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b-Thalassemia is a significant public health problem in Egypt. Infectious complications represent the second most common cause of mortality and the major cause of morbidity in b-thalassemia major (BTM). The increased susceptibility of these patients to infectious diseases has been attributed to the abnormalities of the immune system, which is evident by systemic inflammation and immune deficiency. In a case control study, 35 patients with BTM were compared with 30 sex- and age-matched children who served as controls. Serum ferritin, high-sensitive CRP (hsCRP), leptin and adiponectin levels were determined in all subjects. Apoptosis of neutrophils and lymphocytes was measured by the Annexin V-fluoroisothiocyanate binding assay. Serum leptin was significantly lower in patients when compared to controls. In contrast, adiponectin and hsCRP levels were significantly higher in the patients than the controls. Positive correlation was found between adiponectin and hsCRP. BTM patients had significantly higher total leukocytes, neutrophils and lymphocytes compared with controls. BTM children exhibited a significantly increased apoptosis in T-lymphocytes; however, there was no significant difference in the percentage of apoptosis of B-lymphocytes and neutrophils between the patients and the controls. There was a significant negative correlation between serum leptin and the percentage ofapoptotic T-lymphocytes. Our BTM patients had a high percentage of apoptotic T-lymphocyte in comparison with controls. In addition, they had disturbed serum levels of adipocytokines and inflammatory markers. These derangements could have a role in the immunological disturbance observed in thalassemic patients.

b-Thalassemia is a significant public health problem in Egypt. Infectious complications represent the second most common cause of mortality and the major cause of morbidity in b-thalassemia major (BTM). The increased susceptibility of these patients to infectious diseases has been attributed to the abnormalities of the immune system, which is evident by systemic inflammation and immune deficiency. In a case control study, 35 patients with BTM were compared with 30 sex- and age-matched children who served as controls. Serum ferritin, high-sensitive CRP (hsCRP), leptin and adiponectin levels were determined in all subjects. Apoptosis of neutrophils and lymphocytes was measured by the Annexin V-fluoroisothiocyanate binding assay. Serum leptin was significantly lower in patients when compared to controls. In contrast, adiponectin and hsCRP levels were significantly higher in the patients than the controls. Positive correlation was found between adiponectin and hsCRP. BTM patients had significantly higher total leukocytes, neutrophils and lymphocytes compared with controls. BTM children exhibited a significantly increased apoptosis in T-lymphocytes; however, there was no significant difference in the percentage of apoptosis of B-lymphocytes and neutrophils between the patients and the controls. There was a significant negative correlation between serum leptin and the percentage ofapoptotic T-lymphocytes. Our BTM patients had a high percentage of apoptotic T-lymphocyte in comparison with controls. In addition, they had disturbed serum levels of adipocytokines and inflammatory markers. These derangements could have a role in the immunological disturbance observed in thalassemic patients.

b-Thalassemia is a significant public health problem in Egypt. Infectious complications represent the second most common cause of mortality and the major cause of morbidity in b-thalassemia major (BTM). The increased susceptibility of these patients to infectious diseases has been attributed to the abnormalities of the immune system, which is evident by systemic inflammation and immune deficiency. In a case control study, 35 patients with BTM were compared with 30 sex- and age-matched children who served as controls. Serum ferritin, high-sensitive CRP (hsCRP), leptin and adiponectin levels were determined in all subjects. Apoptosis of neutrophils and lymphocytes was measured by the Annexin V-fluoroisothiocyanate binding assay. Serum leptin was significantly lower in patients when compared to controls. In contrast, adiponectin and hsCRP levels were significantly higher in the patients than the controls. Positive correlation was found between adiponectin and hsCRP. BTM patients had significantly higher total leukocytes, neutrophils and lymphocytes compared with controls. BTM children exhibited a significantly increased apoptosis in T-lymphocytes; however, there was no significant difference in the percentage of apoptosis of B-lymphocytes and neutrophils between the patients and the controls. There was a significant negative correlation between serum leptin and the percentage ofapoptotic T-lymphocytes. Our BTM patients had a high percentage of apoptotic T-lymphocyte in comparison with controls. In addition, they had disturbed serum levels of adipocytokines and inflammatory markers. These derangements could have a role in the immunological disturbance observed in thalassemic patients.

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We conducted a retrospective analysis to investigate the clinical outcome of combined-modality therapy using multiagent chemotherapy and involved-field radiotherapy in treatment of children with Hodgkin's lymphoma. Fifty eight cases with newly diagnosed Hodgkin's lymphoma were analyzed. The median follow-up duration was 46 months (range 3–72 months). The 4-year overall and event-free survival rates were 91.5% and 69.7% respectively. High-risk disease (stage IIIB and IV), presence of B symptoms, lymphocyte depletion subtype, bulky disease and late response to chemotherapy were poor prognostic factors. Stage-adapted combined-modality therapy resulted in satisfactory outcome in treatment of pediatric Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Background. The aim of this study was to clarify the effect of bevacizumab on gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis in nude mice. Materials and Methods. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA (VEGF mRNA) in four gastric cancer cell lines, NCI-N87, MKN-45, MKN- 45P, and Kato-III, was examined by polymerase chain reaction. We created a model of peritoneal metastasis by injecting mice with the human gastric cancer cell line MKN-45P. Mice were injected intraperitoneally with bevacizumab (0.1mg/100mL) on days 5–14, after inoculation (n[10) or with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) over the same time period (n[10). The maximum abdominal circumference, ascites volume, and the total number and weight of peritoneal tumors were measured. To assess the effect of bevacizumab on angiogenesis, immunohistochemical analysis was performed. Results. VEGF mRNA was expressed at a high level in MKN-45P cells as well as MKN-45 and Kato-III. The mean maximum abdominal circumference and ascites volume in the bevacizumab group were significantly less than those in the control group (P0.001, respectively). The total weight of disseminated tumors in the bevacizumab group was also significantly less than that in the control group (P0.01). In addition, immunohistochemical analysis of CD31-stained peritoneally disseminated nodules showed that the vessel area in the bevacizumab group was significantly less than that in the control group (P0.001). Conclusions. These results show that intraperitoneal administration of bevacizumab inhibits peritoneal metastasis and reduces malignant ascites in tumorbearing mice.

Background Surgical impact may be associated with enhanced tumor growth and chemoresistance. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of surgical impact on the mRNA expression of survivin, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and human epidermal receptor (HER2) in tumors after pneumoperitoneum versus laparotomy. Methods Nude mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with human gastric cancer cells (MKN45). Then laparotomy, carbon dioxide (CO2) pneumoperitoneum, and anesthesia alone were performed randomly, after which EGFR, HER2, and survivin mRNA expression using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was evaluated. Results The expression of EGFR and HER2 mRNA increased significantly after the experiment. However, it was higher after laparotomy than after CO2 pneumoperitoneum at almost all examined time points. Survivin mRNA expression increased significantly in the first 48 h, then returned to the control level. It was higher after laparotomythan after CO2 pneumoperitoneum 48 h after the surgical procedures. Conclusion The expression of EGFR, HER2, and survivin increased after each surgical procedure. However it was lower after CO2 pneumoperitoneum than after laparotomy. This might be associated with changes in the chemosensitivity of the remnant cancer cells after surgery, supporting the use of minimally invasive surgery for cancer.

Background Surgical trauma may be associated with enhanced tumor growth and establishment. The authors studied the effect of carbon dioxide (CO2) pneumoperitoneum versus laparotomy on tumor necrosis factor-a (TNFa), migration inhibitory factor (MIF) expression, and nuclear factor kappa B (NFjB) activity in human gastric cancer. Methods Nude mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with human gastric cancer cells (MKN45). Then laparotomy, CO2 pneumoperitoneum, and anesthesia alone were performed randomly. Tumor growth and associated TNFa and MIF expression and NFjB activity were determined. Results Total tumor weight, especially at the anterior abdominal wall, was higher after laparotomy than after CO2 pneumoperitoneum (p�.05). The mRNA expression of TNFa was higher 24 and 48 h after laparotomy than after CO2 pneumoperitoneum (p�.05 and p�.01, respectively). At all the examined time points, MIF mRNA expression also was higher after laparotomy than after CO2 pneumoperitoneum (p�.05 until 1 week or p�.01 at 2 weeks). The NFkB protein was more activated after laparotomy than after CO2 pneumoperitoneum 6 h subsequent to surgical procedures. Conclusion After CO2 pneumoperitoneum, tumors have less TNFa and MIF expression and less NFjB activity than after laparotomy. This may be associated with less tumor growth, supporting minimal invasive techniques in gastrointestinal oncologic surgery.