Chemopreventive potential of natural compounds in head and neck cancer

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most fatal cancers worldwide. Despite advances in the management of HNSCC, the overall survival for patients has not improved significantly due to advanced stages at diagnosis, high recurrence rate after surgical removal, and second primary tumor development, which underscore the importance of novel strategies for cancer prevention. Cancer chemoprevention, the use of natural or synthetic compounds to prevent, arrest, or reverse the process of carcinogenesis at its earliest stages, aims to reverse premalignancies and prevent second primary tumors. Genomics and proteomics information including initial mutation, cancer promotion, progression, and susceptibility has brought molecularly targeted therapies for drug development. The development of preventive approaches using specific natural or synthetic compounds, or both, requires a depth of understanding of the cross-talk between cancer signaling pathways and networks to retain or enhance chemopreventive activity while reducing known toxic effects. Many natural dietary compounds have been identified with multiple molecular targets, effective in the prevention and treatment of cancer. This review describes recent advances in the understanding of the complex signaling networks driving cancer progression and of molecularly targeted natural compounds under preclinical and clinical investigation.     

Portal vein thrombosis after splenectomy for beta-thalassemia major

Portal vein thrombosis is a recognized complication after splenectomy in beta-thalassemia major due to the chronic hypercoagulable state which has been recognized to exist in childhood thalassemia and contribute to thromboembolic events. We are reporting one patient with beta-thalassemia major developed portal vein thrombosis following splenectomy.     

Growth performance of Bangladeshi affluent school children (5–14 years)

A cross sectional anthropometric survey of 2045 healthy children (5–14 years) of affluent society of Dhaka City was done with the aim to compare their growth with the National Centre for Health Statistics (NCHS) standard. It was found that both weight and height of boys and girls of the studied children fall between 25th to 50th percentile of NCHS standard. In case of boys, body weight deviates below 25th percentile after 12 years whereas mean height is nearly parallel to 50th percentile upto 14 years. In case of girls, the pattern of growth is same except the fall below 25th percentile at the age of 8 and 9 years and the height remains above 25th percentile upto 12 years. It can be concluded that mean growth of affluent Bangladeshi school children is comparable to NCHS standard with minor variations.     

Atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude HSIL: a review of original vs. duplicate thin-layer slides

OBJECTIVE: To assess the utility of consensus review of original ThinPrep slides (Cytyc Corp., Boxborough, Masssachusetts) vs. duplicate slides and to identify the significance of the number of representative cells in classifying atypical squamous metaplastic cells, cannot exclude high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (ASC-H). STUDY DESIGN: A duplicate ThinPrep slide was prepared from 19 cases of ASC-H. Both original and duplicate slides underwent blinded review by 4 pathologists. Consensus cytologic interpretations (75% agreement) were noted and compared with follow-up diagnoses. Dots with atypical metaplastic cells from each slide were counted and correlated with the consensus cytologic interpretation. RESULTS: Following review of 19 original and 19 duplicate slides, consensus interpretations were reached in 14 and 15 cases, respectively. Nine cases of squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) were confirmed by biopsies. Consensus interpretation of original and duplicate slides predicted 7 and 6 cases of SIL, respectively. Consensus interpretation of duplicate slides predicted 60% of histologically benign cases. Two-thirds of nonconsensus cases were histologically benign. Consensus interpretations for high grade SIL were reached more often on slides with greater numbers of atypical squamous metaplastic cells. Fewer abnormal cells were present on the duplicate slides. CONCLUSION: Consensus reviews of original and duplicate slides are equally useful in classifying atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, but may not be practical in all circumstances. HPV DNA testing of all such cases may better detect clinically significant cases.     

A role for SHPS-1/SIRPalpha in Concanavalin A-dependent production of MMP-9

SHPS-1/SIRPalpha1 is a transmembrane glycoprotein that belongs to the immunoglobulin (Ig) super family. In the present study, we show that SHPS-1 strongly associates with Concanavalin A (Con A), a plant lectin obtained from jack beans. Further studies with SHPS-1 mutants reveal that the extracellular domain of SHPS-1 containing the Ig sequence is responsible for its association with Con A. Con A treatment induces cross-linking and multimerization of the SHPS-1 protein in the plasma membrane, accompanied by its tyrosine phosphorylation and recruitment of SHP-2. In contrast, Ricinus communis agglutinin (RCA), another lectin obtained from castor bean, does not bind or activate tyrosine phosphorylation of SHPS-1. Moreover, Con A activates Akt in a SHP-2-dependent manner. Treatment of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) with Con A induces secretion of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, a phenomenon that is inhibited in cells expressing YF mutant of SHPS-1, a dominant negative form of Akt or in cells pre-treated with an Akt inhibitor, LY294002 or extracellular-signal regulated kinase (Erk) inhibitor, U0126. In addition, expression of the YF mutant of SHPS-1 inhibits Con A-dependent activation of Akt and Erk kinases. Taken together, our results suggest that SHPS-1 is a receptor for Con A that mediates Con A-dependent MMP-9 secretion through SHP-2-promoted activation of both Akt and Erk pathways.     

Socioeconomic factors differentiating maternal and child health-seeking behavior in rural Bangladesh: A cross-sectional analysis

Background  

There has been an increasing availability and accessibility of modern health services in rural Bangladesh over the past decades. However, previous studies on the socioeconomic differentials in the utilization of these services were based on a limited number of factors, focusing either on preventive or on curative modern health services. These studies failed to collect data from remote rural areas of the different regions to examine the socioeconomic differentials in health-seeking behavior.     

Unilateral pelvic mass presenting in postmenopausal patients: report of two unusual cases

We encountered 2 unusual cases of polypoid endometriosis presenting as unilateral ovarian masses. The first was benign and was found in a 57-year-old postmenopausal patient; the second case gave rise to well-differentiated endometrioid carcinoma in an 80-year-old patient. The second patient also had a superficially invasive endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the endometrium arising in a background of complex atypical hyperplasia. Intraoperative evaluation was requested in both cases.     

The presence and location of epithelial implants and implants with epithelial proliferation may predict a higher risk of recurrence in serous borderline ovarian tumors: a clinicopathologic study of 188 cases

Serous borderline ovarian tumors have a favorable prognosis, and recurrences are uncommon. The factors influencing recurrence are not fully understood. Epithelial inclusions are identified in serous borderline ovarian tumors and are traditionally referred to as epithelial implants, which often show epithelial proliferation. We investigated whether the presence of epithelial implant and epithelial proliferation portends a higher risk for recurrence of serous borderline ovarian tumors in patients who underwent surgical removal of these tumors. Also examined was whether the anatomical site of epithelial implant and epithelial proliferation was associated with a higher risk of recurrence. One hundred eighty-eight cases of pure serous or predominantly serous borderline ovarian tumors were studied for the presence of epithelial implant and epithelial proliferation, and subsequent recurrences were recorded. The anatomical sites of epithelial implant and epithelial proliferation were compared between serous borderline ovarian tumors with or without recurrence. Statistical analysis was performed using the χ(2) test. Epithelial implant was noted in 106 cases (56%), and epithelial proliferation, in 26 cases (14%). Recurrence was identified in 10.4% cases with epithelial implant and 23% cases with epithelial proliferation. Statistical analyses of patients with recurrence showed significant differences in the following groups: epithelial implant versus no epithelial implant (P < .025) and epithelial proliferation versus no epithelial implant (P < .001). Recurrence rates were higher in the epithelial implant and epithelial proliferation groups as compared with no epithelial implant or epithelial proliferation groups. Epithelial implant and epithelial proliferation appear to pose a statistically significantly higher risk of recurrence in serous borderline ovarian tumors as compared with the absence of epithelial implant. Although the anatomical location of such implants was not significantly associated with a higher risk, the presence of epithelial proliferation at multiple sites was more frequently seen in recurrent serous borderline ovarian tumors.