“Pod‐based” e‐cigarettes such as JUUL are currently the most prevalent electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) in the United States. JUUL‐type ENDS utilize nicotine salts protonated with benzoic acid rather than freebase nicotine. However, limited information is available on the cellular effects of these products. Cytoplasmic Ca2+ is a universal second messenger that controls many cellular functions including cell growth and cell death. Of note, dysregulation of cell Ca2+ homeostasis has been linked with several disease processes including autoimmune disease and several types of cancer. We exposed HEK293T cells and THP‐1 macrophage‐like cells to different JUUL e‐liquids. We evaluated their effects on cellular viability and Ca2+ signaling by measuring fluorescence from calcein‐AM/propidium iodide and Fluo‐4, respectively. E‐liquid autofluorescence was used to look for e‐liquid permeation into cells. To identify the mechanisms behind the Ca2+ responses, different inhibitors of Ca2+ channels and phospholipase C signaling were used. JUUL e‐liquids caused significant cytotoxic effects, with “Mint” flavor being the most cytotoxic. The Mint flavored e‐liquid also caused a significant elevation in cytoplasmic Ca2+. Using autofluorescence, the permeation of JUUL e‐liquids into live cells was confirmed, indicating that intracellular organelles are directly exposed to e‐liquids. Further studies identified the endoplasmic reticulum as being the source of e‐liquid‐induced changes in cytoplasmic Ca2+. Nicotine salt‐based e‐liquids cause cytotoxicity and elevate cytoplasmic Ca2+, indicating that they can exert biological effects beyond what would be expected with nicotine alone. These effects are flavor‐dependent, and we propose that flavored e‐liquids be reassessed for potential lung toxicity.

Objective:To investigate the effects of thymoquinone (TQ) in a penicillin-induced epilepsy model in rats.Methods:This experimental study included 56 adult male Wistar rats. Experiments were performed in the Research Laboratory of the Department of Physiology, Medical School, Duzce University, Duzce, Turkey, between October 2013 and December 2014. Animals were divided into the following 7 groups: sham, control, only thymoquinone, vehicle (Dimethylsulfoxide), and doses of 10, 50, and 100 mg/kg of TQ. After rats were anesthetized, the left part of the skull was removed. A pair of silver/silver chloride electrodes was placed on the somatomotor area, and electrocorticographic recording was started. After 5 minutes basal activity was recorded, and TQ was applied intraperitoneally. At the thirtieth minute after TQ, epileptiform activity was induced by intracortical penicillin. The first spike latency, spike frequency, and the amplitude of epileptiform activity were analyzed statistically.Results:The different doses of TQ significantly increased the latency time to onset of first spike wave, and decreased the frequency, and amplitude of epileptiform activity in the first 20 minutes compared with the control group.Conclusion:Thymoquinone shows potential as an antiepileptic drug resulting from its effects of prolonged latency time, and reduced spike wave frequency and amplitude of epileptiform activity.

Objectives: This study aims to determine the knowledge of triathlon athletes on the types of doping used in sports as well as their opinions on the anti-doping matters. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted with 92 individuals participated in Taşucu Triathlon and İstanbul Salcano Triathlon Series, which was organized in 2015 by the Turkish Triathlon Federation. A questionnaire was used to collect data. Chi-square test was used in analysis of the data. Corticosteroids, masking agents, anti-estrogenic agents, beta blockers, and cannabinoids were among the types of doping which were least known by the triathlon athletes. These were followed by peptide hormones, narcotic analgesics, anabolic-androgenic steroids and stimulants.Results: Approximately two thirds of triathlon athletes consider that knowledge of athletes, coaches and administrators on doping is not sufficient. Conclusion:The majority of the athletes participated in the study stated that the relevant institutions and organizations are not fighting against doping adequately.

Bu araştırma atletizm milli takım sporcularının, sporda kullanılan doping türleriyle ilgili bilgi düzeylerinin ve dopingle mücadele konusundaki görüşlerinin belirlenmesi amacıyla yapılmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Tanımlayıcı 7 türdeki araştırma, Türkiye Atletizm Federasyonu'nun faaliyet programında yer alan Süper Lig Final yarışmaları ve Gençler Avrupa Şampiyon Kulüpler Kupası yarışmalarına katılan ve araştırmaya katılmayı kabul eden 73 sporcu ile yürütülmüştür. Veri toplama aracı olarak araştırmacılar tarafından hazırlanan anket formu kullanılmıştır. Veriler sayı ve yüzde olarak ifade edilmiş, analizde ki kare testi kullanılmıştır. Bulgular: Sporcuların %79.5'i sporda en çok uyarıcıların kullanıldığını belirtmiştir. Bunu %68.5 ile anabolik androjenik steroidler, %65.8 ile anti-östrojenik ajanlar izlemiştir. Sporcuların yaklaşık üçte ikisi dopingin sporcular, antrenörler ve idareciler tarafından yeterince bilindiğini (%64.4), kendilerinin de bu konuda bilgi sahibi olduğunu (%64.4) ve dopingle ilgili yayınlar okuduğunu (%65.8) ifade etmiştir. Sporcular, dopingle mücadele konusunda başta devlet (%76.7), federasyon (%82.2) ve kulüpler (%63.0) olmak üzere ilgili kurum ve kuruluşların faaliyetlerini yeterli bulmaktadır. Sonuç: Sonuç olarak araştırmaya katılan sporcular arasında en çok fikir sahibi olunan doping türlerinin başında uyarıcıların ve anabolik-androjenik steroidlerin yer aldığı, sporcuların yaklaşık üçte ikisinin, dopingin sporcular, antrenörler ve idareciler tarafından yeterince bilindiği ve kendilerinin de bu konuda bilgi sahibi olduklarını düşündüğü, sporcuların yarıdan fazlasının, dopingle mücadele konusunda ilgili kurum ve kuruluşların faaliyetlerini yeterli buldukları belirlenmiştir.

The SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 disease, which has spread rapidly since its first appearance and caused pandemic, has become more dangerous day by day, and by infecting large masses caused the death of many people. The numbers of cases and deaths reaching dangerous levels globally have pushed scientists to get to know this infection more closely and to investigate preventive and therapeutic methods. At this point, scientists have discovered, based on past infectious disease researches, that some individuals are more susceptible to certain infections. Importantly, in the light of this information, it has been determined that there is a relationship between infectious diseases and blood groups, and individuals with certain blood groups are more susceptible to these infectious diseases. The obtained data suggested that there may be a relationship between blood groups and SARS-CoV-2, and research has been shifted in this direction in order to quickly determine susceptibility to the disease. Indeed, relationships between SARS-CoV-2 patients' blood groups, from hospitals in China, US, Italy, Spain and Turkey, and caught this infectious were investigated. It has been demonstrated that blood groups have an effect on getting this disease. With the discovery of this relationship, it has been revealed in studies that A, B, AB and O blood groups can be a potential biomarker in determining the sensitivity to COVID-19 infection. Studies have determined that individuals with blood type A have an increased sensitivity to COVID-19, and individuals with blood type O have a decreased sensitivity to it. It is thought that the reason for the decreased sensitivity to COVID-19 in individuals with that blood group, and the increased sensitivity seen in individuals with blood group A is due to the antibody A in the blood. This antibody can inhibit virus-cell adhesion in individuals with antibody A. Therefore, it is very important for individuals with blood group A, who do not carry this antibody in their blood, to use personal protective equipment to protect themselves from COVID-19. The purpose of this review is to bring together studies that reveal the relationship between COVID-19 and blood types.