Endothelial function in patients with familial Mediterranean fever-related amyloidosis and association with cardiovascular events

Objectives. Secondary amyloidosis is the most important complication of FMF and endothelial function is more severely impaired. Elevated asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) may mediate the excess cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk of this group. We aimed to compare endothelial function characteristics, including ADMA, in patients with FMF-related amyloidosis and primary glomerulopathies and to define risk factors for a CVD event. Methods. We undertook a cross-sectional study with prospective follow-up including consecutive patients with FMF-related amyloidosis (n = 98) or other non-diabetic glomerulopathies (n = 102). All patients had nephrotic-range proteinuria and normal glomerular filtration rate. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) was assessedand ADMA levels, CRP and pentraxin 3 (PTX3) were determined. Patients were followed for cardiovascular events. Results. Amyloidosis patients secondary to FMF showed higher levels of ADMA, CRP and PTX3 and lower FMD as compared with patients with other glomerulopathies. Cardiovascular events (n = 54) were registered during 3 years of follow-up. Increased ADMA levels and lower FMD were observed in patients with cardiovascular risk in both groups, but especially in individuals with amyloidosis.Conclusion. Patients with FMF-related amyloidosis have increased CVD event risk, probably related to the high ADMA levels, elevated inflammatory markers and decreased FMD measures observed in these patients

Organik/metal oksit hibrit tampon tabaka yapıların organik güneş hücre verimi üzerine etkileri

TEZ 621.31244/MUToKaynakça: 91-97 ss.[Özet Yok

Poly(melamine-co-formaldehyde) methylated effect on the interface states of metal/polymer/p-Si Schottky barrier diode

WOS:000369190400014The deposition technique and interface effect of polymeric molecules onto silicon surface is crucial topic for organic/inorganic hybrid technologies. In this study, the chemical structure of poly(4-vinyl phenol) (PVP) has been modified by cross-linked agent in solution for deposition onto p-Si surface. The poly (melamine-co-formaldehyde) methylated (PMF) has been used as a cross-linked agent for PVP polymeric molecules to apply spin cast deposition technique. The rectification ratio and interface states have been improved with PMF cross-link agent compared with only PVP polymeric layer. Some important diode parameters such as diode ideality factor (eta), barrier height (phi(b)), interface state density (N-ss), series resistance (R-s) of the Au/PVP:PMF/p-Si structure were calculated from the current-voltage (I-V) characteristics. The ideality factor and barrier height were found to be 2.37 and 0.71. For the explanation of the deviation of ideality factor value from 1, the interface states has been investigated by the frequency dependent capacitance (C-f-V) and conductance (G-f-V) techniques at room temperature. It is found that the interface states and R-s which indicate the deviation of the ideality factor of Au/PVP:PMF/p-Si structure is strongly depended on bias voltage and frequency. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Minimization of metallic Bi-0 species to increase the efficiency and stability of Ag3BiI6 solar cells via Cu doping

Metallic Pb-0 and uncoordinated Pb+2 species, which are generally observed in thin-film lead-based perovskites during the film production process or solar cell operation, have negative impact on device performance. Minimizing these two defects, it is possible to increase both cell efficiency and long-term stability. The effects of these traps on bismuth-based solar cells are still being investigated. In this study, we added CuBr to minimize metallic Bi-0 species encountered in Ag3BiI(6) solar cells, and increased device efficiency and stability. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements have shown that the addition of a small amount of CuBr minimizes the formation of a small amount of metallic Bi-0 from the manufacturing process. The devices produced with the highest efficiency CuBr-AgI-BiI3 system increased the performance of the control device from 0.4% to 0.7% and substantially improved durability. During the 7-week stability test, we observed an 40% decrease in the initial efficiency of the control device, while we noticed an 11.4% decrease in the efficiency when adding small amounts of CuBr. This study offers a highly effective approach that involves Cu doping to minimize metallic Bi-0 species that appear in the production process of Ag3BiI(6) solar cells and increase device efficiency and stability.Authors acknowledge to Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) and The Council of Higher Education (YOK) 100/2000 doctoral scholarship for financial support of A. MUTLU within the Program Nr.: 2211/C (Grant Nr.:1649B031903340). The authors are grateful to Ege University Directorate of Library and Documentation and Corporate Development Planning and Monitoring Coordination Unit (EGE-P.IK) for proofreading support.Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) [2211/C, 1649B031903340]; Council of Higher Education (YOK) 100/2000 doctoral scholarship [2211/C, 1649B031903340

An unusual complication following total hip arthroplasty: median circumflex femoral artery pseudoaneurysm

We report a case of a pseudoaneurysm of the medial circumflex femoral artery that presented 4 months following cementless left total hip arthroplasty (THA). A successful embolization was achieved using super-selective catheterization and coil embolization. Arterial complications associated with THA are remarkably rare. Endovascular techniques have been shown to be effective and are considered a valid alternative to conventional surgery

Utilization of coordinating green solvents for high quality methylammonium bismuth iodide thin films for photovoltaic applications

Photovoltaic performances of the bismuth-based solar cells are profoundly affected by the thin film quality of the photoactive layer. Herein, we report on various green solvent system to obtain the highly crystalline, pinhole free and homogeneously methylammonium bismuth iodide (MBI) active layer. The MBI structure prepared with tetrahydrofuran:2-ethoxy-ethanol (THF-2ETO) solvent system was found to have the best film quality. Adding 0.05 M 2ETO as the co-solvent is sufficient to produce high quality BiI3 and MBI thin films. According to the Xray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyzes, we have demonstrated that there is an interaction between BiI3 and 2ETO according to the concentration of 2ETO added to the main THF. Our study clarifies the importance of THF-2ETO solvent system that can accelerate the evolution of the Bi-based solar cells by creating high-quality BiI3 or MBI thin films.Authors acknowledge to Presidency of Turkish Republic Department of Strategy and Budget for the financial support Project Grant Nr: 2016K12-2841 and Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) for financial support of A. MUTLU within the Program Nr.: 2211/C (Grant Nr.:1649B031903340) and for financial support of T. YESIL (Grant Nr.: 118Z948) .Presidency of Turkish Republic Department of Strategy and Budget [2016K12-2841]; Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) [2211/C, 1649B031903340, 118Z948

Performance improvement of organic solar cell via incorporation of donor type self-assembled interfacial monolayer

WOS: 000476884100013Surface engineering of solar cell subsrate plays an important role to achieve high performance organic solar cell (OSC). The surface modification of the electron selective electrodes on which active organic layers form is a main research issue to improve interface between the semiconductor and the electron selective electrode. Here an enhancement of performance of the inverted type organic solar cells (i-OSCs) was provided by the use of a facile method of titanium dioxide (TiO2) surface modification with triphenylamine based self-assembled monolayer (SAM) molecules. The surface potential as well the effective work function of SAMs treated TiO2 layer was better aligned to lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) level of acceptor organic semiconductor for efficient electron charge extraction. As a result, the best maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of i-OSCs with and without SAMs modified TiO2 electrodes increased from 2.65% to 2.95%, respectively. The overall electrical parameters (short circuit current density, open circuit voltage and fill factor) of i-OSCs on the SAMS treated TiO2 electrode exhibited better results compared to unmodified TiO2 electrode. Series resistance (R-s) and shunt resistance (R-sh) of SAM treated devices was also evaluated to discuss an interface effects on the i-OSCs performance. These significant performance improvements reveal the potential application of SAMs for all solar cell technologies using TiO2 electrode

Double connector to TiO2 surface in small molecule triphenyl amine dyes for DSSC applications

WOS: 000475587800070Two novel dyes 3a and 3b named triphenylamine groups containing donor-acceptor structural units have been explored to be used in dye sensitized solar cells as organic sensitizers. The absorption bands of the dyes were extended up to550nm with visible absorption maxima at 408-430nm and optical band gaps of 2.44-2.47eV. Compared to the methoxyphenyl-substituted dye, the introduction of triisopropylphenyl group instead of that increased fluorescence quantum yields and exhibited red-shift emission in chloroform. We have investigated the photovoltaic properties of DSSCs based on these metal free organic dyes. It has been found that the power conversion efficiency of DSSCs sensitized with methoxyphenyl based triphenylamine dye is higher than that for sensitized with triisopropylphenyl derivative.Ministry of Science and Technology of Turkey [16-DPT-002]This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of Turkey (Project Nr: 16-DPT-002)

An unusual complication following total hip arthroplasty: median circumflex femoral artery pseudoaneurysm

We report a case of a pseudoaneurysm of the medial circumflex femoral artery that presented 4 months following cementless left total hip arthroplasty (THA). A successful embolization was achieved using super-selective catheterization and coil embolization. Arterial complications associated with THA are remarkably rare. Endovascular techniques have been shown to be effective and are considered a valid alternative to conventional surgery