Schizophrenia following new-onset refractory status epilepticus secondary to antiphospholipid syndrome

New-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) is a drug-resistant status epilepticus that often has a catastrophic outcome. Our patient was diagnosed with NORSE and had an EEG reading that showed status epilepticus persisting for 8 months in general anesthesia. After autoimmune workup showed positive antiphospholipid antibodies, his seizure was controlled, and he was discharged with good condition apart from moderate cognitive impairment. However, he later developed schizophrenia. Although psychiatric disorders have been associated with antiphospholipid syndrome, to the best of our knowledge, it has not been reported to be associated with status epilepticus. We recommend vigilance of psychological complications of refractory status epilepticus’ patients for early psychiatric referral, diagnosis, and treatment.

New-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) is a syndrome of new-onset drug-resistant status epilepticus that often has a catastrophic outcome. Epilepsy is usually associated with psychiatric disorders of different manifestations of which psychosis is an example.1 However, not much is found in the literature review regarding psychiatric disorders following NORSE although a recent study concluded 32% of NORSE patients ended up with altered behavioral states like aggression.2 Schizophrenia following NORSE like in the rare presentation of this case has not been reported in the literature review before, although an association between schizophrenia and autoimmune disorders like APS has been reported.3     

Influence of urbanization of the western coast of the United Arab Emirates on trace metal content in muscle and liver of wild Red-spot emperor (Lethrinus lentjan).

We hypothesized that increased ambient concentrations of metals, as a consequence of escalating urbanization and industrialization of the Gulf region will respond in increased contamination of edible fish species. In this study, we report concentrations of chromium, manganese, cobalt, copper, zinc, arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead in meat and liver of wild Red-spot emperor (Lethrinus lentjan) from three sampling points at the UAE coast. Analysis was performed by the ICP-MS/microwave digestion. Our study has shown that meat and liver metal content was significantly higher in areas with higher industrial activity, although metal values did not exceed permitted levels of fish for human consumption.     

Comparison of right colon, left colon, and rectal carcinoma

Three hundred fifteen cases of adenocarcinoma were analyzed for differences between lesions in the right colon, left colon, and rectum for the period 1978 to 1983. The right colon cancers accounted for 1/3 of the cases and were associated with a higher incidence of anemia. The incidence of obstruction was the same between the right and left colon but lower for the rectal lesions. Left colon and rectal cancers had a higher incidence of gross bleeding than right colon cancers, but all had a high rate of occult blood in the stool. The Duke stage of the lesions, which was similar throughout the colon and rectum, is a reliable prognostic indicator.     

Characterisation of Dopamine and Serotonin Uptake Inhibitory Effects of Tetrahydroaminoacridine in Rat Brain

Abstract: The effects of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-aminoacridine (THA) on uptake rates of radioactive 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and dopamine were investigated in rat diencephalon and striatal homogenates, respectively. Six and eight μM of THA were needed to inhibit 50% of dopamine and 5-HT uptake rates. Kinetic parameters, K_m and V_max, using six different concentrations of dopamine and 5-HT were estimated in the presence or absence of THA. A significant decrease in V_max without any change in K_m values was observed for both dopamine and 5-HT in the presence of THA. The results show that THA is a non-competitive uptake inhibitor of dopamine and 5-HT in the nerve terminals. The re-uptake blocking effect of THA on dopaminergic and serotonergic neurones, following THA treatment, might lead to increased levels of these monoamines in brains of Alzheimer patients and contribute in the therapeutic effects of the drug.     

Subcutaneous cryptococcosis due to Cryptococcus diffluens in a patient with sporotrichoid lesions case report, features of the case isolate and in vitro antifungal susceptibilities.

Environmental fungi, in particular primary pathogens and Cryptococcus spp. can be responsible for skin lesions mimicking sporotrichosis. In this paper, we report a case of subcutaneous cryptococcosis in an apparently healthy, young male patient due to a non-C. neoformans Cryptococcus species, C. diffluens. The isolate showed in vitro phenotypic switching that may affect virulence and host inflammatory and immune responses, and in vitro resistance to amphotericin B and 5-flucytosin. This species shares several phenotypic traits with C. neoformans, and, therefore, decisive diagnosis should be based on biopsy and culturing results followed by molecular identification.     

Generation of female genital tract antibody responses by local or central (common) mucosal immunization

Genital antibody responses were compared in female mice immunized intravaginally (i.vag.) or intranasally (i.n.) with a bacterial protein antigen (AgI/II of Streptococcus mutans) coupled to the B subunit of cholera toxin. Serum and salivary antibodies were also evaluated as measures of disseminated mucosal and systemic responses. Although i.vag. immunization induced local vaginal immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG antibody responses, these were not disseminated to a remote secretion, the saliva, and only modest levels of serum antibodies were generated. In contrast, i.n. immunization was substantially more effective at inducing IgA and IgG antibody responses in the genital tract and in the circulation, as well as at inducing IgA antibodies in the saliva. Moreover, mucosal and systemic antibodies induced by i.n. immunization persisted for at least 12 months. Analysis of the molecular form of genital IgA indicated that the majority of both total IgA and specific IgA antibody was polymeric, and likely derived from the common mucosal immune system.     

Interventional Radiology for Treating Soft Tissue Sarcomas

The role of interventional radiology for soft tissue sarcomas is only occasionally addressed in the literature. However, different techniques such as embolization, selective chemotherapy, chemoembolization, and acrylic cement osteoplasty can be helpful with the primary tumor, recurrences, and metastases. This article discusses these techniques and their complications in treatment of soft tissue sarcomas.     

Prognostic Value of PCNA and Mutant p53 Expression in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The objective of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance of p53, and proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Sixty pathologic specimens from the patients with LSCC were examined for the expression of the p53 and PCNA, with complete follow-up data. Sixty-three percent of the cases displayed nuclear p53 overexpression. There was a correlation between p53 overexpression and histological grades (p = 0.03), and localization site (p = 0.05). Median of PCNA index was 42.2 (range 5.9 to 85.2). There was no difference between the p53 overexpression group and the normal group in proliferative activity determined by PCNA (p = 0.73). In univariate analyses, localization site, grade, stage, invasion pattern, lymph node status, were significant factors in estimating disease free survival (DFS). Grade was the most important factor affecting recurrence (p = 0.002). In multivariate analyses, grade was the only significant predictor for DFS (p = 0.001). Grade (p = 0.001) and invasion pattern (p = 0.03) were found to be significant predictors of overall survival. In conclusion, the histological grade was the most reliable important prognostic factor. Further studies are necessary to facilitate understanding of the mechanisms of laryngeal carcinogenesis.     

AQP1、AQP2和AQP3在人膀胱尿路上皮癌组织中的表达及其意义

目的：观察水通道蛋白1（Aquaporin 1,AQP1）、水通道蛋白2（Aquaporin 2,AQP2）、水通道蛋白3（Aquaporin 3,AQP3）在膀胱尿路上皮癌组织及正常膀胱组织中的表达与分布,探讨其意义。方法：取膀胱尿路上皮癌组织25例及正常膀胱组织25例,应用免疫组织化学方法检测AQP1 、AQP2和AQP3在膀胱尿路上皮癌和正常膀胱组织中的表达及分布。结果：AQP1散在表达于正常膀胱组织中微血管和小动脉的内皮细胞的细胞膜及细胞质,在膀胱尿路上皮癌组织中AQP1大量表达于肿瘤的血管内皮细胞的细胞膜及细胞质;膀胱尿路上皮癌中AQP1表达水平较正常膀胱组织明显增高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);AQP2主要表达于膀胱尿路上皮癌组织及正常膀胱组织的细胞间质中,两者表达强度基本相同,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);AQP3主要表达在膀胱尿路上皮癌组织及正常膀胱组织的黏膜上皮细胞的胞质及胞膜,在癌组织中的表达强度明显增高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论：AQP1 、AQP3在膀胱尿路上皮癌组织中表达明显增高。提示AQP1、AQP3可能与膀胱尿路上皮癌的发生和发展密切相关,其机制需要进一步深入研究。