Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a protozoon infecting many living species in the world and causing clinical pictures that can end with death in humans, especially in patients with blunted immune system. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy administrations in cancer patients cause the reactivation of latent T. gondii by impairing both cellular and humoral immune system. The purpose of this study is to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii in patients who have applied to and received cancer treatment in the Health Services Research and Application Hospital of Cumhuriyet University in Sivas Method: The study was conducted on the patients aged between 18-80, who applied to the Radiation Oncology Polyclinic in the Health Services Research and Application Hospital of Cumhuriyet University and the sample consisted of 100 cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and 100 healthy people in the control group. Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies were analyzed with the ELISA method in the blood samples taken from this peoples. Results: In our study, Toxoplasma IgG positivity was determined in 60 (60.0%) of the 100 cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in the Health Services Research and Application Hospital of Cumhuriyet University and 27 (27.0%) of the control group. The difference between the groups was found to be significant. Cancer patients included in the study consisted of especially lung cancer, breast cancer, stomach cancer, colon cancer and ovarian cancer patients. IgM positivity (1.0%) was determined in one individual in both the cancer patients and the control group, and the difference between the groups was found to be insignificant. Conclusions: Opportunistic infections like toxoplasmosis are more frequent in cancer patients with the blunted immune system compared to individuals with the normal immune systems. These individuals are more prone to infections and the risk of the reactivation of toxoplasmosis experienced before is higher in these patients. Therefore, it will be appropriate for these patients to be periodically evaluated in terms of Toxoplasma.

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A B S T R A C TBackgound: In some recent studies, it has been suggested that there may be a relationship between Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). T. gondii is of greater significance in these patients.Objectives: In the present study, it was aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of T. gondii in T2DM patients. Methods: To define Toxoplasma IgG and IgM seropositivity and determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in patients presenting at the Internal Diseases outpatient clinic of the Healthcare Application and Research Hospital, where the ELISA method was used. 200 T2DM patients and 100 healthy individuals with no complaints took part in the study. Results: Toxoplasma IgG positivity was determined in 53% of the 200 T2DM patients and Toxoplasma IgM positivity in 13%. While in the control group, Toxoplasma IgG positivity was determined in 27% and Toxoplasma IgM positivity in 1%. The risk of toxoplasmosis infection in T2DM patients was two folds higher than healthy controls according to the IgG results. IgM results were further differentiated. Conclusions: We believe that the seroprevalence of T. gondii is high in the T2DM patient group and that the causes should be investigated in more detail.

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Background:Grapes and their products are known to have been used for the treatment of diseases throughout history.Objective:It was aimed to investigate the effects of Erzincan Cimin grapes on an organism model of Caenorhabditis elegans N2 wild type and C. elegans BS913 strains with gonad cancer.Materials and Methods:The effects of methanol extracts of the skin and seeds of Erzincan Cimin grapes were examined separately on C. elegans N2 wild type and an effect was determined on lifespan. By applying GS-MS analysis, a potential agent substance was determined in the skin and seed methanol extracts. This substance was purchased and the effects of this substance were investigated on lifespan and fertility in C. elegans BS913 strains with gonad cancer. In addition, the effects on young subjects exposed to this agent substance in L1 form were investigated.Results:Grape seed and skin methanol extract was observed to prolong the lifespan most at a dose of 10 mg/100 mL. Lifespan was determined to be at a maximum in a gonad cancer organism model with benzothiazol at a dose of 50 ppm. At the same dose, positive effects were determined on the fertility of strains with cancer. When the effects of benzothiazol were examined on young L1 forms, an evident retardation of growth was determined at doses of 10, 50, and 100 ppm.Conclusion:Owing to anti-carcinogenic effects of benzothiazol and benzothiazol-derived substances, they can be considered as agent substances in academic studies related to cancer.SUMMARY The effects of methanol extracts of the skin and seeds of Erzincan Cimin grapes were examined on C. elegans N2 wild type and an effect was determined on lifespanThrough GS-MS analysis, benzothiazol was determined in the skin methanol extractsBenzothiazol was purchased and the effects of this substance were investigated on lifespan and fertility in C. elegans BS913 strains with gonad cancerThe effects on young subjects exposed to benzothiazol in L1 formGrape seed, skin methanol extract, and benzothiazol was observed to prolong the lifespanPositive effects were determined on the fertility of gonad cancer strains. Abbreviations used: GC-MS: gas chromatography and mass spectrometry; C. elegans: Caenorhabditis elegans; NGM: Nematode growth medium; E. coli: Escherichia coli; FUDR: Fluorodeoxyuridine; LDL: Low-density lipoprotein.

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SummaryIn this study, biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from Erzincan tulum cheeses were phenotypically and genotypically investigated. Samples collected from 100 different Erzincan tulum cheese were inoculated into Baird-Parker agar to isolate S. aureus. Identification of S. aureus was performed with Gram staining, hemolysis or coagulase tests. Determination of the nuc, mecA, vanA, and vanB genes in isolates was performed by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Congo red agar was used for the biofilm formation of S. aureus. Antibiotic resistance was determined by antibiotic discs of oxacillin (1 μg), cefoxitin (30 μg), vancomycin (30 μg), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (20 μg), and penicillin (10 units). A total of 72 of 100 (72%) samples were positive for Staphylococcus spp. Of 72 samples, 61 (84.7%) were phenotypically and genotypically identified as S. aureus. Of 61 isolates, 37 (60.6%) formed a biofilm. Of 61 isolates, 49 were determined to resistant to antibiotics of oxacillin (methicillin) (9), cefoxitin (8), amoxicillinclavulanic acid (4), and, penicillin (28). Vancomycin-resistance was not detected. Only the nuc and mecA genes were detected in 10 of 61 (16.3%) strains of S. aureus. In this study, the rate of S. aureus determined in Erzincan tulum cheeses was high. Considering the high rate of contamination and antibiotic resistance due to poor hygienic conditions, it was concluded that Erzincan tulum cheese, now a PDO cheese, should be considered to be great risk for public health.

SUMMARY Objective:The aim of the study was to investigate the presence of free-living amoebae (FLA) such as Acanthamoeba and Vermamoeba in air conditioning systems of Cumhuriyet University Research and Application Hospital (CURAH). Method: For this purpose, twenty-four dust samples were collected using sterile cotton swaps from grilles and filters of five different unit air-conditioners of CURAH located in Sivas, Turkey. Samples were transferred in a sterile tubes to the laboratory and spread onto non-nutrient agar (NNA) plates with a lawn of inactive Escherichia coli. Culture plates were incubated at 30 o C. FLA genera was identified according to morphotyping keys. Results: FLA were found in 14 (58.3%) of examined 24 air-conditioner. Ten (41.6%)were identified as Vermamoeba spp, 4 (16.7%) as Acanthamoeba spp., after microscobic examination. Conclusions: These findings should alert us on the risk of Acanthamoeba and Vermamoeba infections. In addition, these amoebas could be host for bacteria, fungi and viruses and indirectly become agents of transmission for these pathogens. For decrease the risk both Acanthamoeba and their endosymbionts, regularly cleaning of air-conditioner filters and grilles using effective disinfectants are essential.