Ayşe Yeşim Göçmen

Objective: Nasal obstruction is a common health problem in the general population. Its most frequent causes are nasal septal deviation (NSD) and turbinate hypertrophy (TH), which may lead to chronic hypoxia. The aim of this study was to determine serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in patients diagnosed with NSD and TH and to investigate the effect of chronic hypoxia on BDNF.Material and Methods: A total of 44 patients and 44 controls, aged between 18 and 55 years and without systemic diseases, who presented to the otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinic, were included in the study. Blood samples obtained from the participants were centrifuged, and serum BDNF levels were analyzed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 23.0. Data distribution was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Normally distributed variables (serum BDNF levels) were analyzed using the independent samples t-test, whereas non-normally distributed variables (age) were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test.Results: Serum BDNF levels in the patient group (106.07±9.99 ng/mL) were found to be statistically significantly lower than those in the control group (114.62±8.42 ng/mL) (p:0.00004). BDNF levels did not show a significant correlation with participants' age or sex (p>0.05).Conclusion: Hypoxia resulting from NSD and TH adversely affects serum BDNF levels. Considering the roles of BDNF in neuronal survival and plasticity, individuals with nasal obstruction may be at risk for cognitive functional impairment. This study is important as it represents the first investigation in the literature examining BDNF levels in this specific patient population.

Aims: Increasing evidence suggests that cardiovascular disease risk increases in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Fetuin-A, reseptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) are associated with insulin resistance (IR), inflammation, oxidative stress, and so predispose to coronary heart disease (CHD). We aimed to investigate the clinical utility of Fetuin-A, RAGE and FGF-23 in assessing CHD risk evaluated by Framingham risk score (FRS) in patients with MASLD.Methods: The study included 80 individuals aged 34-82 years who met the diagnostic criteria for MASLD, and a control group of 60 individuals with normal liver echogenicity on ultrasonography and FRS values less than 10% in cardiac risk assessment. Patients in the MASLD group were further divided into two subgroups: low cardiac risk (FRS

AMAÇ: Hipotiroidisi olan hastalarda benlik saygısı, anksiyete ve depresyon ile kortizol/dehidroepiandrosteron sülfat (DHEAS) oranları arasındaki ilişkiyi araştırmayı amaçladık. GEREÇ VE YÖNTEM: : Çalışmaya 18-70 yaş arası toplam 150 kişi dahil edildi. Hastalar ötiroid, subklinik hipotiroid ve hipotiroid olarak üç gruba ayrıldılar. Tiroid fonksiyonu, DHEAS ve kortizol düzeylerini elde etmek için açlık kanı alındı. Her hasta aynı psikolog tarafından Beck Depresyon Ölçeği, Beck Anksiyete Ölçeği ve Rosenberg Benlik Saygısı Ölçeği'ni doldurdu. BULGULAR: Kortizol, kortizol/DHEAS oranları, depresyon ve anksiyete puanları hipotiroidi grubunda anlamlı olarak yüksekti. Kortizol düzeyleri ile benlik saygısı puanları arasında (r=-.233, p<.05); TSH düzeyleri ve kaygı (r=-0.212, p<.05) arasında; kendine saygı ve kaygı (r=-0.297, p<.05) arasında; depresyon puanları ve kendine saygı (r=-0.411, p<.05) arasında; depresyon puanları ve kortizol/DHEAS oranı (r=-0.187, p<.05) arasında negatif korelasyon bulundu. Kortizol ile anksiyete puanları arasında (r=+0.195, p<.05); kortizol ve kortizol/DHEAS oranı (r=+0.533, p<.05) arasında ve de serbest T3 ve benlik saygısı puanı (r=+.202, p<.05) arasında ise pozitif kolerasyon bulundu. SONUÇ: Belirgin hipotiroidisi olan hastalar düşük benlik saygısı, anksiyete ve depresyon puanları ile ilişkiliydi. Ayrıca depresyon puanları ile kortizol/DHEAS oranıyla negatif korelasyon bulundu.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum B-type natriuretic peptide levels in pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum and compare them with healthy pregnant women.

Purpose The present study aimed to investigate the effects of α-Klotho and oxidative stress markers on urinary stone disease (USD) and demonstrate their use as biochemical markers in USD. Methods Among the 90 individuals included, 30 individuals were healthy controls (Group 1), 30 individuals presented with USD for the first time (Group 2), and 30 individuals demonstrated recurrent USD (Group 3). Serum levels of α-Klotho, vitamin D, malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant status, and total antioxidant status were determined using spectrophotometry analysis. Serum calcium and parathormone levels and 24-h urine calcium levels were measured via biochemical analysis. Results No significant intergroup difference was noted in terms of age and sex. The groups had significant differences regarding α-Klotho, oxidative stress index (OSI), MDA, and 24-h urine calcium levels. α-Klotho was a determinant of 24-h urine calcium level and OSI. An increase of 1 pg/mL in α-Klotho level appeared to result in a decrease of 8.55 mg in 24-h urine calcium level and a decrease of 0.04 Arbitrary Unit in OSI. In patients experiencing USD for the first time, α-Klotho values were < 21.83 pg/mL and showed 66% sensitivity and 64% specificity. In individuals with recurrent stone formation, α-Klotho values below 19.41 pg/mL had 60% sensitivity and 77% specificity. Conclusions The biochemical markers investigated herein, i.e., α-Klotho, OSI, and MDA, were involved in the pathogenesis of stone formation and can be used in day-to-day clinical practices of urology clinics to identify patients at risk for both first time and recurrent USD.

In this prospective observational study, our goal was to investigate the relationship between serum levels of oxidative stress (OS) parameters and regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) in addition to evaluating postoperative clinical outcomes among patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).Materials and methods: This study comprised 64 adult patients undergoing elective CABG (on-pump [n = 48] and off-pump [n = 16]) procedures. Serum OS levels and rSO2 values were measured intraoperatively at three specific time points: T1 (after induction), T2 (15 min before aortic cross-clamp removal or the final distal anastomosis), and T3 (15 min after aortic cross-clamp removal or the last distal anastomosis).Results: Serum OS and lactate values demonstrated higher levels at T2 and T3 (p < 0.001), while rSO2 values were lower at T2 (p = 0.024) in the on-pump CABG group compared to the off-pump CABG group. The rSO2 values at T2 exhibited a negative correlation with OS parameters, lactate levels at T2 and T3, aortic clamp time, postoperative mechanical ventilation time, and intensive care unit stay length. In the multivariate linear regression analysis (R2 = 0.181, p = 0.001), lactate values at T2 emerged as the sole factor affecting the OS index at T2 (t = 2.843, p = 0.006).Conclusion: In our study, we observed elevated OS values and relatively low rSO2 values during on-pump CABG procedures, with rSO2 showing an association with increased OS parameters. Close monitoring of the OS response level and rSO2 during CABG could potentially enhance postoperative clinical outcomes.

Dilşad Yıldız Miniksar, Mehmet Akif Cansız, Ayşe Yeşim Göçmen, Mahmut Kılıç, Ökkeş Hakan Miniksar. Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci 2023;21:88-98. https://doi.org/10.9758/cpn.2023.21.1.88

OBJECTIVE: In this study the antioxidant effect of carob plant, ıt's effects of nicotine-induced oxidative stress and the number of pyramidal cells in the rat hippocampus in cornu ammonis (CA) were investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the study, 28 adult Wistar Albino male rats were used. Rats are divided into four groups as control group, carob group, nicotine group and nicotine + carob group. Nicotine was applied to the experimental group, and carob extract was applied to the treatment group as well as nicotine. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), glutathione disulfide (GSSG), total oxidant capacity (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAS) values were measured by spectrophotometric analysis on the lung, brain, kidney, heart and liver tissues. Oxidative stress index (OSI) and GSH / GSSG values, respectively, were calculated as TOS/TAS and GSH/GSSG rates. The number of pyramidal cells in the CA was estimated using the optical fractionator technique. RESULTS: It is seen that the TAS level in the kidney tissue of the nicotine group is significantly lower than the control and carob groups. In brain tissue, the TAS level of the nicotine group was significantly lower than that of other groups (p<0.001). The OSI value of the nicotine group was significantly higher in liver tissue compared to the control group (p<0.001). Nicotine exposure has been shown to cause a significant reduction in the number of pyramidal cells in CA. CONCLUSIONS: It is understood that Carob plant is an important phytomedical plant that has antioxidant properties against nicotine by increasing TAS level in oxidative stress formation.

Background/aim: In this prospective observational study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between serum levels of vitamin D and acute postoperative pain scores, as well as opioid analgesic consumption in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Materials and methods: The study was performed in the Medical Faculty Hospital, from April 2020 to April 2021. Postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, total tramadol consumption, number of requests on patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) were compared between the vitamin D deficient (≤20 ng/mL; n = 25) and vitamin D nondeficient (>20 ng/mL; n = 55) groups at five time points (T0: in the recovery room, T1: 1st hour in the ward, T2: 6th hour, T3: 12th hour, and T4: 24th hour). Results: Postoperative VAS pain scores were similar in the vitamin D deficient group at all time points (T0-4), but differed significantly only at the T-0 time point (p = 0.020). The mean cumulative tramadol consumption was significantly higher in the vitamin D deficiency group than in the nondeficiency group (p = 0.005). Vitamin D levels were lower in patients with VAS ≥ 4 at the postoperative T-0 time point (p = 0.009). In the multivariate linear regression analysis, 15.7% of cumulative tramadol consumption was due to vitamin D deficiency (ß = -0.188). Conclusion: Our study shows that preoperative low vitamin D level was associated with an increase in acute postoperative pain scores and consumption of opioid analgesics in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Our findings may be useful for postoperative pain management in patients with vitamin D deficiency

The relationship between Cystatin-C levels and inflammatory, oxidant, and antioxidant markers in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) was investigated. A total of 96 participants were included in the study as PCOS (n=58) and control (n=38) groups. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1B), interleukin 6 (IL-6), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and Cystatin-C were evaluated by ELISA method. Relationships metabolic and endocrine parameters seen in PCOS were examined. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyzes were performed to identify risk factors that may affect the PCOS group. Bivariate correlations were investigated by the Spearman’s correlation analysis. While Cystatin-c, TNF-α, IL-1B, IL-6, MDA were found to be higher in patients with PCOS compared with the control group, SOD was found to be lower than the control group (p<0.05). In the correlation analysis, increased Cystatin-C levels were found to be associated with high IL-6 (r=0.214, p=0.037) and low SOD levels (r=-0.280, p=0.006). In our study, it was found that the increase in Cystatin-C levels was associated with an increase in IL-6 and a decrease in SOD. These results may bring up different treatment options to reduce cardiovascular risks for treating PCOS.