Vojnosanit Pregl
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Deregulation of the normal cell cycle is common in upper urothelial carcinoma (UUC). The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of regulatory proteins of the cell cycle (p53, p16, cyclin D1, HER-2) and proliferative Ki-67 activity in UUC, and to determine their interaction and influence on the phenotypic characteristics of UUC. ⋯ This investigation showed that only negative regulatory proteins of the cell cycle, p53 and p16, were significantly associated in UUC, while proliferative marker Ki-67 was in relation to the key phenotypic characteristics of UUC in the best way.
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The most important clinically relevant cause of global cerebral ischemia is cardiac arrest. Clinical studies showed a marked neuroprotective effect of mild hypothermia in resuscitation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of mild hypothermia on neurological outcome and survival of the patients in coma, after cardiac arrest and return of spontaneous circulation. ⋯ Mild therapeutic hypothermia applied after cardiac arrest improved neurological outcome and reduced mortality in the studied group of comatose survivors.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Color Doppler ultrasonography and multislice computer tomography angiography in carotid plaque detection and characterization.
Cerebrovascular diseases are the third leading cause of mortality in the world, following malignant and cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, their timely and precise diagnostics is of great importance. The aim of this study was to compare duplex scan Color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) with multislice computed tomography angiography (MSCTA) in detection of morphological and functional disorders at extracranial level of carotid arteries. ⋯ Atherosclerotic disease of extracranial part of carotid arteries primarily affects population of middle-aged and elderly, showing more associated risk factors. Sensitivity and specificity of CDU and MSCTA regarding plaque composition, the degree of stenosis and plaque localization are almost the same. These results and the fact that there are no adverse effects (high radiation dose) compared to MSCTA indicate that CDU should be the initial method in diagnostic algorythm for carotid arteries.
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Ligation of a Toll-like receptor (TLR) by specific TLR agonists is a powerful tool for maturation induction of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs). Studies so far have shown that the treatment of dendritic cells (DCs) with a TLR3 ligand, polyinosinic-polycytidylicacid [Poly(I:C)], may be an appropriate activation agent for obtaining mature MoDCs, competent to prime effective immune responses. However, little is known about how subsequent interaction of MoDCs with T cell-derived stimuli, such as CD40 or interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), modulates MoDC functions. Therefore, this problem was the main objective of this study. ⋯ Treatment with Poly(I:C) or ligation of CD40 on immature MoDCs induces maturation of these cells into a phenotype that supports Th1 response. Activation of CD40 on Poly(I:C)-treated MoDCs shifts the immune response towards Th17. Treatment of immature MoDCs with IFN-gamma down-regulated Th2 and Th17 responses. However, addition of IFN-gamma to Poly(I:C)-activated MoDCs down-regulated Th1 response and promote T regulatory mechanisms. Each of these results may have functional and therapeutic implications.
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Female patients who underwent ceratin treatment forms of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) are at five times greater risk for disease relapse in comparison to the rest of female population. The aim of the study was to investigate validity of human papillomavirus (HPV) typization and cytology in detection of relapse. METHODS; The prospective clinical investigation included 35 patients with relapse and 30 ones without it after adequate treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. HPV typization using PCR methods and cytological test (conventional Pap smear) were performed in all the patients. Validation of tests applied was performed by determining their sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value. ⋯ Both tests, HPV typization and Pap smear, offer satisfactory sensitivity and high specificity in detection of relapse, parcticularly those with more severe degree. The highest sensitivity in detection of CIN relapse is obtained by using both tests.