Effect of Prewetted Pumice Aggregate Addition on Concrete Properties under Different Curing Conditions

This study researches the effects of different curing conditions on the properties of high strength concrete containing presoaked pumice aggregate (PA). Fine normal weight aggregate is substituted by an equal volume of 1h and 24h presoaked PA at 50% and 100% fractions and a total of five concrete mixtures were prepared. After kept in water, air and hot weather, the performance of concretes were evaluated by determining their physical and mechanical properties at 28 days. Hot weather was found to be the most detrimental condition where the highest strength drops were observed. Frost resistance of concretes was improved with the use of presoaked PA at 50% replacement ratio. The use of presoaked PA also decreased the shrinkage values of concrete specimens. The results showed that the use of presoaked PA in high strength concrete at 50% replacement ratio could contribute to concrete properties when exposed to inadequate curing conditions

Our experiences on retrograde intrarenal surgery

Objective: To evaluate outcomes of the cases who had undergone retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) in our clinics. Methods: Outcomes of 100 cases who had undergone RIRS because of renal stones between February 2012, and May 2013 were retrospectively evaluated. Results: Study population consisted of 35 female and 65 male patients with a mean age of 36.81(1-76) years. RIRS was performed with the indication of rest double J (D-J) stent (n=1), and renal stone (n=99). Mean stone size was 15.26 (5-27) mm. Preoperatively, 61 cases (61%) had preexisting D-J stents, while 39 (39%) cases were stentless. Access sheaths were used in 86 (86%) cases, while in 14 (14%) cases the procedure was applied without using an access sheath. Mean operative, and fluoroscopy times were 52.72 (10-120) minus, and 57.32 (10-180) seconds, respectively. Postoperatively D-J stents were implanted in 88 (88%) cases, and 12 (12%) cases were stent-free. Mean hospital time was 1.3 (1-7) days. After one month postoperatively, stone-free rate was achieved in 87 (87%) patients. Clinically insignificant residual stone fragments (CIRF) 6 (6%), and residual stones 7 (7%) were also detected. The latter group consisted of cases with horseshoe kidney (n=1), pelvic kidney (n=1), and kyphoscoliosis (n=1). Also in two case procedure was terminated prematurely, because of blurring of the vision secondary to bleeding. Apart from these patients, any preoperative complication did not develop. During follow-up period, urinary tract infection developed in 3 patients with resultant renal parenchymal damage in one patient. In one patient, D-J stent migrated into ureter. Conclusion: Retrograde intrarenal surgery is an effective and safe technique in the management of renal stones

Determination of bisphenol a and phthalate levels in wastewater samples

Objective: The use of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as bisphenol A (BPA) in plastics manufacturing, agriculture, livestock, and paint manufacturing increas daily. The water treated in wastewater treatment plants is used in many areas such as irrigation of parks and gardens, and reinforcement of underground water resources. However, whether the treatment process eliminates EDCs in wastewater is not exactly known, and determining this as well as the amounts of these chemicals in treated water are important in terms of protecting the environment and human health. The aim of the study was to determine BPA and phthalate concentrations in the influent and effluent flow samples obtained from wastewater treatment plants. Materials and Methods: BPA and phthalate concentrations were measured in influent and effluent flow samples using the enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. BPA and phthalate measurements were performed as competitive measurements of BPA and total phthalates in samples using specific monoclonal antibodies. Results: BPA and phthalate levels were measured respectively as 7.69 μg/L and 78.27 μg/L in the influent water samples and 3.17 μg/L and 25.56 μg/L in the effluent water samples. The concentration of BPA and phthalates in the effluent samples decreased significantly compared to the influent water samples. Conclusion: This study is believed to shed light on the importance of monitoring BPA and phthalate concentrations in wastewater treatment plants and inspections for detecting other EDCs in wastewater

Holmium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser for resection of bladder tumor in a pediatric patient

Bladder tumours are rare in children, with only 0.4% of cases occurring in the first 2 decades of life. Herein, a pediatric patient who underwent TUR-B with a holmium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser is presented. Its histopathology was reported as urothelial papilloma

Real-world efficacy and safety of Ledipasvir plus Sofosbuvir and Ombitasvir/Paritaprevir/Ritonavir +/- Dasabuvir combination therapies for chronic hepatitis C: A Turkish experience

Background/Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the real-life efficacy and tolerability of direct-acting antiviral treatments for patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with/without cirrhosis in the Turkish population.Material and Methods: A total of 4,352 patients with CHC from 36 different institutions in Turkey were enrolled. They received ledipasvir (LDV) and sofosbuvir (SOF)+/- ribavirin (RBV) ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir +/- dasabuvir (PrOD)+/- RBV for 12 or 24 weeks. Sustained virologic response (SVR) rates, factors affecting SVR, safety profile, and hepatocellular cancer (HCC) occurrence were analyzed.Results: SVR12 was achieved in 92.8% of the patients (4,040/4,352) according to intention-to-treat and in 98.3% of the patients (4,040/4,108) according to per-protocol analysis. The SVR12 rates were similar between the treatment regimens (97.2%-100%) and genotypes (95.6%-100%). Patients achieving SVR showed a significant decrease in the mean serum alanine transaminase (ALT) levels (50.90 +/- 54.60 U/L to 17.00 +/- 14.50 U/L) and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores (7.51 +/- 4.54 to 7.32 +/- 3.40) (p<0.05). Of the patients, 2 were diagnosed with HCC during the treatment and 14 were diagnosed with HCC 37.0 +/- 16.0 weeks post-treatment. Higher initial MELD score (odds ratio [OR]: 1.92, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22-2.38; p=0.023]), higher hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA levels (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.31-2.28; p=0.038), and higher serum ALT levels (OR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.21-1.83; p=0.042) were associated with poor SVR12. The most common adverse events were fatigue (12.6%), pruritis (7.3%), increased serum ALT (4.7%) and bilirubin (3.8%) levels, and anemia (3.1%).Conclusion: LDV/SOF or PrOD +/- RBV were effective and tolerable treatments for patients with CHC and with or without advanced liver disease before and after liver transplantation. Although HCV eradication improves the liver function, there is a risk of developing HCC.Turkish Association for the Study of The Liver (TASL

Synthesis and antimicrobial properties of cycloheptyl substituted benzimidazolium salts and their silver(I) carbene complexes

WOS: 000389640000008Due to increasing infections caused by microbes, there is an urgent need for the development of new effective antimicrobial agents. Silver-N-heterocyclic carbene (silver-NHC) complexes are a new class of antimicrobial agents. In this study, we aimed to synthesize highly lipophilic silver-NHC complexes. Four new complexes were synthesized by the reaction of the corresponding benzimidazolium salts and Ag2O in dichloromethane at room temperature. The synthesized compounds were characterized by H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR, IR and elemental analysis. The antimicrobial performances of benzimidazolium salts and silver complexes were tested against the standard bacterial strains Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the fungi Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of all compounds were determined. The obtained data demonstrate that all benzimidazolium salts and silver complexes inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi. Silver complexes are more active than the corresponding benzimidazolium salts (MIC: 6.25 mu g/mL for Gram-positive bacteria and fungi)