Browsing by Author "Ucar, A."

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Effects of Chronic Kidney Disease-Associated Pruritus on Quality of Life in Hemodialysis and Non-Dialysis Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study
(Dustri-Verlag Dr. Karl Feistle, 2025) Ucar, A.; Dincer, M.T.; Mirioglu, S.; Keskin, S.; Karaca, C.
Aims: Chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus (CKD-aP) is a common and distressing symptom, particularly in hemodialysis (HD) patients, significantly impacting their quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the effects of CKD-aP frequency and severity on quality of life in both HD and non-HD stage 3 – 5 CKD patients. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional case-control study was conducted from January to May 2024. Pruritus was assessed using the 5-D itch scale, and quality of life was evaluated with the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-Short Form (WHOQoL-BREF) questionnaire. Correlations between pruritus severity and patient characteristics were analyzed. Results: The study involved 169 patients, comprising 80 non-HD stage 3 – 5 CKD patients and 89 HD patients, with a mean age of 55.2 ± 16.7 years. Pruritus was significantly more prevalent in the HD group than in the non-HD group (61.8 vs. 41.3%, p = 0.008). HD patients had more pruritic body areas and higher 5-D itch scale scores (0 (0 – 8.5) vs. 0 (0 – 3.75), p = 0.002; 9.3 (8.0 – 14.8) vs. 8.0 (8.0 – 10.3), p = 0.003). In the HD group, pruritus was associated with lower quality of life in the psychological health, social relationships, and environment domains of the WHOQoL-BREF questionnaire (50.0 (35.4 – 58.3)% vs. 54.2 (42.7 – 66.7)%, p = 0.027; 50.0 (33.3 – 58.3)% vs. 50.0 (41.6 – 66.7)%, p = 0.046; 53.1 (40.6 – 65.5)% vs. 56.3 (50.0 – 68.8)%, p = 0.026, respectively). Pruritus also correlated with lower hemoglobin levels, higher serum creatinine levels, and poorer overall quality of life in both groups, with female sex and erythropoiesis-stimulating agent use as significant contributing factors. Conclusion: Pruritus significantly impairs the quality of life in HD patients. ©2025 Dustri-Verlag Dr. K. Feistle.
Physiological Response of Thiamethoxam and Ulexite in Rainbow Trout: a Neural Network-Mediated Approach
(Elsevier Inc., 2024) Alak, G.; Ucar, A.; Yeltekin, A.C.; Ozgeris, F.B.; Turkez, H.; Günay, A.; Atamanalp, M.
Fish, which are in constant contact with water, serve as an important ecological indicator of aquatic environment health. Therefore, in this study, in the name of neural degeneration, thiamethoxam (TMX) insecticide in the cerebral tissue of Oncorhynchus mykiss; neurotoxic endpoints such as biomarkers of oxidative stress, DNA damage and the status of antioxidant enzymes have been identified. Antioxidant enzyme (CAT, SOD, GPx, GSH) activities were significantly inhibited by TMX administration, and MDA and MPO values increased as a result of the stimulation of ROS (p < 0.05). It was interpreted that ulexite (UX) added to the medium was effective in favor of antioxidants and tried to prevent MDA and MPO levels. It was determined that Nrf-2, one of the inflammation parameters, was inhibited as a result of TMX application, and the supplementation of UX to the medium created merits similar to the no treatment group. In the 48th and 96th hour analyses of cerebral tissue, it was determined that IL-6 and TNF-α values were induced in TMX applied groups and UX tried to inhibit this situation. It was commented that TMX induced DNA damage and apoptosis at 48th–96th h, whereas UX suppressed this situation. The results provide possible in vivo evidence that UX supplements can reduce TMX-mediated oxidative stress and brain damage in O. mykiss brain tissue. © 2023 Elsevier Inc.