The effect of Ramadan fasting and maternal hypoalbuminaemia on neonatal anthropometric parameters and placental weight.

In Islamic religion, daytime fasting during the month called Ramadan is an annual practice. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of Ramadan fasting and maternal hypoalbuminaemia on neonatal growth parameters. A prospective case-control study was conducted in Diyarbakir and Istanbul, Turkey. The sample size of fasting group was 168 and that of non-fasting group was 170. Demographic characteristics, obstetrics ultrasonographic findings and laboratory parameters of the participants were recorded. Neonatal anthropometric parameters and placental weight were noted. The mean placental weight was significantly higher in the fasting group (p = 0.037). Also, in the fasting group, pregnant women with hypoalbuminaemia had significantly higher placental weight (p = 0.009). In conclusion, the mean placental weight in the fasting group was significantly higher. Also a significant correlation between placental weight and maternal serum albumin level was observed in the fasting group.

The value of potential immunohistochemical biomarkers and clinicopathological findings in predicting response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in breast cancer (BC), complete treatment response is achieved in some patients, while treatment response is limited in others. Predicting non-responder patients can prevent exposure to adverse effects associated with chemotherapeutic agents and delays in selecting other treatment modalities. In this study, we aimed at identifying predictive factors related to tumor regression in patients with BC who received NAC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This single-center cohort included 91 patients with BC who underwent surgery following NAC based on pretreatment tumor biopsy. According to BC molecular subtype, tumor regression grade (TRG) was determined using the Miller-Payne scoring system in patients who received standard NAC. Immunohistochemical stainings for VEGFR3 and CD44 were applied to needle core biopsies obtained prior to NAC in these patients. RESULTS: Pathological complete response (pCR) was achieved in 20 patients (22%). In univariate analysis, high Ki-67 expression, ER negativity, and HER2 positivity were determined to be predictive factors of TRG (p < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, Ki-67 was the single independent predictor of TRG, with a 1.05-fold effect size. CD44 and VEGFR3 levels did not affect TRG or survival (p > 0.05). There was a significant difference in TRG according to molecular subtype of BC (p < 0.001). The treatment response was 5.5-fold higher in HER2-positive patients compared with HER2-negative patients. CONCLUSIONS: pCR rates were significantly higher in TNBC, HER2, and luminal HER2+ subtypes when compared with luminal HER2- subtype. Ki-67 >25% and ER negativity had a favorable effect on TRG after NAC. CD44 and VEGFR3 were not effective in predicting treatment response.

Comparison of clinical features and the impact of reproductive factors on by age at diagnosis young and elderly breast cancer patients in the middle Anatolian region of Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: Reproductive risk factors have been shown to influence breast cancer etiology for women of different origin worldwide; most studies in young/older patients have been limited to analyzing survival or tumor characteristics within their age group. This study aimed to compare the clinicopathological characteristics, treatment regimens, survival outcomes, and the impact of reproductive risk factors on young and elderly breast cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The data were collected retrospectively between October 2015 and March 2021, where 77 young patients (≤ 40 years) and 107 elderly patients (>65 years) were included out of a total of 567 patients undergoing treatment at Kayseri City Training and Research Hospital General Surgery Clinic, Turkey. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the impact of risk factors according to age. RESULTS: Luminal-like tumors were in the majority in both age groups; there was no difference in diagnostic stages and survival between groups. The nulliparity ratio, total breastfeeding duration, number of biological children, first full-term pregnancy age, body mass index (BMI), and breast density distribution were significantly statistically different between groups. According to the multiple binary logistic regression analysis results for age, the most significant factors with risk effects were variables age of menarche OR= 3.36 (95% CI: 1.44-7.86) and child number OR= 2.58 (95% CI: 1.75-3.79), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The importance of looking at the impact of different risk factors on breast cancer risk lies in the potential to develop valid risk prediction models that can allow targeted screening and preventive interventions for high-risk women. By identifying more influential risk factors in different geographical profiles, risk-based screening, and targeted prevention efforts can be encouraged, and these factors can be included in risk prediction models.