Arch Med Sci
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The DEK gene encodes a nuclear phosphoprotein which is involved in multiple cell metabolic processes, such as DNA damage repair, mRNA splicing, modifying chromatin structure and transcription regulation. DEK has been shown to be overexpressed in various solid human tumors and associated with patient prognosis. In this study, our aim was to investigate DEK protein expression and its relationship with clinicopathological parameters and prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). ⋯ DEK expression is positively correlated with reduced survival in ESCC patients. DEK has potential to be an independent biomarker in predicting prognosis of ESCC patients.
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Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have gained increased attention due to the discovery of their roles in cancer-related processes. LncRNA PTCSC3 has been shown to have tumour-suppressive effects in thyroid cancer and glioblastoma. This study investigated the role of lncRNA PTSC3 in human oral cancer. ⋯ Overall, the evidence suggests that lncRNA PTCSC3 acts as a tumour suppressor in human oral cancer and suppresses oral cancer proliferation via induction of apoptosis and autophagy.
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The aim of this study was to assess the relations between plasma renin activity (PRA), serum aldosterone concentration (ALDO) and selected asymptomatic organ damage (AOD) indices in mild primary arterial hypertension (AH). ⋯ Assessment of the influence of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) on AOD should include the relationship between renin and aldosterone. The PRA itself has no predictive value for AOD. More advanced arterial stiffness and renal impairment are associated with increased PRA and ARR. The RAAS activity might be useful in AOD prediction and hypertension severity assessment.
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Mortality, whether in or out of hospital, increases with age. However, studies evaluating in-hospital mortality in large populations did not distinguish between surgical and non-surgical causes of death, either in young or in elderly patients. The aim of the study was to assess in-hospital non-surgical mortality in a large group of patients, with a special focus on the elderly. ⋯ The in-hospital non-surgery-related mortality rate was approximately 4%. It significantly increased with age and, regardless of age, was highest in patients suffering from respiratory diseases.
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Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is the most potent among all vasoconstrictors, and its association with cardiovascular diseases has been reported before. Our aim was to investigate the association of ET-1 plasma level and its gene polymorphisms (rs5370 and rs10478694) with hypertension and coronary atherosclerosis (CA). ⋯ Endothelin-1 plasma level shows a direct association with the risk of CA development. The T allele of rs5370 can be regarded as a risk factor for CA development. The 3A allele of rs10478694 can be associated with the risk of hypertension; therefore, it can be concluded that ET-1 and its gene polymorphisms play an important role in CA development and hypertension observed in the south-eastern populations of Iran.