Browsing by Author "Aktas, E"
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Item Investigation of in-plane and out-of-plane wall behavior related to lateral loading depending on wall profiles and opening types in Hellenistic TowersGençer, F; Hamamcioglu-Turan, M; Aktas, EDry masonry wall profiles constructed without using bonding material between blocks are encountered in different building types dated to Greek, Hellenistic and Roman periods. Depending on development of earthquake experiences, dry masonry wall profiles vary in terms of wall thickness, number of layers, relationship of layers and size, form, organization and relationship of blocks. In this study, the construction details increasing the structural strength in watch towers constructed in Hellenistic Period are aimed to be determined. This study is limited with investigation of effect of wall profiles and opening organizations on in-plane and out-of-plane wall behaviors under lateral loading. Primarily, wall profiles and opening types of dry masonry towers in ancient Caria, Pamphylia and Cilicia regions, that have not lost authenticity and integrity or had information about their authentic form, were documented. By using gathered data, hypothetic towers with different wall profiles and opening types are designed. To determine in-plane and out-of-plane wall behavior of hypothetic towers, simulation of quasi-static tilt analysis based on equilibrium were carried out, and form changes at walls and collapse angles of towers were identified. Wall profile and opening properties effecting on structural strength under lateral loading were determinedd.Item Clinical significance of TT virus infection in children with chronic hepatitis BKasirga, E; Sanlidag, T; Akçali, S; Keskin, S; Aktas, E; Karakoç, Z; Helvaci, M; Sözen, G; Kuzu, MBackground: The pathogenic role of TT virus (TTV) is not clear in patients with chronic hepatitis B. The aims of the present study were to determine the frequency of TTV positivity in serum and saliva samples and the possible role of TTV in children with chronic hepatitis B. Methods: Sera and saliva from 29 healthy children and 25 children with chronic hepatitis B were tested for TTV-DNA by means of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Fifty-two percent (13/25) of the serum samples and 32% (8/25) of the saliva samples were positive for TTV-DNA in children with chronic hepatitis B. In healthy non-transfused children, TTV-DNA was detected in 58% (17/29) of the serum samples and 41% (12/29) of the saliva samples. Six (46%) of 13 children with chronic hepatitis and 10 (59%) of 17 healthy children had TTV-DNA positivity both in serum and saliva samples. Two serum samples were negative for TTV-DNA while the saliva samples were positive for TTV-DNA in chronic hepatitis B and control groups. Mean age, sex, serum alanine aminotransferase levels, hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA values were similar in TTV-positive and -negative children with chronic hepatitis B. However, total histologic activity index (HAI), periportal necrosis and portal inflammation scores were significantly higher in children with HBV-DNA and TTV-DNA viremia (P = 0.013, P = 0.008, P = 0.015, respectively). Conclusions: Because total HAI, periportal necrosis and portal inflammation scores were higher in children with TTV coinfection, TTV infection may contribute to the progression of liver damage in children with chronic hepatitis B.Item Structural vulnerability of ancient dry masonry towers under lateral loadingGençer, F; Hamamcioglu-Turan, M; Aktas, EUnderstanding how the original characteristics contribute to the structural behaviour of antique structures should be the initial stage of planning for conservation work. This study aims to identify the structural behaviour of dry masonry towers under lateral loadings, so that the decision-making process when determining their restoration can be adequately supported. Dry masonry towers in ancient Caria, Pamphylia, and Cilicia Regions are examined. Each of these three areas have very different seismic characteristics. A hypothetical testing process was designed by combining different characteristics from each of the towers. As a result, the characteristics affecting the structural resistance were determined as; the staggering ratio, the stone depth, the ratio between block length and height, the proportional relationship between height and length, the area, number and position of openings, and the distribution of header stones. These characteristics all interact together to determine the failure mechanism; so, understanding this interaction is critical when considering conservation.Item The necessity of culture for the diagnosis of tinea pedisEcemis, T; Degerli, K; Aktas, E; Teker, A; Ozbakkaloglu, BBackground. This study examined the consistency between the clinical diagnosis of tinea pedis and the results of direct fungal examination, prepared with 10% potassium hydroxide, and culture. Methods: 2427 patients clinically diagnosed with tinea pedis who presented to the mycology laboratory were reviewed retrospectively for the outcomes of direct fungal examination and culture. Results: Direct examination was positive in 54.3% and culture was positive in 36.6% of the cases. The sensitivity and specificity of direct microscopy were 95.7% and 69.6%, respectively Conclusions: The clinical diagnosis of tinea pedis can be misleading, since it features lesions that can also be present in some other skin diseases and direct microscopy may be insufficient to confirm the diagnosis. Therefore, we suggest using culture for a definitive diagnosis.Item Community Acquired Lower Urinary Tract Infections in Primary Care: Causative Agents and Antimicrobial SusceptibilityArman, D; Agalar, C; Dizbay, M; Tunçcan, ÖG; Keten, DT; Aygün, G; Tünger, Ö; Demirtürk, N; Inan, D; Özakin, C; Bayindir, Y; Akbulut, A; Bakir, M; Köksal, I; Özinel, MA; Oztoprak, N; Aktas, E; Alpay, YIntroduction: The aim of this study was to determine the causative agents of community-acquired lower urinary tract infections (CALUTIs) in primary care. We also aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility rates of urinary Escherichia coli isolates to various oral antibiotics and to assist primary care physicians with antibiotic selection. Materials and Methods: The study was performed in 55 primary care centers in 13 cities between May and July 2009. Adult patients with at least two of dysuria, pollakiuria, nocturia, suprapubic tenderness, or blurred urine symptoms, but not fever, were included in the study. Urinary samples were obtained and patient data were recorded at the primary care centers. Results: Totally, 400 patients were enrolled. In 175 (43.8%) patients, urine cultures yielded a urinary pathogen. The most frequently encountered pathogen was E. coli (62.8%). Among E. coli isolates, the lowest resistance rates were detected for nitrofurantoin (0.9%) and fosfomycin (3.6%) and the highest for trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (43.6%) and amoxicillin/clavulanate (41%). Resistance rates to quinolones were 23.6% for ciprofloxacin and 21% for levofloxacin. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)(50) and MIC90 values for ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin were 0.015 and 32 mu g/mL and 0.06 and 16 mu g/mL, respectively. Quinolone resistance was significantly higher in patients who received an antimicrobial treatment within the last three months (p< 0.001). Extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) positivity was detected in 15 of 110 (13.6%) E. coli isolates. Quinolone resistance was significantly higher among ESBL positive than ESBL negative strains (53.3% vs. 15.8%, p= 0.002). Conclusion: In conclusion, the most frequent causative agent in CALUTIs was E. coli. The lowest resistance rates among E. coli isolates were detected for nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin. Resistance rates to quinolones were over 20% in our study. Our study provides important data about the causative agents and their antibiotic susceptibilities and also contains valuable data for rational antibiotic usage in the treatment of CALUTI in Turkey.