Accuracy of c-KIT in lung cancer prognosis; a systematic review protocol" instead of c-KIT expression in lung cancer prognostic evaluation - A systematic review protocol

Background: Extensive efforts have been made to investigate c-KIT expression in lung cancer specimens and its correlation with clinical outcomes, but the issue remains unresolved. Thus, this study will be conducted to clarify the prognostic value of c-KIT expression in lung cancer patients. Materials and Methods: We will search Pubmed, SCOPUS, and ISI web of sciences with no restriction of language. Studies with any design (except case reports or case series) evaluating correlations of c-KIT expression with survival or outcome in patients with lung cancer will be included. The outcome measures will include all types of survival indexes, including overall survival rate and disease free survival using Kaplan-Meier analysis and hazard ratios. Study selection and data extraction will be performed by two independent researchers. Quality assessment (assessment of risk of bias) and data synthesis will be implemented using Stata software version 11.1. Results: No ethical issues are predicted. These findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at national and international conferences. Conclusions: This systematic review protocol is registered in the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, registration number = CRD42015023391

Impaired memory and evidence of histopathology in CA1 pyramidal neurons through injection of Aβ1-42 peptides into the frontal cortices of rat

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders, which has much benefited from animal models to find the basics of its pathophysiology. In our previous work (Haghani, Shabani, Javan, Motamedi, & Janahmadi, 2012), a non-transgenic rat model of AD was used in electrophysiological studies. However, we did not investigate the histological aspects in the mentioned study. Methods: An AD model was developed through bilateral injection of amyloid-β peptides (Aβ) into the frontal cortices. Behavioral and histological methods were used to assess alterations in the memory and (ultra)structures. Furthermore, melatonin has been administered to assess its efficacy on this AD model. Results: Passive avoidance showed a progressive decline in the memory following Aβ injection. Furthermore, Nissl staining showed that Aβ neurotoxicity caused shrinkage of the CA1 pyramidal neurons. Neurodegeneration was clearly evident from Fluoro-jade labeled neurons in Aβ treated rats. Moreover, higher NF-κB immunoreactive CA1 pyramidal neurons were remarkably observed in Aβ treated rats. Ultrastructural analysis using electron microscopy also showed the evidence of subcellular abnormalities. Melatonin treatment in this model of AD prevented Aβ- induced increased NF-κB from immunoreaction and neurodegeneration. Discussion: This study suggests that injection of Aβ into the frontal cortices results in the memory decline and histochemical disturbances in CA1 pyramidal neurons. Furthermore, melatonin can prevent several histological changes induced by Aβ

Gaps in the provision of spiritual care for terminally ill patients in Islamic societies - a systematic review

Background. Islam has a profound concept about death and aftermath. Believing in living after death and resurrection is one of the three main principles of Islam. Since the increasing incidence of people in need of palliative care in developing countries and the fact that Muslims, who dominantly live in developing world, are very dependent on spirituality, describing the ways that spiritual care is described and provided in the Islamic context is highly demanded. This paper aims at delineating original research in this subject in a systematic manner. Method. Several medical databases were reviewed in a systematic manner to investigate original quantitative or qualitative researches about providing spiritual care in Muslim societies. Results. Searching main databases lead to identifying 84 articles alongside with 18 papers from hand searching, which all were reviewed by two investigators. Of this collection, only five papers met the criteria as being original research either quantitative or qualitative, published during the last 10 years. Cultural background plays an important role. Our findings conceded that very few papers are available in Islamic context about spiritual care at the end of life, where only three were quantitative. Research in this field, however, is rapidly growing compared with the previous year. Conclusion. While cancer is rapidly increasing specially in developing world, the need of terminally ill patients with other conditions should be equally considered. Spirituality in Islamic societies does exist profoundly, which needs more research especially in terminal life and even bereavement.Background. Islam has a profound concept about death and aftermath. Believing in living after death and resurrection is one of the three main principles of Islam. Since the increasing incidence of people in need of palliative care in developing countries and the fact that Muslims, who dominantly live in developing world, are very dependent on spirituality, describing the ways that spiritual care is described and provided in the Islamic context is highly demanded. This paper aims at delineating original research in this subject in a systematic manner. Method. Several medical databases were reviewed in a systematic manner to investigate original quantitative or qualitative researches about providing spiritual care in Muslim societies. Results. Searching main databases lead to identifying 84 articles alongside with 18 papers from hand searching, which all were reviewed by two investigators. Of this collection, only five papers met the criteria as being original research either quantitative or qualitative, published during the last 10 years. Cultural background plays an important role. Our findings conceded that very few papers are available in Islamic context about spiritual care at the end of life, where only three were quantitative. Research in this field, however, is rapidly growing compared with the previous year. Conclusion. While cancer is rapidly increasing specially in developing world, the need of terminally ill patients with other conditions should be equally considered. Spirituality in Islamic societies does exist profoundly, which needs more research especially in terminal life and even bereavement

THE EXPRESSION OF P53 AND MDM4 IN ORAL, LARYNGEAL AND CUTANEOUS SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA; A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Background: P53 and MDM4 had been known to have dual mechanism depending on their localization. Nuclear p53 can bind to DNA and activate proapoptotic gene expression; cytoplasmic p53 can trigger transcription-independent apoptosis by directly interacting with Bcl-2 family members. Objectives: The aim of current study to evaluate and compare the expression of P53, MDM4 in oral , laryngeal and cutaneous SCC by microarray(TMA) and to investigate the correlation of expression of these markers with histopathological grading of tumor. Methods: One-hundred twenty paraffin embedded SCC sample of Iraqi patients collected during period 2009-2012, retrieved for TMA construction and the expression of P53 and MDM4 was examined by immunohistochemistry. Results: Data showed males with SCC were more than females ( 63.3%/76 , 36.7%/44). Most cancer types expressed both nuclear and cytoplasmic staining of P53 and MDM4 in different percentage, cutaneous Scc Nuclear/cytoplasm expression of P53 were ( 38.8%/94.6%), laryngeal (55%/90%), oral (36.8%/86.8%). Cutaneous SCC N/Cyt expression of MDM4 were (91.8%/72.9%), laryngeal (91.3%/76.3%), oral (97.5%/62.5%).There is no significant difference in expression of both protein markers and tumor types. Obvious significant correlation showed between tumor grading P53 nuclear expression. Conclusions: P53 and MDM4 were frequently overexpressed in SCC cases and there was a significant correlation between these markers. Nuclear p53 and cytoplasmic MDM4 overexpression can be considered as prognostic factor with tumour grading. High percentage MDM4 overexpression should be considered in their treatment

Total loss of MHC class I is an independent indicator of good prognosis in breast cancer

Tumours can be recognised by CTL and NK cells. CTL recognition depends on expression of MHC Class I loaded with peptides from tumour antigens. In contrast, loss of MHC Class I results in NK activation. In our study a large set of samples from patients with primary operable invasive breast cancer was evaluated for the expression of MHC Class I heavy and light by immunohistochemical staining of 439 breast carcinomas in a tissue microarray. Forty-seven percent (206 of 439) of breast carcinomas were considered negative for HLA Class I heavy chain (HC10), whereas lack of anti-β2m-antibody staining was observed in 39% (167 of 424) of tumours, with only 3% of the β2m-negative tumours expressing detectable HLA Class I heavy chain. Correlation with patient outcome showed direct relationship between patient survival and HLA-negative phenotype (log rank = 0.004). A positive relationship was found between the intensity of expression of MHC Class I light and heavy chains expression and histological grade of invasive tumour (p < 0.001) and Nottingham Prognostic Index (p < 0.001). To investigate whether HLA Class I heavy and light chains expression had independent prognostic significance, Cox multivariate regression analysis, including the parameters of tumour size, lymph node stage, grade and intensity of HC10 and anti-β2m staining, was carried out. In our analysis, lymph node stage (p < 0.001), tumour grade (p = 0.005) and intensity of MHC Class I light and heavy chains expression were shown to be independent prognostic factors predictive of overall survival (p-values HC10 = 0.047 and β2m = 0.018)

Study of NGEP expression in androgen sensitive prostate cancer cells: A potential target for immunotherapy

Background: Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among men. New gene expressed in prostate (NGEP), is a prostate-specific gene expressed only in normal prostate and prostate cancer tissue. Because of its selective expression in prostate cancer cell surface, NGEP is a potential immunotherapeutic target. To target the NGEP in prostate cancer, it is essential to investigate its expression in prostate cancer cells. Methods: In the present study, we investigated NGEP expression in LNCaP and DU145 cells by real time and RT-PCR, flow cytometric and immunocytochemical analyses. Results: Real time and RT-PCR analyses of NGEP expression showed that NGEP was expressed in the LNCaP cells but not in DU145 cells. The detection of NGEP protein by flow cytometric and immunocytochemistry analyses indicated that NGEP protein was weakly expressed only in LNCaP cell membrane. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that LNCaP cell line is more suitable than DU145 for NGEP expression studies; however, its low-level expression is a limiting issue. NGEP expression may be increased by androgen supplementation of LNCaP cell culture medium

Total loss of MHC class I is an independent indicator of good prognosis in breast cancer

Tumours can be recognised by CTL and NK cells. CTL recognition depends on expression of MHC Class I loaded with peptides from tumour antigens. In contrast, loss of MHC Class I results in NK activation. In our study a large set of samples from patients with primary operable invasive breast cancer was evaluated for the expression of MHC Class I heavy and light by immunohistochemical staining of 439 breast carcinomas in a tissue microarray. Forty-seven percent (206 of 439) of breast carcinomas were considered negative for HLA Class I heavy chain (HC10), whereas lack of anti-β2m-antibody staining was observed in 39% (167 of 424) of tumours, with only 3% of the β2m-negative tumours expressing detectable HLA Class I heavy chain. Correlation with patient outcome showed direct relationship between patient survival and HLA-negative phenotype (log rank = 0.004). A positive relationship was found between the intensity of expression of MHC Class I light and heavy chains expression and histological grade of invasive tumour (p < 0.001) and Nottingham Prognostic Index (p < 0.001). To investigate whether HLA Class I heavy and light chains expression had independent prognostic significance, Cox multivariate regression analysis, including the parameters of tumour size, lymph node stage, grade and intensity of HC10 and anti-β2m staining, was carried out. In our analysis, lymph node stage (p < 0.001), tumour grade (p = 0.005) and intensity of MHC Class I light and heavy chains expression were shown to be independent prognostic factors predictive of overall survival (p-values HC10 = 0.047 and β2m = 0.018)

Diagnostic and prognostic accuracy of miR-21 in renal cell carcinoma: A systematic review protocol

Introduction: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common neoplasm in adult kidneys. One of the most important unmet medical needs in RCC is a prognostic biomarker to enable identification of patients at high risk of relapse after nephrectomy. New biomarkers can help improve diagnosis and hence the management of patients with renal cancer. Thus, this systematic review aims to clarify the prognostic and diagnostic accuracy of miR-21 in patients with RCC. Methods and analysis: We will include observational studies evaluating the diagnostic and prognostic roles of miR-21 in patients with renal cancer. The index test and reference standards should ideally be performed on all patients. We will search PubMed, SCOPUS and ISI Web of Science with no restriction of language. The outcome will be survival measures in adult patients with RCC. Study selection and data extraction will be performed by two independent reviewers. QUADAS-1 will be used to assess study quality. Publication bias and data synthesis will be assessed by funnel plots and Begg's and Egger's tests using Stata software V.11.1. Ethics and dissemination: No ethical issues are predicted. These findings will be published in a peerreviewed journal and presented at national and international conferences. Trail registration number: This systematic review protocol is registered in the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, registration number CRD42015025001

Effects of replacing diet beverages with water on weight loss, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism during a hypoenergetic diet

This thesis compared the effect on weight loss of either replacing diet beverages (DBs) with water or continuing to consume DBs (study 1 in healthy overweight and obese, n=89 and study 2 in patients with type 2 diabetes, n=81) adults during a 24-wk weight-loss program (for study1 and 2) and 18 month weight loss and weight maintenance plan (for study3, n=89). In study 1, compared with the DB group, the water group had a greater decrease in weight (1.2kg more weight loss in the water group compared with the DBs Group ,P=0.015), BMI (0.5 kg/m² more BMI reduction in the water compared with the DBs Group ,P=0.002), fasting insulin (1 mU/l more Fasting insulin reduction in the water compared with the DBs Group,P<0.001), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)(0.2 more HOMA-IR reduction in the water compared with the DBs Group, P<0.001) and 2-h postprandial glucose(0.305 mmol/l more 2hpp reduction in the water compared with the DBs Group,P<0.001). In study 2, weight (2.5 kg more weight loss in the water compared with the DBs Group, P=0.005) and BMI (0.9 kg/m² more BMI reduction in the water group compared with the DBs Group, P=0.005) decrease after 18 months in the water group compared with the DBs group was significant. There was also a greater reduction in fasting insulin levels (1.8 mU/l more Fasting insulin reduction in the water group compared with the DBs Group,P<0.001), better improvement in HOMA-IR (0.5 more HOMA-IR reduction in the water group compared with the DBs Group, P<0.001), a greater decrease in 2-h postprandial plasma glucose (0.5 mmol/l more 2hpp reduction in the water group compared with the DBs Group, P<0.001) and glycated hemoglobin (0.2 more HbA1c reduction in the water group compared with the DBs Group, P=0.030) in the water group compared with the DBs over 18 months. In study 3, obese participants with Type 2 diabetes in the water group of study 2 had more weight loss (1.16 kg more weight loss in the water group compared with the DBs Group, P=0.006) and BMI (0.5 kg/m² more BMI reduction in the water group compared with the DBs Group, P=0.006). Also reduction of fasting insulin (1.6 mU/l more Fasting insulin reduction in water group compared with DBs Group,P<0.001), fasting plasma glucose (0.3mmol/l more Fasting plasma glucose reduction in the water group compared with the DBs Group, P=0.003), HOMA-IR (0.7 more HOMA-IR reduction in the water group compared with the DBs Group, P=0.003) and 2 hour postprandial glucose (0.3 mmol/l more 2hpp reduction in the water group compared with the DBs Group, P=0.027) was greater in the water group. By contrast, changes in waist circumference and lipid profiles were not significantly different between the two groups in these three studies. Replacement of DBs with water after the main meal in obese and overweight healthy and type 2 diabetic women who were regular users of DBs may cause greater weight reduction during 24 weeks and also in the longer period of an 18 month weight management program. In addition, replacement of DBs with water offers clinical benefits to improve insulin resistance. Generally, better improvements in energy and carbohydrate metabolism may occur when water rather than DBs is consumed over a weight loss program

Petites villes, fonctions urbaines et organisation de l’espace: analyse à travers le cas de la fonction commerciale de la ville d’Azazga dans la wilaya de Tizi-Ouzou

أظهرت النظريات الحضرية والدراسات التجريبية في المجال الحضري منذ فترة طويلة أنه من خلال وظائفها ، تؤثر المدن على تنظيم الفضاء وتحثه. وبالتالي فإن موضوع مقالنا يتكون من إثبات أن الوظيفة التجارية في منطقة Azazga تحفز على تنظيم الفضاء الإقليمي حول الأماكن التجارية المركزية الهرمية حيث تحتل مدينة Azazga القمة ولها مناطق التأثير التجاري بما في ذلك تأثير الأماكن التجارية الأخرى في منطقته. ينقسم النهج المنهجي المعتمد إلى مرحلتين ، الأولى تعتمد على النهج الكمي الذي يتكون من تحليل البيانات الإحصائية المتعلقة بالأعمال في منطقة عزازقة ، بينما ستعتمد المرحلة الثانية على نهج تحليلي يعتمد على استبيانات ومقابلات مباشرة مع عينة من 150 تاجرًا (120 تاجر تجزئة و 30 تاجر جملة) في المدينة. وبالتالي سيقترح هذا الاستقصاء من ناحية إبراز عوامل توطين الشركات في مدينة عزازقة ومن ناحية أخرى ، لتحديد مناطق التأثير التجاري للمدينة من خلال النظر في الدرجة الهرمية البضائع المسوقة وبعد تصنيف الشركات في المدينة مسبقًا وفقًا لمعيارين وهما تكرار تجديد شراء السلعة أو فئة السلع المسوقة ودرجة تجزئة سوق السلعة.Urban theories and empirical studies of the urban field have long shown that it is through their functions that cities influence and induce the organization of space. The object of our article thus consists in demonstrating that the commercial function in the region of Azazga induces an organization of the regional space structured around hierarchical central commercial places where the city of Azazga occupies the top and has areas of commercial influence including those of other commercial places in its region.The methodological approach adopted is divided into two stages, the first based on a quantitative approach consisting in the analysis of statistical data relating to businesses in the Azazga region, while the second phase will be based on an analytical approach based on questionnaires and direct interviews with a sample of 150 traders (120 retailers and 30 wholesalers) in the city. This survey will thus propose on the one hand to highlight the factors of localization of the businesses in the city of Azazga and on the other hand, to determine the areas of commercial influence of the city through the consideration of the hierarchical degree marketed goods and after having previously classified the businesses of the city according to two criteria namely the frequency of renewal of the purchase of the good or category of goods marketed and the degree of segmentation of the market of the good.Les théories urbaines et les études empiriques portant sur le champ urbain ont depuis longtemps montré que c’est par le biais de leurs fonctions que les villes influencent et induisent l’organisation de l’espace. L’objet de notre article consiste ainsi à démontrer que la fonction commerciale dans la région d’Azazga induit une organisation de l’espace régional structurée autour de places commerciales centrales hiérarchisées où&nbsp; la ville d’Azazga occupe le sommet et dispose d’aires de rayonnement commerciales englobant celles des autres places commerciales de sa région. L’approche méthodologique retenue se scinde en deux étapes, la première reposant sur une approche quantitative consistant en l’analyse des données statistiques relatives aux commerces dans la région d’Azazga, tandis que la seconde phase sera basée sur une approche analytique à base de questionnaires et d’entretiens directs auprès d’un échantillon de 150 commerçants (120 détaillants et 30 grossistes) de la ville. Cette enquête se proposera ainsi d’une part de mettre en évidence les facteurs de localisation des commerces dans la ville d’Azazga et d’autre part, de déterminer les aires de rayonnement commercial de la ville à travers la prise en considération du degré hiérarchique des biens commercialisés et après avoir préalablement procédé au classement des commerces de la ville en fonction de deux critères à savoir la fréquence de renouvellement de l’achat du bien ou catégorie de biens commercialisé et le degré de segmentation du marché du bien