Economics keyword lists: A comparative corpus study for ESP

English-medium instruction (EMI) and English for specific purposes (ESP) go hand in hand in the higher education context and the demand for those has risen significantly over the last two decades. Studying in an EMI economics program requires a certain level of language proficiency and in most cases, students in these programs are provided with additional language support, in the form of an ESP program. Mastering in an EMI economics program challenges students with a number of new and often technical words. Corpus linguistics is, therefore, one of the great tools to answer the vocabulary needs of ESP students. While Coxhead’s (2000) Academic Word List (AWL) has been a satisfactory source for academic programs, its being too limited for diverse academic fields has also been criticized. In the current corpus-based study, two separate field-specific keyword lists – (1) Economics Textbook Keyword List (ETWL), (2) Economist Magazine Keyword List (EMWL) - were created and the coverage of the AWL in these lists was measured. Additionally, the correspondence ratio between the ETWL and the EMWL was also measured and reported by percentages. In the light of the results, it is argued that, the AWL on its own may not be a sufficient source for students of economics and language given in non-academic authentic materials should also be placed in corpus and curriculum design

Lesson Study for Professional Development of English Language Teachers: Key Takeaways from International Practices

Even though various professional development practices are provided for language teachers worldwide, these practices are still considered ineffective in addressing teachers’ needs in their classrooms. The effectiveness of these practices is stalled when teachers do not actively engage in their professional development processes. When language teachers are not involved as active decision makers regarding their own professional development practices, the outcomes may not be as desirable as policymakers plan. Considering the deficiencies of the current language teacher professional development practices in Turkey, this paper provides a systematic review of lesson study as a professional development model for language teachers which promotes agency and reflective practice. Comparing the current practice of lesson study in Turkey to the international practices reported in the literature, this review suggests that lesson study has potential to support teacher professional development in the country in alignment with the educational visions of decision makers. Given the empowering dimension of lesson study model both in terms of content and form, it can be adopted as a model for effective and sustainable language teacher professional development

Evaluation of Drug Release Kinetics of Temozolomide Loaded Plga Nanoparticles in Pluronic® F-127 Hydrogel

Objective:Controlled local release of temozolomide (TMZ) at the tumor site is a new strategy in the treatment of glioblastoma. Localized delivery systems, based on biodegradable polymers, are capable of slowing and controlling the drug release for a certain period of time. Therefore, the main objective of the study was to investigate a new approach for encapsulating TMZ in a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticle (NP) system which was then formulated in 18% Pluronic® hydrogel matrix which would provide a sustained and local delivery of TMZ.Methods:Hydrogels are investigated as local drug delivery methods due to their tunable characteristics and capacity to retain labile pharmaceuticals. The lack of established procedures for describing and evaluating drug release, on the other hand, offers considerable problems, impeding reliable evaluation of systems for defining drug release characteristics.Results:In this part our study, we aimed to research drug release kinetics of TMZ NPs which had an encapsulation efficiency and particle size ranging between 52-69.67% and 164.4-235.5 nm from a novel hydrogel drug delivery system.Conclusion:The application of mathematical modeling proves to be extremely beneficial for estimating the release kinetics before the release systems are implemented. The release mechanism was found to be diffusion controlled and not accompanied by dissolution of matrix

Evaluation of Anticandidal Effects of Essential Oils of Commercial Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia Miller) in Combination With Ketoconazole Againts Some Candida Berkhout Strains

DergiPark: 590839trkjnatUçucuyağlarınstandart antifungal maddeler ile kombinasyonları, sentetik ilaçların olumsuzetkilerini azaltabilir ve kandidiyaz dahil olmak üzere çeşitli patolojilerekarşı alternatif bir yaklaşım olarak kullanılabilir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, Farmakope kalitesindeki Lavanta (Lavandula angustifolia Miller) uçucu yağlarının ketokonazol ilekombinasyonlarının patojen Candida albicans ATCC 10231, C. krusei NRRL Y-7179 ve C. glabrata ATCC 66032 suşlarına karşıantikandidal  etkinliğini belirlemektir.İncelenen uçucu yağların kimyasal  içeriklerihem gaz kromatografisi/alev iyonlaşma dedektörü (GK / AİD) hem de gazkromatografisi/kütle spektrometresi (GK/KS) yöntemleriyle belirlenmiştir. Esansiyelyağlarınantikandidal aktiviteleri, mikrodilüsyon metodu ile in vitro olarak incelenmiştir. Lavanta uçucu yağları ve ketokonazolkombinasyon çalışmaları dama tahtası yöntemi kullanılarak test edilmiştir.  Lavanta uçucu yağları ile ketokonazolkombinasyon çalışması sonuçları, test edilen tüm Candida suşlarına karşı “aditif” ve “indiferent” etkili olduğugörülmüştür. Sonuç olarak, lavanta uçucu yağlarının ketokonazol kombinasyonuile gözlemlenen etkiler, patojenik Candida suşlarına karşı kullanımdaetkili olabilir.Application of combination studies with essential oils andstandard antifungal drugs may reduce adverse effects of synthetic drugs andserve as alternative approach against various pathologies includingcandidiasis. The aim of the present study was to determine the interactionof two commercial lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Miller) essential oils in combination with ketoconazoleagainst clinical and standard strains of the human pathogens Candida albicans ATCC 10231, C.krusei NRRL Y-7179 and C. glabrataATCC 66032. The chemical compositions of the investigated essential oils wereconfirmed both by gas chromatography/flame ionization detector (GC/FID) and gaschromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) methods. Anticandidal activities ofthe essential oils were screened in vitroby the microdilution method. The resulting interaction of combining lavenderessential oils and ketoconazole was tested using the checkerboard method. Theresults showed that the interaction between essential oils and ketoconazolerevealed additive and indifferent effects against the tested strains. In conclusion, the effectsobserved by the combination of lavender essential oils and ketoconazole may beencouraging to be used against pathogenic Candidastrains

Comparison of the Physicochemical Properties and Release Profiles of Metformin Tablets of Eight Different Brands Available in the Northern Cyprus Pharmaceutical Market

Objective:In the study, it was aimed to compare the physicochemical and in vitro dissolution parameters of metformin hydrochloride (MET) tablet brands from Northern Cyprus to evaluate the pharmaceutical equivalence.Methods:Seven brands of MET tablets which were bought from community pharmacies were compared and evaluated with the innovative product Glucophage®. The impurity of MET contained in the sample tablets was determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Pharmacopoeia tests were used to evaluate the physicochemical equivalence of the tablets. In vitro dissolution test was performed and dissolution data were analyzed including dissolution difference (f1) and similarity factors (f2) were evaluated. In addition, the release kinetics of selected MET tablets were examined with a release kinetics software (KinetDS3).Results:All the tablet brands complied with the official specifications for uniformity of weight hardness and disintegration. Brand MF failed the friability test (>1%); while brands MC, MF and MG failed the content uniformity (assay) test (<95%). Difference (f1) and similarity factors (f2) of all brands were calculated in pH 6.8 buffer medium and evaluated with reference to the innovative brand. The facts that MB’s f1 value (15.45) was greater than 15 and that the f2 values of MB and MF (48.57, 47.13, respectively) were less than 50 indicated that the dissolution profiles of MB and MF formulations were different from the dissolution profile of the innovative brand.Conclusion:Five of the eight tablet brands passed all the official tests and could be regarded as pharmaceutically equivalent but f2 analysis showed only five brands were similar to the reference brand. The study has shown that all the MET tablet brands sampled in Northern Cyprus are not pharmaceutically equivalent

Which Markers Play a Role in Diabetic Polyneuropathy and Neuropathic Pain?

Objective:In diabetes mellitus (DM) patients, in the development of neuropathy and pain, uric acid (UA), C-reactive protein (CRP), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and fibrinogen increased levels may affect the being of neuropathy by increasing oxidative stress through mechanisms related to inflammation and vascular impairment. In the study, we intended to compare serum UA, GGT, CRP, ESR, and fibrinogen levels in type 2 DM patients, with and without polyneuropathy.Method:Ninety-six type 2 DM patients and 24 participants were included in the study. Physical examinations, neuropathic pain scales, laboratory tests (UA, GGT, CRP, ESR, and fibrinogen levels), and electroneuromyography were evaluated.Results:Ninety-six type 2 DM patients and 24 healthy persons were included in the study as the study and control groups. Diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) patients with neuropathic pain showed that CRP and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were statistically significantly higher. No statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of UA, GGT, CRP, and fibrinogen levels.Conclusion:Increased CRP levels in DPN patients with neuropathic pain may reflect the inflammatory mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of pain associated with DPN

Partial paralysis of posterior interosseous nerve

Radial sinirin dirsek düzeyindeki etkilenimi; radial tünel sendromu ve posterior interosseöz sinir sendromu olarak iki farklı klinik tabloya neden olur. Radial tünel sendromu motor güçsüzlük oluşturmadan ağrı ve nadiren duyu bozukluğuna yol açarken; posterior interosseöz sinir sendromu elin ekstansör kaslarında güçsüzlük ile bulgu verir ve duyusal bozukluk izlenmez. Bu yazıda önkola travma sonrası sağ el üçüncü parmakta ekstansiyon kaybı gelişen ve elektronöromyografide posterior interosseöz sinir tuzaklanması saptanan bir hasta sunulmuş ve oldukça nadir karşılaşılan parsiyel posterior interosseöz sinir sendromunun, radial sinir tuzaklanmalarının ayırıcı tanısında akılda tutulmasının önemi vurgulanmıştır.Radial tunnel syndrome and posterior interosseous nerve syndrome is a clinical picture of the radial nerve is affected at the elbow level. Radial tunnel syndrome without causing motor weakness, led to pain and rarely led to sensory impairment while posterior interosseous nerve syndrome can present with hand extensor muscle weakness and without sensory impairment. In this article, we presented a patient, who exposed to forearm trauma and right and third finger extension loss developing and consequently electromyography was determined the posterior interosseous nerve entrapment. The differential diagnosis is emphasized the importance of keep in mind, rarely encountered partial posterior interosseous nevre syndrome radial nerve entrapments

Paranasal Sinus Fungus Ball, Anatomical Variations and Dental Pathologies: Is There Any Relation?

Objective:The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between anatomical variations and the fungus ball (FB), and the association between odontogenic etiologies and the maxillary sinus FB.Methods:We analyzed the clinical records of 66 patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery for FB. The anatomical variations determined were nasal septal deviation (NSD) and direction, presence of Onodi and Haller cell, concha bullosa and lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus. Further, dental X-ray records were reviewed to detect any possible odontogenic etiologies in patients with maxillary sinus FBs.Results:There were 41 female and 25 male patients. Positive fungal culture was found in 60 patients (91%) and the causative fungus was Aspergillus species in all cases. The correlation between NSD and localization of the maxillary sinus FB was statistically significant (p=0.0409). Maxillary sinus FB was more common on the concave side of the NSD. Presence of dental pathologies was significantly associated with maxillary sinus FB compared to the healthy side (p=0.0011). For sphenoid sinus FB, NSD was detected in a similar number for both the affected and unaffected side and there were no significant correlations (p>0.05). However, the relationship between sphenoid sinus FB and presence of lateral recess was significant (p=0.0262).Conclusion:Our study revealed that the maxillary sinus FB was more common on the concave side of the deviated septum. Also, dental pathologies or a presence of dental treatment history were associated with maxillary sinus FB

Comparison of two pandemics: H1N1 and SARS-CoV-2

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare the clinical, epidemiological, and prognostic features of the H1N1 pandemic in 2009 and the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic in 2020. METHODS: This retrospective study involved subjects from seven centers that were admitted and found to be positive for H1N1 or COVID-19 real-time polymerase chain reaction test. RESULTS: A total of 143 patients with H1N1 and 309 patients with COVID-19 were involved in the study. H1N1 patients were younger than COVID-19 ones. While 58.7% of H1N1 patients were female, 57.9% of COVID-19 patients were male. Complaints of fever, cough, sputum, sore throat, myalgia, weakness, headache, and shortness of breath in H1N1 patients were statistically higher than in COVID-19 ones. The duration of symptoms until H1N1 patients were admitted to the hospital was shorter than that for COVID-19 patients. Leukopenia was more common in COVID-19 patients. C-reactive protein levels were higher in COVID-19 patients, while lactate dehydrogenase levels were higher in H1N1 ones. The mortality rate was also higher in H1N1 cases. CONCLUSIONS: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic is a major public health problem that continues to affect the world with its high rate of contagion. In addition, no vaccines or a specific drug for the benefit of millions of people have been found yet. The H1N1 pandemic is an epidemic that affected the whole world about ten years ago and was prevented by the development of vaccines at a short period. Experience in the H1N1 pandemic may be the guide to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic from a worse end

Biodynamic parameters of micellar diminazene in sheep erythrocytes and blood plasma

In this work, we used a preparation of diminazene, which belongs to the group of aromatic diamidines. This compound acts on the causative agents of blood protozoan diseases produced by both flagellated protozoa (Trypanosoma) and members of the class Piroplasmida (Babesia, Theileria, and Cytauxzoon) in various domestic and wild animals, and it is widely used in veterinary medicine. We examined the behavior of water-disperse diminazene (immobilized in Tween 80 micelles) at the cellular and organismal levels. We assessed the interaction of an aqueous and a water-disperse preparation with cells of the reticuloendothelial system. We compared the kinetic parameters of aqueous and water-disperse diminazene in sheep erythrocytes and plasma. The therapeutic properties of these two preparations were also compared. We found that the surface-active substances improved intracellular penetration of the active substance through interaction with the cell membrane. In sheep blood erythrocytes, micellar diminazene accumulated more than its aqueous analog. This form was also more effective therapeutically than the aqueous analog. Our findings demonstrate that use of micellar diminazene allows the injection dose to be reduced by 30%