Migraine and gasdermin D: a new perspective on the inflammatory basis of migraine.

Migraine is a common and disabling primary headache disorder and inflammation is a proposed factor in the complex ethiology of the disease. Gasdermin D (GSDMD) is a membrane pore-forming protein acting through the caspase system. End result is cell death caused by leakage of intracellular components to extracellular space which also results in inflammation.

Comparison of CHROMagar Orientation Medium with Traditional Methods in Urinary Tract Infection Cultures.

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common infections in adults, and urine culture is the parameter that uses the most time and cost in microbiology laboratories. For this reason, the selection of fast and cost-effective methods in the evaluation of urine samples is one of the priority issues of microbiology laboratories. The aim of this study was to investigate the compatibility and cost-effectiveness of routinely used Blood Agar (BA), Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) medium, and CHROMagar Orientation Medium (CO Medium) in the identification of microorganisms in urine samples.

Evaluation of the Effect of Sampling Strategy on Test Results in the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The oronasopharyngeal (ONP) sampling phase is critical in the diagnosis of infection during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In this study, the aim is to investigate the effect of the standardized operational team in the sampling unit on test results and repetitions.

Methods: Patients who applied to the Adult Pandemic Polyclinic between August 2020 and October 2021 and whose ONP samples were taken for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test were included in the study.

Serotype distribution of and pneumococcal vaccine coverage in adults in Turkey between 2015 and 2018.

Objective: To evaluate the serotype distribution and antibiotic resistance in pneumococcal infections in adults and to provide a perspective regarding serotype coverage of both current and future pneumococcal vaccines.

Patients And Methods: This passive surveillance study was conducted with the strains isolated from the specimens of patients with pneumonia (materials isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage), bacteraemia, meningitis, pleuritis and peritonitis between 2015 and 2018. Serogrouping and serotyping were performed by latex particle agglutination and by conventional Quellung reaction using commercial type-specific antisera, respectively.

[Comparison of Two Different Quantitative Tests for Anti-Spike Measurement After Two Doses of Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine in Healthcare Professionals].

Serological tests developed to detect antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus disease-2 (SARS-CoV-2) antigens are used to demonstrate immunity level, vaccine efficacy and duration of protection. However, the evaluation of these tests and the interpretation of the results are still under investigation. In this study, it was aimed to compare the anti-spike measurement values in healthcare workers who have not experienced Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) after vaccination with two doses of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine with two commercial quantitative antibody detection tests which were used to give results in the same unit and work with different methods.

Comparison of a novel antigen detection test with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay for laboratory diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Molecular diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in respiratory specimens is considered the gold standard method. This method is highly sensitive and specific but it has some limitations such as being expensive and requiring special laboratory equipment and skilled personnel. RapidFor™ Antigen Rapid Test Kit is a commercially available Ag-RDT which is produced in Turkey and designed to detect the nucleocapsid antigen of SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal swab samples.

[Evaluation of the Rapid Antigen Detection Kit with the Polymerase Chain Reaction for Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Respiratory Samples].

The disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) was named as coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) by the World Health Organization (WHO) in February 11, 2020. The rapid diagnosis of COVID-19 patients is essential to reduce the disease spread. The reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the gold standard test to diagnose SARS-CoV-2 acute infection.

Demodex Species Frequency and Risk Factors in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the presence of Demodex species in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, to identify the risk factors for developing Demodex infestation, and to determine the effect of immunosuppressant drugs on Demodex mite infestations.

Patients And Methods: The study included 93 RA patients (16 males, 77 females; mean age 53.3±11.

Is multiple sclerosis a risk factor for atherosclerosis?

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. We aimed to discuss possible predisposing factors to atherosclerosis such as carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) levels in MS.

Methods: Thirty-five ambulatory patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) (22 females and 13 males) and 34 healthy controls (21 females and 13 males) with similar demographic variables were included.

The Presence of Mites in Patients with Dermatologic Symptoms of the Face.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence in patients with dermatological complaints who were admitted to our hospital, and to evaluate the socio-demographic characteristics and risk factors of the patients.

Methods: A total of 133 patients who were sent for screening were included and questionnaire for risk factors was administered. Samples were taken by standard superficial skin biopsy method and the different developmental stages were investigated under microscope.

Can apelin play a role in the etiology of tinnitus?

Background/aim: Tinnitus is seen in 15% of the general population; in 1%–6% of this number, the quality of life is seriously affected by this chronic condition. Chemical, oxidative, and emotional stressors are important in terms of the clinical course of tinnitus. Apelin is an endogenous peptide which is an oxidative stress mediator.

The Prevalence of Mixed Genotype Infections in Turkish Patients with Hepatitis C: a Multicentered Assessment.

Background: HCV virus infections are one of the major health problems in the world that can cause cirrhosis and liver cancer at a higher rate than other hepatitis data. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of mixed infections with different HCV genotypes in Turkey and also to evaluate the current HCV genotype and sub-type distributions by a multicentered assessment.

Methods: The HCV genotype data of 17,578 hepatitis C patients collected from 23 centers from different geographic regions covering all Turkey were collected.

The role of Blastocystis hominis in the activation of ulcerative colitis.

Background/aims: Several studies have shown that a change in microbiota plays an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Furthermore, with the emergence in recent studies of differences according to the subtype of IBD and whether the disease is active or in remission, there has started to be research into the relationship between IBD and several microorganisms. Blastocystis hominis is primary among these organisms.

Primary Sjögren's syndrome in patients with celiac disease.

Background/aim: Many autoimmune diseases occur concomitantly with celiac disease (CD). We aimed to determine the frequency of Sjögren's syndrome (SS) in CD patients based on SS-specific serology verified by minor labial salivary biopsy.

Materials And Methods: Eight-two patients with CD were included in the study.

Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI- TOF MS) for Early Identification of Septic Patients.

Background: Matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a powerful technique for the rapid identification of bacteria from growing colonies in routine cultures. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of a 5-hour incubation on solid medium after sub-cultivation of positive blood culture broth without any preparation steps in order to speed up the identification of bacteria.

Methods: In addition to standard laboratory protocols, a Columbia agar plate with 5% sheep blood was inoculated with 1 drop from the blood culture broth.

The Frequency of Primary Sjogren's Syndrome and Fibromyalgia in Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Objective: To determine the frequency of sicca complex, Sjogren's Syndrome (SS) and Fibromyalgia (FM) in patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Methods: Seventy seven IBS patients who fulfilled the Rome-III criteria were included in the study. All patients were assessed for FM according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2010 criteria.

Use of probiotics as an adjuvant to sequential H. pylori eradication therapy: impact on eradication rates, treatment resistance, treatment-related side effects, and patient compliance.

Background/aims: To evaluate the effect of probiotics administered as an adjuvant to sequential Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication therapy on treatment outcome and patient compliance.

Materials And Methods: In total, 159 patients with H.

Cirrhotic Ascites management via procalcitonin level and a new approach B-mode gray-scale histogram.

Background/aims: To determine the role of serum procalcitonin levels and ascites/subcutaneous echogenicity ratio (ASER) in predicting ascites infection in hospitalized cirrhotic patients.

Materials And Methods: A total of 50 patients hospitalized because of cirrhosis-related ascites were included in this study. In these patients, 44% of ascites were infected (peritonitis), whereas 56% of ascites were sterile.

[Investigation of hepatitis C virus genotype distribution in patients with chronic hepatitis C infections in Antalya Training and Research Hospital, Turkey].

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major global health problem due to high chronicity rates, occurrence of severe hepatic diseases, and absence of an accurate therapy and effective vaccine. It is well known that viral genome is highly variable and HCV has at least six genotypes, each of them containing a series of subtypes. HCV genotypes exhibit geographical and epidemiological distribution.

Evaluation of the BD Phoenix system for detection of methicilin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus isolates in comparison to BD GeneOhm MRSA assay.

Background: In order to identify methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates quickly, automated and semiautomated systems, commercial media, and identification kits are widely used. The Phoenix system (BD, Sparks, MD, USA) has been available since 2004 in our laboratory. This study evaluated the reliability of the Phoenix system for the detection of methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus isolates in comparison to BD GeneOhm MRSA assay (Becton Dickinson Diagnostics GeneOhm, CA, USA).

Oxidative stress and ischemia-modified albumin in chronic ischemic heart failure.

Objectives: Knowledge about the role of oxidative stress in human diseases, including cardiovascular system disorders, emphasizes the need for reliable markers of oxidative stress. Here, we evaluated the levels of the novel marker ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), albumin-adjusted IMA (adj-IMA), and the IMA/serum albumin ratio (IMAR) in patients with chronic ischemic heart failure (CIHF).

Methods: A total of 55 patients with CIHF and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were included in the study.

[Evaluation of a hospital outbreak related to carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa].

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important nosocomial pathogen that causes opportunistic infections and hospital outbreaks. During October 2012, carbapenem-resistant P.aeruginosa strains with similar antibiotic resistance patterns, were isolated from specimens sent from the intensive care and plastic surgery units in our hospital.

Heart valve disease: the role of calcidiol deficiency, elevated parathyroid hormone levels and oxidative stress in mitral and aortic valve insufficiency.

Objectives: Endothelia, intima, and connective tissues comprise the heart valves, but the relationship between heart valve damage, the pathogenesis of valve degeneration, and vitamin D, oxidative stress remains unclear. Here, we assessed serum 25(OH) vitamin D (calcidiol), parathormone (PTH), and redox balance in patients with mitral valve regurgitation (MR) and aortic valve regurgitation (AR).

Methods: This study includes 56 chronic heart valve disease (HVD) patients.

Evaluation of vancomycin resistance 3 multiplexed PCR assay for detection of vancomycin-resistant enterococci from rectal swabs.

Background: Active screening for vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) using rectal specimens is recommended to limit the spread of antimicrobial resistance within certain high-risk populations. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of Vancomycin Resistance 3 Multiplexed Tandem PCR assay (AusDiagnostics, Australia), a rapid multiplex real-time PCR assay that detects vanA and/or vanB.

Methods: Two-hundred-and-eleven rectal swabs from Hematology and Oncology unit were submitted for VRE surveillance via direct detection of vanA and/or vanB by culture and by using Vancomycin Resistance 3 Multiplexed Tandem PCR assay.

The role of serum procalcitonin levels in predicting ascitic fluid infection in hospitalized cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients.

Objective: To determine the role of serum procalcitonin levels in predicting ascites infection in hospitalized cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients.

Methods: A total of 101 patients (mean age: 63.4 ± 1.