Publications by authors named "Ozant Helvacı"
Article Synopsis
- * Out of 90 RTR participants, the median antibody level was 16.7 AU/mL at 42 days post-first dose, with 60% showing positive serology; mycophenolic acid (MFA) and ACE inhibitors were found to decrease seropositivity.
- * Patients who received the Pfizer/BioNTech booster had better antibody levels and lower COVID-19 infections compared to those with the CoronaVac/Sinovac booster, indicating that heterologous vaccination is more effective for RTRs.
Article Synopsis
- This study investigates the link between sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) and worse outcomes in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), focusing on identifying risk factors for new-onset AKI among septic patients who initially had no kidney issues.
- Conducted at Gazi University Hospital, the research involved analyzing data from septic patients aged 18 and older, looking at demographics and clinical factors to determine predictors of AKI development and mortality rates.
- Results showed a significant incidence of new-onset AKI (36%), particularly linked to factors like invasive mechanical ventilation, new-onset shock, and higher APACHE-II scores, all of which correlated with longer ICU stays and increased mortality risk.*
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between procalcitonin (PCT) kinetic and estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) in critically ill patients who had Gram-negative primary bloodstream infection (GN-BSI) and responded to the antimicrobial therapy.
Materials And Methods: This single-centered study was retrospective and observational. Critically ill GN-BSI patients over 18 years old who had clinical and microbiological responses to antibiotic treatment were included in the study.
Aim: The utility of the venous excess ultrasound (VExUS) score in predicting mortality remains uncertain in acute kidney injury (AKI) patients.
Material And Methods: This was a post-hoc study involving 246 AKI patients presenting to a tertiary care emergency department. Venous ultrasound assessments were conducted to determine the VExUS score.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to assess the vaccine response and impact of the BNT162b2 booster on COVID-19 positivity in haemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients previously vaccinated with two doses of CoronaVac.
- A total of 80 PD and 163 HD patients were analyzed for antibody levels at various intervals post-vaccination, noting that all patients receiving the BNT162b2 booster showed seropositivity, while those who received another CoronaVac booster did not.
- Results suggested that older age increased COVID-19 positivity, but receiving the booster significantly reduced this risk, highlighting the potential need for additional vaccination doses for patients undergoing dialysis.
Article Synopsis
- The study focused on using venous system ultrasound (VExUS) in the emergency department (ED) to determine the causes of acute kidney injury (AKI), which can be complex to diagnose.
- Conducted over a year, the study evaluated 150 AKI patients, finding that hypovolaemia was the most common cause, followed by cardiorenal, systemic vasodilatation, and renal types.
- VExUS demonstrated good diagnostic accuracy for cardiorenal AKI and fair accuracy for hypovolaemic AKI, but was less effective in identifying the other subtypes.
Article Synopsis
- The study focused on predicting emergency haemodialysis (HD) needs in patients already receiving routine HD for end-stage renal disease using venous Doppler ultrasound parameters.
- A total of 129 ultrasound examinations were conducted on 43 patients, revealing that 30.2% required emergency HD, mainly due to hypervolemia.
- Among various ultrasound parameters examined, only the portal vein showed a slightly better predictive value for emergency HD, indicating that more research is needed in this area.
Diabetes has been acknowledged since ancient times. However, it was only during the late 1800s that we realized that the primary organ for blood glucose regulation was the pancreas. The 20th century witnessed insulin purification, which revolutionized the treatment of diabetes maigre; this was followed by the development of oral antidiabetic drugs.
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- Amyloidosis has been recognized since the 19th century, with ties to conditions like chronic infections and multiple myeloma, while familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) was only accurately identified in the 21st century.
- Colchicine has been proven effective for treating FMF and preventing related amyloidosis since the 1970s, but recent studies show that amyloidosis cases related to FMF are decreasing, even though total cases in patients with hemodialysis remain unchanged.
- The lack of a comprehensive registry for familial Mediterranean fever and its amyloidosis cases is believed to hinder progress in understanding why this preventable complication still leads to end-stage renal disease.
Article Synopsis
- Idiopathic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a significant cause of kidney failure in adults and often recurs after kidney transplants, with limited treatment options for those who don't respond to standard therapies.
- A case study of a 44-year-old man showed that after multiple failed treatments for recurrent FSGS post-transplant, he experienced an unexpected partial remission after starting ofatumumab, which is a newer treatment.
- The observation suggests that ofatumumab might be a viable alternative for patients who are resistant to existing treatments like plasmapheresis and rituximab.
Article Synopsis
- Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in COVID-19 patients, leading to severe outcomes; this study explored factors affecting in-hospital outcomes in patients with both conditions.
- The study evaluated 578 hospitalized COVID-19 patients with AKI, identifying their characteristics and renal outcomes from 34 hospitals in Turkey, with data collected from March to June 2020.
- Findings revealed a median patient age of 69, high rates of comorbidities like hypertension and diabetes, and that worse renal outcomes correlated with higher AKI stages; the overall in-hospital mortality rate was 38.9%.
Background: Klotho is a prote˝in that acts as a co-receptor for FGF23. FGF23-Klotho axis has great importance regarding the regulation of mineral metabolism by kidneys. In this study, we analysed FGF23, Klotho, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, parathormone, Calcium and Phosphate levels of haemodialysis patients in order to investigate the nature of the mineral metabolism disruption in chronic kidney diseases.
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- New-onset diabetes after renal transplant negatively impacts both graft and patient survival, with obesity, impaired fasting glucose, and family history of diabetes being key risk factors.
- In a study of 239 renal transplant recipients, researchers found that TCF7L2 and CDKAL1 gene polymorphisms were linked to the development of diabetes post-transplant, with TCF7L2 showing a significant association.
- Specifically, the presence of TCF7L2 risk alleles increased the likelihood of developing new-onset diabetes by 1.4 to 2.7 times, suggesting its role as an independent risk factor in this patient population.
Article Synopsis
- Bone diseases like osteoporosis and avascular necrosis (AVN) are common complications following kidney transplantation, and this study explores the connection between vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and these conditions.
- The research involved 234 kidney transplant recipients, examining how specific VDR gene variations relate to bone mineral density (BMD) and persistent secondary hyperparathyroidism over a follow-up period of at least five years.
- Findings reveal that certain VDR polymorphisms increase the risk for low BMD and persistent hyperparathyroidism, suggesting genetic factors play a significant role in post-transplant bone health.
Article Synopsis
- The study explores the link between genetic variations in the klotho gene and the risk of bone diseases in kidney transplant recipients, focusing on osteoporosis and hyperparathyroidism.
- It involved 251 kidney transplant patients, analyzing the effects of specific gene polymorphisms and excluding those with certain health issues or medications that affect bone health.
- The results indicate that prolonged dialysis and specific gene variants are associated with persistent hyperparathyroidism, which in turn increases the risk of developing osteopenia and avascular bone necrosis.
Purpose: The number of kidney biopsies (KB) performed in elderly patients has been increasing. Safety and usefulness of elderly KB have been well established, whereas much less is known about diagnostic adequacy and yield in this patient population.
Methods: We performed a retrospective study of KBs in 428 patients from April 2015 to December 2017 at an academic institution.
IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a heterogeneous disease with highly variable clinical and histopathological features. We investigated the effects of Oxford classification and clinical features on renal survival in patients with IgAN. This retrospective observational study conducted from 2013 to 2017.
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- Phosphate binder pill (PBP) burden is an important issue for patients on dialysis, as it can impact their health and treatment efficacy.
- The study involved 255 dialysis patients to assess how factors like Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), and NaHCO capsules influence duodenal pH and PBP burden.
- Results showed that patients with HP had a significantly higher PBP burden, especially those not using PPIs or NaHCO, suggesting that HP may lower duodenal pH and increase PBP requirements.
Evaluation of Clinical, Laboratory and Treatment Modalities in C3 Glomerulopathy: Single Center Experience.
Pril (Makedon Akad Nauk Umet Odd Med Nauki)
October 2019
Article Synopsis
- C3 glomerulopathy (C3GP) is a rare type of kidney disease that can lead to end stage renal disease (ESRD), and this study aimed to explore its demographics, treatment, and outcomes among affected patients.* -
- Conducted at Gazi University from 2013 to 2017, the study included 24 middle-aged patients, discovering that 21% developed ESRD and that certain renal biopsy findings were common regardless of ESRD status.* -
- Both mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) based and non-MMF based treatments showed similar effectiveness; however, high serum creatinine levels and the need for renal replacement therapy were key indicators of worse kidney survival.*
Article Synopsis
- * About 15%-20% of infectious deaths in PD patients are linked to peritonitis, which is mainly caused by Gram-positive bacteria, although more dangerous Gram-negative and fungal pathogens can occur.
- * A specific case of Serratia liquefaciens peritonitis is highlighted, stemming from poor hygiene practices, leading to severe abdominal pain, fever, and ultimately the loss of PD access.
Article Synopsis
- Dexpanthenol (Dexp) was investigated for its potential protective effects against contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN), a kidney injury caused by diagnostic procedures with contrast agents.
- In a study with rats, Dexp was administered before inducing CIN, and results showed significant improvements in kidney injury indicators and serum cystatin C levels, compared to those that only experienced CIN.
- Although Dexp did not significantly affect overall oxidative stress levels, it did alleviate some pathological damage associated with CIN, suggesting it may have benefits despite not addressing oxidative stress directly.