Sarcoma of the heart: a rare intracardiac tumor and review of literature

Primary sarcomas of the heart are exceptionally rare and are aggressive tumours. We report a 38 year old Chinese lady who had an intermediate grade sarcoma with myofibroblastic differentiation. The tumour was found in the right atrium. Literature reviews of rare intracardiac sarcomas are discussed

Integration of analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and geographical information system (GIS) F or potential crime area analysis

Increasing crime rates in a community can be associated with several factors such as land use, economics ac-tivities, building use and demography. A preliminary survey conducted showed that land use and building use are potential cofactors that contribute to a crime. In this research, we attempt to develop a model to pre-dict crime areas by utilizing these two cofactors. To pursue this endeavor, Analytical Hierarchy Proces (AHP) method and Geographical Information System (GIS) were implemented. AHP is used to produce consistent and realistic weight values of crime factors by calculating the consistency ratio (CR) which can thereafter be used for validation. Though, the GIS is applied to visualize the weights obtained from the AHP results in spatial mapping in order to identify potential crime areas, which were classified as either high, me-dium or low. The data set for this research has been drawn from UGISP Sdn Bhd, which covers the areas of Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur (WPKL). From the result, it shows that the potential crime areas are Kuala Lumpur, Bukit Indah, Jinjang and Bandar Tun Razak. As a conclusion, our model would assist the au-thorities (i.e., Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) to identify and rank the potential crime areas, and then they can plan a strategy to monitor this matter properly

Fungal and bacterial Mycetoma diagnosis from a histological perspective: a local report of two cases involving foreign labourers

Mycetoma is a chronic subcutaneous granulomatous inflammation due to infection by fungus (Eumycetes) and bacteria (Actinomycetes) by penetrating inoculation of the microorganism into an injured skin. Late presentation is common, which leads to various deformities. In a standard setting, mycetoma diagnosis requires a combination of clinical assessment, histopathological features, and culture. However, microbiological culture takes time to be ready. Therefore, the classical histomorphological features supported by histochemical stains are the options to provide a fast diagnosis for the commencement of appropriate treatment. We described two cases of eumycetoma and actinomycetoma, emphasising the differences in their histomorphological features and histochemical stains that may facilitate the diagnosis

Resolution of asthmatic symptoms following successful endoscopic resection of tracheal mucoepidermoid carcinoma

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is a rare tumour of the trachea accounting for up to 0.2% of reported primary lung malignancy. We report a case of a 54-year-old man, ex-smoker, whose presentation mimicked adult onset asthma with cough and wheezing, which did not respond to conventional treatment. He had occasional haemoptysis and weight loss in which CT scan performed for malignancy screening showed a protruding mass in the distal trachea causing endobronchial obstruction. Bronchoscopic intervention was performed to relieve the obstruction that resulted in resolution of asthmatic symptoms. Histological diagnosis confirmed MEC. This case emphasised the importance of a high index of suspicion in an unusual presentation of a common disease and the pivotal role of bronchoscopic intervention in malignant central airway obstruction

Genetic determinants of obesity heterogeneity in type II diabetes

Background: Although obesity is considered as the main cause of Type II diabetes (T2DM), non-obese individuals may still develop T2DM and obese individuals may not. Method: The mRNA expression of PI3K/AKT axis from 100 non-obese and obese participants with insulin sensitivity and insulin resistance states were compared in this study toward the understanding of obesity heterogeneity molecular mechanism. Result: In present study, there was no statistically significant difference in gene expression levels of IRS1 and PTEN between groups, whereas PI3K, AKT2 and GLUT4 genes were expressed at a lower level in obese diabetic group compared to other groups and were statistically significant. PDK1 gene was expressed at a higher level in non-obese diabetic group compared to obese diabetic and non-obese non-diabetics groups. No statistically significant difference was identified in gene expression pattern of PI3K/AKT pathway between obese non-diabetics and non-obese non-diabetics. Conclusion: The components of PI3K/AKT pathway which is related to the fasting state, showed reduced expression in obese diabetic group due to the chronic over-nutrition which may induced insensitivity and reduced gene expression. The pathogenesis of insulin resistance in the absence of obesity in non-obese diabetic group could be due to disturbance in another pathway related to the non-fasting state like gluconeogenesis. Therefore, the molecular mechanism of insulin signalling in non-obese diabetic individuals is different from obese diabetics which more investigations are required to study insulin signalling pathways in greater depth, in order to assess nutritional factors, contribute to insulin resistance in obese diabetic and non-obese diabetic individuals

Dillenia suffruticosa dichloromethane root extract reduced metastasis of 4T1 cells to the liver and heart without causing toxicity in female BALB/c mice

Introduction: Breast cancer is ranked first among other cancers in women. Ineffectiveness of current treatments and adverse effects such as multiple organ failure and nephrotoxicity are the common problems faced in cancer therapy. Therefore, alternatives to treat breast cancer metastasis with fewer toxic effects are actively sought-after. Dillenia suffruticosa (DS) commonly known as ‘Simpoh air’ has been a traditional remedy for cancer growth. Therefore, this study investigated the metastasis inhibiting properties of DS root dichloromethane extract (DCMDS) in tumour bearing female BALB/c mice and sub-acute multiple dose oral toxicity upon treatment with this extract. Methods: Forty-eight tumour bearing mice were given either oral treatment of DCMDS (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) or doxorubicin (2 mg/kg) for 28 days and the degree of metastasis was analysed in each group. Thirty other female BALB/c mice were treated with DCMDS (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) and the general behaviours, biochemical, haematological and histopathological changes were observed. Data were analysed with One-way ANOVA and Dunnet’s test where p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: All doses of DCMDS showed lowered metastatic cells in liver and DCMDS at (50 and 100 mg/kg) had less metastatic cells in the heart compared to doxorubicin (2 mg/kg). All DCMDS treated groups showed no abnormal behaviours and all tested physiological parameter values fall within the normal ranges. Conclusion: DCMDS reduced metastasis of 4T1 cells to the liver and heart better than doxorubicin without causing toxicity. This study highlights that DCMDS is a promising drug to be further developed for cancer therapy

Antiulcer properties of Kelulut honey against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer

Ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract refer to any appreciable depth of break in the mucosa lining that may involve submucosa. Common types of ulcer include peptic, gastric and duodenal ulcer, which may lead to chronic inflammation. Ulcers may be caused by excessive alcohol intake or prolonged use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), in addition to several other factors. Conventional medication such as Omeprazole (proton pump inhibitor) and Ranitidine (H2 blockers) for management of ulcers may cause severe side effects such as myelosupression and abnormal heart rhythm. This has driven researchers to explore the potential of natural products for management of ulcers with reduced side effects. Kelulut honey (KH) is a type of honey that is produced by stingless bees from the Trigona species. It is believed to have a lot of medicinal properties such as being antimicrobial, antioxidant and antidiabetic. Yet, no scientific study has been carried out on its antiulcer properties. This study was carried out to determine the antiulcer properties of KH. Eighteen male Sprague dawley rats (5 to 6 weeks old, weighing between 200 and 300 g) were divided into three groups (n=6). The groups were 1) normal control group (without ulcer, without KH), 2) positive control group (with ulcer, without KH) and 3) treatment group (with ulcer, treated with KH). The treatment, KH (1183 mg/kg), was given twice daily for 30 consecutive days by oral administration. On Day 31, the rats were induced with absolute ethanol (5 mL/kg) via oral administration after being fasted for 24 h and were sacrificed 15 min after the induction. The stomach was collected for macroscopic and histopathological evaluation. Pretreatment with KH significantly reduced (p<0.05) both the total area of ulcer and the ulcer index compared to the positive control group. The percentage of ulcer inhibition in the KH pre-treated group was 65.56% compared with the positive control group. The treatment, KH, exhibited antiulcer properties against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer

Superficial angiomyxoma of the eyelid: a case report and review of the literature

Superficial angiomyxoma (SA) is an angiomyxoid cutaneous tumour. It has predilection for the head and neck, torso, limbs and genital tract. Our case is a 27-year-old female, presented with painless right medial canthal mass for two years. It was associated with tearing when the lesion grew larger. We received a nodular brownish tissue measuring 25x20x15mm with homogenous brownish cut surface. Microscopically, the tumour was partially circumscribed, exhibiting bland stellate to spindle cells of moderate cellularity with pale eosinophilic cytoplasm, indistinct border, in a loose collagenous myxoid matrix with numerous blood vessels of different calibre. The lesional cells were present at the resected margin and were nonreactive towards CD34, SMA and S100. SA of the eyelid is sometimes mistaken clinically as dermoid cyst or lipoma. Reports have shown increased risks of local recurrence following incomplete excision. Close association with Carney’s complex is an important feature. Careful clinicopathologic correlation and proper investigations are needed for optimal patient care

Vulvovaginal angiomyofibroblastoma: an uncommon benign mesenchymal tumour

The female genital tract angiomyofibroblastoma (AMFB) is a rare benign mesenchymal tumour that mostly affects premenopausal women. Although it is most commonly seen in the vulvovaginal region, it has also been documented in the inguinosacral region, pelvis, and retroperitoneum (1,2). Patients usually present with indolent, painless swell- ing in the vulvovaginal region, or a pedunculated lesion on rare occasions. Those that appeared in the vulva were frequently misdiagnosed as Bartholin cysts. Leiomyoma is a differential in the vaginal area. AMFB must be recognised from aggressive angiomyxoma (AA) due to the latter’s potential for recurrence with typical infiltrative boundaries. We discuss a case of a 46-year-old woman who had a slow-growing paravaginal swelling incidentally discovered during a total hysterectomy for leiomyoma five years prior

High CD14 antigen expression in urothelial bladder carcinoma establishes that the inflammatory microenvironment promotes tumour cell proliferation

Introduction: CD-14 is an antigen found on the bladder cancer cells that mediated cancer development by providing a supportive inflammatory microenvironment. The study investigates the association of CD14 antigen expression in bladder cancer cells with demographic factors, clinicopathological parameters and recurrent cases by immuno- histochemical (IHC) method. Methods: A retrospective study using 59 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue of urothelial bladder carcinoma cases were subjected to CD14 IHC staining. Results: Most patients were 65 years old (57.6%), Malay in ethnicity (55.9%) and male predominant (94.9%). CD14 was positively expressed in more than 50% of tumour cells in all grades and stages with the largest percentage seen in the highest grade (Grade III) and stage (Stage IV) of urothelial bladder carcinoma. There was a significant association between CD14 expression and tumour grade of urothelial bladder carcinoma (p = 0.043). However, there was no significant association between CD14 expression with demographic factors, tumour stage or recurrent cases. Conclusion: High CD14 antigen expression by cancer cells establishes that the inflammatory microenvironment promotes tumour cell growth and may suggest CD14 antigen as a poor prognostic marker in urothelial bladder carcinoma