Enhancing nutritional care in palliative care units: assessing nurse knowledge and quality perception in enteral nutrition practices.

Background: Adequate, balanced, and individualized nutrition, planned according to the patients' life expectancy in palliative care units, is crucial for maintaining essential functions.

Aim: To determine the knowledge levels of nurses working in palliative care units regarding enteral nutrition practices and their perceptions of nutritional care quality in their units.

Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in 25 palliative care units located in Izmir, Türkiye, between June and September 2022.

Virtual anatomical atlas of the deep brain nuclei.

This study aims to improve understanding of the anatomy of the deep brain nuclei relevant to deep brain stimulation as well as stereotactic lesioning procedures, including radio frequency, high-focused ultrasound, and radiosurgery. We created interactive, three-dimensional virtual models from cadaveric dissections and radiological segmentation. We used five brain specimens (ten hemispheres) obtained from routine autopsies, prepared according to Klingler's method.

HIV treatment satisfaction: HIVTSQ-12 factor analysis and associated factors in Türkiye.

Background: Despite global efforts, HIV/AIDS remains a significant public health challenge, with Türkiye witnessing a consistent rise in annual diagnoses. Patient satisfaction with antiretroviral therapy (ART) is crucial for treatment adherence and effectiveness. This study examines treatment satisfaction levels among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Türkiye and identifies associated factors.

Prognostic Significance of the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) Score in Patients with Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer after Radical Cystectomy.

Purpose: To assess the impact of the The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score, an indicator of nutritional status, on the survival and prognosis after radical cystectomy.

Materials And Methods: The medical records of patients who underwent consecutive radical cystectomy operations with the diagnosis of muscle-invasive bladder cancer at our clinic were retrospectively examined. The patients were separated into two groups based on the cut-off CONUT score which was derived using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Assessment of Changes in Vascular Density in the Layers of the Eye in Patients With Parkinson's Disease.

Background: The retina is affected by Parkinson's disease (PD).

Purpose: We aimed to assess the anatomical and vascular deterioration of the retina in PD.

Methods: Sixty-six patients with PD and 66 healthy volunteers were evaluated in this study.

Spiritual needs of family caregivers in palliative care.

Objective: The primary aim of this study is to elucidate the spiritual needs encountered by family members who intricately engage in the progression of illness within the palliative care framework, thus assuming the paramount responsibility of caregiving.

Methods: This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board and Ethics Committee of the University of Health Sciences İzmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital (17/01/2022-2022/01-16). The research was designed as a prospective study.

Adolescents With Breakthrough COVID-19 Infections Requiring Hospitalization: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Background Vaccines have the most important role in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. With the widespread use of vaccines, COVID-19 has remarkably declined. Adolescents were vaccinated after approvals for this age group, which was later than adults, and a nationwide vaccination program was implemented in August 2021 in Turkey for adolescents ≥12 years of age.

The use of complementary and alternative medicine and approaches to coping with stress in women with breast cancer: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: The study aimed to reveal the approaches to coping with stress of women with breast cancer and the factors predicting these approaches, to determine the prevalence and characteristics of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), and to examine the relationship between use of CAM and approaches to coping with stress.

Methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted among 328 women with breast cancer at a training and research hospital in Türkiye. Data were collected with the "Descriptive Information Form" and the "Stress Coping Styles Scale (SCSS)".

Levels of depression and self-esteem in women with cancer of the endometrium and cervix receiving chemotherapy treatment in Türkiye.

Objective: Endometrium and cervical cancer is a common and important health problem that affects women in many physical, emotional and psychological aspects. This study aimed to determine the levels of depression and self-esteem in women with endometrial and cervical cancer receiving chemotherapy, determine the factors affecting them, and examine the relationship between the levels of depression and self-esteem.

Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 158 women who came to the gynecology-oncology policlinic and chemotherapy unit of a training and research hospital in Izmir, western Türkiye, between April 2022 and April 2023.

Effects of hydronephrosis on the surgical outcomes of fluoroscopically guided supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of hydronephrosis on operation success and the development of complications in supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).

Methods: A total 259 patients were included in the study who underwent supine PCNL in our clinic between September 2019 and November 2023. The patients were divided into four groups: normal, mild, moderate and severe, according to their preoperative hydronephrosis degrees.

Serum α-Klotho and fibroblast growth factor 23 levels are not associated with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy in type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Diabetic retinopathy is a commonly observed cause of blindness and is a common problem in individuals with diabetes. Recent investigations have showed the capability of serum α-Klotho and FGF 23 in mitigating the effects of diabetic retinopathy. This study aimed to discover the correlation between FGF 23, α-Klotho, and diabetic retinopathy in type 1 diabetics.

The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Coping with Stress by Patients with Gynecological Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study in Türkiye.

Introduction: Gynecological cancers are long-term, challenging, and stressful diseases. In Türkiye, the majority of patients with gynecological cancer use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Considering the stress that gynecological cancer patients are exposed to, patients need to know how to cope with stress.

The effects of planned education given to parents on smoking in the home environment and passive exposure of children aged 0-5: A quasi-experimental pre-post intervention study from Turkey.

Purpose: This study was carried out to determine the effects of planned education given to parents on smoking status at home and on children's passive smoking exposure.

Design And Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted with the inclusion of 40 parents with at least one child between the ages of 0 and 5 and smoking in their homes, who were registered at a Family Health Center in a city center in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey, from 1 September 2019 to 30 June 2020. The data of the study were collected using Participant Screening Form, a Personal Information Form, the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence, a Smoking Behaviors and Precautions at Home Form, and a Measurement and Follow-up Form.

The Results of Pneumatic Balloon Dilatation Treatment in Children with Achalasia: A Single-Center Experience.

Background/aims: Achalasia is a primary motility disorder characterized by a relaxation disorder of the lower esophageal sphincter. In pneumatic balloon dilatation, which is one of the treatment methods, the muscle fibers are torn with an endoscopically inflated balloon in the lower esophageal sphincter. This study aimed to evaluate the results of long-term pneumatic balloon dilatation treatment in our clinic for children diagnosed with achalasia.

Parental Attitudes About Lumbar Puncture in Children With Suspected Central Nervous System Infection.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate parents' attitudes toward lumbar puncture (LP) for their children with suspected central nervous system infection to determine the reasons for rejection and related factors.

Methods: The survey was provided to parents of children (1 month to 18 years old) for whom LP was recommended because of a concern for central nervous system infection. Sociodemographic characteristics and other related factors of parents who did and did not approve of LP were compared statistically.

The effect of low HER2 expression on treatment outcomes in metastatic hormone receptor positive breast cancer patients treated with a combination of a CDK4/6 inhibitor and endocrine therapy: A multicentric retrospective study.

Background: CDK4/6 inhibitors combined with endocrine therapy have significantly improved treatment outcomes for metastatic hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer patients. However, the impact of low HER2 expression on treatment response and progression-free survival (PFS) remains unclear.

Methods: This multicenter retrospective study included 204 HR+ breast cancer patients treated with a combination of CDK4/6 inhibitor and endocrine therapy.

Association between mannose binding lectin gene polymorphisms and clinical severity of COVID-19 in children.

Background: Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a member of innate immunity and acts with MASP (MBL-associated serine protease) to activate the lectin pathway of the complement system. MBL gene polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to infectious diseases. This study investigated whether MBL2 genotype, serum MBL levels, and serum MASP-2 levels affect the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Attitudes of parents with children aged 12-18 to COVID-19 vaccines for themselves and their children.

Background: The incidence of vaccine hesitancy is increasing in many countries. This study aims to determine parents` attitudes and related factors regarding COVID-19 vaccine acceptance for themselves and their children aged 12-18.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on parents between 16th November and 31st December 2021, after COVID-19 vaccines were initiated for children in Türkiye.

The histopathological effects of sleep disorders on striated muscle in rats.

Objectives: To histopathologically examine the change in gastrocnemius muscle created by sleep disorder in rats.

Methods: This study was carried out at Giresun University, Turkey from December 2018 to January 2021. A total of 30 Wistar rats were separated into 3 groups as the control group (CG), absence of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep (ARS) group, chronic absence of sleep (CAS) group.

The diversity in the clinical features of children hospitalized with COVID-19 during the nonvariant, Alpha (B.1.1.7), Delta (B.1.617.2), and Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant periods of SARS CoV-2: Caution for neurological symptoms in Omicron variant.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, various severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 variants have been identified with different characteristics than the nonvariant strain. We retrospectively evaluated the demographic and clinical differences in the cohort of hospitalized COVID-19 children (1 month-18 years old) between March 11, 2020, and September 31, 2022, by the time the variants identified in our country predominate. Bonferroni post hoc analysis was performed to compare the differences between the periods.

The clinical results of lower trapezius tendon transfer with the peroneus longus allograft augmentation combined with interpositional repair with fascia lata in massive irreparable rotator cuff tears.

Objectives: To investigate the clinical results of lower trapezius (LT) tendon transfer and interpositional repair that were performed simultaneously in patients with massive irreparable rotator cuff tears.

Methods: Between 2018 and 2020 years, 16 patients with massive irreparable rotator cuff tears that were treated with LT tendon transfer and interpositional repair at the same time were included in this study. The mean follow-up period was 29±3 months (24-39 months) and the mean age of patients was 62±9 years (42-73 years).