The effects of mold sensitivity on the clinical characteristics of adult asthmatic patients

Introduction: The effects of mold sensitivity on the development and course of asthma have been researched previously, although study results vary. We sought to evaluate the characteristics of our mold-sensitive patients in comparison with those of other adult asthmatic patients. Materials and methods: Data were collected retrospectively from adult asthmatic patients who underwent regular follow-ups at our tertiary care outpatient clinic for immunology and allergic diseases. Patients were grouped and compared according to three categories of aeroallergen sensitivity status determined via a skin prick test. The study variables were demographic data, asth-ma-onset age, comorbid conditions, asthma-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations, systemic corticosteroid burst, asthma control assessment tests, and pulmonary function tests. Results: In total, 242 patients’ data were evaluated. Their mean age was 48.6 ± 15.4 years, with female predominance (81.4%). Mold-sensitive asthmatics composed 34.7%, while the aeroallergen-sensitive group without molds (33.1%) and the non-sensitized group (32.2%) composed the rest. The mold-sensitive group had a higher rate of polysensitization (92.8%) than the sensitized group without molds. In multinomial logistic regression analysis, mold sensitivity was positively associated with shorter asthma duration, absence of sinonasal polyposis, presence of allergic rhinitis, and generally well-controlled asthma compared to the non-sensitized group. Also, mold sensitivity was positively associated with shorter asthma duration, drug allergy, and absence of systemic corticosteroid bursts compared to the sensitized group without molds in logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: Our mold-sensitive asthmatic patients demonstrated better asthma symptom control. It should be considered that mold sensitization in adult asthmatics is not always a poor prognostic factor

The effect of mold sensitivity on the clinical characteristics of adult asthmatic patients

CHEST Annual Meeting -- OCT 22-26, 2016 -- Los Angeles, CADursun, A. Berna/0000-0002-6337-6326WOS: 000400118600007PURPOSE: Previous studies have showed the link between the mold sensitivity and asthma severity. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of mold sensitivity on the clinical characteristics of asthmatics. METHODS: The data was collected from patients regularly followed at least 1 year in the asthma center of a tertiary hospital. The mold sensitivity was evaluated by performing a skin prick test (SPT) with Aspergillus, Alternaria, Cladosporium, Penicllium in which the sensitivity to at least one accepted as mold sensitive. Comorbidities, the age at asthma diagnosis, duration of asthma, the numbers of systemic corticosteroid burst (SCB), emergency room (ER) visit and hospitalization were questioned. Asthma control status and pulmonary function test (PFT) were evaluated as a part of the routine procedure.CHES

Influence of Diabetes on Morphometric Index of Ovarian Follicles in Streptozocin-Induced Rats

The study aimed to determine the effect of diabetes on follicle development by measuring the diameters of rats' ovarian follicles. The structure and function of many organs change by being affected by diabetes. The ovary is an essential organ of the reproductive system affected by diabetes. The size of the ovarian follicles and corpus luteum can also be affected by diabetes. For this reason, body mass, blood glucose level, and rat ovarian follicles, and corpus luteum diameters were measured in this study. Ten healthy female rats were kept as the control group. In the other rat group, experimental diabetes was induced with streptozotocin (STZ)(60 mg/kg). The rats in both groups were killed after 30 days and their ovaries removed. 5-6 µm sections were made using paraffin embedding techniques and stained with hematoxylin-eosin. On the fifth day of STZ administration to rats, the mass loss of rats was 10%, and the diabetogenic index was 330%. Compared with the control group, diameters of diabetic rats significantly decreased the diameter of the primordial, primary and Graafian follicles, and corpus luteum. The decrease in the diameter of secondary follicles of diabetic rats was not significant. The percentage shrinkage index was the highest in the corpus luteum with 37%. As a result, it can be said that diabetes influences the size of the ovarian follicles and especially the corpus luteum, thereby negatively affecting the ability to improve oocyte quality. Diabetes-related follicle diameter may shrink and cause infertility. It may be essential to measure the diameters of the follicles in vitro fertilization studies in patients with diabetes

Effects of some igrs on greenhouse whitefiles (trialeurodes vaporariorum westfood (hom.: aleyrodidae)

220C±2 sıcaklık, % 49±5 oransal nem ve 14:10 (A: K) aydınlanma kosullarına sahip laboratuvarda böcek gelisim düzenleyicileri, Lufenuron (Lufenox, Sygenta, 100cc/100 l); Diflubenzuron (Dimilin, Cansa, 20gr/100 l); Pyriproxyfen (Admiral, Sumitomo, 50cc/100l) ve Neem Azal T/S (Trifolio-M, 4 l/100 l, Lahnau/ Germany)’ ın, sera beyazsinegi, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Hom.: Aleyrodidae)’ a karsı bulasık domates, Lycopersicum esculentum var. M–16 ve L. esculentum var. Jadelo, bitkileri üzerinde etkileri denenmistir. Her iki ilaçlama sonucunda denemeye alınan ilaçların laboratuvar kosullarında sera beyazsinegi larvaları üzerinde anlamlı bir etkiye sahip olmadıkları anlasılmıstır. Sadece 2. uygulama denemesinde söz konusu zararlıya ruhsatlı olan Admiral isimli IGR’ ın düsük bir etkisi saptanabilmistir. Dolayısıyla sera beyazsinegi gibi zararlılara karsı böcek gelisim düzenleyicileri kullanılacagı zaman, baskı altına alınabilme süreçlerini daha kısa ve ekonomik hale getirebilmek amacıyla baslangıçta etki süresi kısa, seçici bir sentetik insektisitin en düsük dozunda uygulanması ve sonraki uygulamalarda böcek gelisim düzenleyicilerin programa alınması son derece yararlı olacaktır.Insect growth regulators, Lufenuron (Lufenox, Sygenta, 100cc/100 l); Diflubenozuron (Dimilin, Cansa, 20gr/100 l); Pyriproxyfen (Admiral, Sumitomo, 50cc/100l) and Neem Azal T/S (Trifolio-M, 4 l/100 l Lahnau/ Germany,), were tested for their effect against the greenhouse whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) (Hom.: Aleyrodidae) on infested tomato, Lycopersicum esculentum var. M–16 and L. esculentum var. Jadelo plants in the laboratory under 22±2 0C, 49±5% relative humidity, and 14 hours day-length conditions. As a result of the study, all IGRs have not caused significant effect on Trialeurodes vaporariorum in the labrotuary conditions. Only in second application it was found that the Admiral which is registered on whitefly has low effect on Trialeurodes vaporariorum. In conclusion, when IGRs are used; to make the pressure period shorter and cheaper, applying a low-dosage synthetic insecticide having a short effect at the begining and including IGRs in following applications will be more useful

Validity and reliability of the assessment tool for Asthma (ATA) questionnaire: the ATA study

OBJECTIVES: A multicenter trial was designed to validate the “Assessment Tools for Asthma (ATA)” questionnaire, a newly developed questionnaire, which evaluates both asthma control and risk factors associated with asthma control with a single instrument. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 810 cases from 14 clinics in 9 Turkish cities. The ATA questionnaire and Asthma Control Test (ACT) were administered. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the control status of 100 randomized cases. ATA is an eight-item physician-administered questionnaire. It comprises the following two sections-ATA1, assesses symptomatic control criteria, and the remaining section, queries the flre-up of asthma, control of comorbidities, treatment adherence, and inhaler technique. RESULTS: The mean scores for ATA1, ATA total, VAS, and ACT were 24.7±14.8, 53.8±19, 7.1±3, and 18.8±5.5, respectively. According to the ATA questionnaire, among all patients, 34.3% had controlled, 18.8% had partly controlled, and 46.9% had uncontrolled asthma. Furthermore, 16.6% patients had flre-ups between visits, 96.4% patients had uncontrolled comorbidity, 17% patients had irregular asthma treatment, and only 8.4% patients used the incorrect inhaler technique. The ATA questionnaire showed internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha coeffiient=0.683). ACT, ATA1, and two specialists’ evaluations using VAS correlated strongly with the ATA total scores (Spearman correlation coeffiient (r) values: 0.776, 0.783, and 0.909, respectively; p-values: p<0.001, p<0.001, and p<0.001, respectively). According to Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis, the cut-off value of ATA was 50 (sensitivity=84.4%, specifiity=82.40%). CONCLUSION: The validated ATA questionnaire may be a practical tool for physicians in asthma management

Allopurinol desensitization with A 2 weeks modified protocol in an elderly patients with multiple comorbidities: a case report

BACKGROUND: Allopurinol is an effective urate-lowering drug that is well tolerated by the majority of patients. Patients with chronic renal insufficiency have an increased risk of hypersensitivity reactions with allopurinol. CASE PRESENTATION: 75 year old male patient with gout, renal insufficiency, history of metastatic colorectal carcinoma status post-resection was referred to Allergy clinic for a maculopapular eruption that developed 1 week after initiating therapy with allopurinol. The rash resolved with discontinuation of allopurinol. However, his serum urate level rose to 19.9 mg/dl. We initially proposed a slow 4 week oral allopurinol desensitization. The treating nephrologist felt it was critical to lower urate more rapidly. As a result, we modified the dose and standard 4 week protocol down to 2 weeks. A suspension of allopurinol was prepared by the allergy nurse practitioner with a 300 mg allopurinol tablet. The sensitization protocol was modified as a starting dose of 0.3 mg escalating to a final dose of 300 mg/day in 2 weeks. There was no reaction during or after the desensitization. The patient’s urate level normalized (6.3 mg/dl) and has continued on 300 mg allopurinol daily without reaction. CONCLUSION: A 2 week modified allopurinol desensitization protocol is a safe alternative for elderly patients with multiple comorbidities

Elderly and aged asthma have different characteristics: results of a multicenter study

Background/aim: Characteristics of asthma in the elderly population is not well-known. The aim of the present study was to evaluate asthma in the elderly population, to compare disease characteristics between patients diagnosed <60 (aged asthma) and ≥60 (elderly asthma) years of age. Materials and methods: The study was a prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional type. A questionnaire was filled out to patients 60 years of age and over, that have been followed for asthma for at least 3 months. Asthma Control Test (ACT), eight-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) was filled out, inhaler device technique was assessed. Results: A total of 399 patients were included from 17 tertiary care centers across the country. Mean age was 67.11 years and 331 (83%) were female. The age at asthma diagnosis was ≥60 in 146 (36.6%) patients. Patients diagnosed ≥60 years were older (p < 0.001), had higher education level (p < 0.001), more commonly had first-degree relative with asthma (p = 0.038), asthma related comorbidities (p = 0.009) and accompanying rhinitis/rhinosinusitis (p = 0.005), had better asthma control (p = 0.001), were using less controller medications (p = 0.014). Inhaler technique was correct in 37% of the patients with no difference in between the groups. Treatment compliance was better in elderly asthma patients (p < 0.001). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, having well-controlled asthma (odds ratio = 1.61, CI = 1.04-2.51), and high medication adherence rate (odds ratio = 2.43, CI = 1.48-4.0) were associated with being in the elderly asthma group. Conclusion: The characteristics of asthma are different among patients aged 60 years and over which seems to be related to onset age of asthma. In our cohort, the elderly asthma patients had higher education level, and treatment adherence and asthma control was better. Patients diagnosed ≥60 years of age did not have more severe disease

Analysis of intestinal and nasopharyngeal microbiota of children with meningococcemia in pediatric intensive care unit: INMACS-PICU study

This article belongs to the Special Issue Pediatric Diagnostic Microbiology.Microbiota composition might play a role in the pathophysiology and course of sepsis, and understanding its dynamics is of clinical interest. Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is an important cause of community-acquired serious infection, and there is no information regarding microbiota composition in children with meningococcemia. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the intestinal and nasopharyngeal microbiota composition of children with IMD.[Materials and Methods]: In this prospective, multi-center study, 10 children with meningococcemia and 10 age-matched healthy controls were included. Nasopharyngeal and fecal samples were obtained at admission to the intensive care unit and on the tenth day of their hospital stay. The V3 and V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene were amplified following the 16S Metagenomic Sequencing Library Preparation.[Results]: Regarding the alpha diversity on the day of admission and on the tenth day at the PICU, the Shannon index was significantly lower in the IMD group compared to the control group (p = 0.002 at admission and p = 0.001, on the tenth day of PICU). A statistical difference in the stool samples was found between the IMD group at Day 0 vs. the controls in the results of the Bray–Curtis and Jaccard analyses (p = 0.005 and p = 0.001, respectively). There were differences in the intestinal microbiota composition between the children with IMD at admission and Day 10 and the healthy controls. Regarding the nasopharyngeal microbiota analysis, in the children with IMD at admission, at the genus level, Neisseria was significantly more abundant compared to the healthy children (p < 0.001). In the children with IMD at Day 10, genera Moraxella and Neisseria were decreased compared to the healthy children. In the children with IMD on Day 0, for paired samples, Moraxella, Neisseria, and Haemophilus were significantly more abundant compared to the children with IMD at Day 10. In the children with IMD at Day 10, the Moraxella and Neisseria genera were decreased, and 20 different genera were more abundant compared to Day 0.[Conclusions]: We first found alterations in the intestinal and nasopharyngeal microbiota composition in the children with IMD. The infection itself or the other care interventions also caused changes to the microbiota composition during the follow-up period. Understanding the interaction of microbiota with pathogens, e.g., N. meningitidis, could give us the opportunity to understand the disease’s dynamics.This study was supported by the Eskisehir Osmangazi University Scientific Research Grant (2018/11046).Peer reviewe

The effect of teaching the 8th grade science course sustainable development unit with creative drama method on the development of students' science attitudes and social skills

Bu çalışmada, sürdürülebilir kalkınma ünitesinin yaratıcı drama yöntemine dayalı etkinliklerle öğretiminin, öğrencilerin fen tutumu ve sosyal becerilere etkisinin tespit edilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Çalışma yarı deneysel yönteme göre modellenmiştir. Araştırmanın evrenini Kocaeli ili Darıca ilçesindeki 60. Yıl Ortaokulu'nda öğrenim gören 8.sınıf öğrencileri oluşturmaktadır. Deney grubu (8-D) ve karşılaştırma grubunda (8-B) 40 öğrenci olmak üzere toplamda 80 öğrenci araştırmada görev almıştır. Sürdürülebilir kalkınma konusu deney grubuna yaratıcı drama temelli fen etkinlikleriyle öğretilirken deney grubuna mevcut öğretim yöntemiyle öğretilmiştir. Araştırmada "Fen Bilimleri Tutum Ölçeği" ve "Sosyal Beceri Ölçeği" veri toplamaya aracılık etmiştir. Ölçeklerden edinilen bulgulara göre sürdürülebilir kalkınma konusunun yaratıcı drama temelli fen etkinlikleriyle işlenmesi mevcut öğretim yöntemine nazaran sosyal beceri ve tutumlar üzerinde daha olumlu etkiler meydana getirmiştir. Bu nedenle, sosyal beceri ve fen tutumlarının geliştirilmesinin hedeflendiği sınıflarda yaratıcı drama etkinliklerine yer verilmesi önerilmektedir.In this study, it is aimed to determine the effect of teaching the sustainable development unit with activities based on creative drama method on students' science attitude and social skills. The study was modeled according to the quasi-experimental method. The universe of the research consists of 8th grade students studying at 60. Yıl Secondary School in Darıca district of Kocaeli province. A total of 80 students, including 40 students in the experimental group (8-D) and the comparison group (8-B), took part in the research. While the subject of sustainable development was taught to the experimental group with creative drama-based science activities, it was taught to the experimental group with the current teaching method. In the research, "Science Attitude Scale" and "Social Skills Scale" mediated data collection. According to the findings obtained from the scales, the teaching of sustainable development with creative drama-based science activities had more positive effects on social skills and attitudes compared to the current teaching method. For this reason, it is recommended to include creative drama activities in classrooms where the development of social skills and science attitudes is aimed