International nosocomial infection control consortium (INICC) report, data summary of 36 countries, for 2004-2009

The results of a surveillance study conducted by the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) from January 2004 through December 2009 in 422 intensive care units (ICUs) of 36 countries in Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe are reported. During the 6-year study period, using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN; formerly the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance system [NNIS]) definitions for device-associated health care-associated infections, we gathered prospective data from 313,008 patients hospitalized in the consortium's ICUs for an aggregate of 2,194,897 ICU bed-days. Despite the fact that the use of devices in the developing countries' ICUs was remarkably similar to that reported in US ICUs in the CDC's NHSN, rates of device-associated nosocomial infection were significantly higher in the ICUs of the INICC hospitals; the pooled rate of central line-associated bloodstream infection in the INICC ICUs of 6.8 per 1,000 central line-days was more than 3-fold higher than the 2.0 per 1,000 central line-days reported in comparable US ICUs. The overall rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia also was far higher (15.8 vs 3.3 per 1,000 ventilator-days), as was the rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (6.3 vs. 3.3 per 1,000 catheter-days). Notably, the frequencies of resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates to imipenem (47.2% vs 23.0%), Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates to ceftazidime (76.3% vs 27.1%), Escherichia coli isolates to ceftazidime (66.7% vs 8.1%), Staphylococcus aureus isolates to methicillin (84.4% vs 56.8%), were also higher in the consortium's ICUs, and the crude unadjusted excess mortalities of device-related infections ranged from 7.3% (for catheter-associated urinary tract infection) to 15.2% (for ventilator-associated pneumonia). Copyright © 2012 by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Facial emotion recognition in remitted depressed women

PubMed ID: 26321673Although major depressive disorder (MDD) is primarily characterized by mood symptoms, depressed patients have impairments in facial emotion recognition in many of the basic emotions (anger, fear, happiness, surprise, disgust and sadness). On the other hand, the data in remitted MDD (rMDD) patients is inconsistent and it is not clear that if those impairments persist in remission. To extend the current findings, we applied facial emotion recognition test to a group of remitted depressed women and compared to those of controls. Analyses of variance results showed a significant emotion and group interaction, and in the post hoc analyses, rMDD patients had higher accuracy rate for recognition of sadness compared to those of controls. There were no differences in the reaction time among the patients and controls across the all the basic emotions. The higher recognition rates for sad faces in rMDD patients might contribute to the impairments in social communication and the prognosis of the disease. © 2015 Elsevier B.V.Fundamental Research Fund of Shandong University Ege ÜniversitesiThis study was funded by The Ege University Research Fund . -

Invasion of pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus is facilitated by phenotypic plasticity across its invasion gradient

As a non-native species invades a new region, individuals at the range front are often characterised by differences in their traits and behaviours versus individuals in the established ‘core’ area. Here, differences in life history traits of invading pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus were assessed across a fine spatial scale in the Sarıçay Stream, Turkey, with seven locations sampled between their core area and the invasion front. Following genetic analyses that suggested the pumpkinseed all originated from the same founding population, life history trait analyses revealed pronounced differences between the sites at the core and front that were independent of environmental factors. Pumpkinseed in sites towards the invasion front were of relatively low abundance and displayed relatively high reproductive investment, with heavier gonads, higher fecundity and smaller eggs. They also had faster growth rates than pumpkinseed in sites towards the core of the invasion. The traits displayed by pumpkinseed at sites in the mid-range were intermediate between the extremes displayed by fish at core and frontal sites. These results suggested high plasticity in life history traits of these pumpkinseed across this fine-scale invasion gradient and was considered to be most likely due to responses to low intra-specific competition at the invasion front that had shifted selective pressures towards higher investment in somatic growth and reproduction

Mortality attributable to carbapenem-resistant nosocomial Acinetobacter baumannii infections in a Turkish university hospital

This study was performed to compare the mortality associated with carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) and carbapenem-sensitive A. baumannii (CSAB) infections, to identify potential risk factors for CRAB infections, and to investigate the effects of potential risk factors on mortality in CRAB and CSAB patients. This retrospective case-control study was conducted in a university hospital between January 1, 2005 and December 30, 2006. One hundred and ten patients with CRAB and 55 patients with CSAB infection were identified during the study period. The mortality rate was 61.8z and 52.7z in CRAB and CSAB cases, respectively (P = 0.341). In CRAB cases, the risk factors for mortality were identified as intubation (odds ratio [OR], 3.3; 95z confidence interval [CI], 1.0-10.1; P = 0.042) and high APACHE II score (OR, 1.2; 95zCI, 1.1-1.3; P = 0.000), by multivariate analysis. Previous use of carbapenem (OR, 6.1; 95z CI, 2.2-17.1; P = 0.001) or aminopenicillin (OR, 2.5; 95z CI, 1.2-5.1; P = 0.013) were independently associated with carbapenem resistance. Although the mortality rate was higher among patients with CRAB infections, this difference was not found to be statistically significant. Previous use of carbapenem and aminopenicillin were found to be independent risk factors for infections with CRAB

Piperacillin-tazobactam versus carbapenem therapy with and without amikacin as empirical treatment of febrile neutropenia in cancer patients: Results of an open randomized trial at a University hospital

Objective: Empirical beta-lactam monotherapy has become the standard therapy in febrile neutropenia. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of piperacillin-tazobactam versus carbapenem therapy with or without amikacin in adult patients with febrile neutropenia. Methods: In this prospective, open, single-center study, 127 episodes were randomized to receive either piperacillin-tazobactam (4 × 4.5 g IV/day) or carbapenem [meropenem (3 × 1 g IV/day) or imipenem (4 × 500 mg IV/day)] with or without amikacin (1 g IV/day). Doses were adjusted according to renal function. Clinical response was determined during and at completion of therapy. Results: One hundred and twenty episodes were assessable for efficacy (59 piperacillin-tazobactam, 61 carbapenem). Mean duration of treatment was 14.8 ± 9.6 days in the piperacillin-tazobactam group and 14.7 ± 8.8 days in the carbapenem group (P> 0.05). Mean days of fever resolution were 5.97 and 4.48 days for piperacillin-tazobactam and carbapenem groups, respectively (P> 0.05). Similar rates of success without modification were found in the piperacillin-tazobactam (87.9%) and in the carbapenem groups (75.4%; P > 0.05). Fungal infection occurrence rates were 30.5 and 18% in piperacillin-tazobactam and carbapenem groups, respectively (P = 0.05). Antibiotic modification rates were 30.5 and 13.1% (P = 0.02) and the addition of glycopeptides to empirical antibiotic regimens rates were 15.3 and 44.3% for piperacillin-tazobactam and carbapenem groups, respectively (P = 0.001). The rude mortality rates were 14% (6/43) and 29.3% (12/41) in piperacillin-tazobactam and carbapenem groups, respectively (P = 0.08). Conclusions: The effect of empirical regimen of piperacillin-tazobactam regimen is equivalent to carbapenem in adult febrile neutropenic patients. © The Author (2010). Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved

An adult case of visceral leishmaniasis in a province of black-sea region, Turkey [Zonguldak'ta erişkin viseral ley¸maniyaz olgusu]

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) which is a chronic disease caused by the protozoon, Leishmania, occurs widely worldwide and it is widespread in most of the countries in the Mediterranean basin. The infection which is transmitted by a sandfly (Phlebotomus) vector, has a prolonged incubation period and insidious onset. VL generally affects children and may be fatal if not treated. In this report, a 31 years old male patient, who was the first adult VL case from Zonguldak (a province located at western Black-Sea region of Turkey) was presented. He was admitted to the hospital with two-months history of fever, chills, sweating and weight loss. There was no history of travel outside the city nor insect bites, however, he indicated that there would be unnoticed sandfly bites since sandflies were very common in the coal mines he worked. His physical examination revealed body temperatue of 39.2°C and hepatosplenomegaly, while laboratory findings yielded anemia, leucopenia, hypoalbuminemia and hypergamaglobulinemia. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 62 mm/h, C-reactive protein was 113 mg/L and liver transaminases were 2 to 5 folds higher than the reference values. The only pathological finding was hepatosplenomegaly in the abdominal ultrasound and computerized tomography. He was further examined to rule out infections with similar signs and symptoms, connective tissue diseases and malignancies and all were found negative. Hypercellular bone marrow were detected in the aspiration material. Bone marrow smears, bone marrow samples inoculated in NNN medium and serum samples of the patient were sent to the reference parasitology laboratory of Refik Saydam National Public Health Agency for evaluation in terms of VL. The diagnosis was confirmed by the detection of Leishmania IgG titer as 1/512 with in-house indirect immunofluorescence antibody test, by positivite rK39 Dipstick (InBios, USA) test and by the observation of Leishmania amastigote forms in the bone marrow smears. Bone marrow culture in NNN medium also revealed positive result by the determination of Leishmania promastigote forms on the 7 th day. The treatment was initiated by pentavalent antimony [glucantime 1 × 10 mg/kg/day intramuscular (IM)] however, due to severe adverse effects it has switched to liposomal amphotericin B (3 mg/kg/day). The patient completely recovered without complication. In conclusion VL should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients, even adults, with persistent fever, hepatosplenomegaly and pancytopenia, in endemic countries such as Turkey

Patient Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Psoriasis Vulgaris and Factors Believed to Trigger the Disease: a Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study With 1621 Patients

Introduction: Due to the chronic recurrent nature of psoriasis vulgaris (PV) and lack of definitive treatment for the disease, patients often resort to alternative treatments. Physicians seem to have low awareness of this issue. Objectives: To elicit the perceptions of 1,621 PV patients on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and examine factors reported to worsen PV. Methods: The patients sociodemographic characteristics, Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), disease duration, and severity were recorded, and the patients CAM use was questioned in detail. The patients were also asked about factors that worsened PV and their experiences with a gluten-free diet. Results: Of the patients, 56.51% had used CAM. The mean age, illness duration, PASI scores and DLQI of those using CAM were significantly higher. CAM use was significantly higher in those with facial, genital involvement, and arthralgia/arthritis. The patients mostly referred to CAM when PV became severe (46.4%). Of the CAM users, 45.52% used herbal topicals. The physicians of 67.03% did not inquire whether they used CAM. Of the participants, 37.73% considered that stress worsened their disease. Gluten-free diet did not affect PV symptoms in 52.22%. Conclusions: Patients CAM use is often overlooked by dermatologists. Our results showed that more than half the patients used CAM and did not share this information with their physicians. Therefore, the awareness of physicians should be increased and patients should be asked about the use of CAM and directed to the appropriate medical treatment options by physicians. © 2022 Aslan Kayıran et al

The sesquiterpenoid valerenic acid protects neuronal cells from the detrimental effects of the fungicide benomyl on apoptosis and DNA oxidation

Background: Valerenic acid (VA), a sesquiterpenoid of the plant Valeriana officinalis, has attracted attention of the research community due to its potential positive role against neurodegenerative diseases induced by chemicals. However, the relevant evidence in the literature is scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the putative protective role of VA on the toxic effects of the fungicide benomyl on SH-SY5Y neural cells. Methods: Cell viability was determined via the MTT and NRU assays, DNA damage was assessed via comet assay and apoptosis was evaluated through the expression of relevant genes. Results: According to the results, exposure of the cells to benomyl enhanced viability inhibition and promoted DNA damage and apoptosis since the expression levels of the genes coding for MAPK8, NF-kB, Bax, Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 were increased. Treatment of the cells with VA ameliorated these effects in a concentration dependent manner. Conclusion: It is concluded that the molecular mechanism through which benomyl exerts its toxic action appears to depend on DNA oxidation and apoptosis induction. Furthermore, VA, a plant-derived compound is a protective antioxidant against pesticide-induced toxicity. Therefore, herbs, extracts and compounds of plant origin could be used as nutritional supplements that back up the beneficial role of medicine in neurodegenerative diseases. © The Author(s) 2022

One of the world’s worst invasive species, Clarias batrachus (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Clariidae), has arrived and established a population in Turkey

Background. Ornamental freshwater fish releases constitute a remarkable proportion of the 100 worst invasive species worldwide. Early detection and knowledge of likely introduction vectors and pathways of potentially invasive fishes into sensitive habitats are key for their proper management, hence rapid and correct identification of their occurrence is crucial. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that a newly-discovered catfish population was that of Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus, 1758), and that this introduction might be of single origin released by aquarium pet fish owners. Materials and methods. In total, 45 specimens of C. batrachus were captured during two electrofishing surveys on 9 and 15 March 2016 by three operators for morphometric and molecular examination. Additionally, 28 specimens were collected for assessing gonadal maturity and sex. They were also measured for standard length and total length and weighed before being dissected. Results. Morphological and molecular analyses indicated that the examined specimens belong to C. batrachus, and that they were likely introduced by aquarium hobbyists. Successful reproduction and establishment of the species are demonstrated by the occurrence of ripe females and their young of the year and juvenile individuals in the catch. Conclusion. Our findings confirmed the presence of C. batrachus in a region with extraordinarily high biodiversity, including the first evidence to indicate the successful establishment of this species in Turkey. An initial first policy and management step would be to ban the importation and keeping of this species in Turkey, thus reducing the risk of further releases. Increased public awareness for the detrimental impacts of non-native fishes would serve to support the policy and field-based management practices to control, and hopefully eradicate this highly invasive species