Genetic characterization of banana clones grown in Turkey based on nuclear DNA content and SRAP markers

This study was conducted to investigate the genetic relationships among banana clones grown in Turkey based on their nuclear DNA contents and SRAP markers. Four banana clones including 'Dwarf Cavendish', 'Grand Nain', 'Azman' and local 'Erdemli' were used as plant material. Nuclear DNA content of the banana cultivars estimated by flow cytometer and varied between 1.766 pg ('Erdemli') and 2.028 pg ('Grand Nain'). 'Azman' and 'Dwarf Cavendish' was similar nuclear DNA content. Genetic similarities of 4 banana clones were between 0.63-0.91 based on SRAP molecular marker. The local  'Erdemli' banana clone was the most distinct from the others. In conclusion, there is a high level of genetic variation among the banana clones grown in Turkey and the local clone 'Erdemli' is the most distinct one. This study showed that nuclear DNA content analysis together with molecular markers can be useful to assess the relationships among banana clones

Urinary tract infection in pregnant population, which empirical antimicrobial agent should be specified in each of the three trimesters?

Objective: We aimed to investigate the bacterial profile and the adequacy of antimicrobial treatment in pregnant women with urinary tract infection. Material and Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted with 753 pregnant women who needed hospitalization because of UTI in each of the three trimesters. Midstream urine culture and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were evaluated. Results: E.Coli was the most frequently isolated bacterial agent (82.2%), followed by Klebsiella spp. (11.2%). In each of the three trimesters, E.Coli remained the most frequently isolated bacterium (86%, 82.2%, 79.5%, respectively), followed by Klebsiella spp. (9%, 11.6%, 12.2%, respectively). Enterococcus spp. were isolated as a third microbial agent, with 43 patients (5.7%) in the three trimesters. The bacteria were found to be highly sensitive to fosfomycin, with 98-99% sensitivity for E.Coli and 88-89% for Klebsiella spp. and for Enterococcus spp. 93-100% nitrofurantoin sensitivity for each of the three trimesters. Conclusions: We demonstrated that E.Coli and Klebsiella spp. are the most common bacterial agents isolated from urine culture of pregnant women with UTI in each of the three trimesters. We consider fosfomycin to be the most adequate first-line treatment regimen due to high sensitivity to the drug, ease of use and safety for use in pregnancy

Bringing Packed Red Blood Cells to the Point of Combat Injury: Are We There Yet?

INTRODUCTION: Hemorrhage is the leading cause of injury related pre-hospital mortality. We investigated worst case scenarios and possible requirements of Turkish Military. As we plan to use blood resources during casualty transport, the impact of transport related mechanical stress on PRBC (packed red blood cell) were analyzed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The in vitro experiment was performed in the environmental test laboratories of ASELSAN(R). Operational vibrations of potential casualty transport mediums such as Sikorsky Helicopters, Kirpi(R) Armoured Vehicle and NATO vibration standardsoftware MIL-STD-810G were recorded. The most powerful mechanical stress, which was created by the NATO standard, was applied to 15 units of fresh (7 day) PRBC in a blood cooler box. The vibrations were simulated by TDS v895 Medium-Force Shaker Device. On site blood samples were analyzed at 0, 6th and 24th hours for biochemical and biomechanical analyses. RESULTS: The mean age of fresh and old PRBCs was 4.9 (SD +/- 2.2) and 32.8 (SD +/- 11.8) days, respectively. Six-hour mechanical damage of fresh PRBC was demonstrated by increased erythrocyte fragmentation rates (p=0.015), hemolysis rates (p=0.003), supernatant potassium levels (p=0.003) and decreased hematocrit levels (p=0.015). Old PRBC hemolysis rates (p=0.015), supernatant potassium levels (p=0.015), supernatant Hb (p=0.015) were increased and Htc levels were decreased (p=0.015) within 6 hours. Two (%13) units of fresh and none of the old PRBC were eligible for transfusion after 6 hours of mechanical stress. CONCLUSION: When the austere combat environment was simulated for 24 hours, fresh and old PRBC hemolysis rates were above the quality criteria. Currently, a technology to overcome this mechanical damage does not seem to exist. In the light of the above data, a new national project is being performed

Serum Adiponectin Level and Clinical, Metabolic, and Hormonal Markers in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Abstract Background: To investigate the relationship between adiponectin, metabolic and hormonal parameters, and insulin resistance in patients with non-treated polycystic ovary syndrome

Intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy as an adjunct to laser photocoagulation for severe aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity

AbstractPurposeThe aim of the study was to evaluate the role of anti-VEGF therapy as an adjunct to laser ablation therapy in severe aggressive posterior retinopaty of prematurity (AP-ROP).MethodsMedical records of premature infants with a primary diagnosis of AP-ROP treated with 0.625mg/0.025ml intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) in addition to standard laser photocoagulation as a salvage therapy or primarily combined with laser in a university clinic were reviewed, retrospectively. The anatomical results and complications were evaluated after treatment.Results15 eyes of 9 patients with a mean gestational age of 28.3 weeks (range, 26–31w) and mean birth weight of 1090g (range, 860–1330g) were included in the study. They all had Zone 1 or posterior Zone 2 plus disease staging between severe 3 and 4a. Twelve eyes were treatment naive at the beginning. The mean follow-up was 19.5±11.8 months (range, 11–40 months). The disease regressed totally in 6 eyes (40%), stayed stable as stage 4a in 1 eye (6.7%), progressed to and stabilized at stage 4a in 3 eyes (20%) and progressed to stage 5 in 3 eyes (20%) within 7–10 days. Two eyes (13.3%) developed hypotony and cataract.ConclusionThe association of IVB and laser ablation might decrease the progression rate in severe AP-ROP. Prompt regression of iris neovascularization encourages its use in cases with pupillary rigidity to allow for laser treatment. When used as a salvage therapy it may not change the overall result dramatically

Mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix causing chronic intermittent right iliac fossa pain: case report

Mucinous cystadenoma of appendix (MCA) is a rare clinical entity with chronic intermittent right iliac fossa pain in the literature (1). MCA is a rare cystic neoplasm of the appendix characterized by villous adenomatous changes of the appendiceal epithelium associated with distension of the appendiceal lumen with mucin. MCA presentation is right iliac fossa pain, similar to an acute appendicitis; but, about 25% of patients are asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally on imaging or at the time of surgery(2) [Med-Science 2017; 6(1.000): 131-2

Reliable, Noncontact Imaging Tool for the Evaluation of Meibomian Gland Function: Sirius Meibography

Objectives: To investigate the correlation between the clinical grading of the severity of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and meibomian gland area (MGA) loss detected using Sirius meibography in the upper and lower eyelids and to correlate these parameters with dry eye signs and symptoms. Methods: One hundred thirty eyes of 130 volunteer patients were enrolled. Meibomian gland dysfunction was defined as the presence of signs consistent with meibomian gland terminal duct obstruction and categorized between grades 1 and 4. Upper and lower MGA loss percentages were evaluated using Sirius meibography by two blinded examiners. Patients were categorized into two groups (positive and negative for MGD) based on their Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores (>= 15 and = 1 and 0, respectively). Results: The MGA loss percentage and ocular surface test results of the MGD group were greater than in the non-MGD group in both eyelids (P=0.001). Meibomian gland dysfunction grade and MGA loss for the lower eyelid was greater than that of the upper eyelids (P=0.002 andP<0.001, respectively). The OSDI score, tear film break-up time, and lissamine green staining were all significantly correlated with MGD grade and MGA loss in both eyelids (P<0.001). For the average measures of the MGA loss percentage in each scan, the intraclass correlation value was found as 0.994 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.992-0.995) for reader 1 and 0.988 (95% CI: 0.982-0.992) for reader 2. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that Sirius meibography, a noncontact imaging device, is a reliable tool for evaluating meibomian gland structure in patients with MGD and non-MGD of various ages and regardless of sex

The role of intraoperative bevacizumab for prevention of postoperative vitreous hemorrhage in diabetic vitreous hemorrhage

Purpose: To assess the effect of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) on the incidence of postoperative recurrent vitreous hemorrhage (VH) in eyes operated for diabetic VH when injected at the end of the surgery