Life experiences of women with breast cancer in south western Turkey: A qualitative study

PurposeThis qualitative study explores the experience of women living with breast cancer.MethodsThe study was conducted among eight women with ongoing breast cancer chemotherapy treatment, which occurred in an ambulatory unit. The data were collected using semi-structured and in-depth individual interviews. All interviews were tape-recorded, and the results were obtained by analysing the content of the recorded data.ResultsThree major themes related to the experiences of women living with breast cancer were identified. They are as follows: (1) needs (the need for spouse and family support, the need to worship, and the need to receive and share information), (2) living with losses (loss of the breast and of one’s hair), and (3) changes (changes in one’s normal life, change in self-perception, changes in the perception of the value of health, and a greater appreciation for life).ConclusionsThis study was conducted to increase awareness concerning women’s perceptions of their care and various needs during breast cancer treatment. The results of this study challenge health care providers and educators to be more aware of the difficulties that women face when living with breast cancer.     

Metronomic treatment in immunocompetent preclinical GL261 glioblastoma: effects of cyclophosphamide and temozolomide

Glioblastoma (GBM) causes poor survival in patients even when applying aggressive treatment. Temozolomide (TMZ) is the standard chemotherapeutic choice for GBM treatment, but resistance always ensues. In previous years, efforts have focused on new therapeutic regimens with conventional drugs to activate immune responses that may enhance tumor regression and prevent regrowth, for example the “metronomic” approaches. In metronomic scheduling studies, cyclophosphamide (CPA) in GL261 GBM growing subcutaneously in C57BL/6 mice was shown not only to activate antitumor CD8⁺ T‐cell response, but also to induce long‐term specific T‐cell tumor memory. Accordingly, we have evaluated whether metronomic CPA or TMZ administration could increase survival in orthotopic GL261 in C57BL/6 mice, an immunocompetent model. Longitudinal in vivo studies with CPA (140 mg/kg) or TMZ (range 140–240 mg/kg) metronomic administration (every 6 days) were performed in tumor‐bearing mice. Tumor evolution was monitored at 7 T with MRI (T₂‐weighted, diffusion‐weighted imaging) and MRSI‐based nosological images of response to therapy. Obtained results demonstrated that both treatments resulted in increased survival (38.6 ± 21.0 days, n = 30) compared with control (19.4 ± 2.4 days, n = 18). Best results were obtained with 140 mg/kg TMZ (treated, 44.9 ± 29.0 days, n = 12, versus control, 19.3 ± 2.3 days, n = 12), achieving a longer survival rate than previous group work using three cycles of TMZ therapy at 60 mg/kg (33.9 ± 11.7 days, n = 38). Additional interesting findings were, first, clear edema appearance during chemotherapeutic treatment, second, the ability to apply the semi‐supervised source analysis previously developed in our group for non‐invasive TMZ therapy response monitoring to detect CPA‐induced response, and third, the necropsy findings in mice cured from GBM after high TMZ cumulative dosage (980–1400 mg/kg), which demonstrated lymphoma incidence. In summary, every 6 day administration schedule of TMZ or CPA improves survival in orthotopic GL261 GBM with respect to controls or non‐metronomic therapy, in partial agreement with previous work on subcutaneous GL261.     

Echocardiographic diagnosis of double-chambered left ventricle

Double-chambered left ventricle (DCLV) is a rare congenital abnormality in which the left ventricle is divided into two separate chambers by a septum or anomalous muscular structure. The chambers are observed mostly parallel to each other without stenosis, and less frequently in a superior-inferior arrangement. An asymptomatic girl is presented here who was diagnosed with DCLV on echocardiographic examination that was performed for the evaluation of cardiac murmur detected by a pediatrician. She has been followed up without treatment.     

Diagnostic reliability of the Tzanck smear in dermatologic diseases

Background The Tzanck smear is a simple, easily applicable, rapid, and inexpensive test for the diagnosis of erosive vesiculobullous, tumoral, and granulomatous diseases. The diagnostic accuracy of the Tzanck smear is known, but its diagnostic reliability has been evaluated only in herpetic infections and basal cell carcinoma. Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic reliability of the Tzanck smear in erosive vesiculobullous, tumoral, and granulomatous diseases. Methods Patients evaluated by Tzanck smear at Ba?kent University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, between February 2009 and July 2010, were included. Three dermatologists were involved in the study. Dermatologist A performed a clinical dermatologic examination, took the smear material, made a clinical diagnosis, and compared the clinical and cytological diagnoses. Dermatologists B and C evaluated the smears. Agreement between the latter two dermatologists on the cytological diagnoses was determined. Results In 500 patients, a total of 272 (54%) erosive vesiculobullous, 190 (38%) tumoral, and 38 (8%) granulomatous lesions were diagnosed. The diagnostic reliability of the Tzanck smear was reasonably substantial (κ = 0.59) for all types of lesions, substantial for erosive vesiculobullous (κ = 0.79) and granulomatous (κ = 0.68) lesions, and moderate (κ = 0.50) for tumoral lesions. Conclusions The Tzanck smear may be used for the evaluation of erosive vesiculobullous and granulomatous lesions with brief training. However, the evaluation of tumoral lesions by Tzanck smear requires more experience.     

Effect of low level laser therapy and zoledronate on the viability and ALP activity of Saos-2 cells

A limited number of clinical studies indicate the supportive role of low level laser therapy (LLLT) on medical and/or surgical approaches carried out in treatment modalities for bisphosphonate related necrosis of jaws (BRONJ), the most common side effect of bisphosphonates used to inhibit bone resorption. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of LLLT on cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of human osteoblast-like cells (Saos-2) treated with different doses of zoledronate, the most potent bisphosphonate. Saos-2 cells were treated with different concentrations of zoledronate and were irradiated with diode laser (wavelength 808 nm, 10 s, 0.25 or 0.50 W). Cell numbers and ALP activity of the cells were determined. LLLT mildly increased the proliferation rate or ALP activity, while zoledronate reduced both. When applied together, LLLT lessened the detrimental effects of zoledronate and improved cell function and/or proliferation. Based on the results of this study, it was concluded that LLLT has biostimulative effects on Saos-2 cells, even after treatment with zoledronate. LLLT may serve as a useful supportive method for BRONJ treatment through enhancement of healing by osteoblasts.     

16‐Year follow‐up of an avulsed maxillary central incisor after replantation following 10‐h storage: An unusual case

Tooth avulsion is a type of dental injury defined as the complete displacement of a tooth out of the alveolar socket, and the lack of prompt treatment measures can result in the loss of function, poor quality of life, and psychological and social problems. However, several factors may not permit the immediate replantation of an avulsed tooth; therefore, delayed replantation has emerged as an alternative to meet the esthetic, functional, and psychological demands of patients. Here it was described that the successful replantation of an avulsed maxillary central incisor in a 9‐year‐old boy who presented at the clinic with the tooth stored in unfavorable conditions as dry and then in olive oil‐milk mixture almost 10 h after the event. The tooth has remained in its socket healthy for 16 years after treatment. The patient was satisfied with both esthetics and function.