Optimization with response surface methodology of biosorption conditions of Hg(II) ions from aqueous media by Polyporus Squamosus fungi as a new biosorbent

Removal of mercury(II) (Hg(II)) from aqueous media by a new biosorbent was carried out. Natural Polyporus squamosus fungus, which according to the literature has not been used for the purpose of Hg(II) biosorption before, was utilized as a low-cost biosorbent, and the biosorption conditions were analyzed by response surface methodology (RSM). Medium parameters which were expected to affect the biosorption of Hg(II) were determined to be initial pH, initial Hg(II) concentration (Co), temperature (T (°C)), and contact time (min). All experiments were carried out in a batch system using 250 mL flasks containing 100 mL solution with a magnetic stirrer. The Hg(II) concentrations remaining in filtration solutions after biosorption were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Based on the RSM results, the optimal conditions were found to be 5.30, 47.39 mg/L, 20°C and 254.9 min for pH, Co, T (°C), and contact time, respectively. Under these optimal conditions, the maximum biosorbed amount and the biosorption yield were calculated to be 3.54 mg/g and 35.37%, respectively. This result was confirmed by experiments. This result shows that Polyporus squamosus has a specific affinity for Hg ions. Under optimal conditions, by increasing the amount of Polyporus squamosus used, it can be concluded that all Hg ions will be removed

Adenoid hypertrophy in adults: Clinical and morphological characteristics

This study compared the aetiology and pathological characteristics of adult and childhood adenoid hypertrophy (AH). Clinical and morphological features and accompanying otolaryngological pathologies were recorded in 40 adults and 23 children undergoing adenoidectomy for obstructive AH. Both AH forms were similar in terms of symptomatology and associated inflammations. There were, however, significant differences in otitis media rate, with effusion and dullness, and retraction in the eardrum both more prevalent in childhood AH. Adult AH was associated with nasal septum deviation in 25.0% of patients. Histopathological features of adenoidal lymphoid tissue were dissimilar in the two groups: numerous lymph follicles with prominent germinal centres was the chief finding in childhood adenoids, whereas adult adenoids showed chronic inflammatory cell infiltration and secondary changes (e.g. squamous metaplasia). These results underline the importance of considering AH as a cause or contributing factor in nasal obstruction and related pathologies in adults and supports the theory that it represents a long-standing inflammatory process rather than being a novel clinical entity

Latent Heat Storage Systems

Thermal energy storage is a key technology to address the challenges in the transition to a low carbon energy system. Latent heat storage (LHS) is one of these technologies that have special features of enabling isothermal and compact storage. Recently, there has been an increasing interest in LHS applications and phase change material development. This chapter gives an overview on fundamentals, applications, and recent trends on LHS materials. © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

A novel version of Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire-3: Turkish validation study

Purpose: The aim of the study was to adapt the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire Version-3 (COPSOQ-3) into the Turkish language. Methods: This is a methodologic study. The field study occurred in four workplaces (call center, hospital, plastic and metal industries). The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) Measure of Sampling Adequacy and Bartlett's Test of Sphericity were used to assess the suitability of the sample for factor analysis. The principal component analysis and varimax rotation methods were used to identify the factor structure.The internal consistency was assessed using the Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Results: In total, 1076 respondents' questionnaires were evaluated. Fifty-eight percent of the participants were men and the mean age was 31.1 ± 7.7. Sampling adequacy was considered adequate (KMO =0.929). The factor analysis of the Turkish COPSOQ (COPSOQ-TR) identified 19 factors with eigenvalues higher than one and explained 66.1% of the total variance. The Cronbach's alpha values of 23 dimensions were over 0.70. The Cronbach's alpha values of control over working time and predictability were 0.54 and 0.66, respectively. The model was an excellent fit (Chi-Square = 8514.5, x2/df = 2.48, RMSEA = 0.038, SRMR = 0.053, CFI = 0.98). Conclusions: Findings show that COPSOQ-TR is a reliable and valid instrument that can be a useful tool to measure psychosocial risks in the Turkish language. © 2018, © 2018 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

Is the childhood primary hypertension causes target organ damage? [Çocukluk yaş grubunda primer hipertansiyon hedef organ tutulumu yapar mi?]

Objective: The primary hypertension in childhood that is related with high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality has been a serious health problem in recent years and has become more important. In this study, the exploration of the effects of traditional and nontraditional risk factors over target organ damage in children with primary hypertension is aimed. Material and Methods: 50 patients who are between 7-18 years old and diagnosed as primary hypertension and 100 healthy children in the same age as a control group were evauated in study. Ambulatory blood pressure measurement within 24 hours was performed to the patient group. Biochemically, blood lipids, hs CRP, Lp(a) were measured. In terms of target organ involvement, retinopathy, nephropathy (microalbuminuria in 24-hour urine), cardiopathy (left ventricular hypertrophy and left ventricular mass index) and vasculopathy (carotid intima-media thickness and arterial stiffness) were evaluated. Results: In all 50 patients (35 boys, 15 girls), average age 13,1±3,2 years old and in all members of healthy control group (54 boys, 46 girls) average age is 13,06±2,7 years old. In 17 of patients (34%) there was hypertensive retinopathy (14 of them is (%28) in phase 1, 3 of them (%6) is in phase 2). In 1 patient (2%) echocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy was seen. In 7 patients (14%) left ventricular mass index was high (Avg: 28.32±11.43 gr/m2,7). In 26 patients (52%), cIMT (on right 0.468±0.062, on left 0.472±0.064 mm and in control group, on right 0.406±0.041, in left 0.405±0.041; p=0,000), in 18 patients (36%), PWV (5.76±0.84 m/s, in control group 5,30±0,70 m/s; p=0.000), in 11 patient (22%), central augmentation index (10.54±6.56%, in control group 9.41±8.54%; p=0.366) was high. As the severity of the disease increases, the indicators of microalbuminuria and inflammation also increased significantly but it showed a decrease in HDL levels. Varying degrees of target organ involvement was found in 8 patients with white coat hypertension. Conclusion: The primary hypertension in childhood that causes target organ damage must be early recognized and treated. © Copyright 2016 by Türkiye Klinikleri