VEGF-A is the most potent angiogenic factor in tumour angiogenesis. Its effects are mediated via two receptors VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2. Primary aim of our study was to examine the expression of VEGFR-1 in breast cancer and its correlation to VEGF expression, lymph node status, tumour size, histological grade, and hormone receptor status. To examine the VEGFR-1 and VEGF expressions in tumour and surrounding tissue of 51 breast cancer patients, and in healthy breast tissue of 30 benign breast diseases patients, we used three-step immunohistochemical staining. VEGFR-1 and VEGF expressions were significantly increased in breast cancer tumour in relation to surrounding tissue (P < 0.01), and the VEGF expression was significantly increased in lymph node positive breast cancer patients (P < 0.01). VEGFR-1 and VEGF expressions were significantly higher in breast cancer tumour compared with healthy breast tissue (P < 0.01). Significant correlation between VEGF and VEGFR-1 expressions was found (P < 0.05). No significant correlations between VEGF and VEGFR-1 expressions and tumour size, histological grade, and hormone receptor status were found. Increased expression of VEGFR-1 and VEGF in breast cancer tumour and significant correlation between these proteins suggest the possible role of VEGF/VEGFR-1 signalization in breast cancer development, although VEGFR-1 potential prognostic value was not confirmed.

The predictive value of cystatin C as a marker of course of the disease has been evaluated. Fifty-two pairs of serum samples of patients with B non-Hodgkin lymphoma have been collected at the time of diagnosis and before fourth cycle of chemotherapy. The levels of cystatin C, CRP, β 2M, LDH, and IL-6 in samples have been measured, and clinical parameters of course of the disease (B symptoms, clinical stage, patients' age, and IPI) have been noted. In total patient's group cystatin C levels correlated with β 2M and IPI. In aggressive lymphomas, the inhibitor levels correlated with clinical stage of disease and were significantly higher in patients with elevated LDH activity. In aggressive nodal lymphomas its levels correlated with β 2M, IPI, and clinical stage of disease. The cystatin C level was significantly increased in total group of patients over 60 years old, while in particular types of lymphoma, no statistical significance has been obtained. Our results indicate that cystatin C should be taken into consideration in disease monitoring. However, we expect that the disease-free and overall survival analysis will give the definitive answer about the reliability of cystatin C as an indicator of course of aggressive lymphomas.

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to investigate the presence and the expression levels of the interleukin 13 (I1-13) in the primary breast cancer tumour tissue in relation to the unchanged breast tissue in the same patients and to the breast tissue in the patients with benign breast disease, and to investigate the correlation between the IL-13 expression levels and the pathohistological factors, and between IL-13 expression and estrogens and progesterone receptor status. MATERIALS AND METHODS 50 patients with invasive ductal breast cancer and 20 patients with benign breast diseases were included in this prospective case-control study. The three-step immunohistochemical staining was used for testing the levels of IL-13 expression and hormone receptor status. RESULTS IL-13 was present in breast cancer tumour tissue, and in the surrounding unchanged tissue in the same patients, and in breast tissue in patients with benign breast disease. The expression of IL-13 was significantly higher in breast cancer tumour compared with surrounding tissue (P < 0.05) of the same, lymph node-positive patients. In addition, IL-13 expression was significantly higher in breast cancer tumour compared with breast tissue in patients with benign breast diseases (P < 0.01). There was significant correlation between IL-13 expression and tumour size in patients with lymph node-negative breast cancer (r = 0.405, P = 0.050). There was no significant correlation between IL-13 expression and the other pathohistological factors, and no significant correlation between IL-13 expression and the lymph node status. CONCLUSION Obtained results suggest possible involvement of IL-13 in breast carcinogenesis.

Introduction: The aim of this study is to examine whether moderate hiperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for cerebral infarction.Methods: We have measured homocysteine levels in 50 patients with ischemic stroke during acute phase and postacute phase, 50 patients diagnosed with vascular dementia and healthy group of 50 subjects. Homocysteine concentration in serum was measured, on the basis of fluorescent polarisation measuring.Results: The study demonstrated that homocysteine concentration was 16.93 µmol/L in the patient group with ischemic stroke, and in the group of patients with vascular dementia was 20.39 µmol/L. Homocysteine increases during the postacute phase of ischemic stroke after 7 days for 1.54 µmol/L and 14 days for 3.66 µmol/L compared to the concentration of homocysteine after the first hours of hospitalization. Using Wilcoxon signed ranks and Mann-Whitney (P < 0.05) tests we got significant difference between homocysteine concentration at acute phase and post-acute phase of ischemic stroke and it was significant difference between concentrations of homocysteine in the acute and post-acute phase of ischemic stroke and vascular dementia. The Spearman correlation test was found signifiant correlation between the number of strokes and the concentration of homocysteine in serum of patients with vascular dementia.Conclusions: The homocysteine concentration rises significantly during of acute phase of ischemic brain stroke, and it is significantly increased during post-acute phase, which is a predictor factor for further development of vascular dementia, or a new ischemic brain stroke.

AIM To investigate the cystatin C levels in sera of patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma. METHODS The levels of cystatin C in sera of lymphoma patients and control group consisted of healthy individuals, were measured by using specific sandwich-type ELISA. For each patient the clinical stage of disease was determined according to Ann Arbor staging system for lymphomas. RESULTS Our study shows that mean cystatin C serum level in the patients group (1056 +/- 65 ng/mL) was significantly higher when compared with the mean level of the healthy control group (819 +/- 28 ng/mL) (P = 0.001). Mean cystatin C level of the group with clinical stages III and IV (1255 +/- 109 ng/mL) was significantly elevated when compared with the mean level of the group with clinical stages I and II (896 +/- 51 ng/mL) (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION This finding points out a connection between inhibitor level and aggressive behaviour of lymphoma and could be considered for further strategies of prognosis of the disease.