Mutation pattern of KRAS and BRAF oncogenes in colorectal cancer patients.

The aim of this study was to identify KRAS and BRAF gene mutations in colorectal cancer patients and to assess whether they are linked with clinicopathological features. The results of KRAS and BRAF mutation analysis could be used in the selection of patients for anti-EGFR therapy. All specimens were obtained during routine surgery of patients with colorectal carcinoma. The diagnoses were established by standard procedures and confirmed histopathologically. After DNA extraction, KRAS mutations were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR and BRAF mutations were analyzed using real-time PCR by fluorescence melting curve analysis. Our results show that KRAS gene mutations were detected in 35.6% samples and the most frequent mutation was Gly12Val. BRAF gene mutation Val600Glu was detected in 8.5% samples. Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between the KRAS mutation and Dukes' stage (p=0.034), with the lowest frequency in Dukes'A, and between the KRAS mutation and histological grade (p=0.044), with no KRAS mutation found in poor differentiated tumors. The first data about KRAS and BRAF mutational status in the sample of Croatian population with colorectal cancer shows that the incidence of KRAS and BRAF mutations is within generally valid limits. Prospective studies are to be continued in order to determine whether these mutations contribute to progression of colorectal cancer.

Fatalities in the war in Croatia, 1991 and 1992. Underlying and external causes of death.

OBJECTIVE: To show the underlying and external causes of death and selected characteristics of those killed in the war in Croatia between March 1991 and December 1992. DESIGN: Analysis of 4339 fatalities recorded on two national mortality statistics documents that specified war operations as the cause of death: a demography mortality statistical form and a death certificate. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The frequency of clinical causes of death and their association with methods of wounding, length of survival, and attendant diagnoses. RESULTS: Half of those killed were men aged 21 to 35 years. Among women killed, the majority were aged 61 to 75 years. Skull fracture with intracranial injuries was the leading cause of death (28.9%), followed by multiple traumas and injuries of unspecified site (17.9%), and thoracic wounds with lung and heart injuries (17.6%). The most common methods of wounding were bombs and fragments of other explosive devices involving 1907 persons (43.9%), followed by deaths from bullet wounds (33.0%). More than 50% of those killed had sustained multiple injuries. In 78.6% of the cases, death immediately followed the wounding.

Laser surgery of Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF 1).

Over six years of experience, the technique of treating NF 1 by laser surgery has been developed and has become a standardized treatment protocol. Whole-body therapy is undertaken over several sessions, during which a distinctive LPLL technique is applied to radically remove every NF fibroma, success being assured by nothing less than total extirpation of the tumors present. Either the argon or the carbon dioxide laser is employed, depending on the stage of the tumors. In 58 sessions of approximately 150 laser hours 21 patients have been treated. There have been no recurrences. A radically removed tumor diminishes the total number of programmed tumors by one. This is the basis underlying the therapy described. Psychosocial care of NF 1 patients remains a factor of great importance. In itself, however, it is not sufficient to achieve emotional recovery and physicocosmetic well-being.