Opinions and Attitudes Of Employees Other Than Healthcare Personnel in Health Institutes Towards Spirituality

Çalışma, sağlık kurumlarında sağlık personeli dışında çalışanların spiritüalite ile ilgili tutumlarını,görüşlerini ve bunları etkileyen faktörleri belirlemek amacıyla Tekirdağ Namık Kemal Üniversitesi SağlıkUygulama ve Araştırma Merkezi’nde 110 çalışanla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Tanımlayıcı ve kesitsel nitelikte olanaraştırmanın verileri, literatür taraması sonrasında araştırmacılar tarafından oluşturulan anket formukullanılarak elde edilmiştir. Elde edilen verilerin analizi için frekans, yüzde, ortalama ve standart sapmaanalizleri, Chi-Square Testi, Shapiro-Wilk Testi, Independent Samples T Test, Mann-Whitney U Test, One-WayANOVA ve Kruskal-Wallis Testi kullanılmıştır. Araştırmaya katılan çalışanların %35,4’ü hastaların spiritüelbakım gereksinimlerinin karşılanmasında hastanede görev yapan sağlık çalışanları ile birlikte sağlık çalışanıolmayan tüm sağlık kurumu personelinin de görev yapması gerektiğini, %78,2’si hastanede verilen spiritüelbakımın yetersiz olduğunu düşündüğü, sadece %11,8’i spiritüel bakıma destek verme isteğinde bulunmadığıbelirlenmiştir. Çalışanların %91,8’i hastaların spiritüel gereksinimlerinin hastane ortamında karşılanmasıgerektiğini, %31,8’i hastanede hastaların spiritüel gereksinimlerinin karşılanması için kesinlikle danışılabilecekbir uzman olması gerektiğini, %35,5’nin hastaların spiritüel desteği isteme ya da reddetme hakkına sahipolduğunu düşündüğü ortaya çıkmıştır. Araştırmamızda çalışanların spiritüel desteği yeterli bulma durumu ileeğitim düzeyleri, spiritüel desteğin hastaların psiko-sosyal iyileşmesine katkısı olduğu düşüncesi ile hastanedekigörevleri, spiriüalitenin hastalıklarla baş etmede ve hastalara moral vermede etkili olduğu düşüncesi ile medenidurumları, spiritüalitenin sağlığı olumsuz etkileyecek davranışları hastalarda engellediğini düşüncesi ile çocuksahibi olmaları ve yaşları, spiritüalitenin hastalarda iletişimi etkilediği düşüncesi ve çalışma hayatlarındahastaların spiritüel gereksinimlerini daha fazla göz önünde bulundurması ile memleketlerinde görev yapmadurumları arasında anlamlı ilişki saptandı (p?0,05). Sonuç olarak sağlık kurumlarında sağlık personeliolmayan çalışanlar, hastaların spiritüel gereksinimlerinin farkında olmasıyla birlikte bu gereksinimlerinkarşılanmasının hastaların sağlığına ve iyileşme sürecine olumlu katkı sağladığını düşünmektedir. Ayrıcaçalışanların çoğunluğu hastalara spiritüel destek vermek istemektedir. Bu bağlamda, sağlık kurumlarındaçalışacak her personelin eğitiminde spiritüel destek konusuna daha fazla yer verilmesi, sağlığın spiritüelboyutuna ilişkin farkındalıklarını, bilgi ve uygulamalarını geliştirmeye yönelik hizmet içi eğitimlerinplanlanması önerilmektedir.The aim of the study carried out with 110 employees at Tekirdag Namık Kemal University Health Research and Application Center was to determine the attitudes and the opinions of the employees other than healthcare personnel in healthcare institutes towards the spirituality and the factors affecting them. The data of the study being descriptive and cross-sectional were obtained by using a questionnaire form prepared by the researchers after the literature review. Frequency, percentage, average and standard deviation analyses of the obtained data were performed using Chi-Square Test, Shapiro-Wilk Test, Independent Samples T-Test, Mann-Whitney U Test, One-Way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis Test. The %35.4 of employees believed that employees other than healthcare personnel had to work with healthcare personnel in order to meet the spiritual care requirements of the patients. The 78.2% of them stated that spiritual care was insufficient and only 11.8% of them did not want to provide spiritual care. The 91.8% of the employees stated that patients had to be met in the spiritual hospital environment whereas 31.8% noted that there had to be an expert in order to meet the spiritual needs of the patients in the hospital. The 35.5% of them felt that patients had the right to request or reject the spiritual support. As a result of the study, a significant was found between employees’ education level and finding the spiritual support adequate, the idea that spiritual support contributes to the psycho-social recovery of patients and their duties in the hospital, marital status and the thought that spirituality is effective in coping with diseases and giving moral support to the patients, the thought that spirituality prevents the behaviors that will adversely affect health and having children and their ages, the idea that spirituality affects communication in patients and patients to consider more the spiritual needs of patients in their occupational lives and working in their hometown (p?0,005). As a result, it is considered that employees who do not have health personnel in health institutions are aware of the spiritual needs of patients, and meeting these needs positively contributes to the health and recovery process of patients. In addition, the majority of employees want to provide spiritual support to patients. In this context, it is recommended to give more attention to the issue of spiritual support in the training of every employee to work in health institutions, and to plan in-service trainings to improve their awareness, knowledge and practices regarding the spiritual dimension of health

Antibacterial and Washing Resistance Improvement of Cotton Fabric Using Some Metal Oxides

Cu2O, CuO, ZnO-microparticles with different size and morphology directly influences their antimicrobial potential. In this study, the possible improvement of the antibacterial and washing resistance up to 20 washing cycles performance of 100% cotton fabrics were investigated. At high temperatures, carboxylic acids form ester-type crosslinking with cellulose molecules and provide antibacterial activity. For this purpose, carboxylic acids such as BTCA and CA were used in this study.The purpose of this research was to evaluate 1,2,3,4-butantetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) and citric acid monohydrate (CA) as an crosslinking agent for washing resistance of 100% cotton textile substrates against, Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 43300), Bacillus subtilis (NRRL NRS -744), Escherichia coli (ATCC 35218) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 70063). Cupper oxide and zinc oxide were assimilated in the coating bath for the antibacterial property. BTCA concentration in the solutions influenced the antibacterial and washing properties of the cotton fabrics. The Fourier Transform Infra-Red -Attenuated Total Reflection (FTIR-ATR) spectra showed a new summit that confirmed the ester linkage formation and crosslinking reaction for application.Namik Kemal University Scientific Research Projects CommissionNamik Kemal University [NKUBAP.06, 16.064]This work was supported by the Namik Kemal University Scientific Research Projects Commission (NKUBAP.06.GA.16.064

Free Radical Scavenging Capacity and Antibacterial Activity of Wild Cirsium creticum from Turkey

Background: In recent years, there is increasing interest the using of herbal extracts derived from plants in medicine and as a dietary supplements. Objective: We aimed the determination of the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of Cirsium creticum (Lam) d'Urv. subsp. creticum included Asteraceae family which is wild plant species in Trakya region. Methods: Crude n-hexane, diethyl ether, ethylacetate and methanol extracts from whole plants was used the determination of antiradical and antibacterial activity in C. creticum and compared in terms of extracts efficiency. Results: EC50 values of DPPH activity in different solvents revealed significant differences similar to TPC content. The lowest inhibitory effect was found to be Gram negative for E. coli, despite the highest inhibitory effect against Gram positive S. aureus. Conclusion: Antiradical and antimicrobial activity results presented that C. creticum, could be evaluate in food supplements and pharmaceutical industry as natural compound, and future investigations will be aimed the isolations of biologically active compounds to define individual active components.TUBITAKTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [116Z450]We would like to thank TUBITAK for financial support of the project (116Z450)

Curcumin-meropenem synergy in carbapenem resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae curcumin-meropenem synergy

Background and Objectives: The frequency of multiple resistant bacterial infections, including carbapenems, is increasing worldwide. As the decrease in treatment options causes difficulties in treatment, interest in new antimicrobials is increasing. One of the promising natural ingredients is curcumin. It is known to be effective in bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Burkholderia pseudomallei through efflux pump inhibition, toxin inhibition and enzymes. However, because its bioavailability is poor, it seffectiveness occurs in combination with antibiotics. In the study, the interaction of meropenem and curcumin in carbapenemase producing strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae was tested. Materials and Methods: Thirty-nine Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates, resistant to meropenem, were used in this study. From those 15 MBL, 6 KPC, 17 OXA-48 and 1 AmpC resistance pattern were detected by combination disk method. Meropenem and Curcumin MIC values were determined by liquid microdilution. Checkerboard liquid microdilution was used to determine the synergy between meropenem and curcumin. Results: Synergistic effects were observed in 4 isolates producing MBL, 3 isolates producing KPC, 4 isolates producing OXA-48, and 1 isolates producing AmpC (totally 12 isolates) according to the calculated FICI. No antagonistic effects were observed in any isolates. Conclusion: Curcumin was thought to be an alternative antimicrobial in combination therapies that would positively contribute to the treatment of bacterial infection. The effectiveness of this combination should be confirmed by other in vitro and clinical studies

Investigation of Some Antibacterial and Antioxidant Properties of Wild Cirsium vulgare from Turkey

Background: Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten; belongs the Asteraceae family and has common uses in some countries folk medicine. Objective: In this study, the determination of some antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of C. vulgare which is wild-grown from Turkey is aimed. Methods: Crude extracts of plants were obtained by using n-hexane, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate and methanol as solvent. Total phenolic content (TPC) and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl 2,2-diphenyl-1 picrylhydrazyl picrylhydrazyl) scavenging activity were determined in extracts. The antibacterial activity was tested against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 43300), Escherichia coli (ATCC 35218), Bacillus subtilis (NRRL NRS-744) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853). Results: The TPC and DPPH activities of extracts revealed significant differences by following sequence MeOH > diethyl ether > EtOAc > n-hexane. The highest inhibition effect of C. vulgare was found on P. aeruginosa. Conclusion: Results presented that C. vulgare can be researched for future investigations for isolations of biologically active compounds, where some of their characteristics are expected to be contribute to the natural compounds in pharmaceutical industry

Isolation rates of salmonella-shigella spp. in patients with gastroenteritis and evaluation of antibiotic resistance patterns

OBJECTIVE: Gastroenteritis, particularly infectious diarrhea has worldwide distribution, and is still an important health problem predominantly in the rural areas of Turkey. Shigella and Salmonella species are invasive pathogens. This study was planned with the aim of invastigating the frequency of Shigella and Salmonella isolation rates and to determine the antibiotic resistance patterns of the isolates. MATERIALS and METHODS: The stool specimens sent to our laboratory for culture were analysed retrospectively. Stool specimens were taken primarily into macroscopic and then microscopic examination. Samples including blood/mucus and leukocytes were evaluated as suspicious for invasive disease and bacteriogicalexaminations were performed. Isolates were identified by conventional methods,and tested for susceptibilities against ciprofloxacin, ampicillin, cefotaxime and trimethoprim/sulfomethoxazole(TMP/SMX) by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method according to the instructions of CLSI. RESULTS: A total of 90 specimens out of 2669 samples were eligible for the acceptence criteria. Of these samples, 14 (15,6%) were Shigella flexneri, 3(3,3%)were Salmonellaspp. According to the antibiotic susceptibility patterns; out of 14 S.flexneri strains 12(85,7%) were resistant to ampicillin, 2(14,3%) were resistant to trimethoprim/sulfomethoxazole, but no resistance was detected for ciprofloxacin and cefotaxime. Resistance rates of Salmonella species were; 66,7 % for ampicillin, no resistance was detected for TMP/SMX, ciprofloxacin and cefotaxime. CONCLUSION: Differentresistance profilesobtained inthis study showed once again, the importance of having theknowledge about thelocalantibioticresistance patterns, as this maylead for empiricaltreatment and beuseful in limiting the development of resistance. More comprehensive studies are needed to interpretthe results of this preliminary study from this region

Relationship between serum soluble endothelial protein C receptor level and COVID-19 findings

Coronavirus-related disease-2019 (COVID-19)-associated coagulopathy presents predominantly with thrombosis and leads to complications in close association with inflammatory process. Soluble endothelial protein C receptor (sEPCR), which is the soluble form of EPCR, reduces the anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory activity of activated protein C. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between sEPCR and the laboratory parameters and thorax computed tomography (CT) findings in the course of COVID-19. Twenty-five laboratory-confirmed [reverse transcription-quantitative polimerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) positive] and 24 clinically diagnosed (RT-qPCR negative) COVID-19 patients were enrolled in the study. Blood specimens were collected for sEPCR and haematological and biochemical parameter measurement. Thorax CT was performed to detect COVID-19 findings. These parameters from RT-qPCR positive and negative patients were then compared. Although there was no difference between the groups in terms of symptoms, the time between the onset of symptoms and the admission time was shorter in RT-qPCR positive group (P?=?0.000). sEPCR levels were significantly higher in the RT-qPCR positive group (P?=?0.011). Patients with ground-glass opacity and bilateral involvement on thorax CT have higher serum sEPCR levels (P?=?0.012 and 0.043, respectively). This study has shown for the first time that serum sEPCR levels, which is a member of coagulation cascade and has also been reported to be associated with inflammation, is higher in patients with positive RT-qPCR test and patients with GGO or bilateral involvement on thorax CT regardless of the PCR result. Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved

Tekirdağ devlet hastanesi'ne başvuran gastroenteritli çocuklarda rotavirus ve adenovirus antijen varlığının araştırılması

Amaç: Çocuklarda infeksiyöz diyarenin sık etkenleri olan viral ajanların epidemiyolojisi ile ilgili bilgiler sınır- lıdır. Bu çalışmada Tekirdağ yöresinde rotavirus ve adenovirusa bağlı olarak gelişen gastroenteritlerin sıklığının araştırılması amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Akut gastroenteritli çocukların dışkı örnekleri toplanmış ve Grup A rotavirus ve ade- novirus serotip 40-41 antijenleri açısından immunok- romatografik test (RIDA Quick, R-Biopharm, Almanya) ile taranmıştır. Sonuçlar yaşa dayalı gruplara ayrılarak değerlendirilmiştir. Buna göre gruplar; Grup A (0 - 2 yaş), Grup B (3-6 yaş) ve Grup C (7-15 yaş) şeklinde oluşturulmuştur. Bulgular: Dışkı örneklerinden 2135i rotavirus ve 2117si adenovirus varlığı açısından test edilmiştir. Örneklerden 222 (%10,4)sinde rotavirus ve 77 (%3,6)sinde adenovirus antijeni pozitif bulunmuştur. Tüm rotavirus pozitif olguların gruplara dağılımı ince- lendiğinde; Grup A, B ve Cde sırasıyla %63,7, %27,8, %8,5 (p<0,001) ve tüm adenovirus pozitif olguların gruplara dağılımı incelendiğinde ise Grup A, B ve Cde sırasıyla %40,3, %36,3, %23,4 (p=0,16) olarak bulunmuştur. Cinsiyetle ilişkili olarak her iki ajan açısından da anlamlı farklılık saptanmamıştır (p=0,38, p=0,31). Mevsimsel özellikler incelendiğinde rotavirus aralık ayında (n=44, %19,8), adenovirus ise temmuz ayında (n=21, %27,3) en sık olarak saptan- mıştır. Sonuç: Bulgularımız, rutin laboratuarlarda, infeksiyöz diyarelerin tanısında sıklıkla göz ardı edilen viral ajan- ların önemini bir kez daha ortaya koymaktadır.Objective: Viral agents are the frequent causes of infectious diarrhea in children, but little is known about their epidemiology in Turkey. With this study, we aimed to determine the frequency of gastroenteritis due to rotavirus and adenovirus in the Tekirdag region. Material and Methods: Stool specimens of children with acute gastroenteritis were collected and screened for Group A rotavirus and adenovirus serotype 40-41 antigens, with the immunochromatographic test (RIDA Quick, R-Biopharm, Germany) according to the rec- ommendations of the manufacturer. The results of the subjects were evaluated by examining groups based on the ages: Group A (0 months to 2 years), Group B (3-6 years) and Group C (7-15 years). Results: Of the stool samples, 2135 were tested for the presence of rotavirus and 2117 for adenovirus. 222 (10.4%) samples were positive for rotavirus and 77 (3.6%) were positive for adenovirus antigens. The distribution of rotavirus-positive cases in all the groups analyzed was 63.7%, 27.8%, 8.5% in groups A, B and C, respectively (p&lt;0.001) and the distribu- tion of adenovirus-positive cases in all groups ana- lyzed was 40.3%, 36.3%, 23.4% in groups A, B and C, respectively (p=0.16). No stastistical difference due to gender was obtained for any of the agents (p=0.38, p=0.31 Observation of seasonal variations of the agents showed a higher frequency of rotavirus in December (n=44, 19.8%) and adenovirus in July (n=21, 27.3%). Conclusion: Our results shows the importance of viraagents which are generally missed by routine diagnos- tic tests in identifying the causes of infectious diarrhea