Fate of agrochemicals in wood chip denitrifying reactors and their impacts on wood chip microbial ecology

Subsurface tile drainage systems have contributed towards increasing agricultural production, but have also contributed towards water pollution by rapidly transporting excessive nutrient and agrochemicals to surface water and ground water. One of the pollution control strategies is to treat the tile drainage water or the contaminated subsurface water with denitrifying bioreactors. Wood chips have been used in denitrifying bioreactors, providing organic carbon and attachment surface area for denitrifiers. The focus of this research is to investigate fate of agrochemicals in wood chips from the in situ reactors and their potential effects on denitrification and the denitrifiers. The selected agrochemicals for study are atrazine, enrofloxacin, monensin and sulfamethazine. Partition coefficients of atrazine, enrofloxacin, monensin and sulfamethazine were determined by single–point sorption experiments by using wood chips from an in situ reactor. Of the four chemicals tested, enrofloxacin had the highest partition coefficient (Kow) while sulfamethazine had the lowest. Atrazine and monensin had moderate sorption coefficients. In addition, partition coefficients for the four chemicals for wood chips were larger than the partition coefficients for soils obtained close to the in situ reactor. Freundlich distribution coefficients (Kf) for isotherm studies for the four chemicals were in the order of (highest to lowest): enrofloxacin \u3e monensin \u3e atrazine \u3e sulfamethazine. Desorption hysteresis were found for enrofloxacin, atrazine and sulfamethazine when the wood chips were desorbed by water. For monensin, the desorption aqueous phase concentrations were larger than the adsorption aqueous phase content. A possible reason for the larger desorption concentration was that the monensin adsorbed onto wood chips were on the eternal surface of the wood chips due to its larger molecular structure which allowed monensin to be easily desorbed. Only 5% of enrofloxacin, 14% of monensin, 23% of sulfamethazine and 25% of atrazine were recovered from the wood chips after two desorption and an acetonitrile–water extraction indicating the strong binding of the chemicals onto wood chips. Degradation studies with atrazine, enrofloxacin, and sulfamethazine onto wood chips indicate that a large majority of the chemical mass was removed from the aqueous phase within the first 48 hours followed by a slow removal over time. Dissipation rates were estimated using the availability-adjusted first-order degradation model. Disappearance of sulfamethazine was slower than disappearance of enrofloxacin and atrazine. No impact on denitrifiers as measured by the denitrification potential assays, most-probable-number (MPN) and nosZ1 copy number was found for atrazine at an initial concentration of 5 mg L-1. The MPN was reduced under enrofloxacin treatment after 2 days of the incubation; however, at the end of the experiment the denitrifier MPN was similar to control treatment MPN. Sulfamethazine was found to initially impact the denitrification (both MPN, nosZ1 copy number and denitrification potential) but after 5 days the denitrification potential assays, most-probable–number (MPN) and nosZ1 copy number were found to be similar to that of the control

Does endocan level increase in women with polycystic ovary syndrome? A case — control study

Objectives: To evaluate endocan levels of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in comparison to healthy women. Material and methods: A cross-sectional case-control study on 88 patients with PCOS (mean age, 22.06 ± 4.24 years; body mass index [BMI], 23.9 ± 4.74 kg/m2) and 87 age- and BMI-matched healthy women (mean age, 23.71 ± 4.42 years; BMI, 22.15 ± 3.03 kg/m2). Results: Serum endocan level was significantly higher in PCOS group than control group (540.9 ± 280.3 pg/mL vs. 355.5 ± 233.5 pg/mL, respectively; p < 0.001). The presence of polycystic ovary finding on ultrasonography or oligomenorhea did not produce significant effect on serum endocan levels (p > 0.05). In PCOS group, endocan level was negatively correlated with BMI and C-reactive protein level, and positively correlated with high density lipoprotein level (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Blood endocan level is increased in PCOS. Further studies are needed to evaluate the clinical value of blood endocan level as a marker for the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in patients with PCOS

The evaluation of efficacy of subtenon triamcinolone injection combined with focal laser photocoagulation in diabetic macular edema

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate efficacyand safety of subtenon triamcinolone (ST) in combinationwith focal laser photocoagulation in diabetic macularedema (DME).Materials and methods: Medical records of patients withDME, treated with 40 mg subtenon injection of triamcinoloneacetonid prior to focal laser photocoagulation wereretrospectively analyzed. Seventeen eyes of 17 patientswith DME were enrolled in the study. All patients underwenta comprehensive ophthalmological examinationbefore the treatment. Efficacy of the treatment after STinjection was evaluated by visual acuity and flouresceinangiography (FA). Follow-up visits were performed at 1st,3rd, 6th and 12th months. Repeated measures ANOVA wasused for statistical analysis.Results: The mean age was 61.5 ± 8.7 years and themean visual acuity in the study eyes was 0.22 ± 0.13 beforethe treatment, 0.39 ± 0.15 at 1st month, 0.36 ± 0.18at 3rd month, 0.33 ± 0.15 at 6th month and 0.34 ± 0.16 at12th month. The differences in the visual acuity before thetreatment and follow-up visits were significant (p ˂0.05).Visual acuity was increased in 13 (%76,4) patients, decreasedin 1 (%5,8) and unchanged in 3 (%17,6).Conclusion: Injection of 40 mg of triamsinolon via subtenonroute combined with focal laser photocoagulation isa safe and beneficial treatment in cases of DM

Kişilik ile Ayrışma Bireyleşme Arasında Akran İlişkilerinin Aracılığı

Bu çalışmanın amacı lise 11. ve 12. Sınıfa giden ergenlerin kişilik özellikleri ile ayrışma bireyleşme arasındaki ilişkide akran ilişkilerinin aracı etkisini belirlemektir. Çalışma grubunu Batman il merkezinde lise 11.ve 12 sınıfa giden 557 öğrenci oluşturmaktadır. Çalışmanın verileri LİSREL ve SPSS 22 programlarıyla analiz edilmiştir. İlk olarak çalışmada kullanılan ölçeklerin doğrulayıcı faktör analizleri ve uyum iyiliği değerlerine bakıldı. Analiz sonucuna göre bütün ölçeklerin doğrulayıcı faktör değerlerinin (p<.01) düzeyinde anlamlı olduğu ortaya çıkmıştır. Ölçeklerin uyum iyiliği değerleri ise çalışma için yeterli uyum değerlerine sahip olduğu saptanmıştır. Analizler sonucunda lise öğrencilerinin kişilik özellikleri ile ayrışma bireyleşme arasındaki ilişkide akran ilişkilerinin negatif yönde aracılık ettiği ortaya çıkmıştır. Elde edilen sonuçlara göre, lise öğrencilerinin ayrışma bireyleşme düzeyleri yükseldikçe, akran ilişkilerinin düşüş gösterdiği saptanmıştır

Polygala anatolica Boiss. et Heldr.: Is A Potential Remedy for Inflammation and Pain?

Species of Polygala genus have been used for the treatment of inflamation and pain in Turkish traditional medicine. The aim of the present study is to assess the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of P. anatolica. n-Hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of the aerial parts and roots of P. anatolica were investigated for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. The methanol extracts prepared from the aerial parts and roots of P. anatolica were found to be active in carrageenan- and PGE2-induced paw edema models and in Whittle method. Methanolic extract of the aerial part inhibited serotonin-induced hind paw edema, while the root extract did not exert inhibitory effect in the same model. In addition, Fr. B and C obtained from the methanol extract of P. anatolica aerial parts showed significant anti- inflammatory activity. Morover, the analgesic effect of the methanol extracts prepared from the roots and aerial parts and Fr.B and Fr.C were found to be statistically significant without inducing ulceration. The methanol extract obtained from the aerial parts of the plant and its saponoside and flavonoid fractions showed anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities in the trials

Okul Öncesi Dönem Çocuklarının Gelişimlerinin Desteklenmesi: Sosyal Sorumluluk Projelerinin Rolü

Okul öncesindeki çocukların gelişimlerinin desteklenmesinde sosyal sorumluluk projelerinin rolünün belirlenmesi amacıyla geliştirilen araştırma kapsamında “Her Güne Bir Etkinlik” (2017-2018) ile “Mamak’ta Bilim Yolculuğu-Dil ve Kavram Gelişimi Atölyeleri” (2018-2019) projeleri gerçekleştirilmiş, çocuklar arasında fırsat eşitliği sağlamak, farklı uygulamalarla eğitimlerine katkıda bulunmak, öğretmenlere farklı eğitsel bakış açılarını göstermek, öğretmen adaylarının teorik bilgiyi oyunlaştırarak uygulamalarını, velilere oyunla eğitimin önemini benimsetmek amaçlanmıştır. Kavram oyuncakları, etkileşimli kitap okuma, Orff Schulwerk temelli müzik eğitimi, çocuk yogası, drama kullanılarak ve bahçe oyunları oynanarak 32 lisans öğrencisiyle üniversite kampüsünde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bu durum çalışmasında, Ankara-Mamak’taki 198 anasınıfı evreninde, basit seçkisiz örnekleme yöntemi kullanılarak 1503 çocuğa, 110 öğretmene, 196 veliye ulaşılmıştır. Nitel veriler, araştırmacılar tarafından geliştirilen, geçerlik-güvenirlik çalışmaları yapılan yarı-yapılandırılmış görüşme ve gözlem formlarıyla elde edilmiş, betimsel analizle çözümlenmiştir. Çocukların özellikle dil, sosyal-duygusal, bilişsel gelişimlerinde ilerleme gözlemlenmiş; öğretmenlerin farklı oyunlar-oyuncakları gördükleri, uygulamaları gözlemleyerek çeşitli etkinlikler gerçekleştirdikleri belirlenmiştir. Öğretmen adayları, lisans öğrenimlerinde edindikleri bilgileri deneyimlemişlerdir. Velilerden çocuklarının gelişimleriyle ilgili olumlu görüşler alınmıştır

Optimization of culture conditions for the production and activity of recombinant xylanase from microalgal platform

Xylanases are enzymes responsible for the hydrolysis of the heteropolymer xylan. They have wide applications ranging from the bakery, animal husbandry, and textile to pulp and paper industry and biofuel productions. Recombinant xylanase production has been previously reported from different hosts such as bacteria and yeast. Microalgae offer a safe and cost-effective photosynthetic platform for producing recombinant proteins, including therapeutics and industrial enzymes. In this study, we optimized the production of recombinant xylanase expressed and secreted from the green alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The growth of the culture was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite design (CCD), with two numeric (culture incubation time and agitation rate) and one categoric (light intensity) factors. The optimum biomass concentration was obtained as 0.71 mg/mL from the CCD values. In addition, bubble column photobioreactors were set and compared for the culture growth, the protein concentration, and the enzyme activity under different light intensities and air flows. Increasing the aeration rate from 1 vvm to 2 vvm resulted in improved enzyme activity from 5330.5 U/g to 6277.7 U/g under 3500 lux illumination on the 3rd day of the culture. This study may lead to the further large-scale production of xylanase with high enzyme activity and reveal the advantage of the microalgae as a sustainable platform. © 2023 Elsevier B.V

Promising activity of Anthemis austriaca Jacq. on the endometriosis rat model and isolation of its active constituents

© 2019, The Author(s). Heparin and heparan sulfate (Hp/HS) are linear complex glycosaminoglycans which are involved in diverse biological processes. The structural complexity brings difficulties in separation, making the study of structure-function relationships challenging. Here we present a separation method for Hp/HS oligosaccharide fractionation with cross-compatible solvent and conditions, combining size exclusion chromatography (SEC), ion-pair reversed phase chromatography (IPRP), and hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) as three orthogonal separation methods that do not require desalting or extensive sample handling. With this method, the final eluent is suitable for structure-function relationship studies, including tandem mass spectrometry and microarray printing. Our data indicate that high resolution is achieved on both IPRP and HILIC for Hp/HS isomers. In addition, the fractions co-eluted in IPRP could be further separated by HILIC, with both separation dimensions capable of resolving some isomeric oligosaccharides. We demonstrate this method using both unpurified reaction products from isomeric synthetic hexasaccharides and an octasaccharide fraction from enoxaparin, identifying isomers resolved by this multi-dimensional separation method. We demonstrate both structural analysis by MS, as well as functional analysis by microarray printing and screening using a prototypical Hp/HS binding protein: basic-fibroblast growth factor (FGF2). Collectively, this method provides a strategy for efficient Hp/HS structure-function characterization

The regression of endometriosis with glycosylated flavonoids isolated from Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pall. in an endometriosis rat model

© 2020 Objective: Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pall. is commonly used for treating bronchitis, painful menstruation, hemorrhoids, kidney stones, ulcers of the eyes, earache, and hardening and swelling of uterus. The European Medicines Agency reported the use of M. officinalis orally against stomach ache, gastric ulcer, and disorders of the liver and uterus in folk medicine. The present study aimed to appraise the activity of M. (L.) Pall. aerial parts in endometriosis rat model. Materials and methods: The endometriosis rat model was used to evaluate the potential activity of M. officinalis aerial parts based on its folkloric usage. The aerial parts of M. officinalis were extracted with n-hexane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and methanol (MeOH), respectively. The adhesion scores, endometrial foci areas, and cytokine levels were measured in all treated groups. After the biological activity studies, phytochemical studies were performed on the active extract and the fractions obtained from the active extract. Results: The MeOH extract significantly decreased the endometrial foci areas and cytokine levels in rats with endometriosis. Fractionation was performed on the MeOH extract to achieve bioactive molecules. Following the fractionation, the fractions obtained from the MeOH extract were tested. Fraction C showed the highest activity in the rat endometriosis model. Phytochemical investigation of the active fraction (Fraction C) resulted in isolation and elucidation of some quercetin and kaempferol glucoside derivatives. Conclusion: Fraction C obtained from the MeOH extract of M. officinalis showed the highest activity, yielding four glycosylated flavonoids

Stress Distribution and Displacement of Craniofacial Structures Following Rapid Maxillary Expansion in Different Types of Cleft Palate: A Three-Dimensional FEM Study

Objective: To evaluate displacements and stress distributions in finite element models (FEMs) of the craniofacial complex of 13-yearold male patient with complete unilateral cleft palate (UCP), a 15-year-old female patient with complete bilateral cleft palate (BCP), and a 15-year-old female patient with isolated cleft palate (ICP), which may respond differently to expansive forces.Methods: The FEMs were based on computed tomography scans of patients with UCP, BCP, and ICP who needed maxillary expansion. Von Mises stress distribution after 0.2 mm of expansion and displacements after 5 mm of expansion were investigated.Results: The highest amount of stress was observed in the ICP model. Surprisingly, no stress was noted around the nose in the BCP model. The amount of dentoalveolar expansion decreased from anterior to posterior on the cleft side of the UCP, BCP, and ICP models. In contrast, on the non-cleft side of the UCP model, the maximum dentoalveolar expansion occurred at the molar area, decreasing toward the anterior parts. Anatomical structures expressed posterior displacement in the UCP model. In the ICP model, structures close to midline showed anterior displacement, while structures in the lateral parts showed posterior displacement. In contrast with the other 2 models, the structures in the BCP model showed anterior displacement. Vertically, all the anatomic structures in the BCP model showed inferior displacement, while in the ICP and UCP models, only the structures close to the midline showed inferior displacement.Conclusion: Maxillary expansion caused different patterns of stress distribution and displacement in different types of clefts. Clinicians should consider the type of the cleft, and may expect differing patterns of widening following maxillary expansion