MN/CA9 gene expression as a potential tumor marker for renal cell carcinoma.

MN/CA9 is a cell surface glycoprotein and a tumor-associated antigen. It plays a crucial role in the regulation of cell proliferation and oncogenesis. There is no ideal tumor marker currently available for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with sufficient sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, we studied MN/CA9 gene expression in the tumor tissue, apparently normal kidney tissue, preoperative blood, and urine samples of patients with RCC. We included thirty cases of renal tumors (26 RCC and 4 benign tumors) in the study. We applied an RT-PCR assay for MN/CA9 gene expression to 26 RCC kidney tumor samples and four benign kidney tumor tissue samples. We also evaluated MN/CA9 gene expression in preoperative blood and urine samples of 15 of these cases. Additionally, thirty-five grossly normal renal tissue samples, including 21 from kidneys with RCC, were also evaluated for gene expression. The RT-PCR analysis revealed that twenty-one out of 26 RCC tissue samples showed MN/CA9 gene expression compared to three out of 35 non-malignant renal tissue samples (p < 0.05). Two out of four benign renal tissue samples also expressed this gene. We also observed MN/CA9 gene expression in nine out of 15 blood samples and four out of 15 urine samples. All patients with urinary MN/CA9 gene expression showed expression in blood and tumor tissue samples. We found a correlation in terms of MN/CA9 expression between blood and tumor tissue samples of RCC patients as those who exhibit MN/CA9 expression in blood were also positive at the tumor tissue levels. The difference in MN/CA9 gene expression in tumor tissue, blood, and urine samples in relation to the stage of the disease, nuclear grade, and histological cell-type was not statistically significant. However, all the three patients who had metastatic RCC had MN/CA9 gene expression in their blood. The existence of a tumor-associated antigen such as MN/CA9 may present a possible target for molecular diagnosis and management of RCC.

Dengue awareness, preventive behaviours and Aedes breeding opportunities among slums and slum-like pockets in Delhi, India: a formative assessment.

BACKGROUND: India is endemic for dengue. The present formative study reports awareness and practices of people regarding dengue and its prevention, personal protection behaviours and peoples' exposure to dengue-related health promotion activities. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of 1194 households randomly selected from 20 slum clusters in Delhi. Data were collected from an adult member of the household through an interviewer-administered, pre-tested questionnaire. An observation checklist was used to identify potential breeding sources. RESULTS: People were aware that dengue is transmitted through mosquitoes and sources of breeding (clean, stagnant water -60.1%, domestic water containers -18.7%, coolers -15.0%). Each house had at least one potential source of mosquito breeding. Using mosquito repellents (83.3%) was the most common personal protection behaviour. Peoples' participation is limited in the mosquito prevention and health promotion activities carried out by the local municipality. Still, participation resulted in positive behavioural change. CONCLUSIONS: While people were aware of dengue transmission, preventive measures against mosquito breeding were not satisfactory. People could not relate their existing knowledge on dengue to their household surroundings, and their awareness had not been translated to behavioural change. Community participation is limited, but is significant in the prevention and control of dengue.

Cyclooxygenase-2 expression increases with the stage and grade in transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder.

OBJECTIVES: Experimental models of carcinogenesis show that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) increase apoptosis, inhibit angiogenesis and reduce metastases. A linkage between the activity of prostaglandin synthase enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), a known mediator of inflammation, and cancer angiogenesis is implicated. We investigated the expression of COX-2 in bladder cancer tissue specimens using immunohistochemistry. METHODS: The immunohistochemical expression of COX-2 in bladder cancer was evaluated by scoring the intensity of immunoreactivity from 0 to 3. Further, the degree of COX-2 expression was correlated with the tumor grade and depth of invasion (T stage). RESULT: Fifty eight percent patients (n=22) had superficial bladder tumors, while 42% (n=16) were invasive bladder cancers. Overall, COX-2 immuno-positivity was seen in 84.2% (32/38) patients. COX-2 expression was positive in 76.4% (13/17) cases with pTa tumors, 100% (5/5) of pT1 tumors, 86.6% (13/15) of pT2 tumors and in 100% (1/1) of pT3 tumor. The higher stage tumors stained more intensely; this correlation was significant(p=0.01987; chi2=19.6977). With reference to the grade of tumors, a positive expression was seen in 81.25% (13/16) of the low-grade tumors and 89% (17/19) of the high-grade tumors. The differential COX-2 expression relative to the grade of tumor was found to be statistically significant (p=0.05; chi2=15.8612). CONCLUSION: The degree of COX-2 expression is significantly increased with advancing grade and T stage of disease (p < 0.05).