Quantitative expression of ING2-mRNA in invasive cancer of the colon and rectum

Backround

Colorectal cancer is the third and second, respectively, most common form of cancer in the male and female populations, according to new cases reported at the global level. The aim of this study was to contribute to the understanding of the role of the inhibitor of growth gene - 2 (ING2-mRNA) protein in colorectal cancer, raising its potential to the prognostic level.

Methods

The research sample consisted of 60 patients (60% men, mean age 73.2 ± 11.1 years) who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer during the period 2008-2013 in the Asklipieio Voulas General Hospital. Samples from tumor tissue mucosal were compared with normal ones and the levels of ING2-mRNA were defined quantitively through Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Finally, these levels were correlated with the correspond pathological image and characteristics of each patient, using the SPPS V.20 program for statistical process. After Total RNA was extracted, the primers used were listed as follows: ING2 (sense: 5’-GCAGGCAGCGGACCAGTGAA-3’, antisense: 5’-CCTGCTTGGCCTTGGAGCGT-3’), GAPDH (sense: 5’-GAAATCCCATCACCATCTTCCAGG-3’, antisense: 5’-GAGCCCCAGCCTTCTCCATG-3’).

Results

The results of the study confirmed the marginal correlation already documented between negative expression of ING2-mRNA and stage 2a of the TNM staging of colorectal cancer.

Conclusions

These results lead to the conclusion that the level of this specific mRNA can be prognostic of clinical outcome. Further research is needed, both to corroborate this correlation and to elucidate the mechanism of ING2 action in colorectal cancer.

     

Changing trends in the epidemiology and clinical outcome of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding in a defined geographical area in Greece

AIM: Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (AUGIB) remains a common medical emergency and an important cause of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in clinico-epidemiologic characteristics of patients who presented with AUGIB during the last 10 years. METHODS: Data from all patients admitted with AUGIB in a defined geographical area in Greece from January 1 to December 31, 2005 (period B) were compared with retrospectively collected data from all patients admitted with AUGIB in the same area 10 years ago, from January 1 to December 31, 1995 (period A). The estimated incidence of AUGIB and peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB) in both periods was calculated using data from the population of this area according to the National Statistical Service. RESULTS: A reduction in the incidence of AUGIB from 162.9/100,000 population in 1995, to 108.3/100,000 population (rate ratio=0.49, confidence interval 95%=0.37-0.63) in 2005 and in the incidence of PUB from 104.8/100,000 population to 72.5/100,000 (rate ratio=0.49, confidence interval 95%=0.35-0.68) were, respectively, observed. This reduction was mainly due to the reduction in the incidence of duodenal ulcer bleeding (from 66.7 cases/100,000 to 35.5/100,000 population), whereas gastric ulcer bleeding incidence remained unchanged (33.1/100,000 vs. 34.4/100,000 cases). Mean age of patients increased from 59.4+/-17.1 years to 66.1+/-16.1, P<0.0001, and the patients' comorbidity. The percentage of NSAIDs' use remained stable (49.3% vs. 48.2%), whereas the use of oral anticoagulants and antiplatelets drugs increased significantly (from 2.2% to 6.8%, P=0.001 and from 1.2% to 10.8%, P<0.0001, respectively). Blood transfusion requirements per patient significantly decreased (from 2.5+/-2 to 2+/-2.4, P=0.009). The rate of rebleeding in PUB patients and emergency surgical hemostasis statistically decreased (from 12% to 5.9%, P=0.02 and from 5.9% to 3.1%, P=0.009, respectively). No significant difference in the overall mortality was observed (3.9% in 1995 vs. 6.5% in 2005). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of AUGIB during the past 10 years significantly decreased, mainly due to the decline in the incidence of bleeding duodenal ulcers. Nowadays, patients are older with more comorbidities, but mortality remains unchanged.     

The biological role of chondroitin sulfate in cancer and chondroitin-based anticancer agents

Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) such as versican accumulate in tumor stroma and play a key role in tumor growth and invasion. The high expression of CSPGs in fast growing tissues and cells is correlated with chondroitin sulfate (CS) chains and the sulfation pattern. The negatively charged CS chains interact with a large number of ligands and receptors and activate signalling pathways which stimulate tumor growth. However, the role of chondroitin sulfate in cancer promotion seems to be controversial, as recent studies support the use of modified CS as a potent anticancer agent. In this review, the biological roles of CSPGs in cancer and the anticancer effects of modified CS are presented and discussed.     

Operative treatment of unstable injuries of the cervicothoracic junction

The authors present their experience in the operative treatment of unstable lesions at the cervicothoracic junction. Ten patients, six men and four women, underwent operative procedures at the cervicothoracic junction (C7-T1) between 1990 and 1997. Six patients had sustained fracture-dislocations, three patients had metastases and one patient had a primary malignant lesion. All the patients had significant cervical pain and neurologic deficit. The spinal cord and nerves were decompressed in all cases. Posterior stabilization was accomplished using various types of implants including hooks, wires and rods. Anteriorly, the spine was stabilized with plates and screws. Partial or complete vertebrectomy was performed in five cases and a titanium cylinder or an iliac autograft replaced the vertebral body. Five patients were submitted to a posterior operation only, and the other five to bilateral procedures. In four of these a one-stage operation was performed and in the last case a two-stage procedure. The anatomic and biomechanical characteristics of the cervicothoracic junction require a precise pre-operative analysis of the local anatomy and the selection of the proper implants for anterior and posterior stabilization. Received: 6 December 1997 Revised: 12 February 1999 Accepted: 2 March 1999     

HER-2/neu is an independent prognostic factor in type I endometrial adenocarcinoma

Purpose

Το define the prognostic significance of HER-2/neu and PTEN expression in patients with endometrioid (type I) endometrial cancer.

Methods

Seventy-seven patients with endometrioid endometrial carcinoma were included in the study, in a period between 1996 and 2009. Patients with coexisting malignancy and those having incomplete immunohistochemical data or clinical follow-up were excluded. Histological staging was defined according to the revised FIGO staging (2009). Clinico-pathologic and immunohistochemical characteristics were correlated in a multivariate Cox regression analysis with overall survival (OS), cancer-related survival (CRS) and disease-free survival (DFS).

Results

Mean age of the patients was 62.7 years. The median follow-up was 67 months (9–124 months). HER-2/neu expression was detected in 18.2 % (n = 14), and PTEN expression in 72.7 % (n = 56) of our patients. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that patient’s age, FIGO staging and HER-2/neu expression were independent prognostic factors for OS, CRS and DFS. PTEN expression did not significantly affect survival outcomes of the present study.

Conclusions

HER-2/neu but not PTEN expression is an independent prognostic factor for type I endometrial carcinoma.     

Treatment of Axillary Bromhidrosis with Topical 2% Glycopyrronium Bromide Cream: A Prospective,Non-randomized,Open-label Study

BackgroundTopical glycopyrrolate is a well-established therapeutic option for focal hyperhidrosis; however, there are no data on its efficacy in the treatment of bromhidrosis.ObjectivesThe objective of this open-label, non-randomized study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of a galenic formulation of 2% glycopyrronium bromide cream, in the treatment of bromhidrosis.MethodsNineteen patients with bromhidrosis were prescribed a 2% glycopyrronium bromide cream, to apply in both axillae, every night, for 12 weeks. Malodor was assessed on a four-point scale. Scores for the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were recorded at baseline and after 12 weeks. ResultsStatistically significant improvements in malodor and HDSS, DLQI, and HADS scores, respectively, were observed after treatment. One patient reported irritation at the site of application and another reported mydriasis, which resolved spontaneously. All but one of the patients declared that they were either completely (52/6%) or partially (42.1%) satisfied regarding the treatment.ConclusionOur results indicate that 2% glycopyrronium bromide cream is effective and safe for 12 weeks of application in patients with axillary bromhidrosis.