Synthesis, characterization and optical properties of ZnO-CuO-Al2O3 semiconducting films on glass substrates by sol-gel technique

We systematically report synthesis, characterization and optical properties of ZnO-CuO-Al2O3 semiconducting thin films on glass substrates in terms of preparation condition such as Cu content for gas sensor applications. In this framework, the thin films were successfully fabricated by sol-gel dip-coating technique using Zn, Cu and Al based precursors as starting materials. Transparent solutions were prepared by dissolving the Zn acetate, Cu and Al chlorides in solutions of methanol and glacial acetic acid. Turbidity, pH values, wettability and rheological properties of the prepared solutions were measured by turbidimeter, pH meter, contact angle ganiometer and rheometer machines before coating process. Turbidity, pH and contact angle values of the solutions were found to be approximately 34 ntu, 4.5 and 18°, respectively. It was determined that viscosities of the solutions slightly changed with increasing Cu concentration. The measured gel points of ZnO-0, 5, 10 and 15% CuO-Al2O3 solutions were approximately determined as 4000, 3500, 3000 and 2500 sec, respectively. The ZnO-CuO-1 wt% Al2O3 composite films with 0, 5, 10 and 15 wt% CuO content were obtained on glass substrate by dipping and the gel films were dried at 300°C for 10 min and followed by heat treating at 500°C for 10 min in air. This process was repeated six cyclics to make thick films. The thick films were annealed at 600°C for 30 min in air. The thermal, structural, microstructural, adhesion and optical properties of the coatings were extensively characterized by using DTA-TG, FTIR, XRD, SEM-EDS, AFM, scratch tester, refractometer and spectrophotometer. The annealing temperature, 600°C, can completely remove all templates from Zn, Cu and Al networks and oxide crystalline structure is completely formed at this temperature. The spectrum of ZnO-CuO-Al2O3 precursor film heat-treated at 500°C and 600°C which shows an absence of absorption bands corresponding to organics and hydroxyls indicating complete removal of organics and hydroxyls. XRD study confirms that the composite films consist of ZnO and CuO phases after annealing process. SEM reveals that dense structures are obtained by increasing CuO content in the composite films. It is clear from EDS analysis that Zn, Cu and Al elements are present in the films and Al peak is very low because it has 1% Al2O3 in the films. It was found that surface roughnesses of the films changed between 90 and 200 nm. The films prepared from 15% CuO have better adhesion strength to the glass substrate among other coatings. Refractive indices of ZnO based sol–gel coatings usually lie within the interval 1.20–1.70. While pure ZnO films has a high porosity, the porosity values of ZnO-5, 10 and 15% CuO-Al2O3 films decrease as a function of CuO content. The film thicknesses for ZnO-0, 5, 10 and 15% CuO-Al2O3 were measured as 852 nm, 478 nm, 518 nm and 695 nm using optical method respectively. The optical direct band gap energies were found to be in the range of 3.18 to 3.15 eV for ZnO-CuO-1 wt% Al2O3 films including 0, 5, 10 and 15 wt% CuO content. The ZnO film shows the transmittance of the order of 44% while that of ZnO-CuO-Al2O3 films was of the order of 55%. It is noticed that the ZnO film has higher absorbance in visible range of spectrum

The effect of a restriction policy on the antimicrobial consumption in Turkey: a country-wide study

Background: The total annual expenditure of antimicrobials in Turkey in 2002 was 24% of all drug spending. In order to reduce the cost of drug expenditure, the Turkish government introduced a new restriction policy on the prescription of antimicrobials in June 2003. This new policy is based on the justification that the physicians specializing in infectious diseases should be primarily responsible for the prescription of antimicrobials. Objectives: Compare and contrast the usage of antimicrobials at hospitals before and after the implementation of the new restriction policy. Methods: The data was collected from the same departments in two different periods in 2003 at 15 hospitals throughout Turkey. The first set of data was collected a few days before the new policy was implemented in May 2003 and the second data set 6 months after that. Antimicrobial usage was calculated as defined daily doses (DDDs) per 100 patient days according to ATC-DDD index. The change in antimicrobial consumption was determined by comparing the mean DDD values before and after the implementation of the new policy. Results: Before the intervention, the mean antimicrobial use density was 71.56 DDD/100 patients-day at the hospitals in the study. Six months after the implementation, the mean antimicrobial use density was 52.64 DDD/100 patients-day. There was a 26.4% decrease in the antimicrobial usage between that prior to and that after the intervention (P < 0.025). Conclusions: The study shows that the implementation of the new policy resulted in a significant reduction in the prescription of antimicrobials

Ubiquitous release of exosomal tumor suppressor miR-6126 from ovarian cancer cells

Abstract Cancer cells actively promote their tumorigenic behavior by reprogramming gene expression. Loading intraluminal vesicles with specific miRNAs and releasing them into the tumor microenvironment as exosomes is one mechanism of reprogramming whose regulation remains to be elucidated. Here, we report that miR-6126 is ubiquitously released in high abundance from both chemosensitive and chemoresistant ovarian cancer cells via exosomes. Overexpression of miR-6126 was confirmed in healthy ovarian tissue compared with ovarian cancer patient samples and correlated with better overall survival in patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer. miR-6126 acted as a tumor suppressor by directly targeting integrin-β1, a key regulator of cancer cell metastasis. miR-6126 mimic treatment of cancer cells resulted in increased miR-6126 and decreased integrin-β1 mRNA levels in the exosome. Functional analysis showed that treatment of endothelial cells with miR-6126 mimic significantly reduced tube formation as well as invasion and migration capacities of ovarian cancer cells in vitro. Administration of miR-6126 mimic in an orthotopic mouse model of ovarian cancer elicited a relative reduction in tumor growth, proliferating cells, and microvessel density. miR-6126 inhibition promoted oncogenic behavior by leading ovarian cancer cells to release more exosomes. Our findings provide new insights into the role of exosomal miRNA-mediated tumor progression and suggest a new therapeutic approach to disrupt oncogenic phenotypes in tumors. Cancer Res; 76(24); 7194–207. ©2016 AACR.</jats:p

Serum Levels of Trace Elements and Heavy Metals in Patients with Acute Hemorrhagic Stroke

Trace elements are essential components of biological structures, but alternatively, they can be toxic at concentrations beyond those necessary for their biological functions. Changes in the concentration of essential trace elements and heavy metals may affect acute hemorrhagic stroke. The aim of this study was to measure serum levels of essential trace elements [iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and magnesium (Mg)] and heavy metals [cobalt (Co), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb)] in patients with acute hemorrhagic stroke. Twenty-six patients with acute hemorrhagic stroke and 29 healthy controls were enrolled. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (UNICAM-929) was used to measure serum Fe, Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn, Co, Mn and Mg concentrations. Serum Cd, Pb and Fe levels were significantly higher in patients with acute hemorrhagic stroke than controls (p 0.05). We first demonstrate increased Cd, Pb, and Fe levels; and decreased Cu, Zn, Mg, and Mn levels in patients with acute hemorrhagic stroke. These findings may have diagnostic and prognostic value for acute hemorrhagic stroke. Further studies are required to elucidate the roles of trace elements and heavy metals in patients with acute hemorrhagic stroke

Resisting urban renewal in Istanbul

In this article I examine grassroots responses to state-directed urban renewal in two poor neighborhoods in Istanbul. Through detailed analysis of resident perspectives and urban association tactics, I explore various factors that shape the trajectories of resistance to urban renewal, including solidarity networks, levels of participation and trust in local neighborhood associations, strength of neighborhood identity, extra-local support, and the traditions and channels of negotiation with state actors. I argue that these factors are articulated by a distinct “politics of compensation”—a term that I borrow from Ananya Roy—that is particular to the contemporary neoliberal condition. I find that grassroots mobilizations in Istanbul do not necessarily operate in opposition to neoliberalism; in fact, many struggles remain within the conceptual space of neoliberalism and its cost-benefit calculations. These findings contribute to the emerging literature on struggles against urban renewal in the global south

Gastrostomy in hospitalized patients with acute stroke: "NoroTek" Turkey point prevalence study subgroup analysis

Objective: Nutritional status assessment, dysphagia evaluation and enteral feeding decision are important determinants of prognosis in acute neurovascular diseases. Materials and Methods: NöroTek is a point prevalence study conducted with the participation of 87 hospitals spread across all health sub regions of Turkey conducted on 10-May-2018 (World Stroke Awareness Day). A total of 972 hospitalized neurovascular patients [female: 53%, age: 69±14; acute ischemic stroke in 845; intracerebral hematoma (ICH) in 119 and post-resuscitation encephalopathy (PRE) in 8] with complete data were included in this sub-study. Results: Gastrostomy was inserted in 10.7% of the patients with ischemic stroke, 10.1% of the patients with ICH and in 50% of the patients with PRE. Independent predictors of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) administration were The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at admission [exp (β): 1.09 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05-1.14, per point] in ischemic stroke; and mechanical ventilation in ischemic [exp (β): 6.18 (95% CI: 3.16-12.09)] and hemorrhagic strokes [exp (β): 26.48 (95% CI: 1.36-515.8)]. PEG was found to be a significant negative indicator of favorable (modified Rankin’s scale score 0-2) functional outcome [exp (β): 0.032 (95% CI: 0.004-0.251)] but not of in-hospital mortality [exp (β): 1.731 (95% CI: 0.785-3.829)]. Nutritional and swallowing assessments were performed in approximately two-thirds of patients. Of the nutritional assessments 69% and 76% of dysphagia assessments were completed within the first 2 days. Tube feeding was performed in 39% of the patients. In 83.5% of them, tube was inserted in the first 2 days; 28% of the patients with feeding tube had PEG later. Conclusion: The NöroTek study provided the first reliable and large-scale data on key quality metrics of nutrition practice in acute stroke in Turkey. In terms of being economical and accurate it makes sense to use the point prevalence method.Amaç: Akut nörovasküler hastalıklarda nütrisyonel durum ve disfaji değerlendirmesi ve enteral beslenme kararı önemli prognoz belirleyicilerindendir. Gereç ve Yöntem: NöroTek, 10 Mayıs 2018’de (Dünya İnme Farkındalık Günü) Türkiye’nin tüm sağlık alt bölgelerine yayılmış 87 hastanenin katılımıyla gerçekleştirilen bir nokta prevalans çalışmasıdır. Hastanede yatan ve bu alt çalışma için toplanan verisi tam olan toplam 972 nörovasküler hasta (kadın: %53, yaş: 69±14 yıl; 845’i akut iskemik inme; 119’u intraserebral hematom ve 8’i post-resüsitasyon ensefalopatisi) analiz edildi. Bulgular: Gastrostomi iskemik inmeli hastaların %10,7, intraserebral kanamalıların %10,1 ve post-resusitasyon ensefalopatisi olanların %50’sine uygulanmıştır. Perkütan endoskopik gastrostomi (PEG) gereksiniminin bağımsız belirleyicileri, iskemik inme grubunda kabul NIHSS [exp (β): 1,09, %95 güven aralığı (GA): 1,05-1,14, puan başına] ile hem iskemik hem de hemorajik inmelerde mekanik ventilasyon uygulanmış olmasıdır [iskemik için: exp (β): 6,18, %95 GA: 3,16- 12,09] ve hemorajik inme için: [exp (β): 26,48, 95% GA: 1,36-515,8]. İnme olgularında PEG uygulaması hastane içi mortalite için bağımsız belirleyici değildi [exp (β): 1,731, 95% GA: 0,785-3,829]. Ancak, PEG uygulanmış olması taburculuk esnasında iyi prognoza (modifiye Rankin skoru 0-2) sahip olabilme için anlamlı bir negatif etmen olarak bulundu [exp (β): 0,032, %95 GA: 0,004-0,251]. Hastanede yatan nörovasküler hastaların yaklaşık üçte ikisinde malnütrisyon ve yutma bozukluğu açısından değerlendirme yapılmıştı. Nutrisyonel status değerlendirmesinin %69’u ve disfaji değerlendirmesinin %76’sı ilk 48 saat içinde gerçekleştirilmişti. Tüple enteral nütrisyon uygulama oranı %39’du. Beslenme tüplerinin %83,5’i ilk 2 gün içinde yerleştirilirken beslenme tüpü olan hastaların %28’ine daha sonra PEG açılmıştı. Sonuç: NöroTek çalışması ile Türkiye’de hastanede yatan akut inme hastalarında nutrisyonel uygulamaların temel kalite ölçütlerine ilişkin ilk güvenilir ve büyük ölçekli veri sağlanmıştır. Ekonomik olması ve doğruluğu açısından nokta yaygınlık yönteminin bu tip verilerin temini için daha fazla kullanılması mantıklıdır

Atrial Fibrillation Management in Acute Stroke Patients in Türkiye: Real-life Data from the NöroTek Study

Objective: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common directly preventable cause of ischemic stroke. There is no dependable neurology-based data on the spectrum of stroke caused by AF in Turkiye. Within the scope of NoroTek-Turkiye (TR), hospital-based data on acute stroke patients with AF were collected to contribute to the creation of acute-stroke algorithms.Materials and Methods: On May 10, 2018 (World Stroke Awareness Day), 1,790 patients hospitalized at 87 neurology units in 30 health regions were prospectively evaluated. A total of 929 patients [859 acute ischemic stroke, 70 transient ischemic attack (TIA)] from this study were included in this analysis.Results: The rate of AF in patients hospitalized for ischemic stroke/TIA was 29.8%, of which 65% were known before stroke, 5% were paroxysmal, and 30% were diagnosed after hospital admission. The proportion of patients with AF who received "effective" treatment [international normalization ratio >= 2.0 warfarin or non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) at a guideline dose] was 25.3%, and, either no medication or only antiplatelet was used in 42.5% of the cases. The low dose rate was 50% in 42 patients who had a stroke while taking NOACs. Anticoagulant was prescribed to the patient at discharge at a rate of 94.6%; low molecular weight or unfractionated heparin was prescribed in 28.1%, warfarin in 32.5%, and NOACs in 31%. The dose was in the low category in 22% of the cases discharged with NOACs, and half of the cases, who received NOACs at admission, were discharged with the same drug.Conclusion: NoroTekTR revealed the high but expected frequency of AF in acute stroke in Turkiye, as well as the aspects that could be improved in the management of secondary prophylaxis. AF is found in approximately one-third of hospitalized acute stroke cases in Turkiye. Effective anticoagulant therapy was not used in three-quarters of acute stroke cases with known AF. In AF, heparin, warfarin, and NOACs are planned at a similar frequency (one-third) within the scope of stroke secondary prophylaxis, and the prescribed NOAC dose is subtherapeutic in a quarter of the cases. Non-medical and medical education appears necessary to prevent stroke caused by AF