Sema Yildiz

Bio: Sema Yildiz is an academic researcher from Harran University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Magnetic resonance imaging & Intima-media thickness. The author has an hindex of 12, co-authored 63 publications receiving 399 citations.

Reproductive outcome of septate uterus after hysteroscopic metroplasty

Abstract: We evaluated the reproductive outcome after hysteroscopic metroplasty in the patients with septate uterus. The reproductive performance of 361 patients with septate uterus during the follow-up period of 18 months after the surgery was analyzed retrospectively for a period of 10 years. A total of 180 (49.8%) pregnancies were achieved after metroplasty during the follow-up period of 18 months. Of the 180 pregnancies 117 (57.2%) reached to term and 34 (18.8%) ended in preterm delivery and the remaining 29 (16%) resulted in abortion. Of the preterm babies 18 (52.9%) were able to live. We obtained 135 (75%) live babies totally. Hysteroscopic metroplasty improves the reproductive performance of septate uterus significantly especially in the cases with recurrent pregnancy loss and should be considered highly as a corrective approach for such patients.

Epidemiological findings and clinical and magnetic resonance presentations in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.

Abstract: Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a rare, progressive, inflammatory neurodegenerative disease. This study investigated the relationships of clinical stage with epidemiological and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in SSPE by retrospective review of 76 cases (57 male) diagnosed by typical periodic electroencephalographic features, clinical symptoms and elevated measles antibody titre in cerebrospinal fluid. Clinical stage at diagnosis was I or II in 48 patients, III in 25 and IV in three. Prominent findings at presentation were atonic/myoclonic seizures (57.9%) and mental deterioration with behaviour alteration (30.3%). Frequent MRI findings (13 – 32 patients) were subcortical, periventricular and cortical involvement and brain atrophy; the corpus callosum, basal ganglia, cerebellum and brainstem were less frequently involved. Five patients had pseudotumour cerebri. Cranial MRI at initial diagnosis was normal in 21 patients (19 stage I/II, two stage III/IV). Abnormal MRI findings were s...

Association of breast arterial calcification and carotid intima-media thickness

Abstract: Breast arterial calcification (BAC) on mammography has been identified as calcific medial sclerosis of medium-sized breast arteries, and has been reported to be associated with cardiovascular risk factors, coronary artery disease, and cardiovascular mortality. Carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT) is a well-known surrogate marker of atherosclerosis and predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Consequently, the present study was designed to investigate the association between the presence of BAC on mammography and C-IMT. Twenty-five postmenopausal cases with BAC and 29 subjects without BAC on mammography were included in the study. Cardiovascular risk factors, number of childbirths, postmenopausal duration, and age at menopause were all noted besides detailed physical and laboratory examination. In the whole study population C-IMT was measured with B-mode ultrasound. The women with BAC had significantly increased number of childbirths, postmenopausal duration, frequency of diabetes mellitus, systolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, and CIMT (0.87 ± 0.17 mm versus 0.60 ± 0.19 mm) in comparison with the women without BAC (P < 0.05 for all). The C-IMT was correlated with age, number of childbirths, postmenopausal duration, presence of BAC, and serum triglyceride level (P < 0.05 for all). Independent predictors of C-IMT were the presence of BAC on mammography (β = 0.463, P < 0.001) and serum triglyceride level (β = 0.222, P = 0.042), whereas the only independent predictor of BAC was CIMT (χ2 = 23.41, β = 7.56, P = 0.004). Findings of the present study suggest that the BAC on mammography is independently associated with C-IMT. Screening mammographies merit to be evaluated for the presence of BAC, which might benefit cardiovascular preventive medicine in women by predicting atherosclerosis.

MR fingerprinting for rapid quantification of myocardial T1 , T2 , and proton spin density.

Abstract: Purpose To introduce a two-dimensional MR fingerprinting (MRF) technique for quantification of T1, T2, and M0 in myocardium. Methods An electrocardiograph-triggered MRF method is introduced for mapping myocardial T1, T2, and M0 during a single breath-hold in as short as four heartbeats. The pulse sequence uses variable flip angles, repetition times, inversion recovery times, and T2 preparation dephasing times. A dictionary of possible signal evolutions is simulated for each scan that incorporates the subject's unique variations in heart rate. Aspects of the sequence design were explored in simulations, and the accuracy and precision of cardiac MRF were assessed in a phantom study. In vivo imaging was performed at 3 Tesla in 11 volunteers to generate native parametric maps. Results T1 and T2 measurements from the proposed cardiac MRF sequence correlated well with standard spin echo measurements in the phantom study (R2 > 0.99). A Bland-Altman analysis revealed good agreement for myocardial T1 measurements between MRF and MOLLI (bias 1 ms, 95% limits of agreement −72 to 72 ms) and T2 measurements between MRF and T2-prepared balanced steady-state free precession (bias, −2.6 ms; 95% limits of agreement, −8.5 to 3.3 ms). Conclusion MRF can provide quantitative single slice T1, T2, and M0 maps in the heart within a single breath-hold. Magn Reson Med 77:1446–1458, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine

COPD and stroke: are systemic inflammation and oxidative stress the missing links?

Abstract: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by progressive airflow limitation and loss of lung function, and is currently the third largest cause of death in the world. It is now well established that cardiovascular-related comorbidities such as stroke contribute to morbidity and mortality in COPD. The mechanisms linking COPD and stroke remain to be fully defined but are likely to be interconnected. The association between COPD and stroke may be largely dependent on shared risk factors such as aging and smoking, or the association of COPD with traditional stroke risk factors. In addition, we propose that COPD-related systemic inflammation and oxidative stress may play important roles by promoting cerebral vascular dysfunction and platelet hyperactivity. In this review, we briefly discuss the pathogenesis of COPD, acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) and cardiovascular comorbidities associated with COPD, in particular stroke. We also highlight and discuss the potential mechanisms underpinning the link between COPD and stroke, with a particular focus on the roles of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress.