Efficacy of a hybrid technique of simultaneous videolaryngoscopy with flexible bronchoscopy in children with difficult direct laryngoscopy in the Pediatric Difficult Intubation Registry.

Children with difficult tracheal intubation are at increased risk of severe complications, including hypoxaemia and cardiac arrest. Increasing experience with the simultaneous use of videolaryngoscopy and flexible bronchoscopy (hybrid) in adults led us to hypothesise that this hybrid technique could be used safely and effectively in children under general anaesthesia. We reviewed observational data from the international Pediatric Difficult Intubation Registry from 2017 to 2021 to assess the safety and efficacy of hybrid tracheal intubation approaches in paediatric patients. In total, 140 patients who underwent 180 attempts at tracheal intubation with the hybrid technique were propensity score-matched 4:1 with 560 patients who underwent 800 attempts with a flexible bronchoscope. In the hybrid group, first attempt success was 70% (98/140) compared with 63% (352/560) in the flexible bronchoscope group (odds ratio (95%CI) 1.4 (0.9-2.1), p = 0.1). Eventual success rates in the matched groups were 90% (126/140) for hybrid vs. 89% (499/560) for flexible bronchoscope (1.1 (0.6-2.1), p = 0.8). Complication rates were similar in both groups (15% (28 complications in 182 attempts) hybrid; 13% (102 complications in 800 attempts) flexible bronchoscope, p = 0.3). The hybrid technique was more likely than flexible bronchoscopy to be used as a rescue technique following the failure of another technique (39% (55/140) vs. 25% (138/560), 2.1 (1.4-3.2) p < 0.001). While technically challenging, the hybrid technique has success rates similar to other advanced airway techniques, few complications and may be considered an alternative technique when developing an airway plan for paediatric patients whose tracheas are difficult to intubate under general anaesthesia.

The influence of blood phenylalanine levels on neurocognitive function in adult PKU patients.

It is well known that hyperphenylalaninemia caused by phenylketonuria (PKU) negatively influences cognitive performance. Several tests have been used to study these functions. Until now, no universal, optimal tool has been developed for detecting PKU-caused brain dysfunctions. Using computerized neuropsychological tests during daily routine would be helpful for screening subclinical brain deficits in adult PKU patients. In a monocentric, cross-sectional study, adult patients with PKU (n = 46; median age = 29.5 years; female/male ratio = 21/25) were tested with the computerized Cambridge Cognition (CANTAB) test measuring neurocognitive functions. Patients were divided into two groups: The "on diet" group included patients whose blood Phe-level was under 600 µmol/l (n = 20), and the "loose diet" group included patients whose blood Phe-level was above 600 µmol/l (n = 26) at the examination time. The results of the PKU-affected individuals were compared with a healthy control group (n = 31; median age = 25 years; female/male ratio = 11/20). Compared with the control group, PKU patients had significantly worse test results in memory, problem-solving skills, and strategy. However, there were no significant differences in response speed or initial thinking time. There was no correlation between the blood Phe-level, tyrosine (Tyr)-level or Phe/Tyr ratio and the different cognitive test results. There were no significant differences in test results between the two PKU subgroups. Several cognitive functions measured by CANTAB are negatively influenced by hyperphenylalaninemia in adult PKU patients. However, response speed and initial thinking time were not impaired as seriously as other functions. Patients with lower Phe-levels failed to achieve better test results than patients whose Phe-levels were notably elevated.

ABCB1 and ABCG2 drug transporters are differentially expressed in non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) and expression is modified by cisplatin treatment via altered Wnt signaling.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer (LC) is still the most common cause of cancer related deaths worldwide. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 85% of all LC cases but is not a single entity. It is now accepted that, apart from the characteristic driver mutations, the unique molecular signatures of adeno- (AC) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), the two most common NSCLC subtypes should be taken into consideration for their management. Therapeutic interventions, however, frequently lead to chemotherapy resistance highlighting the need for in-depth analysis of regulatory mechanisms of multidrug resistance to increase therapeutic efficiency. METHODS: Non-canonical Wnt5a and canonical Wnt7b and ABC transporter expressions were tested in primary human LC (n = 90) resections of AC and SCC. To investigate drug transporter activity, a three dimensional (3D) human lung aggregate tissue model was set up using differentiated primary human lung cell types. Following modification of the canonical, beta-catenin dependent Wnt pathway or treatment with cisplatin, drug transporter analysis was performed at mRNA, protein and functional level using qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, immune-fluorescent staining and transport function analysis. RESULTS: Non-canonical Wnt5a is significantly up-regulated in SCC samples making the microenvironment different from AC, where the beta-catenin dependent Wnt7b is more prominent. In primary cancer tissues ABCB1 and ABCG2 expression levels were different in the two NSCLC subtypes. Non-canonical rhWnt5a induced down-regulation of both ABCB1 and ABCG2 transporters in the primary human lung aggregate tissue model recreating the SCC-like transporter pattern. Inhibition of the beta-catenin or canonical Wnt pathway resulted in similar down-regulation of both ABC transporter expression and function. In contrast, cisplatin, the frequently used adjuvant chemotherapeutic agent, activated beta-catenin dependent signaling that lead to up-regulation of both ABCB1 and ABCG2 transporter expression and activity. CONCLUSIONS: The difference in the Wnt microenvironment in AC and SCC leads to variations in ABC transporter expression. Cisplatin via induction of canonical Wnt signaling up-regulates ABCB1 and ABCG2 drug transporters that are not transporters for cisplatin itself but are transporters for drugs that are frequently used in combination therapy with cisplatin modulating drug response.

Reduced volumes of the CA1 and CA4-dentate gyrus hippocampal subfields in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Introduction There is evidence for hippocampal dysfunctions in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which may contribute to neuropsychiatric impairments. However, fine structural alterations of the hippocampus have not been investigated in SLE. Methods We measured the volume of hippocampal subfields in 18 SLE patients and 20 healthy control individuals matched for age, gender, and education. The MRI protocol included structural T1 volumes (Philips Achieva 3T scanner, magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo (MPRAGE)). For image processing, we used the neuGRID platform and the longitudinal pipeline of FreeSurfer v6.0 with the "hipposubfields" flag. Results Patients with SLE showed reduced volumes of CA1 (Cornu Ammonis 1) and CA4-dentate gyrus subfields relative to the control individuals. Smaller CA1 volumes were associated with worse performance on the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination. Conclusions These preliminary results indicate a prominent vulnerability and functional relevance of the CA1 hippocampal subfield in SLE.

CCL21 and IP-10 as blood biomarkers for pulmonary involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Biomarkers for pulmonary manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are missing. Plasma samples of nine SLE patients with known pulmonary involvement (SLEpulm) and nine SLE patients without pulmonary involvement (SLE) were tested by multiplex microarray analysis for various cyto- and chemokines. Significantly decreased lung function paramters for forced vital capacity (FVC), total lung capacity (TLC), diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and diffusion of CO corrected on lung volume (KLCO) were observed in SLEpulm as compared to SLE patients. CC chemokine ligand 21 (CCL21) and interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10) levels were significantly higher in SLEpulm, than in patients without pulmonary manifestations. CCL21 correlated negatively with DLCO ( r = -0.73; p < 0.01) and KLCO ( r = -0.62; p < 0.01), while IP-10 with FVC and forced expiratory volume one second. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) analysis confirmed high sensitivity and specificity for the separation of SLE patients with and without pulmonary involvement for the chemokines CCL21 (Area Under Curve (AUC): 0.85; sensitivity%: 88.90; specificity%: 75.00; p < 0.01) and IP-10 (AUC: 0.82; sensitivity%: 66.67, specificity%: 100; p < 0.01). Pleuropulmonary manifestations in SLE patients associated with lung functional and DLCO/KLCO changes and were associated with significant increase in CCL21 and IP-10. These chemokines might serve as potential biomarkers of lung involvement in SLE patients.

Increased Wnt5a in squamous cell lung carcinoma inhibits endothelial cell motility.

BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis is important both in normal tissue function and disease and represents a key target in lung cancer (LC) therapy. Unfortunately, the two main subtypes of non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC) namely, adenocarcinoma (AC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) respond differently to anti-angiogenic e.g. anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A treatment with life-threatening side effects, often pulmonary hemorrhage in SCC. The mechanisms behind such adverse reactions are still largely unknown, although peroxisome proliferator activator receptor (PPAR) gamma as well as Wnt-s have been named as molecular regulators of the process. As the Wnt microenvironments in NSCLC subtypes are drastically different, we hypothesized that the particularly high levels of non-canonical Wnt5a in SCC might be responsible for alterations in blood vessel growth and result in serious adverse reactions. METHODS: PPARgamma, VEGF-A, Wnt5a, miR-27b and miR-200b levels were determined in resected adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma samples by qRT-PCR and TaqMan microRNA assay. The role of PPARgamma in VEGF-A expression, and the role of Wnts in overall regulation was investigated using PPARgamma knock-out mice, cancer cell lines and fully human, in vitro 3 dimensional (3D), distal lung tissue aggregates. PPARgamma mRNA and protein levels were tested by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. PPARgamma activity was measured by a PPRE reporter system. The tissue engineered lung tissues expressing basal level and lentivirally delivered VEGF-A were treated with recombinant Wnts, chemical Wnt pathway modifiers, and were subjected to PPARgamma agonist and antagonist treatment. RESULTS: PPARgamma down-regulation and VEGF-A up-regulation are characteristic to both AC and SCC. Increased VEGF-A levels are under direct control of PPARgamma. PPARgamma levels and activity, however, are under Wnt control. Imbalance of both canonical (in AC) and non-canonical (in SCC) Wnts leads to PPARgamma down-regulation. While canonical Wnts down-regulate PPARgamma directly, non-canonical Wnt5a increases miR27b that is known regulator of PPARgamma. CONCLUSION: During carcinogenesis the Wnt microenvironment alters, which can downregulate PPARgamma leading to increased VEGF-A expression. Differences in the Wnt microenvironment in AC and SCC of NSCLC lead to PPARgamma decrease via mechanisms that differentially alter endothelial cell motility and branching which in turn can influence therapeutic response.

Maladaptive mood repair, atypical respiratory sinus arrhythmia, and risk of a recurrent major depressive episode among adolescents with prior major depression.

BACKGROUND: Because depressive illness is recurrent, recurrence prevention should be a mainstay for reducing its burden on society. One way to reach this goal is to identify malleable risk factors. The ability to attenuate sadness/dysphoria (mood repair) and parasympathetic nervous system functioning, indexed as respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), are impaired during depression and after it has remitted. The present study therefore tested the hypothesis that these two constructs also may mirror risk factors for a recurrent major depressive episode (MDE). METHOD: At time 1 (T1), 178 adolescents, whose last MDE had remitted, and their parents, reported on depression and mood repair; youths' RSA at rest and in response to sad mood induction also were assessed. MDE recurrence was monitored until time 2 (T2) up to 2 years later. Mood repair at T1 (modeled as a latent construct), and resting RSA and RSA response to sadness induction (RSA profile), served to predict onset of first recurrent MDE by T2. RESULTS: Consistent with expectations, maladaptive mood repair predicted recurrent MDE, above and beyond T1 depression symptoms. Further, atypical RSA profiles at T1 were associated with high levels of maladaptive mood repair, which, in turn, predicted increased risk of recurrent MDE. Thus, maladaptive mood repair mediated the effects of atypical RSA on risk of MDE recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: This study documented that a combination of behavioral and physiological risk factors predicted MDE recurrence in a previously clinically referred sample of adolescents with depression histories. Because mood repair and RSA are malleable, both could be targeted for modification to reduce the risk of recurrent depression in youths.

Practices in prescribing protein substitutes for PKU in Europe: No uniformity of approach.

BACKGROUND: There appears little consensus concerning protein requirements in phenylketonuria (PKU). METHODS: A questionnaire completed by 63 European and Turkish IMD centres from 18 countries collected data on prescribed total protein intake (natural/intact protein and phenylalanine-free protein substitute [PS]) by age, administration frequency and method, monitoring, and type of protein substitute. Data were analysed by European region using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The amount of total protein (from PS and natural/intact protein) varied according to the European region. Higher median amounts of total protein were prescribed in infants and children in Northern Europe (n=24 centres) (infants <1 year, >2-3g/kg/day; 1-3 years of age, >2-3 g/kg/day; 4-10 years of age, >1.5-2.5 g/kg/day) and Southern Europe (n=10 centres) (infants <1 year, 2.5 g/kg/day, 1-3 years of age, 2 g/kg/day; 4-10 years of age, 1.5-2 g/kg/day), than by Eastern Europe (n=4 centres) (infants <1 year, 2.5 g/kg/day, 1-3 years of age, >2-2.5 g/kg/day; 4-10 years of age, >1.5-2 g/kg/day) and with Western Europe (n=25 centres) giving the least (infants <1 year, >2-2.5 g/kg/day, 1-3 years of age, 1.5-2 g/kg/day; 4-10 years of age, 1-1.5 g/kg/day). Total protein prescription was similar in patients aged >10 years (1-1.5 g/kg/day) and maternal patients (1-1.5 g/kg/day). CONCLUSIONS: The amounts of total protein prescribed varied between European countries and appeared to be influenced by geographical region. In PKU, all gave higher than the recommended 2007 WHO/FAO/UNU safe levels of protein intake for the general population.

Aseptic necrosis at multiple localisations in a lupus patient with lymphoma.

Avascular or aseptic necrosis is a well-defined entity leading to the degradation of cellular elements of the bone. The pathogenesis of osteonecrosis (ON) is still unknown. There are two main types of ON: traumatic or non-traumatic. Several clinical entities could associate with ON, systemic diseases, environmental factors, pregnancy, systemic autoimmune or rheumatic diseases, thrombophilia, corticosteroid therapy, cytotoxic dugs, infections, metabolic and hematologic diseases, etc. Corticosteroids (CS) are still the most frequently used therapeutic options in the early phase and during flares of these diseases. Inflammatory cytokines and antibodies have been described to participate in the pathogenesis of ON. The infiltrative disorders of the bone marrow could also contribute to the development of ON. Hereby, we describe a female patient with NHL followed by SLE in whom ON has developed at least in two localisations. Lupus flare, long-term CS therapy, lymphoma relapse or the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies were excluded. Although the bi-localised ON could be contributed to immunologic factors or trauma, the exact aetiology in this case could not be elucidated.

Decreased apopto-phagocytic gene expression in the macrophages of systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

The clearance of apoptotic cells has an important role in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis and in the protection of tissues from the inflammatory and immunogenic contents of dying cells. A defect in the recognition and phagocytosis of apoptotic cells contributes to the development of chronic inflammation and autoimmune disorders. We have observed that compared with healthy donors, differentiated macrophages from patients with untreated systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) showed decreased phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils. A TaqMan Low Density Array was designed to determine the mRNA expression levels of 95 apopto-phagocytic genes in differentiated non-phagocytosing and phagocytosing macrophages. In the macrophages of clinically and immunoserologically active SLE patients, 39 genes were expressed at lower levels than in the control macrophages. When inactive patients were compared with those with minor immunoserological abnormalities or patients in an immunoserologically active state, a relationship was observed between the altered gene expression profile and the disease state. In the macrophages of patients with engulfing apoptotic cells, an upregulation of genes involved in inflammation, autophagy, and signaling was observed. These results indicate that novel immune-pathological pathways are involved in SLE and suggest targets for potential therapeutic modulation.

Assessment of morphological and molecular similarity of Hungarian white grape varieties.

The aim of this paper was to find possible link between molecular and morphological similarities of 38 Hungarian white grape varieties. Three aspects of morphological and molecular similarity were assessed in the study: comparison of the ordered variety pairs, assessment of molecular and morphological mean similarity differences and separation of varieties into similar groups by divisive cluster analysis to define (DIANA). Molecular similarity was calculated from binary data based on allele sizes obtained in DNA analysis. DNA fingerprints were determined at 9 SSR loci recommended by the European GrapeGen06 project. Morphological similarity was calculated on the basis of quantitative morphological descriptors. Morphological and molecular similarity values were ordered and categorized after pairwise comparison. Overall correlation was found to be weak but case by case assessment of the variety pairs confirmed some coincidence of molecular and morphological similarity. General similarity position of each variety was characterized by Mean Similarity Index (MSI). It was calculated as the mean of n-1 pair similarity values of the variety concerned. Varieties were ordered and compared by the difference of the index. Five varieties had low morphological and high molecular MSI meaning that they share several SSR marker alleles with the others but seems relatively distinct according to the expression of their morphological traits. Divisive cluster analysis was carried out to find similar groups. Eight and twelve cluster solutions proved to be sufficient to distinct varieties. Morphological and molecular similarity groups partly coincided according to the results. Several clusters reflected parent offspring relations but molecular clustering gave more realistic results concerning pedigree.

The immunopathological role of vitamin D in patients with SLE: data from a single centre registry in Hungary.

OBJECTIVES: Disproportionate vitamin D levels may play an important role in the development of certain systemic autoimmune and rheumatic diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to compare serological and clinical parameters in patients with different vitamin D levels from a single centre registry in Central-Eastern Europe. METHODS: A total of 177 patients with SLE were enrolled in the study. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were measured by chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA). Autoantibody profiles, complement 3 (C3) and C4, clinical symptoms, and disease activity (using the SLE disease activity index, SLEDAI) of the patients were assessed. RESULTS: Vitamin D concentration in the total SLE group investigated was 26.88 ± 13.25 ng/mL. Vitamin D levels were normal (≥ 30 ng/mL) in 18.1% of patients, insufficient (15-30 ng/mL) in 44.6%, and deficient (< 15 ng/mL) in 37.3%. The vitamin levels were significantly reduced in postmenopausal compared to premenopausal patients (p = 0.02). Patients with pericarditis (p = 0.013), neuropsychiatric diseases (p = 0.01), and deep vein thrombosis (p = 0.014) had reduced vitamin D levels. SLEDAI score was significantly increased in patients with reduced vitamin D levels (p = 0.038). Anti-double-stranded (ds)DNA autoantibody concentrations increased from normal to insufficient and further increased from insufficient to deficient patient subsets (p = 0.021). Anti-Smith antigen (anti-Sm) concentrations increased (p < 0.001), C4 levels decreased (p = 0.027), and immunoglobulin (Ig)G concentration increased (p = 0.034) in patients with reduced vitamin D levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that vitamin D deficiency in SLE may play a role in perpetuation of the disease.

Psychosocial characteristics and self-reported functional status in patients on maintenance dialysis in Hungary.

AIMS: This survey was conducted to assess psychosocial problems and functional status among patients on maintenance dialysis in Hungary. METHODS: All adult patients (n = 4,321) receiving maintenance dialysis in the 56 dialysis centers in Hungary in 2006 were approached to participate in a national, cross-sectional survey. Patients completed a brief self-reported questionnaire. Socio-demographic parameters, disease-related information and data about functional status were collected. Self-rated health and depressive symptoms were also assessed. RESULTS: Mean age was 62 ± 14 y; 52% were males. The prevalence of diabetes was 30%. 46% of participants reported having depressive symptoms. Significant functional limitation was frequent. In multivariable regression models, female gender, poor self-reported finances, less education, history of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or cerebrovascular disease, the presence of visual or hearing impairment and difficulties with basic activities of daily living were independently associated with the presence of depressive symptoms. In a separate model, age, dialysis vintage, history of AMI or cerebrovascular disease, the presence of visual or hearing impairments, difficulties with basic activities of daily living and also having depressive symptoms were independently associated with self-rated health score. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic dialysis patients in Hungary have disadvantaged socioeconomic status, frequent depressive symptoms and many functional limitations. Professional psychosocial help would be particularly important for this underprivileged patient population in addition to high quality dialysis to optimize outcomes.

Serum concentrations of 25-OH vitamin D in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are inversely related to disease activity: is it time to routinely supplement patients with SLE with vitamin D?

BACKGROUND: Low serum vitamin D concentrations have been reported in several autoimmune disorders. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether low serum vitamin D concentrations are related to disease activity of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: 378 patients from several European and Israeli cohorts were pooled and their disease activity was measured by two different methods: 278 patients had SLE disease activity-2000 (SLEDAI-2K) scores and 100 patients had European Consensus Lupus Activity Measurement (ECLAM) scores. In order to combine the two systems the scores were converted into standardised values (z-scores), enabling univariate summary statistics for the two variables (SLEDAI-2K and ECLAM). The commercial kit, LIAISON 25-OH vitamin D assay (310900-Diasorin) was used to measure serum concentration of 25-OH vitamin D in 378 patients with SLE. RESULTS: A significant negative correlation was demonstrated between the serum concentration of vitamin D and the standardised values (z-scores) of disease activity scores as measured by the SLEDAI-2K and ECLAM scales (Pearson's correlation coefficient r=-0.12, p=0.018). CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of patients with SLE originating from Israel and Europe vitamin D serum concentrations were found to be inversely related to disease activity.

Modification of poly(lactic/glycolic acid) surface by chemical attachment of poly(ethylene glycol).

Biodegradable polyesters such poly(lactic acid) and poly(lactic/glycolic acid) (PLGA) copolymers are preferred biomaterials and used among others as drug delivery systems, although their surface hydrophobicity limits their application. In this work, chemical modification of the PLGA surface was developed by coupling of either linear or starlike poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) molecules via chemical bonds to the PLGA surface following amino functionalization as a first step to improve its biocompatibility. The chemical attachment was followed by detailed X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies. It was shown that substantial modification can be achieved by linear PEG, but even higher surface coverage with hydrophilic groups can be obtained when the six-armed PEG is applied with the additional advantage of possible further functionalization via free amino groups available on the surface of the latter. As a final goal, a significant increase of water wettability together with reduced protein adsorption was achieved on PEG-coupled PLGA surfaces.

Clinical and immunoserological characteristics of the transition from primary to overlap antiphospholipid syndrome.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a distinct clinical entity characterized by arterial and venous thromboembolic events, recurrent fetal loss and the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies in the patients' sera. In primary APS, there is no detectable underlying disease, while overlap APS is associated with clinical syndromes including systemic autoimmune diseases, infections, or malignancies. We carried out a retrospective analysis of serological and clinical manifestations as well as assessed outcome-measures in 165 patients with primary APS. Thrombotic manifestations and possible signs of autoimmune diseases were determined at the time of the diagnosis, followed by the analysis of recurrent thrombotic events and effects of therapy during the follow-up period. Among the 165 patients with primary APS at onset, 105 patients (63%) remained primary APS after a mean 5.2 years of follow-up. In 14% of the patients, subsequently APS became associated with various characteristics of undifferentiated connective tissue disease. Finally 23% of patients evolved into a definitive systemic autoimmune disease during a mean 9.75 years of follow-up. Recurrent thrombotic events were registered in 24% of patients. Our results suggest that primary APS may be considered as a potential early phase of a dynamic transition towards a well-defined systemic autoimmune disease.

C1-inhibitor autoantibodies in SLE.

The presence of anti-C1-inhibitor (anti-C1-INH) autoantibodies is a hallmark of acquired C1-inhibitor deficiency. However, only scarce data are available on their prevalence, diagnostic value, and/or significance in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In a multicentre study, we determined the levels of autoantibodies to C1-inhibitor in sera from 202 patients with SLE and 134 healthy controls. Additional clinical and laboratory parameters, such as organ involvement, as well as anti-C1q, anti-double-stranded DNA antibody, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, C3 and C4 serum complement levels have been studied in patients. The level of anti-C1-INH IgG was significantly higher (p = 0.034) in SLE patients, than in the controls. A high anti-C1-INH level of > or =0.4 U/ml (mean of controls + 2 SD) was found in 17% of the patients, but in only 4% of the controls (p = 0.0003). The SLEDAI score was significantly higher (p = 0.048) and the duration of SLE was significantly longer (p = 0.0004) among patients with elevated anti-C1-INH levels compared with patients without this autoantibody (median disease duration 8 vs. 17 years, respectively). Anti-C1-INH level was not correlated with any other laboratory parameter or organ manifestation of the disease. These findings indicate that the anti-C1-INH level is higher in SLE patients than in healthy controls and furthermore, the anti-C1-INH level correlates with the duration and activity of the disease.

Disease activity and damage accrual during the early disease course in a multinational inception cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

An inception cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus from 14 European centres was followed for up to 5 years in order to describe the current early disease course. At inclusion patients (n = 200, 89% female, mean age 35 years, 97% Caucasian, mean SLEDAI 12.2) fulfilled a mean of 6.5 ACR classification criteria. The most prevalent criteria were antinuclear Ab presence (97%) followed by anti-dsDNA Ab (74%), arthritis (69%), leukocytopenia (54%) and malar rash (53%), antiphospholipid Ab (48%) and anti-synovial membrane Ab (21.6%). Clinical signs of lupus nephritis (LN) were present in 39% with biopsy-confirmed LN seen in 25%. Frequent additional findings were hypocomplementaemia (54%), anti-SSA Ab (49%), alopecia (26%) and Raynaud's phenomenon (31%). There were few regional differences in disease presentation and management. One and 5-year survival rates were 99% and 97% respectively. During the mean follow-up of 4.1 years 25% entered a state of early disease quiescence by global physician assessment, but the overall risk of subsequent flare was 60%. Maximum SLEDAI scores decreased over time, but 45% of patients accrued damage (SDI >or=1) for which baseline presence of proteinuria and persistent disease activity were independent predictors. The results indicate minor differences in SLE presentation and treatment within various regions of Europe and a high diagnostic reliance on anti-dsDNA Ab. Despite early reductions in disease activity and improved mortality, the risk for disease flare and damage development is, however, still substantial, especially in patients not entering an early remission.

EGFR Protein Expression of KRAS Wild-Type Colorectal Cancer: Predictive Value of the Sidedness for Efficacy of Anti-EGFR Therapy.

Right- and left-sided colorectal cancers (RSCRC and LSCRC, respectively) are different developmentally, genetically and prognostically. Clinical data also indicate that they respond differently to anti-EGFR therapies. The role of EGFR protein expression in KRAS wild type colorectal cancer is also controversial. Here we have used a cohort of anti-EGFR antibody treated KRAS-wild type colorectal cancer patients (n = 97) to analyse the prognostic role of EGFR protein expression in relation to sidedness. In our cohort EGFR copy number, determined by FISH, was not associated with the level of EGFR protein, assessed by immunohistochemistry and measured by H-scoring. There was a significantly higher EGFR H-score detected in RSCRC as compared to LSCRC in primary tumors (p = 0.04). Furthermore, in a proportion of cases (n = 31) metastatic tissues were also available and their analysis also found a significantly higher EGFR H-score in metastases of RSCRC compared to LSCRC (p = 0.018). Kaplan Meyer survival analysis demonstrated that anti-EGFR antibody therapies were more effective in case of LSCRC compared to RSCRC. Although in case of progression-free survival data just indicated a trend (p = 0.065), in case of overall survival the difference was significant favouring LSCRC (p = 0.047). These data demonstrated for the first time that the EGFR protein expression is significantly higher in KRAS wild type RSLCL as compared to LSCRC. Meanwhile it is somewhat unexpected that the lower EGFR protein expression was found to be associated with better efficacy of anti-EGFR antibody therapies of colorectal cancer, the finding of which must be further validated.

Wnt pathway regulation in chronic renal allograft damage.

The Wnt signaling pathway, linked to development, has been proposed to be recapitulated during the progressive damage associated with chronic organ failure. Chronic allograft damage following kidney transplantation is characterized by progressive fibrosis and a smoldering inflammatory infiltrate. A modified, Fischer 344 (RT1(lvl)) to Lewis (RT1(l)) rat renal allograft model that reiterates many of the major pathophysiologic processes seen in patients with chronic allograft failure was used to study the progressive disease phenotype and specific gene product expression by immunohistochemistry and transcriptomic profiling. Central components of the Tgfb, canonical Wnt and Wnt-Ca2+ signaling pathways were significantly altered with the development of chronic damage. In the canonical Wnt pathway, Wnt3, Lef1 and Tcf1 showed differential regulation. Target genes Fn1, Cd44, Mmp7 and Nos2 were upregulated and associated with the progression of renal damage. Changes in the Wnt-Ca2+ pathway were evidenced by increased expression of Wnt6, Wnt7a, protein kinase C, Cam Kinase II and Nfat transcription factors and the target gene vimentin. No evidence for alterations in the Wnt planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway was detected. Overall results suggest cross talk between the Wnt and Tgfb signaling pathways during allograft inflammatory damage and present potential targets for therapeutic intervention.