Biodegradation of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) with Bacteria Isolated from TNT-polluted Waste Pink Water

In this study, bacterial strains that can use TNT as a nitrogen source isolated from TNT contaminated pink water. We isolated 5 bacterial strains and the isolated bacteria were cultured in medium containing TNT and TNT degradation capacities of isolates were determined by spectrophotometric analysis. According to the results of the analysis that have done, 3 bacterial isolates that have high TNT degradation capacity were selected and the isolates were identified with firstly Gram-staining then with 16S rRNA sequence analysis method. According to the sequence of 16S rRNA, water isolates were identified as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (SU K2), Klebsiella pneumoniae (SU K3), Raoultella planticola (SU K4). During the TNT degradation studies, at the end of 24 h incubation time, in the medium containing 100 mg/L TNT, TNT degradation rate for SU K2, SU K3 and SU K4 were determined 70 %, 96 % and 93 % respectively. 4-aminodinitrotoluene and 2-aminodinitrotoluene accumulations were detected in the culture medium of all isolates as intermediate products formed during the degradation of TNT by HPLC analysis. Additionally, nitrite accumulation was detected in the culture medium of all isolates and the influence of temperature and pH on the degradation of TNT was also investigated. It was determined that SU K2 isolates have the highest TNT degradation capacity at 35 °C, the others have at 30 °C and all isolates degraded TNT fastest at pH 7. The results of the study show that the new isolates can be useful for the removal of TNT in a wastewater treatment system

Comparison of Gram stain and Pap smear procedures in the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics of Gram stain versus Pap smear in diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis (BV). METHODS: One-thousand and sixty women were enrolled in this study. All cases with symptoms of BV were determined by Amsel's criteria, which were accepted as the gold standard for diagnosis of BV. Pap smear and Gram stain evaluations were compared according to Amsel's criteria, without viewing the clinical results of the patients. Gram stain and Pap smear results were determined as negative or positive according to Amsel's criteria. Sensitivity, specifity and positive predictive values were calculated. RESULTS: After accepting the cases that were diagnosed as BV according to Amsel's criteria as reference cases, the sensitivity of the Gram stain method was calculated as 97% and the sensitivity of the Pap smear method as 93%. Similar specificity rates were obtained with both methods in diagnosis of BV related to the clinical results. There were no statistically significant differences in diagnosis of BV between these two groups. CONCLUSION: If Amsel's criteria are accepted as the gold standard for diagnosis of BV, Gram stain and Pap smear methods will give similar results in diagnosis

Comparison of nifedipine and hydration + sedation in the treatment of preterm delivery: a prospective clinical study

To compare the effectiveness of hydration + sedation and nifedipine in the treatment of preterm delivery. Between November 2003 and March 2005, a total of 130 pregnant women hospitalized at our hospital due to preterm labor were enrolled in the study. Of these, 70 (group 1) received hydration+sedation and the remaining 60 (group 2) received nifedipine. All pregnant women were followed up to delivery and obstetric and perinatal data were recorded. Groups were similar with respect to patients' demographic and reproductive characteristics, risk factors for preterm delivery, gestational week at the time of application and cervical length measured by ultrasound (p>0.05). Mean time between diagnosis and delivery was 35.8±4.2 days in group 1 and was 35.4±4.5 days in group 2 (p=0.84). Mean birth weight was 2970±226 grams for group 1 and was 2880±231 grams for group 2 (p=0.17). There was also no significant difference between the groups with respect to parenteral tocolysis requirement (p=0.07) and delivery prior to 37 weeks of gestation (p=0.62). In contrast to literature data, our study results suggest that hydration + sedation treatment may be a reasonable approach before administrating tocolysis. However, larger and placebo controlled studies are needed to recommend this approach as an alternative to tocolysis

Ege Doğumevi ve Kadın Hastalıkları Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Aile Planlaması Bölümü'ne 2001-2005 yılları arasında başvuran perimenopozal kadınlar tarafından kullanılan kontraseptif yöntemler

Amaç: Bu çalısmanın amacı Ege bölgesi'ndeki perimenopozal kadınlar tarafından tercih edilen kontraseptif yöntemleri ve bu yöntemlerin devamlılık oranını saptamaktır. Yöntem: Agustos 2001 ve Nisan 2005 tarihleri arasında hastanemiz aile planlaması bölümüne kontrasepsiyon için basvuran toplam 442 perimenopozal kadın bu prospektif klinik çalısmaya dahil edildi. Bulgular: Kadınların ortalama yası 47.4±4.8 idi. En sık seçilen kontraseptif yöntemler kombine oral kontraseptifler (OKS) (%31) ve Depo medroxyprogesteroneacetate (DMPA) (%28.5) idi. Tuba ligasyonu ve vazektomiyi içeren kalıcı yöntemler dıslandıgında, en yüksek devamlılık oranı olan yöntemOKS(%83.9) idi. Sonuç: Bariyer kontrasepsiyon ve RIA perimenopozal periyoddaki kadınlar için önerilen yöntemler olmasına ragmen, hastanemiz aile planlaması bölümüne basvuran perimenopozal Ege bölgesi kadınlarının sadece %20.1'i bu yöntemleri tercih etmektedir. Perimenopozal kadınların kontraseptif seçimine ve bu kontraseptif yöntemlerin devamlılık oranlarına etki eden faktörleri arastıran daha fazla çalısmaya ihtiyaç vardır.Objective: To detect usage frequency and continuing rate of several contraceptive methods chosen by perimenopausal women surviving in Aegean region. Method: A total of 442 perimenopausal women who applied to family planning unit of our hospital for contraception in between August 2001 and April 2005 were enrolled into this prospective clinical study. Results: Mean age of the women was 47.4±4.8. The most common selected contraceptive methods were combined oral contraceptives (OCs) (31%) and Depo medroxyprogesteroneacetate (DMPA) (28.5%). If permanent methods including tuba ligation and vasectomy were excluded, the highest continuation rate was for OCs (83.9%). Conclusion: Although barrier contraception and IUD are suggested method for women in perimenopausal period, only 20.1% of perimenopausal Aegean region women appliying family planning unit of our hospital have chosen these methods. There is needed to further studies investigating the factors influence on the preparation of contraceptive methods of perimenopausal women and the continuation rate of these methods

Military jet pilots have higher p-wave dispersions compared to the transport aircraft aircrew

Objectives: For the purpose of flight safety military aircrew must be healthy. P-wave dispersion (PWD) is the p-wave length difference in an electrocardiographic (ECG) examination and represents the risk of developing atrial fibrillation. In the study we aimed at investigating PWD in healthy military aircrew who reported for periodical examinations. Material and Methods: Seventy-five asymptomatic military aircrew were enrolled in the study. All the subjects underwent physical, radiologic and biochemical examinations, and a 12-lead electrocardiography. P-wave dispersions were calculated. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 36.15±8.97 years and the mean p-wave duration was 100.8±12 ms in the whole group. Forty-seven subjects were non-pilot aircrew, and 28 were pilots. Thirteen study subjects were serving in jets, 49 in helicopters, and 13 were transport aircraft pilots. Thirty-six of the helicopter and 11 of the transport aircraft aircrew were non-pilot aircrew. P-wave dispersion was the lowest in the transport aircraft aircrew, and the highest in jet pilots. P-wave dispersions were similar in the pilots and non-pilot aircrew. Twenty-three study subjects were overweight, 19 had thyroiditis, 26 had hepatosteatosis, 4 had hyperbilirubinemia, 2 had hypertension, and 5 had hyperlipidemia. The PWD was significantly associated with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. Serum uric acid levels were associated with p-wave durations. Serum TSH levels were the most important predictor of PWD. Conclusions: When TSH levels were associated with PWD, uric acid levels were associated with p-wave duration in the military aircrew. The jet pilots had higher PWDs. These findings reveal that military jet pilots may have a higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation, and PWD should be recorded during periodical examinations

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Production of bioethanol from immobilized some yeast species in sodium alginate-graft-poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone)

YÖK Tez ID: 343987Sodyum aljinat-aşı-poli(N-vinil-2-pirolidon) matriks, biyouyumlu, biyolojik olarak parçalanabilen, toksik olmayan, hidrofilik, şelat oluşturabilme ve jelleşebilme gibi özelliklerinden dolayı, biyoetanol üretimi için bir mikroorganizma taşıyıcı materyal olarak geliştirildi. Kalsiyum klorür ile çapraz bağlanan matriks Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces bayanus ve Kluyveromyces marxianus mayalarının immobilizasyonu için kullanıldı. Maya immobilizasyonu için en uygun kalsiyum klorür derişimi %2,5 (w/v) olarak bulundu. Boş ve maya immobilize sodyum aljinat ve sodyum aljinat-aşı-poli(N-vinil-2-pirolidon) kürelerin morfolojisi ve iç yapısı oda sıcaklığında taramalı elektron mikroskobu (SEM) görüntüleri ile incelendi. Geleneksel sodyum aljinat matriks ile karşılaştırıldığında sodyum aljinat-aşı-poli(N-vinil-2-pirolidon) matriksin biyoetanol üretim hızının arttığı ve daha verimli olarak kullanılabileceği tespit edildi. Biyoetanol üretim performansı başlangıç glikoz derişiminden ve fermantasyon ortamındaki immobilize maya kürelerin yüzdesinden etkilenmektedir. Biyoetanol üretim hızının, Saccharomyces cerevisiae ve Saccharomyces bayanus için glikoz derişiminin 50 g/L'den 100 g/L'ye; Kluyveromyces marxianus için 50 g/L'den 150 g/L'ye çıkarılması ile arttığı bulundu. Glikoz derişimi daha fazla arttırıldığı zaman, biyoetanol üretim hızı yavaşladı. Fermantasyon ortamındaki immobilize maya kürelerinin oranı %10'dan %20'ye çıkarıldığı zaman, biyoetanol üretim hızının arttığı gözlemlendi. Sodyum aljinat-aşı-poli(N-vinil-2-pirolidon) matrikse immobilize mayalar aktivitesini kaybetmeden altı kez tekrarlanan fermantasyon boyunca kullanıldı. Maya immobilizasyonu için önerilen sodyum aljinat-aşı-poli(N-vinil-2-pirolidon) matriksin, biyoetanol üretim sürecinde endüstriyel uygulamalarda kullanılma potansiyeline sahip olduğu belirlendi.Sodium alginate-graft-poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) matrix was developed as a microorganism carrier support for bioethanol production owing to its biocompatible, biodegradable, non-toxic, hydrophilic, chelating able and gelable properties. The matrix that crosslinked with calcium clorid was used for immobilization of yeasts such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces bayanus and Kluyveromyces marxianus. The most suitable calcium chloride concentration for yeast immobilization was found at 2,5% (w/v). The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images were examined for the morphology and inside structure of empty and yeast immobilized sodium alginate and sodium alginate-graft-poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) spheres at room temperature. Sodium alginate-graft-poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) matrix compared with conventional sodium alginate matrix have been identified which increased productivity of bioethanol and can be used more efficiently. The production performance of bioethanol has been affected by initial glucose concentration and percentage of immobilized yeast spheres in the fermentation medium. The productivity of bioethanol has increased when the glucose concentration was increased from 50 to 100 g/L for Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces bayanus; from 50 to 150 g/L for Kluyveromyces marxianus. When the concentration of glucose was increased more than, the productivity of bioethanol has decreased. When the rate of immobilized yeast spheres in the fermentation medium was increased from 10% to 20%, the productivity of bioethanol has increased. The yeast immobilized into the sodium alginate-graft-poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) matrix can be used six repeated fermentation without losing their activity. The proposed sodium alginate-graft-poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) matrix for immobilization of yeasts has used potential in industrial applications of the bioethanol production process