Integration of biology, ecology and engineering for sustainable algal‑based biofuel and bioproduct biorefinery

Despite years of concerted research efforts, an industrial-scale technology has yet to emerge for production and conversion of algal biomass into biofuels and bioproducts. The objective of this review is to explore the ways of possible integration of biology, ecology and engineering for sustainable large algal cultivation and biofuel production systems. Beside the costs of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorous, and fresh water, upstream technologies which are not ready for commercialization both impede economic feasibility and conflict with the ecological benefits in the sector. Focusing mainly on the engineering side of chemical conversion of algae to biodiesel has also become obstacle. However, to reduce the costs, one potential strategy has been progressing steadily to synergistically link algal aquaculture to the governmentally mandated reduction of nitrogen and phosphorous concentrations in municipal wastewater. Recent research also supports the suppositions of scalability and cost reduction. Noticeably, less is known of the economic impact of conversion of the whole algae-based biorefinery sector with additional biochemical and thermochemical processes and integration with ecological constraints. This review finds that a biorefinery approach with integrated biology, ecology, and engineering could lead to a feasible algal-based technology for variety of biofuels and bioproducts

Correlation of [18F]FDG PET activity with expressions of Ki-67 in non-small-cell lung cancer

Background: Lung carcinoma is the most commonly diagnosed cancer throughout the world and is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for up to 80% of newly diagnosed lung cancer cases. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between Ki-67 proliferation index (PI) and the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) obtained from [18F]FDG PET/CT in NSCLCs and whether prognosis was predicted with SUVmax values.Material and methods: This retrospective study included biopsy and resection materials of 41 patients, who were examined in the pathology laboratory of Konya Training and Research Hospital between January 2010 and December 2019, and diagnosed with NSCLC, and whose [18F]FDG PET/CT images were present.Results: There was no significant difference between histopathological subtypes in terms of age (p = 0.077), Ki-67 PI (p = 0.454), and SUVmax (p = 0.143). No correlation was observed between Ki-67 PI and SUVmax values obtained from [18F]FDG PET/CT (p = 0.338, r = 0.153). There was no significant correlation between Ki-67 PI and tumor diameter (p = 0.531). The SUVmax value was found to be lower (12.78 ± 6.14) in tumors measuring ≤ 2.5 in diameter and higher (18.46 ± 7.81) in tumors measuring > 2.5 cm (p = 0.027). Metastases not proven histopathologically but detected in [18F]FDG PET/CT were found to have no significant correlation with Ki-67 and SUVmax values (p = 0.881, p = 0.837).Conclusions: This study showed that there was no significant relationship between Ki-67 PI and SUVmax value obtained from [18F]FDG PET/CT in NSCLC tumors

The role of -omics technology in the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiovascular diseases

Although evident improvement has occurred in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD), it is still the most important cause of mortality worldwide. The majority of the CVDs are multifactorial and polygenic. Therefore, it is logical to use genomics, proteomics, lipidomics, and metabolomics together for diagnosis and effective treatment of CVD. "Genome" is the combination of the words "gene" and "chromosome," and includes all protein-coding genes and intergenic spaces (as well as intragenic regions, or introns, within genes) in an organism. Proteins that are synthesized in a cell, tissue, or organism are all called proteomes. Proteomics is the study of proteomes. The analysis of the lipodome, or all lipids synthesized in the organism, as well as lipidderived mediators, and the functions of these mediators in biological systems, is the field of lipidomics. The metabolome is the complete set of low-molecular-weight metabolites and molecules in a human or any living organism. Metabolomic is the systematic analysis of small molecules and metabolites in human or animal biological fluids. The number of biomarkers used for the purpose of evaluating the risk of cardiovascular events is very limited and many of them are old. The drugs that were produced 30 years ago are still used in treatment. Development of - omics science plays an important role in the search for new biological markers that can be used in the diagnosis of CVD and there is a growing need for advancement of these branches of genetics. The recognition and internalization of - omics by clinicians is a time-consuming process, but will be more important in the near future

Organic and conventional production systems, microbial fertilization and plant activators affect tomato quality during storage

A common belief among consumers is the superior quality of organically grown tomato fruits over their conventionally grown counterparts. The present study was performed to evaluate the quality characteristics of tomatoes grown using organic and conventional production systems and to determine the effects of microbial fertilization and plant activators on the tomato fruit quality during storage. Results indicated that firmness, soluble solids, color L and H* values decreased significantly in all treatments during storage. However, total soluble and reducing sugars and color C* value significantly increased in both organically and conventionally grown fruit during storage. Application of plant activator and microbial fertilizer and their combination significantly affected the trend of changes in quality parameters but these effects were cultivar dependent rather than growing system. The data suggest that organically produced fruit maintain their quality during storage for a period comparable to that of conventionally grown fruit. Although certain quality parameters remain higher either in organically or in conventionally grown fruit during storage, these effects seem to be cultivar dependent.Keywords: Microbial fertilization, organic production, plant  activator, quality, storag

Integration of biology, ecology and engineering for sustainable algal‑based biofuel and bioproduct biorefinery

Despite years of concerted research efforts, an industrial-scale technology has yet to emerge for production and conversion of algal biomass into biofuels and bioproducts. The objective of this review is to explore the ways of possible integration of biology, ecology and engineering for sustainable large algal cultivation and biofuel production systems. Beside the costs of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorous, and fresh water, upstream technologies which are not ready for commercialization both impede economic feasibility and conflict with the ecological benefits in the sector. Focusing mainly on the engineering side of chemical conversion of algae to biodiesel has also become obstacle. However, to reduce the costs, one potential strategy has been progressing steadily to synergistically link algal aquaculture to the governmentally mandated reduction of nitrogen and phosphorous concentrations in municipal wastewater. Recent research also supports the suppositions of scalability and cost reduction. Noticeably, less is known of the economic impact of conversion of the whole algae-based biorefinery sector with additional biochemical and thermochemical processes and integration with ecological constraints. This review finds that a biorefinery approach with integrated biology, ecology, and engineering could lead to a feasible algal-based technology for variety of biofuels and bioproducts

Prehistoric Rock Art Caves in the Middle Taurus Region: Mersin - Arslanli and Dogu Sandal Caves

During 2015 and 2016, caves with rock paintings in which red paint is intensively used were discovered in the Arslanli and Dogu Sandal villages of Erdemli, Mersin. The main purpose of this article is to introduce these recently discovered caves to the academic community. The landscape of the caves, their physical properties and the rock art will be presented and the data we obtained will be evaluated within the context of other examples so far found in Anatolia.

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT CUTTING INTERVALS ON THE FORAGE YIELD AND SOME SILAGE QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF GIANT KING GRASS (Pennisetum hybridum) UNDER MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

WOS: 000576687700001This study was conducted in Bornova experimental fields of Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ege, Turkey during 2015 and 2016, in order to determine the effect of six different cutting intervals (30-, 60-, 90-, 120-, 150- and 180- days) on the forage yield and some quality properties of giant king grass (Pennisetum hybridum). the experimental design was in complete randomized blocks, with three replications. 6 years old, Paraiso cultivar of giant king grass (GKG) was used as crop material. Some characteristics were measured such as dry matter (DM) yield, concentrations of crude protein (CP), NDF and ADF. Results indicated that there were significant effects of cutting intervals on the yields and some silage quality characteristics of GKG, and, metabolisable energy and relative forage values decreased as inter-cutting interval increased. It was recommended that the production of GKG using 60- day intervals were the most successful cutting frequency regarding the forage yield and silage quality to the regions with Mediterranean-type climates under irrigation.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [115O083]Research study (115O083) funded by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK). Assistance in conducting the study was also received from Department of Field Crops and Animal Nutrition & Feed Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ege University, Turkey

Pulmonary Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma-Mimicking Mesothelioma

Pulmoner epithelioid hemangioendothelioma is a rare and multifocal malignant tumor of vascular origin. Patients are generally asymptomatic. Chest pain, cough, weight loss, hemoptysis, and pleural effusion are seen in symptomatic patients. Moreover, it is more common in women. It is difficult to diagnose the patients based on clinical and radiological findings. Histopathological examination is the gold standard. We here aimed to present our pulmonary epithelioid hemangioendothelioma patient pre-diagnosed with mesothelioma when she was admitted to the hospital with dyspnea and had bilateral multiple nodules and bilateral pleural effusion.</p