Search

Background: Understanding SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among health care personnel is important to explore risk factors for transmission, develop elimination strategies and form a view on the necessity and frequency of surveillance in the future. Methods: We enrolled 4927 health care personnel working in pediatric units at 32 hospitals from 7 different regions of Turkey in a study to determine SARS Co-V-2 seroprevalence after the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. A point of care serologic lateral flow rapid test kit for immunoglobulin (Ig)M/IgG was used. Seroprevalence and its association with demographic characteristics and possible risk factors were analyzed. Results: SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity prevalence in health care personnel tested was 6.1%. Seropositivity was more common among those who did not universally wear protective masks (10.6% vs 6.1%). Having a COVID-19-positive co-worker increased the likelihood of infection. The least and the most experienced personnel were more likely to be infected. Most of the seropositive health care personnel (68.0%) did not suspect that they had previously had COVID-19. Conclusions: Health surveillance for health care personnel involving routine point-of-care nucleic acid testing and monitoring personal protective equipment adherence are suggested as important strategies to protect health care personnel from COVID-19 and reduce nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

Introduction:This study aimed to evaluate the neuroimaging results and associated characteristics of patients admitted to a pediatric emergency department for their first afebrile seizures.Methods:Patients admitted to the Emergency Room of University of Health Sciences Turkey, Ankara Dr. Sami Ulus Children’s Hospital between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2019, with a diagnosis of first afebrile seizure were included in this study. Patients in this study included children without prior neurological or chronic disease and no history of drug use. The medical files of the patients were examined retrospectively.Results:In our study group, 55% were male (n=22) and 45% were female (n=18). The median age was 4.50 (0.25-17.00) years. The median seizure duration was 5.0 (0.03-30.0) minutes. Physical examinations performed in the emergency department yielded unremarkable findings in 80% (n=32) of the patients. A computed tomography scan detected a specific pathology in 10% (n=4) of the patients and magnetic resonance imaging was used in 12.5% (n=5) of the patients. There was no significant difference in terms of gender, age, and seizure duration between patients with and without pathology detected in neuroimaging (p>0.05).Conclusion:On evaluating patients admitted to the emergency department with their first afebrile seizures, 85% had normal neuroimaging findings. Variables such as gender, age, and seizure duration were not associated with the presence or absence of pathology in neuroimaging.

Background: In this study, the effects of pulsatile and non-pulsatile on-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft surgery (CABG) and off-pump CABG techniques on the intraocular pressure were investigated. Methods: Forty-five patients who planned to elective coronary artery bypass surgery with on-pump pulsatile (n = 15), non-pulsatile (n = 15), or off-pump (n = 15) were included. Intraocular Pressure (IOP) measurements were performed on both eyes at nine time-points: 1) Before the operation, 2) After anesthesia induction, 3) 3 minutes after heparin administration Left Internal Mammary Artery (LIMA) harvesting, 4) End of the first anastomosis, 5) End of LIMA anastomosis, 6) 3 minutes after protamine administration, 7) End of the operation, and 8) Second hour in Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 9) Fifth hour in ICU. Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) and Central Venous Pressure (CVP) were also recorded at the same time points as IOP. Results: In Cardiopulmonary Bypass (CPB) groups (pulsatile or non-pulsatile CPB) with the beginning of CPB, there were significant decreases in IOP values when compared to baseline (p = 0.012). This decrease was more prominent in the non-pulsatile group when compared to the pulsatile group (T4 IOP values: pulsatile, 9.7 ± 2.6; non-pulsatile, 6.8 ± 1.9; p = 0.002; T5 IOP values: pulsatile, 9.5 ± 1.9; non-pulsatile, 6.7 ± 2.1; p = 0.004). At the end of the surgery (T7), IOP values returned to the baseline and stayed stable at the remaining time-points. In-off pump group, IOP values significantly increased with a head-down position (T4 IOP values: off-pump surgery, 19.7 ± 5.2; p = 0.015). IOP values remained high until the normalization of head-down position (T6) and stayed stable through the rest of all remaining time-points. Conclusion: During cardiac surgery regardless of the technique (on-pump CABG, off-pump CABG), intraocular pressures remain in the normal ranges. It should be kept in mind that patients should be avoided from long and extreme Trendelenburg position, low CVP, and MAP levels during cardiac surgery to prevent eye-related complications.

Introduction: Current studies draw attention to increased rates of resistance and heteroresistance of Acinetobacter spp. to colistin. This study aimed to investigate the colistin susceptibility of Acinetobacter spp. and detect heteroresistance in colistin-susceptible isolates. Materials and Methods: Acinetobacter spp. isolated from clinical samples submitted to the medical microbiology laboratory were analyzed. Colistin susceptibility of the isolates was investigated by the broth microdilution technique according to European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing standards. In isolates within the susceptibility limits, heteroresistance was screened using Mueller-Hinton agar (MHA) plates containing 4 mg/L colistin. The mcr-1 gene was amplified using polymerase chain reaction. Results: Of the 110 isolates of Acinetobacter spp., 17 (15.5%) were resistant to colistin. After 24 h of incubation in the MHA medium containing 4 mg/L of colistin, growth was observed in 18 isolates, whereas growth was observed in eight isolates after 48 h. The minimum inhibitory concentration values of those isolates was ≥4 mg/L. Thus, of the 93 colistin-susceptible Acinetobacter spp. isolates, 26 (27.9%) were detected as heteroresistant. We did not observe mcr-1 carriage in Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) isolates. Conclusion: The high rates of colistin heteroresistance in A. baumannii isolates may result in the failure of treatment with colistin because of the selection of colistin-resistant subpopulations. The prediction of potential unresponsiveness before starting colistin therapy appears necessary, and the use of this method, which is more convenient in practice and can test several isolates, may contribute to clinical practice by allowing the clinician to consider various drug options and combinations for treatment.

Introduction Health care workers (HCWs) are disproportionately exposed to infectious diseases and play a role in nosocomial transmission, making them a key demographic for vaccination. HCW vaccination rates are not optimal in many countries; hence, compulsory vaccination policies have been implemented in some countries. Although these policies are effective and necessary under certain conditions, resolving HCWs’ hesitancies and misconceptions about vaccines is crucial. HCWs have the advantage of direct contact with patients; hence, they can respond to safety concerns, explain the benefits of vaccination, and counter antivaccine campaigns that escalate during pandemics, as has been observed with COVID-19. Method A short survey was carried out in May–June 2020 on the vaccination status of HCWs working with pediatric patients with COVID-19. The survey inquired about their vaccination status (mumps/measles/rubella [MMR], varicella, influenza, and diphtheria/tetanus [dT]) and willingness to receive hypothetical future COVID-19 vaccines. The respondents were grouped according to gender, age, occupation, and region. Results In total, 4927 HCWs responded to the survey. Most were young, healthy adults. The overall vaccination rates were 57.8% for dT in the past 10 years, 44.5% for MMR, 33.2% for varicella, and 13.5% for influenza. Vaccination rates were the highest among physicians. The majority of HCWs (81%) stated that they would be willing to receive COVID-19 vaccines. Conclusion Although vaccination rates for well-established vaccines were low, a majority of HCWs were willing to receive COVID-19 vaccines when available. Education and administrative trust should be enhanced to increase vaccination rates among HCWs.

In this study, we present the re‐synthesis of a series of twelve bis‐ureido‐substituted benzenesulfonamides, focusing on their potential as antibacterial, anticholinesterase, and cytotoxic agents. First, the antibacterial assessment of these compounds indicated varying activity levels across different bacterial strains, with S. aureus displaying resistance to all compounds, while compounds 9 and 11 exhibited promise against E. faecalis with a MIC value of 31.25 μg/mL. Additionally, P. aeruginosa showed resistance to compounds containing 4‐aminobenzene sulfonamides, whereas derivatives such as (8–11) and compound 19 displayed notable activity against E. coli, comparable to Ampicillin. Second, their anticholinesterase activities were examined, with a focus on their potential role in addressing neurological disorders, particularly Alzheimer′s disease. The findings indicated that all synthesized compounds showed a significant inhibitory effect on both AChE and BChE enzymes. Compound 11 demonstrated the most effective inhibition on the AChE enzyme with an IC50 value of 0.2160±0.09 nM, while compound 18 exhibited the most potent inhibition on the BChE enzyme with an IC50 value of 0.2257±0.06 nM. Finally, cytotoxicity studies were conducted across various cell lines, including breast, lung, and prostate cancer cells and normal cells. The results revealed that compound 12 emerged as the most potent tested compound against breast cancer cells with no cytotoxic effect on CRL‐4010 normal breast epithelial cells. The research presented here not only highlights the multifaceted pharmacological potential of bis‐ureido‐substituted benzenesulfonamides, but also indicates their potential as versatile compounds for antibacterial, anticholinesterase, and cytotoxicity applications, opening up new avenues for drug discovery and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nursing theories and models are important for nursing practice and research. The Neuman Systems Model (NSM), guides nursing practice by providing a framework for collecting, analyzing individual service client system data and for planning, implementing and evaluating nursing care. It is a dynamic model with fixed elements. The purpose of this case report is to make a presentation of NSM used to care for a patient with gynecological disease and to create an example. In this study, three types of stressors (personal, interpersonal and environmental) and five major variable domains (physiological, psychological, sociocultural, spiritual and developmental) of the case were defined. The personal basic structure of the case was defined and the stressors that had permanent and temporary effects on the individual were determined. It has been determined that the case needs information about the disease and treatment process, has anxiety about uncertainty, and is affected by the difficulties of the pandemic process. The detected nursing diagnoses, the nursing goals and practices for these diagnoses were determined, and then the nursing results were evaluated. The NSM model can be recommended to nurses so that they can provide care by being aware of the physiological, psychological and social needs of the patients throughout the whole process.

Tedavi reddi çocuk acil servislerinde hekim ve hasta için önemli bir sağlık sorunudur. Hastalar acil tıbbi tedaviyi herhangi bir zamanda reddedebilir. Bu çalışmada çocuk acil servise başvuran ebeveynlerin çocuklarının tedavisini reddetme nedenlerinin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Dr Sami Ulus Kadın Doğum Çocuk Sağlığı ve Hastalıkları Eğitim Araştırma Hastanesi Çocuk Acil Kliniği’ne 2016 - 2018 yılları arasında başvuran ve ebeveynlerinin tedaviyi reddettiği hastaların verileri red formları ve elektronik kayıtları incelenerek geriye dönük incelendi.İki yıllık dönemde çocuk acil kliğine 207.494 hasta başvurusundan 118 (%0,05) hastanın ebeveyni tedaviyi reddetmiştir. Hastaların tanıları sıklık sırasıyla; alt solunum yolu enfeksiyonu 46 (%39), akut odağı olmayan ateş 14 (%11.9), beşer hasta ilaç zehirlenmesi ve akut gastroenterit idi. Hastaların 71’i (%60.2) tedaviye evde devam etmek için, 24’ü (%20.3) takip ve tedaviyi başka merkezde yaptırmak istediği için tedaviyi reddetmiştir. 16 (%13.5) hasta lomber ponksiyon girişimini kabul etmeyerek tedaviyi reddetti. Çocuk acil servise 2 yıllık sürede başvuran hastaların %0,05 tedaviyi reddetmiştir. En sık tedavi reddi nedenleri; ailelerin tedaviyi evde veya başka merkezlerde devam etmek istemesi ve girişimsel işlemler ile ilgili olası yan etkilerin ailelerde korkulara neden olup, hastada ağrı olasılığı nedeniyle tedaviyi reddetme karar vermesi olarak görülmektedir.

Bu çalışma, internete yönelik düzenlemeleri, özgürlükler ve sansür ikileminde ele alarak 5651 sayılı “İnternet Ortamında Yapılan Yayınların Düzenlenmesi ve Bu Yayınlar Yoluyla İşlenen Suçlarla Mücadele Edilmesi Hakkında Kanun” a alternatif bir bakış açısı ortaya koymayı amaçlar. Zira Kanun kabul edildiği günden bu yana sıklıkla revize edilmiş, özellikle 2014 ve 2020 yıllarında getirilen düzenlemeler sansür tartışmalarını kuvvetlendirmiştir. Kanun'a ilişkin düzenlemeleri tartışmalı olduğu kavramar üzerinden ele alarak bir görüş sunmak amaçlanmıştır.

Copyright of Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences is the property of Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences (TUJNS) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Although the helicopter to ship transfer operation is rarely applied in ports around the world, some of the hub ports have encouraged it. The operational process poses challenges to safety due to the nature of the work to be completed by the ship crew. This article performs a systematic human error prediction to ensure safe helicopter to ship transfer operations under different circumstances since the human factor is becoming a significant contributor to maritime accidents. To accomplish this, the article addresses a cognitive reliability and error analysis method (CREAM) under the evidential reasoning (ER) approach. In the proposed approach, the CREAM provides a comprehensive human error prediction tool and ER is capable of supporting experts’ judgment in decision-making. The findings of the research show that ‘Secure the loose objects within or adjacent to the operating area’ poses a high human error probability (4.50E–02) during helicopter to ship transfer operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, the tribological and fracture behavior of multilayer 316L–TiC composites produced by the selective laser melting additive manufacturing process is investigated. The results show a robust interface between the layers and no cracks are detected even after a flexural strain of 0.4. The hardness of the composite layers with 5 and 10 wt% TiC increases by 75.5 and 104.8% compared to the hardness of the pure 316L stainless steel layer. Transverse rupture strength measurements show that a layer of pure 316L significantly improves the rupture strength of the multilayer samples. Wear test results show that the inclusion of TiC particles increases wear resistance, with the composite layer containing 10 wt% TiC demonstrating the highest wear resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Microsporidia are opportunistic intracellular parasites that cause a variety of illnesses in humans. There is little information available regarding the frequency of this parasite in human cases of diarrhea and cancer. Aim: This study's primary objectives are to identify microsporidia in soil and water samples, determine the relationships between microsporidia by using sequencing analysis in the targeted area, and look into the genetic diversity of microsporidia originating from domestic, farm, and wild animals. Methods: The current investigation was conducted from March to December of 2023. In total, 35 water samples and 20 soil samples have been obtained from 12 and 5 locations in Mosul city, respectively, for this investigation. Every sample was moved to the main laboratory of the College of Science and Veterinary Medicine at the University of Mosul, Iraq. Results: The results of the present study showed that Microsporidia were found in water at a prevalence rate of 45.7% (16/35) and in soil at a rate of 45% (9/20). In Mosul, the various regions have varying rates of Microsporidia prevalence. Microsporidia having a molecular weight of 1,300 bp were found using the polymerase chain reaction technique, which was attributed to the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene. Furthermore, the results of the current investigation indicate that three of the Microsporidia were Enterocytozoon bieneusi, which has a molecular weight of 400 bp, based on the ITS gene utilizing the inner primer, while none was found in soil. With a molecular weight of 260 bp, the SSU rRNA gene of Microsporidia was found in water and in soil. However, in accordance with each species' unique DNA discovered in soil and water, none of the Encephalitozoon intestinalis, Encephalitozoon cuniculi, or Encephalitozoon hellem were found. Twelve novel sequences found 9 sequences of Microsporidia and 3 sequences of E. bieneusi). Conclusion: The study demonstrated a water is the main source of Microsporidia and is highly similarity to some of the microsporidia detected in this study. Furthermore, Microsporidia found in our study showed a close relationship with Microsporidia isolated from different countries in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are a wide range of chemical cargoes carried in chemical tankers. The chemical tankers are carrying hazardous chemical cargoes in their cargo tanks. When carrying hazardous chemicals in cargo tanks, the coating is required which is to provide safety barrier between the hull plate and the cargo. Therefore, capabilities of cargo tanks are of paramount importance for safe and efficient transport. Tank coatings to be applied to chemical tankers are epoxy coatings, zinc silicate coating, stainless steel coating, and marine line coating. This paper aims at conducting a numerical performance analysis of tank coatings in chemical tankers to contribute decision-making process of shipowner and safety professionals. To achieve this purpose, a multi-criterion decision-making (MCDM) tool is adopted: An Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) under interval type-2 fuzzy set (IT2Fs) environment. The outcomes of the numerical performance analysis showed that stainless steel type tank coating has the best performance since result of closeness coefficient value c (xj) is found 0.55. The findings of the research will contribute chemical tanker ship owners, safety inspectors, naval architects, and safety professionals during decision-making process of ideal cargo tank coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The human ovary is the target of autoimmune attack in cases of autoimmune disorders, which can cause ovarian dysfunction. Due to the higher prevalence of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (HT) in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) patients, we aimed to evaluate ovarian reserve and the effect of autoimmune exposure time on ovarian reserve in PCOS patients with HT by Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels. Methods Forty-six PCOS patients and 46 PCOS with HT diagnosed patients who are between 18 and 35 years old were recruited for this study. Detailed medical histories were obtained from all participants. Polycystic ovary image was evaluated and antral follicles were counted by transvaginal ultrasound. Modified Ferriman Gallwey score, body mass index, waist/hip ratio of the patients were examined. Hormonal, biochemical profiles and AMH levels of the patients were evaluated during the early follicular phase. The data of both groups were statistically analyzed with SPSS 18.0. Results 20 (43.5%) patients in the PCOS group were fertile, 8 (17.4%) patients in the PCOS + HT group were fertile, fertility rate was significantly lower in PCOS + HT group. The mean AMH value was 8.8 ± 8.8 in the PCOS + HT group and 12.4 ± 8.1 in the PCOS group and it was significantly lower in the PCOS + HT group (p = 0.043). AMH values were significantly negatively correlated with anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (anti-TPO) level and the duration of HT. There was a significant positive correlation between the anti-TPO level and the duration of HT. Conclusıon We pointed out that the coexistence of PCOS and HT, two prevalent diseases of reproductive age, further diminished ovarian reserve. More exposure of the ovaries to autoantibodies can cause ovarian destruction, similar to the thyroid gland like HT. Because of all these close relations with PCOS and thyroid dysfunctions, we recommend evaluating both thyroid autoantibodies and hormone levels in PCOS patients at the first visit. Patients with PCOS + HT should be monitored more closely to determine the fertility treatment options and control premature ovarian failure (POF) table.

ABSTRACT Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) begins in adolescence and has cardiovascular and metabolic components in later years. Cystatin C and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels and neutrophil-lymphocyte and platelet-lymphocyte ratios are associated with metabolic and inflammatory events. Here, we evaluated inflammatory and metabolic parameters in normal and overweight adolescents with PCOS. Materials and methods: This prospective case-control study enrolled 90 adolescents with PCOS and 100 matched by age and BMI healthy adolescents classified as either normal weight (NW) and overweight (OW). Groups were compared based on inflammatory and metabolic parameters (serum cystatin C, hs-CRP, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lipids, fasting blood glucose-insulin (FBG-FI), HOMA-IR levels, waist circumference [WC], and waist-hip ratio [WHR]). The relationship between the parameters were compared and predictive abilities were evaluated. Results: Cystatin C, hs-CRP, NLR, triglyceride (TG), FBG-FI, HOMA-IR, WC, and WHR were significantly higher in those with PCOS. The NW PCOS group had significantly higher TG, cystatin C, hs-CRP, and NLR versus OW controls. The highest HOMA-IR values were observed in OW PCOS (p < .05). Cystatin C and hs-CRP sensitivity and specificity were significant (p < 0.05). Cystatin C and hs-CRP were positively correlated with other metabolic parameters. Conclusion: Independent of BMI, inflammatory and metabolic parameters are significantly higher in adolescents with PCOS compared to controls and even worse in those who are also OW. Therefore, adolescents with PCOS should be encouraged to maintain healthy lifestyles and weights to avoid metabolic risks. Hs-CRP and cystatin C could be promising markers to predictive of future metabolic risks.