Use of Complementary Therapy in Lung Cancer Patients Treated with Chemotherapy and its Effect on Survival: A Cross-sectional Study

Aim: Complementary therapies are being increasingly preferred in patients receiving anticancer therapy to strengthen the effect of chemotherapy and control cancer-related symptoms. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of complementary therapy (CT), the factors associated with its use, physician-patient information sharing about CT use, and the effect of CT on the survival and treatment process in lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Methods: This study was designed as a cross-sectional study including patients who underwent chemotherapy for lung cancer between November 2020 and March 2022 in the department of medical oncology at Tekirdag Namik Kemal University. A structured questionnaire with twenty questions was used. Fluor-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT, and brain magnetic resonance imaging were used to stage the patients. The stages were grouped as early (stages 1B-3A) and advanced (stages 3B-4A). Results: A total of 242 patients included in the study. One hundred and forty-seven (60.7%) patients reported using at least one type of CT since the first diagnosis. “Families/relatives” (n=128; 63.7%) and “other patients” (n=67; 33.3%) were the primary sources from which patients obtained CT information. The most widely used CT methods were recorded as phytotherapy (79.6%) and apitherapy (59.2%). 125 (85%) of the patients said that they used CT to support their existing anticancer treatments. Of the patients using CT, 94 (63.9%) stated that they did not disclose their use of CT to their physicians. The majority of patients stated that their physicians did not inquire about using CT. In the cox regression analysis performed to determine survival benefit, no survival benefit from the use of CT was determined (hazard ratio=0.86, p=0.495). In the subgroup analysis, the use of CT was associated with survival in early-stage patients, but no survival relationship was found in advanced-stage patients (log-rank p=0.027 and p=0.842, respectively). Conclusion: The use of CT in conjunction with medical treatment is common among patients with lung cancer. The influence of the oncologist in guiding the use of CT in cancer patients is weak. Additionally, the use of CT does not provide benefits in terms of survival. © 2023 by The Medical Bulletin of Istanbul Haseki Training and Research Hospital The Medical Bulletin of Haseki published by Galenos Yayinevi

Cracking cryptic species: external characters to distinguish two recently recognized banded newt species (Ommatotriton ophryticus and O. nesterovi)

Animal science

Diverse aging rates in ectothermic tetrapods provide insights for the evolution of aging and longevity

Comparative studies of mortality in the wild are necessary to understand the evolution of aging; yet, ectothermic tetrapods are underrepresented in this comparative landscape, despite their suitability for testing evolutionary hypotheses. We present a study of aging rates and longevity across wild tetrapod ectotherms, using data from 107 populations (77 species) of nonavian reptiles and amphibians. We test hypotheses of how thermoregulatory mode, environmental temperature, protective phenotypes, and pace of life history contribute to demographic aging. Controlling for phylogeny and body size, ectotherms display a higher diversity of aging rates compared with endotherms and include phylogenetically widespread evidence of negligible aging. Protective phenotypes and life-history strategies further explain macroevolutionary patterns of aging. Analyzing ectothermic tetrapods in a comparative context enhances our understanding of the evolution of aging.Animal science

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Assesment of Analytical Performance of HbA1C Test by Six Sigma Methodology

Background and Objective: The HbA1 c test is a biomarker used to evaluate the long-term outcomes of diabetes, and therefore its role in diabetes management is important Analytical reliability of clinical laboratories may be obtained by Internal Quality Control (IQC), External Quality Control (EQC) etc. by analyzing the data with statistical methods. In six sigma methodology, which is one of these methods, the analytical performance can be evaluated with a single number named "process sigma value". This study aimed to compare the six sigma levels in line with the results of IQC and EQC of HbA1c tests which is one of the most commonly used tests in our laboratory.Material and Methods: IQC and EQC data between May 2015-August 2015 were collected. Monthly process sigma levels were calculated by using formula "(TEa% - Bias%)/CV%. For Bias; values that the firm provided from IQC results and the standard deviation index (SDI) values in EQC reports were used. 6% were basis for the allowed total error values (NGSP).Results: Process sigma level were determined according to IQC1, IQC2 and EQC results by month as May (3.4-8.4-9.6), June (3.9-5.2-4.5), July (5.9-8.4-4.7), August (8.7-8.4-8.2), respectively in 2015.Conclusions: In our study it was observed that HbA1C test is in conformity with the process sigma levels according to IQC and EQC data. HbA1 c test was found to be compatible with internal quality control and external quality control results in accordance with process sigma levels and it was also evaluated as favorable considering our laboratory performance

Estimation of daily global solar radiation using deep learning model

Solar radiation (SR) is an important data for various applications such as climate, energy and engineering. Because of this, determination and estimation of temporal and spatial variability of SR has critical importance in order to make plans and organizations for the present and the future. In this study, a deep learning method is employed for estimating the SR over 30 stations located in Turkey. The astronomical factor, extraterrestrial radiation and climatic variables, sunshine duration, cloud cover, minimum temperature and maximum temperature were used as input attributes and the output was obtained as SR. The datasets of 34 stations, spanning the dates from 2001 to 2007, were used for training and testing the model, respectively, and simulated values were compared with ground-truth values. The overall coefficient of determination, root mean square error and mean absolute error were calculated as 0.980, 0.78 MJm-2day-1 and 0.61 MJm-2day-1, respectively. Consequently, DL model has yielded very precise and comparable results for estimating daily global SR. These results are generally better than or they are comparable to many previous studies reported in literature, so one can conclude that the method can be a good alternative and be successfully applied to similar regions. © 2018 Elsevier Lt

Prospective comparison of the value of CARG, G8, and VES-13 toxicity tools in predicting chemotherapy-related toxicity in older Turkish patients with cancer

Background: In older patients with cancer, it is very important to choose the appropriate treatment because they are at high risk for chemotherapy toxicity. Our study investigated characteristics of Cancer and Aging Research Group (CARG), Geriatric 8 (G8), and Vulnerable Elders Survey (VES-13) screening tools for predicting chemotherapy-related toxicity (CRT) prospectively. Materials and methods: 208 patients aged ?65 years old for whom chemotherapy was planned to treat non-haematological cancer between February 2021–September 2021 were included in the study. The CARG, G8, and VES-13 toxicity tools were completed by the oncologist through face-to-face interviews before starting the first chemotherapy treatment. CRTs during chemotherapy were evaluated according to the National Cancer Institute's Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v4.03. Logistic regression models, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC-AUC), and correlation analyses were used for comparing questionnaires. Results: Median age was 70.4 (range 65–86) years. Of the participants, 103 (49.5%) participants experienced grade 3–5 CRT (32.2% haematological, 28.4% non-haematological) during chemotherapy. ROC-AUC value of CARG was determined as 0.827 (95% CI [confidence interval]: 0.77–0.88, p < 0.001), it was determined as 0.744 (95% CI: 0.68–0.81, p < 0.001) for G8 and 0.726 (95% CI: 0.66–0.80, p < 0.001) for VES-13. In the univariate regression analysis, CARG (OR [odds ratio] = 13.57, 95% CI: 6.0–30.72, p < 0.001), G8 (OR = 3.19, 95% CI: 1.62–6.29, p = 0.001), and VES-13 (OR = 9.5, 95% CI: 5.01–17.89, p < 0.001) were found to be predictive for CRT. The multivariate analysis (included stage, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group [ECOG] performance status, presence of comorbid disease, platinum-based treatment regimen, taxane-based treatment regimen, CARG, VES-13, G8) showed that CARG (OR = 12.08, 95% CI: 5.11–28.56, p < 0.001), VES-13 (OR = 10.06, 95% CI: 4.92–22.98, p < 0.001), and G8 (OR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.04–4.69, p = 0.040) screening tools were strong predictors for CRT. The CARG and VES-13 questionnaires were predictive for reducing the initial treatment dose (p = 0.004, p = 0.004, respectively), interruption of treatment (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively), discontinuing treatment (p = 0.002, p = 0.002, respectively), and unexpected hospitalisation (p = 0.012, p = 0.003, respectively). Conclusions: We showed that all three CARG, G8, and VES-13 questionnaires are helpful tools in the decision-making process for ideal chemotherapy to predict severe CRT; however, CARG and VES-13 questionnaires appear more useful in daily oncology practice than the G8 questionnaire. © 2022 Elsevier Inc.The study was approved by the Tekirdag Namik Kemal University ethics committee (26.01.2021, no: 2021.12.01.12) under the Helsinki declaration, and all participating patients signed written consent