Fabrication of Microfluidic Devices for Emulsion Formation by Microstereolithography

Droplet microfluidics—the art and science of forming droplets—has been revolutionary for high-throughput screening, directed evolution, single-cell sequencing, and material design. However, traditional fabrication techniques for microfluidic devices suffer from several disadvantages, including multistep processing, expensive facilities, and limited three-dimensional (3D) design flexibility. High-resolution additive manufacturing—and in particular, projection micro-stereolithography (PµSL)—provides a promising path for overcoming these drawbacks. Similar to polydimethylsiloxane-based microfluidics 20 years ago, 3D printing methods, such as PµSL, have provided a path toward a new era of microfluidic device design. PµSL greatly simplifies the device fabrication process, especially the access to truly 3D geometries, is cost-effective, and it enables multimaterial processing. In this review, we discuss both the basics and recent innovations in PµSL; the material basis with emphasis on custom-made photopolymer formulations; multimaterial 3D printing; and, 3D-printed microfluidic devices for emulsion formation as our focus application. Our goal is to support researchers in setting up their own PµSL system to fabricate tailor-made microfluidics

Frequency of latent tuberculosis in patients receiving Anti-TNF-Alpha therapy

Setting-Objective: In this study, it was aimed to reveal the incidence of tuberculosis development in patients receiving tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) blocker therapy, despite tuberculosis chemoprophylaxis. Design: 520 patients who were receiving anti TNF-α treatment in the last 3 years were evaluated retrospectively. Radiological imaging tuberculin skin test (TST), history of tuberculosis, BCG vaccine, chemoprophylaxis administration, used anti TNF-α drugs were recorded. Results: There were 265(51.0%) of the patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), 175(33.7%) with rheumatoid arthritis, 35(6.7%) with Crohn's, 10(1.9%) with ulcerative colitis (UC), 21(4.0%) with psoriatic arthritis, 14(2.7%) with psoriasis vulgaris. In total, 455 (79.6%) patients were given INH prophylaxis. Active tuberculosis development was observed in five patients (4: pulmonary,1: extrapulmonary; 3: UC, 2:AS) who all received anti TNF-α treatment (0.96%), infliximab. Three patients had tuberculosis disease in the 6th month, and the other 2 patients in the 5th and 24th month of their anti TNF-α treatments, and two had 9-month, and 1 had 6-month chemoprophylaxis history. Conclusion: The incidence of tuberculosis development in patients treated with anti TNF-α was found to be higher than the general population. In our country, where tuberculosis is still prevalent, patients receiving Anti TNF-α treatment (especially in-fliximab) should be carefully questioned and examined about tuberculosis

Vancomycın resıstant enterococcus bacteremıa ın a patıent wıth Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonıa, granulocystıc sarcoma and acute respıratory dıstress syndrome

In this case report we aimed to present a patient with granulocytic sarcomaa, neutropenic fever, ARDS and Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumoniae that was hospitalized in our intensive care unit. The patient recovered and  then developed vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) bacteremia due to port catheter during follow up. The patient had risk factors for VRE bacteremia and he was administered linezolide without removing the catheter. He was discharged with recovery.Key words: Granulocystic sarcoma, Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumoniae, vancomycin resistant enterococci, (VRE

Screening for birth-related PTSD: psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale in postpartum women in Turkey

Background: Evidence suggests that 4% of women develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after childbirth, with a potentially negative impact on women and families. Detection of postpartum PTSD is essential but few measures have been validated in this population. Objective: This study aimed to examine psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale (PDS) to screen for birth-related PTSD among postpartum women and identify factorial structure of PTSD after birth. Method: PDS was administered to 829 postpartum women recruited from three maternity hospitals in Turkey. Participants with PTSD (N = 68) and a randomly selected group of women without PTSD (N = 66), underwent a structured clinical interview (SCID). Results: PDS demonstrated high internal consistency (α = .89) and test-retest reliability between 4–6 weeks and 6-months postpartum (rs = .51). PDS showed high concurrent validity with other measures of postpartum psychopathology, rs(829) = .60 for depression and rs(829) = .61 for anxiety. Satisfactory diagnostic agreement was observed between diagnoses obtained by PDS and SCID, with good sensitivity (92%) and specificity (76%). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed that the latent structure of birth-related PTSD was best identified by a three-factor model: re-experiencing and avoidance (RA), numbing and dysphoric-arousal (NDA) and dysphoric-arousal and anxious-arousal symptoms (DAA). Conclusions: The findings supported use of PDS as an effective screening measure for birth-related PTSD among postpartum women

Evaluation of the efficacy, safety, and side effects of secukinumab in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis: Real-world data from a retrospective multicenter study

Background: Clinical studies have demonstrated that IL-17A inhibition with secukinumab is effective for clearing the skin of patients with psoriasis and has a favorable safety profile. Objective: The authors aim to determine whether secukinumab is effective and safe for the treatment of moderate-to-severe chronic psoriasis based on clinical experience with this drug. Method: The authors conducted a multicenter retrospective study in nine referral centers and included patients with psoriasis who had received secukinumab between March 2018 to November 2020. Data on demographic characteristics, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores, and previous treatments were collected from medical records. Patients were evaluated at 12, 24, and 52 weeks with respect to response to treatment and side effects. Results: In total, 229 patients were recruited for the study. A PASI score improvement of ≥90 points over the baseline was achieved by 79%, 69.8%, and 49.3% of patients at weeks 12, 24, and 52, respectively. The most common adverse events wereCandida infections and fatigue. In total, 74 (32%) patients discontinued treatment by week 52, including due to adverse events, or secondary ineffectiveness. Study limitations: Retrospective design. Conclusions: These findings suggest that secukinumab therapy is reasonably effective in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Comorbidities and time length of the disease can affect the response to treatment. The rates of adverse events were high in this patient population

Development and validation of Videogame Addiction Scale for Children (VASC)

The aim of the present study was to develop a valid and reliable Videogame Addiction Scale for Children (VASC). The data were derived from 780 children who completed the Videogame Addiction Scale (405 girls and 375 boys; 48.1% ranging in age from 9 to 12 years). The sample was randomly split into two different sub-samples (sample 1, n=400; sample 2, n= 380). Sample 1 was used to perform exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to define the factorial structure of VASC. As a result of EFA, a four-factor structure comprising 21 items was obtained and explained 55% of the total variance (the four factors being "self-control," "reward/reinforcement", "problems," and "involvement"). The internal consistency reliability of VASC has found 0.89. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to confirm the factorial structure obtained by EFA in the remaining half of sample (n= 390). The obtained fit indices from the CFA confirmed the structure of the EFA. The 21-item VASC has good psychometric properties that can be used among Turkish schoolchildren populations

Evaluating the psychometric properties of the 7-item Persian Game Addiction Scale for Iranian adolescents

The 7-item Gaming Addiction Scale (GAS) is a brief instrument based on DSM criteria to assess gaming addiction. Although the psychometric properties of the GAS have been tested using classical test theory, its psychometric properties have never been tested using modern test theory (e.g., Rasch analysis). The present study used a large adolescent sample in Iran to test the psychometric properties of the Persian GAS through both classical test and modern test theories. Adolescents (n = 4442; mean age = 15.3 years; 50.3% males) were recruited from Qazvin, Iran. In addition to the GAS, all of them completed the following instruments: the nine-item Internet Gaming Disorder Scale–Short Form (IGDS-SF9), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and a generic quality of life instrument. Two weeks later, all participants completed the GAS again. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Rasch analysis were used to test the unidimensionality of the GAS. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to test the test-retest reliability, and a regression model was used to test the criterion-related validity of the GAS. Both CFA and Rasch analysis supported the unidimensionality of the GAS. Pearson correlations coefficients showed satisfactory test-retest reliability of the GAS (r = 0.78 to 0.86), and the regression model demonstrated the criterion-related validity of the GAS (β = 0.31 with IGDS-SF9; 0.41 with PSQI). Based on the results, the Persian GAS is a reliable and valid instrument for healthcare providers to assess the level of gaming addiction among Persian-speaking adolescents

An examination of the relationship between perceived leadership and stress in hospital employees

Bu çalışma, hastane çalışanlarının algılamış oldukları liderlik tarzı ve stres arasındaki ilişkinin tespit edilmesi için İstanbul’da kamu hastanelerinde çalışan 312 hastane çalışanını incelemiştir. Algılanan liderlik 36 soru ve 3 ana faktörden oluşan Çok Faktörlü Liderlik Anketi ile ölçülmüştür. Her ana faktörün alt faktörleri bulunmaktadır. “Dönüşümcü Liderlik” alt faktörleri; “Karizmatik-İlham verici lider”, “Entelektüel uyarım” ve “Bireysel Destek” ten oluşmaktadır. İkinci ana faktör, “Sürdürümcü Liderlik” faktörü de “Ödüle bağlı”, Aktif ve Pasif” olmak üzere 3 “ üç alt faktörden oluşmaktadır. Üçüncü ve son ana faktör ise “Serbestlik Tanıyan” Liderliktir. Çalışanların stres seviyesi Algılanan Stres Ölçeği kullanılarak incelenmiştir. Araştırmanın evreni 2520, örneklem grubu 333 hastane çalışanı olarak hesaplanmıştır. Araştırmaya katılmak üzere 500 kişiye anket gönderilmiş, 350 kişi cevaplandırmıştır. Cevaplandırılan anketlerden 38 adedi tam olarak doldurulmadığı için elenmiştir. Bu araştırmanın amacı İstanbul’da görev yapmakta olan hastane çalışanlarının algılamış oldukları liderlik ve stres seviyeleri arasındaki ilişkiyi ve boyutunu incelemektir. Elde edilen veriler sosyal bilimlerde istatistik paket programı “SPSS” ile incelenmiş, bağımsız gruplar t testi, tek yön varyans analizi (ANOVA) ve regresyon analizi uygulanmıştır. Araştırmanın sonuçları daha önceki liderlik ve stres konulu araştırmalar ile benzerlik göstermiştir. Anahtar Kelimeler: Algılanan Liderlik, Algılanan Stres, Sağlık Hizmeti, Hastane Çalışanı ABSTRACT This study examined 312 nonprofit hospital employees in Istanbul in order to determine if an association exist between hospital employees’ perceived leadership style and perceived stress levels. Perceived leadership was assessed with Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ), which has 36 questions and 3 main factors. Each main factor has sub factors. Transformational leadership sub factors are, Charismatic-Inspirational Leadership, Intellectual Simulation and Individualized Consideration. As to second main factor transactional leadership, there are also three sub factor named as Contingent reward, Management by Exception active and Management by exception passive. The third last main factor is the Passive/Avoidant leadership. Stress levels of the participants were assessed by The Perceived Stress Scale. Target population of the study was estimated 2520 nonprofit hospital employees. The sample of the study were estimated 333 nonprofit hospital employees. 500 nonprofit hospital employees were invited to participate to study; 350 were responded, 38 ones were eliminated because of deficiency on surveys. The purpose of the quantitative study was to examine whether, and to what extent, relationship existed between perceived stress and perceived leadership style of hospital employees in İstanbul Turkey. Gathered data analyzed through the SPSS statistical packaged software and independent t- tests, one way ANOVA, regression analysis were conducted. Study results indicated similarity with former studies about leadership and stress. Keywords: Perceived Leadership, Perceived Stress, Healthcare, Hospital Employe

ACİL VE YOĞUN BAKIM ÇALIŞANLARINDA TRAVMA SONRASI STRES BOZUKLUĞU, STRESLE BAŞA ÇIKMA TARZLARI, TÜKENMİŞLİK VE İLİŞKİLİ ETKENLER

Travma sonrası stres bozukluğu (TSSB) Ruhsal Bozuklukların Tanısal ve Sayımsal Elkitabı’nda (DSM) travmatik olayın arkasından yeniden yaşantılama, kaçınma, yabancılaşma ve aşırı uyarılmışlık gibi belirtilerin kişinin işlevselliğini etkilediği bir bozukluktur. Travmatik olayların ardından, travmaya doğrudan maruz kalanların yanında mağdurla yakın etkileşimde bulunan yardım çalışanları da TSSB belirtilerini yaşamaktadır. Çalışmamızda acil servis ve yoğun bakım çalışanlarında TSSB tanısı ve ilişkili faktörler araştırılmıştır. Çalışmaya katılan acil servis, yoğun bakım ve kontrol grubu Sosyodemografik Veri Formu, Travma Sonrası Stres Tanı Ölçeği, Maslach Tükenmişlik Ölçeği, Stresle Başa Çıkma Tarzları Ölçeği ve Hastane Anksiyete ve Depresyon Ölçeği ile değerlendirilmiştir. Çalışma sonucunda acil servis ve yoğun bakım çalışanlarında TSSB yaygınlığının kontrol grubuna göre belirgin yüksek olduğu bulunmuştur. TSSB gelişen grup TSSB gelişmeyen grup ile karşılaştırıldığında daha pasif stresle başa çıkma tarzları kullandıkları görülmüştür. Ayrıca TSSB gelişen grupta depresyon ve anksiyete düzeylerinin ve duygusal tükenme ve duyarsızlaşmanın TSSB gelişmeyen gruba göre anlamlı olarak daha yüksek olduğu bulunmuştur. Acil servis ve yoğun bakım çalışanlarında TSSB yaygınlığının fazla bulunması, travmatik olaylara maruz kalan yardım çalışanlarının ruhsal bozukluklar için risk altında olduğunu desteklemektedir. Bu risk grubunda stresle başa çıkma tarzları, tükenmişlik ve ek ruhsal rahatsızlıklara ilişkin bulgular, bu alanda çalışanlara yönelik koruyucu ve tedavi edici yaklaşımlara katkı sağlayacaktır. Sınırlı sayıda araştırmanın gerçekleştirildiği bu alanda yeni araştırmalarla bu bulguların desteklenmesine, uzun izlem çalışmaları ile TSSB gelişimi ve stresle başa çıkma tarzlarının ilişkisi ile ilgili daha açıklayıcı sonuçlara ulaşılmasına gereksinim vardır