ASSESSMENT OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON PATIENTS WITH GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER

Background: The pandemic caused by the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) has affected the mental health of the general population, leading to an increase in depression, anxiety and stress. The results of the studies on the psychological effects of the pandemic in patients with psychiatric illnesses were contradictory in that some reported higher adverse effects in patients with psychiatric illnesses compared to the healthy control subjects, whereas some did not. Thus, the aim of this study is to compare the patients with a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder and the healthy control subjects in terms of certain psychological parameters during the pandemic period. Subjects and methods: 81 patients, who were diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and 80 healthy volunteers of matching characteristics were included in this study. Both the patient and control groups were administered a sociodemographic questionnaire, short form of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Revised Impact of Event Scale (IES-R). The resulting research data were analyzed using the SPSS 22.0 software Results: No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of depression, stress, intrusion, hyperarousal and avoidance. On the other hand, the increase observed in the anxiety symptoms was found to be significant in the patient group compared to the control group. Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed that the depression, stress and trauma-related stress responses of GAD patients have not differred during the COVID-19 pandemic period, whereas that their anxiety levels have increased significantly, as compared to the healthy control subjects. In this context, it is recommended that the clinicians take into consideration that the pandemic may lead to an increase in the symptoms of individuals diagnosed with anxiety disorder

A Rare Mimicker of an Adrenal Carcinoma: Co-occurrence of Hemorrhagic Pseudocyst and Myelolipoma

Adrenal collision tumors are rare tumors composed of two different benign or malignant tumors in the adrenal gland. Radiological features are very helpful in the diagnosis, however it is not always possible to make a definite diagnosis with imaging findings alone because the coexisting masses contain different tissue components. In this paper, we report the imaging findings of an adrenal lesion with pseudocyst and myelolipoma mimicking an adrenocortical carcinoma in a 42-year-old female patient. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an adrenal lesion containing myelolipoma and hemorrhagic pseudocyst mimicking an adrenal carcinoma in the literature

Oblique Parameters and Extra Generations via OPUCEM

Recent improvements to OPUCEM, the tool for calculation of the contributions of various models to oblique parameters, are presented. OPUCEM is used to calculate the available parameter space for the four family Standard Model given the current electroweak precision data. It is shown that even with the restrictions on Higgs boson and new quark masses presented in the 2011 autumn conferences, there is still enough space to allow a fourth generation with Dirac type neutrinos. For Majorana type neutrinos, the allowed region is even larger. The electroweak precision data also favors non-zero mixing between light and fourth generations, thus effectively reducing current experimental limits. Additionally, calculations with OPUCEM show that even 5th and 6th generations are compatible with the existing electroweak precision data, with a probability comparable to or higher than the Standard Model with 3 generations.Comment: 11 pages, 21 figures, 5 tables - Version accepted by EPJ-

Real-world efficacy and safety of Ledipasvir plus Sofosbuvir and Ombitasvir/Paritaprevir/Ritonavir +/- Dasabuvir combination therapies for chronic hepatitis C: A Turkish experience

Background/Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the real-life efficacy and tolerability of direct-acting antiviral treatments for patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with/without cirrhosis in the Turkish population.Material and Methods: A total of 4,352 patients with CHC from 36 different institutions in Turkey were enrolled. They received ledipasvir (LDV) and sofosbuvir (SOF)+/- ribavirin (RBV) ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir +/- dasabuvir (PrOD)+/- RBV for 12 or 24 weeks. Sustained virologic response (SVR) rates, factors affecting SVR, safety profile, and hepatocellular cancer (HCC) occurrence were analyzed.Results: SVR12 was achieved in 92.8% of the patients (4,040/4,352) according to intention-to-treat and in 98.3% of the patients (4,040/4,108) according to per-protocol analysis. The SVR12 rates were similar between the treatment regimens (97.2%-100%) and genotypes (95.6%-100%). Patients achieving SVR showed a significant decrease in the mean serum alanine transaminase (ALT) levels (50.90 +/- 54.60 U/L to 17.00 +/- 14.50 U/L) and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores (7.51 +/- 4.54 to 7.32 +/- 3.40) (p<0.05). Of the patients, 2 were diagnosed with HCC during the treatment and 14 were diagnosed with HCC 37.0 +/- 16.0 weeks post-treatment. Higher initial MELD score (odds ratio [OR]: 1.92, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22-2.38; p=0.023]), higher hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA levels (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.31-2.28; p=0.038), and higher serum ALT levels (OR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.21-1.83; p=0.042) were associated with poor SVR12. The most common adverse events were fatigue (12.6%), pruritis (7.3%), increased serum ALT (4.7%) and bilirubin (3.8%) levels, and anemia (3.1%).Conclusion: LDV/SOF or PrOD +/- RBV were effective and tolerable treatments for patients with CHC and with or without advanced liver disease before and after liver transplantation. Although HCV eradication improves the liver function, there is a risk of developing HCC.Turkish Association for the Study of The Liver (TASL

Perivascular Epithelioid Cell Tumor (PEComa) of the Uterine Cervix in a Patient with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex: A Literature Review

Perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComa) are a rare type of mesenchymal tumor arising from perivascular epithelial cells. These tumor cells are a co-expression of both melanocytic and myogenic antigens, such as HMB 45 and smooth muscle actin, and at least in some patients, are located around vessels. PEComas has been reported at various sites, including visceral organs, soft tissue, the prostate gland and broad ligaments. In the female reproductive system, the uterine corpus is the most common site of involvement. Some cases are related to tuberous sclerosis complex. Cervical PEComa with tuberous sclerosis complex is presented in the case of a 41 year-old and the literature is reviewed. There have been only eight cases of cervical PEComas and only one other case associated with tuberous sclerosis complex reported to date

Do You Know the Details of Your PAX8 Antibody? Monoclonal PAX8 (MRQ-50) Is Not Expressed in a Series of 45 Medullary Thyroid Carcinomas

Mete, Ozgur/0000-0003-0469-2801; CALISKAN, SULTAN/0000-0003-3703-8427WOS: 000519375300005PubMed: 31912298Medullary thyroid carcinomas display cytologic and architectural features that can simulate various primary and metastatic neoplasms. PAX8 immunoexpression in neuroendocrine neoplasms yielded antibody-dependent findings. Since the data regarding the expression profile of monoclonal PAX8 (MRQ-50) antibody is limited in large series of medullary thyroid carcinomas, this study investigated the expression profile of PAX8 (MRQ-50) in a series of 45 medullary thyroid carcinomas. PAX8 (MRQ-50) expression was noted in the thyroid follicular epithelial cells surrounding the tumor and was negative in all medullary thyroid carcinomas. in addition, twenty medullary thyroid carcinomas showed scattered entrapped thyroid follicular epithelial cells at the periphery of the tumor. Entrapped follicular epithelial cells were positive for PAX8 and thyroglobulin, and were negative for monoclonal CEA and calcitonin. A panel approach combining monoclonal antibodies to transcription factors, hormones and cell-specific peptides often assist diagnosticians in the workup of the cellular origin of a neuroendocrine neoplasm. Since PAX8 immunostaining is dependent on the antibody characteristics in neuroendocrine neoplasms, pathologists should be aware of the details of the PAX8 antibody used in a particular case

Organik fosfor zehirlenmesi olan hastalarda yüksek postentübasyon trakeal stenoz riski

Amaç: Bu çalışmada entübasyon sonrası trakea stenozu gelişen hastalar, entübasyonun birincil nedeni ve tedavisine göre tekrar değerlendirildi. Çalışma planı: Ocak 2001 - Aralık 206 tarihleri arasında yoğun bakım ünitesinde çeşitli nedenler ile endotrakeal entübasyon uygulanan 230 hasta arasından entübasyon sonrası trakeal stenoz gelişen 14 hasta retrospektif olarak incelendi. Hastaların tümü boyun ve göğüs bilgisayarlı tomografi taraması ile değerlendirildi ve trakeal anastomoz yapıldı. Rezeke edilen stenotik trakeal halkalar, histopatolojik olarak değerlendirildi. Bulgular: Hastaların toplam 201’ine genel travma (GT), 29’una ise organik fosfor zehirlenmesi (OFZ) nedeni ile endotrakeal entübasyon uygulandı. On dört olguda trakeal stenoz gelişti, bu olguların dokuzu OFZ, beşi GT hastası idi. Organik fosfor zehirlenmesi olan hastalarda yüksek doz atropin veya pralidoksim tedavisi dışında, medikal tedavi ve bakım her iki grupta genel olarak benzer idi. Rezeke edilen stenotik trakeal halkalarda, yaygın kronik aktif inflamasyon, fibrozis ve epitel kaybı OFZ grubunda, GT grubundan daha fazla idi. Sonuç: Entübasyonun birincil nedeni ve medikal tedavinin, entübasyon sonrası trakeal stenoz gelişimine etkisi olabilir.Background: This study aims to reevaluate patients who developed postintubation tracheal stenosis with regard to the primary reason for intubation and therapy. Methods: Between January 2001 and December 2006, 14 of 230 patients who underwent endotracheal intubation for various reasons in the intensive care unit (ICU) and then developed postintubation tracheal stenosis were analyzed retrospectively. All patients were examined with a neck and chest computed tomography (CT) scan, and tracheal anastomosis was performed. The resected stenotic tracheal rings were evaluated histopathologically. Results: A total of 201 patients underwent endotracheal intubation due to general trauma (GT), and 29 of these were due to organophosphate poisoning (OPP). Fourteen of these patients developed tracheal stenosis, including nine with OPP and five with GT. The medical therapy and care were generally similar in both groups, except that high doses of atropine and/or pralidoxime were administered to the OPP patients. Diffused chronic active inflammation, fibrosis, and epithelial loss in the resected stenotic tracheal rings were more common in the OPP group than in the GT group. Conclusion: The primary cause of intubation and the medical therapy employed may have an effect on postintubation tracheal stenosis

Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers of Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma

Asa, Sylvia/0000-0001-8418-5054; Mete, Ozgur/0000-0003-0469-2801; GUCER, HASAN/0000-0002-9122-379XWOS: 000427643300008PubMed: 28877067The diagnosis of low-grade adrenal cortical carcinoma (ACC) confined to the adrenal gland can be challenging. Although there are diagnostic and prognostic molecular tests for ACC, they remain largely unutilized. We examined the diagnostic and prognostic value of altered reticulin framework and the immunoprofile of biomarkers including IGF-2, proteins involved in cell proliferation and mitotic spindle regulation (Ki67, p53, BUB1B, HURP, NEK2), DNA damage repair (PBK, -H2AX), telomere regulation (DAX, ATRX), wnt-signaling pathway (beta-catenin) and PI3K signaling pathway (PTEN, phospho-mTOR) in a tissue microarray of 50 adenomas and 43 carcinomas that were characterized for angioinvasion as defined by strict criteria, Weiss score, and mitotic rate-based tumor grade. IGF-2 and proteins involved in cell proliferation and mitotic spindle regulation (Ki67, p53, BUB1B, HURP, NEK2), DNA damage proteins (PBK, -H2AX), regulators of telomeres (DAXX, ATRX), and beta-catenin revealed characteristic expression profiles enabling the distinction of carcinomas from adenomas. Not all biomarkers were informative in all carcinomas. IGF-2 was the most useful biomarker of malignancy irrespective of tumor grade and cytomorphologic features, as juxtanuclear Golgi-pattern IGF-2 reactivity optimized for high specificity was identified in up to 80% of carcinomas and in no adenomas. Loss rather than qualitative alterations of the reticulin framework yielded statistical difference between carcinoma and adenoma. Angioinvasion defined as tumor cells invading through a vessel wall and intravascular tumor cells admixed with thrombus proved to be the best prognostic parameter, predicting adverse outcome in the entire cohort as well as within low-grade ACCs. Low mitotic tumor grade, Weiss score, global loss of DAXX expression, and high phospho-mTOR expression correlated with disease-free survival, but Weiss score and biomarkers failed to predict adverse outcome in low-grade disease. Our results underscore the importance of careful morphologic assessment coupled with ancillary diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of ACC

Clinical importance of discordance of hormone receptors and Her2/neu status after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer

WOS: 000347742000004PubMed ID: 25536590Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the hormone receptors' (HR) and HER2/neu status between core needle biopsy (CNB) and residual tumor after surgery of breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), and also to evaluate the impact of discordance and other clinicopathological factors on survival. Methods: Oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and HER2/neu status were evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) on 90 CNBs of primary tumors and surgical specimens after NAC (study group); 53 patients without NAC served as control group, and discordance was compared between the two groups. The association between discordance of HR status after NAC and various other clinicopathological factors was tested with Spearman's test. Results: Pathological complete response (PCR) was achieved in 10 (11.1%) patients after NAC. ER and PR changed significantly more in the study than in the control group. ER and PR discordance was detected in 10 (12.5%) and 17 (21.2%) patients in the NAC group and in 1 (1.8%) and 2 (3.7%) patients in the control group (p=0.04 and p=0.005, respectively). ER discordance was related with HER2/neu change. Furthermore, PR discordance correlated with CNB, ER and treatment response, while HER2/neu discordance was associated with treatment response (p=0.05). ER discordance was found to be an independent prognostic factor for progression-free survival (PFS) (p=0.02). Conclusion: NAC might cause alterations in ER, PR or HER2/neu status in breast cancer, and they should be re-tested in the residual tumor after NAC to optimize adjuvant therapy

Retrospective Analysis of Placental Invasion Anomalies in a University Hospital

OBJECTIVE: Retrospective analysis of cases applying to the Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic in Ondokuz Mayıs University Medicine School and diagnosed with placental invasion abnormalities, their common features and evaluation of test results STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analyses and treatments were evaluated of cases applying to our clinic between February 2008 and February 2010 with placental invasion abnormalities and that diagnoses were ultrasonographically and pathologically finalized. RESULT: Four cases out of 6 were diagnosed preoperatively, and invasion of the bladder in one of these had been recognized preoperatively. All the cases had past cesarean section in their histories. Need for blood transfusion was less in cases diagnosed beforehand, and their hospitalization periods were shorter. Placenta previa was present in all the cases. Peripartum histerectomy was performed for all the six cases. Incidence of placental invasion abnormality was found as 1:294. This result may be cause of our university is a references origin in area. CONCLUSION: Maternal and fetal problems in cases of placenta invasion that are diagnosed previously and intervened after making the required preparations can be reduced