Sedimentation Characteristics of Kaolin and Bentonite in Concentrated Solutions

The sedimentation characteristics of two clays, namely kaolinite and bentonite, were determinated at high clay (5 % wt/vol) and electrolyte (1 N) concentrations using various inorganic-organic compounds. It was observed that the settling behaviour of kaolinite (1:1 clay) and montmorillonite (2:1 clay) is quite different due to the structural differences between these minerals. Although, similar initial settling rates and final sediment volumes were obtained after 24 hours of settling time for kaolin suspensions, the corresponding rates and volumes for bentonite suspensions varied greatly with the used chemical compound. According to the experimental results, a further intensive theoretical and experimental investigation is needed to reveal the mechanism underlying the sedimentation characteristics of clay minerals at high clay and electrolyte concentrations

Expression of CD44 and IL-10 in normotensive and preeclamptic placental tissue

Objectives: We aimed to demonstrate cell-cell adhesion and apoptotic changes in preeclamptic placentas by examining the expression of CD44 and IL-10. Material and methods: Placenta samples of 15 preeclamptic and 15 healthy 35–38th week-pregnant women were involved in the study. Tissue samples were taken only from the maternal side of the placenta and fixed in 10% formaldehyde, then blocked in paraffin wax and 5 μm-thick sections were cut and stained with Masson Trichrome. Antigen retrieval was performed for sections, incubated with CD44 antibody and anti-IL-10 antibody. After the application of streptavidin peroxidase followed by AEC chromogen solution, sections were counterstained with Mayer hematoxylin. Results: In the preeclampsia group, increased CD44 positive expression was observed in maternal decidua cells and fibroblast cells close to root villi. CD44 was positively expressed in muscle cells around the blood vessels, mucosal connective tissue areas, syncytial nodes, and syncytial bridges. In the preeclampsia group, significant increased IL-10 expression was seen in subendothelial layers of the medium-sized vessels in the maternal region. IL-10 was also positively expressed in decidua cells outside the vessels, and inflamed connective tissue areas, chorionic villus cells with intense inflammation in intervillous spaces. Conclusions: CD44 was found to be an essential molecule in the regulation of vascular permeability, inflammatory response, activation of the cells, cell-to-cell interaction, and the signaling pathways to which they are associated. Since IL-10 regulates appropriate pregnancy outcomes and contributes to the balance of anti-inflammatory signals via both paracrine and autocrine regulators of trophoblast activity, we proposed that it might be a key to elucidate the etiology of preeclampsia with CD44 receptor

Preparation of different zinc compounds from a smithsonite ore through ammonia leaching and subsequent heat treatment

In this study, firstly, the effects of ammonia concentration, leaching time and solid/liquid ratio on the leaching behaviour of zinc from a smithsonite (ZnCO3) ore sample in aqueous ammonia solutions were investigated at room temperature by chemical, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy analyses. It was found that leaching ratio of zinc steeply increased from 30.1 to 76.2% with increasing ammonia concentration from 1.0 to 4.0 M and maximum zinc leaching ratio of 79.7% was reached after leaching in 13.3 M NH3 solution. The XRD pattern of the residue obtained after leaching in 4.0 M NH3 solution for 90 min at solid/liquid ratio of 0.15 g/mL, the optimum condition, showed that smithsonite phase in the ore sample almost completely dissolved whereas the gangue minerals goethite and calcite remained unaffected, confirming the selectivity of ammonia solution for zinc dissolution. Together with zinc, leaching ratios of cadmium were also determined. In second part of the study, precipitation tests (by complete drying at different temperatures) were conducted on dissolved zinc, carbonate and ammonia containing pregnant solutions obtained after selected leaching experiments. By complete drying of the pregnant solutions at low temperatures, i.e. 50°C, relatively pure solid zinc ammine carbonate (Zn(NH3)CO3) precipitates and at higher temperatures, i.e. 150°C, quite pure solid zinc carbonate hydroxide (Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6) precipitates could be prepared. High-temperature heating of Zn(NH3)CO3 and Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6 precipitates at 450°C yielded single-phase zinc oxide (ZnO). The chemical compositions, FT-IR spectra and scanning electron microscope (SEM) photographs of some of the precipitates were also presented

Direct conversion of alkaline earth metal hydroxides and sulfates to carbonates in ammonia solutions

: In this study, the direct conversion behaviors of different alkaline earth metal solids (the hydroxides and the sulfates of alkaline earth metals Ca, Sr, Ba and Mg) to their corresponding carbonates in dissolved carbonate-containing pregnant solutions obtained by direct leaching of a smithsonite (ZnCO3) ore sample in aqueous ammonia solutions having different concentrations (4 M, 8 M and 13.3 M NH3) were investigated by using X-ray diffraction analyses at alkaline earth metal to dissolved carbonate mole ratios of 1:1 and 1:2, for revealing the conversion possibilities of dissolved carbonate in the pregnant solutions to solid carbonate by-products. The results of direct conversion experiments showed that Ca(OH)2, CaSO4·2H2O, Sr(OH)2·8H2O and Ba(OH)2·8H2O converted to their corresponding carbonates, SrSO4 partially converted to SrCO3 as observed by the presence of unreacted SrSO4 peaks in X-ray diffraction patterns of the converted solids, and BaSO4 did not convert to BaCO3 because of its lower solubility with respect to BaCO3. On the other hand, it was observed that Mg(OH)2 did not convert to MgCO3, but MgSO4·7H2O converted dominantly to an uncommon phase, which was tentatively identified as Mg5Zn3(CO3)2(OH)12·H2O. In the study, a complete discussion on the conversion behaviors of alkaline earth metal solids to their corresponding carbonates was given considering the differences between their solubility product constants and the changes in the free energies of the theoretical conversion reactions. In addition, infrared spectra and scanning electron microscope images of some of the converted solids were also presented for characterization purposes

Cesarean scar pregnancy: A case report

Pregnancy implantation to the cesarean scar could be the life threatening, although it is a rare event, its ratio increased along with the increasing rate of cesarean delivery. Early diagnosis and treatment may be lifesaving with preserving fertility in these patients. In transvaginal ultrasonography; presence of an empty uterine and cervical cavity, lack of continuity of myometrial setting at the anterior isthmic region and pregnancy implantation to this region should suggest the diagnosis. In this article, we aimed to present a patient with scar ectopic pregnancy with the review of the literature

Retrospective Evaluation of Placenta Previa Cases: A Secondary-Center Experience

Aim:This study aimed to evaluate the maternal and neonatal outcomes of placenta previa cases managed in our hospital.Materials and Methods:The records of 107 placenta previa cases delivered between 2011 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Age, gravida, parity, red blood cell (RBC)-fresh frozen plasma (FFP) transfusion necessity, the gestational week at birth, birth weight, 1st and 5th minute Apgar score, the number of previous cesarean sections, requiring additional surgical intervention (internal iliac artery ligation [IIAL], peripartum hysterectomy) and maternal complications were examined.Results:RBC-FFP transfusion and IIAL rates were significantly higher in complete placenta previa cases than the partial placenta previa cases. RBC-TDP transfusion, IIAL and peripartum hysterectomy rates were significantly higher in placenta accreata spectrum (PAS) cases compared to those cases with normal placental invasion. Prematurity risk increased in all placenta previa subgroups.Conclusion:Pregnancy complicated by placenta previa increases the risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, especially if there is concurrent placental invasion anomaly

An investigation of the effect of placental growth factor on intrapartum fetal compromise prediction in terminduced high risk pregnancies

Objectives: To date, there is no available test to predict the risk of intrapartum fetal compromise (IFC) during labor, either starting spontaneously or induced due to obstetrics indications. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of placental growth factor (PIGF) in identifying cases that develop intrapartum fetal compromise (IFC) in term high-risk pregnancies induced for labor.Material and methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 40 IFC+ cases and 40 IFC- cases withhigh-risk term pregnancy and labor induction started in the Health Sciences University Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital, between January 2018 and April 2018. Comparisons were made between the groups in respect of placental growth factor (PIGF) levels, and obstetric and neonatal outcomes.Results: The PIGF level was found to be statistically significantly lower in the IFC+ cases compared to the IFC- cases. For a PIGF cutoff value of 32 pg/mL for the prediction of IFC+ cases, sensitivity was 74.4%, specificity 73.2%, NPV 75% and PPV 72.5%, with a statistically significant difference determined between the groups. The IFC+ development risk increased 7.91-fold in patients with PIGF ≤ 32 pg/mL.Conclusions: The PIGF levels in cases of IFC+ high risk pregnancies were found to be statistically significantly lower than those of IFC- cases. However, further, large-scale randomized controlled research is necessary to demonstrate this relationship better

Retrospektywna analiza 41 przypadków łożyska wrośniętego – strategie postępowania

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate maternal characteristics, surgical treatment options, and morbidity of patients with placenta accreta. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of placenta accreta patients who were diagnosed and hospitalized between 2006 and 2010 at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of the Dicle University Hospital (Center A) and Maternity Hospital (Center B) in Diyarbakir, Turkey. The data were retrieved from medical charts of both hospitals. Maternal demographic features, clinical outcomes, type of surgical intervention, and complicationswere evaluated. Results: The incidence of placenta accreta was 1/426 deliveries in Center A and 1/7573 deliveries in Center B over a 5-year period. Thirty-nine (95.1%) patients had placenta previa, and 32 (78.0%) patients had at least one previous cesarean delivery. Hysterectomy was performed in 28 (68.3%) of 41 women with placenta accreta and uterine preservation was achieved in 13 (31.7%) of them. One (2.4%) maternal death occurred. Estimated blood loss was >2 liters and all patients required blood products transfusion. Conclusion: Placenta accreta is highly associated with the existence of placenta previa, especially in cases with previous cesarean delivery. When placenta accreta is diagnosed or suspected, the patient should be referred to a tertiary center for optimum care, where the obstetrical team should include experienced pelvic surgeons who are capable of performing emergent hysterectomy, internal iliac artery ligation, and uterine devascularization procedures.Cel: Celem badania była analiza czynników matczynych, metod leczenia chirurgicznego i zachorowalności pacjentek z łożyskiem wrośniętym. Metody: Retrospektywnie przeanalizowano historie chorób pacjentek z łożyskiem wrośniętym, które zdiagnozowano i leczono w latach 2006 do 2010 w Klinice Ginekologiczno-Położniczej w Dicle University Hospital (ośrodek A) oraz Maternity Hospital (ośrodek B) w Diyarbakir, Turcja. Dane do analizy uzyskano z dokumentacji obu szpitali. Oceniono czynniki matczyne, demograficzne, wyniki leczenia, rodzaj zastosowanej interwencji chirurgicznej i jej powikłania. Wyniki: Częstość występowania łożyska wrośniętego wynosiła 1/426 porodów w ośrodku A i 1/7573 porodów w ośrodku B w okresie 5 lat obserwacji. Trzydzieści dziewięć (95,1%) pacjentek miało łożysko przodujące a 32 (78%) kobiety podawały co najmniej jedno cięcie cesarskie w przeszłości. Usunięcie macicy wykonano w 28 przypadkach (68,3%) spośród 41 kobiet z łożyskiem wrośniętym, natomiast u 13 z nich (31,7%) udało się zachować macicę. Jedna (2,4%) pacjentka zmarła. Szacowana utrata krwi wynosiła ponad 2 litry i wszystkie pacjentki wymagały przetoczeń preparatów krwi. Wnioski: Łożysko wrośnięte jest istotnie związane z łożyskiem przodującym, zwłaszcza w przypadkach cięcia cesarskiego w wywiadzie. W sytuacji rozpoznania lub podejrzenia łożyska przodującego, należy przekazać pacjentkę do ośrodka trzeciego stopnia referencyjności celem uzyskania optymalnej opieki nad chorą. Do ośrodka, w którym wśród położników będą doświadczeni chirurdzy miednicy mniejszej będący w stanie wykonać natychmiastowe usunięcie macicy, podwiązanie tętnicy biodrowej wewnętrznej i inne procedury zmniejszające unaczynienie macicy

Ektopik Gebelik Olgularında Methotrexatın Tedavi Etkinliğinin Değerlendirilmesi

Aim: Our aim in this study was to assess efficacy of singledose methotrexate (MTX) as medical treatment for ectopic pregnancy (EP) by evaluating the results of patients given this treatment. Materials and Methods: Between September 2016 and August 2017, the treatment outcomes of EP cases treated with MTX at Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital of Health Sciences University were evaluated retrospectively. Results: In total, 126 cases treated for EP were evaluated and 65 cases were included in the study. In cases administered a single dose of MTX, the success rate was 80%, the failure rate was 13.8%, and the emergency surgery rate was 6.2%. The overall success rate of the medical treatment was 90.7% for a second dose of MTX. An unsuccessful result was considered as less than a 15% reduction in the beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (?-hCG) level between 4 and 7 days after single dose MTX administration. In all cases, the rate of emergency surgery after treatment was 9.3%. Conclusions: In our study, success rates in patients with EP treated with MTX were 80% after a single dose and as high as 90.7% when a second dose was addedAmaç: Bu çalışmadaki amacımız ektopik gebelik’ te (EP) medikal tedavi olarak tek doz methotrexat (MTX) tedavisi verilen olguların sonuçlarının değerlendirilmesidir. Materyal ve Metot: Eylül 2016 ile Ağustos 2017 arasında Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Gazi Yaşargil Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesinde tedavi edilen EP olgularında MTX tedavisi uygulanmış olanların tedavi sonuçları retrospektif olarak değerlendirildi. Bulgular: Çalışmanın yapıldığı tarihler arasında EP nedeniyle tedavi edilen 126 olgu çalışmaya dahil edildi. Tek doz MTX tedavisi başlanan olgularda başarı oranı %80, başarısızlık %13.8 ve acil cerrahi oranı %6.2 olarak gerçekleşti. Tek doz MTX uygulaması sonrasında 4 ve 7 günler arsında betahuman chorionic gonadotropin (?-hCG) seviyesinin %15 ten az düşmesi sonucunda başarısız olarak kabul edilen olgularda yapılan 2. doz MTX sonucunda, medikal tedavinin toplam başarı oranı %90.7 olarak gerçekleşirken, bu olguların tümünde tedavi sonrası acil cerrahi oranı %9.3 olarak gerçekleşti. Sonuç: Çalışmamızda uygun endikasyonla MTX tedavisi uygulanan EP olgularında medikal tedavinin başarı oranı %90.7 gibi oldukça yüksek bir oranda gerçekleşmiş olup olguların sadece %9.3 de MTX tedavisi sonrasında acil cerrahi tedavi gerekmiştir