Van Merkez

Researchers are investigating the frequency of Neuronal Ceroid Lipofusinosis Type 2 CLN2 in children aged 2 to 6 years who have nonspecific neurological symptoms such as idiopathic seizures, speech disorders, and motor dysfunctions. This multicenter, non-drug screening study focuses on children without hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, head trauma, or developmental brain anomalies, aiming to better understand the demographic and clinical features of those with possible CLN2 disease. Children first undergo assessments including recording demographic and medical history, seizure frequency, cognitive and language development evaluations, physical exams assessing muscle strength, gait, and coordination, as well as neurological evaluations using EEG and MRI scans. Those showing specific signs like speech disorder with seizures, movement problems, particular EEG responses, or MRI findings will have blood samples taken to measure Tripeptidyl Peptidase 1 enzyme levels. If enzyme activity is low, genetic testing is performed to investigate CLN2 disease. Participants are involved for up to one year during which various clinical, neurological, and imaging evaluations are done. Blood samples are collected for enzyme and genetic analyses. The main outcome measured is the frequency of CLN2 disease in this group. The study tracks each childs symptoms, neurological findings, and imaging results to better identify and understand CLN2 in children with these symptoms.

Researchers are evaluating zolbetuximab combined with pembrolizumab and chemotherapy in adults with stomach or gastroesophageal junction GEJ cancer. This study focuses on cancers that do not have the HER2 protein but do express Claudin 18.2. The goal is to understand how well zolbetuximab works with pembrolizumab and chemotherapy compared to a placebo with pembrolizumab and chemotherapy in people with advanced or metastatic disease that cannot be removed by surgery or has spread to other parts of the body. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either zolbetuximab or a placebo, both given via intravenous infusion every 2 or 3 weeks, alongside pembrolizumab infusions every 3 or 6 weeks. Chemotherapy will be administered using one of two regimens, CAPOX or modified FOLFOX6, over multiple cycles lasting about 42 days each. Treatment continues until the cancer worsens, side effects prevent further use, or another therapy is needed. Pembrolizumab may be given for up to 2 years. During the study, participants will visit the clinic for infusions and health monitoring, including scans to check cancer status. Medical problems and treatment side effects will be recorded. After treatment ends, participants will continue to have regular health checks and scans every 9 to 12 weeks, along with phone check-ins every 3 months. The study will measure overall survival, disease progression, response rates, and safety over several years, with up to 72 months of follow-up for some outcomes.

Researchers are evaluating whether using a wider surgical tape mesh in transobturator tape TOT surgery improves outcomes for women with stress urinary incontinence SUI. This randomized controlled trial compares a 1.2 cm wide mesh new method to the standard 1.0 cm mesh. The study aims to determine if the wider mesh improves urinary control and reduces complications, with participants followed for one year. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive TOT surgery using either the 1.2 cm or 1.0 cm monofilament polypropylene mesh. All surgeries will be performed by one experienced surgeon using the same surgical technique, anesthesia, and care protocols to ensure consistency. Follow-up visits are planned at 1 week, 1 month, and 1 year after surgery, with evaluations by a blinded assessor. During the study, participants will have their urinary leakage tested and complete symptom questionnaires. Researchers will measure the primary outcome of objective cure through a negative stress test at 6 months. Secondary outcomes include symptom improvement, mesh-related complications like erosion or infection, recurrence of urinary incontinence, and patient satisfaction. The goal is to see if the modified mesh provides better support and fewer issues than the standard mesh.

This research aims to evaluate how well digital game-based learning works compared to traditional theoretical education in teaching surgical site infection prevention to second-year nursing students. The study uses a mixed-methods randomized controlled design to compare these two educational approaches. It focuses on nursing students who have not previously received formal education on this topic. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups one group will use a digital game-based learning application featuring interactive scenarios and learning tasks aligned with current guidelines, while the other group will receive conventional instructor-led theoretical education. The study includes assessments at baseline, 4 weeks after the intervention, and at an 8-week follow-up to measure knowledge retention and cognitive load. Students will complete knowledge tests and cognitive load assessments at three time points to evaluate the learning process. Additionally, students in the digital game-based learning group will take part in interviews to share their experiences and perceptions of the digital learning method. The study aims to contribute to better educational strategies in nursing training related to infection prevention.

Researchers are evaluating the effects of Quran recital on fatigue and mental well-being in patients with multiple sclerosis. The study aims to test whether listening to Quran recitation can reduce fatigue and improve mental well-being in those living with this condition. This randomized controlled trial involves 50 patients who meet the inclusion criteria and voluntarily agree to participate. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the Quran recital group or a control group. The Quran recital group will listen to Surah Yasin from the Quran for 30 minutes using an mp3 player, three times a week Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between 900 PM and 1000 PM, continuing this practice for 4 weeks. The control group will continue their usual treatment and care without any additional intervention. During the study, patients personal and contact information will be collected, and pre-test forms will be completed. Researchers will call participants in the Quran recital group to check if they continue the practice. Final assessments will be conducted in person at the hospital at the end of the 4th week. The primary outcome measured is the impact of fatigue, with secondary outcomes including fatigue severity and mental well-being assessed after one month.

This research aims to understand how blood pressure levels affect the development of bedsores pressure ulcers in adults hospitalized in an internal medicine intensive care unit. The study focuses on critically ill patients who face increased risk of bedsores due to factors like prolonged immobility, reduced consciousness, circulatory problems, and unstable blood circulation. It specifically investigates how changes in systemic blood pressure, such as low or high blood pressure, impact skin health and contribute to bedsore formation. Participants are adult intensive care patients aged 18 to 70 who are bedridden and immobile. The study involves observing these patients over a period of 10 days, during which the occurrence and timing of bedsores will be carefully recorded. Vital signs including blood pressure systolic and diastolic, heart rate, and respiratory rate will be monitored regularly to assess their relationship with bedsore development. During the study, participants vital signs will be tracked daily alongside the monitoring of skin condition to detect bedsores. Researchers will use these observations to measure the primary outcome of bedsore occurrence over 10 days. The study also collects secondary data on blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate over the same period. The total participation duration is 10 days, covering continuous monitoring while patients remain in intensive care.

Hemophilia A is a hereditary bleeding disorder that causes repeated bleeding episodes, especially in joints and muscles, leading to chronic musculoskeletal problems and joint damage known as hemophilic arthropathy. This condition results in ongoing pain, reduced mobility, and difficulties with daily activities. While advances in preventive treatments have improved life expectancy, long-term joint complications continue to affect quality of life QoL in adults. This research aims to better understand the factors influencing QoL in adults with severe hemophilia A. The study evaluates joint health, pain severity, dynamic balance, and fall history in 36 adults with severe hemophilia A, aged 18 to 65 years. Joint health is measured using the Hemophilia Joint Health Score HJHS, focusing on knees and ankles. Dynamic balance is assessed with a computerized stabilometric platform through the Limits of Stability test. Pain levels are recorded using a numeric rating scale, and participants report the number of falls they experienced in the past year. These combined factors are studied to explore their relationship with QoL. Participants undergo assessments that include clinician-administered joint exams, balance testing, pain evaluations, and questionnaires about falls and quality of life using a hemophilia-specific tool. The study measures baseline health-related QoL, joint health, and postural balance, along with musculoskeletal pain and fall history. The findings aim to highlight key aspects affecting well-being and identify possible targets for rehabilitation to improve daily functioning in adults with hemophilia.

Researchers are evaluating local vibration therapy combined with conventional physiotherapy to help reduce drooling and improve the muscle function around the mouth and under the jaw in children diagnosed with cerebral palsy. This randomized-controlled trial compares the effects of actual local vibration therapy to a sham vibration procedure to better understand their impact on drooling severity and muscle biomechanics. The study is designed to assess the therapys potential benefits in pediatric cerebral palsy patients aged 2 to 18 years. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups one group receives local vibration therapy applied to the perioral and submandibular regions for 5 minutes each total of 10 minutes once daily for three consecutive days alongside conventional physiotherapy. The other group receives sham vibration, where the device is activated but does not contact the skin, also once daily for three days with physiotherapy. This setup allows comparison between the active treatment and a placebo-like control. During the study, assessments occur at three time points before treatment baseline, immediately after the third intervention session, and at a 1-week follow-up. Researchers measure muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity, as well as drooling severity and frequency. Caregivers also report on the burden of drooling, and a global rating of change scale is used after treatment sessions. Participants are monitored to ensure adherence to treatment, with a requirement of at least 85% adherence. The trial is expected to be completed by August 2026.

Researchers are conducting an observational study to screen adults aged 18 and over who visit hospital outpatient clinics in Turkey for malnutrition and sarcopenia risks. The study focuses on patients attending oncology, neurology, and geriatric clinics to better understand these conditions across diverse patient groups. This non-interventional, cross-sectional design means participants are observed without receiving experimental treatments. Participants are screened once during their outpatient visit without any study treatments or interventions. The study collects information on malnutrition risk, sarcopenia risk, body mass index, calf circumference, hand grip strength, biochemical parameters, healthcare use, and nutrition treatments. Data is gathered on the screening day only. During the study visit, researchers will assess physical and biochemical measures to evaluate nutrition and muscle health. Participants provide informed consent before any assessments. The study measures malnutrition and sarcopenia risks as primary outcomes on the first day and includes several secondary measures related to body composition and healthcare use. The study will continue enrolling participants until April 2027.

Researchers are investigating how pressures from the tongue, lips, and cheeks affect the development of a narrow upper jaw, known as maxillary constriction. This study aims to understand if different muscle pressure patterns contribute to this condition and how that knowledge might improve orthodontic treatment outcomes. It is a randomized clinical study involving patients aged 12 to 25 with skeletal Class I jaw alignment. Participants are divided into two groups those with a narrow upper jaw and those with normal jaw width. Using a device called the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument IOPI, researchers measure the strength and endurance of the tongue, lips, and cheeks by having participants press a small air-filled bulb in their mouths. These measurements are taken before any orthodontic treatment begins, including maximum tongue pressure and lip and cheek pressures, to compare muscle function between the groups. During the study, participants will undergo a series of pressure tests using the IOPI device, performed three times each with rest intervals. Researchers will assess muscle pressures in kilopascals and analyze the data to explore relationships between muscle forces and jaw width. The primary measurement is the maximum voluntary tongue pressure taken at baseline. This study involves no treatment interventions and focuses on diagnostic assessments to better understand the role of oral muscles in jaw development.