MRI helps depict clinically undetectable risk factors in advanced stage retinoblastomas.

This study compared high-resolution MRI with histology in advanced stage retinoblastomas in which ophthalmoscopy and ultrasonography did not give an exhaustive depiction of the tumour and/or its extension. MRI of orbits and head in 28 retinoblastoma patients (28 eyes) treated with primary enucleation were evaluated. Iris neoangiogenesis, infiltrations of optic nerve, choroid, anterior segment and sclera suspected at MR and histology were compared.

All trans-retinoic acid modulates the procoagulant activity of human breast cancer cells.

All trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) induces apoptosis and/or differentiation in solid tumors, including breast cancer, and has become a therapeutic tool in this disease. In human promyelocytic leukemia ATRA reduces the expression of cellular procoagulant activities (PCA), i.e.

Thrombin generation and activated protein C resistance in patients with essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera.

We used the thrombin generation assay to evaluate the hypercoagulable state according to JAK2(V617F) mutational status in essential thrombocythemia (ET) and polycythemia vera (PV) patients. Thrombin generation was determined in the presence and absence of activated protein C (APC), and APC resistance was expressed as normalized APC sensitivity ratio (nAPCsr). Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), total and free protein S (PS), prothrombin (FII), factor V (FV), and neutrophil elastase were measured in plasma; CD11b was measured on neutrophils.

Endothelial capillary tube formation and cell proliferation induced by tumor cells are affected by low molecular weight heparins and unfractionated heparin.

Background: Clinical studies suggest a survival advantage in cancer patients receiving low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). A suggested mechanism for this beneficial effect may reside in the antiangiogenic activity of heparins.

Objectives: In this study we investigated whether two different LMWHs, i.

V617F JAK-2 mutation in patients with essential thrombocythemia: relation to platelet, granulocyte, and plasma hemostatic and inflammatory molecules.

Objective: This article evaluates patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET) to determine whether the V617F mutation in the JAK2 gene affects platelet hemostatic and adhesive molecules, platelet-polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) interactions, and PMN-activation characteristics, as well as plasma hypercoagulation markers.

Patients And Methods: Thirty-seven ET patients with V617F JAK2 mutation and 38 wild-type, and 50 healthy controls were studied.

Results: Platelets from overall ET patients, compared to controls, expressed significantly higher membrane tissue factor (TF) and P-selectin (p < 0.

Differential effect of the low-molecular-weight heparin, dalteparin, and unfractionated heparin on microvascular endothelial cell hemostatic properties.

Background And Objectives: Heparins, including unfractionated heparin (UFH) and low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH), are glycosaminoglycans that are largely used as anti-thrombotic drugs. While the mechanisms of their anticoagulant actions in blood have been extensively studied, their effects on the hemostatic properties of the endothelium are still under investigation. The aim of this study was to compare the antithrombotic effects of a LMWH, i.

Clotting mechanisms and cancer: implications in thrombus formation and tumor progression.

Development of cancer is associated with activation of blood coagulation. The results of laboratory tests clearly demonstrate that fibrin formation and dissolution is continuously ongoing at different rates in these patients, who are at increased risk of secondary thrombosis. Notably, fibrin formation is also involved in the process of tumor spread and metastasis.

Leukocyte-platelet interaction in patients with essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera.

Objective: Circulating polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) activation occurs in patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET) and polycythemia vera (PV). We want to define whether this phenomenon plays a role in the formation of circulating PMN-platelet aggregates in these conditions.

Methods: In 80 patients (46 ET and 34 PV) and 50 control subjects, we conducted a flow cytometric analysis to evaluate the levels of PMN-platelet aggregates (defined as the percentage of CD11b-positive PMN coexpressing a platelet-specific marker, i.

All-trans retinoic acid modulates microvascular endothelial cell hemostatic properties.

Background And Objectives: All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is an anti-tumor agent capable of controlling the hypercoagulable state associated with malignancy. Among hemostasis-regulating functions, ATRA modulates the procoagulant and fibrinolytic properties of endothelial cells (EC) from large vessels (HUVEC). In this study we investigated whether ATRA may affect the same activities of EC derived from microvessels (HMEC-1 cell line).