The functional assessment of the late results of surgical treatment in lung cancer]

Results of a complex clinico-functional examination of 48 patients after resection for lung cancer 8-10 years ago are presented. The satisfactory pumping function of the heart was revealed with practically normal volumes of the cardiac output. Among patients subjected to resection of a lobe of the lung two groups were determined: with relatively satisfactory parameters of the function of external respiration and blood circulation and with a pronounced degree of strain of the functioning of these systems.     

Mutational analysis of the SOX9 gene in campomelic dysplasia and autosomal sex reversal: lack of genotype/phenotype correlations

It has previously been shown that, in the heterozygous state, mutations in the SOX9 gene cause campomelic dysplasia (CD) and the often associated autosomal XY sex reversal. In 12 CD patients, 10 novel mutations and one recurrent mutation were characterized in one SOX9 allele each, and in one case, no mutation was found. Four missense mutations are all located within the high mobility group (HMG) domain. They either reduce or abolish the DNA-binding ability of the mutant SOX9 proteins. Among the five nonsense and three frameshift mutations identified, two leave the C-terminal transactivation (TA) domain encompassing residues 402-509 of SOX9 partly or almost completely intact. When tested in cell transfection experiments, the recurrent nonsense mutation Y440X, found in two patients who survived for four and more than 9 years, respectively, exhibits some residual transactivation ability. In contrast, a frameshift mutation extending the protein by 70 residues at codon 507, found in a patient who died shortly after birth, showed no transactivation. This is apparently due to instability of the mutant SOX9 protein as demonstrated by Western blotting. Amino acid substitutions and nonsense mutations are found in patients with and without XY sex reversal, indicating that sex reversal in CD is subject to variable penetrance. Finally, none of 18 female patients with XY gonadal dysgenesis (Swyer syndrome) showed an altered SOX9 banding pattern in SSCP assays, providing evidence that SOX9 mutations do not usually result in XY sex reversal without skeletal malformations.      

Specificity of arrangement of human chromosomes in the nucleus of a moving cell

Institute of Medical Genetics, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. All-Union Mental Health Research Center, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR N. P. Bochkov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 108, No. 10, pp. 479–481. October, 1989.     

How Do We Make Choices in Salvage Therapy: Panitumumab, Cetuximab, or Regorafenib?

Colorectal cancer is the fourth commonest cancer worldwide. The survival rate is suboptimal for patients with metastatic disease. The introduction of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibodies has remarkably improved clinical outcomes. Two monoclonal antibodies targeting EGFR and one multikinase inhibitor have been approved by the FDA and Health Canada for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer; however, only about 10 % of patients respond to this treatment. Having wild-type KRAS is necessary but not sufficient to derive benefit from EGFR inhibition. Interestingly, patients with certain mutations such as p.G13D represent a cetuximab-sensitive subtype of KRAS mutant metastatic colorectal cancer. A few biomarkers have been identified, but we still do not know the best way to administer drugs. In this article we review the clinical data and expert opinions and summarize the recommendations.     

Psychiatric morbidity in stroke patients attending a neurology clinic in Nigeria

Back ground

Stroke produces a wide range of mental and emotional disorders. Neuropsychiatric complications associated with stroke may have negative effects on the social functioning, overall quality of life and the recovery of motor functioning of stroke survivors.

Objective

To determine the prevalence and nature of psychiatric morbidity among stroke patients attending neurology outpatient clinic of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Ilorin-Nigeria.

Methods

All patients with stroke aged 18 years and above at an outpatient neurology clinic in Ilorin, Nigeria were assessed for mental and emotional disorders using the Schedule for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN) over one year (March 2009 to February 2010).

Results

Overall prevalence of psychiatric morbidity was 36.0% (30/83) among 83 patients who constituted the study population. Specific diagnoses recorded were depression (19.2%), generalised anxiety disorder (9.6%), harmful alcohol use (2.4%); dementia, somatoform disorder, phobia and delusional disorder each had a prevalence of 1.2%. Clinical and sociodemographic variables were not significantly associated with psychiatric morbidity.

Conclusion

Psychiatric disorders are often associated with stroke. Identifying and treating stroke patients with these psychiatric co-morbidities could thus help to improve the overall quality of life of these patients.