An Investigation into the Protective Effects of Various Doses of Boric Acid on Liver, Kidney, and Brain Tissue Damage Caused by High Levels of Acute Alcohol Consumption.

Acute high-dose alcohol consumption can lead to oxidative stress, which can cause harm to organs. In this study we aim to determine whether administering boric acid (BA) can protect certain organs (liver, kidney, and brain) from the damaging effects of alcohol by reducing oxidative stress. We used 50 and 100 mg/kg of BA. Thirty-two Sprague Dawley (12-14-week-old) male rats in our study were separated into four groups (n=8); control, ethanol, ethanol+50 mg/kg BA, and ethanol+100 mg/kg BA groups. Acute ethanol was given to rats by gavage at 8 g/kg. BA doses were given by gavage 30 min before ethanol administration. Alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) measurements were made in blood samples. The total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), OSI (oxidative stress index) (TOS/TAS), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were measured to determine the oxidative stress induced by high-dose acute ethanol in the liver, kidney, and brain tissue, and the antioxidant effects of BA doses. According to our biochemical results, acute high-dose ethanol increases oxidative stress in liver, kidney, and brain tissues, while BA reduces the damage in tissues with its antioxidant effect. For the histopathological examinations, hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed. As a result, we found that the effect of alcohol-induced oxidative stress on liver, kidney, and brain tissues was different, and that giving boric acid reduces the increased oxidative stress in tissues due to its antioxidant effect. It was found that 100mg/kg BA administration had a higher antioxidant effect than in the 50mg/kg group.

Evaluation of knowledge, attitudes and practices of health services vocational schools' students with regard to COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: The most critical intervention to control SARS-CoV-2 infection requires appropriate knowledge and attitude towards the virus. OBJECTIVE: To determine the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices of students of a health services' vocational school with regard to COVID-19. METHODS: Cross-sectional study carried out between May and June 2020 in a university of the Turkish region. Data were collected through an online survey portal. RESULTS: Four hundred and fifty-four questionnaires were completed and returned. Students of medical laboratory techniques and first aid and emergency medicine had significantly higher knowledge scores (p < 0.001). More than 43 % of the students (n = 201) used the TV as their main source of information on COVID-19. There was a positive attitude towards preventive measures such as avoiding crowded places and maintaining hand hygiene and social distance. CONCLUSIONS: Health services vocational school students have good knowledge and positive attitude towards COVID-19. The main sources of information were the TV and social media. For this reason, more attention should be given to these issues in the curriculum in order for science-based information sources to be used.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La intervención más crítica para controlar la infección por SARS-CoV-2 requiere el conocimiento y la actitud correctos hacia el virus. OBJETIVO: Determinar el conocimiento, las actitudes y las prácticas de los estudiantes de una escuela vocacional de servicios de salud respecto a COVID-19. MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal realizado entre mayo y junio de 2020 en una universidad de la región de Turquía. Los datos se recopilaron mediante un portal de encuestas en línea. RESULTADOS: Se completaron y devolvieron 454 cuestionarios. Los estudiantes de técnicas de laboratorio médico y primeros auxilios y emergencias tuvieron puntuaciones de conocimiento significativamente más altas (p < 0.001). Más de 43 % de los estudiantes (n = 201) usaron televisores como su principal fuente de información sobre COVID-19. Se manifestó una actitud positiva hacia las aplicaciones, así como evitar lugares concurridos y mantener la higiene de las manos y la distancia social. CONCLUSIONES: Los estudiantes de la escuela vocacional de servicios de salud tienen buen conocimiento y actitud positiva hacia COVID-19. Las principales fuentes de información fueron la televisión y las redes sociales, por lo que se debe prestar más atención a estos temas en el plan de estudios para utilizar fuentes de información basadas en la ciencia.