Perceptions and experiences after radical prostatectomy in Turkish men: a descriptive qualitative study

Radical prostatectomy (RP) can significantly influence men's quality of life. Data from the Ministry of Health's Fight With Cancer Office Directorate in 2003 show that prostate cancer is third among the 10 most common types of cancer in men, with an incidence of 5.97% in the population. The objectives of this study were to define the experiences and perceptions of Turkish men who have undergone RP and to determine the views and suggestions of men who had undergone RP as to their discharge training content. Following the RP, urinary incontinence (UI) and erectile dysfunction (ED) negatively affect the daily life of men. It has been determined that men need support to deal with these problems they met. Being discharged without obtaining information from the health care staff regarding home catheter care and UI and ED management causes men to experience difficulties and find it difficult to cope when faced with these problems.     

Initial results of population based cervical cancer screening program using HPV testing in one million Turkish women

To evaluate the Turkey's nationwide HPV DNA screening program on the basis of first 1 million screened women. Women over age 30 were invited for population based screening via HPV DNA and conventional cytology. Samples were collected by family physicians and the evaluations and reports had been performed in the National Central HPV laboratories. The acceptance rate for HPV based cervical cancer screening after first invitation was nearly 36.5%. Since HPV DNA tests have been implemented, cervical cancer screening rates have shown 4–5‐fold increase in primary level. Through the evaluation of all, HPV positivity was seen in 3.5%. The commonest HPV genotypes were 16, followed by 51, 31, 52 and 18. Among the 37.515 HPV positive cases, cytological abnormality rate was 19.1%. Among HPV positive cases, 16.962 cases had HPV 16 or 18 or other oncogenic HPV types with abnormal cytology (>ASC‐US). These patients were referred to colposcopy. The colposcopy referral rate was 1.6%. Among these, final clinico‐pathological data of 3.499 patients were normal in 1.985 patients, CIN1 in 708, CIN2 in 285, CIN3 in 436 and cancer in 85 patients and only pap‐smear program could miss 45.9% of ≥CIN3 cases. The results of 1 million women including the evaluation of 13 HPV genotypes with respect to prevalence, geographic distribution and abnormal cytology results shows that HPV DNA can be used in primary level settings to have a high coverage rated screening program and is very effective compared to conventional pap‐smear.     

CYP1A1, GSTM1, and GSTT1 polymorphisms, smoking, and lung cancer risk in a pooled analysis among Asian populations

To evaluate the roles of CYP1A1 polymorphisms [Ile 462Val and T 6235C (MspI)] and deletion of GSTM1 and GSTT1 in lung cancer development in Asian populations, a pooled analysis was conducted on 13 existing studies included in Genetic Susceptibility to Environmental Carcinogenesis database. This pooled analysis included 1,971 cases and 2,130 controls. Lung cancer risk was estimated as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) using unconditional logistic regression model adjusting for age, sex, and pack-year. The CYP1A1 6235C variant was associated with squamous cell lung cancer (TC versus TT: OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 0.96-2.09; CC versus TT: OR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.26-3.07; P trend = 0.003). In haplotype analysis, 462Val-6235T and Ile-C haplotypes were associated with lung cancer risk with reference to the Ile-T haplotype (OR, 3.41; 95% CI, 1.78-6.53 and OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.12-1.71, respectively). The GSTM1-null genotype increased squamous cell lung cancer risk (OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.05-1.77). When the interaction was evaluated with smoking, increasing trend of lung cancer risk as pack-year increased was stronger among those with the CYP1A1 6235 TC/CC genotype compared with those with TT genotype (P interaction = 0.001) and with the GSTM1-null genotype compared with the present type (Pinteraction = 0.08, when no genotype effect with no exposure was assumed). These results suggest that genetic polymorphisms in CYP1A1 and GSTM1 are associated with lung cancer risk in Asian populations. However, further investigation is warranted considering the relatively small sample size when subgroup analyses were done and the lack of environmental exposure data other than smoking.     

Axonal excitability changes and acute symptoms of oxaliplatin treatment: In vivo evidence for slowed sodium channel inactivation

Objective

Neurotoxicity is the most frequent dose-limiting side effect of the anti-cancer agent oxaliplatin, but the mechanisms are not well understood. This study used nerve excitability testing to investigate the pathophysiology of the acute neurotoxicity.

Surface dose and build-up region measurements with wedge filters for 6 and 18 MV photon beams

Purpose  

High-energy photons are most commonly used in radiotherapy to treat cancer. Wedge filters are required to obtain homogeneous dose distribution in the patient. Different wedge filter types create different surface doses. In this study, the effect of the virtual and physical wedge filters on the surface and build-up region doses was examined for 6- and 18-MV high-energy photon beams.     

Maternal and umbilical cord copeptin levels in pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare maternal and fetal serum copeptin concentrations in pregnancies complicated by isolated fetal growth restriction (FGR), and uncomplicated pregnancies, and to investigate relationships between copeptin levels and clinical parameters.

Methods: Maternal and fetal serum copeptin levels were measured in 21 women with pregnancies complicated by isolated FGR and 20 women with normal pregnancies (control group). Doppler assessment of the uterine and umbilical arteries was performed in each patient.

Results: Maternal serum copeptin levels were significantly higher in women with isolated FGR compared to controls (p?=?0.042). In addition, maternal copeptin levels were inversely correlated with the uterine artery pulsatility and resistance indices and positively correlated with neonatal birth weight. Umbilical vein copeptin levels were significantly increased in neonates with adverse outcomes (p?=?0.001).

Conclusions: Increased maternal copeptin concentration may reflect a response to stress, thus serving as a compensatory mechanism in pregnancies complicated by FGR.     

Multiple rice body formation accompanying the chronic nonspecific tenosynovitis of flexor tendons of the wrist

Rice body formation is generally a rare disorder related to rheumatoid arthritis. It can also be observed in cases of systemic lupus erythematosus, seronegative arthritis, infectious arthritis (tuberculosis, atypical mycobacterial infection), nonspecific arthritis, and osteoarthritis. It is generally located within joints or bursae. Multiple rice bodies of tendon sheaths are rarely encountered. Rice body formation may also be encountered without underlying systemic disorders. We present a case of multiple rice body formation that accompanied chronic nonspecific tenosynovitis of the flexor tendons of the wrist.     

Psychological distress in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

Stress is defined as the exposure of an individual to a threatening stimulus or overwhelming event. Increased rates of psychological distress have been established in patients with chronic diseases compared to healthy individuals. The objective of the present study is to assess the indicators and correlates of psychological distress in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. We evaluated the stress exposure (stressful events that COPD patients and control subjects had been exposed) by a life events checklist and psychological distress by General Health Questionnaire in 74 COPD patients and 30 control subjects. Serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol levels were measured as biochemical indicators of stress. Distress score was higher in COPD group compared to age‐matched controls, although the stress exposure score were not statistically different; indicating that COPD itself is a source of distress. 92% of COPD patients and 87% of control subjects had varying degrees of distress. Severe distress was more frequent in COPD group. Distress score was further increased in patients with severe COPD and severe hypoxemia.There was no significant difference in serum ACTH and cortisol levels of COPD patients and control subjects and distress scores were not correlated to serum ACTH and cortisol levels. However, serum cortisol was higher in patients with severe hypoxemia. These findings support the importance of screening for psychological distress symptoms in COPD outpatients. Since high degree of distress contributes to impaired quality of life and added morbidity, patients with COPD need a comprehensive care including a psychological evaluation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.