Polat, Hakan; Eksi, Mithat; Çatik, Alican; Akdag, Azad; Arikan, Yusuf; Sungur, Ubeyd; Kargi, Taner; Karadag, Serdar; Bitkin, Alper

Objective : This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes and safety of combined duloxetine and tolterodine therapy in patients with mixed urinary incontinence. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with mixed urinary incontinence treated between January 2021 and December 2023. Patients received tolterodine (4 mg/day) and duloxetine (40 mg twice daily). Clinical outcomes were assessed at weeks 4 and 12 using the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form, pad tests, and bladder diaries. Patient satisfaction was evaluated using the Clinical Global Impression scale. Results: The study included 115 patients (mean age: 46.6 +/- 13.4 years). Significant improvements were observed in Overactive Bladder Symptom Score, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form scores, and pad weights at weeks 4 and 12 compared to baseline (p < 0.001). Daily micturition, nocturia, urgency, and incontinence episodes significantly decreased, whereas mean voided volume increased. According to Clinical Global Impression scores, 73.9% of patients reported partial or complete improvement. Treatment-related adverse events were observed in 12.1% of patients. Conclusion: The combination therapy of duloxetine and tolterodine appears to be safe and potentially beneficial, reducing symptom scores and incontinence episodes. However, these findings need to be supported by controlled studies.

Aydin, Suleyman; Aydin, Suna; Ugur, Kader; Sahin, İbrahim; Emre, Elif; Gencer, Sevval Yagmur; Aksoy, Aziz

Immunohistochemistry is a tissue-based technique that enables in situ visualization of specific molecules, most commonly proteins or peptides, within preserved cellular and tissue architecture through antigen–antibody specificity. By using labeled antibodies, immunohistochemistry allows spatially resolved and cell type–specific detection of target molecules and maintains the morphological context, thereby providing both localization and relative expression information at the light or electron microscopy level. Owing to this integrative capacity, immunohistochemistry has become an essential tool in biological research and diagnostic pathology for characterizing molecular distribution and tissue organization across animal and plant systems. The detection techniques based on fluorescence and enzymes (chromogenic) are compared in terms of their repeatability, multiplexing capability, sensitivity, and specificity. With a focus on protocol standardization and methodological rigor, important procedural processes are covered, including fixation, antigen extraction, antibody optimization, signal detection, and quality control. Additionally, the immunohistochemistry technique remains essential for locating and identifying immunogenic substances in a variety of biological settings. Therefore, drawing on more than two decades of laboratory experience, this narrative review summarizes the history of the immunohistochemistry assay, its underlying principles and procedures, common immunohistochemistry protocol, methodological process, essential reagents, infrastructure, and best-practice principles required for the establishment and optimization of a high-quality immunohistochemistry laboratory. © The Author(s) 2026. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits non-commercial use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access page (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).

Aydin, Suleyman; Emre, Elif; Ugur, Kader; Aydin, Mustafa Ata; Sahin, İbrahim; Cinar, Vedat; Akbulut, Taner

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detects antigen-antibody interactions by using enzyme-labelled conjugates and enzyme substrates that generate colour changes. This review aims to provide an overview of ELISA, its various types, and its applications in detecting metabolites in biological fluids. The article discusses the history of the assay, its underlying principles and procedures, common ELISA protocols, and the most accurate and reliable techniques for measuring peptide molecules in biological fluids. Additionally, we emphasize best laboratory practices to achieve consistent, high-quality results and outline the essential materials for setting up an ELISA laboratory, drawing from our over 30 years of experience in the field.

Emre, Elif; Yildiz, Sevler; Rumeysa Yaman Baran, Ayse; Kilicarslan, Gulhan; Aydin, Suna; Agirbas, Esra Piril; Emir, Burcu Sirlier; Sahin, İbrahim; Aydin, Suleyman

Objective: The neurological causes of suicide remain poorly understood. This study sought to ascertain whether there is a correlation between amygdala volume and suicidal behavior. Methods: This case–control retrospective study included 193 participants—108 healthy controls and 85 individuals with a history of suicide attempts. Sagittal magnetic resonance imaging was conducted for each participant, and cross-sectional areas of the left and right amygdala were determined independently using freehand tracing. The total volume of the amygdala was determined by multiplying the thickness of the slices by the sum of the regions. Results: Patients with a history of suicide attempts had significantly decreased amygdala volumes on both the right (p = 0.018) and left (p = 0.036) sides compared with controls. Receiver operating characteristic analysis determined a cutoff value of 1825 mm³ for both hemispheres. The cutoff sensitivity and specificity for the right amygdala were 30.6% and 88%, whereas the values for the left amygdala were 31.8% and 84.3%, respectively. Conclusions: This is the first study to show that individuals who had attempted suicide had considerably decreased left and right amygdala volumes, with receiver operating characteristic analysis indicating good specificity (84.3%–88%). According to these findings, a reduced amygdala volume might be a useful biomarker for identifying those who are at risk of attempting suicide. © The Author(s) 2025. Creative Commons Non Commercial CC BY-NC: This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits non-commercial use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access pages (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).

Kızılgöz, Volkan; Kantarci, Mecit; Aydın, Sonay

Objective: Subcutaneous fat tissue thickness (SFTT) is a representative marker of obesity. This study was performed to determine the relationship between SFTT and chondromalacia patella (CP) through routine 1.5-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the knee. Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 440 knee MRI scans were re-examined and divided into those with and without CP. A 1.5-Tesla MRI machine with a standard knee coil was used. Prepatellar SFTT (PSFTT) and medial SFTT (MSFTT) were measured on each MRI scan. PSFTT and MSFTT were compared between patients with and without CP. Results: Both the PSFTT and MSFTT values were significantly higher in patients with than without CP. Women had significantly higher PSFTT and MSFTT values than men. A statistically significant correlation was found between the PSFTT and MSFTT values and the CP grades. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate an association between SFTT and CP. A positive correlation was also found between SFTT and CP severity.