Polymorphisms in the tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene in Turkish women with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia

The genetic background predisposing pregnant women to pre-eclampsia/eclampsia (PE/E) is still unknown. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether there is an association between the TNF-alpha-308 and 850 polymorphisms and PE or eclampsia. In this study, 40 cases of eclampsia, 113 cases of PE and 80 normotensive control cases were genotyped for the TNF-alpha-G-308A and C-850 polymorphisms. At position 308, the replacement of Guanine with Adenosine was denoted as TNF2. We found a significant difference between the TNF2 allele frequencies of the eclamptic, pre-eclamptic and normotensive controls. TNF2 (AA) polymorphism frequency was significantly higher among the eclamptics and pre-eclamptics (control : 5%, PE : 13.3%, E : 12.9%). A significantly different genotype distribution of C-850T polymorphism was observed between the PE/E and control groups, with the frequency of the variant TT genotype being significantly reduced in the preeclamptics (PE : 17% ; E : 17.5%) when compared with the control group (24.3%). We have demonstrated an association between TNF-alpha polymorphisms and pre-eclampsia susceptibility. However, it is not known whether C-850T polymorphism has a functional effect on the TNF-alpha gene. In addition, it was not possible to determine whether this polymorphism promotes the progression from PE to eclampsia because of no statistically significant difference between eclampsia and the controls

Comparison of clinical and magnetic resonance imaging findings of triple-negative breast cancer with non-triple-negative tumours

Purpose: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has some distinctive features. The aim of the study was to compare clinical and breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of TNBC with non-triple-negative breast cancer (nTNBC) in molecular subtypes such as ADC (apparent diffusion coefficient) values, T2-weighted (T2W) image intensity, shape, margin, lymph node involvement, grade, multifocality, multicentricity, bilaterality, and enhancement pattern differences between tumour subtypes. Material and methods: A total of 141 patients who underwent breast biopsy at our institution between January 2010 and June 2018 were included in this study. Patients were divided into molecular subtypes according to hormone receptor status, and Ki-67 index. Tumour grade, enhancement patterns, age, lymph node involvement, ADC values, breast imaging reporting and data system (BI-RADS) category, bilaterality, multifocality, multicentricity, margin, shape, and T2W image intensity were evaluated for these subtypes. Results: ADC values were higher in triple-negative tumours than in luminal A and luminal B tumours (p = 0.010 and p = 0.002, respectively). Circumscribed margin, type 2 enhancement curve, and rim enhancement were significantly higher in triple-negative tumours (p 0.05). Conclusions: ADC values, circumscribed margin, and rim enhancement can provide important information about the tumour's biological behaviour and the course of the disease

Subtype Distribution And Molecular Characterization Of Blastocystis From Hemodialysis Patients In Turkey

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the Blastocystis prevalence and subtypes in hemodialysis patients in Turkey. Methodology: Eighty-four patients diagnosed with end-stage renal failure who were undergoing hemodialysis and 20 healthy volunteers were enrolled. Blastocystis presence was investigated by native-Lugol, trichrome staining, PCR using STS primers, and DNA sequencing analysis. Results: Among the stool samples from the hemodialysis patients, 9.52 (8/84) were found to be Blastocystis-positive with the native-Lugol and trichrome staining. Seven of the eight Blastocystis isolates were subtyped using STS primers. Blastocystis subtype distribution was as follows: one had ST1, two had ST2, two had ST3, two had ST3ST6, and one was not subtyped. Blastocystis positivity was detected in two healthy control (2/20, 10), one subject had ST1, and the other was not subtyped. All subtypes identified by PCR were confirmed by the sequencing analysis. In the two samples that had mixed subtypes (ST3ST6) when using the STS primers, only ST3 was detected in the sequencing analysis. Although some patients have multiple symptoms, the most common symptoms in Blastocystis positive patients were bloating (5/8), diarrhea (4/8), nausea and vomiting (2/8), and gas and weight loss (1/8). Also, only one patient had Giardia intestinalis. Conclusions: This was the first study to determine the Blastocystis subtypes in hemodialysis patients. A rare subtype, ST6, was identified in two of the patients. Thus, the ST6 infections were attributable to transmission from poultry infections. The presence of this unusual subtype suggests the need for further extensive studies of hemodialysis patients.JOURNAL OF INFECTION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIE

Erlotinib as single agent first line treatment in locally advanced or metastatic activating EGFR mutation-positive lung adenocarcinoma (CEETAC): an open-label, non-randomized, multicenter, phase IV clinical trial

BACKGROUND: Erlotinib is approved for the first line treatment of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer. Since the number of prospective studies in Caucasian patients treated in routine clinical setting is limited we conducted a multicenter, phase IV clinical trial to determine the efficacy and safety of erlotinib and to demonstrate the feasibility of the validated standardized companion diagnostic method of EGFR mutation detection. METHODS: 651 chemonaive, cytologically or histologically verified advanced stage lung adenocarcinoma patients from Hungary, Turkey and Latvia were screened for exon19 microdeletions and exon21 L858R EGFR mutations using the companion diagnostic EGFR test. EGFR mutation-positive, locally advanced or metastatic lung adenocarcinoma patients received as first line treatment erlotinib at 150 mg/day. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS: 62 EGFR mutation-positive patients (9.5% of screened) were included in the safety/intent-to-treat cohort. Median PFS was 12.8 months (95%CI, 9.9-15.8), objective response rate and one-year survival was 66.1% and 82.5%, respectively. Most frequent treatment related adverse events were diarrhoea and rash. Eastern Oncology Cooperative Group Performance Status (ECOG PS), smoking status and M1a/M1b disease stage were significant prognosticators of PFS (p = 0.017, p = 0.045 and p = 0.002, respectively). There was no significant difference in PFS between the subgroups stratified by gender, age or exon19 vs exon21 mutation. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirmed the efficacy and safety of first line erlotinib monotherapy in Caucasian patients with locally advanced or metastatic lung adenocarcinoma carrying activating EGFR mutations based on the screening with the approved companion diagnostic procedure. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01609543

Cisplatin plus oral etoposide (EoP) combination is more effective than paclitaxel in patients with advanced breast cancer pretreated with anthracyclines: a randomised phase III trial of Turkish Oncology Group

Our objective was to determine whether oral etoposide and cisplatin combination (EoP) is superior to paclitaxel in the treatment of advanced breast cancer (ABC) patients pretreated with anthracyclines. From December 1997 to August 2003, 201 patients were randomised, 100 to EoP and 101 to paclitaxel arms. Four patients in each arm were ineligible. The doses of etoposide and cisplatin were 50 mg p.o. twice a day for 7 days and 70 mg m−2 intravenously (i.v.) on day 1, respectively, and it was 175 mg m−2 on day 1 for paclitaxel. Both treatments were repeated every 3 weeks. A median of four cycles of study treatment was given in both arms. The response rate obtained in the EoP arm was significantly higher (36.3 vs 22.2%; P=0.038). Median response duration was longer for the EoP arm (7 vs 4 months) (P=0.132). Also, time to progression was significantly in favour of the EoP arm (5.5 vs 3.9 months; P=0.003). Median overall survival was again significantly longer in the EoP arm (14 vs 9.5 months; P=0.039). Toxicity profile of both groups was similar. Two patients in each arm were lost due to febrile neutropenia. The observed activity and acceptable toxicity of EoP endorses the employment of this combination in the treatment of ABC following anthracyclines

Görseller eşliğinde özlü sözler kullanmanın Arapça öğretimine katkısının incelenmesi

Bu araştırmanın amacı, Arapça özlü söz metinlerini dilbilgisel ve dilsel açısındanincelemek ve özlü söz metinlerinin Arapça öğretiminde kullanılmasına yönelik çeşitlietkinlik önerileri sunmaktır. Çalışma nitel bir araştırma olup, tarama modeli kullanılmıştır.Araştırmanın evrenini içinde Arapça özlü söz barındıran kitap, dergi ve gazete gibi basılımateryallerin yanı sıra internet siteleri oluşturmaktadır. Araştırmanın örneklemini ise,çoğunluğu “Mu‘cemu Revâi‘u’l-Hikme ve’l-Akvâlu’l-Hâlide” isimli eserle birlikte“Hadâiku’l-Hikme” isimli eserden seçilen farklı temalara ait yüz elli tane özlü söz metnioluşturmaktadır. Bu çalışmanın veri toplama aşamasında amaçlı örneklem yöntemiyleseçilmiş özlü sözler kullanılmıştır. Amaçlı örneklem yoluyla seçilen bu metinlerincelenerek dilbilgisel ve dilsel özelliklerine ilişkin veriler elde edilmiştir. Çalışmadaöncelikle, eğitim ve öğretim teknolojilerine değinilerek yabancı dil öğretiminde görselaraçların önemine dair bilgiler sunulmuştur. Takip eden bölümde özlü sözlerle ilgilikavramlara değinilerek özlü sözler hakkında bilgi verilmiştir. Bir sonraki bölümde ise,araştırmanın örneklemini oluşturan eserlerden alınan özlü söz metinleri dilbilgisel açıdanincelenmiştir. Çalışmanın son bölümüne ise özlü söz metinlerinin Arapça öğretiminde,dinleme, okuma, konuşma ve yazma becerilerini kapsayacak şekilde kullanılmasınayönelik yirmi tane etkinlik önerisi sunulmuştur.Anahtar Kelimeler: Arapça özlü sözler, Arapça öğretimi, dil öğretiminde görselliğin yeri,yabancı dil etkinlikleri.The purpose of this study is to examine linguistically and grammatically the text of Arabicconcise words and to offer differrent activities about using the text of Arabic concise words(aphorismes) in Arabic teaching. The study is qualitative research and used literaturereview method. Universe of research is composed of the printed materials like the books,magazines and newspapers which contain Arabic concise words. The sample of research iscomposed of the 150 different tematic texts of Arabic concise words choosen from thebooks named “Hadâiku’l-Hikme” and “Mu‘cemu Revâi‘u’l-Hikme ve’l-Akvâlu’l-Hâlide”In the data collection phase of this study was used concise words selected by purposefulsampling method. These texts selected by purposeful sampling method were examined andobtained datas about linguistic and grammatical features. In the study it was firstlyemphasized information about the importance of visual tools in foreign language teachingby mentioning education and teaching technologies. In the following section it was giveninformation about concise words by mentioning concept of concise words. In the nextsection, it was linguistically and grammatically examined the texts of concise words takenfrom the works constituting the sample of the research.In the last section it was offered 20activities about using the concise word texts covering listening, reading, speaking andwriting skills in Arabic teaching.Keywords: Arabic concise words, Arabic teaching, the place of visualization in languageteaching, foreign language activities.</p

Erlotinib as single agent first line treatment in locally advanced or metastatic activating EGFR mutation-positive lung adenocarcinoma (CEETAC): an open-label, non-randomized, multicenter, phase IV clinical trial

Background: Erlotinib is approved for the first line treatment of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer. Since the number of prospective studies in Caucasian patients treated in routine clinical setting is limited we conducted a multicenter, phase IV clinical trial to determine the efficacy and safety of erlotinib and to demonstrate the feasibility of the validated standardized companion diagnostic method of EGFR mutation detection. Methods: 651 chemonaive, cytologically or histologically verified advanced stage lung adenocarcinoma patients from Hungary, Turkey and Latvia were screened for exon19 microdeletions and exon21 L858R EGFR mutations using the companion diagnostic EGFR test. EGFR mutation-positive, locally advanced or metastatic lung adenocarcinoma patients received as first line treatment erlotinib at 150 mg/day. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Results: 62 EGFR mutation-positive patients (9.5% of screened) were included in the safety/intent-to-treat cohort. Median PFS was 12.8 months (95%CI, 9.9-15.8), objective response rate and one-year survival was 66.1% and 82.5%, respectively. Most frequent treatment related adverse events were diarrhoea and rash. Eastern Oncology Cooperative Group Performance Status (ECOG PS), smoking status and M1a/M1b disease stage were significant prognosticators of PFS (p = 0.017, p = 0.045 and p = 0.002, respectively). There was no significant difference in PFS between the subgroups stratified by gender, age or exon19 vs exon21 mutation. Conclusions: Our study confirmed the efficacy and safety of first line erlotinib monotherapy in Caucasian patients with locally advanced or metastatic lung adenocarcinoma carrying activating EGFR mutations based on the screening with the approved companion diagnostic procedure. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01609543.Pubme