Examination of the Relationship Between Sensory Processing Skills, Kinesiophobia and Fear of Falling in Older Adults with Hypertension and Normotension.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate fear of falling, kinesiophobia, and sensory processing in older adults with hypertension and normotension. METHODS: Older adults, 62 with hypertension and 62 with normotension, aged 65-84 years were included in the study. The assessment of fear of falling was conducted using the Tinetti Falls Efficacy Scale, kinesiophobia was evaluated with the Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale, and sensory processing skills were analyzed with the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between the groups in terms of vestibular processing, visual processing and activity level, fear of falling and kinesiophobia (p < .05). No significant differences were found between the groups with respect to taste/smell, tactile, and auditory processing skills. The findings revealed that older adults with hypertension exhibited diminished vestibular and visual processing abilities, reduced activity levels, and heightened concerns about falling and a tendency to experience kinesiophobia. Fear of falling and kinesiophobia were found to increase with decreasing vestibular processing skills and activity levels in both groups (p < .05). Regression analysis revealed that age, kinesiophobia, vestibular processing, and activity levels were significant determinants of fear of falling (p < .05). CONCLUSION: It is recommended that older adults with hypertension be assessed in terms of sensory, functional, and mental health, with the objective of planning appropriate intervention approaches.

Surgical Anatomy and Intrapelvic Course of Obturator Nerve.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to reveal the anatomy of the obturator nerve (ON) and its important relationship in pelvic surgery with the surrounding anatomical structures. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. INTERVENTIONS: Parameters from the left and right ON's to relevant anatomical landmarks were measured and statistical analysis was performed. SETTING: The current study was planned in Department of Anatomy Ankara University School of Medicine and then conducted at the Forensic Medicine Institute, Ankara Group Presidency after receiving the approval of the Institute for Forensic Medicine. PARTICIPANTS: The study was performed in forty fresh or fresh-frozen and female cadavers bilaterally. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The mean distances of the midpoint of the left ON to the highest point of the fundus of uterus and isthmus of the uterus, cervico-uterine junction, and highest point of the promontory were 55.1±10.4, 52.9±12.4, 54.8±11.3, and 58.5±15.2 mm, respectively, and 58.7±8.1, 52.5±13.1, 61.4±17.8, and 62.2±19.7 mm on the right side, respectively (p>0.05 for all values). The mean distance between the nerve root of the left ON and highest point of the promontory was 59.1±28.4 mm, it was 59.7±26.2 mm on the right side (p>0.05). There were significant positive correlations between the distance between the left and right anterior superior iliac spines and the distances between the midpoint of the ON to the isthmus of the uterus on both the left and right sides of the pelvis (r=0.546, p=0.019, r=0.896, p<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative ON injury in gynecological procedures is a complication that may be minimized with good anatomical knowledge. Careful dissection should be performed to decrease the ON injury. The safe surgical zone was established for pelvic procedures by creating a topographical map of the ON. This research may improve pelvic surgery precision, aiding the development of better treatments and reducing ON-related complications.

Maintaining Physical Health in Individuals with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Through Telerehabilitation.

AIMS: To investigate the effects of a telerehabilitation program on walking performance, lower and upper extremity function, fall frequency, respiratory function, and satisfaction in individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). METHODS: Thirty children (mean age 8.8 ± 4.2 years) were ambulant (Group 1), and 12 youth (18.5 ± 4.7 years) were non-ambulant (Group 2). The telerehabilitation program was applied by physiotherapists for 24 sessions (3 days/week). The 10-meter walking test, stand up from the supine position test, the modified upper extremity performance test, repetition of Lower and upper extremity movements, and the single breath count (SBC) test were administered. Fall frequency and satisfaction level were also recorded. RESULTS: Significant improvement was found after telerehabilitation in upper extremity performance, repetition of lower and upper extremity movements, fall frequency, and SBC scores in Group 1. Changes in the 10-minute Walk and Stand Up from the Supine Position tests were not significant. There was a significant improvement in SBC scores in Group 2. Satisfaction with the service was 88%. CONCLUSIONS: The 8-week telerehabilitation program was effective in improving aspects of upper and lower extremity function, fall frequency, pulmonary function, and satisfaction levels in individuals with DMD.

Effects of computer use on upper limb musculoskeletal disorders and function in academicians.

Objectives. This study aimed to investigate the effects of academician's demographic characteristics and computer usage habits on upper limb musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and function. Methods. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 100 academicians. Data were collected using questionnaires, which included the patient-rated wrist evaluation questionnaire - Turkish version (PRWE-T), the Cornell musculoskeletal discomfort questionnaire - Turkish version (CMDQ-T), the upper extremity functional index - Turkish version (UEFI-T), demographic characteristics and average daily computer usage time. Results. A low-level significant correlation was found between the age of the individuals and the CMDQ-T forearm (p = 0.044; r = 0.202) and CMDQ-T wrist (p = 0.001; r = 0.337) scores. Women had higher CMDQ-T neck scores and lower UEFI-T scores than men (p < 0.05). Academicians who used computers for 6 h a day or more had higher PRWE-T and CMDQ-T neck, shoulder, upper arm and forearm scores, and had a lower UEFI-T score (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Neck, shoulder, upper arm and forearm symptoms were higher and upper extremity function was impaired in academicians who used computers for 6 h a day or more. Besides, gender and age were associated with upper limb MSDs and function, but occupation duration did not affect those outcomes in academicians.

Comparison of two different orthoses used in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis.

BACKGROUND: Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is one of the most common causes of lateral elbow pain, and orthoses are often used in its conservative treatment. However, the number of studies examining the effectiveness of the orthoses used and their differences compared to each other is limited. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of 2 orthoses types, wrist orthosis (WO) and counterforce brace (CB), commonly used in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis on muscle activation, grip strength, hand function, and satisfaction level in healthy individuals. STUDY DESIGN: Quasi-experimental study. METHODS: Thirty-seven healthy individuals were recruited. Muscle activation was evaluated by surface electromyography, and maximum grip strength was evaluated with a handheld dynamometer. Hand function and satisfaction level were evaluated with Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test and Orthotics and Prosthetics Users Survey, respectively. All evaluations were conducted for each individual in 3 conditions (no orthosis, WO, and CB). RESULTS: Extensor carpi radialis (ECR) muscle activation was greater when using CB compared with that when without orthosis (p = 0.036). There was no significant difference in extensor digitorum communis (EDC) muscle activation and maximum grip strength among the conditions (p > 0.05). Hand function was worse when using the WO compared with the other conditions (p < 0.001). In terms of orthosis satisfaction, individuals were found to be significantly more satisfied with the use of CB (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In our study highlight the use of CB in terms of EDC muscle activity, grip strength, hand function, and satisfaction, while the use of WO is prominent in terms of keeping extensor carpi radialis muscle activity low, which has been shown to be important for LE. To obtain definitive results on the effectiveness of different orthoses in the treatment of LE, more research is needed to compare the muscular activation in the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) and EDC muscles with objective methods.

In-depth exploration of challenges faced by women in the Turkish maritime industry: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Women are underrepresented in the maritime industry compared to men. This sector continues to perpetuate gender discrimination and stereotypes, often overlooking women's physical competence. OBJECTIVE: To explore the multi-faceted challenges faced by Turkish female officers, unveiling the different dimensions of these challenges, and providing a comprehensive understanding of their experiences. METHODS: In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 40 Turkish female officers actively working on seagoing vessels. The data were analyzed using MAXQDA software. RESULTS: The challenges faced by female officers were examined using content analysis. A total of 50 different codes were identified within 10 categories. The categories are gender inequality, violence, restriction of freedom, work-family conflict, mental health, physical differences, unsafe living space, insufficient communication with management, lack of psychometric testing and limited access to health services. CONCLUSION: By shedding light on the unique obstacles faced by female officers in Turkey, this study enhances our understanding of the underlying challenges and lays the groundwork for the implementation of effective policies and practices that promote the empowerment of women in the maritime industry.

Epidemic diseases during the World War I and Dr Server Kamil Tokgöz.

Server Kamil became one of the most prominent doctors during the period of the Ottoman Empirey. Server Kamil, who specialized in bacteriology and sanitation, made a name for himself primarily through his fight in the memories against epidemic diseases on the Caucasus front during World War I. He was sent to the Caucasus front as chief physician of Erzurum Red Crescent (Hilâl-i Ahmer) Hospital, and made great efforts to prevent the disease typhus-which was a major problem in the region-as soon as he reached the front line. He worked long and hard to develop a vaccine to prevent typhus, which affects thousands of soldiers and civilians. He also played a pioneering role in establishing important institutions such as the Sivas Smallpox Vaccine Laboratory and the Rabies Treatment Centre, which accomplished significant work and achieved great success both during the World War I and in the period that followed. This article attempts to clarify the activities of Server Kamil on Caucasus front during World War I based on the documents of the Turkish Red Crescent Archive, the reports of the Red Crescent Society.

Skew Constacyclic Codes over a Non-Chain Ring.

In this paper, we investigate the algebraic structure of the non-local ring Rq=Fq[v]/⟨v2+1⟩ and identify the automorphisms of this ring to study the algebraic structure of the skew constacyclic codes and their duals over this ring. Furthermore, we give a necessary and sufficient condition for the skew constacyclic codes over Rq to be linear complementary dual (LCD). We present some examples of Euclidean LCD codes over Rq and tabulate the parameters of Euclidean LCD codes over finite fields as the Φ-images of these codes over Rq, which are almost maximum distance separable (MDS) and near MDS. Eventually, by making use of Hermitian linear complementary duals of skew constacyclic codes over Rq and the map Φ, we give a class of entanglement-assisted quantum error correcting codes (EAQECCs) with maximal entanglement and tabulate parameters of some EAQECCs with maximal entanglement over finite fields.

Evaluation of subclinical atherosclerosis in rosacea patients by flow-mediated dilatation method.

BACKGROUND: Rosacea may contribute to the development of cardiovascular (CV) diseases by causing endothelial dysfunction (ED), which is known to be the initial step of atherosclerosis, due to its inflammatory features. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess ED in rosacea patients using the flow-mediated dilatation (=dilation) (FMD) method. METHODS: Seventy-three rosacea patients and 73 age, gender-matched healthy volunteers were enrolled. Individuals with cardiac risk factors, pregnant, and lactating women were excluded. Demographic, clinical data and anthropometric measurements were recorded. FMD measurement was performed ultrasonographically by a cardiologist. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures (BP) were measured and hemogram, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-Reactive Protein (CRP), total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), mean platelet volume (MPV), and fasting blood glucose values were assessed. RESULTS: The FMD value was statistically lower in rosacea patients compared with healthy controls (p = 0.000). Metabolic syndrome, systolic and diastolic BPs, and plasma NLR were higher in the rosacea group (p = 0.009, p = 0.000, p = 0.000, p = 0.000, respectively). According to the multivariate linear regression analysis, rosacea type significantly predicted FMD. CONCLUSIONS: Rosacea is not only a disease limited to the skin, but it may also have systemic involvement. A significant difference was found between FMD values measured in between the case and control groups, suggesting rosacea may have an atherogenic effect. Possible cardiac risks should be considered in rosacea patients, and further evaluation could be warranted.

Analysis of the effects of domestic waste disposal methods on mucilage with life cycle assessment.

Mucilage has been observed surface and water column of the Sea of Marmara since 2021 and the domestic and industrial based organic waste is accepted as one of the major sources for the mucilage. In this study, in order to measure the impacts of the wastes to mucilage, seven different waste disposal scenarios, which are determined according to EU directives, are applied to the waste composition of municipalities located near the Sea of Marmara. Then, the environmental impacts of these scenarios are calculated in life cycle perspective. Results show that composting has the greatest positive impact via reducing the deleterious impacts of organic wastes, which are the major source for nutritious groundwater. As to the authors knowledge, this is the first study to integrate life cycle assessment, waste management, and mucilage. The results can be used to guide municipalities around the Sea of Marmara on the prevention of mucilage.

Coexistence of uterine adenomyosis is not associated with a better prognosis in endometrioid-type endometrial cancer.

BACKGROUND: Prognostic value of accompanying adenomyosis in endometrial cancer is the subject of interest due to their common etiology and co-occurrence frequency. However, it is still unclear whether adenomyosis has a role in the prognosis of endometrial cancer. AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of adenomyosis on the prognosis of patients with endometrial cancer. METHODS: In this study, medical records of 552 patients with endometrioid endometrial cancer who underwent surgery between 2007 and 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of adenomyosis, and these two groups were compared in terms of the clinicopathological factors and survival outcomes of patients. RESULTS: Of these patients, 103 (18.7%) had adenomyosis, and the remaining 449 (81.3%) did not. The endometrial cancer patients with adenomyosis exhibited earlier stages (p < 0.001), lower tumor grades (p < 0.001), tumor sizes ≤ 2 cm (p = 0.002), myometrial invasion < 50% (p < 0.001), and negative lymphovascular space invasion (p < 0.001). The 5-year overall survival rate was comparable between the adenomyosis and non-adenomyosis groups (95 vs. 89.1%, respectively; p = 0.085). The presence of adenomyosis was significantly associated with a higher 5-year disease-free survival rate (95.1 vs. 87.9%; p = 0.047), but adenomyosis did not remain as a prognostic factor in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: The results of our study showed that the endometrioid endometrial cancer patients with adenomyosis are significantly associated with smaller tumor sizes, less myometrial invasion, lower tumor grades, less lymphovascular space invasion, and earlier FIGO stages. Nevertheless, adenomyosis was not found to be an independent prognostic factor for endometrioid endometrial cancer.

The Relationship between Z-Protein Level and other Parameters in Pregnant Women with Intrauterine Growth Retardation in Third Trimester.

BACKGROUND: Protein Z is a glycoprotein which acts as an anticoagulant factor. A deficiency of protein Z is associated with thrombotic events and adverse obstetric outcomes. The association between protein Z deficiency and adverse obstetric outcomes has previously been demonstrated in several studies. However, none of them have investigated each complication independently. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum levels of protein Z in pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). METHODS: Pregnant and nonpregnant healthy women between the ages of 18 and 40 years were included in the study. There were three groups: One: Study group: pregnant women with IUGR fetuses; Two: Control group 1: pregnant women with normal fetuses; Three: Control group 2: nonpregnant, healthy women. Plasma protein levels of protein Z, protein S, and protein C were measured for each group. RESULTS: Women with IUGR had significantly higher mean plasma concentrations of protein Z compared to women with normal pregnancies. This is in contrast to previous studies. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that the association between protein Z levels and IUGR is still controversial.

SATEN III-Splitting Adjuvant Treatment of stage III ENdometrial cancers: an international, multicenter study.

INTRODUCTION: The purposes of this study were to compare adjuvant treatment modalities and to determine prognostic factors in stage III endometrioid endometrial cancer (EC). METHODS: SATEN III was a retrospective study involving 13 centers from 10 countries. Patients who had been operated on between 1998 and 2018 and diagnosed with stage III endometrioid EC were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 990 women were identified; 317 with stage IIIA, 18 with stage IIIB, and 655 with stage IIIC diseases. The median follow-up was 42 months. The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) of patients with stage III EC by adjuvant treatment modality was 68.5% for radiotherapy (RT), 54.6% for chemotherapy (CT), and 69.4% for chemoradiation (CRT) (p=0.11). The 5-year overall survival (OS) for those patients was 75.6% for RT, 75% for CT, and 80.7% for CRT (p=0.48). For patients with stage IIIA disease treated by RT versus CT versus CRT, the 5-year OS rates were 75.6%, 75.0%, and 80.7%, respectively (p=0.48). Negative peritoneal cytology (HR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.23 to 0.86; p=0.02) and performance of lymphadenectomy (HR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.16 to 0.77, p=0.001) were independent predictors for improved OS for stage IIIA EC. For women with stage IIIC EC treated by RT, CT, and CRT, the 5-year OS rates were 78.9%, 67.0%, and 69.8%, respectively (p=0.08). Independent prognostic factors for better OS for stage IIIC disease were age <60 (HR: 0.50, 95%CI: 0.36 to 0.69, p<0.001), grade 1 or 2 disease (HR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.37 to 0.94, p=0.014; and HR: 0.65, 95%CI: 0.46 to 0.91, p=0.014, respectively), absence of cervical stromal involvement (HR: 063, 95% CI: 0.46 to 0.86, p=0.004) and performance of para-aortic lymphadenectomy (HR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.35 to 0.72, p<0.001). DISCUSSION: Although not statistically significant, CRT seemed to be a better adjuvant treatment option for stage IIIA endometrioid EC. Systematic lymphadenectomy seemed to improve survival outcomes in stage III endometrioid EC.

Risk factors for failure of sentinel lymph node mapping using indocyanine green/near-infrared fluorescent imaging in endometrial cancer.

PURPOSE: Side-specific systematic lymphadenectomy is suggested if sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping failed in early stages endometrial cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors associated with failed mapping which may lead to modify SLN mapping technique, increase the success of SLN mapping and reduce the necessity of systematic lymphadenectomy. METHODS: Patients with early stage endometrial cancer were included in this study. All patients underwent SLN mapping with indocyanine green/near-infrared compatible surgical platforms. Indocyanine green was injected intracervical. "Bilateral mapping" and "failed bilateral SLN mapping (unilateral or bilateral failed mapping)" groups were compared for demographic, clinical, surgical, and pathological features. RESULTS: 101 cases were analyzed. The overall, unilateral, and bilateral SLN detection rates were 94.1%, 19.8%, and 74.3%, respectively. The failed (unilateral or no mapping) bilateral detection rate was 25.7%. Failed bilateral mapping rates were higher in patients with longer cervical and uterine longitudinal lengths, deep myometrial invasion and larger tumor size without statistical significance. Body mass index and operation type were not related with failed mapping. Increasing number of operations or injection of larger volume of indocyanine green (4 mL vs. 2 mL) did not improve mapping rate significantly. CONCLUSION: Cervical indocyanine green injection may overcome the negative effect of obesity on bilateral mapping. Although there was a negative correlation trend between the longitudinal cervical and uterine lengths and bilateral mapping, this possible relation needs to be confirmed in further studies.

Prognostic significance of lymphovascular space invasion in low-risk endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the prognostic significance of lymphovascular space invasion in women with low-risk endometrial cancer. METHODS: A dual-institutional, retrospective department database review was performed to identify patients with 'low-risk endometrial cancer' (patients having <50% myometrial invasion with grade 1 or 2 endometrioid endometrial cancer according to their final pathology reports) at two gynecologic oncology centers in Ankara, Turkey. Demographic, clinicopathological and survival data were collected. RESULTS: We identified 912 women with low-risk endometrial cancer; 53 patients (5.8%) had lymphovascular space invasion. When compared with lymphovascular space invasion-negative patients, lymphovascular space invasion-positive patients were more likely to have post-operative grade 2 disease (p<0.001), deeper myometrial invasion (p=0.003), and larger tumor size (p=0.005). Patients with lymphovascular space invasion were more likely to receive adjuvant therapy when compared with lymphovascular space invasion-negative women (11/53 vs 12/859, respectively; p<0.001). The 5-year recurrence-free survival rate for lymphovascular space invasion-positive women was 85.5% compared with 97.0% for lymphovascular space invasion-negative women (p<0.001). The 5-year overall survival rate for lymphovascular space invasion-positive women was significantly lower than that of lymphovascular space invasion-negative women (88.2% vs 98.5%, respectively; p<0.001). Age ≥60 years (HR 3.13, 95% CI 1.13 to 8.63; p=0.02) and positive lymphovascular space invasion status (HR 6.68, 95% CI 1.60 to 27.88; p=0.009) were identified as independent prognostic factors for decreased overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Age ≥60 years and positive lymphovascular space invasion status appear to be important prognostic parameters in patients with low-risk endometrial cancer who have undergone complete surgical staging procedures including pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. Lymphovascular space invasion seems to be associated with an adverse prognosis in women with low-risk endometrial cancer; this merits further assessment on a larger scale with standardization of the lymphovascular space invasion in terms of presence/absence and quantity.

Recurrence patterns and prognostic factors in lymphovascular space invasion-positive endometrioid endometrial cancer surgically confined to the uterus.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the patterns of failure and prognostic factors for lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI)-positive endometrioid endometrial cancer (EC) patients in the setting of negative lymph nodes (LNs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective department database review was performed to identify LVSI-positive patients with disease surgically confined to the uterus at two gynecologic oncology centers in Turkey. Demographic, clinicopathological and survival data were collected. RESULTS: We identified 185 LVSI-positivewomen with negative LNs during the study period. Fifty-five (29.7%) were classified as Stage IA, 94 (50.8%) as Stage IB, and 36 (19.5%) as Stage II. The median age at diagnosis was 59 years and the median duration of follow-up was 44 months. The total number of the recurrences was 12 (6.5%). We observed 5 (2.9%) loco-regional recurrences, 3 (1.5%) retroperitoneal failures, and 4 (2.0%) distant relapses. The 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 86.1% while the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 87.7%. Grade 3 histology (Hazard Ratio [HR] 2.9, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.02-8.50; p = 0.04), cervical stromal invasion (HR 4.5, 95% CI 1.61-12.79; p = 0.004) and age ≥ 60 years (HR 5.8, 95% CI 1.62-21.32; p = 0.007) were found to be independent prognostic factors for decreased OS. Adjuvant treatment did not appear as a prognostic factor for OS even in univariate analysis. CONCLUSION: The recurrence rate among LVSI-positive endometrioid EC patients is low in the setting of negative LNs. However, one out of three patients with a recurrence experiences distant relapses which usually portend worse outcomes.

Risk Factors for Lymph Node Metastasis among Lymphovascular Space Invasion-Positive Women with Endometrioid Endometrial Cancer Clinically Confined to the Uterus.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to assess risk factors for lymph node (LN) metastasis among lymphovascular space invasion(LVSI)-positive women with pure endometrioid endometrial cancer (EC) clinically confined to the uterus. METHODS: Medical records of women who underwent primary surgery for EC between 2007 and 2016 at either of 2 gynecological oncology centers were retrospectively reviewed. Patient data were analyzed with respect to LN involvement, and predictive factors for LN metastasis were investigated. RESULTS: 280 patients with surgically staged endometrioid-type EC with LVSI were identified. LN involvement was detected in 88 patients (31.4%) with a systematic LN dissection. In multivariate analysis, elevated baseline serum CA 125 levels, deep myometrial invasion (MMI), adnexal involvement and positive peritoneal cytology were found to be independent risk factors for LN metastasis. In women without deep MMI and elevated baseline serum CA 125 levels, the rate of LN metastasis was 19%. The presence of solely deep MMI increased this probability up to 29.1%. The rate of LN metastasis was found to be 46.8% for women with both deep MMI and elevated baseline serum CA 125 levels. CONCLUSION: These findings may be useful in the decision-making process for LVSI-positive women who are unstaged.

Comparison of stage III mucinous and serous ovarian cancer: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this case-control study was to compare the prognoses of women with stage III mucinous ovarian carcinoma (MOC) who received maximal or optimal cytoreduction followed by paclitaxel plus carboplatin chemotherapy to those of women with stage III serous epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) treated in the similar manner. METHODS: We performed a multicenter, retrospective review to identify patients with stage III MOC at seven gynecologic oncology departments in Turkey. Eighty-one women with MOC were included. Each case was matched to two women with stage III serous EOC in terms of age, tumor grade, substage of disease, and extent of residual disease. Survival estimates were measured using Kaplan-Meier plots. Variables predictive of outcome were analyzed using Cox regression models. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 54 months, the median progression-free survival (PFS) for women with stage III MOC was 18.0 months (95% CI; 13.8-22.1, SE: 2.13) compared to 29.0 months (95% CI; 24.04-33.95, SE: 2.52) in the serous group (p = 0.19). The 5-year overall survival rate of the MOC group was significantly lower than that of the serous EOC group (44.9% vs. 66.3%, respectively; p < 0.001). For the entire cohort, presence of multiple peritoneal implants (Hazard ratio [HR] 2.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.38-4.14, p = 0.002) and mucinous histology (HR 2.28; 95% CI, 1.53-3.40, p < 0.001) were identified as independent predictors of decreased OS. CONCLUSION: Patients with MOC seem to be 2.3 times more likely to die of their tumors when compared to women with serous EOC.

Colposcopic biopsy findings among women with either HPV-16 only or HPV-18 only who have normal cervical cytology.

OBJECTIVE: To compare colposcopic biopsy results among women with normal cervical cytology who had positive test results for either HPV-16 only or HPV-18 only. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Research and Training Hospital, Ankara, Turkey, between July 1, 2015, and October 31, 2017. Colposcopic biopsy results were compared among women in the HPV-16 only (n=185) and HPV-18 only (n=43) groups. RESULTS: Women who had HPV-16 only were more likely to be smokers than women with HPV-18 only (P=0.003). By contrast, women with HPV-18 only were more likely to be aged at least 45 years than women who had HPV-16 only (P=0.038). High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions were detected more frequently in the HPV-16 only group (51 [27.6%]) than in the HPV-18 only group (4 [9.3%]; P=0.010). By contrast, no between-group difference was found for the rate of invasive cervical cancer, which was detected in 1 (0.5%) woman in the HPV-16 only group and 1 (2.3%) woman in HPV-18 only group (P=0.342). CONCLUSION: Although the risk of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions was increased among women with HPV-16 only, this finding did not influence the rate of invasive cervical cancer when compared with women in the HPV-18 only group.

Prognostic factors for maximally or optimally cytoreduced stage III nonserous epithelial ovarian carcinoma treated with carboplatin/paclitaxel chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors predictive of poor prognosis in women with stage III nonserous epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) who had undergone maximal or optimal primary cytoreductive surgery (CRS) followed by six cycles of intravenous carboplatin/paclitaxel chemotherapy. METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective department database review was performed to identify patients with stage III nonserous EOC who had undergone maximal or optimal primary CRS followed by six cycles of carboplatin/paclitaxel chemotherapy at seven gynecological oncology centers in Turkey. Demographic, clinicopathological and survival data were collected. RESULTS: A total of 218 women met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 64 (29.4%) patients had endometrioid, 61 (28%) had mucinous, 54 (24.8%) had clear-cell and 39 (17.9%) had mixed epithelial tumors. Fifty-five (25.2%) patients underwent maximal CRS, whereas 163 (74.8%) had optimal debulking. With a median follow-up of 31.5 months, the 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 34.8% and 44.2%, respectively. Bilaterality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.44, 95% CI 1.01-2.056; P = 0.04), age (HR 2.25, 95% CI 1.176-4.323; P = 0.014) and maximal cytoreduction (HR 0.34, 95% CI 0.202-0.58; P < 0.001) were found to be independent prognostic factors for PFS. However, age (HR 2.6, 95% CI 1.215-5.591; P = 0.014) and maximal cytoreduction (HR 0.31, 95% CI 0.166-0.615; P < 0.001) were defined as independent prognostic factors for OS. CONCLUSION: The extent of CRS seems to be the only modifiable prognostic factor associated with stage III nonserous EOC. Complete cytoreduction to no gross residual disease should be the main goal of management in these women.