Efficacy and Feasibility of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation in the Treatment of Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Background

Refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) includes AML includes failure of disease to respond to standard induction chemotherapy, relapse within 6 months after first CR, and 2 or more relapses. The outcome of these patients is usually very poor; only a small proportion can be rescued by allogenic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of allo-HSCT in patients with refractory AML.

What are the requirements for patient-centered breast imaging? Communication preferences of mammography patients in Turkey

Abstract

We have investigated communication preferences of mammography results in 90 patients through a structured interview approach. About 81% of patients expressed that they wanted to get the results, and 18% expressed that getting the results does not help if they are incomprehensible. In patients who want to get the results, 80% preferred face-to-face interaction with physicians, whereas the others preferred other modes of communication to prevent loss of time. Majority of patients infavor of face-to-face interaction (57%) preferred both the referring physician and the radiologist. Comprehensibility and fast delivery of reports, plus direct communication with radiologists are the requirements in mammography patients while implementing patient-centered radiology.     

Hemichorea associated with polycythaemia vera

Abstract Chorea is a rare complication of polycythaemia vera. Polycythaemic chorea occurs predominantly in females and usually in generalised form. We present a 66-year-old woman with acute onset hemichorea-ballism with no vascular pathology in the basal ganglia region. A clear relationship was observed between the onset of chorea and worsening of haematological parameters in the patient. After repeated phlebotomies the patient's clinical status was improved. Polycythaemic chorea must be considered, especially in the elderly, as early diagnosis leads to effective treatment and prevention of complications.     

Human dignity in the Nazi era: implications for contemporary bioethics

Background  

The justification for Nazi programs involving involuntary euthanasia, forced sterilisation, eugenics and human experimentation were strongly influenced by views about human dignity. The historical development of these views should be examined today because discussions of human worth and value are integral to medical ethics and bioethics. We should learn lessons from how human dignity came to be so distorted to avoid repetition of similar distortions.     

Erectile dysfunction due to venous incompetence treated by dorsal vein ligation

The authors describe 14 cases of erectile dysfunction. The sites of leakage were detected by duplex or colour flow Doppler sonography. Treatment by dorsal vein ligation resulted in fairly good early responses, however, at 4-month follow-up the great majority of patients returned to the original functional state.     

Percutaneous radiofrequency rhizotomy of lumbar spinal facets: The results of 46 cases

The results of percutaneous radiofrequency rhizotomy of lumbar spinal facets in 46 patients followed at least three months (mean 15 months) are reported and compared with those reported previously. Satisfactory pain relief three months after the procedure was achieved in 36.4 percent of patients without operations and in 41.7 percent of patients with operations other than fusion.No patient had previously undergone fusion.Treatment of low-back pain by using radio-frequency thermocoagulation of spinal facets is a simple, safe, and well-tolerated procedure. It can be used to relief of pain in spite of decreasing rates of success within the follow-up period.     

Diabetes insipidus, diabetes mellitus, optic atrophy and deafness (DIDMOAD syndrome). A clinical study in two Sudanese families

Four Sudanese children with DIDMOAD syndrome (diabetes insipidus, diabetes mellitus, optic atrophy and deafness) are reported. They were two boys (aged 15 and 16 years) in one family and a boy and a girl (aged 16 and 6 years, respectively) in another family. Diabetes mellitus was first to appear (at 3-8 years) followed by deafness and visual failure; and the disease ended fatally in one patient (aged 20 years). In the other three, diabetes insipidus was confirmed using water deprivation test for 8 hours. The maximum urine osmolality ranged between 131-523 mOsm/kg, whereas the corresponding plasma osmolality ranged between 315-332 mOsm/kg. Slight further improvement in urine concentration was observed in 2 of the patients following the use of desmopressin (DDAVP, 20 micrograms intranasally). Intravenous pyelography, voiding cystourethrography and ultrasound revealed severe bilateral hydronephrosis, dilated ureters and distended bladder without vesicoureteral reflux in the three patients. With the high rate of consanguinity prevalent in North Africa and the Middle East, we recommend examining children who present with diabetes mellitus in this region for features of DIDMOAD syndrome.