Establishment and characterization of a receptor-negative, hormone-nonresponsive breast cancer cell line from an Iraqi patient

Ahmed Majeed Al-Shammari,1 Mortadha A Alshami,2 Mahfoodha Abbas Umran,2 Asmaa Amer Almukhtar,3 Nahi Y Yaseen,1 Khansaa Raad,1 Ayman A Hussien1 1Experimental Therapy Department, Iraqi Center for Cancer and Medical Genetic Research, Mustansiriya University, 2Biotechnology Department, Collage of Science, Baghdad University, 3Medical Genetics Department, Iraqi Center for Cancer and Medical Genetic Research, Mustansiriya University, Baghdad, Iraq Abstract: A new breast cancer cell line (AMJ13) has been established from an Iraqi breast cancer patient. It is considered unique because it is the first for an Iraqi population, and is expected to be a useful tool in breast cancer research. The AMJ13 cell line was established from the primary tumor of a 70-year-old Iraqi woman with a histological diagnosis of infiltrating ductal carcinoma. The cells were morphologically characterized by light and scanning electron microscopy, and found to be elongated multipolar epithelial-like cells with a population doubling time of 22 hours. The anchorage-independent growth ability test showed that the cells were able to grow in semisolid agarose, confirming their transformed nature. Cytogenetic study of these cells showed chromosomal aberrations with many structural and numerical abnormalities, producing chromosomes of unknown origin called marker chromosomes. Immunocytochemistry showed that the estrogen receptor and the progesterone receptor were not expressed, and a weak positive result was found for HER2/neu gene expression. AMJ13 cells were positive for BRCA1 and BRCA2, as well as for vimentin. This cell line should be useful when testing new therapies for breast cancer in the Middle East. Keywords: ductal carcinoma, marker chromosomes, estrogen receptor, progesterone recepto

Knowledge and perception of pharmacy students about complementary and alternative medicine: Findings from a Malaysian Public University

This study aimed to explore the knowledge, perception and attitude of pharmacy students towards complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Methods This is a cross-sectional study design which was conducted as a classroom survey in 2013. All the pharmacy students (n=400) studying in International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) were recruited. The study instrument was designed on the basis of previously published studies and was subjected to face validity and content validity. Cronbach alpha was found to be 0.85. Data was entered into PASW version 20 and descriptive and inferential statistics were applied. Results A response rate of 71.2% was achieved. Out of 285 respondents, 79(26.3%) were male, while 206 (68.7%) respondents were female. Overall, the highest correct response for knowledge item was on the drug interaction of herbal medicines and digoxin which was answered correctly by less than half of the students (n=110: 38.6%). In terms of perception, almost half of the respondents disagree that CAM use is unsafe (n=122; 42.8%). This was found to be statistically significant with respect to gender (p=0.007). In evaluating attitudes towards CAM, slightly less than half of the respondents agreed to use CAM therapies for minor ailments (n=142; 47.3%). Many of them agreed to use CAM therapies for their health and well-being (n=179; 59.7%). Respondents were not sure whether they use CAM with or without conventional medicines for their minor ailments (n=121; 40.3%). Conclusion The findings identified that pharmacy students do not have adequate knowledge on CAM . On the contrary, they perceived CAM positively. Their attitudes towards CAM were found to be neutral. It is suggested to integrate CAM as core curriculum subject in pharmacy discipline to equip the student with good knowledge. This will enable the students to counsel patients on common herbal medicine that they might encounter as pharmacis