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Objective:Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is one of the most common zoonotic diseases worldwide. Diagnosis of CE is predominantly based on imaging techniques and serological tests are used in cases of non-characteristic imaging findings as diagnostic reference. However, serological test results cannot be completely reliable as they are affected by multi-factors. P-selectin and resistin are inflammatory markers that are altered during the acute stages of infection. In this purpose, inflammatory markers as P-selectin and resistin have been investigated for a potential diagnostic reference for CE diagnosis.Methods:A total of 60 patients who were diagnosed with CE and twenty-five healthy individuals were included in this study. Blood samples were obtained from all participants. Obtained sera were evaluated using the P-selectin and resistin ELISA kits for protein levels. Additionally, the relative expression of SELP (P-selectin) and RETN (resistin) genes were determined using the comparative CT (ΔΔCT) method between groups as CE patients with active and inactive cysts, CE patients and healthy controls.Results:SELP (13.9-fold change, p0.05). There was no difference between active and inactive CE patients in terms of P-selectin and resistin in gene and protein levels (p>0.05).Conclusion:Although there was no difference between the active and inactive CE patients, the good differentiation between the healthy controls and the CE patients suggested that resistin is a potential inflammatory diagnostic reference.

Objective:Parasitic infections emerge as a significant health problem, especially in underdeveloped and developing countries. Epidemiological data play an important role in taking effective measures against parasitic diseases.Methods:Clinical samples (stool, blood, bone marrow and tissue samples, etc.) that were sent to Hacettepe University Hospitals Parasitology Laboratory between 2014 and 2019 were analyzed retrospectively.Results:The positivity rates of the parasites detected in this study are as follows; Blastocystis sp. (71.6%), Dientamoeba fragilis (13.3%), Giardia lamblia (4.7%), Echinococcus spp. (1.9%), Enterobius vermicularis (1.8%) and Taenia spp. (0.3%). In this study, four of the patients were found to be positive for Leishmania spp. and two patients for Plasmodium falciparum and four patients for Plasmodium spp. E. histolytica/E. dispar cysts and/or trophozoites examined by Trichrome staining in our study were not detected within six years.Conclusion:According to this data and in the light of the results obtained from different regions of our country, it will be possible to properly direct the necessary strategies for the diagnosis, treatment of parasitic infections and the implementation of preventive measures.

In this review, epidemiological features, diagnosis, and treatment processes of Gongylonema pulchrum cases were discussed. G. pulchrum is a spiruroid nematode usually seen in ruminants; it is known to occasionally infect humans. In humans, reports revealed that it is usually located in the oral cavity and that the most common symptom is the sensation of a moving foreign body in the mouth. Although there is no proven treatment approach yet, it is thought that the most effective treatment is surgery. After surgical treatment, it has been observed that albendazole is administered as the drug therapy in almost all cases. Although the conflict about the benefit of albendazole continues, it is claimed that the drug controls the disease and prevents its recurrence. It has been reported that clinicians sometimes experience difficulties in differential diagnosis due to a lack of knowledge and experience on this rare parasite. A better understanding of the etiopathogenesis of Gongylonema infections will facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of this infection.

Myiasis is the infestation of tissues with living larvae. Oral myiasis is an extremely rare form of the disease, with open mouth, unconsciousness, and poor oral hygiene being the predisposing factors. It is generally observed in the tropics or subtropics, as well as rural places with low socio-economic income. Mechanical removal and ivermectin are frequently used as treatments. Herein, we present a case of oral myiasis in a 69-year-old male intubated patient with myocardial infarction. Multiple larvae were observed in the mouth and mechanically removed. With the microscopic investigation, the larvae were identified as Phormia regina (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), which is extremely rare globally. For preventing oral myiasis, good patient care, good sanitary practice for oral health, efficient treatment of dental diseases, and fly population control, usage of masks for the risk groups are recommended.

Objective:Immunocompromised patients are at a greater risk of developing intestinal parasite infections. In this study, we examined the presence of Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Encaphalitozoon intestinalis and other intestinal protozoa in stool samples of immunosuppressed patients.Methods:A total of 100 stool samples were obtained from patients receiving chemotherapy because of solid organ tumour with haematological malignancies and those receiving immunosuppressive treatment because of rheumatic diseases, organ transplant patients and patients receiving treatment for HIV-related infections. Stool samples were examined by using the native-lugol method in which the stool concentration, modified Kinyoun acid-fast and trichrome staining methods and parasite presence were analysed. The stool samples were also examined for the presence of Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon intestinalis using an indirect fluorescent antibody method.Results:Intestinal parasites were detected in 12% of all patients. The distribution of intestinal parasites in patients were 7% Blastocystis spp., 2% Blastocystis spp. + Dientamoeba fragilis, 1% Blastocystis spp. + Entamoeba coli, 1% Blastocystis spp. + Giardia intestinalis and 1% G. intestinalis. Microsporidia spp. were detected in 4% of all patients by the IFAT method and in 8% of all patients by calcoflour staining method.Conclusion:In our study, the most prevalent parasite detected in the immunosuppressed patients was Blastocystis spp. The pathogenesis of Blastocystis spp. remains to be controversial, and their role in immunocompromised patients continues to remain unknown. Although these rates detected in our study are similar to the prevalence in the normal population, it is important to study these microorganisms in immunocompromised patients in terms of the associated decreasing morbidity and mortality rates.

In Turkey, the special education population has steadily increased since 2006. By generating a 16-year period of data obtained from the National Education Statistics (NES) published annually by the Presidency of Strategy Development of the Ministry of National Education, we synthesize the gender odds ratios and trends by special education categories and/or educational settings. We used odds ratios and the Mann-Kendall test for data analysis. Gender disproportionality exists in favour of males with special needs in the majority of educational settings. In addition, we found uptrends, downtrends, and no trends for gender odds ratios. Gender disproportionality is discussed, along with implications for research and practice.

Since the learning disability (LD) population comprises the largest group receiving special education services, there is a need for research to examine the self-concept of this population at a global level. This systematic literature review synthesized 20 years of quantitative research (k = 16) about the self-concept of students with LD. The overarching theme was that the diagnosis of LD relies on divergent criteria among the studies reviewed. While the academic self-concept was the center of the research, regardless of its domains, results indicated that students with LD had a lower level of self-concept. To have a deeper understanding of the phenomenon, an instrument specifically designed for assessing self-concept of students with LD is needed. Limitations of the study and implications for research and practice are discussed.

Introduction: There are several methods used for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infections, and there is an increasing demand for the use of non-invasive, more rapid tests. The aim of the present study was to compare different diagnostic methods.Methods: A total of 87 patients who had undergone esophagogastroduodenoscopy were included in the study. Biopsy samples obtained from these patients were used for culture, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and histopathological examination. Stool samples were also collected from these patients and were tested using the Helicobacter pylori stool antigen (HpSA) kit. Histopathological examination was accepted as the gold standard test.Results: H. pylori was identified by histological examination in 77/87 (87.5%) patients, whereas it was negative in 10/87 (12.5%) patients. Furthermore, positive results were obtained in 55 (63.2%), 71 (81.6%), and 77 (87.5%) patients using the culture method, HpSA analysis, and RT-PCR method, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of culture, HpSA, and PCR tests were determined as 71.4% and 100%, 87% and 60%, and 97.4% and 80%, respectively. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed on 48 out of the 55 culture positive samples. Resistance to clarithromycin was found in 28 (58.3%), metronidazole in 14 (29.2%), and levofloxacin in 4 (8.3%) of the isolates. Resistance to amoxicillin and tetracycline was not observed.Conclusion: There are currently several invasive and non-invasive diagnostic tests for the detection of H. pylori infections. Each test has some advantages and disadvantages. The diagnostic method of choice should be easy and applicable to all age groups.

Amaç: Akut gastroenterit özellikle çocuklarda morbidite ve mortalitenin en önemli nedenlerinden biridir. Su kaynaklı salgınlarda, suyun dışkı ile kirlenmesine bağlı olarak, birden fazla tür etken olarak rol oynayabilmektedir. Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu çalışmada, iki haftalık süre içerisinde bulantı, kusma, karın ağrısı ve ishal şikayetleri nedeniyle Şırnak Devlet Hastanesi Acil Servisine başvuran 440 hasta akut gastroenterit ön tanısı ile değerlendirmeye alınmıştır. Hastalardan alınan taze dışkı örnekleri parazitolojik inceleme amacıyla nativ-lugol yöntemleriyle incelenmiştir. Bakteriyolojik inceleme için ise dışkı örnekleri Salmonella/Shigella agar ve EMB agara ekilmiştir. Entamoeba histolytica, Rotavirüs ve Adenovirüs tanısı için hızlı tanı kitleri kullanılmıştır. Bulgular: Örneklerin 146’sında (%33.2) bir veya daha fazla sayıda bağırsak paraziti tespit edilmiştir. Bu örneklerin 96’sında (%21,8) Entamoeba histolytica, 44’ünde (%10) Blastocystis türleri, 24’ünde ise (%5,5) Giardia lamblia saptanmıştır. Dışkı örneklerinin 16’sında (%3.6) Rotavirüs pozitif bulunmuştur. Adenovirüs, Salmonella ve Shigella hiçbir örnekte saptanmamıştır. Sonuç: Bu salgının sebebinin kanalizasyon atıklarının içme suyu şebekesi ile karışması ve yeterli su arıtımının sağlanamaması olduğu düşünülmüştür. Bu tarz hastalıkların önlenmesinde, içme suyu arıtımının en iyi şekilde yapılması büyük önem taşımaktadır.

Amaç: Pseudomonas aeruginosa aerob, sporsuz, düz veya hafif kıvrımlı, 42 C° de üreyebilen Gram negatif basillerdir. P. aeruginosa; ürettiği virülans faktörlerinin çeşitliliği ve sürekli yükselen antibiyotik direnç oranlarıyla sık rastlanan, mortalite ve morbiditesi yüksek, tedavisi güç enfeksiyonlara neden olmaktadır. Bu çalışmadaki amacımız çeşitli klinik örneklerden izole edilen P. aeruginosa suşlarının virulans faktörlerini incelemektir. Gereç ve Yöntem: Hacettepe Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Hastanesi, Mikrobiyoloji Laboratuvarı’nda hastalara ait örneklerden izole edilen ve P.aeruginosa olarak tanımlanan 258 suş çalışmaya dahil edildi. Fenotipik testler olarak DNaz, proteaz, elastaz, piyosiyanin, mukoid fenotip, hemoliz ve hareket testi çalışıldı. Bulgular: Çalışmaya dahil edilen suşların 190’ı (%73.6) elastaz, 170’i (%65.9) proteaz, 222’si (%86) hareket, 56’sı (%21.7) piyosiyanin, 205’i (%79.5) hemoliz, 67’si (%26) DNaz, 53’ü (%20.5) mukus varlığı açısından pozitif saptanmıştır. Sonuç: P. aeruginosa ürettiği virulans faktörlerinin çeşitliliği ve artan antibiyotik direnç oranlarıyla tedavisi güç enfeksiyonlara neden olmaktadır. Elde edilen verilerin yeni bir tedavi stratejisine yardımcı olabileceği düşünülmektedir.

With the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the way of teaching has rapidly turned into online learning environments. This situation has brought along various difficulties in the implementation of online teaching. From this point of view, this research focuses on the experiences of graduate students in the online teaching process and the multifaceted effects of this process on them. The research is a case study examining the opinions of 16 graduate students from various state and foundation universities in Türkiye. The maximum diversity sampling method, one of the purposeful sampling methods, was taken as a criterion in the determination of the participants. The data of the study were obtained with a semi-structured interview form developed by the researchers. Thematic analysis technique was used in the analysis of the obtained data. Research results show that online education facilitates access to education, develops students' self-discipline and awareness of taking responsibility; however, it has disadvantages in terms of social and psychological aspects. In addition, it has been concluded that online teaching is not yet ready to be considered as a stand-alone teaching delivery model, and it is more appropriate to use it as an alternative model to traditional face-to-face education. It is thought that the results obtained within the scope of the research will contribute to the improvement and development of online learning experiences of graduate students, as well as being a guide to higher education stakeholders and policymakers. [This study was presented as an oral presentation at "The 15th International Congress On Educational Administration" held in Gaziantep between 5-6 November 2021.]

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to determine university students' views on online exams during the pandemic. The study was carried out with the participation of 15 undergraduate students studying at an engineering university in Azerbaijan. Methods: Interpretive phenomenology guided the study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using content analysis. Results: Research findings showed that students experienced various problems in the online exam process. The inability to solve the technical problems encountered during exams and the perception that the instructors did not have sufficient knowledge about the conduct of the online exams made it difficult for the exam process to be carried out effectively. Conclusion: Research results indicated that students who are taking their first online exam bring attention to both the positive and negative aspects of the process and discuss both the advantages and disadvantages of online exams in this context. Implications: It is critical to develop infrastructure and train human resources at this point in order to easily adapt to different crisis situations that may arise in the future that require nontraditional assessment methods.

It is aimed to compare the countries of South Korea, Finland and Canada, which are highly successful in PISA exam, and Turkey in terms of the transition system between educational levels. Document analysis method was used in the study. In the universe of the study, there are thirty-eight countries from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Turkey and the countries of South Korea, Canada and Finland which are profoundly effective in PISA, constitute the sample of the study. According to the results of the study, it has been determined that there are no exams in transition from pre-school education to primary education in Turkey, Canada, Finland and South Korea. There is a strict examination in the transition system from primary to secondary education level in South Korea, while there are no central exams in Canada and Finland, and transition to secondary education is made according to secondary school student success. In Turkey, a central examination is held for the transition from primary to secondary education level or students are accepted to secondary education by local placement, considering the addresses of the students according to their success. In Turkey and South Korea, a central exam is applied in the transition system from secondary education to higher education. Beneficial practices in nations successful in PISA can be integrated into school systems, taking into account cultural components.

Nonlinear time history analyses of structures require full time series of ground motion records. For regions with sparse seismic networks or potential large earthquakes, ground motion simulation has gained more attention in recent years. Simulated records are required to be generated using regional input dataset and then verified against existing recorded ground motions of past events. To use simulated ground motions in engineering applications, estimation of reliable seismic demand parameters is essential. In this study, the real and simulated records of the 2009 L’Aquila, Italy earthquake with (Mw=6.3) are investigated for their use in engineering practice. In the first step, misfits are evaluated for alternative seismological measures (peak values, duration and frequency as well as energy content of the time histories). Next, varying multi-degree-of-freedom reinforced concrete structures with different number of stories are selected. Numerical models of the structures are performed in the OpenSees platform. Seismic performance measures in terms of inter-story drift ratio for the selected structures are assessed through nonlinear time history analyses for both the real and simulated ground motions. Then, the misfits are estimated in terms of structural demand parameters. Results reveal a good fit between the seismological and engineering demand misfits for the selected ground motion simulation approaches.

Helicobacter pylori, a helix-shaped gram-negative microaerophilic bacteria has been classified as a human carcinogen (Group I carcinogen) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) on the basis of numerous animal and epidemiological studies. Chronic Helicobacter pylori infection can cause lead to high levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and genomic instability both directly by genetic and/or epigenetic pathways. It is known that high levels of intracellular ROS can trigger apoptosis and induce DSBs. In this study, we aimed to investigate intracellular ROS levels and apoptotic effects of Helicobacter pylori infection on AGS cells in the presence of a DSB repair inhibitor [8-(4-dibenzothienyl)-2-(4-morpholinyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, Nu7441]. After incubation of AGS cells with different multiplicities of infection (MOIs; 25, 50, 75, 100, 200 and 400), we observed that Helicobacter pylori causes MOI-dependent cytotoxicity and intracellular ROS levels significantly increased in all study groups vs. control. Both caspase 3 and caspase 8 levels were higher all of the study group when compared to control group. In HP+Nu7441 group, caspase 8 levels 3.5 times higher vs. control; indicating unrepaired DSBs in Helicobacter pylori infection can highly be induce apoptosis in AGS cells. Other cell death mechanisms, including autophagy, should be studies in order to fully understand the cytotoxicity mechanisms of the bacterium. Moreover, we can state that in organisms with unrepaired DSBs or with high DSB levels, Helicobacter pylori can cause more oppressive adverse effects, the importance of which should be elucidated with mechanistic studies.

Attitudes of future health professionals is critical to provide inclusive healthcare services. The purpose of this study is to examine attitudes of medical school students toward individuals with disabilities. This study included both quantitative and qualitative analysis of 153 medical school students in Turkey. Results showed that medical students' comfort levels were significantly more positive toward a patient without apparent disability. The relationship between attitudes and comfort levels for a patient with apparent disability was slightly higher than the relationship between attitudes and comfort levels for a patient without apparent disability. Content analysis of open-ended questions indicated the need of disability education in medical school. Exploration of the attitudes of medical school students toward individuals with disabilities provided both practical and theoretical implications into the field.

Correct pronunciation of English words is of vital significance for mutual intelligibility in the EFL context. Despite its prominence in L2 learning, teachers of English cannot decide whether and how to implement pronunciation practice into their teaching practices. For this reason, pronunciation training is widely neglected in language classes or learners of English might learn incorrect pronunciation of segmental units causing fossilization in L2 setting. The importance of pronunciation training has been highlighted in the related literature. Keeping this fact in mind, this study aims to explore whether explicit pronunciation instruction has a superiority over implicit instruction in extensive reading classes. To reach this purpose, two groups of successive B1-level Intensive English Program (IEP) students were chosen through convenience sampling technique. Before training, both groups were given a pre-test of segmental unit pronunciation consisting of the most frequented words in the book used for the extensive reading classes at B1 level. Then the participants in the control group received implicit pronunciation training in which the language instructor did not directly focus on phonemic properties of English sounds. However, explicit pronunciation training was implemented into the teaching practices in the experimental group. The teaching period lasted eight weeks, and following this period both groups were given a post-test to unravel the level of improvement in each group. The results of this study revealed that explicit pronunciation training is more advantageous for B1 level students than the implicit one due to various reasons.