Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in intraepithelial neoplasia and squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix and its clinicopathological relations

Cyclooxygenase [COX]-2 is involved in the genesis of many tumors; multiple lines of evidence suggested that selective inhibitors of [COX-2] are a novel class of therapeutic and chemopreventive agents for epithelial malignancies. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of COX-2 in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia [CIN] and squamous cell carcinoma [SCC] of the uterine cervix and its association with Clinicopathological parameters. Twenty one patients with stage I-IV SCC of the cervix, another 21 patients with CIN I-III and 6 patients with histologically normal cervices were included in this study. Patients in the SCC group were treated with radical hysterectomy plus pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy or anterior pelvic exentration. Immunohistochemical study was performed on paraffin embedded tissue sections with COX-2 antibody. Expression of COX-2 was demonstrated in SCC and CIN groups, while it was undetectable in normal cervices. In this study, the prevalence of positive COX-2 expression in SCC group was significantly higher than its prevalence in CIN group [66.7% Vs. 38.1%, p=0.03]. Significantly higher expression of COX-2 was reported in patients with FIGO stage II-IV compared to patients with FIGO stage I [83.3% Vs. 44.4%, p=0.05]. Additionally, patients with parametrial invasion had significantly higher COX-2 expression than patients without [90.0% Vs. 45.5%, p=0.04]. Furthermore, there was significant relationship with respect to COX-2 expression and lymph node involvement [p=0.04]. Regarding the relation between COX-2 expression in both tumor cells and tumor associated tissue eosinophils [TATE], statistically significant inverse relation was reported [p=0.03]. However, the statistical evaluation of COX-2 expression according to age, tumor size, histological type, lymphovascular space invasion [LVSI] and grade of differentiation demonstrated no significant relationship. Our results suggested that, COX-2 expression may have a role in the development and progression of CIN. COX-2 expression is related to most of clinicopathologic and prognostic variables of cervical carcinoma and may be incorporated into the criteria for determination of tumor aggressiveness. The role of COX-2 expression in cancer development and progression makes it a good target for therapy and selective COX-2 inhibitors may be a promising strategy not only for chemoprevention but also for therapeutic approaches in SCC of the uterine cervix

Maternal and cord serum vitamin A in preeclamptic women

This case-control study included 60 pregnant women and their offspring who were classified into two groups [30 newborns of women with uncomplicated pregnancy and 30 newborns of preeclamptic women]. A measurement of both maternal and cord blood vitamin A level was done and some anthropometric parameters were taken. The results supported the hypothesis that preeclampsia depletes maternal lipid antioxidant and low plasma concentration of retinol might be associated with the development of preeclampsia. So, a possible prediction of preeclampsia can be obtained by measuring the concentration of retinol, which is relatively easy to be measured

Diagnostic value of transvaginal and color doppler ultrasonography in cases with adnexal masses and abdominal pain: diagnostic tools in emergency room

Over a period of four years, 91 patients presented with abdominal pain and adnexal mass were included in this study. Serum beta subunit human chorionic gonadotrophin [BhCG] values were obtained. The cohort was classified into two groups: Group I with a clinical suspicion of tubal pregnancy [n = 45], all of them had positive results in quantitative BhCG test and Group II with ovarian mass and abdominal pain [n = 46], no one of them had positive BhCG test. Transvaginal sonography [TVS] and color Doppler [CDS] were done. Patients were referred for laparoscopy and/or laparotomy. It was concluded that CDS has a limited value in addition to conventional TVS in diagnosing tubal pregnancy, however it is a good supplementary diagnostic tool for monitoring the viability of trophoblast. On the other hand, CDS is crucial in patients with suspected ovarian torsion for an early and accurate diagnosis to save reproductive organs