The association between serum Dickkopf-1 levels and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Serum Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) is elevated in many malignancies and is an important indicator of malignant potential. However, its significance in esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) has not yet been clarified. We hypothesized a role for DKK-1 in patients with ESCC. The study consisted of 90 ESCC patients and 85 healthy controls. After diagnosis, the level of DKK-1 was measured in the serum samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the levels of DKK-1 were much higher in the ESCC patients than in the healthy control group (p < 0.0001). For serum DKK-1, the sensitivity and specificity of the assay were 70 and 80%, respectively. The preoperative serum DKK-1 level was elevated in the ESCC patients. Although serum DKK-1 is not a specific biomarker for ESCC, it might be a useful marker for the diagnosis and treatment of ESCC

Coxiella burnetii seropositivity and coronary ectasia

Bacterial infections could contribute to atherosclerotic inflammation. We investigated the association of Coxiella Burnetii seropositivity with the atherosclerotic lesion types (obstructive and/or ectatic), serum lipid profile, nitric oxide (NO),total sulfhydryl (SH) groups and malonyldialdehyde (MDA) levels. A total of 150 participants (73 male, mean age: 56.6 ± 11.4 years; 77 female, mean age: 57.3 ± 13.0 years) were enrolled into the study. Coronary angiography was performed all the participants. We also performed serum lipid profile, NO, SH groups and MDA levels to determine the changes in chronic and acute Coxiella burnetii infections. The patients with obstructive and ectatic coronary artery lesions were of higher Coxiella phase I IgG titer (The marker of chronic Coxiella infection) than those of other coronary artery disease groups(One Way ANOVA, p=0.001). There were higher serum total cholesterol levels in the patients with chronic Coxiella infection than those of other patients. The chronic Coxiella Burnetii infection may be an important factor for the formation of coronary artery ectasia on basement of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. Hyperlipidemia might also facilitate and augment this association