Adsorption of metal complex dyes from aqueous solutions by pine sawdust

An attempt to alleviate the problem caused by the presence of metal complex dyes, mostly used in textile industries, in the textile effluents was undertaken. The effects of adsorbent particle size, pH, adsorbent dose, contact time and initial dye concentrations on the adsorption of metal complex dyes by pine sawdust was investigated. Acidic pH was favorable for the adsorption of metal complex dyes. A contact time of 120 min was required to reach the equilibrium. The experimental isotherm data were analyzed using the Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin equations. The equilibrium data fit well the Langmuir isotherm. The monolayer adsorption capacities are 280.3 and 398.8 mg dye per g of pine sawdust for Metal Complex Blue and Metal Complex Yellow, respectively. The results indicate that pine sawdust could be employed as low-cost alternative to commercial activated carbon in aqueous solution for the removal of metal complex dyes.     

Serum zinc, selenium, copper, and lead levels in women with second-trimester induced abortion resulting from neural tube defects

Neural tube defects are important causes of infant mortality and childhood morbidity. We investigated the relationship between zinc, selenium, copper, and lead concentrations and neural-tube-defect occurrence in women with a second-trimester termination due to fetal-neural-tube defects (NTDs) in this case-control study. Fourteen pregnant women whose pregnancies were terminated as a result of second-trimester ultrasonographic diagnosis of neural tube defects were recruited as cases. The control group (n=14) consisted of women who were selected among age-, gravidity-, and socio-economic-state (SES)-matched women who had a normal triple-screen and targeted ultrasound during the second trimester with documented normal fetal outcome. Zinc and copper determinations were made using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Graphite furnace AAS was used for Pb, and Se levels were measured with hydride generation AAS. Cases had significantly low serum zinc and selenium levels (62.48±15.9 vs 102.6±23.7 and 55.16±11.3 vs 77.4±5.5, respectively, p<0.001). Serum Cu and whole-blood Pb levels were significantly high when compared to controls. There was a negative correlation between serum zinc and selenium levels, and serum copper levels (r=−425 and −0.443, p<0.05). Our results are consistent with some previous reports. The etiology of NTDs cannot be explained with one strict etiologic mechanism. On the contrary, an interaction among environmental, genetic, and nutritional factors such as trace elements and vitamins would explain these anomalies. If folic acid supplementation is given, additional Zn supplementation should be considered for the further decrease in the recurrence and occurrence of NTDs.     

Regenerative treatment in spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury is a devastating, traumatic event, and experienced mainly among young people. Until the modern era, spinal cord injury was so rapidly fatal that no seriously injured persons would survive long enough for regeneration to occur. Treatment of spinal cord injury can be summarized as follows: prevent further cord injury, maintain blood flow, relieve spinal cord compression, and provide secure vertebral stabilization so as to allow mobilization and rehabilitation, none of which achieves functional recovery. Previous studies have focused on analyzing the pathogenesis of secondary injury that extends from the injury epicenter to the periphery, as well as the tissue damage and neural cell death associated with secondary injury. Now, there are hundreds of current experimental and clinical regenerative treatment studies. One of the most popular treatment method is cell transplantation in injured spinal cord. For this purpose bone marrow stromal cells, mononuclear stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, embryonic stem cells, neural stem cells, and olfactory ensheathing cells can be used. As a result, cell transplantation has become a promising therapeutic option for spinal cord injury patients. In this paper we discuss the effectiveness of stem cell therapy in spinal cord injury.     

Sandfly surveillance and investigation of Leishmania spp. DNA in sandflies in Kosovo

In the past decade, leishmaniasis seems to be re-emerging in Balkan countries. There are serious implications that Kosovo is a visceral leishmaniasis endemic region with autochthonous transmission; nevertheless, surveillance of vectors, reservoirs or the disease is not yet established. Gaining knowledge about sandfly vector species is a prerequisite for the development of a monitoring and control plan in the future. After a long gap in research of over 70 years, sandfly studies in Kosovo were resumed in 2014. During this presence/absence study, nine sandfly species were detected: Phlebotomus papatasi, Ph. perfiliewi, Ph. tobbi, Ph. neglectus, Ph. simici, Ph. balcanicus, Ph. alexandri, Ph. mascittii and Sergentomyia minuta. Three species are new with regard to the fauna of Kosovo – Ph. alexandri, Ph. balcanicus and Ph. mascittii. Besides increased diversity, changes in the number of collected specimens and distribution range of species were recorded, with Ph. neglectus being the most dominant species with the widest distribution. Testing of randomly chosen females for Leishmania spp. DNA resulted the in detection of L. tropica in a specimen of Ph. neglectus. The presence of numerous vector species in the sandfly fauna of Kosovo pose a threat for the re-emergence of vector-borne diseases. Therefore, continuous surveillance is recommended with regular updates on vector distribution and abundance.     

The presence of fluconazole-resistant Candida dubliniensis strains among Candida albicans isolates from immunocompromised or otherwise debilitated HIV-negative Turkish patients

The newly described species Candida dubliniensis phenotipically resembles Candida albicans in many respects and so it could be easily misidentified. The present study aimed at determining the frequency at which this new Candida species was not recognized in the authors' university hospital clinical laboratory and to assess antifungal susceptibility. In this study, six identification methods based on significant phenotypic characteristics each proposed as reliable tests applicable in mycology laboratories for the differentiation of the two species were performed together to assess the clinical strains that were initially identified as C. albicans. Only the isolates which have had the parallel results in all methods were assessed as C. dubliniensis. One hundred and twenty-nine C. albicans strains isolated from deep mycosis suspected patients were further examined. Three of 129 C. albicans (2 from oral cavity, 1 from sputum) were reidentified as C. dubliniensis. One of the strains isolated from oral cavity and that from the sputum were obtained at two months intervals from the same patient with acute myeloid leukemia, while the other oral cavity strain was obtained from a patient who had previously been irradiated for a laryngeal malignancy. Isolates were all susceptible in vitro to amphotericin B, with the MIC range 0.125 to 0.5 &mgr;g/ml, resistant to fluconazole, with MICs >/=64 &mgr;g/ml, and resistant to ketoconazole, with MICs >/=16 &mgr;g/ml, dose-dependent to itraconazole with a MIC range 0.25-0.5 &mgr;g/ml, and susceptible to flucytosine, with a MIC range 1-4 &mgr;g/ml.     

Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibition improves early memory consolidation of object information

The nitric oxide (NO)-cyclic GMP (cGMP) signaling pathway is assumed to play an important role in processes underlying learning and memory. We used phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors to study the role of cGMP in object- and spatial memory. Our results and those reported in other studies indicate that elevated hippocampal cGMP levels are required to improve the memory performance of rodents in object recognition and passive avoidance learning, but not in spatial learning. The timing of treatment modulates the effects on memory and strongly supports a role for cGMP in early stages of memory formation. Alternative explanations for the improved memory performance of PDE5 inhibitors are also discussed. Immunocytochemical studies showed that in vitro slice incubations with PDE5 inhibitors increase NO-stimulated cGMP levels mainly in hippocampal varicose fibers. Reviewing the available data on the localization of the different components of the NO-cGMP signaling pathway, indicates a complex interaction between NO and cGMP, which may be independent of each other. It is discussed that further studies are needed, immunocytochemical and behavioral, to better understand the cGMP-mediated molecular mechanisms underlying memory formation.     

Bone mass toxicity associated with inhalation exposure to toluene

The inhalation of a wide range of organic solvents has become popular among young adults. Toluene is one of the most commonly used solvents in industry; it is easily available and conventient to use. Many toxicologic effects on biological systems secondary to deliberate inhalation of toluene have been reported, but investigations on adverse effects associated with bone morbidity is limited. The purpose of this study is to determine bone mineralization and investigate the adverse effects of toluene on bone. The bone mineral density and content of the femoral neck of mice exposed to toluene at 300 ppm for 8 wk were measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry and found significantly reduced compared to the control group. Chronic exposure to toluene was found to affect bone metabolism, and toluene-induced changes could contribute to bone resorption and inhibition of bone formation. Toluene seems to be the responsible component for the demineralizating effects of commonly abused substances, and medical doctors must promote their education about the health hazards in those who abuse solvents especially in areas where inhalant abuse is endemic.     

Medical treatment of pulmonary hydatid disease: for which child?

There have been many encouraging studies on medical treatment of pulmonary hydatid disease due to Echinococcus granulosus infection. Our aims were to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of medical treatment in pulmonary hydatid disease and to describe a pediatric population who would benefit from medical treatment, especially in respect to the diameter of the hydatid cyst. All patients were treated with mebendazole or albendazole. Treatment outcome was defined as cure, improvement or failure. Among 82 patients, 34.1% were cured, 34.1% improved and 31.8% failed. When 102 cysts were individually evaluated, 36.31% were cured, 32.4% improved and 31.3% failed. The cure and the failure rates were statistically insignificant in cysts treated with mebendazole and albendazole; however statistically significantly more cysts were improved with albendazole. The results were statistically insignificant between continuous and cyclic albendazole treatment. The mean size of successfully treated cysts was 5.3+/-3.4 cm, but "failed" for cyst with a mean size of 7.3+/-4.3 cm. There was a positive, weak and statistically significant correlation between the cyst size and treatment results. The major complication was infection. We suggest that selected pediatric patients with uncomplicated pulmonary hydatid cysts sized less than 5 cm should have a trial of medical treatment with a very close follow up.