Autoimmune thyroiditis CRP association

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase reactant and its serum levels may be risen during many diseases. Hypothyroidism is a clinical disease state accompanied by mild inflammation that is known to be significantly associated with atherosclerosis. In this study, we aim to determine and compare serum CRP levels in overt and subclinical hypothyroidism subgroups and research their association with autoimmune markers.Methods: Around 79 patients who are diagnosed with overt and subclinical hypothyroidism in our polyclinic were included in this study. Patients’ morning blood samples were collected after 8hours of fast and thyroid functions, CRP, sedimentation rate, anti TG and anti TPO antibody levels were studied. Thyroid ultrasonography was planned for each patient.Results: We found significant differences regarding age, sT3, sT4, TSH, anti-TPO, anti-TG and CRP levels between overt and subclinical groups. There was no significant difference between the groups in thyroxin use, nodularity and sedimentation rate. No significant difference was found between CRP levels and autoimmunity markers anti-TPO and anti-TG among the groups as well. A significant cut-off value was determined for CRP in overt hypothyroidism by using Roc analysis and this value was also considered for being a possible cardiovascular risk marker.Conclusions: In this study, we found out that CRP levels were high in both overt and subclinical subgroups, CRP levels were increased during progression of the disease from subclinical to overt and this increase may be related with higher inflammation and tendency to cardiovascular diseases.

A Bioinformatics-Based Approach for Designing Primer Sets in Determination of Meat Specificity

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and its derivatives are one of the most widely used DNA-based methods in species determination studies in meat and meat products. Chromosomal or mitochondrial genes of the species can be targeted in PCR-based analyzes used in species detection studies. Many researchers are able to realize oligonucleotide differences between species through online alignment programs on mitochondrial DNA. Using chromosomal DNA would provide more concise results in quantification studies. However, determining the marker regions for genomic DNA is challenging due to the large size of the chromosomes. Bioinformatics approaches are available for selected applications. However, using those approaches requires intensive knowledge of computer science, molecular biology, and bioinformatics in addition to high computational power. In this study, a pipeline is presented that will provide a user-friendly approach to be adopted by facilities where contamination analyzes are routinely performed

Image of the Turk in Games as an Antithesis

"The Turk" is a multifaceted concept that emerged in the late Middle Ages in Europe, and has gained new faces over the course of time until today. Being primarily a Muslim, the Turk usually connoted the antichrist, infidel, and the ultimate enemy. With such attributed qualities, the concept influenced European art and literature by providing a subject with negative visual and textual representations. Current scholarly corpus about representations of the Turk sufficiently investigates the subject, yet, without offering different reading and conclusion. This paper aims at introducing a new perspective to the image of the Turk by shedding light on its representations in early modern European board games and playing cards; thus, contributing to a nouvelle scholarly interest on the image of the Turk. It argues that, belonging to a familiar but relatively obscure world of games, board games and playing cards have the potential to reinforce an antithesis to the negative image of the Turk

Laparoscopic Resection of Cholecystocolic Fistula and Subtotal Cholecystectomy by Tri-Staple in a Type V Mirizzi Syndrome

The Mirizzi syndrome (MS) is an impacted stone in the cystic duct or Hartmann’s pouch that mechanically obstructs the common bile duct (CBD). We would like to report laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (SC) and resection of cholecystocolic fistula by the help of Tri-Staple™ in a case with type V MS and cholecystocolic fistula, for first time in the literature. A 24-year-old man was admitted to emergency department with the complaint of abdominal pain, intermittent fever, jaundice, and diarrhea. Two months ago with the same complaint, ERCP was performed. Laparoscopic resection of cholecystocolic fistula and subtotal cholecystectomy were performed by the help of Tri-Staple. At the eight-month follow-up, he was symptom-free with normal liver function tests. In a patient with type V MS and cholecystocolic fistula, laparoscopic resection of cholecystocolic fistula and SC can be performed by using Tri-Staple safely

Laparoscopic Resection of Cholecystocolic Fistula and Subtotal Cholecystectomy by Tri-Staple in a Type V Mirizzi Syndrome

The Mirizzi syndrome (MS) is an impacted stone in the cystic duct or Hartmann’s pouch that mechanically obstructs the common bile duct (CBD). We would like to report laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (SC) and resection of cholecystocolic fistula by the help of Tri-Staple™ in a case with type V MS and cholecystocolic fistula, for first time in the literature. A 24-year-old man was admitted to emergency department with the complaint of abdominal pain, intermittent fever, jaundice, and diarrhea. Two months ago with the same complaint, ERCP was performed. Laparoscopic resection of cholecystocolic fistula and subtotal cholecystectomy were performed by the help of Tri-Staple. At the eight-month follow-up, he was symptom-free with normal liver function tests. In a patient with type V MS and cholecystocolic fistula, laparoscopic resection of cholecystocolic fistula and SC can be performed by using Tri-Staple safely

Management of Recurrent Rectourethral Fistula by York Mason Posterior Transrectal Transsphincteric Approach

Rectourethral fistula (RUF) may develop after ureterovesical and rectal intervention or radiation therapy (RT) rarely, but it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The patient will typically present with pneumaturia, faecaluria, and urinary drainage from the rectum. Diagnosis can be easily done with digital rectal examination, cystography, and urethrocystoscopy. Conservative supportive management of RUF does not appear to be successful in most patients, and management with surgical intervention remains the best treatment option. Several surgical techniques have been described including transabdominal, transanal, transperineal, combined abdominoperineal, anterior and posterior transsphincteric, transsacral, laparoscopic, robotic, and endoscopic minimally invasive approaches. There have been very few data about treatment of recurrent RUF. We would like to report the management of recurrent RUF following transurethral resection of prostate and RT for prostate carcinoma in an immunosuppressed, 75-year-old patient by York Mason posterior transrectal transsphincteric approach

An Analysis and Comparison of Adoption of E-learning Systems in Higher Education by Lecturers at Largest Universities in Estonia and Turkey

In this study, for the first time, we analysed and compared adoption of e-learning by lecturers in three largest universities in Estonia and Turkey. Total number of students and academic staff in the Estonian universities is 39,259 and 3,991, respectively, and 1,194,735 and 9,076, respectively, in the Turkish universities. The extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM2) was used to analyse results of acceptance and usage of e-learning by 923 lecturers (298 from Estonia and 625 from Turkey) or 22% from the sample subject, took part in the research from the studied universities. Total number of respondents subjected to the questionnaire distribution was 4,198 (1,423 in Estonia and 2,775 in Turkey). We found and analysed strong and weak sides of e-learning and main barriers, which hinder adoption of e-learning in Estonian and Turkish largest universities. Immediate measures to support development and improvement of e-learning system at higher education in these universities were suggested

The assessment of skin sebum and moisture content of infants with atopic dermatitis

Background/aim: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, inflammatory skin disorder characterized by dry skin, pruritus and eczematous lesions. The aim of this study is to evaluate the skin moisture and sebum content of the infants with AD and its relationship between the disease severity

Turkey 2017 Clinical Practice Guidelines on recommendations for screning diagnosing and managing hepatitis C virus

The present guideline updates the Turkish recommendations for the screening, diagnosis and management of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection prepared by the Turkish Association for the Study of the Liver (TASL) and Viral Hepatitis Society (VHS). The aim of this guidance was to provide updates recommendations to physicians, who are interested in HCV care on the optimal screening, diagnosis and pre-treatment management for patients with HCV infection in Turkey. These recommendations, produced by panel experts, were aimed to addresses the management issues ranging from diagnosis and linkage to care, to the optimal treatment regimen in patients with HCV infection. Recommendations are based on evidence and opinions of more than 70% of the panelists. This guidance is supported by the memberships of two societies and not by pharmaceutical companies. This guidance will be updated frequently as new data become available