ORIGINAL ARTICLE PURPOSE We aimed to test the null hypothesis that relative apparent diffusion coefficient (rADC) and relative signal intensity values (rSI HASTE ) do not change in the evaluation of placental maturation with advancing gestational age. MATERIALS AND METHODSFifty-six fetuses with diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) data were enrolled in this retrospective study. Fetuses were analyzed in three different gestational age groups: group 1, 18-23 weeks; group 2, 24-28 weeks; and group 3, 29-38 weeks. The rADC (mean ADC/ADC globe ) and rSI HASTE values (mean SI HASTE /SI globe ) were obtained. Two radiologists experienced in fetal MRI who were blinded to the patient information reviewed MRI images independently. Kruskal-Wallis Test was used to compare the rADC and rSI HASTE with gestational age groups. The agreement between the two blinded readers was tested using Krippendorff's alpha ratio. RESULTSBoth placental rADC values and placental rSI HASTE values were not significantly different between the gestational age groups (P = 0.688 and P = 0.280, respectively). rADC and rSI HASTE measurements were reproducible with a good agreement between the two readers (Krippendorff's alpha ratio was 0.613 and 0.778, respectively). CONCLUSIONThe rADC and rSI HASTE values do not change with advancing gestational age.

No abstract

We identified Dobrava-Belgrade virus infection in Turkey (from a strain related to hantavirus strains from nearby countries) in a patient who had severe symptoms leading to panhypopituitarism, but no known risk for hantavirus. Our findings emphasize the need for increased awareness of hantaviruses in the region and assessment of symptomatic persons without known risk factors for infection.

No abstract

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare disease with a poor prognosis. The main therapeutic options for MPM include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy (RT). Although multimodality therapy has been reported to improve survival, not every medically operable patient is able to undergo all recommended therapy. With improvements in surgical techniques and systemic therapies, as well as advancements in RT, there has been a potential new paradigm in the management of this disease. In this review, we discuss the current literature on MPM management and propose a functional treatment algorithm.