İstanbul Kent Üniversitesi Research and Academic Performance System
DSpace@Kent is an integrated information system that unifies the monitoring, analysis and reporting of scientific research and academic performance at İstanbul Kent University.
Recent Submissions
Item type:Item, Evaluation of oxidizable substance interaction associated with orthodontic clear aligners and an acrylic material: A preliminary in vitro study(Galenos Publishing House, 2026) Kurnaz, Merve; Biren, Bora İsmail; Kayhan, Ataberk; Biçim, Gökhan; Biren, Sibel; Güven, YeganeObjective: This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the interactions of oxidizable substances associated with different orthodontic aligner materials using potassium permanganate (KMnO4 ). Methods: In this study, materials from three different clear-aligner manufacturers (SmartTrack, ClearQuartz, and Scheu Dental CA Pro+) and one acrylic block were used. The materials were mechanically fragmented and exposed to KMnO4 , a strong oxidizing agent. Potassium permanganate solutions were prepared at six concentrations (1.24 mM, 0.62 mM, 0.31 mM, 0.16 mM, 0.08 mM, 0.04 mM) to establish a calibration curve (R²=0.9999). Based on this calibration, 0.2 mM and 1 mM solutions were selected for the experimental phase. The color change was evaluated spectrophotometrically at 1, 4, and 24 hours to assess interactions with oxidizable substances. Results: The amount of oxidizable substances interacting with KMnO4 was estimated in mM. Oxidizable substances were detected in all samples (Acrylic Block 0.0723 mM, ClearQuartz 0.0826 mM, Scheu Dental CA Pro+ 0.0584 mM, SmartTrack 0.0271 mM); however, the estimated levels of oxidizable-substance interaction varied among samples. The highest level was observed in ClearQuartz at 24 hours. Conclusion: Orthodontic aligner materials exhibit varying levels of interaction with oxidizable substances, particularly during the first 24 hours. The method may serve as a simple preliminary screening tool. Future studies should investigate the composition of the released substances using more sensitive analytical methods.Item type:Item, Phytochemical characterization and bioactive potential of Stachys germanica L.: LC-MS/MS profiling and multi-target biological activities(Wiley, 2026) İnan, Gözde Gülin; Doğanay, Derya; İnan, Yiğit; Akyüz Çetin, Selin; Neşetoğlu, Neşet; Danış, İbrahim; Mertoğlu, Esra; Özer Ünal, Durişehvar; Zengin, GökhanStachys germanica L. is a member of the Lamiaceae family traditionally recognized for its bioactive secondary metabolites. The present study aimed to investigate the phytochemical composition and biological potential of the 80% ethanolic extract of S. germanica using spectrophotometric assays and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) analysis. The extract exhibited a high phenolic content (59.80 ± 0.84 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid content (20.50 ± 0.24 mg RE/g), with notable antioxidant activity, particularly in CUPRAC (445.26 ± 6.11 mg TE/g), ABTS (387.12 ± 3.03 mg TE/g), FRAP (360.89 ± 5.19 mg TE/g), and DPPH (333.96 ± 1.61 mg TE/g) assays. Enzyme inhibition assays revealed a selective inhibitory profile, with pro nounced activity against tyrosinase (62.23 ± 0.06 mg KAE/g) and α- glucosidase (1.05 ± 0.24 mmol ACAE/g), suggesting poten tial relevance in dermatological and metabolic applications. Notably, antimicrobial evaluation demonstrated significant activity against Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 19606 (MIC: 97 μg/mL), highlighting a selective antibacterial effect against a clinically relevant Gram- negative pathogen. LC–MS/MS analysis revealed a chemically diverse metabolite profile largely composed of phe nolic acids and flavonoids, with chlorogenic acid (1024 ± 20.54 μg/g), naringin (196.10 ± 4.65 μg/g), luteolin (82.46 ± 1.88 μg/g), and kaempferol (70.99 ± 1.71 μg/g) identified as the main components. Overall, this study provides a multi- dimensional char acterization of S. germanica, linking its phenolic- rich composition to antioxidant, enzyme- modulating, and selective antimi crobial activities. These findings highlight the potential of S. germanica as a natural source of bioactive compounds for food, nutraceutical, and functional product applications.Item type:Item, Design of plant oil-based cationic hydrogels for protein encapsulation and controlled delivery(Springer Nature, 2026) Maaz, Asmaa; Çaylı, Gökhan; Giray, Betül; Atakol, Arda; Erdem, Ahmet; Çakır Hatır, PınarThe development of sustainable multifunctional hydrogels with antibacterial activity and protein delivery capability is of great interest for biomedical applications. In this study, plant oil-derived cationic hydrogels were developed by UV induced polymerization using acrylated methyl ricinoleate (AMR), a renewable monomer derived from castor oil, and 2-aminoethyl methacrylate (AEMA). The influence of hydrogel composition on morphology, pH-responsive swelling, antibacterial activity, cytocompatibility, and protein encapsulation behavior was investigated. FTIR and SEM analyses confirmed successful hydrogel formation and revealed composition-dependent structural differences. The swelling behav ior was strongly influenced by pH and monomer ratio. The hydrogels exhibited significant antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus while maintaining good cytocompatibility toward human umbilical vein endo thelial (HUVEC) cells, with cell viability exceeding 80%. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as a model protein to evaluate encapsulation and release properties. Protein encapsulation efficiency was found to depend strongly on crosslink ing density, with lower crosslinking ratios leading to enhanced loading. Overall, the results demonstrate that combining a renewable plant oil-derived monomer with a cationic component enables the fabrication of sustainable hydrogels with tunable physicochemical and biological properties, highlighting their potential for wound healing and localized protein delivery applications.Item type:Item, Assessing metabolic and reproductive consequences of prenatal paracetamol exposure in female CD1 mice(Wiley, 2026) Entezari, Bita; Bozdağ, Deniz; İnce Ergüç, Elif; Buhur, Aylin; Tomruk, Cansın Şirin; Sabuncuoğlu, Suna; Yavaşoğlu, Altuğ; Gürer Orhan, HandeParacetamol is a widely used analgesic during pregnancy; however, emerging evidence suggests it may act as an endocrine/ metabolism disrupting compound. Using an F1 female CD1 mouse model, this study scrutinized the long- term metabolic and reproductive consequences linked to intrauterine paracetamol exposure. Pregnant dams were administered paracetamol at three dose levels (Cmax/10, Cmax, and Cmax × 10) during a critical window of organogenesis (gestational days 7.5–16.5). Offspring were monitored until 17 weeks of age to assess growth, glucose homeostasis, lipidomic profiles, and ovarian his tology. Prenatal exposure did not significantly affect total body weight but induced a dose- dependent increase in peritoneal adipose tissue mass, particularly in the Cmax × 10 group. Metabolic assessments revealed impaired glucose tolerance in the Cmax/10 group and increased insulin sensitivity across all dose groups. Adipose tissue gene expression analysis demonstrated upregulation of adipogenic markers (Pparγ, Lpl, Fasn), while untargeted lipidomics revealed consistent dysregulation of lipid species, including lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs), phosphatidylcholines (PCs), sphingomyelins (SMs), and triacylglycerols (TGs), indicating altered lipid storage and inflammatory signaling. Histological evaluation showed a marked reduction in total follicle number and increased follicular atresia following paracetamol exposure. Degenerative changes in oocytes and granulosa cells were observed, and multi- oocyte follicles (MOFs) were detected exclusively in the Cmax/10. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that intrauterine paracetamol exposure induces persistent developmental reprogramming in female off spring, characterized by visceral adiposity, disrupted lipid homeostasis, and depletion of the ovarian reserve. Notably, several endpoints exhibited non- monotonic dose–response relationships, underscoring the sensitivity of developing systems to even subtherapeutic paracetamol exposure.Item type:Item, Power, discourse, and governance: An analysis of Türkiye’s long horizon integrated maritime surveillance system(Milli Savunma Üniversitesi, 2026) Özel, MesutThis article challenges the paradigmatic exclusivity of analyses of contemporary security technologies within International Relations and Security Studies. It develops and applies an integrated theoretical framework—synthesizing realist, securitization, and critical security studies perspectives—to examine Türkiye’s Long Horizon Integrated Maritime Surveillance System (LHIMSS). The study demonstrates that LHIMSS functions simultaneously as a realist instrument for asymmetric balancing, a securitized project legitimized by the Blue Homeland doctrine, and a critical governance vehicle that expands state control through a militarized “White Picture.” By revealing the recursive interplay among material capabilities, discursive threat-making, and transformative governance, the integrated approach provides a holistic understanding of how middle powers navigate contested sovereignty and hybrid security. The findings challenge IR scholarship to abandon rigid theoretical compartments and develop multi-causal models that capture the material, discursive, and biopolitical dimensions of 21st-century security.
