Nutritional composition and technological properties determining the quality of different cuts of organic and conventional Turkey meat.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional composition and technological properties of meat from turkeys produced under organic conditions and compare them with those of turkeys produced under conventional conditions. Twenty carcasses of female B.U.T. Premium turkeys (Aviagen Turkeys) were obtained directly from the abattoir ten h after slaughter time of animals. Ten carcasses originated from female turkeys reared under conventional intensive husbandry conditions for meat-type turkeys (on average, 5611.8 ± 196.2 g of carcass weight) and the other ten carcasses corresponded to female turkeys raised under certified organic free-range conditions (PavosBio, Ávila, Spain) (on average, 5528.5 ± 354.4 g of carcass weight). Breast, thigh and wing meat samples were analyzed from each turkey: Chemical composition, fatty acid profile, free amino acids, mineral and vitamins content, color, and texture. Meat from female turkeys reared under organic conditions presented higher fat content in breast (1.90 vs. 1.01%, P = 0.032), thigh (3.79 vs. 2.68%, P = 0.022) and wing (12.0 vs. 8.91%, P = 0.012) than meat of female turkeys reared under intensive conventional conditions. The proportion of saturated fatty acids was higher in the meat of intensively reared female turkeys than in those reared under organic conditions (42.8 vs. 38.1%, P = 0.017 in breast; 38.8 vs. 33.6%, P = 0.0053 in thigh and 40.2 vs. 33.9%, P < 0.001 in wing). On the contrary, the proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids was higher in meat of organic turkeys (41.4 vs. 35.6%, P = 0.012 in breast; 42.3 vs. 35.6%, P < 0.001 in thigh and 46.9 vs. 39.3%, P = 0.011 in wing). Concentration of riboflavin and pyridoxine was higher by 21.1% (P = 0.010) and by 154% (P = 0.006), respectively, in meat from organically raised female turkeys than in that of female turkeys reared under intensive conditions. The organic turkey meat analyzed contained a higher proportion B2 and B6, lipids and monounsaturated fatty acids, and a lower content of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

A Comparison of White and Yellow Seminal Plasma Phosphoproteomes Obtained from Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) Semen.

Seminal plasma is rich in proteins originating from various male reproductive organs. The phosphorylation of these proteins can significantly impact sperm motility, capacitation, and acrosome reaction. Phosphoproteomics identifies, catalogues, and characterizes phosphorylated proteins. The phosphoproteomic profiling of seminal plasma offers valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms that influence semen quality and male fertility. Thus, the aim of this study was a phosphoproteomic analysis of white and yellow turkey seminal plasma. The experimental material consisted of 100 ejaculates from BIG-6 turkeys between 39 and 42 weeks of age. The collected white and yellow turkey seminal plasmas were analyzed for total protein content; the activity of selected enzymes, i.e., alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT); and the content of reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Phosphoproteins were isolated from white and yellow seminal fluids, and the resulting protein fractions were separated by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. Phosphorylated residues were immunodetected, and the isolated phosphoproteins were identified (nano LC-MS/MS). Yellow seminal plasmas were characterized by higher levels of total protein, GSH, and MDA, as well as higher levels of ALP, ACP, and GPx activity. There were no significant differences in the activity of SOD and CAT. A total of 113 phosphoproteins were identified in turkey seminal fluids. The functional analysis demonstrated that these phosphoproteins were mainly involved in oocyte fertilization, organization and metabolism of the actin cytoskeleton, amplification of the intracellular signal transduction pathway, general regulation of transport, vesicular transport, proteome composition of individual cellular compartments, and the organization and localization of selected cellular components and macromolecules. Increased phosphorylation of the fractions containing proteins encoded by SPARC, PPIB, TRFE, QSOX1, PRDX1, PRDX6, and FASN genes in white plasmas and the proteins encoded by CKB, ORM2, APOA1, SSC5D, RAP1B, CDC42, FTH, and TTH genes in yellow plasmas was observed based on differences in the optical density of selected bands. The obtained results indicate that the phosphorylation profiles of turkey seminal plasma proteins vary depending on the type of ejaculate.

Evolving Trends in Pediatric Allergic Diseases: A Cross-Sectional Study Over 20 Years in the Central Black Sea Region of Turkey.

Background: In the past two decades, the prevalence of asthma, eczema, and allergic rhinitis has increased among school-aged children in the Central Black Sea region of Turkey. This increase is consistent with national and international data, reflecting the impact and temporal changes of allergic diseases on the community. A similar increasing trend is also observed worldwide. This study aims to contribute to the development of health policies related to allergic diseases among Turkish children in the Central Black Sea region. Materials and Methods: This study compares the results of two cross-sectional surveys conducted in schools in and around Samsun, Turkey, between the years 2006 and 2022, examining changes in the prevalence of specific allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic eczema. Utilizing the Turkish translation of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood protocol, the research encompassed a total of 1,310 and 3,219 children, respectively. Results: In the recent study conducted in 2022, the prevalence of asthma and allergic bronchitis diagnosed by physicians was found to be 10.5% and 4.6%, respectively. In addition, the prevalence of allergic rhinitis was determined to be 3.1% and the prevalence of atopic dermatitis was 2.5%. Moreover, previously unidentified rates of food allergy were determined to be 2.5%, and drug allergy was found to be 2.4%. Furthermore, a comparison with a cross-sectional study conducted in the same region 20 years ago revealed a statistically significant increase in the prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma and allergic bronchitis (with P-values of 0.0375 and 0.0107, respectively). Discussion: The findings of this study suggest a similar trend of increasing prevalence of allergic diseases when compared with similar studies at national and global levels. Consistent with trends identified in the international literature, Turkey is also affected by the rising prevalence of allergic diseases.

Whole genome sequence analysis of turkey orthoreovirus isolates reveals a strong viral host-specificity and naturally occurring co-infections in commercial turkeys.

Avian orthoreoviruses (ARV) are an emerging threat for the poultry industry, both in the United States (US) and globally. ARV infections in turkeys have been associated with arthritis, lameness and neurological disorders, and cost the US economy approximately USD 33 million per year. There is not a commercial vaccine available and the shortage of turkey ARV (TRV) genomic data hinders the efforts to explore the molecular epidemiology of this virus, although several studies suggest a close relationship between European TRVs and TRVs present in the US. This study shows a snapshot of the genomic diversity of Avian orthoreoviruses (ARV) circulating in Germany in the mid-2000s. Through a deep genomic analysis of 18 ARV isolates recovered from sick turkeys, we observed that co-infection was a common condition. 80% of the samples showed signs of a simultaneous infection with a TRV and a chicken ARV (CRV). We believe this is the first reported evidence of CRV and TRV naturally occurring co-infections in commercial turkeys. These co-infection events were identified due to the significant genomic diversity observed among ARV infecting various production bird species. Our phylogenetic analysis revealed a consistent host-associated ARV clustering, with three main clades: (i) a TRV clade, (ii) a CRV clade, and (iii) a Duck ARV (DRV)/Goose ARV (GRV) clade. Furthermore, our findings indicate that German TRVs have interacted with their European and American counterparts, suggesting active mobilization of the virus, likely through the commercial trading of live animals. However, we also consider the potential role of migratory birds in the international movement of ARV.

Performance Assessment of Public Hospitals with the Entropy-Weighted TOPSIS Method: The Case of Turkey.

Background: Hospitals make up the main cost factor of health systems and also face increasing pressure to improve efficiency. Improving the performance of hospitals, which are vital for public health, is very important for developing countries such as Turkey. Aims: We conducted this study to assess the performance of 544 secondary-level public hospitals in Turkey by geographical region. Methods: In the study, we used the entropy weighting method to obtain the objective weights of indicators with the evaluation criteria, and then we utilized the TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) method to rank the performance of hospitals by geographical region. Results: The comparison of hospital performances by geographical region indicated that the highest and the lowest mean scores belonged to the Mediterranean Region and the Eastern Anatolia Region, respectively. Conclusions: The socio-economic differences between geographical regions in Turkey were in parallel with the findings of the study. Although there is a need for professional management in resource allocation and use to improve the performance of public hospitals, it is necessary to focus on the origin of the problems first.

Exploring Turkey's mosaic of novel variants and complex alleles in cystic fibrosis genetics.

BACKGROUNDS: Genetic variants in CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene causes cystic fibrosis (CF), a prevalent autosomal recessive disorder. More than 2000 variants in CFTR have been described as disease causative. This study aims to delineate the genotypic and phenotypic landscape of CF among people with CF (pwCF) followed at the largest CF center in Turkey. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive and retrospective analysis of 481 patients registered with the European CF Society Patient Registry and followed at Marmara University Selim Çöremen CF Center from 2015 onwards. Comprehensive CFTR analysis was utilized for genetic diagnosis. Besides the whole cohort, novel variants and complex alleles were also described. RESULTS: Our cohort exhibited a broad spectrum of CFTR variants, with 136 different variants detected, indicating substantial genetic diversity. The F508del variant was less prevalent in our cohort compared to US and European averages, which could reflect unique genetic and demographic characteristics of the Turkish population. Additionally, we identified nine novel variants in 12 alleles, which enhances the understanding of CF's genetic complexity in this region, and complex alleles in 32 pwCF. CONCLUSION: Our research underscores the heterogeneity of CFTR variants in Turkey and highlights the necessity for extensive genetic profiling particularly for diverse populations to provide effective personalized treatment strategies. It is crucial to understand the full spectrum of CFTR variants with the advent of CFTR modulators.

Dangerous Knowledge and Proxy-Reasons: A Kurdish Woman's Therapeutic Attempts.

Jihan, a former Kurdish guerilla fighter, struggles to gain medical treatment for the health problems she suffers as a result of war and trauma. The provision of care in Turkey has been motivated by ethno-political security concerns. Therefore, medical encounters are characterized by silences, not-knowing and of averting danger. Based on theories of ignorance, I explore how experiences of war and torture constitute dangerous knowledge that are difficult to share in a context, without a guaranteed therapeutic safe space. Patient and doctor navigate mistrust, silences and proxy-reasons in an attempt to deal with the traumata and violent experiences left unsaid.

Molecular survey of pfmdr-1, pfcrt, and pfk13 gene mutations among patients returning from Plasmodium falciparum endemic areas to Turkey.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, there has been an increasing trend in the number of imported Plasmodium falciparum cases in Turkey. To improve treatment success and to better understand malaria epidemiology among imported cases, it is necessary to determine anti-malarial drug resistance. This study aimed to survey polymorphisms of resistance genes in imported P. falciparum patients using archived thin smear preparations and EDTA blood samples. METHODS: A total of 100 imported P. falciparum patients admitted to Bakirköy Dr. Sadi Konuk Research and Training Hospital between 2017 and 2022 were included in this study. DNA extraction was performed using an archived slide and EDTA blood samples that were microscopically diagnosed. After confirming the samples by real-time PCR, the pfmdr1, pfcrt, and pfk13 genes were amplified and sequenced. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were screened using Geneious R9 software, with the reference P. falciparum clone 3D7 isolate. RESULTS: All studied samples were confirmed to be P. falciparum using real-time PCR. Nested PCR was conducted and the pfcrt (92 samples), pfmdr1 (91 samples), and pfk13 (93 samples) genes were successfully amplified. Sequence analysis revealed the highest mutation rate in the pfmdr1 (74.5%) gene, with the identification of five haplotypes: NYSND (wild-type, 23%), NFSND (56%), NYSDD (2.2%), NFSDD (15.4%), and YFSND (3.4%)]. The pfcrt mutation was identified in 11 samples (12.2%), whereas the pfk13 mutation was found in only two samples. CONCLUSION: This study is the first molecular survey of anti-malarial drug resistance genes in Turkey. With the increasing number of imported Plasmodium malaria cases and recent reports of sporadic indigenous P. falciparum cases, malaria is becoming a growing concern in Turkey. Although molecular screening for resistance markers in P. falciparum malaria is not routinely conducted, the data from this study will enhance treatment success rates and contribute to global malaria elimination.

Identifying Disparities in Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Care Between Low-Middle and Middle-High Income Countries in the Middle East.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) care has advanced tremendously in the United States (US), North America, Australasia, and Europe in recent decades. Given the concern for global disparities in pediatric medical care in other parts of the world, we wanted to assess the availability of key aspects of current pediatric CF care in the Middle East as-compared to the US. We collected electronic surveys from pediatric CF providers in the Middle East and surrounding countries assessing whether treatments known to be widely available in the US were also available in surveyed countries. Many countries in the Middle East, as-compared to the US, do have less overall availability of many key CF diagnostic and treatment modalities. Within the Middle East, 80% of higher-income countries had inhaled tobramycin available compared to none in lower-income countries. This study highlights the additional global collaboration needed to ensure all children with CF receive optimal care globally.

Salmonella associated with agricultural animals exhibit diverse evolutionary rates and show evidence of recent clonal expansion.

Most foodborne salmonellosis outbreaks are linked to agricultural animal products with a few serovars accounting for most Salmonella isolated from specific animal products, suggesting an adaptation to the corresponding animal hosts and their respective environments. Here, we utilized whole-genome sequence (WGS) data to analyze the evolution and population genetics of seven serovars frequently isolated from ground beef (Montevideo, Cerro, and Dublin), chicken (Kentucky, Infantis, and Enteritidis), and turkey (Reading) in the United States. In addition, publicly available metadata were used to characterize major clades within each serovar with regard to public health significance. Except for Dublin, all serovars were polyphyletic, comprising 2-6 phylogenetic groups. Further partitioning of the phylogenies identified 25 major clades, including 12 associated with animal or environmental niches. These 12 clades differed in evolutionary parameters (e.g., substitution rates) as well as public health relevant characteristics (e.g., association with human illness, antimicrobial resistance). Overall, our results highlight several critical trends: (i) the Salmonella generation time appears to be more dependent on source than serovar and (ii) all serovars contain clades and sub-clades that are estimated to have emerged after the year 1940 and that are enriched for isolates associated with humans, agricultural animals, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and/or specific geographical regions. These findings suggest that serotyping alone does not provide enough resolution to differentiate isolates that may have evolved independently, present distinct geographic distribution and host association, and possibly have distinct public health significance. IMPORTANCE: Non-typhoidal Salmonella are major foodborne bacterial pathogens estimated to cause more than one million illnesses, thousands of hospitalizations, and hundreds of deaths annually in the United States. More than 70% of Salmonella outbreaks in the United States have been associated with agricultural animals. Certain serovars include persistent strains that have repeatedly contaminated beef, chicken, and turkey, causing outbreaks and sporadic cases over many years. These persistent strains represent a particular challenge to public health, as they are genetically clonal and widespread, making it difficult to differentiate distinct outbreak and contamination events using whole-genome sequence (WGS)-based subtyping methods (e.g., core genome allelic typing). Our results indicate that a phylogenetic approach is needed to investigate persistent strains and suggest that the association between a Salmonella serovar and an agricultural animal is driven by the expansion of clonal subtypes that likely became adapted to specific animals and associated environments.

Intergenerational Power Shift and the Rise of Nonarranged Marriages Among Refugees.

The experiences of war and refugee status can alter intrafamily dynamics, with implications for family formation, including marriage. We use the nationally representative Syrian Migrant Sample of the 2018 Turkey Demographic Health Survey (TDHS-S) to conduct a duration analysis of marriage outcomes among Syrian refugees in Turkey, tracking women throughout their residence in prewar Syria (before the conflict began in 2011), postwar Syria (after the conflict began but before arrival in Turkey), and Turkey. We find that early marriage was more prominent among refugees who were unmarried at the time of migration than among those married before migration; the mean marriage age dropped from 19.6 in prewar Syria to 19.1 in postwar Syria and 18.1 in Turkey. Using the TDHS-S and prewar Syrian surveys, we show that this finding aligns with the observed declines in household income and young women's opportunity cost of marriage. Our duration analysis also reveals a notable shift from traditional arranged marriages to more modern marriage forms among refugees in Turkey. An intergenerational power shift might drive the shift toward nonarranged marriages. After arrival in Turkey, wealth and employment of parents decline among refugees. In contrast, Syrian youth in Turkey have higher age-adjusted employment rates than in prewar Syria. Moreover, nonarranged marriages increase more among demographic groups with stronger intergenerational power shifts than among groups with weaker shifts.

Comparison of Menstrual Symptoms in University Students with and without Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the menstrual symptoms and dysmenorrhea in university students who underwent Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), in Mogadishu, Somalia, and students who did not undergo FGM/C in Ankara, Türkiye. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study design was used. Results: Among the participants with FGM/C, 88.5% were Type 1 and the age at FGM/C was 8 years. The pain severity was 6.20±2.54 in women with FGM/C and was higher than that of those without FGM/C (5.97±2.32), but no significant difference was found. Among those who had FGM/C, 66% had a menstrual duration of 3-5 days, while 52.0.% of those who did not have FGM/C had a menstrual duration of 6-8 days (p<0.05). While 85.1% of those without FGM/C had a menstrual cycle of 21-35 days, 35% of those with FGM/C had a menstrual cycle of less than 20 days (p<0.05). It was found that 95% of those who have undergone female circumcision and 90.2% of those who have not had dysmenorrhea (p<0.05). Painkillers were always used by 28% of women with FGM/C and 26.3% of women without FGM/C (p<0.05). The total MSS score of those who have not had FGM/C was 3.34±0.72 and the score of those who have had FGM/C was 2.91±0.74 (p<0.05). The negative effects sub-dimension score was found to be higher in the non-FGM/C group with 3.20±0.75, while the coping methods sub-dimension score was higher in the FGM/C group with 2.91±1.13 (p<0.05). Conclusion: FGM/C is still common in Somalia. Our study results showed that having FGM/C may cause differences in dysmenorrhea and menstrual symptoms. Efforts to increase students' effective coping with menstrual symptoms and dysmenorrhea are thought to be useful.

Palliative Care in Turkey: Insights from experts through key informant interviews.

BACKGROUND: The rising demand for palliative-care (PC) in Turkey, driven by cancer, has prompted increased attention since the national PC policy in 2010. Despite this, the healthcare system predominantly focuses on curative care, lacking PC integration. This is due to combination of administrative obstacles, fragmented coordination, education and training scarcity. Thus urgent strategies are required to address the growing PC gap. This qualitative study explores the perspectives of PC professionals and policymakers, providing valuable insights for national policy and program development. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This study employed an exploratory approach using key informant interviews. Interviews were conducted using semi-structured questionnaire. It sought to collect relevant contextual information in order to achieve its aim. Thematic content analysis was employed to examine and interpret the data. RESULT: Twenty-one participants, comprising nurses, specialists, and oncologists, were interviewed. The findings are encompassed by eight themes. 1) Integrated Care, highlights the importance of cohesive collaboration among diverse healthcare providers, social care services, and primary care systems to ensure comprehensive and effective care. 2) Meeting social care needs underscores significance of addressing a wide spectrum of patient requirements, including psychosocial support. 3) PC education emphasizes necessity of equipping healthcare professionals with the requisite skills and knowledge through comprehensive training. 4) Legalizing do-notresuscitate orders draws attention to the critical discussion surrounding end-of-life decisions. 5) Empowering communities recognizes bridging knowledge gaps among patients and caregivers. 6) Decision-Making underscores the importance of informed and collaborative decision-making processes. 7) Cultural considerations urge the adoption of culturally sensitive approaches. 8) Ongoing challenges shed light on persistent issues such as provider attitudes, and administrative hurdles. CONCLUSION: This study highlights essential factors for establishing an integrated PC program for cancer patients in Turkey. The existing healthcare system in Turkey offers opportunities for advanced PC. Successful implementation demands strategic actions to facilitate meaningful transformation.

The Impact of Turkey's Withdrawal From the Istanbul Convention on Suspicious Female Deaths and Femicides.

In recent years, suspicious deaths, often portrayed as "falls from a height," have been increasingly associated with femicides in Turkey. This phenomenon coincided with the official withdrawal process from the "Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence" (Istanbul Convention). Our study aims to reveal the impact of Turkey's withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention on femicides and the yet officially unrecognized "suspicious female deaths." This research, conducted in a descriptive, cross-sectional epidemiological style, draws its population from records of suspicious female deaths and femicides that occurred in Turkey between January 1, 2020, and June 1, 2023. There has been a notable increase in the rate of suspicious female deaths. Additionally, a significant rise has been observed in the proportion of women who were employed, had children, and sought legal protection in these deaths. The study suggests a return to the Istanbul Convention.

The impact of the 2023 Türkiye-Syria earthquakes on the mental health of children.

The seismic events that struck southern Turkey and Syria in February 2023, with magnitudes of 7.8 and 7.6 respectively, have significantly impacted the well-being of millions, particularly children and adolescents. This correspondence highlights the psychological repercussions faced by minors in the aftermath of the earthquakes, including anxiety, PTSD, and depression. Despite efforts to provide humanitarian aid, there remains a critical gap in addressing the psychosocial needs of affected children. With limited mental health resources in both countries, innovative approaches such as Psychological First Aid (PFA) interventions and telepsychiatry are advocated for efficient and scalable support. Additionally, safeguarding children from abuse and ensuring access to education and stable environments are paramount in post-disaster recovery efforts. This correspondence underscores the urgency for a holistic response to mitigate the long-term impact of seismic events on the vulnerable population in Turkey and Syria.

Determining Adult Dizziness and Sleep Quality After the 2023 Earthquakes in Türkiye.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the presence of dizziness and sleep quality in people affected by the earthquake disaster of 2023 in Türkiye and aimed to determine the relationship between dizziness and sleep disorders. METHODS: A total of 384 earthquake survivors who had no previous complaints of dizziness or sleep disturbance and who presented to the neurology outpatient clinic with complaints of dizziness or sleep disturbance after the earthquake were included in the study. Demographic information of participants and scales such as the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were recorded. RESULTS: It was determined that the majority of the patients in the 18-35 age group had poor sleep quality and there was a significant difference in the PSQI score. Additionally, a moderate positive significant relationship was found between the DHI score and the PSQI score. CONCLUSION: Exposure to major earthquakes and aftershocks can cause sleep disorders and dizziness complaints, which may emerge as public health problems. Earthquake victims should be followed up and necessary interventions should be made early.

Adapting nature's own solution: The effect of rhamnolipid and lytic bacteriophage cocktail on enteric pathogens that proliferate in mucilage.

The mucilage event witnessed in the Sea of Marmara in 2021 has emerged as a prominent environmental concern, capturing public attention due to its detrimental effects on ecological, economic, and aesthetic dimensions. Addressing the multifaceted impacts of mucilage demands a nature-centric scientific approach, given its global ramifications spanning economy, public health, international relations, and tourism. Consequently, this study sought to explore alternative approaches for the removal of pathogenic enteric bacteria associated with mucilage occurrences, diverging from conventional methodologies. Specifically, the primary objective was to assess the efficacy of rhamnolipid and a bacteriophage cocktail in mitigating the proliferation of enteric pathogens within mucilaginous environments. During the study, 91 phage isolations were obtained from 45 water samples taken and 10 phages were selected for the broad host range and because of the efficacy tests, a phage cocktail was created with 5 phages. It was found that the mixture of rhamnolipid, phage cocktail and rhamnolipid-phage cocktail reduced bacterial load by 7-9 log10, 9-12 log10 and 9-11 log10 respectively under laboratory conditions. When the study was carried out in seawater, reductions of 4-5 log10, 3 log10 and 4 log10 were achieved. This study has shown that the combined use of rhamnolipid, phage cocktail and rhamnolipid-phage cocktail can be considered as the most effective natural solution proposal for reducing bacterial load, both in laboratory conditions and in sea surface water.

Prospective, multicenter, Turkish out-of-hospital cardiac arrest study: TROHCA.

OBJECTIVES: There is no sufficient data to provide a clear picture of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) across Türkiye. This study is the first to present the prognostic outcomes of OHCA cases and the factors associated with these outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in a prospective, observational, multicenter design under the leadership of the Emergency Medicine Association of Turkey Resuscitation Study Group. OHCA cases aged 18 years and over who were admitted to 28 centers from Türkiye were included in the study. Survived event, return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), survival to hospital discharge, and neurological outcome at discharge were investigated as primary outcomes. RESULTS: One thousand and three patients were included in the final analysis. 61.1% of the patients were male, and the average age was 67.0 ± 15.2. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed on 86.5% of the patients in the prehospital period by emergency medical service, and bystander CPR was performed on only 2.9% by nonhealth-care providers. As a result, the survived event rate was found to be 6.9%. The survival rate upon hospital discharge was 4.4%, with 2.7% of patients achieving a good neurological outcome upon discharge. In addition, the overall ROSC and sustained ROSC rates were 45.2% and 33.4%, respectively. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, male gender, initial shockable rhythm, a shorter prehospital duration of CPR, and the lack of CPR requirement in the emergency department were determined to be independent predictors for the survival to hospital discharge. CONCLUSION: Compared to global data, survival to hospital discharge and good neurological outcome rates appear to be lower in our study. We conclude that this result is related to low bystander CPR rates. Although not the focus of this study, inadequate postresuscitative care and intensive care support should also be discussed in this regard. It is obvious that this issue should be carefully addressed through political moves in the health and social fields.

Dietary concoction of formic acid and thymol and its effects on zoo-technical performance, immunity, jejunal architecture and gut health in Turkey.

With increasing demand for improved protein-rich food, diverse poultry birds like turkey are gaining popularity in India. However, with the rising concerns of antibiotic residues and drug resistance, safe alternatives like formic acid (FA) and thymol (TH) have attracted the attention of researchers as effective replacer of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP). This experiment investigated the effects of combinations of FA and TH on growth performance, immunity, gut microflora and jejunal microstructures in turkey. A total of 240 turkey poults were reared in 6 treatment groups for a period of 16 weeks with standard management and feeding: T1 (basal diet only); T2 (AGP); T3 (FA@2.5 ml + TH@240 mg/kg); T4 (FA@2.5 ml + TH@360 mg/kg); T5 (FA@7.5 ml + TH@240 mg/kg) and T6 (FA@7.5 ml + TH@360 mg/kg). The results revealed that T5 group had the highest final body weight and best FCR while the feed consumption across the groups was comparable. The immune status of the turkey improved (p ≤ 0.05) in treatment groups compared to control with T4 and T5 group showcasing the best CBH response, antibody titres and relative immune organ weight index. A significant improvement (p ≤ 0.05) in jejunal microstructures was observed at 16th week in T5 group over control and AGP fed group. There was significant (p ≤ 0.001) reduction in total plate and coliform counts, but a positive shift was seen in Lactobacillus population in T5 group as compared to control and AGP fed group. In conclusion, the concoction of formic acid (7.5 ml/kg) + thymol (240 mg/kg) in-feed supplement improved the performance, immune status and gut health in turkey as an efficient alternative to AGPs.

Entamoeba histolytica in Different Water Sources of Nigde Province of Turkey.

PURPOSE: This study was carried out to determine the presence of Entamoeba histolytica in water sources of Nigde province in Turkey, between June and November 2021. METHODS: A total of 90 water samples were taken from 15 different water sources (drinking water, well water, spring water, wastewater and dam water) every month and the presence of E. histolytica antigens in the samples was examined by ELISA. RESULTS: The positivity for E. histolytica was determined in 7 (7.7%) of 90 samples. While no antigens were found in any of the samples in June and September, E. histolytica was positive for three samples (20%) in July, one sample (6.6%) in August and October and two samples in November (13.3%). One of 24 dam samples (4.1%), 1 of 12 wastewater samples (8.3%), 1 of 12 well samples (8.3%), and 4 of 24 fountain samples (16.6%) that examined by ELISA were found positive. On the other hand, none of the examined 18 spring samples were positive. In addition, 4 (8.8%) of 45 samples that examined in summer and 3 (6.6%) of 45 samples that examined in autumn were detected positive by using ELISA. Entamoeba histolytica positivity in samples was statistically insignificant in terms of months, water resources and seasons (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: As a result, the presence of E. histolytica, which is an important public health problem in water sources, was determined for the first time in Nigde province of Türkiye with this study.