The Role of Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in the Pathogenesis of Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease.

Background: Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are inflammatory bowel diseases with uncertain etiology. We aimed to determine the amounts of Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in the intestinal microbiota of these patients and to correlate their amounts with blood IL-8, IL-10, and IL-12 cytokine levels.

Methods: Thirty UC, 30 CDs, and 46 healthy controls were included.

Evaluation of the Diagnostic Performance of a SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A/B Combo Rapid Antigen Test in Respiratory Samples.

This study aimed to evaluate the performance characteristics of a rapid antigen test developed to detect SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), influenza A virus (IAV), and influenza B virus (IBV) (flu) compared with those of the real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) method. One hundred SARS-CoV-2, one hundred IAV, and twenty-four IBV patients whose diagnoses were confirmed by clinical and laboratory methods were included in the patient group. Seventy-six patients, who were negative for all respiratory tract viruses, were included as the control group.

The Relationship between Gastroduodenal Pathologies and Helicobacter pylori cagL (Cytotoxin-Associated Gene L) Polymorphism.

Background: The polymorphisms in the region between 58 and 62 amino acids of the 194-amino acid CagL protein (CagL hypervariable motif) affect the binding affinity of CagL to integrin α5β1 (ITGA5B1) receptor in host epithelial cells and have an effect on the development of various gastrointestinal diseases. We aimed to evaluate the associations of gastroduodenal pathologies, with the polymorphisms of cagL gene of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and also associations between vacA genotypes and cagL polymorphisms.

Development of in House ELISAs to Detect Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in Infected and Vaccinated Humans by Using Recombinant S, S1 and RBD Proteins.

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to produce in-house ELISAs which can be used to determine SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody levels directed against the spike protein (S), the S1 subunit of S and the receptor binding domain (RBD) of S in SARS-CoV-2 vaccinated and infected humans. (2) Methods: Three in-house ELISAs were developed by using recombinant proteins of SARS-CoV-2, namely the S, S1 and RBD proteins. Specificity and sensitivity evaluations of these tests were performed using sera from SARS-CoV-2-infected ( = 70) and SARS-CoV-2-vaccinated ( = 222; CoronaVac vaccine) humans in Istanbul, Turkey.

The Role of Adenovirus-36 in Adults with Obesity-Induced Type 2 Diabetes.

Background: Obesity may also develop due to a viral infection caused by adenovirus 36. We aimed to detect the presence of neutralizing antibodies against Ad-36 in adult patients who developed type 2 diabetes due to obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2).

Methods: The patient group (PG) was composed of 80 obese people with type 2 diabetes, the patient control group (PCG) was composed of 40 non-obese people with type 2 diabetes, and the healthy control group (HCG) was com-posed of 40 non-obese people without type 1 or type 2 diabetes in this case-control study.

Comparison of SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Levels after a Third Heterologous and Homologous BNT162b2 Booster Dose.

This study aimed to determine the anti-S (receptor binding protein) RBD IgG antibody titers formed against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) and the neutralizing antibody inhibition percentages (nAb IH%) in blood samples taken after two doses of inactive or mRNA-based vaccine and a booster dose. Volunteers with two doses of inactivated CoronaVac (heterologous group; = 75) and BioNTech (BNT)162b2 mRNA vaccine (homologous group; = 75) were included in this study. All participants preferred the BNT162b2 vaccine as a booster dose.

Detection of A2143G, A2142C, and A2142G Point Mutations with Real-Time PCR in Stool Specimens from Children Infected with .

Reports have indicated an increasing prevalence of clarithromycin resistance in children relative to adults. Thus, it is important to investigate primary clarithromycin resistance before therapy to avoid treatment failure. A2142G, A2143G, and A2142C point mutations in the peptidyltransferase region of the 23S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) of () strains isolated from children with gastrointestinal symptoms and asymptomatic children were evaluated via real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using fecal DNA samples.

Co-infection relationship with Epstein-Barr virus in gastroduodenal diseases with Helicobacter Pylori. Quantitative PCR and EBNA-1 gene-based approach.

Objective: Helicobacter pylori (Hp) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are involved in gastric cancer (GC) etiology. EBV/Hp co- infection was thought synergistically increase gastroduodenal disease occurence. We aimed to determine the presence of EBV/Hp co-infection in gastroduodenal diseases.

Fibronectin within Sodium Alginate Microcapsules Improved Osteogenic Differentiation of BMMSCs in Dose Dependent Manner by Targeting SP7, OCN, CDK1, ZBTB16, and Twist1 Expression.

Insoluble fibronectin as an extracellular matrix (ECM) protein has the potential to promote proliferation, differentiation, and migration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). However, there is limited information about the effects of fibronectin various concentrations on bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMMSCs) function and differentiation. In this experimental study, using a gel injection device, BMMSCs were encapsulated in sodium alginate microcapsules containing 1.

Relationship Between ABO Blood Types and Coronavirus Disease 2019 Severity.

Objectives: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 infection spreads rapidly around the world. The blood groups are recognized to influence susceptibility to certain viruses.The aim of this research was to determine any potential role of the patients' ABO and Rh blood groups in both the acquisition and severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

[Evaluation of the Diagnostic Performance of SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Antigen Tests in COVID-19 Patients].

The gold standard in the definitive diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) due to their high sensitivity and specificity in detecting viral ribonucleic acid. However, while leaving two years behind in the pandemic, resources have come to the point of exhaustion in terms of both the economy and the manpower working in the field of health services. Therefore, the need for rapid, simple and accurate tests to diagnose SARS-CoV-2 infection continues.

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and Neutralizing Antibody Levels in Patients with Past COVID-19 Infection: A Longitudinal Study.

Background: Monitoring the longevity of immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections is vital to understanding the role of antibodies in preventing infection.

Aims: To determine the quantitative IgG responses specific to the Spike-S1 (S1) receptor-binding domain (S1/RBD) region of the virus in serum samples taken between 4 weeks and 7 months after polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positivity in patients who are diagnosed with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).

Study Design: A longitudinal study.

Antibody responses after two doses of CoronaVac of the participants with or without the diagnosis of COVID-19.

Background: CoronaVac, an inactivated whole-virion vaccine against COVID-19, has been shown to be safe with acceptable antibody responses by various clinical trials.

Aims: The objective was to investigate the post-vaccination antibody levels of both symptomatic and asymptomatic healthcare workers with or without the diagnosis of COVID-19 in an emergency department (ED) of a hospital serving as a pandemic hospital.

Methods: This single-centred, prospective study was conducted on 86 participants who were working as nurse or doctor in the ED.

Epstein-Barr Virus and Helicobacter pylori co-infection in patients with gastric cancer and duodenale ulcer.

We aimed to detect EBV/Hp (Epstein-Barr Virus/Helicobacter pylori) co-infection by determining the number of copies of EBV/EBER-1 in the gastric biopsy samples of the Hp (+) GC, peptic ulcer (PU), and non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) cases. The patient group (PG), with 34 patients (34 GC and 30 PU patients) and a control group with 40 NUD cases were included. All patients and controls were Hp positive.

Point Mutations at gyrA and gyrB Genes of Levofloxacin Resistant Helicobacter pylori Strains and Dual Resistance with Clarithromycin.

Background: Spontaneous point mutations in genes encoding gyrA/B subunits of DNA gyrase are responsible for fluoroquinolone resistance. We aimed to determine the clarithromycin and levofloxacin resistance phenotypically in H. pylori strains and to investigate the mutations responsible for levofloxacin resistance and the effects of these mutations on dual antibiotic resistance.

[Evaluation of the Diagnostic Performance of Different Principles of SARS-CoV-2 Commercial Antibody Tests in COVID-19 Patients].

Following the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS CoV-2) and using only PCR for diagnosis, antibody tests have been rapidly developed by various commercial companies. There are differences between the sensitivity and specificity of these tests due to the usage of different viral target proteins and antibody subclasses. In order to evaluate the diagnostic use of these tests, we aimed to examine the diagnostic performance, especially sensitivity and specificity, of SARS-CoV-2 IgM, IgA and IgG tests of various companies (Abbott, Roche, Euroimmun, Dia.

The association between cagL and cagA, vacAs-m, babA genes in patients with gastric cancer, duodenal ulcer, and non-ulcer dyspepsia related to Helicobacter pylori.

Introduction: As a component of the cag T4SS, the cagL gene is involved in the translocation of CagA into host cells and is essential for the formation of cag PAI-associated pili between H. pylori and gastric epithelial cells.

Aim: We aimed to investigate the clinical association of the cagL gene with other virulence factors (VacA, CagA, EPIYA-C, and BabA protein) of H.

Association between human leukocyte antigen gene polymorphisms and multiple EPIYA-C repeats in gastrointestinal disorders.

Background: Polymorphisms of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes are suggested to increase the risk of gastric cancer (GC).

Aim: To investigate the HLA allele frequencies of patients with GC relative to a control group in terms of CagA+ multiple (≥ 2) EPIYA-C repeats.

Methods: The patient group comprised 94 patients [44 GC and 50 duodenal ulcer (DU) patients], and the control group comprised 86 individuals [(50 non-ulcer dyspepsia patients and 36 people with asymptomatic ()].

Evaluating the effectiveness of anti-tuberculosis treatment by detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis 85B messenger RNA expression in sputum.

Background: The antigen 85 complex (85B) is secreted in large quantities from growing mycobacteria and the presence of bacterial mRNA is an indicator of cell viability. The quantitative detection of 85B mRNA expression levels can be used to assess the success of anti-tuberculosis treatment outcomes to detect viable mycobacteria cells. Therefore, we evaluated the levels of 85B mRNA of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

The Prevalence of Periodontal Pathogenic Bacteria in Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease.

Background: A possible link between periodontal pathogenic bacteria and atherosclerosis may exist based on the inflammatory mechanisms initiated by bacteria found in periodontal lesions. Our aim was to investigate the presence of DNA originating from T. denticola, C.

Association between polymorphisms in HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-DR, and DQ genes from gastric cancer and duodenal ulcer patients and cagL among cagA-positive Helicobacter pylori strains: The first study in a Turkish population.

Colonization of the human gastric mucosa by H. pylori may cause peptic and duodenal ulcers (DUs), gastric lymphomas, and gastric cancers. The cagL gene is a component of cag T4SS and is involved in cagA translocation into host.

Evaluation of the possible involvement of Ad-36-induced adipogenesis and coronary artery disease development in mediastinal adipose tissue samples.

Mediastinal fat has been suggested to be associated with cardiovascular diseases such as carotid stiffness, atherosclerosis and coronary artery calcification. We investigated the possible role of Ad-36-induced obesity in the pathogenesis of the coronary artery disease (CAD). Ad-36 DNA was investigated in the anterior mediastinal fat tissue samples of obese adults with CAD.

Comparison of new and classical point mutations associated with clarithromycin resistance in Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from dyspeptic patients and their effects on phenotypic clarithromycin resistance.

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the presence of three recently identified point mutations (A2115G, G2141A and A2144T) of the 23 S rRNA gene and compare them with the three most frequently encountered point mutations (A2142G, A2142C and A2143G) in Helicobacter pylori strains in Turkey.

Methodology: A total of 63 patients (mean 47.08±12.