0000000000021898

AUTHOR

Uldis Vikmanis

High expression of GLI1 is associated with better survival in advanced SCLC

Aim Aberrant Sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway signaling has been described in small cell lung cancer (SCLC), as well discrepancies, when analyzing expression of pathway components in SCLC cell lines vs tumor biopsies. Shh key component GLI1 was evaluated in advanced SCLC and data correlated with patient survival. Materials and methods GLI1 expression was analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in pre-treatment fresh frozen tumor biopsies of 12 advanced SCLC patients and mRNA level of GLI1 was compared in short-term vs long-term survivor's samples (stratified by median survival, independent samples t-test). Results Expression of GLI1 mRNA was significantly higher in long-ter…

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Pepsinogen testing for evaluation of the success of Helicobacter pylori eradication at 4 weeks after completion of therapy.

Background and objective: Pepsinogen levels in plasma are increased by inflammation in the gastric mucosa, including inflammation resulting from Helicobacter pylori infection. A decrease in pepsinogen II level has been suggested as a reliable marker to confirm the successful eradication of infection. The aim of our study was to evaluate the potential role of pepsinogens I and II, gastrin-17 and H. pylori antibodies in confirming successful eradication. Material and methods: Altogether 42 patients (25 women, 17 men), mean age 45 years (range 23–74), were enrolled. Pepsinogens I and II, gastrin-17 and H. pylori IgG antibodies were measured in plasma samples using an ELISA test (Biohit, Oyj., …

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Interobserver variation in assessment of gastric premalignant lesions: higher agreement for intestinal metaplasia than for atrophy.

Background Either atrophy or intestinal metaplasia of the gastric mucosa are considered premalignant lesions. The new operative link for gastritis assessment staging system is based on the detection of atrophy, and the operative link for assessment of intestinal metaplasia staging system is based on the detection of intestinal metaplasia. Good interobserver agreement is necessary for identification of any premalignant condition. Aims The aim of this study was to compare the agreement between findings of gastric atrophy and intestinal metaplasia by expert and general pathologists and to analyze the possible reasons behind any possible disagreement. Methods Patients with dyspeptic symptoms, a…

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P-0023 Gastric Cancer in Latvia in 1980 – 2010

ABSTRACT Introduction According to GLOBOCAN 2008 data gastric cancer currently is the fourth most common cancer worldwide and the second most common cause of cancer death. The objective of this study was to get comparable data on gastric cancer for 30 years period, to analyze the trends of incidence and mortality in Latvia and to compare with situation in other countries. Methods Incidence and mortality data from 1980 to 2010 in Latvia were obtained from the National Health Service. IARC (GLOBOCAN 2008) database was used for international comparisons. Incidence and mortality rates were age standardized to the World Standard Population and expressed per 100,000 population. Results There were…

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Body composition characteristics and body surface area

Chemotherapy dose calculation for oncologycal patient is using the human body surface area (BSA). BSA is a variable with a difficult constitutional body and physiological assessment. BSA does not reflect the exercise on body composition in relation to the various body modifications: obesity, amputation of body parts, pregnancy. Body surface area despite the documented limitations remains the most commonly used parameter chemotherapy (cytotoxic therapy) of cancer patients. The new guidelines are intended obese patients is to achieve the same maximum dose rate calculated BSA taking into account the full weight rather than using the statement or reduce weight by restricting intake. Experience …

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Serological evidence for protection by human papillomavirus (HPV) type 6 infection against HPV type 16 cervical carcinogenesis

Human papillomavirus (HPV) exists as more than 100 genotypes. It is not well-established whether the different HPV types interfere with infection or pathogenesis by each other. Possible interactions in cervical carcinogenesis between infection with the most common HPV types (6, 11, 16, 18 and 33) were studied in a seroepidemiological case- control study of 218 women with primary untreated cervical cancer and 219 healthy age-matched control women. As previously shown, HPV-16 seropositivity was associated with cervical cancer risk [odds ratio (OR), 2·39], but HPV-16 was not associated with cervical cancer risk among HPV-6 seropositive women (OR, 1·0). The relative excess risk due to interacti…

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Expression of the Sonic Hedgehog Embryonic Signalling Pathway Components in Matched Pre-Treatment and Relapsed Small Cell Lung Cancer Biopsies

Abstract Cancer stem cells may be responsible for tumour regrowth and acquisition of resistance in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The Hedgehog pathway regulates survival and proliferation of tissue progenitor and stem cell populations, promoting the expression of stem cell related and proliferative genes. We evaluated the Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) embryonic signalling pathway in relapsed SCLC. Expression levels of Shh related genes GLI1, SMO, SUFU, PTCH1, HHIP, BCL2, BMI, ZEB1, ZEB2, N-MYC, Twist1 were analysed by qRT-PCR in matched pre-treatment and relapsed tumour fresh frozen biopsies of three SCLC patients. Expression of each gene was compared using the paired samples t-test, as well as comp…

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Anthropometric measurements of the body composition of cancer patients determine the precise role of the body surface area and the calculation of the dose of chemotherapy

The calculation of an accurate dose of chemotherapy for oncological patients reduces the possible medication errors and the toxicity of the body and so it improves the outcome of the treatment (survival). In oncological practice for the calculation of the dose of chemotherapy the human body surface area (BSA) is used. The human body surface area is determined by derived formulas, but it is not directly linked to the pharmacokinetics of the drugs. Pharmacokinetic studies have demonstrated that for the calculation of the chemotherapy dose the actual body weight should be taken into account rather than the ideal one. In the therapeutic dose determination the body fat mass has essential signifi…

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Different Pattern of Inflammatory and Atrophic Changes in the Gastric Mucosa of the Greater and Lesser Curvature.


 
 
 
 
 
 Background & Aims: Appropriate biopsy sampling is important for the classification of gastritis, yet the extent of inflammation and atrophy of different regions of the stomach with chronic gastritis have been addressed only in a few studies. The aim of our study was to analyze the inflammatory, atrophic and metaplastic changes in the greater and lesser curvature of the antrum and corpus mucosa.
 Methods: 420 patients undergoing upper endoscopy were enrolled in the study. Four expert gastrointestinal pathologists graded biopsy specimens according to the updated Sydney classification.
 Results: The obtained results showed that the mononu…

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Comparison of the yield from two faecal immunochemical tests at identical cutoff concentrations – a randomized trial in Latvia

OBJECTIVE We have compared the performance of two faecal immunochemical tests (FIT) in an average-risk population. MATERIALS AND METHODS Altogether, 10 000 individuals aged 50-74 were selected randomly from the population of Latvia in 2011 and assigned randomly either to OC-Sensor or to FOB Gold single-time testing. Positivity of the test, frequency of colonic lesions, number needed to screen (NNscreen) and scope for the detection of an advanced neoplasm (cancer and advanced adenoma) were compared between the tests using the same cutoff concentrations in µg/g faeces. Confidence intervals (CIs) at 95% were calculated. RESULTS Positivity with the cutoff set at 10 µg/g faeces was 12.8% (95% CI…

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