Effect of Laurus nobilis on bacteria and human transforming growth factor-β1.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to determine the phenolic compounds, the antibacterial activity of extract from Laurus nobilis leaves, and its possible effect on transforming growth factor-β1 expression level in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Methods: The phenolic components of Laurus nobilis were identified by the high-performance liquid chromatography method. The antibacterial activity of this extract was determined by disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods.

Evaluation of combination therapies with colistin in an experimental mouse pneumonia model induced by carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii strain.

The treatment options are limited in Acinetobacter baumannii infections. In this study, the effectiveness of colistin monotherapy and combinations of colistin with different antibiotics were investigated in an experimental pneumonia model induced by carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii strain.

Effectiveness of pediatric rotary, rotary and reciprocating instrumentations on bacterial load reduction in primary molars: an comparative study.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of intracanal reduction using pediatric rotary (EndoArt Pedo Kit Blue, EasyInSmile X-Baby and Denco Kids), rotary (ProTaper Next) and reciprocating (WaveOne Gold) file systems through microbiological analyses in primary molars. Seventy-five mandibular primary second molars were selected and divided into five instrumentation groups and a negative control group. After incubation, five roots were used to confirm biofilm formation on the root canals.

Evaluation of monocyte to HDL cholesterol ratio and other inflammatory markers in patients with psoriasis.

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease frequently associated with serious comorbidities.

Objectives: To investigate the systemic inflammatory burden in psoriasis and to assess the correlation between traditional and novel inflammatory markers and the severity of the disease.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 60 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 50 healthy volunteers.

Evaluation of the Efficacy of Different Cleaning Methods for Orthodontic Thermoplastic Retainers in terms of Bacterial Colonization.

Objective: This study investigated the antimicrobial efficacy of three different cleaning methods on (SM) and (LB) bacteria colonization . The three different cleaning methods were applied by volunteers on clear vacuum formed retainers (VFRs).

Methods: In this prospective, cross-over study, a total of 21 volunteers were included.

Evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy of cetrimide and Glycyrrhiza glabra L. extract against Enterococcus faecalis biofilm grown on dentin discs in comparison with NaOCl.

This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial efficacy of NaOCl, cetrimide, and Glycyrrhiza glabra L. extract against Enterococcus faecalis biofilms on dentine discs. Broth microdilution method was used to determine minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of the agents.

Comparison of HCV core antigen and anti-HCV with HCV RNA results.

Background: The measurement of anti-HCV antibodies using immunological methods and the confirmation of viral nuclear acid based on molecular methods is important in diagnosis and follow-up of the HCV infection.

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to analyse HCV core Antigen positivity among anti-HCV antibody positive sera to determine the significance of testing of HCV core Ag for the laboratory diagnosis of HCV infection, by considering the correlation between serum HCV core Ag and HCV RNA levels.

Methods: 115 patients suspected of having hepatitis C and who were positive for anti-HCV antibody were investigated using chemiluminescent and molecular methods.

Determination of in vitro activities of polymyxin B and rifampin in combination with ampicillin/sulbactam or cefoperazone/sulbactam against multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii by the E-test and checkerboard methods.

The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro activities of polymyxin B (PB) and rifampin (RIF) in combination with ampicillin/sulbactam (AS) or cefoperazone/sulbactam (CS) against 20 multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDR-AB) isolates by the checkerboard and E-test methods. Fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) values were defined as synergy, FICI ≤ 0.5; additivity, 0.

Distribution of genes encoding resistance to macrolides, lincosamides and streptogramins among clinical staphylococcal isolates in a Turkish university hospital.

This study investigated the prevalence of genes encoding resistance to macrolides, lincosamides and streptogramins (MLS(B)) among staphylococci in a series of 301 erythromycin-resistant clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS). Erythromycin-resistance phenotypes were determined according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines and specific resistance genes erm(A), erm(B), erm(C), msr(A) and msr(B) were identified using polymerase chain reaction. Two hundred of 301 (66.

Microbiological evaluation of octenidine dihydrochloride mouth rinse after 5 days' use in orthodontic patients.

Objective: To determine the absolute and relative antibacterial activity of octenidine dihydrochloride (OCT) against total and cariogenic bacteria in saliva samples of patients with fixed orthodontic appliances during 5 days of usage.

Materials And Methods: The study group consisted of 5 male and 13 female subjects who were selected from patients in the Clinic of Orthodontics. Each patient was given physiologic saline (PS), chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX), polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine complex (PVP-I), and OCT every morning for 5 days, each separated by a 2-week interval.

[The role of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies in serologic diagnosis and evaluation of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis].

Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies are used as highly specific and sensitive markers in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), in recent years. The aim of this prospective and cross-sectional study was to measure the levels of anti-CCP and rheumatoid factor (RF) in patients with RA and osteoarthritis, and healthy volunteers to evaluate the specificity and possible diagnostic value of anti-CCP and RF, as well as their correlations with parameters of disease activity. Thirty-four patients with RA (mean age: 53.

Epidemiologic characterization of nosocomial Acinetobacter baumannii infections in a Turkish university hospital by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.

Background: Although members of the Acinetobacter genus are not commonly part of the human flora, their relatively high prevalence in hospital environment frequently results in colonization of the skin and respiratory tract.

Objectives: The present investigation was carried out to elucidate epidemiologic characteristics of nosocomial Acinetobacter baumannii infections in a teaching hospital.

Methods: Epidemiologic, clinical, and demographic features of the 66 patients with A baumannii infection during a 14-month period were recorded.

Short-term relative antibacterial effect of octenidine dihydrochloride on the oral microflora in orthodontically treated patients.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of common antiseptic mouth rinses and octenidine dihydrochloride (OCT).

Methods: The antibacterial activities of antiseptics against total and cariogenic bacteria (Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus species) in saliva were studied in vitro and in vivo. After unstimulated saliva was collected, one of the mouth rinse solutions was applied for 30seconds.

Macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B resistance phenotypes in clinical staphylococcal isolates.

The prevalence of macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (MLSB) resistance as well as the MLSB resistance phenotypes were investigated by the double-disk diffusion test among 532 clinical staphylococci isolates in a Turkish university hospital. The activity of other antimicrobials, including trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, telithromycin, quinupristin/dalfopristin, linezolid, gentamicin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin and vancomycin, was also evaluated. Of 532 isolates, 38.

Comparison of the BACTEC blood culture system versus conventional methods for culture of normally sterile body fluids.

This study compared the BACTEC blood culture system (Becton Dickinson Diagnostic Instrument Systems, Sparks, Md) with conventional culture methods for recovery and time to detection of significant isolates from normally sterile body fluids. A total of 412 specimens were included in the study. Half of the specimens were inoculated directly into the automated blood culture system.

Distribution of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes among HBV carriers in Isparta.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes in Isparta, Southwest of Turkey, as well as the clinical features and transmission route for patients with HBV infections.

Methods: Patients (n = 135) with HBV infection were included in the study. Epidemiological and clinical data were obtained.

Pathogenicity of Blastocystis hominis, a clinical reevaluation.

Blastocystis (B.) hominis was considered to be a member of normal intestinal flora in the past, but in recent years it has been accepted as a very controversial pathogenic protozoan. In this study, 52 individuals whose stool examination revealed B.

Adenosine deaminase activity in serum of patients with hepatitis -- a useful tool in monitoring clinical status.

Background And Purpose: The evaluation of adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity in sera of patients with hepatitis should be considered a useful tool in the monitoring of their clinical status. In this study, we aimed to determine the relationship between viral load, transaminase levels, and serum ADA levels in hepatitis B virus (HBV)- and hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients.

Methods: Seventy three patients with hepatitis B, 71 patients with hepatitis C and 40 healthy individuals were included.

Increased serum anti-mycobacterial antibody titers in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Is there any specific antigenic target?

Objective: To investigate the presence of immunoreactivity against mycobacterial antigens in the sera of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to detect the target of the immune reaction.

Methods: This study was carried out on 60 patients with RA, and 25 patients with no joint diseases in the laboratory of Clinical Microbiology Department of Ankara University Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey between July 2003 to January 2004. Secreted and cellular antigens of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.

[Clinical symptoms in cases caused by entamoeba coli and blastocystis hominis.].

E. coli and B. hominis are usually accepted as members of normal intestinal flora during stool examinations, but in recent years there has been controversy as to whether they may be pathogen protozoa.

Lipid peroxidation level and antioxidant enzyme activities in the blood of patients with acute and chronic fascioliasis.

Objective: In this study, we investigated the relationship between fascioliasis and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities. We also investigated whether there are significant differences in MDA levels and antioxidant enzymatic activities between acute and chronic fascioliasis.

Methods: Forty fascioliasis patients who were diagnosed by ES-ELISA positivity were included in this study.

Eosinophil cationic protein in patients with fascioliasis: its probable effects on symptoms and signs.

Eosinophilia is 1 of the most common signs of fascioliasis especially during acute stage. In this study, our aim was to determine eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in the sera of patients with fascioliasis and to investigate the likely relation between ECP and symptoms and signs of fascioliasis. Presence of high liver enzyme levels, eosinophilia, abdominal pain or urticaria was not found to be significantly associated with ECP positivity (p>0.