Clinical significance and prognostic value of serum autoantibody tests in multiple sclerosis.

Introduction: It is known that multiple sclerosis (MS) often coexists with other autoimmune diseases. Hence, autoantibody (auto-Ab) tests may prove useful in the differential diagnosis of MS. The objectives of this study were to: (a) investigate the prevalence of auto-Ab positivity at the beginning of the MS diagnostic process; (b) assess whether Auto-Ab+ and Auto-Ab- patients differ in baseline clinical, laboratory, and radiological parameters; and (c) investigate the prognostic value during a two-year follow-up period.

Geochemical phases of soil and the bioaccessibility of some elements in soils and vegetables from boron mines.

The bioaccessibility of some elements (As, B, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn) in soils and vegetables was determined using the physiologically based extraction test. An investigation of the geochemical phases of soils through sequential extraction methods followed by ICP-MS detection was also undertaken. Samples were collected from Iskele, Begendikler and Yolbasi villages in the Bigadic region and Yildiz village in the Susurluk region of Balikesir province, Turkey.

Assessment of sequential extraction methods for the prediction of bioavailability of elements in plants grown on agricultural soils near to boron mines in Turkey.

Two sequential extraction methods (BCR sequential extraction method and a newly proposed sequential extraction method) were used to evaluate the bioavailability of the elements from the contaminated soils to different plants. The concentrations of As, B, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in acid digests from different plants collected from the fields near to boron mines in Turkey were determined using ICP-MS. The levels of the elements in some plants exceeded the limits of maximum and guideline levels for As, Cd and Pb; Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) for Ni and B; Adequate Intakes (AIs) for Cr and Mn and Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for Cu, Fe and Zn.

Comparison of a new sequential extraction method and the BCR sequential extraction method for mobility assessment of elements around boron mines in Turkey.

The mobility of As, B, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in the soils collected from fields near boron mines was investigated using a new sequential extraction method and the BCR sequential extraction methods. The new sequential extraction method fractionates elements in more detail as F1 (water soluble and exchangeable fraction), F2 (bound to carbonates), F3 (bound to manganese oxides), F4 (bound to amorphous Fe minerals), F5 (bound to crystalline Fe minerals), F6 (oxidizable fraction-bound to organic matter and sulfides) and F7 (residual). The concentrations of the elements in these fractions from the new sequential extraction method were compared with the concentrations of the elements in the fractions obtained from the BCR sequential extraction method.

Gender Differences in Attitudes Toward Sexual Harassment of Health Care Employees: A Turkish Case Study.

The purpose of the study was to examine differences in sexual harassment attitudes between male and female labor force in health care organizations. A total of 571 employees working in various health care organizations in Turkey participated in the study. Sexual harassment was measured using 22 items and three-factor structure with constructs "Provocative Behavior," "Normal Flirtations," and "Trivial Matter" developed by Turgut.

Toxicities and risk assessment of heavy metals of the six most consumed fish from the Marmara Sea.

Bream, anchovy, horse mackerel, sea bass, sardine, and whiting that are commonly consumed by the Turkish community were collected from the Marmara Sea in September and March and were analyzed for trace elements and for fat content. The total concentrations of some metals in these fish were determined using ICP-MS in acid extracts obtained after microwave digestion. The seasonal fat contents of the fish samples were determined gravimetrically following a Soxhlet extraction method.

Ionic Liquid Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction Method for the Determination of Irinotecan, an Anticancer Drug, in Water and Urine Samples Using UV-Vis Spectrophotometry.

A new, simple, efficient, and environmentally friendly ionic liquid dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method was developed for the determination of irinotecan, an anticancer drug, in water and urine samples using UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The ionic liquid 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate was used as the extraction solvent, and ethanol was used as the disperser solvent. The main parameters affecting the extraction efficiency, including sample pH, volume of the ionic liquid, choice of the dispersive solvent and its volume, concentration of NaCl, and extraction and centrifugation times, were investigated and optimized.

Ionic Liquid Dispersive LiquidLiquid Microextraction Method for the Determination of Irinotecan, an Anticancer Drug, in Water and Urine Samples Using UV-Vis Spectrophotometry.

A new, simple, efficient, and environmentally friendly ionic liquid dispersive liquid–liquid microextractionmethod was developed for the determination of irinotecan, an anticancer drug, in water and urine samples using UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The ionic liquid 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate was used as the extraction solvent, and ethanol was used as the disperser solvent. The main parameters affecting the extraction efficiency, including sample pH, volume of the ionic liquid, choice of the dispersive solvent and its volume, concentration of NaCl, and extraction and centrifugation times, were investigated and optimized.

Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic drop for preconcentration and determination of trace amounts of copper by flame atomic absorption spectrometry.

A novel, simple, rapid, sensitive, inexpensive and environmentally friendly dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method based on the solidification of a floating organic drop (DLLME-SFO) was developed for the determination of copper by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). N-o-Vanillidine-2-amino-p-cresol was used as a chelating ligand and 1-undecanol was selected as an extraction solvent. The main parameters affecting the performance of DLLME-SFO, such as sample pH, volume of extraction solvent, extraction time, concentration of the chelating ligand, salt effect, centrifugation time and sample volume were investigated and optimized.

Determination of rare earth elements in natural water samples - A review of sample separation, preconcentration and direct methodologies.

This review discusses and compares the methods given for the determination of rare earth elements (REE) in natural water samples, including sea, river, lake, tap, ground and waste waters as well as Antarctic ice. Since REE are at very low concentrations in natural waters, numerous different preconcentration methods have been proposed to enable their measurement. These include liquid liquid extraction, dispersive liquid-liquid micro-extraction and solidified floating drop micro-extraction.

Simultaneous Preconcentration of Copper and Cadmium by Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction Using N,N'-Bis (2-Hydroxy-5-Bromo-Benzyl)1,2 Diaminopropane and Their Determination by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry.

In the present study, the simultaneous preconcentration of copper and cadmium based on dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction as a prior step to their determination using flame atomic absorption spectrometry was developed. Carbon tetrachloride and N,N'-bis(2-hydroxy-5-bromo-benzyl)1,2 diaminopropane were used as the extraction solvent and chelating ligand, respectively. Some parameters that influence the extraction efficiency-e.

Detergentless ultrasound-assisted extraction of trace elements from edible oils using lipase as an extractant.

A new method for the extraction and preconcentration of trace elements (Al, Ba, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Ti, V and Zn) from edible oils by producing detergentless micro-emulsions via an ultrasound-assisted extraction using a water phase containing Lipase at pH 3 as an extractant was developed. The trace elements in the water phase post-extraction were determined against matrix matched standards using ICP-MS. In the first step of the work, the parameters that affect extraction, such as pH, the volume of 1% lipase in the water phase and the ultrasonic and centrifugation times were optimized.

Extraction of trace elements by ultrasound-assisted emulsification from edible oils producing detergentless microemulsions.

The aim of this study is to develop a new method for the extraction and preconcentration of trace elements from edible oils via an ultrasound-assisted extraction using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) producing detergentless microemulsions. These were then analyzed using ICP-MS against matrix matched standards. Optimum experimental conditions were determined and the applicability of the proposed ultrasound-assisted extraction method was investigated.

A simple spectrophotometric method for the determination of trace levels of molybdenum using N,N'-bis(2-hydroxy-5-bromo-benzyl)1,2 diaminopropane.

The present work describes a selective, rapid and economical spectrophotometric method for the determination of molybdenum using N,N'-bis(2-hydroxy-5-bromo-benzyl)1,2 diaminopropane. Molybdenum(VI) reacts with N,N'-bis(2-hydroxy-5-bromo-benzyl)1,2 diaminopropane to form a stable 1:1 yellow complex with an absorption maximum at 342 nm. The reaction is completed within 10 min and the absorbance of the molybdenum complex remains stable for at least 1 week at room temperature.

A novel ligandless-dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method for matrix elimination and the preconcentration of rare earth elements from natural waters.

A new, simple, efficient and rapid separation method based on ligandless-dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (LL-DLLME) was developed for the preconcentration of rare earth elements (REEs) (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) in natural water samples, followed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) detection. Carbon tetrachloride and acetone were used as extraction solvent and disperser solvent, respectively. The experimental parameters affecting the extraction efficiency such as sample pH, volume of extraction/disperser solvent and concentration of NaCl were investigated and optimized.

Chemometric evaluation of trace metal concentrations in some nuts and seeds.

Seventeen trace metals in acid digests of nuts and seeds were determined using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The data were subjected to chemometric evaluation using principal component analysis (PCA), linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and cluster analysis (CA) in an attempt to classify the samples. Hazelnuts (raw and dry roasted), almonds (raw and dry roasted), sunflower seeds (black and white), peanuts (raw and dry roasted), cashew nuts, Brazil nuts, walnuts, chickpeas (raw and dry roasted), pumpkin seeds (raw and dry roasted), and pistachio nuts were used as samples.

Determination and chemometric evaluation of total aflatoxin, aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A and heavy metals content in corn flours from Turkey.

Concentrations of the total aflatoxin, aflatoxin B1, aflatoxin B2, aflatoxin G1, aflatoxin G2, ochratoxin A, lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, copper, zinc and chromium in corn flour samples were determined. Eighteen corn flour samples that were obtained from different cities and villages in Turkey and 3 corn flour samples obtained from the UK. Determination of the different toxins was carried out using HPLC instrumentation after pre-separation using immunoaffinity columns that work through a mechanism of solid-phase extraction.

Determination of rare earth elements in waters by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry after preconcentration with 6-(2-thienyl)-2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde functionalized Amberlite XAD-4 resin.

A new method has been developed for the determination of rare earth elements (REEs) (Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu) in water samples based on preconcentration with a mini-column packed with 6-(2-thienyl)-2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde functionalized Amberlite XAD-4 resin prior to their determination using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The optimum experimental parameters for preconcentration of REEs, such as pH of the sample, sample and eluent flow rates and sample volume, were investigated. The optimum pH values for quantitative (90-110%) sorption of the REE ions were between 6.

Synthesis and application of a new functionalized resin for use in an on-line, solid phase extraction system for the determination of trace elements in waters and reference cereal materials by flame atomic absorption spectrometry.

The synthesis and characterization of the resin Amberlite XAD-4 functionalized with 2,6-pyridinedicarboxaldehyde and its application in an on-line system for the preconcentration of cadmium, cobalt, copper, lead and manganese prior to determination using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) is proposed. Metal ions retained on the modified resin were eluted using 1.0 mol L(-1) HNO3 solution and aspirated directly to the nebulizer-burner system of a FAAS instrument using a flow injection system.

Chemometric evaluation for the relation of BCR sequential extraction method and in vitro gastro-intestinal method for the assessment of metal bioavailability in contaminated soils in Turkey.

Introduction: A chemometric evaluation has been done to classify metal ions in soils and to determine whether or not the gastric and intestinal phases of a physiologically based extraction test bear any relation to any of the phases of the four-stage Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) extraction protocol.

Materials And Methods: Nine trace analytes (As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) were determined in extracts obtained from the BCR sequential extraction procedure as well as from in vitro gastro-intestinal experiments. The results showed that high As, Pb, Zn and Cd concentrations were found in these soils.

Determination of rare earth elements in seawater by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with off-line column preconcentration using 2,6-diacetylpyridine functionalized Amberlite XAD-4.

An off-line column preconcentration technique using a micro-column of 2,6 diacetylpyridine functionalized Amberlite XAD-4 with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) as a means of detection has been developed. The aim of the method was to determine rare earth elements (REEs) (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu) in seawater. Sample solutions (2-10 mL) were passed through the column which was then washed with ultra-pure water to remove residual matrix.

In vitro gastro-intestinal method for the assessment of heavy metal bioavailability in contaminated soils.

Introduction: Balya and its associated villages which is a town of the Balikesir region of Turkey have very rich zinc, lead, and manganese mines. These mines have been operating since the thirteenth century and now there is heavy metal contamination in both the soil and natural waters in these areas.

Materials And Methods: Soils were collected from Sarı su, Enverpaşa, and Hastanetepe which are in Balya town and Kadıköy, Kaşıkcı, Müstecap, Patlak, Çakallar, and Bengiler which are the villages near Balya and the mine areas.

Determination of gallium at trace levels using a spectrofluorimetric method in synthetic U-Ga and Ga-As solutions.

A simple, easy to use and selective spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of trace levels of gallium has been developed. A new Schiff base, N-o-vanillidine-2-amino-p-cresol (OVAC) was synthesized and its fluorescence activity with gallium investigated. Based on this chelation reaction, a spectrofluorimetric method has been developed for the determination of gallium in synthetically prepared Ga-U and Ga-As samples buffered at pH 4.

Preconcentration and determination of trace metals by flow injection micelle-mediated extraction using flame atomic absorption spectrometry.

Micelle-mediated extraction/preconcentration is incorporated on-line into a flow injection system used to determine low levels of Cd(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Mn(II), Ni(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) present in various samples. The analyte is complexed with HBDAP (N,N'-bis(2-hydroxy-5-bromo-benzyl)1,2-diaminopropane). Under optimal conditions, a solution of 30% (m/v) NaCl and a sample solution containing 2.

Determination of trace heavy metals in soil and sediments by atomic spectrometry following preconcentration with Schiff bases on Amberlite XAD-4.

A matrix separation and analyte preconcentration system using Amberlite XAD copolymer resins functionalized by Schiff base reactions coupled with atomic spectrometry has been developed. Three different functionalized Amberlite XAD resins were synthesized using 4-phenylthiosemicarbazide, 2,3-dihydroxybenzaldehyde and 2-thiophenecarboxaldehyde as reagents. These resins could be used to preconcentrate transition and other trace heavy metal analytes from nitric acid digests of soil and sediment samples.