This study investigates the potential role of microplastics in the development of diabetes mellitus and assesses their presence in individuals undergoing insulin therapy. A total of 100 participants were included: 50 insulin-dependent diabetic patients and 50 healthy controls. The diabetic group was divided into two subgroups based on their insulin regimen: those receiving one daily injection of basal insulin and those receiving four injections of basal and short-acting insulin. Blood samples were analysed for microplastic content using chromatographic methods (LC/GC-MSMS and LCTOF MS). The findings revealed that diabetic patients had significantly higher serum microplastic levels (3.14 ± 1.30 µg/mL) than healthy individuals (1.50 ± 0.89 µg/mL, p < 0.05). Within the diabetic group, patients receiving four injections had a longer disease duration (15.14 ± 3.64 years) than those receiving one injection (10.56 ± 5.21 years), with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.001). However, microplastic levels did not differ significantly based on injection frequency. A strong positive correlation was observed between microplastic levels and both HbA1c (%) and fasting glucose levels (p = 0.001). These results imply that microplastics may act as endocrine disruptors that contribute to the development of diabetes, rather than being introduced through insulin treatment itself.

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common anemia type in the population. It causes many systemic clinical symptoms, including the effects on cognitive functions. Therefore, this study aimed to observe individuals' cognitive changes resulting from iron deficiency, a preventable cause. Method: Cognitive scores of 112 individuals (56 with iron deficiency anemia-test group and 56 healthy individuals-control group) from the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) were recorded. In addition, hemoglobin levels and recurrent anemia histories of individuals with iron deficiency anemia were also considered. Results: Cognitive functions were lower in the test group (individuals with iron deficiency anemia) compared to the control group. The mean MoCA score of the test and control groups were 19.80±3.46 and 22.98±3.59, respectively, and the difference was significant (p<0.05). In addition, a direct relationship (R=0.22) was found between the hemoglobin level and the MoCA score in individuals with anemia. Conclusion: Cognitive functions and B12 deficiency come to the fore in these patients whose cognitive functions are also affected by iron deficiency. Therefore, besides examining cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems, these patients' neurological system should also be evaluated in terms of cognitive functions.

Aim: The ultimate goal of the study is to measure systemic inflammation in celiac disease and identify associated parameters, thus preventing systemic side effects by combating systemic inflammation in Celiac Disease (CD). Material and Methods: The Systemic Inflammatory Index (SII) was calculated as “platelet count × neutrophil count/lymphocyte count” in patients with CD and healthy individuals without a diagnosis of CD who were evaluated for other reasons, who applied to the Internal Medicine Clinics of our centers between 2015-2025. Demographic characteristics, Anti-tissue transglutaminase (Anti-TTG), anti-gliadin, Human leucocyte antigenes HLADQB102, HLADQA103, HLADQA105, hemogram, ESR, CRP, and routine biochemical markers were extracted from medical records. Results: A total of 200 participants were included: 102 CD patients and 98 controls. Females constituted 60.1% of the cohort. The mean SII was 636.06 in CD patients and 466.48 in controls, with no statistically significant difference (p = 0.037). No correlation was observed between SII and autoantibody or genetic markers. Hemoglobin and platelet levels differed significantly between groups (p = 0.011 and p = 0.001). SII showed a strong positive correlation with ESR and hemoglobin, and a weak correlation with CRP. Conclusion: Although SII was higher in CD patients, it was not significantly associated with serological or genetic markers. SII may reflect systemic inflammation in CD beyond traditional markers. Further prospective studies are needed to clarify its role in diagnosis and monitoring.

Background: Both chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the haemodialysis procedure can contribute to disturbances in mineral homeostasis, which can potentially result in cellular pathologies. Our study aims to investigate trace element levels in haemodialysis patients and evaluate their potential impact on cellular adhesion molecules. This will clarify the clinical significance of trace element imbalances in this population. Methods: The study included 84 haemodialysis patients and 42 healthy controls. Trace element levels in blood (Zn, Cu, Mn, Mo, V, Sb and Cr) were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and cellular adhesion markers ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were analysed by ELISA. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 20.00, with significance set at p < 0.005. Results: Manganese (Mn) levels were significantly higher in haemodialysis patients (p = 0.019). Copper (Cu), Molybdenum (Mo), Vanadium (V), Antimony (Sb) and Chromium (Cr) levels were higher in the control group. Zinc (Zn) and Cr levels differed significantly between the control group (p = 0.018; p = 0.007). Cu levels were lower in hypertensive patients (p = 0.011), while Zn and Mn levels were higher in diabetic patients (p = 0.048 and p = 0.004, respectively). Dialysis duration, however, correlated with Sb (r = 0.295; p = 0.01), and Kt/V correlated with Mn, Sb and Cr (r = 0.256, r = 0.272 and r = 0.259, respectively; p = 0.05). Mo levels showed a positive correlation with both pre-dialysis (r = 0.230) and post-dialysis (r = 0.281) creatinine levels, and a negative correlation with post-dialysis GFR (r = −0.294). ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 levels were significantly elevated in dialysis patients (p = 0.001 for both); however, it was not found to be related to variables in the vascular access route. Conclusions: The levels of trace elements and adhesion molecules were examined in haemodialysis patients. High Mn levels indicate a risk of accumulation, while low Cu, Mo, V, Sb and Cr levels may require monitoring for deficiency. ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 levels in haemodialysis patients are associated with some trace elements (Mn and Zn); however, this relationship requires further evidence. In conclusion, the levels of trace elements and adhesion molecules in haemodialysis patients indicate the need for regular monitoring and show that the relationships between creatinine and GFR can be applied to larger patient groups.

Aims: Although pneumonia is typically considered a localized infection, it can trigger a systemic inflammatory response. Systemic inflammation is characterized by cytokine release throughout the body, increased acute phase reactants, and immune cell imbalance, which can elevate disease severity and the risk of complications. Recently, hematological parameters such as the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) have gained prominence in assessing this inflammatory response. This study aimed to evaluate systemic inflammation levels in patients diagnosed with pneumonia using SII and SIRI, and to analyze their correlation with classical inflammatory biomarkers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Methods: A total of 50 patients hospitalized and followed up with a diagnosis of pneumonia between 01.01.2023 and 01.06.2025 at Yozgat Bozok University Research and Training Hospital's Departments of Pulmonology and Internal Medicine, and 50 healthy individuals admitted to the same clinics during the same period were included in the study. Demographic data (age, gender), smoking status, clinical histories, laboratory values, treatment processes, complete blood count (CBC), CRP level, and ESR were recorded. Patients with active malignancy, hematological or autoimmune diseases, or those under immunosuppressive therapy were excluded. SII and SIRI values were calculated for each participant. Results: Of the participants, 66% were male and 34% female, with a mean age of 61.98 ± 16.78 years in the pneumonia group and 59.20 ± 16.10 years in the control group. SII was significantly higher in the pneumonia group (1301.28 ± 886.78) compared to the control group (545.20 ± 488.26), as was SIRI (5.66 ± 6.58 vs. 0.91 ± 1.21) (p<0.001 for both). Smokers exhibited significantly higher SII (1535.9 ± 1094.1 vs. 977.2 ± 560.3) and SIRI (7.51 ± 8.13 vs. 3.10 ± 3.72) values than non-smokers (p=0.031 and p=0.014, respectively). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that new-generation inflammation indices such as SII and SIRI reflect the intensity of inflammatory response in pneumonia patients and show significant correlation with CRP levels. These findings suggest that integrating these indices into clinical practice may serve as effective tools in evaluating disease prognosis and monitoring treatment response.