Altıncı ve Yedinci Sınıf Öğrencilerinin Hoca Ahmed Yesevî Algıları / Sixth and Seventh Graders’ Perceptions of Khoja Ahmad Yassawi

Abstract The purpose of this research is to determine sixth and seventh graders’ perceptions of Khoja Ahmad Yassawi, who was among Turkish-Muslim thinkers, covered in the sixth and seventh grades social sciences curriculum. To this end, the metaphors produced and the pictures/cartoons drawn by the students about Khoja Ahmad Yassawi were examined. Qualitative research designs were employed in the research. The study group consists of 237 sixth and seventh graders educating in Mamak district of Ankara province in the spring semester of the 2015-2016 academic year. The data obtained from the participants were analyzed and interpreted via content analysis. The participants were found to have the following perceptions of Khoja Ahmad Yassawi: “informing, advisory”, “guiding, illuminating”, “showing the truth, providing benefit”, and “leaving a mark, esteemed”.   Öz Bu araştırmada, sosyal bilgiler 6 ve 7. sınıf öğretim programında yer alan Türk-İslam mütefekkirlerinden Hoca Ahmed Yesevi’nin altıncı ve yedinci sınıf öğrencileri tarafından nasıl algılandığının belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaç doğrultusunda; öğrencilerin Hoca Ahmed Yesevi’ye ilişkin geliştirdikleri metaforlar ve çizdikleri resim/karikatürler incelenmiştir. Nitel araştırma deseninde gerçekleştirilen araştırmanın çalışma grubunu 2015-2016 eğitim öğretim bahar döneminde Ankara ili Mamak ilçesinde öğrenim gören 237 altıncı ve yedinci sınıf öğrencisi oluşturmaktadır. Katılımcılardan elde edilen verilerin çözümlenmesinde ve yorumlanmasında içerik analizi kullanılmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda katılımcıların, Hoca Ahmed Yesevi’yi; “bilgi sağlayan, öğüt veren”, “yol gösteren, aydınlatan”, “doğruyu gösteren, fayda sağlayan” ve “iz bırakan, değerli olan” şeklinde algıladıkları görülmektedir

G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor-30 gene polymorphisms are associated with uterine leiomyoma risk

The G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPR30, GPER-1) is a member of the G-protein-coupled receptor 1 family and is expressed significantly in uterine leiomyomas. To understand the relationship between GPR30 single nucleotide polymorphisms and the risk of leiomyoma, we measured the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E2) levels of 78 perimenopausal healthy women and 111 perimenopausal women with leiomyomas. The participants’ leiomyoma number and volume were recorded. DNA was extracted from whole blood with a GeneJET Genomic DNA Purification Kit. An amplification-refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction approach was used for genotyping of the GPR30 gene (rs3808350, rs3808351, and rs11544331). The differences in genotype and allele frequencies between the leiomyoma and control groups were calculated using the chi-square (χ2) and Fischer’s exact test. The median FSH level was higher in controls (63 vs. 10 IU/L, p=0.000), whereas the median E2 level was higher in the leiomyoma group (84 vs. 9.1 pg/mL, p=0.000). The G allele of rs3808351 and the GG genotype of both the rs3808350 and rs3808351 polymorphisms and the GGC haplotype increased the risk of developing leiomyoma. There was no significant difference in genotype frequencies or leiomyoma volume. However, the GG genotype of the GPR30 rs3808351 polymorphism and G allele of the GPR30 rs3808351 polymorphism were associated with the risk of having a single leiomyoma. Our results suggest that the presence of the GG genotype of the GPR30 rs3808351 polymorphism and the G allele of the GPR30 rs3808351 polymorphism affect the characteristics and development of leiomyomas in the Turkish population.

G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor-30 gene polymorphisms are associated with uterine leiomyoma risk

The G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPR30, GPER-1) is a member of the G-protein-coupled receptor 1 family and is expressed significantly in uterine leiomyomas. To understand the relationship between GPR30 single nucleotide polymorphisms and the risk of leiomyoma, we measured the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E2) levels of 78 perimenopausal healthy women and 111 perimenopausal women with leiomyomas. The participants’ leiomyoma number and volume were recorded. DNA was extracted from whole blood with a GeneJET Genomic DNA Purification Kit. An amplification-refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction approach was used for genotyping of the GPR30 gene (rs3808350, rs3808351, and rs11544331). The differences in genotype and allele frequencies between the leiomyoma and control groups were calculated using the chi-square (χ2) and Fischer’s exact test. The median FSH level was higher in controls (63 vs. 10 IU/L, p=0.000), whereas the median E2 level was higher in the leiomyoma group (84 vs. 9.1 pg/mL, p=0.000). The G allele of rs3808351 and the GG genotype of both the rs3808350 and rs3808351 polymorphisms and the GGC haplotype increased the risk of developing leiomyoma. There was no significant difference in genotype frequencies or leiomyoma volume. However, the GG genotype of the GPR30 rs3808351 polymorphism and G allele of the GPR30 rs3808351 polymorphism were associated with the risk of having a single leiomyoma. Our results suggest that the presence of the GG genotype of the GPR30 rs3808351 polymorphism and the G allele of the GPR30 rs3808351 polymorphism affect the characteristics and development of leiomyomas in the Turkish population.

Biologia Futura: the importance of 3D organoids—a new approach for research on neurological and rare diseases

3D cell cultures and organoid approach are increasingly being used for basic research and drug discovery of several diseases. Recent advances in these technologies, enabling research on tissue-like structures created in vitro is very important for the value of the data produced. Application of 3D cultures will not only contribute to advancing basic research, but also help to reduce animal usage in biomedical science. The 3D organoid approach is important for research on diseases where patient tissue is difficult to obtain. Therefore, this review aims to show recent advances in the 3D organoid technology in disease modeling and potential usage in translational and personalized medicine of diseases with limited patient material such as neurological diseases and rare diseases

Ultrasound in Pregnancy: A Cross-sectional Study of Knowledge and Expectations among Pregnant Women in Southwest Turkey

Aim: Ultrasound scanning has become universally accepted tool in prenatal care. We sought to evaluate the knowledge and expectations of pregnant women in Turkey towards ultrasound use during pregnancy. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of 108 pregnant women in Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University. The subjects completed a questionnaire consisting of three sections: Sociodemographic characteristics, 13-question assessment of knowledge regarding the use of ultrasound during pregnancy, and assessment of expectations. The patients were awarded one point for every correct answer, with total scores categorized into three groups: 0-4 points insufficient, 5-8 points moderately sufficient, and 9-13 points sufficient. Comparisons were performed using the chi-square test. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 28.6±4.9 years (18-39). Patient knowledge was insufficient in 34 participants (31.4%), moderately sufficient in 56 participants (51.9%), and sufficient in 18 participants (16.7%). Among respondents, 31.5% believed that structural abnormalities would be detected in at least 40%, while 99% expected to learn the gender of baby. Conclusion: The majority of our study population had insufficient to moderately sufficient knowledge regarding the use of ultrasound during pregnancy, with a high degree of misinformation regarding patient expectations. These results suggest a greater need for national education in terms of the diagnostic capabilities and limitations of pregnancy ultrasound