Fragmented local normative orders, unresolved localizations, and the contesting of gender equality norms in Turkey

Hüsrev Tabak,Seven Erdoğan,Muharrem Doğan 이화여자대학교 한국여성연구원 2022 Asian Journal of Women's Studies(AJWS) Vol.28 No.2

This paper examines the localization process of the global gender equality norm in Turkey and argues that the normative contestations on this concern, among rival political blocs and activist groups, have not allowed any resolution. Accordingly, the global gender equality norm has undergone state-led secular localization as of the 1990s. In the post-2010 context under AKP rule, however, this process was disrupted by the proponents of the alternative conservative local norm of gender justice, who sought to replace the already localized norm of gender equality. Our study examines the contestations and rivalries regarding gender equality in the country with an emphasis on normative strategies utilised by the secular and conservative political blocs. Based on face-to-face interviews conducted with representatives of the main trade unions in the country, we also did a minor case study of the ongoing contestations regarding the adoption of gender equality norms, as manifested in trade union activism.

The Effects of Propolis on Biochemical Parameters and Activity of Antioxidant Enzymes in Broilers Exposed to Lead-Induced Oxidative Stress

Seven, Ismail,Aksu, Taylan,Seven, Pinar Tatli Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2010 Animal Bioscience Vol.23 No.11

This study aimed to determine the effects of vitamin C and propolis-supplemented feeds on some blood parameters, lipid peroxidation, and activities of some antioxidant enzymes in broilers exposed to oxidative stress. 360 three-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly divided into four treatment groups each containing 90 animals, including six replicate groups for each treatment. The experimental groups were designated for a 3-42 days period as follows: no supplement to basal ration (Control-Group I); supplement of 500 ppm vitamin C and 200 ppm lead (as lead acetate) to basal ration (Group II); supplement of 1 g/kg propolis and 200 ppm lead (as lead acetate) to basal ration (Group III); and supplement of 200 ppm lead (as lead acetate) to basal ration (Group IV). The highest TG level (86.83 mg/dl) was observed in the lead supplemented group; however, the lowest aspartate aminotransferase (SGOT) level (90.71 IU/L) was observed in the control group (p<0.05). The addition of lead increased the plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) level (p<0.01) compared to other treatments. However, the addition of vitamin C and propolis decreased the plasma MDA level close to control levels. The highest erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was observed in the lead addition group (p<0.01) while no significant differences were observed for SOD activities of the control, vitamin C +lead, and propolis+lead groups. The plasma reduced glutathione (GSH) activity of the control ($2.30{\mu}mol$/ml) was significantly lower than the lead administered group ($6.20{\mu}mol$/ml) (p<0.01); while this parameter was determined to be similar to other groups. No significant differences were observed between groups for liver GSH activity, but heart GSH activity of the control was significantly higher in comparison to other treatments (p<0.05). To obtain similar antioxidant effects, it is recommend that using propolis (1 g/kg) and vitamin C (500 mg/kg) supplementation in broiler diets may overcome the adverse effects of oxidative stress originating from dietary lead.

Double Balloon Enteroscopy in a North American Setting: A Large Single Center 5-year Experience

( Gulseren Seven ),( Richard A. Kozarek ),( Andrew Ross ),( Shayan Irani ),( Michael Gluck ),( Drew Schembre ),( Johannes Koch ),( S. Ian Gan ) 대한장연구학회 2013 Intestinal Research Vol.11 No.1

Background/Aims: Double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) allows both diagnosis and therapeutic maneuvers in the small bowel. Its use was pioneered in Europe and Asia but there remains a relative paucity of literature from North America. Our aim in this study was to determine diagnostic and therapeutic yield in a North American setting. Methods: A five-year retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing DBE at a single tertiary care North American hospital was performed. Results: Four-hundred fifty-seven procedures, 265 anterograde and 192 retrograde, were performed on 335 patients. The most common indications were obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, small bowel obstruction, and suspected masses and mucosal abnormalities. Total enteroscopy was achieved in 19 of the 89 patients who had both anterograde and retrograde procedures. Overall diagnostic yield in the determination of cause of symptoms or previous imaging was 52%. The most common causes of obscure bleeding were small bowel ulcers (10%), vascular lesions (25%) and neoplasms (10%). The most common causes of small bowel obstruction were strictures, some of which underwent dilation. Other therapeutic interventions included polypectomy, retrieval of retained capsules, stent retrievals and percutaneous enteral jejunostomy tube placement. Overall complication rates were very low (0.6%) and included medication reaction (n=1), scope dysfunction (n=1) and perforation (n=1). Conclusions: DBE can be performed safely and with good diagnostic yield in a single referral center in North America. (Intest Res 2013;11:34-40)

The Effects of Dietary Turkish Propolis and Vitamin C on Performance, Digestibility, Egg Production and Egg Quality in Laying Hens under Different Environmental Temperatures

Seven, Pinar Tatli Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2008 Animal Bioscience Vol.21 No.8

In this study, the effects of propolis and vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) supplementation in diets were investigated on feed intake (FI), body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion rate (FCR) and digestibility and on egg production and qualities (weight, mortality, shell thickness) in laying hens exposed to heat stress. A total of 150 Hyline White Leghorn, aged 42 weeks, hens was divided into five groups of 30 hens. Chicks were randomly divided into 1 positive control, 1 control and 3 treatment groups. The chicks were kept in cages in temperature-controlled rooms at $22^{\circ}C$ for 24 h/d (positive control, Thermoneutral, TN group) or $34^{\circ}C$ for 9 h/d from 08.00-17.00 h followed by $22^{\circ}C$ for 15 h (control, heat stress, HS group) and fed a basal diet or basal diet supplemented with vitamin C (250 mg/kg of L- ascorbic acid/kg of diet) or two levels of propolis (2 and 5 g of ethanol extracted propolis/kg of diet). Increased FI (p<0.05) and improvement in FCR (p<0.05), hen day egg (p<0.05) and egg weight (p<0.05) were found in Vitamin C and propolis-supplemented laying hens reared under heat stress conditions. Mortality rate was higher in the control group than TN, vitamin C and propolis groups (p<0.05). Digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and ether extract improved with increasing of both dietary vitamin C and propolis (p<0.05). Vitamin C or propolis supplementation did not affect either the percentage shape index, yolk index or haugh unit and albumen index (p>0.05). However, the egg shell thickness and egg shell weight appeared to be increased in Vitamin C and propolis groups in comparison to HS group birds (p<0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of laying hens with anti-oxidants (vitamin C and propolis) can attenuate heat stress-induced oxidative damage. These positive effects were evidenced by increased growth performance and digestibility, improvement of egg shell thickness and egg weight in comparison to non-supplemented birds. Moreover, supplementation with propolis (5 g/kg diet) was the most efficient treatment.

Successive Chemical Modification of Poly(acrylonitrile) Fibers with Glycidyl Methacrylate and Poly(p-phenylenediamine)/Ag Particles for an Efficient Antibacterial Activity

Nihan Seven Eroğlu 한국섬유공학회 2022 Fibers and polymers Vol.23 No.3

One of the most industrially-prominent fibers, polyacrylonitrile (PAN), was chemically modified with the twospecific steps to gain new functional groups that enable the surface chemically attractive. First, the chemically-susceptibleepoxy groups were introduced to the PAN through graft copolymerization of glycidyl methacrylate using benzoyl peroxide(Bz2O2) as an initiator. Secondly, the surface of GMA grafted-PAN fibers (PAN-g-GMA) was decorated by the poly(pphenylenediamine)(PFDA) and Ag nanoparticles through the in-situ oxidative polymerization of p-phenylenediamine (p-FDA) using AgNO3. The changes in the PAN fiber's weights were monitored by changing the experimental conditions suchas Bz2O2 and GMA concentrations, polymerization temperature-time, and AgNO3/p-FDA mol ratio. The usage of 5×10-3 Mof Bz2O2 and 0.5 M of GMA at 85 ºC for 1 h ensured over 95 % of GMA graft yields to the PAN-g-GMA fibers. Structural,thermal, and morphological changes that occurred in the PAN fiber were examined in detail using ATR-FTIR, XRD, TGA,Optical Microscope, and SEM techniques, respectively. A grey metallic shine was detected by optic microscopy on thecomposite surface after the PFDA/Ag nanoparticles deposition. Finally, the antibacterial activity performance of the Agparticles anchored-composite fiber was determined against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli)by the zone inhibition test. The Ag particles decorated-composite showed high antibacterial activity, especially against E. coli(16.5 cm inhibition) compared to Ag-unloaded one. A suitable methodology was presented to develop a fiber composite thatwill potentially be used as an antibacterial textile in the various material preparation fields.

Effects of Vitamin E Supplementation on Oxidative Stress in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats: Investigation of Liver and Plasma

Arzu Seven,Sava Guzel,Oktay Seymen,Sabiha Civelek,Murat Bolayirli,Murat Uncu,Gulden Burcak 연세대학교의과대학 2004 Yonsei medical journal Vol.45 No.4

This experimental study was designed to investigate the effects of vitamin E supplementation, especially on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status elements¾ namely, glutathione (GSH), CuZn superoxide dismutase (CuZn SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH Px), both in blood and liver tissues of streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats. The extent to which blood can be used to reflect the oxidative stress of the liver is also investigated. In diabetic rats, plasma lipid peroxide values were not significantly different,from control,whereas erythrocyte CuZn SOD (p<0.01), GSH Px (p<0.001) activities and plasma vitamin E levels (p<0.001), were significantly more elevated than controls. Vitamin E supplementation caused significant decreases of erythrocyte GSH level (p<0.01) in control rats and of erythrocyte GSH Px activity (p<0.05) in diabetic rats. Liver findings revealed significantly higher lipid peroxide (p<0.001) and vitamin E (p<0.01) levels and lower GSH (p<0.001), CuZn SOD (p<0.001) and GSH Px (p<0.01) levels in diabetic rats. A decreased hepatic lipid peroxide level (p<0.01) and increased vitamin E/lipid peroxide ratio (p<0.001) were observed in vitamin E supplemented, diabetic rats. A vitamin E supplementation level which did not cause any increase in the concentration of the vitamin in the liver or blood, was sufficient to lower lipid peroxidation in the liver. Vitamin E/lipid peroxide ratio is suggested as an appropriate index to evaluate the efficiency of vitamin E activity,independent of tissue lipid values. Further, the antioxidant components GSH, GSH Px and CuZn SOD and the relationships among them, were affected differently in the liver and blood by diabetes or vitamin E supplementation.

Effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract on side effects of high-dose methylprednisolone administration in male rats

Sur Aslihan,Iflazoglu Mutlu Seda,Tatli Seven Pinar,Seven Ismail,Aslan Abdullah,Kizil Meltem,Kulaksiz Recai,Yaranoglu Mustafa Hilmi,Esen Selim 한국독성학회 2023 Toxicological Research Vol.39 No.4

In this study, we investigated the effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) against the side effects of highdose administration of methylprednisolone (MP) in male rats. A total of 32 adult Wistar male albino rats were divided into four groups: (1) control (CON), received standard food only; (2) MP, received standard food + intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg MP on day 7; (3) GSPE, received standard food + 200 mg/kg/day GSPE; and (4) MP + GSPE, received standard food + 200 mg/kg/day of GSPE + intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg MP on day 7. All animals in the GSPE and GSPE + MP groups were treated once a day by oral gavage for 14 consecutive days. The feed intake of rats in the MP and MP + GSPE groups decreased significantly by 24.14% and 13.52%, respectively (p < 0.05). Administration of MP resulted in significant increases in serum concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (p < 0.001), glucose (p < 0.01), alkaline phosphatase, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (p < 0.05). High-dose MP administration significantly reduced catalase (p < 0.001) and glutathione peroxidase (p < 0.05) concentrations in the liver and kidney tissues of rats, while glutathione concentrations were only reduced in liver tissue (p < 0.05). The expression levels of Bcl-2 and TNF-α in liver, kidney, and testicular tissue were significantly increased, while the expression levels of caspase-3 were reduced (p < 0.001). Furthermore, sperm concentration was significantly affected by GSPE in rats induced by high-dose MP, and sperm loss was significantly reduced in MP + GSPE (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that GSPE could be useful as a supplement to alleviate MP-induced toxicity in rats.

Acceptance of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine by Adolescent Girls and Their Parents in Turkey

Kilic, Ayse,Seven, Memnun,Guvenc, Gulten,Akyuz, Aygul,Ciftci, Seval Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.9

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the opinions of Turkish adolesecent girls and their parents about HPV vaccination and the consistency. Methods: This descriptive study covered 301 girls and their parents. Questionnares were developed by the researchers based on findings within the literature and applied for data collection. Results: The mean age was 19.4 for girls, 44.2 for mothers and 47.9 for fathers. It was found that 43.5 percent of girls and 31.9 percent of mothers wish to be vaccinated against HPV. Also, 45.5 percent of mothers and 44.9 percent of fathers wish for their daughters to be vaccinated against HPV. A moderate consistency was found between mothers and fathers; a low consistency was found between fathers and girls, and between mothers and girls. Conclusions: The study indicates that an appropriate background has been partially provided about the acceptability of the vaccine between parents and their daughters in Turkey. However, the vast majority of adolescent girls and parents are indecisive or reluctant about HPV vaccination. This study also showed that the decisions of adolescents about vaccination may be affected by the opinions of the parents.

Breast, Cervical, and Colorectal Cancer Screening Status of a Group of Turkish Women

Gulten, Guvenc,Memnun, Seven,Ayse, Kilic,Aygul, Akyuz,Gulcin, Akcan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.9

Introduction: The aim of the study was to determine the breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening rates and the influencing factors in a group of Turkish females. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in a School of Nursing. The study sample consisted of 603 females who were the mothers/neighbors or relatives of the nursing students. Data collection forms were developed by the investigators after the relevant literature was screened and were used to collect the data. Results: Of the women aged 30 and over, 32.8% had undergone a pap smear test at least once in their life. Of those aged 50 and over, 48.2% had undergone mammography at least once and FOBT had been performed in 12% of these women in their life. Having heard of the screening tests before, knowing why they are done, and having information on the national cancer screening program were important factors influencing the rates of women having these tests done. Discussion: The results of this study show that the rates of women participating in national cervical, breast, and colorectal cancer screening programs are not at the desired levels. Having heard of the screening tests before, knowing why they are done, and having information on the national cancer screening program were important factors influencing the rates of women having these tests done. It is suggested that written and visual campaigns to promote the service should be used to educate a larger population, thus increasing the participation rates for cancer screening programs.

Vitamin E-based glycoside amphiphiles for membrane protein structural studies

Ehsan, Muhammad,Du, Yang,Molist, Iago,Seven, Alpay B.,Hariharan, Parameswaran,Mortensen, Jonas S.,Ghani, Lubna,Loland, Claus J.,Skiniotis, Georgios,Guan, Lan,Byrne, Bernadette,Kobilka, Brian K.,Chae, The Royal Society of Chemistry 2018 Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry Vol.16 No.14

<P>Membrane proteins play critical roles in a variety of cellular processes. For a detailed molecular level understanding of their biological functions and roles in disease, it is necessary to extract them from the native membranes. While the amphipathic nature of these bio-macromolecules presents technical challenges, amphiphilic assistants such as detergents serve as useful tools for membrane protein structural and functional studies. Conventional detergents are limited in their ability to maintain the structural integrity of membrane proteins and thus it is essential to develop novel agents with enhanced properties. Here, we designed and characterized a novel class of amphiphiles with vitamin E (<I>i.e.</I>, α-tocopherol) as the hydrophobic tail group and saccharide units as the hydrophilic head group. Designated vitamin E-based glycosides (VEGs), these agents were evaluated for their ability to solubilize and stabilize a set of membrane proteins. VEG representatives not only conferred markedly enhanced stability to a diverse range of membrane proteins compared to conventional detergents, but VEG-3 also showed notable efficacy toward stabilization and visualization of a membrane protein complex. In addition to hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) of detergent molecules, the chain length and molecular geometry of the detergent hydrophobic group seem key factors in determining detergent efficacy for membrane protein (complex) stability.</P>