The Prevalence, Serogroup Distribution and Risk Factors of Meningococcal Carriage in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults in Turkey Meningo-Carr-TR Study PART 3: COVID-19 Pandemic Situation.

Background: The prevalence of meningococcal carriage and serogroup distribution is crucial for assessing the epidemiology of invasive meningococcal disease, forecasting outbreaks and formulating potential immunization strategies. Following the meningococcal carriage studies conducted in Turkey in 2016 and 2018, we planned to re-evaluate meningococcal carriage in children, adolescents and young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

Methods: In the MENINGO-CARR-3 study, we collected nasopharyngeal samples from 1585 participants 0-24 years of age, across 9 different centers in Turkey.

Assessment of Exhaled Breath Condensate for ALK, RET, ROS1, and NTRK1 Fusion Transcript Detection in NSCLC: Comparison With Tissue and Liquid Biopsy Samples.

Background: Lung cancer continues to be the primary cause of cancer-related deaths globally, with the majority of cases identified at advanced stages. Genetic alterations, including mutations and gene fusions, are central to its molecular pathogenesis. The discovery of therapeutically targetable gene fusions, such as ALK, RET, ROS1, and NTRK1, has significantly advanced lung cancer management.

Ultrasonographic accuracy in evaluating response of clipped lymph nodes in targeted axillary dissection in breast cancer.

This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography in assessing the response of clipped axillary lymph nodes to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Between February 2022 and September 2023, 43 patients who underwent axillary lymph node marking for targeted axillary dissection were retrospectively analyzed. Ultrasonography parameters such as the number, size, shape, cortical thickness, hilum status, and treatment response of the clipped lymph node were assessed.

[Multicentric Screening of Local Antibiotic Resistance in Uncomplicated Urinary System Infections: 1850 Patients from 37 Centers].

This study was aimed to identify the most frequently observed pathogens in uncomplicated urinary tract infections from outpatient urinary isolates obtained across seven different geographical regions in Türkiye and to determine whether the antibiotic resistance rates of these pathogens differ significantly between these regions. The study included patients aged 18 to 65 years who were diagnosed with uncomplicated urinary tract infections and had positive urine cultures from March 2021 to August 2022, across 37 different centers in Türkiye. The participating centers were selected based on their use of the disk diffusion method, in line with the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) guidelines, to ensure standardization of urine culture data.

Contribution of neck ultrasonography to patient management in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma with excellent response to therapy.

Purpose: To assess the contribution of intense neck ultrasonography (US) follow-up in the clinical management of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) patients with the American Thyroid Association (ATA) low-intermediate-risk of recurrence and an excellent response after total thyroidectomy and radioiodine therapy.

Materials And Methods: Medical records of patients who underwent serial follow-up neck US examinations between 1996 and 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. The utility of serial US examinations in detecting structural recurrence was assessed in all patients and different subgroups-categorized per the initial risk of recurrence and stimulated thyroglobulin (sTg) level at 1-year response assessment.

Response rates of pazopanib therapy in metastatic soft tissue sarcoma using real‑world data.

The present study was a retrospective single-center study. A total of 81 patients diagnosed with metastatic soft tissue sarcoma were included who received pazopanib therapy. Clinical data, including age at diagnosis, histological subtype, treatments received before pazopanib, number of metastatic sites at the time of initiation of treatment, progression-free survival and overall survival time under pazopanib treatment, side effects and response evaluation in follow-up imaging after initiation of pazopanib therapy, were recorded.

Flow-diverting stents in the management of extracranial carotid artery aneurysms.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the indications and therapeutic efficacy of flow-diverting stents (FDSs) in the management of extracranial carotid artery aneurysms (ECAAs) and dissections.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 18 patients treated for ECAAs with an FDS between 2010 and 2024. Patient demographics, aneurysm characteristics, procedural details, and clinical and radiologic follow-up outcomes were extracted from medical records.

Exploring the Role of Long Non-Coding RNAs in Predicting Outcomes for Hepatitis B Patients.

Background: Hepatitis B is a significant public health issue worldwide. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are pivotal in biological mechanisms. The involvement of lncRNAs in hepatitis Hepatitis B remains incompletely understood.

Assessment of dyslipidemia management in Turkey using a Delphi panel.

This study evaluated the management of dyslipidemia in Turkey with the goal of understanding current diagnosis and treatment patterns, as well as identifying unmet needs in achieving effective low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targets. Using a Delphi panel consisting of nine expert cardiologists, the study reveals key gaps in dyslipidemia management, particularly in the underutilization of combination therapies, such as statins and PCSK9 inhibitors, which are crucial for achieving LDL-C targets in high-risk patients. The findings indicate that while many patients with very high cardiovascular risk are diagnosed, a significant proportion do not receive optimal treatment to reach LDL-C levels recommended by European guidelines.

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.

Risk factors for neurologic sequelae in children and adolescents with hemophilia after intracranial hemorrhage.

Background: Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is reportedly rare but has high morbidity and mortality risk in persons with hemophilia. Although the risk factors that facilitate bleeding are known, the factors affecting the sequelae are not well known.

Objectives: We planned to investigate the risk factors for neurologic sequelae in children and adolescents with hemophilia suffering from ICH.

Anaplastic Ependymoma and Atypical Refractory Longitudinal Expansive Transverse Myelitis Due to Immune Reaction After COVID-19 - A Case Discussion That Raises Many Unknown Questions About Covid-19.

Inflammatory neurologic manifestations, both infectious and non-infectious, have been reported secondary to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19). However, the relationship of spinal tumor and COVID-19 longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) coexistence has never been reported in our knowledge. The clinical presentation and response to treatment of a 24-year-old female patient diagnosed with COVID-19 LETM and anaplastic ependymoma are described in this case report.

A Rare Case of Metachronous Tumor: Recurrent Primary Lung Cancer.

Multiple primary lung cancers (MPLC) are defined as lung cancers that develop at the time of primary lung cancer detection (synchronous) or during the follow-up period (metachronous). The incidence of MPLC is increasing due to the early detection of lesions by widespread screening methods, improved surgical, medical, and radiation treatment options, and increased survival. We present a case of a patient who was operated on in our clinic and diagnosed with primary lung cancer for the third time with different histopathology.

An Evaluation of Language Development and Working Memory in Children with Hearing Loss.

Background:  Children with hearing loss (HL) have difficulty in performing the complex functions of language, especially in noisy environments. Cognitive processes such as working memory and short-term memory are effective on individual differences in language skills in children with HL.

Purpose:  The present study aimed to evaluate the vocabulary and syntax skills in language development areas and working memory of children with HL and to compare these results with those of their peers with normal hearing (NH).

The modified asymmetric chondro-perichondrial island graft in type I tympanoplasty: A retrospective analysis of 784 patients.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a novel modified asymmetric chondro-perichondrial island graft in tympanoplasty. The design features a longer anterior segment compared to the posterior segment, addressing limitations of symmetrical grafts. We investigated the impact of this modified graft on hearing improvement and graft success rates in patients undergoing tympanoplasty surgery.

Hospitality Venues' Anti-tobacco Legislation Violation in 11 Different Cities in Türkiye.

In Türkiye, anti-tobacco legislation (Law No. 4207 on the Prevention and Control of Harms of Tobacco Products) aims to ensure a "tobacco-free" life for current and future generations. However, there are observations of violations in the hospitality sector.

Rib fracture characteristics increasing the risk of hemothorax: a multicenter study.

The precise assessment of hemothorax risk resulting from a rib fracture is not feasible. CT images, patient characteristics, and clinical experience are utilized in daily practice to assess risk intuitively. This study aimed to identify specific markers on CT images that can predict the risk of hemothorax.

Histopathology of thermal effects in endoscopic ear surgery: An experimental animal study.

Objective: The potential risk of thermal damage in the transcanal endoscopic ear surgery has been a concerning issue. This study aimed to investigate the histopathological effects of heat exposure of different durations in external auditory canal (EAC) skin and facial nerve tissues.

Methods: This study was conducted on 20 rabbits assigned equally to five groups according to the endoscope-transmitted heat exposure duration: Control group (no exposure), 2, 10, 15, and 30 min.

Alterations in corneal sensitivity according to age and gender in healthy population in Turkey.

Clinical Relevance: Knowing the changes in corneal sensitivity according to age and gender is important for the correct evaluation of pathologies.

Background: The aim of this work was to analyse variability of corneal sensitivity according to age and gender in the healthy population in Turkey.

Methods: Healthy volunteers between the ages of 20 and 84, who applied to outpatient clinic due to routine examination, were included.

Innovative minimally invasive gastric pull-up techniques in children: SILS and robot-assisted gastric pull-up.

Aim: This study aims to explore the rationality, feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of single-incision laparoscopic gastric pull-up (SILS-GPU) and robot-assisted gastric pull-up (R-GPU) methods.

Methods: Hospital records of patients who underwent gastric pull-up with either SILS-GPU or R-GPU between May2016 and January 2024 were reviewed. Demographics, diagnosis, surgical techniques, and postoperative outcomes were evaluated.