Digital Commons Network^™

Effectiveness Of Ultrasonography-Guided Periforaminal Oxygen-Ozone Therapy In Chronic Low Back Pain, Esra Ülgen Kiratlioğlu, Kutay Tezel, Eda Gürçay

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Treatment of chronic low back pain (LBP) includes various minimally invasive image-guided interventional techniques. The aim of this study, which was planned based on the idea that periforaminal oxygen-ozone (O2-O3) gas application with ultrasonography (USG) could be an alternative treatment option, was to compare the therapeutic efficacy of USG-guided periforaminal ozone infiltration (PFOI) or transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) in patients with chronic radicular LBP on pain, disability, and quality of life (QoL).

Materials and methods: A total of 50 patients were randomly divided into 2 groups of 25 patients each underwent PFOI by USG or TFESI via fluoroscopy. …

Prognostic Factors For Long-Term Outcomes Of Unilateral Atrophic Kidneys In Adult Patients: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study, Zülal İstemi̇han, Ahmet Burak Di̇ri̇m, Ali̇ Riza Uçar, Ceren Bağriaçik, Gamze Kemeç, Şafak Mi̇ri̇oğlu, Seda Şafak, Vafa Suleymanova, Özgür Akin Oto, Ayşe Serra Artan, Alaatti̇n Yildiz, Aydin Türkmen, Hali̇l Yazici

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Unilateral atrophic kidney (UAK) could be related to many etiologies that can cause chronic kidney disease in adults. There is limited data on the long-term outcome of adults with UAK in the literature.

Materials and methods: This study included 199 adult patients with UAK. The etiology, baseline clinical/laboratory, and radiological findings were evaluated. Composite primary outcomes (CPO) (chronic kidney disease stage 5 or doubling of serum creatinine) and secondary outcomes (new-onset proteinuria (>0.5 g/day or g/g) or >50% increase in proteinuria level according to baseline, mortality, and nephrectomy requirement during follow-up) were evaluated in 166 patients with at …

Thermal Compensation Algorithm In Manoscan™ High-Resolution Esophageal Manometry: Does It Really Affect Manometry Metrics And Final Diagnosis?, Ekrem Aslan, Erdem Akbal

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The accuracy of pressure measurements with ManoScan™ high-resolution manometry (HRM) catheters decreases due to the development of pressure drift (PD) resulting from variations between room and body temperature. The corrective algorithm called thermal compensation (TC), added to the manometry software program by the manufacturer is used to prevent the development of PD. To date, no studies have demonstrated that PD leads to changes in manometry metrics and/or clinical diagnosis. The present study aims to demonstrate the impact of the TC algorithm on HRM metrics and final diagnosis.

Materials and methods: Records of 124 consecutive esophageal HRM studies with ManoScan™ …

Health Impacts And Medical Assistance After Libyan Flood Disaster: Emergency Medical Teams’ Responses, Hakan Güner, Okan Maden, Muhammed Saltuk Deni̇z, Kerem Dost Bi̇lmez, Şükrü Yorulmaz, Mehmet Enes Gökler

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Floods are the most frequent natural disasters and pose direct and indirect health risks, some well-documented and others poorly understood. Epidemiological studies help bridge these gaps and guide effective public health responses.In September 2023, Storm Daniel caused severe flooding in Libya, damaging infrastructure, including healthcare facilities. The disaster affected 250,000 people, displaced 48,000, and claimed 15,000 lives, making it the second deadliest natural disaster of the year. This study aims to assess the characteristics of flood-affected patients to improve disaster preparedness.

Materials and methods: This descriptive study examined disaster victims who visited three clinics established as part of an …

Development Study Of Scientific Competence And Activity Scale In Medical Faculty Research Assistants, Cemal Koçak, Hande Güverci̇n, Ecem Esen, Meltem Çöl

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: One mission of medical faculties is training scientists equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills, attitudes, who can evaluate the scientific research. The aim was to develop a scale for evaluating the level of scientific competence and activity in research assistants.

Materials and methods: The study is a methodological study, conducted in October 2023-May 2024 with 299 research assistants working at X University Faculty of Medicine. The reliability was assessed by item-total correlation and Cronbach-alpha coefficient; construct validity was assessed by EFA. In EFA, principal component analysis, Varimax rotation were used. KMO and Barttlet test p value were calculated. Groups …

Forensic Identification Using Airdna: A Preliminary Study On The Collection, Isolation, Amplification And Sequencing Of Human Dna From Air Samples, Sitki Tiplamaz, Zehra Ömeroğlu Ulu, Bestami̇ Çolak, Hizir Asliyüksek, Fi̇kretti̇n Şahi̇n

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Humans continually release skin cells and DNA fragments into the air. This DNA can either remain airborne or drop onto surfaces as indoor dust. This study investigates the collection, isolation, amplification, and sequencing of human DNA from air samples, focusing on both nuclear DNA and mitochondrial DNA.

Materials and methods: This study was conducted in a 15 m3 room and a meeting room, where air samples were systematically collected and filtered using a vacuum device equipped with various sterile filters. The rigorous protocols were implemented to prevent contamination throughout the process. Thirteen air samples were processed in this research, …

Effect Of Ear Health, Care Practices, And Hearing Loss On Academic Performance Among Male Adolescents In Residential Schools: A Cross-Sectional Study In Eastern India, Sumeet Angral, Bijit Biswas, Ksbs Krishna Sasanka, Gulistan Bano

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the association between ear health, ear care practices, and academic performance among male adolescents in residential schools.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 684 male adolescents residing in residential schools in Deoghar, Jharkhand, India, during World Hearing Day 2023. Data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics, ear care practices, and academic performance. Comprehensive ear examinations and pure tone audiometry were performed to assess ear morbidity and hearing thresholds.Results: Ear morbidity was identified in 43% of participants, with bilateral involvement in 85% of these cases. Ear-related symptoms were reported by 26.3% of participants, including …

Unraveling The Relationship Between Sexual Shame And Father-Child Sex Communication, Hannah Mireya Brundage

Theses and Dissertations

This study sought to understand the relationship between father’s sexual shame and children’s sexual shame. Parents play a role in shaping their children’s behaviors and perceptions in regard to sexuality. Most of this research analyzed data from the viewpoint of the mother, missing the potentially unique perspective and influence of fathers. Using longitudinal survey data from 361 fathers-adolescent dyads, I proposed to study the relations between father sexual shame and child sexual shame, and the possible mediating role of father-child sex communication. I predicted that quality of sex communication, including controlling and open communication, would mediate father sexual shame and …

Enhancing Fault Tolerance In Tmr Soft Risc-V Fpga Socs Through Failure-Driven Mitigation Strategies, Andrew Elbert Wilson

Theses and Dissertations

Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) leveraging soft processors, particularly those implementing the open-standard RISC-V Instruction Set Architecture (ISA), are increasingly important for space missions due to their adaptability and reconfigurability. However, their susceptibility to radiation-induced Single Event Upsets (SEUs) presents significant reliability challenges, necessitating robust fault-tolerant strategies such as Triple Modular Redundancy (TMR). This dissertation evaluates the effectiveness of TMR-based mitigation techniques for Linux-capable soft RISC-V System-on-Chip (SoC) implementations deployed on SRAM-based FPGAs operating in high-radiation environments. Using a combination of deterministic fault injection and neutron radiation testing, this work identifies critical residual single-point failure modes that persist in TMR-protected designs. …

Hypofractionated, Dose-Escalated Radiation Versus Conventionally Fractionated Radiation For Localized Prostate Cancer: Long-Term Update Of A Phase Iii, Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial, Comron Hassanzadeh, Deborah Kuban, Sarah Pasyar, Roland Bassett, Patricia Troncoso, Maheen Ansari, Pamela Schlembach, Sean Mcguire, Quynh Nguyen, Steven Frank, Henry Mok, Osama Mohamad, Ryan Park, Chad Tang, Weiliang Du, Rajat Kudchadker, Seungtaek Choi, Karen Hoffman

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The MD Anderson dose-escalated, hypofractionated prostate radiation study was a phase III randomized trial comparing conventionally fractionated intensity-modulated radiation therapy (CIMRT, 75.6Gy in 1.8-Gy fractions) to dose-escalated, hypofractionated intensity-modulated radiation (HIMRT, 72Gy in 2.4-Gy fractions) in patients with localized prostate cancer, predominantly low and intermediate risk disease. The initial publication highlighted statistically fewer treatment failures in the HIMRT arm. We present long-term updated 13-year outcomes to determine whether cancer control benefit was maintained and to evaluate distant metastases post-hoc. With a median follow-up of 13.2 years (interquartile range, 8.8-15.9 years), treatment failure occurred less frequently in men undergoing HIMRT (n=13) …

A Study On Covid-19 Outbreak In Cook County Of Illinois, Suraj Powar

Research Papers

This study presents a mathematical model developed to better understand the transmission dynamics of COVID-19 and evaluate the effectiveness of different public health strategies. The model, called SEQIRD, includes of the disease such as exposure, quarantine, infection, recovery, and death. Using real case and death data from Cook County, Illinois, the model closely fits observed trends and captures both pre and post-lockdown dynamics with high accuracy.

Our results show that early intervention significantly reduces total infections, with lockdown imposed even a few days earlier preventing thousands of cases. Through sensitivity analysis, we also identify that parameters such as transmission rate, …

Jeffrey Cuttler V. Allegheny County

2025 Decisions

USDC for the Western District of Pennsylvania

Expert Opinion On Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis And Treatment Of Infantile Onset Pompe Disease: A Delphi Study In Türkiye, Eki̇n Özsaydi Aktaşoğlu, Asli İnci̇, Ridvan Murat Öktem, Gürsel Bi̇beroğlu, İlyas Okur, Fati̇h Süheyl Ezgü, Fi̇li̇z Başak Cengi̇z Ergi̇n, Abdurrahman Akgün, Nur Arslan, Hali̇l İbrahi̇m Aydin, Ayşe Ergül Bozaci, Mahmut Çoker, Fatma Tuba Emi̇noğlu, Meli̇ke Ersoy, Emi̇ne Göksoy, Banu Kadioğlu Yilmaz, Mehtap Kağnici, Mustafa Kiliç, Nesli̇han Önenli̇ Mungan, Burcu Öztürk Hişmi̇, Pembe Soylu Üstkoyuncu, Ayşegül Tokatli, Ayşe Çi̇ğdem Aktuğlu Zeybek, Berrak Bi̇lgi̇ner Gürbüz, Sevi̇l Dorum, Di̇lek Güneş, Çi̇ğdem Seher Kasapkara, Sebi̇le Kilavuz, Erdoğan Soyuçen, Peli̇n Teke Kisa, Özlem Ünal Uzun, Fatma Derya Bulut, Songül Gökay, Selen Has Özhan, Deni̇z Kor, Aynur Küçükcongar Yavaş, Fi̇gen Özçay, Yilmaz Yildiz, Harun Yildiz, Leyla Tümer

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Pompe disease (acid maltase deficiency, glycogen storage disease type II, OMIM #606800) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by lysosomal acid-α-glucosidase deficiency. The infantile-onset type of the disease is mainly characterized by cardiomegaly, hypotonia, and a high mortality rate. This study aimed to create a national consensus about infantile-onset Pompe disease (IOPD) to raise awareness among clinicians and standardize diagnosis and treatment approaches in Türkiye.

Materials and methods: The Gazi University Division of Metabolic Diseases and Nutrition developed this expert opinion consensus and expanded it to include metabolism specialists across Türkiye. A systematic literature review was performed, and the …

О Взаимодействии Грамматики И Словаря На Занятиях По Рки: Глаголы Перемещения И Их Лексикографические Толкования / On The Interaction Of Grammar And Vocabulary In Teaching Russian As A L2 (Rki): Motion Verbs And Their Lexicographic Definitions, Svetlana Krylosova

Russian Language Journal

This article examines how lexicographic definitions can be meaningfully integrated into the teaching of Russian grammar within a university-level Russian-as-a-foreign-language curriculum, focusing on the case of paired motion verbs. Drawing on the theoretical framework of Igor Mel’čuk’s Explanatory Combinatorial Lexicology, the study shows how academic dictionary entries can be transformed into learner-friendly tools tailored to the needs of advanced learners. Through a detailed analysis of pedagogically adapted definitions for the verbs letet’ and letat’, the author outlines a step-by-step classroom approach. Particular attention is paid to how semantic distinctions between the verbs are clarified and how common learner difficulties …

Generation Of Non-Maxwell-Boltzmann Energy Distributions During Thermalization Of Interacting Baths, Roberto Onofrio, Bala Sundaram

Data and Datasets

data associated with all the figures in the publication.

The Long-Term Efficacy Of Nusinersen On Respiratory Functions In Children With Symptomatic Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1, Mehmet Aki̇f Kiliç, Fulya Kürekçi̇, Osman Ki̇poğlu, Orhan Coşkun, Burçi̇n Nazli Karacebey, Selahatti̇n Katar, Ridvan Avci, Hülya Maraş Genç, Erkan Çakir, Edi̇be Pembegül Yildiz

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Available data regarding the effects of nusinersen on respiratory function in the real-world setting are uncertain. We aim to evaluate the impact of nusinersen on respiratory outcomes with a follow-up period of up to 72 months in patients with symptomatic spinal muscular atrophy type 1 (SMA type1).

Materials and methods: Respiratory status is defined similarly to previous studies: spontaneous breathing, non-invasive ventilatory support for ≤16 hours per day, and permanent assisted ventilation. The planned evaluation time was day 180 (after the fourth dose), day 300 (after the fifth dose), and after the last injection for patients who received nusinersen …

Hmga2 Associated Cerna-Hotair Pathway In Breast Cancer Patients From Clinicopathological Perspective, Peli̇n Ercoşkun, Deni̇z Ağirbaşli, Mehmet Veli̇dedeoğlu, Mehmet Seven, Aysel Kalayci

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Several epigenetic alterations are involved in the development of breast cancer. The long noncoding RNA HOTAIR and related RNAs play a role in initiation of breast cancer and are promising targets for diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic studies. In this study, we aimed to investigate HMGA2 associated ceRNA HOTAIR pathway in breast cancer patients.

Materials and methods: Forty breast cancer patients and ten healthy controls were included in this study, and then patients were divided into clinicopathologic groups. After total cell-free RNA isolation, expression levels of target RNAs were analysed by Real-Time PCR. The amount of gene expression was determined …

The Perfect Pairing: Early Stand Dynamics In Conventional Aspen And Mixedwood Forests In Northern Minnesota, Usa, Chelsea C. Semper, John M. Zobel, Sawyer S. Scherer, Michael R. Reinikainen, Matthew B. Russell, Tyler S. Gifford, Marcella A. Windmuller‑Campione

Aspen Bibliography

In North America, mixedwood management is being increasingly considered by natural resource managers as an alternative to single species management for a variety of ecological, economic, and cultural reasons. In northern Minnesota, USA, natural resource managers are increasingly using treatments to establish mixedwood forests in aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx, Populus grandientata Michx) dominated ecosystems by planting white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench). However, little quantitative information is known regarding differences between stand structure and composition in conventional aspen and aspen-white spruce during early stand development. To provide greater clarity for managers, we sampled 40 aspen stands across a chronosequence …

A Comprehensive Systematic Review Of Machine Learning Applications In Assessing Land Use/Cover Dynamics And Their Impact On Land Surface Temperatures, Rasool Vahid, Mohamed Aly

Environmental Dynamics Faculty Publications and Presentations

In a world experiencing rapid urbanization, the phenomenon of land surface temperature (LST) variation has invited substantial attention due to its profound impact on the environment and human well-being. Changes in land use and land cover (LULC) within urban areas significantly influence the dynamics of LST and are a major driver of urban eco-environmental change. The complex connections between LULC dynamics, LST, and climate change are investigated in this systematic review, with a focus on the combined effects of these variables and the use of Machine Learning (ML) techniques. The data in this study, based on peer-reviewed publications from the …

Ex Vivo And Simulation Comparison Of Leakage In End-To-End Versus End-To-Side Anastomosed Porcine Large Intestine, Youssef Fahmy, Mohamed Trabia, Brian Ward, Lucas Gallup, Whitney Elks

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research

Anastomotic leaks after colorectal resection are serious surgical complications. We have compared the integrity of two common colorectal anastomosis techniques, end-to-side (ES) and end-to-end (EE), to control specimens using a novel experimental setup that mimics anastomotic air leak tests, which are typically performed during surgeries. Freshly harvested porcine colonic sections from 23 F1 cross-species pigs were used. Pressure measurements and video imaging were used to monitor the ex vivo experiments on EE, ES, and Control specimens. Using EE (n = 16), ES (n = 12), and Control (n = 22) specimens, leak pressure was 282.6 ± 3.0 mm Hg for …

Evaluating Behavioral Skills Training To Teach Salsa Dancing Skills To Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder And/Or Intellectual Disabilities, Joshua I. Nieves

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Research has demonstrated behavioral skills training (BST) to be an effective teaching procedure for acquisition of a variety of skills among both neurotypical and neurodiverse individuals across different ages. Moreover, recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of BST for enhancing sports performance when training neurotypical children and adults. However, there is limited research on the effectiveness of BST for enhancing sports performance, and specifically dance performance, among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or intellectual disabilities (ID). Dance is a recreational activity that can serve as a form of physical activity for children and adults. Salsa is a Latin style …

An Autistic “Linguatype”? Neologisms, New Words, And New Insights, Emily Zane, Rhiannon Luyster

Emerson Authors, Researchers, & Creators

In this commentary, we present new ideas about autistic neologisms. This essay has two primary goals. First, we argue that an autistic predilection to form neologisms generates intriguing new hypotheses about language in autism, including the possibility that a tendency to use neologisms could be a featural element of an autistic “linguatype” (as in “phenotype”). Second, we suggest that the study of neologism meaning, form, and use can yield insights about a specific speaker and about autistic language, generally. To support both aims, we present the largest collection to date of autistic neologisms. We supply an initial framework for considering …

Topical Lifitegrast Therapy For Dry Eye Disease, Lama Assi, Salim C. Lutfallah, Tsz Wing Yim, Su Hsun Liu, Sharon J. Duffy, Jayne Weiss

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Objectives: This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows:. To assess the effectiveness and safety of topical lifitegrast therapy alone or in combination with artificial tears, compared with a placebo, artificial tears alone, or no treatment for dry eye disease.

Bibliometric Analysis Of Colchicine In Cardiovascular Health: Trends, Key Contributors, And Global Collaborations, Meltem Sertbaş, Özlem Özaydin, Habi̇p Yilmaz, Abdullah Emre Güner, Özden Güdük, Nalan Okuroğlu, Ali̇ Özdemir, Yaşar Sertbaş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The study aims to systematically analyze the body of literature concerning the effects of colchicine on the cardiovascular system, providing a comprehensive evaluation of the current knowledge and highlighting the clinical and scientific relevance of colchicine in this field.

Materials and methods: Data were obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection database on November 17, 2024. The search terms included “Colchicine” AND "Cardiovascular effects" OR "Cardiovascular diseases" OR "Heart diseases" OR "Coronary artery disease" OR "Myocarditis" OR "Pericarditis" OR "Atherosclerosis" OR "Heart failure" OR "Myocardial infarction." No restrictions were applied regarding publication date or language, ensuring the comprehensive …

The Role Of The Hemoglobin-Albumin-Lymphocyte-Platelet (Halp) Score In Deep Neck Infections And Its Relationship With Clinical Parameters, Ayşe Seçi̇l Kayali Di̇nç, Nagi̇han Gülhan Yaşar, Agah Yeni̇çeri̇, Çeti̇n Şahutoğlu, İbrahi̇m Sevi̇m, Meli̇h Çayönü

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Deep neck infections (DNI) are suppurative infections of the cervical spaces, which may lead to life-threatening complications. The HALP score is a laboratory parameter reflecting a patient’s nutritional and inflammatory status. The aim of this study was to compare the HALP scores of patients with DNI with those of a control group. A secondary objective was to investigate the potential relationship between the HALP score and clinical parameters, and to assess its role in determining disease severity.

Materials and methods: The study retrospectively included patients who were hospitalized and treated for DNI. Data were extracted from the hospital’s electronic …

2025-06-20 Agenda Book, Morehead State University. Board Of Regents.

Morehead State Board of Regents Agenda Books and Meeting Minutes

Agenda booklet for the Board of Regents meeting of June 20, 2025, which includes the minutes of the meeting held on March 28, 2025.

How I Got Involved In Hip Hop Through Coaching Youth Sports In Brooklyn., Mark Naison

Occasional Essays

No abstract provided.

Multi-Ancestry Genome-Wide Association Analyses Incorporating Snp-By-Psychosocial Interactions Identify Novel Loci For Serum Lipids, Amy R Bentley, Michael R Brown, Solomon K Musani, Karen L Schwander, Thomas W Winkler, Mario Sims, Tuomas O Kilpeläinen, Hugues Aschard, Traci M Bartz, Lawrence F Bielak, Jin-Fang Chai, Kumaraswamy Naidu Chitrala, Nora Franceschini, Mariaelisa Graff, Xiuqing Guo, Fernando P Hartwig, Andrea R V R Horimoto, Elise Lim, Yongmei Liu, Alisa K Manning, Ilja M Nolte, Raymond Noordam, Melissa A Richard, Albert V Smith, Yun Ju Sung, Dina Vojinovic, Rujia Wang, Yujie Wang, Mary F Feitosa, Sarah E Harris, Leo-Pekka Lyytikäinen, Giorgio Pistis, Rainer Rauramaa, Peter J Van Der Most, Erin Ware, Stefan Weiss, Wanqing Wen, Lisa R Yanek, Dan E Arking, Donna K Arnett, Christie Ballantyne, Eric Boerwinkle, Yii-Der Ida Chen, Martha L Daviglus, Lisa De Las Fuentes, Paul S De Vries, Joseph A C Delaney, Amanda M Fretts, Lynette Ekunwe, Jessica D Faul, Linda C Gallo, Sami Heikkinen, Georg Homuth, M Arfan Ikram, Carmen R Isasi, Jost Bruno Jonas, Liisa Keltikangas-Järvinen, Pirjo Komulainen, Aldi T Kraja, Jose E Krieger, Lenore Launer, Lifelines Cohort Study, Jianjun Liu, Kurt Lohman, Annemarie I Luik, Ani W Manichaikul, Pedro Marques-Vidal, Yuri Milaneschi, Stanford E Mwasongwe, Jeffrey R O'Connell, Kenneth Rice, Stephen S Rich, Pamela J Schreiner, Lars Schwettmann, James M Shikany, Xiao-Ou Shu, Jennifer A Smith, Harold Snieder, Nona Sotoodehnia, E Shyong Tai, Kent D Taylor, Lesley Tinker, Michael Y Tsai, André G Uitterlinden, Cornelia M Van Duijn, Diana Van Heemst, Melanie Waldenberger, Robert B Wallace, Hwee-Lin Wee, David R Weir, Wen-Bin Wei, Ko Willems Van Dijk, Gregory Wilson, Jie Yao, Kristin L Young, Xiaoyu Zhang, Wei Zhao, Xiaofeng Zhu, Alan B Zonderman, Ian J Deary, Christian Gieger, Hans Jörgen Grabe, Timo A Lakka, Terho Lehtimäki, Albertine J Oldehinkel, Martin Preisig, Ya-Xing Wang, Wei Zheng, Michele K Evans, Michael Province, James Gauderman, Vilmundur Gudnason, Catharina A Hartman, Bernardo L Horta, Sharon L R Kardia, Charles Kooperberg, Ching-Ti Liu, Dennis O Mook-Kanamori, Brenda Wjh Penninx, Alexandre C Pereira, Patricia A Peyser, Bruce M Psaty, Jerome I Rotter, Xueling Sim, Kari E North, Dabeeru C Rao, Laura Bierut, Clint L Miller, Alanna C Morrison, Charles N Rotimi, Myriam Fornage, Ervin R Fox

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Serum lipid levels, which are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, are key determinants of cardiometabolic health and are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Improving our understanding of their underlying biological mechanisms can have important public health and therapeutic implications. Although psychosocial factors, including depression, anxiety, and perceived social support, are associated with serum lipid levels, it is unknown if they modify the effect of genetic loci that influence lipids. We conducted a genome-wide gene-by-psychosocial factor interaction (G×Psy) study in up to 133,157 individuals to evaluate if G×Psy influences serum lipid levels. We conducted a two-stage meta-analysis …

Evaluating Leflunomide And Methotrexate Combination Vs. Monotherapy In Rheumatoid And Psoriatic Arthritis, Mete Kara, Gülay Alp, Mete Pekdi̇ker, Sertaç Ketenci̇, Annamaria Porreca, Haluk Ci̇nakli̇

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Methotrexate (MTX) and leflunomide (LEF) are conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) commonly used for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), either as monotherapies or in combination. This study aimed to compare the adverse effects (AEs) and efficacy of combined use of MTX plus LEF with monotherapy in RA and PsA patients.

Materials and methods: This study included 528 patients (385 RA and 143 PsA) with at least 6 months of follow-up. Disease activity was assessed using DAS-28 CRP and DAPSA, and treatment-related AEs were classified based on specific MedDRA categories.

Results: The cumulative incidence of AEs …

Pulmonary Artery Wall Thickness And Systemic Sclerosis: Influence Of Inflammation On Vascular Changes, Eli̇f Altunel Kilinç, Haydar Ali̇ Candan, İpek Türk, Çağlar Özmen

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex autoimmune disease characterized by vascular disorders and fibrosis. This study aimed to compare pulmonary artery wall thickness (PAWT) in SSc patients without PAH with idiopathic PAH (IPAH) and healthy controls and to investigate the effect of increased PAWT and inflammation on vascular changes in SSc patients.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 60 SSc patients, 30 IPAH patients, and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy controls, all of whom underwent echocardiographic evaluation. Data were analyzed including patient demographics, disease duration, type of skin involvement, lung involvement, and autoantibody status.

Results: PAWT was significantly …