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Article Correlation of Clinical Signs and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Patients With Lumbar Spondylosis(Turkish League Against Rheumatism, 2023) Altan, Lale; Ökmen, Burcu Metin; Tuncer, Tiraje; Sindel, Dilşad; Çay, Hasan Fatih; Hepgüler, Simin; Uğurlu, Hatice; Gurer, Gülcan; Sarıkaya, Selda; Melikoğlu, Meltem Alkan; Metin Ökmen, Burcu; Ayhan, Fikriye Figen; Duruöz, Mehmet Tuncay; Sezer, IlhanObjectives: The purpose of the study was to contribute further to this debated topic by investigating the correlation of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings with the clinical picture in lumbar spondylosis patients. Patients and methods: This multicenter retrospective study (as part of the epidemiological project of the TLAR-OASG [Turkish League Against Rheumatism-Osteoarthritis Study Group]) included 514 patients (101 males, 413 females; mean age: 63.6±10.8 years; range, 40 to 85 years) who were diagnosed as lumbar spondylosis by clinical examination and direct X-ray between December 2016 and June 2018. Demographic characteristics of patients, Visual Analog Scale for pain, presence of radiating pain, Roland-Morris disability questionnaire, straight leg raise test, deep tendon reflexes, neurogenic intermittent claudication symptoms, any decrease of muscle strength, and abnormality of sensation were recorded. Lumbar MRI findings of the patients were recorded as positive or negative in terms of disc herniation, intervertebral disc degeneration, root compression, osteophytes, spinal stenosis. Statistical analysis was done to assess the correlation between the clinical symptoms, physical examination, and MRI findings. Results: Correlation analysis of the MRI results and the clinical findings showed a significant correlation between straight leg raise test and root compression (p<0.001, r=0.328) and a significant correlation between neurogenic intermittent claudication and spinal stenosis (p<0.001, r=0.376). Roland-Morris disability questionnaire had a significant correlation with all MRI findings (p<0.05, r<0.200). Conclusion: The results of this study corroborate the notion that diligent patient history and physical examination are more valuable than MRI findings, even though a higher incidence of abnormal MRI findings have been obtained in patients with disability and dermatomal radiating pain.Article Novel Enterococcus Phages Identified through Comprehensive Screening to Control Contamination in Chicken Meat(Wiley, 2026) Unal, Gultekin; Cengiz, Gorkem; Cufaoglu, Gizem; Acar, Bahar Onaran; Ayaz, Naim Deniz; Yildiz, Tansu; Erdinc, Ayse NurBACKGROUND Antibiotic-resistant Enterococcus faecalis and E. faecium are persistent contaminants in food and environmental settings, including poultry-related matrices, contributing to food safety risks and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) dissemination. This study aimed to identify Enterococcus phages through environmental screening and evaluate their biocontrol potential using a chicken wing food model. RESULTS From 1719 environmental samples, 45 Enterococcus-targeting phages were isolated, and two (Efs.1 1-1 and Efm 3-10) with the broadest lytic profiles were selected for characterization. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that both phages belong to Caudoviricetes with siphovirus-like morphology, latent periods (6-8 min), and high burst sizes (90-110 PFU per cell). Whole-genome sequencing revealed complete circular genomes with estimated completeness values between 0.97 and 1.00, and no detectable virulence, lysogeny, or AMR genes. The phages were stable at pH 4 for 60 min and tolerated 40-60 degrees C for 1 h. Phage titers decreased from 10.0 to no less than 6.0 log PFU mL(-1) across all storage conditions over 12 months. In vitro assays in tryptic soy broth showed that while the control groups reached 8.56-9.12 log CFU mL(-1) at 24 h at 37 degrees C, no bacteria were detected in any of the phage-treated samples (limit of detection: 1 CFU mL(-1)). In the chicken wing food model, phage treatment maintained bacterial counts below the detection limit (<1 log CFU g(-1)) throughout refrigerated storage. Mean log reductions reached 1.78-2.78 and 3.71-4.71 log CFU g(-1), respectively. CONCLUSION These novel lytic phages exhibit strong stability and rapid antibacterial activity, offering promising biocontrol agents to reduce Enterococcus contamination in chicken meat.
