Carotid artery ultrasonography and shear wave elastography in Takayasu's arteritis: a comparative analysis with diabetes mellitus.

Objectives: Takayasu's arteritis (TAK) is a chronic inflammatory large vessel vasculitis with a grim prognosis due to the excessive risk for cardiovascular (CV) diseases. Its diagnosis relies on radiographic imaging and its differentiation particularly from atherosclerosis could be challenging. Hypothesising that vascular morphology observed in TAK would be comparable to that found in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a prototype for advanced atherosclerosis, we compared two disease groups using carotid artery B mode US and shear wave elastography (SWE).

The Association between Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 Levels and Pro-Inflammatory Markers in New-Onset Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Prediabetes.

In this study, we aimed to reveal the pro-inflammatory effects of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (Vit D) deficiency and insufficiency in new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and prediabetes. We recruited 84 prediabetes patients, 94 new-onset T2DM patients and 113 healthy participants. We measured the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, ferritin, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in the serum of the participants.

Serum Lipoprotein(a) Is Not Associated with Graves' Ophthalmopathy.

To investigate the relationship of serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and other serum lipids with presence of Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO). A total of 99 consecutive patients diagnosed with Graves' disease (GD), aged 18-65 years, who had not received prior treatment for GO, thyroid surgery, or radioactive iodine therapy, were recruited between June 2020 and July 2022. In addition, 56 healthy controls (HCs) were included as the control group.

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis Function and Adrenal Insufficiency in COVID-19 Patients.

The outbreak of COVID-19 has affected more than half a billion people worldwide and caused more than 6 million deaths since 2019. The responsible virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), primarily affects the lungs, but it has multisystemic effects. It is well known that dysfunction of multiple endocrine organs may occur during or after COVID-19.

The effect of radioiodine therapy on blood cell count in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the long-term effects of radioiodine treatment (RAI) on blood cell counts in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and to describe the characteristics of patients at high risk for blood cell count abnormalities.

Methods: The study included patients with DTC who underwent RAI treatment between 2007 and 2017. Patients with regular complete blood counts for at least 5 years were included, while those with diseases or treatments that could influence blood count parameters were excluded.

Nociceptive flexion reflex in small fibers neuropathy and pain assessments†.

Background: The nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR) is a polysynaptic and multisegmental spinal reflex that develops in response to a noxious stimulus and is characterized by the withdrawal of the affected body part. The NFR possesses two excitatory components: early RII and late RIII. Late RIII is derived from high-threshold cutaneous afferent A-delta fibers, which are prone to injury early in the course of diabetes mellitus (DM) and may lead to neuropathic pain.

Do not forget the kidney in graves' disease.

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of microalbuminuria and factors associated with microalbuminuria in Graves' Disease (GD).

Methods: This cross-sectional and single-center study included 99 patients with GD and 47 healthy controls (HC). Exclusion criteria such as active infection, uncontrolled diabetes, and chronic kidney disease were applied to the participants.

Does the Association of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Really Have a Protective Role?

The study is an investigation of aggressive tumor features, prognosis, and disease-specific mortality rates of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) in the presence of concomitant Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (HT). The data of patients with DTC followed in our tertiary care center between 2000-2022 were analyzed. Variables such as patient age, gender, preoperative serum autoantibody levels, tumor characteristics, and treatment modalities were obtained from medical records.

Visceral Adiposity Index as an Indicator of Cardiometabolic Risk in Patients with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia.

To evaluate the cardiometabolic risk in patients with CAH (21 (OH) enzyme deficiency) on the basis of the visceral adiposity index (VAI), which indicates dysfunction of the visceral adipose tissue (VAT). A total of 41 patients and 38 body mass index (BMI), age, and gender-matched healthy controls (HC) were included. The patients' and HCs' age, gender, waist circumference (WC), BMI information and total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride (TG) values, smoking, and medication history were obtained from medical charts.

Changing Bacterial Etiology and Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles as Prognostic Determinants of Diabetic Foot Infections: A Ten-Year Retrospective Cohort Study.

In this single-center study, we analyzed a retrospective cohort of patients with diabetic foot infections (DFIs) between 2011 and 2020. The first and second five-year periods were compared. A poor prognosis was defined as a primary composite end point including re-infection, major amputation, or mortality at six months.

Assessment of Neuroendocrine Changes and Hypothalamo-Pituitary Autoimmunity in Patients with COVID-19.

SARS-CoV-2 may affect the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and pituitary dysfunction may occur. Therefore, we investigated neuroendocrine changes, in particular, secondary adrenal insufficiency, using a dynamic test and the role of autoimmunity in pituitary dysfunction in patients with COVID-19. The single-center, prospective, case-control study included patients with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed COVID-19 and healthy controls.

Effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on patients with diabetic kidney disease: A preliminary study on the basis of podocyturia.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) on the glomerulus through the evaluation of podocyturia in patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD).

Methods: The study population was composed of 40 male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus; 22 of them received SGLT2i (SGLT2i group), and the others who did not were the control. The DKD-related parameters of patients were monitored before SGLT2i initiation, and then in the third and sixth month of the follow-up period.

Rapid and Effective Vitamin D Supplementation May Present Better Clinical Outcomes in COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) Patients by Altering Serum INOS1, IL1B, IFNg, Cathelicidin-LL37, and ICAM1.

Background: We aimed to establish an acute treatment protocol to increase serum vitamin D, evaluate the effectiveness of vitamin D3 supplementation, and reveal the potential mechanisms in COVID-19.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 867 COVID-19 cases. Then, a prospective study was conducted, including 23 healthy individuals and 210 cases.

COVID-19 healthcare cost and length of hospital stay in Turkey: retrospective analysis from the first peak of the pandemic.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, health care systems are under extreme pressure. This study analyzed health care resource use (HCRU) and costs in patients admitted to the hospital for COVID-19 and aimed to estimate the one-year direct medical cost of the disease in Turkey.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted between March and July 2020 in a tertiary hospital (n = 1056) in Istanbul.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Remdesivir Treatment in COVID-19 Patients Requiring Low-Flow Oxygen Therapy: Payer Perspective in Turkey.

Introduction: This study aims to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of remdesivir compared to other existing therapies (SoC) in Turkey to treat COVID-19 patients hospitalized with < 94% saturation and low-flow oxygen therapy (LFOT) requirement.

Methods: We compared remdesivir as the treatment for COVID-19 with the treatments in the Turkish treatment guidelines. Analyses were performed using data from 78 hospitalized COVID-19 patients with SpO < 94% who received LFOT in a tertiary healthcare facility.

The Role of Obesity in Predicting the Clinical Outcomes of COVID-19.

Introduction: The aim of this was to describe the predictors of mortality related to COVID-19 infection and to evaluate the association between overweight, obesity, and clinical outcomes of COVID-19.

Methods: We included the patients >18 years of age, with at least one positive SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Patients were grouped according to body mass index values as normal weight <25 kg/m2 (Group A), overweight from 25 to <30 kg/m2 (Group B), Class I obesity 30 to <35 kg/m2 (Group C), and ≥35 kg/m2 (Group D).

Can "VAI" Better Indicate Metabolic Syndrome Compared with Other Metabolic Syndrome-Related Parameters in Patients with Thyroid Nodules? A Study from Turkey.

To investigate the relationship between visceral adiposity index (VAI) and other metabolic syndrome (MetS)-related parameters, and thyroid nodules. This single-center, prospective, case-control study included 67 patients with thyroid nodules and 48 healthy volunteers with similar age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). Biochemical parameters were obtained from medical charts.

Kruppel-Like Transcription Factor-4 Gene Expression and DNA Methylation Status in Type 2 Diabetes and Diabetic Nephropathy Patients.

Background/aim: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most serious microvascular complications in diabetic patients. The kruppel-like transcription factor-4 (KLF-4) affects the expression of genes involved in the pathogenesis of DN. The present study aims to identify the KLF-4 expression and DNA methylation (DNAMe) status in patients with type-2 diabetes (T2D) and DN and to reveal the contribution of the KLF-4 to the development of DN.

Transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) gene polymorphisms are strong predictorsof type 2 diabetes among nonobese diabetics in the Turkish population.

Background/aim: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is1397645907a multifactorial disease, determined by environmental and genetic factors. Currently, the transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) gene shows the strongest association with T2D. In this study, we investigated whether TCF7L2 gene polymorphisms are associated with T2D in a Turkish population.

Plasma total oxidant and antioxidant status after oral glucose tolerance and mixed meal tests in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Purpose: Insulin resistance (IR) and increased oxidative stress (OS) are the characteristics of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of oral glucose tolerance (OGTT) and mixed meal tests (MMT) on plasma total oxidant (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS) in patients with PCOS and the relationship between these parameters and IR, calculated via homeostasis of model assessment-IR (HOMA-IR) and Matsuda's insulin sensitivity index (ISI) derived from OGTT and MMT.

Methods: Twenty-two patients with PCOS, and age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched 20 women as controls were enrolled into the study.