The Effect of Modeling Missing Data With IRTree Approach on Parameter Estimates Under Different Simulation Conditions.

This study explores the performance of the item response tree (IRTree) approach in modeling missing data, comparing its performance to the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm and multiple imputation (MI) methods. Both simulation and empirical data were used to evaluate these methods across different missing data mechanisms, test lengths, sample sizes, and missing data proportions. Expected a posteriori was used for ability estimation, and bias and root mean square error (RMSE) were calculated.

THE RELATIONS BETWEEN THYROID HORMONES AND CLINICAL FEATURES OF TURKISH CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH ADHD AND ADHD-NOS: A PRELIMINARY STUDY.

The aim of this study was to compare the levels of thyroid hormones in children with ADHD and ADHD-NOS and to assess the relationship between ADHD symptom severity, anxiety symptom severity and thyroid hormone levels. The study was planned as a cross-sectional, retrospective study. The records of patients who applied to the study center in between January 2012 and January 2013 were screened and 205 ADHD and ADHD-NOS cases' records were evaluated.

Evaluation of Respiratory Function, Respiratory Muscle Strength, Physical Activity, and Functionality in Patients with Lower Extremity Lymphedema.

Lymphedema is a chronic, progressive condition that has major physical and psychological consequences. It was aimed to examine the respiratory functions, respiratory muscle strength, physical activity level, and functionality of patients with lower extremity lymphedema and to compare them with healthy controls. A total of 82 individuals (29.

From concept to impact: strategic guidelines for environmental behavior change interventions.

Interventions aiming at behavioral change are common tools for assessing and stimulating environmentally friendly lifestyles. To obtain representative and scalable results from the interventions, the experimental design of the interventions is crucial. Likewise, an operational plan is significant concerning the coherence and consistency of the interventions and the comparability of the results from different interventions.

The Therapeutic Effects of Bioactive Compounds on Colorectal Cancer via PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway: A Critical Review.

Understanding the molecular signaling pathways of colorectal cancer (CRC) can be accepted as the first step in treatment strategy. Permanent mTOR signaling activation stimulates the CRC process via various biological processes. It supplies the survival of CRC stem cells, tumorigenesis, morbidity, and decreased response to drugs in CRC pathogenesis.

MXene as SERS-Active Substrate: Impact of Intrinsic Properties and Performance Analysis.

A new member is incorporated into the SERS active materials family daily as a consequence of advances in materials science. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that MXenes, which display remarkable physicochemical characteristics, are also encompassed within this family. This Review offers a comprehensive and systematic assessment of the potential of MXene structures in the context of SERS applications.

Diagnostic Values of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology and Frozen Section in Management of Parotid Tumors.

This study aims to investigate the diagnostic values of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and frozen section (FS) in evaluating parotid gland masses subjected to parotidectomy. A retrospective analysis of data from 274 patients who underwent parotidectomy for parotid gland masses was performed at the Department of Otolaryngology of the University Hospital between 2013 and 2019. We compared the preoperative FNAC and intraoperative FS records with the definitive histopathological diagnoses obtained from the surgical resection specimens.

Blood Cytokine Profile in Breast Cancer: Focusing on Differences among Molecular Subtypes.

Background: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. Cytokines have been linked to various cancers, and both benign and malignant breast diseases are associated with inflammation. However, there is limited understanding of how the immune system's cytokine response varies among different subtypes of breast cancer.

Sepsis predictors in earthquake survivors: A comparative analysis of amputation and fasciotomy patients.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify predictors of sepsis in earthquake survivors who underwent either amputation or fasciotomy and to compare these two patient groups across many clinical outcomes, including sepsis.

Patients And Methods: In this retrospective study, a total of 1,608 patients who presented to our hospital following the February 6, 2023, Kahramanmaraş earthquakes were evaluated between February 2023 and March 2023. Of these, 138 patients (65 males, 73 females; median age: 35 years; range, 18 to 74 years) who underwent either fasciotomy or amputation were included in the study.

Predicting the need for medial augmentation for primary total knee arthroplasty with varus deformity.

Objectives: This study aims to compare the radiographic results with and without postoperative metal augmentation in varus knee patients with primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with a hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle >10° and to determine a cut-off value using radiographic parameters to predict the need for metal augmentation.

Patients And Methods: Between October 2022 and April 2024, a total of 87 knees (51 right and 36 left) of 82 patients (11 males, 71 females; mean age: 68.7±8 years; range, 53 to 86 years) who underwent primary TKA were retrospectively analyzed.

[Gender distribution of scientific contributions at German ophthalmological conferences-a baseline study].

Background: The proportion of female ophthalmologists in Germany has risen to approximately 50% in recent years, and approximately 66% of medical students are women. This represents a reversal of the past situation with a male predominance. Despite this change, many international studies show that women are still underrepresented at scientific conferences, particularly among invited speakers, chairpersons, and program committees.

Regulatory interactions between APOBEC3B N- and C-terminal domains.

APOBEC3B (A3B) is implicated in DNA mutations that facilitate tumor evolution. Although structures of its individual N- and C-terminal domains (NTD and CTD) have been resolved through X-ray crystallography, the full-length A3B (fl-A3B) structure remains elusive, limiting understanding of its dynamics and mechanisms. In particular, the APOBEC3B C-terminal domain (A3Bctd) active site is frequently closed in models and structures.

Experimental Models in Penile Transplantation: Translational Insights and Relevance to Clinical Application.

Animal research is an essential contributor to the medical achievements of the last century. The first step of studying a disease in animals is the development of a model which is relevant to the clinical situation in humans. Thus, a good animal model is the sine qua non of the experimental research.

Adolescent-like Processing of Behaviorally Salient Cues in Sensory and Prefrontal Cortices of Adult Preterm-Born Mice.

Preterm birth is a leading risk factor for atypicalities in cognitive and sensory processing, but it is unclear how prematurity impacts circuits that support these functions. To address this, we trained adult mice born a day early (preterm mice) on a visual discrimination task and found that they commit more errors and fail to achieve high levels of performance. Using , we found that the neurons in the primary visual cortex (V1) and the V1-projecting prefrontal anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) are hyper-responsive to the reward, reminiscent of cue processing in adolescence.

A retrospective, multicentric, nationwide analysis of the impact of splenectomy on survival of pancreatic cancer patients.

Objective: Splenectomy is regularly performed in total and distal pancreatectomy due to technical reasons, lymph node dissection and radicality of the operation. However, the spleen serves as an important organ for competent immune function, and its removal is associated with an increased incidence of cancer and a worse outcome in some cancer entities (Haematologica 99:392-398, 2014; Dis Colon Rectum 51:213-217, 2008; Dis Esophagus 21:334-339, 2008). The impact of splenectomy in pancreatic cancer is not fully resolved (J Am Coll Surg 188:516-521, 1999; J Surg Oncol 119:784-793, 2019).

Protective effects of adipose-derived stem cells against testicular injury induced after ischemia-reperfusion by regulating autophagy.

The damaged organ may experience severe pathological alterations as a result of tissue ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). The study of stem cell-based repair therapies is actively being conducted, and the outcomes and therapeutic potential of these cells are both promising. Autophagy checks protein homeostasis by breaking down huge damaged proteins or organelles.

Comparison of clinical results between transpulmonary thermodilution monitoring and conventional methods in cardiac surgery: An observational study.

The Pulse Index Contour Continuous Cardiac Output (PICCO) module provides advanced and continuous monitoring of cardiac output through the use of arterial pulse contour analysis and transpulmonary thermodilution. The objective of this study was to compare the early postoperative outcomes of patients who were monitored using the conventional method and the pulse contour analysis method. A prospective observational study was conducted involving 45 patients who underwent cardiac surgery between 2020 and 2022.

Nonstenotic carotid artery plaques on computed tomography angiography in embolic stroke of undetermined source.

This study aims to evaluate the role of <50% stenotic cervical carotid artery plaques in embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS), focusing on plaque characteristics in symptomatic versus asymptomatic carotid arteries (contralateral). In this cross-sectional observational study, 81 patients who met the diagnostic criteria for ESUS and underwent were retrospectively analyzed. Carotid plaques causing <50% stenosis were examined, noting features such as plaque thickness, degree of luminal stenosis, irregularity, ulceration, calcification, and hypodensity.

Prognostic value of the HALP score in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: an analysis combined with time to castration resistance.

Objective: The aim of our study was to assess the impact of the combination of HALP score with TTCR score on OS and PFS in PC patients who developed castration resistance.

Patients And Methods: The study enrolled 152 patients with metastatic disease who had received either ARTAs or docetaxel as first-line treatment. The median cut-off was 30.

Plasma metabolomic signatures after oral administration of ritonavir in COVID-19 treatment via chemometrics-assisted UPLC/Q-TOF/MS/MS.

Understanding the pharmacodynamics of ritonavir through metabolomics offers insights into its side effects and helps in the development of safer therapies. This study aimed to investigate the effects of ritonavir treatment on the metabolic profiles of rabbits via a metabolomics approach, with the objective of elucidating its impact on various biochemical pathways and identifying relevant biomarkers. The rabbits were divided into control and ritonavir-treated groups, and their plasma samples were analyzed via ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF/MS/MS).

Effects of virtual reality exercise on pain, joint motion, and quality of life in patients with frozen shoulder: a randomized controlled study.

Background: Restriction of shoulder movements in frozen shoulder may negatively affect individual's daily living activities. The effect of the virtual reality (VR)-based exercise program, which is an innovative application and has been used in the field of physiotherapy in recent years, is unknown on patients diagnosed with frozen shoulder.

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the effects of a VR-based exercise program provided to patients with frozen shoulder on their pain, joint motion, and quality of life.

Clinical and genetic characteristics of patients with monocarboxylate transporter-8 deficiency: a multicentre retrospective study.

Unlabelled: Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by motor and intellectual disabilities. Despite its rarity, there has been a rise in interest due to ongoing research and emerging therapy suggestions. In this multicenter, retrospective, cross-sectional study, the genetic characteristics and clinical data of twenty-one cases of genetically confirmed MCT8 deficiency were evaluated.

The effect of lean leadership on workload and job satisfaction: the moderating effect of workload and gender.

Purpose: The first aim of this study is to determine the effect of lean leadership on the workload and job satisfaction of healthcare workers, and the second aim is to reveal the moderating role of workload and employee gender in this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach: In this study, we created a comprehensive model to determine the effect of lean leadership on the workload and job satisfaction of healthcare employees and to reveal the moderating role of workload and employee gender in this relationship. We collected 1,207 valid questionnaires among Turkish health workers.

Definition of sinonasal and otological exacerbation in patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia: an expert consensus.

Background: Recurrent infections of the nose, sinuses and ears are common problems for people with primary ciliary dyskinesia. While pulmonary exacerbations in primary ciliary dyskinesia are defined, there is no definition for ear-nose-throat exacerbations, a potential outcome for research and clinical trials.

Methods: We set up an expert panel of 24 ear-nose-throat specialists, respiratory physicians, other healthcare professionals and patients to develop consensus definitions of sinonasal and otological exacerbations in children and adults with primary ciliary dyskinesia for research settings.