Long noncoding RNA profiling unveils LINC00960 as unfavorable prognostic biomarker promoting triple negative breast cancer progression.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a critical role in breast cancer pathogenesis, including Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) subtype. Identifying the lncRNA expression patterns across different breast cancer subtypes could provide valuable insights into their potential utilization as disease biomarkers and therapeutic targets. In this study, we profiled lncRNA expression in 96 breast cancer cases, revealing significant differences compared to normal breast tissue.

Transcriptome profiling and network enrichment analyses identify subtype-specific therapeutic gene targets for breast cancer and their microRNA regulatory networks.

Previous studies have suggested that breast cancer (BC) from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is presented at younger age with advanced tumor stage, indicating underlying biological differences. Given the scant transcriptomic data on BC from the MENA region and to better understand the biology of this disease, we performed mRNA and microRNA (miRNA) transcriptomic profiling on a local cohort of BC (n = 96) from Qatar. Our data revealed the differentially expressed genes and miRNAs as function of BC molecular subtypes (HR, HER2, HER2HR, and TNBC), tumor grade (GIII vs GI-II), patients' age (young (≤40) vs old (>40)), and ethnicity (MENA vs non-MENA).

Incidence of HPVs, EBV, and MMTV-Like Virus in Breast Cancer in Qatar.

Introduction: Human papillomaviruses (HPVs), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and mouse mammary tumor virus-like virus (MMTV-like virus) can be present and contribute to breast cancer development and progression. However, the role of these oncoviruses and their crosstalk in breast cancer is still unclear.

Methods: We explored the co-presence of high-risk HPVs, EBV, and MMTV-like virus in 74 breast cancer samples from Qatar using PCR.

The co-presence of high-risk human papillomaviruses and Epstein-Barr virus is linked with tumor grade and stage in Qatari women with breast cancer.

High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV) can be present and cooperate with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) to promote the onset and/or progression of various cancers including cervical, breast, head and neck as well as colorectal. In this investigation, we explored the co-prevalence of high-risk HPV and EBV in 74 breast cancer tissues from Qatari women using polymerase chain reaction. We found that high-risk HPV and EBV are present in 48/74 (65%) and 36/74 (49%) of the cases, respectively.

Outcomes Research in Facial Plastic Surgery: A Review and New Directions.

Outcomes research is a fast-growing field of study that focuses on patient-related aspects of medical or surgical outcomes such as satisfaction and quality of life. In the realm of facial plastic surgery, many outcomes are subjective evaluations based on the patient and physician's judgment as to the surgical result, but little has been done to quantify these qualitative results in an objective manner. This paper discusses the basis for outcomes research and suggests its application to the field of facial plastic surgery.

Evaluation of the Tolerability of Combination Chemotherapy with Mitoxantrone and Dacarbazine in Dogs with Lymphoma.

Combination chemotherapy can be an effective option for treating resistant lymphoma in dogs. This retrospective study examined the tolerability and efficacy of the combination of 5-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno)-imidazole-4-carboxamide (dacarbazine) (DTIC) in a population of dogs with lymphoma resistant to a doxorubicin-containing chemotherapy protocol. Mitoxantrone was administered at 5 mg/m IV over 10 min followed by DTIC at 600 mg/m IV over 5 hr, every 3 wk.

Calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol) enhances mast cell tumour chemotherapy and receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor activity in vitro and has single-agent activity against spontaneously occurring canine mast cell tumours.

Calcitriol potentiates the effect of multiple chemotherapy agents in a variety of tumour models. In this study, we examine whether calcitriol increases chemotherapy or tyrosine kinase inhibitor in vitro cytotoxicity in canine mastocytoma C2 cells. We also evaluate the in vivo effect of DN101, a highly concentrated oral formulation of calcitriol designed specifically for cancer therapy, as a single-agent therapy in dogs with mast cell tumours (MCTs).

Phase II open-label study of single-agent hydroxyurea for treatment of mast cell tumours in dogs.

This prospective study evaluated the efficacy and safety of hydroxyurea (HU) in dogs with measurable mast cell tumours (MCTs). Dogs were treated with HU at 60 mg kg(-1)per os q24h for 14 days then 30 mg kg(-1) q24h thereafter or until MCT recurrence. Forty-six dogs were enrolled.

Evaluation of dexamethasone as a chemoprotectant for CCNU-induced bone marrow suppression in dogs.

In mice and people, administering corticosteroids before chemotherapy can reduce the severity of myelosuppression without reducing antitumour effects. This study investigated whether pretreatment with dexamethasone would reduce the incidence of grade 4 neutropenia in dogs receiving CCNU. Twenty-five dogs received dexamethasone [0.

Lomustine for treatment of mast cell tumors in cats: 38 cases (1999-2005).

Objective: To determine clinical activity and toxic effects of lomustine when used to treat cats with mast cell tumors (MCTs).

Design: Retrospective case series.

Animals: 38 cats with measurable, histologically or cytologically confirmed MCTs treated with lomustine at a dosage > or = 50 mg/m(2).

Combination of CCNU and DTIC chemotherapy for treatment of resistant lymphoma in dogs.

Background: Pleotropic-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated resistance is the usual cause of relapse in dogs with lymphoma. 1-(2-chloroethyl)3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosurea (CCNU) and 5-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno)-imidazole-4-carboxamide (DTIC) are alkylating agents that are not affected by P-gp and lack cross-resistance to each other. A combination protocol offers the advantage of improved summation dose and synergistic activity.

The deep plane facelift.

The goal of any cosmetic facial plastic surgery procedure is to obtain a natural-appearing result that is not overdone or obviously operated upon. This is the case whether the background of the operating surgeon is in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, general plastic surgery, dermatology, or oculoplastic surgery. To satisfy this goal, the surgeon must apply those techniques that consistently achieve effective but understated results rather than experimenting with every new innovation or fad.

MOPP chemotherapy for treatment of resistant lymphoma in dogs: a retrospective study of 117 cases (1989-2000).

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of the MOPP chemotherapy protocol (mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone) as a rescue regimen in dogs with lymphoma. One hundred seventeen dogs that had resistance to previously administered chemotherapy were evaluated. Before treatment with MOPP, all dogs received a median of 6 chemotherapy drugs for a median duration of 213 days.

Outcomes of facial cosmetic procedures.

Facial cosmetic procedures lend themselves to outcomes studies in ways that traditional reconstructive procedures may not. The most important measures of outcome in facial cosmetic surgery are quality of life and patient satisfaction, in contrast to other, more objective measures such as complications or mortality rates. For this reason, outcomes research in facial cosmetic surgery deserves a special focus of attention.

Outcomes instruments in facial plastic surgery.

The accurate measurement of patient-related outcomes of facial plastic surgery procedures relies upon the development, standardization, and use of validated, procedure-specific quality of life instruments. Although other fields of medicine and surgery have embraced the use of such instruments for the quantification and measurement of otherwise subjective or qualitative aspects of patient satisfaction, in the fields of both general and facial plastic surgery, little has been done in this realm. The study of outcomes research and the application of outcomes research to facial plastic surgery have already been discussed in this issue.

Cosmetic surgery procedures as luxury goods: measuring price and demand in facial plastic surgery.

Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between cosmetic facial plastic surgery procedure price and demand, and to test the hypothesis that these procedures function as luxury goods in the marketplace, with an upward-sloping demand curve.

Methods: Data were derived from a survey that was sent to every (N = 1727) active fellow, member, or associate of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, assessing the costs and frequency of 4 common cosmetic facial plastic surgery procedures (face-lift, brow-lift, blepharoplasty, and rhinoplasty) for 1999 and 1989. An economic analysis was performed to assess the relationship of price and demand for these procedures.

The face lift: technical considerations.

The approach to the aging face patient must maintain the goal of a consistent, lasting, and natural result. The deep plane rhytidectomy technique satisfies these criteria and allows the surgeon to address the key issues of neck, jawline, and midface aging in a reliable and predictable fashion. This approach offers the advantages of (1) greater anatomic appeal for the operating surgeon with a cleaner plane of dissection, (2) stronger flaps for soft tissue redraping, (3) decreased complications with less risk of undue skin tension, (4) improved aging midface and melolabial fold correction, and (5) the ability to better revise previous face lift attempts and achieve a more consistent facial symmetry and balance.

Measuring cosmetic facial plastic surgery outcomes: a pilot study.

Objective: To test 4 previously published outcomes instruments (the Facelift Outcomes Evaluation, the Rhinoplasty Outcomes Evaluation, the Blepharoplasty Outcomes Evaluation, and the Skin Rejuvenation Outcomes Evaluation) in terms of their reliability and validity in assessing patient-related outcomes of surgical intervention.

Design: A prospective pilot study of 78 patients in 3 similar private cosmetic surgery centers undergoing a total of 100 face-lift, rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, and skin rejuvenation procedures. Patients were evaluated at 2 preoperative and 1 postoperative time points and the instruments were analyzed with regard to their test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and responsiveness to change.

Analysis of the performance characteristics of the University of Washington Quality of Life instrument and its modification (UW-QOL-R).

Background: During a 5-year period, we analyzed 3 patient subsets from the University of Washington Quality of Life (UW-QOL) Registry and published the results. In each instance, editorial review has raised legitimate concerns regarding the UW-QOL instrument that deserve public comment. We present our response to these criticisms.

Use of carboplatin for treatment of dogs with malignant melanoma: 27 cases (1989-2000).

Objective: To evaluate response rate and duration of malignant melanomas in dogs treated with carboplatin.

Design: Retrospective study.

Animals: 27 client-owned dogs with spontaneously occurring measurable malignant melanomas.

Cost outcomes of facial plastic surgery: regional and temporal trends.

Objective: To describe the geographic and temporal trends in cosmetic facial plastic surgery procedure costs and frequency during the last decade and to evaluate factors that may influence changes in the demand for cosmetic procedures.

Methods: A survey sent to every (N = 1727) active fellow, member, or associate of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery assessing the costs and frequency of 4 common cosmetic facial plastic surgery procedures (ie, face-lift, brow lift, blepharoplasty, and rhinoplasty) for 1999 and 1989.

Results: The annual frequency of the aging-face procedures (ie, face-lift, brow lift, and blepharoplasty) have increased 41% over the last decade while rhinoplasties have declined slightly (18%).