Browsing by Author "Altintas, E"

Now showing 1 - 9 of 9
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    The impact of the source credibility of Instagram influencers on travel intention: The mediating role of parasocial interaction
    Yilmazdogan, OC; Dogan, RS; Altintas, E
    The primary objective of this study is to determine the impact of the sub-dimensions of source credibility (attractiveness, trustworthiness and expertise), and its secondary objective is to investigate the mediating role of parasocial interaction the effect of the sub-dimensions of source credibility on travel intention. The study was conducted with data obtained from 379 participants and the response rate was found to be 88%. The validity and credibility of the constructs were tested through confirmatory factor analysis, while its hypotheses were tested using path analysis. It was found, as a result of the study, that the trustworthiness and expertise sub-dimensions of source credibility significantly impacted travel intention and played a significant mediating role between the trustworthiness and expertise sub-dimensions of parasocial interaction and travel intention. It is thought that the mediating role of parasocial interaction, which was not previously available in the literature, will make an important contribution to the researchers working on tourism-related marketing research in understanding the travel intention.
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    Prevalence of Pancreatic Steatosis and Its Associated Factors in Turkey: A Nation-Wide Multicenter Study
    Sezgin, O; Yaras, S; Cindoruk, M; Kasap, E; Ünal, H; Köksal, AS; Yildirim, AE; Özseker, B; Oruç, N; Soytürk, M; Kaçar, S; Kaya, M; Irak, K; Gökden, Y; Koç, DO; Özdogan, O; Altintas, E; Ekmen, N; Saruç, M; Acar, S; Polat, M; Barutçu, S; Bengi, G; Gökbulut, V; Ünal, NG; Oguz, D
    Background/Aims: Pancreatic steatosis (PS) is a pathology associated with metabolic syndrome (MS), endocrin and exocrine disfunctions of the pancreas, and fatty liver. The data on the frequency of PS are very limited. We aimed to evaluate the frequency of PS detected by transabdominal ultrasonography (TAU) in gastroenterology clinics located in different geographical regions of Turkey and the factors associated with it. Materials and Methods: Volunteers were evaluated by TAU for PS and hepatosteatosis (HS), and its degree. Pancreatic stiffness was evaluated by ultrasonographic shear wave elastography (SWE). All demographic, physical, and biochemical parametres were measured. Results: A total of 1700 volunteers from 14 centers throughout Turkey were included in the study. Mean age was 48.03 +/- 20.86 years (56.9% female). Prevalance of PS was detected in 68.9%. In the PS group, age, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid levels, insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, MS frequency, and pancreatic SWE score were increasing, and fecal elastase level was decreasing in correlation with the degree of PS. The frequency of HS was 55.5%. Hepatosteatosis [odds ratio (OR): 9.472], increased age (OR: 1.02), and BMI (OR: 1.089) were independent risk factors for the occurrence of PS. Lean -PS rate was 11.8%. The lean -PS group was predominantly female and younger than non -lean PS. Also it has lower blood pressure, FBG, liver enzymes, lipid levels, and HS rates. Conclusion: The frequency of PS was found 68.9% in Turkey. Its relationship was determined with age, BMI, HS, MS (and its components), pancreatic stiffness, and fecal elastase level.
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    Turkish Gastroenterology Association, Pancreas Study Group, Chronic Pancreatitis Committee Consensus Report
    Soytürk, M; Bengi, G; Oguz, D; Kalkan, IH; Yalniz, M; Tahtaci, M; Demir, K; Kasap, E; Oruç, N; Ünal, NG; Sezgin, O; Özdogan, O; Altintas, E; Yaras, S; Parlak, E; Koksal, AS; Saruç, M; Ünal, H; Ünsal, B; Günay, S; Duman, D; Yurçi, A; Kacar, S; Filik, L
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    Cytokine expression profiles in children and adolescents with tic disorders
    Kutuk, MO; Tufan, AE; Kilicaslan, F; Gokcen, C; Aksu, GG; Yektas, C; Kandemir, H; Celik, F; Mutluer, T; Buber, A; Karadag, M; Coban, N; Coskun, S; Hangul, Z; Altintas, E; Acikbas, U; Giray, A; Aka, Y; Basturk, B; Kutuk, O
    The etiology of tic disorders (TDs) is not precisely known, although several lines of evidence suggest involvement of the immune system in pathogenesis. Here, we aimed to determine the expression levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in children with TD and compare them with those of healthy controls. Furthermore, we also evaluated their association with clinical variables in the TD group. Within the study period, 88 children with tic disorders and 111 healthy control children were enrolled. Most children with tic disorders were diagnosed with Tourette's disorder (n = 47, 53.4%) or persistent motor tic disorder (n = 39, 44.3%), while the remainder (n = 2, 2.3%) were diagnosed with persistent vocal tic disorder. We found that children with tic disorders had significantly elevated levels of IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-4 expression, while we detected lower expression levels of IL-17 in children with tic disorders. Our findings provide a molecular landscape of cytokine expression in children with TD, which may suggest a proinflammatory state not affected by the presence of comorbidity and symptom severity. Delineating the contribution of alterations in the immune system to the pathogenesis of tic disorders may pave the way for better therapeutic interventions.
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    Cytokine expression profiles in Autism spectrum disorder: A multi-center study from Turkey
    Kutuk, MO; Tufan, E; Gokcen, C; Kilicaslan, F; Karadag, M; Mutluer, T; Yektas, C; Coban, N; Kandemir, H; Buber, A; Coskun, S; Acikbas, U; Guler, G; Topal, Z; Celik, F; Altintas, E; Giray, A; Aka, Y; Kutuk, O
    Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in communication and social interaction as well as restricted interests and repetitive behaviors. The pathogenesis of ASD is not completely understood, but a growing body of research has demonstrated that the immune response may be a contributing factor in the etiology and/or ontogeny of ASD. The aim of this study was to determine the expression levels of IL-1 beta, IL-1 alpha, IL-4, IL-6, IL-17, TNF-alpha and TGF-beta in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of children with ASD and healthy controls in order to determine the contributions of cytokines to ASD. Within the study timeframe, 195 children with ASDs (80.5% male) and 162 controls (73.6% male) were enrolled. Most children with ASD had a comorbid disorder (n = 114, 58.5%), with the most common diagnoses as Intellectual Developmental Disorder (IDD, n = 64, 32.8%) and ADHD (n = 64, 32.8%). The majority of children with ASD had severe autistic symptoms as evaluated via Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS, n = 130, 64.6%). The mean CARS score in the ASD sample was 40.8 (S.D. = 7.6). The patients with ASD were found to have significantly higher levels of IL-6 (p < 0.001) and significantly lower levels of IL-17 (p < 0.05, all Bonferroni corrected). Treatment tended to affect IL-4 levels. Lastly, discriminant function analysis (DFA) revealed that a combination of IL-6, IL-17 and IL-1 alpha correctly classified 56.6% of cases. Despite extensive immunological evidence suggesting immune system aberrations, further research is required to clarify the relationship between immune profiles and ASD symptoms.
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    High Depression Symptoms and Burnout Levels Among Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Multi-Center, Cross-Sectional, Case-Control Study (Jan, 10.1007/s10803-021-04874-4, 2021)
    Kütük, MÖ; Tufan, AE; Kiliçaslan, F; Güler, G; Çelik, F; Altintas, E; Gökçen, C; Karadag, M; Yektas, Ç; Mutluer, T; Kandemir, H; Büber, A; Topal, Z; Acikbas, U; Giray, A; Kütük, Ö
    The original version of the article has unfortunately missed the revised affiliations for the following authors.
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    High Depression Symptoms and Burnout Levels Among Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Multi-Center, Cross-Sectional, Case-Control Study
    Kütük, MÖ; Tufan, AE; Kiliçaslan, F; Güler, G; Çelik, F; Altintas, E; Gökçen, C; Karadag, M; Yektas, Ç; Mutluer, T; Kandemir, H; Büber, A; Topal, Z; Acikbas, U; Giray, A; Kütük, Ö
    The diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a child affects family processes, increases parenting stress and marital conflicts, and may lead to parental psychopathology. It may also affect the prognosis for their children. The aim of this study is to determine depression and burnout levels as well as their predictors among parents of children with ASD compared with those of healthy children. We also sought to evaluate rate of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) interventions among parents and explore the associations of this phenomenon in an exploratory fashion. 145 children with ASD and 127 control children were enrolled along with their mothers and fathers. Beck Depression Inventory and Maslach Burnout Inventory were used to evaluate parents' depression symptoms and burnout levels. Symptoms of children with ASDs were evaluated according to the Childhood Autism Rating Scale by the clinicians. Family, child and CAM variables were screened by means of a sociodemographic data form. Descriptive, bivariate and correlation analyses were used in statistical evaluations. Predictors of burnout were evaluated with multiple regression analysis. Burnout and depression levels among parents of children with ASD were significantly elevated compared to controls. Burnout levels of mothers were significantly elevated compared to fathers while depression scores of fathers were significantly elevated compared to mothers. Maternal burnout was significantly predicted by presence of functional speech in child while paternal burnout was significantly predicted by paternal vocation. Maternal depression was associated with paternal depression, lack of speech in child and attendance of child to special education services. Paternal depression was associated with autistic symptom severity and maternal depression. More than half the parents sought CAM interventions. Education level did not affect search for CAM interventions while both maternal and paternal psychopathology and presence of epilepsy among children increased use of CAM methods. Psychological support should be provided to both mothers and fathers of a child receiving a diagnosis of ASD. Addressing parents' burnout and stress levels and facilitating their negotiation of knowledge on etiology and treatments for ASD may be beneficial for the family unit as a whole.
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    Turkish Society of Gastroenterology: Pancreas Working Group, Acute Pancreatitis Committee Consensus Report
    Koç, DÖ; Bengi, G; Gül,Ö; Alahdab, YÖ; Altintas, E; Barutçu, S; Bilgiç, Y; Bostanci, B; Cindoruk, M; Çolakoglu, K; Duman, D; Ekmen, N; Eminler, AT; Gökden, Y; Günay, S; Hakim, GD; Irak, K; Kacar, S; Kalkan, IH; Kasap, E; Köksal, AS; Kuran, S; Oruç, N; Özdogan, O; Özseker, B; Parlak, E; Saruç, M; Sen, I; Sisman, G; Tozlu, M; Tunç, N; Ünal, NG; Ünal, HÜ; Yaras, S; Yildirim, AE; Soytürk, M; Oguz, D; Sezgin, O
    Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a clinical condition that arises acutely in the pancreas through various inflammatory pathways due to multiple causes. Turkish Society of Gastroenterology Pancreas Working Group developed comprehensive guidance statements regarding the management of AP that include its epidemiology, etiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic criteria, disease severity, treatment, prognosis, local and systemic complications. The statements were developed through literature review, deliberation, and consensus opinion. These statements were ultimately used to develop a conceptual framework for the multidisciplinary management of AP.
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    Functional outcome in late adolescence/early adulthood of patients with autism spectrum disorderresand its relationships with parental burnout and depression: A preliminary multi-center, cross-sectional study
    Kutuk, MO; Tufan, AE; Kilicaslan, F; Vural, P; Gokcen, C; Guney, SA; Kutuk, B; Ozyurt, G; Inal, N; Multer, T; Acikalin, EY; Ozer, FH; Pamuk, EN; Yesilmese, SC; Karadag, M; Hangul, Z; Bilginer, C; Sahin, N; Bilac, O; Kandemir, H; Ercan, ES; Soylemez, TE; Acikel, SB; Aksu, GG; Dag, P; Toros, F; Mutlu, C; Kardas, O; Kardas, B; Kizildag, S; Demirci, E; Ozmen, S; Sevicin, L; Karagoz, YS; Isik, U; Aktepe, E; Altun, H; Yektas, Ç; Tuysuz, BP; Buber, A; Cansiz, MA; Ogutlu, H; Eray, S; Taner, HA; Altintas, E; Kutuk, O
    The aim of this study is to determine the functioning of adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) diagnosed in childhood and depression and burnout levels among their parents. A total of 261 adults with ASDs and their parents were recruited for the study. Both parents completed the Beck Depression and Maslach Burnout Inventories and reported the functioning of their adult offspring with ASDs. Only 5.4 % of our sample reported good or very good outcomes. The most common psychiatric comorbidities were intellectual disabilities and attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder. Maternal burnout and depression scores were significantly elevated compared to those of fathers. There is an undeniable urgent need for more research to identify the needs of adults and families suffering from ASD. Modifications for those with ASD may have to be made for support in workplaces, achieving driving licenses, using public transportation and attendance at tertiary education.