10 research outputs found
Blood culture results at a research and training hospital and the importance of training
No full textThe Challenges to Improving Public Services and Judicial Operations: A unique balance between pursuing justice and public service in Indonesia
No full textThis chapter explores judicial perspectives on sentencing minor drug offenders in Indonesia. As a basis for the framework for this study, a concept of Goffman on dramaturgy was used to explain the dramaturgical competence of the panel judges in their attempts to show accountability to their audiences (i.e., the sphere of politics, the public, and religion). Conceptualisation of this study stems from this author former self-identity as a judge but also from the author biography since the author more familiar with the practical pressure and challenges of lower court judges. This chapter contributes to knowledge by considering that the judicial awareness of the issues surrounding justice and public acceptance led to the situation where they were attempting to present a unique balance between pursuing justice and public service
Prevalence of Brucella in Raw Milk: An Example from Turkey
No full textWOS: 000439047000015PubMed ID: 29984724Aim: Brucellosis is a highly contagious zoonotic infection affecting livestock and human beings. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Brucella in raw milk collected from a provincial center and central villages in the Central Anatolian region. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was completed between March and September of 2016. The sample size for research was calculated as 263 milk samples with the Epi Info 2000 program. Samples were tested with the milk ring test, Rose Bengal test, and standard Brucella tube agglutination test. Suspicious samples according to these tests were seeded on medium for observation. Results: In this study, 202 cow's milk samples collected from 14 central villages were researched for the presence of Brucella abortus, a Brucella species bacterium. According to the medium seeding results, 35 of 202 raw cow's milk samples ( 17.32%) were identified as suspicious. Conclusion: The research investigated the prevalence of Brucella in milk samples collected from bovine farms used for consumption and production of raw milk products. The most significant infection route in our region is considered to be consumption of milk and milk products such as raw milk and fresh cheese. Especially in rural areas, households consuming their own produced milk are common. In regions with family-style milk and milk product production and consumption, interventional studies with the aim of improving knowledge, attitudes, and behavior related to zoonotic diseases should not be neglected
Sick building symptoms among hospital workers associated with indoor air quality and personal factors
No full textThis study assesses the interior air quality and infective factors in a hospital in Turkey to provide data about air quality to protect hospital workers. This study measured indoor air quality in eight different locations in a hospital, including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM1), carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, temperature, humidity and microbiological matter. The highest PM2.5 and PM1 concentrations were in emergency service, and the highest CO2 was measured in the paediatric clinic. The poor interior air quality results are the most important cross-sectional data. For all participants, the prevalence of eye, upper respiratory tract, lower respiratory tract, skin and non-specific sick building syndrome symptoms were 23.0%, 40.7%, 22.5%, 36.3% and 63.7%, respectively. When sick building syndrome symptoms and environmental factors were investigated, skin symptoms increased 1.82 times in areas with stagnant air flow (p = 0.046; OR = 1.823; 95% CI: 1.010–3.290). Non-specific symptoms increased 2.17 times in locations with dry indoor air (p = 0.039; OR = 2.176; 95% CI: 1.041–4.549). Hospital workers are exposed to conditions that may increase the risk of a variety of sick building syndrome symptoms. Although the air quality measurements were not above the recommended limits in the hospital, long-term exposures should be considered for those experiencing sick building syndrome-related symptoms. © The Author(s) 2019
Serum CXCL-13 levels are associated with active neurological involvement in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
No full textBackground: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with diverse systemic manifestations, including neuropsychiatric involvement (NPSLE), which can vary in severity and prognosis. Diagnosing NPSLE remains challenging, necessitating reliable diagnostic markers. CXCL13, a B-cell chemokine implicated in SLE, has garnered attention for its potential role in NPSLE. Purpose: This study aimed to assess serum CXCL-13 levels in NPSLE patients compared to SLE patients without neuropsychiatric symptoms and healthy controls. Research Design: All study groups were studied CXCL-13 levels from blood samples. Study Sample: One hundred twenty-five participants were categorized into four groups: SLE patients with active NPSLE (n = 6), SLE patients with inactive NPSLE (n = 26), SLE patients without NPSLE (n = 71), and healthy controls (n = 22). Data Collection and Analyses: Serum samples were collected at the time of enrollment and CXCL-13 levels were analysed by Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) method. Results: Results indicated significantly elevated CXCL-13 levels in active NPSLE patients compared to other SLE patient groups and healthy controls (p < 0.001 for all). Patients with SLE, including those with inactive NPSLE or no history of NPSLE, had statistically significantly higher serum CXCL-13 levels compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Additionally, serum CXCL-13 levels positively correlated with disease activity assessed by the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). Conclusion: This study underscores the association between serum CXCL-13 levels and neuropsychiatric involvement in SLE, as well as their correlation with disease activity. Moreover, previous research suggesting a link between CXCL-13 levels and clinical activity in SLE further supports its potential as a diagnostic marker for NPSLE. Nevertheless, further investigations are warranted to validate the utility of CXCL-13 as a diagnostic tool for NPSLE and its role in disease management. © The Author(s) 2025
Genetic Susceptibility to Clozapine-Induced Agranulocytosis/Neutropenia Across Ethnicities: Results From a New Cohort of Turkish and Other Caucasian Participants, and Meta-Analysis
No full textClozapine (CLZ) is considered the most effective antipsychotic, but its use is associated with neutropenia (CIN) and agranulocytosis (CIA). Although the exact etiology of these hazardous side effects is unknown, 4 genetic polymorphisms have been implicated by genomewide association studies (GWAS), mostly performed in North-Western Europeans. These polymorphisms are rs113332494 (HLA-DQB1), rs41549217 (HLA-B), and rs1546308/rs149104283 (SLCO1B3/7), several of which were not directly genotyped but imputed. To test whether these 4 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with CIN/CIA in a Turkish population and in a more extensive group of Caucasians, we directly genotyped these polymorphisms using Taqman and Sanger sequencing and performed logistic regression. We divided our participants (234 CLZ-using participants of whom 31 CIN/CIA cases) into (1) North-Western European, (2) Turkish, (3) Caucasian (=1 + 2); and (4) a total group (Caucasian + other ethnicities). Rs113332494 (HLA-DQB1) was significantly associated with CIN/CIA in the total group (P = 3.5 10-8), in the Caucasian group (P = 9.3 10-6) and in the Turkish group (P = 2.8 10-5). Rs41549217 (HLA-B) was nominally significant in the Caucasian group (P = .018). In meta-analysis of our results and the previously reported genome-wide results, 3 SNPs were significantly associated with CIN/CIA in participants with Caucasian ancestry: rs113332494 (P = 2.05 10-8), rs41549217 (P = 7.19 10-9), and rs149104283 (P = 5.54 10-9), with the result for rs1546308 (SCLO1B3/SCLO1B7) being significantly heterogeneous across studies. Our results hint at ethnicity-dependent and clinically relevant effects of genetic polymorphisms on the risk to develop CIN/CIA. Pharmacogenetic testing can complement clinical decision making and thus empower appropriate CLZ prescribing, but ancestry should be taken into account when performing such testing for CLZ. The Author(s) 2020
Genetic Susceptibility to Clozapine-Induced Agranulocytosis/Neutropenia Across Ethnicities: Results From a New Cohort of Turkish and Other Caucasian Participants, and Meta-Analysis
No full textClozapine (CLZ) is considered the most effective antipsychotic, but its use is associated with neutropenia (CIN) and agranulocytosis (CIA). Although the exact etiology of these hazardous side effects is unknown, 4 genetic polymorphisms have been implicated by genomewide association studies (GWAS), mostly performed in North-Western Europeans. These polymorphisms are rs113332494 (HLA-DQB1), rs41549217 (HLA-B), and rs1546308/rs149104283 (SLCO1B3/7), several of which were not directly genotyped but imputed. To test whether these 4 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with CIN/CIA in a Turkish population and in a more extensive group of Caucasians, we directly genotyped these polymorphisms using Taqman and Sanger sequencing and performed logistic regression. We divided our participants (234 CLZ-using participants of whom 31 CIN/CIA cases) into (1) North-Western European, (2) Turkish, (3) Caucasian (=1 + 2); and (4) a total group (Caucasian + other ethnicities). Rs113332494 (HLA-DQB1) was significantly associated with CIN/CIA in the total group (P = 3.5 10-8), in the Caucasian group (P = 9.3 10-6) and in the Turkish group (P = 2.8 10-5). Rs41549217 (HLA-B) was nominally significant in the Caucasian group (P = .018). In meta-analysis of our results and the previously reported genome-wide results, 3 SNPs were significantly associated with CIN/CIA in participants with Caucasian ancestry: rs113332494 (P = 2.05 10-8), rs41549217 (P = 7.19 10-9), and rs149104283 (P = 5.54 10-9), with the result for rs1546308 (SCLO1B3/SCLO1B7) being significantly heterogeneous across studies. Our results hint at ethnicity-dependent and clinically relevant effects of genetic polymorphisms on the risk to develop CIN/CIA. Pharmacogenetic testing can complement clinical decision making and thus empower appropriate CLZ prescribing, but ancestry should be taken into account when performing such testing for CLZ. The Author(s) 2020
Einhaltung der Händehygiene: Überbrückung der Kluft zwischen Bewusstsein und Praxis in Afrika südlich der Sahara
No full textThis review provides an exploratory overview of hand hygiene compliance in sub-Saharan Africa and examines strategies to bridge the compliance gap.While there is increasing awareness on hand hygiene, empirical evidence suggests that there is no concurrent increase in correct hand hygiene practice among key populations in sub-Saharan Africa. Children, adolescents and even healthcare providers (HCPs) in sub-Saharan Africa consistently assume poor hand hygiene compliance levels resulting in negative health consequences. Faecal-oral diseases remain common among schoolchildren, leading to school absenteeism and disease-specific morbidity. Additionally, the incidence of nosocomial infections in health facilities in sub-Saharan Africa remains high, as many HCPs do not adopt good hand hygiene practice. Increased disease burden, high healthcare costs and eroding public confidence in the healthcare system are a few implications of HCPs' poor compliance with hand hygiene. These trends underscore the inadequacies of educational approaches (cognition model) to hand hygiene promotion commonly adopted in sub-Saharan Africa.It was therefore recommended that the governments of sub-Saharan Africa should focus on promoting skill-based hygiene education which will help schoolchildren develop good hand hygiene practice as a lifelong skill. In addition, efforts should be made to implement a multimodal hand hygiene strategy in healthcare facilities in order to increase compliance by healthcare providers.Die Übersicht gibt einen explorativen Überblick über die Einhaltung der Händehygiene in Afrika südlich der Sahara und untersucht Strategien zur Überbrückung der Compliance-Lücke.Während das Bewusstsein für die Händehygiene zunimmt, weisen empirische Daten darauf hin, dass es in den Hauptbevölkerungsgruppen in Afrika südlich der Sahara keine übereinstimmende Zunahme der korrekten Händehygiene gibt. Bei Kindern und Jugendlichen, aber auch bei Mitarbeitern in Gesundheitseinrichtungen (GE) in Afrika südlich der Sahara ist durchweg von einer schlechten Händehygiene auszugehen, was sich negativ auf die Gesundheit auswirkt. Fäkal-orale Erkrankungen treten bei Schulkindern weiterhin häufig auf, was zu Fehlzeiten und krankheitsspezifischer Morbidität führt. Darüber hinaus ist die Inzidenz nosokomialer Infektionen in Gesundheitseinrichtungen in Afrika südlich der Sahara nach wie vor hoch, da viele GE keine gute Handhygienepraxis anwenden. Erhöhte Krankheitslast, hohe Gesundheitskosten und schwindendes Vertrauen der Öffentlichkeit in das Gesundheitssystem sind nur einige Folgen der schlechten Einhaltung der Händehygiene durch die GE. Diese Trends unterstreichen die Unzulänglichkeiten der pädagogischen Ansätze (Kognitionsmodell) zur Förderung der Händehygiene in Afrika südlich der Sahara. Als Schlussfolgerung wird die Notwendigkeit einer kompetenzbasierten Hygieneausbildung abgeleitet, die Schülern helfen soll, eine gute Handhygienepraxis als lebenslange Fertigkeit zu entwickeln. Für GE steht die Umsetzung einer multimodalen Strategie im Krankenhausumfeld im Mittelpunkt, um die Compliance zu verbessern
Генно-инженерные биологические препараты в лечении основных моногенных аутовоспалительных заболеваний: обзор литературы и клиническое наблюдение
No full textAutoinflammatory diseases (AIDs) are a heterogeneous group of rare genetically determined conditions, the main manifestations of which are episodes of fever in combination with other signs of systemic inflammation: skin rashes, musculoskeletal and neurological disorders, damage to the organs of vision, hearing, etc., as well as acute phase markers and the absence of autoantibodies. The use of biological therapy, especially inhibitors of interleukin 1 (iIL1), in most common monogenic AIDs (mAID) – FMF, TRAPS, HIDS/MKD, CAPS – has shown its high efficiency and led to significant progress in the treatment of these patients. Currently, iIL1 are the first-line drugs for mAIDs therapy, primarily CAPS. In the case of their ineffectiveness or intolerance in certain situations, other biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs can also be used – inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor α and iIL6, but this issue needs further investigation. The article describes a patient with mAID, in whom the diagnosis was made more than 40 years after the onset; administration of targeted therapy even in the late stages of the disease led to a significant improvement in many symptoms and quality of life. Аутовоспалительные заболевания (АВЗ) представляют собой гетерогенную группу редких генетически обусловленных состояний, основными проявлениями которых являются эпизоды лихорадки в сочетании с другими признаками системного воспаления: кожными высыпаниями, мышечно-скелетными и неврологическими нарушениями, поражением органов зрения, слуха и др., а также острофазовыми маркерами и отсутствием аутоантител. Применение биологической терапии, особенно ингибиторов интерлейкина 1 (иИЛ1), при наиболее распространенных моногенных АВЗ – мАВЗ (FMF, TRAPS, HIDS/MKD, CAPS) показало ее высокую эффективность и привело к значительному прогрессу в курации таких пациентов. В настоящее время иИЛ1 являются препаратами первой линии терапии мАВЗ, прежде всего CAPS. В случае их неэффективности или непереносимости в определенных ситуациях также могут использоваться другие генно-инженерные биологические препараты – ингибиторы фактора некроза опухоли α и иИЛ6, однако этот вопрос нуждается в дальнейшем изучении. В статье описана пациентка с мАВЗ, у которой диагноз был установлен с опозданием более чем на 40 лет, назначение таргетной терапии даже на поздних сроках болезни привело к значительному улучшению многих симптомов и качества жизни.
