Long-term outcome of Hodgkin disease patients following high-dose busulfan, etoposide, cyclophosphamide, and autologous stem cell transplantation.

Busulfan (Bu)-based preparative regimens have not been extensively investigated in Hodgkin disease (HD). The purposes of this study were to investigate the toxicity and efficacy of a novel preparative regimen of Bu 14 mg/kg, etoposide 50-60 mg/kg, and cyclophosphamide 120 mg/kg in patients with primary refractory and relapsed HD. One hundred twenty-seven patients with a median age of 33 years (range, 14-67 years) underwent transplantation. The regimen was well tolerated, with 5.5% treatment-related mortality at 100 days after transplantation. With a median follow up of 6.7 years, the 5-year progression-free survival was 48 +/- 5%, and the 5-year overall survival was 51 +/- 5%. A Cox proportional hazards model identified refractory disease at time of transplantation as the only significant factor affecting relapse and overall survival, whereas disease bulk >10 cm affected overall survival. Five patients died between 5.3 and 9.3 years of late complications, including secondary myelodysplasia or acute myeloid leukemia, secondary solid malignancies, and pulmonary toxicity. This novel Bu regimen is comparable to other radiation-free preparative regimens in its effectiveness in the control of HD and with a low-risk of early treatment-related mortality.     

Down syndrome and trisomy 18 in the bedouins

Direct chromosome preparations of neonatal cord blood provides the unique opportunity for rapid chromosome analysis (turnaround time; 6 hr), without the necessity of bone marrow aspiration. Based on 42 samples we confirm the finding of Garnham and Sutherland [1987] for suitability of cord blood for direct chromosome preparation. Procedural modifications are provided for higher yield of cells for chromosome analysis. The procedure may well be of major significance for rapid diagnosis of neonates who suffer from aneusomy.     

The Effect of Neonicotinoids Exposure on Oreochromis niloticus Histopathological Alterations and Genotoxicity

This study aimed to examine the side effects of selected neonicotinoids (Acetamiprid, Aceta, and Imidacloprid, Imid) on Oreochromis niloticus juveniles. The acute toxicity, Probit method, revealed an LC₅₀ of 195.81 and 150.76 ppm for Aceta/96 h and Imid/72 h respectively. The fish were divided into three groups that were exposed, for 21 days (n?=?5/replicate), to 1/10 of the LC₅₀ of either neonicotinoids, however, the third was an unexposed control group. Results of erythrocytic micronucleus (MN), and nuclear abnormalities (NA) showed that Aceta and Imid exposure caused a significant (p?<?0.05) increase in MN by?~?2.2 and?~?10 folds, respectively relative to control. NAs occurred at the order of kidney-shaped?>?budding?>?binucleated in Aceta, however, budding?>?binucleated?>?kidney-shaped was noticed in the Imid group. Histopathological changes in gills, liver, and muscles were observed significantly in both exposed groups with more severity in the Imid group. Collectively, Aceta and Imid have potential genotoxicity and histopathological alterations in O. niloticus.

     

Methimazole in the Treatment of Melasma: A Clinical and Dermascopic Study

BACKGROUND: Melasma is a chronic hypermelanotic disorder that is challenging to treat; no single effective therapeutic agent for it has been discovered. Methimazole, an oral antithyroid drug, has a skin depigmenting effect when used topically. OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of methimazole, applied during microneedling sessions and additional topical use in between sessions, for the treatment of melasma. METHODS: This split-face study included 30 Egyptian patients with melasma, each of whom received 12 microneedling sessions once per week for 12 weeks followed by topical methimazole on the right side of face and placebo on the left side. In between the sessions, topical methimazole 5% cream was applied twice per day on the right side and placebo on the left side. Assessments were performed using the Hemi-melasma Area and Severity Index (hemi-MASI) percentage of improvement, patient satisfaction, dermoscopy, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) serum levels. RESULTS: There were significant clinical and dermoscopic improvements; hemi-MASI scores on the methimazole-treated right sides were decreased (p<0.001). The percent of hemi-MASI score improvement was significantly associated with the malar pattern (p=0.031) and epidermal type (p=0.04) of melasma. About 70 percent of our studied patients reported being satisfied with their treatment response (7% excellent, 33% good, 30% fair). No significant local or systemic side effects were observed. Pre- and posttreatment serum TSH levels were within the normal range in all treated cases. CONCLUSIONS: Methimazole has the potential to be a safe and promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of melasma via dermapen-delivered microneedling sessions with topical use in between sessions.     

Reliability of erector spinae oxygenation and blood volume responses using near-infrared spectroscopy in healthy males

The purpose of this investigation was to (1) describe the trends in oxygenation (OXY) and blood volume (BV) of the right and left paraspinal muscles during the Biering-Sorensen muscle endurance (BSME) test using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), and (2) assess the test-retest reliability of OXY and BV changes during the BSME in healthy males. Seventeen healthy males [age=28.4 (9.8) years, height=1.75 (0.05) m, body mass=82.7 (9.1) kg; mean (SD)] completed two BSME trials within 1 week. NIRS probes were placed bilaterally at lumbar 3. The test was performed with the subject in the prone position using the following protocol: 2 min baseline, BSME, and 4 min recovery. The delta and range values of OXY and BV were used for analysis. Acceptable intra-class correlations were observed for endurance time and all the NIRS variables at the point of fatigue and at each 10% segment of the BSME during the two trials. Bland-Altman plots confirmed the reproducibility of the bilateral NIRS responses of the paravertebral muscles. The BV responses were more reliable than the OXY responses during the two trials. The OXY and BV responses of the paravertebral muscles during static contractions can be measured reliably using NIRS. Future studies should focus primarily on BV for analysis.     

An indoor bio-contaminants air quality

Both the quantity and quality of microorganisms (mold, actinomycetes and bacteria) were investigated in the air of five clean rooms indoors, outdoor air sampling was a routine work of the present study. Total viable bacterial counts were recorded in a mean value of 103 cfu/m3, whereas mold counts ranged between 102-103 cfu/m3. The highest mold counts were recorded at some places investigated such as research laboratories and a library. Moreover, the types, percentages and frequencies of occurance of viable mold were studied. Penicillium, Cladosporium and Aspergillus were the predominant mold genera. These organisms are aeroallergens. Actinomycetes were detected in low numbers compared with other organisms (range between 0-102 cfu/m3). Yellow, grey and white colour series were dominant streptomycetes. The mold and streptomycetes spore sizes were measured microscopically. The sizes of major mold spores ranged between 2.5-10 mum, whereas that of streptomycetes spores ranged between 1.2-2.5 mum. The particles < 5 mum in sizes are likely to reach the alveoli which may elicit potential risk for exposed residents. However, a low number of air microorganisms does not mean a clean and healthy environment.     

In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluations of Dihydroquinoline- and Dihydroisoquinoline-based Targetor Moieties for Brain-specific Chemical Delivery Systems

Brain-targeted delivery of various drugs can be successfully achieved by chemical delivery systems (CDS) that contain a 1,4-dihydropyridine-based redox targetor moiety and undergo a sequential metabolism. However, the susceptibility of this moiety toward hydration in acidic media may limit the shelf-life of such compounds in aqueous formulation. Here, a systematic investigation of the chemical stability toward oxidation and hydration of ester and amide derivatives of 3-substituted 1,4-dihydropyridine, 1,4-dihydroquinoline, and 4-substituted 1,2-dihydroisoquinoline is reported, together with the in vitro stability and in vivo (rat) distribution of isoquinoline-based testosterone and hydrocortisone chemical delivery systems, which were selected as having the most suitable acid-resistant targetor moieties.     

Breast cancer awareness,attitude and practices among female university students: A descriptive study from Jordan

The researchers' aim of this study was to assess breast cancer (BC) knowledge, attitude and practices of breast self-examination (BSE) among female university students. Data were collected from 236 participants using self-reported questionnaires. Participants reported inadequate knowledge (45.5%), fairly positive attitude (56.3%) and low BSE practice (37.5%). Analysis revealed significant differences based on participants' demographics. Results are in congruence with international literature, and support worldwide efforts aiming at increasing awareness of BC. In conclusion, raising students' awareness regarding BC and BSE is important for early detection of this increasingly alarming disease. Initiating BC educational programs among university students is highly recommended.     

Congestive heart failure as a rare cause of unilateral breast edema: A case report & review of the literature

Reported cases encountered difficulty in differentiating between inflammatory carcinoma and breast edema caused by congestive heart failure especially if the breast edema is unilateral. Our presented case is an elderly woman with unilateral breast edema due to congestive heart failure that was initially suspected to have breast cancer based on clinical findings. However imaging studies showed breast edema pattern with no definite underlying mass. This edema was resolved with standard treatment of heart failure. Congestive heart failure may be a possible cause of unilateral breast edema especially in a patient with background of congestive heart failure.