Platelet spleen tyrosine kinase is a key regulator of anti-PF4 antibody-induced immunothrombosis.

Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) is a rare but serious prothrombotic adverse event following vaccination with adenovector-based COVID-19 vaccines. Laboratory findings indicate that anti-platelet factor 4 (PF4) immunoglobulin G antibodies are the causing factor for the onset of thromboembolic events in VITT. However, molecular mechanisms of cellular interactions, signaling pathways and involvement of different cell types in VITT antibody-mediated thrombosis are not fully understood.

[Immune thrombocytopenia: current diagnostics and therapy : The new 2023 expert report in brief].

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an acquired thrombocytopenia caused by an autoimmune reaction against platelets in the blood and against megakaryocytes in the bone marrow. The indication for treatment is based on the bleeding symptoms and patient-specific factors. This article presents the current 2023 expert report that also forms the basis for the updated version of the Onkopedia guideline, which is expected in the course of 2024.

Liver fibrosis in inflammatory arthritis patients treated with methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine: A FIB-4 index analysis.

Objectives: To evaluate the risk of liver fibrosis and associated factors with the non-invasive fibrosis score-4 (FIB-4) index in patients with inflammatory arthritis using methotrexate (MTX).

Methods: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) who were followed up in the rheumatology outpatient clinic, who were on methotrexate only and for whom FIB-4 index was could be calculated at methotrexate initiation and follow-up were included. The FIB-4 index was calculated according to the following formula: age (years) × AST(IU/L)/(platelet count(10 (9)/L) × √ALT(IU/L)).

The Effect of a Physical Activity Program on Subjective Well-Being, Happiness and Problem-Solving Skills in Patients with Schizophrenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to examine the effect of Physical Activity Program applied to patients with schizophrenia on subjective well-being, happiness and problem-solving skills levels. This study was conducted with a total of 86 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia (43 intervention and 43 control) registered in a family health center. Subjective Well-Being Scale, the Short Form of the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire and Problem-Solving Inventory were used to collect the data at baseline and, post-intervention.

Subsequent Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 after Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia.

Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) is a rare but severe complication following vaccination with adenovirus vector-based COVID-19 vaccines. Antibodies directed against platelet factor 4 (PF4) are thought to be responsible for platelet activation and subsequent thromboembolic events in these patients. Since a single vaccination does not lead to sufficient immunization, subsequent vaccinations against COVID-19 have been recommended.

In vitro Hemostatic Functions of Cold-Stored Platelets.

Background: Transfusion of platelets is a life-saving medical strategy used worldwide to treat patients with thrombocytopenia as well as platelet function disorders.

Summary: Until the end of 1960s, platelets were stored in the cold because of their superior hemostatic functionality. Cold storage of platelets was then abandoned due to better posttransfusion recovery and survival of room temperature (RT)-stored platelets, demonstrated by radioactive labeling studies.

The Relationship of Functioning and Life Satisfaction with Illness Management and Recovery in Patients with Bipolar Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The aim of this study was to determine relationship between functioning and life satisfaction with illness management and recovery, and determinants of illness management and recovery in patients with bipolar disorder. This descriptive and correlational study was conducted with 152 participants between August 2022 and February 2023. "Personal Information Form", "Illness Management and Recovery Scale", "Functioning Assessment Short Test" and "Adult Life Satisfaction Scale" were used to collecting data.

Characteristics Associated with COVID-19 Breakthrough Infections after Booster Vaccinations in Healthcare Workers: Insights from the TüSeRe:exact Study.

The prevalence of COVID-19 breakthrough infections in healthcare workers (HCWs) remains an issue of concern. This study examines the different characteristics associated with breakthrough infections in HCWs. From the total participants in the TüSeRe:exact study (n = 1046), we specifically included study participants who had received three vaccinations and were not infected prior to the third vaccination.

Results of an international survey of opinions on the definitions and treatments for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia: communication from the ISTH SSC Subcommittee on Platelet Immunology.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is rare, affecting fewer than 1 in 1500 hospital admissions. Despite the increasing adoption of new therapies in HIT, such as direct oral anticoagulants and pooled immunoglobulins, there is limited high-quality evidence to guide clinicians. Numerous uncommon presentations of HIT and HIT-like entities have recently been recognized, and a harmonized approach to their classification is required to study them better.

Protein semisynthesis underscores the role of a conserved lysine in activation and desensitization of acid-sensing ion channels.

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are trimeric ion channels that open a cation-conducting pore in response to proton binding. Excessive ASIC activation during prolonged acidosis in conditions such as inflammation and ischemia is linked to pain and stroke. A conserved lysine in the extracellular domain (Lys211 in mASIC1a) is suggested to play a key role in ASIC function.

Heparin-activated procoagulant platelet assay: a flow cytometry-based functional test for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

Background: Functional platelet activation assays are required for the diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Due to their sophisticated methodology, they are only available in reference centers.

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the flow cytometry-based heparin-activated procoagulant platelet (HAPP) assay in the laboratory diagnosis of HIT.

Anti-mutated citrulline vimentin antibodies may be higher in Ankylosing spondylitis, but may not have a role in diagnosing disease and may not be associated with disease severity.

Objective: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a rheumatologic disease with severe morbidity and mortality. Many studies in the literature showing that serum antibodies against anti-mutated citrullinated vimentin (anti-MCV ab) can be elevated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. However, there is little data in the literature about the levels of anti-MCV antibodies in AS patients.

Correlation between Clinical Characteristics and Antibody Levels in COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Donor Candidates.

COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) with high neutralizing antibodies has been suggested in preventing disease progression in COVID-19. In this study, we investigated the relationship between clinical donor characteristics and neutralizing anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in CCP donors. COVID-19 convalescent plasma donors were included into the study.

Can lipid mediators and free fatty acids guide acute coronary syndrome diagnosis and treatment?

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate fatty acids, lipid mediator levels, and the desaturase index rates on different acute coronary syndrome types and their possible relationship with routine lipid parameters.

Methods: The study included 81 patients with myocardial infarction (MI), 20 patients with unstable angina pectoris, and 31 healthy people. Fatty acids, CD59, lipoxin A4, 8-isoprostane, serum lipids, albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and high sensitive troponin levels were measured in all participants.

Hematologic Malignancy Risk in Inflammatory Arthritis Patients Treated with TNF Inhibitors: The Real-Life Data from the HUR-BIO Registry.

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the incidence of hematologic malignancy (HM) among inflammatory arthritis (IA) patients receiving tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) compared with the general Turkish population.

Methods: HUR-BIO (Hacettepe University Rheumatology Biologic Registry) is a single-center biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (bDMARD) registry since 2005. Patients with IA, including rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis, or psoriatic arthritis who had at least one visit after the TNFi were screened from 2005 to November 2021.

Familial Adult Myoclonic Epilepsy: Clinical and Genetic Approach to an Under-recognized Disease.

Introduction: Familial Adult Myoclonic Epilepsy (FAME) is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by cortical tremor, myoclonus and epileptic seizures. In this article, we aimed to review the main clinical characteristics, pathophysiology and diagnostic work-up of this disease to increase awareness.

Method: PubMed and Web of Science databases were used and all types of articles available in full text and Englishwere selected.

Platelet-neutrophil interaction in COVID-19 and vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is known to commonly induce a thrombotic diathesis, particularly in severely affected individuals. So far, this COVID-19-associated coagulopathy (CAC) has been partially explained by hyperactivated platelets as well as by the prothrombotic effects of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) released from neutrophils. However, precise insight into the bidirectional relationship between platelets and neutrophils in the pathophysiology of CAC still lags behind.

Relationship of Depression, Hopelessness and Life Satisfaction With Death Anxiety in Individuals Who Have Had COVID-19.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between depression, hopelessness and life satisfaction with death anxiety and the determinants of death anxiety in individuals who have had COVID-19. This descriptive and correlational study was conducted with 402 adult individuals. Personal Information Form, Thorson-Powell Death Anxiety Scale, Beck Depression Scale, Beck Hopelessness Scale and Satisfaction with Life Scale were used to collect the data.

Platelet phosphatidylserine is the critical mediator of thrombosis in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a severe immune-mediated prothrombotic disorder caused by antibodies (Ab) reactive to complexes of platelet factor 4 and heparin. Platelets (PLT) and their interaction with different immune cells contribute to prothrombotic conditions in HIT. However, the exact mechanisms and the role of different PLT subpopulations in this prothrombotic environment remain poorly understood.