The Libyan journal of medicine
-
This study examined leptin expression in cases of bladder cancer and its diagnostic and prognostic usefulness in bladder malignancies. A set of 128 urinary bladder cancer cases and 24 normal specimens of bladders were employed for an immunohistochemical investigation of leptin expression in tissue microarrays. ⋯ Furthermore, various important survival distributions were detected with leptin expression in the malignant urothelium (P < 0.03). These pilot results suggest that leptin might be a valid marker for predicting the stage and bad prognoses in bladder carcinoma.
-
Biofilm is an important virulent marker attributed to the development of urinary tract infections (UTIs) by uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC). Drug-resistant and biofilm-producing UPEC are highly problematic causing catheter-associated or recurrent UTIs with significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of the current study was to investigate the prevalence of biofilm formation and phylogenetic groups in drug-resistant UPEC to predict their ability to cause disease. ⋯ Pathogenic strains belonged to phylogenetic group B2 and D were found to have greater biofilm forming ability as compare to non-pathogenic commensal strains that belonged to phylogenetic group A. Our results indicate that biofilm formation vary in drug resistant UPEC belonged to different phylogenetic groups. This study indicates possible link between in vitro biofilm formation and phylogenetic groups of UPEC, therefore this knowledge might be helpful to predict the pathogenic potential of UPEC and help design strategies for controlling UTIs.
-
Signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) is a poorly cohesive subtype of gastric cancer. It is more aggressive than other types of gastric cancer. There is no special method for its treatment, but gastrectomy and lymphadenectomy is the standard approach. ⋯ Postoperative chyle fistula was found to be significantly higher in the D1(+) group (p=0.003). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups with regard tomean survival (p=0.065);the 5-year mean survival was 21% in the D1 group and 7% in the D1(+) group. Present findings suggest that extended lymphadenectomy does not provide a benefit in cases of SRCC.
-
Levosimendan is a calcium sensitizer used for managing heart failure (HF) because of its inotropic and vasodilatory effects. As many patients do not respond to levosimendan as a monotherapy, it may be necessary to combine it with other diuretic agents such as recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide (rhBNc P). The aim of this study was to investigate efficacy of levosimendan when combined with rhBNP in patients with diuretic resistance and low ejection fraction (EF) rate. ⋯ In the treatment group, 12.5% of patients had no significant changes in the urine volume, weight, and dyspnea score before and after the treatment, indicating poor curative effect of the treatment, whereas in the control group, 23.4% of patients had poor curative effect (P < .05). No significant change was observed in the systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and serum creatinine level before and after treatment in both groups. Levosimendan in combination with rhBNP can effectively relieve diuretic resistance, reduce body weight, improve dyspnea, and ensure safety in the treatment process.
-
Background: TIMP3 is a multifunctional proteolytic enzyme belonging to TIMPs family and acts as a potent inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). TIMP3 possesses a tumor suppresive function by directly promoting tumor cell apoptosis, preventing angiogenesis and extracellular matrix remodelling. The lower expression of TIMP3 was associated with poor prognosis and overall survival in various cancer types. ⋯ In fact, OC patients with high TIMP3 expression had longer survivals. Multivariate Cox's regression analysis suggests that low TIMP3 protein expression pattern is an independent poor survival marker (p = 0.025). Conclusion: Cytoplasmic TIMP3 protein expression could be used as a good prognosticator to stratify poorly prognostic OC patients in order to personlaize their disease management.