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Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate the ionizing radiation exposure in patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Materials and Methods This was a retrospective study in which all patients presented with suggestive symptoms of COVID-19 were included. The study was carried out in a university-affiliated private hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. Biological radiation dose exposure (cumulative effective dose: CED) was evaluated in millisievert (mSv) units. Results A total of 1410 patients were included in the study. Of all study subjects, 804 patients (57%) underwent only one chest computed tomography (CT) procedure. Six hundred and six patients (43%) had two or more chest CT procedures. Median CED was 6.02 (min–max:1.67–16.27) mSv. The number of patients who were exposed to ≤ 5 mSv were 149 (24.6%), whereas 457 patients (75.4%) were exposed to >5 mSv. Conclusion The radiation exposure in COVID-19 patients seems unjustifiably high. Awareness should be increased as to the proper use of chest CT in COVID-19 as per to the society recommendations.

espanolObjetivo. Los patogenos se pueden transmitir a los billetes debido a los habitos antihigienicos personales. El objetivo del estudio fue buscar los posibles patogenos en los billetes que circulan en el mercado y tambien observar su resistencia antibacteriana asi como sus diversos factores de virulencia utilizando metodos genotipicos y fenotipicos. Material y metodos. Se recogieron al azar un total de 150 muestras de billetes entre agosto de 2017 y marzo de 2018. Se utilizaron los sistemas VITEK para la identificacion y las pruebas de sensibilidad a los antimicrobianos, respectivamente. Los genes de resistencia a los antimicrobianos (mecA, van, betalactamasas de espectro ampliado [BLEA] y carbapenemasas) y los genes de virulencia estafilococica (SE, pvl y tsst -1) se determinaron mediante PCR a tiempo real. Resultados. Se detecto la presencia de cepas de Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus coagulasa negativos (SCN), Enterococcus spp, bacterias gramnegativas, bacterias gramnegativas no fermentativas y Candida spp en un 48%, 54,7%, 56%, 21,3%, 18,7% y 4% de los billetes, respectivamente. Se observo la presencia de S. aureus resistente a meticilina, Enterococcus resistentes a vancomicina y gramnegativos productores de BLEA en un 46,8%, 1,3% y 28,7%, respectivamente. Los genes Pvl, tsst-1 y SE se encontraron en un 2,8/4,9%; 1,4/1,2% y 100/87,8% de las cepas de S. aureus/SCN, respectivamente. El gen sea fue el gen enterotoxigenico mas frecuente. Los genes blaTEM, blaSHV, blaCTX-M-2, blaCTX-M-1, blaKPC, y blaOXA-48 se encontraron 55,8%, 46,5%, 41,2%, 18,6%, 18,6%, y 18,6%, respectivamente en cepas gramnegativas. Conclusion. Estos resultados son muy importantes para resaltar el estado higienico de los billetes. De este modo, los billetes pueden contribuir a la propagacion de patogenos y de la resistencia a los antimicrobianos. Por lo tanto, es posible que debamos comenzar a utilizar productos alternativos a los billetes. EnglishObjetives. Pathogens can be transmitted to banknotes due to the personal unhygienic habits. The aim of study was to find the possible pathogens on the banknotes circulating in the market and also to present their antibacterial resistance and their various virulence factors using genotypic and phenotypic methods. Material and methods. A total of 150 samples of banknotes were randomly collected between August 2017 and March 2018. VITEK systems were used for identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing respectively. Antimicrobial resistance genes (mecA, van, extended-spectrum β-lactamase [ESBL] and carbapenemases) and staphyloccoccal virulence genes (staphyloccoccal enterotoxins [SEs], pvl, and tsst-1) were determined using with real-time PCR. Results. Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), Enterococcus spp., Gram-negative enteric bacteria, non-fermentative Gram-negative bacteria and Candida spp. were detected 48%, 54.7%, 56%, 21.3%, 18.7%, and 4%, respectively. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci and ESBL producing Gram-negative were found 46.8%, 1.3%, and 28.7%, respectively. Pvl, tsst-1, and SEs genes were found in a 2.8/4.9%, 1.4/1.2%, and 100/ 87.8% of the S. aureus/CoNS strains, respectively. The sea gene was found the most common enterotoxigenic gene. blaTEM, blaSHV, blaCTX-M-2, blaCTX-M-1, blaKPC, and blaOXA-48 were found 55.8%, 46.5%, 41.2%, 18.6%, 18.6%, and 18.6%, respectively in Gram-negative strains. Conclusion. These results is very important to highlight hygienic status of paper currencies. This can be considered as an indication that banknotes may contribute to the spread of pathogens and antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, we may need to start using alternative products instead of banknotes.

WOS: 000462022300057 PubMed: 30474775 A newly identified ligninolytic Rhodococcus strain (Rhodococcus sp. T1) was isolated from forestry wastes (Trabzon/Turkey). The DyP type peroxidase of Rhodococcus sp. T1 (DyPT1) was cloned, characterized and paper treated for industrial applications. Molecular weight of the protein was about 38kDa. The kinetic parameters were 0.94mM and 1417.53 mu mol/min/mg for Km and Vmax, respectively. The enzyme was active at the temperature range of 25-65 degrees C and optimum temperature was 35 degrees C, enzyme was stable up to 6 days at room temperature. Optimum pH of the DyPT1 was 4.0 and it was stable between pH 4.0-6.0 up to 8 days at room temperature. Effects of some metal ions, Hemin, and some chemical agents on DyPT1 were determined. Hemin has implemented protective effects on the stability and the activity of the enzyme in long time periods when added into growing medium. DyPT1 was applied to eucalyptus kraft pulp for analyzing the bleaching efficiency, physical and optical tests of the manufuctared paper were carried out. Application of lignin peroxidase to kraft pulp caused a decrease of 5.2 units for kappa number and an increase from 52.05 to 64.18% in the delignification rate. Karadeniz Technical University Research Foundation [FBA-2015-5182] This study was financially supported by Karadeniz Technical University Research Foundation (Project No: FBA-2015-5182).

Kağıt, keşfedildiği tarihten itibaren Görsel Sanatların taşıyıcı yüzeyi olarak kullanılmıştır. 20. yüzyılın başından bu yana kağıdın sanatta kullanımı sahip olduğu bu işlevin ötesine geçerek özgün yaratım malzemesi olma niteliğiyle sürmektedir. Çağımızda kağıdın, Görsel Sanatlar eğitiminde geleneksel kullanımının yerine inovatif tekniklerle, farklı yaratım süreçleri ve yeni bakış açısıyla değerlendirilmesi gerekmektedir. Görsel Sanatlar eğitiminde iki ve üç boyutlu çalışmaların uygulanmasında zengin yaratım olanağı sunan kağıt, eğitsel değeri yüksek bir malzemedir. Kağıt malzeme olarak kolay elde edilebilirliği, ucuzluğu, pratikliği, çok yönlü kullanımı ve geri dönüştürülmesi gibi bir çok kullanım avantajına sahiptir. Geri dönüşüm yöntemi ile atık kağıtlardan elde edilen kağıt hamuru, üç boyutlu çalışmalar; maske, rölyef, heykel, obje, vb. sanatsal uygulamalar gerçekleştirmeyi, deneysel çalışmalar yapmayı olanaklı kılar. Geri dönüşüm, kağıdın üretim ve tüketim süreçlerinin içerisinde yer alan ve çevre için önem taşıyan bir unsurdur. Kağıdın geri dönüşümü sürdürülebilir kağıt üretimini mümkün kılmakta ve çevreye olan zararları azaltmaktadır. Kağıdın günümüzde sanat, tasarım ve inovasyon malzemesi olma bilinciyle Görsel Sanatlar eğitiminde kullanımı, öğrencilere kağıdın kullanım olanakları hakkında geniş bakış açısı kazandırması açısından önem taşımaktadır. Öğrencileri kağıdın geri dönüşümü ve geri kazanım olanakları hakkında bilgilendirmek, Görsel Sanatlar dersinde malzeme-madde-çevre ilişkisini kurmaları ve bilinç kazanmaları yönünde katkı sağlayacaktır. Bu araştırmada, disiplinlerarası anlayışla yapılandırılan geri dönüşümlü kağıt hamurunun yaratım malzemesi olarak kullanıldığı etkinliklerden oluşan Görsel Sanatlar ders planıyla, öğrencilere çevre eğitimi vermenin çözüm yolları aranmıştır.Araştırmanın amacı, Ortaokul 6. sınıf Görsel Sanatlar dersinde geri dönüşümlü kağıt hamurunun uygulama malzemesi olarak kullanım yönteminin, öğrencilerin çevre bilinci kazanmalarına yönelik nasıl bir etkisi olabileceğini belirlemeye çalışmaktır. Bu temel amaç doğrultusunda aşağıdaki sorulara yanıt aranmıştır:1. Geri dönüşümlü kağıt hamurunun yaratım malzemesi olarak kullanıldığı Görsel Sanatlar dersinin, sanat eğitimine entegrasyonu nasıl gerçekleştirilebilir? Planlanan bu ders programı sürecinde,2. Uygulama çalışmaları öğrencilere kağıt yapımı ve kağıt hakkında genel bilgi kazanımına nasıl bir etkide bulunmuştur?3. Uygulama çalışmaları öğrencilerin kağıdın kullanım olanaklarına dair görüşlerine nasıl bir etkide bulunmuştur?4. Uygulama çalışmaları öğrencilerin kağıdın önemi hakkındaki görüşlerine nasıl bir etkide bulunmuştur?5. Uygulama çalışmaları öğrencilerin kağıdın geri dönüşümü hakkında bilgi ve alışkanlık kazanımlarına nasıl bir etkide bulunmuştur?6. Uygulama çalışmaları öğrencilere çevre bilinci kazandırmaya yönelik nasıl bir etkide bulunmuştur?7. Öğrencilerin geri dönüşümlü kağıt hamurunu kullanarak işledikleri Görsel Sanatlar dersine ilişkin görüşleri nelerdir?8. Görsel Sanatlar eğitiminde geri dönüşümlü kağıt hamurunun yaratım malzemesi olarak kullanımına yönelik uygulamalarda yaşanan sorunlar ve çözüm önerileri nelerdir?Araştırmada uygulamalı nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden biri olan eylem araştırması deseni kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın uygulaması 2015-2016 eğitim öğretim yılı bahar döneminde, özel bir eğitim vakfına ait ortaokulda, 20.04.2016-15.06.2016 tarihleri arasında sekiz haftalık süreç içerisinde toplam 22 öğrenciden oluşan bir çalışma grubu ile yapılmıştır. Araştırmanın amacı doğrultusunda uygulanan eylem planında atık kağıtların geri kazanımıyla elde edilen kağıt hamuru kullanılarak iki ve üç boyutlu sanatsal çalışmalar gerçekleştirilmiştir. El yapımı yapraklı kağıt yapımının (2D) yanı sıra, papier-maché tekniği kullanılarak ağaçlarda yaşayan hayvan figürleri (3D) ve bu hayvanlar için su ve yemek kapları (3D) gerçekleştirilmiş, ardından tüm çalışmalar koli kartonlarından inşa edilen (3D) ağacın üzerinde, `Yaşayan Ağaç` teması çerçevesinde sergilenmiştir. Araştırmanın verileri ön ve son anket, görüş anketi, yarı yapılandırılmış odak grup görüşmeleri, öğrenci, öğretmen, araştırmacı günlüğü ve araştırmacı gözlemi olmak üzere farklı veri toplama araçlarıyla elde edilmiştir. Verilerden elde edilen frekanslar kodlara ve daha sonra kategorilere ayrılmış, bulguların yorumlanmasında içerik analizi yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Elde edilen bulgular araştırma soruları çerçevesinde yorumlanmış, bulgulara dayalı olarak sonuçlara ulaşılmıştır. Sonuçlardan yola çıkılarak uygulamaya ve benzer araştırmalara yönelik öneriler geliştirilmiştir.Görsel Sanatlar dersi kapsamında kağıt hamuru ile yapılan iki ve üç boyutlu uygulama çalışmaları öğrencilerin kağıdın yaratım malzemesi olarak kullanım olanakları hakkındaki düşüncelerine olumlu yönde etkide bulunmuştur. Uygulama çalışmaları aracılığıyla öğrenciler kağıt yapımı, papier maché tekniği ve kağıt hamuruyla iki ve üç boyutlu sanatsal çalışmaların uygulanması konusunda deneyim ve bilgi kazanmışlardır. Görsel Sanatlar dersinde uygulama çalışmaları geri dönüşüm ve çevre koruma konularıyla birlikte işlenmiştir. Bunun olumlu sonuçları öğrenci görüşlerindeki bulgulara yansımış, öğrenciler dersleri eğlenceli, yaratıcı, bilgilendirici ve çevreye yararlı olarak nitelendirmişlerdir. Kağıdın günlük yaşamımızdaki değeri, kullanım alanları ve çevre koruma açısından geri dönüşümün önemi hakkında bilinç kazanımına katkı sağlayan araştırma, esnek yapıda biçimlendirilen etkinlik planı, çeşitli ders materyalleri ve oyunlarla zenginleştirilerek öğrencilerin ilgi ve beğenisini kazanmış, öğrenme sürecini etkin ve verimli kılmıştır. Uygulama etkinlikleri öğrenciler üzerinde geri dönüşüm bilincine ve alışkanlığına olumlu yönde katkıda bulunmakla birlikte, onları aşırı kağıt tüketiminin yol açtığı çevre sorunları üzerinde düşünmeye sevk etmiş, kendi çıkarımlarını yapabilecek düzeye taşımıştır. Uygulama sürecinde karşılaşılan sorunlar eylem planında yapılan değişiklikler aracılığıyla çözümlenmiştir. Araştırma, ekolojik bakış açısıyla yapılandırılan, merak ve ilgi çekici ortak bir tema üzerinde şekillenen yaratıcı çalışmalar aracılığıyla öğrencilere kağıdın yaratım zenginliği hakkında bilinç kazandırmanın yanı sıra çevre eğitimi de vermenin mümkün olduğunu göstermiştir. Since the day of its discovery, paper has been used as the supporting surface for Visual Arts. Starting from the early 20th Century, the paper's use in art has moved beyond this function, expanding to its use as original creative material. Today, instead of its traditional use, the paper should be evaluated in contemporary Visual Arts education with innovative techniques, various creative processes and new perspectives. Offering rich creative opportunities in the implementation of two and three dimensional works in Visual Arts education, the paper has a high educational value. Paper offers numerous advantages such as being easily accessible, cheap, practical, versatile and recyclable material. The paper pulp attained from paper waste through recycling enables three-dimensional work, masks, reliefs, statues, objects and other artistic practices as well as experimental works. Recycling is a part of paper production and consumption processes and is very important for the environment. Paper recycling allows sustainable paper production and minimizes harm to the environment. Its use in Visual Arts education as an art, design and innovation material is of significance for giving students a wide perspective on the methods of using paper. Informing students on the recycling and recovery options of paper will contribute in establishing the material-matter-environment relationship and raising awareness in Visual Arts classes. This study searches ways to provide environmental education to students using Visual Arts course plans structured with interdisciplinary approach, comprising activities where recycled pulp is used as a creative material. The purpose of the syllabus that was structured with an ecological point of view was trying to designate, if the use of recycled pulp as a implement material in Middle School, 6th Grade Visual Arts class, would have any sort of effects for the environmental consciousness of the students. The questions below were raised in the light of this primary purpose. 1.How can recycled pulp use as creation material in visual arts classes can integrate in to arts education?2.How did the application study effect on the paper making and the general knowledge gain of students on paper?3.How did the application study effect the students views on the variety of usage opportunities of paper?4.How did the application study effect the idea of the students on the importance of paper?5.How did the application study effect the understanding and also the habit acquisition of students about paper recycling?6.How did the application study effect the learning outcome of environmental knowledge of the students? 7.What are the opinions of the students about the Visual Arts Class where they used recycled pulp?8.What are the main problems and solution ideas about the use and execution of recycled pulp as creation material in Visual arts education?In this research, an `action research design` has been used, which is an applied method of qualitative research. The study was implemented during the 2015-2016 scholar period, spring semester, in a secondary school owned by a private educational foundation with a total of 22 students in the course of 8 weeks from 20.04.2016 to 15.06.2016. As part of the action plan implemented in line with the researcher's objective, two and three dimensional artistic works were created using recycled pulp. In addition to the production of hand crafted paper leaves (2D), papier-maché technique was used to create figures of animal living on trees (3D) and water and food cups for these animals (3D), then the works were displayed on a tree made of package card boards (3D) with the theme `Living Tree`. The research data was attained using various data collection tools, namely pre and post survey, opinion survey, semi-structured focus group interviews, student, teacher and researcher diarys and researcher's observations. The frequencies attained from the data were divided into codes and then into categories and content analysis was used to interpret the findings. The resulting findings were interpreted within the framework of the study questions to obtain the results based on findings. Based on the results, suggestions have been proposed for application and similar studies.The two and three-dimensional applications made using paper pulp as part of the Visual Arts class contributed positively to the student' opinions on the possible uses of paper as a creative material. Through application work, students have gained experience and knowledge on paper-making, papier maché technique and two and three dimensional artistic work using paper pulp. As part of the Visual Arts course, the application works have been practiced along with recycling and environmental protection topics. The positive results of this practice were reflected on the findings of student' opinions, defined as entertaining, creative, informative and environmentally beneficial course. Raising awareness on the value of paper in daily life, its uses and the importance of recycling for environmental protection, the study attracted interest of the students with flexible activity plan enriched with various course materials and games, rendering the learning process active and efficient. The practices had positive contributions to the students' awareness and habits of recycling, while leading them to contemplate on the environmental issues caused by paper consumption, bringing students to a level to achieve inference. The issues faced during the course of the practices were solved through changes in the action plan. The study has shown that creative studies structured with an ecological perspective, shaped by the common theme of curiosity and interest, raise awareness of students on the creative richness of paper while providing environmental education. 332

Migration of formaldehyde to aqueous extracts from paper and cardboard food packaging materials was determined by an ultraviolet visible-spectrophotometric method at 410 nm. Intraday and interday precision of the method, expressed as coefficient of variation, varied between 1.5 to 4.4% and 7 to 8.8%, respectively. The limit of quantification was 0.28 mg kg(-1) for formaldehyde in aqueous extracts. The recovery of the method was over 90% for two different concentration levels in aqueous extracts. The method was applied to the migration of formaldehyde to aqueous extracts from 31 different paper and cardboard materials collected from the packaging sector, intended for food contact, such as tea filters, hot water filters, paper pouches and folding boxes. The results were between limit of detection 0.23 mg/kg and 40 mg kg(-1) and were evaluated according to the relevant directives.

WOS: 000313019700012, PubMed ID: 22271281, The purposes of this study were to investigate the biocompatibility of two different paper patches (carbon and cigarette papers) and compare the adhesion and proliferation features of L929 fibroblast cells by using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT Test) test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In this study, time-dependent cytotoxic effects of cigarette and carbon papers used in repairing small traumatic TM perforations were investigated in vitro by using MTT test. And also adhesion and spreading of cells over disk surface were observed by SEM. Cytotoxicity test carried out by MTT analysis on leakage products collected from two types of paper patches at the end of 24 and 48 h revealed no cytotoxicity (P > 0.05). In SEM studies, it was observed that cells started to proliferate over disk surface as a result of 48-h incubation, and SEM revealed that the cell proliferation over cigarette paper was more compared to the one over carbon paper. We believe that this is the first study where biocompatibility and adhesion features of carbon and cigarette paper have been studied by using L929 fibroblast cell culture. As a result, biocompatibility of cigarette paper and also whether cigarette paper was superior to carbon paper in cell attachment and biocompatibility were studied. It was found, by MTT test and SEM test, that cigarette paper had a higher biocompatibility and cell attachment, and thus cigarette paper should be the patch to be preferred in cases where TM perforations are repaired by paper-patch method.

PubMedID: 26739011 This paper aimed to analyze short-term changes in landscape pattern that primarily results from building development in the east coast of Mersin Province (Turkey). Three sites were selected. Ikonos (2003) and Quickbird (2009) images for these sites were classified, and land cover transformations were quantitatively analyzed using cross-tabulation of classification results. Changes in landscape structure were assessed by comparing the calculated values of area/edge and shape metrics for the earlier and later dates. Area/edge metrics included percentage of land and edge density, while shape metrics included perimeter-area ratio, fractal dimension, and related circumscribing circle (RCC) metrics. Orchards and buildings were dominating land cover classes. Variations in patch edge, size, and shapes were also analyzed and discussed. Degradation of prime agricultural areas due to building development and implications of such development on habitat fragmentation were highlighted. © 2016, Springer International Publishing Switzerland.

The aim of this study was to investigate the acute toxicity of pulp-paper industry wastewater using traditional and enrichment toxicity tests and to emphasize the importance of toxicity tests in wastewater discharge regulations. Enrichment toxicity tests are novel applications and give an idea of whether there is potential toxicity or growth-limiting and -stimulating conditions. Different organisms were used such as bacteria (floc and coliform bacteria), algae (Chlorella sp.), protozoa (Vorticella sp.), and fish (Lepistes sp.) to represent four trophic levels. Furthermore, chemical oxygen demand (COD) fractionation results were compared with these tests to assess the effect of COD subcategories on the determination of possible toxicity. The pulp-paper industry results revealed acute toxicity to at least two organisms in 6 of 20 effluent samples. The toxicity test results were assessed with chemical analyses such as COD, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), color, absorbable organic halogen (AOXs), and phenol. It was observed that the toxicity of the effluents could not be explained by using physicochemical analyses in four cases for the pulp-paper industry. The results clearly indicate that bioassay tests provide additional information on the toxicity potential of industrial discharges and effluents. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.

This study targets development of an effective training scheme model that can be implemented at elementary school level with focus on recovery and recycling of wasted papers in Turkey. For this purpose, three schools were chosen from a district within Istanbul. They were separated from one another as full intervention (FI), semi-intervention (SI) and control (C) schools. Different levels of educational activities carried out in the schools, mostly in the FI school, were directed toward being informative as regards recycling and the development of a positive attitude. Afterwards, in order to evaluate the effects of the training, paper wastes were collected in recycle bins placed at appropriate points in schools and weighed on a weekly basis. Quite a significant result was found (p = 0.0001), when the difference was calculated through the Kruskal Wallis Variance Analysis method, regarding the weekly average amount of paper in each of the three schools against per person. Furthermore, when the results were evaluated and compared as to the ones before the 2.5 months summer vacation and the ones after it, the seven measurements taken before (p = 0.001) and the eight taken afterwards (p = 0.0001), were found to have valid differences, once again, as against schools. The results show that the approach we provided to education is an effective method not only for the collection of paper wastes but also for applications in various areas of health education.

Kozcu, Fatma Gul/0000-0003-1304-8065; Tuncer, Munir/0000-0003-1157-0060 WOS: 000223817600014 PubMed: 15357728 Aims: To determine the effect of environmental conditions on the production of extracellular lignocellulose-degrading enzymes by Streptomyces sp. F2621 and to assess the potential use of these enzymes in the hydrolysis of lignocellulose material. Methods and Results: The production of extracellular lignocellulose-degrading enzymes, endoxylanase, endoglucanase and peroxidase during the growth of Streptomyces sp. F2621 in basal salts-yeast extract medium containing different carbon sources and the effect of a number of environmental parameters (e.g. carbon sources and concentrations, pH and temperature) were investigated. The highest endoxylanase (22.41 U ml(-1)) and peroxidase (0.58 U ml(-1)) activities were obtained after 2-4 days of incubation at 30degreesC in a basal salts medium containing 0.4% (w/v) oat spelt xylan and 0.6% (w/v) yeast extract, corresponding to C : N ratio of 6 : 1. Cell-free extracellular enzyme preparations from the strain were capable of releasing both sugar and aromatic compounds during incubation with eucalyptus paper pulp, straw and xylan. Overall, 9.3% hydrolysis of xylan occurred after 24-h incubation. However the rates of hydrolysis of paper pulp and straw were approximately twofold less than xylan hydrolysis, although the total percentage hydrolysis of available substrate (24.5% and 16.3%, respectively) was greater than xylan hydrolysis. Conclusions: The high levels of enzyme production achieved under batch cultivation conditions, coupled with no significant production of endoglucanase during the growth phase of organism and the release of both sugar and aromatic compounds from paper pulp and straw signify the suitability for these enzymes for industrial applications such as pulp and paper production. Significance and Impact of the Study: The results highlight the environmental conditions for the production of extracellular lignocellulose-degrading enzymes by Streptomyces sp. F2621 and suggest the use of streptomycetes and/or their enzymes in industrial processes.

A Penicillium camemberti strain isolated in our laboratory has been studied for its ability to degrade chlorinated pulping wastes, presumably containing a variety of chlorinated polyphenols. In batch tests, the highest removals (76% AOX, 61% color and 65% TOC) were obtained with 0.2 g/l feed acetate concentration. The tendency of the fungus to dechlorinate bleachery effluents better under non-shaking conditions and to attach onto surfaces suggested the use of immobilized cells rather than freely suspended ones in further exploitation of the process. An upflow glass wool packed column reactor established with this fungus could be operated for nearly two years in the laboratory. At best around 70% AOX could be removed from chlorinated pulping wastes in 7.3 h of contact with no aeration and with a minimal amount of carbon supplement (0.2 g/l). Finally, an asymptotic mathematical formula for determining Michaelis-Menten kinetic rates has been derived. The kinetic rates K(m) (the Michaelis constant or saturation constant for the substrate) and V(m) (the product of maximum rate for the enzymatic reaction and biomass concentration) were then calculated as 126.386 mg/l and 2.83017 mg/lh, respectively.

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Background The objective of this study to detect Plasmodium and a subspecies of Plasmodium using filter paper in malaria endemic province, Sanliurfa, in Turkey, compare the results of nested PCR (nPCR) with microscopy for the diagnosis of malaria and present the epidemiological data of malaria. Methods This study was carried out in malaria-endemic Sanliurfa between 2008 and 2011. Finger prick blood samples, thick and thin Giemsa-stained blood smears, were collected from 153 malaria-suspected farmworkers. The Giemsa-stained blood smears were examined microscopically. The obtained DNA products, extracted from blood-spotted filter papers or from the thick blood smears, were analysed by nPCR to amplify the 18S ssrRNA Plasmodium gene with genus and specific primers. The results of the microscopy were compared to the nPCR results. Results Of the specimens, 7.2 % were determined as Plasmodium-positive by microscopy, whereas 9.8 % were determined as Plasmodium-positive by nPCR. Of the positive Plasmodium specimens, 93.33 % were identified as P. vivax. Four out of the 15 specimens that were microscopically diagnosed as negative were Plasmodium-positive with nPCR. When compared to the microscopy, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values of the nPCR were determined as 100, 97.2 and 73.3 %, respectively. nPCR was determined to be more sensitive and specific than microscopy. Conclusions This study revealed that the accurate diagnosis of malaria by nPCR was compulsory in malaria-endemic Sanliurfa and nPCR should be applied routinely in laboratory studies.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is an important and common cause of insomnia, and previous studies indicate that psychiatric wellbeing may be impaired among RLS patients. We aimed to investigate the interaction between anxiety/depression and RLS in a population based survey.Data were drawn from the Mersin University Neuro-Epidemiology Project, a representative community sample of adults aged over 17 years residing in Mersin (n = 3234). Subjects found to be positive for RLS (n = 103) were evaluated for symptoms of anxiety and depression using the Hamilton Anxiety and Depression Scales and compared with the same number of contemporaneous control subjects.Significantly greater anxiety and depression symptoms were observed among patients with RLS than in the control subjects. Our data also seem to provide initial evidence of a correlation between the severity of RLS and of anxiety and depression symptoms (r = 0.21, p = 0.03 and r = 0.201, p = 0.04 respectively).Assessment of psychiatric status of RLS patients can be helpful and sometimes necessary to determine additional features and treatment strategies of this bothering condition. Further studies are needed to replicate our findings using longitudinal data.