Prognostic value of MTSS1 gene expression on acute leukemia patients outcome

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of the MTSS1 gene expression in patients with acute leukemia. Patients & methods: MTSS1 gene expression was quantified in 120 newly diagnosed acute leukemia patients, by quantitative reverse transcription PCR at diagnosis and after induction chemotherapy therapy. Results: Baseline MTSS1 gene expression was significantly higher in acute leukemia patients compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Acute leukemia patients with low baseline MTSS1 gene expression at diagnosis have significantly shorter overall survival and disease-free survival compared with those with higher expression (p < 0.001 for both). Conclusion: Downregulation of MTSS1 gene expression at diagnosis was associated with poor outcome in either cytogenetic acute myeloid leukemia or B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Prognostic Value of Plasma miR-29a Evaluation in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Patients

OBJECTIVE

Dysregulation of microRNA expression could attenuate the course of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Therefore, the aim of our study is to address the association between miR-29a expression and other prognostic markers in CLL patients.

METHODS

miR-29a expression was determined by quantitative real-time PCR in the plasma of 158 CLL patients at diagnosis beside 21 healthy controls in a prospective study.

RESULTS

The levels of miR-29a expression were found to be significantly higher in CLL patients as compared to healthy controls (P<0.001). Moreover, a significant association between high miR-29a expression and poor prognostic markers (high expression of CD38 and ZAP70, high LDH levels, Stage III Rai stage, unfavorable cytogenetic finding, time to first treatment (TTFT) and patients outcome (P<0.001 for All). Using ROC curve, we have reported that miR-29a expression levels (29a<0.76 vs >0.76) is able to discriminate severity subgroups of CLL patients.

CONCLUSION

Up regulation of miR-29a expression at CLL diagnosis was detected. Determination of miR-29a expression concentration levels at diagnosis could be demonstrated as a prognostic biomarker in CLL patients.

Prognostic Value of Serum CD200 Concentrations in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

BACKGROUND

little is known regarding the prognostic value of soluble CD200 (sCD200)in  chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients. Therefore, the objective of our study is  to address the prognostic value of sCD200 antigen concentration on  CLL patients outcome.

METHODS

Determination of  serum sCD200 was done using ELISA kit in 158 CLL patients at diagnosis  before start of therapy beside 21 healthy controls.

RESULTS

sCD200 concentration levels was significantly higher in CLL patients as compared to healthy controls.  High sCD200 was associated with poor prognostic markers (high expression of CD38+% and ZAP70+, high LDH, high risk Rai stages, unfavorable cytogenetic finding, time to first treatment (TTT) as well as patients outcome (P<0.001 for All). sCD200 at cut-off value ( 752.5 pg/ml) could predicts TTT with specificity 83.4%.

CONCLUSION

Determination of sCD200 concentration levels at diagnosis could be used as a prognostic biomarker in CLL patients.

Clinical and Radiological Comparison between Three Different Minimally Invasive Surgical Fusion Techniques for Single-Level Lumbar Isthmic and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis: Minimally Invasive Surgical Posterolateral Fusion versus Minimally Invasive Surgical Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion versus Midline Lumbar Fusion

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Purpose

Comparison between three different minimally invasive surgical (MIS) fusion techniques for single-level lumbar spondylolisthesis.

Overview of Literature

There has been an increase in the development and utilization of MIS techniques for lumbar spine fusion. No study has compared the efficacy of MIS-posterolateral fusion (MIS-PLF), MIS-transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF), and midline lumbar fusion (MIDLF) with modified cortical bone trajectory screws for lumbar spondylolisthesis.

Methods

Fifty-nine patients with single-level lumbar spondylolisthesis and a minimum follow-up period of 1 year were included in this study. The MIS-PLF, MIS-TLIF, and MIDLF groups included 22, 15, and 22 patients, respectively. The average age of the groups was 70.6, 49.3, and 62.7 years, respectively. The evaluation parameters were operation time, intraoperative bleeding, serum C-reactive protein (CRP) value, creatine kinase (CK) value, and overall functional outcome as per the Japanese Orthopedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ) score. The changes in the lumbar lordosis angle (LLA), segmental disc angle (SDA), and disc height were measured. Fusion rate, screw loosening, and loss of correction were also assessed.

Results

MIDLF showed a significantly shorter operation time (111 min), less bleeding amount (112.5 mL), and lower values of CRP and CK than the other two techniques. There was no significant difference in the JOABPEQ scores of the three groups. MIDLF resulted in a greater increase in the LLA and SDA postoperatively. MIDLF and MIS-TLIF resulted in a significant increase in the middle disc height compared with MIS-PLF. MIDLF showed a lower loss of correction after 6 months postoperatively (2.6%) than MIS-PLF (5.2%) and MIS-TLIF (4.2%). The fusion rate was 100% in the MIDLF and MIS-TLIF groups and 90% in the MIS-PLF group. Screw loosening occurred in 10% of the MIS-PLF cases, 7.14% of the MIS-TLIF cases, and 4.76% of the MIDLF cases.

Conclusions

MIDLF was the least invasive, and there was no significant difference between the three groups in terms of fusion, screw loosening, and clinical outcomes.

Study of effect of optimization of dialysis and protein intake on neuromuscular function in patients under maintenance hemodialysis treatment

This study was carried out on 22 patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Among them, 20 patients were males and 2 were females, their age ranged from 12 to 50 years. Initially, the patients were assessed clinically and by laboratory investigations and their dialysis was assessed by studying their urea kinetic modeling following the nomographic approach for calculating their Kt/V values. Their nutrition was assessed by measuring skin folds, midarm circumference, laboratory parameters and by calculating the normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR). Also their neuromuscular functions were assessed by clinical examination and neurophysiologic study. Dialysis dose was readjusted to achieve a target Kt/V value of 1.3 for patients on 3 times weekly dialysis and 1.6 for patients on twice weekly dialysis. Also, their nutrition was reviewed to achieve nPCR 1.2 g/kg/day and caloric intake 30-40 kcal/kg/day through diet manipulation and support. The patients were assessed finally after 3 months on targeted dialysis and nutrition by thorough clinical, laboratory and neuromuscular assessment. Analysis of neurophysiologic data showed significant improvement in electromyography. Furthermore, fatigue test showed significant (p = 0.002) decreases in muscle fatigue after optimization of dialysis dose and patients' nutrition. From this study, we may conclude that in dialysis patients, even when asymptomatic and clinically stable, neurologic deficits do exist and using area kinetic modeling to improve dialysis and patients' nutrition is valuable in improving their neuromuscular functions.