Serum fetuin-A and RANKL levels in patients with early stage breast cancer

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the primary cause of mortality due to cancer in females around the world. Fetuin-A is known to increase metastases over signals and peroxisomes related with growing. Receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligand (RANKL) takes part in cell adhesion, and RANKL inhibition is used in the management of cancer. We aimed to examine the relationship between serum fetuin-A, RANKL levels, other laboratory parameters and clinical findings in women diagnosed with early stage BC, in our population. Methods: Women having early stage BC (n=117) met our study inclusion criteria as they had no any anti-cancer therapy before. Thirty-seven healthy women controls were also confirmed with breast examination and ultrasonography and/or mammography according to their ages. Serum samples were stored at -80 °C and analysed via ELISA. Results: Median age of the patients was 53 (range: 57-86) while it was 47 (range: 23-74) in the healthy group. Patients had lower high-density lipoprotein levels (p=0.002) and higher neutrophil counts (p=0.014). Fetuin-A and RANKL levels did not differ between the groups (p=0.116 and p=0.439, respectively) but RANKL leves were found to be lower in the favorable histological subtypes (p=0.04). Conclusions: In this study, we found no correlation between serum fetuin-A levels and clinical findings in patients diagnosed with early stage BC. However, RANKL levels are found to be lower in subgroups with favorable histopathologic subtypes such as tubular, papillary and mucinous BC and there was statistically significant difference

The experience of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in soft tissue radionecrosis: a case report

Radiation's late effects may lead to complex and potentially devastating complications in normal tissue. In many cases, resulting radionecrotic lesions seriously impair form and function which may be life-threatening and more devastating than primary malignant disease. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is being used for treatment of radionecrosis for the last twenty years and is included in indication list of two important scientific committees, Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) and European Commitee for Hyperbaric Medicine (ECHM). In this report, we present an upper outside quadrant of the breast-soft tissue radionecrosis case which treated with HBO. The efficacy of hyperbaric oxygenation was followed by LENT/SOMA scoring. After 40 sessions of daily 90 minutes of HBO therapy at 2.0 ATA (athmosphere absolute) in a monoplace pressure chamber, the LENT/SOMA scoring which was 23/1.642 (LENT score 1/2) on admission found to be 12/0.857 by the end of the therapy and 4/0.285 on sixth month control examinations

Identification of Prime Butterfly Areas in Turkey using systematic conservation planning: Challenges and opportunities

Butterflies are among the most sensitive groups to environmental changes and are prime subjects for many conservation studies. It is essential to conserve butterflies through identifying important sites, namely "Prime Butterfly Areas" (PBAs). Using distribution data of 358 butterfly species, we have identified 65 PBAs in Turkey. Selection of important sites for a single taxon is generally performed using a scoring based system, yet in this study we have adopted Systematic Conservation Planning (SCP) approach. The efficiency of SCP approach, the explicit site prioritization process it provides, and the presence of an established SCP system in Turkey has led to this decision. However, regardless of the system used, to secure effective implementation, conceptual and operational subjects should be considered simultaneously. In majority of the cases, the emphasis is given to the methodological details of conservation assessments and effective tools for implementation are not produced. Therefore, while determining PBAs, rather than following the SCP procedure in a strict manner, we have incorporated elements of other site selection approaches into our study for the adoption and use of the outputs by stakeholders. With this study, we discussed how different stages of the PBA identification process (e.g. setting conservation targets, scoring species, determining the initial and optimal site sets and prioritization) should be handled to ensure implementation. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Butterflies are among the most sensitive groups to environmental changes and are prime subjects for many conservation studies. It is essential to conserve butterflies through identifying important sites, namely “Prime Butterfly Areas” (PBAs). Using distribution data of 358 butterfly species, we have identified 65 PBAs in Turkey. Selection of important sites for a single taxon is generally performed using a scoring based system, yet in this study we have adopted Systematic Conservation Planning (SCP) approach. The efficiency of SCP approach, the explicit site prioritization process it provides, and the presence of an established SCP system in Turkey has led to this decision. However, regardless of the system used, to secure effective implementation, conceptual and operational subjects should be considered simultaneously. In majority of the cases, the emphasis is given to the methodological details of conservation assessments and effective tools for implementation are not produced. Therefore, while determining PBAs, rather than following the SCP procedure in a strict manner, we have incorporated elements of other site selection approaches into our study for the adoption and use of the outputs by stakeholders. With this study, we discussed how different stages of the PBA identification process (e.g. setting conservation targets, scoring species, determining the initial and optimal site sets and prioritization) should be handled to ensure implementation

Active matrix metalloproteinase-8 and interleukin-6 detect periodontal degeneration caused by radiotherapy of head and neck cancer : a pilot study

Background: This cohort study investigated the role of the active matrix metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) as oral fluid biomarkers for monitoring the periodontal degeneration occurring in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients treated by radiotherapy. Research design and methods: Eleven patients, aged 28-74, diagnosed with HNC were included in the study. Complete periodontal and oral examinations were performed pre-radiotherapy and 1 month after radiotherapy. Mouthrinse samples (pre-radiotherapy, after 6 weeks of radiotherapy and 1 month after radiotherapy) were assayed by aMMP-8 point-of-care-kit (PerioSafe (R)/ORALyzer (R)) for aMMP-8 and ELISA for IL-6. Results: HNC radiotherapy had a deteriorating impact on the periodontium and a significant impact on periodontal biomarkers aMMP-8 and IL-6 and increased their levels in mouthrinse. Clinical-attachment-loss (CAL) (site of greatest loss: mean = 1.7 mm, range = 1-3 mm) corresponding to rapid progression of periodontitis. There was a positive repeated measures correlation (rmcorr = 0.667) between the aMMP-8 and IL-6 levels. Conclusions: Elevated aMMP-8 levels were observed 1 month after radiotherapy among some HNC patients suggesting a prolonged increased susceptibility to further periodontal tissue destruction. Currently available aMMP-8 point-of-care testing could be useful to monitor and assess quantitatively online and real-time the risk of deterioration of periodontal health during HNC radiotherapy.Peer reviewe

Radiotherapy Increases aMMP-8-Levels and Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio Rapidly in Head and Neck Cancer Patients : A Pilot Study

Radiotherapy for head and neck carcinoma (HNC) has both curative and palliative purposes. This study investigated mouthrinse aMMP-8 levels, molecular forms of MMP-8, blood neutrophil counts and neurophil/lymphocyte ratios before and 3 weeks after HNC radiotherapy started. Thirteen HNC patients undergoing radiotherapy were included. Mouthrinse samples (before and 3 weeks after HNC radiotherapy had started) were assayed quantitatively by aMMP-8 point-of-care-kit (PerioSafe (R)/ORALyzer (R)) and by western immunoblot. Total neutrophil counts and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratios were evaluated in the hemogram results. Three weeks after HNC radiotherapy started, significant increases in aMMP-8 levels and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratios were observed. No significant difference was found in total neutrophil counts. Elevations of the activated and fragmented MMP-8 levels after HNC radiotherapy application were observed on western immunoblot analysis. The increase in the aMMP-8 levels and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratios indicate inflammation both locally and systemically suggesting increased risk for periodontitis due to the HNC radiotherapy.Peer reviewe

Prevalence of Childhood Affective disorders in Turkey: An epidemiological study

Aim: To determine the prevalence of affective disorders in Turkey among a representative sample of Turkish population. Methods: This study was conducted as a part of the "The Epidemiology of Childhood Psychopathology in Turkey" (EPICPAT-T) Study, which was designed by the Turkish Association of Child and Adolescent Mental Health. The inclusion criterion was being a student between the second and fourth grades in the schools assigned as study centers. The assessment tools used were the K-SADS-PL, and a sociodemographic form that was designed by the authors. Impairment was assessed via a 3 point-Likert type scale independently rated by a parent and a teacher. Results: A total of 5842 participants were included in the analyses. The prevalence of affective disorders was 2.5 % without considering impairment and 1.6 % when impairment was taken into account. In our sample, the diagnosis of bipolar disorder was lacking, thus depressive disorders constituted all the cases. Among depressive disorders with impairment, major depressive disorder (MDD) (prevalence of 1.06%) was the most common, followed by dysthymia (prevalence of 0.2%), adjustment disorder with depressive features (prevalence of 0.17%), and depressive disorder-NOS (prevalence of 0.14%). There were no statistically significant gender differences for depression. Maternal psychopathology and paternal physical illness were predictors of affective disorders with pervasive impairment. Conclusion: MDD was the most common depressive disorder among Turkish children in this nationwide epidemiological study. This highlights the severe nature of depression and the importance of early interventions. Populations with maternal psychopathology and paternal physical illness may be the most appropriate targets for interventions to prevent and treat depression in children and adolescents

The prevalence of childhood psychopathology in Turkey: a cross-sectional multicenter nationwide study (EPICPAT-T)

Conclusion: This is the largest and most comprehensive epidemiological study to determine the prevalence of psychopathologies in children and adolescents in Turkey. Our results partly higher than, and partly comparable to previous national and international studies. It also contributes to the literature by determining the independent predictors of psychopathologies in this age group

The prevalence of childhood psychopathology in Turkey: a cross-sectional multicenter nationwide study (EPICPAT-T).

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of childhood psychopathologies in Turkey