Browsing by Author "Sultanoglu, N"

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    Current situation of COVID-19 in northern Cyprus
    Sultanoglu, N; Baddal, B; Suer, K; Sanlidag, T
    Background: The public health burden of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is expected to increase and urgent strict measures by decision-makers is critical for the containment of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak worldwide. Aims: This study aimed to give a real-time analysis of COVID-19 presence in northern Cyprus. Methods: All official SARS-CoV-2 positive cases were tracked and reported in terms of the origin, nationality, and transmission routes. Preventive measures taken after the first reported case were analyzed for their effectiveness as control strategies. Results: The index case of SARS-CoV-2 in northern Cyprus was identified as a female German tourist. First local case had travel history from the United Kingdom after which local transmission occurred. Rapid and strict containment measures have currently delayed a peak in observed cases. Conclusions: Rapid implementation of social-distancing measures, good hygiene measures and travel/gathering bans in northern Cyprus has been effective in controlling the outbreak.
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    Dynamics and Control of HIV/AIDS in Cyprus Using Real Data
    Hincal, E; Sanlidag, T; Saad, FT; Suer, K; Baba, IA; Sayan, M; Kaymakamzade, B; Sultanoglu, N
    This article presents a mathematical model that studies the dynamics of HIV in North and South Cyprus. The global stability of the two equilibrium points involved are disease-free and endemic, and are performed using Lyapunov function. We have showed that the stability is dependent on the magnitude of the basic reproduction number R-0. If R-0 < 1, the disease free equilibrium point is globally asymptotically stable and the disease vanishes, whereas if R-0 >= 1, the endemic equilibrium point is globally asymptotically stable and epidemics will occur. Real data obtained from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Ministry of Health is used to examine and predict the progress of HIV in North Cyprus, as well as comparing our results with South Cyprus using their published data. Reported HIV positive cases of only Turkish and Greek Cypriots were included from the data obtained from Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Ministry of Health and South Cyprus data, respectively. The results showed that, the basic reproduction number of North and South Cyprus are 0.00012 and 0.00034 respectively; which are less than one; hence, this indicates that there is currently no epidemic in the country. Furthermore, the number of HIV positive individuals in North Cyprus is likely to increase by almost 50%, whereas for South Cyprus an increase of 100% of the initial value (of 2017) is estimated in the next 20 years. Thus, the authorities should take the necessary actions and strategic measures for controlling the spread of the disease.
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    Efficacy Evaluation of Antiretroviral Drug Combinations for HIV-1 Treatment by Using the Fuzzy PROMETHEE
    Sayan, M; Ozsahin, DU; Sanlidag, T; Sultanoglu, N; Yildirim, FS; Uzun, B
    The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) causes disease by damaging the immune system. If treatment is not initiated, the immune system collapses and this leads to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The drugs used in the treatment of HIV infection slow or stop the damage caused by the virus to the immune system. In this study, we analyzed the treatment options of HIV since there are many antiretroviral drug combinations available for the treatment and each combination has different properties. The variety of different combinations can cause confusion for physicians in practice. Based on this aim, we proposed the fuzzy PROMETHEE technique, a multi-criteria decision making technique based on mutual comparison of the options. The most common antiretroviral drug combinations used in the HIV treatment were evaluated and compared corresponding to their parameters by the PROMETHEE technique. According to our results, integrase-based inhibitor drug combinations were predominantly preferred. BIC + TAF/FTC (bictegravir + tenofoviralafenamide/emtricitabine) outranked the other antiretroviral drug combinations with a net flow of 0.0437, followed by DTG + ABC/3TC (dolutegravir + abacavir/lamivudine) then DTG + TAF/FTC (dolutegravir + tenofoviralafenamide/emtricitabine). The results obtained with the application of decision-making theories on these option treatment methods will provide significant information for relevant patients, HIV treatment specialists and drug-makers.
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    Evaluating the Efficacy of Adult HIV Post Exposure Prophylaxis Regimens in Relation to Transmission Risk Factors by Multi Criteria Decision Method
    Sayan, M; Sanlidag, T; Sultanoglu, N; Uzun, B; Yildirim, FS; Ozsahin, DU
    There are approximately 39 million people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) worldwide. Although antiretroviral treatment (ART) has revolutionized the treatment and management of the HIV infection, a cure still remains elusive. In addition to ART's success at prolonging the lives of the infected individuals, it also has its uses in other cases. For example, post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) ART regimens are used after potential exposure to HIV to prevent the establishment of the HIV infection by up to 80% when administered in a timely manner. There are many guidelines available for these situations; however, they have differences in terms of their content and very few guidelines suggest specific PEP ART regimens for particular risk factors. Our study uses a multi criteria decision making method called Fuzzy PROMETHEE to evaluate the effectiveness of selected PEP ART regimens according to specified transmission risk factors for HIV. The risk factors were the criteria in this study and were weighted according to experts' opinions in terms of their relative importance.