Tourism and Economic Growth: The case of Next 11 Countries

The aim of this paper is to analyse the relationship between tourism activity and economic growth for Next-11 countries. It is concluded that there is a long run relationship between tourist arrivals and GDP and tourism arrivals has positive effect on GDP growth in N-11 countries. We find that a unidirectional causality from economic growth to tourism is valid confirming Economic Driven Tourism Growth Hypothesis. Keywords: Tourism development; Economic growth; Causality; N-11 JEL Classifications: F43; L8

A Review on the Link between Psoriasis Vulgaris and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Psoriasis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are both triggered by hormones and chemical messengers. Psoriatic women are also more prone than the general population to PCOS, and both diseases are tightly associated with obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, and metabolic and cardiovascular alterations. The aim of this paper is to review the current knowledge on the association between psoriasis and PCOS, from immunologic and genetic perspectives

Evaluation of nutritional status in pediatric intensive care unit patients: the results of a multicenter, prospective study in Turkey

IntroductionMalnutrition is defined as a pathological condition arising from deficient or imbalanced intake of nutritional elements. Factors such as increasing metabolic demands during the disease course in the hospitalized patients and inadequate calorie intake increase the risk of malnutrition. The aim of the present study is to evaluate nutritional status of patients admitted to pediatric intensive care units (PICU) in Turkey, examine the effect of nutrition on the treatment process and draw attention to the need for regulating nutritional support of patients while continuing existing therapies.Material and MethodIn this prospective multicenter study, the data was collected over a period of one month from PICUs participating in the PICU Nutrition Study Group in Turkey. Anthropometric data of the patients, calorie intake, 90-day mortality, need for mechanical ventilation, length of hospital stay and length of stay in intensive care unit were recorded and the relationship between these parameters was examined.ResultsOf the 614 patients included in the study, malnutrition was detected in 45.4% of the patients. Enteral feeding was initiated in 40.6% (n = 249) of the patients at day one upon admission to the intensive care unit. In the first 48 h, 86.82% (n = 533) of the patients achieved the target calorie intake, and 81.65% (n = 307) of the 376 patients remaining in the intensive care unit achieved the target calorie intake at the end of one week. The risk of mortality decreased with increasing upper mid-arm circumference and triceps skin fold thickness Z-score (OR = 0.871/0.894; p = 0.027/0.024). The risk of mortality was 2.723 times higher in patients who did not achieve the target calorie intake at first 48 h (p = 0.006) and the risk was 3.829 times higher in patients who did not achieve the target calorie intake at the end of one week (p = 0.001). The risk of mortality decreased with increasing triceps skin fold thickness Z-score (OR = 0.894; p = 0.024).ConclusionTimely and appropriate nutritional support in critically ill patients favorably affects the clinical course. The results of the present study suggest that mortality rate is higher in patients who fail to achieve the target calorie intake at first 48 h and day seven of admission to the intensive care unit. The risk of mortality decreases with increasing triceps skin fold thickness Z-score

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Investigation of serum asprosin level in patients diagnosed of polycystic ovary syndrome in adolescent age

Polycystic ovary syndrome characterized by irregular menstruation, high serum androgen levels and infertility in the reproductive period. New markers are being studied to facilitate diagnosis. Asprosin is a peptide that is synthesized during fasting and stimulates glucose production from the liver. High levels of asprosin have been found to be associated with obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes. The aim is to answer the question 'Can serum asprosin level be used as a marker in the initial diagnosis of PCOS in adolescents without any disease?'. A total of 65 people between the ages of 12-18 who applied to the Antalya Training and Research Hospital Gynecology and Obstetrics Polyclinic between June 2020 and January 2021 were included in the study. The group was divided into two as 38 patients newly diagnosed with PCOS and 27 healthy control groups without any pathology. When the asprosin level of the cases diagnosed with PCOS and the cases in the control group were compared, it was observed that the asprosin level of the cases with PCOS was significantly higher (p=0.004). This study was a study showing that serum asprosin level can be used in the diagnosis of PCOS. It should be supported by other studies. [Med-Science 2022; 11(4.000): 1725-30

Profiling of Bacteria Capable of Precipitating CaCO3 on the Speleothem Surfaces in Dupnisa Cave, Kirklareli, Turkey

This study aimed to identify the bacteria which take part in the CaCO3 precipitation on the speleothem surfaces of Dupnisa Cave. In addition, this study highlighted the CaCO3 precipitation ability of the bacteria with negative urease activity. 150 isolates with microbial induced calcium carbonate precipitation features were selected and identified. They were belonging to Proteobacteria (53.3%), Firmicutes (32.7%) and, Actinobacteria (4.7%) phyla. The dominant bacterial species on all surface samples were Bacillus mycoides (9.3%), Bacillus zhangzhouensis (5.3%), and Serratia quinivorans (4%). Our results showed that most of the bacteria which can precipitate calcium carbonate on the B4 medium at the first 3 days, have urease negative activity. Within this study, it has been emphasized that other mechanisms enabling the precipitation of CaCO3 besides the urease mechanism should also be investigated. EDS analyses confirmed that the crystals were predominantly composed of calcium, carbon, and oxygen. In addition, the EDS highlighted that the two strains of Bacillus mycoides, isolated from two different surfaces, produced crystals of different morphology. Our study results to the identification of the bacteria which contribute to the Dupnisa Cave walls formation. Besides, our results showed that the Dupnisa Cave is housing bacteria with biotechnological and engineering applications potentials

Effect of different framework materials of resin-bonded bridges on load to fracture values and stress distribution

WOS: 000454199000006PubMed: 30560821Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare in vitro fracture strengths (FSs) of metal- and fiber-reinforced frameworks of resin-bonded bridges and to evaluate stress distribution with finite element analysis (FEA). Materials and Methods: Totally 80 extracted maxillary central and maxillary canine teeth were used for in vitro part of this study as two groups; metal-reinforced framework (n = 20) [(metal-supported resin-bonded bridge (MR-RB)] and fiber-reinforced frameworks (n = 20) [fiber-reinforced resin-bonded bridge (FR-RB) were prepared for three unit resin-bonded bridges. All bridges were loaded from lateral pontic at 1 mm/min crosshead speed and fracture values were recorded. MannuWhitney U-test was used for statistical analysis, and fracture patterns were evaluated visually. FEA was carried out in the second part of the study, and stress distribution of MR-RB and FR-RB structures was analyzed using one of the models from in vitro specimens as main model. Results: The mean FSs of MR-RB and FR-RB were 637.47 151.91 N and 224.86 80.97 N, respectively. Fiber-reinforced specimens were found to distribute stress more homogeneous and connectors in each framework were the regions where stress concentrated mostly. Conclusion: In vitro FSs of MR-RB and the stress concentration of the point that the forces were applied were higher as compared to other parts of the restoration. Furthermore, in contrast to FR-RB specimens, retainer tooth fractures were observed in MR-RB specimens.Kirikkale University Scientific Research Projects Coordination UnitKirikkale University [2014/009]This study was carried out by the support of Kirikkale University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit with project no. 2014/009

The Bright and the Dark Side of TGF-beta Signaling in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Mechanisms, Dysregulation, and Therapeutic Implications

Simple Summary: Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) signaling is a preeminent regulator of diverse cellular and physiological processes. Frequent dysregulation of TGF-beta signaling has been implicated in cancer. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most prevalent form of primary liver cancer, the autocrine and paracrine effects of TGF-beta have paradoxical implications. While acting as a potent tumor suppressor pathway in the early stages of malignancy, TGF-beta diverts to a promoter of tumor progression in the late stages, reflecting its bright and dark natures, respectively. Within this context, targeting TGF-beta represents a promising therapeutic option for HCC treatment. We discuss here the molecular properties of TGF-beta signaling in HCC, attempting to provide an overview of its effects on tumor cells and the stroma. We also seek to evaluate the dysregulation mechanisms that mediate the functional switch of TGF-beta from a tumor suppressor to a pro-tumorigenic signal. Finally, we reconcile its biphasic nature with the therapeutic implications.Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with genetic and nongenetic aberrations that impact multiple genes and pathways, including the frequently dysregulated transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) signaling pathway. The regulatory cytokine TGF-beta and its signaling effectors govern a broad spectrum of spatiotemporally regulated molecular and cellular responses, yet paradoxically have dual and opposing roles in HCC progression. In the early stages of tumorigenesis, TGF-beta signaling enforces profound tumor-suppressive effects, primarily by inducing cell cycle arrest, cellular senescence, autophagy, and apoptosis. However, as the tumor advances in malignant progression, TGF-beta functionally switches to a pro-tumorigenic signal, eliciting aggressive tumor traits, such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition, tumor microenvironment remodeling, and immune evasion of cancer cells. On this account, the inhibition of TGF-beta signaling is recognized as a promising therapeutic strategy for advanced HCC. In this review, we evaluate the functions and mechanisms of TGF-beta signaling and relate its complex and pleiotropic biology to HCC pathophysiology, attempting to provide a detailed perspective on the molecular determinants underlying its functional diversion. We also address the therapeutic implications of the dichotomous nature of TGF-beta signaling and highlight the rationale for targeting this pathway for HCC treatment, alone or in combination with other agents

Planned development versus unplanned change: The effects on urban planning in Turkey

Considering the planning systems introduced by different schools throughout the world, it can be seen that the flexible and participative approaches gained importance when compared to the traditional approaches, and that different implementation types mediating these approaches are being developed in the new order. In the master plan experience of Turkey, where the traditional approach plays dominant role in practice, the local governments are given the authority of making master plan amendments, as well as the right to prepare the plan itself. But, this practice enabled for the sake of public interest has become one of the frequently used planning instruments; it moved away of urban plan and a new challenge resulting in the rent has come to the forefront

Research on GIS-aided housing satisfaction using fuzzy decision-making techniques

In housing satisfaction research, studies that focus on the evaluation of surveying and its results draw much attention. However, a guiding contribution cannot be made to the decision-making processes in planning due to the lack of modelling for the spatial provisions of these survey-based studies. This study was conducted using two multi-criteria decision-making methods (Fuzzy DEMATEL+Fuzzy TOPSIS), and a model was created for the evaluation of housing satisfaction in two different TOKI housing estates. A fuzzy examination was carried out on the factors that affect satisfaction with the housing estates and their spatial provisions. A comparable housing satisfaction map based on a geostatistical analysis and supported with Geographic Information System was created for both housing estates using the obtained results. The planning, typology and design approaches of both TOKI housing estates are the same, but the level of the satisfaction with the houses in the Yenidogan TOKI housing estate was found to be as high as 60%, while the level of satisfaction with the Ildem TOKI housing estate was found to be extremely low. The study concluded that this difference derived from site selection, and that relationships with the city centre and transportation corridors were determinant factors