Isolation and characterization of an adhesin protein from the surface of a respiratory pathogen Moraxella catarrhalis

Ankara : The Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics and the Institute of Engineering and Science of Bilkent University, 2002.Thesis (Master's) -- Bilkent University, 2002.Includes bibliographical references leaves 53-59.Moraxella catarrhalis is a member of the normal flora of upper respiratory tract. Starting in the early 1980s it gained importance as an important cause of otitis media in children and lower respiratory tract infections in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. β-lactamase producing strains of M. catarrhalis has been increasing at a very fast rate. In some locations, 100% of the strains are β- lactamase producer. The pathogenesis of infection by this bacterium is not clearly understood which hindered the development of a vaccine. In this study, a surface protein of about 55 kDa was isolated from M. catarrhalis by celite chromatography. It is a heat stable protein and is not affected by 2-mercaptoethanol or dithiothreitol treatment. The immunogenic property of the protein has been determined by immunizing rabbits with M. catarrhalis and detecting the antibody response in serum against 55 kDa protein by Western blotting. In addition, the protein is immunogenic in humans as antibody against 55 kDa protein can be detected in the sputum of patients with M. catarrhalis infection. Moreover, we determined upto 40 amino acids at the N-terminal and also two fragments of the protein. To determine the function of the protein, attachment inhibition assays were performed and it was found that 55 kDa protein competetively inhibits attachment of M. catarrhalis to human pharyngeal epithelial cells (HPEC). Similarly, monoclonal antibody against 55 kDa (mAb) blocks the protein and inhibits the attachment of M. catarrhalis to HPEC. These two lines of evidence show that 55 kDa protein is an adhesin of M. catarrhalis which mediate attachment to HPEC. In addition, immunoflourescence experiments further verified that 55 kDa protein binds to HPEC. To sequence the gene encoding 55 kDa protein, PCR was done using degenerate primers constructed from the Nterminal amino acid sequence. PCR amplification of the possible gene of 55 kDa protein resulted in a 500 bp fragment, but no homology can be obtained with Nterminal amino acid sequence. In addition, a genomic library of M. catarrhalis is prepared and screened with mAb and with a radiolabelled oligonucleotide probe. We isolated several positive clones; therefore in future it might be possible to sequence the gene encoding 55 kDa protein from these clones.Turan, TolgaM.S

A 16-Year Retrospective Study Examining Socio-Demographic Factors among Suicide Decedents in Bolu Province, Northwestern Turkey

This study aimed to examine the socio-demographic features of completed suicides in Bolu province, northwestern Turkey, between 2003 and 2019, using corpse examinations and autopsy reports to provide epidemiological data with a view to helping prevent suicidal behavior. Of the 108 suicides examined, males accounted for 84.3%, and females accounted for 15.7%. The suicide rate was the highest in the 25–34 age groups and among those of an unknown marital status. Suicide in an unknown location in the group aged 24 years and below was significantly higher than among age groups, while the workplace was significantly higher in those aged 35–64 years. In both genders, the home and its surroundings comprised the leading location of the suicide event, with an unknown location found to be significantly higher in males. The most common suicide method was identified as hanging, with no statistically significant difference between demographic groups with respect to method, and the highest suicide rate was observed in 2016–2019. With regard to time of year, winter was found to be significantly higher among those aged 24–34 years, whereas those aged 65 years and above were likelier to die in spring or summer (p=0.014). Several risk factors were identified, most of which could be detected and resolved before the suicidal act. Studies such as this are extremely valuable for their contribution to preventing suicide by identifying such risk factors

Investigation of Meaning of Leisure Activities and the Satisfaction with Life of Students in the Faculty of Sport Sciences: An Example of Akdeniz University

Aim: It is known that recreational activities have positive effects on people's emotions, thoughts, morale and many other issues. The aim of this study was to measure students’ participation in recreational activities, life satisfaction and the meaning of leisure activities to the students in the Faculty of Sport Sciences at Akdeniz University.Method: A total of 252 students (60.3% male, 39.7% female) participated in the study. As data collection instruments, Turkish version (Köker, 1991) of Life Satisfaction Scale (LSS), which was developed by Diener et al. (1985), and Turkish version (Gürbüz et al., 2007) of Leisure Meanings Inventory (LMI) (Esteve et al., 1999) were used. SPSS Package program was used in the study. ANOVA was used in the data analysis.Findings: According to the findings of Leisure Meanings Inventory by classes, there was a statistically significant difference (p <0.005) among the groups. . This difference appears to be between sophomores and juniors when examined on a class-by-class basis. According to the findings of Leisure Meanings Inventory with regard to departments, it was noted that there was very little difference between them, although there was a difference in the averages. This difference was not statistically significant though. There was no statistically significant difference between groups regarding class and department variables according to the findings of Life Satisfaction Scale.Conclusion: The results of this study showed that there was a significant difference between sophomores and juniors while there was no significant difference between freshmen and seniors according to the LMI averages. There was no significant difference between the mean scores of LSS among the classes

Exophytic Giant Cell Glioblastoma in a Patient with Neurofibromatosis Type 1: Case Report

Giant cell glioblastoma multiforme (GCGBM) is an uncommon subtype within the spectrum of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) tumors. Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) has an increased risk of developing neoplasms that generally are of a benign nature. We report a rare case of an exophytic GCGBM in a 43-year-old woman with NF1. The tumor located in the right frontal region was removed totally and the patient underwent radiotherapy with 60 Gy and chemotherapy with temozolomide

The preoperative serum CA125 can predict the lymph node metastasis in endometrioid-type endometrial cancer

Objectives: To evaluate the predictive value of preoperative CA125 in extra-uterine disease and its association with poorprognostic factors in endometrioid-type endometrial cancer (EC).Material and methods: A total of 423 patients with pathologically proven endometrioid-type EC were included in thestudy. The association between preoperative CA125 level and surgical–pathological factors was evaluated. The conventional cut-off value was defined as 35 IU/mL.Results: A high CA125 level ( &gt; 35 IU/mL) was significantly associated with all of the studied poor prognostic factors,except grade. The risk of lymph node metastasis (LNM) increased from 15.9% to 45.7% when CA125 level was &gt; 35 IU/mL (p &lt; 0.05). The optimal cut-off value for the prediction of LNM in patients aged &gt; 50 years was determined to be 16 IU/mL (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 71%, 60%, 35%, and 87%, respectively.)Conclusions: Preoperative CA125 level was significantly related with the extent of the disease and LNM. The age-dependent cut-off level of CA125 can improve the prediction of LNM in endometrioid-type EC. For older patients, CA125 level of &gt; 16 IU/ml could be used to predict LNM. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the appropriate cut-off level of CA125 for younger patients

Determination Of Irrigated Parcel By Using Unmanned Air Vehicle and Remote Sensing Technology

Büyük yatırımlar ile gerçekleştirilen sulama sistemlerinin geleneksel yöntemler ile izleme-değerlendirme faaliyetlerinde birçok problemlerle karşılaşılmaktadır. Son yıllarda, birçok sektörde olduğu gibi sulama faaliyetlerinin izleme-değerlendirmesinde de sahip olduğu yetenekler nedeniyle Uzaktan Algılama (UA) teknolojilerinden yaygın olarak yararlanılmaktadır. Bu teknolojiler içerisinde en yenisi İnsansız Hava Araçları (İHA)’dır. Ancak, ülkemizde sahip olduğu yeteneklere karşı İHA’lardan tarımsal faaliyetlerde istenilen düzeyde faydalanılmamaktadır. Bir çok alanda olduğu gibi sulama uygulamalarında da İHA teknolojisinden fayda sağlayacak uygulamaya dönük araştırmalar bu konuda yaşanan problemlerin giderilmesinde büyük önem arz etmektedir. Bu çalışmada, DSİ 11. Bölge Müdürlüğüne bağlı 113. Şube Müdürlüğü hizmet alanı içerisinde yer alan 2.111,9 da araziye sahip Temrezli sulama sahasında sulama faaliyetlerinin izlenmesinde İHA’ların kullanım olanakları araştırılmıştır. Çalışmada, 2017 yılı için bir yandan multispektral kamera görüntüleri ile mevcut bitki deseni saptanmış bir yandan da termal ve multispektral kamera görüntüleri ile sulama faaliyetleri incelenmiştir. Araştırma sonucunda sulama sahasındaki bitki deseninin; Buğday %47,0, Ayçiçeği %36,6, Çeltik %6,9, Şekerpancarı %4,1, Yem bitkisi %3,7, Mısır %1,5 ve Sebze %0,3 olarak gerçekleştiği belirlenmiştir. Bu bitkiler içerisinde Mısır, Şekerpancarı, Çeltik, Sebze ve Yonca sulu tarım koşullarında yetiştirildiği belirlenmiştir. Araştırmada elde edilen bu sonuçlar üzerine yapılan değerlendirmede ise İHA’ların tarımsal alanlardaki sulama faaliyetlerinin incelenmesinde etkin bir araç olarak kullanılabileceği ortaya konmuştur. Bu çalışmanın kullanılan ekipman ve metot açısından ulusal ve uluslararası düzeyde literatüre katkı sağlaması beklenmektedir.Many problems are encountered in monitoring and evaluation of irrigation systems activities by using traditional methods. In recent years, Remote Sensing (RS) technologies have been widely used due to the capabilities of monitoring and evaluating irrigation activities. The most recent of these technologies is Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). However, UAVs are not utilized at the desired level in agricultural activities against the capabilities they have in our country. As in many fields, application-oriented researches that will benefit from UAV technology in irrigation applications are of great importance in eliminating the problems experienced in this regard. In this study, the utilization possibilities of UAVs for monitoring irrigation activities in Temrezli irrigation system which has 2111.9 da land in the 113th Branch Directorate service area under the 11th Regional Directorate of DSI were investigated. Primarily, the current crop pattern for 2017 was determined by multispectral camera images. Then irrigation activities were examined with thermal and multispectral camera images. Crop pattern in the irrigation field was determined as Sunflower 36.6%, Rice 6.9%, Fodder 3.7%, Sugar beet 4.1%, Corn 1.5%, Wheat 47%, Vegetable 0.3%. On the other hand, irrigated crops were identified as Corn, Sugar Beet, Rice, Vegetable and Alfalfa. As a result of the study, it has been shown that UAVs can be used as an effective tool in the investigation of irrigation activities in irrigation fields. This study is expected to contribute to the national and international literature in terms of equipment and method used

Results from a phase 1b/2 study of ibrutinib combination therapy in advanced urothelial carcinoma

Ibrutinib is a first-in-class Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for the treatment of various B-cell malignancies and chronic graft-versus-host disease. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of ibrutinib, alone or combined with standard-of-care regimens, in adults with advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC). Once-daily ibrutinib was administered orally at 840 mg (single-agent or with paclitaxel) or at 560 mg (with pembrolizumab). Phase 1b determined the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of ibrutinib, and phase 2 assessed progression-free survival (PFS), overall response rate (ORR), and safety. Thirty-five, eighteen, and fifty-nine patients received ibrutinib, ibrutinib plus pembrolizumab, and ibrutinib plus paclitaxel at the RP2D, respectively. Safety profiles were consistent with those of the individual agents. The best-confirmed ORRs were 7% (two partial responses) with single-agent ibrutinib and 36% (five partial responses) with ibrutinib plus pembrolizumab. Median PFS was 4.1 months (range, 1.0–37.4+) with ibrutinib plus paclitaxel. The best-confirmed ORR was 26% (two complete responses). In previously treated patients with UC, ORR was higher with ibrutinib plus pembrolizumab than with either agent alone (historical data in the intent-to-treat population). ORR with ibrutinib plus paclitaxel was greater than historical values for single-agent paclitaxel or ibrutinib. These data warrant further evaluation of ibrutinib combinations in UC

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

Inaugural Charles River World Congress on Animal Models in Drug Discovery and Development

https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138112/1/12967_2017_Article_1274.pd

Early mobilisation in critically ill COVID-19 patients: a subanalysis of the ESICM-initiated UNITE-COVID observational study

Background Early mobilisation (EM) is an intervention that may improve the outcome of critically ill patients. There is limited data on EM in COVID-19 patients and its use during the first pandemic wave. Methods This is a pre-planned subanalysis of the ESICM UNITE-COVID, an international multicenter observational study involving critically ill COVID-19 patients in the ICU between February 15th and May 15th, 2020. We analysed variables associated with the initiation of EM (within 72 h of ICU admission) and explored the impact of EM on mortality, ICU and hospital length of stay, as well as discharge location. Statistical analyses were done using (generalised) linear mixed-effect models and ANOVAs. Results Mobilisation data from 4190 patients from 280 ICUs in 45 countries were analysed. 1114 (26.6%) of these patients received mobilisation within 72 h after ICU admission; 3076 (73.4%) did not. In our analysis of factors associated with EM, mechanical ventilation at admission (OR 0.29; 95% CI 0.25, 0.35; p = 0.001), higher age (OR 0.99; 95% CI 0.98, 1.00; p ≤ 0.001), pre-existing asthma (OR 0.84; 95% CI 0.73, 0.98; p = 0.028), and pre-existing kidney disease (OR 0.84; 95% CI 0.71, 0.99; p = 0.036) were negatively associated with the initiation of EM. EM was associated with a higher chance of being discharged home (OR 1.31; 95% CI 1.08, 1.58; p = 0.007) but was not associated with length of stay in ICU (adj. difference 0.91 days; 95% CI − 0.47, 1.37, p = 0.34) and hospital (adj. difference 1.4 days; 95% CI − 0.62, 2.35, p = 0.24) or mortality (OR 0.88; 95% CI 0.7, 1.09, p = 0.24) when adjusted for covariates. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that a quarter of COVID-19 patients received EM. There was no association found between EM in COVID-19 patients' ICU and hospital length of stay or mortality. However, EM in COVID-19 patients was associated with increased odds of being discharged home rather than to a care facility. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04836065 (retrospectively registered April 8th 2021)