The Effect of Obesity on the Treatment Outcomes of Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections.

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of obesity on the treatment outcomes of lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESIs).

Material And Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent single-level TFESI in a pain management center between January 2021 and April 2023. Body mass index (BMI) of the patients was evaluated based on the World Health Organization guidelines.

Clinicopathological and prognostic significance of Tim-3 and Rel-B expression in grade 4 diffuse gliomas.

Aim: This study aims to assess the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of Tim-3, an immune checkpoint molecule, and Rel-B, an NF-κB subunit, in grade 4 diffuse glioma samples and their relationship with each other.

Material And Methods: The demographic, radiologic, prognostic, and treatment data of patients diagnosed with grade 4 diffuse glioma between 2016 and 2019 were reviewed and recorded. Tim-3 and Rel-B were applied to the paraffin-embedded tissues by immunohistochemistry method.

Detection of clinically relevant variants in the gene below 10% allelic frequency: A multicenter study by ERIC, the European Research Initiative on CLL.

In chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the reliability of next-generation sequencing (NGS) to detect variants ≤10% allelic frequency (low-VAF) is debated. We tested the ability to detect 23 such variants in 41 different laboratories using their NGS method of choice. The sensitivity was 85.

Racism in German healthcare: uncovering the construction and silencing of the "other".

While the impact of racism on healthcare interactions has been researched extensively in many parts of the world, substantive studies on healthcare-related racism in Europe, and particularly in Germany, remain scarce. This paper builds on a study that applies Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) and aims to explore healthcare users' experiences of racism within German healthcare. Community members were trained as peer researchers and given support as they conducted a total of six focus group discussions that involved a total of 14 study participants: these participants were organized into two subsamples of seven participants each (subsample one: Black, African, Afro-diasporic healthcare users; subsample two: healthcare users perceived or self-describing as Muslim), and each subsample had three focus group discussions.

Automating egg damage detection for improved quality control in the food industry using deep learning.

The detection and classification of damage to eggs within the egg industry are of paramount importance for the production of healthy eggs. This study focuses on the automatic identification of cracks and surface damage in chicken eggs using deep learning algorithms. The goal is to enhance egg quality control in the food industry by accurately identifying eggs with physical damage, such as cracks, fractures, or other surface defects, which could compromise their quality.

Investigation of the validity, reliability and psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Ottawa sitting scale in patients with Parkinson's disease.

The Ottawa Sitting Scale is a tool for the multidimensional assessment of sitting balance. This study aimed to investigate the validity, reliability, and psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Ottawa Sitting Scale (OSS-TR) in Turkish-speaking patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The study included 56 patients diagnosed with PD based on the UK Brain Bank Criteria.

Effect of structured digital-based education given to nursing students on disaster literacy and disaster preparedness belief levels: A randomized controlled study.

Background: One of the most effective processes in disaster management is disaster education.

Aim: To determine the effect of structured digital-based education given to nursing students on disaster literacy and disaster preparedness belief levels.

Design/methods: The study was conducted in a single-center parallel group pre-test post-test randomized controlled design.

Prediction model for severe vesicoureteral reflux in children with urinary tract infection and/or hydronephrosis.

Background: As voiding cystourethrography is invasive and exposes to radiation and urinary tract infection (UTI), identifying only high-grade reflux is important. We aimed to identify clinical, laboratory and imaging variables associated with high-grade primary reflux in children presenting with UTIs and/or urinary tract dilatation and develop a prediction model for severe reflux.

Methods: Data of children who underwent voiding cystourethrography due to UTI and/or urinary tract dilatation were retrospectively analyzed for demographic, clinical and imaging findings.

Revisiting ascending aortic resection in the elective valve-sparing root replacement: assessing the benefits and necessity of hemiarch replacement at three centres.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the indication and optimal timing for performing a hemiarch procedure in patients undergoing valve-sparing root replacement (VSRR).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on 986 patients undergoing VSRR at three tertiary care centres. Inclusion criteria were all patients undergoing elective VSRR.

A Multicenter ICET-A Survey on Adherence to Annual Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) Screening in Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia (TDT) Patients - The Expert Clinicians' Opinion on Factors Influencing the Adherence and on Alternative Strategies for Adherence Optimization.

Background: Current guidelines for screening glucose dysregulation (GD) in patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) recommend an annual 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) starting at the age of 10 years.

Objective: Assessment of adherence to OGTT screening in patients with TDT.

Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to 18 Thalassemia Centers in 10 different countries, targeting factors influencing adherence to annual OGTT screening in specialized multidisciplinary pediatric and adult TDT units and identifying strategies to improve adherence to OGTT in TDT patients.

Safety and Efficacy of Nusinersen Focusing on Renal and Hematological Parameters in Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

Background: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a motor neuron disease caused by mutations in the SMN1 gene. Nusinersen, an antisense oligonucleotide, has been shown to improve motor function in SMA patients. However, concerns regarding its renal safety remain as previous studies have linked similar treatments to renal toxicity.

Knowledge, attitudes, and anxiety levels of parents with suspected COVID-19 children: A cross-sectional study in Turkey.

Objective: To determine the knowledge, attitudes and anxiety levels of parents with children suspected of having coronavirus disease-2019.

Methods: The descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at the coronavirus disease-2019 outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital in Ankara, Turkey, between January and August 2021, and comprised parents who presented with suspicions of coronavirus disease-2019 in their children. Data was collected using a questionnaire to assess the parents' knowledge and attitudes towards coronavirus disease-2019, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-I and the visual analogue scale to determine levels of fear related to coronavirus disease-2019.

Reduced PI3K(p110α) induces atrial myopathy, and PI3K-related lipids are dysregulated in athletes with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Elucidating mechanisms underlying atrial myopathy, which predisposes individuals to atrial fibrillation (AF), will be critical for preventing/treating AF. In a serendipitous discovery, we identified atrial enlargement, fibrosis, and thrombi in mice with reduced phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) in cardiomyocytes. PI3K(p110α) is elevated in the heart with exercise and is critical for exercise-induced ventricular enlargement and protection, but the role in the atria was unknown.

Evaluating the relationships between forgiveness, compassion and care behaviors of nurses: a structural equation modeling.

Analyzing the levels of forgiveness and compassion, which may influence patient care and professional attitudes of the nurses, may provide data for nursing education and practices. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between compassion, forgiveness, and the caring behaviors of the nurses and reveal the role of compassion on forgiveness and nursing care behaviors. This cross-sectional study was conducted at a research and training hospital between July and December 2021 with 515 nurses.

Zellweger spectrum disorder presenting with opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome: a case report on immunotherapy.

Introduction: Zellweger spectrum disorder (ZSD) refers to a group of autosomal recessive genetic disorders that affect multiple organ systems and are predominantly caused by pathogenic variants in PEX genes. ZSD present a wide clinical spectrum, ranging from the most severe form, Zellweger syndrome, to the mildest form, Heimler syndrome.

Case Report: A 14-month-old male patient was brought to our clinic with recent-onset ocular tremors and unsteady gait.

Exploring the complex interplay of Blastocystis, morbid obesity, and bariatric surgery on gut microbial dynamics.

This study examines Blastocystis dynamics in 15 individuals undergoing sleeve gastrectomy. Molecular detection involved DNA extraction, RT-PCR, and sequencing, while 16S rRNA sequencing via Illumina MiSeq analyzed the intestinal microbiome. Statistical analysis through SPSS considered a significance level of p < 0.

Comparison of Demographic Life-History Traits of the Snake-Eyed Skink: Observations From an Island and a Mainland Population.

The life-history traits of animals are influenced by several factors. It has been proposed that key factors such as competition, predation pressure, and resource availability may differ between mainland and island populations of the same species. In this context, our study focused on an island (Yayla, Cyprus) and mainland (Hassa, Türkiye) populations of the snake-eyed skink, .

The Effect of Hope Level and Self-Concept on Peer Victimization Among Adolescents in Rural Areas of Turkey: A Path Analysis.

Problem: Early adolescence (10-14 years) is a critical period in which peer victimization (PV) is common. In protecting, maintaining, and improving the health of adolescents, it is important to detect PV and evaluate its relationship with the level of hope and self-concept. This study aimed to determine the PV situation of adolescents living in rural areas and establish the effect of the level of hope and self-concept on this situation.

Boric acid impedes glioblastoma growth in a rat model: insights from multi-approach analysis.

Limited advancements in managing malignant brain tumors have resulted in poor prognoses for glioblastoma (GBM) patients. Standard treatment involves surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, which lack specificity and damage healthy brain tissue. Boron-containing compounds, such as boric acid (BA), exhibit diverse biological effects, including anticancer properties.

Fermi Level Equilibration and Charge Transfer at the Exsolved Metal-Oxide Interface.

Exsolution is a promising approach for fabricating oxide-supported metal nanocatalysts through redox-driven metal precipitation. A defining feature of exsolved nanocatalysts is their anchored metal-oxide interface, which exhibits exceptional structural stability in (electro)catalysis. However, the electronic interactions at this unique interface remain unclear, despite their known impact on catalytic performance.

Tetra-Cationic Distibane Stabilized by Bis(α-iminopyridine) and Its Reactivity.

The work establishes the salt of a tetra-cationic distibane, [LSb][CFSO] = [][OTf] (CFSO = OTf), stabilized by a bis(α-iminopyridine) ligand , defying the Coulombic repulsion. The synthetic approach involved a dehydrocoupling reaction when a mixture of and Sb(OTf) in a 1:1 ratio was treated with EtSiH/LiBEtH as the hydride source. Compound [][OTf] was also achieved from [LSbCl][OTf] as a precursor and using EtSiH.

Echocardiography of the right heart in pulmonary arterial hypertension: insights from the ULTRA RIGHT VALUE study.

Aims: Outcome in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is determined by right ventricular (RV) function adaptation to increased afterload. Echocardiography is easily available to assist bedside evaluation of the RV. However, no agreement exists about the feasibility and most relevant measurements.

Occurrence of biofilm forming fungal species and in vitro evaluation of anti-biofilm activity of disinfectants used in drinking water.

Fungal contamination in drinking water has garnered considerable attention over the past few decades, especially considering the detrimental consequences of pathogenic fungal species on both human and animal health. The formation of biofilms by certain species is a considerable factor contributing to the emergence of severe fungal infections. This research was designed to isolate and identify fungi, particularly those capable of forming biofilms from 150 samples of drinking water sourced from various locations.

Pseudobulbar Affect Correlates with Mood Symptoms and Low Quality of Life in Patients with Parkinson's Disease: A Comprehensive Cross-Sectional Study.

Objectives: Despite being recognized for a long time as a characteristic of Parkinson's disease (PD), pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is still a symptom that is underdiagnosed and undertreated. This study aimed to assess the association between PBA and various mood disturbances, as well as the impact on quality of life in PD patients.

Methods: Sixty-eight patients with PD were enrolled in this study.

Lipid-mediated resolution of inflammation and survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Neuroinflammation impacts on the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal neurodegenerative disorder. Specialized pro-resolving mediators trigger the resolution of inflammation. We investigate the specialized pro-resolving mediator blood profile and their receptors' expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in relation to survival in ALS.