Can Özlü

Insulin resistance (IR) is a key pathogenic mechanism in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, often linked to obesity-related inflammation. However, IR can also occur in individuals with normal weight, a condition known as the metabolically obese normal-weight phenotype. This study assesses the predictive value of routine hematological parameters compared to combined inflammation indices for detecting IR in non-obese populations. This retrospective cross-sectional study included 305 normal-weight adults (body mass index < 25 kg/m²). IR was defined by a Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) threshold of 2.5. Parameters were analyzed using univariate and hierarchical multivariable logistic regression. Parallel models, adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI), were used to assess individual leukocyte subtypes. Discriminatory performance was evaluated through Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. IR was found in 93 (30.5%) participants. The IR+ group exhibited significantly higher BMI, glucose, triglycerides, HbA1c, and white blood cell (WBC) counts (p < 0.05). Multivariable analysis identified WBC count as the only independent predictor of inflammation (OR = 1.946, p < 0.001). WBC count showed better explanatory power (Nagelkerke R2 = 0.196) and discriminatory ability (AUC = 0.725) compared to individual subtypes and composite indices, like the panimmune inflammation value (AUC = 0.510). The final multivariable model achieved an AUC of 0.736. In normal-weight adults, IR appears to exhibit a more pronounced association with generalized systemic inflammation reflected by absolute WBC counts rather than ratio-based indices. WBC count serves as a practical marker for early metabolic risk identification in non-obese individuals.

Aims: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a heterogeneous hematologic malignancy requiring reliable prognostic stratification. Inflammation- and nutrition-based biomarkers such as the hemoglobin–albumin–lymphocyte–platelet (HALP) score and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) have been proposed as accessible prognostic indicators. This study evaluated their prognostic value and compared their performance with the International Staging System (ISS). Methods: This retrospective study included 54 patients with newly diagnosed MM. Baseline clinical and laboratory parameters were recorded at diagnosis. Overall survival (OS) was defined as the time from diagnosis to death from any cause or last follow-up. Survival outcomes were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier and log-rank tests, and independent predictors were assessed using multivariate Cox regression analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis with the Youden index determined optimal cut-off values. Results: The median age was 68 years (range, 40–85), and 53.7% of patients were male. According to ISS, 33.3% of patients were stage I, 46.3% stage II, and 20.4% stage III. During follow-up, 7 patients (13.0%) died. Higher ISS stage was significantly associated with mortality (p = 0.007) and remained an independent predictor of OS in multivariate analysis (HR = 3.84, 95% CI: 1.33–11.05, p = 0.0127). ROC analysis demonstrated the strongest discriminative performance for ISS (AUC = 0.793), compared with HALP (AUC = 0.608) and SII (AUC = 0.371). Optimal cut-off values were 3.0 for ISS, 32.3 for HALP, and 2887.5 for SII. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed significantly inferior survival in patients with ISS ?3 (log-rank p = 0.001), whereas HALP and SII did not significantly stratify OS (p = 0.901 and p = 0.348, respectively). Conclusion: Although HALP showed a non-significant trend toward poorer survival at lower values, inflammation-based indices provided limited additional prognostic value beyond established staging systems.

Aim: Favipiravir, initially developed for influenza, is a potential treatment for COVID-19. However, safety data for favipiravir in patients with chronic renal failure is limited. This study examined its effects on laboratory parameters in COVID-19 patients both with and without chronic kidney disease (CKD), addressing the challenges posed by renal health impairment.Material and Methods: This retrospective study examined 339 eligible PCR-positive COVID-19 inpatients, selected from an initial 559 participants, at a Turkish tertiary care hospital. The patients were grouped based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m² and ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m² (control group). Clinical, demographic, and laboratory characteristics were compared using parametric and nonparametric tests, with statistical significance set at p

Aim: Pancreatic injury has become a significant complication linked to COVID-19 infection. Our study's aim was to compare the clinical and laboratory findings, intensive care requirements, and mortality rates between patients with and without pancreatic enzyme elevation among those diagnosed with COVID-19. Material and Method: The retrospective investigation was carried out at a tertiary hospital and involved PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients. Data from 457 participants was collected, and 376 eligible participants were analyzed using statistical methods. Patients with amylase or lipase levels up to three times normal were classified as having pancreatic injury, while those with normal levels were the control group. Mann-Whitney U test was utilized for group comparisons. Factors predicting intensive care unit (ICU) admission were identified using logistic regression analysis; p

Background The study aimed to evaluate geriatric hematology patients in terms of geriatric syndromes, to provide the most appropriate individualized care and practices in the treatment processes, to access sufficient information about the patient and to contribute to the literature that geriatric hematology patients may be in the risk group in terms of geriatric syndromes. Methods In the study, the data were evaluated with urinary incontinence severity scale, mini nutritional analysis, Edmonton Frailty scale and an introductory information form created by the researchers. Results More than half of the geriatric individuals included in the study were diagnosed with leukemia. They had at least one chronic disease other than their hematological diseases, the average age was 70, more than half of them were frail, their MNA average was within the malnutrition risk limits, they were independent according to their average scores on Katz ADL. It was also determined that the participants were in the moderate incontinence range. Conclusion Elderly individuals with hematological malignancies should be considered for geriatric evaluation throughout treatment. Geriatric evaluation is important to prevent possible complications during treatment and improve quality of life.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting Turkish medical researchers' choice of journals for publication. Materials and Methods: This study is an online cross-sectional survey study. The participants with at least one Pubmed/MEDLINE indexed published paper were recruited non-random from the Turkish Medical Network Telegram group. The questionnaire consisted of 18 questions and three sections; the first part included open-ended questions, the second part included questions about the factors affecting journal selection, and the third part included participants who were asked if they had paid for publication for any reason. Results: The study included 353 Turkish medical researchers, with a median age of 38 and 50.9% female. Bibliometric scores, publication fees, and overall prestige/reputation were the most influential factors affecting journal selection. The availability of a suitable manuscript, turnaround times, international contributions, previous experiences with the journal, and ease of submission were also significant factors. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the participants consider the publication objectives, relevance, and important selection criteria before they make a clear decision.

Bee venom is secreted by a gland in the abdominal cavity of bees. The venom, especially that of honeybees, contains certain enzymes and peptides that, when administered in high doses, are effective against various diseases. Peptides such as melittin and phospholipase A₂ can target various cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the antiproliferative effects of administering low-dose bee venom in K-562 chronic myeloid leukaemia cells. Our proteomic study revealed regional variation of the content of bee venom and high levels of melittin, apamin and secapin, as well as phospholipase A₂ and hyaluronidase. In addition, eight new, previously unidentified proteins were identified. The effects of bee venom on cell viability and drug–cell interaction were investigated at 24, 48 and 72 h. According to the MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) results, the bee venom decreased K-562 cell viability dose-dependently at all time points. Cell viability decreased 48 and 72 h after bee venom administration but increased in the control group left untreated for 72 h. The inhibition percentages for the highest bee venom concentration (0.4 µM) at 24, 48 and 72 h were 55%, 80% and 92%, respectively. The cell–drug interactions indicated that the cell surfaces, which were smooth and clear before drug application, gradually deteriorated and started to shrink after the application. In conclusion, at increasing doses, bee venom was found to have a strong antiproliferative effect in K-562 chronic myeloid leukaemia cell lines.

In this research, it was aimed to evaluate effects of methane emissions on multiple myeloma related mortality rates. Two countries in Europe (Germany and Netherlands) and 1 country for each region (Turkey, USA, Brazil, Egypt, and Australia) were selected within The World Health Organization Database. Multiple myeloma mortality rates of countries between 2009 and 2019 were used as dependent variable of the research. Methane emission level and agriculture methane levels of countries were used as independent variables from The World Bank Database. Current health expenditure and healthy life expectancy were used as controlling variables. Multiple myeloma-related mortality rate was the highest in the USA, followed by Germany, Brazil, Turkey, Australia, Netherlands, and Egypt. Difference analysis results were significant (P < .05). Methane and agriculture methane emissions were the highest in the USA. Multiple myeloma mortality was positively correlated with methane emissions (R = 0.504; P < .01), agricultural methane emissions (R = 0.705; P < .01), and current health expenditure (R = 0.528; P < .01). According to year and country controlled correlation analysis results, multiple myeloma mortality (MMM) was positively correlated with methane emissions (R = 0.889; P < .01), agricultural methane emissions (R = 0.495; P < .01), and current health expenditure (R = 0.704; P < .01). Methane emission (B = 0.01; P < .05), Germany (B = 9010.81; P < .01), the USA (B = 26516.77; P < .01), and Brazil (B = 4886.14; P < .01) had significant effect on MMM. Nonagricultural methane production has an increasing effect on MMM. Therefore, by looking at the differences between agricultural methane emissions and general methane emissions, studies can be conducted that allow for more effective global comparisons.

In recent years, new developments have been incorporated into daily practice in the management of immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP). In particular, clinical scoring systems could help clinicians with clinical decision-making and early recognition. However, older patients frequently present with more organ involvement and in unusual ways. The ways in which age could affect these clinical prediction scoring systems remain unclear. We evaluated the use of PLASMIC and French scores in patients over 60 years of age. We performed a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of patients over 60 years of age with a presumptive diagnosis of iTTP between 2014 and 2022 at 10 centers. We calculated PLASMIC and French scores and compared our data with a single-center analysis of younger patients presenting with thrombotic microangiopathy. Our study included 30 patients over 60 years of age and a control group of 28 patients younger than 60 years. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of a French score of ≥1 were lower in older patients compared to the control group (78.9% vs. 100% and 18.2% vs. 57.1%, respectively). The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of a PLASMIC score of ≥5 were 100% vs. 95% and 27.3% vs. 100% for the study group and control group, respectively. Our study showed a higher mortality rate in older patients compared to the control group (30% vs. 7.1%, p=0.043). For a limited number of patients (n=6), our results showed that rituximab can reduce mortality. Given that the reliability of clinical prediction scores for iTTP in older patients may be lower, more caution must be undertaken in interpreting their results.