Facile preparation of commercial Bi2O3 nanoparticle decorated activated carbon for pseudocapacitive supercapacitor applications

In this work, a facile method to prepare Bi2O3 decorated activated carbon (Bi2O3@AC) composites with high pseudocapacitive properties was presented. The inorganic-organic composites synthesized using commercial Bi2O3 and active carbon with different weight ratio. The composites were assessed using spectroscopic, microscopic, and diffractive techniques. Our assessments confirmed that active carbons were successfully doped with commercial Bi2O3 nanoparticles with different dopant rates. The electrochemical performance of as-prepared materials was researched by cyclic voltammetry, chronopotentiometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in 6 M KOH electrolyte. Higher specific capacitance was achieved for increased Bi2O3 nanoparticle in composites. The 20%-Bi2O3@AC had a maximum specific capacitance of 565 F/g at a current density of 1 A/g. In addition, the symmetrically assembled supercapacitor delivers a high energy density (23.0 Wh kg(-1)). Moreover, 67% of the initial capacitance is maintained after 1500 cycles at 200 mV/s, suggesting good cycling stability. Due to the synergistic effect of compositing a promising electrochemical performance was observed that was not obtained by bare AC or Bi2O3. As a result, the electrochemical properties of 20%-Bi2O3@AC composite is promising and it may be used as potential electrode for supercapacitor.Kirklareli University Scientific Research Coordination Office [KLUBAP 207]; Krklareli University, Turkey [KLUBAP-139]Part of the project was supported Kirklareli University Scientific Research Coordination Office with project number KLUBAP 207. This study was partly supported by the Krklareli University, Turkey (Grant No. KLUBAP-139).WOS:0006530271000052-s2.0-8510634631

The utility of amniotic fluid pH and electrolytes for prediction of neonatal respiratory disorders

Background: Amniotic fluid (AF) is a complex structure with a changing content by gestation. Lower genomic expression of Na channels in airways was shown to be associated with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). The aim of this study was to determine the possible role of amniotic fluid pH and electrolytes for prediction of neonatal respiratory morbidities. Methods: This was a prospective controlled cohort study. During C-section, 1 ml of AF was aspirated before incision of membranes. AF pH and electrolytes were analyzed by blood gas analyzer. Maternal and neonatal demographic features and clinical outcomes, respiratory morbidities were all recorded. Results: AF Na and K values were significantly higher in all infants with respiratory morbidities compared with those who did not develop respiratory findings. AF Na value was significantly higher in preterm neonates with RDS as well as in term neonates with transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN). AF pH did not show any significant difference for prediction of respiratory morbidities in term and preterm infants. Conclusion: This is the first study that reported the value of AF Na and K levels for prediction of respiratory morbidities in term and preterm infants. However, further studies including larger number of infants are required to confirm the role of AF analysis to predict neonatal respiratory morbidities. Randomized controlled trial (RCT) number: NCT02813954

Arrhythmogenic Potential of Vitamin D Insufficiency

WOS: 000375337700022Introduction: Although the reports are also present demonstrating the exact opposite, general opinion is that vitamin D has favorable effects on cardiovascular system. The association between vitamin D insufficiency and coronary artery disease, heart failure and hypertension were well demonstrated. Nevertheless the impact of vitamin D insufficiency on arrhythmia remains unclear. Materials and methods: Low vitamin D and control groups consisted of 74 and 80 patients respectively. Parameters of arrhythmia including QT and P wave dispersion, SDNN, SDNN-index, pNN50, RMSSD, HF and LF as well as the number of atrial pre-systole, atrial pair; supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular pre-systole, ventricular pair, non-sustained ventricular tachycardia, sustained ventricular tachycardia were compared between the patients with vitamin D insufficiency and controls. Results: Maximum QTc, minimumQTc, QTc dispersion, maximum p wave, minimum p wave, p wave dispersion, SDNN, SDNN index, RMSSD, pNN50, HF and LF values were found to be similar between low vitamin D and control groups (p>0,05). Furthermore there was not a significant difference in the number of atrial pre-systole, atrial pair, supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular pre-systole, ventricular pail; non-sustained ventricular tachycardia and sustained ventricular tachycardia (p>0,05). Additionally, serum vitamin D levels were not found to be correlated with QTc dispersion and SDNN (r=-0,010, p=0,933 and r=-0,034, p=0,777 respectively). Conclusion: Serum vitamin D levels do not have any impact on the current arrhythmic status and the risk of developing arrhythmia. Beside the questioned value of vitamin D in general cardiovascular outcomes, arrhythmia is unlikely to be a component of the possible effects of vitamin D insufficiency on cardiovascular system

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia and wnt pathway-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms.

AIM: Genetic variants contribute to the pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). The aim of this study is to evaluate the association of 45 SNPs with BPD susceptibility in a Turkish premature infant cohort. METHODS: Infants with gestational age <32 weeks were included. Patients were divided into BPD or no-BPD groups according to oxygen need at 28 days of life, and stratified according to the severity of BPD. We genotyped 45 SNPs, previously identified as BPD risk factors, in 192 infants. RESULTS: A total of eight SNPs were associated with BPD risk at allele level, two of which (rs4883955 on KLF12 and rs9953270 on CHST9) were also associated at the genotype level. Functional relationship maps suggested an interaction between five of these genes, converging on WNT5A, a member of the WNT pathway known to be implicated in BPD pathogenesis. Dysfunctional CHST9 and KLF12 variants may contribute to BPD pathogenesis through an interaction with WNT5A. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest investigating the role of SNPs on different genes which are in relation with the Wnt pathway in BPD pathogenesis. We identified eight SNPs as risk factors for BPD in this study. In-silico functional maps show an interaction of the genes harboring these SNPs with the WNT pathway, supporting its role in BPD pathogenesis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03467828. IMPACT: It is known that genetic factors may contribute to the development of BPD in preterm infants. Further studies are required to identify specific genes that play a role in the BPD pathway to evaluate them as a target for therapeutic interventions. Our study shows an association of BPD predisposition with certain polymorphisms on MBL2, NFKBIA, CEP170, MAGI2, and VEGFA genes at allele level and polymorphisms on CHST9 and KLF12 genes at both allele and genotype level. In-silico functional mapping shows a functional relationship of these five genes with WNT5A, suggesting that Wnt pathway disruption may play a role in BPD pathogenesis

Lowering Uric Acid With Allopurinol Improves Insulin Resistance and Systemic Inflammation in Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia

Background Hyperuricemia is an independent predictor of impaired fasting glucose and type 2 diabetes, but whether it has a causal role in insulin resistance remains controversial. Here we tested the hypothesis that lowering uric acid in hyperuricemic nondiabetic subjects might improve insulin resistance