Immunomodulatory effects of medicinal leech saliva extract on in vitro activated macrophages.

Leech therapy has been utilized in modern and traditional medicine. Leech saliva contains versatile peptides and molecules that can exert anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-coagulant, and analgesic activities on the patients. The active components and molecular mechanism of action of these components should be deciphered properly in order to generate biotechnological drug candidates by recombinant production of the leech saliva peptides.

Role of Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index, Systemic Inflammation Response Index, and Pan-Immune Inflammation Value in the Prediction of Preeclampsia: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the role of systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), and pan-immune inflammation value (PIV) calculated from first trimester complete blood count (CBC) in predicting preeclampsia without (PE) and with severe features (PE-SF).

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 126 women with PE, 126 women with PE-SF, and 126 women with healthy, normotensive pregnancies delivered at a large tertiary referral hospital between 2018 and 2022. The main outcome measures were SII, SIRI, and PIV.

Age-Related Differences Between Juvenile and Adult Autoimmune Inflammatory Myopathies.

Background: Clinical features and prognosis of autoimmune inflammatory myopathies (AIMs) can vary depending on the age of disease onset. The aim of this study was to compare the demographic characteristics, clinical features, laboratory findings, and long-term prognosis of juvenile and adult AIMs.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with AIM between 2009 and 2023 in the pediatric rheumatology and rheumatology departments of our hospital were included in this medical records review study.

Evaluation of the relationship between day or night birth time and morbidities and mortality in premature infants less than 32 weeks in a Turkish NICU.

Staffing levels, fatigue, and intervention timing may vary based on working hours and potentially influence the clinical outcomes of newborns. It remains unclear how the birth time of premature infants throughout the day affects their clinical outcome. This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of premature infants born during and after work hours.

The Effect of Iron Deficiency Anemia on Emergency Department Admission in Asthmatic Children.

Background: Iron deficiency (ID) is the most common nutritional deficiency and cause of anemia in childhood. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a common public health problem in Turkey as in the rest of the World. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract, affecting approximately 10% of the population in developing countries.

Do Systemic Inflammatory Indices, Urinalysis, and Radiological Findings Vary by Causative Pathogen in Neonatal Urinary Tract Infections?

Objectives: Urinary tract infections (UTI) are the most common occult infections in infants under three months of age with high fever, caused by various pathogens, and can progress with different symptoms from mild to severe. We planned to explore and compare pathogen-specific systemic inflammatory indices, urinalysis, and radiological findings in newborns.

Methods: The retrospective study included preterm and term neonates with single pathogen growth of≥50.

A pilot study of the value of micronucleus count in urinary cytology samples in the follow-up of patients with urothelial carcinoma: Implications for diagnosis and prognosis.

Background: Nuclear protrusions such as micronuclei (MNs) and nuclear budding (NB) are morphological findings of chromosomal instability and indicators of genotoxic damage. They are increased in malignancies, and their high frequency may be used in the diagnosis of cancers and the follow-up of patients. Urothelial carcinomas are common tumors that cause morbidity and mortality, and cytology is a commonly used method for the monitoring and screening of urothelial carcinoma.

Onychoscopy in Palmoplantar Psoriasis: A Comparative Study of Nonpustular Palmoplantar Psoriasis and Palmoplantar Pustulosis.

Introduction: Palmoplantar psoriasis is classified as nonpustular palmoplantar psoriasis (NPPP) or palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP).

Objective: We sought to shed light on the phenotypic diversity of nail psoriasis and conducted a thorough study of the dermoscopic features of nail lesions from patients with NPPP and PPP.

Methods: A prospective study included 35 patients with NPPP and 20 patients with PPP who had findings of nail psoriasis in at least three of their nails.

The Prevalence and Clinical Significance of Skin Manifestations in Parkinson's Disease Patients.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is primarily characterized by motor symptoms, but non-motor symptoms, including skin manifestations, are increasingly recognized. These remain underexplored despite their potential impact on quality of life.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and clinical features of skin findings in PD patients, with a focus on identifying potential pathogenetic links between dermatological conditions and PD.

Patient satisfaction with health care services in Turkiye: A glimpse from nationwide Ministry of Health database.

Objective: Patient satisfaction refers to the degree to which patients' expectations from health care services are met and is a critical indicator used to measure the overall quality of this service. This study aims to analyze overall patient satisfaction and regarding factors in our country, providing valuable insights for policymakers, clinicians, and researchers who aim to improve the quality of health care services and patient outcomes. Furthermore, as a nationwide assessment, this study reveals the potential of big data analytics in health services.

Inhibitor development upon switching from plasma-derived to recombinant factor VIII in previously untreated patients with severe hemophilia A: the PUP-SWITCH study.

Background: The SIPPET randomized clinical trial showed that in previously untreated patients (PUPs) with severe hemophilia A, treatment with plasma-derived factor (F)VIII (pdFVIII) within the first 50 exposure days (EDs) was associated with a lower cumulative incidence of inhibitors than with recombinant FVIII (rFVIII). Switching to rFVIII beyond 50 EDs with pdFVIII is a treatment often implemented by many centers. The question is whether or not this switch may induce a risk of inhibitor development.

Effectiveness of balloon angioplasty under intravascular ultrasound guidance in calcified below-the-knee tibial arteries.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the optimal balloon diameter for intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided balloon angioplasty in calcified below-the-knee (BTK) tibial artery lesions.

Methods: Between February 2024 and April 2024, a retrospective review was conducted on 17 patients with Rutherford category 4-6 severely calcified tibial arteries with >70% stenosis, treated with IVUS-guided balloon angioplasty. Sequentially, 3 mm and then 3.

Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli and Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome: A Study of the 2022 Outbreak in Turkey.

BACKGROUND Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) causes serious bacterial illnesses from consuming undercooked meat and foods contaminated with feces. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of an STEC outbreak associated with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) that emerged in Turkey and affected 21 adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS The medical records of 21 adult patients who were admitted to Ankara Bilkent City Hospital Internal Medicine Intensive Care Department with the diagnosis of HUS between July and September 2022 were retrospectively evaluated through the system.

Mushroom Intoxication in Türkiye: A Nationwide Cohort Study Based on Demographic Trends, Seasonal Variations, and the Impact of Climate Change on Incidence.

Background/aims: Mushroom intoxication poses a considerable public health risk due to its potential for severe toxicity and fatality. This study aims to investigate demographic trends, diagnostic locations, and mortality rates of patients with mushroom intoxication.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective cohort study utilized data from the National Electronic Database of the Turkish Ministry of Health.

TOTAL OXIDANT AND ANTIOXIDANT LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH GALLBLADDER STONES OR RELATED COMPLICATIONS: ARE THEY IMPORTANT FOR TREATMENT?

Background: Many free radicals result in an inflammatory process due to complications caused by gallstones. These free radicals are inactivated by various reactions and participate in different reactions. Molecules are oxidants and antioxidants that take an active role in almost every event that takes place in the body.

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.