Increase in the Rate of HPV Positive Oropharyngeal Cancers During 1996-2011 in a Case Study in Turkey

Tural, Deniz,Elicin, Olgun,Batur, Sebnem,Arslan, Deniz,Oz, Buge,Serdengecti, Suheyla,Uzel, Omer Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.10

Background: Primary aim of this study is to assess whether or not there is an increase at rate of HPV positive oropharyngeal cancers during 1996-2011 in Turkey, for comparison with prior reports from Western countries. Materials and Methods: A total of 138 newly diagnosed patients with oropharyngeal cancer were identified, 39 of which had no primary tumor specimen available and 18 patients with invalid HPV status, therefore HPV status for remaining 81 patients was evaluated. The presence and type of HPV DNA were determined with formalin-fixed paraffin embedded specimens, using an HPV DNA-based multiplex PCR assay. Associations between HPV status and clinicopathological characteristics were evaluated using a two-sample t-test for the continuous variables and the categorical variables were compared by chi-square test. Overall survival (OS) periods were calculated with Kaplan-Meier method. Results: The proportion of HPV-positive cancer has continued to increase during 2004-2011 as compared with 1996-2003. Notably, 33% (6/18) of the cases were HPV-positive in 1996-1999, 43% (9/21) in 2000-2003, 55% (11/20) in 2004-2007 and 70% (16/23) in 2008-2011. Thus, when we compared the results obtained during the 2004-2011with results of 1996-2003 period, we found that increase at HPV-positivity ratio was statistically significant (38% vs 64% p=0.012). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that HPV positive oropharyngeal cancers are increasing in Turkish patients as in the Western world.

Experimental and numerical studies of the flow around the Ahmed body

Tural Tunay,Besir Sahin,Huseyin Akilli 한국풍공학회 2013 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.17 No.5

The present study aims to investigate characteristics of the flow structures around the Ahmed body by using both experimental and numerical methods. Therefore, ¼ scale Ahmed body having 25o slant angle was employed. The Reynolds number based on the body height, H and the free stream velocity, U was ReH=1.48x104. Investigations were conducted in two parts. In the first part of the study, Large Eddy Simulation (LES) method was used to resolve the flow structures around the Ahmed body, numerically. In the second part of the study the particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique was used to measure instantaneous velocity fields around the Ahmed body. Time-averaged and instantaneous velocity vectors maps, streamline topology and vorticity contours of the flow fields were presented and discussed in details. Comparison of the mean and turbulent quantities of the LES results and the PIV results with the results of Lienhart et al. (2000) at different locations over the slanted surface and in the wake region of the Ahmed body were also given. Flow features such as critical points and recirculation zones in the wake region downstream of the Ahmed body were well captured. The spectra of numerically and experimentally obtained stream-wise and vertical velocity fluctuations were presented and they show good consistency with the numerical result of Minguez et al. (2008).

Experimental and numerical studies of the flow around the Ahmed body

Tunay, Tural,Sahin, Besir,Akilli, Huseyin Techno-Press 2013 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.17 No.5

The present study aims to investigate characteristics of the flow structures around the Ahmed body by using both experimental and numerical methods. Therefore, 1/4 scale Ahmed body having $25^{\circ}$ slant angle was employed. The Reynolds number based on the body height, H and the free stream velocity, U was $Re_H=1.48{\times}10^4$. Investigations were conducted in two parts. In the first part of the study, Large Eddy Simulation (LES) method was used to resolve the flow structures around the Ahmed body, numerically. In the second part of the study the particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique was used to measure instantaneous velocity fields around the Ahmed body. Time-averaged and instantaneous velocity vectors maps, streamline topology and vorticity contours of the flow fields were presented and discussed in details. Comparison of the mean and turbulent quantities of the LES results and the PIV results with the results of Lienhart et al. (2000) at different locations over the slanted surface and in the wake region of the Ahmed body were also given. Flow features such as critical points and recirculation zones in the wake region downstream of the Ahmed body were well captured. The spectra of numerically and experimentally obtained stream-wise and vertical velocity fluctuations were presented and they show good consistency with the numerical result of Minguez et al. (2008).

Effect of anchovy by-product protein coating incorporated with thyme essential oil on the shelf life of anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus L.) fillets

Serpil Tural,Sadettin Turhan 한국식품과학회 2017 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.26 No.5

The effects of anchovy by-product protein coatings incorporated with thyme essential oil (TEO) on the shelf life of anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus L.) fillets stored at 4 ± 1 C were investigated. We grouped fillets in three categories: untreated fillets, fillets treated in coating solution alone, and fillets treated in coating solution containing 1.5% TEO and analyzed on 0, 3, 6, and 9 days of storage. It was observed that the total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) and pH of all the fillet groups increased under cold storage conditions; however, this increase was much slow in both the coated anchovy fillets. Both coating applications slowed down the lipid oxidation but the coating containing TEO exhibited better effect than coating alone. The coating application alone or with essential oil had limited effect on microbial growth but positively affected the sensory quality. These results revealed that anchovy by-product protein coating mixed with TEO may prolong anchovy fillets’ shelf life stored under cold condition.

Ethical Concern in International Qualitative Health Research

Sue Turale 질적연구학회 2007 질적연구 Vol.8 No.2

This paper is based on an invited keynote address to the Qualitative Health Research Conference held at Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea, June 20­23, 2007. Some important ethical issues in international qualitative research are highlighted to encourage researchers to contribute to the development of better international guidelines and strategies to ensure the protection and privacy of research participants, including those from developing countries. The author reflects on these issues, drawing on literature, her research experience, and learning experiences an editor of a international journal. The literature reveals a small but growing international body of knowledge about the ethical concerns of qualitative researchers. However, there is a serious lack of debate about how the health professions can ensure that international qualitative research is undertaken in an ethical framework that fits within socio­cultural­legal norms of engaging countries, and particularly the host country. Researchers from different countries have different mindsets, cultures, languages, as well as differing levels of research and educational training. They also have different levels and standards of training in the ethical aspects of research. This may cause both actual and potential moral problems, damage to both researchers and the researched, and undermine scholarly activity and integrity.

Perineural Invasion Independent Prognostic Factors in Patients with Gastric Cancer Undergoing Curative Resection

Selcukbiricik, Fatih,Tural, Deniz,Buyukunal, Evin,Serdengecti, Suheyla Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.7

Objective: The prognostic significance of perineural invasion (PNI) in gastric cancer has been previously investigated but not clearly clarified. The objective of our study was to investigate the role of PNI as prognostic factor in patients undergoing curative surgical resection and without distant metastasis in comparison with other clinicopathological factors. Methods: Between 2001 and 2010, 287 cases of gastric adenocarcinoma underwent radical gastrectomy recorded in hospital based registries. PNI was assessed as positive when cancer cells were seen in the perinerium or neural fascicles intramurally. Categorical and continuous variables were summarized using descriptive statistics and compared using chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests, respectively. Cancer related survival rates were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: PNI was positive in 211 of 287 cancers (73%), with a positive relation to lymph node metastases and advanced stage (p=0.0001, p=0.0001, respectively), mural invasion, and lymphatic and blood vessel invasion (p=0.0001, p=0.0001, respectively). The median survival of the PNI positive patients was significantly shorter than that of their PNI negative counterparts (24.1 versus 38.2 months, p=0.008). In the multivariate analysis, we detected PNI was an independent prognostic factor (p=0.025, HR=1.21, 95% CL 1.08-2.3) along with classical clinicopathological variables such as lymph node involvement (p=0.001), pT stage (p=0.03), and LVI (p=0.017), but not age, gender, tumour localization, stage, histologic type, and surgery procedure. Conclusions: PNI positivity in gastric cancers was related mural invasion, lymph node involvement, advanced stage and lymphatic and venous blood vessels. The presence of PNI appeared as an independent prognostic factor on survival on multivariate analysis, not influenced by tumor stage, lymph node metastases and other classical factors.

Is Helicobacter pylori a Poor Prognostic Factor for HER-2 SISH Positive Gastric Cancer?

Selcukbiricik, Fatih,Tural, Deniz,Erdamar, Sibel,Buyukunal, Evin,Demirelli, Fuat,Serdengecti, Suheyla Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.5

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the risk factors for gastric cancer (GC). Any prognostic effect of HER-2 status in gastric lymph node metastasis in H. pylori positive cases is unknown. Materials and Methods: A total of 74 patients, 47 (64%) male, and 27 (34%) female, who had subtotal or total gastrectomy and also positive lymph nodes, were included in the study. Age range was 29-87 years, and median age was 58 years. HER-2 expression was assessed in both gastric resection samples and lymph node material with carcinoma metastasis of the same patient by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and silver in situ hybridization (SISH) methods. H. pylori status was examined in gastric materials of all patients. Relationships between HER-2 status in gastric cancers and lymph nodes and H. pylori status were investigated. Results: H. pylori was positive in 40 cases (54%), and negative in 34 (46%). While in the primary tissues of H. pylori positive cases, SISH positivity for HER-2 was observed in 13 cases (86%), SISH negativity was observed in 2 (14%), in metastatic lymph nodes 21 cases (72%) were SISH positive and 8 cases (28%) were SISH negative (P=0.005 and P=0.019, respectively). Initial CEA values were high in 18 cases (78%) with positive H. pylori and in 5 cases (22%) with negative H. pylori (P=0.009). While SISH data of patients were negative in 59 cases (80%) and positive in 15 cases (20%) in primary tissues, they were negative in 56 cases (75%) and positive in 18 cases (25%) in lymph nodes. Discrepancy between primary tissue and lymph node results was detected in 3 cases, in which SISH was negative in the primary tissue and HER-2 expression was positive in the lymph nodes. Conclusions: Clinical progression was poor in H. pylori positive cases with HER-2 negativity in primary gastric tissue, but HER-2 positivity in the lymph nodes. SISH positivity can be expected in H. pylori positive cases, and it may be predicted that these cases can benefit from trastuzumab treatment.

Clinicopathological Features and Localization of Gastric Cancers and their Effects on Survival in Turkey

Selcukbiricik, Fatih,Tural, Deniz,Bilici, Ahmet,Uzel, Esengul Kocak,Ozguroglu, Mustafa,Demirelli, Fuat,Buyukunal, Evin,Serdengecti, Suheyla Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.1

Background: This study was designed to examine changing trends in localization of gastric cancer in Turkey in recent years. Materials and Methods: A total of 796 adult patients with newly diagnosed, histologically proven adenocarcinomas, treated and followed up at our oncology center between 2000-2011, were examined retrospectively. In all cases tumor localization were identified and recorded with clinicopathological features. Results: The median age was 58 with a range between 22-90 for the 552 men and 244 women. Median follow up was 12 months (1-276) and median overall survival was also 12 months (11.5-12.4). There was a trend for a change in tumor localization from distal to proximal. Survival of patients was low with advanced T and N stage tumours. Positive surgical margins, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, cardioesophageal localization were predisposition factors for metastatic disease in gastric cancer. There was no relation between age or sex and histopathological type of gastric cancer. Conclusions: There is a trend in our country for a change in gastric tumour localization from distal to proximal, with clear significance for treatment choices.

Cancer Pain Prevalence and its Management

Arslan, Deniz,Koca, Timur,Akar, Emre,Tural, Deniz,Ozdogan, Mustafa Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.20

Pain is a public health problem affecting more than half of cancer patients. Despite the success of the protocols currently used, pain cannot still be reduced satisfactorily in the large majority of patients. In order to improve pain management, all healthcare professionals involved with pain should have sufficient knowledge on pain assessment and treatment, and should inform patients to prevent patient-related barriers. In this compilation, the prevalence values and the treatment methods of cancer pain, and the barriers to pain management have been assessed.

Agomelatine versus Sertraline: An Observational, Open-labeled and 12 Weeks Follow-up Study on Efficacy and Tolerability

Esma Akpınar,Cem Cerit,Anıl Talas,Ümit Tural 대한정신약물학회 2016 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.14 No.4

Objective: In this open-labeled, 12 weeks follow-up study, we aimed to compare the efficacy and tolerability of agomelatine with sertraline Methods: The outpatients of adult psychiatry clinic who have a new onset of depression and diagnosed as ‘major depressive episode’ by clinician according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th edition and prescribed agomelatine (25 mg/day) or sertraline (50 mg/day) were included in the study. Results: The decline of mean Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores of agomelatine group was significantly higher than the sertraline group at the end of 2nd week; however, the difference was not significant at the end of 3 months. Mean Clinical Global Impression-Improvement scale (CGI-I) scores of agomelatine group was lower than sertraline group at first week. Mean CGI-Severity scale and CGI-I scores were favour to sertraline group at the end of the study. Remission rates were 46.7% for sertraline group and 33.3% for agomelatine group while response rates were 76.7% for both groups. Any patient from agomelatine group dropped-out due to adverse effects. The amount of side effects was also less with agomelatine. Conclusion: Agomelatine has a rapid onset efficacy on depressive symptoms and this can be beneficial for some critical cases. Considering MADRS scores, agomelatine seems to have similar efficacy with sertraline but we also point the need for long term studies since CGI scores were favour to sertraline group at the end of the study. Agomelatine has a favourable tolerability profile both in terms of discontinuation and the amount of side effects compared to sertraline.