prognostic significance of Her2-Neu over expression in gastric carcinomas

Her2/neu is one of the epidermal growth factor receptors families and seems to have prognostic significance of some solid tumors. The objective of this study is to evaluate the possibility of Her2 expression in gastric cancers and the possible relationship of Her2 with tumor's clinicopathologic parameters and also its prognostic role. This study was performed on 100 cases of gastric carcinoma with stage I b to III [according to TNM staging]. Survival, recurrence date of patients, grade and lymph nodes involvement were assessed. Her2/neu expression was determined by immunohistochemical method on received sample blocks. Survival of patients with or without Her2-neu expression were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test followed by multivariate analysis using Cox regression. Seven cases were 3+ membranous Her2 reactivity, 5 cases were 2+ and 13 cases were 1+; also 75% of cases demonstrated no reactivity. Regarding relationship between tumor grade and membranous Her2, all patients with poorly differentiated tumors were Her2 negative but patients with moderate and well differentiated tumor had 18.1% and 19.6% Her2 reactivity respectively; there were no significant difference between groups statistically [P>0.05]. Median overall survival was 27.25 and 46 months in Her2 negative and her2 positive cases respectively; there were no significant difference between groups statistically as well [P>0.05]. Her2 reactivity has not relationship with tumor grade and lymph node involvement as well as tumor stage. From the other point of view no significant correlation is found between Her2 expression and disease free survival or overall survival of gastric cancer patients

Comparison of effects of two radiotherapy techniques, two tangential/single anterior supra-clavicular field and two tangential/two anterior and posterior opposed supra-clavicular fields on lung volumes and peripheral oxygen saturation

Chest wall irradiation for early breast cancer affects forced vital capacity [FVC], forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration [FEV1] and may change peripheral oxygen saturation [SpO2]. In our institute chest wall is irradiated with a four field technique: two tangential and two oppositional anterior and posterior supraclavicular fields. Regional recurrence in this technique is less than 5 percent. We conducted this study to compare changes in FEV1, FVC and SpO2 between standard three field and four fields technique. We randomized 51 stage I and II breast cancer cases after modified radical mastectomy and completion of chemotherapy in two groups. In group I patients were treated with four field and in group II with three field technique using cobalt 60 teletherapy. Patients with a history of smoking, pulmonary disease, heart disease and any deformities in chest wall were excluded. Patients were stratified due to central long distance [CLD], fields separation in tangential fields and filed borders defined in standard manner. Radiotherapy dose was 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions. Spirometry and pulse oxymetry was done before, one month after and three months after the completion of radiotherapy. FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC showed no significant difference between two groups one month and three months after radiotherapy. Also there was no significant difference in FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC one month after radiotherapy comparing with pre-radiotherapy values. There were significant differences in FEV1 and FVC reduction three months after radiotherapy in comparison with pre-radiotherapy values [P<0.001, P<0.006 respectively] SpO2 showed no significant difference between two groups and also in each group after one and three months. Locoregional radiotherapy of chest wall and supraclavicular lymph nodes causes reduction in FEV1 and FVC three months after radiotherapy but there is no significant difference between three field and four fields techniques. We suggest this study be completed by using pulmonary function tests including spirometry and diffusion capacities

Comparison of radiotherapy side effects on lung volumes and peripheral oxygen saturation in two methods of radiotherapy: two tangential and single anterior supraclavicular field with two tangential and two anterior and posterior opposed supraclavicular fields

Radiotherapy after breast cancer surgery will increase local control of the disease and also increase overall survival. Radiation have some side effects on lung function. In different radiotherapy techniques, these side effects are different. Pulmonary function tests and oxygen saturation are methods for evaluation of these complications. In this study we decide to campare pulmonary complications in two radiotherapy methods. In this clinical trial study fifty one patients with breast cancer hi stage II and III according to TNM staging system, which were under modified radical mastectomy in Imam Hosein hospital and refered for adjuvant radiotherapy, randomly divided in two groups. In one group patients were treated with three field technique and in others with four field technique. All patients received total dose of 48-50 Gy. For patients, pulmonary function test and pulse oxymetery were done once before initiation of radiotherapy and then one and three months after radiotherapy. Measurement of FEV[1], FVC and FEV, FVC show that no significant statistical difference was present between the two groups one month and three months after radiotherapy, also in each of the two groups the amount of FEV[1], FVC and FEV, FVC one month after radiotherapy had no significant statistical difference in comparison to baseline tests but FEVI and FVC after three months was decreased and had significant statistical difference respectively [p<0.001, p<0.006]. SO[2] had no significant defference between the two groups and also hi each group after one and three month of radiotherapy. Locoregional radiotherapy of breast and lymph nodes areas causes a decrease in some parameter of pulmonary function tests but no difference was present between three field and four field techniques

Pakistan's experience of a bioterrorism-related anthrax scare

From November 2001 to March 2002, the National Institute of Health, Islamabad, Pakistan, received 230 samples from 194 different sources for analysis for anthrax spores. These samples were taken from letters/packages suspected of containing anthrax and from individuals exposed to them. When cultured on sheep blood agar, 141 samples yielded growth suggestive of Bacillus species. On the basis of growth characteristics, absence of beta-haemolysis, absent or doubtful motility and morphological characters of the isolates on Gram stain, 62 isolates were considered suspicious and were inoculated into guinea-pigs. Inoculated animals remained healthy well beyond the required observation period of 5 days. All the samples were therefore reported as negative for B. anthracis. Systems for h and ling and analysing suspected anthrax-contaminated materials are discussed