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B-mode ultrasound is an essential part of radiological examinations due to its low cost, safety, and portability, but has the drawbacks of the speckle noise and output of most systems is two-dimensional (2D) cross sections. Image restoration techniques, using mathematical models for image degradation and noise, can be used to boost resolution (deconvolution) as well as to reduce the speckle. In this study, new single-image Bayesian restoration (BR) and multi-image super-resolution restoration (BSRR) methods are proposed for in-plane B-mode ultrasound images. The spatially correlated nature of the speckle was modeled, allowing for examination of two different models for BR and BSRR for uncorrelated Gaussian (BR-UG, BSRR-UG) and correlated Gaussian (BR-CG, BSRR-CG). The performances of these models were compared with common image restoration methods (Wiener filter, bilateral filtering, and anisotropic diffusion). Well-recognized metrics (peak signal-to-noise ratio, contrast-to-noise ratio, and normalized information density) were used for algorithm free-parameter estimation and objective evaluations. The methods were tested using superficial tissue (2D scan data collected from volunteers, tissue-mimicking resolutions, and breast phantoms). Improvement in image quality was assessed by experts using visual grading analysis. In general, BSRR-CG performed better than all other methods. A potential downside of BSRR-CG is increased computation time, which can be addressed by the use of high-performance graphics processing units (GPUs)., Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [2211-C]

Background . Platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) has been demonstrated as a risk and prognostic marker in many of cardiovascular diseases. A relationship between PLR and severity of carotid stenosis has been shown. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between PLR and all cause mortality in patients with carotid arterial disease. Methods . This retrospective study included 146 patients who had been performed selective carotid angiography. Carotid stenosis were graded by the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) criteria. Platelet to lymphocyte ratio was calculated as the ratio of platelets to lymphocytes. The end point of the study was all-cause mortality. Results . During median follow-up of 16 months (0-65 months) 15 (10.3%) patients suffered all-cause mortality. 50 patients (34.2%) underwent carotid endarterectomy and 69 patients (47.3%) had non-carotid cardiac surgery. 38 patients (26.02%) had cerebrovascular events (stroke/transient ischemic attack) at admission. NASCET grades were not different between survivors and non-survivors. Non-survivors had significantly lower hemoglobin (Hb) levels (12.7 ± 1.6 g/dL vs. 13.7 ± 1.7 g/dL, p = 0.031) and they were older than survivors (74.2 ± 8.4 years vs. 68.6 ± 8.5 years, p = 0.029). Non-survivors had significantly higher PLR values compared with survivors (190.3 ± 85.6 and 126.8 ± 53.8, p = 0.017). In multivariate analysis, only PLR predicted all-cause mortality in patients with carotid artery stenosis. Conclusion . In our study, higher PLR was associated with increased all-cause mortality.

Objective Fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) is an inexpensive and easily measurable novel inflammatory index that has been found to be associated with atherosclerosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between the FAR and coronary artery disease (CAD) severity in patients with stable CAD. Methods In total, 356 consecutive patients with CAD were classified into three groups, those with a low Synergy between percutaneous coronary intervention and the Taxus and Cardiac Surgery Study (SYNTAX) score (?22), those with an intermediate SYNTAX score (23? SYNTAX score ?32) and those with a high SYNTAX score (>32). Results We determined that there were significant differences in the mean age (P < 0.001), male gender (P = 0.008), serum fibrinogen (P = 0.03), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.001) and FAR (P < 0.001) among the SYNTAX score groups. A strong positive correlation was detected between FAR and SYNTAX score (r = 0.899; P < 0.001), and the cutoff level of FAR for high SYNTAX score was 82 (sensitivity of 82%, specificity of 88.3% and an area under the curve of 0.826). Conclusion The novel inflammatory index, FAR, is significantly associated with the severity of CAD in patients with stable CAD.

Lower-extremity peripheral artery disease (LEAD) is associated with increased rates of mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations among inflammatory and thrombotic markers and lower-extremity peripheral disease. A total of 280 patients were enrolled in this study. Of these patients, 152 patients had LEAD on peripheral angiography that was performed because of suspected lower-extremity peripheral disease based on history, physical examination, and non-invasive tests. The control group consisted of 128 patients without LEAD on peripheral angiography. Patients with LEAD were classified according to trans-atlantic inter-society consensus (TASC) II classification. Subsequently, patients in TASC A to B were defined as having mild to moderate peripheral artery disease, and those in TASC C to D were defined as having advanced peripheral artery disease. Thrombotic and inflammatory markers, such as the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the high-sensitivity C (hs-C) reactive protein level, the monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratio, the fibrinogen to albumin ratio (FAR), and whole-blood viscosity at high shear rate (HSR) and low shear rate (LSR), were evaluated in this population. The NLR, the monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratio, the FAR, and whole-blood viscosity, both at a LSR and a HSR, were significantly higher in patients with lower-extremity peripheral disease compared with patients without lower-extremity peripheral disease. We determined that lower-extremity peripheral disease severity was correlated with the NLR, monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratio, FAR, whole-blood viscosity at LSR, and whole-blood viscosity at HSR (r = 0.719, P =.004; r = 0.25, P =.008; r = 0.691, P =.002; r = 0.546, P

Objective: Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy predisposes the myocardium to ischemia through several mechanisms. The LV mass index (LVMI) is used as a readily available and reliable measurement of LV hypertrophy. The LVMI can also be used to evaluate LV remodeling. The hypothesis of this study was that LV hypertrophy might augment coronary collateralization in patients with chronic total occlusion (CTO) and the aim was to research any association between LVMI and collateral formation in CTO. As a secondary goal, specific LV geometric types that might be associated with collateral presence were also investigated. Methods: A total of 305 patients with CTO were included and categorized into 4 groups based on Rentrop grade. Results: The LVMI demonstrated an incremental linear trend as the Rentrop grade increased. In the receiver operating characteristic curve, the likelihood that a cut-off value of 100.1 g/m2 would accurately differentiate patients with collaterals from those without collaterals was 75.8%, with 68.5% sensitivity and 68.6% specificity. A 1 gram/m2 increase in LVMI was associated with a 7.5% greater likelihood of collateral development. In addition, compared with normal geometry, the presence of eccentric hypertrophy was associated with 6.7 times higher odds of the presence of coronary collaterals. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that a greater LVMI predicted coronary collateral presence. Furthermore, having an eccentric geometric type of hypertrophy increased the likelihood of coronary collaterals more than other geometries. This finding signified that in addition to LV wall thickness, the type of hypertrophy was also decisive in predicting collateral presence., Amaç: Sol ventrikül hipertrofisi, çeşitli mekanizmalar aracılığıyla miyokardı iskemiye yatkınlaştırır. Sol ventrikül kitle indeksi (SVKİ), sol ventrikül hipertrofisinin kolayca elde edilebilen ve güvenilir bir ölçümü olarak kullanılmaktadır. Ayrıca, sol ventrikül yeniden şekillenmesi bu parametre ile kategorize edilebilir. Bu çalışmada, kronik tam tıkanmalı (KTO) hastalarda sol ventrikül hipertrofisinin koroner kollateralizasyonu artırabileceği hipotezinde bulunduk ve SVKİ ile KTO’daki kollateral gelişimi arasındaki ilişkiyi araştırmayı amaçladık. İkincil hedef olarak, hangi spesifik sol ventrikül geometrik tipinin kollateral varlığı ile ilişkili olabileceğini belirlemeyi amaçladık. Yöntemler: Kronik tam tıkanmalı saptanan 305 hastayı dahil ettik ve dört Rentrop Grade grubuna sınıflandırdık. Bulgular: Sol ventrikül kitle indeksi, artan Rentrop gruplarına doğru doğrusal bir artış gösterdi. ROC eğrisinde, SVKİ için 100.1 g/m2 ’lik bir kestirim değerinin, kollateralleri bulunan hastaları bulunmayanlardan %68.5 duyarlılık ve %68.6 özgüllük ile doğru bir şekilde ayırdetme ihtimali %75.8’di. SVKİ’nİn bir gram/m2 ’lik artışı, %7.5’lik artmış kollateral gelişme olasılığı ile ilişkiliydi. Normal geometriye kıyasla, eksantrik hipertrofi varlığı 6.7 kat daha fazla koroner kollateral varlığı ihtimali ile ilişkiliydi. Sonuç: Bu çalışmada KTO’lu hastalarda artmış SVKİ’nın koroner kollateral varlığnı öngördürdüğünü gösterdik. Ayrıca, geometrik tipte bir eksantrik hipertrofi geometrisine sahip olmak koroner kollateralleri diğer geometrilere göre daha fazla artırmaktadır. Bu bulgu, sol ventrikül duvar kalınlığının yanı sıra, hipertrofi tipinin de, kollateral varlığını öngörmede belirleyici olduğunu göstermektedir.

Introduction Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive technique for investigating cortical physiologic functions in the brain. In this study, the effects of continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) on motor evoked potential (MEP) parameters in patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) were investigated. Materials and methods Fifteen patients with IGE were included. Motor threshold (MT) and cortical silent period (CSP) were determined before cTBS application. Next, cTBS was applied to the dominant (left) hemisphere M1 hand area as the first application. After 1 day, cTBS was applied first to the left M1 hand area and then to the right lateral cerebellar area as the second application. Parameters were again determined after the applications. Results There was no difference in resting MT values before and after cTBS application (p > 0.05). Although CSP increased after stimulation (p < 0.05), it was not significantly different between applications (p > 0.05). Conclusion For patients with epilepsy, cTBS is a safe technique when applied at a low intensity. The inhibitory effect of cTBS, a noninvasive technique, on cortical excitability in patients with IGE was determined using MEP parameters. The effect lasted at least 1 h. To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess the effect of cTBS on cortical excitability in patients with IGE. Our findings indicate that cTBS decreases cortical excitability in patients with IGE.

Objective: Ankaferd hemostat (Ankaferd Blood Stopper®, ABS)- induced pharmacological modulation of essential erythroid proteins can cause vital erythroid aggregation via acting on fibrinogen gamma. Topical endoscopic ABS application is effective in the controlling of gastrointestinal (GI) system hemorrhages and/or infected GI wounds. Escherichia coli O157:H7, the predominant serotype of enterohemorrhagic E. coli, is a cause of both outbreaks and sporadic cases of hemorrhagic colitis. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of ABS on 6 different Shiga toxigenic E. coli serotypes including O26, O103, O104, O111, O145, and O157 and on other pathogens significant in foodborne diseases, such as Salmonella Typhimurium, Campylobacter jejuni, and Listeria monocytogenes, were also assessed. Materials and Methods: All strains were applied with different amounts of ABS and antimicrobial effect was screened. S. Typhimurium groups were screened for survival using the fluorescence in situ hybridization technique. Results: The relative efficacy of ABS solutions to achieve significant logarithmic reduction in foodborne pathogens E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 serogroups and other emerging foodborne pathogens is demonstrated in this study. ABS has antibacterial effects. Conclusion: Our present study indicated for the first time that ABS may act against E. coli O157:H7, which is a cause of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, hemolytic-uremic syndrome, and hemorrhagic colitis. The interrelationships between colitis, infection, and hemostasis within the context of ABS application should be further investigated in future studies., Amaç: Ankaferd hemostat (Ankaferd Blood Stopper®, ABS) gamma fibrinojene etki ederek eritroid agregasyonuna neden olan farmakolojik modülasyondur. Topikal endoskopik ABS uygulaması gastrointestinal (Gİ) kanamalarda ve enfekte Gİ yaralarında etkili olmaktadır. Escherichia coli O157:H7, en sık karşılaşılan enterohemorajik Escherichia coli tipi olup sporadik veya salgınlar şeklinde hemorajik kolitin önemli bir etkenidir. Bu çalışmanın amacı ABS ile 6 farklı Shiga Toksijenik Escherichia coli serotipi (O26, O103, O104, O111, O145 ve O157) ve diğer önemli gıda kaynaklı patojenlerden Salmonella, Campylobacter ve Listeria monocytogenes üzerine etkisi değerlendirilmiştir. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Tüm patojenler hazırlanarak ABS’nin farklı miktarları uygulanmış ve antimikrobiyel etki izlenmiştir. Salmonella canlılığı floresan in situ hibridizasyon tekniği ile izlenmiştir. Bulgular: ABS uygulamalarının sadece Escherichia coli O157 ve nonO157’ler üzerine değil aynı zamanda diğer patojenlerde de logaritmik azalma tetiklediği izlenmiştir. Bu çalışmada ABS ile farklı patojenler üzerine antibakteriyel etki gözlemlenmiştir. Sonuç: Bu çalışma özellikle trombositopenik purpura, hemolitik üremik sendrom ve hemorajik kolit yönünden önemli Escherichia coli O157:H7’nin üzerine ABS’nin antimikrobiyel etkisi olduğunu belirleyen ilk çalışmadır. ABS uygulamalarının kolitis, enfeksiyon ve hemostaz ilişkisi daha ileri seviyede araştırılmalıdır.

[No abstract available]

[Abstract Not Available]

Blood group types are associated with coronary artery disease. However, data are scarce about the impact of blood group types on coronary collateral circulation. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the blood group types and coronary collateral circulation. Two hundred and twelve patients who underwent coronary angiography in our department and had a stenosis of ≥ 90% in at least one major epicardial vessel were included in our study. Collateral degree was graded according to Rentrop-Cohen classification. After grading, patients were divided into poor coronary collateral circulation (Rentrop grade 0 and 1) and good coronary collateral circulation (Rentrop 2 and 3) groups. The ABO blood type of all participants was determined. The incidence rates of O blood group type were significantly higher in the good coronary collateral group compared to the poor collateral group (37.9% vs 17.1%, P < .001). The O type blood group was an independent predictor of good coronary collateral circulation (odds ratio = 1.83, 95% confidence interval = 1.56-6.18, P = .015). Coronary collateral circulation is associated with blood group types. The O blood group predicts good coronary collateral development among patients with coronary artery disease.

[No abstract available]

Summary: Background: Written informed consent forms (ICFs) are important for ensuring that physicians disclose core information to patients to help them autonomously decide about treatment and for providing substantial evidence for the surgeon in case of a legal dispute. This paper aims to assess the legal and ethical appropriateness and sufficiency of the contents of ICFs designed for several elective surgical procedures currently in use in Turkish hospitals. Methods: One hundred and twenty-six forms were randomly selected and were analyzed for 22 criteria. The results were compared using the Fisher’ exact test, and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Results: More than 80% of ICFs contained information about the risks of the proposed treatment, the diagnosis of the patient, and the patient's voluntariness/willingness, as well as a designated space for the signatures of the patient and the physician and a description of the proposed treatment. Some ICFs were designed for obtaining blanket consent for using patients' specimens. Conclusions: The ICFs for general elective surgery contain many deficiencies regarding disclosure of information, and there is significant variation among primary healthcare providers. Unrealistic expectations regarding the surgery or the post-operative recovery period due to insufficient information disclosure may lead patients, who experience post-surgical inconveniences, to file lawsuits against their surgeons. Although all ICFs, regardless of their institution, are generally insufficient for defending hospital administrations or surgeons during a lawsuit, ICFs of private hospitals might be considered better equipped for the situation than those of state or university hospitals. However, further research is needed to show if private hospitals have lower lawsuit rates or better lawsuit outcomes than state or university hospitals in Turkey. Keywords: Informed consent, General surgery, Malpractice, Medical ethics

[No abstract available]

Background/Aims: The aim of the present study was to analyze the diagnostic accuracy of serum eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and the correlation of ECP with clinical, histopathological, laboratory, and endoscopic features of EoE. Materials and Methods: Fifteen patients with EoE and 14 healthy controls were included in the study. Demographic parameters were recorded. EoE Endoscopic Reference Score (EREFS) was calculated according to endoscopic features, and esophageal biopsies were obtained by a single experienced endoscopist in a patient group. Serum ECP levels (mu g/mL), absolute eosinophil count (U/mm(3)), and maximum peak of eosinophils/high-power field in esophageal biopsies were analyzed. Results: The median age of all participants was 33.0 (min-max: 18-46) years. There were 27 (93.1%) male patients. Serum ECP level was significantly higher in patients with EoE than in healthy volunteers (20.4 vs. 8.8, p

Background/aim: Ankaferd hemostat (ABS; Ankaferd blood stopper, İstanbul, Turkey) is a folkloric medicinal plant extract. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Ankaferd hemostat (ABS) on the fate of Helicobacter pylori strains. The study also aims to determine alterations in the antimicrobial resistance of three different H. pylori strains in response to ABS exposure.Materials and methods: H. pylori Strain 1 was obtained from the culture collection ATCC 43504 and passaged three times for viability. Strain 2 was isolated from a gastric ulcer patient and Strain 3 was isolated from a gastritis patient. 1% of ABS was added to all of the strains and antimicrobial susceptibility was observed on 30 and 60 min after application.Results: The efficacy of ABS solutions in achieving significant logarithmic reduction in foodborne pathogens of H. pylori was observed in this study. This study showed that ABS has antibacterial (Anti-H. pylori) effects. Conclusion: Our present study indicated, for the first time, that ABS could act against H. pylori. ABS is clinically used for the management of GI bleeding due to benign and malignant GI lesions. Thus, the possible anti-H. pylori effect of ABS shall expand the therapeutic spectrum of the drug in GI lesions in relation to H. pylori infection such as peptic ulser disease (PUD) and lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomagenesis.

[No abstract available]

Foreign body aspiration is a serious health problem in all age groups, and in pregnancy it may cause serious complications for the fetus as well as the pregnant woman. Here we present our case of a 36 years old 22 weeks pregnant woman, accidentally aspirating roasted chickpea upon laughing. She had the complaints of coughing and shortness of breath on admission, bronchoscopy was performed, and the roasted chickpea blocking the entrance of right lower lobe bronchus was removed without any complications. For foreign body aspiration in pregnancy, bronchoscopy is a rather safer procedure when performed by an experienced team., Yabancı cisim aspirasyonu, tüm yaş grupları için ciddi bir sağlık sorunudur ve özellikle gebelerde hem anne adayı hem de fetüs için ciddi komplikasyonlara yol açabilir. Burada gülerken leblebi tanesi aspire eden 36 yaşında 22 haftalık gebe bir olgumuzu sunuyoruz. Öksürük ve nefes darlığı şikayetiyle başvuran hastada yapılan bronkoskopi sonucunda sağ alt lob girişini tıkayan leblebi tanesi başarılı bir şekilde çıkartıldı, alt lob açıklığı sağlandı ve işlem sonrasında hastamızda ve fetüste komplikasyon izlenmedi. Yabancı cisim aspirasyonunda bronkoskopi, tecrübeli bir ekip tarafından uygulandığı zaman, gebelerde de göreceli olarak güvenli bir işlemdir.

In order to improve the phylogeography of the male-specific genetic traces of Greek and Phoenician colonizations on the Northern coasts of the Mediterranean, we performed a geographically structured sampling of seven subclades of haplogroup J in Turkey, Greece and Italy. We resequenced 4.4 Mb of Y-chromosome in 58 subjects, obtaining 1079 high quality variants. We did not find a preferential coalescence of Turkish samples to ancestral nodes, contradicting the simplistic idea of a dispersal and radiation of Hg J as a whole from the Middle East. Upon calibration with an ancient Hg J chromosome, we confirmed that signs of Holocenic Hg J radiations are subtle and date mainly to the Bronze Age. We pinpointed seven variants which could potentially unveil star clusters of sequences, indicative of local expansions. By directly genotyping these variants in Hg J carriers and complementing with published resequenced chromosomes (893 subjects), we provide strong temporal and distributional evidence for markers of the Greek settlement of Magna Graecia (J2a-L397) and Phoenician migrations (rs760148062). Our work generated a minimal but robust list of evolutionarily stable markers to elucidate the demographic dynamics and spatial domains of male-mediated movements across and around the Mediterranean, in the last 6,000 years.

Tutuncu, Neslihan Bascil/0000-0002-1816-3903; Gonen, Mustafa Sait/0000-0002-1089-623X; CORAPCIOGLU, DEMET/0000-0003-0940-9147; Satman, Ilhan/0000-0001-8613-1797; nuhoglu, irfan/0000-0003-0650-3242; Sahin, Ibrahim/0000-0002-6231-0034; Demirci, Ibrahim/0000-0003-0498-3115; Altuntas, Seher Cetinkaya/0000-0002-9733-9443; Yildiz, Bulent O./0000-0003-1797-7662; BALCI, Mustafa Kemal/0000-0002-6494-3249; Araz, Mustafa/0000-0001-6741-7474; Saydam, Basak Ozgen/0000-0001-9457-8919; Bozkus, Yusuf/0000-0002-6976-6659; Sabuncu, Tevfik/0000-0001-6504-5355; SELEK, ALEV/0000-0002-0646-8697; Ozturk, Feyza Yener/0000-0001-5584-4954; Salman, Serpil/0000-0003-4867-3725; AKBAS, EMIN MURAT/0000-0002-3033-0073; KIRIK, Ali Murat/0000-0002-5771-4843; Sonmez, Alper/0000-0002-9309-7715; Cesur, Fazil Mustafa/0000-0002-1029-2604, WOS:000452704800016, PubMed: 30244051, Aims: Turkey has the highest prevalence of diabetes in Europe. It is therefore essential to know the overall cardiovascular risk and reveal the predictors of metabolic control in Turkish adults with diabetes mellitus. Methods: A nationwide, multicenter survey consecutively enrolled patients who were under follow up for at least a year. Optimal control was defined as HbA1c, Turkish Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The TEMD study has been funded by the Turkish Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism. Automated blood pressure monitors were provided by Sanovel A/S. The funding agencies had no role in the design and conduct of the study; the collection, management, analysis and interpretation of the data; or the preparation, review or approval of the manuscript.

Hamidi, Mehmet (Balikesir Author), Objective: This study aimed to determine the differences in terms of demographic characteristics and preferred stroke prevention strategies for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation living in seven geographical regions of Turkey.Methods: In total, 6273 patients were enrolled to this prospective, observational RAMSES study. The patients were divided into seven groups based on the geographical region of residence.Results: In terms of the geographical distribution of the overall Turkish population, the highest number of patients were enrolled from Marmara (1677, 26.7%). All demographic characteristics were significantly different among regions. Preferred oral anticoagulants (OACs) also differed between geographical regions; non-vitamin K OACs were preceded by warfarin in East Anatolia, Aegean, Southeast Anatolia, and Black Sea. Nearly one-third of the patients (28%) did not receive any OAC therapy. However, the number of patients not receiving any OAC therapy was higher in Southeast Anatolia (51.1%) and East Anatolia (46.8%) compared with other geographical regions of Turkey. Inappropriate use of OACs was also more common in East and Southeast Anatolia.Conclusion: This study was the first to show that the demographic differences among the geographical regions may result in different preferences of stroke prevention strategies in Turkey. OACs are still under- or inappropriately utilized, particularly in the eastern provinces of Turkey.

[No abstract available]

Background: CD22 is expressed on the surface of B-cell lineage cells from the early progenitor stage of pro-B cell until terminal differentiation to mature B cells. It plays a role in signal transduction and as a regulator of B-cell receptor signaling in B-cell development. Objectives: We aimed to screen exons 9-14 of the CD22 gene, which is a mutational hot spot region in B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (pre-B ALL) patients, to find possible genetic variants that could play role in the pathogenesis of pre-B ALL in Turkish children. Methods: This study included 109 Turkish children with pre-B ALL who were diagnosed at Losante Hospital for Children with Leukemia. Genomic DNA was extracted from both peripheral blood and bone marrow leukocytes. Gene amplification was performed with PCR, and all samples were screened for the variants by single strand conformation polymorphism. Samples showing band shifts were sequenced on an automated sequencer. Results: In our patient group a total of 9 variants were identified in the CD22 gene by sequencing: a novel variant in intron 10 (T2199G); a missense variant in exon 12; 5 intronic variants between exon 12 and intron 13; a novel intronic variant (C2424T); and a synonymous in exon 13. Thirteen of 109 children (11.9%) carried the T2199G novel intronic variant located in intron 10, and 17 of 109 children (15.6%) carried the C2424T novel intronic variant. Conclusion: Novel variants in the CD22 gene in children with pre-B ALL in Turkey that are not present, in the Human Gene Mutation Database or NCBI SNP database, were found.

Human forensic STRs used for individual identification have been reported to have little power for inter-population analyses. Several methods have been developed which incorporate information on the spatial distribution of individuals to arrive at a description of the arrangement of diversity. We genotyped at 16 forensic STRs a large population sample obtained from many locations in Italy, Greece and Turkey, i.e. three countries crucial to the understanding of discontinuities at the European/Asian junction and the genetic legacy of ancient migrations, but seldom represented together in previous studies. Using spatial PCA on the full dataset, we detected patterns of population affinities in the area. Additionally, we devised objective criteria to reduce the overall complexity into reduced datasets. Independent spatially explicit methods applied to these latter datasets converged in showing that the extraction of information on long- to medium-range geographical trends and structuring from the overall diversity is possible. All analyses returned the picture of a background clinal variation, with regional discontinuities captured by each of the reduced datasets. Several aspects of our results are confirmed on external STR datasets and replicate those of genome-wide SNP typings. High levels of gene flow were inferred within the main continental areas by coalescent simulations. These results are promising from a microevolutionary perspective, in view of the fast pace at which forensic data are being accumulated for many locales. It is foreseeable that this will allow the exploitation of an invaluable genotypic resource, assembled for other (forensic) purposes, to clarify important aspects in the formation of local gene pools.

PubMed ID: 30325120, In this study we aim to determine the genotype distribution and allele frequencies of common TPMT (*2, *3A, *3B and *3C) polymorphisms in Turkish children with acute leukemia. The study population consisted of 169 patients aged between 1 and 15 years who were admitted to Losante Pediatric Hematology and Children’s Hospital with the diagnosis of acute leukemia. Genotyping of TPMT polymorphisms was screened with real-time PCR using fluorescence melting curve detection analysis. We found that the frequencies of four allelic variants of TPMT are *2 (238 G>C) (0,0%), *3A (460G>A and 719A>G) (1.7%), *3B (460G>A) (1,7%) and *3C (719A>G) (2.4%). Frequency of TPMT alleles increases the efficacy of leukemia treatment. Thus, TPMT genotyping can be useful for optimizing 6-MP therapy. © 2018, Turkish Journal of Pediatrics. All rights reserved., Ankara Universitesi, the World Medical Association (Declaration of Helsinki) for experiments involving humans. The Ankara University, School of Medicine Ethics Committee approved the study protocol (Project No.14-646-14/2014) and informed consent was provided by the patients’ parents. Blood samples were collected with EDTA-containing tubes and DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and bone marrow leukocytes with MagNA Pure automatic DNA isolation instrument (Roche Diagnostics, Manheim, Germany).

Purpose: We calculated the brain volumes of preterm infants using two-dimensional cranial ultrasonography and explored the relationships thereof with neurodevelopment. Methods: Cranial measurements were derived using routine ultrasonographic scanning. The brain was considered to be an ellipsoid and estimated absolute brain volumes (EABVs) were calculated by substracting the volumes of the two lateral ventricles from the total brain volumes. Results: We enrolled preterm infants of mean gestational age 28 ± 2 weeks and mean birthweight 973 ± 187 g. Twenty-one exhibited dilated ventricles; their EABVs were lower than normal (206 ± 11 cm3 vs. 275 ± 17 cm3, p < 0.001). The mental development indices were similar (74 ± 5 vs. 78 ± 14, p = 0.069), but the psychomotor development indices (PDIs) differed significantly (77 ± 7 vs. 86 ± 17, p = 0.001). We found a slight positive correlation between the PDI and EABV (r = + 0.258, p = 0.012). Conclusion: The EABV can be calculated using two-dimensional measurements and low EABV found to be associated with poor neurological outcomes.

Haplogroup E, defined by mutation M40, is the most common human Y chromosome clade within Africa. To increase the level of resolution of haplogroup E, we disclosed the phylogenetic relationships among 729 mutations found in 33 haplogroup DE Y-chromosomes sequenced at high coverage in previous studies. Additionally, we dissected the E-M35 subclade by genotyping 62 informative markers in 5,222 samples from 118 worldwide populations. The phylogeny of haplogroup E showed novel features compared with the previous topology, including a new basal dichotomy. Within haplogroup E-M35, we resolved all the previously known polytomies and assigned all the E-M35* chromosomes to five new different clades, all belonging to a newly identified subhaplogroup (E-V1515), which accounts for almost half of the E-M35 chromosomes from the Horn of Africa. Moreover, using a Bayesian phylogeographic analysis and a single nucleotide polymorphism-based approach we localized and dated the origin of this new lineage in the northern part of the Horn, about 12ka. Time frames, phylogenetic structuring, and sociogeographic distribution of E-V1515 and its subclades are consistent with a multistep demic spread of pastoralism within north-eastern Africa and its subsequent diffusion to subequatorial areas. In addition, our results increase the discriminative power of the E-M35 haplogroup for use in forensic genetics through the identification of new ancestry-informative markers., The authors are grateful to all the donors for providing DNA samples and to the people that contributed to the sample collection. In particular, they thank João Lavinha (for the Portuguese samples); Farha El Chennawi, Anne Cambon-Thomsen, M.S. Issad, Eric Crubézy, Abdellatif Baali, Mohammed Cherkaoui, and Mohammed Melhaoui for their help in the collection of the Moroccan, Algerian, and Egyptian Berbers samples; and the National Laboratory for the Genetics of Israeli Populations. This work was supported by the Italian Ministry of Education, Progetti PRIN (grant numbers 2012JA4BTY_004 to F.C. and 2012JA4BTY_003 to A.N.) and by Sapienza University of Rome (grant number C26A13S9AR to F.C.). The sampling of the Berbers was made within the framework of the Inserm "Réseau Nord/Sud" No. 490NS1 (Mozabite Berbers), "The Origin of Man, Language and Languages," EUROCORES Programme and benefited from funding by the Région Midi-Pyrénées (Toulouse, France), the CNRS, and the E.C. Sixth Framework Programme under Contract ERASCT-2003-980409.

Health literacy (HL) is considered as an interaction between the demands of health systems and the skills of individuals. The current global approach demands health professionals to be more accountable for universal precautions approach and improve communication skills, and employ strategies to confirm patients’ understanding. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge and attitude of health care professionals (HCPs) about HL and their communication skills, and its effect on their practices, and to compare the findings among subgroups of HCPs. An online cross-sectional survey involving 29 items was developed for sociodemographic and professional characteristics and knowledge, attitude, and practices evaluation. Health care professionals reached by occupational organizations and social media platforms. Among the 277 participants that answered the questions, 184 were physicians and 78 were nurses, and 37.99% of physicians and 18.42% nurses heard about the term “HL” through this survey. Most of the participants stated their willingness to receive information/training on the subject and that knowing HL level would change their approach to and outcomes of the patients. Nurses were using a variety of methods that improve communication with patients and considered HCPs’ lack of knowledge of the concept of “HL” and their neglect of HL as obstacles to its evaluation more than physicians. These results emphasize the urgent need of initiatives to be taken to improve the awareness of HCPs of HL and the subsequent incorporation of these initiatives into the daily health care services they provide. Nurses’ awareness of HL is higher and they are already better at incorporating HL-sensitive items into their practices. Both graduate and continuing education programs need to be modified to improve HL knowledge of all HCPs and its positive effects on health care. The current structure of the roles and responsibilities of these professions needs to be improved to make it more HL sensitive.

Background/Aims: To identify cell surface markers selectively expressed by tumor cells and tumor vasculature is the current goal for tumor therapy. One such marker is nerve/glial antigen 2 (NG2), which is a transmembrane glycoprotein. We aimed to investigate the expression of NG2 in colorectal cancer (CRC) and its association with clinicopathological parameters. Methods: Immunohistochemical staining of NG2, vascular endothelial growth factor, and CD34 in 65 patients diagnosed with CRC over a 5-year period was performed. NG2 expression in both tumor cells and tumor vasculature was scored according to the German Reactive Scoring System. The association between NG2 and patient and tumor characteristics was analyzed. Results: NG2 was expressed by tumor cells in 56.9%, tumor vasculature in 43%, and simultaneously by both in 27.6% of the cases. Tumor cell NG2 was more common in elderly patients (p = 0.023) and vascular NG2 was associated with better tumor differentiation (p = 0.035). Notably, vascular NG2 was expressed in half of the patients with left colon cancer, although it was not expressed in a majority of those with right colon cancer (50.9 vs. 17.7%, p = 0.041). Conclusion: Both tumor cell and vascular NG2 expression were shown to be present in a significant number of patients with CRC and this makes NG2 a double target for anti-tumor therapies. Such therapies might be more effective for elderly patients with well-differentiated left colon cancer.

Health literacy (HL) is a stronger predictor of an individual’s health status than income, employment status, education level, and race or ethnicity. Lower levels of HL may contribute to low uptake or less adherence to occupational health and safety (OHS) training. This study was conducted among casting factory workers who received OHS training routinely. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, OHS training, and scores of the Health Literacy Survey–European Union (HLS-EU) were collected. Of the 282 of the 600 (47%) workers surveyed, 13.5% had inadequate, 47.5% problematic, 30.9% sufficient, and 8.2% excellent HL scores. There were no statistically significant differences between workers with limited and proficient HL with respect to age group or educational level. Workers with limited HL were less satisfied with OHS training content and were less likely to identify one-on-one health and safety training sessions as training. Limited HL is a universal problem both in the general and working populations, and it may be restricting the workers understanding of OHS training. Occupational health nurses should be aware of the detrimental effects of limited HL and modify their OHS training where needed for purposes of increasing the successful adoption of safe work practices.

Aim: We aimed to investigate the association of estimated whole blood viscosity (WBV) with hemodynamic parameters and prognosis in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Materials & methods: Total of 542 patients were included and followed-up for median 13 months. Results: The WBV parameters had negative relationship with right atrium pressure and positive correlation with cardiac index. The WBV parameters were found to be independent predictors of composite end point (CEP) and all-cause mortality. Every one cP increases of WBV(h) and WBV(l) were associated with 17 and 1% reductions of CEP. In Kaplan–Meier analysis, patients with low WBV quartiles were found to have significantly more CEP. Conclusion: Being an easily accessible and costless prognosticator, WBV seems to be a novel marker for determining prognosis and an emerging tool to individualize heart failure with reduced ejection fraction management.

Introduction.Ankaferd hemostat (ABS) is the first topical haemostatic agent involving the red blood cell-fibrinogen interactions. The antihemorrhagic efficacy of ABS has been tested in controlled clinical trials. The drug induces the formation of an encapsulated complex protein web with vital erythroid aggregation. The aim of this study is to detect the essential toxicity profile and the antioxidant molecules inside ABS.Methods.The pesticides were analyzed by GC-MS and LC-MS. The determination by ICP-MS after pressure digestion was performed for the heavy metals. HPLC was used for the detection of mycotoxins. Dioxin Response Chemically Activated Luciferase Gene Expression method was used for the dioxin evaluation. TOF-MS and spectra data were evaluated to detect the antioxidants and other molecules.Results.TOF-MS spectra revealed the presence of several antioxidant molecules (including tocotrienols, vitamin E, tryptophan, estriol, galangin, apigenin, oenin, 3,4-divanillyltetrahydrofuran, TBHQ, thymol, BHA, BHT, lycopene, glycyrrhetinic acid, and tomatine), which may have clinical implications in the pharmacobiological actions of ABS.Conclusion.The safety of ABS regarding the presence of heavy metals, pesticides, mycotoxins, GMO and dioxins, and PCBs was demonstrated. Thus the present toxicological results indicated the safety of ABS. The antioxidant content of ABS should be investigated in future studies.

Background and aims Lower levels of cardiovascular risk factors are associated with an increase in mortality in H.F. To explain this paradox, the term reverse metabolic syndrome (RMetS) has recently been proposed. We suggest defining these patients with lower levels of three risk factors can be combined under the heading “RMetS.” We aimed to investigate the effect of MetS and RMetS on hemodynamic parameters and prognosis in patients with H.F. and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Methods and results We included 304 patients who were performed right heart catheterization and followed up for a median of 16 (0–48) months. We first grouped patients according to the presence of MetS or not, then we added the RMetS category and stratified patients into three groups as MetS, RMetS, and metabolic healthy. Compared with not MetS group, Pulmonary arterial pressures and VO2 were higher in MetS group. In the second step, LVEF, CI, VO2I, O2 delivery, and LVSWI were lowest in RMetS, pulmonary artery pressures were higher in MetS group. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, being in RMetS group was associated with 2.4 times and 1.8 times increased risk for composite end point (CEP) and all-cause mortality, respectively. In Kaplan Meier analysis, RMetS had the highest all-cause mortality and CEP. Conclusions We determined that RMetS patients had the worst prognosis with unfavorable hemodynamic profile. Hence, a better understanding of the pathophysiology of RMetS may help refine the treatment targets of CV risk factors, may yield new interventions targeting catabolic syndrome.

Warfarin works by inhibiting VKORC1, so polymorphisms of this gene modify the required drug dose. The aim of this study is to examine the relation between therapeutic weekly dose of warfarin and C1173T/G1639A polymorphism of VKORC1 in patients with VTE. Seventy-five patients with VTE were enrolled. Weekly warfarin doses and time (day) to reach therapeutic INR were evaluated retrospectively along with VKORC1–C1173T and G1639A alleles. The mean weekly warfarin dose was lower and time to reach therapeutic INR was shorter in homozygote alleles (AA and TT) (p 0.05). In particular, patients who need overdose of warfarin or whose bleeding score is high, study of these polymorphisms can be considered.