Algal Alginate in Biotechnology: Biosynthesis and Applications

Algae are recognized as the main producer of commercial alginate. Alginate produced using algae is located in the walls and intracellular regions of their cells. Its properties vary depending on the species, growing and harvesting seasons, and extraction methods. Alginate has attracted the attention of several industries, thanks to its unique properties such as its biodegradability, biocompatibility, renewability and lack of toxicity features. For example, it is considered a good encapsulation agent due to the transparent nature of the alginate matrices. Also, this biopolymer is recognized as a functional food in the food industry. It can be tolerated easily in human body and has the ability to reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Besides, it is used as an abrasive agent, antioxidant, and thickening and stabilizing agents in cosmetic and pharmaceutic industries. Generally, it is used in emulsion systems and wound dressing patches. Furthermore, this polysaccharide has the potential to be used in green nanotechnologies as a drug delivery vehicle via cell microencapsulation. Moreover, it is suitable to adopt as a coagulant due to its wide range of flocculation dose and high shear stability. In this chapter, the mentioned usage areas of algal alginate are explained in more detail

Mathematical Modelling and Optimization of the Distribution Uniformity of Twin-Disc Centrifugal Spreader

The objective of this study was to obtain the mathematical models and to optimize the distribution uniformity in the twin-disc granular broadcast spreader. This study aims to optimize the variables considered in the study to minimize the coefficient of variation (CV, %) for three different fertilizers. A domestic twin-disc granular broadcast spreader was used along with three different granular fertilizers, namely urea, compound fertilizer of 15-1515, and compound fertilizer of 2020-0. The variables considered in the study were the height of vanes (H), vane angle (a), fertilizer flow rate (Q), and disc peripheral speed (V). Not only the main effects on the distribution uniformity of each of these variables but also interactions of these variables are the subject matter of this study. Therefore, the models formed in polynomial form, including the interactions of variables, were used to express the performance of distribution uniformity in mathematical form. To achieve the objectives, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used. The study builds on RSM, which helped to develop mathematical functions in the form of polynomial models, thus making it possible to find the optimum level of the variables from these models, and finally, to verify the optimums. According to the results of the verification tests, the twin- disc granular broadcast spreader provided good range of distribution uniformity, which was 6.775% for urea fertilizer, 8.135% for compound fertilizer of 15-15-15, and 8.11% for compound fertilizer of 20-20- 0, while CV of distribution from the original spreader was 19.29%.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) [2211-C]; Ege University Scientific Research Projects Department [14ZRF-019]This study is an excerpt from the Ph.D. thesis entitled Mathematical Modelling and Optimization of the Uniformity of Distribution in Fixed Rate Fertilizer Application. We would like to thank The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) for their support during the Ph.D. thesis studies within the scope of Priority Areas Doctoral Scholarship Program (2211-C) and Ege University Scientific Research Projects Department for financial support (14ZRF-019) for Ph.D. thesis

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GYNECOLOGICAL CANCERS AND THE USE OF CONTRACEPTIVE METHOD

Introduction: The use of contraceptive method is the voluntary prevention of conception through the use of various devices, sexual practices, chemicals, drugs, or surgical procedures. The relationship between oral contraceptives and gynecological cancer has been known for a long time. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between gynecological cancers and the use of contraceptive methods. Methods: This is a retrospective study. The information of various gynecological cancer patients who were operated in our hospital was scanned backwards over a five-year period. 41 cervix, 70 endometrial, 58 ovarian cancer cases, which were operated in a five-year period, were included in the study. 61 cases operated as myoma uteri cases were used as control group. The data obtained from the forms were analyzed using the SPSS program. Analysis of Variance and T-Test were used as statistical analysis. Results: When the results of the study are analyzed, it is seen that the most commonly used contraceptive method in ovarian and endometrial cancers is the intra uterine device. Oral contraceptives are the most commonly used method in cervical cancer. In terms of age distribution, there is a statistically significant difference between the control group and all cancer cases. When IUD and condom use in ovarian cancer cases were compared with the control group, no statistical difference was found. Similarly, the use of OCS and IUD in endometrial cancer cases was compared with the control group, no statistical difference was found. Conclusion: Contraceptive methods attract attention as simple and safe tools that can be effective in the prevention of gynecological cancers. The use of these agents and devices in cancer types with familial predisposition may contribute to the prevention of cancer. This is extremely important for public health

EVALUATION OF COASTAL RISK AT SELECTED SITES AGAINST EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN TSUNAMIS

Mediterranean, the center of civilizations since antiquity, experienced numerous earthquakes and triggered tsunamis. Historical information and distribution of fault zones, volcanoes and other probable tsunamigenic sea bottom deformations show that, there are source areas which may be considered as responsible for tsunamis in Eastern Mediterranean, Aegean, Marmara and Black sea region. These events affected the coastal structures that led to the loss of the economic power and social life of civilizations since antiquity. One of the probable examples of the earthquake or tsunami effects on the Fethiye town may be the eruption of Thera (also referred to as the Thera eruption or Santorini eruption). Another example of the earthquake or tsunami effects on the historical structures may be the destruction of lighthouse of Patara (Lykian City) harbor at the South of Turkey. The numerical modeling is one of the efficient tools for understanding the tsunami behaviors in the past. In this study, the historical data of earthquakes and tsunamis are evaluated together with the instrumental data of seismicity in order to select the tsunami source for modeling efforts. In modeling application, the most effective tsunami source among the others in Eastern Mediterranean is selected and simulated in order to better understand its possible effects on Fethiye town and the Patara (Lykian City). In this study, the simulation results are presented and dicussed for these selected regions.</jats:p

Chemical Compositions, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of the Essential Oil and Extracts of Lamiaceae Family (Ocimum basilicum and Thymbra spicata) from Turkey

Lamiaceae has numerous proven biological properties. Our aim was to investigate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and chemical composition of essential oil and extracts of Ocimum basilicum and Thymbra spicata. For this purpose, we used four Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptomyces murinus, Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus subtilis), four Gram-negative (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Yersina enterocolitica, Proteus vulgaris), a yeast (Candida albicans) and a mold (Aspergilus niger). Essential oil and the extracts of Thymbra spicata have the most effective and significant activity against the bacteria, yeast and mold. Antioxidant activity of the Thymbra spicata was higher than Ocimum basilicum. Phenolic compounds have good properties like antioxidants acting as reducing agent, hydrogen donors and singlet oxygen quenchers. Fourteen phenolic compounds were analyzed and some phenolics were detected in Ocimum basilicum and Thymbra spicata. These results suggest that Lamiaceae is rich in phenolic compounds and has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties as well. Therefore, it can be a useful herbal source in food and drug industries.Lamiaceae has numerous proven biological properties. Our aim was to investigate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and chemical composition of essential oil and extracts of Ocimum basilicum and Thymbra spicata. For this purpose, we used four Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptomyces murinus, Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus subtilis), four Gram-negative (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Yersina enterocolitica, Proteus vulgaris), a yeast (Candida albicans) and a mold (Aspergilus niger). Essential oil and the extracts of Thymbra spicata have the most effective and significant activity against the bacteria, yeast and mold. Antioxidant activity of the Thymbra spicata was higher than Ocimum basilicum. Phenolic compounds have good properties like antioxidants acting as reducing agent, hydrogen donors and singlet oxygen quenchers. Fourteen phenolic compounds were analyzed and some phenolics were detected in Ocimum basilicum and Thymbra spicata. These results suggest that Lamiaceae is rich in phenolic compounds and has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties as well. Therefore, it can be a useful herbal source in food and drug industries

Team-based learning replaces problem-based learning at a large medical school

Absract Background With increased student numbers in the Sydney Medical Program, and concerns regarding standardisation across cohorts, student satisfaction of the problem-based learning (PBL) model had decreased in recent years. In 2017, Team-based learning (TBL) replaced PBL in Years 1 and 2 of the medical program. This study sought to explore students’ perceptions of their experience of TBL, and to consider resource implications. Methods In 2017, Years 1 and 2 medical students (n = 625) participated in weekly TBL sessions, with approximately 60 students per class, consisting of 11 teams of five or six students. Each class was facilitated by a consultant, a basic scientist and a medical registrar. Prior to each class, students were given pre-work, and completed an online Individual Readiness Assurance Test (IRAT). During face-to-face class, students completed the Team Readiness Assurance Test (TRAT), and received feedback with clarification from facilitators, followed by clinical problem-solving activities. Student feedback was collected by questionnaire, using closed and open-ended items. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results In total, 232/275 (84%) Year 1 and 258/350 (74%) Year 2 students responded to the questionnaire. Students found positive aspects of TBL included the small group dynamics, intra- and inter-team discussions, interactions with facilitators, provision of clinical contexts by clinicians, and the readiness assurance process. Suggested improvements included: better alignment of pre-reading tasks, shorter class time, increased opportunity for clinical reasoning, and additional feedback on the mechanistic flowchart. Resource efficiencies were identified, such as a reduction in the number of teaching sessions and required facilitators, and the ability to provide each classroom with clinical expertise. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that TBL, as a replacement for PBL in Years 1 and 2 of the medical curriculum, provided a standardised approach to small group learning on a large scale, and also provided resource efficiencies. Students perceived benefits related to the active learning strategy of TBL that encourage individual learning, consolidation of knowledge, retrieval practice, peer discussion and feedback. However, improvements are needed in terms of better alignment of pre-reading tasks with the TBL patient case, and greater facilitator interaction during the problem-solving activities. Additionally, consideration should be given to reducing class time, and providing TRAT scores. </jats:sec

Angiotensin-I-Converting Enzyme (ACE)-Inhibitory Peptides from Plants

Hypertension is an important factor in cardiovascular diseases. Angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors like synthetic drugs are widely used to control hypertension. ACE-inhibitory peptides from food origins could be a good alternative to synthetic drugs. A number of plant-based peptides have been investigated for their potential ACE inhibitor activities by using in vitro and in vivo assays. These plant-based peptides can be obtained by solvent extraction, enzymatic hydrolysis with or without novel food processing methods, and fermentation. ACE-inhibitory activities of peptides can be affected by their structural characteristics such as chain length, composition and sequence. ACE-inhibitory peptides should have gastrointestinal stability and reach the cardiovascular system to show their bioactivity. This paper reviews the current literature on plant-derived ACE-inhibitory peptides including their sources, production and structure, as well as their activity by in vitro and in vivo studies and their bioavailability