Nationwide Experience With Off-Label Use of Interleukin-1 Targeting Treatment in Familial Mediterranean Fever Patients.

Objective: Approximately 30-45% of patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) have been reported to have attacks despite colchicine treatment. Currently, data on the treatment of colchicine-unresponsive or colchicine-intolerant FMF patients are limited; the most promising alternatives seem to be anti-interleukin-1 (anti-IL-1) agents. Here we report our experience with the off-label use of anti-IL-1 agents in a large group of FMF patients.

A Wise Surgical Approach for Reconstruction of Postburn Axillary Contractures and Versatility of Perforator Flaps.

Postburn axillary adduction contractures should essentially be released for adequate shoulder function. Many methods have been described for this purpose. However, use of perforator flaps prevents harm to the underlying muscle and provides thin, pliable skin flaps.

The Current Perspectives of Stem Cell Therapy in Orthopedic Surgery.

Context: Musculoskeletal injuries may be painful, troublesome, life limiting and also one of the global health problems. There has been considerable amount of interest during the past two decades to stem cells and tissue engineering techniques in orthopedic surgery, especially to manage special and compulsive injuries within the musculoskeletal system.

Evidence Acquisition: The aim of this study was to present a literature review regarding the most recent progress in stem cell procedures and current indications in orthopedics clinical care practice.

Quality-of-life in insect venom allergy: validation of the Turkish version of the "Vespid Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire" (VQLQ-T).

Purpose: "Vespid Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire (VQLQ)" has been used to assess psychological burden of disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate validity, reliability and responsiveness to interventions of the Turkish version.

Methods: The Turkish language Questionnaire (VQLQ-T) was administered to 81 patients with bee allergy and 65 patients with vespid allergy from different groups to achieve cross-sectional validation.

Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy Reduces Saliva Adipokine and Matrix Metalloproteinase Levels in Periodontitis.

Background: Adipokines enhance the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which play a role in extracellular matrix degeneration. The aim of this study is to determine the levels of some adipokines, proinflammatory cytokines, and MMPs in the saliva of patients with periodontitis and healthy individuals and to evaluate the changes after non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT).

Methods: Of 32 individuals included in the study, 17 had periodontitis and 15 had healthy gingiva.

Comparison of micro-computerized tomography and cone-beam computerized tomography in the detection of accessory canals in primary molars.

Purpose: This study was performed to compare the accuracy of micro-computed tomography (CT) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in detecting accessory canals in primary molars.

Materials And Methods: Forty-one extracted human primary first and second molars were embedded in wax blocks and scanned using micro-CT and CBCT. After the images were taken, the samples were processed using a clearing technique and examined under a stereomicroscope in order to establish the gold standard for this study.

Spinal Tuberculosis.

Spinal tuberculosis (TB) is a significant form of TB, causing spinal deformity and paralysis. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for avoiding multivertebral destruction and are critical for improving outcomes in spinal TB. We believe that appropriate treatment method should be implemented at the early stage of this disease and that the Gulhane Askeri Tıp Akademisi classification system can be considered a practical guide for spinal TB treatment planning in all countries.

Porphyromonas gingivalis and Epstein-Barr Virus Are Associated With Increased Levels of Visfatin in Gingival Crevicular Fluid.

Background: There is little clinical information on the relationship between periodontopathogens and visfatin. The purpose of this study is to determine visfatin levels in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of healthy individuals and patients with periodontitis and to investigate the possible relationship between this adipokine and the presence and levels of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Prevotella nigrescense, and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

Methods: Eighteen healthy individuals and 27 patients with periodontitis were included in this study.

A rare case of penis agenesis (Aphallia) with associated multiple urogenital anomalies.

The penis as a component of external genitalia, takes part in fertility, urinary and psychosexual structure of males with its complex character. We report a case of penis agenesis with associated left renal agenesis, left superior segment ureteral agenesis, prostate agenesis, left ureterocele, right vesicoureteral reflux and high urethrorectal communication above the rectal sphincter. The patient refused any surgical intervention because of his religious beliefs.

Brucellar epididymo-orchitis: a retrospective multicenter study of 28 cases and review of the literature.

Objective: To review retrospectively the clinical symptoms, laboratory findings and treatment outcomes of patients with Brucellar epididymo-orchitis.

Material And Method: Retrospective data of 28 patients with Brucellar epididymo-orchitis who admitted to four medical centers between 2005 and 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Positive blood culture, positive Rose Bengal test results or high agglutination titres of ≥ 1/160 with the positive clinical and ultrasonographic findings of orchitis were accepted as the main criteria for Brucellar epididymo-orchitis.

Evaluation of the salivary levels of visfatin, chemerin, and progranulin in periodontal inflammation.

Objectives: In recent years, adipokines have been reported to play an important role in chronic inflammatory diseases. In this study, our aim was to investigate the salivary levels of visfatin, chemerin, and progranulin and their relationship with periodontal health and disease.

Materials And Methods: A total of 72 patients were included in the study, 23 of which were periodontally healthy, 24 had gingivitis, and 25 had periodontitis.

Effects of maternal ageing on ICSI outcomes and embryo development in relation to oocytes morphological characteristics of birefringent structures.

The aim of this study was to determine the morphological characteristics of the older reproductive aged women's oocytes and to reveal the influence of these characteristics on intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes. The oocytes of women older than 35 years of age were evaluated retrospectively. Non-invasive polarization microscopy (PolScope) examinations of mature oocytes were performed by measurement of meiotic spindles' length, area and retardance and zona pellucida thickness and retardance.

Evaluation of oxidative stress biomarkers in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances.

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the changes in the levels of interleukine-1 beta (IL-1 β ), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF- α ), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in saliva and IL-1 β , TNF- α , and NO in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples of patients with fixed orthodontic appliances.

Material And Method: The subject population consisted of 50 volunteers who were in need of orthodontic treatment with fixed orthodontic appliances. GCF and saliva samples were obtained from all individuals before treatment, at 1st month of treatment and at 6th month of treatment.

The Quality of Life in Patients With Behçet's Disease.

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) in patients with Behçet's disease.

Methods: This study is a cross-sectional descriptive study. The sample of the study consists of 94 volunteer patients, who were diagnosed with Behçet's disease at least 3 months before the study, were literate, and never diagnosed with a psychiatric illness.

HLA-G expression in B chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a new prognostic marker?

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by a malignant clonal population of lymphocytes, which are usually of the B cell lineage. Classical Rai and Binet staging of CLL is being superseded by new prognostic markers. The mutational status of the immunoglobulin variable region heavy-chain genes segregates the disease into more benign and more malignant versions, and has been confirmed as an important prognostic marker in prospective clinical trials.