The percentage of ALK-positive cells and the efficacy of first-line alectinib in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: is it a novel factor for stratification? (Turkish Oncology Group Study).

Introduction: Alectinib is an effective second-generation ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) used in the first-line treatment of patients with advanced ALK-positive NSCLC. Recent studies demonstrated that the percentage of ALK-positive tumor cells in patient groups receiving crizotinib might affect outcomes. This study aimed to investigate whether the percentage of ALK-positive cells had a predictive effect in patients with advanced NSCLC who received first-line Alectinib as ALK-TKI.

[Investigation of pncA, rpsA and panD Gene Mutations Associated with Resistance in Pyrazinamide-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates and Spoligotyping].

Pyrazinamide (PZA) is one of the first-line anti-tuberculous drugs used in the treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Considering the ability of PZA to shorten the treatment period from 9-12 months to six months by eliminating persistent bacilli, it appears to be an important cornerstone of TB therapy. While the main mechanism causing the PZA resistance is pncA mutations at a rate of 70-97%, it has been determined that rpsA and panD mutations can also cause resistance.

The narrative review of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease management in Turkey: medical treatment, pulmonary rehabilitation and endobronchial volume reduction.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most common chronic diseases. In Turkey, the prevalence of COPD has been shown at rates of 9.1% to 19.

Association of depression with improper use of inhaler devices by patients with obstructive disease.

Introduction: Obstructive pulmonary disease may cause some psychiatric disorders such as depression, similar to other chronic diseases. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma are especially susceptible to inhaler technique errors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the depression that can affect improper use of inhaler devices and to show the contribution of age, sex, and education to correct usage.

Lung damage due to low-voltage electrical injury.

Contact with high- or low-voltage electricity can cause injury. Low-voltage damage is more common and widespread, although there is little information on it in the literature. Exposure to an electrical current can effect every organ system in the body.

Serum levels of magnesium and their relationship with CRP in patients with OSA.

Background: Low levels of magnesium (Mg) are associated with chronic inflammatory stress. Some animal studies have reported that a moderate deficiency of Mg, similar to that which occurs in humans, may increase inflammatory or oxidative stress stimulated by other factors, such as disrupted sleep or sleep deficiency.

Purpose: This cross-sectional study evaluated the relationship between serum levels of Mg and the inflammatory response in patients with a new diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Polysomnographic findings in persistent allergic rhinitis.

Purpose: Persistent allergic rhinitis (PAR) is characterized by a chronic, eosinophilic inflammation with nasal congestion and rhinorrhea. Nasal congestion can constitute to sleep-disordered breathing problems that range from simple snoring to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of PAR on sleep quality and severity of OSAS.

Successful Treatment of Bulla with Endobronchial Valves.

Emphysematous bullae are a complication of end-stage COPD. Patients with large bullae and poor respiratory function have limited treatment options. Surgical resection is a recognized treatment, but functional improvement after bullectomy is not satisfactory in patients with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) < 35% predicted.

Resection of endobronchial hamartoma causing recurrent hemoptysis by electrocautery and cryotherapy.

Background: Pulmonary hamartomas are rare benign tumors of the lung with an incidence of 0.025%-0.32%.

The role of feed regulating peptides on weight loss in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Purpose: Malnutrition is a prominent feature of tuberculosis (TB). The aim of our study was to explore the function of plasma regulatory proteins in pulmonary TB and to investigate the relationship between these parameters and loss of body weight.

Methods: Plasma levels of fasting insulin, leptin, ghrelin, adiponectin and orexin-A were measured in 23 pulmonary TB patients, 39 patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis, 22 patients with different diffuse interstitial lung diseases and 21 healthy patients serving as controls.

The predictive value of QRS duration in response to levosimendan therapy in patients with decompensated heart failure.

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the role of QRS duration on the surface electrocardiogram (ECG) in predicting response to levosimendan therapy in patients with acute systolic heart failure.

Methods: Patients with an ejection fraction (EF) lower than 35% who required intravenous inotropic support despite optimal heart failure therapy were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups according to QRS durations on ECG.

A case of carbon monoxide poisoning presenting with supraventricular tachycardia.

Carbon monoxide intoxication is one of the most common types of poisoning in the world. Cardiac manifestations after exposure to carbon monoxide including myocardial ischemia, heart failure and arrhythmias have been reported. A 17-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency service with the complaints of palpitation, headache and nausea.

Transient ST-segment elevation due to iatrogenic hyperthyroidism in a patient with normal coronary arteries.

A 53-year-old man presented with angina pectoris and ST-segment elevation in V(1)-V(4) leads. Electrocardiogram changes and chest pain were completely resolved with nitroglycerine infusion. Coronary angiogram revealed normal epicardial vessels.

Long-Term Survival Following Cardiac Arrest Without Implantable Defibrillator Protection in a Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Patient.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in young people. Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is the optimal therapy in patients with HCM, both for primary or secondary prevention of sudden death. Left ventricular systolic function in HCM is usually normal.

Left ventricular noncompaction associated with a sinoatrial node artery originating from the posterolateral branch of the right coronary artery.

Noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium (NVM) is a rare unclassified cardiomyopathy which is characterized by multiple prominent trabeculations and deep intertrabecular recesses. This cardiomyopathy can be isolated or in combination with other congenital cardiac disorders, including coronary artery abnormalities. A 56-year-old female patient presented to the cardiology department with complaints of exertional dyspnoea and chest pain.

Resection of giant endobronchial hamartoma by electrocautery and cryotherapy via flexible bronchoscopy.

Endobronchial hamartoma is a rare tumor which is 3-10% of all hamartomas. We presented a case of endobronchial hamartoma that was resected and ablated with electrocautery and cryotherapy by fiberoptic bronchoscopy. A 71-year-old male, presented with progressive dyspnea on exertion, chest pain and hemoptysis.

[Thoracic findings in neurofibromatosis].

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (von Recklinghausen' disease) is an autosomal dominant hereditary syndrome. It is characterized with multiple light brown (café-au-lait) spots, Lisch nodules and neurofibromas. Thorax and lungs are affected in various forms.

Risk factors and recurrence patterns in 203 patients with hemoptysis.

Management of hemoptysis requires prompt diagnosis and patient stabilization especially in massive hemoptysis as a potentially life-threatening condition. This retrospective study was designed to determine the etiologic distribution of hemoptysis, the role of the fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) as a diagnostic tool, and to clarify potential risk factors for massive hemoptysis and recurrences. A total of 203 patients (181 male, 22 female) with hemoptysis admitted to our hospital were evaluated retrospectively.

[Comparison of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging to diagnose brain metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer].

To investigate the value of simultaneously obtained brain computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to diagnose brain metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with or without neurological symptoms. Sixty-two patients (58 male, 4 female) who were admitted to Yedikule Chest Hospital and Thoracic Surgery Center between January 2000-December 2003 and whom were diagnosed with NSCLC were included in the study. Ages of patients varied between 40-85 (61 +/- 11).

[The comparison of nicotine replacement therapy and behavioral education in smoking cessation: a study of naturalistic follow-up].

In this study, we aimed to compare quitting smoking rates after behavioral education (BE) and/or nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). 610 patients applied between October 1999-April 2002 have been acknowledged and evaluated by a questionnaire including demographic variables, smoking history, smoking habits and attitudes, motivation; biochemical assay and spirometric measures were examined. One-year follow-up results and demographic variables of patients who recruited to treatment (n= 435) were analyzed by chi-square, Student-t test, one-way ANOVA and post-hoc tests.