Angiogenin up-regulation correlates with adverse clinicopathological and biological factors, increased microvascular density and poor patient outcome in neuroblastomas

Dungwa J V, Uparkar U, May M T & Ramani P
(2012) Histopathology  60, 911–923 Angiogenin up‐regulation correlates with adverse clinicopathological and biological factors, increased microvascular density and poor patient outcome in neuroblastomas Aims: As new biomarkers are urgently needed to identify children with high‐risk neuroblastoma (NB), we studied the contribution of angiogenin (ANG) to angiogenesis and its association with clinicopathological and biological features and patient outcome in NB. Methods and results: Ninety NBs and 12 ganglioneuromas (GNs) were immunostained for ANG and CD31. ANG expression in NB tumoral cells (ANG scores) and vessels [ANG microvascular density (MVD)] and total MVD (CD31 MVD) were determined. The ANG score was significantly greater in NBs than in GNs (P = 0.015) and in NBs from children with stage 4 tumours, high‐risk disease, unfavourable pathology (P < 0.001 for each), MYCN amplification (P = 0.003), and 1p deletion (P = 0.002). ANG scores correlated with ANG MVD and CD31 MVD (P < 0.001 for each). Total ANG and CD31 protein levels, measured with a sensitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, were highly correlated (P = 0.003). High ANG scores were associated with decreased overall and event‐free survival (log‐rank test, P = 0.025 and P = 0.018, respectively). High ANG MVD was associated with decreased overall and event‐free survival (log‐rank test, P = 0.009 and P = 0.026, respectively). High CD31 MVD was associated with decreased event‐free survival (P = 0.045). Conclusions: The strong correlation of ANG up‐regulation with total MVD and adverse clinicopathological and biological factors indicates that ANG supports growth and progression in NB.     

Oral squamous cell carcinoma: overview of current understanding of aetiopathogenesis and clinical implications

MEDLINE contains well over 14 000 papers revealed by a search using keywords 'oral squamous cell cancer' or 'oral squamous cell carcinoma', over 27 000 using 'oral carcinoma' and over 48 000 using the keywords 'oral cancer'. It is difficult to see how clinicians could keep abreast of such a subject. This paper attempts to help by providing an overview of the aetiopathogenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), discussing changes in epidemiology and increasing awareness of the wide range of risk factors, emphasising the genetic background to cancer susceptibility and the genetic changes associated with progression to OSCC and highlighting clinical implications.     

Malignant lymphoma of the head and neck

Oral Diseases (2010) 16 , 119–128 Malignant lymphomas represent approximately 5% of all malignant neoplasms of the head and neck area. They are classically divided into two subgroups, Hodgkin’s lymphomas (HLs) and non‐Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHLs). We describe the clinical characteristics of head and neck lymphomas and the methods to establish the diagnosis. The World Health Organization classification of lymphoid tissues describes more than 50 different histological types, and we analyse the most common staging system for lymphomas, the Ann Arbor staging system. Finally, the different therapeutic approaches are discussed.     

Temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure changes associated with clinical MR imaging at 1.5 T

Temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure responses to high-field-strength magnetic resonance (MR) imaging were studied in 50 patients who underwent procedures at exposures to radiofrequency radiation above the present recommended whole-body average specific absorption rate (SAR) of 0.4 W/kg. Body temperature significantly increased an average of 0.2 degrees C. The highest body temperature recorded after MR imaging was 37.5 degrees C. There was no significant correlation between the change (before and after imaging) in body temperature and whole-body average SARs. Changes in skin temperatures were variable, depending on anatomic site. The largest change was 3.5 degrees C, and the highest skin temperature recorded after imaging was 35.1 degrees C. There was a modest correlation between the change in skin temperatures and whole-body average SARs. Average heart rate and average mean blood pressure measured immediately before imaging were not significantly different afterward. High-field-strength MR imaging at the whole-body average SARs of 0.42-1.2 W/kg studied was not associated with any temperature- or hemodynamic-related deleterious effects.