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This article discusses the findings of three studies related to neonatal neuroprotection. The first study explores the potential use of haptoglobin as a treatment for cerebral intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm infants. The second study examines the impact of anakinra on immune function in infants with neonatal encephalopathy. The third study explores the therapeutic potential of human mesenchymal stem cells in encephalopathy of prematurity. These studies provide insights into potential treatments for neurodevelopmental impairments in preterm infants. Another study evaluates the impact of telemedicine consults on the time it takes to assess neonatal encephalopathy in a rural state, finding that the program significantly reduced assessment time and improved collaboration and communication. A study on infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy investigates the levels of immune regulatory cells and suggests their potential use as an adjuvant strategy to reduce inflammation. Lastly, a study compares the use of morphine in neonates undergoing therapeutic hypothermia for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy using two different cooling devices, finding no significant difference in morphine use between the groups. These studies highlight the need for further research and interventions to improve outcomes for infants with neonatal encephalopathy and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Colorectal cancer is the third most common and second deadliest cancer globally. Increasingly, early‑onset colorectal cancer is diagnosed in those under 50 years, leading to some countries advising screenings from ages 40 or 45 years. The ’position of the tumor, right or left, impacts the characteristics and prognosis of early‑onset colorectal cancer. Objectives: Investigating the 5‑year disease‑free and overall survival and histopathologic nature of left‑ and right‑sided early‑onset colorectal cancer. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Koc University and VKF American Hospital. Materials (Patients) and Methods: Our population includes patients under 50 years with invasive colon cancer treated in two tertiary Turkish hospitals from 2014 to 2019. Of 178 patients, 74.3% had left‑sided tumors. Sample Size: One hundred and seventy‑eight patients. Main Outcome Measures: Histopathological features of left‑ and right‑sided colorectal tumors, and the 5‑year disease‑free and overall survival rate in patients under 50 years of age. Results: The 5‑year disease‑free survival was higher in right‑sided tumors(78.2% vs. 53.1%), but overallsurvival wassimilar. No significant histopathological differences were noted between left‑ and right‑sided tumors, but right‑sided tumors had more mucinous adenocarcinoma and high microsatellite instability (MSI). Conclusion: Our data did not show a difference in survival between right‑ and left‑sided tumors in the age group <50 years contrary to other published literature. Limitations: Retrospective nature and inclusion of a single center, which usually serves Turkiye population with a higher socioeconomic status. The retrospective nature of the study makes it susceptible to selection bias. The small sample size precludes robust group matching and diminishes the statistical power, increasing the risk of Type II errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previously published studies of microsporidial infections have primarily focused on immunodeficient or immunocompromised patients. Data regarding infections caused by this microorganism in immunocompetent subjects are lacking. In the present study, we investigated the prevalence of microsporidia in healthy individuals and immunocompetent patients with acute and chronic diarrhea.Methods: The study included stool samples from 74 patients with acute diarrhea, 41 patients with chronic diarrhea, and 88 healthy volunteers. Slides were prepared after concentration with a formalin-ethyl acetate technique and were stained with modified trichrome, calcofluor white, and Uvitex 2B stains. The number of spores observed in each magnification field (×1000) was scored as follows: 1+, 1–10; 2+, 11–20; 3+, > 20.Results: The prevalence of microsporidia was 27.0% in patients with acute diarrhea, 34.1% in patients with chronic diarrhea, and 45.5% in healthy volunteers. The parasite score was 1 + in all positive samples. The rate of microsporidia positivity was higher in solid stools (51.4%), and the rate of positivity increased with advancing age.Conclusion: Unexpectedly, a high prevalence of microsporidia was found in immunocompetent individuals in our region. There was no relationship between positivity for microsporidia and the presence of symptoms, due to higher rates both in solid stools and in healthy subjects. The parasite score was the same in all groups. Our results indicate that there is high exposure to microsporidia in immunocompetent subjects in our region. Natural reservoirs and environmental sources of microsporidia should be determined to design strategies for effective prevention of transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxoplasma gondii, an obligatory intracellular protozoon is widely distributed around the world and can infect all mammals and birds. While acquired toxoplasmosis is usually asymptomatic in healthy subjects, acute infection during pregnancy may lead to abortion, stillbirth, fetal neurological and ocular damages. For the prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis it is recommended that a screening programme and a diagnostic algorithm in pregnant women should be implemented while considering the cost effectiveness. Thus, it is necessary to determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women and the actual risk of T.gondii transmission during pregnancy in a certain area. The aims of this study were to detect the T.gondii seropositivity in the pregnant women admitted to our hospital and to create a diagnostic algorithm in order to solve the problems arising from interpretation of the serological test results. A total of 6140 women aged 15-49 years who were admitted to our hospital between April 1st, 2010 to July 31st, 2013, were evaluated retrospectively. In the serum samples, T.gondii IgM, IgG and IgG avidity tests were performed by VIDAS automated analyzer using TOXO IgM, TOXO IgG II and TOXO IgG avidity kits (bioMerieux, France). It was noted that, both T.gondii IgM and IgG tests were requested from 4758 (77.5%) of the pregnant women, while only IgM test from 1382 (22.5%) cases. Sole IgM positivity was found as 0.2% (11/6140), IgG as 26.4% (1278/4758) and both IgM + IgG as 0.9% (44/4758). T.gondii IgG avidity tests were requested from 12 of 44 women who were found both IgM and IgG positive and eight of them revealed high avidity and four low avidity. Avidity test was ordered for the 91 (7.1%) of 1278 sole IgG positive cases and four of them were found to have low avidity. IgG avidity test was ordered for 554 (16.2%) of IgM and/or IgG negative subjects, however, the test was not performed according to rejection criteria of the laboratory. It was noticed that no re-testing was requested for none of the seronegative cases (3428/4758; 72%) during their follow-up. In our study, total Toxoplasma seropositivity rate among pregnant women was detected as 28% (1330/4758), showing statistically significant increase (p< 0.05) with age. There was no significant difference (p> 0.05) in the seropositivity rate between the years (2010-2013). Following the evaluation of the test orders, the problems related to test orders and interpretation of the test results were determined and a diagnostic algorithm to be used in our hospital, was established to minimize such problems in toxoplasma serology. It was concluded that a diagnostic algorithm related to toxoplasmosis serology should be implemented for the appropriate evaluation of the risk of acute toxoplasmosis during pregnancy. Such an approach is necessary to support the clinical diagnosis and to minimize the anxiety in pregnant women about congenital toxoplasmosis.