An IL-2-grafted antibody immunotherapy with potent efficacy against metastatic cancer.

Modified interleukin-2 (IL-2) formulations are being tested in cancer patients. However, IL-2 immunotherapy damages IL-2 receptor (IL-2R)-positive endothelial cells and stimulates IL-2Rα (CD25)-expressing lymphocytes that curtail anti-tumor responses. A first generation of IL-2Rβ (CD122)-biased IL-2s addressed some of these drawbacks.

Effects of leptin, ghrelin and neuropeptide y on spike-wave discharge activity and certain biochemical parameters in WAG/Rij rats with genetic absence epilepsy.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of leptin, ghrelin and neuropeptide-Y on the development of nonconvulsive seizure activity and their role on combating oxidative stress and cytokines produced by the systemic immune response in the WAG/Rij rat model for genetic absence epilepsy. Current study showed that all three peptides aggravated spike wave discharges activity and affected the oxidative stress in WAG/Rij rats without any significant changes in the levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α except leptin that only induced an increment in the concentration of IL-1β. Our results support the modulatory role of these endogenous peptides on absence epilepsy.

Receptor-gated IL-2 delivery by an anti-human IL-2 antibody activates regulatory T cells in three different species.

Stimulation of regulatory T (T) cells holds great promise for the treatment of autoimmune, chronic inflammatory, and certain metabolic diseases. Recent clinical trials with low-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) to expand T cells led to beneficial results in autoimmunity, but IL-2 immunotherapy can activate both T cells and pathogenic T cells. Use of IL-2 receptor α (IL-2Rα, CD25)-biased IL-2/anti-IL-2 antibody complexes improves IL-2 selectivity for T cells; however, the mechanism of action of such IL-2 complexes is incompletely understood, thus hampering their translation into clinical trials.

Evaluation of maternal serum afamin and vitamin E levels in pregnant women with COVID-19 and its association with composite adverse perinatal outcomes.

To evaluate the maternal serum afamin and vitamin E levels in pregnant women with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and to investigate their association with composite adverse perinatal outcomes. This prospective, case-control study consisted of 60 pregnant women with COVID-19 infection and 36 age-matched pregnant women without any defined risk factors. Demographic features, laboratory test results, afamin and vitamin E levels were compared between the groups.

Gemcitabine, dexamethasone and cisplatin (GDP) is an effective and well-tolerated mobilization regimen for relapsed and refractory lymphoma: a single center experience.

Background/aim: Gemcitabine, dexamethasone and cisplatin (GDP) is a well-established salvage regimen for relapsed and refractory lymphomas. In this study, we aimed to share our experience with the patients who received GDP/R-GDP (rituximab-gemcitabine, dexamethasone and cisplatin) for stem cell mobilization.

Materials And Methods: Data of 69 relapsed and refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients who received GDP/R-GDP as salvage chemotherapy in our center between July 2014 and January 2020 were retrospectively evaluated.

The Relation Between Trace Element Status (Zinc, Copper, Magnesium) and Clinical Outcomes in COVID-19 Infection During Pregnancy.

SARS CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus which has caused many deaths in the recent pandemic. This study aimed to determine zinc, copper and magnesium status on pregnant women with COVID-19. 100 healthy (33/32/35) and 100 SARS-CoV-2 positive (34/33/33) pregnant women were included in the study according to their trimesters.

Old is bad? The effect of age on peripheral stem cell mobilization and transplantation outcomes.

Introduction: Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (Allo-SCT) is a well-established treatment option for hematological malignancies. With the introduction of reduced-intensity conditioning regimens (RIC) and better supportive measures the elderly are able to receive Allo-SCT. A considerable number of patients are elderly, and often their HLA matched sibling donor is elderly, moreover.

Can placental elasticity predict the time of delivery in cases of threatened preterm labor?

Aim: We aimed to evaluate placental elasticity for the short-time prediction of delivery in cases of threatened preterm labor (TPL).

Methods: We performed a prospective study with consented pregnant women diagnosed with TPL (24th to 34th gestational week). According to the birth time, the patients were grouped into two groups, whether the delivery happened in the following first week or not.

The probable role of insulin resistance and SIRT1 proteins in the Alzheimer's disease.

Objective: Recent evidence suggests that insulin resistance may play an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, the probable role of insulin resistance in the pathogenesis of AD was investigated in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: Serum amyloid beta (Aβ) (1-42), insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), sirtuin1 (SIRT1) and leptin protein levels were measured in serum samples of control (n = 26), probable AD (n = 26), and probable AD+T2DM patients (n = 12) using ELISA method.

Does having a high-risk pregnancy influence anxiety level during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Objective: We aimed to analyze the changing level of anxiety during COVID-19 pandemic in pregnant women, with and without high-risk indicators separately, in a tertiary care center serving also for COVID-19 patients, in the capital of Turkey.

Study Design: We designed a case-control and cross-sectional study using surveys. The Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale questionnaire (STAI-T) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) which were validated in Turkish were given to outpatient women with high-risk pregnancies as study group and normal pregnancies as control group.

Updated experience of a tertiary pandemic center on 533 pregnant women with COVID-19 infection: A prospective cohort study from Turkey.

Objective: To investigate the clinical course and impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection on pregnant women.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted on pregnant women with confirmed COVID-19 infection. Demographic features, clinical characteristics, and perinatal outcomes were prospectively evaluated.

Comparison of VEGF-A values between pregnant women with COVID-19 and healthy pregnancies and its association with composite adverse outcomes.

The aim is to compare VEGF-A values between pregnant women with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and healthy controls. Furthermore, the association of inflammation parameters, disease severity, and obstetric complications with VEGF-A was investigated. This prospective case-control study was conducted on pregnant women who were admitted to Ankara City Hospital between June 14, 2020 and August 28, 2020.

Evaluation of Fetal Serum Thiol/Disulfide Homeostasis and Ischemia-Modified Albumin Levels in Fetal Distress.

We investigated the association of fetal serum thiol/disulfide homeostasis and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels with fetal distress (FD). Umbilical cord blood for native thiol, total thiol, disulfide, albumin, and IMA analysis was obtained from 44 pregnant women over 34 weeks gestation undergoing cesarean section due to non-acute FD, and from 61 healthy pregnant women who underwent elective cesarean section Native thiol and total thiol levels were significantly lower in the FD group ( = 0.02 and  = 0.

Effect of Oil Extract from Microalgae (Schizochytrium sp.) on the Viability and Apoptosis of Human Osteosarcoma Cells.

Background: Osteosarcoma is a malignant tumor type that starts in bone and occurs most frequently in adolescents. Traditional techniques are insufficient, especially for metastatic ones. As alternative treatment techniques, natural products are worthy of examining due to being safe and innovative.

Comparison of Cilostazol and Naftidrofuryl in an Experimental Acute Ischemia-Reperfusion Model.

Introduction: Naftidrofuryl and cilostazol are drugs with proven efficacy in the treatment of claudication in peripheral vascular disease. In this experimental study, we evaluated the effects of naftidrofuryl and cilostazol in ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury on various tissues.

Materials And Methods: 40 male albino Wistar rats (8-12 weeks old, 250-350 g.

Evaluation of first-trimester neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-lymphocyte ratio values in pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth retardation.

Objective: The objective of this study is to compare the first-trimester hemogram parameters [neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR)] of pregnant women complicated by intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and normal pregnant women.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of pregnant women (n=50) complicated with IUGR and pregnant women in the control group (n=50).

Results: The first-trimester NLR and PLR values of the pregnant women complicated by IUGR were 6.

Calcium Channel Blockers Impair the Antitumor Activity of Anti-CD20 Monoclonal Antibodies by Blocking EGR-1 Induction.

Direct cell death induction, in addition to immune-effector cell-mediated mechanisms, is one of the key mechanisms of action of anti-CD20 antibodies, and yet the signaling pathways implicated remain poorly investigated. Here we show that the transcription factor EGR-1 is rapidly induced by anti-CD20 antibodies and is a key mediator for CD20-induced cell death. EGR-1 induction results from an increased calcium influx induced by anti-CD20 antibodies.

The rate of SARS-CoV-2 positivity in asymptomatic pregnant women admitted to hospital for delivery: Experience of a pandemic center in Turkey.

Objective: To investigate the rate of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) positivity in asymptomatic pregnant women admitted to hospital for delivery in a Turkish pandemic center.

Study Design: This prospective cohort study was conducted in Ankara City Hospital between April, 15, 2020 and June, 5, 2020. A total of 206 asymptomatic pregnant women (103 low-risk pregnant women without any defined risk factor and 103 high-risk pregnant women) were screened for SARS-CoV-2 positivity upon admission to hospital for delivery.

Maternal irisin level in last trimester isolated intrauterine growth-restriction.

Purpose: Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) is the inability of the fetus to achieve the biologically accessible growth potential. Irisin is a recently discovered adipomyokine with a crucial role in energy metabolism. Our current study aimed to investigate the relationship between the isolated IUGR in the third trimester and maternal serum irisin level.

A pandemic center's experience of managing pregnant women with COVID-19 infection in Turkey: A prospective cohort study.

Objective: To evaluate the course and effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on pregnant women followed up in a Turkish institution.

Methods: A prospective, single tertiary pandemic center cohort study was conducted on pregnant women with confirmed or suspected severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Positive diagnosis was made on a real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay of a nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal specimen.

Short-term outcomes of lateral extraction socket augmentation using autogenous tooth roots: A prospective observational study.

Objectives: To assess the short-term clinical outcomes of lateral augmentation of deficient extraction sockets and two-stage implant placement using autogenous tooth roots (TR).

Material And Methods: A total of n = 13 patients (13 implants) were available for the analysis. At the time of tooth extraction, each subject had received lateral augmentation using the respective non-retainable but non-infected tooth root where the thickness of the buccal bone was <0.

Tetanus vaccine during pregnancy: data of a tertiary hospital in Turkey.

Background/aim: To evaluate the prevalence of tetanus vaccination in pregnant women and determine the factors affecting the vaccination and barriers to vaccination.

Materials And Methods: An observational-descriptive study was conducted on 494 women who gave birth at the Etlik Zübeyde Hanım Women’s Health Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. Participants were divided into 2 groups, vaccinated and unvaccinated.

A randomized, open-label, Phase III study of obinutuzumab or rituximab plus CHOP in patients with previously untreated diffuse large B-Cell lymphoma: final analysis of GOYA.

Background: Rituximab (R) plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) is the current standard therapy for diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Obinutuzumab (G), a glycoengineered, type II anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, has shown activity and an acceptable safety profile when combined with CHOP (G-CHOP) in patients with advanced DLBCL. We present the final analysis results of the Phase III GOYA study (NCT01287741), which compared the efficacy and safety of G-CHOP versus R-CHOP in patients with previously untreated DLBCL.