Effect of Mirtazapine on MNNG-Induced Gastric Adenocarcinoma in Rats

Bilici, Mehmet,Cayir, Kerim,Tekin, Salim Basol,Gundogdu, Cemal,Albayrak, Abdulmecit,Suleyman, Bahadir,Ozogul, Bunyamin,Erdemci, Burak,Suleyman, Halis Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.10

Objective: In this study, anticancer effects of mirtazapine on rats were investigated in an adenocarcinoma model induced by N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and compared with those of cisplatin. Materials and Methods: For this purpose, 10 mg/kg doses of mirtazapine were administered orally to one group of rats, while 1 mg/kg doses of cisplatin were administered intraperitoneally to another group. At 1 hour after administration, 200 mg/kg doses of MNNG were given orally to both groups. MNNG administration was repeated once every 10 days through 3 months, after which period, gastric tissue was taken and pathologically evaluated. Results: Mirtazapine prevented adenocarcinoma induction by MNNG in rats to a greater extent than cisplatin. Some of the rats receiving cisplatin demonstrated severe dysplasia in gastric samples and others exhibited mild dysplasia. Rats given mirtazapine were not observed to suffer severe dysplasia, only mild dysplasia being observed. Conclusion: For adenocarcinoma induced by MNNG on rats, mirtazapine was determined more effective than cisplatin. In order to make statement about mechanism of anticancer activity of mirtazapine, wider studies are required.

Clinical and Pathologic Features of Patients with Rare Ovarian Tumors: Multi-Center Review of 167 Patients by the Anatolian Society of Medical Oncology

Bilici, Ahmet,Inanc, Mevlude,Ulas, Arife,Akman, Tulay,Seker, Mesut,Babacan, Nalan Akgul,Inal, Ali,Bal, Oznur,Koral, Lokman,Sevinc, Alper,Tufan, Gulnihal,Elkiran, Emin Tamer,Ustaalioglu, Bala Basak Ove Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.11

Background: Non-epithelial malignant ovarian tumors and clear cell carcinomas, Brenner tumors, transitional cell tumors, and carcinoid tumors of the ovary are rare ovarian tumors (ROTs). In this study, our aim was to determine the clinicopathological features of ROT patients and prognostic factors associated with survival. Materials and Methods: A total of 167 patients with ROT who underwent initial surgery were retrospectively analyzed. Prognostic factors that may influence the survival of patients were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Of 167 patients, 75 (44.9%) were diagnosed with germ-cell tumors (GCT) and 68 (40.7%) with sex cord-stromal tumors (SCST); the remaining 24 had other rare ovarian histologies. Significant differences were found between ROT groups with respect to age at diagnosis, tumor localization, initial surgery type, tumor size, tumor grade, and FIGO stage. Three-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates and median PFS intervals for patients with other ROT were worse than those of patients with GCT and SCST (41.8% vs 79.6% vs 77.1% and 30.2 vs 72 vs 150 months, respectively; p=0.01). Moreover, the 3-year overall survival (OS) rates and median OS times for patients with both GCT and SCST were better as compared to patients with other ROT, but these differences were not statistically significant (87.7% vs 88.8% vs 73.9% and 170 vs 122 vs 91 months, respectively; p=0.20). In the univariate analysis, tumor localization (p<0.001), FIGO stage (p<0.001), and tumor grade (p=0.04) were significant prognostic factors for PFS. For OS, the univariate analysis indicated that tumor localization (p=0.01), FIGO stage (p=0.001), and recurrence (p<0.001) were important prognostic indicators. Multivariate analysis showed that FIGO stage for PFS (p=0.001, HR: 0.11) and the presence of recurrence (p=0.02, HR: 0.54) for OS were independent prognostic factors. Conclusions: ROTs should be evaluated separately from epithelial ovarian cancers because of their different biological features and natural history. Due to the rarity of these tumors, determination of relevant prognostic factors as a group may help as a guide for more appropriate adjuvant or recurrent therapies for ROTs.

Comparison of uniform and spatially varying ground motion effects on the stochastic response of fluid-structure interaction systems

Bilici, Yasemin,Bayraktar, Alemdar,Adanur, Suleyman Techno-Press 2009 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.33 No.4

The effects of the uniform and spatially varying ground motions on the stochastic response of fluid-structure interaction system during an earthquake are investigated by using the displacement based fluid finite elements in this paper. For this purpose, variable-number-nodes two-dimensional fluid finite elements based on the Lagrangian approach is programmed in FORTRAN language and incorporated into a general-purpose computer program SVEM, which is used for stochastic dynamic analysis of solid systems under spatially varying earthquake ground motion. The spatially varying earthquake ground motion model includes wave-passage, incoherence and site-response effects. The effect of the wave-passage is considered by using various wave velocities. The incoherence effect is examined by considering the Harichandran-Vanmarcke and Luco-Wong coherency models. Homogeneous medium and firm soil types are selected for considering the site-response effect where the foundation supports are constructed. A concrete gravity dam is selected for numerical example. The S16E component recorded at Pacoima dam during the San Fernando Earthquake in 1971 is used as a ground motion. Three different analysis cases are considered for spatially varying ground motion. Displacements, stresses and hydrodynamic pressures occurring on the upstream face of the dam are calculated for each case and compare with those of uniform ground motion. It is concluded that spatially varying earthquake ground motions have important effects on the stochastic response of fluid-structure interaction systems.

Advances in the Management of Unresectable or Metastatic Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: Chemotherapy, Targeted Therapy, Hormonal Treatment, and Future Directions

Bilici, Ahmet Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.6

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) are rare and heterogenous tumors and surgery to remove the primary tumor is the mainstay of treatment for resectable disease. However, curative surgery is often not feasible, because half of patients with pNET have metastases at the time of diagnosis. Palliative dubulking surgery and liver-directed therapies are appropriate options for these patients. Streptozocin-based regimens are standard, although temozolamide-based treatments are rapidly gaining wide clinical application. Somatostatin analogs are mainly indicated in hormonally active tumors to ameliorate symptoms. In addition, anti-tumoral activity has been proven in well-differentiated NETs. Recently, there has been tremendous progress in the molecular biology of pNETs; thereby, the efficacy of sunitinib and everolimus in the treatment of patients with metastatic pNETs has been proven by large placebo-controlled phase III trials. Currently, there are no definitively proven predictive biomarkers to evaluate response to medical therapies in patients with pNET. Therefore, further studies are needed to individualize and optimize their management. This article reviews systemic chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and anti-secretory treatments for the management of patients with unresectable or metastatic pNETs, summarized in the light of recent advances.

Modified Docetaxel and Cisplatin in Combination with Capecitabine (DCX) as a First-Line Treatment in HER2-Negative Advanced Gastric Cancer

Bilici, Ahmet,Selcukbiricik, Fatih,Demir, Nazan,Ustaalioglu, Bala Basak Oven,Dikilitas, Mustafa,Yildiz, Ozcan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.20

Background: Docetaxel and cisplatin in combination with fluorouracil (DCF) regimen is accepted to be one of the standard regimens in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer. However, substantial toxicity has limited its use in daily clinical practice. Therefore, modification of DCF regimens, including introduction of capecitabine has been investigated to improve the safety profiles. In the present study, the efficacy and toxicity of a regimen with a modified dose of docetaxel and cisplatin in combination with oral capecitabine (DCX) was evaluated in untreated patients with HER2-negative advanced gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: Fifty-four patients with HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic gastric cancer were included in this cohort. Patients received docetaxel $60mg/m^2$ plus cisplatin $60mg/m^2$ (day 1) combined with capecitabine $1650mg/m^2$ (days 1-14) every 3 weeks. Treatment response, survival, and toxicity were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The median age was 54 years (range: 24-76). The majority of patients (70%) had metastatic disease, while 11 patients (21%) had recurrent disease and underwent curative gastrectomy, and 5 patients (9%) had locally advanced disease (LAD). The median number of DCX cycles was 4. There were 28 partial responses and 11 complete responses, with an overall response rate of 72%. Curative surgery could be performed in four patients among five with LAD. At the median follow-up of 10 months, the median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of the entire cohort of patients were 7.4 and 12.1 months, respectively. Dose modification was done in 12 patients due to toxicity in 8 and noncompliance in 4 patients. The most common hematological toxicity was neutropenia, which occurred at grade 3-4 intensity in 10 of 54 patients (27.7%). Febrile neutropenia was diagnosed only in two cases. Conclusions: DCX regimen offers prominent anti-tumor activity and considered to be effective first-line treatment with manageable toxicity for patients with HER2-negative advanced gastric cancer.

Comparison of uniform and spatially varying ground motion effects on the stochastic response of fluid-structure interaction systems

Yasemin Bilici,Alemdar Bayraktar,Suleyman Adanur 국제구조공학회 2009 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.33 No.4

The effects of the uniform and spatially varying ground motions on the stochastic response of fluid-structure interaction system during an earthquake are investigated by using the displacement based fluid finite elements in this paper. For this purpose, variable-number-nodes two-dimensional fluid finite elements based on the Lagrangian approach is programmed in FORTRAN language and incorporated into a general-purpose computer program SVEM, which is used for stochastic dynamic analysis of solid systems under spatially varying earthquake ground motion. The spatially varying earthquake ground motion model includes wave-passage, incoherence and site-response effects. The effect of the wavepassage is considered by using various wave velocities. The incoherence effect is examined by considering the Harichandran-Vanmarcke and Luco-Wong coherency models. Homogeneous medium and firm soil types are selected for considering the site-response effect where the foundation supports are constructed. A concrete gravity dam is selected for numerical example. The S16E component recorded at Pacoima dam during the San Fernando Earthquake in 1971 is used as a ground motion. Three different analysis cases are considered for spatially varying ground motion. Displacements, stresses and hydrodynamic pressures occurring on the upstream face of the dam are calculated for each case and compare with those of uniform ground motion. It is concluded that spatially varying earthquake ground motions have important effects on the stochastic response of fluid-structure interaction systems.

Pulmonary BALT Lymphoma Successfully Treated with Eight Cycles Weekly Rituximab: Report of First Case and F-18 FDG PET/CT Images

Ahmet Bilici,Mesut Seker,Bala Basak Oven Ustaalioglu,Nesrin Canpolat,Taflan Salepci,Mahmut Gumus 대한의학회 2011 Journal of Korean medical science Vol.26 No.4

Extra marginal-zone lymphomas of the lung is a very rare tumor and it originates from bronchial-associated lymphoid tissue. A 68-yr-old woman presented with productive cough and dyspnea. A thorax computed tomography scan showed a 9 × 10 cm in size mass in the left lung and pleural effusion in the lower lobe of left lung. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) revealed intense uptake foci at the upper and middle sites of left lung and slight uptake foci at the mediastinal lymph nodes which showed malignant involvement. After bronchoscopic biopsy, the diagnosis of pulmonary bronchial-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) lymphoma was confirmed. At the end of the eight cycles weekly rituximab treatment, complete response was obtained by PET/CT findings. It is concluded that extended rituximab schedule is more effective and it would be beneficial to investigate the use of PET/CT in the diagnosis and evaluating of the treatment response of pulmonary BALT lymphoma.

Factors affecting emotional eating and eating palatable food in adults

Saniye Bilici,Busra Ayhan,Efsun Karabudak,Eda Koksal 한국영양학회 2020 Nutrition Research and Practice Vol.14 No.1

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship among emotional eating behavior, tendency to eat palatable foods, and several risk factors. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study was carried out on 2,434 persons (1,736 women and 698 men) aged between 19 and 64 years. A questionnaire form was used as a data collection tool, which consisted of items for the socio-demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, Emotional Appetite Questionnaire (EMAQ), and the Palatable Eating Motives Scale (PEMS). RESULTS: A positive significant correlation was observed between the BMI groups and the negative emotions, negative situations, and negative total scores of EMAQ (P < 0.01). The regression results on negative subscales showed that a one unit increase in BMI resulted in a 0.293 unit increase in negative situations scores, a 0.626 unit increase in negative emotions scores, and a 0.919 unit increase in negative total EMAQ scores. When the BMI groups and PEMS subscale scores were examined, a significant relationship was found in the social motives, rewarding, and conformity subscales (P < 0.01). A one unit increase in BMI increased the coping motives scores by 0.077 units. CONCLUSION: The emotional states have a significant effect on the eating behavior. On the other hand, an increase in eating attacks was observed, particularly in people who were under the effect of a negative emotion or situation. Nevertheless, there were some limitations of the study in terms of quantitative determination of the effects of this eating behavior depending on the BMI.

Arsenic removal from drinking water by electrocoagulation using iron electrodes

Meltem Bilici Baskan,Ceren Ucar,Aysegul Pala 한국화학공학회 2013 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.30 No.10

Arsenic removal from drinking water was investigated using electrocoagulation (EC) followed by filtration. A sand filter was used to remove flocs generated in the EC process. Experiments were performed in a batch electrochemical reactor using iron electrodes with monopolar parallel electrode connection mode to assess their efficiency. The effects of several operating parameters on arsenic removal such as current density (1.5-9.0 mA cm−2), initial arsenic concentration (50-500 μg L−1), operating time (0-15 min), electrode surface area (266-665 cm2), and sodium chloride concentrations (0.01 and 0.02M) were examined. The EC process was able to decrease the residual arsenic concentration to less than 10 μg L−1. Optimum operating conditions were determined as an operating time of 5 min and current density of 4.5 mA cm−2 at pH of 7. The optimum electrode surface area for arsenic removal was found to be 266cm2 taking into consideration cost effectiveness. The residual iron concentration increased with increasing residence time, and maximum residual iron value was measured as 287 μg L−1 for electrode surface area of 266 cm2. The addition of sodium chloride had no significant effect on residual arsenic concentration, but an increase in current density was observed.

Xeliri Plus Bevacizumab Compared with Folfiri Plus Bevacizumab as First-Line Setting in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Experiences at Two-Institutions

Uygun, Kazim,Bilici, Ahmet,Kaya, Serap,Ustaalioglu, Bala Basak Oven,Yildiz, Ramazan,Temiz, Suleyman,Seker, Mesut,Aksu, Gorkem,Cabuk, Devrim,Gumus, Mahmut Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.4

Background: Efficacy of chemotherapy plus bevacizumab has been shown in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) compared with chemotherapy alone. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of FOLFIRI or XELIRI regimens in combination with bevacizumab for mCRC patients in a first-line setting. Materials and Methods: A total of 132 patients with previously untreated and histologically confirmed mCRC were included. They were treated with either FOLFIRI-Bevacizumab (Bev) or XELIRI-Bev according to physician preference. The efficacy and safety of the two regimens were compared. Results: Between 2006 and 2010, 68 patients were treated with the XELIRI-Bev regimen, while the remaining 64 patients received the FOLFIRI-Bev regimen. The median age was 58.5 years (53.6 years in the FOLFIRI-Bev and 59.7 years in the XELIRI-Bev arm, p=0.01). Objective response rate was 51.6% for FOLFIRI-Bev versus 41.2% for XELIRI-Bev (p=0.38). At the median follow-up of 24.5 months, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was not different between two groups (14.2 months in FOLFIRI-Bev vs. not reached in the XELIRI-Bev, p=0.30). However, median overall survival time for the FOLFIRI-Bev arm was better than that for patients treated with XELIRIBev, but these differences was not statistically significant (37.8 months vs. 28.7 months, respectively, p=0.58). Most commonly reported grade 3-4 toxicities (FOLFIRI-Bev vs XELIRI-Bev) were nausea/vomiting (7.8% vs. 14.7%, p=0.27), diarrhea (10.9% vs 22.1%, p=0.10), hand-foot syndrome (0% vs 8.8%, p=0.02) and neutropenia (18.7% vs 27.9%, p=0.22). Conclusion: Our results showed that FOLFIRI-Bev and XELIRI-Bev regimens were similarly effective treatments in a first-line setting for patients with untreated mCRC, with manageable adverse event profiles.