Waste disposal on karstic terrain: a case study from the ancient marble quarries in Iznik (Nicaea), Turkey

Celalettin Simsek,Ali Bahadir Yavuz,Hakan Elci,Alper Elci,Orhan Gunduz 한국지질과학협의회 2011 Geosciences Journal Vol.15 No.3

This study is conducted in Iznik, a city situated in the Marmara region of Turkey. There are number of ancient marble pits in the area, some of which are used as sewage and solid waste dump sites. This study is aimed at investigating the hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical properties of Iznik plain with special emphasis on these waste sites. In terms of geological features, Derekoy metamorphics are basement rocks that consist of graphite schist, muscovite-quartz schist and marble lenses. Since Iznik marble was used as a natural construction material in the area since in the Roman era, 20 ancient marble quarries in different sizes existed in and around the study area. Wastewater from the city of Iznik and surrounding residential areas was disposed in three of these ancient marble quarries. In terms of hydrogeological features, the Iznik marble and alluvium units constitute the main aquifer system in the study area. Because of the highly fractured structure of the Iznik marble, the wastewater in the quarries was able to move rapidly within the rock. Analyses of groundwater samples revealed that the wastewater flowing in the marble unit discharges eventually into the alluvial unit and thereby affecting groundwater quality around the antique quarries. Based on chemical analyses results, the wastewater was Na-Cl water type and contained high concentrations of Na (3260 mg/l), K (903 mg/l) and Cl (10396 mg/l). Samples from wells down gradient of the wastewater source had comparatively higher Na, K and Cl concentrations

An assessment of surficial aquifer vulnerability and groundwater pollution from a hazardous landfill site, Torbali/Turkey

Celalettin Simsek,Unsal Gemici,Sevki Filiz 한국지질과학협의회 2008 Geosciences Journal Vol.12 No.1

The Torbali River Basin is an important part of theKucuk Menderes Basin in western Turkey, containing a highlyproductive alluvium aquifer. Hazardous waste from urbanizationand industrialization has been stored above the main unconfinedaluvial aquifer for the last five years. This study is intended toassess the groundwater pollution mechanism from the hazardouslandfill site that is located above the surficial aquifer. Two mainvulnerable zones of the aquifer were determined using a GOD vul-nerability model. The hazardous solid waste was dumped on amoderately vulnerable zone without any precautionary measure.Leachate seepage from the landfill is a main contaminant for Na-Cl water types with electrical conductivity (EC) values of 4,275 to4,575 S/cm. The pH values of the leachate are between 6.3 and6.6. Concentration of As, Al, Fe, Mn, Ni, Sb, Se and Cd in the leachatewater standards. As a result, the waste leachate has a high contami-nant content that is causing groundwater pollution in a highly pro-ductive vulnerable zone. In this case, this vulnerable zone is notsuitable for waste disposal activities, and some improvement stud-ies should be done immediately to protect the main aquifer fromthe hazardous landfill site.

Is Human Kallikrein 11 in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Treated Chemoradiotherapy Associated with Survival?

Dilek Unal,Celalettin Eroglu,Arzu Tasdemir,Hatice Karaman,Neslihan Kurtul,Arzu Oguz,Sema Sezgin Goksu,Bunyamin Kaplan 대한암학회 2016 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.48 No.1

Purpose Involvement of human kallikreins (hKs) in human cancers has been reported and several hKs are promising biomarkers of various cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of hK11 expression in patients with non-metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods The study included 44 patients with NSCLC. hK11 expression was determined by immuno- histochemical staining. Results The estimation of disease-free and overall survival by Kaplan-Meier was 11 months and 17 months, respectively. The estimation of overall survival by Kaplan-Meier was significantly higher in patients with hK11 strongly positive (2+) than in those with hK11 weakly positive (1+) (20 months vs. 11 months, p=0.032). Although not statistically different, the estimation of disease-free survival by Kaplan-Meier was higher in patients with hK11 strongly positive (2+) than in those with hK11 weakly positive (1+) (12 months vs. 9 months, p=0.113). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the overall survival rates were significantly associated with response to chemoradiotherapy and the degree of staining with hK11. Conclusion The stronger hK11 expression in NSCLC appears to be associated with better survival rates. hK11 may be a prognostic biomarker of NSCLC.

Cyclooxygenase-2 Expression is not a Marker of Poor Survival in Lung Cancer

Turk, H. Mehmet,Camci, Celalettin,Sevinc, Alper,Bukyukberber, Suleyman,Sari, Ibrahim,Adli, Mustafa Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.1

Objective: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) has been claimed to play role in carcinogenesis and be related to a bad prognosis in tumours. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between COX-2 expression and clinical and pathological parameters in early and advanced stage lung cancer patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 73 patients with lung cancer (27 adenocarcinomas, 33 squamous cell carcinomas, 4 large cell carcinomas and 9 small cell cancer) were analysed retrospectively. COX-2 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in resection materials or lung biopsies. Tumor cells demonstrating more intense staining than smooth muscle and endothelial cells were recorded as COX-2 positive. We investigated the correlation between increased COX-2 expression and histological type of the tumor, the stage of the disease and survival. Results: COX-2 expression was observed in 55% of the adenocarcinomas, 45% of the squamous cell carcinomas and 22% of the small cell carcinomas. No correlation was apparent between COX-2 expression and disease stage, histological type and the survival. Conclusion: The results of this study do not support COX-2 expression as an independent prognostic factor in lung cancer. However, since results of the literature are different, further studies made in larger series are needed.

ABO Blood Groups are Not Associated with Treatment Response and Prognosis in Patients with Local Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Unal, Dilek,Eroglu, Celalettin,Kurtul, Neslihan,Oguz, Arzu,Tasdemir, Arzu,Kaplan, Bunyamin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.6

Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, late diagnosis being the main obstacle to improving the outcomes with stage at diagnosis as an important prognostic factor. Relationships between ABO blood groups and risk of benign or malignant diseases have been observed and in this study, we aimed to investigate whether they might affect prognosis and response to chemoradiotherapy in patients with local advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods: Eighty-one patients with non-metastatic local advanced NSCLC were included in the study. ABO blood groups were A in 45 (55.6%), B in 7 (8.6%), AB in 8 (9.9%), and O in 21 (25.9%) patients. The patients were also divided two groups according to blood group A (45 patients) and non-A (B, AB and O; 36 patients). Response to chemoradiotherapy was complete remission in 10 (12.3%), disease regression in 42 (51.9%), stable disease in 12 (14.8%), and disease progression in 17 (21.0%) patients. Results: There was no significant difference among ABO blood group categories or between patients with A blood group and those with non-A blood group in terms of responses to chemoradiotherapy (p>0.05). There were also no significant differences regarding overall and disease-free survival rates. Conclusion: The ABO blood group system has no significant effect on prognosis and response to chemoradiotherapy in patients with non-metastatic NSCLC.

Prognostic Value of SPARC Expression in Unresectable NSCLC Treated with Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy

Kurtul, Neslihan,Eroglu, Celalettin,Unal, Dilek,Tasdemir, Erdem Arzu,Orhan, Okan,Zararsiz, Gokmen,Baran, Munevver,Kaplan, Bunyamin,Kontas, Olgun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.20

Background: The aim of the present study was to determine the predictive/prognostic value of the secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) in cases of unresectable, locally advanced, non-small cell lung cancer. Materials and Methods: The study included 84 patients with Stage IIIA-B non-small cell lung cancer, undergoing simultaneous chemoradiotherapy including radiotherapy at a dose of 66 Gy and weekly docataxel ($20mg/m^2$) and cisplatin ($20mg/m^2$). SPARC expression was studied in biopsy material by immunohistochemical methods and correlations with treatment responses or survival were evaluated. Results: Median overall survival was $16{\pm}2.73$ (11.55-20.46) months for low expression vs $7{\pm}1.79$ months (7.92-16.08) months for high expression (p=0.039), while median local control was $13{\pm}2.31$ (8.48-17.5) months for low expression vs $6{\pm}0.85$ (4.34-7.66) months for high expression (p=0.045) and median progression-free survival was $10{\pm}2.31$ (5.48-14.5) months for low expression vs $6{\pm}1.10$ (3.85-8.15) months for high expression (p=0.022). In both univariate and multivariate analyses, high SPARC expression was associated with significantly shorter overall survival (p=0.003, p=0.007, respectively), local control (p=0.008, p=0.036) and progression-free survival (p=0.004, p=0.029) when compared to low SPARC expression. No significant difference was detected between high and low SPARC expression groups regarding age, sex, T stage, N stage, histopathology and stage-related patient characteristics. Conclusions: High SPARC expression was identified as a poor prognostic factor in cases with locally advanced NSCLC treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

A novel design procedure for tractor clutch fingers by using optimization and response surface methods

Oguz Dogan,Fatih Karpat,Celalettin Yuce,Necmettin Kaya,Nurettin Yavuz,Hasan Sen 대한기계학회 2016 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.30 No.6

This paper presents a methodology for re-designing a failed tractor transmission component subjected to cyclic loading. Unlike other vehicles, tractors cope with tough working conditions. Thus, it is necessary to re-design components by using modern optimization techniques. To extend their service life, we present a design methodology for a failed tractor clutch power take-off finger. The finger was completely re-designed using topology and shape optimization approach. Stress-life based fatigue analyses were performed. Shape optimization and response surface methodology were conducted to obtain optimum dimensions of the finger. Two design parameters were selected for the design of experiment method and 15 cases were analyzed. By using design of the experiment method, three responses were obtained: Maximum stresses, mass, and displacement depending on the selected the design parameters. After solving the optimization problem, we achieved a maximum stress and mass reduction of 14% and 6%, respectively. The stiffness was improved up to 31.6% compared to the initial design.

Are Neutrophil/Lymphocyte and Platelet/Lymphocyte Rates in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Associated with Treatment Response and Prognosis?

Unal, Dilek,Eroglu, Celalettin,Kurtul, Neslihan,Oguz, Arzu,Tasdemir, Arzu Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.9

Background: Inflammation is a critical component of tumor progression. Many cancers arise from sites of infection, chronic irritation, and inflammation. It is now becoming clear that the tumour microenvironment, which is largely orchestrated by inflammatory cells, is an essential participant in the neoplastic process, promoting proliferation, survival and migration. Platelets can release some growth factors such as platelet-derived growth factor, platelet factor 4, and thrombospondin. Such factors have been shown to promote hematogenous tumour spread, tumor cell adhesion and invasion, and angiogenesis and to play an important role in tumor progression. In this study, we aimed to investigate effects of the pretreatment neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) on survival and response to chemoradiotherapy in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods: Ninety-four patients with non-metastatic NSCLC were included and separated into two groups according to median valuse of NLR and PLR (low:<3.44 or high:${\geq}3.44$ and low:<194 or high${\geq}194$, respectively). Results: Pretreatment high NLR and PLR were associated with significantly shorter disease-free and overall survival rates. Multivariate analysis revealed that the overall survival rates were significantly linked with PLR (OR: 1.87, CI: 1.20-2.91, p: 0.006) and response to chemoradiotherapy (OR: 1.80, CI: 1.14-2.81, p: 0.012) and the disease-free survival rates were significantly associated with NLR (OR: 1.81, CI: 1.16-2.82, p: 0.009) and response to chemoradiotherapy (OR: 2.30, CI: 1.45-3.66, p: 0.001). There was no significant difference between patients with high and low NLR in terms of response to chemoradiotherapy. Similarly, there was no significant influence of the PLR. Conclusions: Pretreatment NLR and PLR measurements can provide important prognostic results in patients with NSCLC and assessment of the two parameters together appears to better predict the prognosis in patients with NSCLC. The effect of inflammation, indicators of NLR and PLR, on survival seems independent of the response to chemoradiotherapy.

The Predictive Strength of Students’ Self-Efficacy, Problem Solving Skills to Perform Catheter Care

Dogu Kokcu, Ozlem,Cevik, Celalettin 한국간호과학회 2020 Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Vol.50 No.3

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the predictive strength of students’ self-efficacy, problem-solving skills, and other characteristics in performing intravenous practices and monitor phlebitis and infiltration. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out with 736 third and fourth-year students studying at the Health Sciences Faculties of Balikesir and Sakarya universities. The data were collected using the Self-Efficacy Scale, Problem-Solving Inventory and Catheter Care and Infiltration Monitoring Questionnaire. Results: The participants’ mean Catheter Care and Infiltration Monitoring Questionnaire score significantly and positively correlated with their mean Self-Efficacy Scale score on a moderate level (r=.25; p <.001) but significantly and negatively correlated with their mean Problem-Solving Inventory score on a moderate level (r=-.21; p <.001). In other words, because a low Problem-Solving Inventory score indicates that the person’s problem-solving skill is high, the Care and Infiltration Monitoring Questionnaire score increased as the problem-solving skill increased. While the Self-Efficacy Scale predicted the year of study and catheter care and infiltration monitoring variables positively, the Problem-Solving Inventory predicted the satisfaction with the profession variable negatively. Conclusion: Self-efficacy, problem-solving, liking the profession, and year of study predict success in catheter care and infiltration monitoring. For this reason, guidance may be provided in the development of a comprehensive education system toward increasing students’ problem-solving skills, self-efficacy, and professional knowledge and skills.

Lack of any Association between Season of Diagnosis and Survival of Gastric Cancer Cases in Kayseri, Turkey

Unal, Dilek,Oguz, Arzu,Acmaz, Banu,Goksu, Sema Sezgin,Arslan, Alaettin,Eroglu, Celalettin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.4

Background: The influence of season of diagnosis on cancer survival has been an interesting issue for many years. Most studies have shown a possible association between seasonality and survival in some cancers. We aimed to investigate whether there is an association between season of diagnosis and survival in patients with gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: We reviewed retrospectively the files of 279 histologically proven gastric cancer patients. According to diagnosis date, the patients were grouped into 4 seasons of diagnosis groups, spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Results: There was no significant differences when the overall survival rates of the patients were compared according to the patients' season of diagnosis (p: 0.871). Median overall survival rates were 22.0 (14.5-29.5) months for the patients who were diagnosed in spring, 24.0 (12.4-35.6) for summer, 18.0 (9.96-26.0) for autumn and 21.0 (16.3-25.7) for winter. Median disease-free survival rates were 66.0 (44.1-68.1) months for the patients who were diagnosed in spring, 28.0 (17.0-39.0) for summer, 22.0 (0-46.4) for autumn and 23.0 (17.5-28.5) for winter. While the rate was best for the patients diagnosed in spring the differences were not statistically significant (p= 0.382). Conclusions: On the basis of the above results the season was not suggested as contributing to prognosis in gastric cancer cases in Kayseri, Turkey.