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There are currently several validated HPV tests. However, longitudinal data which spans appropriate age ranges, as well as evaluation of potential screening algorithms are necessary for screening programmes choice of test. The objective of our study was to evaluate the performance of HPV mRNA and HPV DNA testing, including partial genotyping, in routine cervical screening. As part of the CERVIVA HPV Primary Screening Study, ThinPrep samples from 10 150 women were tested for HPV mRNA using the Aptima HPV assay and HPV DNA using the Cobas 4800 HPV test. HPV mRNA‐positive women were further assessed with the Aptima genotyping assay for HPV 16/18/45. Baseline cytology and prospective follow‐up data were collected. The performance of the two tests was examined over 42 months (to date). HPV mRNA demonstrated equivalent sensitivity to HPV DNA testing for detection of CIN2+ (93.2% [92.4‐93.9] vs 92.8% [92.0‐93.6], respectively) and CIN3+ (94.6% [93.8‐95.3] vs 94.6% [93.8‐95.3]). HPV mRNA testing had significantly higher specificity compared to HPV DNA for detection of CIN2+ (84.0% [83.5‐84.5] vs 80.8% [80.2‐81.4], respectively) and CIN3+ (88.44% [88.2‐88.6] vs 85.62 [85.4‐85.9]). The proportion of CIN2+ and CIN3+, over 3 years (42 months), in HPV‐negative women was comparable for both RNA (0.20% and 0.10%) and DNA (0.22% and 0.11%). Genotyping data was comparable across both assay platforms. In the context of HPV primary screening HPV mRNA testing has potential to reduce triage tests and follow‐up tests at 12 months compared to DNA testing, with no significant difference in detection of CIN2+ and CIN3+. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Salivary gland neoplasms account for approximately 5% of head and neck tumours. The cytomorphology of fine needle aspiration material helps determine the preoperative assessment and risk stratification. The Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology (MSRSGC) was developed to improve communication between the laboratory and treatment provider. Aims and objective: In the present study, we stratified all salivary gland lesions according to the MSRSGC and evaluated each category's concordance and risk of malignancy (ROM). Materials and methods: This was a 5 year retrospective study. First, all cases were assigned to one of the six MSRSGC categories. Then, following cytohistological correlation, the concordance rates and ROM were calculated based on the final histopathology report. Results: A total of 354 cases were identified, with ages ranging from 2 to 88 years and the commonest age group was the 3rd to 4th decades. Categories I, II, III, IVA, IVB, V, and VI comprised 5.37% (19/354), 26.84% (95/354), 1.13% (04/354), 51.41% (182/354), 1.98% (07/354), 1.13% (04/354), and 12.15% (43/354) of the cases, respectively. The overall concordance rate between the cytological and histopathological diagnoses was 81.25% (65 out of 80 cases), with the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value at 43.48%, 96.49%, 83.33%, and 80.88%, respectively. Conclusion: The MSRSGC provides a better objective and structured way to communicate with the health care provider. In our study, the overall concordance rate was observed in 62/80 cases, with maximum concordance seen in categories III, IVB, and V of the MSRSGC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common salivary gland neoplasm, which affects both major and minor salivary glands. It is also the most common neoplasm arising in the parotid. In minor salivary glands, it most commonly involves the palate and rarely involves the lips, cheek, and gingiva. It is also called Benign Mixed Tumour (BMT) since it is composed of a variable amount of epithelial and mesenchymal elements. Diagnostic modalities include Ultrasonography (USG), Computed Tomography (CT), and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). MRI provided the most precise structural information of the tumour as well as surrounding structures. A 60-year-old female presented with a massive right-sided infra-auricular swelling since 20 years. On Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography (CECT), a huge lobular exophytic lesion with thin enhancing septation and few calcific foci was visualised in the right parotid region. The Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) yielded the diagnosis of Pleomorphic Adenoma (PA). Giant PA with an indolent course is a rare entity in itself. This is a case of giant PA of the parotid gland growing insidiously over a period of 20 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Suicidal behaviour is known to aggregate in families. Patients with psychiatric disorders are at higher risk for suicide attempts (SA), however protective and risk genetic variants for suicide appear to be independent of underlying psychiatric disorders. Here we investigate genetic variants in genes important for neurobiological pathways linked to suicidal behaviour and/or associated endophenotypes, for association with SA among patients with co-existing psychiatric illness. Selected gene-gene and gene-environment interactions were also tested. Methods DNA was obtained from bloods of 159 patients (76 suicide attempters and 83 non-attempters), who were profiled for DSM-IV Axis I psychiatric diagnosis. Twenty-eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 18 candidate genes (COMT, 5-HT2A, 5-HT1A, 5-HTR1B, TPH1, MAO-A, TPH2, DBH, CNR1, BDNF, ABCG1, GABRA5, GABRG2, GABRB2, SLC1A2, SLC1A3, NTRK2, CRHR1) were genotyped. Genotyping was performed by KBioscience. Tests of association between genetic variants and SA were conducted using Chi squared and Armitage Trend tests. Binary logistical regression analyses were performed to evaluate the contribution of individual genetic variants to the prediction of SA, and to examine SNPs for potential gene-gene and gene-environment interactions. Results Our analysis identified 4 SNPs (rs4755404, rs2269272, rs6296 and rs1659400), which showed evidence of association with SA compared to a non-attempter control group. We provide evidence of a 3-locus gene-gene interaction, and a putative gene-environment interaction, whereby genetic variation at the NTRK2 locus may moderate the risk associated with history of childhood abuse. Conclusion Preliminary findings suggest that allelic variability in SLC1A2/3, 5-HTR1B and NTRK2 may be relevant to the underlying diathesis for suicidal acts.

We investigated the role of the C1772T polymorphisms in exon 12 of the Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1alpha) gene C1772T genotype in prostate cancer (PCa) and amplification of the hypoxic response. We identified the heterozygous germline CT genotype as an increased risk factor for clinically localised prostate cancer (Odds ratio = 6.2; p < 0.0001). While immunostaining intensity for HIF-1alpha and VEGF was significantly enhanced in 75% of PCa specimens when compared to matched benign specimens (p < 0.0001), the CT genotype did not modulate the kinetics of HIF-1alpha protein expression in hypoxia in vitro, and was not associated with enhanced expression of hypoxic biomarkers. This study provides the first evidence of an increased risk for clinically localised prostate cancer in men carrying the C1772T HIF-1alpha gene polymorphism. Although our results did not suggest an association between expression of hypoxic biomarkers and genotype status, the correlation may merit further investigation.