Ninety-Six Cases of Brucellosis: A Retrospective Evaluation

WOS: 000481718600012Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate epidemiological, clinical, laboratory and treatment features and treatment response of brucellosis patients followed in a public hospital in the Eastern Anatolia. Methods: Ninety-six patients treated after the diagnosis of brucellosis were evaluated retrospectively. Results: The mean age of the patients was 53 +/- 33.9 years (range 15-84 years), and 55 (57%) of them were female. 36 (38%) of the patients were housewives, 17 (18%) were dealing with livestock, and 25 (26%) were living in rural areas. 75 (78%) of the cases had an acute presentation. Consumption of unpasteurized milk or dairy products was the most common route of transmission. The main symptoms were fever, malaise, arthralgia, myalgia, and sweating. Fever, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly were the most common signs. Increased C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were found in 46%, and 41% of the cases. Hepatitis was present in 38%, hematological involvement in 33%, gastrointestinal involvement in 22%, osteoarticular involvement in 5%, skin involvement in 2% and depression in 1% of the cases. The most frequent treatment regimen was doxycycline and streptomycin. No treatment failure or relapses were observed for one year after treatment. Conclusions: Brucellosis is an infection with multiple clinical presentations. It should be noted that prognosis is strongly associated with early suspicion, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment, especially in endemic countries such as Turkey

Amine-intercalated montmorillonite matrices for enzyme immobilization and biosensing applications

WOS: 000300317700056Clay based biosensors were developed using montmorillonite (Mont) modified with methyl (M) and dimethylamine (DM). X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, zeta potential and thermal gravimetric measurements were used to characterize the modified clays. After immobilization of glucose oxidase (GOx) via clay on the glassy carbon electrode, its application as a glucose biosensor was investigated in detail. The best response characteristics were obtained by DM-Mont and optimization of enzyme amount, reproducibility of biosensor fabrication, repeatability of measurements and operational stability were all evaluated. The optimized biosensor showed a very good linearity between 0.05 mM and 1.0 mM, a 7 s response time and a limit of detection to glucose of 0.038 mM. Also, kinetic parameters and stabilities were determined. Apparent K-m and I-max values were found as 0.73 mM and 2.955 mu A, respectively. As well as batch configuration, the DM-Mont/GOx biosensor was successfully applied in the flow injection analysis mode. Finally, the performance of the DM-Mont/GOx biosensor to analyze glucose in a wine sample was compared with HPLC

Evaluation Of Outer Hair Cell Function And Medial Olivocochlear Efferent System In Patients With Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus

Aim: This study was designed to investigate the function of outer hair cells and medial olivocochlear efferents in type II diabetes mellitus (DM). Materials and methods: There were 50 patients with type II DM and 51 age-and sex-matched healthy controls included in the study. Both groups were compared in terms of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs), distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs), and contralateral suppression of TEOAE. Results: Pure tone thresholds of the patients with type II DM were significantly higher than in the controls (P < 0.05). The TEOAE amplitudes at 1 kHz and at 1.5, 2, 3, 4, and 6 kHz signal-to-noise ratio amplitudes on DPOAE testing were significantly lower in the patients than controls (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the type II DM and control groups regarding contralateral suppression test results of TEOAEs. Conclusion: Type II DM seems to impact the auditory system at the cochlear level by affecting the functions of outer hair cells, and it results in elevation of the thresholds on audiometry and a decrease in the amplitudes of otoacoustic emissions.WoSScopu

Phyto-Niosomes: In Vitro Assessment of the Novel Nanovesicles Containing Marigold Extract

WOS: 000356875100006Herbal compounds, so-called phytoconstituents, illustrate poor absorption by living cells. Phytosomes are advanced form of herbal compounds that show higher absorption rate and bioavailability, which results better than conventional plant extracts. Niosomes, which are made of nonionic surfactants, create better chemical and stability conditions besides lipid vesicles. This study covers the preparation, characterization and cell culture applications of phyto-niosomes of Marigold extract. Before the encapsulation process, extracts of selected plants were prepared and the extract that presents best bioactivity was chosen. The resulting phyto-niosomes were characterized and their biological activities including cytotoxicity, wound healing and antioxidant activity were investigated.State Planning Organization (DPT) of Turkey [0395.STZ.2013-2]; Ege University Scientific Research ProjectsEge University [2013/FEN/023, 2013/FEN/022]; Ege University, Aliye Uster FoundationEge UniversityState Planning Organization (DPT) of Turkey is acknowledged for the financial support through the project number of 0395.STZ.2013-2. In addition, this work was partially supported by Ege University Scientific Research Projects (2013/FEN/023 and 2013/FEN/022). Ege University, Aliye Uster Foundation, is also acknowledged for the financial support

Phyto-Niosomes: <i>In Vitro</i> Assessment of the Novel Nanovesicles Containing Marigold Extract

<div><p>Herbal compounds, so-called phytoconstituents, illustrate poor absorption by living cells. Phytosomes are advanced form of herbal compounds that show higher absorption rate and bioavailability, which results better than conventional plant extracts. Niosomes, which are made of nonionic surfactants, create better chemical and stability conditions besides lipid vesicles. This study covers the preparation, characterization and cell culture applications of phyto-niosomes of Marigold extract. Before the encapsulation process, extracts of selected plants were prepared and the extract that presents best bioactivity was chosen. The resulting phyto-niosomes were characterized and their biological activities including cytotoxicity, wound healing and antioxidant activity were investigated.</p></div