HER-2 SMASH.

Purpose: Human epidermal growth factor-2 (HER-2) targeted drugs are used in only HER-2 overexpressed cancers. However, only a small portion of these cancer types are HER-2 overexpressed. In this study, we aimed to upregulate HER-2 receptors in MCF-7 breast cancer and HT-29 colon cancer cell cultures, which these cells are not HER-2 upregulated in natural status.

Efficacy and prognostic factors of anti-PD1 and nivolumab-ipilimumab therapy in advanced melanoma patients resistant to prior ICI treatment.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have significantly improved the five-year survival rate for advanced melanoma. However, many patients exhibit resistance to ICI therapy. This study evaluated the efficacy and prognostic factors of anti-PD-1 (Group A) and nivolumab-ipilimumab (Group B) therapy in patients with advanced melanoma who were resistant to prior ICI therapy.

Evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the sub-400 corneal cross-linking protocol: initial clinical and morphological findings.

Purpose: To assess the safety and the efficacy of the "Sub-400 corneal cross-linking (CXL) protocol" for progressive keratoconus (KC) in ultrathin corneas.

Methods: The study included thirty four patients with progressive KC, who underwent CXL using the "Sub-400" protocol due to intraoperative thinnest corneal pachymetry ranging from 295 to 398 μm after epithelial removal. After the epithelium was removed, the following ultraviolet A irradiation was applied at a fluence of 3 mW/cm and the duration was adjusted based on the specific corneal stromal thickness.

Emerging threats in Сentral Asia: Comparative characterization of organic and elemental carbon in ambient PM in urban cities of Kazakhstan.

This study (June 2022-July 2023) investigates the atmospheric concentrations of carbonaceous species, including organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC), in PM in two major cities in Kazakhstan. Samples were collected from two sites in Almaty (Seifullin and KazNU) and one in Astana. The results showed that Almaty had significantly higher annual average concentrations of OC (10.

Assessing the outcomes of subinguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy: pulling technique compared to the conventional method.

Introduction: The positive effect of varicocelectomy on sperm parameters (sperm morphology, concentration, motility) and fertility and pregnancy rates has been proven. Although various techniques have been defined for varicocele treatment, varicocelectomy with the pulling technique was first defined in 2017. The aim of this retrospective study is to compare the effectiveness and reliability of subinguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy with the "pulling" technique and conventional subinguinal varicocelectomy.

Investigation of Wettability, Thermal Stability, and Solar Behavior of Composite Films Based on Thermoplastic Polyurethane and Barium Titanate Nanoparticles.

Herein, composite films were produced by incorporating different amounts (1, 3, 5, and 7%) of barium titanate nanoparticles into the thermoplastic polyurethane matrix using a solution casting method. This study examined the impact of the presence and concentration of a barium titanate additive on morphologic properties, mechanical performance, thermal stability, solar behavior, and wettability of produced film samples. The films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermal gravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscope, ultraviolet-visible near-infrared spectrophotometer, water contact angle, and tensile strength measurements.

Can T1W and T2W Dixon Sequences Replace the Standard MRI Protocol in Diagnosing Sacroiliitis?

This study aims to assess the performances of T1‑weighted (T1W) and T2‑weighted (T2W) Dixon sequences as replacements for the standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol for diagnosing active and chronic sacroiliitis. This single‑centre, prospective study included 107 patients who underwent 3 Tesla MRIs. The patients with inflammatory low‑back pain (aged 18-50 years) were included.

Does malignancy heighten the risk of rejection in kidney transplant recipients?

Background: Malignancies are the third leading cause of death among kidney transplant recipients. These patients face increased mortality and challenges such as allograft loss and rejection, which may arise from surgical complications, changes in immunosuppressive therapy or the use of chemotherapeutics. This study aims to examine the risk of allograft rejection and loss in kidney transplant recipients diagnosed with malignancies.

Fermented soy products: A review of bioactives for health from fermentation to functionality.

The increasing prevalence of metabolic diseases and the global drive toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) underscore the need for sustainable, nutrient-dense foods. Soybeans (Glycine max), a critical global crop, offer promising solutions; however, their predominant use as animal feed raises concerns regarding food security and environmental sustainability. Fermented soy products-including tempeh, natto, and miso-are rich in bioactive compounds such as peptides and isoflavones, which offer potential therapeutic effects and hold cultural and nutritional significance.

Hippocampal connectivity dynamics and volumetric alterations predict cognitive status in migraine: A resting-state fMRI study.

The etiology of cognitive decline linked to migraine remains unclear, with a growing recurrence rate and potential increased dementia risk among sufferers. Cognitive dysfunction has recently gained attention as a significant problem among migraine sufferers that can be related to alterations in hippocampal function and structure. This study explores hippocampal subfield connectivity and volume changes in migraine patients.

The impact of the Turkish population variome on the genomic architecture of rare disease traits.

Purpose: The variome of the Turkish (TK) population, a population with a considerable history of admixture and consanguinity, has not been deeply investigated for insights on the genomic architecture of disease.

Methods: We generated and analyzed a database of variants derived from exome sequencing data of 773 TK unrelated, clinically affected individuals with various suspected Mendelian disease traits and 643 unaffected relatives.

Results: Using uniform manifold approximation and projection, we showed that the TK genomes are more similar to those of Europeans and consist of 2 main subpopulations: clusters 1 and 2 ( = 235 and 1181, respectively), which differ in admixture proportion and variome (https://turkishvariomedb.

Single Apheresis Session on the 4th Day of Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Administration Seems Convenient to Collect Enough Peripheral Blood Stem Cells from Healthy Donors.

Background: To minimize adverse events of peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) collection in healthy donors, it is reasonable to limit the total dose of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and/or the number of apheresis days without decreasing of PBSCs yield. Therefore, we have started to collect G-CSF induced PBSCs on day 4 instead of on day 5. So, we retrospectively aimed to investigate the results of this 4-day G-CSF administration.

The Relationship Between the Triglyceride-Glucose Index and Cryptogenic Stroke in Patients with Patent Foramen Ovale.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and cryptogenic stroke (CS) in patients diagnosed with patent foramen ovale (PFO) using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).

Methods: A retrospective, single-center study was conducted at a tertiary education and research hospital from January 2015 to December 2023. The study population included 1017 consecutive patients with sinus rhythm diagnosed with PFO, of whom 210 had CS.

An Experimental Insight Into the Role of Agomelatine in Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the leading causes of chronic kidney disease and accounts for 50%-75% of mortality following renal pathologies or organ transplantation. Ischemia‒reperfusion injury (IRI) involves an interrupted blood supply to organs and the kidney; IRI exacerbates AKI development. Owing to several pharmacological treatment methods, AKI still has a poor prognosis, and novel therapeutic options are needed.

Efficacy and Safety of Two Different Approaches in the Drainage of the Upper Urinary Tract in "Acute Obstructive Uropathy": A Critical Evaluation.

To compare the results of retrograde ureteral stent (RUS) and percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) procedures for decompression in patients with acute obstructive pyelonephritis. Medical records of patients undergoing PCN or RUS for emergency urinary diversion because of obstructive pyelonephritis were evaluated retrospectively. Patients with urinary tract obstruction and concurrent fever (≥38°C), pyuria, and costovertebral angle tenderness were included and divided into two groups based on the type of emergency urinary drainage applied (PCN in Group 1) and (RUS in Group 2).

Evaluation of the Neuroprotective Effects of Idebenone in an Experimental Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Model.

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is among the main causes of poisoning-related mortality and morbidity, primarily affecting the central nervous system and leading to delayed neurological sequelae. Idebenone exerts antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the specific neuroprotective effects of idebenone against CO poisoning.

The Effect of Palliative Spiritual Care Education on Nursing Students' Perception of Spiritual Care and Attitudes towards Death in Turkey: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

The aim of this study was to assess nursing students' perceptions of spiritual care, their attitudes toward death, and the impact of a palliative spiritual care course on these perceptions and attitudes. This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test/post-test structure and two groups. Data were collected through the Spirituality and Spiritual Care Rating Scale and Death Attitude Profile-Revised.

Stakeholder perspectives on the costs and benefits of circular construction.

The construction industry significantly impacts the environment through natural resource depletion and energy consumption, leading to environmental degradation. Circular Economy (CE) material efficiency strategies-such as material reuse, design for disassembly, prefabrication, and recycling-offer promising solutions for reducing resource consumption and waste. This paper explores stakeholders' perspectives on the costs and benefits of implementing CE material efficiency strategies in the construction industry, using the 3-R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) framework.

Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of SCUBE-1 in COVID-19 Patients.

Introduction: The workload of physicians increased due to the number of patients presenting with suspicion of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) and the prolonged wait times in the emergency department during the COVID-19 pandemic. Signal peptide-CUB-EGF domain-containing protein 1 (SCUBE-1) is a protein present in platelets and endothelial cells; it is activated by inflammation from COVID-19 and may be associated with COVID-19's known thrombotic risk. We aimed to determine whether SCUBE-1 levels are diagnostically correlated in suspected COVID-19 patients, and whether SCUBE-1 correlated with severity of disease and, therefore, might be useful to guide hospitalization/discharge decisions.

Clinical and surgical outcomes of tectonic corneal patch grafts : insights from a tertiary referral hospital.

Purpose: This study aimed to report the clinical characteristics, surgical indications, outcomes and long-term complications of full-thickness or lamellar corneal patch grafts for various indications.

Material-method: This retrospective study included 48 eyes of 47 patients who underwent full-thickness or lamellar corneal patch keratoplasty for treatment of corneal perforation, melting and descemetocele. Patient demographics, preoperative features, best-corrected visual acuity before and after surgery, mean follow-up time, corneal graft type, long-term complications, need for additional surgery, and anatomical success were analyzed.

Effects of Nutritional Protocol Changes on Hemodialysis Adequacy and Patient Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND During the COVID-19 pandemic, strict feeding restrictions were implemented in many dialysis centers to minimize transmission between patients. This study aims to evaluate the effects of these feeding restrictions on dry weight, intradialytic hypotension (IDH), and dialysis adequacy in hemodialysis patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this retrospective single-center study involving 76 hemodialysis patients, data from 2 consecutive 6-month periods were analyzed: the first before the COVID-19 pandemic when intradialytic nutrition was supported, and the second during the pandemic when intradialytic nutrition was restricted.

Effect of elamipretide and methylprednisolone treatment on optic nerve, retina and brain damage in a methanol poisoning model: biochemical and histopathological evaluation.

Purpose: This study aimed to biochemically and histopathologically evaluate the protective and therapeutic effects of elamipretide and methylprednisolone on methanol poisoning-induced brain, optic nerve, and retinal toxicity.

Method: In this study, 40 male Wistar Albino rats were divided into six groups: healthy control (HC), methotrexate (MTX, 0.3 mg/kg/d for 7 d), methotrexate + methanol (MTX-M, 0.

Impact of Individual Characteristics on Hospital Outcomes in Exacerbated COPD in a Biomass-Exposed Turkish Population.

: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, and factors such as biomass exposure, demographic characteristics, and comorbidities significantly influence patient outcomes during exacerbations. : This study aims to clarify the impact of patient characteristics on key hospital outcomes, including ICU admissions, hospital length of stay, and in-hospital mortality, focusing on the contextual role of biomass exposure rather than its direct impact. : Using a multicenter, retrospective cohort design, we analyzed the medical records of patients admitted with COPD exacerbations from January 2021 to December 2023.