An unusual giant serpiginous lesion of secondary syphilis.

Syphilis is a worldwide sexually transmitted infection caused by Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum. Its association with other STIs, including HIV, demands early diagnosis and immediate treatment of patients. We herein report an unusual serpiginous form of secondary syphilis

B-type natriuretic peptide-induced delayed modulation of TRPV1 and P2X3 receptors of mouse trigeminal sensory neurons

Important pain transducers of noxious stimuli are small- and medium-diameter sensory neurons that express transient receptor vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) channels and/or adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-gated P2X3 receptors whose activity is upregulated by endogenous neuropeptides in acute and chronic pain models. Little is known about the role of endogenous modulators in restraining the expression and function of TRPV1 and P2X3 receptors. In dorsal root ganglia, evidence supports the involvement of the natriuretic peptide system in the modulation of nociceptive transmission especially via the B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) that activates the natriuretic peptide receptor-A (NPR-A) to downregulate sensory neuron excitability. Since the role of BNP in trigeminal ganglia (TG) is unclear, we investigated the expression of BNP in mouse TG in situ or in primary cultures and its effect on P2X3 and TRPV1 receptors of patch-clamped cultured neurons. Against scant expression of BNP, almost all neurons expressed NPRA at membrane level. While BNP rapidly increased cGMP production and Akt kinase phosphorylation, there was no early change in passive neuronal properties or responses to capsaicin, \u3b1,\u3b2-meATP or GABA. Nonetheless, 24 h application of BNP depressed TRPV1 mediated currents (an effect blocked by the NPR-A antagonist anantin) without changing responses to \u3b1,\u3b2-meATP or GABA. Anantin alone decreased basal cGMP production and enhanced control \u3b1,\u3b2-meATP-evoked responses, implying constitutive regulation of P2X3 receptors by ambient BNP. These data suggest a slow modulatory action by BNP on TRPV1 and P2X3 receptors outlining the role of this peptide as a negative regulator of trigeminal sensory neuron excitability to nociceptive stimuli. \ua9 2013 Vilotti et al

Artificial intelligence extension of the OSCAR-IB criteria

Artificial intelligence (AI)-based diagnostic algorithms have achieved ambitious aims through automated image pattern recognition. For neurological disorders, this includes neurodegeneration and inflammation. Scalable imaging technology for big data in neurology is optical coherence tomography (OCT). We highlight that OCT changes observed in the retina, as a window to the brain, are small, requiring rigorous quality control pipelines. There are existing tools for this purpose. Firstly, there are human-led validated consensus quality control criteria (OSCAR-IB) for OCT. Secondly, these criteria are embedded into OCT reporting guidelines (APOSTEL). The use of the described annotation of failed OCT scans advances machine learning. This is illustrated through the present review of the advantages and disadvantages of AI-based applications to OCT data. The neurological conditions reviewed here for the use of big data include Alzheimer disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson disease, and epilepsy. It is noted that while big data is relevant for AI, ownership is complex. For this reason, we also reached out to involve representatives from patient organizations and the public domain in addition to clinical and research centers. The evidence reviewed can be grouped in a five-point expansion of the OSCAR-IB criteria to embrace AI (OSCAR-AI). The review concludes by specific recommendations on how this can be achieved practically and in compliance with existing guidelines

Dérivés doublement liés de l'étain et de l'antimoine : stannènes, stannaallènes, stibènes et stibaallènes >Sn=C<, Sn=C=C<,-Sb=C

This thesis is devoted to the study of doubly-bonded derivatives of antimony -Sb=CSn=CSn=C=X (X = C, P)In the field of antimony, some dihalostibanes and many precursors of stibenes -Sb=CA four-membered ring 1,3-distibacyclobutane has been obtained and evidenced by mass and NMR spectrometry. In the field of tin, the stable stannene Tip2Sn=CR2 (Tip = 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl, CR2 = 2,7-di-tert-butylphenyl) has been prepared and stabilized owing to a large steric hindrance both on tin and carbon atoms. Its physicochemical characteristics prove it presents an heteroalkenic structure. It appeared highly reactive, particularly towards carbonyl compounds and dienes.Many precursors of tin allenic species have been obtained and characterized by various physicochemical methods. A distannirane obtained by a cycloaddition of the stannaallene and the stannylene issued of its decomposition has been synthesized.Les résultats présentés dans ce mémoire portent sur l'étude de dérivés doublement liés de l'antimoine –Sb=CSn=CSn=C=X.Dans le domaine de l'antimoine, plusieurs dihalogénostibanes et des précurseurs des hétéroalcènes et des hétéroallènes cibles, les stibènes –Sb=C Il apparaît que pour obtenir des stibaallènes et des phosphastibaallènes stables, il est nécessaire d'utiliser des substituants à très fort effet stérique sans toutefois qu'ils ne le soient trop afin de ne pas empêcher le couplage entre les entités carbonées et stibiniques. Un cycle à 4 chainons 1,3-distibacyclobutane a été obtenu et caractérisé par spectrométries de masse et de RMN 1H. Dans le domaine de l'étain, le stannène stable Tip2Sn=CR2 (Tip = 2,4,6-triisopropylphényl, CR2 = 2,7-di-tert-butylfluorényl) a été préparé et stabilisé grâce à un encombrement stérique important à la fois côtés étain et carbone ; ses caractéristiques physicochimiques montrent qu'il s'agit d'un véritable hétéroalcène. Ce dérivé s'est révélé extrêmement réactif, notamment avec les composés carbonylés et les diènes.De nombreux précurseurs d'espèces alléniques de l'étain ont également été obtenus et caractérisés par différentes méthodes physicochimiques. Un distannirane qui pourrait provenir d'une réaction de cycloaddition du stannaallène cible Tip2Sn=C=CR2 avec le stannylène issu de sa décomposition a été isolé

An assessment of reliability and validity of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 among breast cancer patients in Qatar

Introduction: Breast cancer has been the most common cancer type that affects women worldwide and subsequent treatment is oftenassociated with considerable psychological and quality of life (QoL). Aim: This study aimed to assess psychometric properties of theArabic version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) general QoL questionnaire (QLQ‑C30)for breast cancer patients in Qatar. Materials and Methods: This is a cross‑sectional hospital‑based study conducted on 678 breastcancer patients using Arabic version of the EORTC QLQ‑C30 tool. Results: The mean age of women was 47.7 ± 10.2 years and33.4% of women had consanguineous parents. Six subscales out of the nine met the standards of reliability with coefficientsranging from 0.55 to 0.89. The mean score of all functioning scales was high >55. Advanced breast cancer stages of III–IV hadhigher symptomatic scores significantly than those in early stages for the physical function, cognitive, fatigue, insomnia, appetiteloss, constipation, and financial difficulties. Correlation coefficients between each item ranged from –0.113 to 0.960, and item21 (tense) and item 23 (irritable) had strongest negative correlations with their corresponding emotional functioning subscale,whereas items 29 (physical condition) and 30 (overall QoL) had the strongest positive correlation with Global Health/QoL subscale.Item 6 (limited work) showed a higher correlation with fatigue (r = 0.749). Likewise, item 19 (pain interfered with daily activities)of the pain subscale had higher correlations with physical functioning, role functioning, and fatigue subscales. Conclusion: QatariArabic version of the EORTC QLQ‑C30 showed acceptable psychometric properties, which is a reliable and valid instrument, thatcan be used by oncologists

The role of vitamin D deficiency and osteoporosis in breast cancer

Aim Epidemiological studies suggest an association between vitamin D and calcium intake and breast cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the association of breast cancer with vitamin D deficiency and osteoporosis according to menopausal status and to examine vitamin D and bone mineral density (BMD) levels in breast cancer patients. Methods This was an observational cohort hospital-based study. It included 635 patients with breast cancer. Socio-demographic information, type of consanguinity, menopause status, medical history, lifestyle habits, dietary intake, BMD measurements and vitamin D levels were collected. Descriptive and univariate analyses were performed. Results Of the studied patients, 36.1% were Qataris, 63.9% non-Qatari Arabs, 40% premenopausal women, 20.9% university graduates and 37.2% housewives. Overall, 31.8% of breast cancer women were affected with osteopenia/osteoporosis. Vitamin D deficiency (10.7% vs. 7.9%) and severe vitamin D insufficiency (39.2% vs. 32.5%) were higher in postmenopausal women than premenopausal women (P < 0.001). Low physical activity (< 30 min/day) was observed among vitamin D deficient (46.8%) and osteoporotic (45%) women. Dietary intake of vitamin D was significantly lower in vitamin D deficient women; these included dairy products (33.1%), milk (38.6%), seafood (39.6%), (P < 0.001) and for osteoporotic women, dairy products (46%), calcium (21.3%), milk (36.1%), yoghurt (37.6%), cheese (37.6%) and sea food (34.7%) (P < 0.001). Conclusion The present study findings revealed a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and osteoporosis in breast cancer patients. Also, the dietary intake of vitamin D and calcium was significantly lower in breast cancer women

Impacts of family history and lifestyle habits on colorectal cancer risk: a case-control study in Qatar.

BACKGROUND: Associations between family history of colorectal cancer (CRC) in first degree relatives and risk of developing cancer have been well defined, but interactions with environmental, lifestyle and dietary factors are much less clear. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate family history, lifestyle and dietary factors associated with developing colorectal cancer in an Arab population. DESIGN: This matched case-control study was conducted from August 2008 to February 2009 in Al-Amal Hospital and Primary Health Care Centers in Qatar. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study covered 146 colorectal cancer patients from Al-Amal hospital and 282 healthy subjects matched by age and gender as controls from primary health care centers. The questionnaire included socio-demographic information, type of consanguinity, medical history, lifestyle habits, and dietary intake. Of the selected 185 colorectal cancer cases, 146 (78.9%) agreed to participate in the study, whereas from the 350 selected controls, 282 (80.6%) gave consent. RESULTS: The mean age of cases was 54.1±12.4 and of controls 53.1±13.1. Among the life style factors, being overweight and obese (60.2%; 30.1% p=0.006), having a smoking habit (26.7%, p=0.025), and consuming bakery items (78.8% p&lt;0.001) and soft drinks (28.7% p&lt;0.02), were positively associated with CRC. The majority of the studied cases and controls were consuming fresh fruits (87.7% vs 85.5%), fresh vegetables (95.2% vs 95%) and green salad (91.1% vs 89.4%) regularly. Family history of CRC (41.8%) was significantly higher in colorectal patients than in controls (29.1%) (p&lt;0.01). Parental consanguinity was observed more frequently in colorectal cancer patients (35.6%). Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that smoking, BMI, family history, consuming bakery and soft drinks were significant predictors of development of colorectal cancer. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed family history and parental consanguinity to be strongly associated with the development of colorectal cancer. Age, gender, a sedentary lifestyle, and being overweight were also positively linked with CRC risk