Browsing by Author "Yavuz S."
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Item Characteristics of joint involvement and relationships with systemic inflammation in systemic sclerosis: Results from the EULAR Scleroderma Trial and Research Group (EUSTAR) database(2010) Avouac J.; Walker U.; Tyndall A.; Kahan A.; Matucci-Cerinic M.; Allanore Y.; Miniati I.; Müller A.; Iannone F.; Giacomelli R.; Distler O.; Becvar R.; Sierakowsky S.; Kowal-Bielecka O.; Coelho P.; Cabane J.; Cutolo M.; Shoenfeld Y.; Valentini G.; Rovensky J.; Riemekasten G.; Nicoara I.; Vlachoyiannopoulos P.; Caporali R.; Jiri S.; Inanc M.; Gorska I.Z.; Carreira P.; Novak S.; Czirjak L.; Ramos F.O.; Jendro M.; Chizzolini C.; Kucharz E.J.; Richter J.; Cozzi F.; Rozman B.; Mallia C.M.; Gabrielli A.; Farge D.; Kiener H.P.; Schöffel D.; Sticherling M.; Airo P.; Wollheim F.; Martinovic D.; Trotta F.; Hunzelmann N.; Jablonska S.; Reich K.; Bombardieri S.; Siakka P.; Pellerito R.; Bambara L.M.; Morovic-Vergles J.; Denton C.; Hinrichs R.; Van Den Hoogen F.; Damjanov N.; Kötter I.; Ortiz V.; Heitmann S.; Krasowska D.; Seidel M.; Hasler P.; Van Laar J.M.; Kaltwasser J.P.; Foeldvari I.; Juan Mas A.; Bajocchi G.; Wislowska M.; Pereira Da Silva J.A.; Jacobsen S.; Worm M.; Graniger W.; Kuhn A.; Stankovic A.; Cossutta R.; Majdan M.; Rajcevska L.D.; Tikly M.; Nasonov E.L.; Steinbrink K.; Herrick A.; Müller-Ladner U.; Dinc A.; Scorza R.; Sondergaard K.; Indiveri F.; Nielsen H.; Szekanecz Z.; Silver R.M.; Antivalle M.; Espinosa I.B.; García De La Pena Lefebvre P.; Midtvedt O.; Launay D.; Valesini F.; Tuvik P.; Ionescu R.M.; Del Papa N.; Pinto S.; Wigley F.; Mihai C.; Capranu M.S.; Sunderkötter C.; Jun J.B.; Derk C.; Alhasani S.; Distler J.H.; Ton E.; Soukup T.; Seibold J.; Zeni S.; Nash P.; Mouthon L.; De Keyser F.; Duruöz M.T.; Cantatore F.P.; Strauss G.; Von Mülhen C.A.; Pozzi M.R.; Eyerich K.; Szechinski J.; Keiserman M.; Houssiau F.A.; Rom-Ivorra J.A.; Krummel-Lorenz B.; Aringer M.; Westhovens R.; Bellisai F.; Mayer M.; Stoeckl F.; Üprus M.; Volpe A.; Buslau M.; Yavuz S.; Granel B.; Feijó A.V.; Del Galdo F.; Popa S.; Zenone T.; Machado X.R.; Pileckyte M.; Stebbings S.; Mathieu A.; Tulli A.; Tourinho T.; Souza R.; Acayaba De Toledo R.; Stamp L.; Solanki K.; Veale D.; Neto J.F.M.; Bagnato G.F.; Loyo E.; Toloza S.; Li M.; Mohamed W.A.A.A.; Cobankara V.; Olas J.; Salsano F.; Oksel F.; Tanaseanu C.M.; Foti R.; Ancuta C.; Vonk M.; Caramashi P.; Beretta L.; Balbir A.; Shine B.; Chiàla A.; Simic K.P.; Ghio M.; Stamenkovic B.; Rednic S.; Host N.; Hachulla E.; Furst D.E.Objective. To determine the prevalence of and independent factors associated with joint involvement in a large population of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Methods. This study was cross-sectional, based on data collected on patients included in the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Scleroderma Trials and Research (EUSTAR) registry. We queried this database to extract data regarding global evaluation of patients with SSc and the presence of any clinical articular involvement: synovitis (tender and swollen joints), tendon friction rubs (rubbing sensation detected as the tendon was moved), and joint contracture (stiffness of the joints that decreased their range of motion). Overall joint involvement was defined by the occurrence of synovitis and/or joint contracture and/or tendon friction rubs. Results. We recruited 7286 patients with SSc; their mean age was 56 ± 14 years, disease duration 10 ± 9 years, and 4210 (58%) had a limited cutaneous disease subset. Frequencies of synovitis, tendon friction rubs, and joint contractures were 16%, 11%, and 31%, respectively. Synovitis, tendon friction rubs, and joint contracture were more prevalent in patients with the diffuse cutaneous subset and were associated together and with severe vascular, muscular, renal, and interstitial lung involvement. Moreover, synovitis had the highest strength of association with elevated acute-phase reactants taken as the dependent variable. Conclusion. Our results highlight the striking level of articular involvement in SSc, as evaluated by systematic examination in a large cohort of patients with SSc. Our data also show that synovitis, joint contracture, and tendon friction rubs are associated with amore severe disease and with systemic inflammation. The Journal of Rheumatology Copyright © 2010. All rights reserved.Item Optical and photovoltaic properties of salicylaldimine-based azo ligands(2010) Dinçalp H.; Yavuz S.; Hakli O.; Zafer C.; Özsoy C.; Durucasu I.; Içli S.A series of azo dyes containing salicylaldimine-based ligands as side chains were prepared and characterized. Absorption and emission data in five solvents of different polarities were studied. Photoirradiation studies under an oxygen atmosphere in water showed that the Schiff base side chains enhanced the photo-oxidative stability of the azo chromophore. The electrochemical properties of the dyes were investigated by a cyclic voltammetry. The synthesized salicylaldimine-based azo dyes gave two irreversible oxidation potentials. Complexation behavior of synthesized compounds with titanium (IV) ions was illustrated by the change in their absorption spectra. These ligands are appropriate sensitizers for anchoring to the TiO2 surface chemically in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) productions. Electron injection capacities to TiO2 and photovoltaic performance of the synthesized salicylaldimine-based azo dyes were tested with DSSC. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Item Attitudes toward Wife Abuse of Police Officers and Judiciary Members in Turkey: Profession, Gender, Ambivalent Sexism and Sex Roles(Springer New York LLC, 2016) Gölge Z.B.; Sanal Y.; Yavuz S.; Arslanoglu-Çetin E.This study examined the attitudes of police officers and judiciary members toward wife abuse in Turkey and the relation between these attitudes and profession, ambivalent sexism (hostile/benevolent sexism), gender, and gender roles. The following instruments were used for the analyses: The Attitudes Toward Wife Abuse Scale (AWAS), the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (ASI), and the Bem Sex Role Inventory. The participants were 300 police officers and 150 judiciary members selected from different regions of Turkey. Results showed that compared to judiciary members, police officers are more tolerant of physical and verbal abuse of women in marriage, but less tolerant of the idea of the victim leaving an abusive marriage partner. Similarly, men were more tolerant than women of those husbands who physically and verbally abuse their wives, but less supportive of the wife leaving the abusive partner. Profession and ambivalent sexism (hostile/benevolent sexism) were found to be the strongest predictors of attitudes toward wife abuse. © 2016, Springer Science+Business Media New York.Item Identification of susceptibility loci for Takayasu arteritis through a large multi-ancestral genome-wide association study(Cell Press, 2021) Ortiz-Fernández L.; Saruhan-Direskeneli G.; Alibaz-Oner F.; Kaymaz-Tahra S.; Coit P.; Kong X.; Kiprianos A.P.; Maughan R.T.; Aydin S.Z.; Aksu K.; Keser G.; Kamali S.; Inanc M.; Springer J.; Akar S.; Onen F.; Akkoc N.; Khalidi N.A.; Koening C.; Karadag O.; Kiraz S.; Forbess L.; Langford C.A.; McAlear C.A.; Ozbalkan Z.; Yavuz S.; Çetin G.Y.; Alpay-Kanitez N.; Chung S.; Ates A.; Karaaslan Y.; McKinnon-Maksimowicz K.; Monach P.A.; Ozer H.T.E.; Seyahi E.; Fresko I.; Cefle A.; Seo P.; Warrington K.J.; Ozturk M.A.; Ytterberg S.R.; Cobankara V.; Onat A.M.; Duzgun N.; Bıcakcıgil M.; Yentür S.P.; Lally L.; Manfredi A.A.; Baldissera E.; Erken E.; Yazici A.; Kısacık B.; Kaşifoğlu T.; Dalkilic E.; Cuthbertson D.; Pagnoux C.; Sreih A.; Reales G.; Wallace C.; Wren J.D.; Cunninghame-Graham D.S.; Vyse T.J.; Sun Y.; Chen H.; Grayson P.C.; Tombetti E.; Jiang L.; Mason J.C.; Merkel P.A.; Direskeneli H.; Sawalha A.H.Takayasu arteritis is a rare inflammatory disease of large arteries. We performed a genetic study in Takayasu arteritis comprising 6,670 individuals (1,226 affected individuals) from five different populations. We discovered HLA risk factors and four non-HLA susceptibility loci in VPS8, SVEP1, CFL2, and chr13q21 and reinforced IL12B, PTK2B, and chr21q22 as robust susceptibility loci shared across ancestries. Functional analysis proposed plausible underlying disease mechanisms and pinpointed ETS2 as a potential causal gene for chr21q22 association. We also identified >60 candidate loci with suggestive association (p < 5 × 10−5) and devised a genetic risk score for Takayasu arteritis. Takayasu arteritis was compared to hundreds of other traits, revealing the closest genetic relatedness to inflammatory bowel disease. Epigenetic patterns within risk loci suggest roles for monocytes and B cells in Takayasu arteritis. This work enhances understanding of the genetic basis and pathophysiology of Takayasu arteritis and provides clues for potential new therapeutic targets. © 2020 American Society of Human GeneticsItem Design optimization application for a flexible robot manipulator(IGI Global, 2022) Ilman M.M.; Yavuz S.; Akgöl D.In this chapter, design optimization is performed for a single-link flexible manipulator driven by a standard trapezoidal velocity input. The mass of the original manipulator is reduced by a quarter by design optimization without changing the payload. The finite element model, which is one of the non-rigid models, and topology optimization were utilized for the application. Dynamic stress and natural frequencies of the system are utilized as optimization objectives. The results were compared with the original manipulator in terms of both safety factor and vibration modes. In addition, the system parameters were compared with the tapered beam, and beam with reduced width, which was prepared to have the same mass as the optimized designs. As a result, although the mass of the original manipulator was reduced by one-fourth with the proposed design, it was observed that the dynamic stresses decreased. The study is expected to have significant implications in terms of improving the benefits of flexible robots and providing a contribution to the attenuation of vibrations and stresses. © 2023 by IGI Global. All rights reserved.Item Measurement of Rectal Diameter and Anterior Wall Thickness by Ultrasonography in Children with Chronic Constipation(AVES, 2022) Doan G.; Keçeli M.; Yavuz S.; Topçu A.; Kasrga E.Background: Measurement of rectal diameter by ultrasonography helps the clinician in the diagnosis of chronic constipation in children for whom rectal examination cannot be performed. The aim of the study is to determine the rectal diameter and anterior wall thickness values in constipated and healthy children and to evaluate the feasibility of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of functional constipation in children who refuse digital rectal examination. Methods: One hundred forty constipated and 164 healthy children participated in the study. All patients were divided into 4 subgroups according to their ages (3 years [group I], 3.1-6 years [group II], 6.1-12 years [group III], and 12 years [group IV]) and were referred to the radiology department. The measurement was made from above the symphysis pubis, under the ischial spine, and at the bladder neck. Anterior wall thickness measurement was performed. The measurements were recorded according to the presence or absence of fecal mass in the rectum. Results: Constipated children with fecal mass positive group III was found to have significant difference in all of the planes in rectal diameter measurement. Rectum anterior wall thickness measurement was found to be higher in constipated patients with fecal mass (+) compared to the control. Its measurements in constipated patients in group II, group III, and group IV with no fecal mass were found to be statistically higher than the control group. Conclusion: The measurement of rectal diameter and anterior wall thickness by ultrasonography as a noninvasive method was performed in children who did not want the digital rectal examination, and it may be useful in the diagnosis of constipation. © 2022 AVES. All rights reserved.Item Urinary HSP70 improves diagnostic accuracy for urinary tract infection in children: UTILISE study(Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2023) Yilmaz A.; Afonso A.C.; Akil I.; Aksu B.; Alpay H.; Atmis B.; Aydog O.; Bayazıt A.K.; Bayram M.T.; Bilge I.; Bulut I.K.; Buyukkaragoz B.; Comak E.; Demir B.K.; Dincel N.; Donmez O.; Durmus M.A.; Dursun H.; Dusunsel R.; Duzova A.; Ertan P.; Gedikbasi A.; Goknar N.; Guven S.; Hacihamdioglu D.; Jankauskiene A.; Kalyoncu M.; Kavukcu S.; Kenan B.U.; Kucuk N.; Kural B.; Litwin M.; Montini G.; Morello W.; Nayir A.; Obrycki L.; Omer B.; Ozdemir E.M.; Ozkayin N.; Paripovic D.; Pehlivanoglu C.; Saygili S.; Schaefer S.; Sonmez F.; Tabel Y.; Tas N.; Tasdemir M.; Teixeira A.; Tekcan D.; Tulpar S.; Turkkan O.N.; Uysal B.; Uysalol M.; Vaiciuniene D.; Yavuz S.; Yel S.; Yildirim T.; Yildirim Z.Y.; Yildiz N.; Yuksel S.; Yurtseven E.; Schaefer F.; Topaloglu R.Background: The accuracy of conventional urinalysis in diagnosing urinary tract infection (UTI) in children is limited, leading to unnecessary antibiotic exposure in a large fraction of patients. Urinary heat shock protein 70 (uHSP70) is a novel marker of acute urinary tract inflammation. We explored the added value of uHSP70 in discriminating UTI from other infections and conditions confused with UTI. Methods: A total of 802 children from 37 pediatric centers in seven countries participated in the study. Patients diagnosed with UTI (n = 191), non-UTI infections (n = 178), contaminated urine samples (n = 50), asymptomatic bacteriuria (n = 26), and healthy controls (n = 75) were enrolled. Urine and serum levels of HSP70 were measured at presentation in all patients and after resolution of the infection in patients with confirmed UTI. Results: Urinary (u)HSP70 was selectively elevated in children with UTI as compared to all other conditions (p < 0.0001). uHSP70 predicted UTI with 89% sensitivity and 82% specificity (AUC = 0.934). Among the 265 patients with suspected UTI, the uHSP70 > 48 ng/mL criterion identified the 172 children with subsequently confirmed UTI with 90% sensitivity and 82% specificity (AUC = 0.862), exceeding the individual diagnostic accuracy of leukocyturia, nitrite, and leukocyte esterase positivity. uHSP70 had completely normalized by the end of antibiotic therapy in the UTI patients. Serum HSP70 was not predictive. Conclusions: Urine HSP70 is a novel non-invasive marker of UTI that improves the diagnostic accuracy of conventional urinalysis. We estimate that rapid urine HSP70 screening could spare empiric antibiotic administration in up to 80% of children with suspected UTI. Graphical abstract: A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information [Figure not available: see fulltext.] © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to International Pediatric Nephrology Association.Item The relationship between urine heat shock protein 70 and congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract: UTILISE study(Frontiers Media SA, 2023) Aksu B.; Afonso A.C.; Akil I.; Alpay H.; Atmis B.; Aydog O.; Bakkaloglu S.; Bayazıt A.K.; Bayram M.T.; Bilge I.; Bulut I.K.; Cetinkaya A.P.G.; Comak E.; Demir B.K.; Dincel N.; Donmez O.; Durmus M.A.; Dursun H.; Dusunsel R.; Duzova A.; Ertan P.; Gedikbasi A.; Goknar N.; Guven S.; Hacihamdioglu D.; Jankauskiene A.; Kalyoncu M.; Kavukcu S.; Kenan B.U.; Kucuk N.; Kural B.; Litwin M.; Montini G.; Morello W.; Obrycki L.; Omer B.; Misirli Ozdemir E.; Ozkayin N.; Paripovic D.; Pehlivanoglu C.; Saygili S.; Schaefer F.; Schaefer S.; Sonmez F.; Tabel Y.; Tas N.; Tasdemir M.; Teixeira A.; Tekcan D.; Topaloglu R.; Tulpar S.; Turkkan O.N.; Uysal B.; Uysalol M.; Vitkevic R.; Yavuz S.; Yel S.; Yildirim T.; Yildirim Z.Y.; Yildiz N.; Yuksel S.; Yurtseven E.; Yilmaz A.Background: Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) are defined as structural malformations of the kidney and/or urinary tract. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are expressed in the kidney in response to cellular changes, such as thermal, hemodynamic, osmotic, inflammatory, and mechanical stresses. This study aimed to assess uHSP70 levels during acute urinary tract infections (UTI) and non-infection periods in patients with CAKUT, and to evaluate whether uHSP70 is elevated in CAKUT subtypes. Methods: Among patients with CAKUT, 89 patients with UTI (CAKUT-A), 111 without UTI (CAKUT-B), and 74 healthy children were included in the study. uHSP70 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: uHSP70 level was significantly higher in the CAKUT-A group than in the CAKUT-B and healthy control groups (p < 0.0001). Moreover, the level of uHSP70 was significantly higher in the CAKUT-B group than in the control group (p < 0.0001), but was not different between the CAKUT subtypes (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Urine HSP70 can also be used to predict UTI in patients with CAKUT. Moreover, uHSP70 levels were higher in children with CAKUT during the non-infectious period than in healthy controls. This suggests that children with CAKUT are at risk of chronic non-infectious damage. Copyright © 2024 Aksu, Afonso, Akil, Alpay, Atmis, Aydog, Bakkaloglu, Bayazıt, Bayram, Bilge, Bulut, Cetinkaya, Comak, Demir, Dincel, Donmez, Durmus, Dursun, Dusunsel, Duzova, Ertan, Gedikbasi, Goknar, Guven, Hacihamdioglu, Jankauskiene, Kalyoncu, Kavukcu, Kenan, Kucuk, Kural, Litwin, Montini, Morello, Obrycki, Omer, Misirli Ozdemir, Ozkayin, Paripovic, Pehlivanoglu, Saygili, Schaefer, Schaefer, Sonmez, Tabel, Tas, Tasdemir, Teixeira, Tekcan, Topaloglu, Tulpar, Turkkan, Uysal, Uysalol, Vitkevic, Yavuz, Yel, Yildirim, Yildirim, Yildiz, Yuksel, Yurtseven and Yilmaz.Item Pediatric kidney care experience after the 2023 Türkiye earthquake(Oxford University Press, 2024) Bakkaloǧlu S.A.; Delibaş A.; Döven S.S.; Taner S.; Yavuz S.; Erfidan G.; Vatansever E.D.; Aynaci F.; Yilmaz K.; Taşdemir M.; Akaci O.; Akinci N.; Güven S.; Çiçek N.; Dursun I.; Keleşoǧlu E.; Sancaktar M.; Alaygut D.; Saygili S.; Yavaşcan Ö.; Yilmaz A.; Gülleroǧlu K.; Ertan P.; Demir B.K.; Poyrazoǧlu H.; Pinarbaşi S.; Gençler A.; Baştuǧ F.; Günay N.; Çeleǧen K.; Noyan A.; Parmaksiz G.; Avci B.; Çayci F.Ş.; Bayrakçi U.; Özlü S.G.; Aksoy Ö.Y.; Yel S.; Inal G.A.; Köse S.; Bayazit A.K.; Atmiş B.; Saribaş E.; Çaǧli Ç.; Tabel Y.; Elmas A.T.; Selçuk Ş.Z.; Kiliç B.D.; Kara M.A.; Büyükçelik M.; Balat A.; Tiryaki B.D.; Erdoǧdu B.; Aksu B.; Mahmudova G.; Dursun H.; Candan C.; Göknar N.; Mutlubaş F.; Çamlar S.A.; Başaran C.; Akbulut B.B.; Düzova A.; Gülhan B.; Oruç Ç.; Peru H.; Alpay H.; Türkkan Ö.N.; Gülmez R.; Çelakil M.; Doǧan K.; Bilge I.; Pehlivanoǧlu C.; Büyükkaragöz B.; Leventoǧlu E.; Alpman N.; Zeybek C.; Tülpar S.; Gülşan R.Y.Ç.; Kara A.; Gürgöze M.K.; Önder E.N.A.; Atikel Y.Ö.; Pul S.; Sönmez F.; Yildiz G.; Akman S.; Elmaci M.; Küçük N.; Yüksel S.; Kavaz A.; Nalçacioǧlu H.; Alparslan C.; Dinçel N.; Elhan A.H.; Sever L.Background. Two earthquakes on 6 February 2023 destroyed 10 cities in Türkiye. We report our experience with pediatric victims during these catastrophes, with a focus on crush syndrome related-acute kidney injury (Crush-AKI) and death. Method. Web-based software was prepared. Patient demographics, time under rubble (TUR), admission laboratory data, dialysis, and kidney and overall outcomes were recorded. Results. A total of 903 injured children (median age 11.62 years) were evaluated. Mean TUR was 13 h (interquartile range 32.5, max 240 h). Thirty-one of 32 patients with a TUR of > 120 h survived. The patient who was rescued after 10 days survived. Two-thirds of the patients were given 50 mEq/L sodium bicarbonate in 0.45% sodium chloride solution on admission day. Fifty-eight percent of patients were given intravenous fluid (IVF) at a volume of 2000-3000 mL/m2 body surface area (BSA), 40% at 3000-4000 mL/m2 BSA and only 2% at > 4000 mL/m2 BSA. A total of 425 patients had surgeries, and 48 suffered from major bleeding. Amputations were recorded in 96 patients. Eighty-two and 66 patients required ventilator and inotropic support, respectively. Crush-AKI developed in 314 patients (36% of all patients). In all, 189 patients were dialyzed. Age > 15 years, creatine phosphokinase (CK) =20 950 U/L, TUR =10 h and the first-day IVF volume < 3000-4000 mL/m2 BSA were associated with Crush-AKI development. Twenty-two deaths were recorded, 20 of 22 occurring in patients with Crush-AKI and within the first 4 days of admission. All patients admitted after 7 days survived. Conclusions. These are the most extensive pediatric kidney disaster data obtained after an earthquake. Serum CK level was significantly associated with Crush-AKI at the levels of > 20 950 U/L, but not with death. Adolescent age and initial IVF of less than 3000-4000 mL/m2 BSA were also associated with Crush-AKI. Given that mildly injured victims can survive longer periods in the disaster field, we suggest uninterrupted rescue activity for at least 10 days. © The Author(s) 2024.Item Urine soluble TLR4 levels may contribute to predict urinary tract infection in children: the UTILISE Study(Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2024) Aksu B.; Afonso A.C.; Akil I.; Alpay H.; Atmis B.; Aydog O.; Bayazıt A.K.; Bayram M.T.; Bilge I.; Bulut I.K.; Buyukkaragoz B.; Comak E.; Demir B.K.; Dincel N.; Donmez O.; Durmus M.A.; Dursun H.; Dusunsel R.; Duzova A.; Ertan P.; Gedikbasi A.; Goknar N.; Guven S.; Hacihamdioglu D.; Jankauskiene A.; Kalyoncu M.; Kavukcu S.; Kenan B.U.; Kucuk N.; Kural B.; Litwin M.; Montini G.; Morello W.; Obrycki L.; Omer B.; Oner H.A.; Ozdemir E.M.; Ozkayin N.; Paripovic D.; Pehlivanoglu C.; Saygili S.; Schaefer F.; Schaefer S.; Sonmez F.; Tabel Y.; Tas N.; Tasdemir M.; Teixeira A.; Tekcan D.; Topaloglu R.; Tulpar S.; Turkkan O.N.; Uysal B.; Uysalol M.; Vitkevic R.; Yavuz S.; Yel S.; Yildirim T.; Yildirim Z.Y.; Yildiz N.; Yuksel S.; Yurtseven E.; Yilmaz A.Background: One of the most common bacterial infections in childhood is urinary tract infection (UTI). Toll-like receptors (TLRs) contribute to immune response against UTI recognizing specific pathogenic agents. Our aim was to determine whether soluble TLR4 (sTLR4), soluble TLR5 (sTLR5) and interleukin 8 (IL-8) can be used as biomarkers to diagnose UTI. We also aimed to reveal the relationship between urine Heat Shock Protein 70 (uHSP70) and those biomarkers investigated in this study. Methods: A total of 802 children from 37 centers participated in the study. The participants (n = 282) who did not meet the inclusion criteria were excluded from the study. The remaining 520 children, including 191 patients with UTI, 178 patients with non-UTI infections, 50 children with contaminated urine samples, 26 participants with asymptomatic bacteriuria and 75 healthy controls were included in the study. Urine and serum levels of sTLR4, sTLR5 and IL-8 were measured at presentation in all patients and after antibiotic treatment in patients with UTI. Results: Urine sTLR4 was higher in the UTI group than in the other groups. UTI may be predicted using 1.28 ng/mL as cut-off for urine sTLR4 with 68% sensitivity and 65% specificity (AUC = 0.682). In the UTI group, urine sTLR4 levels were significantly higher in pyelonephritis than in cystitis (p < 0.0001). Post-treatment urine sTLR4 levels in the UTI group were significantly lower than pre-treatment values (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Urine sTLR4 may be used as a useful biomarker in predicting UTI and subsequent pyelonephritis in children with UTI. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to International Pediatric Nephrology Association.Item Efficacy and Safety of CT-P13 as First- and Second-Line Treatment in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2024) Uslu S.; Gülle S.; Sen G.; Capar S.; Senel S.; Dalkılıc E.; Akar S.; Koca S.S.; Tufan A.; Yazici A.; Yilmaz S.; Inanc N.; Birlik M.; Solmaz D.; Cefle A.; Goker B.; Direskeneli H.; Yolbas S.; Steen Krogh N.; Yilmaz N.; Erten S.; Bes C.; Soysal Gündüz O.; Oztürk M.A.; Haznedaroglu S.; Yavuz S.; Onen F.; Sari I.Background/Objectives: CT-P13 is a biosimilar version of infliximab, a monoclonal antibody. In individuals with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), CT-P13 has been shown to be effective and to have a well-tolerated safety profile. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term drug persistence, safety, and efficacy of infliximab biosimilar CT-P13 in patients with AS undergoing first-line (1st-line) and later (≥2nd-line) treatment in clinical practice. Methods: We performed an observational cohort study that included AS patients based on the biological drug database in the TURKBIO Registry between 2014 and 2021. The patients were divided into two groups: those receiving CT-P13 as first-line treatment or as a switch (≥2nd-line) from another TNF inhibitor (TNFi). Standard disease activity metrics were used to assess the effectiveness of CT-P13, and drug retention rates were investigated. Results: There were 179 AS patients using CT-P13 (47.4% male, mean age: 42.9 ± 11.3 years). Of these patients, 123 (68.7%) were receiving CT-P13 as a first-line treatment. The mean length of treatment was 3.5 years. CT-P13 drug retention rates in the general patient population were 58.6% and 48.2% in the first-line and ≥second-line treatment, respectively, after 3 years of follow-up. The most common reason for CT-P13 treatment discontinuation was lack of efficacy. The first-line CT-P13 group had statistically substantially higher ASAS20/40 response rates at three and six months. Nonetheless, both groups’ response rates at one year were comparable. Conclusions: In this real-world data analysis, AS patients who were TNFi naïve (1st-line) and subsequently treated (≥2nd-line) with CT-P13 showed encouraging drug retention rates with acceptable long-term effectiveness and safety. © 2024 by the authors.