Peanut protein structure, polyphenol content and immune response to peanut proteins in vivo are modulated by laccase

Laccase cross-linking of peanut protein causes changes in the protein structure, phenolic composition and immunological properties of the treated peanut protein.

KLF4 expression and apoptosis-related markers in gastric cancer

PURPOSE

To correlate the expression of Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) with clinicopathological properties of gastric cancer (GC) and to evaluate any possible correlation between KLF4 expression and the expression of apoptosis-related markers p53, Fas, Bcl-2, survivin and FLICE inhibitory protein (Flip-l).

METHODS

Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue specimens obtained from 96 patients with GC who had undergone gastric surgery were analyzed for pathological parameters, while KLF4, p53, Fas, Bcl-2, survivin and Flip-l expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

TKLF4 immunohistochemical staining was noted in 78.1% of the cases. Strong positivity was found in 15.6% and weak in 62.5% of the samples. Positive expression of p53, Fas, Bcl-2, survivin, Flip-l was found in 56.2%, 44.8%, 15.6%, 41.7% and 38.5% of the samples, respectively. KLF4 expression was significantly associated with p53 nuclear staining and Fas immunoreactivity. p53-positive tumors demonstrated more often high KLF4 staining compared to p53-negative tumors. Fas-positive tumors were associated with decreased KLF4 expression. Logistic regression analysis of apoptosis-related markers to KLF4 expression revealed that Fas positivity significantly decreased the probability of strong KLF4 expression, and inversely, Bcl-2 expression improved the prediction of KLF4 staining. When all 5 predictive variables were considered together (p53, Fas, survivin, Bcl-2, Flip-l) they significantly predicted the type of KLF4 expression in GC cells (p=0.019).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that the decrease or loss of KLF4 expression correlates with diffuse-type GC and immunoreactivity to Fas, and are inversely linked with p53 nuclear accumulation. The significance of KLF4 in GC requires further studies and should be more thoroughly investigated for potential use in the evaluation and better stratification of GC patients.

Maternal mortality in Serbia

Maternal mortality related to obstetric events is still high today. The main components of reproductive health are evaluated. Early diagnosis of the obstetric risks can significantly reduce maternal mortality.

Endoscopic ultrasound for differential diagnosis of duodenal lesions

PURPOSE

Duodenal tumors are rare and require a different management from that of esophagogastric neoplasia. The present study retrospectively analyses the endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) features of duodenal tumors of both epithelial and subepithelial origin.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

During a 12 year period, all duodenal tumors with histologic confirmation by surgery or biopsy were collected including endoscopic and endosonographic images. EUS images were analyzed for specific features (echogenicity, wall layer structure and relation, outer margins) to possibly distinguish epithelial (polyps and carcinoma versus lymphoma) and subepithelial (tumor type) tumors.

RESULTS

53/80 cases had histologic confirmation (mean age 53.1 ± 11.4 years, m:f = 33:20), 31 were epithelial (13 adenomas, 12 carcinomas, 6 lymphomas) and 22 subepithelial (11 GISTs, 7 Brunneromas, 1 lipoma, 3 NETs). EUS did not recognize carcinomas in 2/13 adenomas. EUS features suggesting carcinoma were loss of wall layers and irregular margins. 5/6 lymphomas showed inhomogeneous thickening with layers partially recognizable. Tumor type of subepithelial lesions correlated with echogenicity: GIST tumors were mostly (62.5 %) hypocheoic with the 3 malignant cases being characterized by heterogeneous echopattern with irregular outer margins. Of the hyperechoic lesions, lipomas had a homogeneous whitish appearance, while NET and Brunneromas were less hyperechoic. In the latter, the endoscopic aspect was also helpful for differential diagnosis. Accuracy of combined endoscopic/EUS imaging for all duodenal lesions was 84.9 % (45/53). No procedural complications occurred among all patients that received EUS examinations.

CONCLUSION

EUS contributes to the differential diagnosis of epithelial lesions known to be malignant; in subepithelial tumors, tissue confirmation is still required.

Gastrointestinal and liver tumours and public health in Europe

STATE OF THE ART

Europe comprises only one eighth of the total world population but has around one quarter of the global total of cancer cases--some 3.2 million new patients per year. While the disproportionate cancer burden is readily apparent, the disease patterns in Europe cannot simply be generalized--overall cancer incidence and mortality rates vary at least two-fold between European countries and the differences are often far greater for specific cancers. With 1.7 million deaths each year, cancer currently represents the second most important cause of death in Europe. The range of survival rates is similarly wide. For individual cancers, the variation across Europe is even greater. This reflects a wide range of social and epidemiological factors in different countries: cancer prevention programmes; screening programmes; cancer control plans; individual lifestyles and occupational exposures; the existence and accessibility of health-care facilities and technological infrastructure; and the availability of human, financial and material resources for health and economic development. Europe has some of the richest countries in the world, but also some of the poorest. In 2002, 168 million people were living below the poverty line, about 46% of the European population. The time trends in cancer risk also vary between European countries and some cancers show different trends between men and women, or young and old, or poor and rich. The public health profile of cancer in Europe is complex. Trends in the incidence and mortality rates are also influenced by successes in health promotion (e.g. tobacco control), efficient screening (e.g. breast, bowel, cervix) and better treatment. These have been reflected in lower incidence, reduced mortality, higher survival, improved life expectancy and a better quality of life for cancer survivors.

CONCLUSIONS

Cancer of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is the most common cancer in Europe. More than half of GI cancer cases arise from the colon. They can remain asymptomatic until late in the natural history of the disease, and as this is the stage at which they can be cured, screening has been advocated for well members of the population and surveillance for those with conditions predisposing to cancer.