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Letter to the editor: Effect of different postures of Pilates combined with Kegel training on pelvic floor muscle strength in post‐prostatectomy incontinence
No full textLetter to edito
A New Cephalaria (Caprifoliaceae) Species from Turkey
No full textCephalaria saldaensis, collected from Eşeler Mountain around Salda Lake (Yeşilova-Burdur), one of Turkey’s important tourism regions, is described from South-West Anatolia as a new species. Diagnostic morphological and molecular characters from closely similar taxa are discussed. The geographical distribution of the new species and other related species is mapped. Taxonomic comments such as descriptive and diagnostic characters, distribution and ecology, conservation status for this new species are given in the current study. In this study, morphological characterization of three different Cephalaria spp. was also supported via molecular characterization based on PCR technology. Twenty-two ISSR primers were tested using a total of fifteen individuals belonging to three different Cephalaria spp. Five of these primers gave the most productive band profile. A total of 53 bands ranging from 250bp to 2000bp were obtained from the PCR products on agarose gel image, and the polymorphism calculated on the basis of the band profiles was 77.4%. The band profiles were also analyzed using the PopGen32 Software program. The constructed phylogenetic tree grouped the Cephalaria spp. individuals belonging to these three species into two main clusters and the phylogenetic analysis indicated that C. saldaensis was clearly different from the C. scoparia and C. dirmilensis
The clinical significance of lymphovascular space invasion in patients with low-risk endometrial cancer
No full textObjective: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of lymphovascular space invasion on recurrence and disease-free survival in patients with low-risk endometrial cancer.
Methods: The study included patients with stage 1A, grade 1-2 endometrioid endometrial cancer who underwent a total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy. Independent prognostic predictors of endometrial cancer recurrence were assessed using the Cox regression model. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of distant recurrence. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to describe survival curves, and the log-rank test was used to compare the differences in survival curves.
Results: A total of 189 patients met the inclusion criteria, of whom 24 (12.7%) had lymphovascular space invasion. The median follow-up time was 60 (3-137) months. Distant recurrence was present in 11 of 22 patients who developed recurrence. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the 5-year disease-free survival rates of patients with lymphovascular space invasion(+) and lymphovascular space invasion(-) were 62.5 and 91.9%, respectively, which were significantly lower (p<0.001). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, the presence of lymphovascular space invasion (p<0.001) and age ≥60 years (p=0.017) remained as prognostic factors for reduced disease-free survival. In binary logistic regression analysis, only lymphovascular space invasion (adjusted OR=13, 95%CI=1.456-116.092, p=0.022) was a prognostic factor for distant recurrence.
Conclusion: lymphovascular space invasion is a prognostic risk factor for recurrence and distant metastasis and also a predictor of poorer disease-free survival outcomes in low-risk endometrial cancer
A Numerical Scheme for Time-Fractional Fourth-Order Reaction-Diffusion Model
No full textIn fractional calculus, the fractional differential equation is physically and theoretically important. In this article an efficient numerical process has been developed. Numerical solutions of the time fractional fourth order reaction diffusion equation in the sense of Caputo derivative is obtained by using the implicit method, which is a finite difference method and is developed by increasing the number of iterations. The advantage of the implicit difference scheme is unconditionally stable. The stability analysis and convergency have been proven. A numerical example has been presented, and the validity of the method is supported by tables and graphics
Evaluation of Music Teaching Undergraduate Program in terms of Piano Education Competence in the Line of Music Teacher Candidates' Opinions
No full textThe aim of this research is to evaluate the music teaching undergraduate program in terms of piano education adequacy in line with the opinions of music teacher candidates. As a result of the research, it was determined that the music teacher candidates found in terms of "playing works related to different periods of piano literature", and "playing accompaniment". It has been revealed that they feel lacking in basic piano playing skills. One of the remarkable results is that some of the music teacher candidates could not play the piano accompaniment of the National Anthem. Some suggestions in the research; increasing the piano education from two semesters to eight semesters in the music teaching undergraduate program, the content of the piano education curriculum; The aim is to organize teacher candidates in a way that will enable them to develop their performance skills on the piano, to develop their musical development and to use the piano instrument effectively to support other field lessons
Interactions of invasive pumpkinseed with a riverine endemic fish indicate trophic overlap but minimal consequences for somatic growth and condition
No full textThe North American invasive fish pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus has been associated with some detrimental ecological consequences in some parts of its invasive range. Here, we tested the trophic interactions of pumpkinseed with the endemic stream fish Aegean chub Squalius fellowesii ('chub') in a Mediterranean-type water course in SW Anatolia, Turkey, using a bulk stable isotope approach (d13C, d15N). Seven sampling sites were able to be grouped as chub in pumpkinseed presence (n=2) and absence (n=3), and pumpkinseed in chub absence (n=2). Across these groups, stable isotope metrics revealed that chub trophic (isotopic) niche size was similar in pumpkinseed presence/absence, but pumpkinseed had a larger niche in chub presence. In sites where they are co-habited, their niches showed some convergence, but with no apparent consequences for their growth or body condition, suggesting there were minimal ecological consequences of this sharing of food resources. These results suggest that the trophic consequences of this riverine invasion of pumpkinseed on this endemic chub was minimal
A potent ion channel blocker, hydroquinidine, exhibits strong anti-cancer activity on colon, pancreatic, and hepatocellular cancer cells
No full textBackground: Despite recent advances in drug discovery, cancer is still one of the most lethal health problems worldwide. In most cases, standard therapy methods and multi-modal treatments fail, and new therapeutic approaches are required. Ion channels are essential in multiple cellular processes regulating cell division, differentiation, and death. Recent studies on ion-channel modulators emphasize their potential to suppress tumor growth. In that regard, we reasoned that an underinvestigated potassium channel modulator, Hydroquinidine (HQ), may exhibit an anti-carcinogenic activity. Methods and results: HQ’s potential as an anti-neoplastic compound was examined using colony formation assay, wound healing assay, soft agar assay, and Annexin-V assay in the colon, pancreatic, and hepatocellular carcinomas. Our findings unveiled a remarkable anti-cancer activity of HQ by decreasing colony-forming ability, migration capacity, tumorigenicity, and proliferation and stimulating cellular death. HQ significantly reduced the formed colonies and tumorigenicity for all cells. It displayed a significant anti-migrative effect on hepatocellular carcinoma cells and promoted apoptosis in pancreatic and liver cancer cells. The altered gene expression profile upon HQ treatment was in accordance with observed cellular effects. Cells incubated with HQ downregulated the genes acting in cell division and survival, whereas the expression level of genes functioning in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis was elevated. Conclusion: Our data indicate HQ’s competency to limit cancer growth and suggest its utilization as a novel potent anti-carcinogenic agent. Future studies are necessary to provide new insights into the HQ action mechanism and to evaluate its capacity in in-vivo
The Use of Herbal Extracts in Lacquer Paint Coloring and Determination of Some Mechanical Resistance Properties on Wood-Based Surfaces
No full textThe aim of this study was to determine the usability of selected natural dye extracts as environmentally friendly colorants that are used in painting of MDF based furniture and evaluate their resistance to scratch resistance, adhesion resistance, and surface hardness properties. In this study, the water-based lacquer coatings were prepared with natural dyes obtained from purple cabbage (Brassica oleracea), safflower (Carthamus tinctorius), Red beetroot (Beta vulgaris) and three synthetic paints that were black, blue and light blue as a comparison. Coated MDF test panels used for evaluation of performances of dyes to abiotic factors that are determined by mechanical tests such as scratch resistance, adhesion resistance, and surface hardness. As a result of the study, it has been observed that, except for scratch resistance, natural dyes perform as well as synthetic ones as alternative colorants in the lacquer coatings. Thus, natural and aesthetic raw materials that are environmentally friendly dyes can be used safely especially in children’s furniture and for wood-based products that are especially used indoors
Modification of multi-walled carbon nanotubes with platinum-osmium to develop stable catalysts for direct methanol fuel cells
No full textIn the study, a new bimetallic catalyst was synthesized for methanol oxidation using multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-supported platinum-osmium (PtOs) nanoparticles (PtOs@MWCNT NPs). The morphological structures of the prepared NPs were examined using different techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The electrochemical characterization of the synthesized PtOs@MWCNT catalysts, such as chronoamperometry (CA), cyclic voltammetry (CV), scan rate (SR) analysis, cyclic catalytic test, and electrochemical surface area (ECSA) evaluation, were performed in an alkaline medium. From the results obtained, the size of the NPs was found to be 3.12 nm according to the Debye-Schrrer equation, and the MWCNTs were clearly observed by SEM imaging. After the characterization of the prepared nanomaterials, the PtOs@MWCNT catalysts were employed in the methanol oxidation reaction, and a high oxidation current value of 220.86 mA cm−2 was observed. Besides, according to the CA results, the catalyst exhibited high stability for 4000 s, and it was seen that Os metal improved the catalytic activity of the main catalyst. These results show that the PtOs@MWCNT catalyst is highly stable and reusable, and provides high electrocatalytic activity in the methanol oxidation reaction. Moreover, the obtained catalyst gave ideal results in terms of CO tolerance and activity. These data show that the obtained catalyst will provide significant improvement and superior efficiency in fuel-cell applications
The Development of Pre-service Primary Teachers’ Understanding and Skills of Argumentation through Argument Driven Inquiry
No full textArgumentation is an indispensable part of scientific knowledge construction, and the inquiry laboratory is full of opportunities for argumentation. Yet, at primary schools, students learn science without any inducement to argumentation or inquiry. To fill this need, this study was aimed to develop pre-service primary teachers’ understanding of and skills in relation to scientific argumentation. In the study, we applied the principles of argument-driven inquiry (ADI) laboratory in the Science and Technology Laboratory Applications course. The participants were 57 pre-service primary teachers (PPTs). The research design was an embedded mixed method design, in which qualitative data was embedded in the quantitative design. The quantitative design was pre-test, post-test one group experimental design. The main sources of data were the Argumentation Test (AT) and PPTs’ written arguments. The PPTs actively participated in 5 ADI laboratory works after they were introduced to inquiry and argumentation in 4 preparatory laboratory sessions. The results showed statistically significant development of PPTs’ understanding of argumentation based on the analysis of AT responses. The analysis of written arguments supported these results by indicating improvement in PPTs’ arguments from weak to strong arguments. Implications of these findings highlight first, the efficacy of ADI laboratory work in engaging pre-service primary teachers in argument and inquiry-based instructional practices, and second, in supporting understanding of and skills regarding argumentation given the significance of their role in promoting scientific literacy