Expression of genes for bone morphogenetic proteins BMP-2, BMP-4 and BMP-6 in various parts of the human skeleton

BACKGROUND: Differences in duration of bone healing in various parts of the human skeleton are common experience for orthopaedic surgeons. The reason for these differences is not obvious and not clear.METHODS: In this paper we decided to measure by the use of real-time RT-PCR technique the level of expression of genes for some isoforms of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), whose role is proven in bone formation, bone induction and bone turnover. Seven bone samples recovered from various parts of skeletons from six cadavers of young healthy men who died in traffic accidents were collected. Activity of genes for BMP-2, -4 and -6 was measured by the use of fluorescent SYBR Green I.RESULTS: It was found that expression of m-RNA for BMP-2 and BMP-4 is higher in trabecular bone in epiphyses of long bones, cranial flat bones and corpus mandibulae then in the compact bone of diaphyses of long bones. In all samples examined the expression of m-RNA for BMP-4 was higher than for BMP-2.CONCLUSION: It was shown that m-RNA for BMP-6 is not expressed in the collected samples at all. It is postulated that differences in the level of activation of genes for BMPs is one of the important factors which determine the differences in duration of bone healing of various parts of the human skeleton.Author has checked copyrightDG 16/11/1

High-grade Angiosarcoma Associated with Ruptured Breast Implants.

SUMMARY: Since the serendipitous discovery that implanted polymers cause sarcomas in rats, much research has been conducted to prove or disprove a link between silicone breast implants and/or polymer-based materials and breast cancer. In light of an initial report that 35% of rats implanted with a variety of polymers developed fibrosarcomas, we report a case of primary angiosarcoma found in a patient presenting with bilateral rupture of gel-filled breast implants

Protein expression of epidermal growth factor receptor in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma index tumors correlates with diagnosis of second primary tumors of the upper aerodigestive tract

Background. Field cancerization is a feature of HNSCCs. No biological marker in the index tumor has correlated with second primary tumor (SPTs) development. Changes in MDM-2 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression are known to be early neoplastic changes in HNSCC. EGFR expression is correlated with clinical outcomes. This study has assessed the predictive correlation of MDM-2 and EGFR protein expression with clinicopathological parameters and occurrence of SPTs in HNSCC. Methods. Using immunohistochemistry, 106 patients who were treated for primary laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma were investigated for expression of MDM-2 and EGFR. Results. Positive expression of MDM-2 and EGFR was found in 51 of 106 (48.1%) and 82 of 106 (77.4%) cases, respectively. EGFR expression was found to correlate with diagnosis of new primary tumors (P = 0.003), disease-free survival (P = 0.008), as well as overall survival (P = 0.003). MDM-2 expression correlated with nodal relapse (P = 0.03). Conclusions. SPTs relate to poor prognosis in HNSCC, indicating that closer clinical surveillance of this patient group would be beneficial. Examination of the expression of EGFR by the primary tumor could have potential clinical benefits because this study suggests that it may become a vital biomarker for patients who are most at risk of developing SPTs

Causes of death of patients with laryngeal cancer.

Contains fulltext : 127549.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)Despite remarkable advances in the care of patients with laryngeal cancer over the past several decades, including a growing awareness of therapeutic complications and attention to quality of life, little is known about the causes of mortality in this population. In addition to the laryngeal malignancy itself, acute and late or chronic treatment-associated causes, second primary cancers, intercurrent disease and psychosocial factors are all responsible for patient morbidity and mortality. We examine the current literature related to the causes of death in patients with laryngeal cancer, in the hope of guiding future interventions to improve the longevity and quality of life of individuals with this cancer.1 maart 201