Age- and region-specific hepatitis B prevalence in Turkey estimated using generalized linear mixed models: a systematic review

Toy M, Önder FO, Wörmann T, et al. Age- and region-specific hepatitis B prevalence in Turkey estimated using generalized linear mixed models: a systematic review. BMC infectious diseases. 2011;11(1): 337.BACKGROUND: To provide a clear picture of the current hepatitis B situation, the authors performed a systematic review to estimate the age- and region-specific prevalence of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in Turkey. METHODS: A total of 339 studies with original data on the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in Turkey and published between 1999 and 2009 were identified through a search of electronic databases, by reviewing citations, and by writing to authors. After a critical assessment, the authors included 129 studies, divided into categories: 'age-specific'; 'region-specific'; and 'specific population group'. To account for the differences among the studies, a generalized linear mixed model was used to estimate the overall prevalence across all age groups and regions. For specific population groups, the authors calculated the weighted mean prevalence. RESULTS: The estimated overall population prevalence was 4.57, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.58, 5.76, and the estimated total number of CHB cases was about 3.3 million. The outcomes of the age-specific groups varied from 2.84, (95% CI: 2.60, 3.10) for the 0-14-year olds to 6.36 (95% CI: 5.83, 6.90) in the 25-34-year-old group. CONCLUSION: There are large age-group and regional differences in CHB prevalence in Turkey, where CHB remains a serious health problem

Organic corrosion inhibitors and industrial applications

Organic corrosion inhibitors have been frequently studied, since they offer simple solution for protection of metals against corrosion in aqueous environment. Thus, there are many commercialized corrosion inhibitors for industrial applications like; cooling systems, pipelines, oil and gas production units, boilers and pickling process etc. The largest amount of inhibitor is demanded by cooling water systems and it is the fact that inorganic inhibitors (phosphates, tungstate, molybdate etc.) are still widely used in this area. For such engineering purposes, the required inhibitor is anticipated to assemble chemisorbed film (preferably monolayer), either by direct adsorption on metal surface or forming insoluble complex with metal ions existing at the interface. For copper and its alloys, there have been numerous chemical formulations based on organic inhibitors. However, steel has been the most widely used material, and there is a need for further development in the application of organic inhibitors for protection of steel against corrosion. On the other hand, there has been an increasing concern about the use of “green” chemicals for such purposes and this consideration also urges the investigations subjecting the organic corrosion inhibitors. For this purpose, molecular design and synthesis of novel organic inhibitors have been pronounced as a promising way, for tailoring one compound equipped with multitasking. On the other hand, it is necessary to develop new approaches (methods) for the assessment of corrosion inhibitor performance, in practical application conditions. Because, there are many parameters (temperature, pH, composition of corrosive media, etc.) that should be evaluated carefully for success of the application, in order to avoid excess chemical use or insufficient protection. Possible interference between the critical parameters should also be taken into account, for convenient application. For this reason, statistical evaluations should be carried out with data obtained from various routes employed to determine the corrosion rate. Generally, the preferred method is based on electrochemical techniques, and utilizes Tafel and Stern-Geary methods. Solution assay analysis, weight loss measurements have also been widely employed, since they offer simplicity for quantification of corrosion rate. This paper focuses on the interpretations of these addressed issues, with the theory and review of recently published studies in relevant field. © 2017 Nova Science Publishers, Inc

Investigation of ammonium (2,4-dimethylphenyl)-dithiocarbamate as a new, effective corrosion inhibitor for mild steel

Methyl substituted phenyl containing dithiocarbamate compound has been investigated as corrosion inhibitor against steel corrosion in 1 M HCl solution. The inhibitor (namely ammonium (2,4-dimethylphenyl)-dithiocarbamate) offers extra stability and higher inhibition efficiency when compared to previously reported dithiocarbamate family inhibitors against steel corrosion. The inhibitor is able to adsorb on surface, by both physical and chemical means, while the methyl functionalized benzene ring produced hydrophobicity against the aqueous corrosive environment. For assessing the corrosion kinetics and inhibition mechanism, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), potentiodynamic (PD) measurements and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques were utilized. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd.Firat University Scientific Research Projects Management Unit British Association for PsychopharmacologyThe authors are greatly thankful to Çukurova University Scientific Research Projects (BAP) Coordination Unit for financial support of this research study

Methyl 3-((2-mercaptophenyl) imino) butanoate as an effective inhibitor against steel corrosion in HCl solution

Methyl 3-((2-mercaptophenyl) imino) butanoate (MMPB) was designed and synthesized as a corrosion inhibitor, which is functionalized with adjacent azole and thiol groups and a carboxylate tail. The inhibition efficiency of this compound has been investigated in different concentrations of HCl solutions. Then, the effect of temperature and inhibitor concentration was studied for further discussion about inhibition mechanism. In addition to potentiodynamic and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, galvanic measurements were also realized for better explanation of interaction between inhibitor and metal surface. For this purpose, identical steel electrodes were immersed in separate test solutions with and without inhibitor, and then coupled to each other. The assessment of corrosion rate was realized with quantitative analysis of iron content in immersion test solutions. The corrosion current densities (icorr) were 20.40 and 200.30 µA cm-2, in the presence of 10 mM inhibitor and inhibitor-free test solutions, respectively. The energy barrier values against corrosion were also calculated in the presence and absence of inhibitor, with the help of surface coverage ratio and icorr values for different temperatures. © 2014, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

Evaluation of c-erbB-2 expression, amplification, and prognostic value in primary and metastatic prostate adenocarcinomas

Objective: The c-erbB-2 gene codes for a membrane receptor protein that is homologous to the epidermal growth factor receptor. It has been established as a prognostic factor in breast and other cancers. The prognostic role of c-erbB-2 expression and gene amplification in prostate carcinoma is still controversial. In this study, we searched for c-erbB-2 overexpression and gene amplification in primary and metastatic prostate carcinomas and their correlation with tumor grade, age, and survival. Material and Methods: c-erbB-2 protein overexpression was analyzed on 59 prostate carcinomas, including 44 primary and 15 metastatic prostate carcinomas, by immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis. Results: When divided into two Gleason grade categories, there were 20 low-grade and 24 high-grade cases in the primary prostate carcinoma cases. C-erbB-2 overexpression was detected in 13.6% of primary and in 60% of metastatic prostate carcinomas. The overexpression was correlated with Gleason score (p=0.001) and clinical outcome but not with age (p>0.05). None of the cases showed HER-2 amplification by FISH. Conclusion: In this study, c-erbB-2 protein overexpression was associated with high grade and advanced pathological stage. Additionally, it was also associated with metastatic prostate tumors. These findings support that this marker indicates a potentially aggressive clinical course and metastasis. Therefore, this marker may be helpful for planning therapy. © 2014, Erciyes University School of Medicine