Clear Cell Carcinoma of the Endometrium Causing Paraneoplastic Retinopathy: Case Report and Review of the Literature

We reviewed the literature for cases in which gynecologic malignancies caused paraneoplastic retinopathy and ultimately led to blindness. Twenty-eight cases were derived from the literature, and one unique case is described from our institution. Of these 28 cases, 14 patients were diagnosed with endometrial cancer, 7 with ovarian cancer, 5 with cervical cancer, 1 fallopian tube cancer and 1 with concomitant endometrial and ovarian cancers. The average age of patients at the time of diagnosis was 64 years (range, 35–89 years). Typically, ocular manifestations antedate symptoms of the underlying carcinoma by 3–12 months. Information regarding the interval from visual symptoms to time of death is limited, but ranges from several months to several years. Our report is the first to document a clear cell carcinoma of the endometrium causing paraneoplastic retinopathy and is the first to review all gynecologic malignancies associated with visual paraneoplastic syndromes

Bone Involvement in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by a wide variability of clinical manifestations due to the potential involvement of several tissues and internal organs, with a relapsing and remitting course. Dysregulation of innate and adaptive immune systems, due to genetic, hormonal and environmental factors, may be responsible for a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, affecting quality of life, morbidity and mortality. Bone involvement represents one of the most common cause of morbidity and disability in SLE. Particularly, an increased incidence of osteoporosis, avascular necrosis of bone and osteomyelitis has been observed in SLE patients compared to the general population. Moreover, due to the improvement in diagnosis and therapy, the survival of SLE patient has improved, increasing long-term morbidities, including osteoporosis and related fractures. This review aims to highlight bone manifestations in SLE patients, deepening underlying etiopathogenetic mechanisms, diagnostic tools and available treatment

In Vitro Biocompatibility Evaluation of Nine Dermal Fillers on L929 Cell Line

Objective. Biomaterial research for soft tissue augmentation is an increasing topic in aesthetic medicine. Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are widely used for their low invasiveness and easy application to correct aesthetic defects or traumatic injuries. Some complications as acute or chronic inflammation can occur in patients following the injection. Biocompatibility assays are required for medical devices intended for human use, in order to prevent damages or injuries in the host. In this study, nine HA fillers were tested in order to evaluate their cytotoxicity and their effects on L929 cell line, according to the UNI EN ISO 10993 regulation. Methods. Extracts were prepared from nine HA fillers, and MTS viability assay was performed after 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h of exposure of cells to extracts. Cells cultured with HA filler extracts were monitored for up to 72 h, counted, and stained with haematoxylin/eosin in order to evaluate the cell proliferation rate and morphology. Results. None of the filler tested showed a cytotoxic effect. Two samples showed a higher vitality percentage and higher cell number while two samples showed a lower vitality percentage and lower cell number at 72 h. Conclusion. Data obtained suggest that although examined fillers are not cytotoxic, they show different effects on the in vitro cell proliferation rate. In vitro studies of medical devices could lead to important implications since these could aid to predict effects about their in vivo application. These easy and rapid assays could be useful to test new materials intended for human use avoiding animal tests

1-Acetyl-2-r,6-c-bis­(4-chloro­phen­yl)-3-methyl-1,2,5,6-tetra­hydro­pyridin-4-yl acetate

In the title compound, C22H21Cl2NO3, the pyridine ring adopts a half-chair conformation and the 4-chloro­phenyl groups occupy axial positions. The 4-chloro­phenyl groups are almost perpendicular to the plane of the tetra­hydro­pyridine ring forming dihedral angles 84.62 (6) and 85.55 (5)°; the dihedral angle between the two 4-chloro­phenyl rings is 12.16 (4)°. The crystal structure is stabilized by inter­molecular C—H⋯O inter­actions

Probing High Frequency Noise with Macroscopic Resonant Tunneling

We have developed a method for extracting the high-frequency noise spectral density of an rf-SQUID flux qubit from macroscopic resonant tunneling (MRT) rate measurements. The extracted noise spectral density is consistent with that of an ohmic environment up to frequencies ~ 4 GHz. We have also derived an expression for the MRT lineshape expected for a noise spectral density consisting of such a broadband ohmic component and an additional strongly peaked low-frequency component. This hybrid model provides an excellent fit to experimental data across a range of tunneling amplitudes and temperatures

Dipotassium 4,4′-(hexane-3,4-di­yl)bis­(benzene­sulfonate) dihydrate

The anion of the title compound, also called sygethin dihydrate, 2K+·C18H20O6S2 2−·2H2O, has crystallographic inversion symmetry. The K+ cation is surrounded by eight O atoms in a distorted cubic coordination geometry, forming extended K—O—S networks. There are also O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds

An innovative method for the detection of contaminant viral genome in cell cultures

The use of cell cultures involves different fields of biology, from diagnosis to research. Moreover, technologies based on animal cells represent a useful tool to the development of biological products for the prophylaxis and therapy in humans and animals. Therefore, it is necessary to perform quality controls, including virological tests. Several tests performed in research laboratories are able to discriminate one or more viral species, but it is not possible to demonstrate the presence of contaminant viral genome with one non-specific method. The aim of this work consisted on the realization of a biomolecular method able to detect and to identify by sequencing extraneous viral genome in cell cultures of animal and human origin in the absence of any specific information about the virus

Bis(tetra­phenyl­phospho­nium) tetra­sulfido­tungstate(VI)

The crystal structure of the title compound, (C24H20P)2[WS4], which was prepared under hydro­thermal conditions, contains tetra­phenyl­phospho­nium cations linked by supra­molecular inter­actions into chains running along the [110] and [10] directions. The [WS4]2−anions, which lie on twofold axes, are located in the cavities created between the cation chains

Feeding the brain: the importance of nutrients for brain functions and health

\u2018We are what we eat\u2019, said the philosopher Feuerbach. In fact, the quality of the food we eat affects our mind as well: the brain, which represents 2% of our body weight, consumes about 20% of the calories we eat each day. Follow a few rules could therefore help to feed properly our brain, so it works to the best of its ability. It is important to know properties of foods especially regarding their aminoacidic composition because aminoacids are components of neurotransmitters, molecules needed for brain transmission and function. It is also possible to choose specific food to prevent or support different diseases that affects nervous system

2,6-Bis(4-meth­oxy­phen­yl)-1,3-dimethyl­piperidin-4-one O-benzyl­oxime

The central ring of the title compound, C28H32N2O3, exists in a chair conformation with an equatorial disposition of all the alkyl and aryl groups on the heterocycle. The para-anisyl groups on both sides of the secondary amino group are oriented at an angle of 54.75 (4)° with respect to each other. The oxime derivative exists as an E isomer with the methyl substitution on one of the active methyl­ene centers of the mol­ecule. The crystal packing features weak C—H⋯O inter­actions