Efficacy of Capecitabine and Temozolomide Regimen in Neuroendocrine Tumors: Data From the Turkish Oncology Group.

Introduction: This study aims to report the efficacy and safety of capecitabine plus temozolomide (CAPTEM) across different lines of treatment in patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs).

Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective study analyzing the data of 308 patients with metastatic NETs treated with CAPTEM between 2010 and 2022 in 34 different hospitals across various regions of Turkey.

Results: The median follow-up time was 41.

Congenital Heart Defects and Outcome in a Large Cohort of Down Syndrome: A Single-Center Experience from Turkey.

Objective: Congenital heart defects occur in approximately 50% of children with Down syndrome and they contribute considerably to morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence, classification, and survival of congenital heart defects in Down syndrome.

Materials And Methods: About 1731 Down syndrome patients who underwent echocardiography between 1986 and 2022 were evaluated.

Cetuximab-induced rash is associated with overall survival in patients with recurrent/metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck.

Purpose: In this study, we looked for whether treatment-induced rash predicts treatment efficacy in patients with recurrent/metastatic HNSCC treated with Cetuximab and chemotherapy.

Methods: Patients who were treated with platinum-based chemotherapy and cetuximab for the first line treatment of recurrent/metastatic HNSCC were recruited. Presence of rash, hypomagnesemia, hypopotassemia, anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia during treatment and treatment response, date of progression, date of last visit and death were recorded.

Reliability and diagnostic performance of smartphone colposcopy.

Objective: To evaluate the interobserver and intraobserver reliability of smartphone colposcopy (SPC) versus conventional colposcopy and to determine diagnostic performance.

Methods: A smartphone back camera was used to capture cervical images before and after application of acetic acid, and after application of lugol solution. Captured images were reviewed independently by two experienced colposcopists and findings were noted as per colposcopy.

Is Xbox 360 Kinect-based virtual reality training as effective as standard physiotherapy in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery?

Purpose: Breast cancer surgery may be associated with pain and physical symptoms in the upper limbs. Functional impairment and pain-related avoidance of movement may further increase disability level. This study aimed to investigate the potential effects of early postoperative virtual reality (VR) therapy on pain, range of motion (ROM), muscle strength, functionality, and fear of movement.

Comparison of different tendon transposition techniques for the treatment of monocular elevation deficiency type 2.

Purpose: To compare results of three different tendon transposition techniques (Knapp procedure and two modified techniques) for the treatment of type 2 monocular elevation deficiency (MED) patients.

Methods: The medical records of patients with MED type 2 operated on at a single institution from 2000 to 2016 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were divided into three vertical transposition groups: (1) full tendon width, (2) augmented surgery; and (3) partial tendon width.

The impact of the presence of fibromyalgia on fatigue in patients with psoriatic arthritis: comparison with controls.

Background: Coexisting fibromyalgia (FM) to psoriatic arthritis (PsA) has been identified and it has been associated with more severe symptoms, impaired function, and greater disability. It was aimed to explore the effect of the presence of FM on fatigue in patients with PsA comparing with controls.

Methods: Fifty patients with PsA and 34 sex-age matched controls were enrolled.

The impact of atherosclerotic risk factors on disease progression in patients with previously diagnosed nonobstructive coronary artery disease: factors affecting coronary artery disease progression.

Objective: Since coronary artery disease (CAD) is a slow progressive disease, management and appropriate follow-up of patients with nonobstructive coronary artery disease (NOCAD) remains challenging, and there are no clear guidelines recommending a follow-up strategy and indications for repeat invasive coronary angiography (ICA). We investigated the predictors of the development of obstructive CAD in patients with previously diagnosed NOCAD.

Methods: We prospectively included 186 patients who previously received a diagnosis of NOCAD with invasive coronary angiogram and underwent repeat ICA.

Kruppel-Like Transcription Factor-4 Gene Expression and DNA Methylation Status in Type 2 Diabetes and Diabetic Nephropathy Patients.

Background/aim: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most serious microvascular complications in diabetic patients. The kruppel-like transcription factor-4 (KLF-4) affects the expression of genes involved in the pathogenesis of DN. The present study aims to identify the KLF-4 expression and DNA methylation (DNAMe) status in patients with type-2 diabetes (T2D) and DN and to reveal the contribution of the KLF-4 to the development of DN.

Assessment of retinal thickness as a marker of brain masculinization in children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia: a pilot study.

Objective To investigate the relationship between brain masculinization and retinal thickness in children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Methods Forty-five patients with CAH aged between 4 and 18 years and 30 age-matched healthy controls were included in this prospective study. Macular area was examined with optical coherence tomography (OCT); central subfield thickness (CST), cube volume (CV) and macular retinal thickness (MT) were measured in each subject.

Predictive value of global and territorial longitudinal strain imaging in detecting significant coronary artery disease in patients with myocardial infarction without persistent ST-segment elevation.

Introduction: Two-dimensional (2D) speckle-tracking echocardiographic (STE) imaging is frequently performed in the assessment of cardiovascular diseases. We aim to investigate the role of the global and territorial longitudinal strain (GLS and TLS) values assessed via 2D STE imaging to detect significant coronary artery disease (CAD) in non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients without wall-motion abnormalities.

Methods: This study enrolled 150 patients with the diagnosis of NSTEMI.

Determinants of Awareness on Diabetes and its Complications.

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that requires continuous medical care. Raising awareness and determining the factors affecting awareness about diabetes and its complications have an important role in achieving glycemic control and preventing complications.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to determine the sociodemographic properties of participants, the status of patients' awareness, and the factors affecting awareness.

Intra-articular injection of hydrogen sulfide decreased the progression of gonarthrosis.

Hydrogen sulfide (HS) is found in both the plasma and synovial fluid of patients with gonarthrosis. In the present study, we investigated whether intra-articular injection of sodium hydrosulfide (NaSH) (1 mM, 30 μL), a HS donor, might affect gonarthrosis in rats. Gonarthrosis was induced surgically in the left knees of rats and left for 6 weeks for the development of disease.

Dexamethasone implant as an adjuvant therapy to ranibizumab loading dose in persistent diabetic macular edema.

Purpose: This study evaluates the effectiveness of a single-dose dexamethasone implant (DI) as an auxiliary therapy to continued intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) treatment in patients with persistent diabetic macular edema (DME).

Methods: Twenty-five pseudophakic eyes of 25 patients with DME who underwent a single injection of DI as an adjuvant therapy following an IVR loading dose were examined retrospectively. All patients were treatment naive and had a poor response to a loading dose of three consecutive monthly IVR injections.

Gamma Glutamyl Transferase and Uric Acid Levels Can Be Associated with the Prognosis of Patients in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

: Gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and uric acid (UA) are reported to be predictive markers in various disorders. It has been reported that these biomarkers can be used to indicate increased risk of mortality in critically ill patients. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the effects of the initial serum GGT and UA levels on the outcomes of patients in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and to investigate if these biomarkers can be used to predict pediatric mortality.

Neutrophil- and Platelet- to Lymphocyte Ratio in Patients with Euthyroid Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.

Background: Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is the most prevalent autoimmune thyroid disorder. Both neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are reported to be increased in various inflammation-related diseases, but their clinical significance in HT remains unclear.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between thyroid autommunity and NLR and PLR as markers of systemic inflammation in HT.

The use of an ostial stent does not increase the success rate of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy.

Objective: This prospective, controlled study assessed how placing a stent into a newly formed ostium affects ostial patency, success and complication rates in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy patients.

Methods: In group 1 (40 eyes of 36 patients), both silicone tube intubation and tube stenting were performed. In group 2 (36 eyes of 34 patients), only silicone tube intubation was performed.

Assessment of quality of life in Turkish children with psoriasis and their caregivers.

Background/objectives: The effect of pediatric psoriasis on quality of life has been demonstrated, but data regarding its influence on caregiver quality of life are scarce. The objective was to investigate how psoriasis affects quality of life of children and their caregivers.

Methods: This multicenter study included 129 children with psoriasis and their caregivers, who were family members accompanying patients to the clinic.

Opinions and Expectations of Muslim Donors' Relatives Deciding Organ Donation: The Sample of Istanbul.

The low rate of consent by relatives of potential donors especially in Muslim majority countries is one of the basic limiting factors of the success of organ transplantation. Therefore, this study aimed to explore opinions and expectations of relatives after donating their beloved ones' organs on a Muslim sample in Istanbul Region. Descriptive method was used.

The impact of subcutaneous irrigation on wound complications after cesarean sections: A prospective randomised study.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of subcutaneous saline irrigation in preventing wound complications after cesarean sections.

Study Design: Patients undergoing primary cesarean sections were randomly assigned to either the subcutaneous saline irrigation group or the control group. The participants were asked to come to the hospital for routine inspection of the skin incision on day 7 and day 30 postoperatively.

Platelet-rich plasma as an additional therapeutic option for infected wounds with multi-drug resistant bacteria: in vitro antibacterial activity study.

Purpose: Infected wounds, such as diabetic foot infections, are mostly polymicrobial and microorganisms have high resistance rates to antimicrobials. Infected wounds in diabetic patients have high cost, morbidity, and mortality rates. Based on these facts, there is a need for supportive localized treatment options such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) implementations.

Is medial calcar continuity necessary in plate osteosynthesis for proximal humerus fractures?

Objective: To evaluate the functional and radiological results of patients with and without medial calcar continuity in plate osteosynthesis applied for a proximal humerus fracture retrospectively.

Methods: The study included 27 patients to whom plate osteosynthesis was applied because of a proximal humerus fracture between January 2, 2010, and December 30, 2013, at Okmeydanı Research and Training Hospital. Patients were separated into Group A with medial calcar continuity and Group B without medial calcar continuity.

Results of percutaneous fixation and distal radius core decompression in scaphoid waist non-unions treated without grafting.

Unlabelled: Scaphoid non-union management is still a challenge in clinical practice for orthopaedic surgeons. Though several treatment methods have been described, there is an ongoing debate about optimum management. Based on new concepts about avascular conditions, promising results were reported with metaphyseal decompression of the distal radius by increasing the vascularization of the radial column of the carpus.