Immunohistochemical localization of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in in situ and invasive duct breast carcinomas

Bcl-2 and Bax proteins are coded by a family of genes that take part in the manteinance of the balance between cell proliferation rate and programmed cell death in multicellular organisms. TheBax gene acts as promoter of cell death by opposing the death protector effect of theBcl-2 gene. Expression of the Bcl-2 and Bax proteins has been investigated in 58 cases of duct carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and duct invasive and invasive lobular carcinomas (IC) of the breast. While both proteins were expressed at the same time in normal and benign epithelium, different staining patterns were observed according to the degree of differentiation of the neoplastic epithelium. In well-differentiated DCIS and grade I IC there was a predominance of Bcl-2 protein staining. Grade II lesions co-expressed both proteins. Poorly differentiated DCIS displayed a predominantly Bax protein staining pattern. Therefore, it appears that Bax protein expression, especially in DCIS, relates to more aggressive neoplasms while Bcl-2 protein expression is associated with less aggressive malignant lesions.     

A 1- to 12-year clinical evaluation of 106 endosseous implants supporting fixed and removable prostheses

The purpose of this article is to report on the long-term clinical evaluation of patients treated with dental implants. A total of 106 implants were placed in 34 patients and restored with fixed partial dentures and overdentures. The 12-year cumulative implant survival and success rates were 95.2% and 90.2%, respectively. Probing depths around mandibular implants were significantly lower than those around maxillary implants (P < .05). The cumulative implant success rate in nonsmokers was 97.7%, but this dropped to 75.81% in smokers. Also, patients rehabilitated with implant-supported overdentures had more peri-implant tissue inflammation than patients with fixed prostheses.     

Comparação das ventilações controlada por volume e controlada por pressão na mecânica respiratória em cirurgia bariátrica laparoscópica: estudo clínico randômico

BackgroundIt is not clear which mechanical ventilation mode should be used in bariatric surgery, one of the treatment options for patients with obesity.ObjectivesTo compare volume‐controlled ventilation and pressure‐controlled ventilation in terms of respiratory mechanics and arterial blood gas values in patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery.MethodsSixty‐two patients with morbid obesity scheduled for gastric bypass were included in this study. Their ideal body weights were calculated during preoperative visits, and patients were divided into two groups, volume‐controlled ventilation and pressure‐controlled ventilation. The patients were ventilated in accordance with a previously determined algorithm. Mechanical ventilation parameters and arterial blood gas analysis were recorded 5 minutes after induction, 30 minutes after pneumoperitoneum, and at the end of surgery. Also, the dynamic compliance, inspired O₂ pressure/fractional O₂ ratio, and alveolar‐arterial oxygen gradient pressure were calculated.ResultsPeak airway pressures were lower in patients ventilated in pressure‐controlled ventilation mode at the end of surgery (p = 0.011). Otherwise, there was no difference between groups in terms of intraoperative respiratory parameters and arterial blood gas analyses.ConclusionsPressure‐controlled ventilation mode is not superior to volume‐controlled ventilation mode in patients with laparoscopic bariatric surgery.     

Long‐term effects of omalizumab on peripheral blood cells and C‐reactive protein levels in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria

Omalizumab's mechanism of action is not well‐understood yet despite its strong therapeutic efficacy in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). To determine the overall effect of omalizumab on peripheral blood cell counts and serum C‐reactive protein levels (sCRP) during a 1‐year follow‐up in patients with CSU. Data of 74 patients (male/female: 20/54) were reviewed from medical charts. Leucocyte counts, percentages of peripheral blood cells(lymphocyte, monocyte, neutrophil [PPBN], eosinophil, basophil [PPBB]) and sCRP were recorded at baseline, 3rd, 6th, 12th months of omalizumab treatment. Although a dramatic increase in the mean PPBB (±SD) was observed at the 3rd month, PPBB (%) gradually decreased after the 3rd month (PPBB: 0.38 ± 0.21 [baseline] vs. 0.59 ± 0.3 [3rd month], p = .002). However, 12th month PPBB remained higher than baseline (PPBB:0.38 ± 0.21 [baseline] vs. 0.46 ± 0.27 [12th month], p = .03). A dramatic decrease in the mean PPBN (%) was noticed within the first 3 months (PPBN:62.85 ± 8.97 [baseline] vs. 58.37 ± 9.07 [3rd month], p = .04), and 12th month PPBN remained lower than baseline values (PPBN: 62.85 ± 8.97 [baseline] vs. 60.31 ± 8.02 [12th month], p = .045).Mean sCRP (mg/dL) decreased rapidly within the first 3 months (sCRP: 1.09 ± 1.53 [baseline] vs. 0.56 ± 0.45 [3rd month], p = .17) and 12th month sCRP still remained lower than baseline levels (sCRP: 1.09 ± 1.53 [baseline] vs. 0.83 ± 1.06 [12th month], p = .01). Omalizumab substantially increases PPBB,and reduces PPBN accompanied by a reduction in sCRP especially in the first 3 months; however, these effects may continue in the long‐term. The alterations in peripheral blood cell ratios and sCRP may contribute to the therapeutic effect of omalizumab in CSU.     

Experience with oral tofacitinib in two adolescents and seven adults with alopecia areata

Alopecia areata (AA) is a common disease that results in nonscarring hair loss. Recently, tofacitinib (TOFA) has been a novel promising therapy for AA. The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of oral TOFA treatment for alopecia areata (AA), and alopecia universalis (AU). Data of nine patients treated with oral TOFA with either AA or AU were retrospectively evaluated. Treatment outcome, disease severity, and therapeutic response were evaluated by Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) scores along with regular photographic surveillance done at third and sixth months. Treatment response was established on four categories: complete response (90% change in latest SALT score), intermediate response (51–90% change), moderate response (6–50% change), and nonresponse (<5% change). Nine patients aged 13–33 years were reviewed. Four patients (44.4%) did not respond to oral TOFA therapy, three patients (33.3%) were moderate responders, 1 (11.1%) was intermediate responder, and 1 (11.1%) was complete responder at the end of 6 months. The clinical response rate (those who achieved ≥5–100% change in SALT score) was 41.4% for all patients. Most of the patients who responded to TOFA had AA instead of AU. Adverse effects were mild. The clinical response rate of TOFA seems reasonable and TOFA was well‐tolerated in this cohort. However, to truly evaluate efficacy, future studies are needed to assess the efficacy, adverse effects, and durability of treatment with TOFA in randomized controlled trials.     

The effectiveness of Pilates for partial anterior cruciate ligament injury

Purpose

This study explored the effects of Pilates on the muscle strength, function, and instability of patients with partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in situations in which a non-surgical treatment option is preferred.

Methods

Fifty participants 20–45 years of age who were diagnosed with isolated ACL injuries were included in the study. The participants were randomly assigned to either the Pilates exercise group (n = 24) or the control group (n = 26). The subjects in the Pilates exercise group performed basic mat exercises that focused on the muscle strength and flexibility of the lower limbs and core muscles during each class session, which met three times per week for 12 weeks. The control group did not receive any treatment or home exercise programme. All patients were evaluated using the Lysholm Knee Scale, the Cincinnati Knee Rating System, and isokinetic quadriceps and hamstring strength. Patient satisfaction regarding improvement in knee stability was assessed using the Global Rating of Change scale.

Results

The Pilates group experienced significant improvement over the control group as measured by the difference in quadriceps strength at 12 weeks (p = 0.03). Both groups showed some clinical change over time, but the Pilates group improved for all outcome measurements at the 12-week follow-up, and the control group only improved for functional outcomes. Patient satisfaction with the level of knee stability based on the Global Rating of Change scale was higher in the Pilates group than in the control group.

Conclusion

Although both groups exhibited improvements in knee strength and functional outcomes, the results suggest that Pilates is a superior management approach over a control treatment for increasing quadriceps strength in participants with partial ACL injury. Pilates may provide clinicians a novel option when choosing a treatment for a partial ACL injury. Further study is needed to determine whether certain subgroups of individuals might achieve an added benefit with this approach.

Level of evidence

II.

     

Genotoxicity assessment of carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) fingerlings by tissue DNA damage and micronucleus test, after environmental exposure to fenitrothion

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the adverse effects of sublethal doses of fenitrothion, an organophosphothionate insecticide on brain, gill, liver, and muscle tissues as a ratio of 8-OHdG to dG to indicate the DNA damage and erythrocyte micronucleus frequency for genotoxicity of carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) fingerlings. In our study, the mean weights and lengths of the fish (n?=?4-12) were 31.13?±?14.24?g and 12.53?±?1.41, respectively. Before the experiment, fish were maintained in aerated dechlorinated tap water at 21.8?±?1 °C and fed daily with commercial feed at a rate of 2% of their body weights. Experiments were conducted under static conditions in the aquaria. Technical grade (95%) fenitrothion was diluted in acetone to give a dosing solution of 10?mg/L. The increased lesions/10? DNA bases (p?相似文献   

Coexistence of breast cancer and tuberculosis in axillary lymph nodes: a case report and literature review

Coexistence of breast cancer and tuberculosis (TB) of the breast and/or axillary lymph nodes is uncommon. In this article, we present a case of tuberculous axillary lymphadenitis existing simultaneously with invasive ductal carcinoma of the left breast. We also conducted an extensive literature review of English language studies published on the coexistence of breast cancer and TB of the breast and/or axillary lymph nodes from 1899 to 2011 using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Twenty-nine cases of coexisting breast cancer and TB of the breast and/or axillary lymph nodes have been published to date, including a 74-year-old female diagnosed with left breast cancer and TB of the axillary lymph nodes. A tumor in the right breast was detected in 14 patients and in the left breast in 12 patients between the ages of 28 and 81 years, but no data were available regarding the side on which the tumor occurred in three patients. Eighteen patients underwent a modified radical mastectomy, five patients underwent a radical mastectomy, two a lumpectomy and an axillary lymph node dissection (ANLD), two a quadrantectomy (Q) and an ALND, and two an applied excision. TB was detected at the axilla in all 21 patients in patients with no TB of the breast, and TB was also detected in the axilla in five of eight patients with breast TB. Both a tumor and TB lymphadenitis were detected following an axillary dissection in 14 patients, and both cancer metastasis and TB lymphadenitis were detected at the same lymph nodes in six of these patients. The simultaneous occurrence of these two major illnesses in the breast and/or axillary lymph nodes can produce many problems with respect to diagnosis and treatment. Accurate diagnoses are necessary for down-staging carcinoma of the breast and for identifying curable disease.     

Identification of clinical and simple laboratory variables predicting responsible gastrointestinal lesions in patients with iron deficiency anemia

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a frequent disorder. Also, it may be a sign of underlying serious diseases. Iron deficiency points to an occult or frank bleeding lesion when occurred in men or postmenopausal women. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic yield of endoscopy in patients with IDA and to define predictive factors of gastrointestinal (GI) lesions causing IDA. Ninety-one patients (77 women, 14 men; mean age: 43 years) who were decided to have esophago-duodenoscopy and/or colonoscopy for iron deficiency anemia were interviewed and responded to a questionnaire that included clinical and biochemical variables. The endoscopic findings were recorded as GI lesions causing IDA or not causing IDA. Endoscopy revealed a source of IDA in 18.6 % of cases. The risk factors for finding GI lesions causing IDA were as follows: male gender (p= 0.004), advanced age (> 50 years) (p= 0.010), weight loss (over 20% of total body weight lost in last 6 month) (p= 0.020), chronic diarrhea (p= 0.006), change of bowel habits (p= 0.043), epigastric tenderness (p= 0.037), raised carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level (normal range: 0-7 ng/mL) (p= 0.039), < 10 gr/dl hemoglobin (Hb) level (p=0.054). None of these risk factors had been present in 21 (23%) women younger than 51 years. In this group, no patient had any GI lesion likely to cause IDA (negative predictive value= 100%). In multivariate analysis, advanced age (p=0.017), male gender (p< 0.01) and weight lost (p=0.012) found that associated with GI lesions in all patients. It may be an appropriate clinical approach to consider these risk factors when deciding for gastrointestinal endoscopic evaluation in iron deficiency anemia.