Up-regulation of Flotillin-2 is associated with melanoma progression and modulates expression of the thrombin receptor protease activated receptor 1

Flotillin 2 (flot-2) is a highly conserved protein isolated from caveolae/lipid raft domains that tether growth factor receptors linked to signal transduction pathways. Flot-2 protein and mRNA were increased in tumorigenic and metastatic melanoma cell lines in vitro, and the immunostaining intensity increased substantially across a tissue array of melanocytic lesions. Flot-2 transfection transformed SB2 melanoma cells from nontumorigenic, nonmetastatic to highly tumorigenic and metastatic in a nude mouse xenograft model. SB2 cells stably transfected with the flot-2 cDNA (SB2-flot)-2 cells proliferated faster in the absence of serum, and their migration through Matrigel was additionally enhanced by thrombin. When SB2-flot-2 cells were compared with SB2-vector-control cells on a cancer gene pathway array, SB2-flot-2 cells had increased expression of protease activated receptor 1 (PAR-1) mRNA, a transmembrane, G-protein-coupled receptor involved in melanoma progression. PAR-1 and flot-2 were coimmunoprecipitated from SB2-flot-2 cells. Up-regulation of PAR-1 was additionally confirmed in SB2-flot-2 cells and melanoma cell lines. SB2-flot-2 cells transfected with flot-2-specific small-interfering RNAs made substantially less flot-2 and PAR-1 mRNA. In conclusion, flot-2 overexpression is associated with melanoma progression, with increased PAR-1 expression, and with transformation of SB2 melanoma cells to a highly metastatic line. Flot-2 binds to PAR-1, a known upstream mediator of major signal transduction pathways implicated in cell growth and metastasis, and may thereby influence tumor progression.     

Intraperitoneal therapy as consolidation for patients with ovarian cancer and negative reassessment after platinum-based chemotherapy

Although three large phase III trials have documented the benefit of IP chemotherapy, this therapy as consolidation has been studied in only a few pilot studies. These small studies have included patients with a variety of baseline prognostic characteristics, and only one series had a comparator group of surgically documented pathologic complete response to uniform systemic chemotherapy. No randomized trials have been done to assess the impact of IP consolidation on progression-free survival or survival in either positively or negatively reassessed patients. It is hoped that the current experience will trigger further consideration of future phase III trials to assess the value of IP consolidation after initial induction with chemotherapy (ie, chemical debulking).     

Osteolipoma of the skull base

Although lipomas are the most common benign tumours of the head and neck, the involvement of the skull base is rare and it is also very rare for a lipoma to undergo osseous metaplasia to become an ossifying lipoma or osteolipoma. We present a case of a solitary osteolipoma involving the skull base in a 17-year-old girl. A few cases of osteolipoma involving the head and neck have been reported, but this may be the first reported case of a solitary osteolipoma involving the skull base with extension to the infratemporal fossa and parapharyngeal space. The computed tomography (CT) scan helped to clinch the diagnosis and the histopathology confirmed it. The clinical presentation, role of CT scan, surgical approach used, histological features and the review of literature are discussed.     

Sinonasal epithelial-Myoepithelial carcinoma-A rare entity

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma is a rare salivary gland tumor. It comprises less than 1% of all salivary gland tumors. It generally arises from the parotid gland. Unusual sites of occurrence include sinonasal tract, lung, trachea, lacrimal gland and breast. Histopathologically epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma comprises a dual population of ductal and myoepithelial cells. We report an extremely rare case of epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma occurring in the sinonasal tract of young man.     

Olfactory neuroblastoma — our experience

The authors present six cases of olfactory neuroblastoma with or without intracranial extension operated on by the team headed by Otolaryngologists and Neurosurgeons. Data was analysed with respect lo age group, sex, presenting symptoms and signs, stage, and results of combined modality of treatment. The author’s experience suggests excellent local control can be achieved by combined craniofacial resection followed by radiation therapy. Hence the authors recommend planned combined radical treatment for all the resectable lesions and routine use of nasal endoscope along with other conventional methods for compehensive follow-up of all cases.     

Knowledge,attitude, beliefs and practices in HIV/AIDS in India: identifying the gender and rural–urban differences

ObjectiveTo promote the use of preventive measures and raise awareness regarding HIV/AIDS in India.MethodsData from the population-based NFHS-3 survey 2005-06 was used. In this study, information collected on 87 961 women aged 15-49 years and 44 717 men aged 15-54 years was used in the final analysis. The data collected was stratified by gender and place of residence. Analyses of the variables related to the outcomes i.e. knowledge, attitude, belief and practices, was conducted using Chi-square test to calculate significant differences among proportions of categorical variables.ResultsWe found that knowledge of HIV transmission and prevention was low among women and rural residents. Most of the respondents had a non-discriminatory attitude towards HIV positives and majority agreed that children should be educated on HIV/AIDS. The use of condoms and proportion of respondents who had undergone HIV testing was found to be significantly low. We found a significant gap in the beliefs regarding ways to avoid HIV.ConclusionsThere are significant gender and urban-rural differentials in India in terms of knowledge, attitude, beliefs and practices in HIV/AIDS. Information dissemination in India should be designed in a way that not only raises the level of awareness but also result in behavioral change.     

Recurrent metastasi zing neuroendocrine tumor of paranasal sinuses

Neuroendocrine tumours- their rare occurrence and propensity for recurrences can undoubtedly pose as a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma. A case report of one such case with recurrence and bony metastasis is presented.     

KTP Laser assisted microendoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy and web excision for dysphagia management

Cricopharyngeal dysfunction is defined as the delayed or incomplete relaxation of the cricopharyngeal muscle during swallowing. This may cause dysphagia and aspiration, affecting the quality of life. For this condition, injection of botulinum toxin into the cricopharyngeus, dilatation of cricopharynx with bougies and external cricopharyngeal myotomy have been the treatment of choice with varying results. We present in this paper the treatment of this clinical condition by KTP 532 laser a recent advance in the field of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery. Very few series have been reported in literature so far regarding the use of laser for cricopharyngeal myotomy. This is perhaps the first series of eight cases of KTP laser assisted microendoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy and web excision reporting the benefit of this treatment by an Indian author in an Indian Journal. KTP laser assisted cricopharyngeal myotomy avoids an external scar; aids precise incision at the cricopharynx by direct visualization, brings optimum results in deglutition and reduces postoperative morbidity and complications. The short hospital stay reduces the overall cost. The use of KTP 532 laser in the treatment of selected cases with cricopharyngeal dysfunction is therefore safe and effective.     

Anterior skull base surgery— our experience

Anterior skull base surgery is now an accepted treatment modality for many lesions involving the anterior skull base including the pituitory region. This paper deals with a fifteen year experience over various approaches to the anterior skull base, and thereby trying to rationalize the appropriate approach for the tumours in different anatomical situations. Relevant literature has also been reviewed.