Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 and downstream p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase are possible candidate markers of intrinsic resistance to adjuvant endocrine treatment in steroid receptor positive breast cancer.

A cross talk between tyrosine kinase receptors and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) is proposed as involved in endocrine resistance. We wanted to investigate intratumoral levels of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and p38 MAPK in relation to relapse-free (RFS) and breast cancer corrected survival (BCCS) after adjuvant endocrine treatment, mainly tamoxifen for 2 or 5 years. We also wanted to investigate these markers in relation to early and late recurrences. VEGFR2 (n = 381) and p38 (n = 174) were determined by enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assays in tumor homogenates from primary BC diagnosed 1993-1996. Wide ranges of VEGFR2 and p38 proteins were found; median 0.72 pg/μg DNA (range 0.0-11.66), and 0.04 pg/μg DNA (range 0.0-6.79), respectively. Detectable levels of p38 were registered in 65% and classified positive. Higher VEGFR2 were correlated to higher VEGF (P = 0.005), p38 MAPK (P = 0.018), negative ER (P = 0.008), larger tumors (P = 0.001), histopathological grade III (P = 0.018), distant metastasis (P = 0.044), shorter RFS (P = 0.013), and shorter BCCS (P = 0.017). Expression of p38 was significantly correlated with negative PgR (P = 0.044) and with early relapses (P = 0.021), while no difference was seen during the later follow-up period (P = 0.73). Higher VEGFR2 had a significant negative impact on both early (P = 0.029) and later recurrences (P = 0.018), while VEGF only predicted later relapses (P = 0.037). Our preliminary results suggest higher intratumoral levels of VEGFR2 and p38 MAPK as candidate markers of intrinsic resistance for adjuvant endocrine therapy

2-cm versus 4-cm surgical excision margins for primary cutaneous melanoma thicker than 2 mm: a randomised, multicentre trial

Background Optimum surgical resection margins for patients with clinical stage IIA-C cutaneous melanoma thicker than 2 mm are controversial. The aim of the study was to test whether survival was different for a wide local excision margin of 2 cm compared with a 4-cm excision margin. Methods We undertook a randomised controlled trial in nine European centres. Patients with cutaneous melanoma thicker than 2 mm, at clinical stage IIA-C, were allocated to have either a 2-cm or a 4-cm surgical resection margin. Patients were randomised in a 1:1 allocation to one of the two groups and stratified by geographic region. Randomisation was done by sealed envelope or by computer generated lists with permuted blocks. Our primary endpoint was overall survival. The trial was not masked at any stage. Analyses were by intention to treat. Adverse events were not systematically recorded. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01183936. Findings 936 patients were enrolled from Jan 22, 1992, to May 19, 2004; 465 were randomly allocated to treatment with a 2-cm resection margin, and 471 to receive treatment with a 4-cm resection margin. One patient in each group was lost to follow-up but included in the analysis. After a median follow-up of 6.7 years (IQR 4.3-9.5) 181 patients in the 2-cm margin group and 177 in the 4-cm group had died (hazard ratio 1.05, 95% CI 0.85-1.29; p=0.64). 5-year overall survival was 65% (95% CI 60-69) in the 2-cm group and 65% (60-70) in the 4-cm group (p=0.69). Interpretation Our findings suggest that a 2-cm resection margin is sufficient and safe for patients with cutaneous melanoma thicker than 2 mm

Incidence of fractures causing hospitalisation in prostate cancer patients: Results from the population-based PCBaSe Sweden

Background: Prostate cancer patients have an increased risk of fractures as a consequence of skeletal metastases and osteoporosis induced by endocrine treatment. Data on incidence of fractures and risks in subgroups of men with prostate cancer are sparse. Our aim with this study is to report the risk of fractures among men with prostate cancer in a nationwide population-based study. Patients and methods: We identified 76,600 Swedish men diagnosed with prostate cancer 1997-2006 in the Prostate Cancer Data Base (PCBaSe) Sweden and compared the occurrence of fractures requiring hospitalisation with the Swedish male population. Results: Only men treated with gonadotropin releasing-hormone (GnRH) agonists or orchiectomy had increased incidence and increased relative risk of fractures requiring hospitalisation. Men treated with GnRH agonists had 9.8 and 6.3/1000 person-years higher incidence of any fracture and hip fracture requiring hospitalisation than the general population. The corresponding increases in incidence for men treated with orchiectomy were 16 and 12/1000 person-years, respectively. Men treated with orchiectomy, GnRH agonists, and antiandrogen monotherapy, had SIR for hip fracture of 2.0 (95% Confidence Interval 1.8-2.2), 1.6 (95% CI 1.5-1.8) and 0.9 (95% CI 0.7-1.1), respectively. Men treated with a curative intent (radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy) or managed with surveillance had no increased risk of fractures. Older men had the highest incidence of fractures while younger men had the highest relative risk. Conclusion: Prostate cancer patients treated with GnRH agonists or orchiectomy have significantly increased risk of fractures requiring hospitalisation while patients treated with antiandrogen monotherapy had no increase in such fractures. In absolute terms the excess risk in men treated with GnRH agonists corresponded to almost 10 extra fractures leading to hospitalisation per 1000 patient-years. Effects on bone density should be considered for men on long-term endocrine treatment. Unwarranted use of orchiectomy and GnRH agonists should be avoided. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Interobserver Variability of Histopathological Prognostic Parameters in Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma : Impact on Patient Management

Clinical management of primary cutaneous melanomas is based on histopathological staging of the tumour. The aim of this study was to investigate, in a non-selected population in clinical practice, the agreement rate between general pathologists and pathologists experienced in melanoma in terms of the evaluation of histopathological prognostic parameters in cutaneous malignant melanomas, and to what extent the putative variability affected clinical management. A total of 234 cases of invasive cutaneous malignant melanoma were included in the study from the Stockholm-Gotland Healthcare Region in Sweden. Overall interobserver variability between a general pathologist and an expert review was 68.8-84.8%. Approximately 15.5% of melanomas <= 1 mm were re-classified either as melanoma in situ or melanomas >1 mm after review. In conclusion, review by a pathologist experienced in melanoma resulted in a change in recommendations about surgical excision margins and/or sentinel node biopsy in subgroups of Ti melanomas

Playing as an early-childhood promotion of communication skills

Darba autore: Agita Kaža Darba tēma: Rotaļa kā saskarsmes prasmju sekmētāja agrās bērnības vecumā Darba vadītājs: Prof. Dr. psych.Tija Zīriņa Pētījuma mērķis: Pētīt 2 – 3 gadīgu bērnu saskarsmes prasmes rotaļās Pētījuma saturs: darba teorētiskās daļas pirmajā nodaļā tiek aplūkotas un analizētas dažādu pedagogu, psihologu atziņas par saskarsmi, kā veidojas saskarsme pirmsskolā. Darba otrajā nodaļā tiek pētīta agrās bērnības saskarsmju prasmju sekmēšanā rotaļās. Nodaļas saturs lielākoties balstās uz praktisko pētījumu. Pētījumā piedalās agrās bērnības vecuma 16 bērni. Pētījumā tiek organizētas rotaļas ar kuru palīdzību bērni veicina sekmīgu saskarsmes prasmju veidošanos. Secinājumos apkopota nozīmīgākā informācija saskarsmes prasmju attīstību rotaļā. Atslēgas vārdi: saskarsme, saskarsmes prasmju attīstība, rotaļa, pirmsskola, bērni. Darba apjoms: darbs sastāv no 4 nodaļām un 5 apakšnodaļām, tam ir 55 lapas. Darbā aplūkojamas 2 tabulas, 2 attēli un pielikums, kurā ir redzams 21 attēls, izmantotās literatūras saraksts sastāv no 45 avotiem.Author of the work: Agita Kaza Theme of the work: Playing as an early-childhood promotion of communication skills Supervisor of the work: Prof. Dr. psych. Tija Zirina The aim of the research: To study 2-3-year-olds' skills in games Study content: the first chapter of the theoretical part of the work looks at and analyzes the knowledge of various educators, psychologists, about how they come into contact in preschool. The second section of work examines the promotion of early childhood communication skills in games. The content of the chapter is largely based on the practical study. 16 children of the age of early childhood are involved in the study. The study organizes games to help children develop successful communication skills. The conclusions summarise key information on the development of communication skills in play. Keywords: communication, development of communication skills, playing, preschool, children. Scope of the work: the work consists of 4 chapters and 5 subdivisions, with 55 pages. The work includes 2 tables, 2 pictures and an attachment showing 21 figures, a list of authorities used consisting of 45 sources

Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomy in Swedish Women at High Risk of Breast Cancer: A National Survey.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE:: This study attempted a national inventory of all bilateral prophylactic mastectomies performed in Sweden between 1995 and 2005 in high-risk women without a previous breast malignancy. The primary aim was to investigate the breast cancer incidence after surgery. Secondary aims were to describe the preoperative risk assessment, operation techniques, complications, histopathological findings, and regional differences. METHODS:: Geneticists, oncologists and surgeons performing prophylactic breast surgery were asked to identify all women eligible for inclusion in their region. The medical records were reviewed in each region and the data were analyzed centrally. The BOADICEA risk assessment model was used to calculate the number of expected/prevented breast cancers during the follow-up period. RESULTS:: A total of 223 women operated on in 8 hospitals were identified. During a mean follow-up of 6.6 years, no primary breast cancer was observed compared with 12 expected cases. However, 1 woman succumbed 9 years post mastectomy to widespread adenocarcinoma of uncertain origin. Median age at operation was 40 years. A total of 58% were BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. All but 3 women underwent breast reconstruction, 208 with implants and 12 with autologous tissue. Four small, unifocal, invasive cancers and 4 ductal carcinoma in situ were found in the mastectomy specimens. The incidence of nonbreast related complications was low (3%). Implant loss due to infection/necrosis occurred in 21 women (10%) but a majority received a new implant later. In total, 64% of the women underwent at least 1unanticipated secondary operation. CONCLUSIONS:: Bilateral prophylactic mastectomy is safe and efficacious in reducing future breast cancer in asymptomatic women at high risk. Unanticipated reoperations are common. Given the small number of patients centralization seems justified