ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS5 Knockout Mice Are Protected from Versican but Not Aggrecan or Brevican Proteolysis during Spinal Cord Injury

The chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) aggrecan, versican, and brevican are large aggregating extracellular matrix molecules that inhibit axonal growth of the mature central nervous system (CNS). ADAMTS proteoglycanases, including ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS5, degrade CSPGs, representing potential targets for ameliorating axonal growth-inhibition by CSPG accumulation after CNS injury. We investigated the proteolysis of CSPGs in mice homozygous for Adamts4 or Adamts5 null alleles after spinal cord injury (SCI). ADAMTS-derived 50-60 kDa aggrecan and 50 kDa brevican fragments were observed in Adamts4−/−, Adamts5−/−, and wt mice but not in the sham-operated group. By contrast Adamts4−/− and Adamts5−/− mice were both protected from versican proteolysis with an ADAMTS-generated 70 kDa versican fragment predominately observed in WT mice. ADAMTS1, ADAMTS9, and ADAMTS15 were detected by Western blot in Adamts4−/− mice' spinal cords after SCI. Immunohistochemistry showed astrocyte accumulation at the injury site. These data indicate that aggrecan and brevican proteolysis is compensated in Adamts4−/− or Adamts5−/− mice by ADAMTS proteoglycanase family members but a threshold of versican proteolysis is sensitive to the loss of a single ADAMTS proteoglycanase during SCI. We show robust ADAMTS activity after SCI and exemplify the requirement for collective proteolysis for effective CSPG clearance during SCI

The potential usage of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) against chemotherapy-induced and radiotherapy-induced toxicity

Protection of the patients against the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy regimens has attracted increasing interest of clinicians and practitioners. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), which is extracted from the propolis of honeybee hives as an active component, specifically inhibits nuclear factor ?B at micromolar concentrations and show ability to stop 5-lipoxygenase-catalysed oxygenation of linoleic acid and arachidonic acid. CAPE has antiinflammatory, antiproliferative, antioxidant, cytostatic, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and antineoplastic properties. The purpose of this review is to summarize in vivo and in vitro usage of CAPE to prevent the chemotherapy-induced and radiotherapy-induced damages and side effects in experimental animals and to develop a new approach for the potential usage of CAPE in clinical trial as a protective agent during chemotherapy and radiotherapy regimens. Copyright (C) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

In Vivo and In Vitro Antneoplastic Actions of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE): Therapeutic Perspectives

Cancer prevention and treatment strategies have attracted increasing interest. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), an active component of propolis extract, specifically inhibits NF-B at M concentrations and shows ability to stop 5-lipoxygenase-catalyzed oxygenation of linoleic acid and arachidonic acid. Previous studies have demonstrated that CAPE exhibits antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antiproliferative, cytostatic, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and, most improtantly, antineoplastic properties. The primary goal of the present review is to summarize and critically evaluate the current knowledge regarding the anticancer effect of CAPE in different cancer types

The relationship of potential biomarkers with psychological resilience and post-traumatic growth in female patients with breast cancer.

While investigating psychosocial factors on resilience and post-traumatic growth draws attention, research on biological correlates is limited. We investigated the relationship between post-traumatic growth, resilience, post-traumatic stress, and potential biomarkers in female patients with breast cancer (n = 71) from the general surgery or oncology clinics. They completed the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), Connor Davidson Psychological Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), PTSD Checklist for DSM-V, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Blood samples were collected for NPY, ALLO, DHEA-S, testosterone, cortisol, and hsCRP levels. The relationship between biochemical parameters and the scales was investigated in the whole patient group and in the subgroup of patients who perceived breast cancer as traumatic. When all the patients were evaluated, hsCRP and depression scores were significantly and positively correlated; and hsCRP, BRS score, and PTGI change in self-perception subscale score were significantly and negatively correlated. There was a significant positive correlation between the ALLO level and the psychological resilience (CD-RISC) score in the patient group who perceived breast cancer as traumatic. It was observed that psychological resilience and PTG were positively correlated, and that multiple biomarkers were associated with psychological resilience in female breast cancer patients. Especially findings regarding ALLO levels and psychological resilience could be a new target for future research

Diffuse interstitital lung disease in an ankylosing spondylitis patient

In a 58-years-old white woman with ankylosing spondylitis, plane chest radiograph revealed bilateral reticulonodular shadowing. Parenchymal high resolution computarized tomography showed bilateral diffuse ground glass appearance and honey-comb opacities especially in the lower lobes. Her pulmonary function test revealed a moderate degree of restrictive lung disease, carbonmonoxide diffussion capacity of lung were diminished. Brochioloalveolar lavage and transbronchial lung biopsy did not show any specific finding. So, we excluded other causes of an interstitial lung diseases by open lung biopsy. We suggest that also diffuse interstitial lung disease should be thought in ankylosing spondylitis patients having pulmonary symptoms. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Original paper Effects of isotretinoin on body mass index, serum adiponectin, leptin, and ghrelin levels in acne vulgaris patients

A b s t r a c t Introduction: Isotretinoin has been successfully used for the treatment of acne vulgaris. Aim: To investigate the effects of isotretinoin on body mass index (BMI), to determine whether isotretinoin causes any changes in serum adiponectin, leptin, and ghrelin levels in acne vulgaris patients, and to correlate variables. Material and methods: Thirty-two patients were included in this study. Oral isotretinoin was begun at a dose of 0.5-0.6 mg/kg and raised to 0.6-0.75 mg/kg. Pretreatment and posttreatment third-month BMI and adiponectin, leptin, and ghrelin serum levels were measured. Results: The pre-and posttreatment BMI values were not significantly different. In addition, serum adiponectin and leptin levels were significantly increased following isotretinoin therapy while serum ghrelin levels were not different. Conclusions: Isotretinoin may exert its anti-inflammatory activity by increasing leptin and adiponectin levels

Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy: Case Report

Thromboendarterectomy is one of the choices for the treatment of chronic pulmonary hypertension related to chronic thromboembolic obstruction. Thromboendarterectomy can be life-saving for patients who have homodynamic instability despite active and appropriate medical treatment, who have massive pulmonary obstruction at one of the main pulmonary artery and who are young and without any additional pulmonary and cardiac disease. Although the mortality rate is about 10% in reported studies, it can be decreased by suitable patient selection, experience and good postoperative intensive care. Thromboendarterectomy experience is very limited in Turkey because of the lack of experience, high mortality rate and lack of multidisciplinary approach. In this paper, a chronic pulmonary thromboembolism case who is treated with surgical thromboendarterectomy is presented to aid experience about this subject in our country

Effects of isotretinoin on body mass index, serum adiponectin, leptin, and ghrelin levels in acne vulgaris patients

Introduction : Isotretinoin has been successfully used for the treatment of acne vulgaris. Aim : To investigate the effects of isotretinoin on body mass index (BMI), to determine whether isotretinoin causes any changes in serum adiponectin, leptin, and ghrelin levels in acne vulgaris patients, and to correlate variables. Material and methods: Thirty-two patients were included in this study. Oral isotretinoin was begun at a dose of 0.5–0.6 mg/kg and raised to 0.6–0.75 mg/kg. Pretreatment and posttreatment third-month BMI and adiponectin, leptin, and ghrelin serum levels were measured. Results : The pre- and posttreatment BMI values were not significantly different. In addition, serum adiponectin and leptin levels were significantly increased following isotretinoin therapy while serum ghrelin levels were not different. Conclusions : Isotretinoin may exert its anti-inflammatory activity by increasing leptin and adiponectin levels