Welcome to the Open Access System!
OpenAccess@KU is the Academic Open Access System of Kastamonu University. It was established in June 2014 to digitally store and open access the academic outputs of Kastamonu University in international standards. OpenAccess@KU includes academic outputs such as articles, presentations, thesis, books, book chapters, reports produced within the body of Kastamonu University.
Kastamonu Üniversitesi Akademik Arşivi Creative Commons Alıntı-GayriTicari-Türetilemez 4.0 Uluslararası Lisansı ile lisanslanmıştır.
Recent Submissions
Evaluation of Some Potentially Toxic Elements and Associated Ecological and Health Risks in Topsoil Samples Adjacent to an Industrial Zone in Turkey
(American Chemical Society, 2024) Altıkulaç, A.; Turhan, S.
Potentially toxic element (PTE) pollution as a result of industrial activities remains a global problem that poses serious threats to human and ecological health. PTEs (Al, Fe, Ti, Mn, V, Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Co, and As) are metals or metalloids with biological toxicity. This study analyzed the concentrations of these PTEs and the physicochemical properties of topsoil samples collected from areas near industrial districts in the Samsun province of Turkey to evaluate ecological and health risks, estimating various indexes. The average concentrations of Al, Fe, Ti, Mn, V, Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Co, and As analyzed in 23 topsoil samples by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry were found as 93,822, 82,410, 6623, 1642, 406, 278, 207, 149, 78, 68, 32, and 10 mg/kg dry weight, respectively. Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Co levels exceed the maximum contaminant levels in the Turkish Regulation on the Control of Soil Pollution. The average pH values, organic matter, total organic carbon, and nitrogen measured in soil samples were 7.14, 6.11, 0.96, and 0.04%, respectively. The ecological and health evaluation reveals that the studied area is polluted with V, Cu, Zn, As, Ni, and Pb, which may pose a risk to people living in settlements near the industrial district.
Spatial distribution, pollution level and human health risk assessment of heavy metals in urban street dust at neighbourhood scale
(Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2024) Isinkaralar, O.; Isinkaralar, K.; Nguyen, T.N.T.
Urban street dust (UStD) is a vital issue for human health and is crucial for urban sustainability. This study aims to enhance the creation of safe, affordable, and resilient cities by examining environmental contamination and health risks in urban residential areas. Specifically, it investigates the concentrations and spatial distribution of chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in UStD in Yenimahalle, Ankara. The mean concentrations of Zn, Cr, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cu in UStD were 97.98, 66.88, 55.22, 52.45, 38.37, and 3.81 mg/kg, respectively. The geoaccumulation pollution index (Igeo) values for these elements were: Cd (5.12), Ni (1.61), Cr (1.21), Pb (1.13), Cu (0.78), and Zn (0.24). These indices indicate that the area is moderately polluted with Cr, Pb, and Ni, uncontaminated to moderately contaminated with Cu and Zn, and extremely polluted with Cd. The hazard index (HI) values for Cr, Cd, Ni, Cu, Pb, and Zn were below the non-carcinogenic risk threshold for adults, indicating no significant risk. However, for children, the HI values for Pb, Ni, Cd, and Zn were 3.37, 1.80, 1.25, and 1.25, respectively, suggesting a higher risk. Carcinogenic risk (RI) of Cd, Ni, and Pb was significant for both children and adults, indicating that exposure through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact is hazardous. The findings highlight the need for strategic mitigation measures for both natural and anthropogenic activities, providing essential insights for residents, policymakers, stakeholders, and urban planners.
The Effects of Pregnancy Status on Lacrimal Caruncle Temperature, Intraocular Pressure and Rectal Temperature in Cats: A Preliminary Study
(2024.01.01) Ozcan, C.; Safak, T.; Dellalbasi, A.B.; Dogan, E.
Objective: The objectives of this study were to compare the body temperatures between pregnant and nonpregnant cats from two sites, lacrimal caruncle temperature (LCT) and rectal temperature (RT), and to compare intraocular pressure (IOP) between pregnant and nonpregnant cats. Animal studied: This study was performed on 13 pregnant and 16 anoestrous cats. ProceduresThe gestation period of the pregnant cats ranged from 20 to 45 days. A vaginal smear was also performed to determine the sexual cycles of nonpregnant cats. The IOP was measured using a rebound tonometer. Results: The pregnant cats (38 +/- 0.7 degrees C) exhibited a lower RT than the nonpregnant cats (38.5 +/- 0.5 degrees C) (p < 0.05). No significant differences existed between the pregnant and nonpregnant groups in the right (R)-LCT or left (L)-LCT (p > 0.05). The average LCT temperature measured 32.30 +/- 2.23 degrees C in cats. The right (R)-IOP in pregnant cats (17.69 +/- 5.6 mm Hg) was significantly lower than in nonpregnant cats (22.37 +/- 5.27 mm Hg) (p < 0.029). Pregnant cats exhibited a significantly lower left (L)-IOP value (17.69 +/- 5.76 mm Hg) compared to nonpregnant cats (23.18 +/- 5.55 mm Hg) (p < 0.015). Conclusion: This study presents a preliminary report that documents a noteworthy reduction in RT in pregnant cats (38 +/- 0.7 degrees C) as compared to cats in anoestrus. Pregnancy also has an effect on the IOP. It was hypothesised that the hormonal changes induced by pregnancy in cats would have a substantial impact on IOP and RT. Although body temperature can be measured using LCT, RT should still be utilised as the reference measurement site.
In vitro and in vivo effects of commercial and environmental microplastics on Unio delicatus
(2024.01.01) Yüce, P.A.; Günal, A.C.; Erkmen, B.; Yurdakok-Dikmen, B.; Çagan, A.S.; Çirak, T.; Kankiliç, G.B.; Seyfe, M.; Filazi, A.; Tavsanoglu, Ü.N.
Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous pollutants in freshwater environments. In this study, freshwater mussels, Unio delicatus, were exposed to both environmental MPs (e-MP) and commercial MPs (c-MP) that include green fluorescent MP (gf-MP), polyethylene (c-PE) and polystyrene (c-PS) at environmental concentrations (5 mg/L and 50 mg/L) over duration of 7 and 30 days. According to in vivo experiment results, both e-MPs and c-MPs induced significant changes in the total hemocyte counts of mussels (p < 0.05). Exposure to high concentrations of e-MPs and c-MPs for 7 days led to decreased cellular glutathione levels in the mussels, while exposure to low concentrations of e-MPs and c-PS for 7 days resulted in increased advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP). Mussels exposed to high concentrations of e-MPs for 30 days exhibited decreases in both glutathione levels and AOPP values. Although no damage was observed in tissues other than gills and digestive gland, histopathological alterations were observed in these tissues following exposure to 50 mg/L c-MPs. Additionally, MPs were observed in the intestine tissues. In vitro experiments using the MTT assay showed no significant difference in cell viability between the MP-exposed group and the control group at tested concentrations, with no observed dose-response relationship (p > 0.05). Nevertheless, certain cells exhibited signs of cell death, such as disrupted cellular structures, condensed nuclei, and loss of cellular integrity. These observations were consistent with mechanical compression, indicating that physical contact with MPs may result in cell damage or death. These findings demonstrate that environmentally relevant concentrations of MPs have toxic effects on freshwater mussels and multiple parameters provide valuable insight for the evaluation of health risks of organisms.
Heteronuclear cadmium(II)/cobalt(III) cyanide coordination polymers with 1-methylimidazole and 1-ethylimidazole ligands: synthesis, characterization and catalytic activities
(Elsevier B.V., 2025) Kürkçüoğlu, G.S.; Kekeç, S.; Yeşilel, O.Z.; Gökkuş, K.; Ünver, H.; Şahin, O.
Two new heteronuclear Cd(II)/Co(III) compounds, {[Cd(1-meim)3Cd0.5(1-meim)Co(μ-CN)4(CN)2]}n (1) and {[Cd(1-etim)3Cd0.5(1-etim)2Co(μ-CN)3(CN)3]⋅H2O}n (2) (1-meim: 1-methylimidazole, 1-etim = 1-ethylimidazole), have been synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis, FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The single crystal X-ray study shows that the compound 1 exhibited a 1D double chain structure and is further linked into 3D supramolecular architectures through C–H⋅⋅⋅N and π⋅⋅⋅π interactions. Whereas the compound 2 displayed 2D network which is extended into a 3D supramolecular framework by O–H⋅⋅⋅N hydrogen bonds and C–H∙∙∙π interactions. In 1 and 2, each Co(III) ion is coordinated by six carbon atoms from cyanide ligands, thus showing an octahedral coordination geometry. Cd1 and Cd2 ions exhibited two different geometries, distorted trigonal bipyramidal and octahedral. Furthermore, phase purities, catalytic and thermal properties were investigated.