Nanofibers in Cosmetics

Nanofibers form the broadest class of nanomaterials due to their unique properties. High surface-area-to-volume ratios, low diameters, high strength values, low basis weights, high porosities, and small pore sizes make them good candidates for numerous applications. Cosmetics are one of these important application areas. Excellent interaction with environment (e.g., skin or damaged tissue), increased loading capacity for agents, high liquid absorption capacities, high oxygen, and water vapor permeability values are provided by characteristic properties of nanofibers. They are used as therapeutics, facial masks, skin care, and renewal products. This chapter will provide an overview of nanofibers in cosmetics. A brief history of cosmetics, different types of nanomaterials used in cosmetics, nanofiber properties, and production methods are described in this chapter. Novel applications of nanofibers in cosmetics are also mentioned

Evaluation of some physical and tensile properties of commercial surgical masks

125-130In this study, the performance characteristics of various surgical masks have been examined. Several physical properties, such as air permeability, tensile strength, and calculated surface porosity of 8 commercial 3-layer surgical masks, with all spunbonded layers and meltblown middle layer, have been determined and then compared. The production type of the nonwoven layer is effective on the air permeability values, and the values of the spunbonded masks are found higher than the masks containing a meltblown layer. The air permeability of the latter masks varies with the weight per unit area of the meltblown layer. Moreover, calculated porosities of the spunbonded masks are higher than those of the others. The influence of meltblown layers is found effective on the tensile strength values in machine direction

Evaluation of some physical and tensile properties of commercial surgical masks

In this study, the performance characteristics of various surgical masks have been examined. Several physical properties, such as air permeability, tensile strength, and calculated surface porosity of 8 commercial 3-layer surgical masks, with all spunbonded layers and meltblown middle layer, have been determined and then compared. The production type of the nonwoven layer is effective on the air permeability values, and the values of the spunbonded masks are found higher than the masks containing a meltblown layer. The air permeability of the latter masks varies with the weight per unit area of the meltblown layer. Moreover, calculated porosities of the spunbonded masks are higher than those of the others. The influence  of meltblown layers is found effective on the tensile strength values in machine direction

Sound absorption characteristics of nanofibre web coated foams

Sound absorption properties of polyamide 6 (PA6) nanofibre webs and a widely used sound absorption foam coated with nanofibre webs have been investigated. Initial studies have focused on the electrospinning by using PA6 polymer to obtain uniform and bead-free nanofibres. Thereafter, nanofibres are electrospun on an absorption foam through two spinning durations of 10 h and 20 h. Thicknesses, mass per unit area values, porosities, pore sizes, and Brunauer-Emmet-Teller surface areas of the webs are determined. At characterization stage, sound absorption coefficients of pure nanofibre webs, pure foam, and foams enhanced with nanofibre webs are measured by acoustic impedance tube method. Noise reduction coefficients (NRC) are also calculated. Sound absorption coefficients at 6400 Hz are observed as 0.76 and 0.74 for nanofibre webs electrospun during 10 h and 20 h respectively. The NRC values are found as 0.189, 0.197 and 0.192 for pure foam sample and nanofibre webs electrospun during 10 h and 20 h respectively. Overall results of the study indicate that moderate mid-high frequency sound absorption and noise reduction coefficients are obtained by using the nanofibre web coated foams.

Does Hypothyroidism Affect Gastrointestinal Motility?

Background. Gastrointestinal motility and serum thyroid hormone levels are closely related. Our aim was to analyze whether there is a disorder in esophagogastric motor functions as a result of hypothyroidism. Materials and Methods. The study group included 30 females (mean age ± SE 45.17 ± 2.07 years) with primary hypothyroidism and 10 healthy females (mean age ± SE 39.40 ± 3.95 years). All cases underwent esophagogastric endoscopy and scintigraphy. For esophageal scintigraphy, dynamic imaging of esophagus motility protocol, and for gastric emptying scintigraphy, anterior static gastric images were acquired. Results. The mean esophageal transit time (52.56 ± 4.07 sec for patients; 24.30 ± 5.88 sec for controls; P = .02) and gastric emptying time (49.06 ± 4.29 min for the hypothyroid group; 30.4 ± 4.74 min for the control group; P = .01) were markedly increased in cases of hypothyroidism. Conclusion. Hypothyroidism prominently reduces esophageal and gastric motor activity and can cause gastrointestinal dysfunction

Twelve-year trends in the prevalence and risk factors of diabetes and prediabetes in Turkish adults

There is concern about an emerging diabetes epidemic in Turkey. We aimed to determine the prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes, prediabetes and their 12-year trends and to identify risk factors for diabetes in the adult Turkish population. A cross-sectional, population-based survey, ‘TURDEP-II’ included 26,499 randomly sampled adults aged ≥ 20 years (response rate: 87 %). Fasting glucose and biochemical parameters were measured in all; then a OGTT was performed to identify diabetes and prediabetes in eligible participants. The prevalence of diabetes was 16.5 % (new 7.5 %), translating to 6.5 million adults with diabetes in Turkey. It was higher in women than men (p = 0.008). The age-standardized prevalence to the TURDEP-I population (performed in 1997–98) was 13.7 % (if same diagnostic definition was applied diabetes prevalence is calculated 11.4 %). The prevalence of isolated-IFG and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and combined prediabetes was 14.7, 7.9, and 8.2 %, respectively; and that of obesity 36 % and hypertension 31.4 %. Compared to TURDEP-I; the rate of increase for diabetes: 90 %, IGT: 106 %, obesity: 40 % and central obesity: 35 %, but hypertension decreased by 11 % during the last 12 years. In women age, waist, body mass index (BMI), hypertension, low education, and living environment; in men age, BMI, and hypertension were independently associated with an increased prevalence of diabetes. In women current smoking, and in men being single were associated with a reduced risk. These results from one of the largest nationally representative surveys carried out so far show that diabetes has rapidly become a major public health challenge in Turkey. The figures are alarming and underscore the urgent need for national programs to prevent diabetes, to manage the illness and thus prevent complications. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10654-013-9771-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

The Role of Life Satisfaction and Parenting Styles in Predicting Delinquent Behaviors among High School

WOS: 000309197300004The purpose of this study is to determine whether the parenting styles and life satisfaction predict delinquent behaviors frequently or not. Firstly the data were collected from 471 girls and 410 boys, a total of 881 high school students. Then the research was carried out with 502 students showing low [n=262, 52.2%] and high level of delinquent behaviors [n=240, 47.8%]. The data were collected by means of "Delinquency Scale", "The Parenting Style Inventory" and "Multidimensional Student Life Satisfaction Scale". The data were analyzed using Logistic Regression statistical method. The results of Logistic Regression Analysis show that the variables of "strictness/supervision" perceived from family and satisfaction perceived from "school", "family" and "self" have had meaningful contributions to indicating frequent delinquent behaviors. The results are discussed related to previous research, and study limitations and further research directions are also outlined

Psychometric properties of the Turkish version of BUMPs and its relationship with prenatal attachment

ObjectiveThe present research aims to adapt the Body Understanding Measure for Pregnancy Scale (BUMPs) to Turkish, determine its psychometric properties, and examine the correlation between prenatal attachment and body image perception of pregnant women.MethodsThree hundred seventy-one pregnant women were enrolled in the research. The original English version of the BUMPs was translated into Turkish using forward-backward translation logic. The scale's reliability was evaluated with item analysis, internal consistency analysis, and test-retest reliability. Turkish version of the BUMPs and Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI) were filled out by pregnant women. The relationship between them was evaluated by correlation analysis.ResultsThe mean week of gestation was 25.25 +/- 8.26 (min: 12, max: 41). The Turkish version of the BUMPs exhibited satisfactory psychometric properties. The t-values, factor loadings, and fit indices of the scale items of the Turkish version were at an acceptable and excellent level. As a result of confirmatory factor analysis, the 18-item, three-factor construct was confirmed for the Turkish version of the scale. In the Turkish version of the scale, there are three subscales, including satisfaction with appearing pregnant, weight gain concerns, and physical burdens of pregnancy. Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient of the overall scale was 0.84. A significant correlation was determined between the scores of the Turkish version of the BUMPs and the PAI (r = -0.263; p < 0.001).ConclusionThe Turkish version of the BUMPs is a valid and reliable measurement tool for determining pregnant women's body image perception. Prenatal attachment increases with the increasing body image perception of pregnant women

Herbal Use among Presurgical Patients in Turkey: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction. For centuries before the advent of modern medicine, traditional medicinal plants were the major agents for primary health care. Their use declined in most developed western countries during the last century’s industrialization and urbanization. But, the last two decades have witnessed a new resurgence of interest in herbal and alternative medicines. Methods. The survey was conducted at the Anaesthesiology and Reanimation Department of Training and Research Hospital of Health and Science University among patients who had undergone elective surgery between January 1st 2016 and April 1st 2016. A questionnaire composed of 15 questions was used. Results. A total 87 (14.5%) patients reported the use of herbal medications. Twenty five patients were taking a single herbal medication and 52 patients were taking more than one. 92.5% of patients do not know the side effects of herbal medications. 35 cases of operation patients were questioned by the physician about herbal use, and 228 cases were not questioned by the physician. Conclusion. Anesthesiologist should be aware of the effects of herbals on body functions and possible herbal-drug interactions to take care of such potentional perioperative complications