Popliteal access for endovascular procedures in femoropopliteal artery occlusive disease.

Introduction: Even though it has been reported that femoropopliteal artery endovascular revascularization is often performed with antegrade femoral artery interventions, which are technically relatively challenging, having the advantage of better control, it has also been reported that recanalization failure may occur in approximately 20% of patients and some materials have been developed for this reason. Aim: To evaluate the safety of retrograde popliteal artery intervention and our procedural success rate for symptomatic femoropopliteal artery occlusive disease. Material and methods: A total of 95 endovascular revascularization procedures were performed for treating symptomatic occlusive peripheral artery disease in the study period. Inclusion criteria were defined as patients who underwent endovascular revascularization procedures for symptomatic femoropopliteal artery occlusive disease. Patients who underwent a percutaneous endovascular procedure for iliac artery or below-knee arterial occlusive disease in the same session and patients who had previously undergone peripheral arterial bypass grafting or endovascular treatment for existing femoropopliteal artery disease were excluded. Results: We evaluated 45 peripheral endovascular procedures performed on 39 patients with a mean age of 62.49 ±11.38 years in our hospital for chronic femoropopliteal artery occlusive disease. Twelve (26.7%) of the endovascular treatment procedures were performed with retrograde access through the popliteal artery (Group 2). In neither group were any complications of arterial rupture, distal embolism, early thrombosis, or pseudoaneurysms observed. Conclusions: We are of the opinion that the retrograde popliteal artery technique is an effective and safe intervention option in endovascular revascularization, particularly in the revascularization of the long segment and complex femoropopliteal artery occlusions.

A novel static cultivation of bacterial cellulose production from sugar beet molasses: Series static culture (SSC) system.

In bacterial cellulose (BC) production, we developed a new static cultivation system named series static culture (SSC) to eliminate air limitation problem encountered in conventional static culture (CSC). In SSC system, the fermentation broth at the bottom of BC pellicle produced in initial culture medium is transferred to the next empty sterile culture medium at the end of a certain fermentation period. This procedure was performed until BC production ceased. Fermentation experiments were carried out using Gluconacetobacter xylinus NRRL B-759 and sugar beet molasses at 30 °C and initial pH 5. Also, some quality parameters of produced BC pellicles were determined. Final pH at the stages of SSC system was higher that of the initial pH due to sugar content (sucrose) of molasses and microorganism used. Total BC production increased with increasing sugar concentration in SSC. As a result, an increase of 22.02 % in BC production was achieved using developed SSC. FT-IR spectra of all BC pellicles produced were typical spectra. The absorption bands at the relevant wavenumbers identify the mode of vibrations of the created chemical bonds arising at the BC surface such as OH, CH, H-O-H, C-O-C, and C-OH. XRD analyses showed that the crystallinity index values of BC obtained from CCS and SSC were high. The form of produced all BC pellicles is generally Cellulose I. Removal of surface moisture and depolymerisation of carbon skeleton were determined from TGA-DTA thermograms. SEM images showed that the BC samples produced had nano-sized cellulose fibrils which were aggregated in fermentation media containing molasses. Finally, the BC samples, especially in molasses media, having high mechanical strength and WHC were found.

HALP score and GNRI: Simple and easily accessible indexes for predicting prognosis in advanced stage NSCLC patients. The Izmir oncology group (IZOG) study.

Objective: The Hemoglobin, Albumin, Lymphocyte, and Platelet (HALP) Score and the Geriatric Nutrition Risk Index (GNRI) are used as prognostic factors in different types of cancers. In this study we analyzed the prognostic value of the HALP Score and the GNRI calculated prior to first-line treatment in patients diagnosed with de novo metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC). Materials and methods: De novo mNSCLC patients were retrospectively evaluated from January 2016 to December 2019. Patients with Driver's mutation, severe comorbidities, active infection, or insufficient organ function, and those receiving anti-inflammatory treatment were excluded from the study. Optimal cut-off points for the HALP score and the GNRI were calculated with the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Predictive factors for overall survival (OS) were assessed with univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses, and OS was studied with the Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results: The study included 401 patients in total. In the ROC curve analysis, the cut-off points were found 23.24 (AUC = 0.928; 95% CI: 0.901-0.955, p < 0.001) for HALP, and 53.60 (AUC = 0.932; 95% CI: 0.908-0.955, p < 0.001) for GNRI. Groups with lower HALP scores and lower GNRI had significantly shorter OS compared to those with higher HALP scores and GNRIs. Univariate analysis showed that male gender, smoking, high ECOG score, low HALP score and low GNRI were associated with worse survival rates. Multivariate analysis showed that low HALP score (HR = 2.988, 95% CI: 2.065-4.324, p < 0.001); low GNRI score (HR = 2.901, 95% CI: 2.045-4.114, p < 0.001) and smoking history (HR = 1.447, 95% CI: 1.046-2.001, p = 0.025) were independent factors associated with worse OS rates. Conclusion: Our study showed the HALP score and the GNRI to be of prognostic value as simple, cost-effective, and useful markers that predict OS in de novo mNSCLC patients.

Predicting pathological response and overall survival in locally advanced gastric cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy: the role of PET/computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, with a 5-year survival rate of about 20-25%. The ability to predict pathological response (PR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT); hence, overall survival (OS) probability of patients can allow the clinician to individualize treatment strategies. We investigated the role of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose PET-computed tomography (F-18 FDG PET/CT) in predicting histopathologic response and prognosis in locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC) patients undergoing NACT. METHODS: F-18FDG PET/CT images taken before and after NACT, adenocarcinoma histopathology and operation pyesis reports of 43 LAGC patients were analyzed. Maximum (SUVmax) and mean (SUVmean) standardized uptake values, metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) of lesions were measured before and after NACT. Changes in percentage were calculated for ΔSUVmax%, ΔSUVmean%, ΔMTV%, ΔTLG%, and cutoff values were determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. NACT response in pathology pyesis was determined according to the College of American Pathologists classification. PR and OS were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards regression models based on cutoffs found with PET measurements. RESULTS: Cutoffs were ΔSUVmax = 33.31%, ΔSUVmean = 42.96%, ΔMTV = 30.38%, and ΔTLG = 28.14%, and all patients showed significance in PR and OS based on these cutoffs (all P < 0.01). PET/CT findings before and after NACT (ΔMTV > 30.38%, ΔTLG > 28.14%) predicted PR with 100% sensitivity and specificity. Multivariate analysis showed ΔSUVmean as an independent risk factor predicting OS (hazard ratio 0.348, 95% confidence interval 2.91-22.3, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic parameters obtained with F-18 FDG PET/CT scanning before and after NACT in LAGC patients can accurately predict PR and OS.

Being a Cancer Patient during the Time of COVID-19: Impact of the Pandemic on the Anxiety and the Sleeping Quality of Oncology Patients.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to assess anxiety and sleep quality in cancer patients treated or followed up at our clinic at the time of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Seven hundred and sixty-one patients who were either treated or followed up at our oncology clinic between April 2020 and May 2020 were included. Patients were assessed with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). RESULTS: Mean scores of the 761 participants were STAI, 43.45 ± 9.34 (range, 23-75), and PSQI, 5.67 ± 4.24 (range, 0-19). Quality of sleep was found bad in 447 (58.7%) (global score ≥5). Univariate analyses demonstrated statistical differences by stage of cancer, status of treatment, subgroup of treatment, monthly income, and levels of education in anxiety and sleep quality levels. Multivariate analyses showed active treatment (OR: 21.4; 95% CI: 9.08-50.4; p < 0.001) as the major independent variable that affected sleep quality; the major independent variable associated with anxiety was low income (OR: 4.43; 95% CI: 1.69-11.5; p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Anxiety and sleep quality levels were found comparable to pre-pandemic reports, and the pandemic was not observed to have additional negative impact on cancer patients. Also, universal basal anxiety and sleep disorder that accompany cancer or active treatment were observed in our study. The accurate effects of the pandemic can be analyzed in further studies using repeated data obtained from the same patient group.

Does second generation n-butyl cyanoacrylate embolization really smooth in greater saphenous vein closure?

BACKGROUND: Cyanoacrylate (CA) has been used as an embolizing agent in the treatment of greater saphenous vein (GSV) insufficiency in recent years and the results regarding the use of this method have started to be published. To the best of our knowledge, the publications in literature do not mention about a significant negative effect of endovenous CA (EVCA) embolization. We aimed to evaluate the effects and undesirable events of this relatively new treatment method and compare them with literature, using the follow-up data of our patients. METHODS: Patients who had GSV insufficiency for at least 3 months and were treated with EVCA embolization because of this disease were included in the study. Patients were excluded if they had deep vein thrombosis (DVT), excessive tortuous GSV, and peripheral neuropathy. Hospital archive records were reviewed and undesirable events like DVT, thrombophlebitis, and pain related to this treatment procedure were recorded. RESULTS: EVCA embolization procedure was performed in a total of 54 patients with an average age of 49.36 ± 13.06 years for the purpose of treating GSV insufficiency. One patient was observed to develop n-butyl CA (NBCA) extension of approximately 5 mm from saphenofemoral junction (SFJ) to the main femoral vein and painful thrombophlebitic reaction was observed in 6 extremities at the first control examination. CONCLUSION: In our opinion, while EVCA embolization is a treatment option with similar success rates to endovenous thermal ablation (EVTA), it should be kept in mind that there may be a possibility of developing thrombophlebitis and NBCA extension or thrombus extension to the deep veins.

A comparison of two different management plans for patients requiring both carotid endarterectomy and coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is a prophylactic operation that is used to mitigate the risk of stroke caused by embolism of atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid bifurcation. Previously, the large, multicentre, randomised, controlled GALA study found no significant differences in clinical outcomes between patients treated using general or local anaesthesia. While this study provided important insights into disease outcomes based on treatment modalities, it did not answer questions regarding the safety of CEA under local anaesthesia in patients at high risk for cardiovascular complications. Here, we examined the use of two different management plans in patients requiring both carotid endarterectomy and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), in terms of their effects on hospital mortality. METHODS: Thirty-four patients consecutively operated on in our cardiovascular department were included in this analysis. The patients were divided into two groups based on the anaesthetic management plan. The first group consisted of patients who underwent CEA and CABG under general anaesthesia in the same session (GA group); the second group consisted of patients who initially underwent CEA under cervical block anaesthesia followed by CABG under general anaesthesia in a separate session (CB-GA group). These two groups were compared in terms of postoperative complications and hospital mortality. RESULTS: The incidence of postoperative myocardial infarction was higher in the CB-GA group, with four patients experiencing postoperative myocardial infarction, compared to no patients in the GA group. CONCLUSIONS: For patients requiring CEA and CABG, performing both operations under general anaesthesia in the same session was safer than initially performing CEA under cervical block anaesthesia followed by CABG under general anaesthesia.

Midterm results of salvage surgery for autogenous dialysis access in aneurysmal arteriovenous fistulas.

Autologous arteriovenous fistulas are commonly constructed in patients undergoing hemodialysis for end-stage renal disease. However, they are associated with a high rate of aneurysm formation, and aneurysmal arteriovenous fistulas that have become symptomatic require surgical intervention. This study was performed to evaluate the midterm results of salvage surgery for autogenous dialysis access in patients with aneurysmal arteriovenous fistulas. Of 1326 arteriovenous fistula operations, 81 involving surgery for aneurysmal arteriovenous fistulas between January 2008 and January 2012 were included in this study. The database was searched to identify all complicated arteriovenous fistula patients undergoing surgery for vascular access. The number of complicated arteriovenous fistula surgeries, for example for aneurysms, was greater than the number of patients undergoing surgery to create a new arteriovenous fistula. We performed three different surgical procedures to treat arteriovenous-related aneurysms in our clinic: primary repair, resection and saphenous vein interposition, and resection and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) interposition. We compared the patency rates at the 12- and 24-month follow-ups among these three techniques. The study population consisted of 24 cases of primary repair, 29 cases of resection and saphenous vein interposition, and 30 cases of resection and PTFE graft interposition. True aneurysms occurring in patients undergoing hemodialysis did not require treatment unless they were symptomatic. Arteriovenous access salvage therapy is recommended after the aneurysm has become symptomatic. Symptomatic arteriovenous fistula aneurysms can be treated by maintaining arteriovenous fistula continuity. Moreover, patient safety is ensured by long-term patency.

Association of arterial thromboembolism location with presence of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVES: Since nonvalvular atrial fibrillation is persistent in nature, patients with chronic nonvalvular atrial fibrillation are at life-time risk for development of thromboembolic events. Several novel oral anticoagulants have entered the market and there has been a growing body of evidence regarding their efficacy in prevention of ischemic stroke and arterial thromboembolism. The present study sought to compare the baseline characteristics between patients presenting with upper and lower extremity arterial thromboembolism developed secondary to nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. METHODS: This retrospective study was made up of patients presenting with acute upper or lower extremity arterial thromboembolism as the first presentation of atrial fibrillation. Patients were included if they had acute upper or lower critical limb ischemia symptoms lasting for less than one week. Patients in whom chronic peripheral artery disease was diagnosed were also excluded to prevent potential confounding. RESULTS: Overall, 46.9% of patients presented with upper extremity arterial thromboembolism and 53.1% of patients presented with lower extremity arterial thromboembolism. None of the baseline characteristics showed significant difference between patients with upper and lower extremity arterial thrombosis. CONCLUSION: It was observed that there was no significant difference in the incidence of extremity involvement of acute arterial thromboembolism occurring in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation in our study, and we think that acute arterial thromboembolism must be taken into consideration as one of the first signs and symptoms of atrial fibrillation.

Validation of Renal Risk Score Models for Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery in Diabetic Patients.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery bypass grafting is applicable with very low mortality and morbidity rates around the world. However, exposure to even one of the risk factors increases mortality and morbidity significantly. There are three acute kidney injury definitions, and classification methods are applicable (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO); Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss of kidney function and End-stage kidney disease (RIFLE);" (for accuracy) and Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN)), for understanding and grading of renal impairment. With these definitions, it became possible to take measures at an early stage and start the management process. Methods for assessing renal impairment after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) specifically in patients with diabetes mellitus require further investigation. We compared these three acute kidney injury definitions for prediction of outcomes in diabetic patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting procedure. METHODS: Between January 2010 and December 2013, a total of 617 consecutive patients with diabetes mellitus undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass in our institution were included in the study. RESULTS: We considered 617 CABG operations on diabetes mellitus patients for this study from January 2010 to December 2013. The three scores provided good discriminative capacity in the global patient sample, with the area under the ROC curve (AUC) being higher, RIFLE (0.803, 95% CI: 0.724-0.882). The goodness of fit was good for all scales. CONCLUSIONS: Especially in on-pump CABG patients with diabetes mellitus, we can use AKIN, RIFLE, and KDIGO scoring systems to predict early diagnosis for acute kidney injury (AKI). In our analysis, the KDIGO criterion was superior to AKIN and RIFLE with regard its prognostic power.

Outcomes following embolization in patients with cardiac myxoma.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac myxomas are the most frequent primary benign intracardiac tumors. We reviewed our 27-year experience to evaluate factors associated with an embolism in patients with cardiac myxomas and their long-term outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective review identified 99 patients with cardiac myxomas between 1985 and 2012. Tumors were divided into two groups based on their gross external features. Tumors with a smooth regular border and a solid consistency were classified as solid; papillary myxomas were characterized by an irregular and gelatinous exterior with friable, soft consistency. The patients were classified into embolic and non-embolic groups to focus on embolic events. RESULTS: Mean age at surgery was 49.8 ± 16 years. There were 92 left atrial myxomas (92.9%). Embolization was observed in 25 patients (25.3%) before surgery. Three variables were associated with an embolic event, small tumor size (odds ratio [OR] = 4.36 P = 0.037 confidence interval [CI] 95% 0.534-0.980), atrial fibrillation (OR = 10.119 P = 0.001 CI 95% 0.021-0.397), and papillary-type pathology (OR = 11.544 P = 0.001 CI 95% 0.033-0.399). Tumor pathology or the presence of embolization prior to surgery had no effect on operative mortality or long-term survival. CONCLUSIONS: Embolization of cardiac myxomas is more likely to occur in papillary-type tumors, that are smaller in size and in patients presenting with preoperative atrial fibrillation. However, the presence of embolization at the time of surgery does not increase operative morbidity or mortality or affect long-term survival.

Validation of German Aortic Valve Score in a Multi-Surgeon Single Center.

OBJECTIVE:: Risk assessment for operative mortality is mandatory for all cardiac operations. For some operation types such as aortic valve repair, EuroSCORE II overestimates the mortality rate and a new scoring system (German AV score) has been developed for a more accurate assessment of operative risk. In this study, we aimed to validate German Aortic Valve Score in our clinic in patients undergoing isolated aortic valve replacement. METHODS:: A total of 35 patients who underwent isolated open aortic valve replacement between 2010 and 2013 were included. Patients with concomitant procedures and transcatheter aortic valve implantation were excluded. Patients' data were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Patients' risk scores EuroSCORE II were calculated online according to criteria described by EuroSCORE taskforce, Aortic Valve Scores were also calculated. RESULTS:: The mean age of patients was 61.14±13.25 years (range 29-80 years). The number of female patients was 14 (40%) and body mass index of 25 (71.43%) patients was in range of 22-35. Mean German Aortic Valve Score was 1.05±0.96 (min: 0 max: 4.98) and mean EuroSCORE was 2.30±2.60 (min: 0.62, max: 2.30). The Aortic Valve Score scale showed better discriminative capacity (AUC 0.647, 95% CI 0.439-0.854). The goodness of fit was x2HL=16.63; P=0.436). EuroSCORE II scale had shown less discriminative capacity (AUC 0.397, 95% CI 0.200-0.597). The goodness of fit was good for both scales. The goodness of fit was x2HL=30.10; P=0.610. CONCLUSION:: In conclusion, German AV score applies to our population with high predictive accuracy and goodness of fit.

Sorafenib with TACE improves the survival of hepatocellular carcinoma patients with more than 10 cm tumor: a single-center retrospective study.

PURPOSE: Sorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor, is effective in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is an important palliative treatment for unresectable HCC, but TACE-induced ischemic injury can upregulate angiogenic factors and it might be associated with poor prognosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of conventional TACE with or without sorafenib in patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage A-B HCC. METHODS: Thirty patients with BCLC stage A or B HCC who had undergone TACE were enrolled in this retrospective study. Child-Pugh score, BCLC staging classification, size and number of lesions were recorded. Sorafenib was given 1 month after TACE to some patients who responded to TACE. Repeated TACE was performed on demand. Tumor response was assessed every 12 weeks. The primary objective of this trial was the progression free survival (PFS). Secondary objectives were overall survival (OS), disease control rate (DCR) and total number of TACE interventions. Kaplan-Meier method was used for the estimation of survival and survival curves were compared with Log-rank test. RESULTS: Twenty-five (83.3%) patients had Child-Pugh A and 5 (16.7%) Child-Pugh B, and 24 (80%) patients had BCLC stage B disease and remanining had stage A disease. Lesion size >10 cm was found in 6 patients and 16/7/7 patients had single/two/multiple lesions, respectively. Mean number of TACE was 2.10±1.369. Seventeen (56.7%) patients used sorafenib after TACE whereas 13 (43.3%) patients were followed without any treatment but received consequent TACEs if needed. PFS of all patients was 10 months (range 3-48); it was 13 months for TACE plus sorafenib group and 9 months for TACE group (p=0.081). In subgroup analysis, TACE plus sorafenib group had better PFS (36 vs 12 months) in patients with tumor size > 10 cm (p=0.025). In the analysis of Child- Pugh A cases, PFS of TACE plus sorafenib group was 23 months while it was 10 months in TACE group (p=0.007). CONCLUSION: Concurrent treatment in Child-Pugh A group HCC with conventional TACE and sorafenib demonstrates a significant efficacy in patients having tumor size >10 cm. In Child-Pugh A group, PFS was superior in the sorafenib plus TACE group than in TACE alone group.

Validation of german aortic valve score in a multi-surgeon single center

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Risk assessment for operative mortality is mandatory for all cardiac operations. For some operation types such as aortic valve repair, EuroSCORE II overestimates the mortality rate and a new scoring system (German AV score) has been developed for a more accurate assessment of operative risk. In this study, we aimed to validate German Aortic Valve Score in our clinic in patients undergoing isolated aortic valve replacement. METHODS: A total of 35 patients who underwent isolated open aortic valve replacement between 2010 and 2013 were included. Patients with concomitant procedures and transcatheter aortic valve implantation were excluded. Patients' data were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Patients' risk scores EuroSCORE II were calculated online according to criteria described by EuroSCORE taskforce, Aortic Valve Scores were also calculated. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 61.14±13.25 years (range 29-80 years). The number of female patients was 14 (40%) and body mass index of 25 (71.43%) patients was in range of 22-35. Mean German Aortic Valve Score was 1.05±0.96 (min: 0 max: 4.98) and mean EuroSCORE was 2.30±2.60 (min: 0.62, max: 2.30). The Aortic Valve Score scale showed better discriminative capacity (AUC 0.647, 95% CI 0.439-0.854). The goodness of fit was x2HL=16.63; P=0.436). EuroSCORE II scale had shown less discriminative capacity (AUC 0.397, 95% CI 0.200-0.597). The goodness of fit was good for both scales. The goodness of fit was x2HL=30.10; P=0.610. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, German AV score applies to our population with high predictive accuracy and goodness of fit.

Comparison of FOLFIRINOX Chemotherapy with Other Regimens in Patients with Biliary Tract Cancers: a Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the different treatment options of patients with advanced biliary tract carcinoma (BTC) who were treated with platinum-gemcitabine (CG) or platinum-5-fluorouracil (CF) or 5-Fluorouracil-oxaliplatin-irinotecan (FOLFIRINOX) chemotherapy. METHODS: We included the patients with advanced BTC who were registered at the Department of Oncology in Gaziantep University between January 2008 and January 2016. The following data were analyzed: disease control rate (DCR), progression free survival (PFS) of first and second-line of chemotherapy, and overall survival (OS). Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test was used to compare two survival curves, and hazard regression model was used to evaluate risk factors for PFS. RESULT: Ninety-two patients were recruited. 53 (57.6 %), 27 (29.3 %), and 12 (13 %) patients received CG, CF, and FOLFIRINOX regimen as first-line chemotherapy, respectively. Median PFS and DCR of CG group were 22 weeks and 56.6 %, and these were 12 weeks and 44.4 % for CF group, and 9 weeks and 41.7 % for FOLFIRINOX group. Median OS of CG, CF, and FOLFIRINOX groups was 28, 21,and 23.5 weeks, respectively (p = 0.497). Second-line PFS of fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy group and gemcitabine-based chemotherapy group was 12 vs. 14 weeks (p = 0.988). Second-line PFS of FOLFIRINOX was 20 weeks, whereas it was 14 weeks for other fuoropyrimidine-based chemotherapies (p = 0.190). CONCLUSIONS: This was the first study evaluating the FOLFIRINOX regimen in BTC. Cisplatin-gemcitabine therapy still provides better survival in BCT. However, FOLFIRINOX can be an option in the second-line treatment of BTC patients who are eligible for chemotherapy.

Polymorphisms in the MTHFR gene are associated with recurrence risk in lymph node-positive breast cancer patients.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to clarify the relationship between recurrence risk of breast cancer and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphisms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Breast cancer patients who had undergone surgery in Gaziantep University Oncology Hospital between June 2005 and June 2012 were followed-up and retrospectively enrolled in this study. Blood samples were collected from all patients to assess MTHFR C677T polymorphisms. Stage according to tumor-node-metastasis system, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status, grade of disease, menopausal status, and administered chemotherapy or hormonal therapy were recorded. Effects of these parameters on recurrence risk were evaluated using univariate analysis and multivariate binary logistic regression model. RESULTS: Association of MTHFR C677T polymorphisms with recurrence risk was evaluated in 298 patients whose median age was 47 years (range: 21-79 years). In all patients, age (odds ratio [OR] =0.953, P=0.005) and N3 lymph node status (OR =6.293, P=0.001) were found to affect the recurrence risk. While MTHFR homozygote genotype did not have an effect on recurrence risk in all patients, increased risk was observed in lymph node-positive subgroup (OR =4.271; 95% CI 1.515-12.023; P=0.006). Adjusting for age, tumor size (T), and node status (N), MTHFR homozygote genotype had more statistically significant risk for recurrence (OR =3.255; 95% CI 1.047-10.125; P=0.041). CONCLUSION: MTHFR TT genotype was found to be associated with increased recurrence risk in patients with lymph node-positive breast cancer.

Polymorphism of CYP3A4 and ABCB1 genes increase the risk of neuropathy in breast cancer patients treated with paclitaxel and docetaxel.

BACKGROUND: Interindividual variability of pharmacogenetics may account for unpredictable neurotoxicities of taxanes. METHODS: From March 2011 to June 2015, female patients with operable breast cancer who had received docetaxel- or paclitaxel-containing adjuvant chemotherapy were included in this study. All patients were treated with single-agent paclitaxel intravenously (IV) 175 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks for four cycles, or IV 80 mg/m(2) weekly for 12 cycles, and IV 100 mg/m(2) docetaxel for four cycles as adjuvant treatment. We evaluated the relationship between neurotoxicity of taxanes and single-nucleotide polymorphisms of ABCB1, CYP3A4, ERCC1, ERCC2, FGFR4, TP53, ERBB2, and CYP2C8 genes. Taxane-induced neurotoxicity during the treatment was evaluated according to the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria version 4.03 prior to each cycle. Chi-squared tests were used to compare the two groups, and multivariate binary logistic regression models were used for determining possible risk factors of neuropathy. RESULTS: Pharmacogenetic analysis was performed in 219 females. ABCB1 3435 TT genotype had significantly higher risk for grade ≥2 neurotoxicity (odds ratio [OR]: 2.759, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.172-6.493, P: 0.017) compared to TC and CC genotype, and also CYP3A4 392 AA and AG genotype had significantly higher risk for grade ≥2 neurotoxicity (OR: 2.259, 95% CI: 1.033-4.941, P: 0.038) compared to GG genotype. For FDGF4 gene with AG and GG genotype, OR was 1.879 (95% CI: 1.001-3.525, P: 0.048) compared to AA genotype with regard to any grade of neuropathy risk. We could not find any other association of other genotypes with neurotoxicity grades. CONCLUSION: ABCB1 3435 TT genotype and CYP3A4 392 AA/AG genotypes may be used as predictors of neurotoxicity during taxane chemotherapy.

Simultaneous acute deep vein thrombosis and acute brucellosis. A case report.

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease common in developing countries. Vascular complications, including arterial and venous, associated with Brucella infection have rarely been reported. A case of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) developing after a diagnosis of acute brucellosis in a young milkman is presented. A 26-year-old man presented with pain in the right leg. The patient's medical history included a diagnosis of brucellosis in our hospital where he had presented with complaints of weakness and fever. Peripheral venous Doppler ultrasound showed DVT, and the patient was treated with anticoagulants. The patient was discharged with warfarin therapy and anti-brucellosis treatment. Although rare, some infectious agents may cause vascular pathologies. Patients presenting with symptoms of DVT or similar vascular pathologies should be assessed for infectious agents, particularly in those coming from Brucella-endemic areas.

Collision tumor consisting of primary follicular lymphoma and adenocarcinoma in the cecum: A case report and literature review.

The present study reports the case of a collision tumor consisting of follicular lymphoma (FL) and adenocarcinoma in the cecum of a 73-year-old man. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the 11th case of a collision tumor consisting of colon adenocarcinoma and lymphoma to be reported in the literature, and the first case of cecum adenocarcinoma with low grade FL in the same segment of the cecum and the same regional lymph node to be reported. The present study reviewed the literature to determine treatment options for patients with collision tumors. The present patient was administered with adjuvant chemotherapy for T3N1M0 colon cancer following surgery, due to the dominance of colon adenocarcinoma in the collision tumor. Following the completion of treatment, progression of the untreated FL was observed. In the literature, patients with collision tumors are administered with chemotherapy for stage IV FL, and following the completion of treatment patients have presented with a recurrence of early stage colon adenocarcinoma. The recommended treatment for collision tumors is dependent on the dominant tumor; however, the treatment options for collision tumors in the literature appeared to exacerbate the other tumor. The characteristics of the tumors altered following chemotherapy, and immunological alterations in the tumors due to chemotherapy appear to have contributed to the exacerbation of the tumors. Therefore, patients with early-stage tumors should be considered at risk of recurrence of other malignancies, which are present in collision tumors.

High-throughput screening of Sirtuin family of genes in breast cancer.

Mammalian Sirtuins have been shown to perform distinct cellular functions and deregulated expression of these genes was reported to be involved in the development of various malignancies including breast cancer. An increasing number of evidence indicates that Sirtuins have both tumor promoter and tumor suppressor functions. However, the roles of Sirtuins have not been well-reported in breast cancer. In the present study, quantitative expression levels of Sirtuins (SIRT1-7) in breast cancer patients and breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and SKBR3) and control cell line (CRL-4010) were assessed by using a high-throughput real-time PCR method. As a result, Sirtuins were found to be differentially expressed in breast cancer tissues and cancer cell lines. Particularly, expressions of SIRT1 and SIRT4 were found to be significantly down-regulated in breast cancer tissues and SKBR3 breast cancer cells. In contrast, SIRT2, SIRT3, and SIRT5 genes were shown to be up-regulated in our study. Although SIRT6 and SIRT7 were also up-regulated in breast cancer tissues, these expression changes were statistically insignificant. Additionally, SIRT2, SIRT3, SIRT5, SIRT6 and SIRT7 were found to be differentially expressed in breast cancer cell lines. Yet, these changes were not well-correlated with tissue expression levels. In conclusion, Sirtuin family of genes shows differential expressions in breast cancer tissues and cells and SIRT1 and SIRT4 seem to play key tumor suppressor roles in breast cancer development. Herein, we report expression levels of Sirtuin family of genes in both breast cancer tissues and cancer cell lines simultaneously.