Prognostic effect of red cell distribution width-to-platelet ratio in colorectal cancer according to tumor stage and localization

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and survival is still approximately 24 months. Recently, importance of the molecular features, tumor localization, and also inflammatory status is increased, and most of these entities can be used as a predictive marker for colon tumor. However, since most of these tests are expensive and unachievable, there is a need for new prognostic and predictive markers that can be used easily and are inexpensive. Aim: We aimed to investigate the prognostic effect of red cell distribution width (RDW)-to-platelet ratio (RPR) which reflects inflammatory status and can be calculated basically by using center blood count (CBC) parameters on CRC according to tumor stage and localization. Methods: Newly diagnosed 312 CRC patients between 2010 and 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients' demographics, including survival data and tumor characteristics, were obtained from medical charts. RPR was calculated using CBC parameters at the time of diagnosis. Cutoff value for RPR was set at 0.05 and the patient population was divided into two arms (arm A: RPR ≥0.05 and arm B: RPR <0.05). The patients were stratified according to the tumor stage (early and advanced disease) and tumor localization (right sided and left sided). Results: Totally, 312 patients were enrolled to the study. Nearly 81.9% of the patients were at early stage and 18.1% were at advanced stage at the time of diagnosis. In patients with early-stage disease, no significant disease-free survival and overall survival (OS) was found in both arms (P = 0.88 and P = 0.085, respectively). In arm A, OS was nonsignificantly better in the entire and left-sided advanced tumor compared to arm B. In patients with right-sided advanced cancer, OS was statistically significantly better for arm A compared to arm B (median OS; RPR ≥0.05: 24.8 months vs. <0.05: 13.9 months; P = 0.035). Discussion: RPR can be a useful prognostic marker in CRC, especially in right-sided advanced tumors. Conclusion: RPR can be used as a prognostic marker in CRC but should be validated with further investigation

Effects of combined oral doxycycline and topical cyclosporine treatment on ocular signs, symptoms, and tear film parameters in rosacea patients / Efeitos da doxiciclina oral combinada e tratamento tópico com ciclosporina nos sinais e sintomas oculares e em parâmetros do filme lacrimal em pacientes com rosácea ocular

ABSTRACT Purpose: This study reports the effects of combined use of oral doxycycline and topical cyclosporine on ocular signs, symptoms, and tear film parameters in rosacea patients. Methods: Fifty-four right eyes of 54 patients were included in this study. All patients underwent full ophthalmologic examination-including best corrected visual acuity measurement, slit-lamp anterior segment and fundus examination, tear film break-up time, and Schirmer test-before treatment and six months post-treatment. Patients were divided into two treatment groups. The first group was treated with oral doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for the first month and once daily for the following two months. The second group received topical 0.05% cyclosporine emulsion drops twice daily for six months in addition to the oral doxycycline treatment regimen. All patients received preservati ve-free artificial tear drops, warm compress, eyelash cleaning, and topical corticosteroid drops three times daily for one month. Results: A significant improvement in ocular signs and symptoms was recorded for all patients in groups 1 and 2 after treatment. There was not a significant difference in terms of itching, burning, meibomian gland inspissation, corneal neovascularization, and conjunctival hyperemia score changes between groups 1 and 2. The increases in Schirmer test and break-up time scores were significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1. Conclusions: Our results support the finding that topical cyclosporine in addition to the standard regimen improves tear function, as shown by Schirmer test and break-up time scores, in ocular rosacea patients.

RESUMO Objetivo: Este estudo relata os efeitos do uso combinado de doxiciclina oral e ciclosporina tópica sobre sinais e sintomas oculares e sobre parâmetros do filme lacrimal em pacientes com rosácea. Métodos: Cinquenta e quatro olhos direitos de 54 pacientes foram incluídos no estudo. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a exame oftalmológico completo - incluindo a melhor medida da acuidade visual corrigida, segmento anterior em lâmpada de fenda e exame de fundo de olho, tempo de ruptura do filme lacrimal e teste de Schirmer - antes do tratamento e após seis meses de tratamento. O primeiro grupo foi tratado com doxiciclina oral 100 mg duas vezes ao dia no primeiro mês e uma vez ao dia nos dois meses seguintes. O segundo grupo recebeu gotas tópicas de emulsão de ciclosporina a 0,05% duas vezes ao dia por seis meses, além do tratamento com doxiciclina por via oral. Todos os pacientes receberam gotas de lágrima artificial sem conservantes, compressas mormas, limpeza de cílios e gotas de corticosteróide tópico três vezes ao dia durante um mês. Resultados: Uma melhora significativa nos sinais e sintomas oculares foi registrada para todos os pacientes do grupo 1 e 2 após o tratamento. Não houve diferença significativa em termos de prurido, queimação, inspeção da glândula meibomiana, neovascularização da cór nea e alterações na pontuação da hiperemia conjuntival entre os grupos 1 e 2. O teste de Schirmer e o aumento do tempo de ruptura no grupo 2 foram significativamente maiores do que no grupo 1. Conclusões: Os autores concluíram que os resultados apoiam a descoberta de que a ciclosporina tópica, além do tratamento padrão, melhora a função lacrimal como demonstrado pelo teste de Schirmer e o tempo de ruptura em pacientes com rosácea ocular.

Comparison of optical coherence tomographic findings between Behcet disease patients with and without ocular involvement and healthy subjects / Comparação de achados de tomografia de coerência óptica em pacientes com doença de Behcet com e sem envolvimento ocular e indivíduos saudáveis

ABSTRACT Purpose: We aimed to compare the retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell layer, inner plexiform layer, and the choroid thickness between patients with Behcet disease and healthy subjects by using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Methods: Ninety eyes of 45 healthy subjects and 104 eyes of 52 patients with Behcet disease were included in this study. Rheumatoid factor and C-reactive protein levels were measured by blood testing in the patients. Results: The mean thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cells layer, and inner plexiform layer were significantly lower in patients with Behcet's disease than in the healthy subjects. The mean choroidal thickness was significantly higher in the patients than in the healthy subjects. Conclusions: SD-OCT was a useful and non-invasive tool for the detection of retinal nerve degeneration and choroidal changes in patients with Behcet disease even in the absence of ocular involvement.

RESUMO Objetivo: Comparar a camada de fibras nervosas da retina, a camada de células ganglionares, a camada plexiforme interna e a espessura coróide entre os pacientes com doença de Behçet e indivíduos saudáveis usando tomografia de coerência óptica (OCT) de domínio espectral (SD). Métodos: Noventa olhos de 45 indivíduos saudáveis e 104 olhos de 52 pacientes com doença de Behcet foram incluídos no estudo. O fator reumatoide e os níveis de proteína C-reativa foram medidos por exames de sangue em pacientes com doença de Behcet. Resultados: As médias de espessura da camada de fibras nervosas da retina, da camada de células ganglionares e da camada plexiforme interna dos pacientes com Doença de Behcet foram significativamente menores do que o grupo controle. As medidas de espessura coróide média dos pacientes com doença de Behcet foram significativamente mais elevadas do que o grupo controle. Conclusões: Tomografia de coerência óptica é uma ferramenta útil e não invasiva para acompanhar a degeneração nervosa retiniana e as alterações coroidais em pacientes com doença de Behcet, mesmo sem envolvimento ocular.