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The aim of the study was to evaluate the utility of the preprocedural platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR) for predicting no reflow in patients undergoing primary percutaneous intervention (PCI) for the treatment of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. The thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grades of 287 patients treated with primary PCI were assessed retrospectively. Patients were divided into 3 tertiles based upon preprocedural PLR. Pre- and postprocedural TIMI flow grades were evaluated. No reflow developed in 6, 14, and 43 patients in the lower, middle, and higher tertiles, respectively (P < .001). After multivariate analysis, PLR remained a significant predictor of no reflow together with neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR). A cutoff value of 160 for PLR and 5.9 for NLR predicted no reflow with sensitivities and specificities of 75% and 71% and 74% and 70%, respectively. In conclusion, high preprocedural PLR and NLR levels are significant and independent predictors of no reflow in patients undergoing primary PCI.

In this study, we aimed to explore the association between platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and the severity of atherosclerosis in coronary artery disease (CAD). Clinical and laboratory data of 388 patients who underwent coronary angiography were evaluated retrospectively. Gensini score, which indicates the severity of atherosclerosis, was calculated for all of the patients. Patients with CAD were categorized as mild and severe atherosclerosis, according to their Gensini score. Eighty patients with normal coronary arteries formed the control group. Mean PLR values of the three study groups were compared. Also, PLR value was tested for whether it showed a positive correlation with Gensini score. The mean PLR of the severe atherosclerosis group was significantly higher than that of the mild atherosclerosis and controls groups (p<0.001). Also, PLR was positively correlated with Gensini score in CAD patients. A cut-off value of 111 for PLR predicted severe atherosclerosis with 61% sensitivity and 59% specificity. Pre-procedural PLR level was found to be independently associated with Gensini score, together with WBC, age, and low HDL level, in the multivariate analysis. Our study suggests that high PLR appears to be additive to conventional risk factors and commonly used biomarkers in predicting severe atherosclerosis.

The aim of the study is to investigate the association between the severity of rheumatic mitral valvular disease (RMVD) and the neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR). A total of 227 patients were enrolled in the study and divided into 3 groups. Patients in group 1 had rheumatic mitral stenosis (RMS), those in group 2 had RMVD without stenosis, and those in group 3 served as the control group. Group 1 was further divided into 2 groups, severe mitral stenosis (MS) and mild to moderate MS. The NLR was significantly higher in patients with severe MS when compared to those with mild to moderate MS (P = .002) while lymphocyte count was lower (P = .034). Using a cutoff level of 2.56, the NLR predicted severe RMS with a sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 74%. In conclusion, as an inexpensive, simple, and accessible marker of inflammation, the NLR may be useful in predicting the presence and severity of MS in patients with RMVD.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of quercetin on cochlear function and morphology, and its possible protective effect against acute cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in rats. MATERIALS and METHODS: This prospective and controlled animal study was conducted on Wistar albino rats divided into four groups. Otoacoustic emission measures were performed three days after the first infiltration in Group 1 (saline), 2 (cisplatin), and 3 (quercetin). This interval was five days for Group 4 (cisplatin+quercetin). At the end of the study, the rats were decapitated with deep anesthesia, and histological changes in the cochleas were observed by light microscopy. RESULTS: Group 2 (cisplatin) revealed significant differences between the first and second measures in all frequencies. When compared to other group, the difference of the changes in Group 2 statistically significantly decreased, especially in higher frequencies. Morphologically, there were no acute changes in Group 1 and Group 3. Outer hair cell loss and the degeneration of stria vascularis and spiral ganglion were observed in both Groups 2 and 4; the damages in the latter were lesser. CONCLUSION: Quercetin does not have negative effect on cochlea, and it has protective effect on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. KEYWORDS: cisplatin, ototoxicity, antioxidants, flavonoids, quercetin

Infection is one of the most devastating outcomes of cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation and is related to significant morbidity and mortality. In our country, there is no evaluation about CIED infection. Therefore, our aim was to investigate clinical characteristics and outcome of patients who had infection related to CIED implantation or replacement. The study included 144 consecutive patients with CIED infection treated at 11 major hospitals in Turkey from 2005 to 2014 retrospectively. We analyzed the medical files of all patients hospitalized with the diagnosis of CIED infection. Inclusion criteria were definite infection related to CIED implantation, replacement, or revision. Generator pocket infection, with or without bacteremia, was the most common clinical presentation, followed by CIED-related endocarditis. Coagulase-negative staphylococci and Staphylococcus aureus were the leading causative agents of CIED infection. Multivariate analysis showed that infective endocarditis and ejection fraction were the strongest predictors of in-hospital mortality.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between red cell distribution width (RDW) and Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score in patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP) and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). We retrospectively enrolled 193 patients with UAP/NSTEMI (mean age 63.6 ± 12.6 years; men 57%) in this study. Higher RDW values were associated with increased in-hospital mortality (P = .001). There is a significant correlation between RDW and GRACE score (P < .001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, RDW was found to be an independent predictor of high GRACE score (odds ratio: 1.513, 95% confidence interval: 1.116-2.051, P = .008). A cutoff value of >15.74 for RDW predicted high GRACE score, with a 64% sensitivity and 65% specificity. Our study results demonstrated that high RDW was an independent predictor of high GRACE score, and it is associated with in-hospital mortality in UAP/NSTEMI.

Inflammation has recently emerged in the pathogenesis of several cardiovascular disorders, including arrhythmias. The neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a simple marker for the assessment of inflammatory status. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the NLR and the ventricular premature contraction (VPC) existence. Patients aged between 18 and 40 years who were referred to the cardiology clinic were enrolled in the study. All patients’ complete blood counts and 24-hour Holter recordings were analyzed. The NLR was higher within the VPC group compared to the control group (P < .001). According to the NLR tertiles, VPCs were more common in the higher NLR tertile (P < .001). A cutoff point of 1.80 for the NLR had 71% sensitivity and 60% specificity in predicting VPC in apparently healthy individuals. After multivariate analysis, only the NLR remained significant predictor of presence of VPC. In conclusion, the NLR is independently and significantly associated with VPC existence.

The aim of this study is to investigate the association between neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and severity of coronary atherosclerosis. A total of 172 patients undergoing coronary angiography were included in the study. Control group consisted of patients with normal coronary arteries. Patients with coronary stenosis were divided into 2 groups by use of Gensini scores. The NLR was higher in severe atherosclerosis group compared with mild atherosclerosis and control groups (P < .001). In correlation analysis, NLR showed significant correlation with Gensini score. A cutoff value of 2.5 for NLR predicted severe atherosclerosis with a sensitivity and specificity of 62% and 69%, respectively. After multivariate analysis, high levels of NLR were independent predictors of severe atherosclerosis together with glucose and high-density lipoprotein. Our study suggests that the NLR is a predictor of severe atherosclerosis that may be useful for cardiac risk stratification in patients with coronary artery disease.

PurposeThis study aimed to evaluate the diagnosis and determine major and minor criteria of celiac disease (CD) with the malabsorption patterns (MABP) in the small intestine and colon on computed tomography (CT) and additional CT findings.MethodsThis retrospective study was conducted with 116 patients diagnosed with CD, 14 CD patients recovering with treatment, and 35 control patients with non-CD. All patients had CT examinations and histopathological diagnoses. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy values of each CT finding defined in the literature were statistically evaluated. According to the patient and control groups, the numerical values of the findings and the sensitivity and specificity values were measured according to this cut-off value. The distribution of CT findings according to pathological Marsh data was evaluated in CD patients.ResultsSensitivity and specificity were found to be higher in small bowel MABP findings, mesenteric hypervascularity, and increased SMV/aorta diameter. There was a numerically significant difference in MDCT findings between the control and pathological Marsh groups. In the ROC analysis performed in terms of the total numerical values of each MDCT finding observed between the groups, it was found that there were more than 7 MDCT findings, 100% sensitivity, and 92% specificity. The presence of four major and three minor criteria or three major and four minor criteria were considered significant.ConclusionsBeing aware of CT findings below the iceberg that may suggest CD in abdominal CT examinations performed in patients with atypical clinical and malabsorption findings or other nonspecific findings may prevent diagnostic delay and unnecessary procedures.

Bu araştırmanın temel amacı, Türk vatandaşlığına geçmiş olan Suriyeli 8. sınıf öğrencilerinin vatandaşlık ve vatandaşlığa yönelik bilgi düzeylerinin incelenmesidir. Bu bağlamda, öğrencilerin vatandaşlık kavramına dair sahip oldukları bilgilerin niteliği, vatandaşlıkla ilgili temel değer ve kavramlara ilişkin farkındalık düzeyleri, vatandaşlık kimliğine ilişkin algıları ve sosyal bilgiler eğitiminin bu konudaki etkisi araştırma kapsamında ele alınmıştır. Araştırma grubu olarak seçilen 8. sınıf öğrencileri, ilköğretim kademesinin 4. ile 7. sınıf düzeyleri arasında sosyal bilgiler dersini almış ve bu ders kapsamında vatandaşlık eğitimine yönelik temel bilgi, beceri ve değerlerle tanışmış bireylerdir. Dolayısıyla, bu öğrenciler vatandaşlıkla ilgili kavramları öğrenmiş ve bu alandaki eğitim sürecini belirli ölçüde tamamlamış durumdadırlar. Bu yönüyle, çalışmanın hedef kitlesi olarak 8. sınıf öğrencilerinin seçilmiş olması, araştırmanın amacına ulaşması açısından anlamlı bir tercih olarak değerlendirilmektedir. Araştırma nitel araştırma yöntemlerine uygun olarak yapılandırılmıştır. Çalışma, betimleyici bir yaklaşımla yürütülmüş olup, bireylerin yaşantılarına ve anlamlandırmalarına odaklanılmıştır. Bu doğrultuda, araştırma deseni olarak olgubilim (fenomenoloji) deseni tercih edilmiştir. Olgubilim deseni, bireylerin belirli bir olguya dair yaşantılarını, algılarını ve bu olguyu nasıl anlamlandırdıklarını derinlemesine incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Bu araştırmada da \"vatandaşlık\" olgusu, Suriyeli öğrencilerin bireysel deneyimleri ve algıları bağlamında değerlendirilmiştir. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu, Türk vatandaşlığına geçmiş ve Türkçe konuşma becerisi iyi düzeyde olan toplam 12 Suriyeli öğrenci oluşturmaktadır. Bu grubun, cinsiyet dağılımı gözetilerek eşit sayıda 6 kız ve 6 erkek öğrenciden oluşmasına özen gösterilmiştir. Bu seçim, farklı cinsiyetlerden öğrencilerin vatandaşlığa ilişkin görüşlerinin karşılaştırılabilirliğini sağlamak amacıyla yapılmıştır. Veri toplama sürecinde, araştırmanın bilimsel geçerliliğini ve etik uygunluğunu sağlamak adına, öncelikle alanında uzman 1 profesör ve 2 doktor öğretim üyesinden görüş alınarak yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu oluşturulmuştur. Görüşme formunun uygulanabilirliği ve içerik geçerliliği uzman görüşleri doğrultusunda değerlendirilmiş ve gerekli düzenlemeler yapılmıştır. Ardından, ilgili üniversitenin etik kurulundan gerekli onaylar alınarak veri toplama sürecine geçilmiştir. Görüşmeler, öğrencilerin vatandaşlık ve vatandaşlığa ilişkin algılarını, bilgilerini ve deneyimlerini ortaya koyabilecek nitelikte düzenlenmiştir. Elde edilen nitel verilerin çözümlenmesinde içerik analizi tekniği kullanılmıştır. İçerik analizi ile öğrencilerin ifadeleri temalar ve alt temalar etrafında sınıflandırılmış, tekrar eden örüntüler belirlenmiş ve yorumlanmıştır. Bu analiz süreci sonucunda ulaşılan bulgular, araştırmanın \"bulgular\" ve \"sonuç\" bölümlerinde ayrıntılı biçimde ele alınmıştır.