The tumor suppressor effect of miRNA 200-c-3p on A549 non-small cell lung cancer cell line is associated with down-regulation of programmed cell death ligand 1; an immune-check point mechanism.

MiRNA 200-c-3p has varying functions in different tumor types, whether tumor suppression or promotion. Comprehensive assessment of its function in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) together with its effect on antitumor immune response have not been declared before. We aimed to explore the effect of replacement and suppression of miRNA 200-c-3p on non-small cell lung cancer and its impact on immune checkpoint function and subsequently antitumor immunity.

Virtual versus paper-based PBL in a pulmonology course for medical undergraduates.

Background: Problem-based learning (PBL) remains a valid and effective tool for small-group medical education. Using Virtual patients (VP) case simulation in PBL is a recognizable educational method that has successfully prepared students to focus learning on core information that uses realistic patient-based cases relating to everyday clinical scenarios. Using other modalities as the virtual patient in PBL instead of the paper-based methods remains debatable.

Relation of Osteoprotegerin, Visfatin and Ghrelin to Metabolic Syndrome in Type 2 Diabetic Patients.

Background: It is now realized that insulin resistance plays a principal role in initiating the pathologic manifestations of the metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the possible role of osteoprotegerin, visfatin and ghrelin in the pathogenesis of MetS among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Design And Methods: Serum blood samples were obtained from 116 subjects (39 T2DM; 48 T2DM with MetS; 29 healthy controls).

Neurotoxic effect of lead on rats: Relationship to Apoptosis.

Background: Lead toxicity has been subjected to intensive research work, but some aspects of its mechanism needs to be elucidated.

Objectives: In the current study we aim to investigate the impact of lead toxicity on some different intermediates of apoptotic signaling pathway in experimental rats.

Design And Methods: We measured caspase-8 and caspase-9 [by chemilumenescence], Bax and Bcl-2 [by ELISA] in Experimental rats, injected intraperitoneally with lead acetate for 7days at the dosage of 25, 50 and l00 mg/kg body weight and compared to control rats injected with deionized distilled water instead.

Evaluation of nestin in lung adenocarcinoma: relation to VEGF and Bcl-2.

Context: Nestin is a marker of multipotent precursor cells that is up regulated in cancer.

Objective: To explore its diagnostic role and its relationship to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Bcl-2 in lung adenocarcinoma.

Materials And Methods: Evaluation of nestin expression in lung biopsies by real-time PCR and serum VEGF and Bcl-2 by ELISA in 27 adenocarcinoma patients and 15 control subjects.

HLA-G expression in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a significant prognostic tumor biomarker.

Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) is a non-classical major histocompatibility class Ib antigen with multiple immune regulatory functions including the induction of immune tolerance in malignancies. The goal of our study was to investigate the expression of membrane form of HLA-G in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) before and after therapy in a trial to evaluate its role as a tumor escape mechanism and prognosis. So we measured its expression by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 25 (ALL) patients and 15 healthy controls and correlated our findings with a variety of clinical and laboratory variables and two important cytokines, IL-10 and INF-γ, and with natural killer (NK) cells.

Passive smoking as a risk factor of dry eye in children.

Purpose. Adult active smoking is a risk factor for dry eye. We hypothesize that passive smoking in children can also produce the same effects.

Prognostic significance of survivin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Objectives: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is an aggressive cancer especially in adults as only 20-40% are cured with current treatment regimens.

Design And Methods: We measured survivin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in serum of 30 ALL patients before and after induction therapy and compared to 30 age and sex matched normal adults.

Results: Survivin at cutoff value 15.