Kitty Pavlakis

Prognostic significance of HER3 and HER4 protein expression in colorectal adenocarcinomas

BackgroundColorectal cancer remains a major cause of cancer mortality in the Western world. A limited number of studies has been conducted in respect of Her-3 and Her-4 expression and their correlation with clinical parameters and prognosis in colorectal carcinomas . In this study we sought to determine the pattern and the prognostic significance of HER-3 and HER-4 in colorectal adenocarcinoma.MethodsWe studied HER-3 and HER-4 protein expression in106 paraffin embedded specimens of primary colorectal tumors using immunohistochemistry. The pattern and protein expression levels of HER-3 and HER-4 were correlated with several clinical and pathological parameters.ResultsHER-3 staining displayed membranous and cytoplasmic expression pattern in 18 (17%) and 30 samples (28,3%), respectively. HER-4 membranous and cytoplasmic expression was found in 20 (18,9%) and 32 samples (30,2%), respectively. Specimens regarded as positive for HER-3 cytoplasmic expression were associated with moderate tumor grade (p = 0,032) and older median age (p = 0,010). Specimens regarded as positive for HER-4 membranous protein expression were associated with involved lymphnodes (p = 0,0003). Similar results were obtained when considering Her-3 and Her-4 protein expression irrespective of their cellular localization. There was no correlation between the expression of HER-3 and HER-4 and patients outcome.ConclusionHER-4 membranous protein expression was found to predict for lymph nodes positivity in this cohort of patients with colorectal cancer.HER-4 expression status may identify tumors with aggressive biological behavior and increased metastatic potential.

Zinc α2-glycoprotein as a potential novel urine biomarker for the early diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Study Type – Diagnosis (exploratory cohort)

Current treatment concepts for neuromas-in-continuity

SUMMARY A neuroma-in-continuity is a neuroma that results from failure of the regenerating nerve growth cone to reach peripheral targets. It occurs within an intact nerve in response to internally damaged fascicles, resulting in a distal portion of the nerve that no longer functions properly. Management of neuromas-in-continuity is challenging. Chemical methods, and microsurgical techniques including fascicular ligation, and burying into muscle and bone have been reported to prevent neuroma-in-continuity formation. The purpose of this article is to present novel techniques for neuroma-in-continuity management, and to discuss the related literature.

Vascular endothelial growth factor protein expression in a renal ablation rabbit model under prolonged warm and cold ischemia.

Background/Aims: To establish a potential correlation between renal and systemic production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein after prolonged ischemia in a renal ablation model under normothermic and hypothermic conditions. Methods: 38 uninephrectomized New Zealand rabbits were divided into 5 groups. The rabbits of each group underwent partial nephrectomy under 90 and 60 min of warm and 90 and 120 min of cold ischemia, except for the sham group (S), which served as control. Serum creatinine (SCr) and blood-urea-nitrogen (BUN) levels were assessed. On the 15th postoperative day (POD), the animals were euthanized and the remaining kidneys were evaluated. VEGF immunohistochemistry and serum Western blot analysis were performed. Results: In comparison to the control group, groups 60W, 90C and 120C showed 1.6-, 1.14- and 1.75-fold decreases, respectively, while the production of VEGF was significantly declined by 7.4-fold in group 90W (p < 0.05). Immunohistochemistry revealed prominent VEGF staining in the above-mentioned three groups, while in group 90W staining was negative. Serum biochemistry and microscopic evaluation verified the same differentiation. Conclusion: Renal and serum VEGF seem to have an analogous expression under conditions of prolonged ischemia. VEGF is overexpressed in hypothermic conditions compared to warm ischemia exceeding 60 min. Hypothermia can be more advantageous in a procedure applying prolonged ischemia.

Effects of Prolonged Warm and Cold Ischemia in a Solitary Kidney Animal Model after Partial Nephrectomy: An Ultrastructural Investigation

Ischemia–reperfusion injury can be detrimental to the solitary kidney, especially when it is accompanied by ablation. To the authors’ knowledge, the effects of partial nephrectomy with prolonged application of ischemia have never been described at the ultrastructural level. Therefore, the authors used an animal model and focused on putative structural effects in the glomerular basement membrane and the podocytes. They demonstrate the advantageous role of cold ischemia, even in up to 120 min. In contrast, more than 60 min of warm ischemia leads to catastrophic lesions in all the cellular structures, as is reflected by mortality due to acute renal failure.