Zülal Özkurt

This study aimed to determine the serum levels of the LL-37 molecule, associated with the pathophysiology of Brucellosis, in patients diagnosed with Brucellosis and to investigate the relationship between these levels and the clinical course of the disease. The study included 45 acute, 30 subacute, 26 chronic and 19 relapsed patients diagnosed according to clinical, bacteriological and serologic results as Brucellosis, as well as 60 healthy volunteers. Serum LL-37 levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method and the results were compared with the clinical data of the patients. Serum LL-37 levels were significantly higher in Brucellosis patients compared to the control group, with variations observed among clinical subgroups. A weak positive correlation was found between serum LL-37 levels and alanine transaminase, C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate values in patients with Brucellosis. Serum LL-37 levels were higher in patients with Brucella spp. growth in blood cultures compared to those without growth. Additionally, patients with complicated Brucellosis involving osteoarticular involvement had significantly higher serum LL-37 levels than those without such complications. Serum LL-37 levels with a cut-off value of 18.26 ng/mL demonstrated a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 88% in distinguishing Brucellosis cases from healthy individuals, with a positive predictive value of 82% and a negative predictive value of 91% (area under curve= 0.956, p< 0.001, 95% confidence interval= 0.93-0.98, negative likelihood ratio= 0.09, positive likelihood ratio= 7.66). No previous studies on serum LL-37 levels in Brucellosis were found in the literature. LL-37 appears to have potential as a biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of Brucellosis.

Linezolid is a widely utilized antibiotic due to its efficacy against difficult-to-treat Gram-positive bacterial infections, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and glycopeptide-resistant enterococci. However, rare but reversible adverse effects such as black discoloration and fissured appearance of the tongue have been reported during linezolid therapy. In this study, we present four cases exhibiting black tongue discoloration and fissured tongue associated with linezolid use. These oral manifestations resolved shortly after discontinuation of linezolid and implementation of appropriate oral hygiene measures. Given the limited number of case reports in the literature, these findings underscore the importance of increasing clinician awareness regarding potential adverse effects of linezolid and facilitating early recognition of similar clinical presentations. In conclusion, identification and proper management of structural and pigmentary changes in the tongue during linezolid treatment are crucial for ensuring patient safety.

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between periodontal disease and COVID-19 severity by retrospectively evaluating patient records and periodontal status. Methods: 344 patients were included in the study. The severity of periodontal disease was determined as healthy, mild, moderate and severe according to NHANES criteria. The Covid-19 severity of the patients was grouped as asymptomatic/mild, moderate and severe according to whether the patients required hospitalization and intensive care. Results: There was statistically significant relationship was observed between Covid-19 severity and periodontal status (p

This study aimed to investigate the side effects observed in healthcare personnel who were the first to receive the first dose of inactivated CoronaVac® vaccine in Turkey. Healthcare personnel vaccinated for the first time with the inactivated CoronaVac® vaccine between February and March 2021 during the initial administration of COVID-19 vaccines were asked to respond to an online questionnaire to investigate local and systemic side effects they observed after vaccination. Of the 2601 participants included in the study, 72.5% (n=1886) were female, and 27.5% (n=715) were male. The mean age was 37.6±11.7 years. Regarding side effects, 39.9% had at least one local side effect, and 54.4% had at least one systemic side effect. These side effects lasted for 4.0±2.6 days on average. The three most common local side effects were local pain (38.1%), swelling (1.9%) and redness (1.5%), whereas the most common systemic side effects were weakness (28.4%), headache (27.9%), fatigue (26%), myalgia (18.2%), and arthralgia (11.8%). Systemic side effects were significantly more common in females, nurses and midwives, younger age groups, and people without a history of chronic disease (P

Amaç: Hasta ve/veya yakınlarına kötü bir haberi vermek hekimler için zor görevlerden biridir ve bu görev iletişim becerisi gerektirir. İletişim becerileri tıp fakültelerinin mezun yeterlikleri arasındadır. Bu çalışmada, tıp öğrencilerinin kötü haber verme konusundaki algıları ve simüle hasta görüşmeleri sonrası geri bildirimlerinin değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Yöntemler: Araştırma karma modelde olup, nicel ve nitel araştırma desenini içermektedir. 2021-2022 öğretim yılında, “kötü haber verme becerisi” dersine katılan ve simüle hasta ile görüşme yapan gönüllü üçüncü sınıf öğrencileri ile yürütülmüş, veri toplama aracı olarak, açık uçlu bir sorunun da yer aldığı yapılandırılmış bir form kullanılmıştır. Veriler SPSS 25 istatistik paket programında analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular: Çalışmaya gönüllü olarak katılan 330 tıp öğrencisine ait veri değerlendirilmiştir. Katılımcıların yaş ortalaması 21,7±2,86 (19-50) ve %52,7’si (n=175) kadındır. Öğrencilerin %87’si (n= 289) kötü haberin hastaya söylenmesi gerektiğini ve %94,6’sı (n=314) bu konuda eğitim alınması gerektiğini düşünmektedir. Eğitim sonrası öğrencilerin %59,9’u (n=199) kötü haberi uygun şekilde verebileceğini belirtmiştir. Kötü haber verebilme ile ilgili öz yeterlilik algıları açısından cinsiyetler arasında anlamlı fark saptanmamıştır. Sonuç: Öğrenciler kötü haber vermenin hem alıcı hem verici taraf için zor bir deneyim olduğunu, görüşmede en çok empatinin önemini fark ettiklerini belirtmişlerdir.

SARS-CoV-2 virus is a new and highly contagious respiratory virus that transmission by droplet route. Here we reported international travel-related SARS CoV-2 transmission, and then cause an outbreak by the wedding ceremony. Two index passenger groups include three families who come from Paris to İstanbul to attend the wedding ceremony transmitted COVID-19 infection to Turkey. During the wedding ceremony and later period, they were in close contact with about 350 persons. Clinical pictures COVID-19 infection occurred in 53 relatives. PCR positivity was found in 35 hospitalized cases. The infection spread to four cities in Turkey. The most frequent symptoms of 35 confirmed cases were dizziness (77%), fever (57.1%), joint and muscle pain (57.1%), loss of smell (45.7%) and loss of taste (42.9%), and shore throat (37.1%), dry cough (34.3%), diarrhea (25.7%), rhinorrhea (14.3%) and dyspnea (8.5%). 48 cases (90.5%) were mild-moderate. Severe pneumonia was developed, intensive care and intubation need in five cases (9.4%), and four of them were died (7.5%). COVID-19 virus can be easily acquired during plane travel and transmitted to other persons with unprotected contact. The infection prevention rules should be strictly applied for the protection from disease. Persons should avoid attend gatherings, even with their family or relatives, and should stay at home. The wedding and other social activities should be postponed after the pandemic.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Turkish society and identify COVID-19-related obsessions and predictive factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed with 859 volunteer participants. Data were collected using an online questionnaire between 01 and 08 June 2020. A sociodemographic information form, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and Obsession with COVID-19 Scale (OSC), were used as data collection tools. Data were analysed using SPSS 20 statistical software. Results: The mean age of the participants was 40.41± 13.69 (18-70), 55.3% were women, and %63.7 were married. Cleaning habits increased during the pandemic in 76% of the participants. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms were 36.9%, 42.3%, and 18.2%, respectively. Depression was severe or very severe in 6.3% of the participants, anxiety in 15.4%, and stress in 4.3%. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was determined in 11.3% of the participants, and COVID-19-related obsessions in 17.6%. Obsessions were greater in the variables of eating (r= 0.26, p

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to determine the level of knowledge of medical students about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), to investigate the frequency of depression, anxiety, stress symptoms and related factors. Materials and Methods: The study is a cross-sectional study conducted with 904 volunteer medical students. Data were collected with an online questionnaire, including sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge about COVID-19, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale. Results: Mean age was 21.3±2.2 years, and 54% of them (n=488) were female. Fifty five percent (n=497) thought that their level of knowledge about COVID-19 was sufficient, and 94.6% (n=846) were concerned about the disruption of their education. Their knowledge level was found to be 15.09±2.43 points out of 23 points. The depression, anxiety and stress symptoms were found in 64.9%, 70.4% and 34.1% of participants, respectively. The risk of anxiety (OR=0.51, 95%CI=0.94, p=0.020) and depression (OR=0.95, 95%CI=1.15, p=0.025) were higher in women. Those with a high fear of transmitting the COVID-19 infection to their relatives had higher symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. (p<0.001). Conclusion: Medical students have a good knowledge level of COVID-19. However, they experience high levels of anxiety, stress and depression symptoms; and concerned about the disruption of their education.

Objective: In this study, it is aimed to determine the psychological reactions of pre-clinical medical school students to the COVID-19 pandemic and their views on online learning. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 722 medical students. Data were collected with an online questionnaire between 20 and 27 December 2020. A data collection form including questions about sociodemographic characteristics, opinions about online learning, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, and the Insomnia Severity Index scales was used. Results: The mean age of the participants was found to be 20.7 +/- 1.6 years. 393 (54.4%) of them were women. 671 (92.9%) of the students stated that they were concerned about the disruption of their education due to the pandemic, and 76.3% (n=551) preferred the face-to-face education environment in their schools to the online learning environment. Of the students, 181 (25.1%) had symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and 171 (23.6%) had symptoms of insomnia. The probability of posttraumatic stress disorder was higher in women than in men (OR=1.489, 95% CI=1.02-2.16; p=0.038). In those who have relatives who have contracted COVID-19, compared to those who have not (OR=1.489.95% CI=1.02-2.16; p=0.038), and those with an increased fear of COVID-19 transmission to their relatives were less likely to have PTSD symptoms than those with or without (OR=0.523, 95% CI=0.339-0.807; p=0.003). In addition, those who followed the news about COVID-19 from social media were more likely to have symptoms of PTSD in October than those who followed it from other sources (OR=0.662, 95% CI=0.461-0.951; p<0.001). The probability of PTSD symptoms was significantly higher in students who had high anxiety about the disruption of their education due to the pandemic than in those who had little or no (OR=1.310, 95% CI=1.111-1.543; p=0.001). Conclusions: Medical students are experiencing the psychological effects of the pandemic and are seriously concerned about the disruption of their education.