Association of HLA-DQ polymorphisms with Hepatitis B virus infection in Turkish population

Amaç Konak genetik faktörleri hepatit B virüs (HBV) enfeksiyonunun doğal seyri ve HBV ilişkili karaciğer hastalıklarının gelişme riski ile progresyonu üzerinde etkili olabilmektedir. Bu çalışmada HLA-DQ gen rs9272105, rs2856718 ve rs9275572 polimorfizmlerinin HBV doğal klirensi, viral yük ve HBV ile ilişkili karaciğer hasarı gelişimi ile ilişkisinin değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem Çalışmaya 150 kronik hepatit B (KHB) hastası ile kontrol grubu olarak 58’i kronik hepatit C (KHC) ve 82’si farklı klinik endikasyonlar nedeniyle karaciğer biyopsi işlemi gerçekleştirilen 140 hasta dâhil edildi. HLA-DQ rs9272105, rs2856718 ve rs9275572 genotip ve polimorfizmlerinin belirlenmesinde TaqMan SNP genotiplendirme yöntemi kullanıldı. Bulgular KHB’li ve kontrol grubundaki hastaların HLA-DQ gen rs9272105, rs2856718 ve rs9275572 genotip ve allel frekansları arasında farklılık tespit edildi (P<0,05). HLA-DQ rs9272105 AA genotip ve A allel varlığı, hepatit B yüzey antijen (Hepatitis B surface antigen; HBSAg) klirensi ve karaciğer hasarı ile ilişkiliydi (p<0,05). HLA-DQ gen rs2856718 ve rs9275572 ise HBV klirensi ve hastaların histolojik sonuçlarıyla ve ayrıca rs9272105 de dâhil hastaların viral yükleriyle ilişkili değildi. Sonuç HLA-DQ rs9272105 AA genotip ve A allel gerek HBV enfeksiyonunun kronikleşmesi gerekse HBV ilişkili karaciğer hasarının gelişmesi için risk faktördür.Objective Host genetic factors can affect the natural course of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and the risk of development and progression of HBV-related liver diseases. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of the HLA-DQ gene polymorphisms rs9272105, rs2856718 and rs9275572 with HBV natural clearance, viral load and the development of HBV associated liver injury. Materials and Methods The study included 150 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 140 patients as the control group, 58 of whom had chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and 82 of whom had undergone a liver biopsy due to different clinical indications. The HLA-DQ gene rs9272105, rs2856718 and rs9275572 polymorphisms were genotypes in liver samples using the hybridization probe assay. Results A difference was found between the HLA-DQ gene rs9272105, rs2856718 and rs9275572 genotype and allele frequencies of the patients with CHB and the control group (P<0,05). The HLA-DQ rs9272105 AA genotype and presence of A allele were associated with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance and liver injury (p<0,05). In contrast, the HLA-DQ genes rs2856718 and rs9275572 were not associated with HBV clearance and patients’ histological outcomes, nor with patients’ viral load, including rs9272105. Conclusions It has been suggested that the HLA-DQ rs9272105 AA genotype and the A allele are risk factors for both the persistence of HBV infection and the development of HBV-related liver damage

Assessment of the nutritional value of selected wild food plants in Türkiye and their promotion for improved nutrition

Türkiye represents one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, containing over 11,000 species of plants, with an estimated 10% being edible. Wild food plants, especially in rural areas, are collected and eaten or sold in local markets, complementing people’s diets, and represent a source of additional income for foraging households. Yet, the use of wild food plants is declining, with both their dietary and cultural values being undermined. Wild food plants can be used as a healthy dietary alternative to imported and ultra-processed foods, particularly as the Turkish population increasingly suffers from diet-related diseases. Using a unique and innovative approach to mainstream biodiversity for food and nutrition, wild food plants from five different regions of Türkiye were analyzed to determine their nutrient composition, and to evaluate their contribution not only to diets and nutrition, but to promoting a more sustainable food system. Examples are presented of how the approach was put into practice and how action was taken to (i) strengthen the evidence of the nutritional value of wild food plants; (ii) use this knowledge to shape new policies and identify emerging markets for food biodiversity; and, (iii) improve awareness of consumers, using capacity building and farmer training, gastronomy, and cultural events

İlkokullardaki öğretmenlerin sivil toplum kuruluşlarına ilişkin görüşlerinin incelenmesi

Bu araştırmada, öğretmenlerin sivil toplum kuruluşlarına ilişkin görüşlerinin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaçla Edirne il sınırı içerisinde bulunan 19 ilkokulda görev yapmakta olan 292 öğretmene geliştirdiğimiz ölçme aracı uygulanmıştır. Ölçme aracı iki bölümden ve 26 maddeden oluşmaktadır. Ölçme aracının birinci bölümünde öğretmenlerin demografik özellikleri, ikinci bölümünde öğretmenlerin sivil toplum kuruluşlarına ilişkin görüşleri yer almıştır. Katılımcıların demografik özelliklerine ilişkin altı madde, STK’lara ait 20 madde bulunmaktadır. STK’larla ilgili 20 maddenin bulunduğu bölüm, 4 alt boyuttan oluşmaktadır. Bu alt boyutlar; katılım, yeterlilik, işlevsellik ve engel olarak isimlendirilmiştir. Öğretmenlerin STK’lara ilişkin görüşlerini belirlemek için bu alt boyutlara ilişkin değişkenlerin aritmetik ortalama ve standart sapma değerleri bulunmuştur. Öğretmenlerin STK’lara ilişkin görüşlerinin cinsiyet ve STK üyeliği değişkenlerine göre farklılaşıp farklılaşmadığını belirlemek üzere bağımsız gruplar t testi, hizmet yılı değişkenine göre farklılaşıp farklılaşmadığını belirlemek üzere parametrik tek yönlü varyans analizi (ANOVA) kullanılmıştır. Hizmet yılı değişkenine göre farklılığın kaynağını belirlemek için Scheffe testi yapılmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda elde edilen bulgulara göre öğretmenlerin STK’ya ilişkin görüşlerinin hizmet yılı ve STK üyeliği değişkenine göre anlamlı bir farklılık gösterdiği, bunun yanında cinsiyete göre anlamlı bir farklılık göstermediği belirlenmiştir. Araştırmaya katılan öğretmenlerden hizmet yılı yirmi bir yıl ve üzeri olan öğretmenler STK’ların engeller yaşadığı görüşüne en fazla katılırken, beş yıl ve altı hizmet yılına sahip olan öğretmenler bu görüşe en az katılan grup olmuştur. STK’ya üye olan öğretmenler olmayanlara göre, STK’ların işlevsiz olduğu ve engellerle karşılaştığı görüşüne daha çok katılmaktadır. Bu sonuçlara göre; devlet, MEB ve medyanın eğitim alanındaki STK’lara daha fazla destek vermesi, STK’ların da eğitim politikalarının belirlenmesinde ve uygulanmasında yeterli etkinliği göstermesi, aynı zamanda birbirleriyle işbirliği yaparak ortak çalışma ve projeler gerçekleştirmeye hazır duruma gelmesi gerektiği önerilmiştir. Anahtar Kelimeler: Sivil Toplum Kuruluşları, Türk Eğitim Sistemi, Öğretmen. ABSTRACT The aim of this research is to analyse teachers’ views about non-governmental organizations. For this purpose, the assessment tool that was developed for the study was applied to 292 teachers working in 19 elementary schools in Edirne. The assessment tool consists of 26 questions in two parts. The former part includes the demographic specifications of the teachers while the latter part includes their views on NGOs. The part on demographic specifications consisted of six questions while the second part on the teacher views about the NGOs had 20 questions. This second part has four sub-dimensions: participation, adequacy, functionality and obstacles. In order to define the teachers’ views on the NGOs, the mean and the standard deviation measures of these sub-dimensions were considered. In order to find out whether these views depend on gender and NGO membership, independent samples t-test was applied to related sub-dimensions. In addition, the differences in the views of teachers according to experience were also checked with using parametric one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Scheffe test was used in order to find out the source of the difference on the basis of experience. Regarding the teachers’ views on NGOs, significant differences were found on the basis of experience and NGO membership status while no significant difference was found in terms of gender. In particular, the teachers who were experienced more than twenty-one years and above were more favourable to the idea that NGOs had been experiencing obstacles, when compared to the group of teachers who had five or fewer years of experience. The teachers who were members of at least one NGO supported the idea that NGOs had been ineffective and that they have been facing obstacles in their operations more; when compared to those who were not members in an NGO. According to the study, it is found out that there is an urgent need for the support of the state, the Ministry of Education and the media for the NGOs acting in the field; and that the NGOs need to demonstrate adequate activity in the identification and implementation of education policies while collaborating with each other for joint projects in near future. Key Words:Non-governmental Organizations, Turkish Education System, Teacher

Discrimination of thymus, origanum, satureja and thymbra species from the family labiatae by untargeted metabolomic analysis

The term "thyme" does not refer to herbs that belong to a single species. The genera 'Thymus, Origanum, Satureja and Thymbra of the family Labiatae are traditionally named as thyme and locally known as 'kekik: Unlike Turkey, these species are globally called differently. Spices made of Origanum, Thymus and Satureja are called oregano, thyme and savory, respectively. It is often difficult to differentiate them because of their similar smell and appearance. Most commercial products traded as a mixture of those genera and the mixing together of different species may lead to economically motivated adulteration and a product of reduced value. The species were analysed by LC-ESI-QTOF-MS and a comprehensive statistical workflow was designed. The data of methanolic extracts were assessed and an extraction algorithm was employed for the processing of raw data. Five species were discriminated using principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). The results of PCA and HCA were consistent with each other. Twenty-one metabolites were determined for the discrimination

Evaluation of nutritional, color and volatiles properties of currant (Ribes spp.) cultivars in Turkey

In this study, the properties of nutritional, color and volatile organic compounds of currant varieties (Ribes spp.) in Turkey were investigated. A total of 125 different volatile organic compounds were identified with GC-QTOF/MS. The levels of protein, sugar fractions, dietary fibre, ascorbic acid and minerals of the currant fruits were found to be different between varieties. Ascorbic acid content ranged from 169.33 to 725.52 mg/100 g dry weight. The K, Ca and Mg minerals were found to be in high amount in all varieties. Total dietary fibre levels were found between 7.17 (Red Lake) and 9.90 g/100 g dw (Rosenthal). The common volatiles found in all cultivars were ocimene, carene, alpha-phellandrene, alpha-terpinene, benzaldehyde and piperonal. 'Rosenthal' and 'Goliath' displayed large differences in the volatile fraction which allow for their discrimination in the PCA (principal component analysis) plot.TAGEM (Tarımsal Araştırmalar ve Politikalar Genel Müdürlüğü, Türkiye) - 17/A03/P06/13

Prognostic Value of NTCP p.Ser267Phe Variant in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

Aim: In this study, the aim is to detect polymorphisms in the gene encoding the sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP), the functional receptor for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis D virus. Materials and Methods: The study included a total of 293 patients, with 150 diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 143 undergoing liver parenchyma biopsy procedures due to different clinical indications. Total DNA was isolated from liver biopsy samples. The TaqMan SNP genotyping method was used to determine the rs2296651 polymorphism in the SLC10A1 gene, which leads to the NTCP S267F variation. Results: In patients with CHB and the control group, the NTCP-interacting domain was highly conserved, and no variation of the SNP rs2296651 in the SLC10A1 gene leading to the NTCP S267F variation was detected in any of the patients. Conclusion: It was thought that in patients with CHB, the impact of the NTCP S267F variation on the progression of HBV-associated diseases and its influence on the therapeutic efficacy of anti-viral agents targeting NTCP blockade may be limited

Are antiepileptic drugs causes of premature atherosclerosis by disturbing lipid metabolism?

21st Meeting of the European-Neurological-Society -- MAY 28-31, 2011 -- Lisbon, PORTUGALWOS: 000289992800551…European Neurolog So

The Conference Report of Why R? Turkey 2022: The First R Conference with Call For Papers in Turkey

Why R? Turkey 2022 was a non-profit conference that aimed to bring Turkish R users together and encourage them to attend the R conferences. The targeted audience of the conference consisted of, data scientists, data analysts, and all R users from academia and industry. The three-day conference, which consisted of several events such as workshops, regular talks, lightning talks, short tutorials, and panels, was free of charge and fully online. This article describes the challenges and benefits, as well as providing an overview of the conference's content and participants' profile.As an organization committee, we would like to thank Marcin Kosinski for his suggestions and support during the preparation part of the conference, Klaudia Korniluk for designing our graphics, and Erdal Cosgun, Gokmen Zararsiz for their guidance in general and also organizing the some of the panels and workshops. Moreover, we would like to thank the sponsors that support the Why R? Turkey 2022, R Studio, Visbanking as gold sponsor, CRC Press as the award sponsor, Appsilon and Jumping Rivers silver sponsor.CRC Pres

Prevalence of occult hepatitis B infection in liver biopsy sample of patients with nonviral liver disease

Aim: To determine the prevalence of occult hepatitis B (HBV) infection (OBI) in patients with nonviral liver disease. Materials & methods: This study included 83 HBsAg-negative patients followed up at a gastroenterohepatology clinic. The presence of HBV DNA was investigated by using an in-house nested-PCR method applied to liver parenchymal biopsy samples obtained from patients who underwent due nonviral chronic liver disease. Results: OBI was detected in 19 (22.9%) of the 83 cases, in 11 (44%) of 25 anti-HBc-positive patients, and 15 (31.9%) of 47 anti-HBc and/or anti-HBs antibodies-positive patients. Conclusion: There is a considerable prevalence of OBI among patients with nonviral chronic liver disease. Therefore, it is suggested that closely monitoring HBV can be useful to prevent or more effectively manage possible OBI-related complications among patients with nonviral chronic liver disease, especially those who are HBsAg seronegative or anti-HBV antibody seropositive