Design and modeling of the decolorization characteristics of a regenerable and eco-friendly geopolymer: Batch and dynamic flow mode treatment aspects.

One of the most important environmental and health issues today is the elimination of the dye pollution from the contaminated water ecosystem. The use of geopolymers to eliminate such contaminants has recently emerged as a promising alternative. In this study, metakaolin based geopolymer (MKBG) was synthesized to be a promising adsorbent for Basic Blue 7 (BB7). To optimize the input parameters (solution pH, MKBG dose, mixing time, temperature, mixing speed, column diameter, and flow rate) towards BB7 removal by MKBG, a Box-Behnken design (BBD) was employed to develop the response model, followed by numerical optimization. The quadratic models correlating the adsorption variables to BB7 adsorption yield as responses were developed for batch and dynamic flow systems. The pseudo-second-order model accurately predicted the BB7 adsorption kinetics on MKBG. Decolorization yields of BB7 in batch and continuous systems reached 96 % and 56 %, respectively. The Langmuir model accurately described equilibrium data, thereby justifying monolayer and homogeneous adsorption. The MKBG demonstrated significant reusability up to 20 dynamic flow adsorption cycles. IR, SEM, and zeta potential measurements were used to describe the sorbent structure, and the mechanism of MKBG-BB7 interaction was assessed. Overall, MKBG offers a good application potential for the treatment of basic dye contaminated waters.

Multiple Inherited Thrombophilic Gene Polymorphisms in Spontaneous Abortions in Turkish Population.

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible role of multiple inherited thrombophilic gene variations in women with unexplained spontaneous abortions. For this purpose, the Factor V Leiden (FVL) (rs6025), Prothrombin G20210A (rs1799963), MTHFR C677T (rs1801133), PAI-1 4G/5G (rs1799889), ACE I/D (rs1799752), eNOS E298D (rs1799983), and Apo E E2/E3/E4 (rs429358) polymorphisms were genotyped and correlated in spontaneously aborted fetal materials, their mothers and fertile women. Twenty three abortion materials, 22 women with ≥1 unexplained fetal loss, and 22 control subjects with at least two healthy term infants as a control group were studied. Target SNPs for each gene were analyzed by real time-PCR technique after genomic DNA isolation from maternal blood-EDTA, control group blood-EDTA and spontaneously aborted fetal tissues. Some cases had a single thrombophilic polymorphism, but the rest of the patients and fetal materials had combined thrombophilic polymorphisms. The PAI-1 4G/5G+4G/4G (P= 0.0017), 4G/4G (P= 0.0253), eNOS 894GT+894TT (P=0.0011) genotypes and T allele (P=0.0185), Apo E E3/E4+E3/E2+E2/E4 (P<0.0001) genotypes, E2 (P<0.0001) and E4 (P<0.0001) alleles were higher in spontaneously aborted fetal materials when compared to their mothers and control group. The Factor V Leiden rs6025, Prothrombin G20210A, MTHFR C677T, ACE I/D genotypes were different for each group but not statistically significant due to relatively small size of the samples (P>0.05). Our results indicated that combined thrombophilic gene variations may be associated with increased risk for spontaneous abortions and results need to be confirmed by larger sample size.

Acne severity and the Global Acne Grading System in polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between acne, quantified by the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS), and abnormal clinical and laboratory markers of androgen excess in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: The retrospective study included 133 patients with PCOS. Acne severity was quantified with the GAGS score, alopecia was graded with the Ludwig classification, and hirsutism was quantified with a modified Ferriman-Gallwey (FG) score. RESULTS: The mean GAGS score was significantly greater in younger women, those with a lower BMI, and those with a higher FG score. There was no relation between the mean GAGS score and waist circumference, waist/hip ratio, androgen hormone levels (free testosterone, total testosterone, or dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate), sex-hormone-binding globulin level, or menstrual irregularity. Alopecia was significantly associated with an increased waist/hip ratio; there was no relation between alopecia and age, waist circumference, body mass index, FG score, androgen hormone levels, or menstrual irregularity. A weak positive correlation was observed between the GAGS and FG scores. CONCLUSION: The GAGS may provide more precise and comprehensive information about acne severity in obese or hirsute patients with PCOS because this grading system includes evaluation of the type (comedones, papules, pustules, nodules) and location (anatomic area) of acne lesions.