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Salin A, Dhaygude K, Krebs R, Joenväärä S, Holmstrom E, Lukac J, Renkonen R, Nykanen A, Lemstrom K. Plasma Proteomic Signature of Human Heart Transplant Recipients After Restoration of Blood Circulation and Its Relationship to Graft Outcome. J Heart Lung Transplant 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2023.02.167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
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Krebs R, Holmström E, Dhaygude K, Kankainen M, Syrjälä S, Lukac J, Mattila P, Nykänen A, Lemström K. Platelet Transcriptome as a Liquid Biopsy for Rejection After Heart Transplantation. J Heart Lung Transplant 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2022.01.131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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Krebs R, Holmström E, Dhaygude K, Kankainen M, Syrjälä S, Lukac J, Mattila P, Nykänen A, Lemström K. Effect of Donor Simvastatin Treatment on Gene Expression Profiles in Human Cardiac Allografts during Reperfusion. J Heart Lung Transplant 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2021.01.389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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Lukac J, Syrjälä S, Saraswat M, Joenväärä S, Holmström E, Dhaygude K, Krebs R, Nykänen A, Renkonen R, Lemström K. Plasma Protein Signature during Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Clinical Heart Transplantation. J Heart Lung Transplant 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2020.01.919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
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Krebs R, Holmström E, Dhaygude K, Kankainen M, Syrjälä S, Lukac J, Mattila P, Nykänen A, Lemström K. Effect of Donor Simvastatin Treatment on Gene Expression Profiles in Human Cardiac Allografts during Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury. J Heart Lung Transplant 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2020.01.1320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
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Abstract
Financial literacy and financial education is a concept that helps people in orientation in both the financial markets and the area of personal finances. Financial literacy can be acknowledged through financial education. Financial education should enable individuals to develop their decision-making competencies. It includes issues such are the understanding of money, how to deal with them within the risk of their investment. The issue of financial literacy for primary and secondary school students has been monitored over a long time through several evaluations. In this case, it is very well known the PISA rating, which was lastly performed in the first half of 2018. It represents the ability of how to use skills and knowledge in managing one’s financial resources while achieving maximum prosperity. Financial education should enable individuals to develop their decision-making competencies related to money. The paper aims to perform a cluster analysis based on the data available from the PISA 2015 measurement in selected OECD countries. The analysis represents results in a cluster of countries. The study analysed of financial literacy 15-year-olds students. The study observed similar research results in both the area of financial literacy and mathematical literacy. From the selected PISA 2015 test results applied through cluster analysis, we decided that the Slovak students were placed in a cluster together with students from Spain, Chile and Lithuania. The study observed the quality of vocational education and training is criticized mainly by employers because the area of education is inadequately responsive to labour market needs. Employee stress that it is inadequately linked to practice. Vocational training is inadequate compared to general schools. The methodology we recommend should also be applied to the results of the PISA 2018 evaluation, which are not yet available to the public. We would like to address this issue in future. The cluster analysis helps to reveal competitiveness in the area of financial literacy. The results of our research within Slovak students were based on a similar level of financial literacy among Slovak pupils as in Spain, Chile and Lithuania.
Keywords
cluster analysis, financial literacy, PISA, pupils, OECD countries, Slovakia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jozef Lukac
- University of Economics in Bratislava (Slovakia)
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Krebs R, Kankainen M, Holmström E, Dhaygude K, Lukac J, Ojala T, Mattila P, Nykänen A, Lemström K. Effect of Donor Simvastatin Treatment on Gene Expression Profiles in Human Cardiac Allografts during Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury. J Heart Lung Transplant 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2019.01.171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
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Lukac J, Holmström E, Joenvääräa S, Saraswat M, Krebs R, Tohmola T, Nykänen A, Renkonen R, Lemström K. Donor Simvastatin Treatment Alters Protein Expression in the Recipient after Heart Transplantation. J Heart Lung Transplant 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2018.01.412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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Krebs R, Kankainen M, Holmström E, Lukac J, Ojala T, Mattila P, Nykänen A, Lemström K. Donor Simvastatin Treatment Alters the Gene Expression Profile of Human Cardiac Allografts During Ischemia and Reperfusion. J Heart Lung Transplant 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2018.01.889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
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Lukacova O, Lukac J, Rovensky J. AB0706 Observation Study of Patients with Scleroderma in Slovak Population., Including Capillaroscopy – Method for Searching Patient with Early Stage of Scleroderma in Patients with Raynauld Syndrome. Ann Rheum Dis 2015. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-eular.6011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Lukac J, Lukacova O, Canicova A, Tuchynova A, Rovensky J, Zanova E. AB0489 Pulse Cyclophosphamide Therapy of Lupus-Nephritis and Its Course through the Maintenance Therapy. Ann Rheum Dis 2014. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.3905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Imrich R, Vlcek M, Kerlik J, Vogeser M, Kirchhoff F, Penesova A, Radikova Z, Lukac J, Rovensky J. Determinants of adrenal androgen hypofunction in premenopausal females with rheumatoid arthritis. Physiol Res 2014; 63:321-9. [PMID: 24564598 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.932663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of our study was to investigate adrenocortical function in the context of disease activity and inflammatory status in premenopausal RA females. Adrenal glucocorticoid and androgen responses to the 1 microg ACTH 1-24 test were investigated in 23 premenopausal RA and in 15 age- and BMI-matched healthy females. Twelve RA patients were on low-dose prednisone (<8.5 mg/day). Patients with DAS28>3.2 had lower (p<0.05) total plasma cortisol, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione responses in the ACTH test compared to healthy controls. Patients with DAS28>3.2 had lower (p<0.05) dehydroepiandrosterone response in the ACTH test compared to patients with DAS28</=3.2. C-reactive protein (CRP), DAS28, and interleukin (IL)-6 negatively correlated with androstenedione response to ACTH 1-24. Responses of all measured adrenal steroids were lower (p<0.05) in patients on low-dose glucocorticoids compared to healthy controls. RA patients not treated with glucocorticoids had lower total cortisol response (p=0.038) but did not differ in free plasma cortisol in the ACTH test. The results indicate an association of increased disease activity with a decrease in adrenal androgen production in RA and normal cortisol bioavailability in patients not treated with glucocorticoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Imrich
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
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Zavada J, Pesickova SS, Rysava R, Horak P, Hrncir Z, Lukac J, Rovensky J, Vitova J, Bohmova J, Havrda M, Tegzova D, Olejarova M, Tesar V. THU0280 Extended Follow-Up of the Cyclofa-Lune Trial Comparing Two Sequential Induction and Maintenance Treatment Regimens for Proliferative Lupus Nephritis Based Either on Cyclophosphamide or Cyclosporine a. Ann Rheum Dis 2013. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-eular.808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Marques IB, Silva RDM, Moraes CE, Azevedo LS, Nahas WC, David-Neto E, Furmanczyk-Zawiska A, Baczkowska T, Chmura A, Szmidt J, Durlik M, Joslin J, Blaker P, White B, Marinaki A, Sanderson J, Goldsmith DJ, Medani S, Traynor C, Mohan P, Little D, Conlon P, Molina M, Gonzalez E, Gutierrez E, Sevillano A, Polanco N, Morales E, Hernandez A, Praga M, Morales JM, Andres A, Park SJ, Kim TH, Kim YW, Kim YH, Kang SW, Kujawa-Szewieczek A, Szotowska M, Kuczera P, Chudek J, Wiecek A, Kolonko A, Mahrova A, Svagrova K, Bunc V, Stollova M, Teplan V, Hundt F, van Heteren P, Woitas R, Cavallo MC, Sepe V, Conte F, Albrizio P, Bottazzi A, Geraci PM, Alpay N, Gumber MR, Kute VB, Vanikar AV, Patel HV, Shah PR, Engineer DP, Trivedi HL, Golebiewska JE, Debska-Slizien A, Rutkowski B, Matias P, Martins AR, Raposo L, Jorge C, Weigert A, Birne R, Bruges M, Adragao T, Almeida M, Mendes M, Machado D, Masin-Spasovska J, Dohcev S, Stankov O, Stavridis S, Saidi S, Dejanova B, Rambabova-Busletic I, Dejanov P, Spasovski G, Nho KW, Kim YH, Han DJ, Park SK, Kim SB, Fenoglio R, Lazzarich EE, Cagna D, Cena T, Conti N, Quaglia M, Radin E, Izzo C, Stratta P, Oh IH, Park JS, Lee CH, Kang CM, Kim GH, Leone F, Lofaro D, Gigliotti P, Lupinacci S, Toteda P, Vizza D, Perri A, Papalia T, Bonofiglio R, di Loreto P, de Silvestro L, Montanaro D, Martino F, Sandrini S, Minetti E, Cabiddu G, Yildirim T, Yilmaz R, Turkmen E, Abudalal A, Altindal M, Ertoy-Baydar D, Erdem Y, Panuccio V, Tripepi R, Parlongo G, Versace MC, Politi R, Zoccali C, Mallamaci F, Porrini E, Silva I, Diaz J, Ibernon M, Moreso F, Benitez R, Delgado Mallen P, Osorio J, Lauzurica R, Torres A, Ersoy A, Koca N, Gullu Koca T, Kirhan E, Sarandol E, Ersoy C, Dirican M, Milne J, Suter V, Mikhail A, Akalin H, Dizdar O, Ersoy A, Pascual J, Torio A, Garcia C, Hernandez J, Perez-Saez MJ, Mir M, Anna F, Crespo M, Carta P, Zanazzi M, Antognoli G, Di Maria L, Caroti L, Minetti E, Dizdar O, Ersoy A, Akalin H, Ray DS, Mukherjee K, Bohidar NP, Pattanaik A, Das P, Thukral S, Kimura T, Yagisawa T, Ishikawa N, Sakuma Y, Fujiwara T, Nukui A, Gavela EE, Sancho AA, Kanter JJ, Avila AA, Beltran SS, Pallardo LL, Dawoud FG, Aithal V, Mikhail A, Majernikova M, Rosenberger J, Prihodova L, Nagyova I, Jarcuskova M, Roland R, Groothoff JW, van Dijk JP, van Agteren M, de Weerd A, van de Wetering J, IJzermans J, Betjes M, Weimar W, Popoola J, Reed A, Tavarro R, Chryssanthopoulou C, MacPhee I, Mayor M, Franco S, Jara P, Ayala R, Orue MG, Martinez A, Martinez M, Wasmouth N, Arik G, Yasar A, Turkmen E, Yildirim T, Altindal M, Abudalal A, Yilmaz S, Arici M, Bihari Bansal S, Pokhariyal S, Jain S, Sethi S, Ahlawat R, Kher V, Martins LS, Aguiar P, Dias L, Fonseca I, Henriques AC, Cabrita A, Davide J, Sparkes TM, Trofe-Clark J, Reese PP, Jakobowski D, Goral S, Doll SL, Abt PL, Sawinski D, MBloom RD, Knap B, Lukac J, Lukin M, Majcen I, Pavlovec F, Kandus A, Bren AF, Kong JM, Jeong JH, Ahn J, Lee DR, Son SH, Kim BC, Choi WY, Whang EJ, Czajka B, Malgorzewicz S, Debska-Slizien A, Rutkowski B, Panizo N, Rengel MA, Vega A, Abad S, Tana L, Arroyo D, Rodriguez-Ferrero M, Perez de Jose A, Lopez-Gomez JM, Koutroutsos K, Sackey J, Paolini L, Ramkhelawon R, Tavarro R, Chowrimootoo M, Whelan D, Popoola J, Szotowska M, Kuczera P, Chudek J, Wiecek A, Kolonko A, Slatinska J, Honsova E, Wohlfahrtova M, Slimackova E, Rajnochova SB, Viklicky O, Yankovoy A, Smith ISJ, Wylie E, Ruiz-Esteban P, Lopez V, Garcia-Frias P, Cabello M, Gonzalez-Molina M, Vozmediano C, Hernandez D, Pavlovic J, Radivojevic D, Lezaic V, Simic-Ogrizovic S, Lausevic M, Naumovic R, Ersoy A, Koca N, Kirhan E, Gullu Koca T, Ersoy C, Sarandol E, Dirican M, Sakhuja V, Gundlapalli S, Rathi M, Jha V, Kohli HS, Sharma A, Minz M, Nimgirova A, Esayan A, Kayukov I, Zuyeva E, Bilen Y, Cankaya E, Keles M, Gulcan E, Turkeli M, Albayrak B, Uyanik A, Yildirim R, Molitor N, Praktiknjo M, Woitas R, Abeygunaratne TN, Balasubramanian S, Baker R, Nicholson T, Toprak O, Sari Y, Keceli S, Kurt H, Rocha A, Malheiro J, Martins LS, Fonseca I, Dias L, Pedroso S, Almeida M, Henriques A, Nihei C, Bacelar Marques I, Seguro CA, David-Neto E, Mate G, Martin N, Colon L, Casellas L, Garangou D, de la Torre M, Torguet P, Garcia I, Calabia J, Valles M, Pruthi R, Calestani M, Leydon G, Ravanan R, Roderick P, Korkmaz S, Ersoy A, Gulten S, Koca N. Transplantation - clinical studies II. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2013. [DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gft155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Imrich R, Vlcek M, Kerlik J, Vogeser M, Kirchhoff F, Penesova A, Radikova Z, Lukac J, Rovensky J. Adrenal function in rheumatoid arthritis: a correlation with disease activity. Arthritis Res Ther 2012. [PMCID: PMC3332433 DOI: 10.1186/ar3628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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Samija I, Lukac J, Koncar-Mubrin M, Kirac I, Kovacevic D, Kusic Z. 753 Cytokeratin-20 as a Marker for Detection of Circulating Tumor Cells in Preoperative and Postoperative Blood Samples from Colorectal Cancer Patients. Eur J Cancer 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/s0959-8049(12)71389-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Boras VV, Savage NW, Brailo V, Lukac J, Lukac M, Alajbeg IZ. Salivary and serum levels of substance p, neurokinin A and calcitonin gene related peptide in burning mouth syndrome. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal 2010; 15:e427-31. [DOI: 10.4317/medoral.15.e427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2009] [Accepted: 09/18/2009] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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Imrich R, Lukac J, Rovensky J, Radikova Z, Penesova A, Kvetnansky R, Huckova M, Vigas M, Macho L, Koska J. Lower adrenocortical and adrenomedullary responses to hypoglycemia in premenopausal women with systemic sclerosis. J Rheumatol 2006; 33:2235-41. [PMID: 17086608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, adrenomedullary hormonal system (AMHS), and sympathetic noradrenergic system (SNS) in premenopausal women with systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS Insulin-induced hypoglycemia (0.1 IU/kg) was performed in 17 longterm, glucocorticoid-naive SSc patients with low disease activity and in 18 healthy women matched for age and body mass index (BMI). Concentrations of glucose, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, androstenedione (ASD), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), 17a-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP), epinephrine (EPI), norepinephrine (NE), interleukin 1ss (IL-1ss), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) were analyzed in plasma. RESULTS Basal plasma levels of cortisol, ASD, 17OHP, DHEAS, IL-1ss, IL-6, and TNF-a were not significantly different in SSc compared to controls. Patients had higher basal ACTH (6.76 +/- 1.0 pmol/l in SSc vs 4.14 +/- 0.45 pmol/l in controls; p < 0.05), lower basal DHEA (9.02 +/- 1.64 nmol/l in SSc vs 17.0 +/- 2.8 nmol/l in controls; p < 0.05), and lower basal NE (1.61 +/- 0.26 nmol/l in SSc vs 2.57 +/- 0.38 nmol/l in controls; p < 0.05). Patients had comparable responses of glucose and ACTH to hypoglycemia. General linear model for repeated measurements, with BMI and age as covariates, revealed that the responses of 17OHP (p < 0.05), ASD (p < 0.05), DHEA (p < 0.01), EPI (p < 0.001), and NE (p < 0.001) to hypoglycemia were lower in SSc compared to controls. Cortisol response to hypoglycemia tended to be lower in SSc patients (p = 0.06) compared to controls. CONCLUSION Our data indicate decreased adrenocortical and adrenomedullary functions in premenopausal women with SSc. Whether the observed changes in the neuroendocrine system are secondary to chronic disease deserves further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Imrich
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Vlarska 3, 833 06 Bratislava, Slovakia.
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Vucićević Boras V, Brailo V, Lukac J, Kordić D, Picek P, Blazic-Potocki Z. Salivary interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha in patients with drug-induced xerostomia. Oral Dis 2006; 12:509-11. [PMID: 16910924 DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-0825.2006.01260.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
It is well known that cytokines are involved in the homeostasis of oral cavity and that altered levels of either serum and/or salivary cytokines have been found in certain oral/systemic diseases. So far, cytokines in connection with xerostomia have been investigated in patients with Sjögren's syndrome. We wanted to find out whether drugs themselves influence salivary glands, which would result in altered cytokine level or whether xerostomia itself of different causes leads to the changes in salivary cytokine levels. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate levels of salivary interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in 30 patients with drug-induced xerostomia, age range 29-84 and mean 63.9 years. Control group consisted of 30 healthy participants, age range 30-82 years and mean age 65.2 years. Enzyme-linked immunoassay was performed on commercially available kits. Statistical analysis was performed by use of Student's test. No significant differences in salivary IL-6 and TNF-alpha between patients with drug-induced xerostomia when compared with the healthy controls were found (P < 0.05). We might conclude that drugs do not induce damage to the salivary glands which could be seen in altered salivary IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels and that xerostomia itself, induced by drugs does not alter levels of the investigated salivary cytokines.
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Rovensky J, Raffayova H, Imrich R, Radikova Z, Penesova A, Macho L, Lukac J, Matucci-Cerinic M, Vigas M. Prolactin and Growth Hormone Responses to Hypoglycemia in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis and Psoriatic Arthritis. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2006; 1069:145-8. [PMID: 16855141 DOI: 10.1196/annals.1351.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
This study compared prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH) responses to hypoglycemia in premenopausal females with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) with those in matched healthy controls. No differences were found in glucose and GH responses to hypoglycemia in both groups of patients compared to controls. SSc patients had lower PRL response (P < 0.05) to hypoglycemia compared to controls. PRL response tended to be lower also in PsA patients, however the difference did not reach level of statistical significance (P = 0.11). The present study showed decreased PRL response to hypoglycemia in premenopausal females with SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jozef Rovensky
- National Institute of Rheumatic Diseases, Nabr. I. Krasku 4, 921 23 Piestany, Slovakia.
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Boras VV, Lukac J, Brailo V, Picek P, Kordić D, Zilić IA. Salivary interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in patients with recurrent aphthous ulceration. J Oral Pathol Med 2006; 35:241-3. [PMID: 16519772 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0714.2006.00404.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recurrent apthous ulceration (RAU) is a well known oral disease which seems to be mediated principally by the immune system. However, it is still a matter of debate which part of the immune system is implicated in its pathogenesis as a reaction to the still unknown antigen. The aim of this study was to evaluate salivary cytokines, interleukin (IL)-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. METHODS In 26 patients with minor RAU, age range of 23-49 years (mean 27.3 years), during both the acute phase and remission and in 26 healthy controls, age range of 22-64 years (mean 30.1 years), salivary IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels were determined by use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analysis was performed by use of descriptive statistics. RESULTS Significant differences in salivary TNF-alpha between healthy controls and patients with acute RAU and during the remission period were found (P < 0.001) as well as between patients with acute RAU and those during the remission period (P < 0.001). No differences in salivary IL-6 between all three groups could be found. CONCLUSIONS We might conclude that elevated salivary TNF-alpha levels during acute RAU and especially during the remission period are of importance in RAU, whereas salivary IL-6 levels seem not to play a role in the RAU disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Vucićević Boras
- Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Gundulićeva, Croatia.
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Boras VV, Brailo V, Lukac J, Kordić D, Blazić-Potocki Z. Salivary interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in patients with burning mouth syndrome. Oral Dis 2006; 12:353-5. [PMID: 16700748 DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-0825.2005.01209.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is characterized by burning symptoms on the clinically healthy oral mucosa. To date, etiology of BMS is still unknown. We hypothesized that maybe inflammation which is not clinically apparent might lead to burning symptoms which would then result in altered cytokine profile. In the 28 female patients with BMS (age range 48-80 years, mean 64.05 years) and 28 female controls (age range 40-75 years, mean 63.82 years) by use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels were determined. Statistical analysis included use of independent sample t-test and P < 0.05 was considered as significant. Our results show no significant differences between patients and controls regarding salivary IL-6 and TNF-alpha.
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Brailo V, Vucićević-Boras V, Cekić-Arambasin A, Alajbeg IZ, Milenović A, Lukac J. The significance of salivary interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha in patients with oral leukoplakia. Oral Oncol 2006; 42:370-3. [PMID: 16324876 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2005.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2005] [Accepted: 09/05/2005] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
It is well known that cytokines play an important role in oral diseases. Furthermore, increased levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) have been reported in patients with cancer and premalignant lesions such as oral lichen planus and oral submucous fibrosis. The aim of this study was to assess salivary IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels in 30 patients with histopathologically confirmed leukoplakia (age range 24-78, mean 52.3 years) in comparison to 34 controls (age range 27-79, mean 52 years). Salivary IL-6 and TNF-alpha were determined by enzyme linked immunoadsorbent assay. Statistical analysis was performed by use of Mann-Whitney test for independent samples and values lower than 0.05 were considered as significant (p<0.05). Significantly higher levels of salivary IL-6 and TNF-alpha in patients with oral leukoplakia when compared to healthy controls were found. The levels of salivary IL-6 and TNF-alpha did not correlate with the size of leukoplakia (lesions) nor with its localization regarding high and low risk sites for malignant transformation. Levels of salivary IL-6 and TNF-alpha were not influenced by smoking habits. We can conclude that increased salivary IL-6 and TNF-alpha might play a certain role in oral leukoplakia.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Brailo
- Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Gundulićeva 5, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
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Bakardjieva S, Stengl V, Szatmary L, Subrt J, Lukac J, Murafa N, Niznansky D, Cizek K, Jirkovsky J, Petrova N. Transformation of brookite-type TiO2 nanocrystals to rutile: correlation between microstructure and photoactivity. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006. [DOI: 10.1039/b514632a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Holub Z, Lukac J, Kliment L, Urbanek S. Pregnancy outcomes and deliveries following laparoscopic transsection of uterine vessels: a pilot study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2005; 125:165-70. [PMID: 16054287 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2005.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2004] [Revised: 06/06/2005] [Accepted: 06/09/2005] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess pregnancy outcomes and deliveries after laparoscopic uterine artery transsection (LTUV) in symptomatic women with fibroids. SETTING Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Endoscopic Training Center, Baby Friendly Hospital, Kladno, Czech Republic. DESIGN One hundred and fifty three patients underwent laparoscopic transsection of uterine vessels during a 4-year period. RESULTS Nine of the 21 women desiring pregnancy conceived spontaneously and one after anovulation treatment. The average age of the women was 32.4 years, and the range was 26-39 years. Two women had vaginal delivery at term and one delivered vaginally at 31 weeks secondary to premature preterm rupture of membrane (PROM). Four others delivered at term by cesarean section. One woman with placenta previa was delivered by cesarean section 3 weeks before term. Mean birth weight was 3199 g (range 1710-3910 g). One spontaneous abortion was reported in the first trimester of pregnancy. One case of undesired pregnancy occurred. An extrauterine pregnancy was reported in this woman. CONCLUSION LTUV is a minimally invasive operative procedure, that preserves the uterus and ovarian blood supply and allows for the achievement of pregnancy in women with symptomatic fibroids. Fetal growth and umbilical Doppler findings remained normal in all cases. An increased risk for preterm delivery and cesarean section was found in this small series.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Holub
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Endoscopic Training Centre, Baby Friendly Hospital, Vancurova Street 1548, 272 58 Kladno, Czech Republic.
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Holub Z, Jabor A, Lukac J, Kliment L, Urbanek S. Midterm follow-up study of laparoscopic dissection of uterine vessels for surgical treatment of symptomatic fibroids. Surg Endosc 2004; 18:1349-53. [PMID: 15803235 DOI: 10.1007/s00464-003-9245-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2003] [Accepted: 02/17/2004] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to assess laparoscopic dissection of uterine vessels (LDUV) for symptomatic fibroids in women. METHODS A total of 69 women entered the study between March 2000 and June 2003. In this case series, 68 consecutive women underwent LDUV using ultrasonically activated sheers or electrosurgery for the treatment of fibroids over 3 years (median follow-up period, 14.5 months). Ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging was carried out 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months after treatment. The tissue markers, gonadotropin, and estrogen levels were studied postoperatively. RESULTS Almost all the patients (98.5%) had a successful LDUV with a low rate (7.3%) of postoperative complications. The time of surgery ranged from 15 to 50 min (mean, 30.8 min). The blood loss was minimal (mean, 14.7 ml), and the hospital stay was 2.4 days. Symptom improvement (menorrhagia or dysmenorrhoea) was 93.2%, and the average reduction in the dominant myoma was 57.8% during a follow-up period longer than 12 months. All the patients with anemia had normal red cell counts after 3 months. CONCLUSIONS Uterine volume and the dominant fibroid were significantly reduced and symptoms were improved by LDUV. The laparoscopic procedure is associated with insignificant tissue damage and normal gonadotropin and estrogen levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Holub
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Endoscopic Training Center, Baby Friendly Hospital, Vancurova Street 1548, 272 58, Kladno.
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Pullmann R, Skerenova M, Lukac J, Rovensky J, Pullmann R. No role of factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutations in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and arterial thrombosis in SLE. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2004; 22:138-9. [PMID: 15005025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
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Sistig S, Lukac J, Vucicevic-Boras V, Delic D, Kusic Z. Salivary immunoglobulin A and G subclasses in HIV positive patients. Eur J Med Res 2003; 8:543-8. [PMID: 14711601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Many of the opportunistic infections in HIV are related to the mucous membranes, but the protection of oral mucosal compartment mediated by IgA and IgG subclasses in saliva is still not well documented. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the status of salivary IgA and IgG subclass in HIV positive patients. Levels of IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 were determined by ELISA and IgA1 and IgA2 by radial immunodiffusion in the resting whole saliva of 33 HIV patients and 21 HIV-seronegative healthy controls and were expressed in mg/L (IgA) and ug/L (IgG) of saliva. Salivary IgA2 was significantly reduced in the HIV positive patients (p<0.0009) when compared to the healthy controls, but no differences in salivary IgA1 level between HIV patients and healthy controls were found. On the other hand, salivary IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 subclasses were increased (p<0.0009) in HIV patients in comparison to the healthy controls. We can conclude that inspite of IgA2 deficiency which was found in studied HIV positive patients, mucosal antibody responses are quite normal and might not predispose development of oral opportunistic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzana Sistig
- Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
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Lukac J, Mravak-Stipetić M, Knezević M, Vrcek J, Sistig S, Ledinsky M, Kusić Z. Phagocytic functions of salivary neutrophils in oral mucous membrane diseases. J Oral Pathol Med 2003; 32:271-4. [PMID: 12694350 DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0714.2003.00127.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Phagocytic functions of salivary polymorphonuclear neutrophils (sPMNs) have not been comprehensively studied in patients with oral mucous membrane diseases, although available data suggest the role of immunity in their pathogenesis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Phagocytic functions of sPMN were determined in 15 patients with acute recurrent aphthous ulceration (RAU), 11 patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) and 20 healthy volunteers. In healthy subjects, the same parameters were also determined in peripheral blood polymorphonuclear neutrophils (bPMNs). Phagocytic activity (proportion of ingesting cells, PA), ingestion ability (number of ingested targets per 100 phagocytes, IA) and intracellular microbicidity (proportion of killed targets, IM) of PMNs separated from peripheral blood and the whole unstimulated saliva were determined by acridine orange method with living yeast cells as targets. RESULTS Salivary PMNs in healthy individuals showed significant reduction in PA (33% vs. 76%; P < 0.009) and IA (0.47% vs. 2.93%; P < 0.009) and significant increase in IM (12.0% vs. 5.5%; P = 0.011) in comparison with bPMNs. In RAU patients, reduced PA (27% vs. 37%; P = 0.035) and IA (0.25% vs. 0.47%; P = 0.05) were detected, while in OLP patients enhanced IM was detected (12% vs. 19%; P = 0.033) in comparison with healthy controls. CONCLUSION Salivary PMNs present functional features distinct from those in peripheral blood. Some phagocytic functions of sPMNs are reduced in RAU and enhanced in OLP, indicating their role in pathogenesis or reflecting clinical changes in these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Lukac
- Department of Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE It was hypothesized that serum levels of immunoglobulins may play a role in the pathogenesis of oral mucosal diseases, or reflect clinical changes in these conditions, but little is known about the role of salivary immunoglobulins in the pathogenesis of these diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate possible alterations in salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG subclasses in patients with oral mucosal inflammatory diseases. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Levels of IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and IgA1 and IgA2 by radial immunodiffusion in the resting whole saliva of 31 patients with acute recurrent aphthous ulceration (RAU) (and followed in remission), 11 patients with chronic hyperplastic candidal infection (CHC), 12 patients with Sjogren's syndrome (SS), six patients with oral lichen planus (OLP), and 18 healthy volunteers using the normal saliva as a comparison point for all. RESULTS IgG and IgA subclasses were increased in OLP. In CHC all IgG subclasses were increased while IgA1 was decreased, IgG1, IgG3 and IgG4 levels were increased in SS, while all IgG subclasses as well as IgA2 were increased in acute RAU in comparison with healthy controls. No differences in any immunoglobulin subclasses between major and minor acute RAU were found. In remission, IgG1 and IgG4 returned to normal values while IgG2, IgG3, and IgA2 remained increased in patients with RAU. CONCLUSION Salivary immunoglobulin subclasses vary in different oral mucosal conditions and may play a role in oral mucosal inflammatory diseases and/or reflect clinical changes in these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Sistig
- Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia.
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Hostynova E, Cap J, Lukac J, Raskova J, Kadrliakova A, Zednickova N, Bodova I. Immune thrombocytopenic purpura in children. BRATISL MED J 2002; 103:113-6. [PMID: 12190043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is the most commonly acquired bleeding illness in children. 70-80% of children resolve from acute state within few weeks and months with a complete retrospective changes in recovery of reference values. The aim of this work was to evaluate a group of patients with diagnosis of ITP treated or followed from 1979 to 1999. There were found no differences in achieving the remission in the acute phase of ITP (this means till the 6th month from the first documented thrombocytopenia) according to retrospective analysis and comparison of three groups of children in whom the diagnosis of ITP was made from 1979 to 1991 (group A), from 1992 to 1994 (group B) and from 1995 to 1999 (group C). The groups differed in their therapeutic strategies in various time periods as to the time of the diagnosis. In group A, 75% of patients were treated with oral corticosteroids (prednisone). In group B, 10.8% of patients were treated with i.v. application of corticosteroids and 43.3% had no therapy in the acute phase. In group C, 28% of patients were treated with i.v. application of corticosteroids and 36.6% of patients had no therapy applied. A comparable degree of remission in the acute phase with 48%, 54%, or 50% of children with reference values of platelets at the time of six months from the beginning of the disease were achieved. In the group A, the remission was achieved in 85% of children at the end of the 5th year of the follow-up, in the group B in 75% of children to the latest control of platelets in our outcome clinic for children and follow up in the group C in 68% of children the remission was achieved after one year. (Tab. 4, Fig. 2, Ref. 10.)
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Affiliation(s)
- E Hostynova
- Department of Haematology and Transfusiology of Children's University Hospital, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia.
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Holub Z, Jabor A, Kliment L, Lukac J, Voracek J. Laparoscopic lymph node dissection using ultrasonically activated shears: comparison with electrosurgery. J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A 2002; 12:175-80. [PMID: 12184902 DOI: 10.1089/10926420260188065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess and compare perioperative parameters in two groups of patients treated by different laparoscopic techniques of lymph node dissection (LND) for gynecologic cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between April 1996 and March 2001, 59 consecutive women with microinvasive cervical cancer (N = 5) or clinical stage I endometrial cancer (N = 54) underwent laparoscopic LND during a primary staging procedure using an electrosurgery (ELC) or ultrasonic (US) operative technique. The two groups were compared for perioperative outcomes. Differences between the two groups were determined by the Wilcoxon's rank-sum test. RESULTS Laparoscopic LND and other staging procedures were completed successfully in 58 women (98.3%). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups with regard to perioperative outcomes (operation time, time for LND, blood loss, hospital stay, complications), but there was a significant difference (P = 0.0008) in the number of lymph nodes harvested: a mean of 13.7 in the ELC group and 17.5 in the US group. The pathologists found that the reading of histology slides was easier after US dissections because of the greater depth of thermal injury in the lymphatic tissue in ELC group. CONCLUSION The US operative technique ensures efficient coagulation, cutting, dissection, and grasping for laparoscopic LND in patients with cervical and endometrial cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Holub
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Endoscopic Training Center, Baby Friendly Hospital, Kladno, Czech Republic.
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Sistig S, Lukac J, Vucicevic-Boras V, Malenica B. DSG 3 and DSG 1-ELISA as a specific diagnostic tool in oral bullous diseases. Eur J Med Res 2002; 7:181-2. [PMID: 12017158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
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Lukac J. Indomethacin stimulates neutrophil and monocyte intracellular killing. Eur J Cancer 2002. [DOI: 10.1016/s0959-8049(02)80036-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Brozovic S, Vucicevic-Boras V, Mravak-Stipetic M, Jukic S, Kleinheinz J, Lukac J. Salivary levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in recurrent aphthous ulceration. J Oral Pathol Med 2002; 31:106-8. [PMID: 11896832 DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0714.2002.310208.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a multifunctional angiogenic cytokine involved in angiogenesis and wound healing. Its presence in recurrent aphthous ulceration has not been reported to date. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of salivary levels of VEGF with various stages of recurrent aphthous ulceration (RAU). METHODS VEGF levels were determined in a group of 27 age and sex-matched healthy controls and in 30 patients with minor and major RAU grouped into the three stages: (I) early active stage, (II) active stage, and (III) remission period. VEGF levels (pg/ml; mean +/- SD) in unstimulated whole saliva were determined by enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS Patients with major RAU - stages I and II - had decreased VEGF values (765 +/- 458 and 341 +/- 109, respectively) when compared both to healthy controls (1652 +/- 567; P < 0.01) and to stage III major RAU (1524 +/- 784; P < 0.005). CONCLUSION Salivary VEGF levels seemed to be associated with ulcer development in major RAU, showing stage-dependent alterations during the course of this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Brozovic
- Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia.
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Holub Z, Jabor A, Kliment L, Voracek J, Lukac J, Barany B. Laparoscopic staging of endometrial cancer using laparosonic instruments: comparison with electrosurgery. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2001; 100:81-6. [PMID: 11728663 DOI: 10.1016/s0301-2115(01)00429-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare perioperative parameters in two groups of women with different laparoscopic operative techniques in surgical staging of endometrial cancer (EC). STUDY DESIGN Thirty randomly allocated and laparoscopically treated women with EC. Fifteen patients were operated by electrosurgery, 15 patients by laparosonic operative technique. Differences between the two groups were determined by the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Probability (P) of less than 0.05 was considered significant. SETTING Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Endoscopic Training Center, Baby Friendly Hospital, Kladno, Czech Republic. RESULTS Laparoscopy was successfully completed in 29 patients. Laparoscopy-assisted surgical staging of EC was performed based on the tumor grade and the depth of myoinvasion. In both groups, in total 18 and 5 women underwent pelvic lymphadenectomy (PLN) and infra-aortic lymph node sampling (IALS), respectively. Three patients had metastases in pelvic lymph nodes. In the electrosurgical hemostasis and laparosonic group the mean total time required to finish the whole operative procedure were 132.1 and 138.3 min, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (P=0.96). There were no significant differences between the groups in any intraoperative or postoperative follow-up variables, except for the number of excised lymph nodes where the difference between electrosurgery and laparosonic group (12.7 versus 18) was statistically significant (P=0.05). In one patient with intraoperative venous bleeding the laparosonic hemostasis was ineffective (successful procedure rate 93.3%). One patient from the electrosurgery group was converted to laparotomy due to injury to the epigastric vessels. This complication had no connection with the surgical techniques studied. CONCLUSION It is concluded that both operative technique variants in laparoscopy-assisted surgical staging appear to be feasible and effective for patients with EC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Holub
- Endoscopic Training Center, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Baby Friendly Hospital, Vancurova 1548, 27258 Kladno, Czech Republic.
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Linkesch W, Urge L, Lukac J, Hejny J. [Not Available]. Wiss Beitr Martin Luther Univ Halle Wittenberg 2001; 5-R80:287-99. [PMID: 11628971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2023]
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Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystemic autoimmune disease with a great diversity of clinical manifestations which is difficult to manage. IVIGs represent promising immunoregulatory agents with the ability to control SLE without subsequent predisposition to infectious complications. Despite the implied risk of developing renal failure due to IVIG, considerable beneficial effects on lupus nephritis are reported. In this review, the clinical and adverse effects, and mechanism of action, with special emphasis on modulation, of idiotypic network is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Rauova
- Department of Medicine B, Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
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Kralj M, Kapitanović S, Kovacević D, Lukac J, Spaventi S, Pavelić K. Effect of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin on proliferation and apoptosis of colon carcinoma cells. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2001; 127:173-9. [PMID: 11260862 DOI: 10.1007/s004320000196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs lower the incidence of and mortality from colon cancer. In this paper, we present the effect of indomethacin on growth inhibition and alterations in the expression of several genes involved in cell cycle and apoptosis in CaCo-2 colon adenocarcinoma cells. METHODS We used the MTT test to evaluate the effect of indomethacin on the proliferation rate of colon cancer and normal fibroblast cells in vitro. The expression of c-myc oncoprotein and p53 and p27 suppressor proteins was examined using the immunocytochemical method. RESULTS We have shown that indomethacin reduces the proliferation rate of CaCo-2 colon cancer cells (up to 60% at the concentration of 4 x 10(-4) M), alters their morphology, and induces cell death by apoptosis. The most pronounced inhibitory effect was observed at the concentration of 6 x 10(-4) M where the growth was completely suppressed. However, the growth of normal fibroblasts (Hef 522) was much less inhibited (about 30% of inhibition at the concentration of 6 x 10(-4) M). Indomethacin reduces the proliferation rate and induces apoptosis in CaCo-2 colon cancer cells through enhanced expression of c-myc, p53, and p27 proteins. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report about p27-increased expression in colon carcinoma cells induced by indomethacin treatment. Increased expression of p27 represents a new mechanism of apoptosis in cells treated with NSAIDs (indomethacin). This effect probably contributes to the anti-proliferative effect on colon cancer cells in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kralj
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruder Boskovic Institute, Bijenicka c. 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Abstract
The changes in serum levels of serum amyloid A protein were studied in 67 patients suffering from colorectal carcinoma and compared to three other major acute phase proteins: C-reactive protein, alpha1-antichymotrypsin and alpha1-acid glycoprotein. Although the presence of colorectal carcinoma caused an increase in serum levels of all the acute phase reactants studied, serum amyloid A protein showed the most powerful reaction in pre-operative disease stage, with the mean value of 330 mg/l (range 7-2506 mg/l) as compared to the normal values of <1.2 mg/l obtained in 30 healthy adults. The mean serum amyloid A protein concentration increased to 487 mg/l after surgery, declining during the post-operative clinical course until the sixth chemotherapy cycle (from 167 mg/l to 64 mg/l), but never returned to the normal range. In the later chemotherapy cycles, mean serum amyloid A protein increased to 163 mg/l, probably as a result of the disease relapse. According to the statistical relations among exact confidence intervals for proportions, serum amyloid A protein showed the best specificity for colorectal carcinoma of all the acute phase proteins studied (83-100%) and also a sensitivity of 100%. We concluded that serum amyloid A protein seems to be a reliable parameter, which could be recommended for clinical routine as a non-specific tumour marker for colorectal carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Glojnarić
- PLIVA d.d., Research & Development, Pharmacology & Toxicology, Zagreb, Croatia.
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Grce M, Husnjak K, Bozikov J, Magdić L, Zlacki M, Lukac J, Fistonić I, Sikanić-Dugic N, Pavelić K. Evaluation of genital human papillomavirus infections by polymerase chain reaction among Croatian women. Anticancer Res 2001; 21:579-84. [PMID: 11299808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
Infection with specific human papillomavirus (HPV) types is the strongest risk factor in cervical carcinogenesis. In this study we analysed, by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cervical specimens obtained from consenting women with abnormal Pap smears collected from 1996 to 1998. Consensus- and type-specific-primers directed PCR were used in order to detect the presence and to determine the most common HPV types: 6, 11, 16, 18, 31 and 33. Out of 1874 specimens, 1207 (64%) contained one or more HPV types. Approximately half HPVs were typed (621 out of 1207) and the others remained untyped (586 out of 1207), 51% and 49%, respectively. Beside low-risk HPV 6/11 (5%), the most frequently observed HPVs were high-risk HPV types, especially type 16 (12%), while HPV types 18 (2%), 31 (5%) and 33 (3%) were less frequent. The HPV positivity rate declined with age, although all HPV types were equally distributed in different age groups. The presence of HPV DNA significantly increased from 55% to 78% along with the severity of the cervical lesions, i.e. low- and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL, HSIL). Undetermined HPV types, other than 6/11, 16, 18, 31 and 33 were equally distributed in LSIL and HSIL which indicates that they represent low- as well as high-risk HPV types. Our results indicated that HPV infections, especially those with HPV 16, represent a significant public health concern in Croatia.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Grce
- Rudjer Bosković Institute, Division of Molecular Medicine, Bijenicka 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
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Bodova I, Horakova J, Lukac J, Cupanikova D, Plank L. [Autoimmune hemolytic anemia and chronic giant cell hepatitis]. BRATISL MED J 2000; 101:54-6. [PMID: 10824415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
The authors describe a case report of a six months old boy with autoimmune hemolytic anemia and giant cell hepatitis. This is a very rare syndrome in infancy. After eleven months of intensive immunosuppressive treatment (glucocorticoids, cyclosporin A, azathioprin, intravenous immunoglobulins, cyclophosphamid) no improvement of hemolysis was observed and therefore splenectomy was indicated. 1 year after the treatment was finished the patient is in good general condition and his hematologic and biochemical parameters are physiological.
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Levy Y, Sherer Y, George J, Rovensky J, Lukac J, Rauova L, Poprac P, Langevitz P, Fabbrizzi F, Shoenfeld Y. Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment of lupus nephritis. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2000; 29:321-7. [PMID: 10805356 DOI: 10.1016/s0049-0172(00)80018-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical response of treatment-resistant membranous and membranoproliferative lupus nephritis to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). METHODS Seven lupus nephritis patients who failed to respond to at least prednisone and cyclophosphamide were studied. A kidney biopsy showing either membranous or membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis was available in six patients. They were treated with six courses (patients 1 and 2) or 1 or 2 courses (patients 3 through 7) of high-dose IVIg. For patients 3 through 7, the plasma levels of albumin, total cholesterol, urea, creatinine, dsDNA antibody titers, and daily proteinuria were measured just before the IVIg therapy, immediately on completion, and 6 months later. RESULTS All seven patients had a beneficial response to IVIg. In patient 1, decrease in proteinuria was evident 2 weeks after IVIg was started, nephrotic syndrome gradually disappeared, and she had no proteinuria in 3 years' follow-up. Decline in proteinuria was evident in patient 2 after the 4th IVIg course, but proteinuria reached the pretreatment level 4 months after the therapy ended. In patients 3 through 7, the mean daily proteinuria before IVIg (5.3 +/- 2.1 g) decreased after 1 or 2 IVIg courses (3.3 +/- 1.4 g), and further decreased when measured 6 months later (2.1 +/- 1.3 g). Similarly, the plasma cholesterol level decreased while the plasma albumin level increased after IVIg. CONCLUSIONS IVIg might be effective in treatment-resistant membranous or membranoproliferative lupus nephritis. Future studies should concentrate on determining the preferred treatment protocol of IVIg for the various classes of lupus nephritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Levy
- Department of Medicine B, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
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Pavelić K, Spaventi S, Gluncić V, Matejcić A, Pavicić D, Karapandza N, Kusić Z, Lukac J, Dohoczky C, Cabrijan T, Pavelić J. The expression and role of insulin-like growth factor II in malignant hemangiopericytomas. J Mol Med (Berl) 1999; 77:865-9. [PMID: 10682323 DOI: 10.1007/s001099900068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Hemangiopericytoma is a rare soft tissue tumor originating from contractile pericapillary pericytes. To address the issue of molecular genetic events that participate in genesis and progression of hemangiopericytoma we analyzed insulin-like growth factor (IGF) II and IGF I receptor in 29 tumors collected from a human tumor bank network. Seven of these tumors were associated with severe hypoglycemia; six were retroperitoneal and one was located in the leg. Of 22 tumors tested 12 (54.5%) exhibited IGF II mRNA, while almost 90% (17 of 19) of hemangiopericytomas exhibited IGF I receptor mRNA. Sera from some patients whose tumors expressed IGF II mRNA contained elevated levels of IGF II. Removal of the tumor eliminated most of the IGF II immunoreactivity from the sera. The potential role of IGF II as a growth-promoting factor was examined on three malignant primary hemangiopericytoma cell cultures. Extracellular addition of IGF II significantly enhanced cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides that specifically inhibit IGF II mRNA, at a concentration of 40 or 80 micrograms/ml, inhibited the growth of hemangiopericytoma cells significantly, by 40%. Simultaneous administration of antisense deoxyoligonucleotides to both IGF II and IGF I receptor inhibited tumor cell proliferation by even 80%. Our data suggest that tumor cells produce IGF II, and that this in turn stimulates their proliferation by autocrine mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Pavelić
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruder Bosković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia.
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Zdenek H, Lukac J, Jabor A, Chvalova M, Voracek J, Brozkova H. Human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid testing in screening of high grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Saudi Med J 1999; 20:861-864. [PMID: 27645010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Full text is available as a scanned copy of the original print version.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Zdenek
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Baby Friendly Hospital Kladno, Kladno, Czech Republic
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Stancik R, Lukac J, Rovensky J, Stancikova M. Elevated cytidine deaminase activity in patients with vasculitis of the small and medium-sized vessels. Clin Exp Rheumatol 1999; 17:750. [PMID: 10609079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
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Lacić M, Bokulić T, Lukac J, Baum RP, Kusić Z. Immunoscintigraphy with 99Tcm-labelled monoclonal anti-CEA BW 431/26 antibodies in patients with suspected recurrent and metastatic colorectal carcinoma: two-year follow-up. Nucl Med Commun 1999; 20:859-65. [PMID: 10533193 DOI: 10.1097/00006231-199909000-00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate immunoscintigraphy with BW 431/26 anti-CEA antibody in the follow-up of 15 patients with colorectal carcinoma. A whole-body scan followed by SPET imaging of the abdomen and pelvis was performed 4-6 and 20-24 h after the intravenous infusion of 0.6-1.0 mg of intact anti-CEA monoclonal BW 431/26 antibody labelled with 814-1110 MBq of 99Tcm. The HAMA response and serum CEA levels were determined. Immunoscintigraphic findings were verified by biopsy, radiologically and/or by 2 year follow-up. On an individual patient basis, immunoscintigraphy demonstrated an overall sensitivity of 83%, specificity of 100%, accuracy of 87%, positive predictive value of 100% and negative predictive value of 60%. Better results were achieved in the pelvic region than in the liver or in the extra-hepatic abdominal region. We evaluated 40 lesions; on an individual lesion basis, immuno-scintigraphy gave a sensitivity of 80% and an accuracy of 80%. SPET images detected significantly more lesions than whole-body planar images (P < 0.05). SPET at 20-24 h detected significantly more 'hot' lesions than at 4-6 h (P < 0.01). No correlation between CEA serum levels and immunoscintigraphy was observed (r = 0.376, P > 0.05). One of nine patients (11%) developed HAMA after immunoscintigraphy. We conclude that immunoscintigraphy with BW 431/26 antibody appears able to differentiate between tumour recurrence and scar tissue, and to evaluate liver metastases of colorectal carcinoma. Serum CEA levels appear not to influence the result of immunoscintigraphy and the HAMA response is minimal. A delayed SPET scan should be part of an immunoscintigraphic imaging protocol when 99Tcm-labelled BW 431/26 monoclonal antibody is used.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Lacić
- Department of Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Sestre Milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia.
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Abstract
This study investigated the influence of levamisole therapy on immunocompetent cells and lymphocyte reactivity to mitogens in 25 children with brain tumor. Eleven (11/25) patients were receiving chemotherapy and immunomodulating drug levamisole 3 months after neurosurgery, during maintenance chemotherapy, 2.5 mg/kg of body weight per os, for three consecutive days every 2 weeks, for 6-12 months. The proportion of lymphocytes, proportion and number of T- and B-lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells, as well as lymphocyte reactivity to mitogens were significantly lower in non-levamisole-treated patients than in the healthy controls (N = 18). Therapy with levamisole significantly augments the proportion of T lymphocytes, the number of T lymphocytes, NK cells, and the lymphocyte reactivity to concanavalin A (Con A). Depression of the NK cells and the lymphocyte reactivity to mitogens were much more pronounced in those patients who developed recurrences. Levamisole shortened the period of secondary immunodeficiency in immunocompromised children with brain tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- T F Hajnzić
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology-Oncology, University Hospital Sestre milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia
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Stancik R, Lukac J, Kubisz P, Ivankova J. Plasma levels of TPA, PAI-1 and thrombospondin in patients with systemic vasculitis. Clin Appl Thromb Hemost 1999; 5:140-1. [PMID: 10725997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
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Sturlan S, Kapitanović S, Kovacević D, Lukac J, Spaventi S, Spaventi R, Pavelić K. Loss of heterozygosity of APC and DCC tumor suppressor genes in human sporadic colon cancer. J Mol Med (Berl) 1999; 77:316-21. [PMID: 10090594 DOI: 10.1007/s001090050357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
We examined 36 cases of human sporadic colon carcinoma and corresponding normal tissue samples to evaluate loss of heterozygosity at the APC and DCC tumor suppressor genes loci using restriction fragment length polymorphism polymerase chain reaction and variable nucleotide tandem repeat analysis. Observed informativity was 83% for APC and 75% for DCC. DNA from 6 (20%) of 30 informative tumors exhibited loss of heterozygosity at the APC locus. Loss of heterozygosity at the DCC locus was observed in 7 (26%) of 27 informative tumor DNAs. Our results support the view that malignant progression is a consequence of more than one genetic change and suggest that inactivation of APC and DCC genes plays a role in a multistep process of colon tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Sturlan
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruder BoSković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
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