Functional aliphatic polyesters for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications

Functional aliphatic polyesters are biodegradable polymers with many possibilities to tune physico-chemical characteristics such as hydrophilicity and degradation rate as compared to traditional polyesters (e.g. PLLA, PLGA and PCL), making the materials suitable for drug delivery or as scaffolds for tissue engineering. Lately, a large number of polyesters have been synthesized by homopolymerization of functionalized monomers or co-polymerization with other monomers mainly via ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic esters. This review presents the recent trends in the synthesis of these materials and their application for protein delivery and tissue engineering.     

Intramedullary neurenteric cyst of the conus medullaris without associated spinal malformation: a case report and review of the literature

Spinal neurenteric (NE) cysts are rare congenital anomalies that may occur either alone or in the context of a complex malformative disorder. They are usually intradural-extramedullary lesions. Intramedullary NE cysts not associated with other congenital anomalies are very rare and only a few cases have been reported in the conus medullaris region. Intramedullary neurenteric cysts not associated with other spinal anomalies are very rare especially in the conus medullaris region. MRI is useful to define the cyst and the osseous anomalies associated with this lesion. The goal of treatment of an intramedullary neurenteric cyst is total excision at the first operation, if possible. Life-long follow-up with annual MRI is recommended due to the risk of cyst recurrence. We report an intramedullary NE cyst of the conus medullaris without associated malformation and the relevant literature is briefly reviewed.     

The Roles of Probiotics in the Gut Microbiota Composition and Metabolic Outcomes in Asymptomatic Post-Gestational Diabetes Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Probiotics are widely used as an adjuvant therapy in various diseases. Nonetheless, it is uncertain how they affect the gut microbiota composition and metabolic and inflammatory outcomes in women who have recently experienced gestational diabetes mellitus (post-GDM). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial involving 132 asymptomatic post-GDM women was conducted to close this gap (Clinical Trial Registration: {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT05273073","term_id":"NCT05273073"}}NCT05273073). The intervention (probiotics) group received a cocktail of six probiotic strains from Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus for 12 weeks, while the placebo group received an identical sachet devoid of living microorganisms. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical analyses, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing results were evaluated pre- and post-intervention. After the 12-week intervention, the probiotics group’s fasting blood glucose level significantly decreased (mean difference −0.20 mmol/L; p = 0.0021). The HbA1c, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were significantly different between the two groups (p < 0.05). Sequencing data also demonstrated a large rise in the Bifidobacterium adolescentis following probiotic supplementation. Our findings suggest that multi-strain probiotics are beneficial for improved metabolic and inflammatory outcomes in post-GDM women by modulating gut dysbiosis. This study emphasizes the necessity for a comprehensive strategy for postpartum treatment that includes probiotics to protect post-GDM women from developing glucose intolerance.     

Transient ischemic attack due to multiple spontaneous calcified embolus of the cerebral arteries on a calcified mitral and aortic stenosis

We report a case of calcified mitral and aortic stenosis revealed by a reversible ischemic stroke. A 59-year-old male patient, with background of hypertension, kidney failure, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, presented with neither acute onset of right-sided hemiparesis without aphasia nor any loss of consciousness. Head computed tomography (CT) revealed multiple rounded and amorph calcified high-density calcifications within the distal segments of both sylvian and posterior cerebral arteries. Angiographic CT of the carotids didn''t reveal any stenosis or atherosclerotic plaques. Thoracic CT showed massive mitral and aortic valvular calcifications with a left ventricular hypertrophy.     

Cystic meningioma: A case report with a literature review

Cystic meningiomas are very rare tumors of the central nervous system. We report the case of a 62-year-old female how presented headaches resistant to usual analgesics with behavior disorders. Cerebral CT scan showed a right frontal extra-axial tumor with firm and cystic component, brain MRI evoked the diagnosis, surgery removed the entire tumor and histological examination confirmed it. A cystic meningioma should not be omitted from the differential diagnosis of brain tumors with a cystic component and which clinical, radiological, histological and therapeutic features are discussed.     

Severe hypercalcemia complicated by acute pancreatitis revealing generalized bone lysis metastasis: Case report and review

Malignant hypercalcemia is a frequent metabolic complication of osteophilic tumors, exceptionally revealing cavitary cancer, but its prognosis remains poor despite early and adequate management. We report the case of a young patient, smoker without any previous history, admitted for the management of a digestive symptoms made of abdominal pain with food vomiting. The patient had an electrocardiogram withchest computed tomography scan and BBC evoking PA on malignant hypercalcemia. An etiological investigation was conducted to confirm the tumoral origin of the hypercalcemia. We put the patient on hyperhydration with corticotherapie and biohosphonates with a good clinical and biological improvement. Malignant hypercalcemia affects about 10%-20% of patients with cancer including nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Its clinical presentation varies according to the extent and speed of onset, responsible for multivisceral involvement including kidney, heart, neuropsychiatric system, which may engage the patient''s vital prognosis. The therapeutic management is based on 4 main principles; hyperhydration, increase of urinary calcium excretion by loop diuretics, decrease of bone resorption by biphosphonates and extrarenal purification which remains the ideal choice in case of life-threatening severe hypercalcemia. Acute hypercalcemic pancreatitis as a mode of revelation of cavum cancer has almost never been described in the literature     

Reversible splenial lesion syndrome (RESLES): Two patients as study cases

Reversible splenial injury syndrome (RESLES) is a rare clinicoradiological entity that defines a reversible lesion in the splenium of the callosum in magnetic resonance imaging.RESLES may be of infectious iatrogenic or metabolic origin. We report 2 cases of drug induced RESLES in our training.The presence of an isolated lesion of the corpus callosum in a context of polymedication by psychotropic drugs and the regression in less than 4 weeks suggests a toxic origin, in particular medicinal.The pathophysiology of these reversibles lesions of the splenium of callosum is not very clear, most often it is a phenomenon of vasogenic edema that is evoked, the clinical symptoms are very varied and nonspecific, and the prognosis is generally good in the absence of underlying disorder.     

Atypical esophageal granular cell tumor: Case report

Esophageal granular cell tumors (GCTs), or also called Abrikossoff''s tumor are rare benign tumors originating from Schwann cells most commonly found in the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and tongue. Approximately 5% –8% arise in the gastrointestinal tract, and one-third of these tumors arise in the esophagus [1]. This neoplasm has a benign behavior usually, but there have been described a malignant transformation in 2% –3% of the cases. Herein, we discuss a case of a 70-year-old male patient with no pathological background, admitted for dysphagia evolving in 3 months that was explored with endoscopy and CT, the diagnosis at this level was challenging but the histopathology and Immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of granular cells thus confirm the diagnosis.The purpose of our work is to report the uncommon evolution of an Abrikossoff ‘s tumor located in the esophagus, as a warning of the possible malignant transformation of this tumor mostly benign; also we made a review of the literature.     

Diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma mimicking ovarian cancer.

Diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM) and peritoneal carcinomatosis have similar computed tomography imaging features. Peritoneal carcinomatosis is a known metastatic site for many malignancies and particularly gastrointestinal tract and ovarian cancers. Also, DMPM can masquerade as an ovarian epithelial neoplasm, with very similar clinical presentation and an overlap in imaging findings. When no evident primary tumor is detected other than the peritoneal disease, primary malignant mesothelioma should be considered. Since accurate diagnosis is essential for treatment management, the gold standard in differentiating between these two entities lies in histological analysis. We report a case of DMPM that was initially misdiagnosed as an ovarian cancer, where the biopsy of a peritoneal nodule was able to correct and confirm the diagnosis of DMPM.