Value of imaging in the diagnosis of peripheral neurofibrosarcomas: a case report

Neurofibrosarcoma is a rare malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour. It's the consequence of degeneration of neurofibroma in patients with neurofibromatosis. In the absence of clinical symptoms of malignancy, imaging is of prime importance. The observed new case of cubital neurofibrosarcoma stimulated the researchers to give more importance to MR imaging in distinguishing from the benign tumors.     

The primary hereditary form of distal renal tubular acidosis: clinical and genetic studies in 60-member kindred

A distal (type 1) renal tubular acidosis (RTA-1) has been studied in 60 of 69 living members of a large family "HK" and two unrelated small families. The "HK" family, including 28 RTA-1 subjects, presents the first large family with only primary RTA-1 reported to date. The genetic situation in this family confirms the autosomal dominant transmission of the hereditary primary RTA-1 suggested previously on the basis of a few small families. Our data show that, in contrast to the secondary hereditary form, RTA-1 in its primary hereditary form is always complete and often tolerated (asymptomatic). It occurs in non-hypercalciuric families with no clinical variants observed in family members without RTA-1. In our series some clinical abnormalities commonly associated with RTA-1, such as nephrocalcinosis and growth retardation, appeared only in three cases among offspring when both parents were affected. The appearance of such abnormalities, taken as consequences of chronic acidosis in RTA-1, could be favored by the genetic background and/or the homozygosity for the RTA-1 gene. Linkage studies between RTA-1 and 10 genetic markers have been carried out. Results show that only ABO, MNS, GM and RH loci are informative for linkage analysis and none of these loci can be suggested as linked to RTA-1 locus.     

Reliability of the rheumatoid arthritis articular damage score in Tunisian patients

The clinical rheumatoid arthritis articular damage (RAAD) score is easy to perform and showed good intraobserver reliability. It correlates well with the Larsen score and disease duration and can be recommended for rheumatoid arthritis patients follow-up in developing countries.     

Pervaporative separation of water–ethanol mixtures using an Algerian Na+ montmorillonite nanoclay-incorporated poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposite membrane

This work aims to study the role of bentonite, Na⁺ montmorillonite (Na⁺MMT), as a filler to design a new poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-based membrane for the pervaporation of an azeotropic water/ethanol mixture to enhance its separation efficiency. PVA/Na⁺MMT nanocomposite membranes, containing different ratios of Na⁺MMT (i.e., 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%), were prepared using the solvent casting method and crosslinked with maleic acid. The interactions between the PVA polymer and MMT were determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Structural characterization by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed that the nanoclay structure was well-exfoliated and distributed in the crosslinked PVA matrix. To determine the thermal stability of different membranes, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry were used. The mechanical properties of pure PVA and the intercalated polymer material were studied. Of note, in this study, the membranes showed a simultaneous increase in the permeation flow and selectivity depending on the montmorillonite filling charge.

This work aims to study the role of bentonite, Na⁺ montmorillonite (Na⁺MMT), as a filler to design a new poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-based membrane for the pervaporation of an azeotropic water/ethanol mixture to enhance its separation efficiency.     

Effects of sodium nitroprusside on mouse erythrocyte catalase activity and malondialdehyde status

There is controversy about the anti- or pro-oxidative effects of the nitric oxide (NO)-donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Hence, the activity of the antioxidant enzyme catalase (CAT) and the status of malondialdehyde (MDA) were investigated after a 2.5?mg/kg dose of SNP had been i.p. administered to different and comparable groups of mice (n?= 48). The drug was administered at two different circadian times (1 and 13 h after light onset [HALO]). There were, irrespectively of sampling time, no significant differences in the means of CAT activity and MDA status between control and SNP-treated groups, no matter the treatment time. However, CAT activity was significantly (Student’s t-test, p?<?0.001) increased 1?h following SNP administration at 1 HALO, whereas the significant (p?<?0.001) increase in the enzyme activity was found only 3?h after injection at 13 HALO. The drug dosing either at 1 or 13 HALO resulted in no significant differences of MDA status between control and treated groups regardless to the sampling time. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) detected a significant (F_0.05(7,88)=?5.3; p?<?0.0006) interaction between sampling time and treatment in mice injected at 1 HALO, suggesting the influence of treatment on sampling-time-related changes in CAT activity. However, ANOVA validated no interaction between the two factors in mice treated at 13 HALO, illustrating that the sampling-time differences in enzyme activity were greater. Furthermore, two-way ANOVA revealed no interaction in the variation of MDA status in animals treated either at 1 or 13 HALO. This study indicates that SNP significantly affected the anti-oxidant system.     

Delusional misidentification syndrome and criminal acting out: A case report of maternal filicide

Delusional misidentification syndromes are associated with danger and may lead to homicide. Early assessment of the danger is a key part of the psychiatric examination. Compliance to treatment in psychosis is important to avoid the devastating consequences, for the perpetrator, the victim, and the community.     

Unilateral pseudouveitis revealing a pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma: A case report

Neuroendocrine tumors are a heterogeneous group of tumors with a wide range of malignant potential that tend to have a relative prolonged course. These tumors infrequently metastasize to the orbit. To the best of our knowledge, ocular metastases from pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) have never been reported in the literature. We report the case of a 61‐year‐old man who presented with progressive deterioration of general condition with unilateral recurrent episodes of non‐granulomatous panuveitis of the left eye related to a choroidal metastasis. Radiological imaging and histopathological analyses led to the diagnosis of metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma as the primary tumor. Choroidal metastases from neuroendocrine tumors are extremely rare, but compromise patients’ well‐being because of visual impairment. Uncommonly, these metastases can be the first manifestation of unknown tumors, warranting further investigations to detect the primary cancer.