How University Students Perceive Their Native and Non-Native English Speaking Teachers

In several educational settings aiming to teach English as a foreign language, the myth of the superiority of native English speaking teachers (NESTs) over non-native English speaking teachers (NNESTs) seems to hold strong especially among students. Contrary to this, the present study, which investigated the perceptions of university students studying intensive English at an English-medium university in Turkey about NESTs and NNESTs, is a promising verification of the equality between two teacher groups in several pedagogical aspects. The data were collected by means of a 30-item questionnaire and focus group interviews. Both teacher groups were assessed with respect to four aspects: (1) in-class teaching roles, (2) in-class management roles, (3) in-class communication skills and (4) individual qualities. According to the findings, there is no significant difference between NESTs and NNESTs in terms of in-class teaching roles as well as in-class management roles. On the other hand, NESTs are perceived to be significantly better in in-class communication skills, show more favorable qualities and have more enjoyable lessons. In this context marked with the joint collaboration of NESTs and NNESTs, both groups are reported to display a sound partnership and high levels of professionalism. Keywords: Native English speaking teachers, Non-native English speaking teachers, NEST, NNEST

Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Catheterisation Laboratory Considerations: “Looking for Essentials”

The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is a significant health crisis that impacts every healthcare system worldwide, and has led to a dramatic change in dealing with different diseases during the pandemic. Interventional cardiologists are frontline workers who deal with many cardiovascular emergencies, either in patients with proven COVID-19 or in suspected cases. Many heart associations worldwide are currently setting appropriate recommendations for the management of emergency cardiac interventions. In this expert opinion, the authors highlight the essential requirements in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory during the COVID-19 pandemic

Sh3pxd2b Mice Are a Model for Craniofacial Dysmorphology and Otitis Media

Craniofacial defects that occur through gene mutation during development increase vulnerability to eustachian tube dysfunction. These defects can lead to an increased incidence of otitis media. We examined the effects of a mutation in the Sh3pxd2b gene (Sh3pxd2bnee) on the progression of otitis media and hearing impairment at various developmental stages. We found that all mice that had the Sh3pxd2bnee mutation went on to develop craniofacial dysmorphologies and subsequently otitis media, by as early as 11 days of age. We found noteworthy changes in cilia and goblet cells of the middle ear mucosa in Sh3pxd2bnee mutant mice using scanning electronic microscopy. By measuring craniofacial dimensions, we determined for the first time in an animal model that this mouse has altered eustachian tube morphology consistent with a more horizontal position of the eustachian tube. All mutants were found to have hearing impairment. Expression of TNF-α and TLR2, which correlates with inflammation in otitis media, was up-regulated in the ears of mutant mice when examined by immunohistochemistry and semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The mouse model with a mutation in the Sh3pxd2b gene (Sh3pxd2bnee) mirrors craniofacial dysmorphology and otitis media in humans

Church of St. Mary of the Mongols in Istanbul

Istanbul, throughout its history, has accommodated many states and civilizations. Therefore, the city besides having different names, also has monuments and places of worship belonging to various cultures and faiths. Due to this characteristics of the city there are Catholic, Orthodox, Armenian and Protestant churches along with the mosques and synagogues. Although the Mongols of Genghis Khan has never ruled Istanbul, one of the churches in the city is called Church of St. Mary of the Mongols. Called Despina khatun by the Mongols, St. Mary, whose names is given to the church, is the daughter of a Byzantine emperor Michael VIII. The Byzantine emperors paid importance to establish kinship ties both with Golden Horde and Ilkhanid states. Through the princes they aimed at preserving the balance and wanted to please the khans. Pursuing this policy, Mary had married to an Ilkhanid khan, Abaqa. After his death she returned to Istanbul and devoted herself to religion. Surviving until present, the church that was built and named by herself in Istanbul attracts attention both with its story of foundation and its name

Nanofat grafting under a split-thickness skin graft for problematic wound management

Introduction: Obesity and certain medical disorders make the reconstruction of skin defects challenging. Different kind of procedure can be used for these defect, besides, skin grafting is one of the most common and simplest procedure. Fat grafting and stem cells which are located in the adipose tissue have been commonly used in plastic surgery for regeneration and rejuvenation purposes. To decrease graft failure rate we performed nanofat grafting under an autologous split-thickness skin graft in our patient who had a problematic wound