Clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of acute decompensated heart failure patients with and without atrial fibrillation.

Objective: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) are common cardiovascular diseases. The impact of AF on in-hospital outcomes in acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is controversial. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of AF among hospitalized patients with ADHF and describe the clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of these patients with and without AF.

Comparison of different imaging modalities for the quantification of tricuspid valve geometry and regurgitation: a retrospective, single-center study.

Background And Aims: Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a frequent valvular heart disease with relevant adverse impact on patients' prognosis. Adequate TR imaging and evaluation is challenging. In this study, we aimed to compare different imaging modalities (echocardiography and multi-slice computed tomography) for the assessment of tricuspid valve (TV) function and geometry.

A novel and simple machine learning algorithm for preoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children.

Introduction: There is a tendency toward nonoperative management of appendicitis resulting in an increasing need for preoperative diagnosis and classification. For medical purposes, simple conceptual decision-making models that can learn are widely used. Decision trees are reliable and effective techniques which provide high classification accuracy.

Impact of combined baseline and postprocedural troponin values on clinical outcome following the MitraClip procedure.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of periprocedural troponin levels on clinical outcome following the MitraClip procedure.

Background: Cardiac troponin is known to be a predictive biomarker for various clinical outcomes; however, data about its predictive value in patients undergoing transcatheter mitral valve repair are limited.

Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing the MitraClip procedure were enrolled.

Right ventricular assessment in patients undergoing transcatheter or surgical aortic valve replacement.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an alternative treatment option to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in selected high-risk patients. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of right ventricular (RV) functional imaging to predict clinical response to TAVR and SAVR.

Methods: One hundred and ten patients with symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis (AVS) undergoing successful TAVR and 32 controls undergoing SAVR were prospectively enrolled.

Effect of sintering parameters on the mechanical properties of monolithic zirconia.

Zirconia restorations with high mechanical properties are the current treatment options for fixed restorations with advantages of high biocompatibility and low pulp irritation. Although the effect of sintering time and temperature on the optical and mechanical properties of zirconia core material were investigated, the effect of these parameters on the translucent monolithic zirconia is still uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the changes in sintering temperature and holding time on the mechanical and structural properties of monolithic zirconia.

Influence of bleaching agents on the color change and translucency of resin matrix ceramics.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the color change, translucency, and whiteness index of three different resin matrix ceramics and a resin composite subjected to different bleaching agents.

Materials And Methods: Twenty disc-shaped specimens (A2 shaded) for three different resin matrix ceramic brands (Groups Ena, Ulti, and Cera) (totally 60) were prepared using the CAD/CAM technique and 20 nanofiller composite specimens (Group Comp) (A2 shaded) with the same dimensions were prepared as the control group. The color change (∆E ), relative translucency parameter (RTP), and whiteness index (WI ) of the specimens initial and after different bleaching procedures (home-bleaching and office-bleaching) were calculated using ∆E , TP , and WI formulas.

The Diagnostic Ability of Ganglion Cell Complex Thickness-to-Total Retinal Thickness Ratio in Glaucoma in a Caucasian Population.

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the macular ganglion cell complex-to-total retinal thickness (G/T) ratio in a Caucasian population.

Materials And Methods: A total of 86 patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Patients were divided into 4 groups: healthy; ocular hypertension; preperimetric glaucoma; and early glaucoma.

Left atrial global function in chronic heart failure patients with functional mitral regurgitation after MitraClip.

Background: Left atrial (LA) volumes and function are believed to improve following interventional reduction of mitral regurgitation (MR) with MitraClip. However, exact LA alterations after MitraClip in patients with functional MR and functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) are unknown.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the effect of MitraClip on LA volumes and global function in patients with FMR and its importance for patients' prognosis.

The Geographical Distribution of Morbidity Caused By Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Turkey: COPDTURKEY-2.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most prevalent causes for morbidity and mortality, and it creates a cumulative economic and social burden.

Aims: To determine the distribution of the prevalence of patients in Turkey who were diagnosed with COPD and their morbidity rates, according to the regions and cities they belong to. Moreover, the study contributes to the prevention and cure services of COPD that should be planned in the future.

Effect of cementing on pulmonary arterial pressure in vertebroplasty: A comparison of two techniques.

Background: Increase in intraosseous pressure and displacement of bone marrow contents leading to fat embolism and hypotension during cement injection in vertebroplasty (VP). We aimed to compare the effect of low and high viscosity cements during VP on pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) with different cannula.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-two patients having multilevel VP due to osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures were randomly treated either by a high viscosity cement (group A, = 27 patients) and 2.

Case report of atypical endometrial stromal cells in an endometrial polyp and osteoclastic like giant cells in leiomyoma in the same patient: Is it a coincidence or is it a result of Tamoxifen treatment?

Atypical stromal cells are rarely identified in the endometrial polyps of the female lower genital system. These cells are suggested to develop due to a degenerative or reactive phenomenon. And osteoclastic like giant cells, which have been reported in many epithelial and mesenchymal tumors of uterus, may develop because of a degenerative or a reactive process.

Impact of the Leaflet-to-Annulus Index on Residual Mitral Regurgitation in Patients Undergoing Edge-to-Edge Mitral Repair.

Objectives: This study sought to investigate the clinical impact of leaflet-to-annulus mismatch on residual mitral regurgitation (MR) after percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral repair.

Background: Annular dilation is a common feature of secondary MR, which requires concomitant annuloplasty in surgical mitral valve repair.

Methods: Consecutive MR patients undergoing MitraClip (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, California) implantation in the Heart Center Bonn were enrolled.

iBEX: Modular Open-Source Software for Digital Radiography.

A device-independent software package, named iBEX, is developed to accelerate the research and development efforts for X-ray imaging setups such as chest radiography, linear and multidirectional tomography, and dental and skeletal radiography. Its extension mechanism makes the software adaptable for a wide range of digital X-ray imaging hardware combinations and provides capabilities for researchers to develop image processing plug-ins. Independent of the X-ray sensor technology, iBEX could integrate with heterogeneous communication channels of digital detectors.

An epidemiologic study of physician-diagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the Turkish population: COPDTURKEY-1.

Background/aim: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common disease characterized by persistent airflow limitation and respiratory symptoms. It is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality all over the world. Our data on COPD in Turkey are limited.

Laparoscopic Resection of Residual Retroperitoneal Tumor Mass in Advanced Nonseminomatous Testicular Germ Cell Tumors; a Feasible and Safe Oncological Procedure.

Ten-year oncological experience of the University Medical Center Groningen with conventional laparotomy (C-RRRTM) and laparoscopy (L-RRRTM) is described concerning resection of residual retroperitoneal tumor masses (RRTM) in a large series of patients with advanced nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumors (NSTGCT). 150 consecutive patients with disseminated NSTGCT required adjunctive surgery after combination chemotherapy. L-RRRTM was scheduled in 89 and C-RRRTM in 61 patients.

Clinical Performance of a Glass Hybrid Restorative in Extended Size Class II Cavities.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical performance of a glass hybrid restorative compared with a resin composite in the restoration of large and deep Class II cavities after 24 months.

Methods And Materials: A total of 108 extended size, with the width of the proximal box not interfering with the peak of the cusps and the proximal box in occlusion, Class II lesions in 37 patients were either restored with a glass hybrid restorative or with a micro-hybrid composite resin in combination with selective etching by two experienced operators according to the manufacturer's instructions. Two independent examiners evaluated the restorations at baseline and at the six-, 12-, 18-, and 24-month recalls according to the modified US Public Health Service criteria.

Evaluation of Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT ratio and Tp-e/QTc ratio in patients with acute myocarditis.

Background: Acute myocarditis (AM) can be defined as an inflammatory disease of the myocardium and characterized by large heterogeneity of clinical presentation. Myocarditis is becoming increasingly recognized as a contributor to unexplained mortality, and is thought to be a major cause of sudden cardiac death in the first two decades of life. The present study aimed to search the assessment of repolarization dispersion measured from the 12-lead surface electrocardiogram (including Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios) in AM patients.

A Short-Term In Vivo Evaluation of the Istanbul Heart Left Ventricular Assist Device in a Pig Model.

Objectives: A continuous-flow centrifugal blood pump system has been recently developed as an implantable left ventricular assist device for patients with endstage heart failure. The objective of this study was to evaluate the initial in vivo performance of a newly developed left ventricular assist device (iHeart or Istanbul heart; Manufacturing and Automation Research Center, Koc University, Istanbul, Turkey) in an acute setting using a pig model.

Materials And Methods: Three pigs (77, 83, 92 kg) received implants via a median sternotomy, with animals supported for up to 6 hours.

Purification of Polyphenol Oxidase from Potato and Investigation of the Inhibitory Effects of Phenolic Acids on Enzyme Activity.

Background: Polyphenol Oxidase (PPO) belongs to the oxidoreductase enzyme family.

Methods: Here, PPO was purified from potato using Sepharose 4B-L-tyrosine-p-aminobenzoic acid affinity chromatography. It determined the interactions between some phenolic acids and the enzyme.

Influence of heating rate on the flexural strength of monolithic zirconia.

Purpose: Fabrication of zirconia restorations with ideal mechanical properties in a short period is a great challenge for clinicians. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of heating rate on the mechanical and microstructural properties of monolithic zirconia.

Materials And Methods: Forty monolithic zirconia specimens were prepared from presintered monolithic zirconia blanks.

Comparison of the Effects of Magnetically Controlled Growing Rod and Tradiotinal Growing Rod Techniques on the Sagittal Plane in the Treatment of Early-Onset Scoliosis.

Objective: Comparing the effects of magnetically controlled growing rod (MCGR) and traditional growing rod (TGR) techniques on the sagittal plane in the treatment of early-onset scoliosis (EOS).

Methods: Twelve patients were operated using dual MCGR technique in one center, while 15 patients were operated using dual TGR technique for EOS in another center. Patients' demographic characteristics, complications and radiological measurements such as cobb angle, thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, T1-S1 range (mm), proximal junctional angle, distal junctional angle, sagittal balance, coronal balance, pelvic incidence, sacral slope and pelvic tilt were assessed and compared in preoperative, postoperative and last follow-up period.

Repair bond strength of composite to Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiated zirconia and porcelain surfaces.

Background: Fracture or chipping are major concerning failures of an all-ceramic restoration. Repairing of the failure restoration using intra-oral technique is time saving and cost effective treatment modality. The present study was proposed to evaluate effect of Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation on shear bond strength between zirconia/porcelain and composite resin.