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Massive Toxoplasma Abortions In A Dairy Sheep Flock And Therapeutic Approach With Different Doses Of Sulfadimidine, Nektarios D. Giadinis, Konstantinos Terpsidis, Anastasia Diakou, Victoria Siarkou, Panayiotis Loukopoulos, Ridvan Osman, Harilaos Karatzias`, Margarita Papazahariadou

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

In a 500 head dairy sheep flock in Northern Greece, massive abortions (60%) were observed at 110-130 days of gestation. Attempts were made to treat the abortions with oxytetracyclin L.A. 20% but they were not successful. Toxoplasmosis was confirmed by laboratory examination of blood sera of ewes, aborted fetuses, and fetal brain samples. The remaining 200 pregnant sheep were divided in 2 groups of 100 ewes each. Animals of Group 1 were treated with 20 mg/kg b.w. sulfadimidine every other day 4 times, while the animals in Group 2 received 33 mg/kg b.w. sulfadimidine every other day 4 times via …

Maedi-Visna Virus Infection In A Merino Lamb With Nervous Signs, Ahmet Akkoç, Meri̇ç Kocatürk, Ayli̇n Alasonyalilar Demi̇rer, Sezgi̇n Şentürk, Giacomo Renzoni, Silvia Preziuso

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

A Maedi-Visna virus (MVV) infection was diagnosed in a 10-month-old lamb from a Turkish flock. The animal suddenly showed nervous signs and died within 2 days. At necropsy, different pulmonary and nervous lesions were observed. A Coenurus cerebralis cyst was also present in the right-brain hemisphere. Severe nonpurulent meningoencephalitis and lymphoproliferative pneumonia were detected by histopathology. MVV proviral DNA was demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded samples collected from the brain and the lungs. This unusual report in a young animal confirms that not only adult sheep but also lambs can develop MVV disease. The hypothesis …

Management Of Community-Acquired Acute Bacterial Cystitis In Turkey, Ömer Coşkun, Hakan Erdem, Ali̇ Avci

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Community acquired acute bacterial cystitis (CA-ABC) is one of the most common infectious presentations in the community. This paper aims to provide a rational approach in the management of CA-ABC based on local Turkish data. Materials and methods: The publications evaluating the microbiological data obtained from CA-ABC cases were searched in both Turkish and international databases. Results: Fosfomycin and nitrofurantain appear to be baseline antibiotics while the empirical use of trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole, amoxicillin clavulanate, and first and second generation cephalosporins seems to be unreliable in Turkey. Moreover, quinolones seem to be at the edge with resistance rates up to 20%. …

Are Gram Negative Bacilli A Threat For Prosthetic Joint Replacements? Experience Of A University Hospital, Emi̇ne Alp Meşe, Mehmet Halici, Emi̇ne Bi̇lge Kiran, Mahmut Argün, Mehmet Doğanay

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Rubella, Toxoplasma Gondii, And Cytomegalovirus Seroprevalences Among Pregnant Women In Denizli Province, Aysun Karabulut, Yusuf Polat, Meral Türk, Yasemi̇n Işik Balci

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

There is no national screening program for rubella, Toxoplasma gondii, and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections for pregnant women in Turkey. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of these infections among pregnant women in Denizli province, and to review seroprevalences reported from different regions of Turkey. Materials and methods: Between April 2008 and April 2009, 1268 women were investigated for rubella, 1102 for toxoplasma, and 1000 women for CMV seroprevalences in the first trimester of pregnancy. Toxoplasma and rubella IgM and IgG antibodies were assayed by the automated Vitros ECiQ system based on an immunometric technique. Cytomegalovirus IgM …

Assessment Of The Findings On The Existence Of Complications In Brucellosis, Cemal Bulut, Meltem Arzu Yetki̇n, Gülruhsar Yilmaz, Fatma Şebnem Erdi̇nç, Çi̇ğdem Ataman Hati̇poğlu, Sami̇ Kinikli, Behi̇ç Oral, Necla Tülek, Ali̇ Pekcan Demi̇röz

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Brucellosis is a prevalent disease in Turkey. The object of this study was to assess the findings in brucellosis cases with and without complications. Materials and methods: A total of 324 patients diagnosed with brucellosis between 1999 and 2005 were reviewed retrospectively. The diagnosis of brucellosis was established serologically and/or by positivite blood culture. Epidemiologic features, clinical symptoms, and laboratory findings of the patients were assessed in both complicated and noncomplicated brucellosis cases by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: The mean age of patients was 44.0 ± 18.3 years (range 15-83 years). In addition, 56% of the patients were male. …

Two Cases Of H1n1 Influenza Infection As The Initial Presentation Of Acute Leukemia, Leylagül Kaynar, Serdar Şivgin, Osman Başpinar, Fati̇h Kurnaz, Afra Yildirim, Gökhan Metan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Pandemic 2009 influenza A virus (H1N1) is a new influenza virus causing illness in human populations. Immunocompromised patients are at high risk for the acquisition of influenza and serious influenza-associated complications. However, there are no reports about patients with both newly diagnosed acute leukemia and H1N1 influenza infection. We reported 2 cases of previously healthy patients with H1N1 influenza infection as the initial presentation of acute leukemia.

A Comparison Of Two Different Fluorochrome Stains For The Detection Of Acid-Fast Bacilli In Sputum Specimens*, Vi̇ldan Avkan Oğuz, Nurbanu Sezak, Aygün Öztop, Nur Yapar, Süheyla Sürücüoğlu, Ayşe Yüce

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

The early diagnosis of active tuberculosis still depends on the presence of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in stained sputum smears. In this study, our aim was to investigate the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of two different fluorochrome stains. Materials and methods: A total of 1013 sputum specimens were collected from 642 patients. Three smears and cultures were prepared from each specimen. Double-blind and prospective laboratory procedures were performed. Slides were stained with a commercial auramine/acridine orange kit (Stain 1), an in-house preparation of auramine- rhodamine/KMnO4 (Stain 2) and a Ziehl-Neelsen stain (EZN). Results: Of the 1013 specimens, 101 were culture positive. Among …

A Pooled Analysis Of The Resistance Patterns Of Escherichia Coli Strains Isolated From Urine Cultures In Turkey: A Comparison Of The Periods 1997-2001 And 2002-2007, Meltem Işikgöz Taşbakan, Hüsnü Pullukçu, Oğuz Reşat Si̇pahi̇, Tansu Yamazhan, Bi̇lgi̇n Arda, Sercan Ulusoy

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To compare the resistance patterns of Escherichia coli strains reported to be isolated from urine cultures in published medical literature from Turkey in 1997-2001 and 2002-September 2007. Materials and methods: To find the published series, 3 national databases (Ulakbim Turkish Medical Literature database, http://www.turkishmedline.com, http://medline.pleksus.com.tr), and 2 international databases (Pubmed and Science Citation Index (SCI)) were searched. Results: Data for 25,577 E. coli strains were obtained from 53 articles (28 articles from 1997-2001, 25 from 2002-2007). Of these strains 18,106 were isolated from outpatients, whereas 7471 were from inpatients. When the strains isolated from outpatients were evaluated, there was a …

Human Brucellosis In Turkey: A Review Of The Literature Between 1990 And 2009, Şebnem Çalik, Ayşe Deni̇z Gökengi̇n

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Brucellosis is a systemic infection, which may involve any organ or system of the body. The aim of this study was a review of the literature related to human brucellosis in Turkey. Materials and methods: In order to find the published reports on this subject, 3 national databases (TÜBİTAK-ULAKBİM Turkish Medical Literature database, http://www.turkishmedline.com, http://medline.pleksus.com.tr) and 2 international databases [Index Medicus and Science Citation Index (SCI)-expanded] were searched. In addition to the databases, abstracts of congresses held by the Turkish Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Association and the Antibiotic and Chemotherapy Association were searched for reports about brucellosis. Results: The …

Retrospective Evaluation Of Laboratory-Confirmed And Recovered Cases Of Influenza A(H1n1)V, Funda Sevencan, Mehmet Meli̇kşah Ertem, Neval Özçullu, Vedat Dorman, Abdulvahi̇t Ormanli, Namik Kemal Kubat, Nurhan Albayrak, Ayşe Başak Altaş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To retrospectively evaluate patients that were diagnosed with H1N1 and recovered from the disease in the initial period of an influenza A(H1N1)v epidemic in the province of Diyarbakir. It is estimated that 34-67 million individuals around the world have been infected by influenza A(H1N1)v, that 154,000-303,000 individuals have been hospitalized, and that 7000-13,000 individuals have lost their lives. Materials and methods: We were able to include 250 of 362 cases (69.0%) of confirmed influenza A(H1N1)v, from which the patients recovered, from the samples received between 19 October and 3 December 2009 after a pandemic alarm was given in the province …

Surveillance Of Antimicrobial Use In A Turkish University Hospital, Rabi̇n Saba, Di̇lara İnan, Özge Turhan, Ata Nevzat Yalçin, Fi̇li̇z Günseren, Lati̇fe Mamikoğlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To determine antimicrobial use in a university hospital in Turkey and compare it with United States antimicrobial use and resistance (US-AUR) and International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) rates. Materials and methods: This was a prospective surveillance study done between January 2007 and December 2007. The data are standardized by use of the defined daily dose (DDD) for each antimicrobial group and by calculating use per 1000 patients (antibiotic use density-AD). Results: Data on 35,936 patients with a total of 215,616 patient-days were analyzed. Ampicillin group (mainly with a beta lactamase inhibitor) has the highest AD in ICU and non-ICU …

The Prevalence Of Tuberculin Skin Test Positivity And The Effect Of Bcg Vaccinations On Tuberculin Induration Size In The Eastern Mediterranean Region Of Turkey, Ferda Kazanci, Ekrem Güler, Canan Eren Dağli, Mesut Gari̇pardiç, Mehmet Davutoğlu, Esen İspi̇roğlu, Hasan Çeti̇n Ekerbi̇çer, Hamza Karabi̇ber

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To evaluate the prevalence of tuberculin skin test (TST) positivity in Kahramanmaraş and interpret the size of purified protein derivative (PPD) induration with respect to the number of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) scars and other factors. Materials and methods: A total of 2979 school children between the ages of 7 and 17 years were evaluated. On the basis of socioeconomic levels, 11 schools were selected and categorized into 3 subgroups: schools in the suburbs of the city (Group 1), schools in the city center (Group 2), and private schools (Group 3). Children were injected with 5 TU/0.1 mL of PPD and …

Clinical Significance And Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome Mec (Sccmec) Characterization Of Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci Isolated From Blood Cultures, Gürkan Mert, Abdullah Kiliç, Orhan Bedi̇r, Ahmet Celal Başustaoğlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To describe the true coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) bacteremia rate compared with contaminants, and to determine the SCCmec types in methicillin-resistant staphylococci and evaluate the diversity between methicillin-resistant CoNS (MRCoNS) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates during a 10-month study period. Materials and methods: The true CoNS bacteremia or bloodstream infection episode was defined on the basis of previous studies on CoNS bacteremia and the definitions of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. SCCmec types were determined by using the real-time PCR method. A total of 357 staphylococci isolates, including 313 CoNS and 44 S. aureus, were obtained from 462 …

Knowledge Discovery For The Treatment Of Bacteria Affecting The Liver, Pinar Yildirim, Kağan Çeken, Osman Saka

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Biomedical information is buried in millions of published articles, and so it is necessary to use text mining techniques to skim published articles for relevant information. In this study, we used biomedical text mining techniques to introduce a liver bacterial infection knowledge-acquisition information system. Materials and methods: Bacteria names were selected from Medline MeSH data and it was searched to identify the most frequent bacteria associated with the liver using a text mining system and time based analyses were used to show the evolution of treatments. Results: Liver infections constitute a major threat to public health, and our study shows …

American Society Of Parasitologists Newsletter, V. 33, Nos. 1 & 2, 2011, Scott Lyell Gardner

American Society of Parasitologists: Newsletter

An issue of the American Society of Parasitologists Newsletter, also known as the Newsletter of the Journal of Parasitology.

Fourteen-Genome Comparison Identifies Dna Markers For Severe-Disease- Associated Strains Of Clostridium Difficile, Vincenzo Forgetta, Matthew T. Oughton, Pascale Marquis, Ivan Brukner, Ruth Blanchette, Kevin Haub, Vince Magrini, Elaine R. Mardis, Dale N. Gerding, Vivian G. Loo, Mark A. Miller, Michael R. Mulvey, Maja Rupnik, Andre Dascal, Ken Dewar

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

Cell Wall Chitosan Is Necessary For Virulence In The Opportunistic Pathogen Cryptococcus Neoformans, Lorina G. Baker, Charles A. Specht, Jennifer K. Lodge

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

Astrovirus Mlb2 Viremia In Febrile Child, Lori R. Holtz, Kristine M. Wylie, Erica Sodergren, Yanfang Jiang, Carl J. Franz, George M. Weinstock, Gregory A. Storch, David Wang

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

Use Of Medicare Claims To Rank Hospitals By Surgical Site Infection Risk Following Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery, Susan S. Huang, Hilary Placzek, James Livingston, Allen Ma, Fallon Onufrak, Julie Lankiewicz, Ken Kleinman, Dale Bratzler, Margaret A. Olsen, Rosie Lyles, Yosef Khan, Paula Wright, Deborah S. Yokoe, Victoria J. Fraser, Robert A. Weinstein, Kurt Stevenson, David Hooper, Johanna Vostok, Rupak Datta, Wato Nsa, Richard Platt

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

The Susceptibility Of Trypanosomatid Pathogens To Pi3/Mtor Kinase Inhibitors Affords A New Opportunity For Drug Repurposing, Rosario Diaz-Gonzalez, F. Matthew Kuhlmann, Cristina Galan-Rodriguez, Manuel Saldivia, Caitlin E. Karver, Ana Rodriguez, Stephen M. Beverley, Miguel Navarro, Michael P. Pollastri

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

Not All Nosocomial Escherichia Coli Bacteriurias Are Catheter Associated, Jonas Marschall, Kyle N. Ota, Jeffrey P. Henderson, David K. Warren, Centers For Disease Control And Prevention Epicenters Program

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

World Of Viruses: Going Viral, Judy Diamond

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Science education is developing new and innovative means of communication that compete directly with global media to reach the ‘YouTube Generation’. The truly interdisciplinary team of the SEPA-funded World of Viruses project is discovering how best to spread the word

“WE LIVE,” the project’s homepage announces, “in a world of viruses.” Indeed, viruses are the world’s most abundant biological organisms. While they can be deadly, they provide important tools for developing treatments and building nanotechnology. So the challenge for World of Viruses is to engage the public with the ubiquitous yet mysterious virus, taking them from confusion and misconception to …

Banf1 Is Required To Maintain The Self-Renewal Of Both Mouse And Human Embryonic Stem Cells, Jesse L. Cox, Sunil K. Mallanna, Briana D. Ormsbee, Michelle Desler, Matthew S. Wiebe, Angie Rizzino

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Self-renewal is a complex biological process necessary for maintaining the pluripotency of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Recent studies have used global proteomic techniques to identify proteins that associate with the master regulators Oct4, Nanog, and Sox2 in ESCs or in ESCs during the early stages of differentiation. Through an unbiased proteomic screen, Banf1 was identified as a Sox2- associated protein. Banf1 has been shown to be essential for worm and fly development but, until now, its role in mammalian development and ESCs has not been explored. In this study, we examined the effect of knocking down Banf1 on ESCs. We …

Schistosoma Comparative Genomics: Integrating Genome Structure, Parasite Biology And Anthelmintic Discovery, Martin T. Swain, Denis M. Larkin, Conor R. Caffrey, Stephen J. Davies, Alex Loukas, Patrick J. Skelly, Karl F. Hoffmann

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Schistosoma genomes provide a comprehensive resource for identifying the molecular processes that shape parasite evolution and for discovering novel chemotherapeutic or immunoprophylactic targets. Here, we demonstrate how intragenus and intergenus comparative genomics can be used to drive these investigations forward, illustrate the advantages and limitations of these approaches and review how post-genomic technologies offer complementary strategies for genome characterisation. Although sequencing and functional characterisation of other schistosome/platyhelminth genomes continues to expedite anthelmintic discovery, we contend that future priorities should equally focus on improving assembly quality, and chromosomal assignment, of existing schistosome/platyhelminth genomes.

Tca Cycle Inactivation In Staphylococcus Aureus Alters Nitric Oxide Production In Raw 264.7 Cells, Chandirasegaran Massilamany, Arunakumar Gangaplara, Donald J. Gardner, James M. Musser, David J. Steffen, Greg A. Somerville, Jay Reddy

Jay Reddy Publications

Inactivation of the Staphylococcus aureus tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle delays the resolution of cutaneous ulcers in a mouse soft tissue infection model. In this study, it was observed that cutaneous lesions in mice infected with wild-type or isogenic aconitase mutant S. aureus strains contained comparable inflammatory infiltrates, suggesting the delayed resolution was independent of the recruitment of immune cells. These observations led us to hypothesize that staphylococcal metabolism can modulate the host immune response. Using an in vitro model system involving RAW 264.7 cells, the authors observed that cells cultured with S. aureus aconitase mutant strains produced significantly lower amounts …

Climate Change And Forest Diseases, R. N. Sturrock, S. J. Frankel, A. V. Brown, P. E. Hennon, J. T. Kliejunas, K. J. Lewis, J. J. Worrall, A. J. Woods

United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

As climate changes, the effects of forest diseases on forest ecosystems will change. We review knowledge of relationships between climate variables and several forest diseases, as well as current evidence of how climate, host and pathogen interactions are responding or might respond to climate change. Many forests can be managed to both adapt to climate change and minimize the undesirable effects of expected increases in tree mortality. We discuss four types of forest and disease management tactics – monitoring, forecasting, planning and mitigation – and provide case studies of yellow-cedar decline and sudden aspen decline to illustrate how forest diseases …

Design And Synthesis Of Novel Agrofungicides Based On Naturally Occurring Pbdes, Robert Alexander Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cyanobacterial symbionts of Indo Pacific marine sponges, e.g. Dysidea sp., produce hydroxylated (OH-) polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PDBEs) which likely function as chemical deterrents owing to their antifungal and antibacterial properties. Limiting the therapeutic potential and agricultural use of these antimicrobial natural products are the negative connotations associated with non hydroxylated anthropogenic PBDEs. Anthropogenic PBDEs are pervasive global pollutants used as flame retardant additives in many household goods, e.g. furniture, textiles, and electronics. These molecules have a propensity to bioaccumulate in living organisms, they easily traverse the trophic food chains, they are readily passed from mother to offspring, and many of …

Starved: Food Deserts In The Mississippi Delta, Novelette L. Brown

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the impact of food deserts on obesity, and builds a case for additional research on rural food deserts independent from urban ones. The Mississippi Delta consistently presents the highest obesity rates within the state, yet both the third unhealthiest county (Quitman) and the healthiest (DeSoto) are located in that region. One of the reasons there is such a large discrepancy between the health rankings of DeSoto and Quitman counties is that DeSoto is contained within the Greater Memphis Metropolitan Area, but Quitman is entirely rural. Previous research has focused on the prevalence of urban food deserts and …

Women War Survivors Of The 1989-2003 Conflict In Liberia: The Impact Of Sexual And Gender-Based Violence, Helen Liebling-Kalifani, Victoria Mwaka, Ruth Ojiambo-Ochieng, Juliet Were-Oguttu, Eugene Kinyanda, Deddeh Kwekwe, Lindora Howard, Cecilia Danuweli

Journal of International Women's Studies

This article presents a summary of the qualitative data from research carried out in post-conflict Liberia by Isis-WICCE, a women’s international non-government organisation, in conjunction with the Ministry of Gender and Development of Liberia and Women in Peace-building Network, WIPNET. Analysis of research findings detail women’s experiences of conflict and the serious effects of sexual violence and torture on their physical and psychological health. The paper also describes the omission of women from justice and rehabilitation processes. In support of women participants’ views, the author’s recommend that funding is urgently required for the provision of holistic and sustainable, gender-sensitive services. …