Ringworm in animals in a farm in Assiut

Bericht über das Auftreten von Hautmykosen bei Tieren auf der Farm der Landwirtschaftlichen Fakultät der Universität Assiut. Von 70 Kälbern waren 42 pilzkrank, davon 22 durch T. mentagrophytes, 20 durch T. verrucosum. Von 180 Kühen waren 8 pilzbefalien, sämtlich durch T. mentagrophytes. Von 2 kranken Bullen wurde T. verrucosum isoliert. Auch die 3 Pferde und 2 Maultiere der Farm waren pilzinfiziert; Erreger war in diesen Fällen T. equinum. Auch ein Kalb war von T. equinum befallen. Die gleiche Pilzart wurde ferner von 3 Tierpflegern isoliert, die Pilzherde am Hals und an den Armen aufwiesen.     

Statistical challenges in preprocessing in microarray experiments in cancer

Many clinical studies incorporate genomic experiments to investigate the potential associations between high-dimensional molecular data and clinical outcome. A critical first step in the statistical analyses of these experiments is that the molecular data are preprocessed. This article provides an overview of preprocessing methods, including summary algorithms and quality control metrics for microarrays. Some of the ramifications and effects that preprocessing methods have on the statistical results are illustrated. The discussions are centered around a microarray experiment based on lung cancer tumor samples with survival as the clinical outcome of interest. The procedures that are presented focus on the array platform used in this study. However, many of these issues are more general and are applicable to other instruments for genome-wide investigation. The discussions here will provide insight into the statistical challenges in preprocessing microarrays used in clinical studies of cancer. These challenges should not be viewed as inconsequential nuisances but rather as important issues that need to be addressed so that informed conclusions can be drawn.     

Hemoglobin in lymphogranulomatosis in children

The peculiarities of hemoglobin content and properties in lymphogranulomatosis were studied in children by different methods. In most patients the content of fetal hemoglobin and methhemoglobin was found to increase and the rate of ferricyanide oxidation of hemoglobin also increases. Simultaneously, the rate of non-homogenicity of basic hemoglobin fractions was observed to increase on account of immunologically different components.     

Trends in zygomycosis in children

Zygomycosis, or mucormycosis, is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in both children and adults. Studies in adults have shown an increase in the incidence of zygomycosis, particularly among haemtopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients and patients with haematologic malignancies. There is a paucity of data on the epidemiology of zygomycosis in children. We performed a retrospective analysis to describe trends in zygomycosis between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2010. We used the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) database to identify paediatric patients who were diagnosed with zygomycosis during the study period. Administrative data on diagnoses, demographics, underlying conditions and clinical experiences were collected. Summary statistics were calculated and tests for trend were conducted. We identified 156 unique patients with zygomycosis. The prevalence of zygomycosis did not significantly increase over time (P=0.284). The most common underlying condition was malignancy (58%) and over half received intensive care. Voriconazole utilisation among all hospitalised children significantly increased during the period (P=0.010). Our study demonstrates that the incidence of zygomycosis is not significantly increasing. During the time period there was a significant increase in the use of voriconazole among children.     

Dermatomycosis in Goats in India

Summary: In an extensive survey involving 2176 goats 1.56% of goats manifested clinical lesions of ringworm infection. Animals below the age of 6 months were affected most (4.20%). The incidence of infection was higher during the winter months. T. verrucosum, T. mentagrophytes and M. gypseum were isolated from the skin scrapings of 12, 4, and 2 goats respectively. It is suggested that the infected animals could be a source of disease to human population in which the zoophilic dermatophyte invasion is characterized by severe inflammatory lesions of the skin. The zoonotic importance of different dermatophytes is stressed.
Zusammenfassung: In einer ausgedehnten Untersuchung an 2176 Ziegen wurden bei 1,56% klinische Zeichen einer Hautmykose festgestellt. Tiere, die jühger als 6 Monate alt waren, zeigten mit 4,20% am häfigsten Krankheitssymptome. In den Wintermonaten war die Erkrankungshäufigkeit am gröBten. T. vermcosum, T. mentagrophytes and M. gypseum wurden jeweils von 12,4 bzw. 2 Ziegen isoliert. Die inflzierten Tiere köinnen eine Infektionsquelle für die menschliche Bevölkerung darstellen und dort Mykosen mit stark entzündlichen Veränderungen auslösen. Die Bedeutung verschiedener Dermatophyten als Erreger von Zoonosen wird hervorgehoben.     

Temozolomide treatment in glioma--experiences in two university hospitals in Finland

Thirty-two patients with relapsing glioma were treated with temozolomide in two university hospitals in Finland. One patient (3%) had complete response and 9 (28%) partial response, with 8 patients (25%) showing stable disease. Median progression-free survival for these 18 patients (56%) was 7 months (range 2-11+). The remaining either had progressive disease (25%) or only clinical evaluation (19%). Karnofsky score improved in 34% of patients and decreased in 3%. Symptoms were alleviated in 44% and deteriorated in 9%. Grade 3-4 toxicity was detected in 9% of the patients. Only 4% of the days in treatment were spent in hospital. An average 1.8 neuroradiological investigations, 6.9 laboratory visits, and 5.3 visits to the oncologist were made. This study confirms that temozolomide has positive effects on the outcome of often heavily pretreated glioma patients. High drug costs are compensated by prolonged home care and even the possibility to maintain working capacity.     

Sex hormones in women in rural China and in Britain

Plasma concentrations of certain hormones linked to breast cancer risk were measured in age-pooled samples from 3,250 rural Chinese women in 65 counties, and 300 British women, all aged 35-64. In age-groups 35-44, 45-54 and 55-64 respectively, mean oestradiol concentrations were 36% (P = 0.043), 90% (P less than 0.001) and 171% (P = 0.001) higher in the British than in the Chinese women, and mean testosterone concentrations were 48% (P less than 0.001), 68% (P less than 0.001) and 53% (P = 0.001) higher in the British than in the Chinese women. The difference in testosterone concentrations between the two countries appeared to be due largely to the lower average body weight in the Chinese women. Sex hormone binding globulin did not differ significantly between the two countries in age groups 35-44 and 45-54, but was 15% (P = 0.002) lower in the British than in the Chinese women at ages 55-64. Prolactin concentrations did not differ significantly between the two countries in any age group.     

Increased apoptosis in cancer cells in vitro and in vivo by ceramides in transferrin-modified liposomes

Lysosomes are a promising therapeutic target for induction apoptosis in cancer cells due to lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) leading to leakage of hydrolytic enzymes, especially the cathepsins, into the cytoplasm. We hypothesized that with the modification of the ceramide-loaded liposomes with transferrin (Tf), we would achieve both tumor targeting and increased delivery of lysosome-destabilizing agents, such as ceramides to lysosomes, to initiate LMP-induced apoptosis. We prepared Tf-modified (TL) and plain (PL) liposomes and loaded with short (C6)- or long (C16) N-acyl chain ceramides. Uptake, intracellular localization of liposomes, stability of the lysosomal membrane and release of cathepsin D were investigated on Hela cells by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Apoptosis was evaluated by binding of fluorescently-labeled Annexin V. Antitumor and pro-apoptotic effects of C6Cer-loaded Tf-liposomes were demonstrated in vivo in an A2780-ovarian carcinoma xenograft mouse model. TL were internalized specifically via the TfR-dependent endocytic pathway and localized within the endosome-lysosomal compartment. Ceramide-loaded Tf-liposomes significantly increased apoptosis compared with ceramide-free and ceramide-loaded non-modified liposomes. The treatment of cancer cells with TL led to increased LMP and cytoplasmic relocation of the intralysosomal cathepsin D. A strong antitumor and pro-apoptotic effect of C6Cer-loaded TL was also demonstrated in vivo in an A2780-ovarian carcinoma xenograft mouse model. The lysosomal accumulation of ceramides delivered by Tf-liposomes initiates the permeabilization of the lysosomal membranes required for the release of lysosomal cathepsins into the cytoplasm and initiation of the cancer cell apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo.     

Spatial variation in stage distribution in colorectal cancer in the Netherlands

BackgroundIn the Netherlands the incidence of colorectal cancer has increased, mainly in the eastern part of the country. Patient delay due to unawareness or ignorance of symptoms and differences in use of diagnostic tools could have influence on the stage distribution. The aim of this study was to evaluate geographical differences in stage-specific incidence rates of colon and rectal cancer in the Netherlands.MethodsAge-adjusted incidence rates for cancers of the colon and rectum diagnosed in 2001–2005 and registered in the Netherlands Cancer Registry were calculated for each municipality and stage. The incidence for each 500 m by 500 m grid was estimated as a weighted average of the incidence rates of the neighbouring municipalities. The incidence rates and the stage distribution are both presented as maps. Geographic variation in stage-specific incidence was evaluated using spatial scan statistic.ResultsIn both colon and rectal cancer, significant spatial variation in stage-specific incidences was found, except for colon cancer of stages III and IV. The regions with a higher stage-specific incidence were almost all in the south eastern part of the Netherlands, however, these differences were not seen in the stage distribution. There were no differences in stage distribution between large cities and the rest of the country.ConclusionsThese maps give insight into differences in stage-specific incidences of colon and rectal cancer in the Netherlands. Educational interventions to increase the awareness of symptoms of colorectal cancer may be especially useful for the population in regions with high incidence of advanced stages.     

Trends in cardiac mortality in women with ductal carcinoma in situ

Purpose

In certain ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) subpopulations, there is no consensus regarding whether to postoperatively irradiate; decisions are often made based on potential risk of cardiac toxicities. Given the utility of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data for studying cardiac mortality in invasive disease, this is the first such study specific for DCIS patients, evaluating trends in cardiac mortality after left-sided radiotherapy (RT).

Methods

The SEER database was queried for patients with DCIS that received RT and had known unilaterality. The central design of this study was to compare cardiac-specific mortality (CSM) between left- and right-sided DCIS patients as stratifying for “older” RT (1973–1982) versus more “modern” RT (1983–1992 or 1993–2002). Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan–Meier methodology and multivariate Cox regression modeling for factors associated with overall survival (OS) and CSS.

Results

Left- and right-sided patients were demographically balanced. CSM was worse for left-sided patients with DCIS diagnosed in 1973–1982 [hazard ratio (HR) 1.295; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.182–1.420], but not in 1983–1992 (HR 1.022; 95% CI 0.949–1.100) or in 1993–2002 (HR 0.989; 95% CI 0.935–1.046)]. On multivariate analysis, laterality was not associated with OS in either decade. However, left-sided laterality was independently associated with CSM during the 1973–1982 time period, but not the more recent time periods. Examining temporal patterns in the 1973–1982 cohort, cardiac mortality was significantly increased during 10–19 and ≥20 years after diagnosis, but there was no significant increase in cardiac mortality for patients diagnosed up to 10 years after diagnosis.

Conclusions

In the largest such DCIS series to date, left-sided RT was an independent risk factor for increased cardiac mortality from 1973 to 1982, but not after 1983. Using modern RT techniques and maintaining low heart doses, RT may not induce excess CSM in the DCIS population.

     

Survey of changes in dietary preferences in cancer patients in China

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in dietary preferences in cancer patients in China and to determine the need for encouraging the adherence to a sensible diet among such patients.Methods A total of 468 cancer patients were interviewed using a self-designed questionnaire focusing on changes in the intake of specific foods. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16.0. Results Most patients completely avoided roosters and carp(73.1%), condiments(51.9%), and meat of aquatic species(40.4%). All other types of the specific foods were completely avoided by different subpopulations of the patients.Conclusion In addition to focusing on disease treatment, medical professionals need to help cancer patients overcome barriers associated with the customs of avoiding specific foods encompassed by the term ”fawu” and provide them with dietary guidance in order to prevent negative nutritional effects.     

Immunologic prognosis in hemoblastoses in children

The diagnostic value of monoclonal antibodies is discussed. The expression of ICO-GM1 and ICO-G2 myeloid antigens in pediatric patients with nonlymphoblastic leukemia was associated with poor prognosis whereas patients with the expression of T-cell markers fared better. The prognostic value of the antigens was not altered by brief cytotoxic treatment. The prognosis for non-T-cell ICO-II+ type childhood lymphosarcoma was worse as compared to Ia+ICO-II- lymphoma subset. It was concluded that the biology of malignant cells and degree of cell differentiation (as assessed immunologically) affects treatment outcome significantly and should be considered in individualizing therapy for childhood lymphosarcoma and leukemia.