88 research outputs found
The search for predictive immune biomarkers of epithelial ovarian cancer.
No full textThesis author: Greta Šalčiūnienė Full title of the thesis: The Search for Predictive Immune Biomarkers of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer The aim of the study: To identify predictive immune biomarkers of chemotherapy resistance in the epithelial ovarian tumor microenvironment and peripheral blood, and to investigate the relationships among them. Objectives: to evaluate the suppressive/cytotoxic lymphocyte populations in patients peripheral blood; to measure the concentration of cytokines in tumor microenvironment and peripheral blood; to detect the expression of relevant immune-related genes in tumor tissue; to identify the relationships between immune-related genes expression, blood lymphocytes and concentration of cytokines in serum and tumor microenvironment, and to determine their potential predictive value of foreseeing the chemotherapy outcome. The object of the study. 36 epithelial ovarian cancer patients were involved in this study. All patients were treated in the Oncogynecology Department of National Cancer Institute during the period of 2013 – 2017. Patients were divided into chemotherapy-sensitive and resistant groups, depending on their treatment outcome. Patients’ peripheral blood, serum, tumor tissue and its lysate were collected, processed and used for ex vivo experiments. Methods. Suppressive/cytotoxic lymphocytes in the peripheral blood were subtyped by flow cytometry. Cytokine array and flow cytometry were used to measure the cytokine concentration in serum and tumor lysate. The expression of selected immune-related genes expression in the tumor tissue was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. Results. There were no significant differences (p>0,05) between chemotherapy-resistant and sensitive patients peripheral blood in terms of suppressive/cytotoxic lymphocyte populations. Concentrations of CCL2/MCP-1, CXCL11/I-TAC, CXCL9/MIG, CCL3/MIP-1α, CCL4/MIP-1β, IFN-γ in the blood were significantly higher (p0,05) in tumor lysates between two different groups. G-CSF and IL-1α genes were found to be upregulated (p<0,05) in chemotherapy-resistant group in comparison to sensitive patients. Our results show that correlations between various immune parameters in both groups are different (p<0,05). Conclusions. Suppressive/cytotoxic lymphocyte populations in peripheral blood are not informative enough to be used as predictive biomarkers of epithelial ovarian cancer. Elevated concentrations of CCL2/MCP-1, CXCL11/I-TAC, CXCL9/MIG, CCL3/MIP-1α, CCL4/MIP-1β, IFN-γ have the potential predictive value for selecting chemotherapy-resistant patients. However, cytokines from tumor microenvironment have no predictive power. Increased expression of G-CSF and IL-1α genes allows identifying chemotherapy-resistant patients. Correlation patterns between sensitive and resistant patients are different, suggesting that tumor development and response to treatment may depend on the specific underlying immune mechanisms, which still need to be confirmed in future studies
Towards a dynamic landslide susceptibility assessment: evaluation of a novel climate-related variable
No full textImpact of quality assurance initiatives and workplace policies and procedures on HIV/AIDS-related stigma experienced by patients and nurses in regions with high prevalence of HIV/AIDS
No full textConceptual models of early and involuntary retirement among Canadian registered nurses and allied health professionals
No full textEarly retiree divests the health workforce: A quantitative analysis of early retirement among Canadian Registered Nurses and allied health professionals
No full textStrengthening moral reasoning through dedicated ethics training in dietetic preparatory programs
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Text Sets: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Literature
No full textText sets (also referred to as linked text sets, multimodal texts, thematic texts, multi texts, focus units, reading across texts, and paired readings or sets) are utilized in classrooms to promote reading, learning, and understanding of multiple perspectives. There has not been an analysis of studies on text sets or on the wide-ranging effects of text sets. The purpose of this review was to conduct a comprehensive analysis of text sets and their effects on student achievement. Several writings describing text sets and their development, as well as experimental studies reporting on the effects of text sets, were identified through a thorough database search. Findings from this review reveal that there are over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles, books, book chapters and theses related to text sets. There is evidence to support the use of text sets for helping preschool to college age students gain multiple perspectives on a topic, become highly engaged and motivated, and improve critical thinking, comprehension and writing skills
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