Effects of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Neural Tube Development in Early Chicken Embryos.

AIM: To investigate the effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) on neural tube development in early chicken embryos. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty pathogen-free fertilized eggs were initially incubated for thirty hours. The eggs were divided into 5 groups. In the control group (C) the egg?s apex was opened and closed without any administration. In the distilled water group (DW), 10 microliters of distilled water were injected into the sub-blastodermic area. ZnO-NP suspensions were prepared in distilled water and injected sub-blastodermically into the low, medium and high dose ZnO-NP groups (10 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, and 50 mg/kg, respectively). Incubation was completed in 72 hours, and embryological and neural tube development was evaluated histologically with a light microscope. RESULTS: Embryos in all groups were evaluated according to the Hamburger-Hamilton (HH) staging. It was observed that the staging progressed by the developmental process between 68-72 hours, which is equivalent to the 19-20th stage of HH. Differentiated otic vesicle, optic cup, lens vesicle, pharynx, and Rathke?s pouch were all observed in embryo sections. Both forebrain and hindbrain vesicles were easily distinguished in the sections by cranial flexion. Neural tube closure defect was not detected in any of the groups. CONCLUSION: In our observations, ZnO-NPs did not affect neural tube development at the applied dose ranges. We believe that additional studies with higher doses using a higher number of subjects will help clarify the conflicting data in the literature.

Prevalence and associated factors for burnout among attending general surgeons: a national cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Burnout resulting from long-term and unmanaged workplace stress is high among healthcare professionals, especially surgeons, and affects both individuals and the quality of patient care. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors for burnout among attending general surgeons and to identify possible preventive strategies. METHODS: A national cross-sectional survey using a 35-item questionnaire was conducted among members of the Turkish Surgical Society. The survey evaluated demographics, professional and practice characteristics, social participation, and burnout as well as interventions to deal with burnout. Burnout was defined as a high score on the emotional exhaustion (EE) and/or depersonalization (DP) subscales. Surgeons with high scores on both the EE and DP and a low score on personal accomplishment (PA) were considered to have severe burnout. RESULTS: Six hundred fifteen general surgeons completed the survey. The median EE, DP, and PA scores were 34 (IQR, 20-43), 9 (IQR, 4-16), and 36 (IQR, 30-42), respectively. Overall, the prevalence of burnout and severe burnout were 69.1 and 22.0%, respectively. On multivariable analysis, factors independently associated with burnout were working in a training and research hospital (OR = 3.34; P < 0.001) or state hospital (OR = 2.77; P = 0.001), working ≥ 60 h per week (OR = 1.57; P = 0.046), and less frequent participation in social activities (OR = 3.65; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Burnout is an important problem among general surgeons with impacts and consequences for professionals, patients, and society. Considering that burnout is a preventable condition, systematic efforts to identify at-risk populations and to develop strategies to address burnout in surgeons are needed.