Başkent University

About: Başkent University is a education organization based out in Ankara, Turkey. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Transplantation & Population. The organization has 4652 authors who have published 10380 publications receiving 143117 citations. The organization is also known as: Başkent Üniversitesi.

The value of culture and serological methods in the diagnosis of human brucellosis

Abstract: Human brucellosis is a potentially life-threatening multisystem disease. During the first week of infection, IgM antibodies against lipopolysaccharide antigens appear in the serum, followed by IgG antibodies as early as the second week. Both antibody isotypes peak during the fourth week, and the use of antibiotics was associated with a decline of both IgM and IgG class antibodies. The diagnosis of brucellosis is based on a detailed history obtained from the patients and the isolation of Brucella spp. from blood cultures are accepted as the standard method. The definitive diagnosis of brucellosis requires isolation of the bacterium from blood, bone marrow or tissue samples. Although the sensitivity of blood culture method varies depending on the individual laboratory practices, quantity of bacteria in blood and the methods used, it changes between 15-70 percent. Bone marrow culture is considered as the gold standard for the diagnosis of brucellosis, since the relatively high concentration of Brucella in reticuloendothelial system enables the detection of the organism. The standard tube agglutination test (SAT) is the most widely used serologic test for the confirmation of human brucellosis. The detection of seroconversion or high antibody titers (> or = 1/160) are considered diagnostic together with a compatible clinical presentation. The lack of seropositivity in patients with strongly suspected clinical picture may be attributed to the performance of tests early in the course of infection, the presence of blocking antibodies (non-agglutinating, incomplete) or the so-called "prezone" phenomenon. Enzyme immunoassays (ELISA) which measure specific IgM, IgG and IgA antibodies, allow for a better interpretation of the clinical situation and overcome the false negativities/positivities which may arise in SAT. In this review article, the use and the values of culture methods and serological tests (Rose-Bengal test, SAT, Coombs' test, mercaptan-based tests, dipstick assay, flow assay, ELISA and brucellacapt) in the diagnosis of brucellosis have been discussed.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours: CT findings

Abstract: The aim of this study was to identify the predictors of malignancy and to demonstrate the uncommon radiological features of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) using CT. 30 patients participated in this retrospective study. CT findings were evaluated by two radiologists, and categorical variables were compared using χ2 or Fisher's exact tests. These tests were used to assess any possible relationships between mitotic index and (i) tumour location, size, contour and growth status, (ii) presence of calcifications, necrosis or lymphadenopathy, (iii) enhancement pattern, (iv) metastasis to the liver or other distant sites and (v) invasion of the mesentery or adjacent organs. Tumours were located in the stomach (n = 22), small bowel (n = 6) and colon (n = 2). The size, localization, enhancement pattern, metastasis to the liver or other distant sites and the cystic–necrotic component of the tumours were all associated with a high mitotic index in statistical analyses (p<0.05). Uncommon radiological findings...

Childhood diarrhoea in Ankara, Turkey: Epidemiological and clinical features of rotavirus-positive versus rotavirus-negative cases

Abstract: Published reports dealing with rotavirus infections in Turkey are very scarce. This study included 1099 consecutive paediatric patients with diarrhoea, who sought care at 3 hospitals in Ankara, Turkey between 1999 and 2002 and were investigated for the presence of rotavirus antigen in faeces. Rotavirus antigen was detected by an immunochromatographic test, Simple Rotavirus (Operon, Spain). Other clinical and laboratory data were extracted from patient journals. A total of 404 (36.8%) patients were positive for rotavirus antigen. Rotavirus antigen was more frequently detected in boys than girls (40.8 vs 31.8%) and in children younger than 2 y (62.7%). The proportion of rotavirus-positive children was higher in the winter season (49.6%; November to April) and the highest proportion was observed in December (55.4%). Rotavirus-associated diarrhoea had a more severe clinical presentation than non-rotaviral diarrhoea; 55.3% of all patients who required hospitalization were rotavirus-positive. The seasonal and epidemiological characteristics of rotavirus diarrhoea in Ankara were similar to those in the USA and Europe. For reliable nationwide information about the epidemiology of rotavirus-associated disease in Turkey, more individual studies and reliable official statistics of gastroenteritis cases are needed.

Clinical and radiographic evaluations of chitosan gel in periodontal intraosseous defects: a pilot study.

Abstract: Periodontitis is a chronic infection in the supportive tissue of the teeth which eventually leads to tooth loss. Various grafting materials and barrier membranes have been used to repair periodontal intraosseous lesions. Chitosan is a derivative of chitin, a natural biopolymer, which is biologically safe, biodegradable, and nontoxic and has been applied in a variety of forms in dentistry. It also exerts bioactive properties such as wound healing, antimicrobial, tissue regeneration, and hemostatic activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of chitosan on periodontal regeneration. Twenty chronic periodontitis patients were recruited. Following initial therapy, the patients were divided into four groups: group A, receiving chitosan gel (1% w/v); group B, receiving chitosan gel + demineralize bone matrix; group C: receiving chitosan gel + collagenous membrane; and group D, receiving flap only (control group). Clinical and radiographic measurements were recorded at baseline, day 90 (3rd month), and day 180 (6th month) after surgery. For clinical data, no significant differences were obtained among the treatment groups. However, radiographic data revealed that except control group, all the other groups showed statistically significant bone fills when compared with baseline indicating that chitosan gel alone or its combination with demineralize bone matrix/collagenous membrane is promising for periodontal regeneration.