Publications by authors named "Merica Glavina-Durdov"

Article Synopsis
  • In elderly hip fracture patients, preexisting anemia can worsen due to trauma and surgery, creating uncertainty around blood transfusion thresholds.
  • A study analyzed hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in 956 surgical patients with proximal femoral fractures to determine transfusion triggers and their impact on post-discharge mortality.
  • Results indicated higher transfusion rates and mortality among those with lower hemoglobin levels, suggesting a need for reevaluation of preoperative blood transfusion protocols, while cautioning that increasing thresholds might lead to higher mortality rates.
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Thymic regulatory lymphocytes (Tregs) are rare in the normal periphery where they mediate immune tolerance but accumulate in the tumor immune microenvironment (TIM), reducing the antitumor response. Subtypes of classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) are characterized by a minority of malignant Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells (HRS) and an abundant TIM that plays a key role in modulating the disease. CHL is related to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), whose oncogenes influence the growth of HRS.

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Left-sided and right-sided colorectal cancer (L-CRC and R-CRC) have relatively different clinical pictures and pathophysiological backgrounds. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of DAB adapter protein 2 (DAB2) as a potential molecular mechanism that contributes to this diversity in terms of malignancy and responses to therapy. The expression of the suppressor gene DAB2 in colon cancer has already been analyzed, but its significance has not been fully elucidated.

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Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the deadliest neoplasm of the urinary tract, and we are still far from completely understanding ccRCC development and treatment. The renal tissue paraffin blocks (20) of patients with ccRCC were collected at the University Hospital in Split from 2019 to 2020, and tissue sections were stained with patched (PTCH), anti-smoothened (SMO) and anti-Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) antibodies. SHH was highly expressed (31.

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Genetic and epigenetic alterations of the telomere maintenance machinery like telomere length and telomerase reverse transcriptase (encoded by TERT gene) are reported in several human malignancies. However, there is limited knowledge on the status of the telomere machinery in periampullary carcinomas (PAC) which are rare and heterogeneous groups of cancers arising from different anatomic sites around the ampulla of Vater. In the current study, we investigated the relative telomere length (RTL) and the most frequent genetic and epigenetic alterations in the TERT promoter in PAC and compared it with tumor-adjacent nonpathological duodenum (NDu).

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Gastric cancer (GC) therapies include gastrectomy and chemoradiotherapy. The tumor immune microenvironment (TME) has implications for potential immunotherapy. We analyzed the expression of PD-L1, CD8, CTLA-4 and IFN-γ in the tumor and regional lymph node (LN) of patients with GC and compared it with clinical and pathological data.

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Unlabelled: Approximately 60% of patients with squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) have regional occult metastatic disease/distant metastases at the time of diagnosis, putting them at higher risk for disease progression. Therefore, biomarkers are needed for early prognostic purpose. The aim of this study was to analyze the expression pattern of connexins (Cx) 37, 40 and 45, pannexin1 (Panx1) and vimentin in LSCC and correlate with tumor grade (G) and outcome.

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We aimed to investigate expression of the novel susceptibility genes for CAKUT, and , proposed by a systematic in silico approach, in developing and postnatal healthy human kidneys to provide information about their spatiotemporal expression pattern. We analyzed expression of their protein products by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence and quantified relative mRNA levels by RT-qPCR. Statistically significant differences in expression patterns were observed between certain developmental stages.

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Article Synopsis
  • Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is an autoimmune disease that leads to granuloma formation and affects small to medium-sized blood vessels, primarily impacting respiratory and renal functions.
  • A case study highlights a 36-year-old man who first showed symptoms like ear pain, hearing loss, and facial paralysis, resulting in a delayed GPA diagnosis.
  • Treatment with cyclophosphamide and methylprednisolone improved his symptoms, suggesting that otologic symptoms can sometimes be the first sign of GPA, warranting thorough evaluation rather than assumption of common ear issues.
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This study aimed to explore the spatio-temporal expression patterns of congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) candidate genes, Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 1 (FGFR1), Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 2 (FGFR2) and Receptor-Interacting Protein Kinase 5 (RIP5), in human fetal kidney development (CTRL) and kidneys affected with CAKUT. Human fetal kidneys from the 22nd to 41st developmental week (duplex, hypoplastic, dysplastic, and controls) were stained with antibodies and analyzed by epifluorescence microscopy and RT-qPCR. The effect of CAKUT candidate genes on kidney nephrogenesis and function is confirmed by statistically significant variations in the spatio-temporal expression patterns of the investigated markers.

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Alport syndrome (AS) and thin basement membrane nephropathy (TBMN) are part of the spectrum of kidney disorders caused by pathogenic variants in α3, α4, or α5 chains of the collagen type IV, the major structural component of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM). Using targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS), 34 AS/TBMN patients (58.8% male) from 12 unrelated families were found positive for heterozygous c.

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Pannexins are transmembrane glycoproteins that constitute channels involved in purinergic signaling through ATP release from cells in various physiological and pathological processes. In this study, the distribution of Panx1 expression in different cell populations of healthy postnatal human kidneys and during human embryonic and early fetal development was investigated by double immunohistochemistry. In addition, the glomerular and tubular expression of Panx1 was examined in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and the control group, and renal Panx1 expression was correlated with serum creatinine.

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The aim of this study was to analyse the expression of PD-L1 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its correlation with immune microenvironment response (IMR), clinic-pathological parameters, and outcome. The sample included 76 male and 32 female patients who underwent surgical resection. The mean age of the males was 66 years, and that of the females was 64 years.

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Aim: One of the main causes of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the world is IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Since kidney is a key player in vitamin D metabolism, we investigated the expression of renal vitamin D receptors (VDR) and metabolizing enzymes in IgA nephropathy patients (IgAN-P).

Methods: The sample included twelve IgAN-P who underwent ultrasound-guided renal biopsies and five controls who underwent nephrectomy due to clear renal carcinoma.

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This study aimed to explore morphology changes in the kidneys of ( mice, as well as expression patterns of reelin, NOTCH2, LC3B, and cleaved caspase3 (CASP3) proteins, as potential determinants of normal kidney formation and function. We assumed that functional inactivation may cause disorder in a wide spectrum of congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT). Animals were sacrificed at postnatal days P4, P11, and P14.

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Our study analyzed the expression pattern of different connexins (Cxs) and renin positive cells in the juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA) of developing, postnatal healthy human kidneys and in nephrotic syndrome of the Finnish type (CNF), by using double immunofluorescence, electron microscopy and statistical measuring. The JGA contained several cell types connected by Cxs, and consisting of macula densa, extraglomerular mesangium (EM) and juxtaglomerular cells (JC), which release renin involved in renin-angiotensin- aldosteron system (RAS) of arterial blood pressure control. During JGA development, strong Cx40 expression gradually decreased, while expression of Cx37, Cx43 and Cx45 increased, postnatally showing more equalized expression patterning.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study examined the expression patterns of tissue markers SATB1 and PTEN in relation to various kidney diseases using 32 biopsy samples, including both proliferative and non-proliferative groups.
  • Both markers were found in all kidney structures, showing particularly high expression in tubular epithelial cells and significant differences in expression levels when compared to healthy control samples.
  • The findings suggest SATB1 and PTEN could serve as potential indicators of kidney disease progression and warrant further investigation for their role in kidney disease treatment.
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Connexins (Cxs) are membrane-spanning proteins which enable flow of information important for kidney homeostasis. Changes in their spatiotemporal patterning characterize blood vessel abnormalities and chronic kidney diseases (CKD). We analysed spatiotemporal expression of Cx37, Cx40, Cx43 and Cx45 in nephron and glomerular cells of developing, postnatal kidneys, and nephrotic syndrome of the Finnish type (CNF) by using immunohistochemistry, statistical methods and electron microscopy.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to compare the clinical presentation and pathohistological diagnoses of renal diseases in children from the Croatian region of Dalmatia by analyzing data from renal biopsies.
  • The research involved 54 out of 231 pediatric patients who underwent ultrasound-guided renal biopsy, examining biopsy samples from 2008 to 2017 and comparing them to data from 1995 to 2005.
  • Key findings indicated that the most common conditions were IgA nephropathy and minimal change disease, with a noticeable increase in these diseases over time, while some other conditions, like mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis, showed a decline.
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Cowden syndrome (CS) is a rare autosomal dominant, hereditary, multiorgan disease with higher risk for malignancies (breast, thyroid, endometrium). Mucocutaneous lesions occur in 90% of cases and are characterized by facial trichilemmomas, oral mucosal papillomas, and benign acral keratoses. We present the case of a 39-year-old female patient with the chief complaint of "white spots" on the upper and lower attached gingiva accompanied with skin changes on the face, hands, and soles.

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Aim: To explore the spatial and temporal expression patterns of DAB1 and Reelin in the developing and postnatal healthy human kidneys as potential determinants of kidney development.

Methods: Paraffin-embedded fetal kidney tissue between the 13/14th and 38th developmental weeks (dw) and postnatal tissue at 1.5 and 7 years were stained with DAB1 and Reelin antibodies by double immunofluorescence.

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Aim: Adverse and advanced prognostic signs in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) are interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy, but early predictors of bad outcome are still lacking. We investigated expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and c-Myb in renal biopsies of IgAN and Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP), because these gene products are indirectly included in fibrosis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Methods: The sample included 23 patients and 8 controls who underwent nephrectomy due to renal cancer.

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Background: High ERCC1 expression is thought to be related with resistance to chemotherapy based on platinum. The aim of this study was to present our institutional observations regarding to the association of ERCC1 and overall survival (OS) of the lung adenocarcinoma patients who received chemotherapy based on platinum.

Material/methods: A total of 253 lung adenocarcinoma patients in all TNM stages were retrospectively investigated.

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Aim: Present study analyses the co-localisation of RIP5 with FGFR1, FGFR2 and HIP2 in the developing kidney, as RIP5 is a major determinant of urinary tract development, downstream of FGF-signaling.

Methods: Paraffin embedded human kidney tissues of 16 conceptuses between the 6th-22th developmental week were analysed using double-immunofluorescence method with RIP5/FGFR1/FGFR2 and HIP2 markers. Quantification of positive cells were performed using Kruskal-Wallis test.

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