Documents published in Scipedia

• A review of benthic fauna biodiversity in Georgia

  B. Japoshvili, M. Bozhadze, M. Gioshvili

  Journal of Marine Engineering (2016). Vol. 18, (1)

  
  

  Abstract

  The paper summarizes information on diversity of benthic fauna of Georgia based on the literature sources. 126 publications were analyzed published after 1899. Our investigation showed that 15 lotic and 20 lentic ecosystems were studied out of which 21 (5 rivers and 16 lakes) belongs to the Caspian Sea basin and 14 (10 rivers and 4 lakes) to the Black Sea basin. As a result, 206 benthic animal taxa were described. From the described groups 81 are identified to the species level, 61 to the genus level, 28 to the family level, 16 to the order level, 10 to the class level, 10 to the phylum level. Since the most of observed freshwater systems are poorly studied, Paravani and Saghamo Lakes, Tsalka and Tbilisi Reservoirs and Kura (Mtkvari) and Rioni Rivers are rather well investigated. Our meta-analyses clearly show that in overall freshwater biodiversity of Georgia are significantly understudied.

  Abstract
  The paper summarizes information on diversity of benthic fauna of Georgia based on the literature sources. 126 publications were analyzed published after 1899. Our investigation [...]

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• MiR-367 negatively regulates apoptosis induced by adriamycin in osteosarcoma cells by targeting KLF4

  G. Wang, Q. He, D. Tong, C. Wang, K. Liu, C. Ding, F. Ji, H. Zhang

  Journal of Bone Oncology (2016).

  
  

  Abstract

  Diverse functions of microRNAs have been investigated in tumorigenesis in osteosarcoma (OS), involving the regulation of proliferation, invasion, migration, apoptosis and drug resistance. MiR-367 was found to be an oncogene and increased in OS. However, the function of miR-367 in drug resistance in OS cells is still unknown. In this study, we found that miR-367 was up-regulated in OS tissues and OS cell cultures. Meanwhile, treatment with adriamycin (ADR) induced apoptosis of OS cells with upregulation of miR-367. Notably, KLF4 was demonstrated to be a direct target of miR-367 by gene reporter assay, and miR-367 significantly blocked both mRNA and protein level of KLF4. In addition, overexpression of miR-367 markedly suppressed the increase of KLF4 induced by ADR in OS cells, as well as Bax and cleaved caspase-3, which were significantly reversed by anti-miR-367 transfection. Taken together, our data demonstrates that miR-367 and KLF4 play important roles in OS treatment and ADR resistance, suggesting that miR-367 is a potential biomarker of chemotherapy resistance in OS and also probably a novel therapeutic target against OS.

  Abstract
  Diverse functions of microRNAs have been investigated in tumorigenesis in osteosarcoma (OS), involving the regulation of proliferation, invasion, migration, apoptosis and [...]

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• Age-related differences in persistence with bisphosphonates in women with metastatic breast cancer

  L. Jacob, P. Hadji, K. Kostev

  Journal of Bone Oncology (2016).

  
  

  Abstract

  To investigate age-related persistence with bisphosphonates (BIS) in women with breast cancer (BC) and bone metastases. We included a dataset of 1541 patients diagnosed with BC and bone metastases and initially treated with BIS between 1994 and 2013. The primary outcome measure was the age-related rate of BIS discontinuation within 12 months after treatment initiation. Therapy discontinuation was defined as a period of at least 90 days without treatment. A multivariate Cox regression model was created to determine the influence of age on the risk of discontinuation. Health insurance coverage (private/statutory), type of care (gynecological/general), region (West/East Germany), depression, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, pain medication, antidepressants, and the number of co-medications were included as covariates. The mean ages in the group of women

  Abstract
  To investigate age-related persistence with bisphosphonates (BIS) in women with breast cancer (BC) and bone metastases. We included a dataset of 1541 patients diagnosed with [...]

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• Future directions for bone metastasis research – highlights from the 2015 bone and the Oncologist new updates conference (BONUS)

  R. Fernandes, P. Siegel, S. Komarova, J. Hilton, C. Addison, M. Ibrahim, J. Werier, K. Dennis, G. Singh, E. Amir, V. Jarvis, U. Emmenegger, S. Mazzarello, M. Clemons

  Journal of Bone Oncology (2016).

  
  

  Abstract

  In an era of reduced peer-reviewed grant funding, performing academic bone oncology-related research has become increasingly challenging. Over the last 10 years we have held an annual meeting to bring together clinicians, clinician/scientists and basic biomedical researchers interested in the effects of cancer and its treatment on skeletal tissues. In the past these “Bone and the Oncologist New Updates Conference (BONUS)” meetings have served as critical catalyst for initiating productive research collaborations between attendees. The 2015 BONUS meeting format focused on potential key research themes that could form the basis of a coordinated national research strategy to tackle unmet clinical and research needs related to complications associated with cancer metastasis to bone. The three themes planned for discussion were: Is bone metastases-related pain the main issue facing patients? Are there new therapeutic targets for patients with bone metastases? How do we more firmly link basic science with clinical practice? We present a summary of lectures and commentaries from the attendees to serve as an example that other similarly motivated groups can model and share their experiences. It is our hope that these presentations will result in comments, feedback and suggestions from all those researchers interested in this important area.

  Abstract
  In an era of reduced peer-reviewed grant funding, performing academic bone oncology-related research has become increasingly challenging. Over the last 10 years we have held [...]

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• Hypoxia-induced autophagy as an additional mechanism in human osteosarcoma radioresistance

  H. Feng, J. Wang, W. Chen, B. Shan, Y. Guo, J. Xu, L. Wang, P. Guo, Y. Zhang

  Journal of Bone Oncology (2016).

  
  

  Abstract

  Osteosarcoma (OS) responds poorly to radiotherapy, but the mechanism is unclear. We found OS tumor tissues expressed high level of protein HIF-1α, a common biological marker indicative of hypoxia. It is known that hypoxic cells are generally radioresistant because of reduced production of irradiation-induced DNA-damaging reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the anaerobic condition. Here we report another mechanism how hypoxia induces radioresistance. In MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells, hypoxic pretreatment increased the cellular survival in irradiation. These hypoxia-exposed cells displayed compartmental recruitment of GFP-tagged LC3 and expression of protein LC3-II, and restored the radiosensitivity upon autophagy inhibition. The following immunohistochemistry of OS tumor tissue sections revealed upregulated LC3 expression in a correlation with HIF-1α protein level, implying the possibly causative link between hypoxia and autophagy. Further studies in MG-63 cells demonstrated hypoxic pretreatment reduced cellular and mitochondrial ROS production during irradiation, while inhibition of autophagy re-elicited them. Taken together, our study suggests hypoxia can confer cells resistance to irradiation through activated autophagy to accelerate the clearance of cellular ROS products. This might exist in human osteosarcoma as an additional mechanism for radioresistance.

  Abstract
  Osteosarcoma (OS) responds poorly to radiotherapy, but the mechanism is unclear. We found OS tumor tissues expressed high level of protein HIF-1α, a common biological marker [...]

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• miRNA-223 is a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker for osteosarcoma

  J. Dong, Y. Liu, W. Liao, R. Liu, P. Shi, L. Wang

  Journal of Bone Oncology (2016).

  
  

  Abstract

  MicroRNA-223 (miR-223) has been shown to be a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker for several cancers. In addition, miR-223 has been reported to suppress osteosarcoma cell proliferation in vitro. However, the clinical value of miR-223 is still unknown. We detected the expression of miR-223 expression in the serum of osteosarcoma patients and in osteosarcoma cancer cells using RT-PCR. We compared the serum expression of miR-223 with the clinicopathological characteristics and survival of osteosarcoma patients. Finally, we explored the role of miR-223 on the invasion of osteosarcoma cancer cells using cell migration and invasion assays. We observed that the expression of miR-223 was significantly decreased in the serum of osteosarcoma patients and osteosarcoma cancer cells compared to healthy controls (P

  Abstract
  MicroRNA-223 (miR-223) has been shown to be a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker for several cancers. In addition, miR-223 has been reported to suppress osteosarcoma [...]

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• Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy in patients with Barretts oesophagus

  Y. Aguilar

  Endoscopia (2016).

  
  

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• Endoscopic treatment of biliopancreatic diseases in children. Analysis of 31 patients

  R. Quintanilla, J. Torres, J. Contreras, J. Hernández, N. Contino, S. Poyato, R. Martínez

  Endoscopia (2016).

  
  

  Abstract

  An observational, descriptive study of the records of 53 endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) performed on 31 patients of paediatric age with suspected biliopancreatic disorders at the National Center for Minimal Access Surgery was performed over a period of 2 years and 7 months, from 11 February 2013 to 28 July 2015. Of the total, 8 patients (27%) were male, and 22 (73%) female; 14 (26%) were diagnostic and 39 (74%) therapeutic. The primary indication was to study pain with elevated enzymes in 27 (50%), and the main diagnosis was postoperative benign common bile duct-anastomosis stricture in 14 patients (26%), followed by 10 normal ERCP (19%). The intervention used was endoscopic sphincterotomy (16) for placement of prosthesis (7), followed in frequency by stone extraction (6). There were complications in 2 cases, one (2%) in 21 therapeutic procedures, and one (2%) at diagnosis. Mortality was zero. Our results show the high diagnostic usefulness and therapeutic success of ERCP with minimal risk and complications in paediatric patients.

  Abstract
  An observational, descriptive study of the records of 53 endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) performed on 31 patients of paediatric age with suspected biliopancreatic [...]

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• Validation of Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index of Severity for Mexican Population

  S. Polanco, L. González

  Endoscopia (2016).

  
  

  Abstract

  Endoscopy is an extremely valuable instrument to evaluate the effectiveness of new treatments for patients with ulcerative colitis; however it is necessary to validate the current endoscopic classifications to facilitate meaningful comparisons between them. The Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS) recommended by European Crohns and Colitis Organisation uses 3 parameters (vascular, bleeding, and ulceration), each with 3-4 levels of severity. However, it has not been validated for the Mexican population. In addition to the colonoscopic features, the establishment of disease activity by histology is performed routinely. The Riley scale shows mainly the density and distribution of neutrophils in mucosal defects. To determine whether there is a correlation between the UCEIS endoscopic classification and the Riley histological classification, and validate their usefulness in the Mexican population. A retrospective, cross-sectional, open study was conducted from January 2012 to December 2014 in the Centro Medico Nacional 20 de Noviembre on patients with a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis sent to the hospital Endoscopy Department. Endoscopic UCEIS and histological Riley classifications were determined and compared using the SPSS program for statistical analysis. A total of 63 cases were included, of whom 33 were male (52%) and 30 (48%) female, with mean age of 50 years (23-78 years). The Spearman correlation coefficient was 89.8%, with a confidence interval of 83.7%-93.7% (P 

  Abstract
  Endoscopy is an extremely valuable instrument to evaluate the effectiveness of new treatments for patients with ulcerative colitis; however it is necessary to validate the [...]

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• Autoimmune pancreatitis. The endoscopist role

  A. Molinar, E. Pérez

  Endoscopia (2016).

  
  

  Abstract

  Autoimmune pancreatitis is a rare chronic form of inflammatory pancreatic disease. There is no specific test for its diagnosis, which is based on the combination of clinical, serological, radiological, morphological, and histopathological changes. Endoscopy is one of the most useful tools for its evaluation. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and endoscopic ultrasound can be used to obtain tissue for diagnosis and evaluate steroid treatment response. In this article, a clinical case is presented. General aspects of autoimmune pancreatitis and the role of endoscopists in its diagnosis and treatment are discussed.

  Abstract
  Autoimmune pancreatitis is a rare chronic form of inflammatory pancreatic disease. There is no specific test for its diagnosis, which is based on the combination of clinical, [...]

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