Differences in recurrence and survival of extremity liposarcoma subtypes

Background

Liposarcomas can be divided into four subtypes and are most frequently located in the extremities. There are currently no studies comparing the clinical outcomes, such as local recurrence and distant metastasis, between the distinct subtypes of primary LPS of the extremity specifically.

C-reactive protein in acute coronary syndromes: a perfect trigger or an excellent indicator?

Recent researches have shown that active inflammation is considered a crucial step in the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndromes. C-reactive protein has long been utilized as a nonspecific clinical marker of inflammation, with the advent of high-sensitivity assays, has emerged as one of the most powerful independent predictors of cardiovascular disease. However, it is not clear whether C-reactive protein is only an excellent indicator or a perfect trigger in acute coronary syndromes. In this paper, we discussed the role of C-reactive protein in the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndromes.     

Application of a new MR microscope using an independent console system (MRMICS) for biological tissues in vitro]

We studied microscopic MR images of the normal appendix in vitro using a new MR microscope system: MR Microscope using an Independent Console System (MRMICS). The MRMICS was placed in the clinical MR room, and the probe box was fixed on the bed of the 1.5 T clinical MR machine. T1-, T2-, and proton density-weighted images were obtained using spin echo sequences with an in-plane pixel size of 100 x 100 microns. Zonal structures of the appendix were clearly demonstrated with different contrast by different sequences. Therefore, the MRMICS is a useful add-on system for investigating microscopic MR images of biological tissues in vitro.     

Comparison of stage III mucinous and serous ovarian cancer: a case-control study

Background

The purpose of this case-control study was to compare the prognoses of women with stage III mucinous ovarian carcinoma (MOC) who received maximal or optimal cytoreduction followed by paclitaxel plus carboplatin chemotherapy to those of women with stage III serous epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) treated in the similar manner.

Methods

We performed a multicenter, retrospective review to identify patients with stage III MOC at seven gynecologic oncology departments in Turkey. Eighty-one women with MOC were included. Each case was matched to two women with stage III serous EOC in terms of age, tumor grade, substage of disease, and extent of residual disease. Survival estimates were measured using Kaplan-Meier plots. Variables predictive of outcome were analyzed using Cox regression models.

Results

With a median follow-up of 54 months, the median progression-free survival (PFS) for women with stage III MOC was 18.0 months (95% CI; 13.8–22.1, SE: 2.13) compared to 29.0 months (95% CI; 24.04–33.95, SE: 2.52) in the serous group (p?=?0.19). The 5-year overall survival rate of the MOC group was significantly lower than that of the serous EOC group (44.9% vs. 66.3%, respectively; p?<?0.001). For the entire cohort, presence of multiple peritoneal implants (Hazard ratio [HR] 2.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.38–4.14, p?=?0.002) and mucinous histology (HR 2.28; 95% CI, 1.53–3.40, p?<?0.001) were identified as independent predictors of decreased OS.

Conclusion

Patients with MOC seem to be 2.3 times more likely to die of their tumors when compared to women with serous EOC.

     

Evaluation of the association between sexual dysfunction and demyelinating plaque location and number in female multiple sclerosis patients

Purpose To investigate the frequency of sexual dysfunction (SD) in female multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and to explore its association with the location and number of demyelinating lesions.

Material and Methods We evaluated 42 female patients and 41 healthy subjects. All patients underwent neurological examination and 1.5 T brain and full spinal MRI. All subjects completed the female sexual function index (FSFI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Short-Form 36 Quality of Life Scale (SF-36). All participants were also evaluated for serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), T4, estradiol, and total testosterone.

Results No statistically significant differences between the MS and control groups were found for age, body mass index (BMI), serum TSH, T4, E2, and total testosterone level. MS patients had a statistically significantly lower FSFI and SF-36 scores and higher BDI and BAI scores compared with healthy subjects. The location and number of demyelinating lesions were not associated with SD.

Conclusion In our cohort, this difference in SD appears unrelated to the location and number of demyelinating lesions. These findings highlight the importance of the assessment and treatment of psychiatric comorbidities, such as depression and anxiety, in MS patients reporting SD.     

Premenstrual syndrome and fibromyalgia: the frequency of the coexistence and their effects on quality of life

Objective: We aimed to investigate the association between Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), to assess common symptoms and quality of life (QOL) of them.

Methods: Patients with PMS formed the PMS group and age-matched healthy normal controls were included in the control group. The diagnosis of the FMS and PMS were based on new American College of Rheumatology FMS criteria and DSM-IV PMS criteria. FMS-related symptoms assessed by visual analog scale and number of tender points (TePs) were analyzed. QOL, PMS severity and FMS severity were assessed with SF-36, fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ) and premenstrual assessment form (PAF), respectively. Patients with PMS were divided into two subgroups according to coexistence of FMS or not.

Results: The frequency of FMS in PMS and control group were 20 and 0%, respectively (p?=?0.002). FMS-related symptoms, number of TePs in the PMS group were higher than those in the control group. The mean mental component summary (MCS) score of SF-36 was low in the PMS group. The mean PAF score in PMS with FMS subgroup was higher than those in without FMS subgroup. The mean physical component summary of SF-36 was low in the PMS patient with FMS. There was correlation between PAF score and FIQ score (r?=?0.476, p?Conclusion: FMS was common among the patients with PMS and frequently seen in the PMS patients having severe premenstrual complaints. Mental QOL was distressed in the patients with PMS but while FMS accompanied to PMS, the physical QOL was decreased.     

The close association between dental and periodontal treatments and oral ulcer course in behcet's disease: a prospective clinical study

Objective:  The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of dental and periodontal treatments to the course of oral ulcers in patients with Behcet's disease (BD).
Methods:  Fifty-eight consecutive BD patients with oral ulcers were studied. Twenty-nine patients were in the intervention group (F/M: 15/14, mean age: 39.6 ± 6.9 years) and 29 (F/M: 15/14, 39.4 ± 10.6 years) were followed with a conventional treatment approach. In addition to oral hygiene education, dental and periodontal treatments were carried out in the intervention group, whereas the control group was only given oral hygiene education. Patients were evaluated in the pre-treatment observation period (1 month), treatment period (1 month) and 6 months after treatment.
Results:  An increase in the number of new oral ulcers (4.1 ± 3.5) was observed within 2 days during the treatment compared with 3–30 days during treatment month (2.3 ± 1.2) ( P  = 0.002). However, 6 months after the treatment, the number of oral ulcers (1.9 ± 1.5) was significantly lower compared with the pre-treatment observation (4.8 ± 3.2) ( P  = 0.000) and treatment periods (6.4 ± 2.3) in the intervention group ( P  = 0.05), whereas a similar oral ulcer presence was observed in the control group (2.8 ± 2.4, 3.7 ± 2.3 and 4.8 ± 4.3, respectively) ( P  > 0.05). Dental and periodontal indices were also better in the intervention group during the 6-month follow-up.
Conclusion:  Our results suggest that, in BD patients, dental and periodontal therapies could be associated with a flare-up of oral ulcers in the short term, but may decrease their number in longer follow-up. They also lead to a better oral health.