Crafting a versatile self in corporate America

Thesis (Ph. D. in History, Anthropology, and Science, Technology and Society (HASTS))--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Program in Science, Technology and Society, 2008.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 207-218).In recent years, coaching has become a major form of personal and professional development service offered to executives to help develop leadership skills, enhance performance, and remediate patterns of problematic workplace behavior. This dissertation examines the emergence and development of executive coaching in the United States as a new form of professional expertise. Drawing on eighteen months of ethnographic research, the majority of which took place in New York City, this study analyzes the ways in which executive coaching brings together theories of individual psychology and of organizational efficiency in order to increase functionality and productivity at work. Executive coaching is: a) a new form of professional expertise, b) a management tool to increase productivity and efficiency at work, c) a window to changing notions of the self and personhood in America and, finally d) an access point to the corporate world. This study explores these four dimensions of executive coaching. I argue that the emergence of coaching is a product of and a response to a fast changing business environment where continuous improvement is required to adapt to the volatility of changes. Change in the larger context (corporate settings and business environments) is not to be resisted or criticized but to be enabled through the change of the self. This dissertation illustrates and explains the grounds of a shift away from systemic approaches and systemic criticism towards individualistic approaches. Coaching emerges in and becomes an illustration of a neo-liberal economy that emphasizes constant retraining of a self that is versatile, pragmatic and fragmented.by Esra Ozkan.Ph.D.in History, Anthropology, and Science, Technology and Society (HAST

Bioavailability of Rosehip (Rosa canina L.) Infusion Phenolics Prepared by Thermal, Pulsed Electric Field and High Pressure Processing

In this study, the in vitro bioavailability of rosehip infusion phenolics, mainly catechin, as a response to conventional and non-thermal treatments by combining gastrointestinal digestion and a Caco-2 cell culture model, was investigated. After application of thermal treatment (TT, 85 °C/10 min), high pressure (HPP, 600 MPa/5 min) or pulsed electric field (PEF, 15 kJ/kg) processing, all samples were subjected to simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Then, the amount of maximum non-toxic digest ratio was determined by the cytotoxicity sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Next, Caco-2 cells were exposed to 1:5 (v/v) times diluted digests in order to simulate the transepithelial transportation of catechin. Results showed that non-thermally processed samples (5.19 and 4.62% for HPP and PEF, respectively) exhibited greater transportation across the epithelial cell layer compared to than that of the TT-treated sample (3.42%). The present study highlighted that HPP and PEF, as non-thermal treatments at optimized conditions for infusions or beverages, can be utilized in order to enhance the nutritional quality of the final products

Effects of Lipid-Based Encapsulation on the Bioaccessibility and Bioavailability of Phenolic Compounds

Phenolic compounds (quercetin, rutin, cyanidin, tangeretin, hesperetin, curcumin, resveratrol, etc.) are known to have health-promoting effects and they are accepted as one of the main proposed nutraceutical group. However, their application is limited owing to the problems related with their stability and water solubility as well as their low bioaccessibility and bioavailability. These limitations can be overcome by encapsulating phenolic compounds by physical, physicochemical and chemical encapsulation techniques. This review focuses on the effects of encapsulation, especially lipid-based techniques (emulsion/nanoemulsion, solid lipid nanoparticles, liposomes/nanoliposomes, etc.), on the digestibility characteristics of phenolic compounds in terms of bioaccessibility and bioavailability

Phenolic content and biological activities of Lycium barbarum L (Solanaceae) fruits (Goji berries) cultivated in Konya, Turkey

Purpose: To evaluate the phenolic content and biological activities of Lycium barbarum fruits cultivated in Turkey.Methods: Phenolic compounds in the water and methanol extracts of the fruits were determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide radical scavenging activities and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays were used to evaluate the antioxidant potential of the fruits. The  acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity of the fruits was evaluated by Ellman assay.Results: LC-MS/MS results showed that all the extracts contained phenolic compounds including flavonoids, phenolic acids, anthocyanins and  polyphenols. Some anthocyanins, namely, cyanidin-3-Oglucoside, cyanidin chloride, pelargonin chloride, pelargonidin chloride, and pelargonidin-3-0-glucoside were identified in the fruits for the first time. Pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside were the main anthocyanins in the water extract with levels of 119.60 ± 12.04 and 1112.25 ± 125.40 mg/kg, respectively. The results indicated that the extracts possessed good radical scavenging and ferric-reducing activities.Conclusion: The results show that Lycium barbarum cultivated in Konya is a good source of the phenolic compounds, and thus may be exploited for commercial production of the antioxidants.Keywords: Lycium barbarum, Goji berries, Antioxidant activity, Acetylcholinesterase, Flavonoid

HYPERICUM PERFORATUM IMPROVE MEMORY AND LEARNING IN ALZHEIMER'S MODEL: (EXPERIMENTAL STUDY IN MICE)

Objective: The aim of this study, we based on protective and antioxidant efficiency of Hypericum perforatum that shows a wide range of beneficial effect in vitro and in vivo.Methods: The in vitro antioxidant activity of the extract was assessed by using several antioxidant tests. The cytotoxic activity of Hypericum perforatum was also determined by using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide viability assay on ordinary used cell lines. In vivo experiments in Swiss mice were determined by performing behavioral, memory tests and histological study. According to tests results, H. perforatum may be relevant to the treatment of cognitive disorders.Results: The results of chemical analysis showed a hight level of hyperforin and quercitin that had an important antioxidant activity proved in vitro with the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, Anti-lactoperoxidase and superoxide dismutases; this antioxidant activity was confirmed in vivo after the non-toxic results by means of improvement in behavioral and memory than the reducing shrunken in pyramidal cells of mice brains.Conclusion: The present study suggests that Hypericum perforatum modulate the oxidative stress and be involved in the protective effect against oxidative damage and neurodegenerative diseases in mice

Acylated and Desacylated Ghrelin, Preptin, Leptin, and Nesfatin-1 Peptide Changes Related to the Body Mass Index

This study examines the levels of acylated and desacylated ghrelin, preptin, leptin, and nesfatin-1 peptide changes related to the body mass index (BMI). The subjects were allocated to 5 groups depending on their BMIs as follows: Group I (BMI 40 kg/m2). Serum acylated and desacylated ghrelin, preptin, and leptin levels were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and nesfatin-1 was measured by the enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Desacylated ghrelin levels showed a gradual and statistically significant drop from Group I to Group V, while preptin and leptin levels exhibited a gradual and significant increase from Group I to Group IV. Serum nesfatin-1 levels gradually, but not significantly, increased from Group I to Group III and showed a significant decrease in Groups IV and V. In conclusion, leptin, preptin, and acylated ghrelin (AG) levels increased with higher BMI, whereas desacylated ghrelin (DAG) decreased and nesfatin-1 showed no clear relationship to BMI

CC-Chemokine Receptor-2 Expression in Osteoblasts Contributes to Cartilage and Bone Damage during Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis

In osteoarthritis (OA), bone changes are radiological hallmarks and are considered important for disease progression. The C-C chemokine receptor-2 (CCR2) has been shown to play an important role in bone physiology. In this study, we investigated whether Ccr2 osteoblast-specific inactivation at different times during post-traumatic OA (PTOA) progression improves joint structures, bone parameters, and pain. We used a tamoxifen-inducible Ccr2 inactivation in Collagen1α-expressing cells to obtain osteoblasts lacking Ccr2 (CCR2-Col1αKO). We stimulated PTOA changes in CCR2-Col1αKO and CCR2+/+ mice using the destabilization of the meniscus model (DMM), inducing recombination before or after DMM (early- vs. late-inactivation). Joint damage was evaluated at two, four, eight, and twelve weeks post-DMM using multiple scores: articular-cartilage structure (ACS), Safranin-O, histomorphometry, osteophyte size/maturity, subchondral bone thickness and synovial hyperplasia. Spontaneous and evoked pain were assessed for up to 20 weeks. We found that early osteoblast-Ccr2 inactivation delayed articular cartilage damage and matrix degeneration compared to CCR2+/+, as well as DMM-induced bone thickness. Osteophyte formation and maturation were only minimally affected. Late Collagen1α-Ccr2 deletion led to less evident improvements. Osteoblast-Ccr2 deletion also improved static measures of pain, while evoked pain did not change. Our study demonstrates that Ccr2 expression in osteoblasts contributes to PTOA disease progression and pain by affecting both cartilage and bone tissues

Maternal serum preptin levels in the pathogenesis and diagnosis of Gestational diabetes mellitus

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a metabolic disorder that occurs during pregnancy that increases both maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity. It was investigated whether there is a change in circulating levels of preptin, a new peptide secreted from pancreatic beta cells, due to GDM in pregnant women. The relationship between serum preptin levels with insulin and other metabolic parameters was also evaluated in these subjects. Methods: Eighty-five patients diagnosed as GDM and 89 healthy pregnant women with 75 mg oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was assessed in terms of serum preptin levels. Results: The serum preptin levels of the GDM group were significantly higher than those of the control group (p=0.001; p < 0.01). For the cutoff value of preptin measurement of 335.3 ng/L, the sensitivity was 97.65%, specificity was 87.64%, positive predictive value was 88.3% and negative predictive value was 97.5%. The risk of developing the disease is 294.273 times higher in patients with preptin level of 335.3 and above. Conclusions: We think that the reason for the increase in serum preptin levels in GDM is probably the response to glucose. The current results indicate that preptin plays an important role in elucidating the pathology of GDM. In addition, the search for a practical marker for the diagnosis of GDM suggests that the measurement of preptin level is promising

Exome sequences and multi-environment field trials elucidate the genetic basis of adaptation in barley

Broadening the genetic base of crops is crucial for developing varieties to respond to global agricultural challenges such as climate change. Here, we analysed a diverse panel of 371 domesticated lines of the model crop of barley to explore the genetics of crop adaptation. We first collected exome sequence data and phenotypes of key life history traits from contrasting multi-environment common garden trials. Then we applied refined statistical methods, including based on exomic haplotype states, for genotype-by-environment (G 7E) modelling. Sub-populations defined from exomic profiles were coincident with barley's biology, geography and history, and explained a high proportion of trial phenotypic variance. Clear G 7E interactions indicated adaptation profiles that varied for landraces and cultivars. Exploration of circadian clock-related genes, associated with the environmentally-adaptive days to heading trait (crucial for the crop's spread from the Fertile Crescent), illustrated complexities in G 7E effect directions, and the importance of latitudinally-based genic context in the expression of large effect alleles. Our analysis supports a gene-level scientific understanding of crop adaption and leads to practical opportunities for crop improvement, allowing the prioritisation of genomic regions and particular sets of lines for breeding efforts seeking to cope with climate change and other stresses

Volume CXIV, Number 4, November 7, 1996

Objective: Turner syndrome (TS) is a chromosomal disorder caused by complete or partial X chromosome monosomy that manifests various clinical features depending on the karyotype and on the genetic background of affected girls. This study aimed to systematically investigate the key clinical features of TS in relationship to karyotype in a large pediatric Turkish patient population.Methods: Our retrospective study included 842 karyotype-proven TS patients aged 0-18 years who were evaluated in 35 different centers in Turkey in the years 2013-2014.Results: The most common karyotype was 45,X (50.7%), followed by 45,X/46,XX (10.8%), 46,X,i(Xq) (10.1%) and 45,X/46,X,i(Xq) (9.5%). Mean age at diagnosis was 10.2±4.4 years. The most common presenting complaints were short stature and delayed puberty. Among patients diagnosed before age one year, the ratio of karyotype 45,X was significantly higher than that of other karyotype groups. Cardiac defects (bicuspid aortic valve, coarctation of the aorta and aortic stenosis) were the most common congenital anomalies, occurring in 25% of the TS cases. This was followed by urinary system anomalies (horseshoe kidney, double collector duct system and renal rotation) detected in 16.3%. Hashimoto's thyroiditis was found in 11.1% of patients, gastrointestinal abnormalities in 8.9%, ear nose and throat problems in 22.6%, dermatologic problems in 21.8% and osteoporosis in 15.3%. Learning difficulties and/or psychosocial problems were encountered in 39.1%. Insulin resistance and impaired fasting glucose were detected in 3.4% and 2.2%, respectively. Dyslipidemia prevalence was 11.4%.Conclusion: This comprehensive study systematically evaluated the largest group of karyotype-proven TS girls to date. The karyotype distribution, congenital anomaly and comorbidity profile closely parallel that from other countries and support the need for close medical surveillance of these complex patients throughout their lifespa