Prognostic relevance of autophagy-related markers LC3, p62/sequestosome 1, Beclin-1 and ULK1 in colorectal cancer patients with respect to KRAS mutational status.

Background: Autophagy is a cellular pathway that regulates transportation of cytoplasmic macromolecules and organelles to lysosomes for degradation. Autophagy is involved in both tumorigenesis and tumour suppression. Here we investigated the potential prognostic value of the autophagy-related proteins Beclin-1, p62, LC3 and uncoordinated (UNC) 51-like kinase 1 (ULK1) in a cohort of colorectal cancer (CRC) specimens.

Quantification of ischemia-reperfusion injury to the small intestine using a macroscopic score.

Introduction: Classical methods do not allow to rapidly quantify the heterogeneously distributed ischemia-reperfusion injury along the small intestine. We therefore established a suitable macroscopic score.

Methods: A rat model based on superior mesenteric artery occlusion (45 or 90 min ischemia; 0, 120, or 180 min reperfusion) was used on 42 rats.

Differential expression of microRNA 181b and microRNA 21 in hyperplastic polyps and sessile serrated adenomas of the colon.

This study was designed to analyse the potential diagnostic value of miR-181b and miR-21 for discriminating hyperplastic polyps (HP) from sessile serrated adenomas (SSA) without cytologic dysplasia. Using real-time polymerase chain reaction expression levels of miR-181b and miR-21 in 18 HPs, 19 SSAs without cytologic dysplasia and 20 normal colonic mucosal specimens were examined. In addition, 20 colorectal cancers specimen were analysed for miR-181b expression.

Activation of the ERK and AKT signalling pathway predicts poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma and ERK activation in cancer tissue is associated with hepatitis C virus infection.

Background/aims: The aim of the study was to determine the prognostic relevance of AKT and extracellular regulated kinases (ERK1/2), which are implied in the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis, in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: This study comprised a series of 208 patients incorporating HCCs treated either by surgical resection (n = 109) or liver transplantation (n = 99). Immunohistochemically demonstrated phospho-ERK1/2 (pERK1/2) and phospho-AKT (pAKT) was correlated with a series of clinico-pathologically relevant parameters (EGFR, Cyclin-D1, HCV/HBV infection, liver cirrhosis, chronic alcohol abuse), proliferative activity, and apoptosis.

Laser-tonsillotomy for treatment of obstructive tonsillar hyperplasia in early childhood: a retrospective review.

Introduction: Tonsillar hyperplasia leading to dyspnea, dysphagia and other symptoms of obstruction represents a common problem especially in young children where tonsillectomy should be avoided in order to preserve the immunological function of the tonsils. Aim of the study was to assess carbon-dioxide-laser-tonsillotomy as a considered alternative procedure to reduce the tonsillar volume in these children.

Methods: Between 1993 and 2004, 109 children with tonsillar hyperplasia without former episodes of tonsillitis received laser-tonsillotomy mostly (n=98) combined with adenoidectomy.