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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Advances in cancer epidemiology in Japan

Epidemiologists in Japan have been performing calculations to estimate nationwide cancer incidence rates as well as 5‐year survival rates using population‐based cancer registry data. There have been remarkable changes in cancer incidence and/or mortality in cancers of the lung, liver and stomach, which were thought to be attributed to the changing impact of exposure to cigarette smoking, chronic hepatitis C virus infection and Helicobacter pylori infection, respectively. In systematic reviews providing evidence in risk/protective factors for cancer sites using case–control and cohort studies of the Japanese population, there were associations between cancer sites (esophagus, stomach, colo‐rectum, liver, pancreas, lung and breast) and various lifestyle factors. In the past 10 years, a hospital‐based case–control study at Aichi Cancer Center provided valuable evidence of gene‐environment interaction on the development of cancer [i.e., the effects of aldehyde dehydrogenase‐2 (ALDH2) polymorphism and heavy alcohol drinking on esophageal cancer, ALDH2 polymorphism and smoking on lung cancer, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphism and heavy alcohol drinking on pancreatic cancer]. The database with stored DNA was also used and identified seven loci containing significant but low‐penetrance polymorphisms associated with the development of breast cancer. These findings together with established risk factors are likely to be useful to predict personalized breast cancer risk in East Asian women. In 2005, the Japan Multi‐Institution Collaborative Cohort (J‐MICC) study was launched to elucidate gene‐environment interactions as well as to confirm preclinical diagnostic biomarkers of cancer. J‐MICC, which has recruited 92,000 healthy individuals by the end of 2012, will follow the individuals until 2025.     

Socioeconomic factors in cancer in Sweden

It is well known that certain cancers have shown clustering in socioeconomic groups, but limited data are available on recent results and time trends in such clustering. We determined standardized incidence ratios (SIR) for cancer, adjusted for age, period, region, parity and age at first childbirth among men and women in 6 socioeconomic groups based on the Swedish Family-Cancer Database. Persons had to be identified with the same socioeconomic status in the census of years 1960 and 1970, or of years 1960, 1970 and 1980; the comparison group was all people according to the same censuses. Cancers were followed from years 1970 to 1998 or from 1980 to 1998. Both increased and decreased SIRs were found, and a consistent pattern emerged, although the overall SIRs for cancer did not differ much, the lowest being for farmers (0.85) and the highest for professional men (1.07) and women (1.11). At individual sites, manual workers were at risk of tobacco-, alcohol- and occupation- and human papilloma virus-related cancers and at a decreased risk at most other cancers. Manual workers and farmers showed an excess of stomach cancer; professionals had an excess of melanoma and squamous cell skin cancer. Male and female SIRs correlated highly for manual and blue-collar workers and for professionals. The overall population-attributable fraction for selected sites was 16.7% for men and 10.9% for women and it was highest, over 50%, for lung cancer in both genders.     

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.     

整合素在急性白血病中的研究进展

急性白血病是一种早期造血干/祖细咆的恶性克隆性疾病.微小残留病和耐药被认为是其复发和难治的根源.近来,越来越多的证据显示白血病细胞通过与骨髓微环境中的基质细胞或细胞外基质相互作用促进其存活,并增强其对常规化疗药物的耐药.整合素是介导细胞与细胞外基质（细胞与非细胞成分）粘连的最主要黏附分子,在细胞增殖、存活等生物学过程中发挥关键作用,但作用机制尚不完全清楚.现就目前揭示的整合素及肿瘤微环境在急性白血病发生、发展中的作用进行综述.     

Foreign bodies in ENT in a teaching hospital in Eastern India

Objective

To evaluate the nature, common sites, modes of presentation of various foreign bodies (FB) in Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT).

Materials and methods

Observational retrospective study carried out at Vivekananda Institute of Medical Sciences, Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratishthan. The study period was between Jan 2006 to Jan 2007. The information obtained from the hospital record books.

Results

Four hundred and eighty-two patients presented in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of Vivekananda Institute of Medical Sciences, in the study period with FB in their ENT. Out of 482 pts, the commonest location of FB was to be in throat with 302 pts (62%) followed by ear with 119 pts (25%) and nose 61 pts (13%). Amongst the FB in throat the commonest was fish bone and the commonest site being tonsils. Artificial denture accounted for a significant number of 13 (4.3%). External auditory canal was the commonest site of FB lodgment in ear found in 118 patients (99.16%). Nasal FB were found in 61 patients; more common in pediatric age group (98.36%).

Conclusion

From this study we have found that FB lodgement is a very common complaint with which patients come to otolaryngologist. The commonest site of FB lodgement is in the throat. Most of the FB could be removed in emergency room (ER) with or without Local Anesthesia.     

Changes in youth smoking participation in California in the 1990s

OBJECTIVE: To identify which key transitions in the adolescent smoking uptake process changed during periods of increasing and decreasing adolescent smoking participation in California. METHODS: Age groups (12-14 and 15-17 years) from longitudinal surveys of California adolescents, conducted in 1993-1996 (prevalence increasing) and in 1996-1999 (prevalence declining), allowed comparisons of transition rates across these periods for: never smokers (committed and susceptible) to any smoking, experimenters to established smokers, and current established smokers to former smokers (15-17-year-olds only). Analyses adjusted for demographics and other baseline environmental influences on adolescents to smoke, with a variable for 'time period' included to test for differential period transition rates. RESULTS: Adjusted analyses indicated a time period effect (1993-1996 versus 1996-1999) on all transitions examined for 12-14-year-olds. For 15-17-year-olds, the time period effect was significant for the transition from committed never smoker to any smoking, but only marginally significant for experimenter to established smoker and from current established to former smoker. CONCLUSION: Adolescent smoking participation appeared to decline at all phases in the smoking uptake process, with generally larger declines in younger adolescents. Intensified public health measures to curb adolescent smoking beginning in the mid 1990s may have been responsible.     

新疆维吾尔族妇女宫颈病变中DAPK表达的研究

[目的]探讨DAPK基因与新疆维吾尔族妇女宫颈病变的相关关系。[方法]选取维吾尔族妇女正常或炎症的宫颈组织30例、CINⅠ30例、CINⅡ/Ⅲ30例、宫颈鳞癌组织30例采用免疫组化SP法检测DAPK蛋白表达;为了进一步验证DAPK蛋白表达水平,采用逆转录聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）法检测正常或炎症的宫颈组织10例、CINⅠ10例、CINⅡ/Ⅲ15例、宫颈鳞癌组织20例中mRNA的表达。[结果]DAPK的蛋白表达率在正常或炎症的宫颈组织、CINⅠ、CINⅡ/Ⅲ、宫颈鳞癌组织中分别为93.3%、83.3%、60.0%、33.3%,SCC组阳性表达率明显减少（P〈0.05）;四组mRNA的表达率分别为90.0%、90.0%、46.7%、10.0%,SCC组阳性表达率明显减少（P〈0.05）。宫颈组织中DAPK在蛋白水平和mRNA水平的表达均和宫颈病变程度成负关（P〈0.05）。[结论]新疆维吾尔族妇女宫颈病变组织中DAPK蛋白和mRNA水平均随病变程度加深而减少;DAPK蛋白检测可能为宫颈癌的早期诊断提供依据。     

Magnesium Sulfate Induced Toxicity in Vitro in AGS Gastric Adenocarcinoma Cells and in Vivo in Mouse Gastric Mucosa

Magnesium sulfate is widely used as a food additive and as an orally administered medication. The aim ofthis study was to evaluate the possible cytotoxicity of magnesium sulfate on AGS human gastric adenocarcinomacells and gastric mucosa in mice. A trypan blue exclusion assay was used to determine the reduction in viabilityof AGS cells exposed to magnesium sulfate, and then effects on cell proliferation were quantified. The role ofmagnesium sulfate-mediated pro-inflammatory cytokine production in AGS cells was also investigated. mRNAexpression for IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α was determined by RT-PCR, and secretion of these cytokines wasmeasured by ELISA. Immunohistochemical evaluation of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α expression was conducted inmouse gastric mucosa. Addition of 3 to 50 mM magnesium sulfate to AGS cells inhibited both cell proliferationand cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Magnesium sulfate had little effect on production of IL-1β or IL-6but significantly inhibited production of IL-8. The animal model demonstrated that magnesium sulfate inducedproduction of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. These preliminary data suggest that magnesium sulfate had a direct effecton the stomach and initiates cytotoxicity in moderate concentrations and time periods by inhibiting viabilitya nd proliferation of AGS cells and by regulating expression and/or release of pro-inflammatory cytokines.     

New frontiers in therapeutic resistance in cancer

Despite advances in personalized medicine and targeted therapies, therapeutic resistance remains a persistent dilemma encountered by clinicians, scientists and patients. In this article we summarize the highlights of the third Quebec Conference on Therapeutic Resistance in Cancer. This unique meeting provided researchers and clinicians with insights into: intrinsic and acquired resistance; tumor heterogeneity; complexities of biomarker-driven trials; challenges of ‘omics data analysis; and models of clinical applications of personalized medicine. Emphasized throughout the conference was the importance of collaborations – between industry and academia, and between basic researchers and clinicians – so that therapeutic resistance can be studied where it matters most, in patients.     

Cryptococcosis in Kashmir. Cryptococcose in Kashmir

Summary:  A case of cryptococcal meningitis in a 42 year old male school teacher having underlying intestinal lymphangiectasia is reported. This is only the second case of cryptococcal infection from Kashmir valley. The isolate was found to belong to Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans serotype A.
Zusammenfassung:  Bericht über einen 42 jährigen Lehrer mit meningealer Cryptococcose bei intestinaler Lymphangiektasie. Es handelt sich bei diesem Bericht um die zweite Mitteilung einer Cryptococcose aus Kaschmir. Als Erreger wurde Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans, Serotyp A nachgewiesen.     

质子肿瘤放射生物学的研究进展

质子是氢原子失去电子后的带正电荷的粒子(H+)。经加速器加速后质子的物理剂量分布较光子有明显的优势。近年来,质子放疗技术虽然已在临床受到广泛的关注与应用,但是鉴于质子放疗技术实验设施少和相关临床研究相对匮乏等原因,目前对质子放疗技术的认识特别是其放射生物学特性以及其与光子放疗的生物学特征的区别等方面尚缺乏全面深入的了解。本文主要针对上述问题展开综述。