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Background: High-flow nasal cannula therapy has been shown to be useful in the treatment of patients with acute respiratory failure caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus disease-2. The ROX index can help predict the success of high-flow nasal cannula in coronavirus disease-19-related acute respiratory failure. However, the timing of ROX- index assessment is still unclear to protect the patients from complications due to early or delayed intubation. Aims: To evaluate the relation between ROX index patterns within the first 48 hours of the therapy and high-flow nasal cannula success rates. The secondary aim was to determine other possible predictors of high-flow nasal cannula failure. Study design: A cross-sectional study. Methods: Patients admitted to the intensive care unit between April 2020 and January 2022 with coronavirus disease-19-related acute respiratory failure and treated with high-flow nasal cannula were included in the study. Patients' demographics, clinical characteristics and laboratory findings at intensive care unit admission; ROX indices at initiation, 2nd, 8th, 12th, 24th and 48th hours of high-flow nasal cannula; and outcomes were recorded. Results: In the study period, 69th patients were managed with high- flow nasal cannula for at least 2 hours. While 24 patients (34.7%) were successfully weaned from high-flow nasal cannula, 45 (65.3%) patients failed. Overall mortality at day 28 was 44.9%. ROX indices were lower in the high-flow nasal cannula failure group through the 12th, 24th, and 48th hours of the therapy, no significant change was observed (P = 0.33). While an overall increase in ROX index patterns were detected in patients weaned from high-flow nasal cannula (P = 0.002). Pairwise analyses revealed that ROX indexes remain stable during the first 8th hours in both groups, then improved to 12th hours of the therapy in successfully high-flow nasal cannula-weaned patients. Conclusion: Dynamic assessments of the ROX indexes could be more suggestive rather than a point assessment to identify patients who would benefit from the high-flow nasal cannula or deteriorate in coronavirus disease-19 related acute respiratory failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Chemical profile and biological properties of Centaurea bingoelensis extracts were investigated. • Sixty-seven and sixty-two compounds were detected in methanol and water extracts, respectively. • Hydro-methanol extract exhibited the best activity in DPPH (70.72 mg/TE) and ABTS (76.53 mg TE/g) assays. • The methanol extract was most toxic against HepG2 cells. • C. bingoelensis is a promising candidate for the development of phytopharmaceuticals. This study focused on the biological evaluation and chemical characterization of Centaurea bingoelensis , an endemic plant to Turkey. Different solvent extracts (hexane, dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EA), methanol, hydro-methanol, and water extracts) were prepared. The antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities were investigated. The hydro-methanol extract, possessing high phenolic content (41.57 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g extract), showed highest reducing capacity (136.87 and 82.16 mg Trolox equivalent[TE]/g extract, for cupric reducing antioxidant capacity and ferric reducing antioxidant power, respectively) and radical scavenging potential (70.72 and 76.53 mg TE/g extract, against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), respectively). Ultra performance liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometer (UHPLC/MS/MS) analysis revealed the presence of 67 and 62 compounds in the methanolic and water extracts, respectively. According to the broth microdilution results, DCM and EA extracts showed significant antimicrobial activity with Sarcina lutea being the most sensitive bacterium to the extracts (MIC = 0.19 (DCM) and 0.097 mg/mL (EA)). Most extracts showed promising antifungal activity against Candida albicans. The methanol extract was most toxic against human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cells, and also significantly reduced the cell viability of the non-tumoral murine bone marrow stromal (S17) cells. This study has provided valuable scientific data on this endemic plant which can be considered as a promising candidate for the development of novel phyto-pharmaceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human rotavirus (HRoV) is the leading cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants and children under the age of five years. No specific antiviral drug is available for HRoV infections and the treatment of viral diarrhea is mainly based on rehydration and zinc treatment. In this study, we explored medicinal plants endemic to Turkey flora as a source of anti-HRoV compunds. Methods: We performed an antiviral screening on Ballota macrodonta, Salvia cryptantha and Rindera lanata extracts by focus reduction assay. The extract with the highest selectivity index (SI) was selected; its antiviral activity was further confirmed against other HRoV strains and by virus yield reduction assay. The step of viral replicative cycle putatively inhibited was investigated by in vitro assays. Results: The methanolic extract of R. lanata (Boraginaceae) showed the most favourable selectivity index. This extract exhibited a dose-dependent inhibitory activity against three different HRoV strains (EC50 values ranging from 5.8 µg/ml to 25.5 µg/ml), but was inactive or barely active against other RNA viruses, namely human rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus. The R. lanata extract targets the early steps of HRoV infection, likely by hampering virus penetration into the cells. Conclusion: These results make the R. lanata methanolic extract a promising starting material for a bioguided-fractionation aimed at identifying anti-HRoV compounds. Further work is required to isolate the active principle and assess its clinical potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turkey is achieved a viable combination of Islam, democracy and development. After prolonged periods of political instability and interruptions in democratic rule, the Islamic-leaning AK Party government overcame the hurdles preventing it from reaching power in the early 2000s. It achieved a significant degree of democratization and economic growth without oil or foreign aid and repeatedly won elections ever since. As such, the party's success offers important lessons for Islamists in Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco. The lessons of the Turkish experience are especially relevant in dealing with the opposition and democratization, as well as achieving stability and growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: It is aimed to determine the Rubella and CMV prevalence in the pregnant women in Izmir and to research the effect of these infections on the course of pregnancy in the pregnant women exposed to infection during pregnancy. Methods: The pregnant women applied to pregnancy outpatient department during 2001-2008 have been examined with enzyme-linked fluorescent assay (VIDAS; bioMérieux) method in terms of Rubella and CMV IgM and IgG antibodies and CMV IgG avidity test. Results: Totally 5,959 pregnant women were included in the study. The seropositivity rates for Rubella and CMV were found as 97.8 and 98.3 %, IgM positivity rates were found as 0.37 and 0.18 %, respectively. Curettage was recommended to the pregnant women in which Rubella IgM positivity was detected in the first trimester of the pregnancy. Eight of the pregnant women in which IgM was found as positive after the 20th week of pregnancy were examined and three intrauterine growth retardation, one hypospadias and three normal deliveries were seen in these pregnant women. Any congenital anomaly finding was not detected in the pregnant women with positive CMV IgM. Conclusions: Seroprevalence values are high for Rubella and CMV in our region. It can be recommended not to check the pregnant women routinely for this purpose with the good implementation of Rubella vaccine programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2004 yılında Hükümet'in zinayı yasaklama kanun tasarısı Türkiye'de ciddi tartışmalara ve tepkilere yol açtı ve sonunda bu proje terk edildi. Ancak medya organlarının bu tartışmaları ele alış biçimi, Türkiye'de medya, siyaset ve din ilişkileri üzerine önemli sonuçları ortaya çıkarmıştır. Birincisi, merkez medyada maddi ve ideolojik çıkarların birbiriyle çelişmesi durumunda ideolojik yönün daha ağır basmasıdır. İkincisi, araştırmamızın sonuçları 'medya piyasasında bir tekelciliğin oluşmasının elit ve medya söylemleri arasında yakınlığa yol açtığı' görüşünü desteklemektedir. Sonuncusu ise, önceki araştırmamızda ortaya koyduğumuz merkez medyadaki köşe yazılarının haber yazılarından daha fazla ideolojik tutum sergilediği görüşümüzü desteklemektedir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To assess the effects of vaginal discharge on female sexual dysfunction (FSD) by using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Methods: In a study at a university hospital in Canakkale, Turkey, women affected by vaginal discharge and age-matched healthy control women were recruited between January and December 2012. Women were grouped in accordance with their vaginal discharge complaints and each participant completed the FSFI questionnaire. Results: A total of 114 women were included in the study. Women in the first group (n=58) had no vaginal discharge or had physiologic vaginal discharge, those in the second group (n=29) had abnormal vaginal discharge with itching, and those in the third group (n=27) had abnormal vaginal discharge without itching. Compared with the first group, women in the second and third groups had higher FSFI scores for desire, arousal, orgasm, and pain, in addition to higher overall FSFI scores. Women with genital malodor had significantly higher FSFI scores than patients without genital malodor (23.83±5.07 vs 21.15±4.78; P =0.008). Conclusion: Women with abnormal vaginal discharges were found to have better FSFI scores for some domains. This finding may be attributed to the adverse effects of sexual intercourse on vaginal infections. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: Previous abdominal operations might cause severe intraperitoneal adhesions (IPA), which can complicate caesarean section (CS) procedures. When selecting the mode and timing of delivery, obstetricians are also curious about uterine scar healing if the previous operation was a CS. Uterine scar thickness is an indicator of uterine scar healing. We aimed to evaluate the possible predictive value of striae gravidarum (SG) on IPA formation and uterine scar thickness (UST)., Methods: Fifty-five women with a previous CS history were evaluated for SG Davey Score. They were investigated for IPAs and lower segment uterine scar thickness during the current CS operation., Results: Out of the patients with no SG (n = 11), mild SG (n = 10) and severe SG (n = 34), 1 (9.1%), 3 (30%) and 17 (50%) had IPA, respectively (p = 0.044). The mean uterine scar thicknesses in the no SG, mild SG and severe SG groups were 3.82 ± 4.04, 5.20 ± 4.13 and 5.18 ± 3.52, respectively (p = 0.561)., Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this was the first study to investigate the relationship between SG and IPA and uterine scar thickness. The SG status of a patient with a previous delivery and abdominal operation history might help predict IPA status before planning a new operation.

Objective: To investigate the effect of chronic pelvic pain (CPP), a debilitating condition, on sleep quality., Methods: The present case-control study enrolled women older than 18 years attending the Gynecology Clinic of Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Hospital, Çanakkale, Turkey, with CPP between August 2011 and August 2012. The control group was selected from women attending the clinic for another complaint. Sleep quality was evaluated via the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and differences between the groups were compared by t and χ(2) tests., Results: During the study period, 157 women were enrolled. Seventy-two had CPP symptoms, and 85 attended the clinic for other complaints. Poor sleep quality was found in 80% (n = 58) of the women with CPP, and 55% (n = 47) of the control group (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: Women with CPP were found to have poor sleep quality. Sleep education should be recommended in psychiatry and neurology clinics to increase the awareness of sleeping problems among these women., (Copyright © 2014 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Toxoplasma gondii infection during pregnancy causes congenital malformations. Pregnant women should be screened for this infection since it is preventable and treatable., Aim: To study the sero prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women living in lzmir, Turkey., Material and Methods: A blood sample was obtained from 4651 women aged between 15 and 45 years, during their first trimester of pregnancy. IgM and IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii were measured using an ELISA assay. Among women with both IgG and IgM antibodies positive, an IgG avidity test was performed, using a VIDAS kit., Results: IgG antibodies were positive in 1871 (39.9%) participants. Of these, 48 (2.5%) also had positive IgM antibodies. In 41 of these 48 women, the IgG avidity test was performed and only one woman had a low avidity. This woman was treated with Spiramycin. Her offspring had an intrauterine growth retardation and oligohydramnios. A chorioretinitis was diagnosed in the offspring of other woman with both antibodies positive., Conclusions: In this series, the prevalence of congenital toxoplasmosis was low. However, women with positive antibodies against Toxoplasma Gondii should be further studied and followed during their pregnancy.

Background/aims: Thalassemia is one of the most common hereditary disorders in Turkey. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of the β-thalassemia trait and abnormal hemoglobin in couples who applied for premarital screening in the third largest Turkish province of Izmir in the Aegean region., Methods: From January 2011 to March 2012, we tested 19,277 couples at the Karşıyaka Public Health Laboratory, Thalassemia Unit for the β-thalassemia trait and abnormal hemoglobin using a high-performance liquid chromatograph, a hematology analyzer., Results: The β-thalassemia trait with increased HbA2 (>3.5%) and abnormal hemoglobin was found in 4.96% (1912/38,554) and 0.53% (206/38,554) people, respectively. Of abnormal hemoglobin findings, HbS was determined in 128 people (0.33%), HbD in 50 (0.13%), HbE in 24 (0.06%), and HbC in four (0.01%). Furthermore, in 20 of the 19,277 couples (0.05%), both partners had the β-thalassemia trait and were referred to counseling., Conclusion: The prevalence of the β-thalassemia trait in the province of Izmir is high compared with other cities of Turkey. Izmir is a high-risk province for β-thalassemia and sickle-cell anemia. Therefore, premarital screening is essential to prevent new hereditary hemoglobinopaties.

The patient who presents for aesthetic surgery possesses various demands depending on the characteristic properties of the individual. Evaluation of self-esteem, body image and eating habits in patients of aesthetic surgery could help in understanding patients and their demands. We performed Rosenberg Scale Test for evaluation of self-esteem on 98 patients who presented for any kind of aesthetic surgery. Seventy-five patients who required no operation for body fat tissue were give body imaging scale and eating attitude scale tests. The results of the tests revealed an increase in the self-esteem of the patients, but it was not statistically significant. There was a minor disturbance in the body imaging scale without any statistical significance ( p > 0.05). The eating attitude of the patients indicated a disturbance with a ratio of 10% ( p < 0.01), and these patients were referred to psychiatrists. Even if patients of aesthetic surgery have no disorder in the perception of their body images, they reflect their aesthetic problems in their eating attitude; however they have no problem in the fat tissue distribution of their body. The aesthetic imperfection could impede the normal daily life of a patient and adaptation to the social life, and this defect is a health problem that should be solved as soon as possible.