Enhancing combinatorial optimization with classical and quantum generative models.

Devising an efficient exploration of the search space is one of the key challenges in the design of combinatorial optimization algorithms. Here, we introduce the Generator-Enhanced Optimization (GEO) strategy: a framework that leverages any generative model (classical, quantum, or quantum-inspired) to solve optimization problems. We focus on a quantum-inspired version of GEO relying on tensor-network Born machines, and referred to hereafter as TN-GEO.

Interdisiplinary and intraobserver reliability of the Greulich-Pyle method among Turkish children.

Objectives: Greulich-Pyle (GP) is one of the most used method for bone age determination (BAD) in various orthopedic, pediatric, radiological, and forensic situations. We aimed to investigate the inter- and intra-observer reliability of the GP method between the most relevant disciplines and its applicability to the Turkish population.

Methods: One-hundred and eighty (90 boys, 90 girls) patients with a chronological age younger than 18 (mean 9.

Determination of the effects of advanced glycation end products receptor polymorphisms and its activation on structural cell responses and inflammation in asthma.

Background: Advanced glycation end products receptor (RAGE) is a pattern recognition receptor which attracted attention in chronic airway diseases recently. This study aimed to determine the association of RAGE with asthma and the cellular responses resulting from RAGE signaling pathway activation.

Methods: Asthmatic (n = 362) and healthy (n = 134) children were genotyped by PCR-RFLP.

The Role of Whole-Body Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Assessing Extrapulmonary Metastases in Osteosarcoma Staging and Restaging: A Pilot Study.

Objective: The aim of the study is to investigate the role of whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in assessing extrapulmonary metastases in primary osteosarcoma staging.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical data to identify primary osteosarcoma patients with available preoperative whole-body MRI obtained in the staging or restaging. Histopathology was the reference test for assessing the diagnostic performance, if available.

The value of MRI contrast enhancement in biopsy decision of suspicious mammographic microcalcifications: a prospective multicenter study.

Objectives: To investigate the inclusion of breast MRI in radiological assessment of suspicious, isolated microcalcifications detected with mammography.

Methods: In this prospective, multicenter study, cases with isolated microcalcifications in screening mammography were examined with dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) before biopsy, and contrast enhancement of the relevant calcification localization was accepted as a positive finding on MRI. Six experienced breast radiologists evaluated the images and performed the biopsies.

Calcific tendinitis: intramuscular and intraosseous migration.

Calcific tendinitis is a well-documented and extensively studied disease in the literature. Intramuscular and intraosseous migration are rare complications, which may present diagnostic challenges. This pictorial essay illustrates the imaging findings of these complications.

Pregnancy outcomes in psychiatric patients treated with passiflora incarnata.

Passiflora incarnata is marketed in many countries as anxiolytic herbal supplement. Herbal medicines are natural products, but it doesn't mean they are always safe, especially during pregnancy. Passiflora incarnata extract was not teratogenic in experimental studies.

Abnormal white matter integrity in synthetic cannabinoid users.

Synthetic cannabinoids have become increasingly popular in the last few years especially among adolescents and young adults. However, no previous studies have assessed the effects of synthetic cannabinoids on the structure of the human brain. Understanding the harms of synthetic cannabinoid use on brain structure is therefore crucial given its increasing use.

Survival in patients with hypoechoic muscularis propria lesions suggestive of gastrointestinal stromal tumors in gastric wall.

Background: Subepithelial lesions (SEL) on upper gastrointestinal endoscopy are frequently encountered and referred to endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Management of small gastric hypoechoic SELs of muscularis propria (MP) is controversial since EUS-assisted fine needle aspiration may be inconclusive, and surgical excision may be too invasive. We aimed to analyze our gastric MP-SELs in terms of survival and confounding factors.

Isolated sphenoid fungal sinusitis and coexisting intrasellar mass lesion presenting with headache as the sole symptom.

A case of isolated sphenoid fungal sinusitis in an elderly diabetic patient is described. A coexisting mass lesion located in the sellar region was detected incidentally. Coincidence of these two entities represents a potential surgical disaster which may result in direct intracranial spread of fungal infection.

Helicobacter pylori: management in 2013.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a prevalent, worldwide, chronic infection. Choice of treatment can be modified according to antibiotic-resistance rates of H.

[Unilateral congenital aplasia of the submandibular gland].

Aplasia of the major salivary glands is very uncommon, whereas isolated aplasia of unilateral submandibular gland is even rarer. In this article, we report a 55-year-old female case in whom unilateral aplasia of the left submandibular gland was detected incidentally by ultrasonography with no other congenital comorbidities in the light of literature data.

Effects of sitagliptin in diabetic patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Background & Aims: Preliminary evidence suggests that inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-IV preserves pancreatic beta cell function in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, its effects on liver histology in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), hepatic complication of diabetes, have not yet been adequately explored. The present open-label, single-arm observational pilot study investigated the effects of one year of treatment with a dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitor, sitagliptin, on liver histology, body mass index (BMI), and laboratory parameters in NASH patients with T2D.

Preliminary evidence of an association between the functional c-kit rs6554199 polymorphism and achalasia in a Turkish population.

Background: C-kit-positive interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) of the lower esophageal sphincter are reduced in achalasia. Two functional gene polymorphisms (rs2237025 and rs6554199) within the c-kit gene may affect its transcriptional activity. In this pilot study, we hypothesized that these polymorphisms would be associated with achalasia.

Characterization of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease unrelated to the metabolic syndrome.

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome (MS). However, not all patients with the MS will develop NAFLD and not all patients with NAFLD have the MS. We sought to investigate the differences between patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD with and without the MS.

Randomised clinical trial: otilonium bromide improves frequency of abdominal pain, severity of distention and time to relapse in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

Background: Otilonium bromide (OB) is a spasmolytic agent that blocks L-Type Calcium channels in human colonic smooth muscle.

Aim: To study the efficacy of OB in symptom control in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Methods: A total of 356 patients (46.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for premalignant lesions and noninvasive early gastrointestinal cancers.

Aim: To investigate the indication, feasibility, safety, and clinical utility of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in the management of various gastrointestinal pathologies.

Methods: The medical records of 60 consecutive patients (34 female, 26 male) who underwent ESD at the gastroenterology department of Kocaeli University from 2006-2010 were examined. Patients selected for ESD had premalignant lesions or non-invasive early cancers of the gastrointestinal tract and had endoscopic and histological diagnoses.

The impact of early percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement on treatment completeness and nutritional status in locally advanced head and neck cancer patients receiving chemoradiotherapy.

To investigate the impact of early insertion of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy-tube on nutritional status and completeness of concurrent chemotherapy in locally advanced head and neck cancer patients treated with chemoradiotherapy. Twenty-three patients were enrolled into this prospective study. Gastrostomy-tube was inserted in patients before the initiation of chemoradiotherapy.

Circulating levels of vascular endothelial growth factor A and its soluble receptor in patients with biopsy-proven nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background And Aims: Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF) is a multifunctional cytokine affecting angiogenesis and vascular function. The biological activity of VEGF is modulated by its soluble receptor VEGFR-1 (sVEGFR-1). We explored the associations of VEGF and sVEGFR-1 concentrations with liver histology in patients with biopsy-proven nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

A case of mediastinal lymphangioma: endosonographic appearance.

Mediastinal lymphangioma is a rare, benign disease characterized by an abnormal proliferation of lymphatic vessels. Although a definitive diagnosis can be best made by surgical resection, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used as radiological methods to diagnose a pulmonary lymphangioma preoperatively. Endoscopic ultrasonography is a new method for visualizing pathological changes in the mediastum and may be used for preoperative diagnosis of a pulmonary lymphangioma, which is a rare example of a mediastinal disease.

Serum zinc-α2-glycoprotein concentrations in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background: Evidence suggests that zinc-α(2)-glycoprotein (ZAG) might serve as a biomarker for human metabolic alterations. We measured serum ZAG in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome, and examined its association with clinical, biochemical, and histological phenotypes.

Methods: Serum ZAG was determined using ELISA in 90 patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD and 81 controls.

Serum levels of osteoprotegerin in the spectrum of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Objective: Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily with pleiotropic effects on inflammation, endocrine function and the immune system. Reduced OPG levels are related to insulin resistance. We tested the hypothesis that serum levels of OPG may be associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Serum fetuin A/α2HS-glycoprotein levels in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: relation with liver fibrosis.

Background: Serum concentrations of fetuin A/α2HS-glycoprotein (AHSG) have been linked to human metabolic alterations and can serve as an indicator of liver cell function. We assayed serum levels of AHSG in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome, and examined their association with clinical, biochemical and histological phenotypes.

Methods: Serum AHSG levels were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in 99 patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD and 75 age- and gender-matched controls.

Serum levels of omentin, chemerin and adipsin in patients with biopsy-proven nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Objective: The novel adipokines omentin, chemerin, and adipsin are associated with insulin resistance and the components of the metabolic syndrome. We assayed circulating levels of these molecules and examined their association with clinical, biochemical, and histological phenotypes in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Material And Methods: Serum levels of omentin, chemerin, and adipsin were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 99 patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD and 75 control subjects.