Preventive effects of systemic Pistacia eurycarpa Yalt. administration on alveolar bone loss and oxidative stress in rats with experimental periodontitis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of systemic administration of P. eurycarpa Yalt. plant extract on alveolar bone loss and oxidative stress biomarkers in gingival tissue in a rat model of experimental periodontitis. METHODOLOGY: 32 male Wistar albino rats, weighing 200-250 g, were divided into four groups (n=8): Healthy control (HC), Experimental periodontitis control (EPC), Experimental periodontitis 400 mg/kg (EP400), Experimental periodontitis 800 mg/kg (EP800). Experimental periodontitis was induced using the ligating method. Distilled water was administered to the HC and EPC groups and the plant extract was administered to the EP400 and EP800 groups by oral gavage at doses of 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg, respectively. The rats were sacrificed on the 15th day. The values of glutathione peroxidase GSH-Px, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismustase (SOD), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-10 (IL-10), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI) in the gingival tissues were analyzed by ELISA tests. Alveolar bone loss was assessed using micro-CT images of the maxilla. RESULTS: Although the IL-1ß, TOS, OSI results of the healthy control group were lower than those of the other groups, the TAS values were higher (p<0.05). No significant difference was found in the biochemical parameters among the EPC, EP400, and EP800 groups (p>0.05). Alveolar bone loss was significantly reduced in the extract groups compared to the EPC group (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, it was observed that the systemic P. eurycarpa extract application reduced alveolar bone loss in a rat model of experimental periodontitis. Further studies are needed to elucidate the beneficial effects of P. eurycarpa.

COVID-19 Antibody Levels among Various Vaccination Groups, One-Year Antibody Follow-Up in Two University Hospitals from Western and Central Turkey.

Various clinical outcomes, reinfections, vaccination programs, and antibody responses resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated the time-dependent changes in SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses in infected and/or vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals and to provide insights into spike and nucleocapsid antibodies, which fluctuate during infectious and non-infectious states. This cohort study was carried out at the Ege University Faculty of Medicine hospital in Izmir (western Turkey) and the Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine hospital in Kayseri (central Turkey) between December 2021 and January 2023, which coincided with the second half of COVID-19 pandemic. The study included 100 COVID-19 PCR-positive patients and 190 healthcare workers (HCWs). Antibody levels were followed up via quantitative anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike and qualitative anti-nucleocapsid immunoassays (Elecsys™). Antibody levels declined after infection but persisted for at least 6-8 months. Individuals who had received only CoronaVac had higher anti-nucleocapsid antibody levels in the early months than those who received mixed vaccination. However, anti-spike antibodies persisted longer and at higher levels in individuals who had received mixed vaccinations. This suggests that combining two different vaccine platforms may provide a synergistic effect, resulting in more durable and broad-spectrum immunity against SARS-CoV-2. The study provides information about the vaccination and antibody status of healthcare workers in the second half of the pandemic and provides valuable insights into the dynamics of antibody responses to COVID-19 infection and vaccination.

Preventive effects of systemic Pistacia eurycarpa Yalt. administration on alveolar bone loss and oxidative stress in rats with experimental periodontitis

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of systemic administration of P. eurycarpa Yalt. plant extract on alveolar bone loss and oxidative stress biomarkers in gingival tissue in a rat model of experimental periodontitis. Methodology: 32 male Wistar albino rats, weighing 200-250 g, were divided into four groups (n=8): Healthy control (HC), Experimental periodontitis control (EPC), Experimental periodontitis 400 mg/kg (EP400), Experimental periodontitis 800 mg/kg (EP800). Experimental periodontitis was induced using the ligating method. Distilled water was administered to the HC and EPC groups and the plant extract was administered to the EP400 and EP800 groups by oral gavage at doses of 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg, respectively. The rats were sacrificed on the 15th day. The values of glutathione peroxidase GSH-Px, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismustase (SOD), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-10 (IL-10), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI) in the gingival tissues were analyzed by ELISA tests. Alveolar bone loss was assessed using micro-CT images of the maxilla. Results: Although the IL-1β, TOS, OSI results of the healthy control group were lower than those of the other groups, the TAS values were higher (p<0.05). No significant difference was found in the biochemical parameters among the EPC, EP400, and EP800 groups (p>0.05). Alveolar bone loss was significantly reduced in the extract groups compared to the EPC group (p<0.001). Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, it was observed that the systemic P. eurycarpa extract application reduced alveolar bone loss in a rat model of experimental periodontitis. Further studies are needed to elucidate the beneficial effects of P. eurycarpa.

Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in human stool samples: antibiotic resistance profiles, putative virulence determinants and molecular characterization of the isolates.

Campylobacters, especially C. jejuni and C. coli, have become one of the leading causes of acute gastroenteritis in humans worldwide in recent years. We aimed to investigate the presence, antimicrobial resistance, putative virulence genes, and molecular characterization of C. jejuni and C. coli recovered from human acute gastroenteritis cases in the study. In the study, suspected Campylobacter spp. isolates were obtained in 43 (5%) feces samples collected from a total of 850 patients who applied to the Erciyes University Medical Faculty acute clinic between March 2019 and February 2020. As a result of the phenotypic tests, these isolates were determined to be Campylobacter spp. According to the multiplex PCR, 33 of 43 Campylobacter spp. isolates were identified as C. jejuni (76%) and ten isolates were as C. coli (24%). In the disc diffusion test, the highest resistance rate was found in the trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (90.1%) and ciprofloxacin (90.1%), and the lowest rate was found in the amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (9.3%). In Campylobacter spp. isolates, the virulence genes cdtA, virB11, cdtB, cadF, iam, ceu, and flaA were found to be positive at rates of 26 (60%), 28 (65.6%), 13 (30%), 4 (9%), 27 (62%), 17 (39%), and 7 (16%), respectively. However, the cdtC gene was not detected in any of the isolates. The study searched tetO gene to examine the genetic aspect of tetracycline resistance, which was found in all Campylobacter spp. isolates. In the PCR reactions to investigate A2074C and A2075G mutations of macrolide resistance, it was determined as 7 (16%) and 21 (48%) of the isolates. To detect quinolone resistance, the rates of quinolone resistance-determining regions (QRDR) were 20 (45.4%) and the gyrA gene mutations in the mismatch amplification mutation assay PCR (MAMA-PCR), were 19 (43.1%) of isolates. In addition, the quinolone resistance gene (qnr) carried by plasmid in Campylobacter isolates was not found in the study. BlaOXA-61 and CmeB (multi-drug efflux pump) genes were detected as 28 (63.6%) and 30 (68.1), respectively. The Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus PCR (ERIC-PCR) used for typing the isolates revealed that the band profiles obtained from the isolates were different. In conclusion, this was a very comprehensive study revealing the presence of antibiotic-resistant C. jejuni and C. coli with various virulence genes in patients admitted to a university hospital with acute gastroenteritis. This is of utmost significance for public health. Since campylobacteria are foodborne, zoonotic pathogens and transmission occurs mostly through food. People should have detailed information about the transmission routes of campylobacteria and risky foods. In addition, staff, food processors and caterers, should be trained in hygiene.

Genome-wide association study of placental weight identifies distinct and shared genetic influences between placental and fetal growth.

A well-functioning placenta is essential for fetal and maternal health throughout pregnancy. Using placental weight as a proxy for placental growth, we report genome-wide association analyses in the fetal (n = 65,405), maternal (n = 61,228) and paternal (n = 52,392) genomes, yielding 40 independent association signals. Twenty-six signals are classified as fetal, four maternal and three fetal and maternal. A maternal parent-of-origin effect is seen near KCNQ1. Genetic correlation and colocalization analyses reveal overlap with birth weight genetics, but 12 loci are classified as predominantly or only affecting placental weight, with connections to placental development and morphology, and transport of antibodies and amino acids. Mendelian randomization analyses indicate that fetal genetically mediated higher placental weight is causally associated with preeclampsia risk and shorter gestational duration. Moreover, these analyses support the role of fetal insulin in regulating placental weight, providing a key link between fetal and placental growth.

Two new freshwater blennies from the Eastern Mediterranean basin (Teleostei: Blenniidae).

Two new species of Salariopsis are described from the Eastern Mediterranean basin. Salariopsis burcuae, new species, from the Bay of Antalya east to the Jordan, is characterised by having a short cirrus, usually not overlapping the 9th circum-orbital sensory pore, and many tiny black dots on the cheek not organised in rows or bands. The new species shows a 4.1% K2P sequence divergence on the cytochrome-c-oxidase subunit 1 (COI) barcoding region from its closest relative, S. fluviatilis. Salariopsis renatorum, new species, from the upper Ceyhan drainage and a coastal stream in Arsuz, is distinguished by having an unbranched supraocular tentacle, black lateral line pores, a short snout, and no black dots on the upper part of the flank and on the cheek. It is also distinguished from its geographically closest congener, S. burcuae, by a molecular distance of 8.8% K2P in its COI barcode region.

Molecular epidemiology and antifungal susceptibilities of Aspergillus species isolated from patients with invasive aspergillosis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the demographic data, molecular epidemiology, and in vitro antifungal susceptibility results of patients with Aspergillus isolated from various clinical specimens. METHODS: A total of 44 Aspergillus strains were studied. The definition of invasive aspergillosis in patients was made according to European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Invasive Fungal Infections Cooperative Group and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Mycoses Study Group (EORTC/MSG) criteria. Strains were phenotypically and molecularly identified. Demographic characteristics of patients and genotypes of strains were evaluated. Phylogenetic analysis was done by the The Unweighted Pair-Group Method with Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA). Antifungal susceptibility of strains was determined according to The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)-M61-Ed2 and The European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST). RESULTS: A total of 11 patients were classified as proven and 33 as probable invasive aspergillosis. There was a statistically significant difference in age groups, subdisease, neutropenic, and receiving chemotherapy between groups. A total of 23 strains were identified as Aspergillus fumigatus, 12 as Aspergillus niger, 6 as Aspergillus flavus, and 3 as Aspergillus terreus. Phylogenetic analysis revealed five different genotypes. No statistical difference was found in the comparisons between patients groups and genotype groups. There was a statistically significant difference between genotype groups and voriconazole, posaconazole, and itraconazole Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC). CONCLUSION: Accurate identification of strains and antifungal susceptibility studies should be performed due to azole and amphotericin B resistance. Genotyping studies are important in infection control due to identifying sources of infection and transmission routes.

Cross-sectional associations between physical fitness and biomarkers of inflammation in children-The PANIC study.

BACKGROUND: Systemic low-grade inflammation has been proposed as an underlying pathophysiological mechanism for cardiometabolic diseases. We investigated the associations of physical fitness with a systemic low-grade inflammatory state in a population sample of children. METHODS: Altogether 391 children aged 6-9 years were examined. Cardiorespiratory fitness (maximal power output, Wmax ) was assessed by a maximal cycle ergometer test and neuromuscular fitness by hand grip strength, sit-up, standing long jump, 50-meter shuttle run, static balance, sit-and-reach, and box and block tests. Body fat percentage (BF%) and lean mass (LM) were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), leptin, leptin receptor, high molecular weight adiponectin (HMW-adiponectin), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and glycoprotein acetyls (GlycA) were assessed from fasting blood samples. The modified inflammatory score (IS) was calculated using the population-specific z-scores and formula (z hs-CRP + z leptin + z IL-6 + z TNF-α + z GlycA)-z leptin receptor-z HMW-adiponectin. The data were analyzed using linear regression analyses. RESULTS: Higher Wmax /kg of body mass (ß = -0.416, 95% CI = -0.514 to -0.318), higher number of completed sit-ups (ß = -0.147, 95% CI = -0.244 to -0.049), a longer distance jumped in the standing long jump test (ß = -0.270, 95% CI = -0.371 to -0.169), and a shorter time in the 50-meter shuttle run test (ß = 0.123, 95% CI = 0.022 to 0.223) were associated with lower IS. None of these associations remained statistically significant after adjustment for BF%. CONCLUSIONS: Higher physical fitness is associated with a more favorable inflammatory biomarker profile in children. However, the associations were explained by BF%.

Molecular epidemiology and antifungal susceptibilities of Aspergillus species isolated from patients with invasive aspergillosis

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the demographic data, molecular epidemiology, and in vitro antifungal susceptibility results of patients with Aspergillus isolated from various clinical specimens. METHODS: A total of 44 Aspergillus strains were studied. The definition of invasive aspergillosis in patients was made according to European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Invasive Fungal Infections Cooperative Group and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Mycoses Study Group (EORTC/MSG) criteria. Strains were phenotypically and molecularly identified. Demographic characteristics of patients and genotypes of strains were evaluated. Phylogenetic analysis was done by the The Unweighted Pair-Group Method with Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA). Antifungal susceptibility of strains was determined according to The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)-M61-Ed2 and The European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST). RESULTS: A total of 11 patients were classified as proven and 33 as probable invasive aspergillosis. There was a statistically significant difference in age groups, subdisease, neutropenic, and receiving chemotherapy between groups. A total of 23 strains were identified as Aspergillus fumigatus, 12 as Aspergillus niger, 6 as Aspergillus flavus, and 3 as Aspergillus terreus. Phylogenetic analysis revealed five different genotypes. No statistical difference was found in the comparisons between patients groups and genotype groups. There was a statistically significant difference between genotype groups and voriconazole, posaconazole, and itraconazole Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC). CONCLUSION: Accurate identification of strains and antifungal susceptibility studies should be performed due to azole and amphotericin B resistance. Genotyping studies are important in infection control due to identifying sources of infection and transmission routes.

Healthcare-Related HCV Genotype 4d Infections in Kayseri, Turkey.

BACKGROUND: The frequency of genotype 4 hepatitis C virus infection is significantly higher in a city compared to other provinces in Turkey. In this study, we aimed to investigate the epidemiology and risk factors of hepatitis C virus genotype 4 infection in Kayseri province of Turkey. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted with 61 hepatitis C virus genotype 4-infected patients and 71 controls. A questionnaire was administered to the patients and controls, asking for information about the risk factors of hepatitis C virus transmission. Core/ E1 and NS5B regions of hepatitis C virus genome were amplified and sequenced by Sanger method. Phylogenetic analysis and molecular clock analysis were performed. The risk was determined by calculating the odds ratio and 95% CI. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the effect of risk factors by controlling for confounding variables. RESULTS: Kayseri isolates were closely related to type 4d sequences but formed a separate cluster. According to the molecular clock analysis, hepatitis C virus genotype 4d entered Kayseri province probably between 1941 and 1988. Blood transfusion and surgical intervention were found to be significant risk factors for the infection. CONCLUSION: Epidemiological data showed that hepatitis C virus genotype 4d infections are significantly associated with unsafe medical procedures.

Improved Aerobic Capacity and Adipokine Profile Together with Weight Loss Improve Glycemic Control without Changes in Skeletal Muscle GLUT-4 Gene Expression in Middle-Aged Subjects with Impaired Glucose Tolerance.

(1) Objective: The aim of this study was to clarify the role of adipokines in the regulation of glucose metabolism in middle-aged obese subjects with impaired glucose tolerance in response to a long-term exercise and dietary intervention. (2) Methods: Skeletal muscle, plasma and serum samples were examined in 22 subjects from an exercise−diet intervention study aiming to prevent type 2 diabetes. The subjects were further divided into two subgroups (non-responders n = 9 and responders n = 13) based on their achievement in losing at least 3 kg. (3) Results: The two-year exercise−diet intervention reduced leptin levels and increased adiponectin levels in responders; the changes in leptin levels were significantly associated with changes in their weights (r = 0.662, p < 0.01). In responders, insulin sensitivity (Bennett and McAuley index) increased and was associated with changes in maximal oxygen uptake (VO2peak) (r = 0.831, p < 0.010 and r = 0.890, p < 0.01). In addition, the VO2peak and oxidative capacity of skeletal muscle improved in responders, but not in non-responders. However, there were no changes between the two groups in expressions of the glucose transporter protein-4 (GLUT-4) gene or of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-α1 or AMPK-α2 proteins. (4) Conclusions: The exercise−diet intervention decreased serum leptin and increased serum adiponectin concentrations, improved glucose control without affecting GLUT-4 gene expression in the skeletal muscle in responders.

Development of multiplex PCR panel for detection of anaerobic bacteria in clinical samples.

OBJECTIVE: Although anaerobic bacteria are important agents of a wide variety of serious infections, they are overlooked often in the etiology of infection due to difficulties in isolation and detection. The aim of this study was to develop a new multiplex PCR panel that could detect Bacteroides, Fusobacterium, Prevotella, Veillonella, Clostridium, Peptostreptococcus, and Actinomyces bacteria, which are the most frequently isolated from anaerobic infections, at the genus level. METHOD: Aerobic and anaerobic cultures were performed on 46 clinical specimens, with suspicion of anaerobic infection and were sent to the laboratory. DNA isolation was performed with the same samples and anaerobic bacteria were detected by the multiplex PCR test developed in the study. RESULT: The analytical sensitivity of the multiplex PCR assay was found to be 1-103 CFU/ml, depending on the bacterial species. In this study, anaerobic growth was observed in eight (17.4%) of 46 clinical samples. The multiplex PCR test detected 35 anaerobic bacteria from 20 (43.5%) of 46 clinical samples. The most common anaerobes isolated from clinical specimens by the multiplex PCR assay were Prevotella spp. (37.1%) and Fusobacterium spp. (22.9%) while Clostridium spp. (14.3%), Peptostreptococcus spp. (11.4%), Bacteroides spp. (8.6%), and Veillonella spp. (5.7%) followed these genera. CONCLUSION: As a result, it was concluded that the multiplex PCR panel developed in this study eliminates problems in the detection of anaerobes based on culture, provides more accurate detection of anaerobic bacteria from clinical specimens, takes a shorter time, and allows more accurate infection treatment.

Frequency of azole resistance in clinical and environmental strains of Aspergillus fumigatus in Turkey: a multicentre study.

OBJECTIVES: Aspergillus fumigatus causes several diseases in humans and azole resistance in A. fumigatus strains is an important issue. The aim of this multicentre epidemiological study was to investigate the prevalence of azole resistance in clinical and environmental A. fumigatus isolates in Turkey. METHODS: Twenty-one centres participated in this study from 1 May 2018 to 1 October 2019. One participant from each centre was asked to collect environmental and clinical A. fumigatus isolates. Azole resistance was screened for using EUCAST agar screening methodology (EUCAST E.DEF 10.1) and was confirmed by the EUCAST E.DEF 9.3 reference microdilution method. Isolates with a phenotypic resistance pattern were sequenced for the cyp51A gene and microsatellite genotyping was used to determine the genetic relationships between the resistant strains. RESULTS: In total, resistance was found in 1.3% of the strains that were isolated from environmental samples and 3.3% of the strains that were isolated from clinical samples. Mutations in the cyp51A gene were detected in 9 (47.4%) of the 19 azole-resistant isolates, all of which were found to be TR34/L98H mutations. Microsatellite genotyping clearly differentiated the strains with the TR34/L98H mutation in the cyp51A gene from the strains with no mutation in this gene. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of observed azole resistance of A. fumigatus isolates was low in this study, but the fact that more than half of the examined strains had the wild-type cyp51A gene supports the idea that other mechanisms of resistance are gradually increasing.

Studies on the Effectiveness of Ozone Therapy on the Treatment of Experimentally Induced Keratitis with Candida albicans in Rabbits.

PURPOSE: In the present study, antifungal activity of ozonated olive oil (OZO) and ozonated distilled water (ODW) in the treatment of experimentally induced keratitis with C. albicans in rabbits were investigated. METHODS: The Groups were composed of as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 (n = 5 rabbits, 10 eyes/in each group) and Group 6 (n = 10 rabbits, 20 eyes/in the group). Fourty-eight hours after C. albicans inoculation; Group 1 received fluconazle (FLU)+OZO drops, Group 2 received FLU drop, Group 3 received OZO drop, Group 4 received FLU+ODW drops, Group 5 received ODW drop, Group 6 (infected control group) and Group 7 received PBS drop (negative control group). Treatment continued in all groups for 22 days for every 8 hours. RESULTS: Cornea cultures made 24 days post inoculation revealed statistically significant differences (p < 0,05) with concern to C. albicans amounts between Group 6 and Group 1-5. Statistical comparison of corneal opacity and corneal ulcer and conjunctivitis values among the Group 6 and Group 1-5 were also different significantly (p < 0,05) on days 20 and 24 post inoculation. CONCLUSION: OZO and ODW were found to be effective in treating C. albicans keratitis in the present study. It has also been proven by this study that ODW contain 26 µg/ml was the most effective in the treatment of C. albicans keratitis.

Associations of physical activity, sedentary time, and diet quality with biomarkers of inflammation in children.

We investigated the associations of physical activity (PA), sedentary time (ST), and diet quality with biomarkers of inflammation in 390 children (192 girls, 198 boys) aged 6-8 years. PA energy expenditure (PAEE), light PA, moderate PA (MPA), vigorous PA (VPA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), and ST were assessed by combined movement and heart rate sensor. Finnish Children Healthy Eating Index was calculated using data from 4 d food records. Body fat percentage (BF%) was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP), leptin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), adiponectin, tumour necrosis factor-α, and glycoprotein acetyls were measured from fasting blood samples. PAEE, MPA, VPA, and MVPA were inversely associated with hs-CRP (ß=-191 to -139, 95% CI=-0.294 to -0.024), leptin (ß=-0.409 to -0.301, 95% CI=-0.499 to -0.107), IL-6 (ß=-0.136 to -0.104, 95% CI=-0.240 to -0.001) and PAEE, MPA, and MVPA were inversely associated with glycoprotein acetyls (ß=-0.117 to -0.103, 95% CI=-0.213 to -0.001). ST was directly associated with hs-CRP (ß=0.170, 95% CI=0.070-0.269), leptin (ß=0.355, 95% CI=0.265-0.445), and IL-6 (ß=0.105, 95% CI=0.005-0.205). VPA was inversely associated with hs-CRP, leptin, and IL-6 in children with higher BF% (ß=-0.344 to -0.181, 95% CI=-0.477 to -0.033) but not among children with lower BF% (ß=-0.007-0.033, 95% CI=-0.183-0.184). In conclusion, PA was inversely and ST directly associated with circulating levels of biomarkers of inflammation among children. Furthermore, we observed that PA was inversely associated with these biomarkers for inflammation in children with a higher BF%. HighlightsSystemic inflammation, as indicated by increased circulating concentrations of biomarkers for inflammation, may be important in causal pathways leading to insulin resistance, sub-clinical atherosclerosis, and eventually clinical manifestations of cardiovascular diseases.Higher levels of physical activity and lower levels of sedentary time were associated with more favourable inflammatory profile.Body fat percentage modified these associations and especially vigorous intensity physical activity was inversely associated with biomarkers of inflammation on children with higher body fat percentage but not in children with lower body fat percentage.

Evaluation of the performance of the BD MAX MDR-TB test in the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in extrapulmonary and pulmonary samples.

BACKGROUND: The BD MAX MDR-TB is a recently marketed molecular test for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC), rifampin, and isoniazid drug resistance. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This study aimed to evaluate the BD MAX MDR-TB test performance in 933 extrapulmonary and 774 pulmonary samples. RESULTS: Test MTC detecting sensitivity was 90.6%, 82.5%, and the specificity was 98.5%, 98.9%, in pulmonary and extrapulmonary samples, respectively. In smear-positive samples, sensitivity, and specificity were 100% for all samples. However, in smear-negative samples, the test's sensitivity and specificity were 82.3%, 98.5% in pulmonary samples, and 76.7%, 98.9% in extrapulmonary samples. Test sensitivity in detecting isoniazid resistance was 71.4%, specificity 96.8%, and in detecting rifampin resistance was 100%, specificity 93.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: BD MAX MDR-TB is a reliable, rapid, user-friendly test for detecting MTC in extrapulmonary and pulmonary samples and its resistance toward isoniazid and rifampin. It can be used as an alternative to the Xpert system assays.

Comparison of samples found positive by anti-HCV screening test with line immunoassay and determination of threshold value

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the serum samples found reactive (≥1-≤20 signal-to-cutoff ratio) with Elecsys antibodies to hepatitis C virus screening test with innogenetics-line immunassay hepatitis C Virus Score test and to determine the most appropriate threshold value for our country, since positive results close to the cutoff value cause serious problems in routine diagnostic laboratories. METHODS: Antibodies to hepatitis C virus-positive samples from 687 different patients were included in the study. Antibodies to hepatitis C virus antibody detection was performed using Elecsys antibodies to hepatitis C virus II kits (Roche Diagnostics, Germany), an electrochemiluminescence method based on the double-antigen sandwich principle, on the Cobas e601 analyzer (Roche Diagnostics) in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer. Samples that were initially identified as reactive were studied again. Samples with ≥1-≤20 signal-to-cutoff ratio reagents as a result of retest were included in the study to be validated with the third-Generation Line immunassay kit (innogenetics-line immunassay hepatitis C Virus, Belgium). RESULTS: A total of 687 samples with antibodies to hepatitis C virus positive and levels between 1-20 S/Co were found to be 56.1% negative, 14.8% indeterminate, and 29.1% positive by innogenetics-line immunassay hepatitis C Virus confirmation test. When the cases with indeterminate innogenetics-line immunassay hepatitis C Virus test results were accepted as positive, the signal-to-cutoff ratio value for antibodies to hepatitis C virus was determined as 5.8 (95% confidence interval) in distinguishing the innogenetics-line immunassay hepatitis C Virus negative and positive groups. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that with further studies on this subject, each country should determine the most appropriate S/Co value for its population, and thus it would be beneficial to reduce the problems such as test repetition and cost increase.

Regular Physical Exercise Modulates Iron Homeostasis in the 5xFAD Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

Dysregulation of brain iron metabolism is one of the pathological features of aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive memory loss and cognitive impairment. While physical inactivity is one of the risk factors for AD and regular exercise improves cognitive function and reduces pathology associated with AD, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The purpose of the study is to explore the effect of regular physical exercise on modulation of iron homeostasis in the brain and periphery of the 5xFAD mouse model of AD. By using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and a variety of biochemical techniques, we measured total iron content and level of proteins essential in iron homeostasis in the brain and skeletal muscles of sedentary and exercised mice. Long-term voluntary running induced redistribution of iron resulted in altered iron metabolism and trafficking in the brain and increased iron content in skeletal muscle. Exercise reduced levels of cortical hepcidin, a key regulator of iron homeostasis, coupled with interleukin-6 (IL-6) decrease in cortex and plasma. We propose that regular exercise induces a reduction of hepcidin in the brain, possibly via the IL-6/STAT3/JAK1 pathway. These findings indicate that regular exercise modulates iron homeostasis in both wild-type and AD mice.

Molecular epidemiology, antifungal susceptibility and virulence factors of Candida glabrata complex strains in Kayseri/Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Candida nivariensis and Candida bracarensis are included in Candida glabrata complex, which are usually misidentified as C. glabrata based on phenotypic identification methods. It was aimed to identify C. glabrata complex isolated from various clinical samples in Kayseri/Turkey to the species level and to determine antifungal susceptibilities, virulence factors, and molecular epidemiology. METHODS: Eighty three C. glabrata complex strains were studied in this study. Strains were phenotypically and molecularly identified. Phylogenetic analysis was done by the neighbor-joining method. Proteinase, phospholipase, esterase enzyme activity, and biofilm formation of strains were determined phenotypically. Antifungal susceptibility of strains were determined according to M60-Ed2 recommendations. RESULTS: All the 83 strains identified as C. glabrata complex by phenotypic tests were confirmed as C. glabrata sensu stricto (C. glabrata) by PCR amplification and sequence analysis, but other complex members C. nivariensis and C. bracarensis were not detected. Phylogenetic analysis results revealed 19 different genotypes. No clonal relationship was detected among the strains. Biofilm formation in 75.9% of strains and esterase activity in 7.2% were found positive. Antifungal resistance rates of strains were determined as 9.2% for fluconazole and 45.8% for itraconazole; 43.4% of the strains for voriconazole were determined as non-wild type. CONCLUSION: It was determined that biofilm and esterase activity might play an active role in the virulence of C. glabrata. In addition, high resistance rates to azoles in C. glabrata strains isolated in our hospital at Kayseri/Turkey emphasized the significance of epidemiological studies.

Comparison of samples found positive by anti-HCV screening test with line immunoassay and determination of threshold value.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the serum samples found reactive (≥1-≤20 signal-to-cutoff ratio) with Elecsys antibodies to hepatitis C virus screening test with innogenetics-line immunassay hepatitis C Virus Score test and to determine the most appropriate threshold value for our country, since positive results close to the cutoff value cause serious problems in routine diagnostic laboratories. METHODS: Antibodies to hepatitis C virus-positive samples from 687 different patients were included in the study. Antibodies to hepatitis C virus antibody detection was performed using Elecsys antibodies to hepatitis C virus II kits (Roche Diagnostics, Germany), an electrochemiluminescence method based on the double-antigen sandwich principle, on the Cobas e601 analyzer (Roche Diagnostics) in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer. Samples that were initially identified as reactive were studied again. Samples with ≥1-≤20 signal-to-cutoff ratio reagents as a result of retest were included in the study to be validated with the third-Generation Line immunassay kit (innogenetics-line immunassay hepatitis C Virus, Belgium). RESULTS: A total of 687 samples with antibodies to hepatitis C virus positive and levels between 1-20 S/Co were found to be 56.1% negative, 14.8% indeterminate, and 29.1% positive by innogenetics-line immunassay hepatitis C Virus confirmation test. When the cases with indeterminate innogenetics-line immunassay hepatitis C Virus test results were accepted as positive, the signal-to-cutoff ratio value for antibodies to hepatitis C virus was determined as 5.8 (95% confidence interval) in distinguishing the innogenetics-line immunassay hepatitis C Virus negative and positive groups. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that with further studies on this subject, each country should determine the most appropriate S/Co value for its population, and thus it would be beneficial to reduce the problems such as test repetition and cost increase.