BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate whether C-reactive protein(CRP)/ Albumin ratio (CAR) performed in the early postoperative period after total laryngectomy could be a predictive factor for the development of pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF). METHODS: The files of patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma who underwent total laryngectomy between January 2005 and January 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups: patients with PCF (PCF group) and without (Non-PCF group). CAR values and risk factors were compared between groups. RESULTS: The overall incidence of PCF was 23.2%. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of CRP and CAR levels (p = 0.001). The CAR value of 27.05 (sensitivity = 75.0% , specificity 68.2%, area under curve (AUC) = 0.742, 95% confidence interval 0.616-0.868) was determined as a cutoff value to describe the development of fistula in the early postoperative period. In multiple linear regression analysis, there was an independent relationship between presence of PCF and previous RT and CAR value. CONCLUSIONS: CAR, performed in the early postoperative period, may be a new and useful marker for predicting PCF after total laryngectomy.

• Keywords
• crp/albumin ratio, pharingocutaneous fistula, total laryngectomy,
• MeSH
• C-Reactive Protein metabolism   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Cutaneous Fistula etiology   MeSH
• Laryngectomy * MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Laryngeal Neoplasms surgery   MeSH
• Pharyngeal Diseases etiology   MeSH
• Postoperative Complications etiology   MeSH
• Predictive Value of Tests MeSH
• Retrospective Studies MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Serum Albumin metabolism   MeSH
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell surgery   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• C-Reactive Protein MeSH
• Serum Albumin MeSH

Since the 1990s, blood donors have been scanned for anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) antibodies, which can be defined by enzyme immunoassay as a screening test. In this population, false-reactive ratios have been high. Recently, some authors have aimed to find a cutoff value for anti-HCV different from those established by test manufacturers to predict HCV infection. In this study, 321 patients, after two repeating tests, had reactive results in s/co <10 titers on anti-HCV test. The patients were 29.6 % (n = 95) in women and 70.4 % (n = 226) in men. The patients were classified into three groups by Western blot (WB) results (PS, positive; NG, negative; and ID, indeterminate). The average anti-HCV titer of the whole group was 2.61 ± 1.96. Anti-HCV titers of subgroups were 2.43 ± 1.95 in NG, 4.93 ± 2.53 in PS, and 2.50 ± 1.65 in ID (p < 0.001). There was a significant difference between NG and PS and between PS and ID subgroups (p < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between WB and anti-HCV titers in all patients (r = 0.298, p < 0.001), in women (r = 0.282, p < 0.001), and in men (r = 0.337, p = 0.002). According to receiver operator characteristic curve analysis, the cutoff value of anti-HCV titer to predict hepatitis C infection was >2.61 s/co, with 74.1 % sensitivity and 71.6 % specificity (area under the curve, 0.820; 95 % confidence interval, 0.753 to 0.887). We suggest that an effective cutoff value for anti-HCV other than that established by the manufacturer cannot be assigned to predict hepatitis C infection for blood donors in low-prevalence areas.

• MeSH
• Hepatitis C, Chronic diagnosis   immunology   MeSH
• Hepacivirus immunology   MeSH
• Hepatitis C Antibodies blood   MeSH
• Clinical Laboratory Techniques methods   standards   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Predictive Value of Tests MeSH
• Sensitivity and Specificity MeSH
• Blotting, Western methods   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Evaluation Study MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Hepatitis C Antibodies MeSH

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level measurement in predicting coronary artery disease (CAD) that can be shown angiographically. METHODS: CRP levels were determined in the blood of 198 patients (patients group, PG) with angiographically documented coronary artery disease and compared with that of 85 patients (control group, CG) who had a clinical indication for coronary angiography but have no angiographically determined coronary artery stenosis, as well as with that of 41 healthy volunteers as a healthy control group (HG) who did not have any complaint and did not have coronary angiography. CRP levels were measured 24 hours prior to angiography in PG and CG patients, and in the morning after not having eaten for same time. Any coronary artery stenosis or plaque formation was defined as CAD. Severity of the disease was assessed by both the number of diseased vessels (0 to 3) and the degree of stenosis (<50% mild, 50-70% moderate and >70% severe). RESULTS: Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curves of CRP in angiographically documented CAD group showed a diagnostic value of 0.659 in female patients, followed by 0.542 in male patients, in predicting CAD. CRP levels were found to be significantly different between groups, higher in PG (6.2 +/- 0.86 mg/L) than those of CG (3.7 +/- 0.92 mg/L) and HG (0.854 +/- 0.2 mg/L) (p<0.05). CRP levels were not associated with the number of diseased vessels, neither with the degree of the occlusion (p>0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis after adjustment for the established coronary risk factors showed CRP as an independent discriminating risk factor for CAD. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that CRP measurement has a value in predicting the presence of angiographically documented CAD. However, CRP levels were not associated with the degree or severity of CAD.

• MeSH
• Biomarkers blood   MeSH
• C-Reactive Protein analysis   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Coronary Angiography MeSH
• Coronary Disease diagnosis   diagnostic imaging   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• ROC Curve MeSH
• Sensitivity and Specificity MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Biomarkers MeSH
• C-Reactive Protein MeSH

OBJECTIVES: The hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (c-MET) ligand/receptor axis has been implicated in pathogenesis of malignant diseases including squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Overexpression of c-MET has been reported as a common molecular abnormality in SCCHN, although its prognostic and predictive value remains to be validated. METHODS: We systematically searched literature for studies evaluating c-MET expression on immunohistochemistry in newly diagnosed, non-metastatic SCCHN. The c-MET expressing cases were classified into three categories according to predefined cut-off values for positivity. Our aim was to assess the prevalence of c-MET expression and its relationship with selected clinicopathological variables. RESULTS: Twenty-eight studies with 2019 cases were included. Relative frequencies of c-MET expression above cut-off levels I, II, and III were 81.8%, 63.8%, and 46.2%, respectively. Differences between these three values were statistically significant (p<1.0×10-6). Above cut-off level II, c-MET positivity was associated with worse overall survival (p=4.0×10-6), positive nodal status (p=1.0×10-4), higher disease stage (p=7.0×10-4), older age (p=2.1×10-3), disease recurrence (p=2.0×10-2), and primary tumour localization in the oral cavity (p=2.3×10-2). Above cut-off level III, c-MET positivity was associated with worse disease-free or progression-free survival (p=9.0×10-6), p16 negativity (p=2.4×10-4), worse overall survival (p=4.0×10-4), positive epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) status (p=7.2×10-4), and larger primary tumours (p=4.6×10-3). CONCLUSION: In SCCHN, immunohistochemical overexpression of c-MET above cut-off levels III and particularly II was associated with inferior survival outcomes and advanced disease. Moreover, it represents a promising predictive biomarker for c-MET targeting, yet the optimal scoring method remains to be defined.

• Keywords
• Head and neck cancer, Immunohistochemistry, Overexpression, Predictive factor, Prognostic factor, c-MET receptor,
• MeSH
• Survival Analysis MeSH
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck MeSH
• Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition MeSH
• Immunohistochemistry MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Head and Neck Neoplasms genetics   pathology   physiopathology   MeSH
• Prognosis MeSH
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met genetics   physiology   MeSH
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell genetics   pathology   physiopathology   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Meta-Analysis MeSH
• Review MeSH
• Systematic Review MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met MeSH

Cutaneous mast cell tumours (MCT) are among the most frequent malignancies in dogs. Their clinical behaviour is highly variable and, with the exception of mutations in the c-kit gene, little is known about their genetic aetiology. The mutational status of the c-kit exons 8, 9 and 11, and exons 5-8 of the TP53 gene was analysed to find markers for molecular stratification of MCTs and predictors of clinical outcome. Mutations in the c-kit gene were detected in 19.5% (n = 8/41) samples and their presence was significantly associated with the high histopathological grade (P = 0.038). Mutations in the DNA binding domain of the TP53 gene were found in 14.6% (n = 6/41) of the analysed MCTs, and their frequency was similar in low and high grade MCTs (P > 0.05). TP53 mutations were not useful prognostic factors in this sample of canine cutaneous MCTs.

• Keywords
• Dog, Mast cell tumour, Mutation, TP53, c-kit,
• MeSH
• Gene Frequency MeSH
• Mastocytosis, Cutaneous genetics   pathology   veterinary   MeSH
• Mutation * MeSH
• Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 genetics   MeSH
• Skin Neoplasms genetics   pathology   veterinary   MeSH
• Dog Diseases genetics   pathology   MeSH
• Prognosis MeSH
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit genetics   MeSH
• Dogs MeSH
• Neoplasm Grading veterinary   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Dogs MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 MeSH
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit MeSH

Monoclonal antibodies to group A rotavirus Vp6 protein were prepared and used for verification of three blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) modifications to detect rotavirus A. Selected competitive blocking ELISA (CB-ELISA) and electron microscopy (EM) were used for examination of 194 field faecal samples of piglets affected with diarrhoea. Rotavirus was detected in 43 samples (22.2%) by CB-ELISA method, whereas in 26 (13.4%) samples by EM examination. However, of 26 samples positive by EM, rotavirus A was detected by CB-ELISA in 19 (73.1%) samples; indicating the share of group A rotavirus in all cases of gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus. The sensitivity and specificity of the CB-ELISA was verified both by inclusion of control samples containing transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) and porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV) in each analysis and by comparative examination of samples with the commercial ELISA kit. The CB-ELISA sensitivity was positively affected by examination of samples in the presence of chelating agent.

• MeSH
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay methods   veterinary   MeSH
• Feces virology   MeSH
• Mice, Inbred BALB C MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Swine Diseases diagnosis   virology   MeSH
• Swine MeSH
• Predictive Value of Tests MeSH
• Antibodies, Viral analysis   MeSH
• Rotavirus Infections diagnosis   veterinary   MeSH
• Rotavirus immunology   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Sensitivity and Specificity MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Mice MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Evaluation Study MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Antibodies, Viral MeSH

Low-grade inflammation as detected by increased C-reactive protein (CRP) levels predicts the risk of cardiovascular events. However, there is still controversy over the mid-term predictive value of CRP in patients referred for elective percutaneous coronary revascularization (PCI) for stable angina pectoris. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between baseline CRP level and mid-term outcome of patients undergoing PCI. Two groups of patients with stable angina pectoris were prospectively studied. Group A consisted of 150 consecutive patients with a CRP level < or = 3 mg/L, and group B consisted of 150 consecutive patients with a CRP level > 3 mg/L undergoing PCI at our institution. Comparing both groups of patients, the analysis confirmed a significant difference between medians of the CRP levels (0.5 versus 8 mg/mL; P < 0.001). A higher level of CRP in group B was associated with a lower presence of male gender (P < 0.05) and history of myocardial infarction (P < 0.05). On the other hand, in group B there was higher occurrence of smoking (P < 0.001), hypertension (P < 0.05), hypertriglyceridemia (P < 0.001), and diabetes mellitus (P < 0.01). The incidence of myocardial infarction based on post-interventional release of TnI > 1.5 ng/mL reached 12% in group A and 14% in group B (P = 0.73). Analyses were repeated with adjustment for significant baseline variables, which did not change our findings. The incidence of adverse cardiovascular events during a six month follow-up was 13% in both groups (NS). Increased CRP serum prior to PCI was not associated with the risk and extent of procedure-related myocardial injury measured by TnI release and does not portend heightened cardiovascular risk at six months after percutaneous revascularization. On the other hand, a CRP level > 3 mg/L was associated with a higher occurrence of cardiovascular risk factors (smoking, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and diabetes mellitus).

• MeSH
• Angina Pectoris blood   diagnostic imaging   therapy   MeSH
• Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary * methods   MeSH
• C-Reactive Protein metabolism   MeSH
• Hypertension complications   MeSH
• Myocardial Infarction pathology   MeSH
• Coronary Angiography MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Follow-Up Studies MeSH
• Predictive Value of Tests MeSH
• Prospective Studies MeSH
• Risk Factors MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Stents MeSH
• Treatment Outcome MeSH
• Check Tag
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• C-Reactive Protein MeSH

OBJECTIVE: To (1) measure C-reactive protein (CRP) and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and (2) evaluate their prognostic value and relationship to severity of systemic inflammatory response syndrome, routine hematological and acid-base parameters in dogs with gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV). DESIGN: Prospective observational study from September 2010 to June 2012. SETTING: Veterinary teaching hospital. ANIMALS: Forty-one client-owned dogs with GDV. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Blood was collected before surgery (baseline), postsurgery, 6-10 hours postsurgery, and 18-22 hours postsurgery. CRP and HMGB1 were measured in all samples, and routine hematological, biochemical, and acid-base analyses were performed. Only baseline and postsurgery samples were used from nonsurvivors (n = 10). CRP increased significantly from postsurgery sampling to 18-22 hours postsurgery, while HMGB1 did not change over time. There was a significant difference in HMGB1 between survivors and nonsurvivors over time. Both proteins correlated with systemic inflammatory response syndrome severity, total leukocyte, segmented neutrophils, and band counts. HMGB1 correlated also with acid-base parameters (pH, bicarbonate, base excess). CONCLUSION: HMGB1 and CRP behaved differently in regards to their kinetic patterns, with HMGB1 appearing to better reflect the severity of tissue injury in dogs with GDV than CRP.

• Keywords
• canine, mortality, prognosis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome,
• MeSH
• Biomarkers blood   MeSH
• C-Reactive Protein metabolism   MeSH
• Gastric Dilatation surgery   veterinary   MeSH
• Emergencies veterinary   MeSH
• Dog Diseases blood   diagnosis   MeSH
• Predictive Value of Tests MeSH
• Prognosis MeSH
• Prospective Studies MeSH
• HMGB1 Protein blood   MeSH
• Dogs MeSH
• Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome blood   diagnosis   veterinary   MeSH
• Stomach Volvulus surgery   veterinary   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Male MeSH
• Dogs MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Evaluation Study MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Biomarkers MeSH
• C-Reactive Protein MeSH
• HMGB1 Protein MeSH

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of arterial inflammation while lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) (Lp-PLA(2)) is related to plaque instability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the risk of unstable plaque presenting as acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and Lp-PLA(2), and to assess the influence of statins on interpretation of Lp-PLA(2). A total of 362 consecutive patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with acute chest pain suggestive of ACS were evaluated by cardiologists as STEMI, NSTEMI, or unstable angina, and non-ACS. Serum biomarkers measured on admission: troponin I, C-reactive protein (Abbott), and Lp-PLA(2) (DiaDexus). Four groups were defined according to the final diagnosis and history of statin medication: ACS/statin-; ACS/statin+; non-ACS/statin-; non-ACS/statin+. Lp-PLA(2) was highest in ACS/statin- group; statins decreased Lp-PLA(2) both in ACS and non-ACS of about 20 %. Lp-PLA(2) was higher in ACS patients in comparison with non-ACS patients group without respect to statin therapy (p<0.001). Lp-PLA(2) predicted worse outcome (in terms of acute coronary syndrome) effectively in patients up to 62 years; limited prediction was found in older patients. C-reactive protein (CRP) failed to discriminate four groups of patients. Statin therapy and age should be taken into consideration while interpreting Lp-PLA(2) concentrations and lower cut-off values should be used for statin-treated persons.

• MeSH
• Acute Coronary Syndrome blood   diagnosis   MeSH
• Plaque, Atherosclerotic blood   drug therapy   MeSH
• C-Reactive Protein analysis   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Area Under Curve MeSH
• Predictive Value of Tests MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Aging metabolism   physiology   MeSH
• Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors therapeutic use   MeSH
• Thiolester Hydrolases blood   MeSH
• Troponin I blood   MeSH
• Treatment Outcome MeSH
• Check Tag
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• C-Reactive Protein MeSH
• LYPLA2 protein, human MeSH Browser
• Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors MeSH
• Thiolester Hydrolases MeSH
• Troponin I MeSH

Inflammation plays an important role in the pathophysiology of acute coronary syndrome as well as in the process of atherosclerosis in general. At the moment of myocardial ischaemia, local and systemic inflammatory reaction is amplified; in ischaemic myocardium there is increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines, particularly interleukin-6, which mediates C reactive protein (CRP) production by hepatocytes. CRP activates the complement cascade and thereby contributes to the lysis and removal of damaged cardiomyocytes. Whereas in a healthy population CRP levels range from 1.2 to 2.0 mg / l, in patients with ACS the levels of CRP significantly increase with the peak of 2nd to 4th day from the onset of myocardial infarction. Peak CRP levels ranged from 20 to 250 mg / l in patients with STEMI treated conservatively, the median of peak of CRP levels was 79 mg/ l in patients with anterior wall STEMI treated with primary PCI. There is a recommendation of CRP evaluation within the early risk stratification of patients with ACS according to the current ESC guidelines. In patients with NSTEMI, CRP levels > 10 mg/ l are associated with increased longterm mortality. In patients with STEMI treated with primary PCI, CRP levels > 79 mg/ l could predict negative left ventricle remodelation. The predictive value of GRACE risk score was improved using CRP, levels > 22 mg/ l predicted worse prognosis in patients with either STEMI or NSTEMI treated invasively. However, if also cardiac troponin and natriuretic peptides in addition to GRACE risk score were used, CRP levels were useless in further risk stratification improvement. In clinical practice, in terms of coinciding infection, problems with CRP levels interpretation can occur as well. Several patients either in cardiogenic shock or after cardiopulmonary resuscitation have signs of systemic inflammatory response, and sometimes it is very difficult to decide whether there is a necessity to iniciate the antibio-tic therapy because of infectious cause. In patients after cardiopulmonary resuscitation, CRP levels > 180 mg/ l indicate highly probable infection, but with the poor sensitivity. For patients in cardiogenic shock, procalcitonin appears to be more useful for the detection of infection; in this group of patients, procalcitonin levels > 2 ng/ ml are common, and levels > 10 ng/ ml indicate infection undoubtedly.

• MeSH
• Acute Coronary Syndrome blood   diagnosis   MeSH
• C-Reactive Protein analysis   MeSH
• Myocardial Infarction blood   diagnosis   MeSH
• Interleukin-6 blood   MeSH
• Calcitonin blood   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Inflammation Mediators blood   MeSH
• Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide MeSH
• Prognosis MeSH
• Protein Precursors blood   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH
• Names of Substances
• C-Reactive Protein MeSH
• CALCA protein, human MeSH Browser
• Interleukin-6 MeSH
• Calcitonin MeSH
• Inflammation Mediators MeSH
• Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide MeSH
• Protein Precursors MeSH