The Prevalence, Serogroup Distribution and Risk Factors of Meningococcal Carriage in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults in Turkey Meningo-Carr-TR Study PART 3: COVID-19 Pandemic Situation.

Background: The prevalence of meningococcal carriage and serogroup distribution is crucial for assessing the epidemiology of invasive meningococcal disease, forecasting outbreaks and formulating potential immunization strategies. Following the meningococcal carriage studies conducted in Turkey in 2016 and 2018, we planned to re-evaluate meningococcal carriage in children, adolescents and young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

Methods: In the MENINGO-CARR-3 study, we collected nasopharyngeal samples from 1585 participants 0-24 years of age, across 9 different centers in Turkey.

Percutaneous Mitral Valve-in-Ring Procedure in a Case of Severe Mitral Regurgitation Repaired with a Surgical Flexible Ring: A Step-by-Step Description.

Severe mitral regurgitation (MR) following surgical repair of the mitral valve poses a significant clinical challenge. Patients who have undergone surgery are typically at high risk for a second operation. This report details the case of a 54-year-old male who underwent aortic valve replacement and mitral valve repair using a 34-ring, 14 years prior.

Evaluating the Restoration of External Root Resorption Under Biomechanical Stress: A Finite Element Analysis.

Background: Root resorption is a complex problem in endodontic treatment that considerably affects the structural integrity of teeth. This study aims to assess the biomechanical efficacy of various restorative materials and approaches in treating external root resorption, emphasizing their capacity to improve stress resistance and guarantee long-term success.

Methods: This research employed finite element analysis (FEA) to assess stress distribution in mandibular premolars with external root resorption.

Investigation of the Diagnostic Value of Cerebrospinal Fluid and Serum sTREM-1 Levels in Neonatal Meningitis.

The aim of this study is to investigate the diagnostic value of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum levels of the soluble form of triggering receptor-1 expressed on myeloid cells (sTREM-1) in neonatal meningitis. Serum sTREM-1 levels were measured in all neonatal sepsis patients at the start of antibiotic therapy and the 48th hour of treatment. At the beginning of antibiotic therapy, CSF samples were collected for sTREM-1 measurements.

Biliary atresia-splenic malformation (BASM) syndrome: A case report.

Introduction And Importance: Biliary atresia (BA) is characterized by the presence of persistent cholestatic jaundice during the neonatal period. This group of patients is at higher risk for liver disease and/or portal hypertension compared with other chronic liver diseases.

Case Presentation: We present a newborn patient who had biliary stools early postnatally, but her gallbladder was not seen on radiological examination and was referred to our clinic.

An evaluation of a Stenotrophomonas maltophilia outbreak due to commercial arterial blood gas collection kit.

Background: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a gram-negative bacterium that can cause hospital infections and outbreaks within hospitals. This study aimed to evaluate an outbreak of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, caused by ready-to-use commercial syringes containing liquid lithium and heparin for arterial blood gas collection in a university hospital.

Methods: Upon detecting an increase in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia growth in blood cultures between 15.

Assessment of Heart Rate Variability in Children with Mitral Valve Prolapse.

Background: Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a heart valve anomaly with specific electrocardiographic findings and arrhythmia. A predominant sympathetic tone and diminished vagal activity have been reported especially in symptomatic MVP patients.

Objectives: In the current study, we aim to review heart rate variability (HRV) parameters of MVP children in order to determine if there is an impaired autonomic regulation.

An unusual etiology in an 8-year-old girl with chest pain and elevated troponin-I.

Acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN) is the most common glomerulonephritis of childhood, and clinical presentation can vary widely. This case report presents an atypical manifestation of APSGN in an 8-year-old female patient with pleuritic chest pain and elevated troponin-I, despite lacking classical kidney symptoms. Imaging studies showed cardiomegaly and interstitial lung opacities.

Evidence for Locus Coeruleus-Norepinephrine System Abnormality in Military Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Revealed by Neuromelanin-Sensitive Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Background: The complex neurobiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) calls for the characterization of specific disruptions in brain functions that require targeted treatment. One such alteration could be an overactive locus coeruleus (LC)-norepinephrine system, which may be linked to hyperarousal symptoms, a characteristic and burdensome aspect of the disorder.

Methods: Study participants were Canadian Armed Forces veterans with PTSD related to deployment to combat zones (n = 34) and age- and sex-matched healthy control participants (n = 32).

Pathogens in Pediatric Septic Arthritis: A Multi-Center Study in Turkiye (PEDSART Study).

Objectives: Septic arthritis (SA) is a serious bacterial infection that must be treated efficiently and timely. The large number of culture-negative cases makes local epidemiological data important. Accordingly, this study aimed to evaluate the etiology, clinical characteristics, and therapeutic approach of SA in children in Turkiye, emphasizing the role of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques in the diagnosis.

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction in the first three months of life: is sex a prognostic factor?

Objective: Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is a blockage that occurs at the point where the renal pelvis (the part of the kidney where urine collects) meets the ureter (the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder). This study compared outcomes between male and female patients with UPJO.

Patients And Methods: 402 UPJO patients diagnosed and treated before the age of three months were divided into two groups: males and females.

Business leaders' perceptions of how workplace charters can reduce health inequalities for employees in West Yorkshire, England: a qualitative study.

Background: Workplace interventions to increase the number of good quality jobs can help reduce widening health inequalities in England and are an important area for public health research. Over the past decade, workplace charters led by local and regional government authorities have become increasingly popular. Charters typically include commitments on workplace practices-such as job security, pay, wellbeing, and employee voice-and an assessment and award process.

Effect of platelet indices on postoperative pain and edema in bimaxillary surgery.

Objectives: To investigate the influence of platelet volume indices (PVI) on postoperative pain and edema in patients undergoing bimaxillary surgery and assessed the associations between PVI parameters and other clinical factors.

Methods: We examined the medical records of 50 patients aged 18-40, treated between 2019 and 2020. Platelet indices (platelet count [PLT]), mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, plateletcrit (PCT), and platelet large cell ratio) were analyzed.

A comparison of chlorhexidine and povidone-iodine solutions in neonatal intensive care units.

Background: Povidone-iodine (10%; PI) and 2% chlorhexidine in 70% isopropyl alcohol (CHG-IA) solutions are among the most widely used disinfectants in the neonatal intensive care units. This study compares the use of these disinfectants and helps decide which is superior to the other for neonatal use.

Methods: All term and preterm infants born and hospitalized in Bursa Uludag University Hospital between July 2018-March 2020 were included.

Neo-glans reconstruction with dartos flaps covered with buccal mucosal graft after total glans amputation during circumcision: novel technique.

Penile glans amputation is a rare and catastrophic complication of circumcision. Reconstruction of the penile glans was indicated following amputation. Our report discusses a novel technique for reconfiguration of the amputated penile glans of a 5-year-old male admitted 6 months following a complicated circumcision.

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJ) due to congenital crossing of the renal vessels (CRV): Comparison of the pre- and postoperative features of UPJO with and without CRV.

We evaluated the differences in demographic characteristics of patients with and without underlying crossing renal vessels (CRVs) operated for unilateral symptomatic ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). We identified the features of patients who had undergone open, laparoscopic and robotically assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty at our institution from July 2000 to January 2021. The ratio of renal parenchymal thickness (RPT; ratio between the kidney with UPJO and the healthy kidney), pelvic diameter and kidney functions were recorded.

Comparison of Cytokine Hemadsorption as an Immunomodulator Therapy in COVID-19 Patients with and without Bacterial Sepsis.

Background: In this retrospective study, we aimed to compare the laboratory and clinical results of cytokine hem-adsorption as an immunomodulation therapy in COVID-19 ICU patients with or without sepsis.

Methods: The levels of PCT, CRP, and ferritin were determined as indicators of infection/sepsis; the levels of in-terleukins (IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10, and TNF-α) were determined as indicators of cytokine storm were compared. APACHE score, SOFA score, and mortality rates were compared for the progression of the disease in 23 COVID-19 patients.

Ureteropelvic junction obstructions: Is side a prognostic factor?

Background: Ureteropelvic junction obstructions (UPJOs) occur more frequently on the left than on the right side. Among patients diagnosed during the neonatal period, those with left-side UPJO have a more severe course than those with right-side UPJO.

Aim: This study examined clinical advances in the surgical management of right and left symptomatic UPJOs preoperatively and postoperatively, based on a retrospective analysis of cases.