Melek Bor-Kucukatay

Globally, obesity stands as a major public health crisis, intricately linked to diverse clinical sequelae such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular conditions, and malignancies.1 Pathophysiological...

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to ascertain how radioactive iodine therapy (RAIT). affected the DNA damage in the lymphocytes of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients. Materials and Methods: Our study included 21 DTC patients in total, with a mean age of 45.09±10.02 years. Six (28.6%) of the 21 patients had a low dose of RAIT (≤30 mCi), eleven (52.4%) received a moderate dose of ablation (31 to 100 mCi), and four (%19) received a high dose (>100 mCi). Before, one week, and six months following treatment, venous blood samples were obtained from each patient. DNA damage was evaluated using the COMET assay. For a quantitative analysis of DNA damage, a number of characteristics were assessed, including head length, tail length, head intensity, tail intensity, and tail moment. Results: Compared to before treatment (23.83±9.82), tail intensity levels were considerably lower after treatment (1st week and 6th months) (18.30±6.48 vs. 18.06±5.58). Following therapy (1st week and 6th months), the head intensity values were statistically substantially higher (81.69±6.48 vs. 81.93±5.58) than they were prior to treatment (76.16±9.82). Six months after therapy, the tail moment was lower than it was before treatment (5.24±2.51 vs. 8.04±3.86). Conclusion: Treatment has a beneficial effect on peripheral blood cells, as seen by the increase in head intensity and decrease in tail intensity and moment after treatment. By triggering repair mechanisms, RAIT may have activated protective effects on the DNA of lymphocytes.

We aimed to investigate and compare the effects of two different frequently utilized intermittent fasting (IF) protocols (8:16 and 5:2) applied for eight weeks on weight loss, metabolic indices, serum/liver sterol regulatory protein (SREBP) levels, and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) markers in normal and high-fructose (HF) fed rats. Sixty male, Wistar rats were divided into six groups (n = 60): Control(C), 8:16 (8 h ad libitum and 16 h fasting), 5:2 (2 days food restriction followed by 5 days ad libitum-feeding), HF (high-fructose, 20% drinking water, eight weeks), 8:16 + HF, 5:2 + HF groups. IF protocols were applied for eight weeks. Serum and liver SREBP-1c, SREBP-2, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), fatty acid synthase (FAS), cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and serum protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), protein glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), and X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) levels were determined by commercial kits. The body weight (BW) and visceral fat lowering effects of 5:2 diet was more prominent compared to 8:16 TRF. Both IF protocols decreased serum SREBP-2, ACC, TG, cholesterol levels (p < 0.05). HF induced weight gain and increment in serum glucose which was reversed by 8:16 IF. The weight loss effect of 5:2 IF was also more prominent in HF. Serum and liver SREBP-1c, SREBP-2, cholesterol, TG levels were higher in HF group than C (p < 0.05). Both IF regimens decreased serum and liver SREBP-1, SREBP-2, ACC, TG, cholestreol levels in rats subjected to HF diet (p < 0.05). Although IF regimens did not cause ERS; they reversed elevated ERS induced by HF diet. Both IF protocols have beneficial effects on both normal and HF consuming rats, being superior to each other on several parameters.

Previous studies reported that WBV can increase peripheral blood flow and oxygenation. Investigating the acute effects of a single WBV exercise session on hemorheological parameters, blood glucose levels, balance, flexibility, and oxidative stress markers (total oxidant status [TOS], total antioxidant status [TAS], and oxidative stress index [OSI]) was the goal of this study. All participants engaged in a WBV exercise program consisting of nine exercises, each lasting 60 seconds, for a total of 13 minutes. Flexibility, balance, visual analog pain scale (VAS) scores, heart rate, blood pressure, capillary blood glucose levels, hemorheological parameters, and TOS/TAS were assessed before and immediately after the WBV session. Twelve healthy active male volunteers (mean age: 20.83±2.59 years; mean height: 174.79±5.26 cm; mean weight: 79.21±14.87 kg) participated in the study. Hematocrit values and heart rate significantly increased, while blood glucose levels decreased following the WBV protocol (p

Purpose: The present study evaluates the levels of oxidative stress and DNA damage in patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML; newly diagnosed patients and patients in remission) compared to healthy controls. Materials and methods: A total of 96 participants were enrolled into this study in three groups: 32 newly diagnosed AML patients, 32 patients in remission, and 32 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals. Various laboratory analyses were conducted to measure biochemical parameters, total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), oxidative stress index (OSI), and DNA damage using the comet assay. Results: We showed that while TOS levels did not differ significantly between the groups, both the newly diagnosed and remission groups exhibited higher OSI levels compared to controls. TAS levels were notably lower in the remission group, suggesting decreased antioxidant capacity. The comet assay demonstrated significantly elevated DNA damage in the newly diagnosed AML group, followed by the remission group, relative to healthy controls. These findings highlight an increased oxidative stress burden and genotoxicity in AML patients, which may contribute to disease pathophysiology. Furthermore, the results suggest that the oxidative stress and DNA damage are more pronounced in newly diagnosed patients compared to those in remission. Conclusion: The study showed that the oxidative stress and DNA damage observed in AML patients, particularly at diagnosis, could play a role in the progression and recurrence of the disease, suggesting potential prognostic value for oxidative stress markers in AML management.

Purpose: COVID-19 may have acute and chronic adverse effects on the cardiovascular system. Heat shock protein beta-7 (HSPB7) is a cardiovascular heat-shock protein, and tetranectin is a type-C calcium (Ca)-binding lectin. The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between HSPB7, tetranectin, disease severity and myocardial injury in COVID-19. Materials and methods: This study included 26 COVID-19 patients and 26 age and sex-matched healthy controls. Demographic characteristics, routine hemograms, and biochemical parameters were recorded. COVID-19 patients were classified as having mild to moderate and severe COVID-19 using clinical and laboratory data. HSPB7 and tetranectin levels were measured using commercial ELISA kits. Results: C-reactive protein, fasting glucose, ferritin, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte, monocyte-to-lymphocyte, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios were significantly elevated, whereas calcium, and albumin were decreased in COVID-19 patients (p<0.05). Respiratory rate, D-dimer, and ferritin were higher while SO2 and lymphocyte counts were lower in severe COVID-19 patients (p<0.05). Serum HSPB7 levels were higher in COVID-19 patients vs healthy controls (p<0.01), whereas tetranectin concentration was lower (p<0.001). When the cases were evaluated according to the severity of the disease it was observed that, HSPB7 level was increased in patients with severe COVID-19 and tetranectin was decreased parallel to the severity of the disease (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). HSPB7 concentration was positively correlated with ferritin (p=0.002). Tetranectin was negatively correlated with HSPB7, ferritin and troponin (p=0.041, p<0.01, and p=0.005, respectively). Conclusion: The consequence of the present study indicates tetranectin as a potential biomarker for an accurate and more comprehensive understanding severity of cardiac damage in COVID-19 patients.

Introduction: Empathy is an important concept in medical disciplines as part of emotional intelligence and effective communication skills. “Be a relative before becoming a doctor” project is intended to be applied to medical school students who do not have contact with the patient at the preclinical stage which will enable students to internalize empathy. Materyal and method: Students were enabled to meet with the patient and their relatives within ethical rules and to see the diagnosis and treatment processes in the hospital. In the quantitative dimension of the research, a survey form containing the Jefferson Empathy Scale student version and the general empathy scale was applied before the practice, the Jefferson Empathy Scale student version and the general empathy scale were applied again after the practice. In the qualitative dimension of the research, students were asked to write reoprts based on their experiences, and the reports they wrote were treated as documents and analyzed. Results: The mean age of the students was 20.31±0.85 and 55.7% (n=64) were female students. There was a significant increase in the Jefferson empathy scale score after the empathy practice activity compared to before the empathy practice activity (p=0.0001). Toronto Empathy Scale score increases after the empathy practice activity, although there is no statistically significant difference compared to before the empathy practice activity (p=0.097). When the qualitative reports of students were examined, a total of 354 codes containing the expression of empathy were found. It was observed that empathy was most frequently expressed with waiting time, personal satisfaction and sadness about the disease. Discussion: As a result of this study, in which we evaluated empathy levels both qualitatively and quantitatively, we found that empathy levels increased and patient satisfaction. Fort his reason, we believe that our project is applicable in the educational curriculum of all medical faculties.

Objective: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a common, preventable, curable disease characterized by persistent airflow limitation, respiratory symptoms due to airway and/or alveolar abnormalities caused by severe exposure to harmful particles, gases. During the endobronchial coil treatment (EBCT) process, the volume of the lung parenchyma is reduced by shrinking the elastic recoil. Although there are studies showing worsening of hemorheological parameters in COPD exacerbations, no study investigated whether hemorheological parameters are improved after coil. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of coil therapy on erythrocyte deformability, whole blood viscosity (WBV) measured at autologous, standard (40%) hematocrit and plasma viscosity (PV) in COPD patients. Material and methods: Venous blood samples were taken once from the healthy control group (n=17) and before and 1 month after the treatment from the COPD patients who had been indicated for coil according to GOLD guidelines (n=20). To assess erythrocyte deformability, shear-dependent erythrocyte elongation was measured at 0.3-3.0 Pa by an ektacytometer (LORCA), while WBV, PV were measured using a rotational viscometer. Results: Erythrocyte deformability measured at shear stresses between 0.3-5.33 Pa were found to be higher following treatment compared to pre-coil values. EBCT did not have a statistically significant effect on WBV measured at autologous, 40% hematocrit, PV and oxidative stress indices. Conclusion: Increased erythrocyte deformability determined following EBCT at the shear stresses observed at the pulmonary level is a favourable finding, showing that the procedure may positively affect the hemodynamics of COPD patients as well as causing clinical improvement.

Purpose: Heart damage may develop over time in patients with chronic renal disease and undergoing hemodialysis (HD) treatment. Serum levels of Heat shock protein B7 (HSPB7) and tetranectin proteins change following damage to the heart muscle. This study aimed to determine HSPB7 and tetranectin levels in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Materials and Methods: The patients aged 30-60, healthy and HD patients participated in the study and two groups were formed (n = 60): Control group (n = 30) and Patient group (n = 30). Blood samples were taken from healthy subjects who applied to the hospital for check-up and from patients with kidney disease receiving HD treatment. Biochemical parameters were examined from the blood taken. HSPB7 and tetranectin levels from isolated serum samples were determined using measurement kits based on the solid phase sandwich (ELISA) principle. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups in gender, age, glucose and Fe values of the subjects (P