We investigated the frequency of inherited variants in the MEFV gene, which is mutated in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Eight MEFV gene variants (M694I, M694V, M680I (G/C-A), V726A, R761H, E148Q and P369S) were analyzed in 33 MDS patients, 47 AML patients and 65 healthy controls; none had a history or family history compatible with FMF. We identified two homozygous (E148Q/E148Q), one compound heterozygous (M694V/E148Q) and five heterozygous inherited variants in the MEFV gene in AML patients. We also identified nine heterozygous variants in MDS patients, while we found 11 heterozygous variants in controls. The mean overall frequency of inherited variants in the MEFV gene rate was higher in MDS (χ² = 4.241; P = 0.039) and AML (χ² = 3.870; P = 0.043) patients than in healthy controls. In conclusion, this study reports high frequency of inherited variants in the MEFV gene in patients with MDS and AML. However, the hypothesis that MEFV is a cancer susceptibility gene at this point remains speculative. Additional evidence from future studies is needed to allow a more thorough evaluation of this hypothesis.

Aim: The number of comorbid diseases increased with the rise in the elderly population. In some cases, the state of deficient or absent nutrition emerges. Nevertheless, the contribution of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) to the quality of life and the survival rate in the elderly with certain diseases remains controversial. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, patients who underwent percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) procedure between 2009 and 2015 were divided into two groups: CVE group consisted of patients with cerebrovascular event (CVE) and non-CVE group comprised patients who suffered from esophageal tumors, head and neck tumors, brain tumors, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and terminal dementia. In this study, the patients' pre-PEG and post-PEG body mass index (BMI) values, hemoglobin (Hb), albumin (alb), creatinine (Cr) and C-reactive protein (CRP) values, white blood cell counts, demographic characteristics, 30, 90, 180 and 365 daysurvival rates, complications (mechanical, metabolic and infectious) and duration of patency of the PEGs were compared. Results: The average age was lower while survival rate on the 90 th day was higher in the CVE group. No significant difference was found in terms of other parameters. At the end of the one-year follow-up, 21% of the patients in the CVE group and 12% of those in the non-CVE group were able to be fed without PEG. Conclusion: PEG patency was higher in the CVE group at 3 months but there was no statistically significant difference between the groups at one-year and overall follow-up periods.

Background: In developed countries and our country, the ratio of the elderly to the total population is increasing due to the rise in worldwide medical care spendings and the medical workforce allocated for the treatment of the acute and chronic problems of the elderly. Aims and Objectives: The number of studies based on long-term observations of the risk factors that affect the survival and mortality rates of the elderly in nursing homes is quite rare. Currently, there are no studies concerning this issue in the country. The authors carried out an eight years prospective study to determine the risk factors for mortality in a private nursing home with a capacity of 150 beds located in Istanbul. Materials and Methods: From January 2007 to March 2015, we scanned the number of medications, comorbidities, nutritional status, age, mental score, number of falls and fractures, levels of hemoglobin, albumin, creatinine, and glucose parameters related with mortality in 612 patients admitted to the nursing home. Results: The median overall survival time was 34 months. A total of 240 (39%) residents died within eight years, 44% within two years and 55% within three years. The evaluation results shothat 360 (51%) of the 612 residents, were females and the mean age was 76.49 (± 11.36) years. Hazard ratios of the related parameters that related to mortality were respectively 1,3 for age, 1,5 for BMI less than 20kg/m2, 4,2 for more than six comorbidities, 7,01 for six to nine number of medications, 5 for dependency, 0,7 for one to three episodes of infection, 0,5for falls, 1,3 for fracture, 3,1 for mental score of less than 18, 1,9 for hemoglobin less than 12gr/dl, 4,03 for creatinine higher than 1.5 mg/dl, 2,43 for glucose greater than 126 mg/dl, 4,8 for albumin less than 3 g/dl (95% CI). Conclusion: The risk factors causing mortality are; old age, BMI less than 20, more than six comorbidities, more than six medications, dependency, one to three episodes of infection, impaired mental score less than 18, anemia, hyperglycemia, kidney failure, hypoalbuminemia at the patients who admitted to nursing homes. Early optimal monitoring of these parameters can provide a positive contribution to the survival of elderlyresidents in nursing homes.

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