Preselection of EGFR mutations in non-small-cell lung cancer patients by immunohistochemistry: comparison with DNA-sequencing, EGFR wild-type expression, gene copy number gain and clinicopathological data.

Targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) having EGFR mutations is associated with an improved overall survival. The aim of this study is to verify, if EGFR mutations detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a convincing way to preselect patients for DNA-sequencing and to figure out, the statistical association between EGFR mutation, wild-type EGFR overexpression, gene copy number gain, which are the main factors inducing EGFR tumorigenic activity and the clinicopathological data. Two hundred sixteen tumor tissue samples of primarily chemotherapeutic naïve NSCLC patients were analyzed for EGFR mutations E746-A750del and L858R and correlated with DNA-sequencing.

The impact of total bile acid levels on fetal cardiac function in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy using fetal echocardiography: a tissue Doppler imaging study.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess total bile acid (TBA) levels and its impact on systolic and diastolic functions in fetuses of mothers with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) using tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), and to explore the correlation between TBA levels and fetal cardiac function.

Subjects And Methods: The study employed 98 pregnant women with ICP who were divided into two groups according to their bile acid levels. Fifty pregnant women without ICP represented the control group.

Detection of early left ventricular dysfunction in patients with maternal placental syndrome using tissue Doppler and strain rate imaging.

Background: Maternal placental syndromes (MPS) occur as a consequence of abnormal placental vessel formation and refer to hypertensive pregnancy disorders and related placental abnormalities. The aim of this study is to investigate early alterations in left ventricular function in patients with history of MPS using tissue Doppler and strain rate imaging.

Methods: We enrolled 122 females who were 6 months after delivery.

Correlation of EGFR expression, gene copy number and clinicopathological status in NSCLC.

Background: Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) targeting therapies are currently of great relevance for the treatment of lung cancer. For this reason, in addition to mutational analysis immunohistochemistry (IHC) of EGFR in lung cancer has been discussed for the decision making of according therapeutic strategies. The aim of this study was to obtain standardization of EGFR-expression methods for the selection of patients who might benefit of EGFR targeting therapies.

Detection of hepatopulmonary syndrome in patients with liver cirrhosis using 3D contrast echocardiography.

Background And Study Aims: Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is characterised by the triad of advanced liver disease, arterial hypoxaemia and intrapulmonary vascular dilatation (IPVD). The present study aimed to evaluate HPS in patients with liver cirrhosis and the role of three-dimensional (3D) contrast echocardiography in the detection of this syndrome.

Patients And Methods: A total of 78 chronic liver disease patients aged 42 ± 11 years fulfilled the criteria for this study and were subjected to clinical examination, laboratory investigations, arterial blood gases measurement, pulmonary function tests, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, 3D contrast echocardiography and computed tomography (CT) pulmonary angiography.

Tissue Doppler and strain rate imaging detect improvement of myocardial function in iron deficient patients with congestive heart failure after iron replacement therapy.

Background: Iron deficiency may contribute to diminished exercise tolerance in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) even in absence of anemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of correction of iron deficiency on functional capacity and myocardial function in patients with CHF.

Methods: We studied 40 patients with ejection fraction <40%, hemoglobin% >12 g/dL, serum ferritin <100 ug/L, and transferrin saturation <20%.

Clinical and biochemical predictors of increased carotid intima-media thickness in overweight and obese adolescents with type 2 diabetes.

Objective: To identify the clinical parameters associated with increased carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in overweight and obese adolescents with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: We studied 27 patients (11 males) with type 2 diabetes. Criteria for selection were age (12-19 years), body mass index above the 95th percentile for age and gender, a positive family history of diabetes, normal or high C-peptide, and negative studies for islet cell antibodies.