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The polyamines are essential for rapidly growing cells. Polyamines is synthesized by two reactions which begin from arginine. The aim of this study is to examine the serum levels of the enzymes located in the putrescine synthesis pathway and their relationship with lung cancer. In addition, the study also aim determine the oxidant-antioxidant status and the oxidative stress index. This study was performed on 36 lung cancer patients and 36 healthy controls. The arginase activity and the ornithine level were determined spectrophotometrically while the arginine decarboxylase, ornithine decarboxylase and agmatinase levels were determined by using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (Elisa kit). The total antioxidant (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) were determined using a commercial kit auto analyser, oxidative stress index (OSI) was subsequently estimated. We observed an increase in ornithine decarboxylase, agmatinase and arginase levels in cancer patients (p< 0.05). however, no significant difference was observed between the two groups with regards to orithine and arginase decarboxylase levels (p> 0.05). In the patient group, the TAS values decreased (p< 0.05), while the TOS values increased (p< 0.05). In addition, the OSI values increased (p< 0.05). Reduced agmatine level can cause an increase in polyamine synthesis and cell proliferation. For this reason, lung cancer prognosis may have a relationship with the agmantine levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To compare early complications in patients with/without stents following renal transplantation and to determine whether routine stenting should be used in all renal transplant patients or not. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 194 patients (108 males, 86 females, mean age: 45.2 ± 13.2 years) who were followed-up at the Division of Nephrology of Istanbul Bilim University between 2006 and 2013 were included in the study. Demographic characteristics, etiologies of renal disease, comorbidities, type of renal transplantation, early complications, delayed graft function were retrospectively recorded. All patients were divided into two groups according to stent replacement. Early complications were compared. RESULTS: 101 patients were inserted double-J(DJ) stent (48 females, mean age 46.5 ± 13.7 years, mean body mass index [BMI] 26.1 ± 4.7 kg/m²) and 93 patients were not inserted stent (38 females, mean age 43.7 ± 12.6 years, mean BMI 24.3 ± 4.2 kg/m²). The rate of early complications of urinary tract infections, lymphocele, urinary leaks, wound infection and perirenal hemorrhage of patients with stent were 28.9%,3.0%,4.0%, 5.1% and 1.3%, respectively, while these rates among patients without stent were 35.5%, 2.2%,3.2%,6.5% and 1.2%,respectively. There was no significant difference between with stent and without stent groups with regard to early complications. CONCLUSIONS: Routine DJ stenting in all renal transplant patients is not necessary. Prophylactic use of DJ stent has no effect on early complications. Prophylactic DJ stent replacement can be used in obese patients, in patients receiving cadaveric transplants or in patients receiving transplants from unrelated donors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the levels of and the relationship between serum amyloid A (SAA), C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in patients with acute 2]: brucellosis. nd Mix-Rate x100 vital diagnostic device, respectively, in serum samples of 30 patients diagnosed with acute brucellosis and 40 volunteers with no systemic diseases. Results: Statistically significant difference was determined between patients and controls in terms of the levels of SAA, CRP and ESR (p<0.05). Although CRP levels and ESR were significantly correlated in the patient group (p<0.05), there was no significant correlation between CRP and SAA or ESR and SAA (p>0.05). Conclusion: CRP levels are significantly elevated in bacterial infections, however the increase is minimal in viral infections. SAA increases sooner and to greater levels during the course of infections. In addition, contrary to CRP, SAA is markedly elevated in both bacterial and viral infection. Consequently, these three acute phase reactants should be used together in order to obtain more reliable results in the differential diagnosis of infections [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Screening for latent tuberculosis infection before solid organ transplantation is mandatory, but this is not so easy in uremic patients on hemodialysis (HD) treatment. The newly developed interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)-based QuantiFERON®–TB Gold In-Tube test (QFT-G) seems to be superior to the other available tests. Objective. To investigate the acute effect of the low-flux HD process on the results of the QFT-G assay. Methods. A total of 56 HD patients participated in this prospective study. They were dialyzed under low-flux HD for at least 1 month before blood sampling for QFT-G assay. This assay was performed before and after the 4-h low-flux HD session. Results. Compared with the pre-dialysis level, there was an obvious reduction in the IFN-γ production level (in response to the TB-antigen cocktails) after the HD process ( P=0.00). The pre-dialysis test result was negative in 21 (37.5%), positive in 33 (58.9%), and indeterminate in 2 (3.6%) patients. One pre-dialysis negative result changed to positive after the HD process. On the other hand, 7 pre-dialysis positive and 2 indeterminate results become negative after HD ( P=0.012). Conclusion. In order to maintain the sensitivity of QFT-G assay in chronic renal failure patients on low-flux HD treatment, it is better to perform the test immediately before (not after) the HD process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on ways to improve power control within an induction steel heating furnaces (ISHF). Effects of the heat on the resistivity and magnetic permeability of the material within an ISHF; Implications of the fluctuation on the controllability of power within the furnace; Considerations on the potential benefits of developing new logic controller design appropriate for the purpose.

Breast cancer is a significant global health problem. It is the most common malignancy in women. Mammographic screening is recommended for women older than 40 yr for early detection of breast cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of screening mammography in ovarian cancer independent of age. Eighty-four patients with ovarian cancer were evaluated with bilateral mammography. Two hundred asymptomatic healthy controls with a similar age distribution were also imaged with screening mammography. Mammography results were classified according to the American College of Radiology criteria in five groups. The median age of the study group was 51.4 (range, 27-77) and 49.3 (range, 30-75) in the control group. Screening mammography detected four cases of malignancy (4.8%) in patients with ovarian cancer; two were the primary breast carcinomas(2.5%) and two were metastatic cancers from the ovary. Five subjects (2.5%) among healthy controls were also found to have breast cancer. Although the incidence of primary breast carcinoma was found to be similar in the two groups (2.5%), mammographic imaging detected metastatic disease to the breast from the ovaries. Mammography should therefore be considered in patients with ovarian cancer independent of age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Electrocardiographic (ECG) changes are observed in patients with acute stroke and are related with the prognosis. Aims: To determine the frequency and significance of ECG changes in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Material and Methods: In a prospective hospital-based study 87 patients with cerebral infarction were observed for ECG changes during their stay in the hospital. All the patients had ischemic stroke for the first time. The ECG changes observed were compared with those of the control group consisting of 87 patients. Results: Of the 87 patients of the study group, 47.1% were females and 52.9% males. The mean age was 65.5 ± 11.9. (range 31-91 yrs). The control group consisted of 50.6% females and 49.4% males. The mean age was 64.5 ± 9.1 (range 31-87 yrs). The frequency of the ECG changes observed in patients with cerebral infarct was 62.1% while it was 29.9% in the control group (P<0.0001). ECG changes observed were mostly related to myocardial ischemia. The six-month mortality rate in the patients with ECG changes was 38.9% whereas it was 15.2% in those with normal ECG (P<0.05). Conclusions: The observations of this study suggest that cardiac evaluation in patients with acute ischemic stroke is of prognostic importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many methods have been developed for localizing non-palpable breast lesions. This study investigated the success rate and surgical results of the magnetic seed (Magseed) and radiofrequency identification (RFID) method, which are relatively new compared to standard wire-guided localizations., Materials and Methods: 20 simulation (10 Magseed, 10 RFID) models were created using turkey breasts and raisins. Raisins containing magnetic seed and RFID tags were placed on the turkey breast. Sentimag® probe was used for the Magseed group, and Faxitron LOCalizer™ System device was used in the RFID group. Both methods were evaluated in terms of accuracy in detecting breast lesion localization, operation times, excised tissue weights, total resection volume, surgical margin negativity, and re-excision rates., Results: Lesion localization success in both techniques was 100%. While procedure times were statistically significantly shorter in the Magseed group, incision lengths were shorter in the RFID group (P = 0.013, P = 0.007, respectively). No statistically significant difference was found between the groups for the weight of the removed parts, total resection volume, and surgical margin distance (P > 0.05)., Conclusion: In this feasibility study, it was concluded that neither the RFID nor Magseed methods had a significant advantage over each other, in terms of localization detection and surgical margin negativity, and both methods could be used successfully for localization., (Copyright © 2024 Copyright: © 2024 Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics.)

Objective: To investigate high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in children with COVID-19., Study Design: Descriptive study. Place and Duration of the Study: Goztepe Professor Suleyman Yalcin City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkiye, between 2020 and 2022., Methodology: The hospital data were examined to find children (<18 years) who presented with COVID-19. The associations between HDL-C, inflammatory biomarkers, hospital admission requirements, and prolonged hospital stays in children with COVID-19 were analysed., Results: During the study period, 1,056 children were diagnosed with COVID-19. Lipid levels were measured in 193 patients during outpatient clinic visits from the same hospital records. One hundred and twenty-seven (65.5%) patients displayed low HDL-C levels. One hundred and nine (86.5%) of the patients with low HDL-C and 33 (50.0%) of the patients with normal HDL-C were hospitalised (p=0.012). Patients with lower HDL-C exhibited higher triglyceride (median 124 vs. 81 mg/dl, p<0.001), glucose (median 116 vs. 101 mg/dl, p=0.001), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (median 343 vs. 251 mg/dl, p<0.001), C-reactive protein (CRP) (median 0.6 vs. 0.5 mg/L, p=0.009), D-dimer (median 1.3 vs. 0.3 mcg/mL, p<0.001), ferritin (median 127 vs. 40 µg/L, p<0.001), and uric acid (median 5.5 vs. 4.5 mg/dL, p=0.002) levels compared to children with normal HDL-C. Logistic regression (LR) analysis showed that age (OR = 0.87, CI for OR 0.80-0.94, p < 0.001), ferritin (OR = 1.004, CI for OR 1.001-1.006, p = 0.003), and D-dimer (OR = 2.171, CI for OR 1.183-3.984, p = 0.012) were associated with lower HDL-C level in children with COVID-19., Conclusion: Low HDL-C levels were common in children with COVID-19. Children with COVID-19 and low HDL-C were more frequently hospitalised and had higher inflammatory biomarkers of COVID-19 than children with COVID-19 and normal HDL-C levels., Key Words: HDL-C, HDL-C levels in children, COVID-19, Children with COVID-19.

Purpose: Autosomal recessive dedicator of cytokinesis 8 (DOCK8 -/- ) and autosomal dominant signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3 -/+ ) deficiencies are inborn errors of immunity (IEI) disorders present with the classic features of eczema and create a dilemma during differentiation from atopic dermatitis (AD). Therefore, an appropriate approach is required for eczema to diagnose DOCK8 -/- and STAT3 -/+  early. Here, we described a set of clinical and immunological variables, including atypical AD localizations and lymphocyte subsets, to differentiate DOCK8 -/- or STAT3 -/+ from AD., Methods: This multicenter study involved 100 patients with DOCK8 -/- and STAT3 -/+ and moderate/severe AD. We recruited disease manifestations, including detailed localizations of eczema, infections, and allergy. Principle component analysis (PCA) was used to discriminate DOCK8 -/- or STAT3 -/+ from AD., Results: There were 43 patients with DOCK8 -/- , 23 with STAT3 -/+ , and 34 with AD. Pneumonia, severe infections, mucocutaneous candidiasis, and skin abscesses were commonly observed in DOCK8 and STAT3 deficiencies. Atypical skin involvement with neonatal rash, retro auricular, axillary, sacral, and genital eczema discriminate DOCK8 -/- and STAT3 -/+ from AD with high specificity ranges between 73.5 and 94.1% and positive predictive index ranges between 55 and 93.1%. Together with using absolute numbers of CD3 + , CD4 + , and CD8 + T cells, the combined clinical and laboratory features showed perfect differentiation between DOCK8 -/- or STAT3 -/+ and AD via PCA., Conclusions: The described features can be easily implemented by physicians providing early diagnosis of DOCK8 and STAT3 deficiencies., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Objective: The objective of our study to evaluate weight changes and factors influencing weight gain in children with asthma during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: The study included 100 children with asthma, aged 5-17, from two regions in Turkey. Face-to-face written questionnaires were used, and siblings closest in age sharing the same household were taken as controls. Only 65 of these children had healthy sibling(s), aged between 2 and 25 years. One hundred children with asthma were compared in terms of weight gain and lifestyle factors before (March 2019 to March 2020) and after the pandemic (March 2020 to March 2021). To determine whether the weight gain differed from the control group, the 65 children with asthma were compared to their siblings. Results: Survey responses indicate that children with asthma performed less physical activity, were exposed to screens more, and slept later during the pandemic period than pre-pandemic ( p  = 0.003, p  < 0.001, and p  ≤ 0.001, respectively). Children with asthma and their siblings gained more weight during the pandemic than before the pandemic (both p  < 0.001). However, children with asthma gained significantly more weight than their non-asthmatic siblings during the pandemic ( p  = 0.011). There was no statistical relationship between weight gain and physical activity, screen time, or sleep status. Conclusions: Children with asthma gained more weight during the COVID-19 pandemic than before the pandemic. They also gained more weight than their non-asthmatic siblings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: Maternal stress, depression and anxiety are associated with atopic dermatitis (AD) in offspring. However, the relationship between maternal obsessive compulsive symptoms (OCS) and AD in their children is unclear., Aim: To investigate whether maternal OCS are associated with AD in offspring., Material and Methods: A total of 75 children with AD diagnosed by the paediatric allergist and 76 healthy children and their mothers were included in the study. A Turkish version of the Maudsley Obsessive Compulsive Inventory (MOCI-T) was used to assess OCS of mothers in both groups., Results: Total MOCI-T score and slowness, doubt, and rumination subscale scores were higher in the AD group than in the healthy group ( p = 0.007, p = 0.001, p = 0.012 and p = 0.011, respectively) but washing/cleaning and checking subscale scores did not reach a statistically significant difference ( p = 0.203 and p = 0.053, respectively). There was no correlation between SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) and MOCI-T/subscales scores., Conclusions: Our study provides evidence for associations between maternal OCS and infantile AD. The findings support recommendations for psychosocial support of mothers of children with AD., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright: © 2023 Termedia Sp. z o. o.)

Purpose: The goals of this study were to report our clinical experience in a single center at a high-volume tertiary university hospital in Istanbul and to introduce a diagnostic algorithm based on a 5-year follow-up of 152 women with biopsy-proven idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM). IGM is an uncommon, non-malignant, chronic inflammatory disease of the mammary gland with an unknown etiology. The symptoms, clinical presentation, and radiologic findings of IGM may resemble carcinomas. To our knowledge, this study comprises the largest series of IGM, especially with a 5-year follow-up, yet reported in the English literature., Methods: The present study reported our single-center clinical experience at a tertiary university hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, and introduced a diagnostic algorithm using our treatment protocol based on a 5-year follow-up of 152 women with biopsy-proven IGM. Our database of 10 years' experience containing over 700 patients with IGM was evaluated. However, to assess recurrence and resistance to treatment, only the 152 patients with a long follow-up period of 5 years were included in the study group. The analysis included 152 women with biopsy-proven IGM who were treated between January 2009 and March 2014. The clinical data of the presentation, histopathology, and treatment modalities were analyzed by reviewing the medical records., Results: Of the 152 patients diagnosed with granulomatous mastitis, 32 (21%) recovered by expectant management, while 14 (9%) responded to antibiotics, 65 (43%) received corticosteroids, 20 (13%) had antituberculosis medication, 16 (11%) underwent excision, and 5 (3%) responded to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Fifty-one patients (33%) had recurrence; of these, 30 achieved a cure with second-line treatment, 16 underwent excision, and 5 achieved a cure with observation., Conclusion: IGM is a rare benign breast disorder, and clinicians need a high index of suspicion to diagnose it, as IGM can be mistaken for breast cancer. Unlike periductal mastitis, IGM does not evolve secondary to nicotine addiction and is typically seen in women of childbearing age with a recent history of pregnancy and lactation. The diagnosis can be challenging, and an evaluation with a multidisciplinary team is necessary. There is no consensus concerning the definitive treatment approach. We suggested a diagnostic algorithm in the present study, using our treatment protocol based on the 5 years' follow-up of 152 women., (© 2021. Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.)

Introduction: Although drug allergy workup for pediatric patients (skin and drug provocation tests [DPT]) is performed, the procedures are troublesome, painful, and time-consuming. The aim of this study was to assess parents' perception of and satisfaction with their child's drug allergy workup. Further, to evaluate parents' tendency to use the tested drug following a negative DPT and the consequences of re-exposure., Methods: Parents of children that underwent drug allergy workup from January 2017 to August 2020 in the Pediatric Allergy Department of Trakya University Medical Faculty were included. Satisfaction levels were assessed via a telephone questionnaire (3 open-ended, 7 multiple-choice questions). Satisfaction was scored on a Likert scale (1: very unsatisfied and 5: very satisfied)., Results: A total of 102 parents participated the study. Fifty-two (51%) of patients were male, and median age was 6.2 years and a median time interval between admission and test appointment of 1 month; 16.7% had a positive drug allergy workup, with 88.3% reporting being satisfied (56.9%) or very satisfied (31.4%) with the workup. Satisfaction levels were inversely related to the time between admission and test appointment (rho: -0.254, p = 0.01), with 8.2% reporting they did not use the tested drug when necessary despite a negative result. The tested drug was used by 35 individuals (41.1%), 33 (94.2%) tolerating without reaction., Conclusion: Most parents were satisfied with the workup, but levels were inversely related to the admission and procedure time interval. Drug allergy workup should be performed as soon as possible to relieve parents' anxiety and achieve more patient satisfaction., (© 2021 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Introduction: Several statements and position papers on the management of childhood asthma and allergies during the COVID-19 pandemic have been published of late. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of pediatricians and family physicians regarding the management of asthma and allergic rhinitis during the pandemic according to recently published updated guidelines., Method: We conducted an online survey among pediatricians and family physicians in Turkey, using a questionnaire designed to evaluate 4 items: (1) the relationship between COVID-19 infection risk and pediatric asthma/allergic rhinitis and medications used in treatment; (2) the follow-up and management of asthma/allergic rhinitis according to published updated recommendations; (3) pediatricians' and family physicians' observations and perceptions of treatment compliance and the attitudes of their pediatric asthma patients; and (4) pediatricians and family physicians' attitudes to using telehealth in the follow-up and management of pediatric asthma patients during the pandemic., Results: A total of 346 participants responded to the survey. The relationship between the risk of COVID-19 and asthma was known by less than 25% of the participants. More than 33% of family physicians and 20% of pediatricians were unaware that asthma medication does not lead to a susceptibility to COVID-19 infection; 55% of family physicians and 48% of pediatricians thought that patients showed better compliance with asthma controller medication; over 33% of pediatricians and approximately 50% of family physicians stated that they could not distinguish between an asthma attack and lung involvement in COVID-19 infection; of the respondents, over 75% stated that they prefer face-to-face visits with patients, even in situations that do not require a physical examination., Conclusion: The overall knowledge and awareness of pediatricians and, especially, family physicians regarding the management of pediatric asthma/allergic rhinitis during the pandemic is not at a satisfactory level. There is an urgent need to inform them about updated recommendations appearing in recent guidelines published by allergy organizations., (© 2021 S. Karger AG, Basel.)