Cerebral iodized lipid embolization via a pulmonary arteriovenous shunt: rare complication of transcatheter arterial embolization for hepatocellular carcinoma

We report the first European case of cerebral iodized lipid embolism post transcatheter arterial embolization for hepatocellular carcinoma. Lipiodol emboli and corresponding multifocal brain ischemia were documented with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) in the acutely symptomatic patient. Transcranial Doppler sonography with contrast indicated a right-to-left shunt, while on a follow-u

Imunokromatografski test za dokaz invazije vrstama Babesia caballi i Babesia equi Laveran 1901 (Theileria equi Mehlhorn i Schein, 1998) (Phylum Apicomplexa) u fi lipinskih konja u usporedbi s dokazom parazita u krvnim razmascima

Sera collected from 71 slaughtered and 33 racing horses were assayed for Babesia spp. infection using immunochromatographic (ICT) assay. The ICT strips which were developed at the National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases (NRCPD), Obihiro University, Hokkaido, Japan contained a recombinant B. caballi 48-kDa rhoptry protein (rBc48) and a recombinant truncated B. equi merozoite antigen 2 (rEMA-2t) for the detection of anti-horse Babesia spp. antibodies. The 63 sero-positive blood samples consisted of 41(57.7%) and 22 (66.7%) cases in slaughtered and racing horses, respectively. Twelve sera (19.0%) reacted with both B. caballi and B. equi antigens, 45 sera (71.0%) reacted with rBc48 antigen only, and six sera (10.0%) were positive for B. equi antibodies only. Babesia caballi infection accounted for 90.5% cases. Infection with B. caballi and/or B. equi confirmed in Giemsa-stained blood smears prepared from racing horse samples only revealed 22 (66.7%) seropositive cases. Paired pear or crescent-shaped merozoites (0.5-1.25 μm), characteristic of B. caballi were observed in 20 blood smears, while only two seropositive cases revealed the presence of both B. caballi and the Maltese cross or tetrad-shaped merozoites (0.62-0.95 μm) generally associated with Theileria sp. (B. equi) parasite. To our knowledge, this is the first immunochromatographic assay of equine babesiosis in the Philippines validated by the detection of specific etiologic agent(s) in blood smears.Uzorci seruma 71 zaklanog konja i 33 športska konja bili su pretraženi na prisutnost protutijela za babezije imunokromatografskim testom (ICT). Testovi razvijeni u Nacionalnom istraživačkom centru za protozojske bolesti u sklopu Sveučilišta Obihiro u Hokaidu u Japanu sadržavali su rekombinantni protein od 48-kDa (rBc48) vrste B. caballi i rekombinantni krnji merozoitski antigen 2 (rEMA-2t) vrste B. equi za određivanje protutijela za vrste roda Babesia. Od ukupno 63 serološki pozitivna konja, 41 (57,7%) pripadao je skupini kojoj je krv bila uzeta pri klanju, a 22 (66,7%) bila su iz skupine športskih konja. Dvadeset uzoraka seruma (19,0%) bilo je pozitivno na oba antigena (B. caballi i B. equi), 45 uzoraka (71,0%) samo na antigen rBc48, dok je svega šest uzoraka (10%) bilo pozitivno na protutijela za vrstu B. equi. Protutijela za vrstu B. caballi bila su dokazana u 90,5% pretraženih uzoraka. Pretragom krvnih razmazaka obojenih po Giemzi babezije su bile dokazane u svega 22 (66,7%) športska konja. Kruškaste tvorevine (0,5-1,25 μm), karakteristične za merozoite protozoona B. caballi bile su dokazane u 20 razmazaka krvi. Samo u dva serološki pozitivna uzorka dokazana je vrsta B. caballi i merozoiti razmješteni u obliku malteškoga križa (0,62-0,95 μm) što je i karakteristika protozoa iz roda Theileria (B. equi). Ovim istraživanjem prvi put je dokazana prikladnost imunokromatografskoga testa za određivanje protutijela za babezije konja na Filipinima, a rezultati su uspoređeni s nalazom uzročnika u krvnim razmascima

Comparing the cost of non-metastatic breast cancer care in a low-income vs a high-income country: A plea for an optimal allocation of health resources in Sub-Saharan Africa

Breast cancer incidence is rising in low-income countries, but there is limited information regarding health resource allocation for its care. We assessed the cost of care during the first three years after diagnosis in a low-income country (Mozambique; n = 162 women) and compared it with a high-income country (Portugal, n = 703 women). Local currency prices were converted to 2019 international dollars (Int$). In Mozambique, the median cost was lower than in Portugal (2888 vs 18,533 Int$, respectively) and did not vary across stage or tumor subtype. These findings may help improving resource allocation for breast cancer care in Sub-Saharan Africa, despite reflecting an underfunding of treatment in this setting.The Moza-BC cohort (Mozambique) was funded by the Beginning Investigator Grant for Catalytic Research (BIG Cat) program, an African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) program with support from the U.S. National Cancer Institute (grant 59-210-6-004). The NEON-BC cohort (Portugal) was funded by FEDER and by FCT (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016867; ref. PTDC/DTP-EPI/7183/2014; info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/6817 - DCRRNI ID/UIDB/04750/2020/PT); by the Chair on Pain Medicine of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto and the Grünenthal Foundation, Portugal. SM was also funded by FEDER and FCT (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-032358; ref. PTDC/SAU-EPI/32358/2017). The funding sources had no involvement in the analysis, interpretation of data, writing of the report, or decision to submit this manuscript for publication

A NOVEL PHENYLALANINE AMMONIA-LYASE FROM KANGIELLA KOREENSIS

This study describes cloning of the gene encoding a novel phenylalanine ammonia-lyase from Kangiella koreensis (KkPAL) into pET19b expression vector. Optimization of protein expression and purification conditions yielded 15 mg pure soluble protein from one liter of E.coli culture. Enzymatic activity measurements of the ammonia elimination reaction from different natural aromatic amino acids proved the protein to be a phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. The isolated protein showed remarkably high, 81.7 °C melting temperature, making it especially suitable for biocatalytic applications

Bosniak category III cysts are more likely to be malignant than we expected in the era of multidetector computed tomography technology

Background: Complex indeterminate Bosniak category III renal cystic masses are traditionally considered to be malignant in 50%. Our aim was to retrospectively evaluate the attenuation characteristics in multiphase computed tomography (CT) and to determinate the incidence of malignancy based on histological findings on all Bosniak category III renal cystic masses investigated in our department between April 3, 2007 and November 21, 2013. Materials and Methods: Quadriphasic multidetector CT images of nineteen patients (mean age: 56.5 +/- 16.5 years) with radiologically detected Bosniak category III lesions were reviewed retrospectively. All lesions were surgically removed, and the incidence of malignancy, based on pathological results was determined. Results: Calcification was present in four lesions (21%). The mean largest diameter was 48.7 +/- 28.8 mm. All lesions were multilobulated and septated. Of the 19 removed lesions, 16 (84%) were malignant, and 3 (16%) were benign (one inflammatory cyst including a nephrolith, one cystic nephroma and one atypical angiomyolipoma). CT and histological findings of 19 Bosniak III cysts were correlated. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated much higher prevalence of malignancy (84%) in radiologically detected Bosniak category III cysts than it has been described before. It may due to the era of modern multidetector CT technology and multiphase protocol

OCCURRENCE AND CHARACTERISATION OF Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines, CAUSING BACTERIAL PUSTULES ON SOYBEAN IN GUINEA SAVANNA OF BENIN

To improve soybean ( Glycine max L.) production in Benin, knowledge of bacterial diseases is needed. The objective of this study was to establish the disease occurrence and to identify Xanthomonas axonopodis pv.glycines, the causal agent of soybean bacterial pustule. Soybean bacterial pustule disease was studied during the flowering and at pod maturation, in thirty four sites of the main soybean cultivation areas in eight districts of the Guinea Savanna in Benin. Twenty and 10 soybean plants were randomly inspected for incidence and severity, respectively, on two diagonals through the field. Seven isolates from 6 different locations with highest severity, were submitted for virulence tests. The most virulent was characterised by Polymerase Chain Reaction. Bacterial pustules were present in 33 of 34 sites. Incidence and severity per district ranged from 15.8 to 70%, and 6.0 to 26.14%, respectively. Severity was highest at Binassi (34.33%) in Perere and Baka (33.2%) in Parakou. Among the seven strains isolated, UP-PK-S3 from Baka (Parakou) was the most virulent, and was characterised as Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines.Une prospection a \ue9t\ue9 conduite sur la pustule bact\ue9rienne du soja durant la phase de floraison et de formation des gousses sur trente-quatre sites de production du soja localis\ue9s dans 8 Communes de la savane guin\ue9enne du B\ue9nin en 2011. L\u2019objectif \ue9tait d\u2019\ue9tablir la pr\ue9sence de la maladie et d\u2019identifier Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines, l\u2019agent responsable de la pustule bact\ue9rienne du soja. Trois \ue0 six sites ont \ue9t\ue9 prospect\ue9s par commune et sur chaque site 20 et 10 plants sont respectivement inspect\ue9s au hasard sur deux diagonales du champ pour \ue9valuer l\u2019incidence et la s\ue9v\ue9rit\ue9. Sept isolats provenant de 6 diff\ue9rentes localit\ue9s \ue0 fortes valeurs de s\ue9v\ue9rit\ue9s ont \ue9t\ue9 soumis \ue0 un test de virulence et l\u2019isolat le plus virulent a \ue9t\ue9 caract\ue9ris\ue9 par PCR et s\ue9quenc\ue9. Les r\ue9sultats ont montr\ue9 que la pustule bact\ue9rienne \ue9tait pr\ue9sente sur 33 des 34 champs prospect\ue9s. L\u2019analyse statistique de la moyenne d\u2019incidence et de s\ue9v\ue9rit\ue9 par commune a r\ue9v\ue9l\ue9 une variabilit\ue9 de 15,8 \ue0 70% pour l\u2019incidence et de 6,0 \ue0 26,14% pour la s\ue9v\ue9rit\ue9. Parmi les sept souches isol\ue9es, la souche UP-PK-S3 provenant de Baka (Parakou) \ue9tait la plus virulente et a \ue9t\ue9 caract\ue9ris\ue9e comme Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines et pourrait \ueatre utilis\ue9e pour le criblage pour la r\ue9sistance en milieu contr\uf4l\ue9

EuroGuiDerm Guideline on the systemic treatment of Psoriasis vulgaris - Part 2 : specific clinical and comorbid situations

This evidence- and consensus-based guideline on the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris was developed following the EuroGuiDerm Guideline and Consensus Statement Development Manual. The second part of the guideline provides guidance for specific clinical and comorbid situations such as treating psoriasis vulgaris patient with concomitant psoriatic arthritis, concomitant inflammatory bowel disease, a history of malignancies or a history of depression or suicidal ideation. It further holds recommendations for concomitant diabetes, viral hepatitis, disease affecting the heart or the kidneys as well as concomitant neurological disease. Advice on how to screen for tuberculosis and recommendations on how to manage patients with a positive tuberculosis test result are given. It further covers treatment for pregnant women or patients with a wish for a child in the near future. Information on vaccination, immunogenicity and systemic treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic is also provided.Peer reviewe

EuroGuiDerm Guideline on the systemic treatment of Psoriasis vulgaris – : Part 1: treatment and monitoring recommendations

Peer reviewe

Reverse Hall-Petch effect in ultra nanocrystalline diamond

We present atomistic simulations for the mechanical response of ultra nanocrystalline diamond, a polycrystalline form of diamond with grain diameters of the order of a few nm. We consider fully three-dimensional model structures, having several grains of random sizes and orientations, and employ state-of-the-art Monte Carlo simulations. We calculate structural properties, elastic constants and the hardness of the material; our results compare well with experimental observations for this material. Moreover, we verify that this material becomes softer at small grain sizes, in analogy to the observed reversal of the Hall-Petch effect in various nanocrystalline metals. The effect is attributed to the large concentration of grain boundary atoms at smaller grain sizes. Our analysis yields scaling relations for the elastic constants as a function of the average grain size.Comment: Proceedings of the IUTAM Symposium on Modelling Nanomaterials and Nanosystems, Aalborg, Denmark, May 19-22 2008; to be published in the IUTAM Bookseries by Springe

In vitro assessment of adsorbents aiming to prevent deoxynivalenol and zearalenone mycotoxicoses

The high prevalence of the Fusarium mycotoxins, deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZON) in animal feeds in mild climatic zones of Europe and North America results in considerable economic losses, as these toxins affect health and productivity particularly of pigs from all age groups. The use of mycotoxin adsorbents as feed additives is one of the most prominent approaches to reduce the risk for mycotoxicoses in farm animals, and to minimise carry-over of mycotoxins from contaminated feeds into foods of animal origin. Successful aflatoxin adsorption by means of different substances (phyllosilicate minerals, zeolites, activated charcoal, synthetic resins or yeast cell-wall-derived products) has been demonstrated in vivo and in vitro. However, attempts to adsorb DON and ZON have been less encouraging. Here we describe the adsorption capacity of a variety of potential binders, including compounds that have not been evaluated before, such as humic acids. All compounds were tested at realistic inclusion levels for their capacity to bind ZON and DON, using an in vitro method that resembles the different pH conditions in the gastro-intestinal tract of pigs. Mycotoxin adsorption was assessed by chemical methods and distinct bioassays, using specific markers of toxicity as endpoints of toxicity in cytological assays. Whereas none of the tested substances was able to bind DON in an appreciable percentage, some of the selected smectite clays, humic substances and yeast-wall derived products efficiently adsorbed ZON (>70%). Binding efficiency was indirectly confirmed by the reduction of toxicity in the in vitro bioassays. In conclusion, the presented test protocol allows the rapid screening of potential mycotoxin binders. Like other in vitro assays, the presented protocol combining chemical and biological assays cannot completely simulate the conditions of the gastro-intestinal tract, and hence in vivo experiments remain mandatory to assess the efficacy of mycotoxin binders under practical conditions