Nuclear and cytoplasmic features in the diagnosis of Clark's nevi

Background

Interpretation of Clark's nevi has generated debate over the years; although criteria have been proposed for grading morphological features of melanocytes, there is still confusion and variability in the assessment of these lesions.

Methods

This is a retrospective observational study conducted on 100 Clark's nevi and 84 melanomas. A single expert dermatopathologist evaluated all blinded and randomized photomicrographs of both the Clark's nevi and melanomas for the presence of 14 cytologic features. Subsequently, a multivariate model was used to obtain sensitivity and specificity.

Results

Clark's nevi showed a significantly higher frequency of absent‐or‐inconspicuous nucleoli over melanoma, whereas mitotic figures, pleomorphism, notching, multiple nucleoli, peppered moth nuclear pattern, flattened adjacent nuclei, prominent nucleoli and vesicular nucleus with rounded nucleoli were found significantly higher in frequency in melanomas.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that nuclear alterations are of value in the differentiation of atypical nevi from melanoma.     

Protective effect of hydroferrate fluid,MRN-100, against lethality and hematopoietic tissue damage in γ-radiated Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus

Hydroferrate fluid, MRN-100, an iron-based compound derived from bivalent and trivalent ferrates, is a potent antioxidant compound. Therefore, we examined the protective effect of MRN-100 against γ-radiation-induced lethality and damage to hematopoietic tissues in fish. A total of 216 Nile tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus) were randomly divided into four groups. Group 1 served as a control that was administered no radiation and no MRN-100 treatment. Group 2 was exposed only to γ-radiation (15 Gy). Groups 3 and 4 were pre-treated with MRN-100 at doses of either 1 ml/l or 3 ml/l in water for 1 week, and subsequently exposed to radiation while continuing to receive MRN-100 for 27 days. The survival rate was measured, and biochemical and histopathological analyses of hematopoietic tissues were performed for the different treatment groups at 1 and 4 weeks post-radiation. Exposure to radiation reduced the survival rate to 27.7%, while treatment with MRN-100 maintained the survival rate at 87.2%. In addition, fish exposed to γ-radiation for 1 week showed a significant decrease in the total number of white blood cells (WBCs) and red blood cells (RBCs) series. However, treatment with MRN-100 protected the total WBC count and the RBCs series when compared with irradiated fish. Furthermore, significant histological lesions were observed in the hepatopancreas, spleen and gills of irradiated fish. However, treatment with MRN-100 protected the histopathology of various organs. We conclude that MRN-100 is a radioprotective agent in fish and may be useful as an adjuvant treatment to counteract the adverse side effects associated with radiation exposure.     

Increased Firearm Injury During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Hidden Urban Burden

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Clinical presentation and epidemiology of female genital tuberculosis in eastern Sudan

ObjectiveTo describe the epidemiology and clinical presentation of female genital tuberculosis (FGTB) among women in eastern Sudan.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted at Kassala Maternity Hospital, Sudan, from January 1 to December 31, 2010.ResultsOf the 2778 women presenting with various gynecologic symptoms, 44 suspected cases of FGTB were identified. Granulomatous tissue reactions were observed in 25 of the suspected FGTB cases, yielding an incidence of 0.9%. The majority (20/25; 80%) of these patients presented with chronic pelvic and lower abdominal pain; however, 68.0% (17/25) presented with pelvic mass, cyst and/or abscess; 48.0% (12/25) had dyspareunia; 40.0% (10/25) were infertile; 28% (7/25) had menstrual dysfunction; 20.0% (5/25) had dysmenorrhea; and 4.0% (1/25) experienced postmenopausal bleeding. Body mass index, residence, and educational level were significantly different between women diagnosed with FGTB and those where FGTB was excluded (P values = 0.02, 0.03, and 0.01, respectively). However, no significant differences were found in age and Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccination status.ConclusionClinical suspicion may facilitate and improve the detection of FGTB, with chronic pelvic pain identified as the predominant clinical presentation among women in eastern Sudan.