COVID-19 vaccination rates and factors affecting vaccination in children with rheumatic disease.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination rates and factors affecting vaccination in children with rheumatic diseases.

Patients And Methods: This multicenter cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted between July 2022 and September 2022. Four hundred seventy-four patients (256 females, 218 males; median age: 15 years; interquartile range, 13 to 16 years) were included in the patient group, and 211 healthy children (124 females, 87 males; median age: 15 years; interquartile range, 13 to 16 years) were included in the control group.

Is electrophysiological study a novel predictor for permanent pacemaker implantation after transcatheter aortic valve implantation?

Background/aim: Despite advancements in valve technology and increased clinical experience, complications related to conduction defects after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVR) have not improved as rapidly as expected. In this study, we aimed to predict the development of complete atrioventricular (AV) block and bundle branch block during and after the TAVR procedure and to investigate any changes in the cardiac conduction system before and after the procedure using electrophysiological study.

Materials And Methods: A total of 30 patients who were scheduled for TAVR at our cardiovascular council were planned to be included in the study.

The Role of Pan-Immune-Inflammation Value in Determining the Severity of Coronary Artery Disease in NSTEMI Patients.

Background: Even though medication and interventional therapy have improved the death rate for non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients, these patients still have a substantial residual risk of cardiovascular events. Early identification of high-risk individuals is critical for improving prognosis, especially in this patient group. The focus of recent research has switched to finding new related indicators that can help distinguish high-risk patients.

Risk of flare in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: Is it related to the methotrexate treatment strategy or patient characteristics?

Objectives: The study aimed to determine the factors that increase the risk of disease flare in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis who stopped methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy following inactive disease (ID).

Patients And Methods: In the retrospective study, files of all juvenile idiopathic arthritis cases between April 1992 and June 2022 were examined. Patients who stopped MTX monotherapy following ID were evaluated.

Value of increased CRP/albumin ratio in predicting embolic events in patients with infective endocarditis.

The CRP/albumin ratio (CAR), a new inflammatory marker, is associated with adverse outcomes in various cardiovascular diseases. We evaluated the effectiveness of CAR in predicting embolic events in patients diagnosed with infective endocarditis (IE). A total of 145 patients with IE were included in the study and categorized into two groups according to the presence of embolic events.

How common is remission in rheumatoid factor-positive juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients? The multicenter Pediatric Rheumatology Academy (PeRA) research group experience.

Objective: Rheumatoid factor (RF)-positive polyarthritis is the least common type of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Functional disability in RF-positive polyarthritis patients is much more severe than in patients with other subtypes; but data on this subtype alone is limited. This study aimed to analyze clinical features, long-term follow-up, treatment response, and remission status in a large multicenter cohort of RF-positive polyarthritis patients.

Comparison of Cardioplegic Solutions in Coronary Bypass Surgery Over Autophagy and Apoptosis Mechanisms.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) due to myocardial ischemia causes permanent loss of heart tissue.

Objectives: We aimed to demonstrate the possible damage to the myocardium at the molecular level through the mechanisms of autophagy and apoptosis in coronary bypass surgery patients.

Methods: One group was administered a Custodiol cardioplegia solution, and the other group was administered a Blood cardioplegia solution.

A score for predicting colchicine resistance at the time of diagnosis in familial Mediterranean fever: data from the TURPAID registry.

Objectives: Colchicine forms the mainstay of treatment in FMF. Approximately 5-10% of FMF patients are colchicine resistant and require anti-IL-1 drugs. We aimed to compare the characteristics of colchicine-resistant and colchicine-responsive patients and to develop a score for predicting colchicine resistance at the time of FMF diagnosis.

Increased Serum Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index is Independently Associated With Severity of Carotid Artery Stenosis.

Stroke is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality. The present study investigated how the systemic immune inflammation index (SII) could be used to predict the likelihood of developing carotid artery stenosis (CAS), which can be seen using carotid artery angiography (CAAG). This study comprised 418 individuals who underwent CAAG for CAS.

C-Reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio as a Predictor of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy After Carotid Angiography.

This study evaluated the role of the C-reactive protein (CRP)/albumin ratio (CAR) in estimating the probability of occurring contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) after carotid artery angiography (CAAG). Patients (n = 410) who had CAAG for carotid artery stenosis (CAS) were included in this study. A spike in serum creatinine was used to define CIN within 72 h of the procedure (>.

Endothelial Progenitor Cells and NADPH Oxidase Enzyme Activity in the Development of an Aortic Aneurysm.

Introduction: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase enzyme activity may affect the vessel wall and have a role in development of aortic aneurysms. EPCs originate from hematopoietic stem cells and can be enumerated from peripheral blood samples by flow cytometry. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relation of EPC number and NADPH oxidase enzyme activity in the development of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA).

The effect of cerium oxide on lung injury following lower extremity ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats under desflurane anesthesia.

Objectives: To examine the effects of desflurane and cerium oxide (CO) on lung tissue following ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI).

Methods: Experiments were conducted in Gazi University Animal Laboratory, Ankara, Turkey. Thirty rats were divided into 5 groups: control (C), IRI, IRI-CO, IRI-desflurane (IRID), IRI-CO-desflurane (IRICOD).

The Importance of HbA1c and Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction in Predicting the Development of Postoperative Mortality and Complications in Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery.

Introduction: In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between postoperative mortality, morbidity, hospital stay and development of postoperative complications with the glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level and low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in diabetic and non-diabetic patients who underwent elective coronary artery bypass (CABG) surgery.

Methods: The medical records of patients who underwent CABG at our clinic between January 2015 and December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were divided into two groups according to their diabetes mellitus (DM) diagnosis.

Impact of Single versus Double Clamp Technique on Blood Lactate Levels and Postoperative Complications in Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

Introduction: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is associated with hyperlactatemia, which leads to adverse clinical outcomes. No study has examined the effect of different clamping techniques on postoperative hyperlactatemia (PHL). Thus, we aimed to evaluate the impact of two different techniques on PHL and the clinical outcomes in patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass surgery.

Blood mRNA Expression Profiles of Autophagy, Apoptosis, and Hypoxia Markers on Blood Cardioplegia and Custodiol Cardioplegia Groups.

Introduction: Blood cardioplegia (BC) and Custodiol cardioplegia (CC) have been used for a long time in open heart surgery and are highly effective solutions. The most controversial issue among these two is whether there is any difference between them regarding myocardial damage after ischemia surgery. In this study, autophagy, apoptosis, and hypoxia markers were investigated and that way we evaluated the differences between BC and CC patients.

Cardiac Masses: Pathological and Surgical Features - A Multicenter Study.

Introduction: This study aimed to review the surgical excision results and pathological diagnostic features of rarely observed intracardiac masses in the light of the literature. Diagnosis and treatment approaches and complications were evaluated.

Methods: Forty patients (26 females, mean age 52.

Soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 as a novel marker of arteriovenous fistula stenosis in hemodialysis patients.

Introduction: Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) stenosis is one of the most important clinical problems in hemodialysis patients. The histopathological findings of neointimal hyperplasia and impaired angiogenesis have been well established in stenotic AVFs. Soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (sVEGFR-1) has been implicated in pathological angiogenesis.

The Effect of Cerium Oxide on Lung Tissue in Lower Extremity Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in Sevoflurane Administered Rats.

Introduction: We aimed to investigate the effects of cerium oxide, applied before the sevoflurane anesthesia, on lung tissue in rats with lower extremity ischemia-reperfusion (IR).

Materials And Methods: A total of 30 rats were randomly divided into five groups as; control (C), IR, cerium oxide-IR (CO-IR), IR-sevoflurane (IRS), and cerium oxide-IR-sevoflurane (CO-IRS). In the CO-IR group, 30 minutes after the injection of cerium oxide (0.

Hypoxia-inducible factors in arteriovenous fistula maturation: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Neointimal hyperplasia is the main cause of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) failure. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) factors are associated with neointimal hyperplasia. Thus, we investigated the association between HIF-2 alpha (HIF-2α) and AVF maturation in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients.

Calcified renal artery aneurism in the right kidney causing hypertension.

The renal artery aneurysm (RAA) is defined as a renal artery segment that is twofold dilated than normally. It is very rare in children and often asymptomatic. However, it can cause severe hypertension (HTN) and kidney failure.

Percutaneous ASD closure of children weighing less than 10 kg.

Traditionally the procedure of percutaneous ASD closure is carried out in children weighing more than 15 kg. The aim of this study was to discuss the success, efficacy and safety of the percutaneous closure of symptomatic ASD in children weighing less than 10 kg. This study was performed in two centres.