High chymotrypsin-like activity in the plasma of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma treated with bortezomib is predictive of a better response and longer PFS.

Proteasome inhibitors (PIs) such as bortezomib constitute an important part of the modern standard therapy for multiple myeloma (MM). In this study, we set out to assess whether proteasome concentration and chymotrypsin-like (ChT-L) activity could serve as potential biomarkers defining the likelihood of response to treatment with bortezomib, in order to identify patients who are more likely to respond to treatment with PI. We analysed proteasome concentration and ChT-L activity in the plasma of 78 patients with newly diagnosed MM during treatment with or without proteasome inhibitors.

The preliminary association study of ADIPOQ, RBP4, and BCMO1 variants with polycystic ovary syndrome and with biochemical characteristics in a cohort of Polish women.

Purpose: We aimed to elucidate the frequency of the SNPs in the ADIPOQ, RBP4 and BCMO1genes in a population of Caucasian Polish women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and to evaluate the possible associations between these variants and the susceptibility to PCOS. Additionally, the relationship of these polymorphisms to a clinical phenotype of this syndrome, and the concentrations of adipokines, were determined.

Materials/methods: Clinical and biochemical profiles, DNA isolation and genotyping, and adipokine assays were performed in 294 PCOS women and 78 controls.

The causes of thrombocytopenia after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Introduction: Even though thrombocytopenia following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been described, further investigation of this phenomenon is needed.

Aims: To determine which factors may explain the fall in platelet count that occurs after implantation of a TAVI device, including markers of platelet and blood coagulation activation.

Material And Methods: 32 patients without previous indications for dual antiplatelet therapy (mean age 78.

Circulating endothelial mediators in human pancreatitis-associated lung injury.

Objectives: To investigate the role of endothelial cell mediators, E-selectin (ES), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), tissue factor (TF), and von Willebrand factor (vWF), in the early phase of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) complicated with respiratory failure [pancreatitis-associated lung injury (PALI)].

Patients And Methods: This study included 30 patients with SAP and 39 patients with PALI. Blood samples were taken from SAP and PALI patients on presenting to the hospital (day 1), and days 2, 3, 5, and 10.

Plasma Concentrations of Protein Z and Protein Z-Dependent Protease Inhibitor in Patients With Essential Thrombocythemia.

The pathological consequences of decreased protein Z (PZ) and/or Z-dependent protease inhibitor (ZPI) levels remain as yet unclear, despite a growing body of evidence which supports their involvement in an increased thrombotic risk. The purpose of the present study was 2-fold: to evaluate plasma concentrations of protein Z and ZPI in patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET) and to determine their significance in thrombotic complications. The median (range) plasma concentrations of PZ in our patients with ET were lower, but not significantly, than in healthy individuals: PZ (1.

Assessment of proteasome concentration and chymotrypsin-like activity in plasma of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway is implicated in the pathogenesis of many haematologic malignancies, including multiple myeloma. Under conditions of rapid cell turnover and growth rate, proteasomes are returned into circulation. The measurement of their levels or activity could offer a new approach to diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of anticancer treatment in carcinoma patients.

Prognostic relevance of HSP70 antigen and antibody measurement in patients with acute myeloid leukemia of intermediate and unfavorable cytogenetic risk.

Introduction: Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are overexpressed in many types of cancers and are implicated in tumor cell proliferation, differentiation, invasion, metastasis, death, and recognition by the immune system. It has been postulated that the HSP70 protein can be used as a prognostic indicator of overall patient survival in many types of cancer including leukemia.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the concentrations of anti‑HSP70 antibody and its antigen in the peripheral blood of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), as well as to assess the usefulness of this measurement.

Plasma concentration of protein Z and protein Z-dependent protease inhibitor in patients with haemophilia A.

The potential role of alterations in protein Z (PZ) concentrations in the pathogenesis of coagulation has been investigated in several studies which, however, yielded conflicting results. Protein Z deficiency may induce bleeding as well as prothrombotic tendencies and it might occur as an inherited disorder. The principal aim of the present study was to explore the concentration of protein Z and protein Z-dependent protease inhibitor (ZPI) in patients with haemophilia A.

Protein Z concentrations in patients with acute leukemia.

Protein Z (PZ) deficiency may induce bleeding as well as thrombosis. The aim of our study was to estimate the concentration of PZ in patients with acute leukemia. Plasma levels of PZ were determined in 76 patients with newly diagnosed acute leukemia ([AML], n = 50; acute lymphoblastic leukemia [ALL], n = 26) and 62 healthy participants.

The levels of sMUC-1 in patients with multiple myeloma.

Mucins have been shown to be aberrantly overexpressed in various diseases including cystic fibrosis, asthma, and cancer. Recent studies have uncovered the roles of these mucins in the pathogenesis of cancer. The presence of MUC-1 has also been detected on the cell surface of multiple myeloma (MM) cells in peripheral blood and showed direct correlation with tumor mass.

Diving up to 60 m depth followed by decompression has no effect on pro-enzyme and total thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor antigen concentration.

The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of two different hyperbaric exposures followed by decompression on thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) concentration and activity. The hyperbaric conditions correspond to diving to 30 and 60 m water depth. Thirty-four male divers were tested in decompression habitat LSH-200, with air as a breathing medium.

[Tissue factor (TF) and inhibitor (TFPI) concentrations in patients with urinary tract tumors and haematological malignancies].

The aim of study was to evaluate TF activity and TFPI concentration in patients with haematological malignancies and urinary tract tumors. TFPI concentration and activity and TF concentration were measured in 20 patients suffering from acute myeloblastic leukaemia (AML), 21 patients with chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML), 17 patients with chronic lymphatic leukaemia (CLL), 16 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and 65 healthy adults. TFPI and TF concentrations were measured also in patients with renal cell carcinoma (n = 12) and bladder cancer (n = 17) and patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (n = 15).

[Antithrombin III, protein C and thrombin/antithrombin III complexes (TAT) in patients suffering from chronic cholecystolithiasis treated by classical and laparoscopic cholecystectomy].

Surgery is the basic treatment method of cholecystolithiasis. Traditional methods have been replaced laparoscopy. The aim of the study was the evaluation of haemostasis after classical and laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

[Diagnostic value of hemostasis activation markers in acute deep vein thrombosis].

The aim of the following study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of selective hemostasis activation markers, prothrombin activation fragment 1 + 2 (F1 + 2), thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), plasmin-alpha 2-antiplasmin complex (PAP) and D-dimer in patients with acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT). The study was performed on 56 patients with freshly diagnosed acute DVT confirmed by venography. The study indicated that patients with acute venous thrombosis have increased concentrations of F1 + 2, TAT complex, PAP complex and D-dimer in blood plasma.