Choriocarcinoma with negative urinary and serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin (betaHCG)--a case report

This was a rare case where a patient presented clinically as a case of post abortal sepsis and ultrasound showing the picture of an intramural degenerating fibroid. Her serum and urine both were negative for beta human chorionic gonadotropin (betaHCG). Patient succumbed to choriocarcinoma 1 month later. Failure to detect urinary and serum betaHCG lead to maternal mortality due to the choriocarcinoma. The failure to detect, certain degradation products of HCG which may predominate in gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, by many common HCG testing kits lead to the error of diagnosis. Only 3 of the 7 common commercial serum HCG tests appropriately detects nicked HCG and its free betaHCG, DPC immulite assay, being the most sensitive method. Though of rare occurrence, this awareness is important for diagnosis and follow-up of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia and could have been life saving in our case.     

Association of Helicobacter pylori with oral potentially malignant disorders and oral squamous cell carcinoma—a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

To assess any potential association between Helicobacter pylori and oral squamous cell carcinoma/oral potentially malignant disorders.

Materials and methods

Data mining was done using PubMed, Cochrane Library, and SCOPUS databases. The search included articles published up to May 2019. Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to score the quality of the included articles. Data including the type of study, the sample population, the type of oral lesion, and the resulting statistical data were extracted.

Results

Out of 131 screened articles, only 15 articles fulfilled the eligibility criteria. Among the 15 studies, 9 focused on oral squamous cell carcinoma and 6 focused on oral potentially malignant disorders. Eight out of the 9 oral squamous cell carcinoma studies were included in the meta-analysis. Forest plot was generated using the odds ratio and confidence intervals calculated for each of the included studies. Due to the lack of sufficient studies, the meta-analysis was not performed for oral potentially malignant disorders.

Conclusion

Due to the contradictory results of the included studies, it was not possible to make any conclusive statement on the potential association of H. pylori with oral squamous cell carcinoma. The variations in the methodology, especially the differences in the sensitivity/specificity of the diagnostic modalities could be the cause for differential results.

Clinical relevance

Although the association of H. pylori with oral squamous cell carcinoma could not be confirmed, it is vital to reduce the excess oral microbial load, especially in patients exhibiting oral mucosal changes with no history of associated risk factors.

     

Cytogenetic and molecular characterization of a hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma: report of a novel chromosomal aberration

Hepatosplenic T-cell lymphomas (HSTCL) are rare cancers and comprise 5% of peripheral T-cell lymphomas. These well-characterized extranodal lymphomas have a disguised onset, secondary to intrasinusoidal infiltration of the spleen, liver, and bone marrow, with a rapidly progressive course that is poorly responsive to chemotherapy and often ensues in the setting of immune system suppression. We describe the clinical, immunophenotypic, cytogenetic, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and molecular analyses for T cell receptor gene rearrangement in a 21-year-old man diagnosed with HSTCL. Immunophenotypic analysis revealed negativity for CD5 as well as double negativity for CD4/CD8 mature T-cell immunophenotype, which suggested the diagnosis of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma. Molecular analysis confirmed a TCR gene rearrangement, thereby verifying the common T-cell origin of the present HSTCL case. Furthermore, cytogenetic analysis revealed a novel chromosomal rearrangement, t(7;15)(p22;q21). Metaphase fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis confirmed the translocation of a chromosomal segment from 15q21 to 7p22.     

A panel of monoclonal antibodies recognizing the Staphylococcus epidermidis fibrinogen-binding MSCRAMM SdrG

Staphylococcus epidermidis is an important opportunistic human pathogen that has recently emerged as a major cause of foreign-body infections. The most important stage contributing to the pathogenesis of this bacteria is the initial adherence to host tissue. SdrG is a cell-wall-anchored fibrinogen-binding adhesin of S. epidermidis that has been shown to be necessary for bacterial binding to fibrinogen-coated foreign bodies, such as catheters. Here we report the generation and characterization of a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against this S. epidermidis virulence factor. Through the use of multiple in vitro assays, surface plasmon resonance, and flow cytometry, we have characterized a diverse array of MAbs that may prove to be beneficial in studies that address the precise biologic role of SdrG.     

Prenatal omega 3 fatty acid supplementation to a micronutrient imbalanced diet protects brain neurotrophins in both the cortex and hippocampus in the adult rat offspring

ObjectiveOur earlier studies show that maternal diets imbalanced in micronutrients like folic acid and vitamin B₁₂ reduced brain docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in the offspring at birth and postnatal d21. This study followed the offspring till 3 months to examine the hypothesis that impaired brain neurotrophins at birth and d21 due to altered maternal micronutrients can be reversed by prenatal omega 3 fatty acid but not a postnatal control diet leading to altered cognition in adult life.Materials and MethodsPregnant rats were divided into control and five treatment groups at two levels of folic acid (normal and excess folate) in the presence and absence of vitamin B₁₂ (NFBD, EFB and EFBD). Omega 3 fatty acid supplementation was given to the vitamin B₁₂ deficient groups (NFBDO and EFBDO). Following delivery, 8 dams from each group were shifted to control and remaining continued on same diet.ResultsImbalance in maternal micronutrients up to 3 months decreased DHA, BDNF and NGF in cortex and only BDNF in the hippocampus and impaired cognitive performance. Postnatal control diet normalized BDNF in the cortex but not the hippocampus and also altered cognitive performance. Prenatal omega 3 fatty acid supplementation normalized DHA, BDNF and NGF while long term supplementation was not beneficial only when micronutrients were imbalanced.ConclusionPatterns established at birth are not totally reversible by postnatal diets and give clues for planning intervention studies for improving brain functioning and cognitive abilities.     

Morphology of Novel PEAs Containing Two Consecutive Amide Bonds Randomly Distributed Along the Polyester Backbone

The morphology of a series of novel segmented PEAs with varying amide content was studied by a combination of DSC, SFM and proton solid state NMR. Semicrystalline polymers organised in a lamellar morphology were obtained for all amide contents. The results of different NMR experiments revealed that a three phase system composed of a rigid phase, an interface and a mobile amorphous phase is the most appropriate model to describe the morphology of these materials. The amount, the chain dynamics and the domain size of each phase were estimated and correlated with the amount of the amide fraction. Such morphological investigations help to understand the macroscopic properties of segmented PEAs for their applications as biomaterials.

     

Maternal micronutrients (folic acid and vitamin B(12)) and omega 3 fatty acids: implications for neurodevelopmental risk in the rat offspring

Altered maternal micronutrients (folic acid, vitamin B₁₂) are suggested to be at the heart of intra-uterine programming of adult diseases. We have recently described interactions of folic acid, vitamin B₁₂ and docosahexaenoic acid in one carbon metabolism that is considered to play a key role in regulation oxidative stress and chromatin methylation. However its impact on fetal oxidative stress and brain fatty acid levels has been relatively unexplored. The present study examined the effect of imbalance in maternal micronutrients (folic acid and vitamin B₁₂) and maternal omega 3 fatty acid supplementation on oxidative stress parameters and brain fatty acids and in the offspring at birth. Pregnant female rats were divided into six groups at two levels of folic acid both in the presence and absence of vitamin B₁₂. Both the vitamin B₁₂ deficient groups were supplemented with omega 3 fatty acid. Oxidative stress marker (malondialdehyde) and polyunsaturated fatty acid profiles in plasma and brain were analyzed in dam and offspring at d20. Our results for the first time indicate that imbalance in maternal micronutrients (excess maternal folic acid supplementation on a B₁₂ deficient diet) increases (p < 0.01) oxidative stress in both mother and pups. This increased maternal oxidative stress resulted in lower (p < 0.01) fetal brain DHA levels. Omega 3 fatty acid supplementation was able to restore (p < 0.05) the levels of brain DHA in both the vitamin B₁₂ deficient groups. Our data has implications for implications for neurodevelopmental disorders since micronutrients and DHA are important modulators for neural functioning.     

A Review on Synthetic Fibers for Polymer Matrix Composites: Performance,Failure Modes and Applications

In the last decade, synthetic fiber, as a reinforcing specialist, has been mainly used in polymer matrix composites (PMC’s) to provide lightweight materials with improved stiffness, modulus, and strength. The significant feature of PMC’s is their reinforcement. The main role of the reinforcement is to withstand the load applied to the composite. However, in order to fulfill its purpose, the reinforcements must meet some basic criteria such as: being compatible with the matrix, making chemical or adhesion bonds with the matrix, having properties superior to the matrix, presenting the optimal orientation in composite and, also, having a suitable shape. The current review reveals a detailed study of the current progress of synthetic fibers in a variety of reinforced composites. The main properties, failure modes, and applications of composites based on synthetic fibers are detailed both according to the mentioned criteria and according to their types (organic or inorganic fibers). In addition, the choice of classifications, applications, and properties of synthetic fibers is largely based on their physical and mechanical characteristics, as well as on the synthesis process. Finally, some future research directions and challenges are highlighted.