FEAR OF CRIME IN ISTANBUL CITY CENTER

The mapping of crime and delinquency has been around for many years and the idea that delinquency is caused by environmental factors has long been debated. A significant characteristic of research on criminality is the use of charts and maps to show spatial distributions of delinquency and crime. Istanbul has been a strategically important location, physically and regionally, in every period. Istanbul’s most prominent characteristics are its geographical location, unique natural beauties, and wealth of cultural heritage. Istanbul has experienced increasingly high crime rates. This study demonstrates major differences between the characteristics of high and lower-crime neighbor-hoods in Istanbul. The distribution of crime in Istanbul shows that between 2000-2005, crime is concentrated in the city centre. This research is based on the differences in physical, demographical and economical characteristics of Istanbul’s districts, which show a rise of ratios in crime, especially in the city center like Beyoglu and Eminonu districts. In the Beyoglu central district which is economically better developed and with mixed land usage, differentiation of day-night population will be analyzed in order to determine how they could affect increase in crime. The crime survey is conducted in the Beyoglu district between 2006 and 2008. The questionnaire results provide an insight into the mapping of crime in Beyoglu streets. The purpose of the study with this questionnaire is also to analyse fear of crime in the Beyoglu streets. At the end of the research, crime prevention strategies are going to be improved and new suggestions will be presented for the streets where crime rates are high.

Social Change and Criminality in Istanbul

Many researchers and urban planners have made studies about security in city centers. One of the prerequisites for the continuous development of cities is to establish a safe environment. The deficiencies observed in the social equipment, infrastructure and the environmental conditions as well as social, economic, cultural and political structural characteristics of the society are factors that increase or decrease crime and criminality. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the differentiation, which has appeared during the stage of economic development, and the socio-cultural differentiation in the Istanbul metropolitan historical center. The study examines how physical characteristics of city centers and demographic characteristics of residential areas contribute to crime and how these characteristics affect reactions to crime in mixed commercial/residential areas. The data are collected to examine the relationship between crime rates and neighborhood structure in Istanbul old city center between 1993-1998. Information on physical characteristics includes type of land uses and demographic variables include age, education, average household size and income, percent change of occupancy. Key words: Crime, city center, social change, physical and demographical variable

"Belonging” in the gentrified Golden Horn/Halic neighbourhoods of Istanbul

Mainstream gentrification research predominantly examines experiences and motivations of the middle-class gentrifier groups, while overlooking experiences of non-gentrifying groups including the impact of in situ local processes on gentrification itself. In this paper, I discuss gentrification, neighbourhood belonging and spatial distribution of class in Istanbul by examining patterns of belonging both of gentrifiers and non-gentrifying groups in historic neighbourhoods of the Golden Horn/Halic. I use multiple correspondence analysis (MCA), a methodology rarely used in gentrification research, to explore social and symbolic borders between these two groups. I show how gentrification leads to spatial clustering by creating exclusionary practices and eroding social cohesion, and illuminate divisions that are inscribed into the physical space of the neighbourhood

STOX1 promotor region -922 T > C polymorphism is associated with Early-Onset preeclampsia

Preeclampsia (PE), affecting 5–8% of pregnancies, is a common pregnancy disease that has harmful effects on mother and foetus. It has been found that the STOX1 (Storkhead Box 1), which is a transcription factor, carries variants associated with PE. Previous studies showed that, there was a strong relationship between PE and STOX1 variants. Therefore, we hypothesised that variants in the promoter region of the gene may be related to the onset of PE. The aim of this study is to investigate the contribution of STOX1 gene promoter region variants to PE. The blood samples taken from 118 PE patients and 96 healthy pregnant women were analysed by Sanger sequencing method. Sequence analysis results showed that, there is a-922 T > C polymorphism (rs884181) in the promoter region of the STOX1 gene. This polymorphism was found to be statistically significant in individuals with early onset PE (p = 0.02) and in PE (p = 0.014) compared to the control group.IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known on this subject? As a result of whole-exon studies on the STOX1 gene, polymorphisms were found to disrupt the structure/expression/function of the gene and strengthen its relationship with PE and HELLP syndrome. A previous study by our team found an association between Y153H, the most common polymorphism of STOX1, and early onset PE. What do the results of this study add? In our study, it was aimed to investigate the effect of genetic modifications in STOX1 gene promoter region on PE through the maternal genotype. Because any change in the promoter region affects the expression level of the gene. Also, for the first time, sequence analysis of the promoter region of STOX1 is investigated in PE. The variations in STOX1 appear to be important in PE especially in Early Onset PE. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Although PE is a disease that occurs with pregnancy and shows its effects most during this period, women and children with a history of PE are more prone to various disorders, especially cardiovascular diseases in the following years. Therefore, understanding the pathogenesis of the disease is important for both prevention and treatment process. Variations on STOX1 appear to be important in terms of disease risk

The role of two common FOXP3 gene promoter polymorphisms in preeclampsia in a Turkish population: a case–control study

Preeclampsia (PE), which occurs in approximately 5% of pregnancies worldwide and constitutes clinically serious complications in 2–3%, is one of the leading causes of maternal and prenatal morbidity and mortality. Recent studies report that regulatory T (Treg) cells, which act as immunosuppressant, are associated with PE. It is clearly defined that FOXP3/Scurfin (Forkhead Box P3) is involved in the development and function of Tregs. However, there are different conclusions regarding the relationship between PE and FOXP3 gene polymorphisms for different populations. For this reason, in this study we investigate the association between FOXP3 gene promoter region polymorphisms and PE in a Turkish population 500 PE patients and 500 healthy pregnant women. Blood samples taken from pregnant women were studied by PCR-RFLP method. As a result, rs2232365 polymorphism was significantly associated with disease (p < .0001) while no significant association was found between rs3761548 polymorphism and the disease (p = .17). Based on these results, it is though that FOXP3 rs2232365 polymorphism may be predisposed to PE development in terms of Turkish population. However, further and functional studies are needed in terms of other polymorphisms and mutations.IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known on this subject? A number of recent publications suggest that Tregs may play a role in the pathogenesis of PE. It is known that a stable and high FOXP3 expression is required to maintain the suppressive T cell function of Tregs. Down regulation of FOXP3 in PE has been reported in many previous studies, but the mechanism is still uncertain. What do the results of this study add? Our study has examined two FOXP3 promoter region polymorphisms in terms of Turkish population for the first time. Rs2232365 polymorphism associated with the disease in heterozygous genotype. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? It has been shown that FOXP3 gene promoter region polymorphisms may be associated with PE for Turkish population. Our results can be a guide for more detailed statistical evaluations and functional studies

Perforated Appendicitis After Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy in a Term Neonate with Haemolytic Jaundice

WOS: 000354137800017PubMed ID: 25899199Neonatal appendicitis is a rare clinical condition that may cause high morbidity and mortality if diagnosis is delayed. There is usually an underlying disease; it can also be a localized form of necrotizing enterocolitis. Here, we present a term neonate who was treated with intravenous innmunoglobulin because of severe isoimmune hemolytic jaundice. The patient developed abdominal symptoms within 10 hours of therapy, was diagnosed with acute perforated appendicitis and completely recovered after surgery