The Effect of Thymoquinone on Oxidative Stress Parameters and Apolipoprotein E in Alzheimer Model in Rats.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effect of thymoquinone (TQ) on oxidative stress and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) in an experimental Alzheimer's model created with AlCl3 and D-galactose in rats. METHODS: Thirty-six Wistar Albino male rats saline group (Group 1), aluminum chloride (AlCl3) + D-galactose (D-Gal) group (Group 2), AlCl3 + D-Gal + TQ group (Group 3) were divided into 3 groups. The study was completed with 33 rats. Group 1 was given saline intraperitoneally (i.p) for 28 days. 2nd group; D-Gal at a dose of 60 mg/kg/day and AlCl3 at a dose of 40 mg/kg/day were given i.p. daily for 28 days. 3rd group; D-Gal at a dose of 60 mg/kg/day and AlCl3 at a dose of 40 mg/kg/day were given i.p. daily for 28 days. Group 3 rats were given 20 mg/kg/day TQ in corn oil by gavage for 14 days. Malonyl dialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (TAS), total oxidant capacity (TOS), glutathione peroxidase (GsH-Px), and ApoE levels were determined in the blood and brain tissues of rats in all three groups. One-way ANOVA test was used in the statistical analysis of the data. RESULTS: Means of TAS, TOS, GSH-Px, SOD, MDA, and ApoE in blood and brain tissue of all three groups (excluding ApoE in brain tissue) were different from each other and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study, TQ, it was determined that all oxidative stress parameters examined had positively affected and decreased blood tissue ApoE levels. TQ can be used as an antioxidant and curative in Alzheimer's disease.

Experiences of Pregnant Women Participating in Antenatal Yoga: A Qualitative Study.

Context: Pregnancy yoga is a modified version of yoga for pregnant women, and it aims to reduce pregnancy-related symptoms, such as insomnia, low back pain, tiredness, constipation, leg cramps, and shortness of breath. Objective: The study aimed to identify the experiences and expectations of pregnant women related to the practice of yoga. Method: The research team conducted a qualitative study. Setting: The study took place at the antenatal clinic of a public hospital in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. Participants: The participants were 24 pregnant women at the clinic. Intervention: The study included an intervention group that performed yoga and received routine antenatal care; however, no control groups were used. Each yoga intervention was held for approximately 40-45 minutes, with yoga asana periods lasting 30 minutes. The pregnant women were expected to participate in yoga practice twice a week on a regular basis for 8 weeks. Outcome Measures: Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was performed. Results: Four major themes emerged: (1) perceptions about pregnancy, (2) management of pregnancy symptoms, (3) prenatal attachment, and (4) birth perceptions. According to participants, the benefits of yoga practice were management of pregnancy symptoms, increased prenatal attachment, a positive perception of the birth, natural-birth beliefs, and management of fear and pain during birth. Conclusions: The participants reported barriers to performing yoga; however, they also said that they would try pregnancy yoga if they were encouraged by healthcare professionals. Also, the participants stated that pregnancy yoga practice should be made a part of antenatal education to facilitate participation.

Determining the Health Problems Experienced by Young Adults in Turkey, Who Received the COVID-19 Vaccine.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the health problems experienced by young adults after the COVID-19 vaccine. METHOD: This study is a quantitative and descriptive study and was completed with 590 undergraduate students studying at a state university in Central Anatolia in the spring semester of the 2021-2022 academic year. The data were collected by the researcher through a one-to-one interview with the students and a questionnaire prepared in line with the literature. Number, percentage and chi-square tests were used in the analysis of the data. RESULTS: A total of 81.4% of the students participating in the study had the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine. A total of 67.3% of them had two doses of COVID-19 vaccine, 35.9% of the vaccinated students experienced some health problems in the days following the vaccination, and the most common health problems were fatigue, a cough, sleep disturbance, psychological discomfort, a heart ache feeling and sweating. Most of the post-vaccine health problems lasted for 2 days, 3.7% of the participants were diagnosed with hypertension, 2.7% were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and 10.52% of the female participants went to the doctor due to menstrual irregularity and received treatment. It was determined that 12.2% of the vaccinated students gained weight after vaccination and 63.89% of those who gained weight attributed this to increased appetite, 9.2% continued to have a cough and 9.2% used herbal products. CONCLUSION: It was determined that one out of every three young adults experienced a health problem after the COVID-19 vaccine. It is recommended that studies be conducted in different sample groups.