bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biological features and outcome of biphenotypic acute leukemia
Authors: Mikulic Mirta , Batinic Drago , Sucic Mirna , Davidovic-Mrsic Sanja , Dubravcic Klara , Nemet Damir , Serventi-Seiwerth Ranka , Sertic Dubravka , Labar Boris 
Published: July 2014

BACKGROUND:
Biphenotypic acute leukemia (BAL) is a distinct entity that is immunophenotypically defined by the European Group for the Immunological Classification of Leukemia (EGIL) scoring system and accounts for less than 5% of all acute leukemia cases. since it is a rare and heterogeneous form of acute leukemia with an allegedly poor outcome, there is no consensus on the best treatment approach in these patients. our objective was to analyze the biological features and outcome of patients diagnosed with BAL in our institution.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:
using the EGIL system, we identified 21 cases (3.9%) of BAL from 535 newly diag-nosed acute leukemia patients in an 11-year period.

RESULTS:
There were ten cases of myeloid+B-lymphoid leukemia, eight cases of myeloid+t-lymphoid, one case of B+t-lymphoid and two cases of trilineage (myeloid+B+t-lymphoid leukemia). The complete remission (GR) rate with high-dose chemotherapy was 72% and overall survival at 5 years was 21%. Patients that received acute lymphoblastic leukemia-oriented chemotherapy had a higher CR rate compared with those who received acute myeloid leukemia-oriented chemotherapy (100% vs. 60%, P=.007). The white blood cell count at diagnosis was found to have statistically significant impact on survival.

CONCLUSION:
Despite the progress in the treatment of acute leukemia, the prognosis of BAL remains poor and treatment protocols devised explicitly for this entity should be investigated in prospective collaborative studies.
Serum prostate-specific antigen, radiologic findings and Gleason score in prostate biopsies in Jordan
Authors: Farsakh Mohammed G. Abu , Farsakh Hussam A. A. Abu 
Published: July 2014

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and the PSA ratio are good screening tests for prostate carcinoma. The significance of PSA may be different from one ethnic group to another. Radiologic findings may be helpful in detecting prostate carcinoma.

METHODS:
We reviewed the findings of 348 prostate biopsies performed in a 4-year period. Of these, 278 cases were performed under ultrasound guidance and 70 were performed transrectally under digital guidance. PSA, PSA ratio, Gleason score and radiology findings were determined.

RESULTS:
Forty -three percent of the cases were diagnosed as having adenocarcinoma. The mean age for cancer patients was 68.4 years. The mean PSA level for patients with carcinoma was 23.4 ng/mL compared to 11.2 ng/mL for benign cases. carcinoma occurred in 11% (PSA <4 ng/mL); 48.7% (PSA=4-10 ng/mL); 50.6% (PSA= 10-30 ng/mL); 72% (PSA >30 ng/mL). The PSA ratio for cancer cases was 9.9% compared to 13.7% for benign cases. The average Gleason score for all cancers was 7 of 10. There was no relationship between PSA level and Gleason score. The higher the Gleason score, the higher the percentage of carcinoma present in the cores. Most of the carcinomas (100/122) showed hypoechoic areas on ultrasound exam, while heterogeneous areas favored a benign lesion in 54/76, with a sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 38%.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS:
The higher the PSA, the greater the chance of having cancer. PSA has a low positive predictive value for prostate carcinoma. Twenty-eight percent of PSA >30 can be attributed to benign conditions. A PSA ratio <10 is suggestive of carcinoma. A radiologic finding of a hypoechoic lesion is a sensitive tool for detecting prostate carcinoma, but its specificity is low.
Cancer incidence among the Bahraini population
Authors: Alsayyad Jamal , Hamadeh Randah 
Published: July 2014

BACKGROUND:
Cancer is the second leading cause of death, following cardiovascular diseases, accounting for 12% of annually reported deaths in Bahrain. We determined the epidemiological patterns of malignancies in Bahrain and compared them with those of other Gulf cooperation council (GCC) countries and other developed countries.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS:
Data for the study were obtained from the Bahrain cancer Registry (BCR) database. The overall and type-specific 5-year average incidence rates were calculated for the years 1998-2002 and derived using the CANREG software formula. The incidence rates for the year 2000 were used for comparing Bahrain with those of other countries in the Arabian Gulf using the statistics of the Gulf centre for cancer Registration.

RESULTS:
During the 5-year period there were 2405 cancer cases in Bahrain (1239 males and 1166 females), with an annual average of 481 cases. The world age-standardized incidence rates (ASR) were 162.3 and 145.2 per 100 000 for Bahraini males and females, respectively. Generally, Bahraini men had a higher ASR for most cancer types, and the most common type of cancer| was lung for males (35.2 per 100 000), followed by bladder (14.5) and prostate (14.3), and breast for females (46.8), followed by lung (12.2) and ovary (7.7).

CONCLUSION:
Compared to other Gulf countries, Bahrain had higher incidence rates for cancers of the lung, prostate, colorectum, bladder, kidney, pancreas and leukemia among males and for cancers of the breast, lung, bladder, thyroid, uterus and ovary among females. A rising trend in cancer incidence is likely to continue for years or even decades to come.
Inhibition of Akt pathway phosphorylation as a mechanism in the pathogenesis of functional intestinal obstruction in carcinomatosis peritonei
Authors: Poon Donald , Le Hoang-Vinh , Chanh Ngo Van , Tham Chee-Kian , Poh Benjamin , Koo Wen-Hsin , Hung Huynh 
Published: July 2014

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
The purpose of this study was to confirm our hypothesis that the develop-ment of functional intestinal obstruction in carcinomatosis peritonei (CP) is related to cytokine-mediated inhibition of the Akt pathway and to investigate the phenomenon of relative adrenal insufficiency in CP.

METHODS:
Human adrenocortical cells (NCI-H295R) were treated with serum derived from eight cancer patients who had intestinal obstruction and functional adrenal insufficiency. serum from three normal healthy subjects and three who had CP but without intestinal obstruction or adrenal insufficiency were used as controls. The differential effects of serum on the treated cells were studied using Western blot analysis. cortisol production of these treated cells was assayed with cortisol ELISA kits.

RESULTS:
phosphorylation of Akt at Ser473 and Ser308 in cells was significantly reduced when treated with serum from patients with intestinal obstruction but not controls. phosphorylation of PDK1 at Ser241, mTOR downstream targets like p70S6 atThr421/Ser424 and Thr389, and lastly 4EBP-1 at Ser70 a downstream target of p70S6 was reduced by approximately 50%, 40%, and 70%, respectively. There was enhanced phosphorylation of elF4E an initiating factor in protein translation in cells treated with patient serum compared to controls. Cortisol synthesis was stimulated upon treatment with patient serum but not with control serum.

CONCLUSION:
Inhibition of Akt phosphorylation is a mechanism that could play a major role in the development of intestinal obstruction in carcinomatosis peritonei. The identification of the mediating cytokines will lead to the development of cogent targeted therapeutic strategies.
Preliminary report on tumor stem cell/B cell hybridoma vaccine for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme
Authors: Moviglia Gustavo A. , Carrizo Antonio G. , Varela Gabriela , Gaeta Carlos A. , Lima Andrea Paes de , Farina Pablo , Molina Hugo 
Published: July 2014

BACKGROUND:
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most aggressive glioma, presents with a rapid evolution and relapse within the first year, which is attributed to the persistence of tumor stem cells (TSC) and the escape of immune surveillance. Mixed leukocyte culture (MLC) cytoimplant has been shown to function as a powerful intratumor pro-inflammatory cytokine pump. tumor B-cell hybridoma (TBH) vaccines have been shown to function as antigen-presenting cells. We evaluated the toxicity and efficiency of each treatment alone and in combination.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:
In an open study, 12 consecutive patients were evenly divided into 3 groups, each group receiving 3 different treatments. Patients in Group 1 were treated, after diagnosis, with debulking surgery (DS)+radiotherapy (Rx), and after the first relapse underwent DS+MLC treatment. Patients in Group 2 were similarly treated but after the first relapse underwent DS+MLC+TBH. Finally, patients in Group 3 were similarly treated but after the first relapse underwent DS+TBH. Nestin PAP stain assessed TSC participation in TBH.

RESULTS:
Treatment with MLC had strong and rapid therapeutic effects, but was limited in duration and induced various degrees of brain inflammation. Treatment with MLC+TBH acted synergistically, provoking a rapid, strong and lasting therapeutic response but also generating different degrees of brain inflammation. A lasting therapeutic effect without generating high degrees of brain inflammation occurred in patients treated with TBH vaccine alone.

CONCLUSION:
TSC vaccine consisting of TBH alone seems to have potent adjuvant reactions overcoming both persistence of tumor stem cells and immune escape of GBM without provoking an encephalitic reaction.
Thyroid carcinoma in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Al-Zaher Nabil , Al-Salam Suhail , Teraifi Hassan El 
Published: July 2014

BACKGROUND:
Although the distribution of thyroid carcinoma in the Arab Gulf States has been described, no previous study has examined the characteristic clinicopathologic features of thyroid carcinoma cases in the united Arab Emirates.

METHODS:
The medical records of 135 patients with thyroid carcinoma diagnosed over a 15-year period (1991-2005) at Tawam Hospital, the national referral oncology center in the UAE, were retrospectively studied and the cases classified according to the histologic classification of the World Health organization (WHO).

RESULTS:
Seventy-eight patients (58%) were diagnosed before the age of 45 years with an overall peak incidence in the fourth and fifth decades. The female to male ratio was 2.4:1. Eighty-four percent had papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), while follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC), anaplastic thyroid carcinoma and medullary carcinoma comprised 14%, 1.4% and 0.6%, respectively. The conventional classical variant of papillary carcinoma was the most common type. Three-quarters of the papillary carcinomas presented as multinodular goiter, while one-fifth presented as a solitary thyroid nodule. Minimal invasive follicular carcinoma was the most common variant of follicular carcinoma.

CONCLUSION:
Thyroid carcinoma in the united Arab Emirates seems to be more common among females and female gender may be a risk factor. Age <45 years can be considered an important prognostic factor as well as a possible risk factor. PTC predominates the histologic pattern of thyroid carcinoma, which is usually associated with an iodide-sufficient area.
Morphologic, immunphenotypic and clinical discriminators between T-cell/histiocyterich large B-cell lymphoma and lymphocytepredominant Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Mourad Walid A. , Thani Sheikha Al , Tbakhi Abdelghani , Omari Mohamed Al , Khafaga Yasser , Shoukri Mohamed , Weshi Amr El , Shabana Mohamed Al , Ezzat Adnan 
Published: July 2014

BACKGROUND:
Features of T-cell/histiocyte rich large B-cell lymphoma (THRLBCL) overlap with those of lym-phocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (LPHL). The two lymphomas may represent a spectrum of the same disease, and differentiation between the two can sometimes be difficult. We looked at histomorphologic, im- munophenotypic and clinical information that may help differentiate the two entities.

METHODS:
cases of THRLCL and LPHL were blindly reviewed and studied for histological pattern (nodular vs. diffuse), nuclear features and pattern of expression of CD20, CD30, CD57, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). A score encompassing diffuse histology, high nuclear grade, CD20 single-cell pattern, CD30+, CD57-, EMA-, and EBV+ was estimated for the diagnosis of TCHRLBCL.

RESULTS:
There were 58 cases, including 30 cases of TCHRLBL and 28 cases of LPHL. The median age was 36 years for TCHRLBCL and 21 years for LPHL (P=0.0001). Three types of nuclei were identified (lymphocytic/his- tocytic, Reed-Sternberg and centroblast-like). The latter two high-grade nuclei were suggestive of TCHRLBCL. TCHRLBCL and LPHL, respectively, showed diffuse histology, 90% vs. 4% (P=0.001), single CD20+ cells, 93% vs. 3.5% (P=0.00004), CD30+ cells, 30% vs. 0% (P=0.01), CD57+ cells, 41% vs. 93% (P=0.008), EMA+ cells, 27% vs. 60% (P=0.113), EBV+ cells, 24% vs. 0% (P=0.117), high nuclear grade, 70% vs. 0% (P=0.001), total score 2-7 (mean 4.68) vs. 0-2 (mean 0.72) (P=0.001), high stage, 86% vs. 7% (P=0.0001).

CONCLUSION:
Our findings indicate that a combination of multiple parameters can help differentiate between the two diseases. Two cases originally diagnosed as LPHL were re-assigned the diagnosis of THRLBCL.
Predictors of severe hemolysis in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency following exposure to oxidant stresses
Authors: Al-Sweedan Suleimman A. , Jdaitawi Hussein , Khriesat Wadah M. , Khader Yousef Y. , Al-Rimawi Hala S. 
Published: July 2014

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is a genetic enzy-matic disorder that affects millions of people worldwide, and is a major health problem in Jordan. We studied factors that may predict severe hemolysis in children with G6PD deficiency.

METHODS:
We reviewed the records of patients with low G6PD activity admitted to a teaching hospital between 1996 to 2007. We collected demographic data, details of sign and symptoms, history and type of fava bean ingestion, blood and Rh group, history of neonatal jaundice, history and type of drug use, abdominal pain at admission and the results of tests for hemoglobin, white blood cells (WBC), and hepatic function. We classified patients into mild and severe groups based on hemoglobin levels at admission.

RESULTS:
Of 428 children with G6PD deficiency, 79 (18%) were severe cases and 349 (82%) patients with mild disease. There were no statistically significant differences in most factors between the two groups. Factors that achieved statistical significance for severe hemolysis included younger age (P<.05), male gender (P<.05), higher alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (P<.05), presence of fever at admission (P<.01), presence of vomiting during the attack (P=.006), and a negative family history for G6PD deficiency (P=.005).

CONCLUSIONS:
Severe hemolysis can be predicted during hemolytic episodes in children with low G6PD by young age, male gender, a negative family history of G6PD deficiency, the presence of fever and vomiting and a high ALP.
Prognostic effect of hormone receptor status in early HER2 positive breast cancer patients
Authors: Gómez Henry L. , Castañeda Carlos A. , Vigil Carlos E. , Vidaurre Tatiana , Velarde Raúl G. , Cruz Wilder R. , Pinto Joseph A. , Suazo Juan F. , Garcés Milko R. , Neciosup Silvia P. , Vallejos Carlos S. 
Published: July 2014

BACKGROUND
This study was conducted to determine the prognostic effect hormone receptor (HR) status in early HER2 positive (HER2 +) breast cancer patients, since it has not yet been established whether HR status can be used in the prognosis of patients with (HER2 +) breast cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
We obtained data from 299 patients with early HER 2+ breast cancer who underwwent surgery and received standard adjuvant chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and/or radiation between 2000 and 2002 at the Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplasicas, Perú. Clinical and pathological features were compared. Endpoints analyzed were disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS:
Overall, 155 patients were HR -positive (HR +) and 144 were negative (HR-). The two groups had similar characteristics except for histologic grade and extracapsular extension. With a median follow-up of 93 months, 5-year DFS was statistically different between the two groups: 65.0% for (HER 2+/ HR-) and 74.6% for the (HER 2+/ HR +) patients (P=.045). OS at 5 years was not statistically different between the two groups with 75.5% for (HER 2+/ HR-) patients and 82.4% for the (HER 2+/ HR +)(P=.140).

CONCLUSIONS:
Patients with (HER 2+/ HR-) breast cancers treated with surgery and standard adjuvant chemottherapy exhibited a statistically worse DFS compared to those with (HER 2+/ HR +) tumors. However, OS was similar in both groups.
Poor survival outcome of docetaxel every three weeks plus prednisone for treatment of patients with hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer
Authors: Abu-Hamar Abd El Halim Mohamed , Mansour Saleh , Shebiney Mohamed El , Abd El Bary Naser Mohamed , Sadaka Emad , Maria Alaa 
Published: July 2014

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Since previous studies have indicated there are improvements in overall survival, the aim of this phase II clinical study was to evaluate docetaxel every three weeks plus prednisone as first-line chemotherapy for treatment of hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer (HRMPC).

METHODS:
Thirty-five metastatic HRPC patients were treated with docetaxel 70 mg/m2 every 3 weeks plus oral prednisolone 5 mg twice daily at the clinical oncology departments of Tanta, Mansoura and Menofia University Hospitals during the period from June 2006 to December 2008. The primary endpoint was assessment of the overall tumor response rate. Secondary endpoints were assessment of PSA response rate, overall survival rate, and the time to disease progression.

RESULTS:
The median number of cycles administered was 6 cycles. Partial response was observed in 15 patients (42.9%) with evaluable measurable disease. Median survival from protocol entry was 15 months. Median timeto-disease progression was 10 months. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) declined ≥ 50% in 9 patients (25.7%). The most common grade 3/4 toxicity associated with studied protocol was neutropenia (85.7%).

CONCLUSIONS:
When given with prednisone, treatment with docetaxel every three weeks does not improve survival, so the benefit of docetaxel-based therapy is not clear this high risk and poor prognostic group of pattients.
A phase II study of high-dose celecoxib and metronomic ‘low-dose‘ cyclophosphamide and methotrexate in patients with relapsed and refractory lymphoma
Authors: Bary Naser Abd El , Hashem Tarek , Metwally Hasan , Ghany Ashraf Abd , Mageed Hager Abd El 
Published: July 2014

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Relapsed, histologically aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) has a poor prognosis; relapsed patients who do not respond to second line therapy or are unfit for BMT have a worse prognosis. Angiogenesis is increased in aggressive NHL and could be targeted by selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhhibition and metronomic chemotherapy. We assessed the toxicity of metronomic chemotherapy and the response and progression-free survival in patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

PATIENTS AND METHODS:
We prospectively studied 41 patients with a diagnosis of relapsed and/or refractory DLBCL who may have received any number of preceding therapies (as long as one included an anthracycline) and were not candidates for bone marrow transplantation. They received oral cyclophosphamide (50 mg every day), oral methotrexate (2.5 mg 4 times/week) and high-dose oral celecoxib (400 mg twice daily) until there was disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

RESULTS:
All 41 patients (median age, 56 years) were evaluable for toxicity and response, with a median follow up of 9.1 months (range, 4-35 months). At relapse, 51.2% had a high international prognostic index. The treatment protocol was well tolerated with no major toxicities. The most common toxicities were fatigue (61%), nausea (22%), neutropenia (19.5%), and anemia (22%). In 31.7 % there was a partial response and 48.8% had stable disease. Progression-free survival was 12 months. The median response duration was 10 months.

CONCLUSIONS:
We conclude that metronomic chemotherapy can be used for patients with relapsed and or refractory DLBCL with reasonable outcome and acceptable toxicity. Standard approaches such as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and chemo-immunotherapy combinations should be explored prior to a decision on metronomic chemotherapy.
Identification of a novel peptide derived from the M-phase phosphoprotein 11 (MPP11) leukemic antigen recognized by human CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes
Authors: Qudaihi Ghofran Al , Lehe Cynthia , Dickinson Anne , Eltayeb Khaled , Rasheed Walid , Chaudhri Naeem , Aljurf Mahmoud , Dermime Said 
Published: July 2014

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
There is an urgent need for the development of leukemia-targeted im-munotherapeutic approaches using defined leukemia-associated antigens that are preferentially expressed by most leukemia subtypes and absent or minimally expressed in vital tissues. M-phase phosphoprotein 11 protein (MPP11) is extensively overexpressed in leukemic cells and therefore is considered an attractive target for leukemia T cell therapy. We sought to identify potential CD8 + cytotoxic T lymphocytes that specifically recognised peptides derived from the MPP11 antigen.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
A computer-based epitope prediction program SYFPEITHI, was used to predict peptides from the MPP11 protein that bind to the most common HLA- A*0201 molecule. Peptide binding capacity to the HLA-A*0201 molecule was measured using the T2 TAP-deficient, HLA-A*0201-positive cell line. Dendritic cells were pulsed with peptides and then used to generate CD8 + cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). The CML leukemic cell line K562-A2.1 naturally expressing the MPP11 antigen and engineered to express the HLA-A*0201 molecule was used as the target cell.

RESULTS
We have identified a potential HLA-A*0201 binding epitope (STLCQVEPV) named MPP-4 derived from the MPP11 protein which was used to generate a CTL line. Interestingly, this CTL line specifically recognized peptide-loaded target cells in both ELISPOT and cytotoxic assays. Importantly, this CTL line exerted a cytotoxic effect towards the CML leukemic cell line K562-A2.1.

CONCLUSION
This is the first study to describe a novel epitope derived from the MPP11 antigen that has been recognized by human CD8 + CTL.