The results of a close follow-up of trainees to gain a good blood collection practice

BackgroundPhlebotomy is one of the most important steps in the preanalytical phase of a clinical laboratory process. In order to decrease phlebotomy errors, this specific procedure should be taught in detail by laboratory organizations. Our study aims to practice the training program on venous blood sampling and observe the close follow-up results.MethodsIn this observational study, 127 students who started their summer internship in Antalya Education and Research Hospital were given a one-day theoretical phlebotomy training in accordance with the Venous Blood Sampling Guidelines. After the theoretical training, phlebotomy applications of 10 students who were working in the field of out-patient blood sampling were observed both with and without their knowledge. A comprehensive checklist related to phlebotomy was created by the trainers in Antalya Education and Research Hospital and the observers answered each question as yes or no. For the statistical analysis, IBM SPSS Statistics 21.0 was used.ResultsAfter the theoretical education, the trainees were observed but no significant difference was found between the first and the second informed observations (p = 0.125). The students were observed three times more in the following week without their knowledge. There was a statistically significant difference between the first and the third unannounced observations (p=0.001).ConclusionsIn order to perform phlebotomy correctly, apart from theoretical education, a close follow-up is necessary too.     

Chitosan and silver nanoparticles are attractive auxin carriers: A comparative study on the adventitious rooting of microcuttings in apple rootstocks

Nanocarriers for encapsulation and sustained release of agrochemicals such as auxins have emerged as an attractive strategy to provide enhanced bioavailability and efficacy for improved crop yields and nutrition quality. Here, a comparative study was conducted on the effectiveness of chitosan-as a biopolymeric nanocarrier- and silver-as a metallic nanocarrier- on in vitro adventitious rooting potential of microcuttings in apple rootstocks, for the first time. Auxins indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) loaded silver (nAg) or chitosan nanoparticles (nChi) were synthesized. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy studies showed the spherical shape of the nanoparticles. The average particle size of IAA-nChi was 167.5 ± 0.1 nm while that of IBA-nChi was 123.2 ± 2.6 nm. The hydrodynamic diameter of the nAg-IAA and nAg-IBA particles were measured as 93.66 ± 5 nm and 71.41 ± 3 nm, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses confirmed the encapsulation of IAA or IBA in the chitosan nanoparticles. Meanwhile, the characteristic peaks of IAA or IBA were detected on silver nanoparticles. In-vitro adventitious rooting of microcuttings of Malling Merton 106 (MM 106) was significantly higher both in chitosan and silver nanoparticles loaded with IAA or IBA (91.7%–62.5%) compared to free IAA or IBA applications (50.0%–33.3%), except for 2.0 mg L^–1 IBA (66.7%). However, the application of 2 mg L^–1 IBA and IBA-nChi at all concentrations caused an undesirable large callus development.     

Development of Vaccine Prototype Against Zika Virus Disease of Peptide-Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles and Evaluation of Cytotoxicity

Zika virus has recently evolved from an obscure mosquito-borne pathogen to an international public health concern. People with Zika virus disease can have indications including mild fever, skin rash, conjunctivitis, muscle pain, malaise or headache. Effective vaccines are needed for controlling and preventing the disease. In the current study, we aim to design the substructure for vaccine against Zika virus by forming antigenic peptide epitope of the disease. Zika peptide loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles have been fabricated in the present work as a potential artificial vaccine. UV and FT-IR Spectrophotometers and ZetaSizer were used for studying the nanoparticles, and Scanning Electron Microscope was used for morphological examination. The nanoparticles (NPs) yield, encapsulation efficiency, the peptide loading capacity were determined and in vitro release of the peptide was studied. Cytotoxic effects of the various concentrations of Zika peptide, blank PLGA nanoparticles and Zika peptide loaded PLGA nanoparticles on ECV304 human epithelial cells were determined via MTT assay. The present paper could be considered as one of the important steps in the use of nanoparticles for constructing the new generation of vaccination systems.

     

Alterations of oxidative-antioxidative status in human cutaneous leishmaniasis

Enhanced lipid peroxidation and decreased antioxidant defences have been defined in several diseases. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the oxidative-antioxidative status of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Concentrations of erythrocyte lipid peroxidation (LPO), as an indicator for the oxidative status, reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and serum vitamin C levels, as indicators for the antioxidative status, were measured. Seventy patients aged between 15 and 50 years (38 patients had active CL and 32 patients had healed CL) and 40 healthy controls aged between 19 and 50 years were included in the study. LPO and GSH of the patients with active CL were significantly higher (p < 0.001), whereas erythrocyte GSH-Px and serum vitamin C levels were lower (p < 0.001, p < 0.01 respectively) than those of healthy controls. There was a significant inverse correlation between LPO and serum vitamin C level (r=-0.32, p < 0.05) in active CL. No significant correlation of LPO, GSH, GSH-Px and serum vitamin C levels in control groups or in the group with healed CL was detected. In the light of our findings it is possible to conclude that patients having CL are affected by oxidative stress, which most likely induces the endogenous antioxidant system. An imbalance between the oxidant and antioxidant systems occurs and the suppressed antioxidants and increased lipid peroxidation may contribute to the progression of the disease.     

Localized aggressive periodontitis is linked to human chromosome 1q25

Localized aggressive periodontitis (LAP; previously known as localized juvenile periodontitis) is one of the rapidly progressive periodontal diseases. Certain forms of familial LAP show a simple Mendelian pattern of transmission. However, no gene mutation has been identified to be responsible for the LAP phenotype. As an initial step to identify a gene mutation associated with LAP, we have performed genetic linkage analysis with four multigenerational families exhibiting the LAP phenotype. Affected individuals in the families were identified based on clinical and laboratory criteria in an attempt to define a homogeneous phenotype, since the clinical presentation of LAP may represent a manifestation of a heterogeneous group of diseases. The LAP phenotype is linked to a DNA marker, D1S492, with LOD score 3.48, =0.00. The haplotype analysis of the chromosome interval associated with D1S492 indicates that a LAP locus is located between D1S196 and D1S533 on chromosome 1, covering about 26 million DNA basepairs. We have also examined the DNA sequence of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2 or cyclooxygenase 2, COX2) since prostaglandin 2 (PGE2), the product of COX2, is upregulated in LAP patients and COX2 is located between D1S196 and D1S533. No mutation in COX2 was identified in the patients.     

Crystal structure of the M1 protein-binding domain of the influenza A virus nuclear export protein (NEP/NS2)

During influenza virus infection, viral ribonucleoproteins (vRNPs) are replicated in the nucleus and must be exported to the cytoplasm before assembling into mature viral particles. Nuclear export is mediated by the cellular protein Crm1 and putatively by the viral protein NEP/NS2. Proteolytic cleavage of NEP defines an N-terminal domain which mediates RanGTP-dependent binding to Crm1 and a C-terminal domain which binds to the viral matrix protein M1. The 2.6 A crystal structure of the C-terminal domain reveals an amphipathic helical hairpin which dimerizes as a four-helix bundle. The NEP-M1 interaction involves two critical epitopes: an exposed tryptophan (Trp78) surrounded by a cluster of glutamate residues on NEP, and the basic nuclear localization signal (NLS) of M1. Implications for vRNP export are discussed.     

Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall mannans produce fever in rats: role of nitric oxide and cytokines

Mannan components of C. albicans (5 mg/kg, i.p.) and S. cerevisiae (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.) cell walls produced pyrogenic responses which were completely inhibited by indomethacin (5 mg/kg, s.c.) pretreatment in rats. A non-selective NOS inhibitor, L-NAME (10 mg/kg, s.c.), also inhibited the pyrogenic effectiveness of C. albicans mannan, whereas it was ineffective on the fever induced by S. cerevisiae mannan. A selective elevation in the serum TNF-alpha levels was observed at the initial phase of the fever due to S. cerevisiae mannan, whereas there was no significant change on the serum levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IFN-gamma during the latent period or at the initial phase of the fever induced by C. albicans mannan. Injections of N-linked and/or O-linked oligomannosides of the either mannan did not cause any significant change in the body temperature and serum cytokine levels. These data suggest that the mannan components of C. albicans and S. cerevisiae cell walls produce a prostaglandin-dependent fever in rats. The initial signal for fever seems to be different for each mannan. Data also indicate that integrity of the mannans is necessary for the pyrogenic response.