The effect of cystatin-C and pro-BNP in determining mortality in elderly patients with sepsis

In this study we examined whether cystatin-C, pro-BNP, procalcitonin and C-reactive protein (CRP) is valuable in predicting multiorgan failure and mortality in elderly (>= 65) patients with sepsis. A total of 35 patients who were treated for sepsis in hospital were included in the study. Chronic renal failure, hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, known history of diabetes and patients with heart failure were excluded from the study. Cystatin-C, pro-BNP, procalcitonin and CRP levels were measured besides the routine biochemical examinations. Patients were divided into two groups according to their in hospital outcome in terms of mortality. There was no statistically significant difference in patients age, CRP, cystatin-C, pro-BNP, procalcitonin, BUN, creatinine, leukocyte count, hemoglobin and platelet count according to the etiology of sepsis. However there was a significant difference in mortality rate between pneumonia and cholangitis groups with the others. Cystatin-C (p=0.031) and pro-BNP (p=0.023) levels were significantly higher in mortality group when both groups were compared. Increase of cystatin-C and pro-BNP levels were detected in elderly patients with sepsis or septic shock. The cystatin-C and pro-BNP levels can be used as an indicator of early mortality in these patients

Acrylamide-encapsulated glucose oxidase inhibits breast cancer cell viability

Geyik, Oyku Gonul/0000-0003-3014-1253; KILINC, ALI/0000-0002-0470-4297; Yuce, Zeynep/0000-0002-2762-0942WOS:000603517600022Objectives: Cancer cells modulate metabolic pathways to ensure continuity of energy, macromolecules and redoxhomeostasis. Although these vulnerabilities are often targeted individually, targeting all with an enzyme may prove a novel approach. However, therapeutic enzymes are prone to proteolytic degradation and neutralizing antibodies leading to a reduced half-life and effectiveness. We hypothesized that glucose oxidase (GOX) enzyme that catalyzes oxidation of glucose and production of hydrogen peroxide, may hit all these targets by depleting glucose; crippling anabolic pathways and producing reactive oxygen species (ROS); unbalancing redox homeostasis. Methods: We encapsulated GOX in an acrylamide layer and then performed activity assays in denaturizing settings to determine protection provided by encapsulation. Afterwards, we tested the effects of encapsulated (enGOX) and free (fGOX) enzyme on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Results: GOX preserved 70% of its activity following encapsulation. When fGOX and enGOX treated with guanidinium chloride, fGOX lost approximately 72% of its activity, while enGOX only lost 30%. Both forms demonstrated remarkable resilience against degradation by proteinase K and inhibited viability of MCF-7 cells in an activity-dependent manner. Conclusions: Encapsulation provided protection to GOX against denaturation without reducing its activity, which would prolong half-life of the enzyme when administered intravenously

Impact of Coronary Artery Anatomy in Arterial Switch Procedure on Early Mortality and Morbidity

ObjectiveArterial switch operation has become the treatment of choice for neonates with transposition of the great arteries. The most important step of the procedure is transferring the coronary arteries to the neoaorta successfully. This study shows the impact of coronary anatomy on early mortality and morbidity after arterial switch operation

Heart rate variability improvement in children using transcatheter atrial septal defect closure

Objective: We evaluated autonomic behavior by examining heart rate variability (HRV) in the time domain and frequency domain in pediatric patients who underwent transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect (ASD)

Heart rate variability improvement in children using transcatheter atrial septal defect closure

Objective: We evaluated autonomic behavior by examining heart rate variability (HRV) in the time domain and frequency domain in pediatric patients who underwent transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect (ASD)

Impact of Coronary Artery Anatomy in Arterial Switch Procedure on Early Mortality and Morbidity

ObjectiveArterial switch operation has become the treatment of choice for neonates with transposition of the great arteries. The most important step of the procedure is transferring the coronary arteries to the neoaorta successfully. This study shows the impact of coronary anatomy on early mortality and morbidity after arterial switch operation

Reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the New Cleveland Clinic Colorectal Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire

Purpose: This study aims to adapt and validate the Cleveland Clinic Colorectal Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (CCF-CaQL) in Turkish, addressing the significant need for reliable, language-specific QoL measures for colorectal cancer (CRC) in Turkiye. This effort fills a critical gap in CRC patient care, enhancing both patient-provider communication and disease-specific QoL assessment. Methods: The CCF-CaQL was translated into Turkish, verified for accuracy, and reviewed for clarity and relevance. Eligible patients who underwent colorectal surgery for cancer between July 2021 and July 2022 from six hospitals completed the CCF-CaQL and SF-36 questionnaires. For analysis, confirmatory factor analysis using Smart PLS 4 and descriptive statistics were employed. The questionnaire’s reliability and validity were assessed using Cronbach alpha, composite reliability, and the heterotrait-monotrait (HTMT) ratio, along with multicollinearity checks and factor loadings. Nonparametric resampling was used for precise error and confidence interval calculations, and the Spearman coefficient and split-half method were applied for reliability testing. Results: In the study involving 244 colorectal cancer patients, confirmatory factor analysis of the CCF-CaQL indicated effective item performance, with one item removed due to lower factor loading. The questionnaire exhibited high internal consistency, evidenced by a Cronbach alpha value of 0.909. Convergent validity was strong, with all average variance extracted (AVE) values exceeding 0.4. Discriminant validity was confirmed with HTMT coefficients below 0.9, and no significant multicollinearity issues were observed (VIF values < 10). Parallel testing with the SF-36 scale demonstrated moderate to very strong correlations, affirming the CCF-CaQL’s comparability in measuring quality of life. Conclusion: The Turkish version of the CCF-CaQL was validated for assessing quality of life in colorectal cancer patients. This validation confirms its reliability and cultural appropriateness for use in Turkiye. The disease-specific nature of the CCF-CaQL makes it a useful tool in clinical and research settings, enhancing patient care by accurately monitoring treatment effects and interventions in the Turkish colorectal cancer patient population