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WOS: 000455908800007, PubMed ID: 30745939, OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to detect the prevalence and the factors associated with influenza and pneumococcal vaccination and outcomes of vaccination during 2013-2014 season in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Turkey. METHODS: This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study performed in 53 different centers in Turkey. RESULTS: During the study period, 4968 patients were included. COPD was staged as GOLD 1-2-3-4 in 9.0%, 42.8%, 35.0%, and 13.2% of the patients, respectively. Influenza vaccination rate in the previous year was 37.9%; and pneumococcus vaccination rate, at least once during in a life time, was 13.3%. Patients with older age, higher level of education, more severe COPD, and comorbidities, ex-smokers, and patients residing in urban areas had higher rates of influenza vaccination. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that advanced age, higher education levels, presence of comorbidities, higher COPD stages, and exacerbation rates were associated with both influenza and pneumococcal vaccination. The number of annual physician/outpatient visits and hospitalizations due to COPD exacerbation was 2.73 +/- 2.85 and 0.92 +/- 1.58 per year, respectively. Patients with older age, lower education levels, more severe COPD, comorbid diseases, and lower body mass index and patients who are male and are residing in rural areas and vaccinated for influenza had significantly higher rates of COPD exacerbation. CONCLUSIONS: The rates of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in COPD patients were quite low, and the number of annual physician/outpatient visits and hospitalizations due to COPD exacerbation was high in Turkey. Advanced age, higher education levels, comorbidities, and higher COPD stages were associated with both influenza and pneumococcal vaccination.

There are only a few studies in the literature investigating the effects of gestational age on developmental dysplasia of the hip. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of gestational age on hip ultrasound findings in the early neonatal period in preterm newborns born between 30th and 36th weeks of gestational age. Between January 2008 and December 2013, a total of 788 hips of 394 premature newborns with a gestational age of up to 36th weeks who underwent hip ultrasonography in the first week of their life were retrospectively examined. The distribution of roof angles and hip types in terms of sexes was compared between groups. Birth weight, birth height, a, and beta angles were analyzed in terms of the gestational age. The mean gestational age was 33.07 weeks (SD 2.09; between 30th and 36th). Six hundred and seven hips were classified as type I, 154 as type IIa, 21 as type IIc, and 6 as type III. In the 30th week, type IIc hips in females and type III hips in males were statistically significantly higher (P=0.001). In the 34th week, type IIc hips in males were statistically significantly higher than the females (P=0.013). In the 35th week, type IIa hips in females hips were statistically significantly higher than the males (P=0.008). Among all preterm infants, type IIc hips were more common in the 30th, 31st, 32nd, and 34th weeks, whereas type III hips were statistically significantly more common in the 30th week (P=0.0001). The 30th, 31st, 32nd, and 34th weeks of age are gestational ages that should be considered in terms of dysplastic and subluxed hips in premature newborns. Copyright (C) 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

It has recently been hypothesized that life on Earth could have been originated in hyperalkaline waters related to serpentinization of ophiolitic rocks, despite their extreme conditions (high pH and very low levels of nutrients). Five hyperalkaline springs of the Kizildag ophiolite complex (Turkey) were characterized. The dominant gases are either H2, CH4 or N2 . Bacterial diversity, analysed by RISA (Ribosomal Intergenic Spacer Analysis) revealed different profles for each spring. Sequencing of excised DNA bands allowed to identify the presence of Bacillus, Ralstonia, Pseudoalteromonas., Ureibacillus, Alicycliphilus, Anaerococcus. 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing by Illumina is in progress. Three samples were also positive for the presence of pmoA (encoding the key enzyme of methane oxidation) confrming the presence of methanotrophs in accordance to gas analyses that showed clues of microbial methane oxidation in the isotopic ratio. The presence of methanotrophs in these hyperalkaline springs highlights the extraordinary capability of the methanotrophs to adapt to extreme conditions.

Background: Infected necrosis in acute pancreatitis is the main factor in determining the prognosis of the disease. Early and accurate diagnosis of infected pancreatic necrosis might decrease mortality. The aim of the present study is to identify a reliable marker for the onset infection in three different experimentally induced pancreatitis models. Methods: Ninety female Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into nine groups. In three different experimental models, including cerulein induced acute oedematous pancreatitis (AEP), sterile pancreatic necrosis due to taurocholate-induced acute pancreatitis (SPN) and infected pancreatic necrosis taurocholate-induced acute pancreatitis (IPN). Serum levels of procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), tumour necrosis factor a (TNF-alpha), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 8 (IL-8), amylase were measured. The degree of pancreatic damage also evaluated pathologically. Results: Procalcitonin levels were increased significantly in AEP, SPN and IPN compared to control groups (P < 0.05). PCT and IL-6 level were the highest in the IPN group (P < 0.05). Serum amylase, CRP, TNF-alpha, IL-2, and IL-8 levels were similar between IPN and SPN groups (P > 0.05), but higher than in other groups. The results of histological evaluation also correlated with the advent of the disease. Conclusion: Procalcitonin and IL-6 acts as reliable acute phase reactant in an experimental model of AEP, SPN and IPN in the rat. PCT and IL-6 combination might be surrogate marker of infected pancreatic necrosis and should be preferred to other markers assay especially in severe pancreatitis. C1 Pamukkale Univ Sch Med, Dept Gastroenterol, Denizli, Turkey. Pamukkale Univ Sch Med, Dept Gen Surg, Denizli, Turkey. Pamukkale Univ Sch Med, Dept Anaesthesiol & Reanimat, Denizli, Turkey. Pamukkale Univ Sch Med, Dept Biochem & Microbiol, Denizli, Turkey. Ege Univ Sch Med, Dept Gastroenterol, Izmir, Turkey. Ege Univ Sch Med, Dept Pathol, Izmir, Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Infected necrosis in acute pancreatitis is the main factor in determining the prognosis of the disease. Early and accurate diagnosis of infected pancreatic necrosis might decrease mortality. The aim of the present study is to identify a reliable marker for the onset infection in three different experimentally induced pancreatitis models. METHODS: Ninety female Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into nine groups. In three different experimental models, including cerulein induced acute oedematous pancreatitis (AEP), sterile pancreatic necrosis due to taurocholate-induced acute pancreatitis (SPN) and infected pancreatic necrosis taurocholate-induced acute pancreatitis (IPN). Serum levels of procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), tumour necrosis factor a (TNF-alpha), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 8 (IL-8), amylase were measured. The degree of pancreatic damage also evaluated pathologically. RESULTS: Procalcitonin levels were increased significantly in AEP, SPN and IPN compared to control groups (P < 0.05). PCT and IL-6 level were the highest in the IPN group (P < 0.05). Serum amylase, CRP, TNF-alpha, IL-2, and IL-8 levels were similar between IPN and SPN groups (P > 0.05), but higher than in other groups. The results of histological evaluation also correlated with the advent of the disease. CONCLUSION: Procalcitonin and IL-6 acts as reliable acute phase reactant in an experimental model of AEP, SPN and IPN in the rat. PCT and IL-6 combination might be surrogate marker of infected pancreatic necrosis and should be preferred to other markers assay especially in severe pancreatitis.

Background: Many interrelationships exist between the thyroid gland and the gastrointestinal tract. Several past and recent studies have shown that the thyroid gland profoundly influences the structure and function of the exocrine pancreas in the rat. In the present study we investigated the effect of methimazole (METZ), an antithyroid drug, on cerulein induced acute pancreatitis (AP) in rats. Methods: Rats were divided into 3 groups (10-12 weeks age, 200-250 g weight, n: 10). Group B was made hypothyroid with methimazole 5 mg/kg daily for 10 days and the others were untreated euthyroid groups. After 10 days, acute pancreatitis was induced with four doses of 20 mug/kg body weight of cerulein administered s.c at hourly intervals in group A and B while the control group C was given 4 doses of 1 ml saline. Pancreas wet weight (mg), plasma amylase activity (IU/l) and pancreatic histology were used as endpoints to quantify the severity of the AP. Results: Plasma tri-iodothyronine (T3) (ng/dl) and thyroxine (T4) (mug/dl) levels were significantly reduced after METZ treatment for 10 days (p < 0.01). METZ pretreatment reduced significantly the cerulein induced increase in pancreatic weight (1205 +/- 12 mg in METZ treated AP group versus 1617 +/- 14 mg in AP group, p < 0.05) and the rise in amylase activity (7078 +/- 816 IU/l in METZ treated AP group versus 8611 +/- 830 IU/l in AP group p < 0.05). Conclusion: METZ reduces the severity of cerulein induced AP in rats. This effect might be through its antithyroid property.

Aim. In this study we aimed to clarify the role of mast cells in the development and progression of inflammation in cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis (AP) in rats. We have also examined the effects of ketotifen;, a mast-cell stabilizing agent in the treatment of acute pancreatitis and its relation with nitric oxide (NO) synthesis. Methods. In the first part of the study we planned to examine the effects mast cell stabilization in acute pancreatitis, while the second part was focused on examining the relation between NO synthesis and the potential effects of ketotifen in AP. Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (In: 10). In the first part of the study, AP was induced by four subcutaneous (sc) injections of 20 mug/kg body weight of cerulein at hourly intervals in Groups A and B while Group C was treated with saline as the control group. Group B was pretreated with ketotifen 1 mg/kg (ip). In the second part, the study design was similar except for the inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis by N-nitro L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) 30 mg/kg (ip) in Groups D, E and F. Group D was treated with L-NAME and cerulein and Group E was treated with ketotifen, L-NAME and cerulein. Group F was treated with L-NAME and saline as the control group. Serum amylase activity and pancreatic myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) were measured. Pancreatic histology and mast-cell count in pancreatic tissue were evaluated. Results. Mast cell count was found to be increased in the pancreatic tissue in cerulein-induced AP. (2.93 +/- 0.26 vs 1.98 +/- 0.26; p

Oxygen free radicals (OFR) are potential mediators in the pathogenesis of tissue injury following ischemia - reperfusion (I/R) events. Therapies based on various physiological and pharmacological approaches have been explored to limit the detrimental consequences of I/R hepatocellular injury, In this experimental study, we have explored the scavenging effects of Mannitol 20 %, Verapamil, SOD and a combination of the latter two, to understand whether any regimen could give. further protection to the liver after the I/R insult. Although every regimen decreased hepatic damage compared to untreated controls, neither one suggested superiority against another.

Extensive and severe hepatic centrilobular hemorrhagic necrosis is a common finding in hepatic vein obstruction and Budd-Chiari syndrome. Some drugs, including allopurinol, can also cause this histopathologic appearance but to our knowledge in this setting the lesions are not so massive. Here we report a case of a 41-year-old female who developed fever, pruritic skin rash, jaundice, eosinophilia, abnormal liver function tests, and acute renal failure 3 weeks after the beginning of allopurinol treatment, complicated with severe hepatocyte necrosis around most terminal hepatic venules suggesting Budd-Chiari syndrome.

The understanding of the relationship between the geochemistry of fluids circulating during travertine deposition and the presence of active faults is crucial for evaluating the seismogenetic potential of an area. Here we investigate travertines from Pamukkale and Resadiye (Turkey), sited in seismic regions and next to thermal springs. These travertines formed similar to 24,500-50,000 (Pamukkale) and similar to 240-14,600 years (Resadiye) BP. We characterize fluid inclusions (FIs) and studied concentration of H2O, CO2, O-2 + N-2, and He-3, He-4, Ne-20, and Ar-40, and bulk composition (trace elements and delta C-13-delta O-18). FIs from both localities are mainly primary with low salinity and homogenization temperature around 136-140 degrees C. H2O is the major component followed by CO2, with the highest gas content measured in Pamukkale travertines. Concentrations of Ne-Ar together with O-2 + N-2 indicate that travertines from both areas precipitated from atmosphere-derived fluids. The He-3/He-4 is 0.5-1.3 Ra in Pamukkale and 0.9-4.4 Ra in Resadiye. Samples with R/Ra > 1 are modified by cosmogenic He-3 addition during exposure to cosmic rays. Excluding these data, FIs of Resadiye are mostly atmosphere-derived. This implies a shallow formation where the circulation was dominated by meteoric waters, which is consistent with their young age. Instead, FIs of Pamukkale show mixing of mantle-, crustal-, and atmosphere-derived He, indicating that these travertines formed in lithospheric fractures. Based on the delta C-13(CO2) and delta O-18 of bulk rocks, we infer that travertines formed involving crustal- (mechanochemical rather than organic) and mantle-derived CO2. Trace elements of Pamukkale and Resadiye show comparable rare earth element patterns. We conclude that travertines formed in response of seismogenetic activity.

The SE part of Turkey is characterized by a transtensional regime within the complex collision zone between the Anatolian, Arabian and African plates, which is bounded by two main faults, Dead Sea Fault and its splays on east and the Karasu Fault on west. In this tectonic and geodynamic context developed the Amik and further North, Erzin and Toprakkale districts, which are located onshore the Iskenderun Gulf, with the occurrence of a widespread and young alkaline volcanism dated from 1.57 to 0.05 Ma in Amik, and 2.25 to 0.61 Ma in Toprakkale. Here we present the results of a petrochemical and noble gases (He Ar) study performed in basalts and basanites from the Basins in order to constrain the features of the mantle source. The major and trace elements composition indicate that the involved mafic melts could be the result of 0.8–2% partial melting of a predominantly spinel and garnet + spinel mantle, which has typical features of intra-plate OIB magmatism. The 4 He/ 40 Ar* ratios display two distinct ranges, roughly 1, for basalts and basanites respectively. The 3 He/ 4 He ratio of fluid inclusions in olivine crystals ranges from 7.29 to 8.03 Ra (being Ra the atmospheric 3 He/ 4 He ratio of 1.39 × 10 − 6 ), which implies a rather homogenous helium isotope signature of the mantle source. Such values are commonly recorded in MORB-like reservoirs (namely 8 ± 1 Ra), confirming that lavas erupted in SE Turkey did not suffer any important process of crustal contamination. Combining the main evidences from the geochemical data of both rocks and noble gases of fluids inclusions, we suggest that the melt generation of the alkaline magmas was triggered by a stretching lithosphere resulting from asthenosphere upwelling and decompression melting, analogous to geodynamic models of the coeval Syrian alkaline volcanic rocks and the older NW Anatolian rocks, rather than by subduction or plume-related processes. Finally, the combined results of noble gas-rock geochemistry point to a widespread mantle metasomatism as well as absence of crustal assimilation and negligible crustal contamination in contrast to former conclusions based only on the solid rock geochemistry.