{"title":"Persistent Extensive Microcalcifications After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: Benign or Malignant?","authors":"G. Durhan","doi":"10.32552/2022.actamedica.767","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32552/2022.actamedica.767","url":null,"abstract":"Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is increasingly used for breast cancer due to its several benefits. Assessment of the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy plays a key role in the management of the disease. Although magnetic resonance imaging is the most accurate method, evaluation of the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy may be challenging especially in the presence of residual microcalcifications. The presence of residual microcalcifications may not always suggest the residual viable tumor. In this case, a 48-year-old patient with breast cancer who had persistent extensive microcalcifications after neoadjuvant chemotherapy is presented. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a complete response with the absence of any residual enhancement. Final histopathological results after breast-conserving surgery revealed pathological complete response which is consistent with magnetic resonance imaging and inconsistent with mammography findings. Mammography images showed residual malignant-type microcalcification after surgery, although most of them were excised. However, microcalcifications haven’t progressed and recurrent cancer hasn’t been observed on MRI and mammography images during the 10-year follow-up.","PeriodicalId":50891,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Mediterranea","volume":"30 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2022-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77591168","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
R. Tuna Doğrul, Ç. Çavuşoğlu, G. Sengul Aycicek, Cemile Ozsurekci, H. Çalışkan, H. Doğan Varan, Z. Dikmen, M. Halil, M. Cankurtaran, B. B. Doğu
{"title":"Can Syndecan-1 Be Used As A Biomarker In Alzheimer’s Disease?","authors":"R. Tuna Doğrul, Ç. Çavuşoğlu, G. Sengul Aycicek, Cemile Ozsurekci, H. Çalışkan, H. Doğan Varan, Z. Dikmen, M. Halil, M. Cankurtaran, B. B. Doğu","doi":"10.32552/2022.actamedica.729","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32552/2022.actamedica.729","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Syndecan-1 (SDC-1) is a member of the syndecan family, which includes heparan sulfate proteoglycans. SDC-1 is important for cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between serum SDC-1 levels and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD).Methods: Eighty-two patients aged 65 years and over were included in the study. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to evaluate the cognitive functions of the patients. Comprehensive geriatric assessment components were administered to the patients. Serum SDC-1 levels were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit.Results: When patients were grouped as control, MCI and AD, significant decreases were observed in Katz daily living activity (p<0.001), Lawton instrumental daily living activity (p=0.001), Mini-nutritional assessment (p=0.001), MMSE (p=0.001) scores. SDC-1 level was 154.88±22.85 in the control group, 157.95±19.45 in the MCI group, and 159.54±14.04 ng/mL in the AD group, and no significant correlation was observed (p=0.677). When correlation analyzes were performed with SDC-1, a negative correlation was found with the Yesavage geriatric depression scale score (Spearman rho: -0.223 p=0.044). Conclusion: No correlation was found between SDC-1 level and AD, and it showed a negative correlation with depression. Clarifying the pathogenetic processes more clearly will guide the development of new treatment strategies.","PeriodicalId":50891,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Mediterranea","volume":"30 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2022-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84468856","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Biliary Tract Disorders in Patients with Acromegaly: Single-centre Experience","authors":"S. Sendur, S. Oğuz","doi":"10.32552/2022.actamedica.774","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32552/2022.actamedica.774","url":null,"abstract":"Objective: Genetic and environmental factors determine the risk of biliary tract disorders. Several studies have reported an increased frequency of gallbladder disorders in patients with acromegaly belonging to different ethnic groups, however, data for Turkish patients with acromegaly is currently lacking. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of diverse gallbladder disorders in Turkish patients with acromegaly. The secondary objective was to determine the risk factors that are related to gallstone formation. Materials and Methods: Hacettepe University electronic database was retrospectively analyzed. One hundred fifty-two out of 393 patients with acromegaly who had confirmed biliary tract disorders with imaging modalities (such as abdominal ultrasonography, abdominal computed tomography or abdominal magnetic resonance imaging) or surgery specimens, were included for final analyzes. There was not any difference between included and excluded cases in terms of study parameters.Results: Patients with acromegaly with a mean±SD age of 41±12 years were followed-up for median of 91 months. Gender distribution was equal (76 M, 76 F). Gallstones were detected in 50 (33%) cases. Seventeen (11%) cases had gallbladder sludge whereas 5 (3%) cases had gallbladder polyp. Cholecystectomy was performed in 24 (16%). Age, gender, baseline disease activity, diagnostic delay, disease duration, the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia were not associated with gallstone formation. Body mass index (β=1.19, 95% CI (1.09-1.30), p<0.001) and somatostatin receptor ligand use (β=3.8, 95% CI (1.2-12.6), p=0.026) were determined as independent risk factors for cholelithiasis.Conclusions: Biliary tract disorders are common in Turkish patients with acromegaly. Acromegaly patients with high body mass index and on somatostatin receptor ligand treatment had an increased risk for gallstone disease.","PeriodicalId":50891,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Mediterranea","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2022-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76580549","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Bioinformatic Analysis of Expression Pattern and Prognostic Value of Oxidoreductase ERO1L in Pancreatic Cancer","authors":"B. Kocatürk","doi":"10.32552/2022.actamedica.723","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32552/2022.actamedica.723","url":null,"abstract":"Objective: As people continue to succumb to the progression of various forms of cancer, the extreme lethal nature of pancreatic cancer in particular suggests that new therapeutic targets and novel regulatory mechanisms need to be explored. \u0000Materials and Methods: We examined ERO1L expression in different cancer types using cBioPortal and Oncomine exploration tools. Next, we analyzed ERO1L levels in pancreatic cancer and healthy tissues via online public databases. The prognostic value of ERO1L and its correlation with clinopathological features were investigated using the UCSC, TNMplot and cBioPortal databases. The correlation analyses were then performed using data obtained from GEPIA, cBioPortal and the Gene Expression Omnibus.\u0000Results: The enzyme ERO1L was found to be highly expressed in pancreatic cancer and elevated in tumor compared to healthy tissue. Its levels correlated with the hypoxia level and ER stress activation status of the pancreatic cancer tissues. ERO1L and VEGFA levels were also found to be correlated exclusively in tumor tissue, thus underlying its pro-oncogenic nature.\u0000Conclusion: Oxidoreductase ERO1L is a potential prognostic marker and its oncogenic effects might be regulated via hypoxia/ER stress/ERO1L/VEGFA axis in pancreatic cancer.","PeriodicalId":50891,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Mediterranea","volume":"47 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2022-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76410583","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A Review of Glutamate and Its Receptors: Their Roles in Brain Physiology and Pathology","authors":"Sevgi Uğur Mutluay, H. Karatas","doi":"10.32552/2022.actamedica.650","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32552/2022.actamedica.650","url":null,"abstract":"Glutamate is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Through its ionotropic and metabotropic receptors it mediates both fast transmission and long term metabolic changes in a cell. Besides neurotransmission, it takes part in development of central nervous system, cell energy metabolism and synaptic plasticity processes. Glutamatergic signaling is strictly controlled. Under normal conditions, extrasynaptic gluatamate levels are maintained at low concentrations. Excessive transmission leads to excitotoxicity which results in cell damage and death. Glutamatergic dysfunction is involved in many pathologies including neuropsychiatric, neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. Impairments in glutamate’s physiological functions, excitotoxicity and disrupted modulation of other neurotranmitter systems contribute to these pathologies. This opinion aims to summarize the cellular mechanism that lead to pathology and review how these mechanisms translate into the clinic.","PeriodicalId":50891,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Mediterranea","volume":"47 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2022-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76212079","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Ceylan, Z. Kahyaoğlu, M. Guner Oytun, A. Okyar Baş, B. B. Doğu, M. Cankurtaran, M. Halil
{"title":"Competences and Attitudes of Internal Medicine Research Assistants Working in COVID-19 Inpatient Services About Nutrition: A Survey Study","authors":"S. Ceylan, Z. Kahyaoğlu, M. Guner Oytun, A. Okyar Baş, B. B. Doğu, M. Cankurtaran, M. Halil","doi":"10.32552/2022.actamedica.676","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32552/2022.actamedica.676","url":null,"abstract":"Objective: COVID-19 increases risk of malnutrition. With proper nutritional management, clinical outcomes are more positive but nutritional management is often overlooked. Aim of our study is to determine competences and attitudes of internal medicine research assistants working in COVID-19 services in terms of nutritional management and the factors that may affect this.\u0000Materials and Methods: A 12-question survey was applied to internal medicine research assistants worked/still working in the inpatient service and intensive care units where COVID-19 patients were followed up. Their competences and attitudes about nutrition were learned.\u0000Results: A hundred research assistants participated in the study. Ratio of those who considered their knowledge sufficient about nutrition management was 48% (n=48), enteral nutrition was 62% (n=62) and parenteral nutrition was 55% (n=55). There were 92 (92%) research assistants who thought that nutrition was a problem in COVID-19 patients, however there are only 6 (6%) research assistants who have read publications on nutritional management in COVID-19 patients. Research assistants who have performed intensive care or geriatrics rotation stated themselves more competent in nutrition (p = 0.001 & p <0.001, respectively) and who have performed geriatrics rotation thought that they have sufficient knowledge about enteral nutrition (p = 0.03).\u0000Conclusion: Research assistants who play important roles in the management of patients, find themselves highly incompetent in nutritional management, although they know that nutritional management will yield positive results on the patient’s clinical outcomes. Importance of education of research assistants about nutrition should be emphasized in order to apply nutritional support better.","PeriodicalId":50891,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Mediterranea","volume":"27 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2022-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83187437","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Firat, Züleyha Yalnız Akkaya, Özlem Dikmetaş, H. M. Hayran
{"title":"Enzymatic Digestion of Fresh-Frozen Human Cornea After Riboflavin/Ultraviolet-A Collagen Crosslinking","authors":"A. Firat, Züleyha Yalnız Akkaya, Özlem Dikmetaş, H. M. Hayran","doi":"10.32552/2022.actamedica.726","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32552/2022.actamedica.726","url":null,"abstract":"Objective: Crosslinking (CXL) of the cornea by using riboflavin (RBF)/ultraviolet-A (UVA) has been developed for stiffening the collagenous matrix of the cornea. Collagenases and other metalloproteinases are known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of corneal ulceration. Our aim in this study was to show and compare the morphological and histopathological changes of the CXL human corneas against enzymatic digestion by collagenase, trypsin and pepsin solutions.Materials and Methods: Eighteen corneas from nine fresh frozen cadavers were included in this study. The crosslinked group (n=12) was treated with the combined riboflavin (RBF) and ultraviolet-A (UVA) and the control group (n=6) was only treated with RBF. After treatment corneas were exposed to collagenase, trypsin and pepsin enzymes. For each enzyme group one cornea was evaluated morphologically and the other one was evaluated microscopically. Results: The collagenase treated control group, digestion of the cornea was noted in the first days and completed on the 5th day. The control cornea treated with pepsin was fully digested after 14 days. In the trypsin treated CXL cornea complete digestion was noted after 18 days. In both groups, enzyme activity was observed to be parallel to each other morphologically, but CXL cornea was evaluated to be more resistant to enzymatic digestion. Conclusion: In conclusion, CXL increases resistance of the cornea against enzymatic digestion. In addition to the biomechanical support, this study was also showing the histopathological changes of CXL procedure and the results of enzymatic digestion, supporting new treatment options in the corneal diseases.","PeriodicalId":50891,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Mediterranea","volume":"62 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2022-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83936376","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"From Thesis to Publication - Analysis of 2580 theses in the field of Anesthesiology and Reanimation","authors":"İlke Küpeli, Merve Yazıcı Kara, A. Kayhan","doi":"10.32552/2022.actamedica.712","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32552/2022.actamedica.712","url":null,"abstract":"Objectives: The primary aim of the study was to determine the publication rates of the theses produced in the department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation in Turkey between the years 2000 and 2018.Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated 2580 theses identified in the National Thesis Center using the keywords “Anesthesiology and Reanimation”, to which online access was granted by the authors. Theses that had restricted access or were accepted as abstracts in congresses were excluded. The gender of the thesis writers, the date of completion of the thesis and the year of publication, the place where the thesis research was conducted (university or ministry of health), the field of thesis subject, the database where the publication is located, and whether the author began an academic career after the thesis, was investigated.Results: Thesis authors were female in 52.4% of the 2580 theses included in the study while 59.1% were in the field of general anesthesia and 14.4% in the intensive care field. The proportion of authors obtaining an academic career was 15.5%. The rate of publication was 39.1% (n=1010). The mean time to publication was 3.46±2.62 years. Authors who established an academic career were significantly more likely to publish (72.5%; p<0.001)Conclusion: Although higher than previously reported, thesis publication rate remains low at 39% although a higher proportion of authors were female. Furthermore, the time to publication was long.","PeriodicalId":50891,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Mediterranea","volume":"24 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2022-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82144842","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Seiichi Horinaka, M. Ohe, H. Shida, K. Furuya, M. Sugiura
{"title":"A Case of Pneumatosis Intestinalis Associated with Sjogren’s Syndrome","authors":"Seiichi Horinaka, M. Ohe, H. Shida, K. Furuya, M. Sugiura","doi":"10.32552/2022.actamedica.724","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32552/2022.actamedica.724","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50891,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Mediterranea","volume":"40 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2022-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74959391","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Burak Ardıçlı, S. Ekinci, A. Ciftci, F. Tanyel, D. Orhan, C. Akyüz, I. Karnak
{"title":"Non-Wilms’ Renal Tumors In Childhood","authors":"Burak Ardıçlı, S. Ekinci, A. Ciftci, F. Tanyel, D. Orhan, C. Akyüz, I. Karnak","doi":"10.32552/2022.actamedica.679","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32552/2022.actamedica.679","url":null,"abstract":"Objective: To determine the outcomes, demographics, clinical and surgical characteristics of NWRT in children.Methods: Forty-three children who underwent surgery for NWRT between 1970 and 2016 were included. The charts and surgery notes were evaluated retrospectively and age, sex, complaints and physical findings at presentation, results of biochemical tests, details of surgery, pathologic findings, and the postoperative course were noted.Results: The female to male ratio was 15:28. Distribution according to histological groups were CCSK (n=14), CMN (n=10), RCC (n=7), CN (n=4), angiomyolipoma (n=2), MRT (n=2), sclerosing nephrogenic rest (n=1), renal tubular adenoma (n=1), metanephric stromal tumor (n=1), and renal adenocarcinoma (n=1). Nephroureterectomy was the most frequently used surgical treatment (n=38) (88%). The mortality rate was 21% in malignant NWRT (3 with CCSK, 2 with MRT) and 10% in benign NWRT (2 CMN) during the five-year follow up period.Conclusion: Non-Wilms renal tumors are rare in childhood. The presumptive diagnosis is usually a Wilms tumor. Hypercalcemia may be encountered. A nephroureterectomy is necessary in most cases. NSS can be performed in selected cases and under suitable conditions.","PeriodicalId":50891,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Mediterranea","volume":"14 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.3,"publicationDate":"2022-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74601618","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}