No Association Between Vocal Emotion Recognition and Subjective Parental Reporting of Alexithymia in School-Age Children With Hearing Aids.

Objectives: Alexithymia is characterized by difficulties in identifying and describing one's own emotions. Alexithymia has previously been associated with deficits in the processing of emotional information at both behavioral and neurobiological levels, and some studies have shown elevated levels of alexithymic traits in adults with hearing loss. This explorative study investigated alexithymia in young and adolescent school-age children with hearing aids in relation to (1) a sample of age-matched children with normal hearing, (2) age, (3) hearing thresholds, and (4) vocal emotion recognition.

Rheumatic diseases presenting with young ischemic stroke: Revelations from tertiary center experience.

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the frequency and clinical features of diagnosed rheumatological disease in patients who have no previous history of rheumatic disease and are consulted to the rheumatology clinic from other departments to investigate the etiology of early-onset ischemic stroke.

Methods: Patients aged 18-65, who had not previously been diagnosed with rheumatic disease, had ischemic stroke for the first time, and were consulted to rheumatology clinic to investigate the etiology of the disease, were retrospectively included in the study. Demographics, clinic laboratory, imaging data and the final diagnosis of the patients were obtained from hospital records.

The effect of NF-kB and MAPK mediated Proinflammatory microenvironment on renal aging and amyloid deposition in elder rats.

Low-grade inflammation associated with the aging process exerts functional and morphological effects on multiple organs. The kidney is an organ that is severely affected by the aging process. Our study aimed to determine the relationship between histopathological and immunohistochemical changes and age-related amyloid accumulation in rat kidney tissue.

Erectile Dysfunction as a Marker of Subclinical Biventricular Diastolic Dysfunction: A Prospective Echocardiographic Study.

Objective: Erectile dysfunction (ED) and cardiovascular disease share similar vascular pathologies, particularly endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Increasing evidence indicates that ED may serve as an early signal of underlying cardiac abnormalities, particularly diastolic dysfunction (DD), even in the absence of clinical cardiovascular disease.

Method: This prospective, single-center study involved 87 patients with ED, matched with 53 healthy controls based on age and body mass index.

Comparison of the Efficacy of Ultrasound-Guided Repeated Greater Occipital Nerve Blocks and Greater Occipital Nerve Pulsed Radiofrequency in Migraine Treatment.

Background: Greater occipital nerve (GON) blocks and pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) are commonly used in migraine management.

Objectives: This study compares the clinical outcomes of migraine patients who underwent repeated GON blocks (GONBs) and pulsed radiofrequency of the greater occipital nerve (GONPRF), both of which were performed using a proximal technique with ultrasound (US)-guidance.

Study Design: Single-center, prospective, comparative, observational cohort study.

Seasonal variation in incidence and relapse of granulomatosis with polyangiitis: A retrospective cohort study from Central Anatolia.

Background And Aim: The etiology of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) remains under discussion. This study aims to explore patterns of organ involvement, ANCA antibody profiles, seasonal attack rates, and their interrelationship among patients diagnosed with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) in Central Anatolia, shedding light on its multifactorial etiology involving drugs, genetics and environmental factors.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study involving patients aged 18 to 65 diagnosed with GPA and receiving care at Ankara Bilkent City Hospital Rheumatology Clinic.

Effectiveness of distal versus proximal greater occipital nerve pulsed radiofrequency in migraine management: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

Background/aim: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of distal versus proximal greater occipital nerve (GON) pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatments in patients with episodic or chronic migraine.

Materials And Methods: In this prospective, randomized controlled study, sixty participants were randomized to either distal GON PRF (n = 30) or proximal GON PRF (n = 30). Migraine related assessments were conducted at the baseline and at the first, second, and third month.

Clinicopathological evaluation of secondary conjunctival pigmentations following enucleation.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate histopathologically the conjunctival pigmentations occurring in post-enucleation anophthalmic sockets and to identify the common causes.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of patients who presented with conjunctival pigmentation in the anophthalmic socket at a single tertiary care center and who underwent incisional conjunctival biopsy between 2018 and 2022.

Nutritional Profile and Functional Characteristics of Various Types of Traditionally Produced PEKMEZ-Part I.

This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional profile and functional characteristics of eight traditional pekmez varieties produced from different fruits. Samples of andiz, pear, aronia, white mulberry, black mulberry, carob, pomegranate, and grape pekmez were obtained from local producers in Türkiye. Analyses included total soluble solids, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), sugars, vitamin C, and essential amino acid content.

Retention rate and predictor factors of drug discontinuation in axial spondyloarthritis: a focus on certolizumab and secukinumab.

Objective: Drug survival rate and time are important to demonstrate the effectiveness of treatment in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) in real life. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate drug survival rate and predictors of discontinuation of certolizumab and secukinumab in axSpA patients.

Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study included patients treated with certolizumab (n=239) and secukinumab (n=64) among axSpA patients followed up at the rheumatology clinic.

Termination of pregnancy for medical indications: A 14-year analysis from a tertiary referral center.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the medical indications for termination of pregnancy, gestational age at termination, and methods used in our clinic.

Methods: This observational retrospective study included pregnancy terminations after 10 weeks of gestation for medical indications between 2010 and 2024. The indications were categorized into fetal, obstetric, and maternal groups.

From Conventional to Advanced Therapies: A National Health Registry Report (2016-2022) on DMARDs in Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment in Turkey.

Objective: There are national and international guidelines on the optimal use of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. In this study, we aimed to provide critical insights into the real-world efficacy and adherence of these DMARDs, providing a data-driven basis for optimizing treatment paradigms for RA within the national healthcare framework.

Methods: This nationwide cohort study utilized data from the Turkish Ministry of Health National Electronic Database, known as E-Pulse between January 2016 and December 2022.

Development of Digital Amnesia Scale Adolescent Form-DAADF and Examination of Psychometric Characteristics.

Objective: The aim of the study was to develop the "Digital Amnesia Scale Adolescent Form-DAADF" to determine digital amnesia in adolescents aged 12-18 years and to examine its psychometric characteristics.

Methods: In the study, 625 adolescents between the ages of 12-18 who use digital devices such as smartphones/watches/tablets/computers/televisions were reached. The development process of the scale consisted of content validity, construct validity, convergent and discriminant validity, reliability studies, and validation of the obtained structure.

The role of high large unstained cell percentages in ongoing inflammation in the intercritical gout.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate whether large unstained cells (LUCs) is a marker of inflammation in gout patients and whether it is associated with different clinical conditions such as erosion, tophus, intercritical period, and gout flare.

Patients And Methods: Between November 2022 and May 2023, a total of 100 consecutive adult gout patients (81 males, 19 females; mean age 53.8±12.

The relationship between major anomalies and chorionicity in twin pregnancies referred for first trimester and second trimester detailed anatomic ultrasonography.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to validate the relationship between chorionicity and congenital anomalies.

Material And Methods: A retrospective analysis twin pregnancies that underwent ultrasonographic fetal anatomy screening in the first or second trimester was conducted. Analyzed variables were, gestational age, chorionicity, presence of major fetal structural anomalies, number of affected fetuses, anomaly type, and use of assisted reproductive techniques (ART).

Association of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Polymorphisms with Clinical Severity in Patients with COVID-19.

: To elucidate the factors that contribute to individual variability in the progression of COVID-19, experiments on endothelial nitric oxide synthase polymorphisms have been reported. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) is located in the endothelium and is involved in the regulation of inflammation and vascular homeostasis. In this study, we investigated the association between COVID-19 severity and and genetic polymorphisms.

The Effect of Initial Treatment Modality on Oncological Outcomes in Children with Ependymoma.

Aim: To evaluate the oncological outcomes and the prognostic factors for children with ependymoma who receive radiotherapy (RT) ± chemotherapy after surgery.

Material And Methods: The medical records of 71 children with ependymoma who received RT between 2001 and 2022 were retrospectively evaluated. Survival outcomes and prognostic factors were analyzed using log-rank and cox-regression tests.

Coronary artery ectasia prediction: the role of the Intermountain Risk Score in identifying patients at risk.

Aims: This study evaluates the association between the Intermountain Risk Score (IMRS) and coronary artery ectasia (CAE) to determine its predictive value.

Materials & Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary hospital from January 2019 to January 2024. A total of 446 patients (226 with CAE, 220 controls) were included.

Vocal Emotion Recognition in School-Age Children With Hearing Aids.

Objectives: In individuals with normal hearing, vocal emotion recognition continues to develop over many years during childhood. In children with hearing loss, vocal emotion recognition may be affected by combined effects from loss of audibility due to elevated thresholds, suprathreshold distortions from hearing loss, and the compensatory features of hearing aids. These effects could be acute, affecting the perceived signal quality, or accumulated over time, affecting emotion recognition development.

Hearing loss configurations in low- and middle-income countries.

Objective: The majority of individuals with hearing loss worldwide reside in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), but there is limited information regarding the characteristics of hearing loss in these regions. This descriptive study aims to address this knowledge gap by analysing audiogram patterns in LMIC populations. Greater knowledge about the properties of hearing loss in LMICs allows for improved planning of interventions.

Novel inflammatory biomarkers for discriminating vascular involvement in Behçet's syndrome: evaluating SII, SIRI, and NPAR.

Objective: This study aims to investigate discriminatory ability of the Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII), Systemic Inflammation Response Index (SIRI), and Neutrophil Percentage-to-Albumin Ratio (NPAR), in differentiating Behçet's Syndrome (BS) organ involvements from mucocutaneous involvement.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed 436 patients diagnosed with BS from 2018 to 2023. Patients were categorized into three groups based on organ involvement: vascular, only mucocutaneous, and other organ involvement.

Moving Toward a Smoke-free Campus: A Survey of Students' Knowledge, Behavior, and Opinions.

Objective: This study examines the tobacco and product use status of university students, their awareness of smoke-free campuses, and the relationship between tobacco use awareness and tobacco use status.

Material And Methods: Data were collected using a questionnaire for students (n = 15.515) who continued their education at a state university.

Serum CXCL-13 levels are associated with active neurological involvement in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with diverse systemic manifestations, including neuropsychiatric involvement (NPSLE), which can vary in severity and prognosis. Diagnosing NPSLE remains challenging, necessitating reliable diagnostic markers. CXCL13, a B-cell chemokine implicated in SLE, has garnered attention for its potential role in NPSLE.

A New Risk Prediction Model for the Assessment of Myocardial Injury in Elderly Patients Undergoing Non-Elective Surgery.

Currently, recommended pre-operative risk assessment models including the revised cardiac risk index (RCRI) are not very effective in predicting postoperative myocardial damage after non-elective surgery, especially for elderly patients. This study aimed to create a new risk prediction model to assess myocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery (MINS) in elderly patients and compare it with the RCRI, a well-known pre-operative risk prediction model. This retrospective study included 370 elderly patients who were over 65 years of age and had non-elective surgery in a tertiary hospital.