Persistence of Natural Killer (NK) cell lymphocytosis with hyposplenism without development of leukaemia

Background  

Natural killer (NK) cell lymphocytosis usually has an indolent course and can progress into massive lymphocytosis with development of cytopenias and neoplastic diseases. NK-cells usually express one or more "NK-associated" antigens (CD16, CD56, CD57). Reactive expansions are seen in autoimmune diseases, viral infections, solid tumours and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.     

A non-catecholamine-producing sympathetic paraganglioma of the spermatic cord: the importance of performing candidate gene mutation analysis

Background  

Catecholamine-producing tumours are called pheochromocytomas when they are located in the adrenal gland and sympathetic paragangliomas when they are located elsewhere in the abdomen. Rarely these tumours do not produce catecholamines and even more rarely they arise in the spermatic cord. Over the past decade, systematic mutation analysis of apparently sporadic cases of pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas has elucidated the frequent presence of germ line mutations in one of five candidate genes, including RET, VHL, SDHB, SDHC, and SDHD.     

pRb2/p130 protein expression and RBL2 mutation analysis in Burkitt lymphoma from Uganda

Background  

The members of the retinoblastoma protein family, pRb, p107 and pRb2 (p130), are central players in controlling the cell cycle. Whereas disturbed function of pRb is commonly seen in human cancers, it is still an open question whether pRb2 is involved in tumorigenic processes. However, altered subcellular localization of pRb2 and mutations in the pRb2-encoding gene RBL2 have been described for some tumours, including Burkitt lymphomas (BL).     

No germline mutations in supposed tumour suppressor genes <Emphasis Type="Italic">SAFB1</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">SAFB2</Emphasis>in familial breast cancer with linkage to 19p

Background  

The scaffold attachment factor B1 and B2 genes, SAFB1/SAFB2 (both located on chromosome 19p13.3) have recently been suggested as tumour suppressor genes involved in breast cancer development. The assumption was based on functional properties of the two genes and loss of heterozygosity of intragenic markers in breast tumours further strengthened the postulated hypothesis. In addition, linkage studies in Swedish breast cancer families also indicate the presence of a susceptibility gene for breast cancer at the 19p locus. Somatic mutations in SAFB1/SAFB2 have been detected in breast tumours, but to our knowledge no studies on germline mutations have been reported. In this study we investigated the possible involvement of SAFB1/SAFB2 on familiar breast cancer by inherited mutations in either of the two genes.     

Morphological spectrum of renal cell carcinoma,unclassified: an analysis of 136 cases

Aims

Renal cell carcinoma, unclassified (RCCU) is a category that includes a morphologically and biologically heterogeneous group of tumours that are unable to be diagnosed as other well‐defined entities. We aim to describe the morphological findings of tumours within this category and to determine the most frequent morphological features leading to classification difficulty.

Methods and results

One hundred and thirty‐six cases of RCCU were examined. Patients ranged in age from 23 to 87 years. Seventy‐seven patients were men and 59 were women. International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade was most commonly 3 (n = 66), followed by 2 (n = 42) and 4 (n = 28). Tumour size ranged from 0.6 to 24.9 cm. The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) pathological T categories included pT1a (n = 50), pT1b (n = 14), pT2a (n = 7), pT2b (n = 4), pT3a (n = 50) and pT4 (n = 9). Forty‐four cases included lymph node(s), 41% of which (n = 18) had metastases. Tumours were assessed for a variety of histological features and assigned to the following morphological groups: predominantly oncocytoma/chromophobe RCC‐like; clear cell RCC‐like; papillary RCC‐like; collecting duct‐like; and pure sarcomatoid differentiation. The majority of the oncocytoma/chromophobe and clear cell RCC‐like phenotypes were low stage (pT1 or pT2). The papillary RCC‐like, collecting duct‐like and pure sarcomatoid phenotypes were mainly high stage (pT3 or pT4).

Conclusions

Renal cell carcinoma, unclassified is a term that encompasses tumours with a variety of morphological features and a wide biological spectrum. The most common source of diagnostic difficulty was tumours composed of predominantly eosinophilic cells.     

Morphologic and immunophenotypic evidence of in-situ Kaposi's sarcoma

Background  

The spectrum of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) has been expanded to include pre-KS lesions.     

Prospective investigation of complementary and alternative medicine use and subsequent hospitalizations

Background  

The prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use has been estimated to be as high as 65% in some populations. However, there has been little objective research into the possible risks or benefits of unmanaged CAM therapies.     

The calcium-binding protein S100P in normal and malignant human tissues

Background  

S100P is a Ca²⁺ binding protein overexpressed in a variety of cancers, and thus, has been considered a potential tumor biomarker. Very little has been studied about its normal expression and functions.     

Overstating the evidence – double counting in meta-analysis and related problems

Background  

The problem of missing studies in meta-analysis has received much attention. Less attention has been paid to the more serious problem of double counting of evidence.     

En-Gendering Choice: Preferences for Exercising in Gender-Segregated and Gender-Integrated Groups and Consideration of Overweight Status

Background  

Understanding the contextual preferences that people have for engaging in a health-enhancing physical activity has been identified as particularly important, as these preferences have been implicated in the maintenance of active lifestyle behaviors.     

Chemopreventive potential of β-Sitosterol in experimental colon cancer model - an <Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">In vivo</Emphasis> study

Background  

Asclepias curassavica Linn. is a traditional medicinal plant used by tribal people in the western ghats, India, to treat piles, gonorrhoea, roundworm infestation and abdominal tumours. We have determined the protective effect of β-sitosterol isolated from A. curassavica in colon cancer, using in vitro and in vivo models.     

Deconstructing patient centred communication and uncovering shared decision making: an observational study

Background  

Patient centred communication (PCC) has been described as a method for doctor-patient communication. The principles of shared decision making (SDM) have been proposed more recently.     

A reliability and validity study of the Palliative Performance Scale

Background  

The Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) was first introduced in1996 as a new tool for measurement of performance status in palliative care. PPS has been used in many countries and has been translated into other languages.     

The Relationship Between Life Satisfaction and Health Behavior: A Cross-cultural Analysis of Young Adults

Background  

Positive well-being has been associated with a range of favorable health outcomes. The contribution of health-promoting behaviors is unclear.     

Socioeconomic Indicators and Cardiovascular Disease Incidence Among Japanese Community Residents: The Jichi Medical School Cohort Study

Background  

There has been little research in inequalities in risk of cardiovascular disease incidence by social class in Asia.     

Clinical research evidence of cupping therapy in China: a systematic literature review

Background  

Though cupping therapy has been used in China for thousands of years, there has been no systematic summary of clinical research on it.     

Cardiac Stress Reactivity and Recovery of Novelty Seekers

Background  

Novelty seeking temperament has been associated with higher coronary heart disease risk factors, but the mechanism behind the association is open. Cardiac stress response is a potential candidate.     

Biopsychosocial Predictors of Pain,Disability, Health Care Consumption,and Sick Leave in First-Episode and Long-Term Back Pain: A Longitudinal Study in the General Population

Background  

Long-term outcome in back pain is related mainly to cognitive factors such as pain-related beliefs and expectations. Most research has been performed on patient samples.     

Beyond logistic regression: structural equations modelling for binary variables and its application to investigating unobserved confounders

Background  

Structural equation modelling (SEM) has been increasingly used in medical statistics for solving a system of related regression equations. However, a great obstacle for its wider use has been its difficulty in handling categorical variables within the framework of generalised linear models.