[Measles, Rubella, Mumps and Varicella Seropositivity in Health Technician Students: A Seroprevalence Study].

Measles, rubella, mumps and chickenpox infections are among the childhood diseases that can be prevented by vaccination. Healthcare workers are at greater risk of diseases transmitted through contact with patients' respiratory secretions, infected blood and body fluids. Students studying in the field of health are at the risk of encountering infectious diseases as much as healthcare personnel during their internship and practice experience in healthcare institutions during their education.

Evaluation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study and trend analysis involving 86,772 samples.

Background: The aim of this paper was to evaluate the change in 25-hidroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: In this retrospective, cross-sectional and methodological study included 86,772 patients (18-75 years) samples who were admitted to the Izmir Dokuz Eylul University Hospital (latitude and longitude (Turkey): 27 E 09; 38 N 25, respectively) for various reasons and whose 25(OH)D levels were measured in the biochemistry unit between 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 (before and during the COVID-19 outbreak). A time series analysis of monthly averages for 25(OH)D was performed.

Determining the age group-based cut-off values of serum anti-Mullerian hormone concentrations to diagnose polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective: To determine the cut-off values of the serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration for different age groups (21-25, 26-30, 31-35 years) to diagnose polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods: In total, 187 women aged 21-35 years were included in this descriptive study. Patients diagnosed with PCOS according to the Rotterdam Criteria formed the PCOS group ( = 93), whereas those without symptoms related to PCOS formed the control group ( = 94).

Effect of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level on lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancers: a nested case-control study.

Background: Published studies show that vitamin D deficiency is widespread and it has been suggested that it increases the risk of lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancers.

Aims: To investigate prospectively the effect of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level on lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancers in people aged 30+ years.

Methods: In this nested case-control study, the data and collected serum samples from a cohort study, the Balçova Heart Study, during 2007-09, were used.

Hepatitis A, B and C seropositivity among first-year healthcare students in western Turkey: a seroprevalence study.

Background: The risk of viral hepatitis among healthcare students (HCSs) is greater than that among the general population. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the seroprevalence of the hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) among first-year HCSs at a university in Turkey and as a secondary objective, to determine the factors associated with HAV and HBV seropositivity.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in first-year HCSs in Izmir, western Turkey.

The role of melatonin and cortisol circadian rhythms in the pathogenesis of infantile colic.

Background: Despite the high prevalence of infantile colic, the pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. Cortisol and melatonin hormones affect gastrointestinal system development in several ways, and interestingly, both cortisol and melatonin's circadian rhythms begin around the 3rd month in which infantile colic symptoms start to decrease. We hypothesized that infantile colic might associate with desynchronization of normal circadian rhythms of these hormones.

Does raising awareness in families reduce environmental tobacco smoke exposure in wheezy children?

Introduction: Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is thought to increase the severity and number of attacks in wheezy children. Objective assessments are needed to change the behavior of families to reduce the exposure of wheezy children to ETS.

Aim: To determine whether informing families about their children's urinary cotinine levels curtailed the exposure of children to ETS.

The effect of 8-week different-intensity walking exercises on serum hepcidin, IL-6, and iron metabolism in pre-menopausal women.

Objective Hepcidin may be an important mediator in exercise-induced iron deficiency. Despite the studies investigating acute exercise effects on hepcidin and markers of iron metabolism, we found no studies examining the chronic effects of walking exercises (WE) on hepcidin and markers of iron metabolism in premenopausal women. The chronic effects of two 8-week different-intensity WE on hepcidin, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and markers of iron metabolism in pre-menopausal women were examined.

Analysis of first-trimester combined test results in preparation for a cell-free fetal DNA era.

Objective: To survey experience with the first-trimester combined test (FCT) for trisomy 21 (T21) in different risk score groups to determine the most useful clinical application of cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) screening.

Methods: In a retrospective study, the records of FCT results obtained at a center in Turkey between January 2009 and January 2014 were reviewed. The FCT results and rates of uptake of invasive diagnostic testing were compared among different risk score groups.

Effect of day/night administration of three different inhalational anesthetics on melatonin levels in rats.

The nocturnal peak of melatonin can be altered after anesthesia and surgery. We aimed to examine the melatonin levels during the day and night after anesthesia with three commonly used inhalational anesthetics. Forty-eight male Wistar albino rats were randomized into eight groups.

Female vulnerability for thyroid function abnormality in bipolar disorder: role of lithium treatment.

Background: Previous studies have provided evidence of subtle thyroid hormone metabolism abnormalities in patients with mood disorders. Although these studies are informative, the precise role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis in bipolar disorder, especially in women, remains unclear. We sought to further corroborate thyroid function in patients with bipolar disorder in comparison to patients with other psychiatric, as well as non-psychiatric, diagnoses.

High prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in a Western urban Turkish population: a community-based study.

Objective: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the largest cause of morbidity and mortality in Turkey and in the World. Heart of Balçova Project is a community- based health promotion project that aims to reduce CVD incidence and prevalence through risk factor modification in the individual and population level. This paper presents results of the baseline survey that aimed to define CVD risk factors and risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD) in the Balçova population.

Analysis of perinatal outcome by combination of first trimester maternal plasma homocysteine with uterine artery Doppler velocimetry.

Objective: To analyse the pregnancy outcome by combining plasma homocysteine with uterine artery Doppler velocimetry at 11 to 14 weeks of gestation.

Method: A prospective cohort study with 103 healthy pregnant women. Uterine artery Doppler velocimetry was performed at between 11 and 14 weeks of gestation.

Influence of follicular fluid GDF9 and BMP15 on embryo quality.

Objective: To evaluate the association between follicular fluid levels of propeptide and mature forms of growth differentiation factor (GDF) 9 and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 15 with subsequent oocyte and embryo quality.

Design: Prospective clinical study.

Setting: University hospital.

The impact of passive smoking on the development of lower respiratory tract infections in children.

Environmental tobacco smoke is an important public health problem. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of passive smoking on lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in children aged 2-12 years. A case-control study was conducted on matched-pair design.

The inappropriate use of HbA1c testing to monitor glycemia: is there evidence in laboratory data?

Rationale, Aims And Objectives: Diabetes is a chronic illness and have relatively high prevalence. Glycemic control is fundamental to the management of diabetes. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is a commonly used laboratory test to monitor glycemia and to manage diabetes.

The frequency of vitamin D insufficiency in healthy female adolescents.

Aim: To establish the frequency and causes of vitamin D insufficiency in healthy female adolescents in Izmir, Turkey.

Methods: 64 adolescents from a low--(Ikinci Inönü) and a high--(Ilica) socio-economic settlement were included. Parents' monthly income was classified as low, middle and high.

Relationships between cotinine, lower respiratory tract infection, and eosinophil cationic protein in children.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of passive smoking on urine eosinophil cationic protein (u-ECP) in children with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI).

Method: This was a case-control study. The study cohort consisted of 150 children with LRTI (case group) and 150 healthy children (control), all from a urban setting.

Comparison of leptin levels in serum and follicular fluid during the oestrous cycle in cows.

Leptin is mainly synthesised in white adipose tissue. Besides its effects on body weight and metabolic homeostasis, leptin also has effects on puberty, sexual maturation and reproduction. In this study the relationship between leptin, IGF-1, oestradiol (E2) and progesterone levels were investigated in serum and follicular fluid from cows.

Effects of chronic liver disease on bone mineral density and bone metabolism markers in postmenopausal women.

Objectives: Patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) have an increased prevalence of osteoporosis. However, there is limited information about the effects of end-stage liver disease on bone metabolism and bone mineral density values in postmenopausal women. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of chronic liver disease on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone metabolism markers in postmenopausal women.

Different maternal serum hCG levels in pregnant women with female and male fetuses: does fetal hypophyseal--adrenal--gonadal axis play a role?

Fetal gender has a significant effect on maternal and cord blood hCG levels, particularly during the last trimester of the pregnancy. However, the reason for this difference is obscure. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether term fetal hypophyseal - adrenal - gonadal axis differs between female and male fetuses thereby causing different hCG levels.

Serum and aqueous humor sialic acid levels in Behçet's disease.

Serum and aqueous humor sialic acid (SA) levels were determined in 27 patients with Behçet's disease (Bd). Serum SA levels were elevated significantly during the active episode (mean, 113.4 +/- 4.