We studied the effects of acute glycemia on plasma nitric oxide (NO; nitrite plus nitrate) levels, Cu-Zn Superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn SOD) activity and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) levels in age-matched female subjects before and two hours after glucose loading. According to the results of glucose loading, subjects were divided in the three groups as normal (n = 13, NGT), impaired (n = 11, IGT) and diabetic glucose tolerance (n = 10, DGT). Plasma NO levels were significantly higher in subjects with DGT than in subjects with NGT (p< 0.001) and IGT (p< 0.05) at baseline. Two hours after glucose loading, plasma NO levels were significantly decreased in subjects with IGT and DGT (p< 0.001 and p< 0.001). Although plasma TBARS levels in subject with NGT did not change from the baseline levels after glucose loading, TBARS levels were significantly elevated in subjects with DGT and IGT (p< 0.001 and p< 0.001). Plasma Cu-Zn SOD activities were within a similar range in all subjects at baseline. Cu-Zn SOD activities were significantly increased in subjects with NGT, and were significantly decreased in subjects with IGT and DGT (p< 0.001 and p< 0.001) after glucose loading. There was a positive correlation between NO and glucose in subjects with NGT (r = 0.34, p< 0.01) and a negative correlation between NO and TBARS in IGT sum DGT during glucose tolerance (r= -0.38, p< 0.01). We suggest that NO availability was decreased when the blood glucose levels were only moderately elevated above normal levels. This might be related with the enhanced oxidative stress.

Introduction:Isotretinoin is the only effective agent at all stages of acne vulgaris, but its effects on certain systems remain unkown. Objective: To evaluate the effects of isotretinoin and other acne treatments on insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor-3 binding protein (IGFBP-3), insulin, C-peptide, glucose and glycated hemoglobin A 1c (HbA 1c ), and HOMA-IR. Material and methods: Eighty one patients with acne vulgaris were divided into two groups: the first group was treated with isotretinoin and the second group treated with systemic minocycline and topical benzoyl peroxide (in combined treatment). IGF-1, IGFBP3, insulin, HOMA-IR, C-peptide, glucose and HbA 1c serum levels were assessed in two groups. Results: IGFBP-3 levels were significantly increased in patients receiving isotretinoin treatment for 3 months. When isotretinoin and combined treatment groups were compared, a significant rise in the IGF-1 level was found in the combined treatment group. Unlike the literature, our results showed that the commonly used acne treatments did not change the serum levels of IGF-1, insulin, C-peptide, glucose and HbA 1c significantly. Conclusions: Consequently, we showed that isotretinoin did not impair glucose metabolism in patients who were previously not obese or insulin resistant. Since IGF-1, IGFBP-3 parameters have effects on cell growth and proliferation, we suggest that they play an effective role in acne pathogenesis and treatment mechanism.

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Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic, which is a rapidly spreading infection, has caused serious stress and anxiety in people, primarily healthcare workers. In our study, we aimed to determine the anxiety of loss of professional skills that may be caused by staying away from operations for a long time due to the pandemic in operating room workers and the reasons that may cause anxiety caused by working under the threat of coronavirus infection during the normalization process. Methods: The population of this cross-sectional study consists of doctors, nurses, technicians, and auxiliary personnel working in the operating room of our hospital. Sociodemographic form, health histories, Worry and Anxiety Questionaire (WAQ) and occupational skill loss anxiety questionnaire were applied to the researchers. Results: Worry and Anxiety (WA) scores and occupational anxiety scores of female healthcare workers were found to be statistically significantly higher than males. It was determined that the WA scores of the anesthesia assistants and operating room nurses were statistically significantly higher than the scores of the surgeons and assistants. It was determined that the WA scores of the participants with chronic disease were statistically significantly higher than those without chronic disease. Conclusion: Psychological support should be continued for health workers who work under intense working conditions and high risk, especially for health workers on the front line, and their family members when necessary. It has been determined that anesthetists and health workers who have previously had psychological disorders and chronic diseases carry a high risk of worry and anxiety, and psychological support should be prioritized. Keywords: COVID-19, anxiety, healthcare workers