SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Calorie restriction and exercise are commonly used first interventions to prevent the progression of prediabetes and alleviate the symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Our study was designed to determine the effect of the energy deficit caused by long-term (12-week) calorie restriction and exercise programs on appetite responses in obese individuals with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Calorie restriction and exercise programs appropriate for age, gender, and work environment were applied to 22 individuals with prediabetes and 22 with type 2 diabetes participating in the study for a period of 12 weeks. Ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1, and peptide tyrosine tyrosine values of samples taken before and after treatment were determined by the enzyme-linked ιmmunosorbent assay method. RESULTS: Appetite hormone levels did not change after calorie restriction and exercise in the prediabetes group (p>0.05). In the diabetes group, calorie restriction and exercise significantly increased ghrelin and peptide tyrosine tyrosine concentrations (p<0.005). Additionally, when all patients were evaluated together, ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1 and peptide tyrosine tyrosine levels differed significantly after the intervention (p<0.005). CONCLUSION: The energy deficit created by long-term calorie restriction and exercise did not modulate the appetite hormones in prediabetic and obese individuals. However, increased ghrelin and peptide tyrosine tyrosine levels in individuals with diabetes support that the same treatment program is an effective method to regulate appetite hormones.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Coronary artery bypass graft surgery is one of the most frequently performed surgeries worldwide. Coronary artery bypass graft surgery induces an inflammatory response. Interleukin-8 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays a role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. C1q/TNF-related protein-12 is implicated in mitigating inflammation and cardiomyocyte damage. This study aimed to compare interleukin-8 and C1q/TNF-related protein-12 levels before and 45 days after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. METHODS: A total of 43 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery were studied. Serum concentrations of interleukin-8 and C1q/TNF-related protein-12 were evaluated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method before and 45 days after the surgery. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in interleukin-8 levels between pre- and post-coronary artery bypass graft surgery (p=0.077). However, serum levels of C1q/TNF-related protein-12 were found to be lower 45 days after coronary artery bypass graft surgery compared to pre-surgery levels (p<0.001). Moreover, changes in C1q/TNF-related protein-12 were not associated with diabetes, hypertension, and body mass index (p>0.05), but C1q/TNF-related protein-12 alterations were found to be associated with opium addiction. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the evaluation of C1q/TNF-related protein-12 can be beneficial for the late assessment of post-coronary artery bypass graft surgery inflammation. The reduction of C1q/TNF-related protein-12 levels might indicate increased levels of inflammation after surgery at this time point, which requires the assessment of further inflammatory factors to confirm this finding.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine whether the presence of mutation exists in the vitamin D-connector protein gene rs7041 variant of the pancreatitis table for patients diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019. METHODS: A total of 113 patients with normal pancreatic enzyme levels diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 and 120 patients with both coronavirus disease 2019 diagnosis and high pancreatic enzyme levels were included in the study. The rs7041 genotyping of the 11th single nucleotide variation in the vitamin D-connector protein gene was determined by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. RESULTS: In the patient group with coronavirus disease 2019 diagnosis and high pancreatic enzyme levels, the vitamin D-connector protein gene rs7041 variance GG genotype ratio was determined to be higher than the normal coronavirus disease 2019 patients. As a result of comparisons between the two groups, the difference between the genotype ratios in the relationship was determined to be statistically significant (p=0.004). CONCLUSION: Coronavirus disease 2019 patients were determined that the rs7041 halves in the vitamin D-connector protein gene could be prone to pancreatitis formation. Different populations and work with more patient groups are needed to verify the results of the study.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the effect of relaxation exercise on fatigue symptoms in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: This is a meta-analysis study. The literature review was carried out by searching studies published between 2011 and 2020. This meta-analysis was recorded on PROSPERO in the National Health Research Institute (Registration no: CRD42022313646). RESULTS: Seven studies meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the meta-analysis. The effect size of the studies included in the meta-analysis was found to be g=1.232 (p=0.028), which indicated a "huge effect size." The scale used in the subgroup analyses, the application time of the relaxation exercise, and the number of relaxation exercise applications were evaluated, and a significant difference was found at p<0.05. CONCLUSION: Relaxation exercises can be used as an effective method for reducing fatigue in hemodialysis patients.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the relationship between bone mineral density, vitamin D level, and sleep quality in female patients with osteoporosis. METHODS: This descriptive correlational study included a total of 318 women diagnosed with osteoporosis. The data were collected using a patient identification form, including items for the plasma vitamin D level and bone mineral density score obtained by the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry method, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. RESULTS: The mean age of the women was 56.49±5.68 years, and their femoral neck T mean score, an indicator of bone mineral density, was −2.94±0.31. Only 6.3% of the women had adequate vitamin D levels. In addition, according to their Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores, 85.8% of the women had poor sleep quality. In the study, no significant difference was found between the women's bone mineral densities and vitamin D levels according to sleep quality (p>0.05). However, there was a weak negative correlation between the duration of osteoporosis, body mass index, and sleep quality (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: There was no association between the vitamin D level, bone mineral density, and sleep quality, but the duration of osteoporosis was negatively associated with sleep quality. Accordingly, it may be recommended to provide education and counseling to postmenopausal women diagnosed with osteoporosis on issues such as sunbathing, vitamin D and calcium preparation intake, weight control, and non-pharmacological treatment approaches by making necessary individual-specific plans to improve sleep quality.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: February 2023 saw major earthquakes in Pazarcık and Elbistan, causing significant devastation in Turkey. Patients were transferred to hospitals in neighboring provinces, with multiple traumas—especially fractures and organ injuries—forming the main reasons for hospital admissions. This study aimed to examine earthquake-related injuries in pediatric and adult populations to understand differences. METHODS: This study analyzed 1,220 adults and 590 pediatric patients with radiological imaging out of 8,704 earthquake trauma cases. Radiological images were assessed independently by two radiologists. Statistical analysis using SPSS examined relationships between variables such as age group and injury type. RESULTS: Results showed 40% of adults and 64% of children had normal radiological findings. Cerebral and extremity traumas were most common in pediatrics, while adults showed more extremity, thoracic, and spinal traumas. Significant differences between adult and pediatric groups were observed in cranial fractures, thoracic and lumbar vertebral fractures, hemopneumothorax, lung contusions, rib fractures, femur and talocalcaneal fractures, and compartment syndrome (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Earthquake-related injuries may vary between children and adults. Due to children's more flexible anatomical structure, it is believed that earthquake-related injuries occur less frequently in children. In this study, head traumas were more common in children compared to adults. The rate of cranial fractures was significantly higher in children, with a higher incidence of epidural hematoma compared to adults. Spinal traumas were more frequent in adults than in children, attributed to children's greater flexibility reducing the risk of entrapment under rubble. Pediatric thoracic compliance being significantly higher than in adults often resulted in milder chest traumas. However, compartment syndrome was more common in children, with a lower rate of accompanying bone fractures compared to adults. No significant difference was observed between children and adults in maxillofacial, abdominal, and pelvic traumas. These findings provide insights for future disaster healthcare planning and management.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Vascular endothelial growth factor is known to induce endothelial cell migration and proliferation, increase vascular permeability, and modulate thrombogenicity. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the VEGF insertion/deletion (I/D) variant (rs35569394) and coronary artery disease susceptibility in the Turkish population. METHODS: A total of 206 subjects, including 106 coronary artery disease patients and 100 controls, were included in this study. The VEGF I/D variant was genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction method. RESULTS: The frequency of the I/I, I/D, and D/D genotypes was 35.84 versus 37%, 33.97 versus 36%, and 30.19 versus 27% in patients and the control group, respectively. VEGF I/D genotype and allele distribution were not statistically significant between coronary artery disease patients and controls (p>0.05). There was no significant difference between VEGF I/D genotype distribution and patient characteristics including age, gender, disease duration, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, history of hypertension, history of diabetes mellitus, and smoking (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the VEGF I/D variant is not a predisposing factor to coronary artery disease disease in a Turkish sample.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND: Cancer-related fatigue is a pervasive symptom, affecting up to 90% of cancer patients throughout their illness, and can persist well after treatment has ended. Despite its prevalence, no definitive evidence-based treatment exists, leading to an abundance of proposed alternatives, including natural supplements. To further explore the potential effects of guaraná on cancer-related fatigue, a systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted and registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42023484144). METHODS: A thorough search of PubMed/MEDLINE and Cochrane Library was conducted using MeSH terms and related keywords for cancer-related fatigue and guaraná. Eligible studies were selected according to predetermined criteria and assessed for quality in accordance with the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Data extraction was independently performed by two reviewers, with any discrepancies resolved by a third researcher. RESULTS: In total, 4 full articles and 1 abstract, encompassing a total of 229 patients from 2009 to 2023, were included in the meta-analysis. Despite high heterogeneity between studies (I2=78%, ꭓ2=18.51, df=4, p=0.0010), the analysis revealed a significant benefit of using guaraná to alleviate cancer-related fatigue, with a standard mean difference of −0.77 (95%CI −1.34, −0.21) and a test for the overall effect of Z=2.68 (p=0.007). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis provides support for the use of guaraná in the treatment of cancer-related fatigue. However, further investigation through larger prospective randomized controlled trials is necessary to validate these findings.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess obstetric and perinatal outcomes in women with hyperprolactinemia according to the type of treatment indicated, with cabergoline or bromocriptine. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study with 464 women diagnosed with hyperprolactinemia was undertaken at the endocrine gynecology outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital from May 2002 to February 2022. All women diagnosed with hyperprolactinemia who were being treated with dopamine agonists (cabergoline or bromocriptine) and who became pregnant during the follow-up were included. Women whose medical records did not provide data related to pregnancy and delivery were excluded. The women were divided into two groups according to the type of treatment: bromocriptine or cabergoline. Clinical and laboratory characteristics and obstetric and perinatal outcomes, such as complications during pregnancy, type of delivery, and intrapartum complications, were evaluated in both groups. RESULTS: Of the 464 women evaluated, 72 became pregnant during the follow-up, 66 of them were using dopamine agonists, while 6 were not using medication. The mean age of the women was 28.3±6.8 years. Among the causes of hyperprolactinemia, 48.6% were idiopathic, 45.7% were tumoral, and 3.7% had other causes. Most women with idiopathic hyperprolactinemia used bromocriptine, while those with tumoral hyperprolactinemia used cabergoline (p=0.04). There was no difference in obstetric outcomes according to the type of treatment used. The majority of women did not have any complications during pregnancy (76.3%) or intrapartum (86.8%). CONCLUSION: Regardless of the type of previous drug treatment with dopamine agonists, hyperprolactinemia does not alter obstetric outcomes.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This randomized clinical trial study aims to investigate the effects of antioxidant food supplementation on the total antioxidant capacity of seminal plasma, sperm DNA fragmentation, sperm chromatin quality, and semen parameters. METHODS: In this study, a total of 48 subfertile men with moderate physical activity were included. Group 1 was recommended to use the antioxidant supplements, while antioxidant food supplements were not given to Group 2. Total antioxidant capacity, sperm DNA fragmentation, sperm chromatin structure, hormone levels, physical activities, and semen parameters were evaluated before and after treatment. Total antioxidant capacity, sperm DNA fragmentation, and sperm chromatin structure were assessed using ELISA, transferase dUTP nick end labeling, and aniline blue staining, respectively. RESULTS: Sperm DNA fragmentation (p=0.003) and histone/protamine ratio (p<0.001) were significantly decreased in the patients receiving antioxidant treatment. There was no statistical difference in the total antioxidant capacity values of the post-treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Antioxidant therapy seems to improve sperm DNA fragmentation and histone/protamine ratios in subfertile patients. Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT06042738.