How high is the inter-observer reproducibility in the LIRADS reporting system?

Purpose: To investigate the reproducibility of LIRADS v2014 and contribute to its widespread use in clinical practice. Material and methods: This retrospective, single-centre study was conducted between January 2010 and October 2015. A total of 132 patients who had dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/computed tomography (CT) images in the Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) with liver nodule were included in the study, 37 of whom had histopathology results. Five radiologists who participated in the study, interpreted liver nodules independently on different PACS stations according to the LIRADS reporting system and its main parameters. Results: We determined that level of inter-observer agreement in the LR-1, LR-5, and LR-5V categories was higher than in the LR-2, LR-3, and LR-4 categories (κ = 0.522, 0.442, and 0.600 in the LR-1, LR-5, and LR-5V categories, respectively; κ = 0.082, 0.298, and 0.143 in the LR-2, LR-3, and LR-4 categories, respectively). The parameter that we observed to have the highest level of inter-observer agreement was venous thrombus (κ = 0.600). Conclusions: Our study showed that LIRADS achieves an acceptable inter-observer reproducibility in terms of clinical practice although it is insufficient at intermediate risk levels. We think that the prevalence of its use will be further increased with training related to the subject and the assignment of numerical values that express the probability of malignancy for each category and including the ancillary features in the algorithm according to clearer rules

Massive inguinoscrotal bladder hernia causing hydronephrosis: Two cases

• Complete bladder herniation are very rare compared to incomplete bladder herniation. • Massive scrotal cystocele is usually defined with voiding symptoms. • CT, ultrasonography and retrograde cystogram should be performed to determine the involvement of the bladder in cases of massive inguinoscrotal hernias. • In massive scrotal hernia cases, bladder can protrude with the ureter causing hydronephrosis on the affected side. • It is necessary to place urinary catheter to empty the urinary bladder to manage the pain and to decrease the risk of injury of bladder during the surgery

The Importance of Smart City Practices in the Fight Against COVID-19: Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality Example

2019’un sonlarında Çin’de ortaya çıkan COVID-19, insanlığın karşılaştığı en büyük salgın hastalıklardan biridir. Hastalığın insandan insana çoğunlukla temas yoluyla geçmesi, insan etkileşiminin yüksek olduğu kentsel alanlarda yayılımını hızlandırmıştır. Nihayetinde kentler, hayalet kentlere dönüşmüş, sosyo-ekonomik aktiviteler asgari düzeye inmiştir. Geleneksel kent yönetimlerinden farklı olarak teknolojiyi kent yönetim sistemlerinde aktif kullanan akıllı kentler, salgınla mücadelede anlık veriye dayalı yönetim izlediklerinden daha hızlı hareket etme imkânı yakalamışlardır. Bu çalışmada; ‘Balıkesir’de akıllı kent uygulamaları COVID-19’la mücadelede nasıl kullanılmıştır?’ araştırma sorusunun cevabı aranacaktır. Bu çerçevede; öncelikle akıllı kentlerin neleri vaat ettiği ve bileşenleri incelenecek, dünyada COVID-19’la mücadelede kullanılan akıllı uygulamalardan örnekler verilecek ve sonunda Türkiye’de akıllı kent uygulamalarından yararlanan Balıkesir Büyükşehir Belediyesi’nin COVID-19’la mücadeledeki akıllı uygulamaları ele alınacaktır. Çalışmada teorik çerçeve çizilirken literatür taraması yöntemi kullanılmış, Balıkesir örneği incelenirken derinlemesine mülakat yapılmıştır. Çalışmanın en önemli sınırlılığı; pandemi şartları nedeniyle derinlemesine mülakat yapılan kişiler, sadece yetki ve sorumluluk sahibi olan kişilerden seçilmiştir. İncelenen akıllı kent uygulamalarının çoğunluğu merkez ilçelerde uygulanmaktadır. Çalışma sonucunda Balıkesir Büyükşehir Belediyesi’nin COVID-19 sürecine özgü bir akıllı kent uygulaması geliştirmediği görülmektedir. Pandemi öncesi uygulanan akıllı kent uygulamaları, revize edilerek salgınla mücadelede kullanılmaktadır.Emerging in China in late 2019, COVID-19 is one of the largest epidemics faced in human history. The transmission of the disease from person to person, mostly through contact, has accelerated its spread in urban areas where human interaction is high. Eventually, cities became ghost cities, and socio-economic activities were reduced to minimum. Unlike traditional urban governments, smart cities have been able to move faster through data-driven policies by actively using technology in urban administrations. This study, how were smart city applications used in Balıkesir to combat COVID-19?' the answer to the research question will be sought. First, smart cities will be examined, examples of smart applications used in the fight against COVID-19 in the world will be given. In the study, literature review method was used when drawing the theoretical framework, and in-depth interviews were conducted while examining the Balıkesir sample. Conclusion of the study, it is seen that Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality has not developed a smart city application specific to the COVID-19 process. Smart city practices applied before the pandemic are revised and used to combat the epidemic

Antibiotic Susceptibility of Enterococcal Strains: Comparison of Clinical Breakpoint Interpretations for Disk Diffusion According to the CLSI and EUCAST

WOS: 000464106600008Objective: Our aim in this study is to compare the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) criteria, which were started to be used in Ahi Evran University Training and Research Hospital, Medical Microbiology Laboratory, as of January 2016, in terms of antibiotic susceptibility results of enterococcal strains isolated from clinical specimens, and determine their possible effects to our reportings. Methods: A total of 77 enterococcal strains isolated from various clinical specimens were included in this study. Manual methods and the VITEK (R) 2 (bioMerieux, Marcy l'Etoile, France) automated system were used for identification of strains. Antibiotic susceptibilities of strains were determined by standard disk diffusion method. Zone diameters determined according to antibiotic susceptibility tests of strains were evaluated and compared according to the CLSI and EUCAST guidelines. Results: There was a significant difference between streptomycin (300 mu g) and quinupristin-dalfopristin (15 mu g) disks in terms of antibiotic susceptibilities of the strains in the evaluation based on both guidelines (p<0.05). Significant differences were not detected among other antibiotics (ampicillin, linezolid, norfloxacin, teicoplanin, vancomycin, gentamicin and nitrofurantoin). Conclusions: One of the most important tasks of the medical microbiology laboratories is to perform and interpret antibiotic susceptibility tests in line with current information. Also clinicians need to be aware of possible effects of changes in antibiotic susceptibility ratios along with the transition to the EUCAST guideline

Catheter-Related Bacteremia in a Hemodialysis Unit: Cronobacter Sakazakii

WOS: 000433118700001In this study, a case of catheter-related bacteremia caused by Cronobacter sakazakii, which was successfully treated with antibiotic therapy, was presented. Since 1989, cases of contamination of powder infant formula caused by C. sakazakii have been reported. However, adult infections related to C. sakazakii are exceedingly rare. A 61-year-old male patient was in dialysis treatment with chronic renal failure and blood cultures were taken from peripheral veins and catheter because of fever. At the same time, moxifloxacin (400 mg/day iv) and ampicillin-sulbactam (1 g/day iv) were started as empirical therapy. One bacterium was detected on blood cultures obtained from peripheral veins and catheters and this bacterium was identified as C. sakazakii by the VITEK 2 Compact automated system. The species identification of the isolated strain was confirmed by 16S rRNA sequence analysis. The treatment of the patient, who was thought to represent a case of catheter-related bacteremia, was continued and the catheter was not removed since subsequent cultures did not reveal any bacterial growth. To our knowledge, the presented case is the first bacteremia related to C. sakazakii from Turkey. As a result, C. sakazakii is an infection agent that we have recently encountered and may pose a threat to public health

Isolation and characterization of Beauveria and Metarhizium spp. from walnut fields and their pathogenicity against the codling moth, Cydia pomonella (NL.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

WOS: 000436829500001Entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs) play an important role for regulating insect pest populations, as they exist in many different ecosystems. Within these fungi, Beauveria and Metarhizium spp. genera include species that are the most commercially important. The aim of this study was to determine the diversity and distribution of Beauveria and Metarhizium spp. in walnut fields of Kirsehir, Turkey, and to evaluate their pathogenicity against Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). To perform this, 90 soil samples were collected from walnut fields where Beauveria and Metarhizium spp. were isolated from these soils, using selective media. The isolated 40 fungi were characterized based on their morphological and molecular characteristics including Bloc and beta-tubulin gene sequences. Also, eight selected fungi were tested against C. pomonella larvae under laboratory conditions. The fungal isolates were identified as Beauveria pseudobassiana (15), B. bassiana (12), Metarhizium robertsii (11), and M. brunneum (13). M. brunneum ELA-38 caused 83% mortality within 2 weeks after application of 1 x 10(8) conidia/ml. Consequently, Beauveria and Metarhizium spp. are the common component of the soils collected from walnut fields and some of fungi obtained from this work might be beneficial in the future biological control programs of C. pomonella.Ahi Evran University Scientific Research Projects Coordination UnitAhi Evran University [MMF.A4.17.002]We would like to thank Dr. Frantisek Marec for providing C. pomonella eggs. This study was supported by Ahi Evran University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit, project number MMF.A4.17.002

Aerobic gut bacterial flora of Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and their virulence to the host

Abstract This study aimed to isolate and characterize bacteria from the codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), and determine their virulence to its larvae. A total of 16 bacteria were isolated from larvae belonging to different instars. Based on morphological, biochemical, physiological, and molecular studies, the bacterial isolates were identified as Pseudomonas sp. (Cp1, 3, 5, and 13), Corynebacterium sp. (Cp2), Bacillus sp. (Cp4, 7, 9, 10, 12, and 15), Pectobacterium carotovorum (Cp6), Paenibacillus sp. (Cp8), Bacillus megaterium (Cp11), Bacillus pumilus (Cp14), and Terribacillus saccharophilus (Cp16). It was also determined the virulence of these isolates, where the highest potential activity was obtained by Bacillus sp. Cp9, with (76%) mortality. These results could be beneficial for future biocontrol programs of C. pomonella

Antifungal Activity of Viburnum opulus L. (Gilaburu) Fruit Extracts Against Candida Strains Isolated from Urine Samples

Bu çalışmanın amacı Viburnum opulus L. (Gilaburu) meyvesinin etanol, metanol, etil asetat, kloroform ve aseton ekstratlarının idrar örneklerinden izole edilen 45 Candida suşu üzerine antifungal etkinliğinin değerlendirilmesidir. 45 Candida suşu Ahi Evran Üniversitesi, Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Mikrobiyoloji Laboratuvarına enfeksiyon şüphesi ile gönderilen idrar örneklerinden izole edilmiştir. V. opulus (Gilaburu) meyveleri Kayseri ilinden toplanmış ve etil asetat, etanol, metanol, aseton, kloroform ve sulu ekstraktları hazırlanmıştır. Ekstraktların antifungal aktiviteleri oyuk agar yöntemi ile tespit edilmiştir. Oyuk agar yöntemi ile etkili olduğu tespit edilen ekstraktların minimal inhibisyon konsantrasyonları (MİK) broth mikrodilüsyon metodu ile belirlenmiştir. İdrar örneklerinden izole edilen 45 Candida suşunun 23'ü C. albicans, 22'si ise non-albicans olarak tanımlanmıştır. Yapılan çalışmada, etil asetat ve metanol ekstrakları 45 Candida suşunun 29'u üzerinde, etanol ekstraktları ise 35'i üzerinde etkili olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Etil asetat, etanol ve metanol ekstraktlarının MIC değerlerinin 500 µg/ml ile 1500 µg/ml olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Yapılan çalışma sonucunda Viburnum opulus L. meyvelerinin etanol, metanol ve etil asetat ekstraktlarının idrar yolu enfeksiyonuna neden olan Candida suşları üzerinde oldukça iyi antifungal aktivitesinin olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Sonuç olarak, V. opulus 'un fermente ürünlerinin antifungal ilaçlara alternatif olarak idrar yolu enfeksiyon şüpheli veya potansiyeli yüksek olan kişiler için doğal bir koruyucu olarak önerilebileceği düşünülmektedirThe purpose of the present study was to evaluate the antifungal activity of ethanol, methanol, ethylacetate, chloroform and acetone extracts of Viburnum opulus L. (Gilaburu) fruits against 45 Candida strains isolated from urine samples. 45 Candida strains were isolated from urine specimens that were sent to Ahi Evran University, Training and Research Hospital, Microbiology Laboratory with infection doubt. V. opulus fruits were collected from Kayseri province and their extracts were prepared using ethyl acetate, ethanol, methanol, acetone, chloroform and aqueous as solvent. The antifungal activities of the extracts were determined by the agar-well diffusion method. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of extracts were determined by broth microdilution method. Among 45 Candida strains isolated from urine specimens, 23 of them were identified as C. albicansand22 of them were identified as nonalbicans. In the study, while ethyl acetate and methanol extracts were effective against 29 of 45 Candida strains, ethanol extracts were effective against 35 Candida strains. The MIC values of ethyl acetate, ethanol and methanol extracts were found to be ranging from 500 ?g / ml to 1500 ?g / ml. As a result of the study, it was determined that ethanol, methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of V. opulus fruits had quite good antifungal activity against Candida strains causing urinary tract infection. In conclusion, it was thought that the fermented products of V. opulus may be offered as an alternative to antifungal drugs as a natural preservative for people with suspected or potentially high urinary tract infection

Assortment optimization with log-linear demand: application at a Turkish grocery store

In retail sector, product variety increases faster than shelf spaces of retail stores where goods are presented to consumers. Hence, assortment planning is an important task for sustained financial success of a retailer in a competitive business environment. In this study, we consider the assortment planning problem of a retailer in Turkey. Using empirical point-of-sale data, a demand model is developed and utilized in the optimization model. Due to nonlinear nature of the model and integrality constraint, we find that it is difficult to obtain a solution even for moderately large product sets. We propose a greedy heuristic approach that generates better results than the mixed integer nonlinear programming in a reasonably shorter period of time for medium and large problem sizes. We also proved that our method has a worst-case time complexity of O(n 2 )while other two well-known heuristics’ complexities are O(n 3 )and O(n 4 ). Also numerical experiments reveal that our method has a better performance than the worst-case as it generates better results in a much shorter run-times compared to other methods.Publisher's Versio