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First use of AXL-targeting in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC); with positive results, ACC now included in AXL studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: The objective of this study was to analyze the prevalence of anemia and variability of hemoglobin (Hb) values in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, to establish its associated factors and their impact on clinical outcomes in a large cohort of patients starting PD treatment. Methods: Data were collected monthly in incident patients, who were followed until the primary endpoint (death from all causes) or until leaving the study. Results: 2,156 patients starting PD were included. The prevalence of Hb lower than 11 g/dl was 57% at baseline and decreased to 38% at the 4th month. Lack of adequate predialysis care and previous treatment with hemodialysis were the most important factors associated with anemia. Anemia was an independent predictor of mortality. There were no differences in patient survival throughout the different groups of Hb variability. Conclusion: Our data point to the need of identifying other risk factors for anemia and aggressively interfere with the modifiable ones in order to correct anemia and decrease mortality in this group of high-risk patients. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To study the effect of bone marrow derived-mononuclear stem cells transplantation in the growth, VEGF-R and TNF-alpha expression of surgically induced endometriosis in an experimental model. Study design: This is an experimental study conducted in the Center for Health and Biological Sciences at the Pontifical Catholic University of Parana, Brazil. Endometriotic implants were surgically induced in 120 female Wistar rats. The animals with viable endometrial implant (larger than 25mm2) were randomically divided into 3 groups to receive an intraperitoneal injection of 0.2cc of saline solution (C group; n =30), a subcutaneous injection of 1mg/kg of leuprolide (L group; n =34), or an intraperitoneal injection of 5×106 bone marrow derived-mononuclear stem cells (SC group; n =36). They were sacrificed after 21 days to assess the implants’ size and the tissue expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGF-R) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Results: Treatment with leuprolide decreased the surface area of the endometriotic implant compared to the SC group and the C group. The absolute reduction in the surface area of the implant was 16.5mm, 0mm, and 0mm (p =0.007), respectively, and the percent reduction was 40.2%, 0%, and 0% (p =0.001). VEGF-R expression in the endometriotic implant decreased after treatment in the L and SC groups compared to the C group (409.6μm2 vs. 465μm2 vs. 920.9μm2, respectively; p =0.021). TNF-alpha expression also reduced in the L and SC groups compared to the C group (585.7μm2 vs. 549.3μm2 vs. 2402.1μm2, respectively; p <0.001). Conclusion: Bone marrow derived-mononuclear stem cells transplantation decreased the expression of VEGF-R and TNF-alpha in the endometriotic implant but did not reduce the surface area of the lesion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To investigate whether quantitative computed tomography (CT) measurements can predict microvascular invasion (MVI) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of 200 cases of surgically proven HCCs in 125 consecutive patients evaluated between March 2010 and November 2017. We quantitatively measured regions of interest in lesions and adjacent areas of the liver on unenhanced CT scans, as well as in the arterial, portal venous, and equilibrium phases on contrast-enhanced CT scans. Enhancement profiles were analyzed and compared with histopathological references of MVI. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used in order to evaluate CT parameters as potential predictors of MVI. Results: Of the 200 HCCs, 77 (38.5%) showed evidence of MVI on histopathological analysis. There was no statistical difference between HCCs with MVI and those without, in terms of the percentage attenuation ratio in the portal venous phase (114.7 vs. 115.8) and equilibrium phase (126.7 vs. 128.2), as well as in terms of the relative washout ratio, also in the portal venous and equilibrium phases (15.0 vs. 8.2 and 31.4 vs. 26.3, respectively). Conclusion: Quantitative dynamic CT parameters measured in the preoperative period do not appear to correlate with MVI in HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]