Non-contrast MR angiography: physical principles and clinical applications in chest, abdomen and pelvis imaging.

This review article focuses on the advancements in non-contrast magnetic resonance angiography (NC-MRA) and its increasing importance in body imaging, especially for patients with renal complications, pregnant women, and children. It highlights the relevance of NC-MRA in chest, abdominal, and pelvis imaging and details various bright-blood NC-MRA techniques like cardiac-gated 3D Fast Spin Echo (FSE), balanced Steady-State Free Precession (bSSFP), Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL), and 4D flow methods. The article explains the operational principles of these techniques, their clinical applications, and their advantages over traditional contrast-enhanced methods.

Deep Learning Algorithms for Bladder Cancer Segmentation on Multi-Parametric MRI.

Background: Bladder cancer (BC) segmentation on MRI images is the first step to determining the presence of muscular invasion. This study aimed to assess the tumor segmentation performance of three deep learning (DL) models on multi-parametric MRI (mp-MRI) images.

Methods: We studied 53 patients with bladder cancer.

MRI-based radiomic features for identifying recurrent prostate cancer after proton radiation therapy.

Purpose: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) evaluation of recurrent prostate cancer (PCa) following proton beam therapy is challenging due to radiation-induced tissue changes. This study aimed to evaluate MRI-based radiomic features so as to identify the recurrent PCa after proton therapy.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 12 patients with biochemical recurrence (BCR) following proton therapy.

Effect of Tacrolimus Formulation (Prolonged-Release vs Immediate-Release) on Its Susceptibility to Drug-Drug Interactions with St. John's Wort.

Tacrolimus is metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) and is susceptible to interactions with the CYP3A and P-glycoprotein inducer St. John's Wort (SJW). CYP3A isozymes are predominantly expressed in the small intestine and liver.

Evaluation of Hydroxychloroquine as a Perpetrator on Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A and CYP2D6 Activity with Microdosed Probe Drugs in Healthy Volunteers.

Background And Objective: Although polypharmacy is a particular challenge in daily rheumatological practice, clinical research on the effects of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), a commonly used drug for patients with rheumatic diseases, is sparse on cytochrome P450 (CYP)-mediated metabolism. We have shown that pre-treatment with pantoprazole does not alter HCQ absorption in healthy volunteers. In this paper, we report the effects of a single 400 mg dose of HCQ on specific CYP3A and CYP2D6 substrates in healthy volunteers.

Influence of a Short Course of Ritonavir Used as Booster in Antiviral Therapies Against SARS-CoV-2 on the Exposure of Atorvastatin and Rosuvastatin.

Purpose: Early antiviral treatment with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir is recommended for SARS-CoV-2-infected patients at high risk for severe courses. Such patients are usually chronically ill and susceptible to adverse drug interactions caused by ritonavir. We investigated the interactions of short-term low-dose ritonavir therapy with atorvastatin and rosuvastatin, two statins commonly used in this population.

Quality assurance for magnetic resonance angiography of the chest in patients suspected of pulmonary embolism during iodinated contrast shortage in the emergency department setting.

Objectives: COVID-19 lockdowns resulted in a global shortage of iodinated contrast media. Therefore, alternative imaging protocols were devised to evaluate patients arriving to the emergency department (ED) with suspicion of pulmonary embolism (PE). This quality assurance (QA) aims to compare diagnostic potential between alternative magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) protocol over the gold standard computed tomography angiography (CTA) by evaluating MRA imaging quality, scanner type/imaging sequence, and any risk of misdiagnosis in patients with symptoms of PE.

Comparative analysis of re-entry malecot and nelaton catheters after standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy in adult patients: a cross-sectional study.

Drainage catheters are used almost routinely to provide urinary drainage, prevent extravasation of urine, and create tamponade against bleeding after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL). In the literature, there is no standardized approach to determining which type of catheter is superior. In this context, we aimed to comparatively analyze two different types of catheters (re-entry malecot catheter and nelaton catheter) in terms of success and complications, which we use for drainage after a PNL operation and which have very different costs.

A Patient Who Developed Lagophthalmos Following Rhinoplasty.

Lagophthalmos, impairment of closing upper eyelids, can result from various reasons. However, lagophthalmus after a rhinoplasty is both unusual and frustrating. We report a patient experiencing lagophthalmos following rhinoplasty and its management.

Comparison of the Rate of Posterior Capsule Opacification Following Combined Treatment With Topical Dexamethasone 0.1% Plus Ketorolac 0.5% Eye Drops Versus Dexamethasone 0.1% Alone: A Two-Year, Randomized Clinical Investigation.

Background and aim The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in animals decreases the incidence of posterior capsular opacification (PCO) following cataract surgery. We evaluated the rate of PCO in patients with cataract surgery and foldable "in the bag" posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC-IOL) implantation treated with combined dexamethasone 0.1% ketorolac tromethamine 0.

MRI-based nomograms and radiomics in presurgical prediction of extraprostatic extension in prostate cancer: a systematic review.

Purpose: Prediction of extraprostatic extension (EPE) is essential for accurate surgical planning in prostate cancer (PCa). Radiomics based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has shown potential to predict EPE. We aimed to evaluate studies proposing MRI-based nomograms and radiomics for EPE prediction and assess the quality of current radiomics literature.

Effect of Haematological Parameters in the Development of Urethrocutaneous Fistula After Hypospadias Surgery.

Investigation of the relationship between urethrocutaneous fistula (UCF) development and haematological parameters after hypospadias surgery was aimed for in this study. Patients who underwent tubularized incised plate urethroplasty between January 2015 and June 2021 with the diagnosis of distal hypospadias were included in the study. We divided the participants into two groups based on UCF development.

Quality assurance for non-contrast CT of the abdomen and pelvis during a period of supply chain disruption leading to iodinated contrast shortage in the emergency department setting.

Objectives: Iodinated contrast media (ICM) shortage crisis due to COVID-19 lockdowns led to a need for alternate imaging protocols consisting of non-contrast computed tomography (CT) for abdominal complaints and related trauma indications in emergency department (ED) settings. This quality assurance study aims to evaluate clinical outcomes of protocol modifications during ICM shortage and identify potential imaging misdiagnosis of acute abdominal complaints and related trauma.

Material And Methods: The study included 424 ED patients with abdominal pain, falls, or motor vehicle collision (MVC)-related trauma who had non-contrast CT of the abdomen and pelvis in May 2022.

Pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma: A comprehensive review.

Acinar cell carcinoma (ACC) is a rare pancreatic malignancy with distinctive clinical, molecular, and morphological features. The long-term survival of ACC patients is substantially superior to that of pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients. As there are no significant patient series about ACCs, our understanding of this illness is mainly based on case reports and limited patient series.

Is disposable continuous positive airway pressure system effective for the management of acute hypercapnic respiratory failure?

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of disposable continuous positive airway pressure (DCPAP) system in decreasing the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO) levels in patients with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure (AHRF).

Material And Methods: This retrospective observational study included patients treated in the emergency department (ED) with respiratory distress and PCO > 45 mmHg. Patients were divided into two groups (DCPAP and non-DCPAP), depending on the treatment received to treat AHRF.

Insulin-like Peptide-6 Levels in Non-obstructive Azoospermia.

Objective: To investigate the serum versus insulin-like peptide-6 (INSL-6) levels in men with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and normospermia.

Study Design: Descriptive study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Department of Urology, Balikligol State Hospital and Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey, between July and October 2020.

Investigation of Mitophagy Biomarkers in Corneal Epithelium of Keratoconus Patients.

Purpose: The pathological mechanisms of keratoconus (KC) have not been elucidated yet. Mitophagy is an important mechanism that eliminates damaged mitochondria under oxidative stress, and it could be one of the leading pathological causes of KC. This study aimed to find out the role of mitophagy in the keratoconic corneal epithelium.

Effect of Pantoprazole on the Absorption of Hydroxychloroquinea A Randomized Drug-Drug Interaction Trial in Healthy Adults.

Hydroxychloroquine as a weak basic compound with two amines is strongly enriched in cell compartments with low pH, suggesting that modification of gastric pH by coadministered proton pump inhibitors might reduce its solubility and absorption and thus its efficacy in patients. We addressed this question in a single-center, open-label, randomized, parallel drug-drug interaction trial in healthy adults (EudraCT No. 2020-001470-30).

A novel error correction protocol for continuous variable quantum key distribution.

Reconciliation is a key element of continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) protocols, affecting both the complexity and performance of the entire system. During the reconciliation protocol, error correction is typically performed using low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes with a single decoding attempt. In this paper, we propose a modification to a conventional reconciliation protocol used in four-state protocol CV-QKD systems called the multiple decoding attempts (MDA) protocol.

The Effect of Preoperative Oral Intake of Liquid Carbohydrate on Postoperative Stress Parameters in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: An Experimental Study.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of preoperative oral intake of liquid carbohydrate on postoperative stress parameters (blood glucose, insulin resistance, cortisol, noradrenaline, and adrenaline levels) in patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Design: This is an experimental study with intervention and control groups.

Methods: The sample consisted of 68 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (control group = 33; intervention group = 35).

Evaluation of the Knowledge of Operating Room Nurses of Preventive Practices for Protection Against COVID-19.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of operating room nurses (ORNs) of preventive practices in terms of protection against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Design: This research was a descriptive study.

Methods: About 279 ORNs from 17 provinces of Turkey were included.

The Effects of Preoperative and Postoperative Anxiety on the Quality of Recovery in Patients Undergoing Abdominal Surgery.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of preoperative and postoperative anxiety on the state of recovery in patients undergoing abdominal surgery.

Design: This research is a descriptive and cross-sectional study.

Methods: The study included a total of 82 patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery.

Conjunctivochalasis and Tear Osmolarity Are Associated With Reduced Conjunctival Epithelial Thickness in Dry Eye.

Purpose: To investigate the hypothesis that ocular surface epithelial thickness is correlated with tear osmolarity, conjunctivochalasis (CCh), and dry eye clinical tests.

Design: A case-control study.

Methods: A total of 50 patients with different types of dry eye disease (DED) and 15 age- and sex-matched control subjects were enrolled in this study.

On the Horizon: Biologics and Nutrients for Neurotrophic Keratitis.

Neurotrophic keratitis (NK), a potentially sight-threatening corneal disease, still does not have a specific treatment. The reduction or complete loss of corneal sensation, the most important factor in its pathogenesis, is one of the most important factors that complicate the treatment of corneal wound healing. In addition, the visual outcome may be adversely affected because of aggressive stromal fibrosis in severe NK cases.