Türkiye’de bulunan yoğun bakımlarda sabun, kağıt havlu ve alkol bazlı el dezenfektanı yeterli mi?: Phokai çalışması sonuçları

Introduction: Hand hygiene is one of the most effective infection control measures to prevent the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HCAI). Water, soap, paper towel and hand disinfectant must be available and adequate in terms of effective hand hygiene. The adequacy of hand hygiene products or keeping water-soap and paper towel is still a problem for many developing countries like Turkey. In this multicenter study, we analyzed the adequacy in number and availability of hand hygiene products.Materials and Methods: This study was performed in all intensive care units (ICUs) of 41 hospitals (27 tertiary-care educational, 10 state and four private hospitals) from 22 cities located in seven geographical regions of Turkey. We analyzed water, soap, paper towel and alcohol-based hand disinfectant adequacy on four different days, two of which were in summer during the vacation time (August, 27th and 31st 2016) and two in autumn (October, 12th and 15th 2016).Results: The total number of ICUs and intensive care beds in 41 participating centers were 214 and 2357, respectively. Overall, there was no soap in 3-11% of sinks and no paper towel in 10-18% of sinks while there was no alcohol-based hand disinfectant in 1-4.7% of hand disinfectant units on the observation days. When we compared the number of sinks with soap and/or paper towel on weekdays vs. weekends, there was no significant difference in summer. However, on autumn weekdays, the number of sinks with soap and paper towel was significantly lower on weekend days (p<0.0001, p<0.0001) while the number of hand disinfectant units with alcohol-based disinfectant was significantly higher (p<0.0001).Conclusion: There should be adequate and accessible hand hygiene materials for effective hand hygiene. In this study, we found that soap and paper towels were inadequate on the observation days in 3-11% and 10-18% of units, respectively. Attention should be paid on soap and paper towel supply at weekends as well

Near IR spectroscopy for the characterization of dispersion in polymer-clay nanocomposites

© 2015 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA. Since their potential has become widely recognized, one of the major research lines on polymer-clay nanocomposites has focused on the preparation of well-dispersed systems. Currently, there is an understanding that a high degree of dispersion, particularly exfoliation, of the nanoclay is required to improve the overall performance. Twin screw extrusion not only allows for control of the main variables (shear, stress and time), but also, due to the typical modular construction, offers a high degree of freedom in creating the adequate screw design and enables knowledgeable alteration of the barrel. These features offer a solid basis for the development and implementation of apt in-line/on-line monitoring techniques, able to follow up the evolution of dispersion of polymer-clay nanocomposites during processing. This chapter includs the validation, implementation, and application of a methodology based on inline near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy for the characterization of the dispersion along the extruder axis. Overall, the results obtained confirm that NIR is a valid tool for the on-line characterization of these materials, offering the possibility of assessing in real time the clay dispersion, enabling proper corrective and/or optimization actions over the material characteristics in a timely manner.(undefined

Volume CXIV, Number 4, November 7, 1996

Objective: Turner syndrome (TS) is a chromosomal disorder caused by complete or partial X chromosome monosomy that manifests various clinical features depending on the karyotype and on the genetic background of affected girls. This study aimed to systematically investigate the key clinical features of TS in relationship to karyotype in a large pediatric Turkish patient population.Methods: Our retrospective study included 842 karyotype-proven TS patients aged 0-18 years who were evaluated in 35 different centers in Turkey in the years 2013-2014.Results: The most common karyotype was 45,X (50.7%), followed by 45,X/46,XX (10.8%), 46,X,i(Xq) (10.1%) and 45,X/46,X,i(Xq) (9.5%). Mean age at diagnosis was 10.2±4.4 years. The most common presenting complaints were short stature and delayed puberty. Among patients diagnosed before age one year, the ratio of karyotype 45,X was significantly higher than that of other karyotype groups. Cardiac defects (bicuspid aortic valve, coarctation of the aorta and aortic stenosis) were the most common congenital anomalies, occurring in 25% of the TS cases. This was followed by urinary system anomalies (horseshoe kidney, double collector duct system and renal rotation) detected in 16.3%. Hashimoto's thyroiditis was found in 11.1% of patients, gastrointestinal abnormalities in 8.9%, ear nose and throat problems in 22.6%, dermatologic problems in 21.8% and osteoporosis in 15.3%. Learning difficulties and/or psychosocial problems were encountered in 39.1%. Insulin resistance and impaired fasting glucose were detected in 3.4% and 2.2%, respectively. Dyslipidemia prevalence was 11.4%.Conclusion: This comprehensive study systematically evaluated the largest group of karyotype-proven TS girls to date. The karyotype distribution, congenital anomaly and comorbidity profile closely parallel that from other countries and support the need for close medical surveillance of these complex patients throughout their lifespa

Hemoglobin cut-off values in healthy Turkish infants

Background: Anemia is a widespread public health problem associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. This study was undertaken to determine the cut-off value of hemoglobin for infant anemia

A novel selective fluorescent chemosensor for Fe3+ ions based on phthalonitrile dimer: synthesis, analysis, and theoretical studies

PubMed: 33488226Phenyl-4,4-di(3,6-dibutoxyphthalonitrile) (3) was synthesized by the reaction of 1,4-phenylenebisboronic acid (1) and 4-bromo-3,6-dibutoxyphthalonitrile (2), using Suzuki cross-coupling reaction. The newly synthesized compound (3) was characterized by FT-IR, MALDI-MS, ESI-MS, H-1-NMR, C-13-NMR, and C-13-DEPT-135-NMR. The fluorescence property of phenyl-4,4-di(3,6-dibutoxyphthalonitrile) (3) towards various metal ions was investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy, and it was observed thatthe compound (3) displayed a significantly 'turn-off' response to Fe3+, which was referred to 1:2 complex formation between ligand (3) and Fe3+. The compound was also studied via density functional theory calculations revealing the interaction mechanism of the molecule with Fe3+ ions

Ranolazine exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in H9c2 cardiomyocytes

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of ranolazine on hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and oxidative stress in H9c2 cardiomyocyte cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have assessed the effects of increasing concentrations of methotrexate (MTX) and ranolazine on proliferation of H9c2 rat cardiomyocyte cells by MTT assay. Malondialdehyde (MDA) protein oxidation [advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs)], lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) and xanthine oxidase (XO) activity as oxidative stress markers and HIF-1α levels increased and total thiol (T-SH), catalase (CAT) activity and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) antioxidant capacity markers decreased in MTX-treated cells compared to control cells. RESULTS: Oxidative stress markers decreased, and antioxidant capacity markers increased in cells treated with ranolazine alone compared to control cells. For all parameters, we showed that the levels of oxidant, antioxidant markers and HIF-1α in cells treated with MTX and ranolazine together reached the level of the control group, and ranolazine reversed the oxidative damage caused by MTX. CONCLUSIONS: The cell viability increased the levels of oxidant and prooxidant markers and decreased the levels of antioxidant markers decreased in H9c2 cardiomyocytes induced by oxidative stress. These results suggest that ranolazine may protect the cardiomyocytes from MTX-induced oxidative damage. The effects of ranolazine could result from its antioxidant properties

Weakness in the Emergency Department: Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis Induced By Strenuous Physical Activity

SUMMARY: Hypokalemic periodic paralysis is a rare but serious disorder that is typically caused by a channelopathy. Thyrotoxicosis, heavy exercise, high carbohydrate meal and some drugs can trigger channelopathy in genetically predisposed individuals. A 33-year-old male patient presented to the emergency department with weakness in the lower extremities. He stated that he had done heavy physical activity during the previous week. The patient exhibited motor weakness in the lower extremities (2/5 strength) during the physical examination. Initial laboratory tests showed a potassium level of 1.89 mEq/L. The initial electrocardiogram demonstrated T wave inversion and prominent U waves. The patient was treated in the emergency department with oral and intravenous potassium. The physical and ECG symptoms resolved within 16 hours of potassium supplementation and biochemical tests showed normal serum potassium levels. The patient was discharged shortly after the resolution of the symptoms. Weakness is an important but nonspecific symptom that may be brought on by a number of underlying physiological processes. Hypokalemic periodic paralysis is a rare disease that may be triggered by heavy physical activity and presents with recurrent admissions due to weakness. Key words: Emergency department, hypokalemic periodic paralysis, muscle weaknes

Preparation and characterization of PLA/PBAT/CNC blend nanocomposites

In this study, the effect of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) on the properties of polylactide (PLA)/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) blends was investigated. Samples were prepared via (i) solution casting (SC) and (ii) combination of solution casting and melt mixing through twin-screw extruder (mTSE). Scanning electron microscopy images revealed the effect of CNC content on the droplet morphology of PBAT dispersed phase. Rheological analysis showed that 3 wt% of CNC formed a strong network in PLA by SC method. Differential scanning calorimetry results depicted the heterogeneous nucleation effect of CNC on PLA’s crystallization in samples prepared by mTSE. Dynamic mechanical analysis illustrated that CNC enhanced the modulus beyond the glass transition temperature of PLA regardless of the preparation method. The tensile and impact properties also elucidated that the existence of any possible residual solvent in blends could dramatically avoid achievement of improvements in ductility and impact properties

Effect of Mixing Strategy on the Structure-Properties of the PLA/PBAT Blends Incorporated with CNC

Polylactide (PLA)/poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) blend nanocomposites including 3 wt% of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were prepared by melt compounding method in a twin-screw extruder and an internal mixer. Blend nanocomposites were formulated by diluting three different masterbatches prepared by solution casting method that contained 7 wt% of CNC. These masterbatches were: (m1) PLA/PBAT/CNC masterbatch; (m2) PLA/CNC masterbatch; and (m3) PBAT/CNC masterbatch. These were to explore how different preparation methods affect the dispersion and localization of CNC and hence the properties of PLA/PBAT/CNC blend nanocomposites. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study the structural changes of the blends. Rheological properties of PLA/PBAT blends and PLA/PBAT/CNC blend nanocomposites were also investigated. In the samples prepared by internal mixer, the rheological behavior of blend nanocomposite prepared through premixing of CNC particles with PLA showed a transition from liquid-like to a gel-like behavior. According to the rheological results and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, it was found that the CNC overall enhanced the viscoelastic properties of blends and improved the PLA crystallization, respectively. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) illustrated that the incorporation of CNC also enhanced the elastic modulus of PLA/PBAT blends specifically above the glass transition temperature of PLA. The expected improvements in mechanical properties did not occur due to the possible existence of residual solvent in the blends