[Bioterrorism, parasites as potential bioterrorism agents and biosecurity studies].

A variety of agents have a potential risk for being use as weapons of biological terrorism. However, the use of parasites as bioterrorism agents has not received so much attention. Parasites could contribute to the installation of fear in human population upon intentional addition to their food and water supplies.

[Two cases of herpes encephalitis with normal cerebrospinal fluid findings].

In this report, characteristics of two cases of Herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis with normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings at the time of admission have been discussed and the current literature has been reviewed. The diagnosis of the cases (one was 23 years old male, and the other was 75 years old female patient) was made on the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings concordant with HSV encephalitis, together with HSV-1 DNA positivity by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Both of the patients were treated with acyclovir (3 x 750 mg/day) lasting for 15 days and 21 days, respectively.

[The relationship between objective and subjective evaluation criteria in lumbar spinal stenosis].

Objectives: We evaluated the relationship between functional objective and patient-based subjective assessments and quality of life in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).

Methods: Thirty patients (25 females, 5 males; mean age 62+/-9 years; range 41-78 years) were prospectively studied. All were diagnosed as having LSS by clinical and radiological evaluations.

[Antibiotic resistance in Helicobacter pylori and molecular methods for the detection of resistance].

Helicobacter pylori which is the major agent causing peptic ulcer, gastric cancer and gastric lymphoma, is identified as a class I carcinogen. Invasive and non-invasive tests have been used in the diagnosis of H. pylori infection.

[Evaluation of three different ELISA kits for the diagnosis of trichinellosis].

Human trichinellosis caused by Trichinella spp. is a widely distributed parasitic disease, acquired by ingestion of undercooked or raw meat containing larvae of the parasite. In January 2004, a trichinellosis outbreak following the consumption of raw minced meat ball, occurred in Izmir, Turkey.

[Evaluation of species distribution of yeasts isolated from intensive care units during the four years period].

The aim of this study was to evaluate the distributions of yeast species according to the years and to detect the emerging pathogens in intensive care units (ICU). For this purpose, yeast isolation rates were detected retrospectively, in the following time periods: Period I: April-December 2001; period II: January-December 2002; period III: January-December 2003; period IV: January-December 2004. A total of 490 yeast isolates recovered from 462 clinical specimens obtained from 360 different ICU patients were investigated during these periods.

[Rehabilitation of shoulder instability following surgery].

The basic principals of rehabilitation for shoulder stabilization are the restoration of glenohumeral compression stability, scapulohumeral motion synchrony, and the proprioceptive mechanism. The principals of rehabilitation applied following surgical treatment of patients with shoulder instability do not differ from those applied for non-operative patients. Recent advances in surgical techniques and suture materials have improved the quality of healing tissues and allowed early institution and acceleration of rehabilitation programs.

[Multidirectional shoulder instability and open surgical procedures].

The principles and procedures for multidirectional instability do not substantially differ from those for anterior instability. Correct diagnosis is difficult, but it is important for a successful treatment. Conservative treatment should be attempted before surgery.

[Shoulder instability: classification and methods of clinical examination].

The shoulder is a complex joint whose stability relies on both dynamic and static factors. Dysfunction of one of these components gives rise to shoulder problems. Diagnosis of shoulder instability depends on a detailed history and appropriate physical examination.

[Case report: a Fusarium fungaemia].

In this report, a case of Fusarium fungaemia developed in an acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patient was presented. A seven year old girl who had weakness, loss of appetite, paleness and ecchymosis on legs applied to Pediatric Hematology Service and cytotoxic chemotherapy was started after she had been diagnosed as ALL-L1. Her chemotherapy was stopped because of increase in fever, leukopenia and neutropenia.

[Application of in-house enzyme immunoassay and indirect hemagglutination methods for the serologic diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis].

It is necessary to use methods that are not only fast and easily applicable, but also safe in the diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis (CE) and monitoring the treatment. In the present study, we investigated the presence of specific Echinococcus granulosus antibodies by in-house enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) and indirect hemagglutination (IHA) tests in the sera of 64 patients who were surgically confirmed to have CE, 10 patients with various lung and liver malignancies and 20 patients with Hymenolepis nana infections. Of the 64 CE patients, 52 (81.

[The life and surgical accomplisment of Dr. Murat Cankat].

Dr. Murat Cankat is one of the most important figures of the history of surgery in Turkey. Dr.

Phototoxic effects of topical azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide and adapalene were not detected when applied immediately before UVB to normal skin.

The enhancing effects on UVB erythema of topical agents applied on sun exposed areas are important due to their increased sunburn risk. Since the lesions in acne vulgaris are seen primarily on the face, the effects of topical agents used in acne treatment on the erythemogenicity of UVB is important. The aim of the present study was to examine whether azelaic acid cream, benzoyl peroxide gel, adapalene gel have the enhancing effects on UVB erythema which are widely used in the topical treatment of acne vulgaris.

[Biofilm production and antifungal susceptibility patterns of Candida species].

In this study, biofilm production and antifungal susceptibility of various Candida species were examined and compared. A total number of 156 Candida species (94 C. albicans, 21 C.

[Comparison of indirect immunofluorescence and enzyme immunoassay methods for the determination of antinuclear antibodies].

Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are widely used for screening and monitoring of connective tissue diseases (CTD). Indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) is the standard method which is more often preferred for detecting these antibodies. Another method is enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) which includes extractable nuclear antigens (ENA).

[Frequency of vascular variations and anomalies accompanying intracranial aneurysms].

Purpose: Investigation of the sites of intracranial aneurysms and incidence of associated congenital variations or anomalies.

Materials And Methods: One hundred and ninety cerebral angiography examinations that were positive for aneurysm were evaluated retrospectively. Fourteen cases with vasospasm were excluded and the remaining 176 patients were assessed for the location of the aneurysm and co-incidental vascular variations and/or anomalies.

[Seropositivity against atypical pneumonia agents demonstrated in patients with community-acquired pneumonia].

The aim of this study was to investigate the IgG and IgM antibody positivities against atypical pneumonia agents in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), and to compare the results with the controls. The serum samples which were collected from 53 adult patients and 20 healthy donors have been investigated by a commercial indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA, Pneumo-slide, Vircell SL, Spain) in which nine different antigens were fixed onto a slide. In both of the study groups.

[Contrast enhanced power Doppler and color Doppler ultrasound in breast masses: Efficiency in diagnosis and contributions to differential diagnosis].

Purpose: To compare ability of detection of vascular structures by utilizing ultrasonographic contrast agent (Levovist) prior to and following power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) and colour Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) and to determine useful parameters in the differentiation of malignant and benign breast masses by means of verified data.

Materials And Methods: Vascularisation characteristics of 38 breast masses (22 malignant, 16 benign) which were confirmed by mammography and B-mode sonography were evaluated by both CDUS and PDUS following and prior to intravenous contrast application. In addition, Vmax and RI values of vascular structures were calculated by Doppler spectral evaluation.

[Mutations of gyrA in ciprofloxacin resistant Escherichia coli strains].

In this study, the relationship between gyrA mutations and ciprofloxacin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values was investigated in Escherichia coli strains. For this purpose, ciprofloxacin MIC values of 46 E. coli strains, isolated from out-patients and hospitalized patients, were determined by the agar dilution method.

[An aspect of neurosurgery in Turkey: Dr. Abdülkadir Cahit Tuner (1892-1980)].

The knowledge regarding the history of different disciplines in medicine is of importance. As in each discipline, there are also some pioneers in neurosurgery. The name of Dr.

[Prof. Dr. Mim Kemal Oke (1884-1955)and neurosurgery].

Neurosurgery started in our country in the decade of 20th century. However, several neurosurgical procedures were performed by other specialities. Dr.

[Determination of esterase activity of Candida varieties].

This study was performed to determine the esterase activity of Candida species and to search the usefulness of tween 80 opacity test for the identification. Totally 124 Candida strains (66 C. albicans, 25 C.

[The value of the agar dilution method as a screening test for determining the sensitivity of Candida albicans to fluconazole].

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of agar dilution method in the determination of fluconazole susceptibility of Candida albicans strains, by using different culture media. Hundred and seven C. albicans strains which were isolated from different clinical specimens were included to this study and fluconazole susceptibilities were determined by both of the microdilution method according to NCCLS M-27A standards, and an agar dilution based method by using CHROMagar Candida and Biggy agar.

[Molecular epidemiologic surveillance and antifungal agent sensitivity of Candida albicans isolated from anesthesia intensive care units].

Patients in intensive care units (ICU) are at risk of nosocomial infections. The incidence of nosocomial fungal infections has increased in parallel with the increase of nosocomial infections. Candida albicans is the most frequent pathogenic species among the fungi.