Cerebral embolic protection devices during transcatheter aortic valve implantation, the current state of the art.

Stroke after transcatheter aortic valve (TAVI) is a devastating adverse event. The majority of these occur in the acute phase following TAVI where cerebral embolic events are frequent. Cerebral embolic protection devices (CEPD) have been developed to minimise the risk of peri-procedural ischaemic stroke during TAVI.

Beneficial Effects of Human Umbilical Cord Blood Mononuclear Cells on Persistent Erectile Dysfunction After Treatment of 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitor in Rats.

Background: Effects of human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) as a valuable source for stem cell-based therapies have not been studied in persistent post-5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5ARI) erectile dysfunction (PPED).

Aim: To determine the effect of intracavernosal injection of HUCB mononuclear cells (MNCs) on ED associated with dutasteride treatment.

Methods: Twenty five adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups (n = 5 per group): (i) control, (ii) 8-week dutasteride (0.

Middle East Treatment Strategies and Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: One-Year Follow-up Data from Garfield-AF Study.

Introduction: The Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF) aims to determine real-life treatment patterns and clinical outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) and at least one investigator-determined risk factor for stroke. The registry includes a wide array of baseline characteristics and has a particular focus on: (1) bleeding and thromboembolic events; (2) international normalized ratio fluctuations; and (3) therapy compliance and persistence patterns.

Methods: Evolution in baseline treatment for patients enrolled in sequential cohorts showed an increase in prescribing of novel oral anticoagulants over time.

Evaluation of 3D printing in planning, practicing, and training for endovascular lower extremity arterial interventions.

Background: In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential role of 3D-printed physical and digital anatomical models in pre-procedural planning, practice and training in lower extremity arterial interventions.

Methods: A total of 16 patients (9 males, 7 females; mean age: 72.1±1.

A Novel Technique for Labral Reconstruction Using Long Head of Biceps Tendon: Duru Technique.

Arthroscopic capsulolabral repair is a well-established surgical treatment for traumatic anterior shoulder instability. When there is insufficient labral tissue during arthroscopic primary or revision Bankart repairs, various soft tissue procedures have been recommended. All these procedures aim to reattach glenohumeral ligaments to the glenoid rim and regain the tight anterior structures to prevent re-dislocation or subluxation.

High Eosinophil Rates in Patients With Right-to-Left Shunts: An Expected Role, or an Unexpected Risk?

Background and objective Eosinophils are associated with thromboembolic events. Since eosinophils are eliminated in the pulmonary vasculature, right-to-left shunt (RLS) through patent foramen ovale may increase eosinophils in the peripheral blood. In this report, we evaluated the eosinophils of patients with regard to the presence of RLS and its quantity.

Urgent and elective proctologic/anorectal interventions in the COVID-19 pandemic: A practical guideline for treatment safety.

Background: This article aims to give practical information and concrete suggestions on what should be considered in emergency, semi-urgent and elective settings for common anorectal diseases in the hectic period of the COVID-19 pandemic, based on early results of a series of anorectal interventions.

Methods: Referring to other related guidelines, general considerations specific to the diagnosis and treatment of highly prevalent anorectal diseases were developed to target the correct patients, evaluate and orientate by telemedicine, adapt the Proctology Unit to the new pandemic, and control contamination and infection. Specific considerations for common anorectal diseases were cited, and our initial results were retrospectively documented.

The Effect of Primary Surgery in Patients with De Novo Stage IV Breast Cancer with Bone Metastasis Only (Protocol BOMET MF 14-01): A Multi-Center, Prospective Registry Study.

Background: More evidence shows that primary surgery for de novo metastatic breast cancer (BC) prolongs overall survival (OS) in selected cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of locoregional treatment (LRT) in BC patients with de novo stage IV bone only metastasis (BOM).

Methods: The prospective, multicenter registry study BOMET MF14-01 was initiated in May 2014.

Molecular economy of nature with two thyrotropins from different parts of the pituitary: pars tuberalis thyroid-stimulating hormone and pars distalis thyroid-stimulating hormone.

Thyrotropin (TSH) is classically known to be regulated by negative feedback from thyroid hormones and stimulated by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) from the hypothalamus. At the end of the 1990s, studies showed that thyrotroph cells from the pars tuberalis (PT) did not have TRH receptors and their TSH regulation was independent from TRH stimulation. Instead, PT-thyrotroph cells were shown to have melatonin-1 (MT-1) receptors and melatonin secretion from the pineal gland stimulates TSH-β subunit formation in PT.

A systematic review on durability and structural valve deterioration in TAVR and surgical AVR.

Mechanical valves and bioprosthetic heart valves are widely used for aortic valve replacement (AVR). Mechanical valves are associated with risk of bleeding because of oral anticoagulation, while the durability and structural valve deterioration (SVD) represent the main limitation of the bioprosthetic heart valves. The implantation of bioprosthetic heart valves is increasing precipitously due aging population, and the widespread use of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Echocardiographic assessment in cardiogenic shock.

Echocardiography is the most helpful diagnostic modality in cardiogenic shock, the management of which still remains challenging despite advances in therapeutic options. The presence of cardiogenic shock portends high mortality rates. Therefore, rapid recognition, identification of the underlying cause, and evaluation of the severity of hemodynamic dysfunction are vital for correct management.

On the Horizon: Biologics and Nutrients for Neurotrophic Keratitis.

Neurotrophic keratitis (NK), a potentially sight-threatening corneal disease, still does not have a specific treatment. The reduction or complete loss of corneal sensation, the most important factor in its pathogenesis, is one of the most important factors that complicate the treatment of corneal wound healing. In addition, the visual outcome may be adversely affected because of aggressive stromal fibrosis in severe NK cases.

Does a Secure Attachment Style Predict High Psychological Resilience in Patients With Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy?

Introduction To investigate the level of psychological resilience and the impact of attachment styles on the degree of resilience to distress in patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy. Methods Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy were included in the study. Participants were requested to complete the Relationship Scales Questionnaire (RSQ), Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA), and a personal information form during the data collection phase.

Outcomes of Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation (ASCT) in Relapsed/Refractory Germ Cell Tumors: Single Center Experience from Turkey.

Purpose: Germ cell tumors (GCTs) are rare and highly curable malignancies. However, salvage treatments for relapsed or refractory disease are needed in approximately 20-60% of the patients. As salvage therapy, autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) administered after high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) may be a feasible option as well as standard dose chemotherapy (SDCT).

Tolvaptan treatment in hyponatremia due to the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH): effects on survival in patients with cancer.

Purpose: To investigate the clinical outcomes of patients with hyponatremia who received supportive treatment or tolvaptan plus supportive treatment and the effects of treatment and other variables on overall survival METHODS: This study included oncology patients who were hospitalized at two oncology centers between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2019 for hyponatremia (sodium levels < 135 mEq/L) and who received tolvaptan plus supportive treatment (n = 22) or supportive treatment only (n = 42).

Results: The median age of all the patients was 59 years (range 26-85) and 64.1% of the patients were male.

GLASS: Global Lorlatinib for ALK(+) and ROS1(+) retrospective Study: real world data of 123 NSCLC patients.

Unlabelled: Lorlatinib is a third-generation tyrosine-kinases inhibitor (TKI) targeting ALK/ROS1 fusions. The FDA has approved lorlatinib for TKI-pretreated ALK(+) NSCLC, while its approval for ROS1(+) is still pending. Here we present the largest real-world data of NSCLC patients harboring ALK/ROS1 rearrangements treated with lorlatinib.

Prognostic factors in medically inoperable early stage lung cancer patients treated with stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR): Turkish Radiation Oncology Society Multicentric Study.

Objective: We identified factors influencing outcomes in patients with medically inoperable early stage lung cancer (MIESLC) treated with stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR) at 14 centers in Turkey.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 431 patients with stage I-II MIESLC treated with SABR from 2009 through 2017. Age; sex; performance score; imaging technique; tumor histology and size; disease stage radiation dose, fraction and biologically effective dose with an α/β ratio of 10 (BED ); tumor location and treatment center were evaluated for associations with overall survival (OS), local control (LC) and toxicity.

Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on pediatric oncology care in the Middle East, North Africa, and West Asia region: A report from the Pediatric Oncology East and Mediterranean (POEM) group.

Background: Childhood cancer is a highly curable disease when timely diagnosis and appropriate therapy are provided. A negative impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on access to care for children with cancer is likely but has not been evaluated.

Methods: A 34-item survey focusing on barriers to pediatric oncology management during the COVID-19 pandemic was distributed to heads of pediatric oncology units within the Pediatric Oncology East and Mediterranean (POEM) collaborative group, from the Middle East, North Africa, and West Asia.

Perspectives by a position statement on atrial fibrillation in acute heart failure a: Mechanisms and therapeutic approaches.

The co-existence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and acute heart failure (AHF) is frequently reported and can exacerbate either or both of them. Their combination leads to increased morbidity and mortality. Although there has been a lack of studies on the prevalence and significance, as well as the treatment, of AF in patients with AHF, a position statement from the Acute Cardiovascular Care Association and European Heart Rhythm Association has recently reviewed the latest evidence on AF in the setting of AHF.

3D printing and spine surgery.

Rapid prototyping (RP), also known as three-dimensional printing (3DP), allows the rapid conversion of anatomical images into physical components by the use of special printers. This novel technology has also become a promising innovation for spine surgery. As a result of the developments in 3DP technology, production speeds have increased, and costs have decreased.

Preventing the recurrence of acute anorectal abscesses utilizing a loose seton: a pilot study.

Introduction: This pilot study aimed to document our results of treating anorectal abscesses with drainage plus loose seton for possible coexisting high fistulas or drainage plus fistulotomy for low tracts at the same operation.

Methods: Drainage plus fistulotomy were performed only in cases with subcutaneous mucosa, intersphincteric, or apparently low transsphincteric fistula tracts. For all other cases with high transsphincteric fistula or those with questionable sphincter involvement, a loose seton was placed through the tract.