Adsorption of Nitrogen Dioxide on Nitrogen-Enriched Activated Carbons.

The aim of this study was to obtain nitrogen-enriched activated carbons from orthocoking coal. The initial material was subjected to a demineralisation process. The demineralised precursor was pyrolysed at 500 °C and then activated with sodium hydroxide at 800 °C. Activated carbon adsorbents were subjected to the process of ammoxidation using a mixture of ammonia and air at two different temperature variants (300 and 350 °C). Nitrogen introduction was carried out on stages of demineralised precursor, pyrolysis product, and oxidising activator. The elemental composition, acid-base properties, and textural parameters of the obtained carbon adsorbents were determined. The activated carbons were investigated for their ability to remove nitrogen dioxide. The results demonstrated that the ammoxidation process incorporates new nitrogen-based functional groups into the activated carbon structure. Simultaneously, the ammoxidation process modified the acid-base characteristics of the surface and negatively affected the textural parameters of the resulting adsorbents. Furthermore, the study showed that all of the obtained carbon adsorbents exhibited a distinct microporous texture. Adsorption tests were carried out against NO2 and showed that the carbon adsorbents obtained were highly effective in removing this gaseous pollutant. The best sorption capacity towards NO2 was 23.5 mg/g under dry conditions and 75.0 mg/g under wet conditions.

A novel electrochemical biosensor based on palladium nanoparticles decorated on reduced graphene oxide-polyaminophenol matrix for the detection and discrimination of mitomycin C-DNA and acyclovir-DNA interaction.

Both the design of molecules that will interact specifically with DNA and the determination of the mechanism of action of this drug on DNA are important as they allow the control of gene expression. In particular, rapid and precise analysis of this type of interaction is a vital element for pharmaceutical studies. In the present study, a novel reduced graphene oxide/ palladium nanoparticles/ poly(2-amino-4-chlorophenol) (rGO/Pd@PACP) nanocomposite was synthesized by chemical process to modify pencil graphite electrode (PGE) surface. Here, the performance of the newly developed nanomaterial-based biosensor for drug-DNA interaction analysis has been demonstrated. For this purpose, it was determined whether this system, which was developed by selecting a drug molecule (Mitomycin C; MC) known to interact with DNA and a drug molecule (Acyclovir; ACY) that does not interact with DNA, performs a reliable/accurate analysis. Here, ACY was used as a negative control. Compared to bare PGE, the rGO/Pd@PACP nanomaterial modified sensor exhibited 17 times higher sensitivity performance in terms of guanine oxidation signal measured by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Moreover, the developed nanobiosensor system provided a highly specific determination between the anticancer drug MC and ACY by discrimination the interactions of these drugs with double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). ACY was also preferred in studies for the optimization of the new nanobiosensor developed. ACY was detected in a concentration as low as 0.0513 µM (51.3 nM) (LOD), and limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.1711 µM with a linear range from 0.1 to 0.5 µM.

Removal of Cd(II), Co(II), Cr(III), Ni(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) ions from wastewater using polyethyleneimine (PEI) cryogels.

The removal of the target analytes, Cd(II), Co(II), Cr(III), Ni(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) from contaminated waters was achieved using super porous polyethyleneimine (PEI) cryogels as adsorbent. The optimum values of the sample pH and contact time were determined as 4.0 and 90 min, respectively, for the removal of the analytes. The adsorption capacities of the sorbent were between 19.88 and 24.39 mgg-1 from 10 mL of 50 mgL-1 target metal ion solutions. The sorption kinetics of metal ions were fitted with the pseudo-second-order model. The adsorption isotherms of the target analytes into PEI cryogel were well-fitted to the Langmuir isotherm model as expected from the material homogeneity. The selectivity of the PEI cryogel in the presence of Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, NO3-, K+ and Cl- ions even at high concentrations was tested, and the tolerance limits were satisfactory enough, e.g., the adsorption of the target analytes was even not affected in the presence of 2000 mgL-1 Ca2+, K+, Na+, Cl- and 5000 mgL-1 NO3- ions. The PEI cryogels were successfully utilized in different industrial wastewater samples that were spiked with a known amount of analytes. The removal of the analytes from wastewater samples was in the following ranges 91.94-99.86% for Cd(II), 89.59-99.89% for Co(II), 80.35-99.76% for Cr(III), 92.02-99.84% for Ni(II), 83.28-99.86% for Pb(II), and 82.94-98.24% for Zn(II), respectively. The presented novel removal strategy offers a selective, efficient, and easy application for target metal ions from industrial wastewater samples.

Thiourea-Isocyanate-Based Covalent Organic Frameworks with Tunable Surface Charge and Surface Area for Methylene Blue and Methyl Orange Removal from Aqueous Media.

A thiourea hexamethylene diisocyanate covalent organic framework (TH COF) was synthesized by adjusting the surface charge and surface area. The surface charge value of TH COF, −3.8 ± 0.5 mV, can be changed to −29.1 ± 0.4 mV by treatment with NaOH (dp-TH) and 17.1 ± 1.0 mV by treatment with HCl (p-TH). Additionally, the surface area of TH COF was 39.3 m2/g, whereas the surface area of dp-TH COF and p-TH COF structures were measured as 41.4 m2/g and 42.5 m2/g, respectively. However, the COF structure had a better adsorption capability with acid and base treatments, e.g., dp-TH COF absorbed 5.5 ± 0.3 mg/g methylene blue (MB) dye, and p-TH COF absorbed 25.9 ± 1.4 mg/g methyl orange (MO) dye from 100 mL 25 ppm aqueous dye solutions, thereby increasing the MB and MO absorption amounts of the TH COF structure. Furthermore, by calculating the distribution, selectivity, and relative selectivity coefficients, the absorption capacity order was determined as dp-TH > TH > p-TH COFs for the MB dye, whereas it was p-TH > TH > dp-TH COFs for the MO dye. Finally, the reusability of dp-TH COF for MB absorption and p-TH COF for MO absorption were investigated. After five repeated uses, dp-TH COF retained 64.6 ± 3.7% of its absorption ability, whereas p-TH COF preserved 79.7 ± 3.2% of its absorption ability relative to the initial absorption amount.

Titanium platelet-rich fibrin (T-PRF) as high-capacity doxycycline delivery system.

OBJECTIVES: Titanium platelet-rich fibrin (T-PRF), a second-generation autogenous blood concentrate with tough and thick fibrin meshwork activated by a titanium tube, was used as a drug carrier for doxycycline (Doxy) by injection. The objective of this study is to evaluate the loading capacity of T-PRF, release kinetics of doxycycline-loaded T-PRF, and its antibacterial effects against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The T-PRF and collagen were loaded with Doxy as T-PRF/Doxy and Collagen/Doxy, and their release and antibacterial activities against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa were investigated. Chemical characterization and morphological analysis were performed. RESULTS: In comparison with collagen, approximately sevenfold more Doxy, 281 mg/g, was loaded into T-PRF. It was found that 25% of the loaded Doxy was released from T-PRF compared to only 12% from collagen within 72 h. The largest inhibition zone diameter (IZD) was observed for T-PRF/Dox with 32 ± 6 mm and 37 ± 5 mm for P. aereginosa and S. aureus, respectively. However, only 10 ± 5 mm and 10 ± 6 mm IZD were observed for bare T-PRF, and no inhibition zone was observed for the Collagen/Doxy group. A dense fibrin structure was visualized on SEM images of the T-PRF/Doxy group compared to the T-PRF group. CONCLUSIONS: T-PRF has higher Doxy loading capacity and long-acting antibacterial effects compared to collagen. T-PRF was shown to have potential autogenous long-term drug-carrying capability for doxycycline. Also, the potential fibrinophilic properties of Doxy were observed to strengthen the structure of T-PRF. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: T-PRF is an autogenous drug career with high loading capacity and extended antibacterial effects for doxycycline. Doxycycline molecules can be visible on T-PRF fibers. This study suggests that T-PRF/Dox could be used as a proper antibiotic delivery device in the treatments of periodontitis and peri-implantitis.

Heavy Metal and Mineral Composition of Soil, Atmospheric Deposition, and Mosses with Regard to Integrated Pollution Assessment Approach.

The fact that there are no real borders between the biosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere means that environmental pollution monitoring studies should not only include one of the environmental spheres. Thus, integrated environmental pollution assessment studies conducted in the biosphere, lithosphere, and atmosphere promote the "whole system" approach. In this study, the aim was to determine the pollution in the atmosphere, soil, and plants by taking advantage of the high pollution accumulation characteristics of the mosses. Prevailing wind has the potential to distribute pollutants emitted into the air throughout its path. With this regard, soil, mosses, and atmospheric deposition samples were collected in Çanakkale, Turkey, in two seasons. Concentrations of selected elements were measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry. The enrichment factor of the selected elements in the soil, moss, and deposition samples was calculated. The highest enrichments were found for Lead in atmospheric deposition, Arsenic in soil, and Mercury in moss samples. Cobalt and chromium accumulated more in mosses than in soil. Elevated arsenic levels found in the samples can pose a great risk for public health and agriculture. The study result showed that the elemental composition of the samples was influenced by the enhanced air plume dispersion of anthropogenic pollution sources along the Northeast-Southwest directions due to wind characteristics in the province. As expected, strong correlations were found among the moss, soil, and atmospheric deposition samples indicating the vital interactions between the environmental components.

Enhanced enzymatic activity and stability by in situ entrapment of α-Glucosidase within super porous p(HEMA) cryogels during synthesis.

Here, poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (p(HEMA)) cryogel were prepared in the presence 0.48, 0.96, and 1.92 mL of α-Glucosidase enzyme (0.06 Units/mL) solutions to obtain enzyme entrapped superporous p(HEMA) cryogels, donated as α-Glucosidase@p(HEMA)-1, α-Glucosidase@p(HEMA)-2, and α-Glucosidase@p(HEMA)-3, respectively. The enzyme entrapped p(HEMA) cryogels revealed no interruption for hemolysis and coagulation of blood rendering viable biomedical application in blood contacting applications. The α-Glucosidase@p(HEMA)-1 was found to preserve its' activity% 92.3 ±â€¯1.4 % and higher activity% against free α-Glucosidase enzymes in 15-60℃ temperature, and 4-9 pH range. The Km and Vmax values of α-Glucosidase@p(HEMA)-1 cryogel was calculated as 3.22 mM, and 0.0048 mM/min, respectively versus 1.97 mM, and 0.0032 mM/min, for free enzymes. The α-Glucosidase@p(HEMA)-1 cryogel was found to maintained enzymatic activity more than 50 % after 10 consecutive uses, and also preserved their activity more than 50 % after 10 days of storage at 25 ℃, whereas free α-Glucosidase enzyme maintained only 1.9 ±â€¯0.9 % activity under the same conditions.

Investigation of Competitive and Noncompetitive Adsorption of Some Heavy Metals Ions on Leucodon sciuroides (Hedw.) Schwägr.

Heavy metals are an important pollutant group. Adsorption is one of the methods used to remove heavy metals from the environment. Mosses were preferred as bio-indicators because they have the capacity to accumulate many elements by their high surface-to-volume ratio. Leucodon sciuroides (Hedw.) Schwägr. (LS) are mosses that play an important part of the ecosystem and are collected from the Ida Mountain (Kazdag) region of Çanakkale (Turkey). For the purpose of determining the adsorption capacity of heavy metal ion (Pb2+, Cd2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, and Cu2+) analysis conditions, pH, contact time, and adsorbent amounts were determined and the maximum adsorption capacity was calculated with the help of the relevant isotherms. Heavy metal concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. It was determined that the optimum adsorption for mosses was 30 min at pH = 6.0 (the pH at which maximum adsorption occurs). The adsorption event shows that some divalent cations fit the Freundlich isotherm and some fit the Langmuir isotherm model. A pseudo-second-order reaction best fits the kinetic data for metal ions. Among the six metal ions studied, the highest adsorption was observed in Pb2+ and Cu2+ cations. According to the competitive adsorption results, the moss has a great advantage in determining the Pb2+ and Cu2+ cations industrially as well as other metals and in removing other metal impurities from the environment. Also, LS is exploited as a biosorbent to remove metal ions from aqueous solutions and can be used as a biomarker.

Investigation of some disinfection chemicals and water quality parameters in swimming pools in the city center and districts of Canakkale, Turkey.

In this study, the variations in concentrations of some disinfection chemicals such as cyanuric acid (CyA), free chlorine (FC), and residual chlorine (RC), which affect human health, were investigated in the water of swimming pools. In addition, quality parameters such as temperature, pH, and total alkalinity (TA) in 44 swimming pools located in the city center and districts of Canakkale, Turkey, were examined in the summer period. While FC and RC amounts were analyzed using tablet tests with N-N-diethyl phenylenediamine (DPD 1) and potassium iodine (DPD 3) using the colorimetric method in the comparator, TA and CyA levels were measured with a photometric method. Temperature and pH were measured using YSI 556 MPS. Levels of CyA, FC, RC, pH, temperature, and TA varied between 0.00 and 725.0 mg L-1 (108.0 ± 111.4 mg L-1), 0.00 and 5.00 mg L-1 (1.60 ± 0.962 mg L-1), 0 and 0.55 mg L-1 (0.087 ± 0.059), 6.40 and 8.20 mg L-1 (7.30 ± 0.038 mg L-1), 22.0 and 32.0 °C (27.6 ± 1.45 °C), and 0.00 and 391.0 mg L-1 (129.3 ± 89.0), respectively. The findings were compared to standard limit values of the Ministry of Health of the Turkish Republic and other countries. Not only maximum concentrations of CyA but also the average concentrations exceeded the standard limit values of different countries in July and August with high tourism activity in Turkey. Although there is no problem in view of average values of other quality parameters, there are some problems in view of the maximum values in pool waters compared to standard limit values.

Chemical composition, antimicrobial, antioxidant and anthocyanin activities of mosses (Cinclidotus fontinaloides (Hedw.) P.Beauv. and Palustriella commutata (Hedw.) Ochyra) gathered from Turkey.

Cinclidotus fontinaloides (Hedw.) P. Beauv. and Palustriella commutata (Hedw.) Ochyra were used in this study. The chemical composition of mosses in the ethanol and water extract was determined using GC-MS and FT-IR. Antioxidant activities of moss extracts were tested by total phenol and ABTS methods. Trolox equivalent value (TEAC) of mosses was calculated as 26 ± 0.32 and 10 ± 0.22 mg/g. The amounts of the flavonoid compounds were calculated as mg gallic acid. Gallic acid equivalent value of mosses was calculated as 587 ± 0.55 and 496 ± 0.22 mg/g. The extracts antimicrobial activity was tested against Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739), Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 10145) and Candida albicans (ATCC 10231). Significant antibacterial effect was observed for C. fontinaloides and P. commutata in ethanol extract. Total anthocyanin activities of C. fontinaloides and P. commutata were determined as 50 ± 0.17 and 144 ± 0.33 mg/L.

Quantitative Clinical Diagnostic Analysis of Acetone in Human Blood by HPLC: A Metabolomic Search for Acetone as Indicator.

Using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (2,4-DNPH) as a derivatizing reagent, an analytical method was developed for the quantitative determination of acetone in human blood. The determination was carried out at 365 nm using an ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) diode array detector (DAD). For acetone as its 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone derivative, a good separation was achieved with a ThermoAcclaim C18 column (15 cm × 4.6 mm × 3 µm) at retention time (t R) 12.10 min and flowrate of 1 mL min(-1) using a (methanol/acetonitrile) water elution gradient. The methodology is simple, rapid, sensitive, and of low cost, exhibits good reproducibility, and allows the analysis of acetone in biological fluids. A calibration curve was obtained for acetone using its standard solutions in acetonitrile. Quantitative analysis of acetone in human blood was successfully carried out using this calibration graph. The applied method was validated in parameters of linearity, limit of detection and quantification, accuracy, and precision. We also present acetone as a useful tool for the HPLC-based metabolomic investigation of endogenous metabolism and quantitative clinical diagnostic analysis.

Results of heavy metals and other water quality levels in tap water from Çan sourced from Agi Dagi (Mt. Agi) (Çanakkale, Turkey).

In this study, the concentrations of heavy metals Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Ni, Fe, Mn and Cr were determined using an inductively coupled plasma and optical emission spectrophotometer (ICP-OES), and water quality parameters pH, temperature, and conductivity were measured using the YSI 556 MPS water probe. The water samples were collected monthly from five different street tap water points sourced from Mt. Agi (Agi Dagi in Turkish) spring waters between May 2012 and February 2013 in Çan (Canakkale, Turkey). All results were compared with the drinking water standards of the Turkish Standards Institute (TSE 266), World Health Organization, European Union and US Environmental Protection Agency. While concentrations of Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn were within limit values, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cr were at undetectable limits. The highest concentrations of Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn were 0.010 ppm, 0.018 ppm, 0.058 ppm, and 0.014 ppm, respectively. The findings revealed that although there was no public health risk in view of heavy metal concentrations, there was an acidity problem due to lower pH levels correlated with some heavy metals such as Cu (R = 0.419), Fe (R = -0.421) and Mn (R = -0.687).

Study of heavy metal pollution in seawater of Kepez harbor of Canakkale (Turkey).

In this work, the heavy metals cadmium and lead in Kepez harbor were studied with regard to the determination of the environmental pollution levels. Seawater samples of the Dardanelles (Canakkale Strait) were collected from the nearest station to Kepez harbor in July 2007. Then, the concentrations of these metals were determined after simple pretreatment of samples by the proposed inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) method. The analysis of a given sample is completed in about 15 min by the ICP-AES method, and the concentrations of Cd and Pb were found to be 73.80 mg L(-1) (relative standard deviation [RSD], 1.07%) and 9.39 mg L(-1) (RSD, 0.70%), respectively. The accuracy of the applied ICP technique was checked by recovery studies, and good recoveries were obtained. The pollution levels of Cd and Pb recorded in this study were compared with those in other studies to analyze the water sample in Kepez harbor.

Seasonal concentrations of some heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Zn, and Cu) in Ulva rigida J. Agardh (Chlorophyta) from Dardanelles (Canakkale, Turkey).

In this study, changes in heavy metal accumulation in U. rigida J. Agardh taxon and seawater have been investigated with respect to different stations and seasons. For this purpose, the severity of heavy metal pollution in the Dardanelles has been presented through the determination of Cu, Pb, Zn, and Cd concentrations in U. rigida macroalgae and seawater taken seasonally from the stations located on six different regions on the strait. While the metal concentrations in alga specimens were found to be high in spring and winter in all stations; the metal concentrations in the seawater, particularly the Pb concentration, were found to be high in all seasons.

Determination of total Cr in wastewaters of Cr electroplating factories in the I.organize industry region (Kayseri, Turkey) by ICP-AES.

The wastewater pollution in industrial areas is one of the most important environmental problems. Heavy metal pollution, especially chromium pollution in the wastewater sources from electroplating, dyeing, and tannery, has affected the life on earth. This pollution can affect on all ecosystems and human health directly or by food chain. Therefore, the determination of total chromium in this study is of great importance. In this study, accurate, rapid, sensitive, selective, simple, and low-cost technique for the direct determination of total Cr in wastewater samples collected from the some Cr electroplating factories in March 2008 by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry has been developed. The analysis of a given sample is completed in about 15 min by this technique applied. As the result of the chromium analysis, the limit of quantification for the total Cr were founded to be over the limit value (0.05 mg L(-1); WHO, EPA, TSE 266, and inland water quality classification) as 1,898.78+/-0.34 mg/L at station 1 and 3,189.02+/-0.56 mg/L at station 2. The found concentration of total Cr has been determined to be IV class quality water according to the inland water classification. In order to validate the applied method, recovery studies were performed.

Adsorptive stripping voltammetric determination of zopiclone in tablet dosage forms and human urine.

Adsorptive stripping voltammetric (AdSV) techniques were proposed for the direct quantitative determination of zopiclone (ZP) in spiked human urine and tablet dosage forms for first time. The electrochemical oxidation and determination of ZP were easily carried out on glassy carbon electrode (CGE) using a variety of voltammetric techniques. Different conditions were investigated to optimize the analytical determination of ZP. The dependence of the intensities of currents and potentials on pH, concentration, scan rate, deposition time, deposition potential, and nature of the buffer were investigated. Oxidation of ZP was found to be adsorptive-controlled and irreversible. The best results for the determination of ZP were obtained by using differential pulse adsorptive stripping (DPAdSV) and osteryoung square wave voltammetric (OSWAdSV) techniques in Britton-Robinson buffer at pH 7.08 after a pre-concentration period of 120 s at 0.60 V. The peak current showed a linear dependence on the ZP concentration in the range of 6 x 10(-7) to 2 x 10(-5) mol L(-1) for both techniques. The achieved limits of detection and quantitation were 2.78 x 10(-7) and 5.28 x 10(-7) mol L(-1) for DPAdSV; 1.70 x 10(-7) and 5.78 x10(-7) mol L(-1) for OSWAdSV, respectively. The proposed techniques were successfully applied to direct determination of ZP in tablet dosage form and spiked human urine samples. Excipients did not interfere with the determination. Precision and accuracy of the developed method were checked by recovery studies in tablet dosage forms and spiked urine samples.

Speciative determination of Cr (III) and Cr (VI) in dyeing waste water of Dil Creek discharge to Izmit Gulf (Izmit-Kocaeli, Turkey) by ICP-AES.

Wastewater pollution in industrial areas is one of the most important environmental problems. Heavy metal pollution, especially chromium pollution in wastewater sources from dyeing and tannery has affected the life on earth. This pollution can affect all ecosystems and human health directly or by food chain. Therefore, the determination of chromium in this study is of great importance. Dil Creek is located in the eastern Marmara region and discharges into the Izmit Gulf. This water source is used for irrigation in agriculture and as drinking water for animals. In this study, a rapid, sensitive and selective method for the speciative direct determination of Cr (III) and Cr (VI) in dyeing waste water samples collected from the nearest station to Izmit Gulf of Dil Creek in May 2006 by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) has been developed. An analysis of a given sample is completed in about 15 min for ICP-AES the method. As the result of the chromium analysis, the limit of quantification (LOQ) for the Cr (III), Cr (VI) and total Cr were founded as 0.0111 +/- 0.0002 mg/l (RSD, 1.80%), 0.0592 +/- 0.0010 mg/l (RSD, 1.70%) and 0.0703 +/- 0.0020 mg/l (RSD, 2.84%) respectively. In addition, the general mathematical formula has been developed to calculate the concentration of Cr(III), which can be applied to any other metal species. The result of Cr (VI) analysis indicated that water quality of Creek was IV. class quality according to the inland water classification. In order to validate the applied method, recovery studies were performed.