Factors influencing the prescription of add-on long-acting muscarinic antagonists in real-world asthma management: Insights from a national registry.

Current guidelines recommend adding long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs) in patients with uncontrolled asthma, despite the use of moderate to high doses of inhaled steroid-long-acting beta agonists (ICS/LABA). This study aims to analyze the factors related to the prescription of add-on LAMA in clinical practice for asthma patients, shedding light on physicians' preferences. This study included adult asthma patients on add-on LAMA and ICS/LABA monitored for at least one year in a national registry comprising 2053 asthmatics.

A Novel Electrocardiographic Marker to Predict the Development of Preeclampsia: Frontal QRS-T Angle-A Prospective Pilot Study.

: Preeclampsia, a pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorder, shares cardiovascular characteristics in etiology, prognosis, and fetomaternal risks. Electrocardiography plays a pivotal role in assessing cardiovascular risks. Beyond conventional predictors, identifying easily obtainable and reproducible electrocardiographic markers may significantly contribute to the early identification of individuals at risk of preeclampsia.

Use of 3- Dimensional Modeling and Virtual Reality in the Education of Posterior Spinal Instrumentation.

Aim: To assess the effectiveness and safety of Virtual Reality (VR) simulations for education of posterior spinal instrumentation.

Material And Methods: Participants were instructed to apply Cervical-Thoracic-Lumbar and Sacral posterior instrumentation techniques using the VR. Each participant underwent a qualitative assessment of the use of the VR.

Advanced myocardial characterization and function with cardiac CT.

Non-invasive imaging with characterization and quantification of the myocardium with computed tomography (CT) became feasible owing to recent technical developments in CT technology. Cardiac CT can serve as an alternative modality when cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and/or echocardiography are contraindicated, not feasible, inconclusive, or non-diagnostic. This review summarizes the current and potential future role of cardiac CT for myocardial characterization including a summary of late enhancement techniques, extracellular volume quantification, and strain analysis.

CD38/cADPR-mediated calcium signaling in a human myometrial smooth muscle cell line, PHM1.

Cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) has emerged as a calcium-regulating second messenger in smooth muscle cells. CD38 protein possesses ADP-ribosyl cyclase and cADPR hydrolase activities and mediates cADPR synthesis and degradation. We have previously shown that CD38 expression is regulated by estrogen and progesterone in the myometrium.

Two-Stage Lumbar Dynamic Stabilization Surgery: A Comprehensive Analysis of Screw Loosening Rates and Functional Outcomes Compared to Single-Stage Approach in Osteopenic and Osteoporotic Patients.

Background: Dynamic lumbar stabilization aims to preserve spinal movement, offering stability and controlled motion. However, screw loosening, especially in patients with osteopenia and osteoporosis, remains challenging.

Method: Between 2018 and 2022, a retrospective analysis was conducted on a total of 119 patients diagnosed with osteopenia and osteoporosis who underwent spinal dynamic instrumentation surgery.

Reducing Off-State and Leakage Currents by Dielectric Permittivity-Graded Stacked Gate Oxides on Trigate FinFETs: A TCAD Study.

Since its invention in the 1960s, one of the most significant evolutions of metal-oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) would be the 3D version that makes the semiconducting channel vertically wrapped by conformal gate electrodes, also recognized as FinFET. During recent decades, the width of fin (W) and the neighboring gate oxide width (t) in FinFETs has shrunk from about 150 nm to a few nanometers. However, both widths seem to have been leveling off in recent years, owing to the limitation of lithography precision.

Carbenoxolone mitigates extensive fibrosis formation in PLP-induced EAE model and multiple sclerosis serum-exposed pericyte culture.

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common causes of disability in young adults. Nearly, 85% of MS cases start with attacks and remissions, classified as relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). With repeating attacks, MS causes brain-spinal cord atrophy and enhanced disability as disease progresses.

Investigation on the relationship between serum periostin, MMP-7, TGF-β, and IL-18 levels and the clinical course and prognosis of COVID-19.

Objective: Cytokines are involved in the inflammatory/anti-inflammatory balance and have been shown to play an important role in the course of COVID-19. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship of periostin, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), interleukin-18 (IL-18), and matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP-7) levels with clinical course and mortality in patients with early COVID-19 pneumonia.

Patients And Methods: A total of 150 hospitalized patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 between June and October 2021, and a control group of 30 healthy individuals were included in our study.

Partner Satisfaction in Labiaplasty Patients.

Background: Labiaplasty, which has become increasingly popular in recent years, is chosen by women for both cosmetic and functional reasons. It creates significant changes in female sexuality, resulting in high satisfaction rates, but there are limited data on its effects on male sexual response.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of labiaplasty on partners.

Can Dynamic Spinal Stabilization Be an Alternative to Fusion Surgery in Adult Spinal Deformity Cases?

Background: Rigid stabilization and fusion surgery are widely used for the correction of spinal sagittal and coronal imbalance (SCI). However, instrument failure, pseudoarthrosis, and adjacent segment disease are frequent complications of rigid stabilization and fusion surgery in elderly patients. In this study, we present the results of dynamic stabilization and 2-stage dynamic stabilization surgery for the treatment of spinal SCI.

The pharmacological properties of Gypsophila eriocalyx: The endemic medicinal plant of northern central Turkey.

The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the biological properties of different extracts (methanol, ethanol, and water) obtained from Gypsophila eriocalyx (G. eriocalyx), a medicinal plant traditionally used in Turkey. The components of different extracts were defined using the GC-MS method.

Expression of circulating oar-miR-485-5p and oar-miR-493-5p during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy in ovine plasma.

In the current study, we aimed to assess the expression levels of two circulating microRNAs (miRNA) (oar-miR-485-5p and oar-miR-493-5p) in the ovine plasma during the peri-implantation. After mating, we collected the plasma samples from a total of 8 ewes on day 22 of pregnancy (P22; n = 4) and day 22 of the estrous cycle (C22; n=4). We used mature miRNA sequences for oar-miR-485-5p and oar-miR-493-5p out of one hundred fifty, which were retrieved from our microarray results of previous study.

Use of Dynamic Spinal Instruments (Dynesys) in Adult Spinal Deformities According to Silva-Lenke and Berjano-Lamartina Classifications.

Background: Adult spinal deformities (ASD) present complex challenges in spine surgery. The diverse nature of these deformities requires a comprehensive understanding of their classification and treatment options. Traditional approaches, such as fusion and rigid stabilization are associated with complications, including screw loosening, breakage, proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK), and pseudoarthrosis.

Altered luteal expression patterns of genomic and non-genomic progesterone receptors in bitches at different reproductive states.

The binding of steroid hormones to their specific receptors is necessary to exert their effects on target cells. Progesterone (P), a steroid hormone, carries out its effects through both genomic and non-genomic (the cell membrane-associated) receptors. This study aimed to ascertain luteal expression patterns of genomic and non-genomic progesterone receptors in bitches in physiological (early dioestrus and early pregnant) and pathological (pyometra) reproductive states.

Does the Surgical Margin Affect Sexual Function Following Linear Labiaplasty Technique?

Background: How much labial tissue should be left after labiaplasty is a controversial issue.

Objectives: The objective was to investigate the effect of residual labial tissue following labiaplasty operations on sexual function.

Methods: A total of 150 females who underwent labiaplasty between 2019 and 2021 and their partners were included in the study.

Pharmacological modulation of vascular ageing: A review from VascAgeNet.

Vascular ageing, characterized by structural and functional changes in blood vessels of which arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction are key components, is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular and other age-related diseases. As the global population continues to age, understanding the underlying mechanisms and developing effective therapeutic interventions to mitigate vascular ageing becomes crucial for improving cardiovascular health outcomes. Therefore, this review provides an overview of the current knowledge on pharmacological modulation of vascular ageing, highlighting key strategies and promising therapeutic targets.

Evaluation of the Relationship between FeNO and Clinical Risk Stratification for Early Mortality in Pulmonary Embolism.

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common complication of deep vein thrombosis that causes high mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to determine the relationship between clinical risk scoring for early mortality and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in PE patients.

Methods: The study included a total of 98 subjects, 68 patients diagnosed with PE in the emergency department, and 30 healthy controls.

The effect of hand fine motor skills on peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis.

Introduction: We aimed to evaluate the relationship between the hand fine motor skills of peritoneal dialysis (PD) practitioners and PD-related peritonitis.

Methods: This multicenter prospective observational study was conducted with 120 incident PD patients. Patients were divided into two groups who had PD-related peritonitis within the first year as Group 1, and those who did not as Group 2.

Effect of atmospheric pressure changes on the development of pulmonary embolism: a retrospective analysis of 8 years of data.

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a condition with high mortality, and determining its etiology is as important as its treatment. There are limited studies in the literature examining the effect of atmospheric pressure (AP) change on PE.

Objectives: Analyze the effect of AP level and the change in AP level on the development of PE according to year, season and months.

PMMA/SWCNT Composites with Very Low Electrical Percolation Threshold by Direct Incorporation and Masterbatch Dilution and Characterization of Electrical and Thermoelectrical Properties.

In the present study, Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) composites were prepared by melt mixing to achieve suitable SWCNT dispersion and distribution and low electrical resistivity, whereby the SWCNT direct incorporation method was compared with masterbatch dilution. An electrical percolation threshold of 0.05-0.

Perivascular PDGFRB+ cells accompany lesion formation and clinical evolution differentially in two different EAE models.

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that may lead to progressive disability. Here, we explored the behavioral pattern and the role of vasculature especially PDGFRB+ pericytes/ perivascular cells, in MS pathogenesis.

Methods: We have evaluated vascular changes in two different experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice models (MOG and PLP-induced).

Evaluation of serum YKL-40 level among clinical risk scores for early mortality in acute pulmonary thromboembolism.

Introduction: Pulmonary embolism (PE) often occurs secondary to deep vein thrombosis and is an important cause of mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between YKL-40 level and clinical risk score in patients with PE.

Methods: The study included a total of 100 patients, 80 patients diagnosed with PE in the emergency department and 20 healthy controls.

Investigation of the need for computed tomography pulmonary angiography in the decision to discontinue treatment for pulmonary thromboembolism.

Background: Acute pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality that can reduce quality of life due to long-term complications during and after treatment discontinuation.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate patients for these complications before discontinuing treatment and determine the necessity of computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) imaging.

Methods: This retrospective study included 116 patients over the age of 18 who received anticoagulant treatment for at least 3 months and presented for treatment discontinuation to the Atatürk University Research Hospital Chest Diseases Outpatient Clinic between January 2015 and September 2019.