Comparing the clinical efficacy of preganglionic and preganglionic plus ganglionic transforaminal epidural steroid injections for lumbosacral radicular pain.

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of preganglionic transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) with preganglionic plus postganglionic TFESI.

Methods: Patients with unilateral radicular pain and disc pathology were randomly assigned to either the preganglionic group or the preganglionic plus postganglionic group. All patients were evaluated using a numeric rating scale (NRS) and a patient satisfaction scale (PSS) at the third week and the third month after treatment.

Predictive Value of Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Diffusion-Weighted Imaging Findings for Sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis in Early-Stage Invasive Breast Cancer.

Objective: This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of the preoperative dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) findings of mass lesions for predicting sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis in early breast cancer.

Methods: A total of 310 patients with suspicious mass lesions detected in preoperative MRI who subsequently underwent surgery and SLN biopsy (SLNB) between September 2015 and September 2022 were analyzed. The relationship between DCE-MRI and DWI findings and SLNB positivity was analyzed.

Assessment of Family Physicians' Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Atrial Fibrillation and Oral Anticoagulants in Türkiye: What Do the Survey Results Reveal?

Objective: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia associated with a five-fold increased risk of stroke. Family physicians (FPs) serve as the primary contact point for patients seeking healthcare. While many surveys have assessed FPs' knowledge on AF across various countries, no such study has been conducted in Türkiye.

Do the ınflammatory markers have a prognostic role in an elderly patient population diagnosed with non-muscle ınvasive bladder cancer?

Objective: To evaluate whether the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and De-Ritis ratio (DRR) are determinants of progression-free survival (PFS), recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients aged ≥ 70 years diagnosed with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

Method: The study included 173 elderly patients diagnosed with NMIBC between January 2015 and March 2022. The clinical and pathological data of the patients were examined.

De-Escalation of Nodal Surgery in Clinically Node-Positive Breast Cancer.

Importance: Increasing evidence supports the oncologic safety of de-escalating axillary surgery for patients with breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC).

Objective: To evaluate the oncologic outcomes of de-escalating axillary surgery among patients with clinically node (cN)-positive breast cancer and patients whose disease became cN negative after NAC (ycN negative).

Design, Setting, And Participants: In the NEOSENTITURK MF-1803 prospective cohort registry trial, patients from 37 centers with cT1-4N1-3M0 disease treated with sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) or targeted axillary dissection (TAD) alone or with ypN-negative or ypN-positive disease after NAC were recruited between February 15, 2019, and January 1, 2023, and evaluated.

[Multicentric Screening of Local Antibiotic Resistance in Uncomplicated Urinary System Infections: 1850 Patients from 37 Centers].

This study was aimed to identify the most frequently observed pathogens in uncomplicated urinary tract infections from outpatient urinary isolates obtained across seven different geographical regions in Türkiye and to determine whether the antibiotic resistance rates of these pathogens differ significantly between these regions. The study included patients aged 18 to 65 years who were diagnosed with uncomplicated urinary tract infections and had positive urine cultures from March 2021 to August 2022, across 37 different centers in Türkiye. The participating centers were selected based on their use of the disk diffusion method, in line with the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) guidelines, to ensure standardization of urine culture data.

Activity of CDK4/6 inhibitors and parameters affecting survival in elderly patients in age-subgroups: Turkish Oncology Group (TOG) retrospective study.

Highly selective inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6is) have emerged as a standart of care for first- and second-line therapies in combination with endocrine therapy (ET) for HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients. It has been reported that combination therapy is more effective than ET alone and is safe in elderly patients as well as young patients. Nevertheless, elderly and very old patients with HR+/HER2-MBC treated with CDK4/6 inhibitor (CDK4/6i) combinations are relatively underrepresented in randomized controlled trials.

Timing of Dose Reductions and Survival Outcomes in Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4/6 Inhibitors.

Background/objectives: Dose reductions in CDK4/6 inhibitors, such as ribociclib and palbociclib, are often necessary due to treatment-related toxicities in patients with advanced breast cancer. This study aims to evaluate the impact of the timing of dose reductions on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in a real-world cohort.

Methods: This single-center, retrospective study included patients treated with ribociclib or palbociclib between 2019 and 2023 at a cancer center in Turkey.

The Serum Biomarkers in Ulcerative Colitis.

Objective: In this study, the aim was to evaluate the diagnostic effectiveness of more easily applicable and cost-effective serum biomarkers, such as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-tolymphocyte ratio (PLR), C-reactive protein (CRP) to albumin ratio (CAR), and CRP-to-lymphocyte ratio (CLR), instead of the endoscopic activity index (EAI) used to determine disease activation in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients.

Methods: Blood tests performed during the same period as colonoscopy were reviewed, and NLR, PLR, CAR, and CLR values were calculated. Based on the EAI score, patients with a score <4 were classified as having UC in remission, those with a score ≥4 as having active UC, and those with normal colonoscopy results as the control group.

Are mesenchymal stem cells still effective in acute GvHD management?

Objective: Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a common and serious complication following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), significantly impacting transplant efficacy. In the treatment of GvHD, numerous therapeutic approaches have been explored, with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) emerging as a prominent immunomodulatory option. We aimed to evaluate efficacy and outcomes of using MSCs for steroid refractory acute GVHD (SR-aGvHD) management.

The role of ruxolitinib in the management of acute GVHD.

Background And Objectives: Following an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT), a primary cause of morbidity and mortality is still steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease (SR-aGVHD). Recently, ruxolitinib, an oral inhibitor of JAK1 and JAK2, was approved for use in individuals suffering from SR-aGVHD. This study aimed to analyze the efficacy and toxicity of ruxolitinib in the real world.

What is the role of alpha-1 antitrypsin in the management of acute graft versus host disease?

Objective: Acute graft versus host disease (GVHD) occurs in 20-80 % of patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Of these patients, 40 % will be resistant to steroids, which is the standard first-line approach. There is no standard second line treatment approach for patients with steroid refractory acute GVHD (SR-aGVHD).

Is there a relationship between vitamin D levels and graft versus host disease?

Objective: Vitamin D deficiency is common in adult patients undergoing allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Since vitamin D is an important regulatory factor for the immune system, vitamin D deficiency may have effects on antitumor activity, relapse rates, graft versus host disease (GVHD) occurrence and infection rates in allo-HSCT. We aimed to investigate the effects of vitamin D levels on the outcome of allo-HSCT.

Treatment Patterns and Attrition in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: Real-Life Experience from the Turkish Oncology Group Kidney Cancer Consortium (TKCC) Database.

Introduction: Despite the rapid evolution in management of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) over the past decade, challenges remain in accessing new therapies in some parts of the world. Despite therapeutic advancements, attrition rates remain persistently high. This study aims to assess the treatment patterns and attrition rates of patients with mRCC in oncology clinics across Turkey.

Efficacy of Ruxolitinib in the management of chronic GVHD.

Objectives: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a potentially curative treatment for hematological diseases, with success rates improving due to advancements in conditioning regimens and new anti-graft versus host disease (GVHD) drugs. Ruxolitinib, an oral selective Janus kinase (JAK) 1 and 2 inhibitor has been used to mitigate the effects of various inflammatory and myeloproliferative syndromes, given the JAK kinase pathway's central role in cytokine signaling during inflammatory and immune processes. In this study we aimed to assess ruxolitinib's efficacy in patients with chronic GVHD (cGVHD).

Effectiveness of ibrutinib in the management of chronic GVHD.

Objectives: Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) represents a significant adverse event that may ensue following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo-HSCT). In patients resistant to corticosteroids, which is the first-line treatment for cGVHD, ibrutinib is being evaluated as a potential treatment option. In this study, we aimed to share the findings of our multicenter study regarding the outcomes of ibrutinib treatment in patients with corticosteroid-resistant cGVHD who had previously received multiple systemic therapies.

What should be the optimal dose of post-transplantation cyclophosphamide for GVHD prophylaxis in allogeneic stem cell transplantation?

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to compare the engraftment days, graft versus host disease (GVHD) development, relapse and overall survival (OS) rates in patients using variable intensity conditioning regimens with two different post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) doses for hematological malignancies.

Material And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 162 patients who have had PTCy at a dose of 25 mg/kg × 2 and 50 mg/kg × 2 between 2018 and 2024. Patients were divided in 2 groups; PTCy dose with 25 mg/kg × 2 (Group 1, n = 45) and PTCy dose with 50 mg/kg × 2 (Group 2, n = 117).

Does transforaminal epidural steroid injection added to dorsal root ganglion pulsed radiofrequency treatment increase efficacy?

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the treatment outcomes between dorsal root ganglion (DRG) pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) and DRG PRF plus transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) in patients with chronic lumbosacral radicular pain.

Patients And Methods: Eighty-one patients (39 males, 42 females; mean age: 57.5±11.

Exploring the impact of developmental dysplasia of the hip on refugees with temporary protected status in Türkiye.

Objective: In this study, we examined whether there was a change in the number of children who had been screened by hip ultrasound, the age of first diagnosis, and the number of invasive and conservative treatments applied due to developmental dysplasia of the hip between 2016 and 2022 among refugees who were in "Temporary Protection Status" in Türkiye?

Methods: The records were collected via the e-health database of the Turkish Ministry of Health. Over 1 month old were included in the study.

Results: The number of ultrasonography (USG) that was performed for developmental dysplasia of the hip survey had significantly increased over time.

Remplissage Using Tendon Graft Can Improve Impaired Suction Seal Caused by Over-resection During Femoroplasty in an Ovine Model.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of depth and location of femoral osteoplasty or the use of remplissage on the suction seal in a sheep hip model.

Methods: The hips of 32 twelve-month-old sheep were used as a cam-type femoroacetabular impingement model. The subjects were divided into 4 groups, each undergoing a distinct surgical procedure: group I underwent a 5% cam resection at the head/neck junction, group II had a 10% cam resection at the head/neck junction, group III received a 5% cam resection from 5 mm proximal to the head/neck junction, and group IV underwent remplissage to replace the loss of the suction seal with an extensor tendon graft in the defected area after a 10% cam resection at the head-neck junction.

Neurturin gene IVSI-663 polymorphism but not RET variants is associated with increased risk for breast cancer.

Background: Gene polymorphisms of rearranged during transfection (RET) and its ligand neurturin (NRTN) are one of the focus of studies in the investigation of cancer pathogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. In this study, we aimed to examine the possible risk of breast cancer between RET G691S, L769L, S904S, and NRTN IVSI-663 polymorphisms and to evaluate serum NRTN, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) levels.

Methods: The study consists of 110 breast cancer patients and 110 controls.

Identifying Hip Arthroscopy Trends in Turkey.

Background: Hip arthroscopy (HA) procedures have continued to increase worldwide. However, no data are currently available regarding the increasing HA case volume and trends in Turkey.

Purpose: To identify trends in postoperative care habits and incidence of HA in Turkey using data from the national Health Coding Reference Server (SKRS) database.

Epidemiology of Pediatric Fractures and Effect of Socioeconomic Status on Fracture Incidence in Türkiye: A Nationwide Analysis of 2 Million Fractures.

Background: Childhood fractures are an important public health issue worldwide as they potentially lead to long-term complications. This is the first study reporting a nationwide data pool of 2 million children. We aimed to investigate the epidemiology of pediatric fractures by sex, age, geographical region, and socioeconomic status (SES).

Importance of scattered white spots detected in the duodenum and their relationship with zonulin.

Objective: Scattered white spots (SWS) seen in the duodenum during esophagogastroduodenoscopy are rare lesions. The histopathologic examination of SWS lesions reveals normal duodenal mucosa (ND), chronic nonspecific duodenitis, and intestinal lymphangiectasia (IL). The intestinal epithelium, through its barrier function, is responsible for tightly controlling antigen traffic from the intestinal lumen to the submucosa.