New dinuclear cyanido complexes with amine alcohol ligand: synthesis, characterization and biotechnological application potential

In this study, the cyanido complexes given by the formula [Ni(Abut)Ni(CN)4]·8H2O (C1), [Cu(Abut)2Ni(CN)4]·7H2O (C2), [Zn(Abut)Ni(CN)4]·8H2O (C3) and [Cd(Abut)Ni(CN)4]·7H2O (C4) were obtained by microwave synthesis method. The powder forms of the complexes were characterized by elemental, FT-IR spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. And also antibacterial, antibiofilm and anticancer activities were investigated. The splitting stretching bands of cyanido groups in the FT-IR spectra of C1-C4 indicated the assets of terminal and end cyanido groups. The antibacterial activities of C1-C4 were tested with nine Gram negative and six Gram positive bacteria. The most efficient antibacterial activity of complexes was observed at 1000 µg/ml-1 concentration. Anticancer activity was tested using HeLa cell line and MTT test. The studied cyanide complexes have been shown to decrease the viability of HeLa cells with IC50 values 14.86, 6.5, 7.2 and 19.2 µg/ml for C1, C2, C3 and C4 complex, respectively

Studying the Factors Affecting Osteoporosis in Women with The Logistic Regression Analysis

The purpose of this investigation is to study the factors affecting osteoporosis in women with the logistic regression analysis in order to evaluate the effect of those risk factors. The age of women ranged between 40-70 years. A questionnaire was prepared for this study and the questions were directed to patients. The research was conducted on a total of 250 patients. As the dependent variable is in a categorical data type with two levels, binary logistic regression analysis was applied. According to the analysis results, such factors as age, weight, calcium amount of the individual, duration of the exercise, genetic factors, being in menopause and smoking have significant effect pushing individuals towards being osteoporotic. In order to prevent osteoporosis, a person should lose weight, increase weekly exercises, be careful about the calcium amount in her body and reduce smoking. particularly elder ones

The Role of Surface Modification Methods for Sustainable Textiles

Sustainability aims to provide a livable future for the next generations. Studies on reducing high chemical, energy, and water consumption make significant contributions to sustainability in many sectors. The textile sector consists of many processes such as fiber production, yarn and fabric production, dyeing, and finishing processes. Each of these processes consumes a significant amount of water and energy. Cotton fiber production consumes approximately 1559 kg of fresh water per kg, and polyester fiber production consumes approximately 108 kWh of electricity per kg. Clean water consumption can be up to 200 L/kg in subsequent processes such as bleaching, dyeing, printing, and finishing. Surface modification techniques in textile production can play a role in sustainability, especially in areas such as reduction, reuse, and recycling. In this chapter, we aim to investigate the effects of surface modification techniques on reducing chemical, energy, and water consumption in textile production, improving textile performance properties, and altering the service life of textiles

MIR376A is a regulator of starvation-induced autophagy

Background: Autophagy is a vesicular trafficking process responsible for the degradation of long-lived, misfolded or abnormal proteins, as well as damaged or surplus organelles. Abnormalities of the autophagic activity may result in the accumulation of protein aggregates, organelle dysfunction, and autophagy disorders were associated with various diseases. Hence, mechanisms of autophagy regulation are under exploration. Methods: Over-expression of hsa-miR-376a1 (shortly MIR376A) was performed to evaluate its effects on autophagy. Autophagy-related targets of the miRNA were predicted using Microcosm Targets and MIRanda bioinformatics tools and experimentally validated. Endogenous miRNA was blocked using antagomirs and the effects on target expression and autophagy were analyzed. Luciferase tests were performed to confirm that 3’ UTR sequences in target genes were functional. Differential expression of MIR376A and the related MIR376B was compared using TaqMan quantitative PCR. Results: Here, we demonstrated that, a microRNA (miRNA) from the DlkI/Gtl2 gene cluster, MIR376A, played an important role in autophagy regulation. We showed that, amino acid and serum starvation-induced autophagy was blocked by MIR376A overexpression in MCF-7 and Huh-7 cells. MIR376A shared the same seed sequence and had overlapping targets with MIR376B, and similarly blocked the expression of key autophagy proteins ATG4C and BECN1 (Beclin 1). Indeed, 3’ UTR sequences in the mRNA of these autophagy proteins were responsive to MIR376A in luciferase assays. Antagomir tests showed that, endogenous MIR376A was participating to the control of ATG4C and BECN1 transcript and protein levels. Moreover, blockage of endogenous MIR376A accelerated starvation-induced autophagic activity. Interestingly, MIR376A and MIR376B levels were increased with different kinetics in response to starvation stress and tissue-specific level differences were also observed, pointing out to an overlapping but miRNA-specific biological role. Conclusions: Our findings underline the importance of miRNAs encoded by the DlkI/Gtl2 gene cluster in stress-response control mechanisms, and introduce MIR376A as a new regulator of autophagy

Epigenetic perturbations in the pathogenesis of mustard toxicity; hypothesis and preliminary results

Among the most readily available chemical warfare agents, sulfur mustard (SM), also known as mustard gas, has been the most widely used chemical weapon. SM causes debilitating effects that can leave an exposed individual incapacitated for days to months; therefore delayed SM toxicity is of much greater importance than its ability to cause lethality. Although not fully understood, acute toxicity of SM is related to reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, oxidative stress, DNA damage, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) activation and energy depletion within the affected cell. Therefore several antioxidants and PARP inhibitors show beneficial effects against acute SM toxicity. The delayed toxicity of SM however, currently has no clear mechanistic explanation. One third of the 100,000 Iranian casualties are still suffering from the detrimental effects of SM in spite of the extensive treatment. We, therefore, made an attempt whether epigenetic aberrations may contribute to pathogenesis of mustard poisoning. Preliminary evidence reveals that mechlorethamine (a nitrogen mustard derivative) exposure may not only cause oxidative stress, DNA damage, but epigenetic perturbations as well. Epigenetic refers to the study of changes that influence the phenotype without causing alteration of the genotype. It involves changes in the properties of a cell that are inherited but do not involve a change in DNA sequence. It is now known that in addition to mutations, epimutations contribute to a variety of human diseases. Under light of preliminary results, the current hypothesis will focus on epigenetic regulations to clarify mustard toxicity and the use of drugs to correct possible epigenetic defects

Demographic Features of Turkish Literature Audiences and Applied Analysis of the Factors Affecting Their Reading Preferences,

The purpose of this study is to determine factors affecting reading preferences in parallel with the demographic features of Turkish literature audiences. The study lasted approximately for 7 months. (N=650) individuals attended the study in total. The universe of the study is Turkey while the sample of the study is composed of 8 different provinces. These provinces are İstanbul, Ankara, İzmir, Bursa, Kocaeli, Sakarya, Trabzon and Gaziantep. A questionnaire form whose reliability and validity had been ensured before and which was composed of 5 point Likert scale was used in the study. The questionnaire form was reformed in accordance with the topic of the study, it was subjected to validity and reliability test and it was carried into main practice through taking views of experts. Data acquired from the results of main practice was analyzed by using SPSS 18.0 packet program and the value of 0.924 was acquired as Cronbach’s Alpha co-efficient. This value indicates that the measuring tool used in this study is quite reliable. The questionnaire is composed of two sections. In the first section, there are questions with regard to determine demographic features of the participants while in the second section, there are scaled questions composed of 120 items. 0.05 of significance level was taken into account among variables in terms of relations and differences. Methods such as different statistics anova, factor and hypothesis tests were applied in the analysis. Moreover, 4 different literary works were mentioned in the study so as to determine attitudes and behaviors of the participants towards literary works. Opinions of the participants were demanded about novels such as İntibah (Rebirth), Araba Sevdası (Ambition for Car), Mai ve Siyah (Blue and Black) and Çalıkuşu (The Wren). At the end of the study, it was found out that the participants followed academic publications more frequently, the use of computer and internet had an effect on reading e-book and up-to-date books were read more than those books written in a foreign or ancient language (Ottoman Turkish). Furthermore, it was determined that education and age variables of the participants had an effect on reading habits while gender, age and education variables had an effect in some reading factors

Acute and delayed sulfur mustard toxicity; novel mechanisms and future studies

Sulfur mustard (SM), also known as mustard gas, has been the most widely used chemical weapon. The toxicity of SM as an incapacitating agent is of much greater importance than its ability to cause lethality. Acute toxicity of SM is related to reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, DNA damage, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activation and energy depletion within the affected cell. Therefore melatonin shows beneficial effects against acute SM toxicity in a variety of manner. It scavenges most of the oxygen- and nitrogen-based reactants, inhibits inducible nitric oxide synthase, repairs DNA damage and restores cellular energy depletion. The delayed toxicity of SM however, currently has no mechanistic explanation. We propose that epigenetic aberrations may be responsible for delayed detrimental effects of mustard poisoning. Epigenetic refers to the study of changes that influence the phenotype without causing alteration of the genotype. It involves changes in the properties of a cell that are inherited but do not involve a change in DNA sequence. It is now known that in addition to genetic mutations, epimutations can also involve in the pathogenesis of a variety of human diseases. Several actions of melatonin are now delineated by epigenetic actions including modulation of histone acetylation and DNA methylation. Future studies are warranted to clarify whether epigenetic mechanisms are involved in pathogenesis of delayed sulfur mustard toxicity and melatonin alleviates delayed toxicity of this warfare agent

The power of debate: Reflections on the potential of debates for engaging students in critical thinking about controversial geographical topics

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in on 23 January 2012, available online: http://wwww.tandfonline.com/1080/03098265.2011.619522This article reflects on the potential for teaching through debate in geography. The arguments are illustrated through a debate about whether asylum seekers should be allowed to work in the UK.This book was submitted to the RAE2014 for the University of Chester - Geography, Environmental Studies and Archaeology: Geography and Development Studies

Molecular, genetic and epigenetic pathways of peroxynitrite-induced cellular toxicity

Oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathogenesis of cancer and many metabolic diseases; therefore, an effective antioxidant therapy would be of great importance in these circumstances. Nevertheless, convincing randomized clinical trials revealed that antioxidant supplementations were not associated with significant reduction in incidence of cancer, chronic diseases and all-cause mortality. As oxidation of essential molecules continues, it turns to nitro-oxidative stress because of the involvement of nitric oxide in pathogenesis processes. Peroxynitrite damages via several distinctive mechanisms; first, it has direct toxic effects on all biomolecules and causes lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and DNA damage. The second mechanism involves the induction of several transcription factors leading to cytokine-induced chronic inflammation. Finally, it causes epigenetic perturbations that exaggerate nuclear factor kappa-B mediated inflammatory gene expression. Lessons-learned from the treatment of several chronic disorders including pulmonary diseases suggest that, chronic inflammation and glucocorticoid resistance are regulated by prolonged peroxynitrite production