Measuring the levels of noise at the İstanbul Atatürk Airport and comparisons with model simulations.

Airport noise and its impact on the surrounding areas are major issues in the aviation industry. The İstanbul Atatürk Airport is a major global airport with passenger numbers increasing rapidly per annum. The noise levels for day, evening and night times were modeled around the İstanbul Atatürk Airport according to the European Noise Directive using the actual data records for the year 2011.

Fasciola hepatica - where is 28S ribosomal RNA?

Advanced molecular biology techniques are currently used to develop new effective strategies against fasciolosis. Assessment of the quality of extracted total RNA is an important step prior to commencing many molecular biology methods such as transcriptomics. However, RNA quality assessment is complicated for some organisms, including Fasciola hepatica, by the absence of a 28S rRNA peak/band, when assessed with modern protocols.

Compositional, nutritional, and functional characteristics of instant teas produced from low- and high-quality black teas.

Two types of instant teas produced from low- and high-quality black teas were examined for their proximate composition, dietary fiber, minerals, water-soluble vitamins, total phenolic content, various antioxidant assays, phenolics (flavanols, condensed phenolics, and phenolic acids), alkaloids, and carotenoids as well as taste-active compounds (sugars, organic acids, and free amino acids). Some variations, albeit to different extents, were observed (p < 0.05) among these parameters between instant teas produced from low- and high-quality black teas.

Biophysical study of novel oligoelectrolyte-based nonviral gene delivery systems for mammalian cells.

Background: Gene therapy is an important treatment for genetic and acquired diseases. The success of gene therapy is largely dependent on the development of suitable vectors for gene transfer. Vectors are needed to overcome cellular barriers and to achieve efficient DNA delivery with low cytotoxicity.

Evaluation of the impact of SO₂ and NO₂ emissions on the ambient air-quality in the Çan-Bayramiç region of northwest Turkey during 2007-2008.

The characterization and assessment of air-quality in this region are essential steps for the implementation of the "Clean Air Action Plan" as this is set by the Turkish Regulation on Ambient Air-Quality Assessment and Management. This study area intends to shed a light on use of modeling tools as an alternative method for the assessment of local atmospheric pollution and the determination of the importance of local emissions. This modeling approach can be also used for the consistent geographic representation of air-quality concentration as well as for assessing the future air-quality condition after the implementation of emission reduction measures in a certain area.

Effects of a traditional fermented grape-based drink 'hardaliye' on antioxidant status of healthy adults: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: The antioxidative effects of the traditional grape-based beverage, hardaliye, were investigated with a 40-day randomized controlled clinical trial on 89 healthy adults. Subjects were randomly divided into three groups: high hardaliye (HH), low hardaliye (LH) and control group. HH and LH groups consumed 500 mL and 250 mL hardaliye per day, respectively, and the control group did not consume any hardaliye.

Smooth muscle cells isolated from thoracic aortic aneurysms exhibit increased genomic damage, but similar tendency for apoptosis.

Aortic aneurysms (AA) are characterized by structural deterioration leading to progressive dilation. During the development of AA, two key structural changes are pronounced, one being degradation of extracellular matrix and the other loss of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) through apoptosis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced above physiological levels in dilated (aneurismal) part of the aorta compared to the nondilated part and they are known to be associated with both the extracellular matrix degradation and the loss of SMCs.

Flavor characteristics of seven grades of black tea produced in Turkey.

Seven grades of black tea [high-quality black tea (grades 1-3) and low-quality black tea (grades 4-7)], processed by ÇAYKUR Tea Processing Plant (Rize, Turkey), were compared for their differences in descriptive sensory analysis (DSA), aroma-active compounds (volatile compounds), and taste-active compounds (sugar, organic acid, and free amino acid compositions). Ten flavor attributes such as 'after taste', 'astringency', 'bitter', 'caramel-like', 'floral/sweet', 'green/grassy', 'hay-like', 'malty', 'roasty', and 'seaweed' were identified. Intensities for a number of flavor attributes ('after taste', 'caramel-like', 'malty', and 'seaweed') were not significantly different (p > 0.

A proteomic approach to investigate the distribution and abundance of surface and internal Fasciola hepatica proteins during the chronic stage of natural liver fluke infection in cattle.

Fasciola hepatica, a trematode helminth, causes an economically important disease (fasciolosis) in ruminants worldwide. Proteomic analysis of the parasite provides valuable information to understand the relationship between the parasite and its host. Previous studies have identified various parasite proteins, some of which are considered as vaccine candidates or important drug targets.

High microsatellite and mitochondrial diversity in Anatolian native horse breeds shows Anatolia as a genetic conduit between Europe and Asia.

The horse has been a food source, but more importantly, it has been a means for transport. Its domestication was one of the crucial steps in the history of human civilization. Despite the archaeological and molecular studies carried out on the history of horse domestication, which would contribute to conservation of the breeds, the details of the domestication of horses still remain to be resolved.

Fabrication of gold patterns via multilayer transfer printing and electroless plating.

Gold patterns were fabricated on Si wafer substrate via multilayer transfer printing of polyelectrolytes, followed by selective deposition of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and then electroless plating of gold. First, PDMS stamp was coated with (PAH)(1)/(PSS/PDAC)(10) multilayer system, followed by transfer printing on the piranha cleaned fresh Si wafer substrate. Next, the substrate was dipped in AuNP solution for deposition of the nanoparticles on PAH layer.

Effects of roasting on the antioxidant status and phenolic profiles of commercial Turkish hazelnut varieties (Corylus avellana L.).

The effect of roasting on the antioxidant status and phenolic profiles of seven commercial Turkish hazelnut varieties (namely, Çakıldak, Foşa, Karafındık, Mincane, Palaz, Sivri, and Tombul) was assessed. Samples were examined for their total phenolics, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values, condensed tannins, and phenolic acids (free and bound forms). Significant losses (p < 0.

Identification of novel neutralizing single-chain antibodies against vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2.

Human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor (VEGFR-2/kinase domain receptor [KDR]) play a crucial role in angiogenesis, which makes the VEGFR-2 signaling pathway a major target for therapeutic applications. In this study, a single-chain antibody phage display library was constructed from spleen cells of mice immunized with recombinant human soluble extracellular VEGFR-2/KDR consisting of all seven extracellular domains (sKDR D1-7) to obtain antibodies that block VEGF binding to VEGFR-2. Two specific single-chain antibodies (KDR1.

Monoclonal antibodies specific for hepatitis B e antigen and hepatitis B core antigen.

Despite effective vaccination programs in many countries, HBV infection is still a serious health problem throughout the world; more than 2 billion people have been infected with Hepatitis B virus (HBV). The serologic markers are crucial indicators in clinical diagnosis of HBV infection. The persistent presence of anti-HBc is associated with chronicity, and anti-HBe is an indicator for active viral replication.

Phage displayed HBV core antigen with immunogenic activity.

Hepatitis B is a major public health problem worldwide, which may lead to chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) is one of the major viral proteins, which forms the inner core of hepatitis B virus (HBV) particles. In this study, filamentous bacteriophage M13 was genetically modified to display the polypeptides of HBcAg in order to develop an alternative carrier system.

Cryopreservation of spleen and lymph nodes as a source of mononuclear cells to be used for the development of monoclonal antibody producing hybridoma cells.

In the present study, spleen and lymph nodes of mice were cryopreserved as a whole tissue and after thawing, membrane integrity of mononuclear cells was determined by trypan blue exclusion and PI staining. T and B lymphocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells have been isolated from both cryopreserved tissue and analyzed by Flow cytometry. BALB/c mice were immunized with Hepatitis e antigen (HBeAg) and spleen and lymph nodes of mice were cryopreserved for 3 to 10 months.

Effect of sludge age on simultaneous nitrification and denitrification in membrane bioreactor.

This study evaluated the effect of sludge age on simultaneous nitrification and denitrification in a membrane bioreactor treating black water. A membrane bioreactor with no separate anoxic volume was operated at a sludge age of 20 days under low dissolved oxygen concentration of 0.1-0.

Effect of low dissolved oxygen on simultaneous nitrification and denitrification in a membrane bioreactor treating black water.

Effect of low dissolved oxygen on simultaneous nitrification and denitrification was evaluated in a membrane bioreactor treating black water. A fully aerobic membrane bioreactor was operated at a sludge age of 60 days under three low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels below 0.5mg/L.

Effects of roasting on taste-active compounds of Turkish hazelnut varieties ( Corylus avellana L.).

The effect of roasting on taste-active components of 18 native hazelnut varieties, grown in the Giresun province of Turkey, was assessed. Samples were examined for their sugars, organic acids, condensed tannins, and free phenolic acids. Six sugars (fructose, glucose, sucrose, myo-inositol, raffinose, and stachyose), seven organic acids (oxalic, maleic, citric, malic, lactic, succinic, and acetic), and one phenolic acid (gallic acid) were positively identified in natural and roasted hazelnut varieties; among these, sucrose, malic acid, and gallic acid predominated, respectively.

Synthesis, characterization and photoinduced curing of polysulfones with (meth)acrylate functionalities.

The UV-curable telechelic polysulfones with (meth)acrylate functionalities were synthesized by condensation polymerization and subsequent esterification. The final polymers and intermediates at various stages were characterized by ¹H NMR, FT-ATR, and GPC. The oligomeric films prepared from the appropriate solutions containing these telechelics and 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone (DMPA) as the photoinitiator undergo rapid polymerization upon irradiation forming insoluble networks.

Fate of proteins and carbohydrates in membrane bioreactor operated at high sludge age.

The paper evaluated the fate of proteins and carbohydrates in the course of substrate removal by membrane bioreactor (MBR), which was used for the biological treatment of black and grey water components of a controlled decentralized residential area. The MBRs were operated at a high sludge age of 60 days to better observe the magnitude of soluble residual products. Both groups were detected in the raw wastewater and represented 15% of the soluble chemical oxygen demand (COD) content for black water and 9% for grey water.

Antioxidant activity of hazelnut skin phenolics.

Phenolic compounds were extracted from hazelnut skin using 80% (v/v) aqueous acetone or methanol. The crude extracts were applied onto a Sephadex LH-20 column for two fractionations (Fr. I and Fr.

Sampling hazelnuts for aflatoxin: effect of sample size and accept/reject limit on reducing the risk of misclassifying lots.

About 100 countries have established regulatory limits for aflatoxin in food and feeds. Because these limits vary widely among regulating countries, the Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants began work in 2004 to harmonize aflatoxin limits and sampling plans for aflatoxin in almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts, and Brazil nuts. Studies were developed to measure the uncertainty and distribution among replicated sample aflatoxin test results taken from aflatoxin-contaminated treenut lots.

Synthesis, photophysical and photochemical properties of substituted zinc phthalocyanines.

The synthesis, photophysical and photochemical properties of the 4-({3,4,5-tris-[2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethyloxy]benzyl}oxy) and 4-({3,4,5-tris-[2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethyloxy]benzyl}thio) zinc(ii) phthalocyanines are reported for the first time. The new compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy, electronic spectroscopy and mass spectra. General trends are described for photodegradation, singlet oxygen, fluorescence and triplet excited state quantum yields, and triplet state and fluorescence lifetimes of these compounds in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO).

Functional lipid characteristics of Turkish Tombul hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.).

The quality of crude oil extracted from Tombul (Round) hazelnut, grown in the Giresun province of Turkey, was evaluated for its fatty acid, triacylglycerol (TAG), tocol, and phytosterol compositions. Oleic acid contributed 82.78% to the total fatty acids, followed by linoleic, palmitic, and stearic acids.