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Introduction Back pain is commonly experienced by pregnant women. Evidence suggests that progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) therapy, a complementary therapy widely used by pregnant women, may improve the physical and psychological outcomes of pregnancy. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of PMR training accompanied by music on perceived pain and quality of life (QOL) in pregnant women with low back pain (LBP). Methods This was a prospective randomized controlled trial. The study was designed to examine the effects of PMR accompanied by music on pregnant women with LBP. In total, 66 pregnant women were assigned randomly to a PMR group or a control group (33 women in each). A personal information form was used as a data collection tool; a visual analog scale was used for measuring pain; and the Short Form-36 was used to evaluate QOL. Results The control and intervention groups were comparable at baseline. Significant differences were observed between the 2 groups after 4 and 8 weeks of intervention. The intervention group showed significant improvement in all QOL subscales after the intervention. The intervention group, but not the control group, showed significant improvement in perceived pain after the intervention. The intervention group experienced a greater decrease in perceived pain and improved QOL than the control group. Discussion Our findings show that PMR accompanied by music may be an effective therapy for improving pain and QOL in pregnant women with LBP. Large randomized studies are recommended to confirm these results.

Eriskin Still Hastaligi (ESH) yuksek ates, dokuntu, yaygin kas ve eklem agrilariyla seyreden, nadir gorulen bir hastaliktir. Bu yazida, benzer klinik ve laboratuar bulgulari olan ve antienflamatuar tedaviye yanit alinan dort ESH olgusu literatur esliginde sunulmustur.

Objective:To investigate the frequency of complications and insufficient material rates of liver biopsies and association with experience in liver biopsies that made for diagnosis of chronic viral hepatitis.Materials and Methods:We retrospectively reviewed our four years liver biopsy experience between 2008-2011. The records of patients were investigated retrospectively. In our clinic, the number of doctors perform a liver biopsy and doctors with experience were recorded. Tabulation was performed and student’s t-test and X2 test was used for statistical method. P

Conference of the Asian-Pacific-Association-for-the-Study-of-the-Liver (APASL) -- MAR 12-15, 2014 -- Brisbane, AUSTRALIA, WOS: 000370967500005, PubMed: 26966614, Background: Before the introduction of direct-acting antivirals in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C patients, the combination of peginterferon alpha and ribavirin was the standard therapy. Observational studies that investigated sustained virological response (SVR) rates by these drugs yielded different outcomes. Aims: The goal of the study was to demonstrate real life data concerning SVR rate achieved by peginterferon alpha plus ribavirin in patients who were treatment-naive. Study Design: A multicenter, retrospective observational study. Methods: The study was conducted retrospectively on 1214 treatment naive-patients, being treated with peginterferon alpha-2a or 2b plus ribavirin in respect of the current guidelines between 2005 and 2013. The patients' data were collected from 22 centers via a standard form, which has been prepared for this study. The data included demographic and clinical characteristics (gender, age, body weight, initial Hepatitis C virus RNA (HCV RNA) level, disease staging) as well as course of treatment (duration of treatment, outcomes, discontinuations and adverse events). Renal insufficiency, decompensated liver disease, history of transplantation, immunosuppressive therapy or autoimmune liver disease were exclusion criteria for the study. Treatment efficacy was assessed according to the patient's demographic characteristics, baseline viral load, genotype, and fibrosis scores. Results: The mean age of the patients was 50.74 (+/- 0.64) years. Most of them were infected with genotype 1 (91.8%). SVR was achieved in 761 (62.7%) patients. SVR rate was 59.1% in genotype 1, 89.4% in genotype 2, 93.8% in genotype 3, and 33.3% in genotype 4 patients. Patients with lower viral load yielded higher SVR (65.8% vs. 58.4%, p=0.09). SVR rates according to histologic severity were found to be 69.3%, 66.3%, 59.9%, 47.3%, and 45.5% in patients with fibrosis stage 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. The predictors of SVR were male gender, genotype 2/3, age less than 45 years, low fibrosis stage, low baseline viral load and presence of early virological response. SVR rates to each peginterferon were found to be similar in genotype 1/4 although SVR rates were found to be higher for peginterferon alpha-2b in patients with genotype 2/3. The number of patients who failed to complete treatment due to adverse effects was 33 (2.7%). The number of patients failed to complete treatment due to adverse effects was 33 (2.7%). Conclusion: Our findings showed that the rate of SVR to dual therapy was higher in treatment-naive Turkish patients than that reported in randomized controlled trials. Also peginterferon alpha-2a and alpha-2b were found to be similar in terms of SVR in genotype 1 patients., Asian Pacific Assoc Study Liver

Introduction: Hand hygiene is the most effective, simplest and cheapest method of preventing hospital infections. Training of health care workers is an important step among strategies aimed at increasing hand hygiene compliance. In this study, the effects of facilitating access to alcohol- based hand hygiene antiseptics and of increasing the number of hand hygiene educational programs on compliance were investigated. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted between January 2010 and September 2011. Observations were made during routine patient care. Hand hygiene compliance was observed after four routine hand hygiene educational programs that were planned in 2010. In order to improve compliance, the number of hand hygiene educational programs was increased, and measures to improve staff participation were taken in 2011. In addition, access to alcohol-based hand hygiene antiseptics in the hospital was facilitated. Hand hygiene compliance was observed in three observation periods after the intervention and compared with results before the intervention. Results: Overall hand hygiene compliance increased from 29.3% to 37.2% after the intervention (p= 0.0002). While hand hygiene compliance was increased from 32.2% to 45% among nurses (p= 0.00007) and from 24.7% to 34.3% among the other health care workers (p= 0.02), no statistical difference was observed among physicians (p= 0.81). Conclusion: Hand hygiene compliance among health care workers was extremely low. While significant compliance improvement was observed in nurses and the other health care workers after the educational intervention, no difference was detected among physicians, who did not participate in the training. In order to increase hand hygiene compliance, continuity of hand hygiene training should be ensured, and staff participation in these trainings should be encouraged.

Objective:Hepatitis B is a common infectious disease. In this study, factors affecting pegylated Interferon (pegIFN) therapy response in HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) were investigated.Materials and Methods:A total of 20 HBeAg(-) CHB patients who received pegIFN were enrolled in this study. The patients’ information was obtained retrospectively. Patients co-infected with Hepatitis C, HIV and Hepatitis D were excluded. HBV-DNA levels less than 300 IU at the end of therapy was considered as virologic response (VR), and as sustained virologic response (SVR) at six months after completion of treatment.Results:While nine (45%) of 20 patient achieved VR, SVR was seen in seven (35%) cases. All of the patients who have SVR, and 9/13 of patients who do not have VR, had less than 2000 IU HBV-DNA in the sixth month of treatment (p=0.58). Also, two of 13 patient who do not have VR, had HBV-DNA 0.05).Conclusion:As a result, HBV-DNA levels below 2000 IU at sixth month of the treatment did not exactly indicate the treatment success. But, patients who have HBV-DNA < 300 IU in the twelfth month of treatment, have increased chance of SVR.

Lung nodules/masses under suspicion of malignancy are a clinical problem frequently encountered in patients with or without known cancer. Percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB) has been a minimal invasive diagnostic approach to patients with cancer in whom routine clinical and radiological diagnostic efforts have failed. Nursing care of patients before, during, and after the PTNB is not complex, but it is a new concept. Patients and their family members need to be educated about the intent and outcomes of the procedure, as well as its complications. The purpose of this article is to review the theoretical aspect of the procedure and outline basic steps of computed tomography-guided PTNB. Preoperative patient education and preparation, intraoperative nursing interventions, and postoperative patient care are discussed.

Bu 9ah mamn amac1, Tiirkiye'de radyoloji hem ireliginin giiniimiizdek:i durumunu ara t!fmaktrr. Radyoloji uzmanhk egitimi veren 52 hastanenin rad­ yoloji boliimiine anket formn gonderdik. Ankete yamt veren 28 hastanede top­ lam 116 radyoloji hem iresi 9ah maktad1r (hastane ba ma 4.2 hem$ire). Hem­ irelerin 9ogunlugn (%82) 2 yJlhk hem irelik egitimi alm1 hr. :;la Irhc1 olarak, radyoloji boliimiinde hem irelik i inin %22.5'i "radyoloji teknisyeni" gibi 9ah an he ire tarafmdan yapilmaktad!f. Bu yanh$ istihdam, Tiirkiye'de rad­ yoloji hem ireliginin biiyiik meslek:i problemlerinden biri gibi goriikmektedir. Anahtar Kelimeler: Radyolojide Hem irelik

We aimed to investigate the predictors for limb loss among patients with diabetes who have complicated skin/soft-tissue infections. In this observational study, consecutive patients with diabetic foot infection (DFI) from 17 centres in Turkey, between May 2011 and May 2013 were included. The Turkish DFI Working Group performed the study. Predictors of limb loss were investigated by multivariate analysis. In total, 455 patients with DFI were included. Median age was 61 years, 68% were male, 65% of the patients were hospitalized, 52% of the patients had used antibiotics within the last month, and 121(27%) had osteomyelitis. Of the 208 microorganisms isolated, 92 (44.2%) were Gram-positive cocci and 114 (54.8%) were Gram-negative rods (GNR). The most common GNR was Pseudomonas; the second was Escherichia coli, with extended spectrum beta-lactamase positivity of 33%. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus species were found in 14% (29/208). Amputations were performed in 126/455 (28%) patients, 44/126 (34%) of these were major amputations. In multivariate analysis, significant predictors for limb loss were, male gender (OR 1.75, 95% Cl 1.04-2.96, p 0.034), duration of diabetes >20 years (OR 1.9, 95% Cl 1.18-3.11, p 0.008), infected ulcer versus cellulitis (OR 1.9, 95% Cl 1.11-3.18, p 0.019), history of peripheral vascular disease (OR 2, 95% Cl 1.26-3.27, p 0.004), retinopathy (OR 2.25, 95% Cl 1.19-4.25, p 0.012), erythrocyte sedimentation rate >70 mm/hr (OR 1.6, 95% Cl 1.01-2.68, p 0.05), and infection with GNR (OR 1.8, 95% Cl 1.08-3.02, p 0.02). Multivariate analysis revealed that, besides the known risk factors such as male gender, duration of diabetes >20 years, infected ulcers, history of peripheral vascular disease and retinopathy, detection of GNR was a significant predictor of limb loss. Clinical Microbiology and Infection (C) 2015 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ertugrul Guclu, Nazan Tuna, Oguz Karabay Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis. cutaneous anthrax is the most commonly seen form of anthrax. Skin lesions usually occur on the most exposed areas of the body, such as the face, neck, hand or upper extremity. The aim of this paper is to report a case of cutaneous anthrax form which was occurred on an unexpected area of the body of a slaughter-house worker.

It is known that immunotherapy and cancer chemotherapy may cause hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in hepatitis B surface antigen carriers and inactive chronic hepatitis B patients. Guidelines recommend antiviral prophylaxis regardless of HBV DNA levels to prevent reactivation. We read from the article written by Liu et al that Lamivudine was given inadequate time for antiviral prophylaxis.

Geyik, Mehmet Faruk/0000-0002-0906-0902; demirdal, tuna/0000-0002-9046-5666; KARABAY, OGUZ/0000-0003-1514-1685; Karabay, Oguz/0000-0003-0502-432X; Gunduz, Alper/0000-0001-9154-844X WOS: 000352106600012 PubMed: 25500658 Introduction: Although pegylated interferons (pegIFNs) alpha-2a and alpha-2b have been used in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) treatment for many years, there are few studies concerning predictors of sustained virologic response (SVR) to pegIFN therapy. In this study, we aimed to investigate the predictors of response to pegIFN treatment in cases with HBeAg-negative CHB infection. Methodology: Seventeen tertiary care hospitals in Turkey were included in this study. Data from consecutively treated HBeAg-negative CHB patients, who received either pegIFN alpha-2a or alpha-2b, were collected retrospectively. SVR is defined as an HBV DNA concentration of less than 2,000 IU/mL six months after the completion of therapy Results: SVR was achieved in 40 (25%) of the 160 HBeAg-negative CHB patients. Viral loads in patients with SVR were lower compared to those with no SVR, beginning in the third month of treatment (p < 0.05). The number of cases with a decline of 1 log(10) IU/mL in viral load after the first month of treatment and with a serum HBV DNA level under 2,000 IU/mL after the third month of treatment was higher in cases with SVR (p < 0.05). The number of patients who had undetectable HBV DNA levels at week 48 among responders was significantly greater than among post-treatment virological relapsers (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Detection of a 1 log(10) decline in serum HBV DNA level at the first month of treatment and a serum HBV DNA level < 2000 IU/mL at the third month of therapy may be predictors of SVR.

Study Group for Viral Hepatitis of the Turkish Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases set up a task force to develop a consensus report focused on chronic hepatitis B in pregnancy, a complex issue for both the mother with an advanced liver disease and the unborn child who is under the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission. Relevant literature and international guidelines were reviewed, and recommendations agreed are presented in the report. An algorithm adapted from actual publications is also proposed for management of chronic hepatitis B in the pregnant patient. Since many women of childbearing age are in the immune tolerant phase of infection, there is generally no need for therapy and no indication to start therapy during the early stages of pregnancy. Initiation of antiviral therapy in the beginning of the third trimester in highly viremic (HBV DNA > 200 000 IU/mL) pregnant women can prevent mother-to-child-transmission of HBV despite postnatal passive and active immunoprophylaxis provided. Given its potency and its high genetic barrier to resistance, tenofovir might be an appropriate option for mothers who might need to continue their treatment for active hepatitis B after delivery.

Pain is a problem frequently encountered by patients with cancer. For more than 30 years, the percutaneous chordotomy procedure has been a nonpharmacological approach to the management of intractable cancer pain. Nursing care of patients before, during, and after the percutaneous chordotomy procedure is challenging. Patients and their family members need to be educated about the intent and outcomes of the procedure, as well as its complications. The purpose of this article is to review the theoretical aspect of pain perception and outline the anatomical background and basic steps of the percutaneous chordotomy procedure. Preoperative patient education and preparation, intraoperative nursing interventions, and postoperative patient care are discussed.

Acinetobacter baumannii can survive for prolonged periods in unsuitable environmental conditions and easily spread to patients in the hospital settings leading to healthcare-associated infections. Major risk factors for A.baumannii infections are mechanical ventilation, invasive procedures such as central venous catheter or urinary catheter and the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. The mortality rates of nosocomial A.baumannii infections have been reported between 50-60%, changing due to several factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors associated with mortality in intensive care unit (ICU) patients diagnosed as nosocomial A.baumannii infections. The demographical, clinical and microbiological data of the patients who were followed in ICUs between September 2008 to March 2010 were evaluated retrospectively, and analyzed regarding the factors related to mortality. Blood, urine and tracheal aspirate samples were collected from suspected patients and cultivated on conventional agar media. The identification of the isolates and antibiotic susceptibilities were performed by using VITEK-2 (bioMerieux, USA) automated system. The patients with A.baumannii infections were grouped as "died" and "survived" cases, and the groups were compared according to following factors: age, gender, isolation day of bacteria in intensive care unit, type of clinical sample, implementation day of the central venous catheter, implementation of tracheotomy and/or intubation, operation, presence of diabetes mellitus, antibiotic use, day of hospitalization, day of mechanical ventilation and APACHE (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation)-II score. A.baumannii infection was identified in 56 patients (29 female, 27 male; mean age: 63 years) in the intensive care units during the study period, and the total mortality rate was estimated as 77% (43/56). The implementation of intubation, mechanical ventilation, high APACHE II score and recovery of bacteria from respiratory tract were found statistically significant for A.baumannii infections related mortality (p0.05 for each parameter). Our data showed that Acinetobacter infection in the respiratory tract, implementation of intubation, mechanical ventilation and high APACHE II scores were the major risk factors related to mortality.

An outbreak of West Nile virus (WNV) occurred in Greece, Russia, and Turkey in 2010. We diagnosed 5 WNV encephalitis patients, who presented with high cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein level and encephalitis relevant symptoms in the last days of summer or in the first days of autumn. Here, we aimed to present a retrospective analysis of 5 WNV encephalitis cases in Turkey in terms of their clinical and laboratory findings.

Coxiella burnetii is the bacterium that causes Q fever. Human infection is mainly transmitted from cattle, goats and sheep. The disease is usually self-limited. Pneumonia and hepatitis are the most common clinical manifestations. In this study, we present a case of Q fever from the western part of Turkey mimicking Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in terms of clinical and laboratory findings.

If virologic breakthrough is observed during chronic hepatitis B treatment, drug resistance or compliance problem should be considered. But in some cases, breakthrough depends on drug preservation conditions. We report the case of a 30-years-old man, who experienced viral breakthrough due to wrong preservation conditions of the drug.

Stenosis of the internal carotid artery due to atherosclerosis can cause embolic stroke or cerebral ischemia, both of which may result in significant morbidity, mortality, and long-term disability. Although the endovascular technique with balloons and stents to relieve arterial (i.e., coronary) stenosis has allowed a nonsurgical approach to the management of atherosclerotic disease for many years, its use in carotid vessels has only recently gained popularity. In addition, improvements in endovascular access systems have extended the use of carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS), especially since the advent of cerebral emboli protection devices. Nowadays, CAS is emerging as an intervention for high-risk surgical patients with high-grade carotid artery stenosis. Nursing care of these patients before, during, and after CAS is challenging. Patients and family need to be educated about the aim and consequences of the procedure and its complications. To care for these patients, the nurse must understand the techniques of CAS. The purpose of this article was briefly to review the etiology of stroke, the current treatments to relieve carotid stenosis, and the basic steps of CAS. The nursing management throughout the procedure, the patient preparation before the procedure, and most importantly, the postprocedure nursing care are discussed.

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SUMMARY A prospective analysis was conducted comparing dysfunction attributable to catheter thrombosis in subjects who received a heparin catheter lock three times a week (n = 15) to those who received a heparin lock six times a week (n = 15) immediately after the insertion of a temporary haemodialysis catheter. Thrombus related catheter removal occurred in two patients in control but no patients in the experiment group. Heparin locking six times a week was found to be effective in prolonging the mean of the first day where difficulty was experienced in aspiration. It also prevented any possible difficulty in catheter flushing. Increased locking frequency prevents any thrombus accumulation within the temporary catheter, while it has limited but significant preventive effect on thrombus accumulated around the catheter.

Breast self examination (BSE), screening mammography and Pap smear screening can significantly reduce mortality from breast and cervical cancer. In an effort to understand the factors that influence BSE, mammography, and Pap smear behavior of woman academicians, we here explored the relation between health promotion life-style and women's cancer screening practice. A total of 750 woman academicians working in a university were enrolled, 350 of them responding to the survey. The study instruments used were the Health Promotion Life-Style Profile (HPLP) scale and a questionnaire of demographic data. There was a significant relationship between age-group, marital status, presence of cancer in the family, history of cervical erosion and doing BSE, having mammography and a Pap smear. Additionally, both the general mean and nearly all domains of HPLP were significantly related to BSE, mammography, and Pap smear behavior. This study demonstrated strong relationships between breast and cervical cancer screening behavior and health promoting lifestyle in this subgroup of women, making an important contribution to understanding the factors influencing women's health behavior.

During the past thousands of years, food systems, and thus human diets, have been and are shaped by climate, terrain, seasons, location, culture, and technology. In this context, many types of diet patterns have emerged. Nowadays, numerous epidemiological studies are being conducted in many countries in order to find relationships between empirically identified dietary factors and the occurrence of illnesses. Today, some dietary patterns are described as healthy eating models while others are generally qualified as unhealthy.

Stigmatization is one of the important problems that HIV/AIDS patients face since many years and still a problem in the modern world. Religious or belief systems, fears, cultures and traditions of societies all affect the development of stigmatization. It is reported that prejudice and stigmatization about HIV/AIDS lead to risky behaviors of people, prevent the open declaration of the disease, and that social fear promotes transmission. In the fight toward the stigma with AIDS, nurses will lead on breaking down the wall of stigma and silence. In this respect nurses have important responsibilities and tasks. In this paper, reasons and consequences of stigma associated with HIV/AIDS are reviewed and fight against stigma because of HIV/AIDS is discussed., Damgalama yıllardan beri HIV/AIDS hastalarının yaşadığı önemli sorunlardan birisidir ve modern dünyanın hala en ciddi problemidir. Toplumların dini veya inanç sistemleri, korkuları ve önyargılar, kültürleri ve gelenekleri, damgalama oluşumunda etkili olmaktadır. HIV/AIDS konusundaki önyargı ve damgalamanın insanları riskli davranışlara yönelttiği, hastaların bildirimini engellediği ve toplumsal korkunun bulaşmayı arttırdığı belirtilmektedir. AIDS ile damgalamaya karşı savaşta hemşirelerin bu damgalama ve sessizlik duvarının yıkılmasında liderlik edecekleri bilinmektedir. Bu açıdan hemşirelere önemli görev ve sorumluluklar düşmektedir. Bu yazıda HIV/AIDS’e bağlı damgalamanın nedenleri ve sonuçları gözden geçirilmiş, damgalamaya karşı mücadele tartışılmıştır.

The aim of this study was to determine and assess the conditions for using and preserving alcohol as an antiseptic agent, and to develop a standard application protocol in the Hospital of Ege University Faculty of Medicine. The study was planned as an experimental study, and included all departments, clinics, intensive care units, laboratories and operating rooms. Data were collected by a questionnaire which included sixteen questions and alcoholmeter to measure the alcohol concentrations in the antiseptic solution. Mean scores for alcohol concentration were 98.5± 0.60% (min:97%, max:99%) for general supplies and 88.5±.17.53% (min:3%, max: 99%) in the departments. The results of this study have shown that although the hospital has a standard condition for preserving alcohol in the general supplies, the same does not apply in terms of having a standard condition for preserving, dilution and using alcohol as an antiseptic agent in the departments., Araştırma, Ege Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Hastanesi'nde antiseptik madde olarak alkolün saklama ve kullanma durumunu saptamak ve kullanım, saklama ve standart bir uygulama protokolü belirlemek amacı ile planlanmıştır. Deneysel tipte planlanan araştırma, E.Ü. Tıp Fakültesi Hastanesi'nin tüm klinik, yoğun bakım, ameliyathaneler, laboratuar ve polikliniklerinde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bu araştırmada, veri toplama aracı olarak 16 sorudan oluşan bir kayıt formu ve alkol yoğunluğunu ölçen alkolmetre kullanılmıştır. Depolarda alkol yoğunluğunun ortalamasının %98.5± 0.60 (min:%97, max:%99) ve kliniklerde %88.5±.17.53 (min:%3, max:%99) olarak belirlenmiştir. Sonuç olarak, klinik depolarında alkolü saklama kosullarının standartlara uygun olduğu saptanırken kliniklerde antiseptik madde olarak alkolü sulandırma, saklama ve kullanımının uygun standartlarda olmadığı saptanmıştır.

The aim of the study was to determine the quality of life (QOL) of nursing staff working in oncology units in Turkey. The study was a descriptive study and included 89 oncology nurses from 12 different cities in Turkey who participated in the course "Basic Chemotherapy Courses for Oncology Nurses" in Izmir. This course was organized by Ege University Faculty of Medicine and the Turkish Ministry of Health. Quality of life was assessed with the Questionnaire for Socioeconomic Status and the World Health Organization QOL Scale (WOQOL-BREF). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics including Student t tests, analysis of variance, and the Scheffe test for post hoc analysis. Mean scores for QOL were 14.52 for the physical health domain, 14.3 for the psychologic domain, 13.57 for the social relationships domain, and 11.78 for the environment domain. It has been concluded that providing care for patients with cancer has a negative impact on the QOL of oncology nurses.

Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis. Cutaneous anthrax is the most commonly seen form of anthrax.Skin lesions usually occur on the most exposed areas of the body, such as the face, neck, hand or upper extremity.The aim of this paper is to report a case of cutaneous anthrax form which was occurred on an unexpected area of thebody of a slaughter-house worker. J Microbiol Infect Dis 2012;2(4): 163-164Key words: Anthrax, Bacillus anthracis, cutaneous

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the influence of prenatal risk indicator scores of pregnant women on mental symptoms. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out with 142 pregnant women who were admitted to obstetrics clinic of a state hospital in Izmir province and who stated that they were not diagnosed with any psychiatric diseases. A form questioning socio-demographic and obstetric characteristics of pregnant women, prenatal risk indicator aiming at determining risk of pregnant women and brief symptom inventory (BSI) aiming at screening mental symptoms were used for data collection. Results: The most common risk factors according to risk indicator were detected as experiencing urinary tract infection during the current pregnancy, being nulliparous, receiving late or insufficient prenatal care and inadequate weight gain and almost half of the pregnant women were found to be high risk. In addition, it was found that BSI scores were low, paranoid thought scores were high in high risk women and there was a positive correlation and phobic anxiety scores of all pregnant women were equal. Conclusion: High risk pregnant women were detected to have paranoid thoughts and all pregnant women found to experience phobic anxiety equally.

Background: The consumption of carbapenems has increased worldwide, together with the increase in resistant gram negative bacilli. Subsequently, the prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter infections has increased rapidly and become a significant problem particularly in intensive care unit patients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the changes in the prevalence of Acinetobacter infection by restricting the consumption of carbapenems in intensive care unit patients. Methods: This study was conducted between May 1, 2011 and February 28, 2013. The amount of carbapenem consumption and the number of patients with multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) isolates during the study period were retrospectively obtained from the records of the patients, who were hospitalized in the intensive care unit. The study period was divided into two periods named as: Carbapenem non-restricted period (CNRP) and carbapenem-restricted period (CRP). During CNRP, no restrictions were made on the use of carbapenems. During CRP, the use of carbapenems was not allowed if there was an alternative to carbapenems. Primary Endpoint: MDRAB infection after ICU admission. The definition of nosocomial infections related to Acinetobacter spp. was based on the criteria of the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The correlation between the amount of carbapenem consumption and the number of infections with MDRAB strains between the two periods were evaluated. Results: During the study period, a total of 1822 patients' (1053 patients in CNRP and 769 patients in CRP) records were evaluated retrospectively. A total of 10.82 defined daily dose (DDD/100 ICU days) of anti-pseudomonal carbapenem were used in CNRP, and this figure decreased to 6.95 DDD/100 ICU days in CRP. In the 8-month CNRP, 42 (3.98%) MDRAB-related nosocomial infections were detected, and 14 (1.82%) infections were detected in CRP (p = 0.012). Conclusion: The prevalence of MDRAB strains isolated in the CNRP was 2.24-fold higher than the prevalence in the CRP. The prevalence of Acinetobacter infections can be reduced by taking strict isolation measures as well as by implementing good antibiotics usage policy.

KARABAY, OGUZ/0000-0003-1514-1685; Karabay, Oguz/0000-0003-0502-432X WOS: 000309553900009 PubMed: 22825647 Introduction Interferons, pegylated interferons (PegIFN), and oral antivirals are used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) virus infection. The number of studies comparing the efficacy of PegIFNs in the treatment of HBe antigen-negative CHB is rather limited. In this trial, the efficacy of two PegIFN products used in the treatment of CHB is compared. Methods Study data were obtained from 16 tertiary healthcare service centers located in various areas of Turkey. Data of patients who were consecutively treated with PegIFN alpha-2a or alpha-2b for CHB were recorded retrospectively. Hepatitis B virus DNA and liver enzymes were analyzed at the beginning of the treatment and during weeks 12, 24, 48, and 72. A P-value less than 0.05 was considered to be significant. Results A total of 155 patients were enrolled in this trial. Two cases were excluded because of insufficient data. Among the remaining 153 patients, 81 (53%) patients were in the PegIFN alpha-2a group and 72 (47%) patients were in the alpha-2b group. Treatment success was found to be 17.2% for the PegIFN alpha-2a group and 18.0% for the PegIFN alpha-2b group (P>0.05). In terms of efficacy (weeks 24, 48, and 72), there were no significant differences between the groups (P>0.05). Conclusion According to our results, for HBe antigen-negative CHB cases, the response rate during the sixth month after the treatment with PegIFN was determined to be similar to 17%. No difference was found between the efficacy rates of the two PegIFN products used in the treatment of HBe antigen-negative CHB. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 24: 1296-1301 (C) 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. HEP-NET Turkey; Gliad science The authors thank the HEP-NET Turkey project for support. Planning the study: K. Oguz. Conducting the study: K. Oguz, T. Nazan. Collecting data: K. Oguz, T. Nazan, E. Saban and the PEG-HBV study group (arranged in alphabetical order: A. Sila, B. Hurrem, C. Bahadir, D. Kutbettin, D. Tuna, D. Nese, E. Serpil, E. Omer, G. Faruk, G. Alper, K.K. Mustafa, F.K. Omer, O. Resat, O. Davut, O. Nail, S. Fatma, T. Ediz). Interpreting data: K. Oguz and T. Nazan. Drafting the manuscript: K. Oguz, T. Nazan, E. Saban.; K. Oguz and T. Nazan received travel and manuscript preparation (statistical analysis) grants from Gliad science. For the remaining authors there are no conflicts of interest.

Aim: In 2009, a flu pandemic caused panic worldwide. Oseltamivir and zanamivir were widely used in this pandemic. Currently, there are a limited number of studies comparing the efficacy and tolerability of these two drugs. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and tolerability of these two drugs in the treatment of influenza. Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed with influenza at our infectious disease outpatient clinic during the influenza season between October 1, 2009 and February 1, 2010 were included in the study. Study data were obtained retrospectively from files for consecutive patients. A total of 136 subjects were selected. After exclusion criteria were applied, 56 subjects were discarded. The information for 80 patients in whom oseltamivir or zanamivir therapy was initiated (40 for each therapy) was compiled, and the efficacy and tolerability of the drugs were compared. Results: There was no significant difference in efficacy for the two drugs (P > 0.05). Temperature normalization was significantly faster in patients taking zanamivir (P = 0.0157). Drowsiness was the most frequent adverse event for both drugs (38% for the oseltamivir group, and 22% for the zanamivir group). Respiratory distress was observed in five patients in the zanamivir group, whereas it was not observed in patients in the oseltamivir group (P < 0.05). One patient had to discontinue therapy in the zanamivir group due to respiratory distress. Conclusion: Efficacy (in terms of symptom relief and duration to resumption of work) and adverse events were similar for zanamivir and oseltamivir, but temperature normalization was much more rapid in patients using zanamivir. Patients using zanamivir should be monitored for respiratory distress.

Legionella pneumophila is a cause of both community- and hospital-acquired pneumonia and might cause high morbidity and mortality. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment with appropriate antibiotics is crucial. Many clinical and laboratory abnormalities can be observed in the course of Legionella pneumonia. In this study, we aimed to present simultaneously increased serum ferritin and myoglobin level in a legionella case with reference to the relevant literature.

Brucellosis is one of the most important zoonotic diseases. Several complications may be seen during its clinical course. Here, we describe a patient who presented with complaints of fatigue, malaise, and intensive lumbar pain. He had been suffering from these complaints for nearly 1 month. It was learned that he lived in rural area, made and ate his own cheese. The Rose Bengal test was positive and Brucella standard tube agglutination was positive at 1/320 titer. Pedro Pons′ sign, an osteoarticular complication of brucellosis, was revealed with the aid of radiologic imaging. Osteoarticular involvement is common in the course of brucellosis. Deformation in vertebrae formerly known as Pedro Pons′ sign should be thought in brucellosis patients suffering from lumbar pain.

B u araştırmada, kanser hastasına bakım veren hemşirelerin; yaşam kalitesi puanlarının belirlenmesi, yaşam kalitelerini etkile yen faktörlerin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Tanımlayıcı bir çalışma olarak planlanan araştırma evrenini, Ege Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Başhekimliği ve Sağlık Bakanlığı tarafından 26-31 Mart 2001 tarihleri arasında İzmir'de düzenlenen "Onkoloji hemşireliği kemoterapi temel eğitim" kursuna 12 ilden katılan toplam 89 onkoloji hemşiresi oluşturmuştur.Verilerin toplanmasında, 1 so syoekonomik durumu belirleyen anket formu ve 2 Dünya Sağlık Örgütü Yaşam Kalitesi ölçeği kısa formu kullanıl mıştır WHOQ0L-BREF . Verilerin istatistiksel analizleri, Statitical Package for Social Science SPSS for windows 11.0 paket programında yapılmıştır. Verilerin analizinde tanımlayıcı istatistikler, Student t testi, ANOVA ve Post Hac Testlerde Scheffe testleri kullanılmıştır. Araştırma kapsamındaki hemşirelerin yaşam kalitesi puan ortalamamaları incelendiğinde; fiziksel alan 14,52, psikolojik alan 14,3, sosyal alan 13.57, çevre alanı 11.78 ve çevre TR 12.09 alarak hesaplanmış ve kanser hastasına bakım vermenin hemşirelerin yaşam kalitesini olumsuz etkilediği saptanmıştır, The aim of the study is to identify the data that would provide basis for further research concerning the quality of life andfactors influencing it. The study was planned as a descriptive study, and 89 oncology nurses from 12 different cities who paricipated the 'Basic chemotherapy courses for oncology nurses" that was orginazed by Ege University Faculty of Medicine and Ministry of Health on March 26-31st , 2001 in İzmir. Socioeconomic status questionnaire and brief form of quality of life by World Health Organization W0Q0L-BREEF were used for collecdon of data. Statictical Package for Sociat Science SPSS for Windows 11.0 esas used for the statistical analyses. Descriptiue statistics used for the analyses of the data were Student -t, ANOVA and Scheffe test for Post Hoc tests

Araştırma, ebelik öşrencilerinin meslek ile ilşili şörüşlerini ve mezuniyet sonrası çalışmak istedikleri konum ve kurumları deşerlendirmek amacı ile yapılmıştır. Kesitsel tipteki araştırmanın evrenini Eşe Üniversitesi şzmir Atatürk Saşlık Yüksekokulu Ebelik Bölümü’nde 2013-2014 eşitim-öşretim şüz yarıyılında öşrenim şörmekte olan birinci ve dördüncü sınıf 229 öşrenci oluşturmuştur. Örnek seçimine şidilmemiş, şönüllü öşrenciler araştırmaya dahil edilmiştir. Araştırmaya katılım oranı % 73’dür (n:167). Öşrencilerin %45’i birinci, %55’i dördüncü sınıfta okumakta olup, %59’unun annesi, %43’ünün babası ilkokul mezunudur. Katılımcıların %54’nün üniversite şiriş sınavı tercih sıralamasının ilk beşinde ebelik olduşu, %51’inin iş bulma kolaylışı nedeni ile bölümü tercih ettişi ve %81’inin mesleklerini sevdikleri belirlenmiştir. Bununla birlikte öşrencilerin %89’u ebelik mesleşinin toplumsal statüsünü orta ve kötü olarak tanımlamıştır. Araştırma şrubunun %49’unun kadın doşum ve çocuk hastalıkları hastanesinde, %28’inin aile saşlışı merkezinde ebe olarak, %14’ünün ise üniversitede akademisyen olarak çalışmak istedikleri saptanmıştır. Araştırma şrubunun %84’ü hafta içi şündüz, %11’i nöbet usulü, %98’i ilçe veya şehirde, %2’si köyde çalışmak istemektedir. Öşrencilerin yarısı bölümlerini isteyerek ve iş bulma kolaylışı nedeni ile seçmişlerdir. Katılımcıların yarısı ikinci basamak, dörtte biri birinci basamak, yaklaşık olarak onda biri ise üniversitede akademisyen olarak çalışmak istemektedir. Öşrencilerin çoşunluşunun mesleşin statüsü ile ilşili kayşıları vardır. Ebelik bölümü öşrencileri hakkında daha kapsamlı bilşi saşlayacak profil çalışmalarına şereksinim vardır. Meslek adaylarının mesleşe karşı tutumlarını ve mesleşin toplumsal statüsünü etkileyen faktörleri çözümleyecek çalışmalar yapılmalıdır., The study was conducted to investigate midwifery students’ opinions of their profession and assess their preferences for posts and institutions in which they will work after graduation. The population of this cross-sectional study consisted of 229 first- and fourth-year students in the midwifery department of Ege University Izmir Atatürk Health School in the fall semester of 2013-2014 academic year. No sampling method was implemented; volunteer students were included in the study. The participation rate in the study was 73% (n:167). Of the participants, 45% were the first-year students and 55% were the fourth-year students. 59%’s mother and 43%’s father were graduated in primary school. 54% placed midwifery education in the first five level of preference list in the university entrance examination. 51% preferred midwifery due to employment opportunity, and 81% were pleased with their profession. However, 89% of them defined the social status of the midwifery as moderate or bad. Of them, 49% wanted to work in the obstetrics and gynecology hospital, 28% as a midwife in the family health center, and 14% as academicians in the university. 84% wanted to work in the daytime, 11% wanted to work shifts, and 98% wanted to work in a district or city, and 2% in a village. Half of the participants preferred the profession of their own free will due to employment opportunity. Half of them wanted to work in the secondary healthcare, one-fourth of them in the primary healthcare, and about one-tenth of them as an academician in the university. The majority of them had worries about the status of their profession. To provide more comprehensive data on midwifery students, profile studies should be performed. In addition, studies to analyze the prospective midwives’ attitudes towards the profession, and factors affecting the social status of the profession should be conducted.