Prostate cancer stroma: an important factor in cancer growth and progression

Reactive stromal changes that occur in different human cancers might play a role in local tumor spreading and progression. Studies done on various human cancers have shown activated stromal cell phenotypes, modified extracellular matrix (ECM) composition, and increased microvessel density. Furthermore, they exhibit biological markers consistent with stroma at the site of wound repair. In prostate cancer, stroma is composed of fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, endothelial cells and immune cells. Predominant cells in the tumorous stroma are, however, fibroblasts/ myofibroblasts. They are responsible for the synthesis, deposition and remodeling of the ECM. Epithelial tumorous cells, in interaction with stromal cells and with the help of various molecules of ECM, create a microenvironment suitable for cancer cell proliferation, movement, and differentiation. In this review, we discussed the role of different stromal components in prostate cancer as well as their potential prognostic and therapeutic significance

Dielectric properties of Mars' surface: Proposed measurement on a Mars lander

Recent studies of missions to Mars (MESUR by NASA and Marsnet by ESA) have suggested the development of semihard landers. One type was to be extremely basic, consisting mainly of a meteorological package, but with the possibility of other small, low-mass, low-power instruments. In particular, this type of lander was also considered for the exploration of the polar regions. Two methods to investigate the surface material at the landing site are discussed. Both measure the dielectric constant epsilon of the ground material. This information can then be used to elucidate the surface composition and structure. The determination of the permittivity would be of high scientific value, especially in the case of a landing on the polar ice

GIGANTIC EPIDERMOID CYST OF THE SUPRASELLAR REGION – case report

Tumori selarne i supraselarne regije se klinički obično prikazuju ispadima vidnog polja ili bitemporalnim hemianopsijama. Prikazana je epidermoidna cista, rijedak tumor te regije, koja se klinički prezentirala epileptičkim napadajem i promjenama kognitivnih funkcija. Resekcijom je tumor bitno smanjen, a histološki je utvrđena epidermoidna cista. Postoperativni oporavak bolesnice je bio zadovoljavajući, a uz antiepileptičku terapiju postigla se potpuna kontrola napadaja.Rare tumor of the sellar-suprasellar region is presented, an epidermoid cyst non-specifically presented with epileptic seizures and cognitive dysfunction. Neuroradiology detected a large tumor, which was resected and histologically confirmed as an epidermoid cyst. Post-operative recovery was satisfactory, and antiepileptic therapy contributed to full seizure control

Philae Landing on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko – Planned Chirality Measurements and Ideas for the Future

Philae is a comet Lander, part of the ESA Rosetta Mission to comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. After a ten year cruise through the solar system it successfully landed on the nucleus of the comet on November 12, 2014. Philae's payload consists of ten scientific instruments, including COSAC, an evolved gas analyser with the capability to differentiate chiral molecules. After the touchdown of Philae, the anchoring harpoons, which were expected to fix the lander to ground, did not work, Philae bounced in the low gravity environment, and only came to rest after a 2 hours " hop " in an unforeseen area on the comet surface. Although, the scientific instruments, including cameras, mass spectrometers (including the one of COSAC), a magnetometer and a radar instrument could be operated, and fascinating, unprecedented scientific results were obtained, it was not possible to collect a sample of the surface material and no gas chromatography measurement could be performed. Thus, the measurement of the chirality of molecules on comets is still to be done in the future. The paper gives an overview of the Philae mission and the attempts to measure chiral molecules with COSAC, and suggests future measurements with returned samples from the primitive asteroids (162173) Ryugu and (101955) Bennu with the spacecraft Hayabusa 2 (JAXA) and OSIRIS-REx (NASA), respectively. Both will reach their targets in 2018

Patient blood management in massive blood loss

Cilj je ovog rada dati pregled novih spoznaja o terapiji masivnog krvarenja pomoću krvnih derivata, ali i drugih pripravaka koji se koriste u toj situaciji. Masivno krvarenje definira se kao akutno i životno ugrožavajuće stanje u kojem je pacijent izgubio jedan cirkulirajući volumen krvi unutar 24 sata, više od 150ml krvi u minuti ili više od 50% ukupnog volumena krvi unutar 3 sata. Rad je podijeljen u tri dijela od kojih se svaki bavi drugim aspektom teme. Prvi dio se bavi definiranjem masivnog krvarenja te opisom procesa dobivanja i osnovnih obilježja krvnih derivata. Drugi dio je usredotočen na terapiju masivnog krvarenja, te je podijeljen u tri područja koja se bave patofiziologijom, samim postupkom masivne transfuzije i opisom farmakoloških pripravaka koji se također koriste u terapiji. Treći dio je usredotočen na najčešće komplikacije povezane s krvarenjem i masivnom transfuzijom te njihovo sprječavanje. Zaključak je iznesen u zadnjem djelu rada te predlaže sažeti postupak s pacijentom koji masivno krvari.The goal of the thesis is to provide an overview of new insights into management of massive blood loss with blood components and other products used in the treatment. Massive blood loss is defined as an acute and life threatening condition where a person has lost one blood volume within a 24 hour period, more than 150ml of blood per minute or over 50% of blood volume in 3 hours. Thesis is composed of three parts, each of them dealing with different aspects. The first part sets the definition of massive bleeding, describes the process of making a blood components and their characteristics. The second part focuses on management of massive bleeding and is subdivided into three chapters dealing with pathophysiology, massive transfusion procedure and description of pharmacological products that are used in treatment. Third part focuses on most common complications of bleeding and massive transfusion and their management. Conclusions are drawn at the end, suggesting concise algorithm for a clinician facing a patient with a massive blood loss

Miastenija gravis udružena s timomom i aplastičnom anemijom: prikaz slučaja

Myasthenia gravis is associated in 10 to 15 percent of patients with thymic tumors, rarely with aplastic anemia. We report a 45-year-old male diagnosed with myasthenia gravis ­associated with thymoma. We started treatment with pyridostigmine. After thymectomy, the patient ­received 30 irradiation sessions. In the postoperative course, he had mild worsening of myasthenia gravis, which improved with prednisone. Five months later, he developed severe aplastic anemia. He was dependent on blood supplement. After allogeneic transplantation of bone marrow, he improved but later he ­developed graft versus host disease. Myasthenia gravis was under good control with 480 mg of ­pyridostigmine per day.Miastenija gravis (MG) je u 10% do 15% bolesnika udružena s tumorima timusa, rijetko s aplastičnom anemijom. Prikazujemo 45-godišnjeg bolesnika s MG udruženom s timomom. Liječenje je započeto piridostigminom. Nakon timektomije je provedeno 30 zračenja. Poslijeoperacijski je imao blago pogoršanje MG koje se povuklo uz terapiju prednizonom. Pet mjeseci kasnije je razvio tešku aplastičnu anemiju. Postao je ovisan u krvnim derivatima. Nakon alogenične transplantacije koštane srži došlo je do poboljšanja, ali je kasnije razvio reakciju transplantata protiv primatelja. MG je bila dobro kontrolirana uz 480 mg piridostigmina na dan