Investigation of the Effect of Hydrothermal Waters on Radionuclide Activity Concentrations in Natural Marble with Multivariate Statistical Analysis

The study aims to investigate the effects of Burdur (Turkey) marble on human health by interpreting their radioactivity concentration (226Ra, 232Th, and 40K), radiological hazard parameters, chemical concentration, physical properties, and all data related to these features by using multivariate statistical methods. Chemical and radionuclide analyses were performed on marble samples. The data were interpreted by statistical analysis. According to the regression model, an increase in the concentration of vanadium carried to the environment by hydrothermal waters causes a 4.452-fold higher concentration of 226Ra. The R2 value of the model was 0.64 and it was statistically significant. The maximum concentration of 226Ra in Isparta Davraz Beige sample (M7) exceeded the values of some countries’ standards. Except for M7, the analyzed sorts of marble can be used safely in dwellings and public buildings

The evaluation of disease awareness, caregiver burden, and workday loss in caregivers of COPD patients

Background/aim: Our aim is to determine the caregiver burden of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) patient's caregivers, and to determine whether there is a workday loss. Materials and methods: 252 COPD patients and their caregivers were included. Disease information of the patients were recorded and a questionnaire was applied. Socio-demographic characteristics of the caregivers were recorded and a questionnaire consisting of 24 questions including COPD disease, treatment and loss of working days, and the Zarit Scale were used. Results: 128(50.8%) of the patients according to GOLD were group-D, 97(38.5%) of the patient's relatives were working, 62(24.7%) were not able to go to work for 1-14 days, and 125(57.1%) spent outside the home from 1-14 nights, because those accompanied to patients. In univariate analysis were detected modified medical research council (mMRC) (p < 0.001), CAT (p < 0.001), the number of comorbidities of patients (p = 0.027), forced expiratory volume in 1 FEV1cc (p = 0.009), FEV1% (p < 0.001), the presence of long term oxygen therapy (LTOT), and the number of comorbidities of the patient's relatives (p = 0.06) increased the care load. In multiple linear regression analysis, age (p = 0.03), COPD assessment test (CAT) score (p = 0.001), FEV1% (<0.068) and the number of comorbidities of patients (p = 0.01) and the number of comorbidities of caregivers (p = 0.003) increased the caregiving burden. Conclusion: In COPD increases caregiving burden. This burden is greater in symptomatic patients and when comorbidities are present. Psychosocial and legal regulations should be investigated and solutions should be produced for the caregivers of COPD patients

Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome Associated with Pneumonia: A Case Report of a 16-Year-Old Male Patient

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterised by arterial and/or venous thrombosis and/or recurrent pregnancy loss in the presence of antiphospholipid (APL) antibodies. It is evaluated as APS when it develops associated with other systemic autoimmune diseases or primary APS if there is no concomitant disorder. In this study, we present a case of a 16-year-old male patient with primary APS. The patient was admitted with presumptive diagnosis of pneumonia, but multiple pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) was observed on computerized tomography (CT) pulmonary angiography. APL antibodies positivity and thrombocytopenia developed in our patient. The patient was evaluated as primary APS since another etiology that could explain PTE was not found. Primary APS is a rare disease in children along with adolescents, compared with APS associated with other systemic autoimmune diseases. We present here a young male patient with primary APS and PTE to contribute to the literature. The patient initially had pneumonia but later developed PTE and thrombocytopenia

Prevention of microbial colonization of feeding tubes in the intensive care unit

Background Various microorganisms which increase the mortality rate in the intensive care unit (ICU) cause microbial colonization of the nasogastric tube (NGT) and use the NGT as a reservoir. Aim To detect the colonization on the NGT and to determine the effect that training regarding hand hygiene, NGT management, and enteral feeding (EF) provided to ICU nurses and auxiliary service staff (ASS) has on the level of NGT colonization. Methods A quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test control design was used in this study. Microbial samples were taken from the outer and inner parts of NGT. The microorganisms were categorized as: group 1, no risk; group 2, low risk pathogenic; group 3, high-risk pathogenic group. The training was given to nurses (n = 15) and ASS (n = 7). Hand hygiene, NGT, and EF care training are provided to nurses and ASS by researchers. A total of three training sessions were scheduled to be held in 3 weeks so that all health care staff members were trained. Each session lasted 2 h in total. Patients were assigned to a group if one of the microorganisms presented on the outer surface of the patient's feeding tube and/or on the hub. The hand hygiene compliance was evaluated by direct observation according to the World Health Organization hand hygiene indications. Results The study was conducted with 46 patients. Evaluating the patients for the presence of microorganisms before education revealed that 4.3% were in group 1, 21.8% were in group 2, and 73.9% were in group 3. After the education, evaluating the samples for the presence of microorganisms revealed that 39.1% were in group 1, 13% were in group 2, and 47.8% were in group 3. A statistically significant difference was found between the number of samples included in the groups after the participants had received training (H = 8.186; p = .017). Conclusions An NGT could act as a reservoir of microbial colonization and high-risk microorganisms could be on the tube. Providing training not only to nurses but also to ASS will help reduce the risk of colonization. Relevance to Clinical Practice Eliminating such colonization with effective hand hygiene during NGT feeding is a cost-effective method. Providing training not only to nurses but also to ASS will help obtain the optimum benefit from patient care

Investigation of the Effect of Hydrothermal Waters on Radionuclide Activity Concentrations in Natural Marble with Multivariate Statistical Analysis

The study aims to investigate the effects of Burdur (Turkey) marble on human health by interpreting their radioactivity concentration (Ra-226,Th-232, and(40)K), radiological hazard parameters, chemical concentration, physical properties, and all data related to these features by using multivariate statistical methods. Chemical and radionuclide analyses were performed on marble samples. The data were interpreted by statistical analysis. According to the regression model, an increase in the concentration of vanadium carried to the environment by hydrothermal waters causes a 4.452-fold higher concentration of(226)Ra. The R(2)value of the model was 0.64 and it was statistically significant. The maximum concentration of(226)Ra in Isparta Davraz Beige sample (M7) exceeded the values of some countries' standards. Except for M7, the analyzed sorts of marble can be used safely in dwellings and public buildings

Bioelectrical Impedance for Detecting and Monitoring Lymphedema in Patients with Breast Cancer. Preliminary Results of the Florence Nightingale Breast Study Group

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of bioimpedance spectroscopy for the follow-up of patients with lymphedema in Turkey and its benefits in the diagnosis of stage 0, 1, and 2 lymphedema in patients who are under treatment for breast cancer. Thirty-seven female patients with breast cancer who underwent surgical procedures in our Breast Health Centre were followed up for lymphedema using bioimpedance, and clinical measurements were taken for a minimum period of 1 year at 3-month intervals. Patients who had been monitored regularly between November, 2011, and September, 2013, were enrolled to the study. In total, 8 patients developed lymphedema with an overall rate of 21.6%. Among the 8 patients who developed lymphedema, 4 had Stage 2, 1 had Stage 1, and 3 had Stage 0 lymphedema. Stage 0 lymphedema could not be detected with clinical measurements. During the patients' 1-year follow-up period using measurements of bioimpedance, a statistically significant relationship was observed between the occurrence of lymphedema and the disease characteristics. including the number of the extracted and remaining lymph nodes and the region of radiotherapy (p=0.042, p=0.024, p=0.040). Bioimpedance analysis seems to be a practical and reliable method for the early diagnosis of lymphedema. It is believed that regular monitoring of patients in the high-risk group using bioimpedance analyses increases the ability to treat lymphedema

Netrin-1 Is Associated With Macrophage Infiltration And Polarization In Human Epicardial Adipose Tissue In Coronary Artery Disease

Background: Inflammatory activity originating from the epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) may have a role in coronary artery disease (CAD) pathogenesis. The relationship between macrophage infiltration, polarization in the EAT, and netrin-1 gene expression was investigated. Methods: Macrophage infiltration and polarization were examined by immunohistochemical methods and expression levels of netrin-1, Unc5b, and cytokines related with M1-macrophage subtype (IL-12 and IL-18) were determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in subcutaneous and epicardial adipose tissue obtained from patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and non-coronary cardiac surgery. Results: CAD patients had higher CD68+ (p = 0.005) and CD11c+ (p < 0.001) macrophage count in EAT when compared to the controls. CD11c+/CD206+ macrophage ratio, which reflects dominancy of Ml macrophage phenotype, was significantly increased in EAT of CAD patients when compared to that of the controls (p = 0.008). CAD patients had significantly higher netrin-1, Unc5b, and IL-18 gene expression in the EAT when compared to the control group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.006 respectively). Increased macrophage infiltration and polarization were associated with higher netrin-1, Unc5b, and IL-12 gene expression in EAT (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Findings suggest a link between enhanced netrin-1 expression in EAT and macrophage infiltration and polarization in patients with CAD. (C) 2016 Japanese College of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.WoSScopu