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Objective: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a severe condition characterized by high mortality rates. We aimed to assess reinfection and mortality rates in IE patients at a tertiary referral center during long-term follow-up. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 204 patients meeting modified Duke criteria for definite IE between 2009 and 2019. Early reinfection was defined as occurrence within 6 months, and late reinfection was defined as occurrence 6 months after the initial diagnosis. Results: Mean follow-up duration was 40.3 ± 26.4 months. Valve surgery was performed in 125 patients (69.8%), while 54 (30.2%) received medical therapy alone. Early reinfection was seen in 9 patients (5.1%), and late reinfection in 12 patients (6.7%). Staphylococci (41.9%), Streptococci (26.3%), and Enterococci (15.6%) were common pathogens. Peripheral limb emboli predicted reinfection (HR 4.118, 95% CI 1.471-11.528, p=0.007). Survival rates at 1, 2, and 5 years were 70.2%, 65.7%, and 57.3%, respectively. Age (HR 1.030, 95% CI 1.011 -- 1.049, p=0.002), peripheral limb emboli (HR 2.994, 95% CI 1.509-5.940, p=0.002), and septic shock (HR 2.357, 95% CI 1.097-5.065, p=0.028) predicted mortality. Conclusion: Infective endocarditis mortality rates remain high regardless of reinfection. Peripheral limb emboli independently determine reinfection and mortality. Careful management of this group may reduce morbidity and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the positive psychology and growth mindset framework, this quantitative study showcases the impact of growth language mindsets (GLM) on feedback-seeking behavior (FSB), emphasizing the mediating role of second/foreign language (L2) grit. With a cross-sectional design, an L2 grit scale, GLM inventory and FSB scale were used to collect data from EFL students in Turkish state universities. SPSS, AMOS v.23, and PROCESS Macro were used for analyses. The results reveal that the variables were positively and significantly related. The participants had high levels of growth mindset, feedback-seeking behavior, and L2 grit. Moreover, L2 grit mediated the relationship between GLM and FSB. These results are consistent with similar studies and theoretical accounts in the literature, and can be used for inventing teaching strategies and materials to help students develop growth mindsets and grit, such as self-monitoring and peer tutoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) is commonly used for abdominal aortic aneurysms, but its mortality rate remains high. The hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet (HALP) score, which measures hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet levels, provides prognostic value by reflecting the nutritional status and systemic inflammation. This study aimed to explore the relationship between the HALP score upon admission and long-term mortality in patients with EVAR. Methods: Consecutive patients with EVAR at our tertiary center from October 2010 to August 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. HALP scores were calculated using the following formula: hemoglobin (g/L) x albumin (g/L) x lymphocyte count (/L)/platelet count (/L). In-hospital and long-term mortality data were extracted. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified predictors of in-hospital mortality. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to examine determinants of long-term mortality. Results: Among the 162 participants (mean age: 69.4±8.2 years, 90.1% male), the HALP score was the most significant predictor of in-hospital mortality (area under the curve: 0.752, 95% confidence interval: 0.674-0.830; p<0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed HALP (p=0.001) and C-reactive protein (p=0.004) as independent determinants of long-term mortality. Conclusion: This study is the first to investigate the association between the HALP score and in-hospital and long-term mortality in EVAR patients. The HALP score is a robust prognostic tool compared with its components and other parameters in this patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering that nearly 39% of the total CO2 emission released into the atmosphere today are thought to be due to the energy consumed by buildings, the importance of taking measures through buildings to combat global warming is evident. Therefore, the concept of nearly zero‐energy buildings (NZEB) is come to the forefront. Building integrated photovoltaic thermal (BIPV/T) systems are used to enable buildings to generate their own energy. However, buildings have limited facade and roof areas required for BIPV/T systems. Therefore, in this study, various configurations of bifacial (double‐sided) and monofacial (single‐sided) panels were compared to investigate ways to enhance the efficiency of BIPV/T systems. Different air flow velocities and varying air gap distances were tested for both panel types. By placing a reflective surface on the wall behind the bifacial panel, the electrical efficiency of the bifacial panel was increased and proven through PVsyst analysis. Both panels provided maximum heat efficiency at the shortest air gap distance under high air flow conditions. In addition, it was shown in both the experimental setup and Comsol CFD analysis that it provides significant benefit in the thermal energy load of the building when heating the interior environment in winter. In terms of electrical power production surplus, the bifacial panel outperformed the monofacial panel in all configurations, with a minimum advantage of 8.33% and a maximum of 12.73%. Additionally, the maximum electrical efficiency was obtained from the bifacial panel in configurations with the longest air gap distance. Using the bifacial panel in the BIPV/T system with the shortest air gap distance during the heating season and the longest air gap distance during other seasons can provide the highest efficiency for the building throughout the year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The main purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers' instructional innovativeness on student engagement, with specific reference to behavioral and emotional aspects of engagement as perceived by the teachers. Given the ever-changing demands of contemporary education, this study underscores the importance of innovativeness and its influence on student engagement in L2 learning and teaching. The study adopted a cross-sectional design, utilizing a predictive moderated model, also assessing whether various teacher background variables such as educational status, gender, and field of graduation moderate the relationship between instructional innovativeness and student engagement. Data from 144 EFL teachers across Turkiye underwent analysis through partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). It was shown that instructional innovativeness significantly predicts both behavioral and emotional student engagement. However, only educational status, particularly differences between BA and PhD degrees, was found to moderate the impact on behavioral engagement, with no significant moderating effects identified for emotional engagement. In conclusion, this study highlights the merit of cultivating and fostering a culture of innovation among ELT practitioners to benefit students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the elderly population and characterized by the formation of subepidermal tense bullae. Treatment options include topical steroids, systemic steroids, immunosuppressants, and antimicrobials, and there is emerging evidence of the efficacy of omalizumab. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate omalizumab's efficacy for treating BP, and we also reported treatment-related adverse events. The retrospective cohort study included patients with BP who were followed up in our clinic's bullous diseases department between 2016 and 2023. Patients who received omalizumab were included in the study. Treatment responses of all patients were assessed by BP Disease Area Index activity and damage scores, treatment scale scoring, steroid dose reduction, and the presence/absence of pruritus. Also, total IgE levels of patients before the treatment onset and at the last visit were compared. There were 15 (male/female = 8/7) BP patients receiving omalizumab treatment. Omalizumab therapy allowed steroid dose reduction at a median of 1 month. Omalizumab (25.5 mg, 95% confidence interval 17.2-33.9, P < .001) provided a significant steroid dose reduction at the last visit compared to the beginning of treatment. Omalizumab resulted in a decrease in BP Disease Area Index activity score of 80.8 (95% confidence interval 71.8-89.8, P < .001). Also, omalizumab caused significant decline in IgE levels compared to baseline (1102.5 ± 834.5 vs 834.6 ± 613.6, P = .002). In this study, omalizumab treatment was an effective and safe option in BP patients with high baseline IgE levels who are refractory to or cannot tolerate other immunosuppressive therapies., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding and conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)