An optimized ROP6 mRNA construct successfully expressed immunogenic Toxoplasma gondii ROP6 protein in cell culture.

Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan parasite infecting all mammals including humans and causes toxoplasmosis. There is no vaccine available for humans and thus vaccine development efforts continue using novel antigens and/or vaccine platforms. Since our previous microarray screening study showed that ROP6 is a suitable antigen to be used in vaccine studies, in this study, we aimed to design an optimized mRNA construct encoding the ROP6 protein and then demonstrate its efficiency and immunogenicity using in vitro methods.

Observational study of immunosuppressive treatment patterns and outcomes in primary membranous nephropathy: a multicenter retrospective analysis.

Background: We evaluated the efficacy of different immunosuppressive regimens in patients with primary membranous nephropathy in a large national cohort.

Methods: In this registry study, 558 patients from 47 centers who were treated with at least one immunosuppressive agent and had adequate follow-up data were included. Primary outcome was defined as complete (CR) or partial remission (PR).

Frequency of ROP Diagnosis and Treatment in Very Low Birth Weight Preterm Infants by Gestational Week and Birth Weight: A Single-Center Experience.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and potential risk factors associated with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in very low birth weight (BW) ROP patients stratified by different BW categories.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study examined very low BW patients (≤1500 g) treated at a neonatal intensive care unit and subsequently assessed for ROP at the outpatient clinic. Data on gestational age (GA), BW, ROP severity, treatments, and outcomes were collected following international ROP classification criteria.

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Evaluation of Retinal and Choroidal Microvascular Morphological Changes Following Strabismus Surgery.

Purpose: To evaluate the structural and microvascular changes in the retina and choroid after strabismus surgery.

Methods: The study included 44 eyes from 44 patients who underwent strabismus surgery between August 2020 and December 2021. Among these patients, 9 (20%) underwent horizontal one-muscle surgery, 27 (61%) underwent horizontal two-muscle surgery, and 8 (18%) underwent inferior oblique muscle anteriorization surgery.

A novel DNA vaccine encoding the SRS13 protein administered by electroporation confers protection against chronic toxoplasmosis.

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that can infect a variety of mammals including humans and causes toxoplasmosis. Unfortunately, a protective and safe vaccine against toxoplasmosis hasn't been developed yet. In this study, we developed a DNA vaccine encoding the SRS13 protein and immunized BALB/c mice thrice with pVAX1-SRS13 through the intramuscular route (IM) or intradermally using an electroporation device (ID + EP).

Immunogenicity and protection efficacy of a COVID-19 DNA vaccine encoding spike protein with D614G mutation and optimization of large-scale DNA vaccine production.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 had devastating consequences for human health. Despite the introduction of several vaccines, COVID-19 continues to pose a serious health risk due to emerging variants of concern. DNA vaccines gained importance during the pandemic due to their advantages such as induction of both arms of immune response, rapid development, stability, and safety profiles.

Genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii strains isolated from humans living in İzmir, Türkiye.

Purpose: Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular zoonotic parasite that can infect all warm-blooded animals, including humans. Currently, clinical findings of toxoplasmosis are being related to T. gondii strains such as Type I genotype may cause high pathogenicity and Type II genotype causes a milder clinical presentation.

β-Glucan ameliorates cisplatin-induced oxidative and histological damage in kidney and liver of rats.

We investigated the effects of β-glucan (βg) on kidney and liver damage caused by cisplatin (CP), an antineoplastic agent widely used to treat many types of cancer, in a rat model. The side effects of CP in many tissues and organs limit its usage. βg is a natural polysaccharide that is an effective free radical scavenger.

An innovative surgical treatment method in persistent rectal prolapse: Ventral abdomino-rectosigmoidopexy through tube sigmoidostomy combined with Ekehorn's rectopexy.

Objective: Herein, the results of the cases, who underwent surgical repair with or without ventral abdomino-rectosigmoidopexy through tube sigmoidostomy combined with Ekehorn's rectopexy due to recurrent rectal prolapse, were discussed.

Methods: The demographic characteristics, surgical technique, and results of children who were operated in the department of Pediatric Surgery for rectal prolapse between 2004 and 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.

Results: In 18 years, six pediatric cases (2 females [33%] and 4 males [67%]) were operated for persistent rectal prolapse.

A preliminary study to develop a lateral flow assay using recombinant GRA1 protein for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in stray cats.

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that may infect many mammals including humans. Cats are one of the main sources of infection for humans. Therefore, routine screening of cats with tests that are inexpensive, rapid, and do not require sophisticated laboratory equipment is important.

Esophageal Atresia Associated with Congenital Duodenal Obstruction: Turkish Esophageal Atresia Registry (TEAR) Evaluation.

Introduction:  Coexistent congenital duodenal obstruction and esophageal atresia (EA) is known to have significant morbidity and mortality. Management strategies are not well-defined for this association. The data from the Turkish EA registry is evaluated.

Discovery of a new Hepatozoon species namely Hepatozoon viperoi sp. nov. in nose-horned vipers in Türkiye.

Although Hepatozoon spp. remains the most prevalent intracellular protozoa infecting snakes, it was reported only in a few snake species of the Colubridae family in Türkiye. Moreover, studies on these hemoparasites are not available in venomous nose-horned vipers from Türkiye.

Molsidomine decreases hyperoxia-induced lung injury in neonatal rats.

Background: The study's objective is to evaluate if Molsidomine (MOL), an anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic drug, is effective in treating hyperoxic lung injury (HLI).

Methods: The study consisted of four groups of neonatal rats characterized as the Control, Control+MOL, HLI, HLI + MOL groups. Near the end of the study, the lung tissue of the rats were evaluated with respect to apoptosis, histopathological damage, anti-oxidant and oxidant capacity as well as degree of inflammation.

Effects of noopept on ocular, pancreatic and renal histopathology in streptozotocin induced prepubertal diabetic rats.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease at all ages including childhood and puberty. Failure to treat DM can cause retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy. Endocrine and metabolic changes during the pubertal period complicate management of DM.

Prevalence of and Assessment of Some Risk Factors in (Valenciennes, 1833) Freshwater Turtles (Testudines: Geoemydidae).

Objective: The Balkan terrapin, , is a freshwater turtle. This reptile is exposed to many environmental pollutants and some infectious agents, including parasite. This study was conducted to determine the microscopic prevalence of haemogregarine infection in caught in three different localities (Bozcaada, Gökçeada, and Dardanos) in Çanakkale province of Turkey, and assessment of some risk factors.

Evaluation of the Long-Term Clinical Results of 3 Patients Implanted with the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis.

This study presents the long-term clinical results of Argus II retinal prosthesis implantation in eyes with light perception and projection in 3 patients with end-stage retinitis pigmentosa. No conjunctival erosion, hypotony, or implant displacement was observed during postoperative follow-up. The electrical threshold values were lower in the macular region and higher close to the tack fixation region and peripherally.

Biotechnological Based Recombinant Protein Vaccines Developed Against Toxoplasmosis.

() that can infect most warm-blooded animals and humans, is an obligate intracellular apicomplexan parasite with a wide host range. About one-third of the world's population is infected with this parasite. While toxoplasmosis progresses asymptomatically in individuals with a strong immune system, it can cause serious clinical manifestations and death in immunocompromised individuals.

The effect of postoperative ventilation strategies on postoperative complications and outcomes in patients with esophageal atresia: Results from the Turkish Esophageal Atresia Registry.

Objectives: Postoperative ventilatory strategies in patients with esophageal atresia (EA) and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) may have an impact on early postoperative complications. Our national Esophageal Atresia Registry was evaluated to define a possible relationship between the type and duration of respiratory support on postoperative complications and outcome.

Study Design: Among the data registered by 31 centers between 2015 and 2021, patients with esophago-esophageal anastomosis (EEA)/tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) were divided into two groups; invasive ventilatory support (IV) and noninvasive ventilatory support and/or oxygen support (NIV-OS).

Logbook of a Retinal Autograft.

This study aimed to evaluate the prognosis of a retinal autograft that was used to treat a macular hole that occurred after repeated vitreoretinal surgeries. A patient underwent repeated vitreoretinal surgery due to retinal detachment in the right eye, and the internal limiting membrane was also removed during the surgeries. After silicone oil removal, the patient developed recurrent retinal detachment and macular hole, and for this reason a retinal autograft was applied to the macular hole and silicone tamponade was administered.

Determination of the effects of environmental pollution on the Balkan terrapin, Mauremys rivulata (Valenciennes, 1833).

The effects of environmental pollution on three populations of the Balkan terrapin [Mauremys rivulata (Valenciennes, 1833)] from the Bozcaada, Gökçeada and Dardanos regions were evaluated. The morphological parameters of Balkan terrapins collected on each site were measured and blood samples were taken for haematological analysis and micronucleus detection. The physicochemical, microbiological and microelement analyses of the water samples from each region were conducted by standard methods.

Comparison of all renal replacement therapy modalities in terms of COVID-19 infection rate & mortality in the COVID-19 pandemic and importance of home therapies.

Background: This study aimed to compare the infection rate and infection-related mortality among all renal replacement therapies during the COVID-19 pandemics.

Methods: One thousand three hundred thirty-six end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients who had applied for renal replacement therapy between March 2020 and January 2021 were included in the study. COVID-19 infection and mortality rates were compared between patient groups.