Medicinski glasnik : official publication of the Medical Association of Zenica-Doboj Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Aim To investigate CD133 expression and its relationship to clinicopathological profile in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Methods This cross-sectional study was performed at the Internal Medicine Department, School of Medicine, Adam Malik General Hospital. The colorectal cancer tissue was taken from surgical resection and colonoscopy biopsy from CRC patients. ⋯ There was a significant difference between CD133 and different CRC locations (p=0.002). CD133 expression was higher in the proximal colon than the rectum (p=0.002), and it was higher in the distal colon than the rectum (p=0.008), especially in terms of percentages of stained cancer cells (distribution score). Conclusion CD133 expression was associated with the tumour location, but not with other clinicopathological factors.
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Aim To investigate the treatment effectiveness and outcome in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis relapse and newly diagnosed multidrug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Methods A total of 240 pulmonary MDR-TB patients, including 114 ones with tuberculosis relapse and 126 cases of newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis, were examined. ⋯ Results When assessing the treatment effectiveness in patients with MDR-TB, a worse clinical and chest radiograph dynamics was observed in tuberculosis relapse against the background of high parameters of treatment failure (18.4 %) and low cured (34.2 %) compared with newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis (7.1% and 58.7 %, respectively) (p=0.008 and p<0.001, respectively). Conclusion Standard treatment effectiveness in patients with newly diagnosed MDR-TB manifested by faster improvement and stabilization of health, earlier sputum culture and smear conversion, higher frequency of cavity closure and achievement of certain clinical and radiographic improvement against the background of fewer cases of treatment failure and a higher number of cured patients compared with MDR-TB relapse.
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Aim To investigate the relationship between IL-6 concentration and the risk of carotid artery calcification in chronic kidney disease patients with dialysis (CKD-5D). Methods This analytic observational cross-sectional study includes 95 clinically stable patients who underwent regular haemodialysis for at least three months at Rasyida Renal Hospital Medan, Indonesia. Serum IL-6 level was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ⋯ Ultrasound examination showed that 28 samples (29.5%) had carotid artery calcification. Statistical test significantly showed that patients with IL-6 ≥81.1 pg/mL were more likely to have carotid artery calcification with an increased risk of 12.92 times (95% CI: 5.54-30.12) compared to the group of patients who had IL-6 level <81.1 pg/mL (p <0.001). Conclusion This study proves that a high level of IL-6 can increase the risk of carotid artery calcification in CKD-5D patients.
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Aim To analyse the ability of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to regulate interleukin 6 (IL-6) and transforming growth factor (TGF-β) expression in vitro under co-culture conditions in human systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Method This study used a post-test group design that used peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from SLE patients at Kariadi Hospital, Semarang, Indonesia, and MSCs from a human umbilical cord. The cells were divided into two groups. ⋯ Following 24 h incubation, the levels of IL-6 and TGF-β released in the culture medium were measured using a specific ELISA assay. Results This study showed a significant decrease in IL-6 level (p<0.05) and a significant increase in TGF-β level (p<0.001) following 24 h of co-culture incubation of human SLE PBMCs cells and MSCs. Conclusion The PBMCs-to-MSCs ratio of 1:40 can regulate the IL-6 and TGF-β levels in human SLE PBMCs.
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Aim Candida albicans can cause two major types of infections: superficial infections (such as oral or vaginal candidiasis) as well as life-threatening systemic infections, and Aloe vera extract is one of the potentially useful therapeutic options. The aim of this study was to determine antifungal properties of Aloe vera ethanol extract on vulvovaginal candidiasis caused by Candida albicans. Methods Aloe vera ethanol extract was prepared by the maceration method with 70% ethanol and dissolved in DMSO into multiple concentrations (6.25%, 12.5%, 25%, and 50%). ⋯ Fluconazole revealed comparable antifungal effect with MIZ of 11.025±0.478 mm. Oneway ANOVA test showed a significant effect of Aloe vera ethanol extract on inhibition zone of Candida albicans growth (p<0.005). Conclusion Aloe vera ethanol extract possesses concentration dependent activity against Candida albicans that is comparable with standard antifungal agents.