CDK4 in lung, and head and neck cancers in old age: evaluation as a biomarker.

BACKGROUND: Cyclin dependent kinases (CDK) are key factors in promoting the initiation and development of tumors. These kinases are important for maintenance of mitochondrial biogenesis and imbalance in their expression in old age may lead to the oxidative stress. Lung cancer (LC), and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are two very prominent cancers in older Indians. Both the cancers are showing increasing trend in older population. The present study assessed serum concentration of one of the kinases; CDK4 in older LC and HNSCC patients. METHODS: The study included 100 subjects each of LC and HNSCC; and older subjects without cancer or any major health problems as controls. Serum CDK4 concentration was estimated using real-time label-free Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and was verified by western blot. RESULTS: Significant elevation in serum CDK4 was observed in cases with LC and HNSCC compared to controls. HNSCC patients with higher CDK4 expression had distinctly shorter survival than patients with comparatively lower CDK4 expression. No such difference was observed in LC patients. The germ line mutation study of this gene in Exon-2 was performed and none was observed among cases and controls. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that older patients with HNSCC and lung cancer have raised serums CDK4 levels, which has the potential to emerge as a biomarker in clinical practice.

Assessment of p38α in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC): a potential blood protein marker of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Solid tumors involve an inflammatory microenvironment portrayed by immune cells playing role in cancer progression via inflammatory p38α mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) molecule that produces pro-inflammatory cytokines-TNFα, IL1ß and IL6. This study quantified and compared the expression of p38α in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of HNSCC patients with the healthy subjects. METHODS: The PBMC were isolated from the 35 control and 83 HNSCC patients. The expression of p38α in PBMCs was assessed using surface plasmon resonance (SPR), ELISA and western blot analysis. RESULTS: p38α levels were found to be over-expressed in HNSCC patients 0.98 ng/µl (95 % CI 0.95-1.02) as compared to controls 0.46 ng/µl (95 % CI 0.42-0.50) (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: p38α is over-expressed in PBMCs of HNSCC patients and may play a role in the progression of cancer. This research may translate a protein marker for HNSCC to clinical oncologist for therapeutic intervention and use as a predictive marker.

Homeopathy in HIV infection: a trial report of double-blind placebo controlled study

This study was aimed to evaluate the immuno-modulator role of homeopathic remedies in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. A randomised double blind clinical trial was conducted to compare the effect of homeopathic remedies with placebo, on CD4+ve T-lymphocytes in HIV infected individuals, conforming to Centres for Disease Control (CDC) stage II & III. 100 HIV+ve individual beteen 18-50y (71 percent males) were included in the study. 50 cases conformed... (AU)

Double blind placebo controlled clinical trial of homoeopathic medicines in HIV infection

A 6 month study comprising of a Double-blind Placebo-controlled trial of homoeopathic medicines in HIV/AIDS under 3 separate schemes (I) Asymptomatic HIV infection and (II) Persistent generalised lymphadenopathy (50 subjects each) was undertaken from June 1995 to February 1997. As soon as a subject had undergone 6 months of study, they were put on an indicated medicine. Unblinding... (AU)

Hyponatremia caused by a reset osmostat in a neonate with cleft lip and palate and panhypopituitarism.

A neonate with cleft lip and palate and hypopituitarism had persistent hyponatremia despite treatment with hydrocortisone, L-thyroxine, and growth hormone. Serum sodium concentration and urinary osmolality increased and decreased appropriately and concurrently with alterations in sodium and water intake. The ability to regulate serum concentrations of antidiuretic hormone at subnormal serum sodium concentrations indicated a reset osmostat.

Evaluation of homoeopathic therapy in 129 asymptomatic HIV carriers

To assess the role of homoeopathic medicines in the treatment of the asymptomatic phase of HIV infection, a pilot research study was undertaken by the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (India) starting in May 1989. 129 symptomatic HIV carriers (120 male and 9 female) were treated with homoeopathic medicines on the basis of the individuals' constitutional (both mental/emotional and physical) characteristics. The medicines were prescribed in potencies varying from 30CH to 10M and in varying dosage, depending on the age and constitution of the individual patients. 12 of the patients studied have reverted back to negative serology for HIV antibodies after treatment varying from 3 to 16 months (mean duration of treatment between entry and reversal of seroconversion for HIV antibodies 7.25 months). All patients who continue to remain symptom free are receiving follow-up treatment. Efforts are being made to evaluate their haematological and immunological status in detail

Treatment of paucibacillary leprosy by WHO regimen

50 Cases of paucibacillary leprosy was selected for study multi-drug therapy recommended by W.H.O. for sixth months. At the end of six months, 46 cases showed "no clinical activity" and 4 cases showed increased clinical activityweth flaring up of the lesions during treatment.