PubMed İndeksli Yayınlar Koleksiyonu

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/11727/4810

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 54

2019 Turkish Hypertension Consensus Report
(2019) Aydogdu, Sinan; Guler, Kerim; Bayram, Fahri; Altun, Bulent; Derici, Ulver; Abaci, Adnan; Tukek, Tufan; Sabuncu, Tevfik; Arici, Mustafa; Erdem, Yunus; Ozin, Bulent; Sahin, Ibrahim; Erturk, Sehsuvar; Bittigen, Atilla; Tokgozoglu, Lale; 31483311
The Turkish Hypertension Consensus Report was prepared for the first time in 2015 to adapt the European and American international guidelines to our clinical practice and to create a practical report that could be a basic reference for all physicians dealing with hypertensive patients. This report, which was prepared by a committee with representation from 5 leading hypertension associations, has been accepted and is widely used. New clinical studies in hypertension literature and updated international guidelines since 2015 have demanded an update of the Turkish Hypertension Consensus Report as well. In this updated 2019 report, blood pressure levels were classified as Normal, Elevated, Stage 1, and Stage 2 hypertension. A new section was added for secondary hypertension. It was specified that drug treatment may be initiated with any 1 or a combination of 4 groups of drugs (diuretics, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme [ACE] inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers [ARBs]), except a combination of an ACE inhibitor and an ARB. It was emphasized that beta-blockers may be a first choice for hypertension treatment in diseases such as atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and coronary artery disease. The initial recommendation for hypertension treatment is a combination therapy in patients with a blood pressure level >= 150/90 mmHg. Target blood pressure values were redefined according to age and the presence of comorbidities. The hypertension treatment algorithm was renewed; it is proposed that drug therapy can also be initiated with a risk-based approach for the group with an elevated blood pressure (systolic blood pressure: 120-139 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure: 80-89 mmHg). The threshold clinic systolic blood pressure level was reduced from 160 mmHg to >= 150 mmHg for the initiation of drug therapy in individuals 80 years of age or more. The section on the treatment of special groups has now been expanded to include pregnancy and lactation. As in the previous report, in this update, practical recommendations for the most common cases seen in the clinic were the goal, rather than a comprehensive report that addresses all aspects of hypertension. This report has evidence-based recommendations for most patients; however, it should be kept in mind that there may be differences from 1 patient to another and that physicians should take an individualized approach according to a good clinical evaluation.
2020 ESC Core Curriculum for the Cardiologist: What has changed? Why? Should we also change our curriculum?
(2020) Yildirir, Aylin; 0000-0001-8750-5287; 33257609; 33257609; A-4947-2018
Anaesthesia Management for Edward's Syndrome (Trisomy 18)
(2016) Bali, Cagla; Ozmete, Ozlem; Ergeneoglu, Pinar; Akin, Sule; Aribogan, Anis; 27366581; AAI-8790-2021; AAI-7779-2021; J-5282-2013; AAJ-2094-2021; S-8336-2019
Anaesthesia Management of a Patient with Factor XI Deficiency
(2016) Adibelli, Bilgehan; Araz, Coskun; Ersoy, Zeynep; Kayhan, Zeynep; 0000-0002-4927-6660; 0000-0003-0767-1088; 0000-0003-0579-1115; 27366578; AAJ-4576-2021; AAF-3066-2021; AAJ-4623-2021
Factor XI deficiency is an extremely rare disease presenting no clinical symptoms, unless there is an inducing reason such as trauma or surgery. Normally, factor levels are in the range of 70-150 U dL-1 in healthy subjects. Although no clinical symptoms are seen, only high levels of aPTT can be found. Once a prolongation is detected in aPTT, factor XI deficiency should be suspected and factor levels should be analysed. With careful preoperative preparations in factor-deficient people, preoperative and postoperative complications can be decreased. In this case report, management of anaesthesia during total hip arthroplasty of a patient with factor XI deficiency is presented.
Antibody Screening and Risk Assessment of Healthcare Professionals in the COVID-19 Pandemic
(2021) Gumus, Hatice Hale; Demiroglu, Yusuf Ziya; Aliskan, Hikmet Eda; Odemis, İlker; Ceylan, Ozgur; Pocan, Ahmet Gurhan; Karagum, Ozlem; 0000-0001-9060-3195; 0000-0003-2638-0163; 0000-0002-9866-2197; 0000-0003-2638-0163; 0000-0001-6910-7250; 0000-0003-0681-8375; 0000-0003-3128-1602; 0000-0001-9071-9606; 34416802; AAE-2282-2021; AFK-3690-2022; AAX-9250-2021; AAZ-9711-2021; AAG-2486-2022; AAK-8276-2021; U-4084-2017; AAE-6310-2021; AAJ-2108-2021
Globally 364102 healthcare professionals have been infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and 1253 of them died until 15 January 2021. Healthcare professionals serving at the forefront of combating the pandemic are in the high risk group. In our country, the data about coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) among healthcare professionals are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG seroprevalence in healthcare professionals, to evaluate the risks they encountered during work, and to examine their relationships with antibody positivity. A total of 572 healthcare professionals serving in various units of our hospital participated in our study and the presence of anti-nucleocapsid IgG was investigated by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (SARS-CoV-2 IgG test, Abbott Laboratories Diagnostics, USA) method in serum samples collected between May 18, 2020 and June 30, 2020. The demographic characteristics, medical history, work conditions, medical procedures performed and possible risk factors were questioned with a questionnaire form. The average age of the participants was 33.5 +/- 9.2 (19-61) years, and 62.9% (360/572) of them were women. In our study, the anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG seroprevalence was 3.7% (21/572). The association of the antibody positivity with age, gender and occupational status was not statistically significant (p> 0.05). Comorbid diseases which were significantly higher in seropositive healthcare professionals were hypertension (19%) and diabetes mellitus (14.3%) (p< 0.05). It was observed that antibody positivity was significantly higher in healthcare professionals working in high (52.4%) and medium risk (33.3%) areas, those who treat and/or examine patients with suspicious or positive COVID-19 (66.7%) and those who spend more than 30 minutes in COVID-19 patient rooms (76%) (p< 0.05). The symptoms associated with seropositivity in healthcare workers with a history of symptoms (46%) were loss of smell (23.5%), loss of taste (20.0%) and respiratory distress (16.7%) (p< 0.05). It was observed that the probability of being infected with SARS-CoV-2 increased 12 times if there was a colleague with COVID-19 in the hospital, four times if there was a patient in the house/lodging and six times if there was an infected person in the social environment (p< 0.05). The rate of those who had the flu vaccine among the participants was 10.8% (62/572) and 9.7% of them were found to be anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG positive (p< 0.05, 95% CI= 1.31-9.48). The seropositivity was significantly higher in non-smokers (4.8 %) compared to smokers (0.0%) (p< 0.05). In our study, it was determined that the rate of seropositivity was 12 times higher in healthcare professionals who stated that they received hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis due to risky contact compared to those who did not receive prophylaxis (p< 0.05, 95% CI= 4.11-40.64). The ratio of the personnel who answered "always" to the frequency of wearing gloves, masks, goggles/face shields and overalls was 85.7%, 96.9%, 62.1% and 65.4%, respectively. In conclusion, regular and large-scale sero-epidemiological screening of healthcare professionals in the COVID-19 pandemic can contribute to the control of the pandemic by providing a better understanding of transmission dynamics and risk factors.
Application of spinal anesthesia in a pediatric patient with Duchenne's muscular dystrophy
(2016) Ozmete, Ozlem; Sener, Mesut; Caliskan, Esra; Aribogan, Anis; 27225742
Duchenne's muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a neuromuscular disease with a progressive course. It is the most common and most severe muscular dystrophic disorder for which the application of anesthesia is critical, due to muscle weakness, and cardiac and pulmonary involvement. Successful application of spinal anesthesia in a 2-year-old boy with DMD undergoing bilateral inguinal hernia repair is described in the present report. It is proposed that spinal anesthesia is an effective alternative to general anesthesia in certain pediatric patients, including those with DMD, for whom general anesthesia poses increased risk.
Arthroscopic excision of elastofibroma dorsi at scapulothoracic joint: a surgical technique
(2014) Cakmak, Gokhan; Ergun, Tarkan; Sahin, M.Sukru
Elastofibroma dorsi is a rare soft tissue pseudotumor which is located at the anteroinferior aspect of the scapula. In this article, we report a 19-year-old female case who had arthroscopic marginal excision of elastofibroma dorsi at the scapulothoracic joint without recurrences during follow-up. The artiaroscopic marginal excision of the elastofibroma dorsi may have good clinical results in selected cases.
Assessing the knowledge in primary health care following an educational course structured in the context of GARD chronic airway diseases national control program
(2017) Balkan, Arzu; Oner Erkekol, Ferda; Kokturk, Nurdan; Mungan, Dilsad; Sackesen, Cansin; Onen, Zeynep Pinar; Ozkan, Secil; Ergun, Pinar; Kocabas, Can Naci; Baran Aksakal, Nur; Ekici, Banu; Ozkan Altunay, Zubeyde; Gemicioglu, Bilun; Yorgancioglu, Arzu; 0000-0002-4032-0944; 28990886; AAC-7548-2020
Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases are common causes of disease in the community and account for considerable percent of the caseload in primary health care facilities. For this reason, it is important to question and improve the knowledge of primary health care physicians. This study is designed to assess the level of knowledge for bronchial asthma and COPD of the primary healthcare physicians, both before and immediately after an educational course structured in the context of GARD Chronic Airway Diseases National Control Program. Materials and Methods: The participating physicians attended an intensive educational course on asthma and COPD. Twenty five item questionnaires for asthma and COPD were administered to the participants both before and immediately after the end of the course. Contribution of education to the level of knowledge was investigated by comparing the percentages of the correct answers in the pre-and post-test. Results: From 11 different cities, 1817 and 1788 primary health care physician were attended to the asthma and COPD educations, respectively. The accuracy rate of >= 75% was obtained from only 4 questions in pre-test asthma questionnaire. On the contrary, in 15 questions the accuracy rate was < 50%. The mean accuracy rate for the whole asthma test was 45.8%, and this rate raised to 69.6% after education course. The accuracy rate of >= 75% could not be obtained from any of the questions in pre-test COPD questionnaire. On the contrary, in 19 questions the accuracy rate was < 50%. The mean accuracy rate for the whole asthma test was 42.0%, and this rate raised to 71.3% after education course. Conclusion: It has been shown that, in primary care settings, the level of knowledge in asthma and COPD should be enhanced and that this increase can be achieved with an education course.
Cardiac biomarkers in coronary slow flow: Endocan and omentin-1
(2019) Okyay, Kaan; 31219435; AAK-7355-2020
A case of neonatal arterial thrombosis mimicking interrupted aortic arch
(2015) Gursu, Hazim Alper; Varan, Birgul; Oktay, Ayla; Ozkan, Murat; 26265897
Neonatal arterial thrombosis is a very rare entity with clinical findings resembling coarctation of aorta or interrupted aortic arch. A two day-old male newborn was admitted to another hospital with difficulty in sucking and sleepiness. On echocardiographic examination, a diagnosis of interrupted aortic arch was made and he was treated with prostoglandin E2. On physical examination, on admission to our center, the feet were bilaterally cold. The pulses were not palpable and there were ecchymotic regions in the lower extremities. Echocardiography ruled out interrupted aortic arch. Computerized tomographic angiography revealed a large thrombosis and total occlusion of the abdominal aorta. Since there was no response to treatment with tissue plasminogen activator, we performed thrombectomy. Homozygous Factor V Leiden and Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase mutations were found in this patient. Neonatal aortic thrombosis which is observed very rarely but which is fatal should be considered in the differential diagnosis of coarctation of aorta and interrupted aortic arch.
Case report and the surgical treatment of two cases with pulmonary atresia in which pulmonary arteries is circulated by coronary arteries
(2018) Tokel, Kursad; Yakut, Kahraman; Varan, Birgul; Erdogan, Ilkay; Ozkan, Murat; 0000-0002-6719-8563; 0000-0001-6887-3033; 0000-0002-6759-1795; 29664428; ABB-1767-2021; AAJ-2305-2021; ABB-2220-2021; AAF-3253-2021
Pulmonary atresia (PA) and ventricular septal defect (VSD) can occur in a variety of ways, from simple valve atresia to a condition in which circulation to the pulmonary bed occurs through collateral arteries separated from the aorta and there are no real pulmonary arteries, or they are present but hypoplastic. The size of the pulmonary arteries and concomitant complex cardiac lesions are important in making decisions about treatment and correctional alternatives. While complete correction surgeries in the style of a correction of tetralogy of Fallot are performed in simpler cases, many very invasive procedures are also performed and the resulting quality of life is very variable. The size of the pulmonary artery and its branches and the presence of accompanying collateral vessels are determining factors in the management of the disease. In this report, 2 cases of VSD and PA, in which the circulation of the pulmonary arteries was through the coronary arteries, diagnosed as a result of echocardiography performed following murmurs heard during examination, are described. The first patient was 40 days old and the second was 2 days old. In the second case, diagnosis was confirmed by catheter angiography, and in the first case, the final diagnosis was made during surgery. The aim of this report is to emphasize the importance of pulmonary artery size, the presence of pulmonary confluence, the origin of circulation, and concomitant collateral arteries when considering treatment methods.
Complications of Formaldehyde Injection for a Cystic Mass of the Neck
(2018) Caylakli, Fatma; Yilmaz, Ismail; Alkan, Ozlem; 30197813
Formaldehyde is a colorless reactive chemical with suffocating and pungent odor. It is irritant to mucous membranes and can enter the body by either oral ingestion or inhalation. Formaldehyde is toxic to living tissue. In this report, we present the case of a 22-year-old woman who was treated with formaldehyde injection for a cystic mass of the neck with developing complications.
Demodicidosis Accompanying Acute Cutaneous Graft-Versus-Host Disease after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation
(2018) Aytan, Pelin; Yeral, Mahmut; Gereklioglu, Cigdem; Kocer, Nazim Emrah; Buyukkurt, Nurhilal; Kazanoglu, İlknur; Ozdogu, Hakan; Boga, Can; 29983401
Determination of anthropometric measurements in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in Turkish population
(2019) Savas Bozbas, Serife; 32050866
Introduction: In this study, we aimed to determine the values of anthropometric measurements and rates used in the evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in our country. Materials and Methods: Twenty accredited sleep centers in thirteen provinces participated in this multicenter prospective study. OSAS symptoms and polysomnographic examination and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) >= 5 cases OSAS study group; patients with AHI <5 and STOP-Bang <2 were included as control group. Demographic characteristics (age, sex, body mass index-BMI) and anthropometric measurements (neck, waist and hip circumference, waist/hip ratio) of the subjects were recorded. Results: The study included 2684 patients (81.3% OSAS) with a mean age of 50.50 +/- 0.21 years from 20 centers. The cases were taken from six geographical regions of the country (Mediterranean, Eastern Anatolia, Aegean, Central Anatolia, Black Sea and Marmara Region). Demographic characteristics and anthropometric measurements; age, neck, waist, hip circumference and waist/hip ratios and BMI characteristics when compared with the control group; when compared according to regions, age, neck, waist, hip circumference and waist/hip ratios were found to be statistically different (p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.05, respectively). When compared by sex, age, neck and hip circumference, waist/hip ratio, height, weight and BMI characteristics were statistically different (p<0.001, respectively). Neck circumference and waist/hip ratio were respectively 42.58 +/- 0.10 cm, 0.99 +/- 0.002, 39.24 +/- 0.16 cm, 0.93 +/- 0.004 were found in women. Conclusion: The neck circumference was lower than the standard value in men, but higher in women. The waist/hip ratio was above the ideal measurements in both men and women. In this context, the determination of the country values will allow the identification of patients with the possibility of OSAS and referral to sleep centers for polysomnography.
Determination of Biofilm Formation Properties of Methicillin Sensitive and Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolates by Conventional and Molecular Methods
(2020) Hortac Istar, Elvan; Aliskan, Hikmet Eda; Basustaoglu, Ahmet; 0000-0002-2571-0637; 0000-0001-9060-3195; 32723278; AAI-8926-2021; AAE-2282-2021
Biofilm-related infections are considered as among the foremost causes of treatment failure nowadays. One of the most common causes of biofilm-related infections is Staphylococcus aureus. It becomes extremely difficult to determine the appropriate treatment protocol while biofilm-related infections are coexisting with bacterial methicillin resistance. The aim of this study was to observe the potential of biofilm formation of methicillin-sensitive and -resistant S.aureus strains isolated from different clinical specimens and to determine reliable and effective methods for biofilm detection. A total of 200 S.aureus strains (100 methicillin-resistant and 100 methicillin-susceptible) isolated from 107 wound, 93 blood and catheter specimens, which were accepted as causative agents, included in the study. In order to determine the methicillin sensitivity, oxacillin minimal inhibitory concentration value obtained by an automated system and cefoxitin disc diffusion method were evaluated together. Biofilm formation was investigated by modified Christensen (MC), MTT, BioTimer and Congo Red Agar (CRA) methods, and the presence of ica operon responsible for biofilm formation was also observed by polymerase chain reaction. It has been shown that methicillin-resistant isolates produce biofilms in a shorter time and higher rate, and their biofilm structure is denser than methicillin-sensitive isolates in all MC, MTT and BioTimer methods. There was no difference between blood and wound isolates in biofilm formation. The most sensitive and specific conventional methods were MTT and BioTimer methods respectively. There was no significant difference between the isolates containing a gene region of icaADBC operon and the biofilm forming isolates according to MC, MTT, BioTimer and CCA methods. There was a high correlation between the presence of biofilm and ica positivity, and the tendency to form biofilm augmented as the number of ica genes increased. It has been emphasized that more virulent strains such as methicillin-resistant S.aureus have a higher tendency to form biofilm, and these two resistance mechanisms have been shown to support each other as cascade. ica detection may be an important reagent in itself for the detection of virulent strains, thus detection of the ica presence may be an early marker of treatment decisions, determination of protection strategies, and struggle with biofilm-related infections. In cases where molecular methods are not available, the existence of quick, easy-to-apply and reliable conventional methods to detect biofilm formation is extremely important. All conventional methods used in this study seem to be sufficient in this respect. MC and MTT methods stand out in terms of biofilm quantitation. BioTimer method is a very new and remarkable test used to detect biofilm formation. In conclusion, determining the potential of biofilm formation of colonizing or causative agents and taking essential precautions before interventional procedures will decrease biofilm related infections and related morbidity and mortality.
The Effects of Lithium on Calcium and Parathormone Levels: A Cross-sectional Study with Healthy Controls
(2019) Tuncel, Ozlem Kuman; Akdeniz, Fisun; Ozbek, Suha Sureyya; Kavukcu, Gulgun; Unal Kocabas, Gokcen; 31613975
Objective: Despite lithium associated hyperparathyroidism (LAH) can lead to many complications, little notice has been paid to this side-effect. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of lithium on calcium and parathyroid hormone levels and the relation between lithium use and thyroid diseases. Method: This cross-sectional study was carried out with 87 lithium-treated patients and 65 volunteers who had a similar age and gender distribution with the lithium group. Serum levels of corrected calcium, intact parathormone, phosphorus, magnesium, alkaline phosphatase, free thyroxine, thyroid stimulating hormone, thyroid autoantibodies and creatinine were assessed, and also, thyroid and parathyroid ultrasonography was conducted. Further detailed investigations were made depending on the elevation of the initially measured calcium and/ or parathormone levels. Results: Median values of serum levels of the corrected calcium and the intact parathormone were significantly higher in the lithium group. Calcium levels had a mild correlation with the duration of lithium treatment. In the first assessment, while all control individuals had values within the normal reference range, 11 lithium-treated patients had corrected calcium and/or intact parathormone levels above the normal reference levels. All of the five patients, who were diagnosed with LAH after further investigation, were also diagnosed with a thyroid disorder. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that lithium treatment has a relationship with calcium and parathormone levels. The 5.7% prevalence of LAH and potential life-threatening conditions associated with LAH necessitates the use of available low-cost methods to monitor blood calcium levels of lithium-treated patients for early diagnosis.
Evaluation of 2015-2016 MOTAKK HBV DNA and HCV RNA external quality assessment national program results [MOTAKK HBV DNA ve HCV RNA diş kalite kontrol ulusal programi 2015-2016 sonuçlarinin deǧerlendirilmesi]
(2018) Karatayli, E.; Soydemir, E.; Aksoy, Z.B.; Kizilpinar, M.; Altay Koçak, A.; Karatayli, S.C.; Yurdu, E.; Yildirim, U.; Güriz, H.; Bozdayi, G.; Yurdaydin, C.; Ilhan, O.; Yildirim, Y.; Bozdayi, A.M.; 0000-0002-0451-0142; 0000-0001-9060-3195; 30522421; AAI-8012-2021; AAE-2282-2021
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 without 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. © 2018 Ankara Microbiology Society. All rights reserved.
Evaluation of Blood Culture Practices: Use of System (Epicenter) Data
(2019) Basustaoglu, Ahmet; Suzuk Yildiz, Serap; Mumcuoglu, Ipek; Karahan, Zeynep Ceren; Ogunc, Dilara; Kaleli, Ilknur; Kursun, Senol; Evren, Ebru; Ozhak, Baysal Betil; Demir, Melek; Murray, Patrick; 30683035
Sepsis is a serious clinical problem and estimated to be responsible for 18 million annual deaths worldwide. Therefore, the use and the rapid processing of blood cultures are important for the transition from empiric therapy to directed therapy. The aim of this study was to assess the best blood culture practices in Turkey. We have examined the collection practices and techniques at four different hospitals, and a total of 165.443 blood culture bottles were evaluated (2013-2015). At the preanalytical phase most of the data which were important and which could support hospital quality systems/practices were not entered into the HIS and EpiCenter system. At the analytical phase loading of the bottles and removal of positive bottles primarily occurred between 6:00 and 9:00 AM but the positivity rate of the bottles showed a homogeneous distribution throughout the day. In other words, there were significant delays at processing positive blood culture bottles related to laboratory workers. The effect of education regarding best practices, transition from single bottle to two bottle cultures was successful in all hospitals. Single bottle usage decreased below 10% in all hospitals. Significantly more positive cultures were detected at multiple cultures when compared with the single bottle collection practice. In retrospective patient records, it was seen that all the laboratories reported the results of Gram staining to the clinics. However, these data were not recorded to the Epicenter. The contamination rates of Ankara Numune Hospital and Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine Hospital are 6.2% and 5.4% respectively, contamination rates were not reported in other hospitals. The most common isolates detected in blood cultures were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Acinetobacter baumannii. The mean time for the detection of these organisms were less than 20 hours in the aerobic bottle and anaerobic bottles. A total of 79.6% of facultative anaerobic isolates were detected in both bottles; 9.8% were detected only in the aerobic bottles; 10.6% of the isolates were detected only in the anaerobic bottles. As a result, the educational efforts in Turkey have met with success for transition from collecting single bottle blood culture sets to two bottle blood cultures. However, further efforts are needed to increase the number of blood culture sets collected during a 24 hour's period. In addition, errors at the preanalytical, analytical and postanalytical periods (taking samples, loading bottles into the system and processing positive blood cultures) should be eliminated.
Evaluation of Hearing Loss in Pilots
(2015) Atalay, Hayriye; Babakurban, Seda Turkoglu; Aydin, Erdinc; 0000-0001-5067-4044; 0000-0001-6864-7378; 29392000; AAI-8856-2021; AAJ-2379-2021
Objective: High-intensity noise sources with an increase in air traffic and sudden changes in atmospheric pressure can cause hearing loss in pilots. The main goal of this research is to examine hearing loss due to age, the total flight hours and aircraft types and to evaluate the effects of personal conditions that can influence the hearing level. Methods: We examined the data of 234 Turkish pilots aged between 25 and 54 years who were examined due to the aviation Law for annual control from January 2005 to January 2014 at Baskent University Medical Faculty, Ankara Hospital. The audiometric results of the pilots were used. While 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 KHz were used for the airway threshold, 1, 2, and 4 KHz were used for the bone conduction threshold. Results: According to the data of the 234 pilots, there was a significant correlation between high-frequency hearing loss and the total flight hours and pilots' ages. The average hearing loss was higher, particularly in the left ear, in pilots using helicopters than in those using other aircraft types. There was no statistically significant correlation between hearing loss and diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, high blood pressure, anemia, obesity, and smoking. Conclusion: A significant cor-relation was observed between high frequency hearing loss and the total flight hours, pilots' age, and aircraft types in our study.
Fetal HLA-G alleles and their effect on miscarriage
(2018) Kubat, Gozde; Koc, Altug; Kirbiyik, Ozgur; Kutbay, Yasar B.; Ozyilmaz, Berk; Ozdemir, Taha R.; Kaya, Ozge Ozer; Koc, Zeynep Peker; 29809322
Background. Immunosuppression at the feto-maternal interface is crucial for a successful pregnancy outcome. Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) seems to be a major contributor to fetal tolerance. The HLA-G expression is seen in cytotrophoblasts and in maternal blood. Fetal HLA-G acts on decidual antigen-presenting cells (APCs), natural killers (NKs) and T cells. Recent findings revealed that defects in placentation and their consequences are associated with maternal HLA-G variants and their expression levels. Objectives. The objective of this article is to investigate the relationship between fetal HLA-G alleles and miscarriage, which has not been investigated to date. Material and methods. The present study includes 204 recurrent miscarriage (RM) cases who were admitted to our clinic between 2012 and 2016. Twenty-eight miscarriage products without maternal cell contamination and any known pathology were analyzed by HLA-G typing. In addition, 3' untranslated region (UTR) 14-base pair (bp) insertion/deletion polymorphism was also investigated by Sanger sequencing. Results. For our population, the most frequent HLA-G type was G*01:01, both in the study group (30.3%) and in the control group (47%). The study revealed that the G*01:04 allele was significantly associated with miscarriage (p = 0.007). The 3' UTR 14bp deletion was more frequent in the miscarriage group, but there was no significant correlation. Conclusions. HLA-G alleles seem to be related with miscarriage and should be considered in RM cases.