Localization of thrombospondin-l and its cysteine-serine-valine-threonine-cysteine-glycine receptor in colonic anastomotic healing tissue

Thrombospondin-l (TSP-1) is a matrix protein implicated in mechanisms of wound healing. TSP-1 contains the sequence cysteine-serine-valinethreonine- cysteine-glycine (CSVTCG) that has been shown to function primarily as a cell adhesion domain. Our laboratory has isolated a novel receptor specific for the CSVTCG adhesive domain of TSP-1. Immunohistochemical staining techniques and computerized image analysis were used to identify and quantitate TSP-1 and its CSVTCG receptor in surgically created colon anastomotic wounds. Histopathologic and quantitative examination demonstrated increased expression of TSP- 1 and its CSVTCG receptor in areas of wound healing. These findings suggest a role for TSP-1 and its CSVTCG receptor in wound healing. The control of expression and activity of these molecules may eventually be the basis for the development of wound healing agents that could significantly reduce the morbidity from surgical intervention

HIF-1: a key mediator in hypoxia (Review)

The transcription factor HIF-1 is one of the principal mediators of homeostasis in human tissues exposed to hypoxia. It is implicated in virtually every process of rapid gene expression in response to low oxygen levels. The most common causes of tissue hypoxia are inflammation and/or insufficient circulation or a combination of both. Inflamed tissues and the areas surrounding malignant tumors are characterized by hypoxia and low concentrations of glucose. Serious and generalized inflammation can lead to sepsis and circulatory collapse resulting in acute or chronic tissue hypoxia in various vital organs which induces a rapid homeostatic process in all nucleated cells of affected organs in the human body. Under hypoxic conditions the alpha and beta subunits of HIF-1 make an active heterodimer and drive the transcription of over 60 genes important for cell survival, adaptation, anaerobic metabolism, immune reaction, cytokine production, vascularization and general tissue homeostasis. In addition, HIF-1 plays a key role in the development of physiological systems in fetal and postnatal life. It is also a critical mediator of cancer, lung and cardiovascular diseases. The better understanding of the functions of HIF-1 and the pharmacological modulation of its activity could mean a successful therapeutic approach to these diseases

Negative prognostic factors in colorectal carcinoma: An analysis of 448 patients

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is the most frequent malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract. Prognostic researches are carried out for choosing the optimum therapy, evaluating therapy results and comparing multicentre results for better qualification in the therapy of the disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, 448 patients, whose surgery and follow-up was performed by the same correspondent surgeon between the years 1995 and 2003, were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Age, presence of comorbidity, weight loss, emergency admission, high serum CEA and CA 19-9 levels, neighboring organ invasion, operation type, major morbidity, tumor size and type, lymph node metastases, venous and perineural invasion, Dukes’ classification and local recurrence and distant metastasis during follow-up are found to be significant negative factors affecting prognosis of the CRC patient. CONCLUSION: Therapy results of the CRC are evaluated by survival times regardless of the therapy method selected for each individual. In our study we tried to find out negative prognostic factors by researching possible factors affecting disease free survival time for CRC. Since our understanding of factors that have an impact on prognosis increases, we are hoping to improve survival