Ebru Derici Eker

Background Primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) is a disabling phenotype marked by gradual neurological worsening from disease onset and limited biomarker availability. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have become candidate regulators and biomarkers in neuroinflammatory disorders. PPMS-specific plasma miRNA data, particularly from treatment-naïve patients, remain limited. Methods and Results In this exploratory case-control study, plasma samples from 20 newly diagnosed, treatment-naïve patients with PPMS and 25 healthy controls with broadly comparable age and sex distributions were assayed for 84 neurologically relevant miRNAs using high-throughput real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction on the BioMark HD platform. Expression data were normalized using the global mean method. Differential expression was evaluated in a candidate-discovery framework, and experimentally supported target genes and pathways were examined through in silico enrichment analyses. Twenty-six miRNAs exhibited nominal between-group differences, of which 24 remained significant after Benjamini–Hochberg false discovery rate correction at q < 0.05. The largest decreases included let-7b-5p, miR-26b-5p, miR-20a-5p, and miR-15b-5p, whereas miR-191-5p, miR-320a-3p, miR-146a-5p, and miR-342-3p were among the most elevated candidates. Integrated analyses associated the biologically prioritized target set with miRNA biogenesis, stress-responsive signaling, inflammatory pathways, hypoxia/angiogenesis, and cell-cycle regulation. Conclusions These findings define an exploratory plasma miRNA pattern in treatment-naïve PPMS and provide a biologically coherent shortlist for independent validation. Larger, longitudinal studies are required before diagnostic or mechanistic conclusions can be drawn.

Background Hyperglycemia and elevated saturated free fatty acids are key metabolic stressors implicated in vascular injury. However, the early transcriptional responses of endothelial cells to combined glucose and lipid stress remain incompletely defined. This exploratory in vitro study investigated whether high-glucose conditioning modifies palmitate-associated oxidative and endothelial stress-related gene expression responses in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Methods HUVECs were cultured under low-glucose (LG; 1 g/L) or high-glucose (HG; 4.5 g/L) conditions and exposed to palmitic acid (Pal; 0.25, 0.5, or 1 mM) for 24 h. Lipid peroxidation was assessed by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The mRNA expression levels of endothelial stress-related and inflammatory markers, including EDN1/ET-1, NOS3/eNOS, VCAM1, SERPINE1/PAI-1, TNF, and IL6, were evaluated by RT-qPCR. Results Under LG conditions, Pal exposure increased MDA levels, particularly at 0.25 and 0.5 mM, whereas the HG condition showed a more complex non-linear lipid peroxidation response. In the HG environment, Pal exposure significantly increased ET-1 expression across all tested concentrations and significantly upregulated PAI-1 expression, while eNOS and VCAM-1 mRNA levels did not show significant changes. TNF-α showed a non-linear response, with induction at 0.5 mM Pal and suppression at 1 mM Pal, whereas IL-6 was mainly suppressed at higher Pal concentrations. Conclusion These findings suggest that high-glucose conditioning selectively modifies palmitate-associated endothelial stress-related transcriptional responses in HUVECs, particularly through ET-1 and PAI-1 upregulation. Because osmotic control, cell viability/cytotoxicity testing, protein-level validation, NO bioavailability assessment, and functional endothelial assays were not included, the results should be interpreted as exploratory transcriptional evidence of endothelial stress-associated remodeling rather than definitive proof of glucose-specific endothelial dysfunction.

Aim: To investigate whether RhoA/ROCK pathway genes (RHOA, ROCK1, ROCK2) are differentially expressed in tunica albuginea of patients with congenital penile curvature (CPC) relative to Peyronie's disease (PD) and erectile dysfunction (ED), and to determine whether any differential expression is independent of clinical confounders. Material and Methods: This study enrolled 52 patients across three groups, as CPC (n=15), PD (n=15), and ED requiring penile prosthesis implantation (n=22). Tunica albuginea biopsies were obtained intraoperatively at standardised sites. RHOA, ROCK1, and ROCK2 mRNA levels were quantified by real-time qPCR using the 2-ΔΔCt method, normalised to GAPDH. Confounder adjustment was performed by multivariable linear regression and 1:2 nearestneighbour propensity score matching. Results: ROCK2 mRNA was elevated in CPC compared with PD (fold change, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.12-1.44; p=0.016) and ED (fold change, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.05-1.37; p=0.037). Neither RHOA nor ROCK1 differed significantly across groups. CPC group membership independently predicted higher ROCK2 in multivariable regression (β=0.189; 95% CI, 0.048-0.330; p=0.009) and in propensity score matched groups (mean difference, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.06-0.36; p=0.008). ROCK2 expression correlated positively with curvature severity (r=0.58; p=0.020). Conclusion: Selective ROCK2 upregulation distinguishes CPC from acquired penile conditions and is independent of age, BMI, and comorbidity burden. These findings suggest a developmental molecular mechanism distinct from fibrotic remodelling. Validation in larger multicentre cohorts with protein-level confirmation is required before clinical application.

Epilepsy is a widespread neurological disorder affecting over 70 million individuals globally, with approximately 4.9 million new cases diagnosed annually. Despite extensive research, the underlying mechanisms of epilepsy remain poorly defined. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNA molecules that play significant roles in the regulation of gene expression and have been increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders, such as epilepsy. This study aimed to identify novel candidate miRNAs associated with epilepsy and evaluate their diagnostic potential. The expression profiles of 84 miRNAs were analyzed in plasma samples from 20 epilepsy patients and 25 controls using Real-Time Quantitative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (Real-Time qRT-PCR) on the BioMarkTM 96.96 Dynamic Array (Fluidigm Corporation) system. In the epilepsy group, a total of 44 miRNAs exhibited decreased expression compared to the control group, of which 24 were statistically significant. In particular, 18 miRNAs showed a highly significant decrease in their expression levels ( p < 0.0001). Some of these miRNAs that showed the most significant decreases are: hsa-let-7e-5p, hsa-miR-105-5p, hsa-miR-106b-5p, hsa-miR-107, hsa-miR-125b-5p. In the epilepsy group, a total of 40 miRNAs showed increased expression compared to the control group, among which 28 were statistically significant. Notably, 23 miRNAs showed a highly significant increase in their expression levels ( p < 0.0001). Among these miRNAs, some of the most significantly increased ones are: hsa-miR-101-3p, hsa-miR-130a-3p, hsa-miR-132-3p, hsa-miR-146a-5p, hsa-miR-146b-5p. These findings suggest that miRNAs hold significant potential as innovative, non-invasive biomarkers for the early detection and diagnosis of epilepsy, offering a promising avenue for advancing clinical practices.

Chia tohumu (Salvia hispanica L.), Meksika ve Guetamala kökenli, besin değeri yüksek bir tohum olup yüzyıllar boyunca, Aztekler ve Maya uygarlıkları tarafından hem besin kaynağı hem de enerji verici olarak kullanılmıştır. Günümüzde, chia tohumu, özellikle sağlıklı yaşam ve beslenme trendlerinin artan popülaritesi ile dünya çapında yaygın olarak tüketilmektedir. Zengin bir omega-3 yağ asidi, lif, protein ve minerallerin kaynağı olan chia tohumu, sağlığı destekleyen birçok faydaya sahiptir. Lif içeriği sindirim sistemine yardımcı olurken, omega-3 yağ asitleri kalp sağlığını destekler ve inflamasyonu azaltır. Chia tohumları aynı zamanda klorojenik ve kafeik asitler, kuersetin ve kaempferol gibi antioksidanların bir kaynağı olup, serbest radikallere karşı protektif etki göstererek peroksidasyonu engeller. Kan şekeri seviyelerinin düzenlenmesine yardımcı olabilir ve kilo yönetiminde önemli bir rol oynayabilir. Gluten içermemesi ve bitkisel kaynaklı olması nedeniyle vejetaryenler ve gluten intoleransı olanlar için ideal bir besin kaynağıdır. Chia tohumlarının sağlık üzerindeki etkileri ile ilgili yapılan araştırmalar, bu besinin potansiyel faydalarını daha iyi anlamamıza yardımcı olmakta ve gelecekteki kullanım alanlarını genişletmektedir.

In conventional clinical toxicology practice, the blood level of carboxyhemoglobin is a biomarker of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning but does not correspond to the complete clinical picture and the severity of the poisoning. Taking into account articles suggesting the relationship between oxidative stress parameters and CO poisoning, it seems reasonable to consider this topic more broadly, including experimental biochemical data (oxidative stress parameters) and patients poisoned with CO. This article aimed to critically assess oxidative-stress-related parameters as potential biomarkers to evaluate the severity of CO poisoning and their possible role in the decision to treat. The critically set parameters were antioxidative, including catalase, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl, glutathione, thiol and carbonyl groups. Our preliminary studies involved patients (n = 82) admitted to the Toxicology Clinical Department of the University Hospital of Jagiellonian University Medical College (Kraków, Poland) during 2015–2020. The poisoning was diagnosed based on medical history, clinical symptoms, and carboxyhemoglobin blood level. Blood samples for carboxyhemoglobin and antioxidative parameters were collected immediately after admission to the emergency department. To evaluate the severity of the poisoning, the Pach scale was applied. The final analysis included a significant decrease in catalase activity and a reduction in glutathione level in all poisoned patients based on the severity of the Pach scale: I°–III° compared to the control group. It follows from the experimental data that the poisoned patients had a significant increase in level due to thiol groups and the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl radical, with no significant differences according to the severity of poisoning. The catalase-to-glutathione and thiol-to-glutathione ratios showed the most important differences between the poisoned patients and the control group, with a significant increase in the poisoned group. The ratios did not differentiate the severity of the poisoning. The carbonyl level was highest in the control group compared to the poisoned group but was not statistically significant. Our critical assessment shows that using oxidative-stress-related parameters to evaluate the severity of CO poisoning, the outcome, and treatment options is challenging.

ÖZ Rheum türleri tıbbi öneme sahiptir. Rheum ribes L. yerel olarak ışkın, uçkun ve uşgun olarak bilinmektedir. Genellikle Lübnan’da, İran’da ve Türkiye’nin doğusunda yetişmektedir. Rheum ribes L. bitkisinin çeşitli bölümlerinden elde edilmiş ekstraktlar birçok hastalığın tedavisinde kullanılmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, Rheum ribes L. ekstraktının hazırlanması, elde edilen toz ekstraktlarının Avrupa Farmakopesi’ne uygun olarak toz kontrollerinin yapılması, hazırlanan ekstraktın sert jelatin kapsül formülasyonunun elde edilmesi ve Rheum ribes L. ektstraktını içeren sert jelatin kapsüllerin kapsül kalite kontrol çalışmalarının yapılması, bitkisel ekstraktın in vitro olarak antioksidan özellik gösterip göstermediği incelenmiştir. Sert jelatin kapsüllere dolumu gerçekleştirilen Rheum ribes L. ekstraktlarında yığın dansitesi, sıkıştırılmış dansite, sıkıştırılabilirlik indeksi, hausner oranı, akış süresi, yığın açısı tayini, elek analizi; dolumu yapılan sert jelatin kapsüllere ise dağılma testi, ağırlık sapması testi yapılmıştır. Bitki ekstraktının antioksidan aktivitesi DPPH metodu ile ölçülmüştür. Elde edilen sonuçlara göre yığın açısı 26,66 ± 0.33 ̊ yığın dansitesi 0,37±0,06 g/ml, sıkıştırılmış dansite 0,46±0,09 g/ml, elek analizinin sonucuna göre d50: 214,734±12,36 µm, d90: 43,99±2,92 µm bulunmuş olup, yapılan dağılma testinde ise suni mide vasatında 1 dakika 12 saniyede, suni barsak vasatında 2 dakika 10 saniyede kapsüller dağılma göstermiştir, dolumları yapılan kapsüllerde ağırlık sapması 250,16±1.85 mg’dır. Rheum ribes L. ekstraktının IC50’si 74,1±4,8 µg /mL olarak bulunmuştur. Elde edilen verilere göre, Avrupa Farmakopesi baz alındığında kapsüllere dolum yapılan tozun akışkanlığı mükemmel, elek analizi sonucuna göre tozun inceliği çok kaba toz olarak bulunmuştur. Bu sonuçlara göre; Rheum ribes L. ekstraktı içeren sert jelatin kapsüllerin formülasyon açısından bir sorun teşkil etmediği ve piyasada gıda takviyesi olarak kullanılabileceği düşünülmektedir. Anahtar Kelimeler: Rheum ribes L., sert jelatin kapsül, oksidatif stres, kalite kontrol, Işkın

Objective: The mainly significant reason in the etiology of lung cancer is smoking, which is important in other environmental pollutants and genetic susceptibility. Lung cancer is separated two major groups as mainly non-small cell and small cell according to the growth rate, spread, timing of metastasis, response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) constitutes the highest rate with 50-80% in gene mutations which are prognostic value in lung cancer. Many studies have shown that EGFR is overexpressed in lung cancer. In our study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between EGFR gene exon 21 L858R mutations in lung cancer. Material and Methods: Our sample consisted of a healthy group of 190 healthy volunteers with the same age and gender characteristics as the patient group of 178 patients who were diagnosed as lung cancer in the Mersin University Medical Faculty Oncology clinic. The DNAs were obtained according to the standard salt precipitation method. Mutation detection and genotyping analyzes were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyzes. Results: Smoking was one of the other risk factors for lung cancer, 130 (68.33%) in the control group and 156 (87.5%) in the lung cancer group. 27 person of the lung cancer (15%) were female and 151 (85%) were male. In the control group, 92 people (48.33%) were in the wild genotype and 98 persons were in the mutant genotype (51.66%). In the lung cancer group 80 (45%) were wild-type and 98 (55%) were mutant genotypes. According to the histopathological types of lung cancer, EGFR-21 mutation heterozygous or homozygous carriers are proportionally compatible (p = 0.90). Conclusion: According to our findings, the EGFR-21 mutation is not associated with histopathological types of lung cancer.

BACKGROUND:Use of a hookah (a type of water pipe) is a traditional way of smoking tobacco, particularly in the Middle East. In Turkey, its popularity has been growing in recent years, especially among young people. It is known that cigarette smoking ...

Sertraline, a leading antidepressant in the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) group of medicine, is the most frequently prescribed drug. In this study, the alkaline comet assay and the cytokinesis‐block micronucleus (CBMN) assay were used to investigate genotoxicity potential of sertraline in the peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) of acute and chronic sertraline‐treated Wistar albino rats. Male Wistar albino rats (n = 48) were administered low, medium and high doses of sertraline (10, 40, 80 mg/kg) for acute and chronic treatment by employing the gavage method to investigate genotoxicity of the administered drug. The data (tail length, tail intensity and tail moment) were analysed and indicated that there was no statistically significant difference between sertraline‐treated groups and the negative control group with respect toDNAdamage (p > 0.05). However, it was observed that acute sertraline administration had caused much moreDNAdamage in comparison with chronic treatment (p < 0.05). According to the data obtained from theCBMNtest, an increase in the micronucleus (MN) frequency was detected at chronic and high‐dose acute sertraline treatment. Based on the outcome of comet assay, detection of statistically insignificantDNAdamage may be due to the fact that sertraline did not cause damage onDNA. Also, increase in frequency ofMNin chronic sertraline treatment suggests that chronic sertraline administration might influence some mechanisms of cell division. Therefore, dose adjustment in depressed patients seems significant as it may help prevent further prognosis of the diseases.