Fluid loading in abdominal surgery - saline versus hydroxyethyl starch (FLASH Trial): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Inappropriate fluid therapy during surgery is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Few studies have examined the effects of particular types of fluids (crystalloid or colloid solutions) in surgical patients, especially with the goal of hemodynamic optimization. Isotonic saline is the most commonly used fluid worldwide but may be associated with potential nephrotoxicity.

[Targeting of epidermal growth factor receptor and applications in ORL cancer].

EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) is a transmembrane glycoprotein highly expressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Once triggered by ligands, tyrosine kinase located at their inner part is phosphorylated, initiating signal transduction pathways towards the nucleus. Two categories of EGFR inhibitors are affordable: the former group includes monoclonal antibodies whereas the latter regards tyrosine kinase inhibitors (ITK).

O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyl transferase gene expression and prognosis in breast carcinoma.

O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyl transferase (MGMT) in human carcinomas has been associated with tumor resistance to alkylating agents. The aims of this study were: i) to correlate tumor MGMT expression and patient and tumor characteristics in malignant breast carcinomas treated with induction chemotherapy including cyclophosphamide (CPM) and ii) to study the predictive and prognostic values of tumor MGMT gene expression. We used RT-PCR to measure the levels of tumor MGMT expression in 107 patients with breast carcinomas prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Interleukin-6-producing cells in a human glioblastoma cell line are not affected by ionizing radiation.

We investigated the production of interleukin 6 (IL-6) by a radioresistant human glioblastoma cell line G5 after single radiation events of 3, 6 and 9 Gy. The total cell number and IL-6 concentration in culture supernatant were assessed 24-96 h after irradiation. The radiation impeded or stopped G5 cell growth in a dose-dependent manner, but unexpectedly did not affect the IL-6 concentration in cell culture media that increased in the same range as in non-irradiated cultures.