The effects of the addition of baker's yeast on the functional properties and quality of tarhana, a traditional fermented food

As a fermented product, tarhana is the dry form of yogurt-cereal mixture and represents an important part of the diets of many people in different countries including Turkey. In the present study, the effects of the addition of baker's yeast on the quality and functional properties of tarhana were investigated. Tarhana was produced under laboratory conditions (uncontrolled and controlled conditions) using two formulas. Some physicochemical, functional, and sensory properties of the samples were analysed. An increase was found in the acidity value of all samples during the fermentation period. The addition of baker's yeast affected the functional properties (water absorption capacity, foaming capacity, foaming stability, emulsifying activity) of the samples (P < 0.05). The tarhana samples produced by the addition of yeast and under controlled conditions had shorter fermentation times and better sensory properties. This research suggests that the addition of baker's yeast and the employment of controlled conditions can be recommended in the production of the commercial type of tarhana

Blood feeding preferences of laboratory-reared aedes albopictus for human blood groups and its effect on their fertility

Female mosquitoes require both sugar and blood for feeding. They show distinct host preferences depending on behavioral, ecological, and physiological factors. Knowledge of the feeding behavior of Aedes albopictus, one of the primary vectors of Dengue, is critical in disease prevention measures. This study was aimed to determine the preference of Ae. albopictus on human blood groups (ABO) and their effects on female fecundity. Laboratory colonies of these mosquitoes were offered O, A, B, and AB blood via artificial membrane feeders, and blood meal preferences were identified using multiplex allelespecific PCR. Fertility was assessed by the mean number of eggs laid. Results showed that Ae. albopictus species significantly preferred the O blood group compared to others and blood type choice did not affect the fertility of the mosquitoes. To our knowledge, this is the first study assessing blood feeding choice of Ae. albopictus mosquitoes directly using human blood, hereby reducing the effects of factors such as odor when using human participants. The results of this study provide a new perspective on the still partially unknown ABO blood group host selection of mosquitoes, promoting the personal protection of individuals in at-risk populations

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CEREBROSPINAL FLUID PRESSURE AND ATHEROGENIC INDEX OF PLASMA IN IDIOPATIC INTRACRANIAL HYPERTENSION PATIENTS

Background: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a disease thought to be associated with obesity and rapid weight gain. There is no objective parameter with practical use in its follow-up and treatment other than optical coherence tomography. Objective: The aim of our study is to investigate the relationship between atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure. Methods: Serum vitamin B12, vitamin D, homocysteine, folic acid, triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, CSF pressure, CSF microprotein levels were recorded from the file data of patients diagnosed with IIH. AIP was calculated by dividing the TG level logarithmically by HDL-C. Height (kg) and weight (kg) data of the patients were used to calculate the body mass index (BMI). Results: File data of 64 patients were examined. 8 patients with secondary intracranial hypertension were excluded from the study. 80.36% of the patients were overweight, 16.07% were obese, 3.57% were with normal weight. There was no significant correlation between vitamin B12, vitamin D, homocysteine, HDL-C and CSF microprotein levels and CSF pressure level in patients with a diagnosis of IIH. There was a negative correlation between folic acid level and CSF pressure level, and a positive correlation between BMI, TG, AIP and CSF pressure level. Conclusion: Using folic acid supplements and drugs that reduce TG levels can contribute positively to the course of the disease

Bir Adeziv Sistemin Kanama Durdurucu Ajanlarla Kontamine Edilen Dentin Yüzeyine Bağlanma Dayanımı

ÖZETAmaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı üç farklı kanama durdurucu ajanın self-etch bir adezivin mikro-gerilim bağlanma dayanımına etkilerinin değerlendirilmesidir.Gereç ve Yöntemler: Son altı ay içinde çekilmiş, on iki adet çürüksüz daimi molar diş kullanıldı. Dişlerin okluzal kesitlerinden düzgün dentin yüzeyleri elde edildi. Homojen bir dentin yüzeyi elde etmek amacıyla, dentin yüzeyleri 600 gritlik su zımparası ile zımparalandı. Bu yüzeyler kan ve tükürük ile kontamine edildi. Dişler dört gruba ayrıldı. (I:Kontrol, II:Ankaferd, III:ViscoStat Clear, IV:Transamine). Kan ve tükürüklü yüzeye kanama durdurucu ajanlar uygulandı, sonra durulandı ve kurutuldu. Dişlere self etch adeziv sistem (Clearfil SE Bond) uygulamasının ardından dişler kompozit rezinle (Quadrant Universal LC ) 2 mm kalınlığında restore edildi. Örnekler 24 saat boyunca 37 0C distile suda bekletildi. Her bir dişten düşük hızda çalışan elmas separe yardımı ile 1.00 ± 0.003 mm kalınlığında beş adet mikro gerilim örneği elde edildi. Örnekler mikro gerilim test cihazına her iki uçlarından siyanoakrilat adezivle yapıştırıldı ve 1 mm/dk yükleme hızı altında koparıldı. Veriler Tek Yönlü ANOVA ve Tukey Çoklu Karşılaştırma testleriyle analiz edildi (α=0.05).Bulgular: Grupların bağlanma değerleri (ortalama ± SS (MPa)); I: 28.81±6.84, II: 27.38±4.89, III: 24.89±5.80, IV: 24.73±7.14 şeklinde bulunmuştur. Kanama durdurucu ajanlar ve kontrol grubu arasında istatiksel açıdan önemli fark gözlenmemiştir (p&gt;0.05).Sonuç: Kanama durdurucu ajanlar kullanılarak dentin yüzeyinin kontamine edilmesi self etch adeziv sistemlerin bağlanma dayanımını olumsuz yönde etkilememektedir. Kanama durdurucu ajanlar self etch adeziv sistemlerin bağlanma dayanımını azaltmaksızın kanama kontrolünde kullanılabilirler

The effects of cervical cerclage practice on perinatal and neonatal outcomes according to the indications

Objective: The aim was to investigate the perinatal and neonatal outcomes in the cases which underwent cervical cerclage, and to compare the elective and emergency cerclage cases. Methods: The cases that underwent cervical cerclage in the Hospital of the Faculty of Medicine at Akdeniz University between January 2014 and December 2019 were assessed retrospectively, and separated into 3 categories as the prophylactic, elective and emergency groups. The demographic characteristics and perinatal and neonatal outcomes were recorded and they were compared between the groups. Results: A total of 92 cases with singleton pregnancy between 12 and 24 weeks of gestation were included in the study. The prophylactic cerclage group consisted of 48 cases, the elective cerclage group consisted of 21 cases and the emergency cerclage group consisted of 23 cases. The rate of the cases delivered at term (≥37 weeks of gestation) was found significantly lower in the emergency cerclage group than the rates of the cases in the prophylactic and elective cerclage groups (26.1%, 70.8% and 66.7%; respectively). While there was no significant difference between the prophylactic and elective cerclage groups in terms of premature preterm labor (<32 weeks of gestation), the rate of premature preterm labor was significantly higher in the emergency cerclage group than two other groups (10.4%, 9.5% and 43.5%, respectively; p=0.005). The mean delivery week of the emergency cerclage cases was significantly higher than the prophylactic and elective cerclage groups (31.7, 36.7 and 36.5 weeks, respectively; p<0.001). The mean duration between the cerclage procedure and the delivery week was the highest in the prophylactic cerclage cases and the lowest in the emergency cerclage cases (22.8 and 9.7 weeks, respectively; p<0.001). The mortality rate of the newborns was higher in the emergency cerclage cases than the other groups, which was statistically significant (p=0.002). Conclusion: We concluded that the perinatal and neonatal outcomes of the emergency cerclage procedure carried out in the advanced stage of cervical changes in the cases with cervical insufficiency is less successful than the prophylactic and elective cerclage procedures. The early detection of cervical insufficiency by the previous history, the physical examination and the measurement of transvaginal cervical length and responding at the early weeks of gestation may improve the perinatal and neonatal outcomes

High rate of colistin and fosfomycin resistance among carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in Turkey

When the problem with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) increases, the older antimicrobial agents such as colistin and fosfomycin are used for the treatment of these infections. In this study, the broth microdilution method for colistin and the agar dilution method for fosfomycin were used for a total of 147 multidrug-resistant (MDR) or extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains of CRE. The study included Klebsiella pneumoniae (91.16%), Escherichia coli (7.48%), Enterobacter cloacae (0.68%), and Serratia marcescens (0.68%). All these strains produce various types of carbapenemase, including OXA-48, NDM, and KPC. Some of these strains also have three different carbapenemase mechanisms, including OXA-48 (78.23%), NDM (2.04%), and KPC (0.68%) or OXA-48 and NDM (10.88%), or OXA-48 and KPC (0.68%). About 76.19% of the strains and 67.35% of the strains were resistant for colistin and fosfomycin, respectively. A total of 21 out of 35 colistin-susceptible strains were found to be susceptible to fosfomycin. This study showed that the resistance rates of colistin and fosfomycin are high. The MDR and XDR strains of CRE are spreading in our region and thus a monitoring system for CRE should be followed. Moreover, the applicability of antimicrobial stewardship programs should be increased in all inpatient and outpatient settings

Factors Influencing Diagnostic Success of Computed Tomography-guided Transthoracic Needle Biopsy in Intrathoracic Lesions: An Experience of a Reference Chest Disease Hospital

Introduction:Transthoracic needle biopsy (TNB) is a common, safe and inexpensive procedure used in the diagnosis of intrathoracic lesions. Until today, there is still no study about the influence of standardized uptake value (SUVmax) in positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) on the diagnostic success of TNB in intrathoracic lesions. We aimed to analyze the factors, one of which was the SUVmax value influencing the diagnosis success of CT-guided TNB in pulmonary, mediastinal and pleural lesions. Secondary aim was to investigate the predictive clinical factors of complications.Methods:A retrospective study of 403 patients who underwent CT-guided TNB at a reference chest diseases hospital between February 2019 and February 2021 was conducted. A pulmonologist had performed the procedure with a 20-gauge fine-needle (Spinal) or a 14-gauge automated needle (tru-cut). Data of pathology, microbiology and clinical follow-up of the patients were collected. A chi-square and Student’s t-test were used to evaluate the patient-related factors (gender and smoking), lesion-related factors (type, side, location, size, presence of necrosis observed by CT, SUVmax value in PET/CT), and procedure factor (type of needle) on the diagnostic success. Additionally, associations between clinical characteristics of patients and the complications were assessed.Results:A total of 403 patients underwent CT-guided TNB were enrolled and overall success was 70% (284/403). Smoking history (75% vs 43%, p=0.02) was predictor for diagnostic success. Lesion size and SUVmax value were significantly high in diagnosed patients (for both p<0.001). Diagnostic success was high in peripheral and central lesions, more notably in central lesions (p=0.004, p=0.016, respectively). The 9.2 SUVmax cut-off value had sensitivity of 79%, specificity of %53, success of 79% (p<0.01). Cardiovascular diseases, anti-coagulants, vitamin K antagonists, and salicylate induced complications (p=0.031, p=0.022, p=0.011, p=0.04, respectively). Low-molecular-weight-heparin was associated with hemorrhage (p=0.016).Conclusion:We observed that type, size and SUVmax value of lesion and smoking status were the predictive factors for a diagnostic biopsy

Vidian Canal Types and Dehiscence of the Bony Roof of the Canal: An Anatomical Study

Objective: To determine the prevalence of Vidian canal types and dehiscence of the bony roof of the canal.Methods: This study included 594 patients (391 males and 203 females; average age, 32.43±11.98 years; range, 18-65 years). Computed tomography (CT) images were analyzed in terms of the prevalence of Vidian canal types and dehiscence of the bony roof of the canal.Results: Vidian canal types 1, 2, and 3 based on the sphenoid sinus body were found on the right side in 33.8%, 29.7%, and 6.5%, and on the left side in 36.4%, 27.4%, and 36.2% of the patients, respectively. Dehiscence of the bony roof of the canal was found on the right side in 22.2% of the patients and on the left side in 26.6%. In terms of Vidian canal types based on the sphenoid sinus floor, types 1, 2, 3, and 4 were found on the right side in 53.5%, 27.4%, 7.6%, and 11.5%, and on the left side in 54.9%, 26.6%, 6.6%, and 11.9% of the patients, respectively. On the right side, Vidian canal type 2 was significantly (p=0.002) more frequent in males than in females.Conclusion:When studying the complex anatomy of the sphenoid sinus, it is essential to consider Vidian canal types. Before endoscopic sinus surgery the Vidian canal and other anatomical structures should be carefully evaluated in all patients during preoperative paranasal sinus CT imaging to avoid complications

Assessment of Effects of Septoplasty on Acoustic Parameters of Voice: A Prospective Clinical Study

Objective:To investigate the effects of septoplasty on the acoustic parameters of voice.Methods:In total, 23 patients (seven females and 16 males; average age, 32.13±9.67 years; age range: 19-56 years) with a diagnosis of nasal septal deviation and who underwent septoplasty were included. Preoperative and on postoperative 30th day, acoustic analysis of voice was conducted for all patients. The recordings of /mana/ vowel were used to evaluate average fundamental frequency (F0), jitter, shimmer, and noise-to-harmony ratio (NHR). F0, shimmer percent, jitter percent, and NHR of two terms were compared. A p-value<0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.Results:A statistically significant change was not observed in F0 (p=0.741), jitter (p=0.930), and shimmer (p=0.128) measured preoperatively and on postoperative day 30. However, the increase in NHR measured on postoperative day 30 were statistically significant compared with preoperative NHR (p=0.017).Conclusion:According to the findings of this study, except NHR value, no statistically significant changes on F0, jitter and shimmer were detected after septoplasty

A lógica do duelo e o enigma da política

Raymond Aron inicia o Capítulo 1 de Paz e guerra entre as nações citando a célebre definição de Clausewitz, segundo a qual “a guerra é um ato de violência destinado a obrigar o adversário a realizar nossa vontade”, tomando-a como o “ponto de partida para este estudo”. Embora Aron advirta, em seguida, que “esta dialética da luta é puramente abstrata e não se aplica às guerras reais”, a definição clausewitziana, repetida à exaustão, provocaria inúmeros mal-entendidos. Não obstante esses mal-entendidos subsistam, em sua maioria, à revelia da obra de Aron e tributáveis a intérpretes belicitas e a duzentos anos de guerras totais, Paz e guerra não passará incólume a eles. De fato, em suas Memórias, ao comentar Paz e guerra, Aron registrará que “Clausewitz trouxe-lhe a idéia germinal de toda teoria das relações interestatais”, a “alternância da paz e da guerra, a complementaridade da diplomacia e estratégia”, etc. Trata-se, porém, de um Clausewitz incompleto. Não surpreende, portanto, que não haja aí menção à definição trinitária da guerra, única que contempla a infinita diversidade das guerras reais. As insuficiências e incorreções na compreensão da teoria clausewitziana da guerra levarão Aron a debruçar-se sobre a sua obra nos anos dos 70. Clausewitz escreveu sob o impacto da Revolução Francesa, das guerras napoleônicas e da emergência do povo na guerra. É sob o impacto das guerras totais do século XX que Aron escrevera a sua obra. É o espectro da guerra absoluta a assombrar a Europa e o mundo. A compreensão da alternância da guerra e da paz exige, portanto, que exorcizemos esse espectro.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación (FAHCE