Pneumocystis pneumonia in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is a serious infection caused by a fungus called Pneumocystis jiroveci. The fungus is very common and healthy immune system can easily control it. However infection may occurs in people with weakened immune systems, such as those withHIV/AIDS, bone marrow and organ transplantation. Pneumocystis cariniipneumonia,the most common presenting manifestation of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(AIDS),is a major and recurring cause of morbidity and mortality for persons infected with the immunodeficiency virus(HIV).PCP is still the most common opportunistic infection in people with HIV/AIDS. Before HIVmedication was available, PCP occurred in 70% to 80% of HIV-positive people. The number of cases has decreased a great deal. This is due to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and PCP-preventive drugs. About 9% of patients with HIV/AIDS who are hospitalized have PCP.PCP are reported with high frequency in HIV-infected children in Africa. The mortality rate is between 5% and 40%, even with treatment. Clinical manifestations of PCP include fever, non-productive cough, shortness of breath, weight loss and night sweats, and pneumothorax is a well-known complication of PCPDiagnostic methods of choice include sputum induction and bronchoalveolarlavage (BAL),Gallium 67scans,histological identification and by PCR. Drug of choice for treatment and prophylaxis is trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and corticosteroid as an adjunctive therapy

Prostate cancer: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and prognosis

Prostate cancer is more common in the western countries, least common in Asia, and the leading cause of cancer deaths in males worldwide. Individuals who have first-degree family members with prostate cancer have double the risk of getting disease. Risk factors for prostate cancer include family history ,genetics,diet, medication, infectious disease and sexual factors. Published animal research studies indicate that basal cells developed cancerous tumors, which appeared identical to human samples. Initially adenocarcinoma a condition known as carcinoma in situ or prostate intraepithelial neoplasia(PIN).Although there is no proof that PIN is a precursor, it is closely associated with cancer. Prostate cancer is associated with urinarydysfunction. Advanced cancer can spread to other parts of the body, i.e. Vertebrae, pelvic, or ribs, also compress the spinal cord, causing tingling leg weakness and urinary and fecal incontinence. Diagnosis by digital rectal examination(DRE),biopsy, Gleason score, and TNM staging(Tumor/nodes/metastasis) and by tumor markers. Management options best depends on the stage of the disease, the Gleason score and PSA level. If radiation fails then surgery may not be feasible, and radiation after surgery failure may have complications, associated with small increase in bladder and colon cancer. Prognostic indicators of disease outcome are stage, pre-therapy PSA level and Gleason score, higher the grade, and the stage poorer the prognosis.Information on the relationship of diet and prostate cancer is poor. American Urological Association(AUA) recommends screening in those of 55 to 69,no more than every two years

Aqueous leaf extract of Clinacanthus nutans inhibits growth and induces apoptosis via the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells

Background: Clinacanthus nutans possesses several reported biological activities against different human cancer cells. However, reports on the growth-inhibitory effect of C. nutans leaf extract on the aggressive triple-negative breast cancer cells and the mechanisms of induced-cell death in these cells are limited. Objectives: The study aimed to assess the anticancer efficacy and associated mechanisms of the crude aqueous extract of C. nutans leaves (cCN) in MDA-MB-231 triple-negative human breast cancer cells. Materials and Methods: The metabolic viability of the MDA-MB-231 cells following respective treatments with cCN was measured using an adenosine triphosphate luminescent assay. The mode of cell death in MDA-MB-231 cells induced by cCN was examined using a luminescence- and fluorescence-based assay and the mechanisms involved were evaluated by comparative analysis of gene expression by reverse transcription–quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: Dose- and time-dependent growth inhibition of MDA-MB-231 cells by cCN was observed (IC50: 191.20 μg/mL). cCN also induced apoptotic cell death in the treated cells via the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways by affecting the mRNA expression levels of Bad, Bax, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, and FasL. Conclusion: These results suggest that C. nutans can be used as a potential agent in the treatment and prevention of breast cancer

Modulation of POPDC1 expression by Phenothiazine and Trifluoperazine suppress colon cancer growth and migration

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of CaM antagonist, PTZ, and TFP on cell proliferation and migration of colon cancer cells and its impact on POPDC protein expression. Methods: The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50 ) of PTZ and TFP in SW1116, SW480, HCT-15, and COLO205 colon cancer cell lines are measured using MTT. Western blot and immunocytochemistry were used to determine the expression of PCNA, cyclin D1 (CD1), and POPDC proteins. Cell migration was observed using a scratch wound-healing assay. Results: Treatment with PTZ and TFP inhibited colon cancer cells growth in a dose-dependent manner. PTZ and TFP significantly inhibited the activation of proliferation markers, PCNA and CD1, and the migration of colon cancer cells. Furthermore, POPDC protein was significantly suppressed in all cell types of colon cancer, particularly in SW480. Finally, the CaM antagonist upregulates the POPDC1 expression in colon cancer cells. Conclusion: These findings suggest that CaM antagonists suppress colon cancer cells proliferation via downregulation of CD1 and PCNA. In addition, POPDC protein could be used as a biomarker in colon cancer, and CaM antagonist could be used to regulate POPDC1 expression. This study suggests that targeting POPDC1 with CaM inhibition could be a potential therapeutic strategy for colon cancer treatment