Purpose: To assess the predictive capability of hematological inflammatory markers for urethral stricture recurrence after primary urethroplasty and to compare traditional statistical methods with a machine-learning-based artificial intelligence algorithm. Materials and Methods: Two hundred eighty-seven patients who underwent primary urethroplasty were scanned. Ages, smoking status, comorbidities, hematological inflammatory parameters (neutrophil-lymphocyte ratios, platelet-lymphocyte ratios [PLR], systemic immune-inflammation indexes [SII], and pan-immune-inflammation values [PIV]), stricture characteristics, history of previous direct-visual internal urethrotomy, urethroplasty techniques, and grafts/flaps placements were collected. Patients were followed up for one year for recurrence and grouped accordingly. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to create a predictive model. Additionally, a machine-learning-based logistic regression analysis was implemented to compare predictive performances. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Comparative analysis between the groups revealed statistically significant differences in stricture length (p=0.003), localization (p=0.027), lymphocyte counts (p=0.008), PLR (p=0.003), SII (p=0.003), and PIV (p=0.001). In multivariate analysis, stricture length (odds ratio [OR] 1.230, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.142–1.539, p<0.0001) and PIV (OR 1.002, 95% CI 1.000–1.003, p=0.039) were identified as significant predictors of recurrence. Classical logistic regression model exhibited a sensitivity of 0.76, specificity of 0.43 with an area under curve (AUC) of 0.65. However, the machine-learning algorithm outperformed traditional methods achieving a sensitivity of 0.80, specificity of 0.76 with a higher AUC of 0.82. Conclusions PIV and machine-learning algorithms shows promise on predicting urethroplasty outcomes, potentially leading to develop possible nomograms. Evolving machine-learning algorithms will contribute to more personalized and accurate approaches in managing urethral stricture.

Background: Increasing numbers of reports have suggested a deterioration in cognitive performance after recovery from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), however insufficient information is available regarding long-term brain health and risk factors related to reduced cognitive performance in advanced age. We investigated the prevalence of reduced cognitive performance and its associated factors among older adults after COVID-19. Methods: This prospective observational study enrolled older individuals (aged ≥65 years) hospitalized for COVID-19. Discharged patients were contacted after an average of 15 months and a brief battery was administered during telephone interviews to assess their mental status. Results: Among the 174 patients, 77 (44.3%) showed reduced cognitive performance at follow-up. Multivariate analysis revealed that female sex, education level, and increased Deyo/Charlson Comorbidity Index score, which is an objective indicator of chronic disease burden, were independent risk factors for long-term cognitive performance. Depression and anxiety symptoms, assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2-item questionnaire at the end of the study, were not associated with reduced cognitive performance. Conclusions Our findings provide key insights into discharged older adults with COVID-19 at risk of long-term cognitive impairment, and help to ascertain the factors associated with this problem.

Objective: To examine the effects of human bocavirus type 1 (HBoV1) on the course of lower respiratory tract infections in cases of monoinfection and coinfection, and the effects of HBoV1 viral load on the disease in children under six years old hospitalized with a diagnosis of HBoV1-associated lower respiratory tract infections. Methods: Children under six years of age, who were hospitalized with the diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infection due to HBoV1 between 1 January 2021 and 1 January 2022 were included in the study. Laboratory confirmation of the respiratory pathogens was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Fifty-four (16.4%) children with HBoV1 among 329 children whose PCR was positive with bacterial/viral agent in nasopharyngeal swab samples were included in the study. There were 28 (51.9%) males and 26 (48.1%) females with a median age 23.4 months [interquartile range (IQR): 13.2, 30.0 months] (min-max:1 month-68 months). HBoV1 was detected as a monoinfecton in 26 (48.1%) children, and as a coinfection with other respiratory agents in 28 children (51.9%). In multiple regression analysis, coinfection (P=0.032) was associated with the length of hospitalization (P<0.001; R 2 =0.166). There was a negative correlation (r= 0.281, P=0.040) between cough and cycle threshold. Fever was found to be positively correlated with C-reactive protein (r=0.568, P<0.001) and procalcitonin (r=0.472; P=0.001). Conclusions: Although we found a higher HBoV1 viral load in children with more cough symptoms in our study, it had no effect on the severity of the disease, such as length of hospital stay and need for intensive care. Coinfection was found to affect the length of hospitalization.

Purpose: We aimed to present our initial clinical experience on the implementation of a stereotactic MR-guided online adaptive radiation therapy (SMART) for the treatment of liver metastases in oligometastatic disease. Methods: and Materials: Twenty-one patients (24 lesions) with liver metastasis treated with SMART were included in this retrospective study. Step-and-shoot intensity-modulated radiotherapy technique was used with daily plan adaptation. During delivery, real-time imaging was used by acquiring planar magnetic resonance images in sagittal plane for monitoring and gating. Acute and late toxicities were recorded both during treatment and follow-up visits. Results: The median follow-up time was 11.6 months (range, 2.2 to 24.6 months). The median delivered total dose was 50 Gy (range, 40 to 60 Gy); with a median fraction number of 5 (range, 3 to 8 fractions) and the median fraction dose was 10 Gy (range, 7.5 to 18 Gy). Ninety-three fractions (83.7%) among 111 fractions were re-optimized. No patients were lost to follow-up and all patients were alive except one at the time of analysis. All of the patients had either complete (80.9%) or partial (19.1%) response at irradiated sites. Estimated 1-year overall survival was 93.3%. Intrahepatic and extrahepatic progression-free survival was 89.7% and 73.5% at 1 year, respectively. There was no grade 3 or higher acute or late toxicities experienced during the treatment and follow-up course. Conclusion SMART represents a new, noninvasive and effective alternative to current ablative radiotherapy methods for treatment of liver metastases in oligometastatic disease with the advantages of better visualization of soft tissue, real-time tumor tracking and potentially reduced toxicity to organs at risk.

Purpose: We aimed to present our initial clinical experience on the implementation of a stereotactic MR-guided online adaptive radiation therapy (SMART) for the treatment of liver metastases in oligometastatic disease. Methods: and Materials: Twenty-one patients (24 lesions) with liver metastasis treated with SMART were included in this retrospective study. Step-and-shoot intensity-modulated radiotherapy technique was used with daily plan adaptation. During delivery, real-time imaging was used by acquiring planar magnetic resonance images in sagittal plane for monitoring and gating. Acute and late toxicities were recorded both during treatment and follow-up visits. Results: The median follow-up time was 11.6 months (range, 2.2 to 24.6 months). The median delivered total dose was 50 Gy (range, 40 to 60 Gy); with a median fraction number of 5 (range, 3 to 8 fractions) and the median fraction dose was 10 Gy (range, 7.5 to 18 Gy). Ninety-three fractions (83.7%) among 111 fractions were re-optimized. No patients were lost to follow-up and all patients were alive except one at the time of analysis. All of the patients had either complete (80.9%) or partial (19.1%) response at irradiated sites. Estimated 1-year overall survival was 93.3%. Intrahepatic and extrahepatic progression-free survival was 89.7% and 73.5% at 1 year, respectively. There was no grade 3 or higher acute or late toxicities experienced during the treatment and follow-up course. Conclusion SMART represents a new, noninvasive and effective alternative to current ablative radiotherapy methods for treatment of liver metastases in oligometastatic disease with the advantages of better visualization of soft tissue, real-time tumor tracking and potentially reduced toxicity to organs at risk.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to shorten the decellularization time of trachea by using combination of physical, chemical, and enzymatic techniques. METHODS: Approximately 3.5-cm-long tracheal segments from 42 New Zealand rabbits (3.5±0.5 kg) were separated into seven groups according to decellularization protocols. After decellularization, cellular regions, matrix and strength and endurance of the scaffold were followed up. RESULTS: DNA content in all groups was measured under 50 ng/mg and there was no significant difference for the glycosaminoglycan content between group 3 (lyophilization+deoxycholic acid+de-oxyribonuclease method) and control group (P=0.46). None of the decellularized groups was different than the normal trachea in tensile stress values (P>0.05). Glucose consumption and lactic acid levels measured from supernatants of all decellularized groups were close to group with cells only (76 mg/dL and 53 mg/L). CONCLUSION: Using combination methods may reduce exposure to chemicals, prevent the excessive influence of the matrix, and shorten the decellularization time.
Deoxycholic Acid ; DNA ; Freeze Drying ; Glucose ; Lactic Acid ; Rabbits ; Tissue Engineering ; Trachea

OBJECTIVES: We explored whether wideband tympanometry (WBT) could be used as a screening test for superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD), and obtained new WBT data (given that the test is not yet in common clinical use) on patients with SSCD. METHODS: We compared the WBT data of patients clinically and radiologically diagnosed with SSCD in our hospital between 2013 and 2018 to those of healthy volunteers. We compared the resonance frequency (RF), maximum absorbance frequency (MAF), and maximum absorbance ratio (MAR). The t-test was used for statistical analysis with the significance level set to P<0.05. In addition, we used receiver operating characteristic analysis to derive cutoff values for SSCD diagnosis in terms of sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: Seventeen patients (four with bilateral and 13 with unilateral disease; 17 ears) diagnosed with SSCD and 27 healthy volunteers (47 ears) were included. The mean RFs of the SSCD patients and healthy subjects were 548.7 Hz (range, 243 to 853 Hz) and 935.1 Hz (range, 239 to 1,875 Hz), respectively (P<0.001). The mean MARs of the SSCD patients and healthy subjects were 89.4% (range, 62% to 100%) and 82.4% (range, 63% to 99%), respectively (P=0.005). The mean MAFs of the SSCD patients and healthy subjects were 1,706.3 Hz (range, 613 to 3,816 Hz) and 2,668 Hz (range, 876 to 4,387 Hz), respectively (P<0.001). In terms of SSCD diagnosis, a MAR above 86% afforded 81% sensitivity and 77% specificity; an RF below 728 Hz, 86% sensitivity and 81% specificity; and an MAF below 1,835 Hz, 79% sensitivity and 67% specificity. CONCLUSION: WBT may be a useful clinical screening test for SSCD. The RF and MAF were lower, and the MAR higher, in SSCD patients than in normal controls.
Acoustic Impedance Tests ; Diagnosis ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Mars ; Mass Screening ; ROC Curve ; Semicircular Canals ; Sensitivity and Specificity

BACKGROUND: It is not known how cardiac functions are affected during anaphylaxis. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to measure the cardiac functions shortly after an anaphylaxis attack using a new technique that detects subclinical left ventricular dysfunction. METHODS: Patients in our hospital who experienced anaphylaxis and urticaria (control group) due to any cause were included in the study. Tryptase levels were measured on the third hour of the reaction and 6 weeks later. Left ventricular systolic functions were evaluated with global strain measurement using echocardiography, approximately 4 hours and 6-week post reaction. RESULTS: Twelve patients were included in the anaphylaxis group (83.3% female; mean age, 43.25 ± 9.9 years). The causes of anaphylaxis were drug ingestion (n = 11) and venom immunotherapy. Eight of the anaphylactic reactions (66.7%) were severe and in 9 reactions (75%) tryptase levels increased. In the anaphylaxis group, strain values measured shortly after anaphylaxis were significantly lower than those calculated 6 weeks later (p < 0.001) and tryptase levels significantly increased (p = 0.002). The strain values measured both shortly after anaphylaxis and 6 weeks later did not differ according to severity of anaphylaxis. In severe anaphylaxis, tryptase levels during anaphylaxis and 6 weeks later were significantly higher (p = 0.019, p = 0.035). The control group evidenced no differences regarding strain and tryptase levels measured at reaction and 6 weeks later. At reaction, in the anaphylaxis group, the tryptase levels were higher and the strain values were lower than those in the urticaria group (p = 0.007, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Cardiac dysfunction may develop during an anaphylaxis independent of severity of reaction.
Anaphylaxis ; Eating ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; Tryptases ; Urticaria ; Venoms ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies show that immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels were higher in subjects with acute coronary events. However, it is unknown if the increased IgE level is a marker of future coronary incidents and whether it may be regarded as a risk factor of an ischemic heart disease. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to investigate the relationship between IgE levels and some atherosclerotic markers in patients without known atherosclerotic disease. METHODS: Fifty patients (mean age, 40.96 ± 10.8 years) with high serum IgE levels due to various conditions who did not display evidence of an atherosclerotic disease and 30 healthy control subjects (mean age, 47 ± 8.27 years) were included in the study. Atherosclerotic disease markers including adhesion molecules like vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6, endothelin-1, and systemic inflammatory markers such as high sensitivity C-reactive protein were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Endothelial functions of the coronary arteries were determined by coronary flow reserve (CFR) measurements and carotid intima media thickness using transthoracic Doppler echocardiography.
Atherosclerosis ; C-Reactive Protein ; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness ; Coronary Vessels ; Cytokines ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Endothelin-1 ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; Interleukin-6 ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Pathology ; Risk Factors ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1

Elongation or hyperplasia of coronoid process of mandible is rare condition characterized by abnormal bone development which cause malocclusion and the limited mouth opening. In this study, in an Anatolian skull, a case of bilateral elongation of mandibular coronoid process was presented. Levandoski panographic analysis was performed on the panoramic radiographie to determine the hyperplasia of the coronoid process. The right condylar process was exactly hyperplastic. The measurements of Kr-Go/Cd-Go were 95.10 mm/79.03 mm on right side and 97.53 mm/87.80 mm on left side. The ratio of Kr-Go/Cd-Go on the right side was 1.20. Elongated coronoid process is one of the factors cause mandibular hypomobility, it as reported here might lead to limited mouth opening. The knowledge of this variation or abnormality can be useful for the radiologist and surgeons and prevent misdiagnosis.
Bone Development ; Diagnostic Errors ; Embryology ; Hyperplasia ; Malocclusion ; Mandible ; Mouth ; Skull* ; Surgeons