Access to Cancer Specialist Care and Treatment in Patients With Advanced Stage Lung Cancer

Background

Access to specialty care is critical for patients with advanced stage lung cancer. This study assessed access to cancer specialists and cancer treatment in a broad population of patients with advanced stage lung cancer.

Acute mixed lineage leukemia and a t(6;14)(q25;q32) in two adults

Acute mixed lineage leukemia (AMLL) is a rare form of leukemia in which both myeloid and lymphoid markers are present. Few chromosome abnormalities have been identified associated with this form of leukemia. A translocation involving the long arms of chromosomes 6 and 14 was previously described in four young individuals with acute leukemia and in three of these cases the diagnosis was mixed lineage. We identified a translocation involving the same chromosomes in two additional cases of adults with AMLL. The q32 breakpoint on chromosome 14 is shared by all six cases and five out of six cases also share the q25 breakpoint on chromosome 6. The rarity of the t(6;14) and the AMLL suggests a non-random association between these two events. The near cryptic appearance of the translocation might indicate that its occurrence is underestimated.     

VEGF and his R1 and R2 receptors expression in mast cells of oral squamous cells carcinomas and their involvement in tumoral angiogenesis

More than 90% of malignant neoplasms of the oral cavity are squamous carcinomas of oral mucosa and most are conventional type. This study included 60 cases of oral squamous carcinoma processed by usual histological technique and stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin and Alcian Blue-Safranin (Alcian Blue powder from Sigma Aldrich, code A5268-25G) and diagnosed in the Department of Pathology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova. Double immunohistochemical (CD105-tryptase, VEGF-, VEGFR1-, VEGFR2-tryptase) or combined histochemical and immunohistochemical reactions (VEGF÷ VEGFR1÷ VEGFR2÷Alcian Blue-Safranin) followed the particular morphological aspects of the mast cells, their relation with the blood vessels and the overlap signal of tryptase and Alcian Blue-Safranin÷VEGF and its R1 and R2 receptors in mast cells. Immunostaining for VEGF and its R1 and R2 receptors was present both in tumor cells and mast cells. Double immunohistochemical-histochemical reactions allowed us angiogenic profiling the mast cells. The signal overlap was present for VEGF-, VEGFR1-, VEGFR2-tryptase intratumoral and tumor invasion front mast cells. Student's t-test for comparison of intratumoral and the invasion front MDM showed highly significant value (p=3.23 E-08). VEGF÷ VEGFR1÷ VEGFR2÷Alcian Blue-Safranin revealed particular morphological aspects of mast cells, in with different morphology, shapes, sizes and degrees of degranulation. Statistical analysis showed a linear correlation between MDM and MVD inside the tumor (Pearson coefficient =0.47) and a weak linear correlation at the front of invasion (Pearson coefficient =0.19). This study has highlighted the importance of mast cells in the tumor growth of the oral squamous carcinomas, especially in terms of their proangiogenic profile (expression of VEGF and its R1 and R2 receptors). In addition, their quantification as MDM makes this parameter a useful prognostic marker.     

The association between Helicobacter Pylori chronic gastritis, psychological trauma and somatization disorder. A case report

Helicobacter Pylori is considered to be the agent responsible for peptic ulcers and gastritis, and its eradication represents a main objective in the treatment of digestive diseases. We present the case report of a female patient diagnosed with chronic Helicobacter Pylori infection, where symptoms manifested after the patient was raped. In the context of psychological trauma, digestive manifestations such as ulcer and gastritis were identified, greatly exacerbated as compared with the endoscopic and histological aspect of the gastric mucosa. The patient simultaneously developed a complex psychiatric pathology. The association between Helicobacter Pylori chronic gastritis, somatization and trauma is discussed.     

Report of two cases of Accessory Cavitated Uterine Mass (ACUM): Diagnostic challenge for MRI

Cystic adenomyosis is an unusual form of adenomyosis, characterized by a well-circumscribed cavitated endometrial gland and stroma, ≥ 1 cm in diameter, located within the myometrium. Few cases have been reported in the gynecological literature, with confusing naming such as: juvenile cystic adenomyosis, cystic myometrial lesions, cystic adenomyoma or juvenile adenomyotic cysts. The current preferred terminology is accessory cavitated uterine mass /or malformation (ACUM). We report here the cases of two 17 and 18 -year-old nulliparous women, who complained of severe dysmenorrhea early after the onset of menarche, with none or partial efficiency of medical treatment. MRI findings, with a follow-up in one case and surgical treatment in both cases, are described with an emphasis on physiopathology. The typical MR appearance is a large well-circumscribed round mass within the external myometrium, composed by an inner cystic hemorrhagic layer surrounded by a thick fibrous crown. The first-line treatment is laparoscopic surgery with mass resection. This typical MRI pattern must be a part of the knowledge of the radiologists.     

Theory and Model Use in Social Marketing Health Interventions

The existing literature suggests that theories and models can serve as valuable frameworks for the design and evaluation of health interventions. However, evidence on the use of theories and models in social marketing interventions is sparse. The purpose of this systematic review is to identify to what extent papers about social marketing health interventions report using theory, which theories are most commonly used, and how theory was used. A systematic search was conducted for articles that reported social marketing interventions for the prevention or management of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, HIV, STDs, and tobacco use, and behaviors related to reproductive health, physical activity, nutrition, and smoking cessation. Articles were published in English, after 1990, reported an evaluation, and met the 6 social marketing benchmarks criteria (behavior change, consumer research, segmentation and targeting, exchange, competition and marketing mix). Twenty-four articles, describing 17 interventions, met the inclusion criteria. Of these 17 interventions, 8 reported using theory and 7 stated how it was used. The transtheoretical model/stages of change was used more often than other theories. Findings highlight an ongoing lack of use or underreporting of the use of theory in social marketing campaigns and reinforce the call to action for applying and reporting theory to guide and evaluate interventions.