Identification of mycobacteria species by molecular methods.

In this study, mycobacteria, which were previously identified as Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC), and mycobacteria other than tuberculosis (MOTT) with cord factor and the p-nitro-alpha-acetyl-amino-beta-hydroxypropiophenone (NAP) test were reanalysed using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis method in order to confirm the identification, and at the same time, species accepted as MOTT were identified. Although the results of the NAP test were obtained within 3-5 days, the PCR-RFLP results were obtained in 1 day. Ten species identified as MTC with the NAP test and cord factor were confirmed with the PCR-RFLP method.

Assessment of cytokine levels and hs-CRP in bipolar I disorder before and after treatment.

We aimed to assess the relationship between cytokine levels and the severity of the manic period in medication free patients. 30 Medication free patients and 28 healthy subjects (HS) were recruited. Plasma levels of pro-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, inflammatory cytokines, and hs-CRP levels were investigated upon hospital admission, after six weeks follow up in bipolar disease manic episode and the results were compared to HS.

The relation between the levels of osteoprotegerin and the degree of coronary artery disease in patients with acute coronary syndrome and stable angina pectoris.

Background: Osteoprotegerin (OPG), an inhibitor of osteoclastogenesis, has recently been under the spotlight in studies regarding the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis.

Aim: To evaluate the value of serum OPG in the diagnosis and severity in patients with stable angina pectoris (SA) and unstable angina pectoris/non ST elevation myocardial infarction.

Methods: This study involved 160 patients, SA (n = 65), acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS; n = 65), and a control group (n = 30).

The role of serum cytokines in the pathogenesis of hepatic osteodystrophy in male cirrhotic patients.

Objective. In this study, we aimed to investigate the possible role of serum cytokines in the development of hepatic osteodystrophy. Matherial and Methods.

Community-based seroepidemiology of diphtheria and tetanus in Edirne, Turkey.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence and correlates of diphtheria and tetanus in Edirne, Turkey. Tetanus and diphtheria antitoxin levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Among 99 participants, a diphtheria antitoxin level of >or=0.

[Hepatitis E virus epidemiology in adult population in Edirne province, Turkey].

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) clinical presentations range from asymptomatic infection to fulminant hepatitis which is frequently seen in pregnant women. Epidemics due to HEV mostly originate from contaminated water and the virus is transmitted by fecal oral way. Its frequency is closely related to the socioeconomical status of the community.

[Investigation of tularemia seroprevalence in the rural area of Thrace region in Turkey].

The first published tularemia epidemic in Turkey had been reported in 1936 from Luleburgaz (located in European part-Thrace region-of Turkey), and the second was in 1945 again in the same province. Following a long period of time without any tularemia report from Thrace region, in 2005 another epidemic occurred in a village of Edirne, another province located in the same region. Since there is presumptive evidence of circulation of the infectious agent, Francisella tularensis in Thrace region of Turkey, a large scale seroepidemiological study is needed.