Eurasian Journal of Medicine最新文献

Background: Cryptorchidism, defined as the failure of the testes to descend into the scrotum, is a common condition in male children. The authors aimed to assess the testicular volume in children of different ages with cryptorchidism and to investigate its potential effects on testicular development.

Methods: This retrospective study was approved by the institutional ethics committee. The study included 480 patients with abnormal scrotal ultrasonography findings and 67 control cases between January 2024 and January 2025. Testicular volume was calculated. Measurements were conducted by a pediatric radiologist with at least 10 years of experience.

Results: The mean age of the enrolled male children was 21 months. A significant difference was observed between right testicular volumes (0.24 Å} 0.1) and left testicular volumes (0.27 Å} 0.13) in patients with right cryptorchidism (t = -4.568; P < .001). Similarly, there was a significant difference between right testicular volumes (0.26 Å} 0.12) and left testicular volumes (0.23 Å} 0.09) in patients with left-sided cryptorchidism (t = 4.661; P < .001). There were statistically significant differences in testicular volumes according to age groups in patients with cryptorchidism, hydrocele, and descended testis (F = 3.216; P = .013, F = 3.428; P = .013, F = 26.135; P < .001, respectively).

Conclusion: Testicular volumes in males under 3 years with cryptorchidism are significantly smaller than in healthy children.   Cite this article as: Konukoğlu O, Kaya M, Cindemir E, Pirimoglu RB. Evaluation of testicular volume in children aged 6-36 months with cryptorchidism: a retrospective ultrasonographic study. Eurasian J Med. 2025, 57(4), 1097, doi: 10.5152/eurasianjmed.2025.251097.

Background: Influenza is a viral infection affecting all age groups, with high transmissibility and the potential to cause epidemics and pandemics. Accurate and early prognosis prediction is essential for effective disease management and outbreak control. The objective of the present research was to assess the significance of mean platelet volume (MPV) and its relationship with inflammatory markers, particularly C-reactive protein (CRP), in predicting the prognosis of Influenza A (H1N1) infection.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 133 hospitalized patients who presented with respira tory symptoms and tested positive for H1N1 via nasopharyngeal swab. Data on MPV and CRP levels were collected at admission. The presence of comorbidities and clinical outcomes, including mortality, were also recorded. The relationship between MPV, CRP, and patient outcomes was statistically evaluated.

Results: Comorbid conditions were found in 66.2% of the patients. Among the 31 patients who died (23.3%), 77.4% had comorbidities. Mortality was significantly higher in those with comorbidities (27.3%) than those without (15.5%). Compared with the healthy control group, patients exhibited a markedly lower MPV and higher CRP levels (both P < .005). Intensive care unit (ICU) patients had higher CRP levels than non-ICU patients (P < .005), but MPV did not differ significantly (P = .638). Higher CRP was associated with mortality (P < .005), whereas MPV showed no significant association (P = .086).

Conclusion: H1N1 infection has the potential to cause severe and fatal outcomes, particularly in elderly patients with comorbidities. Elevated CRP at admission may serve as a valuable prognostic marker. Although MPV may contribute diagnostically, its prognostic utility appears limited compared to CRP.   Cite this article as: Tüzün Z, Saler T, Tüzün K, Çelik U, Avci BŞ. Association between mean platelet volume and other inflammatory markers in patients with influenza A (H1N1). Eurasian J Med. 2025, 57(4), 0972, doi:10.5152/eurasianjmed.2025.25972.

Background: This study examines the impact of trust in science on individuals' attitudes toward the COVID19 vaccine, with an application to the parallel mediating roles of belief in conspiracy theories and general vaccine hesitancy.

Methods: A survey of 469 adults in Türkiye was conducted online and paper-based. Direct and indirect effects (IEs) were estimated by parallel mediation analysis using PROCESS Macro Model 4 with 5000 boot strap resamples.

Results: Trust in science was found to influence COVID-19 vaccine attitudes indirectly through 2 distinct psychological mechanisms: reduced belief in conspiracy theories and more positive general vaccine attitudes. Both indirect pathways were statistically significant, confirming their mediating roles. Although the mediation effect through general vaccine attitudes was larger in magnitude, the difference between the 2 IEs was not statistically significant.

Conclusion: These results point out 2 separate psychological routes connecting scientific confidence to vac cination acceptance. General vaccine attitudes could be more profound and lasting than crisis-specific ones. This paper provides theoretical and practical insights for creating long-term public health strategies that fos ter trust and combat both misinformation and deep-seated vaccine skepticism by using a parallel mediation approach in the sociocultural setting of Türkiye.   Cite this article as: Kara S, Hatipoğlu SS, Arslanoglu NZ, Erdogan Z. The impact of trust in science on COVID-19 vaccine attitudes: parallel mediation through conspiracy beliefs and general vaccine hesitancy. Eurasian J Med. 2025, 57(4), 1024, doi:10.5152/eurasianjmed.2025.251024.

Background: Mercury is a heavy metal that has the potential to exert a deleterious effect on human health. The purpose of this article is threefold: firstly, to raise awareness of the issue; secondly, to offer solutions; and thirdly, to contribute to the existing literature on the subject by examining cases of elemental mercury poisoning that occurred in a primary school.

Methods: In 2019, 34 cases of mercury poisoning due to mercury bottle (used in the laboratory) spillage in a primary school were examined, and control examinations were performed in 2024.

Results: The demographic composition of the cases was as follows: 58.8% of the subjects were male, with an average age of 9 years. The research revealed that 47.1% of cases were exposed to elemental mercury for a period of 4 days, 76.5% of cases involved manual contact with mercury, 82.4% of cases presented symptoms, the mean blood mercury level was 46.62 μg/L, and 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonic acid (DMPS) treat ment was administered to the cases.

Conclusion: Elevated blood mercury levels were found to be associated with more severe clinical mani festations. The study concluded that a 7-day intravenous administration of DMPS exhibited a high degree of therapeutic efficacy. In order to prevent poisoning from mercury and similar substances in educational establishments, it is essential to raise awareness of toxic substances, establish emergency chemical safety and medical health protocols, and prohibit the use of toxic substances such as mercury and devices containing these substances.   Cite this article as: Vural T, Kök AN, Ural B,Kılınç BB. Danger in the classroom: elemental mercury poisoning in primary school students. Eurasian J Med. 2025, 57(4), 1062, doi: 10.5152/ eurasianjmed.2025.251062.

Background: The study aims to evaluate serum endocan (endothelial cell-specific molecule-1) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and to determine its relationship with disease activity by comparing it with a control group.

Methods: Venous blood samples were collected from 63 patients with diabetic retinopathy and healthy indi viduals who visited the policlinic between January 1, 2020, and March 1, 2020. Serum endocan and HbA1c levels were evaluated in the patients.

Results: The mean age of the patient and control groups was 62 ± 10.19 and 60.27 ± 5.53, respectively. No statistically significant difference was observed between the patient and control groups in terms of age and gender. Serum endocan levels were found to be statistically significantly higher in the patient group with diabetic retinopathy (P < .05).

Conclusion: It was hypothesized that serum endocan levels could serve as a guiding parameter in assessing the severity of diabetic retinopathy.   Cite this article as: Yıldırım M, Çinici E, Çelik M, İçtaş S. Assessment of serum endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 (ESM-1, endocan) levels in patients with diabetic retinopathy. Eurasian J Med. 2025, 57(4), 1038, doi:10.5152/eurasianjmed.2025.251038.

Background: This study aimed to investigate solitary hydatid cysts occurring in various anatomical locations.

Methods: A retrospective single-center analysis was conducted on 1303 consecutive cases of solitary hydatid cysts identified across different body regions between 2015 and 2024.

Results: Solitary hydatid cysts accounted for 67.7% (1303/1926) of all treated cases. Among the 1303 patients, 609 (46.7%) were male and 694 (53.3%) were female. The mean age was 35.3 ± 20.4 years, with a range from 2 to 87 years. Among pediatric cases, 153 (43.6%) were female and 198 (56.4%) were male, whereas among adults, 541 (56.8%) were female and 411 (43.2%) were male (P < .01). Cyst localization was predominantly hepatic (969 cases, 74.3%), followed by pulmonary (250 cases, 19.1%). Other sites included the spleen (21 cases, 1.6%), muscle tissue (14 cases, 1.1%), kidneys (11 cases, 0.8%), bones (10 cases, 0.8%), intracranial areas (8 cases, 0.6%), cardiac regions (6 cases, 0.5%), mediastinum (3 cases, 0.2%), pelvic space (3 cases, 0.2%), subcutaneous and soft tissue (3 cases, 0.2%), omentum (3 cases, 0.2%), diaphragm (1 case, 0.1%), and pancreas (1 case, 0.1%). The mean diameter of hydatid cysts was 72.5 ± 33.2 mm (range: 10-230 mm). Surgical intervention was the primary treatment across all cases; however, medical therapy was more frequently selected for cysts located in the liver and spleen than in other anatomical regions.

Conclusion: Solitary hydatid cysts typically affect the liver and lungs but may arise in any location. Surgery remains the primary treatment across all sites.   Cite this article as: Aydın Y, Ulaş AB, Eren S, et al. Solitary hydatid cysts of the body: analysis of  1303 cases. Eurasian J Med. 2025, 57(4), 1086, doi:10.5152/eurasianjmed.2025.251086.

Background: Isatin, an endogenous indole found in the brain and peripheral tissues, has a wide spectrum of physiological and pharmacological effects. This study aims to disclose the impact of long-term isatin administration on daily voluntary running, cardiac performance, and the expression of genes and proteins involved in signaling pathways in left ventricular tissue in rats.

Methods: Wistar Albino rats were housed in standard cages or cages with running wheels for 28 days and received either intraperitoneally saline or isatin at 20 mg/kg/day or isatin 100 mg/kg/day from day 14 until 28. The hearts were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution ex vivo to measure developed left ventricular pressure and rate of contraction and relaxation. Protein kinase B (AKT), extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2), and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase-4 (PDK4) gene and protein expressions were determined in the ventricle.

Results: Isatin did not alter daily running activity, cardiac performance, or AKT gene expression in groups (P > .05 for all). Ventricular weight/body weight and ERK1/2 gene expression were higher in the physically active group administered a high dose of isatin (100 mg/kg/day) than in the inactive group administered the same dose (P = .007, P = .042, respectively). PDK-4 protein level was lower in the physically active group administered a low dose of isatin compared with the inactive control group.

Conclusion: Long-term isatin administration is well tolerated in female rats without negatively affecting daily physical activity and ex vivo cardiac performance. In physically active rats, the ERK1/2- and PDK-4-mediated effects of isatin on the left ventricle may differ depending on its dose.

Background: Metformin, an adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase activator, is indicated in pregnant and non-pregnant women for glucose dysregulation-associated conditions. Its role in various smooth muscle functions was documented. As the myometrium, crucial in fertility and pregnancy, is overlooked, the aim was to investigate the modulation of spontaneous and stimulated myometrium contractions by metformin.

Methods: The uterus of the adult female Sprague-Dawley rats (N=15) was excised and 4 full thickness myometrium strips (2 × 10 mm) were sectioned. The strips (n=57) were challenged with KCl (80 mM) to confirm viability and determine the reference maximum response. The spontaneous contractions and dose- response curves for oxytocin (10-11-10-4M) and carbachol (CCh, 10-8-10-4M) were recorded. Additionally, CCh-induced curves were re-obtained in M2-muscarinic receptor blocker, methoctramine (10-5M) and M3-muscarinic receptor blocker, and 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine (4-DAMP) (10-7M) exposed strips. The responses were obtained alone or in combination with metformin (10-4M).

Results: Metformin attenuated both the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous contractions (P < .005) as well as those stimulated by oxytocin and CCh (P < .005). This effect was comparable to M2-receptor blockage, whereas the most potent inhibition was with M3-receptor blocker and/or combinations involving it. The 90% inhibition of contraction in metformin, 4-DAMP, and methoctramine exposed strips suggests a synergistic action.

Conclusion: Metformin may be beneficial in conditions favorable to fertilization, implantation, and prevention of preterm labor by reducing myometrial contractility during pregnancy and in non-pregnant indications. However, use of metformin should be approached with caution when strong myometrium contractions are required near term or postpartum.

Background: Intranasal mucosal contact points (MCPs) can exacerbate primary headaches or give rise to secondary headaches. In this study, the prevalence of intranasal MCPs and their relationship with migraine features were investigated in patients diagnosed with episodic migraine.

Methods: Fifty migraineurs were enrolled in the migraine group, and 50 without migraine in the control group in this retrospective study. Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS), and Headache Impact Scale (HIT-6) scores were retrieved from the patient files. Coronal and axial computed tomography sections were scanned, and intranasal MCP and anatomical variations within these were recorded. The prevalence of MCP was then compared across the 2 groups.

Results: The patient group had a considerably higher prevalence of MCP than the control group (P=.018). No meaningful correlations were detected between mucosal contact and age, sex, migraine aura, menstruation, frequency of migraine attacks, duration of attacks, pain severity (VAS), or the effect of migraine on daily living (MIDAS) and quality of life (HIT-6).

Conclusion: The findings indicate that an increased prevalence of migraine is associated with intranasal mucosal contact, which occurs particularly between the middle concha and septum. Further clinical studies researching the role of intranasal mucosal contact in migraine are now needed.

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease. The most significant and prevalent complication of SSc is interstitial lung disease (ILD). It is difficult to monitor disease activity. In outpatient clinic conditions, C-reactive protein remains nonspecific and specific methods such as the European Scleroderma Trials and Research group take a long time. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of new inflammation markers obtained from blood parameters, which is a rapid and inexpensive method, in SSc patients with ILD.

Methods: A total of 53 patients with SSc and 54 healthy subjects were included in this retrospective crosssectional study.

Results: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic inflammatory index (SII), systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), and pan-immune-inflammation values (PIV) were found to be higher in the patient group than in the control group. The lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) value was significantly lower in the patient group. Besides, these patients with ILD had significantly higher NLR, PLR, SII, and PIV values. The SIRI values were also high, but not statistically significant. The LMR value was found to be significantly lower. The SIRI values with 66% sensitivity and 66.7% specificity for SSc patients, and SII values with 75% sensitivity and 74.7% specificity for SSc patients with ILD can indicate disease activity.

Conclusion: The novel indices may prove superior to rudimentary indices by virtue of their capacity to more accurately reflect inflammatory activity in inflammatory connective tissue diseases, particularly those accompanied by fibrotic lung involvement. These indices have the potential to serve as a cost-effective predictive instrument.