Merve Aldikactioglu Talmac

Dr. Merve Aldikactioglu Talmac

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

10Years (2017-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 October 2017 in International Journal of Gynecological Cancer
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
ECEmel Canaz
Emel Canaz
EOEser Sefik Ozyurek
Eser Sefik Ozyurek
BEBaki Erdem
Baki Erdem
MTMerve Aldikactioglu Talmac
Merve Aldikactioglu Talmac
IOIpek Yildiz Ozaydin
Ipek Yildiz Ozaydin
VUVolkan Ulker
Volkan Ulker

1 January 2021 in Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
GYGonca yetkin yıldırım
Gonca yetkin yıldırım
NKNadiye köroğlu
Nadiye köroğlu
AAAysu Akca
Aysu Akca
MTMerve Aldikactioglu Talmac
Merve Aldikactioglu Talmac
SDSelin Dikmen
Selin Dikmen
IOIsmail Ozdemir
Ismail Ozdemir
To identify changing trends in peripartum hysterectomy (PH), both elective. cesarean hysterectomy and emergency cesarean hysterectomy, at a single training and research hospital over the last 17 years in Istanbul, Turkey. A retrospective cohort study was performed between January 2001 and September 2017. The records of all patients who had PH at Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital were analyzed. There were 243 cases of PH during the study period. A total of 266,386 births occurred, of which 60.1% were vaginal deliveries and 39.8% were cesarean sections. The incidence of PH increased from 0.67 per 1000 deliveries to 1.14 per 1000 deliveries during 2001-2008 and 2009-2017, respectively, with an overall incidence of 0.91 per 1000 deliveries during the 17 years. The main indication for PH changed significantly during this time from uterine atony (57.1%) to placenta accreta spectrum (85%). About 37% of women who underwent PH had at least one previous cesarean delivery during 2001-2008, whereas that percentage increased to 95.4% during 2009-2017. Placenta accreta spectrum was the leading cause of PH and was associated with significant maternal morbidity and mortality.

7 October 2023 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Selim AfsarSelim Afsar
Selim Afsar
GTGulay Turan
Gulay Turan
GGGURHAN GUNEY
GURHAN GUNEY
GŞGÖZDE ŞAHİN
GÖZDE ŞAHİN
MTMerve Aldikactioglu Talmac
Merve Aldikactioglu Talmac
CACigdem Afsar
Cigdem Afsar
Objective: The current study aimed to delineate the relationship between furin and chronic inflammation while cervical intraepithelial neoplasia progresses to cancer. Study Design: This cross-sectional study included 81 women who required colposcopic examinations. The study groups were formed based on pathological results: Group I included women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) I (n = 30); Group II included women with CIN II-III (n = 28); and Group III included women with cervical cancer (CC) (n = 23). Furin, ki-67, and p16 levels were evaluated based on immunostaining intensity. The inflammatory indices were calculated in parallel with the literature from routine blood samples retrieved within one week before the procedure. Results: Furin expression gradually increased from CIN I to CIN II-III and from CIN II-III to CC, respectively (p < 0.001, p = 0.005). NLR, MLR, PLR, and SII were significantly higher in the CC group (p < 0.001). ROC curve analysis unveiled that NLR, MLR, PLR, and SII predicted the presence of CC with a cutoff value of 2.39 for NLR (sensitivity: 91.3%, specificity: 63.8%, AUROC: 0.79, p < 0.001); a cutoff value of 0.27 for MLR (sensitivity: 78.3%, specificity: 72.4%, AUROC: 0.77, p = 0.009); a cutoff value of 123 for PLR (sensitivity: 100%, specificity: 41.4%, AUROC: 0.70, p = 0.04); and a cutoff value of 747 for SII (sensitivity: 69.6%, specificity: 90.7%, AUROC: 0.71, p = 0.014). Conclusion: Furin expression increased gradually in parallel with the severity of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. The inflammatory indices were higher in the presence of CC and denoted a good discrimination ability for predicting cervical cancer.

13 January 2024 in Saudi Medical Journal
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MTMerve Aldikactioglu Talmac
Merve Aldikactioglu Talmac
SYSeyma C. Yuksek
Seyma C. Yuksek
SASelim Afsar
Selim Afsar
ABAysegul Bestel
Aysegul Bestel
IGIzel Gunay
Izel Gunay
IOIsmail Ozdemir
Ismail Ozdemir
Objectives: To examine the contraceptive preferences of women based on their age and to track changes in these preferences over time. Methods: This was an observational, retrospective cross-sectional study. Data from 2742 patients were evaluated for this study. The patient group of the first 4 years was classified as Group I (n=1371) and the last 4 years was classified as Group II (n=1371). The preferred contraception methods between the groups and their changes across the years were examined. Results: Coitus interruptus was found to be the prevailing contraceptive method across all age groups, with 304 (70.9%) in 18-24 age group; 1314 (65.4%) in 25-40 age group; and 148 (48.8%) in 41-53 age group using this method. Breastfeeding rates were also analyzed across age groups, revealing that 11% of patients aged 18-24 years, 5% of patients aged 25-40 years, and 1.7% of patients aged 41-53 years were breastfeeding. Among these patients, 114 (74.5%) were not using any contraception method, while coitus interruptus remained the most popular choice. Conclusion: It was determined that there are many couples who do not have sufficient knowledge regarding family planning and birth control in our country. At the same time, the use of birth control methods has increased due to the increase in the education level of women and easier access to sexual health services.

1 January 2023 in SiSli Etfal Hastanesi Tip Bulteni / The Medical Bulletin of Sisli Hospital
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
MTMerve Aldikactioglu Talmac
Merve Aldikactioglu Talmac
TCTolga Ciftpinar
Tolga Ciftpinar
MOMerve Sam Ozdemir
Merve Sam Ozdemir
AYAytul Hande Yardimci
Aytul Hande Yardimci
IGIzel Gunay
Izel Gunay
NKNilufer Cetinkaya Kocadal
Nilufer Cetinkaya Kocadal
Evaluate the effectiveness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), blood parameters, and tumor markers to determine the role of objective criteria in distinguishing malignant, borderline, and benign masses and to minimize unnecessary surgical interventions by reducing interpretation differences. The histopathological and clinical–laboratory results of the patients who underwent surgery for the initial diagnosis and whose ovarian masses were confirmed were retrospectively reviewed. Between groups, age, cancer antigen 125, mean platelet volume (MPV), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), the presence of ascites, the ovarian-adnexal reporting and data system MRI scores, mass characteristics, and lymphocyte count were compared. The study comprised a total of 191 patients. These patients were categorized into three groups: Benign (n=113), borderline (n=26), and malignant (n=52). No noteworthy correlation was detected between the unilocular or multilocular nature of solid, cystic, or mixed masses and the rates of NLR, PLR, or MPV. However, a notable correlation was identified between NLR and the presence of acidity (p=0.003). In ovarian cancer patients, there was no significant difference in NLR and MPV between malignant epithelial and malignant sex cord-stromal types (p>0.05), whereas a significant difference emerged in the PLR ratio (p=0.013). In ovarian masses with malignant potential, laboratory parameters such as NLR and PLR can guide the diagnosis process. In the future, various studies such as the development of different tests, markers, and imaging methods, the use of blood tests such as NLR, PLR, and MPV in cancer diagnosis will be possible. The results of these studies may contribute to the development of new methods for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer and the improvement of treatment protocols.

25 March 2026 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
NVNazlı Aylin Vural
Nazlı Aylin Vural
MTMerve Aldikactioglu Talmac
Merve Aldikactioglu Talmac
IGIzel Günay
Izel Günay
IYIlkbal Temel Yuksel
Ilkbal Temel Yuksel
GGGazi Güner
Gazi Güner
NCNilufer CETINKAYA
Nilufer CETINKAYA
Purpose: To describe clinical and virologic outcomes after topical 5% imiquimod for VaIN (vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia) within routine clinical practice, including the assessment of available post-treatment high-risk HPV status, and to evaluate its relationship with treatment outcomes. Methods: In this retrospective-cohort study, twenty patients with histologically confirmed VaIN (low-grade VaIN = 10, high-grade VaIN = 10) were evaluated between October 2020 and October 2022. The treatment varied based on the initial VaIN grade. The primary endpoint was complete response, defined as negative cytology and/or benign follow-up biopsy. Secondary endpoints included partial response (downgrading from high-grade to low-grade), persistence/progression, adverse events, and available post-treatment high-risk HPV status. Results: Among seventeen evaluable patients, a complete response was observed in 69.2% (9/13) imiquimod-treated patients. In high-grade VaIN imiquimod-treated patients, complete response was observed in 66.7% (6/9), while 33.3% (3/9) downgraded to low-grade VaIN on biopsy as a secondary outcome, with no persistence over a median follow-up of 24 months. Low-grade VaIN showed 75% clearance with either imiquimod or observation at a median follow-up of 24 months. In one low-grade imiquimod-treated, persistent HPV16 was observed, and the lesion progressed to high-grade VaIN; however, no invasive cancers were observed during follow-up. Adverse events related to imiquimod were mild; there were no discontinuations. Among baseline high-risk HPV positive imiquimod-treated patients, post-treatment follow-up HPV testing was available in a limited subset group, and clearance was confirmed in 44% (4/9) among those with follow-up testing and presented descriptively as exploratory. Conclusions: In this single-center retrospective cohort, outcomes after topical 5% imiquimod are reported as observed findings. Complete and partial responses were observed in high-grade VaIN with acceptable tolerability and no invasive events at available intermediate follow-up (median 24 months). Post-treatment HPV testing provided complementary virologic information alongside clinical outcomes, consistent with recommendations incorporating HPV testing into VaIN follow-up, and longer surveillance is required to assess long-term oncologic outcomes.