Oral booster-single strain probiotic bifidobacteria could be a potential strategy for SARS-CoV-2. This study aims to evaluate the role of oral probiotic Bifidobacterium on moderate/severe SARS-CoV-2 inpatients. In this single-center study, we analyzed data of 44 moderate/severe inpatients with diagnosed COVID-19 in Istanbul Maltepe University Medical Faculty Hospital, 2020 from 1 November 2020 to 15 December 2020. Clinical and medication features were compared and analyzed between patients with or without probiotic. In result, 19 of the 44 patients (43.18%) who were administrated with oral booster-single strain probiotic were discharged with the median inpatient day of 7.6 days which were significantly shorter than those of patients without probiotic. There were significant differences in inpatient days, radiological improvement at day 6 and week 3, and reduction in interleukin-6 levels in those receiving oral probiotic therapy. Although the mortality rate was 5% in the probiotic group, it was 25% in the non-probiotic group. Booster-single strain probiotic bifidobacteria could be an effective treatment strategy for moderate/severe SARS-CoV-2 inpatients to reduce the mortality and length of stay in hospital.

In the last two decades, urban redevelopment practices in informal settlements in Turkey often neglected inhabitants' spatial practices. The contradictions between conceived and lived space constitutes reactions to these spatial interventions. Against this background, this paper examines the association between place attachment and residents' attitudes toward the redevelopment project in an informally developed neighborhood. Using path and decision tree analysis of survey data, the paper explores the relationship between their attitudes towards and their attachment to the neighborhood. Our findings reveal that individuals' social and physical bonds with their neighborhood shape their attitude toward urban redevelopment. As such, this study confirms the idea that daily interactions between residents reinforce their place attachment in informal settlements where place identity compensates for the (low) quality of life. Still, our findings also demonstrate that residents' identification with the place is a more influential factor, compared to the risk of leaving the neighborhood, on the level of concern against spatial interventions.

Objectives: The over-the-counter (OTC) drug (i.e., non-prescription drugs) market is growing significantly on a global scale. Our study reviews strategies for OTCs, together with other non-pharmaceutical products, such as herbal products, dietary supplements, and other healthcare products. The aim of this study is to analyze the expanded OTC industry to offer possible strategic solutions for existing problems. Materials and Methods: We utilized integrated SWOT and Fuzzy Analytic Network Process analyses, together with quantitative analysis covering industry professionals' perspectives. Results: Our findings showed that the most suitable market strategies are WO2 (i.e., to use information and digital technologies, including mobile applications and social media, to reduce marketing costs), SO2 (i.e., to promote self-medication/self-care to grow the OTC market and invest in information and communication technologies for this purpose), and ST2 (i.e., to improve health literacy and increase access to accurate and understandable information via alternative channels, such as the internet and social media). These key strategies are closely related to the utilization of digital technologies. Other strategies, such as SO1 (i.e., to encourage pharmacists to provide consulting for OTC products, which carry high profitability) and ST1 (i.e., to undertake stakeholder training programs to ensure production quality and introduce safe use to improve community health), were examined in detail, and their outcomes were interpreted in this study. Conclusion: Given the impact of digital transformation, the same strategies can be implemented for other emerging OTC markets. This study underlines the importance of the OTC sector as one of the main drivers for improving community health and reducing health costs.

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the intestinal and urinary microbiota diversity of obese, pre-diabetic, diabetic, and healthy subjects together with their food consumption frequency and investigate the effect on glucose metabolism. Methods: DNA was isolated from stool and urinary samples of fifteen obese, fifteen prediabetics, fifteen type 2 diabetic, and fifteen lean participants by using the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method. The amounts of Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides , and Firmicutes were measured and food consumption frequency was answered by all participants through a questionnaire. Results: The levels of Bifidobacterium in fecal microbiota were significantly higher in type 2 diabetic patients compared with lean (p=0.034), prediabetic (p=0.009), and obese participants (p=0.012). However, the levels of Bifidobacterium in urinary microbiota were decreased in obese, prediabetic, and type 2 diabetic subjects as controls (p=0.048; p=0.038; p=0.015 respectively). Additionally, Bacteroides / Firmicutes ratio decreased in type two diabetic patients compared with lean subjects and had a negative correlation with BMI in prediabetic subjects. Food consumption frequency illustrates that lean subjects have unhealthy eating habits. Conclusions: Urinary microbiota could be considered in the future context of a potential biomarker in the progress of type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 virus manifests itself with primary lung damage but also has intestinal involvement. In this study, we aimed to investigate the frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) and the relationship of GIS with readmission to the hospital within 30 days in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients who were hospitalized in a specified pandemic hospital. Materials and Methods: Symptomatic patients diagnosed with rapid antibody positivity with real-time polymerase chain reaction and typical thorax computed tomography findings were included in this retrospective cohort observational study. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from electronic medical records. Hospital-associated GIS were considered as experiencing at least one of the GIS such as gas, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation developing within72 h after hospital admission. Results: The mean age of the patients was 58 ± 14.4 years and 60.7% were men. 82% of hospitalizations were a moderate and severe disease. 71.4% of patients without GIS had at least one of the GIS after hospitalization. As the severity of the disease increased, the frequency of the severity of gastrointestinal symptom increased. GIS bowel disorders were more prominent in patients with moderate and severe disease. Antibiotic and specific treatment (anti-Il-1, anti-Il-6) contributed to the occurrence of gastrointestinal symptom in SARS-CoV-2 inpatients. Conclusion: According to our observations of the second wave of the pandemic, the presence, frequency, and severity of gastrointestinal symptom in inpatient is associated with severity of lung disease and increased readmission rate after discharge.

Purpose The paper reflects the impacts of the "Arab Spring" that broke out in Tunisia and Syria and led to the loss of more than 300,000 people. A wave of migration began in 2011, especially from Syria to its neighbouring countries including Turkey and Lebanon. Syrian migratory flows have caused social, economic, and ecological problems in the hosting countries. Turkey is one of the countries most affected by the wave of migration from Syria. Syrian refugees were unequally distributed or dispersed not only in leading metropolitan areas of western Turkey but also in many neighbouring cities in the southeast. The distribution of Syrian refugees in Turkish cities revealed considerable spatial heterogeneity and differences. Design/Methodology/Approach The sample size of the study is 953 and the margin of error of this sample size is +/- 3.17 at a 95% confidence level. Stratified simple random sampling was used. Interviews were Findings Fatih in Istanbul is one of the districts where Syrian immigrants most often settle. As part of the research on social risk mapping for Fatih District, immigrants - especially Syrian immigrants - have been identified as the main cause of problems by residents (the locals), with this group experiencing higher layoffs in terms of economic opportunities. Our analysis found that the main reason why Syrian immigrants are cited as a problem is "economic motivation". The rate at which Syrians are declared a problem in the districts of Fatih district is directly proportional to the distribution of the Syrian immigrant population. Research Limitations/Implications Time restriction, unfavourable weather conditions, missing information for socio economic status calculation, reluctance of women to join the survey. Originality/Value This study is the first research which examined spatially, how forced migration has an impact on local residents. Its results that can be useful for social measures towards urban planning and management to reduce the negative effects caused from forced migration population.