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.

Clinical characteristics of male lymphedema: A single center-experience.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the demographic and clinical characteristics of male patients.

Methods: Retrospective data were collected from the files of 52 male patients with lymphedema. Duration, diagnostic category, localization and stage of lymphedema, and complaints were analyzed and reported.

The Relationship Between ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-5 Enzyme Levels in Patients With Degenerative Disc Disease: A Prospective Biochemical Study.

Study Design: Prospective biochemical study of comparison of A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin motifs-4 (ADAMTS-4) and A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin motifs 5 (ADAMTS5) levels in preoperative and postoperative venous blood, as well as in disc tissue obtained during surgery, in patients undergoing surgery for intervertebral disc disease, with enzyme levels in venous blood from a control group.

Objective: To compare the levels of ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-5 between patients with degenerative intervertebral discs and a healthy control group, aiming to identify biomarkers associated with intervertebral disc degeneration.

Literature: Although numerous studies have investigated the relationship between ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-5 enzymes and degeneration in experimental rat models and human tissues, no study has correlated their serum levels with intervertebral disc degeneration.

Evaluation with finite element analysis of a ball attachment overdenture prosthesis of a patient.

This study aimed to apply finite element analysis (FEA) to simulate the oral environment of a patient with an implant-supported overdenture prosthesis. A 3D mandibular model was created for a 45-year-old female patient from CT images, with mucosal thickness measured at 3 mm on average using ultrasonography. The overdenture prosthesis was scanned with an intraoral scanner and placed onto the 3D mandibular model.