Background/AimsGastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the main causes of chronic cough. We evaluated the role of microaspiration in the pathogenesis of reflux-related cough by determining the amount of lipid-laden macrophages (LLMs) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens. MethodsA total of 161 cases of chronic cough were evaluated, and 36 patients (average age 48.2 years) were recruited for this single center prospective study. Patients with a history of smoking, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor usage, any abnormality on pulmonary function tests, abnormal chest X-rays, occupational or environmental exposures, or upper airway cough syndrome were excluded. GERD was evaluated by 24-hour esophageal impedance-pH monitoring. BAL specimens for LLM determination were obtained from 34 patients by flexible bronchoscopy. ResultsPatients with pathological intra-esophageal reflux according to multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH monitoring had higher LLM positivity in BAL specimens than patients without pathological reflux (8/14 in reflux positive group vs 1/22 in reflux negative group; P = 0.004). The BAL cell distribution was not different between the 2 groups (P = 0.574 for macrophages, P = 0.348 for lymphocytes, P = 0.873 for neutrophils and P = 0.450 for eosinophils). ConclusionsOur results confirm the role of the microaspiration of refluxate in the pathogenetic mechanism of chronic cough. While bronchoscopy is indicated in patients with chronic cough, in addition to the routine airway evaluation, BAL and LLM detection should be performed. LLM can be used to diagnose aspiration in reflux-related chronic cough. Future studies are needed to evaluate the response to antireflux medications or surgery in patients with LLM positivity.

Background: ERCC1 is considered as a promising molecular marker that may predict platinum based chemotherapy response in non small cell lung cancer patients. We therefore investigated whether its expression is indeed associated with clinical outcomes in advanced stage NSCLC patients. Materials and Methods: Pretreatment tumor biopsy samples of 83 stage 3B and 4 non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with platinum based chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed for immunohistochemical ERCC1 expression. None of the patients received curative surgery or radiotherapy. Results: By calculating H-scores regarding the extent and intensity of immunohistochemical staining of tumor biopsy samples, ERCC1 expression was found to be positive in 50 patients (60.2%). ERCC1 positive and negative groups had no statistically significant differences regarding treatment response, progression free survival and overall survival (respectively p=0.161; p=0.412; p=0.823). Conclusions: In our study we found no association between ERCC1 expression and survival or treatment response. The study has some limitations, such as small sample size and retrospective analysis method. There is need of more knowledge for use of ERCC1 guided chemotherapy regimens in advanced stage NSCLC.

This study is an experimental study aiming to explore the effects of keeping vocabulary notebooks on productive academic vocabulary growth. The participants are composed of the first year ELT students at Mu la S tk Koçman University. The participants got the treatment during their "Advanced Reading and Writing Skills II" course. The study consists of two groups, one of which is the control and the other one is the experimental group. The groups were selected randomly between two classes in the spring term of 2013-2014 Academic Year. The data were obtained in two sections: before and after the treatment. Before the treatment, the participants of both groups had a pre-test on vocabulary composing of three sections as true-false, word formation and multiple choice questions so as to define their current level of academic vocabulary knowledge. Both groups used the same materials whereas only the participants of the experimental group were asked to keep vocabulary notebooks. The treatment lasted eight weeks at the end of which post-tests were applied to both groups to detect any differences. The findings showed that the experimental group made more progress than the control group especially in terms of word formation section which requires productive vocabulary knowledge.

Objective: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major public health problem with severe economic consequences. In this study, we tried to estimate the clinical factors affecting the economic cost of COPD exacerbations requiring hospitalization. Methods: A total of 241 patients who were hospitalized due to COPD exacerbations were included in the study. Data were examined retrospectively using hospital charts. Results: The average length of the hospital stay of the patients was 9.6±4.6 days. The average total direct cost for hospitalization was 1103.2±557.3 Turkish Lira (TL). The length of hospital stay or total costs were not different between male and female patients (respectively, p=0.78 and p=0.28) or between patients above 65 years old and others (respectively, p =0.77 and p=0.92). Presence of comorbidities increased total costs significantly (p=0.008). The total costs of medications and antibiotic costs, together with laboratory costs, were significantly higher in patients with comorbidities (p=0.02, p=0.003, and p<0.001). Length of hospital stay also tended to be higher in patients with comorbidities, but it was not statistically significant (p=0.09). Total costs and length of hospital stay tended to increase as the number of comorbidities increased (p=0.02 and p=0.008). Type of social insurance did not affect total costs or length of hospital stay (p= 0.16 and p=0.21). Conclusion: Length of hospital stay and direct costs of hospitalized COPD exacerbations significantly increased in the presence of comorbidities, while age, sex, and type of insurance did not have any significant effects.