The Applicability of Haarlem Integrated Diagnostic System in Diffuse Glial Tumors and Molecular Methods Affecting Prognosis

Background: With the help of genetic studies, it is possible to obtain information about diagnosis and prognosis of glial tumors

The regulatory role of heparin on c-Met signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma cells

The role of heparin as an anticoagulant is well defined; however, its role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression is not clear yet. Some studies have shown that anticoagulant treatment in cancer patients improve overall survival, however, recent clinical trials have not shown a survival benefit in cancer patients receiving heparin treatment. In our previous studies we have shown the inhibitory effects of heparin on Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF)-induced invasion and migration in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. In this study, we showed the differential effects of heparin on the behaviors of HCC cells based on the presence or absence of HGF. In the absence of HGF, heparin activated HGF/c-Met signaling and promoted motility and invasion in HCC cells. Heparin treatment led to c-Met receptor dimerization and activated c-Met signaling in an HGF independent manner. Heparin-induced c-Met activation increased migration and invasion through ERK1/2, early growth response factor 1 (EGR1) and Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMP) axis. Interestingly, heparin modestly decreased the proliferation of HCC cells by inhibiting activatory phosphorylation of Akt. The inhibition of c-Met signaling reversed heparin-induced increase in motility and invasion and, proliferation inhibition. Our study provides a new perspective into the role of heparin on c-Met signaling in HCC

Renal Involvement in AA Amyloidosis: Clinical Outcomes and Survival

Background: The natural history of AA amyloidosis is typically progressive, leading to multiple organ failure and death. We analyzed the etiology as well as clinical and laboratory features of patients with biopsy-proven AA amyloidosis and evaluated the ultimate outcome. Methods: Seventy-three patients (24 female; mean age 41.85±15.89 years) were analyzed retrospectively. Demographic, clinical and laboratory features were studied and the outcome was assessed. Results: Familial Mediterranean Fever and tuberculosis were the most frequent causes of amyloidosis. Mean serum creatinine and proteinuria at diagnosis were 4.65±4.89 mg/dl and 8.04±6.09 g/day, respectively; and stage I, II, III, IV and V renal disease were present in 19.2%, 13.7%, 16.4%, 11%, and 39.7% of the patients, respectively. ESRD developed in 16 patients during the follow-up period. All of the ESRD patients started a dialysis programme. Thirty patients (41%) died during the follow-up period; median patient survival was 35.9±6.12 months. Old age, tuberculosis etiology, advanced renal disease and low serum albumin levels were associated with a worse prognosis. Serum albumin was a predictor of mortality in logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: The ultimate outcome of the patients with AA amyloidosis is poor, possibly due to the late referral to the nephrology clinics. Early referral may be helpful to improve prognosis

Polypoid Lesions of Gallbladder: Retrospective Analysis of 99 Cases.

Purpose: Polypoid lesions of gallbladder are originated from gallbladder mucosa. In the current study, it has been aimed to evaluate clinically and histopathologically the polypoid lesions of cholecystectomy cases in ten years. Materials and Methods: In our clinic 4479 cholecystectomy cases between June 2004 and June 2014 have been retrospectively investigated for the polypoid lesions clinically and histopathologically. Results: In 4479 cholecystectomy cases, 99 (2.2%) included polypoid lesions. Abdominal pain has been the major symptom. In the histopathologic evaluation, 42 cholesterol polyps, 2 inflamatuar polyps, 2 hyper plastic polyps, 2 intestinal type adenoma, 18 adenomyoma, 29 adenomyomatous hyperplasia 1 pyloric gland adenoma, 1 musinous cyst adenoma, 1 tubular adenoma, 1 well-differentiated papillary adenocarcinoma have been determined. Conclusion: A retrospective analysis has been performed for the polypoid lesions of the cholecystectomy clinically and histopathologically. [Cukurova Med J 2015; 40(3.000): 452-456

High glucose induced c-Met activation promotes aggressive phenotype and regulates expression of glucose metabolism genes in HCC cells

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is strongly associated with metabolic dysregulations/deregulations and hyperglycemia is a common metabolic disturbance in metabolic diseases. Hyperglycemia is defined to promote epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) of cancer cells in various cancers but its molecular contribution to HCC progression and aggressiveness is relatively unclear. In this study, we analyzed the molecular mechanisms behind the hyperglycemia-induced EMT in HCC cell lines. Here, we report that high glucose promotes EMT through activating c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase via promoting its ligand-independent homodimerization. c-Met activation is critical for high glucose induced acquisition of mesenchymal phenotype, survival under high glucose stress and reprogramming of cellular metabolism by modulating glucose metabolism gene expression to promote aggressiveness in HCC cells. The crucial role of c-Met in high glucose induced EMT and aggressiveness may be the potential link between metabolic syndrome-related hepatocarcinogenesis and/or HCC progression. Considering c-Met inhibition in hyperglycemic patients would be an important complementary strategy for therapy that favors sensitization of HCC cells to therapeutics

Interleukin 4 down-regulates expression of c-kit and autocrine stem cell factor in human colorectal carcinoma cells

Stem cell factor (SCF) is a cytokine which plays an important role in the development of precursor cells. We have investigated the expression of SCF and its receptor, the c-kit proto-oncogene, in human colorectal carcinoma cell lines. Using reverse transcription-PCR, we confirmed the expression of c-kit in two lines (151 74T and 151 034) and of SCF in 9 of 1 1 cell lines tested. In a Northern blot, a single transcript of 6.6 kb was detected for SCF mRNA. In addition, two lines (LS1 74T and HT29) synthesized SCF protein, as detected by Western blot analysis. SCF stimulated proliferation and colony formation of 151 74T in a dose-dependent manner up to 160%. A half-maximal effect was obtained with about 5.5 ng/ml of SCF under both growth conditions. 151 74T cells expressed the Mr 1 45,000 c-kit protein on the cell surface and a neutralizing anti-c-kit mAb inhibited colony formation of 151 74T by 40%. Interleukin 4 (11-4) completely inhibited SCF-induced proliferation of 151 74T cells. Interestingly, 11-4 induced an almost complete down-regulation of both c-kit and SCF expression in [Si 74T. Our findings suggest that in LS1 74T cells, an SCF-mediated autocrine loop is functional and that 11-4 down-regulates the expression of both the receptor and the ligand of this circuit

An Adolescent Presented With Hemoptysis: Pulmonary Artery Aneurysm in Pediatric Behcet's Disease

Behcet's disease (BD) is a rare autoimmune and chronic inflammatory vasculitis, characterized by relapsing episodes of oral aphthous and genital ulcers, skin lesions, ocular lesions and vascular involvement. Pulmonary artery involvement is rare in BD but it carries a high mortality risk. In this article, we report a 15-year-old male patient presented with a two-month history of hemoptysis, cough, fewer and weight loss. On physical examination, auscultation revealed decreased breath sounds at left lung base. Bronchoscopy showed narrowed left lower lobe bronchus due to the external compression. Computed tomography angiography revealed multiple bilateral pulmonary artery aneurysms. Pathergy test was positive and he was diagnosed with BD. BD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of childhood hemoptysis

Open Science in Switzerland: Opportunities and Challenges

Open Science stands for a new approach to the scientific process, based on cooperative work and new ways of making knowledge available. It is thus an umbrella term for various movements aiming to remove the barriers to sharing any kind of output, resources, methods or tools, at any stage of the research process.Here, we focus on the open access to scientific literature and to data because of their particularly high relevance to the scientific community in Switzerland, at which this factsheet is primarily addressed. Both Open Access and Open Data are important science policy topics in different parts of the world, but the developments in Europe are most pertinent for Switzerland. This factsheet therefore presents the issues at stake in the on-going discussion in Europe and Switzerland, points out opportunities and addresses challenges. The recommendations are guided by the key consideration to shape Open Access and Open Data so that they foster scientific progress and benefit society