TRAIL and DcR1 Expressions Are Differentially Regulated in the Pancreatic Islets of STZ- versus CY-Applied NOD Mice

TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is an important component of the immune system. Although it is well acknowledged that it also has an important role in Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) development, this presumed role has not yet been clearly revealed. Streptozotocin (STZ) and Cyclophosphamide (CY) are frequently used agents for establishment or acceleration of T1D disease in experimental models, including the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. Although such disease models are very suitable for diabetes research, different expression patterns for various T1D-related molecules may be expected, depending on the action mechanism of the applied agent. We accelerated diabetes in female NOD mice using STZ or CY and analyzed the expression profiles of TRAIL ligand and receptors throughout disease development. TRAIL ligand expression followed a completely different pattern in STZ- versus CY-accelerated disease, displaying a prominent increase in the former, while appearing at reduced levels in the latter. Decoy receptor 1 (DcR1) expression also increased significantly in the pancreatic islets in STZ-induced disease. Specific increases observed in TRAIL ligand and DcR1 expressions may be part of a defensive strategy of the beta islets against the infiltrating leukocytes, while the immune-suppressive agent CY may partly hold down this defense, contributing further to diabetes development

Recurrent hydatidiform moles: detection of a new mutation in the NLRP7 gene in the family

Hydatidiform moles are the most common type of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. Hyperproliferative vesicular trophoblasts and imperfect fetal development are abnormal pregnancies, and recurrent hydatidiform moles are rare. Mutations in NLRP7 are responsible for recurrent hydatidiform mole. Genetic heterogeneity has been demonstrated in patients with the NLRP7 mutation. This study presents our case with gravida 11, parity 0, histopathologically diagnosed with six hydatidiform moles and five missed abortion histories at age 35. Karyotype analyses of the unrelated couple were normal. A genetic examination revealed a novel mutation of the NLRP7 gene in the patient, his brother, and his parents. Detecting a new NLRP7 mutation in recurrent hydatidiform moles cases provides further evidence for the predetermined role of NLRP7 mutations in the pathophysiology of recurrent moles hydatidiform. Based on our findings, we hope to contribute to the literature by expanding the spectrum of recurrent pregnancy loss associated with NLRP7 mutations in patients

Electrophysiological evaluation of phrenic nerve injury during cardiac surgery – a prospective, controlled, clinical study

BACKGROUND: According to some reports, left hemidiaphragmatic paralysis due to phrenic nerve injury may occur following cardiac surgery. The purpose of this study was to document the effects on phrenic nerve injury of whole body hypothermia, use of ice-slush around the heart and mammary artery harvesting. METHODS: Electrophysiology of phrenic nerves was studied bilaterally in 78 subjects before and three weeks after cardiac or peripheral vascular surgery. In 49 patients, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and heart valve replacement with moderate hypothermic (mean 28°C) cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were performed. In the other 29, CABG with beating heart was performed, or, in several cases, peripheral vascular surgery with normothermia. RESULTS: In all patients, measurements of bilateral phrenic nerve function were within normal limits before surgery. Three weeks after surgery, left phrenic nerve function was absent in five patients in the CPB and hypothermia group (3 in CABG and 2 in valve replacement). No phrenic nerve dysfunction was observed after surgery in the CABG with beating heart (no CPB) or the peripheral vascular groups. Except in the five patients with left phrenic nerve paralysis, mean phrenic nerve conduction latency time (ms) and amplitude (mV) did not differ statistically before and after surgery in either group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that CPB with hypothermia and local ice-slush application around the heart play a role in phrenic nerve injury following cardiac surgery. Furthermore, phrenic nerve injury during cardiac surgery occurred in 10.2 % of our patients (CABG with CPB plus valve surgery)

A New Memory Space: Sarikamiş (Kars/Turkey)

One of the memory locations to the fore in recent years in Turkey is Sarıkamış. It is a fact that this place has not been known nor remembered by many people for decades when compared with other memory spaces such as Gallipoli where Turkish soldiers achieved important victories during WWI and War of Independence. Failure of Operation Sarıkamış most likely led this space to be pushed from memory for so long. The main purpose of this chapter is to evaluate the commemoration activities now in Sarıkamış in the context of time and space. Therefore, the course of commemorations held in Sarıkamış have been evaluated. Sarıkamış, started to find a place in memorial activities in the early twenty-first century. Commemoration activities there now take place annually, especially within the plans and programs of public institutions and organizations. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020

Research (AR) Container Port Selection in Contestable Hinterlands

Port competition has become fiercer with each passing day due to the developments in hinterland networks, port innovations at ports, port privatization policies and the changing specific service expectations of port users. This competitive environment has led to shifting the hinterland areas from captivity to contestability. The customer focus in determining the level of service quality and service diversity is crucial to gain a share from such contestable and competitive hinterlands. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to determine port selection criteria of port users and to develop a model for measuring selection criteria of port users in contestable hinterlands. A confirmatory factor analysis was applied to develop a model for port selection in a contestable hinterland. The model includes 7 main constructs and total 32 criteria. The model reveals that competitiveness of ports in contestable hinterlands is not only affected by ports’ own services but external ones such as number and frequency of shipping lines calling at the port are also vital