Increased serum procalcitonin levels in pregnant patients with asymptomatic bacteriuria

Background: Among the pregnancy urinary tract infections, asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) is the most common one. Untreated ASB can progress to pyelonephritis in 30-50% of the patients and can also result in prematurity in 27% of the pregnancy so it needs immediate diagnosis and treatment. In this study, we wanted to evaluate procalcitonin levels, compared to other inflammatory in pregnant women with ASB.Methods: The study was designed between the period of January 2012 and February 2013 at Sakarya University School of Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics. The study population included 30 pregnant patients with asymptomatic bacteriuria and 39 healthy pregnant controls.Results: Mean age was 28 (SD, 5.5) of the study population; mean maternal weight was 70 (SD, 8) kilogram. There were no statically significant differences between the groups according to the routine biochemical parameters, but gestational age was significantly lower in the ASB group compared to the controls (20.4 vs 28.6, respectively; p 0.05 ng/ml and 21(70%) patients had negative procalcitonin levels (Chi-squrae, p < 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of procalcitonin assay for ASB was calculated as 30% and 100%, respectively. The positive predictive value was 100% and the negative predictive value was 65%. The most frequent microorganisms in the urine culture were Escherichia coli (26 patients, 87%), Proteus mirabilis (3 patients, 10%) and Klebsiella (1 patient, 3%) in the ASB group. We experienced four (44%) recurrences among nine positive procalcitonin in ASB patients after completion of treatment of the first ASB diagnosis.Discussion: Procalcitonin levels were significantly higher in ASB group than the control group and serum procalcitonin levels were higher in pregnant women with recurrent ASB. This finding is an important result revealed that high procalcitonin level can predict the further urinary tract infection risk. Finally, serum procalcitonin levels were normal in healthy pregnant women while other inflammatory markers such as WBC, ESR and CRP levels were higher. © 2013 Bilir et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Mathematical modelling of 4-hexylresorcinol residue to ensure consumer safety

Shrimp is a major source of animal protein and is of great economic importance in world markets. The occurrence of black spot in shrimp after harvesting is a major problem for the aquaculture and fisheries industries. 4-hexylresorcinol has recently been approved by the European Union as an alternative chemical for the prevention of black spot in shrimp. However, high residual levels of 4-hexylresorcinol have important negative effects on humans. The correct mathematical design of 4-hexylresorcinol residue analyses should ensure the cost-effective operation of these industries, their environmental sensitivity, and safe food management practices. The mathematical determination of 4-hexylresorcinol residues will circumvent the high cost of high-performance liquid chromatographic analyses, ensuring high shrimp quality and adherence to food safety standards

Evaluation of foreign body aspiration cases in our pediatric intensive care unit: Single-center experience

WOS: 000471597800010PubMed ID: 31217709Aim: Foreign body aspiration is one of the common home accidents that requires urgent diagnosis and treatment, especially in children aged between 1 and 3 years. The type, location, and obstruction level of the aspirated material, age of the patient, and time of diagnosis influence the severity of the clinical picture. In our study, we aimed to evaluate patients who underwent bronchoscopy in our clinic with a diagnosis of foreign body aspiration in light of literature data. Material and Methods: The medical records of 87 patients who underwent rigid bronchoscopy with a prediagnosis of foreign body aspiration in cukurova University, Faculty of Medicine, between January 2016 and August 2018, and were followed up in the pediatric intensive care unit after the procedure were examined retrospectively. The subjects were evaluated in terms of age, sex, primary referal center, time of presentation, symptoms at presentation, physical examination findings, radiologic investigations, type and location of foreign body, and duration of stay in the intensive care unit. Results: A total of 87 patients were included in the study. Thirty-seven patients (42.5%) were female. The mean age was found as 33.73 +/- 39.44 (range, 5-202) months. The most common (74.7%) symptom at presentation was sudden onset of coughing. The foreign body aspirated was organic in 62.1% of patients. The most common foreign bodies aspirated were peanuts, with a rate of 19.5%. Four adolescent female patients underwent broncoscopy because they aspirated needles they held in their mouths while tying their headscarves. Interestingly, one patient aspirated a stone and one patient aspirated a parasite. The most frequent location of foreign body was the right main bronchus (n=27, 31%). Conclusion: In the diagnosis of foreign body aspiration, the most important step is maintaining a high index of suspicion. Foreign body aspiration should be considered in patients who present with cough, respiratory distress or cyanosis, unilaterally diminished breath sounds, ronchi or stridor on physical examination, and air trapping on chest X-ray. Bronchoscopy is life-saving in the presence of any suspicious history suggestive foreign body aspiration or refractory pneumonia, even if a physical examination and radiologic findings are normal, especially in high-risk children between 1-3 years old

Indication and efficacy of splenectomy in children with hematological disease

WOS: 000437950000007Purpose:. We aimed to research benefits and indications of splenectomy operation due to hematological disease in children. Materials and Methods: The children who underwent to splenectomy due to hematological diseases between 2009-2015 were included in this study. Age of patients, sex, diagnosis, post splenectomy infection, portal vein thrombosis (PVT), operation types, pre and post operative thrombocyte, leucocyte and hematocrit counts, simultaneous cholecystectomy, spleen size, the efficacy of operation were noted retrospectively. Results: Median age of the patients (n=58) was 8. 41% of them were girl and 51% were boy. PVT occurred in 4 patients after splenectomy. 8 of them underwent splenectomy laparoscopically. 2 had conversion due to uncontrolled bleeding. 14 patients underwent cholecystectomy simultaneously. Diagnosis were sickle cell anemia (SCA) (n=20, 34.5%), thalassemia major (n=17, 29.3%) and immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) (n=6, 10.3%). 9 (15%) patients were hospitalized because of post splenectomy infections. Efficacy of splenectomy was not evaluated in 17 patients due to data lack. Efficacy of splenectomy was 85% in evaluated patients. 4 patients were death. One each of thalassemia major and ITP patients had no benefit and all of SCA patients had benefited from splenectomy. Conclusion: Splenectomy is still efficient operation procedure for many hematologic diseases. Age of patients is also important in respect of increasing thrombocyte count

Effects of stock density on texture-colour quality and chemical composition of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

This study describes the effects of different stocking densities on texture/colour characteristics, protein content /amino acid and lipid content/fatty acid composition of rainbow trout fillet. Stocking density was selected 5 (Group A), 15 (Group B), 25 (Group C) kg fish m(-3). Tukey's Multiple Comparison Test showed insignificant differences between measured size/weight measurement and condition factors. No significant differences were found between A and C groups for colour analysis (L* and a* value) and texture profile analysis (hardness, adhesiveness, cohesiveness and gumminess values) of rainbow trout fillets. The proximate composition analysis showed rainbow trout fillets from the A and C groups to exhibit higher values of moisture than the B group. Fish from the A and B groups had a lower of ash and protein in comparison to C group samples. The highest fat values of rainbow trout were measured in B group samples. The content essential amino acid and non-essential amino acid was lower in A and B groups than in C groups. Fish from the C group had higher content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially n-3, docosahexanoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in comparison to A and C group. As a result, 25 kg fish m(-3) is recommended stock density in terms of product texture/color and composition quality

Successful treatment of Placenta Percreta through a combinatorial treatment involving a Bakri Balloon and Methotrexate - a case report

Placental percreta is a, complication involving an abnormally deep placental attachment to the myometrium, resulting in obstetric hemorrhage and peripartum hysterectomy. A, 38-year-old pregnant woman, with a, history of 2 Cesarean births, myomectomy, 9 pregnancies, and 6 spontaneous abortions, was admitted after experiencing intrauterine fetal death, which occurred at 19 weeks gestation. The patient was referred to our institution after 8 days of unsuccessful medical treatment. Doppler ultrasonography and vacuum curettage revealed possible signs of abnormal placentation. Because of the unsuccessful separation of the placenta and massive bleeding, we used a, Bakri Balloon to treat excessive bleeding during the acute phase, followed by the conservative administration of parenteral methotrexate to treat the spontaneous involution of the placenta at 7 weeks of conservative therapy. Bakri Balloon and methotrexate application to treat bleeding after curettage is a, useful choice in placenta percreta and hemorrhage after abortion

Effect of Varicocelectomy on Restoration of Spermatogenesis in Patients with Non-obstructive Azoospermia

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of varicocelectomy on spermatogenesis in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and the presence of clinical factors for re-spermatogenesis

RESIDUE CONTAMINATION LEVELS AND PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF CULTURED SEA BASS (DICENTRARCHUS LABRAX) AND SEA BREAM (SPARUS AURATA) FROM TURKEY

In this study, veterinary drugs, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticide (OCP) residues, colour, texture profile, nutritional value, and chemical composition of sea bass and sea bream cultured in Turkey were examined. The levels of veterinary drug residue, PCB, OCP and heavy metal concentrations found in sea bass and sea bream samples were lower than the maximum residue limits set by the European legislation. While the colour and texture profile of sea bream and sea bass did not differ, differences were obtained in the nutritional composition and macro-mineral content of the fishes. The contents of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), n-3 and n-6 fatty acids in cultured fishes were found to be in the range of 28.4-32.6%, 17.0-22.1% and 8.6-14.6 for sea bass, but 27.7-35.5%, 13.2-19.6% and 9.7-22.4% for sea bream

Drainage Systems' Effect on Surgical Site Infection in Children with Perforated Appendicitis

WOS: 000410618200003Aim: Effect of replacing open drainage system to closed drainage system on surgical site infection (551) in children operated for perforated appendicitis was evaluated. Material and Method: Hospital files and computer records of perforated appendicitis cases operated in 2004-2010 were evaluated retrospectively. Open drainage systems were used for 70 in cases (group I) and closed systems were used in the others (group II). Results: Eleven of 551 cases had superficial infection and 3 had the organ/space infection. 551 rate was 15.795 for group I and 7.59'n for the group II. The antibiotic treatment length was 7.5 t 3.4 days for group I and 6.4 2.2 days for group II and the difference between groups was not statistically significant. Hospitalization length for group I was 8.2 3.1 days and 6.8 1.9 days for group II and the difference was statistically significant. Discussion: 551 is an important problem increasing morbidity and treatment costs through increasing hospitalization and antibiotic treatment length. Open drainage system used in operation in patients with perforated appendicitis leads an increased frequency of SSI when compared to the closed drainage system. Thus, closed drainage systems should be preferred in when drainage is necessary in operations for perforated appendicitis in children