Dual-Phase Dual-Energy CT in Patients Treated with Erlotinib for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Possible Benefits of Iodine Quantification in Response Assessment.

Objectives: To investigate the relationship of dual-phase dual-energy CT (DE-CT) and tumour size in the evaluation of the response to anti-EGFR therapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: Dual-phase DE-CT was performed in 31 patients with NSCLC before the onset of anti-EGFR (erlotinib) therapy and as follow-up (mean 8 weeks). Iodine uptake (IU; mg/mL) was quantified using prototype software in arterial and venous phases; arterial enhancement fraction (AEF) was calculated.

High serum level of C-reactive protein is associated with worse outcome of patients with advanced-stage NSCLC treated with erlotinib.

Erlotinib is a low molecular weight tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) directed at epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), widely used in the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although introduction of EGFR-TKIs have significantly extended survival of advanced-stage NSCLC patients, their efficacy in the entire patient population is relatively low. Aside from activating EGFR mutations, no reliable biochemical or molecular predictors of response to erlotinib have been established.

The Association of Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen, Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9, Thymidine Kinase, and Tissue Polypeptide Specific Antigen with Outcomes of Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Treated with Bevacizumab: a Retrospective Study.

The aim of our retrospective study was to analyze the association of selected tumor markers (TMs) including serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), thymidine kinase, and tissue polypeptide specific antigen with outcomes in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treated with bevacizumab. There is an increasing body of evidence from retrospective/observational studies that some serum TMs may be predictive of effect of targeted therapies in mCRC. In our study, the cohort included 152 patients treated with bevacizumab-based therapy between years 2005 and 2014 at Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Medical School and Teaching Hospital Pilsen.

Statins augment efficacy of EGFR-TKIs in patients with advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer harbouring KRAS mutation.

Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) represent novel effective agents approved for the treatment of patients with advanced-stage NSCLC. KRAS mutations have been reported as a negative prognostic and predictive factor in patients with NSCLC treated with EGFR-TKIs. Several studies have recently shown that statins can block tumour cell growth, invasion and metastatic potential.

The role of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and thymidine kinase (TK) levels in prediction of efficacy ofEGFR-TKIs in patients with advanced-stage NSCLC [corrected].

Background/aim: Tumor biomarkers are used for diagnostics and follow-up monitoring of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We focused on the predictive role of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and thymidine [corrected] kinase (TK) in patients with advanced-stage NSCLC treated with epidermal growth factor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs).

Patients And Methods: In a total of 163 patients with advanced-stage (IIIB or IV) NSCLC treated with EGFR-TKIs (erlotinib or gefitinib), pre-treatment levels of NSE and TK were measured.

Effects of the czech propolis on sperm mitochondrial function.

Propolis is a natural product that honeybees collect from various plants. It is known for its beneficial pharmacological effects. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of propolis on human sperm motility, mitochondrial respiratory activity, and membrane potential.

Predictive role of CEA and CYFRA 21-1 in patients with advanced-stage NSCLC treated with erlotinib.

Background: Tumor biomarkers are used for predicting therapy effect and prognosis of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We focused on their potential role in prediction of the efficacy of erlotinib.

Patients And Methods: In a total of 144 patients with advanced-stage (IIIB or IV) NSCLC treated with erlotinib, pre-treatment levels of soluble carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cytokeratin markers in serum were measured.

Expanded cryopreserved mesenchymal stromal cells as an optimal source for graft-versus-host disease treatment.

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are fibroblast-like cells present in different types of tissues. Their immunomodulatory potential represents a promising method for post-transplant immunotherapy in the treatment of GVHD (graft-versus-host disease) with suboptimal response to standard immunosuppression. In this study we tested influence of 1-8 month-long cryopreservation on ability of MSC to suppress activation of non-specifically stimulated lymphocytes.

Effect of rosuvastatin therapy on troponin I release following percutaneous coronary intervention in nonemergency patients (from the TIP 3 study).

Several randomized studies have suggested that pretreatment with statins may reduce a periprocedural biomarker release in patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI); however, results remain controversial. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a 1-day rosuvastatin therapy on troponin I release in patients who underwent nonemergency PCI. A total of 445 patients with angina pectoris were randomly assigned to therapy with rosuvastatin (20 mg 12 hours before coronary angiography + 20 mg immediately before PCI; rosuvastatin group, 220 patients) or PCI without statin therapy (control group, 225 patients).

Cost-effectiveness of hematopoietic stem cell mobilization strategies including plerixafor in multiple myeloma and lymphoma patients.

Peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) are preferred source of hematopoietic stem cells for autologous transplantation. Mobilization of PBSCs using chemotherapy and/or granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) however fails in around 20%. Combining G-CSF with plerixafor increases the mobilizations success.

Sequential treatment of advanced-stage lung adenocarcinoma harboring wild-type EGFR gene: second-line pemetrexed followed by third-line erlotinib versus the reverse sequence.

Background: Pemetrexed and erlotinib represent novel agents for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The role of sequential treatment in NSCLC has not been elucidated yet. We compared the efficacy of second-line pemetrexed followed by third-line erlotinib (P-E) to treatment with the reverse sequence (E-P).

Voiding difficulties after vaginal mesh cystocele repair: does the perivesical dissection matter?

Introduction And Hypothesis: Our purpose was to verify whether extensive dissection toward the sacrospinous ligament (SSL) needed for mesh fixation during anterior compartment repair increases the risk of postoperative voiding difficulties.

Methods: A total of 124 patients after anterior compartment mesh repair without simultaneous suburethral sling placement operated on in the period 2005-2012 were enrolled in this retrospective observational study. Patients with previous anti-incontinence surgery with normal urodynamics were not excluded; 30 patients with incomplete data, severe perioperative complications, and urinary retention before and after the surgery were excluded.

Septic shock and chemotherapy-induced cytopenia: effects on microcirculation.

Purpose: Neutrophil and platelet activation and their interactions with endothelial cells are considered central features of sepsis-induced microcirculatory alterations. However, no study has evaluated the microvascular pattern of septic shock patients with chemotherapy-induced severe cytopenia.

Methods: Demographic and hemodynamic variables together with sublingual microcirculation recording [orthogonal polarization spectral imaging enhanced by sidestream dark-field technology (OPS-SDF) videomicroscopy] were collected in four groups of subjects: septic shock (SS, N = 9), septic shock in cytopenic patients (NSS, N = 8), cytopenia without infection (NEUTR, N = 7), and healthy controls (CTRL, N = 13).

Determinants of prevalent vertebral fractures and progressive bone loss in long-term hemodialysis patients.

Skeletal fractures are common in hemodialysis (HD) patients. However, consensus regarding technique and site of bone examination has not been reached in HD patients. Seventy-two patients (44% females) aged 65 (1.