Maffucci’s syndrome: a case report

Maffuccis syndrome is a congenital nonhereditary syndrome characterized by a combination of enchondromatosis and hemangiomatosis. It is associated with an increased risk of malignancy. We report a case of a 24-year-old woman who developed severe bone distortion due to generalized enchondromas since the age of 2 years. Physical examination showed a marked shortening of both upper and lower limbs and cutaneous hemangioma in the legs. Radiological study showed symmetric well-circumscribed radiolucent cystic lesions in the hands and severe metaphysical irregularity and a shortening of all long bones. The biopsy of the third right metacarpal showed enchondroma tissue. Histological examination of the skin specimen showed a hemangioendothelioma. The diagnosis of Maffuccis syndrome was established. Abdominal ultrasound, mammography, cerebral computed tomography (CT) scan, and cervical CT were normal.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of diversely substituted indolin-2-ones

The synthesis of indolin-2-one derivatives substituted in the 3-position by an aminomethylene group bearing either an ornithine or a lysine residue is described. The inhibitory activities of these compounds toward a panel of eight kinases were examined. Furthermore, the antibacterial activities of the prepared compounds were tested against two Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus cereus and Streptomyces chartreusis, a Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli and a yeast Candida albicans.     

Brain injury pathophysiology study by a multimodal approach in children with sickle cell anemia with no intra or extra cranial arteriopathy

Despite its high prevalence in children with sickle cell anemia (SCA), the pathophysiology of silent cerebral infarcts (SCI) remains elusive. The main objective of this study was to explore the respective roles of major determinants of brain perfusion in SCA children with no past or current history of intracranial or extracranial vasculopathy. We used a multimodal approach based notably on perfusion imaging arterial spin labeling (ASL) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and near infra-red spectroscopy (NIRS), as well as biomarkers reflecting blood rheology and endothelial activation. Out of 59 SCA patients (mean age 11.4±3.9 yrs), eight (13%) had a total of 12 SCI. Children with SCI had a distinctive profile characterized by decreased blood pressure, impaired blood rheology, increased P-selectin levels, and marked anemia. Although ASL perfusion and oximetry values did not differ between groups, comparison of biological and clinical parameters according to the level of perfusion categorized in terciles showed an independent association between high perfusion and increased sP-selectin, decreased red blood cell deformability, low hemoglobin F level, increased blood viscosity and no -thalassemia deletion. NIRS measurements did not yield additional novel results. Altogether, these findings argue for early MRI detection of SCI in children with no identified vasculopathy and suggest a potential role for ASL as an additional screening tool. Early treatment targeting hemolysis, anemia and endothelial dysfunction should reduce the risk of this under diagnosed and serious complication.     

Toxic effects of methamidophos on paraoxonase 1 activity and on rat kidney and liver and ameliorating effects of alpha‐tocopherol

The role of alpha‐tocopherol on nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity induced by methamidophos (MT) was investigated in wistar rats. Animals were given via gavage, for four weeks, a low dose of MT (MT1), a high dose of MT (MT2), vitamin E (200 mg/kg of bw) or both MT2 plus vitamin E (Vit E) and control group was given distillate water. MT treatment resulted in a significant decrease in the body weight of MT2‐treated group. Moreover, MT‐treated groups had significantly lower butyrylcholinesterase (p < 0.01) and paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activities compared with the control group (p < 0.05). However, MT2‐treated group had significantly higher alkaline phosphatase activity compared with untreated rats (p < 0.05). Both MT‐treated groups had significantly higher urea (p < 0.01) and uric acid levels (p < 0.05) compared with the control group. However, significant low uric acid level (p < 0.05) was noted in MT2 plus vit E‐treated rats compared with MT2‐treated group. Histopathological changes in organ tissues were observed in both MT‐treated groups and MT2 plus vit E‐treated rats. However, the damage was reduced in MT2 plus vit E‐treated rats. Therefore, this study deduces that alpha‐tocopherol administration may ameliorate the adverse effects of subacute exposure to MT on rat liver and kidney and this antioxidant can protect PON1 from oxidative stress induced by this organophosphorus pesticide. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 842–854, 2016.