The effect of sulforaphane on oxidative stress and inflammation in rats with toxic hepatitis induced by acetaminophene

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to reveal the possible effect of sulforaphane on oxidative stress and inflammation in rats liver with toxic hepatitis induced by acetaminophene. BACKGROUND: Sulforaphane is a compound with high antioxidant properties. Acetaminophen, which is a para-aminophenol derivative, can lead to fatal hepatic necrosis with direct hepatotoxic effects at high doses. METHODS: Thirty six male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups. Control group (n = 9) was fed with standard rat chow and water for 3 days. Group APAP (n = 9) received a single dose acetaminophen 1 g/kg by oral gavage in addition to standard chow and water. Group SFN (n = 9) received sulforaphane 500 mu g/kg by oral gavage in addition to standard chow and water for 3 days. Group APAP+SFN (n = 9) received sulforaphane 500 mu g/kg and a single dose acetaminophen 1 g/kg by oral gavage in addition to standard chow and water. Acetaminophen was administered three hours after SFN administration. RESULTS: Neopterin, MDA, AST, ALT and CRP levels of group APAP were significantly increased compared to control group. GSH level of group APAP was significantly lower than in the control group. CONCLUSION: Sulforaphane is a protective agent against acetaminophen-induced liver damage and it can be added in the treatment protocol (Tab. 1, Fig. 5, Ref. 51). Text in PDF www.elis.sk

Association between clinical competency and patient's satisfaction from nursing care

BackgroundQuality care has always been the concern of nursing managers. Characteristics of care givers may affect on the quality. On the other hand, clients’ views in this regard is considered as a quality measure.PurposeThis descriptive correlational study was conducted to determine the relationship between clinical competency and patient's satisfaction from nursing care in hospitals affiliated to Zahedan Medical University.Methods47 nurses and 141 patients were randomly selected. The nurses provided direct care to 3 patients at least for 3 days. The patients were asked on discharge. A questionnaire was used for demographic data collection and completed by interview. Another tool was used for measuring clinical competency with 62 questions regarding managerial, professional, communicational and educational skills, which was applied by head nurses, supervisors, and researchers. Patients’ satisfaction was measured by a 37-item questionnaire concerning physiologic, security and social needs completed by interview. Different statistical tests were used for data analysis.Results Mean age of nurses and patients were 37.3±10.7 and 30.7±4.9 respectively. 74.5% of nurses as well as 53.2% of patients were female. Clinical competency of 17%, 75.5% and 25.5% of nurses was less than expected, in the expected range and more than expected respectively. 9.2%, 61% and 29.8% of patients were dissatisfied, relatively satisfied and completely satisfied with nursing care. Regression test showed a significant, linear and positive correlation between clinical competence and patient satisfaction. Two-way ANOWA showed a significant relationship between clinical competence, sex, education as well as marital status of patients and their satisfaction.Conclusion It seems that the more the clinical competency is, the more the quality care would be and this results in increased patient satisfaction. Therefore, by increasing clinical competence or applying more competent nurses, healthcare system can provide more satisfaction for the clients.  Keywords: Clinical competence, Patients’ satisfaction, Nursing care.  

THE MEDIATING ROLE OF ORGANIZATIONAL IDENTIFICATION IN THE EFFECT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL CAPITAL ON JOB PERFORMANCE

Bu çalışmanın amacı; psikolojik sermayenin işgören performansına nasıl bir etkisinin olduğunun ve builişkilerde örgütsel özdeşlemenin dolaylı etkisinin olup olmadığının tespit edilmesi olarak belirlenmiştir. Lojistiksektöründe çalışan 1.401 katılımcıya uygulanan ankette, Luthans vd. (2007)’nin psikolojik sermaye ölçeği;Kirkman ve Rosen (1999)’ın iş performansı ölçeği; Mael ve Ashforth (1992)’un örgütsel özdeşleme ölçeklerikullanılmıştır. Cronbach Alpha katsayılarının hesaplanması sonrasında bu örneklem için oldukça güvenilirbulunan ölçeklerin faktör analizlerinde; psikolojik sermaye ölçeği 4 faktörlü, iş performansı ve örgütselözdeşleşme ölçekleri tek faktörlü yapılarıyla doğrulanmıştır. Hipotezlerin test edilmesi amacıyla yapılan üçaşamalı hiyerarşik regresyon analizi sonuçlarına göre; psikolojik sermayenin öz yeterlilik, umut, psikolojikdayanıklılık ve iyimserlik bileşenleriyle yarattığı sinerji sayesinde işgören performansı ve örgütsel özdeşleşmeüzerinde anlamlı ve olumlu etkilerinin olduğu bu çalışmanın temel bulgularındandır. Ayrıca, psikolojiksermayenin öz yeterlilik, umut, psikolojik dayanıklılık ve iyimserlik bileşenleri ile işgören performansıarasındaki ilişkilerde örgütsel özdeşleşmenin dolaylı etkisinin olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Sonuçların, benzeraraştırmalara katkı sağlayabileceği değerlendirilmektedir.The aim of this study, to determine the effect of the psychological capital on job performance and whetherthere are indirect effects of organizational identification on the relationships between psychological capitaland perceived job performance. In accordance with this purpose; Luthans et al. (2007)'s psychological capitalscale, Kirkman and Rosen (1999)'s job performance scale and Mael and Ashforth (1992)'s organizationaldescription scales were used in a survey applied to 1.401 participants working in logistics sector. CronbachAlpha coefficients of the scales were calculated quite reliable for this sample. In factor analysis; psychologicalcapital scale 4-factors, job performance, and organizational identification scale were confirmed by one-factorstructures. According to the three stage hierarchical regression analysis; psychological capital has significantand positive effects on perceived job performance and organizational identification by the synergy createdby the components of self-efficacy, hope, psychological resilience and optimism. However, organizationalidentification has indirect effects on the relationships between psychological capital and perceived jobperformance

A preliminary study on the use of mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) in freshwater crayfish, Astacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz, 1823 juvenile diets

The effects of dietary mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) on the survival and growth of Astacus leptodactylus juveniles were evaluated. Experimental diets were prepared by using supplementation of 0 (Control), 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 g MOS kg(-1) commercial trout larvae diet containing 43 g kg(-1) protein and 15.74 g kg(-1) lipid. A. leptodactylus juvenile with an average total length of 3.6 +/- 0.46 cm (TL) and average weight of 1.25 +/- 0.43 g was stocked in 0.2-m(2) aquariums at a rate of 50 crayfish/m(2) and reared for 60 days at 22.8 degrees C. The experiment consisted of four treatments with three replicates each. Each aquarium contained ten crayfish. Crayfish juvenile fed with 0, 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 MOS attained 6.15 +/- 0.49, 5.94 +/- 0.29, 7.34 +/- 0.39, and 5.94 +/- 0.27 cm final total length and 50, 56.67, 46.67, and 50% survival rates, respectively. Moreover, molting frequencies in 0, 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 g kg(-1) MOS groups were detected as 44.44, 61.11, 83.33, and 38.88%, respectively. At the end of the experiment, a general enhanced growth performance (P 0.05) in percentage moisture, protein, and ash (wet-weight basis) in the tail meat of A. leptodactylus juvenile among treatments (diet) that averaged 82.3, 16.1, and 1.2%, respectively. However, lipid value was significantly different among the diets P < 0.05), with values between 0.13 and 0.32. From the current results, it could be advised to use MOS at the rate of 3.0 g kg(-1) in A. leptodactylus juvenile diets

An ecological protection for wood material by hydrolyzed feather keratin

Within the scope of this study, the hydrolyzed keratin which is an ecological and harmless material, was applied to the wood material surfaces by dipping and spraying method in different concentration rate 1%, 3% and 5%. Within the scope of the research, as wood materials Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and beech (Fagus orientalis L.) were used. Wood samples were exposed to white and brown rot fungi for 16 weeks and water absorption rate tests for 48-hour period to in order to determine protection performances. According to the results of the water absorption tests, it was observed that the keratin concentrations reduced the water absorption of wood material at least 7 times than control samples. Keratin concentrations were determined to reduce mass loss by at least 50% compared to control samples against rot fungus. As a result; it has been determined that keratin has positive effects on the protection of wood material in tests and that keratin substance can be applied as a natural preservative on wooden surfaces

Challenges to Turkey’s Transition to a Low-Carbon Urban Development: A Roadmap for an Effective Climate Change Policy

Turkey is an emerging economy with a growing gross domestic product, which brings with it a rapid increase in energy consumption. Turkey’s per capita GHG emissions increased from 3.88 tons of CO2eqin 1990 to 6.07 tons of CO2eqin 2015. Furthermore, due to being located in the Mediterranean Basin, Turkey is highly vulnerable to such impacts of climate change as temperature rises, flooding and water shortage. Since the early 2000s, there have been several efforts in developing a climate policy in Turkey. The EU accession negotiations have played a catalyst role in pushing the environmental agenda and climate policy forward. However, the current state of climate policy in Turkey is far from being a sound policy framework. Despite the introduction of several policy documents and institutional reforms, GHGs and climatic vulnerabilities of Turkish cities are increasing. This chapter investigates the current state of climate policy in Turkey so as to underline its shortcoming and weaknesses. Following the discussion on the existing situation, a roadmap is proposed to sidestep the existing shortcomings and develop a sound and internationally valid climate policy. The proposed roadmap is believed to facilitate the transition to a low-carbon urban development in Turkish cities