Metagenomic analysis of atheroma plaques for identification of microorganisms indicates presence of Toxoplasma gondii as a possible etiological agent.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide. Vital organs like the heart are affected by the occlusion of blood vessels due to atherosclerotic plaque formation. However, the role of infectious agents has always been an essential subject of investigation.

Pyruvate kinase deficiency in 29 Turkish patients with two novel intronic variants.

Pyruvate kinase (PK) is a key enzyme of anaerobic glycolysis. The genetic heterogeneity of PK deficiency (PKD) is high, and over 400 unique variants have been identified. Twenty-nine patients who had been diagnosed as PKD genetically in seven distinct paediatric haematology departments were evaluated.

Incidence and Management of Thromboembolism in Patients with Acute Leukemia.

Thromboembolic events (TE) in childhood are relatively rare but, serious complications of acute leukemia. The aim was to define the incidence and risk factors of thrombosis in children with leukemias. The electronic files of pediatric denovo/relapsed acute leukemia patients aged below 18 years, treated between 2011 and 2021 were retrospectively evaluated for thrombotic attacks.

Impact of Indexed Effective Orifice Area on the Quality of Life of Patients after Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background: Improving health related quality of life is an important goal of aortic valve replacement. Inadequate effective orifice area of prosthesis according to the patient's body surface area may be associated with poor outcomes. In this study, we aimed to analyze impact of indexed effective orifice area (iEOA) on patients' quality of life after aortic valve replacement.

Successful Treatment of Central Nervous System Involvement in Posttransplant EBV-related Lymphoproliferative Disease With Intrathecal Rituximab Therapy.

The posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease is a severe cause of morbidity and mortality following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Central Nervous System involvement in EBV-related PTLD is rare, and there is no standard treatment recommendation. We present our patient and discuss other previously reported cases of EBV-associated PTLD with CNS involvement.

A rare condition secondary to aberrant right subclavian artery syndrome: Aphagia lusoria.

Dysphagia lusoria is a well-described clinical entity caused by aberrant right subclavian artery. Herein, we present a 42-yearold male case with aberrant right subclavian artery-associated aphagia and progressed to aphagia lusoria presentation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first associated case presented with aphagia.

The Evaluation of Central Venous Catheter-related Complications in Pediatric Acute Leukemia Patients: Single Center Experience.

Central venous catheters (CVCs) are important for maintenance of childhood leukemia treatment but CVCs may develop complications. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the CVC-related complication rate, complication types, and outcome in children with acute leukemia. Complications developing in 310 CVCs (ports n=250, Hickman catheters n=60) inserted in 262 patients were evaluated.

Custodiol versus Blood Cardioplegia: Comparison of Myocardial Immunohistochemical Analysis and Clinical Outcomes.

Introduction: Custodiol (histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate) and repetitive blood cardioplegia are the solutions for myocardial protection and cardiac arrest. In this study, we aimed to compare immunohistochemical analysis, clinical outcomes, and cardiac enzyme values of Custodiol and blood cardioplegia groups.

Methods: This was a randomized prospective study consisting of 2 groups and 20 patients, 10 patients for each group, who underwent mitral and mitral/tricuspid valve surgery.

The effect of maternal depression symptoms on the outcomes of infant care.

Purpose: This study evaluated the effect of the maternal risk of depression on the outcomes of infant care.

Design And Methods: This study was conducted as a cross-sectional and analytical study with 229 mothers who had 6-month-old infants and who were enrolled in a family health center.

Findings: The results show that mothers at risk of depression have a negative impact on the care and growth of their infants.

Impact of additional annuloplasty on tricuspid valve and cardiac functions after atrial septal defect closure in adults.

Background: Surgical indications for moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) during atrial septal defect (ASD) closure are still unclear. Additional tricuspid valve annuloplasty (TVP) can be beneficial to avoid postoperative persistent TR. Therefore, we compared the results of surgical ASD closure with or without additional TVP in patients who presented with moderate-to-severe TR.

Port-a-cath and ventriculoatrial shunt at the same atrium: technical note.

Hydrocephalus is a rare complication of brain involving acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The standard treatment is ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting, while ventriculoatrial (VA) shunting is the second option in a case of VP shunt failure in young children. But the presence of port catheter at the right atrium restricts and makes a VA shunt difficult to place in the same atrium.

Late effects in patients with sacrococcygeal teratoma: A single center series.

Introduction: The aim of this study is to evaluate late side effects that affect quality of life in children with sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT).

Patients And Methods: The patients with SCT were evaluated retrospectively. The data were expressed by percentage and the subgroups were compared statistically.

Comparison of Continuous and Interrupted Suturing Techniques in Ventricular Septal Defect Closure.

Background: Our goal is to evaluate postoperative outcomes of continuous versus interrupted suturing techniques in ventricular septal defect (VSD) closure surgery.

Methods: The study included 286 patients with isolated VSD who underwent VSD closure surgery between June 2010 and April 2017. VSD closure was performed by using the interrupted suturing technique in group 1 (n = 74, 25.

A prospective follow-up of quality of life, depression, and anxiety in children with lymphoma and solid tumors.

Background/aim: The aim of this study was the determination and prospective follow-up of quality of life, depression, and anxiety in pediatric patients with cancer under chemotherapy, as well as the evaluation of related factors. Materials and methods: Fifty newly diagnosed pediatric cancer patients and their parents were prospectively monitored before, during, and after therapy, and tests were used. Results: Significantly lower quality of life scores were recorded during treatment, in the group with CNS tumors, in the group receiving chemotherapy plus radiotherapy plus surgery, in the inpatient-only treatment group, in the group receiving treatment for longer than 6 months, and in the group of patients whose diagnosis was delayed for more than 3 months.

Robotic-assisted removal of an Amplatzer atrial septal occluder device for residual shunting, closure of septal defect and simultaneous tricuspid annuloplasty.

Complications after percutaneous atrial septal defect closure such as residual shunting or device-related events are generally treated using conventional sternotomy or thoracotomy incisions. In these cases, minimally invasive approaches including mini-sternotomy, mini-thoracotomy or endoscopic techniques can also be used in the management of complications, residual defects and concomitant procedures. However, robotic surgery is a reasonable alternative for removal of septal occluder devices and concomitant repair procedures to prevent cardiopulmonary morbidities.

Leptomeningeal dissemination and vertebral bone involvement in a child with pilocytic astrocytoma.

In low-grade glioma, metastasis is rarely seen. Few cases of leptomeningeal dissemination have been reported in children. Vertebral bone metastasis has not been reported so far.

Acute Central Nervous System Complications in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Background: The outcome of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia has improved because of intensive chemotherapy and supportive care. The frequency of adverse events has also increased, but the data related to acute central nervous system complications during acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment are sparse. The purpose of this study is to evaluate these complications and to determine their long term outcome.

The Preventive Effects of Posterior Pericardiotomy with Intrapericardial Tube on the Development of Pericardial Effusion, Atrial Fibrillation, and Acute Kidney Injury after Coronary Artery Surgery: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Background:  Pericardial effusion (PE), atrial fibrillation (AF), and acute kidney injury (AKI) are commonly found after coronary artery surgery. These adverse events may also be interwoven in the postoperative period. In this prospective study, we investigated whether posterior pericardiotomy (PP) with intrapericardial tube positioned along the right atrium (pericardial space intervention) is effective in the prevention of these adverse events.

The effects of posterior pericardiotomy on pericardial effusion, tamponade, and atrial fibrillation after coronary artery surgery.

Introduction: Pericardial effusion and atrial fibrillation occur commonly after coronary artery surgery.

Aim Of The Study: A prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of posterior pericardiotomy on the occurrence of pericardial effusion, tamponade, and atrial fibrillation.

Material And Methods: The study group consisted of 96 patients (77 male and 19 female) at a mean age of 58.