Mustafa Selman Yavuz

Combining 3-D plasmonic gold nanorod arrays with colloidal nanoparticles as a versatile concept for reliable, sensitive, and selective molecular detection by SERS

The detection of molecules at an ultralow level by Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) has recently attracted enormous interest for various applications especially in biological, medical, and environmental fields. Despite the significant progress, SERS systems are still facing challenges for practical applications related to their sensitivity, reliability, and selectivity. To overcome these limitations, in this study, we have proposed a simple yet facile concept by combining 3-D anisotropic gold nanorod arrays with colloidal gold nanoparticles having different shapes for highly reliable, selective, and sensitive detection of some hazardous chemical and biological warfare agents in trace amounts through SERS. The gold nanorod arrays were created on the BK7 glass slides or silicon wafer surfaces via the oblique angle deposition (OAD) technique without using any template material or lithography technique and their surface densities were adjusted by manipulating the deposition angle (α). It is found that gold nanorod arrays fabricated at α = 10° exhibited the highest SERS enhancement in the absence of colloidal gold nanoparticles. Synergetic enhancement was obviously observed in SERS signals when combining gold nanorod arrays with colloidal gold nanoparticles having different shapes (i.e., spherical, rod, and cage). Due to their ability to produce localized surface plasmons (LSPs) in transverse and longitudinal directions, utilization of colloidal gold nanorods as a synergetic agent led to an increase in the enhancement factor by about tenfold compared to plain gold nanorod arrays. Moreover, we have tested our approach to detect some chemical and biological toxins namely dipicolinic acid (DIP), methyl parathion (MP), and diethyl phosphoramidate (DP). For all toxins, Raman spectra with high signal-to-noise ratios and reproducibility were successfully obtained over a broad concentration range (5 ppm-10 ppb). Our results suggest that the slightly tangled and closely-packed anisotropic gold nanorod arrays reinforced by the gold nanoparticles may serve as an ideal SERS substrate to detect any analyte in trace amounts.

Biocompatible thermoresponsive PEGMA nanoparticles crosslinked with cleavable disulfide-based crosslinker for dual drug release

Smart materials have been attracting much attention because of their stimuli responsive nature. We have synthesized biocompatible thermoresponsive crosslinked poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMA)-co-vinyl pyrrolidone nanoparticles (PEGMA NPs) using disulfide-based crosslinker by surfactant-free emulsion polymerization method. Particle characterization studies were carried out by dynamic light scattering, and scanning electron microscopy. Polymerization kinetics, effect of crosslinker and initiator concentrations on both average hydrodynamic diameter and polydispersity index were investigated. Hydrodynamic diameters of thermoresponsive PEGMA NPs were decreased from 210 nm to 90 nm upon heating over the lowest critical solution temperature (LCST). Disulfide crosslinked PEGMA NPs were demonstrated as a dual delivery system. Rhodamine B, a model of small-sized drug molecule, and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-alizarin yellow, a model of large drug molecule, were loaded into PEGMA NPs where LCST of these NPs was tuned to 37°C, the body temperature. The rhodamine B was released from PEGMA NPs upon heating to 39°C. Then, PEG-alizarin content was released by subsequent degradation of nanoparticles using dithiothreitol (DTT), which reduces disulfide bonds to thiols. Furthermore, cytotoxicity studies of PEGMA NPs were carried out in 3T3 cells, which resulted in no toxic effect on the cells.

Exceptional organic solvent uptake by disulfide-linked polymeric networks

Disulfide-linked covalent organic polymers (COPs) were prepared through catalyst-free oxidative coupling polymerization. Owing to the excellent swelling behavior, low cost, and efficient synthesis, these materials can be promising materials for removal of organics in concentrated streams. COPs show 1,4-dioxane uptake up to 1.8 g g−1.

Effectiveness of Supervisions Conducted by Primary Education Supervisors According to School Principals' Evaluations.

ABSTRACT The author conducted a qualitative case study. The population of the study consisted of 8 randomly selected school principals in the area of primary education supervisors working in Konya, a province of the Turkish Republic. Face-to-face and semistructured interviews were held with the school principals within the population for 90 min. The interviews were recorded in writing and analyzed using descriptive analysis. It was determined that school principals did not have adequate knowledge about the criteria by which they were evaluated, that supervision relied heavily on what could be called “document check,” and that they thought supervisors could not perform the roles of orientating, guiding and improving teachers’ educational behavior satisfactorily.

Selective removal of cationic micro-pollutants using disulfide-linked network structures

Micropollutants are found in all water sources, even after thorough treatments that include membrane filtration. New ones emerge as complex molecules are continuously produced and discarded after used. Treatment methods and sorbent designs are mainly based on non-specific interactions and, therefore, have been elusive. Here, we developed swellable covalent organic polymers (COP) with great affinity towards micropollutants, such as textile industry dyes. Surprisingly, only cationic dyes in aqueous solution were selectively and completely removed. Studies of the COPs surfaces led to a gating capture, where negatively charged layer attracts cationic dyes and moves them inside the swollen gel through diffusive and hydrophobic interaction of the hydrocarbon fragments. Despite its larger molecular size, crystal violet has been taken the most, 13.4 mg g−1, surpassing all competing sorbents. The maximum adsorption capacity increased from 12.4 to 14.6 mg and from 8.9 to 11.4 mg when the temperature of dye solution was increased from 20 to 70 °C. The results indicated that disulfide-linked COPs are attractive candidates for selectively eliminating cationic dyes from industrial wastewater due to exceptional swelling behaviour, low-cost and easy synthesis.

One-pot synthesis of biocompatible boronic acid-functionalized poly(methyl methacrylate) nanoparticles at sub-100 nm scale for glucose sensing

Abstract Poly(methyl methacrylate) nanoparticles containing 4-vinylphenyl boronic acid were synthesized in one pot by surfactant-free emulsion polymerization. The nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. Boron content in the nanoparticles was confirmed by electron-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. In polymerization process, several co-monomer ratios were studied in order to obtain optimum nanoparticle size. Average hydrodynamic diameter and polydispersity index of nanoparticles versus variation of acetone percentage in the solvent mixture and total monomer concentration were investigated. The effect of boronic acid concentration in the monomer mixture on nanoparticle size and size distribution was also reported. Without further functionalization to the nanoparticles, the catechol dye, alizarin red S, was bound to boronic acid-containing nanoparticles. These nanoparticles behave as a nanosensor by which glucose or fructose can be easily detected. Dye-containing nanoparticles were undertaken displacement reaction by glucose or fructose. The glucose or fructose content was also monitored by UV–Visible spectrophotometer. Furthermore, cytotoxicity studies of boronic acid-carrying poly(methyl methacrylate) nanoparticles were carried out in 3T3 cells, which showed no toxicity effect on the cells.

Novel capsules for potential theranostics of obscure gastrointestinal bleedings.

Obscure gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is identified as persistent or repeated bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract which could not be defined by conventional gastrointestinal endoscopy and radiological examinations. These GI bleedings are assessed through invasive diagnostic and treatment methods including enteroscopy, angiography and endoscopy. In addition, video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is a non-invasive method used to determine the location of the bleeding, however, this does not provide any treatment. Despite of these successful but invasive methods, an effective non-invasive treatment is desperately needed. Herein, we prepare non-invasive theranostic capsules to cure obscure GI bleeding. An effective theranostic capsule containing endothelin as the targeting agent, thrombin-fibrinogen or fibrin as the treating agent, and fluorescein dye as the diagnostic tool is suggested. These theranostic capsules can be administered orally in a simple and non-invasive manner without a risk of complication. By using these novel capsules, one can diagnose obscure GI bleeding with having a possibility of curing.

Gebelerde Akut Apandisit Tanı ve Tedavisi: Klinik deneyimlerimiz

Objective: Acute appendicitis is the most common cause of non-obstetric surgical intervention in pregnant women. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnosis and management of acuteappendicitis in pregnant patients within thelast 7 years in ourclinic. Material and methods: We retrospectively investigated the medical files of 23 patients who were followed up and treated for appendicitis in Ataturk University Hospital General Surgery clinic between January 2006 and December 2012. We analysed the data including; age, gestational weeks, complaints and physical examination Findings of patients, leukocyte and mean platelet volume levels, blood biochemistry, full urineanalysis, and physical finding in patients were abdominal pain and tenderness, respectively. Average leukocyte count was 13180/mm³ and average value of MPV was 8.03 fL (6.6-9.1 fL). A definitive diagnosis of acute appendicitis was made by magnetic resonance imaging ultrasonography in 10 patients. One patient was patients found to have a perforated appendix. The average length of hospital stay of thepatients was 3 days. Conclusion: Diagnosis of acute appendicitis in pregnant women is not easy. Magnetic resonance imaging is an appropriate diagnostic tool in case of failure of abdominal ultrasonography. in and abdominal