Are mesenchymal stem cells still effective in acute GvHD management?

Objective: Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a common and serious complication following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), significantly impacting transplant efficacy. In the treatment of GvHD, numerous therapeutic approaches have been explored, with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) emerging as a prominent immunomodulatory option. We aimed to evaluate efficacy and outcomes of using MSCs for steroid refractory acute GVHD (SR-aGvHD) management.

The role of ruxolitinib in the management of acute GVHD.

Background And Objectives: Following an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT), a primary cause of morbidity and mortality is still steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease (SR-aGVHD). Recently, ruxolitinib, an oral inhibitor of JAK1 and JAK2, was approved for use in individuals suffering from SR-aGVHD. This study aimed to analyze the efficacy and toxicity of ruxolitinib in the real world.

Is there a relationship between vitamin D levels and graft versus host disease?

Objective: Vitamin D deficiency is common in adult patients undergoing allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Since vitamin D is an important regulatory factor for the immune system, vitamin D deficiency may have effects on antitumor activity, relapse rates, graft versus host disease (GVHD) occurrence and infection rates in allo-HSCT. We aimed to investigate the effects of vitamin D levels on the outcome of allo-HSCT.

What should be the optimal dose of post-transplantation cyclophosphamide for GVHD prophylaxis in allogeneic stem cell transplantation?

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to compare the engraftment days, graft versus host disease (GVHD) development, relapse and overall survival (OS) rates in patients using variable intensity conditioning regimens with two different post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) doses for hematological malignancies.

Material And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 162 patients who have had PTCy at a dose of 25 mg/kg × 2 and 50 mg/kg × 2 between 2018 and 2024. Patients were divided in 2 groups; PTCy dose with 25 mg/kg × 2 (Group 1, n = 45) and PTCy dose with 50 mg/kg × 2 (Group 2, n = 117).

Effective use of skin microbiome signatures for fingerprint identification.

Background: Recent advances have increased the importance of the human microbiome, including the skin microbiome. Despite the hand microbiome research, the factors affecting the composition of the hand microbiome and their personal characteristics are incompletely known.

Objectives: Despite changing environmental factors and personal variation, we aimed to indicate the interpersonal distinction between skin microbiota using simple and rapid molecular methods.

Association of TaqI (rs731236) Polymorphism of Vitamin D Receptor Gene with Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease.

Background: Lumbar degenerative disc disease (LDDD) significantly contributes to low back pain, with a complicated etiology involving genetic and environmental facts. The aim of study was to investigate the association between the TaqI (rs731236) polymorphism of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene with LDDD.

Methods: In total, 248 patients with symptomatic LDDD and 146 control subjects were examined.

Unraveling the Impact of in Glial Tumors and Cerebral Metastases: A Step Towards Enhanced Diagnosis and Prognosis.

Background/aim: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified as key regulators in various cancer types, including brain tumors. This study aimed to investigate the differential expression of miRNA-17 in glial tumors, cerebral metastases, and normal glial tissues.

Materials And Methods: A total of 42 patients were included in this cross-sectional study.

Expression of miRNA-451 and miRNA-885 in Meningiomas.

Background/aim: Meningiomas are one of the most common intracranial tumors, accounting for 30% of the tumors of the central nervous system. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding RNAs containing approximately 18-22 nucleotides that regulate gene expression by interfering with transcription or inhibiting translation. Recent studies have reported that miRNAs could provide information about the molecular pathogenesis of several types of tumors.

Long-term Results of Imatinib Discontinuation in Patients with Chronic-phase Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: A National Multicenter Prospective Study.

Objective: The discovery of imatinib was a milestone for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). As the life expectancy of CML patients has approached that of the general population, research has shifted towards improving quality of life and economic considerations. After 2010, it was shown that some patients could maintain molecular response even after discontinuing imatinib.

Can Pseudothrombocytopenia be recognised at first look?

Our aim was to determine the laboratory parameters that distinguish pseudothrombocytopenia from true thrombocytopenia. A total of 107 patients who were referred to the adult hematology outpatient clinic with thrombocytopenia and subsequently diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, immune thrombocytopenia and pseudothrombocytopenia were included in our study. Hemogram parameters on admission, platelet value in the control hemogram and peripheral smear findings were recorded.

Electrocardiographic frontal QRS-T angle is independently associated with panic disorder.

Objective: Panic disorder (PD) may cause serious cardiac arrhythmias by causing electrical abnormalities. Abnormal P-wave axis (aPwa), presence of fragmented QRS (fQRS), wide frontal QRS-T angle (fQRSTa), QRS duration corrected (QRSdc) and log/ logQRS duration/RR interval (log/logQRS/RR) have been correlated with increased risk of serious supraventricular and ventricular cardiac arrhythmias in a general population. The purpose of this study was to compare these newly explored atrial and ventricular arrhythmia indicators in patients with PD and in healthy subjects.

Utility of Different Scoring Systems for the Diagnosis of Thrombotic Microangiopathies.

Objective:  To investigate the appropriateness of Bentley and plasmic scores and ADAMTS-13 activity to distinguish between primary thrombotic microangiopathies (TMA) syndromes and other thrombotic microangiopathies, as well as primary thrombotic microangiopathies (TTP, complement-related TMA, etc).

Study Design:  Descriptive study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, from February 2013 to February 2020.

High Homocysteine Levels Are Associated with Cognitive Impairment in Patients Who Recovered from COVID-19 in the Long Term.

In this study, we measured the levels of depression and cognition in people recovering from COVID-19. Moreover, we aimed to investigate the relationship between depression and cognition levels by measuring homocysteine concentrations. It included 62 people recovering from COVID-19 (at least 3 months after positive RT-PCR) and 64 people without COVID-19 (control group).

Monocyte/HDL Cholesterol Ratios as a New Inflammatory Marker in Patients with Schizophrenia.

Purpose: Monocyte/HDL cholesterol ratio (MHR) is a novel inflammatory marker that is used as a prognostic factor for cardiovascular diseases and has been studied in many diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of inflammatory factors in schizophrenia patients by examining MHR levels and to compare schizophrenia patients and healthy controls in terms of cardiovascular disease risk.

Method: A total of 135 participants between the ages of 18-65, 85 diagnosed with schizophrenia, and 50 healthy individuals in the control group were included in this cross-sectional study.

A Potential Biomarker for Predicting Schizophrenia: Metallothionein-1.

It has been thought that oxidative damage may occur in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia; metallothioneins (MT) have strong antioxidant functions. In this study, we aimed to measure MT-1 levels in schizophrenia patients. A total of 52 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and 38 healthy controls were included in the study.

Melatonin levels are low in COVID-19 positive patients and these levels are associated with depression, death anxiety and insomnia.

In this study, we aimed to measure the melatonin levels in COVID-19 positive patients and to investigate the relationship of these levels with depression, death anxiety and insomnia. COVID-19 positive pneumonia group, COVID-19 negative pneumonia group and healthy control groups were included in the study. Melatonin ELISA kit was used.

Major depressive disorder is an independent predictor of the electrocardiographic frontal QRS-T angle.

Objectives: The relationship between ventricular arrhythmias and major depressive disorder (MDD) has been previously revealed. Recently, frontal QRS-T angle (fQRSTa) and Tp-Te/QT ratio proved to provide more accurate predictive data about ventricular arrhythmias than the measurement of QT, QTc, and QT dispersion. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of MDD on contemporary ventricular arrhythmia indicators.

Low α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase plasma concentration correlates with the presence and severity of the bipolar affective disorder.

Objectives: Believing that a neurodevelopmental pathology may cause bipolar affective disorder (BAD), we aimed to measure the concentrations of α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (α-NAGAL), a lysosomal enzyme.

Methods: The study included 32 patients with BAD and 32 healthy controls. The Young Mania Rating Scale was used to measure the severity of the disease.

Determination of and Gene Mutations in Glial Tumors.

Background/aim: The most frequent and dangerous kind of primary brain tumor is glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The survival rates associated with GBM are very short and molecular markers for predicting survival are needed. The aim of our study was to evaluate isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 (IDH1, IDH2), telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), O-6- methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) and alpha-thalassemia/mental retardation, X-linked (ATRX) genes with next-generation sequencing (NGS) to find potential pathological mutations and their effect on survival.

Serum miRNA-582-5p and miRNA-363 as Potential Non-Invasive Biomarkers for Glioblastoma Multiforme.

Aim: To determine expression levels of miRNA-582-5p and miRNA-363 in serum of patients with Glioblastoma Multiforme and assess their biomarker potential.

Material And Methods: The study population consisted of 71 subjects including 35 patients and 36 healthy controls. Realtime polymerase chain reaction was used to determine serum expression levels of miRNA-582-5p and miRNA-363 in patients and control individuals.

Could low α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase plasma concentration cause schizophrenia?

Objectives: Using a neurodevelopmental approach to examine the aetiology, we predicted an enzyme deficiency to exist at the cellular level and aimed to measure α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (α-NAGAL) blood levels.

Methods: The study included 32 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and 30 healthy controls. The positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) was applied to the patients with schizophrenia.

Real-life experience: sensitivity and specificity of nasal and saliva samples for COVID-19 diagnosis.

Background: COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak has spread rapidly around the world, continues to show its effect, and it is not clear how long it will continue. For the diagnosis of COVID-19, it is important to ensure the comfort of the patients and to protect the healthcare workers (HCWs) by reducing the use of protective equipment.

Aims: To evaluate or assess whether the samples taken by the patient for COVID-19 testing during this pandemic period can be used in real-life experience.