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Natural tuff samples in western Anatolia (Türkiye) originating from Miocene rhyolitic–pyroclastic rocks with >80 wt.% heulandite/clinoptilolite zeolites were investigated for their surface characteristics determined according to nitrogen adsorption after degassing at 150°C (specific surface area, pore volume and pore diameter). Additionally, these surface characteristics were correlated with the cationic compositions of the heulandite/clinoptilolite group minerals. The examined samples were characterized by two main pore diameters that were not related to specific surface area and pore volume but were partially related to the types and occupancy of extra-framework cations. One set of samples has a pore diameter of ~24 Å, total cation content (Na + K + Ca + Mg) ranging from 3.46 to 4.40 and a (Na + K)/(Ca + Mg) ratio ranging from 0.34 to 0.92. The total cation contents and (Na + K)/(Ca + Mg) ratios of the remaining samples with a pore diameter of ~37 Å are 4.30–5.08 and 1.48–2.85, respectively. After degassing at 300°C, there is a slight difference in the pore diameters of these two sets of samples (~37 and 38 Å). The pore sizes of the samples with a (Na + K)/(Ca + Mg) ratio < 1 (heulandite composition) increased from 24 to 36–38 Å with increasing degassing temperature, whereas the pore sizes of the samples with a (Na + K)/(Ca + Mg) ratio > 1 (clinoptilolite composition) increased from 37 to only 38–39 Å. However, there is no correlation between the Si/Al ratios and the cation-exchange capacities of the samples and their surface characteristics obtained by degassing at the two temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Strong anticholinesterase activity was shown by Corydalis solida ssp. incisa. • The ethanolic extract of the tubers was inactive against normal 3T3 fibroblast cells. • The isoquinoline alkaloids were characterized by LC-Q-TOF-MS. • The protoberberine alkaloids got strong cholinesterases inhibitory activity. • This subspecies can be cultivated for bioactive isoquinoline alkaloids. • Our study described for the first time the in vitro activity of Corydalis solida ssp. incisa alkaloidal extract and fractions from tubers. The continuing research for the determination of bioactive secondary metabolites from Turkish geophytes as therapeutic agents for dementia is mainly based on the need for drug candidates suitable for brain diseases. In this study, the in vitro anticholinesterase properties and cytotoxic activities of the tuber extract and alkaloidal fractions of Corydalis solida (L.) Clairv. ssp. incisa Lidén were investigated. Furthermore, the content of the active alkaloid fractions of the tubers was determined by LC-Q-TOF-MS. The tubers of Corydalis solida (L.) Clairv. ssp. incisa Lidén were collected from Edirne province of Turkey. The plant species were also preserved as ex-situ in Yalova-Turkey. The anticholinesterase activities of the extracts and fractions were tested by modification of the Ellman's method. The cytotoxic activities of the extract were determined by using the MTT assay against 3T3 and MCF-7 cell lines. The optimization of LC–MS conditions was used in ESI in the positive ion mode. These tests were highlighted that the alkaloidal extract of the tubers exhibited the highest activity against AChE and BuChE with IC 50 values of 16.7 ± 0.6 μg/mL and 175.9 ± 3.9 μg/mL (galanthamine 6.8 ± 0.5 μg/mL and 344.4 ± 8.2 μg/mL as positive control), respectively. Among the fractions obtained from the alkaloidal extract, protoberberine-type alkaloids exerted the most promising activity against both cholinesterases, with IC 50 values of 22.4 ± 0.2 μg/mL and 183.1 ± 5.3 μg/mL for AChE and BuChE, respectively. The ethanolic extract did not show any cytotoxicity against 3T3 normal fibroblast cell line, however it was found to be active against MCF-7 cell line at 50 μg/mL concentration with 57.38% inhibition. The present study described for the first time the in vitro anticholinesterase activity of Corydalis solida ssp. incisa alkaloidal extract and fractions from tubers with neuroprotective potential and their metabolite profile by LC-Q-TOF-MS. Besides, the anticholinesterase assays on alkaloidal extract and its fractions showed that protoberberine-type alkaloids were the most potent inhibitor of both AChE and BuChE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to evaluate the definition of water chemical type, with particular attention to soda brine characteristics by assessing ionic composition and pH values on a large geographic scale and broad salinity (TDS) range of Eurasian inland saline surface waters, in order to rectify the considerable confusion about the exact chemical classification of soda lakes and pans. Data on pH and on the concentration of eight major ions were compiled into a database drawn from Austria, China, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia, Serbia, and Turkey. The classification was primarily based on dominant ions exceeding an equivalent percentage of 25 (> 25e%) of the total cations or anions, and the e% rank of dominant ions was also identified. We identified four major types: waters dominated by (1) Na-HCO3 (10.0%), (2) Na-HCO3 + CO3 (31.4%), (3) Na-Cl (45.9%), and (4) Na-SO4 (12.7%), considering only the first ion by e% rank. These major types can be divided into 30 subtypes in the dataset, taking into account the e% rank of all dominant ions. The major and subtypes of soda brine can be divided into “Soda” and “Soda-Saline” types. “Soda type” when Na+ and HCO3– + CO32– are the first in the rank of dominant ions (> 25e%), and “Soda-Saline type” when Na+ is the first in the rank of dominant cations and the sum of HCO3– + CO32– concentration exceeds 25e%, but it is not the first in the rank of dominant anions. Soda-saline type can be considered as a separate evolutionary stage between Soda and Saline types respect to the geochemical interpretation by saturation indexes of brines. The obtained overlapping ranges in distribution demonstrate that a pH measurement alone is not a reliable indicator to classify the permanent alkaline “soda type” and various other types of temporary alkaline waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a fortune of the peat resources in Turkey, particularly around Lake Sapanca in Sakarya. There has been increasingly attention to peatlands in technological uses and agricultural applications. The Arifiye peat is a new resource. It needs to be elucidated by characterization of its chemical and physical properties. The objective of this study was to characterize a number of samples collected from fifteen different profiles of the peat (sapric) by measuring cation exchange capacity, water holding capacity, humic acid, fulvic acid, organic matter, organic carbon. In addition, the spectroscopic analysis suggested that the functional groups and molecular structure of the Arifiye peat resemble those of peatlands described previously in the literature [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the effects of the drainage of the Köycegiz plain in Turkey upon the wetlands and sweet gum forests near Lake Köycegiz. Changes in the quality and level of the surface water and water table were studied, including the resulting impact to the environment and surrounding wetlands. Variation between zero and one-half meter in the water table level in wetlands near Lake Köycegiz is noted, with variation between one-half and one meter in adjacent fields. Increases in anions and cations and changes in electrical conductivity and salinity are observed. The adverse effect of lower water table levels upon the wetlands and sweet gum forests during summer months is also discussed.

The objective of this research was to investigate the morphology, genesis and classification of organic soils formed on depression and flat land around Lake Yenicaga, west-central Turkey. Formation of the area has been influenced by tectonic and karst processes. This peatland is important in this area due to its extensive use as a horticultural plant growth medium resulting from positive physical and chemical properties. Organic soils in the study area were formed in nutrient-rich conditions and it is classified as typical basin peat. Four representative pedons were excavated in the study area based on extensive observations performed with random grid method using an auger. Samples were taken from horizons in each profile for laboratory analyses. Organic matter contents ranged from 12.5 to 91.5% across all four pedons. Fiber contents were between 4.3 and 91.5%, and N ranged from 0.56 to 2.19%. Cation exchange capacity ranged from 37 to 222 cmol kg−1, bulk density from 0.09 to 0.78 g cm−3, lime from 0.15 to 2.62%. The pH and ECe values ranged from 5.38 to 7.92 and 0.50 to 3.80 dS m−1, respectively. Sand, silt and clay contents of the organic soils ranged between 0.75–3.92, 40.70–74.77 and 24.15–57.30%, respectively. Differences in organic soils were found to depend on the environment, botanical origins, decomposition degrees, and groundwater composition. The organic soils of the research area were classified in the typic, hemic and hydric subgroups of Medifibrists (Soil Taxonomy 1999). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Torbali region is located near Izmir, Turkey. Industrial activities in this region have been developing from last two decades. The untreated industrial effluents discharged into the Fetrek River causes groundwater pollution in the region. Since groundwater resources of the region are used for drinking, agricultural and industrial purposes the groundwater quality assessment is done by analyzing the concentrations of main cations (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+) and anions (Cl−, SO, NO, HCO). Additionally, physical and chemical parameters (EC, total hardness, Eh, O2 and pH) were determined. The results show that the concentrations are generally within drinking-water limits. Only the results of TDS and EC concentrations exceed the permissible limits for drinking water in the industrial belt of the region, while NO values exceed the permissible limits in the vicinity of the agricultural area. Concentrations are expected to increase in the next years as no effective sewage collection and treatment is in place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To investigate the effect of heating and acid activation on the cation exchange capacity (CEC) and swelling (SWE), a calcium bentonite (CaB) was used. The calcium bentonite (CaB) from the Kütahya (Turkey) region contains approximately 65% and 30% by mass calcium reach smectite (CaS) and opal-CT (OCT), respectively. The rest amount is illite (I) and other impurities. The 13 samples were heated at different temperatures between 100 and 1300 °C for 2 h. Furthermore, the sample was activated with H2SO4 having various dosages ranging between 0 and 70% by mass in the dry bentonite–acid mixture, by heating the aqueous suspensions at 97 °C for 6 h. The CEC and total SWE (crystalline and osmotic) were measured by the standard methylene blue (MB) method and as gel volume in definite amount water, respectively. The CEC and SWE decrease by the heating depending on the collapse of the 2:1 layers of the CaS. While the SWE decreases approximately linearly by increasing of the temperature, the CEC decreases faster after 600 °C and reaches to zero at 900 °C. While the CEC increases almost linearly with the H2SO4 dosage by the activation, the SWE decreases up to 20% and then does not change. In general, the SWE increases with CEC. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective To determine the metal contents of lichen species from East Black Sea region of Turkey for investigation of trace metal pollution sourced traffic. Methods The levels of copper, cadmium, lead, zinc, manganese, iron, chromium, nickel, cobalt, palladium in lichen samples collected from East Black Sea region of Turkey were determined by flame and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after microwave digestion method. The accuracy of the method was corrected by standard'reference material (NIST SRM IAEA-336 Lichen). Results The contents of investigated trace metals in lichen samples were 7.19-22.4 μg/g for copper, 0.10-0.64 μg/g for cadmium, 4.03-44.6 μg/g for lead, 14.5-41.8 μg/g for zinc, 25.8-208 μg/g for manganese, 331–436 μg/g for iron, 1.20-3.01 μg/g for chromium, 1.48-3.90 μg/g for nickel, 0.20-3.55 μg/g for cobalt, 0.11-0.64 μg/g for palladium. The results were compared with the literature values. Conclusion Some lichen species such as Xanthoparmelia conspersa, Xanthoria calcicola, Peltigera membranacea, and Physcia adscendens are accumulated trace metals at a high ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the chemical composition of the rainwater in Yatağan, which is a region surrounding a coal power plant was investigated from February to April 2002. Rainwater samples were obtained from Yatağan, located northwest of Muğla City in Turkey. pH values and concentrations of major ions (Ca2+, Na+, K+, $${\text{SO}}^{{2 - }}_{4} $$ , $${\text{NO}}^{ - }_{3} $$ , $${\text{NH}}^{ + }_{4} $$ ) in the rainwater samples were analyzed. The pH varied from 5.1 to 7.9 with an average of 6.7 which was in alkaline range considering 5.6 as the neutral pH of cloud water in equilibrium with atmospheric CO2. In the total of 30 rain events, only three events were observed with water in the acidic range (<5.6), which occurred after continuous rains. The equivalent concentration of components followed the order: Ca2+ > $${\text{SO}}^{{2 - }}_{4} $$ > Na+ > $${\text{NH}}^{ + }_{4} $$ > $${\text{NO}}^{ - }_{3} $$ > K+ > H+. The anion and cation concentrations in the rainwater samples showed a high sulphate concentration (131 μEq/l), as well as high sodium (40 μEq/l) and calcium (298 μEq/l) concentrations. These values indicate that one probable source of the high sodium concentration is fly ash, after the coal burning process and the power plant can be effective on level $${\text{SO}}^{{2 - }}_{4} $$ concentrations in rainwater. In addition, the dust-rich local and surrounding limestone environment might have caused the high concentration of Ca2+ in rainwater of the Yatağan Basin. Due to a large contribution of these cations to the sulphate neutralization action, the rainwater of this region displays only a moderate acidity, which does not cause significant environmental impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Cefiderocol (CFDC) is a novel siderophore cephalosporin, which demonstrated potent activity at MICs of ≤4 µg/mL against ≥99% of the Gram-negative clinical isolates, including carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae spp. and nonfermenters in a multi-national SIDERO-WT study. In this study, we evaluated the synergistic effects of CFDC combined with other antibiotics against isolates with high CFDC MIC (i.e. ≥8 µg/mL). Methods The combination effects of CFDC and other antibiotics were evaluated by several Methods. (1) broth microdilution method in the presence of β-lactamase inhibitors avibactam and/or picolinic acid, (2) checkerboard method or time-kill assays in the presence of amikacin, meropenem, colistin, ceftazidime/avibactam or ceftolozane/tazobactam, (3) chemostat model reproducing humanized antibiotic exposures. Iron-depleted cation-adjusted Mueller–Hinton broth was used as the standard medium for CFDC as recommended by the Clinical Laboratory and Standard Institute (CLSI). Results A total of 39 CFDC nonsusceptible (NS) isolates were found among 9,205 isolates in the SIDERO-WT-2014 study. Among 28 CFDC-NS A. baumannii , 25 isolates were PER producers mainly from Russia and Turkey. Among 9 CFDC-NS Enterobacteriaceae, 5 isolates were NDM-producers from Turkey. Against all 34 non-NDM-producing isolates, the addition of avibactam significantly reduced CFDC MIC. The combination of CFDC with ceftazidime/avibactam and ceftolozane/tazobactam also showed strong synergy against these isolates, presumably due to the effect of β-lactamase inhibition. In addition, CFDC had synergistic effects with meropenem against 42.9% (9 of 21) of carbapenem NS isolates. Against the CFDC-NS isolates, including PER-producing A. baumannii , the combination of CFDC and meropenem under humanized drug exposures (chemostat model) showed synergistic effect leading to sustained eradication of bacteria over 24 hours. Conclusion Even against the non-NDM-producing CFDC-NS isolates, including PER-producing A. baumannii , the combinations of CFDC with ceftazidime/avibactam, ceftolozane/tazobactam, or meropenem were effective due to synergistic effects. The mechanism of CFDC-meropenem synergy against A. baumannii is not known. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Carbonic anhydrase was purified and characterized from erythrocytes of the Turkish native chicken, Gerze, for the first time. The enzyme was purified 57.65-fold with a yield of 52%, and a specific activity of 954.08 U/mg proteins having optimum pH at 8.0; optimum temperature at 30 °C; optimum ionic strength at 10 mM and stable pH at 8.0. The purified enzyme had apparent KM and Vmax values of 0.73 mM and 0.236 μmol × min(-1), respectively. Al(+3), Hg(+2), Cu(+2), Pb(+2), and Cd(+2) showed inhibitory effects on the enzyme. Pb(+2) exhibited the strongest inhibitory action. Cd(+2) and Hg(+2) were moderate inhibitor, whereas Al(+3) and Cu(+2) showed weaker actions. All tested metals inhibited the enzyme in competitive manner. Our findings indicate that these metals inhibit the chicken enzyme in a similar manner to other α-CAs from mammals investigated earlier, but susceptibility to various metals differ between the native chicken and other mammalian enzymes.

Objectives: The aim of the present study is to determine anion and cation contents of the herbals used in Turkish folk remedy to explore the rationale of their use in hemorrhoid treatment in the context of the vasoactivity of these elements., Design: Herbs used in the treatment of hemorrhoid were determined by the way of literature search. These herbs were obtained from certified herb sellers. Ground herb samples were placed in individual tubes containing methanol and incubated for 48 hours at 30 degrees C. At the end of the incubation, supernatants were analyzed for their ion concentrations by using ion chromatography., Results: The difference between ion levels between systemic and locally used herbs, was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Anion concentrations (except nitrate) of locally used herbs were slightly higher than systemically used herbs (p>0.05). Cation levels (except magnesium) of systemically used herbs were slightly higher than locally used herbs (p>0.05). It was shown that the concentration of vasoconstrictor effective ions was higher than the concentration of vasodilator effective ions (p<0.001). While vasoconstrictor ion concentration of systemically used herbs was 88.06 +/- 147.42 mg, vasodilator ion concentration of locally used herbs was 90.15 +/- 136.94 mg. The difference between vasodilator concentrations of groups was more evident; 5.39 +/- 9.80 mg and 14.32 +/- 66.48 mg for locally and systemically used herbs respectively., Conclusions: This study showed that herbal remedies used for the treatment of hemorrhoid in Turkey contain vasoactive and especially vasoconstrictor ions. Vasoconstrictor agents could amplify each others' effects as it has been previously shown, therefore, it is probable that the vasoconstrictor ion contents could contribute to the curative effects of herbals in the treatment of hemorrhoids.