European energy policy and Turkey's energy role : will the accession process be affected?

Ankara : The Department of International Relations Bilkent University, 2010.Thesis (Master's), Bilkent University, 2010.Includes bibliographical refences.Increasing concerns for energy security urge the European Union countries to develop common energy policies. In this respect, diversification of energy suppliers and transit routes emerges as the most feasible policy for the EU to address the problems arising out of its energy dependency. At this point, Turkey’s strategic geographical position offers an energy bridge which has the potential of linking the EU with diversified suppliers. This thesis, examines European efforts to create a common energy policy and Turkey’s role in European energy security strategies. Based on the views that Turkey’s energy bridge position will accelerate the accession process and will bring full membership, this study questions whether energy can really be a factor for Turkey’s membership. Taking into consideration the impact of the absorption capacity and negative European public support on the long candidacy of Turkey, in addition to the examination of relevant literature, the answer to this question is investigated through the analysis of European public opinion. Relying on official Turkish and EU documents, official statistics and annual Eurobarometer surveys, contrary to the expectations, the analysis reaches to the conclusion that for full membership, Turkey’s energy role for Europe is an important yet insufficient factor on its own.Sever, Seda DuyguM.S

AGENDA-SETTING, PROGRESS AND CHALLENGES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY TRANSFER IN THE GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL

This study analyzes policy convergence and coordination in policymaking for sustainability, taking place in the context of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). It explores the policy choices of GCC countries in relation to agenda-setting, policy learning, policy convergence and coordination as a case of South-South transfer in the Middle East region, which is a relatively understudied aspect of the intensive diversification efforts of Gulf States. The study concludes that limited regional integration among GCC countries makes their relations more difficult. Individual national interests are prioritized over regional policy transfer and convergence. Moreover, some members choose to position closer to Western and Global perspective on development agenda. Consequently, they are keener to adopt environmental policies

EGFR mutation status in a series of Turkish non-small cell lung cancer patients.

To access publisher's full text version of this article click on the hyperlink belowEpidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are potential markers driving carcinogenesis, and may alter the response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The frequency of EGFR mutations in patients with NSCLC differs according to sex, smoking habits and regional-based ethnicity differences. The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of EGFR mutations in Turkish patients with NSCLC to highlight the importance of regional differences, and their associations with patient characteristics. Genomic DNA was extracted from formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tumor tissue sections of 409 NSCLC patients. The most common EGFR mutations in exons 18, 19, 20 and 21 were detected using BioFilmChip-based microarray assay. The overall EGFR mutation frequency was 16.6%, and the highest mutation frequencies were observed in exon 19 (6.4%) and exon 21 (7.3%). There was a higher frequency of EGFR mutations in females compared with males and in never-smokers compared with smokers (both P≤0.05). These results were similar to other European population-based studies, but not consistent Middle-Eastern based studies. The present study may contribute to understanding the gradient frequency of EGFR mutation across different ethnicities, and in designing genome wide-based collaborations that may reveal novel decision making and susceptibility mutations in EGFR in patients with NSCLC.Dokuz Eylul Universit

Intravitreal tigecycline treatment in experimental Acinetobacter baumannii endophthalmitis

Purpose: To investigate the clinical and microbiological effectivity of intravitreal tigecycline in an experimental rabbit endophthalmitis model caused by imipenem resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight eyes of 24 New Zealand white albino rabbits were divided into six groups (n=8 in each). The right eyes were divided into three groups and defined as infected group; left eyes were divided into three groups and defined as uninfected group. Infected group received 0.1 ml intravitreal A. baumannii suspension. Twenty-four hours after bacterial inoculation, group 1 received 1 mg/0.1 ml tigecycline and group 2 received 0.5 mg/0.1 ml tigecycline. Group 3 eyes received no treatment. In group 4, 0.1 ml of saline solution was injected. Groups 5 and 6 were received intravitreal tigecycline injection of 1 mg/0.1 ml and 0.5 mg/0.1 ml respectively. The eyes were enucleated for histopathological evaluation on the sixth day. Clinical and histological scoring systems were used to evaluate clinical and histological severity of the intraocular infection. Results: The mean clinical scores of the six groups at the sixth day were 11 +/- 1.92, 12.4 +/- 6.2, 8.5 +/- 2.7, 0, 3 +/- 1.3, and 3 +/- 1.4 respectively. Mean histopathological scores were 7.8 +/- 2.8, 7.0 +/- 1.5, 5.6 +/- 1.4, 0, 0, and 0 respectively. There was no significant difference in mean clinical and histopathological scores of infected group ( groups 1, 2 and 3). There was significant difference in mean clinical scores of groups 5 and 6 compared with group 4. Groups 4, 5 and 6 showed normal histological structure in histopathological evaluation and showed no significant difference. Microbiological cure was achieved in all infected eyes. Conclusions: Experimental rabbit endophthalmitis model caused by imipenem resistant A. baumannii was microbiologically cured by intravitreal tigecycline injection. However, a hypersensitivity-like reaction due to intravitreal application of tigecycline limits the use of this antimicrobial agent in A. baumannii endophthalmitis.Namik Kemal University (NKUBAP)Namik Kemal UniversityThe authors are grateful to Lenie Dijkshoorn (Department of Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Centre) for Amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis of A. baumannii. This study was supported by Scientific Research Projects Fund of Namik Kemal University (NKUBAP)