Expression of endoglin (CD105) in cervical cancer

In this study, we have investigated the role of endoglin (CD105), a regulator of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 signalling on endothelial cells, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) in cervical cancer. We have measured the number and determined the location of both newly formed (CD105-positive) and the overall number of (CD31-positive) blood vessels, and bFGF and VEGF-A expression using immunohistochemistry in 30 cervical carcinoma specimens. Vascular endothelial growth factor-A mRNA expression was determined using RNA-in situ hybridisation. CD105- and CD31-positive vessels and bFGF- and VEGF-A-positive cells were predominantly present in the stroma. The presence of CD105- and CD31-positive vessels in the stroma did neither correlate with the number of VEGF-A-positive cells nor the number of bFGF-positive cells. However, the number of CD105- and CD31-positive vessels was associated with the expression of VEGF-A mRNA in the epithelial cell clusters (P=0.013 and P=0.005, respectively). The presence of CD105-positive and CD31-positive vessels was associated with the expression of αvβ6 (a TGF-β1 activator; P=0.013 and P=0.006, respectively). Clinically, the number of CD105-positive vessels associated with the number of lymph node metastasis (P<0.001). Furthermore, the presence of CD105-positive vessels within the epithelial cell clusters associated with poor disease-free survival (P=0.007)

Study of Breast Lump of 2246 Cases by Fine Needle Aspiration

The purpose of this study was to analyze breast lesions causing breast lump with special reference to patients younger and older than 30 years of age diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and to evaluate the histology of the cases diagnosed as suspicious of malignancy in FNA. All patients who underwent FNA during four years period (2000-2004) were included in this study. The FNA procedure was performed and interpreted by the experienced pathologists. Histological evaluation of the suspicious cases in FNA was done and was based on excisional biopsy or mastectomy specimen. Out of 2246 FNA performed, 1840 were diagnosed as non-malignant, 6 atypical ductal hyperplasia, 52 suspicious of malignancy and 348 as malignant. The most common non-malignant lesions included 975 (43%) fibroadenosis, 180 (8%) fibroadenoma, 126 (6%) abscess and 96 (4%) fibrocystic changes. The patients were further divided into two groups: group I consisted of 918 patients aged 30 years and younger and group II consisted of 1328 patients above 30 years. In group I, 444 (48.4%) were diagnosed as fibroadenosis and only 15 (1.6%) cases were malignancies. In group II 531 (40%) were fibroadenosis and 333 (25%) were malignant. Patients more than 30 years old had significantly higher malignancy diagnoses (P <0.001). The odds of being diagnosed as malignant tumor among the higher age group patients (>30 years) is 21 times larger (confidence interval 12.4, 35.6) than the younger patients (< 30 years). In 63% (27/43) of the suspicious cases, malignancy was diagnosed in histological examination. Cancer and Fibroadenosis are two most common causes of breast lumps in Nepal. Incidence of malignancy is significantly lower in patients aged 30 years and younger than in patients aged older than 30 years. Suspicious FNA cases should be evaluated histologically to rule out malignancy. Key words: breast, cancer, fine needle aspiratio

Reduced Vision and Refractive Errors, Results from a School Vision Screening Program in Kanchanpur district of Far Western Nepal Corresponding Author

ABSTRACT Backgroun

Revitalising Agrarian Economies: The Use of Biochar on Banana-based Agroforestry System in Nepal’s hills

The use of biochar in agroforestry practices is a new concept in Nepal. The soil application of biochar is a promising alternative to increase productivity and reduce chemical fertilizers. To test this concept, an action research project was implemented in two villages of Lamjung district in the middle hills of Nepal. This study aimed at assessing the productivity and livelihood impacts of a banana-based agroforestry system with and without biochar-based fertilization. Biochar was used in one village while another village served as the control (with Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium – NPK application, but no biochar). The information obtained from 111 householdsurveys was verified and tested through five farmers’ field trials. The paper investigates the effect of different fertilizers on banana yields and its contributions on poverty reduction. The result of the study shows that the banana yield increased by 41 per cent in the plots treated with urine-biochar plus compost compared to the control with conventional NPK fertilization;and more than doubled (102%) compared to the fertilization with compost only. Findings also revealed that the poverty level of respondent households using biochar dropped by 30 per cent (from 66% to 36%) in Dhamilikuwa (biochar village) and dropped by 19 per cent (from 40% to 21%) in JitaTaxar (control village). The study implies that the use of biochar in banana-basedagroforestry system has the potential for increasing soil productivity and reducing poverty, thereby revitalising agrarian economy of many Nepali villages. A wider replication of this study is therefore recommended, together with enabling public policies to support this practice