Comparison of Gemcitabine monotherapy with Gemcitabine and Cisplatin combination in metastatic pancreatic cancer: a retrospective analysis.

PURPOSE: Gemcitabine is among the standard first-line agents for the treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer. However, as the median survival with gemcitabine monotherapy is 6 months, different combinations are being studied for better, prolonged survival. In this multicenter study, we aimed to compare the results of gemcitabine monotherapy with those of gemcitabine and cisplatin combination therapy as first-line treatments for metastatic pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Data of 664 patients diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer between January 2007 and December 2016 from seven oncology centers in Turkey were retrospectively evaluated, and 319 patients with gemcitabine alone (n=138) or gemcitabine and cisplatin combination (n=181) as first-line treatment were included. RESULTS: The median patient age was 62 years (range 42-79), being 60 years (42-75) in the gemcitabine/cisplatin arm and 67 years (52-79) in gemcitabine alone arm. no complete response was observed in either arm, whereas partial response rates were 30.1% in gemcitabine/cisplatin arm and 15.3% in gemcitabine alone arm (p=0.001). median overall survival was 8 months (95% CI:7.7-10.2) and was significantly longer in the gemcitabine/cisplatin arm than in the gemcitabine alone arm (10 vs. 6 months, p=0.004). CONCLUSION: The cemcitabine and cisplatin combination therapy as first-line treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer yields significantly prolonged survival over gemcitabine monotherapy. In patients with favorable performance conditions, the combination therapy should be preferred.

Relationship Between Preoperative Anxiety and Atrial Fibrillation After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation is a form of arrhythmia that frequently occurs after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Psychological factors may be involved in the development of atrial fibrillation, although the specific effect of anxiety remains unclear. PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between preoperative anxiety levels and atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. METHODS: This descriptive design study recruited a sample of 126 patients. The data were collected by the researcher using a patient information form and the State-Trait Anxiety Scale. RESULTS: Atrial fibrillation developed in 26.5% of the sample. Those who developed atrial fibrillation had a mean trait anxiety scale score of 40.2 ± 7.8, which is statistically significant. According to the results of logistic regression, it was observed that increased trait anxiety score, increased age, presence of comorbid disease, and noncompliance with respiratory physiotherapy increased the risk of developing atrial fibrillation. CONCLUSION/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Preoperative anxiety levels were shown to be a significant factor promoting the development of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The results support measuring anxiety levels in patients as a standard procedure before performing this surgical procedure.

Development of in House ELISAs to Detect Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in Infected and Vaccinated Humans by Using Recombinant S, S1 and RBD Proteins.

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to produce in-house ELISAs which can be used to determine SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody levels directed against the spike protein (S), the S1 subunit of S and the receptor binding domain (RBD) of S in SARS-CoV-2 vaccinated and infected humans. (2) Methods: Three in-house ELISAs were developed by using recombinant proteins of SARS-CoV-2, namely the S, S1 and RBD proteins. Specificity and sensitivity evaluations of these tests were performed using sera from SARS-CoV-2-infected (n = 70) and SARS-CoV-2-vaccinated (n = 222; CoronaVac vaccine) humans in Istanbul, Turkey. The analyses for the presence of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies were performed using the in-house ELISAs, a commercial ELISA (Abbott) and a commercial surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT). We also analyzed archival human sera (n = 50) collected before the emergence of COVID-19 cases in Turkey. (3) Results: The sensitivity of the in-house S, S1 and RBD ELISAs was found to be 88.44, 90.17 and 95.38%, while the specificity was 72.27, 89.08 and 89.92%, respectively, when compared to the commercial SARS-CoV-2 antibody test kit. The area under curve (AUC) values were 0.777 for the in-house S ELISA, 0.926 for the S1 ELISA, and 0.959 for the RBD ELISA. The kappa values were 0.62, 0.79 and 0.86 for the S, S1 and RBD ELISAs, respectively. (4) Conclusions: The in-house S1 and RBD ELISAs developed in this study have acceptable performance characteristics in terms of sensitivity, specificity, AUC and kappa values. In particular, the RBD ELISA seems viable to determine SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody levels, both in infected and vaccinated people, and help mitigate SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks and spread.

Oenanthe incrassans: An enigmatic species from Turkey and its comparison with Oenanthe pimpinelloides (Apiaceae).

Oenanthe incrassans (Apiaceae) was discovered in Istanbul, Turkey. It is related to Oenanthe pimpinelloides, but it clearly differs in terms of leaves, inflorescence (ray, bracts, and bracteoles) and fruit features. A taxonomic description, some photographs of the species, geographical distribution and habitat features are given. Additionally, fruit micromorphology, stem, ray and fruit anatomy, and pollen features are studied for the first time and compared to Oenanthe pimpinelloides.

Oenanthe millefolia (Umbelliferae), a new species record for the Turkish and Greek Flora.

Oenanthe millefolia (Apiaceae), which is presented as a new recorded species for the Turkish flora, was discovered for the first time in Kirklareli province of Turkey. It is also reported as a new species for the Greek flora based on an unidentified specimen which was collected from the Thrace region of Greece. In this study, an expanded morphological description, the geographical distribution, the habitat properties and the ecological features of the species are exhibited with illustrative figures. Moreover, the micromorphological and anatomical characters of the fruits and the anatomical properties of the stem, petiole, leaves and the palynological features of Oenanthe millefolia are determined and described for the first time.

Quadruple test parameters in art pregnancies.

AIM: Quadruple test is used for Down's syndrome screening in the second trimester of pregnancy. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in quadruple test parameters between pregnancies achieved by assisted reproductive treatments (ART) and spontaneous conception. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively compared levels of alfa-fetoprotein (AFP), unconjugated Estriol (uE3), inhibin-A and hCG and also screen positive test results. RESULTS: Levels of all quadruple test parameters were statistically significantly increased in ART pregnancies when compared to spontaneous pregnancies, AFP was 1.4±0.74 and 1.16±0.53, (p=0.001), uE3 was 1.10±0.37 and 1.00±0.28, (p=0.004), hCG was 1.56±1.04 and 1.26±0.76, (p=0.001), inhibin A was 1.38±0.76 and 1.08±0.57, (p=0.001), screen positive tests were nearly doubled (4.8% and 8.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Increased screen positive test results and quadruple test parameters in ART pregnancies may lead to unnecessary amniocentesis.

ISO 15189 accreditation: Requirements for quality and competence of medical laboratories, experience of a laboratory I.

AIM: Medical laboratories are the key partners in patient safety. Laboratory results influence 70% of medical diagnoses. Quality of laboratory service is the major factor which directly affects the quality of health care. The clinical laboratory as a whole has to provide the best patient care promoting excellence. METHODS: International Standard ISO 15189, based upon ISO 17025 and ISO 9001 standards, provides requirements for competence and quality of medical laboratories. Accredited medical laboratories enhance credibility and competency of their testing services. Our group of laboratories, one of the leading institutions in the area, had previous experience with ISO 9001 and ISO 17025 Accreditation at non-medical sections. We started to prepared for ISO 15189 Accreditation at the beginning of 2006 and were certified in March, 2007. We spent more than a year to prepare for accreditation. RESULTS: Accreditation scopes of our laboratory were as follows: clinical chemistry, hematology, immunology, allergology, microbiology, parasitology, molecular biology of infection serology and transfusion medicine. The total number of accredited tests is 531. We participate in five different PT programs. Inter Laboratory Comparison (ILC) protocols are performed with reputable laboratories. 82 different PT Program modules, 277 cycles per year for 451 tests and 72 ILC program organizations for remaining tests have been performed. Our laboratory also organizes a PT program for flow cytometry. 22 laboratories participate in this program, 2 cycles per year. Our laboratory has had its own custom made WEB based LIS system since 2001. We serve more than 500 customers on a real time basis. Our quality management system is also documented and processed electronically, Document Management System (DMS), via our intranet. CONCLUSION: Preparatory phase for accreditation, data management, external quality control programs, personnel related issues before, during and after accreditation process are presented. Every laboratory has to concentrate on patient safety issues related to laboratory testing and should perform quality improvement projects.