Prognostic Value of Epithelial Growth Factor Receptor,Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor,E-Cadherin,and p120 Catenin in Resected Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma

IntroductionSeveral markers have been investigated to predict the prognosis of lung cancer. In the present study, the prognostic values of epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), E-cadherin, and p120 catenin expression were investigated by immunohistochemistry in patients with a surgically resected non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).Patients and methodEGFR, VEGF, E-cadherin, and p120 catenin expression were prospectively determined in resected specimens from patients with NSCLC who had undergone surgery between 2003 and 2007. Patients’ and disease-related general characteristics and survival rate were recorded.ResultsOne hundred seventeen patients with a mean age of 61.3 years were included in the study. After a mean follow-up of 27.5 months, the median survival was determined to be 44.0 months and the 5-year survival was 46.2%. The 5-year survival in negative and positive staining groups were as follows; 32% and 66.7% for EGFR (P=.02), 37.8%, and 50.7% for VEGF (P=.5), 41% and 66% for E-cadherin (P=.19), and 46% and 50% for p120 catenin (P=.27). The differentiation, N status, stage, and EGFR staining were variables significantly affecting survival (P=.001, .006, .03, and .02, respectively). In multivariate Cox analysis, the EGFR staining level and N status were variables those significantly affecting survival (P=.021 and P=.010).ConclusionsWhile negative staining of EGFR was related with poor survival, staining of VEGF, E-cadherin, and p120 catenin were not related with survival in patients with resected NSCLC.     

Clinical pregnancies and livebirths achieved by intracytoplasmic injection of round headed acrosomeless spermatozoa with and without oocyte activation in familial globozoospermia： case report

We report the successful outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection （ICSI） treatment in two siblings with familial globozoospermia. After controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and oocyte pick-up, retrieved oocytes were mechanically activated before ICSI and a fertilization rate of 33.3% was achieved in the first case. The second couple underwent ICSI without oocyte activation and a 9.1% fertilization rate was obtained. The transfer of two grade I embryos in the first couple and one grade I embryo in the second couple resulted in clinical pregnancies with healthy livebirths. It was concluded that the main problem of cases with globozoospermia is a low fertilization rate, and even though ICSI and oocyte activation can increase this rate it is not necessarily needed to achieve a pregnancy. （Asian J Androl 2008 Mar; 10： 332-336）     

Cognitive predictors of skill acquisition on social problem solving in patients with schizophrenia

The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between social problem solving ability, clinical features and cognitive functions, and determine the predictors of benefit from social problem solving training in 63 patients with schizophrenia. We administered Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Digit Span Test, Continuous Performance Test (CPT) and the Assessment of Interpersonal Problem Solving Skills (AIPSS). Only BPRS-positive symptoms subscale was negatively related to AIPSS on linear regression analysis. After the completion of the pretest, the patients were randomized to either problem solving training (n = 32) or control groups (n = 31). Patients in training group received 6 weeks problem solving training in-group modality, and those in control group were treated as usual. We readministered AIPSS at the end of 6 weeks. There were significant changes from pretest to posttest on AIPSS-total, AIPSS-receiving skills, and AIPSS-processing skills score in training group but not in control group. The number of correct answers in WCST and CPT hit rate were the predictors of post-training AIPSS scores in training group. Our findings suggest that skill acquisition on social problem solving is related with cognitive flexibility and sustained attention.     

Hydatid cyst presenting as an eosinophilic pleural effusion

A 61-year-old woman presented with an eosinophilic pleural effusion, secondary to transdiaphragmatic intrapleural spread of an hepatic hydatid cyst. Right posterolateral thoracotomy and frenotomy revealed a loculated pleural effusion associated with a 10 x 8 cm hydatid cyst in the posterior segment of the liver. Hydatid disease should be included in the differential diagnosis of eosinophilic pleural effusions in endemic regions.     

Effects of subtoxic concentrations of TiO(2) and ZnO nanoparticles on human lymphocytes, dendritic cells and exosome production

Metal oxide nanoparticles are widely used in the paint and coating industry as well as in cosmetics, but the knowledge of their possible interactions with the immune system is very limited. Our aims were to investigate if commercially available TiO₂ and ZnO nanoparticles may affect different human immune cells and their production of exosomes, nano-sized vesicles that have a role in cell to cell communication. We found that the TiO₂ or ZnO nanoparticles at concentrations from 1 to 100 μg/mL did not affect the viability of primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). In contrast, monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDC) reacted with a dose dependent increase in cell death and caspase activity to ZnO but not to TiO₂ nanoparticles. Non-toxic exposure, 10 μg/mL, to TiO₂ and ZnO nanoparticles did not significantly alter the phenotype of MDDC. Interestingly, ZnO but not TiO₂ nanoparticles induced a down regulation of FcγRIII (CD16) expression on NK-cells in the PBMC population, suggesting that subtoxic concentrations of ZnO nanoparticles might have an effect on FcγR-mediated immune responses. The phenotype and size of exosomes produced by PBMC or MDDC exposed to the nanoparticles were similar to that of exosomes harvested from control cultures. TiO₂ or ZnO nanoparticles could not be detected within or associated to exosomes as analyzed with TEM. We conclude that TiO₂ and ZnO nanoparticles differently affect immune cells and that evaluations of nanoparticles should be performed even at subtoxic concentrations on different primary human immune cells when investigating potential effects on immune functions.     

The anti-oxidant effect of alpha-tocopherol in the prevention of experimentally induced myringosclerosis.

HYPOTHESIS: The objective of this study was to investigate the possible effect of alpha-tocopherol on the prevention of experimentally induced myringosclerosis. BACKGROUND: Myringosclerosis is a common sequela of ventilation tube treatment of otitis media with effusion. The relationship between oxygen-derived free radicals and occurrence of myringosclerosis has been proven in experimental models, and it was also shown that the formation of myringosclerosis after experimental myringotomy could be reduced by application of various free radical scavengers. METHODS: Eighteen Wistar albino rats were myringotomized on the left side and randomly separated into two groups: group A consisted of rats which received intramuscular alpha-tocopherol injections 100 mg/kg daily and group B which were injected with physiological serum only. The occurrence of myringosclerotic plaques in the tympanic membranes of the two groups was compared by otomicroscopy, histopathology, and tympanometry, which is a novel method of quantification. Blood samples were collected for biochemical evaluation, and the tympanic membranes were harvested on the 15th day of the experiment. RESULTS: In otomicroscopic evaluation, tympanic membranes in group B revealed varying degrees of myringosclerotic plaques; on the other hand, tympanic membranes in group A showed faint or no existence of myringosclerosis. The mean malondialdehyde levels were 1.33 +/- 0.11 micromol/L in group A and 7.49 +/- 1.37 micromol/L in group B (Z = -1.906, p = 0.057). In all ears from group B, the magnitude of the maximum admittance measured by tympanometry reduced to approximately 40% of the values obtained from group A (Z = -2,160, p = 0.031). The mean magnitude of the maximum admittance from group A was very close to the standardization values of Wistar albino rats, which predicts a functional outcome. CONCLUSION: The formation of myringosclerosis after experimental myringotomy can be diminished by intramuscular alpha-tocopherol injections.     

Status of postpartum depression in Turkey: A meta-analysis

We determined the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) and related risk factors in Turkey based on relevant research. This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis and was conducted by performing a scan of the Turkish and English literature over the period of January–February 2016. Most of the research included in this systematic compilation made use of the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale. The scans executed indicated that 4,740 women out of 18,780 were at risk for PPD. In the computations made based on these data, it was found that the consolidated prevalence of PPD was 24% (21%–27% at a confidence interval of 95%) and that this rate varied between 9% and 51%. The study revealed 54 risk factors related to PPD. Those most commonly reported were mental problems/depression prior to pregnancy, unplanned/unwanted pregnancy, low income/socioeconomic level, bad marital relationship/problems with spouse/dissatisfaction with married life, and being a housewife. In this study, we showed that the prevalence rate of PPD is significantly high, that it varies within a wide range, that the prevalence of depression decreased with the increase of the time passed after childbirth, and that it is related to numerous and different factors.     

The effects of parental monitoring on the quality of life and diet quality of adolescents with type 1 diabetes

International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries - The burdens of type 1 diabetes management in adolescence adversely affect their quality of life, reduce adherence to diet, and worsen...     

Evaluation of nasal mucociliary activity in iatrogenic hypothyroidism

Our aim was to evaluate the effects of iatrogenic, acute and deep hypothyroidism on nasal mucociliary clearance. A total of 46 patients undergoing total or near total thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid cancer between March and June 2012, and scheduled to undergo radioactive iodine (I-131) ablation therapy followed with an induced hypothyroidism for routine screening were included in the study. Mucociliary clearance test was made during hypothyroid and euthyroid periods in all the patients included in the study. Of the 46 patients included in the study, 37 (%80.4) were females, 9 (%19.6) were males, and the average mucociliary clearance times were 16.78 and 9.58 min during hypothyroid and euthyroid periods, respectively. When the results were compared statistically, mucociliary clearance time measured during hypothyroidism period was found to be significantly longer than the one measured during euthyroid period. Mucociliary clearance time was found to be long during iatrogenic acute and deep hypothyroid periods. During these periods, patients should be followed closely for lower and upper respiratory tract infections.