The principal aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between miR-149 T>C (rs2292832) and miR-196a2 C>T (rs11614913) small non-coding RNA polymorphisms and the risk of developing CRC in the Azerbaijani population. The study included 120 patients diagnosed with CRC and 125 healthy individuals. Peripheral blood samples were collected from all the subjects in EDTA tubes and DNA extraction was performed by salting out. Polymorphisms were determined using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. While comparing without gender distinction no statistical correlation was found between the heterozygous TC (OR = 0.66; 95% CI = 0.37–1.15; p = 0.142), mutant CC (OR = 1.23; 95% CI = 0.62–2.45; p = 0.550), and mutant C (OR = 1.03; 95% CI = 0.72–1.49; p = 0.859) alleles of the miR-149 gene and the CT (OR = 1.23; 95% CI = 0.69–2.20; p = 0.485), mutant TT (OR = 1.29; 95% CI = 0.67–2.47; p = 0.452), and mutant T (OR = 1.17; 95% CI = 0.82–1.67; p = 0.388) alleles of the miR-196a2 gene and the risk of CRC. However, among women, miR-149 TC (OR = 0.43; 95% CI = 0.19–1.01; p = 0.048) correlated with a reduced risk of CRC, whereas miR-196a2 CT (OR = 2.77; 95% CI = 1.13–6.79; p = 0.025) correlated with an increased risk of CRC. Our findings indicated that miR-149 T>C (rs2292832) might play a protective role in the development of CRC in female patients, whereas the miR-196a2 (rs11614913) polymorphism is associated with an increased risk of CRC in women in the Azerbaijani population, highlighting the importance of gender dimorphism in cancer etiology.

Background: We aimed to evaluate the association between the TP53 Arg72Pro gene polymorphism and risk of colorectal cancer in an Azerbaijani population. Methods: A total of 141 patients with colorectal cancer and 150 gender- and age-matched controls were involved in the study. The genotypes of the TP53 gene Arg72Pro polymorphism were detected by polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Results: We found that the heterozygous genotypes Arg/Pro (odds ratio, 1.128; 95% CI, 0.657-1.937) and mutant Pro/Pro (odds ratio, 1.274; 95% CI, 0.648-2.504) were more frequent in colorectal cancer patients compared to healthy controls. The frequency of the mutant Pro allele (odds ratio, 1.122; 95% CI, 0.809-1.554) was revealed in 47.5% of colorectal cancer patients and in 44.7% of healthy controls. There was no association observed between TP53 Arg72Pro polymorphism and risk of colorectal cancer in an Azerbaijani population (P > .05). Conclusion: Our findings indicate a lack of relationship between TP53 Arg72Pro polymorphism and risk of colorectal cancer. Furthermore, we have found no statistical differences in the frequency of genotype and allele by sex, age, histological grade, tumor stage, smoking status, and alcohol consumption in this study.

Background: This study is the first to investigate the association between colorectal cancer (CRC) risk and the hMLH1 −93G>A and hMSH2 1032G>A polymorphisms of mismatch repair (MMR) genes in the Azerbaijani population. Methods: Peripheral blood samples containing EDTA were collected from the study subjects (134 patients and 137 controls), and genomic DNA was extracted using the non-enzymatic salting-out method. Genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), and the results were visualized through agarose gel electrophoresis. Results: Overall, no statistically significant correlation was observed between CRC risk and the hMLH1 −93G>A polymorphism in the heterozygous GA (OR = 0.760; 95% CI = 0.374–1.542; p = 0.446), the mutant AA (OR = 1.474; 95% CI = 0.738–2.945; p = 0.270), or the A allele (OR = 1.400; 95% CI = 0.984–1.995; p = 0.062). However, in contrast to the dominant model, a statistically significant association was found between the recessive model and an increased CRC risk, with an odds ratio of 1.788 (95% CI = 1.102–2.900; p = 0.018). The hMLH1 −93G>A polymorphism was identified at a significantly higher frequency across the TNM stages, with the distribution showing statistical significance (p < 0.05). Additionally, no statistically significant association was observed between the hMSH2 1032G>A polymorphism and CRC risk. Conclusions: Although no overall association was observed for hMLH1 −93G>A, our findings suggest a potential link with increased colorectal cancer risk under the recessive model in the Azerbaijani population. Further studies are warranted to confirm this model-specific association and investigate the underlying biological mechanisms.

Aim: To investigate the association of the heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX1) gene polymorphism rs2071746 and chronic pancreatitis in the Azerbaijani population.Methods: From a period of 2014–2019, 70 patients with different types of chronic pancreatitis and 90 apparently healthy volunteers were observed. Of them, 55 subjects were consuming alcohol at least 3–4 times a week, with an average daily dose of >80 g/L, and 35 subjects were not consuming alcohol. The venous blood samples were collected from the control subjects and patients with pancreatitis; DNA was extracted and analyzed by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism.Results: The A allele in the homozygous form (A/A genotype) was found to be more common in patients with chronic pancreatitis (42.9%) than in the control group (16.6%). Thus, the A allele in the homozygous form (A/A genotype) may be associated with the development of chronic pancreatitis (odd ratio [OR] = 3.75; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.81–7.77; p = 0.000). Furthermore, a statistical correlation between the A allele of the 495 A>T polymorphism (rs2071746) and an increased risk of the disease was observed. (p = 0.02, OR = 1.73; 95% CI 1.09–2.74). The heterozygous form of the A allele (A/T genotype; OR = 0.27; 95% CI = 0.13–0.56) and the T allele of the HMOX1 −495 A>T (rs2071746) polymorphism (OR = 0.53; 95% CI 0.32–0.89) reduced the risk of developing chronic alcoholic pancreatitis (p = 0.000 and p = 0.017, respectively).Conclusion: The identification of genetic association of the various types of chronic pancreatitis will encourage further research on HMOX1, drug development, or the use of hemin in clinical practice.

Background: This study is the first to investigate the association between colorectal cancer (CRC) risk and the hMLH1 -93G>A and hMSH2 1032G>A polymorphisms of mismatch repair (MMR) genes in the Azerbaijani population. Methods: Peripheral blood samples containing EDTA were collected from the study subjects (134 patients and 137 controls), and genomic DNA was extracted using the non-enzymatic salting-out method. Genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), and the results were visualized through agarose gel electrophoresis. Results: Overall, no statistically significant correlation was observed between CRC risk and the hMLH1 -93G>A polymorphism in the heterozygous GA (OR=0.76; 95% CI=0.37–1.54; P=0.446), mutant AA (OR=1.47; 95% CI=0.74–2.95; P=0.270), or the A allele (OR=1.062; 95% CI=0.735–1.534; P=0.748). However, in contrast to the dominant model, a statistically significant association was found between the recessive model and a reduced CRC risk, with an odds ratio of 0.56 (95% CI=0.35–0.91; P=0.018). The hMLH1 -93G>A polymorphism was identified at a significantly higher frequency across the TNM stages, with the distribution showing statistical significance (P0.05). Additionally, no statistically significant association was observed between the hMSH2 1032G>A polymorphism and CRC risk. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the hMLH1 -93G>A polymorphism, particularly under the recessive model, may play a protective role against CRC risk in the Azerbajani population. Further studies are required to validate these results and investigate the underlying biological mechanisms.

Family-centered care, including open visitation and effective communication, is increasingly recognized as essential in pediatric intensive care. Despite growing international evidence supporting open visitation policies and family involvement, significant variation exists in implementation across different healthcare systems and cultural contexts. This study aimed to evaluate the current visitation policies and family information practices in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) in Turkey. A web-based survey was conducted among 59 PICUs across Turkey, focusing on ICU characteristics, visitation policies, and the provision of family information. The survey was distributed through the Turkish Pediatric Intensive Care Society network, and responses were obtained from one designated representative per unit. The majority of the units (78%) allowed a parent to remain at the bedside for 24 h for non-intubated patients, adopting family-centered care. However, 91.5% of the units had at least one restrictive visitation policy. Sibling visitation was prohibited in 67.8% of units. Visitation restrictions were eased under certain circumstances, such as after a diagnosis of brain death (83.1%) or in end-stage illness (76.3%). Family information was provided regularly by physicians in 57.6% of the units, and 49.2% had a dedicated family meeting room. Statistically significant differences were observed between isolation room-only units and mixed-room units regarding 24-h bedside family presence, visit duration, and the location of family information provision ( p = 0.012, p = 0.031, p = 0.023, respectively). None of the units permitted family presence during invasive procedures or cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Conclusion : While a substantial proportion of Turkish PICUs allow 24-h family presence for non-intubated patients, restrictive policies remain common for visitors and siblings. The prohibition on family presence during procedures represents an important gap in the implementation of family-centered care. These findings highlight opportunities for policy development and staff education. What is Known: • Restrictive visitation policies in pediatric ICUs increase family stress and may prolong patient recovery. • Family-centered care with 24-hour family presence improves patient and family outcomes. • Visitation and family information practices vary widely between countries and institutions. What is New: • This is the first national survey evaluating visitation policies and family information practices in Turkish pediatric ICUs. • Most Turkish PICUs allow 24-hour family presence but maintain some visitation restrictions. • Significant differences exist between isolation-room-only and mixed-room units regarding visitation and family information provision.