Vulvar Merkel Carcinoma: A Case Report

This is a new case of Merkel cell carcinoma of the vulva. It is a rare neuroendocrine carcinoma with an aggressive behavior. Because of its rarity in this location, it is not clear whether it behaves differently from the usual neuroendocrine carcinomas of the skin. A case of a 63-year-old patient with vulvar Merkel carcinoma is presented. The clinical presentation, microscopic and immunohistochemical features, and treatment are discussed

Post-operative critical care management of patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery and heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and Heated Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) results in a number of physiological changes with effects on the cardiovascular system, oxygen consumption and coagulation. The Critical Care interventions required by this cohort of patients have not yet been quantified.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This retrospective audit examines the experience of a Specialist Tertiary Centre in England over an 18 month period (January 2009-June 2010) during which 69 patients underwent CRS and HIPEC. All patients were extubated in the operating theatre and transferred to the Critical Care Unit (CCU) for initial post-operative management.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Patients needed to remain on the CCU for 2.4 days (0.8-7.8). There were no 30 day mortalities. The majority of patients (70.1%) did not require post-operative organ support. 2 patients who developed pneumonia post-operatively required respiratory support. 18 (26.1%) patients required vasopressor support with norepinephrine with a mean duration of 13.94 hours (5-51 hours) and mean dose of 0.04 mcg/kg/min. Post-operative coagulopathy peaked at 24 hours. A significant drop in serum albumin was observed.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The degree of organ support required post-operatively is minimal. Early extubation is efficacious with the aid of epidural analgesia. Critical Care monitoring for 48 hours is desirable in view of the post-operative challenges.</p

Adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy in breast cancer: 30 year follow-up of survival

BACKGROUND:The long term outcome (more than 15 years) of adjuvant treatment in patients with primary operable breast cancer has rarely been examined.METHODS:A randomised clinical trial of radiotherapy, chemotherapy (28 day cycles of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil) or both on women with primary operable breast cancer (n = 322) was followed-up for a median of 27 years.RESULTS:260 (81%) patients died, 204 (78%) from breast cancer. Cancer specific survival (SE) at 10 years, 20 years and 30 years was 41 (3)%, 34 (3)% and 33 (3)% respectively. Presence of more than 3 involved lymph nodes increased cancer-specific mortality (HR 1.88, 95% CI 1.34-2.63) after adjustment for age, socio-economic deprivation and adjuvant treatment. Both age (HR 1.63, 95% CI 1.19-2.22) and involved lymph nodes (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.17-2.14) were significant predictors of all-cause mortality after adjustment for other factors. There was no significant difference in all-cause or cancer-specific survival between patients in each of the 3 treatment arms.CONCLUSIONS:The present study highlights the long term impact of node positive disease but does not indicate that any regimen was associated with significantly better long-term surviva

Extremophiles in a changing world

Extremophiles and their products have been a major focus of research interest for over 40 years. Through this period, studies of these organisms have contributed hugely to many aspects of the fundamental and applied sciences, and to wider and more philosophical issues such as the origins of life and astrobiology. Our understanding of the cellular adaptations to extreme conditions (such as acid, temperature, pressure and more), of the mechanisms underpinning the stability of macromolecules, and of the subtleties, complexities and limits of fundamental biochemical processes has been informed by research on extremophiles. Extremophiles have also contributed numerous products and processes to the many fields of biotechnology, from diagnostics to bioremediation. Yet, after 40 years of dedicated research, there remains much to be discovered in this field. Fortunately, extremophiles remain an active and vibrant area of research. In the third decade of the twenty-first century, with decreasing global resources and a steadily increasing human population, the world’s attention has turned with increasing urgency to issues of sustainability. These global concerns were encapsulated and formalized by the United Nations with the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the presentation of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015. In the run-up to 2030, we consider the contributions that extremophiles have made, and will in the future make, to the SDGs.Open access funding provided by University of Pretoria.http://link.springer.com/journal/792hj2024BiochemistryGeneticsMicrobiology and Plant PathologySDG-03:Good heatlh and well-beingSDG-07:Affordable and clean energySDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructureSDG-12:Responsible consumption and productionSDG-14:Life below waterSDG-15:Life on lan

The role of lymphadenectomy in uterine carcinosarcomas (malignant mixed mullerian tumours): a critical literature review

Uterine carcinosarcomas are rare and highly aggressive tumours. Although surgery is the cornerstone of treatment, the extent of the procedure remains controversial. We sought to evaluate the available literature data regarding the rationale of lymphadenectomy and its possible impact on survival. A systematic Medline, PubMed and Scopus search with special focus on the publications of the last decade. Carcinosarcomas have similar clinical characteristics and behaviour with grade 3 endometrioid or aggressive variants of uterine adenocarcinoma. All studies have demonstrated that the FIGO stage of disease is the most important prognostic factor, followed by the depth of myometrial invasion, extra-uterine spread and positive peritoneal cytology. Moreover, lymph node involvement will be found in 14-38% of patients undergoing lymphadenectomy. This figure is similar to the one reported for endometrial carcinoma. Therefore, lymphadenectomy is mandatory for staging purposes. Regarding its impact on survival, the majority of studies confirm a significant survival benefit. The possible mechanisms for the improvement of survival from lymphadenectomy include removal of micro-metastatic foci, reduction of recurrence risk (removal of “target tissue”) and mechanical circumvallate of the disease. Given that 5-38% of the patients will experience local recurrence and 30-83% distant metastases, lymphadenectomy reduces the risk of the first and identifies patients in advanced stage that may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy, aiming to reduce the second and ultimately improve overall survival. Our review data fully justifies the rationale of lymphadenectomy, which beyond staging information seems to offer a measurable survival benefit

Extreme environments as a resource for microorganisms and novel biocatalysts

The steady increase in the number of newly isolated extremophilic microorganisms and the discovery of their enzymes by academic and industrial institutions underlines the enormous potential of extremophiles for application in future biotechnological processes. Enzymes from extremophilic microorganisms offer versatile tools for sustainable developments in a variety of industrial application as they show important environmental benefits due to their biodegradability, specific stability under extreme conditions, improved use of raw materials and decreased amount of waste products. Although major advances have been made in the last decade, our knowledge of the physiology, metabolism, enzymology and genetics of this fascinating group of extremophilic microorganisms and their related enzymes is still limited. In-depth information on the molecular properties of the enzymes and their genes, however, has to be obtained to analyze the structure and function of proteins that are catalytically active around the boiling and freezing points of water and extremes of pH. New techniques, such as genomics, metanogenomics, DNA evolution and gene shuffling, will lead to the production of enzymes that are highly specific for countless industrial applications. Due to the unusual properties of enzymes from extremophiles, they are expected to optimize already existing processes or even develop new sustainable technologies. © Springer-Verlag 2005

Cloning, sequencing, characterization, and expression of an extracellular alpha-amylase from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis

A gene encoding a highly thermostable extracellular alpha-amylase from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus was identified, The gene was cloned, sequenced, and expressed in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. The gene is 1383 base pairs long and encodes a protein of 461 amino acids, The open reading frame of the gene was Verified by microsequencing of the recombinant purified enzyme. The deduced amino acid sequence is 25 amino acids longer at the N terminus than that determined by sequencing of the purified protein, suggesting that a leader sequence is removed during transport of the enzyme across the membrane. The recombinant alpha-amylase was biochemically characterized and shows an activity optimum at pH 4.5, whereas the optimun temperature for enzymatic activity is close to 100 degrees C. alpha-Amylase shows sequence homology to the other known alpha-amylases and belongs to family 13 of glycosyl hydrolases. This extracellular alpha-amylase is not homologous to the subcellular alpha-amylase previously isolated from the same organism