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Hydrogen production from the electrolysis of water by sea or lake waters used as electrolyte plays a crucial role in providing sustainable hydrogen production. Production of hydrogen from these natural sources is highly utilized from small scale to complex applications due to water resources' inconsumable potential. In this study, the hydrogen production potential of Turkey's different regions such as the Black Sea, Aegean Sea, Marmara Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Lake Van, Agcas, ar Dam, Yes, ilirmak, and Kizilirmak rivers are investigated. Solar energy potential values are used as the current sources for simulating their renewable energy hydrogen production values. According to the results, higher hydrogen production rates are obtained from the Marmara and Lake Van regions. It is concluded that the hydrogen production potential is highly dependent on the pH values of the water source and the salinity rate of seawater that is descending from the Mediterranean Sea to the Black Sea region. Besides, solar radiation, sunshine duration, and water temperature are the other essential factors. Moreover, Mediterranean Sea water (Icomma el-Anamur) has about 23% higher hydrogen production than Lake Van and has the most increased hydrogen production by 80 L m-2 in May and June. (c) 2021 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Purpose: To evaluate the levels of salusin-beta (β-SAL) in the serum in patients with age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). Methods: Our study was designed as a controlled comparative clinical study. The β-SAL levels in serums of age and sex-matched 20 healthy volunteers as controls (Group 1), 20 patients with dry-age related macular degeneration (d-ARMD) (Group 2) and 20 patients with wet-age related macular degeneration (w-ARMD) (Group 3) were measured with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Results: In our study, it was found that age and gender didn’t show a statistically significant difference among the study groups (p > 0. 05). The mean serum β-SAL levels in Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3 were 1372,17 ± 1126.69 pg/mL; 1423,71 ± 1196.84 pg/mL and 940,57 ± 1092.05 pg/mL, respectively. Although the meanβ-SAL levels in w-ARMD seem numerically lower than both the control and d-ARMD groups, this difference among the study groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Our study suggests that β-SAL levels in the patients with ARMD and healthy controls were not different than each other. Further studies with large numbers may reveal possible relationships between β-SAL and ARMD.

The secretion of interleukin (IL)-1 family cytokines is one of the most potent and earliest pro-inflammatory responses triggered by brucellosis. However, the roles of the most recently discovered IL-1 family members, IL-36, IL-37, and IL-38, in the transition into the chronic form of brucellos is remain largely unknown. Therefore, in this study, the roles of IL-36, IL-37, and IL-38 in brucella infections and their effects on the transition from the acute to chronic form of the disease were investigated. Using peripheral blood samples from 40 patients with acute brucellosis, 40 patients with chronic brucellosis, and 40 healthy control subjects, we analysed the serum concentrations of secreted IL-36, IL-37, and IL-38 using ELISA. The findings were confirmed by using RT-qPCR to analyse the mRNA levels of the genes encoding IL-36, IL-37, and IL-38 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 10 randomly selected patients from each of the three groups. Our results showed that serum IL-37 (p 0.001) and IL-38 (p 0.001) concentrations were lower in patients with brucellosis than in the healthy controls. In addition, serum IL-37 and IL-38 concentrations were higher in the chronic patient group than in the acute patient group. The mRNA expression levels of IL-37 and IL1F10, genes that encode IL-38, did not affect serum cytokine secretion levels. This result suggests that the high secretion levels of IL-37 and IL-38 may be related to the progression into the chronic form of brucellosis. Our findings will aid in clarifying the mechanism of the transition of brucellosis from the acute to the chronic form of the disease.

Bugiin en geli,Jmi.J yonetim bi~imi olarak kabul edilen demokrasikavramr, birlik ve ~e,Jitlilik, ozgiirliik ve biitiinle,Jme gibi gereksinimleriyonetimde uyumlQ.Jtrrma ~abasr olarak goriilmektedir. Demokrasiye, hukukdevletine ve insan haklarma saygmm te,Jvik edilmesi, Avrupabiitiinle.Jmesinin birinci amacr olmu,Jtur. Toplulugun kurulu.Jundan beri ikionemli iiyelik ko,Julundan biri Avrupa devleti olmak, digeri ise demokratikdevlet olmaktrr. Ne var ki, demokratik yonetim apsmdan ileri sayrlaniilkelerin kurdugu Birlik, demokrasi a~rsmdan sorgulamr duruma gelmi,Jtir.Eurobarometre ~alr,Jmalan demokrasi apgmr kapatmaya ve AB 'yivatanda,Jla uyumlu karar alma amacma yakla,Jtrrmaya hizmet etmektedir.Daha birle,Jik, demokratik ve uyumlu bir Avrupa i~in atrlan adrmlarm ancakAB yurtta,Jlarmm onayr ve giiveniyle ba,Janya ula,Jmasr miimkiindiir.Ekonomik ve sosyal alandaki ele,Jtirilere ragmen Avrupa vatanda,Jlan yinede AB hakkmda olumlu bir imaja sahiptirler. Bu ~ab.Jmada Avrupakamuoyunun AB'nin demokratik yoniine bakl.Jl analiz edilmektedir., Democracy, which is considered as the most advanced form of governance, is conceived as a harmonisation effort in reconciling of unity and diversity, freedom and solidarity in administration. Democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights have been designated as primary aims of European integration from the very beginning. To be a European state and to be a democratic state are the two main conditions of membership since the early days of the integration. The Union, established by states considered as most advanced with respect to democratic administration, has nevertheless started to be questioned due to the lack of democracy. Eurobarometer investigations of the Commission serve to eliminate this deficit and to bring the EU closer to its aim of making decisions in harmony with the choices of EU citizens. Steps towards a democratic Europe, better harmonised and united, can only be successful with the approval and confidence of EU citizens. Although there are economic and social criticisms, European citizens still have a positive image about the EU. This study analyses the public opinion on EU's democracy.

The newly discovered gas sources establish a political and economic ground for the formation of regional and global alliances in the Eastern Mediterranean. Although these new discoveries have the potential to alter the functioning of po litics and the economy, current and past controversies, political instability, how natural gas will be shared between countries, and competition power of countries in natural gas market prevent natural gas production and exploration at the Eastern Mediterr anean bay. On the other hand, in consequence of gas explorations that in the last decade, it is expected that in the near future there will be much more regional and global playmakers in the Eastern Mediterranean. Research, development and export speed of the gas reservoirs, each and every decision to be taken by the countries in the Eastern Mediterranean, will be the dynamic weighted decisions of the national energy politics and regional politics. That's why, in this study, the lead energy players in the E astern Mediterranean and their disagreements are investigated and, the goals and targets of the global powers on the energy resources available in the Eastern Mediterranean are analysed.

In this paper, environmental effects of three medium scale (330 kW, 500 kW, 810 kW) and two large scale (2050 kW, 3020 kW) wind turbines with the hub heights of 50 m, 80 m and 100 m installed in Pinarbasi-Kayseri are compared using life cycle assessment methodology. Manufacturing and utilization of wind turbines, decommissioning and recycling steps are considered for this study. GaBi4 life cycle assessment software is utilized for analysis. Selected wind turbines are compared in terms of environmental impacts, embodied energies and energy payback times. The results show that environmental impacts are low for the turbines with high hub heights due to increase in electricity production of those turbines. Wind turbine with rated power of 2050 kW at 100 m hub height is the ideal option to install in Pinarbasi-Kayseri among the selected wind turbines with respect to the energy, environmental aspects and energy payback time. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The purpose of this follow-up study was to investigate the long-term effects of tonsillectomy in comparison with their short-term results.We successfully retrieved 20 out of our previously reported 37 patients who underwent tonsillectomy in our clinic 54 months ago. The blood levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD19+, CD25+ and CD16++56+ (cellular immunity), and IgG, IgA, IgM, C3 and C4 (humoral immunity) were determined and compared with their previously reported short-term respective values.There were no statistically significant differences between the short-term (1 month) and long-term (54 months) values of IgA, IgG, IgM and C4 levels of the patients (P0.05). There was a slight but statistically significant decrease in complement factor C3 value compared to its the early-stage value (P0.05) but this was not significantly different from age-matched healthy controls (P0.05). The levels of CD4+ and CD19+ were higher and the levels of CD16++56+ and CD25+ were lower in the late-stage (54 months) compared to their early-stage values (P0.05). When the long-term immune parameters of the tonsillectomized patients were compared with aged-match healthy controls, there were no significant differences between the levels of immunoglobulins, complements and lymphocytes (IgA, IgG, IgM, C3, C4, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD19+, CD25+, CD16++56+) (P0.05).The results of this long-term follow-up study indicate that tonsillectomy do not compromise the immune functions of children as humoral and cellular immunity of patients recovered compared to their early-stage immune status (1 month), as they have similar immune capacity compared to their age-matched healthy controls at both early- and late-stages. Although a small sample of patients enrolled, our results are of importance with respect to the reassuring in settling the widely held urban myth that tonsillectomy compromises life long immunity.

RESUME Background: It has been reported that abnormalities in the balance of T-helper cells type 1/2 (Th1/Th2) may account for the pathophysiology of human autoimmune diseases. The purpose of this study was to define the role of the Th1/Th2 balance in the pathogenesis of uveitis in Behcet's disease (BD). Methods: From February 2003 to August 2005, we studied 31 patients with active BD. Of these patients, 21 (12 female, 9 male; mean age 35.5 (SD 10) years) presented with acute uveitis, and 10 (7 female, 3 male; mean age 34 (SD 11) years) presented with inflammatory arthritis but no prior uveitis attack.The control group consisted of 10 (7 female, 3 male; mean age 34.7 (SD 8) years) age-matched, healthy individuals. CD4+ CD26+ and CD4+ CD30+ cell surface expression of the peripheral blood CD4+ T lymphocytes was evaluated by analytic flow cytometry in order to determine percentages of Th1 and Th2 lymphocyte subsets. Results: The mean percentage of CD4+ CD26+ and CD4+ CD30+ cells was 26.27 (SD 6.18) % and 2.56 (SD 0.82) %, 17.42 (SD 5.90) % and 2.86 (SD 0.72) %, and 14.99 (SD 3.96) % and 3.11 (SD 1.25) % in BD with active uveitis, BD with inflammatory arthritis but no prior uveitis attack, and control groups, respectively. T-helper 1 (Th1) cell percentage was significantly higher in the BD with active uveitis group than the BD with arthritis and no prior uveitis attack group (p = 0.001). With respect to the percentage of CD30+ Th2 cells, there was no statistical difference between the 2 BD groups (p = 0.529) or among the 3 groups (p = 0.375). Interpretation: Th1 lymphocyte dominance in peripheral circulating blood may play a role in the

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of recombinant human IL-11 (rhIL-11) administered in a systemic manner on retina tissue during ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in a guinea pig model. Materials and Methods: An experimental study in retinal I/R. Placebo, ischemia/sham, ischemia/rhIL-11 groups including five animals in each were formed from male albino guinea pigs. Retinal ischemia was induced by cannulating the anterior chambers and lifting the bottle to a height of 205 cm for 90 Min in the sham and ischemia/rhIL-11 groups. The ischemia/sham and ischemia/rhIL-11 groups received 0.1 cc of a saline solution and 5 μg/kg/day rhIL-11 intraperitoneally one hour before the ischemic insult and during two days of reperfusion, respectively. The guinea pigs were sacrificed for biochemical analysis and the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in retina were analyzed with ELISA. Mann–Whitney-U and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: The mean TNF-α level of the sham group was statistically significantly higher than that of the placebo group (p=0.008). The mean TNF-α levels of the placebo and ischemia/rHIL-11 groups were significantly different (p=0.008). The mean retinal TNF-α level of the ischemia/rHIL-11 group was statistically significantly lower than that of the sham group (p=0.008). The mean retinal TGF-β level of the sham group was statistically significantly higher than that of the placebo group (p=0.008). However, the mean retinal TGF-β levels of the placebo and ischemia/rHIL-11 groups were not statistically significantly different (p=0.690). The mean retinal TGF-β level of the ischemia/rHIL-11 group was statistically significantly lower than that of the sham group (p=0.032). The mean retinal IL-6 level of the sham group was significantly higher than that of the placebo group (p=0.008), while there was no statistically significant difference between the placebo group and ischemia/rHIL-11 group for retinal IL-6 levels (p=1.00). The mean retinal IL-6 level of the ischemia/rHIL-11 group was significantly lower than that of the sham group (p=0.008). Conclusion: rhIL-11 treatment reduces the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and TGF-β in the retina of the ischemia/reperfusion-injured guinea pig retinas.

Background: To identify the effect of infliximab, cyclosporine A and recombinant IL-10 in experimental autoimmune uveitis. Materials and Methods: Sixty male rats were assigned to five groups of 12 each. All the groups (except the control group) were administered 30 µg retinal-S antigen intraperitoneally. On the 14th day, after confirmation of uveitis with histopathological study, daily cyclosporine A injection was given in cyclosporine A treatment group and physiological serum in the uveitis-induced placebo treatment and control groups. In the infliximab treatment group, infliximab was administered on the 14th, 15th, 17th, 19th and 21st days. In the recombinant IL-10 treatment group, three doses of recombinant IL-10 were given four hours and a half hours before and eight hours after retinal-S antigen administration. On the 21st day of the study, all rats were sacrificed and vitreous cytokine levels (IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-a) were studied with ELISA. Results: In the treatment groups, cytokine levels (IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-a) were significantly lower than the uveitis-induced placebo treatment group. Compared with the control group, there was no significant difference with respect to TNF-a and IL-8 in the infliximab treatment group; IL-8 in the cyclosporine A treatment group; IL-6 and IL-8 in the recombinant IL-10 treatment group. The drugs used did not significantly differ in respect to their effects on vitreous IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-a levels. Conclusion: Cyclosporine A, infliximab and recombinant IL-10 reduce the vitreous cytokines levels. Among these drugs, recombinant IL-10, which is still in its experimental phase, might be considered as a new therapeutic agent.