effect of dose-volume parameters on central nervous system relapse in pediatric patients with acute leukemia receiving prophylactic cranial irradiation

Aim of the study: To investigate the effects of dose-volume parameters of brain parenchyma, optic nerves [ONs] and cribriform plate [CP], which were determined on central nervous system [CMS] control in pediatric leukemia patients who have undergone prophylactic cranial irradiation [PCI] at our department

Patients and Methods: In the current study, the records of 14 patients were examined retrospectively. Along with the minimum and maximum doses for brain and CP, D95% [minimal dose received by the 95% volume of a structure] and V95% [percent volume of target receiving 95% of prescribed dose] could be obtained from the dose-volume histogram. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Mann Whitney test in SPSS-15

Results: ALL/AMI ratio was 9/5. CMS relapse was observed only in 2 patients. The minimum dose was 1249 [1100-1782] cGy, 1036 [547-1651] cGy, 856 [308-1460] cGy and 1234 [922-1727] cGy for brain parenchyma, right ON, left ON and CP, respectively. The value of D95%/D was 1,01 [1-1.06] and 0.99 [0.92-1.06] for brain parenchyma and CP, respectively. V95% was 99.8% [98.6%-100%] and 98.1% [80.5%-100%] for brain parenchyma and CP, respectively. The analyses revealed that none of the target tissue dose-volume parameters for PCI affected CNS relapse [p>0.05]

Conclusion: In our study; it was found that the dose-volume parameters of the brain, CP and ONs did not have any effect on CNS relapse. Along with the other clinical factors, the scarce number of patients included in the study might have concealed the effects of parameters related to RT.

Analysis of subconjunctival hemorrhage

To determine associated conditions, gender distribution and location of subconjunctival hemorrhage [SCH]. This retrospective, observational and non-interventional study involved total of 50 patients with SCH aged 0.16-88 years. The conjunctiva was divided into 4 equal areas. The data about the subjects with SCH that includes age, gender, medical history, ocular history and location of hemorrhage were noted for all patients. The patients with SCH consisted of 21 [42%] women and 29 [58%] men, with a mean age of 29.56 years. Of the 50 patients, 34 [68%] had traumatic and 16 [32%] had spontaneous SCH. Of traumatic SCH group 24 [70.6%] were men and 10 [29.4%] were women. SCH was more common in the temporal areas than other areas [40.5%]. The most associated condition in spontaneous SCH was hypertension. SCH was found to be predominant in the temporal areas among all patients. In traumatic SCH, temporal areas were affected more, whereas in spontaneous SCH, nasal and temporal areas were affected equally. Traumatic etiology was more likely seen in men than women

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E virus among primary school children

Objectives: To investigate the seroprevalence of anti-hepatitis E virus antibody among primary school children in the two different areas of Denizli, Turkey

Methodology: Anti-HEV antibodies were investigated in 185 primary school children [91 from rural areas and 94 from urban areas of Denizli]. The children were divided into two age groups as seven-year old group and fourteen-year old group. Samples were tested for anti-HEV Ab by an enzyme-linked immunoassay

Results: A total of 23 primary school children were anti-HEV Ab positive, giving a prevalence of 12.4%. The seroprevalence rate was 13.1% in rural areas and 11.7% in urban areas. The difference in the seropositive rates was not statistically significant [p > 0.05]. Among 185 primary school children, Anti-HEV antibodies were positive 17 [18.1%] in seven-year old group, and 6 [6.6%] in fourteen-year old group. The difference in the seropositive rates was statistically significant [p < 0.05]

Conclusions: There was no association between the anti-HEV Ab and gender, socioeconomic level, parental educational level, rural or urban areas. Anti-HEV Ab seroprevalence was higher in seven-year old children than fourteen-year old children

Rubella seroprevalance among the girls [aged 7-15] in the primary-school period living in low and high socio-economic areas in Denizli, Turkey

Immunity against rubella before women's reproductive age is a practical strategy to control congenital rubella syndrome [CRS]. This study was designed to investigate the rubella seroprevalance among the female primary-school students living in low and high socio-economic areas in Denizli [Turkey]. Two hundred seventy seven students were eligible for this comparative cross-sectional study [November 2003]. Schools and classrooms were randomly included in the sample. The cut off points of blood sample were set as <10 IU negative; [3]10 - <15 IU indeterminate; [3]15 IU positive. Study was completed in 235 [84.8%] students. Rubella seropositivity was 74.0% [p=0.03]. Rubella vaccination rate was 14.0% [high SES] and 7.8% [low SES]. A significant difference continued among the graders even after multivariable adjustments [p<0.001]. Sporadic rubella vaccinations may not be a right option to control rubella among women in their reproductive age thus active immunization is important for public health in developing countries

Effects of passive smoking in the work place on expiration air carbon monoxide [CO] and carboxihemoglobin [COHB] levels: results of a survey in Turkey

To assess the prevalence of smoking and the effects of passive smoking among bank employees. This cross-sectional study was conducted between 2001 and 2002. Data was collected through questionnaire. The level of Carbon Monoxide [CO] and the percentage of Carboxihemogtobin [COHb] level in the blood were measured by using Bendfond Pico Smokertyser. Chi-square and ANOVA were used. Six hundred fifty four respondents participated in the study which included 384 [58.7%] male and 267 [40.6%] female. The mean value for CO in the expiration air was 14.57 +/- 11.1 ppm [[18.49 +/- 11.21, 7.74 +/- 5.71 and 4.85 +/- 2.35; for current smokers, non-smokers with current exposure and non-smokers without current exposure, respectively [p<0.001]]. The mean value for COHb% was 2.97 +/- 1.9 [[3.60 +/- 1.88, 1.80 +/- 1.17 and 1.21 +/- 0.99; for current smokers, non-smokers with current exposure and non-smokers without current exposure, respectively [p<0.001]. Passive smoking is still a significant health problem in the work place. Anti-tobacco implementations should be carried out strictly in all work places