Senbil, Duzgun Can; Kiliçparlar, Muslum Burak; Kantarci, Mecit; Aydin, Sonay

Background: In this study, breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations were retrospectively reviewed. This study evaluated whether the indications for breast MRI were consistent with the recommendations of the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS)atlas. Additionally, the study assessed whether prior ultrasound and mammography findings were sufficient for diagnosis. The aim was to identify potentially unnecessary breast MRI examinations and their associated financial burden. Methods: Breast MRI reports were compared with previous mammography and ultrasound reports. Patients for whom breast MRI provided no additional diagnostic benefit were identified, and the indications for MRI examination were analyzed. Results: Comparison of BI-RADS categories assigned on prior ultrasound and mammography with those assigned after breast MRI revealed that 321 (64.3%) of the 499 patients could have been adequately managed without breast MRI. In these patients, MRI findings did not alter clinical management or treatment decisions. Conclusion: Breast MRI is a costly imaging modality with limited accessibility in many healthcare settings. Therefore, its economic impact should be carefully considered when determining appropriate indications for its use. These findings suggest that the absence of restrictive criteria for breast MRI requests may contribute to substantial financial losses due to unnecessary examinations.

Utlu, Bahadır; Utlu, Elif Sedanur; Çinici, Emine; Akgöz, Hasan; Bayrakçeken, Kemal; Kozan, Betül Dertsiz

Background: To assess macular layer thickness, macular vessel density, and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) parameters in prediabetic patients compared with healthy normoglycemic controls using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Methods: Thirty prediabetic patients (group A; fasting plasma glucose 100-125 mg/dL, postprandial plasma glucose 140-199 mg/dL, glycated hemoglobin 5.7%-6.4%) and 30 age-matched normoglycemic subjects (group B) were included. The OCTA imaging was used to evaluate superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) vessel densities, as well as FAZ area and perimeter. Participants with poor image quality, high refractive error, glaucoma, prior intraocular surgery, chorioretinal atrophy, or other ocular/sys-temic comorbidities were excluded. Results: The SCP and DCP perfusion densities (PDs) were lower in the prediabetic group, with significant reductions in the inferior and temporal quadrants of the DCP and the temporal quadrant of the SCP (P <.05). The FAZ area and perimeter were larger in the prediabetic group but not statistically significant (P >.05). Macular thickness was greater in all quadrants in group A, with significant thickening in the nasal and inferior quadrants (P <.05). Conclusion: Prediabetic patients demonstrated early microvascular and structural changes, including reduced macular PD, increased macular thickness, and FAZ enlargement. These findings suggest subclinical retinal involvement in prediabetes, warranting larger longitudinal studies.

Ergül, Emine Esra; Laçin, Oğuzhan; Kılıçaslan, Hamide Özge; Bostancı, Fahrettin; Özdemir, Elif Can; Kılıç, Ayşegül; Hayme, Serhat; Ayçiçek, Hilal Büşra

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw in patients receiving osteoporosis treatment using C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX-1) values, to analyze follow-ups after drug holidays, and to compare treatment agents and other risk factors to determine the association with CTX-1 results. Methods: A total of 273 patients (266 female and 7 male) who received bisphosphonate and denosumab treatment for osteoporosis were included in this retrospective study. Sociodemographic characteristics, vitamin D levels, serum CTX-1 level, presence of diseases affecting CTX-1 levels, type of bisphosphonate, duration of use, presence of drug holidays, and duration of denosumab use (if any) were recorded. The effects of bisphosphonates and denosumab on CTX-1 levels were compared, and differences in the risk of osteonecrosis between them were evaluated. Results: In this study, a meaningful association was not identified between serum CTX-1 levels and the measured vitamin D values (P = .232). Patients who underwent a drug holiday had significantly higher mean serum CTX-1 levels (266.2 ± 175.1 pg/mL) compared to those without a drug holiday (199.9 ± 138.5 pg/ mL; P = .009). Higher CTX-1 levels were observed in individuals receiving ibandronate and alendronate, whereas the lowest values were detected in patients treated with denosumab. Conclusion: Serum CTX-1 levels appeared unaffected by vitamin D. Although the denosumab group exhibited the highest risk of osteonecrosis, the difference compared to zoledronic acid was not statistically significant. These results suggest caution during jaw-related procedures and consideration of drug holidays when necessary.

Alper, Fatih; Karaman, Adem; Yalçın, Ahmet; Atila, Alptug; Dincer, Busra; Sirinoglu, Busra Diyarbakir; Kaya, Serhat; Tavaci, Taha

Background: Gadolinium deposition in biological tissues was first reported in patients with renal failure. We aimed to investigate gadolinium deposition in the rat kidney after exposure to single and multiple doses of gadolinium and evaluate deposition for 1-and 3-month periods. We also aimed to determine any correlation between the amount of deposition and T1-weighted image intensity. Methods: Seventy rats (5 animals per group) were included in the sample, and 9 groups received a single dose (0.3, 0.6, and 1.2 mmol/kg) of gadolinium, and 1 group for each dose was sacrificed at the end of the first day, week, and month. Four groups received weekly doses (0.3 and 0.6 mmol/kg) and were sacrificed at the end of 6 and 12 weeks. Measurement of T1 intensities was carried out with postinjection images before sacrifice, and deposition was determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results: The number of injections was associated with increased gadolinium deposition (P <.001) in the kid-ney. After the weekly injections, the deposited gadolinium levels did not significantly differ between the low and medium doses at the end of the sixth week (P =.067). There was no agreement between the observers regarding the measurement of T1 signal intensity in both single-dose and multidose experiments (P =.263 and P =.307, respectively). Conclusion: Deposition was dose dependent in the postinjection stage in contrast to the late stage in which deposition was not associated with dose or number of injections until the 12th week. T1 signal intensity measurement is unreliable for assessing deposition in the rat kidney.

Utlu, Bahadır; Öndaş, Osman; Yıldırım, Mustafa; Bayrakçeken, Kemal; Yıldırım, Serkan

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of topical 5% hesperidin application on healing. Materials and Methods: After 48 rats were randomized and divided into 7 groups, on the first day, an epithelial defect was created in the center of the cornea with the help of microkeratome under intraperitoneal ket-amine + xylazine and topical 5% proparacaine anesthesia for the groups to be infected with keratitis according to the groups mentioned below. An amount of 0.05 mL of the solution containing 108 colony-forming units/ mL Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA-ATC27853) will be taken and inoculated per rat. At the end of the 3 days incubation period, rats with keratitis will be added to the groups, and active substances and antibiotics will be given topically together with other groups for 10 days. At the end of the study, the ocular tissues of the rats will be removed and examined histopathologically. Results: A clinically significant reduction in inflammation was detected in the groups using hesperidin. No transforming growth factor-β1 staining was detected in the group in which keratitis + hesperidin was treated topically. In the group in which hesperidin toxicity was examined, mild inflammation and thickening of the corneal stroma layer were observed, and it was evaluated as a negative transforming growth factor-β1 expres-sion in the lacrimal gland tissue. Corneal epithelial damage was minimal in the keratitis group, and the toxicity group was treated with only hesperidin when compared to the other groups. Conclusion: Topical hesperidin drops may be an important therapeutic factor in tissue healing and in the fight against inflammation in the treatment of keratitis.

Bayrakçeken, Kemal

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate whether there is a difference in retinal microvascularization between adolescents with and without simple myopia using optical coherence tomography angiography. Materials and Methods: Thirty-four eyes of 34 patients aged 12-18 years diagnosed with school-age simple myopia (0-6 diopters), and 34 eyes of 34 healthy controls of similar ages were included in this retrospective study. The ocular, optical coherence tomography, and optical coherence tomography angiography findings of the participants were recorded. Results: The simple myopia group had statistically thicker inferior ganglion cell complex thicknesses compared to the controls (P =.038). The macular map values did not statistically significantly differ between the 2 groups. The foveal avascular zone area (P =.038) and circularity index (P =.022) values were statistically lower in the simple myopia group compared to the control group. The superficial capillary plexus outer and inner ring vessel density (%) (superior and nasal) showed statistically significant differences (outer ring superior/ nasal P =.004/P =.037; inner ring superior/nasal P =.014/P =.046). Conclusion: Similar to high myopia, vascular density in the macula decreases as the axial length and spherical equivalent increase in simple myopia.

Bilgin, Aslı Özbek

The neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) is involved in several key processes in the central nervous system. But the great majority of serotonin is produced by intestinal enterochromaffin cells of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and circulating blood platelets, which work independently of the central nervous system. The mediating pathway through which serotonin transmits its effects is the 5-HT receptor (5-HTR) superfamily, which consists of at least 14 members with extensive characterizations. Having been discovered as the final member of the 5-HTR family, 5-HT7 receptors have specific roles in the neurological, GI, circulatory, and immune systems. Due to their extensive distribution, these receptors’ stimulation and repression are of importance during the therapy process, even if their exact mechanism of action in disease has not been fully understood. This review establishes the functions of 5-HT7Rs in systems and discusses how these receptors may be used therapeutically to treat peripheral diseases.

Özgeriş, Fatma Betül; Kurt, Nezahat; Ucuz, Ilknur Ibili; Yilmaz, Kübra Koçak; Keleş, Mevlüt Sait; Çayir, Atilla; Dursun, Onur Burak

Objective: Cognitive developmental delay is a picture of the group of early-onset chronic diseases that affect 1.5-10% of children. Autism spectrum disorders are neurodevelopmental diseases with a genetic basis and abnormal brain development, characterized by disorders in areas that make up interpersonal relationships, such as communication, social cognition, and processing of emotional signals. Immune system dysfunction is thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of some neurological disorders, including autism. Progranulin is thought to be a regulator of the innate immune response. The purpose of this study was to look at plasma levels of progranulin, an anti-inflammatory neurotrophic factor, in children with autism spectrum disorder and cognitive developmental delay. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 52 children who were patients and 35 healthy children. Of the 52 children of the patient group, 32 were diagnosed with CDD and 20 were diagnosed with cognitive developmental delay–autism spectrum disorder. Serum progranulin concentrations were measured using a human-specific sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Serum progranulin concentration was statistically lower in the patient group (110.746 ± 26.04) than in the healthy control group (137.346 ± 30.02). There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in levels of serum progranulin (P = .000). Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to evaluate the potential of progranulin as a biomarker to distinguish patients with cognitive developmental delay–autism spectrum disorder from healthy children. It detected a moderate area under the curve (0.743 ± 0.06) value and a more significant P value for progranulin (P = .000). Conclusion: Progranulin deficiency in patients with autism spectrum disorder–cognitive developmental delay may result in decreased neurotrophic support for many years, with cumulative damage associated with unregulated inflammation that may play a role in autism spectrum disorder–cognitive developmental delay. We believe that low progranulin levels could be a biomarker for autism spectrum disorder–cognitive developmental delay.

Kurt, Nezahat; Ozgeris, Fatma Betul; Volkan, Burcu; Gul, Mehmet Ali; Cayir, Atilla

Objective: Fetuin-A is a multifunctional non-collagen protein that plays a role in bone mineralization. Celiac disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the small intestine due to exposure to gluten. In this research, it was aimed to investigate levels of Fetuin-A and its relationship with bone mineral density in children with celiac disease. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 59 children with celiac and 29 healthy children. The celiac disease group was composed of three groups, newly diagnosed, gluten-free diet compliant and, non-gluten-free diet compliant patients. Serum Fetuin-A concentrations were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Measurement of bone mineral density was performed a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Results: Serum Fetuin-A levels were 136.85 ± 38.09 µg/L and 112.95 ± 44.39 µg/L in the celiac disease and healthy control groups, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between groups in levels of serum Fetuin-A (P <.05). A significant positive correlation was observed between serum Fetuin-A and bone mineral density Z-score in the celiac patients. Conclusion: Increased Fetuin-A levels and positive correlation between Fetuin-A and bone mineral density in children with celiac disease suggest that Fetuin-A may be a biomarker for celiac disease.

Karaköy, Zeynep; Cadirci, Elif; Dincer, Busra

Inflammation is a response to various injuries, illnesses, and severe trauma. The primary function of inflammation is to combat pathogens, eliminate them from the body, and initiate wound healing. However, inflammation also contributes to numerous diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and asthma. As the importance of nutrition in maintaining human health has become increasingly recognized, the consumption of natural antioxidants has gained popularity, especially in developed countries. A growing body of research has shown that consuming foods rich in lycopene can protect individuals from a range of conditions, including cancer, heart disease, and other diseases. As a result, lycopene is gaining recognition as a potential protective antioxidant in the fields of medicine and pharmacology. This review aims to highlight the effects of lycopene on inflammatory diseases and provide a foundational understanding for researchers interested in further research on lycopene.