Hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism are associated with fatty pancreas (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Pancreas Disease).

OBJECTIVES: Increasing visceral fat deposition with raised prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome is associated with many adverse conditions, especially cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Although there are many studies that investigate hepatic steatosis in hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism, to the best of our knowledge, there is no study investigating its relationship with pancreatic steatosis. In the present study, the purpose was to investigate this relationship. METHODS: Physical and biochemical characteristics of 30 hypothyroid, 30 subclinical hypothyroid, and 30 euthyroid volunteers were recorded in this cross-sectional study. Liver and pancreatic steatosis were evaluated with ultrasonography. RESULTS: It was found that pancreatic steatosis was increased in hypothyroid and subclinical groups when compared to the control group, and hepatic steatosis was increased in the subclinical group when compared to the control group (steatosis; p = 0.002, p = 0.004, p = 0.001, p = 0.002, p = 0.002, p = 0.004). Pancreatic steatosis was positively correlated with age, hepatic steatosis, height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, hemoglobin, Insulin, alanine aminotransferase, Triglyceride, Creatinine, and gamma-glutamyltransferase and was negatively correlated with total cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of pancreatic steatosis was found to be increased in hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism when compared with the euthyroid control group.

The Effectiveness of LISTEXTM P100 in Reducing the Biofilm of Listeria spp. on Steel, Plastic, and Galvanised Surfaces.

BACKGROUND: Eliminating and managing L. monocytogenes, L. welshimeri, and L. ivanovii biofilms is a significant problem for food safety, as listeriosis is among the worst foodborne illnesses. METHOD: The Listex P100 bacteriophage's bactericidal and inhibitory properties have been investigated in relation to varying strains of vegetative cells and biofilms of L. monocytogenes, L. welshimeri, and L. ivanovii. RESULTS: The phage concentrations of 109 and 1010 PFU/ml showed strong antibacterial activity against L. monocytogenes, L. welshimeri, and L. ivanovii at both 10°C and 30°C (P<0.05). In 96- well microplate experiments, bacteriophage treatment inhibited biofilm development and reduced biofilm by up to 57.6% (P ≤ 0.05). When compared to controls, Listex P100 bacteriophage significantly reduced the populations of L. monocytogenes, L. welshimeri, and L. ivanovii biofilms on the surfaces of galvanised, stainless steel, and plastic surfaces where holes were produced and the structure of Listeria spp. was disturbed. CONCLUSION: This study clearly demonstrated that L. monocytogenes, L. welshimeri, and L. ivanovii biofilms on galvanised, stainless steel, and plastic surfaces might be removed by using Listex P100 bacteriophage.

Evaluation of contrast induced nephropathy related risk factors and long-term results.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to evaluate the frequency of contrast induced nephropathy (CIN), its relationship with accepted risk factors and long-term renal outcomes in patients who underwent coronary angiography (CAG). METHODS: All patients who underwent CAG between April 2020 and April 2021 were retrospectively evaluated. CIN was defined as characteristic increase in serum creatinine after CAG. RESULTS: CIN developed in 50 (5.4%) of 934 patients. The CIN rate was found to be statistically significantly higher in patients with diabetes, hypertension, heart failure and those using diuretics. Pre-procedural hemoglobin, albumin and GFR were found to be independent risk factors for CIN. After discharge, the urea and creatinine values of the patients who developed CIN were significantly higher than those who did not. CONCLUSION: We concluded that in order to reduce the development of CIN, hemoglobin and albumin levels should be evaluated with renal functions before the procedure and they should be kept within normal limits.

The assessment of health-related quality of life in patients with polycythemia vera.

Previous studies have shown that patients with polycythemia vera (PV) have poor quality of life (QoL). Similarly, it has been shown that survival is influenced by QoL. We aimed to evaluate QoL in 88 Turkish patients with PV. This cross-sectional study included cases diagnosed with PV between January 1995 and August 2019 who attended follow-up studies in the hematology department of a tertiary hospital in Türkiye between August 2019 and July 2020. Beginning in August 2019, subjects who approved study participation applied the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) questionnaire during their routine follow-up-given that they met inclusion/exclusion criteria. Individuals with comorbidities or factors influencing QoL and those with secondary PV-related conditions were excluded. Recorded data included age, sex, history of bleeding, thrombosis, erythrocytosis, leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, obesity or splenomegaly, and cytogenetic mutation profiles such as JAK2, BCR and MPL. We also assessed whether they needed phlebotomy or erythrocyte suspensions. Data concerning comorbidities and medication use were obtained from medical records. The median age of patients was 52 (44-61) years. The majority of participants were male (67.05%). Global health status score was 75 (66.67-83.33). PV patients who had required phlebotomy demonstrated higher social functioning scores (P = .004) and lower scores for loss of appetite (P = .013) and financial difficulties (P = .020) than patients without phlebotomy. PV patients who had suffered from leukocytosis demonstrated lower physical functioning scores compared to those without leukocytosis (P = .001). Patients without JAK2 exon 14 mutations had better physical (P = .016) and cognitive functioning scores (P = .048). It was found that PV patients with splenomegaly demonstrated lower physical functioning (P = .019) and higher appetite loss scores (P = .005) than those without splenomegaly. Higher leucocyte counts were associated with decreased physical functioning and greater fatigue. In conclusion, we demonstrated deterioration of physical and emotional QoL in patients diagnosed with PV. Patients with PV require individualized, patient-specific and integrated approaches in order to minimize symptoms, improve QoL, and increase survival.

Assessment of the factors that affect fast-track or early extubation following pediatric cardiac surgery.

Background: This study aims to evaluate the early extubation rate and the factors affecting early extubation in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods: Between August 1st, 2020 and December 1st, 2021, a total of 528 pediatric patients (264 males, 264 females; median age: 4 months; range, 2 days to 24 months) who were followed in the pediatric cardiac intensive care unit after congenital heart surgery were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients including operation and intensive care data were obtained from the medical records. Patients included in the study were categorized into three groups as the group of patients who were extubated in the operating room (fast-track extubation), the group of patients who were extubated in the first 6 h of the operation (early extubation), the group of patients who were extubated after the postoperative 6 h or the group of patients who were not extubated or died (delayed extubation). Results: Sixty-eight (12.9%) cases had fast-tract extubation, 124 (23.6%) cases had early extubation, and 335 (63.6%) cases had delayed extubation. The median age of the patients in the delayed extubation group was three months, which was significantly lower than those of the other groups (p<0.05). Reintubation rates were 1.5% in the fast-tract extubation group, 2.5% in early extubation group, and 9% in delayed extubation group (p<0.05). The median intensive care unit stay was 3, 5, and 10 days, respectively (p<0.05). Length of hospitalization was significantly higher in the delayed extubation group compared to the other groups (p<0.05). Neonatal age group, Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery 1 score >4, Society of Thoracic Surgeons- European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery mortality category >3, cardiopulmonary bypass time >100/min, vasoactive inotrope score >8, acute kidney injury >2, and low weight were found to be independent risk factors for delayed extubation. Conclusion: Fast-track and early extubation can be successfully applied with low reintubation rates in selected cases with congenital heart surgery. Age, body weight, presence of genetic syndrome, operational risk category, and procedure time may affect the extubation time.