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Objectives: To determine the frequency of urinary system anomaly in children aged 0–18 y suffering from first urinary tract infection (UTI) and to establish which age group requires urinary ultrasonography (USG) screening. Methods: Age and gender, urine culture, urinary USG, and urological imaging results among 247 children in the 0–18 y age group with a first diagnosis of UTI were investigated retrospectively. Results: Anomaly was detected at USG in 68 (27.5%) of the 247 patients suffering from first UTI. The most common anomaly was hydronephrosis. Non-E. coli micro-organisms were the pathogenic agents in 61.8% of patients with anomalies detected at USG. Being in the 0–5 y age group (OR: 0.524, 95% CI 0.284–0.970, p = 0.040) and presence of atypical UTI (OR: 4.746, 95% CI: 1.675–13.450, p = 0.003) emerged as independent predictive markers of severe urinary system pathologies on multiple regression analysis. Conclusion: Based on the data in the present study, routine USG screening is recommended for children suffering from first UTI under the age of 5 y and for the children suffering from atypical UTI at all ages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stripe or yellow rust caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) is the most important disease of wheat causing significant yield losses. Growing resistant varieties is the most efficient and sustainable way to control this disease. The aim of this study was to investigate molecularly the presence or absence of the major resistance genes Yr5, Yr10 and Yr15 to stripe rust in 54 Turkish durum wheat (Triticum turgidum var. durum) varieties and 11 wild emmer (Triticum turgidum var. dicoccoides) genotypes. In addition, field trials were conducted during 2019–2020 under natural epidemic conditions in Antalya to determine phenotypic reactions of these genotypes against stripe rust. As a result of molecular analyses, none of the 54 durum wheat varieties had Yr5 resistance gene; however, the resistance genes Yr10 and Yr15 were determined in 12 and 17 varieties, respectively. Moreover, 7 of these varieties had both Yr10 and Yr15 genes. None of 11 wild emmer accessions had resistance genes examined. It was also determined that 28 varieties had resistant reaction to Pst race(s) under natural infection conditions whereas all wild emmer accessions were highly susceptible. This is the first study to identify major Yr-genes in Turkish durum wheat varieties and, therefore, these findings can be beneficial in wheat breeding programs to be conducted for resistance to stripe rust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: 17α-hydroxylase enzyme deficiency is a rare form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and is caused by mutations in the CYP17A1 gene. The main clinical findings are delayed puberty and primary amenorrhea in girls, and disorders of sex development in boys. It can also cause hypertension and hypokalemia in both genders. In this study, we aimed to present the clinical, laboratory and genetic results of 13 patients from eight different families who were diagnosed with complete 17α-hydroxylase enzyme deficiency. Methods: The age, symptoms, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, Tanner stages, and hormonal and chromosome analysis results at the time of admission were recorded from the medical records of the patients. Whole gene next-generation sequencing of CYP17A1 gene was performed to detect mutations. Multiplex ligation dependent probe amplification (MLPA) method were used to detect deletions in the seven patients who had no point mutation were detected in the CYP17A1 gene. Results: The average age of the patients at the time of admission was 14.8 (range: 12.9–16.6) years. Also at this time, all patients were in adolescence and were raised as females. The karyotypes of eight patients were 46,XY, and of five patients were 46,XX. Ten patients presented with delayed puberty and primary amenorrhea, one patient with delayed puberty and hypertension, and two patients with hypertension and/or hypokalemia. Hypertension and hypokalemia were detected in nine and seven patients, respectively. Conclusions: P450c17 enzyme deficiency should be considered in patients presenting with delayed puberty or primary amenorrhea in the adolescence period and diagnosed with hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, if hypertension and hypokalemia accompany. Early diagnosis prevents the occurrence of important health problems such as hypertension, psychological problems, and gender identity disorders, which affect the majority of these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Holdridge life zone (HLZ) method is applied to map potential vegetation types in Turkey. The HLZ map is compared to a map of actual vegetation in order to assess the degradation status of vegetation in Turkey. Data required to identify HLZ classes are provided by the General Directorate of Meteorology, while the current vegetation status is estimated with data provided by the General Directorate of Forestry. After weather data are cleaned and missing values are replaced, the HLZ type is estimated for each station, and then thematic maps are created using the ArcGIS software. The study reveals that there are 12 HLZ types in Turkey. The three dominant types are as follows: cool temperate steppe, warm temperate dry forest, and cool temperate moist forest. In regions where physical geographical controls change in short distances, the biodiversity is greater, and linked to this, the HLZ diversity also appears to be greater. Comparing the identified life zones to the actual vegetation, in some areas, remarkable mismatches can be found. Although, in some regions, the life zone type is consistent with the land cover type, in some narrow areas, the potential vegetation does not reflect features of the current vegetation cover. Considering limitations and capabilities of the assessment approach used in this study, we think that the incompatibility between actual and modelled vegetation types in the eastern region of Turkey is caused by the intensive landscape use. The goal of this research is to support future bioclimatic studies and land use management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the antimicrobial resistance patterns of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) in patients in pediatric intensive care units (PICU) in order to determine a guide for the empirical antibiotic treatment of MDRAB. Methods: The authors retrospectively evaluated the medical records of patients with MDRAB infections in the PICU during a follow-up period, between January 2015 and January 2017. The identification of A. baumannii was performed using a BD Phoenix 100 Automated Microbiology System. A BD Phoenix NMIC/ID-400 commercial kit was used to test antibiotic susceptibility. All data was entered into Microsoft Excel, and the data was analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. Results: The mean age of the patients was 8.1 ± 6.2 y. In all, 46 isolates were obtained from 33 patients. The most effective antimicrobial agents were colistin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and tigecycline. Nevertheless, with the exception of colistin, no antibiotic was associated with a susceptibility rate of >45% for the isolates. Low sensitivities in 2015 to tigecycline, aminoglycosides, levofloxacin, and carbapenems had been lost in 2016. Conclusions: Many drugs that were previously effective against MDRAB, have lost their effectiveness. Currently, there is no effective drug to fight MDRAB, apart from colistin. Thus, it is clear that new drugs and treatment protocols should be developed urgently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic diversity of 139 accessions of diploid Triticum species including Triticum urartu, Triticum boeoticum and Triticum monococcum was studied using 11 SSR (simple sequence repeats) markers. A total of 111 alleles with an average of 10 alleles per locus were detected. The polymorphism information content (PIC) of each SSR marker ranged from 0.30 to 0.90 with an average value of 0.62. Among the three Triticum species T. urartu had the highest number of total alleles (Na = 81), private alleles (Npa = 15) and showed higher genetic diversity (Hex = 0.58; PIC = 0.54). The genotypes from Turkey exhibited the highest genetic diversity (PIC = 0.6), while the least diversity was observed among 4 Georgian accessions (PIC = 0.11). Cluster analysis was able to distinguish 139 wheat accessions at the species level. The highest genetic similarity (GS) was noted between T. boeticum and T. monococcum (GS = 0.84), and the lowest between T. urartu and T. monococcum (GS = 0.46). The grouping pattern of the PCoA analysis corresponded with cluster analysis. No significant differences were found in clustering of T. urartu and T. monococcum accessions with respect to their geographic regions, while within T. boeoticum species, accessions from Iran were somewhat associated with their geographical origin and clustered as a close and separate group. The results from our study demonstrated that SSR markers were good enough for further genetic diversity analysis in einkorn wheat species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild Cicer species are considered as useful genetic resources for resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses due to limited resistance in cultivated chickpeas. As a wild perennial species in the genus Cicer L., Cicer isauricum P.H. Davis is an endemic species to Turkey and endangered status according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature criteria. Here we report on its eco-geographic distribution and environmental stresses that affect the species, and advocate for its in situ and ex situ conservation. A new population of the species was discovered in Geyikbayırı, Güllük Mountains in Antalya, Turkey. Cicer isauricum not only suffers from significant biotic stresses such as ascochyta blight [ Ascochyta rabiei (Pass.) Labr.], pod borer ( Helicoverpa armigera Hübner) and broomrape ( Orobanche sp.), but is also subjected to drought and heat stress in its habitat. Infection with ascochyta blight in natural habitats was diagnosed by molecular techniques, and pod borer and broomrape were observed only phenotypically. PCR amplification of the internal transcribed spacer region of genomic DNA from cultured fungal isolates, yielded sequences with 100% nucleotide identity with the corresponding sequence in GeneBank for Didymella rabiei Kovachevski (anamorph: A. rabiei). The pathogen may have co-evolved with C. isauricum in the newly discovered site. Because C. isauricum is exposed to drought and accompanying heat stress in its natural habitat, it appears able to tolerate heat stress up to 45 °C during podding stage and terminal drought in late summer from its woody, deep rooting. C. isauricum bears multiple flowers per axil, a potentially useful trait in cultivated chickpea. In conclusion, C. isauricum is a potential genetic source for resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, in need of greater protection due to its endangered status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the treatment potential of Alchemilla mollis (Buser) Rothm. and Alchemilla persica Rothm. in the experimentally induced endometriosis model in rats. Methods: Endometriosis was surgically induced in rats by autotransplanting endometrial tissue to abdominal wall. Thirty-six rats were randomly divided into six groups. The groups were orally treated with the methanol:water (80:20) extracts of aerial parts and roots of A. mollis and A. persica. Buserelin acetate (20 mg) was used as the reference drug. The phytochemical contents of the most active extracts were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Results: The cystic formation was determined to be significantly decreased with the aerial part extract of A. mollis. A reduction in the endometrioma was also determined for the aerial part extract of A. persica group. However, significant reduction on the levels of cytokine were recorded for the A. mollis aerial part extract group. Therefore, the phytochemical contents of the aerial part extracts of A. mollis. and A. persica were analyzed. Conclusion: The results of the present study revealed that the aerial part extracts of A. mollis and A. persica could be beneficial in the treatment of endometriosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute pyelonephritis (APN) can lead to renal scar formation, high blood pressure, and end-stage renal failure. Prompt and early diagnosis of APN is important for preventing future complications. Our goal was to study the mean platelet volume (MPV) as a predictor of APN in children. Methods: The records of 43 patients with APN and 51 patients with a lower urinary tract infection (UTI) were investigated prospectively. APN was confirmed using radioactive nuclide 99mTc-DMSA scanning. The white blood cell (WBC) count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), serum C-reactive protein (CRP), and MPV of both groups were measured and compared. Results: The WBC count, MPV and ESR values, and the serum concentration of CRP were higher in the APN group than in the lower UTI group ( p < 0.05). In the children with APN, the optimal cut-off value for the MPV was 8.2 fl [area under the curve (AUC): 0.906], with sensitivity of 81.4 % and specificity of 86.3 %. The MPV was associated with APN ( p = 0.001), and the sensitivity and specificity of the MPV for the diagnosis of APN were higher than those of the other inflammation markers. MPV > 8.2 fl yielded an adjusted OR of 7.8 (95 % CI 3.3-18.4, p < 0.001) for APN. MPV > 8.2 fl was significantly associated with late renal scar formation (adjusted OR 5.7, 95 % CI 2.3-13.8, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The MPV is a fast and reliable measurement with considerable predictive value for the diagnosis of APN and renal scars, and its predictive capacity is better than that of CRP, ESR, and WBC values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate effectiveness and applicability of Doxazosin in the treatment of scorpion stings in patients who had systemic symptoms. Methods: The medical records of patients were retrospectively reviewed, and the following data were collected: age, sex, clinical symptoms (localized and systemic), vital signs, information on the date and place of the sting occurrence, the anatomical sting site, time between sting and arrival to the hospital, scorpion identification, severity of the symptoms and treatment. Results: Of the victims, 48.5 % ( n = 16) were males, and 51.5 % ( n = 17) were females, with a mean age of 6.8 ± 4.2 y. The most common sting site was lower extremity 72.7 % ( n = 24). Systemic toxicity (class II) was seen in 93.9 %, and two patients (6.1 %) manifested evidence of severe envenomation (class III). Both local and systemic effects were seen in the patients. Cold extremities persisted for 4.5 ± 1.5 h after administration of Doxazosin. Mean hospitalization time was 2.5 ± 1.5 d (range: 1.5 to 6 d). Thirty-two patients recovered without any sequel, whereas one patient died due to cardio-pulmonary insufficiency. Conclusions: Doxazosin, especially if Prazosin is not available, can be recommended as an effective drug in the treatment of serious scorpion envenomations with significant sympathetic symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine reference values of ultrasonographic measurements of the liver and spleen in newborns and to provide a reference chart to use easily in daily practice. Methods: In this prospective study, spleen and liver dimensions were evaluated in 384 healthy newborns with a gestation age ≥37 weeks in an obstetrics clinic and neonatal intensive care unit with sonography within the first week of life. Relationships of all dimensions with sex, gestational age, height, and weight were statistically analyzed. Results: No statistically significant differences were found between the two sexes in any dimensions of the liver and spleen ( p > 0.05). Longitudinal and anteroposterior dimensions of the liver and spleen showed no correlation with the gestational age. All dimensions of the liver and spleen showed a high correlation with the height and weight. Weight was the best correlated with all dimensions. Conclusion: The reference values of spleen and liver lengths and diagrams from this study may be useful in the sonographic evaluation of the spleen and liver in newborns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ultrasonographic measurement of kidney dimensions is important in evaluation of renal disease during the neonatal period, when renal abnormalities are common and renal size rapidly changes with age. Objective: To determine the reference ranges of kidney dimensions in newborns and to provide a reference chart for daily practice. Materials and methods: In this prospective study, kidney dimensions were evaluated in 385 healthy newborns with a gestational age ≥37 weeks. Each neonate seen at an obstetrics clinic and neonatal intensive care unit was examined with sonography within the first week of life. Relationships of all dimensions with gender, gestational age, height and weight were statistically analyzed. Results: All dimensions of the kidneys were smaller in girls than in boys ( P < 0.05). The dimensions of the left kidney were larger than those in the right kidney in both genders ( P < 0.01). Longitudinal and anteroposterior dimensions of the right and left kidneys showed no correlation with the gestational age in either gender. The dimensions correlated with the height in boys ( P < 0.01), while no correlation was seen between the dimensions and height in girls ( P < 0.05). Weight had the best correlation with all dimensions in both genders. Conclusion: The reference values of kidney lengths and diagrams from this study may be useful in the sonographic evaluation of kidneys in newborns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the factors that may effect urinary leakage following percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Methods: Four hundred and thirty-three patients who underwent PCNL were reviewed retrospectively. The factors that may lead to leakage after surgery were analyzed as categorized into four groups according to individual variables (age, sex, body mass index); renal factors (previous surgery, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy history, presence of hydronephrosis); stone burden; and surgical features (access number, type of dilatation, presence of nephrostomy catheter). These data were compared for the presence and duration of urinary leakage. Results: There was no statistically significant correlation between individual factors and both the presence of leak (POL) and the duration of leak (DOL) ( P > 0.05). Among renal factors, only presence and degree of hydronephrosis was significantly correlated with POL ( P < 0.001) and DOL ( P < 0.001). The mean cumulative stone burden neither had impact on POL nor correlated with DOL ( P > 0.05). Among surgical factors, dilatation with a Nephromax dilator significantly increased incidence of POL when compared with an Amplatz dilator ( P < 0.001), yet did not change DOL. Using an internal ureteral stent significantly decreased incidence of POL and DOL ( P < 0.001). DOL increased with catheter diameter and stay time ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: Several yet simple factors appear to be effective in postoperative urine leakage from the access sites after percutaneous stone surgery. Precautions may also be simple if these factors are considered preoperatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shock Wave Lithotripsy (SWL) has become the preferred first-line approach to most patients with symptomatic urolithiasis. The purpose of this study is to assess the ideal patient position during SWL for the treatment of distal ureter stones. A total of 342 patients included in this retrospective study. 148 (108 men, 40 women) patients were included in the first group and were treated in supine position. The remaining 194 (143 men, 51 women) patients were included to second group and were treated in prone position. This study designed retrospectively. The procedure was accepted as a success if the patient was stone free or had only clinically insignificant fragments (≤3 mm) for 3 months or more after the last SWL session. Before SWL, the mean is one area in the first group was 61.32 mm while the mean stone area in the second group was 59.04 mm ( p = 0.208). Mean energy, Mean energy maximum and mean number of applied shock waves of the first group was 4.65, 3.19 and 3,960, respectively. The same parameters in second group were 4.26, 3.03 and 2,953, respectively. These results show that there are statistically significant differences between two groups with respect to mean energy, mean energy maximum and mean number of applied shock waves ( p = 0.003, p = 0.010, p = 0.000, respectively). Success rate was 85.1% in group 1 and 72.7% in group 2 ( p = 0.006). Our results suggest that supine position is effective and better than prone position for SWL in patients with distal ureteric stones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the prognostic value of new markers such as VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2), and PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen) and review their differences in expression by histological subtype in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). About 99 patients who underwent radical ( n = 79) or partial nephrectomy ( n = 20) were included in this study. Histopathological specimens from the subjects were retrospectively analyzed immunohistochemically for the presence of VEGF, COX-2, or PCNA. Mean staining ratios for VEGF, COX-2, and PCNA were 16.5, 16.8, and 31%, respectively. Correlations were evaluated among these three prognostic factors. There was no correlation between PCNA and VEGF ( P = .068), but there were significant correlations between COX-2 and both PCNA and VEGF ( P = .005 and P = .000, respectively). A significant correlation was found between the expression of VEGF and both pathologic stage and vascular invasion ( P = .018 and P = .025, respectively). In addition, patients with conventional RCC had significantly lower VEGF and COX-2 levels than those with papillary RCC ( P < .012). It is obvious that prognostic factors such as VEGF, COX-2, and PCNA may vary depending on histological subtype. The level of expression of these factors together with histological subtype may provide valuable predictive information about the outcome of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: It is reported that hyperlipidemia affects quality and density of bone and adversely affects wound healing. The effect of hyperlipidemia on implant osseointegration and peri-implant defect regeneration has not been fully explained. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of hyperlipidemia on the healing potential of the materials used for peri-implant bone regeneration and implant stability. Materials and methods: Twelve male, New Zealand rabbits were used in this study. Half of the rabbits were fed a 2% cholesterol diet for 8 weeks to induce hypercholesterolemia. Peri-implant defects (7 mm diameter) were created in the tibias of rabbits and placed implants (3.3 mm in diameter). This study was conducted as a split-mouth design. Animals were randomly divided into two groups: (1) hypercholesterol+autogenous graft group and hypercholesterol+xenograft group (n = 6), and (2) autogenous graft and xenograft groups as controls (n = 6). At 8 weeks after surgery, the rabbits were euthanized. During implant surgery and at 8 weeks, implant stability was measured with resonance frequency analysis (RFA values). Bone-to-implant contact (BIC) was analyzed via histomorphometric analysis. Results: Hyperlipidemic groups showed significantly lower BIC values than those of the control groups at 8 weeks (p < 0.05). According to baseline RFA readings, there was no significant difference between control and hyperlipidemic groups (p ˃ 0.05). The hypercholesterol+autogenous graft group had significantly lower RFA readings and BIC values than the hypercholesterol+xenograft group at 8 weeks (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, it was found that hyperlipidemia may negatively affect the implant stability especially in the autogenous group and also, may decrease peri-implant bone regeneration. However, further studies are necessary to confirm these results more. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]