Prevalence of COVID-19 among blood donors: The Jordan University of Science and Technology experience

The corona virus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, had health and economic results that profoundly affected communities worldwide. Investigating the seroprevalence of SARS-Cov-2 in blood donors is of a significant clinical and scientific value as it adds to knowledge about local herd immunity levels.To study the prevalence of SARS-Cov-2 infection among blood donors at a tertiary referral hospital in the north of Jordan.This is a prospective study that included all blood donors between September 2020 and March 2021. Donors’ IgG antibodies were qualitatively immunoassayed to determine the antibody status against SARS-CoV-2. The Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 technique was utilized.One thousand samples were tested by total antibody against SARS-CoV-2. The median age was 29 years, 96.7% were males. The seroprevalence was 14.5%, and 80% of the positive participants did not report previous COVID-19 infection. The seroprevalence of COVID-19 antibodies was less among smokers and those with an O blood group and higher among donors with an AB blood group.The prevalence of COVID-19 among healthy young blood donors at a tertiary teaching health facility in the north of Jordan was 14.5%. Smokers and those with an O blood group were less likely to be seropositive, as opposed to donors with an AB blood group.     

Expression of Senescence and Apoptosis Biomarkers in Synchronous Bilateral Breast Cancer: A Case Report

Background: Synchronous bilateral breast cancer (SBBC) provides a special condition where two independent breast tumors are exposed to cancer pharmacotherapy within a uniform pharmacokinetic milieu. Both senescence and apoptosis are established responses to therapy; however, they have potentially variable contributions to the overall outcome of treatment, which are yet to be determined. Methods: In this report, we describe the clinicopathological picture of two SBBC cases that received standard anticancer treatment and assess their expression profile of several molecular hallmarks of senescence and apoptosis. Results: Our analysis identified that synchronous tumors have variable expression profiles of both senescence- and apoptosis-associated biomarkers, despite comparable pathological responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and current survival rates. Conclusions: Our results highlight the variable expression of senescence- and apoptosis-associated markers in breast tumors (despite the shared somatic genetic background) and invites a large-scale assessment of both senescence and apoptosis in breast cancer tissue in vivo and their contribution to the pathological response and overall survival.     

Clinical Impact of Overexpression of FOXP3 and WT1 on Disease Outcome in Egyptian Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients

Background: In the last decade, it has become clear that change of gene expression may alter the hematopoietic cell quiescent state and consequently play a major role in leukemogenesis. WT1 is known to be a player in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and FOXP3 has a crucial role in regulating the immune response. Objectives: To evaluate the impact of overexpression of WT1and FOXP3 genes on clinical course in adult and pediatric AML patients in Egypt. Patients and methods: Bone marrow and peripheral blood samples were obtained from 97 de novo non M3 AML patients (63 adult and 34 pediatric). Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect overexpression WT1 and FOXP3 genes. Patient follow up ranged from 0.2 to 39.0 months with a median of 5 months. Results: In the pediatric group; WT1 was significantly expressed with a high total leukocyte count median 50X109/L (p=0.018). In the adult group, WT1 had an adverse impact on complete remission induction, disease-free survival and overall survival (p=0.02, p=0.035, p=0.019 respectively). FOXP3 overexpression was associated with FAB subtypes AML M0 +M1 vs. M2, M4+M5 (p =0.039) and the presence of hepatomegaly (p=0.005). Conclusions: WT1 and FOXP3 overexpression has an adverse impact on clinical presentation, treatment response and survival of pediatric and adult Egyptian AML patients.     

Management Strategies for Locoregional Recurrence in Early-Stage Gastric Cancer: Retrospective Analysis and Comprehensive Literature Review

Objective

To present a comprehensive account and literature review addressing the anatomical distribution, natural history, and management strategies for locoregional recurrence in early-stage gastric cancer (EGC).

Patients and methods

Retrospective chart review of patients presenting with EGC recurrence at King Hussein Cancer Center (Amman, Jordan) between July 2006 and May 2009. A literature review of publications addressing recurrence following surgery for EGC was undertaken via a systematic search of PUBMED database and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guideline updates.

Results

Seventeen patients presented with EGC, three of whom (17.6%) were pathologically staged as T2N1 [1/33 lymph nodes (LNs)], T1N0, and T1N0 were afflicted by recurrence following R0 partial gastrectomy. Literature review yielded 18 studies specifically addressing recurrence in EGC. Several management strategies have been proposed for isolated recurrence following gastrectomy in EGC. NCCN clinical practice guideline updates do not take into consideration whether the recurrence is isolated or widespread and whether the initial stage is early or advanced.

Conclusions

While acknowledging the limitations of this study, including the small sample size and the short follow-up period, it appears clear that oncologic treatment is possible for EGC recurrence, particularly, in patients with isolated relapse. Guideline updates should differentiate between management strategies suitable for recurrence occurring in early versus advanced initial cancer stage.     

Enucleation for retinoblastoma: the experience of a single center in Jordan

Despite multiple advances in the management of retinoblastoma, enucleation remains an essential therapeutic modality. We studied patients who underwent enucleation at the King Hussein Cancer Center in Jordan. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of children with retinoblastoma who were treated at our center from June 2002 to February 2008. Twenty-eight eyes from 27 patients were enucleated. Median age at diagnosis was 1.1 years (range, 0.3–6.3 years). Twenty-six eyes (93%) had advanced disease (RE groups IV and V). Seventeen patients (61%) had unilateral retinoblastoma, and 11 (39%) had bilateral retinoblastoma. The median time from diagnosis to enucleation was 0.45 months (range, 0–45 months; mean, 4.4 months) and was longer for patients with bilateral retinoblastoma (median, 2.2 vs. 0.2 months; P = 0.034). Twenty enucleated eyes (71%) did not show high-risk pathologic features. Seventeen eyes with advanced intraocular disease were enucleated at the time of presentation, whereas chemoreduction was attempted for the other 19 eyes with advanced intraocular disease. Enucleation was then recommended for nine (47%) of those eyes. Enucleation at the time of diagnosis was feasible for most patients with advanced disease. Attempted salvage of eyes with advanced disease is justified, particularly in patients with bilateral disease. We were able to salvage almost half of these eyes. We hope our study provides new insights for counseling patients.