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Aims This study aims to develop a piezoelectric drug delivery system based on hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets (hBNs). Materials and methods hBNs were synthesized using the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method and characterized through imaging and spectroscopic techniques. Their piezoelectric properties were evaluated to confirm their functionality. Subsequently, the potential of hBNs as nanocarriers was assessed through in vitro experiments with doxorubicin (Dox) as a model drug. Results The piezoelectric hBNs were successfully synthesized and exhibited efficient loading and controlled release of Dox. In vitro experiments conducted on PC3 (human prostate cancer) and PNT1A (normal adult prostate epithelial) cell lines demonstrated that ultrasound (US)-induced Dox-loaded hBNs (hBN-Dox) significantly inhibited the proliferation of prostate cancer cells, achieving efficacy at a much lower Dox concentration compared to conventional methods. The system enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, impaired cancer cell colony formation, and induced both early and late apoptosis. Conclusions These findings highlight the potential of piezoelectric hBNs as nanocarriers for efficient drug delivery, leveraging the synergistic effect of piezoelectricity-induced drug release and the degradation products of hBNs in biological media. Their ability to enhance drug efficacy while reducing the required dose holds promise for advanced cancer therapies. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate fourth-grade students image of current science teaching by using a Draw-A-Science-Teacher-Test Checklist (DASTT-C), and give a glance whether the new restructured science education reform in Turkey is implemented successfully or not. Fifty-five (34 girls and 21 boys) fourth-grade students from three different primary schools participated in this study. The results of study showed that 18.2% of Turkish fourth-grade students view their science classrooms as student-centered, 56.4% as neither student-centered nor teacher-centered, and 25.4% as teacher-centered. These results indicate that Turkey is in the process of a big positive change, and that traditional education perspective started switching over to constructivist perspective, while attempts for implementing the reform put emphasis on elementary teachers and their professional development. (Contains 5 figures.)

Providing a sustainable distance education is paramouth of importance as a highly complex process requieing the involvement of various stakeholders. The purpose of this study is to investigate the criteria affecting the sustainability of distance education (DE) in higher education institutions, and to understand the differences in several internal stakeholders' perspectives in DE via a combined group decision making approach of neutrosophic Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Copeland. The criteria affecting the sustainability of DE are identified via an in-depth literature review and expert opinions. Next, bibliometric analysis is conducted to illustrate the gap in the literature and justify the novelty of the suggested approach. Then, a novel integrated neutrosophic AHP and Copeland approach is developed to rank critical success factors by internal stakeholder's perspective. The results integrate all internal stakeholder perspectives to evaluate and improve DE. The findings can guide the practitioners to develop DE planning. The contributions of this study stem from (i) discussing DE sustainability in higher education institutions, (ii) proposing a novel neutrosophic AHP-Copeland approach, (iii) presenting all internal stakeholders, (iv) addressing the uncertainty via truth, falsity and, indeterminacy memberships autonomously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study focused on the anti‐oxidant and anti‐apoptotic effects of CoQ10 in ovaries exposed to pelvic radiation. Methods: Thirty‐two female rats were randomly assigned into four groups. Group I (control group), Group II: Only 2 Gy pelvic x‐ray irradiation (IR) was administered as a single fractioned dose. Group III: 30 mg/kg CoQ10 was administered by oral gavage +2 Gy pelvic IR. Group IV: 150 mg/kg CoQ10 was administered by oral gavage +2 Gy pelvic IR. CoQ10 treatment was started 7 days before pelvic IR and completed 7 days later. The rats in Group III and IV were treated with CoQ10 for a total of 14 days. Results: Histopathological analysis showed severe damage to the ovarian tissue in the radiation group, while both doses of CoQ10 showed normal histological structure. Likewise, while there was a high level of staining in the IR group for necrosis and apoptosis, the CoQ10 treated ones were like the control group. Tissue Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were like the control group in the low‐dose CoQ10 group, while the MDA levels of the high dose CoQ10 group were similar to the radiation group. Conclusion: Usage of low‐dose CoQ10 has a radioprotective effect on radiation‐induced ovarian damage. Although the use of high doses is morphologically radioprotective, no antioxidative effect was observed in the biochemical evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the teaching practice on pre-service elementary teachers' science teaching efficacy and classroom management beliefs. The subjects were 185 pre-service elementary teachers from two different universities in Izmir. In this study, Science Teaching Efficacy Belief Instrument (STEBI-B) and the Attitudes and Beliefs on Classroom Control (ABCC) instruments were utilized to collect data. Results of the study indicated that almost all pre-service elementary teachers had high self-efficacy beliefs regarding science teaching. In addition, teaching experience did not affect pre-service elementary teachers science teaching efficacy beliefs. However, pre-service elementary teachers' classroom management beliefs tended to change with the teaching practice. While pre-service teachers' beliefs related to instructional management decrease with teaching practice, their People Management beliefs increase with teaching practice. (Contains 4 tables.)

The purpose of this study is to investigate elementary pre-service teachers' image of science teaching, analyze the gender differences in image of science teaching, and evaluate restructured 2004 education reform by using a Draw-A-Science-Teacher-Test Checklist (DASTT-C). Two hundred thirteen (213) pre-service elementary teachers from three different western universities participated in the data collection for this study. The results of study showed that Turkish elementary pre-service teachers' perspective of science teaching style is 20% student-centered, 41% teacher-centered, and 39% between student-centered and teacher-centered. These results give some vital concerns regarding the preparation of future elementary teachers and the in-service development of teaching practice. (Contains 2 tables and 5 figures.)

The formulation of drugs requires active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), which can be combined with some excipients, which are not considered pharmacologically active and could have different roles in a drug formulation. Glukofen, a generic name as a biguanide antidiabetic, is used for treating type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, mainly in overweight patients when dietary management and exercise do not help in adequate glycemic control. In Glukofen formulation, metformin-HCl as an API and some excipients such as povidone, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, and titanium dioxide are combined. The goal of this study is in vitro investigation of the effects of Glukofen and metformin-HCl on the human bronchial epithelial cell line (Beas-2b). To observe and compare their toxic effects and uptake into cells, cytotoxicity assay and flow cytometry experiments were carried out. The obtained results from this study showed that any toxic effects of both Glukofen and metformin-HCl on Beas-2b cells were not obtained. In addition, uptake of Glukofen into cells was observed more than metformin-HCl. It is evident that the incorporation of excipients to metformin-HCl results in a significant rise in cell proliferation and uptaking into cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]