Effect of Surgery or Radiotherapy of the Breast on Survival in Metastatic Disease: a Retrospective Cohort Study

Evidence to justify survival benefit of local therapy of the breast (LT) for breast cancer patients who are metastatic at presentation (MBC) is weak. The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcome of LT on survival in MBC patients. Patients who had received (1) radiotherapy, (2) surgery, (3) surgery and radiotherapy as LT, and (4) no LT in four groups of 25 were evaluated for 1- and 4-year cause-specific survival (CSS). One- and 4-year CSS in four groups were (1) 76 and 60, (2) 84 and 56 (3) 80 and 52, and (4) 48 and 16, respectively. When controlling for age and site of metastasis as covariates, grouping significantly correlated with survival: F (3, 94): 2.93, P 0.04. Post hoc analysis revealed that the mean survival of group 2: (M 23.39, SE 2.53) was higher than group 4: (M 13.63, SE 2.52, P = 0.03). Surgery as a single modality LT for MBC may provide survival benefit. © 2019, Indian Association of Surgical Oncology

Isolation of biosurfactant-producing bacteria from the Caspian Sea and determination of their biosurfactant activity

Background: Biosurfactants are unique amphipathic molecules with extensive application in removing organic and metal contaminants. The purpose of this study was to isolate the biosurfactant-producing bacteria and characterize the surface-active properties of the metabolites produced.Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in three Caspian Sea coastal regions in Babolsar during 2007-8. In primary screening, hemolytic and emulsifying activities were performed on blood agar plates and in culture medium, respectively and then the reduction in the surface tension, as a biosurfactant-producing index, was determined quantitatively by captive drop cell instrument. The isolated strain was also investigated for its ability to use different hydrocarbon pollutants using the surface tension measurement.Results: One out of 10 different strains exhibited high ability to produce biosurfactant. This strain called Caspian petroleum A1 (CPA1). Biochemical tests showed that CPA1 classified in aerobic gram-negative cocci, neisseriaceae family and acinetobacter genus. CPA1 utilized crude oil and gasoline, as carbon and energy sources, to reduce the surface tension of culture medium from 71 to 42 and 39 mN/m. Conclusion: CPA1, as a biosurfactant-producer, was isolated and identified based on potential for biodegradation of hydrocarbon pollutants (e.g. crude oil, gasoline, anthracen and naphthalene)

Determination of hepatitis B surface antibody and gamma interferon responsiveness in vaccinated personnel reffered to a health network in Dashte-e Azadegan (Khozestan province)

Background: Among the preventing measures for hepatitis B is vaccination against the virus. This study aimed to determine the antibody level against the hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) and its relation to interferon gamma (IFN-γ) level among the vaccinated staffs and also the reasons for the lack of response in such persons. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on vaccinated staff (n=130) referred to Shahid Chamran Hospital. Using ELISA the samples were studied for anti-HBsAb and INF-γ level. Then, the relationship between antibody level and some indexes (e.g. sex, age, BMI, number of vaccine doses, time past after the last dose and INF-γ level) was considered. Results: Among the studied participants, 68.5 and 31.5 had a perfect and failure of immunity response (>10 IU/ml and <10 IU/ml, respectively). There was a direct relationship between the INF-γ and anti-HBs titration (R=0.635). In addition, there was a significant relationship (P<0.05) between anti-HBs titer and some indexes (e.g. BMI, the number of doses and the time interval since the last dose of vaccine); however, no significant relationship was observed between the sex and age on one hand and antibody titration on the other hand. Conclusion: Failure in INF-γ production against the virus can have a role in immunity response. Hence, measuring the anti-HBs level following the vaccination and also 5 years after are suggested for high risk cases; then, upon which a decision can be made on the reminder dosage

Development of the Group Malmquist Productivity Index on non-discretionary Factors

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) measures the relative efficiency of a homogenous set of decision-making units (DMUs) when multiple inputs and outputs are present. The DEA-based Malmquist productivity index measuring the productivity change of DMUs over time has proven itself to be a valid tool to compare group performance. However, in the previous models developed for this purpose, it was supposed that all factors were controllable or discretionary. It is noteworthy that in most real cases, there are some inputs and outputs that are non-discretionary or semi-discretionary. Therefore, the main objective of the present study was to develop the DEA-based Malmquist productivity index on such factors to compare group performance at the same period of time. The applicability of the proposed model has been illustrated by the comparison of environmental performance – concerning HSE-MS principles – between the two groups of Iranian and International oil and gas general contractors. Involving the controllability level of factors in comparing group performance, the model offers an scalar that can easily be interpreted to compare the performance of the two groups and to determine the superior performance

An Integrated Genetic-Genomic Approach for the Identification of Novel Cancer Loci in Mice Sensitized to c-Myc–Induced Apoptosis

Deregulated c-Myc is associated with a wide range of human cancers. In many cell types, overexpression of c-Myc potently promotes cell growth and proliferation concomitant with the induction of apoptosis. Secondary genetic events that shift this balance either by increasing growth and proliferation or limiting apoptosis are likely to cooperate with c-Myc in tumorigenesis. Here, the authors have performed large-scale insertional mutagenesis in Eµ-c-myc mice that, through mdm2 loss of function mutations, are sensitized to apoptosis. The authors chose to use this genetic background based on the hypothesis that the high level of apoptosis induced by c-Myc overexpression in MDM2-deficient mice would act as a rate-limiting barrier for lymphoma development. As a result, it was predicted that the spectrum of retroviral insertions would be shifted toward loci that harbor antiapoptotic genes. Nine novel common insertion sites (CISs) specific to mice with this sensitized genetic background were identified, suggesting the presence of novel antiapoptotic cancer genes. Moreover, cross-comparing the data to the Retroviral Tagged Cancer Gene Database, the authors identified an additional 23 novel CISs. Here, evidence is presented that 2 genes, ppp1r16b and hdac6, identified at CISs, are bona fide cellular oncogenes. This study highlights the power of combining unique sensitized genetic backgrounds with large-scale mutagenesis as an approach for identifying novel cancer genes