bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Versatile aliphatic polyester biosynthesis system for producing random and block copolymers composed of 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-hydroxyalkanoates using the sequence-regulating polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase PhaCAR
Authors: Matsumoto Ken'ichiro , Satoh Keigo , Tomita Hiroya , Kawakami Tomoya , Isobe Nagi , Pasquier Loïc , Zinn Manfred
Published: March 2022

BackgroundPolyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are microbial polyesters synthesized by PHA synthase. Naturally occurring PHA copolymers possess a random monomer sequence. The development of PhaCAR, a unique sequence-regulating PHA synthase, has enabled the spontaneous biosynthesis of PHA block copolymers. PhaCAR synthesizes both a block copolymer poly(2-hydroxybutyrate)-b-poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(2HB)-b-P(3HB)], and a random copolymer, poly(3HB-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate), indicating that the combination of monomers determines the monomer sequence. Therefore, in this study, we explored the substrate scope of PhaCAR and the monomer sequences of the resulting copolymers to identify the determinants of the monomer sequence. PhaCAR is a class I PHA synthase that is thought to incorporate long-main-chain hydroxyalkanoates (LMC HAs, >C3 in the main [backbone] chain). Thus, the LMC monomers, 4-hydroxy-2-methylbutyrate (4H2MB), 5-hydroxyvalerate (5HV), and 6-hydroxyhexanoate (6HHx), as well as 2HB, 3HB, and 3-hydroxypropionate (3HP) were tested.ResultsRecombinant Escherichia coli harboring PhaCAR, CoA transferase and CoA ligase genes was used for PHA production. The medium contained the monomer precursors, 2HB, 3HB, 3HP, 4H2MB, 5HV, and 6HHx, either individually or in combination. As the result, homopolymers were obtained only for 3HB and 3HP. Moreover, 3HB and 3HP were randomly copolymerized by PhaCAR. 3HB-based binary copolymers P(3HB-co-LMC HA)s containing up to 2.9 mol% 4H2MB, 4.8 mol% 5HV, or 1.8 mol% 6HHx were produced. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis of the copolymers indicated that P(3HB-co-LMC HA)s had a random sequence. In contrast, combining 3HP and 2HB induced the synthesis of P(3HP)-b-P(2HB). Similarly, P(2HB) segment-containing block copolymers P(3HB-co-LMC HA)-b-P(2HB)s were synthesized. Binary copolymers of LMC HAs and 2HB were not obtained, indicating that the 3HB or 3HP unit is essential to the polymer synthesis. ConclusionPhaCAR possesses a wide substrate scope towards 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-hydroxyalkanoates. 3HB or 3HP units are essential for polymer synthesis using PhaCAR. The presence of a 2HB monomer is key to synthesizing block copolymers, such as P(3HP)-b-P(2HB) and P(3HB-co-LMC HA)-b-P(2HB)s. The copolymers that did not contain 2HB units had a random sequence. This study’s results provide insights into the mechanism of sequence regulation by PhaCAR and pave the way for designing PHA block copolymers.
The role of autophagy mediated by HIF-1α/BNIP3 signaling pathway in missed abortion
Authors: Kou Junna , Yan Guangwei , Zeng Xiannxu , Zhang Yurong , Ding Yanzi , Ma Xiaotian , Yuan Enwu
Published: March 2022

Purpose: To investigate the expression of autophagy mediated by HIF-1α/BNIP3 signaling pathway in villous tissues of missed abortion and HTR-8/SVneo cells ,and to elucidate the role of autophagy in missed abortion.Methods: Villous tissues from 30 healthy women with normal pregnancy and 35 patients with missed abortion were collected, HTR-8/SVneo cells were cultured under hypoxia and transfected with HIF-1α-siRNA.Real-time PCR was utilized to measure the expression levels of HIF-1αmRNA and BNIP3mRNA; Western blot was performed to determine the expression levels of HIF-1α、BNIP3、LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰand Beclin 1 in villous tissues and HTR-8/SVneo cells. Cellular invasion activity was detected by transwell metrigel assay.The level of autophagy were confirmed by the transmission electron microscopy of autophagosome/autophagolysosome formation.Results: The BNIP3 mRNA levels was significantly higher in the missed abortion villous than in control samples,but HIF-1α mRNA levels was similar between the two groups.The protein levels of HIF-1α、BNIP3、Beclin 1 and LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰwere significantly decreased in villous tissues from missed abortion;as well as the autophagic bodies were significantly decreased in villous tissues from missed abortion group. Under hypoxia,HIF-1α and BNIP3mRNA expression was inhibited after silencing HIF-1α by RNAi，while protein expressions of HIF-1α,BNIP3,Beclin1 and LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰwere significantly down-regulated.The number of invading cells was significantly decreased after silencing HIF-1α by RNAi,and the autophagic bodies were significantly decreased after silencing HIF-1α by RNAi in HTR-8/SVneo.Conclusion:Autophagy mediated by HIF-1α/BNIP3 signaling pathway in the villous trophoblast cells may be associated with progression and development of missed abortion.
Effects of neuraxial analgesia technique on labor and maternal-fetal outcomes: a retrospective study
Authors: Lazzari Cecilia , Raffaelli Ricciarda , D’Alessandro Roberto , Simonetto Chiara , Bosco Mariachiara , Zorzato Pier Carlo , Uccella Stefano , Taddei Fabrizio , Franchi Massimo , Garzon Simone
Published: March 2022

Purpose: To compare the effects of epidural analgesia (EA) and combined spine epidural analgesia (SEA) on labor and maternal-fetal outcomes.Methods: We retrospectively identified and included 1499 patients with a single cephalic fetus who delivered at the study center from January 2015 to December 2018 and received neuraxial analgesia at the beginning of the active phase of labor (presence of regular painful contractions and cervical dilatation between 4 and 6 cm). Data including analgesia, labor characteristics, and maternal-fetal outcomes were retrieved from the prospectively collected delivery room database and medical records.Results: SEA was associated with a shorter first stage of labor than EA, with a median difference of 60 minutes. On multivariable ordinal logistic regression analysis, neuraxial analgesia, gestational age, fetal weight, labor induction, and parity were independently associated with the first stage length: patients in the EA group were 1.32 times more likely to have a longer first stage of labor (95% CI 1.06-1.64, p=0.012) than those in the SEA group. Additionally, a significantly lower incidence of fundal pressure was performed among patients who underwent SEA (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.34-0.9, p=0.017). No associations were observed between the used neuraxial analgesia technique and other outcomes.Conclusions: SEA was associated with a shorter length of the first stage of labor and a lower rate of fundal pressure use than EA. Further studies confirming the effects of SEA on labor management and clarifying differences in maternal-fetal outcomes will allow concluding about the superiority of one technique upon the other.
Multi-task convolutional neural networks for predicting in vitro clearance endpoints from molecular images
Authors: Mora Andrés Martínez , Subramanian Vigneshwari , Miljković Filip
Published: March 2022

Optimization of compound metabolic stability is a highly topical issue in pharmaceutical research. Accordingly, application of predictive in silico models can potentially reduce the number of design-make-test-analyze iterations and consequently speed up the progression of novel candidate molecules. Herein, we have investigated the question if multiple in vitro clearance endpoints could be accurately predicted from image-based molecular representations. Thus, compound measurements for four commonly investigated clearance endpoints were curated from AstraZeneca internal sources, providing a sound basis for building multi-task convolutional neural network models. Application of several increasingly challenging data splitting strategies confirmed that convolutional neural network models were successful at capturing implicit chemical relationships contained in training and test data, similar to what is commonly observed for structural fingerprints. Furthermore, model benchmarking against state-of-the-art machine learning methods, including deep neural networks, trained with standard structure-based representations revealed on par or increased accuracy of convolutional neural networks with clear benefit of multi-task learning across all clearance endpoints. Our findings indicate that image-based molecular representations can be applied to predict multiple clearance endpoints, suggesting a potential follow-up to investigate model interpretability from molecular images.
Integrated bioinformatics analysis of miR-497/195 cluster network in cervical carcinoma
Authors: Karunakara Shreyas Hulusemane , Eswaran Sangavi , Mallya Sandeep , Suresh Padmanaban S , Chakrabarty Sanjiban , Kabekkodu Shama Prasada
Published: March 2022

The miR-497/195 located at 17p13.1 is a highly conserved miRNA cluster whose abnormal expression is emerging as a key regulator of carcinogenesis. We performed a comprehensive analysis of the miR-497/195 to determine the prognostic utility and its role in cervical cancer (CC) using publicly available datasets. The in-silico analysis and validation identified the cluster as downregulated in CC. A total of 60 target genes were identified as differentially expressed between normal and CC samples. ShinyGO, STRING, CytoHubba, Timer 2.0, HPA, and HCMBD were used for in silico functional enrichment, PPIN networks, hub gene identification, immune infiltration correlation, histopathological expressions, and metastatic potential of miR-497/195-5p and their target genes. The PPIN analysis identified CCNE1, CCNE2, ANLN, RACGAP1, KIF23, CHEK1, CDC25A, E2F7, CDK1, and CEP55 as top 10 hub genes (HGs). Further, miR-497-5p, RCAN3, RECK, OSBPL3, ATD5, BCL2, and HIST1H3H were shown to affect the overall survival in CC. We have identified 6 targets (TFAP2A, CLSPN, RASEF, HIST1H3H, AKT3, and ITPR1) of miR-497/195 with metastatic potential. Besides 8 druggable genes targeted by 38 potential drugs were also identified. Our study identified miR-497/195 cluster target genes and pathways that could be used for prognostic and therapeutic applications in CC.
Desulfofustis limnaeus sp. nov., a freshwater sulfate-reducing bacterium isolated from marsh and emended description of the genus Desulfofustis
Authors: Watanabe Miho , Takahashi Ayaka , Kojima Hisaya , Miyata Naoyuki , Fukui Manabu
Published: March 2022

A novel sulfate-reducing bacterium, strain PPLLT, was isolated from marsh soil. Cells of strain PPLLT were rod-shaped with length of 1.5 µm and width of 0.7 µm. Growth was observed at 22–37°C (optimum 35°C) and pH 6.8–8.4 (optimum 7.3). Lactate, succinate, fumarate and malate were utilized as electron donors. Fermentative growth was not occurred on tested organic acids. Besides sulfate, sulfite, thiosulfate and elemental sulfur were utilized as electron acceptors. Major fatty acid was C16:0. The complete genome of strain PPLLT was composed of a circular chromosome with length of 4.2 Mbp and G + C content of 57.7 mol%. Sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene showed that strain PPLLT was affiliated with the genus Desulfofustis in the family ‘Desulfocapsaceae’. On the basis of differences in the phylogenetic and phenotypic properties between the strain and the type strain of the genus Desulfofustis, strain PPLLT (= DSM 110475T = JCM 39161T) is proposed as the type strain of a new species, with name of Desulfofustis limnaeus sp. nov.
Cholesterol Analogs Ginsenosides Rg1 and Compound K Control Temozolomide Resistance in Glioblastoma Cells by Regulating Cholesterol Efflux and Lipid Raft Distribution
Authors: Qiu Runze , Zhang Jingjing , Ge Chun , Zhong Yue , Li Qingquan , Li Yingbin , Fan Hongwei
Published: March 2022

Enriched cholesterol in brain is involved in the resistance of glioblastoma to temozolomide treatment. Cholesterol efflux and lipid raft redistribution contribute to improving resistance. Ginsenosides are structurally similar to cholesterol and can alter cholesterol metabolism and lipid raft distribution, whose subtypes Rb1, Rg1, Rg3 and Compound K showed brain permeability. From CGGA database, the expression of cholesterol efflux gene NR1H3 (LXRα) in tumor tissues of patients treated with temozolomide was positively correlated with long-term survival, and was negatively correlated with multidrug resistance protein (MDR)-1 located in lipid rafts. MDR1 level was correlated with cholesterol uptake (LDLR) and synthesis (SREBF2) genes, suggesting that cholesterol is involved in temozolomide resistance. We demonstrated that cholesterol protected the survival of resistant U251 cells from temozolomide stress, and upregulated MDR1. Resistant U251 cells tended to store cholesterol intracellularly, with weaker cholesterol efflux and LXRα expression to maintain a uniform distribution of lipid rafts. Ginsenosides Rb1, Rg1, Rg3 and Compound K reduced intracellular cholesterol content and promoted cholesterol efflux in resistant cells, making lipid raft distribution no longer uniform. Rg1 and Compound K also upregulated LXRα expression and induced the cytotoxicity of temozolomide in the presence of cholesterol. We further found that cholesterol efflux induction, lipid raft redistribution, and temozolomide sensitization by Rg1 and Compound K were induced through stimulation of LXRα. Therefore, ginsenoside Rg1 and Compound K can control temozolomide resistance in glioblastoma cells by regulating cholesterol metabolism, which are potential synergists for temozolomide therapy.
Evaluation of the Neonatal Sequential Organ Failure Assessment and Mortality Risk in Neonates with Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Shi Shanshan , Guo Jie , Liao Lihua , Tu Jiabin , Xiong Jialing , Liao Quanwang , Chen Weihua , Chen Kaihong , Fu Minqiang , Liao Ying
Published: March 2022

Background: Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is one of the leading causes of neonatal death in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Previous studies have suggested that the development of neonatal RDS may be associated with inflammation and lead to organ dysfunction. The neonatal sequential organ failure assessment (nSOFA) scoring system is an operational definition of organ dysfunction, but whether it can be used to predict mortality in neonates RDS is unknown. The aim of this study was to clarify the performance of the nSOFA score in predicting mortality in patients with neonatal RDS.Method: Neonates with RDS were identified from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC)-III database. A cox proportional hazards model were used to assess the association between nSOFA score and mortality. Multiple imputation and propensity score matched analysis were used to assess the robustness of the analytical results.Results: In this study of 1281 patients with RDS of which 57.2% were male, death occurred in 40 cases (3.1%). Patients with high nSOFA scores had a higher mortality rate of 10.7% compared with low nSOFA scores at 0.3%. After adjusting for confounding, multivariate cox proportional risk analysis showed that an increase in nSOFA score was significantly associated with increased mortality in patients with RDS [adjusted Hazards Ratio (aHR): 1.46, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.30-1.64; P < 0.001]. Similarly, the High nSOFA group was significantly associated with higher mortality in RDS patients (aHR: 17.40, 95% CI: 3.93-77.02; P < 0.001) compared with the low nSOFA group.Conclusion: The nSOFA score was positively associated with the risk of mortality in cases of neonatal RDS in the NICU, where its use may help clinicians to quickly and accurately identify high risk neonates and implement more aggressive intervention.
A novel automatic quantification protocol for biomarkers of tauopathies in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex of post-mortem samples using an extended semi-Siamese U-Net
Authors: Gutierrez-Rodriguez Andres E. , Campero-García Luis A. , Martinez-Maldonado Alejandra , Luna-Muñoz José , Cantoral-Ceballos Jose A. , Ontiveros-Torres Miguel A.
Published: March 2022

Through various imaging techniques, efforts have been made to diagnose and predict the course of different neurodegenerative diseases, which significantly increase their morbidity and mortality in the human population over the years, especially proteinopathies where the Tau polypeptide is a key participant in molecular pathogenesis. However, this standard approach to explore the phenomenon of neurodegener-ation has not been directed at understanding the molecular mechanism that causes the aberrant polymeric and fibrillar behavior of Tau protein in the neurofibrillary tangles that replace neuronal populations comprising the hippocampal formation and cortical regions of clinical cases with various proteinopathies. Our main objective was to implement a novel approach based on computational seg-mentation protocols in triple-labeled immunofluorescence imaging with different biomarkers based on pathological post-translational modifications undergone by Tau in brains of patients with tauopathies, implementing an adaptation of the U-Net neural network architecture. Importantly, we used the resulting segmentation masks and significantly quantified the individual and combined fluorescent signals of the different molecular changes Tau underwent in neurofibrillary tangles as individual study structures. Then, we separated them from the rest of the quadrant, detecting unconventional interaction signals between the different biomarkers. Our algorithm provides information that will be fundamental to understand the pathogenesis of dementias with another computational analysis approach in subsequent studies.
Prediction of cardiovascular disease risk in patients with psoriasis in northern China
Authors: Fu Qian , Su Dong qiang , Miao Yu , Chen Taoyu , Ji Yanqi , Zhang Feng
Published: March 2022

To investigate cardio vascular disease (CVD) risk factors and predict future CVD risk in patients with psoriasis in northern China, we conducted a retrospective study on risk factors in 1,067 psoriasis patients (psoriasis group) and 1,110 physical examiners without psoriasis (control group). Compared with the control group, the psoriasis group showed a stronger correlation with CVD history, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidaemia (all P < 0.01). CVD was more common in patients with a long history of psoriasis (P < 0.01), and the incidence of severe psoriasis with diabetes was higher (P < 0.01). In the psoriasis prediction group, the proportion in psoriasis in the "medium risk" and "very high risk" was significantly higher (P < 0.01). Heart age was significantly increased than their actual in the "old people" (P < 0.01). The results showed that the risk factors for CVD in patients with psoriasis were higher than those in the control group, and psoriasis with a long history or severe disease had a higher risk of CVD. Patients with psoriasis have a higher risk of future CVD, and the predicted heart age in the older groups tends to exceed the actual age. This suggests that attention should be paid to the present and future risk of CVD in patients with psoriasis and to the management of cardiovascular comorbidities.
Association between body mass index and incidence of breast cancer in premenopausal women: A Japanese nationwide database study
Authors: Konishi Takaaki , Fujiogi Michimasa , Michihata Nobuaki , Matsui Hiroki , Tanabe Masahiko , Seto Yasuyuki , Yasunaga Hideo
Published: March 2022

Purpose: The association between body mass index (BMI) and the incidence of premenopausal breast cancer in the Asian population remains unclear. We investigated this association using data from a Japanese nationwide administrative database.Methods: We retrospectively identified 785,703 females aged <45 years with available health checkup data on BMI from January 2005 and April 2020 from a Japanese nationwide database. Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate hazard ratios for breast cancer (total breast cancer, breast cancer with hormonal drug and trastuzumab administration, and breast cancer by age ≤45 years) associated with BMI recorded at the first health checkup. We conducted restricted cubic spline analysis without BMI categorization to investigate potential nonlinear associations with adjustment for backgrounds such as smoking and alcohol consumption.Results: Overall, the median BMI was 20.5 (interquartile range [IQR], 18.9–22.7) kg/m2, and the median age was 37 (IQR, 29–41) years. Breast cancer occurred in 5597 participants (0.71%) at a median age of 44 (IQR, 42–46) years during a median follow-up of 1034 (IQR, 634–1779) days. A BMI of ≥22.0 kg/m2 was significantly associated with lower incidences of total breast cancer, breast cancer with hormonal drug administration, and breast cancer by age ≤45 years, whereas no significant associations were observed for breast cancer with trastuzumab administration. Conclusion: This study, which used a Japanese nationwide database, demonstrated that BMI was inversely associated with premenopausal breast cancer development in East Asian women, similar to that observed in Western women.
Effect of the External Shocks on the Predictability of Remittances flows from Developed Countries
Authors: KIMM GNANGNON SENA
Published: March 2022

The present analysis has explored the effect of external shocks on the predictability of remittances outflows, by relying on an unbalanced panel of 24 developed countries over the period of 1996–2020. Results are obtained from the use of the fixed effects estimator, and indicate that external shocks reduce the predictability of remittances outflows, with a higher effect on the positive predictability of these capital outflows than on the negative predictability of these capital outflows. The negative effect of external shocks on the predictability of remittances outflows operates through the economic growth channel, with the magnitude of this negative effect being higher in countries with low economic growth rates. External shocks enhance the predictability of remittances outflows in less developed countries among advanced economies, but reduce it in relatively more advanced economies. Finally, external shocks reduce the predictability of remittances outflows in countries that experience a decline in the migrants inflows. This finding has implications for the economic and development prospects of the countries of origin of migrants.
Evolving Norms: Social Media Data Analysis on Parks and Greenspaces Perception Changes Before and After COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Park Sohyun , Kim Seungman , Lee Jaehoon , Heo Biyoung
Published: March 2022

This study provides a novel approach to understand human perception changes in their experiences of and interactions with public greenspaces during the early months of COVID-19. Using social media data and machine learning techniques, the study delivers new understandings of how people began to feel differently about their experiences compared to pre-COVID times. The study illuminates a renewed appreciation of nature as well as an emerging but prominent pattern of emotional and spiritual experiences expressed through a social media platform. Given that most studies have almost exclusively examined whether park use increased or decreased during the pandemic, this research provides meaningful implications beyond the simple extensional visit pattern. It highlights the preeminent roles parks and greenspaces play during the pandemic and guides a new direction in future park development practice to support more natural elements and nature-oriented experiences from which emotional and spiritual well-being outcomes can be drawn.
Percutaneous microcoil localization of a small, totally endophytic renal mass for nephron-sparing surgery: A case report and literature review
Authors: Su Tianhao , Zhang Zhiyuan , Zhao Meishan , Hao Gangyue , Tian Ye , Jin Long
Published: March 2022

Background: Small, totally endophytic renal masses present a technical challenge for surgical extirpation due to poor identifiability during surgery. The method for the precise localization of totally endophytic tumours before nephron-sparing surgery could be optimized. Case presentation: An asymptomatic 70-year-old male presented with a right-sided, 16-mm, totally endophytic renal mass on computed tomography (CT). CT-guided percutaneous microcoil localization was carried out prior to laparoscopy to provide a direction for partial nephrectomy. During the 25 minutes of the localization procedure, the patient underwent five local CT scans, and his cumulative effective radiation dosage was 5.1 mSv. The span between localization and the start of the operation was 15 hours. The laparoscopic operation time was 105 minutes, and the ischaemia time was 25 minutes. The postoperative recovery was smooth, and no perioperative complications occurred. Pathology showed the mass to be renal clear cell carcinoma, WHO/ISUP grade 2, with a 2-mm, clear surgical margin. The patient remained free of recurrence on follow-up for eleven months. To our knowledge, this application of microcoil implantation prior to laparoscopic partial nephrectomy towards an intrarenal mass could be an early reported attempt for the localized method applied in renal surgery. Conclusions: The percutaneous microcoil localization of endophytic renal tumours is potentially safe and effective prior to laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.
Kadın Çalışanların Turizm Sektöründen Ayrılma Nedenleri: Keşifsel Bir Araştırma (Reasons Why Female Employees Leave the Tourism Industry: An Exploratory Study)
Authors: Koç Burcu , Uşaklı Ahmet
Published: March 2022

Bu çalışmanın amacı, eğitimli kadın iş gücünün turizm sektörünü bırakma nedenlerini detaylı şekilde tartışmaktır. Bu bağlamda, nitel araştırma yöntemi kullanılarak turizmden farklı bir alanda kariyer yapmayı seçen 12 kadından veri toplanmıştır. Cevaplar içerik analizi yoluyla üç ana kategori altında irdelenmiştir: (1) mesleki beklentilerin karşılanmaması, (2) cinsiyetçi yaklaşım ve (3) değerli hissetme arzusu. Bulgulara göre katılımcılar; özellikle yönetici kademelerinde temsil edilme oranlarının turizm sektöründe düşük olduğunu, idari yeteneklerinin küçümsendiğini, cinsiyete dayalı farklı maaş politikalarının uygulandığını, istihdam edilme olanaklarının eğitimsel ve mesleki yeterliliklerinden ziyade kişisel niteliklerine göre (medeni durum ve görünüş gibi) şekillendiğini düşünmektedir. Yine profesyonelliğin ve sistematik bir işleyişin olmayışı, performansın finansal çıktıların büyüklüğüne göre değerlendirilmesi, egoist yönetici davranışları, iletişim sürecinde karşılaşılan kaba üslup, mükemmeliyetçilik nedeniyle hata yapma korkusunu artıran baskıcı yapılar ve en önemlisi de psikolojik-fiziksel tacizler katılımcıların turizm sektöründen ayrılma niyetini artıran kritik faktörler arasındadır.
Mega Etkinliklerin Kent Turizmine Etkisi: Expo 2023 Kahramanmaraş Örneği (The Effect of Mega Events on City Tourism: The Case of Expo 2023 Kahramanmaraş)
Authors: Güven Mustafa Ümmet , Suna Belma
Published: March 2022

Mega etkinlikler; ev sahibi ülke ve şehirlerin tarihi ve kültürel değerlerini tanıtmanın yanı sıra katılımcılar ile potansiyel müşterileri bir araya getiren büyük organizasyonlardır. Özellikle düzenlendiği şehrin gelişimi ve tanıtımı açısından önemli bir etkiye sahip olan Expo’lar, Olimpiyatlar ve Dünya Kupası’ndan sonra düzenlenen en büyük dev organizasyonlardır. Çalışma için 2023 Botanik Expo organizasyonunun seçimindeki temel etken, düzenlenecek mega etkinliğin Kahramanmaraş için önemli oranda kültürel, çevresel, mekânsal, politik ve sosyo-ekonomik etkiler doğurabilecek kadar büyük bir etkinlik olmasıdır. Bu çalışma ile 2023 yılında yapılması planlanan Expo organizasyonunun Kahramanmaraş’a olan etkisinin turizm sektör paydaşlarınca değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Araştırmada 2023 Expo Kahramanmaraş öncesi kentte bulunan turizm sektörü paydaşları araştırmanın evren ve örneklemini oluşturmaktadır. Araştırma kapsamında 392 sektör paydaşına anket uygulanmış, bu verilere keşfedici faktör analizi yapılmış ve sekiz boyutlu bir yapı elde edilmiştir. Elde edilen bulgular neticesinde turizm sektörü paydaşlarının, Botanik Expo Organizasyonunun kente olan etkisini olumlu yönde değerlendirdikleri ve bu değerlerin demografik ve tanıtıcı değişkenlere göre farklılık gösterdiği tespit edilmiş, bir Dünya kenti olmayı amaçlayan Kahramanmaraş için 2023 Botanik Expo Organizasyonunun bir fırsat niteliğinde olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.
Türkiyede Faaliyet Gösteren Konaklama İşletmelerinde Gıda İsraf Boyutunun Belirlenmesi: Helal Konseptli Oteller Çerçevesinde Bir Araştırma (Determınatıon of Food Wastıng in Accommodatıon Busınesses Operatıng in Turkey: A Research in the Framework of Halal Concept Hotels)
Authors: Yılmaz Mustafa , Ceyhun Sezgin Aybuke
Published: March 2022

Araştırmada gıda israfının fazla miktarda ortaya çıktığı sektörlerden biri olan konaklama işletmelerinde gıda israfı ve gıda atığı ile ilgili mevcut durum, nedenler, önlemler ve geri dönüşüme ilişkin boyutlar incelenerek bu konulara çözümler üretmek amaçlanmıştır. Bu nedenle konaklama işletmelerinde helal konseptin gıda israfı üzerindeki etkisini belirlemek amacıyla yürütülen bu araştırmada helal konseptli ve helal konseptli olmayan otellerin mutfak şeflerinin gıda israfına yönelik görüşlerinden yararlanılmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda helal konseptli otellerin gıda israf politikalarında ve oluşan gıda atığını ve gıda israfını geri dönüştürme çabalarında helal konseptli olmayan otellere kıyasla herhangi bir farklılıklarının olmadığı ve bu işletmelerin müşteri tatminini hedefledikleri için gıda israfını göz ardı edebildikleri tespit edilmiştir. İşletme mutfaklarında yeterli sayıda personel olmaması, mevcut personelin tecrübesiz olması, plansız iş yoğunluğu, geri kalmış mutfak teknolojisi, servis kısmında bilinçsiz tüketim, büyük servis tabakları ile sunum ve dengesiz porsiyonlama gibi faktörlerin gıda israfı nedenleri arasında yer aldığı tespit edilmiştir.
Göreme ve Uçhisar da Bulunan Restoranları Ziyaret Eden Turistlerin Yöresel Şarap Beğenilerinin Değerlendirilmesi (Evaluation of Local Wine Likes of Tourists Visiting the Restaurants in Göreme and Uçhisar)
Authors: Sırıklı İsmet Kutay , Laçin Sıla , Özkanlı Oya
Published: March 2022

Kapadokya’da yer alan Göreme ve Uçhisar doğal güzelliği ve tarihi ile turistlerin Türkiye’de sıklıkla ziyaret ettiği bölgelerdendir. Göreme ve Uçhisar doğal ve tarihi imkânlarının yanı sıra özgün şaraplarıyla ilgi çekmekte ve turizm potansiyelini geliştirici bir rol oynamaktadır. Göreme ve Uçhisar’ın şarap turizmi potansiyelinin bölgede faaliyet gösteren restoranlar üzerinden değerlendirilmesini amaçlayan bu çalışmayla ilgili olarak Tripadvisor.com sitesinin verilerinden yararlanılmıştır. Bu çalışmada bulguların toplanmasında ve yorumların incelenmesinde, içerik analizi yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Bulgulara göre turistlerin büyük çoğunluğunun şarapları olumlu olarak değerlendirdiği, şarapları “mükemmel, denemeye değer” olarak nitelendirdikleri ve romantik ortam sağladığını beyan etmişlerdir. Sonuç olarak yerel şaraplar bölge turizminde önemli bir rol oynadığı ve turistlerin tatmin oldukları tespit edilmiştir.
Covid-19 ve Turizm İlişkisini Ele Alan ve Tr Dizin de Yayınlanan Makalelerinin İncelenmesi (Investıgatıon of Artıcles on the Covıd-19 and Tourısm Relatıonshıp Publıshed in Tr Index)
Authors: Eker Nuray , Durdu Karaca Mina , Bozkurt Alper
Published: March 2022

Ortaya çıktığı ilk günden itibaren Covid-19 konusu turizm alan yazınında en popüler konulardan biri haline gelmiştir. Bu çalışmanın temel amacı Türkiye’de Covid-19 pandemisini turizm bağlamında ele alan çalışmaları bir araya getirerek araştırmacılara sunmak ve bir bakıma araştırmacıların bu konuya verdiği önemi ortaya koymaktır. Ayrıca bu çalışma alınyazında yer alan makalelerin konu başlıkları, amacı ve anahtar kelimelerine dair kelime bulutları sunarak bütüncül bir bakış açısı sağlamaktadır. Araştırmacılara önceki çalışmaların içeriği, yöntemi ve odağı hakkında bir referans kılavuzu sağlamak amacıyla 2019 Aralık ayından itibaren “TR DİZİN” alan yazında yayımlanan 86 makale incelenmiş ve bibliyometrik analiz ile değerlendirilmiştir. Makalelere ilişkin nicel bilgilerin ortaya konmasında SPSS istatistik programı kullanılırken kelime bulutlarının oluşturulmasında MAXQDA veri analizi yazılımı kullanılmıştır. Mevcut inceleme sonucunda ilgili makalelerin çoğunlukla Covid-19’un turizm endüstrisine, turizm hareketlerine ve turizm çalışanlarına etkileri” üzerine yoğunlaştığı tespit edilmiştir.
Organik Gıda Tüketiminin Konaklama Tesisi Seçimine Etkileri Üzerine Bir Araştırma (A Study On The Effects Of Consuming Organic Food On Accommodation Preferences)
Authors: Oto Senay , Şahbaz R. Pars
Published: March 2022

Yaşam kalitesinin devamlılığının sağlanmasında ve artırılmasında önemli etkenlerden biri sağlıklı beslenmedir. Günümüz araştırmalarının önemli bir kısmı gıda üretiminde verimliliği artırmak maksadıyla kullanılan her türlü kimyasal ve genetiği değiştirilmiş organizmanın canlı sağlığı ve ekolojik sürdürülebilirliğe olumsuz etkileri konusunda önemli bir eleştirel bakış acısı getirmektedir. Bu durum tüketicilerin bir kısmının sağlık endişesi, çevresel duyarlılıklar gibi sebeplerle konvansiyonel üretim yöntemlerine alternatifler aramasına sebep olmaktadır. Organik gıda, konvansiyonel yöntemlerle üretilen gıda ürünlerine alternatif olarak ortaya çıkmış gıda üretim yöntemlerinden biridir. Yapılan araştırmalar organik gıda ürünleriyle beslenen tüketicilerin giderek büyüyen bir kitleyi oluşturduklarını işaret etmektedir. Bu nedenle de birer tüketici olarak beklenti ve tercihlerinin yakından tanınması gerekliliği ortaya çıkmaktadır. Bu araştırma organik gıda tüketicilerinin, beslenme alışkanlıklarının tatil konaklaması tercihlerine etkisini incelemek üzere gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırma dâhilinde organik gıda kavramı irdelenmiş ardından hipotezler doğrultusunda özgün bir anket formu geliştirilerek hipotezler analiz edilmiştir. Araştırma sonuçlarına göre, organik gıda tüketicilerinin tatil sürecinde de organik gıda tüketimini sürdürmeyi istedikleri ve bu durumun konaklama tercihinde önemli bir etkisi olduğu tespit edilmiştir.
Some anatomical parameters of the eyes of patients with different stages of glaucoma
Authors: Koroev O. A. , Koroev A. O. , Khabalova N. T.
Published: March 2022

Purpose: to study the morphological structures of the eyes of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and to identify the changes characteristic of this disease.Material and methods. We examined 90 patients with various stages of POAG and compensated ophthalmic tonus and 50 patients without glaucoma with ophthalmic pathology not associated with eye hydrodynamic disorders (control group), aged 40 to 81 years and older. In addition to the standard ophthalmological examination, all patients were examined for the curvature of the anterior surface of the cornea and its thickness, the depth of the anterior chamber and the thickness of the lens, the length of the eye axis, the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and the condition of the optic nerve head (ONH), using ophthalmometry, keratotopography, anterior segment analyzer (Pentacam, OCULUS, USA), ultrasound biometry (UD-6000 Tomey, Japan), and optical coherence tomography (OCT).Results. No significant differences in the parameters of ultrasound biometry and pachymetry were revealed between the control group and POAG patients. The only types of data characterizing the glaucoma process were altered parameters of the optic disc and the peripapillary zone of the retina, namely, the thickness of the RNFL. In 81.1 % of glaucoma eyes, temporal excavation was detected, the average RNFL thickness in the temporal segment of the ONH was 44.2 ± 3.0 μm.Conclusion. Ophthalmoscopy and OCT of the ONH and RNFL are the main diagnostic methods that allow obtaining indisputable data on the morphological changes characteristic of POAG. These studies should become mandatory in the diagnosis of glaucoma and monitoring of patients with POAG..
Crosslinking as a treatment for infectious crystalline keratopathy
Authors: Trufanov S. V. , Riks I. A. , Papanyan S. S. , Ezugbaya M. , Boutaba R.
Published: March 2022

Infectious crystalline keratopathy (ICK) is a rare cornea disease, manifested by gray-and-white tree-like or needle-like stromal opacities with minimal signs of inflammation. The disease is caused by the colonization of microorganisms on the corneal stroma and their formation of biofilms, making them extremely resistant to treatment with antibiotics and to the immune response of the patient. Typically, the most important risk factor for ICK development is the presence of an immunodeficiency cornea condition with long-term topical steroid therapy, which is normally prescribed after keratoplasty. Two clinical cases of ICK are discussed in which the reduction of topical glucocorticoids and the intensive use of antibiotics did not result in positive clinical changes. Only after an accelerated crosslinking procedure (PACK-CXL), needlelike opacities disappeared in the area of microbial invasion and signs of infiltration appeared, indicating the restoration of the local immune response. This phenomenon is likely due to the destruction of the biofilm and the microbial agents themselves, which afterwards contributed to a more effective impact of the antibacterial drug. This combined treatment led to resorption of the inflammatory focus with the formation of local opacification. The effectiveness of PACK-CXL in infectious processes is explained by the effects of both riboflavin and ultraviolet radiation. No literature references on the use of cross-linking in the treatment of ICK are available. In our opinion, cross-linking in early ICK patients after keratoplasty is justified by the inability, in some cases, to completely discontinue glucocorticosteroid therapy, as this will greatly increase the chances of rejection and graft jailure. PACK-CXL can be an effective way of destroying the biofilm in the corneal stroma.
Determination of the optical density of macular pigment: clinical value
Authors: Bikbov M. M. , Usubov E. L. , Zaynullina N. B. , Matyukhina E. N. , Ponomarev I. P.
Published: March 2022

The density of macular pigment in the central retina is the total concentration of lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin. Normally, the average value of the optical density of macular pigment can vary significantly as it depends on the person's lifestyle, the total amount of pigment in the body, nutrition, gender, age, as well as concomitant diseases such as diabetes, obesity, arterial hypertension. Differences in the level of optical density of macular pigment between different countries were revealed and it was showed that this parameter drops in cases of retinal pathology, cataract, glaucoma, myopia, macular degeneration, or diabetic macular edema. The level of macular pigment may be considered as a significant diagnostic criterion in many ophthalmic pathologies, so any changes of this parameter require attentive consideration.
Fungal corneal ulcer complicated by endophthalmitis: clinical and laboratory diagnostics, treatment tactics
Authors: Kovaleva L. A. , Krichevskaya G. I. , Maкarov P. V. , Petrova A. O. , Flora S. V. , Zyurnyayeva I. D. , Andryushi A. E. , Markelova O. I.
Published: March 2022

Purpose: to study the clinical signs and effectiveness of laboratory diagnostics of fungal corneal ulcer complicated by endophthalmitis aimed at treatment tactics optimization.Materials and methods. 15 patients aged 20–55 with severe monocular fungal ulcer complicated by endophthalmitis were examined by microscopy and culture of corneal scraping on Sabouraud Agar; microscopy and culture of intraocular fluid and corneal fragments, obtained during the surgical treatment. Corneal scrapings from the corneal ulcer and corneal fragments removed during keratoplasty were tested in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of Candida albicans and total Fungi DNA.Results. Before treatment start, 2.5 hours after the biomaterial was taken, PCR revealed Fungi DNA in all 15 cases. Symptoms of the severe fungal corneal ulcer complicated by endophthalmitis and caused by Aspergillus spp have been identified and described. Conservative therapy and total penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) helped retain the eye in 13 out of 15 patients (86.7 %) and partially restore the visual functions.Conclusion. Rapid laboratory diagnosis of ophthalmomycosis using PCR offers an advantage over the culturing technique: the results are ready within 2.5 hours instead of 10-14 days (culture method); it is highly sensitive and allows identifying the fungi not only in the tissue of the removed cornea, but also in the сorneal scrapings. The effective treatment tactics of fungal corneal ulcer complicated by endophthalmitis combining PKP with pre-operative and long-term postoperative antifungal therapy was proposed.
Prevalencia de prácticas discriminatorias en México
Authors: López Retana Alvin David
Published: March 2022

El objetivo de este artículo es realizar un análisis exploratorio mixto acerca de la diversidad de prácticas discriminatorias que se ejercen contra ciertos grupos poblacionales en México. Para ello, se llevó a cabo un análisis factorial exploratorio por factores principales, desde el cual se elaboró una tipología de situaciones en las que diversos segmentos de la población tienen más posibilidades de ser discriminados. La información estadística para ese análisis se obtuvo de la Encuesta Nacional sobre Discriminación 2017. Los resultados arrojaron tres factores o tipos situacionales de discriminación: para conseguir alojamiento, por matrimonio y por opinión. Las implicaciones de estos resultados apuntan a reconocer que, dentro de los grupos que sufren discriminación, ciertos subgrupos son más susceptibles de padecerla que otros, es decir, son los más discriminados entre los discriminados. La originalidad de este trabajo radica en la metodología desarrollada, que facilitó la visualización de la segmentación de las prácticas discriminatorias que se ejercen. Los hallazgos hacen posible identificar hacia quiénes se dirigen con mayor frecuencia estas prácticas, lo cual puede contribuir al diseño de políticas públicas de acción afirmativa que conduzcan a la superación de esta condición de desigualdad.
Inorganic-organic Synergy in Nano-hybrids Makes a New Class of Drug
with Targeted Delivery: Glutamate Functionalization of Iron
Nanoparticles for Potential Bone Marrow Delivery and X-ray Dynamic
Therapy
Authors: Pal Samir Kumar , Ghosh Ria , Mondal Susmita , Mukherjee Dipanjan , Adhikari Aniruddha , Bhattacharyya Maitree
Published: March 2022

The direct delivery of therapeutic molecules is generally inefficient and has several
problems. Hence, nanomedicines with targeted and controlled delivery applications have been an
exciting field of research for the past decade. In this regard, the adjustable properties of inorganic
nanoparticles like particle size distribution, ability to change the targeting ligand to have a higher
affinity towards the pathologic cell, and controlled delivery properties have made them indispensable
for targeted drug delivery applications. Changing the ligand on the surface of the inorganic nanoparticle
can direct different therapeutic molecules to different organs like the liver, spleen, kidney, bone, and
even brain. However, while the other targeted nanomedicines are well-reported, the targeting of
therapeutics to bone marrow cells is sparse in the literature. Hence, the administration of therapeutics
for bone-related disorders, like bone metastases, leads to several problems, such as severe systemic
toxicity and suboptimal efficacy. In this direction, we have shown our successful effort to functionalise
a model inorganic nanoparticle (Fe2O3) by glutamate ligand which is reported to have a high affinity
towards the NMDA receptors of the bone cells. We have performed spectroscopic studies to
characterize the nano-hybrid. We have shown that the cargo or the Fe2O3 nanoparticle possesses the
ability to generate photo-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby leading to a therapeutic
opportunity for bone metastases. In addition, the nanoparticle also possesses the ability to generate
enhanced ROS on X-ray irradiation, which may provide a new strategy for bone metastases and cancer
therapy. Also, this paper reviews the advancement in the drug delivery applications of inorganic
nanoparticles and highlights the crosstalk between the inorganic nanoparticles with the conjugated
targeting ligand for efficient delivery applications.
Dietary Acid Load Associated with Hypertension and Diabetes in the Elderly
Authors: Omma Tulay , Gulcelik Nese Ersoz , Zengin Fatmanur Humeyra , Karahan Irfan , Culha Cavit
Published: March 2022

Background:

Diet can affect the body's acid-base balance due to its content of acid or
base precursors. There is conflicting evidence for the role of metabolic acidosis in the development
of cardiometabolic disorders, hypertension (HT), and insulin resistance (IR).

Objective:

We hypothesized that dietary acid load (DAL) is associated with adverse metabolic risk
factors and aimed to investigate this in the elderly.

Methods:

A total of 114 elderly participants were included in the study. The participants were divided into four groups such as HT, diabetes (DM), both HT and DM, and healthy controls. Anthropometric, biochemical, and clinical findings were recorded. Potential renal acid load (PRAL) and net endogenous acid production (NEAP) results were obtained from three-day, 24-hour dietary records via a nutrient database program. (BeBiS software program).

Results:

The groups were matched for age, gender, and BMI. There was a statistically significant
difference between the groups regarding NEAP (p =0.01) and no significant difference for PRAL (
p = 0.086). The lowest NEAP and PRAL levels were seen in the control group while the highest in
the HT group. Both NEAP and PRAL were correlated with waist circumference (r = 0,325, p =
0.001; r=0,231, p =0,016, respectively).

Conclusion:

Our data confirmed that subjects with HT and DM had diets with greater acid-forming
potential. High NEAP may be a risk factor for chronic metabolic diseases, particularly HT. PRAL
could not be shown as a significantly different marker in all participants. Dietary content has a significant
contribution to the reduction of cardiovascular risk factors, such as HT, DM, and obesity.
Электропроводящие свойства окислов ряда Магнели: VO и V-=SUB=-2-=/SUB=-O-=SUB=-5-=/SUB=-
Authors: Ильинский А.В. , Шадрин Е.Б.
Published: March 2022

A comparative analysis of the electrically conductive properties of strongly correlated oxides: vanadium oxide VO and vanadium pentoxide V2O5, belonging to opposite ends of the Magneli series, is carried out. It is shown that, despite the radical difference in the symmetry of the crystal lattices of these compounds, these materials have a number of fundamental common properties, the main of which are the dependence of the width of the energy gap (gap band) on the occupation of the conduction band by electrons and the occurrence in both compounds of an electronic Mott transition extended in temperature. It is shown that vanadium pentoxide is a classic Mott insulator.