A sample implementation of teaching molecular structure of DNA in the classroom and the opinions of teacher candidates about it

The purpose of this study is to carry out sample classroom applications in the teaching of the molecular structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which is the basis of the field of molecular biology, and obtaining the opinions of teacher candidates on these applications after they are completed. This is a basic, qualitative research study. The study was conducted in the fall semester of the academic year 2021-2022 at the Faculty of Education of a state university in Ankara. The participants from whom the data were collected were determined by the convenience sampling method. The research study group consisted of 15 teacher candidates, who were third-year biology students taking the molecular biology course. The interview form, developed by the researchers themselves and containing three questions, was the data collection tool for the study. Classroom applications used for the purposes of the study span a seven-year period. Teachings and other activities throughout the process were explained in detail. Thematic analysis, one of the qualitative analysis techniques, was used to analyze the data. In this study, an exemplary teaching practice/method was developed in DNA teaching. The findings showed that teacher candidates who took part in the application had positive views about the teaching of the subject and the process. In the future, various other teaching practices for other abstract concepts in biology can be developed and the views of prospective teachers explored. The effects of these classroom practices on the academic achievements, attitudes and motivation etc. of teacher candidates can be examined

Mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion in children

PURPOSE:We aimed to present clinical and radiologic characteristics of mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS) in children.METHODS:Eight children (5 boys and 3 girls; median age, 5.9 years; age range, 8 months to 14.1 years) diagnosed with MERS between September 2015 and June 2017 were included in the study. We reviewed the patient’s data, including demographic characteristics, prodromal and neurologic symptoms, neurologic examination, magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalography findings, laboratory findings, treatment, and prognosis.RESULTS:Prodromal symptoms were nausea and vomiting (n=6), diarrhea (n=6), and fever (n=3). Initial neurologic symptoms were seizures (n=4), delirious behavior (n=1), drowsiness (n=1), ataxia (n=1), transient blindness (n=2), abnormal speech (n=2), and headache (n=1). Two patients had a suspected infective agent: urinary tract infection caused by Escherichia coli and gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus. Seven patients had type I lesions, comprising characteristic symmetric ovoid (n=6) and band-shaped (n=1) T2-weighted hyperintense lesions at the spenium of corpus callosum, and one patient had type II lesion with additional symmetric posterior periventricular lesions. The lesions were isointense to mildly hypointense on T1-weighted imaging and did not show enhancement. All lesions displayed restricted diffusion. In all patients, neurologic symptoms completely normalized <48 hours from the onset of symptoms without any sequelae.CONCLUSION:MERS has characteristic imaging features and favorable outcome

Clinical Characteristics and Visual Outcomes of Pediatric Optic Neuritis: A Single Center Experience

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics, visual outcomes of pediatric patients presenting with first-episode of optic neuritis. METHODS: We reviewed medical records of the patients newly diagnosed with optic neuritis younger than 18 years between January 2014 and December 2018 retrospectively. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients were included to this study. The mean age at first onset of optic neuritis was 13.2+-3.1 years (range 6.2-17.3 years). The mean follow-up period was 4.2+-3.2 (range 0.6-13.08) years. 7 of 28 (25%) patients had recurrent optic neuritis. Optic neuritis involvement was unilateral in 17 of 28 (60%) patients. Forty percent of the patients had idiopathic optic neuritis. Of the six patients with demyelinating lesions in cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the first admission, three were diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) at the time of first optic neuritis attack, and three were diagnosed within 13.4+-4.8 months after the first episode. Eight of 21 optic neuritis patients (38%) had oligoclonal band positivity and the incidence of MS was significantly higher in these patients (p=0.014). The mean visual acuity at nadir was 0.48+-0.27 at admission. Whereas it was 0.74+-0.31 and 0.76+-0.33 at 1 and 6 months respectively. There was a strong correlation between first and sixth-month visual acuity (r=0.98, p=0.00). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that poor visual acuity (worse than 0.5) at 1 month can predict poor vision at 6 months. The patients with demyelinating lesions in cranial MRI at their first optic neuritis episode, are more likely to develop MS during the follow-up

DEVELOPMENT OF LIGHT AND QR-CODE ASSISTED BRAIN LOBES AND THEIR TASKS MODEL AND VIEWS OF TEACHER CANDIDATES ON THE MODEL: -

The purpose of this study is to determine teacher candidates’ opinions on the Light and QR-Code Assisted Brain Lobes and their Tasks model, which is a unique design that differentiates itself from other studies in the literature. The study employed the basic qualitative research approach. Teacher candidates studying at the Faculty of Education of a state university in Ankara in the fall semester 2021-2022 were included in the study. The study group consisted of 50 teacher candidates studying in the Biology Education and Science Education. The Material Assessment form was the data collection tool for the study. The first part of the form, contains a material evaluation rubric. The second part of the form had semi-structured interview questions aimed at getting more detailed views from participants about the model. From the material evaluation rubric, a material evaluation score was obtained. A five-stage thematic analysis method was used in the analysis of qualitative data obtained through open-ended questions. As a result, the model can be considered a teaching material that can be used effectively in the teaching of the relevant subject. It was determined that teacher candidates expressed many positive opinions about the model designed to teach the brain lobes.

Spectrophotometric behavior of polyvinylpyrrolidone in aqueous and nonaqueous media (I)

Electronic spectral behavior of polyvinylpyrrolidone solutions in various media has been determined by UV-VIS spectrophotometry. A theoretical approach has been developed to explain the experimentally observed concentration dependent spectral behavior of polyvinyl pyrrolidone in aqueous and nonaqueous solvents. Increase in the concentration of the polymer or the addition of guanidine salts caused bathochromic shift. A similar concentration effect has been observed in nonaqueous media in the absence of guanidine salts

A Rare Cause of Isolated Sixth Nerve Palsy in Childhood: Multiple Sclerosis

A 11-year-old female patient was admitted to our clinic complaining of diplopia and strabismus in the right eye. Ophthalmological examination revealed limitation of abduction in the right eye. The best-corrected visual acuity was 1.0 in both eyes. There were no abnormal findings on fundus and anterior chamber examination. After radiological and cerebrospinal fluid investigations, she has received a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). High-dose (1000 mg daily) intravenous methylprednisolone was given for 3 days, and then oral methylprednisolone therapy 2 mg/kg per day was started. After two months from admission to hospital, the ophthalmological examination revealed complete recovery in diplopia and gaze palsy. MS should be kept in mind as a rare etiology in children with isolated sixth nerve palsy and radiological investigations should be performed as soon as possible. (Turk J Ophthalmol 2013; 43: 205-7

Relationship Between Human Papilloma Virus and Benignand Malign Lesions of Oral Cavity and Oropharynx,Current Approach

Papillomavirus enfeksiyonu insanlarda çok sık görülen ve esas olarak cinsel yolla bulaşan bir hastalıktır. HPV enfeksiyonunun gelişimi, uterus serviksi, diğer alt genital bölge mukozası ve oral mukozadan başlayabilir. HPV subklinik veya klinik enfeksiyonlara neden olabilir. HPV ile ilişkili klinik enfeksiyonlar, genital papillomlar, cilt papillomları, nükseden solunum yolu papillomatozisi, skuamöz intraepitelyal lezyonlar ve serviks, oral kavite ve orofarinks kanseridir. Oral kanserlerin yaklaşık %20'si ve orofaringeal kanserlerin %60-80'inin HPV enfeksiyonuna bağlı olabileceği düşünülmektedir. 2007'de birçok Avrupa ülkesinde HPV aşısının kullanıma sunulmasından bu yana 40'dan fazla ülke, ulusal bağışıklama programlarında HPV aşılamayı başlattı. Orofarengeal ve Oral kavite kanser tedavisinden sorumlu hekimler, HPV aşısı hakkında bilgi sahibi olmalı ve HPV ile ilişkili enfeksiyon ve kanserleri azaltmak için teknolojideki gelişmeleri takip etmelidir.Papillomavirus infection is a very common and mainly sexually transmitted disease in humans. The development of HPV infection may start from uterine cervix, other lower genital area mucosa and oral mucosa. HPV can cause subclinical or clinical infections. Clinical infections associated with HPV are genital papillomas, skin papillomas, recurrent respiratorial papilomatosis, intraepithelial squamous lesions, cervix, oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer. Approximately 20% of oral cancers and 60-80% of oropharyngeal cancers are thought to be due to HPV infection. Since the introduction of HPV vaccine in many European countries in 2007, more than 40 countries have launched HPV vaccination in national immunization programs. Physicians responsible for the treatment of oropharyngeal and oral cavity cancer should be knowledgeable about HPV vaccination and should follow developments in technology to reduce HPV-associated infections and cancers