Seroprevalence and risk factors for toxoplasma infection among pregnant women in Aydin province, Turkey

BACKGROUND: The aims of the present study were to determine the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women at first trimester of their pregnancy and to follow up the seroconversion for next two trimesters, and to identify the risk factors and possible contamination routes in Aydin province, Turkey. METHOD: The sample size was calculated as 423 on a prevalence of 50%, d=0.05 at a confidence level of 95% with 10% addition. It was a cross-sectional study with multistage sampling. After a questionnaire applied to the pregnant women, anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies were studied with ELISA and IFA, values in conflict with DA test, where IgM antibodies were studied with ELISA and for borderline or positive values of IgM avidity test was used. RESULTS: The mean age of 389 (92.9%) of pregnant women in the study was 24.28+/-4.56 years, the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies for toxoplasmosis was 30.1%. Seroprevalence was increased with age (p=0.001) and with drinking water consumption other than bottled water (p=0.042). No significant relations were observed between anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies and education level, being native or migrant, abortion history, consumption of meat, vegetable and milk/milk products, personal or kitchen hygiene habits, cat owning at home of the pregnant women. No IgM antibody was detected. CONCLUSION: One of every three pregnant women in Aydin was at risk of toxoplasmosis at the first trimester of their pregnancy. Increased seroprevalance with age was a predictable result because of increasing time of exposure. Increased seroprevalence with consumption of municipal and uncontrolled water (well/spring water) supplies was similar with latest epidemiological findings

mTOR Controls Ovarian Follicle Growth by Regulating Granulosa Cell Proliferation

We have shown that inhibition of mTOR in granulosa cells and ovarian follicles results in compromised granulosa proliferation and reduced follicle growth. Further analysis here using spontaneously immortalized rat granulosa cells has revealed that mTOR pathway activity is enhanced during M-phase of the cell cycle. mTOR specific phosphorylation of p70S6 kinase and 4E-BP, and expression of Raptor are all enhanced during M-phase. The predominant effect of mTOR inhibition by the specific inhibitor Rapamycin (RAP) was a dose-responsive arrest in the G1 cell cycle stage. The fraction of granulosa cells that continued to divide in the presence of RAP exhibited a dose-dependent increase in aberrant mitotic figures known as anaphase bridges. Strikingly, estradiol consistently decreased the incidence of aberrant mitotic figures. In mice treated with RAP, the mitotic index was reduced compared to controls, and a similar increase in aberrant mitotic events was noted. RAP injected during a superovulation regime resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in the numbers of eggs ovulated. Implications for the real-time regulation of follicle growth and dominance, including the consequences of increased numbers of aneuploid granulosa cells, are discussed

Editorial of Special Issue of National Identities: Alevism as an ethno-religious identity: Contested boundaries

No abstract for editorial but this is the opening paragraph: This special issue on Alevism and trans/national Alevi identity critically engages with the relationship between religion, ethnicity and national identity. The core issues are as follows: • how ethnicity and religion are conceptualised for a relatively invisible ethnic group in different national contexts; • how religion and ethnicity intersect when Alevism is both a faith and an ethnic identity, especially when conceptions of that identity are contested; • how identity is shaped through state policies within different national policy contexts and how etic definitions of minority communities are constructed by the state or other agencies with the power to impose them on the community in contrast to the emic or self-definitions of Aleviness from within the Alevi community; • how despite the fragmented, heterogeneous nature of Alevi communities, there is also a sense of a single, transnational imaginary community, at least for the purposes of political assimilation/integration and activism; • how education and other arenas of political, religious and cultural engagement at local, national and transnational levels create the possibilities, both positively and negatively, for future action/policy to situate minority ethnic communities

Systemic and local antibiotic prophylaxis in the prevention of Staphylococcus epidermidis graft infection

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate the in vivo efficacy of local and systemic antibiotic prophylaxis in the prevention of Staphylococcus (S.) epidermidis graft infection in a rat model and to evaluate the bacterial adherence to frequently used prosthetic graft materials. METHODS: Graft infections were established in the subcutaneous tissue of 120 male Wistar rats by implantation of Dacron/ePTFE grafts followed by topical inoculation with 2 × 10(7 )CFUs of clinical isolate of methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis. Each of the graft series included a control group, one contaminated group that did not receive any antibiotic prophylaxis, two contaminated groups that received systemic prophylaxis with teicoplanin or levofloxacin and two contaminated groups that received teicoplanin-soaked or levofloxacin-soaked grafts. The grafts were removed 7 days after implantation and evaluated by quantitative culture. RESULTS: There was significant bacterial growth inhibition in the groups given systemic or local prophylaxis (P < 0.05). Methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis had greater affinity to Dacron graft when compared with ePTFE graft in the untreated contaminated groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that the usage of systemic or local prophylaxis and preference of ePTFE graft can be useful in reducing the risk of vascular graft infections caused by staphylococcal strains with high levels of resistance

[Investigation of human papillomavirus DNA in cervical specimens by hybrid capture assay].

The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of human papillomavirus DNA (HPV-DNA) in cervical specimens of those randomly selected women, age between 18-62 years and applied to Gynecology and Obstetric Clinics in a six months period. Two hundred and six women were enrolled during the study. HPV-DNA in the cervical specimens were investigated with Hybrid Capture System (Digene Hybrid Capture System, UK) and also the cytologic specimens were examined simultaneously. HPV-DNA positivity was 4.9% overall. HPV-DNA positivity was found to be higher among younger population (30-39 age group: 7.3%), women with lower education level (6.9 %) and with lower income level (11.8%). Additionally, HPV-DNA positivity rate was found higher among women who experienced their first sexual intercourse at lower ages (15-19 age group: 6.3%) and who use oral contraceptives (7.7%). HPV-DNA positivity was found to be 2.1% in women with normal cervical cytology and 42.9% in women with epithelial cell abnormalities, and this difference was statistically significant (p=0.000). The presence of HPV together with high rates of epithelial cell abnormalities leading to cervical cancer, supported the association between HPV and malignancy. Thus, HPV-DNA testing should be included in the cervical cancer screening programmes

Investigation of human papillomavirus DNA in cervical specimens by hybrid capture assay

The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of human papillomavirus DNA (HPV-DNA) in cervical specimens of those randomly selected women. age between 18-62 years and applied to Gynecology and Obstetric Clinics in a six months period. Two hundred and six women were enrolled during the study. HPV-DNA in the cervical specimens were investigated with Hybrid Capture System (Digene Hybrid Capture System, UK) and also the cytologic specimens were examined simultaneously. HPV-DNA positivity was 4.9% overall. HPV-DNA positivity was found to be higher among younger population (30-39 age group: 7.3%), women with lower education level (6.9 %) and with lower income level (11.8%). Additionally, HPV-DNA positivity rate was found higher among women who experienced their first sexual intercourse at lower ages (15-19 age group: 6.3%) and who use oral contraceptives (7.7%). HPV-DNA positivity was found to be 2.1% in women with normal cervical cytology and 42.9% in women with epithelial cell abnormalities, and this difference was statistically significant (p=0.000). The presence of HPV together with high rates of epithelial cell abnormalities leading to cervical cancer, supported the association between HPV and malignancy. Thus, HPV-DNA testing should be included in the cervical cancer screening programmes

Serum levels of neopterin and interleukin-2 receptor in women with severe preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia continues to be a major cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity worldwide. The etiopathogenesis of preeclampsia is not fully understood. Neopterin and interleukin-2 (IL-2) production reflects cellular immunity. Our purpose was to determine the levels of neopterin and interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) in pregnant women with severe preeclampsia, and assess the implications of these findings in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. Fourteen women with preeclampsia were compared with 14 healthy pregnant women. Serum levels of neopterin were measured by an enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA), and IL-2R levels were determined by an immunoassay method with an Immulite analyzer. The levels of neopterin and IL-2R were significantly higher in the preeclamptic subjects than in normotensive women (P<0.05). There was a significant correlation between neopterin and IL-2R. We found that serum neopterin and IL-2R levels are increased in women with severe preeclampsia. The results of this study suggest that a T-helper 1 (Th1) type immune mechanism is involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia

microbial flora in orthodontic patients

Objectives: To investigate whether the use of xylitol-impregnated toothbrushes affects periodontal condition and microbial flora in orthodontic patients with poor oral hygiene.Materials and Methods: Forty-four patients with baseline mean Turesky plaque index scores >= 1.5 were randomly divided into two groups. Half received xylitol-containing toothbrushes and the other half, xylitol-free toothbrushes. The periodontal measurements and saliva samples were taken at baseline (T0), 1 month later (T1), and 3 months after brushing (T2) to evaluate periodontal health and microflora changes. Periodontal status was assessed with plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), and bleeding on probing (BOP) scores. Data were statistically analyzed with Mann-Whitney U and Friedman tests.Results: All periodontal parameters significantly decreased from T0 to T1 and from T0 to T2 in both groups. The PI and GI scores reduced significantly in the control group, while BOP scores reduced in both groups between T1 and T2. Intergroup comparisons showed significant differences for BOP, PI, and GI at T0, T1, and T2 times, respectively. For microbial parameters, there were no statistically significant differences within groups from T0 to T1. Total bacterial counts significantly decreased in the xylitol group between T1 and T2. Decreases in Streptococcus mutans and total bacteria were significant in both groups from T0 to T2. No significant differences were found between the groups in microbial flora at any time.Conclusions: A 3-month use of xylitol-containing toothbrushes showed almost the same changes and provided no positive effects on periodontal and microbial parameters compared to the control group.C1 [Kosar, Selin] Private Practice, Mugla, Turkey.[Cokakoglu, Serpil] Pamukkale Univ, Fac Dent, Dept Orthodont, TR-20160 Denizli, Turkey.[Kaleli, Ilknur] Pamukkale Univ, Fac Med, Dept Clin Microbiol, Denizli, Turkey

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties of honey bee venom on Freund's Complete Adjuvant-induced arthritis model in rats

PMID = 3082546

Effects of xylitol impregnated toothbrushes on periodontal status and microbial flora in orthodontic patients

Objectives: To investigate whether the use of xylitol-impregnated toothbrushes affects periodontal condition and microbial flora in orthodontic patients with poor oral hygiene. Materials and Methods: Forty-four patients with baseline mean Turesky plaque index scores ≥1.5 were randomly divided into two groups. Half received xylitol-containing toothbrushes and the other half, xylitol-free toothbrushes. The periodontal measurements and saliva samples were taken at baseline (T0), 1 month later (T1), and 3 months after brushing (T2) to evaluate periodontal health and microflora changes. Periodontal status was assessed with plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), and bleeding on probing (BOP) scores. Data were statistically analyzed with Mann-Whitney U and Friedman tests. Results: All periodontal parameters significantly decreased from T0 to T1 and from T0 to T2 in both groups. The PI and GI scores reduced significantly in the control group, while BOP scores reduced in both groups between T1 and T2. Intergroup comparisons showed significant differences for BOP, PI, and GI at T0, T1, and T2 times, respectively. For microbial parameters, there were no statistically significant differences within groups from T0 to T1. Total bacterial counts significantly decreased in the xylitol group between T1 and T2. Decreases in Streptococcus mutans and total bacteria were significant in both groups from T0 to T2. No significant differences were found between the groups in microbial flora at any time. Conclusions: A 3-month use of xylitol-containing toothbrushes showed almost the same changes and provided no positive effects on periodontal and microbial parameters compared to the control group. © 2020 by The EH Angle Education and Research Foundation, Inc