Dental caries and associated salivary biomarkers in patients with cystic fibrosis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the caries status of the Cystic fibrosis (CF) children and adolescents with the comparation of some biochemical markers, secretory-immunoglobulin-A (sIgA), and antimicrobial peptides in the saliva. METHODS: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, the approval Ethics Board was obtained. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected from CF and healthy control children (non-CF) patients. Both groups underwent the same dental and periodontal evaluation scheme of the assessment. Human beta defensin (HBD1), human alpha defensin (HNP-1), cathelicidin (LL-37), sIgA in saliva were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunoassay method. A general biochemical analysis was performed. Statistical analysis was performed by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Version 20.0 (SPSS Inc.). RESULTS: A total of 21 (9 male, 12 female) CF and 23 (11 male, 12 female) control patients were participated with the mean age of 10.17 ± 3.38 and 9.52 ± 2.15 years, respectively. In control children, DMFT/S (decayed-missing-filled-tooth/surface-in-permanent-dentition), dmft/s (decayed-missing-filled-tooth/surface-in-primary-dentition) values were higher; DT (decayed-tooth in permanent dentition), ft (filled-tooth in primary dentition) and plaque index values were statistically significantly higher (p = 0.042, p = 0.005, p = 0.038, respectively) than CF patients. Bicarbonate was higher in control group; sodium, chloride, and total protein were higher in CF group; magnesium, calcium and phosphate levels were similar in each group (p > 0.05). Alpha and beta defensin-1 levels in control group was statistically significantly higher (p = 0.037 and p = 0.020, respectively), while LL37 and sIgA were not statistically significantly higher (p > 0.05) than CF group. CONCLUSIONS: Children with CF had lower caries in permanent teeth, filling in primary teeth, and an altered salivary biomarker profile, especially in HNB1, HNP1. Therefore, it is important to conduct periodic oral-dental controls among CF patients during their childhood.

Removal of COD, aromaticity and color of a pretreated chemical producing industrial wastewater: a comparison between adsorption, ozonation, and advanced oxidation processes.

A wide range of products are produced in the chemical producing industry such as textile dyes, chemicals, printing dyes and chemicals, paper chemicals, electrostatic powder dyes, and optical brighteners. The aim of this study is to investigate the treatability of chemical oxygen demand (COD), aromaticity, and color in the wastewater of this sector, where highly complex chemicals are used. Most of the studies in the literature are related to the treatment of synthetically prepared dyed wastewater. This study is important as it is carried out with real wastewater and gives results of many treatment methods. In the study, COD, UV-vis absorbance, and color values were attempted to be removed from the wastewater of a chemical producing industry that was pretreated by coagulation-flocculation. The COD value of the pretreated wastewater discharged to the central treatment system was restricted as 1000 mg/L. Pretreated wastewater characterization is as follows: COD: 2117 mg/L, UV-vis absorbance values at; 254 nm: 9.91, 280 nm: 8.65, 341 nm: 12.77, 436 nm: 5.01, 525 nm: 2.24, and 620 nm: 1.59. In the study, adsorption, ozonation, and advanced oxidation processes (Fenton and persulfate oxidation) were used to remove COD and UV-vis absorbance values (aromaticity, organics, and color). The method by which the best removal efficiency was obtained for all parameters was the adsorption process using powdered activated carbon (PAC). The equilibrium PAC dose was found as 6 g/L. At this adsorbent dose, the removal efficiencies of UV-vis absorbance values were all around 99% and the efficiency of COD removal was 77%. The Langmuir isotherm constants were found to be qmax= 30.4 mg/g and KL = 487.9 (L/mg). The COD concentration at this adsorbent dose was 486 mg/L and wastewater was suitable for discharge to the central wastewater treatment plant in that region.

Determination of the color removal efficiency of laccase enzyme depending on dye class and chromophore.

The aim of this article was to clarify which type of dye chromophores could be decolorized efficiently with the use of laccase enzyme. For this purpose, enzymatic degradation of different type of dye classes (4 reactive, 2 acid and 1 basic dye) having various chromophore groups was investigated by using commercial laccase from Cerrena unicolor. It was observed that the chromophore structure of dye is very important on enzymatic color removal efficiency. According to the experimental results, it was found that color removal efficiencies (20 mg/L initial dye) were 98.7% for RB220 (0.1 g/L enzyme after 6 h), 95.1% for RB19 (0.1 g/L enzyme after 48 h), 90.8% for AR42 (0.1 g/L enzyme after 48 h) while they were 60.9% for AR114 (0.25 g/L enzyme), 58.6% for RB21 (0.5 g/L enzyme), 39.7% for RR239 (0.25 g/L enzyme) even after seven days. As a result, it can be said that the highest decolorization rate was achieved for the reactive dye having formazan copper complex (RB220) chromophore. On the other hand, the enzymatic degradation of basic dye (BB9) was found to be rather difficult compared to the acid and reactive dyes used in this study and the maximum color removal was 42.8% after seven days.

Identifying undiagnosed or undertreated patients with familial hypercholesterolemia from the laboratory records of a tertiary medical center.

OBJECTIVE: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a life-threatening genetic disease associated with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and premature coronary heart disease that is undiagnosed and undertreated around the world. This study aimed to examine the demographic characteristics, awareness, and treatment adherence of undiagnosed or undertreated FH patients based on laboratory records. METHODS: In a 16-month retrospective survey using laboratory records, patients with elevated LDL-C (>250 mg/dL) were identified (n=395). Patients younger than 18 years of age or with secondary causes of dyslipidemia were excluded (n=98). In all, 297 patients were called and asked to participate in a phone interview regarding their demographic characteristics, awareness of dyslipidemia, and treatment adherence. RESULTS: A total of 147 patients (mean age: 51.7±16.6 years; 59.2% female) completed the interview. The mean LDL-C level of the patients was 292.8±49.9 mg/dL. According to the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network criteria, 18.4% of the patients had definite FH, 66.0% had probable FH, and 15.6% had possible FH. Although the majority of the patients (93.9%) were aware of their high LDL-C level, only about half of them (n=75; 51.0%) were in treatment. Of all the patients who were interviewed, 21% (n=31) had never taken medication to lower their LDL-C, and 28% (n=41) had stopped taking a lipid-lowering drug. CONCLUSION: This pilot study revealed that a significant number of FH patients were not taking statins despite having a very high LDL-C level. Nationwide detection of likely FH patients using hospital records and interviewing them via a phone survey may help to better understand and manage these high-risk patients.

Six minute walk test versus incremental shuttle walk test in cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Although both self-paced and externally paced field tests are widely used in cystic fibrosis (CF), it is still unclear whether they induce clinically relevant and similar cardiorespiratory responses. The aim of this study was therefore to compare the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) and 6 min walk test (6MWT), and to determine the factors influencing exercise capacity in CF. METHODS: Fifty clinically stable CF patients were included in the study. Pulmonary function, peripheral and respiratory muscle strength were assessed, anthropometric measurements were recorded, and 6MWT and ISWT carried out. RESULTS: The CF patients covered significantly more distance in the ISWT than 6MWT (P < 0.001). Heart rate response and dyspnea score at the end of the tests and during the recovery phase were significantly higher in the ISWT compared with the 6MWT (P < 0.05). The 6MWT and ISWT had similar moderate-strong correlations with age, height, weight, pulmonary function, respiratory and peripheral muscle strength (P < 0.05). Forty-nine percent of the variance in 6MWT distance was explained by age and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1 ; R(2)  = 0.49, F(2-48) = 22.033, P < 0.001). The variables contributing to ISWT distance were FEV1 , inspiratory muscle strength, and body mass index (R(2)  = 0.596, F(3-44) = 20.176, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The ISWT is a better reflection of exercise tolerance in CF than 6MWT. ISWT is a preferable alternative assessment of exercise tolerance in terms of cardiorespiratory response.

Comparison of activated carbon and bottom ash for removal of reactive dye from aqueous solution.

The adsorption of reactive dye from synthetic aqueous solution onto granular activated carbon (GAC) and coal-based bottom ash (CBBA) were studied under the same experimental conditions. As an alternative to GAC, CBBA was used as adsorbent for dye removal from aqueous solution. The amount of Vertigo Navy Marine (VNM) adsorbed onto CBBA was lower compared with GAC at equilibrium and dye adsorption capacity increased from 0.71 to 3.82 mg g(-1), and 0.73 to 6.35 mg g(-1) with the initial concentration of dye from 25 to 300 mg l(-1), respectively. The initial dye uptake of CBBA was not so rapid as in the case of GAC and the dye uptake was slow and gradually attained equilibrium.

Coal-based bottom ash (CBBA) waste material as adsorbent for removal of textile dyestuffs from aqueous solution.

A locally available CBBA waste material was used as adsorbent for removal of reactive dyes from synthetic textile wastewater. This study presents the results of our investigation on color removal from synthetic wastewater containing Vertigo Blue 49 (CI Blue 49) and Orange DNA13 (CI Orange 13) by adsorption onto CBBA waste material. The effectiveness of CBBA waste material in adsorbing reactive dyes from aqueous solutions was studied as a function of contact time, initial dye concentration and pH by batch experiments. Leachability of waste material was also evaluated using standard leaching test with deionized water (DIN38414-S4). pH 7 was more favorable for color removal from both Vertigo Blue 49 (CI Blue 49) and Orange DNA (CI Orange 13). Dyestuff adsorption capacities of CBBA for Vertigo Blue 49 and Orange DNA13 were 13.51 and 4.54mg dye/g adsorbent, respectively. The adsorption isotherms for the CBBA can be better described by the Freundlich isotherm. The results showed that the dyestuff uptake process for both dyes followed the second-order kinetics. The bottom ash used in this study is not classified as ecotoxic/hazardous material according to the French proposal for a criterion and evaluation methods of waste ecotoxicity (CEMWE) and the German regulation on Hazardous Waste Classification (HWC).