Evaluation Of Mueller-Hinton Agar For Germ Tube Test

Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate Mueller-Hinton Agar (MHA) as a simple medium for the determination of germ tube test (GTT).Methods: A total of 86 Candida species isolated from different clinical specimens were included. All isolates were cultured onto Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (Salubris, Turkey) and incubated at 37°C for 24-48 hours. They were identified by VITEK MS (Biomérieux, France). For serum GTT, a single Candida colony was inoculated into 0.5 ml freshly obtained human serum. For MHA GTT, an inoculum of single colony was streaked by Dalmau technique onto MHA and covered by a sterile coverslip. After incubation at 37°C for 1.5 h and 3 h, all sera and MHA plates were examined using a light microscope. Serum GTT was accepted as gold standard method for the determination of sensitivity and specificity values.Results: The identification results were as follows: 51 Candida albicans, one C. dubliniensis, 12 C. parapsilosis, 12 C. glabrata, 4 C. kefyr, 3 C. tropicalis, 3 C. krusei. Serum GTT was positive in 30 (58.8%) and 36 (70.6%) of C. albicans isolates at 1.5 h and 3 h, respectively. MHA GTT was positive in 21 (41.2%) and 40 (78.4%) of C. albicans isolates at 1.5 h and 3 h, respectively. All non-albicans species except C. dubliniensis were found as negative using both tests. Both GTTs were positive for C. dubliniensis at 1.5 h and 3 h. MHA sensitivity and specificity was determined as 58% and 92% at 1.5 h; 86% and 81% at 3 h, respectively.Conclusions: MHA is safer and easier medium for GTT that may be used as alternative to serum GTT. The evaluation of GTT on MHA after 3 h incubation is recommended since it has higher sensitivity compared to 1.5 h

CXCL10/IP10 as a Biomarker Linking Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome and Left Ventricular Dysfunction in Children with SARS-CoV-2

Background: To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of CXCL10/IP10 for left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in multisystemic inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C). Methods: This cross-sectional, longitudinal study included 36 patients with MIS-C. Patients were classified as follows: (1) patients presenting with Kawasaki-like features (group I = 11); (2) patients presenting with LV systolic dysfunction (group II = 9); and (3) other presentations (group III = 3). CXCL10/IP10 levels were measured upon admission and on days 3 and 7 of treatment. Results: Twenty patients were male and 16 were female. The median age of patients at diagnosis was 7.5 (1.5–17) years. All patients had a fever lasting for a median of 4 (2–7) days. Ten patients had LV systolic dysfunction. The duration of hospitalization was longer in group II. Lymphocyte and platelet counts were lower, whereas NT-pro-BNP, troponin-I, D-dimer, and CXCL10/IP10 levels were higher in group II. Baseline levels of CXCL10/IP10 were weakly negatively correlated with ejection fraction (r = −0.387, p = 0.022). Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis yielded a cutoff value of CXCL10/IP10 to discriminate patients with LV dysfunction was 1839 pg/mL with sensitivity 88% and specificity 68% (Area under curve (AUC) = 0.827, 95% CI 0.682–0.972, p = 0.003). Conclusion: Having a good correlation with cardiac function, CXCL10/IP10 is a potential biomarker to predict LV dysfunction in MIS-C patients

Epidermal growth factor enhances spinal fusion

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of human recombinant epidermal growth factor (EGF) on posterolateral lumbar fusion in a rat model. Methods 36 male Sprague Dawley rats underwent posterolateral fusion at L4-5 level. They were randomly assigned to 3 groups: 1- Sham control group where no local augmentation was made, 2- Local Hydoxyapatite β-tricalcium phosphate (HA/β-TCP) augmentation group and 3- Local HA/β-TCP + EGF augmentation group. Rats were euthanized at 8 weeks post-surgery. 6 rats from each group were selected for manual palpation examination, micro-computed tomography analysis and histologic analysis; and the rest was used for biomechanical analysis. Results Based on manual palpation, there was no fusion in the sham control group. Fusion rate was 33.3% in the HA/β-TCP group and 66.7% in the HA/β-TCP + EGF group (p = 0.085). Micro-CT results revealed that new bone formation was higher in the HA/β-TCP + EGF group (BV/TV: 40% vs. 65%) (p = 0.004). Histologically newly formed bone tissue was more pronounced in the EGF group and compacted and bridging bone spicules were observed. The median maximum bending moment values were 0.51 Nmm (0.42–0.59), 0.73 Nmm (0.49–0.88) and 0.91 Nmm (0.66–1.03) in the sham control, HA/β-TCP and HA/β-TCP + EGF groups, respectively (p = 0.013). The median stiffness values were 1.69 N/mm (1.12–2.18), 1.68 N/mm (1.13–2.74) and 3.10 N/mm (1.66–4.40) as in the previous order (p = 0.087). Conclusion This study demonstrates that EGF enhances posterolateral lumbar fusion in the rat model. EGF in combination with ceramic grafts increased the fusion rates. Our findings may provide insights to further studies, investigating EGF's clinical usage as an alternative fusion enhancer.PubMedWoSScopu

Epileptic seizures in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis: Subgroup analysis of VENOST study

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the presence and prognostic impact of early seizures in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis patients (CVST).Method: VENOST is a retrospective and prospective national multicenter observational study. CVST patients with or without epileptic seizures (ES) were analyzed and compared in terms of demographic and imaging data, causative factors, clinical variables, and prognosis in a total of 1126 patients.Results: The mean age of the patients in the ES group was 39.73 +/- 12.64 and 40.17 +/- 14.02 years in the non-ES group (p > 0.05). Epileptic seizures were more common (76.6 %) in females (p < 0.001). Early ES occurred in 269 of 1126 patients (23.9 %). Epileptic seizures mainly presented in the acute phase (71.4 %) of the disease (p < 0.001). Majority of these (60.5 %) were in the first 24 h of the CVST. The most common neurological signs were focal neurologic deficits (29.9 %) and altered consciousness (31.4 %) in the ES group. Superior sagittal sinus (SSS) and cortical veins (CV) involvement were the most common sites of thrombosis and the mostly related etiology were found puerperium in seizure group (30.3 % vs 13.9 %). Patients with seizures had worse outcome in the first month of the disease (p < 0.001) but these did not have any influence thereafter.Conclusions: In this largest CVST cohort (VENOST) reported female sex, presence of focal neurological deficits and altered consciousness, thrombosis of the SSS and CVs, hemorrhagic infarction were risk factors for ES occurrence in patients with CVST

The ISPAT project: Implementation of a standardized training program for caregivers of children with tracheostomy

Background Tracheostomy-related morbidity and mortality mainly occur due to decannulation, misplacement, or obstruction of the tube. A standardized training can improve the skills and confidence of the caregivers in tracheostomy care (TC). Objective Our primary aim was to evaluate the efficiency of standardized training program on the knowledge and skills (changing-suctioning the tracheostomy tube) of the participants regarding TC. Materials and Methods Sixty-five caregivers of children with tracheostomy were included. First, participants were evaluated with written test about TC and participated in the practical tests. Then, they were asked to participate in a standardized training session, including theoretical and practical parts. Baseline and postintervention assessments were compared through written and practical tests conducted on the same day. Results A significant improvement was observed in the written test score after the training. The median number of correct answers of the written test including 23 questions increased 26%, from 12 to 18 (p < .001). The median number of correct steps in tracheostomy tube change (from 9 to 16 correct steps out of 16 steps, 44% increase) and suctioning the tracheostomy tube (from 9 to 17 correct steps out of 18 steps, 44% increase) also improved significantly after the training (p < .001, for both). Conclusion Theoretical courses and practical hands-on-training (HOT) courses are highly effective in improving the practices in TC. A standardized training program including HOT should be implemented before discharge from the hospital. Still there is a need to assess the impact of the program on tracheostomy-related complications, morbidity, and mortality in the long term