Noninvasive Hemoglobin Measurement Reduce Invasive Procedures in Thalassemia Patients.

This study was conducted to investigate the agreement between laboratory hemoglobin (LabHb) measured in venous blood and noninvasive, spectrophotometric hemoglobin (SpHb) measurement and the usability of SpHb measurement in the transfusion decision-making in patients with thalassemia whose hemoglobin (Hb) was monitored by taking blood samples at frequent intervals and who were transfused. Cardiac pulse, oxygen saturation, Pleth variability index (PVI), and SpHb values were measured in patients who came to the hematology outpatient clinic for a control visit and whose Hb levels were planned to be measured. Venous blood samples were taken for LabHb measurement, which we accept as the gold standard. Cohen's kappa value was calculated for the agreement between SpHb measurements and LabHb values. The relationship and predictability between both measurement methods were evaluated by Pearson correlation analysis, a modified Bland-Altman plot and the linear regression model. In the study conducted with a total of 110 children with thalassemia, a moderate level of agreement between the two measurement methods (kappa = 0.370, p < 0.0001) and a significantly high correlation between the two tests (r = 0.675) were found. The mean bias between the differences was found to be 0.3 g/dL (-1.27 to 1.86 g/dL). The sensitivity and the specificity of SpHb in identifying patients who needed transfusions (Hb <10.0 g/dL) were calculated as 92.2 and 57.1%, respectively. Our results suggest SpHb measurement may be used to screen anemia in hemodynamically stable hemoglobinopathy patients and even for transfusion decision-making with combination clinical findings.

Knowledge, attitude, and behavior of Turkish dentists about radiation protection and radiation safety.

OBJECTIVES: Dentists use dental imaging methods frequently in the diagnosis and treatment of dental diseases. This study aimed to determine dentists' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors about radiation protection during dental imaging procedures. METHODS: Dentists from two major dental health centres in Izmir province were asked to participate in this study. The participants replied to a questionnaire that consisted of questions on the use of radiographic devices, knowledge on the radiation protection of patients and staff, and attitudes and behaviors regarding radiation protection. The questionnaire also included questions about the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants. Descriptive statistics of data were performed using the SPSS software program. RESULTS: Sixty-six dentists participated in the survey. The mean knowledge score of dentists on dental imaging, radiation, and radiation protection was 8.3 ± 2.6 out of 17, while the mean attitude and behavior score was 8.3 ± 2.1 out of 27.97% of the participants stated that medical imaging technicians should carry out imaging procedures. The use of rectangular collimators was 9.1%, and using E/F film was 56.3% among dentists. 23.3% of participants stated that they applied the bisecting angle technique during dental imaging, 23.8% stated that they wear a lead apron during imaging, and 37.8% stated that they always used thyroid shields on the patients. In addition, 37.2% of the dentists stated that the patient holds the film during preapical radiography, and 81.5% used the same imaging parameters for adult and pediatric patients. 62% of dentists stated that they question the pregnancy of female patients before imaging. CONCLUSION: Findings of the study suggest that the knowledge of dentists about dental imaging procedures and radiation protection needs to be improved. The implementation and the follow-up of quality training programs in accordance with the standards set by the national authority will be of great importance.

E-learning in clinical microbiology and infectious diseases.

BACKGROUND: Becoming and staying competent is a challenge in clinical microbiology and infectious diseases because of dramatic increases in medical knowledge, discovery of new pathogens, emerging infections, new resistance mechanisms and laboratory techniques. E-learning is an effective way of meeting educational needs by providing more efficient and flexible training. E-learning resources have become more important to acquire new knowledge and skills, especially at a time of physical distancing. OBJECTIVES: This review aims to summarize the implementation of e-learning in clinical microbiology and infectious diseases with references to existing examples and resources. SOURCES: Literature and online resources for e-learning, online teaching/education in medical education, clinical microbiology and infectious diseases. CONTENT: The principles and common methods of e-learning and frequently used digital tools are described. For all aspects of e-learning/distance learning, available resources and examples of applications in clinical microbiology and infectious diseases are presented. IMPLICATIONS: The techniques, tools and resources described in this article should be considered for the development and implementation of e-learning programmes in clinical microbiology and infectious disease training.

Prenatal exposure to artificial food colorings alters NMDA receptor subunit concentrations in rat hippocampus.

Exposure to artificial food color additives (AFCAs) has been implicated in the etiology of certain childhood hyperactivity and learning disabilities. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) are involved in learning and memory. We administered a mixture of AFCAs (erythrosine, ponceau 4R, allura red AC, sunset yellow FCF, tartrazine, amaranth, brilliant blue, azorubine, and indigotine) to female rats during gestation to investigate the effects of prenatal exposure to AFCAs on neurobehavior, spatial learning, and memory in their offspring. We also investigated whether AFCAs modulate NR2A, NR2B, and α7 nAChR protein levels in their offsprings' hippocampi. Although spatial learning and memory were not altered, the offspring of rats exposed to AFCAs exhibited decreased motivation and increased despair-related behavior. NR2A and NR2B protein levels were significantly reduced in female offspring in the experimental group (p < 0.05), whereas α7 nAChR level was not significantly altered. Our results suggest that prenatal exposure to AFCAs may lead to sex-dependent alterations in glutamatergic signaling which may continue into adolescence.