Determination of natural radioactivity levels in soil and travertine of the region of Tokat and Sivas, Turkey

WOS: 000429070100015In this study, the environmental radioactivity measurements for Tokat and Sivas provinces in the northeast of Turkey were performed. Using gamma ray spectrometry, the activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in soil and travertine samples (Th-232, Ra-226, and K-40) were determined. The annual effective dose equivalent, the absorbed doses rate in air, the radium equivalent, and the external hazard index were obtained from these activities. The activity concentrations vary from 9.09 to 17.04 Bq kg(-1) for Th-232, from 36.53 to 76.95 Bq kg(-1) for Ra-226, and from 216.56 to 576.59 Bq kg(-1) for K-40 in soil samples. The activity concentrations in travertines vary from 15.99 to 21.01 Bq kg(-1) for Th-232, from 19.89 to 67.71 Bq kg(-1) for Ra-226, and from 179.89 to 314.43 Bq kg(-1) for K-40. The average dose rate in air for soil and travertine samples was 43.41 and 41.05 nGy h(-1) respectively. The obtained results are presented and compared with other studies, and the results of this study are lower than the international recommended value (55 nGy h(-1)) given by UNSCEAR (2000). The results show that the region has a background radiation level within the natural limits.Gaziosmanpasa University Scientific Research Projects Department (BAP)Gaziosmanpasa University [24/2013]This work is supported by Gaziosmanpasa University Scientific Research Projects Department (BAP) under project no. 24/2013

Antiprotozoal activity of natural products from Nigerien plants used in folk medicine

In the course of the screening of plants from Niger for antiprotozoal activity, the methanol extract of Cassia sieberiana, and the dichloromethane extracts of Ziziphus mauritiana and Sesamun alatum were found to be active against protozoan parasites, namely Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania donovani and/or Plasmodium falciparum. Myricitrin (1), quercitrin (2) and 1-palmitoyl-lysolecithin (3) were isolated from C. sieberiana. From Z. mauritiana, the three triterpene derivatives 13, 15, and 16 are described here for the first time. Their chemical structures were determined by 1D and 2D NMR experiments, UV, IR and HRESIMS data. The absolute configurations were assigned via comparison of the experimental and calculated ECD spectra. In addition, eight known cyclopeptide alkaloids (4, 5, 7-12), and five known triterpenoids (6, 14, 17-19) were isolated. The antiprotozoal activity of the isolated compounds, as well as of eleven quinone derivatives (20-30) previously isolated from S. alatum was determined in vitro. The cytotoxicity in L6 rat myoblast cells was also evaluated. Compound 18 showed the highest antiplasmodial activity (IC(50) = 0.2 microm) and compound 24 inhibited T. b. rhodesiense with an IC(50) value of 0.007 microM. However, it also displayed significant cytotoxicity in L6 cells (IC(50) = 0.4 microm)

Isolation and structural elucidation of compounds from Pleiocarpa bicarpellata and their in vitro antiprotozoal activity

Species of the genus Pleiocarpa are used in traditional medicine against fever and malaria. The present study focuses on the isolation and identification of bioactive compounds from P. bicarpellata extracts, and the evaluation of their antiprotozoal activity. Fractionation and isolation combined to LC-HRMS/MS-based dereplication provided 16 compounds: seven indole alkaloids, four indoline alkaloids, two secoiridoid glycosides, two iridoid glycosides, and one phenolic glucoside. One of the quaternary indole alkaloids (7) and one indoline alkaloid (15) have never been reported before. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data, including 1D and 2D NMR experiments, UV, IR, and HRESIMS data. The absolute configurations were determined by comparison of the experimental and calculated ECD data. The extracts and isolated compounds were evaluated for their antiprotozoal activity towards Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania donovani, and Plasmodium falciparum, as well as for their cytotoxicity against rat skeletal myoblast L6 cells. The dichloromethane/methanol (1:1) root extract showed strong activity against P. falciparum (IC50 value of 3.5 microg/mL). Among the compounds isolated, tubotaiwine (13) displayed the most significant antiplasmodial activity with an IC50 value of 8.5 microM and a selectivity index of 23.4. Therefore, P. bicarpallata extract can be considered as a source of indole alkaloids with antiplasmodial activity

Increased risk of tuberculosis in health care workers: a retrospective survey at a teaching hospital in Istanbul, Turkey

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is an established occupational disease affecting health care workers (HCWs). Determining the risk of TB among HCWs is important to enable authorites to take preventative measures in health care facilities and protect HCWs. This study was designed to assess the incidence of TB in a teaching hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. This study is retrospective study of health records of HCWs in our hospital from 1991 to 2000. RESULTS: The mean workforce of the hospital was 3359 + 33.2 between 1991 and 2000. There were 31 cases (15 male) meeting the diagnostic criteria for TB, comprising eight doctors, one nurse and 22 other health professionals. Mean incidence of TB was 96 per 100,000 for all HCWs (relative risk: 2.71), 79 per 100,000 for doctors (relative risk: 2.2), 14 per 100,000 for nurses and 121 per 100,000 (relative risk: 3.4) for other professionals. The mean incidence of TB in Turkey between 1991 and 2000 was 35.4 per 100,000. Incidence of TB was similar in the Departments of Chest Diseases and Clinical Medicine but there were no TB cases in the Basic Science and Managerial Departments. CONCLUSION: HCWs in Turkey who work in clinics have an increased risk for TB. Post-graduate education and prevention programs reduce the risk of TB. Control programs to prevent nosocomial transmission of TB should be established in hospitals to reduce risk for HCWs

A survey of health professions students for knowledge, attitudes, and confidence about tuberculosis, 2005

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In 2003 the NIH perceived a need to strengthen teaching about tuberculosis (TB) to health professions students. The National Tuberculosis Curriculum Consortium (NTCC) was funded to meet this need. The purpose of this study was to survey students enrolled in NTCC schools prior to NTCC-developed educational materials being made available to faculty.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A self-administered survey for students in NTCC schools to establish a baseline level of knowledge, attitudes, and confidence about tuberculosis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>1480/2965 (50%) students in 28 programs in 20 NTCC schools completed the survey. If public health students are eliminated from totals (only 61 respondents of 765 public health students), the overall response proportion for the seven clinically-related disciplines was 64.5%. The majority (74%) were in schools of medicine (MD/DO), undergraduate nursing (BSN), and pharmacy (PharmD); others were in programs for physician assistants (PA), advanced practice nursing (NP/APN), respiratory therapy (RT), clinical laboratory sciences (MT/CLS), and public health (MPH). Almost 90% had attended at least one lecture about TB. Although 91.4% knew TB was transmitted via aerosols, about one-third did not know the method for administering tuberculin, or that Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine was not a contraindication to TB skin testing. Fewer than two-thirds knew that about 10% of people in the U.S.A. who have latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and a normal immune system will develop TB disease, or that BCG is not part of the routine vaccination program in the U.S.A. because it complicates surveillance for new TB infection.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>There is room for improvement in knowledge, attitudes, and confidence about TB by health professions students surveyed. The NTCC-developed educational products may be used by faculty to improve student performance to be assessed with future surveys.</p

Commodification of public services, productivity and employment.

This paper analyses the evolution of labour productivity and employment in Electricity and Gas, Post and Telecommunication and Inland Transport sectors of Austria, Belgium, Germany, Sweden and the UK in the presence of commodification process from 1970 to 2004. The results showed that although some degree of labour productivity growth achieved in all sectors and countries, there has also been significant employment decreases. Productivity increase/employment decrease trend is even stronger in the privatisation and liberalisation era for most countries. Decomposition of labour productivity shows that higher productivity, to some extent, was gained at the expense of employment decrease. Although there have been productivity increases in both pre- and post-commodification periods, the contribution of employment decrease to productivity growth turned out to be quite significant in the post-commodification period. This brings about the necessity to question the presumption that commodification of public services brings about higher productivity

An investigation into the relationship between region specific quality of life and adverse tuberculosis treatment outcomes in Istanbul, Turkey

Background and objective: Istanbul has the highest incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in Turkey. It is also the largest city, with considerable differences in quality of life across its urban regions. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between (i) the diverse quality of life across specific urban regions, (ii) TB incidence rates, inclusive of demographic and clinical characteristics of TB patients, and (iii) adverse treatment outcomes. Methods: This retrospective study included 23,845 new TB patients (recorded in the National TB Registry between 2006 and 2010) in Istanbul. Thirty-nine urban districts of Istanbul were ranked into five groups on the basis of an urban quality of life index. Patient data were matched with these groups, and further categorized according to âageâ, âsexâ, âcountry of birthâ and âantibiotics resistanceâ. Adverse treatment outcomes and TB incidence rates were extracted from official records. Logistic regression, clustered analyses, 95% CI and p values (STATA) were reported to describe the association between variables. Results: Six per cent of total cases had âat least one adverse treatment outcomeâ (default 3.8%, failure 0.5%, death 1.7% in total cases). âAn adverse treatment outcomeâ was found to be associated with age OR (CI 95%) (1.02 (1.01â1.03)); âmale sexâ 1.65 (1.28â2.12); âother country of birthâ 4.82 (3.05â7.62); 100,000 per âover 60â insidence goups 1.61 (1.32-1.97), the lowest quality of life index 0.65 (0.47-0.83). Conclusions: Patients with high tuberculosis risk factors living in high incidence regions need to be closely monitored. Patients living in lower ranking regions are more likely to have âpoor treatment outcomesâ. Resumo: Contexto e objetivo: Istambul tem a mais elevada incidência de tuberculose (TB) na Turquia. à igualmente a sua maior cidade, com diferenças consideráveis na qualidade de vida ao longo das suas regiões urbanas. O objetivo deste estudo é investigar a relação entre i) as diversas qualidades de vida ao longo de regiões urbanas específicas, ii) taxas de incidência de TB, incluindo as características demográficas e clínicas dos doentes, e iii) resultados adversos do tratamento. Métodos: Este estudo retrospetivo incluiu 23.845 novos doentes com TB (registados no Registo Nacional de TB, entre 2006-2010) em Istambul. Os trinta e nove distritos urbanos de Istambul foram classificados em 5 grupos com base no índice de qualidade de vida urbano. Os dados dos doentes foram correspondidos com estes grupos e subsequentemente divididos por categorias de acordo com a «idade», «sexo», «país de nascimento» e «resistência a antibióticos». Os resultados adversos ao tratamento e as taxas de incidência de TB foram retiradas dos registos oficiais. Regressão logística, análises agregadas, valores de CI e p de 95% (STATA) foram usados para descrever a associação entre variáveis. Resultados: Seis por cento do total de casos tiveram pelo menos um resultado adverso do tratamento (padrão 3,8%; insuficiência 0,5%; morte 1,7% do total de casos). «Um resultado adverso do tratamento» foi considerado como estando associado à idade (CI 95%) (1,02 [1,01-1,03]); «sexo masculino» 1,65 (1,28-2,12); «outro país de nascimento» 4,82 (3,05-7,62); 100.000 por grupos de incidência com «idade superior a 60 anos» 1,61 (1,32-1,97), o índice de qualidade de vida mais baixo 0,65 (0,47-0,83). Conclusões: Os doentes com altos fatores de risco de tuberculose em regiões de elevada incidência precisam de ser monitorizados de forma mais assídua. Os doentes que vivam em regiões de classificação inferior têm maior probabilidade de ter «maus resultados do tratamento». Keywords: Adverse outcome, Tuberculosis, Tuberculosis incidence, Tuberculosis risk factors, Urban quality of life, Palavras-chave: Resultado adverso, Tuberculose, Incidência da tuberculose, Fatores de risco da tuberculose, Qualidade de vida urban