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Objective: Decreased bone density and strength increase the risk of fracture and thus the rates of morbidity and mortality. L-carnitine (LC) is a supplement commonly used by individuals who participate in sports, especially to increase muscle mass. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of LC on bone strength. Materials and Methods: In our main study 10 male Wistar rats per group, a tendon injury model was applied by clamping the left Achilles tendons of rats except the control group. LC (100 mg/kg/day) was administered intraperitoneally every day for 5 weeks in the pre-LC group and for 4 weeks in the post-LC group. LC was not given to the control group. Apart from to our main study, remaining right os femurs of rats were extracted at the end of the experiment to test bone strength to reduce the number of animals used in scientific research. 3-D bending test was performed on the extracted bones using a Zwick Roell Z0.5 mechanical testing machine. Results: There were no significant differences among the groups in the parameters and measurements used to evaluate bone strength (p>0.05). Conclusion: LC supplementation had no beneficial or detrimental effects on bone strength in healthy subjects.

Background: Optic neuritis, myelitis, and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) have been associated with antibodies against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-immunoglobulin G (anti-MOG-IgG). Furthermore, patients with radiological and demographic features atypical for multiple sclerosis (MS) with optic neuritis and myelitis also demonstrate antibodies against aquaporin-4 and anti-MOG-IgG. However, data on the diagnosis, treatment, follow-up, and prognosis in patients with anti-MOG-IgG are limited. Aims: To evaluate the clinical, radiological, and demographic characteristics of patients with anti-MOG-IgG. Study Design: Multicenter, retrospective, observational study. Methods: Patients with blood samples demonstrating anti-MOG-IgG that had been evaluated at the Neuroimmunology laboratory at Ondokuz Mayıs University’s Faculty of Medicine were included in the study. Results: Of the 104 patients with anti-MOG-IgG, 56.7% were women and 43.3% were men. Approximately 2.4% of the patients were diagnosed with MS, 15.8% with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), 39.4% with NMOSD, 31.3% with isolated optic neuritis, and 11.1% with isolated myelitis. Approximately 53.1% of patients with spinal involvement at clinical onset demonstrated a clinical course of NMOSD. Thereafter, 8.8% of these patients demonstrated a clinical course similar to MS and ADEM, and 28.1% demonstrated a clinical course of isolated myelitis. The response to acute attack treatment was lower and the disability was higher in patients aged > 40 years than patients aged < 40 years at clinical onset. Oligoclonal band was detected in 15.5% of the patients. Conclusion: For patients with NMOSD and without anti-NMO antibodies, the diagnosis is supported by the presence of anti-MOG-IgG. Furthermore, advanced age at clinical onset, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score at clinical onset, spinal cord involvement, and number of attacks may be negative prognostic factors in patients with anti-MOG-IgG.

Abstract Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a heterogeneous spectrum of clonal hematopoietic disorders with varying degrees of cytopenia and morphologic dysplasia. The hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet (HALP) score is a prognostic marker in several types of malignant tumors. Prognostic value of HALP score remains unclear for MDS. To determine the prognostic value of baseline HALP score in MDS. We retrospectively analyzed data from 130 newly diagnosed MDS patients evaluated and classified under HALP score. By the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the optimal cut-off value of HALP was > 67.5 in predicting mortality. Patients were divided into two groups: with low and high HALP scores, and the characteristics were compared between both groups. Patients’ median age was 68 (19–84) years, and 79 (60.8%) were male. Higher HALP score was detected in MDS patients with intermediate-risk under IPSS score, and at high and very high risks under IPSS-R score, and those receiving azacitidine (AZA) treatment. The survival rates of those with a HALP score > 67.5 were significantly lower than those with low HALP score at 17.77 ± 3.98 (median ± SE) (p 67.5 were found as 25, 18, and 11%, respectively. Median overall survival (OS) was also determined as 33.10 (95% CI 16.34–49.88) months by the Kaplan–Meier method. HALP score has shown an ability to be a useful prognostic biomarker in various cancers, including MDS. The meaningful cut-off value of HALP is disease-specific and largely study-specific. High HALP score is associated with unfavorable clinicopathological characteristics. Also, it may be useful in predicting OS and mortality of MDS.

Purpose: We aimed to present the clinical, imaging and laboratory findings of patients which diagnosed Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disease (NMOSD) and accompanied by antibody positivity. Materials ve Metods: This retrospective observational study included 15 patients diagnosed with NMOSH. Results: Eleven of our patients were female and four were male. The mean age at onset was 51.27±12.26 years. The first clinical attack was simultaneous optic neuritis (ON) and myelitis in 3 patients, myelitis in 6 patients and ON in 5 patients. Ten patients had positive aquaporin-4 (AQP-4) IgG antibody and 5 patients had positive myelin oligodentrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) IgG antibody. Six patients had elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein. CSF oligoclonal band of eight patients was Type 1 negative, 1 patient was Type 2 positive, and 1 patient was Type 3 positive. Eight patients had normal cranial magnetic resonance imaging, while 1 patient had lesions similar to multiple sclerosis (MS). Two patients had a previous diagnosis of Sjögren's Syndrome (SS) and 3 patients were diagnosed with SS in our clinic. Intravenous methylprednisolone (1000 mg/day) and thoropathic plasma exchange were given as treatment for the attack, and oral steroids, azathioprine, rituximab and cyclophosphamide were given as prophylactic treatment. Conclusion: NMOSH has a more severe prognosis than MS. It is most frequently associated with SS among autoimmune diseases. It has been observed that patients with MOG IgG antibody positivity have better response to attack and prophylactic treatment than patients with AQP-4 IgG antibody positivity.

Abstract In the context of Turkiye’s most recent parliamentary and presidential elections (“seçim” in Turkish), social media has played an important role in shaping public debate. It is of utmost importance to capture social media trends during the 2023 Turkish elections, since it uncovers a great deal of information of election propaganda, political debates, smear campaigns, and election manipulation by domestic and international actors. We provide a comprehensive dataset for social media researchers to study Turkish elections, develop tools to prevent online manipulation, and gather novel information to inform the public. We are committed to continually improving the data collection and updating it regularly leading up to the election. Using the #Secim2023 dataset, researchers can examine the social and communication networks between political actors, track current trends, and investigate emerging threats to election integrity. Our dataset and analysis code available through Harvard Dataverse and Github, respectively.

Background: This in vivo study evaluated the effect of graphene oxide and graphite coatings, coupled with the micro-arc oxidation (MAO) surface roughening technique, known for their mechanical strength, chemical stability, and antibacterial properties. The main objective was to assess the degree of improvement in osseointegration of titanium implants resulting from these interventions. Materials and methods: In this study, 32 female rats were utilized and randomly allocated into four groups (n = 8 each): machined surface titanium implants (control), those roughened by the MAO method, those coated with graphene oxide-doped MAO, and those with a graphite-doped MAO coating. Titanium implants were surgically placed in the right tibia of the rats. Rats undergoing no additional procedures during the 4-week experimental period were sacrificed at the end. Then, the implants and surrounding bone tissues were separated and embedded in acrylic blocks for reverse torque analysis. Using a digital torque device, the rotational force was applied to all samples using a hex driver and racquet until implant separation from the bone occurred, with the corresponding values recorded on the digital display. Then, statistical analysis was performed to analyze the data. Results: No statistically significant difference between the groups was observed in the biomechanical bone–implant connection levels (N/cm) (P = 0.268). Post-hoc tests were not required because no discernible differences were identified between the groups. Conclusion: Within the scope of this study, implants treated with the MAO method, along with those coated with graphene oxide- and graphite-doped MAO method, did not exhibit significant superiority in terms of osseointegration compared to machined surface titanium implants.

Abstract Background Medical education requires the implementation of different teaching methods and strategies for future doctors to achieve broad learning objectives. This wide range of methods and strategies includes the use of Information Technologies. For a long time, there was a call for a change in medical education for blending new teaching approaches to lessen medical students’ class time. The COVID-19 pandemic then sped up the transition to the new way of medical education and classroom lectures were quickly moved to a virtual environment. We expect that these changes will continue, and online learning will be one of the main teaching strategies in medical education. Therefore, educational experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic will improve our understanding of online learning and will help to develop blended medical school curricula in the future. For this reason, we aimed to determine students’ overall satisfaction with their online learning experience and to define the main factors affecting students’ satisfaction with their online learning program at Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty. Methods A cross-sectional survey study was conducted to determine medical students’ overall satisfaction with online learning methods and to identify factors associated with positive and negative satisfaction levels. A questionnaire, consisting of 24 questions to collect demographic characteristics, factors associated with online education experience and overall satisfaction levels was developed and distributed to 1600 medical students. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with positive and negative satisfaction levels. Results Regression analysis showed that being familiar with online teaching techniques (β = 0.19, 95% CI [0.07, 0.30], faculty members’ higher online teaching skill levels (β = 0.42, 95% CI [0.32, 0.51], interactive online teaching approaches (β = 0.54, 95% CI [0.41, 0.67], having a personal workspace (β = 0.43, 95% CI [0.19, 0.67], and a self-reported longer attention span (β = 0.75, 95% CI [0.57, 0.92] were associated with higher overall satisfaction with online learning. The occurrence of technical problems (β = -0.19, 95% CI [-0.26, -0.12] was associated with lower overall satisfaction. Conclusions Higher online teaching skills of faculty members, use of interactive approaches, students’ familiarity with online teaching techniques, provision of a personal workspace, and self-reported longer attention spans positively contributed to higher levels of student satisfaction with online learning. Considering the increasing significance of online educational methods, our study identified key components that affect students’ level of satisfaction. This information might contribute to the development of online educational programs in the future.

Aim: The desired survival times could not be achieved with conventional treatments in lung cancer. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are used in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinicopathologic features of EGFR mutant NSCLC patients and the effects of TKIs on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Materials and Methods: A total of 61 patients who were admitted to Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Medical Oncology, between 2012 and 2022, who were EGFR mutants with NSCLC and who used TKI as treatment were included in the study. Demographic and pathological characteristics of the patients, treatments used in the patients, progression and death dates were examined retrospectively. Results: Age at diagnosis, serum creatinine, last visit ECOG score and progression rate were significantly higher in the deceased group. The rate of T790M mutation and osimertinib use was significantly higher in the surviving group. Last visit ECOG score was significantly higher in the progression group. Survival time was significantly shorter in the group with visceral metastasis than in the group without visceral metastases, in the group with a last visit ECOG score II-III-IV compared to those with 0-I, and in the group without the T790M mutation than in the group with the T790M mutation. The progression-free survival time was significantly shorter in the group with ECOG score II-III-IV at the last visit compared to those with 0-I and in the group with visceral metastasis than in the group without. There was no statistically significant difference between erlotinib, afatinib and gefitinib in terms of PFS and OS. PFS calculated as 27.4 months and OS 49.2 months. The median PFS duration of 13 patients receiving osimertinib was calculated as 18.5 months. Conclusion: Age, diagnosis and ECOG performance score at the last visit, visceral metastasis at the beginning of TKI, T790M mutation and therefore osimertinib use had a significant effect on the OS, while on PFS, the significant effect of the visceral metastasis at TKI initiation, stage at the time of diagnosis, the ECOG performance score at the last visit was seen.

The clinical presentation of urethral duplications is variable. Surgical management should be planned individually according to anatomical findings of the abnormality. We describe our experience with type one duplication of the urethra which was surgically corrected by simply excising the ventral wall of the blind ending urethral remnant and then repairing the hypospadias by using the Snodgrass technique.

Objective: Over the past two decades, oral contraceptives have emerged as the predominant choice for contraception globally. This study explores women’s knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding oral contraceptives and the pharmacist’s possible role. Material and Method: From November 2020 to January 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional observational study in Turkey. To assess the women’s knowledge attitudes and knowledge level about oral contraceptives, we developed an online questionnaire utilizing Google Forms. The data were gathered through an exponential non-discriminative snowball sampling method. The reliability of the questionnaire was measured by Cronbach α value. The data obtained from the participants were statistically analyzed using principal component factor analysis and chi-square test. Results: This study involved 140 participants, with a mean age of 32.31±14.21. Most participants (77, 55%) reported being single. Among the participants, a notable majority (93, 66.4%) were not utilizing any contraceptive methods, and a statistically significant discrepancy was observed between the married and single women (p

Introduction:Two-stage revision arthroplasty is the gold standard treatment for infected knee arthroplasty. The primary objectives of this treatment approach are to eradicate the infection and restore a pain-free and well-functional joint. In this retrospective study of case series from a single center, we aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiological results of patients who underwent two-stage revision knee replacement with the diagnosis of infected knee prosthesis and share the results.Methods:The data of patients between 2011 and 2016 were analyzed in this retrospective study. Twenty-four patients who were followed up for at least six months were included in the study. Infection markers, Knee Society Score (KSS), pain scores, range of motion (ROM), and flexion contractures were recorded before and after treatment. Radiologically, changes in the patellar tendon length, the Insall-Salvati (IS) ratio, and the joint line (JL) were evaluated.Results:Sixteen female and eight male patients with a mean age of 68.0±8.6 years were studied. The patients were followed up for 31.0±18.9 months on average. The mean clinical KSS of the patients before and after treatment was 44.7 and 76.3, respectively, while the functional KSSs were 31.7 and 63.5, respectively. The patients had a mean ROM of 60.5° and 84.8°, pain score of 8 and 2.25, and knee flexion contracture of 1.38° and 0.21° before and after the treatment. Pre- and post-treatment IS and JL values did not have a statistically significant effect on the clinical and functional outcomes.Conclusion:The early- tomid-term results of patients who underwent two-stage knee revision arthroplasty were satisfactory in terms of clinical and functional results. Postoperative JL position and IS ratio had no significant effect on functional outcomes. The use of dynamic spacers and the short time between two stages had a positive effect on the results.

Aim: Primary hyperparathyroidism and differentiated thyroid carcinoma are the most common endocrinological diseases. Since its first definition in the 1950s, nodular goiter and differentiated thyroid carcinoma in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism have been examined in many studies and an increase in cancer incidence has been found. In this study, we aimed to investigate the co-incidence of nodular goiter and differentiated thyroid cancer in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Material and Methods: One hundred seventy-two patients who underwent parathyroid surgery in our hospital between 2012 and 2015 were included in this study. Demographic, clinic, and surgical data of the patients were reviewed retrospectively. Results: The mean age of the patients was 54.3±11.3 years and 85.5% (n=147) of them were female. Nodular goiter was observed at a rate of 61.0% (n=105) in preoperative evaluation. Parathyroidectomy was performed in 125 (72.7%) and simultaneous total thyroidectomy was performed in 32 (18.6%) and lobectomy in 15 (8.7%) of the patients. Histopathologically, 94.8% (n=163) were interpreted as adenoma, 2.9% (n=5) as parathyroid hyperplasia, and 2.3% (n=4) as parathyroid carcinoma. Patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (n=30) and benign (n=17) histopathologically were compared in terms of clinical and laboratory characteristics, and no significant difference was observed in any parameter. Conclusion: There was no significant increase in thyroid nodularity, but a significant increase was found in differentiated thyroid carcinoma incidence in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism in this study in accordance with the literature. This finding highlights the importance of preoperative thyroid evaluation in this patient group.

Antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory impacts of statins have been studied in viral pneumonia. However, the clinical benefits of statins have not been fully explored in high-risk patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Therefore, the present study assessed the effect of statin use in hospitalized COVID-19 patients with very high cardiovascular risk. Consecutive COVID-19 patients admitted from June 1 to December 31, 2020, were analysed retrospectively. Propensity score-matched analysis was used for creating a 1:1 matched cohort. COVID-19 patients with and without statin use were compared for demographic data, comorbidities, treatments, laboratory findings and in-hospital outcomes. 707 patients (56±9.3 years old; 37% female) were included. Among those, 24.6% (n=174) received statin therapy. A propensity-matched group of 342 patients (171 receiving statins and 171 not receiving statins) was demarcated. The present study demonstrated that statin use significantly reduced in-hospital mortality within 30 days (primary end-point) in univariate (OR=0.314, 95% CI: 0.195 to 0.507) and multivariable-adjusted analysis (OR=0.348, 95% CI: 0.187 to 0.648). Among hospitalized COVID-19 patients with very high cardiovascular risk, statin use was found to be significantly associated with reduced in-hospital 30-days mortality. [Med-Science 2023; 12(1.000): 14-9]

Background: With the rapid improvement in healthcare technologies, the security and privacy of the most sensitive data are at risk. Patient privacy has many components, even when data are in electronic format. Although patient privacy has extensively been discussed in the literature, there is no study that has presented all components of patient privacy. Methods: This study presents a complete assessment framework, develops an inventory as an assessment tool, and examines the reliability and validity of the inventory. The study was carried out in three phases: conceptual framework development, inventory development, and an evaluation case study. Fuzzy conjoint analysis was used in the evaluation to deal with subjectivity and ambiguity. As a result of the evaluation, the case study institution was given a patient privacy maturity level between 1 and 5, where 1 is the worst and 5 is the best. Results: The case study evaluated the largest hospital in Turkey, which employs 800 nurses. Half of the nurses, 400, participated in the study. According to the literature, healthcare institutions do not invest enough in protecting patients’ privacy, and the results of the study support this finding. The institution’s maturity level was 2, which is poor. Conclusions: This study measured privacy maturity with many assessment components. The result of the assessment explains to patients and the public whether their data are secure or not. With the implementation of this maturity level, patients have an idea about which institution to choose, and the public can infer the reliability of institutions in terms of patient privacy.

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to investigate hematological parameters according to thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in thyroid patients. Materials and Methods: Thyroid function tests and hemogram data of 5130 thyroid patients admitted to our hospital between January 2019 and August 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: There was no significant difference between hemoglobin, MCH, leukocyte, basophil and thrombocyte levels according to TSH levels. When compared in terms of MCV, a significant difference was found between group 1 (TSH

Objective:The primary aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between serum endocan levels and clinical condition of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) patients. The secondary aim was to investigate the associations between the serum endocan levels and other inflammatory parameters with regard to clinical outcomes.Method:A total of 80 COVID-19 patients, 44 in stable and 36 in critical condition, with positive polymerase chain reaction test result, older than 18 years of age and whose first admission complaint was not either heart attack or ischemic stroke were included in this study. Patients’ characteristics and clinical outcome, hematological and biochemical parameters, thorax computed tomography, treatment approach, vital signs, and COVID-19 symptoms were analyzed.Results:The mean age of the critical patients was significantly higher than that of the stable patients (71.00±13.27 and 53.36±17.80; p

Abstract High-resolution biomacromolecular structure determination is essential to better understand protein function and dynamics. Serial crystallography is an emerging structural biology technique which has fundamental limitations due to either sample volume requirements or immediate access to the competitive X-ray beamtime. Obtaining a high volume of well-diffracting, sufficient-size crystals while mitigating radiation damage remains a critical bottleneck of serial crystallography. As an alternative, we introduce the plate-reader module adapted for using a 72-well Terasaki plate for biomacromolecule structure determination at a convenience of a home X-ray source. We also present the first ambient temperature lysozyme structure determined at the Turkish light source (Turkish DeLight). The complete dataset was collected in 18.5 min with resolution extending to 2.39 Å and 100% completeness. Combined with our previous cryogenic structure (PDB ID: 7Y6A), the ambient temperature structure provides invaluable information about the structural dynamics of the lysozyme. Turkish DeLight provides robust and rapid ambient temperature biomacromolecular structure determination with limited radiation damage.

Purpose: Home accidents are one of the important causes of mortality and morbidity in childhood. Schools were closed on March 16, 2020, after the first case of Covid-19. This study aimed to examine the effect of school closure on childhood home accidents and its reflection on internet press news. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in April-May 2021. Using the Google search engine news tab, news about home accidents in children was searched. The news with the characteristics of home accidents affecting the 0-17 age group, belonging to one year before (Group 1) and one year after (Group 2) the date of closure of schools, 16 March 2020, were examined. Results: According to the news appearing in the press, the number of children in Group 1 and Group 2 was 160 and 258, respectively. Poisoning was the first in both groups, with 60 (37.5%) children in Group 1 and 78 (30.2%) children in Group 2. There has been an increase in the number of burns and gunshot wounds injuries following the closure of schools. Conclusion: After the closure of schools, an increase was observed in childhood home accidents that appeared in the press. In order to prevent home accidents, parents should be aware of the dangers and risks at home and take precautions. Considering that schools are safe environments for children, efforts should be continued to keep schools open during the pandemic process.

Objective: To compare the oxidative status in saliva between patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and systemically healthy controls in the context of periodontal health and to evaluate whether salivary oxidative status correlates with the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR). Materials and Methods: A total of 184 volunteers, 92 with MS and 92 systemically healthy volunteers, participated in the study. Each person underwent medical, neurological, and oral examinations. Saliva samples were taken, and myeloperoxidase (MPO), lactoferrin (LF), total antioxidant capacity (TAOC), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) levels were determined. Results: There were no differences in the periodontal parameters between the patients with MS and the healthy volunteers (P > 0.05). The NLR was higher in the patients with MS than in the controls (P = 0.000). However, patients with MS had non-significantly lower MPO levels and higher LF, TOS, and OSI levels than the controls (P > 0.050). There was a significant decrease in TAOC levels in the MS group (P = 0.016). There were higher TOS levels in the periodontally healthy patients with MS and higher OSI levels in the periodontitis - stage 2 patients with MS than those in the matched controls. There were also higher TAOC levels in the periodontitis - stage 3 MS group (P < 0.050). There were positive correlations between MPO, TAOC levels and the probing depths, the clinical attachment levels (CALs) in the MS and control groups. While higher periodontal parameters and MPO levels were associated with increased disability factors, the CALs and the TAOC and MPO levels were elevated in those with longer disease durations (P < 0.050). Conclusion: The periodontal findings in the patients with MS are not different from those in healthy controls; however, increased MPO and decreased TAOC levels in saliva and higher NLRs in patients with MS indicate a prominent ongoing systemic inflammation despite altered immune surveillance.

OBJECTIVE(S): Due to cross-clamping of the aorta during aortic aneurysm surgeries, ischemia-reperfusion (IR) develops, and it may cause damage to aorta itself or even to remote organs by oxidative stress or inflammation. Fluoxetine (FLX) which might be used in the preoperative period for its tranquilizing effect also has antioxidant effects in short-term use. The purpose of our study is to examine whether FLX protects aorta tissue, against the damage caused by IR.METHODS: 3 groups of Wistar rats formed randomly. 1) Control group (sham-operated), 2) IR group (60 min. ischemia+120 min. perfusion), 3) FLX+IR group (FLX dose was 20 mg/kg for 3 days i.p. before IR). At the end of each procedure, aorta samples were collected, and oxidant-antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic status of the aorta were evaluated. Histological examinations of the samples were provided. RESULTS: Levels of LOOH, MDA, ROS, TOS, MPO, TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, NF-kB, MMP-9, caspase-9, 8-OHdG, NO, and HA were found to be significantly increased in the IR group compared to control (p

Objective:Both ischemic heart diseases and Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) are the two main patient groups who frequently apply to emergency clinics recently. We aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the demographic and clinical processes in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) cases.Method:This retrospective, single-center study was conducted on ACS patients who applied to the emergency department between March 10, 2019 and March 11, 2021. While the patients were divided into two as pandemic and prepandemic, the pandemic period was also grouped as COVID (+) and (-). ACS classification, clinical and laboratory results of the patients were evaluated.Results:The mean age of 1.067 patients included in the study was 58.0±19.2 years and 785 (73.5%) were male. Two hundred and sixty-two (48.3%) of 542 cases in the pre-pandemic period were non-ST myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and 202 (37.3%) were ST elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI). Among the COVID (+) cases in the pandemic group, 194 (76.9%) of 252 patients were NSTEMI and 34 (13.6%) were STEMI (p=0.001, p=0.013). During the pandemic period, STEMI was responsible for 7 (87.5%) of the 8 deaths in the COVID (-) group. In contrast, 20 (77%) of 26 COVID (+) deaths occurred in the NSTEMI group. NSTEMI mortality was considerably greater in the COVID (+) group (p=0.001).Conclusion:Rapid care of instances of ACS in the emergency department has an effect on patient outcomes. Determining the severity, risk factors, laboratory findings, and outcomes of COVID-19 disease is crucial for a complete understanding of the mechanisms that can induce ACS in severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 infection and for the development of strategies to facilitate the diagnosis and transfer of treatment in these patients.

Although pituitary adenomas and meningiomas are among the commonly encountered benign tumors, the co-existence of these tumors is rare. One of the most important complications of pituitary adenomas is the development of apoplexy, often resulting in death if left untreated. In this article, we present a patient admitted to the emergency department with complaints of sudden-onset headache, nausea, vomiting, and optic nerve paralysis. On examination, the case was found to have parietal lobe meningioma and pituitary adenoma. Therefore, the case underwent emergent transsphenoidal surgery considering pituitary apoplexy and was treated with l-thyroxine and hydrocortisone in the post-operative period. Although the co-existence of a pituitary adenoma and a meningioma is known in the literature, such a co-existence with apoplexy is the first case to be described in the literature.

Conventional therapy is commonly used for the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions, but undesirable effects, such as erythema, dryness, skin thinning, and resistance to treatment, may cause poor patient compliance. Therefore, patients may seek complementary treatment with herbal plant products including essential oils (EOs). This scoping review aims to generate a broad overview of the EOs used to treat inflammatory skin conditions, namely, acne vulgaris, dermatitis and eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea, in a clinical setting. The quality, efficacy, and safety of various EOs, as well as the way in which they are prepared, are reviewed, and the potential, as well as the limitations, of EOs for the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions are discussed. Twenty-nine eligible studies (case studies, uncontrolled clinical studies, and randomized clinical studies) on the applications of EOs for inflammatory skin conditions were retrieved from scientific electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library). As an initial result, tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil emerged as the most studied EO. The clinical studies with tea tree oil gel for acne treatment showed an efficacy with fewer adverse reactions compared to conventional treatments. The uncontrolled studies indicated the potential efficacy of ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) oil, eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) oil, and cedarwood (Cedrus libani) oil in the treatment of acne, but further research is required to reach conclusive evidence. The placebo-controlled studies revealed the positive effects of kānuka (Kunzea ericoides) oil and frankincense (Boswellia spp.) oil in the treatment of psoriasis and eczema. The quality verification of the EO products was inconsistent, with some studies lacking analyses and transparency. The quality limitations of some studies included a small sample size, a short duration, and the absence of a control group. This present review underscores the need for extended, well-designed clinical studies to further assess the efficacy and safety of EOs for treating inflammatory skin conditions with products of assured quality and to further elucidate the mechanisms of action involved.

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction causes hydronephrosis and may lead to renal parenchymal damage unless timely diagnosed and treated. Although open pyeloplasty is still the gold standard, it needs to be compared with new techniques. In this study, we compared laparoscopic and open pyeloplasty. Data on 113 patients who had undergone surgery between 2008 and 2014 were evaluated retrospectively. Thirty-nine patients had undergone laparoscopic pyeloplasty, and 74 had undergone open pyeloplasty. Ultrasonography was performed at 3 months and scintigraphy at 6 months postoperatively. Parameters such as the length of surgery, need for analgesics, length of hospital stay, complications, and success rates were compared. When compared to open pyeloplasty (mean 9.8 dexketoprofen 50 mg IV dose), the need for an analgesic was significantly lower in the laparoscopic pyeloplasty (mean 4.5, paracetamol 15 mg/kg IV dose) group (p

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to investigate the frequency of sexual dysfunction and the effect of short-term testosterone replacement therapy on sexual functions in congenital hypogonadism patients. Furthermore, we sought to reveal the consistency of the self-report scales used for the diagnosis of sexual dysfunction and the relationship between biochemical parameters. Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 47 young male patients aged above 18 years who were diagnosed with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Short (IIEF-5) and long (IIEF-15) forms of the International Index of Erectile Function and Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX) were applied before treatment under the supervision of a physician. The patients’ blood pressure, height, and weight were measured, and their luteinizing hormone (LH), FSH, and total testosterone levels were recorded. Patients who started their treatments were called for a follow-up checkup after 6 months. Their blood pressure, height, and weight were measured by reapplying the ASEX, IIEF-5, and IIEF-15. In addition, their LH, FSH, and total testosterone levels in the biochemical tests were rerecorded. Results: In this study, the sexual dysfunction status of patients diagnosed with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism before and after treatment was evaluated using the ASEX, IIEF-15, and IIEF-5 scales. A decrease in sexual dysfunction was observed in all three scales after treatment compared with that before treatment. The IIEF-5 and IIEF-15 scales were found to be uncorrelated in terms of the pretreatment values but were correlated in terms of the post-treatment values. Although a correlation was observed between ASEX and IIEF-5 before treatment, no correlation was detected between ASEX and IIEF-15. After the treatment, ASEX was found to be correlated with both IIEF-5 and IIEF-15. The results of the scales indicated the correlation in all categories, except the pretreatment results of the IIEF-15 scale. Conclusion: The results of the current study demonstrated a significant improvement in the sexual function of hypogonadism patients undergoing short-term testosterone therapy. The ASEX, IIEF-5, and IIEF-15 scales used in the diagnosis and follow-up of sexual dysfunction were useful for evaluating sexual functions in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism patients.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of mandibular two-implant overdentures on the quality of life of a group of patients. Materials and Methods: This pilot study was performed with 63 edentulous participants (51-83 years old) who requested implant-supported mandibular overdentures at Adiyaman University, Faculty of Dentistry between 2016 and 2020. Six weeks after two dental implants were placed in the mandibular interforaminal region, mandibular implant-supported overdentures and maxillary conventional complete dentures were applied to each patient. Turkish version of the oral health impact profile (OHIP-14) was used to evaluate the patients' quality of life before and after prosthetic treatment. Results: Compared with pre-treatment scores, participants had statistically significant improvements in quality of life after receiv-ing their new prostheses (p0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that mandibular two-implant overdentures improve the quality of life of edentulous patients.

Abstract The ability to understand whether embryos survive the thaw process is crucial to transferring competent embryos that can lead to pregnancy. The objective of this study was to develop a proof of concept deep learning model capable of assisting embryologist assessment of survival of thawed blastocysts prior to embryo transfer. A deep learning model was developed using 652 labeled time-lapse videos of freeze–thaw blastocysts. The model was evaluated against and along embryologists on a test set of 99 freeze–thaw blastocysts, using images obtained at 0.5 h increments from 0 to 3 h post-thaw. The model achieved AUCs of 0.869 (95% CI 0.789, 0.934) and 0.807 (95% CI 0.717, 0.886) and the embryologists achieved average AUCs of 0.829 (95% CI 0.747, 0.896) and 0.850 (95% CI 0.773, 0.908) at 2 h and 3 h, respectively. Combining embryologist predictions with model predictions resulted in a significant increase in AUC of 0.051 (95% CI 0.021, 0.083) at 2 h, and an equivalent increase in AUC of 0.010 (95% CI −0.018, 0.037) at 3 h. This study suggests that a deep learning model can predict in vitro blastocyst survival after thaw in aneuploid embryos. After correlation with clinical outcomes of transferred embryos, this model may help embryologists ascertain which embryos may have failed to survive the thaw process and increase the likelihood of pregnancy by preventing the transfer of non-viable embryos.

Objective:Cases of childhood head trauma constitute a common patient group in emergency departments and computed tomography (CT) is a frequently preferred imaging method for these cases. We aimed to retrospectively evaluate the cranial tomography results of pediatric patients, along with their admission clinics, hospitalization, and survival status.Method:Four-hundred pediatric patients admitted to the emergency department with head trauma between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2020 were included in this retrospective cross-sectional study. Demographic characteristics, trauma patterns, symptoms, clinical findings, CT findings, hospitalization, consultation, and survival status of the patients were recorded and evaluated.Results:The mean age of evaluated patients was 6.87±4.96 (range 0-17) years. Among the 400 cases in the study, the most common type of trauma was falling in 260 (65%) cases, the most common symptom was headache in 99 (24.8%) cases, and 264 (66%) patients had CT imaging. Although 137 (34.3%) of all patients had no complaints, they had CT imaging. Although 56 (14%) of all patients did not have any complaints, there was a lesion in their tomography. While 288 patients had no CT lesions, the most common CT findings included 80 (20%) cephalohematomas and 21 (5.3%) fractures, respectively. The relationship of clinical symptoms with both the presence of radiological imaging and the presence of a lesion on CT was significant (p=0.001). Four (1%) patients were in the exitus group.Conclusion:Tomography imaging is a very important examination in pediatric patients with head trauma and is directly related to symptoms, clinic, and mortality. There is a requirement for multicenter prospective studies on this subject to establish realistic and reliable algorithms for cranial CT preference in patients.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the empathy level of emergency department physicians and nurses and the referral of patients for intravenous thrombolytic and/or endovascular thrombectomy treatment. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out with the emergency department physicians and nurses of hospitals that did not have a stroke clinic in Bursa in July 2019, and included 198 emergency personnel. Participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, professional working conditions, and stroke history in their immediate environment (friends and family) were recorded and empathy level was measured. The health professions version of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy was used in the assessment of empathy status among emergency physicians and nurses. Results: The mean empathy score of the study group, by the Jefferson scale of empathy, was found 98.63±14.83 points. In this study, no significant relationship was found between the empathy score and the number of referrals (p=0.962). The total empathy score did not differ by the role of the participants in the hospital (p=0.161) or observation of stroke cases in their family or their friends (p=0.694). Healthcare professionals who had received emergency education (p

Introduction:The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors affecting the clinical and radiological results of the patients who underwent internal fixation due to femoral neck.Methods:Sixty-nine patients are included in this study. Follow-up periods were determined as a minimum of six months. Fractures were classified with Garden and Pauwel’s classifications. 12 hours was the cut-off limit between early and delayed fixation. The standard treatment was cannulated screw fixation. Trauma mechanism, reduction quality and patient dependent factors such as smoking and diabetes were evaluated. Non-union and avascular necrosis (AVN) was diagnosed with X-ray or computerized tomography if needed. Harris Hip score (HHS) was used as a functional scoring modality.Results:Twenty-five (36.2%) patients were female and 44 (63.8%) were male. Twenty-six patients (37.7%) were under 40 years old and 43 (62.3%) were older. Forty-two (60.9%) of these fractures were classified as Garden 1-2 (non-displaced) and 27 (39.1%) were classified as Garden 3-4 (displaced). While 39 patients (56.5%) were operated on before the 12-hour cut-off point; 30 patients (43.5%) were operated on later. Fourteen patients (20.3%) were diagnosed with non-union and 12 (17.4%) with AVN. Mean HHS was 88.7±14.2 (47-100). Displaced group (Garden 3-4) showed a higher incidence of non-union (40.7% vs.7.1%) and AVN (25.9% vs. 11.9%) compared to the non-displaced group (Garden 1-2). The timing of surgery did not have a statistically significant impact on outcome in terms of non-union and AVN. The complication rates were higher in patients with poor reduction.Conclusion:Our complication rates were similar to the literature. Age, gender, fracture side, smoking, and time to fixation were found as irrelevant with non-union and AVN rates. Non-union was significantly higher in the displaced group and no significant difference was found in AVN rates. The reduction quality was significantly associated with complications.

Fluorescent graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) doped with various heteroatoms, such as B, P, and S, named Bg-C3N4, Pg-C3N4, and Sg-C3N4, were synthesized with variable band-gap values as diagnostic materials. Furthermore, they were embedded within hyaluronic acid (HA) microgels as g-C3N4@HA microgel composites. The g-C3N4@HA microgels had a 0.5–20 μm size range that is suitable for intravenous administration. Bare g-C3N4 showed excellent fluorescence ability with 360 nm excitation wavelength and 410–460 emission wavelengths for possible cell imaging application of g-C3N4@HA microgel composites as diagnostic agents. The g-C3N4@HA-based microgels were non-hemolytic, and no clotting effects on blood cells or cell toxicity on fibroblasts were observed at 1000 μg/mL concentration. In addition, approximately 70% cell viability for SKMEL-30 melanoma cells was seen with Sg-C3N4 and its HA microgel composites. The prepared g-C3N4@HA and Sg-C3N4@HA microgels were used in cell imaging because of their excellent penetration capability for healthy fibroblasts. Furthermore, g-C3N4-based materials did not interact with malignant cells, but their HA microgel composites had significant penetration capability linked to the binding function of HA with the cancerous cells. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that g-C3N4 and g-C3N4@HA microgel composites did not interfere with the viability of healthy fibroblast cells and provided fluorescence imaging without any staining while significantly decreasing the viability of cancerous cells. Overall, heteroatom-doped g-C3N4@HA microgel composites, especially Sg-C3N4@HA microgels, can be safely used as multifunctional theragnostic agents for both diagnostic as well as target and treatment purposes in cancer therapy because of their fluorescent nature.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors (TRAFs) are a protein family with a wide variety of roles and binding partners. Among them, TRAF6, a ubiquitin ligase, possesses unique receptor binding specificity and shows diverse functions in immune system regulation, cellular signaling, central nervous system, and tumor formation. TRAF6 consists of an N-terminal Really Interesting New Gene (RING) domain, multiple zinc fingers, and a C-terminal TRAF domain. TRAF6 is an important therapeutic target for various disorders and structural studies of this protein are crucial for the development of next-generation therapeutics. Here, we presented a TRAF6 N-terminal structure determined at the Turkish light source “Turkish DeLight” to be 3.2 Å resolution at cryogenic temperature (PDB ID: 8HZ2). This structure offers insight into the domain organization and zinc-binding, which are critical for protein function. Since the RING domain and the zinc fingers are key targets for TRAF6 therapeutics, structural insights are crucial for future research. Separately, we rationally designed numerous new compounds and performed molecular docking studies using this template (PDB ID:8HZ2). According to the results, 10 new compounds formed key interactions with essential residues and zinc ion in the N-terminal region of TRAF6. Molecular dynamic (MD) simulations were performed for 300 ns to evaluate the stability of three docked complexes (compounds 256, 322, and 489). Compounds 256 and 489 was found to possess favorable bindings with TRAF6. These new compounds also showed moderate to good pharmacokinetic profiles, making them potential future drug candidates as TRAF6 inhibitors.

Abstract In this study, zinc oxide (ZnO) powders in two different morphologies, nanowire (NW) and nanoflower (NF), have been synthesized by the hydrothermal method. The eligibility of the pristine ZnO nanopowders as a photo-active material has been revealed by designing P-SC devices via the facile drop-casting method on both glass and plastic substrates in large-area applications. The impact of physical properties and especially defect structures on photo-supercapacitor (P-SC) performance have been explored. Although the dark Coulombic efficiency (CE%) of both NW and NF-based P-SC were very close to each other, the CE% of NW P-SC increased 3 times, while the CE% of NF P-SC increased 1.7 times under the UV-light. This is because the charge carriers produced under light excitation, extend the discharge time, and as confirmed by electron paramagnetic resonance, photoluminescence, and transmission electron microscopy analyses, the performance of P-SCs made from NF powders was relatively low compared to those produced from NW due to the high core defects in NF powders. The energy density of 78.1 mWh kg−1 obtained for NF-based P-SCs is very promising, and the capacitance retention value of almost 100% for 3000 cycles showed that the P-SCs produced from these materials were entirely stable. Compared to the literature, the P-SCs we propose in this study are essential for new generation energy storage systems, thanks to their ease of design, adaptability to mass production for large-area applications, and their ability to store more energy under illumination.

Aim:Residual renal functions have positive effects on morbidity and mortality among patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Our aim is to investigate the effects of baseline laboratory data and longitudinal uric acid and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels on loss of residual renal functions within the first three years of peritoneal dialysis.Materials and Methods:This is a retrospective cohort study. Thirty-four patients who started peritoneal dialysis due to end-stage renal disease were included. The primary endpoint was loss of residual renal function and was defined as residual urine volume of less than 200 mL/24 hours. Patients were followed for three years after the onset of peritoneal dialysis or until loss of residual renal functions. Demographic and clinical data were recorded retrospectively.Results:The follow-up period was 32.7 (12.9-36) months. Ten patients lost residual renal function 22.1±9.8 months after the initiation of peritoneal dialysis. Longitudinal uric acid level was 6.1±1.2 mg/dL and longitudinal CRP level was 0.5 (0.3-0.7) mg/dL. In patients with residual renal function loss, baseline sodium and triglyceride were lower, while parathormone were higher. There was no difference between the groups in terms of longitudinal uric acid and CRP levels. Baseline parathyroid hormone [hazard ratio (HR), 1,003; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1,001-1,006; p=0.013], body mass index (HR 0.817; 95% CI 0.684-0.975; p=0.025), and baseline sodium level (HR 0.801; 95% CI; 0.665- 0.965; p=0.019) were risk factors for residual renal function loss.Conclusion:In peritoneal dialysis patients, residual renal function loss were associated with baseline sodium, triglyceride, and body mass index. There was no correlation between residual renal function loss and longitudinal CRP and uric acid levels. Prospective studies are needed to determine the optimal uric acid and CRP levels.

Background: Monitoring the longevity of immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections is vital to understanding the role of antibodies in preventing infection. Aims: To determine the quantitative IgG responses specific to the Spike-S1 (S1) receptor-binding domain (S1/RBD) region of the virus in serum samples taken between 4 weeks and 7 months after polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positivity in patients who are diagnosed with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Study Design: A longitudinal study. Methods: This study included 113 patients with a clinical and molecular diagnosis of COVID-19. The first and second serum samples were taken 1 and 7 months, respectively, after the PCR positivity. S1/RBD-specific IgG antibody response was assayed using anti-SARS-CoV-2 QuantiVac ELISA (IgG) kit (Euroimmun, Lübeck, Germany). The neutralizing antibodies were investigated in 57 patients whose IgG test results were above the cut-off value. Results: In 57 patients with SARS-CoV-2 IgG, the anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG quantitative antibody levels significantly decreased after 7 months (Z = −2.197, p = 0.028). A correlation was detected between the anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and nAb percent inhibition (IH%) levels detected in 1 month (rs = 0.496, p < 0.001), but without significant correlation in serum samples taken on 7 months. The nAb IH% levels of the first and second were compared for COVID-19 severity and revealed no statistical difference (p = 0.256). In the second serum sample, the nAb IH%s of patients with moderate COVID-19 showed a statistically significant difference from patients with mild COVID-19 (p = 0.018), but without significant differences between severe and moderate or mild COVID-19. Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 quantitative IgG antibody titers are significantly reduced at long-term follow-up (> 6 months). Due to the limited information on seroconversion, comprehensive studies should be conducted for long-term follow-up of the immune response against SARS-CoV-2.

ABSTRACT Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, which is a simple surrogate marker of insulin resistance that is associated with various cardiometabolic diseases, in patients with Klinefelter syndrome (KS). Subjects and methods: A total of 30 patients with KS (mean age: 21.53 ± 1.66 years) and 32 healthy controls (mean age: 22.07 ± 1.01 years) were included in the study.The clinical and laboratory parameters,TyG index, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) level, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) score, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level were measured in patients with KS and healthy subjects. Results: Patients with KS had higher HOMA-IR score (p = 0.043), ADMA levels (p < 0.001), and TyG index (p = 0.031) and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (p < 0.001) than healthy subjects. TyG index was positively correlated with plasma ADMA (r = 0.48, p < 0.001) and HOMA-IR (r = 0.36, p = 0.011). Multivariate analyses showed that total testosterone level (β = −0.44, p = 0.001) and TyG index (β = 0.29, p = 0.045) were independent determinants of plasma ADMA levels. Conclusion: Patients with KS had higher TyG indices than healthy subjects. Moreover, TyG index was independently associated with endothelial dysfunction in patients. TyG index may be a practical and useful measure to show the increased endothelial dysfunction in patients with KS.

Amaç Laparoskopik adrenalektomi; fonksiyone ve nonfonksiyone adrenal kitlelerde sıklıkla uygulanmakta ve günümüzde uygun hasta grubunda altın standart olarak kabul edilmektedir. Bu makalede adrenal kitle tanısı ile transperitoneal laparoskopik cerrahi uygulanan hastaların erken dönem sonuçlarının değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem 0cak 2016 – Ağustos 2021 tarihleri arasında adrenal kitle tanısı ile laparoskopik cerrahi uygulanan hastaların kayıtları retrospektif olarak değerlendirildi. Hastaların kayıtları, preoperatif hasta şikayetleri, tanı yöntemleri, cerrahi teknik, erken dönem cerrahi sonuçları ve histopatolojik sonuçları açısından ayrıntılı olarak incelendi. Bulgular Toplam 28 hasta çalışma kapsamında değerlendirildi. Hastaların 20’si (%71,43) kadın, 8’i (%28,57) erkek ve yaş ortalamaları 50,70±12,00 idi. Lezyonların %50’si (14) sol sürrenal lokalizasyonluydu. Kitle çapı 6,43±2,11 olarak belirlenen hastalarda postoperatif en sık histopatolojik tanı adrenokortikal adenom idi. 2 hastada (% 7,14) morbidite ile karşılaşılırken mortalite olmadı. Sonuç Laparoskopik adrenalektomi yeterli laparoskopik cerrahi deneyimi olan ekipler tarafından başlangıç cerrahi yöntemi olarak güvenle uygulanabilir.

To investigate the long-term outcome of 203 patients with osteoporotic vertebra fractures who were treated with percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) technique under local anesthesia. Magnetic resonance and Computed Tomography Image results were used and correlated with clinical presentations to identify the symptomatic vertebral acute fracture levels. Percutaneous kyphoplasty was performed under local anesthesia/sedation technique in these patients. During the follow-up, pain symptoms were recorded on a self-reported visual analog scale (VAS). 203 patients (78 males and 125 females) with traumatic osteoporotic vertebral fractures in our clinic between 2015 and 2020. Patients VAS scores significantly decreased from 8.48±1.1 to 3.30±1.89 after 10 days of treatment (p [Med-Science 2022; 11(1.000): 321-5]

Objective: Balance problems and falls due to a progressive loss of muscle strength in neuromuscular diseases (NMD) negatively affect the activities of daily living and functional independence of patients. The timed up and go (TUG) test is an easy-to-apply and objective measure of balance. This study aimed to determine the cut-off value of the TUG test in adult individuals with NMD. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 102 patients. The receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed and cut-off, sensitivity, and specificity values were calculated in NMD to determine the diagnostic validity of the TUG test. Results: The mean ages of 55 patients with a fall history and 47 patients without a fall history were 34.40+-10.41 and 31.87+-10.11 years, respectively. The mean values of the TUG scores of these individuals were calculated as 11.79+-4.30 and 7.33+-1.51 s, respectively. The cut-off value of the TUG test in adult individuals with the NMD was determined as 8.9 s. Conclusion: The present study revealed that individuals with NMD who complete the TUG test over 8.9 s have a high risk of falling. Determining the risk of falling in NMD, which is one of the neurological patient groups where falling complaints are most common, is extremely important for patient safety and the effectiveness of rehabilitation.

Abstract To compare enzalutamide (E) and abiraterone acetate (AA) in terms of efficacy, survival and to characterize prognostic factors affecting survival in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients. A total of 250 patients treated with E or AA in 5 centers were included. The number of patients with no prostate specific antigen (PSA) decline was higher in the AA group than that in the E group, and the proportion of patients with a PSA decline of ≥ 50% was higher in the E group (p = 0.020). Radiological progression free survival (rPFS) and overall survival (OS) were significantly longer in the E group when compared to that in the AA group (p

Among sexually transmitted diseases, HIV causes very serious clinical manifestations that can lead to death. As a result, millions of people have to live with this problem that threatens their health. The virus attacks the immune system of the host, especially CD4+ T lymphocytes, causing the suppression of the immune system. CD4, CD8 counts, and HIV RNA viral loads are monitored in HIV-infected patients with antiretroviral treatment, and CD4 counts play an important role in determining the effectiveness of the treatment. Despite the advances in treatment in the present day, opportunistic infections are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in these patients, and the evaluation of immunological parameters is valuable for the prognosis of the disease in this process. In the present study, the purpose was to investigate the opportunistic infections faced by naive HIV-positive patients who applied to our laboratory and were diagnosed between 2019 and 2022 during their one-year treatment period, and the correlation of the immunological parameters was also evaluated retrospectively using the hospital automation system and laboratory data. A total of 107 opportunistic causative microorganisms were identified in 87 of the 230 HIV-positive patients over one year. T. pallidum was detected in 43 (18.6%) of these patients, Cytomegalovirus (CMV) in 32 (13.9%), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) in 9 (3.9%), Hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 10 (4.3%), C. albicans in 7 (3%), M. tuberculosis in 3 (1.3%), Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in 2 (0.8%), and C. glabrata in 1 (0.4%) patient. Although mono-agent co-infections were determined in 69 of 87 people living with HIV, two-agent co-infections were detected in 16 HIV patients, and three-agent co-infections were identified in two HIV patients. Considering the correlation between the CD4/CD8 ratio and infection positivity, a moderate negative correlation was determined with HIV RNA viral load and CMV infection. The CD4/CD8 ratio had a low negative correlation with EBV and C. albicans infections. It was also found that the follow-up of HIV RNA load in the diagnosis of T. pallidum, CMV, EBV, and C. albicans may be meaningful. Opportunistic infections mainly affect immunosuppressed patients and can be prevented with effective treatment. Although it is already known that HIV patients may face different infections during their treatment, it was concluded that more attention should be paid to T. pallidum, CMV, EBV, and C. albicans agents. These infections should be routinely monitored with HIV viral load and the CD4/CD8 ratio.

Aim:It is important to determine which of the treatment options applied in the emergency department is more effective and usable in coagulation pathologies. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC), which are used in the treatment of high hemostasis parameters in the emergency department.Methods:This retrospective study included 103 patients who were admitted to the emergency department between January 2019 and December 2020. All data were obtained from the hospital automation system. While the patients were divided into two groups (FFP-PCC) according to the treatment option they received, they were also divided into three groups (DED-RSH-ISH) according to hospitalization status. With this data, treatment efficacy and outcomes were analyzed.Results:The mean age of 103 patients was 67.31±13.17 years, with 58 (56%) females and 45 (44%) males. 51 (49.5%) of the cases received FFP and 52 (50.5%) PCC treatment. While the international normalized ratio (INR)1 value before the treatment was 7.56±4.09 and 2.42±1.01 after the treatment in the FFP group, the INR1 value was 10.12±5.18 and INR2 1.95±0.71 in the PCC group. The percentage of INR decrease was 60.28±19.76 (%) in the FFP group, and 73.41±17.42 (%) in the PCC group (p=0.001). In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the sensitivity and specificity of FFP and PCC decreased significantly in INR%.Conclusion:FFP is preferable in this regard to FFP because it is easier to apply, has a faster effect, and provides better values in coagulation parameters.

Objectives: Coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has caused a worldwide pandemic and affected many systems. Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is one of the most common diseases in the community and is the prototype of autoimmune thyroid diseases. It is unknown how thyroid autoimmunity and thyroid dysfunction will affect the course of COVID-19. The aim of this study is to show the course of this infection in patients with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted in which adult patients with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis who received COVID-19 infection from April to October 2020 in our center were recruited retrospectivelly. Those with severe comorbid conditions that may affect the course of the disease,and using immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive drugs, and pregnant women were not included in the study. Results: A total of 232 patients included. Median (IQR=interquartile) age value was 43 (34-54), and the male/female ratio was 21/211 (9.1%/90.9%). In our study, mortality due to COVID-19 in our patients was found to be consistent with the normal population in their age group (1,7%, n:4), and 7 patients were treated in the intensive care unit. A significant negative correlation was found between Anti-Tyroglobuline Antibody (Anti-Tg) and White Blood Cell (WBC) (r=-0.189, p=0.041), Neutrophil (r=-0.191, p=0.040), Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) (r=-0.244, p=0.008), Ferritin (r=-0.259, p=0.042). Conclusion: The rate of patients with supressed Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) in intensive care unit was slightly higher, but since the number of events was low, this finding could not gain significance. Most patients with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis have had a mild infection. Thyroid autoimmunity does not appear to affect the COVID-19 infection’s course.

Objective:To identify the adult mosquito species of Kura-Aras Basin, which includes Kars-Ardahan Plateau and Aras Valley, mosquito sampling was done in August and September 2020.Methods:Adult mosquitoes were collected using new Jersey light traps and mouth aspirators.Results:A total of 5.361 adult mosquito species belonging to five genera (Aedes caspius, Aedes vexans, Anopheles hyrcanus, Anopheles maculipennis s.l., Anopheles superpictus, Culex hortensis, Culex theileri, Culex pipiens s.l., Coquillettidia richiardii, Culiseta annulata, Culiseta longiearolata and Culiseta subochera) were sampled.Conclusion:Species detected in the study area are important vectors for public health, since they carry pathogens, such as malaria, West Nile virus, and various nematodes. These species can be used for arbovirus and malaria research studies.