An association of vertebral breast cancer metastasis and multiple myeloma, revealed by a spinal cord compression

Authors describe the case of a patient with breast cancer and multiple myeloma as the second metachronous disease responsible for spinal cord compression. Synchronous occurrence of bone marrow breast cancer  disease and multiple myeloma has not been described in the literature, as in this case. By presenting this case, we point to possible association between both diseases and the possible factors involved in the   development of second malignant disease.Key words: Myeloma, breast cancer, spinal cord compressio

Giant cell reparative granuloma of the hallux following enchondroma

Giant cell reparative granuloma (GCRG) is a rare, benign intra osseous lytic lesion occurring especially in gnathis bone but also seen in feet and hands. It has similar clinical and radiological presentations than giant cell tumor, chondroblastoma, aneurysmal bone cyst, and hyperparathyroidism brown tumors but with specific histological findings We report a case of a GCRG of hallux phalanx in 18 years old patient appearing many years after enchondroma curettage and grafting. Radiographs showed a multiloculated osteolytic lesions involving whole phalanx with cortical thinning and without fluid-fluid levels in CT view. Expected to be an enchondroma recurrence, second biopsy confirmed diagnosis of GCRG with specific histological findings. Although if aetiopathogeny remains unknown, GCRG is reported to be a local non neoplasic reaction to an intraosseous hemorrhage. Our exceptional case claims that this tumor can appear in reaction to cellular disturbance primary or secondary

Multifunctional and Durable Coatings for Stone Protection Based on Gd-Doped Nanocomposites

The development of nanocomposite materials with multifunctional protective features is an urgent need in many fields. However, few works have studied the durability of these materials. Even though TiO2 nanoparticles have been extensively applied for self-cleaning effect, it displays a weak activity under visible light. Hence, in this study, pure and Gd-doped TiO2 nanoparticles (molar ratios of doping ions/Ti are 0.1 and 1) were synthesised, characterised, and then mixed with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), used as a binder, in order to produce a homogenised thin film on a very porous stone substrate. To our knowledge, Gd-doped TiO2/PDMS protective coatings are studied for the first time for application on historic structures. The protective coatings developed in this work are intended to reduce the surface wettability of the stone and protect the historic stones from dye pollution and microorganism colonisation. Moreover, in this study, the durability of the developed nanocomposite was deeply studied to evaluate the stability of the coatings. Results confirmed that samples treated with the lowest concentrations of Gd ions (0.1 mol%) showed acceptable chromatic variations, a good repellent feature, acceptable water vapour permeability, good durability, the highest self-cleaning activity, and good inhibitory behaviour against microbial colonisation

Traumatic Meniscus and Cruciate Ligament Tears in Young Patients: A Comparison of 3T Versus 1.5T MRI

Objective: To compare diagnosis value of 1.5T and 3T MRI in the detection of traumatic knee injuries in young patients by reference to arthroscopy. Materials and Methods: One hundred patients were prospectively included. All patients randomly underwent standardized knee 1.5T or 3T MRI with subsequent knee arthroscopy. Meniscus and cruciate ligaments tears were blindly assessed by two independent musculoskeletal radiologists. Results: Comparison of 1.5T and 3T MRI groups in the diagnosis of medial and lateral meniscal tears showed significantly higher sensitivity ('p' = 0.015) of 1.5T MRI in the diagnosis of lateral meniscal tears. Sensitivity and specificity for complete ACL tears were 100 percent [35/35] and 100 percent [23/23] at 1.5T MRI ('p' = < 0.0001) versus 95.5 percent [21/22] and 100 percent [16/16] at 3T MRI ('p' = < 0.0001). Only three complete PCL tears were observed in this study. Sensitivity and specificity for all complete CL tears were 100 percent [37/37]; 100 percent [77/77] for 1.5T MRI ('p' < 0.0001); and 95.7 percent [22/23] and 100 percent [59/59] for 3-T MRI ('p' < 0.0001). Diagnosis value of 1.5T and 3T MRI was equal for ACL and PCL complete tears. Conclusion: Diagnosis value of 1.5T was similar to 3T MRI for medial meniscal and cruciate ligament tears of the knee in symptomatic patients and higher for lateral meniscal tears

Effects of pomegranate juice supplementation on oxidative stress biomarkers following weightlifting exercise

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that pomegranate juice supplementation would blunt acute and delayed oxidative stress responses after a weightlifting training session. Nine elite weightlifters (21.0 ±1 years) performed two Olympic-Weightlifting sessions after ingesting either the placebo or pomegranate juice supplements. Venous blood samples were collected at rest and 3 min and 48 h after each session. Compared to the placebo condition, pomegranate juice supplementation attenuated the increase in malondialdehyde (-12.5%; p < 0.01) and enhanced the enzymatic (+8.6% for catalase and +6.8% for glutathione peroxidase; p < 0.05) and non-enzymatic (+12.6% for uric acid and +5.7% for total bilirubin; p < 0.01) antioxidant responses shortly (3 min) after completion of the training session. Additionally, during the 48 h recovery period, pomegranate juice supplementation accelerated (p < 0.05) the recovery kinetics of the malondialdehyde (5.6%) and the enzymatic antioxidant defenses compared to the placebo condition (9 to 10%). In conclusion, supplementation with pomegranate juice has the potential to attenuate oxidative stress by enhancing antioxidant responses assessed acutely and up to 48 h following an intensive weightlifting training session. Therefore, elite weightlifters might benefit from blunted oxidative stress responses following intensive weightlifting sessions, which could have implications for recovery between training sessions

Memoiren einer Großmutter : Bilder aus der Kulturgeschichte der Juden Russlands im 19. Jahrhundert

Pauline Wengeroff. Mit ein. Geleitw. von Gustav Karpele

Suitability of Gadolinium doped TiO2 nanoparticles to protect heritage building materials from biodeterioration

Heritage buildings possess historical values coming from the attractive architecture and important events taking place around the heritage area. However, they are subjected to degradation process and ageing. Particularly, microorganisms are usually related to harmful biodegradation of artistic materials. Water also is an essential factor of deterioration precisely in porous materials. To protect heritage materials, several methods have been developed. Notably, using nanomaterials to preserve valuable heritage surfaces has been considered as an alternative method. In particular, TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) have been extensively regarded as one of the most interesting materials. Their interesting features make them a good candidate for photocatalytic application. However, the necessity of using only UV light hinders their practical application. For that reason doping with lanthanide ions, precisely, Gadolinium (Gd) could be an effective method to enhance TiO2 NPs photoactivity. In the present study, pure and Gadolinium doped TiO2 NPs were synthesized by sol-gel method. Prepared NPs were dispersed in a binder at different powder/binder ratios: (0.1, 0.2, 0.5 and 1%w/wTiO2). However, before any application on artefacts, the nanomaterials need to be tested for their biocide efficiency and importantly for being harmless to cultural heritage material. X-ray powder diffractometry (XRPD), UV-Visible and Raman spectroscopies, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energydispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were used to characterize the as-prepared nanopowders. A set of experiments has been performed in order to investigate Gd3+-doped TiO2 nanomaterials as effective photocatalysts, for their photokilling activity against selected Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and for the chromatic changes induced after their application on Lecce stone surfaces by performing colorimetric measurements

Transforming growth factor beta 1 polymorphisms and haplotypes associated with breast cancer susceptibility: A case-control study in Tunisian women

Variable association of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1) in breast cancer (BC) pathogenesis was documented, and the contribution of specific TGFB1 polymorphisms to the progression of BC and associated features remains poorly understood. We investigated the contribution of TGFB1 rs1800469, rs1800470, rs1800471, and rs1800472 variants and 4-locus TGFB1 haplotypes on BC susceptibility, and pathological presentation of BC subtypes. Study subjects comprised 430 female BC cases, and 498 cancer-free control women. BC-associated pathological parameters were also evaluated for correlation with TGFB1 variants. Results obtained showed that the minor allele frequency (MAF) of rs1800471 (+74G>C) was higher seen in BC cases than in control subjects, and was associated with increased risk of BC. Significant differences in rs1800471 and rs1800469 (−509C>T) genotype distribution were noted between BC cases and controls, which persisted after controlling for key covariates. TGFB1 rs1800472 was positively, while rs1800470 was negatively associated with triple negativity, while rs1800470 positively correlated with menarche, but negatively with tumor size and molecular type, and rs1800469 correlated positively with menstrual irregularity, distant metastasis, nodal status, and hormonotherapy. Heterogeneity in LD pattern was noted between the tested TGFB1 variants. Four-locus (rs1800472-rs1800471-rs1800470-rs1800469) Haploview analysis identified haplotype TGCT to be negatively associated, and haplotypes CGTT and CCCC to be positively associated with BC. This association of CGTT and CCCC, but not TGCT, with BC remained significant after controlling for key covariates. In conclusion, TGFB1 alleles and specific genotypes, and 4-locus TGFB1 haplotypes influence BC susceptibility, suggesting dual association imparted by specific SNP, consistent with dual role for TGFB1 in BC pathogenesis