Utility of MR spectroscopy and MR perfusion in characterizing intracranial pathology in Erdheim-Chester disease: A case report

This case report describes the potential utility of MR spectroscopy and MR perfusion imaging in a patient with central nervous system involvement of Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD). A 57-year-old male presented with a variety of neurological symptoms, and conventional MRI of the brain showed multiple supratentorial and infratentorial findings that generated a wide differential diagnosis. Advanced MRI sequences along with subsequent CT imaging of the abdomen and ultimately a renal biopsy helped narrow the differential and confirm the diagnosis of ECD. Case reports of ECD are sporadic, and the role of advanced neuroimaging in diagnosing this disease has not been fully elucidated

Prevalence of helicobacter pylori in chronic gastritis: A cross sectional study

INTRODUCTION: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most common human infections worldwide particularly in the developing countries. It has been established as etiology of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer disease, gastric adenocarcinoma and mucosal associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (MALT). During this decade, there have been some reports showing a decline in global prevalence of H. pylori infection and peptic diseases including many Asian countries. Hence to determine prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in dyspeptic patients, this descriptive, study was carried out at the Endoscopy sub-unit of the Surgery Department from December 2016 to September 2017. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study was underwent in patients coming to Department of General Surgery OPD with complaints of dyspepsia for more than 6 months, in Govt. Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital Chennai. Eighty seven (87) patients between 20-60 years of age with symptoms of dyspepsia are selected. RESULTS: Of 87 patients, 62% of individuals had chronic gastritis and 50% of individuals are infected with H. pylori. Majority of H. pylori infected individuals are in the age group of 5th decade (56.7%). Gender, alcohol, smoking doesn’t show any correlation with H. pylori individual. Most endoscopic finding is Gastritis (62.06%). The prevalence of H. pylori is more in tobacco users (73.7%) and it is statistically significant. The prevalence of H. pylori in chronic gastritis is 70.4% which is statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The study was done with the objective to find the prevalence of H. pylori in chronic gastritis. The study showed that 62.1% of study population were having chronic gastritis and 50.6% of individuals are infected with H. pylori. It also shown that 70.4% of individuals in chronic gastritis are affected with H. pylori. This study shows the significant relationship between chronic gastritis and H. pylori infection

Using Joint Utilities of the Times to Response and Toxicity to Adaptively Optimize Schedule–Dose Regimes

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/101836/1/biom12065-sm-0001-SuppData.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/101836/2/biom12065.pd

Physico-Chemical Characterization Of Sweet Chestnut (Castanea Sativa L.) Starch Grown In Temperate Climate Of Kashmir, India

Studies were conducted to characterize the chestnut starch for physico-chemical properties. Chemical composition of chestnut starch showed low levels of protein and ash indicating purity of starch. The results revealed low water and oil absorption capacity of chestnut starch. Starch showed high swelling power and low solubility index. Swelling power and solubility index of chestnut starch increased with increase in temperature (50–90 °C). The results revealed high initial, peak, setback, breakdown, and final viscosity but low paste development temperature. Transmittance (%) of the starch gel was low and decreased with increasing storage period. The chestnut starch gel showed increase in % water release (syneresis) with increase in time of storage but was less susceptible to repeated cycles of freezing and thawing. Starch was also characterized for granule morphology. Starch granules were of round and oval shapes, some granules showed irregular shape

Effect of spinning variables on packing density of cotton yarn

In this study, fibre distribution through the cross-sections of ring-spun yarns and their packing density values has been investigated to provide a better understanding of the internal structures of ring-spun yarns manufactured by changing different spinning variables. After the yarn manufacturing process, diameter, IPI index, uniformity index, single yarn strength, density and hairiness are tested and then evaluation of tests is done on the Minitab and Microsoft Excel. The impact of TPI, spindle speed, count, hairiness and diameter has been analyzed using yarn packing density as a response variable. The aim of present study is to produce a yarn with improved packing density so that the yarn properties could be predetermined. The study shows that the increase in yarn count, TPI and spindle speed increase the yarn packing density

Culturally Adapted Interventions in Mental Health: Global Position Statement

The preponderance of western psychological concepts are often relied upon to conceptualise health-related phenomena. It is hardly surprising therefore that despite the availability of a number of interventions, studies have concluded that outcomes for minority cultural groups are not as good as for Caucasian people (western Europe and North America) in many high and middle income countries (HMIC). The evidence base of most psychosocial interventions is yet to be established in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs). There has been a propensity in some quarters to view low and middle income countries as passive beneficiaries of mental health knowledge, rather than as contributors or partners in knowledge production and development. A move towards a more equal bilateral relationship is called for, which should lead to better service provision. This Position Statement aims to highlight the current position and need for culturally adapted interventions. It is a global call for action to achieve a standardised mechanism to achieve parity of access and outcomes across all cultural groups regardless of country of residence

Steroid-Refractory Acute GVHD: Predictors and Outcomes

Patients with steroid-resistant acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) have a dismal prognosis, with mortality rates in excess of 90%. We sought to identify a subgroup of patients less likely to benefit from initial therapy with corticosteroids as well as the impact of response on day 14 on outcome. Retrospective evaluation was performed of patients with biopsy-proven aGVHD treated with corticosteroids after allogeneic HSCT at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center from 1998 through 2002 (N = 287). Overall response to first-line therapy on day 14 was 56%. Grade III-IV aGVHD and hyperacute GVHD were the most significant factors predicting failure. Patients who fail to respond to steroids by day 14 should be considered for clinical trials. Severity of aGVHD, hyperacute GVHD, and sex mismatch could be integrated into prognostic scoring systems which may allow for pretreatment identification of patients unlikely to benefit from standard therapy with corticosteroids

Significance of Persistent Cytogenetic Abnormalities on Myeloablative Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation in First Complete Remission

AbstractRisk stratification is important to identify patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) who might benefit from allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in first complete remission. We retrospectively studied 150 patients with AML and diagnostic cytogenetic abnormalities who underwent myeloablative allo-HSCT while in first complete remission to evaluate the prognostic impact of persistent cytogenetic abnormalities at allo-HSCT. Three risk groups were identified. Patients with favorable/intermediate cytogenetics at diagnosis (n = 49) and patients with unfavorable cytogenetics at diagnosis but without a persistent abnormal clone at allo-HSCT (n = 83) had a similar 3-year leukemia-free survival of 58%-60% despite the higher 3-year relapse incidence (RI) in the latter group (32.3%, versus 16.8% in the former group). A third group of patients with unfavorable cytogenetics at diagnosis and a persistent abnormal clone at allo-HSCT (n = 15) had the worst prognosis, with a 3-year RI of 57.5% and 3-year leukemia-free survival of only 29.2%. These data suggest that patients with AML and unfavorable cytogenetics at diagnosis and a persistent abnormal clone at allo-HSCT are at high risk for relapse after allo-HSCT. These patients should be considered for clinical trials designed to optimize conditioning regimens and/or to use preemptive strategies in the posttransplantion setting aimed at decreasing RI

Thalidomide-Related Eosinophilic Pneumonia: A case report and brief literature review

Thalidomide has regained value in the multimodality treatment of leprosy, multiple myeloma, prostate, ovarian and renal cancer. Complications related to arterial and venous complications are well described. However, pulmonary complications remain relatively uncommon. The most common pulmonary side-effect reported is non-specific dyspnea. We report a patient with multiple myeloma, who developed an eosinophilic pneumonia, shortly after starting thalidomide. She had complete resolution of her symptoms and pulmonary infiltrates on discontinuation of the drug and treatment with corticosteroids. Physicians should be cognizant of this potential complication in patients receiving thalidomide who present with dyspnea and pulmonary infiltrates

Clinical Relevance of Myc/BCL2 Expression and Cell of Origin in Patients With Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Treated With Autologous Transplant

Dual expression of MYC and BCL2 proteins (double-expressor lymphoma [DEL]) as well as cell of origin (COO) are important prognostic factors in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) after conventional chemotherapy. We studied the prognostic impact of DEL and COO in patients with relapsed DLBCL treated with autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). Three-hundred and three patients with stored tissue samples were identified. Classification was successful in 267 patients: 161 (60%) were DEL/non-double hit (DHL), 98 (37%) were non-DEL/non-DHL, and 8 (3%) were DEL/DHL. Compared to non-DEL/non-DHL, DEL/DHL had worse overall survival while DEL/non-DHL did not significantly differ in overall survival. On multivariable analysis, DEL/DHL, age \u3e60 years, and \u3e2 prior therapies, but not COO, were important prognostic factors for overall survival. When we explored the interaction of COO and BCL2 expression, patients with germinal center B-cell (GCB)/BCL2 (+) had inferior progression-free survival (PFS) compared to GCB/BCL2 (-) patients (HR, 4.97; P = 0.027). We conclude that the DEL/non-DHL and non-DEL/non-DHL subtypes of DLBCL have similar survival after ASCT. The negative impact of GCB/BCL2 (+) on PFS warrants future trials targeting BCL2 after ASCT. The inferior outcomes in DEL/DHL need to be verified in a larger number of patients