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Biomedical subjects

I Kocak

Publications and source records attributed to I Kocak.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Lack of STAT 1 phosphorylation at TYR 701 by IFNgamma correlates with disease outcome in melanoma patients.

STAT 1, a member of signal transducer and transcription activator family has been implicated as key downstream mediator of interferon (IFN) signaling. Its functional activation requires phosphorylation at Tyr 701 and Ser 727 residues. Various STAT abnormalities have been found in cancer cells but their relation to oncogenesis, tumor behavior and disease outcome remains mostly unknown. We have examined the inducibility of STAT 1 phosphorylation by IFN alpha/gamma in primary cultures established from melanoma lymph node metastases at first progression and correlated our results with disease outcome and overall survival. Forty-four patients at clinical stage I-III at initial diagnosis entered the study. STAT 1 inducibility of phosphorylation by IFNs was assessed in melanoma cell lysates by means of standard immunoprecipitation and Western blotting using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. Lack of STAT 1 phosphorylation at Ser 727 after either IFN was recorded in 75% of patients, however, no correlations with disease evolution could be proved. In contrast, STAT 1 phosphorylation response at Tyr 701 after IFNalpha occurred in 13 (29.5%) and after IFNgamma in 32 (73%) patients. Inducibility of STAT 1 activation at Tyr 701 but not at Ser 727 driven by IFNgamma but not by IFNalpha significantly and unfavorably [corrected] influenced disease- free interval and overall survival. In conclusion, these results show that the absence of IFNgamma inducibility of STAT 1 phosphorylation at Tyr 701 positively correlates with disease outcome in malignant melanoma patients and may represent new independent prognostic marker.

Adult↗

Antibiotics prophylaxis in laparoscopy.

OBJECTIVE: This study was to determine which prophylactic antibiotic regimen is most effective in reducing the incidence of infectious morbidity in women undergoing laparoscopy. DESIGN: Randomized, nonblinded comparative study of a single preoperative dose of first generation cephalosporins vs. the control group which did not receive the antibiotic. METHODS: The operations were performed using standard technique. Women (n = 450) with indication for laparoscopy were randomly allocated to two groups. Group 1 (n = 200) received the single dose in first generation cephalosporins and group 2 (n = 250) did not receive it. Both groups were followed up during 7 days for detection of signs of wound infection, idiopathic fever, peritonitis and urinary tract infection, and respiratory tract. Prevalence of postoperative infection, mean hospital stay. RESULTS: Women completing the study (n = 450) were distributed into group 1 (n = 200) and group 2 (n = 250). No significant difference was found either in the prevalence of postoperative infection or in the mean hospital stay. No death occurred. Each patient was assessed daily until discharge to evidence wound infection, idiopathic fever, peritonitis and urinary tract infection, and respiratory tract. Hospital stay did not differ significantly between groups (p>0.005). CONCLUSION: In our setting, the administration of a single dose of 2 g of first generation cephalosporins before laparoscopy for prevention of infection is clinically equivalent to control group. Single dose of 2 g of first generation cephalosporins appears to offer no added benefit over control group.

Adult↗

Malignant melanoma associates with deficient IFN-induced STAT 1 phosphorylation.

STAT 1, a member of signal transducers and transcription activators of STAT family proteins, has been implicated as important mediator of IFN signaling. Functional activation of STAT 1 requires tyrosine and serine phosphorylation. Defects in its expression or activation in response to IFNs were observed in numerous pathological conditions including cancer. To further explore cancer-associated impaired STAT 1 response to IFNs, the inducibility of serine (S 727) and tyrosine (Y 701) phosphorylation by IFN-alpha/-gamma was assessed in 21 melanoma cell lines and in 35 primary cultures derived from melanoma patients. STAT 1 levels and inducibility of its activated phospho-forms were detected by Western analysis using specific polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. All cell lines as well as patient melanoma samples expressed STAT 1 with variable signal intensity. Significant impaired IFN-induced STAT 1 S 727 phosphorylation was observed in both model systems with average of 77% of non-responders recorded in patient melanoma cells and 76% in melanoma cell lines. Failure of PY 701 induction occurred in patient samples (63% after IFN-alpha and 34% after IFN-gamma induction) and to a lesser degree in cell lines (i.e. response absence to IFN-alpha in 5 and to IFN-gamma in 2 melanoma lines). Our study demonstrates STAT 1 functional abnormalities in melanoma cells. On the basis of detailed analyses of patient melanoma cells with respect to the inducibility of STAT 1 phosphorylation by IFNs, four categories of patients could be distinguished: a) activation on both S 727 and Y 701, b) not inducible response, c) activation on Y 701 but not on S 727, d) heterogeneous response. Clinical study is now in progress to establish the significance of in vitro STAT 1 activation for predicting the response to IFN-based therapy and to explore biological consequences in cases responding in vitro to IFN-induced STAT 1 activation on only one of the critical amino acid residues.

Blotting, Western↗

Vinorelbine, epirubicin, and methotrexate (VEM) as primary treatment in locally advanced breast cancer.

PURPOSE: This phase II trial of VEM (vinorelbine + epirubicine + methotrexate) in the treatment of locally advanced breast cancer was conducted to obtain downstaging to allow surgery and breast conservation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This multicenter study recruited 58 patients with locally advanced breast cancer (two patients ineligible); 56 were evaluable for response and tolerance. RESULTS: Downstaging was obtained in 77% of the patients with a pathological complete response (pCR) rate of 9%. At 33 months of follow-up, median survival has not been reached. Neutropenia grade 3-4 was reported in 31% of cycles with 3% of cycles with infection grade 3. Alopecia grade 3 was noticed for 71% of patients. CONCLUSION: VEM represents an effective regimen for patients with locally advanced breast cancer, allowing an important pCR. Moreover, this regimen appears to be particularly well tolerated.

Adolescent↗

Epididymal changes associated with cryptorchidism in rats.

AIM: To investigate the effect of a new mechanically induced cryptorchidism model on rat epididymal histology. METHODS: Eighteen 21-day-old Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups of 6 animals each. Animals of Groups 1 and 2 were made unilaterally cryptorchid by closing the left inguinal canal, while Group 3 (controls), sham operated. At Day 60 (Group 1) and Day 90 (Group 2 and 3), the rats were sacrificed. The epididymides of both sides were weighed, and the diameter of the epididymal tubules, the height of the tubular epithelium and the presence of fibrosis of the caput epididymides were examined under a light-microscope. RESULTS: The cryptorchid epididymis had a significantly lower weight increase than the contralateral ones and the controls, but the epithelial height and diameter of caput epididymal tubules were not significantly different. Fibrosis was not observed. CONCLUSION: The authors proposed that this new model is a convenient method to evaluate the epididymal changes associated with experimental cryptorchidism.

Animals↗

An evaluation of transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration of simple adnexal cysts.

We carried out this clinical study to evaluate the benefits the risks of transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration in a group of patients. The study group consisted of 22 premenapausal women who were detected as having benign adnexal cysts, based on ultrasound appearances. Before the procedure, all patients were evaluated thoroughly by pelvic examination, transvaginal ultrasound and serum measurements of CA-125. Oestradiol CA-125, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone and progesterone were analysed in aspirated cystic fluids as well as cytological evaluation. It was concluded that measurements of follicle stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone, oestradiol and progesterone concentrations in cystic fluid had no prognostic significance. But CA-125 levels over 55 iu/ml were likely to predict the recurrence of the cysts. Cytological examination of the aspirated cystic fluids revealed that 21 cysts were benign functional cysts, but one was serous cystadenoma. We observed recurrence following aspiration in five patients (22.7%) who were followed for 6 months. Patients with simple ovarian cysts will benefit from transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration by being saved from surgery and its related complications. However, its use should be limited to those masses that appear to be completely cystic with well-defined borders, because of the risk of the intra-abdominal spillage of the contents of complicated cysts.

Journal Article↗

Angiomyofibroblastoma of the vulva: case report.

Angiomyxomas are a group of relatively rare mesenchymal myxoid tumors. Three types of angiomyxomas have been identified: superficial angiomyxoma, aggressive angiomyxoma and angiomyofibroblastoma. These tumors have a predilection for occurring in the perineum of middle-aged females and are often clinically diagnosed as Bartholin's cyst. A case of a 42-year-old female with a perineal angiomyofibroblastoma mimicking a Bartholin's cyst is presented. The pathological and clinical characteristics of this tumor are discussed.

Adult↗

Treatment of glaucoma in young nanophthalmic patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the criteria of diagnosis and management of secondary glaucoma in young nanophthalmic patients. METHODS: Considering the anatomic features and clinical characteristics, 22 eyes of 11 patients were identified as bilateral nanophthalmos. Intraocular pressures (IOP) were checked with Goldmann applanation or Keeler pulse-air 2000 tonometer, and Nd-Yag laser was used for iridotomies. Prophylactic V-shaped unsutured sclerectomies over the pars plana were combined with trabeculectomy, and Mitomycin C (MMC) in 0.2 mg/ml concentration was applied. RESULTS: Among 22 eyes of bilateral nanophthalmic patients 8 eyes had secondary angle-closure glaucoma. Laser iridotomies were performed in 6 eyes. Laser iridotomy and supplemental medical therapy were sufficient in 4 out of 6 eyes. Mean IOP dropped from 26.4 to 14.5 mmHg in these patients. Due to continuous increase of IOP in the other patients, they underwent trabeculectomy with V-shaped sclerostomy and intraoperative MMC application. Mean IOP dropped from 39.3 mmHg to 19.3 mmHg. Postoperative uveal effusion on other major complications were not observed. Mean age of these patients was 14.6 years during treatment. CONCLUSION: Management of glaucoma in nanophthalmus is complicated. Initial treatment is medical. If it is insufficient, laser iridotomies and V-shaped sclerostomies with filtration surgery can be performed at any age.

Adolescent↗