Predictive modeling of sorption and desorption of a reactive azo dye by pumpkin husk

The use of effective disposal of redundant pumpkin husk (PH) to remove pollutants is an important issue for environmental protection and utilization of resource. The aim of this study was to remove a potentially toxic reactive azo dye, Reactive Red (RR) 120, by widespread PH as a low-cost adsorbent. Particle size, adsorbent dose, pH, temperature, initial dye concentration, and contact time affected the sorption process. Amine, amide, hydroxyl, and carboxyl groups of PH played significant roles on the sorption process. Rapid sorption occurred within the first 2 min and equilibrium was reached within 60 min. Sorption kinetic was well represented by logistic equation. Generated secondary logistic model can be used to describe effects of initial dye concentration, contact time, and temperature by a single equation with high R (2) value. Monolayer sorption capacity was found as 98.61 mg g(-1). Activation energy, thermodynamic, and desorption studies showed that this process was physical, endothermic, and spontaneous. This study indicated that redundant PH as a low-cost adsorbent had a great potential for the removal of RR 120 as an alternative eco-friendly process.

Effect of cadmium on biomass, pigmentation, malondialdehyde, and proline of Scenedesmus quadricauda var. longispina

Effects of cadmium (Cd(2+)) on biomass, pigmentation (chlorophyll a, b, and total carotene), malondialdehyde (MDA), and proline productions by Scenedesmus quadricauda var. longispina were investigated. Cadmium had inhibitory effect on the productions of biomass and pigmentation. Significant differences were found in pigment content among groups. On the other hand, Cd(2+) had a simulative effect on the production of MDA and proline by the alga. FTIR-ATR spectroscopy was used to examine active groups of algal biomass before and after Cd(2+) exposure. Results confirmed that amino, amide, and anionic groups had significant role on the biosorption of Cd(2+) by the alga. Increased accumulation of MDA and proline seemed to be an important strategy for alleviating metal-induced oxidative stress in S. quadricauda var. longispina.

Predictive modeling of an azo metal complex dye sorption by pumpkin husk

Effective disposal of pumpkin husk (PH) as a redundant waste is a significant work for environmental protection and full utilization of resource. Predictive modeling of sorption of Lanaset Red (LR) G on PH was investigated in a batch system as functions of particle size, adsorbent dose, pH, temperature, and initial dye concentration. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy attenuated total reflectance spectra of PH powders before and after the sorption of LR G were determined. Sorption process was found to be dependent on particle size, adsorbent dose, pH, temperature, initial dye concentration, and contact time. Amine and amide groups of PH had significant effect on the sorption process. The pHzpc of PH was found as 6.4. Sorption process was very fast initially and reached equilibrium within 60 min. Dynamic behavior of sorption was well represented by logistic and Avrami models. The sorption of LR G on PH was excellently described by Langmuir model, indicating a homogeneous phenomenon. Monolayer sorption capacity decreased from 440.78 to 436.28 mg g(-1) with increasing temperature. Activation energy, thermodynamic, and desorption studies showed that this process was physical character, exothermic, and spontaneous. This study confirmed that PH as an effective and low-cost adsorbent had a great potential for the removal of LR G as an alternative eco-friendly process.

Sorption and desorption studies of a reactive azo dye on effective disposal of redundant material

The effective disposal of redundant elephant dung (ED) is important for environmental protection and utilization of resource. The aim of this study was to remove a toxic-azo dye, Reactive Red (RR) 120, using this relatively cheap material as a new adsorbent. The FTIR-ATR spectra of ED powders before and after the sorption of RR 120 and zero point charge (pHzpc) of ED were determined. The sorption capacity of ED for removing of RR 120 were carried out as functions of particle size, adsorbent dose, pH, temperature, ionic strength, initial dye concentration, and contact time. Sorption isotherm, kinetic, activation energy, thermodynamic, and desorption parameters of RR 120 on ED were studied. The sorption process was found to be dependent on particle size, adsorbent dose, pH, temperature, ionic strength, initial dye concentration, and contact time. FTIR-ATR spectroscopy indicated that amine and amide groups have significant role on the sorption of RR 120 on ED. The pHzpc of ED was found to be 7.3. Sorption kinetic of RR 120 on ED was well described by sigmoidal Logistic model. The Langmuir isotherm was well fitted to the equilibrium data. The maximum sorption capacity was 95.71 mg g(-1). The sorption of RR 120 on ED was mainly physical and exothermic according to results of D-R isotherm, Arrhenius equation, thermodynamic, and desorption studies. The thermodynamic parameters showed that this process was feasible and spontaneous. This study showed that ED as a low-cost adsorbent had a great potential for the removal of RR 120 as an alternative eco-friendly process.

Use of artificial neural networks and genetic algorithms for prediction of sorption of an azo-metal complex dye onto lentil straw

Artificial neural network (ANN), pseudo second-order kinetic, and gene expression programming (GEP) models were constructed to predict removal efficiency of Lanaset Red G (LR G) using lentil straw (LS) based on 1152 experimental sets. The sorption process was dependent on adsorbent particle size, pH, initial dye concentration, and contact time. These variables were used as input to construct a neural network for prediction of dye uptake as output. ANN was an excellent model because of the lowest error and the highest coefficient values. ANN indicated that initial dye concentration had the strongest effect on dye uptake, followed by pH. The GEP model successfully described the sorption kinetic process as function of adsorbent particle size, pH, initial dye concentration, and contact time in a single equation. Low cost adsorbent, LS, had a great potential to remove LR G as an eco-friendly process, which was well described by GEP and ANN.

Cervical lymphadenitis: tuberculosis or tularaemia?

Both tuberculosis cervical lymphadenitis (TCL) and oropharyngeal tularaemia (OT) have similar signs, symptoms and pathological findings. We aimed to investigate the frequency of tularaemia antibodies in patients diagnosed with TCL. Using data from the Tuberculosis Control Dispensaries between the years of 2008 and 2011 in Turkey, all patients diagnosed with TCL were informed about and included in the study. Control group subjects were selected from healthy blood donors who lived in the same region. After informed consent was obtained, the sera obtained from volunteer TCL patients and the control group were tested with a microagglutination technique for Francisella tularensis. Antibodies to Brucella were also investigated with a tube agglutination test for cross-reactivity in sera that were seropositive for tularaemia. Sera were obtained from a total of 1170 individuals in the TCL group and 596 in the control group from 67 of 81 provinces in Turkey. Francisella tularensis-positive antibodies were found in 79 (6.75%) cases in the TCL group and two (0.33%) cases in the control group with a titre of ≥1:80 (p < 0.01). When the presence of antibody of any titre was considered, the ratio became 8.2% (96/1170) in the TCL group and 0.67% (4/596) in the control group (p < 0.001). For the first time, with this study, tularaemia serology was found to be positive in a significant portion (6.75%) of diagnosed cases of TCL. In tularaemia endemic regions, it was concluded that tularaemia serology should be investigated in patients suspected of having TCL.

Prediction of removal efficiency of Lanaset Red G on walnut husk using artificial neural network model

An artificial neural network (ANN) model was used to predict removal efficiency of Lanaset Red (LR) G on walnut husk (WH). This adsorbent was characterized by FTIR-ATR. Effects of particle size, adsorbent dose, initial pH value, dye concentration, and contact time were investigated to optimize sorption process. Operating variables were used as the inputs to the constructed neural network to predict the dye uptake at any time as an output. Commonly used pseudo second-order model was fitted to the experimental data to compare with ANN model. According to error analyses and determination of coefficients, ANN was the more appropriate model to describe this sorption process. Results of ANN indicated that pH was the most efficient parameter (43%), followed by initial dye concentration (40%) for sorption of LR G on WH.

Ohmic and Conventional Heating of Pomegranate Juice: Effects on Rheology, Color, and Total Phenolics

Ohmic heating is an alternative fast-heating method especially for liquid foods. In this study, pomegranate juice samples, prepared by two different extraction methods, were heated ohmically by matching the same thermal history, with that of the conventional method. The ohmic heating application was conducted by changing the voltage gradient (10—40 V/cm) at 50 Hz. The samples were heated from 20 ° C to 90°C and held at 90 °C for different treatment times (0, 3, 6, 9 or 12 min). Although rheological properties, color, and total phenolic content (TPC) values changed at the initial heating up period, there were no significant changes during holding period (p < 0.05). Non-Newtonian (power law) rheology model had higher regression coefficient than Newtonian model, and the extraction method affected the consistency of pomegranate juice samples (p < 0.05). Color values of juice extracted from arils (APJ) was better than that of juice extracted from whole fruits (PPJ), as PPJ contained higher amount of TPC (p < 0.05). Since the heating method did not affect the rheological properties, color, and TPC values, it could be said that there was no electrical effect rather than thermal effects during ohmic heating of pomegranate juice. Ohmic heating could be recommended as an alternative fast-heating method for fruit juices.

An eco-friendly process: predictive modelling of copper adsorption from aqueous solution on Spirulina platensis

The adsorption of copper ions on Spirulina platensis was studied as a function of contact time, initial metal ion concentration, and initial pH regimes. Characterization of this adsorbent was confirmed by FTIR spectrum. Modified Gompertz and Logistic models have not been previously applied for the adsorption of copper. Logistic was the best model to describe experimental kinetic data. This adsorption could be explained by the intra-particle diffusion, which was composed of more than one sorption processes. Langmuir, Freundlich, and Redlich-Peterson were fitted to equilibrium data models. According to values of error functions and correlation coefficient, the Langmuir and Redlich-Peterson models were more appropriate to describe the adsorption of copper ions on S. platensis. The monolayer maximum adsorption capacity of copper ions was determined as 67.93 mg g(-1). Results indicated that this adsorbent had a great potential for removing of copper as an eco-friendly process.

Modeling of biomass production by Spirulinaplatensis as function of phosphate concentrations and pH regimes

Batch cultivations were performed to evaluate the influence of phosphate concentrations (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 g L(-1)) for pH regimes (9.5, 10.0, and 10.5) on the biomass production by Spirulina platensis. The best condition for cell growth (3.099 g L(-1)) was found at 0.5 g L(-1) phosphate and pH value of 10.0. Cultivation time, phosphate, and pH caused to increase significantly (p<0.01) in biomass production by S. platensis. Lag time was observed up to 4 h. After then, biomass production increased sharply (p<0.01) from 0.020 g L(-1) to 2.063, 2.213, 1.532, and 0.797 g L(-1) at 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 g L(-1) phosphate values, respectively. Modified Gompertz model could be regarded as sufficient to describe the biomass production by S. platensis with high determination coefficients and low sum of square value indicated that. Biological parameters for biomass production were successfully predicted by modified Gompertz model.

Distribution, optimum detection time and antimicrobial susceptibility rates of the microorganisms isolated from blood cultures over a 4-year time period in a Turkish university hospital and a review of the international literature

This study retrospectively examined 8986 blood cultures from patients over a 4-year time period in an eastern Turkish university hospital to determine the detection times and distribution of isolated microorganisms using the automated BACTEC 9050 and BACTEC 9120 systems. A total of 1914 (21.3%) blood cultures contained pathogenic microorganisms and 252 (2.8%) positive cultures were considered contaminated. Of all the cultures, 18 (0.2%) were false positives and 224 (2.5%) were false negatives. In cultures containing pathogenic microorganisms, Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial isolation rates were 436 (22.8%) and 1440 (75.2%), respectively, and yeasts (all Candida sp.) were found in 38 (2.0%) cultures. Coagulase-negative staphylococci occurred in 936 (48.9%) cultures and Staphylococcus aureus occurred in 302 (15.8%) cultures. The mean detection time for all of the pathogens was 21 h and Brucella spp were isolated within 10 days. This study helps in understanding the epidemiology of the region and in providing positive therapeutic approaches. A review of the international literature helps to place this understanding into a global context.

Correlation of Slime Production Investigated via Three Different Methods in Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci with Crystal Violet Reaction and Antimicrobial Resistance

This study investigated slime production by coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) using the standard tube (ST), Congo red agar (CRA) plate and Christensen's tube (CT) methods, and compared the results with those of the crystal violet reaction (CVR) test. The potential correlation between slime production and antimicrobial resistance was also evaluated. In total, 205 CNS strains were isolated from biological samples: 92 (44.9%) were shown to produce slime by the ST method; 96 (46.8%) by the CRA plate method; 90 (43.9%) by the CT method; and 89 (43.4%) strains were CVR positive. Eighty-three (40.5%) CNS strains were positive for slime production by the ST, CRA and CT methods. The findings of the ST, CRA and CT test methods were consistent with each other but were not related to CVR positivity. Based on the ST method, rates of antibiotic resistance to several antimicrobial agents were higher in slime-positive strains than in slime-negative strains and, in some cases, this was statistically significant.

Modelling of Scenedesmus obliquus; function of nutrients with modified Gompertz model

This study attempted to investigate variation in biovolume of Scenedesmus obliquus, in the modified Johnson medium at 20+/-2 degrees C, under 16kergcm(-2)s(-1) continuous illumination. The experiments were carried out at four nitrate (8, 12, 16, and 20mM) and four phosphate (0.1, 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7mM) concentrations at pH 7 and 8. The best response for algal growth was found at 0.3mM phosphate and 12mM nitrate at pH 7, as it was obtained from weight averaging method. Besides, optimum phosphate and nitrate concentrations significantly distinguished (p<0.01) from other concentrations according to Turkey's HSD test. Key features of the growth of S. obliquus under phosphate and nitrate influenced batch culture was successfully predicted by modified Gompertz model. Through the cultivations, specific growth rate (mu) ranged from 0.30 to 1.02 day(-1), while biovolume doubling time (td) varied from 0.68 to 2.30 days. There were important differences (p<0.05) for both mu and td among response variables. Both nutrients displayed noteworthy effect (p<0.01) on the algal biovolume.

Utilization of natural antioxidants: Green tea extract and Thymbra spicata oil in Turkish dry-fermented sausage

Effect of natural (green tea extract, Thymbra spicata oil) and synthetic antioxidants (buthylatedhydroxytoluene, BHT) on the safety (biogenic amine and TBARS values) and quality (pH, colour and sensory attributes) of sucuk (Turkish dry-fermented sausage) were investigated during the ripening periods. Addition of antioxidants decreased (P<0.05) the TBARS values. It was found that natural antioxidants decreased TBARS formation more than BHT. Antioxidants reduced (P<0.05) putrescine formation in the following order: green tea extract>green tea extract-T. spicata oil>T. spicata oil>BHT, and their mean values were 70.45, 76.05, 83.13, and 95.97mg/kg, respectively. The highest tyramine concentration was observed in control sucuk prepared without any antioxidants, while the lowest was in the recipe with green tea extract as their mean values were about 99.42 and 64.31mg/kg, respectively. The pH, L, b, and overall sensory quality were not significantly different (P>0.05) with the addition of green tea extract, T. spicata oil, green tea extract-T. spicata oil. These results indicated that the most effective antioxidant was found to be green tea extract. This study pointed out that natural antioxidants were more effective than synthetic antioxidants, so they could be easily utilized in sucuk to enhance quality and provide safer products.

Colour and textural attributes of sucuk during ripening

The sensory (flavour, colour, and ease of cutting scores), colour (Hunter L, a, b, YI, total colour difference, hue angle, chroma, and browning index values) and textural (hardness, adhesiveness, springiness, cohesiveness, gumminess, chewiness, and resilience) attributes of sucuk were followed during the ripening period. Colour scores increased (P<0.05) from score 4 to 6 during the first 3 days of the ripening period and then decreased (P<0.05). The lightness (L values), yellowness (b), and hue angle of sucuk decreased (P<0.05) during the ripening period. The major colour changes occurred between the 5th and 9th days of the ripening period. Pearson correlation test indicates that a positive relationship (P<0.01) exists between a-values and sensory colour scores. The overall sensory scores changed (P<0.05) in parallel to the flavour scores. Hardness, gumminess, and chewiness of sucuk increased (P<0.05) during the ripening period. Strong relationships (P<0.01) were found between hardness and cutting scores. Adhesiveness values of sucuk decreased significantly (P<0.05) about 10 times from -9.3 to -92.6 during the ripening period. Springiness and cohesiveness values decreased during the ripening period, but not significantly (P>0.05). Cutting scores were related (P<0.01) to gumminess (0.921) and chewiness (0.922) values but not to resilience (P>0.05). It was observed that most instrumental colour and textural attributes were in agreement with sensory attributes. These results indicated that instrumental methods could be easily adapted and can be used for evaluation of quality attributes of sucuk during the ripening period.

Change in serum concentrations of interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma during treatment of tuberculosis

We aimed to investigate changes in serum concentrations of the cytokines interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon (IFN)-gamma during the clinical course of active tuberculosis, to establish the presence of cellular immunity before and after treatment. Blood samples were taken from 18 patients with active tuberculosis before and 2 months after therapy; IL-2 and IFN-gamma concentrations were evaluated. The mean serum IL-2 concentration before therapy was 164.5 pg/ml (range 12-980 pg/ml) and the concentration 2 months after therapy was 92.11 pg/ml (range 1-490 pg/ml). The mean serum IFN-gamma concentrations were 10.83 pg/ml (range 1-22.2 pg/ml) and 4.64 pg/ml (range 1-28.5 pg/ml), respectively. The decrease in concentrations of both cytokines after therapy was statistically significant. Further studies investigating the benefits of adding cytokines to drug treatment for tuberculosis are needed.

Tinea capitis in Van, Turkey

Forty patients with an average age of 6.5 +/- 3.2 years (28 male 12 female) who applied to the YYU Medical Faculty Dermatology Department outpatient clinic were investigated. Tinea capitis profunda was determined as the most frequent clinical type. The isolated dermatophytic flora of the patients consisted of Trichophyton verrucosum (43%), T. violaceum (30%), T. rubrum (23%) and T. mentagrophytes (3%). The patients with tinea capitis profunda were mostly from rural areas.

Epidemiological analysis of Staphylococcus aureus strains from nasal carriers in a teaching hospital

The present study was conducted to assess the epidemiological relation of Staphylococcus aureus isolates from nasal carriers of hospital staff. Nasal swabs were taken from each of 327 personnel. After culturing on blood agar for overnight, probable staphylococcal isolates were identified and subjected to tube coagulase test. After a two-week interval, second nasal swabs were taken from the subjects whose first cultures were positive for S. aureus. Nasal carriage was defined in 58 (17.7%) personnel with positive culture for both sampling time. Antibiogram typing and arbitrarily-primed polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR) with M13 primer were used for typing of the strains. Antibiotyping distinguished seven types and three subtypes, and 85% of the isolates were clustered in one group. AP-PCR, in contrast, identified 12 distinct patterns with 13 variants. A specific profile was not found among the isolates obtained from the personnel in a particular clinic. These results indicate that antibiotyping has poor discrimination power and heterogeneity among the nasal S. aureus strains in the hospital personnel screened is high.