Arch Med Sci
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The exfoliation of exfoliative cells from gastric serosa into the peritoneum is the main cause of peritoneal metastasis, which is the most common form of postoperative recurrence in gastric cancer. This study investigates the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the biological properties of gastric cancer cells. ⋯ Lower survival was related to positive exfoliative cytology, lymphatic node metastasis, serosa-infiltrated and poorly differentiated gastric cancer. The expression of VEGF and EGF was correlated with the properties of gastric cancer cells. Specific inhibition of VEGF and EGF may impair the biological properties of gastric cancer cells in vitro.
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The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of blood pressure (BP) goals on cardiovascular outcomes in hypertensive patients. ⋯ In hypertension patients, when compared to uncontrolled hypertension patients, low therapeutic BP goal is associated with better cardiovascular outcomes than high therapeutic BP goal.
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Liver biopsy is a well-known method for the diagnosis and evaluation of chronic diffuse liver diseases, especially among patients with "hepatopathy of unknown origin". ⋯ Liver biopsy - despite the increasing access to new, non-invasive methods - remains a useful method in the differential diagnosis of liver diseases.
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Folate is required for fetal, placental and maternal tissue growth during pregnancy. A decline in maternal circulating folate concentrations and an increase in total homocysteine (a non-specific indicator of folate deficiency) have been observed with the progression of pregnancy. However, the role of folate in the third trimester of pregnancy is not clear and folate status in late pregnancy has not so far been widely analyzed. The main aim of this retrospective cross-sectional study was to determine the folate concentrations in amniotic fluid and in maternal and umbilical cord blood serum derived during delivery. ⋯ Folate concentrations in amniotic fluid are associated with maternal and neonatal folate status peripartum in healthy women.
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Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with higher risk of cardiovascular events and metabolic syndrome than psoriasis without arthritis. Fatty acids (FA) play an important role as signaling molecules in inflammatory and metabolic pathways. The aim of the study was to evaluate serum FA concentration in patients with PsA and to investigate the correlations of FA with the clinical and biochemical markers. ⋯ Our findings indicate a changed FA profile both in psoriasis and PsA and reflect metabolic status that may predispose to the development of metabolic syndrome.