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Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the clinical effects of levofloxacin (LEVO) and moxifloxacin (MOXI) prophylaxis during the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Methods: This study had a prospective observational design and included AML patients who were scheduled for standard remission-induction (RI) or consolidation (C) chemotherapy. Prophylactic LEVO or MOXI was started at a ratio of 1:1 when neutropenia developed, and two groups were created. The primary endpoint was the frequency of febrile neutropenia (FN) and the time to FN. Results: 120 patients (60 patients in each group) were enrolled in the study. The frequency of FN tended to be higher in the LEVO group but was statistically insignificant (82.1% vs. 75.5%; p=0.702). The time to FN was 10.8±5.7 days and 10.1±5.7 days in the LEVO and MOXI groups, respectively (p=0.393). Microorganisms were izolated in 50.8% of patients who developed FN. The documented infection and bacteremia rate tended to be higher in the MOXI group (71.1% vs. 56.6%; p=0.331 and 87.5% vs. 80.5%; p=0.906). The rates of quinolone resistance were 69.2% and 75% in the LEVO and MOXI groups, respectively (p=0.451). The frequency of FN was higher during the RI phase than the C phase (89.1% vs. 70%; p=0.010). The frequency of documented infection was higher during the C phase than during the RI phase (77.1% vs. 49.1%; p=0.008). Conclusion: This study showed that prophylactic MOXI and LEVO have similar efficacy in AML patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the effect of hypnotherapy on sleep quality levels of obesity patients, who applied to hypnotherapy for healthy and balanced nutrition. Materials and Methods: Studying group; consisted of 44 individuals who applied to a state hospital psychiatry outpatient clinic, who voluntarily agreed to participate in the study, who had a Body Mass index of 30 and above, and completed at least 10 weeks of sessions. Firstly, an information form was prepared for the participants and body mass index were determined. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality index was applied to each participant before starting to session. Then, hypnotherapy session was applied to participants for at least 10 weeks, one session per week. After at least 10 sessions of hypnotherapy, Body Mass index and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality index were measured. The efficacy of hypnotherapy was assessed by the comparison of Body Mass index and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality index at the beginning and end of the therapy. Results: Statistically significant differences were detected in the comparison of body mass index and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality index scores before and after the hypnotherapy (p<0.001). There was no significant correlation between the scores of Body Mass index and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality index. Conclusion: This study showed that hypnotherapy in the treatment of obesity has a positive effect on sleep quality in obese patients. There is a need for new studies that will examine the effectiveness of this group by establishing a control group in more people and the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Clinical studies in childhood multiple sclerosis (MS) are very limited compared with adults. Although first-line injection therapies are well tolerated in this patient group, there are difficulties in the long-term treatment of patients due to the difficulty and adverse effects of injections for children. Oral therapies are better tolerated for use and adverse effects compared with injection therapies. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical features and treatment outcomes of patients aged under 18 years with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) who received fingolimod treatment. Materials and Methods: In this study, the clinical records of 22 patients with RRMS who received fingolimod treatment were examined. The patients were prospectively followed up between February 2015 and December 2018. The patients were evaluated in terms of relapse rate, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores, brain and cervical magnetic resonance imaging, and adverse effects before and after fingolimod treatment. Results: The median age of 13 (59%) female and 9 (41%) male patients was 18 (range: 10-21) years. The median fingolimod treatment duration was 2.5 (range: 1.3-3.9) years. The median age of disease onset was 13 (range: 8-17) years. Fifteen patients (68%) received a first-line treatment prior to fingolimod. The reason for switching to fingolimod was inefficacy in 33%, adverse effects in 40%, and both in %27 of patients. In 32% of patients, fingolimod was started as a first-line treatment. A total of three patients had recurrent relapses under treatment with fingolimod. The median annualized relapse rate (ARR) before fingolimod was 1.9 (range: 0.3-8.0), and the ARR with fingolimod was 0 (range: 0-2.0) (Wilcoxon's signed-rank test; p<0.001). The median EDSS was 1.5 (range: 1.0-4.0) before fingolimod, and the EDSS after treatment was 1.5 (range: 1.0 to 5.0) (Wilcoxon's signed rank test; p=0.3). None of the patients had any adverse effects during the first dose monitoring. Conclusion: Our study shows that fingolimod is an effective and safe treatment alternative in childhood MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the procedure duration and complications of standard percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) with PDT via fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Methods: Patients over 18 years of age who were dependent on mechanical ventilation were included in this prospective study. The patients were divided into two groups as PDT (group F n=28) performed by using fiberoptic bronchoscopy and standard PDT (group S, n=30) performed without fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Age, gender, cause of hospitalization, hemogram, blood gas values, duration of tracheostomy and complications during and after the procedure were recorded in all patients. Results: A total of 58 patients were included in the study. Twenty-one (36.2%) patients were female. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of demographic characteristics except age, and laboratory values (p=0.006). The most common cause of hospitalization were respiratory diseases in both groups (28.6% in group F and 40% in group S). There was no difference in the duration of the procedure (6.07±4.72 and 7.50±1.79 minutes in group F and group S, respectively (p=0.12). The most common postoperative complications were minor bleeding (28.5% in group F and 43.3% in group S) and bleeding around the stoma (21.4% in group F and 20% in group S), respectively. None of the patients had pneumothorax, subcutaneous emphysema, major bleeding, or tracheal posterior wall damage. Conclusion: In our study, there was no difference in terms of procedure duration and early complications between patients undergoing PDT with and without bronchoscopy. In the tracheostomy procedure, the method to be used should be decided by considering the patient's condition and the materials available to the practitioner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To compare the outcomes of external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) and transcanalicular multidiode dacryocystorhinostomy (TC-DCR) operations in our clinic. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included patients diagnosed with acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction. The results of external DCR surgery performed in 15 eyes of 15 patients were compared with the results in 15 eyes of 13 patients who underwent TC-DCR surgery. The patients with external DCR were followed for an average of 9.7±3.2 months, and the cases that underwent TK-DSR were followed for an average of 8.3±2.9 months. Results: The surgical success rate was 53.3% in patients with TK-DCR, while it reached 87% in cases with external DCR. Mean operative time was 50.0±2.5 minutes in external DCR group and 30.0±2.0 minutes in TK-DCR group. There was no significant complication during operations in both groups. Conclusion: In dacryostenosis surgery, external DCR is the golden standard with high success rates. Even though success rate of TCDSR is less than that of external DSR, no need of skin incision, less damage to the lacrimal pump system, less bleeding, and a shorter duration of the operation are the main advantages of this method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Minerals and trace elements affect bone formation and resorption through direct or indirect effects on bone cells or bone mineral. Strontium has several effects on bone cells and anabolic activity. Materials and Methods: The effects of strontium ranelate on pain and bone mineral density were assessed in an open, noncontrolled trial conducted in postmenopausal women. Oral strontium ranelate was given at a daily dose of 2 g for six months in 31 patients. All women received calcium and vitamin D supplements. Measurements of bone mineral density were performed before treatment and at the sixth month. Blood biochemistry analysis was performed at the beginning and at the 6th month. Results: Pain (visual analog scala) score was 6.12±1.05 at baseline and 4.25±0.92 at sixth month of treatment. Pain decreased significantly at 6th month (p<0.05). New fractures did not occur during the study. Strontium renalate treatment increased bone mineral density at 6th month at the total lumbar spine and the femoral total region. The changes were found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). There were no serious adverse events. None of the patients discontinued treatment due to adverse effects. The blood biochemistry was normal at baseline and end of the trial. Global efficacy was good in 64.5% of patients at sixth month. Tolerability was excellent during the study (80.6%). Conclusion: Treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis with strontium ranelate can decrease pain, and increase bone mineral density beginning at six months following treatment. The results have to be considered as preliminary, the study was planned for a longer duration on a greater number of patients. (Turkish Journal of Osteoporosis 2012;18: 53-7) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]