Molecular investigation of Haemoproteus and Plasmodium species of some raptors in Hatay province: new CytB lineages for raptors of Accipitriformes in Turkey.

Accipitriform raptors are significant indicators of biodiversity and environmental health. Currently, most of the studies on avian haemosporidian parasites are on passerine birds, and data on raptors is constricted, with similarities both around the world and in Turkey. This study aimed to investigate the presence of Haemoproteus and Plasmodium spp. in raptors by microscopy and nested PCR technique. The study material consisted of 47 accipitriform raptors (Buteo buteo: 14, Buteo rufinus: 7, Clanga pomarina: 8, Circaetus gallicus: 12, Milvus migrans: 6). The prevalence of haemosporidian infection was 12.8% (6/47, 1 from Buteo buteo, 4 from Clanga pomarina, 1 from Milvus migrans) microscopically and 14.9% (7/47) molecularly. One Circaetus gallicus, microscopically found to be negative, probably due to low parasitemia, was molecularly found to be positive. All PCR-positive amplicons were bidirectionally sequenced, and the identification of lineages of the isolates and phylogenetic analysis were performed using the MalAvi and GenBank databases. The study revealed H-MILANS02 lineage in Buteo buteo, H-MILANS02 and P-CIAE1 lineages in Clanga pomarina, P-GRW06 lineage in Circaetus gallicus, and P-RTSR1 lineage in Milvus migrans, respectively. While this study removes the uncertainty regarding the reporting of the H-MILANS02 lineage in Turkey, it is also the first report to reveal 3 different Plasmodium spp. CytB lineages in raptors. Moreover, the fact that the P-GRW06 lineage (Plasmodium elongatum) detected in passerine birds was detected in a raptor, Circaetus gallicus, draws attention to the need for further investigations on host-parasite interaction and gives clues about the host-shifting ability of this parasite.

Evaluation of genetic diversity by morphological, biochemical and molecular markers in sour cherry genotypes.

BACKGROUND: Turkey's ecological and geographical diversity allows the cultivation of most plant species that have economic importance throughout the country. One of these species, sour cherry, is among the stone fruits that are very important for human health. This study aimed to determine genetic diversity of 21 sour cherry genotypes grown from seed in Kelkit Valley and standard Kutahya cultivars. METHODS AND RESULTS: Morphological, biochemical, and molecular marker techniques [ISSR (Inter Simple Sequence Repeat)] was used to determine genetic diversity. G11 in terms of fruit characteristics, particularly weight with 4.81 g, and G20 in terms of leaf width produced better results than the other genotypes with 40.10 mm. Molecular marker analysis, a total of 70 bands were obtained from 12 ISSR primers and 49 of them were polymorphic. The mean polymorphism rate in the study was 70%, and the DICE's similarity coefficient of genotypes differed between 0.81 and 0.95. Polymorphism percentages of the ISSR primers varied from 20 to 100%. In biochemical analyzes, G17 with 140.18 mg QE/100 g in total flavonoids content, G19 with 208.63 mg GAE/100 g in total phenolics content, G19 with 8.33 mg cyn-3-gluc/100 g in total anthocyanin content compared to other genotypes prominent genotypes. CONCLUSION: The use of the obtained results in breeding studies to be carried out on this species, as well as the detection and protection of gene sources, may be beneficial for researchers.

Chemometrics assisted untargeted metabolomic analysis to explore metabolic alterations in chronic urticaria via LC/Q-TOF/MS/MS.

Chronic urticaria (CU) is a common disease characterized by the development of recurrent itchy blisters and/or angioedema lasting longer than 6 weeks. The evidence-based diagnosis of CU is described in the most recent urticaria guideline. Metabolomics has the potential to offer diagnostic biomarkers for the detection and prognosis of diseases and predict the efficacy and safety of pharmaceutical interventions. Determining the variation in metabolites found in the plasma of CU patients (n = 20) and 20 controls has therefore been the goal of this investigation. Samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry after applying acetonitrile precipitation. For the purpose of identifying and characterizing metabolites, the METLIN database was utilized. According to results, 21 metabolites were found to be significantly (VIP score > 0.7, p < .05 and fold analysis >1.5) altered. Differentiations between each group were successful via both OPLS-DA and ROC analysis. While plasma allantoate, homogentisate, indole acetate, proline, phenylalanine levels decreased in CU patients compared to healthy subjects, tryptophan, spermidine, phenyl pyruvate, oleic acid, lysine, valine, ornithine, histidine, glutamate, leucine, kynurenine, hypoxanthine, tyrosine, glucose, creatine and cortisol levels were significantly increased. Diagnosis of CU could be achieved by evaluating the metabolic profile of patients.

Coronary sinus collapsibility index and inferior vena cava collapsibility index can predict right atrial pressure in patients undergoing right heart catheterization.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between the diameters and collapsibility indices of coronary sinus (CS) and inferior vena cava (IVC) and invasively measured right atrial pressure (RAP), and to determine whether these parameters have predictive value on RAP. METHODS: A total of 136 patients undergoing right heart catheterization due to pulmonary arterial hypertension were included in the study prospectively. CS diameters, IVC diameters, CS collapsibility index (CSCI), and IVC collapsibility index (IVCCI) were measured by echocardiography before catheterization. Pearson correlation analysis was used to compare the parameters. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the predictive value of the CS and IVC collapsibility indices in predicting RAP. RESULTS: Patients were divided into two groups as invasively measured RAP≥10 mm Hg (n:57) and RAP < 10 mm Hg (n:79). In the group with RAP≥10 mm Hg, IVC and CS diameters were higher than in the group with RAP < 10 mm Hg, while the IVCCI and CSCI were lower (p < 0.001). A negative correlation was observed between CSCI and IVCCI and RAP. Also, a positive correlation was observed between CSCI and IVCCI. Optimal cut-off value for IVCCI was 46.1 with a sensitivity of 75%, and specificity of 79.7%. Optimal cut-off value for CSCI was 39.2 with a sensitivity of 75.4%, and specificity of 88.6%. CONCLUSION: CS and IVC diameters and collapsibility indices measured by echocardiography were found to be associated with invasively measured RAP, and may be used together for estimating RAP.

The serum amino acid profile in COVID-19.

The pandemic of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 affects millions of people worldwide. There are still many unknown aspects to this infection which affects the whole world. In addition, the potential impacts caused by this infection are still unclear. Amino acid metabolism, in particular, contains significant clues in terms of the development and prevention of many diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to compare amino acid profile of COVID-19 and healthy subject. In this study, the amino acid profiles of patients with asymptomatic, mild, moderate, and severe/critical SARS-CoV-2 infection were scanned with LC-MS/MS. The amino acid profile encompassing 30 amino acids in 142 people including 30 control and 112 COVID-19 patients was examined. 20 amino acids showed significant differences when compared to the control group in COVID-19 patient groups with different levels of severity in the statistical analyses conducted. It was detected that the branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) changed in correlation with one another, and L-2-aminobutyric acid and L-phenylalanine had biomarker potential for COVID-19. Moreover, it was concluded that L-2-aminobutyric acid could provide prognostic information about the course of the disease. We believe that a new viewpoint will develop regarding the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis as a result of the evaluation of the serum amino acid profiles of COVID-19 patients. Determining L-phenylalanine and L-2-aminobutyric levels can be used in laboratories as a COVID-19-biomarker. Also, supplementing COVID patients with taurine and BCAAs can be beneficial for treatment protocols.

Synthesis and Characterization of Activated Carbon from Biowaste-Peanut Shell and Application to Preconcentration/Removal of Uranium.

This study aims to synthesize and characterize an economical and ecological adsorbent with high adsorption capacity. For this purpose, the peanut shells (Pistacia vera L.) were modified chemically. After the synthesis of activated carbon (AC), the optimum conditions for enrichment steps were performed using parameters: pH and contact time for uranium in the model solutions. The measurements were carried out by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). From the shapes of the BET isotherms, the AC obtained exhibits type I. The study indicated that the surface area and total pore volume of the AC were found to be 679.9 m2 g-1 and 0.31 cc g-1, respectively. The adsorption capacity was found to be 260 mg g-1. The optimum pH was found to be 6.0 for enrichment using the AC obtained by sulfuric acid as a chemical-modifier. The optimized method was applied to enrichment of U at ppb levels in the model solutions.

Assessment of Patients with Intracerebral Hemorrhage or Hemorrhagic Transformation in the VENOST Study.

INTRODUCTION: Cerebral venous and sinus thrombosis (CVST) may lead to cerebral edema and increased intracranial pressure; besides, ischemic or hemorrhagic lesions may develop. Intracerebral hemorrhages occur in approximately one-third of CVST patients. We assessed and compared the findings of the cerebral hemorrhage (CH) group and the CVST group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the VENOST study, medical records of 1,193 patients with CVST, aged over 18 years, were obtained from 35 national stroke centers. Demographic characteristics, clinical symptoms, signs at the admission, radiological findings, etiologic factors, acute and maintenance treatment, and outcome results were reported. The number of involved sinuses or veins, localizations of thrombus, and lesions on CT and MRI scans were recorded. RESULTS: CH was detected in the brain imaging of 241 (21.1%) patients, as hemorrhagic infarction in 198 patients and intracerebral hemorrhage in 43 patients. Gynecologic causes comprised the largest percentage (41.7%) of etiology and risk factors in the CVST group. In the CH group, headache associated with other neurological symptoms was more frequent. These neurological symptoms were epileptic seizures (46.9%), nausea and/or vomiting (36.5%), altered consciousness (36.5%), and focal neurological deficits (33.6%). mRS was ≥3 in 23.1% of the patients in the CH group. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: CVST, an important cause of stroke in the young, should be monitored closely if the patients have additional symptoms of headache, multiple sinus involvement, and CH. Older age and parenchymal lesion, either hemorrhagic infarction or intracerebral hemorrhage, imply poor outcome.

Behçet's disease as a causative factor of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis: subgroup analysis of data from the VENOST study.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to determine the rate of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) among cases of Behçet's disease (BD) included in a multicentre study of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (VENOST). METHODS: VENOST was a retrospective and prospective national multicentre observational study that included 1144 patients with CVST. The patients were classified according to aetiologic factors, time of CVST symptom onset, sinus involvement, treatment approach and prognosis. RESULTS: BD was shown to be a causative factor of CVST in 108 (9.4%) of 1144 patients. The mean age of patients in the BD group was 35.27 years and 68.5% were men, whereas in the non-BD CVST group, the mean age was 40.57 years and 28.3% were men (P < 0.001). Among the aetiologic factors for patients aged 18-36 years, BD was predominant for men, and puerperium was predominant for women. The onset of symptoms in the BD group was consistent with the subacute form. The transverse sinuses were the most common sites of thrombosis, followed by the superior sagittal sinuses. The most common symptom was headache (96.2%), followed by visual field defects (38%). CONCLUSIONS: BD was found in 9.4% of patients in our VENOST series. Patients with BD were younger and showed a male predominance. The functional outcome of CVST in patients with BD was good; only 12% of patients presenting with cranial nerve involvement and altered consciousness at the beginning had a poor outcome (modified Rankin Score ⩾2).

N-glycan profiling of papillary thyroid carcinoma tissues by MALDI-TOF-MS.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is a type of thyroid cancer whose incidence rate has increased recently all over the world. Glycosylation is a crucial post-translational modification (PTM) for the regulation of thyroid hormone synthesis in thyroid glands. However, our knowledge regarding the N-glycosylation change in PTC is limited. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to profile glycans in PTC tissues by mass spectrometry. Herein, we have analyzed the N-glycans of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues of patients diagnosed with PTC in a matched case-control study. Using MALDI-TOF(/TOF)-MS, 35 enzymatically released N-glycan compositions were characterized. The statistical analyses showed significant differences including six N-glycan compositions (p < 0.001) between patients and controls. It was determined that four of them (H5N4E1, H5N4F1E1, H5N4F1L1E1 and H5N4F1E2, E: α2,6-linked sialic acid; L: α2,3-linked sialic acid) were up-regulated in PTC tissues, whereas two N-glycans (H8N2 and H9N2) found to be down-regulated. Besides, a significant difference was found in six different N-glycan traits. Variants of PTC (follicular, classical, hurtle cell) were also studied to define specific N-glycan change for each variant.

Determination of olanzapine for therapeutic drug monitoring in schizophrenia patients by LC/MS method.

Olanzapine is an atypical antipsychotic drug from the thienobenzodiazepine family which displays efficacy in patients with schizophrenia and related psychoses. A novel LC/MS method was developed and validated for determination of olanzapine in schizophrenia patients' plasma. A liquid-liquid extraction procedure was carried out using 5 mL diethyl ether-diisopropyl ether mixture (1:1, v/v). Average recovery of the extraction procedure was 94.8%. Chromatographic separation was performed on reversed-phase C18 column (250 × 2.0 mm, 5 µm) using mixture of deionized water (trifluoro acetic acid 0.1%)-acetonitrile (20:80, v/v) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. Irbesartan was used as internal standart and total run time was 2.5 min. Mass spectrometric analysis were carried out in selective-ion montoring mode, and detected olanzapine at m/z 313.1 and IS at m/z 429.4 in all forms of the ions. The calibration curve of olanzapine was linear in the range 2-300 ng/mL (r2 > 0.9993). The interday and intraday precisions (RSD) were <7.55%, and accuracy was >7.59% (n = 6). The proposed study was successfully validated with respect to the US Food and Drug Administration guidelines.

Prediction of no-reflow and major adverse cardiovascular events with a new scoring system in STEMI patients.

BACKGROUND: No-reflow is associated with a poor prognosis in STEMI patients. There are many factors and mechanisms that contribute to the development of no-reflow, including age, reperfusion time, a high thrombus burden, Killip class, long stent use, ejection fraction ≤40, and a high Syntax score. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the parameters associated with no-reflow prediction by creating a new scoring system. METHODS: The study included 515 consecutive STEMI patients who underwent PCI; 632 STEMI patients who had undergone PCI in another center were included in the external validation of the scoring system. The correlations between 1-year major adverse cardiac events and low/high risk score were assessed. RESULTS: In this study, seven independent variables were used to build a risk score for predicting no-reflow. The predictors of no-reflow are age, EF ≤40, SS ≥22, stent length ≥20, thrombus grade ≥4, Killip class ≥3, and pain-balloon time ≥4 h. In the derivation group, the optimal threshold score for predicting no-reflow was >10, with a 75% sensitivity and 77.7% specificity (Area under the curve (AUC) = 0.809, 95%CI: 0.772-0.842, P < 0.001). In the validation group, AUC was 0.793 (95%CI: 0.760-0.824, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This new score, which can be calculated in STEMI patients before PCI and used to predict no-reflow in STEMI patients, may help physicians to estimate the development of no-reflow in the pre-PCI period.

Association between Fragmented QRS and Left Ventricular Systolic Function in Patients with Erectile Dysfunction.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between fragmented QRS and left ventricular (LV) systolic function in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED). METHODS: A total of 106 patients with ED and without a history of coronary artery disease (CAD) were compared with 54 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. LV systolic function was evaluated using speckle tracking echocardiography via global longitudinal strain (GLS) and global circumferential strain (GCS). The patients with ED were compared with healthy controls. The study group was further subdivided into fQRS (+) and fQRS (-) groups and compared with each other. RESULTS: The frequency of fQRS was significantly higher in the patients with ED (p = 0.01). The frequency of fQRS was higher in the patients with mild and moderate ED, and significantly higher in those with severe ED (p < 0.001). LV-GLS (%) was 17.46 ± 1.37 and 20.05 ± 1.42 in the fQRS (+) and fQRS (-) groups, respectively (p ≤ 0.001). LV-GCS (%) was 17.33 ± 0.81 and 18.55 ± 0.92 in the fQRS (+) and fQRS (-) groups, respectively (p ≤ 0.001). fQRS and age were independent predictors of LV-GLS. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of fQRS was higher in the patients with ED even in the absence of overt CAD. In the patients with ED, the fQRS (+) group had significantly lower values of LV-GLS and LV-GCS. These results indicate that presence of fQRS is associated with subclinical LV dysfunction in patients with ED.

Real-world stroke prevention strategies in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation in patients with renal impairment.

BACKGROUND: The data regarding stroke prevention strategies in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) are limited especially in patients with renal impairment (RI). We sought to evaluate management dilemmas in patients with concurrent NVAF and RI in RAMSES (ReAl-life Multicenter Survey Evaluating Stroke Prevention Strategies inTurkey) study. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, multicenter, nation-wide registry in NVAF patients in outpatient cardiology clinics. All consecutive patients with NVAF were enrolled in RAMSES study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02344901). The baseline data were collected. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated by Cockcroft-Gault equation. RESULTS: A total number of 6273 patients from 29 provinces of Turkey with the contribution of 83 investigators were enrolled to the study. Of the study population, 1964(33%) patients had RI which was defined as GFR < 60 mL/min. Patients with RI had significantly higher CHA2 DS2 VASc and HAS-BLED scores compared to those without RI (3·9 ± 1·5 vs. 2·9 ± 1·5, and 2·0 ± 1 vs. 1·4 ± 1; P < 0·001). Prior history of major bleeding (6·9% vs. 4·1%, P < 0·001) and stroke (16·2% vs. 11·8%, P < 0·001) was significantly higher among individuals with concomitant RI and NVAF. Although RI patients had a higher risk for thromboembolism, number of the patients who did not receive any anticoagulant therapy was higher in patients with RI than without RI (30·1 vs. 26·4%, P = 0·003). CONCLUSION: RAMSES study showed that one-third of the patients with NVAF had RI in the real-world setting. Although it is mandatory in most of the patients with concomitant NVAF and RI, nearly one-third of these patients did not receive any anticoagulant therapy.

Impact of valvular heart disease on oral anticoagulant therapy in non-valvular atrial fibrillation: results from the RAMSES study.

The definition of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) is controversial. We aimed to assess the impact of valvular heart disease on stroke prevention strategies in NVAF patients. The RAMSES study was a multicenter and cross-sectional study conducted on NVAF patients (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02344901). The study population was divided into patients with significant valvular disease (SVD) and non-significant valvular disease (NSVD), whether they had at least one moderate valvular disease or not. Patients with a mechanical prosthetic valve and mitral stenosis were excluded. Baseline characteristics and oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapies were compared. In 5987 patients with NVAF, there were 3929 (66%) NSVD and 2058 (34%) SVD patients. The predominant valvular disease was mitral regurgitation (58.1%), followed by aortic regurgitation (24.1%) and aortic stenosis (17.8%). Patients with SVD had higher CHA2DS2VASc [3.0 (2.0; 4.0) vs. 4.0 (2.0; 5.0), p < 0.001] and HAS-BLED [2.0 (1.0; 2.0) vs. 2.0 (1.0; 2.0), p = 0.004] scores compared to patients with NSVD. Overall, 2763 (71.2%) of NSVD and 1515 (73.8%) of SVD patients were on OAC therapy (p = 0.035). When the patients with SVD were analyzed separately, the mean CHA2DS2VASc and HAS-BLED scores were higher in patients with mitral regurgitation compared to patients with aortic regurgitation and aortic stenosis [4.0 (3.0; 5.0), 3.0 (2.0; 4.0), 3.0 (2.0; 4.0) p < 0.001 and 2.0 (1.0; 3.0), 1.0 (1.0; 2.0), 1.0 (0.0; 2.0) p < 0.001, respectively]. In patients with SVD, 65.7% of mitral regurgitation, 82.6% of aortic regurgitation and 88.0% of aortic stenosis patients were on OAC therapy. One out of three NVAF patients had at least one moderate valvular heart disease with the predominance of mitral regurgitation. Patients with SVD were at greater risk of stroke and bleeding compared to patients with NSVD. Although patients with mitral regurgitation should be given more aggressive anticoagulant therapy due to their higher risk of stroke, they are undertreated compared to patients with aortic valve diseases.

Right Ventricular Dysfunction Complicates Time in Therapeutic Range in Heart Failure Patients Receiving Warfarin.

AIM: We aimed to evaluate the effect of echocardiographically demonstrated right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) on time in therapeutic range (TTR) in heart failure (HF) patients receiving warfarin therapy. METHODS: A total of 893 consecutive HF patients were included and classified into 4 different subgroups: HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) without RVD (n = 373), HF with reduced EF (HFrEF) without RVD (n = 215), HFpEF with RVD (n = 106) and HFrEF with RVD (n = 199). Groups were compared according to baseline, demographic and clinical data and the characteristics of warfarin therapy. RESULTS: Presence of RVD yielded lower median TTR values both in HFpEF and HFrEF patients. RVD, current smoking, New York Heart Association functional class III/IV, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, pulmonary disease, prior transient ischemic attack or stroke, chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 4/5 and CKD stage 3 were found to be independent predictors of poor anticoagulation control in multivariate logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that presence of RVD in HF increases the risk for poor anticoagulation.

Association between metabolic syndrome and fragmented QRS complexes: Speckle tracking echocardiography study.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is an endocrinological disease with both metabolic and physiological components. Previous studies have shown a relationship between MetS and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. A fragmented QRS (fQRS) is a reliable electrocardiogram (ECG) finding with the importance of an indicator of myocardial fibrosis and scarring. In this study, we examined the utility of speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in assessing LV function in MetS patients with fQRS. METHODS: The 164 consecutive MetS patients included in the study. They were separated into two groups; those with (n=33) and those without (n=131) fQRS. The two groups were compared by obtaining LV strain values with STE. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences between the fQRS (-) and fQRS (+) groups were identified for LV global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) (p<0.001), maximum left atrial volume index (maxLAVI) (p≤0.001), strain rate during isovolumic relaxation period (SRivr) (p<0.001), and the E/SRivr ratio (p<0.001). In the multiple linear regression analysis, fQRS (ß=-1.456, p=0.003), diabetes mellitus (ß=-0.973, p=0.015), hypertension (ß=-0.820, p=0.015) and MaxLAVI (ß=-0.142, p=0.018) were independent predictors of LV-GLS. However, fQRS (ß=21.995, p<0.001), MaxLAVI (ß=3.090, p<0.001), and E/Em ratio (ß=3.326, p<0.001) were also independent predictors of E/SRivr. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that LV dysfunction was more common in MetS patients with fQRS. MetS patients, and especially those who are fQRS (+), should thus be closely monitored for subclinical LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction.

Examination of correlation between histidine and nickel absorption by Morus L., Robinia pseudoacacia L. and Populus nigra L. using HPLC-MS and ICP-MS.

In this study, HPLC-MS and ICP-MS methods were used for the determination of histidine and nickel in Morus L., Robinia pseudoacacia L., and Populus nigra L. leaves taken from industrial areas including Gaziantep and Bursa cities. In the determination of histidine by HPLC-MS, all of the system parameters such as flow rate of mobile phase, fragmentor potential, injection volume and column temperature were optimized and found to be 0.2 mL min(-1), 70 V, 15 µL, and 20°C, respectively. Under the optimum conditions, histidine was extracted from plant sample by distilled water at 90°C for 30 min. Concentrations of histidine as mg kg(-1) were found to be between 2-9 for Morus L., 6-13 for Robinia pseudoacacia L., and 2-10 for Populus nigra L. Concentrations of nickel were in the ranges of 5-10 mg kg(-1) for Morus L., 3-10 mg kg(-1) for Robinia pseudoacacia L., and 0.6-4 mg kg(-1) for Populus nigra L. A significant linear correlation (r = 0.78) between histidine and Ni was observed for Populus nigra L., whereas insignificant linear correlation for Robinia pseudoacacia L. (r = 0.22) were seen. Limits of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ) were found to be 0.025 mg Ni L(-1) and 0.075 mg Ni L(-1), respectively.

Determination of contamination levels of Pb, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Mn caused by former lead mining gallery.

In the present study, levels of metal contamination caused by former lead mining area were figured out. For this purpose, Pb, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Mn were determined not only in sediment samples taken from different places of the mining area but also in some plants taken around the mining place. In the digestion of plant samples, dry ashing procedure was applied. Flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (FAAS) was used in the determination of analytes of interest. All the parameters in digestion and detection procedures were optimized to obtain efficient digestion and high sensitivities for analytes. Standard addition and direct calibration methods were applied to find whether there was any matrix interference to affect the determination of analytes. Mn concentration was found to be the highest for each sample analyzed. Lead concentration was found to be between 41 and 249 mg/kg in soil/sediment samples and between 2.2 and 1003 mg/kg in plant samples. The highest contamination levels for all of the analytes with the exception of Cd were found in current sediment sample.

Sensitivity Enhancement in Uranium Determination by UV-Visible Spectroscopy Using Ion Imprinted Polymer.

There is need to determination of uranium concentration at ppb level in environmental matrices. Due to low sensitivity of FAAS, UV-Visible Spectroscopy is generally used as measurement technique. In this study, ion-imprinted polymers (IIP) were prepared for uranyl ion (imprint ion) by formation of ternary (salicylaldoxime and 4-vinylpyridine) complex in 2-methoxy ethanol (porogen) following copolymerization with methacrylic acid (MAA) as a functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as crosslinking monomer using 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile as initiator. The synthesized polymers were characterized by FT-IR and TGA analysis. Arsenazo Ⅲ in 3 M HClO4 was used as complexing agent in the measurement step. The optimal pH for preconcentration was found to be between 3.5～6.5 values. The developed method was applied to uranium (Ⅵ) determination in natural water samples.

Examination of Correlation between Histidine and Cadmium Absorption by Eleagnus angustifolia L., Vitis vinifera L. and Nerium oleander L. Using HPLC-MS and ICP-MS.

In this study, HPLC-MS and ICP-MS methods wereused for the determination of histidine and cadmium in Eleagnus angustifolia L., Vitis vinifera L. and Nerium oleander L. leaves taken from industrial area including Gaziantep and Bursa cities. To histidine determination by HPLC-MS, flow rate of mobile phase, fragmentor potential, injection volume and column temperature were optimized as 0.2 mL · min⁻¹, 70 V, 15 µL and 20 °C, respectively. For extraction of histidine from plants, distilled water was used by applying on 90 °C and 30 min. The concentrations (as mg · kg⁻¹) of histidine were found to be in range of 8~22 for Eleagnus angustifolia L., 10~33 for Vitis vinifera L. and 6~11 for Nerium oleander L. The concentrations of cadmium were found to be in ranges of 6~21 µg · kg⁻¹ for Vitis vinifera L. 15~110 µg · kg⁻¹ for Eleagnus angustifolia L. and 63~218 µg · kg⁻¹ for Nerium oleander L.