Antimicrobial Resistance of Urinary Escherichia coli Isolates

Purpose:To investigate the antimicrobial resistance rate of 110 E. coli strains, isolated from UTIs in Etlik Lokman Hekim Hospital, Etlik, Ankara, Turkey.Methods: API-20E System (bioMerieux, France) was used to identify E. coli isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted on Mueller-Hinton Agar plates (Merck, Germany) using agar disc diffusion method and the results were expressed as susceptible or resistant according to the criteria recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standarts Institute (CLSI).Results: The resistance rates detected were 56 % to ampicillin, 24 % to ampicillin sulbactam, 9 % to gentamicin, 15 % to ciprofloxacin, 36 % to trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole, 12 % to cefazolin, and 7 % to cefuroxime. All isolates tested were susceptible to fosfomycin and nitrofurantoin.Conclusion: When the high resistance rates in Turkey are taken into consideration, antimicrobial agent usage policies and empirical therapies should be based on antimicrobial resistance surveillance studies.Keywords: Urinary tract infections, Escherichia coli, Antimicrobial resistanc

Higher P-Wave Dispersion in Migraine Patients with Higher Number of Attacks

Objective and Aim. An imbalance of the sympathetic system may explain many of the clinical manifestations of the migraine. We aimed to evaluate P-waves as a reveal of sympathetic system function in migraine patients and healthy controls. Materials and Methods. Thirty-five episodic type of migraine patients (complained of migraine during 5 years or more, BMI < 30 kg/m2) and 30 controls were included in our study. We measured P-wave durations (minimum, maximum, and dispersion) from 12-lead ECG recording during pain-free periods. ECGs were transferred to a personal computer via a scanner and then used for magnification of x400 by Adobe Photoshop software. Results. P-wave durations were found to be similar between migraine patients and controls. Although P WD (P-wave dispersion) was similar, the mean value was higher in migraine subjects. P WD was positively correlated with P max (P < 0.01). Attacks number per month and male gender were the factors related to the P WD (P < 0.01). Conclusions. Many previous studies suggested that increased sympathetic activity may cause an increase in P WD. We found that P WD of migraine patients was higher than controls, and P WD was related to attacks number per month and male gender. Further studies are needed to explain the chronic effects of migraine

A comparison of isocapnic buffering phase of cross-country skiers and alpine skiers

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the isocapnic buffering phase in cross-country skiers and alpine skiers during an incremental treadmill exercise test. Material: International level male junior skiers including twelve cross-country skiers and ten alpine skiers took part in the study. All participants performed an incremental treadmill exercise test to determine ventilatory threshold (VT), respiratory compensation point (RCP), and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). The isocapnic buffering phase was calculated as the difference in VO2 (ICBVO2) and running speed (ICBSPEED) between RCP and VT and expressed in either absolute or relative values. Results: VO2max, maximal running speed, time to exhaustion, both absolute and relative VT values and absolute RCP values were higher in the cross-country skiers than in the alpine skiers (P 0.05). Absolute ICBVO2 and ICBSPEED showed similar values in both group (p > 0.05), whereas relative ICBVO2 and ICBSPEED were found to be significantly higher in alpine skiers than in cross-country skiers (P < 0.05). Maximal respiratory exchange ratio was higher in alpine skiers than in cross-country skiers. Conclusions: The current findings suggest that anaerobic training may induces specific metabolic adaptations leading to increase in buffering capacity which may be a contributing factor to continue to exercise for relatively longer periods of time above the VT. Longer ICB phase in the anaerobic-trained athletes may an important factor in relation to the enhance high-intensity exercise tolerance

Association between winter anthocyanin production and drought stress in angiosperm evergreen species

Leaves of many evergreen angiosperm species turn red under high light during winter due to the production of anthocyanin pigments, while leaves of other species remain green. There is currently no explanation for why some evergreen species exhibit winter reddening while others do not. Conditions associated with low leaf water potentials (Ψ) have been shown to induce reddening in many plant species. Because evergreen species differ in susceptibility to water stress during winter, it is hypothesized that species which undergo winter colour change correspond with those that experience/tolerate the most severe daily declines in leaf Ψ during winter. Six angiosperm evergreen species which synthesize anthocyanin in leaves under high light during winter and five species which do not were studied. Field Ψ, pressure/volume curves, and gas exchange measurements were derived in summer (before leaf colour change had occurred) and winter. Consistent with the hypothesis, red-leafed species as a group had significantly lower midday Ψ in winter than green-leafed species, but not during the summer when all the leaves were green. However, some red-leafed species showed midday declines similar to those of green-leafed species, suggesting that low Ψ alone may not induce reddening. Pressure–volume curves also provided some evidence of acclimation to more negative water potentials by red-leafed species during winter (e.g. greater osmotic adjustment and cell wall hardening on average). However, much overlap in these physiological parameters was observed as well between red and green-leafed species, and some of the least drought-acclimated species were red-leafed. No difference was observed in transpiration (E) during winter between red and green-leaved species. When data were combined, only three of the six red-leafed species examined appeared physiologically acclimated to prolonged drought stress, compared to one of the five green-leafed species. This suggests that drought stress alone is not sufficient to explain winter reddening in evergreen angiosperms

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Alien Benthic Foraminifers from Turkish Strait System

The Sea of Marmara is under the influence of the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. The salinity difference between these two seas causes the formation of two-layer stratification in the Sea of Marmara, an upper layer formed by the fresh waters of the Black Sea and a denser layer formed below 25 m of depth, by the more saline waters of the Mediterranean. The salinity difference, together with the seasonally changing meteorological events are the major factors which shape the main current system. The Mediterranean waters enter the Dardanelles cross the Sea of Marmara and flows into the Black Sea via İstanbul Strait, which enables the dispersion of the alien foraminifer species already established on the Aegean coasts into the Sea of Marmara. Besides, the Sea of Marmara includes important harbors, suggesting that there is an extensive pressure of alien species introduced by ballast waters. In this study, 322 sediment samples, obtained from different localities in Dardanelles, İstanbul Strait and Sea of Marmara, were investigated for the alien foraminifer species. The results are combined with the previous records in the literature for creating an alien foraminifer checklist for the Sea of Marmara. 10 alien foraminifer species belonging to 9 genera were found in Dardanelles, 32 alien species from 28 genera in the Sea of Marmara, and only 2 alien species from 2 genera were found in İstanbul Strait. Majority of these alien species have Indo-Pacific or Atlantic origin, suggesting that shipping may be the most possible mode of introduction. But it is also observed that some of the Indo-Pacific originated species which were introduced Suez Canal and formed established populations along the Turkish coastline are also found in Dardanelles, indicating that major currents systems are also playing a role in the dispersion patterns of the alien foraminifers in the Sea of Marmara. Another important factor may be the thermal submarine springs found on the bottom of the Sea of Marmara, which may create suitable environmental conditions and enhance the establishment of thermophilic alien species

The ımportance of benthıc foramınıferasın detectıng features of ecologıcal and geologıcal structures ın Edremıt bay and on coastal areas of Dikili channel (Ne Aegean Sea)

Edremit Körfezi, Midilli Adası, Alibey ve Maden adaları ile Dikili Körfezi kıyı alanlarından elde edilmiş olan bentik foraminifer topluluklarında çeşitli morfolojik bozuklukların yanı sıra kavkılarda renklenme ile irileşme gözlenmiştir. Bunun dışında sıcak denizlere ait cins ve türlerin bolluğu dikkat çekicidir. Çalışılan alanda farklı cins ve türler arasındaki birliktelikler değinilen bölgeler için ilginç oluşumları teşkil eder. Edremit Körfezi kuzeybatı ve güneydoğu alanlarında gözlenen bentik foraminifer toplulukları arasında büyük bir farklılık olduğu belirlenmiştir. Körfezin kuzeybatısında 57 cins ile 97 tür, güneydoğu kıyılarında ise 32 cins ile 48 tür bulunmuştur. Ayvalık Alibey ve Maden adaları çevresinde bentik foraminifer çeşitliliği, bireylerdeki kavkı boyutu/boyutları, kavkılardaki renklenme ve şekil bozukluğu ön planda belirlenmiştir. Yine bu alanda farklı cins ve türler arasında birlikte gelişme gibi anormal oluşumlar tespit edilmiştir. Peneroplis pertusus (Forskal)-Coscinaspira hemprichii Ehrenberg ile Peneroplis planatus (Fichtel ve Moll)- Coscinaspira hemprichii Ehrenberg arasındaki birliktelik Ayvalık Alibey ve Maden adaları çevresinde bentik foraminifer topluluğu için en önemli özelliktir. Keza çok sayıda Peneroplis pertusus (Forskal) ve P. planatus (Fichtel ve Moll) bireylerinin turuncu ve kahve tonlarında renklenmiş olması bu bölge için önem taşımaktadır. Bununla birlikte çok sayıda Peneroplis pertusus (Forskal), P. planatus (Fichtel ve Moll), Lobatula lobatula (Walker ve Jacob), Cibicidella variabilis (d’Orbigny), Ammonia compacta Hofker, A. parkinsoniana (d’Orbigny), Challengerella bradyi Billman, Hottinger ve Oesterle, Elphidium complanatum (d’Orbigny), E. crispum (Linne) gibi cins ve türlere rastlanılmıştır. Midilli Adası doğu kıyılarında gözlenen Laevipeneroplis karreri (Wiesner), Peneroplis pertusus (Forskal) ve P. planatus (Fichtel ve Moll), Sorites orbiculus Ehrenberg, bu alandaki sıcak su koşullarının varlığını belirtir. Peneroplis planatus (Fichtel ve Moll) bireyi morfolojik olarak büyük bir anormallik sunmaktadır. Bunun dışında çok sayıda Peneroplis pertusus (Forskal) ve P. planatus (Fichtel ve Moll) kavkılarının Ayvalık benzeri turuncu-sarı olması, bu alanda da özellikle Fe içeren yer altı sularının varlığını işaret eder. Dikili Körfezi kıyılarında Peneroplis planatus (Fichtel ve Moll) bireyinde morfolojik olarak büyük bir anormallik gözlenmiştir. Bu bireyde ağız üç ayrı bölümde gelişmiş olup bunlardan biri tipik olarak kendine özgü şekilde tek sıralı, diğer ikisi ise Coscinospira hemprichii Ehrenberg’nin ağız özelliğini taşımaktadır. Çalışmanın amacı bentik foraminiferlerde gözlenen bu normal dışı oluşumları etkileyen unsurları ortaya koymaktır. İnceleme alanında bentik foraminifer topluluklarının sıcaklık, tuzluluk gibi fiziksel ortam koşulları yanı sıra kimyasal ve radyoaktivite özelliklerin etkisinde de kaldığı düşünülmektedir.Benthic foraminiferal assemblages from the Gulf of Edremit, Lesbos Island, Alibey and Maden islands and Dikili Bay have been investigated and various morphological abnormalities, as well as, colored tests and large sizes have been observed. Besides, abundance of alien species originating from tropical seas attracts attention. Interesting togethernesses were found between different genera and species. Significant differences were observed between the assemblages from the northwest and southeast coasts of the Gulf of Edremit. 57 genera and 97 species were identified in the samples from the northwest coast, where as only 32 genera and 48 species were found on the southeast coast. A diverse foraminifer assemblage were observed around the Ayvalık-Alibey and Maden islands, with large individual sizes, colored tests and morphological abnomalities. Abnormal togethernesses between different genera and species were also observed in this locality. Togethernesses between Peneroplis pertusus (Forskal)-Coscinaspira hemprichii Ehrenberg and Peneroplis planatus (Fichtel and Moll)- Coscinaspira hemprichii Ehrenberg are important findings in the benthic foraminiferal assemblages of Ayvalık Alibey and Maden islands. Orange and brown coloration observed on many Peneroplis pertusus (Forskal) and P. planatus (Fichtel and Moll) individuals is another important finding in this region. Besides, many individuals of Peneroplis pertusus (Forskal), P. planatus (Fichtel and Moll), Lobatula lobatula (Walker and Jacob), Cibicidella variabilis (d’Orbigny), Ammonia compacta Hofker, A. parkinsoniana (d’Orbigny), Challengerella bradyi Billman, Hottinger and Oesterle, Elphidium complanatum (d’Orbigny) and E. crispum (Linne) were found. The presence of Laevipeneroplis karreri (Wiesner), Peneroplis pertusus (Forskal) and P. planatus (Fichtel and Moll) and Sorites orbiculus Ehrenberg on the east coast of Lesbos Island indicates the presence of hotwater springs. An abnormally large Peneroplis planatus (Fichtel and Moll) individual were found. Besides, many Peneroplis pertusus (Forskal) and P. planatus (Fichtel and Moll) individuals with orange-yellow tests, like the ones in Ayvalık, were found, suggesting the presence of submarine springs with Fe content. An abnormal Peneroplis planatus (Fichtel and Moll) individual with three different apertures was found in Dikili samples. One of the apertures was typical of the species, whereas the other two have the aperture characteristics of Coscinospira hemprichii Ehrenberg. The aim of our study is to figure out the factors leading to abnormal test morphologies. It is suggested that the benthic foraminiferal assemblages found in the study area are affected by the physical environmental conditions such as, temperature and salinity, as well as the chemical factors, such as radioactivity

Seasonal variations in body composition, maximal oxygen uptake, and gas exchange threshold in cross-country skiers

Metin Polat,1 Selcen Korkmaz Eryılmaz,2 Sami Aydoğan3 1School of Physical Education and Sports, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey; 2School of Physical Education and Sports, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey; 3Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey Introduction: In order to ensure that athletes achieve their highest performance levels during competitive seasons, monitoring their long-term performance data is crucial for understanding the impact of ongoing training programs and evaluating training strategies. The present study was thus designed to investigate the variations in body composition, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), and gas exchange threshold values of cross-country skiers across training phases throughout a season. Materials and methods: In total, 15 athletes who participate in international cross-country ski competitions voluntarily took part in this study. The athletes underwent incremental treadmill running tests at 3 different time points over a period of 1 year. The first measurements were obtained in July, during the first preparation period; the second measurements were obtained in October, during the second preparation period; and the third measurements were obtained in February, during the competition period. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat (%), as well as VO2max values and gas exchange threshold, measured using V-slope method during the incremental running tests, were assessed at all 3 time points. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 20 package software. Significant differences between the measurements were assessed using Friedman&rsquo;s twoway variance analysis with a post hoc option. Results: The athletes&rsquo; body weights and BMI measurements at the third point were significantly lower compared with the results of the second measurement (p&lt;0.001). Moreover, the incremental running test time was significantly higher at the third measurement, compared with both the first (p&lt;0.05) and the second (p&lt;0.01) measurements. Similarly, the running speed during the test was significantly higher at the third measurement time point compared with the first measurement time point (p&lt;0.05). Body fat (%), time to reach the gas exchange threshold, running speed at the gas exchange threshold, VO2max, amount of oxygen consumed at gas exchange threshold level (VO2GET), maximal heart rate (HRmax), and heart rate at gas exchange threshold level (HRGET) values did not significantly differ between the measurement time points (p&gt;0.05). Conclusion: VO2max and gas exchange threshold values recorded during the third measurements, the timing of which coincided with the competitive season of the cross-country skiers, did not significantly change, but their incremental running test time and running speed significantly increased while their body weight and BMI significantly decreased. These results indicate that the cross-country skiers developed a tolerance for high-intensity exercise and reached their highest level of athletic performance during the competitive season. Keywords: athletic performance, aerobic capacity, winter spor