Evaluation of proteolytic activity and serine proteases distribution in plasma from patients with bladder cancer

BackgroundBladder cancer (BC) is an aggressive disease with a poor prognosis. A bladder tumor, like other malignant neoplasms, is characterized by the presence of both cancer cells and stromal cells which secrete cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and proteolytic enzymes. One such class of proteolytic enzymes are serine proteases, which take part in the tumor microenvironment formation via supporting and contributing to tumor progression. This study aims to evaluate the proteolytic activity and serine protease contribution in plasma from BC patients.MethodsThe research involved patients of Alexandrovsky city clinical hospital aged 52–76 with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. All examined patients were divided into five groups: the control group included conditionally healthy donors, while other patients were grouped according to their tumor stage (I, II, III and IV). Plasma plasminogen levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the potential activity was measured by chromogenic plasminogen assay. Serine proteases fractions were obtained by the affinity chromatography method, and enzyme concentration in the selected fractions were determined by the Bradford method. Serine proteases distribution was investigated by electrophoresis in a polyacrylamide gel.ResultsIt was determined that the concentration, potential activity of plasminogen, and the total amount of serine proteases in plasma from BC patients were greater than the values of the corresponding indicators in healthy donors. This could be one of the factors contributing to increased proteolysis seen in the process of carcinogenesis. Plasminogen concentration in BC patients with stage IV disease; however, displayed a tendency to be reduced compared to earlier stages, and the potential activity of plasminogen was significantly lower in patients with stages III – IV BC. Futhermore, a tumor stage specific gradual decline in the serine protease plasma content was shown. The results of electrophoretic analysis established a significant diminishment in the percentage of high molecular weight components (under non-reducing conditions) and their complete disappearance (under reducing conditions) in plasma serine protease fractions from BC patients. A decline in the percentage of heavy and light plasmin chains in BC patients was also observed. Additionally, a rise in the degraded forms of plasminogen/plasmin content was seen in BC samples, as well as the presence of fractions corresponding to trypsin and NE (under non-reducing conditions) that were absent in the control samples.ConclusionThe results indicate significant changes in the proteolytic activity of plasma, from BC patients when compared to healthy controls, which is accompanied by alterations in serine protease distribution caused by tumor microenvironment pecularlities at the different stages of oncopathology

Wohlfahrtiimonas chitiniclastica: A rare infection reported in an adult with liver cirrhosis

Abstract We present a case of a 60‐year‐old female with a history of liver cirrhosis, alcohol abuse, and chronic venous insufficiency who presented with maggot‐infested wounds on her legs, bilateral buttocks, and groin area. Two sets of blood cultures grew Wohlfahrtiimonas chitiniclastica. She underwent wound debridement and treatment with cefazolin

Jejunal lipoma: A rare cause of small bowel bleeding

Abstract Prompt endoscopic recognition as well as histopathological examination are crucial for establishing the diagnosis and management of small bowel lipomas complicated by bleeding

Efficacy and Safety of Argon Plasma Coagulation for the Ablation of Barrett’s Esophagus: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background/Aims: Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is an alternate ablative method to radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of Barrett’s esophagus (BE), and it is preferred due to its lower cost and widespread availability. The present meta-analysis aimed to analyze the safety and efficacy of APC for the management of BE.Methods: A literature search from January 2000 to November 2022 was done for studies analyzing the outcome of APC in BE. The primary outcomes were clearance rate of intestinal metaplasia and adverse events (AE). Pooled event rates were expressed with summative statistics.Results: A total of 38 studies were included in the final analysis. The pooled event rate for clearance rate of intestinal metaplasia with APC in BE was 86.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 83.5% to 90.2%), with high-power and hybrid APC having a higher rate compared to standard APC. The pooled incidence of AE with APC in BE was 22.5% (95% CI, 15.3% to 29.7%), without any significant difference between the subgroups, with self-limited chest pain being the commonest AE. The incidence of serious AE was only 0.4% (95% CI, 0.0% to 1.0%), while stricture development was seen only in 1.7% (95% CI, 0.9% to 2.6%) of cases. The pooled recurrence rate of BE was 16.1% (95% CI, 10.7% to 21.6%), with a significantly lower recurrence with high-power APC than standard APC.Conclusions: High-power and hybrid APC seem to have an advantage over standard APC in terms of clearance rate and recurrence rate. Further studies are required to compare the efficacy and safety of hybrid APC with standard APC and radiofrequency ablation

Efficacy of Over-the-Scope Clips Compared to Standard Therapy for Nonvariceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding—A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Trials

Background The current standard of treatment for nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) includes endoscopic hemostasis with either through-the-scope clips or thermal therapy. However, they may be associated with rebleeding, especially in high-risk ulcers. Over-the-scope clips (OTSC) have been demonstrated in multiple recent studies to be an effective measure for NVUGIB. We aimed to analyze the current literature on standard therapy with OTSC to manage NVUGIB

Effect of Peptides from Plasma of Patients with Coronary Artery Disease on the Vascular Endothelial Cells

Background and Objectives: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the foremost cause of adult disability and mortality. There is an urgent need to focus on the research of new approaches for the prevention and treatment of CAD. Materials and Methods: The effects of peptides isolated from the blood plasma of CAD patients on endothelial cell secretion using the in vitro model have been tested. Human endothelial progenitor cells (HEPCs) were incubated for 24 h with peptides isolated from the plasma of healthy subjects or patients with stable angina, progressive unstable angina, and myocardial infarction. The contents of some soluble anticoagulant as well as procoagulant mediators in HEPC culture treated with peptide pools were then compared. Results and Conclusion: The results show that peptides from the plasma of patients with myocardial infarction promote endothelial cells to release both von Willebrand factor and endothelin-1, increasing vasoconstriction and shifting hemostatic balance toward a prothrombotic state. In contrast, peptides from the plasma of patients with progressive unstable angina suppress the secretion of endothelin-1 by HEPCs, while the secretion of both von Willebrand factor and tissue plasminogen activator was increased. As can be seen from the results obtained, disease derived peptides may contribute to the homeostasis of living organisms or the progression of pathological processes

Effect of Peptides from Plasma of Patients with Coronary Artery Disease on the Vascular Endothelial Cells

Background and Objectives: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the foremost cause of adult disability and mortality. There is an urgent need to focus on the research of new approaches for the prevention and treatment of CAD. Materials and Methods: The effects of peptides isolated from the blood plasma of CAD patients on endothelial cell secretion using the in vitro model have been tested. Human endothelial progenitor cells (HEPCs) were incubated for 24 h with peptides isolated from the plasma of healthy subjects or patients with stable angina, progressive unstable angina, and myocardial infarction. The contents of some soluble anticoagulant as well as procoagulant mediators in HEPC culture treated with peptide pools were then compared. Results and Conclusion: The results show that peptides from the plasma of patients with myocardial infarction promote endothelial cells to release both von Willebrand factor and endothelin-1, increasing vasoconstriction and shifting hemostatic balance toward a prothrombotic state. In contrast, peptides from the plasma of patients with progressive unstable angina suppress the secretion of endothelin-1 by HEPCs, while the secretion of both von Willebrand factor and tissue plasminogen activator was increased. As can be seen from the results obtained, disease derived peptides may contribute to the homeostasis of living organisms or the progression of pathological processes