Evaluating Focal 18F-FDG Uptake in Thyroid Gland with Radiomics

Aksu Ayşegül,Karahan Şen Nazlı Pınar,Acar Emine,Çapa Kaya Gamze 대한핵의학회 2020 핵의학 분자영상 Vol.54 No.5

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of 18F-FDG PET/CT texture analysis to predict the exact pathological outcome of thyroid incidentalomas. Methods 18F-FDG PET/CT images between March 2010 and September 2018 were retrospectively reviewed in patients with focal 18F-FDG uptake in the thyroid gland and who underwent fine needle aspiration biopsy from this area. The focal uptake in the thyroid gland was drawn in 3D with 40% SUVmax threshold. Features were extracted from volume of interest (VOI) using the LIFEx package. The features obtained were compared in benign and malignant groups, and statistically significant variables were evaluated by receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis. The correlation between the variables with area under curve (AUC) value over 0.7 was examined; variables with correlation coefficient less than 0.6 were evaluated with machine learning algorithms. Results Sixty patients (70% train set, 30% test set) were included in the study. In univariate analysis, a statistically significant difference was observed in 6 conventional parameters, 5 first-, and 16 second-order features between benign and malignant groups in train set (p < 0.05). The feature with the highest benign-malignant discriminating power was GLRLMRLNU (AUC:0.827). AUC value of SUVmax was calculated as 0.758. GLRLMRLNU and SUVmax were evaluated to build a model to predict the exact pathology outcome. Random forest algorithm showed the best accuracy and AUC (78.6% and 0.849, respectively). Conclusion In the differentiation of benign-malignant thyroid incidentalomas, GLRLMRLNU and SUVmax combination may be more useful than SUVmax to predict the outcome.

Synthesis of baghdadite using modified sol–gel route and investigation of its properties for bone treatment applications

Jodati Hossein,Tezcaner Ayşen,Evis Zafer,Alshemary Ammar Z,Çelik Erdal 한국세라믹학회 2023 한국세라믹학회지 Vol.60 No.2

The requirement for biomaterials with superior properties, used in bone treatment applications, is inevitable due to escalated bone tissue defects. Baghdadite (BAG) is a calcium silicate that benefits from the presence of zirconium (Zr) in its structure and has attracted huge attention in recent years. In this study, a modified sol–gel route was proposed to synthesize BAG by dissolving Zr precursor separately and using optimum amounts of solvent and chelating agent. Due to thermal gravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis (TGA–DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) results, the BAG nanoparticles were successfully synthesized using this modified approach for the first time, and they were comprehensively characterized in terms of physicochemical, mechanical, and biological properties. During synthesis, a transparent sol without any insoluble Ca or Zr precursors and/or no premature gelation was observed, unlike samples that we produced using the conventional sol–gel method in the literature. The crystalline BAG nanoparticles with semi-spherical shapes demonstrated ~ 20% weight loss after 28 days during the biodegradability test, extensive bioactivity, and enhanced mechanical strength (~4 MPa). Moreover, BAG powder was biocompatible with no cytotoxic effect and osteoinductive in the absence of an osteogenic medium. We believe that the synthesized BAG nanoparticles through this modified sol–gel route could serve as a promising biomaterial for cancellous bone defect treatment applications.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on diabetic ketoacidosis management in the pediatric intensive care unit

Kahveci Fevzi,Ocak Buse Önen,Gün Emrah,Gurbanov Anar,Uçmak Hacer,Aslan Ayşen Durak,Ceran Ayşegül,Özen Hasan,Balaban Burak,Botan Edin,Şıklar Zeynep,Berberoğlu Merih,Kendirli Tanıl 대한중환자의학회 2023 Acute and Critical Care Vol.38 No.3

Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a common endocrine emergency in pediatric patients. Early presentation to health facilities, diagnosis, and good management in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) are crucial for better outcomes in children with DKA. Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective cohort study conducted between February 2015 and January 2022. Patients with DKA were divided into two groups according to pandemic status and diabetes diagnosis. Both groups were examined in two subcategories (pandemic status: pre-pandemic vs. pandemic; and diabetes diagnosis status: previously diagnosed vs. newly diagnosed).Results: The study enrolled 59 patients, and their mean age was 11±5 years. Forty (68%) had newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), and 61% received follow-up in the pre-pandemic period. Blood glucose, blood ketone, potassium, phosphorus, creatinine, and alanine transaminase levels were significantly higher in the new-onset T1DM group compared with the previously diagnosed group (P=0.01, P=0.02, P=0.01, P=0.039, and p=0.001, respectively). In patients with newly diagnosed T1DM, length of PICU stays were longer than in those with previously diagnosed T1DM (28.5±8.9 vs. 17.3±6.7 hours, p<0.005). The pandemic group was compared with pre-pandemic group, there was a statistically significant difference in laboratory parameters of pH, HCO3, and lactate and also Pediatric Risk Of Mortality (PRISM) III score. All patients survived, and there were no neurologic sequelae. Conclusion: Patients admitted during the pandemic period were admitted with more severe DKA and had higher PRISM III scores. During the pandemic period, there was an increase in the incidence of DKA in the participating center compared to that before the pandemic. Although the reason for this is not fully known, it could be public health presentations were not effective during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) period.

High-fat Diet Enhances Gastric Contractility, but Abolishes Nesfatin-1-induced Inhibition of Gastric Emptying

( Zarife N Özdemir-kumral ),( Türkan Koyuncuoğlu ),( Sevil Arabacı-tamer ),( Özlem T Çilingir-kaya ),( Ayça K Köroğlu ),( Meral Yüksel ),( Berrak Ç Yeğen ) 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회(구 대한소화관운동학회) 2021 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.27 No.2

Background/Aims Gastrointestinal motility changes contribute to development and maintenance of obesity. Nesfatin-1 (NES-1) is involved in central appetite control. The aim is to elucidate effects of NES-1 and high-fat diet (HFD) on gastrointestinal motility and to explore myenteric neuron expressions of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in HFD-induced oxidative injury. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with normal diet (ND) or HFD. Gastric emptying rate was measured following NES-1 (5 pmol/rat, intracerebroventricular) preceded by subcutaneous injections of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), cholecystokinin 1 (CCK-1), and gastrin/CCK-2 receptor antagonists. In carbachol-contracted gastric and ileal strips, contractile changes were recorded by adding NES- 1 (0.3 nmol/L), GLP-1, CCK-1, and gastrin/CCK-2 antagonists. Results Neither HFD nor NES-1 changed methylcellulose emptying, but NES-1 delayed saline emptying in cannulated ND-rats. Inhibitory effect of NES-1 on gastric emptying in ND-rats was reversed by all antagonists, and abolished in HFD-rats. In HFD-rats, carbachol-induced contractility was enhanced in gastric, but inhibited in ileal strips. HFD increased body weight, while serum triglycerides, alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, glucose, and levels of malondialdehyde, glutathione, myeloperoxidase activity, and luminol-chemiluminescence in hepatic, ileal, and adipose tissues were similar in ND- and HFD-rats, but only lucigenin-chemiluminescence was increased in HFD-rats. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and TH immunoreactivities were depressed and nNOS immunoreactivity was increased in gastric tissues of HFD-rats, while VIP and TH were enhanced, but nNOS was reduced in their intestines. Conclusions HFD caused mild systemic inflammation, disrupted enteric innervation, enhanced gastric contractility, inhibited ileal contractility, and eliminated inhibitory effect of NES-1 on gastric motility. (J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2021;27:265-278)

Teratogenicity of Antiepileptic Drugs

Betül Tekin Güveli,Rasim Özgür Rosti,Alper Güzeltaş,Elif Bahar Tuna,Dilek Ataklı,Serra Sencer,Ensar Yekeler,Hülya Kayserili,Ahmet Dirican,Nerses Bebek,Betül Baykan,Ayşen Gökyiğit,Candan Gürses 대한정신약물학회 2017 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.15 No.1

Objective: Antiepileptic drugs (AED) have chronic teratogenic effects, the most common of which are congenital heart disease, cleft lip/palate, urogenital and neural tube defects. The aim of our study is to examine teratogenic effects of AED and the correlation between these malformations and AED in single or multiple pregnancies. Methods: This is a retrospective study of malformations in children born to mothers currently followed up by our outpatient clinics who used or discontinued AED during their pregnancy. Their children were then investigated using echocardiography, urinary ultrasound, cranial magnetic resonance image, and examined by geneticists and pediatric dentists. Results: One hundred and seventeen children were included in the study. Ninety one of these children were exposed to AED during pregnancy. The most commonly used AED were valproic acid and carbamazepine in monotherapy. The percentage of major anomaly was 6.8% in all children. Dysmorphic features and dental anomalies were observed more in children exposed especially to valproic acid. There were 26 mothers with two and four mothers with three pregnancies from the same fathers. No correlation was found between the distribution of malformations in recurring pregnancies and AED usage. Conclusion: Our study has the highest number of dysmorphism examined in literature, found in all the children exposed to valproic acid, which may account for the higher rate of facial dysmorphism and dental anomalies. On lower doses of valproic acid, major malformations are not seen, although the risk increases with polytherapy. Our data also indicate possible effects of genetic and environmental factors on malformations.

The Association between Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Epicardial Adipose Tissue Thickness

Erdal Belen,Aleks Degirmencioglu,Ertugrul Zencirci,Fatih Fahri Tipi,Özgür Altun,Gültekin Karakus,Ays¸en Helvacı,Aycan Esen Zencirci,Ezgi Kalaycıoglu 대한심장학회 2015 Korean Circulation Journal Vol.45 No.3

Background and Objectives: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) is considered to be a potential risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness is also closely related to cardiovascular disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether SH is associated with higher EAT thickness. Subjects and Methods: Fifty-one consecutive patients with SH and 51 healthy control subjects were prospectively enrolled into this trial. Thyroid hormone levels, lipid parameters, body mass index, waist and neck circumference, and EAT thickness measured by echocardiography were recorded in all subjects. Results: Mean EAT thickness was increased in the SH group compared to the control group (6.7±1.4 mm vs. 4.7±1.2 mm, p<0.001). EAT thickness was shown to be correlated with thyroid stimulating hormone level (r=0.303, p=0.002). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that EAT thickness was independently associated with SH {odds ratio (OR): 3.87, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.92–7.78, p< 0.001; OR: 3.80, 95% CI: 2.18–6.62, p<0.001}. Conclusion: Epicardial adipose tissue thickness is increased in patients with SH compared to control subjects, and this increase in EAT thickness may be associated with the potential cardiovascular adverse effects of SH.

The Process of Branding a City

Cemal Yü,kselen,Emel Gö,nenç,Gü,ler,R,Ayş,en Wolff 세계문화관광학회 2010 International Journal of Culture and tourism Resea Vol.3 No.1

In studies about the branding of destinations, one finds the need to involve all the local and international stakeholders in the process of SWOT analysis and prepare a unique action plan. The Brand Destination Project of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Turkey is interested in making various famous cities culturally attractive to tourists. They expect economic and social development as they carry their historical values into the future. Antioch, the ancient name of Antakya, is one of the destinations targeted for branding in this project. Antioch was once the third largest trade and tourism center in the Roman Empire. It was also one of the first places to become a center for Christianity, drawing many pilgrims. It was a melting pot for many ancient civilizations in Anatolia. The purpose of this paper is to brand Antioch as a place where people have been living in the spirit of tolerance and brotherhood for many centuries against the backdrop of different religions and ethnicities. Furthermore, this paper includes suggestions for branding processes, responsibilities of stakeholders, and conclusions which may be realized by SWOT analysis and other exploratory research.

The Process of Branding a City

Cemal Yü,kselen,Emel Gö,nenç,Gü,ler,R. AyĢ,en Wolff 세계문화관광학회 2010 Conference Proceedings Vol.11 No.0

In studies about the branding of destinations, one finds the need to involve all the local and international stakeholders in the process of SWOT analysis and prepare a unique action plan. The Brand Destination Project of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Turkey is interested in making various famous cities culturally attractive to tourists. They expect economic and social development as they carry their historical values into the future. Antioch, the ancient name of Antakya, is one of the destinations targeted for branding in this project. Antioch was once the third largest trade and tourism center in the Roman Empire. It was also one of the first places to become a center for Christianity, drawing many pilgrims. It was a melting pot for many ancient civilizations in Anatolia. The purpose of this paper is to brand Antioch as a place where people have been living in the spirit of tolerance and brotherhood for many centuries against the backdrop of different religions and ethnicities. Furthermore, this paper includes suggestions for branding processes, responsibilities of stakeholders, and conclusions which may be realized by SWOT analysis and other exploratory research.