Comparison of the Cone Beam Computed Tomography-Based Analysis of the Masseter Muscle Between Epilepsy Patients and Healthy Subjects.

It is important to investigate the changes in the masseter muscle, one of the chewing muscles, in epilepsy patients and to determine whether epilepsy can be effectively predicted on muscle. The aim of this study is to measure masseter muscle thickness, circumference and cross-sectional area in individuals with epilepsy and healthy individuals. This study was performed with 128 individuals (64 epilepsy patients and 64 healthy subjects) aged between 18 to 59 years.

Safety and efficacy of mitapivat in sickle cell disease (RISE UP): results from the phase 2 portion of a global, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Sickle cell disease, a debilitating, inherited haemolytic anaemia with premature morbidity and mortality, affects millions globally. Mitapivat, a first-in-class, oral, allosteric activator of pyruvate kinase, improves red blood cell survival by increasing ATP and diminishes sickling by decreasing 2,3-diphosphoglycerate. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of mitapivat in patients with sickle cell disease.

Clinical and Radiological Characteristics of Classical and Variant Type of Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome on Prognosis Following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Pediatric Patients: A Single-Center Experience.

Objectives: Hematopoietic stem cell transplant is increasingly being used as a curative therapeutic option for patients with hematologic malignancies and nonmalignant diseases. Here, we aimed to determine the frequency and features of typical and atypical central variants of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in children who had undergone an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant procedure for any indication at a single center.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 101 pediatric patients between aged 6 months and 18 years who had undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplant for any indication between 2010 and 2023.

The relationship between the new inflammatory markers and disease severity in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Inflammation plays a crucial role in the progression of acute coronary syndrome.

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the SYNTAX score and new inflammatory markers including albumin-globulin ratio (AGR), C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR), fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR), neutrophil-to-albumin ratio (NAR), and neutrophil percentage-to-albumin ratio (NPAR) in STEMI and NSTEMI patients.

Methods: The study involved 53 STEMI and 64 NSTEMI patients, and each patient group was evaluated separately.

Changes in hematopoietic stem cell numbers following acute exercise in non-athlete marathon runners.

Purpose: Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplant is one of the curative methods for some patients with hematological malignancies. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is the most common drug used to mobilize CD34 cells, generally found in small numbers. Recent evidence showed that exercise causes transient mobilization in HSC.

Evaluation and follow-up of patients diagnosed with hypophysitis: a cohort study.

Objective: Primary hypophysitis might be challenging to diagnose, and there is a lack of evidence regarding optimal treatment strategies due to rarity of the disease. We aim to investigate the clinical features and compare the outcomes of different management strategies of primary hypophysitis in a large group of patients recruited on a nationwide basis.

Design: A retrospective observational study.

Ruxolitinib in treatment-naive or corticosteroid-refractory paediatric patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease (REACH5): interim analysis of a single-arm, multicentre, phase 2 study.

Background: Chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a debilitating, and sometimes life threatening, complication of allogeneic haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). We aimed to investigate the activity, pharmacokinetics, and safety of ruxolitinib added to corticosteroids in paediatric patients (ie, <18 years) with moderate-to-severe chronic GVHD.

Methods: In this single-arm, phase 2 study, patients were recruited at 21 hospitals or clinics across 14 countries in Asia, Europe, and Canada.

Prognostic Value of Novel CARWL Score in Stage IIIC Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients Undergoing Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy.

Objectives: We explored the prognostic utility of the unique combination of C-reactive-protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR) and significant weight loss (WL > 5%) over the preceding 6 months, namely, the CARWL score, in stage IIIC non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who underwent concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).

Methods: For each patient, the CAR was calculated using C-reactive protein and albumin measurements obtained on the first day of CCRT: CAR = C-reactive protein ÷ albumin. The availability of an ideal CAR cutoff that may categorize patients into two distinct progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) outcomes was explored by employing receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Real-World Efficacy and Safety of First-Line Nivolumab Plus Chemotherapy in Patients with Advanced Gastric, Gastroesophageal Junction, and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma: A Nationwide Observational Turkish Oncology Group (TOG) Study.

Based on the CheckMate 649 trial, nivolumab plus chemotherapy is the recommended first-line treatment for HER2-negative unresectable advanced or metastatic gastric, gastroesophageal junction (GEJ), or esophageal adenocarcinoma. This nationwide, multicenter, retrospective study evaluated the real-world effectiveness of this regimen in Turkish patients and identified subgroups that may experience superior outcomes. Conducted across 16 oncology centers in Turkey, this study retrospectively reviewed the clinical charts of adult patients diagnosed with HER2-negative unresectable advanced or metastatic gastric, GEJ, or esophageal adenocarcinoma from 2016 to 2023.

Eating attitudes of migraine patients in Turkey: a prospective multi-center study.

Background: Migraine is a disease characterized by headache attacks. The disease is multifactorial in etiology and genetic and environmental factors play role in pathogenesis. Migraine can also be accompanied by psychiatric disorders like neurotism and obsessive compulsive disorder.

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of nivolumab in the second- or later-line treatment of patients with locally advanced/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in Türkiye: a retrospective multicenter non-interventional registry study.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of nivolumab in the second-line (2L) or later-line (LL) treatment of patients with locally advanced/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in real-life setting in Türkiye.

Methods: This study was designed as a national, multi-center, retrospective study. The study population was evaluated in two groups for the line of nivolumab therapy: those receiving nivolumab in the 2L (Group 2L) and third-line (3L) or LL (Group 3L/LL).

The outcome of relapsed childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantations: A single-center experience.

In children with high-risk childhood acute leukemia who undergo allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), relapse is still the leading cause of treatment failure. The prognosis is poor, yet prospective studies have only limited data on risk factors and outcomes. We aimed to understand the outcomes and prognostic factors for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who relapsed following allo-HSCT.

The value of virtual molecular tumor boards for informed clinical decision-making.

Genomic profiling and other new technologies have increased the volume and complexity of information available for guiding clinical decision-making in precision oncology. Consequently, there is a need for multidisciplinary expert teams, in the form of molecular tumor boards (MTBs), who can translate this information into a therapeutic plan, including matching patients to suitable clinical trials. Virtual MTBs (vMTBs) can help to overcome many of the challenges associated with in-person MTBs, such as limited time availability, access to appropriate experts or datasets, or interactions between institutions.

COVID-19 disease in children and adolescents following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A report from the Turkish pediatric bone marrow transplantation study group.

Background: Data on the risk factors and outcomes for pediatric patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are limited.

Objectives: The study aimed to analyze the clinical signs, risk factors, and outcomes for ICU admission and mortality in a large pediatric cohort who underwent allogeneic HSCT prior to COVID-19 infection.

Method: In this nationwide study, we retrospectively reviewed the data of 184 pediatric HSCT recipients who had COVID-19 between March 2020 and August 2022.

Current practices of craniospinal irradiation techniques in Turkey: a comprehensive dosimetric analysis.

Objective: This study evaluates various craniospinal irradiation (CSI) techniques used in Turkish centers to understand their advantages, disadvantages and overall effectiveness, with a focus on enhancing dose distribution.

Methods: Anonymized CT scans of adult and pediatric patients, alongside target volumes and organ-at-risk (OAR) structures, were shared with 25 local radiotherapy centers. They were tasked to develop optimal treatment plans delivering 36 Gy in 20 fractions with 95% PTV coverage, while minimizing OAR exposure.

Awareness Level of Cervical Cancer Patients Referred to Radiation Oncology Outpatient Clinics-A Multicenter Study.

Objective: The study aimed to assess the level of knowledge of patients with cervical cancer referred to radiation oncology outpatient clinics in Turkey regarding screening methods and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and increase social awareness based on the findings.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to June 2022 involving 300 patients in various regions. Data on demographics, cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination knowledge, and recommendations to relatives were collected through a questionnaire-based interview.

Audiological and Vestibular Measurements in Chronic Renal Failure Patients Receiving Hemodialysis Treatment.

Background: The aim was to evaluate the changes in the audiovestibular system in adult patients with the diagnosis of chronic renal failure who were treated with hemodialysis.

Methods: Thirty-five patients diagnosed with chronic renal failure and receiving hemodialysis treatment 3 days a week and 35 healthy individuals were tested with pure tone audiometry, video head impulse test, and post-head shake nystagmus test. Dizziness Handicap Inventory was applied to all participants.

Fitusiran prophylaxis in people with hemophilia A or B who switched from prior BPA/CFC prophylaxis: the ATLAS-PPX trial.

Fitusiran, a subcutaneous investigational small interfering RNA therapeutic, targets antithrombin to rebalance hemostasis in people with hemophilia A or B (PwHA/B), irrespective of inhibitor status. This phase 3, open-label study evaluated the efficacy and safety of fitusiran prophylaxis in males aged ≥12 years with hemophilia A or B, with or without inhibitors, who received prior bypassing agent (BPA)/clotting factor concentrate (CFC) prophylaxis. Participants continued their prior BPA/CFC prophylaxis for 6 months before switching to once-monthly 80 mg fitusiran prophylaxis for 7 months (onset and efficacy periods).

Who would be the winner? A prognostic nomogram for predicting the benefit of postoperative radiotherapy ± chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer: TROD-02-01 study.

Objectives: We aimed to develop a basic, easily applicable nomogram to improve the survival prediction of the patients with stage II/III gastric cancer (GC) and to select the best candidate for postoperative radiotherapy (RT).

Methods: In this multicentric trial, we retrospectively evaluated the data of 1597 patients with stage II/III GC after curative gastrectomy followed by postoperative RT ± chemotherapy (CT). Patients were divided into a training set (n = 1307) and an external validation set (n = 290).

Determination of Risk Factors for Acute Kidney Injury In Orthotopic Cardiac Transplantation.

Background: In this study, we try to determine risk factors for acute kidney injury in orthotopic cardiac transplantation patients.

Methods: Between February 2003 and December 2022, all cardiac transplantation patients were retrospectively reviewed. Finally, 102 patients enrolled in this study.

Comprehensive evaluation of patients with primary hyperoxaluria type 1: A nationwide study.

Background: Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) is characterized by increased endogenous oxalate production and deposition as calcium oxalate crystals. The main manifestations are nephrocalcinosis/nephrolithiasis, causing impaired kidney function. We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and overall outcomes of paediatric PH1 patients in Turkey.

Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Efficacy of Letermovir for Cytomegalovirus Prophylaxis in Adolescent Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Recipients.

Introduction: Letermovir is a cytomegalovirus (CMV) terminase complex inhibitor approved for prophylaxis of CMV infection and disease in adult CMV-seropositive allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) recipients (R+). We report pharmacokinetics (PK), safety, and efficacy of letermovir in adolescent (12-18 years) allogeneic HCT recipients from an ongoing clinical study.

Methods: In this phase 2b, multicenter, open-label study (NCT03940586), 28 adolescents received 480 mg letermovir [240 mg with cyclosporin A (CsA)] once daily orally or intravenously.