High mesothelin expression in advanced lung adenocarcinoma is associated with KRAS mutations and a poor prognosis

Mesothelin is a cell surface glycoprotein which is highly expressed in several epithelial cancers and may have a role in cell adhesion and metastases. In this study, we used prospectively obtained clinical and pathological data to characterize mesothelin expression in advanced lung adenocarcinoma. Tissue was obtained from patients who underwent molecular profiling of potentially actionable genes on a trial of molecular profiling and targeted therapies in advanced thoracic malignancies. We immunohistochemically evaluated the intensity, and the percentage of cells expressing mesothelin in 93 advanced lung adenocarcinomas. The evaluation was blinded for molecular data and outcome. Mutations of EGFR, KRAS, BRAF, AKT1, PIK3CA and HER2 were assessed by pyrosequencing; HER2 amplification and ALK translocation were assessed by fluorescence in situ hybridization. 53% of advanced lung adenocarcinomas expressed mesothelin to some degree; high mesothelin expression, defined as mesothelin positivity in more than 25% of cells, was found in 24% of patients. High mesothelin expression was associated with inferior survival (median 18.2 months vs. 32.9 months; P = 0.014). High mesothelin expression was strongly associated with mutant KRAS (P < 0.0001) and wild-type EGFR (P = 0.002). Our results provide strong rationale to explore anti-mesothelin targeted therapies in advanced lung adenocarcinoma especially in the KRAS-mutant subgroup.     

Effectiveness of plasmapheresis on the PF-0.5 blood separator in patients with paraproteinemic hemoblastoses

Plasmapheresis on a Soviet-made PF-0.5 blood cell separator was performed in 20 PPH patients (altogether 33 sessions of plasmapheresis). 1600 to 3300 ml of plasma were removed during one session. Rheopolyglucin was mainly used as plasma-substituting liquid. The procedure was well tolerated by all the patients. After plasmapheresis biochemical indices were within normal. In multiple myeloma paraprotein was decreased by 42%. Waldenstr?m's macroglobulinemia by 47%. Plasma viscosity was decreased 1.2- and 2-fold, respectively. The investigations showed a high efficacy and reliability of plasmapheresis with the help of the Soviet-made PF-0.5.     

Renitec and ednit in the treatment of cardiac failure associated with duodenal ulcer

The influence of renitec and ednit on duodenal ulcer was studied in 25 patients with cardiac failure. It was found that renitec and ednit lowered both systolic and diastolic pressure, relieved gastralgia and dyspepsia. Duodenal ulcer healed in 87% of the patients. Contracting and pump function of the right ventricle improved. Plasma levels of angiotensin and aldosteron decreased while prostaglandin E2 increased.     

The denticulate ligament: anatomical properties,functional and clinical significance

Background  

It is widely believed that the main function of denticulate ligaments (DLs) is to stabilize the spinal cord within the vertebral canal. The aim of this study was to assess the anatomical and histological structure of the DLs and to document any regional differences.     

Mitochondrial function and mitochondrial DNA maintenance with advancing age

We review the impact of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) maintenance and mitochondrial function on the aging process. Mitochondrial function and mtDNA integrity are closely related. In order to create a protective barrier against reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) attacks and ensure mtDNA integrity, multiple cellular mtDNA copies are packaged together with various proteins in nucleoids. Regulation of antioxidant and RONS balance, DNA base excision repair, and selective degradation of damaged mtDNA copies preserves normal mtDNA quantities. Oxidative damage to mtDNA molecules does not substantially contribute to increased mtDNA mutation frequency; rather, mtDNA replication errors of DNA PolG are the main source of mtDNA mutations. Mitochondrial turnover is the major contributor to maintenance of mtDNA and functionally active mitochondria. Mitochondrial turnover involves mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial dynamics, and selective autophagic removal of dysfunctional mitochondria (i.e., mitophagy). All of these processes exhibit decreased activity during aging and fall under greater nuclear genome control, possibly coincident with the emergence of nuclear genome instability. We suggest that the age-dependent accumulation of mutated mtDNA copies and dysfunctional mitochondria is associated primarily with decreased cellular autophagic and mitophagic activity.     

Spectral Analysis of Electrocardiographic Signals Based on Wavelet-Packet Processing

ECG signals can be identified using mean power of wavelet-packet coefficients and entropy of wavelet coefficients. These parameters are of diagnostic value for patient cardiosignal comparison.     

Assessment of RR-Intervalogram Instability

The series of cardiac intervals is a dynamic chaotic deterministic process. Transition from regular to chaotic process is characterized by self-organized critical organization. This transition is accompanied by flicker noise. The RR-intervalogram spectrum is a diagnostic symptom for ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, and atrial fibrillation.     

Hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of pyridyl-3-glyoxylic acid]

Pyridyl-3-glyoxylic acid reduced the blood cholesterol and triglycerides, normalized the lipoprotein spectrum, markedly decreased the intensity of lipid peroxidation, and increased the superoxide dismutase enzyme activity in the experimental rabbits with cholesterol atherosclerosis model. The efficacy of the compound exceeded that of nicotinic acid used as the reference compound.