Effects of Water and Chemical Solutions Ageing on the Physical, Mechanical, Thermal and Flammability Properties of Natural Fibre-Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites.

Biocomposites comprising a combination of natural fibres and bio-based polymers are good alternatives to those produced from synthetic components in terms of sustainability and environmental issues. However, it is well known that water or aqueous chemical solutions affect natural polymers/fibres more than the respective synthetic components. In this study the effects of water, salt water, acidic and alkali solutions ageing on water uptake, mechanical properties and flammability of natural fibre-reinforced polypropylene (PP) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites were compared. Jute, sisal and wool fibre- reinforced PP and PLA composites were prepared using a novel, patented nonwoven technology followed by the hot press method. The prepared composites were aged in water and chemical solutions for up to 3 week periods. Water absorption, flexural properties and the thermal and flammability performances of the composites were investigated before and after ageing each process. The effect of post-ageing drying on the retention of mechanical and flammability properties has also been studied. A linear relationship between irreversible flexural modulus reduction and water adsorption/desorption was observed. The aqueous chemical solutions caused further but minor effects in terms of moisture sorption and flexural modulus changes. PLA composites were affected more than the respective PP composites, because of their hydrolytic sensitivity. From thermal analytical results, these changes in PP composites could be attributed to ageing effects on fibres, whereas in PLA composite changes related to both those of fibres present and of the polymer. Ageing however, had no adverse effect on the flammability of the composites.

Primary healthcare professionals' knowledge, attitude and behavior regarding influenza immunization; 2006-2007 season adverse effect profile.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess primary healthcare professionals' knowledge, attitude and behavior regarding immunization, as well as to evaluate the adverse effect profile for the 2006-2007 influenza vaccines. BACKGROUND: Influenza vaccination has been proven to have clinical and epidemiological benefits. However, its uptake in the general population and among healthcare workers has generally been suboptimal. METHODS: Primary healthcare professionals of Kayseri were enrolled in the study. Of the 672 primary healthcare professionals in Kayseri, 552 (82 %) completed a questionnaire comprised of 19 questions. The study was performed in March 2007 following a campaign of the Ministry of Health of Turkey for influenza vaccination of primary healthcare workers. RESULTS: Of the health professionals, 67 % (370) were women and 33 % (182) were men. Overall, 420 (76.1 %; 95% confidence interval: CI = 72.3-79.5) health professionals reported that they had received influenza vaccine during the 2006-2007 influenza season. Adverse effects were reported by 157 (28.4 %) health professionals. The adverse effects reported were fever (n=57; 13.5 %), muscle pain (n=60; 14.2 %), joint pain (n=40; 9.5 %), loss of appetite (n=16; 3.8%), headache (n=41; 9.7 %), cough (n=29; 6.9 %), malaise (n=76; 18.0 %), tiredness (n=41; 9.7 %), stuffiness (n=49; 11.6 %), sneezing (n=54; 12.8 %), sore throat (n=33; 7.8 %) and others, namely erythema, edema and abscess at the vaccination site, and lymphadenopathy (n=14; 3.3 %). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that primary health care professionals in our study group have been vaccinated with influenza vaccine in a reasonable percentage. There were no severe or serious adverse effects of the vaccine, the fact of which may be used to encourage both health professionals and patients of primary care (Tab. 3, Ref. 13).

Rehabilitation results of patients with acute transverse myelitis.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of rehabilitation in patients with acute transverse myelitis (ATM). METHOD: The patients were included in rehabilitation program in the rehabilitation unit. Spasticity of the patients was evaluated by modified Ashworth scale at baseline and at the end of treatment. The functional independence measurement (FIM), Barthel index and functional ambulatory scale (FAS) values were as well evaluated at baseline and at the end of the treatment, and the results were compared to evaluate the efficacy of the rehabilitation program. RESULTS: A total of 13 patients (6 males, 7 females) with transverse myelitis were included in the study. The mean +/- SD of age of the patients was 14.30 +/- 3.14. The mean +/- SD of duration of disease was 4.5 +/- 1.85 weeks. There was statistically significant difference in modified Ashworth scale, FIM, and FAS values when the baseline and after treatment values were compared, which indicated improvement due to treatment (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that in patients with ATM, rehabilitation of patients contributes to clinical and functional improvement of the disease (Tab. 2, Fig. 1, Ref. 23).

Effect of atorvastatin on ocular blood flow velocities in patients with diabetic retinopathy.

AIM: To investigate blood flow velocities in the ophthalmic and central retinal arteries (CRAs) in patients with diabetic retinopathy before and after atorvastatin treatment. METHODS: 45 patients with type 2 diabetes were included in this double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The patients with diabetes were divided into three subgroups: group 1 (n = 15) included patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR); group 2 (n = 15) had patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR); and group 3 (n = 15; placebo group) included 8 patients with NPDR and 7 patients with PDR. The patients in groups 1 and 2 (atorvastatin group) received 10 mg atorvastatin daily for 10 weeks. Pre-treatment and post-treatment serum levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride were recorded before and after treatment. Ocular blood flow velocities of the ophthalmic artery and CRA were evaluated by colour Doppler imaging before and after treatment in each group. RESULTS: The baseline haemodynamic parameters were similar between atorvastatin and placebo groups (p>0.05 for both). Atorvastatin significantly decreased serum levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides in groups 1 and 2 compared with pretreatment levels (p<0.001 for both). The mean peak systolic flow velocities (PSVs) of the ophthalmic artery in group 2, and the mean PSV and resistive indices of the CRA in groups 1 and 2 decreased significantly after atorvastatin treatment (p<0.05 for both), whereas the mean end diastolic flow velocity of the ophthalmic artery and CRA did not change (p>0.05). There was no significant difference in ocular blood flow velocities in the placebo group (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Atorvastatin may have a role in reducing diabetic retinal complications, with improvement in vascular resistance and decrease in the mean PSVs of the ophthalmic artery and CRA. However, further studies with large numbers of patients are needed to obtain the long-term results of this drug.

An epidemiology study of patients with uremic pruritus.

BACKGROUND: Pruritus is a common problem in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and haemodialysis patients. There are few studies on the clinical characteristics of uremic itch, the cause of which is still unknown. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to define the prevalence and clinical characteristics of pruritus in CAPD and haemodialysis patients. METHODS: A questionnaire was used to evaluate pruritus in 52 CAPD and 289 haemodialysis patients in two dialysis units. The relationship of various factors and medical parameters to itch was examined. RESULTS: Of the 341 patients, 177 (51.9%) had pruritus at the time of examination, 97 (28.4%) had pruritus in the past. Pruritus was present in 145 (50.2%) of the haemodialysis patients and 32 (61.5%) of the CAPD patients. Men, patients with liver disease, and patients with pruritus before starting dialysis treatment were more likely to have uremic pruritus. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed us that uremic pruritus was observed more in men than women. The high prevalence of uremic pruritus in our study does not support the decrease of pruritus due to an improvement in the management of dialysis patients.

What defines the quality of patient care in tinea pedis?

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study has been to evaluate patients with tinea pedis for their demographic data and attitudes affecting the treatment of disease, and to compare the in vitro activity of 10 antifungal agents and to relate them to their in vivo activity. METHODS: Patients with positive mycological examination were enrolled in the study, and a questionnaire comprised of 22 questions was administered. A mycological culture was carried out for each specimen. The antifungal susceptibility of the subcultured species was determined for griseofulvin, terbinafine, ciclopiroxolamine, fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, bifonazole, sulconazole, oxiconazole and miconazole with microdilution. RESULTS: Mycological cultures were carried out from 59 patients and there were 35 positive cultures (59.3%). The dermatophytes were Trichophyton rubrum (n = 25) and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (n = 3). The yeasts were Candida albicans (n = 7), Candida glabrata (n = 1) and Trichosporon (n = 2). In the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) study, the mean +/- standard error of the mean (SEM) MICs of the antifungals for T. rubrum were as follows: terbinafine 0.01 +/- 0.003, oxiconazole 0.16 +/- 0.05, sulkonazole 0.31 +/- 0.05, miconazole 0.45 +/- 0.15, itraconazole 0.74 +/- 0.01, ketokonazole 1.03 +/- 0.17, ciclopiroxolamine 1.30 +/- 0.12, bifonazole 1.94 +/- 0.51, griseofulvin 4.87 +/- 0.61, and fluconazole 17.91 +/- 3.67 microg/mL. CONCLUSION: Our study supports that azoles could be used as first-line treatment, as oxiconazole is very effective for both dermatophytes and C. albicans. Correlation between in vitro results and clinical outcomes of cases of dermatophytes is still to be established and interpretive breakpoints defined, in order to increase the quality of patient care in tinea pedis.

Hydrogen peroxide bleaching of cotton in ultrasonic energy.

It is well known that, conventional hydrogen peroxide bleaching process is an important and a specific step for wet processors; however it has some problems such as long time, high energy consumption. On the other hand, using ultrasonic energy in bleaching is an alternative method for the conventional processes. In this work, 100% cotton materials of different forms such as raw fibre, ring-spun yarns and knitted fabrics produced from these cottons, were treated with hydrogen peroxide in two different concentrations (5 mL/L and 10 mL/L), at three different temperatures (20 degrees C, 30 degrees C, 40 degrees C) and times (20 min, 30 min, 60 min). Whiteness Index of the samples were then measured spectrophotometrically and the overall results were compared.

Married men's opinions and involvement regarding family planning in rural areas.

As men play a prominent role in reproduction, it is therefore extremely useful to assess and encourage them to be involved in contraception, particularly in developing countries, where contraceptive goals have not been reached. This study was carried out in Kayseri, Turkey, in order to determine the attitudes and behavior of married men concerning family planning. A questionnaire was presented to 123 married men. In our study, 91.9% of men approved of family planning, but only 54.4% actually used any contraceptive methods; 66.7% of the men said that the decision should be a joint one, 66.4% wanted to limit their family size. Approximately one fourth of the men had never heard of voluntary sterilization. No one in the study group was aware of the mini-pill, diaphragm or Norplant. In the study group, 26.8% of the men did not want their wives to use intrauterine devices and 31.7% of them did not agree with women using the contraceptive pills. Among those unwilling to use a condom (46.3%), 70.1% stated that it might interrupt intercourse. If a contraceptive pill for males could be used, 25.2% of members of the group would be prepared to use it. Only 17.5% men in the study group had contacted a doctor or a health foundation to obtain information. The main sources of family planning information were TV/radio, followed by friends and newspapers/magazines. In order to encourage men's involvement in family planning, the use of mass media and continual training programs, to try to reach both men and women, could be very useful.