Ionizing radiation induced DNA damage via ROS production in nano ozonized oil treated B-16 melanoma and OV-90 ovarian cells.

In this study, we aimed to investigate ozonized oil nanoemulsions (OZNEs) as a radiosensitizer within B-16 melanoma and OV-90 ovarian cells under X-ray irradiation in vitro. Radiation sensitivity of OZNE treated B-16 melanoma cells and OV-90 ovarian cells were evaluated by performing cell cycle analysis, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and É£-H2AX assays by flow cytometry. OZNEs induced G0-1 phase arrest of B-16 melanoma cells for all radiation doses and G2/M arrest for 8 Gy and 15 Gy doses. OZNE treated B-16 melanoma and OV-90 ovarian cells induced DNA damage via the increase in ROS production, as well as significant increase in the expression of É£-H2AX under even low doses of radiation (2 Gy). Thus, OZNEs are suggested to help to optimize cancer RT as a radiosensitizer and further studies will significantly outperform recent advances in this field.

Novel Bacterial Cellulose Membrane to Reduce Fibrosis Following Trabeculectomy.

PURPOSE: The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of bacterial cellulose membrane (BCM) in preventing fibrosis in trabeculectomy and the biocompatibility of BCM with conjunctiva and sclera. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one eyes of 21 adult rabbits underwent fornix-based trabeculectomy. Standard surgery was done to control group (CG, n=7). Mitomycin-C (MMC) (0.3 mg/mL, 3 min) was applied to MMC group only (MMCG, n=7). BCM (~100 µm thick, 10×10 mm, single layer) was covered on the sclerotomy area before conjunctiva was closed in BCM group (BCMG, n=7). Intraocular pressures (IOP) were measured before, and 7, 14, 28, and 45 days after surgery (IOP-POD7, POD14, POD28, POD45). The IOP decrease were expressed as DIOP%-POD7, DIOP%-POD14, DIOP%-POD28, and DIOP%-POD45. The rabbits were sacrificed on the 45th day. Conjunctival vessel number, degrees of fibrosis, total inflammation, foreign body reaction, inflammatory cell types (B cells, T cells, plasma cells), macrophages, bleb spaces and the expression of α-smooth muscle actin were studied using histopathology and immunohistochemistry techniques. The groups were compared using nonparametric tests. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding baseline IOP and DIOP%-POD7 (P>0.05). While DIOP%-POD14, 28 and 45 were similar between BCMG and MMCG, they were significantly lower in CG (P<0.05). The lowest conjunctival vessel number was detected in the MMCG but the difference was not significant. There was no difference between BCMG and CG with regard to the numbers of B cells, T cells, and macrophages, however, these cells were significantly lower in MMCG (P<0.05). Five cases had mild and 2 cases had moderate foreign body reaction in the BCMG. There was mild to moderate inflammation in all BCM cases. While fibrosis and α-smooth muscle actin staining were higher in the CG (P<0.001), they were minimal in the BCM and MMCGs. CONCLUSIONS: BCM showed good biocompatibility and provided better control of IOP with minimal fibrosis at the trabeculectomy site compared with the control group.

The comparison of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin and beta-carotene effects on JAR and JEG-3 choriocarcinoma human cell culture models

Objective: The aim was to investigate the effectiveness of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD), beta-carotene, and a combination of PLD and beta-carotene on JAR and JEG-3 human choriocarcinoma (CC) cell lines for the treatment of CC. Material and Methods: JAR and JEG-3 cells were cultured. PLD and beta-carotene trial groups were determined with different doses (for single drug trial; PLD 1, 2, 5 µg/mL and beta-carotene 1, 5, 10 µg/mL, and for combined drug trial; all PLD doses combined with beta-carotene 5 µg/mL). Drugs were administered to cultures simultaneously, and 72 hours later the cells were detached using trypsin-ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid solution. The percentage of apoptotic cells was determined by flow cytometry after annexin V staining. One set of the supernatant was collected before trypsin application to investigate beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG) and hyperglycosylated hCG (H-hCG) levels. Statistical analyses of the apoptotic ratios were performed using Shapiro-Wilk, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: Apoptosis increased in JAR and JEG-3 cultures after treatment with all doses of PLD (p<0.05). A single application of each betacarotene dose increased apoptosis in JAR cells (p<0.05) but had no apoptotic effects on JEG-3 cells. In the PLD and beta-carotene combination group, apoptosis increased in both JAR and JEG-3 cells (p<0.05). Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first investigation of the effectiveness of PLD, beta-carotene, and PLD + beta-carotene combination therapy in two different CC cell lines. PLD is a promising chemotherapeutic drug, and beta-carotene can be used as a novel non-chemotherapeutic agent for treatment of CC. Based on the results of this study, vitamin A supplementation may have promise as a preventive measure. However, these data need support from animal experiments and clinical trials.

Dendritic cell activation is blunted in patients with coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: It has been shown that functional status of dendritic cells (DCs) in diabetic patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP) are more mature and activated than diabetic patients without coronary artery disease (CAD) and none diabetic patients with UAP. Accordingly we aimed to assess the activation of DCs in patients with CAD with/and without Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and compare to those in subjects with normal coronary arteries (NCA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty three patients with severe CAD who were scheduled to coronary artery by-pass grafting surgery and 6 patients with angiographycally NCAs were included in the study. Activation of peripheral blood DCs have been analyzed by flow cytometric measures of CD86 activation. RESULTS: In patients with CAD and without DM, DC activation significantly increased after stimulation of oxidesized LDL (135 ±â€¯121 vs 248 ±â€¯197 p = 0.024). However this activation didn't significantly increased in patients with CAD and DM (100 ±â€¯20 vs 120 ±â€¯97, p = 0,54). Patients with NCAs and without DM showed marked activation of CD86 after stimulation with ox-LDL. CONCLUSION: We have documented that DC activation, upon stimulation of ox-LDL has blunted in patients with CAD compared to patients with NCAs. Moreover this defective activation is more pronounced in those with diabetic patients with CAD.

Comparison of pharyngocutaneous fistula closure with and without bacterial cellulose in a rat model.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to compare the effects of bacterial cellulose used for closure of pharyngocutaneous fistulae, a complication of total laryngectomy, with those of primary sutures in a rat model. METHODS: Thirty female Sprague-Dawley underwent experimental pharyngoesophagotomy and were grouped depending on the material used for pharyngocutaneous fistula closure: group I, which received primary sutures alone, group II, which received bacterial cellulose alone; and group III, which received both. After 7 days, the rats were sacrificed. Pharyngocutaneous fistula development was assessed, the gross wound was inspected, and histological examination was conducted. RESULTS: Pharyngocutaneous fistulae developed in 12 rats (41%) in all: 6 from group I (21%), 4 from group II (14%) and 2 from group III (7%). CONCLUSION: Fibroblast density and inflammatory cell infiltration were significantly greater in group III than group I. We concluded that bacterial cellulose may be useful for pharyngocutaneous fistula closure.

Bacterial cellulose as a new graft model for the Turkish delight technique in rhinoplasty: An experiment in 20 rats.

We conducted an experiment to investigate the effectiveness of bacterial cellulose, a new graft material, in correcting and preventing dorsal nasal disorder in rhinoplasty. The experiment was performed on 20 Wistar albino rats. The rats were evenly divided into two groups: a fascia group and a cellulose group. In the fascia group, grafts from the conchal cartilage were removed, shredded, and then wrapped in temporal muscle fascia. In the cellulose group, shredded cartilage was wrapped in the bacterial cellulose. These shredded gristle grafts, which were also placed in a subcutaneous area at the back of the rats, were excised after 60 days. We then performed histopathology to compare the health and integrity of the cartilage and the degree of vascularization, fibrosis, and chronic inflammation in the two groups. We found a significantly greater degree of vascularization (p = 0.004) and fibrosis (p = 0.005) in the fascia group and a significantly greater degree of chronic inflammation (p = 0.023) in the cellulose group. We found no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of cartilage health and integrity. Our results suggest that bacterial cellulose grafting may play a role as an alternative to fascia grafting for the wrapping of shredded cartilages in Turkish delight grafting, but further investigation is needed.

Red Cell Distribution Width Has a Predictable Value for Differentiation of Provoked and Unprovoked Venous Thromboembolism.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is generally classified as provoked or unprovoked. This dichotomy is important for following patients, mortality rate, prognosis and whether more efficient therapy is needed. In VTE patients, during initial diagnosis, it is not known exactly whether red cell distribution width (RDW) have a predictable value for this differentiation and pathogenesis. In this study, 298 patients with VTE and 197 control subjects were included. Patients with VTE were defined as provoked or unprovoked with respect to physical examination findings and laboratory values. Changes in RDW were tested between VTE patients and control subjects, provoked and unprovoked VTE patients, and separately with control subjects. RDW was found to be high in provoked and unprovoked groups compared with control group (p < 0.001, p = 0.003 respectively). RDW was significantly high in provoked VTE patients group compared with unprovoked patients (p < 0.001) and a cut-off value was found to be 13.6 %. In ROC analysis, sensitivity was 90.19 % and specificity was 82 % (95 % CI 85.4-93. 8 % and 95 % CI 72.3-89. 6 % respectively). RDW could be used as a simple, costeffective and a reliable test independent of age in differentiation of provoked and unprovoked VTE. In order to better understand its role, prospective large homogenized population studies in different regions are necessary.

Concanavaline A conjugated bacterial polyester-based PHBHHx nanoparticles loaded with curcumin for breast cancer therapy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate therapeutic potential of curcumin-loaded poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) PHBHHx nanoparticles (CUR-NPs) and concanavaline A conjugated curcumin-loaded NPs (ConA-CUR-NPs) for breast cancer treatment. The size and zeta potential of prepared NPs were about 228 ± 5 nm and -23.3 mV, respectively. The entrapment efficiencies of polymer/drug weight ratios, 1.25CUR-NPs, 2.5CUR-NPs, 5CUR-NPs, ConA-1.25CUR-NPs, ConA-2.5CUR-NPs and ConA-5CUR-NPs were found to be ≈68, 55, 45, 70, 60 and 51%, respectively. Optimized NPs formulations in the freeze-dried form were assessed with their short-term stability for 30 days of storage at 4 °C and 25 °C. Anticancer activity of ConA-CUR-NPs was proved by MTT assay and reconfirmed by double staining and flow cytometry results. The anticancer activity of ConA-CUR-NPs was measured in human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB 231) in vitro, and the results revealed that the ConA-CUR-NPs had better tumor cells decline activity.

Comparison of the diagnostic value of different lymphocyte subpopulations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in patients with biopsy proven sarcoidosis.

BACKGROUND: Bronchoalveolar lavage is considered a helpful tool in the diagnosis of diffuse parenchimal lung diseases such as sarcoidosis. CD4/CD8 ratio is higly specific but not sensitive to distinguish sarcoidosis and other intestitial lung diseases. We aimed to compare the diagnostic value of CD4/CD8 ratio and other lmphocyte subpopulations such as CD3+16+56, CD103+, CD4+CD103+, CD8+CD103+ in bronchoalveolar lavage to distinguish sarcoidosis and other nonsarcoidosis interstitial lung diseases. METHODS: Using the bronchoscopy records from 2006 to 2013, we evaluated 68 patients with biopsy proven sarcoidosis and 72 patients with clinicoradiological and/or biopsy proven diffuse parenchimal lung diseases. Cut off values, sensitivity and specificity were given for aforementioned parameters. RESULTS: Bronchoalveolar lavage CD4/CD8 ratio, CD4+ T lymphocyte percentage, CD4+103+, CD3+CD103-, CD8+CD103+/CD103+ ratio were significantly higher in sarcoidosis than other diffuse parenchimal lung diseases whereas CD3+103+, CD3+16+56+, CD8+, CD8+CD103+, CD8+CD103+/CD8+ were significantly lower. Best cut off value of CD4/CD8 was 1.34 with sensitivity and specificity 76.4%, 79.4% respectively. The cut off values of CD4/CD8 of >3.5 and >2.5 had specificity 95.9% and 95.3%, respectively and sensitivity 52%, 41%, respectively. CONCLUSION: CD4/CD8 ratio is highly specific but not sensitive for sarcoidosis diagnosis. Thus, BAL flow cytometry is not diagnostic alone without appropriate clinicoradiological and/or histopathological findings.

DNA studies of newly synthesized heteroleptic platinum(II) complexes [Pt(bpy)(iip)](2+) and [Pt(bpy)(miip)](2.).

Two new mono-nuclear heteroleptic platinum(II) complexes, [Pt(bpy)(iip)](PF6)2 (1) and [Pt(bpy)(miip)](PF6)2·2H2O (2) (bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine; iip is 2-(imidazo-4-yl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f] [1,10] phenanthroline; miip is 2-(1-methylimidazo-2-yl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f] [1, 10] phenanthroline), have been synthesized and fully characterized by CHN analysis, electrospray ionization and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, (1)H NMR, FT-IR (ATR), and UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Cytotoxicity, ability to inhibit DNA transcription and DNAse activity of the complexes were studied. The DNA-binding behaviors of both complexes have also been studied by spectroscopic methods, cyclic voltammetry and viscosity measurements. Both complexes showed cytotoxic properties and 2 was more cytotoxic than 1. DNA transcription was inhibited upon increasing concentrations of both complexes. The complex 2 was found to be a better inhibitor than 1. The same pattern can be seen in the DNAse profile of the complexes. In addition, 2 was found to promote cleavage of pBR322 DNA at a lower concentration than 1. The spectroscopic, electrochemical and viscometric results indicate that both complexes show some degree of binding to DNA in an intercalative mode, resulting in intrinsic binding constants K b = 3.55 ± 0.6 × 10(4) M(-1) and 7.01 ± 0.9 × 10(4) M(-1) for 1 and 2, respectively. The difference in the DNA-binding affinities of 1 and 2 may presumably be explained by the methylated imidazole nitrogen atom that makes the compound more hydrophobic and gives better intercalative binding ability to DNA's hydrophobic environment.

Elevated chemokine levels during adult but not pediatric Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

BACKGROUND: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne viral zoonosis. Clinical reports indicate the severity of CCHF is milder in children than adults. The chemokines are important chemo-attractant mediators of the host immune system. OBJECTIVES: The main aim of the study was to identify whether or not there were any differences in chemokine levels between the pediatric and adult patients and control groups, and whether there was any correlation with disease severity. STUDY DESIGN: The serum levels of select chemokines including chemokine (C-C) ligand 2 (CCL2), CCL3, CCL4, chemokine (C-X-C) ligand 8 (CXCL8), CXCL9, and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in 29 adult and 32 pediatric CCHF patients and in 35 healthy children and 40 healthy adult control groups were studied by flow cytometric bead immunoassay method. RESULTS: Great variability was detected in the serum levels of the chemokines for both the adult and pediatric patients and controls. With the exception of G-CSF, the median serum levels of CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CXCL8, and CXCL9 were found to be significantly higher in the adult patients compared to adult controls (2364.7 vs. 761 pg/ml; 714.1 vs. 75.2 pg/ml; 88.6 vs. 25.5 pg/ml; 217.9 vs. 18.3 pg/ml; 875 vs. 352.2 pg/ml, respectively, p < 0.0001 for all comparisons). Among the chemokines the median CCL4 and G-CSF levels were significantly higher in the pediatric patients compared to pediatric controls (40.3 vs. 7.1 pg/ml, p < 0.0001; 0.1 vs. 0.1 pg/ml, p = 0.049, respectively). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed prominent chemokine raising in adult CCHF patients compared to children CCHF patients.

Apoptosis and necrosis in the circumventricular organs after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage as detected with annexin V and caspase 3 immunostaining.

OBJECTIVES: The circumventricular organs (CVOs) are essential for most autonomic and endocrine functions. Trauma and bleeding can affect their function. The aim of this study was to investigate apoptosis and necrosis in CVOs in the early period after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in rats, using annexin V affinity and caspase 3 immunostaining. METHODS: Three experimental groups were used: Days 1 and 2 after SAH, and a control group, seven Wistar albino rats each. Subarachnoid hemorrhage was accomplished by transclival basilar artery puncture. Rats were perfused with 0.9% NaCl and 0·1M phosphate buffer pH 7.4 until heart stoppage. Apoptosis and necrosis in CVOs were measured by flow cytometry with annexin V staining, and by caspase 3 immunostaining. RESULTS: Apoptosis in the organum vasculosum lamina terminalis (OVLT), median eminence (ME), and area postrema (AP) was significantly higher in the Day 1 group than in the control group. Apoptosis in the subfornicial organ (SFO), OVLT, ME, and AP was significantly higher in the Day 2 group than in the control group. There were significant differences between the Day 1 and Day 2 groups, except for AP. Necrosis in SFO and OVLT was significantly higher in the Day 2 group than in the Day 1 or control groups, whereas necrosis in the ME and AP did not differ between the three groups. Caspase 3-positive cell density was more intense in the Day 2 group than in the Day 1 and control groups. DISCUSSION: Prevention of apoptosis may potentially improve impaired functions of CVOs after SAH.

Ischemia modified albumin increase indicating cardiac damage after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac complications are often developed after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and may cause sudden death of the patient. There are reports in the literature addressing ischemia modified albumin (IMA) as an early and useful marker in the diagnosis of ischemic heart events. The aim of this study is to evaluate serum IMA by using the albumin cobalt binding (ACB) test in the first, second, and seventh days of experimental SAH in rats.Twenty-eight Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups each consisting of seven animals. These were classified as control group, 1st, 2nd and 7th day SAH groups. SAH was done by transclival basilar artery puncture. Blood samples were collected under anesthesia from the left ventricles of the heart using the cardiac puncture method for IMA measurement. Histopathological examinations were performed on the heart and lung tissues. Albumin with by colorimetric, creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were determined on an automatic analyser using the enzymatic method. IMA using by ACB test was detected with spectrophotometer. RESULTS: Serum IMA (p = 0.044) in seventh day of SAH were higher compared to the control group. Total injury scores of heart and lung tissue, also myocytolysis at day 7 were significantly higher than control group (p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.001), day 1 (p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.001) and day 2 (p = 0.001, p = 0.007, p = 0.001). A positive correlation between IMA - myocytolysis (r = 0.48, p = 0.008), and between IMA - heart tissue total injury score (r = 0.41, p = 0.029) was found. CONCLUSION: The results revealed that increased serum IMA may be related to myocardial stress after SAH.

Cystain C and neuropeptid Y levels in brain tissues after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage.

The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the levels of cystatin C, which protects neurodegeneration in the central nervous system with the inhibition of cysteine protease and by inducing autophagy in the pathogenesis of cerebral vasospasm and levels of vasoconstrictive neuropeptid Y (NPY) in the brain tissue homogenates of rat model of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Three experimental groups were used: Day 2 and Day 7 groups after SAH, and also a control group. There were seven Wistar albino rats in each group. SAH was accomplished by transclival basilar artery puncture. Rat cystatin C, rat NPY were determined with ELISA in brain tissue homogenates. Day 2 group showed significantly enhanced cystatin C values in comparision with the control group (P=0.048). NPY levels between the Day 2 and Day 7 groups and the control groups were not significantly different (P=0.315). In histopathological examination, there was less neuronal loss in the Day 2 group than in the Day 7 group. Regarding our results, it would be more valuable to measure NPY levels in specific brain areas. The increased cystatin C levels on the second day after SAH is probably a pathophysiologic mechanism to organize protease activity.

Autologous Serum Skin Test versus Autologous Plasma Skin Test in Patients with Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria.

Previous studies indicate that 25-45% of chronic urticaria patients have an autoimmune etiology. Autologous serum skin test (ASST) and autologous plasma skin test (APST) are simple tests for diagnosing chronic autoimmune urticaria (CAU). However, there are still some questions about the specificity of these tests. This study consisted of 50 patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) and 50 sex- and age-matched healthy individuals aged 18 years, and older. A total of 31 (62%) patients and 5 (10%) control patients had positive ASST; 21 (42%) patients and 3 (6%) control patients had positive APST. Statistically significant differences were noted in ASST and APST positivity between the patient and control groups (ASST P < 0.001; APST P < 0.001). Thirteen (26%) patients and 5 (10%) control patients had antithyroglobulin antibodies or antithyroid peroxidase antibody positivity. No statistically significant differences were noted in thyroid autoantibodies between the patient and control groups (anti-TG P = 0.317; anti-TPO P = 0.269). We consider that the ASST and APST can both be used as in vivo tests for the assessment of autoimmunity in the etiology of CSU and that thyroid autoantibodies should be checked even when thyroid function tests reveal normal results in patients with CSU.

Lymphocyte subpopulations in Sheehan's syndrome.

The role of autoimmunity in the development of Sheehan's syndrome is obscure. There are a limited number of studies investigating the immunological alterations accompanying Sheehan's Syndrome. Our objective was to evaluate lymphocyte subsets in these patients. We conducted a cross-sectional clinical study. Cytofluorometry was used for the immunophenotyping of peripheral blood leukocytes from patients with Sheehan's syndrome followed up in the endocrine clinic during 2005-2009. Fifteen consecutive patients (mean age 61.6 ± 11.3, range 34-75 years) and 25 healthy controls (mean age 56.7 ± 10.6, range 34-80 years) were included. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of mean age. The percentages of CD19(+), CD16(+)/56(+), CD8(+)28(-), γδTCR(+), CD8(+); the total lymphocyte counts; and the ratio of CD8(+)28(-)/CD8(+)28(+) were similar (p > 0.05) between patients and controls. Whereas the leucocyte counts (p = 0.003), the percentage of CD3 (+) DR (+) (p < 0.001), CD8(+)28(+) (p = 0.030), CD4(+)CD25(+) (p = 0.007), the ratio of CD3 (+) DR(+)/CD3 (p < 0.001) were higher; the percentage of CD3 (p = 0.020), CD4 (p < 0.001) and the ratio of CD4/CD8 (p = 0.006) were lower in patients with Sheehan's syndrome compared to healthy controls. There was a positive correlation between the duration of illness and the percentage of CD3(+)DR(+) (r = 0.53, p = 0.03) expression. Some peripheral lymphocyte cell subsets show marked variation in patients with Sheehan's syndrome in comparison to matched healthy subjects, which may have implications for altered immune regulation in these patients. High CD3 (+) DR (+) expression that correlates with the duration of illness in Sheehan's patients is suggestive of an ongoing inflammation accompanying the slow progression of pituitary dysfunction in Sheehan's syndrome. It is not clear if these cellular alterations contribute to the cause or consequence of pituitary deficiency in Sheehan's syndrome.

Prognostic significance of peripheral blood flow cytometry parameters in patients with non-metastatic breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Immune functions and their relation to prognosis in breast cancer patients have become areas of great interest in recent years. Correlations between survival outcomes and peripheral blood flow cytometry parameters are therefore of interest. Here we focused on patients with non-metastatic breast cancer (BC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 29 patients with pathological confirmed breast carcinoma and flow cytometry data were assessed for overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS). RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 54 years (range, 29-83). Multivariate analysis revealed that OS was significantly associated with absolute cytotoxic T cell count (95%CI, coef 2.26, p=0.035), tumor size (95%CI, coef -14.5, p 0.004), chemotherapy (95%CI, coef 12.9, p 0.0001), MFI of CD4 (95%CI, coef -5.1, P 0.04), MFI of HLA DR (95%CI, coef -5.9, p 0.008) and tumor grade (95%CI, coef -13, P 0.049) with R-Sq(adj)=67%. Similar findings were obtained for PFS. CONCLUSIONS: OS and PFS were significantly associated with tumor grade, tumor size, chemotherapy, MFI of CD4, HLA DR and absolute cytotoxic T cell count. The study revealed that MFI of basic CD markers and absolute cytotoxic T cell number may be a prognostic factors in women with non-metastatic BC.

Plasma concentrations of angiopoietin-1, angiopoietin-2 and Tie-2 in colon cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: despite the rapidly accumulating histopathological data reporting differences in the expression of members of the angiopoietin family on the surface of various normal and tumour cells, data for these growth factors in plasma from cancer patients, including colon cancer, are scarce. The aims of the present study were to measure the plasma concentrations of Ang-1, Ang-2 and Tie-2 in colon cancer patients, and to assess the correlation between the concentrations of these factors and the stage of the tumor. PATIENTS AND METHODS: the study cohort included 36 patients (18 male, 18 female) with colon cancer (mean age 52.6 ± 15.0), and 36 sex- and age-matched, healthy controls who were free of inflammatory, neoplastic, atherosclerotic and connective tissue disease, recruited from hospital staff and attendees at hospital for check-up. Concentrations of Ang-1, Ang-2 and Tie-2 were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. RESULTS: concentrations of Ang-2 (median 3,188.0 pg/mL, min: 1,070.5-max: 5,765.5) and Tie-2 (median 22 ng/mL, min:12-max:46) were significantly higher in patients with colon cancer, while concentrations of Ang-1 were not statistically different between the groups. Furthermore, concentrations of Ang-2 (median 4,292.0 pg/mL, min: 3,090.0-max: 5,765.5) were found to be significantly higher in stage III patients compared to stage II patients, whereas no difference was found between the concentrations of Ang-1 and Tie-2 in different colon cancer stages. CONCLUSION: plasma concentrations of Ang-1, Ang-2 and Tie-2 may be valuable, additional, tumor markers in colon cancer that should be tested in further trials.