Steroid estrogen determination in sediment and sewage sludge: A critique of chromatographic / mass spectrometry methods incorporating a case study in method development

Current analytical methods for determining steroids in sewage sludge and sediment are reviewed and experimental data comparing LC/MS ESI and GC/MS quantification of extracts from these matrices is presented. The effect of matrix influence on method analysis and steroid recoveries was investigated and a comparison of GC and LC determination with mass spectrometry performed. Consequently upon this, an environmental analytically robust methodology is presented and using this technique analysis of sediments determined E1 to be the main steroid (<18 ng/g), EE2 and E3 were determined at far lower concentrations with minimal detection of E

Gender and job satisfaction in OECD countries

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Fiber Selection for the Production of Nonwovens

The most significant feature of nonwoven fabric is made directly from fibers in a continuous production line. While manufacturing nonwovens, some conventional textile operations, such as carding, drawing, roving, spinning, weaving or knitting, are partially or completely eliminated. For this reason the choice of fiber is very important for nonwoven manufacturers. The commonly used fibers include natural fibers (cotton, jute, flax, wool), synthetic fibers (polyester (PES), polypropylene (PP), polyamide, rayon), special fibers (glass, carbon, nanofiber, bi-component, superabsorbent fibers). Raw materials have not only delivered significant product improvements but also benefited people using these products by providing hygiene and comfort

Optimization of sol-gel synthesized preceramic polymer precursors for fabrication of high purity boron carbide (B4C) powders

Boron Carbide (B4C), due to its high hardness and elastic modulus, superior chemical stability, low density and high neutron absorption cross section, is well suited to a variety of industrial applications such as blasting nozzles, wire-drawing dies, powdered metal and ceramic forming dies, vehicle armour, bulletproof vest, nuclear reactor control rods and neutron absorbing shielding. The current fabrication techniques of boron carbide powders such as carbothermal reduction, direct synthesis from elements, vapour-phase reduction, and magnesiothermic reduction require expensive equipment and starting materials. For this reason, in recent years studies focused on the development of low-temperature synthesis techniques to reduce the production cost of boron carbide as well as to get better control over composition and particle morphology

Evaluation of the resistance patterns of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex strains to antituberculous drugs

Aim: To determine the resistance profile of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) strains to first-line antituberculous drugs. Methods: A total of 138 patients with MTBC growth from 2008-2018 were evaluated retrospectively. The Ehrlich-Ziehl-Neelsen (EZN) staining method was used for direct smear preparations, the BACTEC MGIT 460 TB system the Lowenstein-Jensen medium for culture planting and the BACTEC NAP test for the diagnosis of MTBC. Susceptibility tests were performed using the BACTEC MGIT 460 TB system with the streptomycin, isoniazid, rifampicin and ethambutol (SIRE) kit in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. Results: Of the total 138 tuberculosis (TB) cases, 44 (31.9%) were female and 94 (68.1%) were male. MTBC was most frequently isolated from pulmonary specimens (90.6%). Acid-resistant bacilli (ARB) positivity was detected in 88 (63.8%) samples by EZN staining for culture-positive samples. In our study, without considering single or multiple drug resistance (MDR), total resistance rates in MTBC strains were determined for, isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (RIF), ethambutol (EMB), and streptomycin (SM); 10.1%, 4.3%, 2.9%, and 12.3% respectively. While the susceptibility to all drugs was 82.6%, multiple drug–resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) was 2.9%. Conclusion: These results are important since they are the first data reported from our province regarding the determination of the resistance profile to anti-TB drugs. Resistance rates in our study were very close to the 2016 data average of the Ministry of Health of Turkey. Determination of TB resistance profiles, as well as proper and regular treatment, will contribute to the control of MDR-TB

Investigation of a healthcare-associated candida infections in a Turkish intensive care unit: risk factors, therapy and clinical outcome

Aim: Candida infections develop especially in intensive care unit (ICU) patients and increase the mortality rates. So, early and accurate diagnosis of Candida infections and determination of risk factors are very important. We aimed to retrospectively investigate Candida infections in terms of species and risk factors for candidemia caused by fungi. Methods: Candida infections in critically ill patients hospitalized in the ICU between January 2014 and December 2018 at Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University Training and Research Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The isolated Candida species were evaluated according to the sample types. The cases were investigated in terms of mortality due to candidiasis, previously used antibiotics and isolated Candida species. Results: 34 Candida species isolated from fungal cultures in ICUs were included in the study. Candida albicans (73.5%) was the most prevalent species isolated (NAC 26.5%). Patients with Candida isolated in their urine samples (76%) had a higher mortality rate than patients with Candida from other regions. Conclusion: The results of our study suggest that the highest rate of candidiasis (88%) is in patients who received beta-lactam antibiotic treatment. In addition, we think that when Candida species are detected in the urine samples of critically ill patients in the ICU, care should be taken in terms of candidiasis

Second trimester abortion as a cause of maternal death: a case report

Each year, an estimated 529 000 maternal deaths occur worldwide. In literature, it is known that  maternal mortality can occur during pregnancy, peripartum and also in postpartum period. Although very rare, maternal deaths may occur after spontaneous abortion. In present case, 37 year old G5P4  (Caesarean Section) women was admitted to Adnan Menderes University, Obstetrics and Gynecology  clinic with diagnosis of missed abortion at 18 weeks' gestation. She had been hospitalized in the public maternity hospital for five days due to abortus incipience and prolapse of amnion membranes but had no  contractions. Fetal heart beats ceased at the second day of hospitalization. Medically induced abortion  was recommended but not accepted by the patient. At the fifth day of hospitalization, she was referred to our clinic due to deterioration of general health condition, low blood pressure and tachycardia. In  emergency department, it was determined that she was not oriented, had confusion, had blood pressure  of 49/25 mmHg and tachycardia. In ultrasonographic examination, 18 week in utero ex fetus was  determined and there was free fluid in abdominopelvic cavity. The free fluid was suspected to be amniotic fluid due to rupture of uterus. Laparotomy was performed, no uterine rupture, hematoma or atony was observed. However during laparotomy, a very bad smelling odor, might be due to septicemia, was felt in the operation room. Cardiac arrest occurred during that operation. In autopsy report, it was concluded that maternal death was because of remaining of inutero ex fetus for a long time. In conclusion, although very rare, maternal deaths after spontaneous abortion may occur. Because spontaneous abortion is a common outcome of pregnancy, continued careful, strict monitoring and immediate treatment of  especially second trimester spontaneous abortion is recommended to prevent related, disappointing, unexpected maternal deaths.Key words: Second trimester, spontaneous abortion, maternal death

Use of Heat-killed Aspergillus ochraceus NRRL 3174 Discs as Biosorbent for petroleum Removal

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the petroleum sorption capacity of heat-killed fungal discs obtained from Aspergillus ochraceus strain. Effect of various parameters such as biosorbent dose (0.5g-2.5g/100mL), petroleum concentration (0.5-5%), pH (4.0-8.0), contact time (1-12h) and re-usability of biosorbent (1-6) were investigated. Accordingly, the highest biosorption capacity was obtained with 1% petroleum concentration, 1.5 g/100mL heat-killed fungal discs, 10h contact time at pH: 5.0 and room temperature. Additionally, each disc was able to actively use for at least 6 more cycles in biosorption experiments. The specific removal rate was calculated as 0.114 day−1, the rate constant and half-life period were also 1.609 day-1, t1/2 = 0.431, respectively. The kinetic study was described by the pseudo-second order model and the equilibrium modeling was found to be well fitted with Langmuir isotherm. The biosorbent(s) were characterized by Focused Ion Beam Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB-SEM). Over 80% removal of long-chain n-alkanes by the heat-killed fungal discs was confirmed by GC-MS analysis. Since there has been no similar study investigating the sorption of petroleum with heat-killed Aspergillus ochraceous discs, this novel bio-based sorbent with its low cost, environmentally friendly and easy-to-apply properties can be used in advanced biosorption studies

Low temperature synthesis and characterization of high purity nano boron carbide (B4C) structures

Boron carbide (B4C) is accepted as an important engineering material due to its high melting point, high hardness, high Young's modulus, excellent radiation (neutron) absorption properties and low thermal conductivity. Although different methods, such as high temperature carbothermic reduction and chemical vapor decomposition, have been used to synthesize boron carbide, a low cost technique that provides high purity B4C with no residual carbon, is required by industry. Therefore, in the present study, synthesis of high purity, high crystallinity nanostructured boron carbide particles with various morphologies, is proposed using a modified low-temperature sol gel process. The effects of starting chemicals, calcination and sintering temperature/time on the formation of B4C structures, morphology and stoichiometry were reported. Detail characterization studies including TEM, XRD, NMR and DTA were used to support the results on the formation of stoichiometric boron carbide with high crystallinity at low temperatures