Diabetes is an alarming global systemic metabolic disorder that can pose a major threat to patients. The serious consequences of cigarette smoking on the diabetic kidney are not well known among people in different countries. According to different studies, smoking enhances albuminuria in diabetic patients. On the other hand, urinary albumin is a sensitive indicator of glomerular injury. The abnormal trans-glomerular passage of albumin may be seen due to increased permeability of the glomerular capillary wall and their subsequent impaired reabsorption by the epithelial cells of the proximal tubule. Smoking with hyperglycemia increases lipid accumulation and oxidative stress, which mainly up-regulates TGF-β, accumulates AGEs, reduces nitric oxide production, and eventually causes glomerular basement membrane thickening and mesangial expansion that results in the development of glomerulosclerosis and nephropathy. The complex interaction between cigarette smoking and diabetic mellitus poses multiple challenges for researchers, physicians, and patients. Therefore, the present review article aims to find out the feasible consequences for the kidney of a diabetic patient due to the habit of cigarette smoking which may be useful for academicians and researchers in the future.

Quercetin (QU) is a flavonoid found in different fruits and vegetables. Studies report that QU may have positive effects on neurological diseases. However, the effect of QU on 4-aminopyridine (4-AP)-induced neurodegeneration in neuronal cells is still not fully elucidated. In this study, the effects of QU on 4-AP-induced hippocampal neuron damage in vitro and the possible role of oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress in this effect were investigated. The study was carried out using the HT-22 hippocampal neuronal cell line. The effect of pre-treatment with QU on cell viability after 4-AP-induced neuronal damage was determined by the XTT test. Cells were evaluated histopathologically for apoptotic nuclear change (ANC) using DAPI staining. The effects of QU on oxidative stress (total oxidant state (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS)) occurring after neuronal damage were evaluated with colorimetric commercial kits and endoplasmic reticulum stress markers (activating transcription factor 4 (ATF-4) and C/EBP homologous protein). (CHOP) was measured with the ELISA kits. While the cell viability rate decreased in the cells treated with 4-AP, it was determined that pre-treatment with QU reversed this situation. In terms of histopathology, treatment with 4-AP increased the number of ANC, while QU pre-treatment reduced it. In addition, in terms of biochemical evaluations, TOS, ATF-4, and CHOP increased in neuronal cells after 4-AP, and QU was determined to suppress this increase. In addition, QU normalized the decreased TAS levels following the 4-AP application. As a result, in the HT-22 cell line, it was found that QU treatment had a neuroprotective effect by suppressing oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress in 4-AP-induced neuronal damage.

Lipoxygenases (LOX) gene family is a type of nonheme iron-containing dioxygenases, which has a very important aspect in plant development and fruit quality. LOX gene, which is responsible for lipid oxidation, the main role for the biosynthesis pathway of unsaturated fatty acids. Although some studies have investigated the LOX gene family in several species including arabidopsis, soybean, peanut and apple, there is no information from Pistachio; and the phylogeny of this gene family in the Pistacia genus is still not determined. In this study, Arabidopsis thaliana LOX1 gene (NCBI Reference Sequence: NM_104376.3) was selected and used as a query sequence for performing a BLASTN search. Among all sequence query which was found by NCBI platform, 9 sequences were selected for further analysis. Phylogenetic tree of full-length LOX gene sequences from the Pistacia genus was constructed using the Maximum Likelihood method with MEGA software. By using phylogenic analysis, we identified variations in gene structure and revealed the phylogenetic evolutionary relationship of this gene family. Additionally, this may serve as a reference value for assessing the genetic relationships among various LOX genes in Pistacia genus species. This variations provides us the possibility the design the primer to achieve us to find the exact LOX gene in Pistacia genus and future research on the evolutionary history and transgenic research on LOX genes.

A field experiment was conducted at the Agronomy farm of Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), Khumaltar, Lalitpur to evaluate the effect of sowing dates and seed rates on yield and yield attributes of wheat. The experiment was laid in a split-plot design with three replications treated with 4 sowing dates as the main plot factor (12th Nov, 27th Nov, 12th Dec, and 27th Dec) and 4 seed rates as subplot factor (100 kg ha-1, 120 kg ha-1, 140 kg ha-1 and 160 kg ha-1). Results revealed that the leaf area index was significantly affected by sowing dates and was comparatively superior in 2nd sowing date (27th Nov) wheat. Similarly, in the case of seed rates, the leaf area index was influenced significantly and was recorded to be increasing with an increase in seed rates. Phenological parameters like days to 50% heading, flowering, and maturity were observed maximum (116, 123, and 179 days, respectively) in early sown wheat and reduced with the subsequent delay in sowing. Maximum values of yield and yield attributes like effective tillers per meter square (635.6), spike length (9.56 cm), grains per spike (41.49), grain yield (7.59 Mt ha-1), and straw yield (9.58 Mt ha-1) were observed in the wheat sown in 2nd date (on 27th Nov) which differed significantly to wheat sown on other dates. Seed rates had no significant influence on grain yield and yield attributes. Thousand-grain weight was found maximum (46.26 g) in early sown wheat (on 12th Nov sown wheat, reduced with the subsequent delay in sowing, and the harvest index was observed as maximum (0.51) under December 27 sown wheat. Though the yield and its attributes were not influenced significantly by seed rate, the maximum yield (6.18 Mt ha-1) was observed in wheat sown at the rate of 120 kg ha-1. Considering seed yield and its parameters, 2nd date of sowing wheat (27th Nov) and seed rate of 100 kg ha-1 could be the best option to uplift the productivity of wheat in rainfed lowland conditions of Lalitpur, Nepal.

Air pollution can be defined as the accumulation of gas, air, or particulate matter released as a result of fuel residues and chemical processes in the atmosphere in amounts that harm the lives of living things. Rapid urbanization, industrialization, increase in the number of motor vehicles, meteorological conditions, fuels used for heating, and the spread of industrial establishments and thermal power plants play an important role in the increase in air pollution. Air pollution is a major environmental problem affecting people in both developed and developing countries, and it is estimated that megacities in developing countries, and a quarter of the world's population are exposed to unhealthy concentrations of air pollutants. People living in cities with high outdoor air pollution are more likely to suffer from heart disease, respiratory problems, and lung cancer than those living in urban areas with clean air. In the industrialized western world, urban air pollution is in some respects in its final stages, with a dramatic decline in SO2 and soot levels. The increase in the number of private vehicles is a newly emerging problem. Rapid urbanization in most developing countries has so far led to uncontrolled growth and environmental degradation. Air pollution levels are still rising in many cities. In this study, air quality was tried to be measured along Dr. Sami Yağız Street, which is one of the most heavily used areas of Niğde. H2S, O2 and CO measurements were made at 25 points at equal intervals on both sides of the street. Measurements were made at a total of 4 different time periods per day. The obtained values were transferred to ArcGIS 10.3 software and maps were produced. Measurement of gases other than H2S is not distributed homogeneously along the street, and traffic density and the businesses on the sides of the street cause changes in the rates of the gases.

Agroforestry is a conventional method of land use that could help to address agricultural environmental issues. In order to take advantage of the ensuing ecological and economic interactions, agroforestry is the technique of consciously integrating woody vegetation (trees or shrubs) with crop and/or animal systems. According to recent studies, the global agri-food industry may reach more sustainable methods of producing food and fiber by adopting agroforestry techniques and principles more widely. This would benefit farmers economically and would benefit society as a whole in terms of the environment. Agroforestry promotes eco-intensification based on resource efficiency and offers a wide range of provisioning, regulating, cultural, supporting ecosystem services, and environmental advantages. In this review, we discussed agroforestry with its advantages and developments.

The edible insect sector has, in recent times, gained significant prominence and attention. Particularly, the government of Kenya has made remarkable steps to achieve a potentially large and valuable edible insect market, with a significant milestone being the passing of regulations on edible insects as a new source of proteins. However, research on the edible insect marketing environment is still indistinct. Therefore, the study sought to evaluate the determinants of the market outlets preferred or used by smallholder farmers and traders of domesticated and field-collected edible insects (including cricket, bees, winged termites, lake flies, and dung beetle) in Siaya and Vihiga counties. This cross-sectional study was done among 188 edible insects’ farmers and traders. Purposive sampling identified the study area, while snowball sampling reached the study participants. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using multinomial logit regression to assess independent-dependent variable relationships, yielding marginal effects. Study findings showed that at 95% confidence interval, the yield was significant to the three outlets used by the farmers. Gender was significant to both institution and open-air markets outlets but insignificant to selling at the farm gate. Age, education level, and experience in marketing were insignificant to all the three market outlets. Marketing training was significant to the institution and open-air markets. The study also showed that farmers and traders had limited choices to sell their edible insect produce, which was majorly affected by yield and age variables. In view of these findings, enhancing edible insect marketing and training through initiatives that would increase production among farmers and breaking the attitudes toward open-air marketing among male farmers is pivotal to the thriving of the novel food enterprise towards achieving food security in the region.

This study aims to define the concept of office spaces and their requirements, as well as the contemporary interior design approaches. It will also cover the interior design and application process for an architecture office in Konya. The company, originally named Çınar Architecture and active in Konya between 1985 and 1990, has been operating as Kerimler Planning Construction Consultancy Company in Konya since 1995. The company requested an interior architecture project for their new location. In the current environment, the office is starting to become outdated and is unable to offer users enough physical amenities. The main goal of the new office’s interior design was to create areas where employers and employees could collaborate in a welcoming and adaptable setting without facing any kind of discrimination. In Konya Meram Pirebi District, the Menekşe Apartment’s ground floor, which is currently a street-level store, is the site of the project, which occupies a total of 280 m2 and consists of a ground + basement. The office occupies 145 square meters on the ground floor of a recently constructed building, with glass extending to the open floor on the south, north, and west facades. The room has a very large opening because the columns are concealed by the walls, making the two stories easily visible from the entrance. The office, which occupies a 135 m2 basement floor, is connected to the elevator and staircase at the back. Natural light enters the basement through the gallery area that is attached to the staircase. Within the parameters of the study, two- and three-dimensional architectural design tools, including phases of the interior design process, were employed in conjunction with a qualitative research method based on inspection and observation. The architectural office put it into practice about half a year after the design stage. The outcome was the creation of a dynamic, modern office analysis that values teamwork and permits the emergence of unique and creative ideas throughout the project.

Functional foods are the name given to food groups that, when consumed, have beneficial effects such as promoting and maintaining metabolic health and preventing diseases, rather than just meeting nutritional needs. Rock samphire (Crithmum maritimum L.), is a plant that grows naturally in the Mediterranean and Aegean regions of Turkey and on the coasts of Cyprus, has been consumed in these regions for many years. The consumption of the rock samphire, which draws attention with its high iodine and bioactive component content, has been limited to the regions where it grows. In this study, the local consumption habits, recipes of the rock samphire plant and the awareness of its functional properties were determined. In the study, six different recipes were obtained from the local people. Traditional products prepared according to the recipes were photographed by the authors. In addition, twenty local people were interviewed and it was determined that consumers were informed about the functional properties of the rock samphire and that these properties motivated consumers to consume the plant. As a result of the study, it was concluded that the integration of locally-consumed rock samphire into the daily diets by introducing them into non-regional cuisines would contribute positively to the general public health and the economy of the region.

Yam (Dioscorea spp) occupies an important place in the diet of the populations of Côte d’Ivoire. It is a real source of starch and therefore generates enormous commercial potential. However, the decrease in production due to pest attacks represents a real threat to this crop. This study was conducted with the aim of improving yam production in Côte d’Ivoire. To do so, isolations carried out on yam leaves showing symptoms of foliar diseases have allowed us to identify 9 fungal genera. These were Colletotrichum sp., Fusarium sp., Pestalotiopsis sp., Pestalotia sp., Botryodiplodia sp., Aspergillus sp., Mucor sp., Curvularia sp. and Phytophtora sp. Among these fungi, the genus Colletotrichum sp. was the most isolated with a rate of 56% followed by the Fusarium and Pestalotia genera (8%). Pathogenicity tests performed on healthy leaves of two yam varieties revealed that the Dioscorea alata is more susceptible to fungi compared to Dioscorea rotundata. The largest average diameter of necrosis was caused by Pestalotiopsis sp. (5.97 cm) on the Dioscorea alata variety while the smallest was caused by Colletotrichum sp.9 on Dioscorea rotundata (0.5 cm). Combatting these fungi need to be developed for effective management of leaf diseases of yam in Côte d’Ivoire.