Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in dairy cattle herds in Central Anatolia, Turkey

A total of 3287 sera collected from cows in thirty-two herds in the eight provinces of Central Anatolia of Turkey were tested for presence of Neospora caninum antibodies by using commercial ELISA kit. The overall seroprevalence of Neospora caninum was 13.96% (95% CI 13.78 to 16.22). On a provincial basis, N. caninum infection was present in all provinces while cows sampled in Kirikkale had the highest rate (P<0.05). Antibodies to N. caninum were found in 34 (23.61%) of 144 aborted cows. The prevalence of N. caninum was significantly higher in the aborted cows than in non-aborted cows (P<0.001). However, the odds ratio was 1.97, suggesting an association between abortion and seropositivity. This is the first report on serological prevalence of Neospora caninum in cows in Central Anatolia, and neosporosis in dairy cattle seems to be widespread in some provinces of this region

Evaluation of skin dose associated with different frequencies of bolus applications in post-mastectomy three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The study aimed to calculate chest-wall skin dose associated with different frequencies of bolus applications in post-mastectomy three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and to provide detailed information in the selection of an appropriate bolus regimen in this clinical setting.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>CT-Simulation scans of 22 post-mastectomy patients were used. Chest wall for clinical target volume (CTV) and a volume including 2-mm surface thickness of the chest wall for skin structures were delineated. Precise PLAN 2.11 treatment planning system (TPS) was used for 3D-CRT planning. 50 Gy in 25 fractions were prescribed using tangential fields and 6-MV photons. Six different frequencies of bolus applications (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25) were administered. Cumulative dose-volume histograms were generated for each bolus regimen. The minimum, maximum and mean skin doses associated with the bolus regimens were compared. To test the accuracy of TPS dose calculations, experimental measurements were performed using EBT gafchromic films.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean, minimum and maximum skin doses were significantly increased with increasing days of bolus applications (p < 0.001). The minimum skin doses for 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 days of bolus applications were 73.0% ± 2.0%, 78.2% ± 2.0%, 83.3% ± 1.7%, 88.3% ± 1.6%, 92.2% ± 1.7%, and 93.8% ± 1.8%, respectively. The minimum skin dose increments between 20 and 25 (1.6% ± 1.0%), and 15 and 20 (4.0% ± 1.0%) days of bolus applications were significantly lower than the dose increments between 0 and 5 (5.2% ± 0.6%), 5 and 10 (5.1% ± 0.8%), and 10 and 15 (4.9% ± 0.8%) days of bolus applications (p < 0.001). The maximum skin doses for 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 days of bolus applications were 110.1% ± 1.1%, 110.3% ± 1.1%, 110.5% ± 1.2%, 110.8% ± 1.3%, 111.2% ± 1.5%, and 112.2% ± 1.7%, respectively. The maximum skin dose increments between 20 and 25 (1.0% ± 0.6%), and 15 and 20 (0.4% ± 0.3%) days of bolus applications were significantly higher than the dose increments between 0 and 5 (0.2% ± 0.2%), 5 and 10 (0.2% ± 0.2%), and 10 and 15 (0.2% ± 0.2%) days of bolus applications (p ≤ 0.003). The TPS overestimated the near-surface dose 10.8% at 2-mm below the skin surface.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In post-mastectomy 3D-CRT, using a 1-cm thick bolus in up to 15 of the total 25 fractions increased minimum skin doses with a tolerable increase in maximum doses.</p

CORRELATION BETWEEN MELT QUALITY AND FLUIDITY OF A356

Aluminium and its alloys are prefer choice of automotive parts due to their low density and high strength ratios. These critical applications requires high quality castings to be produced. Melt quality can be measured by bifilm index using reduced pressure test. This index is a numerical indication of bifilm quantity of the melt. It has been shown that these bifilms affect many of the properties significantly. One of the limiting factor of casting methods is the fluidity of the liquid metal. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of bifilms (i.e. melt quality) over the fluidity of A356 by using spiral test mould. Different mould temperatures were studied and it was found that as the bifilm index was increased, the scatter of the test results was increased

Social Skills In Pictured Story Books

Aim of the research is to examine social skills' levels presenting in story books that are published by different publishers for the children in early childhood education period in Turkey. In the research, document analyze method was used from the qualitative research methods. With this aim, by literature review, social skills categories that are determined by Calderrella and Merrell (1997) were used as an evaluation instrument. Results of the research show that 100 pictured story books from 40 different publishing firms generally focus on certain skills in skills related to peers category but less focus on the skills related to other categories. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer review under responsibility of Prof. Dr. Huseyin UzunboyluWo

Cutaneous Anthrax on Eyelid in a Pregnant Woman

A 32-year-old patient who was 17 weeks of pregnant referred to our hospital due to a lesion on the eyelid and swelling on her face. Patient’s history revealed that she helped her husband for slaughtering of a sick animal and contacted with the meat. A scabby lesion was detected on the inferior eyelid with hyperaemia around, central necrotic appearance and swelling. The diagnosis of anthrax was performed based on her epidemiological data, physical examination findings, and Bacillus anthracis were seen on direct preparation. This case was considered worthy to present since she was pregnant, the disease was located on the inferior eyelid, which is a rare place for location, and caused no complication or sequel either in mother or in baby

Prevalence of Cyclospora cayetanensis and Cryptosporidium spp. children according to some variables

In this study, the prevalence of Cyclospora cayetanensis and Cryptosporidium spp. were researched in children with parasitological investigations requested for a variety of reasons, regardless of immune status. The stool samples of 1057 pediatric patients with parasitological evaluation requested for a variety of reasons within two years were investigated under a microscopy using native-lugol, sedimentation and modified Kinyouns acid-fast stain methods. The mean age of the 1057 pediatric patients participating in the research were 8.07±4.32 years, 11.4% were identified to have coccidian parasites (Cyclospora cayetanensis and Cryptosporidium spp.). Evaluation according to age group found the majority of children positive for Cryptosporidium spp. were in the 6-12 year interval. These parasites were observed more frequently in the spring and summer seasons compared to other seasons. There was a significant correlation between parasite positivity and spring and summer seasons (p [Med-Science 2021; 10(2.000): 338-45

Clinical Significance of Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin in Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), which is an important prognostic marker for sepsis and inflammatory diseases, is mostly released from neutrophils. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) patients are generally neutropenic. We aimed to investigate whether there is a change in serum NGAL level and to investigate its effect on the recovery time (RT) during the course of CCHF. A total of 40 CCHF patients (19 females and 21 males) and 34 healthy controls (17 females and 17 males) were included in the study. The serum NGAL level and biochemical and hematological parameters were checked. The NGAL level of CCHF patients was significantly higher than that of the healthy controls (P<0.001). A multivariate analysis showed that the independent prognostic factor for the prediction of the RT is the NGAL level (odds ratio [OR] 0.3, 95% confidence interval [Cl] 0.1–0.4, P<0.001). An elevated NGAL level was found to be associated with an increased RT in CCHF patients. The NGAL levels of CHHF patients might be elevated due to increased cytokine release, the presence of a tissue injury, and the release of immature neutrophils from the bone marrow into the peripheral stream. This may be a good prognostic factor in CHHF patients

Integrated watershed management efforts: case study from Melen Watershed experiencing interbasin water transfer

Istanbul is a megacity with a population of over 13 million. Due to experienced droughts and population growth in the city, interbasin water transfer from Melen Watershed was considered as the most feasible alternative to supply water that can compensate for water demand in the future. This decision changed the beneficial use of the Melen Watershed from irrigation water supply to drinking water supply and necessitated extensive pollution prevention measures to comply with the new water quality requirements. A Watershed Protection Action Plan was developed for the sustainable management of Melen Watershed. The action plan included measures concerning wastewater management, diffuse pollution management, solid waste management and water quality monitoring. In this paper, proposed protection actions in the plan are provided together with the activities realized so far. In addition, the changes made by the authorities during implementation of the plan are presented. The proposed Watershed Protection Action Plan as approved by the government is one of the first examples in Turkey, where watershed-based planning of water resources is implemented instead of administrative boundary-based management

THERE IS A RELATION BETWEEN BLOOD SUBGROUPS AND INSULIN RESISTANCE

Objective: Effects of concomitance of genetic factors with diabetes mellitus have been researched for a long time. We investigated relationship between insulin resistance and ABO/Rh blood group systems, which has not been investigated before

Risk factors for noncatheter-related Candida bloodstream infections in intensive care units: A multicenter case-control study

Candida bloodstream infections are associated with high mortality among critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs). Studies that explore the risk factors for candidemia may support better patient care in intensive care units. We conducted a retrospective, multicenter case-control study to investigate the risk factors for noncatheter-related Candida bloodstream infections (CBSI) in adult ICUs. Participants selected controls randomly on a 1:1 basis among all noncase patients stayed during the same period in ICUs. Data on 139 cases and 140 controls were deemed eligible. Among the controls, 69 patients died. The stratified Fine-Gray model was used to estimate the subdistribution Hazard ratios. The subdistribution hazards and 95% confidence intervals for final covariates were as follows: prior exposure to antimycotic agents, 2.21 (1.56-3.14); prior exposure to N-acetylcysteine, 0.11 (0.03-0.34) and prior surgical intervention, 1.26 (0.76-2.11). Of the patients, those exposed to antimycotic drugs, 87.1% (54/62) had breakthrough candidemia. Serious renal, hepatic, or hematologic side effects were comparable between patients those exposed and not-exposed to systemic antimycotic drugs. Untargeted administration of antimycotic drugs did not improve survival among candidemic patients (not-exposed, 63.6% [49/77]; exposed % 66.1 [41/62]; P = .899). This study documented that exposure to an antifungal agent is associated with increased the risk of subsequent development of CBSIs among nonneutropenic adult patients admitted to the ICU. Only two centers regularly prescribed N-acetylcysteine. Due to the limited number of subjects, we interpreted the positive effect of N-acetylcysteine on the absolute risk of CBSIs with caution