Management of Patients with Connective Tissue Disease-associated Interstitial Lung Diseases During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is similar to connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung diseases (CTD-ILD) in many aspects. However, patients with CTD-ILD have required particular attention during the pandemic since they are at high risk due to -immunosuppressive treatments. Thus, prompt decisions for diagnosis and treatment initiation have become more important than earlier for these patients during the pandemic.

The Role of Pneumococcal Pneumonia among Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Adult Turkish Population: TurkCAP Study.

Objective: To evaluate the rate of pneumococcal pneumonia (PP) among patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Turkey and to investigate and compare features of PP and non-PP CAP patients.

Material And Methods: This multicenter, non-interventional, prospective, observational study included adult CAP patients (age ≥ 18 years). Diagnosis of PP was based on the presence of at least 1 positive laboratory test result for Streptococcus pneumoniae (blood culture or sputum culture or urinary antigen test [UAT]) in patients with radiographic findings of pneumonia.

Can the Usage of the Chest X-Ray Scoring During Hospitalization in Patients with COVID-19 Predict the Severity of the Disease?

Objective: The prevalence of radiological involvement is considered a poor prognostic factor for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID- 19). In our study, we aimed to investigate the threshold value of the chest X-ray (CXR) score, which would require the patient to be transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) through scoring the CXR of COVID-19 patients receiving in-patient treatment.

Material And Methods: The patients that tested positive for COVID-19 on the basis of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, who was hospitalized in our hospital between the dates of March 15 and May 30, 2020, were included in the study.

Validity and Reliability of Turkish Version of Reaction Type Scale Against COPD.

Objective: The aim of the study is to develop a scale that could assess illness perception and reaction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Material And Methods: The study was conducted in patients who were admitted in the pulmonary disease departments of a public and a private hospital. The study included 271 COPD patients.

Disseminated Tuberculosis: A 3-Year Case-Series Experience in a Tertiary Care Center.

Objective: Disseminated tuberculosis (dTB) is an important health issue resulting from the hematogenous spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and is associated with a globally significant burden of morbidity and mortality. Despite several studies from various countries, there are no data from Turkey specifically evaluating this special population. Our study aimed to evaluate the characteristics and treatment outcomes of dTB patients followed in our institution.

Nuss procedure without videothoracoscopy.

Minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (Nuss) operation is the current choice of surgical treatment for pectus excavatum deformities. Technical pitfalls arise in patients with previous thoracic and/or cardiac surgical interventions, due to severe intrathoracic fibrous adhesions. Herein, we describe an original modification technique in a patient with bilateral apical wedge resection and total pleurectomy due to recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax episodes within the past two years.

Peritoneal dialysis for refractory heart failure: A single-center experience.

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) is a disease associated with poor quality of life. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) can be an alternative in the treatment of these patients to overcome fluid overload. The objective of this study is to observe the effects of PD in refractory HF patients.

Are inflammatory and malnutrition markers associated with metabolic syndrome in patients with sarcoidosis?

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the use of Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, C-reactive protein/albumin ratio, controlling nutritional status, and prognostic nutritional index immune, inflammatory, and malnutrition markers Metabolic syndrome+ in sarcoidosis patients, as an early-stage marker.

Method: This is a single-center and cross-sectional study that determines the association of Metabolic syndrome in patients with sarcoidosis. Patients were evaluated based on the National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III criteria.

Prognostic value of inflammatory markers determined during diagnosis in patients with sarcoidosis: chronic versus remission.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of inflammatory markers determined during admission among patients with sarcoidosis with chronic and remission groups.

Methods: This study was designed as retrospective single-center study. Patients with sarcoidosis without treatment and who had at least two years of follow-up were included in this study.

Premature Deaths Due to Silicosis in Turkey, 2006-2017: A Twelve-Year Longitudinal Study.

Background: Deaths due to epidemics of silicosis still continue to be reported both in developing and developed countries, and silica exposure from different sectors remains an important occupational health concern.

Aims: To identify characteristics of silicosis cases by focusing on a developing country and evaluate the frequency of and factors related to premature deaths and also reveal preventable causes of premature deaths in silicosis.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort.

Efficacy of standardized tracheostomy training with a simulation model for healthcare providers: A study by ISPAT team.

Introduction: Tracheostomy care in children may be challenging, due to lack of knowledge of healthcare providers (HCPs). The aim of this study was to determine the level of knowledge of HCP who follow patients with tracheostomy and to increase this level with theoretical training and training in a simulation laboratory.

Materials And Methods: ISPAT (IStanbul PAediatric Tracheostomy), a multidisciplinary team for tracheostomy care was established and a training program was prepared.

Nurses' views on change management in health care settings: A qualitative study.

Aim: To discover nurses' views on change management processes in health care settings.

Background: Because 'change' is an inevitable fact of today's health care environments, developing change management competencies at all levels is a must to survive and compete for the organisations and professionals in the health care systems.

Methods: A descriptive qualitative approach was used.

Evaluation of the corpus callosum shape in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine whether or not there was a difference in corpus callosum shape between patients with mild to moderate and severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) compared with patients who have simple snoring.

Methods: The landmark coordinate data was obtained from the mid-sagittal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images of 70 patients who underwent polysomnography. For comparisons, mild and moderate OSA groups were combined and analyses were performed on three groups; simple snoring/control group, mild or moderate OSA group, and severe OSA group.

The ISPAT project: Implementation of a standardized training program for caregivers of children with tracheostomy.

Background: Tracheostomy-related morbidity and mortality mainly occur due to decannulation, misplacement, or obstruction of the tube. A standardized training can improve the skills and confidence of the caregivers in tracheostomy care (TC).

Objective: Our primary aim was to evaluate the efficiency of standardized training program on the knowledge and skills (changing-suctioning the tracheostomy tube) of the participants regarding TC.

The comparison of tracheostomy and translaryngeal intubation regarding free radical formation and pulmonary effects.

Background: Our aim in this study was to compare the blood gas changes, the malondialdehyde (MDA) and endogenous antioxidant glutathione (GSH) levels in blood and lung tissues after ischemia/reperfusion, the histopathological damage in lung tissue in rats provided respiratory support with mechanical ventilation after translaryngeal intubation and tracheostomy.

Methods: Group 1 rats were provided mechanical ventilator support after translaryngeal intubation, Group 2 mechanical ventilator support after tracheostomy, and Group 3 was the control group where rats were only anesthetized. Three groups were compared for blood gas changes, MDA, GSH, and histopathological changes.

Does vitamin D deficiency in asthma affect clinical and functional parameters? A Turkish multicenter study.

In recent years, interest in the effects of vitamin D on human health and the immune system has increased. This study aimed to investigate the relationship of vitamin D with asthma severity, attacks, and clinical and functional parameters in adult patients with asthma who were living in different geographic regions in Turkey. A total of 384 patients with stable asthma and 87 control subjects were included.

The effect of spinopelvic parameters on transforaminal epidural steroid injection treatment success in lumbar disc herniation.

Background: Spinopelvic parameters (SPP) is closely associated with diseases such as lumbar disc herniation (LDH), disc degeneration and spondylolisthesis. Although there exist many known clinical and radiological factors affecting the success of the transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) treatment, the effect of SPP has not yet been investigated. This study aims to examine the effects of SPP on treatment success in patients who undergo TFESI because of lumbar disc herniation and to investigate the correlation among multifidus cross-sectional area (MFCSA).

Fibrin Glue and Partial Capitonnage in Giant Hydatid Cyst in a Pediatric Patient.

Surgical procedure is still used as the first choice in the treatment of pulmonary hydatid cysts. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery has started to be performed as a minimally invasive surgical option in recent years for lung hydatid cyst; however, few cases have been reported in the literature, especially in children. Thoracoscopic surgery experience is limited in pulmonary hydatid cyst for both adults and children.

Impact of obstructive sleep apnea on neuromuscular transmission- a descriptive study.

: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder accompanied by intermittent hypoxia. Neuromuscular transmission (NT) is known to be disturbed under chronic hypoxia. In this descriptive study, it has been aimed to test NT under intermittent hypoxia in OSA.

Is Obesity a Potential Risk factor for Poor Prognosis of COVID-19?

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to cause major mortality and morbidity worldwide even after a year of its emergence. In its early days, hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases were noted as poor prognostic factors, while obesity gained attention at a later stage. In the present study, unfavorable clinical outcomes (transfer to the intensive care unit, invasive mechanical ventilation, and mortality) were investigated in obese patients with COVID-19.

IGFBP-4: A promising biomarker for lung cancer.

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-4 (IGFBP-4), a member of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) family, transports, and regulates the activity of IGFs. The pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) has proteolytic activity towards IGFBP-4, and both proteins have been associated with a variety of cancers, including lung cancer. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the use of IGFBP-4 and PAPP-A as potential biomarkers for lung cancer.

The Relationship between COVID-19 Severity and Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)/ exposure history in healthcare workers: a multi-center study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought countries' health services into sharp focus. It was drawn to our group's attention that healthcare workers (HCWs) had a lower mortality rate against higher COVID-19 incidence compared to the general population in Turkey. Since risk of exposure to tuberculosis bacillus among healthcare workers are higher than the population, we aimed to investigate if there is a relationship between BCG and exposure history with COVID-19 severity in infected HCWs.

Lung transplantation for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in Turkey: An initial institutional experience.

Background/objective: Lung transplantation is a well-established treatment in patients who have bronchiectasis with diffuse involvement, and with a progressive decline in respiratory function despite maximal medical therapy. We have aimed to present pre-transplantation factors and our results of lung transplantation for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.

Methods: Patients who underwent lung transplantation for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis between the dates of December 2016 and July 2019 were included.

The relationship between particulate matter and childhood respiratory complaints and peak expiratory flows in Harran agricultural area.

Background: In recent years, many studies have evaluated the increasing incidence of asthma and chronic respiratory diseases among children living close to rural areas with pesticide application. Pesticide exposure in 266 children (126 girls and 140 boys) in Şanlıurfa, a cotton-producing province in Turkey, was explored in this work. Four different villages spread over 40 km2 were included.