Healthcare-associated Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in Turkey, 2002-2014: a multicentre retrospective cross-sectional study

Healthcare-related transmission of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a well-recognized hazard. We report a multicentre retrospective cross-sectional study undertaken in Turkey in 2014 in nine hospitals, regional reference centres for CCHF, covering the years 2002 to 2014 inclusive. Data were systematically extracted from charts of all personnel with a reported health care injury/accident related to CCHF. Blood samples were tested for CCHF IgM/IgG by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and/or viral nucleic acid detection by PCR after the injury. Fifty-one healthcare-related exposures were identified. Twenty-five (49%) of 51 resulted in laboratory-confirmed infection, with a 16% (4/25) overall mortality. The main route of exposure was needlestick injury in 32/51 (62.7%). A potential benefit of post-exposure prophylaxis with ribavirin was identified.

Glyconanoparticles with controlled morphologies and their interactions with a dendritic cell lectin

Well-defined amphiphilic block glycopolymers with equal mannose content have been self-assembled in aqueous solution to form glyconanoparticles with different morphologies.

Effect of peritoneal incision on immediate pain after inguinal hernia repair: A Prospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

Hernia repair is a common surgical procedure, and postoperative pain is an inevitable result of hernia surgery. The prevention of postoperative pain is of considerable importance in terms of patient comfort and early discharge. In this study, we evaluated the effects of a peritoneal incision on pain in the early postoperative period.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

This was a prospective clinical study with 75 patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair.

METHODS

Patients were divided into five groups: group 1: indirect hernia, Lichtenstein repair with peritoneal incision, group 2: indirect hernia, Lichtenstein repair without peritoneal incision, group 3: all hernias, trans-abdominal preperitoneal(TAPP) repair, group 4: all hernias, total extraperitoneal (TEP) repair, and group 5: direct hernia, Lichtenstein repair with no peritoneal incision. Groups were compared in terms of postoperative pain scores at three different times and complications.

RESULTS

There were 62 males and 13 females; their average age was 51.25 years. The visual analog scale (VAS) scores were lower in groups 2, 4, and 5, and there were differences among groups and within each group according to VAS changes assessed at all time points (p < 0.05). There was no difference, according to VAS analysis, between open and laparoscopic surgery groups. There was a difference according to VAS changes in each group between hernia sides (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Peritoneal incision is a significant risk factor for postoperative pain after inguinal hernia repair. But, surgical procedure was not a risk factor although VAS scores were higher in open than laparoscopic surgery.

The importance of the mesh shape in preventing recurrence after Nissen fundoplication

Gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common gastrointestinal disorder and often is associated with hiatal hernia (HH). Nissen fundoplication is the most common surgical treatment method. Despite surgical treatment, recurrence rate is still high. In this study, we aimed to identify the importance of the mesh shape in preventing recurrence after Nissen fundoplication. A hundred twenty two patients who operated Nissen fundoplication owing to GERD and/or HH were evaluated. Nissen fundoplication was made all patients. Patients were divided into three groups according to hiatoplasty procedure; group 1 (V-shaped mesh), group 2 (V-shaped mesh + Fibrin glue), and group 3 (special designed mesh, Kar's mesh). Groups were compared regarding intraoperative, postoperative early- and long-term complications. Mean age was 42.75 years, and male to female ratio was 1:2.98. The mean follow-up period was 27 mounts. There was no mortality during follow-up. The most common presenting symptom was heartburn (93.4%). There wasn't difference between groups in terms of the intraoperative complications and postoperative early-term complications. The overall recurrences rate was 4.9% and dysphagia > 3 months rate was 1.6%. No recurrence was not observed in group 3, while recurrence was observed in 4 patients in group 1 (P = 0.030). Patients should be carefully selected for surgery because complication rate is high despite successful anti-reflux surgical treatment. In this study, we have used a special designed mesh. We believe that this special designed mesh can be used safely and effectively in anti-reflux surgery because recurrence and complications were not observed.

An intervention to preschool children for reducing screen time: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Screen time, defined as time spent watching television, DVDs, or videos or playing computer or video games, has been related to serious health consequences in children, such as impaired language acquisition, violent behaviour, tobacco smoking and obesity. Our aim was to determine if a simple intervention aimed at preschool-aged children, applied at the health maintenance visits, in the primary care setting, would be effective in reducing screen time.

METHODS

We used a two group randomized controlled trial design. Two- to 6-year-old children and their parents were randomly assigned to receive an intervention to reduce their screen time, BMI and parental report of aggressive behaviour. At the end of the intervention we made home visits at 2, 6 and 9 months and the parents completed questionnaire.

RESULTS

Parents in the intervention group reported less screen time and less aggressive behaviour than those in the control group but there were no differences in BMI z scores.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that a preschool-based intervention can lead to reductions in young children's television/video viewing.

Effect of Education on the Rate of and the Understanding of Risk Factors for Intravascular Catheter–Related Infections

Objective.

Intravascular catheters are indispensable tools in modern medical therapy. In spite of their great benefits, however, the widespread use of catheters leads to several complications, including infections that cause significant morbidity, mortality, and economic losses for hospitalized patients.

Design.

This study was conducted at Farabi Hospital, a 495-bed facility at Karadeniz Technical University Medical School in Trabzon, Turkey, and involved 3 separate periods: preeducation, education, and posteducation. Patients with intravascular catheters were monitored daily, as were the results of their physical examinations. The information acquired was recorded in a questionnaire.

Results.

During the preeducation period (October 2003 through March 2004), 405 intravascular catheters inserted into 241 patients were observed for 5,445 catheter-days. Seventy-one cases of intravascular catheter-related infection (CRI) were identified, giving a CRI rate of 13.04 infections per 1,000 catheter-days. The catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) rate was 8.3 infections per 1,000 catheter-days, and the exit-site infection (ESI) rate was 3.5 infections per 1,000 catheter-days. During the posteducation period (June through November 2004), 365 intravascular catheters inserted into 193 patients were observed for 5,940 catheter-days. Forty-five cases of CRI were identified, giving a rate of 7.6 infections per 1,000 catheter-days. The CRBSI rate was 4.7 infections per 1,000 catheter-days, and the ESI rate was 2.2 infections per 1,000 catheter-days. When findings from the 2 periods were compared, it was determined that education reduced CRI incidence by 41.7%.

Conclusion.

CRI can be prevented when hospital personnel are well informed about these infections. We compared the knowledge levels of the relevant personnel in our hospital before and after theoretical and practical training and identified a significant increase in knowledge after training (P < .0001 ). Parallel to this, although still below ideal levels, we identified a significant improvement in the incidence of CRI during the posteducation period (P = .004). The rate was low for the first 3 months of this period but increased 2.08 times after the third month. In conclusion, regular training for the residents in charge of inserting intravascular catheters and the nurses and interns who maintain the catheters is highly effective in reducing the rate of CRI in large teaching hospitals.

Glyconanoparticles and their interactions with lectins

Glyconanoparticles and their interactions with lectins.

Glycopolymer code based on well-defined glycopolymers or glyconanomaterials and their biomolecular recognition

Advances in the glycopolymer technology have allowed the preparation of more complex and well-defined glycopolymers/particles with several architectures from linear to globular structures (such as micelles, dendrimers, and nanogels). In the last decade, functionalized self-assembled/decided nano-objects and scaffolds containing glycopolymers were designed to develop many biological and biomedical applications in diseases treatments such as pathogen detection, inhibitors of toxins, and lectin-based biosensors. These studies will facilitate the understanding and investigation of the sugar code on the carbohydrate-lectin interactions, which are significantly influenced by the glycopolymer architecture, valency, size, and density of binding elements. In this context, these advanced and selected glycopolymers/particles showing specific interactions with various lectins are highlighted.

Evaluation of tularaemia courses: a multicentre study from Turkey

In this multicentre study, which is the largest case series ever reported, we aimed to describe the features of tularaemia to provide detailed information. We retrospectively included 1034 patients from 41 medical centres. Before the definite diagnosis of tularaemia, tonsillitis (n = 653, 63%) and/or pharyngitis (n = 146, 14%) were the most frequent preliminary diagnoses. The most frequent clinical presentations were oropharyngeal (n = 832, 85.3%), glandular (n = 136, 13.1%) and oculoglandular (n = 105, 10.1%) forms. In 987 patients (95.5%), the lymph nodes were reported to be enlarged, most frequently at the cervical chain jugular (n = 599, 58%), submandibular (n = 401, 39%), and periauricular (n = 55, 5%). Ultrasound imaging showed hyperechoic and hypoechoic patterns (59% and 25%, respectively). Granulomatous inflammation was the most frequent histological finding (56%). The patients were previously given antibiotics for 1176 episodes, mostly with β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitors (n = 793, 76%). Antituberculosis medications were provided in seven (2%) cases. The patients were given rational antibiotics for tularaemia after the start of symptoms, with a mean of 26.8 ± 37.5 days. Treatment failure was considered to have occurred in 495 patients (48%). The most frequent reasons for failure were the production of suppuration in the lymph nodes after the start of treatment (n = 426, 86.1%), the formation of new lymphadenomegalies under treatment (n = 146, 29.5%), and persisting complaints despite 2 weeks of treatment (n = 77, 15.6%). Fine-needle aspiration was performed in 521 patients (50%) as the most frequent drainage method. In conclusion, tularaemia is a long-lasting but curable disease in this part of the world. However, the treatment strategy still needs optimization.

Absolut “copper catalyzation perfected”; robust living polymerization of NIPAM: Guinness is good for SET-LRP

The controlled polymerization of N-isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAM) is reported in a range of international beers, wine, ciders and spirits utilizing Cu(0)-mediated living radical polymerization (SET-LRP).

Glycogen storage disease type 1b: an early onset severe phenotype associated with a novel mutation (IVS4) in the glucose 6-phosphate translocase (SLC37A4) gene in a Turkish patient

Glycogen storage disease type I (GSD-I) is a group of autosomal recessive disorders that include types Ia and Ib. GSD-Ib is caused by a deficiency in the glucose-6-phosphate transporter (G6PT) caused by a mutation in the SLC37A4 gene coding for G6PT. Glycogen storage disease is characterized by poor tolerance to fasting, growth retardation and hepatomegaly resulting from accumulation of glycogen and fat in the liver and chronic neutropenia. Herein we describe a 4-month-old Turkish patient with early onset and severe typical clinical features of GSD-1b in which a novel mutation in the SLC37A4 gene was detected. After the bone marrow examination parenteral antibiotic therapy and subcutaneous granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) were started. Due to the severe neutropenia the patient had developed nosocomial sepsis and the dose of G-CSF was increased. After 2 months later from the initial treatment of the G-CSF he developed splenomegaly and urinary complications. Despite maximal therapy he had an extremely poor quality of life and life-threatening complications due to impaired bone marrow function. As the patient required continual hospitalization he was schedule for bone marrow transplantation.

[Optical coherence tomography: anatomic and functional outcome after scleral buckling surgery in macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment]

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate results of optical coherence tomography (OCT) with regard to anatomic and functional outcome after scleral buckling surgery (SBS) in macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).

METHODS

Medical charts of 87 patients (87 eyes), who underwent SBS for macula off RRD were analysed retrospectively. Patients with follow-up ≥ 6 months were included. Exclusion criteria were giant retinal tears, retinal dialysis, chorioretinal dystrophies, proliferative vitreoretinopathy ≥ grade-C1, schisis detachment and vitreous opacities. Reattachment success rate, pre- and postoperative visual acuity (VA) were examined. Postoperative spectral-domain (SD) OCT images were evaluated. The status of photoreceptor inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS) and external limiting memrane (ELM) junction were analysed. Potential risk factors influencing postoperative VA were evaluated by using linear multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

The primary anatomic success rate was 93.8 % (81 eyes), final success rate was 98.7 % (86 eyes). Preserved ELM (OR 0.58, p = 0.004) and IS/OS integrity (OR 0.84, p = 0.031), drainage of subretinal fluid (OR 0.42, p < 0.0001) were detected as significant independent factors for influencing postoperative VA favourably. Duration of detachment > 6 days (OR 1.46, p = 0.04), two/three retinal breaks (OR 1.30, OR 1.36, p < 0.0001) were significant independent risk factors for a poor postoperative VA. Severe IS/OS disruption was the most important risk factor for poor postoperative VA (β 0.724, OR 2.06, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Severe IS/OS disruption may be the most important predictor of postoperative VA after successful surgery in macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Effect of ginger extract on liver damage in experimental obstructive jaundice produced by main bile duct ligation

BACKGROUND

Obstructive jaundice is one of the most important surgical causes of childhood jaundices. The aim of this study is to investigate effects of ginger (Gingiber officinalis) extracts on liver damage in experimental obstructive jaundice produced by main bile duct ligation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty two Wistar-albino rats were randomly allocated into 7 groups (n = 6). Nothing was performed in the control (C) group. Only laparatomy was performed in the sham (Sh) group. The ginger 1 and 2 (G1 and G2) groups received only 100 and 200 mg/kg/day doses of ginger extract for 1 week orally. In study group, common bile duct ligation was done. In treatment 1 and 2 (T1 and T2) groups common bile duct ligation was followed by administration of 100 and 200 mg/kg/day doses of ginger extract for 1 week orally from the third post operative day, respectively. Blood samples and liver were harvested in order to evaluate the serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), gama glutamyltransferase (GGT), total bilirubin (bil), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and liver tissue SOD, GSH, MDA levels and liver apoptosis. Results were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test statistically.

RESULTS

Ginger administration did not result in any differences of serum or tissue levels of the studied parameters and liver apoptosis between the groups statistically (except AST levels in group T2). Tissue GSH and serum SOD levels were only mildly increased in groups receiving ginger alone.

CONCLUSIONS

There is no evidence for protective, inhibitive and decreasing effects of ginger extract on liver injury in experimental obstructive jaundice with these findings.