Immunohistochemical expression of programmed death-ligand 1 and CD8 in glioblastomas

Background@#Glioblastoma is the most aggressive primary malignant brain tumor in adults and is characterized by poor prognosis. Immune evasion occurs via programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1)/programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) interaction. Some malignant tumors have responded to PD-L1/PD-1 blockade treatment strategies, and PD-L1 has been described as a potential predictive biomarker. This study discussed the expression of PD-L1 and CD8 in glioblastomas. @*Methods@#Thirty cases of glioblastoma were stained immunohistochemically for PD-L1 and CD8, where PD-L1 expression in glioblastoma tumor tissue above 1% is considered positive and CD-8 is expressed in tumor infiltrating lymphocytes. The expression of each marker was correlated with clinicopathologic parameters. Survival analysis was conducted to correlate progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) with PD-L1 and CD8 expression. @*Results@#Diffuse/fibrillary PD-L1 was expressed in all cases (mean expression, 57.6%), whereas membranous PD-L1 was expressed in six of 30 cases. CD8-positive tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (CD8+ TILs) had a median expression of 10%. PD-L1 and CD8 were positively correlated (p = .001). High PD-L1 expression was associated with worse PFS and OS (p = .026 and p = .001, respectively). Correlation of CD8+ TILs percentage with age, sex, tumor site, laterality, and outcomes were statistically insignificant. Multivariate analysis revealed that PD-L1 was the only independent factor that affected prognosis. @*Conclusions@#PD-L1 expression in patients with glioblastoma is robust; higher PD-L1 expression is associated with lower CD8+ TIL expression and worse prognosis.

Occult hepatitis B and carcinogenesis markers in chronic hepatitis C infection

The presence of HBV-DNA in the patient's serum without detectable HBV surface antigen [HBsAg.] called occult infection. Detection of occult HBV infection in chronic hepatitis C virus patients was investigated by using qualitative PCR. Co-infection with occult HBV in chronic HCV patients increases the risk for progression to hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC].Detection of CD45-CD90+ as a biomarker in HCC patients by flow cytometry. We searched for serum HBV DNA in 30 patients with histologically verified HCV-related chronic liver disease, in addition to 10 healthy control subjects collected at National Liver Institute in Shebin El-Kom, Monofiya University, Egypt from January, 2010 to October, 2010. Off 40 patients, the sera of 9 [15.0%] were positive for HBV DNA by the different PCR assays, documenting an occult HBV infection. It found that 5 patient samples are positive for HBV DNA [Surface gene] [12.5%] of total 40 patient samples, also 3 patient samples are positive for HBV DNA [X gene] [7.5%] of total 40 patient samples, and only one patient sample was positive HBV DNA [core gene] [2.5%] of total 40 patient samples. Only two samples from the nine positive samples were positive for both Xgene and Surface gene. In conclusion these data suggest that occult HBV infection may have clinical significance in chronic hepatitis C patients

Prevalence study of psychiatric morbidity in a sample of adolescents in secondary schools in new Damietta City-Egypt

Few studies have estimated the psychiatric morbidity among adolescents in secondary schools in Egypt. The objectives of this study were to describe such disorders, identify those students with problems, and evaluate the relationship between their problems and some variables related to them. From September 2008 till April 2009. The study was done on 542 students [263 male [48.5%1 and 279 female [51.5%J], age range 15-18 years; those in urban 333 [61.4%] while in rural area 209 [38.61 with exclusion of deaf and blind. The researcher used Child and Adolescent behavior checklist, General health Questionnaire [GHQ], Clinical interview. Students with+ve score on GHQ were clinically interviewed, and the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders were done according to the diagnostic and statistically manual of mental disorder fourth version revised version [DSM IV TR]. About [22%] of Secondary school adolescents suffers from one or more of the psychiatric disorders as follows; Depression 21.4%, ADHD 15.9%, GAD 12.6% Adjustment disorder 12.6%, OCD 9.5%, conduct disorder 6.3%, Oppositional deviant dis. 5.6%, Separation anxiety dis. and Motor tics 4.8%, nocturnal enuresis 3.9%, social phobia 2.7%, no one complained of drug abuse or psychotic dis. The following socio demographic risk factors are statistically correlated to the psychiatric morbidity, age, sex, number of brothers, economic status and place of living. The mental health of Secondary school adolescents should be assessed, as they may be at risk for mental health problems. Preventive and therapeutic interventions are recommended

Use of silicone gel sheets in combination with pressure garments in prevention of hypertrophic scarring; is it effective?

Patients can have a wide range of problems related to scars, in terms of cosmesis, function, symptoms, psychological problems and overall quality of life issues. Hypertrophic scars can be reduced by the application of silicone dressing; however, the detailed mechanism of silicone action is still unknown. It is known that silicone gel sheets Cerederm[R] cause a hydration of the epidermal layer of the skin. An in vitro coculture experiment has shown that hydration of keratinocytes had a suppressive effect on the metabolism of the underlying fibroblasts resulting in reduced collagen deposition. This study was conducted on 80 linear scars, 40 patients with post abdominoplasty scars, and 20 patients [40 breasts] with reduction mammoplasty scars; they were divided into two groups with the use of pressure garment fixed in both groups. The first group used silicone gel sheet Cerederm [R] while the second did not. Both groups were followed up for a period of 6 months. Then the outcome was compared both on clinical and histopathological basis. On clinical assessment the two groups where compared according to the Vancouver Scar Scale [VSS.]: scar height, pigmentation .etc. While in histopathological examination, three biopsies were taken at day 0, 90, 180 respectively. Each specimen was stained by hematoxylin and eosin to show the normal pattern of collagen bundle formation, the amount of fibrosis and proliferation of the fibroblasts. Early restoration of the water barrier is essential for reducing the stimulus for epidermal proliferation, and secondary epidermal cross talk to stimulate collagen synthesis in the dermis. Adding the pressure garment to the silicon play a role in decreasing the height of the scar or prevent its formation with decrease the other unpleasant sequel of the scar

Immune response in dogs infected with ancylostoma duodenal

The relation between the level of serum immunoglobulins [IgG, IgM, IgA and IgE] percentage of T-lymphocyte and egg counts was studied in dogs infected with Ancylostoma duodenale. The serum IgG levels were significantly high, and a marked significance was noticed also in the levels of IgM and IgE. An inverse relationship between the concentration of IgG and egg count, and a direct association between the percentage of T-lymphocyte and IgG level were proved