Pattern recognition receptors and their roles in the host response to Helicobacter pylori infection

Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori) infection is highly prevalent, affecting 4.4 billion people globally. This pathogen is a risk factor in the pathogenesis of more than 75% of worldwide cases of gastric cancer. Pattern recognition receptors are essential in the innate immune response to H. pylori infection. They recognize conserved pathogen structures and myriad alarmins released by host cells in response to microbial components, cytokines or cellular stress, thus triggering a robust proinflammatory response, which is crucial in H. pylori-induced gastric carcinogenesis. In this review, we intend to highlight the main pattern recognition receptors involved in the recognition and host response to H. pylori, as well as the main structures recognized and the subsequent inflammatory response.

Cancer Pattern among Adults in Najran, Saudi Arabia - 2014-2019

Background: Najran is one of the thirteen regions in Saudi Arabia, located in the southwest of the country with a recently established oncology center and cancer registry. This paper describes for the first time the incidence of cancer in this region which has a unique geographic and demographic attribute. Methodology: This is a retrospective descriptive study that included all adult (diagnosis age >14 years) cancer patients captured by Najran regional cancer registry in the period of 2014 to 2019. Available data, including demographics, diagnosis, site of the tumor, and histopathology were analyzed. Pediatric malignancies were excluded. During the studied period, a regional registry was established and linked to the central Saudi Cancer Registry. All confirmed cancer cases in Najran were captured in this registry. Results: The Total number of records was 1600 diagnosed over a 6-year period (range, 200-330 per year). More females were reported (54.6%) than males (45.4%). The median age was 52 years (SD, ±19). The three most common cancers were breast (14.2 %), thyroid (11.8%), and Colorectal (8.4%). Among the females, breast (25.3%) was the most common cancer followed by thyroid (16.7%), and colorectal (7%); while in males, colorectal cancers (10.2%), hepatocellular carcinoma (6.7%), and leukemia (6.6) were the most common. Conclusions: Breast cancer in females and colorectal cancer in males were the most frequent types of solid malignancies in Najran, Saudi Arabia. Our study shows that the pattern of cancers bears some similarities with the national and Gulf data with some differences that warrant further exploration.

Magnetic resonance imaging findings of extrauterine high-grade serous carcinoma based on new pathologic criteria for primary site assignment

Background There has been no study that has reported magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of extrauterine high-grade serous carcinomas (HGSCs) that have been histologically determined by the new criteria. Purpose To assess MRI findings of extrauterine HGSCs based on new pathologic criteria. Material and Methods Fifty patients with histopathologically proven extrauterine HGSCs, who underwent pretreatment gadolinium-enhanced MRI, were included in this study. After surgery, the primary sites were histopathologically determined based on new criteria for primary site assignment in extrauterine HGSCs as follows: fallopian tube (n = 34); ovary (n = 9); primary peritoneal HGSC (n = 1); and tubo-ovarian (n = 6). We retrospectively reviewed MR images and compared the MR findings between tubal and ovarian primaries. Results MRI patterns with tubal primaries were classified as ovarian cancer (62%), peritoneal cancer (35%), and fallopian tube cancer (3%). MRI patterns with ovarian primaries were classified as ovarian cancer (78%) and peritoneal cancer (22%). The frequency of the involvement of the fallopian tube, ovary, peritoneum, uterus, and lymph node was not significantly different between the two pathologies. There was no significant difference in the abnormal amount of ascites, hemorrhagic ascites, or characteristics of the ovarian lesions between the two pathologies. Conclusion On MR images, tubal primaries almost always exhibited ovarian or peritoneal cancer pattern, but rarely exhibited fallopian tube cancer pattern. MR findings could not accurately differentiate between tubal and ovarian primaries; therefore, histopathologic investigation is essential for determination of the primary site of extrauterine HGSCs.

Cancer among women of reproductive age in Nigeria

Background: Cancer in women of reproductive age is a poorly addressed but often preventable public health issue. Aims and Objectives: The study aims at analyzing cancer pattern among these women in the apex hospital in Delta State, Nigeria. Material and Methods: The study is a 70-months descriptive retrospective study of histologically confirmed cases of cancer among women of 12-49 years (2014-2019). The corresponding age, organ and histologicdiagnosis were examined and subsequently analyzed using excel spreadsheet 2007. The result was presented in tables. Result: The author encountered 224 cancer cases among these women, representing 10% of all surgical specimens during the study period. The age range mean age of these women were 12-49 and 39.09 years respectively. Breast, Colorectal, cervical, ovarian, skin, soft tissue and thyroid cancer accounted for 130(58%), 24(10.7%), 16(7.1%), 11(4.9%), 10(4.5%), 9(4%) and 7(3.1%) of the cases respectively. Those in the 2nd, 3rd, fourth and fifth decades were 2(0.9%), 18, (8%), 96(42.7%) and 109(48.4%) cases respectively. Conclusion: Cancer is relatively common among women of reproductive age, but mostly affected the breast, colorectum, uterine cervix, ovary, skin, soft tissues and thyroid gland. There is need for all hands to be on deck to reverse the trend and improve the lives of those affected by the disease.