Loss of Wnt-5a protein is associated with early relapse in invasive ductal breast carcinomas.

Previous in vitro studies have implied that the Wnt-5a gene plays a role as a tumor suppressor. To explore the clinical relevance of this concept, 96 primary invasive breast carcinomas were stained with a novel anti-Wnt-5a antibody. Loss of Wnt-5a protein expression, evident in 44% of the invasive ductal carcinomas (n = 59), was significantly associated with higher histological grade (P = 0.01) and absence of estrogen (P = 0.003) and progesterone (P = 0.02) receptors. By contrast, loss of Wnt-5a protein in 24% of the invasive lobular carcinomas (n = 37) was not significantly related to any of the variables we investigated. The prognostic value of Wnt-5a for metastatic potential was evaluated by analyzing 83 additional invasive primary ductal carcinomas from patients with a longer follow-up time. We found that Wnt-5a expression was lost in tumors from 78% of the patients with recurrent disease (n = 32) compared with 35% of the recurrence-free patients (n = 51; P < 0.001), and that recurrence-free survival was significantly shorter in the Wnt-5a-negative group (P < 0.001). In multivariate analyses, loss of Wnt-5a expression proved to be an independent and powerful predictor of recurrence after adjustment for lymph node status and tumor size (hazard ratio = 4.8; P = 0.002). Our results show that loss of Wnt-5a increases the risk of early relapse and death because of recurrent ductal breast cancer, findings that support the notion that this protein retains tumor suppressor function by virtue of its effects on cell adhesion and motility.     

Bumetanide reduces seizure frequency in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy

Alterations in the balance of K‐Na‐2Cl cotransporter (NKCC1) and Na‐Cl cotransporter (KCC2) activity may cause depolarizing effect of γ‐aminobutyric Acid (GABA), and contribute to epileptogenesis in human temporal lobe epilepsy. NKCC1 facilitates accumulation of chloride inside neurons and favors depolarizing responses to GABA. In the current pilot study we provide the first documented look at efficacy of bumetanide, a specific NKCC1 antagonist, on reduction of seizure frequency in adult patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. According to our results, seizure frequency was reduced considerably in these patients. Furthermore, epileptiform discharges decreased in two of our patients. If the efficacy of bumetanide is proven in large scale studies, it can be used as a supplemental therapy in temporal lobe epilepsy.     

Community study of suicidal behaviors and risk factors among Iranian adults.

The present study is part of the WHO/SUPRE-MISS conducted in Iran. The aim of the study was to determine the lifetime prevalence of suicide behaviors in a community sample of Iranian adults. Five hundred and four families were selected randomly according to electricity bills in Karaj, 45 km from the capital city, represented the catchment area for this investigation. The SUPRE-MISS questionnaires used in this study compromised a variety of aspects of suicidal behaviors. Lifetime prevalence rates for suicidal ideation, planning and attempts were 14%, 6.6%, and 4.1% respectively. Tobacco users and long-term mental and physical disabilities were significantly higher among subjects with a history of suicidal attempts. Younger ages, tobacco abuse, and long-term mental or physical disabilities could be considered risk factors for attempting suicide.     

Prevalence of type I allergy to natural rubber latex and type IV allergy to latex and rubber additives in operating room staff with glove-related symptoms.

There is lack of data on the prevalence of latex allergy in the health care setting in Iran. This study was performed to determine the prevalence of type I latex allergy and type IV allergy to latex and rubber additives among the operating room staff with glove-related symptoms in 13 general hospitals in Tehran. Skin-prick tests with commercial latex extract, patch tests with latex and 25 rubber additive series, and total and latex-specific IgE detection were performed on the operating room staff who reported latex glove-related symptoms. Five hundred twelve self-administered questionnaires (100%) were completed by all operating room staff and latex glove-related symptoms were reported by 59 (11.5%) employees. Among all symptomatic operating room staff tested, the prevalence of type I latex allergy was 30.5% and the prevalence rates of type IV allergy to latex and rubber additives were 16.7 and 14.6%, respectively. The most positive patch test result with rubber additives was related to tetramethylthiuram monosulfide (38.5%). The risk factors for type I latex allergy were female sex (p = 0.009) and positive patch test with rubber additives (p = 0.012). Subjects who had positive patch test with latex were significantly more likely to have positive patch test with rubber additives (p < 0.0001). Our results showed a high prevalence of type I latex allergy and type IV allergy to latex and rubber additives. Based on this study, we recommend eliminating powdered latex gloves from the operating rooms of the 13 studied general hospitals and support the substitution of powder-free latex gloves.     

HER2/neu expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients is not significantly elevated

Background: HER2/neu, a member of EGFR family, is over expressed in some tumors .The purpose of thisstudy was to determine the salivary level and tissue expression of HER2/neu in patients with head and necksquamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and any correlation with clinicopathologic parameters. Methods: An enzymelinkedimmunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to evaluate the salivary level and immunohistochemistry (IHC) toassess tissue expression of HER2/neu in 28 patients with HNSCC and 25 healthy controls. Results: The salivarylevels of HER2/neu in HNSCC patients was not significantly higher than in the healthy controls (p>0.005). Therewas no apparent correlation in salivary HER2/neu level with clinicopathological features such as age, sex, grade,tumor size and nodal status. All HNSCC specimens were positive (membranous or/and cytoplasmic) for HER2/neu, except one sample. Only one HNSCC specimen was stained in cytoplasm purely. All control specimens weremembranous and cytoplasmic positive for HER2/neu. There was a significant difference between cytoplasmicstaining in case and control groups (p-value<0.05). Conclusion: In our cases, no overexpression of HER2/neuwas observed. Thus, our findings suggested that the use of Her-2 as a salivary marker of HNSCC cannot berecommended.     

Cervical gland area: a new sonographic marker in predicting preterm delivery

Purpose  

Preterm delivery is one of the important causes of morbidity and mortality in newborns. Nowadays, a new sonographic marker is suggested for prediction of preterm delivery which is termed “Cervical Gland Area” (CGA). Absence of normal mucosal glands of the cervix can be utilized as a predictor in preterm delivery. This study was performed to evaluate the role of absence of CGA for the prediction of preterm delivery <37 weeks.     

Dalteparin in the management of recent onset central retinal vein occlusion: a comparison with acetylsalicylic acid

BACKGROUND: The present study assessed the therapeutic effects of dalteparin in patients who had recent onset central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) as compared with those of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). METHODS: Patients with recent onset of CRVO were randomly assigned to receive dalteparin subcutaneously every day for 20 days or ASA daily for the same period. Complete ophthalmic examinations were conducted at baseline and at each follow-up interval: 1 week and 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 months later. Best-corrected visual acuity was assessed by an investigator blind to the treatment group. RESULTS: The mean 6-month change in logMAR visual acuity for dalteparin-treated patients was an increase of 5.5 letters (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study chart) (-0.11 [SD 0.71] logMAR) and for ASA-treated patients was a decrease of 14 letters (+0.28 [SD 0.79] logMAR), representing a significant difference between the 2 groups (p = 0.016). One patient in the dalteparin group and 14 in the ASA group showed iris neovascularization (NVI) (2.1% vs. 30.4%, p = 0.0001). INTERPRETATION: Dalteparin was found to be superior to ASA in terms of improving visual acuity and preventing NVI over the first 6 months of treatment. Similar studies are recommended of other newer types of anticoagulants, especially those that could be used orally.     

Growth, motor, and social development in breast- and formula-fed infants of metformin-treated women with polycystic ovary syndrome

OBJECTIVES: To test the hypothesis that metformin during lactation versus formula feeding would have no adverse effects on infants' growth, motor-social development, or intercurrent illness. STUDY DESIGN: Growth, motor-social development, and illness requiring a pediatrician visit were assessed in 61 nursing infants (21 male, 40 female) and 50 formula-fed infants (19 male, 31 female) born to 92 mothers with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) taking a median of 2.55 g metformin per day throughout pregnancy and lactation. RESULTS: Within sex, at 3 and 6 months of age, weight, height, and motor-social development did not differ (p > or = .06) between breast- and formula-fed infants. No infants had retardation of growth, motor, or social development. Intercurrent illnesses did not differ. CONCLUSIONS: Metformin during lactation appears to be safe and effective in the first 6 months of infancy.