Nadia Naseem

Mucin Histochemistry in Tumours of Colon, Ovaries and Lung

Introduction: Mucins implicated in cancers of various organs. The apical epithelial surfaces of mammalian respiratory, gastrointestinal, and reproductive tracts are coated by mucus, a mixture of water, ions, glycoproteins, proteins, and lipids. The purpose of this study was to confirm the presence of mucin production using Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stain as the gold standard and to describe the types of mucins produced in tumors of lung, colon and ovaries using various types of histochemical techniques. Methods: The resection specimens and biopsies from tumours of colon (n=16), ovaries (n=13) and lung (n=5) were included and stained with H&E to determin the histological diagnosis for selecting tissues with mucin production. Slides were stained with PAS, Alcian blue, High iron diamine-Alcian blue, Meyer’s mucicarmine and Alcian blue-PAS to demonstrate the mucin production and to identify types of mucins. Results: In the present study we observed predominance of acid mucins over neutral mucins. In addition in these cases we observed sulphomucin predominating over sialomucin. Conclusion: Mucin histochemistry can effectively determine the types of mucins.

Oral mucosal changes in patients of HIV /AIDS taking AntiRetroviral Therapy (ART) in Pakistan

Background: This study was designed to describe different oral mucosal changes present in HIV/AIDS patients taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Pakistan and to compare these changes with CD4+ lymphocyte count and plasma viral load. Methods: Oral smears, from n=35 patients taking antiretroviral therapy, were prepared and examined microscopically using routine and special stains. CD4+ lymphocyte count was determined using flow cytometry. Latest plasma viral load levels were recorded from the patients updated laboratory record and patients were clinically examined and staged according to WHO clinical staging system. Results: Oral lesions were present in 63% of the patients with oral pigmentation in 45.7%, chronic periodontitis in 20%, linear gingival erythema in 2.9%, pseudomembranous candidiasis, oral ulcers and xerostomia each in 5.7% cases while mucositis, oral hairy leukoplakia and oral wart each in 2.9% cases. On cytological examination, fungi were detected in 48.5% smears. Inflammation was seen in 65.7% smears, micronuclei in 51.4%, nuclear atypia in 37.1% and dysplastic changes in 17.1% (grade 1 in 83.3% and grade 2 in 17%) smears. Most of the oral mucosal changes were seen with low CD4+ lymphocyte count but no association was seen with high viral load. Conclusions: This study describes different oral mucosal changes present in HIV/AIDS patients taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Pakistan and highlights their importance as a marker of immunosuppression and disease progression as these changes have strong association with low CD4+ lymphocyte count.

A Study of 89 Cases of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Presenting at Teaching Hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan

OBJECTIVE: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most prevalent malignant neoplasm in south Asia and a major public health problem in Pakistan due to its high morbidity and poor survival rates. The objective of the study was to describe the clinical pattern of oral squamous cell carcinoma in tertiary care hospitals of Lahore. METHODOLOGY: A cross sectional study was done at tertiary care hospitals of Lahore where demographic and clinical data of eighty nine histologically diagnosed cases of OSCC was studied. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 53.13 ±14.82 years and male to female ratio was 1.4:1 with 58.4%males and 41.6% females. Tongue was the most frequently affected site 37.1%followed by buccal mucosa 30.3%. The most common presenting complaint was non healing ulcer 50.6%.Mean duration of lesions at presentation was 5 ± 3.68 months. 66.3% cases reported with history of smoking, chewing tobacco/snuff and betel quid. Smoking was the most prevalent etiological agent accounting for 22.5% cases and was found to be significantly higher in the male population (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Most cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in major hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan are reported in 5th to 6 decade of life, with male preponderance. Ulceration is the most common clinical manifestation in OSCC patients with about two-third cases reporting within 6 months of onset of lesions. Tongue is the most commonly affected site and smoking tobacco and betel quid chewing are the main risk factors implicated in OSCC.

EMMPRIN (CD147) as a potential predictor of oral squamous cell carcinoma progression: A study from Pakistan

Abstract Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is among the frequently reported malignancies in Pakistan having unfavorable prognosis. Extracellular Matrix Metalloproteinase Inducer (EMMPRIN) is a