The Association Between Active Citizenship and Well-Being in Norway

Although active citizenship has been increasingly emphasised in political discourses due to its multidimensional scope, potential for democracy and empowerment there has been scarce research in Norway regarding the association between active citizenship and well-being. This thesis is a pioneer as it investigates the association between the two concepts through four dimensions of active citizenship: Protest and Social Change; Community Life; Democratic Values; and Representative Democracy.Master's ThesisGLODE33

ANTI-K-POP DISCOURSE IN TURKEY AND THE TACTICAL STRUGGLE OF K-POP FANS

This study examines the discursive mechanisms of both the anti-Korean Wave and anti-K-pop in Turkey, disseminated through media and Twitter-sphere under the #banKpop. This study shows that in traditional media texts, the moral panic against K-pop is constructed through the discursive mechanisms of scapegoating, creating fear, stigmatizing, and labeling. Three discursive sub-themes create anti-K-pop discourse within the traditional media texts: K-pop as an epidemic, a threat against hegemonic masculinity, and as a new religion. In addition, the result of a hashtag campaign that feeds the anti-K-pop discourse produced in traditional media texts is discussed. These tweets collected by Nvivo 12 under the #banKpop from June 17 to 21, 2020 have been analyzed via thematic content analysis. The analysis shows that the anti-K-pop discourse is based on cultural essentialism, a homogenizing approach to Islam, homophobia, and transphobia. This research also finds out that trolling the #banKpop campaign by K-pop fans is a successful example of K-pop activism in Turkey. </p

The effects of pre-harvest napthalene acetic acid and aminoethoxyvinylglycine treatments on storage performance of ‘ Ak Sakı’ apple cultivar grown in Erzincan conditions

This study was carried out to determine the effects of pre-harvest aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG, 150, 225 ve 300 mg/L) and naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA, 20 mg/L) treatments in different doses on storage performance of ‘Ak Sakı’ apple cultivar (Malus domestica Borkh.) in 2012. The changes on some fruit quality parameters were measured at 2±1 oC temperature and with 90±5 % relative humidity at 45 days interval during storage. The lowest weight loss was obtained from 300 mg/L AVG treated fruits during the storage. In the all analysis date, the highest L* value was obtained from 300 mg/L AVG treated fruits, and the lowest hue angle value was reported from the fruits of control treatment. The flesh firmness was determined that the best kept in the 225 and 300 mg/L AVG treated fruits during the storage. The flesh firmness significantly reduced with NAA treatment at the end of storage. The highest soluble solids concentration (SSC) was obtain from control fruit during the storage, whereas the lowest SSC was observed in fruit treated with 300 mg/L AVG. In the all analysis date, the highest titratable acidity was obtained in fruits treated with 225 and 300 mg/L AVG. The starch degradation was delayed with AVG treatments

Oral Cavity Beta-Defensin Levels Are Regulated Differently during Radiotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Background: Human beta-defensins (hBDs) are small cationic peptides of the epithelium with broad antimicrobial and immune response-regulatory activities. hBDs are also related to oncogenesis, and their secretion profiles are affected by radiotherapy treatment. The present study aimed to investigate the oral cavity hBD 1-3 levels in head and neck cancer patients and its relation to radiotherapy treatment. Methods: Sixteen head and neck cancer patients (all with a history of smoking) were included in this study. Periodontal parameters were measured before radiotherapy, and medical information was collected from registries. Oral rinses of the patients were collected before radiotherapy; on the 1st, 3rd, and 6th weeks of radiotherapy; and the 1st month following the end of radiotherapy. hBD 1–3 levels were measured using ELISA. Results: Oral hBD-1 levels increased during radiotherapy at week 6 (p = 0.019). hBD-1 levels returned to pretreatment levels after the end of radiotherapy. No significant change was detected for hBD-2 or hBD-3 levels during or after radiotherapy. Conclusions: The constant expression of hBD-1, which is distinct from the infection and inflammation-dependent expression profiles of hBD-2 and hBD-3, may explain why this peptide is the only one affected by radiotherapy

A Comparative Analysis of Treatment-Related Changes in the Diagnostic Biomarker Active Metalloproteinase-8 Levels in Patients with Periodontitis

Background: Previous studies have revealed the potential diagnostic utility of aMMP-8, an active form of MMP-8, in periodontal and peri-implant diseases. While non-invasive point-of-care (PoC) chairside aMMP-8 tests have shown promise in this regard, there is a dearth of literature on the evaluation of treatment response using these tests. The present study aimed to investigate treatment-related changes in aMMP-8 levels in individuals with Stage III/IV—Grade C periodontitis compared to a healthy control group, using a quantitative chairside PoC aMMP-8 test, and to determine its correlation with clinical parameters. Methods: The study included 27 adult patients (13 smoker, 14 non-smoker) with stage III/IV-grade C periodontitis and 25 healthy adult subjects. Clinical periodontal measurements, real-time PoC aMMP-8, IFMA aMMP-8, and Western immunoblot analyses were performed before and 1 month after anti-infective scaling and root planing periodontal treatment. Time 0 measurements were taken from the healthy control group to test the consistency of the diagnostic test. Results: Both PoC aMMP-8 and IFMA aMMP-8 tests showed a statistically significant decrease in aMMP-8 levels and improvement in periodontal clinical parameters following treatment (p 0.05). Treatment also reduced MMP-8 immunoreactivity and activation as demonstrated by Western immunoblot analysis. Conclusion: The PoC aMMP-8 test shows promise as a useful tool for the real-time diagnosis and monitoring of periodontal therapy

Oral Cavity Calprotectin and Lactoferrin Levels in Relation to Radiotherapy

Background: Lactoferrin, an iron-binding glycoprotein, and calprotectin, a calcium binding protein, are sensitive markers of inflammation and their fecal levels increase during radiotherapy of prostate cancer patients. With this background, we analyzed mouthrinse calprotectin and lactoferrin levels of head- and neck-cancer patients before, during and after radiotherapy. Methods: Twenty cancer patients (mean age 55.85 ± 15.01, 80% male), who had been planned to undergo radiotherapy to the head and neck area, were included in this study. Mouthrinse samples were collected before radiotherapy, at the 3rd and 6th weeks of radiotherapy and 4 weeks after the radiotherapy. Mouthrinse samples were analyzed for calprotectin and lactoferrin using commercial ELISA kits. Results: Calprotectin levels increased significantly during radiotherapy (p = 0.022). Both markers, lactoferrin (p = 0.011) and calprotectin (p = 0.006), decreased significantly after the treatment. Conclusions: Present study results may suggest that the elevations in calprotectin and lactoferrin levels during radiotherapy reflect the increased and emerging inflammatory environment in the oral cavity, thus may increase the risk of periodontal disease initiation or progression

Oral Cavity Calprotectin and Lactoferrin Levels in Relation to Radiotherapy

Background: Lactoferrin, an iron-binding glycoprotein, and calprotectin, a calcium binding protein, are sensitive markers of inflammation and their fecal levels increase during radiotherapy of prostate cancer patients. With this background, we analyzed mouthrinse calprotectin and lactoferrin levels of head- and neck-cancer patients before, during and after radiotherapy. Methods: Twenty cancer patients (mean age 55.85 ± 15.01, 80% male), who had been planned to undergo radiotherapy to the head and neck area, were included in this study. Mouthrinse samples were collected before radiotherapy, at the 3rd and 6th weeks of radiotherapy and 4 weeks after the radiotherapy. Mouthrinse samples were analyzed for calprotectin and lactoferrin using commercial ELISA kits. Results: Calprotectin levels increased significantly during radiotherapy (p = 0.022). Both markers, lactoferrin (p = 0.011) and calprotectin (p = 0.006), decreased significantly after the treatment. Conclusions: Present study results may suggest that the elevations in calprotectin and lactoferrin levels during radiotherapy reflect the increased and emerging inflammatory environment in the oral cavity, thus may increase the risk of periodontal disease initiation or progression

Oral Cavity Calprotectin and Lactoferrin Levels in Relation to Radiotherapy

Background: Lactoferrin, an iron-binding glycoprotein, and calprotectin, a calcium binding protein, are sensitive markers of inflammation and their fecal levels increase during radiotherapy of prostate cancer patients. With this background, we analyzed mouthrinse calprotectin and lactoferrin levels of head- and neck-cancer patients before, during and after radiotherapy.Methods: Twenty cancer patients (mean age 55.85 ± 15.01, 80% male), who had been planned to undergo radiotherapy to the head and neck area, were included in this study. Mouthrinse samples were collected before radiotherapy, at the 3rd and 6th weeks of radiotherapy and 4 weeks after the radiotherapy. Mouthrinse samples were analyzed for calprotectin and lactoferrin using commercial ELISA kits.Results: Calprotectin levels increased significantly during radiotherapy (p = 0.022). Both markers, lactoferrin (p = 0.011) and calprotectin (p = 0.006), decreased significantly after the treatment.Conclusions: Present study results may suggest that the elevations in calprotectin and lactoferrin levels during radiotherapy reflect the increased and emerging inflammatory environment in the oral cavity, thus may increase the risk of periodontal disease initiation or progression.</p

Active matrix metalloproteinase-8 and interleukin-6 detect periodontal degeneration caused by radiotherapy of head and neck cancer: a pilot study

Background: This cohort study investigated the role of the active matrix metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) as oral fluid biomarkers for monitoring the periodontal degeneration occurring in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients treated by radiotherapy. Research design and methods: Eleven patients, aged 28-74, diagnosed with HNC were included in the study. Complete periodontal and oral examinations were performed pre-radiotherapy and 1 month after radiotherapy. Mouthrinse samples (pre-radiotherapy, after 6 weeks of radiotherapy and 1 month after radiotherapy) were assayed by aMMP-8 point-of-care-kit (PerioSafe®/ORALyzer®) for aMMP-8 and ELISA for IL-6.Results: HNC radiotherapy had a deteriorating impact on the periodontium and a significant impact on periodontal biomarkers aMMP-8 and IL-6 and increased their levels in mouthrinse. Clinical-attachment-loss (CAL) (site of greatest loss: mean = 1.7 mm, range = 1-3 mm) corresponding to rapid progression of periodontitis. There was a positive repeated measures correlation (rmcorr = 0.667) between the aMMP-8 and IL-6 levels. Conclusions: Elevated aMMP-8 levels were observed 1 month after radiotherapy among some HNC patients suggesting a prolonged increased susceptibility to further periodontal tissue destruction. Currently available aMMP-8 point-of-care testing could be useful to monitor and assess quantitatively online and real-time the risk of deterioration of periodontal health during HNC radiotherapy.</p