Effect of high aluminum concentration in water resources on human health, case study: Biga Peninsula, northwest part of Turkey

Widespread and intense zones of silicified, propylitic, and argillic alteration exist as outcrop around the Biga Peninsula, NW Turkey. Most of the springs in the study area surface out from these altered volcanic rocks. The concentrations of aluminum (Al) in these springs ranged from 13.17 to 15.70 ppm in this region. These high levels of Al were found to exceed the maximum allowable limits (0.2 ppm) depicted in national and international standards of drinking water quality. Therefore, the effect of high Al in water resources on human health was evaluated in this research. A total of 273 people aged above 18 years and living in the Kirazli region (whose water supply is from springs emerging from these alteration zones) and in the Ciplak-Halileli region (whose water supply is provided from an alluvium aquifer) were selected as the research group. For this group, a questionnaire was completed that contained questions on descriptive characteristics of humans and a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was administered by the authors using the face-to-face interview technique. A neurological examination was then performed by the neurology specialist as a second-stage investigation. Finally, 10 ml of venous blood samples were obtained from these people as a third-stage analysis to determine the serum Al levels together with vitamin B12, folic acid, and thyroid-stimulating hormone parameters. The result typically revealed that the MMSE score was less in 31.9% and there was no statistically significant difference between the two regions. However, the result also showed that neuropathy in the history (including a careful past medical history) was significantly higher in the Kirazli region. © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.TÜBA; TÜBİTA

Development of a recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) fluorescence assay for the detection of Schistosoma haematobium

Accurate diagnosis of urogenital schistosomiasis is vital for surveillance and control programmes. While a number of diagnostic techniques are available there is a need for simple, rapid and highly sensitive point-of-need (PON) tests in areas where infection prevalence and intensity are low. Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA) is a sensitive isothermal molecular diagnostic technology that is rapid, portable and has been used at the PON for several pathogens.; A real time fluorescence RPA assay (RT-ShDra1-RPA) targeting the Schistosoma haematobium Dra1 genomic repeat region was developed and was able to detect 1 fg of S. haematobium gDNA. Results were obtained within 10 minutes using a small portable battery powered tube scanner device that incubated reactions at 40 °C, whilst detecting DNA amplification and fluorescence over time. The assay's performance was evaluated using 20 urine samples, with varying S. haematobium egg counts, from school children from Pemba Island, Zanzibar Archipelago, Tanzania. Prior to RPA analysis, samples were prepared using a quick crude field DNA extraction method, the Speed Extract Kit (Qiagen, Manchester, UK). Positive assay results were obtained from urine samples with egg counts of 1-926 eggs/10 ml, except for two samples, which had inconclusive results. These two samples had egg counts of two and three eggs/10 ml of urine.; The RT-ShDra1-RPA assay proved robust for S. haematobium gDNA detection and was able to amplify and detect S. haematobium DNA in urine samples from infected patients. The assay's speed and portability, together with the use of crude sample preparation methods, could advance the rapid molecular diagnosis of urogenital schistosomiasis at the PON within endemic countries

Correction to: Urogenital schistosomiasis elimination in Zanzibar: accuracy of urine filtration and haematuria reagent strips for diagnosing light intensity Schistosoma haematobium infections

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors flagged that unfortunately an error had been introduced to the Conclusions section of the article's Abstract, during production of the article

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Ratlarda beyin hipoksi-reperfüzyon modelinde glutaminin etkilerinin araştırılması özet

Background: The aim of this study was to explore the effects of glutamine in brain ischemia/reperfusion model in rat. Methods: Right common carotid arteries of 24 Wistar albino rats were clamped for a duration of 30 minutes. Two hours later, except CONTROL group, glutamine was infused into left femoral vein of rats in GLIV group; and glutamine and normal saline was administered into cisterna magna of rats in GLIS and SFIS groups, respectively. After 7 days, all animals were decapitated and each brain was divided into two hemispheres for histopathological and biochemical evaluation. The right hemisphere was called “Hypoxia/Reperfusion side (HRS)” and the left hemisphere was called “Toxicity side (TS)”. Results: In TS and HRS, degenerated neuron counts of GLIV groups were significantly higher than other groups' values. Degenerated neuron count values of TS were significantly lower than HRS values for GLIS, and SFIS groups, but the results of GLIV group in TS did not different from the GLIV group in HRS. LPO levels of TS and HRS of the groups was not statistically significant. Conclusion: This study results showed that glutamine had no beneficial effect to the hypoxia/reperfusion injury in rat model.Amaç: Bu çalışmada glutamin adlı maddenin ratlardaki deneysel serebral hipoksi/reperfüzyon hasarlanması üzerine etkileri araştırılmaya çalışıldı. Yöntem ve Gereç: Yirmi dört adet Wistar albino ratın sağ ana karotis arterleri geçici anevrizma klibi kullanılarak 30 dakika süre ile kapatıldı. İki saat sonra CONTROL grubundaki hayvanlar hariç glutamin adlı materyal GLIV grubundaki ratlara femoral venden; GLIS grubundakilere ise sisterna magnadan enjekte edildi. SFIS grubundaki ratlara sisterna magnadan serum fizyolojik verildi. Yedi gün sonra tüm hayvanların beyinleri çıkarılıp santral sulkustan ikiye bölündü; sağ hemisfere “hipoksi/reperfüzyon tarafı (HRS)”; karşı hemisfere “toksisite tarafı (TS)” ismi verildi ve dokular histopatolojik ve biyokimyasal analize tabi tutuldu. Bulgular: TS ve HRS için GLIV grubunun dejenere nöron sayım sonuçları diğer gruplara göre yüksek bulundu. Her bir grup için TS sayım sonuçları ile HRS sonuçları karşılaştırıldı ve toksisite tarafı SFIS ile GLIS gruplarının sayım sonuçlarının hipoksi/reperfüzyon tarafı gruplarınkine göre anlamlı derecede düşük olduğu görüldü, ancak her iki tarafın GLIV gruplarının sonuçları arasında anlamlı fark saptanmadı. Her iki taraf doku lipid peroksidasyon (LPO) düzeyi sonuçları arasında istatistiksel anlamlı fark yoktu. Sonuç: Bu çalışma sonunda glutamin adlı maddenin ratlarda oluşturulan hipoksi/reperfüzyon yaralanması üzerinde yararlı etkilerinin bulunmadığı sonucuna ulaşıldı

Molecular analysis of HLA-DRB1, -DQA1 and -DQB1 polymorphism in Turkey.

We report the evaluation of MHC class II polymorphism in the population of Turkey. HLA-DRB1, -DQA1 and -DQB1 have been investigated by polymerase chain reaction and sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe hybridisations (PCR/SSO) and sequence-specific priming (SSP) in 250 randomly selected healthy individuals, We also report the allelic distribution of these genes. The most frequent alleles detected were DRB1*1101 (0.104), *0301 (0.092), *0701 (0.090), DQA1*0501 (0.334, *0102 (0.164) and *03 (0.148) and DQB1*0301 (0.256), *02 (0.164), *0302 (0.128). The frequent 'putative' three-locus haplotypes carry the most frequent alleles at these loci. The most frequently detected class II "haplotypes" are DRB1*1101 DQA1*0501 DQB1*0301 (0.100), DRB1*0301 DQA1*0501 DQB1*02 (0.092) and DRB1*0701 DQA1*0201 DQB1*02 (0.072). The distribution of alleles and 'putative' haplotypes has shown common features with other Mediterranean populations. The results extend the HLA map to another Mediterranean country and provide a database for further HLA-disease association studies and transplantation applications

Effects of DMSO on a rabbit ear hypertrophic scar model: A controlled randomized experimental study

WOS: 000400442800011PubMed: 28216321Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, analgesic drug widely used to treat several diseases as reported in the literature. It has a detractive effect on collagen deposition in the abnormal tissue. This study aimed to investigate the possible therapeutic effects of DMSO on hypertrophic scar formation in rabbits. Twenty-four New Zealand male albino rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: control, sham, DMSO, and TRA (triamcinolone acetonide). Except the control group, punch biopsy defects were created on each animal's right ear. Following the hypertrophic scar formation on day 28, intralesional DMSO and triamcinolone acetonide were administered once a week for 4 weeks into these scars of the DMSO and TRA groups, respectively. No therapeutic agent was administered to the control and sham groups. One week after the last injection, ear samples were collected for histopathological, immunohistochemical, and real-time polymerase chain reaction gene expression analyses. Histopathological examination revealed that the epithelium in the DMSO group was thicker than that in the control and TRA groups, but thinner than that in the sham group. Connective tissue thickness and vascularity level of the sham group were higher than those of the control, DMSO, and TRA groups. The collagen type I immunoreactivity level of the sham and TRA groups was higher than those of the control and DMSO groups. The collagen type III immunoreactivity level was higher in the sham group than in all other groups. Collagen type I/type III immunoreactivity ratios were lower in the DMSO group. The alignment of collagen fibers was normal in the DMSO group, but was irregular in the sham and TRA groups. The collagen type I gene expression levels of the DMSO and TRA groups were lower than that of the sham group. Collagen type III and IFN-gamma mRNA expression levels were almost similar among the groups. TGF-1 beta mRNA expression levels were higher in the DMSO and TRA groups than in the control and sham groups. On the basis of the results, it can be concluded that intralesional administration of DMSO decreases hypertrophic scar formation easily and safely. (C) 2017 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Kirikkale University [2014/83]The study was funded by the "Scientific Research Project Fund" of Kirikkale University (2014/83)

Comparative study of student performance in traditional and online assessments

Since the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) as pandemic on March 11, 2020, containing its spread has been an international priority. COVID-19 is characterised by its rapid human-to-human transmission and the potential of asymptomatic cases to infect others. To reduce community spread, countries adopted unprecedented restrictions to isolate their populations to their homes - popularly termed “quarantine” or “social distancing” - and implemented social isolation measures that disrupt not only the economic sectors but also people's lives. Our life during the pandemic has changed tremendously in every aspect. Working from Home (WFH) and Fully online Learning is now the new norm. In early childhood, primary, secondary and tertiary education environments, the methods of learning have changed. Educational institutions have drastically revised and changed their teaching and learning processes. Technology is fully leveraged to ensure the process of learning continues. Ready or not, students need to embrace the changes. For Open University Malaysia (OUM), which has long been leveraging technology in its teaching and learning, COVID-19 has resulted in further changes. We have fully migrated from traditional assessment to online assessment, this to cater to the government’s restriction of congregating physically. Examinations are now conducted entirely online. Learners have to answer MCQ exams or write essays for take-home-exams in the allocated time. In this aspect, we need to develop suitable exam questions to ensure the quality of assessment. Past studies have shown that these types of assessment are advantageous to adult learners. However, to what extent do these types of assessments influence student's performance? This study analyses the impact of online and traditional assessment on student performance. The results can be used to further improve the assessment method applied, leading to ensuring the quality of graduates in open and distance learning environments. (Abstract by authors