Prevalence of HER2 Expression and Its Correlation with Clinicopathological Parameters in Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma in North-East Indian Population

Objective: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (erbb2/HER2) overexpression, has now been implicatedin advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers. The study was conducted to determine the rate of HER2positivity in patients with locally advanced or metastatic gastric and gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma in North-EastIndia and to assess the impact of various demographic and clinical parameters on HER2 positivity. Methods: A total of68 patients of age >18 years of gastric and gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma diagnosed on histopathological examinationfrom September 2016 to February 2018 at Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute, Assam were enrolled for the observational(epidemiological) study. All patients were subjected to the HER2 immunohistochemistry test using a FDA-approved,standardized test kit. HER2 expression was correlated with various demographic and clinicopathological parameters.Results: The overall rate of HER2 positivity in the population studied was 56% (n=38). The rate was non-significantlyhigher in male, older age group (>60 years) and Hindu population. Similarly, HER2 positivity rate was higher in patientswith well differentiated histology and was more common in patients with stage II and III diseases, but neither of theassociations is statistically significant. HER2 positivity rate was significantly higher in proximal and in GEJ tumours(56% versus 44%, P=0.002). Conclusion: HER2 overexpression was evident in 56% of the North-East Indian patientswith locally advanced and metastatic gastric and gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. The overexpression correlatedsignificantly with primary tumour site. Routine testing of gastric and gastroesophageal tumours for HER2 expressionis recommended to provide a therapeutic advantage in Indian patients.     

Gastric Cancer and Paraneoplastic Pemphigus

Paraneoplastic pemphigus is a relatively rare but significant acquired autoimmune mucocutaneous disorder that is characterised by diffuse erythema, painful blistering and sores of the skin and mucus membranes. The underlying pathogenesis is believed to be triggered by altered immune system in response to underlying neoplasm. The manifestations can predate, occur at the same time or after the diagnosis of cancer. Associations with gastric cancer have only been reported twice. A 78-year-old lady presented with a month’s history of extensive skin lesions that started off as bullous lesions and biopsy revealed bullous pemphigus. Endoscopy for anemia revealed gastric cancer. This case reinforced the need to consider underlying malignancy in elderly patient with new onset dermatological presentation.     

动物瘢痕模型的相关研究进展

皮肤损伤后的异常愈合会导致病理性瘢痕的产生。病理性瘢痕的出现不仅影响美观,严重时还会造成心理和生理功能障碍。病理性瘢痕的机制研究对于瘢痕治疗有极为重要的意义。其中,动物瘢痕模型是目前研究病理性瘢痕的重要模型手段之一。理想的动物瘢痕模型应该在组织学、细胞学等层面尽可能接近于人类的病理性瘢痕。该文分别从传统技术动物瘢痕中的啮齿类动物模型、兔耳模型和猪模型,以及新技术动物瘢痕模型这两个方面,结合近年来在瘢痕领域应用较多的研究,进行了相应系统的阐述。     

Nerve ultrasound reference data in children from two to seven years

ObjectiveWe examined selected peripheral and spinal nerves of children aged between two and seven years.MethodHigh resolution ultrasound was performed in 116 children (2–7 years of age) at 19 predefined landmarks of median, ulnar, tibial, fibular, sural and radial nerves, the vagus as well as cervical spinal nerve 5 and 6. Further, side-to-side measuring and grey-scale analysis was done at selected nerve sites.ResultsNerves of children were on average smaller than those of adults. Nerve growth correlates significantly with age in all nerves, the mean values were similar in the age of two to four years and five to seven years. Body mass index (BMI) and gender showed moderate effect at some nerve sites, however not uniformly in all. A side-to-side difference of up to 30% in median, and up to 20% in tibial nerve can occur in healthy individuals. Grey-scale analysis for echointensity has been performed in median, ulnar and tibial nerves.ConclusionNerve size increases with age, BMI and gender have moderate effect. A side-to-side-difference of up to 30% can exist.SignificanceReference values of nerve cross-sectional area, side-to-side-difference and echo intensity are necessary to detect nerve pathology in children as well as in adults.     

Resistin is elevated in cystic fibrosis sputum and correlates negatively with lung function

Background

Resistin is an immunometabolic mediator that is elevated in several inflammatory disorders. A ligand for Toll-like receptor 4, resistin modulates the recruitment and activation of myeloid cells, notably neutrophils. Neutrophils are major drivers of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease, in part due to the release of human neutrophil elastase- and myeloperoxidase-rich primary granules, leading to tissue damage. Here we assessed the relationship of resistin to CF lung disease.

Risk for Upgrade to Malignancy After Breast Core Needle Biopsy Diagnosis of Lobular Neoplasia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PurposeLobular neoplasia (LN) detected on breast core needle biopsy is frequently managed with surgical excision because of concern for undersampled malignancy. The authors performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the risk for upgrade to malignancy in the setting of imaging-concordant classic LN diagnosed on core biopsy.MethodsPubMed and Embase were searched for original articles published from 1998 to 2020 that reported rates of upgrade to malignancy for classic LN, including atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH) and classic lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). Two reviewers extracted study data and assessed the following quality criteria: exclusion of variant LCIS, exclusion of imaging-discordant lesions, and outcome reporting for ≥70% of lesions. For studies meeting all criteria, pooled risks for upgrade to any malignancy (invasive carcinoma or ductal carcinoma in situ) and invasive malignancy for all LN, ALH, and LCIS were estimated using random-effects models.ResultsFor 65 full-text articles included in the review, the risk for upgrade to any malignancy ranged from 0% to 45%. Among the 16 studies that met all quality criteria for the meta-analysis, pooled risks for upgrade to any malignancy were 3.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8%-5.2%) for all LN, 2.5% (95% CI, 1.6%-3.9%) for ALH, and 5.8% (95% CI, 2.9%-11.3%) for LCIS. Risks for upgrade to invasive malignancy were 1.3% (95% CI, 0.7%-2.4%) for all LN, 0.4% (95% CI, 0.0%-4.2%) for ALH, and 3.5% (95% CI, 2.0%-5.9%) for LCIS.ConclusionsThe risk for upgrade to malignancy for LN found on breast biopsy is low. Imaging surveillance can likely be offered as an alternative to surgical management for LN, particularly for ALH.     

Current status of peptic ulcer disease in Port Harcourt metropolis,Nigeria

BackgroundEpidemiological studies on peptic ulcer disease (PUD) have shown a recent decrease in hospital admissions in Western countries.ObjectiveThis paper aimed to study the current status and risk factors of PUD in a Nigerian metropolis.MethodsA cross-sectional study of symptomatic patients at upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy diagnosed with PUD from February 2014 to September 2019 at a referral endoscopy facility in Port Harcourt, Niger delta region of Nigeria. The variables studied included demographics, symptoms and duration, blood group, chronic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) use, smoking, endoscopic and histology findings. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20.ResultsA total of 434 upper GI endoscopies were performed during the study period with thirty-one diagnosis of PUD made. The mean age of gastric ulcer (GU) and duodenal ulcer (DU) cases were 54.4 ± 20.2yrs and 48.1 ± 14.5yrs respectively (p = 0.367). GU to DU ratio was 1.4:1. H. pylori infection, chronic NSAID use and blood group O were seen in 7(22.5%), 8(25.8%) and 18(72.0%) respectively. Major indication in 21(67.7%) cases was gastrointestinal bleeding.ConclusionThere is a low diagnostic rate of PUD (6.7%) with pre-pyloric antral gastric ulcers as most common type and multifactorial aetiology.