Morphology, anatomy, palynology and achene micromorphology of Bellis L. (Asteraceae) species from Turkey

In the present study, the morphological characters, root, stem and leaf anatomy, pollen and achene micromorphology of Bellis L. species (Bellis annua L., B. perennis L. and B. sylvestris Cirillo) distributed in Turkey have been investigated on light and scanning electron microscope. Palynological analysis showed that pollen characters were found as small to medium size, isopolar, radially symmetrical, oblate spheroidal and prolate spheroidal, tricolporate and echinate-perforate ornamentation in the three species. Achene characters were found dark brown to yellow in colour, often cylindrical, compressed, with thickened margin, obovate orobovoid shaped, pappus absent and the coat ornamentations are rectangular with short hairs on the surface. As a result of this study, leaf morphology and some pollen characteristics such as pollen size, shape, perforation and distance between spines were demonstrated to be different among the Bellis species

Explosive Behavior in COVID-19 and Policy Responses: Lessons Learned for Public Health Management

Since the first case of COVID-19 in Turkey, there has been a lingering question as elsewhere in the world: ‘‘When will or should the government impose severe restrictions to protect public health?’’ From a public health perspective, there is value in developing a model to support proactive implementation of social policies. This study aimed to show the benefits of using a novel econometric test (the Generalized Supremum Augmented Dickey-Fuller Test) to detect explosive behavior (bubbles) in Turkey’s daily COVID-19 cases and deaths. Results from the analysis demonstrated a link between identified explosive episodes and critical public health decisions, especially in the case of daily new deaths. They also showed a negative relationship between the formation of exuberant behavior during the pandemic and the vaccination rate. Public health policymakers can incorporate this method into their arsenal to evaluate the overall health situation in combating the pandemic and respond accordingly. Furthermore, among the lessons learned from the Turkish experience is the importance of having a coronavirus scientific advisory board in the decision-making process and the ability to promptly implement policy measures

Evaluation of the Predictive Role of Standard Laboratory Tests for Disease Severity in Patients with Deep Venous Thrombosis

Introduction: Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) can result in fatal outcomes if it is not timely diagnosed and sufficiently treated. Some laboratory markers were identified in previous reports for predicting the disease with low sensitivity or specificity. We aimed to evaluate the predictive value of serum albumin levels and compare them with conventional laboratory parameters. Material and Methods: Fifty patients with acute lower-extremity DVT who has no previous history of malignancy or hematologic disorder were included in the study. The demographical variables and standard biomarkers of the DVT group were compared with the normal population (n:50). Thereafter patients were divided into two groups as extensive DVT (thrombosis involves popliteal, femoral, and iliac veins together) and localized DVT (thrombosis involves popliteal vein and below) and biomarkers were compared in patient groups. Results: The demographical variables and white blood cell count (WBC) found as similar between healthy groups and DVT groups. However, mean platelet volume (MPV), D-Dimer, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and fibrinogen to albumin ratio (FAR) were found markedly higher in DVT patients. Moreover, statistically incremental FAR and NLR levels were detected (p < 0.05) in patients with extensive DVT (involved iliac and femoral veins). Conclusion: Serum NLR and FAR levels seem to be significant predictors for the extensive thrombotic event in patients with DVT

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Radioterapi gören kanser hastalarinda tibbi ve aromatik bitkilerin potansiyel faydaları

Kanser, dünya çapında en fazla ölüme neden olan kompleks bir hastalıktır. Genetik yatkınlık, çevre kirliliği, beslenme alışkanlığı ve enfeksiyonlar kansere neden olan başlıca etkenlerdir. Kanser tedavisinde kullanılan en yaygın yöntem radyoterapidir (RT). Bununla birlikte, radyoterapi insan vücudunda bazı yan etkilere yol açar. Radyoterapinin en yaygın yan etkileri kaşeksi, kilo kaybı, yorgunluk, ishal, ağrı, uyku bozuklukları, iştah kaybı, mide bulantısı, kusma, cilt reaksiyonları ve oral komplikasyonlardır. Yeni klinik ve farmakolojik araştırmalarla iyi bir diyet ve bitki sekonder metabolitleri desteğiyle kanser hastalarında radyoterapi sırasında veya sonrasında meydana gelen yan etkilerin giderildiği görülmüştür. Çalışmamızda radioterapinin 20 yan etkisine karşı kullanım potansiyeli olan 66 tıbbi ve aromatik bitki belirlenmiştir. Allium sativum L. (sarımsak), Juglans regia L. (ceviz) ve Solanum lycopersicum L. (domates) tıbbi ve aromatik açıdan radyoterapi kaynaklı yan etkilere karşı kullanılan en yaygın bitkilerdir. Bu derleme, kanser hastalarında radyoterapinin (RT) yan etkilerinin ortadan kaldırılmasına yardımcı olan beslenme faaliyetlerinin ve bitkisel ürünlerin önemini belirtmektedirCancer is a complex and important disease that leading cause of death worldwide. Genetic asset, environmental pollution, dietary habit and infections are the major causes concurring to cancer. Radiotherapy (RT) is the most common method in cancer therapy. However, radiotherapy induces some side effect in human body. The most common side effects of radiotherapy are weight loss, fatigue, diarrhoea, pain, sleep disorders, appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, skin reactions and oral complications. Recent clinical and pharmacologic research show that good dietary and plant secondary metabolites/multivitamin remove to side effect in cancer patients during or after radiotherapy. Our study identified 66 medicinal and aromatic plants, spanning a total of 20 medicinal purpose categories. Most commonly used plants as follows: Allium sativum L. (garlic), Juglans regia L. (walnut) and Solanum lycopersicum L. (tomatoes) for medicinal purposes. This paper is an overview of important of nutrition activity and herbal products for help to remove side effects of radiotherapy (RT) in cancer patient

Medicinal plants used to sunstroke and sunburn treatment in Anatolian traditional medicine

Ultraviyole radyasyon (200-400 nm), güneşten yaklaşık % 5 radyasyonu oluşturur. Ultraviyole radyasyon içeriği, mevsim, tropik, gün uzunluğu, rakım ve belirli atmosferik koşullar gibi bazı faktörlere bağlıdır. Uzun süreli güneş ışığına (UV ışınlarına) maruz kalmanın, güneş çarpması, güneş yanığı ve cilt kanseri gelişimi ile ilişkili olduğu bilinmektedir. UV ışınlarının emilmesi, yansıması ve dağılımı için yaygın olarak kullanılan birçok sentetik ürün vardır, ancak kimyasal ilaçlar insan vücudunda irritan kontakt dermatit, fototoksisite ve fotoalerji gibi bazı yan etkilere neden olur. Bitkisel ilaçlar, birçok halk sağlığının tedavisinde veya önlenmesinde popülerlik kazanmıştır. Bu çalışma, zararlı UV ışınlarından kaynaklanan güneş çarpması ve güneş yanığı hastalıklarının tedavisinde ve önlenmesinde önemli çeşitli tıbbi ve aromatik bitkilere genel bir bakış sunmaktadır. Bu bitkilerin bilimsel isimleri ve kullanılan kısımları detaylı olarak listelenmiş ve 29 farklı bitki taksonu belirlenmiştir. En sık olarak kullanılan bitkiler şu şekildedir: Juglans regia, Teucrium polium, Arctium minus ve Cornus mas'dır. Son olarak, elde edilen bulgular, geleneksel tıbba ilişkin daha sonraki çalışmalara ve Türkiye'deki allopatik tıbba katkısı için bir temel olarak kullanılabilir.Ultraviolet radiation (200-400 nm) is about %5 radiation from the sun. The UV content will depend on some factors including: season, tropic, time of days, altitude and specific atmospheric conditions. Longterm sunlight (UV-radiation) exposure is known to be associated with the development of sunstroke, sunburn and skin cancer. Many synthetic products commonly used to absorption, reflection and distribution of UV-rays, but chemical drugs cause some side effects such as irritant contact dermatitis, phototoxicity and photoallergy in human body. The herbal medicine has gained popularity for the treatment or prevention of a lot of public disease. This study is an overview of important various medicinal and aromatic plants for treatment and prevention of sunstroke and sunburn diseases based on harmful UV radiation. Scientific names and part used of these plants are detailed listed and 29 different plant taxa were determined. Most commonly used plants as follows: Juglans regia, Teucrium polium, Arctium minus and Cornus mas. Finally, the results presented can be used as a base for subsequent work related to traditional medicine and its contribution to allopathic medicine in Turkey