In the article entitled Investigation of Acanthamoeba spp. with Culture and Molecular Methods in the Environmental Water Samples, published in Volume 88, Issue 2 (2025), the funding and thesis information were inadvertently omitted.The correct statement is as follows:Financial Disclosure: This study was supported by the Scientific Research Projects Unit of Istanbul University (Project ID: 38220). Author Note: : This article is derived from a thesis.You can access the updated version of the article through the following link:https://iupress.istanbul.edu.tr/journal/jmed/article/investigation-of-acanthamoeba-spp-with-culture-and-molecular-methods-in-the-environmental-water-samples?id=1515671
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the seropositivity of Echinococcus granulosus among patients with clinically suspected hydatid cyst (HC) presenting to Istanbul Faculty of Medicine Hospital, assess cyst organ localization, compare the sensitivity and specificity of IgG ELISA, IHA, and analyze patient demographics and relevant biochemical findings to support the diagnosis and management of echinococcosis, which is endemic in our country.Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included a total of 313 patients who presented to our center between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021, with suspected HC. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics, version 29.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA).Results: Among seropositive patients, males predominated, although no statistically significant association was found between gender and seropositivity, in contrast to reports indicating female predominance. Cystic echinococcosis was most commonly localized in the liver, followed by the lungs. In cases caused by E. granulosus, cysts were predominantly confined to a single organ, consistent with previous reports. In patients with immunodeficiency or extrahepatic involvement, false-negative results were observed despite the high sensitivity and specificity of IHA and IgG ELISA tests.Conclusion: Echinococcosis remains an important endemic disease, and its true prevalence is estimated to be higher than reported. Patient history should be considered the starting point in diagnosis. Although serological tests are valuable, the combined use of imaging, pathology, and serological methods improve diagnostic accuracy. In addition, the combined use of IHA and IgG ELISA may further enhance diagnostic reliability.
Dear Editor,I read with great interest the original article entitled “An Evaluation of the AST/ALT Ratio in Patients with Mycosis Fungoides and Its Association with the Severity of Cutaneous Involvement” by Pala and Bayraktar, published in the January 2025 issue of your journal (1). I would like to congratulate the authors for addressing a novel and clinically relevant topic in the field of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas.From a pathologist’s perspective, mycosis fungoides (MF) is a biologically heterogeneous malignancy with a highly variable clinical course. Although histopathological evaluation remains the gold standard for diagnosis and classification, it provides limited information regarding systemic disease activity, cumulative tumor burden, and metabolic alterations during longitudinal follow-up (2, 3). Therefore, there is a clear need for adjunctive, easily accessible biomarkers that may complement morphological and clinical assessment.In this context, the authors’ focus on the AST/ALT (De Ritis) ratio is particularly noteworthy. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) differs fundamentally from alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in that it reflects not only hepatocellular integrity but also mitochondrial function and systemic cellular metabolism, which form the biological basis of the De Ritis ratio (4). In malignant cells, increased mitochondrial activity and aerobic glycolysis are essential to sustain cellular proliferation and tumor progression, processes in which AST plays a key metabolic role (5). Accordingly, elevated AST levels and AST/ALT ratios may reflect increased neoplastic cell turnover rather than isolated liver involvement.The finding that AST levels and AST/ALT ratios were significantly higher in MF patients compared with healthy controls is therefore biologically plausible. From a pathological standpoint, the association between elevated AST levels and abnormal lymphadenopathy detected by ultrasonography and PET/CT is of particular interest. Even in the absence of overt visceral involvement, such findings may indicate subclinical extracutaneous disease activity or increased metabolic turnover within involved lymphoid tissue, which cannot be fully appreciated by histopathology alone.
The female breast is a multifaceted anatomical and symbolic structure that has attracted interest across anthropology, art, and medicine throughout history. The concept of the “ideal breast” remains subjective and shaped by temporal, cultural, and individual factors. In both aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery, it is essential to acknowledge that patients and surgeons may hold differing expectations. Furthermore, the natural asymmetry of the human body challenges the notion of perfect symmetry, shifting the surgical goal towards achieving optimal similarity rather than absolute equality. From a morphological perspective, breast shape is evaluated in relation to the chest wall and spine, with ideal proportions frequently defined as a 45/55 distribution between the upper and lower poles. Nipple-areola complex positioning and size ratios are also critical to aesthetic outcomes. In terms of volume, excessively small and large breasts can disrupt body harmony and impact self-perception and social interaction. Surgical planning should therefore be tailored to align patient expectations with anatomical feasibility. Beyond anatomical considerations, the breast holds profound psychosocial significance, contributing to perceptions of femininity, sexuality, and identity. Mastectomy, particularly when not accompanied by reconstruction, can trigger deep psychological distress. Regardless of age or cultural background, each woman’s relationship with her breasts is deeply personal and must be respected. The surgeon’s role extends beyond technical expertise to include empathy and shared decision-making, ensuring that the patient is fully informed and empowered in choosing the most suitable reconstructive option.
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the individual and combined effects of retinoic acid (RA) and selenium (Se) on cell viability in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, with a focus on dose-and time-dependent responses. Materials and Methods: SH-SY5Y cells were treated with varying concentrations of RA (1, 10, or 100 & micro;M) and Se (1, 10, or 100 & micro;M), either alone or in combination. Cell viability was assessed using the trypan blue exclusion assay at 48 and 72 hours. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way or two-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett's post hoc test, as appropriate. Results: Retinoic acid significantly reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner at both time points, with 100 & micro;M RA causing near-complete loss of viable cells. Sele-nium also decreased viability, but its effect was milder and became significant only at higher concentrations. Notably, the combined application of RA and Se produced a substantially stronger cytotoxic effect than either agent alone, indicating a potential synergistic or additive interaction between the two. Conclusion: These findings indicate that the simultaneous application of RA and Se can elicit a stronger cytotoxic effect in SH-SY5Y cells than either treatment alone. The results highlight the importance of redox modulation and combination strategies in neuroblastoma cell models. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and therapeutic potential of RA and Se co-treatment.
