Eftimov, Aleksandar
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Eftimov, Aleksandar
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Eftimov, Aleksandar
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Item type:Publication, Presentation of cytokine profile in relation to oxidative stress parameters in patients with severe COVID-19: a case-control pilot study(F1000 Research Ltd, 2021-10-14); ; ; ; <ns3:p><ns3:bold>Introduction: </ns3:bold>COVID-19 can be worsened by hyper-production of cytokines accompanied by increased level of oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between a set of cytokines and the markers of the oxidative stress.</ns3:p><ns3:p> <ns3:bold>Methods: </ns3:bold>The levels of cytokines IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL8, IL-10, VEGF, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1α, MCP-1 and EGF were determined by using High Sensitivity Evidence Investigator™ Biochip Array technology. The oxidative stress parameters (d-ROM, PAT, OS index) were measured in serum on FRAS5 analytical photometric system.</ns3:p><ns3:p> <ns3:bold>Results: </ns3:bold>IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, VEGF, MCP-1 and EGF were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the patients with severe COVID-19 with increased levels of IL-2, IFN-y, TNF-α and IL-1α. The d-ROM, OS index, and PAT were significantly higher (p<0.05) in severe COVID-19 patients. IL-6 demonstrated the strongest correlation with all of the markers of the oxidative stress, d-ROM (r=0.9725, p=0.0001), PAT (r=0.5000, p=0.0001) and OS index (r=0.9593, p=0.012). Similar behavior was evidenced between IFN-y and d-ROM (r=0.4006, p=0.0001), PAT (r=0.6030, p=0.0001) and OS index (r=0.4298, p=0.012).</ns3:p><ns3:p> <ns3:bold>Conclusion: </ns3:bold>The oxidative stress markers show good correlation with the tested cytokines which can be measured at the beginning of the disease in a primary care setting to predict the course of COVID-19.</ns3:p> - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, Correlation of Somatic Mutations and Clinical Characteristics at Presentation in Patients with Essential Thrombocytemia(American Society of Hematology, 2014-12-06); ; ;Popova-Simjanovska, Marija ;Ivanovski, Martin<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>Background</jats:p> <jats:p>Most patients with essential thromocythemia (ET) have somatic mutations in janus kinase 2 (JAK2), calreticulin (CALR) and thrombopoietin receptor (MPL) genes. The clinical correlates at the presentation of patients with different mutations has not been established as yet.</jats:p> <jats:p>Materials and methods</jats:p> <jats:p>We evaluated the clinical, laboratory, and molecular features of 150 consecutive patients (93 females/57 males; average age 59,0+/- 14,2 years) with ET who were diagnosed at the University Clinic for Hematology in Skopje based on the revised WHO criteria. DNA from all patients was isolated from peripheral blood obtained at diagnosis using Qiagene DNA exctraction kit. The presence of JAK2V617F mutation was evaluated with fluorescent allele specific PCR/capillary electrophoresis. The CALR exon 9 insertions or deletions were initially detected with a fluorescent PCR/capillary electrophoresis and characterized with Sanger sequencing. The presence of mutations in exon 10 of the MPL gene was analyzed with direct sequencing of PCR amplified fragments. Informant consent was obtained from all participants. Statistical analysis was performed by Wilcoxon rank- sum test.</jats:p> <jats:p>Results</jats:p> <jats:p>The basic hematological parameters at diagnosis for all patients were as follows; Plt = 962.1x109 ±351,2 x109/L; Hb = 126,8 ±39,2 g/L; Le = 10,2x103 ±4,2 x103/µL. No correlation was found between any of these parameters and age at diagnosis or sex of the patients. JAK2V617F, CALR and MPL mutations were found in 89 (59.3%), 42 (28%) and 2 (1.3%) patients, respectively, while 17 (11.4%) patients did not have a mutation in the 3 evaluated genes (triple negative). Twelve different mutations were found in CALR gene, the most common being 52-bp deletion (c.1092_1143del) and 5-bp insertions (c.1154_1155insTTGTC) which were present in 11 (26,2%) and 20 (47,6%) patients, respectively. Ten different mutations, including 6 insertions (c.1088insTTGTC; c.1088delinsTTTGTC; c.1113_1123delinsTTGT; c.1154delinsTATGTC; c.1126_1131delinsTGCGT; c.1154_1155insGTGTC) and 4 deletions (c.1092_1137del; c.1096_1129del; c.1089_1141del; c.1100_1145del), were detected in the other 11 patients with CALR mutation. The JAK2V617F mutation and triple negative status were more prevalent in female patients (67% and 68% respectively), while no sex preference was detected in patients with the CALR mutation. The average age of patients with JAK2V617F, CALR insertions, CALR deletions and triple negative status were 60,7±13,9, 54,5±12,9, 59,0±15,1 and 58,8+/-14,8 years, respectively. Patients with CALR mutation had a higher platelet count at the time of diagnosis (1134x109 ±372,9 x 109 /L) compared to both patients with mutated JAK2 (952 x109 ±335,6 x109/L) (P=0.047) and to triple negative patients (mean 886 x109/L±303,2 x109/L) (P=0.024). Patients who carried CALR insertions had higher platelet counts (1222,9 ±396,8 x109/L) than patients with CALR deletions (mean 956,8 ±287,8 x109/L ) (P=0.0405). White blood cells counts were the highest in patients with JAK2V617F mutation (mean 11.1±4,5x103/µL) compared to both CALR positive (mean 8,8±2,7x103/µL) and triple negative patients (mean 7,9±2,2x103/µL) (P=0.0049). No difference in Hb levels were present between patients with various mutations.</jats:p> <jats:p>Conclussion</jats:p> <jats:p>ET patients with CALR insertions present with higher platelet counts and at an earlier age than patients with JAK2V617F, CALR deletions or triple negative patients, which might translate to differences in prognosis in these groups of patients. Higher incidence of JAK2V617F mutation and triple negative status in female patients point to a common mechanism for predisposition to these conditions.</jats:p> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Disclosures</jats:title> <jats:p>No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.</jats:p> </jats:sec> - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, CCNG1 and FDXR gene expression levels after radiation therapy in breast cancer patients(Univerzitet "Sv.Kiril i Metodij" - Medicinski fakultet Skopje, 2021-12-30); ; ; ; - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, Distribution of the most Common Genetic Variants Associated with a Variable Drug Response in the Population of the Republic of Macedonia(Walter de Gruyter GmbH, 2014-12) ;Kapedanovska Nestorovska, A; ;Naumovska, Z ;Hiljadnikova Bajro, MSterjev, ZGenetic variation in the regulation, expression and activity of genes coding for Phase I, Phase II drug metabolizing enzymes (DMEs) and drug targets, can be defining factors for the variability in both the effectiveness and occurrence of drug therapy side effects. Information regarding the geographic structure and multi-ethnic distribution of clinically relevant genetic variations is becoming increasingly useful for improving drug therapy and explaining inter-individual and inter-ethnic differences in drug response. This study summarizes our current knowledge about the frequency distribution of the most common allelic variants in three broad gene categories: the Phase I oxidation-cytochrome P450 (CYP450) family (CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP3A5, CYP2D6); the Phase II conjugation (GSTT1, SULT1A1; UGT1A1) and drug target (TYMS-TSER, MTHFR and VKORC1) in the population of the Republic of Macedonia and compares the information obtained with data published for other indigenous European populations. Our findings define the population of the Republic of Macedonia as an ethnic group with a highly polymorphic genetic profile. These results add to the evidence regarding the distribution of clinically important variant alleles in DME and drug target genes in populations of European ancestry. - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, International external quality assurance of JAK2 V617F quantification(Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2019-05) ;Asp, Julia ;Skov, Vibe ;Bellosillo, Beatriz ;Kristensen, ThomasLippert, EricExternal quality assurance (EQA) programs are vital to ensure high quality and standardized results in molecular diagnostics. It is important that EQA for quantitative analysis takes into account the variation in methodology. Results cannot be expected to be more accurate than limits of the technology used, and it is essential to recognize factors causing substantial outlier results. The present study aimed to identify parameters of specific importance for JAK2 V617F quantification by quantitative PCR, using different starting materials, assays, and technical platforms. Sixteen samples were issued to participating laboratories in two EQA rounds. In the first round, 19 laboratories from 11 European countries analyzing JAK2 V617F as part of their routine diagnostics returned results from in-house assays. In the second round, 25 laboratories from 17 countries participated. Despite variations in starting material, assay set-up and instrumentation the laboratories were generally well aligned in the EQA program. However, EQA based on a single technology appears to be a valuable tool to achieve standardization of the quantification of JAK2 V617F allelic burden. - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, CAG Repeat Number in the Androgen Receptor Gene and Prostate Cancer(Walter de Gruyter GmbH, 2012-06) ;Madjunkova, S; ;Georgiev, V ;Petrovski, DProstate cancer (PC) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men. The effects of androgens on prostatic tissue are mediated by the androgen receptor (AR) gene. The 5' end of exon 1 of the AR gene includes a polymorphic CAG triplet repeat that numbers between 10 to 36 in the normal population. The length of the CAG repeats is inversely related to the transactivation function of the AR gene. There is controversy over association between short CAG repeat numbers in the AR gene and PC. This retrospective case-control study evaluates the possible effect of short CAG repeats on the AR gene in prostate cancer risk in Macedonian males. A total of 392 male subjects, 134 PC patients, 106 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 152 males from the general Macedonian population were enrolled in this study. The CAG repeat length was determined by fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of exon1 of the AR gene followed by capillary electrophoresis (CE) on a genetic analyzer. The mean repeat length in PC patients was 21.5 ± 2.65, in controls 22.28 ± 2.86 (p = 0.009) and in BPH patients 22.1 ± 2.52 (p = 0.038). Short CAG repeats (<19) were found in 21.64% of PC patients vs. 9.43% in BPH patients (p = 0.0154). We also found an association of low Gleason score (<7) with short CAG repeat (<19) in PC patients (p = 0.0306), and no association between the age at diagnosis of PC and BPH and CAG repeat length. These results suggest that reduced CAG repeat length may be associated with increased prostate cancer risk in Macedonian men. - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, TP53 Mutation in Correlation to Immunohistochemical Expression of P53 Protein in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma(ID Design 2012/DOOEL Skopje, 2018-07-20); ;Chalovska-Ivanova, Viktorija; ; BACKGROUND: Mutations causing p53 inactivation are among the most common genetic alterations in human malignant tumours including hepatocellular carcinoma. Detection of p53 gene mutations in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) should provide relevant data for the patients from the Republic of Macedonia and should allow the survivals additional therapeutic option as is gene therapy. AIM: We aimed to detect p53 gene mutations in HCC tissue, and to correlate them with the immunoexpression of p53 protein and multiple clinicopathologic characteristics of a tumour. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analysed thirty patients with HCC for multiple clinic-pathological characteristics. Tumour tissue samples were immunostained for p53 and detection of p53 gene mutations was performed by polymerase chain reaction followed by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: Changes in p53 gene sequence were detected in four patients (13.33%), one of them a polymorphism and the other three were missense point mutations with p53 immunoexpression of 50%, 0%, 0% and 90%, respectively. All patients with p53 mutations had cirrhosis. Two of them had Hepatitis B infection, moderately differentiated tumour and T2 status. There was one case with a well-differentiated tumour and one with T4 status. All of them were with vascular invasion. The size of the tumours was in the range of 2.5 cm to 16 cm. All 3 mutations were located in exon 7. CONCLUSION: Mutations in p53 gene are not always associated with obviously altered immunoexpression of p53 protein. Detection of p53 gene mutations is necessary in each case because the new therapeutic modalities offer to apply gene therapy. - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, Diversities of Calreticulin Gene Mutations in Macedonian Patients With Essential Thrombocythemia(Elsevier BV, 2016-08); ; ;Ivanovski, Martin; Acquired calreticulin (CALR) gene mutations are one of the molecular hallmarks of essential thrombocythemia (ET). It has been suggested that patients with ET with CALR mutations are associated with a distinct clinical phenotype. - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, Essential Thrombocythemia Associated With Germline JAK2 G571S Variant and Somatic CALR Type 1 Mutation(Elsevier BV, 2016); ; ;Ivanovski, Martin; - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
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