Risk of burns in pressure cooker usage: a comprehensive analysis of explosive injuries.

BACKGROUND: Despite the widespread use of pressure cookers for quick and efficient cooking, literature has insufficiently highlighted the potential dangers resulting from inappropriate handling. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of 32 patients who presented with pressure cooker burns, emphasizing the serious risks associated with their misuse. METHODS: Retrospective data were collected from patients admitted to Bagcilar Training and Research Hospital Burn Center between 2017 and 2020 with pressure cooker burns in Türkiye. Data encompassed patient characteristics, burn causes, locations, severities, treatments, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: The study included 32 patients (29 female/3 male) with a mean age of 42.3 (8-83). Patients were categorized based on burn areas, revealing associated injuries such as ocular (34.3%) and ear injuries (6.25%). The average hospital stay was 10.5 days [2-37]. While five pressure cookers exploded due to product-related issues, 26 explosions resulted from user errors (15.6%/81.2%). Importantly, no mortality was observed among the patients. CONCLUSION: While pressure cookers facilitate rapid food preparation, this study underscores the severe risks arising from product or usage errors. This study emphasizes the need for more effective usage instructions and increased awareness about pressure cookers to prevent burn risks. We anticipate that educational programs focused on safe pressure cooker use could significantly reduce the incidence of serious injuries.

Investigation of the potential of miRNA candidates as non-invasive biomarkers for the diagnosis and follow-up of colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide, and despite advances in treatment, molecular biomarkers are needed for both early diagnosis and prognosis monitoring. It is known that microRNAs (miRNA), one of the epigenetic mechanisms, are effective in the initiation and development of cancer by regulating the activity of tumor suppressors and/or oncogenes. In this study, the potential of the molecules let-7, miRNA125b, and miRNA30a, which are known to play a role in cellular processes, as biomarkers for colorectal cancer and their molecular mechanisms were investigated in this model. The aim was to evaluate the diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive utility of the target miRNAs in colorectal cancer patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The expression changes of miRNAs let-7, miRNA125b, and miRNA30a were investigated by miRNAs isolation and cDNA synthesis from the serum samples of 60 patients diagnosed with CRC or from the serum samples of 20 healthy individuals. The calculation was performed using the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction method to determine the expression level. The results were compared with clinical parameters. RESULT: An 8-fold decrease in the expression of let-7 and miRNA125b and a 60-fold decrease in the expression of miRNA30a were found in the serum samples of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) compared to the healthy group. A decrease in let-7 was observed in 53.3%, miRNA125b in 58.3%, and miRNA30a in 55% of patients. A significant correlation was found between the reduced expression status and the stage, lymph nodes, local recurrence, and metastasis (p < 0.05). The ROC analysis showed that the miRNA30a level could be a diagnostic biomarker for CRC (p < 0.001). No significant impact of target miRNA expression changes on overall disease survival was observed. CONCLUSION: It is thought that the target miRNA30a can be used for early diagnosis and screening and that the target miRNA let-7, miRNA125b, and miRNA30a can be used as non-invasive biomarkers for disease follow-up, with larger patient studies being conducted on CRC patients.

Rider sitting position widens lumbar intervertebral distance: a prospective observational study

Abstract Background: Reduced lumbar lordosis may make the process of identifying the intervertebral distance easier. The primary aim of this study was to measure the L3-L4 intervertebral space in the same patients undergoing spinal anesthesia in three different sitting positions, including the classic sitting position (CSP), hamstring stretch position (HSP) and rider sitting position (RSP). The secondary aim was to compare ultrasonographic measurements of the depth of the ligamentum flavum and intrathecal space in these three defined positions. Methods: This study is a single-blinded, prospective, randomized study. Ninety patients were included in final analysis. the patients were positioned on the operating table in three different positions to perform ultrasonographic measurements of the spinal canal. The intervertebral distance (IVD), the distance between the skin and the ligamentum flavum (DBSLF) and the intrathecal space (IS) were measured in the L3 -L4 intervertebral space in three different positions. Results: The RSP produced the largest mean distance between the spinous processes. The RSP yielded a significantly larger IVD than did the CSP (p < 0.001) and HSP (p < 0.001). The DBSP was larger in the CSP than in the HSP (p = 0.001). The DBSLF was significantly larger in the RSP than in the HSP (p = 0.009). Conclusions: Positioning the patient in the RSP significantly increased the intervertebral distance between L3 -L4 vertebrae compared to the CSP and HSP, suggesting easier performance of lumbar neuraxial block.

Rider sitting position widens lumbar intervertebral distance: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Reduced lumbar lordosis may make the process of identifying the intervertebral distance easier. The primary aim of this study was to measure the L3...L4 intervertebral space in the same patients undergoing spinal anesthesia in three different sitting positions, including the classic sitting position (CSP), hamstring stretch position (HSP) and rider sitting position (RSP). The secondary aim was to compare ultrasonographic measurements of the depth of the ligamentum flavum and intrathecal space in these three defined positions. METHODS: This study is a single-blinded, prospective, randomized study. Ninety patients were included in final analysis. the patients were positioned on the operating table in three different positions to perform ultrasonographic measurements of the spinal canal. The intervertebral distance (IVD), the distance between the skin and the ligamentum flavum (DBSLF) and the intrathecal space (IS) were measured in the L3...L4 intervertebral space in three different positions. RESULTS: The RSP produced the largest mean distance between the spinous processes. The RSP yielded a significantly larger IVD than did the CSP (p < 0.001) and HSP (p < 0.001). The DBSP was larger in the CSP than in the HSP (p = 0.001). The DBSLF was significantly larger in the RSP than in the HSP (p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Positioning the patient in the RSP significantly increased the intervertebral distance between L3...L4 vertebrae compared to the CSP and HSP, suggesting easier performance of lumbar neuraxial block.

[Investigation of Humoral and Cellular Immunity in TOBB ETÜ Hospital Workers After Three Doses of CoronaVac Vaccination and after One Dose of Comirnaty Vaccination Following Two Doses of CoronaVac]. / TOBB ETÜ Hastanesi Çalisanlarinda Üç Doz CoronaVac ile Iki Doz CoronaVac ve Bir Doz Comirnaty Asisi Sonrasi Humoral ve Hücresel Immünite Düzeylerinin Incelenmesi.

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic still continues around the world by making peaks with different variants. In the fight against COVID-19, vaccination is currently the only protective measure. In Turkey, vaccination started firstly in healthcare workers on 13 January 2021 with the CoronaVac (Sinovac Biotech, Chinese) vaccine, and booster doses were administered with the CoronaVac and Comirnaty vaccines in July 2021. In this cross-sectional study, it was aimed to determine the humoral and cellular immunity levels of the employees of the TOBB ETU Hospital 2.5-3.5 months after three doses of vaccination and identify the effective factors. With the power analysis that was conducted with the G*Power software, it was determined to be suitable to include 40 TOBB ETU Hospital workers who had their third dose with the CoronaVac vaccine and 60 workers of the same hospital who had their third dose with the Comirnaty (Pfizer Biontech, Germany) vaccine, and age- and sex-matching was considered by selecting 60 workers randomly from among 223 workers who had Comirnaty as their third dose. The study excluded individuals who had a previous COVID-19 infection or had a positive PCR test result. After collecting blood samples on 18-22 October 2021, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) immunoglobulin G levels were studied with the chemiluminescence immunoassay method using a Beckman-Access device (Beckman Coulter Inc., CA, USA) for humoral immunity, and T-SPOT test (T-SPOT. COVID SARS-CoV-2 test-Oxford Immunotec, Singapur) was carried out for cellular immunity. Additionally, demographic data, habits, personal information such as weight and height, reasons for choosing the vaccine and post-vaccine side effects were obtained through the data collection form. Data collection was completed on 29 November 2021. As a result, among the healthcare workers who had received their third dose of vaccine with Comirnaty and CoronaVac; while 25% of those who received three doses of CoronaVac had humoral immunity, 93.3% humoral immunity was determined in the heterogeneous vaccine group with two doses of CoronaVac and one dose of Comirnaty vaccine (p<0.05). Cellular immunity was found to be higher (88.3%, 70%) in those who received the heterologous vaccine than those who completed three doses of the same vaccine (p<0.05). In the heterogeneous vaccination group consisting of the healthcare workers who had their third vaccine dose with Comirnaty and those who had it with CoronaVac, humoral and cellular immunity levels were found high. Among the participants whose humoral immunity was found negative, cellular immunity was present in 75% of those who had Comirnaty as their third dose and 63.3% of those who had CoronaVac. While no significant relationship was found between immunity levels and age, sex or body mass index (BMI), the levels of both forms of immunity were lower in those who had chronic diseases. Among the participants, physicians preferred the third dose of Comirnaty vaccine at a rate of 71.4% and laboratory workers preferred this vaccine at a rate of 80% according to the workplace. In the third dose vaccine preference reasons, it was stated that 55% would continue with the same vaccine, experience fewer side effects, 44% provide more immunity and 9% do not prevent going abroad. The incidence of side effects after the third dose of vaccine was 53% higher in those who received the Comirnaty vaccine than in those who received CoronaVac (35%). Based on these data, it was concluded that heterologous vaccination should be preferred in vaccination strategies, and knowing cellular immunity levels is important for the decision. There is a need for more comprehensive and follow-up studies on how long humoral and especially cellular immunity lasts.

Anticancer Effects of Urtica Dioica in Breast Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study is to look into the antiproliferative capabilities of Urtica Dioica (UD) on breast cancer. METHODS: The cytotoxicity of UD extracts against breast cancer cell lines was investigated. Flow cytometry analyses were used to investigate in vitro apoptosis of breast cancer cells using Annexin V labeling. In vivo tests also performed. RESULTS: UD showed cytotoxicity to three cancer cell lines. The number of Annexin-positive cells was higher in UD-treated cell lines than in untreated control cells. When compared to the untreated control group, the rats treated with UD had greater expressions of caspase 3, p53 protein, and TUNEL positive cells. When compared to the control group, Ki-67 expression was reduced in the treatment groups. In vivo tests revealed that, when compared to untreated rats, the mean tumor volume inhibition ratio in the UD group was 38 percent. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that Urtica Dioica may have antitumoral properties in the treatment of breast cancer.

The importance of body core temperature evaluation in balneotherapy.

It is not wrong to say that there are no application standards or best practices in balneotherapy considering traditional applications. There is not enough information about how changes in body temperature, duration, and frequency of exposure to heat affect therapeutic outcomes of balneotherapeutic applications. Body core temperature (BCT) is probably the best parameter for expressing the heat load of the body and can be used to describe the causal relationship between heat exposure and its effects. There are several reasons to take BCT changes into account; for example, it can be used for individualized treatment planning, defining the consequences of thermal effects, developing disease-specific approaches, avoiding adverse effects, and designing clinical trials. The reasons why BCT changes should be considered instead of conventional measures will be discussed while explaining the effects of balneotherapy in this article, along with a discussion of BCT measurement in balneotherapy practice.

A review on the application of nanoporous zeolite for sanitary landfill leachate treatment.

This review deals with low-cost nanoporous zeolites for the treatment of sanitary landfill leachate. Organic contaminants and ammoniacal nitrogen are significant parameters in landfill leachate treatment. Adsorption processes are regarded as promising alternative treatment options in this respect. Zeolites are aluminosilicate materials that are widely used in separation, filtration, adsorption and catalysis. Natural zeolite is a low-cost and readily available form of zeolite and is a promising candidate to be used as an ion-exchange material for ammonia and other inorganic pollutant removal from landfill leachate. In this review, adsorption isotherms and kinetic models in batch systems are evaluated and adsorption design parameters of the fixed-bed system are presented. Studies on ammonia removal from landfill leachate via zeolites have been thoroughly investigated. Leachate treatment systems combined with zeolites are presented. Cost of zeolites are also reported in comparison with other adsorbents. The investigated studies demonstrate that activated zeolite can improve the removal of chemical oxygen demand, NH3-N and colour significantly compared to the case where raw zeolite is used. Moreover, the composite of activated carbon and zeolite is also favorable for ammonia removal according to reported findings, where best adsorptive removal is attained on the composite media (24.39 mg/g).

The effects of early femoral nerve block intervention on preoperative pain management and incidence of postoperative delirium geriatric patients undergoing trochanteric femur fracture surgery: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Hip fracture is a common clinical problem which causes severe pain in geriatric patients. However, severe pain following fracture may bring on mental disorders and delirium. A neuroinflammatory response with IL-6 and IL-8 has been shown to be associated with the pathophysiology of delirium. In this study, our primary hypothesis is that preoperative femoral nerve block (FNB) intervention in geriatric patients will more effectively attenuate pain following trochanteric femur fracture than the preoperative paracetamol application. Our secondary hypothesis is that interleukin levels (IL-6, IL-8) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) will be lower in the femoral nerve block group than the paracetamol group. Our tertiary hypothesis is that the incidence of postoperative delirium will be lower in the femoral nerve block group. METHODS: The patients over 65 years of age with ASA status II-IV and admitted to the Emergency Service for femur fracture were included in this study. Recommendations of the 'delirium prevention table' were applied to all of the patients at arrival. In the first group, 15 mg/kg paracetamol was administered intravenously every eight hours. In the second group, femoral nerve blockage was performed, and a catheter was placed. Then, 0.5 mL/kg bupivacaine 0.25% was applied every eight hours. In both groups, pain scores four hours after interventions were recorded. All patients were operated within 48 hours under spinal anesthesia. During spinal anesthesia, 2 mL of CSF samples were taken from all patients for analysis of IL-6 and IL-8 cytokines, and pain scores during positioning were recorded. RESULTS: VAS scores four hours after the first preoperative pain treatment and during the positioning for regional anesthesia were significantly lower in the femoral nerve block group. IL-8 levels are significantly lower in the femoral nerve block group but not in IL-6 levels. The incidence of delirium was less in the femoral nerve block group, but the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The femoral nerve block was more effective in preoperative pain management of trochanteric femur fracture and preventing pain during regional anesthesia application. The mean IL-8 level was lower in the femoral nerve block group when compared to the paracetamol group. There is no difference in the postoperative delirium incidence between groups.

Our experience with dermal substitute Nevelia® in the treatment of severely burned patients.

BACKGROUND: This research aims to retrospectively evaluate the effectiveness and safety of dermal substitute (DS), Nevelia®, for the treatment of severely burned patients. METHODS: Twenty severely burned patients were enrolled in this study between May 2017 and May 2018. After escharotomy of the wound, the treatment protocol was applied following a two-step procedure -DS implantation followed by split-thickness skin graft (STSG) application. Need for surgery, complications, hospitalisation duration and overall survival were analysed. RESULTS: Mean age was 40.1±4 (18-86) years old; female/male: 5/15. Mean burn surface area was 50.1%±2 (25-96). Two patients died under hospital treatment due to the severity of their burn trauma and comorbidities. For the rest of the cases, STSG was performed after Nevelia® at mean 21.2 days. No complications due to Nevelia® were detected. The patients were discharged with a mean total recovery of 55.2±4 days. CONCLUSION: This study showed that Nevelia® can be used safely and effectively in severely burned patients with low complication rates and short hospital stay.

Comparison of the effects of modified pectoral nerve block and erector spinae plane block on postoperative opioid consumption and pain scores of patients after radical mastectomy surgery: A prospective, randomized, controlled trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy of women all over the world. In this study, we compared the effects of ultrasound-guided modified pectoral nerve (PECS) block and erector spinae plane (ESP) block on postoperative opioid consumption, pain scores, and intraoperative fentanyl need of patients undergoing unilateral modified radical mastectomy surgery. DESIGN: Single-blinded, prospective, randomized, efficacy study. SETTING: Tertiary university hospital, postoperative recovery room and surgical ward. PATIENTS: Forty patients (ASA I-II) were allocated to two groups. After exclusion, 38 patients were included in the final analysis (18 patients in the PECS groups and 20 in the ESP group). INTERVENTIONS: Modified pectoral nerve block was performed in the PECS group and erector spinae plane block was performed in the ESP group. MEASUREMENTS: Postoperative tramadol consumption and pain scores were compared between the groups. Also, intraoperative fentanyl need was measured. MAIN RESULTS: Postoperative tramadol consumption was 132.78 ±â€¯22.44 mg in PECS group and 196 ±â€¯27.03 mg in ESP group (p = 0.001). NRS scores at the 15th and 30th min were similar between the groups. However, median NRS scores were significantly lower in PECS group at the postoperative 60th min, 120th min, 12th hour and 24th hour (p = 0.024, p = 0.018, p = 0.021 and p = 0.011 respectively). Intraoperative fentanyl need was 75 mg in PECS group and 87.5 mg in ESP group. The difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.263). CONCLUSION: Modified PECS block reduced postoperative tramadol consumption and pain scores more effectively than ESP block after radical mastectomy surgery.

KRAS, BRAF oncogene mutations and tissue specific promoter hypermethylation of tumor suppressor SFRP2, DAPK1, MGMT, HIC1 and p16 genes in colorectal cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is a serious disease that causes significant morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Genetic changes, such as mutations in proto-oncogenes and DNA repair genes, and loss of function in the tumor suppressor genes cause colorectal cancer development. Abnormal DNA methylation is also known to play a crucial role in colorectal carcinogenesis. OBJECTIVE: In this study, frequencies of KRAS and BRAF mutations, promoter hypermethylation profiles of SFRP2, DAPK1, MGMT, HIC1 and p16 genes, and possible associations between hypermethylation of these genes and KRAS and BRAF mutations were aimed to find out. METHODS: Ninety three colorectal cancer tissues and 14 normal colon mucosas were included in the study. Common twelve KRAS gene mutation were investigated with using reverse-hybridization strip assay method. BRAF V600E mutations were investigated with RFLP method. Hypermethylation status of five tumor suppressor genes were detected by using reverse-hybridization strip assay method after bisulfite modification of DNA. RESULTS: KRAS and BRAF mutation frequencies were determined as 54.84% and 12.9%, respectively. Promoter hypermethylation frequencies of tumor suppressor genes SFRP2, DAPK1, MGMT, HIC1 and p16 were determined as 66.7%, 45.2%, 40.9%, 40.9% and 15.1%, respectively. Statistically significant associations were found between BRAF mutation and SFRP2 and p16 tumor suppressor genes hypermethylation (SFRP2; p= 0.005, p16; p= 0.016). Compared to rectum, SFRP2 (p= 0.017) and MGMT (p= 0.013) genes have statistically significantly higher promoter hypermethylation in colon. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the current study have confirmed that KRAS mutations and SFRP2 hypermethylation can be used as genetic markers in colorectal cancer.

Does addition of 'mud-pack and hot pool treatment' to patient education make a difference in fibromyalgia patients? A randomized controlled single blind study.

The aim of this randomized controlled single-blind study is to explore whether addition of mud-pack and hot pool treatments to patient education make a significant difference in short and mild term outcomes of the patients with fibromyalgia. Seventy women with fibromyalgia syndrome were randomly assigned to either balneotherapy with mud-pack and hot pool treatments (35) or control (35) groups. After randomization, five patients from balneotherapy group and five patients from control group were dropped out from the study with different excuses. All patients had 6-h patient education programme about fibromyalgia syndrome and were given a home exercise programme. The patients in balneotherapy group had heated pool treatment at 38 °C for 20 min a day, and mud-pack treatment afterwards on back region at 45 °C. Balneotherapy was applied on weekdays for 2 weeks. All patients continued to take their medical treatment. An investigator who was blinded to the intervention assessed all the patients before and after the treatment, at the first and the third months of follow-up. Outcome measures were FIQ, BDI and both patient's and physician's global assessments. Balneotherapy group was significantly better than control group at after the treatment and at the end of the first month follow-up assessments in terms of patient's and physician's global assessment, total FIQ score, and pain intensity, fatigue, non-refreshed awaking, stiffness, anxiety and depression subscales of FIQ. No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of BDI scores. It is concluded that patient education combined with 2 weeks balneotherapy application has more beneficial effects in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome as compared to patient education alone.

Chemopreventive effects of hydatid disease on experimental breast cancer.

Breast cancer is one of the most common and letal cancers in all over the world. Since there have been significant improvements in treatment of breast cancer, there is still a big need for alternative approaches. In this study, we aimed to investigate protective role of hydatid disease against breast cancer. Twenty Wistar rats were divided into two groups of 10 rats each Group I (control) and Group II. In Group II intraperitoneal hydatidosis was performed. Then DMBA was applied to mammary tissues of all rats. Immunohistochemistry studies for Ki-67 and S-100 in the tumoral tissue sections of DMBA induced mammary tumor in rats were performed. TUNEL Assay was used to detect apoptotic cells of tumoral tissue. In vivo anticancer activity testing was carried out by preventing the tumorigenesis by DMBA in mammary tissue of rats. The expressions of the Ki-67 and S-100 protein decreased in rats who had Hydatid Disease (HD) (Group II), compared with the control rats (Group I). TUNEL positive cells were higher in rats with HD (Group II), compared with the control rats (Group I). In vivo studies showed that HD prevented the tumorigenesis by DMBA in mammary tissue of rats with 50 percent.In the light of the evidence the present study showed that HD may have chemopreventive effects on DMBA induced breast cancer.

Effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitor E7080 and eNOS inhibitor L-NIO on colorectal cancer alone and in combination.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of E7080 and N (5)-(1-iminoethyl)-L-ornithine dihydrochloride (L-NIO) on colorectal cancer alone and in combination. METHODS: HT29 colorectal cancer cell line from Sap Institute was used. Real-time cell analysis (xCELLigence system) was performed to determine the effects of E7080 and L-NIO on colorectal cell proliferation. While apoptosis was determined with Annexin V staining, and the effect of agents on angiogenesis was determined with chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model. RESULTS: We found that E7080 has a strong antiproliferative effect with an half maximum inhibition of concentration (IC50) value of 5.60×10(-8) mol/L. Also it has been observed that E7080 showed antiangiogenic and apoptotic effects on HT29 colorectal cancer cells. Antiangiogenic scores of E7080 were 1.2, 1.0 and 0.6 for 100, 10 and 1 nmol/L E7080 concentrations, respectively. Furthermore, apoptosis has been detected in 71% of HT29 colorectal cancer cells after administration of 100 nmol/L E7080 which may indicate strong apoptotic effect. Meanwhile administration of L-NIO alone did not show any effect, but the combination of E7080 with L-NIO increased the antiproliferative, antiangiogenic and apoptotic effects of E7080. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study indicate that E7080 may be a good choice in treatment of colorectal tumors. Furthermore the increased effects of E7080 when combined with L-NIO raise the possibility to use a lower dose of E7080 and therefore avoid/minimize the side effects observed with E7080.