The best anti-HCV S/Co values for reflecting HCV infection in a university hospital in the eastern part of Turkey.

Introduction: The measurement of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA is a test that requires high cost, advanced technique, and qualified personnel. Diagnosis and treatment of patients may be delayed due to the high rate of false-positive results. This study aims to predict true antibody positivity and viremia by determining the most appropriate anti-HCV signal-to-cutoff (S/Co) value reflecting HCV infection.

Subtype distribution and molecular characterization of Blastocystis from hemodialysis patients in Turkey.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the Blastocystis prevalence and subtypes in hemodialysis patients in Turkey.

Methodology: Eighty-four patients diagnosed with end-stage renal failure who were undergoing hemodialysis and 20 healthy volunteers were enrolled. Blastocystis presence was investigated by native-Lugol, trichrome staining, PCR using STS primers, and DNA sequencing analysis.

Geographical Features and Seroprevalence of in Erzincan, Turkey.

Background: We aimed to determine the geographical features and seroprevalence of in Erzincan, Turkey, which has a high tick population due to its geographical position and climatic conditions.

Methods: From January to December 2014, 368 people living in Erzincan, northeastern Turkey were enrolled. IgG antibodies were investigated in the collected serum samples using the ELISA method in 2015.

Absence of the mecC gene in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from various clinical samples: The first multi-centered study in Turkey.

Background: mecA is a predefined gene causing methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) isolates; however, it has been shown that some methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains do not carry this gene.

Asymmetrical Dimethylarginine Levels in Hepatitis B Virus-Positive Patients.

Background: High asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels have been associated with endothelial dysfunction and contribute to the development of several diseases. However, data on the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) and ADMA are limited. The aim of our study was to explore the relationship between ADMA and HBV by comparing the ADMA levels in patients with chronic active hepatitis B (CHB), inactive HBV carriers (carriers), and healthy volunteers (controls).

The seroprevalence of in Erzincan, Turkey: Identification of the risk factors and their relationship with geographical features.

Background & Objectives: Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) bacterium, the causative agent of Q fever has regained importance due to the increasing cases of infections and outbreaks. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to investigate the seroprevalence of C.

Lack of evidence of HPV etiology of prostate cancer following radical surgery and higher frequency of the Arg/Pro genotype in Turkish men with prostate cancer.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the possible role of HPV in the development of prostate cancer (PCa) and investigate the distribution of the p53 codon 72 polymorphism in PCa in a Turkish population.

Materials And Methods: A total of 96 tissues, which had been obtained using a radical surgery method, formalin-fixed and parafin-embedded, were used in this study. The study group consisted of 60 PCa tissues (open radical prostatectomy) and the control group contained 36 benign prostatic hyperplasia tissues (BPH) (transvesical open prostatectomy).

What Is the Best Pulmonary Physiotherapy Method in ICU?

Objective. Effects of high frequency chest wall oscillation technique were investigated on intubated ICU patients. Background.

[A case of brucellosis and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever coinfection in an endemic area].

Brucellosis, a zoonotic disease which is especially seen in developing countries is still an important public health problem worldwide. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is another zoonotic disease that transmits to humans by infected tick bites as well as exposure to blood or tissue from infected animals. Both of the diseases are common among persons who live in rural areas and deal with animal husbandry.

Seroprevalence of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus in Erzincan Province, Turkey, Relationship with Geographic Features and Risk Factors.

To determine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) in residents of Erzincan, Turkey. Although CCHFV is endemic in Erzincan, this is the first study to evaluate its seroprevalence in this region. This study included a total of 372 subjects, 174 of whom had been exposed to or bitten by ticks, 145 of whom worked with livestock, and 53 of whom resided in the city and did not have exposure to livestock.

In vitro Activity of Colistin in Combination with Tigecycline against Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Strains Isolated from Patients with Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia.

Objective: This study investigated the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values and in vitro activity of colistin in combination with tigecycline against carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii strains isolated from patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) using the E-test method.

Methods: A total of 40 A. baumannii strains, identified using the Phoenix Automated Microbiology System (Becton, Dickinson and Co.

The Relationship between Serum Oxalic Acid, Central Hemodynamic Parameters and Colonization by Oxalobacter formigenes in Hemodialysis Patients.

Background/objective: Elevated pulse wave velocity (PWV) and central aortic blood pressures are independent predictors of increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Oxalic acid is a uremic retention molecule that is extensively studied in the pathogenesis of calcium oxalate stones. Oxalobacter formigenes, a member of the colon microbiota, has important roles in oxalate homeostasis.

[Investigation of antibiotic resistance patterns and reduced vancomycin susceptibilities of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates: a multi-center study].

The aims of this study were to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of vancomycin, teicoplanin, daptomycin, quinupristin/dalfopristin, linezolid, tigecycline, chloramphenicol, rifampicin, ofloxacin and tetracycline and to investigate the reduced vancomycin susceptibility among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains isolated in hospitals located in different geographical regions of Turkey. A total of 100 MRSA strains isolated from patients (of which 50% were from intensive care units) hospitalized in seven centers in Turkey [Istanbul (n= 15), Ankara (n= 15), Izmir (n= 15), Adana (n= 15), Diyarbakir (n=15), Erzincan (n= 15), Van (n= 10)], between August 2013 - August 2014, were included in the study. Fourty-three strains were isolated from blood, whereas 21 were from lower respiratory tract, 17 from wounds, eight from catheters, six from urine, four from nasal swab and one from cerebrospinal fluid samples.

New inflammatory markers for prediction of non-dipper blood pressure pattern in patients with essential hypertension: Serum YKL-40/Chitinase 3-like protein 1 levels and echocardiographic epicardial adipose tissue thickness.

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether YKL-40 levels and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness were associated with non-dipping pattern in essential hypertension (HT). Age- and sex-matched 40 dipper hypertensive patients and 40 non-dipper hypertensive patients were included in the study. Non-dippers had significantly increased EAT thickness and higher YKL-40 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels than dippers.

[Evaluation of rapid genotype assay for the identification of gram-positive cocci from blood cultures and detection of mecA and van genes].

Rapid and accurate identification of bacterial pathogens grown in blood cultures of patients with sepsis is crucial for prompt initiation of appropriate therapy in order to decrease related morbidity and mortality rates. Although current automated blood culture systems led to a significant improvement in bacterial detection time, more rapid identification systems are still needed to optimise the establishment of treatment. Novel genotype technology which is developed for the rapid diagnosis of sepsis, is a molecular genetic assay based on DNA multiplex amplification with biotinylated primers followed by hybridization to membrane bound probes.