Impact of HLA Alleles on COVID-19 Severity in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Single-Center Study.

Introduction The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted global health, particularly affecting vulnerable populations, such as organ transplant recipients. Human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) play a critical role in immune response regulation, and understanding their association with COVID-19 can provide insights into disease susceptibility and severity. This study aims to explore the association between HLA allele variability and COVID-19 susceptibility and severity among kidney transplant recipients. Methods In 2023, we conducted a study on 73 kidney transplant recipients who tested positive for COVID-19 via polymerase chain reaction. This study included assessments of clinical status, immunosuppressive drug levels, HLA allele frequencies, and donor-recipient tissue compatibility. Molecular analyses were performed using sequence-specific oligonucleotide typing, and statistical analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics, version 20.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results Among the participants, 31 were hospitalized and 42 were treated as outpatients. Significant differences were observed in HLA allele distributions, particularly the HLA-A*11 allele, which was more prevalent in outpatient-treated patients, suggesting a potential protective effect. No significant age differences were observed between hospitalized and outpatient groups. Serum tacrolimus levels were notably higher in outpatients. Statistical analyses revealed significant associations between certain HLA groups and the severity of COVID-19 infection. Conclusions This study highlights the importance of HLA allele compatibility in influencing the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in kidney transplant recipients. The findings suggest that specific HLA alleles may reduce susceptibility or moderate the severity of COVID-19, indicating a need for broader genetic studies across diverse populations to validate these observations and improve management strategies for transplant recipients during pandemics.

A Comparison of Laparoscopic Surgery and Open Surgery in Liver Resections: A Single-Center Experience.

OBJECTIVE: With the developments in patient management and the increase in surgical experience, the use of laparoscopy in liver resections has become widespread. However, with the consensus meetings and international recommendations, laparoscopic liver resections have been tried to be standardized. We aimed to present this laparoscopic liver resection experience by comparing open and laparoscopic techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent liver resections between 2015 and 2022 were retrospectively screened and divided into 2 groups as laparoscopic liver resections and patients who underwent liver resection with open surgery. Indications, resection techniques, operative times, length of hospital stay, early hospital mortality, and complications were compared between both groups using statistical methods. RESULTS: Laparoscopic surgery was performed in 31 (14%) patients, and open surgery was performed in 189 (86%). The mean operation time was 316 ± 168.2 minutes in patients who underwent laparoscopic liver resection. It was 329.4 ± 123.6 in the open surgery group. The length of hospital stay was 11.6 ± 4.9 days in patients who underwent laparoscopic liver resection, while it was 19.7 ± 12.1 days in patients who underwent open surgery. The difference between the length of hospital stay was statistically significant (Mann-Whitney U-test, P=.00). There was no difference between the 2 groups in terms of complications and early mortality. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic liver resections are a safe method that can be applied in 3 or less segment resections. As the experience of the surgical team increases, it can be safely applied for major hepatectomies.

Significance of the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, and Preoperative Nutritional Index as Predictors of Morbidity in Patients Who Underwent Liver Resection for Alveolar Echinococcosis.

AIM: We aimed to evaluate the significance of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and preoperative nutritional index (PNI) as predictors of morbidity in patients who underwent liver resection for alveolar echinococcosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This single-center study was designed as a retrospective study after obtaining ethical committee approval. The files of patients hospitalized at Ataturk University Faculty of Medicine, Erzurum, Turkey, between 2010 and 2019 and who underwent resection or liver transplantation for liver alveolar cysts were reviewed. Demographic features, laboratory parameters (complete blood count and biochemical parameters), lesion localizations and characteristics, type of surgery, intraoperative and postoperative complications (morbidity), and mortality status were evaluated by scanning patients' files. Preoperative blood samples were taken the day before the surgery, which is the period farthest from surgical stress, to have more accurate results. By contrast, postoperative blood samples were taken on the first postoperative day when surgical stress was the highest. The differences between the morbidity groups, including NLR, PLR, and PNI, were compared. RESULTS: Of the 172 patients in the study, 96 (55.8%) were female. The mean age of all patients was 48.51±15.57 (18-90). Perioperative complications were seen in 30 (17.4%) patients, while the morbidity and mortality rates of the study were 28.5% and 19.2%, respectively. Age, gender of patients, and preoperative laboratory parameters, including NLR, PLR, and PNI, did not affect morbidity. However, the presence of perioperative vascular injury (P=0.040) and complications (P=0.047), low postoperative lymphocyte rates (P=0.038), and high postoperative NLR were associated with increased morbidity. In addition, the mortality rate was significantly increased in patients with morbidity (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: From the results of the present study, it was found that preoperative parameters did not affect morbidity, while increased postoperative NLR levels and decreased lymphocyte rates increased morbidity.

Recurrence-Preventive Role of Flatus Tubes Following Endoscopic Decompression in Sigmoid Volvulus.

BACKGROUND: Sigmoid volvulus may recur following endoscopic decompression. Flatus tubes are traditionally used to prevent an early recurrence. This study aims to evaluate the recurrence-preventive role of the flatus tubes in sigmoid volvulus. METHODS: Sigmoid volvulus recurrence was retrospectively analyzed in prospectively collected clinical data of endoscopically decompressed 60 patients, in whom no tube, rectal tube, or sigmoidal tube was used. RESULTS: Mean pain/discomfort scores were higher in rectal and sigmoidal tube groups than that of no tube group (1.2 ± 0.4, 4.2 ± 0.9, and 3.5 ± 0.9, respectively, P < .001). The early recurrence was seen in 3 patients in the no tube group, while no early recurrence was determined during tube placement in the rectal and sigmoidal tube groups (15.0%, 0.0%, and 0.0%, respectively, P < .05, P < .05, and P > .05). The tubes were removed or spontaneously discharged in 13 (65.0%) and 12 patients (60.0%) in the rectal and sigmoidal tube groups, respectively, and sigmoid volvulus recurred in 2 patients in each group following the removal or spontaneous discharge. There was no statistically significant difference between the early recurrence rates of the no tube, rectal tube, and sigmoidal tube groups following the removal or spontaneous discharge of the tubes (15.0%, 15.4%, 16.7%, respectively, P > .05) and in total (15.0%, 10.0%, and 10.0%, respectively, P > .05). CONCLUSION: Flatus tubes may prevent the early volvulus recurrence during their placement in sigmoid volvulus. Nevertheless, they generally cause pain and discomfort, and they are frequently removed or spontaneously discharged, which suppresses their recurrence- preventive effects.

External Iliac Artery Anastomosis and Internal Iliac Artery Anastomosis for Artery anastomosis in Deceased-donor Kidney Transplantation and Multifactorial Analysis of Graft Survival.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of surgical techniques applied to arterial anastomosis for kidney transplantation on the graft outcome. STUDY DESIGN: Observational study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Organ Transplantation Center, Ataturk University Research Hospital and School of Medicine, Erzurum, Turkey, from January 2010 to January 2020. METHODOLOGY: In total, 143 consecutive patients who underwent deceased-donor-donor kidney transplantation during a 10-years period were retrospectively analysed. All patients were divided into two groups according to the vascular anastomosis techniques (end-to side external iliac and end-to-end internal iliac). The two groups were compared in terms of urine volume on postoperative days 1 and 7; blood creatinine levels on postoperative days 1, 2, and 7; complications; and graft survival. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 42.04 ± 11.1 years. No significant difference was observed between creatinine values ​​and urine amounts for both surgical techniques (p >0.05). Only the amount of urine on the postoperative 7th day had a significant effect on graft survival (p <0.05). There was no significant difference between the two anastomosis techniques in terms of graft survival (p >0.05). CONCLUSION: Both surgical techniques can be used safely in renal transplantation and arterial anastomosis. Also, decreased urine volume during follow-up can be considered as an early indicator of graft loss in the long-term. KEY WORDS: Kidney transplantation, Surgical anastomosis, Delayed graft function, Graft survival.

Development of diaphragmatic hernia following hepatectomy.

BACKGROUND: The majority of the diaphragmatic hernias developing on the right side are hernias developing after right hepatectomy. We aimed to present the clinical presentation at the time of admission, surgical treatment, and postoperative course of patients that developed DH following a major liver resection in our center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Liver surgeries performed in Ataturk University Organ Transplant Center and Ataturk University Research Hospital General surgery Hepatopancreatobiliary ward between 2012 and 2021 were analysed retrospectively. Demographic information, admission types (emergency or elective), admission clinics, the process of diaphragmatic hernia formation following hepatectomy, imaging methods used for diagnosis, and surgical methods performed were recorded for the patients with diaphragmatic hernia. Qualitative values were tabulated and their percentages were calculated. RESULTS: Six hundred and sixty patients who underwent major liver surgery in our center between 2012 and 2021 were analysed. It was found that diaphragmatic hernia developed in 9 (1.4%) of those patients. The incidence of diaphragmatic hernia after donor hepatectomy was 3.04% in our study. The mean time from the first surgery until the DH diagnosis was 47.33 ± 38.16 months. 1 (11.1%) patient had small intestine perforation and 1 patient had both small intestine and colon perforation. One patient died before to the surgery. CONCLUSION: DH following liver resection can cause fatal complications and it should be intervened when diagnosed. Although it is rare, centers particularly focusing on hepatobiliary surgery should determine a follow-up protocol to detect DH that develops after major liver resections.

Giant Incisional Hernia Repair Using Open Intraperitoneal Dual Mesh.

Aim Giant incisional herniae are larger than 15 cm and are typically treated with an open approach. Our aim was to highlight the outcomes of treating giant incisional hernia using open intraperitoneal dual mesh. Methods Between January 2015 and December 2021, 25 patients with giant incisional hernias, where fascial defects were 15-30 cm, were evaluated retrospectively. Intraperitoneal dual mesh was used in all patients. The patients were evaluated in terms of age, gender, body mass index (BMI), previous abdominal surgeries, defect diameter, anesthesia method, length of hospital stay, drain application, complications, and recurrence. Results Eleven of the patients were male and 14 were female. The mean age was 62±13.5 years (29-82 years). The average BMI was 32 kg/m2 (20-52 kg/m2). The mean size of the fascial defect was 22±5.5 cm (15-30). The mean operation time was 90 minutes (70-130 minutes). Six patients had type I and II complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification, specifically superficial skin infections, skin erosion, subcutaneous bleeding, and temporary ileus due to intestinal adhesion. During the average follow-up period of 36 months (6-70 months), no major complications were observed related to the recurrence and use of dual mesh. Conclusion In the treatment of giant incisional hernia, open intraperitoneal dual mesh application should be kept in mind as an effective treatment option with low complication and recurrence rates.

Genome-wide profiling of the expression of serum derived exosomal circRNAs in patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.

The patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis is poorly detected due to invasive and slow growth. Thus, early diagnosis of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis is so important for patients. Circular RNAs are crucial types of the non-coding RNA. Recent studies have provided serum-derived exosomal circRNAs as potential biomarkers for detection of various diseases. The clinical importance of exosomal circRNAs in hepatic alveolar echinococcosis have never been explored before. Here, we investigated the serum-derived exosomal circRNAs in the diagnosis of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. Firstly, High-throughput Sequencing was performed using 9 hepatic alveolar echinococcosis and 9 control samples to detect hepatic alveolar echinococcosis related circRNAs. Afterwards, bioinformatic analyzes were performed to identify differentially expressed circRNAs and pathway analyzes were performed. Finally, validation of the determined circRNAs was performed using RT-PCR. The sequencing data indicated that 59 differentially expressed circRNAs; 31 up-regulated and 28 down-regulated circRNA in hepatic alveolar echinococcosis patients. The top 5 up-regulated and down-regulated circRNAs were selected for validation by RT-qPCR assay. As a result of the verification, circRNAs that were significantly up- and down-regulated showed an expression profile consistent with the results obtained. Importantly, our findings suggested that identified exosomal circRNAs could be a potential biomarker for the detection of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis serum and may help to understand the pathogenesis of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.

Significance of laboratory parameters in diagnosing acute appendicitis during pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis (AA) is the most frequently seen surgical emergency in pregnant women and the most frequently encountered cause of non-obstetric acute abdomen. Due to the physiological and anatomical changes that occur during pregnancy and the limited use of radiological methods, it is difficult to diagnose AA during pregnancy. These conditions increase the risk of morbidity and mortality; therefore, it is crucial to identify ideal laboratory markers that can be utilized to diagnose disease. METHODS: One hundred and ten pregnancies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria for AA diagnosis were retrospectively analysed between 2010 and 2021. Markers with high diagnostic values were discussed. RESULTS: The patients were divided into three groups as follows; Group I: negative appendectomy (n = 19); Group IIa: uncomplicated appendicitis (n = 59); Group IIb: complicated appendicitis (n = 32). There was no statistically significant difference in mean age or gestational week (P > 0.05). Group IIb had a higher rate of complications and a longer length of hospital stay (P < 0.05). There were significant differences between the groups in terms of white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), C-reactive protein, lymphocyte-to- C-reactive protein ratio, total, direct, and indirect bilirubin values (P < 0.05). While platelet and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) values did not differ substantially between groups, both were found to have a high diagnostic value. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that WBC, neutrophil, NLR, PLR, total, direct and indirect bilirubin levels could be utilized to diagnose AA. Moreover, levels of WBC, neutrophil, NLR, platelet, PLR, LDH, total, direct and indirect bilirubin can be utilized to diagnose complicated appendicitis.

Comparison of Surgical Treatment Results of Large Incisional Hernias.

Introduction Incisional hernias are one of the most common complications after abdominal surgery. Surgical repairs of large incisional hernias have higher complications and recurrence rates compared to smaller incisional hernia repairs. For this reason, it is a more difficult and experience-requiring application for surgeons. In addition, there is no evidence-based consensus in the literature regarding the optimal surgical treatment of large incisional hernias. The aim of this study is to compare the results of the three most common surgical treatment methods used in a tertiary university hospital for the repair of large incisional hernias in terms of patients' characteristics, recurrence, and complication rates of the treatment methods. Methods Between 2014 and 2020, 366 patients with incisional hernias with facial defects larger than 10 cm in a tertiary medical faculty hospital located in eastern Turkey were analyzed. Patients were divided into three groups according to the surgical method used: open onlay prolene mesh (OPM) method, laparoscopic intraperitoneal sublay dual mesh (IPSDM) method, and open IPSDM method. Postoperative complications were divided into five groups as follows: wound complications, complications due to surgical procedures, medical complications, recurrences, and mortality. Treatment methods were compared according to the demographic characteristics of the patients and the postoperative complication rates. Results Of the patients, 141 were male and 225 were female, and the mean age was 58.0 ± 28 years. Of the patients, 81.9% were operated on with the open OPM, 10.9% with the laparoscopic IPSDM, and 7.1% with the open IPSDM. Wound complications occurred in 26.7% of patients, surgical complications in 3.2%, medical complications in 6.5%, recurrence in 9.2%, and mortality in 0.8% of patients. Total wound complications were significantly higher in the open OPM group (30%) (p = 0.009). Total surgery complications were significantly higher in the laparoscopic IPSDM group (15%) (p = 0.002). There was no significant difference between groups for medical complications (p = 0.540). Although no recurrence was observed in the open IPSDM group, no significant difference was observed between the groups (p = 0.099). There was no difference in mortality rates between the groups (p = 0.450). The overall complication rate was highest in the open OPM group (48.3%) and lowest in the open IPSDM group (27%) (p = 0.092). The operative time was found to be significantly shorter in open IPSDM (p < 0.001). The length of hospital stay was highest in the open OPM group and lowest in the open IPSDM group (p = 0.450). Conclusions Although hernia defect is greater in the open IPSDM compared to other methods, this method is more advantageous in terms of the complication rate associated with the surgical procedure, the overall complication rate, the duration of surgery, and the recurrence rate. Laparoscopic IPSDM is a more advantageous method in terms of the overall wound and medical complications.