Placebo-controlled cross-over study of effects of tibolone on premenstrual symptoms and peripheral beta-endorphin concentrations in premenstrual syndrome

Central nervous system hormones have been linked to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and beta-endorphin (beta-EP) is thought to be involved in the pathophysiology. We have tested the efficacy of the synthetic steroid Org OD 14 (tibolone) in the treatment of PMS. This prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind cross-over study included 18 ovulatory women with PMS as ascertained by a visual linear analogue scale (VLAS). The women in each group received either 2.5 mg per day Org OD 14 (n = 9) or a multi-vitamin pill as placebo (n = 9) for 3 months. Treatments were then crossed over to a placebo for a further 3 months. VLAS ratings were evaluated at the end of each menstrual cycle throughout the study. Peripheral beta-EP concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay on days 7 and 25 of each menstrual cycle. Changes in VLAS score and beta-EP concentrations from baseline were calculated and analysed by Student's paired t-test. Improvements in VLAS scores and beta-EP concentrations were evident during the second and third months of tibolone treatment. At the end of the third month, there was a significant improvement in VLAS scores of all symptom categories compared with pretreatment and placebo during treatment with tibolone (P < 0.05). Similar results were obtained in the first placebo group when switched to tibolone. Beta-EP concentrations were not significantly different between the study groups at the initial cycle (15.9 +/- 3.6 versus 17.2 +/- 2.3 pg/ml). The increase in beta-EP concentration was significantly greater on day 25 of the menstrual cycle in women treated with tibolone compared with baseline and placebo group (22.5 +/- 4.4 versus 15.9 +/- 3.6 and 17.2 +/- 2.3 pg/ml respectively, P < 0.05). Our data confirm the clinical efficacy of tibolone in PMS-related symptoms, as well as its effects on serum beta-EP concentrations in patients with PMS.     

Effects of Physical Property Differences on Blending

Within this study, the effects of viscosity differences between added and bulk liquids on mixing times were investigated. This was carried out in stirred tanks of diameter T = 0.31, 0.61, 1.83 m to study the effect of scale. Different impeller types (hydrofoils, disc turbines, and pitched blade turbines) and sizes (D = T/2 and T/3) were employed. Operating conditions for which mixing time correlations for similar property liquids could be used were identified at scales relevant to industrial applications. Recommendations are made for improving blending under operating conditions where these correlations are not applicable as the mixing times are too long.     

Formation of Se2 quasimolecules in selenium-doped silicon

The kinetics of the formation of impurity complexes associated with selenium is investigated. The stationary density of complexes is obtained as a function of temperature and the density of selenium atoms that occupy silicon lattice sites. It is established that in the process of interconversions of electrically active complexes in the temperature range 670–1000 °C the total number of atoms participating in complex-forming reactions remains unchanged at any point of the spatial distribution of the impurity. The kinetics of accumulation of centers with ionization energy 0.2 eV is satisfactorily described by a scheme of quasichemical reactions leading to the formation and decomposition of Se₂ quasimolecules. In the ideal, strongly dilute solution approximation the binding energy of a Se₂ quasimolecule is 1.35 eV. Fiz. Tekh. Poluprovodn. 32, 1306–1312 (November 1998)     

LIQUEFACTION OF ELB�STAN AND YATAĞAN LIGNITES I N CARBON MONOXIDE/HYDROGEN GAS MIXTURES

Thc effects of experimental parameters on the liquefaction yields of Elbistan and Yatagan lignites vcre investigated by using different solvents, guses and catalysts.

In hydroliquefaction of Elbistan lignite with anthracene and creosote oils, higher oil yields were obtained with anthracene oil. Based on this result, anthracene oil was chosen as solvent for further work done with Elbistan lignite. First the effect of moisture in lignite samples vas observed with synthesis gas as medium gas: then, the effect of carbon monoxide/ hydrogen ratio in liquefaction gas mixture was determined using moist lignite samples. The highest oil yield was obtained with moist lignite sample in 3CO/IH₂gas mixture and it was 57.3 % (daf).

The hydroliquefaction oil yields of Yatagan lignite obtained with creosote oil were higher than those obtained in anthracene ail. On Further work done with Yatagan lignite, creosote oil was chosen as solvent. First, the effects of CoMo and red mud catalysts, then in catalyzed medium, the effects of moisture in lignite samples and at last, using moist lignite samples and red mud catalyst. the effects o f carbon monaxide/hydrogen in synthesis gas medium and also, the increase in the oil yield a s an effect of catalyst presence, increased further: the 3CO/lH, ratio in gas medium was suitable for obtaining higher oil yields; and also for obtaining high oil yields, 440°c could be taken a s the most suitable temperature value and the pressure should be increased a s much as technical and economical conditions permit.     

Production of frankfurters with tomato powder as a natural additive

This study includes the investigation of chemical properties such as nitrosomyoglobin content, lycopene content, and the oxidation level, and the sensorial properties of frankfurters which have been produced by both reducing the nitrite level and adding tomato powder. All samples have been vacuum packed and stored at +4 °C for 60 days.The pH of the frankfurters produced with tomato powder was reduced, when compared to the samples which did not contain tomato powder. This effect was due to the acidic characteristics of tomato. As the level of nitrite was reduced, the oxidation level of the frankfurters was increased significantly. Addition of 2 g/100 g of tomato powder decreased the level of oxidation; however, 4 g/100 g of tomato powder caused a slight increase when compared to the samples which did not contain tomato powder. According to this result it can be stated that tomato powder retards the oxidation reaction. According to sensorial evaluations, tomato powder improved the consumer acceptability as well. Addition of tomato powder increased the internal and external colour scores, and frankfurters were found to be more acceptable by the panellists. Nitrosomyoglobin (NOMb) content of the samples was decreased along with the decreased level of nitrite, and this, in turn, contributed to the decreased level of redness (a*).     

Use of waste chicken feathers as peptone for production of carotenoids in submerged culture of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhodotorula glutinis</Emphasis> MT-5

Peptones are one of the most expensive constituents of fermentation media. The present study was performed to prepare the peptone from waste chicken feathers through acid hydrolysis and to investigate the usability of this peptone as substrate for biomass and carotenoid production by Rhodotorula glutinis MT-5. Chicken feather peptone (CFP) was found to be rich in ash (42.1 g/100 g), protein (55.8 g/100 g) and mineral contents. The ability of CFP to support biomass and carotenoid production in the yeast was comparable to those of two commercial peptones (Tryptone peptone = TP and Fish peptone = FP). The optimum concentration of CFP was found to be 8 g/L for both biomass and carotenoid production. Adding 8 g/L CFP to the medium increased carotenoid and biomass production about 53 and 36% compared to control, respectively. At the end of the fermentation, the maximum biomass (14.2 g/L) and carotenoid (92 mg/L) concentrations were achieved with CFP. Moreover, the maximum carotenoid yield (6.47 mg/g) was reached in CFP medium. This study showed for the first time that waste chicken feathers could be effectively used as a novel carotenoid production substrate for R. glutinis.     

A techno-economic comparison of ground-coupled and air-coupled heat pump system for space cooling

This paper reports a techno-economic comparison between a ground-coupled heat pump (GCHP) system and an air-coupled heat pump (ACHP) system. The systems connected to a test room in Firat University, Elazig (38.41°N, 39.14°E), Turkey, were designed and constructed for space cooling. The performances of the GCHP and the ACHP system were experimentally determined. The experimental results were obtained from June to September in cooling season of 2004. The average cooling performance coefficients (_COPsys${\mathrm{COP}}_{\mathrm{sys}}$) of the GCHP system for horizontal ground heat exchanger (HGHE) in the different trenches, at 1 and 2 m depths, were obtained to be 3.85 and 4.26, respectively and the _COPsys${\mathrm{COP}}_{\mathrm{sys}}$ of the ACHP system was determined to be 3.17. The test results indicate that system parameters can have an important effect on performance, and that GCHP systems are economically preferable to ACHP systems for the purpose of space cooling.     

Natural and anthropogenic radionuclides in the granitic region of Kapidag peninsula, Western Anatolia, Turkey

Naturally occurring radionuclides of terrestrial origin (also called primordial radionuclides) are present in various degrees in all media in the environment. This study represents the reports on the natural and anthropogenic radionuclides in the Kapidag granitic region. For this purpose, activities of radionuclides in soil, beach sands and rocks of the region have been investigated to assess the radiological hazard of the natural radioactivity. The radium equivalent activities, the absorbed dose rates and the external hazard indexes have been calculated, and also in situ gamma dose rates have been measured in the region. The mean activities of (238)U, (232)Th and (40)K with the ranges were determined as 31.1±15.7 (12.1-71.9), 42.5±15.9 (19.7-94.9), 590.3±192.2 (184.7-892.5), in the soil, as 16.5±9.5 (4.9-40.8), 67.1±106.9 (18.5-433.0), 569.2±212.6 (162.0-821.1) in the sand and as 25.4±12.8 (4.8-50.7), 37.8±21.5 (4.5-96.7), and 592.4±285.5 (62.4-1121.6) Bq kg(-1) in the rocks, respectively. It was also observed that the average activities of (137)Cs were ranged 0-27.8 Bq kg(-1) in the soil and 0.6-3.8 Bq kg(-1) in the beach sands. The mean Ra(eq) activities of the rocks, sands and soil were found to be 125.1±59.5, 156.3±157.2 and 137.3±48.8 Bq kg(-1), respectively, lower than the recommended maximum value of 370 Bq kg(-1) with some exceptions. The maximum contributors to the total absorbed gamma dose rates in air were determined as (238)U (45%) for the beach sands, (238)U (40%) for the soil and (40)K (41%) for rocks. The average outdoor gamma dose rates for the soil due to terrestrial and cosmic radiations were found to be 64.6±22.7 and 47.1±9.6 nGy h(-1), respectively, with the total of 111.7±29.5 nGy h(-1) outdoor gamma exposure rate and the annual average effective outdoor gamma dose was calculated as 137±36.2 μSv for the region. The results of the study were discussed with similar studies in close regions and the worldwide averages.     

Assessment of natural radioactivity concentrations and gamma dose rate levels in Kayseri, Turkey

This study assesses the level of background radiation for Kayseri province of Turkey. Natural radionuclide activity concentrations in soil samples were determined using high-resolution gamma spectroscopy. Outdoor gamma dose measurements in air at 1 m above ground level were determined using a portable gamma scintillation detector. The obtained results of uranium and thorium series as well as potassium ((40)K) are discussed. The present data were compared with the data obtained from different areas in Turkey. From the measured gamma-ray spectra, the average activity concentrations were determined for (238)U (range from 3.91 to 794.25 Bq kg(-1)), (232)Th (range from 0.68 to 245.55 Bq kg(-1)) and (40)K (range from 23.68 to 2718.71 Bq kg(-1)). The average activity concentrations of (238)U, (232)Th and (40)K were found to be 35.51, 37.27 and 429.66 Bq kg(-1), respectively, and 11.53 Bq kg(-1) for the fission product (137)Cs. The highest values of (238)U, (232)Th and (40)K concentrations (794.25 Bq kg(-1), 245.55 Bq kg(-1), 2718.71 Bq kg(-1), respectively) were observed in abnormal samples at Hayriye village. The average outdoor gamma dose rate in air at 1 m above the ground was determined as 114.43 nGy h(-1). Using the data obtained in this study, the average annual effective dose for a person living in Kayseri was found to be about 140.34 μSv.