Retinopathy of Prematurity among Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants in Korea: Incidence, Treatment, and Risk Factors

This study was conducted to describe the incidence, risk factors, and current treatment status of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants registered in the Korean Neonatal Network database. Medical records of 2,009 VLBW infants born between January 2013 and June 2014 who underwent examination by an ophthalmologist were reviewed. The total incidence of ROP was 34.1%. Of the patients, 11.6% showed ROP stage > or = 3 and 11.5% received treatment of VLBW. Among all infants who received treatment of ROP, 63.6% underwent operation only; 16.9%, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment only; and 19.5%, both operation and anti-VEGF treatment. The mean gestational age (GA) and birth weight (BW) were significantly lower and the prevalence rates of respiratory distress syndrome, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), invasive ventilator duration, and sepsis were significantly higher in the VLBW infants with ROP than in those without ROP. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, PDA (odd ratio [OR], 2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-3.79) and invasive ventilator duration (OR, 1.0; 95% CI, 1.00-1.02) were significant risk factors of ROP and ROP stage > or = 3. In conclusion, the high incidence of ROP is associated with low GA and BW, and attempt to reduce the aforementioned risk factors could reduce the incidence of ROP stage > or = 3 in VLBW infants.

Análise imunoistoquímica após terapia fotodinâmica com cloro-alumínio ftalocianina em tecidos gengivais de humanos / Immunohistochemical analyzes after photodynamic therapy with chloro-aluminum phthalocyanine in human gingival tissues

Embora a terapia fotodinâmica venha sendo utilizada como uma ferramenta útil nos últimos 30 anos em oncologia, poucos estudos clínicos em odontologia têm sido conduzidos. A terapia fotodinâmica (TFD) utiliza fotossensibilizantes atóxicos e seletivos que são administrados nas células alvo seguida de aplicação local de luz visível, produzindo espécies reativas de oxigênio capazes de ocasionar morte celular por apoptose ou necrose, de afetar a vascularidade local, além de exercer importantes efeitos no sistema imune. Novas gerações de fármacos fotossensibilizantes, como as ftalocianinas nanoparticuladas tem apresentado excelentes resultados na atividade antitumoral e antibacteriana. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho realizou o primeiro protocolo clínico de aplicação local da nanoemulsão de cloroalumínio ftalocianina (AlClFc) seguida de irradiação em gengiva de humanos, e analisou descritiva e comparativamente, por meio de imunoistoquímica, a expressão de RANK, RANKL, OPG e VEGF em um modelo split-mouth. Oito voluntários saudáveis com indicação clínica de exodontia foram incluídos no estudo. Sete dias antes da exodontia, foi aplicado na gengiva dos participantes, 5µM de nanoemulsão de AlClFc seguida de irradiação com laser diodo (660nm, 7J/cm2), o lado contralateral foi utilizado como controle. Os espécimes teciduais foram removidos sete dias após a TFD e subdivididos em dois grupos (grupo teste e grupo controle) para análise histológica e imunoistoquímica. Os pacientes foram monitorados no dia aplicação, 7, 14 e 30 dias após a terapia para avaliação de efeitos adversos da terapia. Alterações vasculares foram observadas nas amostras gengivais que receberam a TFD. Áreas de edema e congestão vascular, além de intensa vascularização foram visualizadas. Adicionalmente, focos de calcificação distrófica em região subepitelial foram visualizados nos espécimes do grupo teste. Os resultados demonstraram um padrão similar dos escores de imunomarcação de RANK, RANKL e VEGF entre os grupos teste e controle, não havendo diferença estatística significante (p=0.317, p=0.777, p=0.814, respectivamente). RANK e RANKL exibiram imunomarcação fraca ou ausente na maioria dos espécimes analisados. Não houve imunomarcação para a OPG. O VEGF mostrou imunomarcação moderada a forte nos espécimes do grupo teste. Adicionalmente, o estudo clínico mostrou que a terapia foi bem tolerada por todos os pacientes. Os efeitos adversos foram de curta duração e totalmente reversíveis. Tomados em conjunto, os resultados apresentados neste estudo mostraram que o protocolo utilizado por nós, mediado por nanoemulsão contendo AlClFc, é seguro para aplicação clínica em tecido gengival e, sugerem uma forte imunomarcação para o VEGF após a terapia. (AU)

Although photodynamic therapy have been used as a useful tool over the past 30 years in oncology, few clinical trials have been conducted in dentistry. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses non-toxic photosensitizers and selective which are administered in target cells followed by local application of visible light, producing reactive oxygen species capable of causing cell death by apoptosis or necrosis, injured the local vasculature, and exert important effects on the immune system. New generations of photosensitizing agents, such as nanoparticulate phthalocyanines, has shown excellent results in antitumor and antibacterial activity . In this context, the present work constitutes the first clinical protocol of local application of nanoemulsion chloro-aluminum phthalocyanine (AlClFc) followed by irradiation in human gingiva, and analyzed descriptively and comparatively , by means of immunohistochemistry , the expression of RANK , RANKL , OPG and VEGF in a split -mouth model. Eight healthy volunteers with clinical indication for extraction were included in the study . Seven days before the extraction, was injected in the gingiva of participants, 5µM of nanoemulsion AlClFc followed by irradiation with diode laser (660nm, 7J/cm2 ), the contralateral side was used as control. Tissue specimens were removed seven days after the TFD is performed. Tissues sample were divided into two groups (test and control groups) for histological and immunohistochemical analysis. Patients were monitored at days, 0, 7, 14 and 30 to assess adverse effects of the therapy. Vascular alterations were seen in gingival samples that received PDT. Areas of edema and vascular congestion, and intense vascularization were viewed . Additionally, dystrophic calcification in subepithelial region were observed in the test group. The results showed a similar pattern of immunostaining scores of RANK, RANKL and VEGF between the test and control groups, with no statistically significant difference (p = 0.317, p = 0.777, p = 0.814, respectively). RANK and RANKL exhibited weak or absent immunostaining in most specimens analyzed. There was no immunostaining for OPG. VEGF showed moderate to strong immunostaining in specimens from the test group. In addition, the clinical study showed that therapy was well tolerated by all patients. Adverse effects were short-time and completely reversible. Taken together, the results presented in this study showed that PDT mediated by nanoemulsion containing AlClPc is safe for clinical application in gingival tissue and suggests that a strong immunostaining for VEGF after therapy. (AU)

(Lymph)angiogenic influences on hematopoietic cells in acute myeloid leukemia

The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the effect of (lymph)angiogenic cytokines on hematopoietic cells involved in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Like angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis occurs in pathophysiological conditions but not in healthy adults. AML is closely associated with the vasculature system, and the interplay between lymphangiogenic cytokines maintains leukemic blast survival in the bone marrow (BM). Once AML is induced, proangiogenic cytokines function as angiogenic or lymphangiogenic factors and affect hematopoietic cells, including BM-derived immune cells. Simultaneously, the representative cytokines, VEGFs and their receptors are expressed on AML blasts in vascular and osteoblast niches in both the BM and the peripheral circulation. After exposure to (lymph)angiogenic cytokines in leukemogenesis and infiltration, immune cell phenotypes and functions are affected. These dynamic behaviors in the BM reflect the clinical features of AML. In this review, we note the importance of lymphangiogenic factors and their receptors in hematopoietic cells in AML. Understanding the functional characterization of (lymph)angiogenic factors in the BM niche in AML will also be helpful in interrupting the engraftment of leukemic stem cells and for enhancing immune cell function by modulating the tumor microenvironment.

Tetany: Possible adverse effect of bevacizumab.

Background: Bevacizumab a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody was approved in 2004 by US FDA for metastatic colorectal cancer. It is reported to cause potentially serious toxicities including severe hypertension, proteinuria, and congestive heart failure. Aim: To correlate adverse event tetany with the use of bevacizumab. Materials and Methods : World Health Organization's Uppsala Monitoring Centre, Sweden, for reporting of adverse drug reactions from all over the world, identified 7 cases with tetany-related symptoms to bevacizumab from four different countries. These 7 patients reported to UMC database developed adverse events described as musculoskeletal stiffness (1), muscle spasm (1), muscle cramps (1), lock jaw or jaw stiffness (4), and hypertonia (1), with hypocalcaemia. Results: After detailed study of the possible mechanism of actions of bevacizumab and factors causing tetany, it is proposed that there is a possibility of tetany by bevacizumab, which may occur by interfering with calcium metabolism. Resorption of bone through osteoclasts by affecting VEGF may interfere with calcium metabolism. Another possibility of tetany may be due to associated hypomagnesaemia, hypokalemia, or hyponatremia. Conclusions: Tetany should be considered as a one of the signs. Patient on bevacizumab should carefully watch for tetany-related symptoms and calcium and magnesium levels for their safety.

One target, different effects: a comparison of distinct therapeutic antibodies against the same targets

To date, more than 30 antibodies have been approved worldwide for therapeutic use. While the monoclonal antibody market is rapidly growing, the clinical use of therapeutic antibodies is mostly limited to treatment of cancers and immunological disorders. Moreover, antibodies against only five targets (TNF-alpha, HER2, CD20, EGFR, and VEGF) account for more than 80 percent of the worldwide market of therapeutic antibodies. The shortage of novel, clinically proven targets has resulted in the development of many distinct therapeutic antibodies against a small number of proven targets, based on the premise that different antibody molecules against the same target antigen have distinct biological and clinical effects from one another. For example, four antibodies against TNF-alpha have been approved by the FDA -- infliximab, adalimumab, golimumab, and certolizumab pegol -- with many more in clinical and preclinical development. The situation is similar for HER2, CD20, EGFR, and VEGF, each having one or more approved antibodies and many more under development. This review discusses the different binding characteristics, mechanisms of action, and biological and clinical activities of multiple monoclonal antibodies against TNF-alpha, HER-2, CD20, and EGFR and provides insights into the development of therapeutic antibodies.

One target, different effects: a comparison of distinct therapeutic antibodies against the same targets

To date, more than 30 antibodies have been approved worldwide for therapeutic use. While the monoclonal antibody market is rapidly growing, the clinical use of therapeutic antibodies is mostly limited to treatment of cancers and immunological disorders. Moreover, antibodies against only five targets (TNF-alpha, HER2, CD20, EGFR, and VEGF) account for more than 80 percent of the worldwide market of therapeutic antibodies. The shortage of novel, clinically proven targets has resulted in the development of many distinct therapeutic antibodies against a small number of proven targets, based on the premise that different antibody molecules against the same target antigen have distinct biological and clinical effects from one another. For example, four antibodies against TNF-alpha have been approved by the FDA -- infliximab, adalimumab, golimumab, and certolizumab pegol -- with many more in clinical and preclinical development. The situation is similar for HER2, CD20, EGFR, and VEGF, each having one or more approved antibodies and many more under development. This review discusses the different binding characteristics, mechanisms of action, and biological and clinical activities of multiple monoclonal antibodies against TNF-alpha, HER-2, CD20, and EGFR and provides insights into the development of therapeutic antibodies.

Study of the correlation between; nitric oxide profile, degree of liver injury and structural vascular changes of the gastric mucosa in chronic hepatitis C virus related liver diseases

Nitric oxide [NO] plays an important role in HCV associated hepatic dysfunction and in the pathogenesis of portal hypertension. This study was designed to correlate serum nitrite and nitrate levels with the degree of liver injury and gastric mucosal changes in HCV patients at different stages of the disease. 80 HCV infected patients were classified equally into 4 groups; chronic hepatitis C, Child A, B and C cirrhosis groups. 20 healthy subjects were allocated as a control group. For all patients, serum nitrite and nitrate levels, HCV RNA and liver test profile were evaluated. Liver biopsies for chronic hepatitis C and Child-A cirrhotic patients were obtained for grading, staging and expression of interferon gamma [INF- gamma] and pentosidine. Esophagogastrodudenoscopy to evaluate the degree of portal hypertensive gastropathy [PHG] and expression of vascular endothelial growth [VEGF] by histopathology. Serum NO profile was significantly higher in all HCV infected patients than healthy subjects. A significant correlation between IFN-gamma expression and both of serum NO and viral load. Also, hepatic pentosidine expression was correlating with staging and fibrosis. Also both of serum NO and gastric VEGF were over expressed and correlating with the degree of PHG. In HCV infected patients, serum NO was significantly overexpressed and correlating with the severity of chronic liver disease. Our study supports the role of direct viral cytopathic effect in HCV patients because of the significant correlation of viral load with both of serum NO and hepatic IFN-gamma expression. Pentosidine might be considered a marker of oxidative stress and fibrosis in chronic HCV liver disease