The isolation of Pseudomonas and other Gram(—) psychrotrophic bacteria in raw milks

In this research, totally 200 raw milk samples in different areas of Ankara were collected from various dairy plant. The isolated psychrotrophic bacteria from the raw milk samples are the species of Pseudomonas spp., Acinetobacter spp., Alcaligenes and Aeromonas. Isolation of Pseudomonas and other gram(—) psychrotrophic bacteria types are determined as P. aeruginosa 11 (5.5%), P. putida 11 (5.5%), P. fluorescens biotype I 10 (5.0%), P. fluorescens biotype II 4 (2.0%), P. fluorescens biotype III 6 (3.0%), P. aurefaciens 2 (1.0%), P. pseudomallei 3 (1.5%), P. cepacia 1 (0.5%), A. calcoaceticus lwoffii 5 (2.5%), A. calcoaceticus anitratum 4 (2.0%), A. faecalis 3 (1.5%) and A. hydrophilia 1 (0.5%).     

Measurements of bone conduction auditory brainstem response with the new audiometric bone conduction transducer Radioear B81*

Objective: To compare recordings of bone conduction (BC) stimulated auditory brainstem response (ABR) obtained using the newer BC transducer Radioear B81 and the conventional BC transducer Radioear B71. Balanced electromagnetic separation transducer (BEST) design found in the B81 may influence the ABR magnitudes and latencies, as well as electrical artefacts.

Design: ABRs to tone burst stimuli of 500?Hz, 2000?Hz, 4000?Hz, click stimulation, and broad-band chirp stimulation at 20 and 50?dB nHL were recorded. For each device, stimulus and intensity level, the ABR Jewett wave V amplitude and latency were obtained. The device-related electrical stimulus artefacts on the ABR recordings were also analysed by calculating the Hilbert envelope of the peri-stimulus recording segments.

Study sample: Twenty-three healthy adults with normal hearing were included in the study.

Results: The ABRs obtained by the B81 were similar to that of the B71 in terms of ABR wave V amplitude and latency. However, the B81 produced smaller electrical artefacts than B71 and this difference was statistically significant. Conclusions: The BC transducer Radioear B81 provides ABRs comparable to Radioear B71 while causing smaller artefacts.     

Delayed cervical spinal cord injury after high voltage electrical injury: a case report.

High voltage electrical injuries usually cause devastating consequences for patients, most of which result in permanent disability. Spinal cord injury (SCI) caused by high voltage electrical injury is uncommon in the literature. We present a 29-year-old male patient who was diagnosed as having delayed SCI after high voltage electrical injury. The patient developed muscle weakness in the lower extremities with the loss of pinprick sensation below the fifth cervical spinal segment, 2 days after the high voltage electrical injury. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, cervical and thoracic spine was normal. Nerve conduction and needle electromyography studies were normal, except for bilateral tibial and left median somatosensory-evoked potentials. The findings on initial examination and neurophysical investigation showed incomplete cervical SCI at the C5 level. He was able to walk with a pair of canes and bilateral ankle-foot orthosis at the end of the 2-month rehabilitation. Follow-up physical and electrophysiological examination of the patient 15 months after injury showed further improvement. The patient was able to walk with a pair of canes without orthoses. Electrophysiological studies are useful instruments in the diagnosis and follow-up of these patients. Early rehabilitation is essential to obtain a favorable outcome in patients with SCI caused by high voltage electrical injury.     

Validity and reliability of the Turkish translation of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI)

Purpose. To investigate the validity and reliability of the Turkish translation of the original Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI).

Method. On May 2003, we received permission from Boston University to translate and use the PEDI for Research purposes. PEDI Functional Skills scale and Caregiver Assistance scale was administered by physiatrists to 573 healthy Turkish children (295 males and 278 females; the age range: 7 months to 7½ years) in two different healthcare centres in Ankara. The Turkish translation of the PEDI was again administered to 102 children after five days in order to assess test-retest reliability. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Cronbach's alphas (α) were calculated. The test-retest reliability was assessed by Spearman's correlation coefficient. Internal construct validity was assessed by using Rasch unidimensional measurement model.

Results. High Cronbach's α coefficients (≥0.98), high ICC values (≥0.96) and high Spearman correlation coefficients (≥0.86) were found. The internal construct validity was confirmed by good fit to the Rasch measurement model. The fit statistics conducted in the study was acceptable, except for some items.

Conclusions. The Turkish translation of the PEDI is valid and reliable for the Turkish child population. We believe that PEDI is a detailed and useful instrument for the evaluation of efficiency of pediatric rehabilitation programme.     

Human APRIL and FGF-21 and adhesion molecules in relation to cognitive function in elderly diabetic patients

International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries - A diverse combination of etiologies such as vascular and inflammatory factors and social and physical inactivity may take place in the...     

Preventive therapy for postoperative purulent otorrhea after ventilation tube insertion

OBJECTIVE: Treatment modalities which are intraoperative irrigation of the middle ear with isotonic saline, postoperative oral antibiotic treatment, and postoperative topical antibiotic use have been compared with each other and with control group regarding their efficiency in preventing postoperative purulent otorrhea after ventilation tube insertion. Moreover, the costs of the treatment modalities were analyzed. STUDY DESIGN: Each group consisted of 70 patients, and a total of 280 patients were followed up for purulent otorrhea 2 weeks after the surgery. The study was a single-blind randomized clinical trial. RESULTS: Ten (14.28%) patients in the oral antibiotic group, 11 (15.71%) patients in the isotonic saline irrigation group, 6 (8.57%) patients in the topical antibiotic drops group, and 21 (30%) patients in the control group had postoperative purulent otorrhea. Statistical analysis determined a significant difference between each treatment modalities and control group but did not show any significant difference between the treatment groups. When the treatment options were compared according to their cost, however, the cost per successfully treated patient was significantly lower in the saline irrigation group. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative saline irrigation of the middle ear provides an effective, easy, and cheap treatment in preventing postoperative purulent otorrhea.     

Neovascularization of the Optic Disc in Behçet's Disease

Purpose

To investigate the mechanisms involved in the development of neovascularization of the optic disc (NVD) in Behçet's disease and to evaluate the effects of medical and laser treatments.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of 26 consecutive Behçet's patients (38 eyes) with NVD who presented between 1990 and 2004 at our university hospital. Information on age at presentation, sex, disease duration, laterality of NVD, ocular findings, fluorescein angiographic findings, visual acuity, medical treatment, laser photocoagulation, surgical procedures, and the follow-up period was collected. Eyes with diffuse capillary leakage on fluorescein angiography were defined as having inflammation-induced NVD, and eyes with extensive retinal capillary nonperfusion were defined as having ischemia-induced NVD.

Results

Eighteen patients were male, and eight were female. Mean age at presentation was 25.4 ± 4.9 years. Median disease duration was 5.5 months. Median follow-up was 24 months. Twelve patients had bilateral NVD; 14 had unilateral NVD. Inflammation-induced NVD was seen in 87% of the eyes, and ischemia-induced NVD in 13%. Initial treatment with high-dose corticosteroids combined with conventional immunosuppressive agents was effective in 45% of the eyes with inflammation-induced NVD. Retinal laser photocoagulation was effective in three of five eyes with ischemia-induced NVD. Treatment with interferon α-2a resulted in resolution of NVD in all seven patients who received this agent for inflammation- or ischemia-induced persistent NVD. Final visual acuity was less than 0.1 in 24% of the eyes.

Conclusions

Inflammatory mechanisms seem to predominate in the pathogenesis of NVD in Behçet's disease. The results of this study suggest that the response to intensive anti-inflammatory and conventional immunosuppressive treatment is not satisfactory; retinal laser photocoagulation may be ineffective even in eyes with retinal ischemia, but interferon α-2a seems to be effective for the treatment of Behçet's patients with NVD.?Jpn J Ophthalmol 2006;50:256–265 © Japanese Ophthalmological Society 2006