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Abstract We evaluated the incidence of Cyclospora cayetanensis in immunocompetent, diarrheic patients during the summers of 2006-2009 in Istanbul. Stools from 1876 patients were examined using microscopic techniques. Cyclospora oocysts were observed in wet preparations by light and epifluorescence microscopy and in fecal smears that were stained by Kinyoun's modified acid-fast stain. Characteristic Cyclospora oocysts were observed in 2 patients in 2006, 17 in 2007, and one in 2009. Samples positive for Cyclospora were further analyzed by a single step polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with Cyclospora-specific primers from the ITS-1 region of the genome. The majority of the Cyclospora positive cases (15) were clustered during about 15 days in June 2007, indicating an unusual incidence of cyclosporiasis in this time period. The climatic characteristics of 2007 could have played a role in this high occurrence rate.

Background: Ocrelizumab (OCR) effectively modifies the disease course in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients but may cause a preinfusion "wearing-off phenomenon" (WoP). This study explored the prevalence, timing, and severity of this phenomenon in MS patients using the OCR, as well as the associated symptoms and treatment satisfaction., Methods: We conducted a prospective multicenter study across 11 MS centers involving MS patients aged 18-70 years who had received at least two OCR doses. The study employed a questionnaire addressing demographic, clinical, and radiological data; symptom progression; and treatment satisfaction., Results: Of the 409 patients included in the study, 406 participated. A significant portion experienced varying degrees of WoP: 39.2% sometimes, 25.9% usually, and 14.3% always, with 55.9% noting symptom onset over four weeks prior to their next dose. Common symptoms included fatigue, walking difficulties, and pain. Subgroup analysis of 334 patients revealed that 78.1% of patients experienced these effects, which correlated with shorter disease durations, a longer delay between the two doses before the last dose, and a greater rate of relapse (P>0.05)., Conclusion: The WoP of the OCR is prevalent and significant among MS patients and is influenced by the dosing interval, disease duration, and relapse rate. These insights underscore the need for personalized treatment schedules and more research into factors affecting MS management., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: This study investigates the gap in understanding the dynamics of recurring disease activity (RDA) in RRMS patients after fingolimod (FGL) treatment discontinuation. The aim is to investigate RDA in RRMS patients after stopping FGL, aiming to improve management and comprehension of disease progression post-treatment., Methods: In this multicenter, retrospective study, data from 172 of 944 RRMS patients aged 18-55, across nine centers in Turkey, who discontinued FGL treatment, were analyzed. The collected data included EDSS scores, annualized relapse rates (ARR), lymphocyte counts, and MRI findings, with follow-up assessments conducted at 6 months, 1 year, and up to 2 years., Results: RDA was observed in 31.9 % of patients, with incidences of rebound and reactivation at 20.3 % and 11.6 %, respectively. Factors like younger age, longer treatment duration, lower lymphocyte counts, and higher lesion burden increased RDA risk. Notably, 52.9 % of pregnant patients experienced RDA (16.4 % of the overall RDA group), with rebound occurring in six and reactivation in three. Patients with RDA had longer medication-free intervals and increased ARR. Discontinuation reasons varied, with disease progression linked to a lower RDA risk., Conclusion: Findings highlight the necessity for personalized management and vigilant monitoring after FGL discontinuation in RRMS patients, offering critical insights into RDA risk factors, and the complex interplay between treatment cessation, pregnancy, and disease progression., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest All authors declare no competing interests or external funding., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This study aims to investigate the relationship between toxoplasmosis and this pathway, which may be effective in the formation of epilepsy by acting through the HMGB1/RAGE/TLR4/NF-κB signalling pathway in patients with idiopathic epilepsy. In the study, four different experimental groups were formed by selecting Toxoplasma gondii IgG positive and negative patients with idiopathic epilepsy and healthy controls. Experimental groups were as follows: Group 1: Epilepsy+/Toxo- (E+, T-) (n = 10), Group 2: Epilepsy-/Toxo- (E-, T-) (n = 10), Group 3: Epilepsy-/Toxo+ (E-, T+) (n = 10), Group 4: Epilepsy+/Toxo+ (E+, T+) (n = 10). HMGB1, RAGE, TLR4, TLR1, TLR2, TLR3, IRAK1, IRAK2, IKBKB, IKBKG, BCL3, IL1β, IL10, 1 L8 and TNFα mRNA expression levels in the HMGB/RAGE/TLR4/NF-κB signalling pathway were determined by quantitative simultaneous PCR (qRT-PCR) after collecting blood samples from all patients in the groups. Statistical analysis was performed by one-way ANOVA followed by LSD post-hoc tests, and p < 0.05 was considered to denote statistical significance. The gene expression levels of HMGB1, TLR4, IL10, IL1B, IL8, and TLR2 were significantly higher in the G1 group than in the other groups (p < 0.05). In the G3 group, RAGE and BCL3 gene expression levels were significantly higher than in the other groups (p < 0.05). In the G4 group, however, IRAK2, IKBKB, and IKBKG gene expression levels were significantly higher than in the other groups (p < 0.05). HMGB1, TLR4, IRAK2, IKBKB, IL10, IL1B, IL1B, and IL8 in this signalling pathway are highly expressed in epilepsy patients in G1 and seizures occur with the stimulation of excitatory mechanisms by acting through this pathway. The signalling pathway in epilepsy may be activated by HMGB1, TLR4, and TLR2, which are considered to increase the level of proinflammatory cytokines. In T. gondii, this pathway is activated by RAGE and BCL3., (© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine published by Foundation for Cellular and Molecular Medicine and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Introduction: Venous thromboembolism is one of the causes of sudden death in Parkinson's Disease (PD). Few studies have investigated the correlation between PD and deep venous thrombosis (DVT). This study aimed to investigate the frequency of DVT in PD patients prospectively., Material and Method: Demographic characteristics of 37 PD patients without known risk factors for DVT, disease duration, Hoehn-Yahr (H - Y) stage, oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate values with pulse oximetry, use of assistive devices, waist and knee circumference measurements, and modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea score was recorded. Both legs were evaluated for thrombus by Doppler venous ultrasound (US)., Results: With the H-Y stage of the disease duration, a positive correlation was determined between the H-Y stage and mMRC. Disease duration was negatively correlated with BMI and positively correlated with the need for assistance. Assistive device use was positively associated with age and mMRC. DVT was detected in only one patient. When our patients' files were reviewed after 1.5 years, one patient was hospitalized with the diagnosis of submassive pulmonary embolism., Conclusion: Attention should be paid to the development of DVT in elderly patients with advanced stages of PD, progression in the H-Y stage, use of assistive devices, and progression in dyspnea scoring. There is also a need for studies on the benefit of DVT prophylaxis in PD patients with a high risk of venous thromboembolism.

Introduction: Fingolimod is the first oral immunomodulatory treatment used as secondary care therapy in the treatment of multiple sclerosis for the last 10 years. The objective of our study is to reveal the experiences of the first generic fingolimod active ingredient treatment in different centers across Turkey., Method: The first generic fingolimod efficacy and safety data of patients followed-up in 29 different clinical multiple sclerosis units in Turkey were analyzed retrospectively. Data regarding efficacy and safety of the patients were transferred to the data system both before the treatment and on the 6th, 12 th and 24 th month following the treatment. The data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS 20.00. P value of <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant., Results: A total of 508 multiple sclerosis patients, 331 of whom were women, were included in the study. Upon comparing the Expanded Disability Status values before and after the treatment, a significant decrease was observed, especially at month 6 and thereafter. Since bradycardia occurred in 11 of the patients (2.3%), the first dose had to be longer than 6 hours. During the observation of the first dose, no issues that could prevent the use of the drug occured. Side effects were seen in 49 (10.3%) patients during the course of fingolimod treatment. Respectively, the most frequent side effects were bradycardia, hypotension, headache, dizziness and tachycardia., Conclusion: The observed results regarding efficacy and safety were similar to clinical trial data in the literature and real life data in terms of the first equivalent with fingolimod active ingredient., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: The authors declared that there is no conflict of interest., (Copyright: © 2023 Turkish Neuropsychiatric Society.)

Objective: To evaluate the thickness of choroid and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with and without optic neuritis using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, both eyes of 52 MS patients [ n  = 104 eyes; 62 eyes of MS patients without optic neuritis (MS-NON) and 42 eyes of MS patients with optic neuritis (MS-ON)] and only one eye of 36 healthy control subjects ( n  = 36 eyes) were evaluated. Complete ophthalmologic examination and EDI-OCT scanning were completed for all participants. Choroidal thickness measurements were executed at three different points. Results: Choroidal thickness measurements were similar between MS patients and healthy control subjects. However, the mean subfoveal choroidal thickness was increased significantly in MS-ON group (399.13 ± 82.91 μm) compared to MS-NON group (342.71 ± 82.46 μm; p  = 0.004). Mean RNFL thickness was significantly reduced in MS patients (90.42 ± 13.31 μm) compared to healthy controls (101.18 ± 10.75 μm; p  < 0.001). Moreover, temporal RNFL thickness was significantly thinner in MS-ON group (54 ± 14.50 μm) than MS-NON group (62.15 ± 15.88 μm; p  = 0.01). In MS patients, temporal RNFL thickness was correlated with both Expanded Disability Status Score ( r  = 0.383; p  < 0.001) and longer disease duration ( r =-0.202; p  = 0.04). Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that RNFL thickness can be used as an important parameter while following up with MS patients. However, more studies using EDI-OCT are required with larger MS patient groups and automated method.

Toxoplasma gondii is a common protozoan parasite which causes toxoplasmosis worldwide. There are limited treatment options against T. gondii infection. Once transmitted, T. gondii can spread to many organs in the body, including the brain, liver and kidneys. One of the most common signs of toxoplasmosis is a rise in oxidative stress. Therefore, our aim was to determine the antioxidant levels in the brain, liver and kidney of rats infected with this parasite. In the present study, 2–4-months old Wistar albino rats were infected intraperitoneally with 1 x 104 mL of RH strain of T. gondii dispersed in 0.9% NaCl. Post-infection after 30 days, the experiment was terminated, the rats were sacrified, and the blood, brain, liver and kidney tissues were collected for analyses. Catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were determined by ELISA assay. Increased SOD and GSH-Px levels were found in the liver of infected rats compared to controls; however, similar changes were not observed in other tested organs. These results suggest the increased oxidative stress caused by T. gondii infection can be efficiently alleviated, at least in the liver, by increased levels of antioxidant enzymes during post-infection. Further research will be required to determine the potential mechanisms of increasing antioxidant levels in the liver at 30 days post-infection, as well as the potential differences in antioxidant enzyme levels during the acute and chronic phases of toxoplasmosis.

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite can be seen in all the vital organ; in the acute phase, it can be found in the blood, cerebrospinal fluid, semen, tears, saliva, urine, and in almost all body fluids. Transplasental infection can lead to fetal damage and miscarriage. Its last hosts are felines and intermediate hosts are all mammals, including humans. People infected by the ingestion of meat containing cysts in undercooked or raw, are thrown oocysts with cat felines By taking in water and food, from mother to fetus transplacental way, the infected organ transplantation, blood transfusion, laboratory accidents and kaprofaj transmitted by mechanical vectors of the invertebrates. Suppression of the immune system is being transformed to the shape and texture of the cysts with bradyzoite. The parasite settles in the cells of the tissue cysts and causes change in the cellular mechanisms, such as cytokinin task. Depending on changes and type of neurotransmitter (GABA, glutamate, serotonin, dopamine) levels in CSF in ions (Ca, K, Cl, Mg), it is believed that there is a change in their concentration. In this review, literature about the relationship between T. gondii and epilepsy and epileptiform activity the importance of parasites, which settle in the brain, will be highlighted.