Background. Recent studies have shown that multiple cytokines are secreted by ovarian epithelial cancer cells. Previous studies have shown that the cancer cell lines secrete macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (M‐CSF), granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF), interleukin‐1 (IL‐1), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and transforming growth factor‐alpha (TGF‐α). Concomitantly, the serum levels of one of the growth factors (M‐CSF) was found to be significantly elevated in patients with primary ovarian cancer and in second‐look patients. The authors evaluated the serum levels of IL‐1 α, IL‐1 β, IL‐6, and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) in patients with primary ovarian epithelial cancer. These levels were then compared with cytokine concentration found in normal peritoneal fluid. Methods. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the levels of cytokines in normal peritoneal fluid, ascites, and serum. Results. In serum, TNF‐α and IL‐6 were significantly increased in primary ovarian cancer patients when compared with control subjects (P < 0.0001 for both cytokines). TNF‐α and IL‐6 were also significantly higher than the levels found in second‐look patients (P < 0.007 for TNF‐α, and P = 0.0002 for IL‐6). The levels of IL‐1 α and β were not elevated in ovarian cancer. TNF‐α in the ascites was higher when compared with normal peritoneal fluid and was statistically significantly different when a cut‐off point between 71–110 pg was selected (P < 0.005). The levels of IL‐6 in ascites from patients with primary ovarian cancer also showed a marked increase (P < 0.0001) when compared with peritoneal fluid from control subjects. Conclusions. Levels of IL‐1, IL‐6, and TNF‐α were determined in normal peritoneal fluid, ovarian malignant ascites, normal serum, and serum from patients with ovarian cancer. This study showed that the patients with ovarian cancer have elevated levels of IL‐6 and TNF‐α in serum and ascitic fluid. A larger study would help in evaluating the potential use of cytokines as tumor markers in ovarian cancer.

Methamphetamine (METH) is a psychostimulant with high abuse potential and severe neurotoxicity. Recent studies in animal models have indicated that METH can impair the blood–brain barrier (BBB), suggesting that some of the neurotoxic effects resulting from METH abuse could be due to barrier disruption. We report here that while chronic exposure to METH disrupts barrier function of primary human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), an early pro-survival response is observed following acute exposure by induction of autophagic mechanisms. Acute METH exposure induces an early increase in Beclin1 and LC3 recruitment. This is mediated through inactivation of the protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/p70S6K pathway, and upregulation of the ERK1/2. Blockade of Kappa opioid receptor (KOR), and treatment with autophagic inhibitors accelerated METH-induced apoptosis, suggesting that the early autophagic response is a survival mechanism for endothelial cells and is mediated through the kappa opioid receptor. Our studies indicate that kappa opioid receptor can be therapeutically exploited for attenuating METH-induced BBB dysfunction.

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a systematic and comprehensive review of the existing literature on the determinants of firms reporting practices. Design/methodology/approach Following a systematic method, the sample literature of 135 studies was collected from the Scopus database. These studies were evaluated in terms of the theoretical lenses applied in the literature, yearly trend, regional distribution, research settings and prior studies finding to provide some recommendations for further research. Findings The investigation revealed that the literature was more interested in the agency theory in investigating the drivers of voluntary reporting such as company size, age, leverage, liquidity, profitability, corporate governance and ownership structure. Although firm-specific determinants were the most examined in the previous studies, however, the result is still inconclusive. Also, limited work was found on the country-related factors, while internal audit impact has yet to be explored. Originality/value Being the first of its kind, this research provides a comprehensive review of the current research landscape on the drivers of environmental or social disclosure and highlights several interesting opportunities for future research.

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