Antibiotics resistance of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia strains isolated from various clinical specimens

Background: A limited number of antibiotics are recommended for the therapy of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infections due to therapy difficulties caused by its numerous mechanisms of resistance.Objectives: In this study conducted over a period of approximately 5 years we aimed to determine resistance rates of S. maltophilia based on drug classification recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute.Methods: A total of 118 S. maltophilia strains isolated from various clinical specimens between January 2006 and June 2012 were included in the study. BD Phoenixautomated microbiology system (Becton Dickinson, USA) was utilized for species level identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing.Results: Sixty seven of S. maltophilia strains were isolated from tracheal aspirate isolates, 17 from blood, 10 from sputum, 10 from wound and 14 from other clinical specimens. Levofloxacin was found to be the most effective antibiotic against S. maltophilia strains with resistance rate of 7.6%. The resistance rates to other antibiotics were as follows: chloramphenicol 18.2%, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole 20.3% and ceftazidime 72%.Conclusion: The study revealed that S. maltophilia is resistant to many antibiotics. The treatment of infections caused by S. maltophilia should be preferred primarily as levofloxacin, chloramphenicol, and TMP-SXT, respectively.Keywords: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, antibiotic, resistanc

The evaluation of vancomycin-resistant enterococci and carbapenamase producing Klebsiella colonization among ICU-Hospitalized Patients

Background: Multi-drug resistant organisms, especially Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus (VRE) and Carbapenam Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC), are serious health threat. Early detection of resistant bacteria colonization amongpatients in intensive care units (ICUs) not only enables effective treatment but more importantly prevents disease and limits transmission. Therefore, we aimed to to assess the frequency of VRE and KPC colonization via rectal swab sampling. Methods: The study was carried out in ICUs of a tertiary hospital. Two rectal swab samples were collected within the first 24 hours of admission and another one was taken every subsequent 15 days to test for for VRE and KPC carriage. Results: A total 316 rectal swab samples taken from 230 patients. Forty-seven patients were screened at least 2 times. 183 patients were not further screened due to discharge, exitus or transfer to other wards. Thirty-six patients (16%) were determinedto be VRE (+). The most frequently isolated strain was E. faecium (80.5%) and its most common genotype was VanA (87.5%). Seven patients (3%) were identified as KPC (+). OXA-48 type crbapenamase was confirmed in all KPC isolates. Conclusion: This study shows that VRE and KPC colonization continues to be a serious threat in ICUs. Keywords: Carbapenam resistant klebsiella pneumoniae; vancomycin-resistant enterococci; intensive care units

A neglected case of giant synovial chondromatosis in knee joint

Synovial chondromatosis is a rare benign condition arising from the synovial membrane of the joints, synovial sheaths or bursae around the joints. Primary synovial chondromatosis typically affects the large joints in the third to fifth decade of life. The purpose of this case report is to document this rare synovial pathology, which required open synovectomy and debridement to eradicate it. In our case, the biggest sized SOC was 20x19x6 cm, although there were many joint mice. Our case had the biggest SOC ever extracted, which to the best of my knowledge has not been reported earlier.Key words: Synovial chondromatosis, giant, loose body, knee Joint, surger

Evaluation of the Toxoplasma gondii IgG Avidity request and results in a tertiary care hospital

Objectives: Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) with various clinical outcomes. Serological tests determining IgG and IgM produced against T. gondii are widely used for laboratory diagnosis of the infection. IgG avidity test identifying the infection initiation in diagnosis is required when specific IgM antibodies are not able to be detected in early period of infection, IgM antibodies in patients with reactivation are not increased or especially in pregnant with IgM positivity. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate avidity test results and to determine the algorithmic place of this test in T. gondii infection. Methods: In this study, avidity test results requested from all of the clinics and services from serology laboratory in 1 January 2013-31 December 2013 were included. Totally, 84 anti-T. gondii IgG avidity was requested. The avidity value was researched by ELISA method using anti-T. gondii IgG avidity kit in patients included in this study. Anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibody tests were performed by ELISA method using commercial kit. Results: 61, 13 and 2 requests were evaluated as high avidity 72.6%, low avidity 15.5% and intermediate value 2.4%, respectively, while 8 requests were unnecessary. Conclusion: It was concluded that primarily anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM tests should be performed in suspicious cases in terms of toxoplasmosis and the IgG avidity tests should be requested from only suitable cases after the evaluation of the test results according to clinic table of the patients and/or the week of pregnancy. J Clin Exp Invest 2014; 5 (2): 246-24

An instrumentalist analysis on the dissolution of Yugoslavia

Etnik milliyetçiliğin kitleselleşmesinde siyasal seçkinlerin söylemleri, sembol manipülasyonları ve medya gibi faktörlerin etkisi yadsınamaz. Etnik husumet ve çatışmalar da büyük oranda seçkinlerin araçsallaştırmalarıyla etnik grubun toplumsal hafızasında yaratılan algısal güvenlik tehditlerinden beslenmektedir. Yugoslavya’nın dağılma sürecinde ortaya çıkan çatışmalar, bu varsayımı destekleyecek niteliktedir. Zira Yugoslavya devleti, yükselen etnik milliyetçi dalganın tesiriyle dağılmaya sürüklenirken bu süreçte siyasal seçkinlerin tutumları önemli bir etken olmuştur. Bu anlamda Balkan milliyetçiliklerinin gelişimini ve Yugoslavya’nın dağılma sürecini açıklayabilecek en uygun kuramsal yaklaşımlardan birinin “araçsalcılık” (enstrümantalizm) olduğu söylenebilir. Buradan hareketle çalışmada etnisite ve milliyetçiliğe ilişkin kuramsal yaklaşımlar değerlendirilecek ve söz konusu yaklaşımlardan biri olan araçsalcılık üzerinden Yugoslavya Federasyonu’nun parçalanma süreci analiz edilecektir.It is impossible to disprove the effect of political elite discourses, symbol manipulations and media on the process of nationalist popularization. Accordingly, ethnic hostility and conflicts are often fueled by perceived threats created through the political instrumentalizations in the collective memory of an ethnic group. This assumption is supported by the conflicts during the dissolution of Yugoslavia, because the attitudes of political elites were quite effective while Yugoslavian state was sliding into dismemberment with the influence of rising ethnic nationalist wave. In that regard, we assert that “instrumentalism” may be the most appropriate theoretical approach to explain the making of Balkan nationalisms and the dissolution of Yugoslavia. From this point of view, this paper aims to evaluate the theoretical approaches to ethnicity and nationalism and to analyze the dismemberment of Yugoslavia through the prism of instrumentalism

Transmitter localization in vessel-like diffusive channels using ring-shaped molecular receivers

© 2018 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.Molecular communication via diffusion in vessellike environment targets critical applications such as detection of abnormal and unhealthy cells. In this work, we derive the analytical formulation of the channel model for diffusion dominated movement, considering ring-shaped (i.e., patch) observing receivers and Poiseuille flow with the aim of localization of the transmitter cell. Then, we derive formulations using this channel model for two different application scenarios. We assume that the emission start time is known in the first scenario, and unknown in the second one. We successfully localize the transmitter cell using a single receiver for the first scenario, whereas two receivers are used to localize the transmitter cell in the second scenario. Lastly, the devised analytical framework is validated with simulations.Postprint (author's final draft

Insecticidal Effect of a Natural Turkish Diatomaceous Earth Formulation on Greater Wax Moth

In this study, the insecticidal effect of the Detech® (Turkish Diatomaceous earth) DE formulation against Galleria mellonella L. was determined. The study was conducted in a laboratory environment with materials taken from beehives produced at Muş Alparslan University in 2022. Diatomaceous earth (DE) was applied in two different forms (dust and slurry DE) and as positive control GüveSavar®, which is currently used against some pests in beekeeping. DE concentrations of 0, 3, 5, and 7 g/m2 in different exposure times were tested for the control of G. mellonella larvae. As a result of all treatments, the highest mortality occurred at 7 g/m2 dust DE concentration. Larvae (3rd stage) exposed to 7 g/m2 concentration according to dust DE mortality rates reached 100% mortality after 40 hours. According to the results of the slurry DE, the larvae exposed to the slurry diatom at all concentrations achieved 100% mortality at the end of the 96 hours. When the dust and slurry DE results were examined, the direct use of dust formulations greatly accelerated the effectiveness against larvae. The study showed very promising results, suggesting that slurry DE and dust formulations could be a new alternative control method for Greater Wax Moth. In addition, for the first time, the insecticidal efficacy of DE against the honey bee pest, the greater wax moth, was determined

Effects of Cornus mas L. and Morus rubra L. extracts on penicillin‑induced epileptiform activity: an electrophysiological and biochemical study

Traditionally, Morus rubra L. (Moraceae) (red mulberry) and Cornus mas L. (Cornacea) (cornelian cherry) fruits are eaten fresh and are also used in marmalades, juices, jam, natural dyes in Turkey and are believed to have beneficial effects in case of multiple health issues such as antipyretic, diarrhea and intestinal parasites. However, the effects of M. rubra and C. mas on epilepsy has not been known. This study evaluates the effects of M. rubra and C. mas extracts on penicillin‑induced epileptiform activity. Sixty Wistar rats randomly divided into ten groups (n=6): control, sham, penicillin, penicillin+M. rubra extract (2.5, 5, 10, 20 mg/kg) and penicillin+C. mas extract (2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg). Epileptiform activity was induced by using penicillin (500 IU, i.c.) and electrocorticogram records (150 min) were obtained. Also, biochemical analysis in blood samples were evaluated. According to the electrocorticogram analysis, the effective dose was detected as 10 mg/kg for both C. mas and M. rubra. This dose decreased the spike frequencies of convulsions while amplitude wasn't changed by both substances. In erythrocyte studies, there were significant differences regarding nitric oxide in the control, sham and penicillin groups. There were significant differences regarding malondialdehyde in all groups. In the plasma, there were significant differences among groups regarding xanthine oxidase in the penicillin‑C. mas and penicillin‑M. rubra groups. There were differences regarding malondialdehyde in the penicillin‑C. mas and M. rubra‑C. mas groups. Both extracts reduced the frequency of epileptiform activity. After administration of the extracts malondialdehyde levels decreased also in both erythrocytes and plasma

Effects of Cornus mas L. and Morus rubra L. extracts on penicillin‑induced epileptiform activity: an electrophysiological and biochemical study

Traditionally, Morus rubra L. (Moraceae) (red mulberry) and Cornus mas L. (Cornacea) (cornelian cherry) fruits are eaten fresh and are also used in marmalades, juices, jam, natural dyes in Turkey and are believed to have beneficial effects in case of multiple health issues such as antipyretic, diarrhea and intestinal parasites. However, the effects of M. rubra and C. mas on epilepsy has not been known. This study evaluates the effects of M. rubra and C. mas extracts on penicillin‑induced epileptiform activity. Sixty Wistar rats randomly divided into ten groups (n=6): control, sham, penicillin, penicillin+M. rubra extract (2.5, 5, 10, 20 mg/kg) and penicillin+C. mas extract (2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg). Epileptiform activity was induced by using penicillin (500 IU, i.c.) and electrocorticogram records (150 min) were obtained. Also, biochemical analysis in blood samples were evaluated. According to the electrocorticogram analysis, the effective dose was detected as 10 mg/kg for both C. mas and M. rubra. This dose decreased the spike frequencies of convulsions while amplitude wasn't changed by both substances. In erythrocyte studies, there were significant differences regarding nitric oxide in the control, sham and penicillin groups. There were significant differences regarding malondialdehyde in all groups. In the plasma, there were significant differences among groups regarding xanthine oxidase in the penicillin‑C. mas and penicillin‑M. rubra groups. There were differences regarding malondialdehyde in the penicillin‑C. mas and M. rubra‑C. mas groups. Both extracts reduced the frequency of epileptiform activity. After administration of the extracts malondialdehyde levels decreased also in both erythrocytes and plasma