Current Issue : July - September Volume : 2011 Issue Number : 3 Articles : 10 Articles
Background\r\nSurgical samples have long been used as important subjects for cancer research. In accordance with an increase of neoadjuvant therapy, biopsy samples have recently become imperative for cancer transcriptome. On the other hand, both biopsy and surgical samples are available for expression profiling for predicting clinical outcome by adjuvant therapy; however, it is still unclear whether surgical sample expression profiles are useful for prediction via biopsy samples, because little has been done about comparative gene expression profiling between the two kinds of samples.\r\nMethodology and Findings\r\nA total of 166 samples (77 biopsy and 89 surgical) of normal and malignant lesions of the esophagus were analyzed by microarrays. Gene expression profiles were compared between biopsy and surgical samples. Artificially induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (aiEMT) was found in the surgical samples, and also occurred in mouse esophageal epithelial cell layers under an ischemic condition. Identification of clinically significant subgroups was thought to be disrupted by the disorder of the expression profile through this aiEMT.\r\nConclusion and Significance\r\nThis study will evoke the fundamental misinterpretation including underestimation of the prognostic evaluation power of markers by overestimation of EMT in past cancer research, and will furnish some advice for the near future as follows: 1) Understanding how long the tissues were under an ischemic condition. 2) Prevalence of biopsy samples for in vivo expression profiling with low biases on basic and clinical research. 3) Checking cancer cell contents and normal- or necrotic-tissue contamination in biopsy samples for prevalence....
In present study, clinical adverse events of lamivudine was analysed in hepatitis b patients. Clinical data were collected from hepatitis b patients that presented with serious adverse reactions to lamivudine. We examined 100 patients of hepatitis b who were treated with lamivudine in i.k.d.r.c, civil hospital, Ahmedabad from January 2009 to February 2011. The main adverse reaction were headache, joint pain, back pain, cough, lymphadenopathy, acidity, fatigue. The hepatitis b was seen more in the 20 to 30 year of age and 40 to 50 year of age. The male was more prone to hepatitis b than the female. The adverse reactions were related to lamivudine, but the biological mechanism of the reaction is not clear. Combination therapy with interferon or other nucleoside analogues may increase the risk of adverse reaction....
Cathepsin K (CTSK) is a member of the papain-like cysteine protease family. Mutations in the CTSK gene cause a rare autosomal recessive bone disorder called pycnodysostosis (OMIM 265800). In order to follow the advances in the research about CTSK and pycnodysostosis, we performed a literature retrospective study of 159 pycnodysostosis patients reported since 1996 and focused on the genetic characteristics of CTSK mutations and/or the clinical phenotypes of pycnodysostosis. Thirty three different CTSK mutations have been found in 59 unrelated pycnodysostosis families. Of the 59 families, 37.29% are from Europe and 30.51% are from Asia. A total of 69.70% of the mutations were identified in the mature domain of CTSK, 24.24% in the proregion, and 6.06% in the preregion. The hot mutation spots are found in exons 6 and 7. CTSK mutations result in total loss or inactivity of the CTSK protein, which causes abnormal degradation of bone matrix proteins such as type I collagen. Skeletal abnormalities, including short stature, an increase in bone density with pathologic fractures, and open fontanels and sutures, are the typical phenotypes of pycnodysostosis. Research on Ctsk-/- mouse models was also reviewed here to elucidate the biological function of Ctsk and the mechanism of pycnodysostosis. New evidence suggests that Ctsk plays an important role in the immune system and may serve as a valid therapeutic target in the future treatment of pycnodysostosis....
Classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) is a relatively uncommon B cell-derived neoplasm that presents with rare malignant cells in an abundant reactive background. The diagnosis of CHL currently relies on a combination of morphologic findings and immunohistochemical stains. With the exception of rare cases with dramatically increased malignant populations, isolation of pure viable tumor cells has not been historically possible. Recently, a reliable flow cytometric assay for direct detection and isolation of the malignant cells in this disease has been developed. This assay has proven useful diagnostically and has been clinically validated to have a very high sensitivity and nearly absolute specificity for the diagnosis of CHL in routine clinical samples. This paper describes the methodology for the flow cytometric detection of CHL in clinical samples as well as current state of evaluation of background lymphocytes as an adjunct diagnostic test. Also discussed are exciting research applications of the direct isolation of viable tumor cells in CHL. The current state of flow cytometric evaluation of nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma and T cell-rich large B cell lymphoma is also briefly discussed....
The use of unlicensed and \"off-label\" medicines in children is widespread. Between 50-80% of the medicines currently administered to children have neither been tested nor authorized for their use in the paediatric population which represents approximately 25% of the whole European population. On 26 January 2007, entered into force the European Regulation of Paediatric Medicines. It aims at the quality of research into medicines for children but without subjecting the paediatric population to unnecessary clinical trial. This article addresses ethical and legal issues arising from the regulation and makes recommendations for the framework conditions facilitating the development of clinical research with children....
Serum lipid profile is considered to be one of the common parameter to assess the well-being of an individual. Population study of lipid profile could provide an overall picture of health status of the targeted regions. Studies have demonstrated that lipid profile is dependent on the serum antioxidant status. In addition, it is hypothesized that the serum lipid profile could be subjected to gender-wise variation which again could be altered by the dietary habits. In the present study, the influence of dietary habits on gender wise variation in serum ascorbic acid and lipid parameters in population of Surasa region of Ujjain district is being reported. The present study was conducted on 992 subjects from urban and rural population of Ujjain district of Madhya Pradesh. Subjects were randomly selected and serum lipid profile with phospholipids and ascorbic acid were measured. None of the vegetarian groups had shown significant gender-wise variation in serum cholesterol levels of different age-groups. That was also true for non-vegetarian groups, except the youngest one. Whereas, gender-wise variation in serum triglyceride and VLDL-Cholesterol and serum ascorbic acid levels were found only in 45-<55 Years age groups. While serum trigrlyceride and VLDL-cholesterol were found to be lower in female, the serum ascorbic acid level was found to be lower in the male. The study suggests that the gender-wise variation in lipid profile was found to be only nominal either within vegetarians or within non-vegetarians, especially when they are subgrouped age-wise. However, specific observations in the age group of 45-<55 Years, showing specific low triglyceride and VLDL-cholesterol along with high ascorbic acid should not be undermined....
Although many cancer patients use complementary and alternative medicine, including Agaricus blazei Murill (ABM), safety is not yet well understood. Cancer survivors took 1.8, 3.6, or 5.4?g ABM granulated powder (Kyowa Wellness Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) per day orally for 6 months. Adverse events were defined by subjective/objective symptoms and laboratory data according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 3.0 (NCI-CTCAE v3.0). Seventy-eight patients were assessed for safety of ABM (30/24/24 subjects at 1/2/3 packs per day, resp.). Adverse events were observed in 9 patients (12%). Most were digestive in nature such as nausea and diarrhea, and one patient developed a liver dysfunction-related food allergy, drug lymphocyte product. However, none of these adverse events occurred in a dose-dependent manner. This study shows that ABM does not cause problems in most patients within laboratory parameters at the dosages tested over 6 months. This trial supports previous evidence that the ABM product is generally safe, excluding possible allergic reaction....
Backround\r\nFunctional and cosmetic defects in the maxillofacial region are caused by various ailments and these defects are addressed according to their need. Simplicity of procedure, intact facial function and esthetic outcome with the least possible donor site morbidity are the minimum requirements of a good reconstruction. Oro-mandibular reconstruction, although a challenge for the head and neck reconstructive surgeon, is now reliable and highly successful with excellent long-term functional and aesthetic outcomes with the use of autogenous bone grafts. Reconstruction of trauma- or mandibular oncologic defects with bony free flaps is considered the gold standard. However the the optimal reconstruction of mandibular defects is still controversial in regards to reconstructive options which include the donor site selection and the timing of surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine the outcome of different osseous reconstruction options using autogenous bone grafts for mandibular reconstructions.\r\nMethods\r\nThis study was carried out on 178 patients with mandibular bone defects. They were reconstructed with autogenous bone grafts from different donor sites. At post operative visits they were evaluated for functional and cosmetic results.\r\nResults\r\nThe success rate found in this study was around 90%. Only 7.6% of the cases showed poor results regarding facial contours and mouth opening. All other patients were satisfied with their cosmesis and mouth opening at the recipient sites was in the normal range during last follow-up visits. Donor sites were primarily closed in all cases and there was no hypertrophic scar.\r\nConclusion\r\nBased on this study, autogenous bone grafts are a reliable treatment modality for the reconstruction of mandibular bone defects with predictable aesthetic and functional outcomes. As the free vascularized fibular flap has the least resorption and failure rate, it should be the first choice for most cases of mandiblular reconstruction....
Background\r\nFollowing the successful introduction of five topic-specific research networks in the UK, the Comprehensive Local Research Network (CLRN) was established in 2008 in order to provide a blanket level of support across the whole country regardless of the clinical discipline. The role of the CLRN was to facilitate recruitment into clinical trials, and to encourage greater engagement in research throughout the National Health Service (NHS).\r\nMethods\r\nThis report evaluates the impact of clinical research networks in supporting clinical trials in the UK, with particular reference to our experiences from two non-commercial dermatology trials. It covers our experience of engaging with the CLRN (and other research networks) using two non-commercial dermatology trials as case studies. We present the circumstances that led to our approach to the research networks for support, and the impact that this support had on the delivery of these trials.\r\nResults\r\nIn both cases, recruitment was boosted considerably following the provision of additional support, although other factors such as the availability of experienced personnel, and the role of advertising and media coverage in promoting the trials were also important in translating this additional resource into increased recruitment.\r\nConclusions\r\nRecruitment into clinical trials is a complex task that can be influenced by many factors. A world-class clinical research infrastructure is now in place in England (with similar support available in Scotland and Wales), and it is the responsibility of the research community to ensure that this unique resource is used effectively and responsibly....
Background\nThe Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) provides an effective way of delivering intermittent preventive treatment for malaria (IPT) to infants. However, it is uncertain how IPT can be delivered most effectively to older children. Therefore, we have compared two approaches to the delivery of IPT to Gambian children: distribution by village health workers (VHWs) or through reproductive and child health (RCH) trekking teams. In rural areas, RCH trekking teams provide most of the health care to children under the age of 5 years in the Infant Welfare Clinic, and provide antenatal care for pregnant women.\nMethods and Findings\nDuring the 2006 malaria transmission season, the catchment populations of 26 RCH trekking clinics in The Gambia, each with 400ââ?¬â??500 children 6 years of age and under, were randomly allocated to receive IPT from an RCH trekking team or from a VHW. Treatment with a single dose of sulfadoxine pyrimethamine (SP) plus three doses of amodiaquine (AQ) were given at monthly intervals during the malaria transmission season. Morbidity from malaria was monitored passively throughout the malaria transmission season in all children, and a random sample of study children from each cluster was examined at the end of the malaria transmission season. The primary study endpoint was the incidence of malaria. Secondary endpoints included coverage of IPTc, mean haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, and the prevalence of asexual malaria parasitaemia at the end of malaria transmission period. Financial and economic costs associated with the two delivery strategies were collected and incremental cost and effects were compared. A nested case-control study was used to estimate efficacy of IPT treatment courses.\nTreatment with SP plus AQ was safe and well tolerated. There were 49 cases of malaria with parasitaemia above 5,000/Ã?µl in the areas where IPT was delivered through RCH clinics and 21 cases in the areas where IPT was delivered by VHWs, (incidence rates 2.8 and 1.2 per 1,000 child months, respectively, rate difference 1.6 [95% confidence interval (CI) -0.24 to 3.5]). Delivery through VHWs achieved a substantially higher coverage level of three courses of IPT than delivery by RCH trekking teams (74% versus 48%, a difference of 27% [95% CI 16%ââ?¬â??38%]). For both methods of delivery, coverage was unrelated to indices of wealth, with similar coverage being achieved in the poorest and wealthiest groups. The prevalence of anaemia was low in both arms of the trial at the end of the transmission season. Efficacy of IPTc against malaria during the month after each treatment course was 87% (95% CI 54%ââ?¬â??96%). Delivery of IPTc by VHWs was less costly in both economic and financial terms than delivery through RCH trekking teams, resulting in incremental savings of US$872 and US$1,244 respectively. The annual economic cost of delivering at least the first dose of each course of IPTc was US$3.47 and US$1.63 per child using trekking team and VHWs respectively.\nConclusions\nIn this setting in The Gambia, delivery of IPTc to children 6 years of age and under by VHWs is more effective and less costly than delivery through RCH trekking clinics....
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