Turk J Med Sci
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Pericytes are mesenchymal cells surrounding capillary vessels and are known to play an essential role in tumor angiogenesis. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) is a cell surface proteoglycan and its release from pericytes and vascular smooth muscle cells is very important in tumor angiogenesis. Bevacizumab, which is a monoclonal antibody frequently used in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer, binds to the ligand of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and inhibits tumor angiogenesis. However, no reliable biomarker for predicting patients that will show a good response to this therapy has been established yet. In this study, we aimed to identify the significance of the presence of pericyte and VEGFA and CSPG4 expressions on the efficacy of Bevacizumab. ⋯ Our results suggested that bevacizumab may be more effective in patients having less vascular density in the tumor tissue. But further studies are needed to support this finding.
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Observational Study
Identification of sepsis-associated encephalopathy risk factors in elderly patients: a retrospective observational cohort study.
Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a severe complication of sepsis that affects upwards of half of all sepsis patients. Few studies have examined the etiology and risk factors of SAE among elderly patients. This study was designed to explore the epidemiology of SAE and the risk factors associated with its development in elderly populations. ⋯ Among elderly sepsis patients, SAE risk increases with advancing age, higher blood sodium concentrations, and without underlying COPD. SAE incidence is associated with a poorer prognosis, and SOFA scores are independent predictors of increased mortality among elderly SAE patients.
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Acute kidney injury is strongly associated with mortality in critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); however, age-related risk factors for acute kidney injury are not clear yet. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the effects of clinical factors on acute kidney injury development in an elderly COVID-19 patients. ⋯ Frailty is a risk factor for acute kidney injury in geriatric patients with severe COVID-19. The evaluation of geriatric patients based on a frailty scale before intensive care unit admission may improve outcomes.
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To determine the survival outcomes and prognostic factors associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) survival in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients. ⋯ Traditional medication, metformin treatment, advanced stage and raised alkaline phosphatase were the poor prognostic factors, while antiviral hepatitis treatment, NAFLD, and family history of malignancies were the good prognostic factors for our HCC cases comorbid with T2D.
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We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of fulvestrant and its affecting clinical factors, including the optimal sequencing of fulvestrant and chemotherapy in a real-life cohort. ⋯ In our experience, fulvestrant treatment was associated with comparable OS to clinical trials in a large cohort of patients. Patients treated with fulvestrant before chemotherapy were garnered significantly more benefit.