A neurotherapeutic approach with Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus E9 on gut microbiota and intestinal barrier in MPTP-induced mouse model of Parkinson's disease.

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in neural development and progression of neural disorders like Parkinson's disease (PD). Probiotics have been suggested to impact neurodegenerative diseases via gut-brain axis. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic potential of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus E9, a high exopolysaccharide producer, on 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP)-induced mouse model of PD. C57BL/6 mice subjected to MPTP were fed L. rhamnosus E9 for fifteen days and sacrificed after the last administration. Motor functions were determined by open-field, catalepsy, and wire-hanging tests. The ileum and the brain tissues were collected for ELISA, qPCR, and immunohistochemistry analyses. The cecum content was obtained for microbiota analysis. E9 supplementation alleviated MPTP-induced motor dysfunctions accompanied by decreased levels of striatal TH and dopamine. E9 also reduced the level of ROS in the striatum and decreased the DAT expression while increasing the DR1. Furthermore, E9 improved intestinal integrity by enhancing ZO-1 and Occludin levels and reversed the dysbiosis of the gut microbiota induced by MPTP. In conclusion, E9 supplementation improved the MPTP-induced motor deficits and neural damage as well as intestinal barrier by modulating the gut microbiota in PD mice. These findings suggest that E9 supplementation holds therapeutic potential in managing PD through the gut-brain axis.

Effect of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha expression on survival in patients with metastatic cervical squamous cell carcinoma treated with first-line chemotherapy and bevacizumab.

This study addresses the gap in understanding the prognostic relevance of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) expression in metastatic cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients undergoing anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-based therapy. A retrospective multicenter study (n = 34) explored HIF-1 alpha expression via immunohistochemistry in patients treated with platinum chemotherapy and bevacizumab. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was significantly lower in the HIF-1 alpha low score group compared to the high score group (4.9 vs 12.9 months, P = 0.014). Similarly, the median overall survival (OS) was significantly reduced in the HIF-1 alpha low score group (8.3 vs 20.4 months, P = 0.006). This study, the first of its kind, highlights the prognostic significance of HIF-1 alpha expression in metastatic cervical SCC patients treated with bevacizumab-based therapy.

A Case of Nasal Glial Heterotopia That Can Be Misdiagnosed as Storiform Patterned Sclerotic Fibroma/Collagenoma.

OBJECTIVE: Nasal glioma, also known as nasal glial heterotopia, is a rare tumor-like lesion that often affects newborns or infants with no hereditary predisposition. CASE REPORT: A 4-year-old child with a growth on the nasal dorsum since birth was diagnosed with nasal glial heterotopia/nasal glioma. The lesion showed a sclerotic fibroma/collagenoma-like storiform pattern with entrapped glial tissue that was S100 and GFAP positive. CONCLUSION: When a biopsy of the nasal dorsum demonstrates sclerotic microscopic findings with a storiform pattern, nasal glioma should be considered before making a diagnosis in the collagen-rich tissue spectrum (collagenoma or Gardner's fibroma), and an immunohistochemical panel should be requested to demonstrate the presence of an unrecognized light microscopically visible glial component.

A Rare Case of Post-pubertal Pure Yolk-sac Tumour Incidentally Diagnosed after Surgical Intervention for Fournier's Gangrene.

The testicular tumour is the most common solid malignancy in males between the ages of 15 and 35 years. Testicular tumours most commonly present with a painless testicular mass. Fournier's gangrene is necrotising fasciitis of the genital, perineal, and perianal region characterized by the microvascular thrombosis and skin necrosis, and is most commonly seen in elderly males with the comorbid conditions. To the best of our knowledge, there is no published case of testicular tumour presenting as Fournier's gangrene. Herein, we report a case of a young adult male, otherwise healthy, who presented to the emergency room with Fournier's gangrene and was found to have a metastatic post-pubertal pure yolk-sac tumour of the testis which is extremely rare in the adults. Key Words: Fournier's gangrene, Yolk sac tumour, Testicular neoplasm.