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INTRODUCTION: The effectiveness of systemic immune inflammation index (SII), which is a practical, new, and useful marker in indicating inflammation, in various malignant and non-malignant diseases has been shown. In the present study, it was aimed to examine the correlation between Helicobacter pylori (HP)+, which causes chronic infection and inflammation, and SII. METHODS: A total of 88 HP+ cases and 154 HP− control cases were included our retrospective, randomized, and controlled study. HP+- was assessed according to the endoscopic biopsy reports of cases. All secondary causes that may lead to inflammation were excluded from the study. The SI level of the case and control groups was calculated (absolute neutrophil × absolute platelet/absolute lymphocyte). RESULTS: In our study, no significant correlation between HP+, a chronic infection, and SII could not be shown (p>0.05). It was detected that HP+ was more common in young ages (p

INTRODUCTION: We planned to investigate the etiologic causes, prognosis, and mortality rates for cases diagnosed with non-biliary acute pancreatitis (AP) monitored by the internal medicine clinic. METHODS: The study included 73 patients monitored by the clinic from January 2016 to June 2021. Patients included in the assessment were investigated for age-sex, presence of chronic disease, local, and systemic complications developing linked to AP, admission to intensive care, incidence of mortality, and clinical follow-up duration. RESULTS: The most frequent etiological cause was idiopathic (40%), followed by hyperlipidemia (24%) and alcohol (6%). Advanced age (65 years and older) was significantly high among patients with high Ranson score (p=0.001; p0.05). There was a significant correlation between presence of comorbid disease and high Ranson score (p=0.045; p

Aim:The need for bodily energy in the elderly may decrease due to physical activity limitations, while it may increase with the effects of the disease. The most common screening tool developed for the geriatric population is the Mini Nutritional Assessment, and lower scores are associated with higher mortality predictions. We aimed to correlate the nutritional status of patients admitted to the emergency department with mortality.Materials and Method:Among the geriatric patients admitted to our emergency internal medicine unit between October 1, 2019, and March 1, 2020, 289 patients were included in this cross-sectional study. The Nutritional Risk Screening-2002 and Mini Nutritional Assessment tests were administered to all patients.Results:The number of patients at risk of malnutrition was 49.4% (n=143). The median follow-up was 312 days for all patients, and the mortality rate was 42.5% (n=123) for all our patients, and 50.4% (n=72) of the patients who died were male. Diabetes was high in our geriatric patients, as in all age groups, and its effect on mortality was observed, and cancer patients had an almost three-fold higher malnutrition rate. Seventy patients were transferred from the internal medicine service to the intensive care unit, and 61 of these patients (87.14%) died.Conclusion:The Mini Nutritional Assessment is a non-complex and sensitive method that can be used to predict early and mid-term mortality in geriatric patients admitted to the emergency department.

Objective We aimed to investigate uric acid and albumin ratio (UA/A) as a marker of short-term mortality in acute kidney injury (AKI). Both uric acid and albumin are strongly correlated with the development and mortality of AKI. Methods The patients hospitalized from May 2019 to September 2019 for AKI were included in this study. The diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), Youden index (J), and the area under a receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) determined a cut-off UA/A ratio for mortality. Cox-regression analysis was performed to identify UA/A as a prognostic marker of the 30-day mortality rate. Results A total of 171 patients with an average age of 69.20±13.0 (45.6% women) were included in the study. The average UA/A ratio was 3.3±1.5 mg/g and 2.5±1.0 mg/g in the non-survivor and survivor groups, respectively (P=0.001). The best cut-off UA/A ratio associated with mortality was determined as 2.4 mg/g with a specificity of 52% and a sensitivity of 77% (DOR, 3.6; J, 28.8; AUROC, 0.644). Thirty-day cumulative survival rates of the low and high UA/A ratio groups were 85.9±4.0% and 63.7±5.0%, respectively. The estimated survival times of the low and high UA/A ratio groups were 27.7 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 26.2–29.3) and 23.9 days (95% Cl, 22.0–25.9), respectively. Conclusion We found a direct correlation between 30-day mortality and UA/A ratio at initial presentation in AKI patients regardless of age, comorbidities, and clinical and laboratory findings, including albuminuria.

Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between ankle-brachial index (ABI) and need for early renal replacement therapy (RRT) in predialysis patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). A total of 112 patients (62% men) with pre-dialysis CKD, seen in the outpatient clinic, were included, and ABI was obtained as per standard protocol. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) was defined as ABI 1.3 in either leg. The clinical data were analyzed, and the risk factors for early RRT were determined by multivariate logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of PAD was 44% in predialysis CKD patients. Over three years’ follow- up, 14.2% required RRT; 11.3% developed major cardiovascular event (myocardial infarction, stroke, or death). A total of 26 events occurred. The incidence of all events was significantly higher in patients with abnormal ABI than in those with normal ABI (34.7% vs. 12.7%; log rank P = 0.02). PAD was associated with all events [hazard ratio (HR): 2.72; 95% CI: 1.04-7.17; P = 0.042] as also the need for RRT (HR 3.2; 95% Cl: 1.005-10.23; P = 0.049), on univariate cox proportional hazard analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for other risk factors identified that PAD remained an independent predictor for the need for early RRT (HR: 12.2; 95%Cl: 2.2-66.5; P = 0.004) and all events (HR: 3.5; 95% Cl: 0.9-13.5; P = 0.032). PAD was an independent predictor for RRT requirement in predialysis CKD.

Background: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a simple and inexpensive examination that is considered to show inflammation. In this study, which included a control group, the authors aimed to investigate if there was a relationship between glycaemic regulation parameters and NLR in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Material and Methods: A total of 278 Type 2 diabetic patients were included in the study. An additional total of 148 healthy people were also included as a control group. NLR was calculated by dividing the absolute neutrophil number by the absolute lymphocyte number. The patients were divided into two groups: the good glycaemic control group (HbA1c ≤7.5%) and the poor glycaemic control group (HbA1c >7.5%). NLR was compared between the diabetic groups. In addition, NLR was compared with diabetic patients and control group. Results: The NLR was statistically and significantly higher in the poor glycaemic control group compared to the good glycaemic control group (2.48 [1.97–2.60] to 2.07 [1.72–2.40], respectively; p=0.020). In addition, NLR was significantly higher in the patients than in the control group (2.30 [2.04–2.49] to 2.01 [1.85–2.18], respectively; p=0.002). Conclusion: According to the authors’ knowledge, increased NLR may be associated with poor glycaemic control in Type 2 diabetic patients. NLR may be useful used as an easily measurable, noninvasive, available, and cost-effective parameter for the follow-up of diabetic patients.

INTRODUCTION[|]A blood transfusion, defined as a procedure to replace lost blood, is actually a tissue transplantation, performed with consideration given to the impact profile, the potential development of complications, and the risk of anaphylaxis and rejection, which may lead to death. This study is an analysis of emergency blood transfusions in terms of symptoms and indications. [¤]METHODS[|]Hospital records of blood transfusions administered in the emergency service were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were categorized into 2 groups: emergency patients and non-emergency patients, based on the presentation.[¤]RESULTS[|]Over the course of 3 months, 1156 transfusions (2.18 per person) were performed in 528 patients (61.4% male). It was determined that the most commonly seen patient complaints were weakness (19%) and melena (14%), followed by cases in which the patient was asymptomatic, but there was laboratory pathology (12.9%). In all, 47% of all cases of blood transfusion were considered urgent.[¤]DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION[|]No correlation was determined between urgency requirement and hemoglobin level. Aside from those administered for active bleeding, most blood transfusions were not performed due to an urgent indication. The establishment of separate, ambulatory parenteral treatment units in could reduce the burden on emergency services to some extent and protect the priority status real emergency patients need.[¤]

Primary duodenal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is the most rarely seen type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is diagnosed most commonly in the stomach. A 20-year-old male patient presented with progressive vomiting, weight loss, and abdominal pain. There was nothing remarkable on 2 consecutive gastroduodenoscopies, but his complaints persisted. A double-contrast barium examination was performed, which revealed a filling defect in the duodenum. A biopsy specimen from the patient determined the presence of Helicobacter pylori and the patient was diagnosed with poorly-differentiated B-cell MALT lymphoma Successful chemotherapy and H. pylori eradication therapy were performed and follow-up revealed no recurrence.

Intracranial bleeding in hemophilia patients is a rare but a mortal complication. Diagnosis of hemophilia in adulthood is an uncommon occurrence. In this case report an adult patient with intracranial hemorrhage is presented.

Use of tumor-suppressive microRNAs (miRNAs) as anti-cancer agents is hindered by the lack of effective delivery vehicles, entrapment of the miRNA within endocytic compartments, and rapid degradation of miRNA by nucleases. To address these issues, we developed a miRNA delivery strategy that includes (1) a targeting ligand, (2) an endosomal escape agent, nigericin and (3) a chemically modified miRNA. The delivery ligand, DUPA (2-[3-(1,3-dicarboxy propyl) ureido] pentanedioic acid), was selected based on its specificity for prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), a receptor routinely upregulated in prostate cancer-one of the leading causes of cancer death among men. DUPA was conjugated to the tumor suppressive miRNA, miR-34a (DUPA-miR-34a) based on the ability of miR-34a to inhibit prostate cancer cell proliferation. To mediate endosomal escape, nigericin was incorporated into the complex, resulting in DUPA-nigericin-miR-34a. Both DUPA-miR-34a and DUPA-nigericin-miR-34a specifically bound to, and were taken up by, PSMA-expressing cells  in vitro and in vivo . And while both DUPA-miR-34a and DUPA-nigericin-miR-34a downregulated miR-34a target genes, only DUPA-nigericin-miR-34a decreased cell proliferation in vitro and delayed tumor growth in vivo. Tumor growth was further reduced using a fully modified version of miR-34a that has significantly increased stability., Competing Interests: A.L.K. and P.S.L. are inventors on U.S. patent US20190298843A1 submitted by Purdue University that covers methods and uses of ligand-targeted delivery of miRNAs. A.L.K., A.M.A., and I.S.S. are inventors on U.S. provisional patent 63/454,177 submitted by Purdue University that covers methods and uses of modified miR-34a. A.L.K. is a co-founder of LigamiR Therapeutics, Incorporated, which develops ligand-conjugated microRNAs for therapeutic purpose., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

An unusual β-amylase7 (BAM7) gene in some angiosperms, including grasses such as maize (Zea mays), appears to encode 2 functionally distinct proteins: a nuclear-localized transcription factor (BAM7) and a plastid-localized starch hydrolase (BAM2). In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), these 2 proteins are encoded by separate genes on different chromosomes but their physiological functions are not well established. Using the maize BAM7 gene as a model, we detected 2 populations of transcripts by 5'-RACE which encode the predicted proteins. The 2 transcripts are apparently synthesized independently using separate core promoters about 1 kb apart, the second of which is located in the first intron of the full-length gene. The N-terminus of the shorter protein, ZmBAM7-S, begins near the 3' end of the first intron of ZmBAM7-L and starts with a predicted chloroplast transit peptide. We previously showed that ZmBAM7-S is catalytically active with properties like those of AtBAM2. Here, we report that ZmBAM7-S targets green fluorescent protein to plastids. The transcript encoding the longer protein, ZmBAM7-L, encodes an additional DNA-binding domain containing a functional nuclear localization signal. This putative dual-function gene originated at least 400 Mya, prior to the emergence of ferns, and has persisted in some angiosperms that lack a separate BAM2 gene. It appears to have been duplicated and subfunctionalized in at least 4 lineages of land plants, resulting in 2 genes resembling Arabidopsis BAM2 and BAM7. Targeting of 2 products from a single gene to different subcellular locations is not uncommon in plants, but it is unusual when they are predicted to serve completely different functions in the 2 locations., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest statement. The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of American Society of Plant Biologists.)

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autoinflammatory disease characterized by recurrent attacks of fever and serositis. Diagnosis is made according to clinical findings and supported by genetic analysis. The most commonly used adult diagnostic criteria are the Tel-Hashomer criteria. Pediatric criteria for FMF diagnosis were described in 2009, but their reliability should be supported by additional reports. In this study, we aimed to compare the pediatric criteria and the Tel-Hashomer and 2019 Eurofever/PRINTO classification criteria using our FMF cohort. A total of 113 patients diagnosed with FMF were included. Demographic features and laboratory findings were retrospectively collected from the patients' files. The patients were evaluated with the Tel-Hashomer, pediatric and Eurofever/PRINTO classification criteria. At least two of five new pediatric criteria were as sensitive (89%) and specific (85%) as the Tel-Hashomer criteria (sensitivity 70%, specificity 96%). We also evaluated the Eurofever/PRINTO classification criteria using our cohort and found a sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 91%.   Conclusion: Using pediatric criteria for the diagnosis of FMF in children is a feasible and simple approach that can diagnose the disease based on at least two criteria. Therefore, our study supports the use of pediatric criteria in FMF diagnosis of children. Our results also confirm that the Eurofever/PRINTO classification criteria can be successfully applied for the diagnosis of FMF due to their high sensitivity (94%) and specificity (91%). What is Known: • The FMF diagnosis is made according clinical findings and supported by genetic analysis. • The use of adult diagnostic criteria in pediatric FMF patients is controversial since classical clinical presentation is often absent in children. What is New: • Our study supports both the use of pediatric criteria and Eurofever/PRINTO classification criteria in clinical practice., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Adiponectin and leptin are involved in appetite control and body weight regulation. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between breast milk adipokine levels and short-term growth of preterm and term infants. Thirty-one preterm (median=35.3 weeks) and 34 term (median=38.7 weeks) infants were enrolled. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect adipokines in mature milk. Infant growth was followed during the first 3 months. Although weight gain in the first month was insufficient, positive linear growth was observed in the following months for preterm infants, while term infants had positive steady linear growth. The median level of adipokines was found to be higher in preterm infants (P>0.05). Adiponectin showed significant negative correlations with some anthropometric measurements of term infants. However, in preterm infants, adiponectin was negatively correlated with length increment and positively correlated with body mass index (BMI) increment in the second-third month. In addition, leptin was negatively associated with the head circumference at birth in preterm infants and the triceps skinfold thickness increment in the first-second month term infants (P<0.05). In linear regression models, while gestational age, adiponectin and leptin were not related, maternal age and pre-pregnancy BMI had effects on body weight increment in 0-1 months (P<0.05). In conclusion, adiponectin may affect short-term growth, while leptin has no important effect. It would be beneficial to carry out longitudinal studies to evaluate the effects of these adipokines on the growth of infants.