Collagen binding and mimetic peptide-functionalized self-assembled peptide hydrogel enhance chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells.

The avascular structure and low cell migration to the damaged area due to the low number of cells do not allow spontaneous repair of the articular cartilage tissue. Therefore, functional scaffolds obtained from biomaterials are used for the regeneration of cartilage tissue. Here, we functionalized one of the self-assembling peptide (SAP) scaffolds KLD (KLDLKLDLKLDL) with short bioactive motifs, which are the α1 chain of type II collagen binding peptide WYRGRL (C1) and the triple helical collagen mimetic peptide GFOGER (C2) by direct coupling.

Artificial intelligence and clinical guidance in male reproductive health: ChatGPT4.0's AUA/ASRM guideline compliance evaluation.

Background: Male infertility is defined as the inability of a male to achieve a pregnancy in a fertile female by the American Urological Association (AUA) and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). Artificial intelligence, particularly in language processing models like ChatGPT4.0, offers new possibilities for supporting clinical decision-making.

ChatGPT's Efficacy in Queries Regarding Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Treatment Strategies for Women Experiencing Infertility.

This study assesses the efficacy of ChatGPT-4, an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) language model, in delivering precise and comprehensive answers to inquiries regarding managing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)-related infertility. The research team, comprising experienced gynecologists, formulated 460 structured queries encompassing a wide range of common and intricate PCOS scenarios. The queries were: true/false (170), open-ended (165), and multiple-choice (125) and further classified as 'easy', 'moderate', and 'hard'.

Safety Profile of Intravitreal Injections in the Injection Cabinet: No Cases of Endophthalmitis Seen After 7238 Injections.

Objectives: The present study evaluates the rate of endophthalmitis in intravitreal injections (IVI) performed in a modular injection cabin that could be easily sited in a closet in an office environment, and the performance tests of the cabin in terms of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC).

Methods: The injections were given over approximately 18 months in the cabin and the demographics of the patients were screened retrospectively, and the cabin was subjected to HVAC tests.

Results: A total of 7,238 injections were performed in the defined period, and no cases of endophthalmitis were encountered (0%).

Effects of COVID-19 infection on retinal vascular density and choroidal thickness measured by optical coherence tomography angiography.

Aim: The present study evaluates the possible effects of COVID-19 on choroid thickness, the Foveal Avascular Zone (FAZ) and retinal vascular indices in the same individuals who had Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA) data prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: The OCT and OCTA images of the same individuals with no known ophthalmic pathology who developed a COVID-19 infection were obtained were retrieved retrospectively from the database and compared with the repeated images of OCT and OCTA images 1-2 months after COVID-19 infection.

Results: Eighty eyes of 40 patients (26 female [65%], 14 male [35%]) who had developed a prior Covid-19 infection were included in the study.

Associations between body mass index and choroidal thickness, superficial and deep retinal vascular indices, and foveal avascular zone measured by OCTA.

Aim: The present study explores the effects of Body Mass Index (BMI) on choroidal thickness, the deep and superficial retinal capillary plexuses, and the foveal avascular zone (FAZ).

Methods: The subjects in this prospective study were divided into five groups based on their calculated BMI. Choroidal thickness, superficial and deep retinal capillary plexuses, and FAZ were measured using enhance depth imaging (EDI) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

The Effects of chronic smoking on retinal vascular densities and choroidal thicknesses measured by optical coherence tomography angiography.

Purpose: To examine the effects of chronic smoking on vascular density in superficial and deep retinal vascular plexuses and choroidal thicknesses.

Method: Superficial and deep vessel densities and choroidal thicknesses of smoking volunteers and healthy non-smoking volunteers were measured with the Topcon DRI OCT-1 Tritron® device and compared with each other.

Results: This study included 108 eyes of 54 smoking volunteers and 108 eyes of 54 healthy volunteers as a control group.

Investigating Fetuin-A and Paraoxonase-1 Activity as Markers in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Based on Body Mass Index: A Prospective Case-Control Study.

Introduction Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may have an increased risk for the development of systemic and metabolic pathogenesis such as cardiovascular diseases, insulin resistance (IR), diabetes mellitus (DM) and dyslipidemia. However, there is no reliable marker to show the relation. Fetuin-A is an adipokine whereas paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) is a high-density lipoprotein-linked enzyme to demonstrate oxidative stress.

Association of increased levels of omentin-1 and carotid intima-media thickness with early signs of cardiovascular risk in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: A prospective case control study.

Aim: Omentin-1, an adipokine primarily secreted from visceral adipose tissue, regulates metabolic homeostasis, whereas carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a valid marker for early diagnosis of atherosclerosis. We aimed to investigate whether polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is related to levels of omentin-1 and CIMT and demonstrate the association with cardiovascular risk.

Methods: A prospective case-control study was performed on 47 PCOS patients and 35 healthy subjects.

Pattern of oculomotor and visual function in children with hydrocephalus.

Purpose: To investigate the ocular motility disturbances, optic nerve changes, and refractive errors in children with or without surgically treated hydrocephalus.

Methods: This retrospective study included 63 subjects diagnosed with hydrocephalus between 2007 and 2019 at the Baskent University Hospital. Full orthoptic and ophthalmic examination and brain magnetic resonance imaging were performed in all subjects.

Role of functionalized self-assembled peptide hydrogels in vasculogenesis.

Fabrication of vascularized tissue constructs plays an integral role in creating clinically relevant tissues. Scaffold materials should be sufficiently vascularized to mimic functional and complex native tissues. Herein, we report the development of bioactive and biomimetic self-assembled peptide (SAP) hydrogels that allow the rapid formation of a vascular structure in vitro.

Haematologic indices and disease activity index in primary Sjogren's syndrome.

Background: The present study was conducted to investigate the association between haematologic indices, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), disease activation, organ involvement, and inflammatory markers in the SS.

Methods: The study was conducted with newly diagnosed and treatment-naive 41 primary SS patients who met ACR-2012 criteria and 96 healthy volunteers. Blood tests obtained before treatment were evaluated.

The influence of dead spaces and the designs of injectors on the amount of drug dose in intra-vitreal injection.

Aim: To evaluate the dead spaces resulting from different designs of the insulin injectors used for intravitreal injections and the amounts of drug doses.

Methods: In the study, five different brands of sterile insulin injectors of 1 mL were used for the test. The weight of the injectors was determined before and after filling the injectors with 0.

In-vitro dewetting properties of planned replacement and daily disposable silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

Aim: To compare the in-vitro videokeratoscopic surface dewetting properties of new-generation silicone hydrogel (SiH) planned replacement contact lenses (CL) with those of daily disposable CLs.

Method: A chrome coated cornea model was used for the in-vitro evaluation of surface dewetting. Pre-lens and post-lens film layers were formed by instilling a normal preservative-free normal saline solution (PFNs) (0.

The effect of religious fasting and dehydration at Ramadan on choroidal thickness and Retinal vessel densities, measured with optical coherence tomography angiography.

Aim: To investigate the effect of religious fasting and dehydration at Ramadan on choroidal thickness and vessel density in the superficial and deep vascular plexuses with OCTA.

Methods: The choroidal thickness, and superficial and deep vessel density indices of fasting healthy subjects were measured with an OCTA device, and compared with non-fasting measurements.

Results: The study included 70 eyes of 35 healthy subjects with a mean age of 42.

Enhanced osteogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells by self-assembled peptide hydrogel functionalized with glutamic acid templated peptides.

Self-assembling peptide (SAP) hydrogel has been shown to be an excellent biological material for three-dimensional cell culture and stimulatie cell migration and differentiation into the scaffold, as well as for repairing bone tissue defects. Herein, we designed one of the SAP scaffolds KLD (KLDLKLDLKLDL) through direct coupling to short bioactive motif O1 (EEGGC) and O2 (EEEEE) of which bioactivity on osteogenic differentiation was previously demonstrated and self-assembled in different concentrations (0.5%, 1%, and 2%).

Evaluation of Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratios, Mean Platelet Volumes, and Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratios in Pterygium.

Objectives: To assess the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), mean platelet volumes (MPV), platelet-lymphocyte ratios (PLR) and other complete blood count parameters (CBC) as indicators of inflammation in patients with pterygium.

Methods: This study was carried out retrospectively in 111 consecutive pterygium patients and 106 control subjects. Laboratory and clinical parameters were obtained from the patient data management system.

The effects of vıtal dyes on mechanıcal propertıes of the human anterıor lens capsule.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mechanical effects of vital dyes on the anterior lens capsule via the nanoindentation method.

Methods: Twenty anterior lens capsules of 20 different patients were dissected into four equal fragments. Each fragment was stained separately with dyes for intraocular surgeries, such as trypan blue 0.

The Antioxidant Response System in Wheat Exposed to Pesticides and its Combined-induced Oxidative Damage.

The aim of the present study was to analyze the alterations in the, antioxidant enzyme activities (such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and level of glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) of wheat acutely treated with CP and DM treatments at low, high doses and their combination. CP and DM were administered to wheat in different doses of 1, 1.5, 5 and 35 mg kg-1 given alone and combination.

Corneal, Scleral, Choroidal, and Foveal Thickness in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objectives: To investigate corneal, scleral, choroidal, and foveal thicknesses in female patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and compare them with healthy subjects.

Materials And Methods: This prospective study included consecutive female patients diagnosed with RA and healthy subjects. Corneal, scleral, choroidal, and retinal (foveal) thicknesses were obtained by using optical coherence tomography and a comparison was performed between groups for all outcome measures.

Contrast Sensitivity in Microtropic and Anisometropic Eyes of Successfully Treated Amblyopes.

Objectives: To assess and compare contrast sensitivity function in the previously amblyopic and non-amblyopic "normal" eyes of patients with microtropia and anisometropia who achieved 20/20 visual acuity after occlusion therapy.

Materials And Methods: Contrast sensitivity was tested monocularly on both eyes of 34 successfully treated microtropic and 15 anisometropic subjects (visual acuity 20/20 in both eyes). Contrast sensitivity function was evaluated by CSV-1000E and age-matched nomograms were used (spatial frequencies of 3, 6, 12, and 18 cycles per degree [cpd]) for comparison.

Herpetic Keratouveitis and Trabeculectomy Failure during Infliximab Therapy in a Patient with Behçet's Disease.

A 51-year-old man was diagnosed with Behçet's disease in 2001. The patient was resistant to all immunosuppressive therapies. After 6 months of infliximab therapy, he presented to our clinic with pain and blurred vision in his right eye.