Clinically Positive Axillary Lymphadenopathy May Lead to False Diagnosis of Overstaged Breast Cancer in Patients with Sjögren's Syndrome: A Case Report

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease that chronic inflammation and lymph node proliferation. Patients with SS carry a greater risk of developing lymphoproliferative malignancy. In addition to other organ cancers, breast cancer may also occur in these patients. Considering these, breast cancer in patients with SS can be misdiagnosed as being in an advanced stage particularly in the presence of axillary lymphadenopathy. Here, we report a rare case of a 45-year-old woman with SS who presented with a breast mass. Radiology showed a 4 cm solid lesion and conglomerates of axillary lymphadonepathy. A breast biopsy revealed ductal carcinoma in situ. A modified radical mastectomy was performed; however, no axillary metastases were detected. Clinicians should remain vigilant to the possibility that a false clinical impression of axillary metastasis may occur in such patients with breast cancer. Therefore, axillary node status should be verified first

Evaluation of the Potential Use of Levan Polysaccharide in Paper Conservation

Conservation of paper-based materials, namely, manuscripts, includes repair of tears, gap filling, consolidation, and fixation, which requires the use of adhesives. The adhesive in use for these purposes should be compatible with the chemical and physical properties of paper and should present good aging characteristics. In this study, we conducted a set of experiments with paper samples on which fructan-based biopolymer Halomonas levan (Hlevan) was applied for the first time and compared with glucan-based adhesive starch. Adhesive-applied samples were initially prepared by the application of different historical recipes of sizing and ink. Then, they underwent accelerated thermal aging. Chemical and physical changes of paper samples (crystallinity, pH, and color) were analyzed. Finally, Principal Component Analysis was performed to identify dominating factors affecting sample behavior with applied adhesives. This study demonstrates the aging characteristics of Hlevan on cellulose-based materials. The results showed that there is a color shift from blue to yellow for all samples after aging, but it is more pronounced for some samples with Hlevan. In addition, Hlevan is slightly less acidic than starch in all cases and acted as a plasticizer for a specific kind of sizing material. The methodology of this research is also efficacious in terms of understanding the interaction of paper media with the adhesives and their effects on aging

Diallel analysis of wheat parents and their F-2 progenies under medium and low level of available N in soil

WOS: 000247677500028Due to high production cost and prevention of environmental pollution, it is important to reduce the amount of nitrogen (N) fertilizer used on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The aim of this study was to evaluate N use of 6 x 6 diallel wheat F-2 progenies and parental lines at low (NO, no N fertilizer) and high (N+, 160 kg N ha(-1)) N levels. Significant differences were found between N+ and NO application in grain N content, grain N yield, N use efficiency for grain N yield (NUEgn), and N use efficiency for grain yield (NUEgy). The cultivar '84CTO4' showed positive and high general combining ability (GCA) effects for all traits at low N level. Also, it was the best combiner for all traits at both N levels. The cultivar 'Genc 99' was the best parent for GCA effects for grain yield and NUEgy. Hybrids 'Genc 99 x 84CZT04' and '84CZT04 x Weaver' showed positive specific combining ability (SCA) effects for all investigated traits at low and high N levels. Variety '84CZT04 x Apogee' had the best SCA effects for all traits at low N level. Overall, the data suggest that it is probable to select promising lines suitable for low N conditions by the crossing of high N use efficient parents

Serum amyloid A (SAA) in induced sputum of asthmatics: A new look to an old marker

Background: Some cellular and soluble markers of inflammation in induced sputum have been used for studying airway inflammation in asthma. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of systemic inflammation marker serum amyloid A (SAA) in blood and induced sputum to monitor the airway inflammation in asthmatic patients

K-RAS and N-RAS mutations in testicular germ cell tumors

Testicular cancer is a relatively rare tumor type, accounting for approximately 1% of all cancers in men. However, among men aged between 15 and 40 years, testicular cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy. Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are classified as seminoma and non-seminoma. The RAS oncogene controls several cellular functions, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and differentiation. Thus, RAS signaling is important for normal germ cell development. Mutations of the Kirsten RAS (K-RAS) gene are present in over 20% of all cancers. RAS gene mutations have also been reported in TGCTs. We investigated K-RAS and N-RAS mutations in seminoma and non-seminoma TGCT patients. A total of 24 (55%) pure seminoma cases and 19 (45%) non-seminoma cases were included in the study. K-RAS and N-RAS analyses were performed in our molecular pathology laboratory, using K-RAS and N-RAS Pyro Kit 24 V1 (Qiagen). In total, a RAS mutation was present in 12 patients (27%): 7 seminoma (29%) and 5 non-seminoma cases (26%) [p = 0.55]. AK-RAS mutation was present in 4 pure seminoma tumors (16%) and 3 non-seminoma tumors (15%) [p = 0.63], and an N-RAS mutation was observed in 4 seminoma tumors (16%) and 3 non-seminoma tumors (15%) [p = 0.63]. Both, K-RAS and N-RAS mutations were present in two patients: One with seminoma tumor and the other with non-seminoma tumor. To date, no approved targeted therapy is available for the treatment of TGCTs. The analysis of K-RAS and N-RAS mutations in these tumors may provide more treatment options, especially in platinum-resistant tumors

An investigation of the relationship between arterial aortic stiffness and coronary slow flow that was detected during coronary angiography

Aim Increased intimal thickness in coronary arteries, extensive calcification, and atheromatous plaque that does not cause luminal irregularities in a significant portion of the patients with coronary slow flow (CSF). Arterial stiffness is an indicator for atherosclerosis. We aimed to investigate the relation between coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) and arterial stiffness

Altered Transcriptional Profile of Mitochondrial DNA-Encoded OXPHOS Subunits, Mitochondria Quality Control Genes, and Intracellular ATP Levels in Blood Samples of Patients with Parkinson's Disease

Mitochondrial dysfunctions are significant contributors to neurodegeneration. One result or a cause of mitochondrial dysfunction might be the disruption of mtDNA transcription. Limited data indicated an altered expression of mtDNA encoded transcripts in Alzheimer's disease (AD) or Parkinson's disease (PD). The number of mitochondria is high in cells with a high energy demand, such as muscle or nerve cells. AD or PD involves increased risk of cardiomyopathy, suggesting that mitochondrial dysfunction might be systemic. If it is systemic, we should observe it in different cell types. Given that, we wanted to investigate any disruption in the regulation of mtDNA encoded gene expression in addition to PINK1, PARKIN, and ATP levels in peripheral blood samples of PD cases who are affected by a neurodegenerative disorder that is very well known by its mitochondrial aspects. Our results showed for the first time that: 1) age of onset > 50 PD sporadic (PDS) cases: mtDNA transcription and quality control genes were affected; 2) age of onset <50 PDS cases: only mtDNA transcription was affected; and 3) PD cases with familial background: only quality control genes were affected. mtDNA copy number was not a confounder. Intracellular ATP levels of PD case subgroups were significantly higher than those of healthy subjects. We suggest that a systemic dysregulation of transcription of mtDNA or mitochondrial quality control genes might result in the development of a sporadic form of the disease. Additionally, ATP elevation might be an independent compensatory and response mechanism. Hyperactive cells in AD and PD require further investigation