Seroprevalence of Brucellosis in Individuals Engaged in Animal Husbandry in Erzurum Region

Objective: Brucellosis is one of the most common zoonotic diseases in our country and the world. This study investigated the seroprevalence of brucellosis in individuals who were engaged in animal husbandry in Erzurum region, were over 18 years of age, or did not have any clinical complaints of brucellosis. Materials and Methods: Our study was conducted on 271 volunteers engaged in livestock farming in 20 districts of Erzurum province between 2020 and 2021. Brucella antibodies were investigated in blood samples using ELISA IgG, ELISA IgM, Rose Bengal, and Standard tube agglutination tests. A questionnaire was administered to the participants to investigate the risk factors of brucellosis. Results: The mean age of the participants was 43.6 ± 15.7.2 years (min:18, max:90), and there were 137 male (50.6%) and 134 female (49.4%) particpants. Seropositivity was detected with ELISA IgG in 40 of 271 participants (14.8%). Seropositivity was detected in the ELISA IgM test in 2 of these 40 participants (0.7%). Seropositivity was found in 46 participants (17%) in the Rose Bengal and 29 individuals in the STA test. According to the serology results, ELISA IgG positivity was higher in male participants compared to female participants (ratio=1.6). Among pet owners, ELISA IgG seropositivity was found higher than the participants who did not have pets (ratio=1.9). In the evaluation based on educational status, the rate of seropositivity was slightly higher in the participants who were illiterate and had a poor level of education. Conclusion: In our study, it was determined that the prevalence rate obtained by ELISA IgG was consistent with previous studies conducted in the region. No significant relationship was observed between the serology results of the participants and their gender and educational status. On the other hand, the positivity of ELISA IgG results was higher among the participants who had pets, and there was a significant relationship at the margin

Financial sector development, openness, and entrepreneurship: Panel regression analysis

Entrepreneurship plays a major role in all countries' economies through generating new jobs and innovation, and in turn making a contribution to the economic growth. Therefore, the determinants underlying entrepreneurship have become important for designing an environment that increases entrepreneurial activity. In this study, we considered it important to investigate the influence of factors such as financial sector development, foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, and trade and financial openness on entrepreneurship, using information from 15 upper middle income and high-income countries over the 2001-2015 period. The findings reveal that the banking sector and capital market development, FDI inflows, and trade openness affect the total early-stage entrepreneurial activity positively. Furthermore, the crises had a negative impact on the entrepreneurship. © 2018 by the authors

Recurrent Postpartum Eosinophilic Pneumonia Presenting as Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Eosinophilic pneumonia (EP) is a rare disease of the lung. We aimed to present atypical course of two EP cases. They were admitted to our hospital because of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in postpartum period. Eosinophilia was detected in bronchoscopic broncho-alveolar lavage and laboratory examination. In these cases, no spesific cause for eosinophilic pneumonia was determined and steroid treatment was started. After the treatment, the patients were in full recovery which were confirmed by clinical and radiological investigations, readmitted to our clinic with relapses of ARDS. The patients have received regular treatment for 1 year. Our cases were neither fitting the classic definitions of acute eosinophilic pneumonia nor chronic eosinophilic pneumonia. Therefore, we wanted to contribute additional data in the literature by sharing these interesting cases

The Chemical Composition of the Lionfish (Pterois miles, Bennett 1828), the New Invasive Species of the Mediterranean Sea

In this study, the proximate composition of muscle tissue was investigated in lion fish (P. miles), which has a high invasion potency in the Mediterranean. At the same time, the potentials of accumulation of essential and toxic metals in brain, gill, muscle and liver tissues have been examined. The study was carried out with 4 lion fish individuals (1st individual 278 g, 28 cm, 2nd individual 55 g, 19 cm, 3rd individual 68 g, 20 cm, 4th individual 92 g, 22 cm) caught from the Yeşilovacık Bay in 2016. Water, crude protein, total lipid, total mineral substance (TMS) percentages were found to be 75.68-77.62%, 20.05-21.08%, 1.11-1.84%, 1.22-1.54 in P. miles, respectively. The percentage of fatty acids in lionfish ranged from 34.26% to 37.57% saturated fatty acids (SFAs), from 24.99% to 27.99 % monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), and from 20.49% to 49.31% polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Dominant fatty acids are palmitic acid and stearic acid from SFAs, palmitoleic acid, oleic acid, cetoleic acid from MUFAs, EPA and DHA from PUFAs. The accumulation levels of heavy metals in the tissues were found as Fe> Zn> As> Cu> Cr> Pb, respectively. The accumulation levels of each metal in the tissues were determined as follows: liver>gill>brain>muscle (29.19-384.43 μg g -1 dw) for Fe, gill>brain>liver>muscle (16.08-56.68 μg g -1 dw) for Zn, muscle>brain>gill>liver (2.69-7.88 μg g - 1 dw) for As, liver> brain>gill>muscle (0.74-7.05 μg g-1 dw) for Cu, brain>gill>muscle>liver (0.35-2.67 μg g -1 dw) for Cr, brain>gill>muscle>liver (0.26-2.11 μg g -1 dw) for Pb. As a result; while lionfish muscle tissue contains high levels of protein, unsaturated fatty acids, minerals and trace elements, it has been determined that levels of heavy metals in this consumable tissue are not at levels that could threaten human health