Association between the evidence of human papilloma virus infection in bladder transitional cell carcinoma in men and cervical dysplasia in their spouses

Cervical cancer is one of the most common tumors in women. One of its risk factors is direct contact with viruses, in particular human papillomavirus [HPV]. Recent studies have shown a prevalence of 2%-35% for HPV in cases with bladder cancer. In addition, some malignancies of the urogenital organs in males may promote the probability of cervical cancer in their spouses. In this study, the relationship between cervical dysplasia in women and evidence of HPV infection in tissue specimens obtained from their spouses' bladders has been investigated. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 82 male patients with bladder tumors and their spouses between February 2004 and February 2007 in Tehran. We gathered data related to the histopathology of the transitional cell carcinoma [TCC] in men and Pap smear tests of their spouses. Tissue specimens of patients with bladder TCC were analyzed for HPV infection using polymerase chain reaction [POR]. HPV-positive specimens were tested for subtypes 16 and 18. In 24 [29.3%] men, bladder tumor samples were positive for HPV infection. Of these, we found HPV-18 infection in 9 [37.5%], while 3 [12.5%] were infected with HPV-16. In the spouses of those men with HPV-infected bladder tumors, 4 [4.9%] cases had cellular dysplasia noted on their Pap smear tests. We found no dysplasia in those women whose husbands had bladder TCC, but no HPV infection [P = 0.006]. It is possible to decrease the incidence of bladder TCC in men and cervical cancer in women through public education regarding the methods of transmission and avoidance of risky sexual behaviors

Soluble Fas in pemphigus vulgaris

The Fas/Fas ligand [FasL] system has been recognized as an important pathway for apoptosis induction in cells and tissues. It has recently been shown that skin lesions of pemphigus vulgaris are associated with Fas mediated apoptosis. The aim of this study was to evaluated the level of serum soluble Fas of ten newly diagnosed patients with pemphigus vulgaris. Sera were collected from ten patients with pemphigus vulgaris. Commercial sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] for quantitative detection of soluble Fas was applied. Patients with mucosal skin involvement had higher median values in contrast to patients with cutaneous involvement. Elevation of soluble Fas in our study may give insights for the pathogenesis of pemphigus vulgaris. Suppression of this underlying mechanism may be an important target for novel therapies and relapse prevention

Release of sFasL by monocytes and lymphocytes triggered by betaglucan and zymosan

Polysaccharides have long been used as immune-modulators in various pathologic conditions including inflammation and solid malignancies. To evaluate the effects of Zymosan and Betaglucan on cytotoxic reactions in an effectortarget conjugate system. Blood was obtained from 20 healthy subjects; purified mononuclear leukocytes [monocytes and lymphocytes] were extracted and cultured as effector cells by a cytotoxic method. Both adherent and non-adherent cells interacted with the K562 myeloid cell line. The effector-target [E:T] ratio was 1:1, 1:10, and 1:20. To evaluate stimulatory effects of Betaglucan and Zymosan on cytotoxic reactions, samples were divided into case and control groups based on the presence or absence of Betaglucan and Zymosan. MTT assay and sFas ligand [sFasL] concentrations were used to assess the increased killing capacity of effector cells. Our results revealed that Zymosan and Betaglucan can induce cytotoxic responses in macrophages and lymphocytes [P<0.05]. The best result was achieved with E:T ratio of 1:1. Both macrophages and lymphocytes produced sFasL following stimulation by Zymosan and Betaglucan, however, the level of production was not statistically significant [P>0.05]. Zymosan and Betaglucan can be used as enhancers of the killing capacity of the immune cells; therefore, Betaglucan and Zymosan can be applied as systemic stimulators of the immune response in inflammation and chronic infection