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To eliminate the consequences of accidental spill of phenol, the results of neutralization of soils contaminated with phenol are presented. As for the analysis of soils by the geological-lithological section it was found that in areas of phenol contamination the soil has a surface soil-plant layer with a thickness of about 0.5m, then there is a heavy clay layer with a thickness of up to 7.0 m and finally a sand layer saturated with groundwater is observed. It revealed that according to physical and mechanical properties, the solid mineral phase of the soil corresponds to a hard plastic and semi-solid consistency of clays. It showed that the filtration of water through the bottom and walls on the area of the former burial of the tank is complicated because of closer to zero water permeability of soil strata due to clay rock. Mineralogical and chemical composition of soils contaminated with phenol is determined. An environmentally safe method of neutralizing phenol-containing soils is developed with a neutralizing composition based on quicklime and bentonite which simplifies the neutralization method of soils contaminated with phenol. Environmental safety was observed in the absence of phenol in water extracts from soils and the in treatment process permissible for the environment рН. Essence of proposed method lies in chemical inactivation of phenol based on its transformation into slow-moving water-insoluble compound - calcium phenolate. Decontamination product of phenol-containing soil is the smallest capsules comprising soil particles and immobilized phenol in the form of calcium phenolate. Material of the capsule represented by calcium hydroxide is neutralized over time by bentonite and СО2 from air resulting in the formation of hydrophobic silicate and calcium carbonate which gives capsules high strength properties. The research into the neutralized phenol containing soil for phenol in water extracts showed that the proposed method is simple, ecologically safe, causes no recontamination of environment with pollutants and provides the phenol content in soils within MAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A function approximating the response of an acousto-optic delay line to a rectangular input action was determined in view of the structural, electrical, and physical parameters of an acousto-optic modulator, laser, and photoelastic medium. The duration of the input pulse and the cross-sectional diameter of the laser beam are the decisive factors in the formation of the output response. The diffraction efficiency was calculated. The results were experimentally verified for the case of the application of a rectangular pulse to the delay-line input. The waveforms of the input and output pulses are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate quality-of-life (QoL) in breast cancer (BC) patients treated with adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET). Methods: We designed a cross-sectional study of 233 BC patients treated with AET and used the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Breast questionnaire. Results: No significant difference was observed between endocrine agents. Duration of AET did not affect QoL. In the entire cohort, multivariate analysis determined age (p = 0.034) and switching treatment from tamoxifen to aromatase inhibitors (p = 0.049) as significant positive coefficients of QoL, while comorbidity (p = 0.072) tended to be associated with lower scores. Education level (p = 0.001) and chemotherapy (p = 0.04) were significant predictors of QoL in the tamoxifen group, while comorbidity (p = 0.04), surgery type (p = 0.02), radiotherapy (p = 0.006) and stage (p = 0.009) had a significant impact on QoL in aromatase inhibitors group. Conclusion: Evaluating the well-being of BC patients by QoL questionnaires is of great importance to identify particular subgroups that may require supportive care.

Background: Gastric carcinoma (GC) patients usually present with locally advanced or metastatic disease; therefore treatment aim is mainly palliation. In this study our purpose is to analyze the prognostic values of the sarcopenia index (SI), cachexia index (CIn) and other inflammatory indexes (advanced lung cancer inflammation index [ALI], modified Glasgow Prognostic Score [mGPS], prognostic index [PI], prognostic nutritional index [PNI] and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio [NLR]) in metastatic GC patients. Methods: Data from the files of metastatic GC patients, who applied to Medical Oncology outpatient clinic in Marmara University Pendik Education and Research Hospital between January 2011 and June 2016, were retrospectively reviewed. Five hundred seventy patients with gastric cancer were detected. Exclusion criteria were the inability to reach the patient surveys for prognostic index calculations, the presence of additional comorbidities to affect the laboratory parameters, and the absence of metastatic disease. Finally, 87 of these patients were included in this study. For SI calculation L3 level muscle area was measured from patients' computed tomography (CT) by a radiologist. SI reference value was obtained from western-EGWSOP (The European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People) and eastern (Harada Y, et al.) sources separately, as Turkey doesn't have a reference value for SI. NLR cutoff value was accepted as the median value of patients' NLR measurements. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression models were used to assess independent prognostic factors. The area under the curve was used to compare the prognostic value of indexes. Results: The median length of follow-up of 87 patients was nine months (1-64 mo,/s), and 78 patients died during follow-up. Fifty-nine patients were male (63%), and the median age was 62 (range, 23-88). According to univariate analysis high mGPS and PI score, PNI level <45, NLR level ≥ 3.41, ALI level <18, CI level under 35, SI (Harada Y, et al) ≤44.5 for males and ≤36.5 for females, ECOG score ≥ 2, weight loss more than 10% during last 6 mo, BMI under 24 were poor prognostic factors. Age, gender, having multiple organ metastasis, history of gastric surgery, positivity C-erb-B2, SI (EGWSOP) ≤52.4 for males, and ≤38.4 for females did not have any impact on survival. According to multivariate analysis, high mGPS (score 2) (HR 2,494, 95% CI 1.25-4 .94, p  = 0.02), PNI (score 1) (HR 4.2, 95% CI 1.73-10.1, p  < 0.001) and ECOG score (≥2) (HR 1.541, 95% CI 1,089-4,214, p  = 0.004) have been found to be independent prognostic factors which are determining the survival. mGPS was found to be more valuable than other indexes for predicting mortality by measuring the AUC with ROC analysis. Conclusions: In our study, mGPS, PNI and ECOG score were independent indicators for shorter survival in metastatic gastric cancer patients. mGPS and PNI, which can be done by using only serum CRP, albumin level and complete blood count, might be inexpensive, practical and beneficial to use in routine clinical practice to determine survival.

Purpose: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is the standard front-line treatment modality in locally advanced breast cancer. Achieving pathological complete response (pCR) is a significant prognostic factor for prolonged disease-free and overall survival. Insulin resistance is defined as a pathological condition in which insulin effect is impaired in peripheral target tissues such as the skeletal muscle, liver, and adipose tissue. The relationship between breast cancer and insulin resistance is controversial. In this study, our aim is to evaluate the role of insulin resistance, body mass index (BMI), metabolic syndrome, and inflammation markers to predict complete response in breast cancer patients who underwent neoadjuvant treatment., Methods: Data from 55 locally advanced non-diabetic breast cancer patients, treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy between 2015 and 2017, were retrospectively evaluated. Homeostatic model assessment, IR = insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated by using the obtained insulin and fasting blood glucose values before neoadjuvant chemotherapy (fasting insulin × fasting glucose/405). We considered a cut-off of 2.5 for insulin resistance. The systemic inflammatory index (SII), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were calculated., Results: Twenty-five patients had no insulin resistance. The most common pathologic subtype (56%) was hormone receptor (HR) positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (Her-2)-negative invasive ductal carcinoma. Sixteen (29%) patients had a pathological complete response (pCR). We found that the probability of pCR in patients with insulin resistance was 4.7 times lower than that in patients without insulin resistance [OR: 4.7 (95%CI 1.7-17.2), p = 0.01]., Conclusion: Our results revealed that insulin resistance may have a negative effect on pathological complete response (pCR) following neoadjuvant therapy particularly with hormone-positive and Her-2-negative cases of non-diabetic breast cancer.

Background/aim: This study represents the first report that evaluates the experience gathered from diagnosis, surgical treatment and outcome of insulinoma patients from Azerbaijan., Materials and Methods: We retrospectively review of insulinoma patients for a 10-year period. Collected data included patient demographics, laboratory and imaging tests, detailed surgical reports, histopathological examination of resected specimens, and clinical follow-up., Results: Twenty-one insulinoma patients were identified. Male patients comprised 52.4%; mean age was 44 years. Mean time to diagnosis was 14 months; 61% patients had ≥3 medical referrals due to hypoglycemia-related symptoms. Diagnosis sensitivity of CT, MRI and US was 85%, 80%, and 55%, respectively. The mean glucose, insulin, C-peptide levels were 35.7 ± 9.5 mg/dL, 33.5 ± 21.9 μU/mL, and 3.74 ± 1.88 ng/mL, respectively. Pancreatic head and tail were the most frequent tumor locations; mean tumor size was 1.5 ± 0.7 cm. No statistical association was found between the tumor size and preoperative glucose, C-peptide and insulin levels. Distal pancreatectomy and enucleation were the most common surgical procedures. Local tumor recurrence rate was 14%. There was no mortality., Conclusions: To prevent delayed diagnoses, physicians should be familiar with the typical symptoms of these rare tumors., Competing Interests: none declared., (This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.)

Background: Primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the breast is a metaplastic carcinoma subtype which includes fibromatosis-like and sarcomatoid features. This is a very aggressive tumor with poor prognosis. Other sites of primary SCC should be ruled out first to classify these tumors as primary SCC of the breast. Here we present a case of locally advanced primary SCC of the breast., Case Report: A 72 years old woman presented with a right axillary lump. Trucut biopsy was performed, it showed squamous cell carcinoma. Estrogen receptor had poor immunoreactivity, negative for both progesteron receptor and HER 2 in immunohistochemistry staining. PETCT imaging were conducted to showing only 6 × 6.5 cm mass in right breast adjacent to axilla, multiple lymphadenomegaly in right axillary. We planned neoadjuvant chemotherapy consisting of weekly paclitaxel followed by epirubicin and cyclophosphamide combination. Postoperative pathology revealed wide necrosis, no viable tumor cell. We started adjuvant anastrozole treatment of 1 mg/day. No evidence of disease was detected after 1 year follow up., Conclusion: Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the breast is a very rare disease with no standard treatment approach. Our case achieved pathologic complete response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Survival has improved with bevacizumab in metastatic CRC treatment. Our purpose was to analyse survival and prognostic factors in metastatic CRC patients treated with first-line bevacizumab-based treatment., Methods: Files of CRC patients were examined retrospectively and 360 patients treated with first-line bevacizumab were included. Objective response rates (ORRs), median progression-free and overall survival (PFS and OS) of the patients were calculated. Survival was analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method. Log-rank test and Cox regression model were used for univariate and multivariate analyses, respectively., Results: Median age at diagnosis was 59.5 years. Of the patients 74.4% had initially stage IV disease. Median PFS was 8.5 months, median OS 25.3 months and ORR was 51.4%. ORRs, median PFS and OS of KRAS mutant and wild-type or unknown patients were statistically similar. In left-sided disease, median PFS and OS (9.6 and 27.1 months) were superior compared to right-sided disease (7.3 and 19.4 months) (p=0.005 and 0.02, respectively). Primary disease location, histopathologic grade, primary surgery and metastasectomy affected OS significantly. Histopathologic grade (hazard ratio=1.77, p=0.002) and metastasectomy (hazard ratio=0.48, p=0.001) were independent prognostic factors., Conclusions: Our study confirmed that after bevacizumab-based treatment, KRAS status might not be a prognostic factor. We have also shown that left CRC have more favorable outcomes than right CRC in bevacizumab therapy. Additionally, even in metastatic setting histopathologic grade of the primary CRC together with metastasectomy are independent prognostic factors.

The fourth edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of pituitary tumors recommended evaluation of tumor proliferation and invasion to identify aggressiveness. We aimed to assess the prognostic roles of the Ki-67 proliferation index, mitotic index, P53 expression, and cavernous sinus invasion in pituitary adenomas (PAs). Among the 601 patients who underwent transnasal/transsphenoidal adenomectomy from 2001 to 2016, 101 patients (16.8%) who had tumors with a high (≥ 3%) Ki-67 index (group A) and a control group consisting of 43 patients with a low (< 3%) Ki 67 index who were matched for age, gender, and tumor type were included. Mitotic index and P53 expressions were evaluated. Patient characteristics, histopathology reports, pre/postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and follow-up data were assessed retrospectively. The frequency of macroadenomas and mean tumor size were greater in group A when compared to group B (67.4 vs. 94.1%, p< 0.01 and 25 ± 10.6 vs. 18 ± 11 mm, p< 0.01, respectively). Invasion to cavernous sinus was found in 53 (36.8%) patients and was more frequent in group A (p<0.01). The mean number of surgery was higher in group A than group B (p< 0.05). The mean follow-up period was 46.6 ± 34 months. The postoperative MRIs and follow-up data for at least 24 months were available in 117 patients. Recurrence risk was higher in group A than group B (p = 0.03). Tumors with high Ki-67 proliferation index were grouped as 3-5, 6-10, 11-15, and > 15%. The risk of recurrence was not different between groups of high Ki-67 index. The optimal cutoff point of the Ki-67 proliferation index that predicted recurrence was 2.5% with 84.6% sensitivity and 47.4% specificity. The cavernous sinus invasion on MRI was associated with recurrence (p = 0.03). Tumor size and recurrence risk were not associated with P53 expression. High P53 expression was related with cavernous sinus invasion (p = 0.03). The mitotic index was not associated with recurrence risk and tumor invasion. Recurrence risk was higher in tumors with ≥ 2 histopathological atypia criteria (p = 0.01). High Ki-67 index with a 2.5% cutoff point and cavernous sinus invasion on MRI are reliable markers for predicting recurrence in PAs. Recurrence risk is also higher in tumors with two histopathological aggressiveness criteria. Strict follow-up and more aggressive treatment approaches may be necessary for invasive-proliferative PAs.

Introduction: Incidental thyroid cancers are frequently detected in patients operated on for Graves' disease (GD). There are no clear data about the incidence and risk factors of incidental thyroid cancer in operated GD patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the risk of thyroid carcinoma in surgically treated GD patients., Material and Methods: The data of 121 GD patients who underwent total thyroidectomy in a single center between 2005 and 2015 were retrospectively evaluated. The diagnosis of thyroid cancer was based on pathological examination., Results: Thyroid cancer was demonstrated in postoperative pathology specimens of 34 patients who were surgically treated for GD (28.1%). Preoperative thyroid ultrasonography (USG) revealed a nodular goiter in 62 (51.2%) patients. Nodules were not detected in the other 59 (48.8%) patients with GD. The frequency of thyroid cancer was significantly higher in patients with nodules (38% vs. 16%; p = 0.009). Thirty-two of the 34 cancer cases had papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), and the remaining 2 had follicular thyroid cancer (FTC). Of the 32 PTC patients, 28 were classical type, 2 patients had the follicular variant, 1 was the oncocytic variant, and 1 was a tall cell variant., Conclusions: The incidence of thyroid cancer was higher in patients who underwent surgery for GD. In addition to a careful physical examination in the follow-up of the patients with GD, ultrasonographic evaluation should be performed. Surgical treatment should not be delayed in patients with GD when indicated., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright: © 2019 Termedia & Banach.)

Objective: Iatrogenic bile duct injuries remain a challenge for the surgeons to overcome. The predictive factors affecting morbidity and mortality are important for determining the best management modality., Material and Methods: The patients who referred to Ege University Faculty of Medicine after laparoscopy associated iatrogenic bile duct injury are grouped according to Strasberg-Bismuth classification system. The type and number of prior attempts, concomitant complications, and treatment modalities are analyzed using the SPSS version 18 (IBM, Chicago, IL, USA). The variables with p<0.10 were considered for univariate analysis and then evaluated for predictive factors by forward Logistic Regression method using multiple logistic regression analysis., Results: According to the analysis of 105 patients who were referred during 2004-2014, the type and number of prior attempts are considered predictive factors in sepsis. In multiple logistic regression analysis, abscess formation, concomitant vascular injury, and serum bilirubin level are significantly effective in predicting mortality., Conclusion: The management of iatrogenic bile duct injuries should be carefully planned with a multidisciplinary approach. The predictive factors affecting morbidity and mortality are important in determining the best modality for managing iatrogenic bile duct injuries. Abscess formation, vascular injury, and serum bilirubin level are the potential risk factors. Therefore, we can strongly recommend immediate assessment of patients for prompt diagnosis and referring to an HPB center, to avoid further injuries.

Background: Chordoma is a rare malignant tumor of the skull base and axial skeleton, with an incidence of less than 0.1/100,000 per year. Patients with advanced chordoma have a poor prognosis due to locoregional recurrence with infiltration and destruction of surrounding bone and soft tissue. Cytotoxic chemotherapy or other systemic therapies have not been proven to be effective for these diseases. Therefore, several molecularly targeted therapies have been proposed as potentially beneficial, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as imatinib, sorafenib, lapatinib, and others., Case Presentation: We present three cases of advanced chordoma treated with molecular targeted therapies: a 52-year-old Caucasian man, a 72-year-old Caucasian woman, and a 38-year-old Caucasian woman., Conclusions: Chordoma has few systemic treatment options and they have limited benefit. Randomized trials with large patient numbers are unfeasible in this rare disease. Targeted therapy might be a reasonable alternative treatment for chordoma. Still, new treatment strategies are needed for this rare disease.

Purpose: Current evaluation of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) shows that it could achieve pathological complete response (pCR). The purpose of this study was to assess the consistency of maximum uptake values (SUVmax) changes and pCR in hormone-positive locally advanced breast cancer (LABC)., Methods: Ninety hormone-positive LABC patients treated at Marmara University Medical Oncology Clinic, Istanbul, Turkey, between 2009 and 2015 were retrospectively studied. All eligible patients (n=5) received NAC (4-8 cycles) and were evaluated for pCR. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18FFDG- PET/CT) scan was performed before and after the completion of NAC. The relative changes of SUVmax both in the primary tumor and the axilla were assessed for consistency with pCR., Results: The patient median age was 46 years (range 26- 76). The patients 13.7% achieved pCR. Values of >50% (n=40) and <50% (n=11) SUVmax changes were not associated with pCR (15% and 18% respectively) (p=1.00). Patients with >75% SUVmax changes could achieve pCR of 20%. Interestingly, most patients with complete metabolic response did not achieve pCR (81%). The difference of the Ki67 levels before and after NAC, tumor localization, HER- 2 positivity, menopausal status, grade of differentiation, lymphovascular and perineural invasion were not associated with pCR., Conclusion: SUVmax changes in later cycles of NAC as commonly practised in oncology clinics were not consistent with pCR (p=1.0). Complete metabolic response may not be associated with pCR in hormone-positive LABC. However, almost 80% of patients had >50% decrease in SUVmax and may still have a chance for conservative surgery and less postoperative morbidity. Therefore, 18F-FDG-PET/CT may still have a role to evaluate the tumor response with a need of larger studies and analysis for cost-effectiveness.

Rationale: Tamoxifen has been used in women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer and has been shown to successfully reduce both recurrence and mortality. On the contrary, long-term use of tamoxifen has hormone-related urogenital side effects which decrease the quality of life of the patients., Patient Concerns: In this case report, we present a breast cancer patient receiving tamoxifen who developed urinary incontinence; we discuss the effects of tamoxifen on urinary incontinence, which decreases quality of life of the patients who were evaluated in our clinic., Diagnoses: Breast cancer, urinary incontinence., Interventions: Temporarily discontinuing tamoxifen., Outcomes: Urinary incontinence resolved., Lessons: Based on the case we reported and literature, estrogen can cause a dose-dependent increase in incontinence, but more preclinical and clinical studies of both estrogen and SERMs are needed to support this notion; given the fact that some small-scale clinical studies have not proven a direct relationship between tamoxifen and urinary incontinence. We suggest that clinicians faced with the issue should temporarily stop usage of the drug once the complaint of urinary incontinence arises.

Objective: In recent years, major progress has been made in the field of endocrine surgery in Turkey, similar to that in the rest of the world. Parallel to these developments, there has been a significant increase in the number of publications in the related field. Our study aimed to evaluate Turkey's publications related to endocrine surgery in the international arena., Material and Methods: Members of the general surgery departments from academic centers in Turkey were determined. Using these member names, a PubMed search was performed for English papers related to "endocrine surgery." For searching papers from non-academic centers, the same engine was used. To reach manuscripts possibly missed by the PubMed search, 3 national calls were made through the website of the Turkish Society of Endocrine Surgery. The obtained papers were divided into "thyroid," "parathyroid," "adrenal," and "neuroendocrine tumors" and were listed according to the publication year. In addition, all manuscripts were listed according to the publishing journal and the 2012 impact factor of that journal. This study did not require ethical approval, because it did not involve evaluation of experimental or patient data., Results: A search of Turkish general surgery clinics revealed 497 international publications, between 1976 and 2012. When listed according to the year of publication, most publications were found to be in the year 2009. Papers appeared mostly in "Surgery Today." The mean impact factor of the journals where the papers have been published was 1.9 (0.1-13.8). The rates of thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal tissue and neuroendocrine tumors related publications were 69%, 10%, 15% and 6%, respectively. Since this study is not an experimental study or a study related to patient data, we did not apply for ethical approval., Conclusion: The contribution of Turkish general surgeons' to world science is apparent when evaluated in terms of publications related to endocrine surgery until recently. Particularly, since 2002, with the increase in the number of publications in the field of endocrine surgery, there has been an increase in Turkey's importance on the international platform.

Phytochemical investigation of the figs of Ficus mucuso led to the isolation of three new isoflavone dimer derivatives, mucusisoflavones A-C (1-3), together with 16 known compounds. Some of the isolates were tested in vitro for their inhibitory properties toward β-glucuronidase and Plasmodium falciparum enoyl-ACP reductase (PfENR) enzymes. Compound 1 (IC₅₀) 0.68 μM) showed inhibitory activity on β-glucuronidase enzyme, while 3 (IC₅₀) 7.69 μM) exhibited a weak inhibitory activity against P. falciparum enoyl-ACP reductase (PfENR).

The protecting effect of "Hypporamine PL" compound isolated from dry leaves of seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamneides L.) on photosystem 2 (PS2) activity suppression induced by CdCl2 and CoCl2 treatment in the 7-day-old wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.) under different pH of growth medium was investigated by measurement of millisecond delayed fluorescence (ms-DF) of chlorophyll intact leaves. The value o-i/p-s of ms-DF ratio was reduced under the Cd2+ and Co2+ treatments on 60 and 65% respectively at pH 6.7. Acidification of medium (pH 5.0) results in decreasing of ratio o-i/p-s only approximately on 30% in average. In the alkaline medium the lowering of o-i/p-s on 41% is observed in both ions treatments. This decreasing of o-i/p-s ratio occurred due to decreasing of fast phase o-i amplitude. At the same time the widening and increasing of slow phase p-s amplitude was observed. The compound "Hypporamine PL" limited the decrease of ms-DF components induced by heavy metals. It is suggested that the protective effect of "Hypporamine PL" on the photochemical reactions in the PS2 is due to catechins, epicatechins, quercetin and other polyphenols, containing in this compound, preventing the free radicals formation in the PS2 under treatment by heavy metal ions.