National survey of radiotherapy and androgen deprivation therapy strategies with PSMA-PET/CT integration in intermediate-risk prostate cancer: TROD 09-007 study.

Background: Intermediate-risk prostate cancer (IR-PC) represents a heterogeneous group requiring nuanced treatment approaches, and recent advancements in radiotherapy (RT), androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), and prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography (PSMA-PET/CT) imaging have prompted growing interest in personalized, risk-adapted management strategies. This study by the Turkish Society for Radiation Oncology aims to examine radiation oncologists' practices in managing IR-PC, focusing on RT and imaging modalities to identify trends for personalized treatments.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among Turkish radiation oncologists treating at least 50 prostate cancer (PC) cases annually.

Effects of Levetiracetam Treatment on Hematological and Immune Systems in Children: A Single-Center Experience.

The interactions between the central nervous system (CNS) and the immune system suggest that immune mechanisms may be effective in the pathogenesis of epilepsy and epileptic seizures. Although studies on the natural immune response and epilepsy are continuing, it is not yet clear whether the interaction of the current immune system is due to epilepsy itself or antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), since epileptic patients also use AEDs There are a limited number of studies that have reported an increased incidence of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in patients during levetiracetam (LEV) treatment. Therefore, we aimed to report our experience regarding the effect of LEV monotherapy on the complete blood count (CBC), immunoglobulin (Ig) levels, and lymphocyte subgroups in the interictal period in children and adolescents with epilepsy.

Anxiety Disorders and Related Sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics in Kidney Transplant Candidates: A Cross-Sectional Study from a Transplant Center in Turkey.

Objectives: Patients with chronic kidney disease frequently face psychological challenges and emo-tional strain, increasing the risk of psychiatric conditions like anxiety and depression. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anxiety disorders in kidney transplant candidates across different stages of chronic kidney disease and to explore related sociodemographic and clinical factors.

Materials And Methods: We reviewed 5 years of medical records from a transplant center, including 802 adult patients with chronic kidney disease who were referred for transplant evaluations and received at least 1 psychiatric assessment.

Evaluation of inflammatory markers in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the relationship between systemic immune-inflammation indices and the severity of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Specifically, we evaluated whether the Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and pan-immune inflammation value (PIV) could serve as predictive or supplementary markers for OSAS prognosis and severity.MethodsA retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 263 patients diagnosed with OSAS.

The MAR method versus the visual estimation method in predicting external blood loss: a randomized controlled study.

Accurately estimating blood loss is critical for managing hemorrhagic shock in prehospital and hospital settings. The Visual Estimation (VE) method is widely used, while the MAR method proposes using a fist measurement to estimate external blood on flat surfaces. A randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, controlled, and educational study was conducted involving 140 medical and paramedic students.

Real-World Outcomes in BRAF-Mutant Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A Multicenter Analysis From the Turkish Oncology Group.

Background: Real-world data on BRAF-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain limited, particularly regarding outcomes with dabrafenib plus trametinib (D + T).

Methods: This multicenter retrospective study included 88 patients with advanced BRAF-mutant NSCLC treated across 30 centers. Clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment outcomes, and safety data were collected and analyzed.

Predictive utility of Post-Treatment tumor apparent diffusion coefficient in High-Risk prostate cancer undergoing definitive Radiotherapy: A Long-Term outcome analysis.

Background: This study evaluated the prognostic value of post-treatment apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) derived from diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) in high-risk prostate cancer (PCa) patients treated with definitive radiotherapy (RT) and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).

Materials And Methods: A retrospective cohort of 186 high-risk PCa patients treated between 2012 and 2023 was analyzed. All underwent pre- and post-treatment DW-MRI for staging, RT planning, and response assessment.

Random X chromosome inactivation in female Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type X1: insights from sural nerve biopsy analysis.

Background: X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1 (CMTX1) is a hereditary neuropathy caused by mutations in the gene encoding Connexin 32 (Cx32). Despite its X-linked dominant inheritance, it has been suggested that the variable phenotypic expression of the disease in females may be due to skewed X chromosome inactivation (XCI) in Schwann cells. This pilot study aimed to examine the XCI patterns in archived sural nerve biopsies of female patients diagnosed with CMTX1 for the first time in the literature.

The role of complement C3 deposition in ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis: a registry-based study of clinical, histopathological, and prognostic insights.

Background: ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis (ANCA-GN) is a leading cause of pauci-immune crescentic GN. Recent evidence indicates that complement activation, marked by C3 deposition in glomeruli, may contribute to more severe renal injury and influence renal outcomes. We aim to evaluate the clinical, histopathological, and prognostic implications of C3 deposition in ANCA-GN.

Clinical Manifestations, Treatment Characteristics, and Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (iTTP) in a Real-World Setting: An Interim Analysis of the Turkish iTTP Registry.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the clinical manifestations, treatment patterns, and clinical outcomes of patients with immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) across Türkiye via an interim analysis of the Turkish iTTP Registry.

Materials And Methods: A total of 215 patients with iTTP (median age at diagnosis: 41 years; 58.6% female) diagnosed between 2001 and 2023 were retrospectively analyzed in the interim analysis of a prospective non-interventional observational multicenter iTTP registry study (ClinicalTrials.

Evaluation of the Peripheral Vestibular System in Individuals with Vision Loss.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine whether there are differences in the balance system between individuals with vision loss and a healthy control group using the video head impulse test (vHIT), cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMP) and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (oVEMP) tests. METHODS: The study included 23 individuals diagnosed with bilateral low vision, 20 individuals diagnosed with bilateral blindness, and 50 healthy control subjects. vHIT, cVEMP, and oVEMP tests were applied to all participants to evaluate the vestibular system.

Pathological Scores for Depression, Anxiety, and Stress and Their Association with Social Support in Mothers by Employment Status.

Objective: Social support is a crucial factor that can offer both preventive and protective benefits against mental problems in mothers. This study investigated the associations between social support and depression, anxiety, and stress disorders in Turkish mothers with young children. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey, comprising 27 questions and the "Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21)," was administered to mothers with children between the ages of 2-6 years.

Navigating Immunological Barriers in Xenotransplantation: Recent Advances and Promising Strides.

The review introduces the challenges and potential solutions in xenotransplantation, focusing on pig-to-human organ transplant. Xenotransplantation, mainly with the use of pig organs, is a promising solution because of the reproductive capacity, size, and physiological resemblance of pigs to humans. However, immunological barriers, especially humoral and cellular immune responses, pose substantial challenges.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor interacting protein and syndromic gene variants detected in Turkish isolated pituitary adenoma families by whole exome sequencing.

Genetic causes of familial isolated pituitary adenomas (FIPAs) remain mostly elusive. A cohort of 20 FIPA cases from 12 different geographical regions of Türkiye was included to characterize clinical and genetic features. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed on genomic DNA of index cases, followed by confirmation through Sanger sequencing utilizing indexes and their relatives to interpret disease associated variants.

Pediatric Joint Inflammation Detection Using Smartphone-Based Infrared Thermography: A Prospective Study.

This study evaluated the potential of smartphone-based infrared thermography for detecting joint inflammation in pediatric patients with rheumatic diseases. The patient group (M/F: 19/21) had a mean age of 10.98 ± 5.

The Global State of Contemporary Andrology Practice: A Comprehensive Analysis of Clinical Practice, Training Pathways, and Emerging Challenges.

Purpose: This study evaluates the current state of andrology practice worldwide, identifies challenges faced by clinicians, and explores training, certification, and research opportunities. It also seeks to redefine the qualifications necessary to be recognized as an andrologist and to propose areas for standardization and improvement.

Materials And Methods: A global, cross-sectional survey was conducted using a 48-question online questionnaire designed by international experts.

Development of a Training Program for Meta-Analytical Research: A Novel Approach to Minimizing Errors in Medical Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.

Purpose: The Global Andrology Forum (GAF) has developed an innovative training method to equip novice researchers with the fundamental skills to conduct high-quality systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRMAs) under the supervision of senior experts. This article aims to describe and evaluate the effectiveness of the GAF training program in enhancing these skills.

Materials And Methods: A six-module training program was designed to cover the key steps in SRMA studies, enabling GAF members to conduct high-quality SRMAs.

Sperm DNA Fragmentation in Men with Varicocele: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we investigated the relationship between varicocele and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) alongside conventional semen parameters.

Materials And Methods: A comprehensive systematic search was conducted to identify articles on SDF in men with varicocele published in the Scopus and PubMed databases. This included observational studies investigating levels of SDF as a primary outcome and conventional semen parameters as secondary outcomes in men with varicocele compared to men without varicocele.

Comparison of Upper and Lower Eyelid Edema and Ecchymosis Following Rhinoplasty: A Study of Osteotome Versus Piezoelectric Techniques.

Edema and ecchymosis are common effects of rhinoplasty, but differences between the upper and lower eyelids have not been objectively well studied due to the challenges of measurement and comparison. To compare the eyelid edema and ecchymosis among patients undergoing rhinoplasty using osteotomes versus piezoelectric techniques, as measured by a standardized photograph grading scale. In this prospective study, postoperative upper and lower eyelid edema and ecchymosis were evaluated separately on days 1, 3, and 7 using a 0-4 scale.

Additional effect of high-intensity laser therapy with conventional physiotherapy related to pain and function in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 12-week follow-up study.

Objective: High-intensity laser therapy (HILT) is a relatively new form of Nd: YAG laser. The aim of the study is to investigate the additional benefits of HILT with conventional physiotherapy, related to pain and function, in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

Method: The study comprised 43 knees from 31 patients of both genders with mean age 54.

Is thiol/disulfide homeostasis an early predictor of postoperative neurocognitive dysfunction in near infrared spectroscopy-guided coronary artery bypass surgery patients: A prospective study.

IntroductionIn cardiac surgery, cerebral dysfunction due to intraoperative cerebral microembolism, hypoperfusion, low perfusion pressure, hypothermia and rewarming is one of the most frequent morbidities in the postoperative period and results in tissue hypoxia and reperfusion damage. Given the possible link among oxidative stress and neurocognitive dysfunctions, we hypothesized that dynamic thiol-disulfide homeostasis could be an early predictor of cognitive impairment in cardiac surgery in parallel to the changes in cerebral oxygenation.MethodsSeventy-one patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery were prospectively studied.