Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Improving Pressure Injury Prevention Through Braden Scale Compliance And Education In The Emergency Department, Joycelyn Lee, Kira Simone Faerstain, Alyssa Kristine Ortiz, Ashley Briseida Cruz

Master's Projects and Capstones

Pressure injuries are a major burden in healthcare, particularly in the Emergency Department (ED). Patients can be sedentary for prolonged periods of time and don't always get their skin checked promptly. Patients visiting the ED often have comorbidities and patient-specific medical needs, such as seniors with fragile skin, malnourishment, immobility, etc. At a Southern Los Angeles Hospital, leadership found that there was a need for improvement in this area. Implementing standardized risk assessment methods can help to improve the consistent use of the Braden Scale as a predictive and preventive tool for identifying patients' risk for pressure injuries and promoting …

A Dosimetric Comparison Of Halcyon 6x-Fff And Truebeam 6x In Prone Left Whole Breast Radiation Therapy, Maritza Soto, Kelly Labant, M.S., Cmd, Rt(T), Kristen Vu, M.S., Cmd, Rt(T)

Masters Projects

Purpose:

This retrospective study compared dosimetric differences between prone left whole breast radiation (WBRT) treatment plans originally generated for Halcyon using 6X flattening- filter-free (FFF) beams and replanned for a conventional TrueBeam using 6X beams.

Methods:

Ten prone whole left breast treatment plans were paired and retrospectively analyzed. Clinically treated Halcyon 6X flattening filter free plans were replanned on TrueBeam using flattened 6X beams in Eclipse v16.1. Contours for all plans were generated using artificial intelligence-based autosegmentation, reviewed by a medical dosimetrist and radiation oncologist, and forward planned with a tangent technique in EZFluence to achieve identical planning objectives. Dose …

Fall Risk In Community-Dwelling Adults: A Comparison Of English And Spanish-Speaking Individuals, Jesus D. Gomez

Dissertations, 2020-current

Falls are a leading cause of injury-related mortality among middle-aged and older adults. Although vestibular dysfunction, hearing loss, behavioral factors, and social determinants of health have been associated with increased fall risk, few studies have examined these relationships. Furthermore, limited research in audiology and vestibular science has investigated fall-risk vulnerability among Spanish-speaking individuals.

This study aimed to: (1) estimate the prevalence of fall risk among community-dwelling adults and compare prevalence between English-speaking and Spanish-speaking participants; (2) assess the prevalence of previously undiagnosed benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and compare prevalence between language groups; and (3) develop predictive models of fall …

Brain Perivascular Macrophages Regulate Endothelial Cell Function Via A Cmaf-Dependent Transcriptional Program In Mouse And Human, Simone Brioschi, Julia A Belk, Steffen E Storck, Yue Wu, Zhuoying Wang, Ziang Feng, Lynn Van Olst, Josie L Emery, Raki Sudan, Junjie Wu, Siling Du, Marco Genua, Federica La Terza, Alex J Edwards, Khai M Nguyen, Jessie Sanford, Daniel D Lee, Mattia Bugatti, Arnold J Federico, Yun Chen, Zuoxu Wang, Silvia Penati, Patrick Fernandes Rodrigues, Alina Ulezko Antonova, Hui Qi Loo, Igor Smirnov, Susan Gilfillan, Carmen M Halabi, Jennifer Ponce, Jun Yan, Howard Y Chang, Gwendalyn J Randolph, William Vermi, Marina Cella, Michael Meers, Renato Ostuni, David Gate, Aivi T Nguyen, Carlos Cruchaga, Song Hu, Jonathan Kipnis, Marco Colonna

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

Brain perivascular macrophages maintain brain physiology, yet their transcriptional regulators and functions in health and disease remain unclear. Using single-cell multi-omics and functional experiments, we identify cellular musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene (cMAF) as a key transcription factor for brain perivascular macrophages, and conditional deletion of cMAF disrupts their phenotype in vivo. Functionally, cMAF drives insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) expression in perivascular macrophages, enabling communication with endothelial cells. Consistently, cMAF deletion in perivascular macrophages causes transcriptional alterations in cerebral arteries, affecting vascular functions. Notably, cMAF emerges as the main transcription factor for human perivascular macrophages, suggesting conservation of this transcriptional module. During …

Cultural Tailoring Of Digital Nutrition Interventions: A Scoping Review Of Adaptation Strategies, Evaluation Methods, And Evidence Gaps, Wendy Liang

Master's Projects and Capstones

Background: Nutrition-related chronic diseases disproportionately affect culturally diverse populations, highlighting the need for effective and equitable interventions. Digital nutrition interventions have expanded rapidly due to their accessibility; however, the extent to which they incorporate and evaluate cultural tailoring remains unclear.

Research aim: This scoping review maps the existing evidence on culturally tailored digital nutrition interventions, describes cultural adaptation strategies used, examines methods used to evaluate cultural appropriateness, and identifies gaps for future research and public health practice.

Methods: A scoping review was conducted following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines.

Findings: Culturally tailored digital nutrition interventions generally improved participant engagement, acceptability, and dietary …

Cultivating Civility: A Multicomponent Approach To Reducing Workplace Incivility In An Assisted Living Facility, Sanam Bral, Kaylyn Chang, Catherine Dinh, Sanjil Kumar, Truc Mai Moon

Master's Projects and Capstones

Workplace incivility remains a common challenge in healthcare, negatively affecting communication, staff well-being, and the quality and safety of resident care. Baseline survey findings from a faith-based assisted living facility in Southern California identified concerns related to workplace incivility, psychological safety, and gaps in staff knowledge of available reporting resources. This project aimed to reduce workplace incivility by improving staff knowledge and recognition of uncivil behaviors, with a target of at least 90% staff training attendance among nursing, assistive nursing, and medical technicians, and 80% attendee-reported high confidence level (agree or strongly agree) in recognizing incivility and understanding reporting options. …

Breaking The Silence: Standardizing Routine Intimate Partner Violence Screening At A Community Clinic Serving The Latinx Community, Victoria M. Hall

Master's Projects and Capstones

Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects the Latinx population disproportionately due to socioeconomic status, cultural stigma, and language barriers. However, routine screening remains inconsistent and unstandardized at a local community clinic in San Francisco’s Mission District, despite evidence-based practices recommending it. The gap in IPV screenings across the Adult, Teens, and Women’s clinics resulted in only 1.6% of patients being screened in July 2025 and 4.1% in June 2026. This quality improvement project aimed to address low screening rates by standardizing IPV screening through a printed bilingual screener, a 60-minute staff in-service on IPV and the new screening protocol, and by …

The Parkinson's Pathway: Enhancing Knowledge And Care Management In Skilled Nursing, Kaitlyn Chau

Master's Projects and Capstones

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is commonly diagnosed among the older population, contributing to high utilization of skilled nursing facility (SNF) services. Objective: SNF A’s current onboarding and training program for staff discussed general geriatric topics but failed to include structured PD-specific education. This may lead to gaps in competence, confidence, and workflow related to PD care and management, resulting in low quality of patient care, poor health outcomes, and decreased safety and satisfaction. Aim: The project aimed to establish and incorporate a structured PD-specialized education program within a SNF located in Northern California, to increase employees’ self-reported confidence, competence, …

Lineage Tracing Reveals A Shared Cellular Origin For Supraclavicular Brown And Inguinal Beige Adipocytes, Yali Ran, Kai Zhang, Yi-Ting Shen, Qianxing Mo, Ziyi Wang, Hari Krishna Yalamanchili, Sharon John, Mari Kogiso, Xia Gao, Chunmei Wang, Tanvi Sinha, Brian L Black, Miao-Hsueh Chen

Duncan NRI Faculty and Staff Publications

The metabolic importance of brown adipose tissue (BAT) has been recognized, but its origins, particularly supraclavicular BAT (scBAT), remain unclear. Here, we traced scBAT to Mef2c-anterior heart field (AHF)-marked cells. Mef2c-AHF-marked cells isolated from scBAT can spontaneously differentiate into brown adipocytes, express mesenchymal stem cell markers, and can be isolated from the stromal-vascular fraction (SVF) of wild-type scBAT as [CD31

Investigation Of The Functional Dimensions Of Teats Up To Mid-Lactation In Bulgarian Murrah Buffaloes Established By Ultrasonography, Ivan Fasulkov, Pencho Penchev, Yordanka Ilieva, Manol Karadaev

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

The aim of this study was to monitor the changes in teat measurements from early to mid-lactation in the Bulgarian Murrah buffaloes. The experiment was carried out with twenty (10 primiparous and 10 pluriparous) lactating buffaloes. Five series of ultrasound measurements were performed, each consisting of two sessions for each animal corresponding to the phases of lactation: first lactation month (day 1 to day 30 postpartum) and mid- lactation (day 122 to day 152). The studied parameters were teat canal length (TCL), teat diameter (TD), teat wall thickness (TWT), and teat cistern diameter (TCD). The data were processed using the …

Advancing Occupational Therapy Practice: Evaluating A Continuing Education Module To Support The Integration Of 3d Printing Into Clinical Care, Sophia Wilkes, Rebecca Ozelie

Student Journal of Occupational Therapy

This study aimed to evaluate whether a continuing education module could improve occupational therapy practitioners’ perceived knowledge, awareness, confidence, and clinical utilization of 3D printing in occupational therapy practice, while also examining how access to resources may influence implementation A 14-week cross-sectional pre–post design was used with occupational therapy practitioners participating in a one-hour educational session followed by a three-week trial of 3D printer access. Participants completed pre- and post-surveys assessing perceived knowledge, awareness, and confidence, and maintained a utilization log to track clinical use.

Results indicated a statistically significant increase in perceived knowledge and awareness of 3D printing following …

Saudi Heart Association Scientific Statement On Cardiovascular–Kidney–Liver-Metabolic (Cklm) Syndrome, Waleed Alhabeeb, Abdulhalim J. Kinsara, Ahmed Mitwalli, Ali A. Alshehri, Faisal Aba-Alkhail, Ismail Raslan, Khalid Aljohani, Mohammed Arafah, Muthana Sahlawi, Saud Alsifri, Suleiman M. Kharabsheh

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

Background: Cardiovascular, kidney, metabolic, and liver diseases are closely interconnected and frequently coexist. While the cardiovascular–kidney–metabolic (CKM) framework provides a unified model, increasing evidence supports a central role for hepatic disease, particularly metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), in this continuum. The Saudi Heart Association (SHA) therefore aimed to introduce the cardiovascular–kidney–liver–metabolic (CKLM) syndrome as an expanded framework and provide expert guidance on its pathophysiology, staging, screening, and management, with relevance to the Saudi population.

Methods: A multidisciplinary expert panel convened under the auspices of the SHA conducted a comprehensive, non-systematic literature review and developed consensus-based recommendations through iterative discussion …

Antigen Discovery In Multiple Myeloma Using Integrated Long-Read Transcriptomics And Immunopeptidomics, Aya Albittar

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable plasma cell malignancy, with relapse driven by persistent chemotherapy-resistant cells and residual disease following treatment. Although immunotherapies have transformed MM care, their success depends on identifying tumor-specific antigens that can be safely targeted. While aberrant genomic structural variation and transcriptional dysregulation are increasingly recognized as sources of novel antigens in MM, the HLA-presented antigenic landscape of MM remains incompletely characterized, particularly for non-canonical, structurally-derived peptides, and long-read transcriptome-informed immunopeptidomic data specific to MM remain scarce.

We established an integrated antigen discovery platform combining long-read RNA sequencing (Iso-Seq) with mass spectrometry-based HLA immunoprecipitation and immunopeptidomics …

Staff Re-Entry Plan — Indian Trail, Flett, Woodridge, Travis Schulhauser

Spokane Wildfire Academic Consortium Repository

Following the downgrade of Level 3 Evacuation orders at Flett Middle School and Indian Trail and Woodridge elementary schools on Aug. 9, district staff worked with Fulcrum Environmental Consulting to conduct visual inspections and air-quality testing at these sites. More than 100 interior and exterior locations were tested, with indoor air quality within the Good-to-Moderate range under the EPA Air Quality Index. Inspectors also found no indication of unusual ash, soot or other settled particulates inside or outside the buildings.

Male Osteoporosis: Pathophysiology, Risk Assessment, And Evidence-Based Management, Seli̇n Teki̇n, Alper Gürlek

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Osteoporosis in men is a common yet underrecognized condition associated with substantial fracture-related morbidity and excess mortality. Although men generally attain higher peak bone mass than women, age-related changes in bone microarchitecture, progressive cortical bone loss, declining sex steroid bioavailability, and a high prevalence of secondary causes contribute to a significant lifetime fracture risk. Importantly, a large proportion of fragility fractures in men occur at bone mineral density (BMD) values above the osteoporotic threshold, highlighting the limitations of BMD-based diagnosis alone. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical characteristics of osteoporosis in men, with particular …

Hearing Loss In Behçet’S Syndrome: Prevalence And Associated Factors In A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Analysis ​, Alper Doğanci, Serdar Can Güven, Nuray Yilmaz Çakmak, Nurhan Güven, Sali̇h Başer, Nesli̇han Öztürk, Şuayi̇p Bi̇ri̇nci̇, Nai̇m Ata

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of hearing loss in Behçet’s syndrome and its associations with other disease manifestations, comorbidities, and treatment agents. To the best of our knowledge, this is the most comprehensive study to date addressing this issue.

Materials and methods: The study was designed as a cross-sectional, nationwide study. The Turkish Ministry of Health National Electronic Database (e-Nabız) was used under the supervision of the Ministry of Health to extract patient data. A nationwide cohort was established from patients who had been assigned an ICD-10 code for BS (M35.2) on at least …

Daam2 Gene Variants P.(Asp165glu) And P.(Asn614thrfster2) In Pediatric Cryptorchidism: A Hypothesis-Generating Pilot Case-Control Study From The Eastern Black Sea Region Of Türkiye ​, Onur Yalçin, Çağri Doğan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Cryptorchidism is the most common congenital anomaly of the male genitourinary system, characterized by a multifactorial etiology. The disheveled-associated activator of morphogenesis 2 (DAAM2) gene regulates androgen receptor (AR)- dependent transcription; its variants are associated with partial androgen insensitivity. Since the inguinoscrotal phase of testicular descent is androgen-dependent, we hypothesized that DAAM2 variants contribute to cryptorchidism susceptibility. This pilot study, designed to generate hypotheses rather than to establish association, investigated the frequency of two functionally characterized DAAM2 variants, p.(Asp165Glu) and p.(Asn614ThrfsTer2), in pediatric cryptorchidism.

Materials and methods: This prospective case-control study included 40 male pediatric cryptorchidism patients and 39 …

A Comparative Analysis Of Clinical Quality And Readability Of Neuropathic Pain Patient Information Leaflets: Türkiye Versus The United States, Gonul Sari, Argun Pire

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Neuropathic pain management requires high patient adherence and complex dose-titration regimens, making the readability of patient information leaflets (PILs) a critical patient safety factor. This study aimed to compare the clinical content quality and linguistic readability of PILs for neuropathic pain medications between Türkiye (TİTCK) and the United States (DailyMed).

Materials and methods: A total of 11 pairs of innovator medications were analyzed. Clinical content was assessed using the 15-item Keystone Clinical Content Checklist (KCCC). Readability was assessed using the Ateşman index for Turkish texts and the Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES) for English texts. Information quality and reliability …

Readability Of Dermatology Patient Education Materials: A Comparative Analysis Of Turkish Dermatology Association Brochures And Texts Generated By Chatgpt And Gemini ​, Ahmet Kağan Özdemi̇r, Bengü Reyhan Botsali Özdemi̇r, Akin Aktaş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: In modern healthcare, patient education materials (PEMs) are essential for bridging the gap between clinical knowledge and patient understanding. However, in Türkiye, where 64.6% of the adult population possesses inadequate or problematic health literacy, traditional medical brochures often exceed recommended reading levels. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the readability of Turkish dermatology PEMs prepared by the Turkish Dermatology Association (TDA) with those generated by artificial intelligence (AI) models.

Materials and methods: A total of 68 TDA PEMs were analyzed. Readability was assessed using the Ateşman Readability Index. Responses were generated by AI models to questions extracted from …

Comparing Age Of Obesity Onset, Concerns About Weight And Body Shape, And Quality Of Life In Individuals Seeking Bariatric Surgery ​, Vi̇ldan Çakir Kardeş, Özge Saraçli, Nuray Atasoy, Levent Ati̇k, Si̇bel Kahraman Gi̇rgeç

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: This study explored the relationship between concerns about weight and body shape and quality of life in bariatric surgery candidates with morbid obesity regarding the onset of the weight problem in childhood, adolescence, or adulthood.

Materials and methods: We included 453 patients who applied to our center for preoperative bariatric surgery assessment between January 2010 and April 2019. We reviewed the sociodemographic information, psychiatric diagnoses, and results of the Body Shape Questionnaire-34, Quality of Life Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and Beck Anxiety Inventory of all patients.

Results: Concerns about weight and body shape were increased in women (p < 0.001), unemployed patients (p = 0.001), those with a comorbid psychiatric disorder (p < 0.001), and those with childhood- or adolescent-onset of weight problems (r = –0.170; p < 0.001). Concerns about weight and body shape had a relationship with the vitality (r = –0.434), mental health (r = –0.464), social functioning (r = –0.418), pain (r = –0.307), and general health (r = –0.352) subscale scores of quality of life. Physical functioning was higher (p = 0.037) in patients with childhood- or adolescent-onset obesity compared to patients with adult-onset obesity, while mental health was higher (p = 0.001) in the latter group. Individuals with childhood- or adolescent-onset obesity inquired about bariatric surgery options at an earlier age (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: …

Risk Of Systemic Reactions During Pediatric Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy: Clinical Predictors And Safety Outcomes ​, Fi̇gen Çelebi̇ Çeli̇k, Alp Kazancioğlu, Soner Günder, Meli̇ke Ocak, Berna Uzunoğlu, Canan Şule Karkiner, Özlem Sancakli, Ayfer Tuncer, Özge Uysal Soyer, Bülent Eni̇s Şekerel, Demet Can, Ümi̇t Murat Şahi̇ner

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: This study aimed to evaluate the frequency, timing, severity, and clinical predictors of systemic reactions in children receiving subcutaneous allergen-specific immunotherapy (SCIT) with house dust mite (HDM) and grass pollen extracts under real-world clinical conditions.

Materials and methods: This multicenter retrospective study included 623 children with moderate-to-severe allergic rhinitis, with or without asthma, who received SCIT between 2006 and 2023 at two tertiary pediatric allergy centers. Clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, immunotherapy protocols, and systemic reactions (SRs) were recorded and graded according to the updated 2024 World Allergy Organization (WAO) systemic reaction scale.

Results: SCIT was well tolerated. Systemic reactions …

Uniportal Vats Wedge Pulmonary Resections, Kubi̇lay İnan, Özgür Ömer Yildiz

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has emerged as a common approach in surgical procedures involving the lung, mediastinum, thoracic wall, and diaphragm. Recent studies have described the performance of diagnostic and therapeutic VATS procedures via a single port, and the technique has become the preferred diagnostic modality for various intrathoracic pathologies and for patients deemed unsuitable for fine-needle biopsy.

Materials and methods: The records of 57 patients who underwent diagnostic and therapeutic uniportal VATS for wedge pulmonary resection between January 2024 and January 2025 were reviewed retrospectively, and details regarding the surgical method, length of hospital stay, complications, and diagnostic …

Changes In T-Cell Subsets And Their Relationships With Disease Severity In Patients With Alopecia Areata, Hati̇ce Türk Daği, Hülya Özdemi̇r, Mehmet Akyürek, Fatma Tunçez Akyürek, Hasi̇be Artaç

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Alopecia areata (AA) is a nonscarring hair loss disorder characterized by genetic susceptibility, environmental triggers, and T-cell–mediated autoimmunity. While various CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subsets are implicated in its pathogenesis, the roles of follicular T-cell (Tfh), peripheral T-cell (Tph), and regulatory T-cell (Treg) subsets– particularly within the CD8+ population–remain incompletely defined. This study aimed to characterize circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subsets in Turkish patients with AA and to evaluate their associations with disease activity, duration, and severity.

Materials and methods: A total of 40 patients with AA and 40 healthy controls were enrolled. CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subsets—including …

Thyroid Function In Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder And Specific Learning Disorder: A Retrospective Comparative Study, Gül Trabzon, Seda Aybüke Sari, Servet Yüce, Şeyma Demi̇ray Güllü

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: This study analyzes thyroid function parameters (free T₃, free T₄, TSH) in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), ADHD with specific learning disorder, and healthy controls, to determine whether subtle thyroid dysregulation contributes to the phenotypic heterogeneity of ADHD.

Materials and methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study included 135 children aged 6–18 years: 62 diagnosed with ADHD (38 isolated ADHD and 24 ADHD+SLD) and 73 healthy controls. Demographic, anthropometric, and thyroid function data (free T₃, free T₄, TSH) were extracted from medical records. Group comparisons were conducted using independent samples t-tests, ANOVA, and ANCOVA adjusted for age, sex, and treatment status. …

Comparative Analysis Of Corticosteroid Injection Alone Versus Combined Corticosteroid And Radiofrequency Ablation For Plantar Fasciitis: Short- And Medium-Term Outcomes ​, Nevci̇han Şahutoğlu Bal, Emel Başar, Hati̇ce Babaoğlan, Ülkü Sabuncu, Mustafa Cem Yilmaz, Şükri̇ye Dadali, Erkan Yavuz Akçaboy

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Plantar fasciitis (PF) is a common cause of heel pain and may lead to functional impairment and reduced quality of life. This study aimed to compare the short- and medium-term clinical outcomes of corticosteroid injection (CSI) alone versus combined radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and CSI in patients with PF refractory to conservative treatment.

Materials and methods: This single-center retrospective comparative study included patients diagnosed with PF between 1 January 2021 and 1 January 2025. Patients who underwent either CSI alone or combined RFA and CSI after failure of conservative management were included. Pain intensity was assessed using a visual analog …

Sarcopenia Risk In Women With Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: A Sarc-F-Based Assessment ​, Burak Kami̇l Turan, Ayşe Adi̇le Küçükdeveci̇, Zafer Günendi̇, Ayşegül Yaman, Oya Özdemi̇r, Jale Meray, Fatma Yeşi̇m Gökçe Kutsal

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Osteoporosis and sarcopenia are diseases of bone and muscle tissue, respectively. Studies reported that these disorders were interrelated. However, this relation was explored in older adults and/or with certain comorbidities, and information about nonelderly postmenopausal women is scarce. This study’s objectives were to investigate the relationship between osteoporosis and SARC-F-defined sarcopenia risk in postmenopausal women aged ≤70 years and to examine the effect of other factors on this risk.

Materials and methods: This multicenter case-control study included postmenopausal women aged 45–70 years. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was utilized to diagnose osteoporosis. Sociodemographic and clinical variables, sarcopenia risk (SARC-F), muscle strength …

Evaluation Of Acne Vulgaris Patient Care In Outpatient Clinics: Guideline Adherence And Patient Education ​, Mefküre Durmuş, Betül Sena Çavdar, İbrahi̇m Etem Arica, Sena Ustaömer, Sena Güzel Karahan, Seçi̇l Çolak, Selcen Şenol

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Acne vulgaris, affecting over 85% of adolescents, is the most prevalent chronic inflammatory skin disorder. Its management is severity-based, with specific drug selections and combinations according to guidelines. However, adherence to these guidelines and the adequacy of patient counseling remain uncertain in real-world practice. The aim in this study was to evaluate prescribing patterns in acne management, assess compliance with guidelines, and promote awareness among healthcare professionals.

Materials and methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in the dermatology outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital in Türkiye between February and May 2025. Demographic and clinical data were collected, and …

Rna Sequencing Detects More Challenging Cases Of Somatic Hypermutation In The Ighv Gene In Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ​, Fatma Arikan, Pinar Ata, Şenol Demi̇r, Meral Uluköylü Mengüç, Fahi̇r Özkalemkaş, Bedretti̇n Orhan, Özgür Mehtap, Arda Bayar, Asu Fergün Yilmaz, Ayşe Tüli̇n Tuğlular, Işik Atagündüz, Tayfur Toptaş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) exhibits marked biological heterogeneity, and immunoglobulin heavy chain variable (IgHV) mutation status remains a key prognostic biomarker. We evaluated patient IgHV status via RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and examined real-life clinical outcomes in a retrospective CLL cohort.

Materials and methods: Eighty-seven adults diagnosed with CLL between 2020 and 2022 at three centers were included. Total RNA from peripheral blood underwent anchored multiplex polymerase chain reaction with the Immunoverse BCR-IGH IGKL v1.0 kit (Integrated DNA Technologies) and was sequenced on the MiSeq platform (Illumina). IgHV mutation status was determined according to ERIC 2022 guidelines, specifically regarding classification …

Association Of Precise-Hbr Score With Clinical Outcomes And Length Of Hospital Stay After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation ​, Erhan Saraçoğlu, Yunus Emre Özbebek, Beki̇r Demi̇rtaş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The PRECISE-HBR score was developed to estimate bleeding risk after percutaneous coronary intervention, but its clinical utility in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) remains uncertain. We evaluated its association with major bleeding and hospitalization burden after TAVI.

Materials and methods: This ambispective, single-center observational study included 184 consecutive patients undergoing TAVI. The patients were categorized by PRECISE-HBR score (≤22, 23–26, and ≥27) for descriptive comparisons. Receiver operating characteristic analyses were used to assess the discriminative performance of PRECISE-HBR and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons score for major bleeding, prolonged hospitalization, and in-hospital mortality. Binary logistic regression was …

Hounsfield Unit Thresholds In Differentiating Adenoma From Nonadenoma Adrenal Masses: A Retrospective Adrenalectomy-Based Study ​, Burak Özbaş, Muhammet Mustafa Etleç, Hüseyi̇n Dursun, Mustafa Gök, Abdullah Bahadir Öz, Alper Celal Akcan, Ayşa Hacioğlu, Ökkeş İbrahi̇m Karahan, Züleyha Ci̇han Özdamar Karaca, Kürşad Ünlühizarci

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Adrenal incidentalomas are increasingly detected during imaging studies performed for various indications, and their frequency in endocrinology practice has risen in recent years. While adenomas account for approximately 80% of adrenal incidentalomas, the remaining 20% include lesions such as primary malignancies, metastases, and pheochromocytomas that should not be overlooked. Given the risks associated with adrenal biopsy, accurate diagnosis with noninvasive methods is essential. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the Hounsfield unit (HU) values and lesion sizes measured on noncontrast computed tomography (CT) to identify a more accurate threshold than the widely used 10 HU.

Materials and methods: In …