Effect of Turkish pollen and propolis extracts on caspase-3 activity in myeloid cancer cell lines

Purpose: To investigate the apoptosis-inducing capacity of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) extracts of bee pollen and propolis in HL-60 Myeloid Cancer Cell Lines.Methods: DMSO extracts of pollen and propolis were incubated separately with HL-60 cells, and caspase-3 activity evaluated. In order to determine the cell cycle characteristics of HL-60 cells with and without extracts of pollen and propolis, the cells were analysed using flow cytometry.Results: The DMSO extract of propolis (0.5 mg/mL) increased apoptosis from undetectable levels to 60.1 %, while maintaining cell viability. The DMSO extract of pollen (2 mg/ml) increased apoptosis from undetectable levels to 52.2 % while decreasing cell viability by 62 %. Caspase-3 activity in HL-60 cells incubated with DMSO extracts of pollen and propolis were 3.6- to 12-fold higher than in controls.Conclusion: Turkish pollen and propolis individually increase apoptosis and the activity of caspase-3 in HL-60 cells. This finding indicates that bee products may have beneficial effects in the treatment of cancer.Keywords: Pollen, Propolis, Apoptosis, Caspase-3, Myeloid Cance

Treatment of Aortic and Iliac Artery Aneurysms with Multilayer Flow Modulator: Single Centre Experiences

Objective. Presenting early and midterm results of aortic and iliac artery aneurysms treated with Multilayer Flow Modulators (MFM). Methods. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 23 patients (19 males and 4 females) who are admitted to our clinic between April of 2014 and February of 2016, diagnosed with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm and/or iliac aneurysm, and treated using MFM. The patients were followed up for the development of potential clinical presentations for 12 months. Results. MFM implantation was successfully completed in all the patients. During the process, two patients developed endoleak and so they were treated with postdilatation that was performed through balloon intervention, whereby the patients fully recovered. Although a short-term ischemic cerebrovascular event occurred in one of the patients 36 hours after the MFM, the patient recuperated without any noticeable neurological sequelae. Overall, three patients died after the procedure, one of whom died in hospital three days following the intervention due to acute renal failure, while the second one lost his life at the end of the first month due to the occlusion of superior mesenteric and celiac arteries. The third patient died at the end of the third month due to acute myocardial infarction. The rest of the patients developed no complications or had no mortality at their 12-month follow-ups. Conclusion. MFM can be preferred as an alternative approach in the treatment of aorta and iliac artery aneurysms including major lateral branches. The present results should be confirmed with additional future studies conducted with larger patient groups for longer periods

The effects of iloprost and alprostadil on ischemia-reperfusion injury in preventing inflammation, tissue degeneration, and apoptosis in rat skeletal muscle

Background/aim: The protective effects of prostaglandin (PG) analogs on ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) have been well documented; however, comparative studies are lacking. The aim of the present study was to determine whether iloprost or alprostadil is more effective in preventing muscle I/R injury. Materials and methods: Thirty-two rats were divided into four groups (n = 8): sham, control, IL (I/R + iloprost), and AL (I/R + alprostadil). I/R was induced by a tourniquet in the hindlimb for 3 h/3 h. The IL and AL groups received iloprost (0.5 ng kg–1 min–1) and alprostadil (0.05 µg kg–1 min–1) during reperfusion, respectively. After 6 h, blood and muscles were collected for analyses. Results: Serum TNF-&#945; and IL-1? levels were decreased in the IL and AL groups compared with the control group (P < 0.05), whereas IL-6 levels did not change significantly. Tissue malondialdehyde levels were significantly lower in the IL and AL groups (P < 0.05). Tissue catalase levels showed no difference. The histological damage scores and apoptosis scores were both significantly decreased in the IL and AL groups compared with the control group (P< 0.05). Conclusion: The present study indicated that iloprost and alprostadil attenuated I/R injury in skeletal muscle. However, no comparable difference was evident regarding the efficacies of either PG analog.Background/aim: The protective effects of prostaglandin (PG) analogs on ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) have been well documented; however, comparative studies are lacking. The aim of the present study was to determine whether iloprost or alprostadil is more effective in preventing muscle I/R injury. Materials and methods: Thirty-two rats were divided into four groups (n = 8): sham, control, IL (I/R + iloprost), and AL (I/R + alprostadil). I/R was induced by a tourniquet in the hindlimb for 3 h/3 h. The IL and AL groups received iloprost (0.5 ng kg–1 min–1) and alprostadil (0.05 µg kg–1 min–1) during reperfusion, respectively. After 6 h, blood and muscles were collected for analyses. Results: Serum TNF-&#945; and IL-1? levels were decreased in the IL and AL groups compared with the control group (P < 0.05), whereas IL-6 levels did not change significantly. Tissue malondialdehyde levels were significantly lower in the IL and AL groups (P < 0.05). Tissue catalase levels showed no difference. The histological damage scores and apoptosis scores were both significantly decreased in the IL and AL groups compared with the control group (P< 0.05). Conclusion: The present study indicated that iloprost and alprostadil attenuated I/R injury in skeletal muscle. However, no comparable difference was evident regarding the efficacies of either PG analog

Education of healthcare personnel working with pediatric patients during covid-19 pandemic within the framework of infection control Covid-19 pandemisinde enfeksiyon kontrol çalışmaları çerçevesinde çocuk hastalarla çalışan sağlık personeli eğitimi

© 2020, AVES. All rights reserved.Objective: In the early stages of any epidemic caused by new emerging pathogens healthcare personnel is subject to a great risk. Pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, proved to be no exception. Many healthcare workers died in the early stages of pandemic due to inadequate precautions and insufficient protection. It is essential to protect and maintain the safety of healthcare personnel for the confinement of pandemic as well as continuity of qualified healthcare services which is already under strain. Educating healthcare personnel on appropiate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is as essential as procuring them. Material and Methods: A survey is conducted on 4927 healthcare personnel working solely with pediatric patients from 32 different centers. Education given on PPE usage were questioned and analyzed depending on age, sex, occupation and region. Results: Among four thousand nine hundred twelve healthcare personnel from 32 different centers 91% (n= 4457) received education on PPE usage. Of those who received education only 36% was given both theoretical and applied education. Although there was no differences among different occupation groups, receiving education depended on regions. Conclusion: It is essential to educate healthcare personnel appropiately nationwidely for the continuity of qualified healthcare services during the pandemic

Evaluation of vaccination status of health care workers for recommended vaccines and their acceptance of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines

© 2022 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.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

SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity among pediatric health care personnel just after the first peak of pandemic: A nationwide surveillance.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 pandemic affected every single person on earth one way or the other. The healthcare personnel were no exception, their responsibilities as well as their risks being immense. METHODS: 4927 healthcare personnel all working in pediatric units at 32 hospitals from seven different regions of Turkey enrolled to the study to determine the seroprevalence of SARS Co-V-2 after the first peak wave. Point of care serologic lateral flow rapid test kit for IgM/IgG was used (Ecotest CE Assure Tech. Co. Ltd.). Seroprevalence and its association with demographic characteristics and possible risk factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Nearly 6.1% of healthcare personnel were found to be seropositive for SARS Co-V- 2. Seropositivity was more common among those who did not universally wear protective masks (10.6% vs 6.1%). Having a COVID-19 co-worker increased the likelihood of infection. The least and the most experienced personnel affected more. Most of the seropositive healthcare personnel (68%) did not have any suspicion that they had COVID-19 previously. CONCLUSIONS: Health surveillance for healthcare personnel involving routine point-of-care nucleic acid testing as well as monitoring PPE adherence would be important strategies to protect healthcare personnel from COVID-19 and to reduce nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 transmission