Striking enhancement at the site of radiation for nivolumab-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a rare adverse cutaneous drug reaction characterized by epidermal detachment of <10% body surface area with an average mortality rate of 1-5%. The mechanism of SJS is not fully understood. Nivolumab is a monoclonal antibody directed against programmed cell death-1 protein (PD-1), a receptor with immune checkpoint inhibitory and antineoplastic activities. We present a case of SJS in a patient being treated with anti-PD-1 therapy nivolumab for metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx. This case is unusual because of the severe accentuation with striking enhancement at his prior radiation site and in the cutaneous region with heavier tumor burden from his metastatic disease. This reaction may give insight to the underlying pathophysiology of SJS, suggesting that immune checkpoint inhibitors can activate T-cells to target keratinocytes and that external factors may be involved in creating distinct epitopes for T-cell recognition. We hope this case adds to the body of knowledge in the pathogenesis of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and cutaneous adverse events seen with checkpoint inhibitors

On the generalized Hartley-Hilbert and Fourier-Hilbert transforms

In this paper, we discuss Hartley-Hilbert and Fourier-Hilbert transforms on a certain class of generalized functions. The extended transforms considered in this article are shown to be well-defined, one-to-one, linear and continuous mappings with respect to δ and Δ convergence. Certain theorems are also established

Identification of distinct markers to differentiate natural and induced T regulatory cells in cancer.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a distinct subset of CD4+ T cells that play a vital role in maintaining immune homeostasis and peripheral tolerance, thereby preventing autoimmunity. Tregs are generally categorised into two main subsets; natural and induced Tregs. In cancer, Tregs are found extremely enriched in the tumour microenvironment and contribute to the inhibition of anti-tumour response and tumour progression. The origin of tumour-infiltrating Tregs (whether it is nTregs or iTregs) is still enigmatic, since there are no distinct biomarkers which can differentiate between the two subsets. Therefore, the aim of this study is to identify cell surface biomarkers that can differentiate phenotypic features of iTregs from nTregs in the context of cancer. With this aim, an in vitro murine model was successfully developed to generate CD4+CD25++Foxp3+ iTregs from purely sorted naïve CD4+CD25-Foxp3- T cells in the presence of TGF-β1. The induction of iTregs was assessed using flow cytometry. Methylation status of Foxp3-TSDR and Foxp3 stability was assessed. Naïve CD4+CD25-Foxp3- T cells and CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ nTregs were purely sorted using cell sorting. Five biologically different subsets of CD4+ cells including naïve CD4+CD25-Foxp3- T cells, activated CD4+CD25-Foxp3- T cells, naïve CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ nTregs, activated CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ nTregs and CD4+CD25++Foxp3+ iTregs were subjected to quantitative proteomic profiling using SWATH-MS. Subcellular fractionation methods were employed to isolate membrane and cytoplasmic proteins from each of the subsets. Quantitative proteomic data were analysed using artificial neural networks. The results revealed that 4 distinct membrane biomarkers (PLP2, ITIH4, HEM6 and MAVS) were differentially upregulated in iTregs compared to other subsets. EPHX1 (HYEP) was identified upregulated only in naïve nTregs and downregulated in iTregs and other subsets. The biomarkers were further tested. Pathway enrichment analysis of iTregs showed a distinct metabolic pathway enrichment in iTregs indicating a mechanistic insight into the iTreg development. Once validated in humans these proteins could be used as a biomarker for iTreg or as a drug target for the selective depletion for better immunotherapeutic outcome in cancer patients

The state of blacks in higher education

This is a study initiated by the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO) that provides an overview on the state of blacks in higher education from 1986 through 2005. It focuses on bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees earned by black Americans. It also examines the advancement, or lack thereof, of black faculty members. The study uses data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data Series and the Survey of Doctorial Recipients.blacks; higher education;

Combined effect of frustration and dimerization in ferrimagnetic chains and square lattice

Within the zero-temperature linear spin-wave theory we have investigated the effect of frustration and dimerization of a Heisenberg system with alternating spins $s_{1}$ and $s_{2}$ on one- and two-dimensional lattices. The combined effect most visibly appears in the elementary excitation spectra. In contrast to the ground state energy that decreases with dimerization and increases with frustration, the excitation energies are shown to be suppressed in energy by both dimerization and frustration. The threshold value of frustration that signals a transition from a classical ferrimagnetic state to a spiral state, decreases with dimerization, showing that dimerization further helps in the phase transition. The correlation length and sublattice magnetization decrease with both dimerization and frustration indicating the destruction of the long-range classical ferrimagnetic. The linear spin wave theory shows that in the case of a square lattice, dimerization initially opposes the frustration-led transition to a spiral magnetic state, but then higher magnitudes of lattice deformation facilitate the transition. It also shows that the transition to spiral state is inhibited in a square lattice beyond a certain value of dimerization.Comment: 8 pages, latex, 12 postscript figure

Educational Dimension of Woman's Character in the Narration's of Prophets as Stated in the Holy Qur'an

The Holy Qur'an has addressed the needs of women and their status in a way never done before in any other religious text. Woman's exalted position in Islam is due, primarily, to her role as a child rearer. It is she who is considered the "first madrasah" (first school) by Islam, and it is from her that children will learn about their responsibility as future 'standard bearers' of Islam and society. The research examines stories and biographies of women in the Qur'an, narrated by various prophets (peace be upon them) through the ages. These stories have been drawn from sound Islamic sources. not the doubtful narrations of Israelite scriptures, showing, through their life stories, women's attitude nature, some positive and others negative. This provides an authentic and comprehensive view of Muslim women from the Qur'anic perspective. It puts forward an educational model for women to realize their true role in the challenging times in which we live. By studying the attitudes and dispositions of women in the Holy Qur'an and the Sunna of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) the research illustrates the merits. morals and role of women as educators in the family, as well as society. It also shows the extent to which a Muslim women can harm or benefit each member of her family. The study also shows the scope of educational techniques in the Holy Qur'an and their impact on the attitudes and character of women. It delineates the educational role of women and the features of women's character through investigation of previous religions and comparison with those in Islam. In this way, we can become more acquainted with the characteristics of women, her tasks, rights, duties and the type of work suited to her outside the family

Variation saisonnière de la composition chimique de carraghénophyte, Gymnogongrus patens (J. Agardh) de la côte atlantique marocaine

Les compositions chimiques du carraghénophyte, Gymnogongrus patens ont été analysées sur des échantillons d’algues récoltées mensuellement pendant un cycle annuel, d’avril 2002 à mars 2003, sur la plage de Méhdia (Nord ouest de la côte atlantique marocaine). L’analyse de la composition chimique des thalles montre que la teneur en matière sèche (MS), en carraghénanes, en azote total et en cendres présente des variations saisonnières. La teneur moyenne en matière sèche est de 19,7% de la matière fraîche du thalle. Ainsi, celle-ci varie de 16% en automne-hiver à 22,5% en période printanière et estivale. L’étude de la production des carraghénanes par Gymnogongrus patens montre que les meilleurs rendements sont obtenus en été (30,2 % en août), les plus faibles en hiver (8,4% en janvier). Ceci montre que la meilleure période de récolte de l’espèce en vue de son exploitation est l’été. Les teneurs en azote total sont comprises entre un maximum noté en février (3,61% MS) et un minimum enregistré en août (2,57 % MS). Les taux moyens en cendres sont légèrement élevés, ils sont de l’ordre de 35% MS. Le maximum est obtenu en janvier (46,34% MS) et le minimum pendant le mois de septembre (28,77% MS). L’analyse des taux en cendres au cours de l’année montre que cette espèce est capable d’accumuler des concentrations élevées en sels minéraux et peut donc être utilisées pour l’épuration des eaux.Mots-clés : Gymnogongrus patens, composition chimique, carraghénanes, azote total, cendres, Maroc. Seasonal varaition in the Chimical composition of Gymnogongrus patens Agardh on Moroccan Atlantic caost The chimical composition of Gymnogongrus patens J. Agardh (Rhodophyta, Phyllophoracea) has been analyzed on samples collected monthly on a one year cycle from April 2002 to March 2003 on Méhdia beach (North west Atlantic caost of Morocco). The analysis of chemical composition of thallus shows that the content of dry matter, of carrageenan, of nitrogen and of ash present also a seasonal variations. The study of carrageenan production from Gymnogongrus patens shows that the best yields were obtained In summer (30,2% in August) and the lowest ones in winter (8,4% in January). This shows that the best period of harvest of this species in order to its exploitation is a summer. The contents of total nitrogen are between a maximum in February (3,62%) and a minimum registered in August (2,57%). The medium rates of ash are highers little bite, they arrived to 35%. The maximum is observed in January (46.34% MS) and the minimum during September (28,77% MS). This important variation of ash rates during a year show that this species can accumulate high concentrations of minerals salt, therefore it can be used like an also for the epurification of waters.Keywords : Gymnogongrus patens, chimical composition, carrageenans, nitrogen, ash, Morocco