Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Shigella sonnei Cluster Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Chicago, Illinois-July-October 2022.

Drug-resistant shigellosis is increasing, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM). During July-October 2022, an extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Shigella sonnei cluster of 9 patients was identified in Chicago, of whom 8 were MSM and 6 were festival attendees. The cluster also included 4 domestic travelers to Chicago. Sexual health care for MSM should include shigellosis diagnosis and prevention.

A score for predicting colchicine resistance at the time of diagnosis in familial Mediterranean fever: data from the TURPAID registry.

OBJECTIVES: Colchicine forms the mainstay of treatment in FMF. Approximately 5-10% of FMF patients are colchicine resistant and require anti-IL-1 drugs. We aimed to compare the characteristics of colchicine-resistant and colchicine-responsive patients and to develop a score for predicting colchicine resistance at the time of FMF diagnosis. METHODS: FMF patients (0-18 years) enrolled in the Turkish Paediatric Autoinflammatory Diseases (TURPAID) registry were included. The predictive score for colchicine resistance was developed by using univariate/multivariate regression and receiver operating characteristics analyses. RESULTS: A total of 3445 FMF patients [256 (7.4%) colchicine-resistant and 3189 colchicine-responsive) were included (female:male ratio 1.02; median age at diagnosis 67.4 months). Colchicine-resistant patients had longer, more frequent attacks and were younger at symptom onset and diagnosis (P < 0.05). Fever, erysipelas-like erythema, arthralgia, arthritis, myalgia, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, chest pain, comorbidities, parental consanguinity and homozygosity/compound heterozygosity for exon 10 MEFV mutations were significantly more prevalent among colchicine-resistant than colchicine-responsive patients (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis in the training cohort (n = 2684) showed that age at symptom onset, attack frequency, arthritis, chest pain and having two exon 10 mutations were the strongest predictors of colchicine resistance. The score including these items had a sensitivity of 81.3% and a specificity of 49.1%. In the validation cohort (n = 671), its sensitivity was 93.5% and specificity was 53.8%. CONCLUSION: We developed a clinician-friendly and practical predictive score that could help us identify FMF patients with a greater risk of colchicine resistance and tailor disease management individually at the time of diagnosis.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Bone and Muscle Quality in Prolactinoma: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: Hyperprolactinemia has negative impacts on metabolism and musculoskeletal health. In this study, individuals with active prolactinoma were evaluated for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and musculoskeletal health, which are underemphasized in the literature. METHODS: Twelve active prolactinoma patients and twelve healthy controls matched by age, gender, and BMI were included. Magnetic resonance imaging-proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) was used to evaluate hepatic steatosis and magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) to evaluate liver stiffness measurement (LSM). Abdominal muscle mass, and vertebral MRI-PDFF was also evaluated with MRI. Body compositions were evaluated by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The skeletal muscle quality (SMQ) was classified as normal, low and weak by using "handgrip strength/appendicular skeletal muscle mass (HGS/ASM)" ratio based on the cut-off values previously stated in the literature. RESULTS: Prolactin, HbA1c and CRP levels were higher in prolactinoma patients (p<0.001, p=0.033 and p=0.035, respectively). The median MRI-PDFF and MRE-LSM were 3.0% (2.01-15.20) and 2.22 kPa (2.0-2.5) in the prolactinoma group and 2.5% (1.65-10.00) and 2.19 kPa (1.92-2.54) in the control group, respectively and similiar between groups. In prolactinoma patients, liver MRI-PDFF showed a positive and strong correlation with the duration of disease and traditional risk factors for NAFLD. Total, vertebral and pelvic bone mineral density was similar between groups, while vertebral MRI-PDFF tended to be higher in prolactinoma patients (p=0.075). Muscle mass and strength parameters were similar between groups, but HGS/ASM tended to be higher in prolactinoma patients (p=0.057). Muscle mass was low in 33.3% of prolactinoma patients and 66.6 of controls. According to SMQ, all prolactinoma patients had normal SMQ, whereas 66.6% of the controls had normal SMQ. CONCLUSION: Prolactinoma patients demonstrated similar liver MRI-PDFF and MRE-LSM to controls despite their impaired metabolic profile and lower gonadal hormone levels. Hyperprolactinemia may improve muscle quality in prolactinoma patients despite hypogonadism.

Immunogenicity of two doses of inactive COVID-19 vaccine and third booster dose mRNA vaccine in patients with cancer receiving active systemic therapy.

We aimed to evaluate the seroconversion rates after two doses of inactive COVID-19 vaccine (CoronaVac) and the benefit of a third dose mRNA vaccine booster in patients with cancer receiving active treatment. Patients with solid tumors receiving active treatment (n = 101) and patients with no-cancer (n = 48) as the control group were included in the study. All the patients and controls had received two doses of CoronaVac and a third booster dose of the mRNA vaccine (Bnt162b2). Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike Receptor Binding Domain IgG antibody levels after the second and third dose were measured with quantitative ELISA. The median age of the patients was 66 (IQR 60-71). 79% of the patients were receiving chemotherapy, and 21% were receiving immunotherapy at the time of vaccination. Antibody levels measured after two doses of CoronaVac were significantly lower in patients with cancer than in the control group (median 0 µg/ml [IQR 0-1.17 µg/ml] vs median 0.91 µg/ml [IQR 0-2.24 µg/ml], respectively, P = .002). Seropositivity rates were 46.5% in patients with cancer and 72.9% in the control group (P = .002). Antibody measurement was performed in 26 patients after the third dose. Seroconversion rate increased from 46.5% to 88.5% (P < .001), and the antibody titers significantly increased with the third-dose booster (median 0 µg/ml [IQR 0-1.17 µg/ml] after two doses vs 12.6 µg/ml [IQR 1.8-69.1 µg/ml] after third booster dose, P < .001). Immunogenicity of CoronaVac is low in patients with cancer receiving active treatment, and administering a third dose of an mRNA vaccine is effective in terms of improving seroconversion rates.

Assessment of Admission COVID-19 Associated Hyperinflammation Syndrome Score in Critically-Ill COVID-19 Patients.

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the relation between admission COVID-19 associated hyperinflammatory syndrome (cHIS) score and intensive care unit (ICU) outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 admitted to our ICU between 20th March 2020-15th June 2021 were included. Patients who received immunomodulatory treatment except corticosteroids were excluded. Main outcomes were ICU mortality and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) requirement after ICU admission. RESULTS: Three hundred and seventy patients with a median (IQR) age of 66 (56-77) were analyzed. Median admission cHIS score was 3 (2-4). A cHIS score ≥3 was found to be associated with ICU mortality (sensitivity = 0.63, specificity = 0.50; p < 0.01) and IMV requirement after ICU admission (sensitivity = 0.61, specificity = 0.51; p < 0.01). Patients with an admission cHIS score ≥3 (n = 199) had worse median admission APACHEII, SOFA scores and PaO2/FiO2 ratio than others (n = 171) (p < 0.01). IMV requirement after ICU admission (38.5% vs 26.1%;p = 0.03), ICU (36.2% vs 25.1%;p = 0.02), hospital (39.1% vs 26.9%;p = 0.01) and 28th day (28.1% vs 19.1%;p = 0.04) mortality were higher in patients with admission cHIS score ≥3 than others (p < 0.01). Age <65 years, malignancy and higher admission SOFA score were independent variables associated with admission cHIS score ≥3. CONCLUSION: Critically-ill COVID-19 patients with admission cHIS score ≥3 have worse disease severity and outcomes than other patients.

Stromal or intraepithelial tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes: which one has more prognostic significance in cervical cancer?

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) on treatment results in patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma who underwent definitive or adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT). METHODS: Pathological specimens were evaluated from 96 cervical cancer patients who were treated with definitive or adjuvant RT/CRT between April 2001 and January 2020. The percentage of intraepithelial TILs (iTILs) and stromal TILs (sTILs) were calculated, and immunohistochemistry was used for identifying lymphocyte lineage with CD4, CD8, and CD20 antibodies and macrophages with CD68 antibody. Prognostic values of TILs/TAMs on oncological outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty patients had early-stage disease and 66 patients had advanced-stage disease. Sixty-three and 33 patients received adjuvant RT and definitive CRT, respectively. Low number of sCD20 positive cells was associated with large tumor size and parametrial invasion. In multivariate analysis, low percentage of sTILs and advanced-stage disease were independent poor prognostic factors for overall survival, disease-free survival (DFS), and distant metastasis-free survival; low number of sCD4 positive cells was also an independent poor prognostic factor for DFS. Low percentage of sTILs and low number of sCD8 positive cells was correlated with high rates of distant metastasis (p = 0.038 and p = 0.025, respectively). CONCLUSION: sTILs have superior predictive value than iTILs in terms of prognosis. Stromal compartment should be investigated as a routine practice in TIL studies in cervical cancer. Intensifying the treatment in cervical cancer patients with low number of sTILs should be studied in further investigations.

Prognostic role of serum cytokines and soluble HLA-G levels in children with leukemia who undergo allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

This is the first study to have investigated the prognostic role of cytokines and soluble human leukocyte antigen-G (sHLA-G) levels in pediatric leukemia patients who have undergone allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). Forty-one patients with acute leukemia (n = 28, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and n = 13, acute myeloblastic leukemia) were recruited. Patients were examined at diagnosis (n = 26), in the pre-transplantation period (PreTx) (n = 26), on the day of transplantation (Tx0) (n = 41), and on post-transplantation Days 14 (PostTx14) (n = 41) and 28 (PostTx28) (n = 41). Serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1, IL-2, IL-6, Tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α), anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10), and sHLA-G were measured by Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay. Median levels of all cytokines tested and sHLA-G were significantly higher at diagnosis and at the post-transplant time points than at PreTx (all p < 0.05). At the time of diagnosis (specifically ALL) and at PostTx14, elevated IL-4, IL-10, and/or sHLA-G were associated with higher post-transplant relapse rates (all p < 0.05). Elevated IL-2 and TNF-α at Tx0 were associated with lower survival rates (both p < 0.05). Levels of serum cytokines and sHLA-G may be useful predictors of survival and relapse in pediatric leukemia patients who undergo allo-SCT.

Association of frailty with chemotherapy toxicity in chemotherapy-naive older patients with cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to assess the relationship between chemotherapy toxicity and frailty as determined using the Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS). METHODS: Older adults (≥ 65 years old) newly diagnosed with cancer were evaluated for frailty with EFS prior to chemotherapy. Participants evaluated on 17 points were grouped as "No Frailty" (0-4), "Apparently Vulnerable" (5-6), "Mild Frailty" (7-8), "Moderate Frailty" (9-10), and "Severe Frailty" (11 or more). Before the second and third chemotherapy cycles, patients were reassessed for toxicity. RESULTS: Of the 44 participants, 12 (27.4%) were rated as "frail" (EFS score ≥ 7). The median Charlson Age-Comorbidity Index score was 3 (IQR: 1), and the median EFS score was 5 (IQR: 3). There was no significant difference between the "frail" and "robust" groups in terms of the toxicity. There was no correlation between age, gender, chemotherapy intent, chemotherapy dosing, ECOG performance score, or other parameters with grade 3 or higher toxicity development. CONCLUSION: The Edmonton Frail Scale is not successful in predicting the toxicity risk of chemotherapy. However, it may be used as a tool to determine the need for comprehensive geriatric assessment and it may lead to increased alertness to adverse events during treatment of frail patients.

Do grape and black mulberry molasses have an effect on oral mucositis and quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer?

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the effect of black mulberry and grape molasses on the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis and quality of life (QoL) in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). METHODS: Patients treated for HNC between 2010 and 2018 in our department were divided into three groups (group 1 = control (n = 14), group 2 = grape molasses (n = 40), and group 3 = black mulberry molasses (n = 40)). Oral mucositis, pain scoring, and weight loss were evaluated weekly. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) General QoL Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) and EORTC Head and Neck Cancer QoL Module (QLQ-HN35) were used to evaluate QoL. RESULTS: The mean body weight, scores of oral mucositis, and pain were similar among the groups throughout the treatment. Both groups 2 and 3 were associated with improved outcomes for swallowing, opening mouth, and weight loss in the EORTC HN35, and these parameters were not significantly different between groups 2 and 3. Global health score was higher in group 3 at the 6th week of RT compared to that of group 2. Both groups 2 and 3 had improved scores for role functioning, emotional and social functioning, fatigue, appetite loss, and pain throughout the treatment compared to group 1. CONCLUSIONS: Both grape and black mulberry molasses improved the QoL in HNC patients. No significant difference between black mulberry and grape molasses was found with regard to the healing of oral mucositis.

Investigation of the Effect of Radiotherapy Dose on Chewing and Swallowing Structures in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Treated with Concomitant Chemoradiotherapy.

Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) is a treatment method that is used in the treatment of head and neck cancers. Impairment of chewing and swallowing functions in the early and late periods of radiotherapy is frequent. Therefore, revealing the dose-effect relationship is important. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the dose-effect relationship between chewing and swallowing structures objectively via a standardized videofluoroscopy protocol. The study included 35 participants treated with chemo-IMRT. A videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) was performed before IMRT, and 3 and 6 months after IMRT. VFSS results were scored according to the Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImP) and the Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS). Maximum interincisor mouth opening, body mass index (BMI), and Functional Oral Intake Scale levels were determined in these cases. The quality of life of participants was evaluated. There was a significant increase in PAS and MBSImP scores and a significant decrease in BMI scores of the patients after treatment. Xerotomy and sticky saliva complaints increased after treatment. The dose to the mastication muscles (> 40 Gy) and the temporomandibular joint (> 46 Gy) were found to be associated with a decrease in BMI; the dose to the superior pharyngeal constructor muscle (> 58 Gy) was found to be associated with pharyngeal stripping wave. The presence of aspiration was associated with the inferior pharyngeal constructor muscle, glottic larynx, supraglottic larynx, and upper esophageal sphincter. Important findings to emerge from this study include detected toxic dose limits. These findings may guide physicians to minimize the side effects of IMRT.

Speech in Noise: Implications of Age, Hearing Loss, and Cognition.

INTRODUCTION: Individuals with hearing loss have reduced hearing sensitivity and may not adequately process the temporal cues in acoustic signals. Cognitive skills that decrease with aging and hearing loss contribute negatively on the ability to understand speech. Hence, they may experience communication problems in noisy environments. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of sloping high-frequency hearing loss on speech perception in noise and to examine the impact of temporal and cognitive processing in young and middle-age adults. METHODS: Speech in noise (SIN), temporal processing, and cognitive tests were conducted to hearing loss and normal hearing individuals aged 18-59 years. The measurements included the matrix sentence test, binaural temporal fine structure sensitivity (TFS) test, Visual Aural Digit Span (VADS), and Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT). Twenty participants with normal hearing were recruited in the control group, whereas 20 participants with hearing loss at high frequencies were composed of the study group. RESULTS: Hierarchical regression analysis for SIN was performed by entering 3 separate blocks of independent variables. We entered age and hearing loss into the first block, which explained a significant amount of variability in SIN (R2 = 0.72, p < 0.001). Block 2 was comprised of scores from TFS sensitivity test, and this independent variable characterized temporal processing (R2 change = 0.002, p < 0.001). Block 3 was consisted of scores from VADS test and AVLT; these variables characterized cognitive processing and accounted for a good portion of SIN variance (R2 change = 0.04, p < 0.001). The age, hearing loss, and VADS contributed independently in the presence of all independent variables. CONCLUSION: The final model accounted for 76.2% of the variance in SIN. The results suggested that sloping hearing loss, aging, and cognitive decline affected auditory performance, and the poor performance starts from an early age. Additionally, the findings indicated that a more comprehensive approach might be recommended to evaluate the listening skills and identify communication problems.

Radiotherapy-induced alterations in vitreous humor: A new potential critical structure.

Vitreous humor (VH) is not considered as a critical structure in the radiotherapy planning process. In the present study, an experimental animal model was performed to examine the effects of radiotherapy on VH. The right eyes of twelve New Zealand rabbits were irradiated to 60 Gy in 3 fractions in accordance with the scheme used in the treatment of uveal melanoma in our clinic, and contralateral (left) eyes were considered as control. Weekly ophthalmologic examination was performed after irradiation, for three months. At the end of the third month, enucleation and vitreous collection were conducted. The vitreous samples were subjected to metabolomic analyses, ELISA analyses, viscosity measurements, and electron microscopic examination. In control and experimental vitreous samples, 275 different metabolites were identified, and 34 were found to differ significantly between groups. In multivariate analyzes, a clear distinction was observed between control and irradiated vitreous samples. Pathway analysis revealed that nine pathways were affected, and these pathways were mainly related to amino acid metabolism. A significant decrease was observed in the expressions of type II, V, and XI collagens in protein level in the ELISA. There was a non-significant decrease in type IX collagen and viscosity. Electron microscopic examination revealed disrupted collagen fibrillar ultra-structure and dispersed collagen fragments in the experimental vitreous. An intact vitreous is essential for a healthy eye. In this study, we observed that radiation causes changes in the vitreous that may have long-term consequences.

The Predictive Value of Red Blood Cell Distribution Width for Survival Outcomes of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients Treated with Targeted Therapy.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of red cell distribution width (RDW) in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients treated with targeted therapy, including sunitinib and pazopanib. METHODS: A total of 104 mRCC patients were included. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), and the long-rank test was used for comparison. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the association between RDW and PFS and OS. RESULTS: The PFS and OS of all cohorts were 11.8 mo and 25.9 mo, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that RDW level ≥15.4 was the optimal cutoff value for OS prediction with 73.53% sensitivity and 61.11% specificity (area under curve: 0.64, P = 0.012). RDW level ≥15.4 was found as an independent prognostic parameter for OS when adjusted for the number of covariates, including the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) scoring system (hazard ratio: 1.125, 95% confidence interval: 1.024-2.235, P = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed that high RDW level, a routinely and easily assessed marker, was significantly associated with worse survival outcomes in mRCC patients treated with targeted therapy.

The platelet to lymphocyte ratio predicts overall survival better than the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Background/aim: The prognostic values of systemic inflammatory markers, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) on overall survival (OS) of metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients (mRCC) treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) remain unclear. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the prognostic impact of these markers on OS of mRCC patients. Materials and methods: A total of 150 patients receiving TKIs were retrospectively analyzed. Progression-free survival and OS times were analyzed with the Kaplan­Meier method, and the log­rank test was used for comparison. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression models evaluated the impact of NLR and PLR on OS of the patients. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis determined that the optimal cut-off values of NL, and PLR in predicting OS were 2 and 204, respectively. Results: Patient with PLR > 204 had significantly lower median OS time than those with PLR ≤ 204 (14.6 months vs. 31.6 months, P < 0.001). While the univariate analyses showed that both NLR and PLR associated with OS (NLR: P = 0.002; PLR: P < 0.001), PLR, not NLR, was an independent determinant for OS in the multivariate analyses (Hazard Ratio: 2.535, 95% CI: 1.564-4.108, P < 0.001). Additionally, the presence of brain metastases and International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) prognostic scoring system were identified as independent prognostic factors for OS (brain metastases: P = 0.040; IMDC: P < 0.001). Conclusion: The PLR is a readily and inexpensively obtained marker, which may predict OS in patients with mRCC treated with TKIs.

Quality of life study of patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma treated with gemcitabine+nab-paclitaxel versus gemcitabine alone: AX-PANC-SY001, a randomized phase-2 study.

BACKGROUND: Combination of gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel has superior clinical efficacy than gemcitabine alone. Nevertheless, health-related quality of life. (QoL) associated with this combination therapy when administered at first-line in advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma is unknown. METHODS: A total of 125 patients were randomized to combination therapy (1000 mg/m2 gemcitabine + 125 mg/m2 nab-paclitaxel) and single-agent gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2) arms to take treatment weekly for 7 of 8 weeks, and following 3 of 4 weeks, until progression or severe toxicity. Primary endpoints were three-months of definitive deterioration free percent of patients, and QoL. RESULTS: Overall QoL analyses showed that 34 and 58.3% of cases in gemcitabine and gemcitabine+nab-P arms had no deterioration in 3rd month QoL scores (p = 0.018). These proportions were 27.3 and 36.6% in 6th month assessments, respectively (p = 0.357). Median overall survivals in combination and single-agent arms were 9.92 months and 5.95 months, respectively (HR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.42-0.86, p = 0.038). Median progression free survivals in these treatment arms were 6.28 and 3.22 months, respectively (HR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.39-0.87, p = 0.008). Median time-to-deterioration were 5.36 vs 3.68 months, and objective response rates were 37.1% vs 23.7% (p = 0.009), respectively in combination and single-agent arms. CONCLUSIONS: Combination therapy with gemcitabine + nab-paclitaxel had better overall and progression-free survival than gemcitabine alone. Also, combination therapy showed increased response rate without toxicity or deteriorated QoL. Combination treatment with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel may provide significant benefit for advanced pancreatic cancer. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study has been registered in ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT03807999 on January 8, 2019 (retrospectively registered).

Stereotactic body radiotherapy in patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer: Does beam-on time matter?

PURPOSE: Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is an effective treatment option for patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we evaluated the treatment results using two different SBRT techniques and the effect of beam-on time (BOT) on treatment outcomes. METHODS: Between July 2007 and January 2018, 142 patients underwent SBRT for primary NSCLC. We have delivered SBRT using either respiratory tracking system (RTS) or internal-target-volume (ITV)-based motion management techniques. The effect of age, tumor size, pretreatment tumor SUVmax value, presence of tissue diagnosis, histopathological subtype, operability status, tumor location, motion management technique, BED10 value, BOT on overall survival (OS), loco-regional control (LRC), event-free survival (EFS) and primary tumor control (PTC) were evaluated. RESULTS: Median age of the patients was 70 years (range, 39-91 years). Most of the patients were inoperable (90%) at the time of SBRT. Median BED10 value was 112.5 Gy. With a median follow-up of 25 months, PTC was achieved in 91.5% of the patients. Two-year estimated OS, LRC, PTC and EFS rates were 68, 63, 63 and 53%, respectively. For the entire group, OS was associated with BOT (P = 0.027), and EFS was associated with BOT (P = 0.027) and tumor size (P = 0.015). For RTS group, OS was associated with age (P = 0.016), EFS with BOT (P = 0.05) and tumor size (P = 0.024), LRC with BOT (P = 0.008) and PTC with BOT (P = 0.028). The treatment was well tolerated in general. CONCLUSION: SBRT is an effective and safe treatment with high OS, LRC, EFS and PTC rates in patients with primary NSCLC. Protracted BOT might deteriorate SBRT outcomes.

The Bournemouth Questionnaire for Neck Pain: Cross-cultural Adaptation, Reliability, and Validity of the Turkish Version.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was first to translate and culturally adapt the BQN, and then to investigate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the BQN in Turkish individuals with chronic neck pain. METHODS: The English version of the BQN was translated into Turkish with permission from its authors. That translation was assessed using 85 participants with a mean age of 46.75 years who had chronic neck pain. At the same time, the participants were assessed sociodemographically and with the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and the Neck Pain and Disability Scale (NPAD). A test-retest procedure was performed with 62 participants who underwent a second assessment with the BQN within 24 hours of the first assessment, to test its reliability. RESULTS: Internal consistency was strong and all Cronbach alpha values were between 0.97 and 0.99. The BQN showed high test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient ˃ 0.92) for all domains. The total mean (± standard deviation) scores for the 3 questionnaires were as follows: BQN, 30.9 (± 11.18); NPAD, 48.16 (± 12.93); NDI, 17.85 (± 6.29). The results of the Turkish version of the BQN illustrated adequate external construct validity and sensitivity. A Turkish translation of the test has not previously been available for chronic pain. CONCLUSION: The BQN was successfully translated and culturally adapted into Turkish. The reliability and validity were tested against the NPAD and the NDI. The Turkish version of the BQN is multidimensional, short, practical, and suitable for use with individuals with neck pain.

Treatment outcomes of prostate cancer patients with Gleason score 8-10 treated with definitive radiotherapy : TROD 09-001 multi-institutional study.

PURPOSE: To validate the clinical outcomes and prognostic factors in prostate cancer (PCa) patients with Gleason score (GS) 8-10 disease treated with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) + androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in the modern era. METHODS: Institutional databases of biopsy proven 641 patients with GS 8-10 PCa treated between 2000 and 2015 were collected from 11 institutions. In this multi-institutional Turkish Radiation Oncology Group study, a standard database sheet was sent to each institution for patient enrollment. The inclusion criteria were, T1-T3N0M0 disease according to AJCC (American Joint Committee on Cancer) 2010 Staging System, no prior diagnosis of malignancy, at least 70 Gy total irradiation dose to prostate ± seminal vesicles delivered with either three-dimensional conformal RT or intensity-modulated RT and patients receiving ADT. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 5.9 years (range 0.4-18.2 years); 5­year overall survival (OS), biochemical relapse-free survival (BRFS) and distant metastases-free survival (DMFS) rates were 88%, 78%, and 79%, respectively. Higher RT doses (≥78 Gy) and longer ADT duration (≥2 years) were significant predictors for improved DMFS, whereas advanced stage was a negative prognosticator for DMFS in patients with GS 9-10. CONCLUSIONS: Our results validated the fact that oncologic outcomes after radical EBRT significantly differ in men with GS 8 versus those with GS 9-10 prostate cancer. We found that EBRT dose was important predictive factor regardless of ADT period. Patients receiving 'non-optimal treatment' (RT doses <78 Gy and ADT period <2 years) had the worst treatment outcomes.

Reproductive cancer risk factors among relatives of cancer patients in a tertiary oncology center.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of some gynecological cancer risk factors in a population of female relatives of cancer patients in Hacettepe University Oncology Hospital. Additionally, what are the levels of the women's awareness /behavior toward available screening tools? METHODS: An individual cancer risk assessment questionnaire has been developed in the Department of Preventive Oncology, which questions the medical history, health behaviors and cancer awareness, as well as their behavior toward available cancer screening tools. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 45.7 ± 12.2 years. Median age at menarche was 13 years (IQR, 12-14), 6.9% of the women reported their menarche was before age of 12. About 11.1% of the women had intercourse before age of 18. The median age at first delivery was 22 years. Median BMI was 24.9, with 18.3% of population having obesity. Of the women 65% were current/past smokers. Sixty-two percent of the women had never used condom. About 8% of the women were unaware about mammography and 17.7% about the Pap test. CONCLUSIONS: This study has documented high tobacco use, low protective condom use and low rates of physical activity. Percentage of some risk factors like early menarche was lower than what was suggested for general Turkish population. Awareness and behavior of the women were better about mammography when compared to the Pap test. Considering our results, some measures should be put in place to increase people's awareness, and to modify their behavior toward cancer prevention.

The prevalence of childhood psychopathology in Turkey: a cross-sectional multicenter nationwide study (EPICPAT-T).

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of childhood psychopathologies in Turkey. METHOD: A nation-wide, randomly selected, representative population of 5830 children (6-13 years-old) enrolled as a 2nd,3rd or 4th grade student in 30 cities were evaluated for presence of a psychiatric or mental disorder by a Sociodemographic Form, Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Age Children-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL), and DSM-IV-Based Screening Scale for Disruptive Behavior Disorders in Children and Adolescents scales. Impairment criterion was assessed via a 3 point-Likert scale by the parent and the teacher independently. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of any psychopathology was 37.6% without impairment criterion, and 17.1% with impairment criterion. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder was the most frequent diagnosis, followed by anxiety (19.5% and 16.7% without impairment, 12.4% and 5.3% with impairment, respectively). Lower education level and presence of a physical or psychiatric problem of the parents were independent predictors of any psychopathology of the offspring. CONCLUSION: This is the largest and most comprehensive epidemiological study to determine the prevalence of psychopathologies in children and adolescents in Turkey. Our results partly higher than, and partly comparable to previous national and international studies. It also contributes to the literature by determining the independent predictors of psychopathologies in this age group.