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Article Citation - WoS: 0Citation - Scopus: 0The Evaluation of P-Wave Parameters in Patients With Percutaneous Closure of Atrial Septal Defect(Wiley, 2025) Astan, Ramazan; Kacmaz, Fehmi; Saricam, Ersin; Ilkay, ErdoganBackground: Atrial septal defect (ASD) can lead to volume overload and related changes in P-wave parameters in surface electrocardiograms of these patients. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of volume overload on P-wave parameters in patients with ASD. Materials and methods: This study is a retrospective cohort analysis. A total of 142 patients with secundum ASD who underwent percutaneous closure were evaluated. P-wave duration (Pmax) and P-wave dispersion (PWD) were measured on the surface ECG before and 1 h after the closure procedure. We evaluated P-wave parameters in terms of defect size, duration of the volume overload, and closure device sizes. Results: Pmax and PWD were significantly decreased after the procedure compared with the values before the procedure (p < 0.001). Pmax values had a statistically significant correlation with ASD size (< 20 mm or >= 20 mm) both before and after the procedure. Pmax values were significantly higher in patients older than 30 years of age (119.6 +/- 19.5 vs. 102.7 +/- 17.1 ms, respectively; p = 0.039). A significantly positive correlation was found between pre- and post-procedural Pmax and defect sizes (r = 0.474, p = 0.019 and r = 0.4233, p = 0.04, respectively). However, no positive correlation between PWD and defect age and size was present. Conclusion: Percutaneous closure of ASD is associated with an immediate decrease in both Pd and Pmax that seems to be related to the acute volume overload cessation in cardiac chambers.Article Citation - WoS: 0Citation - Scopus: 0Dead Cell Discrimination With Red Emissive Carbon Quantum Dots From the Medicinal and Edible Herb Echinophora Tenuifolia(Springer/Plenum Publishers, 2025) Ozdemir, Naciye; Tan, Gamze; Tevlek, Atakan; Arslan, Gulsin; Zengin, Gokhan; Sargin, IdrisAccurately determining the viability of cells is crucial for in vitro cell research. Fluorescence-based live/dead cell staining is a highly desirable method to assess cell viability and survival in in vitro studies. We describe a green synthesis method to create red-emissive CQDs from the medicinal and edible herb Echinophora tenuifolia using microwave irradiation. We observed that the biocompatibility and photostability of the CQDs are superior. The antioxidant capacity of the CQDs and the plant extract were also investigated using different chemical methods (DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, FRAP, PBD, and MCA). The antioxidant capacity of the CQDs was similar to that of the extract of E. tenuifolia. Cytotoxicity studies indicate that while the CQDs are not toxic to L929, they exhibit significant toxicity towards HepG2 cells. The CQDs exhibited a strong negative zeta potential (-44.0 mV), which contributed to their selective interaction with dead cells while being repelled by viable cells with intact membrane potentials. The optimal concentration for effective, non-toxic imaging was determined to be 25 mu g/mL, as lower concentrations did not produce detectable fluorescence. Differential staining experiments confirmed that CQDs selectively stained dead cells, with red fluorescence observed under the Texas Red filter. Moreover, CQDs exhibited favorable fluorescence intensity and stability, which may offer advantages for long-term and reliable bioimaging applications. In vitro studies on HepG2 and L929 cell lines revealed that the red-emissive CQDs from E. tenuifolia can be potentially used in bioimaging.Article Citation - WoS: 2Citation - Scopus: 3Antioxidant Activity of Micractinium Sp. (Chlorophyta) Extracts Against H2O2 Induced Oxidative Stress in Human Breast Adenocarcinoma Cells(Nature Portfolio, 2024) Bulut, Onur; Kose, Iskin Engin; Sonmez, Cagla; Oktem, Huseyin AvniIn response to the growing demand for high-value bioactive compounds, microalgae cultivation has gained a significant acceleration in recent years. Among these compounds, antioxidants have emerged as essential constituents in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries. This study focuses on Micractinium sp. ME05, a green microalgal strain previously isolated from hot springs flora in our laboratory. Micractinium sp. cells were extracted using six different solvents, and their antioxidant capacity, as well as total phenolic, flavonoid, and carotenoid contents were evaluated. The methanolic extracts demonstrated the highest antioxidant capacity, measuring 7.72 and 93.80 mu mol trolox equivalents g-1 dry weight (DW) according to the DPPH and FRAP assays, respectively. To further characterize the biochemical profile, reverse phase high-performance chromatography (RP-HPLC) was employed to quantify twelve different phenolics, including rutin, gallic acid, benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, and beta-carotene, in the microalgal extracts. Notably, the acetone extracts of Micractinium sp. grown mixotrophically contained a high amount of gallic acid (469.21 +/- 159.74 mu g g-1 DW), while 4-hydroxy benzoic acid (403.93 +/- 20.98 mu g g-1 DW) was the main phenolic compound in the methanolic extracts under heterotrophic cultivation. Moreover, extracts from Micractinium sp. exhibited remarkable cytoprotective activity by effectively inhibiting hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress and cell death in human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cells. In conclusion, with its diverse biochemical composition and adaptability to different growth regimens, Micractinium sp. emerges as a robust candidate for mass cultivation in nutraceutical and food applications.Article Citation - WoS: 0Citation - Scopus: 0Fistulectomy and Primary Sphincteroplasty for Transsphincteric Fistula(Coll Physicians & Surgeons Pakistan, 2025) Emral, Ahmet Cihangir; Gulen, Merter; Ege, BahadirObjective: To evaluate the results of patients treated with fistulectomy and primary sphincteroplasty for uncomplicated perianal fistula. Study Design: Observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: Medicana International Hospital affiliated with Atilim University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkiye, from January 2020 to September 2023. Methodology: In this study, patients who were operated on for perianal fistula between 2020 and 2023 were retrospectively examined. Data were obtained retrospectively. All patients underwent preoperative perianal MRI. Clinical notes were evaluated with the Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Score (CCIS) by physical examination. All patients were followed up on the first postoperative day, 1st week, 1st and 3rd postoperative months. Results: A total of 44 patients who underwent fistulectomy with primary sphincteroplasty were included in the study. Twenty-six patients (59.1%) had a history of perianal abscesses. It was observed that 34 (77.3%) of the patients had posterior, 7 (15.9%) anterior, and 3 (6.8%) lateral fistulas. A total of 3 patients (6.8%) were observed to have minor worsening in their incontinence scores. There was no statistically significant difference between the preoperative and postoperative 3rd month Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Score values of the patients (CCIS mean 1.6 vs. 1.7, respectively, p >0.05). Recurrence was observed in 1 patient (2.3%) during follow-ups. Conclusion: Fistulectomy with primary sphincteroplasty is an effective and reliable method to preserve anal continence and improve quality of life.Letter Citation - WoS: 0Citation - Scopus: 0The Impact of the "Newborn Gang" Scandal on Türkiye's Neonatal Healthcare Community(Taylor & Francis inc, 2025) Yuksel, DidemArticle Citation - WoS: 0Syntactic Scrambling in Broca's Aphasia: a Turkish Sample(Karger, 2025) Arslan, Berkay; Ciyiltepe, Muge Muzeyyen; Karaman, MuzeyyenIntroduction: Broca's aphasia (BA) is a language disorder that causes grammatical errors in the language production skills of patients. Contemporary studies revealed the fact that patients with BA (PBA) also have difficulty in analyzing the meaning of phrases and sentences and comprehending the real meaning of the discourse produced by the speaker. The purpose of this study was to investigate possible effect of syntactic movement by changing the word positions in the sentence with morphological markers in order to produce clauses without changing the meaning on the phrasal comprehension skills of Turkish-speaking patients with BA. Method: A total of 300 participants were divided as study (n = 150) and control (n = 150) groups between ages of 27-89. A test that included 20 relative clauses and 9 noun clauses (in total 29 phrases) was assigned to the PBA and the control group (CG). Relative clause phrases originated from simple sentences by adding suffixes to the verb as a function of Turkish morphology. Each suffix indicated a specific noun, object, or subject, and each figure in the test was related to one of them. A researcher asked participants to match the demanded clause with the 6 possibly related pictures for relative clause and 3 for noun clauses. Results: Findings indicated that BA patients in our study had a lack of comprehending relative clauses due to the syntactic movement of words in the object and subject positions. Compared to the responses of the CG, PBA had significantly lower scores when the object and subject positions have moved from their original positions. BA patients also obtained significantly lower scores in object type questions. Conclusion: Our findings support the fact that comprehension processing in PBA should be investigated profoundly to be able to understand the nature of the disorder in different languages. In Turkish, syntactic movement of words to form a relative clause caused the BA patients to have significant problems to assign the semantic roles to the words in the existence of movement or change in their original positions.Article Citation - WoS: 0Citation - Scopus: 0Predictive Factors of Cardiac Function Recovery and Mortality in Patients With Reduced Ejection Fraction Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation(Mdpi, 2025) Guney, Murat Can; Suygun, Hakan; Polat, Melike; Ayhan, Huseyin; Keles, Telat; Ertop, Zeynep Seyma Turinay; Bozkurt, EnginBackground and Objectives: Patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) are reported to have unfavorable outcomes following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). This study aims to evaluate outcomes and identify predictive factors for LVEF recovery following TAVI in patients with reduced LVEF. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 114 patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS) with LVEF < 40% who underwent TAVI between 2011 and 2023 at two centers. Echocardiographic parameters, including LVEF, ventricular dimensions, and relative wall thickness (RWT), were assessed at baseline and during follow-up. The outcomes and predictors of substantial LVEF improvement and mortality were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression methods. Results: Anemia (OR = 4.345, 95% CI: 1.208-15.626, p = 0.024), RWT (OR = 1.224, 95% CI: 1.064-1.407, p = 0.005), and early post-procedural changes in left ventricular end-systolic dimension (LVESD) (OR = 1.297, 95% CI: 1.037-1.622, p = 0.023) and left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD) (OR = 1.346, 95% CI: 1.034-1.753, p = 0.027) at one-month follow-up were identified as significant factors associated with LVEF recovery at one year. Regarding factors related to mortality, higher baseline AVMG levels were associated with a lower probability of death after one year (OR = 0.926, 95% CI: 0.875-0.979, p = 0.007). Conversely, a more limited increase in LVEF from baseline to the final follow-up was linked to poor prognosis and higher mortality at one year (95% CI: 1.045-1.594, p = 0.018). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that TAVI in patients with AS and reduced LVEF can be performed with high procedural success, low mortality, and significant improvement in cardiac function during follow-up. Additionally, anemia, baseline RWT, and early post-procedural changes in LVESD and LVEDD were identified as factors associated with LVEF recovery. Baseline AVMG and changes in LVEF at the final follow-up were found to be significant predictors of total mortality.Article Citation - WoS: 0Baby Steps of Parenting: Turkish Adaptation of Infancy Parenting Styles Questionnaire and Mother- and Infant-Related Characteristics Affecting Parenting in Infancy(Wiley, 2025) Bahtiyar-Saygan, BaharThe crucial importance of parenting for human development is well known, yet there has been little investigation, particularly regarding infancy parenting. This study investigates mother- and infant-related characteristics affecting parenting styles in the first year after birth. Additionally, adapting an Infancy Parenting Styles Questionnaire (IPSQ) to Turkish is aimed. In total, 110 mothers with babies in the first year of their lives (M age in months = 6.39, SDage in months = 3.72; 70 girls) participated in the study. Mothers filled out the IPSQ, Early Parenting Attitudes Questionnaire (EPAQ), Karitane Parental Self-Confidence Scale (KPSC), and Parental Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF). Four components emerged: involvement, discipline, anxiety, and routine. The IPSQ was found to be reliable (alpha = .81) and valid. The findings revealed that income, the number of children, and parental confidence were significant predictors for involvement; maternal education, parental confidence, parenting stress, and sleep wellness of the baby were significant predictors for discipline; and the number of caregivers and parental confidence were significant predictors for routine sub-components. Also, results indicated higher involvement and lower discipline in primiparous compared to multiparous mothers. The findings were discussed in light of the literature regarding the antecedents of parenting and its developmental outcomes.Article Citation - WoS: 1Citation - Scopus: 1Association Between the Degree of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Nocturnal Hypertension(Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2025) Astan, Ramazan; Kacmaz, Fehmi; Saricam, Ersin; Ozyer, Esref Umut; Ilkay, ErdoganNighttime blood pressure (BP) decreases have prognostic significance owing to circadian patterns. The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has rapidly increased in recent years. We aimed to investigate circadian blood pressure changes in patients with NAFLD. The present study included 114 patients diagnosed with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and no previous hypertension diagnosis. Thirty patients comprised the control group (no hepatosteatosis and no hypertension). The patients were divided into 3 groups based on nocturnal BP dipping. Blood pressure patterns using night-day ratios were classified as dipper (ratio <= 0, 9), nondipper (0, 9 < ratio <= 1, 0), or nocturnal hypertension (ratio > 1, 0). There were no significant differences in sex, age, presence of diabetes, or biochemical test results between the groups. According to the blood pressure pattern, the nondipper rate in the hepatosteatosis group was significantly higher than that in the control group. Patients were compared in terms of the presence and severity of hepatosteatosis according to night blood pressure patterns. A significant difference was observed between the groups (P < .001 and P = .001, respectively). We found an association between hepatosteatosis severity and night blood pressure patterns. Patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease have a higher incidence of nocturnal hypertension. We observed impaired circadian blood pressure changes in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.Article Citation - WoS: 0Citation - Scopus: 0Does Dexmedetomidine Induce Bone Regeneration in Cranial Defects in Rabbits(Taylor & Francis Ltd, 2025) Erkan, Gozde Nur; Tekin, Umut; Boyacioglu, Ozge; Korkusuz, Petek; Orhan, Kaan; Kirman, Betul; Onder, Mustafa ErcumentDexmedetomidine has been shown to exert protective and curative effects on various tissues and organs in different pathological processes. This study aimed to investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine on the regeneration process after making holes in the parietal bones of rabbits. Twenty-four male Oryctolagus cuniculus rabbits were allocated to three groups, and an 8-mm circular parietal critical-sized bone defect was induced in each animal. Group_C (control) received saline; Group_LD (low dose) was given dexmedetomidine 2.75 mu g/kg; Group_HD (high dose), dexmedetomidine 5.5 mu g/kg; all were administered intraperitoneally for 7 days. After 8 weeks the bones were examined by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and histomorphometry. The results indicated that regeneration was improved in both the dexmedetomidine-treated groups. The lower dose increased the bone volume ratio (BV/TV) more than the higher dose. Trabecular thickness, connectivity value, and connectivity density were also higher in Group_LD than in Group_HD. Significant intramembranous ossification was observed in the dexmedetomidine-treated groups, and active osteoblasts were seen at the margins of new bone trabeculae. We conclude that dexmedetomidine, especially at the lower dosage, increases osteoblastic activity and regeneration quality.Article Citation - WoS: 0Citation - Scopus: 1A Novel Technique- Subendometrial Autologous Platelet Rich Plasma Injection in Patients With Unresponsive Thin Endometrium Undergoing Frozen-Thawed Embryo Transfer: a Prospective Cohort Study(BMC, 2025) Cakiroglu, Yigit; Tohma, Yusuf Aytac; Yuceturk, Aysen; Karaosmanoglu, Ozge; Aslan, Ilke Ozer; Kopuk, Sule Yildirim; Tiras, BulentBackground The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of subendometrial PRP injection on endometrial thickness and pregnancy outcomes in patients with a history of unresponsive thin endometrium undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET). Methods This prospective cohort study was conducted at Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University-Istanbul, Turkey. Women with a history of suboptimal endometrial proliferation (< 7 mm) were offered to participate in the study. Group 1 consisted of 100 individuals who consented to subendometrial PRP injection, while Group 2 consisted of 100 individuals who did not accept PRP injection. Within ten days of the menstrual cycle ending, autologous PRP was produced by centrifuging peripheral blood and administered transvaginally into the subendometrial region under ultrasound monitoring. After the PRP procedure, 14 days of oral estradiol supplementation were started as part of the hormonal treatment on the 2-4th day of the second menstrual cycle. Women determined to have adequate endometrial thickness following the initiation were scheduled for embryo transfers. Embryo transfer was scheduled for women who were found to have adequate endometrial thickness after the initiation of progesterone. Pregnancy (positive serum hCG) and livebirth rates were followed. Results A total of 200 women (age 36.4 +/- 5.8) were included in the study. Endometrial thickness increased after PRP therapy as compared to the control group (7.7 +/- 1.9 mm vs. 6.1 +/- 1.2 mm; p < 0.01). Three women (3.0%) in the PRP group conceived spontaneously, whereas 97 women (97.0%) attempted FET; no spontaneous pregnancies occurred in the control group. Compared to 75/100 (75% of the total) in the control group, 33/97 women (34.0%) in the PRP group were unable to undertake ET because of persistently unresponsive thin endometrium or fluid in the endometrial cavity (p < 0.001). The PRP group had a considerably higher percentage of positive serum hCG tests than the control group (25.8% vs. 9.0%; p = 0.002). Additionally, the PRP group had a higher clinical pregnancy rate (22.7% vs. 7.0%; p = 0.002). The live birth rate was significantly higher in the PRP group than the controls (17.5% vs. 2.0%; p < 0.001). Conclusions In women with a history of suboptimal endometrial development, subendometrial PRP injection was associated with improved endometrial thickness and livebirth rate.Article Citation - WoS: 1Citation - Scopus: 0Exosomes as Biomarkers and Therapeutic Agents in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Current Insights and Future Directions(Springer, 2025) Dehghani, Sam; Ocakci, Ozgecan; Hatipoglu, Pars Tan; Ozalp, Veli Cengiz; Tevlek, AtakanNeurodegenerative diseases (NDs) like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and ALS rank among the most challenging global health issues, marked by substantial obstacles in early diagnosis and effective treatment. Current diagnostic techniques frequently demonstrate inadequate sensitivity and specificity, whilst conventional treatment strategies encounter challenges related to restricted bioavailability and insufficient blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Recently, exosomes-nanoscale vesicles packed with proteins, RNAs, and lipids-have emerged as promising agents with the potential to reshape diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to these diseases. Unlike conventional drug carriers, they naturally traverse the BBB and can deliver bioactive molecules to affected neural cells. Their molecular cargo can influence cell signaling, reduce neuroinflammation, and potentially slow neurodegenerative progression. Moreover, exosomes serve as non-invasive biomarkers, enabling early and precise diagnosis while allowing real-time disease monitoring. Additionally, engineered exosomes, loaded with therapeutic molecules, enhance this capability by targeting diseased neurons and overcoming conventional treatment barriers. By offering enhanced specificity, reduced immunogenicity, and an ability to bypass physiological limitations, exosome-based strategies present a transformative advantage over existing diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. This review examines the multifaceted role of exosomes in NDDs, emphasizing their diagnostic capabilities, intrinsic therapeutic functions, and transformative potential as advanced treatment vehicles.Article Citation - WoS: 0Citation - Scopus: 0Detection of Sexually Transmitted Infection Agents in Pregnant Women Using Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction Method(BMC, 2025) Bakir, Ayfer; Cendek, Busra Demir; Usluca, Selma; Aral, Murat; Korkut, Gizem; Morkoc, Mehmet; Keskin, Huseyin LeventBackgroundSexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a significant public health concern that can lead to serious outcomes such as infertility, pregnancy complications, and neonatal infections. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of STI and their associated risk factors in symptomatic and asymptomatic pregnant women.MethodsBetween July and October 2024, a total of 300 pregnant women in their third trimester, including 113 symptomatic and 187 asymptomatic individuals aged 18 to 45 years, who sought antenatal care at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic of Ankara Etlik City Hospital, were included in the study. The detection of STIs agents in vaginal swab samples was performed using multiplex polymerase chain reaction in the Molecular Diagnosis Laboratory of the Department of Microbiology.ResultsThe overall prevalence of STIs was 34.3% (103/300), with single and multiple infections accounting for 28.3% and 6.0% of cases, respectively. The most frequently detected pathogens were Ureaplasma parvum/urealiticum (29.0%), Mycoplasma hominis (4.6%), and Chlamydia trachomatis (2.3%). Co-infections were commonly observed between Ureaplasma parvum/urealiticum and Mycoplasma hominis. No significant difference in STI prevalence was observed between the symptomatic (35.4%) and asymptomatic (33.7%) groups. Co-infection with non-STI bacterial agents, such as Gardnerella vaginalis and Streptococcus agalactiae, increased the risk of STIs by 1.96 times (p = 0.006).ConclusionsThis study revealed that STIs occur at similar rates among symptomatic and asymptomatic pregnant women. This finding highlights the critical importance of detecting asymptomatic cases to prevent the spread of silent infections and to safeguard maternal and neonatal health. Ureaplasma parvum/urealiticum were identified as the most common pathogens. Given that co-infections with non-STI bacterial agents significantly increase the risk of STIs, multiplex PCR-based multicenter and prospective studies are essential to refine screening strategies for pregnant women.Article Citation - WoS: 0Citation - Scopus: 1Protective Effects of Bosentan Via Endothelin Receptor Antagonism in Experimental Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in the Lower Limb of Rats(Dove Medical Press Ltd, 2025) Demirtas, Hueseyin; Oezer, Abdullah; Guelcan, Mehmet Burak; Yigman, Zeynep; Kuecuek, Ayseguel; Tekin, Esra; Arslan, MustafaObjective: This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of bosentan, a dual endothelin receptor antagonist, against skeletal muscle ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in rats. Methods: A total of 24 male Wistar Albino rats were divided into four groups: control (C, n=6), bosentan-treated (B, n=6), ischemiareperfusion (IR, n=6), and bosentan plus ischemia-reperfusion (B+IR, n=6). Bosentan (10 mg/kg) was administered 30 minutes prior to reperfusion. In the IR and B+IR groups, ischemia was induced using vascular bulldog clamps for 45 minutes, followed by 120 minutes of reperfusion. Results: Histological and biochemical assessments revealed significant differences among the groups. The disorganization and degeneration scores of the muscle cells in the B+IR group were significantly lower than those in the IR group (P = 0.001). The degree of interstitial edema in the IR group was markedly more severe than in the C and B groups (all P < 0.001), while the interstitial edema score in the B+IR group was significantly lower than that in the IR group (P < 0.001). The total muscle injury scores were markedly reduced in the B+IR group compared to the IR group (P < 0.001). Biochemically, TAS levels were significantly higher in the B+IR group compared to the IR group (1.03 f 0.18 vs 0.59 f 0.10 mmol/L, P = 0.016). Conversely, TOS (1.97 f 0.39 vs 2.86 f 0.43 IU/mg, P < 0.001) and OSI levels (P < 0.001) were significantly lower in the B+IR group. Additionally, paraoxonase (PON-1) enzyme activity was significantly reduced in the B+IR group compared to the IR group (P < 0.001). These findings suggest that bosentan exerts its protective effects by antagonizing endothelin-1 receptors, thereby mitigating vasoconstriction, oxidative stress, and inflammation. The observed reductions in muscle cell disorganization, interstitial edema, hemorrhage, neutrophil infiltration and oxidative stress markers underscore bosentan's potential as a therapeutic agent for managing ischemia-reperfusion injury. Conclusion: Bosentan demonstrates significant protective effects against skeletal muscle IRI by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation through endothelin receptor antagonism. These findings underscore bosentan's potential as a therapeutic agent for mitigating ischemia-reperfusion injury in vascular surgeries and managing critical limb ischemia in clinical settings. Further research is warranted to explore the long-term effects of bosentan on muscle recovery and systemic health following ischemia-reperfusion injury.Article Citation - WoS: 1Citation - Scopus: 3Protective Effects of BPC 157 on Liver, Kidney, and Lung Distant Organ Damagein Rats with Experimental Lower-Extremity Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury(MDPI, 2025) Demirtas, Hueseyin; Ozer, Abdullah; Yildirim, Alperen Kutay; Dursun, Ali Dogan; Sezen, Saban Cem; Arslan, Mustafa; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9056-0025; Basic SciencesBackground and Objectives: Ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury can affect multiple distant organs following I/R in the lower extremities. BPC-157’s anti-inflammatory and free radical-neutralizing properties suggest its potential in mitigating ischemia–reperfusion damage. This study evaluates the protective effects of BPC-157 on remote organ damage, including the kidneys, liver, and lungs, in a rat model of skeletal muscle I/R injury. Materials and Methods: A total of 24 male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham (S), BPC-157(B), lower extremity I/R(IR) and lower extremity I/R+BPC-157(I/RB). Some 45 min of ischemia of lower extremity was followed by 2 h of reperfusion of limbs. BPC-157 was applied to groups B and I/RB at the beginning of the procedure. After 2 h of reperfusion, liver, kidney and lung tissues were harvested for biochemical and histopathological analyses. Results: In the histopathological examination, vascular and glomerular vacuolization, tubular dilation, hyaline casts, and tubular cell shedding in renal tissue were significantly lower in the I/RB group compared to other groups. Lung tissue showed reduced interstitial edema, alveolar congestion, and total damage scores in the I/RB group. Similarly, in liver tissue, sinusoidal dilation, necrotic cells, and mononuclear cell infiltration were significantly lower in the I/RB group. Additionally, the evaluation of TAS, TOS, OSI, and PON-1 revealed a statistically significant increase in antioxidant activity in the liver, lung, and kidney tissues of the I/RB group. Conclusions: The findings of this study demonstrate that BPC-157 exerts a significant protective effect against distant organ damage in the liver, kidneys, and lungs following lower extremity ischemia–reperfusion injury in rats.Article Citation - WoS: 0Citation - Scopus: 0Effects of Pomegranate Seed Oil on Lower Extremity Ischemia-Reperfusion Damage: Insights into Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Cell Death(MDPI, 2025) Bozok, Ummu Gulsen; Ergorun, Aydan Iremnur; Kucuk, Aysegul; Yigman, Zeynep; Dursun, Ali Dogan; Arslan, Mustafa; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9056-0025; Basic SciencesAim: This study sought to clarify the therapeutic benefits and mechanisms of action of pomegranate seed oil (PSO) in instances of ischemia–reperfusion (IR) damage in the lower extremities. Materials and Methods: The sample size was determined, then 32 rats were randomly allocated to four groups: Control (C), ischemia–reperfusion (IR), low-dose PSO (IR + LD, 0.15 mL/kg), and high-dose PSO (IR + HD, 0.30 mL/kg). The ischemia model in the IR group was established by occluding the infrarenal aorta for 120 min. Prior to reperfusion, PSO was delivered to the IR + LD and IR + HD groups at doses of 0.15 mL/kg and 0.30 mL/kg, respectively, followed by a 120 min reperfusion period. Subsequently, blood and tissue specimens were obtained. Statistical investigation was executed utilizing Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.0 (SPSS, IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results: Biochemical tests revealed significant variations in total antioxidant level (TAS), total oxidant level (TOS), and the oxidative stress index (OSI) across the groups (p < 0.0001). The IR group had elevated TOS and OSI levels, whereas PSO therapy resulted in a reduction in these values (p < 0.05). As opposed to the IR group, TASs were higher in the PSO-treated groups. Histopathological analysis demonstrated muscle fiber degeneration, interstitial edema, and the infiltration of cells associated with inflammation in the IR group, with analogous results noted in the PSO treatment groups. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the expressions of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), Nuclear Factor kappa B (NF-κB), cytochrome C (CYT C), and caspase 3 (CASP3) were elevated in the IR group, while PSO treatment diminished these markers and attenuated inflammation and apoptosis (p < 0.05). The findings demonstrate that PSO has a dose-dependent impact on IR injury. Discussion: This research indicates that PSO has significant protective benefits against IR injury in the lower extremities. PSO mitigated tissue damage and maintained mitochondrial integrity by addressing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptotic pathways. Particularly, high-dose PSO yielded more substantial enhancements in these processes and exhibited outcomes most comparable to the control group in biochemical, histological, and immunohistochemical investigations. These findings underscore the potential of PSO as an efficacious natural treatment agent for IR injury. Nevertheless, additional research is required to articulate this definitively.Article Citation - Scopus: 0The Reliability of Youtube as an Information Resource for Parents About Retinopathy of Prematurity(Slack Incorporated, 2025) Alacamli, G.; Yakar, K.Purpose: To investigate the quality and reliability of YouTube videos about retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) to direct parents of infants with the disease to access more accurate content. Methods: The term “retinopathy of prematurity” has been searched on YouTube containing all of the videos between January 2 and February 2, 2024. The first 200 videos were evaluated by two ophthalmologists. Duplicated-split videos, videos shorter than 60 seconds, videos presented in languages other than English or with an incomprehensible accent, and videos unrelated to ROP were excluded. Video uploaders, types, continental origins, durations, and viewer interactions were noted. DISCERN, The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), and the Global Quality Score (GQS) scoring systems were used to evaluate the quality of the videos. Results: The mean quality of all videos was poor in all scoring systems. Academic societies and medical institutes scored highest in video uploaders, followed by physicians; patient experience videos had the lowest quality. Of the video types, the medical education seminars were of the highest quality. Although a strong positive correlation was detected between video duration and video quality, this same strong correlation was not observed between viewer interactions and video quality. There was no significant difference between video origins in terms of video quality. Conclusions: It would be wiser to direct the parents of patients with ROP to watch longer videos uploaded by the academic community, medical institute, or physicians, and to watch the medical training seminars. Also, it might be important to warn them not to take user interactions too seriously. © SLACK Incorporated.Article Citation - WoS: 0Citation - Scopus: 0Factors Affecting Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccination Rates in Hemodialysis Patients: a Multicenter Study(Dove Medical Press Ltd, 2025) Selen, Tamer; Merhametsiz, Ozgur; Onec, Kuersad; Ercan, Zafer; Islam, Mahmud; Altun, Gulsah; Demir, Mehmet EminPurpose: In patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), infections, particularly pneumonias, are the most common cause of hospital admissions and death after cardiovascular diseases. It is recommended that dialysis patients receive the pneumococcal vaccine every five years and the influenza vaccine annually. Our study aims to determine the awareness and factors affecting influenza and pneumococcal vaccination rates in hemodialysis patients. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on patients undergoing regular hemodialysis treatment in 10 different hemodialysis centers across 4 cities. After excluding patients with less than one year of hemodialysis duration and those under 18 years of age, 548 patients were included in the study. Patients were administered a 20-item survey via face-to-face interview and electronic medical records. Results: Out of the 548 patients, only 19 (3.5%) had knowledge about the pneumococcal vaccine, while 238 (43.4%) had knowledge about the influenza vaccine. There were 220 patients (20.1%) who had knowledge about both vaccines. Among the patients, 95 (17.3%) had received the pneumococcal vaccine, with 41.1% of them having received it five years ago or more. A significant proportion (33.7%) of the patients could not recall the timing of their vaccination. While 183 (33.4%) patients had not received the influenza vaccine, only 140 (25.5%) had been vaccinated regularly every year. The reasons for not receiving the influenza and pneumococcal vaccines were stated as "I do not feel the need because I do not get the flu" (25%) and "I do not know about the pneumonia vaccine" (36.7%), respectively. The ROC curve analysis for the influenza questionnaire score showed an AUC of 0.822 (95% CI 0.787-0.856), with a p-value of <0.001. The statistically significant cutoff value for predicting influenza vaccination was determined to be 2.5. In the univariate analysis, dialysis duration (HD duration), diabetes mellitus (DM), and vascular access type were found to be statistically significant. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, dialysis duration and DM were identified as independent factors predicting a higher level of knowledge about the influenza vaccine (p=0.009, 0.003, and p=0.041). The ROC curve analysis for the pneumococcal questionnaire score showed an AUC of 0.920 (95% CI 0.886-0.955), with a p-value of <0.001. The statistically significant cutoff value for predicting pneumococcal vaccination was determined to be 3.5. In the univariate analysis, residence, dialysis duration, and education level were found to be statistically significant. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, dialysis duration and education level were identified as independent factors predicting a higher level of knowledge about the pneumococcal vaccine (p=0.038, 0.040, and p=0.010). physicians, nurses and nephrologists on this issue will increase vaccination rates.Article Citation - WoS: 1Citation - Scopus: 1Expanding the Role of Exosomes in Drug, Biomolecule, and Nanoparticle Delivery(Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd, 2025) Saka, Ongun Mehmet; Dora, Devrim Demir; Kibar, Gunes; Tevlek, AtakanExosomes are nanoscale extracellular vesicles released by diverse cell types, serving essential functions in intercellular communication and physiological processes. These vesicles have garnered considerable interest in recent years for their potential as drug delivery systems, attributed to their natural origin, minimal immunogenicity, high biocompatibility, and capacity to traverse biological barriers, including the blood-brain barrier. Exosomes can be obtained from diverse biological fluids, rendering them accessible and versatile vehicles for therapeutic medicines. This study emphasizes the burgeoning significance of exosomes in drug administration, concentrating on their benefits, including improved stability, target selectivity, and the capacity to encapsulate various biomolecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids, and small molecules. Notwithstanding their potential applications, other problems remain, including as effective drug loading, industrial scalability, and the standardization of isolation methodologies. Overcoming these hurdles via new research is essential for fully harnessing the promise of exosomes in therapeutic applications, especially in the treatment of intricate diseases like cancer and neurological disorders.Article Citation - Scopus: 1The Effect of a 6-Week Balance Exercise Program on Balance Parameters in Frailty Syndrome: a Randomized Controlled, Double-Blind, Prospective Study(Georgian Association of Business Press, 2023) Karagül, S.; Kibar, S.; Ay, S.; Evcik, D.; Ergin, S.Objective: This study assessed the effectiveness of a six-week balance exercise program on balance parameters and fall frequency in geriatric patients with frailty syndrome. Methodology: This randomized prospective study evaluated a total of 216 patients after referral to a physical medicine and rehabilitation outpatient clinic. Participants were divided into group 1 (flexibility exercises) and group 2 (balance exercises, including kinesthetic ability trainer [KAT] balance exercises, and flexibility exercises). Both groups performed exercises five days per week for six weeks. Balance assessments included the Berg Balance Scale and time-up-and-go test to evaluate dynamic and functional balance, while the one-leg stand test and KAT 4000 static balance test were done to evaluate static balance. Results: Frailty was observed in 37 patients (17.12%). Patients without frailty syndrome initially performed significantly better (p <0.001). Group 2 demonstrated statistically significant improvements after six weeks (p <0.05). Conclusion: Long-term exercise programs improve balance parameters and exercise performance in older adults with frailty. © 2023 Georgian Association of Business Press. All rights reserved.
