Members of the syndecan and glypican families of cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are modulators of growth factor signaling and cell adhesion. Both loss and gain in expression of syndecans and glypicans has been associated with malignant progression. The goal of this project was to investigate a possible relationship between expression of cell surface HSPGs (syndecan-1, syndecan-4 and glypican-1) and established prognostic factors or clinical outcome in breast carcinomas. Tissue arrays containing 207 human breast carcinoma samples in duplicate were immuno-labeled with antibodies to syndecan-1, syndecan-4, glypican-1, Ki67, E-cadherin, estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR). Clinical follow-up information was available for up to 18.6 years (median follow-up 6.2 years). Syndecan-1 and syndecan-4 expression in carcinoma cells ranged from complete loss to high expression, but glypican-1 was detected only in a small subset of breast carcinomas. Expression of all three HSPGs was significantly associated with the Ki67 proliferation index (syndecan-1: p=0.0025; syndecan-4: p<0.0001; glypican-1 p=0.01). Syndecan-1 and syndecan-4 expression correlated with ER negativity, grade, and size of the primary tumors. Syndecan-1 expression (but not syndecan-4 nor glypican-1) predicted patient outcome (DFS: p=0.0054; OS: p=0.0086). However, multivariate analysis failed to identify syndecan-1 as an independent prognostic marker, which was due to its significant association with established prognostic factors. The strong association between cell surface HSPGs and the Ki67 proliferation marker would support a biologic role in carcinoma growth regulation. Furthermore, the close correlation between syndecan expression and negative ER status raises the possibility of hormonal regulation or more likely an association with an aggressive, ER-negative carcinoma phenotype.

No abstract

The pathophysiologic mechanisms leading to acute ischemic renal failure are not completely understood. Melatonin, a compound with well-known antioxidant properties, reduces IR-induced renal injury. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the changes in levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, IL-beta, and IL-6 in postischemic reperfused renal tissue, and to determine whether the protective effect of melatonin is related the modulation of the production of these inflammatory molecules. Male Wistar albino rats were unilaterally nephrectomized and subjected to 1 hr of renal pedicle occlusion followed by 2 hr or 24 hr of reperfusion. Melatonin (10 mg/kg, i.p.) or vehicle was administrated at 10 min prior to ischemia. After 24 hr of the reperfusion, following decapitation, kidney samples were taken both for histologic examination and for the determination of malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidative stress (TOS), creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). These were measured in serum samples. TNF-alpha, IL-beta, and IL-6 were measured in kidney samples after 2 hr of reperfusion. IR caused a significant increase in renal MDA, MPO, TOS, creatinine, and BUN while decrease TAC without any change in TNF-alpha, IL-beta, and IL-6 levels. Melatonin treatment reduced the biochemical indices without any change in the cytokine levels and ameliorated histopathologic alterations induced by IR. The protective effect of melatonin on IR-induced renal injury is related to its antioxidant properties but not to proinflammatory cytokines.

No abstract

Chronic melatonin treatment reduces renal injury by reducing lipid oxidation and NO production in STZ-induced diabetic rats exposed to IR.

No abstract

The results revealed that increased serum AST, ALT and BUN levels following periodontitis are ameliorated with melatonin treatment.

To investigate the causes of hypertrophy in recurrent tonsillitis with hypertrophy (RTTH). Design: An immunohistochemical study of recurrent tonsillitis with or without hypertrophy and adenoid tissue. Setting: Academic medical center. Patients: The study population comprised 15 patients with RTTH, 15 patients with recurrent tonsillitis (RT), 9 patients with adenoid vegetation, and 6 controls. Main Outcome Measures: The following outcome measures were investigated: follicle number and follicular area and circumference; degree of papillary arrangement and keratin cyst in crypts; fibrosis; and density of S-100 ϩ cells, CD20 ϩ cells, CD45RO ϩ cells, lymphocytes and plasma cells, and cyclin D 1 ϩ cells in surface epithelium, crypt epithelium, extrafollicular area, and follicles. Results: In the RTTH group, follicle number and follicular area and circumference, S-100 ϩ cell density in crypt and surface epithelium, and CD20 ϩ cell density in crypt epithelium were higher than in the RT group. The other