In this study, different types of indoor environments (primary school, kindergarten, cafeteria, restaurant, dormitory, dwelling, office, sport salon, library, classroom, and laboratory) and their outdoor environments were investigated in terms of bioaerosol contamination. A total of 120 environments were investigated in Ankara, Turkey. The single-stage Andersen sampler was used for viable bioaerosol sampling. During the sampling, indoor and outdoor temperature, relative humidity, and CO 2 concentration were measured. Total bacteria counts (TBC) and fungi concentrations varied on a large scale within and between the sampling site groups (10 -10 3 CFU/m 3 ). The highest TBC levels were measured in kindergartens, primary schools, restaurants, high schools, and homes, while the highest mold levels were measured in kitchens, bathrooms, and offices. Micrococcus spp., Staphylococcus auricularis, and Bacillus spp. were predominant bacteria species and Penicillium spp., Aspergillus spp., and Cladosporium spp. were the most observed mold genera detected in the samples. Indoor-to-outdoor (I/O) ratios of the observed fungi counts were calculated as approximately around 1, and for bacteria counts these ratios were higher than 1. There was no statistical difference between indoor and outdoor mold levels, while a significant difference was found between indoor and outdoor bacteria levels (p a 0.001). A significant correlation between indoor CO 2 and bioaerosols indicates insufficient ventilation.

Seasonal and spatial variations of both levels and characteristics of airborne bacteria and fungi in various types of non-complaint indoor environments and their outdoors were investigated. Bioaerosol samples were collected by the single-stage Andersen sampler during the winter and summer seasons in Ankara, Turkey. Indoor and outdoor temperature, relative humidity (RH) and CO 2 concentrations were also monitored online during the sampling. Bacteria levels in apartments were found to be considerably elevated when people were present. Significant relationships between bioaerosol levels and RH and CO 2 concentrations ( p50.05) were found. Bacteria levels exhibited a seasonal variation, while fungi levels did not, probably due to lower fungi concentrations occurrence as a result of lower RH values (median: 30%). Measured low levels of fungi in this study may be due to geographical conditions, climatic factors, and other environmental conditions. The indoor to outdoor (I/O) ratio for bacteria levels were found to be significantly higher than 1.0, while indoor and outdoor fungi levels were similar. Winter to summer (W/S) ratios in the sampling site groups varied on a large scale for both culturable fungi concentrations (0.24-19.59) and total bacteria count (0.16-6.59). The most prominent bacteria were Micrococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp. and Bacillus spp., while the most predominant fungi were Penicillium spp., Aspergillus spp. and Cladosporium spp.

Procalcitonin (PCT) is a promising biomarker for identification of the origin and severity of sepsis, which is a deadly body infection. In this work, we report the preparation of a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor which utilizes a molecular imprinted polymer surface for rapid and reliable detection of PCT. The molecular imprinted surface was prepared using a microcontact imprinting technique, in which PCT molecules were first immobilized onto a glass support and brought into contact with a solution of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) on a SPR sensor, then the polymerization process was performed. After removal of the PCT molecules, specific molecular recognition sites were obtained, where PCT molecules can selectively rebind, only at the surface of the polymer matrix. PCT detection studies were carried out using PCT solutions in phosphate buffer and simulated blood plasma (SBP) at different concentrations. The SPR biosensor can detect very low concentrations (9.9 ng mL(-1)) of PCT within approximately 1 h, in both phosphate buffer and SBP. High selectivity of the biosensor against PCT was also demonstrated in the presence of several competitive proteins such as human serum albumin, myoglobin and cytochrome c.

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This study was performed to investigate the possible sources as well as seasonal and diurnal variations of indoor air pollutants in widely used four different environments (house, office, kindergarten, and primary school) in which people spend most of their time. Bioaerosol levels and species, volatile organic compound (VOC) levels, and PM 2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter 2.5 mm) levels were determined in different parts of these environments in parallel with outdoor sampling. Air pollution samplings were carried out in each microenvironment during five subsequent days in both winter and summer in Ankara, Turkey. The results indicated that bioaerosol, VOC, and PM 2.5 levels were higher in the winter than in the summer. Moreover, PM 2.5 and bioaerosol levels showed remarkable daily and diurnal variations, whereas a good correlation was found between the VOC levels measured in the morning and in the afternoon. Bacteria levels were, in general, higher than fungi levels. Among the VOCs, toluene was the most predominant, whereas elevated n-hexane levels were also observed in the kindergarten and the primary school, probably due to the frequent wet cleaning during school days. According to factor analysis, several factors were found to be significantly influencing the indoor air quality (IAQ), and amongst them, VOC-based products used indoors ranked first. The overall results indicate that grab sampling in naturally ventilated places may overestimate or underestimate the IAQ due to the inhomogeneous composition of indoor air caused by irregular exchanges with the outdoor air according to the season and/or occupants' habits.Implications: Seasonal and diurnal variations of VOCs, PM 2.5 , bioaerosols in house, office, and schools were observed, in which PM 2.5 and bioaeorosols showed marked both intra-and interday variability, but VOCs did not. VOC-containing products were the most common source of air pollutants affecting the indoor air quality. External factors affecting the indoor air quality were season and indirectly ventilation. A grab sample cannot be representative in evaluating the air quality of a naturally ventilated environment precisely.