Investigation of usage, attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine among cancer patients in Turkey during COVID-191.

BACKGROUND: Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) are being uses more often with cancer patients. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate attitudes, use and influencing factors of CAM among cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on 407 cancer patients in Turkey. The study was conducted during July-September 2021 using a Questionnaire that included a Complementary, Alternative and Conventional Medicine Attitude Scale (CACMAS). Pearson's Chi-Squared Test, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal Wallis, and logistic regression were all utilized. RESULTS: The findings revealed that 76.2% of the participants stated that they used CAM methods while undergoing cancer treatment, and 65.2% of those who did so kept from sharing this information to medical professionals. Phytotherapy was the most common CAM method used by patients. The use of CAM was found to be significantly higher among those who were 55-64 years of age, married, secondary school graduates, non-smokers, CAM users before their cancer diagnosis, and who had a family history of cancer (p <  0.05). The participants' average CACMAS scores were 112.20±16.53. Among those who used CAM during treatment, non-smoking, overweight-obese participants had higher CACMAS scores (p <  0.05). CONCLUSION: Due to the high prevalence of CAM usage among cancer patients and possible interaction effects with chemotherapy medications, it is important for healthcare professionals to assess and educate cancer patients regarding CAM use. Additional research is needed to determine potential interactions, as well as pros and cons of CAM use during cancer treatment.

The relationship between internet addiction and physical activity levels of university students in a province in eastern Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Internet addiction and physical inactivity are often a major public health problem. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the relationship between internet addiction (IA) and physical activity (PA) levels of university students in a province in eastern Turkey. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 638 students. Internet Addiction Test (IAT), and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were administered. Chi-square, independent sample t-test, correlation analysis, one-way analysis of variance tests (ANOVA), Tukey HSD test, and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed. RESULTS: 64.6% of the participants were female, with a mean age of 20.4±2.4 and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 22.3±3.5. 83.4% of the participants were identified as those asymptomatic, 15.2% showed limited symptoms, and 1.4% were pathological internet users according to IAT. A statistically significant difference was found between IAT scores and gender, mother's education level, father's education level, academic success, smoking status, and alcohol use (p < 0.05). According to IPAQ scores, 28.1% of the students were inactive, 56.3% were moderate PA and 15.7% had vigorous PA levels. IPAQ total scores of male participants, smokers, and participants with exercise habits were found to be significantly higher (p < 0.05). The mean score IAT and IPAQ was found to be 30.9±18.9 and 1697.7±1847.0. A negative, significant correlation was found between students' PA and IA levels (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: It has been observed that IA negatively affects PA. Seminars, conferences, and panels on the internet and physical activity should be organized for university students.

BRAF V600 Mutation Profile of Metastatic Melanoma in the Thrace Region of Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: BRAF is the most common mutation in melanoma. The most common subtype is BRAF V600E, followed by V600K. Initially, the authors aimed to investigate whether clinicopathological features of melanoma are associated with BRAF mutations. We then aimed to present the relationships between the clinicopathological features and the mutated subtype (V600E vs V600K). MATERIAL AND METHOD: 61 patients with metastatic malignant melanoma (affecting the lymph node or other distant sites) were selected. Patient data regarding age at the time of diagnosis, sex, metastatic site (lymph node, distant metastasis or both) and primary tumour site were obtained from the hospital's database. Tissue samples containing at least 30% tumour cells were isolated from the specimens of 61 patients (24 samples from primary tumours and 37 from metastatic foci) for BRAF analysis. Comparisons between the BRAF V600 mutation and clinicopathological and histopathological features were performed. RESULTS: BRAF V600 mutation was detected in 34 (55.7%) patients. The subtype was BRAF V600E in 22 (64.7%) patients, BRAF V600K in 11(32.4%) patients and BRAF V600R in 1(2.9%) patient. The crucial results of the present study may be summarized as follows: i) BRAF V600 mutation was more common in older patients and tumors with BRAF V600 mutation revealed necrosis and LVI more commonly than wild-type tumors, ii) BRAF V600K mutation was more common in older patients and BRAF V600K mutated tumors exhibited ulceration more commonly than tumors with BRAF V600E mutation (close to significant). CONCLUSION: The BRAF V600 mutation may have interactions with prognostic clinicoptahological features of melanoma including necrosis and lymphovascular invasion. V600K mutation may be more common than expected and may have different associations with properties of the tumor such as tumor ulceration and patient age. Investigation of the mutated subtype of the BRAF gene may therefore reveal more detailed data about the management of melanoma and may also prevent missing of candidates for BRAF inhibitor therapies.

K-RAS and N-RAS mutations in testicular germ cell tumors.

Testicular cancer is a relatively rare tumor type, accounting for approximately 1% of all cancers in men. However, among men aged between 15 and 40 years, testicular cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy. Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are classified as seminoma and non-seminoma. The RAS oncogene controls several cellular functions, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and differentiation. Thus, RAS signaling is important for normal germ cell development. Mutations of the Kirsten RAS (K-RAS) gene are present in over 20% of all cancers. RAS gene mutations have also been reported in TGCTs. We investigated K-RAS and N-RAS mutations in seminoma and non-seminoma TGCT patients. A total of 24 (55%) pure seminoma cases and 19 (45%) non-seminoma cases were included in the study. K-RAS and N-RAS analyses were performed in our molecular pathology laboratory, using K-RAS and N-RAS Pyro Kit 24 V1 (Qiagen). In total, a RAS mutation was present in 12 patients (27%): 7 seminoma (29%) and 5 non-seminoma cases (26%) [p = 0.55]. A K-RAS mutation was present in 4 pure seminoma tumors (16%) and 3 non-seminoma tumors (15%) [p = 0.63], and an N-RAS mutation was observed in 4 seminoma tumors (16%) and 3 non-seminoma tumors (15%) [p = 0.63]. Both, K-RAS and N-RAS mutations were present in two patients: one with seminoma tumor and the other with non-seminoma tumor. To date, no approved targeted therapy is available for the treatment of TGCTs. The analysis of K-RAS and N-RAS mutations in these tumors may provide more treatment options, especially in platinum-resistant tumors.