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Background Herpes zoster (HZ) results from the reactivation of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in dorsal root ganglia, often triggered by immune decline. This multicenter study aimed to describe the frequency, clinical and demographic characteristics, and risk factors of HZ in Türkiye to inform clinical management and prevention strategies. Methods This retrospective analysis was conducted on 503 patients diagnosed with HZ between 2014 and 2024 across 17 hospitals in nine Turkish provinces. Data included demographics, comorbidities, immunosuppressive therapy, dermatomal involvement, rash duration, antiviral treatment, and vaccination status. Descriptive statistics were applied. Results A total of 503 patients were included in the study. Of these, 281 (55.9%) were female including 10 pregnant women (3.5%) and 222 (44.1%) were male, with a mean age of 59 ± 16 years (range: 20–101). Sixty-one patients (12.1%) were using immunosuppressive drugs during the zoster episode, and 324 (64.4%) had comorbid diseases. Strikingly, only one patient (0.2%) had received the zoster vaccine, highlighting a critical gap in preventive medicine. While 246 (48.9%) patients had a history of chickenpox during childhood, 11 (2.2%) had experienced more than one episode of zoster previously. Forty-three (8.6%) patients had multiple dermatome involvement, while 459 (91.4%) had single dermatome involvement. The distribution of dermatome involvement in order of frequency was as follows: thoracic ( n  = 256, 50.9%), lumbar ( n  = 110, 21.9%), sacral ( n  = 51, 10.1%), trigeminal ( n  = 100, 19.9%), cervical ( n  = 16, 3.2%), and periorbital ( n  = 16, 3.2%). The mean duration of rash was 15.1 days for all patients, while this duration was 15.3 days in those with comorbidities, 18.6 days in patients using immunosuppressive drugs, and 17.2 days in pregnant women. The antivirals used in treatment were valacyclovir ( n  = 310, 61.6%), acyclovir ( n  = 145, 28.8%), and brivudine ( n  = 18, 3.6%). The duration of rash was 14.6 days in those treated with valacyclovir, 16.1 days in those treated with brivudine, and 17.0 days in those treated with acyclovir. Conclusion HZ is a disease whose frequency increases particularly with advancing age, and careful management is required especially in patients with comorbidities, pregnant women, and those receiving immunosuppressive therapy. Identifying and informing individuals in risk groups, raising their awareness. The near-total absence of vaccination in our cohort underscores the urgent need for national health policies to improve vaccine accessibility.

Background: The endothelial activation and stress index (EASIX), derived from the serum lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine, and platelet counts, is a composite biomarker for endothelial dysfunction and systemic stress. It has been developed to predict clinical outcomes in hematologic malignancies. This study aimed to investigate the EASIX’s predictive role in contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) and in-hospital mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 1552 patients with STEMI who underwent primary PCI were retrospectively included. The patients were divided into two groups: CIN (+) and CIN (−). Baseline demographic, laboratory, clinic, and procedural variables were compared between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of CIN and in-hospital mortality, while receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine the optimal EASIX cut-off values. Results: CIN developed in 7.6% (n = 118) of the study population, and these patients had significantly increased EASIX scores. Those with CIN were older and exhibited higher rates of diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (all p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, age (OR 1.053), CKD (OR 1.338), reduced LVEF (OR 0.965), and EASIX (OR 2.467) independently predicted CIN. EASIX > 0.93 demonstrated strong discriminatory ability (AUC 0.785; sensitivity 72% and specificity 72%). EASIX also independently predicted in-hospital mortality (OR 3.592), with an optimal cut-off > 0.88 (AUC 0.774). Conclusions: By integrating markers of renal function, endothelial activation, and systemic stress, EASIX may serve as a useful and reliable indicator for predicting CIN development and in-hospital mortality in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of oil type, fat level, storage time, and storage temperature on the microbiological, physicochemical, sensory, microstructural, and oxidative stability properties of vegan mayonnaise. For this purpose, a 70% oil formulation was used as the full-fat reference system, whereas a 50% oil formulation was evaluated as a lower-fat experimental system. These formulations were prepared using palm, soybean, cottonseed, and canola oils and stored at 25 °C for 120 days, 37 °C for 60 days, and 55 °C for 30 days. The quality attributes of the samples were systematically monitored under these storage conditions. The results showed that canola- and soybean oil-based formulations exhibited superior emulsion stability and sensory acceptability in both systems. In contrast, palm oil-based samples, particularly the 50% oil formulations, showed pronounced phase separation and markedly lower emulsion stability, indicating limited structural compatibility under lower-fat conditions. Overall, the findings demonstrated that oil type and fat level strongly influenced the quality characteristics of vegan mayonnaise, while storage time and temperature were important in determining the evolution and preservation of these properties under the tested conditions. These results provide useful guidance for the development of stable and acceptable plant-based mayonnaise products.

Background and Objectives: Studies have shown that inflammation markers can be used as prognostic tools in predicting acute ischemic stroke. In this study, we conducted a comparison of several inflammation scores in predicting left atrial thrombosis (LAT) in patients with ischemic stroke without AF. Materials and Methods: In this single-center, retrospective study, we included 303 consecutive patients with ischemic stroke. Each patient underwent a transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) examination within 10 days of admission to detect the presence of LAT. To identify independent predictors of LAT, we conducted a multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: In total, 303 patients who had ischemic stroke were included in the analysis. LAT was detached in 34 patients at the time of the TEE examination. The patients were categorized into two groups based on their LAT status. The Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), HALP score, and C-reactive Protein–Albumin Ratio (CAR) were identified as statistically significant predictors of LAT. Based on the results of the multivariate regression analysis, the CAR emerged as the only independent predictor of LAT. Conclusions: Among several inflammation scores, the PNI, HALP, and CAR were statistically significant predictors of LAT in ischemic stroke patients without AF. CAR was identified as the optimal score for the prediction of LAT in patients with stroke and without AF.

Despite their effectiveness, cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs have low participation and adherence rates. CR participation and adherence are directly related to the social, economic, cultural, and geographical characteristics of the society. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the reasons behind low participation in CR within Turkish society, as well as the barriers that restrict participation despite educational efforts. The research was conducted with participants who were over 18 years of age, had any history of heart disease, and had been hospitalized in the last year. The patients' medical history, chronic diseases, demographics, habits, employment and income status, educational status, and approaches to CR were surveyed. Additionally, patients who still did not consider participating in CR after receiving information were asked about the reasons for their decisions. Although 95.6% of patients were eligible for CR, 91.9% of them were previously unaware of this treatment option. After being informed, 29.4% of patients agreed to participate in CR. The most common reasons for not participating after receiving information were as follows: three days a week is too much (21.9%); this place is far away, but if it were closer, I would come (18.1%); I can't come on weekdays (15.6%); and I would come if someone brought me (14.4%). We observed that the participation rate in CR increased from 0% to 29.4% after receiving information. Furthermore, it was determined that the CR schedule and transportation were significant factors influencing participation.

Elevated vitamin B12 is a sign for liver damage, but its significance in chronic stable heart failure (HF) is less known. The present study investigated the clinical correlates and prognostic significance of vitamin B12 levels in stable systolic HF. A total of 129 consecutive patients with HF and 50 control subjects were enrolled. Data regarding demographics, clinical signs, therapeutic and conventional echocardiographic measurements were recorded for all patients. Right-sided HF was defined as the presence of at least one of the typical symptoms (ankle swelling) or specific signs (jugular venous distention or abdominojugular reflux) of right HF. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed to determine the independent prognostic determinants of mortality. Baseline B12 levels in HF patients (n=129) with and without right sided HF were significantly higher compared to healthy controls (n=50): Median 311 pg/mL and 235 pg/mL vs 198 pg/mL, respectively ( =0.005). Folic acid levels were similar between the study groups. Age, ejection fraction, left atrial size, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and direct and indirect bilirubin levels were significantly correlated to serum B12 level in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, independent correlates of B12 were direct bilirubin ( =0.51, <0.001) and age ( =0.19, =0.028). Patients with HF were followed-up for a median period of 32 months. Median B12 levels were significantly higher in patients who subsequently died (n=35) compared to survivors, but folic acid was not different between the two groups. ROC analysis showed that B12 values ≥270 pg/mL had 80% sensitivity and 58% specificity for predicting all-cause mortality (area under the curve=0.672, 95% CI=0.562-0.781; =0.003). However, in Cox regression analysis, only left atrial diameter, level of direct bilirubin, and the presence of abdominojugular reflux were independent predictors of death. Increased B12 in stable HF patients is associated with increased direct bilirubin due to right HF, indicating a cardiohepatic syndrome, but neither B12 nor folic acid are independently associated with mortality.

In-stent restenosis and occlusion are common, well-known complications of superficial femoral artery (SFA) interventions. The treatment options in such cases are re-intervention or surgery. A percutaneous antegrade approach is an effective and safe method to perform SFA stent restenosis or occlusion treatment. If an antegrade intervention fails, a retrograde transpopliteal approach may be an alternative. However, in some patients who are admitted with acute leg ischemia there is no distal vessel flow. This condition can result in the need for extremity amputation. Presently described is a case in which a direct stent puncture technique was applied to recanalize the SFA in-stent occlusion after an initially unsuccessful antegrade intervention.

Along with the technological improvements in our age, it is now possible for the movement to become one of the basic components of the architectural space. Accordingly, architectural construction of movement changes both our architectural production practices and our understanding of architectural space. However, existing design concepts and approaches are insufficient to discuss and understand this change. In this respect, this study aims to form a conceptual framework on the relationship of architecture and movement. In this sense, the conceptualization of move-tecture is developed to research on the architectural construction of movement and the potentials of spatial creation through architecturally constructed movement. Move-tecture, is a conceptualization that treats movement as a basic component of spatial creation. It presents the framework of a qualitative categorization on the design of moving architectural structures. However, this categorization is a flexible one that can evolve in the direction of the expanding possibilities of the architectural design and the changing living conditions. With this understanding, six categories have been defined within the context of the article: Topological Organization, Choreographic Formation, Kinetic Structuring, Corporeal Constitution, Technological Configuration and Interactional Patterning. In line with these categories, a multifaceted perspective on the moving architectural structures is promoted. It is aimed that such an understanding constitutes a new initiative in the design practices carried out in this area and provides a conceptual basis for the discussions to be developed.

Objective: Patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have potential in human disease modeling and regenerative medicine. The in vitro phenotype of disease-specific iPSC-derived cells can be used to bridge the knowledge gap between clinical phenotype and molecular or cellular pathophysiology and to understand the pathology of diseases, along with further applications, such as creating new strategies for drug screening or developing novel therapeutic agents. The aim of our study was to generate iPSCs from multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Materials and Methods: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from MM patients were induced for pluripotency via the Sendai virus. Fibroblasts were used as a control. Microscopic analysis was performed daily. For colony selection, live staining was done using alkaline phosphatase staining. Reprogramming experiments were confirmed by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence (IF) staining, and gene expression analyses. To confirm the spontaneous differentiation potential, an in vitro embryonic body (EB) formation assay was performed. Results: Fibroblasts and MSCs obtained from MM patients were reprogrammed using the Sendai virus, which contains reprogramming vectors with the four Yamanaka factors, Oct3/4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc. Microscopic analysis revealed that the generated iPSCs possessed classical embryonic stem cell-like morphological characteristics. Reprogramming experiments further showed that both cell lines can be reprogrammed up to the pluripotent stage, which was confirmed by flow cytometry, IF staining, and gene expression analyses. Spontaneous differentiation potential was confirmed by in vitro EB formation assays. Conclusion: iPSCs have been successfully obtained from MM patients for the first time. These cells could clarify the molecular mechanisms behind this disease. Keywords: Induced pluripotent stem cells, Multiple myeloma, Mesenchymal stem cells, Sendai virus Amac: Hastaya ozgu uyarilmic pluripotent kok hucreler (uPKH) insan hastalik modellemesi ve rejeneratif tipta buyuk bir potansiyele sahiptir. Hastaliga ozgu uPKH'den turetilen hucreler, klinik fenotip ile molekuler veya hucresel patofizyoloji arasindaki bilgi boclugunu kapatmak ve ilac taramasi icin yeni stratejiler olucturmak ve yeni terapotik ajanlar gelictirmek gibi stratejilerle hastalik patolojilerini anlamada faydali olacaktir. Calicmamizin amaci multipl myelom (MM) hastalarindan uPKH uretmektir. Gerec ve Yontemler: MM hastalarindan izole edilen MKH'ler Sendai virus yoluyla uyarilarak pluripotensi acamasina dondurulmustur. Calicmada fibroblastlar kontrol olarak kullanilmictir. Her gun mikroskobik analiz yapilmic, koloni secimi icin alkalin fosfataz canli boyamasi yapilmictir. Yeniden programlama deneyleri akic sitometrisi, immunofloresan (IF) boyama ve gen ekspresyon analizleri ile teyit edilmictir. Spontan farklilacma potansiyelini dogrulamak icin in vitro embriyonik cisimcik (EC) olucum deneyi yapilmictir. Bulgular: Fibroblastlar ve MM hastalarindan izole edilmic MKH'ler; dort Yamanaka faktoru olan Oct3/4, Sox2, Klf4 ve c-Myc ile yeniden programlama vektorleri iceren Sendai virusu kullanilarak yeniden programlanmictir. ilk olarak, mikroskobik analiz ile uretilen uPKH'lerin klasik embriyonik kok hucre (EKH) benzeri morfolojik ozelliklere sahip oldugu ortaya konmuctur. ikinci olarak, her iki hucre hattinin da pluripotent acamaya kadar yeniden programlanabildigi akic sitometrisi, IF boyama ve gen ekspresyon analizleri ile teyit edilmictir. in vitro embriyonik cisimcik (EC) olucum deneyleri ile spontan farklilacma potansiyeli gosterilmictir. Sonuc: uPKH'ler MM hastalarindan ilk kez bacariyla elde edilmictir ve bu hucrelerin MM hastaliginin arkasindaki molekuler mekanizmalari netlectirebilecegi dusunulmektedir. Anahtar Sozcukler: Uyarilmic pluripotent kok hucre, Multipl myelom, Mezenkimal kok hucre, Sendai virus