Browsing by Author "Balci, Serdar"

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Assessment of Epicardial Fat and Carotid Intima Media Thickness in Gestational Hypertension
(2018) Altin, Cihan; Yilmaz, Mustafa; Ozsoy, Hasmet M.; Gezmis, Esin; Balci, Serdar; Tekindal, Mustafa A.; Sade, Leyla E.; Muderrisoglu, Haldun; 0000-0002-3996-5681; 0000-0002-2557-9579; 0000-0002-1001-6028; 0000-0002-1782-7325; 0000-0002-4060-7048; 0000-0003-3737-8595; 0000-0002-9635-6313; 29603491; S-6973-2016; AAE-8301-2021; AAJ-1097-2021; U-9270-2018; AAQ-7583-2021; AAG-8233-2020
AimGestational hypertension (GHT) is a common disorder of pregnancy characterized by new onset hypertension without the presence of detectable proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation. Epicardial fat thickness (EFT) and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) are suggested as new predictors of subclinical atherosclerosis. Although the relationship between these parameters and essential hypertension has been demonstrated, this association in patients with GHT is still unknown. We aimed to investigate CIMT and EFT in patients with GHT. MethodsA total of 90 patients (44 GHT and 46 controls) were enrolled. Patients with diabetes mellitus, chronic hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD) were excluded. In the third trimester, the mean CIMT at the far wall of both left and right common carotid arteries was measured on B-mode duplex ultrasound. EFT was measured on the free wall of the right ventricle at the end systole in the parasternal long-axis view by standard transthorasic 2D echocardiography. ResultsUnlike the mean CIMT (0.52 0.13 mm vs 0.47 +/- 0.11 mm; P = 0.078), the mean EFT was significantly higher in the GHT group compared to the controls (5.31 +/- 1.68 mm vs 4.17 +/- 1.16 mm; P = 0.002). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, among the most pertinent clinical variables, only EFT is an independent determinant of GHT (OR: 2.903; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.454-5.796; P = 0.003). In receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, EFT >5.5 mm had 82.6% specificity and 52.3% sensitivity in predicting a diagnosis of GHT (ROC area under curve: 0.689, 95% CI: 0.577-0.802, P = 0.002). ConclusionMaternal EFT may be higher in pregnant women with GHT in comparison with those of controls.
Do preeclampsia symptoms resolve after intrauterine death of a fetus?
(2016) Balci, Serdar; Bodur, Tayfan; Tohma, Yusuf Aytac; Okyay, Recep Emre; Saatli, Bahadir; Altunyurt, Sabahattin; 0000-0002-1782-7325; 28913102; AAJ-1097-2021
We present two cases of twin pregnancies without resolution of preeclamptic symptoms after intrauterine death of one twin. Case 1: A nulliparous woman aged 37 years was referred at 26 weeks of gestation because of arterial hypertension, edema, and growth restriction in one twin. Three weeks later the restricted twin died. During the following three weeks, ultrasound examinations showed a reduced growth velocity of the surviving fetus and reversed umbilical flow. At the end of the 34th week of gestation, cesarean section was performed and a healthy female infant was delivered. Case 2: A nulliparous woman aged 33 years with a 27-week twin pregnancy was referred because of arterial hypertension and discordant growth. The restricted twin died at 31 weeks of gestation. Following the death, within two weeks the growth of the co-twin started to slow down and reversed end diastolic flow presented. At the end of the 33rd week of gestation, cesarean section was performed and a healthy female infant was delivered. The interesting point of these cases was the secondary effects on the co-twins. During the time after intrauterine deaths of one twin, the surviving fetuses started to show a reduced growth velocity and reversed umbilical flow and mothers had increased blood pressure and proteinuria again. We think that both cases are evidence of late on-set systemic maternal effects (such as systemic maternal endothelial activation and/or systemic maternal inflammatory response) depends on preeclampsia.
Effect of Low and High Dose of Favipiravir on Ovarian and Reproductive Function in Female Rats: Biochemical and Histopathological Evaluation
(2022) Balci, Serdar; Colluoglu, Cagdas; Yavuzer, Bulent; Bulut, Seval; Altindag, Fikret; Akbas, Nergis; Suleyman, Halis; 36222343
Favipiravir is a drug which shows antiviral activity by inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Favipiravir causes severe adverse effects at high doses. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of low and high dose favipiravir on ovarian and reproductive function in female rats. The rats were divided into three groups: HG group (healthy rats), FAV-100 group (rats administered 100 mg/kg favipiravir), and FAV-400 group (rats administered 400 mg/kg favipiravir) with 12 rats in each group. Favipiravir was administered orally twice daily for 1 week. Six rats from each group were euthanized and their ovaries were removed. Oxidative and antioxidant parameters were measured in ovarian tissues and examined histopathologically. The remaining animals were kept to breed. Animals receiving favipiravir had increased oxidant content, decreased antioxidant activity, decreased histopathological damage, infertility, and gestational delay. Favipiravir treatment should be used with caution, especially in women of reproductive age.
Effect Of Thymoquinone On Cyclophosphamide-Induced Oxidative And Inflammatory Ovarian Damage In Rat
(2022) Colluoglu, Cagdas; Balci, Serdar; Gundogdu, Betul; Coban, Taha Abdulkadir; Bulut, Seval; Suleyman, Halis
This study intends to investigate the effect of thymoquinone against possible ovarian damage and infertility caused by cyclophosphamide in female rats. The rats in the experiment (n=36) were separated into three groups; cyclophosphamide administered, thymoquinone plus cyclophosphamide administered and healthy control. At the end of 30 days of administration, 6 rats from each group were killed and the biochemical and histopathological examinations were performed on the ovarian tissues. The remaining animals were kept in the same cage with mature male rats for two months. Infertility developed in 83% of cyclophosphamide group animals. Thymoquinone attenuated cyclophosphamide-related oxidative and inflammatory ovarian damage and reduced the development of infertility. The outcomes suggest that thymoquinone may be useful in treating infertility due to oxidative and inflammatory ovarian damage.
The effect of ultraviolet index measurements on levels of vitamin D and inflammatory markers in pregnant women
(2021) Balci, Serdar
Background: Hypovitaminosis D is a risk factor for infertility and several adverse pregnancy outcomes. These negative effects of vitamin D deficiency may be due to inflammatory processes. T lymphocytes play a key role in the formation of immune response by producing some cytokines. Vitamin D is known to have significant effects on T lymphocytes and T regulator cells. The most significant determinant of vitamin Din the human body is sun exposure. The most important indicator determining the sun exposure in a region is the ultraviolet index (UVi). We tried to determine the effect of UV changes on vitamin D values during pregnancy and possible effects on inflammatory markers in a single region. Methods: The vitamin D serum values and blood count values of pregnant patients at the time of first admission were recorded in the months of April to September (AS) and October to March (OM). The daily UVi values of the Izmir region were obtained. These daily values were averaged according to the two groups. As inflammatory markers, the Neutrophil-Lymphocyte ratio (NLR), Platelet-Lymphocyte ratio (PLR), Monocyte-Lymphocyte ratio (MLR), mean platelet volume (MPV) and erythrocyte volume distribution (RDW) values were calculated from the blood count. Results: The UVi mean value was found to be 8 for AS and 3 for OM. There was a significant difference in the mean vitamin D values for the AS (42 patients) and OM (40 patients) periods. A predisposition to inflammatory processes was determined for the OM period in terms of the inflammation markers examined between the two groups. Our study showed lower levels of RDW and MPV and similar values for NLR, PLR and MLR according to the UVi values. Discussion: Vitamin D plays role in many systems as a hormone, a vitamin or an immunomodulator after activation in the skin tissue. Besides its known benefits to the musculoskeletal system, adequate serum vitamin D values reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, mental disorders, infectious diseases, cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes mellitus, autoimmune disorders and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Additionally, lower UVi may be associated with lower vitamin D values in pregnant women and increased inflammatory markers in complete blood count. As a result, in order to avoid adverse pregnancy outcomes, the UVi values of regions may be useful for determining replacement of vitamin D during or before pregnancy.
Gut dysbiosis may be associated with hyperemesis gravidarum
(2020) Balci, Serdar; Tohma, Yusuf Aytac; Esin, Sertac; Onalan, Gogsen; Tekindal, Mustafa Agah; Zeyneloglu, Hulusi Bulent; 0000-0001-9418-4733; 0000-0002-0289-2642; 0000-0002-1782-7325; 0000-0001-9577-4946; 32519907; AAE-6482-2021; B-6487-2009; AAJ-1097-2021; AAI-8810-2021
Purpose:In this study, we aimed to determine the frequency of different intestinal microorganisms of patients with normal pregnancies and HG and to compare these frequencies between the two groups. Materials and methods:This case-control study was carried out in Baskent University Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and included 20 patients; 10 of whom had normal pregnancies and 10 of whom had HG. A stool flora scan was routinely planned for all patients. Transient and continuous fecal bacteria and fungal flora were analyzed. All data were evaluated statistically and their relationships with clinical condition were discussed. Results:The study group consisted of 20 pregnant women with a mean age of 31.5 years. All patients were nonsmokers and free of chronic diseases and of any medications. Aerobic and anaerobic bacteria groups, fungal colonies, and parasites were examined and bowel pH values were measured separately for each patient. Bacterial and fungal species outside the reference ranges were recorded for each patient. There was a statistically significant increase inClostridiumspp. (p:.01) andCandidaspp. (p:.033) and a statistically significant decrease inBifidobacteriumspp.(p:.008) in patients with HG compared to women with normal pregnancies. There was a significant difference between the group with HG and the group with normal pregnancies in terms of flora dysbiosis (p:.001). Conclusion:Our results suggest that gut dysbiosis may be a factor in HG. The effect of the severity of gut dysbiosis on the disease may be the subject of future studies.
Predictive values of maternal serum PAPP-A level, uterine artery Doppler velocimetry, and fetal biometric measurements for poor pregnancy and poor neonatal outcomes in pregnant women
(2016) Balci, Serdar; 0000-0002-1782-7325; 27651722; AAJ-1097-2021
Objective: To determine predictive values of maternal serum PAPP-A (msPAPP-A) levels, uterine artery Doppler velocimetry, and fetal biometric measurements (FBMs) for poor pregnancy and poor neonatal outcomes. Material and Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted on singleton pregnancies followed until delivery. Pregnancy and neonatal outcomes were evaluated with respect to the msPAPP-A level at the 11th-14th weeks, uterine artery Doppler velocimetry at the 15th-18th weeks, and FBMs at the 20th-24th and 28th-32nd weeks of pregnancy. Results: One hundred fifty-eight women constituted the study group; 17 (10.75%) of them had at least one poor pregnancy outcome. The cut-off point of 0.72 multiple of the median (MoM) for the PAPP-A level achieved a sensitivity of 82.4% and a specificity of 29.8% for poor pregnancy outcomes. The mean birth weight was significantly lower in the subgroup with a higher mean pulsatility index of uterine arteries (UAPImean >= 1.19) (p=0.025) as well as in the subgroup with a higher mean resistance index of uterine arteries (UARImean >= 0.62) (p=0.013). When the subgroup of pregnant women under the risk of early-onset IUGR according to FBMs was compared to the low-risk group, statistically significant differences were seen in terms of pregnancy outcomes (p=0.045) and birth weight (p=0.011). Conclusion: Maternal serum PAPP-A level and FBMs could be used for predicting pregnancy outcomes, while uterine artery Doppler velocimetry and FBMs could be used for predicting neonatal outcomes, specifically the birth weight.
A Retrospective Evaluation of the Epithelial Changes/Lesions and Neoplasms of the Gallbladder in Turkey and a Review of the Existing Sampling Methods: A Multicentre Study
(2018) Ozgun, Gonca; Esendaglı, Guldal; Akarca, F. Goknur; Balci, Serdar; Argon, Asuman; Sengiz Erhan, Selma; Turhan, Nesrin; Ince Zengin, Neslihan; Hallac Keser, Sevinc; Celik, Betul; Bulut, Tangul; Abdullazade, Samir; Erden, Esra; Savas, Berna; Bostan, Temmuz; Sagol, Ozgul; Aysal Agalar, Anil; Kepil, Nuray; Karslioglu, Yildirim; Gunal, Armagan; Markoc, Fatma; Saka, Burcu; Ozdamar, Sukru Oguz; Bahadir, Burak; Kaymaz, Esin; Isik, Emre; Ayhan, Semin; Tuncel, Deniz; Ozguven Yilmaz, Banu; Celik, Sevinc; Karabacak, Tuba; Erbarut Seven, Ipek; Ataizi Celikel, Cigdem; Gucin, Zuhal; Ekinci, Ozgur; Akyol, Gulen; 28984336
Objective: As there is continuing disagreement among the observers on the differential diagnosis between the epithelial changes/lesions and neoplasms of the gallbladder, this multicentre study was planned in order to assess the rate of the epithelial gallbladder lesions in Turkey and to propose microscopy and macroscopy protocols. Material and Method: With the participation of 22 institutions around Turkey that were included in the Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Study Group, 89,324 cholecystectomy specimens sampled from 2003 to 2016 were retrospectively evaluated. The numbers of adenocarcinomas, dysplasias, intracholecystic neoplasms/adenomas, intestinal metaplasias and reactive atypia were identified with the review of pathology reports and the regional and countrywide incidence rates were presented in percentages. Results: Epithelial changes/lesions were reported in 6% of cholecystectomy materials. Of these epithelial lesions, 7% were reported as adenocarcinoma, 0.9% as high-grade dysplasia, 4% as low-grade dysplasia, 7.8% as reactive/regenerative atypia, 1.7% as neoplastic polyp, and 15.6% as intestinal metaplasia. The remaining lesions (63%) primarily included non-neoplastic polypoids/hyperplastic lesions and antral/pyloric metaplasia. There were also differences between pathology laboratories. Conclusion: The major causes of the difference in reporting these epithelial changes/lesions and neoplasms include the differences related to the institute's oncological surgery frequency, sampling protocols, geographical dissimilarities, and differences in the diagnoses/interpretations of the pathologists. It seems that the diagnosis may change if new sections are taken from the specimen when any epithelial abnormality is seen during microscopic examination of the cholecystectomy materials.