effective in preventing severe disease and mortality. Adenoviral vector and mRNA vaccines were effective against intensive care unit (ICU) admission, but the effectiveness of inactivated vaccine on ICU admission was unclear. We aimed to evaluate the effect of vaccination status on ICU admission in hospitalized COVID-19 patients in a country with heterologous vaccination policy. METHODOLOGY: This is a retrospective multicenter study conducted in three hospitals in Izmir, Turkey between 1 January 2021 and 31 March 2022. Patients aged ≥ 18 years and hospitalized due to COVID-19 were included in the study. Patients who had never been vaccinated and patients who had been vaccinated with a single dose were considered unvaccinated. A logistic regression analysis was performed for evaluating risk factors for ICU admission. RESULTS: A total of 2,110 patients were included in the final analysis. The median age was 66 years (IQR, 53-76 years) and 54% of the patients were vaccinated. During the study period, 407 patients (19.3%) were transferred to the ICU due to disease severity. Patients who were admitted to the ICU were older (median age 68 vs. 65 years, p < 0.001); and the number of unvaccinated individuals was higher among ICU patients (57% vs. 45%, p < 0.001). In multivariate regression analysis, being unvaccinated was found to be the most important independent risk factor for ICU admission with an OR of 2.06 (95% CI, 1.64-2.59). CONCLUSIONS: Vaccination against COVID-19 is effective against ICU admission and hospital mortality.

From bowls to pots: The dairying revolution in Northwest Turkey, a view from Barcin Höyük, 6600 to 6000 BCE.

Research has identified Northwest Turkey as a key region for the development of dairying in the seventh millennium BCE, yet little is known about how this practice began or evolved there. This research studies Barcin Höyük, a site located in Bursa's Yenisehir Valley, which ranges chronologically from 6600 BCE, when the first evidence of settled life appears in the Marmara Region, to 6000 BCE, when Neolithic habitation at the site ceases. Using pottery sherds diagnostic by vessel category and type, this paper aims at identifying which ones may have been primarily used to store, process, or consume dairy products. Organic residue analysis of selected samples helped address the process of adoption and intensification of milk processing in this region over time. The lipid residue data discussed in this paper derive from 143 isotopic results subsampled from 173 organic residues obtained from 805 Neolithic potsherds and suggest that bowls and four-lugged pots may have been preferred containers for processing milk. The discovery of abundant milk residues even among the earliest ceramics indicates that the pioneer farmers arrived in the region already with the knowhow of dairying and milk processing. In fact, these skills and the reliance on secondary products may have given them one of the necessary tools to successfully venture into the unfarmed lands of Northwest Anatolia in the first place.

Older Adults' Metaphorical Perceptions of Aging in Turkey.

PURPOSE: To determine older adults' metaphorical perceptions of the concept of aging. METHOD: Participants in this qualitative study comprised 57 older adults as determined using convenience and criterion sampling methods. Data were obtained using a personal data form and the metaphor form and analyzed with descriptive and content analysis techniques. RESULTS: Fifty-seven metaphors were identified within three themes: 24 within Mental Aspect, 18 within Physical Aspect, and 15 within Psychosocial Aspect. CONCLUSION: The fact that most metaphors appeared within the Mental Aspect theme was interpreted as an indication that participants felt the effects of aging more in the mental dimension. Results of the research show that aging is perceived as experience and accumulation mentally, as inadequacy physically, and as the end or loneliness psychosocially. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 50(5), 27-34.].

Validity and reliability of the heart failure-specific health literacy scale in Turkish.

Inadequate health literacy is common among adults with HF. The disease management process in HF closely depends on health literacy. No questionnaire is used to assess health literacy among Turkish patients with heart failure. This study aimed to determine the validity and reliability of the Turkish form of the 'Heart Failure-Specific Health Literacy Scale'. The research is a methodological study design. The study was conducted at the cardiology clinic between May and July 2021, located in the eastern part of Türkiye. The study sample consisted of 121 patients with HF. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form and the Heart Failure-Specific Health Literacy Scale. The patients' mean age was 62.88 ± 12.55 and 66.9% were men. Based on the factor analysis, three factors with eigenvalue above 1 have been identified. These model has been determined as x2 = 80.209, sd = 49 and p = 0.003. The fit indices were as follows: x2/SD = 1.637; RMSEA = 0.073, GFI = 0.90, CFI = 0.94, IFI = 0.95, TLI = 0.92 and NFI = 0.87. The scale has a total Cronbach's alpha of 0.66. With test-retest analysis, it was determined that it had a good, positive and significant correlation in terms of both the scale and its sub-dimensions. The Turkish form of the form is a valid and reliable tool.

The Mediating Effect of Well-Being, Happiness, and Trust in the Relationship Between Work-Life Balance and Work Effectiveness in Seafarers.

In the contemporary global context, seafarers persist as the uncelebrated heroes of international trade, despite their substantial contributions. The current estimate places the number of STCW- certified officers at 857 540, reflecting a notable increase of 10.8% since 2015. Nevertheless, there is a growing recognition of the imperative to accord specific attention to seafarers' mental and physical well-being. During their tenures aboard ships, seafarers confront various challenges, including psychological well-being, work-life imbalance, dissatisfaction, diminished performance, and a sense of mistrust toward the organizational framework. The primary objective of this research is to scrutinize the nexus between work-life balance and work effectiveness, exploring the mediating roles of psychological well-being, organizational happiness, and organizational trust. A questionnaire-based survey is meticulously crafted to achieve this, employing a dataset comprising 420 seafarers engaged in diverse vessel types in Turkey, operating under both Turkish and international flags. Methodologically, structural equation modeling and correlation analyses are executed to assess the formulated research hypotheses rigorously. The empirical findings of this research reveal noteworthy mediating roles: psychological well-being exhibits a complete mediation effect, organizational happiness demonstrates a full mediation effect, and organizational trust manifests a partial mediation effect. These outcomes underscore the nuanced interplay between work-life balance and work effectiveness in the seafaring context. The implications of these findings extend significantly to the maritime sector and industry, accentuating the imperative for targeted interventions to enhance the well-being and performance of seafaring professionals.

Sociopolitical Factors and Mental Health Following the Turkey-Syria Earthquake.

This survey study evaluates the association between sociopolitical factors and mental health following the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake.

Assessment of ground-level ozone pollution in Türkiye according to new WHO limits.

Ground-level ozone is a secondary pollutant and is attributable to respiratory diseases and mortality. For this reason, the World Health Organization (WHO) implemented a new long-term (peak season) limit value for ozone. The previous studies related to ozone in Türkiye were spatially limited to certain locations. In this study, annual mean and peak season ozone concentrations, and limit exceedances were investigated for Türkiye for the year 2021. Moreover, ozone peak seasons were determined for the first time for 126 air quality monitoring stations. The annual mean ozone concentration was determined as 44.3 ± 19.3 µg/m3 whereas the peak season average ozone level was 68.4 ± 27.2 µg/m3. April-September period was the most frequently observed ozone peak season. Among all stations, Erzurum Palandöken was by far the most polluted station in terms of annual mean and limit exceedances of ozone. Ankara Siteler stations have the highest rank in peak season mean. 87 and 83 stations exceeded the short-term and long-term recommendations of WHO, respectively. Four hotspot regions were revealed in terms of peak season exceedance: Adana and surrounding provinces, the surroundings of Burdur and Isparta provinces, and the northeastern and northwestern parts of Türkiye. To protect public health, WHO recommendations for 8-h and peak season limits should be immediately implemented in Turkish regulations.

Peripheral Intravenous Catheter-Related Phlebitis and Infiltration in an Emergency Department: A Descriptive Study.

This study aims to analyze the incidences of peripheral intravenous catheter-related phlebitis and infiltration and the associated risk factors in emergency departments. This descriptive cross-sectional, nonexperimental study was conducted with 300 participants in the emergency department of a university hospital in Türkiye between January 15 and February 15, 2018. The incidence of peripheral intravenous catheter-related phlebitis was 31%, which was grade 1 in 29.7% and grade 2 in 1.3% of the emergency department participants. Additionally, the incidence of peripheral intravenous catheter-related infiltration was 55.4%, including grades 1, 2, and 3 in 36.0%, 12.7%, and 6.7% of the participants, respectively. Incidences of phlebitis and infiltration were related to age, duration of peripheral intravenous catheterization longer than 24 hours, and repeated use of the catheter insertion site. The findings of this study may draw attention to the factors that trigger phlebitis and infiltration due to peripheral intravenous catheter insertions in the emergency department and may guide practices to prevent these complications before they develop. In this context, the Phlebitis Scale and Infiltration Scale developed by the Infusion Nurses Society are recommended to be used in the emergency department.

Unused, expired pharmaceuticals and their disposal practices among the general public in Burdur-Türkiye: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Unused pharmaceuticals are currently a public health problem. This study aimed to identify unused pharmaceuticals, research practices about the disposal methods, classify the medicines according to Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical codes (ATC) and, to determine the number of unused medicines. METHODS: The study was designed as a cross-sectional study. Data were collected between April and August 2023 in Burdur-Türkiye by non-probability sampling technique (convenience method). Pharmaceuticals were classified according to ATC. Statistical Package for Social Science SPSS (V.24) package program was used for data analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1120 people, 1005 in the first sample group and 115 in the second sample group, participated in the study. Findings of first sample group: A total of 4097 boxes of unused pharmaceuticals (4.7 ± 4.3 boxes/per capita) were detected. It was found that pharmaceuticals were stored in areas such as kitchens (59.1%) and refrigerators (38.6%), the reason for keeping them was reuse (41%), and the disposal practice was household garbage (81%). Paracetamol (648 boxes), Other cold preparation (303 boxes), Dexketoprofen (239 boxes), Diclofenac (218 boxes), Amoxicillin and beta-lactamase inhibitor (190 boxes) were found to be the most frequently unused pharmaceuticals. Using the unused medicines at home without consulting a physician was 94.1% (self-medication). Findings of second sample group: Of the 6189 dosage forms in 265 boxes pharmaceutical, 3132(50.6%) dosage forms were used and 3057(49.4%) were found to be unused. CONCLUSION: There is a significant amount and number of unused medicines in households, and self-medication is common. Medicines are not properly disposed of and some of them expire. Public information is needed. A "drug take-back system" for unused medicines can be useful in solving this problem.

Comprehensive analysis of air pollution and the influence of meteorological factors: a case study of adiyaman province.

Adiyaman, a city recently affected by an earthquake, is facing significant air pollution challenges due to both anthropogenic activities and natural events. The sources of air pollution have been investigated using meteorological variables. Elevated southerly winds, especially prominent in spring and autumn, significantly contribute to dust transport, leading to a decline in local air quality as detected by the HYSPLIT model. Furthermore, using Suomi-NPP Thermal Anomaly satellite product, it is detected and analyzed for crop burning activities. Agricultural practices, including stubble burning, contribute to the exacerbation of PM10 pollution during the summer months, particularly when coupled with winds from all directions except the north. In fall and winter months, heating is identified as the primary cause of pollution. The city center located north of the station is the dominant source of pollution throughout all seasons. The study established the connection between air pollutants and meteorological variables. Furthermore, the Spearman correlation coefficients reveal associations between PM10 and SO2, indicating moderate positive correlations under pressure conditions (r = 0.35, 0.52). Conversely, a negative correlation is observed with windspeed (r = -0.35, -0.50), and temperature also exhibits a negative correlation (r = -0.39, -0.54). During atmospheric conditions with high pressure, PM10 and SO2 concentrations are respectively 41.2% and 117.2% higher. Furthermore, pollutant concentration levels are 29.2% and 53.3% higher on days with low winds. Last, practical strategies for mitigating air pollution have been thoroughly discussed and proposed. It is imperative that decision-makers engaged in city planning and renovation give careful consideration to the profound impact of air pollution on both public health and the environment, particularly in the aftermath of a recent major earthquake.

Selenium Supplementation and Gestational Diabetes: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of selenium supplementation on blood glucose levels in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). STUDY DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Internal Medicine, Istanbul Medipol University, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkiye, from February to July 2023. METHODOLOGY: In the first phase of this study, the selenium levels of the pregnant women who routinely had an oral glucose tolerance test were measured, and in the second phase of the study, the pregnant women diagnosed with GDM were randomly divided into two groups that received 4-week interventions: Diet alone and diet plus selenium supplementation (200 µg/day). RESULTS: Selenium level in pregnant women with GDM was significantly lower than in healthy pregnant women, and a selenium level less than 80 ng/ml predicted GDM diagnosis with a sensitivity of 58.59% and a specificity of 67.11%. Pregnant women with low selenium (<80 ng/ml) had a 2.709-fold higher risk for GDM compared to those with higher values. Fasting blood glucose levels decreased significantly in both groups after the respective interventions, but the decrease was greater in selenium recipients. Furthermore, fasting, 1st and 2nd hour blood glucose levels were lower in selenium recipients compared to those who only received diet. CONCLUSION: Selenium level in pregnant women with GDM was low compared to healthy pregnant women. Selenium supplementation had a beneficial impact (compared to diet only) on blood glucose levels in pregnant women with GDM. KEY WORDS: Pregnancy, Pregnancy outcome, Diabetes, Gestational, Dietary supplements, Selenium.