Signet ring cell carcinoma of the rectal stump in a known ulcerative colitis patient

Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide and is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths. However, the Omani population shares the major burden as the most prevalent carcinoma. The disease is comparatively higher in males than females. Patients with pre-existing risk factors, including inflammatory bowel disease, are at increased risk of developing neoplasia. Among the various histopathological subtypes of adenocarcinoma in the rectum, signet ring cell carcinoma is the rarest and accounts for approximately 1% of the cases. Given the aggressive nature of this tumor, advanced presentation, stage, and poor prognosis, regular endoscopic surveillance is essential. Hereby, we report a rare case of signet ring cell carcinoma arising in the rectal stump in an already diagnosed and operated patient of Ulcerative colitis

Primary Gastric Yolk Sac Tumour

Primary gastric yolk tumours are extremely rare. We report a 52-year-old male who presented to the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, in 2017 after having undergone a gastrectomy abroad due to a suspected poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma. The patient subsequently returned to Oman to receive chemotherapy. However, while undergoing chemotherapy, an abdominal computed tomography scan revealed a lobulated mesenteric mass. Microscopic examination of the resected lesion confirmed a diagnosis of a yolk sac tumour. The mass was diffusely positive for α-fetoprotein (AFP) and a gastric carcinoma stain was negative. Gastrectomy slides from the patient’s previous surgery were examined retrospectively. The morphology was typical for a yolk sac tumour and was negative for epithelial markers. An AFP stain showed diffuse immunoreactivity. Thus, the patient was deemed to have had a primary gastric yolk sac tumour which had later metastasised to the mesocolon. Germ cell tumour protocols were initiated and the patient responded well to treatment. Keywords: Yolk Sac Tumor; Germ Cell Tumor; Gastrectomy; Metastasis; Diagnostic Errors; Case Report; Oman

Quality of surface waters in the Al Jabal Al Akhdar region of Oman

Al Jabal Al Akhdar (Green Mountain) is the largest structural domain in the western Hajar mountain range of northern Oman, with elevations ranging from 1000 to 3000 masl. It has long been recognized as an important terrestrial ecoregion. Rapid urban and agricultural development in the Jabal Akhdar region of northern Oman is exerting pressure on its water resources. A survey was conducted on the quality of surface waters in the region. Samples were collected from all types of surface waters including man-made reservoirs, aflaj systems, and wedian. Samples were analyzed for temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), fluoride, chloride, sulphate, nitrate, sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and trace elements (Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Mn, Cr, Co, Fe, V, Ba), coliforms and Escherichia coli. Based on the completed survey of about 40 surface water samples, it can be said conclusively that surface water in the area is not fit for human consumption. All samples clearly failed to satisfy Oman drinking water standards. This study establishes that the most crucial issue is the anthropogenic fecal contamination of surface waters. The eutrophication of all reservoirs is linked to the fecal input from goats and donkeys. Although other types of contamination are rare, there is one distinct case of a falaj contaminated with diesel. Heavy metal concentrations in some sites are not at acceptable levels. The development of the Jabal Akhdar region if not sustainable will inevitably lead to a water crisis involving supply-demand scenarios, water costs and water quality degradation. Management strategies are sorely needed to address these issues

Simple predictive tool estimates sodium adsorption ratio for evaluation of potential infiltration problems using reclaimed wastewater

The physical and chemical characteristics of irrigation water are of particular importance. Sodium (Na) is one of the most problematic ions present in excessive concentrations causes specific toxicity. In addition, another indirect affect of high sodium content is the deterioration of the physical condition of soil such as formation of crusts, water logging and reduced soil permeability. If the infiltration rate is greatly reduced, it may be impossible to supply the crop or landscape plant with sufficient water for good growth. In this work, a simple predictive tool, which is easier than existing approaches, less complicated with fewer computations is formulated to accurately predict the sodium adsorption ratio as a function of concentration of Na+ magnesium (Mg2+ ), calcium ( Ca2+ ), salinity of applied water and the ratio of bicarbonate (HCO3_ ) over Ca2+ for interpretations of water quality for irrigation. The proposed method showed consistently accurate results for salinity of applied water up to 8 dS m−1 and ratio of HCO3_ over Ca2+ up to 20. Predictions showed an excellent agreement with the reported data with an average absolute deviation being less than 3%. This proposed simple-to-use approach can be of immense practical value for the engineers and scientists to have a quick check on sodium adsorption ratio at wide range of conditions without the necessity of any time consuming experimental runs. In particular soil scientists and agricultural engineers would find the proposed approach to be user friendly involving transparent calculations with no complex expressions

The p53 Mutation/Deletion Profile in a Small Cohort of the Omani Population with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Objectives: Mutations/deletions affecting the TP53 gene are considered an independent marker predicting a poor prognosis for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). A cohort within a genetically isolated population was investigated for p53 mutation/deletion status. Methods:Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples were extracted from 23 paraffin-embedded blocks obtained from DLBCL patients, and subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and sequencing of exons 4–9 of the p53 gene. Results: While 35% of patients analysed displayed allelic deletions (P<0.01), immunohistochemical analysis revealed a mutation rate of 69.5%. It is noteworthy that the rate of p53 mutations/deletions in this small cohort was found to be higher than that previously reported in the literature. Interestingly, patients with p53 mutations displayed a better overall survival when compared to those without. The survival of patients treated with rituximab-containing combination chemotherapy was significantly better than those who did not receive rituximab (P <0.05). Furthermore, a modelling analysis of the deleted form of p53 revealed a huge structural change affecting the DNA-binding domain. Conclusion: The TP53 mutation/deletion status plays a role in mechanism(s) ruling the pathogenesis of DLBCL and may be useful for stratifying patients into distinct prognostic subsets

Zur Fruchtbarkeit von Maximierungsprinzip und Gleichgewichtskonzept

This paper presents the scope of using Foam Fracturing?? technology in oil wells of India. Since the inception of foam stimulation technique in 1968, it has not been utilized/implemented in India despite of its various unique advantages. Foam Fracturing?? was very successful in Arkansas. 8 wells were drilled in the Pettit Limestone formation. Initial production averaged 4.8m3/d, but after 8 weeks, the production started to decline and the wells were stimulated with a 60-65% quality foamed acid. After treatment, the production enhanced to 6.6 to 11.4 m3/d. This paper consist many other examples of success of Foam Fracturing?? technology in wells of different regions and state.The unique advantages of foam as frac-fluid are:1. Exceptional flow-back and clean-up.2. Reduced liquid volume.3. Good proppant-carrying capabilities.4. Less operation time. The paper also explains the basic properties of foam which makes it economically viable. There is also detailed discussion on the design of foam to suit the candidate well in the best possible way. A comparative study of different oil wells of India which were treated with the conventional frac-fluid to that where foam fracturing was used in different countries was done. The conditions of these wells are very much similar to the wells here in India. The new fields in India like Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin and Cauvery basin are also suitable for Foam Fracturing?? technology. Thus, through the endeavor, we want to conclude that the technology of Foam Stimulation?? can prove fruitful in India as well and hence must be implemented at the earliest. N.B.: The laboratory and numerical simulation work for modeling foam as frac-fluid for Indian oil-wells are in progress

DESALINATION Feasibility of salt production Corn inland RO desalination plant reject brine: a case study

Abstract Production and disposal ofreject brine are an integral part of an overall desalination process. For inland desalination plants, this poses a serious challenge to operators, as the option of ocean disposal ofreject brine is not available. Various disposal options such as reinjection, lined and unlined evaporation ponds and natural depressions (lake) are currently being used. An alternative approach is to further process the reject brine to extract all the salts. This has the advantages of being enviromnentally friendly and producing commercial products (i.e., salts and fresh water). A desktop prefeasibility study using data from Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), operating plants in Bahja, Rima, Nimr and Marmul, confirmed the technical feasibility of treating reject brines in simple processing routes using SAL-PROC technology. SAL-PROC is an integrated process for sequential extraction of dissolved elements from inorganic saline waters in the form of valuable chemical products in crystalline, slurry and liquid forms. The process involves multiple evaporation and/or cooling, supplemented by mineral and chemical processing. An analysis indicated that various types of salts including gypsum, sodium chloride, magnesium hydroxide, calcium chloride, calcium carbonate, and sodium sulphate can be produced from the reject brine of PDO desalination plants. These products have an approximate market value of US $895,000 annually

Assessment of Non-Conventional Irrigation Water in Greenhouse Cucumber (<i>Cucumis sativus</i>) Production

Climate change, urbanization and subsequent environmental changes are depleting freshwater resources around the globe. The reuse of domestic, industrial and agricultural wastewater is an alternative approach to freshwater that can be used for irrigation purposes. However, these wastewaters may contain hazardous and toxic elements, such as heavy metals that are hazardous for human health and the environment. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the concentration of macro, micro and heavy metals in cucumber irrigated with different resources (tap water, greywater, dairy water and wastewater). The results showed that the use of different irrigation resources has increased the level of macro (sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg)), microelements (zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn)), and heavy metals (copper (Cu), barium (Ba), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd)) in cucumber leaves and fruits. However, their levels were in the range that is safe for human health and the environment was as recommended by FAO maximum values of trace elements (Zn, 2.0; Fe 1.0; Mn, 0.2; Cu, 0.2; Pb, 5.0, and Cd, 0.01 mgL−1). Based on observations, it was also revealed that among different irrigation resources, the use of dairy water in cucumber improved its agronomic attributes and maximum plant yield (1191.02 g), while the different irrigation resources showed a non-significant impact on fruit diameter. However, total soluble solid contents (TSS) were more significant in cucumber fruits treated with wastewater (2.26 °brix) followed by dairy water (2.06 °brix), while the least TSS contents (1.57 °brix) were observed in cucumber plants treated with tap water. The significance of non-conventional irrigation water use in agriculture, particularly greenhouse cucumber (Cucumis sativus) production, is discussed

Differential expression of some randomly selected miRNAs between normal and breast cancer tumor tissue samples with various fold changes.

<p>Differential expression of some randomly selected miRNAs between normal and breast cancer tumor tissue samples with various fold changes.</p

Tissue and Serum miRNA Profile in Locally Advanced Breast Cancer (LABC) in Response to Neo-Adjuvant Chemotherapy (NAC) Treatment

<div><p>Introduction</p><p>MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA that plays a vital role in cancer progression. Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has become the standard of care for locally advanced breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate miRNA alterations during NAC using multiple samples of tissue and serum to correlate miRNA expression with clinico-pathological features and patient outcomes.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Tissue and serum samples were collected from patients with locally advanced breast cancer undergoing NAC at four time points: time of diagnosis, after the first and fourth cycle of doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide treatment, and after the fourth cycle of docetaxel administration. First, we evaluated the miRNA expression profiles in tissue and correlated expression with clinico-pathological features. Then, a panel of four miRNAs (miR-451, miR-3200, miR-21, and miR-205) in serum samples was further validated using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The alterations in serum levels of miRNA, associations with clinical and pathological responses, correlation with clinico-pathological features, and survival outcomes were studied using Friedman, Mann-Whitney U, and Spearman, Wilcoxon signed-ranks tests. <i>P</i>≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.</p><p>Results</p><p>We analyzed 72 tissue samples and 108 serum samples from 9 patients and 27 patients, respectively. MicroRNA expression profiling of tumor versus normal tissue revealed more than 100 differentially expressed miRNAs. Serum miR-451 levels were significantly decreased during treatment, and higher serum levels were associated with improved clinical and pathological responses and disease-free survival. This is one of the early reports on miR-3200 in response to treatment in breast cancer, as serum levels of miR-3200 found to decline during NAC, and higher serum levels were associated with lower residual breast cancer burden and relapse rates at time of diagnosis.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>Variations in serum miRNA levels during NAC treatment may be therapeutically significant for predicting response and survival outcomes.</p></div