Atakan Al

Overexpression of the c-Met/HGF receptor and its prognostic significance in uterine cervix carcinomas

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to evaluate the significance of the c-Met/hepatocyte growth factor receptor expression in invasive cervical carcinoma. METHODS Ninety-Four patients with FIGO stage 1B disease, treated primarily with surgery, were studied immunohistochemically. Of the cases, 67 were squamous carcinoma and 27 were nonsquamous (10 were adenocarcinoma, 15 were adenosquamous carcinoma, and 2 were indifferentiated carcinoma). Immunohistochemically stained c-Met slides of primary malignancies were evaluated blindly of clinical outcome and other histopathological factors. RESULTS Overexpression of c-Met was found in 56 of 94 specimens. Primary tumors which show recurrences were found to be c-Met overexpressors. Univariate survival analysis (Kaplan-Meier) showed that c-Met overexpression is significantly correlated with disease-free survival. Moreover the diameter of the primary tumor, deep cervical stromal invasion, presence of metastatic lymph node, number of metastatic lymph nodes and c-Met overexpression were significantly correlated with overall 5-year survival. Furthermore multivariant analysis with Cox regression showed that the presence of metastatic lymph node and immunopositivity for c-Met are significantly correlated with overall survival, while c-Met overexpression was found to be an independent variable for disease-free survival. CONCLUSION These results reveal that c-Met oncogene overexpression is an important parameter for disease progression, recurrence, and survival in early-stage invasive uterine cervix carcinomas.

Short-term effects of three continuous hormone replacement therapy regimens on platelet tritiated imipramine binding and mood scores: a prospective randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of continuous hormone replacement therapy (HRT) regimens on platelet-tritiated ((3)H-) imipramine binding (Bmax) and mood. DESIGN Prospective randomized study. SETTING University hospital. PATIENT(S) Sixty postmenopausal patients. INTERVENTION(S) Randomization to 3 months of daily treatment with tibolone and conjugated equine estrogen (CEE).625 mg combined either with 2.5 or 5 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). The inclusion criteria-matched patients declined for HRT were prescribed daily alendronate. Pre- and posttreatment blood sampling for Bmax and mood evaluation with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were done. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Pre- and posttreatment Bmax and mood scores. RESULT(S) As compared with baseline, both CEE+MPA regimens and tibolone significantly increased Bmax. The comparisons of percent change from baseline Bmax for the CEE+MPA and tibolone groups were similar. All three HRT regimens improved the BDI significantly, while there were no significant changes in the STAI. In the alendronate group, there were no significant changes in both pre- and posttreatment Bmax and mood scores. CONCLUSION(S) Continuous treatment with CEE+MPA and tibolone increases platelet (3)H-imipramine binding and improves mood. Mood-enhancing effects of tibolone may occur through the serotonergic system, as is the case with estrogen.

Ileal resection for gangrenous ileal volvulus in a term pregnancy: a case report.

Mechanical bowel obstruction is a rare complication of pregnancy, usually seen in small bowel, and most commonly due to an adhesive band or hernia. Surgical evaluation is the method of treatment in cases that do not answer to conservative support procedures. A very rare case of small-bowel strangulation caused by herniation of a loop of ileum through another ileoperitoneal adhesion is presented.

Expression of Hepatocyte Growth Factor/ Scatter Factor Receptor in IUGR Fetuses' Placentas: An Immunohistochemical Analysis

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the expression sta tus of c-met, receptor for the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), in the placentas of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) fetuses. Materials and Methods: Placentas were obtained during delivery from both third trimester normal and IUGR complicated pregnancies. Ultrasonographic estimation of fetal birth weight has been done and placentas of those under the fifth percentile for their gestational ages were enrolled in the study group. Eighteen fetuses with IUGR and 6 uncomplicated pregnancies were subjected to the study. Histological sections from placentas were immunohistochemically evaluated for the expression status of c-met. Results: Seventeen of the eighteen patients (94.4%) in the study group were found to have overexpression of the c-met while this figure was only 16.7% (1/6) in the control group (p < 0.0001). There was a strong statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding degree of c-met expression. Conclusion: Our present findings suggest that c-met is an important cell membrane receptor in human placenta. Deregulation of the interaction between HGF and its receptor c-met during placentation may be the cause responsible for the growth retardation of the fetus due to the impaired placental functions.

Twin pregnancy after ICSI in a patient with ovarian cancer complicated with maternal hepatitis C: case report

Fertility sparing surgery was carried out for an epithelial ovarian cancer patient. After adjuvant chemotherapy, she underwent assisted reproduction and gave birth to twins. She was given alpha-Interferon therapy for hepatitis C during pregnancy.