Effect of varying magnetic fields on targeted gene delivery of nucleic acid-based molecules

This paper was presented at the 4th Micro and Nano Flows Conference (MNF2014), which was held at University College, London, UK. The conference was organised by Brunel University and supported by the Italian Union of Thermofluiddynamics, IPEM, the Process Intensification Network, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Heat Transfer Society, HEXAG - the Heat Exchange Action Group, and the Energy Institute, ASME Press, LCN London Centre for Nanotechnology, UCL University College London, UCL Engineering, the International NanoScience Community, www.nanopaprika.eu.The importance of high transfection efficiency has been emphasized in many studies investigating methods to improve gene delivery. Accordingly, non-viral transfection agents are widely used as transfection vectors to condense oligonucleotides, DNA, RNA, siRNA, deliver into the cell, and release the cargo. Polyethyleneimine (PEI) is one of the most popular non-viral transfection agents. However, the challenge between high transfection efficiency and toxicity of the polymers is not totally resolved. The delivery of necessary drugs and genes for patients and their transport under safe conditions require carefully designed and controlled delivery systems and constitute a critical stage of patients’ treatment. Compact systems are considered as the strongest candidate for the preparation and delivery of drugs and genes under leak free and safe conditions because of their low energy consumption, low waste disposal, parallel and fast processing capabilities, removal of human factor, high mixing capabilities, enhanced safety, and low amount of reagents. Motivated by this need in the literature, a platform for gene delivery via magnetic actuation of nanoparticles was developed in this study. The use of PEI-SPION (Super paramagnetic ironoxide nanoparticles) as transfection agents in in vitro studies was investigated with the effect of varying magnetic fields provided by a special magnetic system design, which was used as magnetic actuator offering different magnet's turn speeds and directions in the system. Results obtained from magnetic actuator systems were compared to the experiments without actuation and significant enhancement was observed in the transfection efficacies

Ultrasonographic and computed tomography findings in retroperitoneal cystic lymphangioma

Retroperitoneal kistik lenfanjioma hayatın erken yıllarında, nadir görülen benign lenfatik sistem tümörüdür. Bu sunumda, radyolojik verilerle retroperitoneal kistik lenfanjioma düşünülen ve histopatolojik bulgularla doğrulanan bir olgunun, ultrasonografi ve bilgisayarlı tomografi bulguları tartışılmaktadır.Retroperitoneal lymphangiomas are uncommon benign tumors usually presenting in early life. In this report the ultrasonographic and computed tomographic findings suggestive of a case of retroperitoneal cystic lymphangioma are presented and discussed along with confirmatory histopathology

A Qualitative Research on Determining Teachers’ Metaphors About Students

The aim of this research was to reveal out the mental images of teachers regarding the concept of student. The study group was composed of 290 primary school teachers that were chosen via convenience sampling method and had been working in Ankara during 2013-2014. In the analysis of data, content analysis techniques were used. According to the findings, nine categories were determined such as student as a developing entity, student as a valuable entity, student as a stuff, student as the representative of knowledge, student as an empty mental, student as a social participant, student as an original entity, student as a passive knowledge receiver, student as a negative connotation. The views of teachers did not indicate significant difference according to gender, whereas the views indicated significant difference according to the branches. When the affective qualities' importance is taken into consideration, effective professional training and in-service teacher training that will make branch teachers' metaphors positive towards students are seen important

Evaluation of chestnut genotypes from Düzce vicinity, Turkey

The objective of this study was to determine the best chestnut genotypes from the natural chestnut plantations located in some districts of Düzce in 2015. In this study, 57 chestnut genotypes were evaluated in relation to pomological characteristics such as the number of nuts kg-1 (n kg-1), nut weight (g), and kernel ratio (%). Moreover, the nut sizes were classified as very small (≥121 nuts kg-1), small (101-120 nuts kg-1), medium (81-100 nuts kg-1), big (61-80 nuts kg-1), and very big (≤60 nuts kg-1). Additionally, nut dimensions were determined by measuring the width (mm), length (mm), height (mm) of nuts and shape indexes. Nut weights were between 5.06 g (81DB08) and 10.04 g (81DB11). In terms of number of nuts kg-1 (n kg-1), 81DB 08 genotype had the smallest nuts (197.63 n kg-1), whereas 81DB11 genotype had the biggest nuts (99.60 n kg-1). With respect to nut width, length and height were found the ranges 14.26 mm (81DA12) - 21.34 mm (81DB15), 23.07 mm (81DA26) - 32.18 mm (81DB11) and 19.64 mm (81DA22) - 27.10 mm (81DK06); kernel ratios of the 57 chestnut genotypes varied from 74.52% (81DA21) to 87.19% (81DA09). Since nut weight and size are two important criteria in chestnut selection, the prominent genotypes were determined 81DB11, 81DK06, 81DY01 and 81DY02, respectively

An improved HPLC post-column methodology for the identification of free radical scavenging phytochemicals in complex mixtures

The importance of natural antioxidants principally relates to their health-promoting properties. The discovery of new sources of established compounds or more potent compounds is a costly exercise and any technique capable of aiding this procedure would be highly significant. An approach combining chromatographic separation, component analysis and post-column identification of free radical scavenging has been reported. However, its effectiveness is dependent upon various factors and the number of samples analyzed without operator intervention is restricted. A more applicable technique using a 10% to 100% methanol with 2% acetic acid mobile phase and a citric acid-sodium citrate buffered methanolic 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical reagent is presented, whereby free radical scavengers can be detected within crude extracts of variable polarity without special considerations. As an illustration, acetone, 70% (aq.) methanol and acetonitrile-soluble extracts were prepared from sage (Salvia officinalis L.) for extraction of polar and non-polar radical scavengers and analyzed. Radical scavenging components were identified as carnosic, caffeic and rosmarinic acids and luteolin-7-O-glycoside. Others radical scavengers were tentatively identified as benzoic and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, flavonoids and diterpenoids. Through the application of this technique, carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid were identified as the principal free radical scavengers

Critical heat flux in cooling channels for flow-field probes

Probes (sampling, temperature, pressure) for high-temperature environments, such as gas turbine combustors, can survive only if they are cooled. To keep probe size small, the cooling passages must be microchannels, [O] 100 micrometer internal diameter. For logistical reasons, the length-to-diameter ratio is considerable. Heat fluxes are high, so that boiling occurs even with high velocities. The limiting factor for probe survivability, then, is the critical heat flux (CHF). This paper summarizes an experimental study of CHF in cooling channels that might be used for probes. A CHF correlation for water coolant is developed for design. An orifice at the channel inlet, originally conceived for enhancement, was found to dramatically improve the flow stability and increase the CHF. Pumping power requirements for plain tubes and orificed tubes are also documented

Visualization and image processing of spray structure under the effect of cavitation phenomenon

This paper presents visualization and image processing of spray structure affected by cavitation bubbles and cavitating flow patterns. Experiments were conducted for a better understanding of cavitation and resulting flow regimes. Cavitation is generated with sudden pressure drop across a 4.5 mm long short micro-channel with an inner diameter of 152 μm connected to the setup using proper fittings. Generated cavitation bubbles and fluid flow patterns were observed by using a high speed camera. The spray structure was observed in four different segments and mainly the droplet evaluation in the lower segments for low upstream pressures was analyzed using several image processing techniques including contrast adjustments and morphological operators. Moreover, fluid flow regimes for different upstream pressures were investigated, and the flow patterns were analyzed in the separated regions of the spray

Comparison of Individual Innovation Characteristics and Job Satisfaction of Academician Nurses According to Generations; [AKADEMİSYEN HEMŞİRELERİN BİREYSEL YENİLİKÇİLİK ÖZELLİKLERİNİN VE İŞ DOYUMLARININ KUŞAKLARA GÖRE KARŞILAŞTIRILMASI]

The aim of this study is to compare the individual innovativeness levels and job satisfactions of academician nurses at the university according to generations. This analytical-cross-sectional study was conducted with academician nurses working in faculties of health sciences and nursing faculties of state/foundation universities in our country between September 2018 and February 2019. The sample group consisted of 148 academician nurses who were selected by the improbable random sampling method, met the criteria for participation in the study, agreed to participate in the study, and filled out the online data collection forms completely. “Introductory Form” which included the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants, “Innovativeness Scale” (IS) and “Minnesota Job Satisfaction Questionnaire” (MSQ) were used to collect the data. In the analysis of the data, descriptive statistics, Kruskall Wallis and Mann Whitney U test were used. Majority of the participants were women (94.6%), married (62.8%) and Y generation (79.7%) individuals. While the participants IS score average was 74.81±8.82; the mean MSQ score was 3.74±0.56. As the result, academician nurses' individual innovativeness levels were found to be at the "pioneer" level and male academicians' openness to experience sub-dimension scores were higher. Professors' general satisfaction and intrinsic satisfaction scores from the MSQ sub-dimensions were significantly higher. It was determined that the job satisfaction levels of the Y generation academician nurses were lower than the X generation academician nurses. Accordingly, it is thought that it would be beneficial to plan initiatives to improve the individual innovativeness of academic nurses and increase their job satisfaction, and to consider generational characteristics during these planning. © 2023, Inonu University. All rights reserved