A rare case of a periorbital respiratory (choristomatous) cyst

Respiratory cysts are benign lesions lined by normal respiratory epithelium. There are few reported cases localized to the orbit, while those of the eyelid are exceedingly rare. Respiratory cysts usually arise either from a non‐hereditary congenital malformation, where they are distinguished as choristomatous, or from trauma. Here, we report a case of a 53‐year‐old man who presented with a large right lower eyelid cyst that was histopathologically diagnosed as a respiratory cyst.     

Spitz melanocytic tumours – a review

Spitz tumours comprise a spectrum of melanocytic proliferations that share a set of distinct cytological features and molecular pathways. They include benign naevi, intermediate or indeterminate tumours and rare melanomas. Spitz tumours are notorious for the difficulty of distinguishing benign neoplasms with atypical features from melanomas and the related diagnostic uncertainty. Advances in the knowledge of the molecular pathways and genomic aberrations associated with these neoplasms have permitted opportunities for a reduction in the number of uncertain diagnoses and a more objective distinction between Spitz tumours from Spitz-like neoplasms. The presence of a Spitz molecular pathway, such as Harvey rat sarcoma viral oncogene homologue (HRAS) aberrations or kinase fusions, distinguishes a bona fide Spitz neoplasm from Spitz-like naevi or melanomas with conventional driver mutations. Spitz neoplasms with benign histopathological features and, if such testing is performed, benign cytogenetic and molecular findings, are termed Spitz naevi. Spitz neoplasms with frankly malignant histopathological findings or ambiguous microscopic findings associated with genetic or genomic aberrations most in keeping with melanoma are designated as Spitz melanoma. Tumours with microscopic features and genetic/genomic aberrations in between naevi and melanomas are classified as Spitz melanocytoma.     

End-organ effects of primary hyperparathyroidism: A population-based study

Background

Patients with primary hyperparathyroidism are at risk for skeletal and renal end-organ damage.

Mechanical Retention and Waterproof Properties of Bacterial Cellulose-Reinforced Thermoplastic Starch Biocomposites Modified with Sodium Hexametaphosphate

The waterproof and strength retention properties of bacterial cellulose (BC)-reinforced thermoplastic starch (TPS) resins were successfully improved by reacting with sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP). After modification with SHMP, the tensile strength (σ_f) and impact strength (I_s) values of initial and conditioned BC-reinforced TPS, modified with varying amounts of SHMP(TPS₁₀₀BC_0.02SHMP_x), and their blends with poly(lactic acid)((TPS₁₀₀BC_0.02SHMP_x)₇₅PLA₂₅) specimens improved significantly and reached a maximal value as SHMP content approached 10 parts per hundred parts of TPS resin (phr), while their moisture content and elongation at break (ɛ_f) was reduced to a minimal value as SHMP contents approached 10 phr. The σ_f, I_s and ɛ_f retention values of a (TPS₁₀₀BC_0.02SHMP₁₀)₇₅PLA₂₅ specimen conditioned for 56 days are 52%, 50% and 3 times its initial σ_f, I_s and ɛ_f values, respectively, which are 32.5 times, 8.9 times and 40% of those of a corresponding conditioned TPS₁₀₀BC_0.02 specimen, respectively. As evidenced by FTIR analyses of TPS₁₀₀BC_0.02SHMP_x specimens, hydroxyl groups of TPS₁₀₀BC_0.02 resins were successfully reacted with the phosphate groups of SHMP molecules. New melting endotherms and diffraction peaks of V_H-type crystals were found on DSC thermograms and WAXD patterns of TPS or TPS₁₀₀BC_0.02 specimens conditioned for 7 days, while no new melting endotherm or diffraction peak was found for TPS₁₀₀BC_0.02SHMP_x and/or (TPS₁₀₀BC_0.02SHMP_x)₇₅PLA₂₅ specimens conditioned for less than 14 and 28 days, respectively.