Mustafa Kemal University

On February 6, 2023, twin earthquakes of 7.8 and 7.5 Moment magnitude (Mw) struck southeastern Turkey, affecting 11 provinces and constituting one of the most destructive natural disasters in the country's history. Hatay, one of the most severely affected provinces, faced a disruption of hygiene and healthcare infrastructure, known to increase ectoparasitic infestations such as scabies [1]. This study aimed to evaluate the change in scabies incidence before and after the 2023 Turkey earthquake. All patients diagnosed with scabies at the Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Dermatology Outpatient Clinic between February 6, 2021–February 6, 2023 (pre-earthquake), and April 6, 2023–February 6, 2025 (post-earthquake), were retrospectively analyzed. The two-month post-earthquake gap (February–April 2023) reflects the disruption of hospital infrastructure, during which patients were managed in temporary facilities and medical records could not be maintained. Diagnoses were based on clinical and dermoscopic criteria. Demographic data were retrieved from medical records. Comparative analyses were performed using chi-square and Mann–Whitney U tests, with p < 0.05 considered significant. This study received ethical approval from the Ethics Committee of Hatay Mustafa Kemal University (30.04.2025-39). During the pre-earthquake period, 4.97% of 48,986 patients at our dermatology outpatient clinic were diagnosed with scabies (n = 2434); although total outpatients slightly decreased to 45,655 post-earthquake, scabies diagnoses rose to 13.01% (n = 5938), reflecting a true increase in cases rather than an artifact of reduced clinic access. A statistically significant increase in the proportion of scabies diagnoses was found between the two periods (p < 0.001). In the post-earthquake period, the likelihood of receiving a scabies diagnosis was found to be 2.86 times higher according to the odds ratio (Figure 1). The mean age was 33.4 ± 20.5 years before and 31.7 ± 22.1 years after the disaster. Regarding the male/female ratio (1183/1251 in the pre-earthquake and 2979/2959 in the post-earthquake group), no statistically significant difference was found between the two periods (p = 0.202). In contrast, the age distribution shifted, with cases in patients under 18 increasing from 21.8% (n = 530) to 32.5% (n = 1931) (p < 0.001). The 10.7 percentage point rise indicates a substantial increase in scabies among children following the earthquake, likely due to their dependence on caregivers for hygiene and post-disaster conditions such as sharing bedding in overcrowded shelters and disrupted schools, which facilitate close contact and the spread of scabies. Additionally, the proportion of patients residing in Antakya, the province's central district, rose from 59% (n = 1436) to 66% (n = 3919), reflecting the concentration of displaced populations in temporary settlements (p < 0.001) (Figure 2). Similar findings were reported following previous disasters, including the 1999 Marmara earthquake and 2005 Northern Pakistan earthquake, where overcrowded living conditions and limited access to clean water and hygiene products were linked to a rise in the incidence of scabies [2-4]. In Turkey, the treatment of scabies is conducted in accordance with the guidelines published by the Turkish Society of Dermatology [5]. This guideline emphasizes the importance of proper sanitation measures during treatment, such as bathing with clean water and changing into clean clothes and linens. Following a major earthquake, limited access to clean water and disrupted hygiene conditions hinder the proper implementation of treatment protocols. Our findings highlight the need for a modified treatment approach tailored to extraordinary circumstances that significantly alter living conditions. In conclusion, the Kahramanmaraş Earthquake led to a marked increase in the incidence of scabies. Following the widespread destruction of residential infrastructure, many were resettled in overcrowded shelters with an interrupted water supply, directly contributing to the observed rise in infectious diseases, compounded by limited access to sanitation, clean water, and personal hygiene. These observations underscore the importance of implementing public health strategies and adapting treatment protocols post-disaster to prevent scabies outbreaks. The authors have nothing to report. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical restrictions.

To explore family belonging and communication patterns in individuals with substance use disorder (SUD), highlighting the essential role of psychiatric-mental health nurses (PMHNs) in family-centered care to support recovery. The study included 102 individuals receiving treatment for SUD. Data were collected using the Family Sense of Belonging Scale and Family Communication Patterns Scale. Descriptive and inferential analyses were applied. Participants had above average family belonging and communication, with self belonging higher than family belonging. Conversation orientation was positively linked to family belonging. Lower family belonging correlated with older age, unemployment, suicidal behavior, and violent family environments. Unemployment and suicide attempts were associated with lower conversation orientation. Strengthening family belonging and conversation communication can aid recovery in SUD. PMHNs are key in implementing family-focused interventions to address these factors.

This study examines the structural determinants of agricultural employment in Türkiye between 1988 and 2022, with a particular focus on the interactions among migration, agricultural land use, foreign trade, and minimum wage dynamics. The analysis aims to uncover the mechanisms underlying the long-term decline in agricultural labor and to assess the role of socioeconomic and policy-related factors in this transformation. Johansen cointegration and Granger causality methods are employed to identify both long-run equilibrium relationships and short-run dynamics affecting agricultural employment. The results show that rising minimum wages and the contraction of agricultural land have a negative impact on agricultural employment, while agricultural foreign trade and migration inflows contribute positively. A 1% increase in agricultural land corresponds to a 0.9% decrease in agricultural employment (AgrEmp), and a 1% increase in minimum wages leads to a 9.7% reduction in AgrEmp. Conversely, a 1% increase in agricultural foreign trade is associated with an approximately 0.7% rise in AgrEmp, indicating that trade expansion supports labor integration. Short-run VECM results indicate that agricultural foreign trade and international migration actively contribute to restoring short-term equilibrium. Causality analysis reveals the presence of both unidirectional and bidirectional relationships, suggesting that migration and trade expansion act as key drivers of agricultural employment, whereas land shrinkage and wage increases accelerate the reallocation of rural labor toward non-agricultural sectors. The findings indicate that agricultural employment in Türkiye is shaped by structural economic forces and policy interventions that influence labor mobility across sectors. The study highlights the importance of integrating land-use management, trade incentives, and wage regulation within a coherent rural development framework to mitigate employment losses, enhance labor productivity, and strengthen the resilience of the agricultural sector.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether opened allogeneic bone grafts are subjected to microbial contamination under different storage conditions. Materials and Methods: In this experimental in vitro study, a total of 50 allogeneic bone graft samples were evaluated. The samples were divided into four experimental groups (n = 10) and one control group (n = 10). To simulate potential exposure during clinical use, all graft containers were opened in the same surgical environment and exposed to ambient conditions for approximately 30 seconds. The samples were then assigned to four different storage conditions: Group 1 (open lid, 25°C), Group 2 (closed lid, 25°C), Group 3 (closed lid and placed inside a sterilization pouch at +4°C), and Group 4 (open lid at +4°C). The grafts in the control group were kept unopened in the manufacturer’s original packaging. All samples were microbiologically evaluated after 15 days, and culture analyses were performed using Sheep Blood Agar, Eosin Methylene Blue Agar, and Sabouraud Dextrose Agar. Results: Among the 50 samples analyzed, bacterial growth was detected in only one sample (2%). Microbial growth was observed exclusively in Group 1, where grafts were stored with the lid open at room temperature, corresponding to a growth rate of 10% (1/10) in this group. The growth was observed only on Sheep Blood Agar and was phenotypically identified as Staphylococcus spp. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that opened allogeneic bone grafts generally present a low risk of microbial contamination under short-term storage conditions.

Aim: Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecological malignancy worldwide. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) molecular classification system has identified four distinct molecular subtypes with mutation burden and copy number alterations. Deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) is an important molecular marker that provides superior prognostic information compared with traditional histopathological features and guides the treatment strategy. This study aimed is to determine the frequency of dMMR in patients with uterine adenocarcinoma and evaluate its relationship with clinicopathological and prognostic parameters. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 50 patients diagnosed with uterine adenocarcinoma/endometrioid carcinoma between January 2019 and November 2024. Immunohistochemical evaluation was performed using antibodies against MSH1, MSH6, PMS2, and MLH1 proteins. The patients were restaged according to the Gynecology and Obstetrics International Federation of FIGO 2023 staging system. Results: Loss of mismatch repair (MMR) protein expression was observed in 20 patients (40%). The mean age of the participants was 59.18.5 years old. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed MSH2 loss in three patients (6%), MSH6 loss in four patients (8%), MLH1 loss in 13 patients (26%), and PMS2 loss in 17 patients (34%). Patients with dMMR were diagnosed at a younger age, had higher rates of lymphovascular invasion, and had a greater risk of metastasis (p:0,18; p:0,32; p:0,40 respectively). Conclusion: dMMR provides valuable prognostic information for endometrial cancer. Molecular classification is expected to play a pivotal role in guiding adjuvant treatment approaches and developing personalized therapeutic strategies in the future.