40 research outputs found
Sick building symptoms among hospital workers associated with indoor air quality and personal factors
No full textThis study assesses the interior air quality and infective factors in a hospital in Turkey to provide data about air quality to protect hospital workers. This study measured indoor air quality in eight different locations in a hospital, including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM1), carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, temperature, humidity and microbiological matter. The highest PM2.5 and PM1 concentrations were in emergency service, and the highest CO2 was measured in the paediatric clinic. The poor interior air quality results are the most important cross-sectional data. For all participants, the prevalence of eye, upper respiratory tract, lower respiratory tract, skin and non-specific sick building syndrome symptoms were 23.0%, 40.7%, 22.5%, 36.3% and 63.7%, respectively. When sick building syndrome symptoms and environmental factors were investigated, skin symptoms increased 1.82 times in areas with stagnant air flow (p = 0.046; OR = 1.823; 95% CI: 1.010–3.290). Non-specific symptoms increased 2.17 times in locations with dry indoor air (p = 0.039; OR = 2.176; 95% CI: 1.041–4.549). Hospital workers are exposed to conditions that may increase the risk of a variety of sick building syndrome symptoms. Although the air quality measurements were not above the recommended limits in the hospital, long-term exposures should be considered for those experiencing sick building syndrome-related symptoms. © The Author(s) 2019
Evaluating pesticide use and safety practices among farmworkers in gallipoli peninsula, turkey
No full textPubMed ID: 26513916Unsafe pesticide use among farmworkers is a major public health problem in Turkey. This study aimed to investigate pesticide use and safety practices of farmers in a village of Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey. This cross sectional study was conducted with 117 farmers. The questionnaire included questions on demographic data, knowledge, attitudes, and safety practices concerning pesticides. The mean age of participants was 42.8 years, and 38.5% was female participants. Of the total 177 respondents, 77.8% reported that they prepared the chemical mixture at a public fountain, whereas 22.2% prepared it in their houses. Almost half (44.4%) reported that they experienced at least one health problem after pesticide application in the previous one year. Total scores for pesticide safety practices of the subjects, who declared that they experienced at least one health problem after the application in the previous one year, were statistically significantly lower (p<0.001). Their responses about safe use of pesticides and storage conditions were very striking. Our findings indicated that there is a need to increase health promotion activities through training, and the local administrations should promote safe use of pesticides by farm workers. © 2015, SEAMEO TROPMED Network. All rights reserved
Prevalence of Brucella in Raw Milk: An Example from Turkey
No full textWOS: 000439047000015PubMed ID: 29984724Aim: Brucellosis is a highly contagious zoonotic infection affecting livestock and human beings. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Brucella in raw milk collected from a provincial center and central villages in the Central Anatolian region. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was completed between March and September of 2016. The sample size for research was calculated as 263 milk samples with the Epi Info 2000 program. Samples were tested with the milk ring test, Rose Bengal test, and standard Brucella tube agglutination test. Suspicious samples according to these tests were seeded on medium for observation. Results: In this study, 202 cow's milk samples collected from 14 central villages were researched for the presence of Brucella abortus, a Brucella species bacterium. According to the medium seeding results, 35 of 202 raw cow's milk samples ( 17.32%) were identified as suspicious. Conclusion: The research investigated the prevalence of Brucella in milk samples collected from bovine farms used for consumption and production of raw milk products. The most significant infection route in our region is considered to be consumption of milk and milk products such as raw milk and fresh cheese. Especially in rural areas, households consuming their own produced milk are common. In regions with family-style milk and milk product production and consumption, interventional studies with the aim of improving knowledge, attitudes, and behavior related to zoonotic diseases should not be neglected
Sharon Bridgforth, 29th Annual ODU Literary Festival
No full textSharon Bridgforth is the Lambda Award winning author of the bull-jean and the Lambda nominated performance/novel, loveconjure/blues (both from RedBone Press). Bridgforth has been anthologized and produced widely and has received support from the National Endowment for the Arts Commissioning Program; The National Endowment for the Arts/Theatre Communications Group Playwright in Residence Program; National Performance Network; Rockefeller Foundation Multi-Arts Production Fund Award; and Funding Exchange/The Paul Robeson Fund for Independent Media. Bridgforth is the Anchor Artist for The Austin Project, sponsored by The Center for African and African American Studies (U.T. Austin) where she teaches a course on Black Empowerment and Community Internship
Virtual anatomical atlas of the deep brain nuclei
No full textThis study aims to improve understanding of the anatomy of the deep brain nuclei relevant to deep brain stimulation as well as stereotactic lesioning procedures, including radio frequency, high-focused ultrasound, and radiosurgery. We created interactive, three-dimensional virtual models from cadaveric dissections and radiological segmentation. We used five brain specimens (ten hemispheres) obtained from routine autopsies, prepared according to Klingler’s method. Dissections were done from lateral to medial, medial to lateral, and superior to inferior to expose deep brain stimulation targets and adjacent structures. Using photogrammetry, we scanned the specimens to create detailed three-dimensional models. These models were uploaded to an online platform for free global access. Radiological models were also generated from atlas-based regions using the Montreal Neurological Institute template. We produced 16 high-quality cadaveric models at various stages of dissection. These and the radiological models were examined and interacted with through augmented reality and virtual reality headsets. This approach allowed comprehensive visual access to the anatomical structures and delineated their spatial relationships. These three-dimensional models provide detailed anatomical representations that can enhance anatomical orientiation, improve spatial perception, and serve as valuable educational tools for clinicians and students. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2024.The Yeditepe University Open Access System is a compendium of indexed publications. Copyright and usage rights may be held by publishers and/or authors. The collection was established for the scientific publications prepared by Yeditepe University academicians and is to be found in the institutional archive
Reversal of abnormal cardiac parameters following mitral valve replacement for severe mitral stenosis in relation to pulmonary artery pressure: A retrospective study of noninvasive parameters - Early and late pattern
No full textBackground and objectives: Although the regression of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in mitral stenosis (MS) has been studied over varying periods postintervention, corresponding studies on the cardiac chamber alterations after surgery are very limited. We sought to determine the degree of reversal of these and the clinical status in connection with that of pulmonary artery pressures (PAPs) in the early and late postoperative periods. Methods: The preoperative, early, and 1-year postoperative data - functional class (FC), cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) in chest X-ray (CXR), and echocardiographically left atrium (LA), right atrium (RA), right ventricle (RV), left ventricle (LV), and pulmonary artery (PA) dimensions, PAP, tricuspid regurgitation (TR) - of 50 patients who had mitral valve replacement (MVR) for MS with PH were retrospectively analyzed for correlations with PAP (Pearson's), and their change (t-test), in relation to that in PAP. PH group-based [Group (Gp)-I PAP0 ≤ 60 mmHg, Gp-II PAP >60 mmHg] analysis highlighted the differences. Results: All parameters significantly correlated with the baseline PAP (p < 0.05), except LA (r = 0.081, p = 0.577). Postoperatively, there was significant reduction in all parameters (p < 0.001) and increase in LV (p < 0.003). The PAP regression was 39.42%; with the decrease in CTR, LA, and RA related to it, the early changes being significant (p < 0.01). The RV and PA showed lesser reduction (8.61% and 9.42%), late reduction being more conspicuous. The changes were greater and significant in Gp-II (especially PAP, RV, and PA). At 1 year, PAP normalized in only 19 (38%). Residual PH and chamber enlargement prevailed more in Gp-II. Conclusions: This study emphasizes the importance of the baseline PAP in MS to which was proportionate the functional disability and the cardiac chamber alterations (except LA). Their postoperative improvement accompanying the PAP regression differed in degree and time frame relative to PAP. The higher pressure group showed greater regression, but greater prevalence of residual abnormalities, suggesting that the pathologic changes in them might take longer to resolve, necessitating further evaluation. © 2016 The Author(s)
Reversal of abnormal cardiac parameters following mitral valve replacement for severe mitral stenosis in relation to pulmonary artery pressure: A retrospective study of noninvasive parameters - Early and late pattern
No full textBackground and objectives: Although the regression of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in mitral stenosis (MS) has been studied over varying periods postintervention, corresponding studies on the cardiac chamber alterations after surgery are very limited. We sought to determine the degree of reversal of these and the clinical status in connection with that of pulmonary artery pressures (PAPs) in the early and late postoperative periods. Methods: The preoperative, early, and 1-year postoperative data - functional class (FC), cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) in chest X-ray (CXR), and echocardiographically left atrium (LA), right atrium (RA), right ventricle (RV), left ventricle (LV), and pulmonary artery (PA) dimensions, PAP, tricuspid regurgitation (TR) - of 50 patients who had mitral valve replacement (MVR) for MS with PH were retrospectively analyzed for correlations with PAP (Pearson's), and their change (t-test), in relation to that in PAP. PH group-based [Group (Gp)-I PAP0 ≤ 60 mmHg, Gp-II PAP >60 mmHg] analysis highlighted the differences. Results: All parameters significantly correlated with the baseline PAP (p < 0.05), except LA (r = 0.081, p = 0.577). Postoperatively, there was significant reduction in all parameters (p < 0.001) and increase in LV (p < 0.003). The PAP regression was 39.42%; with the decrease in CTR, LA, and RA related to it, the early changes being significant (p < 0.01). The RV and PA showed lesser reduction (8.61% and 9.42%), late reduction being more conspicuous. The changes were greater and significant in Gp-II (especially PAP, RV, and PA). At 1 year, PAP normalized in only 19 (38%). Residual PH and chamber enlargement prevailed more in Gp-II. Conclusions: This study emphasizes the importance of the baseline PAP in MS to which was proportionate the functional disability and the cardiac chamber alterations (except LA). Their postoperative improvement accompanying the PAP regression differed in degree and time frame relative to PAP. The higher pressure group showed greater regression, but greater prevalence of residual abnormalities, suggesting that the pathologic changes in them might take longer to resolve, necessitating further evaluation. © 2016 The Author(s)
Convergent evolution of sodium ion selectivity in metazoan neuronal signaling
No full text© The Author(s), 2012. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. The definitive version was published in Cell Reports 2 (2012): 242–248, doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2012.06.016.Ion selectivity of metazoan voltage-gated Na+ channels is critical for neuronal signaling and has long been attributed to a ring of four conserved amino acids that constitute the ion selectivity filter (SF) at the channel pore. Yet, in addition to channels with a preference for Ca2+ ions, the expression and characterization of Na+ channel homologs from the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis, a member of the early-branching metazoan phylum Cnidaria, revealed a sodium-selective channel bearing a noncanonical SF. Mutagenesis and physiological assays suggest that pore elements additional to the SF determine the preference for Na+ in this channel. Phylogenetic analysis assigns the Nematostella Na+-selective channel to a channel group unique to Cnidaria, which diverged >540 million years ago from Ca2+-conducting Na+ channel homologs. The identification of Cnidarian Na+-selective ion channels distinct from the channels of bilaterian animals indicates that selectivity for Na+ in neuronal signaling emerged independently in these two animal lineages.This study was supported by
a research grant from the Austrian National Science Foundation (FWF P
21108-B17) to U.T., and by a United States-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Grant (IS-4313-10) and an Israeli Science Foundation
grant (107/08) to M.G
Mathematical Dynamics of Meningococcal Meningitis: Examining Carrier Diagnosis and Prophylaxis Treatment
No full textMeningococcal meningitis remains a persistent public health challenge with widespread implications. This paper delves into the sometimes-underrated carrier class, comprising approximately 10% of the population, recognized as the primary source of the overall disease transmission. The challenge lies in the complex task of identifying these asymptomatic carriers in real-world scenarios, as they appear healthy, thus diminishing their incentive for treatment. This study underscores the necessity of proactive measures for individuals who have come into contact with a meningitis patient, emphasizing the importance of meningitis testing or CDC-recommended chemoprophylaxis treatment. In this study, we design a dynamic of Meningococcal Meningitis outbreak, incorporating vaccination, undiagnosed carriers and hospitalisation. We compute basic reproduction number using the generalised next-generation matrix approach and the analysis shows that, the model is globally asymptotically stable for both the DFE and Endemic equilibria. Further analysis indicates the possibility of a backward bifurcation for the system when R0<1. The findings of sensitivity analysis suggest that public health campaigns should prioritize increasing awareness about the significance of diagnosis for carriers of meningococcal meningitis and prophylaxis treatment. This measure will have a significant effect and substantially reduce the spread of the disease. Optimal control analysis shows that, the awareness campaign plays a significant role in controlling the spread of the disease in the community. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature India Private Limited 2025.Taif University, TU; Deanship of Scientific Research, King Saud Universit
The Asteroid 2002 PZ39
No full textThe Asteroid 2002 PZ39 (163373 ) was discovered in August 10/2002 by LINEAR at Socorro. Unfortunately, this sky rock was the subject of false news as it was reported the asteroid could hit our planet on February 15 of this year. The asteroid has a diameter of about 0.5 km. The asteroid was closer to the earth on February 15 /2020 (11:05 U.T) and its distance to our planet was 5.8 million kilometers. From our Observatory, located in Pasto-Colombia, we captured several pictures, videos and astrometry data during four days. The animations were published by SPACEWEATHER on the following dates: February 12 and February 15. The pictures of the asteroid were captured with the following equipment: CGE PRO 1400 CELESTRON (f/11 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope) and STL-1001 SBIG camera. We calculated the orbital elements and physical parameters. We obtained the following orbital parameters: eccentricity = 0.54637 +/- 0.00223, orbital inclination = 1.668 +/- 0.006 deg, semi-major axis = 1.46875 +/- 0.00505 A.U, longitude of the ascending node = 328.903 +/- 0.007 deg, argument of perihelion = 260.022 +/- 0.019 deg, perihelion distance = 0.666272 +/- 0.000976 A.U, aphelion distance = 2.271 +/- 0.011 A.U, mean motion = 0.55371 +/- 0.00286 deg/d. Physical parameters: Absolute magnitude = 19.4, diameter 560.1 meters (assuming 10% albedo), sidereal orbital period = 650.15 days, earth encounter velocity 16.15 km/s. The parameters were calculated based on 92 observations (Feb. 12-15) with mean residual = 0.26 arcseconds. Our data was published by the Minor Planet Center (MPC) and also appears at the web page of NEODyS . Acknowledgements: The author would like to thank to the University of Narino-Pasto-Colombia and to the students Esteban Botina and Daniela Tobar who collaborated in the capture of some photographs
