Toxoplasmosis and Public Health Genomics

Toxoplasma gondii infection generally causes flu-like symptoms in healthy individuals; however, immunosuppression of the infected individual causes reactivation of the pathogen to its active form and relapse of the toxoplasmosis. Today it is known that toxoplasmosis triggers psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia as well as behavioral changes such as suicide attempts. Although dermatological manifestations are very rare, the dermatological lesions are not unique. In addition, previous toxoplasma infection also causes congenital infections because of placental infection and causes birth defects and spontaneous abortion. T. gondii strains are mainly divided into three main clonal lineages, yet higher recombination rate causes unusual population structure and heterogeneous distribution of the pathogen. Both genetic variations, of the pathogen and the patients, are important for virulence property and success of the therapies. The scientist focuses on the genetic variations of the pathogens and individuals to achieve effective treatment and developed tailor-made medicines. Thus, understanding the molecular basis of the disease and the link of molecular mechanism with host immunity is important to fully know the disease and related disorders. In this chapter, we would like to evaluate the current knowledge on genetic, molecular characteristics of toxoplasmosis in view of public health genomics

Psoriasis and Genetics

Psoriasis is an erythematous, scaly chronic inflammatory dermatosis and occurs due to altered epidermal differentiation and hyperproliferation due to faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. Psoriasis reduces quality of life, and psoriatic patients generally have higher risk for metabolic disease. Psoriasis is associated with many burdening comorbidities, which often share similar pathogenic features and follow a progressive pattern. Genetic variation in human genome causes specific kind of disease, and nowadays, research is focused on metabolic pathways that trigger psoriasis and related comorbidities. In addition, genetic variations are also important for psoriasis treatment regime and response. The purpose of this section is to shown to genetic epidemiology, pharmacogenetics, immune genetics of psoriasis and related comorbidities

An Evaluation of Sexual Functions and Marital Adjustment in Female Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Objective:The purpose of this study was to investigate sexual functions and marital adjustment which are neglected issue in married female patients diagnosed with Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and to reveal the factors affecting these.Materials and Methods:Sexually active, 47 married females who diagnosed with FMS and 50 healthy volunteers in a similar age group were included in the study. Beck anxiety inventory, beck depression inventory, female sexual function index (FSFI) and dyadic adjustment scale (DAS) evaluations were also performed for both groups. In the patient group, the severity of pain was evaluated by the visual analogue scale and functional impairment due to the disease was assessed by the fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ).Results:No significant difference was determined between the two groups in terms of socio-demographic features. FSFI and DAS total scores were significantly lower in the patient group compared to the controls (p<0.001, p=0.028, respectively). Low DAS scores were determined in patients with low FSFI scores (p=0.003, r=+0.043). Neither FSFI nor DAS scores have exhibited correlation with duration of disease and FIQ scores. Depression was correlated with both FSFI and DAS (p<0.001, r=-0.569; p<0.001, r=-0.546, respectively).Conclusion:In this study, sexual functions and marital adjustment were adversely affected in patients with FMS. This effect was found closely related to depression. However, there was no relationship determined between duration of the disease, the severity of pain and the functional impact

Turkey’s Epidemiological and Demographic Transitions: 1931-2013

Background: The causes of death have changed with regard to the epidemiological and demographic events in society. There is no evidence of prior research into the epidemiological transition in Turkey. This transition in Turkey should be observed starting with the Ottoman Empire period (19th to early 20th century). However, information about the Ottoman Empire is quite limited. Aims: To discuss the epidemiological and demographic transitions in Turkey, using demographic, educational and urbanization data in our present study. Study Design: A descriptive archive study. Methods: Mortality statistics dating from 1931 and published by the Turkish Statistical Institute were analysed, and the causes of death were coded and classified according to ICD-10. Other data were obtained from the published reports and studies regarding the issue. Results: In the 1930s, Turkey’s life expectancy was low (aged 40 years), fertility and mortality rates were high (respectively 45% and 31%), and the main causes of death were infectious diseases. Nowadays, life expectancy is close to 80 years, the total fertility rate has dropped to 2.1 per woman, and the main causes of death are chronic diseases and cancer. The population rate in the urban areas has increased steadily from 24.2% in 1927 to 77.3% in 2012. level of education has also increased during this period. In 1935, less than 10% of women were literate, and in 2013 90% were literate. Qualitative and quantitative increase have been observed in the presentation and access of healthcare services compared to the early years of the Republic. Conclusion: Turkey has been undergoing a modernization period in the last 200 years, and it is believed that the epidemiological and demographic transitions result from this period. This process has led to urbanization and an increase in the level of education, as well as a decrease in premature deaths, lower fertility rates, and an increase in the elderly population and chronic diseases. It is therefore our conclusion that Turkey needs policies regarding the elderly population and the management of chronic disease

Associated factors affecting the quality of life of the elderly

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate factors affecting the quality of life of people aged 65 and over, living in the center of Çanakkale province. Method: The sample size in this cross-sectional study was determined as 961. 1001 participants were reached and data was collected using a face-to-face interview technique and questionnaires. Results: Following univariate analyses of the data, it was found that the following variables reduced the EUROHIS scores of the respondents: regretting the past, not accomplishing previous life goals, not being hopeful for the future, experiencing a fall in the last six months, having at least one chronic illness diagnosed by a physician requiring the long-term use of the medication, decrease in income status and dependence on activities within daily life. Conclusions: Longitudinal studies have been initiated, in cooperation with local authorities, in order to improve the quality of life of the elderly. These studies will follow up the biopsychosocial aspects of risk factors which reduce the quality of life of elderly individuals in our study group. Further investigations at the local and national levels will contribute to the implementation of the necessary interventions to address the unique needs of the elderly population

An Evaluation of Provoked Vulvodynia, Pelvic Floor Muscles and Sexual Functions in Female Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Objective: The aim of our study is to investigate the genital origin of pain, particularly provoked vulvodynia (PVD) in female patients with Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), to reveal the relationship between PVD and pelvic floor muscle functions and to evaluate patients’ sexual functions. Materials and Methods: Twenty four female patients who were diagnosed with FMS and who had not yet been treated, sexually active and 24 control cases were included to study. Severity of dyspareunia and dysmenorrhea was evaluated with a visual analogue scale, PVD was assessed using the cotton swab exam of vulva and sexual functions were evaluated with using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Additionally, pelvic floor muscles were graded using Brink scoring. Results: The severity means of menstrual term pain and dyspareunia severity were significantly higher in the patients than the control group (p=0.003, p=0.006). Significant differences were observed between the patient and control group in terms of vulvar pain in cotton swab exam and total Brink scores (both p<0.001). FSFI score was lower in the patient group than in the control group (p=0.001). A powerful correlation in the negative direction was determined between the result of cotton swab exam and Brink score (p<0.001, r=-0.575). Conclusion: The result of our study showed that dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia and PVD were significantly high in the FMS patients than in the control group. Pelvic floor muscle functions were affected in the FMS patients, and PVD was closely associated with the pelvic floor muscle functions

A comprehensive assessment of ambient air quality in Canakkale city: Emission inventory, air quality monitoring, source apportionment, and respiratory health indicators

This comprehensive study aims to examine the relationships between ambient air quality (AAQ) and respiratory health of the participants residing in three different towns of Canakkale city, Turkey between August 2013 and 2014. AAQ measurements for bioaerosols, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), total particulate matter (PM) count, carbon dioxide (CO2), and carbon monoxide (CO) were performed and monthly pulmonary function test (PFT) was applied to volunteer participants residing in the study sites (n = 121) for one year. Additionally, concentrations of air pollutants for PM2.5/PM10, sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides, and ozone were gathered from AAQ monitoring stations. To estimate the contributions of the emission sources and their effects on human health in the region, an emission inventory was also prepared in the region and AERMOD modelling system was applied for the year of 2013. Accordingly, the industry was the most polluting sector for NOx and SO2, while road traffic and residential heating were the most polluting sectors for CO and PM10. Factor analysis revealed that organics, combustion, bioaerosol propagation, and ozone accumulation contributed to AAQ, in agreement with AQ modelling results. Can had the worst air quality (industrialized site), which affected the respiratory health indicators of the participants. Generalized linear model estimated that PF of the participants varied according to the residing district, gender, suffering from asthma, and lifelong smoking or environmental tobacco smoke exposure (p < 0.05). Also, PF of the participants were linked with VOCs levels in the Central town, total PM count in Lapseki, and ozone levels in Can (p < 0.05)

Assessment of Indoor Air Quality in Schools from Anatolia, Turkey

Air pollution damages children's health in many different ways, through both chronic and acute effects. The aims of our research are to reveal the indoor air quality levels in schools. Subject and indoor air measurements were performed in 34 primary schools located in the Central Anatolia region. PM10, PM2.5, CO2, CO, CH2O, relative humidity, temperature, and total bacteria and fungus levels were measured. In the urban region, mean PM1 was higher than the other regions(p=0.029). PM10and PM2.5were higher in schools in rural areas. According to CO2measurements, only one school was identified to be below the upper limit recommended by the WHO. Total microorganism concentration was exceeded in 44.1% of classrooms. Indoor PM1, PM2.5, PM10, CO2, total bacteria and fungus levels were high and above recommended limits. Human activities, movements of students could be considered the most important indoor factors for particle matter increase. Indoor parameters could be lowered by organizing the school environment. © 2022 The authors