Evaluation of 14 patients performed radiotherapy due to Kaposi sarcoma

Methods: The patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) because of the KS between the years 2005-2012 in Radiation Oncology Department of Dicle University Hospital were included. All patients underwent RT with different dose-fractionation schemes to increase quality of life and to palliate the symptoms. Patients with lesions in multiple regions underwent RT in the same or different dates. Responses to radiotherapy were recorded as complete or partial response. Results: Fourteen patients received radiotherapy because of f KS were evaluated retrospectively. Twenty two different regions of 14 patients underwent RT . Only one patient (4.5%) was performed RT to glans penis as a third region while performed to the two regions in six patients (27.3%). At irradiations, 6 MV and 10 MV photon energies with 6 MeV, 9 MeV and 12 MeV electron energy were used. Water phantom or bolus material was used to obtain a homogeneous dose distribution in the photon irradiation. RT dose administered to a total of 22 different regional was median 800 cGy (Range: 800-3000 cGy). Median number of RT fractions was 1 (Range: 1-10). When treatment response were evaluated stable disease was present in the 4 (18.1%) regions. Partial response was achieved in eight (36.4%) regions, complete response in 10 (45.5%). RT-related common lymphedema in the feet and legs was observed in the four (57.3%) regions in the acute period. Complication of pain was present in two (28.7%) regions. Conclusion: RT is an appropriate and effective treatment regimen in the palliative treatment of KS lesions. Excellent response rates of skin lesions may be obtained by RT. Lesions and symptoms such as itching may be lost after RT. Side effects such as edema and pain may be relieved by supportive treatment

Clinical and microbiological features of resistant gram-negative bloodstream infections in children

Summary: Background: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) caused by Gram-negative (GN) bacteria cause significant morbidity and mortality. There is a worldwide increase in the reported incidence of resistant microorganisms; therefore, surveillance programs are important to define resistance patterns of GN microorganisms causing BSIs. The objective of this study was to describe the clinical and microbiological features of resistant GN BSIs in a tertiary pediatric hospital in Turkey. Methods: Patients between 1 month and 18 years of age hospitalized between January 2005 and December 2012 were included in this study. The presence of ESBL and AmpC type beta-lactamase activity were evaluated using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) disk diffusion and double-disk synergy tests. Results: A total of 209 resistant GN bacterial BSI episodes were identified in 192 patients. Of 192 children, 133 (69.2%) were aged ≤48 months of age. Sixty-six (31.6%) of the BSIs were considered community-acquired and 143 (68.4%) were hospital-acquired infections. The most common isolates were non-fermenting GN bacteria (n = 117, 55.9%). The major causative pathogens were Pseudomonas spp. in non-fermenting GN bacteria. The resistance rates to imipenem for Pseudomonas spp. and Acinetobacter spp. were 40.5% and 41.6%, respectively. The most common isolates in fatal patients were Pseudomonas spp. followed by Escherichia coli. The overall 28-day mortality rate was 16.3%. Conclusions: Although our study was performed at a single center and represents a local population, based on this study, it is concluded that surveillance programs and studies of novel antibiotics for resistant GN bacteria focusing on pediatric patients are required. Keywords: Bloodstream infection, Gram-negative, Resistance, Childre

Frequency and status of depression and anxiety in mothers of children with inborn errors of metabolism with restricted diet, with and without risk of metabolic crises

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the frequency and status of depression and anxiety among mothers of children with inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) who were on a restricted diet and previously experienced metabolic crises