Prognostic factors and outcomes of adjuvant and first-line metastatic treatments in melanoma a Turkish oncology group study.

Management of melanoma has changed significantly with the discovery of targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Our aim in the study is to determine which treatment alternatives, specifically dabrafenib plus trametinib and ICIs, are effective in adjuvant therapy and which treatment is effective as first-line metastatic therapy. This retrospective, multicenter study included 120 patients diagnosed with stage IIIB-IIID melanoma receiving both adjuvant and first-line metastatic treatment between 2007 and 2023.

An Assessment of Intermittent and Continuous Enteral Feeding in Critically Ill Children.

Background: The inability to ensure adequate nutrition for patients, and failure to provide adequate calorie and protein intake, result in malnutrition, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. The present study assesses the two approaches to enteral nutrition-intermittent and continuous enteral feeding-in critically ill pediatric patients in Türkiye to determine the superiority of one method over the other.

Methods: Included in this multicenter prospective study were patients receiving enteral nutrition via a tube who were followed up over a 3-month period.

Evaluation of Conventional and Combined Doppler Parameters in Preeclampsia: Diagnostic and Prognostic Insights.

: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between conventional and novel Doppler parameters, including cerebroplacental ratio (CPR), cerebral-placental-uterine ratio (CPUR), umbilical-to-cerebral ratio (UCR), and amniotic-to-umbilical-cerebral ratio (AUCR), with the diagnosis of preeclampsia (PE) and adverse neonatal outcomes in PE cases. : This prospective case-control study was conducted at the Ankara Etlik City Hospital Perinatology Clinic between November 2023 and May 2024. The study population was divided into two groups: Group 1, consisting of 74 patients diagnosed with preeclampsia, and Group 2, consisting of 80 healthy control patients.

Biodegradable Stents in the Treatment of Arterial Stenosis.

Arterial diseases (ADs) are a significant health problem, with high mortality and morbidity rates. Endovascular interventions, such as balloon angioplasty (BA), bare-metal stents (BMSs), drug-eluting stents (DESs) and drug-coated balloons (DCBs), have made significant progress in their treatments. However, the issue has not been fully resolved, with restenosis remaining a major concern.

Stuck Prosthetic Valves: Clinical Implications of Pannus Formation and Gradient Measurement in Surgical Outcomes.

Stuck prosthetic valves, often resulting from pannus formation or thrombus accumulation, represent a critical complication in prosthetic valve management, carrying significant risks for morbidity and mortality. This study aims to identify factors associated with stuck valve development and assess the effectiveness of interventions in restoring normal valve function. A total of 27 patients with stuck valves were analyzed, including mitral, aortic, and tricuspid valve cases.

Maternal Serum Catestatin Levels in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Potential Biomarker for Risk Assessment and Diagnosis.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) presents significant risks for both maternal and neonatal health, affecting fetal growth and increasing the likelihood of future diabetes mellitus (DM) development in affected women. The dysregulation of metabolic biomarkers, including catestatin, has been implicated in GDM pathophysiology. However, the clinical significance of catestatin in GDM remains poorly understood, particularly in the context of different therapeutic approaches.

Comparison of Asymptomatic Brain Lesions Between Thalassemia Major and Sickle Cell Anemia Patients.

This study aimed to identify asymptomatic brain lesions in patients with β-thalassemia major (TM) and sickle cell anemia (SCA) and evaluate the correlation of these lesions with factors such as splenectomy, thrombocytosis, and blood transfusions. A total of 26 patients with thalassemia major and 23 patients with sickle cell anemia were included. Ischemic lesions were categorized as lacunar, small vessel, or multifocal.

The Effect of Systemic Inflammation and Clinicopathologic Features on Survival in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: A Multicenter Analysis.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare and aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis. Identifying reliable prognostic factors is crucial for risk stratification and optimizing treatment strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of clinicopathologic factors and systemic inflammatory markers on survival outcomes in patients with MPM.

Endocrine Adverse Events in Patients Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Comprehensive Analysis.

: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer therapy, but their use is associated with a spectrum of immune-related adverse events (irAEs), including endocrine disorders. This study aims to investigate the incidence, timing, treatment modalities, and impact of ICI-related endocrine side effects in cancer patients. : This retrospective study analyzed 139 cancer patients treated with ICIs between 2016 and 2022.

Enhancing Treatment Decisions for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutations: A Reinforcement Learning Approach.

Background: Although higher-generation TKIs are associated with improved progression-free survival in advanced NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations, the optimal selection of TKI treatment remains uncertain. To address this gap, we developed a web application powered by a reinforcement learning (RL) algorithm to assist in guiding initial TKI treatment decisions.

Methods: Clinical and mutational data from advanced NSCLC patients were retrospectively collected from 14 medical centers.

Excessive Weight Gain During Pregnancy Increased Ponoxarase 1 Level in Neonatal Cord Blood.

Maternal obesity is increasingly recognized as a risk factor for adverse fetal outcomes, primarily through its association with heightened oxidative stress. This study aimed to evaluate oxidative stress markers in umbilical cord blood of neonates born to obese mothers. Sixty-three pregnant women, who were of normal weight at the start of pregnancy but classified as obese at term, were included.

Tobacco Use and Second-Hand Smoke Exposure Among Athletes; Assessment by Urine Cotinine Level and Exhaled Carbon Monoxide: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Tobacco use and exposure to tobacco products remain a major public health challenge, even among athletes. This study aimed to evaluate tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure in athletes through urinary cotinine levels and exhaled air carbon monoxide (CO) measurements. This cross-sectional study included licensed athletes who visited the sports medicine outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital.

Electrocardiographic Frontal QRS-T Angle Is Independently Associated with the Presence of Celiac Disease and Disease Duration.

The impact of Celiac Disease (CD) is not only limited to the intestinal system, but extraintestinal manifestations may also be seen. In this context, cardiac manifestations have recently been the focus of attention. This study aimed to evaluate myocardial repolarization properties in CD patients by assessing the frontal QRS-T Angle (fQRS-T) on electrocardiography (ECG).

Impact of HIF-1α, LOX and ITGA5 Synergistic Interaction in the Tumor Microenvironment on Colorectal Cancer Prognosis.

: As colorectal cancers are histopathologically and molecularly highly heterogeneous tumors, it is necessary to consider the tumor's microenvironment as well as its cellular characteristics in order to determine the biological behavior of the tumor. This study included 100 patients who underwent resection for colorectal cancer. We aimed to investigate the relationships between the expression status of the HIF-1α, LOX and ITGA5 proteins and clinicopathologic parameters.

Assessment of the Severity of Intermediate Coronary Artery Stenosis Using the Systemic Inflammatory Response Index.

: Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) is a method that enables the hemodynamic assessment of coronary artery stenosis. The Systemic Inflammatory Response Index (SIRI) is a new marker calculated by multiplying the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) with the monocyte count. It is indicative of the presence and severity of coronary artery disease.

Predictive Utility of the HALP and Modified HALP Score for the Assessment of Operative Complications in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Acute Cholecystitis.

: The aim of the present study was to calculate HALP and modified HALP scores for patients diagnosed with acute cholecystitis (AC) and to determine the predictive utility of these scores for surgical timing and morbidity in patients who underwent surgery for AC. : This study included data from 641 patients who underwent surgery for AC between January 2010 and May 2023. The HALP score was calculated using the formula hemoglobin (g/L) × albumin (g/L) × lymphocyte (10/L)/platelets (10/L).

The effect of preoperative deep breathing exercise with incentive spirometer initiated in the preoperative period on respiratory parameters and complications in patients underwent open heart surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Incentive spirometer is used in lung expansion therapy to maintain alveolar patency and improve pulmonary volumes in postoperative cardiac surgical patients. Deep breathing exercises with an incentive spirometer significantly reduce the development of postoperative pulmonary complications after open-heart cardiac surgery.

Aim: To determine the effect of deep breathing exercises with an incentive spirometer initiated in the preoperative period on respiratory parameters and complications in patients who underwent open-heart surgery.

Analyse of patient characteristics and aetiological causes of enterocutaneous fistulas and their impacts on in-hospital mortality: a ten-year retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: This study aimed to compare patient characteristics according to the primary aetiology including gunshot wounds in inpatient individuals diagnosed with enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) or enteroatmospheric fistula (EAF) and to evaluate the impacts of these characteristics on all-cause in-hospital mortality.

Methods: This is a single-centre hospital-based retrospective cohort study conducted with adult patients who were hospitalised for treatment of ECF or EAF. The patients were allocated to three study groups according to their primary aetiology (surgery-related group, gunshot-related group and other-cause group).

Outcomes of cerclage wiring for intraoperative calcar fractures in cementless hemiarthroplasty in older patients with femoral neck fractures.

Background: Cementless hip hemiarthroplasty is one of the options for the treatment of osteoporotic femoral neck fractures. Intraoperative periprosthetic femoral calcar fractures sometimes occur during the surgery, and the use of cerclage wiring to maintain the position and stability of the femoral stem and prevent the progression of the fracture. This study examines the outcomes of cerclage wiring to treat intraoperative periprosthetic calcar fractures in cementless hip hemiarthroplasty in osteoporotic femoral neck fractures.

Mechanical thrombectomy in elderly stroke patients with low ASPECTS: insights from STAR.

Background: The elderly population (≥80 years) were underrepresented in recent trials of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for anterior circulation large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke (LVO-AIS) with low Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) (≤5).

Methods: This study analyzed data from a prospectively maintained database of 37 thrombectomy centers. The primary cohort of the study comprised patients with LVO-AIS aged ≥80 who underwent EVT with ASPECTS≤5 from 2013 to 2023.

Evaluation of Surgical Antimicrobial Prophylaxis Compliance: A Multicentre Point Prevalence Study.

Background: This study aimed to determine the frequency of compliance with surgical prophylaxis in Turkey and to identify the causes and risk factors for non-compliance.

Methods: This multi-center, prospective, point prevalence study was conducted in eight hospitals from different regions of Turkey. Patients over 18 years who underwent surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis (SAP) in all hospital surgical units were included in the study.

Effects of abdominal, vaginal, and laparoscopic hysterectomies on total oxidant/antioxidant levels: A prospective observational study.

This prospective observational study aimed to compare abdominal hysterectomy (AH), vaginal hysterectomy (VH), and total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) in terms of oxidative stress (OS) by measuring serum levels of total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI). Of the 3 groups, namely, AH, VH, and TLH, 22 patients were enrolled in each to investigate the aim of the study mentioned above. Patient demographics, clinical and surgical characteristics, and preoperative and postoperative (0th and 24th hours) serum TAS, TOS, and OSI levels were investigated.

Clinical, laboratory, and molecular characteristics of patients with spondyloenchondrodysplasia: a case series study.

Unlabelled: Spondyloenchondrodysplasia (SPENCD) is a rare genetic disorder characterized with skeletal dysplasia, immune dysregulation, and neurological impairment. Patients diagnosed with SPENCD at a single pediatric hematology center were included in the study. The patients' clinical characteristics, symptoms at presentation, imaging and laboratory results, and genetic analysis results were collected retrospectively from their files.

The effects of timing on fasciotomy outcomes in compartment syndrome - experience from crush-induced trauma following 2023 Turkey earthquakes.

Purpose: This study was planned to evaluate limb survival and clinical outcomes of fasciotomies done before and after 24-48 h due to compartment syndrome in the extremities caused by crush injuries after the earthquakes in Turkey on February 6-7, 2023.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 129 extremities of 84 patients that underwent fasciotomy after the 2023 Turkey earthquakes in this single center study. Demographical data of patients, affected limb, time to fasciotomy, limb survival, number of debridements, necrotic muscle debridement, whether graft-flap was needed, and the need for hemodialysis were analyzed.

What is the relationship between the choroidal vascularity ındex (CVI) and myopia?

Purpose: To examine the detailed vascular and morphological characteristics of the choroidal tissue in subjects with myopia.

Methods: A total of 111 subjects with myopia were included in the study. The study was conducted in three groups according to spherical equivalent(SE).