Meningococcal Carriage in Children with Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Receiving Eculizumab Therapy.

Background/objectives: Eculizumab is a first-line treatment for atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), and patients undergoing eculizumab therapy may become more susceptible to infection caused by (). While meningococcal vaccination is required for patients undergoing eculizumab therapy, there is limited knowledge about meningococcal carriage in children with aHUS. We aimed to evaluate (1) the prevalence of carriage, (2) serogroup distribution, and (3) the immunization status of children undergoing eculizumab treatment for aHUS.

Effects of Immunotoxicity biomarkers, essential elements and vitamin D levels on the severity levels of COVID-19 disease in Turkey.

Many mechanisms are thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of the COVID-19 pandemic, which started in 2019 and affected the whole world. It has been claimed that a deficiency in the immune system can significantly affect the severity of COVID-19 disease. It is important that the levels of essential elements and vitamin D are at certain levels for the healthy functioning of the immune system.

Cervical Lordosis Correction and Segmental Height in Anterior Cervical Surgeries; The Role of Implant Choice.

Objective: This study aims to compare the impact of 3 surgical techniques-stand-alone cage placement (SAC), anterior cervical plate (ACP) fixation, and total disc replacement (TDR)-on cervical lordosis restoration and segmental height after anterior cervical discectomy at C5-6 level. To eliminate the effect of lordosis between different levels, patients operated on at the same level were included in the study. Restoring cervical lordosis is crucial for improving patient outcomes, including pain reduction and preventing mechanical complications.

Neoadjuvant Pembrolizumab Plus Chemotherapy in Early-Stage Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Nationwide Retrospective Turkish Oncology Group Study.

Following the results of the phase 3 KEYNOTE-522 trial, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved pembrolizumab, a humanized IgG4 kappa monoclonal antibody, in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy as a new standard of care for high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Associations Between Echocardiographic Right Heart Measurements With Short-Term Prognosis in Heart Failure: A Prospective Study.

Background: Echocardiographic right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is a strong risk determinant for prognosis in patients with heart failure (HF). Although parameters of RV systolic function are widely used to define RV dysfunction, there is scarce data to suggest these parameters are best suited to predict HF-related outcomes.

Aims: We aimed to understand which morphologic or functional parameters are most closely associated with short-term mortality and HF-related hospitalization in patients with HF.

The efficacy and safety of isotonic and hypotonic fluids in intravenous maintenance fluid therapy in term newborns: national multicenter observational "neofluid" study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of isotonic and hypotonic intravenous fluids in maintenance fluid therapy for term infants.

Methods: This was a multi-centre, prospective, observational study conducted in 21 participating centres from December 30, 2020, to June 30, 2023. The study included term newborns requiring parenteral fluid therapy for maintenance (NCT04781361).

Observational study of immunosuppressive treatment patterns and outcomes in primary membranous nephropathy: a multicenter retrospective analysis.

Background: We evaluated the efficacy of different immunosuppressive regimens in patients with primary membranous nephropathy in a large national cohort.

Methods: In this registry study, 558 patients from 47 centers who were treated with at least one immunosuppressive agent and had adequate follow-up data were included. Primary outcome was defined as complete (CR) or partial remission (PR).

Osseointegration potential of boron-coated titanium alloy pedicle screw in rabbit spine model.

Background: Spinal implants' longevity is crucial, but titanium alloys, while advantageous, lack strong bone integration. This study aimed to achieve better osseointegration rates by utilizing the ability of boron compounds to transform stem cells in the vertebra into osteoblasts.

Method: Twenty male albino rabbits were divided into control (n = 10) and experimental (n = 10) groups.

Effects of BRCA variation on prognosis in patients with nonmetastatic breast cancer.

Background: To compare the clinicopathological characteristics of nonmetastatic breast cancer patients with and without BRCA variations and to investigate the impact of BRCA variations on prognosis.

Methods: This retrospective single-center study involved an analysis of 938 patients with localized or locally advanced breast cancer who underwent BRCA variation testing. The patients were divided into three groups: 757 were without BRCA variation, 64 were with BRCA1 variation, and 117 were with BRCA2 variation.

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.

Loss of symmetric cell division of apical neural progenitors drives DENND5A-related developmental and epileptic encephalopathy.

Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) feature altered brain development, developmental delay and seizures, with seizures exacerbating developmental delay. Here we identify a cohort with biallelic variants in DENND5A, encoding a membrane trafficking protein, and develop animal models with phenotypes like the human syndrome. We demonstrate that DENND5A interacts with Pals1/MUPP1, components of the Crumbs apical polarity complex required for symmetrical division of neural progenitor cells.

Effect of Follicular T Helper and T Helper 17 Cells-Related Molecules on Disease Severity in Patients with Myasthenia Gravis.

Introduction: Contribution of T helper 1 and 2 cells-related cytokines to pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis (MG) is well known. Recently, the contribution of follicular T helper (Tfh) and T helper 17 cells-related molecules to the pathogenesis has gained importance. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the changes in Tfh- and Th17-related molecules before and after rescue therapy in patients with myasthenic crisis (cMG) and to reveal the molecular differences between stable MG and cMG patients.

The use of incisional negative pressure wound therapy on high-risk breast cancer mastectomy patients.

Background: The main complications seen in patients who have undergone modified radical mastectomy (MRM) are seroma, surgical site infection, hematoma, wound dehiscence, flap necrosis, and nerve damage. While these complications lead to some problems the most feared effect in the early period is that they cause a delay in adjuvant treatment. Incisional Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (iNPWT) decreases wound dehiscence by reducing oedema and tension, especially in the incision line.

The effect of adipose tissue-derived stromal vascular fraction/gel material on wound healing in a rat model of nasal mucosa injury.

Background: Stromal Vascular fraction/gel (SVF/gel) is prepared mechanically from autologous adipose tissue, and it is known for its regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties.

Aims: To assess histopathological effects of adipose tissue-derived SVF/gel and nasal steroids on nasal mucosal healing.

Material And Methods: Forty-two Wistar Albino rats with right nasal mucosal injury were randomly divided into three groups: control (saline), Mometasone Furoate (MF), and SVF/gel.

Prospective evaluation of ultrasonographic fetal cardiac morphometry and functions in the third trimester of pregnancies with gestational diabetes mellitus.

Objective: This study aimed to compare cardiac morphological and functional changes in fetuses of patients with diet-regulated gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM-A1), insulin-regulated GDM (GDM-A2), and a control group.

Method: A prospective cohort study included pregnant women aged 18-40 years with singleton pregnancies. Fetal biometric, cardiac morphological, and functional measurements were recorded using Z-scores at 34-37 weeks of gestation.

Childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus: A descriptive and comparative study of clinical, laboratory, and treatment characteristics in two populations.

Objective: The aim of this study was to characterize childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in two large cohorts from Turkey and the United States.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with childhood-onset SLE who fulfilled the 1997 American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for SLE from four reference centers in Turkey and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in the United States were included in this study. A comparative analysis was conducted to evaluate the similarities and differences in clinical and laboratory features, damage accrual, and treatment experiences between the two populations.

Is It Possible to Prevent Nontherapeutic Laparotomies in Breast Cancer Patients With Isolated Adnexal Masses?

The risk of ovarian malignancy is increasing in patients with a history of breast cancer. Thus, well-defined predictors of ovarian malignancy should be identified to determine surgical or conservative management of adnexal masses in women with breast cancer. This study aimed to clarify the predictors of malignant ovarian tumors in patients with breast cancer with an isolated adnexal mass.