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Bu araştırmanın konusu ilahiyat fakültesi Arapça hazırlık sınıfı öğrencilerinin öğretim yılı başında Arapçaya yaklaşımlarını tespit etmektir. Arapçaya yaklaşımları düşünce, beklenti ve hedef kategorilerinde ele alınmıştır. Öğrencilerin özellikle sene başında Arapçaya yaklaşımlarını belirlemedeki amaç, henüz bu eğitimi almadan öğrencilerin nasıl bir yaklaşımla derslere başladıklarını ortaya çıkarmaktır. Araştırma sonunda elde edilecek sonuçların Arapça eğitimi ve öğretiminin iyileştirilmesi yönünde, bu dersi veren öğretim elemanlarına alana ilişkin bir veri sağlayacağı umulmaktadır. Araştırmada nicel araştırma yöntemlerinden tarama deseni kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın örneklemini, Tekirdağ Namık Kemal Üniversitesi İlahiyat Fakültesi’nde 2020-2021 eğitim öğretim yılında Arapça hazırlık eğitimi alan 126 öğrenci oluşturmaktadır. Veriler, yukarıda belirlenen üç kategoride toplamda 18 sorudan oluşan Likert tipi yapılandırılmış görüşme formu ile toplanmıştır. Verilerin analizinde SPSS programından yararlanılmıştır. Araştırmanın sonunda öğrencilerin sene başında Arapça dersine karşı yaklaşımlarına düşünceler ve beklentiler kategorileri hedefler kategorisine göre yüksek oranda olumlu yanıt verdiği görülmüştür. Bu durum öğrencilerin sene başında Arapça hazırlık sınıfına yüksek motivasyonla geldiği şeklinde yorumlanmıştır.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of earthquake awareness training for non-structural elements in the interior, which was conducted in the undergraduate program of the faculty of architecture, on the level of knowledge of the students, with a practice assignment that will increase the professional awareness of interior architecture students. When pilot study and practice study were compared, it was discovered that the practice study had a higher value with an increase of 7.67. The increase in this rate may also indicate that it has an impact on students' professional awareness, particularly following the 6 February earthquake. Consequently, both in the pilot study and the practice study, there was a considerable improvement in students' professional awareness of non-structural aspects in the interior. Thus, it has been demonstrated that 11 modules are effective in disclosing hazards, risks, and precautions while investigating structural applications in the teaching process.

Abstract Background Central America and the island of Hispaniola have set out to eliminate malaria by 2030. However, since 2014 a notable upturn in the number of cases has been reported in the Mosquitia region shared by Nicaragua and Honduras. In addition, the proportion of Plasmodium falciparum malaria cases has increased significantly relative to vivax malaria. Chloroquine continues to be the first-line drug to treat uncomplicated malaria in the region. The objective of this study was to evaluate the emergence of chloroquine resistant strains of P. falciparum using a genetic approach. Plasmodium vivax populations are not analysed in this study. Methods 205 blood samples from patients infected with P. falciparum between 2018 and 2021 were analysed. The pfcrt gene fragment encompassing codons 72–76 was analysed. Likewise, three fragments of the pfmdr1 gene were analysed in 51 samples by nested PCR and sequencing. Results All samples revealed the CVMNK wild phenotype for the pfcrt gene and the N86, Y184F, S1034C, N1042D, D1246 phenotype for the pfmdr1 gene. Conclusions The increase in falciparum malaria cases in Nicaragua and Honduras cannot be attributed to the emergence of chloroquine-resistant mutants. Other possibilities should be investigated further. This is the first study to report the genotype of pfmdr1 for five loci of interest in Central America.

İltifat, Kur’an’da çokça uygulanan, yüksek edebî değere sahip sanatlardan biridir. Bu sanat, sözü durumun gereğine göre belli bir şahıs, fiil kipi, sayı, edat veya cümle türü üzere sürdürürken, durumun gereğine aykırı bir şekilde diğer bir şahıs, fiil kipi, sayı, edat veya cümle türüne geçiş yapma biçiminde gerçekleşmektedir. İltifât sanatı söze kesinlik, süreklilik, hareket gibi birtakım anlamlar katmakta; merak, arzu, heyecan ve ürpertiyi diri tutmaktadır. Kur’an’ı okuyanlara benzer biçimde meâl okuyanların da bu anlamları mümkün olduğunca fark edebilmeleri ve bu sanatın edebî hazzını hissedebilmeleri beklenmektedir. Arapça ile Türkçe arasında önemli yapısal farklılıklar bulunmaktadır. Ayrıca Türkçeye çevrilmek istenen metin, ilahî sonsuz boyuta sahip Kur’an-ı Kerim ve onu çeviriye teşebbüs eden de sınırlı insan aklıdır. Bu durum iltifât sanatının meâllere aktarımında ileri seviyede dikkatli ve özenli olmayı gerektirmektedir. İltifât sanatı Arapça, İngilizce ve Endonezyaca gibi farklı dünya dillerinde bilimsel araştırmalarda da incelenmiştir. Bu çalışmaların bir kısmında, iltifât sanatı Kur’an’ın metniyle sınırlı çerçevede ele alınırken; diğer bir kısmında, Kur’an’daki iltifât sanatının meâllerde aktarımı meselesi konu edinilmiştir. Meâllerin Kur’an’daki iltifât sanatını yansıtma durumlarını inceleyen Türkçe tek çalışma, tespit edebildiğimiz kadarıyla, Haşim Özdaş’a ait “Kur’ân Tercümelerinde İltifât Sanatının Çeviri Sorunu” başlıklı makaledir. Adı geçen makalede iltifât sanatının farklı türlerinden gelen sekiz âyetin beş farklı meâldeki çevirileri incelenmiştir. Türk dili ve edebiyatında iltifât sanatının bulunmadığı, âyetlerdeki iltifât sanatının Türkçeye çevrilmesinin âyetleri anlamanın önünde bir engel olduğu, yanlış veya tam anlaşılmamaya yol açtığı öne sürülmüştür. Bu çerçevede, âyetlerdeki iltifât sanatını yansıtan meâller hatalı kabul edilmiş; çözüm olarak da âyetlere meâl verilirken âyetlerdeki iltifât sanatının yok sayılarak tercüme edilmesi önerilmiştir. Bu araştırma makalesinde ise, meâllerin âyetlerdeki mâzi ve muzâri fiil kipleri arasında iltifât örnekliğinde iltifât sanatını yansıtma durumları konu edinildi. Araştırma Türk dilinde metin eleştirisi üzerine kurulmakla beraber Türk belâgatında iltifât sanatının teorik zemini, etraflıca ele alınması zarureti, bu araştırma makalesinin bunu hedeflememiş olması ve makale hacminin sınırlılıkları sebebiyle konu edinilmedi. Türk belâgatında iltifat sanatının yazımı, bütün yönleriyle ele alınacağı bağımsız, kapsamlı araştırmalara havale edildi. Ayrıca Türk dilinde iltifât sanatının bulunmadığı, Kur’an’da bulunan iltifât sanatının meâle aynen aktarımının yanlış veya eksik anlamalara yol açtığı, bu sebeple âyetlere meâl verirken onlardaki iltifât sanatının yok sayılması gerektiğini öne süren görüşler tartışıldı. Sonuç olarak, iltifât sanatının Türk belâgatinin de bir konusu olduğu, âyetlerdeki iltifât sanatının meâllerde mümkün olduğunca yansıtılması gerektiği, iltifât sanatının meâllerde aktarımının âyetlerin anlaşılması önünde bir engel oluşturmayacağı aksine âyetlerde bu sanata başvurulmasından hedeflenen ilahî maksat ve hikmetin gerçekleşmesine katkı sağlayacağı fikri öne sürüldü. Araştırmanın veri kaynakları, çeşitli örnekleme yöntemleri kullanılarak, 6 âyetten ve bunların 22 meâldeki çevirilerinden oluşturuldu. Bunlardan toplanan veriler tümevarım yaklaşımı temelinde karşılaştırmalı metin analizi yöntemiyle analiz edildi. Nitel veriler nicel verilere dönüştürülerek SPSS programında işlendi ve bulgular tablolarda sayısal rakamlar olarak sunuldu. Araştırma sonunda, Belâgat ilminde incelenen mâzi ve muzâri fiil kipleri arasındaki iltifâtın, fiillerde zaman kaymaları olgusu olarak dil bilgisinin de bir konusu olduğu belirlendi. Kur’an’da iltifât sanatına ortalama 800 yerde başvurulduğu, mâzi ve muzâri fiiller arasındaki iltifâtın, bu miktarın %6,9’unu (55 adet) oluşturduğu görüldü. Bu elli beş iltifâtın da büyük bölümünü mâzi fiil kipinden muzâri fiil kipine iltifâtın oluşturduğu (%63,6), muzâri fiil kipinden mâzi fiil kipine iltifâtın miktarının daha az (%36,4) olduğu anlaşıldı. İncelenen meâllerde mâzi ve muzâri fiil kipleri arasındaki iltifâtın %90,9 oranında yansıtılmadığı, 22 meâlden 14’ünde iltifât sanatının tamamen terk edildiği belirlendi. Âyetlerdeki iltifât sanatının meâllerde yansıtılmama sebebinin, bu sanatın Türk dilinde bulunmadığı ve meâllerde aktarımının yanlış ve eksik anlamaya yol açtığına dair benimsenen kanaat olduğu sonucuna ulaşıldı. Araştırmada âyetlerdeki iltifat sanatının meâllere aktarımında çeşitli çeviri strateji ve tekniklerinin denendiği bilimsel çalışmaların sayısının arttırılması teklif edildi. Bu itibarla bu araştırma makalesinin, Kur’an’ın sanatlarının meâllerde aktarımı meselesi üzerine daha fazla araştırma yapılmasının yolunu açması ve Kur’an’ın gelecekte yapılacak Türkçeye çevirileri için faydalı olması beklenmektedir.

In this study, microstructural and crystallographic properties of phase transformations occurring with thermal effect in Fe-XMn-Mo-Si (X = 15.14wt.% ve 18.45wt.%) alloys have been investigated. The effects of (wt.%) Mn rates in the alloy on the characteristics of phase transformations were investigated by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). SEM and TEM investigations was observed that two different martensite (ε and α') structures were formed in austenite grain. In addition, in TEM observations, the interface regions were selected over the bright field image. Crystallographic orientation relationships were obtained by the analyses of electron diffraction patterns from the interface regions. γ → α' type transformation was observed for α' particle formation, and orientation relationship was found as (1–11)γ // (011)α', [101]γ // [1–11–]α' and, γ → ε type transformation was observed for ε martensite plate formation, and the orientation relationship was found as (1–11–)γ // (0002–)ε, [1–1–0]γ // [2–110]ε. It was noticed that this orientation relationships were compatible with the literature (Kurdjumov-Sachs and Shoji-Nishiyama orientation relationship). Precipitation phase (carbide) formation was observed in microstructure analyses. The changes in the magnetic properties of the alloys having different rates of Mn as a consequence of thermal effect phase transformations was investigated by using Mössbauer Spectroscopy. The internal magnetic field, volume fractions (transformation rates), isomer shift values and magnetic characteristics of the main and product phases were revealed by Mössbauer Spectroscopy. In the Mössbauer Spectrum, it was noticed that ε-martensite and γ-austenite structures showed paramagnetic single-peak, and α'-martensite showed ferromagnetic six-peaks.

Hasr, Kur’ân’ın çokça başvurduğu özlü, güçlü ve edebî nitelikliüstün bir üslûptur. Bu üslûp sayesinde, bir şeyin belli bir şeydebulunduğu, ondan başkasında bulunmadığı ifade edilir. Türk dilive belâgatında hasr üslûbuna yönelik çalışmalar yok denecekkadar azdır. Bu durumun neden olduğu bilgi eksikliği meâllerdeönemli dil ve anlatım problemlerine yol açmaktadır. Hasrla gelenâyetlerin meâllerinde anlam kayıpları olmakta, hasrın belli biryolunu gerektiren ilahî hikmet ve maksat da kaybolmaktadır.Meâlleri hasr açısından inceleyen bazı yayınlar bulunmaktadır.Bu araştırmanın onlardan farkı, sorunun tespitinden ziyade çözümodaklı olmasıdır. Araştırma, Türk belâgatında hasrın yollarını anahatlarıyla ele almakta ve böylece meâllerde hasrı ifadede görülendil ve anlatım problemlerini aşmaya imkân vermektedir. AyrıcaKur’ân’ın hasr üslûplarına denk veya yakın Türkçe üslûplarönermektedir.Araştırmada klasik, akademik ve sosyal tabanlı nitelikte yirmimeâl kitabı incelenmiştir. Meallerin kritiğinde Arapça veOsmanlıca belâgat kaynakları ve belli başlı tefsirlerin yanındaTürkçe dilbilgisi kitapları, Osmanlıca ve Türkçe sözlüklerebaşvurulmuştur.

Anopheles species are the vectors of malaria, one of the diseases with the greatest impact on the health of the inhabitants of the tropics. Due to their epidemiological relevance and biological complexity, monitoring of anopheline populations in current and former malaria-endemic areas is critical for malaria risk assessment. Recent efforts have described the anopheline species present in the main malaria foci in Honduras. This study updates and expands knowledge about Anopheles species composition, geographical distribution, and genetic diversity in the continental territory of Honduras as in the Bay Islands. Outdoor insect collections were carried out at 25 sites in eight municipalities in five departments of Honduras between 2018 and 2021. Specimens were identified using taxonomic keys. Partial COI gene sequences were used for molecular species identification and phylogenetic analyses. In addition, detection of Plasmodium DNA was carried out in 255 female mosquitoes. Overall, 288 Anopheles mosquitoes were collected from 8 municipalities. Eight species were morphologically identified. Anopheles albimanus was the most abundant and widely distributed species (79.5%). A subset of 175 partial COI gene sequences from 8 species was obtained. Taxonomic identifications were confirmed via sequence analysis. Anopheles albimanus and An. apicimacula showed the highest haplotype diversity and nucleotide variation, respectively. Phylogenetic clustering was found for An. argyritarsis and An. neomaculipalpus when compared with mosquitoes from other Neotropical countries. Plasmodium DNA was not detected in any of the mosquitoes tested. This report builds upon recent records of the distribution and diversity of Anopheles species in malaria-endemic and non-endemic areas of Honduras. New COI sequences are reported for three anopheline species. This is also the first report of COI sequences of An. albimanus collected on the island of Roatán with apparent gene flow relative to mainland populations.

In recent years, collective action initiatives in the energy field, such as energy communities and cooperatives, have been gaining relevance both in the policy and in the social research domains as primary actors of energy transition. [...]

Energy communities (ECs), intended as collective action initiatives in the energy field involving citizens’ participation, have been gaining relevance for the past decades as an alternative way to organize the energy chain to challenge the incumbent system. With Europe’s recently adopted Clean Energy Package, ECs found a formal recognition by the European Union as potential actors of the transition of the energy system towards a wider and more decentralized use of renewable sources. Although the potential role of ECs in the transition is therefore hardly questionable, a thorough comprehension of the enabling factors that might foster their diffusion and scaling up is still lacking. Through a comparative analysis of the evolutionary trajectories in six EU countries regarding their energy systems, their regulatory frameworks and their historical evolution of ECs, namely through the example of cooperative models, this paper aims at providing some preliminary evidence about the factors and dynamics that seem to have played, and may play, a role in hampering or facilitating EC model diffusion. Attention is therefore specifically paid to three dimensions of analysis referring to: the energy mix and market structure; the institutional and policy landscape; the wider social attitudes towards environmental issues and cooperation among citizens. In addition to providing a wide comparison of different EU countries, the paper shows that the historical evolution pathways have to be carefully taken into account to understand what might trigger ECs exploitation in the EU.

Abstract Background Proximal catheterization failure is believed to be the result of obstruction of the catheter by the choroid plexus. Optimal catheter placement can reduce proximal catheter failure. It has been reported that placement of ventricular catheters with stereotaxy, ultrasound, and endoscopic methods can help to reduce proximal catheterization failure. Aim In cases with an open fontanelle that require VP shunt revision, proximal catheter failure can be reduced with transfontanellar ultrasound guidance. Case description A ventricular catheter had been placed via right parietooccipital burr hole with free-hand method. Three months later, the left lateral ventricle, particularly the frontal horn of the left lateral ventricle, was observed to be asymmetrically larger, so revision surgery was planned. The revision surgery was performed under transfontanellar ultrasound guidance to advance the existing catheter to the frontal horn of the contralateral ventricle. In revision cases, particularly those with an open fontanelle, the proximal catheter can be placed in the desired region without any issues under intraoperative transfontanellar ultrasound guidance. Conclusion In cases with an open fontanelle that require external ventricular drainage, VP shunt placement, or revision, proximal catheter failure can be reduced with transfontanellar ultrasound guidance.

The countries of Central America and the island of Hispaniola have set the goal of eliminating malaria in less than a decade. Although efforts to reduce the malaria burden in the region have been successful, there has been an alarming increase in cases in the Nicaraguan Moskitia since 2014. The continuous decrease in cases between 2000 and 2014, followed by a rapid expansion from 2015 to the present, has generated a potential bottleneck effect in the populations of Plasmodium spp. Consequently, this study aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity of P. falciparum and the decrease in allelic richness in this population. The polymorphic regions of the pfmsp-1 and pfmsp-2 genes of patients with falciparum malaria from Honduras and Nicaragua were analyzed using nested PCR and sequencing. Most of the samples were classified into the K1 allelic subfamily of the pfmsp-1 gene and into the 3D7 subfamily of the pfmsp-2 gene. Despite the low genetic diversity found, more than half of the samples presented a polyclonal K1/RO33 haplotype. No sequence polymorphisms were found within each allelic subfamily. This study describes a notable decrease in the genetic diversity of P. falciparum in the Moskitia region after a bottleneck phenomenon. These results will be useful for future epidemiological investigations and the monitoring of malaria transmission in Central America.

Commercial production of cacao in Hawaii has doubled in the past 10 years, and farmers are receiving premium prices for their beans from the expanding local confectionery industry. Black pod, caused by Phytophthora spp., is the only major cacao disease that has been reported in Hawaii but distribution and molecular identification are lacking. To determine the species of Phytophthora affecting Theobroma cacao, a sampling trip was conducted on Hawaii Island and Oahu. Ten isolates of Phytophthora palmivora were obtained from diseased cacao on Hawaii Island, but none from Oahu, despite the presence of symptomatic pods. No other Phytophthora species were found. Laboratory studies showed that all isolates produced lesions on unwounded cacao pods, but they differed in terms of their temperature–growth responses. Fungicide sensitives for a subset of isolates (n = 4) were determined using media amended with a range of fungicide concentrations. The Hawaiian isolates of P. palmivora were more sensitive to mefenoxam, chlorothalonil, and fosetyl-Al, than isolates from Ghana (n = 2) and Mexico (n = 1). This study identifies P. palmivora as a causal agent of black pod in Hawaii based on molecular data and provides valuable preliminary information on fungicide resistance and temperature response that can be used to improve disease management.

Cryptosporidiosis is one of the most important causes of gastroenteritis in the world, especially in low- and middle-income countries. It is caused by the Apicomplexan parasite Cryptosporidium spp., and mainly affects children and immunocompromised people, in whom it can pose a serious threat to their health, or even be life threatening. In Honduras, there are no data on parasite species or on molecular diversity or Cryptosporidium subtypes. Therefore, a cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2019 and March 2020 for the molecular identification of Cryptosporidium spp. in 102 patients living with HIV who attended a national hospital in Tegucigalpa. Stool samples were analyzed by direct microscopy, acid-fast stained smears, and a rapid lateral flow immunochromatographic test. All samples that tested positive were molecularly analyzed to identify the species and subtype of the parasite using three different markers: gp60, cowp, and 18Sr. PCR products were also sequenced. Four out of 102 samples (3.92%) were positive for Cryptosporidiumparvum, and all were assigned to subtype IIa. These findings suggest a possible zoonotic transmission in this population.

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of magnesium sulfate and ketamine on postoperative pain and total morphine consumption in a placebo-controlled design. METHODS: One hundred and twenty women scheduled for total abdominal hysterectomy were included in this prospective, randomized, double-blind study. Postoperatively, when the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) was four or more, IV-PCA morphine was applied to all patients. The patients were randomized into three groups: Group K ketamine, Group M magnesium, and Group C saline received as infusion. Total morphine consumption for 48h, pain scores, adverse effects, and patients' satisfaction were evaluated. RESULTS: Total morphine consumption was significantly lower in Group K (32.6±9.2 mg) than in Group M (58.9±6.5 mg) and in Group C (65.7±8.2 mg). The satisfaction level of patients in Group K was higher than the other two groups (p

This conceptual paper applies a mobilization model to Collective Action Initiatives (CAIs) in the energy sector. The goal is to synthesize aspects of sustainable transition theories with social movement theory to gain insights into how CAIs mobilize to bring about niche-regime change in the context of the sustainable energy transition. First, we demonstrate how energy communities, as a representation of CAIs, relate to social innovation. We then discuss how CAIs in the energy sector are understood within both sustainability transition theory and institutional dynamics theory. While these theories are adept at describing the role energy CAIs have in the energy transition, they do not yet offer much insight concerning the underlying social dimensions for the formation and upscaling of energy CAIs. Therefore, we adapt and apply a mobilization model to gain insight into the dimensions of mobilization and upscaling of CAIs in the energy sector. By doing so we show that the expanding role of CAIs in the energy sector is a function of their power acquisition through mobilization processes. We conclude with a look at future opportunities and challenges of CAIs in the energy transition.

Studies of the phenomena known as the “rebound effect,” “backfire,” and the “Jevons Paradox” have cast doubt on the effectiveness, in terms of reduction of energy use, of measures based on efficiency gains. Some of them have shown that efficiency improvements are less effective than expected, others have lent strength to the hypothesis that efficiency improvements are counterproductive in the long run. The difference between the two groups is thus all but negligible. Moreover, it is of considerable pragmatic significance as it may undermine the foundations of solid expectations that had led to ongoing systems and repertoires of action. In this paper we provide a model about the hypothesis that the expectations related to the effects that efficiency gains have on energy and resource consumption may exacerbate the rebound effect and that they prevent alternative strategies, that may turn out to be more effective in reducing energy and resource use, to be enacted. In the concluding paragraph, we propose possibilities for further hypothesis and empirical research that could lead to the refinement of the model.

Fibröz displazi fibroplastik proliferasyon ve normal kemiğin progresif fibröz doku ile yerdeğiştirmesi ile karakterize nonneoplastik fibroosseöz bir lezyondur. Fibröz displazi sıklıkla sinonazal bölgede olmak ile birlikte orta konka kemiğinde oluşumu oldukça nadirdir. Genellikle asemptomatiktir ancak ileri olgularda hastalığın yayılımı ile burun tıkanıklığı, sinir basısından ötürü ağrı veya patolojik kırıklar olabilir. Genellikle bağlı kemiklerden hastalığın uzanıma seconder olarak gelişir. Bu olgu sunumunda tek taraflı burun tıkanıklığı olan 54 yaşında bayan hasta literature bilgileri gözden geçirilerek sunuldu.

The existing studies on the phenomena known as “rebound effect” and Jevons Paradox question the effectiveness, in environmental terms, of the measures based on efficiency improvements. On the one hand, they show that efficiency improvements are not as effective as expected, while on the other hand they, in some cases, support the hypothesis that efficiency improvements can be counterproductive in the long run. The goal of this article is to show that these issues are of interest also outside of energy economics. Instead, we will analyze them from the point of view of sociology of expectations and of sociology of technology, till getting close to the studies on social movements, ecologically oriented action, environmental policies, perverse effects and systemic consequences. By adopting a vocabulary borrowed from Actor-Network Theory, the first part of this study will be devoted to retracing the process of formation of the coalition acting the action program of the “efficiency strategy”. We will then turn to analyze the threats to the integrity of the coalition, as well as the strategies adopted to preserve it. We conclude with a discussion on the difficulties that the attempts at creating an alternative, or opposite, action program might encounter.

In fractures developing on the basis of the nerve conduction loss occurring after spinal trauma, healing and bone metabolism demonstrate departure from normal. The objective of this study is to study the type of effect which the interruption in the nerve conduction has on bone metabolism and bone healing and to develop relevant mechanisms. 45 Wistar Albino rats were randomized and divided into 3 groups. In Group 1 (n=20), a close fracture was created at the right tibia following spinal trauma at the lumbar level. In Group 2 (n=20), a fracture was created without spinal trauma. Finally, Group 3 (n=5) was made up of rats with no intervention. On the 35th day of the study, rats were sacrificed; blood samples were taken and fractured extremities were removed. Materials were histopathologically and biochemically examined. Significant weight loss was detected postoperatively in Group 1. In the same group, blood and callus BALP levels indicating bone formation were observed to be high. A significant decrease was also identified in callus calcium levels. Employed as a determinant of bone resorption, hydroxyproline levels did not demonstrate any significant differences. On the other hand, upon histopathological examination, callus size was observed to be significantly larger in the trauma group than in the other group, while the degree of maturation was lower than that of the control group. Interruption of nerve conduction induced by spinal trauma is observed to give way to an increase in callus size, despite its negative effect on the mineralization phase of bone healing. [Med-Science 2013; 2(4.000): 777-91]

A comprehensive in vitro assessment of two commercial metal oxide nanoparticles, TiO2 and ZnO, was performed using human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDM), monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDC), and Jurkat T cell leukemia-derived cell line. TiO2 nanoparticles were found to be non-toxic whereas ZnO nanoparticles caused dose-dependent cell death. Subsequently, global gene expression profiling was performed to identify transcriptional response underlying the cytotoxicity caused by ZnO nanoparticles. Analysis was done with doses 1 µg/ml and 10 µg/ml after 6 and 24 h of exposure. Interestingly, 2703 genes were significantly differentially expressed in HMDM upon exposure to 10 µg/ml ZnO nanoparticles, while in MDDCs only 12 genes were affected. In Jurkat cells, 980 genes were differentially expressed. It is noteworthy that only the gene expression of metallothioneins was upregulated in all the three cell types and a notable proportion of the genes were regulated in a cell type-specific manner. Gene ontology analysis revealed that the top biological processes disturbed in HMDM and Jurkat cells were regulating cell death and growth. In addition, genes controlling immune system development were affected. Using a panel of modified ZnO nanoparticles, we obtained an additional support that the cellular response to ZnO nanoparticles is largely dependent on particle dissolution and show that the ligand used to modify ZnO nanoparticles modulates Zn(2+) leaching. Overall, the study provides an extensive resource of transcriptional markers for mediating ZnO nanoparticle-induced toxicity for further mechanistic studies, and demonstrates the value of assessing nanoparticle responses through a combined transcriptomics and bioinformatics approach.

Background: Undergraduate conferences may improve exposure to neurosurgery among medical students. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of a neurosurgical skills conference on medical students' comprehension and perceptions of the specialty., Methods: A before-and-after (BA) study design was employed to assess the effects of a conference that integrated presentations with hands-on sessions. Practical workshops covered craniotomy, spinal fixation, surface anatomy, intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring, basic surgical skills, and microsurgical simulation. Pre-conference and post-conference surveys, utilizing Likert scales, gauged participants' attitudes, prior neurosurgical exposure, and understanding of neurosurgical skills. Statistical analysis was conducted on dichotomized responses., Results: Thirty-one participants completed both surveys, with the majority being 1 st and 2 nd -year medical students. Among the participants, 58.1% were female, and 77.4% identified with BAME ethnicities. Following the conference, there was a notable increase in comprehension regarding neurosurgical careers (from 58.1% to 96.8%, P < 0.001) and training criteria (from 22.6% to 93.5%, P < 0.001). The conference enhanced knowledge of indications for craniotomy ( P < 0.001), ICP monitoring ( P < 0.001), and spinal fixation ( P < 0.001). Participants reported improved understanding of the steps involved in craniotomy ( P < 0.001), familiarity with basic cranial surgical surface anatomy ( P < 0.001), and confidence in performing basic surgical instrument ties ( P < 0.001). Although interest in pursuing a career in neurosurgery remained high (from 87.1% to 90.3%, P = 1.000), a majority of participants, both BA the conference, expressed concerns about the impact on personal life (from 58.1% to 64.5%, P = 0.774)., Conclusion: This study underscores the role of undergraduate mixed-method conferences in augmenting understanding of neurosurgery and nurturing early interest., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2024 Surgical Neurology International.)

In plant production, evaluation of salt stress protectants concerning their potential to improve growth and productivity under saline stress is critical. Bacillus subtilis (Bs) and cobalt (Co) have been proposed to optimize salt stress tolerance in coriander (Coriandrum sativum L. cv. Balady) plants by influencing some physiological activities. The main aim of this work is to investigate the response of (Bs) and (Co) as eco-safe salt stress protectants to resist the effect of salinity, on growth, seed, and essential oil yield, and the most important biochemical constituents of coriander produced under salt stress condition. Therefore, in a split-plot factorial experiment design in the RCBD (randomized complete block design), four levels of salinity of NaCl irrigation water (SA) were assigned to the main plots; (0.5, 1.5, 4, and 6 dS m -1 ); and six salt stress protectants (SP) were randomly assigned to the subplots: distilled water; 15 ppm (Co1); 30 ppm (Co2); (Bs); (Co1 + Bs); (Co2 + Bs). The study concluded that increasing SA significantly reduced coriander growth and yield by 42.6%, which could be attributed to ion toxicity, oxidative stress, or decreased vital element content. From the results, we recommend that applying Bs with Co (30 ppm) was critical for significantly improving overall growth parameters. This was determined by the significant reduction in the activity of reactive oxygen species scavenging enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) and non-enzyme: proline by 5, 11.3, 14.7, and 13.8% respectively, while increasing ascorbic acid by 8% and preserving vital nutrient levels and enhancing plant osmotic potential to buffer salt stress, seed yield per plant, and essential oil yield increased by 12.6 and 18.8% respectively. The quality of essential oil was indicated by highly significant quantities of vital biological phytochemicals such as linalool, camphor, and protein which increased by 10.3, 3.6, and 9.39% respectively. Additional research is suggested to determine the precise mechanism of action of Bs and Co's dual impact on medicinal and aromatic plant salt stress tolerance., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The development and production of secondary metabolites from priceless medicinal plants are restricted by drought stress. Mentha pulegium L. belongs to the Lamiaceae family and is a significant plant grown in the Mediterranean region for its medicinal and aesthetic properties. This study investigated the effects of three polyethylene glycol (PEG) (0, 5, and 10%) as a drought stress inducer and four silicon nanoparticle (SiNP) (0, 25, 50, and 100 ppm) concentrations as an elicitor to overcome the adverse effect of drought stress, on the growth parameters and bioactive chemical composition of M. pulegium L. plants grown in vitro. The experiment was performed as a factorial experiment using a completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of 12 treatments with two factors (3 PEG × 4 SiNPs concentrations), 6 replicates were used for each treatment for a total of 72 experimental units.The percentage of shoot formation was inversely proportional to the PEG concentration; for the highest PEG concentration, the lowest percentage of shoot formation (70.26%) was achieved at 10% PEG. SiNPs at 50 ppm enhanced shoot formation, the number of shoots, shoot height, fresh and dry weight, rosmarinic acid, total phenols, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity. The methanol extract from M. pulegium revealed the presence of significant secondary metabolites using gas chromatography‒mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The principal constituents of the extract were limonene (2.51, 2.99%), linalool (3.84, 4.64%), geraniol (6.49, 8.77%), menthol (59.73, 65.43%), pulegone (3.76, 2.76%) and hexadecanoic acid methyl ester or methyl palmitate (3.2, 4.71%) for the 0 ppm SiNPs, PEG 0% and 50 ppm SiNPs, and PEG 10%, respectively. Most of the chemical components identified by GC‒MS in the methanol extract were greater in the 50 ppm SiNP and 10% PEG treatment groups than in the control group. SiNP improves drought tolerance by regulating biosynthesis and accumulating some osmolytes and lessens the negative effects of polyethylene glycol-induced drought stress.Based on the results, the best treatment for most of the parameters was 50 ppm SiNPs combined with 10% PEG, the morphological and chemical characteristics were inversely proportional to the PEG concentration, as the highest PEG concentration (10%) had the lowest results. Most parameters decreased at the highest SiNP concentration (100 ppm), except for the DPPH scavenging percentage, as there was no significant difference between the 50 and 100 ppm SiNPs., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The postharvest life of cut flowers is limited, which is a major challenge and varies greatly depending on plant varieties, cut flower stage, flower length of the harvested shoots, and storage conditions including postharvest treatments. As a result, improving the vase life and quality of cut flowers in regulating postharvest characteristics and overcoming these challenges is critical to the horticulture business. Novel engineered nanocomposites were created and tested for possible impacts on flower bud opening, postharvest life extension, longevity regulation, and preservation and enhancement of the strength and appearance of cut flowers. The experiment was conducted as a factorial experiment using a completely randomized design (CRD) with two factors. The first factor was two holding solutions (without or with sucrose at 20 gL -1 ). The second factor was 12 pulsing treatments for 24 h; distilled water as a control, 75 ppm GA 3 , multi-walled carbon nanotubes MWCNTs at 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 ppm, and MWCNTs (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 ppm)/GA 3 (75 ppm) composites; each treatment had 3 replicates, for a total of 72 experimental units. In the present study, gibberellic acid (GA 3 ) was synthesized in functionalized (MWCNT/GA 3 composites) as a novel antisenescence agent, and their effect on the vase life quality of cut rose flowers Rosa hybrida cv. 'Moonstone' was compared by assaying several parameters critical for vase life. The adsorption of GA 3 on MWCNTs was proven by performing FTIR spectroscopy which ensures that the formation of the MWCNTs/GA3 composite preserves the nanostructure and was examined by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The results revealed that sucrose in the holding solution showed a significant increase in fresh weight, flower diameter, and vase life by 10.5, 10.6, and 3.3% respectively. Applying sucrose with MWCNTs 20 ppm/GA 3 75 ppm composites or MWCNTs 20 ppm alone, was critical for the significant increase in flower opening by 39.7 and 28.7%, and longevity by 34.4 and 23.2%, respectively, and significantly increased chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll, anthocyanin, total phenolic content, and 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity as compared to the control., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

During three years of the unprecedented, massive COVID-19 pandemic that affected the world, nurse front liners faced substantial challenges and experienced long-term adverse mental health. This study explored psychological self-care practices undertaken by nurses to strengthen their mental health and develop resilience in their professional care role while addressing the challenges of the COVID-19 era. A qualitative descriptive exploratory study was conducted on 40 nurses who worked in providing COVID-19 care across Brunei using focus groups aided by semi-structured open-ended questions. Data were thematically analyzed using constructivist grounded theory. Four themes emerged: (1) 'Care of the mind, heart and soul'; (2) 'Physical care for the psychological well-being'; (3) 'Venting out and distraction'; (4) 'Have faith, think and stay positive'. The challenges of dealing with a worldwide pandemic unintentionally placed nurses' mental well-being at risk while the government strategized and prioritized containing and preventing the spread of and death from COVID-19. Health administrators, as well as nursing educators, need to promote and develop resources to strengthen nurses' psychological self-care practices. This will not only benefit individual nurses but will help promote the well-being of patients and employees, improve the health of all, and counteract any unintended stressful situations, even beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

Existing systematic reviews have insufficiently delineated the differing cardiac and renal profile of ultrafiltration compared to diuretics as a method of decongestion in acute decompensated heart failure. This meta-analysis will investigate the impact of ultrafiltration compared to diuretics on prognostic cardiac and renal biomarkers. We searched PubMed Central, Ovid MEDLINE ® , Ovid Embase, all EBM reviews, and Web of Science Core Collection for randomised controlled trials published before 21 July 2022. Our main outcome measures were cardiac (brain natriuretic peptide and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide) and renal biomarkers (serum creatinine, serum sodium, and blood urea nitrogen). A total of 10 randomised trials were included in our analysis after screening. An inverse-variance random effects meta-analysis of the pooled results demonstrated no significant difference between ultrafiltration and diuretics for brain natriuretic peptide, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, creatinine, sodium and long-term blood urea nitrogen. However, ultrafiltration produced statistically greater increases in blood urea nitrogen in the short-term (mean difference, 3.88; 95% confidence interval 0.59-7.17 mg/dL). Overall, ultrafiltration produces a similar impact on prognostic cardiac and renal biomarkers when compared to diuretic therapy. We highlight ultrafiltration's significant impact on short-term BUN and recommend further research to investigate more optimal protocols of ultrafiltration administration.

Objectives: The objective of the study is to assess the knowledge and practice concerning insulin therapy in adult diabetic Sudanese patients and relate it with their control of diabetes and selected demographic variables., Methods: Personal interview, using a specific pretested designed questionnaire was used to collect data from 200 adult diabetic patients in Jabir Abuleiz center in Khartoum state., Result: The result showed that only 15% of the respondent had adequate knowledge about insulin use. Also, good knowledge was associated with a higher level of education and good glycemic control (P < 0.001)., Conclusion: Knowledge about insulin therapy has an important role in the control of diabetes mellitus. Those who are knowledgeable about insulin therapy are more likely to have good control of HbA1c., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2022 Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care.)

Nanoformulation of agrochemicals has become a potential choice to improve the physicochemical properties, enhance the utilization efficiency, and reduce the side effects and ecotoxicity of many hazardous chemicals. Here, we tailored a new formulation platform for gibberellic acid (GA) using the layered double hydroxides (LDH) as a potential carrier. Typically, we synthesized, characterized, and potentially applied the newly nanoformulated form of GA on the quantity and quality properties of Dendranthema grandiflorum cultivar. We also evaluated the synergetic effect of the carrier LDH on the release behavior of GA, showing a remarkable impact on the utilization efficiency of GA. The nanohybrid structure of GA also showed an enhanced thermal stability and safe preservation for the incorporated moieties. Taking into account the hazardous effect of free GA on the environment and human health, the hybrid technique of GA is one of the best choices among all of the studied protocols.

In patients with the nephrotic syndrome, it is often desirable to assess the disease process, not only by proteinuria but also by indices of glomerular inflammatory process. We investigated the importance of beta-microglobulin (betaM) as a means of assessing renal function in patients with the nephrotic syndrome with normal or abnormal values of creatinine clearance. There were 46 patients (mean age, 42.2 + 10.4 years; male/female (M/F) ratio = 31/15) and 35 healthy controls (mean age 39 + 4.5 years, M/F ratio 25/10). We subdivided the study patients into group A (n = 18, mean age 39.6 + 10.6 years, M/F ratio 8/10) and group B patients (n = 28, mean age 45.6 + 8.9 years, M/F ratio 23/5) who had normal and abnormal values of creatinine clearance respectively. An enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to quantitate plasma beta2M in the study patients and controls. The median 132M levels of the study patients and controls were 44.0 and 1.7 mg/l respectively (p < 0.0001). Beta-2-M levels correlated significantly with serum creatinine (r = 0.56, p < 0.0001), and creatinine clearance (r = -0.6, p < 0.0001). In group A patients, the median beta2M level was significantly higher than normal (4.1 vs. 1.7 mg/1, p < 0.01). Plasma beta2M levels did not correlate well with any other parameter measured in group A patients. When groups A and B were compared, the median plasma beta2M level in group B was significantly higher than group A (20.3 vs. 4.1 mg/1, p < 0.0001). The urinary beta2M (expressed per mg urine creatinine) was also higher in group B than group A patients (6.8 vs. 0.7 p < 0.05). We conclude that elevation of beta2M-microglobulin in patients with the nephrotic syndrome who have normal creatinine clearance suggests early abnormal renal function in these patients. It may be used to assess the rate of normalisation of renal function or progression to chronic renal failure.

A 66-year-old hypertensive male with acute intracerebral hemorrhage developed acute hyponatremic coma 3 days after the addition of enalapril and a combination of amiloride and a thiazide diuretic to his hypotensive regimen. The patient recovered consciousness and serum sodium normalized 2 days after fluid restriction and withdrawal of both medications. Three weeks later, upon inadvertent reinstitution of enalapril and indapamide, severe hyponatremic encephalopathy promptly recurred; recovery was again rapid following fluid restriction and withdrawal of both medications. This temporal relationship establishes the thiazide diuretic or the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor or both as the cause of the profound symptomatic hyponatremia in this patient. Results of simultaneous serum and urine osmolality assays on several occasions were consistent with a decrease in free water clearance, a result of either increased antidiuretic hormone (ADH) secretion or potentiation of its peripheral action, and thiazide-induced natriuresis. The use of a thiazide diuretic in the presence of either of these aberrations of ADH homeostasis most likely explains the profound and rapid development of hyponatremia. Drug-induced disturbances in serum osmolality are a potentially reversible cause of deterioration of the mental state in a patient with an acute cerebrovascular accident.

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Xeroderma pigmentosum is an uncommon skin disorder associated with increased incidence of skin tumours and, less often, internal malignancies. Wilms' tumour is a common paediatric tumour, observed rarely in adults. Here we report the rare association of Xeroderma pigmentosum with adult Wilms' tumour in two Libyan females. To the best of our knowledge, this association has not been reported so far in the literature.