Highly efficient inverted organic light emitting diodes by inserting a zinc oxide/polyethyleneimine (ZnO:PEI) nano-composite interfacial layer.

The electrode/organic interface is one of the key factors in attaining superior device performance in organic electronics, and inserting a tailor-made layer can dramatically modify its properties. The use of nano-composite (NC) materials leads to many advantages by combining materials with the objective of obtaining a desirable combination of properties. In this context, zinc oxide/polyethyleneimine (ZnO:PEI) NC film was incorporated as an interfacial layer into inverted bottom-emission organic light emitting diodes (IBOLEDs) and fully optimized.

The gut microbiota metabolism of pomegranate or walnut ellagitannins yields two urolithin-metabotypes that correlate with cardiometabolic risk biomarkers: Comparison between normoweight, overweight-obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Background & Aims: Urolithins are microbial metabolites produced after consumption of ellagitannin-containing foods such as pomegranates and walnuts. Parallel to isoflavone-metabolizing phenotypes, ellagitannin-metabolizing phenotypes (urolithin metabotypes A, B and 0; UM-A, UM-B and UM-0, respectively) can vary among individuals depending on their body mass index (BMI), but correlations between urolithin metabotypes (UMs) and cardiometabolic risk (CMR) factors are unexplored. We investigated the association between UMs and CMR factors in individuals with different BMI and health status.

Fatty Acid and Proximate Composition of Bee Bread.

Palynological spectrum, proximate and fatty acid (FA) composition of eight bee bread samples of different botanical origins were examined and significant variations were observed. The samples were all identified as monofloral, namely (94.4%), spp.

PLASMA CONCENTRATIONS AND CORRELATIONS OF NATRIURETIC PEPTIDES AND OXYTOCIN DURING LABOR AND EARLY POSTPARTUM PERIOD.

Context: Natriuretic peptides (NP) and oxytocin (OT) play an important role in cardiovascular and hydro-electrolytic homeostasis. Changes in NP levels and their roles in cardiovascular adaptations in pregnancy and labor have not been clear.

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the changes and correlations in plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and OT during labor and the postpartum period.

Zero valent zinc nanoparticles promote neuroglial cell proliferation: A biodegradable and conductive filler candidate for nerve regeneration.

Regeneration of nerve, which has limited ability to undergo self-healing, is one of the most challenging areas in the field of tissue engineering. Regarding materials used in neuroregeneration, there is a recent trend toward electrically conductive materials. It has been emphasized that the capacity of conductive materials to regenerate such tissue having limited self-healing ability improves their clinical utility.

SAW Humidity Sensor Sensitivity Enhancement via Electrospraying of Silver Nanowires.

In this research, we investigated the influence of the surface coatings of silver nanowires on the sensitivity of surface acoustic wave (SAW) humidity sensors. Silver nanowires, with poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), which is a hydrophilic capping agent, were chemically synthesized, with an average length of 15 µm and an average diameter of 60 nm. Humidity sensors, with 433 MHz frequency dual-port resonator Rayleigh-SAW devices, were coated by silver nanowires (AgNWs) using the electrospray coating method.

Clustering according to urolithin metabotype explains the interindividual variability in the improvement of cardiovascular risk biomarkers in overweight-obese individuals consuming pomegranate: A randomized clinical trial.

Scope: The pomegranate lipid-lowering properties remain controversial, probably due to the interindividual variability in polyphenol (ellagitannins) metabolism.

Objective: We aimed at investigating whether the microbially derived ellagitannin-metabolizing phenotypes, i.e.

Biophysical characterization of quaternary pyridinium functionalized polynorbornenes for DNA complexation and their cellular interactions.

Cationic polymers with hydrophobic side chains have gained great interest as DNA carriers since they form a compact complex with negatively charged DNA phosphate groups and interact with the cell membrane. Amphiphilic polyoxanorbornenes with different quaternary alkyl pyridinium side chains with ethyl-p(OPy2) and hexyl units-p(OPy6) bearing 10 kDa MWT were synthesized by living Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization method. The physicochemical characteristics: critical micellar concentration, size distribution, surface charge, and condensation of polymer/DNA complex were investigated.

Synthesis of self-curable polysulfone containing pendant benzoxazine units via CuAAC click chemistry.

Synthesis, characterization, and properties of new thermally curable polysulfone containing benzoxazine moieties in the side chain were investigated. First, chloromethylation and subsequent azidation processes were performed to form polysulfone containing pendant clickable azide groups. Independently, antagonist 3,4-dihydro-3-(prop-2-ynyl)-2H-benzoxazine was prepared by using paraformaldehyde, phenol and propargylamine.

Polyacrylamide-based semi-interpenetrating networks for entrapment of laccase and their use in azo dye decolorization.

In this study, laccase from Trametes versicolor was immobilized in poly(acrylamide-crotonic acid)/sodium alginate [P(AAm-CrA)/alginate], poly(acrylamide-crotonic acid)/K-carrageenan [(P(AAm-CrA)/K-car)], poly(acrylamide-citraconic acid)/sodium alginate (P(AAm-CA)/alginate), and poly(acrylamide-citraconic acid)/K-carrageenan (P(AAm-CA)/K-car) semi-interpenetrating network by entrapment method. Optimum pH and temperatures values were determined between 5.0-6.

Oxidative Stability of Granola Bars Enriched with Multilayered Fish Oil Emulsion in the Presence of Novel Brown Seaweed Based Antioxidants.

Fucus vesiculosus extracts that have both radical scavenging activity and metal chelating ability in vitro were used as natural antioxidant in granola bars enriched with fish oil emulsion by using primary and secondary emulsion systems stabilized by sodium caseinate alone and sodium caseinate-chitosan. The bars were stored at 20 °C and evaluated over a period of 10 weeks by measuring the development of primary and secondary oxidation products. The samples prepared with secondary emulsion system developed less oxidation products probably due to increased interfacial layer thickness that would act as a barrier to the penetration and diffusion of molecular species that promote oxidation.

Protein precipitating capacity and antioxidant activity of Turkish Tombul hazelnut phenolic extract and its fractions.

Natural (raw) hazelnut was extracted with 80% (v/v) acetone to obtain crude phenolic extract that was then fractionated for elution of low-molecular weight (LMW) and high-molecular weight (HMW) fractions. LMW fraction was further purified (LWM-FP) to remove sugars and organic acids. The crude extract and its fractions were determined by measuring their protein precipitating capacity (PPC) using two different proteins [bovine serum albumin (BSA) and gelatin], molecular weights, total phenolics, condensed tannins, and various antioxidant activities.

Changes in serum proteins after endotoxin administration in healthy and choline-treated calves.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the possible serum protein changes after endotoxin administration in healthy and choline-treated calves using proteomics. These results are expected to contribute to the understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of endotoxemia and the beneficial effect of choline administration in this clinical situation.

Methods: Healthy-calves (n = 20) were divided into 4 groups: Control, Choline treated (C), Lipopolysaccharide administered (LPS), and LPS + C.

Loss-of-Function Mutations in ELMO2 Cause Intraosseous Vascular Malformation by Impeding RAC1 Signaling.

Vascular malformations are non-neoplastic expansions of blood vessels that arise due to errors during angiogenesis. They are a heterogeneous group of sporadic or inherited vascular disorders characterized by localized lesions of arteriovenous, capillary, or lymphatic origin. Vascular malformations that occur inside bone tissue are rare.

Surface ozone levels in the forest and vegetation areas of the Biga Peninsula, Turkey.

Spatial and temporal variability of surface ozone in the rural, mountainous and suburban sites of Biga Peninsula, at the northwest of Turkey which is about 300km southwest of Istanbul was investigated using passive samplers and continuous analyzers. A total 10 passive samplers and two continuous analyzers were used between 1.1.

Draft Genome Sequences of Two Heat-Resistant Mutant Strains (A52 and B41) of the Photosynthetic Hydrogen-Producing Bacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus.

The draft genome sequences of two heat-resistant mutant strains, A52 and B41, derived from Rhodobacter capsulatus DSM 1710, and with different hydrogen production levels, are reported here. These sequences may help understand the molecular basis of heat resistance and hydrogen production in R. capsulatus.

Molecular detection of spotted fever group rickettsiae in ticks removed from humans in Turkey.

A total of 229 attached hard ticks were collected from humans in Yozgat province (Turkey) in 2009. All ticks were individually examined for the presence of Spotted Fever Group (SFG) rickettsiae using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting rickettsial citrate synthase (gltA) and outer membrane protein (ompA) genes. Rickettsial DNA was detected in 24 (10.

The omic approach to parasitic trematode research-a review of techniques and developments within the past 5 years.

The evolution of technologies to explore parasite biology at a detailed level has made significant advances in recent years, particularly with the development of omic-based strategies. Whilst extensive efforts have been made in the past to develop therapeutic and prophylactic control strategies for trematode parasites, only the therapeutic anthelmintic approach can be regarded as usable in clinical practice. Currently, there is no commercialised prophylactic strategy (such as vaccination) for protection of the definitive host against any trematode parasite.

Poly(3-Methylthiophene) Thin Films Deposited Electrochemically on QCMs for the Sensing of Volatile Organic Compounds.

Poly(3-methylthiophene) (PMeT) thin films were electrochemically deposited on quartz crystal microbalance QCM transducers to investigate their volatile organic compound (VOC) sensing properties depending on ambient conditions. Twelve different VOCs including alcohols, ketones, chlorinated compounds, amines, and the organosphosphate dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) were used as analytes. The responses of the chemical sensors against DMMP were the highest among the tested analytes; thus, fabricated chemical sensors based on PMeT can be evaluated as potential candidates for selectively detecting DMMP.

Fortification of dark chocolate with spray dried black mulberry (Morus nigra) waste extract encapsulated in chitosan-coated liposomes and bioaccessability studies.

Fine-disperse anionic liposomes containing black mulberry (Morus nigra) extract (BME) were prepared by high pressure homogenization at 25,000 psi. Primary liposomes were coated with cationic chitosan (0.4, w/v%) using the layer-by-layer depositing method and mixed with maltodextrin (MD) (20, w/v%) prior to spray drying.

Volatile compounds and sensory characteristics of various instant teas produced from black tea.

Various instant teas produced differently from black tea [freeze-dried instant tea (FDIT), spray-dried instant tea (SDIT), and decaffeinated instant tea (DCIT)], were compared for their differences in volatile compounds as well as descriptive sensory analysis (DSA). A total of 63 volatile compounds in all tea samples (eight aldehydes, ten alcohols, nine ketones, five esters, eight acids, ten terpenes/terpenoids, ten furans/furanones, two pyrroles, and one miscellaneous compound) were tentatively identified. Black tea, FDIT, SDIT, and DCIT contained 60, 55, 47, and 40 volatile compounds, respectively.

A simplified HPLC method for determination of tryptophan in some cereals and legumes.

In the present study, a simple analytical method is proposed for determining tryptophan, and method is validated on some cereal and legume samples. In the method alkaline hydrolysis of proteins was used due to the destruction of tryptophan structure during acid hydrolysis. Following alkaline hydrolysis (120°C for 12h), hydrolysates are filtered through ashless filter paper and pH values are adjusted with hydrochloric acid solution.

Effects of different brewing conditions on catechin content and sensory acceptance in Turkish green tea infusions.

The optimal brewing conditions for Turkish green tea were determined on the basis of extracted catechins and sensory attributes. Green tea infusions were prepared at 75, 85 and 95 °C with brewing times of 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 45 min. The amounts of epistructured catechins (EGCG, EGC, ECG, EC), non-epistructured catechins (C, GC, GCG) and caffeine in brewed tea samples were analysed.

Ticks (Acari: Ixodida) parasitizing humans in Corum and Yozgat provinces, Turkey.

In order to identify ticks infesting humans in Corum and Yozgat provinces in Turkey, a total of 2110 ticks representing 14 species were collected on humans, between June and September 2009. Of those, 1551 (687♂, 450♀, 407 nymphs, 7 larvae) were collected from Corum and 559 (330♂, 180♀, 49 nymphs) were collected from Yozgat. The majority of ticks (n = 1121, 53.