Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Bioremediation of Co-Contaminated Soil

Nejla Hechmi,Nadhira Ben Aissa,Hassen Abdenaceur,Naceur Jedidi 한국토양비료학회 2014 한국토양비료학회 학술발표회 초록집 Vol.2014 No.6

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Stock Prices Across Industries: Evidence from the UAE

Nejla Ould Daoud ELLILI 한국유통과학회 2021 The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Busine Vol.8 No.11

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the stock prices of the companies traded on the UAE financial markets (Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and Dubai Financial Market). The time series regressions have been applied to estimate the impact of COVID-19 data on the companies’ stock prices movements. The data cover the period between January 29th, 2020, and January 5th, 2021. The data was collected from the website of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre of the UAE. The empirical results of this study show that the stock prices are negatively and significantly affected by the number of COVID-19 positive cases and the number of death while they are positively and significantly affected by the number of recoveries. The results vary from one industry to another. These results would be important to the policymakers and financial regulators in developing the needed policies to improve the stock markets’ resilience and maintain financial and economic stability. In addition, the findings would be useful to the investors and portfolio managers in taking the most appropriate investment decisions and managing more efficiently their portfolios. This paper will shed light on the responsiveness of the UAE financial market to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Efficacy of Distraction Methods on Procedural Pain and Anxiety by Applying Distraction Cards and Kaleidoscope in Children

Nejla Canbulat,Sevil _Inal,Hacer Sönmezer 한국간호과학회 2014 Asian Nursing Research Vol.8 No.1

Purpose: This study aims to investigate two different distraction methods, distraction cards and kaleidoscope, on pain and anxiety relief of children during phlebotomy. Methods: This study is a prospective, randomized and controlled trial. The sample consisted of 7-11 year-old children who required blood tests. Children were randomized into three groups: the distraction cards group, the kaleidoscope group, and the control group. Data were obtained by interviewing the children with their parents and the observer before and after the procedure. The pain levels of the children were assessed by the parent and observer reports as well as self report using the Wong Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale. The anxiety levels of children were assessed by parent and observer reports using Children Fear Scale. Results: One hundred and eighty-eight children (mean age, 8.8 ± 1.5 years) were included. The pain levels of children showed significant differences among the groups (p = .005). Both the distraction card group (2.41 ± 2.49) and the kaleidoscope group (3.10 ± 2.16) had lower pain levels than the control group did (4.44 ± 3.64). The distraction card group had the lowest pain levels (2.41 ± 2.49) among all groups. The procedural anxiety levels of children were significantly different among the groups (p <.001). Both the distraction card group (1.10 ± 1.20) and the kaleidoscope group (1.61 ± 1.12) had lower anxiety levels than the control group did (2.41 ± 1.30). The distraction card group had the lowest anxiety levels (p <.001). Conclusion: The distraction cards were the most effective method for pain and anxiety relief of children during phlebotomy. Also the distraction method with kaleidoscope was an effective method for pain and anxiety relief during phlebotomy in children.

Detection of Viruses Infecting Stone Fruits in Western Mediterranean Region of Turkey

Bayram Çevik Nejla Yardimci,Handan Çulal-Klllç 한국식물병리학회 2011 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.27 No.1

Field surveys were conducted in 45 stone fruit orchards in seven districts of Isparta Province located in western Mediterranean region of Turkey important for stone fruit production. Leaf samples were collected from 175trees showing virus-like symptoms. These samples were first tested by ELISA for five different RNA viruses including Apple mosaic ilarvirus (ApMV), Prunus necrotic ringspot ilarvirus (PNRSV), Prune dwarf ilarvirus (PDV),Plum pox potyvirus (PPV), Apple chlorotic leafspot trichovirus (ACLSV). While no ApMV and PPV infection was found, 46, 24 and 16 samples were tested positive for PDV, ACLSV and PNRSV, respectively, in ELISA showing about 45% of symptomatic trees in the region were infected with at least one of these viruses. In addition,it was found that nine sweet cherry trees were mixed infected with two or three of these viruses and PDV with an infection rate of 26.3% was the most widespread virus in symptomatic trees in western Mediterranean region. Thirty samples were selected and tested by a multiplex RT-PCR (mRT-PCR) for simultaneous detection of these viruses. While PPV was not detected, more than half of the tested 20 samples were individually or mixed infected with ApMV, ACLSV, PNRSV and PDV. The mRT-PCR results were confirmed by detection of these viruses individually in some of the field samples using RT-PCR with primes specific to each virus. Comparison of ELSA and mRT-PCR results of 30 samples showed that numbers of infected and mixed infected samples as well as infection and mixed infection rates were significantly higher in RT-PCR (20 and 66.7%)than in ELISA (14 and 46.7%). The results confirm that mRT-PCR is more sensitive than ELISA.

Detection of Viruses Infecting Stone Fruits in Western Mediterranean Region of Turkey

Yardimci, Bayram Cevik Nejla,Culal-Klllc, Handan The Korean Society of Plant Pathology 2011 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.27 No.1

Field surveys were conducted in 45 stone fruit orchards in seven districts of Isparta Province located in western Mediterranean region of Turkey important for stone fruit production. Leaf samples were collected from 175 trees showing virus-like symptoms. These samples were first tested by ELISA for five different RNA viruses including Apple mosaic ilarvirus (ApMV), Prunus necrotic ringspot ilarvirus (PNRSV), Prune dwarf ilarvirus (PDV), Plum pox potyvirus (PPV), Apple chlorotic leafspot trichovirus (ACLSV). While no ApMV and PPV infection was found, 46, 24 and 16 samples were tested positive for PDV, ACLSV and PNRSV, respectively, in ELISA showing about 45% of symptomatic trees in the region were infected with at least one of these viruses. In addition, it was found that nine sweet cherry trees were mixed infected with two or three of these viruses and PDV with an infection rate of 26.3% was the most widespread virus in symptomatic trees in western Mediterranean region. Thirty samples were selected and tested by a multiplex RT-PCR (mRT-PCR) for simultaneous detection of these viruses. While PPV was not detected, more than half of the tested 20 samples were individually or mixed infected with ApMV, ACLSV, PNRSV and PDV. The mRT-PCR results were confirmed by detection of these viruses individually in some of the field samples using RT-PCR with primes specific to each virus. Comparison of ELSA and mRT-PCR results of 30 samples showed that numbers of infected and mixed infected samples as well as infection and mixed infection rates were significantly higher in RT-PCR (20 and 66.7%) than in ELISA (14 and 46.7%). The results confirm that mRT-PCR is more sensitive than ELISA.

Effectiveness of an Intravenous Protection Device in Pediatric Patients on Catheter Dwell Time and Phlebitis Score

Funda Büyükyılmaz,Nejla C. S¸ ahiner,Seda Ca glar,Handan Eren 한국간호과학회 2019 Asian Nursing Research Vol.13 No.4

Purpose: The study aimed to examine the efficacy of the I.V. House UltraDressing for protecting peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) in pediatric patients. Methods: This randomized controlled trial comprised 60 pediatric patients (aged 2e24 months): 30 in the experimental group and 30 in the control group. The PIVC dwell time and phlebitis scores were also reported for both groups. The degree of phlebitis was determined using the Visual Infusion Phlebitis Scale (VIPS) and was recorded every 8 hours from the start of antibiotic therapy until catheter removal. Results: The mean catheter dwell time in the experimental group (2.10 ± 1.55 days) was significantly longer than that in the control group (1.27 ± 0.45 days) (p < .01). However, there were no significant differences between the scores and signs of phlebitis in both groups (p > .05). Conclusion: The I.V. House UltraDressing is a useful device that can be used to increase catheter dwell time and protect and stabilize PIVCs in pediatric patients.

The First Identified Citrus tristeza virus Isolate of Turkey Contains a Mixture of Mild and Severe Strains

Bayram Çevik,Nejla Yard mc,Sava Korkmaz 한국식물병리학회 2013 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.29 No.1

The presence of Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) has previously been reported in citrus growing regions of Turkey. All serologically and biologically characterized isolates including I d r, which was the first identified CTV isolates from Turkey, were considered mild isolates. In this study, molecular characteristics of the I d r isolate were determined by different methods. Analysis of the I d r isolate by western blot and BD-RT-PCR assays showed the presence of MCA13 epitope, predominantly found in severe isolates, in the I d r isolate revealing that it contains a severe component. For further characterization,the coat protein (CP) and the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) genes representing the 3'and 5' half of CTV genome, respectively, were amplified from dsRNA by RT-PCR. Both genes were cloned separately and two clones for each gene were sequenced. Comparisons of nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences showed that while two CP gene sequences were identical, two RdRp clones showed only 90% and 91% sequence identity in their nucleotide and amino acid sequences, respectively, suggesting a mixed infection with different strains. Phylogenetic analyses of the CP and RdRp genes of I d r isolate with previously characterized CTV isolates from different citrus growing regions showed that the CP gene was clustered with NZRBTH30,a resistance breaking isolate from New Zealand,clearly showing the presence of severe component. Furthermore, two different clones of the RdRp gene were clustered separately with different CTV isolates with a diverse biological activity. While the RdRp-1 was clustered with T30 and T385, two well-characterized mild isolates from Florida and Spain, respectively, the RdRp-2 was most closely related to NZRB-G90 and NZRB-TH30, two well-characterized resistance breaking and stem pitting (SP) isolates from New Zealand confirming the mixed infection. These results clearly demonstrated that the I d r isolate, which was previously described as biologically a mild isolate, actually contains a mixture of mild and severe strains.

The First Identified Citrus tristeza virus Isolate of Turkey Contains a Mixture of Mild and Severe Strains

Cevik, Bayram,Yardimci, Nejla,Korkmaz, Sava The Korean Society of Plant Pathology 2013 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.29 No.1

The presence of Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) has previously been reported in citrus growing regions of Turkey. All serologically and biologically characterized isolates including I$\breve{g}$d${\i}$r, which was the first identified CTV isolates from Turkey, were considered mild isolates. In this study, molecular characteristics of the I d r isolate were determined by different methods. Analysis of the I$\breve{g}$d${\i}$r isolate by western blot and BD-RT-PCR assays showed the presence of MCA13 epitope, predominantly found in severe isolates, in the I$\breve{g}$d${\i}$r isolate revealing that it contains a severe component. For further characterization, the coat protein (CP) and the RNA-depen-dent RNA polymerase (RdRp) genes representing the 3' and 5' half of CTV genome, respectively, were amplified from dsRNA by RT-PCR. Both genes were cloned separately and two clones for each gene were sequenced. Comparisons of nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences showed that while two CP gene sequences were identical, two RdRp clones showed only 90% and 91% sequence identity in their nucleotide and amino acid sequences, respectively, suggesting a mixed infection with different strains. Phylogenetic analyses of the CP and RdRp genes of I$\breve{g}$d${\i}$r isolate with previously characterized CTV isolates from different citrus growing regions showed that the CP gene was clustered with NZRB-TH30, a resistance breaking isolate from New Zealand, clearly showing the presence of severe component. Furthermore, two different clones of the RdRp gene were clustered separately with different CTV isolates with a diverse biological activity. While the RdRp-1 was clustered with T30 and T385, two well-characterized mild isolates from Florida and Spain, respectively, the RdRp-2 was most closely related to NZRB-G90 and NZRB-TH30, two well-characterized resistance breaking and stem pitting (SP) isolates from New Zealand confirming the mixed infection. These results clearly demonstrated that the I$\breve{g}$d${\i}$r isolate, which was previously described as biologically a mild isolate, actually contains a mixture of mild and severe strains.

Breast Cancer in Tunisia: Association of Body Mass Index with Histopathological Aspects of Tumors

Bouguerra, Hichem,Guissouma, Hajer,Labidi, Soumaya,Stambouli, Nejla,Marrakchi, Raja,Chouaib, Salem,Elgaaied, Amel Ben Ammar,Boussen, Hammouda,Gati, Asma Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.16

Background: Previous studies have suggested a link between obesity and breast cancer (BC). However, there is no universal consensus, especially in population based studies. Because only few studies have been conducted on African women, we aimed here to assess the relationship between BMI at time of diagnosis and the BC histopathological features among Tunisian patients according to menopausal status using a hospital-based prospective cohort study. Materials and Methods: Clinical and pathological data were collected from 262 patients stratified on four groups according to their BMI. The relationship between BMI and histopathological features at diagnosis was analysed using univariate and multivariate analysis. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the performance of BMI in predicting of high tumor grade, in comparison to ki-67 index of proliferation. Results: Obesity was correlated with larger tumors, advanced grade and with ER-PR-Her2+ BC subtype. An association of BMI with tumor size and tumor grade was observed in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Additionally, a significant association between BMI and ER+, ER+PR+Her2+ and ER-PR-Her2+ status was revealed for premenopausal patients, while only ER+PR+Her2+ was associated with BMI for postmenopausal women. Finally, our results showed that compared to Ki67 proliferation index, BMI is a useful prognostic marker of high grade BC tumors. Conclusions: These data are the first to show that in Tunisia obese women suffering from BC have significantly larger tumors and advanced tumor grade and that higher BMI might influence tumor characteristics and behavior.

Dual oxidative stress and fatty acid profile impacts in Paracentrotus lividus exposed to lambda-cyhalothrin: biochemical and histopathological responses

Fouzai Chaima,Trabelsi Wafa,Bejaoui Safa,Marengo Michel,Ghribi Feriel,Chetoui Imen,Mili Sami,Soudani Nejla 한국독성학회 2023 Toxicological Research Vol.39 No.3

Lambda-cyhalothrin (λ-cyh) is a potential pyrethroid insecticide widely used in pest control. The presence of pyrethroids in the aquatic ecosystem may induce adverse effects on non-target organisms such as the sea urchin. This study was conducted to assess the toxic effects of λ-cyh on the fatty acid profiles, redox status, and histopathological aspects of Paracentrotus lividus gonads following exposure to three concentrations of λ-cyh (100, 250 and 500 μg/L) for 72 h. The results showed a significant decrease in saturated fatty acid (SFAs) with an increase in monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFAs) levels in λ-cyh treated sea urchins. The highest levels in PUFAs were recorded in the eicosapentaenoic acids (C20:5n-3), docosahexaenoic acids (C22:6n-3) and arachidonic acids (C20:4n-6) levels. The λ-cyh intoxication promoted oxidative stress with an increase in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) levels. Furthermore, the enzymatic activities and non-enzymatic antioxidants levels were enhanced in all exposed sea urchins, while the vitamin C levels were decreased in 100 and 500 μg/L treated groups. Our biochemical results have been confirmed by the histopathological observations. Collectively, our findings offered valuable insights into the importance of assessing fatty acids’ profiles as a relevant tool in aquatic ecotoxicological studies.