Deterministic and stochastic models of Arabidopsis Thaliana flowering

Experimental studies of the flowering of Arabidopsis Thaliana have shown that a large complex gene regulatory network (GRN) is responsible for its regulation. This process has been mathematically modelled with deterministic differential equations by considering the interactions between gene activators and inhibitors [26, 28]. However, due to complexity of the model, the properties of the network and the roles of the individual genes cannot be deducted from the numerical solution the published work offers. Here, we propose simplifications of the model, based on decoupling of the original GRN to motifs, described with three and two differential equations. A stable solution of the original model is sought by linearisation of the original model which contributes to further investigation of the role of the individual genes to the flowering. Furthermore, we study the role of noise by introducing and investigating two types of stochastic elements into the model. The deterministic and stochastic non-linear dynamic models of Arabidopsis flowering time are considered by following the deterministic delayed model introduced in [26]. Steady state regimes and stability of the deterministic original model are investigated analytically and numerically. By decoupling some concentrations, the system was reduced to emphasise the role played by the transcription factor Suppressor of Overexpression of Constants1 (SOC1) and the important floral meristem identity genes, Leafy (LFY ) and Apetala1 (AP1). Two-dimensional motifs, based on the dynamics of LFY and AP1, are obtained from the reduced network and parameter ranges ensuring flowering are determined. Their stability analysis shows that LFY and AP1 are regulating each other for flowering, matching experimental findings. New sufficient conditions of mean square stability in the stochastic model are obtained using a stochastic Lyapunov approach. Our numerical simulations demonstrate that the reduced models of Arabidopsis flowering time, describing specific motifs of the GRN, can capture the essential behaviour of the full system and also introduce the conditions of flowering initiation. Additionally, they show that stochastic effects can change the behaviour of the stability region through a stability switch. This study thus contributes to a better understanding of the role of LFY and AP1 in Arabidopsis flowering

Changes on mutant pot chrysanthemums (Dendranthema × grandiflora Tzelev.)

Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema x grandiflora Tzvelev) is one of the most important ornamental plants in the world that has the richest mutant varieties with numerous colors. The objective of this study is to determine the effective mutagen dose (EMD50) for creating variations by gamma irradiation. It is aimed to get a mutagenesis protocol that could develop new mutants in pot chrysanthemums. To determine the EMD50, rooted cuttings of brownish-red color ‘Brandevil’ variety were irradiated by gamma radiation at 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 Gray (Gy) doses. According to the shoot lengths, EMD50 was calculated as 27 Gy. The mutation frequency was calculated as 4.8%. Some changes were observed for flower numbers per plant, plant heights and widths, shapes and colors of both flowers and leaves. The color changes varied from brownish-red to yellow and orange. Two different colors appeared in the same pot at some genotypes as well as form changes of flowers. The similarity of the mutants was determined by the hierarchical cluster dendrogram involving five groups. Various colors were obtained for leaves and flowers. Remarkable mutations of the selected mutants were multiplied by tissue culture

A newborn with diabetic ketoacidosis and thalassemia major: A rare case

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a systemic situation caused byabsolute insulin deficiency and characterized by hyperglycemia,ketonemia, acidemia, glycosuria and ketonuria.Thalassemia Major is a very serious hereditary blooddisorder due to low levels or absence of “beta globulin”chain, characterized by requiring a blood transfusion from3-4. month of life due to the relatively short life of red cells.We, herein presented a rare case of 20 day-old newbornwith anemia, hyperglycemia, vomiting, acidosis being diagnosedas thalassemia major that required blood transfusionin the early period of life and diabetic ketoacidosiswithout ketonuria who born from 24 year old father carrierof thalassemia and 23-year-old mother with carrier of thalassemiaand gestational diabetes.The case was presented in order to emphasize that diabeticketoacidosis can occur in newborns without ketonuriaand thalassemia major may cause anemia in the earlyperiod of life due to hyperglycemia and acidosis

The knowledge and attitudes of breast self-examination and mammography in a group of women in a rural area in western Turkey

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer appears to be a disease of both the developing and developed worlds. Among Turkish women, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to determine levels of knowledge about breast cancer and to evaluate health beliefs concerning the model that promotes breast self- examination (BSE) and mammography in a group of women aged 20–64 in a rural area of western Turkey. METHODS: 244 women were recruited by means of cluster sampling in this study. The questionnaire consisted of sociodemographic variables, a risk factors and signs of breast cancer form and the adapted version of Champion's Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS). Bivariate correlation analysis, Chi square test, Mann-Whitney U test and logistic regression analysis were performed throughout the data analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of the women was 37.7 ± 13.7. 49.2% of women were primary school graduates, 67.6% were married. Although 76.6% of the women in this study reported that they had heard or read about breast cancer, our study revealed that only 56.1% of them had sufficient knowledge of breast cancer, half of whom had acquired the information from health professionals. Level of breast cancer knowledge was the only variable significantly associated with the BSE and mammography practice (p = 0.011, p = 0.007). BSE performers among the study group were more likely to be women who exhibited higher confidence and perceived greater benefits from BSE practice, and those who perceived fewer barriers to BSE performance and possessed knowledge of breast cancer. CONCLUSION: By using the CHBMS constructs for assessment, primary health care providers can more easily understand the beliefs that influence women's BSE and mammography practice

Tip 1 Diyabetes Mellituslu Çocuklarda Tanı Anındaki Klinik ve Laboratuvar Bulgularının Değerlendirilmesi

Objective: The aim of our study is to evaluation of clinical and laboratory findings at the time of diagnosis in children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM). Methods: In this study, 142 children diagnosed with T1DM who were referred to Pediatric Endocrinology Policlinic and Emergency Policlinic of Dicle University Medical Faculty between 2013 and 2016 were evaluated. Retrospectively, the sociodemographic characteristics, symptoms and laboratory findings of the patients were recorded from the files. All the data obtained were evaluated statistically. Results: Sixty two (43.66%) of the patients were girls. The mean age was 10,10 ± 1,39 years. The blood glucose level at diagnosis was 425,85 ± 12,51 mg/dl and HbA1c was 13,57 ± 3,77. Anti-Glutamate Decarboxylase (anti-GAD) positivity was detected in 47.8% of the cases. 18.3% of the patients had a T1DM story in their family. Patients were diagnosed mostly in January (12.6%) and November (11.9%). 83.8% of cases had both polyuria and polydipsia, 41.5% had consciousness level change and 6.3% had coma. Ketoacidosis was present in 43% of the patients at the time of admission, ketosis in 48.5% and only hyperglycemia in 8.5%. Conclusion: Type 1 DM is mostly observed in adolescence. The most common symptoms of the disease are polyuria and polydipsia. For this reason the community needs to be educated that polyuria and polydipsia may have T1DM findings. Awareness of the community in this issue can reduce the frequency of diabetic ketoacidosis, the most important complication of diabetes

Comparison of the Effects of Pharyngeal Packing and Gastric Aspiration with an Orogastric Tube on Postoperative Nausea, Vomiting and Sore Throat in Septorhinoplasty

Introduction:We compared the effects of pharyngeal packing and gastric decompression with orogastric tube application on the incidence of nausea/vomiting, sore throat, and dysphagia. As a secondary objective, we assessed the effect of the selected method on the postoperative pain score and patient satisfaction.Methods:In this randomized, prospective study were 60 patients aged 18-50 years who underwent elective septorhinoplasty. Nasopharyngeal packing was performed in group 1 and gastric decompression with an orogastric tube in group 2, and both procedures were terminated by the practitioner before extubation. Between-group demographic data, duration of operation/anesthesia, hemodynamic parameters, nausea, vomiting, additional antiemetic requirement, pain/dysphagia during swallowing, visual analogue scale (VAS), and patient satisfaction were measured at 24 h, and the group findings were compared.Results:The demographic findings and durations of anesthesia/operation were not statistically different between the groups, and there was no difference in postoperative nausea and vomiting, VAS, and satisfaction scores. In contrast, sore throat was twice as common in the nasopharyngeal pack group but decreased over time.Conclusion:The routine packing approach should be abandoned by anesthesiologists. Because pharyngeal packing is not a completely risk-free procedure, we do not recommend intraoperative packing during nasal surgery. If indicated for surgical reasons, however, protocols, checklists, and observation forms pre-prepared with the participation of the surgical and anesthesia teams should be used. All materials should be included in the surgical (scrub) count, and it should be ensured that all materials are removed before extubation with a matching count. Regardless of the method used, it should not be forgotten that the anesthesiologist is responsible for the examination of the oral cavity and throat via direct laryngoscopy and, if necessary, aspiration before extubation

Neuobičajeni klinički slučajevi koji oponašaju akutni diseminirani encefalomijelitis

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is an immune-mediated monophasic inflammatory demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system which poses a diagnostic challenge. We report on six cases of different etiologies that mimicked the clinical and radiologic findings of ADEM. The cases were collected from four different reference hospitals in Turkey. The same radiologist from the Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine examined the magnetic resonance images of all patients. Three (50%) patients had antecedent infections. Initial symptoms of the patients were as follows: fever in 50%, altered consciousness in 33.3% and convulsions in 16.7% of patients. Neurologic examination showed long tract signs in 83.3%, ataxia in 50% and altered consciousness in 50% of patients. Cerebrospinal fluid examination revealed lymphocytic pleocytosis only in case 6. Four patients received steroid pulse therapy and one of these initially underwent intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. The patients’ definitive diagnoses were as follows: paraspinal neuroblastoma-associated paraneoplastic syndrome; histiocytic sarcoma; mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes; and cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy in one patient each, while two patients had hemophagocytic syndrome. The present case series demonstrated difficulties in diagnosing ADEM while revealing extremely rare disorders that mimic ADEM radiologically and clinically.Akutni diseminirani encefalomijelitis (ADEM) je immuno posredovana monofazna upalna demijelinizacijska bolest središnjega živčanog sustava koja je dijagnostički vrlo zahtjevna. Prikazuje se šest slučajeva različite etiologije gdje su klinički i radiološki nalazi oponašali ADEM. Slučajevi su prikupljeni iz četiri različite referentne bolnice u Turskoj. Slikovne prikaze dobivene magnetskom rezonancom u svih bolesnika pregledao je isti radiolog s Medicinskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Akdenizu. Troje (50%) bolesnika imalo je prethodnu infekciju. Početni simptomi bili su groznica u 50%, poremećaj svijesti u 33,3% te konvulzije u 16,7% bolesnika. Neurološki pregled pokazao je znakove oštećenja srednjeg ili gornjeg dijela leđne moždine (long tract signs) u 83,3%, ataksiju u 50% te poremećaj svijesti u 50% bolesnika. Pregled likvora otkrio je limfocitnu pleocitozu samo u slučaju br. 6. Četiri bolesnika primilo je pulsnu steroidnu terapiju, a jedan od njih je prvotno bio na terapiji intravenskim globulinom. U bolesnika su postavljene sljedeće konačne dijagnoze: paraneoplastični sindrom udružen s paraspinalnim neuroblastomom; histiocitni sarkom; mitohondrijska miopatija, encefalopatija, laktična acidoza i epizode slične moždanom udaru (MELAS); i cerebralna autosomna dominantna arteriopatija sa subkortikalnim infarktima i leukoencefalopatijom (CADASIL) u po jednog bolesnika, te hemofagocitni sindrom u dvoje bolesnika. Ovaj niz slučajeva ukazuje na teškoće u dijagnosticiranju ADEM-a i istodobno pokazuje iznimno rijetke bolesti koje radiološki i klinički oponašaju ADEM

Febrile seizures: mechanisms and relationship to epilepsy.

Studies of febrile seizures have been driven by two major enigmas: first, how these most common of human seizures are generated by fever has not been known. Second, epidemiological studies have linked prolonged febrile seizures with the development of temporal lobe epilepsy, yet whether long or recurrent febrile seizures cause temporal lobe epilepsy has remained unresolved. To investigate these questions, a model of prolonged (complex) febrile seizures was developed in immature rats and mice, permitting mechanistic examination of the potential causal relationships of fever and seizures, and of febrile seizures and limbic epilepsy. Although the model relied on hyperthermia, it was discovered that the hyperthermia-induced secretion of endogenous fever mediators including interleukin-1beta, which contributed to the generation of these 'febrile' seizures. In addition, prolonged experimental febrile seizures provoked epilepsy in a third of the animals. Investigations of the mechanisms of this epileptogenesis demonstrated that expression of specific ion (HCN) channels and of endocannabinoid signaling, may be involved. These may provide novel drug targets for intervention in the epileptogenic process

Prolonged maternal separation induces undernutrition and systemic inflammation with disrupted hippocampal development in mice

Objective: Prolonged maternal separation (PMS) in the first 2 wk of life has been associated with poor growth with lasting effects in brain structure and function. This study aimed to investigate whether PMS-induced undernutrition could cause systemic inflammation and changes in nutrition-related hormonal levels, affecting hippocampal structure and neurotransmission in C57BL/6J suckling mice. Methods: This study assessed mouse growth parameters coupled with insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) serum levels. In addition, leptin, adiponectin, and corticosterone serum levels were measured following PMS. Hippocampal stereology and the amino acid levels were also assessed. Furthermore, we measured myelin basic protein and synapthophysin (SYN) expression in the overall brain tissue and hippocampal SYN immunolabeling. For behavioral tests, we analyzed the ontogeny of selected neonatal reflexes. PMS was induced by separating half the pups in each litter from their lactating dams for defined periods each day (4 h on day 1, 8 h on day 2, and 12 h thereafter). A total of 67 suckling pups were used in this study. Results: PMS induced significant slowdown in weight gain and growth impairment. Significant reductions in serum leptin and IGF-1 levels were found following PMS. Total CA3 area and volume were reduced, specifically affecting the pyramidal layer in PMS mice. CA1 pyramidal layer area was also reduced. Overall hippocampal SYN immunolabeling was lower, especially in CA3 field and dentate gyrus. Furthermore, PMS reduced hippocampal aspartate, glutamate, and gammaaminobutyric acid levels, as compared with unseparated controls. Conclusion: These findings suggest that PMS causes significant growth deficits and alterations in hippocampal morphology and neurotransmission.This work was supported in part by National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grant 5R01HD053131, funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, and Brazilian grants from CNPq and CAPES (Grant # RO1 HD053131). The authors would like to thank Dr. Patricia Foley for veterinarian technical support and Dr. Jose Paulo Andrade for the excellent comments and suggestions to improve this manuscript. N.S. contributed with the stereological studies. I.L.F. and R.B.O. contributed with the behavioral studies. I.L.F., R.B.O., and R.L.G. contributed with the study design, study analysis, and manuscript preparation. G.A.M. and P.B.F. contributed with neurochemical brain analyses. J.I.A.L. and G.M.A. contributed with hormonal and CRP serum analyses. D.G.C., K.M.C., and R.S.R. contributed with animal experimentation and data collection