ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: L-DOPA decarboxylase (DDC) is an enzyme that catalyses, mainly, the decarboxylation of L-DOPA to dopamine and was found to be involved in many malignancies. The aim of this study was to investigate the mRNA expression levels of the DDC gene and to evaluate its clinical utility in tissues with colorectal adenocarcinoma. METHODS: Total RNA was isolated from colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues of 95 patients. After having tested RNA quality, we prepared cDNA by reverse transcription. Highly sensitive quantitative real-time PCR method for DDC mRNA quantification was developed using the SYBR Green chemistry. GAPDH served as a housekeeping gene. Relative quantification analysis was performed using the comparative C(T) method (2(-DeltaDeltaC(T))). RESULTS: DDC mRNA expression varied remarkably among colorectal tumours examined in this study. High DDC mRNA expression levels were found in well-differentiated and Dukes' stage A and B tumours. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that patients with DDC-positive tumours have significantly longer disease-free survival (P=0.009) and overall survival (P=0.027). In Cox regression analysis of the entire cohort of patients, negative DDC proved to be a significant predictor of reduced disease-free (P=0.021) and overall survival (P=0.047). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study suggest that DDC mRNA expression may be regarded as a novel potential tissue biomarker in colorectal adenocarcinoma.
Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma/genetics , Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics , Dopa Decarboxylase/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Adenocarcinoma/mortality , Adenocarcinoma/pathology , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Colorectal Neoplasms/mortality , Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology , Disease-Free Survival , Humans , Lymph Nodes/pathology , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Staging , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Prognosis , RNA, Messenger/genetics , RNA, Neoplasm/genetics , RNA, Neoplasm/isolation & purification , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Survival Rate , SurvivorsABSTRACT
The aim of the study was to ascertain suicide seasonality in the Greek population and to associate this seasonal variation with age, sex, and suicide method. Studying seasonality can be of help in establishing a public health policy, related with suicide prevention. This is an epidemiologic study based on forensic evidence. We studied the deaths caused by self-injury (trauma), namely deaths by violent suicide (not self-poisoning). Statistically significant suicide seasonality was established with a peak in May. This seasonal variation is attributed mainly to males. As for the method, suicide by hanging peaks in June and by shooting in April. It was also observed that seasonality for individuals above the age of 45 peaks in early May.
Subject(s)
Seasons , Suicide/statistics & numerical data , Urban Population/statistics & numerical data , Violence/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Cause of Death , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Greece , Humans , Incidence , Logistic Models , Male , Middle Aged , Sex Factors , Suicide/psychology , Violence/psychologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to assess the emergency response to an earthquake. METHODS: This retrospective study, based on formal autopsy findings from 111 earthquake-related deaths, evaluated demographic data, circumstances of death, rescue time, mechanisms of injury, causes of death, Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS 90) and Injury Severity Score (ISS) values, vital functions, co-morbidity and preventable deaths. RESULTS: The median extrication time for 99 of 102 victims buried or trapped in collapsed buildings was 2.1 (range 0.1-7.8) days. Deaths were cause by blunt injuries, asphyxia and myocardial infarction. Injuries impaired the airway, breathing, circulation, and brain or spinal functions in 10.5, 61.9, 46.6 and 57.1 per cent of the victims respectively. The 105 injured victims were classified into three main categories. The first comprised 36 victims (34.3 per cent) with injuries not compatible with life (ISS 75), the second included 38 victims (36.2 per cent) who suffered life-threatening injuries (ISS 9-74) but had no evidence of asphyxia, and the third category contained 31 victims (29.5 per cent) with findings of asphyxia and an ISS of 1-18. The reviewers concluded that 13 trauma-related deaths and 31 deaths from asphyxia were potentially preventable. CONCLUSION: A method based on detailed evaluation of deaths provided information with which to audit the emergency response to an earthquake.
Subject(s)
Disasters , Emergency Medical Services/standards , Wounds and Injuries/mortality , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Autopsy , Child , Child, Preschool , Disaster Planning , Emergencies , Greece/epidemiology , Humans , Infant , Injury Severity Score , Medical Audit , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Time FactorsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To identify preventable prehospital deaths, caused by trauma. DESIGN: Analysis of 82 trauma victims who were dead on arrival (DOA) into our hospital. SETTING: General Hospital of Piraeus, Greece. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Evaluation of the autopsy findings of 82 DOAs. MEASUREMENTS: Demographic, autopsy, and toxicology data, ICD9 codes, Abbreviated Injury Score (AIS)-90, Injury Severity Score (ISS)-body regions, central nervous system (CNS) deaths, non-CNS deaths, p values, and opinion of a clinical assessor. MAIN RESULTS: The 29 (35.36%) DOAs had at least one AIS6 injury. Extracranial hemorrhage, airway, and breathing dysfunction were contributing factors of death of 27 "possibly preventable" CNS deaths, and the causes of death for the 20 non-CNS deaths. p value (0.5) indicated that 24 (29.26%) of the DOAs expected to survive. The clinical assessor characterized four (4.87%) as "definitely preventable" and 35 (42.65%) as "possibly preventable" deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Upgrading of the emergency medical care service is required.
