Treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer with the long-acting somatostatin analogue lanreotide: in vitro and in vivo results

Fourteen patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma were treated with the long-acting somatostatin (SST) analogue lanreotide. No objective response was obtained, and the median survival was 4 months (range 1.8–7 months). Pancreatic cancer could not be visualized by means of SST-receptor (R) scintigraphy in our patients. In vitro data also demonstrated absence of SSTR2 expression, suggesting pancreatic cancer not to be a potential target for treatment with SST analogues. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaig

Dynamic Analysis of Composite Doubly Curved Panels with Variable Thickness

Dynamic analysis of composite doubly curved panels with variable thickness subjected to different pulse types using Generalized Differential Quadrature method (GDQ) is presented in this study. Panels with variable thickness are used in the construction of aerospace and marine industry. Giving variable thickness to panels can allow the designer to get optimum structural efficiency. For this reason, estimating the response of variable thickness panels is very important to design more reliable structures under dynamic loads. Dynamic equations for composite panels with variable thickness are obtained using virtual work principle. Partial derivatives in the equation of motion are expressed with GDQ and Newmark average acceleration scheme is used for temporal discretization. Several examples are used to highlight the effectiveness of the proposed method. Results are compared with finite element method. Effects of taper ratios, boundary conditions and loading type on the response of composite panel are investigated

The place and the efficacy of infectious disease consultations in the hospitals

Our study aims to determine the efficacy of infectious disease consultations and the interrelations between doctors in this social laboratory. This study was conducted at 34 centers located in 22 cities across Turkey and contributed by 210 infectious disease specialists (IDSs) and 970 non-infectious disease specialists (NIDSs), totaling 1180 medical doctors. Infectious disease specialists and NIDSs have separately contributed by responding to questionnaires designed specifically for the consultation process. It appears that a satisfactory collaboration has been established between IDSs and NIDSs during the consultation practices. There are some discrepancies in the perceptions of some of the NIDSs. These are the evaluation of patients holistically, the expectation of NIDSs in critical infection cases to start the therapy immediately, losing the support of drug companies by NIDSs, and the restriction of NIDSs in routine medical practice. On the other hand, NIDSs seem to have real problems in the diagnosis or treatment of infectious diseases. The consultation service provided by the IDSs in Turkey is widely accepted among other clinicians and appears to be of a crucial importance. Copyright © 2012 by Lippincott Williams ; Wilkins

The place and the efficacy of infectious disease consultations in the hospitals

Our study aims to determine the efficacy of infectious disease consultations and the interrelations between doctors in this social laboratory. This study was conducted at 34 centers located in 22 cities across Turkey and contributed by 210 infectious disease specialists (IDSs) and 970 non-infectious disease specialists (NIDSs), totaling 1180 medical doctors. Infectious disease specialists and NIDSs have separately contributed by responding to questionnaires designed specifically for the consultation process. It appears that a satisfactory collaboration has been established between IDSs and NIDSs during the consultation practices. There are some discrepancies in the perceptions of some of the NIDSs. These are the evaluation of patients holistically, the expectation of NIDSs in critical infection cases to start the therapy immediately, losing the support of drug companies by NIDSs, and the restriction of NIDSs in routine medical practice. On the other hand, NIDSs seem to have real problems in the diagnosis or treatment of infectious diseases. The consultation service provided by the IDSs in Turkey is widely accepted among other clinicians and appears to be of a crucial importance. Copyright © 2012 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Management and treatment in vulvar necrotizing fasciitis [Vulvanın nekroti·zan fasi·i·ti·nde yönetim ve tedavi·]

Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate the treatment and its outcomes of patients having vulvar necrotizing fasciitis. Material and methods Parameters that evaluated from patients treated in our department between 1st of January, 2006 and 31st of December, 2009 were age, conditions causing immune deficiency, habits of cigarette or alcohol, the way of perineal hair removal, glucose and HbA1c levels at admission, number of debridement under general anesthesia, results of microbiological studies and antibiotics used. Diagnosis was made with physical examination and the finger test proposed by Andresen. All patients underwent to surgical debridement immediately. Wide spectrum antibiotics and attempt to eliminate the underlying causes were started simultaneously with surgical debridement under general anesthesia. Results Six patients were available regarding the study criteria. The mean age was 46,5 ± 10,4. All patients except one had uncontrolled diabetes. The remaining had hematological malignancy and immune suppression caused by the chemotherapeutics. The hygienic condition of perinea was poor in all. Numbers of debridement under general anesthesia were three, two and one in one, two and three of the patients consecutively. The mean hospital staying was 35 ± 14,9 days. Death due to necrotizing fasciitis was not observed in any cases. Two patients died long after their discharge because of the underlying disease. Necrotizing fasciitis did not relapse in anyone. Conclusion Results derived from the small number of patients show that synchronous and intensive surgical and medical treatments are promising. However, they need to be reevaluated in studies having larger number of cases

Telaprevir experience from Turkey

Background: In patients with chronic hepatitis C, triple drug regimens containing a protease inhibitor, peginterferon and ribavirin were found to significantly increase sustained virologic response rates compared to dual drug regimen containing pegylated interferon and ribavirin, especially in genotype 1. Objectives: In Turkey, telaprevir has been used since March 2013. We aimed to evaluate results of patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with telaprevir, peginterferon and ribavirin. Patients and Methods: We evaluated 28 patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C infection treated with triple drug regimen containing telaprevir, in three medical centers in Turkey, retrospectively. Demographic data of patients, treatment indications, adverse events and outcomes were recorded. Results: Of 28 patients intended to treat, 25 (89.2%) patients completed the treatment. Overall, 21 (82.1%) patients had relapse and five patients were non-responder. Regarding the treatment outcomes of Telaprevir based regimen, 20/26 patients achieved sustained virological response. Pruritus, rash, dysgeusia, anorectal discomfort and anemia were main adverse effects. Blood transfusion and ribavirin dose reduction required for 7 and 11 patients, respectively. Due to several adverse effects, 10 patients were hospitalized. Conclusions: Although more frequent and severe adverse effects, telaprevir has been promising for patients with treatment-experienced hepatitis C. © 2015, Kowsar Corp

Determination of quality of life and their perceived social support from family of patients with HIV/AIDS

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a significant disease which affects the individual physically, emotionally, and socially. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the quality of life and social support of patients with HIV/AIDS. 49 patients with HIV/AIDS who applied to the Infectious Diseases Polyclinics of the university hospital between November 2010 and December 2011 were enrolled in study. All the data were collected using a personal information form, SF 36 quality of life scale (QOL) and perceived social support from the family scale (PSS-Fa). Average age of patients was 41.23 ± 10.62, 65.3 % of them were male. It was found that the diagnosis period for 55.1 % of patients was 24 months or longer, and 55.1 % of them were diagnosed at a university hospital, 81.6 % received a treatment. When the average scores of QOL was analyzed, it was found that the average score of functional status subscale was 39.35 ± 8.90, well-being subscale was 42.59 ± 14.70, general health perception subscale was 19.18 ± 6.25 and global quality of life score was 33.70 ± 9.31. The mean PSS-Fa score of patients was 28.65 ± 9.56. Comparing socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of patients and average scores of QOL and PSS-Fa, there was not a statistically significant relation (p > 0.05). No statistically significant correlation was found between the average scores of QOL and PSS-Fa. These results showed that quality of life was poor and perceived social support was moderate in patients with HIV/AIDS. According to these results, it is recommended that patients with HIV/AIDS should be supported in this regard. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York

Pegylated interferon in HBeAg-positive and -negative chronic hepatitis B patients: Posttreatment 1-year results of three Turkish centres

PubMed ID: 24171823In this study, we aimed to evaluate the 1-year post-treatment follow-up results of 112 patients who received pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) for 52 weeks. HBeAg negativity/seroconversion and/or negative HBV-DNA at the end of the treatment were considered as response. Patients who had response at the end of treatment but had HBV-DNA breakthrough during 1-year follow-up were considered as relapse. The study group comprised 112 cases (34 HBeAg-positive, 78 HBeAg-negative). In HBeAg-positive and -negative cases, end-of-treatment response rates were 2.9% and 60.2%, whereas 1-year sustained virological response rates were 0 and 33.3%, respectively. When we compared relapse cases versus cases with response at the end of 1-year follow-up, being female and having low viral load were the two parameters associated with higher response rates (Chi-square, P50.028; Mann–Whitney U test, P50.023). Overall non-response rates to PEGIFN were high (57.1%). Results in HBeAg-positive cases were disappointing. © 2014 Edizioni Scientifiche per l’Informazione su Farmaci e Terapia