Assessment of psychometric properties,cross-cultural adaptation,and translation of the Turkish version of the ICU mobility scale

Background/aim The aim of the study was to carry out the cultural adaptation and translation of the ICU mobility scale (IMS) into Turkish and research the psychometric properties.Materials and methods This study was based on methodological design. The IMS was translated from English to the Turkish through a regularised translation process. Two physiotherapists assessed patients independently in the coronary intensive care unit. The measures such as construct validity, intra and interrater reliability, and internal consistency of the IMS Turkish version were assessed. Results A total of 70 intensive care patients were included in the study. The intrarater and interrater reliability of the IMS was excellent. The weighted Kappa value was 0.92 (0.87–0.96) for the intrarater reliability, and 0.87 (0.80–0.93) for the interrater reliability. There were significant correlations between the IMS and functional status score for the intensive care unit (r = 0.83), Perme intensive care unit mobility score (r = 0.84), Katz activities of daily living (r = 0.73), handgrip strength (r = 0.62), knee extension strength (r = 0.46), and age (r = –0.44).Conclusion This study suggests that the IMS Turkish version is a reliable and valid scale for assessing functional status and mobility level in ICU patients.     

Circulating miR-29c-3p is downregulated in patients with acromegaly

Background/aimmiRNAs control various biological functions, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, signaling pathways, apoptosis and metabolism. Recently, it has been shown that there is a relationship between changes in miRNA expression and the development of acromegaly. Studies are needed to identify new disease-specific miRNAs. The aim of the current study is to evaluate plasma miR-29c-3p, miR-31-5p and miR-18a-5p steady-state levels in acromegaly. Another aim is to investigate whether there is a difference in the levels of these miRNAs in patients with inadequate control and controlled acromegaly with somatostatin analog (SSA) therapy. These miRNAs targeting the IGF-1 gene were determined by in silico estimation.Materials and methodsThe study included 30 healthy controls (HC) and 20 patients with acromegaly. Anterior pituitary functions and disease activities of patients with acromegaly were evaluated at the time of study. The miR-29c-3p, miR-31-5p and miR-18a-5p levels were measured using quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR).ResultsThe expression level of miR-29c-3p was significantly lower in patients with acromegaly compared to the HC group (p < 0.001). This downregulation was more pronounced in patients with inadequately controlled acromegaly than in patients with acromegaly controlled with somatostatin analogues (SSA) therapy (p = 0.016). Univariate logistic regression analysis results showed that down regulation of miR-29c-3p expression increases the risk of developing acromegaly [OR (95% Cl) = 1.605 (1.142-2.257), p = 0.006]. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of miR-31-5p and miR-18a-5p expression levels (p = 0.375 and p = 0.649, respectively). ConclusionPlasma miR-29c-3p expression level is downregulated in patients with acromegaly, and this is more pronounced in patients with inadequate control.     

Mycobacterium fortuitum infection after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a polylactic acid bioabsorbable screw: Case report

We report a case of pretibial sinus and abscess after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a polylactic acid tricalcium phosphate bioabsorbable screw for tibial fixation. Mycobacterium fortuitum was identified as the pathogen after specific mycobacterial cultures were obtained from operative specimens. M. fortuitum is a known but rare cause of periprosthetic infection. Diagnosis is often delayed as routine microbiological cultures do not utilise specific culture requirements for mycobacterial growth. There have been several reports in the literature of sterile abscesses associated with bioabsorbable screws. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of a non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection associated with a bioabsorbable implant. This case illustrates that post-operative Mycobacterium infection can occur as a complication of ACL reconstruction with bioabsorbable screw fixation and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of post-operative periprosthetic infection.     

Short‐ and long‐term vertical diplopia secondary to blunt trauma

This report describes the short‐ and long‐term ocular signs and symptoms of a patient with an orbital blow‐out fracture and discusses the differential diagnosis of vertical diplopia. A blow‐out fracture occurs when blunt trauma is applied either directly to the eyeball itself or the orbital rim and usually results in a fracture of the orbital floor with consequential excavation and entrapment of orbital contents in the fracture. Vertical diplopia is a common presenting symptom for a blow‐out fracture of the orbit but careful considerations should be given to other potential conditions leading to such diplopia. A patient is presented who suffered a blow‐out fracture almost a decade earlier, secondary to blunt trauma to the globe. The clinical findings are provided immediately after the trauma, post‐surgery and during a recent ocular examination.     

绝经后女性类风湿关节炎患者骨密度变化影响因素分析

目的探讨绝经后女性类风湿关节炎(RA)患者发生骨质疏松(OP)的原因。方法收集63例绝经后女性RA患者一般临床资料、疾病活动相关指标、手足X线资料,并同时测量患者7个部位的骨密度。结果23例患者(36.5%)有至少一处检测部位表现为低骨量。前臂和桡尺骨远端的低骨密度发生率(23.8%)与OP总发生率(28.6%)无显著性差异(P>0.05)。OP的发生与疾病活动指标及糖皮质激素的使用均无相关性。多元回归分析显示绝经的年限和关节腔狭窄为低骨量发生的独立危险因素(P<0.05);而雌激素替代疗法(HRT)为低骨量发生的唯一保护因素(P<0.05),小剂量糖皮质激素对本组患者的骨密度无影响。结论OP是绝经后女性RA患者的常见并发症,绝经年限长和关节破坏严重是低骨量发生的独立危险因素,HRT是防治低骨量的保护因素。     

Breast-Feeding and Its Promotion

An increase in the rate of breast-feeding is beneficial for the developing countries both with regard to economy and health (1). The nutritional and immunological superiority of breastfeeding compared to artificial feeding is universally recognized. Breast-feeding has advantages not only for the infant but also for the mother and the family unit. It has also been recognized as the most effective method of birth-spacing in developing countries (2, 3) and it has advantages for the family because of its convenience and low cost (4).     

Factors predictive of response and survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer in Taiwan

5-Fluorouracil in combination with leucovorin has been shown to be active in therapeutic trials of metastatic colorectal carcinoma. In this study, we administered these drugs to 72 patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma. Thirty-six of them without previous exposure to 5-fluorouracil were treated with weekly bolus injections of 5-fluorouracil (425 mg/m2) and leucovorin (25 mg/m2) supplemented with oral levamisole. Another 36 patients with or without prior 5-fluorouracil treatment received 5-fluorouracil 3,000 mg/m2 and leucovorin 300 mg/m2 in a 48-hour continuous infusion every two weeks. Clinical efficacy and toxicity were assessed by WHO criteria. Variables were tested for relations to response and survival by univariate and multivariate analysis. The response rate was 19.4% in weekly bolus arm and 13.9% in biweekly high-dose infusion arm (P = 0.527). Median survivals in the two arms were 18.4 months (weekly) and 21 months (biweekly) respectively (P = 0.708). Gastrointestinal side effects including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and mucositia were the major toxicities of these regimens. By multivariate analysis, the only factor to influence response rate was the site of metastases (P = 0.009). The only factor to affect survival was performance status of the patient (P = 0.0001). We concluded that the two 5-fluorouracil based regimens are well-tolerated and shown to have a response rate comparable with previous reports of similar regimens in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Only liver metastases seemed to have a better response to therapy. Performance status is the most important prognostic factor in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.      

Langerhans' cell histiocytosis with thyroid involvement masquerading as thyroid carcinoma

A 28-year-old woman was admitted to our Hospital with a chief complaint of progressive gingival swelling and loosening of teeth over about a year. According to past history, she had received total thyroidectomy 2 years previously due to thyromegaly. The thyroidectomy specimen was at first interpreted as 'poorly differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid'. One year ago, she began to be aware of gingival swelling and loosening of teeth. A gum biopsy was taken and the pathologic features were similar to her 'thyroid carcinoma'. Subsequent investigations, including immunohistochemical stain, showed the gum was heavily infiltrated with histiocyte-like Langerhans' cells which were positive for S-100 protein. Ultrastructural examination of the cells under electron microscope revealed many typical intra-cytoplasmic Birbeck granules. Langerhans' cell histiocytosis was diagnosed. Langerhans' cell histiocytosis with thyroid involvement is extremely rare and may run a relatively indolent course. Even on a retrospective examination, it may easily be confused with poorly differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid. We suspect that this error may have been made on other occasions and that the occurrence of this condition may be underreported.      

Echocardiographic findings in mild and severe forms of sickle cell anemia

M-mode echocardiographic findings were compared between sickle cell anemic and healthy children. Patients were composed of two groups; Group 1: mild group with no crises, no blood transfusions at the ages of 5.0 to 13.0, total of 12 children; Group 2: severe group, with frequent crises with requirement of blood transfusions at the ages of 3.0 to 13.0 years, total of 18 children. Control group was composed of 12 healthy children aged 5.0 to 13.0. When M-mode echocardiographic findings were compared, important findings were as follows: Mean left atrium dimension was increased both in the mild and severe groups (P < 0.001) compared with controls. This finding also supports the increase in the left ventricle end-diastolic dimension in both the severe and mild groups as compared with controls (P < 0.001). The increase in end-diastolic left ventricle dimension could be due to anemia present in the patients, but there was no difference between the two patient groups. Posterior left ventricle thickness and left ventricle mass was increased in both the mild and severe groups compared with controls (P < 0.001, P < 0.05), respectively. Left ventricular fractional shortening was more or less the same with controls. In spite of left ventricular volume load and dilatation, left ventricular contraction was good and systolic function was normal, and there was no correlation between the ECHO findings and hematological indices.