CSCE-cadherin immunohistochemistry panel predicts poor prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Identifying marker combinations for robust prognostic validation in primary tumour compartments remains challenging. We aimed to assess the prognostic significance of CSC markers (ALDH1, CD44, p75NTR, BMI-1) and E-cadherin biomarkers in OSCC. We analysed 94 primary OSCC and 67 metastatic lymph node samples, including central and invasive tumour fronts (ITF), along with clinicopathological data.

NK cells and the profile of inflammatory cytokines in the peripheral blood of patients with advanced carcinomas.

Background: Natural killer (NK) cells are one of the most crucial immune cells that mediate the antitumoral response due to their ability to immediately recognize and eliminate transformed cells. Because of their great cytotoxic activity, the function of NK cells must be robustly regulated to avoid tissue damage. Such regulation is mediated by a coordinated engagement of activating (NKp46) and inhibitory (CD158b) receptors, which tumor cells may use to escape from immunosurveillance.

In vitro and in vivo characterization of cancer stem cell subpopulations in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Despite advances in cancer diagnosis and therapeutics, the overall 5-year survival rate of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains low. Tumor formation, progression, recurrence, and chemo-resistance are associated with the presence of cancer stem cells (CSC) that show phenotypic heterogeneity, but how they influence tumor behavior remains poorly understood. We aimed to describe how two CSC phenotypes from an OSCC cell line, CD44 ESA (Epi-CSC) and CD44 ESA (EMT-CSC), behave in vitro and in vivo.

Management of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in Latin America: practical recommendations for treatment optimization.

The Latin American MS Experts' Forum has developed practical recommendations on the initiation and optimization of disease-modifying therapies in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The recommendations reflect the unique epidemiology of MS and the clinical practice environment in Latin American countries. Treatment response may be evaluated according to changes in relapses; progression, as assessed by the Expanded Disability Status Scale and the Timed 25-foot Walk; and lesion number on magnetic resonance imaging.

Early treatment of multiple sclerosis: a Latin American experts meeting.

Patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) by definition do not have multiple sclerosis (MS) but are at risk of developing it. While studies show earlier immunomodulating drug use is effective, treatment must consider likely patient prognosis. In this paper we review current diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment literature for patients with CIS within Latin American clinical settings.

[Regional cerebral blood flow changes in Parkinson's disease: correlation with disease duration].

Introduction: Changes in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) have been reported in idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD). Nonetheless, their typical pattern still remains controversial regarding some features, such as basal ganglia involvement and the main cortical regions affected. Functional neuroimaging makes it possible to identify the brain dysfunctions of the neural circuits underlying the disease.

Postural control and sensory perception in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Conclusions: This study suggests that patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), even in the early stages, have decreased body limits of stability (LOS) and changes in the visual input impair their postural control.

Objective: To assess the LOS and the postural responses after changes in visual input in a group of PD patients in stage 1 of the Hoehn and Yahr classification.

Subjects And Methods: Twenty PD patients in stage 1 and a group of 24 normal subjects as control were assessed in two tests: (1) the LOS and (2) measurement of the body center of pressure area (COP) 10 s before and after sudden change in visual flow velocity.

LRRK2 mutations in patients with Parkinson's disease from Peru and Uruguay.

Variation in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene represents the most common genetic determinant of Parkinson's disease (PD) identified to date. While the frequency and distribution of LRRK2 mutations have been well-studied in Europe and North America, few data are available from South America. To address this gap in knowledge, we screened two cohorts of patients with PD from Peru (n=240) and Uruguay (n=125) for the three most common LRRK2 mutations (R1441C, R1441G, G2019S).

[The use of biological markers in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with multiple sclerosis. Test of five fluids].

Patients And Methods: We studied five biological fluids which were easily accessible to immunological examination (cerebrospinal fluid, plasma, tears, saliva and urine) in 25 patients with multiple sclerosis, clinically definite according to the criteria of Cleveland, Ohio (1991) and tabulated according to the Kurztke's expanded disability status scale. The samples were obtained simultaneously during a clinical bout of the disease before any pharmacological or immunosuppressive treatment had been given.

Results: The soluble interleukin-2 levels were significantly raised in at least three of these fluids--always absent from the urine--when compared with normal controls.

Long-term treatment with Madopar HBS in parkinsonians with fluctuations.

1. Of 22 parkinsonians with fluctuations under long-dating dopatherapy in whom standard Madopar was substituted by the HBS form, 16 who performed the trial longer than 1 year were particularly studied to evaluate some parameters of this long-term follow-up (30-36 months). 2.

Combination of selegiline and controlled release levodopa in the treatment of fluctuations of clinical disability in parkinsonian patients.

Thirteen parkinsonians with a long duration of the disease and long-term dopa therapy, seven of them showing severe on-off oscillations and 6 an "end-of-dose impairment", were treated with a controlled release (HBS) preparation of L-DOPA/benserazide for more than 3 years. Thereafter, selegiline was added in a progressively increasing dosage up to a maximum of 10 mg/day during 4 months, with the aim of a) further improving the long-term results and b) reducing the doses of the new formula of L-DOPA. A significant decrease of early morning parkinsonism and reduction of motor disability throughout the day were observed; "wearing-off" cases showed better results compared with those presenting "on-off" oscillations.