Day: March 10, 2024

ANKARA: Turkish experts discovered a mutation in a protein-coding gene as a significant factor leading to chronic kidney failure in children, contributing the finding to the international medical literature for the first time. Dr. Fatih Ozaltin, faculty member of the Department of Pediatric Nephrology of Hacettepe Unversity, told Anadolu that the scientific study for the FOXD2 protein code gene was initiated in 2021 and conducted in collaboration with Istanbul University Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine and the Technical University of Munich. Ozaltin noted that two siblings diagnosed with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT), leading to chronic kidney failure, were examined at Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine. He said the children were born as a result of consanguineous marriage, prompting an investigation into genetic factors within the family. Ozaltin said the genetic studies of the research supported within the scope of the project titled, 'Investigation of New Genes in Inherited Ra re Kidney Diseases,' were carried out at Hacettepe University. 'Our scientific study led us to the FOXD2 gene. We have initiated further research on how mutations in this gene lead to CAKUT anomalies.' Gene regulates vital stages in the development of babies' kidneys Ozaltin highlighted international collaboration, revealing the identification of another family with a mutation of the same gene by Technical University of Munich. 'Through collaboration and our study, they have revealed that the FOXD2 gene plays a crucial role in 'regulating a vital stage in kidney development in fetuses.' And in the development of the urinary system,' he said. 'We have also demonstrated this through various animal experiments. We observed that in animals where the FOXD2 gene is silenced, similar kidney problems to those in humans arise.' First time in the world Ozaltin emphasized the comprehensive study's preliminary results have been published, noting that experts from Israel have reported similar cases in patients. 'We identified three different mutations in the same gene and three different families for a sporadic disease worldwide. This finding became one of the most significant pieces of evidence proving that the disorder in the FOXD2 gene is responsible for CAKUT anomaly. 'The relationship between the mutations in the FOXD2 gene was previously known, but the consequences it caused were unknown, and the CAKUT anomaly was established for the first time in the world in this study,' he said. Health issue of congenital origin 'This anomaly stands as the foremost cause of end-stage kidney failures in children, necessitating dialysis and transplantation. It is a significant health issue of congenital origin arising from developmental problems related to the kidneys in the mother's womb,' said Ozaltin. He emphasized the importance of understanding the genetic aspects of CAKUT. 'The families with the FOXD2 gene mutations that we identified could sustain their lives with relatively preserved kidney functions for a long time, but currently, they are also experiencing kidney failure. In some severe cases, babies require dialysis from the day they are born,' said Ozaltin. He also underscored the study's significance in elucidating the disease's underlying mechanisms and developing appropriate treatments. Regarding risk factors, Ozaltin highlighted consanguineous marriages as the most critical risk factor for CAKUT, stating it is not only specific to this disease but applies to all rare diseases. He added that informing families and avoiding consanguineous marriages are crucial steps in reducing the ratio of rare diseases. Source: Anadolu Agency

President Nikos Christodoulides said on Saturday evening that he will meet with UN Secretary General's personal envoy Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar on Monday. President Christodoulides was replying to journalists' questions upon his arrival at an event in Pafos. Asked whether he will receive Holguin next Monday he replied in the affirmative, saying that "I will have a meeting with Holguin, who is coming from London." He added that "it will not be the only meeting, there will be another meeting and I understand that she will be in Cyprus for about a week, ten days." President Christodoulides also said that the meeting will not be a ceremonial one, noting that "we will talk very specifically. We have some thoughts that I want to share with her and I hope to be informed of developments that will bring us closer to our sole objective, which is to resume talks from where they were interrupted as soon as possible." The President said that he also discussed the issue at length with European Commission President Ursula von den Leyen who was in Cyprus on Thursday and Friday and "as far as we have been informed, Holguin will also visit European capitals, including Brussels, seeing the role that the European Union can play and I hope, I repeat, that we will soon have positive developments." Invited to say how he interprets the reference by the European Commission President, in relation to the Cyprus issue, that Europe will stand by Cyprus, President Christodoulides said that "it is a very positive reference. Of course, I also know how it will stand by Cyprus specifically during the private meeting we had, we had the opportunity to discuss at length." He added that he would not like to elaborate in public. What I am interested in, the President continued, is the outcome and in this context "we should do more work and say less in public." Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres appointed María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar of Colombia as his personal envoy for Cyprus, to assume a Good Offices role on his behalf and search for common ground on the way forward in the Cyprus issue. Source: Cyprus News Agency

ISTANBUL: Pope Francis said Saturday that Trkiye has put forth a proposal to kickstart the peace process between Russia and Ukraine. He emphasized the crucial need not to delay talks before the situation further deteriorates. "I believe that those who see the situation, think about their people, and have the courage to raise the white flag and negotiate are stronger,' he told Italian media. 'Today, with the help of international powers, negotiation is possible. Negotiation is a courageous expression. When you are defeated, when you see things are not going well, you need to have the courage to negotiate. You hesitate, but how will this war end with how many deaths? "We need to look for a country to mediate. Today, there are many countries willing to mediate in the war in Ukraine, for example. Trkiye made a proposal to initiate the process. Do not hesitate to negotiate before things get worse,' he said. Francis, who said he talks with the Catholic community in the Gaza Strip that is under Israeli attack e very day, noted that leaders tell him about their experiences and describe it as a war. Source: Anadolu Agency

ISTANBUL: In a joint effort, the US military's Central Command and the Royal Jordanian Air Force delivered humanitarian aid to Northern Gaza, CENTCOM announced on Sunday. A 'US Air Force C-130 aircraft'' dropped over '11,500'' meals, along with 'rice, flour, pasta, and canned'' goods, providing vital supplies to civilians impacted by the 'ongoing conflict,'' said CENTCOM on X. 'The combined, joint operation included Jordanian provided meals,'' it added. This operation is part of a 'sustained effort'' by the US and its partners to ease 'human suffering'' in the region, CENTCOM also said, noting: 'We continue to plan follow on aerial deliveries." Source: Anadolu Agency

ANKARA: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen won Saturday's Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as the defending three-time champion consolidated his lead in the individual standings after winning the first two races of the 2024 season. Verstappen dominated the 50-lap Jeddah race as the Dutchman reached the checkered flag first in a time of one hour, 20 minutes and 43.273 seconds. He won the season opener March 2 in Bahrain. Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez from Mexico finished second at Jeddah Corniche Circuit, 13.643 seconds behind. Ferrari's Monegasque racer Charles Leclerc came third. Leclerc's Ferrari teammate for the Saudi Arabian GP, Oliver Bearman, 18, completed the race in the seventh spot to secure points in his debut. British teen Bearman replaced Ferrari's experienced Spanish racer Carlos Sainz as the 29-year-old missed Saturday's race because of appendicitis. Sainz required surgery, his team said. The Formula 1 will next travel to Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix on March 24, which will be R ound 3 of the season. Best 5 drivers of 2024 Driver Standings 1- Max Verstappen (The Netherlands): 51 points 2- Sergio Perez (Mexico): 36 3- Charles Leclerc (Monaco): 28 4- George Russell (Great Britain): 18 5- Oscar Piastri (Australia): 16 - Constructor Standings 1- Red Bull: 87 2- Ferrari: 49 3- McLaren: 28 4- Mercedes: 26 5- Aston Martin: 13 Source: Anadolu Agency

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (A) FOR THE PERIOD FROM 0600 10/03/2024 UNTIL 0600 11/03/2024 Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards. Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times. Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1014hPa (hectopascal) Weak low pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine but locally increased cloud will be present at times. Visibility: Good Sea surface temperature: 19°C Warnings: NIL Source: Cyprus News Agency ISTANBUL: Ukraine's top diplomat on Sunday harshly criticized Pope Francis for calling on his nation to have 'the courage to raise the white flag,' implicitly calling for its surrender to Russian forces. "The strongest is the one who, in the battle between good and evil, stands on the side of good rather than attempting to put them on the same footing and call it 'negotiations',' Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on X about the pope's remarks, made in an interview with Swiss broadcaster RSI. 'At the same time, when it comes to the white flag, we know this Vatican's strategy from the first half of the twentieth century," he added, appearing to refer to collaboration between some members of the Catholic Church and the Nazi regime. "I urge to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past and to support Ukraine and its people in their just struggle for their lives," said Kuleba. Evoking Ukraine's own flag, he added: "Our flag is a yellow and blue one. This is the flag by which we live, die, and prevail . We shall never raise any other flags.' Kuleba also said: "We thank His Holiness Pope Francis for his constant prayers for peace, and we continue to hope that after two years of devastating war in the heart of Europe, the Pontiff will find an opportunity to pay an Apostolic visit to Ukraine to support over a million Ukrainian Catholics, over five million Greek-Catholics, all Christians, and all Ukrainians." Other European leaders also took exception to Francis' remarks, including his apparent lack of criticism of Russia, which launched the war on Ukraine over two years ago. Source: Anadolu Agency

ISTANBUL: The Turkish president and the nation's top cleric on Sunday night released messages heralding the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. "I hope that the month of Ramadan, whose beginning is mercy, its middle, forgiveness, and its end, emancipation from the fires (of hell), will be beneficial for the Islamic world and our nation," President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on X, adding, 'May we have a blessed Ramadan.' Ali Erbas, the head of Trkiye's Religious Affairs Directorate, called upon the global Muslim ummah (community) to pray for an end to the suffering of people all around the world, particularly the suffering people of Gaza and East Turkestan. "Let's take full advantage of the climate of mercy of the holy month of Ramadan and pray to the Almighty Allah to end the suffering, systematic massacre, torture, and harassment in various parts of the world, especially in Palestine and East Turkestan," he said. During Ramadan, Muslims normally abstain from food, drink, smoking, and sex from sunup to sunset. Throughout the course of the fasting month, Muslims are urged to perform extra prayers, especially at night; recite the Quran; give to the poor; and refrain from misdeeds. Source: Anadolu Agency

A total of 2,247 persons, who were staying illegally in Cyprus, have been deported from the territory of the Republic of Cyprus or repatriated in 2024 until March 8, 2024, the Cyprus Police said. In a press release on Sunday, the Force said these deportations/repatriations took place in the context of the efforts of the Police to return third-country nationals to their countries of origin. It is noted that during the corresponding period last year, the total number of people deported or repatriated amounted to 1,645. The most recent joint forced-return flight took place on 5 March with the deportation of a number of persons, coordinated by the FRONTEX Agency. This is the third participation of the Cyprus Police in a joint repatriation and deportation operation of FRONTEX this year. It is noted that the efforts of the Police and the Aliens and Immigration Service to maximise the number of returns continue. Source: Cyprus News Agency