ABSTRACT
Aim: This study aims to evaluate the prognostic and predictive value of plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and endoglin in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients receiving chemotherapy with bevacizumab. Materials and Methods: Between April 2012 and September 2013, 47 mCRC patients with a mean age of 58.5 ± 9.6 years were included in the study. Male-to-female ratio was 29/18. The baseline and posttreatment plasma PAI-1 and serum endoglin levels after 3 cycles of bevacizumab-containing chemotherapy were evaluated. The percent change between baseline and posttreatment levels after treatment was also recorded. Results: The median follow-up duration was 26.6 months (range 1.8–70.2 months). The clinical benefit rate was 70% (partial response [32%], stable disease [38%]). Overall survival was 20.8 ± 1.5 months. The patients with progressive disease had statistically significantly higher baseline PAI-1 level (57.9 pg/mL vs. 29.9 pg/mL, P = 0.036). The percent change of the plasma PAI-1 level after the third cycle of treatment was also statistically significantly lower in those with clinical benefit (P = 0.035). However, there was no statistically significant difference in endoglin level and its change after therapy with respect to the response to treatment (P = 0.771 and P = 0.776, respectively). Plasma PAI-1 level had no statistically significant effect on survival (P = 0.709). Conclusion: Baseline plasma PAI-1 level and its percent change with bevacizumab were shown to have statistically significant predictive value for the response to therapy whereas serum endoglin had no statistically significant predictive value for the response to therapy. However, neither PAI-1 nor endoglin had prognostic significance in mCRC
ABSTRACT
Purpose: To determine the effect of a capsular tension ring (CTR) implantation in preventing posterior capsular opacification (PCO) after cataract surgery in patients with high myopia. Materials and Methods: In this prospective single‑surgeon standardized‑surgical‑procedure fellow‑eye comparison trial, 34 patients with high myopia had phacoemulsification surgery. Although one eye received an acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) and CTR, other eye received only an IOL as control. PCO, within the capsulorhexis overlap, was documented by standardized digital retroillumination images at least 2 years post‑operatively, and the percentage area of PCO was scored (scale 0%‑100%) using the POCOman software system. The PCO score and the incidence of neodymium‑doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd: YAG) capsulotomy of groups, and correlations between PCO score and presence of CTR, age, phaco time, refraction, and axial length (AL) were determined. Results: The mean time interval from surgery to PCO measurement was 43.4 ± 11.2 months for the eyes with a CTR and 43.1 ± 11.6 months for the controls (P = 0.91). The PCO score of the eyes with a CTR was significantly lower than in the controls (5.9 ± 4.3 vs. 22.3 ± 12.2, respectively; P < 0.001). There were statistically insignificant correlations between PCO score and pre‑operative refraction (r = 0.02; P = 0.90), AL (r = 0.03; P = 0.80), phaco time (r = 0.11; P = 0.53), and patient’s age (r = 0.23; P = 0.55). No patient with a CTR had a Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy, but it was six in controls (P = 0.025). Conclusions: CTR implantation seems to be effective in reducing the PCO and Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy rates in high myopic eyes.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease is a source of one of the most common surgical problems among young adults. While male gender, obesity, occupations requiring sitting, deep natal clefts, excessive body hair, poor body hygiene and excessive sweating are described as the main risk factors for this disease, most of these need to be verified with a clinical trial. The present study aimed to evaluate the value and effect of these factors on pilonidal disease. METHOD: Previously proposed main risk factors were evaluated in a prospective case control study that included 587 patients with pilonidal disease and 2,780 healthy control patients. RESULTS: Stiffness of body hair, number of baths and time spent seated per day were the three most predictive risk factors. Adjusted odds ratios were 9.23, 6.33 and 4.03, respectively (p<0.001). With an adjusted odds ratio of 1.3 (p<.001), body mass index was another risk factor. Family history was not statistically different between the groups and there was no specific occupation associated with the disease. CONCLUSIONS: Hairy people who sit down for more than six hours a day and those who take a bath two or less times per week are at a 219-fold increased risk for sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease than those without these risk factors. For people with a great deal of hair, there is a greater need for them to clean their intergluteal sulcus. People who engage in work that requires sitting in a seat for long periods of time should choose more comfortable seats and should also try to stand whenever possible.