Processing, characterization and photocatalytic properties of Cu doped TiO2 thin films on glass substrate by sol-gel technique

The present paper describes processing, properties and photocatalytic application of Cu doped TiO2 thin films on glass substrate. Cu doped TiO2 coatings were successfully prepared on glass slide substrates using sol-gel method. The obtained solutions exhibit acidic characteristics. The phase structure, thermal, microstructure and surface properties of the coatings were characterized by using XRD, DTA/TG, SEM and AFM. Their adhesion properties and spectroscopic analysis were investigated by a scratch tester and UV-vis spectroscopy. Four different solutions were prepared by changing Cu/Ti ratios. Glass substrates were coated by solutions of Ti-alkoxide, Cu-chloride, glacial acetic acid and isopropanol. The obtained gel films were dried at 300 degrees C for 10 min and subsequently heat-treated at 500 degrees C for 5 min in air. The oxide thin films were annealed at 600 degrees C for 60min in air. TiO2, CuO, Cu4Ti, Ti3O5 and Cu3TiO4 phases were found in the coating. The organic matters were burned at temperatures between 200 and 350 degrees C and TiO2 crystallization was formed at 450 degrees C. The weight loss of the powder during process up to 600 degrees C is approximately 70%. The microstructural observations demonstrated that CuO content was led an improved surface morphology while thickness of the film and surface defects were increased in accordance with number of dipping. According to AFM results, it was found that as the Cu/Ti content increases the surface roughness of the films increases. In addition structural, thermal and microstructural results, it was found that the films of 0.73 ratio have better adhesion strength to the glass substrate among other coatings. The oxide films were found to be active for photocatalytic decomposition of metylene blue. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier B.V

Levels within the Fracture Healing Period

Titanium alloy implants are the most used materials for the fixation of lower extremity fractures. Although these implants were thought to be inert materials in vitro, several studies have shown increased serum and remote tissue metal ion levels due to wear of implants and friction of the bone-implant interface in vivo. The aim of this study was to investigate the alteration of serum metal ion levels that are released from intramedullary nails and plates used for the fixation of lower extremity fractures, within the fracture healing period. The study included 20 adult patients, who were treated with intramedullary nail or plate osteosynthesis due to closed lower extremity fractures. Alterations of serum titanium, aluminum, molybdenum, and vanadium levels were evaluated at 6, 12, 18, and 24 weeks postoperatively. A statistically significant increase was determined in serum titanium, aluminum, molybdenum, and vanadium ion levels in the intramedullary nail and plate groups at the end of the follow-up period. Pairwise comparisons of metal ion levels between implant groups revealed no significant difference during a 24-week follow-up period. Compared to the control group, statistically significant increased levels of serum titanium, aluminum, vanadium, and molybdenum ions were determined in the implant groups used for the fixation of lower extremity fractures at the end of 24 weeks. In the current literature, the potential toxic effects of prolonged exposure to low levels of these metal ions are still unknown. It can be predicted that long-term metal ion exposure could result in vivo pathological processes in the future.C1 [Tanoglu, Oguzhan] Erzincan Binali Yildirim Univ, Dept Orthoped & Traumatol, Fac Med, Erzincan, Turkey.[Say, Ferhat] Ondokuz Mayis Univ, Dept Orthoped & Traumatol, Fac Med, Samsun, Turkey.[Yucens, Mehmet] Pamukkale Univ, Dept Orthoped & Traumatol, Fac Med, Denizli, Turkey.[Alemdaroglu, Kadir Bahadir; Iltar, Serkan] SBU Ankara Res & Training Hosp, Dept Orthoped & Traumatol, Ankara, Turkey.[Aydogan, Nevres Hurriyet] Mugla Sitki Kocman Univ, Dept Orthoped & Traumatol, Fac Med, Mugla, Turkey

Clinicopathological profile of gastrointestinal tuberculosis: a multinational ID-IRI study

Duzenli, Tolga/0000-0002-6279-1018; Dauby, Nicolas/0000-0002-7697-6849; balkan, ilker inanc/0000-0002-8977-5931; Cascio, Antonio/0000-0002-1992-1796; Tanoglu, Alpaslan/0000-0002-7477-6640WOS: 000498049600005PubMed: 31758440Data are relatively scarce on gastro-intestinal tuberculosis (GITB). Most studies are old and from single centers, or did not include immunosuppressed patients. Thus, we aimed to determine the clinical, radiological, and laboratory profiles of GITB. We included adults with proven GITB treated between 2000 and 2018. Patients were enrolled from 21 referral centers in 8 countries (Belgium, Egypt, France, Italy, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, UK, and Turkey). One hundred four patients were included. Terminal ileum (n = 46, 44.2%), small intestines except terminal ileum (n = 36, 34.6%), colon (n = 29, 27.8%), stomach (n = 6, 5.7%), and perianal (one patient) were the sites of GITB. One-third of all patients were immunosuppressed. Sixteen patients had diabetes, 8 had chronic renal failure, 5 were HIV positive, 4 had liver cirrhosis, and 3 had malignancies. Intestinal biopsy samples were cultured in 75 cases (78.1%) and TB was isolated in 65 patients (86.6%). PCR were performed to 37 (35.6%) biopsy samples and of these, 35 (94.6%) were positive. Ascites samples were cultured in 19 patients and M. tuberculosis was isolated in 11 (57.9%). Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed to 40 patients (38.5%) and colonoscopy in 74 (71.1%). Surgical interventions were frequently the source of diagnostic samples (25 laparoscopy/20 laparotomy, n = 45, 43.3%). Patients were treated with standard and second-line anti-TB medications. Ultimately, 4 (3.8%) patients died and 2 (1.9%) cases relapsed. There was a high incidence of underlying immunosuppression in GITB patients. A high degree of clinical suspicion is necessary to initiate appropriate and timely diagnostic procedures; many patients are first diagnosed at surgery