Procollagen C-proteinase enhancer-1 and renal failure in multiple myeloma

International Urology and Nephrology - Renal involvement is present in approximately 50% of multiple myeloma (MM) cases and is associated with a poor prognosis. Procollagen C-Proteinase...     

Construct and face validity of the educational computer-based environment (ECE) assessment scenarios for basic endoneurosurgery skills

Background

In neurosurgery education, there is a paradigm shift from time-based training to criterion-based model for which competency and assessment becomes very critical. Even virtual reality simulators provide alternatives to improve education and assessment in neurosurgery programs and allow for several objective assessment measures, there are not many tools for assessing the overall performance of trainees. This study aims to develop and validate a tool for assessing the overall performance of participants in a simulation-based endoneurosurgery training environment.

Methods

A training program was developed in two levels: endoscopy practice and beginning surgical practice based on four scenarios. Then, three experiments were conducted with three corresponding groups of participants (Experiment 1, 45 (32 beginners, 13 experienced), Experiment 2, 53 (40 beginners, 13 experienced), and Experiment 3, 26 (14 novices, 12 intermediate) participants). The results analyzed to understand the common factors among the performance measurements of these experiments. Then, a factor capable of assessing the overall skill levels of surgical residents was extracted. Afterwards, the proposed measure was tested to estimate the experience levels of the participants. Finally, the level of realism of these educational scenarios was assessed.

Results

The factor formed by time, distance, and accuracy on simulated tasks provided an overall performance indicator. The prediction correctness was very high for the beginners than the one for experienced surgeons in Experiments 1 and 2. When non-dominant hand is used in a surgical procedure-based scenario, skill levels of surgeons can be better predicted. The results indicate that the scenarios in Experiments 1 and 2 can be used as an assessment tool for the beginners, and scenario-2 in Experiment 3 can be used as an assessment tool for intermediate and novice levels. It can be concluded that forming the balance between perceived action capacities and skills is critical for better designing and developing skill assessment surgical simulation tools.

     

Botulinum toxin for the treatment of temporomandibular joint disk disfigurement: clinical experience

Type A botulinum toxin was used for the treatment of symptoms of 26 patients (40 joints) with temporomandibular joint disk disfigurement. In all patients, 0.5 ml (12.5 U) was injected into the lateral pterygoid muscle. The temporalis, medial pterygoid, and masseter muscles were injected if severe tenderness was noted. The data were compared using the Wilcoxon signed rank test and the McNemar test. With the exception of clicking of the right joint, all mean outcome measures showed a significant difference between the preinjection and postinjection assessments. There was a significant difference between the preinjection and postinjection pain scores of the right joint (P=0.0019) and the left joint (P=0.000). Postinjection values of the mouth opening (P=0.002), subjective functional dysfunction (P=0.065), and clicking of the left joint (P=0.001) also showed a statistically significant difference from the preinjection values. In addition, the severity and frequency of headache were reduced after botulinum toxin-A injection into the lateral pterygoid muscle.     

Effect of pregabalin on post-dural-puncture headache following spinal anesthesia and lumbar puncture

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of pregabalin on post-dural-puncture headache (PDPH). Forty patients who developed PDPH after spinal anesthesia or diagnostic and/or therapeutic lumbar puncture were divided into two groups and followed for 5 days. The first group received 150 mg/day oral pregabalin for the first 3 days, then 300 mg/day for a further 2 days. The second group received a placebo for the same length of time. Patient headaches were scored using the visual analog scale, and diclofenac sodium and pethidine requirements were recorded. Relative to the placebo group, the group administered pregabalin had significantly lower visual analog scale scores after the second day of treatment, and had significantly lower diclofenac sodium requirements. Our results indicate that pregabalin may be useful for the management of PDPH.     

Correlation between maternal serum-amniotic fluid anti-angiogenic factors and uterine artery Doppler indices

Purpose: Elevated sFlt-1 and sEng is usually a clue for impending preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. Likewise, uterine artery Doppler ultrasound is being investigated for prediction of similar conditions. In this study, we aimed to explore the possible relations of these two proteins in different body compartments with uterine artery Doppler indices (UtAD) in a healthy second trimester obstetric population.

Methods: Levels of sFlt-1 and sEng were measured in serum and amniotic fluid samples of 43 patients. UtAD were measured on the days of sample collections. Findings were then analyzed for possible correlation.

Results: There was a positive correlation between the levels of maternal serum sFlt-1 (MSsFlt-1) and sEng levels (MSsEng) (r=?0.516, pr=??0.371, p=?0.016). No correlation was found between UtAD and studied protein levels in amniotic fluid. Mean MSsFlt-1 level was 305.2?±?220.1?pg/ml and mean AFsFlt-1 was 48.9?±?11.8?ng/ml. Mean MSsEng level was 4.5?±?1.3?ng/ml, mean AFsEng level was found 0.7?±?0.3?ng/ml. Mean values for UtAD were 1.3?±?0.4, 0.6?±?0.1 and 3.5?±?1.3 for PI, RI, and S/D, respectively.

Conclusion: In normal second trimester pregnancies, there is a positive correlation between serum levels of sFlt-1 and sEng levels. Amniotic fluid levels of sEng and sFlt-1 are not correlated with UtAD in uncomplicated pregnancies.     

ALL-BFM 95 treatment in Turkish children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia-experience of a single center

Little is known about the likelihood of curing children with high-dose chemotherapy regimens for treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in Turkey. The authors here report their 13 years' experience with original ALL-BFM (Berlin-Franfurt-Münster) 95 protocol in a cohort of 140 Turkish children with ALL. Complete remission rate was 97.7% with a relapse rate of 12.9% and death rate 17.9% during a median follow-up of 69 months. The event-free survival (EFS), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) in these patients at 12 years were 75.0%, 87.1%, and 80.6%, respectively. These results show that ALL-BFM 95 protocol is equally applicable in the experienced centers, even in developing countries without substantial treatment-related toxicity. High rate of infection deaths are to be reduced with correct policies.