Engineering Cellular Communication Systems for Synthetic Biology

Synthetic biology is an emerging interdisciplinary field of biology that aims to system-atically design artificial biological systems. As synthetic biologists seek increasingly complex control over cellular processes to achieve robust and predictable systems. A new frontier in synthetic biology is engineering synthetic microbial consortia. This ap-proach employs the concept of division of labor, instead of introducing large genetic cir-cuitry to homogenous cell populations. In this approach, different cell types are assigned to execute a portion of the overall circuit. Each cell type communicates with their co-worker subpopulations to complete the circuit. The main advantage of this strategy is the reduced metabolic burden on each cell type. Thus, leading to more reliable and stable overall performance. In this work, to simplify cellular communication between the mem-bers of the consortium, we used the simple architecture of quorum sensing machinery. We constructed a toolbox that contains promoter, receptor and quorum sensing signal synthase genes along with fluorescent reporters. Using this toolbox, we constructed dif-ferent cell types that can be used in synthetic consortia forming various communication topologies. We characterized the constructed cell types individually and in co-cultures

An Action Research on Improving Environmental Sensitivity of Fourth Grade Primary School Students: What Happens in the School Garden?

School gardens, which play an important role in environmental education, provide an opportunity for students to develop environmental awareness and gain environmental responsibility. In this study, which draws attention to this, it is aimed to reveal the applicability of the workshops prepared in the school garden in order to improve the environmental sensitivity of the students. The research was carried out with 10 female and 10 male 4th grade students in a public primary school in the city center of Bartin in the 2021-2022 academic year. The research was carried out with the action research design, one of the qualitative research methods. The data of the research were obtained through a scale developed by Peker (2020) and a semi-structured interview form prepared by the researchers. Quantitative data obtained using descriptive statistics and dependent group t-test statistical procedures; qualitative data were analyzed with content analysis technique. As a result of the research, it has been determined that environmental education workshops are effective in increasing students’ environmental awareness. Students stated that environmental education activities are fun, useful and instructive. As a result, it is seen that the workshops applied in the school garden increase the environmental awareness of the 4th grade students and the process has a positive effect on them. As a result of the research, it can be suggested that environmental awareness should be brought to students through school gardens and reflected in educational environments by organizing various activities that encourage positive attitudes

Granulocytic sarcoma after stem cell transplantation in a child with biphenotypic leukemia

Granulocytic sarcoma is an extramedullary tumor composed of leukemic blasts. Isolated granulocytic sarcoma has rarely been reported in children with leukemia undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation. We report a case of isolated granulocytic sarcoma arising from the pleura in an 11-year-old girl who was previously treated for biphenotypic leukemia with allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Complete resolution of the tumor was achieved after two inductions with MRC 12 protocol; however, she died of sepsis during the neutropenic period. The unusual presentation, immunophenotypic differences at diagnosis and relapse, and the management options are discussed

Defeat, entrapment and suicidal ideation in a Turkish community sample of young adults: an examination of the Integrated Motivational-Volitional (IMV) model of suicidal behaviour

The present study examines the relationships between defeat, entrapment, suicidal ideation, thwarted belongingness, and perceived burdensomeness through the Integrated Motivational-Volitional (IMV) Model of Suicidal Behaviour in a sample of Turkish young adults. The sample consisted of 451 individuals (72.5% females, Mage= 25.20). The correlation analyses revealed significant relationships between defeat, entrapment, suicidal ideation, thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness in the expected directions. Mediation and moderation analyses partly confirmed the assumptions of the motivational phase of the IMV model; entrapment played a mediating role between defeat and suicidal ideation, and thwarted belongingness (but not perceived burdensomeness) had a moderating role in the pathway between entrapment and suicidal ideation. These findings add a new dimension to the understanding of suicide risk and potential protective factors through the IMV model, which was tested for the first time in the Turkish population. It is anticipated that this study will contribute to suicide prevention intervention strategies, especially for young adults, at-risk group for suicide in Turkey

Implementation Of Of Non-Pharmacological Birth Facilitator Methods on a Nulliparous Pregnance Case

Doğum, bilinen en şiddetli ağrı kaynaklarından biri olarak tanımlanmakta ve bu süreçte yararlanılan farmakolojik (FAKY) ve non-farmakolojik (NFAKY) ağrı kontrol yöntemlerinden söz edilmektedir. FAKY'in, hissedilen fiziksel doğum ağrısını ortadan kaldırdığı, NFAKY ise ağrı yaşamayı önlediği vurgulanmaktadır. Bu vaka raporunda, habitual abortus hikayesi olan gebeye prenatal doğuma hazırlık eğitimi verildikten sonra doğum destekçisi tarafından NFAKY uygulanması bildirilmiştir.Vaka Raporu: Yirmi sekiz yaşındaki nullipar gebe doğuma hazırlık eğitimi ve doğum desteği için birinci yazara yönlendirilmiştir. 23 Nisan 2015 saat 00:45'te 38,2 gebelik haftasında doğum eylemi başlayan AE'nin travay ve doğum sürecine doğum destekçisi ve eşi dahil olmuştur. Doğum sürecinde bazı NFAKY (loş ortam, müzik, tamamlayıcı sıvı ve gıdalar, aktif doğum pozisyonları, aromaterapi, akubası, buz kesesi, masaj, duş, ıslak sıcak uygulama, solunum egzersizleri) kullanılmıştır.Sonuç ve Öneriler: Doğumda yapılan uygulamaların; gebenin anksiyetesinin giderilmesi, hissedilen ağrı düzeyinin hafifletilmesi, perinede hissettiği baskının azaltılması ve kontraksiyonların indüklenmesinde dikkate değer etkisi görülmüştür. Gebenin doğumdan memnuniyeti yüksek olarak belirlenmiştir. Bu vaka sonuçları ışığında benzer özellikleri taşıyan gebelerde mümkün olduğunca doğuma hazırlık eğitimlerinin ve doğum destekçisi eşliğinde NFAKY kullanımının yaygınlaştırılması önerilmektedir.Giving birth is one of the most severe pain inducing experiences with both pharmacological (PPCT) and nonpharmacological pain control methods (NPPCT) used during the process of delivery. In this case report, NPPCT's implementation was reported by the birth supporter after prenatal preparation and training for birth was given to a pregnant woman who wanted a normal delivery and had a history of premature spontaneous abortions.Case Report: The 28-year-old nullipar was directed to the first author of this article for prenatal training and birth support. On April 23, 2015 at 00:45, week 38.2 of gestation the birth began, and AE's labor and birth process is attended by a birth attendant and her husband. NPPCT (dim light, music, complementary liquids and foods, active birth positions, aromatherapy, acupressure, ice bags, massage, shower, wet hot applications, and breathing exercises) were used during labor and birth process .Conclusions and Recommendations: Applications at birth had considerable effects on reducing the anxiety of the pregnant woman, relieving the level of pain felt, reducing perineal pressure, and inducing contractions. Intrapartum birth satisfaction of pregnant woman was found to be high. In the light of these results, it is recommended that the use of NPPCT assisted by birth supporters should be promoted as much as possible in the case of pregnancies with similar characteristics in preparations for birth

Çocuklarda bir yıllık valproat tedavisi kemik mineral dansitesini azaltıyor mu?

Amaç: Epilepsi uzun sureli antiepileptik tedavi gerektiren kronik bir hastalıktır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, en sık kullanılan antiepileptik ilaç olan valproatın kemik mineral metabolizmasına olan yan etkilerini değerlendirmektir. Hastalar ve Yöntemler: Bu çalışma epilepsi veya febril konvulziyon profilaksisi amacıyla valproat başlanan 61 hastada (38 kız, 28 erkek; ort. yaş 81.2±44.5 ay; dağılım 12-168 ay) yapıldı. Bütün olgularda valproat tedavisi öncesinde ve 12 ay sonrasında, kemik mineral metabolizmasındaki bozukluklar açısından kemik mineral dansitesi ve biyokimyasal parametrelere bakıldı. Bulgular: Bir yıllık valporat tedavisi sonrasında kemik mineralizasyon bozukluğunu gösterebilecek kalsiyum, fosfor, alkalen fosfatazda istatistiksel olarak anlamlı farklılık tespit edilmemiştir. İki hastada (%3.3) osteoporoz tespit edilmiştir. Sonuç: Valproatın kemik mineral metabolizması üzerine yan etkileri tartışmalıdır. Osteopeni belirtilerini değerlendirmek için, kemik biyokimyası, 25-hidroksi D vitamini, hormonal parametreler ve kemik mineral dansitesinin tek başlarına değerlendirilmesi yetersizdir, mutlaka bu parametreler birlikte değerlendirilmelidir. Biyokimyasal parametreler bozulmadan, kemik mineral dansitesi değişiklikleri olacağından, valproat tedavisi alan hastalarda yıllık kemik mineral dansitesi ölçümleri yapılmalıdır.Objectives: Epilepsy is a chronic disease that requires long-term antiepileptic therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the side effects of valproate, the most commonly used antiepileptic, on bone mineral metabolism. Patients and Methods: The study comprised of 61 patients (38 girls, 28 boys; mean age 81.2±44.5 months; range 12 to 168 months) who received valproate because of epilepsy or prophylaxis of febrile seizures. All cases were evaluated in terms of bone mineral metabolism disturbances by assessing bone mineral density and biochemistry parameters, before and after 12 months of valproate therapy. Results: At the end of one year of valproate therapy, there were no statistically significant differences in calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase levels that might show bone mineralization disturbance. Osteoporosis was recorded in two cases (3.3%). Conclusion: The side effects of valproate on bone mineral metabolism are usually contradictory. In order to determine osteopenia signs; bone biochemistry, 25- OH vitamin D3, hormonal parameters and bone mineral density, which are not enough for evaluation alone, have to be evaluated together. Patients taking valproate therapy should have bone mineral density measurements yearly, because mineral changes in bone (defeats) could not be predicted with these biochemical parameters beforehand

Biochemical, biomechanical and imaging biomarkers of ischemic stroke:Time for integrative thinking

Stroke is one of the leading causes of adult disability affecting millions of people worldwide. Post-stroke cognitive and motor impairments diminish quality of life and functional independence. There is an increased risk of having a second stroke and developing secondary conditions with long-term social and economic impacts. With increasing number of stroke incidents, shortage of medical professionals and limited budgets, health services are struggling to provide a care that can break the vicious cycle of stroke. Effective post-stroke recovery hinges on holistic, integrative and personalized care starting from improved diagnosis and treatment in clinics to continuous rehabilitation and support in the community. To improve stroke care pathways, there have been growing efforts in discovering biomarkers that can provide valuable insights into the neural, physiological and biomechanical consequences of stroke and how patients respond to new interventions. In this review paper, we aim to summarize recent biomarker discovery research focusing on three modalities (brain imaging, blood sampling and gait assessments), look at some established and forthcoming biomarkers, and discuss their usefulness and complementarity within the context of comprehensive stroke care. We also emphasize the importance of biomarker guided personalized interventions to enhance stroke treatment and post-stroke recovery.</p

The frequency of Duchenne muscular dystrophy/Becker muscular dystrophy and Pompe disease in children with isolated transaminase elevation: results from the observational VICTORIA study

IntroductionElevated transaminases and/or creatine phosphokinase can indicate underlying muscle disease. Therefore, this study aims to determine the frequency of Duchenne muscular dystrophy/Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD/BMD) in male children and Pompe disease (PD) in male and female children with isolated hypertransaminasemia.MethodsThis multi-center, prospective study enrolled patients aged 3–216 months with serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and/or aspartate transaminase (AST) levels &gt;2× the upper limit of normal (ULN) for ≥3 months. Patients with a known history of liver or muscle disease or physical examination findings suggestive of liver disease were excluded. Patients were screened for creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) levels, and molecular genetic tests for DMD/BMD in male patients and enzyme analysis for PD in male and female patients with elevated CPK levels were performed. Genetic analyses confirmed PD. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of the patients were analyzed.ResultsOverall, 589 patients [66.8% male, mean age of 63.4 months (standard deviation: 60.5)] were included. In total, 251 patients (188 male and 63 female) had CPK levels above the ULN. Of the patients assessed, 47% (85/182) of male patients were diagnosed with DMD/BMD and 1% (3/228) of male and female patients were diagnosed with PD. The median ALT, AST, and CPK levels were statistically significantly higher, and the questioned neurological symptoms and previously unnoticed examination findings were more common in DMD/BMD patients than those without DMD/BMD or PD (p &lt; 0.001).DiscussionQuestioning neurological symptoms, conducting a complete physical examination, and testing for CPK levels in patients with isolated hypertransaminasemia will prevent costly and time-consuming investigations for liver diseases and will lead to the diagnosis of occult neuromuscular diseases. Trial RegistrationClinicaltrials.gov NCT04120168