Role of Inherited Thrombophilia Risk Factors in Patients with CKD-5 Receiving Haemodialysis.

Background: The inherited thrombophilic mutations of the factor V gene (FVG1691A Leiden-FVL), prothrombin gene (PTG20210A), and the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene C677T (MTHFR C677T) are risk factors for thromboembolic events and are related to the pathogenesis of vascular diseases.

Objectives: The main objective of this study was to explore the role of these factors in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and survival of patients with CKD-5 receiving haemodialysis.

Methods: A cohort of 395 patients with CKD-5 on haemodialysis, from 6 dialysis units in Crete, Greece were recruited based on their medical records and were followed for 5 years.

Serum Levels of Soluble FLT3 Ligand in Patients with Active Multiple Myeloma Constitute Marker of Bone Marrow Plasma Cell Proliferative Activity.

The FLT3-ligand is a molecule implicated in hematopoiesis. The aim of the present study was to detect any possible connections between serum levels of FLT3-L and multiple myeloma (MM) proliferation markers, such as serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), B-cell activating factor (BAFF), beta-2 microglobulin (B2M), CRP and LDH, as well the percentage of bone marrow infiltration and the plasma cells' proliferation marker Ki-67 PI. We measured the above parameters in 58 patients with active MM.

The Impact of Mast Cell Density on the Progression of Bone Disease in Multiple Myeloma Patients.

Background: Osteolytic bone disease is a major hallmark in multiple myeloma (MM) progression and affects many patients. Several inflammatory cells are involved in MM progression. Among them, mast cells (MCs) accumulated in the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment are known to play an important role in the mechanism of neovascularization.

Correlation of Mast Cell Density With Angiogenic Cytokines in Patients With Active Multiple Myeloma.

Purpose: The aim of the study is to estimate whether bone marrow mast cell density (MCD) in multiple myeloma (MM) correlates with circulating levels of various angiogenic factors.

Methods: In 70 patients with newly diagnosed active MM, we measured MCD using immunohistochemical stain for tryptase and serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), angiopoietin 2 (ANGIOP-2), and angiogenin (ANG) with ELISA.

Findings: Levels of MCD, ANGIOP-2, and ANG were significantly higher in MM patients compared with the control group.

Preseason preparation training and endothelial function in elite professional soccer players.

Aim: To examine whether a high volume of soccer-specific training can lead to endothelial activation and/or dysfunction in professional soccer players due to exercise-induced oxidative stress.

Methods: Twenty-three (15 nonsmokers and eight smokers) healthy, elite male professional soccer players (mean age: 25.2±4.

Activated Protein C-Resistance Determination and Vascular Access Thrombosis in Populations with High Prevalence of Factor V Leiden.

Background/aims: Factor V Leiden heterozygosity occurs in 3-8% of the general European and US populations. Activated protein C resistance (APC-R)--a non-molecular laboratory test--can efficiently demonstrate the presence of this mutation and can be performed on most coagulation analyzers. On the other hand, fistula or graft thrombosis is a common and costly complication in hemodialysis patients.

High density of tryptase-positive mast cells in patients with multiple myeloma: correlation with parameters of disease activity.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell neoplasm characterized by bone marrow infiltration from malignant plasma cells. Mast cells play an important role in inflammation and angiogenesis in malignant diseases. The aim of the study was to evaluate the mast cell density in bone marrow of untreated MM patients with markers of disease activity such as serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), B2M, and C-reactive protein (CRP), the grade of bone marrow infiltration, and the levels of produced paraprotein.

Immunohistochemical expression of endoglin offers a reliable estimation of bone marrow neoangiogenesis in multiple myeloma.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate CD105 tissue marker in the bone marrow (BM) of multiple myeloma (MM) patients. CD105 was evaluated using immunohistochemical method. An effort was made to correlate this marker with BM microvascular density (MVD) along with other known markers of angiogenesis in order to evaluate its clinical significance.

Interleukin-10 Induces Both Plasma Cell Proliferation and Angiogenesis in Multiple Myeloma.

In multiple myeloma the angiogenic process is enhanced by various mediators. Among them interleukin-10 (IL-10), secreted mainly by myeloma-associated macrophages seems to participate in myeloma progression with variable manners. The aim of the study was to measure serum levels of IL-10 in various stages of MM patients and to correlate them with various angiogenic cytokines, such as vascular endothelial growth factor and angiopoietin-2 and with known proliferation parameters, such as serum levels of B-cell activating factor and bone marrow infiltration by myeloma plasma cells, in order to explore their clinical significance.

Mast cells influence the proliferation rate of myeloma plasma cells.

In multiple myeloma (MM), mast cells (MCs) modify bone marrow microenvironment. In order to estimate whether MC density (MCD) in active MM bone marrows relates to the proliferative activity of plasma cells, we estimated in 42 patients MCD, microvascular density (MVD), and the Ki-67 proliferation index (PI) (immunohistochemical expression of tryptase, CD31, and Ki-67). MCD correlated with Ki-67 PI (p < .

Clinical significance of interleukin-22 in multiple myeloma.

Objective: Interleukin-22 (IL-22) is a cytokine participating in many aspects of inflammation. Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant disease of plasma cells with characteristic immune deregulation. We estimated serum levels of IL-22 in MM patients, both in activity and remission, in order to apprehend its possible participation in MM biology.

Prognostic impact of angiopoietin-2 in multiple myeloma.

Purpose: Angiogenesis is an essential process for the expansion of multiple myeloma (MM). Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), Ang-1 and their receptor possess important roles in this procedure. The aim of the study was to measure serum levels of Ang-2 along with known markers of angiogenesis and to estimate their prognostic impact on the survival.

Circulating levels of soluble Fas ligand reflect disease progression in multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) plasma cells are apoptosis resistant. The system of Fas with its ligand (Fas-L) participates actively in the extrinsic apoptotic system. In oncology, its role is controversial, since it has been reported both to suppress and promote tumor growth.

Increased serum levels of MIP-1alpha correlate with bone disease and angiogenic cytokines in patients with multiple myeloma.

Many cytokines possess variable roles in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma. Macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha) is an osteoclast-activating factor with a major role in myeloma bone disease. The aim of the study was to examine its participation in the angiogenic process of the disease.

Positive correlation between bone marrow mast cell density and ISS prognostic index in patients with multiple myeloma.

We evaluated mast cell density (MCD) in myeloma bone marrow biopsies and correlated it with stage of disease and markers of angiogenesis. Fifty-three untreated myeloma patients and 28 of them responded to therapy were studied. Mast cells were highlighted using immunohistochemical stain for tryptase.

Relationship between circulating BAFF serum levels with proliferating markers in patients with multiple myeloma.

In multiple myeloma, there are many factors influencing the growth of the malignant clone in direct and indirect manners. BAFF is a growth factor for myeloma cells. The aim of the study was to measure its circulating levels in 54 pretreatment patients, along with serum levels of other proliferation markers, such as interleukins-6, -10, and -15, CRP, and beta-2 microglobulin, as well as bone marrow plasma cell infiltration and expression of Ki-67 PI, in various stages of the disease and after effective treatment in 28 of them.

Serum levels of angiopoietin-2 are associated with the growth of multiple myeloma.

Angiopoietins and their receptor, Tie-2, have crucial role in angiogenesis. We measured serum levels of angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), soluble Tie-2, and factors of burden and prognosis in myeloma (LDH, CRP, beta-2 microglobulin, and interleukin-6) in 55 newly diagnosed patients, with 30 of them in plateau phase, in order to note correlations among them. Levels of Ang-2 were higher in patients in advanced stage of disease, decreased in plateau phase, and correlated with all other factors.

Blockade of platelet alpha2B-adrenergic receptors: a novel antiaggregant mechanism.

Background: Platelets play a vital role in hemostasis and thrombosis. Catecholamines have a profound effect on platelet aggregation and atherothrombosis but the exact mechanism involved is insufficiently understood. In this report, we demonstrate the existence and role of alpha2B-adrenergic receptors (α2B-ARs) in normal human platelets.

The significance of non correlation between interleukin-8 serum levels with bone marrow microvascular density in patients with myeloma multiple.

In multiple myeloma (MM), angiogenesis plays a substantial role in disease progression. Interleukin-8 (IL-8), a pro-inflammatory chemokine with potent pro-angiogenic properties, has been implicated in the pathophysiology of MM. The aim of the study is to measure serum levels of IL-8 in MM patients and to correlate them with markers of angiogenesis, such as circulating levels of platelet derived growth factor-AB (PDGF-AB) and angiogenin (Ang), and bone marrow microvascular density (MVD).

The relationship between soluble receptor of interleukin-6 with angiogenic cytokines and proliferation markers in multiple myeloma.

Soluble interleukin-6 receptor (sIL-6R) is part of IL-6 receptor that may stimulate cells that do not express the whole molecule. It may enhance myeloma cell proliferation and furthermore angiogenesis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical significance and the relationship between serum levels of sIL-6R, with various stimulators of angiogenesis, such as hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) and with markers of proliferation, such as beta-2 microglobulin (B2M) levels and plasma cell Ki-67 proliferation index in the bone marrow, in patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

Anemia in heart failure patients.

Heart failure is a very common disease, with severe morbidity and mortality, and a frequent reason of hospitalization. Anemia and a concurrent renal impairment are two major risk factors contributing to the severity of the outcome and consist of the cardio renal anemia syndrome. Anemia in heart failure is complex and multifactorial.

Coexistence of plasma cell dyscrasia with prefibrotic stage of primary myelofibrosis: a case report.

Introduction. Coexistence of myeloproliferative neoplasms with lymphoproliferative syndromes has been described in the past, whereas plasma cell dyscrasias seem to be the most common cases. Case Presentation.

Role of platelet-derived growth factor-AB in tumour growth and angiogenesis in relation with other angiogenic cytokines in multiple myeloma.

Angiogenesis is a complex process essential for the growth, invasion, and metastasis of various malignant tumours, including multiple myeloma (MM). Various angiogenic cytokines have been implicated in the angiogenic process. Among them, platelet-derived growth factor-AB (PDGF-AB) has been reported to be a potent stimulator of angiogenesis in many solid tumours and haematological malignancies, including MM.

Circulating osteopontin: a dual marker of bone destruction and angiogenesis in patients with multiple myeloma.

The matrix protein osteopontin has been shown to be a marker of osteoclastic activity in multiple myeloma patients, as well as a regulator of angiogenesis. We measured serum levels of osteopontin in 50 untreated multiple myeloma patients (in 25, also after treatment) and examined the relation to markers of osteolytic and angiogenic activity. The median (range) of serum osteopontin was 85 (5-232) in the patient group vs.

Membranous nephropathy and lupus-like syndrome after hematopoietic cell transplantation: a case report.

Introduction: The kidney is increasingly recognised as a target organ of chronic graft-versus-host disease after hematopoietic cell transplantation in the context of the development of the nephrotic syndrome. Chronic graft-versus-host disease is associated with autoimmune phenomena similar, but not identical, to those observed in various rheumatologic disorders, implicating autoimmunity as an important component of the disease.

Case Presentation: We report the case of a 57-year-old Caucasian man who developed the nephrotic syndrome due to membranous nephropathy in association with recurrent chronic graft-versus-host disease, along with a lupus-like syndrome manifested with pancytopenia, hair loss, positive anti-DNA antibodies and sub-epithelial and mesangial immune deposits.