Serogroups and Toxin Variants of Clinical Shiga Toxin-Producing Strains Isolated from Patients with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome in Turkey.

Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) refers to a group of bacteria that can cause infections, which are common worldwide and pose a serious public health problem, as they can lead to conditions such as hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS is a disease characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and renal failure. Determination of serogroups and toxin profiles of STEC is important for estimating their disease-causing potential and predicting epidemiological changes.

Sex differences in clinical and polysomnographic features of obstructive sleep apnea: The Turkish sleep apnea database (TURKAPNE) cohort.

Background: Previous reports from relatively small clinical cohorts have suggested that the clinical presentation of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) differs between men and women.

Objective: We aimed to explore sex differences in clinical and polysomnographic features of OSA in a large nationwide registry.

Methods: Participants from the ongoing Turkish Sleep Apnea Database (TURKAPNE) Study from 34 centers were included in the current analysis.

Treatment and Follow-up of Non-stress Adrenal Insufficiency.

Adrenal insufficiency (AI) is defined as the inability of the adrenal cortex to produce adequate amounts of glucocorticoids and/or mineralocorticoids. As these hormones have important roles in water-salt balance and energy homeostasis, AI is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. Glucocorticoid replacement therapy is vital in all cases of AI.

Milk ladder: Who? When? How? Where? with the lowest risk of reaction.

The milk ladder (ML) approach, which is the gradual reintroduction of the milk allergen from the least allergenic forms to the most allergenic forms into the diet of the patients, has been utilized mostly in non-IgE-mediated but in some countries also in IgE-mediated-CMPA due to its possible benefits which include nutrition, quality of life and tolerance induction. Despite increasing interest, so far, there is no guideline on ML; thus, the use of this approach shows discrepancies among healthcare professionals as many factors such as dietary habits, patient history, test results, workload, and facilities of the hospitals, the anxiety of the parents/patients may affect the decision on how, when, where and whom to use ML. Here, we reviewed current data on implementing the ML, suggested a 4-step ML including receipts and amounts, and shared our experience on optimal patient selection, appropriate time and steps for initiating ML, and time intervals between the steps targeting the lowest risk of reaction.

An evaluation of corneal topographic changes in a large series of patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis.

Purpose: To evaluate corneal topographic indices and the prevalence of keratoconus in patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) and to compare these with normal individuals.

Methods: One-hundred twelve consecutive patients with VKC and 112 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were included in this prospective study. Demographic characteristics were recorded, and complete ophthalmic examinations were performed for all participants.

Evaluation of pediatric spinal ependymomas: A 25-year retrospective observational study.

This study aims to evaluate the clinical and radiological features, histopathological characteristics, treatment modalities, and their effectiveness, as well as long-term follow-up results of pediatric spinal ependymomas treated at a single institution. In this retrospective study, medical records of 14 pediatric patients (3 females and 11 males) who were surgically treated for spinal ependymoma in our institution between 1995 and 2020 were reviewed. Data regarding age, gender, presenting symptoms and signs, radiological findings, postoperative status, extent of resection, histopathological grading, recurrence, tumor growth, seeding, and adjuvant treatment were collected and analyzed.

Effects of virtual reality exercise on pain, joint motion, and quality of life in patients with frozen shoulder: a randomized controlled study.

Background: Restriction of shoulder movements in frozen shoulder may negatively affect individual's daily living activities. The effect of the virtual reality (VR)-based exercise program, which is an innovative application and has been used in the field of physiotherapy in recent years, is unknown on patients diagnosed with frozen shoulder.

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the effects of a VR-based exercise program provided to patients with frozen shoulder on their pain, joint motion, and quality of life.

Evaluation Of Maternal And Fetal Findings In Patients With Pemphigoid Gestationis.

Objective: To evaluate the maternal and fetal outcomes of 12 pregnant women diagnosed with pemphigoid gestationis, in conjunction with a review of the literature.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on the medical records of 12 patients diagnosed with pemphigoid gestationis who presented  between January 2014 and January 2024.

Results: Twelve pregnant patients with pemphigoid gestationis were included in the study.

The predictive effects of adiponectin and irisin hormones on diagnosis and clinical involvement of Sarcoidosis.

Background: Sarcoidosis is a chronic disease of unknown etiology characterised by systemic non-caseating granulomas that can affect any organ in the body, especially the lungs and in which genetic and environmental factors are thought to play a role in its pathophysiology. Adipokines and myokines secreted from adipose and muscle tissue play a role in the pathogenesis or protection against many inflammatory and autoimmune diseases in which inflammation and immunity form the basis. In our study, we aimed to investigate the role of the irisin and adiponectin in sarcoidosis.

The relationship between conscientious intelligence and human values: application in the field of health.

This study was carried out to determine the relationship between the level of conscientious intelligence and human values among health workers. This study is a cross-sectional study using quantitative measures. A questionnaire constructed with scales whose validity and reliability were previously conducted was used.

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.

Efficacy and Safety of CT-P13 as First- and Second-Line Treatment in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis.

CT-P13 is a biosimilar version of infliximab, a monoclonal antibody. In individuals with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), CT-P13 has been shown to be effective and to have a well-tolerated safety profile. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term drug persistence, safety, and efficacy of infliximab biosimilar CT-P13 in patients with AS undergoing first-line (1st-line) and later (≥2nd-line) treatment in clinical practice.

Patient satisfaction study for the new Rigicon Infla10 inflatable penile prosthesis including single surgeon safety and outcomes data.

Background: Rigicon is a newer inflatable penile prostheses (IPP) manufacturer that has produced the Infla10 IPP for countries outside the United States (US) since 2019, with Food and Drug Administration studies for approval of Infla10 in the US presently underway.

Aim: This study aims to report the first patient satisfaction, efficacy, and safety from revision data for the newly available Rigicon Infla10 IPP.

Methods: A single surgeon's first 58 patients who underwent Rigicon Infla10 IPP implantation between 2019 and 2023 were included.

Inhibitor development upon switching from plasma-derived to recombinant factor VIII in previously untreated patients with severe hemophilia A: the PUP-SWITCH study.

Background: The SIPPET randomized clinical trial showed that in previously untreated patients (PUPs) with severe hemophilia A, treatment with plasma-derived factor (F)VIII (pdFVIII) within the first 50 exposure days (EDs) was associated with a lower cumulative incidence of inhibitors than with recombinant FVIII (rFVIII). Switching to rFVIII beyond 50 EDs with pdFVIII is a treatment often implemented by many centers. The question is whether or not this switch may induce a risk of inhibitor development.

External Validation of Vision, Aphasia and Neglect, Ventura Emergent Large Vessel Occlusion and Large Artery Intracranial Occlusion Screening Tools for Emergent Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke: A Multicenter, Prospective, Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Vision, Aphasia, and Neglect (VAN), Ventura Emergent Large Vessel Occlusion (VES), and Large Artery Intracranial Occlusion (LARIO) are promising stroke screening tools that were shown to have high diagnostic performance to detect Emergent Large Vessel Occlusion (ELVO) in their derivation studies.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the validation of VAN, VES, and LARIO in predicting ELVO among patients presenting at emergency department (ED) triage with suspected acute ischemic stroke.

Methods: This is a prospective multicenter study conducted in five EDs of tertiary stroke centers between June and October 2023.

Feasibility of Periauricular Incision for Parotidectomy: A Retrospective Study.

Backgrounds: Various incisions are used in parotid surgery, yet they often result in visible scarring on the neck and potential deformities. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and feasibility of utilizing a periauricular approach for excising parotid tumors irrespective of their location and size.

Methods: This retrospective study involved 46 consecutive patients with parotid lesions, who underwent minimally invasive excision through a periauricular incision performed by a single surgeon between January 2022 and January 2024.

The predictive ability of Controlling Nutritional Status score on in-hospital mortality in patients admitted to coronary care unit.

Objective: Controlling Nutritional Status score was previously described and has been used in predicting short- and long-term outcomes in different patient populations. The aim of this study was to test the relationship between Controlling Nutritional Status score and in-hospital mortality in coronary care unit patients (MORCOR-TURK population).

Methods: In this multicenter and national study, all patients with an available Controlling Nutritional Status score were included in the analysis.

Global Assessment of Medication Adherence: Correlational Analyses of a Brief Tool for Evaluating Medication Adherence in Patients with Severe Mental Disorders.

Background: Assessment of medication adherence of patients with severe mental disorders is an important aspect of long-term treatment. There is a need for a brief and practical tool to assess medication adherence. This study investigates the clinical, functional, and validational correlations of a short and easy-to-use tool.

Breast Cancer Recurrence in Initially Clinically Node-Positive Patients Undergoing Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in the NEOSENTITURK-Trials MF18-02/18-03.

Background: This study aims to identify factors predicting recurrence and unfavorable prognosis in cN+ patients who have undergone sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC).

Methods: The retrospective multi-centre "MF18-02" and the prospective multi-centre cohort registry trial "MF18-03" (NCT04250129) included patients with cT1-4N1-3M0 with SLNB+/- axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) post-NAC.

Results: A total of 2407 cN+ patients, who later achieved cN0 status after NAC and subsequently underwent SLNB, were studied.