A novel appetite peptide, nesfatin-1 in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract Background and aims. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common liver pathology worldwide and is strongly associated with obesity and insulin-resistance and food intake. Nesfatin-1 is a new peptide that controls appetite and food intake. The objective of this research was to examine the serum concentrations of nesfatin-1 in NAFLD. Material and methods. Thirty NAFLD patients who had elevated liver enzymes and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects were included in this study. NAFLD was diagnosed and graded with the findings of liver ultrasound scan. Nesfatin-1 concentrations were measured using an ELISA method and the relationship between nesfatin-1 and metabolic parameters were investigated. The subjects were divided into two groups according to their body mass index (≥?30 and 相似文献   

Sleep disorders in Behçet's disease, and their relationship with fatigue and quality of life

Behçet’s disease, a systemic vasculitis, can cause varying degrees of activity limitation, fatigue and quality of life impairment. To date, there have been no studies regarding sleep disturbance and its relationship with fatigue and life quality in Behçet’s disease. We aimed to evaluate sleep disorders and polysomnographic parameters, and to determine their relationship with fatigue and quality of life in Behçet’s disease. Fifty‐one patients with Behçet’s disease without any neurological involvement were interviewed regarding sleep disorders. Twenty‐one subjects with no sleep complaints were included as the control group. Sleep‐related complaints were evaluated in a face‐to‐face interview. Sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness, fatigue, depression, anxiety, disease activity/severity, and quality of life questionnaires and an overnight polysomnography were performed. Prevalences of restless legs syndrome (35.3%) and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome with/without other sleep disorders (32.5%) were higher than in the control group and the general population. Fatigue was higher in patients with restless legs syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, and in those with lower minimum oxygen saturation; hence, only patients with restless legs syndrome had quality of life impairment. Sleep efficiency index and sleep continuity index were lower, and wake after sleep onset, respiratory disturbance index and apnea–hypopnea index were higher than in controls (P < 0.01). Neither sleep disorders nor polysomnographic parameters were related to disease activity and severity. In conclusion, it is important to question sleep disorder followed by a polysomnography, if necessary, in order to improve quality of life and fatigue in Behçet’s disease.     

Bicuspid aortic valve--ethiopathogenesis and natural history

Bicuspid aortic valve is a disease with autosomal dominant inheritance with small penetration. The population of patients with bicuspid aortic valve is heterogenous. In the absence of dilatation of ascending aorta, valvular lesion or degenerative changes of valve leaflets patients are considered to belong to the low risk population. On the other hand patients with the above mentioned characteristics compose a high risk group. Dilatation of the ascending aorta in patients with bicuspid aortic valve has a progressive feature and continues even after replacement of the aortic valve. With progression of aortic dilatation the risk of aortic dissection and rupture increases. The main reasons for aortic dilatation are changes in quality of aortic wall and possibly mechanical stress of aortic wall during asymmetrical and turbulent flow. The progression of aortic dilatation or aortic valve disease is not essentially influenced by farmacologic treatment. Surgery is the treatment of choice. Physiology and pathophysiology of bicuspid and tricuspid aortic valves, prevalence of bicuspid aortic valve in general population and in the group of patients operated on for aortic valve disease, phenotypes of bicuspid aortic valve and follow-up of asymptomatic patients with normal bicuspid valve are reviewed in this article. Indications for operation of dilated ascending aorta according to american, european and czech guidelines are discussed.     

Primary intracerebral malignant fibrous histiocytoma mimicking a meningioma

We describe herein a patient with primary intracerebral malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) to demonstrate this very rare central nervous system tumor. A 42-year-old male was admitted to our institute with the complaints of headache and speech impairment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a tumor consistent with meningioma and we decided the surgery. The tumor was excised totally during the initial surgery. Histopathological examination revealed a mesenchymal tumor with an invasion of the adjacent brain and underlying dura mater. On the postoperative 4th month, the follow up MRI showed tumor recurrence at the same location and of similar size. Reoperation was performed and the tumor was again removed gross totally. However, the patient demonstrated a rapidly progressive course leading to death within the first year after the surgery. Two significant points of this case of primary central nervous system MFH are the rarity of its occurrence and its mimicking a meningioma.     

Immunohistochemical detection of pS2 protein and heat shock protein-70 in pancreatic adenocarcinomas. Relationship with disease extent and patient survival

We investigated pS2 and HSP-70 protein expression in 36 pancreatic adenocarcinomas for their effect on disease extent and patient outcome. The cases were reviewed, histologically diagnosed, typed, graded, and staged. Lymphatic vessel, blood vessel and perineural invasion as well as lymph node, resection margin and adjacent organ involvements were re-evaluated. The standard streptavidin biotin immunperoxidase method was used for immunostaining with pS2 and HSP-70 antibodies. Cytoplasmic staining with both antibodies was scored semiquantitatively. The scores were compared with histopathological prognostic parameters using statistical methods. Standard prognostic parameters and staining scores were tested by survival analysis in terms of their effect on survival. All the tumors showed a positive cytoplasmic reaction with HSP-70 antibody. Seventy-seven percent of the tumors showed positive cytoplasmic staining with pS2 antibody (22.2% +, 13.9% ++ and 41.7% +++). There was a statistically significant difference between HSP-70 staining scores with N status and final stages of the tumors (Chi-square, p = 0.03 and p = 0.026, respectively), while neither direct nor inverse correlation was detected for both parameters. PS2 staining scores showed no statistically significant relationship with tumor grade T, M status, perineural invasion, lymph and blood vessel invasion. In tumors with extensive staining with pS2, tumor stage tended to be low (Chi square, p = 0.024, Kendall Tau-b, r: -0.336, p = 0.036). There was a statistically significant difference and inverse correlation between tumors with extensive pS2 staining and tumors with less intense staining in terms of lymph node metastasis (Chi-square, p = 0.041, Kendall Tau: p = 0.024, r = -0,373). In the R0 resection group, in univariate analysis, we found that with higher scores of HSP-70 staining, the prognosis of the patient tended to improve. (Cox regression, p = 0.013). In multivariate analysis, HSP-70 expression was found to be an independent prognostic factor. We found no relationship between pS2 staining and patient survival.     

Impact of tumor histology and grade on treatment success of percutaneous renal cryoablation

Background

We analyzed oncological outcomes in patients who underwent percutaneous renal cryoablation (PRC) with documented renal cell carcinoma (RCC) by perioperative biopsy.

Methods

Multicenter retrospective analysis of 153 patients [median follow-up 48 months] who underwent PRC from 09/2005 to 08/2014 was performed. We divided the cohort into patients who developed recurrence versus no recurrence. Kaplan–Meier analyses examined recurrence-free survival (RFS) according to grade and histology. Multivariable analysis (MVA) was performed to identify factors associated with tumor recurrence.

Results

One hundred and fifty-three patients were analyzed [18 patients (11.8 %) with recurrence and 135 (88.2 %) patients without recurrence]. There were no differences between the groups with respect to demographics, RENAL score, and number of probes utilized. Recurrence group had larger tumor size (3.1 vs. 2.4 cm; p = 0.011), upper pole tumor location (p = 0.016), and greater proportions of high-grade tumor (33 vs. 0.7 %; p < 0.001) and clear cell histology (77.8 vs. 45.9 %; p = 0.011). Four-year RFS was 100 versus 80 % for grade 1 versus grade 2/3 tumors (p = 0.0002), and 97 versus 88 % for other RCC versus clear cell RCC (p = 0.07). MVA demonstrated tumor size >3 cm (OR 2.46; p = 0.019), clear cell histology (OR 2.12; p = 0.027), and high tumor grade (OR 2.33, p < 0.001) as independent risk factors associated with tumor recurrence.

Conclusions

Association of higher grade and clear cell histology with recurrence and progression suggests need for increased emphasis on preoperative risk stratification by biopsy, with grade 1 and non-clear cell RCC being associated with improved treatment success than higher grade and clear cell RCC.

     

Monoclonal antibodies targeting CD38 in hematological malignancies and beyond

CD38 is a multifunctional cell surface protein that has receptor as well as enzyme functions. The protein is generally expressed at low levels on various hematological and solid tissues, while plasma cells express particularly high levels of CD38. The protein is also expressed in a subset of hematological tumors, and shows especially broad and high expression levels in plasma cell tumors such as multiple myeloma (MM). Together, this triggered the development of various therapeutic CD38 antibodies, including daratumumab, isatuximab, and MOR202. Daratumumab binds a unique CD38 epitope and showed strong anti-tumor activity in preclinical models. The antibody engages diverse mechanisms of action, including complement-dependent cytotoxicity, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis, programmed cell death, modulation of enzymatic activity, and immunomodulatory activity. CD38-targeting antibodies have a favorable toxicity profile in patients, and early clinical data show a marked activity in MM, while studies in other hematological malignancies are ongoing. Daratumumab has single agent activity and a limited toxicity profile, allowing favorable combination therapies with existing as well as emerging therapies, which are currently evaluated in the clinic. Finally, CD38 antibodies may have a role in the treatment of diseases beyond hematological malignancies, including solid tumors and antibody-mediated autoimmune diseases.     

Genetic and epigenetic alterations of microRNAs and implications for human cancers and other diseases

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a well‐studied group of noncoding RNAs that control gene expression by interacting mainly with messenger RNA. It is known that miRNAs and their biogenesis regulatory machineries have crucial roles in multiple cell processes; thus, alterations in these genes often lead to disease, such as cancer. Disruption of these genes can occur through epigenetic and genetic alterations, resulting in aberrant expression of miRNAs and subsequently of their target genes. This review focuses on the disruption of miRNAs and their key regulatory machineries by genetic alterations, with emphasis on mutations and epigenetic changes in cancer and other diseases. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The Anatomical Relationships of the Ocular Motor Nerves with an Emphasis on Surgical Anatomy of the Orbit

The surgical procedures directed to the orbit are invariably reported to be one of the most challenging procedures of the neurosurgery and it is very important to take measures to protect the ocular nerves. Many researchers have tried to identify safe approaches or safe regions in the orbit but the suggestions and results vary among published studies. The ocular motor nerves are under risk of injury during various approaches to the orbit. Simple but careful attention to potential variations in the origin and anatomical course of the ocular nerves and their relationships to the orbit may help to define “safe zones” during various approaches, thus, help to enhance clinical outcomes. The objective of this review, therefore, is to discuss the surgical anatomy of the orbit with special emphasis on oculomotor, trochlear, and abducens nerves and further emphasize their relationships with a surgical point of view during various approaches directed to the orbit. Anat Rec, 302:568–574, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.