Objectives: Antimicrobials are the most widely used drug groups and antibiotic resistance due to irrational antimicrobial usage is a major problem in the world. The aim of this study is to evaluate attitudes of family physicians antimicrobial prescribing. Materials and methods:This study was conducted in November 2006 in Bolu and Duzce provinces where the first family physician practices were initiated in Turkey. The records of family physicians were reviewed retrospectively. Patients' data, social security institution of the patients, the diagnosis and prescribed antibiotics, duration, dosage and routes of antibiotic administration were recorded.Results: A total of 4,497 patients were included in the study consisting of 1,752 (39%) men, and 2,745 (61%) women. The mean age of the patients was 36.6 ± 22.7 years. Antimicrobials were prescribed to 1,167 patients (25.9%). Among 1,167 antibiotics, 1,064 (91.2%) were administered orally, 77 (6.6%) were paranteral and 26 (2.2%) were taken through other routes. In 39 (3.3%) patients, there was no indication for antimicrobial use. In 103 patients (9.1%) from the accurate antibiotic indication group, the choice of the agent was not consistent with the guidelines. In 273 patients (23.4%) on antimicrobial therapy, duration of the antibiotic was inappropriate. The most common indication of the antibiotic prescription was tonsillopharyngitis and the most prescribed antibiotics for this diagnosis were beta lactam/beta lactamase inhibitors. Sonuç: Sonuç olarak, solunum yolu enfeksiyonları başta olmak üzere birinci basamakta tedavi verilen hastalarda, antibiyotik kullanımı oldukça fazladır. Birinci basamakta çalışan hekimlere rasyonel antimikrobiyal kullanımı ile ilgili mezuniyet sonrası periyodik eğitimler düzenlenmelidir. Conclusions

Polyurethane nanocomposites are versatile engineering polymers with unique properties. In this study, nano hexagonal boron nitride containing thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers were prepared via melt blending and hot‐pressing techniques. The nanocomposites were characterized using Fourier transform infrared, differential scanning calorimetry, thermal gravimetric analysis, tensile tests, and thermal conductivity measurements. The surface morphology of the TPU/h‐BN composites was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The optical properties of the composites were determined by UV transmittance measurements and as the amount of h‐BN increased, optical transparencies decreased dramatically. Nanocomposites displayed higher E‐modulus values and lower elongation at break values than the pure TPU elastomer. Char yields of TPUs increased with increasing h‐BN percentage. Moreover, thermal conductivity of the composite materials improved with the incorporation of h‐BN. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:530–538, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers

Background/aim: Chronic hepatitis due to hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infections is the most common cause of chronic liver disease. In this study we aimed to find out seroprevalences and associated risk factors of hepatitis B and C in adults in Düzce. Materials and methods:The sample of study was determined with a cluster-type sampling method. The study included 1321 people, consisting of 667 women and 654 men who were 18 years or older. A questionnaire about demographic information and risk factors was applied.Results: Seroprevalences of HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HCV were 4.8%, 9.4%, and 0.7%, respectively. HBsAg seroprevalences were found to be statistically higher in the dental visit group (8.9% versus 4.0%, P = 0.002) and in people living within the same house with hepatitis B carriers (11.5% versus 4.6%, P = 0.036). Living in Düzce during the 1999 earthquake and staying in prefabricated houses after the earthquake were not risk factors of HBsAg carriage. Conclusion:HBsAg and anti-HCV seroprevalences in Düzce were in parallel with the previous data from Turkey and a low ratio of anti-HBs appeared. Identifying risk groups with large epidemiological screening studies and vaccination of nonimmune people are essential.

No abstract

The hands of healthcare workers (HCWs) are considered to be important for colonisation and infection of Candida spp. The objective of this study was to evaluate the rate of Candida carriage on the hands of the hospital personnel the potential risk factors. Samples were collected from the hands of 214 (139 female and 75 male) hospital personnel working at Duzce Medical Faculty Hospital, Duzce, Turkey. Of these, 88 were nurses, 62 resident doctors, 21 laboratory workers, 30 officers and 13 dining room personnel. The hands of all participants were tested by culture with the broth wash technique. Overall, 34.1% of the people analysed were found to harbour Candida spp. on their hands: 30.7% were nurses, 25.8% resident doctors, 28.6% laboratory workers, 84.6% dining room personnel and 43.3% officers. Candida carriage rates of the dining room personnel were higher than found in the other groups (P = 0.001). Isolated Candida species were C. parapsilosis (38.4%), C. tropicalis (26.0%), C. albicans (23.3%), C. kefyr (11.0%) and C. globosa (1.4%). Candida carriage rate was higher in the glove-using group (35.1%) than the non-glove using group (7.1%, P = 0.031). We concluded that carriage of Candida species on the hands of personnel was common especially in non-medical staff. Wearing gloves was found to be related to increased rates of Candida carriage in the nurse group. Candida parapsilosis was the most frequently colonising species that may be a predisposing condition for nosocomial infections transmitted with the hands of HCWs. Hospital personnel should be educated for regular hand washing practice for preventing Candida colonisation.