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    Translating Biotechnology to Knowledge-Based Innovation, Peace, and Development? Deploy a Science Peace Corps-An Open Letter to World Leaders
    (MARY ANN LIEBERT, INC, 2014-01-01) Hekim, Nezih; Coskun, Yavuz; Sinav, Ahmet; Abou-Zeid, Alaa H.; Agirbasli, Mehmet; Akintola, Simisola O.; Aynacioglu, Sukru; Bayram, Mustafa; Bragazzi, Nicola Luigi; Dandara, Collet; Dereli, Turkay; Dove, Edward S.; Elbeyli, Levent; Endrenyi, Laszlo; Erciyas, Kamile; Faris, Jack; Ferguson, Lynnette R.; Gogus, Fahrettin; Gungor, Kivanc; Gursoy, Mervi; Gursoy, Ulvi K.; Karaomerlioglu, M. Asim; Kickbusch, Ilona; Kilic, Turker; Kilinc, Metin; Kocagoz, Tanil; Lin, Biaoyang; LLerena, Adrian; Manolopoulos, Vangelis G.; Nair, Bipin; Ozkan, Bulent; Pang, Tikki; Sardas, Semra; Srivastava, Sanjeeva; Toraman, Cengiz; Ustun, Kemal; Warnich, Louise; Wonkam, Ambroise; Yakicier, Mustafa Cengiz; Yasar, Umit; Ozdemir, Vural
    Scholarship knows no geographical boundaries. This science diplomacy and biotechnology journalism article introduces an original concept and policy petition to innovate the global translational science, a Science Peace Corps. Service at the new Corps could entail volunteer work for a minimum of 6 weeks, and up to a maximum of 2 years, for translational research in any region of the world to build capacity manifestly for development and peace, instead of the narrow bench-to-bedside model of life science translation. Topics for translational research are envisioned to include all fields of life sciences and medicine, as long as they are linked to potential or concrete endpoints in development, foreign policy, conflict management, post-crisis capacity building, and/or peace scholarship domains. As a new instrument in the global science and technology governance toolbox, a Science Peace Corps could work effectively, for example, towards elucidating the emerging concept of ``one health{''}-encompassing human, environmental, plant, microbial, ecosystem, and planet health-thus serving as an innovative crosscutting pillar of 21st century integrative biology. An interdisciplinary program of this caliber for development would link 21st century life sciences to foreign policy and peace, in ways that can benefit many nations despite their ideological differences. We note that a Science Peace Corps is timely. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) of the United Nations released the Fifth Assessment Report on March 31, 2014. Worrisomely, the report underscores that no person or nation will remain untouched by the climate change, highlighting the shared pressing life sciences challenges for global society. To this end, we recall that President John F. Kennedy advocated for volunteer work that has enduring, transgenerational, and global impacts. This culminated in establishment of the Peace Corps in 1961. Earlier, President Abraham Lincoln aptly observed, ``nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.{''} We therefore petition President Barack Obama, other world leaders, and international development agencies in positions of power around the globe, to consider deploying a Science Peace Corps to cultivate the essential (and presently missing) ties among life sciences, foreign policy, development, and peace agendas. A Science Peace Corps requires support by a credible and independent intergovernmental organization or development agency for funding, and arbitration in the course of volunteer work when the global versus local (glocal) value-based priorities and human rights intersect in synergy or conflict. In all, Science Peace Corps is an invitation to a new pathway for competence in 21st century science that is locally productive and globally competitive. It can open up scientific institutions to broader considerations and broader inputs, and thus cultivate vital translational science in a world sorely in need of solidarity and sustainable responses to the challenges of 21st century science and society.
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    Role of FLT3 in the proliferation and aggressiveness of hepatocellular carcinoma
    (Scientific and Technological Research Council Turkey, 2016-01-01) Aydin, Muammer Merve; Bayin, Nermin Sumru; Acun, Tolga; Yakicier, Mustafa Cengiz; Akcali, Kamil Can
    Background/aim: Previously we showed that Fms-like tyrosine kinase (FLT3) changes its cellular localization upon partial hepatectomy, suggesting a role in liver regeneration. FLT3 was also shown to play an important function in cellular proliferation and activation of PI3K and Ras. Thus, we aimed to investigate the role of FLT3 in hepatocellular tumorigenesis utilizing in vitro and in vivo models. Materials and methods: We used Snu398 cells that express FLT3. We investigated these cells' in vitro proliferation and invasion abilities by treatment with the FLT3 inhibitor K-252a or by knocking-down with FLT3 shRNA,. Furthermore, the effect of blocking FLT3 activity and expression during in vivo tumorigenesis was assessed with xenograft models. Results: After K-252a treatment or stable knock-down, these cells' proliferation and migration abilities were highly diminished in vitro. In addition, significant diminution in tumorigenicity of Snu398 cells was also obtained in vivo. When FLT3 knocked-down Snu398 cells were injected into nude mice, we did not detect aSMA expression in these tumors, suggesting a role for FLT3 in in vivo invasiveness. Conclusion: Our data provided evidence that FLT3 has a crucial role both in hepatocarcinogenesis and its invasiveness. Therefore, targeting FLT3 and/or its activity may be a promising tool for combating hepatocellular carcinomas.
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    Analyses of Copy Number Variations in Myxopapillary Ependymomas of Cauda Equina
    (TURKISH NEUROSURGICAL SOC, 2020-01-01) Ozen, Ali; Bayrakli, Fatih; Sonmez, Ozcan; Peker Eyuboglu, Irem; Erdogan, Onur; Erzik, Can; Yakicier, Mustafa Cengiz; Uyar Bozkurp, Suheyla
    AIM: To identify the copy number variations that are specific to myxopapillary ependymomas (MPEs) of the cauda equina. MATERIAL and METHODS: The patient cohort included five patients who underwent resection of histologically confirmed MPEs. Tumor samples collected during surgery and stored in liquid nitrogen as well as corresponding blood samples collected were analyzed. Genomic DNA from the venous blood and tumor samples was obtained using standard techniques and hybridized to a Cytoscan 750K Array in accordance with the manufacturer's introductions. RESULTS: As a novel finding, amplification on chromosome 14q32.33 was detected in all tumor and blood samples, except one tumor sample. All tumor tissues also showed amplification on chromosomes 5, 7, 9, and 16. CONCLUSION: Although further studies with larger cohorts are required to identify genes involved in MPE tumorigenesis and to validate our results, these findings provide a basis for advanced molecular biological and genetic studies of MPEs.
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    Human papillomavirus prevalence and type in liquid-based cervical samples from Turkish women in a selected risk group
    (TUBITAK SCIENTIFIC \& TECHNICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL TURKEY, 2013-01-01) Akyar, Ism; Aydin, Ozlem; Yakicier, Mustafa Cengiz; Kocagoz, Zuhtu Taml; Ince, Umit; Unsal, Ibrahim
    Aim: To detect the prevalence and type distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) in different cytological diagnostic categories. Materials and methods: Between 2007 and 2010, a total of 1014 liquid-based thin preparations of cervical smears were selected and classified according to cytology results. HPV DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was also performed using these samples. HPV DNA-positive samples were genotyped by DNA sequencing. Results: Of those enrolled in the study, 45.3\% were negative cytologically, 36.4\% had atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance, 0.3\% had atypical squamous cells preventing the exclusion of a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, 16.8\% showed a low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, and 1.3\% had an high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. Conclusion: PCR assays showed HPV positivity in 63.0\% of cytologically negative and 90.8\% of cytologically positive samples. The most common types of HPV detected were 16, 6, 18, 31, 66, 56, 53, 81, 45, and 62. Of HPV DNA-positive samples, 47.7\% were high, 4.7\% were intermediate, and 17.9\% were low risk. The high-risk types of HPV detected were 16, 18, 31, 56, 53, 45, 62, 58, 59, 67, 51, 35, 73, 52, 33, 39, 68, and 82.