The prognostic and predictive role of class III ß-Tubulin and hENT1 expression in patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: FOLFIRINOX and gemcitabine-nabpaclitaxel (GnP) are standard first-line treatment regimens for advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, currently, there is a lack of predictive biomarkers to aid in the treatment selection. We aimed to explore the prognostic and predictive value of class III ß-Tubulin (TUBB3) and human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hENT1) expression, which have previously been shown to be associated with taxane and gemcitabine resistance in advanced PDAC. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 106 patients with advanced PDAC treated with GnP and/or FOLFIRINOX at our institution. TUBB3 and hENT1 immunohistochemical staining was performed on tumor specimens and subsequently evaluated based on the intensity and percentage of expression. RESULTS: In patients who received the GnP regimen, a high combined score (TUBB3low/hENT1high) was associated with a higher DCR and longer PFS compared to those with intermediate (TUBB3high/hENT1high or TUBB3low/hENT1low) and low score (TUBB3high/hENT1low). In the multivariate analysis, a high combined score was an independent predictor of higher DCR (OR:11.96; 95 % CI:2.61-54.82; p = 0.001) and longer PFS (HR:0.33; 95%CI:0.18-0.60; p < 0.001). However, there was no difference in response rates or PFS based on TUBB3 and hENT1 expression among patients receiving the FOLFIRINOX regimen. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that tumor TUBB3 and hENT1 expression may predict the efficacy of the GnP regimen, and low TUBB3 and high hENT1 expression (TUBB3low/hENT1high) are associated with a higher DCR and longer PFS in patients treated with GnP. Evaluating TUBB3 and hENT1 jointly can identify the patients most (as well as least) likely to benefit from GnP chemotherapy.

Phenotypic subgroups of polycystic ovary syndrome have different intra-renal resistance symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is known to be related with increased metabolic and cardiovascular risks. Various phenotypic subgroups of PCOS have been proven to have metabolic and endocrine disorders with varying degrees of severity However, intra-renal vascular resistance, which is an indirect indication of atherosclerosis, remains unknown in PCOS subgroups. In this study we examined whether PCOS subgroups have different intra-renal resistance symptoms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 98 PCOS patients (diagnosed according to the Rotterdam criteria) 30 controls were included in the study The diagnosis of PCOS was established in the presence of at least two of the following criteria: 1-oligo and/or amenorrhea (OM); 2-clinic and/or biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism (HA); 3-polycystic ovarian morphology (PCO) detected by transvaginal ultrasonography 37 patients (Group 1) met all three criteria (HA+OM+PCO), 29 patients (Group 2) met two of the criteria including hyperandrogenism (HA+OM or HA+PCO) and the remaining 32 patients (Group 3) had no hyperandrogenism but fulfilled the other two criteria; PCO+OM. Renal Doppler ultrasonography and hormonal/biochemical analyses were carried out. The first outcome measure was designated as the differences in the renal resistive index (RRI) values of the groups, and the second outcome measure was designated as the relation of RRI with the insulin resistance and lipid profile. RESULTS: In Group 1, the RRI and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values were significantly higher than in Group 3 and controls (P < 0.031, P < 0.001, respectively after adjusting for age and BMI). The RRI and HOMA-IR values in Group 3 were similar to those of the control group. It was determined that RRI has a positive correlation with HOMA-IR (r = 0.784, P < .0001) and BMI (r = 0.645, P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: In this study we demonstrated that PCOS subgroups have metabolic and endocrine disorders and cardiovascular risks of varying degrees of severity Moreover, we showed that there was no increase of metabolic and cardiovascular risks in PCOS patients without hyperandrogenism.

Effect of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation treatment on cardiac function.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) treatment on cardiac functions using tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-one patients aged 22-35 years were enrolled to COH cycles. Each subject underwent a conventional transthoracic echocardiographic examination that included an assessment of cardiac function. Measurements were taken twice--the first on the second day of the cycle and the second on the day when human chorionic gonadotropin was administered. Twenty-one healthy women were chosen for the control group. RESULTS: The COH treatment did not cause favorable cardiac function changes. The parameters showing the left ventricular diastolic function such as early diastolic peak flow velocity (E), late diastolic peak flow velocity (A), mitral E/A ratios, mitral E wave, deceleration time (DT), lateral isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT), and left ventricular myocardial performance index (LVMPI) were not changed. The COH treatment did not affect the right ventricular diastolic functions such as tricuspid valve E wave, DT, right ventricular (RV) IVRT, or right ventricular myocardial performance index (RVMPI). Concurrently, the COH treatment showed no effects on the right and left ventricular systolic functions. CONCLUSION: TDI findings reveal no effects of the COH treatment on cardiac function.

Preliminary results on evaluation of chickpea, Cicer arietinum, genotypes for resistance to the pulse beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus.

Abstract The chickpea, Cicer arietinum L. (Fabales: Fabaceae), seeds are vulnerable, both in the field and in storage, to attack by seed-beetles. Beetles of the genus Callosobruchus are major storage pests of chickpea crops and cause considerable economic losses. In the present study, a total of 11 chickpea genotypes including five 'kabuli' (Mexican white, Diyar, CA 2969, ILC 8617 and ACC 245) and six 'desi' chickpeas (ICC 1069, ICC 12422, ICC 14336, ICC 4957, ICC 4969 and ICC 7509) were evaluated for resistance to the pulse beetle Callosobruchus maculatus F. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). Resistance was evaluated by measuring percent damage to seeds. Damage to seeds by C. maculatus was manifested by the round exit holes with the 'flap' of seed coat made by emerging adults. Of the 11 genotypes tested, only one (ICC 4969) exhibited a complete resistance to C. maculatus in both free-choice and no-choice tests; no seed damage was found over the test period. In general, the 'desi' chickpeas were more resistant to C. maculatus than the 'kabuli' chickpeas. Among the tested chickpea genotypes, only ICC 4969 can be used as a source of C. maculatus resistance in breeding programmes that could then be grown in organic cultivation free from pesticides.

Supplementation with high-dose ascorbic acid improves intestinal anastomotic healing.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Ascorbic acid modulates tissue healing but the value of ascorbic acid supplementation during anastomotic healing remains unclear. We examined the role of ascorbic acid treatment in experimental intestinal resection. METHODS: Male Wistar albino rats (n = 30) were divided into three groups: sham treatment (group 1), and daily ascorbic acid treatment with 100 mg/kg (group 2) or 200 mg/kg (group 3) via the intramuscular route. Following sacrifice on the 7th postoperative day, bursting pressure of the anastomoses was measured. Hydroxyproline assessment and histological analysis were carried out. RESULTS: The bursting pressure values of groups 2 (171.4 +/- 4.3 mm Hg) and 3 (196.4 +/- 2.2 mm Hg) were higher than that of group 1 (139.1 +/- 4.1 mm Hg; p < 0.05). In addition, the hydroxyproline level of group 3 (249.2 +/- 25.1 microg/mg) was higher than that of groups 1 (157.9 +/- 14.9 microg/mg) and 2 (187.9 +/- 14.8 microg/mg; p < 0.05). The histopathological scores indicated improved healing in groups 3 (6.0 +/- 0.2) and 2 (4.4 +/- 0.4), compared to group 1 (2.7 +/- 0.3; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In the present study, supraphysiologic doses of ascorbic acid improved anastomotic healing. Therefore, vitamin C supplementation poses as a beneficial treatment in the context of collagen accumulation, inflammatory response, and anastomotic strength. However, the clinical value of high-dose ascorbic acid supplementation in the clinical setting is yet to be established.

Transient bone loss of distal radius and ulna following clean-cut tendon injuries, repair and passive mobilisation.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is any significant bone loss of the ulna and radius following acute tendon-artery-nerve clean-cut injuries at the wrist level which were repaired and rehabilitated by early passive mobilisation. Fifty-eight patients who underwent such operation were enrolled in this study. Patients in Group I (n=28) had primary tendon repairs alone, in Group II (n=15) primary tendon and nerve repairs and in Group III (n=15) primary tendon, nerve and artery repairs. Bone mineral density (BMD) measurements of the ulna and radius were obtained during the first week, the sixth week, the third month and the 12th month after operation. The results demonstrated that BMD decrease in the ulna was more common than in the radius. When compared with the first week BMD measurements, the highest reduction was seen in the sixth week in Group I and during the third month, when bone loss of both the radius and ulna was considerable in Group II. The bone loss in all groups and subgroups were found to have recovered at the 12th month measurements, except in the distal region of the ulna in Group I. This study suggests that passive immobilisation is deleterious in respect of demineralisation of the forearm bones.