Imaging in secondary tumors of the ovary

Abdominal Radiology - Metastatic involvement of the ovaries is not rare. The most common tumor types metastasizing to the ovaries, from non-gynecological organs, are breast, colorectal, gastric,...     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Demodex folliculorum</Emphasis> in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence and density of Demodex folliculorum in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Forty-one patients with RA and twenty-seven age and sex matched healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Disease Activity Score (DAS 28) was used for the assessment of disease activity. Out of 41 patients, 33 were females and 8 males. The mean disease duration was 10.9 ± 8.2 years. The mean DAS 28 was 3.8 ± 1.2. No statistically significant differences in the incidence and density of Demodex mites were found between patients with RA and controls. Although immunosuppression is thought to be a risk factor for the D. folliculorum infestation no such correlations could be found in the 41 immunosuppressed patients with RA, therefore, further studies with larger groups are needed.     

Cross-cultural adaptation,validity and reliability of Turkish version of Oxford Ankle Foot Questionnaire for children with congenital talipes equinovarus

BackgroundThe purpose of the study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Oxford Ankle Foot Questionnaire (OxAFQ) to provide cultural adaptation.MethodsThis study involved translation, back translation, and cross-cultural adaptation. Forty-nine patients with congenital talipes equinovarus were evaluated using the Turkish version of OxAFQ. Turkish version of the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ) was used as a gold standard to validate the Turkish version of the OxAFQ. The validation was assessed with Spearman correlation analysis by using CHAQ. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed with Cronbach alpha (internal consistency) and exploratory factor analysis.ResultsHigh validity was found between OxAFQ and CHAQ (r = -0.422?0.292) (p < 0.01). Reliability analysis showed that OxAFQ had a high level of Cronbach alpha (α = 0.88?0.96) and internal consistency (ICC = 0.90?0.96).ConclusionThe Turkish version of OxAFQ is a valid, reliable and useful quality of life questionnaire in patients with congenital talipes equinovarus and it is proper for use by health professionals and researchers.     

The comparison of dual phase Tc-99m MIBI and Tc-99m MDP scintimammography in the evaluation of breast masses: Preliminary report

The aim of this prospective study was to determine the diagnostic value of Tc-99m MDP scintimammography (SMG) for the detection of breast cancer in patients with breast masses and to compare the results with Tc-99m MIBI scintimammography. Twenty patients, categorized as suspicious, positive or benign for breast cancer according to the mammographic findings were included in the study. Dual phase Tc-99m MIBI and Tc-99m MDP SMG were performed in the prone lateral position within 5 days of each other. Although early and late Tc-99m MIBI SMG showed equal (90.4%) sensitivity, the specificity of late Tc-99m MIBI (87.5%) was found superior to early (62.5%) imaging. The overall sensitivity and specificity of early Tc-99m MDP SMG were 71.4% and 62.5%, respectively. Although late Tc-99m MDP imaging showed 100% specificity, its sensitivity was only 23.8%. In the patients with palpable masses, both early Tc-99m MDP and Tc-99m MIBI showed equal sensitivity (100%), but the sensitivity of early Tc-99m MIBI (37.5%) was found slightly higher than Tc-99m MDP (25.0%) for nonpalpable breast lesions. The sensitivity of Tc-99m MIBI and Tc-99m MDP SMG in detecting metastatic axillary involvement was 66.6% and 50%, respectively. High sensitivity and specificity together with its low cost, easy availability and the possibility of detecting bone metastases seems to make Tc-99m MDP a contributive agent in the evaluation of breast lesions as an alternative to Tc-99m MIBI.     

Knowledge level and attitude towards complementary and alternative treatment methods among medical students: a cross-sectional survey study in Turkey

Abstract

Objective

People often use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) methods in Turkey, but reliability of the application of these methods is controversial. Considering the role of medical students (i.e. physician candidates) in sustainable health, their perspectives on CAM methods are important. This report explores the level of knowledge, experience, and preferences for the use of CAM methods among medical school students.     

Does Familial Mediterranean Fever Provoke Atherosclerosis in Children? Evaluation of Arterial Stiffness and Serum Endocan Levels

Clinical Rheumatology - This study aimed to evaluate the risk for atherosclerosis by using echocardiographic arterial stiffness (AS) parameters and serum endocan levels, as a biomarker of...     

Gonadotropin treatment increases homocysteine levels in idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism: an indirect effect mediated by changes in body composition

The main objective of the present study was to examine the alterations in plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations during a testosterone-deficient state and after gonadotropin treatment for 6 Months in patients with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH). Thirty-five newly diagnosed male patients with IHH (mean age 21.34+/-1.53 years) and 29 age- and body mass index-matched healthy males (mean age 21.52+/-1.77 years) were recruited into the study. Pretreatment levels of free testosterone (1.51+/-0.66 pg/ml), estradiol (21.37+/- 4.37 pg/ml), FSH (0.91+/-0.24 IU/l) and LH (1.25+/- 0.53 IU/l) were lower than controls (25.17+/-3.06 pg/ml, 31.00+/-4.96 pg/ml, 3.14+/-1.62 IU/l and 4.83+/-1.65 IU/l respectively) (P<0.001). They increased significantly after treatment (18.18+/-1.59 pg/ml, 27.97+/- 4.25 pg/ml, 2.41+/-0.27 IU/l and 2.79+/-0.19 IU/l respectively) (P<0.001). Patients with IHH had lower tHcy levels than controls (10.14+/-1.34 and 12.58+/- 2.29 micro mol/l respectively) (P<0.001). Plasma tHcy concentrations increased significantly (12.63+/-1.44 micromol/l) after 6 months of treatment (P<0.001). As compared with the controls, pretreatment levels of serum creatinine (63.54+/-13.01 vs 82.84+/-16.69 micromol/l), hemoglobin (12.98+/-0.56 vs 13.83+/-0.71 g/dl) and hematocrit (39.29+/-2.01 vs 41.38+/-1.95%) were significantly lower (P<0.001), and they increased significantly following treatment (80.24+/-11.93 micromol/l, 13.75+/-0.49 g/dl and 41.26+/-1.78% respectively) (P<0.001). The pretreatment folic acid and vitamin B(12) levels were significantly higher in patients when compared with controls (14.87+/-5.68 vs 12.52+/-4.98 nmol/l, P=0.034 and 289.75+/-92.34 vs 237.59+/-108.17 pmol/l, P=0.002 respectively). They decreased significantly after treatment (11.29+/-3.31 nmol/l and 228.51+/-54.33 pmol/l respectively) (P<0.001). The univariate and multivariate regression analysis results showed that only changes in creatinine, creatinine clearance, vitamin B12 and folic acid were independently associated with changes in tHcy levels in patients with IHH. In conclusion, the increase in plasma tHcy concentrations following gonadotropin treatment seems to be largely independent of changes in androgen levels.