Turk J Med Sci
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Compared to healthy controls, mean platelet volume (MPV) is frequently higher in patients with Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) but lower in AA amyloidosis patients. The reason for the difference in MPV levels in FMF patients with and without AA amyloidosis is unclear. The aim of the study was to determine whether low MPV is unique to AA amyloidosis or MPV is similarly low in all glomerular diseases as a result of proteinuria and/or renal dysfunction. ⋯ This study is the largest study of MPV in patients with biopsy proven AA amyloidosis and confirms previous studies reporting low MPV in AA amyloidosis. This study indicates that low MPV in AA amyloidosis cannot be explained with proteinuria and renal dysfunction.
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) affected the whole world in a short time. One of the most influential public health initiatives modern medicine has to offer, the vaccine has become even more important as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to worsen worldwide. Many vaccine trials were launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, and these vaccines were widely used around the world, offering realistic hope for ending the pandemic. ⋯ If an allergy is suspected, a correct examination followed by algorithms is important for true diagnosis, treatment, and decision regarding revaccination. Patients who experience an allergic reaction with the first dose of covid 19 vaccine should be directed to the allergy-immunologist, and the evaluation of at-risk patients should be individualized. Finally, we should point out that the benefits of current COVID-19 vaccines go far beyond the side effects, and that the vaccine is the most important way to recover from the pandemic.
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With the increased experience in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), it has been adopted for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with emerging discussions of criteria beyond tumor size and number. In contrast to deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT), recipient selection for LDLT is not limited by organ allocation systems. We discuss herein the assessment, criteria, and experience with liver transplantation (LT) in HCC cases at a high-volume LDLT center. ⋯ LDLT allows us to push the limits forward and the question “Are the criteria always right?” is always on the table. We can conclude that, with the advantage of LDLT, every HCC patient deserves a case-by-case basis discussion for LT under scientific literature support. In borderline cases, tumor biopsy might help determine the decision for LT.
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This study aimed to determine the blood supply of the distal femoral epiphysis (DFE) using superb microvascular imaging in newborns and infants, and to investigate the correlation with ossification center (OC) length, sex, and age. ⋯ Quantitative reference values for DFE blood supply and OC length can guide the diagnosis and follow-up of many skeletal diseases.
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Comparative Study
Interleukin-21: A Potential Biomarker For Diagnosis and Predicting Prognosis in COVID-19 Patients.
COVID-19 patients have a wide spectrum of disease severity. Several biomarkers were evaluated as predictors for progression towards severe disease. IL-21 is a member of common γ-chain cytokine family and creates some specific effects during programming and maintenance of antiviral immunity. We aimed to assess IL-21 as a biomarker for diagnosis and outcome prediction in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. ⋯ We identified specific differences in serum IL-21 between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 pneumonia patients. Serum IL-21 measurement has promising predictive value for disease progression in COVID-19 patients. High serum IL-6 and IL-21 levels obtained upon admission are independent risk factors for clinical worsening.