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Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematologic malignancy characterized by the proliferation of CD34 positive self-renewing malignant hematopoietic stem cells. Previous studies have shown that the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) pathway plays a role in AML pathogenesis, especially by affecting the microenvironment. Growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) is a member of the TGFβ superfamily, involved in embryological development and known as rejuvenating factor. In this study, our aim was to determine the serum GDF11 level in patients with AML, to compare it with the control group, to determine its relationship with follistatin, vimentin, and E-cadherin levels, and to determine whether GDF11 influences AML prognosis. Serum GDF11, vimentin, follistatin, and E-cadherin levels of newly diagnosed or relapsed/refractory AML patients and age- and gender-matched control group were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum GDF11 level was higher in the patient group (263.87 ± 126.54 ng/L) compared to the control group (211.54 ± 61.47 ng/L; p = 0.035). GDF11 level did not change according to age, gender, hemoglobin level, and bone marrow blast rate. No correlation was found between GDF11 level, response rates, and survival status of the patients. A positive correlation was detected between GDF11, E-cadherin, and vimentin levels. As a conclusion, increased serum GDF11 levels in AML patients may be linked to the regeneration ability of leukemic stem cells. There is a need for studies investigating GDF11 expression in myeloblasts.

The removal of Ni(II) from industrial wastewater was investigated using adsorption process by gyttja. Full factorial experimental design containing two levels and four factors (24) was performed to improve Ni(II) removal by reducing the number of experiments and to optimise the experimental conditions for Ni(II) adsorption process. Ni(II) adsorption performance of gyttja was examined as a function of pH, contact time, temperature, and adsorbent concentration. The maximum Ni(II) removal was found as 36% at pH 3, with 25 g L–1adsorbent concentration, for 60 min contact time at 50°C with initial Ni(II) concentration of 3,404 mg L–1. The maximum adsorption capacity of gyttja was found as 6.80 mg g–1at pH 6, adsorbent concentration of 25 g L–1, contact time of 60 min and temperature of 20°C. The predicted values of the model were found to be in agreement with experimental data. The present study may provide a theoretical basis for further research to treat wastewater with novel adsorbents.