Comprehensive natural radioactivity and pollution risk assessments of aquatic media and sediment in Lake Van (Türkiye).

This paper studies the radionuclide (137Cs, 226Ra, 232Th, 40K) activity concentrations and gross radioactivities in waters and sediments of Lake Van, which is the third largest closed lake (with no natural or artificial outlet) within the Earth. The physico-chemical parameters were measured and evaluated in the lake waters. The mean gross α activities in surface, middle and bottom waters are 0.04, 0.03 and 0.03 Bq/L, respectively, and in the same order, the mean gross ß activities are 0.30, 0.23 and 0.33 Bq/L, respectively. In sediment samples, the mean activity concentrations were measured as 1.98 Bq/g for gross-α, 3.46 Bq/g for gross-ß, 48.3 Bq/kg for 226Ra, 32.0 Bq/kg for 232Th, 540.1 Bq/kg for 40K and 25.9 Bq/kg for 137Cs. The radiation hazard parameters values based on the measured activities were calculated and Raeq values are lower than the world average value in all samples, while Dout and AED values are relatively high in some sediment samples.

PAI-1 and tPA gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a sample of Turkish population.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) 4G/5G or tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) I/D polymorphisms in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) cases in a sample of Turkish population. METHODS: PAI-1 4G/5G and tPA Alu-repeat I/D genetic polymorphisms in 153 COPD subjects and 160 controls were investigated using PCR-RFLP and PCR methods, respectively. RESULTS: 4G allele frequency was 0.62 and 0.39 for COPD and control groups, respectively. 4G allele had an estimated 2.56- fold [95% CI = 1.85-3.53] increased risk of COPD. tPA I allele frequency was 0.55 and 0.50, for COPD and control groups, respectively. I allele had an estimated 1.19-fold [95% CI = 0.87-1.62] increased risk of COPD. CONCLUSIONS: PAI-1 4G/4G and 4G/5G genotypes seemed to play a key role in the pathophysiology of COPD in Turkish individuals.

The Prevalence of Rotavirus and Adenovirus in the Childhood Gastroenteritis.

BACKGROUND: Acute gastroenteritis stemming from viral causes is very common during the childhood period. Rotavirus and enteric adenovirus are the most common factors of acute gastroenteritis encountered in infants and children. However, the epidemiology of rotavirus and enteric adenovirus gastroenteritis in the east Anatolia region is not well-known. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the relationship between the distribution of antigen positivity in rotavirus and enteric adenovirus antigen tests required cases and demographic data retrospectively in pediatric patients admitted to our hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The records of stool sample analyses for 1154 patients admitted to our hospital from June 2011 to December 2011 with complaints of diarrhea were retrospectively examined. The presence of rotavirus and enteric adenovirus antigens in stool specimens was investigated by means of an immunochromatographic test. RESULTS: Viral antigens were detected in 327 (28.3%) stool specimens out of 1154. Among the positive results, the frequency was 73.7% for rotavirus and 26.2% for adenovirus. While the detected rotavirus antigen rate was high for all age groups, it was highest for children under the age of 2, with a rate of 57.1%. Moreover, the rotavirus infections were observed at a rate of 44.3% in winter and of 24.6% in autumn. CONCLUSIONS: The most important factor in childhood acute gastroenteritis in east Anatolia is the rotavirus. Rotavirus and adenovirus antigens should be routinely investigated as a factor in fresh stool samples for the accurate diagnosis and treatment of gastroenteritis in children in the winter and autumn months.

A Neonatal Septic Arthritis Case Caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae: A Case Report.

Septic arthritis is encountered very rarely during the neonatal period and its diagnosis can delay because of atypical symptoms, thus it may lead to serious sequelae. The sequale can be prevented by early diagnosis and concomitant treatment. In neonates, pain can be experienced as a result of pseudoparalysis and of movement of the effected joints. A 17-day-old neonatal patient was brought to our hospital with complaint of unrest and then diagnosed with septic arthritis due to propagation of Klebsiella pneumoniae in joint fluid culture was represented because of the rarity of such a case.