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The Covid-19 pandemic process, in which some courses are given online, and some courses are given remotely, have undoubtedly deeply affected pre-service preschool teachers as well as other students. In this sense, the findings of studies that determine the views and perceptions of all stakeholders affected by the distance education system are still of great importance in terms of taking measures to change these perceptions. The focus of this study is on pre-service preschool teachers. The main difference that distinguishes the current study from other studies is that it aims to comprehensively understand the perspectives of pre-service preschool teachers by addressing their metaphorical perceptions and views on distance education. In this study, phenomenology design was used. The study group of the research consisted of 150 pre-service teachers studying at Afyon Kocatepe University-Türkiye, Department of Early Childhood Education in the fall semester of the 2020-2021 academic year. Content analysis technique was used to analyze the views and metaphorical perceptions of pre-service preschool teachers towards distance education in the Covid-19 pandemic process. As a result, while most of the pre-service teachers used negative metaphors to describe the compulsory distance education process due to the pandemic, fewer pre-service teachers used positive metaphors. Considering the results of the findings obtained in the study, it is recommended to increase the efficiency of education by including practices that increase intrinsic motivation in order to prevent the loss of motivation of faculty members and students in order to increase the efficiency in the distance education process., Arabaci, M. Kaya, Ü. Ü., & Karaca, N. H. (2023). Pre-service preschool teachers' views and metaphorical perceptions towards distance education in the Covid-19 pandemic process. Asian Journal of Distance Education, 18(1), 165-195. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7770812

Introduction: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder. Although it is considered as an epithelial disease due to impaired chloride transport, its pathogenesis is not clear. CF is classified as a syndrome with congenital defects of phagocyte in recent human inborn errors of immunity phenotypic classification. Neutrophils are the most effective cells in the eradication of bacterial infections such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The aim of this study was to investigate the phagocyte functions in pseudomonas colonized cystic fibrosis patients. Material-Method: A total number of 26 Pseudomonas colonized cystic fibrosis patients and 21 healthy controls (sex and age matched) were included in the study. Absolute neutrophil counts(ANC), immunoglobulin values (Ig), Migratest to evaluate chemotaxis in neutrophils and monocytes, CD11A/CD18/CD15 S (β2 integrin) adhesion molecules, Phagoburst test for intracellular bacterial killing were analyzed by flow cytometer. Results: Absolute neutrophil counts (ANC), CD15S expression on neutrophils and IgG, IgA and IgM levels were higher in CF patients than control group (pG had significantly lower chemotaxis index than the others (respectively p:0.01, p:0.01). Conclusion: Our results from a small group of patients does not support impaired functions such as migration and phagocytosis of neutrophils in patients with CF. Further studies involving more CF patients are needed to make a definitive interpretation.

Introduction. Most patients with primary and secondary immunodeficiencies need regular intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) or subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG) treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the serum IgG trough levels, frequency of mild and severe infections, frequency and duration of hospitalization, duration of absence of school, and quality of life in patients switching their IVIG therapy to SCIG administration. Materials. Twenty-nine patients with immunodeficiency on regular IVIG treatment and who agreed to receive SCIG treatment were included. Seven patients discontinued treatment after the first SCIG administration. We collected data regarding serum IgG levels, annual numbers of infections, hospital admissions, and adverse events prior to and following SCIG initiation. Peds QL tests such as scale total score (STS), physical health total score (PHTS), psychosocial health total score (PsyHTS), emotional functionality, social functionality, school/work problems score were calculated separately for all patients and their parents. Results. In twenty-two cases who were diagnosed as primary immunodeficiency, the most common indication for initiation of SCIG treatment was the long transfusion period of IVIG treatments and the difficulty of access to the hospital. No systemic side effects were noted except local redness, pain, and swelling on the injection site. The median IgG value was 588.9 mg/dl during IVIG treatment and 872 mg/dl one year after SCIG treatment. Annual frequency of infections and absence to school/work decreased significantly in the SCIG group while the annual number of hospitalizations and hospital stay time did not change significantly. There was a significant increase in the quality of life scores of the patients and their families. Conclusions. SCIG treatment provides ideal and protective immunoglobulin levels and offers the comfort of treatment in their home environment, thus increasing the patient's satisfaction and quality of life.

Background: The Transmembrane Activator and Calcium modulator ligand Interactor (TACI), encoded by TNFRSF13B/TACI gene, is mutated in some patients with Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID) and IgA Deficiency (IgAD). The purpose of the study was to investigate for the first time in Turkish patients the prevalence of TNFRSF13B alterations in CVID, selective and partial IgAD patients. Methods: Forty two CVID, 36 selective IgAD, 34 partial IgAD and 25 healthy controls were included. All patients were examined for TNFRSF13B gene mutations by PCR. Results: The percentages of TNFRSF13B mutations in CVID, selective and partial IgAD patients were 7.1, 2.7 and 2.9%, respectively. No disease causing TNFRSF13B mutation in healthy controls was found. Patients with TACI mutations had recurrent respiratory tract infections. None of them experienced autoimmunity, bronchiectasis or granulomatous disease. In conclusion, TNFRSF13B mutations were present not only in CVID patients, but also in IgAD cases. Conclusion: Modifier genes as well as their combination with other genetic or environmental factors may play an important role in the development of the immunodeficiency phenotype.

Background Procedural pain is one of the most significant problems in neonates, especially in premature babies. Harmless and effective pain relief modalities in newborns should thus be applied. Although sucrose is the most commonly used agent, the most effective dose and concentration of sucrose is not clear. In this study, we compared the efficacy of two different doses of sucrose during venepuncture in neonates. Methods This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind study. The study was conducted during venous sampling. Oral 24% sucrose (Tool sweet((TM)) Natus Medical, San Carlos, CA, USA) was given by sterile syringe onto the anterior part of the tongue. Group 1 (n = 65) received 0.2 mL/kg 24% sucrose and group 2 (n = 64) received 0.5 mL/kg 24% sucrose. The Bernese Pain Scale for Neonates (BPSN) was used to assess the pain scores before, during and after the procedure. Results One hundred and twenty-nine premature infants were enrolled in the study, consisting of 67 girls (51.9%) and 62 boys (48.1%) aged 1-24 days (mean age, 8.34 +/- 6.25 days). There was no significant difference in BPSN score between the groups (P > 0.05). There was also no statistically significant difference in BPSN subscale scores between the groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions Twenty-four percent sucrose 0.2 mL/kg may be the minimum effective dose to relieve pain during venepuncture procedures in premature babies.

52nd Conference of the European-Society-of-Human-Genetics (ESHG) -- JUN 15-18, 2019 -- Gothenburg, SWEDEN, Karaca, Neslihan/0000-0002-2202-7082, WOS: 000489313902179, [No abstract available], European Soc Human Genet

50th European-Society-of-Human-Genetics (ESHG) Conference -- MAY 27-30, 2017 -- Copenhagen, DENMARK, Karaca, Neslihan/0000-0002-2202-7082; AYKUT, Ayca/0000-0002-1460-0053, WOS:000489312602204, [No Abstract Available], European Soc Human Genet

Congress of the European-League-Against-Rheumatism (EULAR) -- JUN 13-16, 2018 -- Amsterdam, NETHERLANDS WOS: 000444351005428 … European League Against Rheumatism

Purpose of Investigation: The authors aimed to evaluate serum total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) in women with abnormal cervical cytology, to determine the association between serum oxidant and antioxidant status of these women, and the progression of abnormal cervical cytology. Materials and Methods: A total of 75 women enrolled in the study: 20 women with a determination of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), 20 women with low squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL), 15 women with high squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and 20 healthy controls. Serum TOS and TAS were determined and OSI was calculated as the indicator of degree of oxidative stress. Results: Serum TOS levels and OSI were highest in the HSIL group and there was a trend toward increasing serum TOS levels and OSI from ASCUS to HSIL group. Conclusion: The authors demonstrated that increased oxidative stress with altered antioxidant level is associated with abnormal cervical cytology. Serum oxidant and antioxidant status may provide guidance as a simple and cost-effective method for follow-up, treatment, and recommendation in all stages of lesions.

Objective: To investigate the effect of a previous IVF failure on the quality of life and emotional distress, in couples undergoing IVF treatment. Experiencing IVF failure might cause differences on the anxiety depression and quality of life scores of the couples, compared to the ones who were undergoing IVF treatment for the first time. Study design: This study included 64 couples who had previously experienced at least one IVF failure (Group 1) and 56 couples without history of IVF failure (Group 2) in a private Assisted Reproductive Center, Istanbul, Turkey. A sociodemographic data form, the FertiQoL International and Hospital Anxiety (HAD-A) and Depression scale (HAD-D) for evaluating the status of distress, were administered for the study. Result(s): FertiQoL scores were compared between the groups, the environment scale of the quality of life in treatment section was found to be significantly higher in Group 1 compared with Group 2 (p = 0.009). The HAD-A and HAD-D scores did not differ significantly between the groups. Group-variables were investigated using multilevel analysis, the infertility duration and income level were found to have an effect on the subscales of quality of life (p = 0.009 and p = 0.001 respectively) in Group 2. Depression scores were higher in couples with infertility duration of below five years in Group 1 and Group 2 compared to couples with infertility duration of five years or above (MANOVA analysis). The level of education was found to affect the scores of HAD-D in Group 2, but not in Group 1 (p = 0.011). The score of HAD-D was significantly affected by the family type only in Group 2 (p = 0.009); the depression score of the couples living with a nuclear family was found to be higher compared with the couples living in a traditional family (p = 0.021). Conclusion(s): Fertility-specific quality of life scores reveals better results regarding the orientation to the treatment environment in the couples with a previous IVF failure, compared to first IVF cycle couples. Treatment failure does not elevate the level of anxiety, while the effect on depression scores changes according to duration of infertility. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Preoperative Autologous Donation in a Pediatric Patient Undergoing Open Heart Surgery Pediatric open heart surgery is a major procedure in which transfusion rates are moderately high and blood products are mandatorily used during cardiopulmonary' bypass. Insufficiency of cross-match compatible blood products are rarely seen and these circumstances led to postponement of elective operations. Enforcement of blood preservation methods like preoperative autologous donation are necessary in these patients. In this article, we present, the case of a patient who had undergone surgery for the repair of congenital mitral valve insufficiency, in whom preoperative auotologous donation was performed because of lack of cross-match compatible blood products .

WOS: 000355774200014, PubMed ID: 26167828, It is well known that disseminated Mycobacterium bovis BCG infection is developed after BCG vaccination in infants with congenital cellular immune deficiencies such as mutations in genes along the interleukin (1)-12/interferon (IFN)-gamma pathway and mutations in nuclear factor-kB essential modulator (NEMO). In this report, a rifampicin-resistant M.bovis BCG strain isolated from an infant with NEMO defect was presented. An 8-month-old male infant with NEMO defect admitted to the pediatric outpatient clinic of our hospital with fever, generalized lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly. Microscopic examination of the smears, prepared from lymph node and liver biopsy specimens revealed abundant amount (3+) of acid-fast bacilli (AFB). Rifampicin-susceptible Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) was detected by real-time PCR (GeneXpert MTB/RIF; Cepheid, USA) in the samples. The growth of mycobacteria was determined on the 20th day of culture performed in MGIT960 system (Becton Dickinson, USA). The isolate was identified as M.bovis BCG by GenoType MTBC kit (Hain Lifescience, Germany) and defined as M.bovis BCG [SIT 482 (BOV_1)] by spoligotyping. In the primary anti-tuberculosis drug susceptibility test performed by MGIT960 system, the isolate was found susceptible to rifampicin (RIF), isoniazid (INN), streptomycin (STM) and ethambutol (EMB). Then anti-tuberculosis treatment was started to the patient. However, the patient at the age of 2 years, re-admitted to the hospital with the complaint of hepatosplenomegaly. Smear of spontaneously draining abscess material obtained from subcutaneous nodules revealed intensive AFB positivity (3+) once again. In the present instance RIF-resistant MTC was detected with GeneXpert system in the specimen. The growth of mycobacteria was determined on the 13th day of culture and isolate was identified as M.bovis BCG. The present isolate was found susceptible to INN, STM and EMB but resistant to RIF. A mutation in the rpoB gene (codon 531, S531L) associated with RIF resistance was detected by using the partial sequencing of the rpoB gene. Patient died due to disseminated bovis BCG infection and multiple organ failure. To our knowledge, there are only six RIF-resistant M.bovis BCG strains isolated from patients in the literature. However, this is the first RIF-resistant M.bovis BCG strain isolated from a NEMO-deficient patient.

This research was conducted at the Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Ankara University between 2008 and 2009. In the trial, the cuttings from Sultani seedless grape variety and 8 American rootstock (1616C, 1103P, 140Ru, 110R, 99R, 41B, 5BB and SO4) were used. Bench grafting was done with omega grafting machine. In the trial, sprouting ratios, callus formation, bottom root and neck root formation were also investigated. In this study, 8 American rootstock and Sultani seedless grape variety were used and the bottom root formation was the highest in SO4 with a percentage of 59.38% and it was followed by 41B with 37.50% and 1616C with 33.34%. The lowest root formation was in 5BB with 13.54%. While the highest bottom root formation occurred in 110R with a percentage of 95.84%, it was followed by 99R with 71.88% and SO4 with 68.78%. The lowest bottom root formation occurred in 1616C with a percentage of 27.09%. While the highest sprouting ratio was observed in 41B with a percentage of 47.92%, the lowest sprouting ratio occurred in 1616C with 27.08%. The highest all-round callus formation occurred in 5BB with a percentage of 82.29% and the lowest all-round callus formation was observed in 99R with 4.8%. According to the results of the study, the highest results were achieved on American rootstocks SO4, 110R, 41B and 5BB in terms of bottom root and neck root formation, sprouting ratios, callus formation., Bu araştırma, Ankara Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi Bahçe Bitkileri Bölümü’nde 2008 ve 2009 yılları arasında yapılmıştır. Denemede Sultani çekirdeksiz üzüm çeşidinden alınan aşı kalemleri ile 8 Amerikan asma anacı (1616C, 1103P, 140Ru, 110R, 99R, 41B, 5BB ve SO4) dan alınan çelikler kullanılmıştır. Masa başında omega aşı makinesiyle aşılama işlemi gerçekleştirilmiştir. Denemede; gözde sürme, kallus oluşumu, dip kök ve boğaz kök oluşumu tespiti yapılmıştır. 8 Amerikan asma anacı ve Sultani Çekirdeksiz üzüm çeşidinin kullanıldığı bu çalışmada boğaz kök oluşumu yüzdesi % 59.38 ile en yüksek SO4 anacında gerçekleşirken bunu % 37.50 ile 41B ve % 33.34 ile de 1616C anaçları izlemiştir. En düşük boğaz kök oluşumu ise % 13.54 ile 5BB anacında gerçekleşmiştir. Dip kök oluşumu bakımından en yüksek değer % 95.84 ile 110R anacında gözlenirken bunu % 71.88 ile 99R ve % 68.78 ile de SO4 anaçları izlemiştir. En düşük dip kök oluşumu ise % 27.09 ile 1616C anacında gerçekleşmiştir. Süren göz sayısı bakımından en yüksek değeri % 47.92 ile 41B anacında gözlenirken, en düşük süren göz % 27.08 ile 1616C anacında gerçekleşmiştir. Çepeçevre kallus oluşumu yüzdesi % 82.29 ile 5BB anacında gerçekleşirken, en düşük çepeçevre kallus oluşumu % 4.8 ile 99R anacında gerçekleşmiştir. Yapılan söz konusu çalışma sonucunda dip kök oluşumu, boğaz kök oluşumu, süren göz sayısı ve çepeçevre kallus oluşumu bakımından en yüksek değerleri uygulama sırasıyla, SO4, 110R, 41B ve 5BB Amerikan asma anaçlarından elde edilmiştir.

16th Biennial Meeting of the European-Society-for-Immunodeficiencies -- OCT 29-NOV 01, 2014 -- Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC, WOS: 000347389100638, European Soc Immunodeficiencies

Aim: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are common congenital anomalies of the nervous system, comprising primarily of spina bifida and anencephaly. The etiology of NTDs is complex and the genetic and enviromental factors which appear to be involved in the etiology are imperfectly understood. This study was conducted to investigate the influence of genetic and enviromental factors, namely parental consanguinity, maternal obesity, maternal folate and vitamin B12 levels, parental age and the maternal MTHFR genotype on the risk of NTD in the child. Additionally, maternal multivitamin intake, maternal education and occupation status, socioeconomic levels and the type of delivery were also evaluated. Materials and Methods: Forty-five mothers who had children affected with NTD and forty-one mothers who had healthy children were included in the study. All mothers' serum folate and vitamin B12 levels were measured, and the 677C>T and the 1298A>C polymorphisms of the MTHFR gene were analysed, and body mass index was calculated. A questionnaire was administered to detect the sociodemographic and socioeconomic status in both groups. Results: Comparison of the parameters of both groups revealed that frequencies of maternal obesity, consanguineuos marriages are higher, multivitamin intake and serum vitamin B12 levels are lower, and frequency of MTHFR 677TT genotype is higher in mothers of children with NTD. Conclusion: Parental consanguinity, inadequate multivitamin intake during pregnancy, maternal obesity and the MTHFR 677TT genotype may play a role in the etiology of NTDs., Amaç: Nöral tüp defektleri, başlıca spina bifida ve anensefali olmak üzere, sinir sisteminin sık görülen konjenital anomalileridir. Nöral tüp defekti etyolojisi tam anlaşılamamakla beraber, etyolojide genetik ve çevresel faktörler sorumlu tutulmaktadır. Bu çalışmada akraba evliliği, annedeki obesite, annenin folat ve vitamin B12 düzeyleri, ebeveyn yaşı ve annenin metilentetrahidrofolat redüktaz gen polimorfizmleri gibi genetik ve çevresel risk faktörlerinin çocukta nöral tüp defekti gelişimi üzerine etkisinin araştırılması hedeflenmiştir. Ek olarak, annelerin multivitamin kullanımı, eğitim düzeyi, meslek durumu, sosyoekonomik düzey ve doğum şekilleri de incelenmiştir. Gereç ve Yöntem: Nöral tüp defektli çocuğu olan 45 ve sağlıklı çocuğu olan 41 anne çalışmaya alınmıştır. Tüm annelerde serum folat ve vitamin B12 düzeyleri ile metilentetrahidrofolat redüktaz 677C>T ve 1298A>C polimorfizmleri çalışılmıştır. Vücut kitle indeksi ölçülmüştür. Sosyodemografik ve sosyoekonomik özellikler anket uygulanarak değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular: Nöral tüp defektli çocuğu olan annelerde obesite ve akraba evliliği daha sık, gebelikte multivitamin kullanımı daha az, serum vitamin B12 düzeyi daha düşük ve metilentetrahidrofolat redüktaz 677TT genotipinin daha sık olduğu görülmüştür. Sonuç: Nöral tüp defekti etyolojisinde gebelikte yetersiz multivitamin alımı, akraba evliliği, maternal obesite ve metilentetrahidrofolat redüktaz 677TT genotipinin rol aldığı saptanmıştır.

Transient hypogammaglobulinemia (THI) of infancy is a common primary immunodeficiency usually resolves by 3 years of age. In this study, clinical, immunological data and outcome of 101 retrospectively diagnosed THI patients were evaluated. Majority of them suffered from recurrent respiratory infections (70.3%). Initial IgG, IgM and IgA levels were 446.7±121.5, 67.5±32.8, and 25.6±16.8 mg/dl, respectively. Patients who had lower IgG levels on admission reached normal IgG levels earlier than others. Infants who were retarded to reach age-related normal levels for IgM and IgA were found to have higher CD3+CD8+ T cells on admission. During immunoglobulin abnormalities, mean lymphocyte subset percentages and absolute counts were normal. Mean percentage of CD19+CD27+ memory B cells was 3.4±1.4% which is not significantly different from healthy children. Most of the children had protective antibody responses to tetanus (87%) and Haemophilus influenzae type B (85.7%) vaccines. Patients with low anti-tetanus responses had higher initial natural killer (NK) cell percentages probably due to recurrent viral infections or relative dominance of innate responses. Follow-up of patients with initially high NK were found to have longer duration of deficiency hence these patients' recoveries were delayed. During follow-up, 91/101 (90.1%) children produced normali levels of IgG at the end of 29.2 ± 15.2 months. The results of this study indicate that some children will achieve normal levels of IgG within 30 months of age, and some will remain IgG subclass or IgA deficient. Determination of increased NK percentages in patients with non-protective vaccine response and normal percentages of memory B cells are noteworthy novel findings.