Applicability of pressure retarded osmosis power generation technology in Istanbul

In this study, the applicability of pressure retarded osmosis power generation was investigated in order to meet the electricity demand in Turkey. Pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) is a method that converting salinity gradients to power using a semi-permeable membrane against an applied pressure and PRO is one of the promising candidates to reduce fossil fuel dependency. In PRO, water is transported from a low concentrated feed solution to a high-concentrated draw solution. According to the literature findings, in order to produce 1MW of electricity 1m3/s fresh water flow is needed. Turkey is surrounded on three sides by water and has a big potential to develop this technology. Riva River is investigated in the scope this study. Currently Turkey’s total installed power capacity reached 85.200 MW at the end of 2017.Calculations of PRO power generation reveals that it is possible to generate 25,45 MW, If using 5% of total river flow

Different application procedures of Nd:YAG laser as an adjunct to scaling and root planning in smokers with stage III grade C periodontitis: a single-blind, randomized controlled trial

Background The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether different Nd:YAG laser applications as an adjunct to scaling and root planning (SRP) improve the healing response to periodontal therapy in smokers with periodontitis. Methods This clinical trial included eighty systemically healthy smokers with periodontitis. Patients were randomly allocated to a treatment group: SRP alone (group 1), SRP+low-level laser therapy (LLLT) with Nd:YAG laser (group 2), SRP+pocket debridement with ND:YAG laser (group 3), and SRP+combined pocket debridement and LLLT with Nd:YAG laser (group 4). Gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (%), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were recorded, and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples for metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) levels were collected at baseline, 1 month and 3 months after treatment. Results There were no significant differences between the treatment groups for the GI, PI, and BOP (%) parameters and MMP-8 levels at any time points (p > 0.05). For moderately deep pockets, PD and CAL reductions were significantly greater in all test groups compared to group 1 (p 0.05) except PD reduction between baseline and 3 months in deep pockets (p < 0.05). Conclusions The findings of this clinical trial suggest that Nd:YAG laser applications may be beneficial on the healing response of smokers to non-surgical therapy compared to SRP alone

Biomimetic Approaches for Membrane Technologies

Membrane technology is the dominant process in water treatment. However, the operation cost of membranes cannot be decreased unless the amount of fouling, the "Achilles heel" of membranes, and energy consumed are cut. The high energy requirements in commercial nanofiltration, reverse osmosis and forward osmosis technologies lead researchers to develop new membrane designs having high flux values with high salt rejection values. The purpose of this review is to present the inadequacies of the membrane processes by considering studies related to fouling and energy minimization. In this respect, lipid bilayers, block copolymers, aquaporin Z proteins and aligned carbon nanotubes can be the base to build biomimetic membranes. Such studies are summarized due to their remarkable properties in fouling control. Furthermore, the review describes the membrane design strategies and points the limitations hindering commercialization. Additionally, it is hoped that this review will trigger further needed studies

Assessment of the Presence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus, Hypothyroidism and Acromegaly

Conclusion: CTS has a higher incidence in DM, hypothyroid and acromegaly patients compared to healthy individuals. Clinicians should be careful about development of CTS in DM, hypothyroidism and acromegaly. They should adopt a multidisciplinary approach and co- operate with the psychiatrist

The clinical and systemic effects of periodontal treatment in diabetic and non-diabetic obese patients

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the response to periodontal management in obese individuals with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus (DM) and obese individuals without DM. Changes in clinical and biochemical parameters were also investigated. Seventeen obese patients with poorly controlled DM and 14 obese non-DM patients with generalized chronic periodontitis were enrolled. The anthropometric measurements, periodontal parameters, and serum levels of lipid (triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and glucose (fasting plasma glucose IFPGI, insulin, insulin resistance 1111, hemoglobin [Hb]A1c) metabolism, pro-inflammatory mediators (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] and Pentraxim-3), and interleukin-6 were measured before and at 3 months, and 6 months after full-mouth scaling and root planing (FM-SRP) together with full mouth disinfection (FMD). A significant reduction in TNF-alpha (P < 0.001) values was observed in both groups following periodontal healing. However, significant changes in FPC (P < 0.05), HbA1C (P < 0.05), and the homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR; P < 0.05) were only observed after 3 months in the DM group. Our findings suggest that obesity with or without DM does not seem to be a modifying factor for the clinical outcome of FM-SRP and FMD

Synthesis of Anthocyanin-Rich Red cabbage Nanoflowers and Their Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Properties

In this report we developed, for the first time, a novel plant extract–metal ions nanoflower (NFs) and investigate their cytotoxic properties. The major anthocyanins (Anth) of Red cabbage, acted as organic component and metal ions, copper (II) (Cu2+) and silver ions (Ag+) acted as inorganic components. Although Anth-Cu2+ nanoflowers are quite compact, uniform and porous morphology, Anth-Ag+ nanoflower gives splayed shape. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometry (FT-IR) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy and Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD) were used to examine the structrues of the NFs. The FT-IR results show Cu–O and Cu–N bonds in NF, can be indication of the NFs formation. While antimicrobial activities of the NFs were tested against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and Candida albicans (ATCC 90028), cytotoxicity studies were performed with MCF7 cell line. The potential mechanisms of antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects of the NFs can be the negatively/positively charged molecules in the plant extracts, which may enhance reaction between the NFs and the cells and the action of the NFs as Fenton like agent for production of Cu+ and Ag+ ions and various radicals, which cause membrane damage and cell death through oxidative stress

Inflammation and Neurodegeneration in Patients with Early-Stage and Chronic Bipolar Disorder

Objective: The increase in the circulatory cytokine levels observed in patients with bipolar disorder (BD) may imply involvement of inflammation in the pathogenesis of mood disorders. However, the association between the inflammatory process and the stage and severity of illness is not well understood. In this study, our aim was to investigate the association between neuroinflammation and disease progression in the clinical course of BD

Effect of polymer type on characterization and filtration performances of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT)-COOH-based polymeric mixed matrix membranes

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) can be used for the fabrication of mixed matrix polymeric membranes that can enhance filtration perfomances of the membranes by modifying membrane surface properties. In this study, detailed characterization and filtration performances of MWCNTs functionalized with COOH group, blended into polymeric flat-sheet membranes were investigated using different polymer types. Morphological characterization was carried out using atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and contact angle measurements. For filtration performance tests, protein, dextran, E. coli suspension, Xanthan Gum and real activated sludge solutions were used. Experimental data and analyses revealed that Polyethersulfone (PES) + MWCNT-COOH mixed matrix membranes have superior performance abilities compared to other tested membranes