Ciprian N. Silaghi, MD, Ph.D. currently works at the Department of Molecular Sciences, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Haţieganu", Cluj-Napoca. He carries out research in the fields of Clinical Chemistry and Immunology related to vitamin K and calcification, inflammation and oxidative stress, cancer markers and translational medicine.
Ectopic vascular calcification is a cardiovascular risk factor. This phenomenon is no longer rega... more Ectopic vascular calcification is a cardiovascular risk factor. This phenomenon is no longer regarded as a simple precipitation of calcium phosphate in the extracellular matrix, but it is considered to be the result of an active process similar to bone mineralization. Also, calcium is deposited at osteoarticular level as calcium phosphate or hydroxy-apatite crystals, initially leading to the formation of articular and periarticular asymptomatic deposits. Ectopic calcification inhibitors play a central role in the association of vascular calcification with reduced bone mineral density, a phenomenon called "calcification paradox". Matrix Gla-protein (MGP) is a local inhibitor of ectopic calcifications. This paper reviews up-to-date information about the fundamental aspects, the determination methods and the clinical implications of MGP in vascular and osteoarticular pathology. Rezumat. Calcificările ectopice vasculare reprezintă un factor de risc cardiovascular. Acest fenome...
The work includes four studies which bring innovative contributions to medical practice by addres... more The work includes four studies which bring innovative contributions to medical practice by addressing two original themes: assessment of local ucMGP and clinical validation of tMGP as circulating marker in patients with vascular and osteoarticular calcification. In this respect, combined assessment of ucMGP in serum and synovial fluid could serve as joint inflammatory marker in patients with arthritis. The reference range for tMGP in healthy population was also first established along with the evaluation of tMGP in patients with vascular and osteoarticular pathologies. In terms of vascular pathology was found that MGP originating from the superficial veins of the inferior limb would have a contribution to the total pool of circulating MGP. Moreover, a serum threshold for tMGP was established to discriminate between the presence and absence of calcified minor carotid stenosis in postmenopausal women. Accordingly, serum tMGP could be a straightforward and available screening tool for ...
Introduction Varicose veins (VV) are the most common manifestation of chronic venous insufficienc... more Introduction Varicose veins (VV) are the most common manifestation of chronic venous insufficiency affecting the superficial veins of the lower extremity. The prevalence of VV in the general population is between 15-50%, thus being an important cause of morbidity (Woodside et al 2003). Aging, female gender, pregnancy, obesity, and family history have been identified as risk factors for developing VV (Carpentier et al 2004), whereas the pathogenesis and progression of the disease remain unclear. Matrix Gla protein (MGP), a major local ectopic calcification inhibitor synthesized by vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and chondrocytes, was considered playing a key role in both physiological and pathological calcification processes (Schurgers et al 2008). This vitamin K-dependent extracellular protein could be found in different forms, depending on its two post-translational modifications (carboxylation and phosphorylation): carboxilated, uncarboxylated, phosphorylated, desphosphorylat...
Aim: We aimed to examine the association between several circulating bone turnover markers [ oste... more Aim: We aimed to examine the association between several circulating bone turnover markers [ osteocalcin (OC), osteoprotegerin (OPG), beta-CrossLaps (β-CTx)], hip and spine bone mineral density (BMD) and abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) in patients with chondrocalcinosis (CC). Methods: Thirty-six patients with CC and thirty-seven controls were consecutively enrolled in this pilot case-control, cross-sectional study. The following parameters were assessed: serum levels of OC, OPG and β-CTx by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); hip and spine BMD by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and AAC score by lateral radiography. Results: Patients with CC had higher levels of serum bone turnover markers and AAC score than the control group: OC [6.5 (3.5-9.9) vs 4.5 (2.6-7.2) ng/ml; p=0.05], OPG [(7.7 (6.2-9.4) vs 6.5 (5.5-8.12) pmol/ml; p=0.02], β-CTx [6078 (5870-6171) vs 5851 (5465-6109) pg/ml; p=0.02] and AAC score (3.6±6.2 vs 0.5±2; p=0.006). Conversely, even if statistical signifi...
Nobody believed in a new pandemic this year. COVID19 pandemic is a public health issue. The evolu... more Nobody believed in a new pandemic this year. COVID19 pandemic is a public health issue. The evolution of the COVID19 pandemic is important to be known by everyone in the medical world. Our goals in this narrative review were to analyze novel coronavirus from all points of view: epidemiology, clinical, and the relationship with Influenza Virus.
The association of celiac disease with chronic hepatitis C virus infection was intensely debated.... more The association of celiac disease with chronic hepatitis C virus infection was intensely debated. We aimed to study the prevalence of celiac disease in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.
Patients affected by non-celiac gluten sensitivity usually report both intestinal and extra-intes... more Patients affected by non-celiac gluten sensitivity usually report both intestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms arising shortly after the ingestion of gluten-containing food. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects both children and adults. We present the case of a family composed of a mother (32 years old) and her two daughters (6 and 9 years old) who were diagnosed with atopic dermatitis and gluten related disorders.
Matrix Gla protein (MGP), a local inhibitor of tissue mineralization, is associated with vascular... more Matrix Gla protein (MGP), a local inhibitor of tissue mineralization, is associated with vascular calcification. Depending on the carboxylation and phosphorylation status, MGP has active conformations, e.g., carboxylated MGP (cMGP) and phosphorylated MGP (pMGP), but also inactive conformations, e.g., uncarboxylated MGP (ucMGP) and dephosphorylated MGP (dpMGP). Our purpose was to assess the presence of all MGP conformations in healthy veins (HV) and varicose veins (VV), concurrently with the analysis of circulating total MGP (tMGP) before and after the surgical stripping of VV. We collected samples from the great saphenous vein, considered as control group, and tissue from VV, designated as VV group. Plasma levels of tMGP were significantly decreased after the surgical removal of the VV (before 59.5 ± 17.2 vs. after 38.1 ± 11.3, p < 0.001). By using immunohistochemistry staining, we identified local cMGP and pMGP in the control and VV groups, both without calcification, while ucMG...
competitive ELISA for desphosphorylated MGP (dpMGP) (Braam et al 2000) and uncarboxylated MGP (uc... more competitive ELISA for desphosphorylated MGP (dpMGP) (Braam et al 2000) and uncarboxylated MGP (ucMGP) (Schurgers et al 2005a) and also sandwich-ELISA for desphosphorylatedcarboxylated MGP (dp-cMGP) or desphosphorylated-uncarboxylated MGP (dp-ucMGP) (Schurgers et al 2010). Several studies were established an association of these conformations with VD: low serum ucMGP was considered a potential indicator for active calcifications (Hermans et al 2007), being associated with atherosclerosis (Cranenburg et al 2008), while high dp-ucMGP levels were correlated with mortality in a population with aortic stenosis (Ueland et al 2010). On the contrary, few studies have been focused towards healthy population to investigate the relationship between risk factors for VD and serum MGP levels. In this respect, only age was found negatively correlated with circulating levels of ucMGP (Cranenburg et al 2008) or, on the contrary, a positive association with dpMGP was observed (Schurgers et al 2005b). ...
mRNA vaccines are a novelty in the medical world. The researchers created these vaccines in a sho... more mRNA vaccines are a novelty in the medical world. The researchers created these vaccines in a short time, which led to many question marks. In this article, we have analyzed the perception of the world&#39;s countries on these vaccines.
Age-associated cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases lead to high morbidity and mortality... more Age-associated cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases lead to high morbidity and mortality around the world. Sirtuins are vital enzymes for metabolic adaptation and provide protective effects against a wide spectrum of pathologies. Among sirtuins, mitochondrial sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) is an essential player in preserving the habitual metabolic profile. SIRT3 activity declines as a result of aging-induced changes in cellular metabolism, leading to increased susceptibility to endothelial dysfunction, hypertension, heart failure and neurodegenerative diseases. Stimulating SIRT3 activity via lifestyle, pharmacological or genetic interventions could protect against a plethora of pathologies and could improve health and lifespan. Thus, understanding how SIRT3 operates and how its protective effects could be amplified, will aid in treating age-associated diseases and ultimately, in enhancing the quality of life in elders.
Meningiomas are classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) in three grades, based on morph... more Meningiomas are classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) in three grades, based on morphological features. Independent of this grading, the presence of calcification in meningiomas influences their growth rate. The messenger RNA of matrix Gla protein (MGP), an extra-hepatic protein with different conformations involved in the homeostasis of ectopic calcification has been found in meningiomas and was shown to be regulated in breast cancer by miR-155-5p, a specific micro RNA. Therefore, we investigated the expression of miR-155-5p and its relationship with local MGP conformations in different grade meningiomas. According to the WHO classification, our 41 samples of meningiomas were stratified in groups WHO I and WHO II. Using real time polymerase chain reaction, we observed a higher miR-155-5p expression in group WHO I versus group WHO II [with a fold change (FC) of 3.83, p=0.027)]. Moreover, the expression of miR-155-5p was higher in calcified tumors compared to non-calcifie...
Calcified meningiomas have a slower growth rate and a better outcome than non-calcified meningiom... more Calcified meningiomas have a slower growth rate and a better outcome than non-calcified meningiomas. Matrix Gla Protein (MGP) acts as an inhibitor of soft tissue calcification. Depending on its carboxylation status MGP may occur in two conformations: uncarboxylated (ucMGP) or carboxylated (cMGP). Low levels of serum ucMGP have been described to be a sign of tissue calcification. In calcified tumoral tissue samples we identified both ucMGP (r = 0.957, p[0.001) and cMGP (r = 1, p[0.001), while non-calcified tumors were negative for both MGP conformation deposits. The concentration of serum t-ucMGP in patients with calcified and non-calcified meningiomas were not significantly different (3499�1388 vs. 3882�2558).
Objectives. The aim of this study is to provide information about prevalence, etiology, risk fact... more Objectives. The aim of this study is to provide information about prevalence, etiology, risk factors, clinical characteristics and endoscopic features of various types of infectious esophagitis in children. Methods. We performed a total of 520 upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopies in Pediatric Clinic II, Emergency Hospital for Children, Cluj-Napoca. Indications for endoscopy in our cohort were gastrointestinal tract symptoms such as dysphagia, heartburn, or appetite loss. Results. The prevalence of infectious esophagitis in the study population was 2.11% (11 patients). Candida albicans (C. albicans) was the most frequent cause. Our data illustrates that herpes simplex virus (HSV)-induced esophagitis is common in immunocompromised patients and should be systematically suspected in cases of severe dysphagia, heartburn, or hematemesis. In the present study, all cytomegalovirus (CMV) esophagitis patients were immunocompromised. Immunodeficiency (81.8%) and prolonged antibiotic therap...
Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents a major public health problem owing to the fact th... more Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents a major public health problem owing to the fact that many patients are diagnosed in locally advanced or metastatic stage when chemotherapy is the only remaining option. However, treatment response is still unpredictable and depends upon a diversity of factors such as tumor inherited or acquired drug resistance and the host immune response to the malignant cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of interleukin 6, 8, 10 (IL-6, 8, 10) as possible predictive factors for response to chemotherapy and the correlation between the cytokines and the psychological distress. Methods: Forty-nine patients undergoing chemotherapy for locally advanced or metastatic CRC were included, for each patient IL-6, 8 and 10 were assessed through ELISA. Depression and anxiety were quantified through questionnaires. Statistical data were performed with GraphPad. Results: Patients with CRC had high serum levels of IL-8 and IL-6 compared to the healthy control group. High levels of IL-8 before treatment were correlated with progressive disease. There was a high incidence of psychological complication in CRC patients, especially in young male patients, from an urban area, with a positive correlation between serum levels of IL-8 and depression. Conclusions: These results indicate that high serum levels of IL-8 are predictive factors in CRC patients that undergo chemotherapy, but also could be useful in identifying psychological distress associated with this pathology.
Introduction: The liver is the main location for metastasization in stage IV colorectal cancers. ... more Introduction: The liver is the main location for metastasization in stage IV colorectal cancers. Areas covered: This review intends to comprehensively present the most important studies conducted in the past few years concerning the role of miRNAs in colorectal cancer liver metastases, trying to clarify some aspects regarding tumor biology and favorite liver metastasization site. Expert commentary; Recent advances in tissue and serum RNA extraction has considerably improved the field of microRNAs studies. These molecules known to play a crucial role in the metastatic stage indicate a starting point in the development of clinical biomarkers with a possible role in the stratification of high-risk patients for adequate treatment.
Background This study aimed to investigate the implications of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) in j... more Background This study aimed to investigate the implications of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), the association with uveitis and the favorable evolution of the disease. Methods We followed 45 pediatric patients suffering from JIA, according to the International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR), for a period of 2 years. ANAs were followed through immunofluorescence methods using a high-performance immunofluorescence automatic Helios device. Results A total of 15 of the ANA-positive patients presented an oligoarticular form of the disease, eight of them presented a polyarticular form of the disease and two of them presented a systemic form. The most severe forms have associated iridocyclitis. ANA-positive patients presented an earlier onset of disease in comparison with ANA-negative ones. ANA-positive patients from different ILAR categories had similar characteristics of the disease such as onset age (earlier), higher prevalence in fe...
Ectopic vascular calcification is a cardiovascular risk factor. This phenomenon is no longer rega... more Ectopic vascular calcification is a cardiovascular risk factor. This phenomenon is no longer regarded as a simple precipitation of calcium phosphate in the extracellular matrix, but it is considered to be the result of an active process similar to bone mineralization. Also, calcium is deposited at osteoarticular level as calcium phosphate or hydroxy-apatite crystals, initially leading to the formation of articular and periarticular asymptomatic deposits. Ectopic calcification inhibitors play a central role in the association of vascular calcification with reduced bone mineral density, a phenomenon called "calcification paradox". Matrix Gla-protein (MGP) is a local inhibitor of ectopic calcifications. This paper reviews up-to-date information about the fundamental aspects, the determination methods and the clinical implications of MGP in vascular and osteoarticular pathology. Rezumat. Calcificările ectopice vasculare reprezintă un factor de risc cardiovascular. Acest fenome...
The work includes four studies which bring innovative contributions to medical practice by addres... more The work includes four studies which bring innovative contributions to medical practice by addressing two original themes: assessment of local ucMGP and clinical validation of tMGP as circulating marker in patients with vascular and osteoarticular calcification. In this respect, combined assessment of ucMGP in serum and synovial fluid could serve as joint inflammatory marker in patients with arthritis. The reference range for tMGP in healthy population was also first established along with the evaluation of tMGP in patients with vascular and osteoarticular pathologies. In terms of vascular pathology was found that MGP originating from the superficial veins of the inferior limb would have a contribution to the total pool of circulating MGP. Moreover, a serum threshold for tMGP was established to discriminate between the presence and absence of calcified minor carotid stenosis in postmenopausal women. Accordingly, serum tMGP could be a straightforward and available screening tool for ...
Introduction Varicose veins (VV) are the most common manifestation of chronic venous insufficienc... more Introduction Varicose veins (VV) are the most common manifestation of chronic venous insufficiency affecting the superficial veins of the lower extremity. The prevalence of VV in the general population is between 15-50%, thus being an important cause of morbidity (Woodside et al 2003). Aging, female gender, pregnancy, obesity, and family history have been identified as risk factors for developing VV (Carpentier et al 2004), whereas the pathogenesis and progression of the disease remain unclear. Matrix Gla protein (MGP), a major local ectopic calcification inhibitor synthesized by vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and chondrocytes, was considered playing a key role in both physiological and pathological calcification processes (Schurgers et al 2008). This vitamin K-dependent extracellular protein could be found in different forms, depending on its two post-translational modifications (carboxylation and phosphorylation): carboxilated, uncarboxylated, phosphorylated, desphosphorylat...
Aim: We aimed to examine the association between several circulating bone turnover markers [ oste... more Aim: We aimed to examine the association between several circulating bone turnover markers [ osteocalcin (OC), osteoprotegerin (OPG), beta-CrossLaps (β-CTx)], hip and spine bone mineral density (BMD) and abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) in patients with chondrocalcinosis (CC). Methods: Thirty-six patients with CC and thirty-seven controls were consecutively enrolled in this pilot case-control, cross-sectional study. The following parameters were assessed: serum levels of OC, OPG and β-CTx by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); hip and spine BMD by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and AAC score by lateral radiography. Results: Patients with CC had higher levels of serum bone turnover markers and AAC score than the control group: OC [6.5 (3.5-9.9) vs 4.5 (2.6-7.2) ng/ml; p=0.05], OPG [(7.7 (6.2-9.4) vs 6.5 (5.5-8.12) pmol/ml; p=0.02], β-CTx [6078 (5870-6171) vs 5851 (5465-6109) pg/ml; p=0.02] and AAC score (3.6±6.2 vs 0.5±2; p=0.006). Conversely, even if statistical signifi...
Nobody believed in a new pandemic this year. COVID19 pandemic is a public health issue. The evolu... more Nobody believed in a new pandemic this year. COVID19 pandemic is a public health issue. The evolution of the COVID19 pandemic is important to be known by everyone in the medical world. Our goals in this narrative review were to analyze novel coronavirus from all points of view: epidemiology, clinical, and the relationship with Influenza Virus.
The association of celiac disease with chronic hepatitis C virus infection was intensely debated.... more The association of celiac disease with chronic hepatitis C virus infection was intensely debated. We aimed to study the prevalence of celiac disease in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.
Patients affected by non-celiac gluten sensitivity usually report both intestinal and extra-intes... more Patients affected by non-celiac gluten sensitivity usually report both intestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms arising shortly after the ingestion of gluten-containing food. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects both children and adults. We present the case of a family composed of a mother (32 years old) and her two daughters (6 and 9 years old) who were diagnosed with atopic dermatitis and gluten related disorders.
Matrix Gla protein (MGP), a local inhibitor of tissue mineralization, is associated with vascular... more Matrix Gla protein (MGP), a local inhibitor of tissue mineralization, is associated with vascular calcification. Depending on the carboxylation and phosphorylation status, MGP has active conformations, e.g., carboxylated MGP (cMGP) and phosphorylated MGP (pMGP), but also inactive conformations, e.g., uncarboxylated MGP (ucMGP) and dephosphorylated MGP (dpMGP). Our purpose was to assess the presence of all MGP conformations in healthy veins (HV) and varicose veins (VV), concurrently with the analysis of circulating total MGP (tMGP) before and after the surgical stripping of VV. We collected samples from the great saphenous vein, considered as control group, and tissue from VV, designated as VV group. Plasma levels of tMGP were significantly decreased after the surgical removal of the VV (before 59.5 ± 17.2 vs. after 38.1 ± 11.3, p < 0.001). By using immunohistochemistry staining, we identified local cMGP and pMGP in the control and VV groups, both without calcification, while ucMG...
competitive ELISA for desphosphorylated MGP (dpMGP) (Braam et al 2000) and uncarboxylated MGP (uc... more competitive ELISA for desphosphorylated MGP (dpMGP) (Braam et al 2000) and uncarboxylated MGP (ucMGP) (Schurgers et al 2005a) and also sandwich-ELISA for desphosphorylatedcarboxylated MGP (dp-cMGP) or desphosphorylated-uncarboxylated MGP (dp-ucMGP) (Schurgers et al 2010). Several studies were established an association of these conformations with VD: low serum ucMGP was considered a potential indicator for active calcifications (Hermans et al 2007), being associated with atherosclerosis (Cranenburg et al 2008), while high dp-ucMGP levels were correlated with mortality in a population with aortic stenosis (Ueland et al 2010). On the contrary, few studies have been focused towards healthy population to investigate the relationship between risk factors for VD and serum MGP levels. In this respect, only age was found negatively correlated with circulating levels of ucMGP (Cranenburg et al 2008) or, on the contrary, a positive association with dpMGP was observed (Schurgers et al 2005b). ...
mRNA vaccines are a novelty in the medical world. The researchers created these vaccines in a sho... more mRNA vaccines are a novelty in the medical world. The researchers created these vaccines in a short time, which led to many question marks. In this article, we have analyzed the perception of the world&#39;s countries on these vaccines.
Age-associated cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases lead to high morbidity and mortality... more Age-associated cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases lead to high morbidity and mortality around the world. Sirtuins are vital enzymes for metabolic adaptation and provide protective effects against a wide spectrum of pathologies. Among sirtuins, mitochondrial sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) is an essential player in preserving the habitual metabolic profile. SIRT3 activity declines as a result of aging-induced changes in cellular metabolism, leading to increased susceptibility to endothelial dysfunction, hypertension, heart failure and neurodegenerative diseases. Stimulating SIRT3 activity via lifestyle, pharmacological or genetic interventions could protect against a plethora of pathologies and could improve health and lifespan. Thus, understanding how SIRT3 operates and how its protective effects could be amplified, will aid in treating age-associated diseases and ultimately, in enhancing the quality of life in elders.
Meningiomas are classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) in three grades, based on morph... more Meningiomas are classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) in three grades, based on morphological features. Independent of this grading, the presence of calcification in meningiomas influences their growth rate. The messenger RNA of matrix Gla protein (MGP), an extra-hepatic protein with different conformations involved in the homeostasis of ectopic calcification has been found in meningiomas and was shown to be regulated in breast cancer by miR-155-5p, a specific micro RNA. Therefore, we investigated the expression of miR-155-5p and its relationship with local MGP conformations in different grade meningiomas. According to the WHO classification, our 41 samples of meningiomas were stratified in groups WHO I and WHO II. Using real time polymerase chain reaction, we observed a higher miR-155-5p expression in group WHO I versus group WHO II [with a fold change (FC) of 3.83, p=0.027)]. Moreover, the expression of miR-155-5p was higher in calcified tumors compared to non-calcifie...
Calcified meningiomas have a slower growth rate and a better outcome than non-calcified meningiom... more Calcified meningiomas have a slower growth rate and a better outcome than non-calcified meningiomas. Matrix Gla Protein (MGP) acts as an inhibitor of soft tissue calcification. Depending on its carboxylation status MGP may occur in two conformations: uncarboxylated (ucMGP) or carboxylated (cMGP). Low levels of serum ucMGP have been described to be a sign of tissue calcification. In calcified tumoral tissue samples we identified both ucMGP (r = 0.957, p[0.001) and cMGP (r = 1, p[0.001), while non-calcified tumors were negative for both MGP conformation deposits. The concentration of serum t-ucMGP in patients with calcified and non-calcified meningiomas were not significantly different (3499�1388 vs. 3882�2558).
Objectives. The aim of this study is to provide information about prevalence, etiology, risk fact... more Objectives. The aim of this study is to provide information about prevalence, etiology, risk factors, clinical characteristics and endoscopic features of various types of infectious esophagitis in children. Methods. We performed a total of 520 upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopies in Pediatric Clinic II, Emergency Hospital for Children, Cluj-Napoca. Indications for endoscopy in our cohort were gastrointestinal tract symptoms such as dysphagia, heartburn, or appetite loss. Results. The prevalence of infectious esophagitis in the study population was 2.11% (11 patients). Candida albicans (C. albicans) was the most frequent cause. Our data illustrates that herpes simplex virus (HSV)-induced esophagitis is common in immunocompromised patients and should be systematically suspected in cases of severe dysphagia, heartburn, or hematemesis. In the present study, all cytomegalovirus (CMV) esophagitis patients were immunocompromised. Immunodeficiency (81.8%) and prolonged antibiotic therap...
Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents a major public health problem owing to the fact th... more Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents a major public health problem owing to the fact that many patients are diagnosed in locally advanced or metastatic stage when chemotherapy is the only remaining option. However, treatment response is still unpredictable and depends upon a diversity of factors such as tumor inherited or acquired drug resistance and the host immune response to the malignant cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of interleukin 6, 8, 10 (IL-6, 8, 10) as possible predictive factors for response to chemotherapy and the correlation between the cytokines and the psychological distress. Methods: Forty-nine patients undergoing chemotherapy for locally advanced or metastatic CRC were included, for each patient IL-6, 8 and 10 were assessed through ELISA. Depression and anxiety were quantified through questionnaires. Statistical data were performed with GraphPad. Results: Patients with CRC had high serum levels of IL-8 and IL-6 compared to the healthy control group. High levels of IL-8 before treatment were correlated with progressive disease. There was a high incidence of psychological complication in CRC patients, especially in young male patients, from an urban area, with a positive correlation between serum levels of IL-8 and depression. Conclusions: These results indicate that high serum levels of IL-8 are predictive factors in CRC patients that undergo chemotherapy, but also could be useful in identifying psychological distress associated with this pathology.
Introduction: The liver is the main location for metastasization in stage IV colorectal cancers. ... more Introduction: The liver is the main location for metastasization in stage IV colorectal cancers. Areas covered: This review intends to comprehensively present the most important studies conducted in the past few years concerning the role of miRNAs in colorectal cancer liver metastases, trying to clarify some aspects regarding tumor biology and favorite liver metastasization site. Expert commentary; Recent advances in tissue and serum RNA extraction has considerably improved the field of microRNAs studies. These molecules known to play a crucial role in the metastatic stage indicate a starting point in the development of clinical biomarkers with a possible role in the stratification of high-risk patients for adequate treatment.
Background This study aimed to investigate the implications of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) in j... more Background This study aimed to investigate the implications of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), the association with uveitis and the favorable evolution of the disease. Methods We followed 45 pediatric patients suffering from JIA, according to the International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR), for a period of 2 years. ANAs were followed through immunofluorescence methods using a high-performance immunofluorescence automatic Helios device. Results A total of 15 of the ANA-positive patients presented an oligoarticular form of the disease, eight of them presented a polyarticular form of the disease and two of them presented a systemic form. The most severe forms have associated iridocyclitis. ANA-positive patients presented an earlier onset of disease in comparison with ANA-negative ones. ANA-positive patients from different ILAR categories had similar characteristics of the disease such as onset age (earlier), higher prevalence in fe...
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