The combination of electrochemical measurements with spectroscopic characterizations provides valuable insights into reaction mechanisms.Nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)spectroscopy,as a powerful technique due to its a...The combination of electrochemical measurements with spectroscopic characterizations provides valuable insights into reaction mechanisms.Nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)spectroscopy,as a powerful technique due to its atomic specificity and versatility in studying gas,liquid,and solid,allows the study of electrolyte solution,catalyst and catalyst-adsorbate interfaces.When applied in operando,NMR can offer molecular-level insights into various electrochemical processes.Operando NMR has been applied extensively in battery research,but relatively underexplored for electrocatalysis in the past two decades.In this mini review,we first introduce the operando electrochemical NMR setups,categorized by different probe designs.Then we review the applications of operando NMR for monitoring the electrolyte solution and the catalyst-adsorbate interface.Considering the high environmental impact of electrochemical conversion of CO_(2)into value-added products,we zoom in to the use of operando NMR in studying electrochemical CO_(2)reduction.Finally,we provide our perspective on further developing and applying operando NMR methods for understanding the complex reaction network of Cu-catalyzed electrochemical CO_(2)reduction.展开更多
Endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)with fine needle aspiration or fine needle biopsy is the gold standard for sampling tissue to diagnose pancreatic cancer and auto-immune pancreatitis or to analyze cyst fluid.The most common ...Endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)with fine needle aspiration or fine needle biopsy is the gold standard for sampling tissue to diagnose pancreatic cancer and auto-immune pancreatitis or to analyze cyst fluid.The most common reported adverse event of fine needle aspiration and/or fine needle biopsy is acute pancreatitis,which is likely induced by the same pathophysiological mechanisms as after en-doscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP).According to the current European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guideline,nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are administered prior to ERCP as a scientifically proven treatment to reduce post-ERCP pancreatitis incidence rate.A single suppository of diclofenac or indomethacin prior to EUS guided tissue acquisition(TA)is harm-less in healthy adults.Since it is associated with low costs and,most important,may prevent a dreadsome complication,we strongly recommend the adminis-tration of 100 mg diclofenac rectally prior to EUS-TA.We will explain this recom-mendation in more detail in this review as well as the risk and pathophysiology of post-EUS TA pancreatitis.展开更多
Challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s disease:Parkinson’s disease(PD)is an increasingly prevalent neurodegenerative disease,at first sight primarily characterized by motor symptoms,although non-mo...Challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s disease:Parkinson’s disease(PD)is an increasingly prevalent neurodegenerative disease,at first sight primarily characterized by motor symptoms,although non-motor symptoms also constitute a major part of the overall phenotype.Clinically,this disease cannot be diagnosed reliably until a large part of the vulnerable dopaminergic neurons has been irretrievably lost,and the disease progresses inexorably.New biological criteria for PD have been proposed recently and might eventually improve early diagnosis,but they require further validation,and their use will initially be restricted to a research environment(Darweesh et al.,2024).展开更多
Memory deficit,which is often associated with aging and many psychiatric,neurological,and neurodegenerative diseases,has been a challenging issue for treatment.Up till now,all potential drug candidates have failed to ...Memory deficit,which is often associated with aging and many psychiatric,neurological,and neurodegenerative diseases,has been a challenging issue for treatment.Up till now,all potential drug candidates have failed to produce satisfa ctory effects.Therefore,in the search for a solution,we found that a treatment with the gene corresponding to the RGS14414protein in visual area V2,a brain area connected with brain circuits of the ventral stream and the medial temporal lobe,which is crucial for object recognition memory(ORM),can induce enhancement of ORM.In this study,we demonstrated that the same treatment with RGS14414in visual area V2,which is relatively unaffected in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer s disease,produced longlasting enhancement of ORM in young animals and prevent ORM deficits in rodent models of aging and Alzheimer’s disease.Furthermore,we found that the prevention of memory deficits was mediated through the upregulation of neuronal arbo rization and spine density,as well as an increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF).A knockdown of BDNF gene in RGS14414-treated aging rats and Alzheimer s disease model mice caused complete loss in the upregulation of neuronal structural plasticity and in the prevention of ORM deficits.These findings suggest that BDNF-mediated neuronal structural plasticity in area V2 is crucial in the prevention of memory deficits in RGS14414-treated rodent models of aging and Alzheimer’s disease.Therefore,our findings of RGS14414gene-mediated activation of neuronal circuits in visual area V2 have therapeutic relevance in the treatment of memory deficits.展开更多
The vitality of European forests continues to decline due to new pests and diseases,climate-change related disturbances and high loads of atmospheric nitrogen deposition.Deteriorating soil health is a major factor und...The vitality of European forests continues to decline due to new pests and diseases,climate-change related disturbances and high loads of atmospheric nitrogen deposition.Deteriorating soil health is a major factor underpinning the low vitality of West-European forests.Selecting tree species with soil ameliorative traits is proposed as an avenue to counteract soil acidification and improve overall forest vitality.Here we evaluate the impact of black cherry(Prunus serotina Ehrh.),a known rich litter species,on the vitality of neighboring pedunculate oak(Quercus robur L.)in ten mixed forests on sand in Germany,Belgium and the Netherlands.We found that black cherry admixture increases foliar N and P to a surplus whereas it causes deficiencies in foliar Mg,thereby resulting in an overall negative effect on oak foliar nutrient concentrations.Contrary,defoliation of oak leaves by herbivory decreases with the proximity of black cherry.Using structural equation modelling(SEM),we tested the hypothesized‘improved soil health’pathway.Our analyses showed that black cherry admixture leads to lower accumulation in the humus layer,resulting in higher soil base saturation which has a positive effect on foliar Ca yet a negative effect on total chlorophyll.Moreover,the SEM illustrated that herbivory of oak leaves decreases when black cherry is admixed,both via dilution and improved soil health.Indirect effects of black cherry on oak vitality via“improved soil health”in our SEM are however small in comparison to direct relations.Hence,our study showed that the combined positive and negative impacts of black cherry on oak vitality are limited,which tempers the potential benefits of using the rich litter species to counteract oak decline via improved soil health–yet,the concern of black cherry as an invasive alien species negatively affecting the vitality of mature pedunculate oak trees may also be exaggerated.展开更多
Hepatic cysts are increasingly found as a mere coincidence on abdominal imaging techniques, such as ultrasonography (USG), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These cysts often present a dia...Hepatic cysts are increasingly found as a mere coincidence on abdominal imaging techniques, such as ultrasonography (USG), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These cysts often present a diagnostic challenge. Therefore, we performed a review of the recent literature and developed an evidence-based diagnostic algorithm to guide clinicians in characterising these lesions. Simple cysts are the most common cystic liver disease, and diagnosis is based on typical USG characteristics. Serodiagnostic tests and microbubble contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) are invaluable in differentiating complicated cysts, echinococcosis and cystadenoma/cystadenocarcinoma when USG, CT and MRI show ambiguous findings. Therefore, serodiagnostic tests and CEUS reduce the need for invasive procedures. Polycystic liver disease (PLD) is arbitrarily defined as the presence of > 20 liver cysts and can present as two distinct genetic disorders: autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and autosomal dominant polycystic liver disease (PCLD). Although genetic testing for ADPKD and PCLD is possible, it is rarely performed because it does not affect the therapeutic management of PLD. USG screening of the liver and both kidneys combined with extensive family history taking are the cornerstone of diagnostic decision making in PLD. In conclusion, an amalgamation of these recent advances results in a diagnostic algorithm that facilitates evidence-based clinical decision making.展开更多
BACKGROUND Detailed information on metastatic patterns in of patients with esophageal and gastric cancer is limited.Early recognition of metastases is important to avoid futile locoregional treatments.Furthermore,know...BACKGROUND Detailed information on metastatic patterns in of patients with esophageal and gastric cancer is limited.Early recognition of metastases is important to avoid futile locoregional treatments.Furthermore,knowledge on metastatic patterns is necessary for further development of personalized treatment modalities.AIM To gain insight into the metastatic pattern of gastroesophageal cancer.METHODS A nationwide retrospective autopsy study of 3876 patients with adenocarcinoma(AC)or squamous cell carcinoma(SCC)of the esophagus or stomach between 1990 and 2017 was performed.Only patient with metastases were included for analysis.The metastatic pattern was analyzed according to the primary tumor location and histological subtype.RESULTS Metastatic disease was found in 268 esophageal and 331 gastric cancer patients.In esophageal cancer,the most common metastatic locations were liver(56%),distant lymph nodes(53%)and lung(50%).Esophageal AC showed more frequently metastases to the peritoneum and bone compared with esophageal SCC.In gastric cancer,the most common metastatic locations were distant lymph nodes(56%),liver(53%)and peritoneum(51%).Intestinal-type AC of the stomach showed metastases to the liver more frequently,whereas metastases to the bone,female reproductive organs and colorectum were observed more frequently in diffuse-type gastric AC.CONCLUSION This study showed differences in metastatic patterns of patients with esophageal and gastric cancer according to the primary tumor location and histological subtype.展开更多
Primary liver cancer is the fifth most common malignancy in men and the eighth in women worldwide. The liver is also the second most common site for metastatic spread of cancer. To assist in the diagnosis of these liv...Primary liver cancer is the fifth most common malignancy in men and the eighth in women worldwide. The liver is also the second most common site for metastatic spread of cancer. To assist in the diagnosis of these liver lesions non-invasive advanced imaging techniques are desirable. Magnetic resonance (MR) is commonly used to identify anatomical lesions, but it is a very versatile technique and also can provide specific information on tumor pathophysiology and metabolism, in particular with the application of MR spectroscopy (MRS). This may include data on the type, grade and stage of tumors, and thus assist in further management of the disease. The purpose of this review is to summarize and discuss the available literature on proton, phosphorus and carbon-13-MRS as performed on primary liver tumors and metastases, with human applications as the main perspective. Upcoming MRSapproaches with potential applications to liver tumors are also included. Since knowledge of some technical background is indispensable to understand the results, a basic introduction of MRS and some technical issues of MRS as applied to tumors and metastases in the liver are described as well. In vivo MR spectroscopy of tumors in a metabolically active organ such as the liver has been demonstrated to provide important information on tumor metabolism, but it also is challenging as compared to applications on some other tissues, in particular in humans, mostly because of its abdominal location where movement may be a disturbing factor.展开更多
Stress urinary incontinence is not a deadly disease,but for the large population of women suffering from it,it is a very important issue.Especially in the continuously aging population all over the world,there is more...Stress urinary incontinence is not a deadly disease,but for the large population of women suffering from it,it is a very important issue.Especially in the continuously aging population all over the world,there is more and more need for treatment of this serious medical condition.Treatment of female stress urinary incontinence exists already for ages.In the 20th century invasive treatments like Burch colposuspension and pubovaginal slings were the mainstay of surgical treatments.The introduction of the midurethral sling made the procedure less invasive and accessible for more caregivers.Luckily there are many options available and the field is developing quickly.In recent years many new medical devices have been developed,that increase the number of treatment options available and make it possible to find a suitable solution for the individual patient based on subjective and objective results and the chances of complications.This manuscript provides an introduction to the therapeutical options that are available nowadays for female stress urinary incontinence.展开更多
Ovarian cancer accounts for only 3% of all cancers in women, but it causes more deaths than any other gynecologic cancer. Treatment with chemotherapy and cytoreductive surgery shows a good response to the therapy. How...Ovarian cancer accounts for only 3% of all cancers in women, but it causes more deaths than any other gynecologic cancer. Treatment with chemotherapy and cytoreductive surgery shows a good response to the therapy. However, in a large proportion of the patients the tumor grows back within a few years. Cancer stem cells, that are less responsive to these treatments, are blamed for this recurrence of disease. Immune therapy either cellular or humoral is a novel concept to treat cancer. It is based on the notice that immune cells invade the tumor. However, the tumor invest heavily to escape from immune elimination by recruiting several immune suppressive mechanisms. These processes are normally in place to limit excessive immune activation and prevent autoimmune phenomena. Here, we discuss current knowledge about the immune(suppressive)status in ovarian cancer. Moreover, we discuss the immunological targets of ovarian cancer stem cells.展开更多
AIM:To determine the possible modulating effect of the COX-2 polymorphisms,-765G→C and-1195A→G, on the risk of colorectal cancer(CRC)in a Dutch population. METHODS:This case-control study includes 326 patients with ...AIM:To determine the possible modulating effect of the COX-2 polymorphisms,-765G→C and-1195A→G, on the risk of colorectal cancer(CRC)in a Dutch population. METHODS:This case-control study includes 326 patients with CRC and 369 age-and gender-matched controls.Genotypes of the COX-2 polymorphisms -765G→C and-1195A→G were determined by polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism.COX-2 genotypes and haplotypes were analyzed and odds ratios with 95%confi- dence intervals were estimated by logistic regression. RESULTS:The-765GG genotype was associated with an increased risk of developing CRC(OR,1.45; 95%CI,1.03-2.04).No significant difference was observed in the genotype distribution of the-1195A→ G polymorphism between patients and controls.The GG/AC haplotype was present significantly less often in patients than in controls(OR 0.44;95%CI,0.22-0.85). When the AC,AG and GG haplotypes were investigated separately,the AC haplotype showed a tendency to be less frequent in patients than in controls(OR(AG/AC)0.78; 95%CI,0.57-1.06). CONCLUSION:The-765GG genotype is associatedwith an increased risk of developing CRC and the GG/ AC haplotype seems to protect against CRC.These findings suggest a modulating role for the COX-2 polymorphisms-765G→C and-1195A→G in the development of CRC in a Dutch population.展开更多
基金support from Radboud University Start-up and NWO Open Competition ENW-M grant (OCENW.M.21.308)support from China Scholarship Council
文摘The combination of electrochemical measurements with spectroscopic characterizations provides valuable insights into reaction mechanisms.Nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)spectroscopy,as a powerful technique due to its atomic specificity and versatility in studying gas,liquid,and solid,allows the study of electrolyte solution,catalyst and catalyst-adsorbate interfaces.When applied in operando,NMR can offer molecular-level insights into various electrochemical processes.Operando NMR has been applied extensively in battery research,but relatively underexplored for electrocatalysis in the past two decades.In this mini review,we first introduce the operando electrochemical NMR setups,categorized by different probe designs.Then we review the applications of operando NMR for monitoring the electrolyte solution and the catalyst-adsorbate interface.Considering the high environmental impact of electrochemical conversion of CO_(2)into value-added products,we zoom in to the use of operando NMR in studying electrochemical CO_(2)reduction.Finally,we provide our perspective on further developing and applying operando NMR methods for understanding the complex reaction network of Cu-catalyzed electrochemical CO_(2)reduction.
文摘Endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)with fine needle aspiration or fine needle biopsy is the gold standard for sampling tissue to diagnose pancreatic cancer and auto-immune pancreatitis or to analyze cyst fluid.The most common reported adverse event of fine needle aspiration and/or fine needle biopsy is acute pancreatitis,which is likely induced by the same pathophysiological mechanisms as after en-doscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP).According to the current European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guideline,nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are administered prior to ERCP as a scientifically proven treatment to reduce post-ERCP pancreatitis incidence rate.A single suppository of diclofenac or indomethacin prior to EUS guided tissue acquisition(TA)is harm-less in healthy adults.Since it is associated with low costs and,most important,may prevent a dreadsome complication,we strongly recommend the adminis-tration of 100 mg diclofenac rectally prior to EUS-TA.We will explain this recom-mendation in more detail in this review as well as the risk and pathophysiology of post-EUS TA pancreatitis.
文摘Challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s disease:Parkinson’s disease(PD)is an increasingly prevalent neurodegenerative disease,at first sight primarily characterized by motor symptoms,although non-motor symptoms also constitute a major part of the overall phenotype.Clinically,this disease cannot be diagnosed reliably until a large part of the vulnerable dopaminergic neurons has been irretrievably lost,and the disease progresses inexorably.New biological criteria for PD have been proposed recently and might eventually improve early diagnosis,but they require further validation,and their use will initially be restricted to a research environment(Darweesh et al.,2024).
基金supported by grants from the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad(BFU2013-43458-R)Junta de Andalucia(P12-CTS-1694 and Proyexcel-00422)to ZUK。
文摘Memory deficit,which is often associated with aging and many psychiatric,neurological,and neurodegenerative diseases,has been a challenging issue for treatment.Up till now,all potential drug candidates have failed to produce satisfa ctory effects.Therefore,in the search for a solution,we found that a treatment with the gene corresponding to the RGS14414protein in visual area V2,a brain area connected with brain circuits of the ventral stream and the medial temporal lobe,which is crucial for object recognition memory(ORM),can induce enhancement of ORM.In this study,we demonstrated that the same treatment with RGS14414in visual area V2,which is relatively unaffected in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer s disease,produced longlasting enhancement of ORM in young animals and prevent ORM deficits in rodent models of aging and Alzheimer’s disease.Furthermore,we found that the prevention of memory deficits was mediated through the upregulation of neuronal arbo rization and spine density,as well as an increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF).A knockdown of BDNF gene in RGS14414-treated aging rats and Alzheimer s disease model mice caused complete loss in the upregulation of neuronal structural plasticity and in the prevention of ORM deficits.These findings suggest that BDNF-mediated neuronal structural plasticity in area V2 is crucial in the prevention of memory deficits in RGS14414-treated rodent models of aging and Alzheimer’s disease.Therefore,our findings of RGS14414gene-mediated activation of neuronal circuits in visual area V2 have therapeutic relevance in the treatment of memory deficits.
基金E.D. held a SB-doctoral fellowship of the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, 1S43617N) at the time of data collection
文摘The vitality of European forests continues to decline due to new pests and diseases,climate-change related disturbances and high loads of atmospheric nitrogen deposition.Deteriorating soil health is a major factor underpinning the low vitality of West-European forests.Selecting tree species with soil ameliorative traits is proposed as an avenue to counteract soil acidification and improve overall forest vitality.Here we evaluate the impact of black cherry(Prunus serotina Ehrh.),a known rich litter species,on the vitality of neighboring pedunculate oak(Quercus robur L.)in ten mixed forests on sand in Germany,Belgium and the Netherlands.We found that black cherry admixture increases foliar N and P to a surplus whereas it causes deficiencies in foliar Mg,thereby resulting in an overall negative effect on oak foliar nutrient concentrations.Contrary,defoliation of oak leaves by herbivory decreases with the proximity of black cherry.Using structural equation modelling(SEM),we tested the hypothesized‘improved soil health’pathway.Our analyses showed that black cherry admixture leads to lower accumulation in the humus layer,resulting in higher soil base saturation which has a positive effect on foliar Ca yet a negative effect on total chlorophyll.Moreover,the SEM illustrated that herbivory of oak leaves decreases when black cherry is admixed,both via dilution and improved soil health.Indirect effects of black cherry on oak vitality via“improved soil health”in our SEM are however small in comparison to direct relations.Hence,our study showed that the combined positive and negative impacts of black cherry on oak vitality are limited,which tempers the potential benefits of using the rich litter species to counteract oak decline via improved soil health–yet,the concern of black cherry as an invasive alien species negatively affecting the vitality of mature pedunculate oak trees may also be exaggerated.
文摘Hepatic cysts are increasingly found as a mere coincidence on abdominal imaging techniques, such as ultrasonography (USG), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These cysts often present a diagnostic challenge. Therefore, we performed a review of the recent literature and developed an evidence-based diagnostic algorithm to guide clinicians in characterising these lesions. Simple cysts are the most common cystic liver disease, and diagnosis is based on typical USG characteristics. Serodiagnostic tests and microbubble contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) are invaluable in differentiating complicated cysts, echinococcosis and cystadenoma/cystadenocarcinoma when USG, CT and MRI show ambiguous findings. Therefore, serodiagnostic tests and CEUS reduce the need for invasive procedures. Polycystic liver disease (PLD) is arbitrarily defined as the presence of > 20 liver cysts and can present as two distinct genetic disorders: autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and autosomal dominant polycystic liver disease (PCLD). Although genetic testing for ADPKD and PCLD is possible, it is rarely performed because it does not affect the therapeutic management of PLD. USG screening of the liver and both kidneys combined with extensive family history taking are the cornerstone of diagnostic decision making in PLD. In conclusion, an amalgamation of these recent advances results in a diagnostic algorithm that facilitates evidence-based clinical decision making.
文摘BACKGROUND Detailed information on metastatic patterns in of patients with esophageal and gastric cancer is limited.Early recognition of metastases is important to avoid futile locoregional treatments.Furthermore,knowledge on metastatic patterns is necessary for further development of personalized treatment modalities.AIM To gain insight into the metastatic pattern of gastroesophageal cancer.METHODS A nationwide retrospective autopsy study of 3876 patients with adenocarcinoma(AC)or squamous cell carcinoma(SCC)of the esophagus or stomach between 1990 and 2017 was performed.Only patient with metastases were included for analysis.The metastatic pattern was analyzed according to the primary tumor location and histological subtype.RESULTS Metastatic disease was found in 268 esophageal and 331 gastric cancer patients.In esophageal cancer,the most common metastatic locations were liver(56%),distant lymph nodes(53%)and lung(50%).Esophageal AC showed more frequently metastases to the peritoneum and bone compared with esophageal SCC.In gastric cancer,the most common metastatic locations were distant lymph nodes(56%),liver(53%)and peritoneum(51%).Intestinal-type AC of the stomach showed metastases to the liver more frequently,whereas metastases to the bone,female reproductive organs and colorectum were observed more frequently in diffuse-type gastric AC.CONCLUSION This study showed differences in metastatic patterns of patients with esophageal and gastric cancer according to the primary tumor location and histological subtype.
基金Supported by A grant from the Dutch Cancer Society (KWF Kankerbestrijding), No. KUN 2008-4098
文摘Primary liver cancer is the fifth most common malignancy in men and the eighth in women worldwide. The liver is also the second most common site for metastatic spread of cancer. To assist in the diagnosis of these liver lesions non-invasive advanced imaging techniques are desirable. Magnetic resonance (MR) is commonly used to identify anatomical lesions, but it is a very versatile technique and also can provide specific information on tumor pathophysiology and metabolism, in particular with the application of MR spectroscopy (MRS). This may include data on the type, grade and stage of tumors, and thus assist in further management of the disease. The purpose of this review is to summarize and discuss the available literature on proton, phosphorus and carbon-13-MRS as performed on primary liver tumors and metastases, with human applications as the main perspective. Upcoming MRSapproaches with potential applications to liver tumors are also included. Since knowledge of some technical background is indispensable to understand the results, a basic introduction of MRS and some technical issues of MRS as applied to tumors and metastases in the liver are described as well. In vivo MR spectroscopy of tumors in a metabolically active organ such as the liver has been demonstrated to provide important information on tumor metabolism, but it also is challenging as compared to applications on some other tissues, in particular in humans, mostly because of its abdominal location where movement may be a disturbing factor.
基金supported by an unrestricted grant from Urogyn BV,Nijmegen,The Netherlands.
文摘Stress urinary incontinence is not a deadly disease,but for the large population of women suffering from it,it is a very important issue.Especially in the continuously aging population all over the world,there is more and more need for treatment of this serious medical condition.Treatment of female stress urinary incontinence exists already for ages.In the 20th century invasive treatments like Burch colposuspension and pubovaginal slings were the mainstay of surgical treatments.The introduction of the midurethral sling made the procedure less invasive and accessible for more caregivers.Luckily there are many options available and the field is developing quickly.In recent years many new medical devices have been developed,that increase the number of treatment options available and make it possible to find a suitable solution for the individual patient based on subjective and objective results and the chances of complications.This manuscript provides an introduction to the therapeutical options that are available nowadays for female stress urinary incontinence.
基金Supported by The Dutch government to the Netherlands Institute for Regenerative Medicine,No.FES0908
文摘Ovarian cancer accounts for only 3% of all cancers in women, but it causes more deaths than any other gynecologic cancer. Treatment with chemotherapy and cytoreductive surgery shows a good response to the therapy. However, in a large proportion of the patients the tumor grows back within a few years. Cancer stem cells, that are less responsive to these treatments, are blamed for this recurrence of disease. Immune therapy either cellular or humoral is a novel concept to treat cancer. It is based on the notice that immune cells invade the tumor. However, the tumor invest heavily to escape from immune elimination by recruiting several immune suppressive mechanisms. These processes are normally in place to limit excessive immune activation and prevent autoimmune phenomena. Here, we discuss current knowledge about the immune(suppressive)status in ovarian cancer. Moreover, we discuss the immunological targets of ovarian cancer stem cells.
文摘AIM:To determine the possible modulating effect of the COX-2 polymorphisms,-765G→C and-1195A→G, on the risk of colorectal cancer(CRC)in a Dutch population. METHODS:This case-control study includes 326 patients with CRC and 369 age-and gender-matched controls.Genotypes of the COX-2 polymorphisms -765G→C and-1195A→G were determined by polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism.COX-2 genotypes and haplotypes were analyzed and odds ratios with 95%confi- dence intervals were estimated by logistic regression. RESULTS:The-765GG genotype was associated with an increased risk of developing CRC(OR,1.45; 95%CI,1.03-2.04).No significant difference was observed in the genotype distribution of the-1195A→ G polymorphism between patients and controls.The GG/AC haplotype was present significantly less often in patients than in controls(OR 0.44;95%CI,0.22-0.85). When the AC,AG and GG haplotypes were investigated separately,the AC haplotype showed a tendency to be less frequent in patients than in controls(OR(AG/AC)0.78; 95%CI,0.57-1.06). CONCLUSION:The-765GG genotype is associatedwith an increased risk of developing CRC and the GG/ AC haplotype seems to protect against CRC.These findings suggest a modulating role for the COX-2 polymorphisms-765G→C and-1195A→G in the development of CRC in a Dutch population.
