Acute pericarditis during 5-fluorouracil, docetaxel and cisplatin therapy.

DCF chemotherapy regimen includes docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Cardiotoxicity is one of the well-known side effects of 5-FU, docetaxel, and cisplatin. In addition, the complications and side effects are more apparent when these three agents are given in combination.

Prognostic factors and clinical outcome of patients with Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors in adults: multicentric study of the Anatolian Society of Medical Oncology.

The aim of this study was to evaluate prognostic factors, survival rate and the efficacy of the treatment modalities used in patients with Ewing sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT). Data of patients with ESFTs followed up at different cancer centers in Turkey between 2001 and 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. The median age of 114 patients was 26 years (range 14-66).

Clinical outcomes in patients who received lapatinib plus capecitabine combination therapy for HER2-positive breast cancer with brain metastasis and a comparison of survival with those who received trastuzumab-based therapy: a study by the Anatolian Society of Medical Oncology.

Purpose: In this study, we investigated the effect of lapatinib plus capecitabine treatment in HER2-positive breast cancer patients with brain metastasis.

Methods: Of 405 metastatic breast cancer patients with brain metastases at referral centers in Turkey, 46 were treated with lapatinib plus capecitabine only after the development of brain metastasis. Patients who only received trastuzumab-based therapy after the development of brain metastases were accepted as the historic control group for survival analyses (n = 65).

Prognostic importance of additional cytogenetic anomalies in chronic myeloid leukemia.

Additional chromosomal abnormalities (ACAs) in Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) are strongly associated with disease progression, but their prognostic impact and effect on treatment response are not clear. While the onset of ACAs in Ph-negative cells during treatment has been described, their origin and clinical significance remain to be clarified. Between January 2008 and January 2011, 105 patients with Ph-positive CML were analyzed.

Metachronous rectum metastases from gastric adenocarcinoma: a case report.

Introduction. Hepatic metastases of gastric adenocarcinomas are frequently observed due to the drainage into portal vein. Intestinal metastases disseminate from gastrocolic and mesenteric ligaments but they are seen very rarely and in most cases detected in postmortem studies.

Gemcitabine plus paclitaxel as second-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Purpose: The aim of this retrospective study was to determine response rates, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and toxicity of gemcitabine and paclitaxel combinations with advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer patients (NSCLC) who have progressive disease after platinum-based first-line chemotherapy.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the file records of patients treated with gemcitabine plus paclitaxel in advanced or metastatic NSCLC cases in a second-line setting. The chemotherapy schedule was as follows: gemcitabine 1500 mg/m2 and paclitaxel 150 mg/m2 administered every two weeks.

Acute effects of intracoronary nitroglycerin and diltiazem in coronary slow flow phenomenon.

Background: The coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) is a coronary microvascular disorder angiographically defined by delayed opacification of the distal vasculature in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease. We aimed to investigate and compare the effects of intracoronary nitrate and diltiazem on thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count (TFC) in patients with CSFP during coronary angiography.

Methods: Sixty patients with CSFP were randomly divided into 2 groups.

Prevalence of obesity in elementary schools in mardin, South-eastern of Turkey: a preliminary study.

Objective: This research determines the frequency of obesity among primary school-aged children and evaluates the relationship between obesity and family and environmental factors.

Material And Methods: Three thousand four hundred sixty students, aged 6-15 years in three primary schools in Mardin city center were taken into the study. Information about eating habits and family-environmental factors were obtained by questionnaire.

Immunoglobulin subtypes predict therapy response to the biologics in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

To analyze the effectiveness of rituximab (RTX) versus alternative TNF antagonists (aTNFs) on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity in different subgroups of patients and relation with extraarticular manifestations of RA and to assess that RF-subsets have potential as predictors of clinical response to RTX. Patients with RA (n = 40, M/F: 3/37) who received aTNFs at least 6 months with good response (group I; n = 20) or discontinued at least one aTNFs because of the ineffectiveness and subsequently received RTX at least one course (group II; n = 20) were retrospectively evaluated. IgM-, IgA-, IgG-rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) levels were measured by ELISA technique.

Moxifloxacin-associated neutropenia.

A 32-y-old woman presented with pneumonia. Treatment was started with moxifloxacin. On day 2 of moxifloxacin treatment the patient developed neutropenia.

Prognostic analysis of patients with operable gastric cancer and tolerability to adjuvant radio-chemo-therapy.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the tolerability and toxicity of adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and to analyze the prognosis in patients with operable gastric cancer. The retrospective analysis included 723 patients with operable gastric cancer; stage IB-IV (M0), received adjuvant CRT from 8 Medical Centers in Turkey between 2003 and 2010. The patients' age, sex, tumor localization, Lauren classification, grade and stage of the disease, type of dissection, the toxicity and tolerability status and survival rate were analyzed.

Accelerated infusion rates of rituximab are well tolerated and safe in rheumatology practice: a single-centre experience.

Due to the possible risk of infusion reactions of rituximab (RTX), a slow infusion rate (total infusion time, 255 min) is suggested for rheumatological use. However, especially in oncology field, accelerated infusion of RTX is reported to be well tolerated and safe. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether accelerated infusion rates of RTX would similarly be safe and tolerable in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and other off-label rheumatological indications.

Effect of vitamin D deficiency and replacement on endothelial functions in Behçet's disease.

Objectives: Endothelial dysfunction is previously demonstrated in Behçet's disease (BD) and vitamin D is implicated to affect endothelial functions. We aimed to evaluate the status of serum 25(OH)Vit D3 levels and its association with disease activity, endothelial function and carotis intima media thickness (CIMT) in patients with BD.

Methods: Thirty-six BD (F/M: 22/14, mean age: 39.

Clinical associations of the metabolic syndrome in systemic lupus erythematosus: data from an international inception cohort.

Background: The metabolic syndrome (MetS) may contribute to increased cardiovascular risk in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We aimed to examine the association of demographic factors, lupus phenotype and therapy exposure with the presence of MetS.

Methods: The Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics Registry for Atherosclerosis inception cohort enrolled recently diagnosed (<15 months) SLE patients from 30 centres across 11 countries from 2000.

Prognostic factors and treatment outcomes in 93 patients with uterine sarcoma from 4 centers in Turkey.

Introduction: Uterine sarcomas are a group of heterogenous and rare malignancies of the female genital tract and there is a lack of consensus on prognostic factors and optimal treatment.

Objective And Methodology: To perform a retrospective evaluation of clinicopathological characteristics, prognostic factors and treatment outcomes of 93 patients with uterine sarcomas who were diagnosed and treated at 4 different centers from November 2000 to October 2010.

Results: Of the 93 patients, 58.

Effects of childhood trauma on somatization in major depressive disorder: The role of alexithymia.

Background: Childhood trauma (CT) is often associated with later psychopathology, including depression, somatization, and alexithymia. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationships of CT with somatization and alexithymia. Moreover, the effect of specific subtypes of trauma on alexithymia and somatization was also investigated.

Nine-week trastuzumab treatment versus 52-week trastuzumab treatment for HER2-positive early-stage breast cancer.

Purposes: Trastuzumab is known to be effective for early and advanced stages of breast cancer but optimal duration for early-stage breast cancer (EBC) is not well known. We evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of 9- and 52-week trastuzumab therapy for EBC retrospectively.

Methods: In this multicenter study, the medical records of all patients with EBC were analyzed in 8 centers retrospectively.

Salivary levels of HNP 1-3 are related to oral ulcer activity in Behçet's disease.

Background: Saliva contains antimicrobial peptides derived from oral epithelium as well as neutrophils in the innate immune response. The aim of this study was to examine the association between salivary human neutrophil peptide (HNP) 1-3 levels originating from neutrophils and oral ulcers in patients with Behçet's disease (BD).

Methods: Ninety-five patients with BD (F/M: 39/56; mean age: 38.

Clinical features of children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura: risk factors associated with renal involvement.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate renal involvement and factors affecting the prognosis in patients with Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP).

Materials And Methods: The outcomes of 107 children diagnosed with HSP who had been followed up for at least 6 months were reviewed.

Results: Renal involvement was observed in 26.

Changes in carotid intima-media thickness over two years in patients on haemodialysis.

Objective: To evaluate the progression of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and to search for possible associations between these changes and other risk factors of atherosclerosis for 2 years in stable patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) on haemodialysis (HD).

Methods: Study population consisted of 22 patients with newly diagnosed CRF. All patients underwent B-mode ultrasonography of common carotid artery for estimating CIMT and the presence of plaques before and after the first HD session (mean 24.

Multicentric study on malignant pleural mesothelioma in Turkey: clinicopathologic and survival characteristics of 282 patients.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a relatively rare, but aggressive tumor that causes high mortality. The major risk factor involved in the etiology is environmental and occupational exposure to asbestos. The optimal modality of therapy is controversial.

Dysexecutive syndrome: a specific pattern of cognitive impairment in systemic sclerosis.

Background And Purpose: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective-tissue disorder characterized by microvascular damage and tissue fibrosis. Although overt nervous system involvement is unusual in SSc, imaging studies have shown cerebral hypoperfusion. We evaluated cognitive functions in patients with SSc who had no history of neurological involvement, to seek cognitive impairment caused by the suggested cerebral hypoperfusion.

Prognostic value of tumor growth factor levels during chemotherapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Tumor growth and angiogenic factors are usually overexpressed in colorectal carcinomas. We aimed to assess the prognostic role of VEGF, bFGF, PDGF-AA, EGF, HGF, and E-selectin in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with capecitabine and oxaliplatin (XELOX) chemotherapy protocol. Thirty-eight colorectal cancer patients who had evidence of distant metastasis were enrolled in the study.

Derivation and validation of the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics classification criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: The Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) group revised and validated the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) classification criteria in order to improve clinical relevance, meet stringent methodology requirements, and incorporate new knowledge regarding the immunology of SLE.

Methods: The classification criteria were derived from a set of 702 expert-rated patient scenarios. Recursive partitioning was used to derive an initial rule that was simplified and refined based on SLICC physician consensus.

The cost of care of rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis patients in tertiary care rheumatology units in Turkey.

Objectives: To determine the direct and indirect costs due to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients in Turkey.

Methods: An expert panel was convened to estimate the direct and indirect costs of care of patients with RA and AS in Turkey. The panel was composed of 22 experts chosen from all national tertiary care rheumatology units (n=53).