Soft-tissue metastasis revealing a pancreatic adenocarcinoma: One case report and a review of literature

Soft tissue metastases from pancreatic adenocarcinoma are rare lesions and can be the source of diagnostic confusion both clinically and pathologically. To our knowledge, one patient has been reported on with soft tissue lesions that ultimately disclose a pancreatic adenocarcinoma. We report here on a patient who presented with a metastatic soft tissue lesion in the trochanter, and the buttocks, as the initial manifestation of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Soft tissue metastasis from pancreatic carcinoma is a rare finding. Clinicians should be aware that metastatic soft tissue lesions could be the initial presenting sign for pancreatic cancer. Also, the immunohistochemical staining for CK 7 and 19 may be helpful for the diagnosis of metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Mannose-binding lectin deficiency in preterm neonates

Background: Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a collagenous protein that plays a role in innate immunity. MBL deficiency is associated with an opsonization defect and has been associated with recurrent infections, especially in immunocompromised individuals. Neonates are considered to be immunocompromised because adaptive immunity has not yet been developed. Objective: This study was done to evaluate the levels of MBL in premature neonates and to determine the relation between MBL deficiency and development of sepsis. Methods: This case- control study was conducted on 64 neonates classified into 2 groups; 39 preterm neonates with gestational age (G.A) <36 weeks and 25 healthy full term neonates. Measurement of mannose-binding lectin (MBL) serum level was done on the first day of life using ELISA technique. Results: Mean MBL plasma level was found to be lower in preterm than full term neonates, yet this difference did not reach statistical significance. There was a negative correlation albeit an insignificant one, between MBL level and GA. The deficient group (those with MBL level ≤0.7μg/ml) had higher incidence of sepsis, albeit an insignificant one, than the non deficient group. A highly significant positive correlation was demonstrated between MBL plasma level in neonatal and umbilical cord blood samples. Conclusion: Premature neonates have low MBL serum levels which could be measured in either their venous or umbilical cord blood efficiently. Further studies are needed to investigate the relationship between MBL deficiency and neonatal sepsis and whether measuring MBL levels might be used to identify which neonates are prone to infections.Keywords: Mannose binding lectin, neonates, preterm, sepsisEgypt J Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010;8(2):75-8

Skin tribology: Science friction?

The application of tribological knowledge is not just restricted to optimizing mechanical and chemical engineering problems. In fact, effective solutions to friction and wear related questions can be found in our everyday life. An important part is related to skin tribology, as the human skin is frequently one of the interacting surfaces in relative motion. People seem to solve these problems related to skin friction based upon a trial-and-error strategy and based upon on our sense for touch. The question of course rises whether or not a trained tribologist would make different choices based upon a science based strategy? In other words: Is skin friction part of the larger knowledge base that has been generated during the last decades by tribology research groups and which could be referred to as Science Friction? This paper discusses the specific nature of tribological systems that include the human skin and argues that the living nature of skin limits the use of conventional methods. Skin tribology requires in vivo, subject and anatomical location specific test methods. Current predictive friction models can only partially be applied to predict in vivo skin friction. The reason for this is found in limited understanding of the contact mechanics at the asperity level of product-skin interactions. A recently developed model gives the building blocks for enhanced understanding of friction at the micro scale. Only largely simplified power law based equations are currently available as general engineering tools. Finally, the need for friction control is illustrated by elaborating on the role of skin friction on discomfort and comfort. Surface texturing and polymer brush coatings are promising directions as they provide way and means to tailor friction in sliding contacts without the need of major changes to the produc

A notorious trio! Inflammation, metabolic syndrome and vitiligo

Background: There is evidence to support that vitiligo is linked to metabolic syndrome (MS), confirming its systemic nature. However, the underlying pathogenic mechanisms remain unknown. Objectives: To reveal the possible association of MS with vitiligo. We also attempted to study the connection between some inflammatory markers and MS in vitiligo patients to evaluate their utility in predicting MS risk. Materials and Methods: The study included 100 vitiligo patients with an age range between 18 to 60 years and 100 controls with matched age, gender, and body mass index. All subjects were tested for MS components. Serum visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor (vaspin), fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), vascular adhesion protein 1 (VAP-1), chitinase-3-like protein 1 (YKL-40), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were also measured. Results: Regarding MS, it was observed in 22.0% of vitiligo patients and 2.0% of control subjects (P < 0.001). Serum FABP4, VAP-1, YKL-40, and hs-CRP concentrations were higher in patients than in the control group (P < 0.05 each), and their levels showed high sensitivity and specificity to differentiate MS when using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC). Levels of these markers, except serum vaspin, were significantly positively correlated with lipid profile markers (except high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and fasting blood glucose levels (P < 0.05 each). Conclusion: MS was more common in vitiligo patients. The levels of the biomarkers studied were significantly higher in vitiligo patients. Furthermore, their levels accurately predicted MS in vitiligo patients. According to current research, these markers may be useful in assessing MS risk in vitiligo patients. Extensive research, however, is required

Synbiotic Tarhana as a functional food

Abstract: In the present study formulated synbiotic tarhana (Turkish fermented cereal food) was produced as a functional food from the fermentation of wheat flour, some spices [salt, pepper, dill and sweet marjoram (Organum majorana)], some vegetables [tomato (Lycoprsicum esculentum), pepper (Capsicum annum) and onion (Allium cepa)], and synbiotic yoghurt which prepared with prebiotic (inulin and lactose each 3%) and different concentrations of the probiotic culture (0.5, 1.5, 3, 4.5% DVS-ABT2 containing Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum). After fermentation (3 days), tarhana dough was dried in the sun. The effect of the fermentation (0, 1, 2 and 3 days) and the probiotic culture concentration on the chemical composition and the probiotic population of the wet tarhana were evaluated. The effect of the probiotic culture concentration on the chemical composition, the probiotic population and the sensory attribute of dried tarhana were evaluated. Also the effect of dried tarhana (prepared from yoghurt which was fermented by 4.5% probiotic culture) on the plasma lipid profile of human subjects was studied. The results showed that the pH value decreased while the acidity increased, acetaldehyde and diacetyl values increased during the fermentation period and by increasing the probiotic culture concentration of the wet and the dried tarhana. Neither the fermentation nor the concentration of the probiotic culture of wet and dried tarhana affected the crude protein, ether extract, crude fibre, and ash values. The numbers of probiotic bacteria increased until the second day of fermentation. However, in the following day, with an increase of the acid content their number decreased. Generally the increasing of the probiotic culture concentration increased the numbers of probiotic bacteria of the wet and dried tarhana. Also the concentration of the probiotic culture didn&apos;t affect the sensory attributes of dried tarhana. Subjects supplemented with dried tarhana showed significant reduction in total plasma cholesterol, low density lipoproteins (LDL-C) and triglycerides, while high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) increased

Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism, serum lipids, and risk of superficial fungal infections in Egyptian patients – A preliminary case-controlled study

Background: Apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene isoforms have been found to affect the risk of superficial fungal infections (SFIs). However, the data only cover a few ethnicities. Aims: The present work intended to investigate the association of APOE gene polymorphism and serum lipids with the susceptibility of SFIs among a group of Egyptian patients. Materials and Methods: Standard laboratory methods were used to estimate the serum lipid profile, and polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to detect APOE gene polymorphism in deoxyribonucleic acid extracted from 150 SFI patients and an equal number of apparently healthy matched controls. Results: Serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly higher in the studied patients than in controls. The APOE gene ε2, ε4 alleles, and ε3/4 and ε3/2 genotypes were significantly distributed in the patients than in the controls. APOE ε3/3 genotype was predominant in dermatophytosis and tinea versicolour patients, and ε3/4 genotype was predominant in candidiasis. Conclusions: ApoE alleles ε2 and ε4, and genotypes ε2/3 and ε3/4 are linked to SFI and may be risk factors, whereas allele ε3 and genotype ε3/3 may be protective for SFI in the Egyptian population studied. The lipid profile results suggest that hyperlipidemia may provide evidence for SFI pathogenesis. However; further large-scale studies are still needed to validate our results