Impact of promoter region mutations of Pim-1 on c-Myc expression as well as survival in patients with breast cancer

Purpose: Breast cancer accounts for most cancer-related deaths in women with over 2.3 million new breast cancer cases diagnosed every year worldwide. Pim kinases are oncogenic proteins that play important role in various cancers. Pim-1 contains 1.7 kb promoter region without any transcriptional regulation, which is a characteristic feature of a housekeeping or constitutive promoter. This study was carried out to ascertain potential mutations in the promoter region of Pim-1 in breast cancer and also to comprehend the effect of mutations on c-Myc expression as well as on patients’ survival. Methods: Ninety-six Indian subjects with a first diagnosis of breast cancer who underwent surgery at our hospital were recruited in this study. Genomic DNA was isolated from whole blood, amplified and sequenced to identify potential mutations at the promoter region of Pim-1. FFPE sections were used to determine the c-Mycexpression in all the studied groups. Results: We observed a transversion (C>A at –502) and a deletion (–754Cdel) mutation in the promoter region with negligible association with tumor biology and c-Myc expression. Positive c-Myc expression was noted in almost 50% of the studied population with absolute nuclear staining or both cytoplasmic/nuclear staining. As per survival analysis, promoter region mutations did not modulate the patients’ survival, but patients with negative c-Myc expression had better disease-free survival compared with positive c-Myc expression. Conclusion: Our findings identified the presence of mutation in the promoter region of Pim-1 with negligible impact on c-Myc expression in patients with breast cance

Pork as a source of human parasitic infection

Foodborne zoonoses have been estimated to annually affect 10% of the global population, among which zoonotic parasites constitute an important class of aetiological agents. The major meatborne parasites include the protozoa Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis spp., and the helminths Trichinella spp. and Taenia spp., all of which may be transmitted by pork. The significance of zoonotic parasites transmitted by pork consumption is emphasized by the prediction by the Food and Agriculture Organization of an 18.5% increase in world pork production over the next 10years. Of all the porkborne parasites, the three T' parasites have been responsible for most porkborne illness throughout history; they are still endemic, and therefore are important public-health concerns, in developing countries. Although the risk of porkborne parasites, particularly helminths, may currently be considered insignificant in developed countries, the modern trend of consuming raw meat favours their re-emergence. This paper overviews the main parasites transmitted to humans by pork, and outlines the main lines of prevention

Changing trends in ocular cysticercosis over two decades: An analysis of 118 surgically excised cysts

Purpose : To evaluate the frequency of ocular cysticercosis and to demonstrate the changing trends in localisation of ocular cysticercosis along with a brief review of literature. Methods : A retrospective analysis of histology proven ocular cysticercosis cases seen over a period of 20 years (1981 through 2000) was done. The pathology record forms were reviewed for demographics, clinical features with specific reference to the location of cysts in four subgroups: subconjunctival; intraocular orbit and eyelid. The distribution of cases in four five-year periods namely group A: 1981-1985, group B: 1986-1990, group C: 1991-1995 and group D: 1996-2000 and the changing trends in the location of cysts was evaluated. Results : One hundred eighteen cysts from 118 patients aged 4-72 (mean 17.1) years were submitted to the pathology service of S D Eye Hospital, Hyderabad. Male to female ratio was 1: 1.2. Total number of cases in groups A, B, C and D were 33, 41, 16 and 25 respectively. Location of cysts was subconjunctival - 74 (62.7%); intraocular-31 (26.3%); orbital-8 (7%) and lid-5 (4%). In last 20 years, significant decrease ( P =0.0001) was noted in subconjunctival cases (85% vs. 28%) with a significant rise ( P =0.0001) in intraocular cysticercosis (6% vs. 60%). Conclusions : Frequency of surgically excised ocular cysticercosis remained constant over last two decades with an increasing manifestation of intravitreal cysticercosis in the recent years. This could imply either improved diagnostic modalities, available expertise in vitreo-retinal surgery or ineffective medical treatment for intraocular parasitic infection. The relative decrease in extraocular cysticercosis is probably due to the increased preference and success with medical management

Falcine and parasagittal intracranial chondrosarcomas of the classical variant: Report of two cases with review of literature

Intracranial primary extraskeletal chondrosarcomas are extremely rare. We report two cases of the classical variant which were dural based: one falcine and the other parasagittal are presented. Only 10 cases of this variant have been reported in this location. The pathology and management of these lesions have been reviewed