Comparison of Methods for Detection of Blastocystis Infection in Routinely Submitted Stool Samples, and also in IBS/IBD Patients in Ankara, Turkey

BACKGROUND: This study compared diagnostic methods for identifying Blastocystis in stool samples, and evaluated the frequency of detection of Blastocystis in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: From a set of 105 stool specimens submitted for routine parasitological analysis, 30 were identified as positive for Blastocystis by the culture method. From that group of 30 positives, Lugol's stain, trichrome staining, and an immunofluorescence assay identified 11, 15, and 26 samples as positive respectively. Using culture as a standard, the sensitivity of Lugol's stain was 36.7%, trichrome staining was 50%, and the IFA stain was 86.7%. The specificity of Lugol's stain was 91%, trichrome staining was 100%, and the IFA stain was 97.3%. In the group of 27 IBS and IBD patients, using all methods combined, we detected Blastocystis in 67% (18/27) of the patients. Blastocystis was detected in 33% (2/6) of IBD patients and 76% (16/21) of IBS patients. For comparison, trichrome staining alone, the method most frequently used in many countries, would have only identified Blastocystis infection in 29% (6/21) of the IBS patients. No parasitic co-infections were identified in the IBS/IBD patients. Most Blastocystis-positive IBS/IBD patients were over 36 with an average length of illness of 4.9 years. CONCLUSIONS: Most IBS patients in this study were infected with Blastocystis. IFA staining may be a useful alternative to stool culture, especially if stool specimens have been chemically preserved

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection in Youth With Illicit Drug Use: Sociodemographic Evaluation and HCV Genotype Analysis

Objective: Injection drug use is a gradually increasing mode of transmission for hepatitis C virus (HCV) among adolescents and young adults. In our analysis, we aimed to present some demographic data, treatment compliance and responses, and HCV genotype analyses of the opioid-dependent adolescents and young adults who were referred to a gastroenterology clinic

Identifying the Conditions Required for the NaOH Method for Producing Pulp and Paper from Sorghum Grown In Turkey

This study examines the possibilities of making pulp from sorghum grown in Bartin via the NaOH method. While setting the cooking conditions for producing pulp from annual plants, NaOH was used in quantities that amounted to 14, 16, 18, and 20\% of the total weight of the dry sample. Optimum conditions were established relative to pulp yield, Kappa number, and a scoring table based on mechanical, optical, and physical values. Accordingly, optimum conditions for pulp production from sorghum stalks occurred when 20\% NaOH was used at 120 degrees C, a 5:1 solution-to-stalk ratio, and a cooking time of 60 min

The role of tacstd-2 level in hepatitis C patients (controlled clinical research)

Hepatitis C virus is one of the leading causes of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The tumor-associated calcium signal transducer 2 (Tacstd-2) molecule is thought to be involved in the expression of a number of molecules that facilitate transport of hepatitis C into the cell. The aim of this study was to investigate Tacstd-2 concentrations in hepatitis C patients, with and without cirrhosis, and compare with uninfected controls. Sixty-one hepatitis C patients and twenty-nine control (hepatitis C antibody negative patients with dyspeptic complaints) cases were recruited between 2014 and 2016. Tacstd-2 concentrations in all hepatitis C and control patients were measured and compared. In addition, cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic hepatitis C patients were compared in terms of Tacstd-2 concentration, and comparison was made between patients with high and low concentrations of Tacstd-2. The mean Tacstd-2 concentration of patients with Hepatitis C was 691.2 ± 473.3 ng/U was significantly higher (p = 0.043) than in the healthy control group (524 ± 290.1 ng/U). Although the Tacstd-2 value was higher in cirrhotic than the non-cirrhotic patient group, the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.78). Liver transferase concentrations were higher in hepatitis C patients with a Tacstd-2 concentration 500 ng/U. In patients with hepatitis C, Tacstd-2 level was detected at higher serum concentrations than healthy individuals. The introduction of hepatitis C virus into the cell can be relatively easy in people with a higher serum concentration of Tacstd-2

Peripheral Flt-3 Ligand Levels As a Pathobiological Parameter During the Clinical Course of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Background/aim: FLT-3 ligand is a growth factor affecting the hematopoietic lineage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the variability of peripheral FLT-3 ligand during the clinical course of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Materials and methods: Twenty-four patients were enrolled in this study in order to assess alterations in the circulating levels of FLT-3 ligand during the clinical course of AML. Results: We studied the association in the diagnostic period between the FLT-3 ligand and peripheral blood cells together with serum electrolytes. FLT-3 ligand levels (pg/mL) during the aplastic period due to remission induction and consolidation were higher than the levels at initial diagnosis. On the other hand, the diagnostic and remission induction values of leukocytes and FLT-3 ligand showed an inverse association. These results indicate to us that higher white cell counts are associated with lower FLT-3 ligand levels. We also found a reversed association between FLT-3 ligand and serum lactate dehydrogenase level. However, there was no association between FLT-3 ligand and other serum electrolyte levels. We also found higher FLT-3 ligand levels in male patients. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates the inverse proliferative action of FLT-3 ligand on the early myeloid lineage. In addition, this study showed us that FLT-3 receptor inhibition during chemotherapy-induced aplasia causes a compensative ligand overexpression.WoSScopu

Paraoxonase-1 and arylesterase levels in patients with ulcerative

Background and study aims: The role of oxidative stress in inflammatory bowel disease is increasingly recognised as an important factor. It is assumed that reduced levels of paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) and arylesterase (ARE) may lead to increased inflammation due to increased oxidative stress. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between ARE and PON-1 levels in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and the difference in these levels in UC patients in comparison to the control group

Small Bowel Volvulus Secondary to Mucinous Cystadenoma of the Appendix: A Case Report

Amaç: Appendikste oluşan kistadenoma appendektomi ameliyatlarının %0.6'sında tespit edilen nadir bir patolojik durumdur. Bu yayının amacı, apendiks kistadenomuna bağlı gelişen ve cerrahi ile başarılı bir şekilde tedavi edilen, nadir görülen ileal volvulus olgusunu sunmaktır. Olgu: Yetmiş altı yaşındaki kadın hasta acil servisimize şiddetli sağ kadran ağrısı ile kabul edildi. Yapılan abdominal bilgisayarlı tomografide (Abdominal BT) ve abdominal direkt grafide bağırsak segmentlerinde yaygın dilatasyon ve periluminal sıvı koleksiyonları izlendi. Yapılan cerrahi operasyonda ince bağırsak bölgesinde volvulus ve appendiks bölgesinde 2 cm'lik kitle lezyonu nedeni ile apendektomi uygulandı. Volvüle olarak izlenen ileal segment parsiyel olarak uç-uca anastamoz yapılarak rezeke edildi. Alınan kitle histopatolojik olarak müsinöz kistadenoma ile uyumlu olarak geldi. Hastamız genel durumu düzeldikten sonra bir haftalık yatış periodu sonrası taburcu edildi. Sonuç: Appendiks lümeninde müsinöz neoplazi ile oluşan obstrüksüyon gastrointestinal sistemin değişik yerlerinden volvulus ile komplike olabilir. Vakamız ileal volvulus ile komplike olan ileri derecede nadir vaka presentasyonu özelliğini göstermektedirObjective: Appendiceal cystadenoma (AC) is a rare pathology diagnosed in 0.6% of all appendectomy operations. The purpose of the report was to present a rare case of ileal volvulus due to appendiceal cystadenoma, which was successfully treated with surgery. Case: A woman aged 76 years was admitted to our emergency service with severe right lower quadrant pain. Abdominal tomography and X-ray showed features of generalized dilatation of bowel segments with periluminal fluid collections. Intraoperatively, we found bowel volvulus and a 2 cm mass at the appendiceal borders and an appendectomy was performed. The volvulated ileal segment was resected and restored with end-to-end anastomosis. Histopathologic examination of the mass revealed mucinous cystadenoma. Our patient was discharged from hospital at postoperative one week with complete clinical recovery.Conclusion: Obstruction of the appendiceal lumen by a mucinous neoplasia can cause appendicitis followed by secondary volvulus in different parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Our case was further complicated by ileal volvulus, which led to an extremely rare presentatio