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Behcet's Syndrome (BS) is a multisystem vasculitis with various clinical manifestations. Pathogenesis is unclear, but studies have shown genetic factors, innate immunity and autoinflammation to have an important role in the disease course. Diversity in the microbial community of gut microbiota may significantly contribute to the activation of the innate immune system. The clinical features of BS present themselves in clusters and each cluster may be a consequence of different disease mechanisms. For this reason we aimed to investigate the gut microbiota of BS patients with uveitis. In addition to healthy controls, we have aimed to compare the gut microbiota of BS with that of Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) and Crohn's Disease (CD) as both diseases have innate and autoinflammatory features in their pathogenesis. Seven patients with BS, 12 patients with FMF, 9 patients with CD and 16 healthy controls (HC) were included in the study. Total genomic DNAs were isolated from fecal samples of the patients. Partial 16S rRNA gene was sequenced using the PGM Ion Torrent (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA) for microbiota analysis. Statistical analysis showed that significant differences were detected on the microbial community of four groups. Succinivibrionaceae is dominant and the signature family, whereas Bacteroides was absent in BS patients. C1 [Tecer, Duygu; Gogus, Feride] Gazi Univ, Dept Phys Med & Rehabil, Div Rheumatol, Fac Med, Ankara, Turkey. [Kalkanci, Ayse; Erdogan, Merve] Gazi Univ, Dept Med Microbiol, Fac Med, Ankara, Turkey. [Hasanreisoglu, Murat] Gazi Univ, Dept Ophthalmol, Fac Med, Ankara, Turkey. [Ergin, Cagri] Pamukkale Univ, Dept Med Microbiol, Fac Med, Denizli, Turkey. [Karakan, Tarkan] Gazi Univ, Dept Internal Med, Div Gastroenterol, Fac Med, Ankara, Turkey. [Kozan, Ramazan] Gazi Univ, Dept Gen Surg, Fac Med, Ankara, Turkey. [Coban, Seda] Gazi Univ, Fac Med, Ankara, Turkey. [Diker, Kadir Serdar] Adnan Menderes Univ, Fac Vet Med, Dept Microbiol, Aydin, Turkey.

Changes in Europe’s wider security environment have forced EU–NATO relations to evolve from a largely lethargic partnership to a more ‘essential’ one. While the bureaucracies of the two Brussels-based organizations have inched closer since the 2016 Joint Declaration in Warsaw, many obstacles need to be cleared before the potential of the new collaborative framework can be more fully exploited. The challenges emanating from the east and the south can be seen as an opportunity for wider and deeper cooperation, yet the rise of illiberalism and authoritarianism in the world, and especially within the organizations’ member states, poses a great challenge. It is argued that a joint response must be formulated in the form of a common strategy, implemented in an integrated way by using a more comprehensive toolbox.

We examined cross-cultural differences in (1) sibling power balance and (2) the associations between sibling power balance and internalizing and externalizing problems in three separate cross-cultural studies (early childhood, late childhood, and adolescence). The early childhood samples consisted of 123 Turkish and 128 Dutch mothers (mean age for children was 4.9 years). In the late childhood samples, self-report data were collected from 124 Indian and 129 Dutch children (mean age 10.9 years). In the adolescent samples self-report data were collected from 165 ethnic Moroccan and 165 ethnic Dutch adolescents (mean age 15.2 years). In all studies, questionnaire data on sibling power imbalance and internalizing and externalizing problems were collected. Results showed only one significant cross-cultural difference in sibling power imbalance: The Indian sample reported more sibling power imbalance than the Dutch. Links between sibling power imbalance and problem behavior were highly similar between the different cultural samples. The only significant difference was a stronger impact of sibling power imbalance on externalizing problems for the Dutch compared to the Turkish sample. Concluding, few cross-cultural differences were found in sibling power imbalance. Across cultures and age groups, more sibling power imbalance was linked to more internalizing and externalizing problems.

Tufan, Zeliha Kocak/0000-0002-3294-014X; Cosar, Arif Mansur/0000-0002-4472-2895; Cosar, Arif Mansur/0000-0002-4472-2895; Gulsen, Murat Taner/0000-0002-8531-9402; WOS: 000347835300007 PubMed: 25982037 BackgroundResults are conflicting with respect to the renal effects of anti-viral agents used for hepatitis B virus infection. AimTo compare short and long-term renal effects in real-life settings and to determine risk factors for renal impairment during treatment. Methods2221 treatment-naive patients were enrolled. Among these, 895 (302 lamivudine, 27 telbivudine, 282 entecavir, 273 tenofovir and 11 adefovir initiated patients) had repeated measures' of creatinine (baseline, 1st, 6th, 12th and 24th month of treatment). Telbivudine and adefovir groups were excluded from further analysis because of the low number of patients. We calculated the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula at each time point. Hypophosphataemia was also recorded. Risk factors for renal impairment were analysed. ResultsTenofovir caused a decline in GFR at each time point when compared to baseline levels. However, lamivudine and entecavir did not change GFR. GFR-shifting from 90 to 60-89mL/min/1.73m(2) was comparable among groups. The proportion of patients whose baseline creatinine increased more than 25% was comparable among all anti-virals. GFR showed a decline in patients who switched from entecavir to tenofovir. One patient with compensated cirrhosis needed to change from tenofovir because of renal safety. Seven and three patients developed transient hypophosphataemia in the tenofovir and lamivudine groups, respectively. ConclusionsAlthough tenofovir caused a decline in GFR, differences between the anti-viral agents do not appear to be so impressive. In patients with and without renal risk factors at baseline, there is no impact of anti-virals, including tenofovir.

Gastric cancer is the fourth most frequent cancer and the second cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The early diagnosis of gastric cancer is fundamental in decreasing the mortality rates. It has been shown that MPV level is a sign of inflammation in hepatocellular carcinoma and pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The aim of this study is to examine whether MPV would be a useful inflammatory marker for differentiating gastric cancer patients from healthy controls. Thirty-one gastric cancer patients and 31 age-sexes matched healthy subjects included into the study. Patients with hypertension, hematological and renal disease, heart failure, chronic infection, hepatic disorder and other cancer were excluded from the study. MPV level was significantly higher in pre-operative gastric cancer patients compared to healthy subjects (8.31 fL vs. 7.85; p: 0.007). ROC analysis suggested 8.25 fL as the cut-off value for MPV (AUC: 0.717, sensitivity: 61%, specificity: 81%). Surgical tumor resection resulted in a significant decrease in MPV level (8.31 fL vs. 7.55 fL; p: 0.001). No significant difference was found in MPV level between the post-operative group and control subjects. We did not find statistically significant difference between MPV and TNM stages. In conclusion, changes in MPV values may be used as an easily available biomarker for monitoring the healthy patients for GC risk and may prompt physicians to make an early diagnosis of GC.

Aim. Laparoscopy is the gold standard procedure in the surgery of gall bladder. Harmonic scalpel and bipolar vessel sealer are the other instruments for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness and safety of the three instruments for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods. A total of 60 patients were included into the study. Patients were divided into three groups. In Group A, cystic duct and artery were sealed using laparoscopic clips and gall bladder was dissected from the hepatic bed using electrocautery. In Group B, cystic duct and artery were sealed using Harmonic scalpel and gall bladder was dissected from the hepatic bed using Harmonic scalpel. In Group C, cystic duct and artery were sealed using Bipolar vessel sealer and gall bladder was dissected from the hepatic bed using Bipolar vessel sealer. Groups were compared for the following parameters: duration of surgery, amount of drainage, cystic duct opening pressure and cost. Results. The duration of surgery was 31.5 +/- 11.1 minutes in Group B, 33.1 +/- 10 minutes in Group A, and 36.5 +/- 9.9 in Group C; and the difference between Group B and Group C was statistically significant (P

BACKGROUND: The choice between subtotal thyroidectomy (STT) and total thyroidectomy (TT) for multinodular goiter (MNG) remains controversial. METHODS: Thyroid tissue samples of 34 patients who underwent TT for multinodular disease between October 2005 and June 2007 in Pamukkale University Hospital, Department of General Surgery were evaluated. Thyroid tissues weighing 2 g each from either side were separated from the main specimen to simulate the tissues that would be left behind if a subtotal resection were performed instead of a total resection. Ki-67 staining was performed. RESULTS: The mean age of subjects was 49.3 +/- 12 years and 25 (73.5%) were females. Papillary microcarcinomas were found in 4 patients, 1 of which was in a residual thyroid specimen (RTS). Micronodule formations were found in 73.5% of specimens simulating residual thyroid. While Ki-67 indexes of residual thyroid tissues were 4.65% in nodules and 1.91% in normal areas (P < .05), they were 5.42% and 2.84%, respectively, for nodular and normal areas in the main specimens (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Remnant thyroid tissues, following STT, have a high percentage of micronodule formation with a remarkable cellular proliferative activity.

Uterus-like ovarian mass is a rare benign entity with controversial etiopathogenesis. A 37-year-old woman, gravida 2, pars 2, presented with the complaint of pain in right lower abdominal quadrant. Physical evaluation revealed tenderness in this area and the ultrasonographic examination showed a right adnexial mass. Biochemical blood tests showed minimal leucocytosis and elevated serum levels of both CA 19-9: 117.79 mIU/mL (N: 0-37) and CA 125: 41.4 u/mL (N: 0-35). To exclude a malignancy, the specimen was examined with frozen sections and was subsequently diagnosed as endometriosis. Therefore, the surgical procedure was limited to right salpingo-oophorectomy. The right ovary was 6 x 4 x 2.5 cm in size and the dissected surface of ovary resembled a miniature uterus. Histologic sections as well as immunohistochemistry (smooth muscle actin, caldesmon and CD10) were consistent with the endometrial mucosal tissue that surrounded the bundles of smooth muscle.

BACKGROUND: The choice between subtotal thyroidectomy (STT) and total thyroidectomy (TT) for multinodular goiter (MNG) remains controversial.

In this study, novel water, oil and stain repellent chemicals such as polymeric dendrimer containing fluorocarbon, nano sized fluorocarbon polymer, nano-silica acid and conventional agents such as paraffin emulsion containing zirconium salt and conventional FC (micro emulsion) compound were applied to cotton fabrics. After treatments, the water, oil and stain repellency, air permeability and water vapour permeability of all the fabrics treated were tested, and the effect of the chemical concentration, performance and washing resistance of all the chemicals were compared. In general, the water, oil and stain repellency results showed that new chemicals such as polymeric dendrimer containing FC and FC nanomolecules had better results than conventional ones in terms of performance and washing resistance. The performance of all the chemicals increased with a rise in chemical concentration. The air and water vapour permeability of all the fabrics treated were not negatively affected. FTIR analyses of the fabrics treated were also carried out.