Titanium dioxide nanoparticles induce cytotoxicity and reduce mitotic index in human amniotic fluid-derived cells.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) are commonly used materials present in many consumables for which most people are exposed to. The biological hazards of the NPs on human health have been demonstrated previously. In this study, we aimed to assess the cytotoxicity potency of TiO2 NPs on the primary human amniotic fluid cells. The cells derived from amniotic fluid were treated with different dosages of TiO2 NPs for some periods. Cell adhesion status was assessed using a light microscopic observation. Cell proliferation and cell death rates were determined using trypan blue staining and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Also, mitotic index was determined using fluorescence in situ hybridization with chromosome 8 centromer-specific DNA probe. Disrupted cell adhesion, decreased proliferation, and increased mortality rates were detected in the cells that were treated with TiO2 NPs depending on the dosage (p < 0.001). Also, reduced mitotic index was determined in the cells depending on the time and TiO2 dosage when compared with the controls (p < 0.0001). These results showed that TiO2 NPs have high cytotoxicity for amniotic fluid-derived cells. Therefore, different products containing TiO2 NPs should be used with care, especially for pregnant women.

Quality of life and difficulties of patients encountered after autologous stem cell transplantation.

PURPOSE: To assess the quality of life (QoL) and difficulties of patients encountered after (at least day 100+) autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). METHODS: Patients from 4 bone marrow transplantation (BMT) centers in Ankara formed the study group. Data were collected via a socio-demographic form, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (QLQ-C30), the Long-term BMT recovery questionnaire and a specific questionnaire adapted from Bush BMT Symptom Inventory for measuring symptom severity and symptom distress related to ASCT. Out of 114 eligible patients 67 (58.8%) responded the questionnaires and were included in the study. RESULTS: The mean time elapsed since transplantation was 16.1 months (range 4-43). Sixteen (23.9%) patients returned to work after transplantation; the mean time from transplantation to active work was 8 months. The symptoms experienced most, interfering with the patients' daily activities related to ASCT were fatigue, dental problems, hair loss, tingling sensation /numbness in hands and feet, mouth/throat problems, taste alterations, cough and skin problems. The majority of them reported fear of infection and disease relapse. Sexual dysfunctions, difficulty of concentration and difficulties of maintaining religious activities were also reported. 76% of patients reported their current QoL was the same or better than before transplantation and rated their current health-related QoL as good to excellent (mean 64.5). Financial difficulties, fatigue, sleeping problems, and pain were the factors most rated affecting QoL. CONCLUSION: Fear of disease relapse, economical problems and difficulties with physical activities were reported as the most difficult factors to deal with after transplantation, showing the importance of creating multidisciplinary teamwork for these groups of patients.

The relationship among vitamin C, beta-carotene, vitamin A, progesterone and oestradiol 17-beta concentrations in plasma and cyst fluid of Holstein cows with ovarian cyst.

The aims of this study were to determine the concentrations of the progesterone, oestradiol-17-beta, vitamin A, C and beta-carotene in plasma and cyst fluid and to relate these values with cystic diameter and membrane thickness of Holstein cattle with ovarian luteal cyst. 1650 Holstein cows were examined for the presence of the ovarian cyst and luteal and follicular cystic ovaries were obtained following slaughtering in personal slaughterhouse in Konya-Turkey. 15 Luteal and 15 follicular cystic ovaries were distinguished by rectal palpation and by post mortem ultrasonographic examination. Plasma and cyst fluid, hormone and vitamin analyses were carried out by EIA method and spectrophotometric measurement respectively. Although there was no relationship between beta-carotene and vitamin A in plasma and cyst fluid of both cyst type and hormone concentrations, the vitamin C concentration of cyst fluid was found significantly higher in luteal cyst than in follicular cyst. Moreover, there is a positive correlation among values of the vitamin C concentrations of cyst fluid and cystic membrane thickness, plasma and the cyst fluid progesterone concentrations, but there is a negative correlation among the vitamin C concentrations of cystic fluid and oestradiol 17beta levels of plasma and cyst fluid. In conclusion, vitamin C concentration of cyst fluid supported ultrasonographic and endocrinologic findings. Also, it can be postulated that vitamin C is probably effective on progesterone synthesis in the luteal tissue of cyst.

Needs of lay caregivers of bone marrow transplant patients in Turkey: a multicenter study.

The purpose of this research was to identify the needs of lay caregivers of bone marrow transplant (BMT) patients throughout the BMT trajectory. The sample consisted of 58 lay caregivers of BMT patients (5 of which were inpatients) from the 4 BMT units in Ankara, Turkey. Data were collected through a demographic data form and the Psychological and Social Needs Scale. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 10.0 for Windows. Among the descriptive statistics, frequencies and percentages were used to define the characteristics of lay caregivers and responses related to information. Mean values, standard deviations, and the Pearson correlation coefficients were also calculated for the results of the subscales. Most of the lay caregivers were spouses. The rest were other family members: brother/sister, mother, son/daughter, or father. Only one lay caregiver was a friend. The most common type of BMT was autologous. Most of the surveys were completed by the lay caregivers whose patients had been out of the hospital for 100+ days after BMT. The lay caregivers were educated on the BMT process by various sources, and 67.24% of them expressed satisfaction with the information that they were given. A majority of them preferred face-to-face communication with a healthcare professional. The categories of the information provided were diagnosis and treatment, homecare after discharge, follow-ups and laboratory tests, and nutrition. They indicated a need for more information, particularly regarding homecare after discharge and diagnosis. Fear was the highest scoring psychological needs/problems of lay caregivers, whereas leisure activity deficit was highest among the social needs/problems. The information gathered from this study led us to reevaluate our healthcare services for both patients and lay caregivers to improve physical, psychological, and social aspects of the nursing care as a whole.

Vitamin A and beta-carotene levels in plasma, corpus luteum and follicular fluid of cyclic and pregnant cattle.

This study was carried out to examine the relationship between the corpus luteum (CL) weight, CL and follicle diameters and progesterone, beta-carotene and vitamin A levels in reproductive organs of cattle obtained from the slaughterhouse. The beta-carotene and vitamin A levels were determined in plasma, CL and follicular fluid (FF) using a spectrophotometric method at different stages of the oestrous cycle (n=40) and at 3-6 months of pregnancy (n=10). The diameters of the CL and follicle were measured using ultrasonography. Plasma progesterone concentrations were determined by an enzyme immunoassay method. The vitamin A levels of the plasma, CL and FF were not related to each other. The highest plasma vitamin A levels were observed in the proestrus and oestrus, at which periods follicular activity dominates. The vitamin A levels in the CL and FF were negatively related to the weight and diameter of the CL and the diameter of follicle, respectively. In contrast to vitamin A, beta-carotene concentrations of plasma, CL and FF were significantly correlated with each other. The highest beta-carotene levels in the plasma, CL and FF were found during pregnancy when there is maximal luteal function, and the beta-carotene level of the CL was significantly correlated with the weight and diameter of CL. Furthermore, the intrafollicular beta-carotene level was negatively correlated with the follicle diameter. There was a positive correlation between plasma progesterone level and the weight and diameter of the CL, but a negative correlation between plasma progesterone level and follicle diameter. Moreover, plasma, FF and CL beta-carotene levels were positively correlated with plasma progesterone levels. This study revealed that beta-carotene levels in the plasma, CL and FF were influenced by the stage of the oestrous cycle or the pregnancy and were related to bovine luteal function without depending on vitamin A.