Burden of comorbidities in heart failure patients in Türkiye.

Background/aim: Heart failure (HF) is associated with a wide range of comorbidities that negatively impact clinical outcomes and cause high economic burden. We aimed to evaluate the frequency and burden of comorbidities in HF patients in Türkiye and their relationships with patients' demographic characteristics.

Materials And Methods: Based on ICD-10 codes in the national electronic database of the Turkish Ministry of Health covering the entire population of Türkiye (n = 85,279,553) from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2022, data on the prevalence of comorbidities in HF patients were obtained.

Inter- and Intra-observer Reproducibility of Thyroid Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology: An investigation of Bethesda 2023 Using Immunohistochemical BRAFV600E Antibody.

Background: The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytology (TBSRTC) recommended for the interpretation of needle aspiration cytology of the thyroid, is the most widely used worldwide. Studies have shown that the disagreement between observers, especially in the Bethesda III and IV diagnostic categories, is not insignificant at 10%-40%. In the TBSRTC 2023 version, some definitions were removed and simplified, and molecular pathology was proposed as a complement to cytopathology.

Comparison of rigid and elastic registration methods in software-based targeted prostate biopsy: a multicenter cohort study.

Background/aim: This study aims to compare the success rates of rigid registration (RR) and elastic registration (ER) systems in diagnosing all cancers and clinically significant prostate cancer (csPC) in software-based targeted prostate biopsies (TPBs) by performing matching analysis.

Materials And Methods: The data of 2061 patients from six centers where software-based TPB is performed were used. All cancer and csPC detection rates of the RR and ER systems were compared following Mahalanobis distance matching with the propensity score caliper method.

Implementation of written asthma action plan among asthma patients in Türkiye: a multicenter, cross-sectional, descriptive study.

Background/aim: There is currently no data from Türkiye on whether, following a diagnosis of asthma, patients are given an asthma action plan to implement. There is also no data on whether patients can manage their treatment based on the provided asthma action plans. The present study aimed to determine the use of asthma action plans in Türkiye and the awareness levels of patients about these plans.

Assessment of dyslipidemia management in Turkey using a Delphi panel.

This study evaluated the management of dyslipidemia in Turkey with the goal of understanding current diagnosis and treatment patterns, as well as identifying unmet needs in achieving effective low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targets. Using a Delphi panel consisting of nine expert cardiologists, the study reveals key gaps in dyslipidemia management, particularly in the underutilization of combination therapies, such as statins and PCSK9 inhibitors, which are crucial for achieving LDL-C targets in high-risk patients. The findings indicate that while many patients with very high cardiovascular risk are diagnosed, a significant proportion do not receive optimal treatment to reach LDL-C levels recommended by European guidelines.

The HR antagonist, JNJ-7777120 treatments ameliorate mild traumatic brain injury by reducing oxidative damage, inflammatory and apoptotic responses through blockage of the ERK1/2/NF-κB pathway in a rat model.

Growing evidence reveals that microglia activation and neuroinflammatory responses trigger cell loss in the brain. Histamine is a critical neurotransmitter and promotes inflammatory responses; thus, the histaminergic system is a potential target for treating neurodegenerative processes. JNJ-7777120, a histamine H4 receptor (HR) antagonist, has been shown to alleviate inflammation, brain damage, and behavioral deficits effectively, but there is no report on its role in brain trauma.

Resected gastric volume/number of staplers fired ratio as a tool in predicting complication and midterm results in sleeve gastrectomy.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a restrictive surgery that aims to decrease the gastric volume of the patient. This study hypothesized that a higher resected gastric volume to the number of fired staplers ratio is associated with improved postoperative 12th-month outcomes. To analyze the effects of resected gastric volume to the number of fired staplers ratio on postoperative results in patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy.

Comparison of three different scoring systems in predicting success of retrograde intrarenal surgery in kidney stones larger than 20 millimeters.

Purpose: To evaluate stone free rate (SFR) predictivity of three different scoring systems in patients with kidney stones larger than 20 millimeters undergoing retrograde intrarenal surgery(RİRS).

Methods: Digital records of a total of 166 patients were reviewed retrospectively. Epidemiological characteristics (age, gender, medical history) of the patients, stone and affected kidney characteristics (size, volume, location, density, opaque, presence of urinary system anomaly, presence of stones in different calyx, number of stones, lower pole stone, renal infundibulopelvic angle (IPA), renal infundibulopelvic length (RIL), hydronephrosis), and operative characteristics (preoperative ureteral stent, operation duration, postoperative residual fragments, hospitalization time and complications were recorded.

Opportunities and Challenges of Chatbots in Ophthalmology: A Narrative Review.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly influential in ophthalmology, particularly through advancements in machine learning, deep learning, robotics, neural networks, and natural language processing (NLP). Among these, NLP-based chatbots are the most readily accessible and are driven by AI-based large language models (LLMs). These chatbots have facilitated new research avenues and have gained traction in both clinical and surgical applications in ophthalmology.

Analysis of ROMO1 Expression Levels and Its Oncogenic Role in Gastrointestinal Tract Cancers.

Gastrointestinal tract cancers account for approximately one-third of cancer-related deaths. Early diagnosis and effective treatment are the most important ways to prevent cancer-related morbidity and mortality. ROMO1 has been shown to play an important role in many types of cancer.

Synergistic Protection of Vitamin B Complex and Alpha-Lipoic Acid Against Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury: Boosting Antioxidant Defenses in Rats.

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of vitamin B complex and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) pre-treatments on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in rats, focusing on their potential to enhance antioxidant defense mechanisms and reduce post-ischemic liver damage. Thirty male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: sham group (n = 10), IRI group (n = 10), vitamin B group (n = 10), vitamin B + ALA group (n = 10). In the IRI, vitamin B, and vitamin B + ALA groups, the rats underwent 45 min of hepatic ischemia followed by 60 min of reperfusion.

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.

Protective effects of tadalafil and N-acetyl cysteine therapy on cisplatin-induced testicular toxicity.

Purpose: To investigate whether tadalafil (TAD) and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) can prevent cisplatin (CIS)-induced testicular toxicity.

Methods: Forty Wistar-Albino rats were divided into five groups: Control group, CIS group, TAD group, NAC group and TAD + NAC group. All groups were compared regarding body and testicular weights, testicular volumes, blood testosterone levels, testicular tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, histopathological features, and testicular Cosentino and Johnsen scores.

Reality of Zuckerkandl tubercle and relationship with other anatomical variations.

Aim: The tubercle of Zuckerkandl (TZ) is considered to be the fusion point of the ultimabranchial body and the median thyroid body. We aimed to evaluate the frequency of TZ and its relationship with other anatomical variations and recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) paralysis.

Material And Methods: Data regarding the thyroid lobe and RLN of patients with thyroidectomy between June 2016 and December 2019 were retrospectively evaluated.

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.

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.

Prevalance of Non-Provoke Generalize Tonic-Clonic Seizure in Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease.

Background And Purpose: Alzheimer's disease (AD) and epileptic seizure are among the most common health problems in the elderly population. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence rate and predictors of seizures in sporadic AD patients.

Methods: The study was conducted by retrospectively for a period of 10 years examining the file records.

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.

Threshold hemoglobin level for delayed cerebral ischemia: A single-center retrospective analysis.

Background: Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) occurs in approximately 20%-30 % of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). This is the most common complication of SAH and has a high mortality rate. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between hemoglobin (Hb) values and DCI and aimed to determine a cutoff Hb value to be used as a predictor of DCI.

Enhancing nutritional care in palliative care units: assessing nurse knowledge and quality perception in enteral nutrition practices.

Background: Adequate, balanced, and individualized nutrition, planned according to the patients' life expectancy in palliative care units, is crucial for maintaining essential functions.

Aim: To determine the knowledge levels of nurses working in palliative care units regarding enteral nutrition practices and their perceptions of nutritional care quality in their units.

Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in 25 palliative care units located in Izmir, Türkiye, between June and September 2022.

Can fecal calprotectin be used as a biomarker of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in obese adolescents?

Background: The incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing with obesity, and it is believed that the ongoing low-grade inflammation in obesity and alterations in the enterohepatic axis contributing this process. This study aimed to determine the role of fecal calprotectin (FC) as inflammatory biomarker in obesity and NAFLD.

Methods: Between November 2022-August 2023, 31 obese and 10 healthy adolescents aged between 10 and 18 years enrolled in this prospective controlled study.

Rare Inherited Coagulation Deficiencies: A Single-Center Study.

Background: Rare factor deficiency (RFD) is characterized by a deficiency of factor (F)I, FII, FV, FVII, FX, FXI, FXII, FXIII, or a combined deficiency of FV+FVIII or vitamin K-dependent factors. The prevalence of RFD ranges from 1/1,000,000 to 3,000,000. Combined deficiencies of vitamin K-related factors have been described in 30 families worldwide, and these patients can present with a wide range of clinical symptoms, from mucocutaneous bleeding to life-threatening symptoms such as central nervous system and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Predictive value of NT-proBNP for major adverse cardiovascular events within a 6-month period in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Background: The role of NT-proBNP as a cardiac biomarker for predicting short-term major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains unclear.

Aims: This study investigated the utility of the NT-proBNP level for predicting MACEs within a 6-month period in patients with ACS.

Methods: This prospective study included 241 consecutively enrolled adults with ACS between September 2023 and February 2024.