bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Adipose Fin Clipping and Coded Wire Tagging on the Survival and Growth of Spring Chinook Salmon
Authors: Vander Haegen G. E. , Blankenship H. L. , Hoffmann A. , Thompson D. A.
Published: August 2005

Each year, millions of Pacific salmon are identified by the insertion of a coded wire tag and removal of the adipose fin. To evaluate the effects of adipose fin clipping and coded wire tagging on the survival, growth, and straying of spring Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, we coded-wire-tagged juveniles over a 3-year period and excised their adipose fins at three hatcheries on the Columbia River. In addition, the study fish and control fish were marked with otolith marks so that returning adults without tags and the untagged controls could be distinguished from untagged strays. We collected otoliths, tags, and length data from adults returning to the three hatcheries. Because the proportions of fish with coded wire tags returning to the hatchery were similar to those released and there was no discernable pattern of increase or decrease, we concluded that coded wire tags and adipose fin marks did not affect juvenile-to-adult survival. Although there was an indication that coded-wire-tagged fish were more likely to to be smaller when they returned than fish without coded wire tags, the size discrepancy was less than one standard deviation of the natural biological variation in size. Tagged juveniles released at the rearing site did not tend to stray when they returned as adults. Based on these results, we concluded that coded wire tagging is a useful method for gathering information with minimal bias on the fates of groups of fish.
A Long-Term Comparison of Redband Trout Distribution, Density, and Size Structure in Southwestern Idaho
Authors: Zoellick Bruce W. , Allen Dale B. , Flatter Brian J.
Published: August 2005

During 1993–2003, we reexamined the density and size structure of populations of Columbia River redband trout Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri at 43 sites in sagebrush desert basins of southwestern Idaho. Trout density had originally been sampled at these sites during 1977–1982. Populations were sampled in four major drainages of the Snake River basin: Bruneau River, Jordan Creek, Owyhee River, and Snake River tributaries. Redband trout distribution remained relatively stable between the two time periods, trout being present at 79% of the sites in 1977–1982 (1970s) and 84% of the sites in 1993–2003 (1990s). The mean density of redband trout did not differ between the 1970s (29.9 ± 6.3 trout/100 m2 (mean ± SE)) and the 1990s (26.4 ± 5.5 trout/100 m2), but the differences in redband trout density between these time periods were correlated with elevation. Densities were stable or declined at elevations less than 1,500 m, and densities generally were stable or increased at elevations of 1,500 m or greater. Densities increased from 19.7 ± 6.3 trout/100 m2 in the 1970s to 39.3 ± 12.0 trout/100 m2 (n = 12) in the 1990s for the Jordan Creek drainage, where most sites were at higher elevations. Mean density declined from 37.5 ± 9.5 to 17.8 ± 6.0 trout/100 m2 (n = 16) from the 1970s to 1990s for Snake River tributaries, which were located at low elevations. The proportion of juvenile trout contributing to Snake River tributary populations declined from 48% to 25% from the 1970s to the 1990s. In contrast, the size structure of redband trout populations in the higher-elevation Jordan Creek drainage was similar between time periods, juvenile trout constituting 44– 47% of the fish in those populations. Static to declining populations at low elevations indicate the importance of retaining or restoring connectivity between redband trout populations in desert basins.
A Review of the Diagnosis and Management of Male Breast Cancer
Authors: Giordano Sharon H.
Published: August 2005

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, the reader will be able to: List the risk factors for male breast cancer.Explain the differences between breast cancer in men and women.Discuss the importance of adjuvant therapy in male breast cancer.

Access and take the CME test online and receive 1 hour of AMA PRA category 1 credit at CME.TheOncologist.com

Male breast cancer is an uncommon disease although the incidence has increased over the past 25 years. As with many other rare “orphan” diseases, male breast cancer is understudied. The rarity of the disease precludes prospective randomized clinical trials. In addition, few researchers and minimal funding have focused on breast cancer in men, but further work is clearly needed to better understand this disease. It shares many similarities with breast cancer in women; yet some clear differences have emerged. In this article, the latest information on the epidemiology, biology, and treatment of male breast cancer is reviewed.
Detection of Micrometastatic Disease in Bone Marrow: Is It Ready for Prime Time?
Authors: Janni Wolfgang , Rack Brigitte , Lindemann Kristina , Harbeck Nadia
Published: August 2005

Minimal residual disease (MRD), or isolated tumor cells (ITCs) in bone marrow, may be the source of potentially fatal overt distant metastases in solid tumors even years after primary treatment. MRD can be detected by immunohistochemical methods using antibodies directed against cytokeratins or cell-surface markers or molecular, polymerase chain reaction–based techniques. Among solid tumors, the clinical relevance of MRD has been most extensively studied in breast cancer patients. Recently, the highest level of evidence for the prognostic impact of MRD in primary breast cancer was reached by a pooled analysis comprising more than 4,000 patients, showing poor outcome in patients with MRD at primary therapy. Yet the clinical application of MRD detection is hampered by the lack of a standardized detection assay. Moreover, clinical trial results demonstrating the benefit of a therapeutic intervention determined by bone marrow status are still absent. Recent results suggest that, in addition to its prognostic impact, MRD can be used for therapy monitoring or as a potential therapeutic target after phenotyping of the tumor cells. Persistent MRD after primary treatment may lead to an indication for extended adjuvant therapy. However, until clinically relevant data regarding successful therapy of MRD are available, treatment interventions on the basis of MRD should only be performed within clinical trials.
Second Field Tumors: A New Opportunity for Cancer Prevention?
Authors: Braakhuis Boudewijn J.M. , Brakenhoff Ruud H. , Leemans C. René
Published: August 2005

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Describe the origin and clinical burden of HNSCC.Explain the concept of field malignancy.Discuss the potential of prevention research in HNSCC.

Access and take the CME test online and receive 1 hour of AMA PRA category 1 credit at CME.TheOncologist.com

Recent molecular genetic studies provide evidence that the majority of, if not all, head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) develop within a contiguous field of preneoplastic cells. Cells of a field show genetic alterations associated with the process of carcinogenesis. A subclone in a field gives rise to an invasive carcinoma. An important implication of this knowledge is that, after surgery of the initial carcinoma, part of the field may remain in the patient. A field with preneoplastic cells that share genetic alterations with cells of the excised tumor has been detected in the resection margins of at least 25% of patients, indicating that this frequently occurs. Fields can be much larger than the actual carcinoma, sometimes having a diameter >7 cm. When a field remains after resection of the tumor, the risk for another carcinoma, designated as a second field tumor (SFT), is considerably greater. It is important to realize that an SFT develops from preneoplastic cells clonally related to the initial tumor. In this respect, it should be discriminated from a recurrent carcinoma that has developed from minimal residual cancer that was left behind and from a second primary tumor that independently develops from the initial carcinoma. Patients at risk for SFTs belong to a unique patient group for whom intense surveillance is indicated and chemoprevention is an attractive option. The priorities are to identify the patients in whom a remaining field will progress to cancer and to find the genes involved. With this knowledge, highly efficient clinical prevention trials, including those using the local application of therapeutic agents, can be designed. It is important to note that SFTs also may occur after treatment of various other cancers, including those of the bladder, skin, esophagus, lung, cervix, breast, and colon.
Diagnostic Value of CYFRA 21-1, CEA, CA 19-9, CA 15-3, and CA 125 Assays in Pleural Effusions: Analysis of 116 Cases and Review of the Literature
Authors: Shitrit David , Zingerman Boris , Shitrit Ariella Bar-Gil , Shlomi Dekel , Kramer Mordechai R.
Published: August 2005

Levels of tumor markers in pleural effusions may help to establish the diagnosis of pleural malignancy, but the precise diagnostic value of each marker remains unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of five common pleural fluid tumor markers, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cytokeratin fragment (CYFRA) 21-1, cancer antigen (CA) 15-3, CA 19-9, and CA 125, and to review the literature from the past 15 years. Pleural fluid samples were collected prospectively from 116 patients and assayed for CEA, CYFRA 21-1, CA 15-3, CA 19-9, and CA 125 levels. A MEDLINE search of the English-language literature from the past 15 years was also done.

Effusions were classified as benign or malignant on the basis of their definitive pathologic or cytologic diagnoses. The levels of all pleural tumor markers were statistically significantly higher in the malignant group than in the benign group. The marker with the highest accuracy was CEA (85.3%); CA 15-3, CYFRA 21-1, and CA 19-9 had similar accuracies (75.2%, 72.4%, and 71.5%, respectively), and CA 125 had the lowest accuracy (40.5%). On univariate analysis, tumor-marker combinations did not result in a greater accuracy than that of CEA alone. On multivariate logistic regression, CA 15-3 and CYFRA 21-1 were significant predictors of malignancy. Among the nine reports in the literature comparing 11 different tumor markers, CEA, CA 15-3, and CYFRA 21-1 yielded the best results. We conclude that pleural fluid analysis should include CEA for the diagnosis of malignancy. CA 15-3 and CYFRA 21-1 may serve as alternative options.
Neuronal-glial plasticity in gonadotropin-releasing hormone release in adult female rats: role of the polysialylated form of the neural cell adhesion molecule
Authors: Parkash Jyoti , Kaur Gurcharan
Published: August 2005

The gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurosecretory system undergoes marked structural and functional changes during the ovarian cycle. The aim of this study was to examine the neuroanatomical relationship between GnRH neurons and a polysialylated form of neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM), a known marker of neuronal plasticity. Using immunohistofluorescent dual labeling, we determined that axon terminals of GnRH in the median arcuate nucleus (ME-ARC) region of the hypothalamus in the proestrous phase of the estrous cycle were intimately associated with PSA-NCAM. To further examine whether PSA-NCAM expression associated with GnRH neuron terminals varies in conjugation with cyclic changes in ovarian steroid hormone levels, we examined GnRH and PSA-NCAM dual expression in ovariectomized (OVX) and estrogen–progesterone-primed OVX (EBP-OVX) rats. The expression of PSA-NCAM immunoreactivity associated with the GnRH neurons in the proestrous phase and EBP-OVX rats was significantly higher than during the diestrous phase and in OVX rats where GnRH secretion declines. We further examined whether the structural changes in GnRH axon terminals in the ME-ARC region are also associated with glial plasticity. By extension and retraction of the glial processes, the GnRH neuron terminals in the ME-ARC region could undergo dynamic plastic changes that control GnRH release during the proestrous phase. PSA-NCAM expression was also seen on glial cells in the ME-ARC region. The close association between PSA-NCAM on GnRH and glial cells in the ME-ARC region of the hypothalamus in the rat showed dynamic structural changes in GnRH neuron terminals during the estrous cycle. These observations suggested that PSA-NCAM may act as a molecular substrate to promote neuroplastic changes in the GnRH neurosecretory system.
Cloning and hypothalamic distribution of the chicken thyrotropin-releasing hormone precursor cDNA
Authors: Vandenborne Kristien , Roelens Simon A , Darras Veerle M , Kühn Eduard R , Van der Geyten Serge
Published: August 2005

In this paper we report the cloning of the chicken preprothyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) cDNA and the study of its hypothalamic distribution. Chicken pre-proTRH contains five exact copies of the TRH progenitor sequence (Glu-His-Pro-Gly) of which only four are flanked by pairs of basic amino acids. In addition, the amino acid sequence contains three sequences that resemble the TRH progenitor sequence but seem to have lost their TRH-coding function during vertebrate evolution. The amino acid sequence homology of preproTRH between different species is very low. Nevertheless, when the tertiary structures are compared using hydrophobicity plots, the resemblance between chicken and rat prepro-TRH is striking. The cloning results also showed that the chicken preproTRH sequence includes neither a rat peptide spacer 4 (Ps4) nor a Ps5 connecting peptide. Comparison of the cDNA sequence with the chicken genome database revealed the presence of two introns, one in the 5′ untranslated region, and another downstream from the translation start site. This means that the gene structure of chicken preproTRH resembles the gene stucture of this precursor in mammals. Based on the cDNA sequence, digoxigenin-labelled probes were produced to study the distribution of preproTRH in the chicken brain. By means of in situ hybridization, preproTRH mRNA was detected in the chicken paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and in the lateral hypothalamus (LHy).
Pancreatic islet function in a transgenic mouse expressing fluorescent protein
Authors: Nyqvist Daniel , Mattsson Göran , Köhler Martin , Lev-Ram Varda , Andersson Arne , Carlsson Per-Ola , Nordin Astrid , Berggren Per-Olof , Jansson Leif
Published: August 2005

Pancreatic islet function and glucose homeostasis have been characterized in the transgenic YC-3.0 mouse, which expresses the yellow chameleon 3.0 (YC-3.0) protein under the control of the β-actin and the cytomegalovirus promoters. Fluorescence from the enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP), one part of the yellow chameleon protein, was used as a reporter of transgene expression. EYFP was expressed in different quantities throughout most cell types, including islet endocrine and stromal cells. No adverse effects of the transgene on animal health, growth or fertility were observed. Likewise, in vivo glucose homeostasis, mean arterial blood pressure and regional blood flow values were normal. Furthermore, the transgenic YC-3.0 mouse had a normal β-cell volume and mass as well as glucose-stimulated insulin release in vitro, compared with the C57BL/6 control mouse. Isolated islets from YC-3.0 animals continuously expressed the transgene and reversed hyperglycemia when transplanted under the renal capsule of alloxan-diabetic nude mice. We conclude that isolated pancreatic islets from YC-3.0 animals implanted into recipients without any EYFP expression, constitute a novel and versatile model for studies of islet engraftment.
In vivo monitoring of therapy-induced apoptotic process in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Brajuskovic Goran , Marjanovic Slobodan , Skaro-Milic Andjelija
Published: August 2005

BACKGROUND: The level of spontaneous apoptosis, the maximal response by apoptosis and the time when maximal apoptotic response is established are significant prognostic parameters that correlate with the therapeutic response of patients with malignant diseases. METHODS: Our study included 12 patients with B-CLL (I group of 7 patients) and ANLL (II group of 5 patients). Detection of apoptotic parameters on semifine section of peripheral blood was performed. Bcl 2 and mutated p53 expression were analyzed using the monoclonal antibodies by APAAP techniques. RESULTS: In our work, the established levels of spontaneous and therapy induced apoptosis correlate with clinical response of patients. All patients were bcl 2 strongly positive. Expression of p53 protein was not detected in these patients. The ultra structural analysis of the malignant cells has shown that a great number of cells react to antineoplastic agents? effect either by activating the cell response to stress or by apoptosis. CONCLUSION: The results of our pilot study have shown that the established levels of spontaneous and therapy induced apoptosis are in correlation with the clinical response of the patients to the applied therapy and that the measurable apoptotic parameters can represent prognostic parameters in treatment of hematologic neoplasms.
Cigarette smoking as a risk factor associated with oral leukoplakia
Authors: Bokor-Bratic Marija , Vuckovic Nada
Published: August 2005

BACKGROUND: It is well known that oral leukoplakia is the most common precancerous lesion of the oral mucosa. Although tobacco and alcohol are known to be major risk factors for oral leukoplakia worldwide, there are no data on risk factors for oral leukoplakia in our country. The aim of our study was to analyze the association between oral leukoplakia and smoking habit, with attention to the duration and quantity of smoking. METHODS: The study population consisted of 352 patients aged 40-70 years. Prior to the clinical examination, each subject answered a standardized questionnaire regarding tobacco-smoking habits. Oral leukoplakia was diagnosed and grouped according to internationally accepted criteria. Chisquare test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of the entire sample, 279 were smokers and 73 non-smokers. Oral leukoplaka was found in 53 subjects and among them 50 were smokers and 3 were nonsmokers. All smokers had only used cigarettes. The relative risk of developing oral leukoplakia increased with duration of cigarette smoking habit. The majority of smokers with leukoplakia (74.0%) smoked more than 20 cigarettes per day compared to 34.5% of those without leukoplakia. The highest prevalence of leukoplakia (33.3%) was found in subjects who used cigarettes and alcohol. CONCLUSION: In view of these results, cigarette smoking is significantly related to the etiology of oral leukoplakia.
Fractal geometry and multifractals in analyzing and processing medical data and images
Authors: Reljin Irini , Reljin Branimir
Published: August 2005

A traditional way for describing objects, based on the well-known Euclidean geometry, is not capable to describe different natural objects and phenomena such as clouds, relief shapes, trends in economy, etc. On the contrary fractal geometry and its extension multifractals are new "tools" which can be used for describing, modeling, analyzing and processing different complex shapes and signals. This paper considers fractal geometry and multifractals and their application in signal analyzing and processing particularly in medical signal analysis.
Immunohistochemical expression of CD44 in thyroid gland lesions
Authors: Kiziridou Anastasia , Pantidou Agni , Destouni Chariclea , Toliou Theano
Published: August 2005

BACKGROUND: CD44 is a polymorphic family of cell surface proteoglycans and glycoproteins implicated in cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix adhesion interactions and tumor metastasis. Its expression appears to be an indicator of invasive and metastatic behavior in carcinomas. The purpose of our study is to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of CD44 protein in thyroid lesions and its association to other histopathological parameters. METHODS: Samples from thyroid lesions were obtained from 40 patients treated in our hospital. The material consisted of 5 cases of multinodular goiter, 7 cases of thyroiditis (Hashimoto type), 5 cases of follicular adenoma, 4 cases of Hurthle cell tumor, 15 cases of thyroid carcinoma (11 papillary carcinomas, and 4 myeloid tumors), and 4 cases of normal thyroid tissue. Immunostaining was performed using the Ventana ES automated immunostainer. A monoclonal antibody was used and avidin-biotin method was applied to paraffin-embedded samples. A membranous immunostaining pattern was considered positive. RESULTS: CD44 expression was detected in three adenomas (60%), mostly of follicular type, and in eight carcinomas (72%). The CD44 immunostaining was especially apparent in papillary type of carcinomas which showed high expression. In normal thyroid tissue, a reduced CD44 expression was observed. CONCLUSION: The results of our study indicate that deregulated expression of CD44 contributes to the ability of thyroid carcinomas for invasion and metastasis and may constitute a prognostic factor for malignant biological behavior.
Clinical trials - from anecdotes to evidence based medicine
Authors: Bajic Nada , Scepanovic Danijela
Published: August 2005

Treatments based on theory and anecdote with extravagant public claims without being properly tested has become past time in medical practice. Only valid unbiased and relevant evidence obtained by methodology of clinical trials should be adopted in medical practice and practice guidelines. In such way clinical decisions are based on evidence rather than on authority. Inevitable part of clinical trials is medical ethics formally defined within the Nuremberg Code, World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki and guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. This paper presents in short history of clinical trials and current status worldwide.
Galectin-3 expression in medullary thyroid carcinoma in relation to tumor progression
Authors: Cvejic Dubravka , Savin-Zegarac Svetlana , Petrovic Ivana , Paunovic Ivan , Tatic Svetislav , Havelka Marija
Published: August 2005

BACKGROUND: Galectin-3, a lectin with specificity for beta galactosides, is believed to be implicated in multiple biological processes through interactions with complementary glycoconjugates. Alterations in galectin-3 expression are observed in a variety of human tumors. In thyroid, this lectin has been found to be highly expressed in malignancies of epithelial origin. We analyzed galectin-3 expression in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: An immunohistochemical study using monoclonal antibody was performed on paraffin sections of twenty cases of sporadic MTC comprising ten cases without and ten cases with lymph node metastases at the time of surgery. RESULTS: Positive cytoplasmic staining for galectin-3 was found in 16/20 cases, but varied in intensity and distribution from weak/focal (7/16) to moderate (7/16) or strong (2/16). Advanced stage of MTC (with lymph node metastases at the time of surgery) showed moderate to strong galectin-3 expression more frequently (8/10) than cases without lymph node metastases (1/10). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that galectin-3 expression is associated with the advanced stage of disease and that this lection might play a role in the pathobiology of MTC.
Primary endocrine therapy of locally advanced breast cancer patients
Authors: Neskovic-Konstantinovic Zora
Published: August 2005

Primary endocrine therapy has been traditionally reserved for elderly and unfit locally advanced breast cancer patients (LABC patients). In this group, the primary endocrine therapy could not be adequately compared to primary chemotherapy. Rare studies of primary endocrine therapy, and careful subgroup analyses of their results, showed that primary endocrine therapy could achieve at least the similar magnitude of response rate, compared to primary chemotherapy, in selected patients' population. Thus, the primary treatment with tamoxifen in steroid receptor (SR)-positive LABC patients became the standard arm in current studies of primary endocrine therapy. Several questions, concerning the use of endocrine primary treatment in routine clinical practice, should be answered, including the definition of optimum endocrine agents, biomarkers for prediction of response, and patients' selection criteria.
Inflammatory breast cancer: Where are we now?
Authors: Filipovic Sladjana
Published: August 2005

Inflammatory breast cancer is perhaps the most aggressive form of breast neoplasm, with a poor prognosis. Clinically, inflammatory breast cancer is characterized by erythema and edema of the skin of the breast, called "peau d`orange", with or without an associated palpable mass. This form represents 1% to 6% (doubled during the past two decades) of all newly diagnosed breast malignancies and is often considered together with local advanced breast cancer, despite specific differential features. The reported 5-year survival rates range from 10% to 75%. On mammography, a diffuse increase in density and skin thickening may be present. Pathologic confirmation of invasion of dermal lymphatics by malignant cells can help distinguish this condition from benign mastitis. Most inflammatory breast cancers are on biopsy poorly differentiated ductal carcinomas, mainly estrogen and progesterone receptor negative. HER2/neu-overexpression and p53 gene mutations are frequently present. The probability of axillary node involvement is approximately 90%. Contralateral breast cancer develops in 25% to 50% of the patients, usually in the presence of metastases. Inflammatory breast cancer has a high rate of locoregional recurrence after surgery and/or radiotherapy and the rapid appearance of distant metastases. However, long-term survival is possible for these patients if treated with multimodality therapy including polychemotherapy, mastectomy, and loco-regional radiotherapy. The optimal sequencing of combined modality therapy has not been determined. Although not all patients are candidates for such a regimen (often due to progression during treatment), for those that complete all phases of therapy, more than one-third will be alive without disease at 10 years.
The role of chemotherapy in the management of resectable colorectal cancer
Authors: Radosavljevic Davorin , Tomasevic Zorica , Popov Ivan , Jelic Svetislav
Published: August 2005

Adjuvant chemotherapy has been established as the standard of care for patients with node-positive resected colon cancer. 5-fluorouracil modulated with leucovorin given for six months is currently the most widely accepted "standard" regimen. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy in stage II remain investigational and some prognostic indicators that correlate with higher risk for subsequent recurrence may be used for these patients when consider adjuvant chemotherapy. Other investigational approaches include regional portal vein infusion and intraperitoneal therapy, immunotherapy, and new drugs, with proven activity in metastatic disease. Patients older than 70 years are also candidate for adjuvant therapy of colorectal cancer. Adjuvant chemotherapy of rectal cancer is often associated with radiotherapy and enhances local control seen with radiotherapy and improves survival of these patients.
Chemotherapy options for metastatic colorectal carcinoma: First, second, third line...
Authors: Tomasevic Zorica , Jelic Svetislav , Radosavljevic Davorin , Popov Ivan
Published: August 2005

For almost 40 years, the only option for patients with unresectable metastases was treatment with 5-fluorouracil. In the last decade, new drugs became available that changed attitude toward treatment of metastatic CRC as well as the prognosis for some patients although the "story" of 5-FU is not finished yet. Irinotecan, oxaliplatin and oral fluoropyrimidines produces higher response rates, longer symptom control and longer survival for the majority of the patients with unresectable metastases. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is particularly interesting, because according to the results of some studies, it actually allows curative resections of previously unresectable liver metastases. This paper deals with the current status of chemotherapy of metastatic CRC, and some dilemmas about that issue. Also, we report results of third line chemotherapy of metastatic CRC patients treated at the Institute for Oncology and radiology of Serbia (IORS).
Differentiated thyroid cancer: Growth factors, oncogenes and environmental influences
Authors: Paunovic Ivan
Published: August 2005

The present data of growth factors, oncogenes, tumor-suppressor-genes and environmental factors can be summarized in thus: thyrotropin, growth factors and other hormones do increase thyrocyte growth and specific mutations of growth factor receptors (thyrotropin receptor [TSH-R], alpha subunit of hetero-trimeric transducer protein [GSP]) cause autonomously functioning thyroid tissue and differentiated thyroid carcinoma. In the thyroid, as in other organs, genes that are found to be differentially expressed between normal thyroid tissue and thyroid carcinomas can be used as targets for molecular-based diagnosis and therapy. Deregulation of tumor suppressor gene p53, however, parallels dedifferentiation of papillary and follicular thyroid cancer but has been found in few cases only. Iodide inhibiting thyrocyte growth will have to be investigated more intensively after sodium-iodide-symporter (NIS) has been cloned, and studies may now be available that could lead to form of conservative treatment in especially dedifferentiated thyroid cancer.
Complex analysis of lung cancer and stomach cancer risk factors
Authors: Lezhnin Vladimir , Polzik Eugene , Kazantsev Vladimir
Published: August 2005

BACKGROUND: We conducted a multifactorial cancer epidemiology case-control study to assess effects of a complex of factors on high cancer morbidity of population of an industrial town in the central part of Russia. The study was carried out in the town of Tula, one of the oldest industrial centers of Russia with a high occupational and industrial load on the population and a high cancer incidence rate exceeding the Russian average rates by 38.4% in men and 89.9% in women. METHODS: We examined 200 lung cancer cases, 206 stomach cancer cases, and 213 controls, all residents of Tula. On each of the 619 study participants we collected personal data, which allowed characterization of cases and controls by a complex of 29 features reflecting well-known lung and stomach cancer risk factors. Mathematical processing was performed using the technique of multifactorial analysis based on mathematical pattern recognition methods. All tasks were solved in the package of applied programs of pattern recognition KVAZAR. RESULTS: The results of the multifactorial analysis of epidemiological data collected showed that the contribution of smoking in the development of stomach cancer in Tula was 7%, alcohol abuse 4%, occupational exposure to carcinogens 12% a complex of individual biological factors 28%, environmental factors 22% radiation factors 5%, nutrition habits 10%, and other factors 12%. The contribution of smoking in lung cancer mortality was 27%, alcohol abuse 4% occupational exposure to carcinogens 14%, a complex of individual biological factors 32%, environmental factors 9%, radiation factors 7%, and other factors 7%. CONCLUSION: The results of the epidemiological study carried out on the basis of methods of a multifactorial analysis in the city of Tula Russia, showed the effectiveness of such an approach to solving complicated epidemiological tasks. The suggested method allows one to assess a complex effect of different factors on oncologic morbidity in an industrial town and the prediction of effectiveness of various cancer preventive measures facilitates the choice of the most effective complex of preventive actions on the certain territory and at low cost.
Systemic therapy for colorectal cancer
Authors: Stabuc Borut
Published: August 2005

Colorectal cancer alone accounts for around 200,000 deaths in Europe and represents a significant health problem. Although about fifty percent of patients are cured by surgery alone, the other half will eventually die due to metastatic disease, which includes approximately 25% of patients who have evidence of metastases at the time of diagnosis. Surgical resection of the primary tumor and regional lymph nodes is the only curative therapy for colorectal cancer. However, adjuvant chemotherapy in stage III for colon cancer following curative resection has been shown to reduce the risk of recurrence by 19-40% and of death by 16-33%. Today, 5-fluoroUracil and Leucovorin given for six months may represent the best adjuvant treatment available The contribution of levamisole to adjuvant treatment seems to be marginal, if any. The benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy for the patients with Dukes B colon cancer is less clear. A meta-analysis of 1,381 patients with advanced colorectal cancer showed a significant increase in response rate with the bolus 5-fluoroUracil and Leucovorin versus 5-fluoroUracil alone but no significant difference in median survival. Continuous infusion allows higher doses of 5-FU than rapid bolus infusion and improves response rate survival and time to progression. Oral fluoropyrimidines (capecitabine and Uracil/Tegafur [UFT]) are as active as intravenous fluoropyrimidines. Compared to intravenous 5FU, oral fluoropyrimidines have safety advantages clinical benefits, and are more convenient for patients. Phase III randomized clinical trials in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer demonstrate the significant superiority of combining irinotecan with 5-fluoroUracil and Leucovorin or oxaliplatin with 5-fluoroUracil and Leucovorin over the same 5-fluoroUracil and Leucovorin alone. Several phase II studies have shown that the combination of the oral fluoropyrimidines plus irinotecan or oxaliplatin is very active in metastatic colorectal cancer. Trials with agents acting on novel targets in colorectal cancer are progressing rapidly, including doxifluridine, new inhibitors of thymidylate synthase (ZD9331), oral camptothecins (Rubitecan), multitarget antifolate antimetabolite (Premetrexet), inhibitors of epidermal growth factor receptor (Cetuximab), COX-2 inhibitors (celecoxib) and farnesyltransferaze inhibitors (Zarnestra). However, a few randomized trials failed to show a survival advantage compared with placebo in patients with advanced refractory colorectal cancer.
Risk of fatal versus incidental lung cancer in radon-exposed rats: A reanalysis of French data
Authors: Monchaux Georges
Published: August 2005

This review summarizes data on lung cancer risk from radon experimental studies performed by our group in France with emphasis on the most recent findings and analyses on the influence of dose-rate and that of fatal versus incidental tumors. A dose-effect relationship was established in rats, which was very similar for medium and high cumulative exposures, to that observed in uranium miners. At low cumulative exposures in the range of 0.18 Jhm-3 (50 WLM) to 0.36 Jhm-3 (100 WLM), the proportion of fatal lung cancer is about 80% that of total lung cancers. In contrast, at cumulative exposures of 0.72 Jhm-3 (200 WLM) and higher, the proportion of fatal lung cancer is about half that of total lung cancers. The parameters that influence fatal lung cancer risk are cumulative exposure, potential alpha energy concentration (PAEC), exposure rate, and protraction of exposure. At high cumulative exposures up to 10.8 Jhm-3 (3,000 WLM), an inverse dose-rate effect similar to that observed in uranium miners was also found in rats. The inverse exposure- rate effect was observed mainly at the highest exposure-rates. In contrast, our recent results indicate that at relatively low cumulative exposures of 0.36 Jhm-3 (100 WLM), comparable to lifetime exposures in high-radon houses or current underground mining exposures, the risk of lung cancer in rats decreases with decreasing PAEC, i.e., exposure rate. These data suggest that the induction of lung cancer results from a complex inter- play between cumulative exposure and exposure rate, with an optimal combination of these two parameters that results in a maximum risk of lung cancer induction. They support the hypothesis that, at low doses, the risk of lung cancer is governed by the rate at which the dose is delivered, and not by the total cumulative dose alone. These data are also consistent with those of underground uranium miners showing an inverse dose-rate effect at high cumulative exposures, but an attenuation of this effect at cumulative exposures lower than 0.18 Jhm-3 (50 WLM). They support both an inverse dose-rate effect at high cumulative exposures, as well as its attenuation or disappearance at low cumulative exposures.
The effect of combined chemotherapy with or without potentiation with interferon alpha or tamoxifen for melanoma
Authors: Pejcic Ivica , Vrbic Svetislav , Filipovic Sladjana , Pejcic Ljiljana , Jovanovic Bratislav , Scekic Mirjana , Filipovic Aleksandra
Published: August 2005

BACKGROUND: Metastatic melanoma has shown only limited responsiveness to chemotherapy or immunotherapy. The most commonly used single-agent chemotherapy comes from the nitrosourea group of agents and provides response rates of less than 20%. Several cytotoxic agents have been combined with no dramatic benefit. The incorporation of tamoxifen or interferon in chemotherapy regimens has proven effective in some trials. METHODS: From July 1998 to March 2002, 45 patients with metastatic melanoma were enrolled for the study. None of the patients had previously received chemotherapy. The aim of the study was to compare the activity of three combined regimens: CVD (cisplatin, vinblastine, dacarbazine) chemotherapeutic combination, CVD with interferon (IFN) alpha-2 - biochemotherapy, and CVD with tamoxifen. The study was conducted as a single center, controlled, prospective, randomized phase II study directed toward the disease. RESULTS: The best response rate (RR) was observed in the CVD+IFN (6/15) group related to the CVD (4/15) and CVD+TAM (3/15) groups, without significant difference though. In 29 patients with 1 to 2 metastatic lesions, RR was 44.82% (CR-1, PR-12, SD-13, PD-3), while in 16 patients with 3 or more metastatic lesions RR was 0.0 % (CR-0, PR-0, SD-9, PD-7). The difference was statistically significant (p<0.005). The best responding metastatic sites were the lymph nodes (in 10 patients), but patients with lung, skin and liver lesions also responded. All patients experienced mild adverse effects. No treatment-related deaths occurred. The median survival was 12, 12, and 11 months in CVD+IFN, CVD and CVD+TAM group, respectively. Time to progression was about 8 months in all treated groups. CONCLUSION: Combined chemotherapy, biochemotherapy or chemohormonal therapy all showed some activity in metastatic melanoma. However, it is not yet possible to define standard therapy for this disease. Due to a limited number of patients evaluated so far in this investigation the results should be clearer and more conclusive with larger cumulative number of cases enrolled.
The use of tularemia live vaccine in clinical oncology
Authors: Adamyan Robert , Galstyan Hairapet , Nersesyan Armen
Published: August 2005

The review of literature on the use of tularemia live vaccine in clinical oncology is presented. The results of the investigation of tularemia live vaccine as a non-specific stimulator of natural immune and antitumor resistance of patients with endometrial cancer and inoperable lung cancer and its influence on the immunological status of these patients after immunization, during the process of combined treatment, and on long-term (up to 5 years) follow-up after vaccination are shown. A single immunization with tularemia live vaccine increases the main immunological indices in patients with endometrial cancer and inoperable lung cancer already in 2 to 3 weeks after vaccination and they remain during the whole term of follow-up. Moreover, the vaccine shows not only immunostimulating but immunomodulating effect as well and does not give any serious local or general complications. It is shown that due to these effects immunization of patients with tularemia live vaccine in 15 to 20 days before surgery or chemotherapy is followed by a significantly decreased frequency of postoperative complications and better survival. On the basis of the data obtained the authors recommend to use tularemia live vaccine in the complex treatment of those cancer patients who have deep decrease of immunological reactivity.
Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis in a patient with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Authors: Semnic Marija , Jovanovic Darjana , Petrovic Dragana , Nadj Ilinka , Semnic Robert
Published: August 2005

Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis is uncommon neurological side effect of cancer in the absence of direct effect of primary tumor or metastasis, side effects of treatment or metabolic dysfunctions (6). Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma triggers such side effect very rarely. We present a case of a young adult with complete clinical course of non- Hodgkin's lymphoma with an episode of behavioral disturbances and MRI features which were pathognomonic for paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis.
Ras gene mutations in patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma
Authors: Minic Vesna , Andjelic Gordana , Stanic Vojkan , Magic Zvonko
Published: August 2005

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality in most countries, with every year's increasing incidence. At present, surgical resection of early stage disease presents the only treatment associated with a high likelihood of 5-year survival. On the other hand, patients with advanced disease have 5-year survival less than 5%. This poor prognosis is attributable largely to lack of efficient diagnostic methods for early detection and the inability to cure metastatic disease. Therefore, efforts aimed at early identification and interventions in lung cancer are of the highest importance. Mutations in ras oncogenes appear to play a significant role in the development of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Thus, the aim of our study was to determine the incidence of H-ras and K-ras mutations in patients with NSCLC of different histological subtypes: adenocarcinomas (AC), squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), large cell carcinomas (LCC), and adenosquamous carcinomas (AC-SCC). METHODS: We analyzed 41 patients with stage I, II and III of histologically confirmed NSCLC (histological grade 2 and 3). DNA was isolated from frozen tumors by standard phenol-chloroform extraction. Mutations in exon 1 H-ras and K-ras gene were detected by PCR-SSCP method. RESULTS: Mutations in the H-ras gene were found in only 2 of 41 analyzed tumors (4.9%). The both mutations were found in SCC making the overall incidence in this histological subtype 10.5% (2 of 19). K-ras mutations were detected in 31.7% (13 out of 41) of tumors, with higher incidence in tumors of clinical stage I - 45% (9 out of 20). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that H-ras mutations apparently play an inferior role in lung carcinogenesis. However, mutations in K-ras gene probably present an early event in genesis of NSCLC, and not only in adenocarcinomas, as the majority of previous reports indicate, but also in squamous cell carcinomas as well.
Pathogenesis of malignant ascites in ovarian cancer patients
Authors: Stanojevic Zorica , Rancic Gorana , Radic Stojan , Potic-Zecevic Natasa , Djordjevic Biljana , Markovic Milan , Todorovska Ilinka
Published: August 2005

Peritonitis carcinomatosa, indicating the presence of malignant cells in the peritoneal cavity, is a well- known complication of malignant disease. The collection of intraperitoneal fluid in a patient with ovarian cancer is most likely due to intraperitoneal spread of disease. The recognition of small quantities of intraperitoneal fluid may have staging and prognostic significance, while symptomatic large collections may reflect end-stage disease, which permits only palliative therapeutic options. In this paper we dis- cussed the pathogenesis of malignant ascites in ovarian cancer patients and suggested potential new treatment approaches.
Could telemedicine generate.med as top-level domain name?
Authors: Zdravkovic Svetozar
Published: August 2005

The article presents a consideration of top-level domain names and possibility that telemedicine generates top-level domain name for medicine itself. Using the United States of America domain, the article has tried to explain all the most important facts about top-level domain names. It has also presents a current situation about responsibility in this sector and the mode to adopt new top-level domains.
Correlation between prostate-specific antigen and histopathological difference of prostate carcinoma
Authors: Zivkovic Sladjana
Published: August 2005

BACKGROUND: Adenocarcinoma of prostate (ACP) is one of the most frequent tumors in men older than 50. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is the most reliable serum marker in the diagnostics and following of prostate carcinoma, and Gleason's system of estimation of tumor differentiation, as well as classical estimation of tumor differentiation from 1 to 3, are generally accepted systems of prostate carcinoma evaluation. METHODS: Forty examined individuals with verified ACP and compared values of PSA and tumor differentiation as well as estimated comparability of these two systems are reported. RESULTS: Highly positive correlation between the values of PSA in serum and the degree of tumor differentiation determined by Gleason's system, as well as the low correlation between PSA and histological differentiation estimated using classical system from 1 to 3 were found. CONCLUSION: It could be concluded that Gleason's system for tumor differentiation determination is more superior system of histological grade determination than the other systems.
Predictive ECG coding using linear time-invariant models
Authors: Boskovic Aleksandar , Despotovic Miroslav , Bajic Dragana
Published: August 2005

Electrocardiogram (ECG) signal compression suffers of lack of standards for analogue-digital conversion. Results of this study have shown that 8 bits/sample, although frequently in use, does not satisfy quality criteria for medical doctors. This paper also presents predictive technique for lossless ECG compression using linear time-invariant models. Tests on clinically measured ECG signals confirm a very good performance in terms of compression ratio.
New aspects of supportive care: The MASCC vision
Authors: Herrstedt Jorn
Published: August 2005

The Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) was founded in 1991, and joined forces with the International Society of Oral Oncology (ISOO) in 1998. The "mission" of MASCC is to optimize supportive care in cancer patients worldwide, stimulate multi-disciplinary research, encourage international scientific exchange of information, expand professional expertise in supportive care, educate health care professionals worldwide in supportive care, and to serve as a resource for patients, families, and caregivers. Ten years ago, the most frequently addressed supportive care symptoms included pain, febrile neutropenia, and the prevention of nausea and vomiting. These topics are still indeed relevant for cancer patients, but today focus has also turned to topics such as mucositis, and specific supportive care problems in the elderly. Recent, studies have indicated that individually targeted supportive care therapy might become an important part of clinical practice in the near future.