Bacterial "Virulence" Traits and Host Demographics Predict Colonization Behaviors Within Households.

Background: Although intestinal colonization precedes most extraintestinal infections, colonization-promoting factors are incompletely understood. We compared within-household colonization patterns with host and bacterial traits.

Methods: Twenty-two veterans with a clinical isolate and their 46 human and animal household members underwent longitudinal fecal sampling.

Escherichia coli sequence type 131 (ST131) subclone H30 as an emergent multidrug-resistant pathogen among US veterans.

Background: Escherichia coli sequence type 131 (ST131), typically fluoroquinolone-resistant (FQ-R) and/or extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing, has emerged globally. We assessed its prevalence and characteristics among US veterans.

Methods: In 2011, 595 de-identified E.

Fever of unknown origin: analysis of 71 consecutive cases.

Background: Fever of unknown origin (FUO) is still an important problem in clinical practice. Evaluation of patient characteristics may clarify the utility of diagnostic tests and etiologies of FUO.

Methods: Fever of unknown origin in 71 patients was investigated at Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital in Turkey between February 2001 and December 2004.

17-Beta estradiol enhances osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stromal cells.

Adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) possess multiple differentiation potentials and may serve as a cell source, if effectively modulated, for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Due to estrogen's function in tissue and organ development through regulating cell proliferation and differentiation, we hypothesized that an estrogen supplement may effectively enhance the multiple differentiation potentials of human ASCs. 17-Beta estradiol (E2) was investigated for modulating in vitro osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation in human ASCs isolated from a healthy female donor.

Modulations of 17-beta estradiol on osteogenic and adipogenic differentiations of human mesenchymal stem cells.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a promising cell source for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. However, effective regulation to improve differentiation potentials of MSCs plays a critical role in promoting successful tissue formation. Because estrogen has been demonstrated to modulate tissue and organ development and differentiation, we hypothesized that adding estrogen could effectively improve the multiple differentiation potentials of human bone marrow MSCs in vitro.

Adipose tissue engineering by human adipose-derived stromal cells.

Tissue engineering has emerged as a promising alternative approach to current clinical treatments for restoration of soft tissue defects. The purpose of this study was to investigate adipose tissue formation in vitro and in vivo by using human adipose-derived stromal cells (ADSCs) utilizing a gelatin sponge (Gelform) as a scaffold. Adipogenic potentials of human ADSCs were demonstrated by Oil-O-red staining and cellular morphology.

Evaluation of risk factors for mortality in intensive care units: a prospective study from a referral hospital in Turkey.

Background: The aim of the clinical practice is to decrease the mortality rate in intensive care units. Determination of the risk factors for mortality may provide useful guidance for intensive care patients. This study sought to find mortality-related risk factors in intensive care units.

Chlamydia pneumoniae infection related atherosclerotic clinical variables on carotid stenosis.

Objective: Research results showed that Chlamydia pneumoniae infection is related to atherosclerosis. C. pneumoniae infection may exacerbate atherogenesis.

Brucellar spondylitis.

We carried out a prospective analysis of 86 patients with brucellosis, and 26 (30%) cases were diagnosed as brucellar spondylitis. Two patients had cervical involvement, two thoracic, and 21 lumbosacral as seen in MRI. Four patients had epidural abscess and two had paravertebral abscess.

Biotypes and antimicrobial susceptibilities of Brucella isolates.

41 Brucella strains isolated from blood and cerebrospinal fluid cultures were identified to species level and biotypes detected. All of the isolates were Brucella melitensis: 2 strains of B. melitensis biotype-1 and 39 strains of B.

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis due to Brucella melitensis.

Peritonitis is an extremely rare complication of brucellosis. A case is reported of blood and ascitic culture-proven spontaneous bacterial peritonitis caused by Brucella melitensis, in a patient who had also cirrhosis.

Neurobrucellosis in an endemic area of brucellosis.

Central nervous system involvement occurs less than 5% of patients with brucellosis. A prospective analysis of 73 patients with brucellosis identified 13 (17.8%) neurobrucellosis cases from February 2001 to May 2002.

Evaluation of antibiotic use in a hospital with an antibiotic restriction policy.

The study was designed to evaluate rational antibiotic use in relation to diagnosis and bacteriological findings. All hospitalized patients who received antibiotics were evaluated by a cross-sectional study. Of the 713 patients hospitalized, 281 (39.

A Case of Brucellosis Presenting with Severe Thrombocytopenia.

Thrombocytopenia is one of the rare hematologic complication of brucellosis. Herein a case of brucellosis with severe thrombocytopenia was reported. The patient was admitted to hematology service with epistaxis, ecchymoses, fever, thrombocytopenia (0.

Arthritis and osteomyelitis due to Aspergillus fumigatus: a 17 years old boy with chronic granulomatous disease.

Background: Invasive Aspergillus infections are frequently seen in immunocompromised patients but arthritis is a rare complication of Aspergillus infections in the absence of immune suppressive therapy, trauma or surgical intervention.

Case Presentation: A 17 years old male patient with arthritis and patellar osteomyelitis of the left knee whose further investigations revealed chronic granulomatous disease as the underlying disease is followed. Aspergillus fumigatus was isolated from the synovial fluid and the tissue samples cultures.

Venous sinus thrombosis after Proteus vulgaris meningitis and concomitant Clostridium abscess formation.

A 19-y-old woman presented with Proteus vulgaris meningitis as a complication of chronic otitis media. Despite treatment with ceftazidime and amikacin no clinical improvement was observed. Cranial MRI revealed right-sided mastoiditis/otitis media and venous sinus thrombosis.