Short-term revision rate of Rigicon Testi10TM testicular prosthesis in adolescents and adults: a retrospective chart review.

Testicular prosthesis implantation is a valuable solution for the physical, cosmetic, and psychological challenges associated with testicular loss which may affect males of any age. We evaluated the safety and reliability of the new Rigicon Testi10TM testicular prosthesis in adults and adolescents by performing an IRB-approved retrospective study of data drawn from Patient Information Forms (PIFs). A total of 427 patients (382 adults and 45 adolescents) had at least one testicular prosthesis implanted. Only one adult patient required revision surgery due to rupture of the Rigicon Testi10 TM saline-filled prosthesis. A 40-year-old patient was found to have a leaking prosthesis approximately one week postoperatively, which was suspected to be due to inadvertently punctured by the surgeon during the sterile saline filling process. There were no post-implantation revisions required for adolescent patients. According to our results, Kaplan-Meier calculation of survival from removal or revision was 99.8% for all patients at 54 months (99.7% for adults and 100% for adolescents). The complication rates among patients in this study are lower than those reported in previous published studies. Our study underscores the generally safe nature of testicular prosthesis implantation, as well as the very rare incidence of revision surgery for this new device.

High antibiotic resistance rates in Helicobacter pylori strains in Turkey over 20 years: implications for gastric disease treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Helicobacter pylori (Hp) eradication therapy is crucial for preventing the development of gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer. An increase in resistance against antibiotics used in the eradication of Hp is remarkable. This meta-analysis aims to examine the resistance rates of Hp strains isolated in Turkey over the last 20 years against clarithromycin (CLR), metronidazole (MTZ), levofloxacin (LVX), tetracycline (TET), and amoxicillin (AMX) antibiotics. BASIC METHODS: Literature search was carried out in electronic databases, by searching articles published in Turkish and English with the keywords ' helicobacter pylori ' or 'Hp' and 'antibiotic resistance' and 'Turkey'. That meta-analysis was carried out using random-effect model. First, the 20-year period data between 2002 and 2021 in Turkey were planned to be analyzed. As a second stage, the period between 2002 and 2011 was classified as Group 1, and the period between 2012 and 2021 as Group 2 for analysis, with the objective of revealing the 10-year temporal variation in antibiotic resistance rates. MAIN RESULTS: In gastric biopsy specimens, 34 data from 29 studies were included in the analysis. Between 2002-2021, CLR resistance rate was 30.9% (95% CI: 25.9-36.2) in 2615 Hp strains. Specifically, in Group 1, the CLR resistance rate was 31% in 1912 strains, and in Group 2, it was 30.7% in 703 strains. The MTZ resistance rate was found to be 31.9% (95% CI: 19.8-45.4) in 789 strains, with rates of 21.5% in Group 1 and 46.6% in Group 2. The overall LVX resistance rate was 25.6%, with rates of 26.9% in Group 1 and 24.8% in Group 2. The 20-year TET resistance rate was 0.8%, with 1.50% in Group 1 and 0.2% in Group 2. The overall AMX resistance rate was 2.9%, 3.8% between 2002-2011, and 1.4% between 2012-2021. PRINCIPAL CONCLUSION: Hp strains in Turkey exhibit high resistance rates due to frequent use of CLR, MTZ, and LVX antibiotics. However, a significant decrease has been observed in TET and AMX resistance to Hp in the last 10 years. Considering the CLR resistance rate surpasses 20%, we suggest reconsidering the use of conventional triple drug therapy as a first-line treatment. Instead, we recommend bismuth-containing quadruple therapy or sequential therapies (without bismuth) for first-line treatment, given the lower rates of TET and AMX resistance. Regimens containing a combination of AMX, CLR, and MTZ should be given priority in second-line therapy. Finally, in centers offering culture and antibiogram opportunities, regulating the Hp eradication treatment based on the antibiogram results is obviously more appropriate.

Genetic insights into bladder cancer: the impact of SIRT1 gene polymorphism.

Bladder cancer (BC) has shown a significant global health concern with distinct pathological, genetic, and epigenetic characteristics. Its prevalence is influenced by various risk factors, including age, gender, and genetic predisposition. This study investigates the association between BC and the Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) gene polymorphism rs369274325 in the Turkish population. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood samples and genotyping of rs369274325 polymorphism in SIRT 1 was investigated in 200 individuals (in 100 Turkish bladder cancer patients and 100 healthy individuals as the control group.) by real-time PCR. Demographic information, smoking and alcohol consumption status was analyzed by statistical analysis. Statistical analysis was performed by Pearson's Chi-square test. Smoking and alcohol consumption were significantly higher in BC patients compared to controls (p < 0.00018 and p < 0.0001, respectively). The genotypic distribution of SIRT1 rs369274325 did not show a significant difference between BC patients and controls (p = 0.5550). BC, influenced by genetic and environmental factors, has been linked to various gene mutations. SIRT1, involved in diverse physiological processes, is proposed to play a role in BC. However, our study did not find a significant association between SIRT1 rs369274325 polymorphism and BC in the Turkish population.

Unraveling the blood microbiome: novel insights into inflammasome responses in Crohn's disease.

OBJECTIVE: Crohn's disease (CD), an inflammatory bowel disease with unknown etiology, is influenced by genetic, environmental, and immunological factors. This study aimed to analyze the blood microbiome and inflammasome responses, emphasizing NLRP3 protein expression and IL-1ß and IL-18 plasma levels, between Crohn's patients and healthy subjects. METHODS: A total of 40 volunteers were included in this study. The 16S rRNA technique was used to sequence the V3-V4 regions of the blood sample. NLRP3 protein levels in plasma were ascertained through Western Blot, and IL-1ß and IL-18 plasma profiles were examined using ELISA. RESULTS: Analysis highlighted five unique phyla in patients' plasma, emphasizing the role of the blood microbiome in CD. Compared to controls, Crohn's patients exhibited elevated NLRP3 protein expression. Plasma IL-1ß levels were diminished in patients (P = 0.0041), whereas IL-18 levels were comparably higher (P = 0.8209). In patients with CD, the presence of Staphylococcus sciuri in blood samples highlights its potential role in the disease's onset. The study also underscored the interplay between dietary habits, specifically increased meat consumption, and the progression of CD. CONCLUSION: Our pioneering research discerns the variations in the blood microbiome and inflammasome responses between Crohn's patients and healthy individuals. Significant microbiome alterations and the detection of the Staphylococcus sciuri pathogen in Crohn's patients were notable. The pronounced NLRP3 protein in patients suggests its potential as a diagnostic biomarker. Future explorations into IL-1ß and IL-18 pathways promise to unveil innovative insights into CD.

Investigation of the effects of mir-219-1 gene variants on the development of disease in non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Background: Various variants of the miR-219-1 gene are one of the first genes associated with NSCLC prognosis in the literature. Objectives: We aimed to genotype two different variants of the miR-219-1 gene and to investigate to using of the result as a biomarker in the diagnosis and treatment of NSCLC. Materials and Methods: The patients were chosen according to International NSCLC criteria and genomic DNA was isolated from blood (138 patients and 100 healthy individuals). Then qRT-PCR was applied to determine the rs213210 and rs421446 variants of miR-219-1 gene polymorphisms. Allele and genotype frequencies were compared using Pearson's chi-square and Fisher's exact tests test. Results: We found that TT genotype (p=0,381) in rs213210 compared with CC genotype (p=0,165) and CC genotype (p=0,823) in rs421446 compared with TT genotype (p=0,537) did not show a significantly increased risk of NSCLC. There is no relationship between polymorphisms in miR-219-1 and the outcome of NSCLC. Conclusion: miRNA single nucleotide polymorphisms can be used as genetic biomarkers to predict cancer susceptibility, early diagnosis, and prognosis. Our study has shown that two variants of miR-219-1 were not related to NSCLC in the Turkish population. The reason for this can be differences in ethnicity, regions, and background of population and these differences could lead to various outcomes.

Adoptive T-cell therapies to overcome T cell-dependent immune dysregulations in COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been an important global interest that affected millions of people, and it requires a deep investigation of the disease immunology for developing further therapeutic applications. Adoptive T cell therapy promises to address T cell-dependent immune dysregulation in COVID-19 patients by the generation of specific T cell clones against virus-specific antigens. Additionally, targeting B cell-dependent protection through COVID-19 vaccines, which have been developed in the recent year, possessed sufficient prevention for spreading the virus, since the cases and deaths related to COVID-19 tend to decrease after the vaccination. However, adoptive cell therapies are now encouraging scientists to deal with pathological challenges like inadequate T cell-dependent immune response or lymphopenia, since they are the most frequent outcome of severe infection, especially in immunocompromized patients. In this review, the current knowledge of immunopathology of COVID-19 was aimed to be highlighted along with the T cell responses against SARS-CoV-2 to comprise a basis for therapeutics. Moreover, current therapeutics and treatment strategies for COVID-19 were discussed to evaluate possible agents. Furthermore, the use of adoptive T cell therapy representing an emerging therapeutic approach was purposed to be presented comprehensively against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Even though further studies are needed to fully understand T cell response against SARS-CoV-2 in order to develop therapies to provide long term and efficient protection, adoptive cell therapies now meet the demand for a large population of people who suffer immunocompromization, considering the previous usage of the technique for different infectious diseases.

The Important Role of TMPRSS2 Gene in Covid-19 and Prostate Cancer: In Silico Approach

Abstract Some studies have discovered a connection between prostate cancer and COVID-19. In this study, we evaluated the link between prostate cancer and COVID-19, contributing to elucidate the connection between TMPRSS2 and ACE2. We discovered 209 number of variants in TMPRSS2 gene, and 110 variants represent EA populations and 99 of them represent AA populations. Moreover, we found 23 suspected missense and 3 unknown variants. Then, linked genes to TMPRSS2 and ACE2 were found in our study. We investigated the expression level of TMPRSS2 and the results showed that it was very high in the prostate, colon, lung, kidney, and saliva-secreting gland. Also, the important role of the AR gene was revealed in addition to other oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes for prostate cancer by KEGG Pathway analysis. In conclusion, these results can highlight several molecular mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2, and also TMPRSS2, ACE2, and AR connection explains the high expression level of AR gene found in the male lung.

Determination of B- and T- cell epitopes for Helicobacter pylori cagPAI: An in silico approach.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Helicobacter pylori is classified as a gram-negative bacteria and can cause significant diseases, including gastric cancer, mucosa-associated lymphoid tumor, peptic ulcer, and chronic gastritis. Recent studies have shown that some autoimmune diseases are also associated with H. pylori. In the past decades, polymorphisms of certain genes of H. pylori, mechanisms and strains of H. pylori, and new therapeutic approaches have continued to be defined. Bioinformatic tools continue to be used in drug design and vaccine design. This study aimed to investigate the cag pathogenicity island (cagPAI) of H. pylori using an in silico approach, which could contribute to vaccine studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The pathogenicity island of H. pylori was obtained from GenBank and analyzed with ClustalW software. Structures of cag Virb11 (Hp0525) and an inhibitory protein (Hp1451) were obtained, and codon optimization and secondary and tertiary structure prediction for the cagPAI of H. pylori were analyzed using Garnier-Osguthorpe-Rabson IV secondary structure prediction method and self-optimized prediction method with alignment software. The BcePred prediction server was used to distinguish linear B-cell epitopes, and prediction of T-cell was obtained with NetCTL and MHCPred. RESULTS: According to the physicochemical parameters, the cagPAI of H. pylori was analyzed and found to be stable, and 2 B-cell epitopes of cagPAI of H. pylori and 2 T-cell epitopes of cagPAI were found in this study. CONCLUSION: B- and T-cell epitopes that we have identified can induce both humoral and cellular immune responses. Thus, these epitopes have a potential for vaccine studies. Consequently, this in silico analysis should be combined with other pieces of evidence, including experimental data, to assign function.

Polymorphisms in Toll-like receptors 1, 2, 5, and 10 are associated with predisposition to Helicobacter pylori infection.

OBJECTIVE: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are significant receptors to the innate immune system which symbolizes a family of pattern recognition receptors. We aimed to investigate associations between rs4833095 polymorphism of TLR1, rs3804099 polymorphism of TLR2, rs5744174 polymorphism of TLR5, and rs10004195 polymorphism of TLR10 in dyspeptic individuals with Helicobacter pylori infection. METHODS: Genomic DNA was isolated and genotyping of rs4833095 polymorphism in TLR1, rs3804099 polymorphism in TLR2, rs5744174 polymorphism in TLR5, and rs10004195 polymorphism in TLR10 were investigated in 400 individuals (205 in dyspeptic individuals with H. pylori-positive subjects and 195 dyspeptic individuals with H. pylori-negative subjects) by real-time PCR. Statistical analysis was performed by Pearson's Chi-square test. RESULTS: According to our study; rs4833095 polymorphism in TLR1 C allele, rs3804099 polymorphism in TLR2 C allele, rs5744174 polymorphism in TLR5 C allele, and rs10004195 polymorphism in TLR10 A allele increased the risk of H. pylori infection [odds ratio (OR), 2.01; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.39-3.16; OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.19-2.6; OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.25-2.78; OR, 2.66; 95% CI, 1.72-4.099, respectively]. CONCLUSION: This is the first study that investigates TLRs in H. pylori infection in Turkey. Our findings may support the hypothesis that polymorphisms in certain TLRs may cause a genetic predisposition to H. pylori-related gastric problems.

Role of ACE2 Gene Expression in Renin Angiotensin System and Its Importance in Covid-19: In Silico Approach

Abstract We aimed to analyze the expression profile of ACE2 and similar genes with ACE2, predict the number of variations in ACE2, detect the suspected SNPs on ACE2 gene, and perform the pathway analysis of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and protein absorption-digestion. Moreover, we have predicted the gene-related diseases with ACE2. STRING was used to analyze functionally similar genes with ACE2. Exome Variant Server, SIFT, Polyphen2 were used to predict the number of variations in ACE2 and detect the suspected SNPs on ACE2. KEGG database and STRING were used to draw pathway of ACE2. Then, DISEASES resource, FitSNPs, UniProt, BioXpress, IGV Browser, Ensembl Genome Browser, and UCSC Genome Browser were used to predict the ACE2 gene-related diseases and expression profile in human normal and cancer tissues. We have shown that expression of ACE2 was correlated with AGT, REN, AGTR1, AGRT2, MME2, DPP4, PRCP, MEP1A, XPNPEP2, MEP1BandACE2 is expressed in testis, kidney, heart, thyroid, colon, esophagus, breast, minor salivary gland, pancreas, lung, liver, bladder, cervix, and muscle tissues. We found 99 variations in ACE2 gene, in which no previous study has been performed. In the future, this in silico analysis should be combined with other pieces of evidence including experimental data to assign function.