PAN-based activated carbon nanofiber/metal oxide composites for CO2 and CH4 adsorption: influence of metal oxide

In the present study, we successfully prepared two different electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) based-activated carbon nanofiber (ACNF) composites by incorporation of well-distributed Fe₂O₃ and Co₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs). The influence of metal oxide on the structural, morphological, and textural properties of final composites was thoroughly investigated. The results showed that the morphological and textural properties could be easily tuned by changing the metal oxide NPs. Even though, the ACNF composites were not chemically activated by any activation agent, they presented relatively high surface areas (S_BET) calculated by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) equation as 212.21 and 185.12 m²/g for ACNF/Fe₂O₃ and ACNF/Co₃O₄ composites, respectively. Furthermore, the ACNF composites were utilized as candidate adsorbents for CO₂ and CH₄ adsorption. The ACNF/Fe₂O₃ and ACNF/Co₃O₄ composites resulted the highest CO₂ adsorption capacities of 1.502 and 2.166 mmol/g at 0 °C, respectively, whereas the highest CH₄ adsorption capacities were obtained to be 0.516 and 0.661 mmol/g at 0 °C by ACNF/Fe₂O₃ and ACNF/Co₃O₄ composites, respectively. The isosteric heats calculated lower than 80 kJ/mol showed that the adsorption processes of CO₂ and CH₄ were mainly dominated by physical adsorption for both ACNF composites. Our findings indicated that ACNF-metal oxide composites are useful materials for designing of CO₂ and CH₄ adsorption systems.

Rhenium/rhenium oxide nanoparticles production using femtosecond pulsed laser ablation in liquid

In this study, rhenium/rhenium oxide nanoparticles (Re / ReO₃ NPs) have been produced for the first time in ultrapure water by using Femtosecond Pulsed Laser Ablation in Liquid (fsPLAL) method. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) measurements and results obtained for NPs show the existence of well-crystallized peaks and preferred phases. Re NPs have hexagonal structure while ReO₃ NPs have the perovskite-like cubic crystal structures. The Re / ReO₃ ratio is also determined to be 53 / 47 with ~ 20 nm crystallite size, while pure ReO₃ crystallite sizes were measured to be ~ 25 nm. The TEM results have shown that the produced particles have a spherical shape, and particle sizes changes between ~ 20 nm and ~ 60 nm. The crystallite size is similar due to XRD results. Obtained nanoparticles exhibit promising applications for photonic devices with broad bandgap values which have measured to be 4.71 eV for Re / ReO₃ NPs mixture and 4.36 eV for pure ReO₃ NPs.

Low Work Function Lacunary Polyoxometalates as Electron Transport Interlayers for Inverted Polymer Solar Cells of Improved Efficiency and Stability

Effective interface engineering has been shown to play a vital role in facilitating efficient charge-carrier transport, thus boosting the performance of organic photovoltaic devices. Herein, we employ water-soluble lacunary polyoxometalates (POMs) as multifunctional interlayers between the titanium dioxide (TiO₂) electron extraction/transport layer and the organic photoactive film to simultaneously enhance the efficiency, lifetime, and photostability of polymer solar cells (PSCs). A significant reduction in the work function (W_F) of TiO₂ upon POM utilization was observed, with the magnitude being controlled by the negative charge of the anion and the selection of the addenda atom (W or Mo). By inserting a POM interlayer with ∼10 nm thickness into the device structure, a significant improvement in the power conversion efficiency was obtained; the optimized POM-modified poly[[4,8-bis[(2-ethylhexyl)oxy]benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene-2,6-diyl][3-fluoro-2-[(2- 33 ethylhexyl)carbonyl]thieno[3,4-b]thiophenediyl]]:[6,6]-phenyl-C₇₀ butyric acid methyl ester (PTB7:PC₇₀BM)-based PSCs exhibited an efficiency of 8.07%, which represents a 21% efficiency enhancement compared to the reference TiO₂ cell. Similar results were obtained in POM-modified devices based on poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) with electron acceptors of different energy levels, such as PC₇₀BM or indene-C₆₀ bisadduct (IC₆₀BA), which enhanced their efficiency up to 4.34 and 6.21%, respectively, when using POM interlayers; this represents a 25-33% improvement as compared to the reference cells. Moreover, increased lifetime under ambient air and improved photostability under constant illumination were observed in POM-modified devices. Detailed analysis shows that the improvements in efficiency and stability synergistically stem from the reduced work function of TiO₂ upon POM coverage, the improved nanomorphology of the photoactive blend, the reduced interfacial recombination losses, the superior electron transfer, and the more effective exciton dissociation at the photoactive layer/POM/TiO₂ interfaces.

A Patient- and Family-Centered Care Approach to Orthodontics: Assessment of Feedbacks from Orthodontic Patients and Their Families

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate orthodontic patients and their families' clinical satisfaction and their perception of dentists in the framework of the Patient and Family Centered Care (PFCC) concept.

Methods

The study population comprised patients treated at the Orthodontics clinic and their families. A mixed method research with quantitative and qualitative components was employed by conducting questionnaires with 62 patients and 65 parents. Collected data were recorded on the computer, and analyses were performed.

Results

A majority of the patients who received treatment at our clinic were high school graduates, while their parents were university graduates. The patient's and their parents' overall satisfaction were similar. We also found that the patients and their parents expected doctors to have ethical perception and professional behavior in the treatment process.

Conclusion

According to the results obtained from the survey questionnaires, the patients and their parents expect a dentist to have the following qualities: courtesy, friendliness, respect, punctuality, communication skills, and knowledgeableness. Dentists can optimize clinical and patient satisfaction by providing care and attention based on the principles of patient centered care (PCC) and PFCC and shaped in accordance with the expectations of the patients and their parents.

The Synthesis of Styrene-Oligoester Copolymer and Investigation of Their Physico-mechanical Properties

<p>The copolymerization reaction of commercial propylene oxide with glycidylmethacrilate in the presence of BF₃·O(C₂H₅)₂ catalyst have been investigated. The composition and structure of copolymerization products and anchored functional groups have been determined using IR and gel chromatographic methods. The physico-mechanical properties and utility of polyfunctional unsaturated oligoester were investigated. The obtained thermoset product via the reaction of the oligoester with both styrene and oligostyrene obtained from the bottom of column as a waste material during the rectification operation of styrene in the presence of radicalic initiator has a good adhesion capability, hardness and high heat and water resistance. Thus the waste material was converted to the high valuable polymeric material.</p>

Biocompatibility evaluation of orthodontic composite by real-time cell analysis

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of three different light-cured orthodontic composites.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Light Bond (Reliance orthodontic products), Grengloo (Ormco corporation), and Kurasper F (Kuraray Europe GmbH) were selected for the experiment. Specimens were prepared according to the manufacturers' instructions, measuring 5 mm in diameter and 2 mm in thickness. Fibroblast cells were obtained from healthy gingival connective tissues. The composite cylinders were incubated in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's culture medium for 72 h according to ISO 10993-5 standards. The xCELLigence method was used to evaluate fibroblast cell vitality. After seeding 200 mL of the cell suspensions into the wells (20,000 cells/well) of the E-plate 96, gingival fibroblasts were treated with bioactive components released by the orthodontic composite materials and monitored every 15 min for 121 h.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the human gingival fibroblast (HGF) cell indexes of the control and all testing groups (p > 0.05) at 24 and 48 h. Light Bond demonstrated statistically significant decrease in HGF index (p < 0.05) at 72 h, but there was no significant difference among the Kurasper F, Grengloo, and untreated control groups (p > 0.05). Light Bond (p < 0.001) and Grengloo (p < 0.05) groups had lower HGF cell index values when compared to untreated control group, but Kurasper F demonstrated no significant differences between the control groups at 96 h (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Orthodontic composite materials include biologically active components and may change oral tissue. So, biocompatible orthodontic bonding composites should be used.

Micro-CT evaluation of microleakage under orthodontic ceramic brackets bonded with different bonding techniques and adhesives

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate microleakage under orthodontic ceramic brackets bonded with direct and different indirect bonding techniques and adhesives using micro-computed tomography.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 30 human maxillary premolars were randomly separated into five groups with six teeth in each group. In group I, teeth were bonded directly with Transbond XT (3M Unitek). In group II, group III, group IV, and group V, teeth were bonded through an indirect technique with Custom I.Q. (Reliance Orthodontic Products), Sondhi Rapid-Set (3M Unitek), RMbond (RMO), and Transbond IDB (3M Unitek), respectively, following the manufacturer's instructions. Micro-CT system model 1172 of Skyscan (Kontich, Belgium) was used to scan all samples. NRecon (Skyscan) version 1.6, CT-Analyser V.1.11 (Skyscan), and TView (SkyScan, Bvba) software programs were used for microleakage evaluation. Microleakage values between the test groups were assessed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, while the Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for within-group comparisons. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05.

RESULTS

According to the Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance test, there were no significant differences among the tested groups, with regard to volume and percentage (microleakage/region of interest × 100) of microleakage values (P < 0.05). The Wilcoxon signed rank test showed that coronal microleakage volume and percentage values significantly differed for RMbond and Transbond IDB groups.

LIMITATIONS

In the study, only ceramic brackets were used and microleakage into mini gaps did not show up on the micro-CT image because 50% silver nitrate solution could not penetrate into mini gaps which are smaller than silver nitrate particles.

CONCLUSION

Use of direct and indirect bonding techniques with different adhesives did not significantly affect the amount of microleakage.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of sciatic nerves in patients with spinal cord injury

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional, controlled study.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the sciatic nerves of subjects with spinal cord injury (SCI) by using ultrasound (US) imaging and to explore whether US measurements are associated with clinical and electrophysiological findings.

SETTING

National Rehabilitation Center in Ankara, Turkey.

METHODS

Fifteen SCI subjects (12 male (M), 3 female (F)) and 23 (16 M, 7 F) healthy controls were included in the study. After clinical assessment of the subjects, lower limb nerve conduction studies and US imaging of the sciatic nerves were performed. Cross-sectional area (CSA) values of the sciatic nerves were correlated with the clinical and electrophysiologic data.

RESULTS

Mean CSA values were lower in the patient group when compared with the control group (P=0.042). Reduced compound motor action potentials regarding tibial and peroneal nerves were observed in the patient group (P=0.003 and P=0.005, respectively). US measurements did not correlate with the electrophysiological findings. However, sciatic nerve CSA values were positively correlated with body mass index in the control (r=0.534, P<0.05) and patient (r=0.482, P<0.05) groups.

CONCLUSION

Sciatic nerves seem to be smaller in subjects with SCI. Together with our electrophysiological data, this preliminary finding could possibly be attributed to primary axonal loss.

Intermittent catheterization in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury: obstacles, worries, level of satisfaction

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to examine the obstacles in people with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) face performing intermittent catheterization (IC), also their worries and level of satisfaction.

METHODS

Two hundred sixty-nine patients performing IC for at least 3 months were asked to fill-out a questionnaire about their opinions on IC.

RESULTS

In total, 69.5% of patients performed IC themselves, 10.4% had performed by their mothers, 7.8% by another caregiver and 7.4% by their spouse. For the 72 (26%) patients unable to apply IC, reasons were insufficient hand function (56.1%), being unable to sit appropriately (35.4%) and spasticity (8.5%). In all, 70% of male patients had insufficient hand function, 20% could not sit and 10% had spasticity while 56.3% of female patients could not sit, 37.5% had insufficient hand function and 63% had spasticity. Difference between sexes was found to be statistically significant (P<0.05). Worries patients had when starting IC were fear of being dependent on IC (50.2%), accidentally injuring self (43.8%), embarrassment (43.2%), causing an infection (40.2%), bleeding (32.7%), fear of feeling pain (30.2%) and hygiene (24.7%). More women felt embarrassment; other items were similar in both sexes. In all, 46.9% of patients had urinary incontinence in intervals.

CONCLUSION

In total, 69.5% of patients performed IC themselves. Men's most common obstacle was insufficient hand function while women's was being unable to sit appropriately. Patients' most common worries were being dependent on IC for life. In all, 46.9% had incontinence in intervals; 47.9% said IC improved their life quality; and 97.4% preferred IC over continuous catheterization.

Tuberculous meningitis: a report of 60 adult cases

OBJECTIVE

This was to evaluate the history, clinical and laboratory findings, outcome and prognosis of patients with tuberculous meningitis (TBM).

METHOD

Between 1998 and 2009, 60 patients with TBM were evaluated, retrospectively.

RESULTS

Overall, 60 patients were selected, of which 33 (55%) were male. The patients' ages ranged from 14 to 62 years. In the majority of the patients, disease was in an advanced stage on admission (66% in stage III according to the British Research Council neurological criteria). The rate of complications was highest among patients in stages II and III with an overall mortality rate of 6.6% (n = 2 of stage II patients and n = 2 of stage III patients).

CONCLUSIONS

Earlier admission of the patients with TBM could provide better outcomes with regard to sequelae and mortality. Fatal cases presented with rapid deterioration and were refractory to treatment.

Effects of maternal left lateral position and rest on amniotic fluid index: a prospective clinical study

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effect of both maternal rest and activity on the amniotic fluid index (AFI).

STUDY DESIGN

Power analysis indicated that in order to achieve 20 mm of increase in AFI with 90% of power at one side alpha of 0.01, we needed at least 51 women in each group. The study group was comprised of pregnant women (n = 152) with a normal AFI and a singleton pregnancy at 26-40 weeks' gestation. Their AFI was determined by averaging the 2 repetitive measurements of the 4 amniotic fluid quadrants. The "rest" group (n = 77) was instructed to lie and rest in the left lateral position, and the "mild activity" group (n = 75) was instructed to sit and walk.

RESULTS

AFI increased significantly, from 151.25 +/- 37.40 mm to 173.79 +/- 39.76 mm, in the "rest" group (p = 0.00). However, the change from 153.69 +/- 37.94 to 152.34 +/- 36.62 mm was not significant in the "mild activity" group (p = 0.167).

CONCLUSION

Maternal rest in the left lateral position increases the AFI.

Simultaneous complex regional pain syndrome of the upper and lower limb in a stroke patient. Case report

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a clinical condition charactarized by localised or diffuse pain accompanied with vasomotor, sudomotor and trophic changes in the affected part of the body. CRPS type-1 (CRPS-1) is a disabling problem after stroke and it is frequently reported in plegic upper limb. Although hemiplegia also involve the lower limb only a small number of patients reported to have CRPS-1 in the ipsilateral lower limb simultaneously in the literature. In this article a 70 year-old left hemiplegic woman secondary to ischemic stroke who had a complaint of constant and severe pain in quality of sharp stinging of left arm and leg for approximately 2 months and diagnosed as CRPS-1 in both upper and lower plegic limb simultaneously is presented. By the combination of medical and physical therapy the symptoms and signs resolved within 5 weeks and increased participation to the rehabilitation program is observed.

Real-time cell analysis of the cytotoxicity of the components of orthodontic acrylic materials on gingival fibroblasts

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of 3 orthodontic acrylic materials and 2 manipulation methods.

METHODS

The orthodontic acrylic materials Orthocryl EQ (Dentaurum, Ispringen, Germany), Orthoplast (Vertex Dental, Zeist, The Netherlands), and O-80 (Imicryl, Konya, Turkey) were prepared with 2 polymerization methods (doughing and spray on). Totally, 60 cylinders (5 × 2 mm), fabricated by using a different acrylic and method, were divided into 6 groups. Gingival fibroblasts were isolated from gingival connective tissue of systemically healthy subjects. Materials were incubated in Dulbecco's modified eagle's medium culture medium (Biological Industries, Beit Haemek, Israel) for 72 hours according to ISO 10993-5 standards (surface area to volume ratio of the specimen to cell-culture medium: 3 cm(2)/mL). Gingival fibroblasts were maintained with Dulbecco's modified eagle medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum. A real-time cell analyzer (RT-CES, xCELLigence; Roche Applied Science, Mannheim, Germany, and ACEA Biosciences, San Diego, Calif) was used to evaluate cell survival. After seeding 200 μL of the cell suspensions into the wells (20,000 cells/well) of the E-plate 96, gingival fibroblasts were treated with bioactive components released by the acrylic materials (1/1 and 1/2 dilutions) and monitored every 15 minutes for 121 hours. For the proliferation experiments, the statistical analyses used were 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey-Kramer multiple comparisons tests.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the cell indexes of the control and study groups for the 1/1 and 1/2 dilutions at 21 and 32 hours. When evaluated at 68 hours, all 1/2 dilutions of acrylic materials showed statistically insignificant differences (P >0.05) except for Orthoplast (P <0.05). But all acrylic materials were different from the control group in the 1/1 dilutions (P <0.001). At 121 hours, all test groups were significantly different from the untreated control group (P <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that the long cycle increased the cytotoxicity of the tested materials, and there was no significant difference between the spray-on and doughing methods on cytotoxicity.

Immobilization of oxime derivative on silica gel for the preparation of new adsorbent

A new silica gel compound modified 4,4'-oxy-bis(chlorophenylglyoxime) (CPGO) was synthesized and characterized by infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. The sorption capacity of such a matrix towards Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) from aqueous solutions was studied. The optimum pH values for the separation of these divalent cations on the sorbent were 5.0, 6.0 and 6.0 for Cu, Co and Ni, respectively. The process of metal separation was followed by batch method, and fitted to a Langmuir and Freundlich sorption isotherms. The maximum sorption capacities (0.055, 0.042, and 0.034 mmol g(-1)) were found from the Langmuir equation and the enthalpies of binding were 44.96, 71.63, and 68.14 kJ mol(-1) for Cu, Co and Ni, respectively. The other thermodynamic parameters calculated from the adsorption results were used to explain the mechanism of the adsorption. For example, the Gibbs free energies of binding agree with the spontaneity of the proposed reaction between cations and basic centers.

Occupation in spinal cord injury patients in Turkey

STUDY DESIGN

A cross-sectional survey.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the changes in the occupation of patients after spinal cord injury (SCI) and the factors that cause this change.

SUBJECTS

The study involved 192 Turkish patients (41 female, 151 male) who had suffered SCI. The mean age of patients was 36.1+/-12.0 years. The mean follow-up time was 43.4+/-38.0 months. Before injury, 138 patients were employed in gainful occupations, 26 patients were housewives, 10 were retired, 7 were students and 11 patients were unemployed. Only 15 patients (7.8%) returned to their original occupations after injury. Thirteen patients (6.8%) are currently working in another job; 1 patient (0.5%) is a student; 10 (5.2%) are retired as was earlier; 40 (20.8%) are retired on grounds of disability; 26 (13.5%) are housewives; and 87 patients (45.3%) are currently unemployed.

METHODS

Prospective data collection through a face-to-face interview on an established SCI Turkish sample.

RESULTS

In our study, the rate of returning to work was found to be 14.6%. In the evaluation of factors affecting return to work after injury, educational level (P=0.00), pre-injury employment (P=0.01) and bladder-emptying method (P=0.03) were statistically significantly correlated with return to work.

CONCLUSION

In this study, education, pre-injury employment and bladder-emptying method were found to be important factors in returning to work after SCI.

Association of endothelial nitric oxide synthase promoter region (T-786C) gene polymorphism with acute coronary syndrome and coronary heart disease

BACKGROUND

Nitric oxide (NO) is an endothelium derived relaxing factor (EDRF) which has an important role for regulating the heart-vessel physiology. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the eNOS T-786C polymorphism on lipid parameters and the development of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and coronary heart disease (CHD) for the first time in a Turkish study group. We have analyzed the genotype frequencies of the T-786C polymorphism of the eNOS gene in 10 ACS patients (5 men, 5 women), 20 CHD patients (14 men, 6 women), and 31 controls (10 men, 21 women), who were angiographically proven to have normal coronaries.

RESULTS

The demographic, biochemical and left ventricule systolic dysfunction data of the ACS, CHD patients and controls were analyzed as a function of eNOS T-786C genotypes. The eNOS gene T-786C polymorphism frequencies for T/T, C/T and C/C genotypes were respectively 10%, 40%, 50% in subjects with ACS; 75%, 20%, 5% in subjects with CHD and 67.7%, 25.8%, 6.5% in the control group. Significant difference was observed in genotype frequencies between the study groups for T-786C polymorphism (p = 0.001). The CC genotype frequency was found to be the most prevalent in ACS group in comparison to CHD and control groups (p = 0.001). TT was the most frequently observed genotype in both CHD patients and controls (p = 0.001). Left ventricule systolic dysfunction frequency was found to be highest in C/T genotype carriers (66.7%) in patients (ACS+CHD). None of the patients with LVSD were carrying the normal genotype (T/T). The eNOS T-786C polymorphism was not found to be effective over any analyzed lipid variable in patients (ACS+CHD). The HDL-cholesterol levels were found to be lower in CHD group were compared to controls (p < 0.01), whereas glucose and leucocyte levels of the ACS and CHD groups were both higher than controls (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The significantly high frequency of eNOS -786C/C genotype in ACS patients than in those of controls, indicate the genotype association with ACS. The finding of significantly high frequency of T/T genotype in the CHD group, may support the relationship of CC genotype with ACS without CHD. The high frequency of the mutant (C/C) and heterozygous (C/T) genotypes found may be linked to left ventricule remodeling after MI.

Silica gel functionalized with 4-phenylacetophynone 4-aminobenzoylhydrazone: Synthesis of a new chelating matrix and its application as metal ion collector

The silica gel surface immobilized with 4-phenylacetophynone 4-aminobenzoylhydrazone (PAAH) after surface modification by 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane (CPTS). The modified silica gel was used for sorption of Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) in aqueous solution. The effect of solution pH, sorption time, temperature and initial metal ion concentration onto metal ions sorption was investigated. The characteristics of the sorption process were evaluated by using the Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) adsorption isotherms. The sorption of metal ions onto modified silica gel correlated well with the Langmuir type adsorption isotherm and adsorption capacities were found to be 0.012, 0.014 and 0.018 mmol g(-1) for Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) metal ions, respectively. From the D-R adsorption isotherms, it was concluded that chemical interactions and chelating effects were playing an important role in the sorption of metal ions onto modified silica gel. Thermodynamic parameters such as the standard free energy change (DeltaG) degrees , enthalpy change (DeltaH degrees ) and entrophy change (DeltaS degrees ) were calculated to determine the nature of sorption process. From these parameters, DeltaH degrees were found to be endothermic values: 38.39, 18.0, and 14.7 kJ mol(-1) for the same sequence of divalent cations and DeltaS degrees values were calculated to be positive for the sorption of each metal ion onto the modified silica gel. Negative DeltaG degrees values indicated that sorption process for all metal ions were spontaneous in nature although they presented an endothermic enthalpy for the interaction, resulting in an entropically favoured process.

Using a modified nutrition plate for early intervention in a newborn infant with Pierre Robin sequence: A case report

Pierre Robin sequence is a triad of micrognathia, glossoptosis, and cleft palate that results in upper airway obstruction and feeding problems. It is a serious condition with potentially severe, life-threatening airway obstruction. Approaches for treatment of airway obstruction among neonates with Pierre Robin sequence include prone positioning of the infant, tongue-lip adhesion, mandibular distraction, and tracheostomy. This case report describes a modified nutrition plate and a baby treated using this appliance.

The effect of chelating agent on the separation of Fe(III) and Ti(IV) from binary mixture solution by cation-exchange membrane

The competitive transport of Fe(III) and Ti(IV) ions and the effect of chelating agents on separation from binary mixture solutions through charged polysulfone cation-exchange membrane (SA3S) has been studied under Donnan dialysis conditions. The amount of chelating agent was taken as an equimolar of Fe(III) ion in the feed phase. In this process, the membrane separated two electrolyte solutions: the feed solution, initially containing metal salts (Fe, Ti), or metal salts solution, containing a chelating agent, and the other side (receiver solution) being HCl solution. An external potential field is not applied. It was observed that the chelating agents affect the metal transport; the transport of Fe(III) is decreased and the transport of Ti(IV) is increased.

The sorption behavior of a nickel-insolubilized humic acid system in a column arrangement

The sorption characteristics of insolubilized humic acid (IHA) were investigated for Ni (II) in a column arrangement. The sodium form of the IHA (INaA) was used as a solid phase. Column operations were performed with five steps and all of them were monitored continuously by a flowthrough cell-adapted UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Thus, all solid-phase extraction (SPE) steps were visualized by breakthrough curves and analyses progress were evaluated. However, all calculations and evaluations were focused on the atomic absorption spectrophotometric (AAS) analyses of the solutions collected during the stripping steps. There was a high correlation (r(2), 0.972) between peak area and AAS data of stripping steps. The effect of concentration and pH of the loading solution onto sorption of Ni (II) by INaA was investigated. Sorption characteristics were evaluated by using Freundlich, Langmuir, and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) adsorption isotherms, as well as by Scatchard plot analysis. Multilayer sorption was found to be agreeable for Ni (II). From the D-R isotherm the mean free energy of sorption (E) was calculated (6.65 kJ mol(-1)) and attributed to the multilayer sorption. Finally, the sorption characteristic of the INaA-Ni (II) system was compared with that of the INaA-Cu (II) system, and possible separation of two ions in a binary mixture system is discussed.

Handedness differences in widths of right and left craniofacial regions in healthy young adults

In this work, handedness differences in the widths of right and left craniofacial regions were studied in a healthy sample of 39 male and 43 female students, 17 to 23 years old. Width of craniofacial regions was assessed by computerized tomography. Handedness was associated with the left face width especially for women. The left facial region was larger for right-handers than left-handers. The smaller measure for the left face of left-handers might be associated with an advantage of left ear sensitivity.

The effects of acute phase proteins on serum albumin, transferrin and haemoglobin in haemodialysis patients

In the present study, the effects of C-reactive protein (CRP) and ferritin on serum albumin, transferrin and haemoglobin (Hb) were assessed to investigate the relationship between inflammation, hypoalbuminaemia and anaemia in haemodialysis patients. A total of 117 patients who were followed at three haemodialysis units in Kocaeli were enrolled. The mean age was 47.83 +/- 16.85 years. The median time on dialysis was 26 (minimum 1, maximum 209) months. Serum CRP albumin and ferritin concentrations were measured in our laboratory and transferrin, urea reduction ratio (URR) and Kt/V were calculated. There was significant inverse correlation between serum CRP level and albumin (p<0.001), serum CRP and Hb (p<0.001), and serum transferrin and ferritin (p<0.05). There was significant positive correlation between serum albumin and Hb (p<0.001), serum CRP and ferritin (p<0.05), and transferrin and URR (p<0.05). Our findings suggest that inflammation is a contributor in the development of hypoalbuminaemia and anaemia in haemodialysis patients as well as malnutrition and inadequate dialysis.