Volume CXIV, Number 4, November 7, 1996

Objective: Turner syndrome (TS) is a chromosomal disorder caused by complete or partial X chromosome monosomy that manifests various clinical features depending on the karyotype and on the genetic background of affected girls. This study aimed to systematically investigate the key clinical features of TS in relationship to karyotype in a large pediatric Turkish patient population.Methods: Our retrospective study included 842 karyotype-proven TS patients aged 0-18 years who were evaluated in 35 different centers in Turkey in the years 2013-2014.Results: The most common karyotype was 45,X (50.7%), followed by 45,X/46,XX (10.8%), 46,X,i(Xq) (10.1%) and 45,X/46,X,i(Xq) (9.5%). Mean age at diagnosis was 10.2±4.4 years. The most common presenting complaints were short stature and delayed puberty. Among patients diagnosed before age one year, the ratio of karyotype 45,X was significantly higher than that of other karyotype groups. Cardiac defects (bicuspid aortic valve, coarctation of the aorta and aortic stenosis) were the most common congenital anomalies, occurring in 25% of the TS cases. This was followed by urinary system anomalies (horseshoe kidney, double collector duct system and renal rotation) detected in 16.3%. Hashimoto's thyroiditis was found in 11.1% of patients, gastrointestinal abnormalities in 8.9%, ear nose and throat problems in 22.6%, dermatologic problems in 21.8% and osteoporosis in 15.3%. Learning difficulties and/or psychosocial problems were encountered in 39.1%. Insulin resistance and impaired fasting glucose were detected in 3.4% and 2.2%, respectively. Dyslipidemia prevalence was 11.4%.Conclusion: This comprehensive study systematically evaluated the largest group of karyotype-proven TS girls to date. The karyotype distribution, congenital anomaly and comorbidity profile closely parallel that from other countries and support the need for close medical surveillance of these complex patients throughout their lifespa

Desalination and Detoxification of Textile Wastewater by Novel Photocatalytic Electrolysis Membrane Reactor for Ecosafe Hydroponic Farming

In this study, a novel photoelectrocatalytic membrane (PECM) reactor was tested as an option for the desalination, disinfection, and detoxification of biologically treated textile wastewater (BTTWW), with the aim to reuse it in hydroponic farming. The anionic ion exchange (IEX) process was used before PECM treatment to remove toxic residual dyes. The toxicity evaluation for every effluent was carried out using the Vibrio fischeri, Microtox(R) test protocol. The disinfection effect of the PECM reactor was studied against E. coli. After PECM treatment, the 78.7% toxicity level of the BTTWW was reduced to 14.6%. However, photocatalytic desalination during treatment was found to be slow (2.5 mg L-1 min(-1) at 1 V potential). The reactor demonstrated approximately 52% COD and 63% TOC removal efficiency. The effects of wastewater reuse on hydroponic production were comparatively investigated by following the growth of the lettuce plant. A detrimental effect was observed on the lettuce plant by the reuse of BTTWW, while no negative impact was reported using the PECM treated textile wastewater. In addition, all macro/micronutrient elements in the PECM treated textile wastewater were recovered by hydroponic farming, and the PECM treatment may be an eco-safe wastewater reuse method for crop irrigation

The role of two common FOXP3 gene promoter polymorphisms in preeclampsia in a Turkish population: a case–control study

Preeclampsia (PE), which occurs in approximately 5% of pregnancies worldwide and constitutes clinically serious complications in 2–3%, is one of the leading causes of maternal and prenatal morbidity and mortality. Recent studies report that regulatory T (Treg) cells, which act as immunosuppressant, are associated with PE. It is clearly defined that FOXP3/Scurfin (Forkhead Box P3) is involved in the development and function of Tregs. However, there are different conclusions regarding the relationship between PE and FOXP3 gene polymorphisms for different populations. For this reason, in this study we investigate the association between FOXP3 gene promoter region polymorphisms and PE in a Turkish population 500 PE patients and 500 healthy pregnant women. Blood samples taken from pregnant women were studied by PCR-RFLP method. As a result, rs2232365 polymorphism was significantly associated with disease (p < .0001) while no significant association was found between rs3761548 polymorphism and the disease (p = .17). Based on these results, it is though that FOXP3 rs2232365 polymorphism may be predisposed to PE development in terms of Turkish population. However, further and functional studies are needed in terms of other polymorphisms and mutations.IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known on this subject? A number of recent publications suggest that Tregs may play a role in the pathogenesis of PE. It is known that a stable and high FOXP3 expression is required to maintain the suppressive T cell function of Tregs. Down regulation of FOXP3 in PE has been reported in many previous studies, but the mechanism is still uncertain. What do the results of this study add? Our study has examined two FOXP3 promoter region polymorphisms in terms of Turkish population for the first time. Rs2232365 polymorphism associated with the disease in heterozygous genotype. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? It has been shown that FOXP3 gene promoter region polymorphisms may be associated with PE for Turkish population. Our results can be a guide for more detailed statistical evaluations and functional studies

ADVANCED TREATMENT OF LEACHATE BY USING AEROBIC/ANOXIC MBR SYSTEM FOLLOWED BY A NANOFILTRATION PROCESS. A CASE STUDY IN ISTANBUL KOMURCUODA LEACHATE TREATMENT PLANT

The most common municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal method is sanitary landfill. The major disadvantage of this method is the production of highly contaminated leachate. Not only physicochemical but also biological methods are sufficient alone in order to remove organics from leachate to get high effluent quality. Integrated processes that use physicochemical and biological methods at the same time like membrane bioreactors (MBRs) have been mostly employed in landfill leachate treatment in last decade. In this study, the removal of organic material using aerobic/anoxic MBR system followed by a nanoffltration process was evaluated

Landfill Leachate Treatment: A Case Study for Istanbul City

One of the most important problems arising from landfilling solid wastes is the leachate which contains high amount of pollution. Discharge of leachate without treatment causes negative effects on environmental and public health. In this study, parameters of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN), ammonia nitrogen (NH4-N), and total phosphorus (TP) were examined in the samples taken from the influent and effluent of leachate treatment plant, where Odayeri landfill leachate is treated. Obtained results showed that the treatment plant, which consisted of preanoxic biological treatment system, ultrafiltration (UF) and nanofiltration (NF) units were operating with high efficiency. Among the examined parameters during study, COD, TN, NH4-N, and TP were found to be treated at the rate of 99, 94.5, 99, and 93.8%, respectively. Landfilling is increasing rapidly in the world and this consequently brings the need of leachate treatment facilities. Therefore, this study is considered to be a guide for construction and operation stages of proposed new treatment plants

Chloride or sulfate? Consequences for ozonation of textile wastewater

Ozonation of chloride-rich textile wastewater is a common pretreatment practice in order to increase biodegradability and therefore meet the discharge limits. This study is the first to investigate ozone-chloride/bromide interactions and formation of hazardous adsorbable organic halogens (AOX) in real textile wastewater. Initially effect of ozonation on chloride-rich real textile wastewater samples were investigated for adsorbable organic halogens (AOX) formation, biodegradability and toxicity. After 15 min of ozonation, maximum levels of chlorine/bromine generation (0.3 mg/l) and AOX formation (399 mg/l) were reached. OUR and SOUR levels both increased by approximately 58%. Daphnia magna toxicity peaked at 100% for 10 min ozonated sample. Considering adverse effects of ozonation on chloride-rich textile industry effluents, we proposed replacement of NaCl with Na2SO4. Comparative ozonation experiments were carried out for both chloride and sulfate containing synthetic dyeing wastewater samples. Results showed that use of sulfate in reactive dyeing increased biodegradability and decreased acute toxicity. Although sulfate is preferred over chloride for more effective dyeing performance, the switch has been hampered due to sodium sulfate's higher unit cost. However, consideration of indirect costs such as contributions to biodegradability, toxicity, water and salt recovery shall facilitate textile industry's switch from chloride to sulfate

EARLY DETECTION OF IMPAIRED LEFT VENTRICULER FUNCTION IN FIRST DEGREE RELATIVES OF PATIENS WITH IDIOPATHIC DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY: A STRAIN IMAGING STUDY

WOS: 00035957910150

Characterization of municipal solid waste in Istanbul, Turkey

Solid waste management was one of the most significant environmental issues encountered in developing countries. Quantity of produced waste as well as its composition was known to vary by general consumption patterns that were affected by socio-economic status, household size, or even by seasons. Due to the dynamic nature of waste quantity and composition, the handling and disposal of waste in an economically and environmentally feasible way presented itself as a challenge. Therefore, in order to conduct a successful decision-making process to determine the feasible and sustainable processes in the disposal of waste, priority should be given to the statement of the problem at hand. The aim of this study is to achieve a characterization of municipal solid waste of Istanbul, Turkey. Waste samples were collected from the transfer stations servicing certain zones of the city and consequently substance group, moisture content and calorific value analyses were performed over these samples. Results indicated that approximately 54% of the municipal solid waste composition was of organic nature. The paper/cardboard group was coming next in ranking with a proportion of 15.57%. Average moisture content of samples was calculated to be 62.41% and 1435 kcal kg(-1) was calculated to represent the average calorific value. (c) 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineer

The first countrywide monitoring of selected POPs: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and selected organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the atmosphere of Turkey.

Atmospheric levels of 43 PCBs, 22 OCPs, and 14 PBDEs were determined in 16 cities at urban and rural sites by passive sampling to generate the first large-scale nationwide dataset of POP residues in Turkey\u27s atmosphere. Sampling campaign was performed from May 2014 to April 2015 with three-month sampling periods at locations on east-west and north-south transects through the country to investigate seasonal and spatial variations, including long range atmospheric transport (LRAT). Factor analysis was conducted to infer on the potential sources. Overall average Σ43PCBs concentration was 108 ± 132 pg/m3. PCB-118 (26.3 ± 44.6 pg/m3) was the top congener, and penta-CBs had the highest contribution with 54.3%. ΣDDTs had the highest annual mean concentration with 134 ± 296 pg/m3 among the OCP groups among which the highest concentration compound was p\u27p-DDE (97.6 ± 236 pg/m3). Overall average concentration of Σ14PBDEs was 191 ± 329 pg/m3 with the highest contribution from BDE-190 (42%). Comparison of OCPs and PCBs concentrations detected at temperatures which were above and below annual average temperature indicated higher concentrations in the warmer periods, hence significance of secondary emissions for several OCPs and Σ43PCBs, as well as inference as LRAT from secondary emissions. The first nationwide POPs database constructed in this study, point to current use, local secondary emissions, and LRAT for different individual compounds, and indicate the need for regular monitoring