Impact of systemic inflammatory markers in patients with ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer treated with crizotinib.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prognostic utility of inflammation-based prognostic scores in patients with ALK-positive metastatic or non-resectable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with crizotinib. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 82 patients with ALK-positive metastatic or non-resectable NSCLC who received ALK TKI crizotinib were included. Pre-treatment modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS), prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) were calculated. Multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the impact of pretreatment mGPS, PNI, and SII on overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and objective response rate (ORR). RESULTS: The ORR was 77.2%, while 1-year OS and PFS rates were 95.0% and 93.5%, respectively. The univariate analysis revealed significantly higher 1-year PFS (89.4 vs. 64.4%, p=0.043) and OS (92.0 vs. 83.3%, p=0.01) rates in patients with low (<934.7) vs. high (≥934.7) SII scores. Multivariate analysis revealed that PNI ≥0.09 was a significant determinant of poorer 1-year OS rates (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.88-4.85, p=0.035). No significant difference was observed in survival rates according to gender, age, smoking status, prior lines of therapy, or mGPS scores, while higher mGPS scores (odds ratio [OR]: 0.1, 95%CI 0.16-1.04; p=0.009) and higher PNI scores (OR: 0.16, 95% CI 0.02-0.55; p=0.035) were associated with poorer ORR. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate the prognostic significance of PNI and SII in terms of survival outcome and the impact of mGPS and PNI on treatment response in patients with ALK-positive NSCLC treated with crizotinib.

THE USE OF LOW DOSE PREDNISOLONE IN PATIENTS WITH SUBACUTE THYROIDITIS AND ITS EFFECT ON IMPAIRED LIFE AND SLEEP QUALITY.

Context: Subacute thyroiditis is an inflammatory thyroid disease, which is treated by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or steroids. Objective: Defining characteristics of patients with subacute thyroiditis at diagnosis and during follow-up. Investigating the efficacies of NSAID and different doses of steroids and their effects on rates of relapse, recurrence, development of hypothyroidism and on quality of life and sleep parameters. Design: A 3-year observational study in a tertiary referral center. Subjects and Methods: A total of 63 patients with subacute thyroiditis were included. Clinical outcomes of patients treated with NSAIDs and NSAID unresponsive patients treated with prednisolone with initial doses of 0.5 mg/kg/day and 15 mg/day were evaluated. Results: White blood cell count at diagnosis was an independent predictor of NSAID unresponsiveness. No relapse or recurrence was observed in patients receiving low dose of steroids. Long symptom duration until diagnosis and treatment with NSAIDs were associated with development of hypothyroidism. Subacute thyroiditis caused significant deterioration in quality of life and sleep of patients and low dose of steroid was as effective as higher doses in improving these parameters. Conclusions: For patients with no response to NSAID therapy, an initial low dose of prednisolone (15 mg/day) is determined as a safe treatment method when dose reduction is performed with appropriate timing.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN HASHIMOTO'S THYROIDITIS AND PAPILLARY THYROID CANCER: A SINGLE CENTER EXPERIENCE.

Purpose: To investigate the association between papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). Design: This study is a retrospective study that conducted during 7 consecutive years with a median 119.5 months follow-up. Subjects and Method: Patients who underwent thyroidectomy in Dokuz Eylül University Hospital during 7 consecutive years were included. Patients' demographics, biochemical, radiological, and pathological results were retrospectively assessed. Results: Four hundred sixty nine patients were evaluated. Among 469 patients who underwent thyroidectomy, 132 (28.1%) were malignant, while 182 patients were diagnosed with HT (38.8%). PTC was ranked first at 92.4% (n: 122). The prevalence of HT was 54.9% in patients with PTC and 33.1% in patients without PTC diagnosis (p<0.001). Younger age and the presence of HT were independently associated with PTC. The presence of HT was associated with increased risk of development of PTC (OR: 2.2, %95 CI: 1.4-3.5, p<0.001) but not with TNM stage or recurrence. Lymph node metastasis at presentation was the strongest predictor of recurrence (OR: 13.9, CI: 3.5-54.6, p<0.001). Conclusions: HT was an independent risk factor for development of PTC. According to our findings, HT patients (particularly with nodular HT) should be observed carefully and thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsy (TFNAB) should be encouraged if necessary.

Nutritional evaluation of non-traumatic patients admitted to the hospital from Emergency Department.

OBJECTIVE: Malnutrition is a common condition, especially among hospitalized patients which are overlooked by many clinicians. Malnutrition was found to be associated with increased hospitalization duration, increased admission frequency, increase in infection frequency and severity, bad wound healing, gait disturbances, fallings, and fractures. In this study, we aimed to determine malnutrition frequency in patients who were admitted to the emergency department for non-trauma causes and hospitalized. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 245 patients were admitted to the Emergency Department for non-trauma causes and hospitalized and 245 control group patients were included in this study. Hospitalized patients were assessed with NRS-2002 (Nutritional Risk Screening) and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Age, gender, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), malnutrition status, and wards of the patients were screened. RESULTS: 140 (57.1%) of the hospitalized patients had malnutrition according to NRS-2002 and MNA. There was a statistically significant difference between the control group and the hospitalized patients who were malnourished (Pearson chi-square test; p<0,001). There was a significant relation between hospitalized departments and malnutrition (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in age and height between hospitalized patients and the control group (p<0.0001) whereas no significant difference was found between the height and BMI (p>0.05). There was a significant relationship in terms of hospitalization and malnutrition. CONCLUSIONS: The nutritional state of the patients admitted to the emergency department for non-trauma conditions is an important factor and should not be overlooked.

No association of anti-osteoporosis drugs with COVID-19-related outcomes in women: a nationwide cohort study.

This study was performed to evaluate whether the use of drugs in the treatment of osteoporosis in women is associated with COVID-19 outcomes. The results showed that the risk of hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, and mortality was not altered in individuals taking anti-osteoporosis drugs, suggesting no safety issues during a COVID-19 infection. INTRODUCTION: Whether patients with COVID-19 receiving anti-osteoporosis drugs have lower risk of worse outcomes has not been reported yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of anti-osteoporosis drug use with COVID-19 outcomes in women. METHODS: Data obtained from a nationwide, multicenter, retrospective cohort of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from March 11th to May 30th, 2020 was retrieved from the Turkish Ministry of Health Database. Women 50 years or older with confirmed COVID-19 who were receiving anti-osteoporosis drugs were compared with a 1:1 propensity score-matched COVID-19 positive women who were not receiving these drugs. The primary outcomes were hospitalization, ICU (intensive care unit) admission, and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 1997 women on anti-osteoporosis drugs and 1997 control patients were analyzed. In the treatment group, 1787 (89.5%) women were receiving bisphosphonates, 197 (9.9%) denosumab, and 17 (0.9%) teriparatide for the last 12 months. Hospitalization and mortality rates were similar between the treatment and control groups. ICU admission rate was lower in the treatment group (23.0% vs 27.0%, p = 0.013). However, multivariate analysis showed that anti-osteoporosis drug use was not an independent associate of any outcome. Hospitalization, ICU admission, and mortality rates were similar among bisphosphonate, denosumab, or teriparatide users. CONCLUSION: Results of this nationwide study showed that preexisting use of anti-osteoporosis drugs in women did not alter the COVID-19-related risk of hospitalization, ICU admission, and mortality. These results do not suggest discontinuation of these drugs during a COVID-19 infection.

The effect of halofuginone and pirfenidone on wound healing in experimental glaucoma filtration surgery.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of halofuginone and pirfenidone on wound healing in experimental glaucoma filtration surgery (GFS). STUDY DESIGN: Animal experimentation. METHODS: A total of 42 male New Zealand albino rabbits were separated into 6 equal groups. A limbal-based trabeculectomy was performed on 5 groups, and Group I (control group) underwent no surgery and received no postoperative medication. For Group II (sham group), 1 drop 0.9% NaCl was instilled qid for 14 days. For Group III, 1% topical corticosteroid (prednisolone acetate) was instilled 1 drop qid for 14 days. For Group IV, 0.4mg/mL mitomycin-C (MMC) was applied intraoperatively to the region of the scleral flap. For Group V, 0.5% pirfenidone was instilled 1 drop qid for 14 days postoperatively. For Group VI, a sponge soaked in 10ng/mL halofuginone was applied to the surgical region for 3 mins. In addition, 1% topical corticosteroid was instilled ×1 drop qid for 14 days postoperatively for Groups IV, V and VI. After 14 days, sections prepared from the bleb regions of the enucleated eyes were evaluated histopathologically and immunohistochemically. Statistical analyses of the study were performed with Kruskal-Wallis variance analysis and the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: With regard to fibroblasts, suppression of the number of mononuclear cells and immunohistochemical staining intensity of transforming growth factor-b (TGF-ß), fibroblast growth factor-b (FGF-ß) and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), the corticosteroid, MMC, pirfenidone and halofuginone groups were seen to exhibit more effect than the sham group (P<0.05). Compared to the pirfenidone and fuginone groups, inhibition of fibroblast and monocyte proliferation was determined to be lower in the MMC group (P<0.05). The intensity of TGF-ß and FGF-ß staining was seen to be lower in these two treatment groups than in the MMC group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Halofuginone and pirfenidone may be used as effective alternative agents in delaying wound healing in glaucoma filtration surgery.

The Effects of Lung Ischaemia/Reperfusion on TRPM Gene Expression

ABSTRACT Objective: Transient receptor potential melastatin (TRPM) are integral membrane proteins that have broad range of cellular functions. Roles of TRPM2, TRPM3, TRPM4 and TRPM7 among these channels are very important, and their roles in lung ischaemia/reperfusion injury have not been evaluated yet. The aim of this study is to investigate the contribution of these genes in lung ischaemia/reperfusion injury and evaluate histopathology of tissues. Methods: A total of 40 Wistar albino rats were enrolled for the study. Ischaemia was performed by the application of an atramvatic clamp to pulmonary artery. Gene expressions were determined by the semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction method. Histopatholical evaluations were held by a standard haematoxyline-eosin staining. Results: The major histopathological tissue damage was observed in ischaemia performed groups, and expression of TRPM channels was found to be obviously downregulated. Substantial changes were determined between TRPM2, TRPM3, TRPM4 and TRPM7 and lung ischaemia/reperfusion injury. In particular, expression of TRPM2 and TRPM7 was reversibly downregulated in ischaemia. Yet, the expression of TRPM3 and TRPM4 was irreversibly down-regulated after ischaemia. Conclusion: Consequently, these results indicate that TRPM family of cation channels may have significant roles in the lung ischaemia/reperfusion injury.

Oxidative DNA Damage Is Increased in Living Kidney Donors.

BACKGROUND: Long-term consequences of donor nephrectomy might be reduced kidney function, increased risk for cardiovascular disease, and impaired quality of life. The purpose of the current cross-sectional study was to evaluate the relationship between clinical, laboratory, and donation-specific outcomes of living kidney donors and systemic oxidative DNA damage. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study and assessed retrospectively pre- and postdonation data from 60 donors who donated between 2010 and 2015. Plasma malondialdehyde levels and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine/deoxyguanosine ratio (8-OHdG/dG ratio) were determined as oxidative stress markers. Catalase, carbonic anhydrase, and paraoxonase (PON) activities were measured as antioxidants. RESULTS: Approximately 3 years after donation, the hypertensive donor ratio was 12%, and 11% of the donors had glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Mean serum urea (P = .001) and serum creatinine levels (P = .001) were increased; creatinine clearance level (126.2 ± 35.5 vs 94.6 ± 26.8, P = .001) was decreased in the postdonation period. There was a significant positive correlation between predonation serum urea and 8-0HdG/dG ratio (r = 0.338, P = .016) and predonation serum creatinine and 8-0HdG/dG ratio (r = 0.442, P = .001), while there was a significant negative correlation between serum creatinine and PON activity (r = -0.545, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Our data have demonstrated that kidney donors exhibit increased oxidative DNA damage and decreased antioxidant activity. We propose that predonation serum creatinine is positively correlated with 8-0HdG/dG ratio and negatively correlated with antioxidant PON activity. This is the first study to demonstrate that plasma oxidative DNA damage increases in healthy kidney donors.

Similar glycaemic control with less nocturnal hypoglycaemia in a 38-week trial comparing the IDegAsp co-formulation with insulin glargine U100 and insulin aspart in basal insulin-treated subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AIMS: To confirm non-inferiority of insulin degludec/insulin aspart (IDegAsp) once-daily (OD) versus insulin glargine (IGlar) U100 OD + insulin aspart (IAsp) OD for HbA1c after 26 weeks, and compare efficacy and safety between groups at W26 + W38. METHODS: A 38-week, randomised, open-label, treat-to-target (HbA1c < 7.0%) trial in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (on basal insulin ±â€¯oral antidiabetic drugs; HbA1c 7.0-10.0%). Randomisation (1:1): IDegAsp or IGlar U100 + IAsp. Intensification to IDegAsp twice daily (BID) was permitted at W26 + W32, or with additional IAsp injections at W26 (maximum IAsp BID) or W32 (maximum IAsp three-times daily). RESULTS: For W0-W26, mean percentage-change (standard deviation) HbA1c was: IDegAsp, -1.1 (0.9); IGlar U100 + IAsp, -1.1 (0.8); estimated treatment difference: 0.07% (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.06; 0.21) confirmed non-inferiority. At W26 and W38, target HbA1c achievement, and mean fasting and postprandial glucose were similar across groups. At W38, more subjects achieved target HbA1c without hypoglycaemia with IDegAsp (22.5%) than with IGlar U100 + IAsp (21.1%), with significantly fewer nocturnal episodes (W0-W38, estimated rate ratio: 0.61 [95% CI: 0.40; 0.93]). Safety profiles were similar across treatment groups throughout. CONCLUSIONS: IDegAsp OD/BID are effective treatment intensification options versus multiple injection basal-bolus therapies, achieving similar glycaemic control, with significantly less nocturnal hypoglycaemia.

Time-course changes of nLDL-induced erectile dysfunction.

Hyperlipidemia is an important risk factor for atherosclerosis and is frequently seen in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED). This study was designed to evaluate whether the acute effect of native low-density lipoprotein (nLDL) on intracavernosal pressure (ICP) is reversible and related to plasma asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA), endogenous inhibition of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) levels and eNOS expression in cavernous tissues. Hyperlipidemia was induced by a single dose of intravenous 4 mg kg-1 nLDL. Experiments were performed 72 h (72H), 2 weeks (2W) and 8 weeks (8W) after nLDL injection. Endothelium-dependent relaxations, the ratio of ICP to mean arterial pressure (MAP; ICP/MAP), plasma ADMA levels and eNOS mRNA and protein levels were evaluated. The ICP/MAP ratio decreased in both the 2W and 8W groups. Endothelium-dependent relaxation responses to acetylcholine in the rat thoracic aorta were damaged in the 8W group. Plasma ADMA levels increased in the 8W group. mRNA expression of eNOS decreased in a time-dependent manner, whereas the protein expression increased. These results suggest that acute nLDL injection-induced impairments in erectile functions during an 8-week period are irreversible and might be related to an increase in ADMA levels and changes in the regulation of the eNOS/NO pathway.

Increased Oxidative Stress in Living Kidney Donors: Correlation of Renal Functions With Antioxidant Capacity.

BACKGROUND: Substantial attention has recently been paid to the possibility of an increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in living kidney donors. It has been demonstrated that CKD patients suffer from increased oxidative stress, which have been reported to show a strong association with several clinical problems such as accelerated atherosclerosis. The purpose of the current cross-sectional, single-center study was to evaluate the relationship between renal functions of living kidney donors and systemic oxidative stress. METHODS: A total of 55 living kidney donors operated at least 1 year ago and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were enrolled in this study. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined as oxidative stress marker. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were measured as antioxidants. Renal function parameters and proteinuria were also assessed. RESULTS: Mean serum creatinine levels were higher (P = .022) and 24-hour creatinine clearance was lower (P = .016) in living kidney donors compared with healthy controls. Serum MDA levels were higher (P = .034), and SOD and GPx activities were lower (P = .023 and P < .001, respectively). There was a significant positive correlation between serum GPx activity and 24-hour creatinine clearance levels (r = 0.524, P < .01). A linear regression analysis showed that serum GPx activity was still significantly and positively correlated with creatinine clearance (regression coefficient = 0.416, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrated that living kidney donors exhibit slightly reduced kidney function, increased oxidative stress, and decreased antioxidant activity. We propose that 24-hour creatinine clearance is positively correlated with antioxidant enzyme GPx. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the association between renal functions and antioxidant activity in kidney donors.

Investigation of In vitro Mineral forming bacterial isolates from supragingival calculus.

AIM: Although it is known that bacterial mechanisms are involved in dental calculus formation, which is a predisposing factor in periodontal diseases, there have been few studies of such associations, and therefore, information available is limited. The purpose of this study was to isolate and identify aerobic bacteria responsible for direct calcification from supragingival calculus samples. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted using supragingival calculus samples from patients with periodontal disease, which was required as part of conventional treatment. Isolations were performed by sampling the supragingival calculus with buffer and inoculating the samples on media on which crystallization could be observed. The 16S recombinant DNA of the obtained pure cultures was then amplified and sequenced. RESULTS: A few bacterial species that have not previously been associated with mineralization or identified on bacterial plaque or calculus were detected. The bacteria that caused mineralization an aerobic environment are identified as Neisseria flava, Aggregatibacter segnis, Streptococcus tigurinus, and Morococcus cerebrosus. CONCLUSION: These findings proved that bacteria potentially play a role in the etiopathology of supragingival calculus. The association between the effects of the identified bacteria on periodontal diseases and calculus formation requires further studies.

The analgesic effect of diclofenac sodium administered via the epidural route in an experimental visceral pain model.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of the analgesic effect of diclofenac sodium injected epidurally in single or repeated doses and whether tolerance develops in long-term use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 rats were included in the study. The rats were anesthetized using intraperitoneal ketamine hydrochloride and an epidural catheter (EC) was inserted at the level of 13th dorsal thoraco-lumbar vertebrae (T13). Eleven rats were excluded from the study. The remaining 19 rats were randomly divided into three groups; Group Control (Group C) (n = 6) received 20 µL normal saline solution (NS) via EC for 10 days; Group Single Dose (Group SD) (n = 6) received 20 µL NS for 9 days and 6 µg diclofenac via EC on 10th day; Group Ten Doses (Group TDs) (n = 7) received 6 µg diclofenac via EC in 20 µL NS for 10 days. On the 10th day, 30 min after epidural diclofenac sodium, 300 mg/kg of 3% acetic acid was injected via intraperitoneal route, and the rats were observed for 30 min and number of writhing reflex (WR) was recorded. RESULTS: The values of total number of Writhing Reflex (WRT) and Writhing reflex per minute(WR/min) were found to be significantly higher in Group C compared with Groups SD and TD (P = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Single and repeated doses of diclofenac sodium via epidural route have an analgesic effect in a visceral pain model in rats without developing tolerance.

Familial partial lipodystrophy linked to a novel peroxisome proliferator activator receptor -γ (PPARG) mutation, H449L: a comparison of people with this mutation and those with classic codon 482 Lamin A/C (LMNA) mutations.

AIMS: To describe the phenotype associated with a novel heterozygous missense PPARG mutation discovered in a Turkish family and to compare the fat distribution and metabolic characteristics of subjects with the peroxisome proliferator activator receptor -γ (PPARG) mutation with those of a cluster of patients with familial partial lipodystrophy with classic codon 482 Lamin A/C (LMNA) mutations. METHODS: The study involved four subjects with familial partial lipodystrophy who had a novel PPARG mutation (H449L) and six subjects with classic codon 482 LMNA mutations (R482W). RESULTS: Compared with subjects with LMNA R482W mutation, fat loss was generally less prominent in subjects with the PPARG H449L mutation. Partial fat loss was limited to the extremities, whilst truncal fat mass was preserved. The PPARG H449L mutation was associated with insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridaemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in all affected subjects, but the severity was variable. Three out of four mutation carriers had overt diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance. Pioglitazone therapy in these three individuals resulted in a modest improvement in their metabolic control, and regular menstrual cycles in the two female subjects. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that relatively modest fat loss in patients with PPARG mutations may render the recognition of the syndrome more difficult in routine clinical practice. The PPARG H449L mutation is associated with insulin resistance and metabolic complications, but their severity is variable among the affected subjects.

Early Allograft Function in Renal Transplant Recipients: Is it Affected by Volatile Anesthetics?

BACKGROUND: Different inhalational anesthetics have various hemodynamic effects, either on the global circulation or on renal perfusion. The purpose of the current retrospective, single-center study was to evaluate allograft function of renal transplant recipients after transplantation surgery under either sevoflurane or isoflurane anesthesia. METHODS: From January 2004 through February 2014, a total of 240 patients undergoing renal transplantation were retrospectively enrolled in this study. The recipients were categorized into a sevoflurane or isoflurane group based on the type of volatile anesthetic used. The evaluated outcomes were serum urea and creatinine values and volume of diuresis at day 14 after transplantation. RESULTS: There were no differences between the 2 anesthesia groups regarding age, gender, duration and etiology of end-stage renal disease, duration and type of dialysis regimen, and source of transplantation (living or cadaveric). Length of hospitalization was higher in the sevoflurane group when compared with the isoflurane group (21.64 ± 11.55 days vs 17.35 ± 8.06 days; P = .033). Similarly, the sevoflurane group had more postoperative complications then the isoflurane group. Although serum creatinine levels were similar between the 2 groups, the serum level of urea was higher (89.56 ± 47.60 mg/dL vs 76.85 ± 65.42 mg/dL; P = .038) and the volume of diuresis was lower (3718.00 ± 2558.94 mL/24 hours vs 4991.25 ± 2861.90 mL/24 hours; P = .042) in the sevoflurane group when compared with the isoflurane group. CONCLUSION: Our data seem to suggest a potential role of isoflurane for improving allograft function and reducing complications more safely than sevoflurane as a volatile anesthetic in patients undergoing renal transplantation.

Stress Coping Strategies in Hemodialysis and Kidney Transplant Patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the levels of anxiety and depression, and stress coping strategies used by hemodialysis and kidney transplant patients. METHODS: This study included 138 hemodialysis patients treated at the two private dialysis centers and 76 kidney transplantation patients followed up at the private hospital. Data were collected with socio-demographic characteristics, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (COPE). RESULTS: The anxiety and depression scores were significantly lower among the transplant group versus the hemodialysis patients. The use of non-functional coping strategies was higher among the patients who were treated with hemodialysis, compared to the renal transplantation patients. The use of problem focused and emotional focused coping strategies were higher among the renal transplant patients, compared to hemodialysis patients. When all participants were evaluated together, turning to religion was the most frequent coping strategy followed by active coping, and positive reinterpretation. In hemodialysis patients, there was a significantly negative correlation between age and problem-focused, emotion-focused and non-functional coping strategies. In contrast, the correlation between education level and both problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies was significantly positive. In transplant patients, gender and education level were significantly negative correlated with emotion-focused coping strategies. CONCLUSION: The results of data analysis showed that the hemodialysis patients used fewer functional coping strategies and had more anxiety and depression than kidney transplant patients. It would be helpful to know an individual's coping strategies in the case of a stressful situation in order to determine treatment goals and monitor therapeutic efficacy.

Cancer Screening of Renal Transplant Patients Undergoing Long-Term Immunosuppressive Therapy.

OBJECTIVE: With this study we aimed to research the effects of immunosuppressive drugs, their cumulative doses, and viral infections on development of malign tumors in patients who have undergone treatment for 5 years. METHODS: We examined 100 patients who underwent renal transplantation from 2004 to 2009. Patients had mycophenolate mofetil and steroid in addition to cyclosporine, sirolimus, or tacrolimus as immunosuppressive treatment. For malignancy screening, physical examination, radiologic and endoscopic screening were done, and immunosuppressive drugs and their cumulative doses, age, sex, body mass index (BMI), dialysis history, and viral infection history were investigated. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 42.03 ± 11.30 years. There were 1 colon cancer patient, 1 retroperitoneal liposarcoma, 1 renal oncocytoma, 3 Kaposi sarcoma patients treated with cyclosporine; in those treated with Tac there were 1 basal cell carcinoma, 1 Kaposi sarcoma, 2 thyroid carcinoma, 1 breast carcinoma, 1 bladder carcinoma, 1 renal cell carcinoma, and 1 colon carcinoma patients. The mean age of patients having carcinoma was statistically significant compared with those without cancer (P < .01). The prednisolone cumulative dose was significantly higher in carcinoma patients than in patients without carcinoma (P < .01). RESULTS: The use of long-term chronic immunosuppressive therapy may increase the development of cancer. The risk of carcinoma increases with increasing drug dose and time period of the immunosuppressive drug. There was not a negative effect on cancer prevalence in patients with cyclosporine or tacrolimus. But the cumulative dose of steroids significantly increased malignancy occurence.

Effects of low-level laser therapy on osteoblastic bone formation and relapse in an experimental rapid maxillary expansion model.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on osteoblastic bone formation and relapse during expansion of rat palatal sutures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two Wistar rats were randomly allocated into two groups of 16 rats each. In the first group, LLLT was applied 4 days after expansion commenced. Seven days after expansion, retainers were applied for 10 days. The second group was similarly treated, with the exception of laser therapy. All rats were sacrificed on day 7 (n = 1) (the end of the expansion period; laser group (LG) 1 [LLLT 1] and control group (CG) 1 [control 1]) and day 17 (n = 8) (the end of the retention period; LG 2 [LLLT 2] and CG 2 [control 2]) for histological assessment. RESULTS: The LLLT 1 group had significantly higher numbers of osteoclasts than did the control 1 group (P = 0.036). No significant between-group difference in osteoblast cell or capillary numbers was evident when day 7 and 17 data were compared. CONCLUSION: Histologically, LLLT stimulated bone formation, as revealed by analysis after the retention period. LLLT during expansion may accelerate bone healing.

Ketamine is toxic to chondrocyte cell cultures.

Ketamine has been used in combination with a variety of other agents for intra-articular analgesia, with promising results. However, although it has been shown to be toxic to various types of cell, there is no available information on the effects of ketamine on chondrocytes. We conducted a prospective randomised controlled study to evaluate the effects of ketamine on cultured chondrocytes isolated from rat articular cartilage. The cultured cells were treated with 0.125 mM, 0.250 mM, 0.5 mM, 1 mM and 2 mM of ketamine respectively for 6 h, 24 hours and 48 hours, and compared with controls. Changes of apoptosis were evaluated using fluorescence microscopy with a 490 nm excitation wavelength. Apoptosis and eventual necrosis were seen at each concentration. The percentage viability of the cells was inversely proportional to both the duration and dose of treatment (p = 0.002 and p = 0.009). Doses of 0.5 mM, 1 mM and 2mM were absolutely toxic. We concluded that in the absence of solid data to support the efficacy of intra-articular ketamine for the control of pain, and the toxic effects of ketamine on cultured chondrocytes shown by this study, intra-articular ketamine, either alone or in combination with other agents, should not be used to control pain. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014; 96-B:989-94.

Effect of verapamil and lidocaine on TRPM and NaV1.9 gene expressions in renal ischemia-reperfusion.

BACKGROUND: To determine effects on calcium and sodium channels of Ca(2+) and Na(+) channel blockers in the present study, expression levels of TRPM1, TRPM2, TRPM3, TRPM4, TRPM5, TRPM6, TRPM7, TRPM8, and NaV1.9 genes were evaluated in kidney tissues after induced ischemia-reperfusion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty albino Wistar male rats were equally divided into 4 groups as follows: group I: control group (n = 10), group II: ischemia group (60 minutes of ischemia + 48 hours of reperfusion; n = 10), group III: ischemia (60 minutes of ischemia + 48 hours of reperfusion) + calcium channel blocker (n = 8), group IV: ischemia (60 minutes of ischemia + 48 hours of reperfusion) + sodium channel blocker (n = 8). RESULTS: When compared to ischemia group expression levels of TRPM2, TRPM4, TRPM6, and NaV1.9 in Ca(2+) and Na(+) channel blocker groups were increased, whereas that of TRPM7 was decreased. However, expression levels of TRPM1, TRPM3, TRPM5, and TRPM8 were not determined in kidney tissue. Histologically, the Ca(2+) channel blocker verapamil and the Na(+) channel blocker lidocaine inhibited the cell death in kidney tissue compared to control. CONCLUSION: Our study suggested that verapamil and lidocaine significantly reduce the degree of ischemia-reperfusion injury due to effects to TRPM and Nav1.9 genes.