IL-6 mediated JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway in cancer patients with cachexia.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the changes in the IL-6 and STAT3 expression levels in cachectic and non-cachectic patients with gastric, lung and breast cancer and evaluated the association between IL-6 and STAT3 levels and cancer types in terms of cachexia condition. BACKGROUND: Cancer-associated cachexia, observed in nearly 50‒80 % of cancer patients, has drawn attention in advanced patients. IL-6/JAK/STAT pathway plays an essential role in the progression of cancer cachexia through the regulation of the inflammatory response. METHODS: This study consisted of 48 gastric, breast and lung cancer patients (18 cachectic and 30 non-cachectic) and healthy individuals. Total RNA isolation and cDNA synthesis was performed after the collection of blood samples. IL-6 and STAT3 expression levels were analyzed by RT- PCR analysis. RESULTS: Our findings demonstrated that IL-6 mRNA levels considerably increased 19.89±8.25, 5.18±2.81 and 15.33±9.54-fold in gastric, lung and breast cancer patients with cachexia, respectively. Additionally, a 16.67±7.13, 14.21±11.72 and 8.85±3.89-fold increase in the STAT3 expression level was detected in cachectic gastric, lung and breast cancer patients, respectively (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: STAT3 may be considered as a therapeutic target for cachectic patients with gastric, lung and breast cancer. Furthermore, IL-6 mediates STAT3 activation in cachectic gastric and breast cancer patients (Tab. 5, Fig. 2, Ref. 62).

Evaluation of bone height and bone density by computed tomography and panoramic radiography for implant recipient sites.

The objective was to compare the bone height and bone density measurements of implant recipient sites by panoramic radiography and computed tomography. Thirty-seven sites of 21 patients were evaluated using both panoramic radiography and computed tomography. The bone height was measured as the vertical distance from the alveolar crest to the closest anatomical landmark. Density was compared by means of densitometric measurements. Data was evaluated using paired t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis. Although bone heights measured with the two imaging modalities differed significantly (p < 0.05), there was a significant correlation between bone density measurements (r = 0.93, p = 0.0). Measurements of bone height as well as bone density was found to be comparable using either radiographic method.

Kinematic and dynamic axial computerized tomography of the normal patellofemoral joint.

Fourteen normal volunteers with no history suggesting previous or current knee pathology underwent axial computed tomographic examination of the patellofemoral joint. There were 11 men and 3 women, whose ages ranged from 10 to 46 years (average 25 years). Axial images were obtained at 0 degrees, 10 degrees, 20 degrees, 30 degrees, 40 degrees, and 60 degrees flexion both with and without contraction of the thigh muscles. Thus, 12 images were obtained for each individual. The CT scanner was focused at the midpatellar level prior to each image. Three measurements were made on 24 knees for each individual: congruence angle (CA), patellar tilt angle (PTA), and sulcus angle (SA). PTA increased slightly from 0 degrees to 20 degrees, and decreased slightly with more flexion (not significant, NS). The lower limit of PTA was usually 9 degrees-10 degrees; it was not lower than 7 degrees in any knee position. Muscle contraction increased PTA slightly at each degree of flexion (NS). Mean CA was +18.3 degrees (SD 20.8 degrees) at 0 degrees, which means that normal individuals may have CAs as high as +39 degrees at full extension. There was a gradual decrease in CAs with knee flexion. The mean values became negative between 20 degrees and 60 degrees flexion. Contraction of the thigh muscles caused lateralisation of the patella except at 30 degrees and 40 degrees flexion. This lateral pull was statistically significant at full extension (P < 0.01) and at 10 degrees flexion (P < 0.05). The SA decreased gradually as the flexion of the knee increased.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Kinematic and dynamic axial computed tomography of the patello-femoral joint in patients with anterior knee pain.

Thirty-eight knees of 26 patients with anterior knee pain (12 bilateral) were included in the study. There were 22 women and 4 men, and their average age was 29 years. Axial computed tomography (CT) examination of both knees were done at 0 degrees, 10 degrees, 20 degrees, 30 degrees, 40 degrees and 60 degrees of flexion with and without muscle contraction. Images were always taken at the mid-patellar level. Patellar tilt angle (PTA), congruence angle (CA) and sulcus angle (SA) were measured at each knee position. Normal values were also obtained from 14 healthy volunteers (28 knees). Thus, the types of patello-femoral incongruence were determined at each knee position: 1, tilt + lateralisation (TL: 12 knees); 2, lateralisation (L: 4 knees); 3, medialisation (M: 5 knees); 4, lateral to medial instability (LM: 1 knee); 5, tilt (T: 1 knee). Fifteen knees were classified as normal. When the groups were analysed separately, in the TL group the T or L component would have been missed in nine cases if the images were taken only at 30 degrees or only in the first 30 degrees of flexion. In the L group two patellae were reduced at 30 degrees. In three knees in the M group, medialisation began at 10 degrees, 20 degrees and 30 degrees. One patella was reduced at 40 degrees. In the LM case, the patella was lateralised at 0 degrees, 10 degrees, 20 degrees and medialised at 30 degrees and 40 degrees. In the T case, the patella was tilted only at 20 degrees, 40 degrees and 60 degrees.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)