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WOS: 000382747100004, PubMed ID: 27458846, Background/Aims: To establish the prevalence of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1), IL-23 receptor (IL-23R), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT-3) and Janus kinase 2 (JAK-2) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in a Turkish population. Materials and Methods: A total of 562 subjects who presented at the Ankara University internal medicine departments of rheumatology and gastroenterology outpatient clinics were recruited in this study, including 365 patients with AS, 197 patients with IBD and 230 healthy controls. ERAP1, IL-23R, STAT-3 and JAK-2) were genotyped in competitive allele-specific polymerase chain reactions. Results: The ERAP1 (rs26653) polymorphism was found to increase the disease risk in patients with AS and IBD compared with the control group (p=0.02 and p=0.01, respectively). In addition, this polymorphism revealed a significant relationship with the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and the Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI) in patients with AS (r=0.829, p

WOS: 000472685700071, PubMed: 31022490, In the current study, chia mucilage composite films with starch nanocrystals (3% and 6%) were produced. The films were analyzed physicochemically (FT-IR, AFM, TGA, DSC), mechanically (Tensile strength and contact angle) and biologically (antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxicity) properties. The incorporation of starch nanocrystals was confirmed through FT-IR spectra showing broad OH peak and C=O stretching and shift in N-H bending vibrations to the lower wave number. Starch nanocrystals enhanced (control 287.23 degrees C, film with 3% SNC 286.91 degrees C and film with 6% mucilage 289.41 degrees C) the thermal properties of the composite films. The Young Modulus of the film showed an increase after the incorporation of starch nanocrystals due to the strong interaction between mucilage and nanocrystals. On the other hand, the overall hydrophobicity of mucilage composite film decreased due to the hydrophilic nature of cornstarch nanocrystals. mu assay for cell proliferation revealed significant inhibition of cancer cell (HepG2) lines and exhibits a very low inhibition of epithelial cell line (Vero). Starch nanocrystals enhanced the antibacterial and antioxidant (threefold increase compare to control) properties of mucilage composite films. Mucilage-SNC composite films could be a good therapeutic gain for control and directed drug delivery, food packaging, food coating. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

WOS: 000455820300007, PubMed ID: 30683027, Introduction: Smoking is the leading cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cotinine is reliable marker of tobacco exposure. We aimed to investigate the relationship between pulmonary function tests (FVC%, FEV1 , FEV1/FVC and FEF25-75%), smoking history and blood cotinine levels in healthy volunteers as a control and patients who have COPD in our study. Materials and Methods: One hundred and two COPD patients and 106 healthy volunteers who admitted to our institution were included. Spirometric investigations of the patients and volunteers were performed. A simple, rapid and reliable gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method was used for determination of cotinine levels in blood samples. Results: The cut-off value of cotinine was determined as 41.12 ng/mL (97.2% sensitivity and 100% specificity). A significant relationship was observed between average pack-year and cotinine level in current smoker group (p< 0.05). The mean cotinine levels were 6.1, 8.8, and 467.0 ng mL(-1) in never smokers, ex-smokers and current smokers, respectively. No relationship was observed between cotinine level and FVC%, FEV1 % and FEV1/FVC (p> 0.05). In patient group, there was also no relationship between FEF25-75% and cotinine level however, in control group-smokers a negative correlation was found (p< 0.05; r= -0.372). Conclusion: We observed once again with our study that cotinine is a reliable marker of tobacco exposure. The most obvious result is the negative correlation between FEF25-75% value and cotinine level and this result may be caused by the effect of smoking in the peripheral airways at early stages of COPD.

WOS: 000396697500002, A simple, rapid and reliable high performance liquid chromatography method (HPLC) with ultraviolet detection (UV) was developed and validated according to ICH guidelines, for quantitative analysis and therapeutic drug monitoring of diclofenac sodium (DS) in human plasma. Plasma samples (0.7 mL) were acid hydrolysis by 100 mu L, 1 M hydrochloric acid. Analytes were concentrated from plasma by liquid-liquid extraction with 2 mL ethyl acetate by repeated twice, which allows to obtain good extraction yields (98.75%-99.32%). The separation was achieved by employing C18 analytical column (3.5 mu m particle size, 150 mmx3.9 mm I.D.) under isocratic conditions using acetonitrile and NaH2PO4 mixture (42.5: 57.5, v/v) as mobile phase (pH: 3.16) flow rate of 1.5 mL/min. Naproxen (3 mu g/mL) was used as an internal standard (IS). The DS and IS were detected at 281 nm and eluted at 2.6 and 6.2 min, respectively. Total run time was 7 min. Method showed linearity with very good determination coefficients (r(2)=0.999), over the concentration range of 50 - 1600 ng/mL. Limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 8.95 ng/mL and 27.12 ng/mL, respectively. Intra-day precision and accuracy were between 0.93-5.27; 1.74-9.81, respectively. Inter-day precision and accuracy were between 2.71-6.64; 2.03-9.16, respectively. This method was successfully applied for determination of DS plasma concentrations during a pharmacokinetic study in healthy volunteers (n=12) after an oral administration of Voltaren (R) 75 mg/tablet and remarkable variations in DS levels were observed. In our study, on the contrary to equivalent doses of DS, the observed significant differences in plasma levels of DS, on 2nd, 4th and 6th hours, can be explained by pharmacokinetic differences, that arise from mainly polymorphisms of CYP2C9 and CYP3A4, which are major enzymes responsible for DS metabolism.

WOS: 000436700600007, In the study the biocidal activity and the corrosion inhibitor activity of 2-aminopyrimidines on growth of Desulfotomaculum sp. B2-1 and B2-2 strains and biocorrosion of X65 steel in 63a medium were determined. For this purpose 4 synthetic compounds (2-amino-4-chloro-6-methylpyrimidine (AMP1), 2-amino-4-chloro-6-morpholinepyrimidine (AMP3), 2-amino-4-chloro-6-(4-methylpiperazine-1-yl) pyrimidine (AMP8), 2-amino-4-morpholine6-methylpyrimidine (AMP11)) were tested for biocidal activity on Desulfotomaculum sp. Corrosion experiment system were prepared with standard corrosion cell were incubated at 30 degrees C in incubator for bacterial growth. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization methods were used to identify corrosion with CH Instruments 660B. The AMP1 and AMP3 compounds reduced the growth of Desulfotomaculum sp. at 25 mg L-1 concentration. Moreover, these synthetic compounds reduced the biocorrosion of X65 steel by B2-1 strain 95% and 91% for AMP1 and AMP3 sequentially., Ankara University [2005K120140]; TUBITAK-BIDEP; TUBITAK-TBAG [106T066], T.A.O. thanks to BIYEP project (Project number: 2005K120140) Ankara University and TUBITAK-BIDEP for financial support. M.G. and D.Y. also thanks TUBITAK-TBAG (Project number: 106T066) for providing financial support and MSc scholarship.

WOS: 000376696500036, PubMed ID: 26947902, Ethnopharmacological relevance: The roots and root barks of Echium sp. have been used to treat ulcers, burns and wounds in traditional Turkish medicine. Aim of the study: On the basis of them traditional use and literature references, four Echium species were selected for evaluation of them wound healing potential. Isolation of active component(s) from the active extracts through the bioassay guided fractionation procedures. Material and methods: In vivo the wound healing activity of the plants was evaluated by linear incision experimental models. The chloroform extract of Echium italicum L. was fractionated by successive chromatographic techniques. Wound healing activity of each fraction was investigated following the bioassay-guided fractionation procedures. Moreover, the tissue samples of isolated compounds were examined histopathologically. The healing potential was comparatively assessed with a reference ointment Madecassol (R), which contains 1% extract of Centella asiatica. Results: Significant wound healing activity was observed from the ointment prepared with ethanol extract at 1% concentration. The ethanol root extract treated in groups of animals showed a significant increase (37.38%, 40.97% and 35.29% separately for E. italicum L, Echium vulgare Land Echium angustifolium Miller) wound tensile strength in the incision wound model. Subfractions showed significant but reduced wound healing activity on in vivo wound models. Shikonin derivatives "Acetylshikonin", "Deoxyshikonin" and "2-methyl-n-butyrylshikonin+lsovalerylshikonin", were isolated and determined as active components of active final subtraction from E. italicum L. roots. The results of histopathological examination supported the outcome of linear incision wound models. Conclusion: The experimental study revealed that Echium species display remarkable wound healing activity. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd., Gazi University Scientific Research Foundation [02-2010/2011], This study was financially supported by Gazi University Scientific Research Foundation (Grant no: 02-2010/2011). The authors are very grateful to Professor Osman AYKUT, research assistant Gozde YUCEL and Asso. Professor Gulderen YILMAZ for their technical assistance.

WOS: 000462991400016, Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of methanol extracts and n-hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform, and water fractions of five Lathyrus species, namely Lathyrus armenus, Lathyrus aureus, Lathyrus cilicicus, Lathyrus laxiflorus subsp. laxiflorus, and Lathyrus pratensis, growing in Turkey. Materials and Methods: The antimicrobial activities were screened against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, and Candida albicans ATCC 10231. Broth dilution was used to determine the antimicrobial activities of extracts and fractions. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity of these extracts and fractions was determined using human red blood cell membrane stabilization. Results: The results demonstrated that ethyl acetate fractions of the tested species exhibited higher antimicrobial activity than the other extracts. Among all of the tested extracts and fractions, the highest anti-inflammatory activity was detected in water fractions. Furthermore, water fractions of L. pratensis showed better anti-inflammatory activity than acetylsalicylic acid and diclofenac sodium, which were used as standard drugs in this assay. Conclusion: The results indicate the membrane stabilizing effect of the various extracts and fractions of the Lathyrus species and could constitute preliminary work for in vivo anti-inflammatory activity experiments.

WOS: 000449849900037, PubMed: 30085374, Male reproductive parameters are often used for the functional examination and evaluation of predicted genetic values for future aspects. However, these traits are relatively reliable until the measurable effects are expressed on desired traits. Therefore, we aimed to associate the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotype of the investigated characteristics and reproductive loci. A total of 46 male dogs are divided into three age groups (I = 7 years, n = 8). The testis, scrotum and body weight, libido sexualis and ejaculation time for each fraction were monitored as functional traits, while the pH, fractional semen volume, motility, concentration, and abnormal and dead spermatozoa rate were recorded as spermatological traits. The Affymetrix Canine 127 K SNP genotyping array v2 (Affymetrix Inc., California, USA) was used for SNP genotyping. In the primary results, the scrotal circumference was found to be higher in group II compared to other groups (p < 0.05) and the lowest total abnormal spermatozoa rate was found in group I (p < 0.05). The normal spermatozoa rate was found to be significantly above the threshold in relation to the SNP in chromosome 17. In conclusion, this study represents an exciting first step towards SNP association with dog semen spermatological parameters. Future studies might be undertaken to evaluate this SNP region for gene-knockout and expression analysis and for fine mapping to validate and/or discover the exact position of the effect region., Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) [114O636], Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), Grant/Award Number: 114O636

WOS: 000432959600027, PubMed: 29530700, OBJECTIVE: The pathophysiology of spinal cord injury (SCI) with the information obtained to date has not been elucidated fully. A safe drug or treatment protocol that results in cell regeneration for SCI remains unknown. Neuroprotective and neuroregenerative effects of riluzole, administered after a SCI, have been shown in experimental studies. This study aimed to investigate the effect of riluzole on neural regeneration in a rat SCI model. METHODS: Thirty-two rats were divided into 8 groups, with 4 rats in each group. Hemisection method was performed after T7-T9 laminectomy. Rats were intraperitoneally aministered with riluzole (6 mg/kg). Locomotor recovery of the rats was assessed at 1 day, and 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after the 21-point Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan test. Subsequently, the spinal cords of the rats were scored according to a semiquantitative grading system using a light microscope, and the numbers of myelinated axons, neurons, and glial cells were calculated. RESULTS: Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan test changes were statistically significant when groups 4e6 and 8 were compared with the other groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.00625). The results of the numbers of neurons, glial cells, and myelinated axons were statistically significant. Especially group 8, in which riluzole was administered 5 days before injury, more positive clinical and histopathologic results were obtained. CONCLUSIONS: Riluzole treatment is more effective when provided before injury. Riluzole may contribute to functional recovery when used in the preoperative period in patients who are at a high risk for permanent neurologic deficit.

WOS: 000443738600001, PubMed ID: 30632540, Objectives: This study aims to report the assessment of the Turkish League Against Rheumatism (TLAR) expert panel on the compliance and adaptation of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) 2016 recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Turkey. Patients and methods: The EULAR 2016 recommendations for the treatment of RA were voted by 27 specialists experienced in this field with regard to participation rate for each recommendation and significance of items. Afterwards, each recommendation was brought forward for discussion and any alteration gaining >= 70% approval was accepted. Also, Turkish version of each item was rearranged. Last version of the recommendations was then revoted to determine the level of agreement. Levels of agreement of the two voting rounds were compared with Wilcoxon signed-rank test. In case of significant difference, the item with higher level of agreement was accepted. In case of no difference, the changed item was selected. Results: Four overarching principles and 12 recommendations were assessed among which three overarching principles and one recommendation were changed. The changed overarching principles emphasized the importance of physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists as well as rheumatologists for the care of RA patients in Turkey. An alteration was made in the eighth recommendation on treatment of active RA patients with unfavorable prognostic indicators after failure of three conventional disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Remaining principles were accepted as the same although some alterations were suggested but could not find adequate support to reach significance. Conclusion: Expert opinion of the TLAR for the treatment of RA was composed for practices in Turkish rheumatology and/or physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics.

WOS: 000454987700003, PubMed ID: 30522421, MOTAKK, as a national external quality control program has been launched to evaluate the molecular detection of viral infections including HBV DNA and HCV RNA in molecular microbiology diagnostic laboratories in Turkey. This program is prepared in compliance with ISO 17043:2010 (Conformity assessment general requirements for proficiency testing) standards, and aims to take the place of external quality control programs from abroad, contributing to standardization and accuracy of molecular diagnostic tests in our country. The aim of this study was to evaluate 2015 and 2016 results of the MOTAKK External Quality Control Program for HBV DNA and HCV RNA viral load. The calls were announced on the web page of MOTAKK (www.motakk.org). The quality control samples were sent to participating laboratories in 2015 and 2016. Main stocks were prepared from patients with chronic hepatitis B and C who had viral load detection with reference methods according to WHO reference materials for viral load studies to improve quality control sera. From these main stocks, samples with different viral loads were prepared from dilutions of plasma with HBV, HCV, HAV, HIV, Parvovirus B19 and CMV negative serologic markers. Quality control samples were sent to the participating laboratories along with the negative samples in the cold chain. The laboratories accomplished the related tests within 2-3 weeks and entered their results on the MOTAKK web page. These results were analysed according to ISO 13528 (Statistical methods for use in proficiency testing by interlaboratory comparison) and scoring reports were created by a software developed by MOTAKK and sent to participating labs. Each laboratory evaluated their own results in comparison with the other laboratory results, reassessed the tests via observing the distance from the mean result and the reference values. The number of laboratories participating in the HBV DNA and HCV RNA external quality control program was 70-73 in 2015-2016. Participants were able to comply with the program tools, registering, entering results and receiving the results reports problem. In HBV panel, 72.6-89.1% and 84.7-90.3% of the participant laboratories were in 1 standard deviation (SD) in 2015-2016, respectively. In HCV panel, 70.8-89.1% and 84.7-90.3% of the participant laboratories were in 1 SD in 2015-2016, respectively. A national external quality control program for HBV DNA and HCV RNA in Turkey has been prepared for the first time with this project and implemented successfully. All the data provided in the MOTAKK external quality control program final report, compensate all the data provided by the quality control program final reports from abroad; additionally, the report allows comparison of used technologies and commercial products.

WOS: 000453084600008, PubMed ID: 30391987, Objective: Obesity is the most important epidemic of the 21st century and its incidence is increasing steadily in Turkey. The aim of this study was to assess the current status and temporal change in the prevalence of obesity in Turkey with a systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological studies conducted in the last 15 years. Methods: Ovid Medline, the Web of Science Core Collection and the Turkish Academic Network and Information Center (ULAKBIM) databases, as well as the web pages of the Turkish Ministry of Health, the Turkish Statistical Institute, and cardiology, nephrology and endocrinology associations were searched for epidemiological studies conducted within Turkey the last 15 years. Research focusing on local data was excluded. Studies included in the analysis were assessed with a special bias score and categorized as having low or high risk of bias. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, obesity and prevalence of abdominal obesity were calculated as crude values. Meta-regression analysis was performed to assess heterogeneity and change over time. Results: The agreement between the two investigators on the selection and bias scoring of the studies was excellent (kappa=0.95), but the heterogeneity between the studies was high. BMI (10 studies, n=93.554) was calculated as 28.2 kg/m(2) for women and 26.5 kg/m(2) for men. The prevalence of obesity (12 trials, n=106.553) was 33.2% in females and 18.2% in males. In 6 studies (n=66.591) that included a measurement of waist circumference, the values were 89.72 cm in women and 93.57 cm in men. Especially in women, the prevalence of abdominal obesity (5 studies, n=62331) was greater than that of general obesity (50.8% in women vs 20.8% in men). Meta-regression analysis revealed that the variance of the obesity prevalence between the studies could partly be explained by the age differences, but there was no temporal change in the prevalence of obesity during the years the studies were conducted. Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity, especially abdominal obesity, is considerably high in Turkish women and increases with advancing age. This finding points out that nationwide action plans against obesity, especially for women, should be designed and implemented by health policy makers.

WOS: 000453084600006, PubMed ID: 30391985, Objective: Dyslipidemias, primarily hypercholesterolemia, are independent and strong predictors of cardiovascular (CV) events. The frequency of dyslipidemia is very important in terms of determining CV prevention policies. In order to determine the up-to-date frequency of CV risk factors in Turkey, a meta-analysis of the epidemiologic studies carried out in the last 15 years was performed. This article presents the results on the dyslipidemia data including hypercholesterolemia principally. Methods: Epidemiological studies conducted during the last 15 years and having the potential to represent the general population in Turkey were searched in databases (Ovid Medline, Web of Science Core Collection, and Turkish Academic Network and Information Center [ULAKBIM]) and web pages (Ministry of Health, Turkey Statistical Institute, Turkish Society of Cardiology, Nephrology and Endocrinology Associations). A total of 7 studies including lipid data were found. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the studies with low bias score were performed. Crude values of the prevalence of hypercholeterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL and mean lipid levels were calculated. Random effects model was used in meta-analysis. Results: The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia defined as a LDL-cholesterol > 130 and/or >= 130 mg/dL, was 29.1% (95% CI 23.6-35.0) in the general population, 30.2% in females (%95 CI 24.7-36.1), and 27.8% in males (95% CI 22.3-33.6). The prevalence of low HDL-cholesterol ( 150 mg/dL) was 36.5% (95% CI 30.6-42.5) in general, 32.0% (95% GA 26.6-37.8) in females and 41.3% (95% CI 34.9-47.8) in males. Conclusion: Dyslipidemia constitutes a major public health problem in Turkey. In the adult population, almost 3 of 10 have hypercholesterolemia, one of 2 has a low HDL-cholesterol, and 1 of 3 has high triglycerides levels.

WOS: 000435906600008, PubMed ID: 29546838, Background & Objective: Aroclor 1254 is a widespread toxic compound of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), which can create significant nervous problems. No remedies have been found to date. The aim of this study was to reveal the damage that occurs in the central nervous system of rat pups exposed to Aroclor 1254 in the prenatal period and to show the inhibiting effect of curcumin, which is a strong anti-oxidant and neuroprotective substance. Method: The study established 3 groups of adult female and male Wistar albino rats. The rats were mated within these groups and the offspring rats were evaluated within the group given Aroclor 1254 only (n=10) and the group was given both Aroclor 1254 and curcumin (n=10) and the control group (n=10). The groups were compared in respect of pathomorphological damage. The immunohistochemical evaluation was made of 8-hydroxdeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), 4-hydroxynoneal (4HNE), myelin basic protein (MBP) expressions and TUNEL reaction. The biochemical evaluation was made of the changes in the TAS-TOS and Neuron Specific Enolase (NSE) levels. Damage was seen to have been reduced with curcumin in the 8OHdG and TUNEL reactions, especially in the forebrain and the midbrain, although the dosage applied did not significantly change TAS and TOS levels. Consequently, it was understood that Aroclor 1254 caused damage in the central nervous system of the pup in the prenatal period, and curcumin reduced these negative effects, particularly in the forebrain and the midbrain. Conclusion: It was concluded that curcumin could be a potential neuroprotective agent and would be more effective at higher doses., Scientific and Technological Research Projects Funding Program (TUBITAK) [214O124], This study was supported by funding received from the Scientific and Technological Research Projects Funding Program (TUBITAK) under project number 214O124.

WOS: 000424114000007, PubMed ID: 30363359, Background: Movement Disorders Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) and Unified Dyskinesia Rating Scale (UDysRS) were developed as standard tools to rate Parkinson's disease (PD) and drug-induced dyskinesias of PD. As these scales have become widely used, there is a need for translation to non-English languages. Here we present the standardization for the Turkish translations. Methods: The scales were translated into Turkish and then back-translated to English. These back-translations were reviewed by the MDS team. After cognitive pretesting, movement disorder specialists from nine centers tested 352 patients for MDS-UPDRS, and 250 patients for UDysRS. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) were used to determine if the factor structures for the reference standards could be confirmed in the Turkish data. The comparative fit indexes (CFIs) for the scales were required to be 0.90 or higher. Exploratory factor analyses (EFAs) were conducted to explore the underlying factor structure without the constraint of a pre-specified factor structure. Results: For both scales, the CFIs were 0.94 or greater as compared to the reference standard factor structures. The factor structures were consistent with that of reference standards, although there were some differences in some areas as compared to the EFA of the reference standard dataset. This may be due to the inclusion of patients with different stages of PD and different cultural properties of raters and patients. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that the Turkish translations of MDS-UPDRS and UDysRS have adequate clinimetric properties. They are established as the official translations and can be reliably used in Turkish speaking populations., International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society, All authors received financial support provided by the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society for this study.

WOS: 000414663200016, PubMed: 29978094, Introduction: Chronic gastritis is a common diagnosis in dogs with signs of chronic vomiting. However, there is no data concerning endoscopic and histopathological agreement in dogs with chronic gastritis. Thus, a question should be raised whether taking gastroduodenal biopsies in dogs with chronic gastritis is necessary or not. Consequently, the purpose of the study was to compare the endoscopic and histopathological agreement in dogs with chronic gastritis. Material and Methods: A total of 22 non-pregnant client-owned dogs with the signs of chronic gastritis were enrolled in this prospective study. Procedures including clinical examination, blood analysis, and diagnostic imaging were performed before anaesthesia. Biopsies obtained from gastroduodenal sites were histopathologically evaluated. A total of 110 gastroduodenal samples were examined. Results: Sixtyeight samples had abnormal histopathology and endoscopy while 11 showed normal histopathological and endoscopic evidence. Conclusion: The obtained data demonstrated that it is not necessary to take extra gastroduodenal biopsies in dogs with evidence of endoscopic gastroduodenitis. We also believe that further prospective studies, including cost and time effectiveness and more specific comparison between endoscopic appearance and histopathology, are necessary to make final recommendations regarding the need of using both procedures for definitive diagnosis., Ankara University Scientific Research Council [10A33380002], This study was supported by grants from Ankara University Scientific Research Council (project no: 10A33380002).

In the study, 88 dogs with acquired or congenital heart disease were assessed. Medical records including anamnesis, physical examination, thorax radiography, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic exams and treatment options of cases were also evaluated. The current study reflects the clinical and diagnostic applications including electrocardiography, thorax radiography and echocardiography in cases with heart disease and the significance of routine cardiac exams in geriatric cases during the diagnostic process, Çalışmada edinsel ya da konjenital kalp hastalıklı 88 köpekten oluşan olgular incelendi. Hastaların; anamnez ve fiziksel muayene bilgileri, toraks röntgenleri, elektrokardiyografik ve ekokardiyografik muayene bulguları ve tedavi girişimlerini kapsayan medikal kayıtları değerlendirildi. Köpeklerde kalp hastalıklarının tanısal süreçlerinde; klinik muayene, elektrokardiyografi, toraks radyografisi ve ekokardiyografi bulgularının birlikte değerlendirilmesinin gerektiği ve geriatrik hastalarda rutin kardiyak kontrollerin önemli olduğu ortaya konuldu

WOS: 000306126900011, PubMed ID: 22652936, PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and potential risk factors associated with urinary incontinence (UI) in women and to assess its impact on quality of life (QOL). DESIGN: We undertook a cross-sectional study based on interviews, using a structured questionnaire. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: Two hundred eighty-eight women, aged 19 years and older, from gynecology outpatient clinics attached to a university hospital in Ankara, Turkey, were interviewed. INSTRUMENTS: Data were collected via a Turkish version of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form (ICIQ-SF) and the Wagner's Quality of Life scale. METHODS: Data were collected by face-to-face interviews with subjects and took approximately 30 minutes to complete. Potential risk factors were analyzed using logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of UI was 31.9%. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the number of pregnancies (odds ratio [OR] = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.28-0.99), UI in mother (OR = 2.46, 95% CI: 1.35-4.50) and sister (OR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.16-0.77), previous UI during pregnancy (OR = 12.22, 95% CI: 4.11-36.36) and postpartum period (OR = 11.28, 95% CI: 3.66-34.76), and body mass index (OR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.29-0.85) were associated with a higher likelihood of incontinence (P < .05). Ninety-two of 288 women (31.9%) stated that UI has a negative impact on their QOL and only 40 of 92 (43.5%) had asked for medical help. Impairment of QOL was related with the type of UI, frequency of UI episode, and amount of leakage. CONCLUSION: Our study results determined that UI is common in Turkish women. The QOL of women was mostly mildly or moderately affected by UI.

WOS: 000290815300009, Three pepper cultivars (PM-702: resistant, Demre-8 and KM-hot: susceptible) with different resistances to Phytophthora capsici-22 (P. capsici-22) were inoculated with different concentrations of zoospores to analyze the time course of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), praline and total protein. Samples were collected from the leaves of three pepper cultivars on the 2nd, 4th. and 6th days after infection; important differences were observed in PAL activity, MDA amount, H(2)O(2), proline, and total protein with respect to zoospore concentration, infection time, and type of pepper cultivars. Activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), the first enzyme in the phenylpropanoid biosynthetic pathway, was increased in inoculated leaves of all three cultivars. The increase in production of PAL upon challenge was higher in the infected plants compared to the non-infected (control) plants. An early induction of PAL was observed in the leaves of all peppers infected with P. capsici within two days, making it one of the detected earlier responses to infection. Moreover, pathogen stress increased the rate of lipid peroxidation (which is indicated by increasing MDA content). Production of reactive oxygen species, H(2)O(2), and lipid peroxidation increased in pepper leaves by increasing time of infection and inoculum concentration. The findings suggested that PM-702 pepper cultivar was inherently better protected against lipid peroxidation under P. capsici stress than KM-hot and Demre-8. In addition, it was observed that proline content in the leaves of infected susceptible cultivars increased with time, but highest proline and total protein in non-infected (control) leaves were recorded in resistant cultivar. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

WOS: 000278400600031, PubMed ID: 20438322, The radical scavenging, antimicrobial, and antispasmodic activities and the composition of Origanum acutidens (Hand.-Mazz.) Ietswaart (Order Labiatte) essential oil were evaluated in vitro. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of the oil resulted in the identification of 20 compounds, representing 93.61% of the oil; carvacrol (65%) was the main component. The sample was also subjected to a screening for antioxidant activity by using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and beta-carotene/linoleic acid assays. The essential oil exhibited strong antioxidant activity. Using the agar disk diffusion method, antimicrobial activities of the essential oils were determined for nine microorganisms; antimicrobial activity was shown against eight of them. O. acutidens oil exhibited spontaneous contractions in rat ileum at the 100% level at 0.1 mg/mL level.

Bu çalışmada, Ankara (Türkiye)’da süpermarketlerden alınan organik ve geleneksel yöntemlerle üretilen pirinç ve yeşil mercimek numunelerinin besin değeri, nitrat/nitrit içeriği ve aflatoksin kontaminasyonu araştırılmıştır. Nitrat/nitrit bakımından istatistiksel olarak anlamlı farklılık (p0.05). Hızla gelişen organik gıda sektöründe, üretilen gıdaların; besin değeri ve aflatoksinler başta olmak üzere kirleticiler bakımından değerlendirilmesi tüketicilerin bilinçlenmesi bakımından önem taşımaktadır, In the current study, organic and conventionally produced rice and lentil samples purchased from the supermarkets in Ankara, Turkey were analyzed for their nutritional composition, nitrate/nitrite content and aflatoxin contamination. Nitrate/nitrite concentrations were found to be significant (p0.05). Since organic food market is increasing rapidly, more analysis regarding the nutrition composition and other potential risks such as mycotoxins are required to enlighten the consumers

WOS: 000376969600001, PubMed ID: 29900952, Objectives: This study aims to investigate whether the protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 22 (PTPN22) C1858T gene polymorphism plays a role in the pathogenesis of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) through T-lymphocyte activation. Patients and methods: We conducted a case-control study with 180 FMF patients (68 males, 112 females; mean age 38.2 +/- 1.6 years; range 16 to 81 years) and 184 healthy controls (86 males, 98 females; mean age 32.9 +/- 9.2 years; range 18 to 58 years). The PTPN22 C1858T polymorphism (rs2476601) was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism. In patients with FMF, clinical features, disease severity score, the frequencies of amyloidosis, positive family history, and Mediterranean fever gene mutations were determined. Results: The frequencies of heterozygous genotype (CT) were 4.5% in FMF patients and 2.8% in healthy controls, respectively. The frequencies of polymorphic homozygous genotypes (TT) were 0.5% in both FMF patients and healthy controls. There were no statistically significant differences in the frequencies of CT and TT genotypes between FMF patients and healthy controls (odds ratio: 1.65, 95% confidence interval: 0.53-5.14, p>0.05 for CT genotype). The frequencies of clinical features, sex, amyloidosis, positive family history, Mediterranean fever gene mutations, and disease severity score were not significantly different between the patients. Conclusion: The distribution of PTPN22 C1858T polymorphism did not reveal any association with FMF in a Turkish population., Ankara University Research Fund, The study is supported by the Ankara University Research Fund.

Gürbüz, Esra (Aksaray, Yazar), Bu makale morfotektonik özellikleri, sismoloji, GPS ve MT verilerini kullanarak Kuzey Anadolu Fay Zonu'nun (KAFZ) güney kol'u için alternatif bir güzergah önermektedir. Bu yeni güzergahta güney kol, KAFZ’nun ana koluna Gölpazarı çek-ayır havzası ve Mudurnu üzerinden geçerek Bolu’da bağlanmaktadır. GPS verilerinden hesaplanan KAFZ’nundaki kayma dağılımı, yeni önerilen güzergahın KAFZ'nun Marmara'daki ikinci önemli kolu olduğunu göstermektedir., This paper proposes an alternative route for the southern branch of the North Anatolian Fault Zone (NAFZ) using evidence from morphotectonic features, seismology, GPS and recently published Magnetotelluric and Transient Electromagnetic (MT) data. In this new route, the southern branch connects with the main branch of the NAFZ in Bolu via the Gölpazarı pull-apart basin and Mudurnu. The slip distribution of the NAFZ as taken from GPS data indicates that the newly hypothesized route is the second most important branch of the NAFZ.

WOS: 000382873200006, Aim: Abusive head trauma (AHT) is the most common cause of death as the result of child abuse. A task force is planned to provide training on AHT to professionals in different disciplines on clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, and organization of multidisciplinary evaluation at the hospital and community levels. This study reports on the preliminary findings of the pre-intervention phase of a larger study. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive, retrospective study exploring the rates of documentation of relevant data in charts, including risk factors for abuse, family demographics, completeness of diagnostic workup, and case finding. Results: Overall, 345 cases were found in hospital databases that were eligible for the retrospective study from 10 participating hospitals. In total, 305 cases (88.4%) were younger than 2 years of age. The most common documented risk factors were low parental education level in 82 families (23.8%), more than three children under 7 years of age in 76 families (22.0%), and bad child temper in 16 families (4.6%), among others. The rate of complete diagnostic workup in hospitals with a multidisciplinary team (MDT) (25.7%) was statistically significantly higher than in hospitals without an MDT (2.9%) (p=0.001). Etiology was identified as inflicted in 78 cases (22.6%), possibly inflicted in 24 (7.0%), undetermined in 79 (22.9%), and accidental in 164 (47.5%) by the researchers, compared to only three cases (0.8%) diagnosed as inflicted by the treating physicians (p

WOS: 000249494700014, PubMed ID: 17141939, For a pilot-scale application, pH control in the treatment of highly contaminated dye industrial wastewater containing metallic compounds as the main pollutants has been investigated with a method using adaptive heuristic criticism control (AHCC). Subsequent experimentation on between 12 and 181 of the wastewater was carried out using statistical experimental design methodology to evaluate the effects of three critical factors: slaked lime (calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH)(2)) concentration, iron chloride (FeCl3) concentration and wastewater volume. With these critical factors, the wastewater treatment process is modeled as an appropriate quadratic cost function of the turbidity of the clarified water. The model is optimized with Rosenbrock's method. Response surface topology of the wastewater treatment is given in terms of optimal concentrations of lime water and FeCl3 and optimal wastewater volume at pH 11. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

WOS: 000248142700015, Influences of Holocene climatic and sea level changes on sedimentation on the continental shelf off the Buyuk Menderes River delta, SW Turkey were investigated using grain size and X-ray clay mineralogical data on surficial and 14C-dated core sediments collected at 19-81 m water depths. Modern, fine-grained, siliciclastic sediments cover most of the seafloor of inner to mid-shelf areas. A narrow, relict belt extends from northwest to south (at 66-81 m water depths), where sediments are characterized by abundant sand and gravel (27-52%) and biogenic carbonate (16-44%) contents, and microscopic examination suggests an older origin. The radiocarbon ages of mid and lower sections in cores (3670-10,380 yr BP) reflect sedimentation under depositional conditions from early to late Holocene in the study area. Additionally, downcore changes of grain size toward coarser-grained sediments most probably record global climatic effects with sea level changes, specifically the transition from lowstand in early Holocene to highstand at mid-late Holocene. The presence of this relict belt in offshore waters can be attributed largely to active uplift tectonics. The coarser-grained relict belt, compared with available seismic profiles, corresponds to an lowstand unconformity of bottomset beds of the prograding Buyuk Menderes Delta. Reconstruction from nautical charts clearly showed the presence of an E-W-trending submarine canyon ("Paleo-Buyuk Menderes River valley") in the course of Buyuk Menderes Graben. This is interpreted as product of combination of sea-level lowstands and subsidence tectonics throughout the late Quaternary. Smectite (35-62 %), illite (28-51 %) and kaolinite (12-19 %) constitute the dominant clay minerals in the < 2 mu m fraction of the surface sediments. The patterns of clay mineral distribution suggest sediment transport from the Buyuk Menderes River and dispersal from the river to the outer continental shelf by the prevailing current regime. Downcore changes in the clay mineral assemblages (downward-decreasing smectite/iilite ratios) reflect changes in weathering conditions of the terrigenous source, from a colder climate during early Holocene to relatively warmer periods toward the present. Widely occurring partly metamorphosed volcanic rocks characterize the major geological sources of clay minerals on the adjacent hinterland. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved.

WOS: 000247233200013, Backshore sediment samples from 22 beaches along the Antalya and Finike Gulfs have been studied for their grain size, chemical and heavy mineral composition. Data presented here suggest that well- to moderately-sorted (0.41 Phi-0.92 Phi) medium sand (1 Phi-2 Phi) represents dominant mean grain size in most beaches. In contrast, some beaches from the western part of the Gulf of Antalya (Goynuk, Kemer-Kiris and Beldibi) are composed of pebble- to boulder-size grained beaches which are located close to mouths of short and steep-gradient ephemeral rivers entering the sea from the Western Taurus Mountains. The heavy mineral assemblages are dominated by detrital opaque minerals (14-58% magnetite, chromite, and hematite), pyroxene (8-65% augite), amphibole (3-15% tremolite and actinolite), epidote (3-25%), garnet (2-9% pyrope and almandine) and micas (3-20 biotite, muscovite and chlorite). The very high concentrations of heavy minerals (up to 86% of bulk sediment) together with the significant concentrations of some elements found in beach sediments from the Gulf of Finike and western Gulf of Antalya (Fe: 18.40%; Cr: 10.00%; and Ti: 1.32%) are indicative of ultramafic origin, mainly derived from the ophiolitic rocks of the Antalya-Tekirova nappe on coastal hinterland. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

WOS: 000246620000007, The magnetotelluric method has been employed to generate a geoelectrical model that will reveal the rich geological pattern and dynamic character of western and northwestern Anatolia, Turkey. Magnetotelluric data were collected from 53 sites along a profile of 290 km from the Dardanelles to the Alasehir Graben. Magnetotelluric data were in the range of 0.00055 Hz to 320 Hz. The models were obtained through 2-D joint inversion of transverse electric and transverse magnetic modes. Lateral changes in geoelectrical models are verified by using gravity and magnetic data. In addition, some of the seismological data presented here agree with proposed models that suggest a brittle-ductile structure boundary at a depth of 20 km. Generally speaking, a regional extensional regime caused reduction in the thickness of the crust and consequent uplift towards the south. The constructed model delineates the western part of the North Anatolian Fault Zone along the Biga Peninsula. The current patterns of volcanic activity on the Biga Peninsula and at Kula are related to conductive spots presented in the models. The border of the Gordes Basin, located between the Izmir - Ankara suture zone and the Menderes Massif, is also well delineated. The North Anatolian Fault Zone presents a pattern in which density and susceptibility anomalies attain relatively high values. Fillings covering most of the surface have lower density and susceptibility values than those of underlying structures.

WOS: 000247150200011, PubMed ID: 17696016, The present study was carried out in a batch system using a lichen (Pseudevernia furfuracea (L.) Zopf) for the sorption of nickel(II) and copper(II) ions from water. Particularly, the effect of pH, contact time and temperature were considered. Pseudevernia furfuracea exhibited nickel(II) and copper(II) uptake of 49.87.and 60.83 mg/g at an initial pH of 4 and 5-6 at 35 degrees C respectively. Both the Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption models were suitable for describing the biosorption of nickel(II) and copper(II) by the biosorbent. Biosorption showed pseudo first order rate kinetics for nickel and copper ions. Using the equilibrium constant values obtained at 25 and 35 T, the thermodynamics properties of the biosorption (Delta G degrees, Delta H degrees and Delta S degrees) were determined. The biosorption of nickel(II) and copper(II) onto Pseudevermajurfuracea was found to be endothermic.

WOS: 000352060500003, Objectives: This study investigates the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Turkey, and attempts to identify strategies for the prevention, treatment, and support of RA. Patients and methods: A total of 2,359 patients (1,966 females, 393 males; mean age 51.6 +/- 12.5 years; range 18 to 75 years) with RA from 36 centers across Turkey, who were recorded in the Turkish League Against Rheumatism (TLAR) RA Registry between September 2007 and March 2011, were evaluated. Patients' demographic and clinical data were recorded. Disease activity, functional status, and radiographic damage were measured using the Disease Activity Score 28, the Health Assessment Questionnaire, and van der Heijde modified Sharp scoring method. Results: The mean duration of academic education received was 5.2 +/- 3.8 years, and 74.6% of the patients were homemakers. Non-biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs were used by 91.0% of the patients, while 10.2% used biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. The mean Disease Activity Score 28, Health Assessment Questionnaire, and Sharp scores were 4.0 +/- 1.4, 0.38 +/- 0.37, and 31.2 +/- 57.1, respectively. Of the patients, 17.8% were in remission and 14.1% had low disease activity rates, while 42.7% and 25.5% had moderate and high disease activity rates. Conclusion: The majority of patients with RA in Turkey are middle-aged homemakers. Despite the high rates of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs use, the majority of patients had moderate and high disease activity. These findings indicate that treatment needs of RA patients are not met sufficiently., Wyeth/Pfizer Company, The authors express their gratitude to all members of TLAR RA Study Group for their cooperation and to Wyeth/Pfizer Company for the sponsorship.

WOS: 000363083300002, Objectives: This study aims to investigate whether clinical measures of disease activity and function in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are associated with matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase -1 (TIMP-1), and if MMPs can be more useful than C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in predicting disease activity in AS. Patients and methods: MMP-3, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels were measured by ELISA in 20 patients with AS, 20 patients with IBD, 20 patients with IBD and AS (35 males, 25 females; mean age 38.1 years; range 19 to 62 years), and 20 healthy volunteers (10 males, 10 females; median age 38.5 years; range 24 to 63 years) as a control group. Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, Truelove-Witts activity criteria for ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's Disease of Activity Index scoring systems were used. Results: Highest MMP-3 level was in IBD group (33.51 59.56 ng/mL, p, Ankara Tip War Vakfi, This study was funded by Ankara Tip War Vakfi.

WOS: 000344252600012, The purpose of this study is to develop the Inclusion Knowledge Test (IKT) for assessing preschool teachers' knowledge of inclusive practices and to examine its psychometric characteristics. To achieve this purpose, the researchers wrote short stories (vignettes) focusing on the various aspects of inclusive practices, such as assessing the development of children with disabilities, adapting a preschool curriculum, and interacting with families of children with disabilities. Having been evaluated by a panel group consisting of experts who worked in special education fields, all vignettes were reviewed, and necessary adjustment and changes were made. Then the data were collected from the IKT responses of 169 preschool teachers, and validity and reliability studies were carried out. According to the results of the analysis, the IKT consists of 24 items (vignettes) loaded on one factor, and the factor loads of all items were more than .40. Cronbach's Alpha is .917. The findings showed that the preschool teachers have very limited knowledge of inclusive practices, and their IKT scores did not change according to their experience or whether or not they had children with disabilities in their classroom. However, there was a significant difference between the IKT scores of the teachers who had and did not have a special education course during their pre-service training.

WOS: 000329272100020, PubMed ID: 24377763, In 2009, human Dobrava-Belgrade virus (DOBV) infections were reported on the Black Sea coast of Turkey. Serologic and molecular studies of potential rodent reservoirs demonstrated DOBV infections in Apodemus flavicollis and A. uralensis mice. Phylogenetic analysis of DOBV strains showed their similarity to A. flavicollis mice borne DOBV in Greece, Slovenia, and Slovakia., Provinancial Health Directorate in Bartin, We thank the Provinancial Health Directorate in Bartin for their support and help, and thank the laboratory personnel of Virology Laboratory of Refik Saydam National Public Health Agency, Ankara, Turkey, for excellent technical assistance. We also thank Manfred Weidmann (Gottingen) for his kind support by providing the DOBV S-segment-containing plasmid.

15th Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) -- JUN 11-14, 2014 -- Paris, FRANCE, WOS: 000346919805517, …

WOS: 000346433300001, PubMed ID: 25403704, Background: Device-associated healthcare-acquired infections (DA-HAI) pose a threat to patient safety, particularly in the intensive care unit (ICU). We report the results of the International Infection Control Consortium (INICC) study conducted in Turkey from August 2003 through October 2012. Methods: A DA-HAI surveillance study in 63 adult, paediatric ICUs and neonatal ICUs (NICUs) from 29 hospitals, in 19 cities using the methods and definitions of the U.S. NHSN and INICC methods. Results: We collected prospective data from 94,498 ICU patients for 647,316 bed days. Pooled DA-HAI rates for adult and paediatric ICUs were 11.1 central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) per 1000 central line (CL)-days, 21.4 ventilator-associated pneumonias (VAPs) per 1000 mechanical ventilator (MV)-days and 7.5 catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) per 1000 urinary catheter-days. Pooled DA-HAI rates for NICUs were 30 CLABSIs per 1000 CL-days, and 15.8 VAPs per 1000 MV-days. Extra length of stay (LOS) in adult and paediatric ICUs was 19.4 for CLABSI, 8.7 for VAP and 10.1 for CAUTI. Extra LOS in NICUs was 13.1 for patients with CLABSI and 16.2 for patients with VAP. Extra crude mortality was 12% for CLABSI, 19.4% for VAP and 10.5% for CAUTI in ICUs, and 15.4% for CLABSI and 10.5% for VAP in NICUs. Pooled device use (DU) ratios for adult and paediatric ICUs were 0.54 for MV, 0.65 for CL and 0.88 for UC, and 0.12 for MV, and 0.09 for CL in NICUs. The CLABSI rate was 8.5 per 1,000 CL days in the Medical Surgical ICUs included in this study, which is higher than the INICC report rate of 4.9, and more than eight times higher than the NHSN rate of 0.9. Similarly, the VAP and CAUTI rates were higher compared with U. S. NHSN (22.3 vs. 1.1 for VAP; 7.9 vs. 1.2 for CAUTI) and with the INICC report (22.3 vs. 16.5 in VAP; 7.9 vs. 5.3 in CAUTI). Conclusions: DA-HAI rates and DU ratios in our ICUs were higher than those reported in the INICC global report and in the US NHSN report., Foundation to Fight against Nosocomial Infections, The funding for the activities carried out at INICC head quarters were provided by the corresponding author, Victor D. Rosenthal, and Foundation to Fight against Nosocomial Infections.

WOS: 000336986700024, PubMed ID: 24557334, Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease that primarily affects the reticuloendothelial system. But, the extent of liver damage in due course of the disease is unclear. This study included 325 brucellosis patients with significant hepatobiliary involvement identified with microbiological analyses from 30 centers between 2000 and 2013. The patients with a parts per thousand yen5 times of the upper limit of normal for aminotransferases, total bilirubin level a parts per thousand yen2 mg/dl or local liver lesions were enrolled. Clinical hepatitis was detected in 284 patients (87.3 %) and cholestasis was detected in 215 (66.1 %) patients. Fatigue (91 %), fever (86 %), sweating (83 %), arthralgia (79 %), and lack of appetite (79 %) were the major symptoms. Laboratory tests showed anemia in 169 (52 %), thrombocytopenia in 117 (36 %), leukopenia in 81 (25 %), pancytopenia in 42 (13 %), and leukocytosis in 20 (6 %) patients. The most commonly used antibiotic combinations were doxycycline plus an aminoglycoside (n = 73), doxycycline plus rifampicin (n = 71), doxycycline plus rifampicin and an aminoglycoside (n = 27). The duration of ALT normalization differed significantly in three treatment groups (p < 0.001). The use of doxycycline and an aminoglycoside in clinical hepatitis showed better results compared to doxycycline and rifampicin or rifampicin, aminoglycoside, doxycycline regimens (p < 0.05). However, the length of hospital stay did not differ significantly between these three combinations (p > 0.05). During the follow-up, treatment failure occurred in four patients (1 %) and relapse was seen in three patients (0.9 %). Mortality was not observed. Hepatobiliary involvement in brucellosis has a benign course with suitable antibiotics and the use of doxycycline and an aminoglycoside regimen seems a better strategy in select patients.

15th Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) -- JUN 11-14, 2014 -- Paris, FRANCE, WOS: 000346919804325, …

WOS: 000325095600011, PubMed ID: 23030273, A novel highly sensitive electrochemical carboxymethylcellulose-gelatin-superoxide dismutase biosensor was used for the determination of superoxide radicals enhancement in tomato plants exposed to salinity, drought, cold and heavy metal stress. The variations in superoxide radicals depending on abiotic stress was determined using biosensor. The superoxide radical production with regard to control rapidly was increased in tomato plants exposed to salinity, drought, cold and heavy metal stress. The superoxide radical enhancement in tomato plants exposed to salinity, drought, cold and heavy metal stress was successfully determined using carboxymethylcellulose-gelatin-superoxide dismutase biosensor., Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey [108T131], This work financially supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (no. 108T131)

WOS: 000305375200001, With the aim of providing new and up-to-date absolute parameters of some close binary systems, new BVR CCD photometry was carried out at the Ankara University Observatory (AUG) for five eclipsing binaries, ET Boo, V1123 Tau, V1191 Cyg, V1073 Cyg and V357 Peg between April, 2007 and October, 2008. In this paper, we present the orbital solutions for these systems obtained by simultaneous light and radial velocity curve analyses. Extensive orbital solution and absolute parameters for ET Boo system were given for the first time through this study. According to the analyses, ET Boo is a detached binary while the parameters of four remaining systems are consistent with the nature of contact binaries. The evolutionary status of the components of these systems are also discussed by referring to their absolute parameters found in this study. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved., Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) [BIDEB-2211], This research has made use of the Simbad database, operated at CDS, Strasbourg, France, and of NASA's Astrophysics Data System Bibliographic Services. OB would like to thank The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) for their support through BIDEB-2211 scholarship.

WOS: 000306989000006, PubMed ID: 21889254, Background: There are no country-based data focused on aspirin (ASA)-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) in Turkey. Objective: To assess the prevalence of AERD in adult patients with asthma. Methods: A structured questionnaire was administered via face-to-face interview by a specialist in pulmonology/allergy at seven centres across Turkey. Results: A total of 1344 asthma patients (F/M: 1081/263: 80.5%/19.5%, mean age: 45.7 +/- 14.2 years) were enrolled. Atopy rate was 47%. Prevalence of allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis/rhinitis, and nasal polyposis (NP) were 49%, 69% and 20%, respectively. Of 270 patients with NP, 171 (63.3%) reported previous nasal polypectomy and 40 (25%) had a history of more than three nasal polypectomies. Aspirin hypersensitivity was diagnosed in 180 (13.6%) asthmatic patients, with a reliable history in 145 (80.5%), and oral ASA provocation test in 35 (19.5%) patients. Clinical presentations of ASA hypersensitivity were respiratory in 76% (n = 137), respiratory/cutaneous in 15% (n = 27), and systemic in 9% (n = 16) of the patients. Multivariate analysis indicated that a family history of ASA hypersensitivity (p: 0.001, OR: 3.746, 95% CI: 1.769-7.929), history of chronic rhinosinusitis/rhinitis (p: 0.025, OR: 1.713, 95% CI: 1.069-2.746) and presence of NP (p < 0.001, OR: 7.036, 95% CI: 4.831-10.247) were independent predictors for AERD. Conclusion: This cross-sectional survey showed that AERD is highly prevalent among adult asthmatics and its prevalence seems to be affected by family history of ASA hypersensitivity, history of rhinosinusitis and presence of NP. (C) 2011 SEICAP. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L. All rights reserved.

WOS: 000294879500008, This study was conducted to determine the nutritive value of live yeast culture (RumiSacc, Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and to investigate its effects on milk yield, milk composition and some blood parameters in lactating cows. Six multiparous Holstein cows were allocated to two groups of three cows and assigned randomly to one of two diets in a cross-over experiment. Daily 50 g RumiSacc was top dressed at the p.m. feeding for the treatment group. RumiSacc supplied a high protein and energy with high organic matter digestibility values (83.35%) determined by in vitro enzymatic analysis. Yeast culture supplementation significantly increased milk yield, tended to increase fat yield, protein yield and lactose yield of milk. Methylated fatty acid level of 18:3 (n-3) in milk fat was increased by yeast culture supplementation. The concentrations of methionine, phenyalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan and taurine were significantly increased with dietary inclusion of yeast culture. Live yeast culture supplementation did not affect other performance characteristics, milk quality characteristics and blood parameters. As a conclusion live yeast culture (RumiSacc, Saccharomyces cerevisiae) had high nutritive value and positive effects on milk production and some milk quality characteristics in lactating cows under field conditions.

WOS: 000284369800007, PubMed ID: 20955482, Aims and objectives. The aim was to investigate the prevalence of urinary incontinence during pregnancy and the related risk factors as well as to assess its influence on the quality of life. Background. Although urinary incontinence is common during pregnancy and can have a substantial impact on quality of life, women rarely seek help for this symptom. Design. This study was designed as a cross-sectional and descriptive survey. Methods. A total of 393 pregnant women participated in the study between March and June 2007. The data was collected using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form and Wagner's quality of life scale. Potential risk factors were investigated through logistic regression analysis. Results. The prevalence of urinary incontinence was 27% (106/393). Factors significantly associated with urinary incontinence included age group, parity, previous urinary incontinence, constipation, urinary incontinence in mother and sister, previous urinary incontinence during pregnancy and postpartum. Conclusion. According to the results of our study, urinary incontinence is common in women during pregnancy. The quality of life of pregnant women was found to be either unaffected or affected very little by urinary incontinence. Relevance to clinical practice. This study reveals that the prevalence of urinary incontinence during pregnancy is very high. The findings will help increase the awareness of health care workers involved in the care of pregnant women about urinary incontinence and aid the design of more intensive education programmes directed towards the prevention of urinary incontinence during pregnancy.

WOS: 000255254000040, …

IEEE Particle Accelerator Conference, PAC07 -- 25 June 2007 through 29 June 2007 -- Albuquerque, NM -- 73329, An energy frontier or QCD Explorer ?p and collider can be realized by colliding high-energy photons beam, at either 75 GeV or 1.5 TeV, with protons or ions stored in the LHC. In this study we discuss a performance optimization of this type of collider by tailoring the parameters of both CLIC and LHC. An estimate of the ultimately achievable luminosity is given. ©2007 IEEE.

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WOS: 000234407900019, PubMed ID: 16369703, Intraoperative irrigation of the peritoneal cavity with scolicidal agents is frequently recommended when dealing with traumatic or spontaneous rupture of hydatid cysts. The present experimental study was designed to examine the influence of various scolicidal agents on adhesion formation and survival. A total of 149 rats were randomly allocated to nine groups. Peritoneal lavage through a median laparotomy was performed with the following scolicidal agents. Group 1 (0.9% saline: controls), group 2 (20% hypertonic saline), group 3 (0.04% chlorhexidine gluconate), group 4 (3% hydrogen peroxide), group 5 (0.5% silver nitrate), group 6 (1% polyvinyl pyrrolidone-iodine, or PVP-I), group 7 (5% PVP-I), group 8 (0.5% cetrimide/0.05% chlorhexidine), and group 9 (10% PVP-I). The surviving animals were sacrificed on postoperative day 15. Adhesion formation was macroscopically graded by the Nair criteria. The severity of adhesion formation was evaluated microscopically using the fibrosing scoring criteria and the strain test. Group 9 (10% PVP-I) was excluded from the adhesion evaluation because all of the rats died in this group. The mortality rate was significantly higher in groups 5 and 7 than in groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8. Adhesion scores were significantly lower in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 than in groups 5, 6, 7, and 8. The lowest adhesion score was found in group 3 and the highest in the group 7. These results indicate that 0.04% chlorhexidine gluconate, the most potent scolicidal agent in vitro and in vivo, was associated with the lowest adhesion formation and mortality among various scolicidal agents in this experimental study.