Carcinoma obstruction of the proximal colon cancer and long-term prognosis—obstruction is a predictor of worse outcome in TNM stage II tumor

Purpose  

Colon obstruction is suggested to be a predictor of poor outcome in colon cancer. However, the effect of obstruction on outcome in patients with different tumor–nodes–metastases (TNM) stage cancer has not been fully addressed. The aim of this study is to determine whether colon obstruction predicts surgical and long-term oncologic outcomes in patients with proximal colon cancer.     

Interstitial permanent implantation of 125I seeds as salvage therapy for re-recurrent rectal carcinoma

Purpose  To assess the feasibility, efficacy, and morbidity of ¹²⁵I seeds interstitial permanent implant as salvage therapy for re-recurrent rectal cancer. Methods and materials  From September 2003 to October 2007, ¹²⁵I seeds implant procedures were performed under CT or ultrasound guidance for thirteen patients with locally re-recurrent rectal carcinoma. The minimal peripheral doses (MPD) of ¹²⁵I seeds implanted ranged from 120 to 160 Gy, with a median MPD of 140 Gy to total decay. Three patients also received two to four cycles of chemotherapy after seed implantation. Results  After a median follow-up of 10 months (range 3–45), the pain-free interval was 0–14 months with a median of 7 months (95% CI: 3–11 months). The response rate of pain relief was 46.2% (6/13). Local control was 3–14 months with a median of 7 months (95% CI: 3.5–10.5 months). The 1- and 2-year local control rates were 14.4% and 0%, respectively. Three (23.1%) patients died of local recurrence; seven (53.8%) patients died of local recurrence and metastases; one (7.7%) patient died of metastases. Two (15.4%) patients survived to follow-up. At the time of analysis, the median survival was 10 months (95% CI: 3.9–16.1 months). The 1- and 2-year actuarial overall survival rates were 46.2% and 11.5%, respectively. Two (15.4%) patients experienced a grade 4 toxic event. Seed migration to the pelvic wall was observed in one (7.7%) patient. There was no associated neuropathy. Conclusion   ¹²⁵I seed implantation is feasible, effective, and safe as a salvage or palliative treatment for patients with re-recurrent rectal cancer.     

Polymorphisms of peroxiredoxin 1, 2 and 6 are not associated with esophageal cancer

Purpose  

Peroxiredoxins, which reduced intracellular peroxides as a noval kind of antioxidant protein, were extensively expressed in various types of cancers and were thought as a biomarker of cancer cells. In this work, we performed genotyping analyses for tag SNP of Prdx 1, 2 and 6, and then evaluated the association with susceptibility and clinic stage of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in a case–control study.     

Proteinase-activated receptor 2-mediated calcium signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Purpose  

The proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR₂), a member of a newly discovered G protein–coupled receptor subfamily has recently been shown to promote hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell invasion, suggesting a function in HCC progression. In this study, the effect of PAR₂ on intracellular calcium and its involvement in p42/p44 MAPKinase activation in HEP-3B cells and in two primary HCC cultures established from surgically resected HCC specimens has been investigated.     

Surgical treatment for early hepatocellular carcinoma: comparison of resection and liver transplantation

Purpose  

The optimum strategy, hepatic resection (HR) or liver transplantation (LT), for treatment of early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with liver diseases of Child–Pugh A is far from established. The aim of this study was to compare and determine which strategy is optimal for HCC fulfilling the Milan criteria.     

Lateral Cell Membranes and Shunt Resistance in Rabbit Esophageal Epithelium

Background and Aims  

The structures that contribute to shunt resistance (Rs) in esophageal epithelium are incompletely understood, with 35–40% of Rs known to be calcium-dependent, reflecting the role of e-cadherin. Two calcium-independent candidates for the remaining ~60% of Rs have been identified: the glycoprotein matrix (GPM) within stratum corneum of esophageal epithelium, and the lateral cell membranes (LCMs) from neighboring cells.     

An intensive 5-year-long influenza vaccination campaign is effective among doctors but not nurses

Objective  

To double the vaccination rates of hospital employees from 20 to 40% by specific interventions over a 5-year period (2003–2007). The secondary endpoint was to compare the effects of the avian influenza in 2005 (intervention period) and the H1N1 influenza pandemic in 2009 (follow-up period, 2008–2009) on vaccination rates.     

Eradication of Hepatitis C Virus Reduces the Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with Compensated Cirrhosis

Background  

The effect of a sustained virological response (SVR) to interferon (IFN) on clinical outcomes of hepatitis C virus (HCV)–related cirrhosis is controversial. Aims: Evaluate the effect of SVR to IFN on the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and mortality in patients with compensated HCV-induced cirrhosis.     

A case–control study on sequence variations in the enhancer II/core promoter/precore and X genes of hepatitis B virus in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Purpose  

To evaluate the sequence variations in the enhancer II (EnhII)/basal core promotor (BCP)/precore (PC) and X genes of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Thai patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by conducting a cross-sectional case–control study.     

Zoledronic acid combined with chemotherapy bring survival benefits to patients with bone metastases from nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Purpose  

Bone is the most common site of metastases from nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Zoledronic acid (ZA) used to prevent skeletal-related events (SREs) of bone metastases has shown anti-tumor effects; yet, no report has been found on the survival benefit of ZA in NPC. This study aimed to evaluate whether ZA can bring survival benefits to patients with bone metastases from NPC.     

A 2-week,polysomnographic, safety study of sodium oxybate in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Purpose  

Sodium oxybate (SXB) is approved for cataplexy and excessive daytime sleepiness in narcolepsy. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) affects ∼9–50% of narcoleptics. Effects of 2-week SXB administration on apnea–hypopnea index (AHI), oxygen saturation (SaO₂), and sleep architecture were investigated in OSAS patients.     

Osteopontin as a potential biomarker of proliferation and invasiveness for lung cancer

Purpose  

Lung cancer is one of the most malignant tumors and poses a significant threat to human health. Osteopontin (OPN) is a variably expressed, secreted glycophosphoprotein that mediates the growth and metastases of several carcinoma types. In this study, we aimed to understand the role of OPN in lung cancer cell proliferation and invasiveness.     

Pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with systemic sclerosis in the Czech Republic

Background  

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an important cause of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), with an estimated prevalence of 7.85–26.7%.     

Overexpression of osteopontin and integrin αv in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas associated with differentiation and metastasis

Purpose  

Osteopontin (OPN) is a secreted phosphoprotein, which functions as a cell attachment protein and cytokine that signals through two cell adhesion molecules, integrin αvβ3 and CD44, to regulate cancer growth and metastasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of OPN and integrin αv (ITGAV, main receptor of the OPN) in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LHSCC) and correlate the expression quantity with tumor biological behavior.     

Involvement of Akt1/protein kinase Bα in tumor conditioned medium-induced endothelial cell migration and survival in vitro

Purpose  

Endothelial cell migration and survival might be called “major angiogenic responses”. Tumor conditioned medium (CM) has been widely used to stimulate endothelial cells to form capillary-like structures in angiogenesis models in vitro. However, the molecular events triggered by tumor CM are not fully understood. Here, we examined the effects of the CM from human lung carcinoma cell lines A549 and SPC-A-1 on cultures of primary human umbilical veins endothelial cells (HUVECs).     

Beta cell coupling and connexin expression change during the functional maturation of rat pancreatic islets

Aims/hypothesis  

Cell–cell coupling mediated by gap junctions formed from connexin (CX) contributes to the control of insulin secretion in the endocrine pancreas. We investigated the cellular production and localisation of CX36 and CX43, and gap junction-mediated beta cell coupling in pancreatic islets from rats of different ages, displaying different degrees of maturation of insulin secretion.     

Active collaboration with primary care providers increases specialist referral in chronic renal disease

Background  

Late referral to specialist nephrological care is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and cost. Consequently, nephrologists' associations recommend early referral. The recommendations' effectiveness remains questionable: 22–51% of referrals need renal replacement therapy (RRT) within 3–4 months. This may be due to these recommendations addressing the specialist, rather than the primary care providers (PCP).