Clinical and Radiological Characteristics of Classical and Variant Type of Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome on Prognosis Following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Pediatric Patients: A Single-Center Experience.

Objectives: Hematopoietic stem cell transplant is increasingly being used as a curative therapeutic option for patients with hematologic malignancies and nonmalignant diseases. Here, we aimed to determine the frequency and features of typical and atypical central variants of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in children who had undergone an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant procedure for any indication at a single center.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 101 pediatric patients between aged 6 months and 18 years who had undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplant for any indication between 2010 and 2023.

Mid-term results and late events after the Fontan operation: A single-center experience.

Background: This study aimed to review our institutional experience with the Fontan operation, the adverse severe events we encountered during mid-term follow-up, and the associated risk factors.

Methods: In the study, the medical records of 40 patients (22 males, 18 females) who underwent Fontan operation between August 1993 and August 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were followed up for at least six months.

Elevated Cardiac Troponin Levels as a Predictor of Increased Mortality Risk in Non-Cardiac Critically Ill Patients Admitted to a Medical Intensive Care Unit.

: Cardiac troponin I (TnI) is a specific marker of myocardial damage used in the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). TnI levels can also be elevated in patients without ACS, which is linked to a worse prognosis and mortality. We evaluated the clinical implications and prognostic significance of serum TnI levels in critically ill non-cardiac patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at a tertiary-level hospital.

Lower Free T3 Levels Linked to Poorer Outcomes in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients with Acute Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure.

Aim Of The Study: Non-thyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS) is often observed in critically ill patients. This study aimed to examine thyroid hormone changes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experiencing acute hypercapnic respiratory failure (AHRF) and to evaluate the impact of these alterations on clinical outcomes.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective investigation involved 80 COPD patients (age 71.

Alterations in neuroendocrine axes in brain-dead patients.

Purpose: To identify changes in anterior pituitary gland hormone levels in brain-dead patients and alterations in free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine, cortisol, testosterone, and estradiol levels.

Methods: Ten postmenopausal women and 22 men with brain death (BD) were included. The first blood sample for determination of hormones (pre-BD) was collected when the clinician observed the first signs of BD.

Vaccination status of COVID-19 patients followed up in the ICU in a country with heterologous vaccination policy: A multicenter national study in Turkey.

Objective: Vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-2) prevents the development of serious diseases has been shown in many studies. However, the effect of vaccination on outcomes in COVID-19 patients requiring intensive care is not clear.

Methods: This is a retrospective multicenter study conducted in 17 intensive care unit (ICU) in Turkey between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021.

Epidemiology and risk factors of 28-day mortality of hospital-acquired bloodstream infection in Turkish intensive care units: a prospective observational cohort study.

Objectives: To uncover clinical epidemiology, microbiological characteristics and outcome determinants of hospital-acquired bloodstream infections (HA-BSIs) in Turkish ICU patients.

Methods: The EUROBACT II was a prospective observational multicontinental cohort study. We performed a subanalysis of patients from 24 Turkish ICUs included in this study.

Self-modulation of rectus femoris reflex excitability in humans.

Hyperreflexia is common after neurological injury such as stroke, yet clinical interventions have had mixed success. Our previous research has shown that hyperreflexia of the rectus femoris (RF) during pre-swing is closely associated with reduced swing phase knee flexion in those with post-stroke Stiff-Knee gait (SKG). Thus, reduction of RF hyperreflexia may improve walking function in those with post-stroke SKG.

Evaluation of whole blood thiamine pyrophosphate concentrations in critically ill patients receiving chronic diuretic therapy prior to admission to Turkish intensive care units: A pragmatic, multicenter, prospective study.

Background/objectives: Thiamine plays a pivotal role in energy metabolism. The aim of the study was to determine serial whole blood TPP concentrations in critically ill patients receiving chronic diuretic treatment before ICU admission and to correlate TPP levels with clinically determined serum phosphorus concentrations.

Subjects/methods: This observational study was performed in 15 medical ICUs.

Hip and Knee Joint Kinematics Predict Quadriceps Hyperreflexia in People with Post-stroke Stiff-Knee Gait.

Wearable assistive technology for the lower extremities has shown great promise towards improving gait function in people with neuromuscular injuries. But common secondary impairments, such as hypersensitive stretch reflexes or hyperreflexia, have been often neglected. Incorporation of biomechanics into the control loop could improve individualization and avoid hyperreflexia.

Characteristics and outcomes of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease admitted to the intensive care unit due to acute hypercapnic respiratory failure.

Background: The study aimed to describe the clinical course, outcomes, and prognostic factors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure.

Methods: This retrospective study involved patients with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure due to COPD of any cause admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for non-invasive or invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) support between December 2015 and February 2020.

Results: One hundred patients were evaluated.

Anomalous origin of coronary arteries from the pulmonary artery: A single-center experience.

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical and diagnostic findings, treatment, and follow-up of cases of anomalous origin of coronary arteries from the pulmonary artery.

Methods: Between January 1998 and June 2021, a total of 14 patients (5 males, 9 females; median age: 15 months; range, 3 to 156 months) diagnosed with anomalous origin of coronary arteries from the pulmonary artery were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic and clinical data of the patients, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, angiographic, surgical, and follow-up findings were evaluated.

Infective endocarditis in childhood: a single-centre experience of 26 years.

The aim of this study was to present the clinical and microbiological characteristics of patients with infective endocarditis.A retrospective evaluation was made of patients diagnosed with infective endocarditis between 1995 and 2021. The clinical and laboratory characteristics of the patients were recorded together with conditions constituting a risk for the development of endocarditis, treatment, and surgical outcomes.

Cases of allergic coronary syndrome (Kounis syndrome) : what we should know.

Kounis syndrome (KS) is an acute coronary syndrome that occurs with allergic, hypersensitivity, anaphylactic, or anaphylactoid reactions associated with mast cell activation, and entails significant morbidity and mortality risks. We present four cases of acute coronary syndrome developing after insect bites, chemotherapy, and coronary stent implantation. Two patients were lost due to anaphylactic shock-related multiorgan failures and sudden cardiac death.

Third-Generation Dual-Source Computed Tomography for Coronary Angiography With Individually Tailored Scan Protocols Can Achieve a Low Radiation Dose With Good Image Quality in Unselected Patients.

Objective: To explore the image quality and radiation exposure associated with coronary angiography obtained with a third-generation dual-source computed tomography, using body mass index (BMI)- and heart rate (HR)-adapted protocols in real-world patients.

Methods: Three scan protocols were implemented with regard to HR: prospective turbo high-pitch spiral, sequential, and retrospective spiral modes. We adapted the reference kilovoltage value according to BMI.

The Prophylaxis of Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease/Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome With Defibrotide After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Children: Single Center Experience.

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease/sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (VOD/SOS) is one of the most severe and life-threatening complications after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Defibrotide (DF) is approved for adult and pediatric patients with VOD/SOS with renal or pulmonary dysfunction after HSCT in the United States, and for severe VOD/SOS post-HSCT in patients above 1 month of age in the European Union. Several studies have examined whether DF prophylaxis can reduce the incidence of VOD/SOS in high-risk patients.

Impact of antenatal corticosteroid exposure on thymus size in premature infants.

Background: This study examined the effect of corticosteroids on the thymic index (TI) and the thymus/weight index (TWI) in infants exposed to antenatal corticosteroids (ACS).

Methods: This prospective study was conducted between August 2014 and October 2018. A thymus ultrasound was performed to assess thymus size on the second day of life.

Clinical features and echocardiographic findings of isolated foramen ovale restriction in foetuses.

Isolated restrictive foramen ovale (rFO) without complex heart defects is a rare pathology. There may be difficulties in managing this situation, which can lead to right heart enlargement, tricuspid regurgitation and hydrops findings in the foetus. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 8451 foetuses.

Clinical Outcomes and Independent Risk Factors for 90-Day Mortality in Critically Ill Patients with Respiratory Failure Infected with SARS-CoV-2: A Multicenter Study in Turkish Intensive Care Units.

Background: There are limited data on the long-term outcomes of COVID-19 from different parts of the world.

Aims: To determine risk factors of 90-day mortality in critically ill patients in Turkish intensive care units (ICUs), with respiratory failure.

Study Design: Retrospective, observational cohort.

Prenatal diagnosis of a right ventricular outpouching: a report of case.

We report a case of a right ventricular outpouching diagnosed during prenatal period. We defined it as an aneurysm because of its thin, hypokinetic wall, and wide neck connecting to the ventricle. Ventricular aneurysms, especially right ventricular aneurysms, are very rare cardiac malformations.

Risk Assessment for BK Virus-Associated Hemorrhagic Cystitis After Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant: A Single-Center Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study.

Objectives: BK virus-associated hemorrhagic cystitis is a common complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant. It is known to be associated with cyclophosphamide therapy and the intensity of the conditioning regimen as well as infection with the BK virus. Data are limited for BK virus-associated hemorrhagic cystitis in pediatric recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

Treatment of critically ill patients with acute hypercarbic respiratory failure by average volume-assured pressure support mode.

Objectives: Average volume-assured pressure support (AVAPS), a dual mode, delivers a set tidal volume (TV) per kg by adjusting the pressure between upper and lower inspiratory positive airway pressures (IPAP). Thus, ventilation is presumed to be happened effectively by sending a guaranteed TV. This study was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of AVAPS mode in critically ill patients with acute hypercarbic respiratory failure (HRF) and compare the results with bilevel positive airway pressure-spontaneous/timed (BPAP-S/T) mode.

Whole-body MRI for preventive health screening: Management strategies and clinical implications.

Purpose: To document the diagnostic yields of whole-body MRI (WB-MRI) screening for asymptomatic individuals by using a classification system that categorizes the findings by clinical relevance and provides a flowchart for further investigations, and to determine the influence of WB-MRI findings on clinical decision-making.

Methods: In this institutional review board-approved study, a retrospective review of individuals who underwent WB-MRI between 2009 and 2020 was conducted, and asymptomatic participants who underwent non-contrast-enhanced comprehensive WB-MRI for screening were enrolled. Participants were classified into four categories based on WB-MRI findings, and those with relevant findings (i.

Impact of the HEAD-US Scoring System for Observing the Protective Effect of Prophylaxis in Hemophilia Patients: A Prospective, Multicenter, Observational Study.

Objective: This study aimed to observe the preventive effect of prophylactic treatment on joint health in people with hemophilia (PwH) and to investigate the importance of integration of ultrasonographic examination into clinical and radiological evaluation of the joints.

Materials And Methods: This national, multicenter, prospective, observational study included male patients aged ≥6 years with the diagnosis of moderate or severe hemophilia A or B from 8 centers across Turkey between January 2017 and March 2019. Patients were followed for 1 year with 5 visits (baseline and 3, 6, 9, and 12 month visits).