Multi-well plate lid for single-step pooling of 96 samples for high-throughput barcode-based sequencing.

High-throughput transcriptomics is of increasing fundamental biological and clinical interest. The generation of molecular data from large collections of samples, such as biobanks and drug libraries, is boosting the development of new biomarkers and treatments. Focusing on gene expression, the transcriptomic market exploits the benefits of next-generation sequencing (NGS), leveraging RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) as standard for measuring genome-wide gene expression in biological samples. The cumbersome sample preparation, including RNA extraction, conversion to cDNA and amplification, prevents high-throughput translation of RNA-seq technologies. Bulk RNA barcoding and sequencing (BRB-seq) addresses this limitation by enabling sample preparation in multi-well plate format. Sample multiplexing combined with early pooling into a single tube reduces reagents consumption and manual steps. Enabling simultaneous pooling of all samples from the multi-well plate into one tube, our technology relies on smart labware: a pooling lid comprising fluidic features and small pins to transport the liquid, adapted to standard 96-well plates. Operated with standard fluidic tubes and pump, the system enables over 90% recovery of liquid in a single step in less than a minute. Large scale manufacturing of the lid is demonstrated with the transition from a milled polycarbonate/steel prototype into an injection molded polystyrene lid. The pooling lid demonstrated its value in supporting high-throughput barcode-based sequencing by pooling 96 different DNA barcodes directly from a standard 96-well plate, followed by processing within the single sample pool. This new pooling technology shows great potential to address medium throughput needs in the BRB-seq workflow, thereby addressing the challenge of large-scale and cost-efficient sample preparation for RNA-seq.

Isolated infantile myofibroma of the calvarium: Report of a case with a literature review.

OBJECTIVE: Infantile myofibromatosis is a rare entity of childhood characterized by benign myofibroblastic tumors in the soft tissues, the bones, and occasionally the viscera. Solitary skeletal lesions are relatively uncommon. Calvarial involvement should be distinguished from more aggressive tumors for appropriate treatment. METHODS: We reviewed solitary infantile myofibroma of the calvarium and discussed the relevant computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings along with differential diagnosis. A case study of the frontal bone in a 5-month-old girl was also presented. RESULTS: Fourteen cases were reviewed, including the current case. Of the 13 cases with known sex, eight were male and five female. The mean age was 3.03 with an age range of 0.41-9 years. Nine of the 14 tumors were in the frontal bone. The lesions were intradiploic with tabula interna and/or externa of the calvaria involvement. The mean largest diameter was 22.3 mm. Upon computed tomography, all the lesions were expansile and lytic, and hypoattenuated, isoattenuated or occasionally hyperatenuated. Calcification was not seen. On magnetic resonance imaging, most neoplasms were hypointense on T1-weighted and T2-weighted images. Neoplasms showed hypointense signal on diffusion-weighted imaging and hyperintense on apparent diffusion coefficient, without restricted diffusion in three cases. All lesions were intensely enhanced after gadolinium administration. Treatment was total surgical resection and recurrence was not observed during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Infantile myofibromas are rare, typically intradiploic expansile lytic lesions with tabula interna and/or externa involvement. Distinctive imaging features include the presence of hipointense signals on T2-weighted magnetic resonance images without restricted diffusion on diffusion-weighted imaging. A slow-growing, firm, painless, and nontender mass with supportive imaging findings should raise suspicion of the disease.

Communication Strategies in Human-Autonomy Teams During Technological Failures.

OBJECTIVE: This study examines low-, medium-, and high-performing Human-Autonomy Teams' (HATs') communication strategies during various technological failures that impact routine communication strategies to adapt to the task environment. BACKGROUND: Teams must adapt their communication strategies during dynamic tasks, where more successful teams make more substantial adaptations. Adaptations in communication strategies may explain how successful HATs overcome technological failures. Further, technological failures of variable severity may alter communication strategies of HATs at different performance levels in their attempts to overcome each failure. METHOD: HATs in a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System-Synthetic Task Environment (RPAS-STE), involving three team members, were tasked with photographing targets. Each triad had two randomly assigned participants in navigator and photographer roles, teaming with an experimenter who simulated an AI pilot in a Wizard of Oz paradigm. Teams encountered two different technological failures, automation and autonomy, where autonomy failures were more challenging to overcome. RESULTS: High-performing HATs calibrated their communication strategy to the complexity of the different failures better than medium- and low-performing teams. Further, HATs adjusted their communication strategies over time. Finally, only the most severe failures required teams to increase the efficiency of their communication. CONCLUSION: HAT effectiveness under degraded conditions depends on the type of communication strategies enacted by the team. Previous findings from studies of all-human teams apply here; however, novel results suggest information requests are particularly important to HAT success during failures. APPLICATION: Understanding the communication strategies of HATs under degraded conditions can inform training protocols to help HATs overcome failures.

Barriers to Seeking Psychological Help among First-Year Medical Students: A Cross- Sectional Study from Turkey.

Despite high rates of psychological symptoms, many medical students often avoid psychological help. Determining the mental status of medical students at an early stage is very important for developing necessary interventions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the barriers to seeking psychological help among first-year medical students. This cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2-20, 2023. Data were collected using an anonymous online questionnaire comprising students' self-reported psychological problems and treatment status, help-seeking barriers, and a validated mental health tool (Patient Health Survey 4). The response rate was 58.8% (n = 250). Of them, 34.4% had anxiety symptoms and 25.2% had depressive symptoms. The prevalence of self-reported psychological problems and serious psychological problems were 61.2% and 10.4%, respectively. Only 7.6% of students reported receiving psychological treatment. It was found that 5.6% of the students used psychiatric drugs (2% officially prescribed and 3.6% not officially prescribed). The most common barriers to help-seeking were not were not serious problems, lack of time, difficulty explaining psychological problems, fear of being recorded, and fear of stigmatization. The results indicated that a significant number of students had psychological problems, and some did not seek psychological help.

Comparison of Thyroid Uptake Values Measured from 131I Scintigraphy and Uptake Probe in Hyperthyroid Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Thyroid uptake test plays an important role in diagnosis, treatment planning and radioiodine dose determination in patients with hyperthyroidism. The aim of this study was to compare the % uptake values calculated with gamma camera and uptake probe after diagnostic 131I application in hyperthyroid patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, % uptake values were measured using a thyroid uptake probe and gamma camera in 32 patients who underwent thyroid radioiodine uptake measurement in our Nuclear Medicine center. Thyroid uptake measurements were prepared in the neck phantom with 0.74-0.925 MBq activity of 131I radionuclide. After counting the phantom with 131I separately in the uptake probe and gamma camera, 131I sample was orally administered to the patient. % uptake values were calculated by the uptake probe measurements and drawing regions of interest (ROI) from scintigraphic images at 2 and 24 h. RESULTS: The 2-h mean % uptake values in the probe and gamma camera were calculated as 30.5 ± 20.4 and 27.1 ± 18.6, respectively. The 24-h mean % uptake values in the thyroid probe and gamma camera were calculated as 57.6 ± 21.9 and 55.3 ± 21.5, respectively. Linear regression analyses for the 2- and 24-h % uptake values calculated with the probe and gamma camera were found as R2 = 0.8412 and R2 = 0.7313, respectively. CONCLUSION: The 2- and 24-h % uptake values with the probe and gamma camera were found to be consistent with each other, indicating that they can be safely used interchangeably in patients with hyperthyroidism.

Encephalomyelitis associated with Covid-19 infection: case report.

We describe a COVID-19 patient who presented with persistent headache and anosmia that was related to viral encephalomyelitis with acute lesions on MRI in both the brain and upper cervical cord.

The Impact of Training on Human-Autonomy Team Communications and Trust Calibration.

OBJECTIVE: This work examines two human-autonomy team (HAT) training approaches that target communication and trust calibration to improve team effectiveness under degraded conditions. BACKGROUND: Human-autonomy teaming presents challenges to teamwork, some of which may be addressed through training. Factors vital to HAT performance include communication and calibrated trust. METHOD: Thirty teams of three, including one confederate acting as an autonomous agent, received either entrainment-based coordination training, trust calibration training, or control training before executing a series of missions operating a simulated remotely piloted aircraft. Automation and autonomy failures simulating degraded conditions were injected during missions, and measures of team communication, trust, and task efficiency were collected. RESULTS: Teams receiving coordination training had higher communication anticipation ratios, took photos of targets faster, and overcame more autonomy failures. Although autonomy failures were introduced in all conditions, teams receiving the calibration training reported that their overall trust in the agent was more robust over time. However, they did not perform better than the control condition. CONCLUSIONS: Training based on entrainment of communications, wherein introduction of timely information exchange through one team member has lasting effects throughout the team, was positively associated with improvements in HAT communications and performance under degraded conditions. Training that emphasized the shortcomings of the autonomous agent appeared to calibrate expectations and maintain trust. APPLICATIONS: Team training that includes an autonomous agent that models effective information exchange may positively impact team communication and coordination. Training that emphasizes the limitations of an autonomous agent may help calibrate trust.

Simplification of dosimetry in 90Y-radioembolization therapy by dual planar images.

AIM: The purpose was to provide a practical and effective method for performing reliable 90Y dosimetry based on 99mTc-MAA and SPEC/CT. The impact of scatter correction (SC) and attenuation correction (AC) on the injected 90Y activity, lung shunt fraction (LSF) and the delivered dose to lung and liver compartments was investigated within the scope of the study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighteen eligible patients (F: 3, M: 15) were subjected to 90Y therapy. 99mTc-MAA (111-222 MBq) was injected into the targeted liver, followed by whole-body scan (WBS) with peak-window at 140 keV (15% width) and one down-scatter window. SPECT/CT scan was subsequently acquired encompassing lung and liver regions. The LSFs were fashioned from standard WBS LSFwb (St), scatter corrected WBS LSFwb (Sc), only scatter corrected SPECT LSFspect (NoAC-SC) and SPECT/CT with attenuation and scatter correction LSFspect (AC-SC). The absorbed doses that would be delivered to tumor and injected healthy liver were estimated using different calculation modes involving AC-SC (SPECT/CT), NoAC-SC (SPECT), NoAC-NoSC+LSFwb (SC), AC-SC + LSFwb (St), and NoAC-NoSC+LSFwb (St). RESULTS: The average deviations (range) in LSF values between standard LSFwb (St) and those from SPECT/CT (AC-SC), SPECT (NoAC-SC), and LSFwb (SC) were - 50% (- 29/- 71), - 32% (- 8/- 67), and - 45% (- 13/80), respectively. The suggested 90Y activity (GBq/Gy) was decreased within a range of 2-11%, 1-9%, and 2-7% by using LSFspect (AC-SC), LSFspect (NoAC-SC), and LSFwb (SC), respectively. Overall, two-sample t-test yielded no statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in the absorbed doses to tumor and injected healthy liver between AC-SC (SPECT) and the rest of approaches with/and without AC and SC. However, a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was demonstrated in the lung shunt fractions and lung doses due to AC and SC. The LSFs from scatter corrected planar images LSFwb (SC) exhibited well agreement (R2 = 0.92) with SPECT/CT (AC-SC) and there was no statistically significant difference (Pvalue > 0.05) between both methods. CONCLUSION: It was deduced that SPECT/CT with attenuation and scatter correction plays a crucial role in the measurements of lung shunt fraction and dose as well as the total number of 90Y treatments. However, the absorbed dose to tumors and injected healthy liver was minimally affected by AC and SC. Besides, a good agreement was observed between LSF datasets from SPECT/CT versus scatter corrected WBS that can be alternatively and effectively used in 90Y dosimetry.

The Interference of Gamma Rays With Bone Mineral Density Measurements in 177Lu-PSMA and DOTATATE Therapy.

The main purpose was to describe the interference of gamma radiation emitted by 177Lu with simultaneous bone mineral density BMD measures for patients undergoing 177Lu-PSMA and 177Lu DOTATATE therapy. A cohort of 9 patients underwent 177Lu-PSMA therapy were randomly selected to speculate the activity in the abdominopelvic region. So that, SPECT/CT scan at 24 h was used with attenuation and scatter correction. The activities were derived from the delineated ROIs over the abdominopelvic zone showing a range of 34-274 MBq. Next, a water path was placed under spine phantom mimicking L1-L4 vertebrae and followed by consecutive DEXA scans made by Hologic 4500 W and GE-Lunar DPX-NT systems. Five scans were performed without/and with different Lu-177 activities 37, 185, 370 and 555 MBq under the same geometric conditions. The obtained BMD readings of L1-L4 by the Hologic device were 1.027, 1.024, 1.021, 1.013, and 1.006 g/cm2 with presence of 0, 37, 185, 370, and 555 MBq 177Lu activity, respectively. Whereas, in Lunar device, it was found as higher as 1.163, 1.121, 1.09, 1.072, and 1.043, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between both devices (pvalue ≥ 0.05). The fluctuation ranges in the L1-L4 BMD readings at the presence of 37-555 MBq were 0.3%-2%, and 3.6%-10.3% for Hologic and Lunar systems, respectively. It was emphasized that gamma radiation emitted by 177Lu relatively influence DEXA scans and the yielded BMD measures. Postponing DEXA scans as early as 8 d after 177Lu-PMSA and 11 d after 177Lu-DOTATATE therapies is recommended to avoid the erroneous contribution of gamma radiation and provide precise bone assessment.

The effect of ferric carboxymaltose treatment on the Tp-e interval and the Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios in heart failure patients with iron deficiency.

Aim    In heart failure (HF) patients with iron deficiency, cardiac electrical irregularity is a cause of arrhythmias. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) treatment on T wave peak to end (Tp-e) interval and the Tp-e / QT and Tp-e / corrected QT (QTc) ratios that reflect the transmural dispersion of repolarization in HF patients with iron deficiency.Material and methods    Forty HF patients with iron deficiency that were treated with FCM were included in our single center, observational study. Repolarization parameters on electrocardiograms recorded before and 12 wks after FCM treatment were compared. Additionally, these parameters were compared with ventricular repolarization parameters of 40 healthy age and gender matched individuals and with another group of 40 HF patients without iron deficiency.Results    In the HF patients with iron deficiency, the Tp-e interval and the Tp-e / QT and Tp-e / QTc ratios before FCM treatment were 103.7±19.1 ms, 0.25± 0.04, 0.23±0.04, respectively. These values were higher compared to the healthy the group and HF group without iron deficiency (p<0.001). In the HF patients with iron deficiency, the Tp-e interval and the Tp-e / QT and Tp-e / QTc ratios after FCM treatment were lower compared to pre-treatment and similar to the HF patients without iron deficiency (89.4±18.6 ms, 0.22±0.04, 0.20±0.04, respectively; p<0.001).Conclusion    FCM treatment of HF patients with iron deficiency corrects prolonged Tp-e interval and high Tp-e / QT and Tp-e / QTc ratios, which are risk factors for ventricular arrhythmias.

The Effect of COVID-19 on Domestic Violence and Assaults.

The purpose of this research was to examine the effect of COVID-19 on four outcomes including calls for service for domestic violence, calls for service for assaults, arrests for domestic violence, and arrests for assaults in Burlington, Vermont. The data for each outcome collected over the time periods January 2012 through May 2021 were obtained from the Burlington Police Department website and then a monthly time-series data set were created. The analyses including an independent samples t-test, a Poisson regression test, and a monthly interrupted time-series analyses (ITSA) were employed to test the effects of COVID-19 on the previously mentioned outcomes. The results of the ITSA showed that in the first month following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, domestic violence calls statistically significantly increased, but no statistically significant change was observed in domestic violence arrests, while assault calls and assault arrests statistically significantly decreased. In addition, during COVID-19, there was a statistically significant decreasing trend in domestic violence calls and domestic violence arrests, while there was no statistically significant change in the trends of assault calls and assault arrests. The results suggest that COVID-19 had an immediate as well as a persistent effect on the numbers of domestic violence and assaults. The results and limitations of this study were also discussed.

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with COVID-19 positivity and severity of the disease.

The present study examined the relationship between polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test positivity and clinical outcomes of vitamin D levels measured within the 6 months before the PCR test in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-positive patients. In this retrospective cohort study, COVID-19 (227) and non-COVID-19 patients (260) were divided into four groups according to their vitamin D levels: Group I (0-10 ng/ml), Group II (10-20 ng/ml), Group III (20-30 ng/ml), and Group IV (vitamin D > 30 ng/ml). Laboratory test results and the radiological findings were evaluated. In addition, for comparative purposes, medical records of 1200 patients who had a hospital visit in the November 1, 2019-November 1, 2020 period for complaints due to reasons not related to COVID-19 were investigated for the availability of vitamin D measurements. This search yielded 260 patients with tested vitamin D levels. Vitamin D levels were below 30 ng/ml in 94.27% of 227 COVID-19-positive patients (average age, 46.32 ± 1.24 years [range, 20-80 years] and 56.54% women) while 93.07% of 260 non-COVID-19 patients (average age, 44.63 ± 1.30 years [range, 18-75 years] and 59.50% women) had vitamin D levels below 30 ng/ml. Nevertheless, very severe vitamin D deficiency (<10 ng/ml) was considerably more common in COVID-19 patients (44%) (average age, 44.15 ± 1.89 years [range, 23-80 years] and 57.57% women) than in non-COVID-19 ones (31%) (average age, 46.50 ± 2.21 years [range, 20-75 years] and 62.5% women). Among COVID-19-positive patients, the group with vitamin D levels of >30 ng/ml had significantly lower D-dimer and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, number levels, number of affected lung segments and shorter hospital stays. No difference was found among the groups in terms of age and gender distribution. Elevated vitamin D levels could decrease COVID-19 PCR positivity, D-dime and CRP levels and the number of affected lung segments in COVID-19-positive patients, thereby shortening the duration of hospital stays and alleviating the intensity of COVID-19.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with childhood cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy: A single-center experience "Better prognosis in earlier stage".

BACKGROUND: ALD is a rare X-linked peroxisomal metabolic disorder with many distinct phenotypes of disease that emerge on a wide scale from adrenal insufficiency to fatal cALD which progresses to a vegetative state within a few years. Currently, HSCT is the only treatment method known to stabilize disease progression in patients with cALD. In this study, we aim to report our HSCT experience in patients with cALD and the factors that determine the success of HSCT, as a single-center experience. METHODS: The study cohort involves 23 boys with cALD and three patients with ALD trait and new-onset abnormal behavior who underwent allogeneic HSCT between January 2012 and September 2019 in our transplantation center. Loes scoring, NFS, scale and MFD were performed for evaluating the severity of the cerebral disease. The study cohort was divided into two groups according to baseline NFS and Loes score: early-stage (NFS ≤ 1 and Loes score <9) and advanced stage (NFS > 1 or Loes score ≥9). RESULTS: The pretransplant stage of disease impacted both OS and MFD-free survival. The estimated OS and MFD-free survival at 3 years in patients with advanced disease were 46.1% (95% CI 19.0-73.2) and 23.1% (95% CI 0.2-46.0), respectively, and all patients with the early disease were alive (p: .004) and MFD-free (p < .001) at 3 years. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that early HSCT is vital in patients with cALD. The early-stage disease had a significant survival advantage and free from disease progression after HSCT.

The relationship between gestational week and QT dispersion in cesarean section patients undergoing spinal anaesthesia: A prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy affects the cardiovascular system, particularly the cardiac conduction system, thereby increasing the susceptibility of patients towards arrhythmia. QT interval results in ventricular arrhythmias, predominantly polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. The present study was planned to investigate the relationship between a gestational week and QT dispersion in cesarean section patients undergoing spinal anaesthesia. METHODS: The study included 40 patients between the ages of 18 and 45 who had no symptoms of anaemia and undergoing elective cesarean section. The patients were separated into two groups based on the gestational week as Group I <39 weeks and Group II ≥39 weeks. The patient was given a sitting position and the puncture site was cleansed with 10% povidone-iodine antiseptic solution. After placing a sterile drape on the patient, the subarachnoid space was punctured through an appropriate vertebral space (L3-L4 or L4-L5) using a pencil-point 25G spinal needle, followed by intrathecal injection of 12.5 mg (2.5 mL) 5% hyperbaric bupivacaine hydrochloride. Electrocardiographic (ECG) records were obtained both preoperatively and at 1, 5, and 10 minutes after spinal block, and the QT, QTc, QTd, and corrected QTd (QTcd) intervals were estimated using Bazett's formula. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups within the QT and QTc intervals. QTcd measured after post-operative was significantly higher in Group II (P = .007). CONCLUSION: The results indicated that spinal anaesthesia may prolong the QTdc interval in patients with a gestational week of ≥39 weeks undergoing cesarean section.

Intracranial extra-axial mesenchymal chondrosarcoma in a 16-month-old patient with a literature review of pediatric patients.

Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma is a rare high-grade malignant subtype of chondrosarcoma that is characterized by undifferentiated, round, or spindled mesenchymal cells, interspersed with islands of hyaline cartilage. We report a primary intracranial extra-axial mesenchymal chondrosarcoma in a 16-month-old patient with a review of the literature focusing on intracranial extra-axial MCs with or without skull involvement in pediatric patients, including differential diagnosis. The patient was admitted with a swelling in the right temporooccipital region. There was intracranial extra-dural extension of the mass, which abuts the neural parenchyma without any invasion. A complete tumor resection was performed. Pathological diagnosis was mesenchymal chondrosarcoma. The patient was free of symptoms after surgery.

The effect of human papilloma virus vaccination on embryo yield and clinical in vitro fertilisation outcomes: a matched retrospective cohort study.

The effects of HPV vaccination on embryo yield and pregnancy outcomes in IVF cycles with fresh embryo transfer (ET) were investigated. First, embryo yielding rates (EYR) in 2795 cycles with and without HPV vaccination were compared by retrospective cohort study design. EYR of HPV vaccinated and non-vaccinated patients were not significantly different (OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 0.76-3.63). Second, ET outcomes were compared for 155 HPV vaccine + cycles and 465 HPV vaccine - cycles after matching for ages and cycle attempt number. The differences in the number of retrieved oocytes (10.2 ± 6.1, 11.2 ± 6.7; p = .161), mature (MII) oocytes (8.7 ± 5.7, 9.8 ± 6.3; p = .088), two pronuclear zygotes (2PN) (5.4 ± 4.1, 6.1 ± 4.6; p = .110) and fertilisation rates (0.62 ± 0.23, 0.62 ± 0.23; p = .539) were insignificant between the two groups. Moreover, positive (OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.47-1.16), clinical (0.60; 0.36-1.01) and the ongoing pregnancy (0.55; 0.30-1.01) rates were lower in the HPV vaccinated group but the difference was not statistically significant.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? There are recent case studies that report premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) following a post-vaccination autoimmune response against the HPV vaccine. These studies suggest that the possible trigger for the immune reaction might be the immunogen content of the vaccine. However, the number of clinical studies investigating the effects of the HPV vaccine on reproductive function and in vitro fertilisation outcomes is limited.What do the results of this study add? In contrast to the case reports suggesting impaired reproductive and ovarian functions in HPV vaccinated patients, this study finds that in IVF patients HPV vaccinated and non-vaccinated women have similar EYR, MII, 2PN, oocyte counts, fertilisation rates, positive, clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The results suggest the HPV vaccine does not have a negative impact on embryo yielding rates oocyte counts and fertilisation rates, positive, clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates in IVF treatments. Hence, they can be safely used for primary prevention against cervical cancer.

A primary third ventricle mixed germ cell tumor with leptomeningeal dissemination of immature teratoma component.

A 17-year-old male patient presented to the clinic with a headache, nausea, and vomiting. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a fat-containing and -enhancing heterogeneous tumor in the third ventricle, and fat droplets within the ventricles and the subarachnoid space. Obstructive hydrocephalus was also present. Emergency subtotal removal of the mass was performed via interhemispheric transcallosal approach. The histopathological diagnosis was a mixed germ cell tumor that was composed of embryonal carcinoma, yolk-sac tumor, germinoma, and immature teratoma containing a large amount of mature elements. The patient was referred for postoperative chemoradiotherapy. A mixed germ cell tumor is a rare type of nongerminomatous germ cell tumor that is made up of at least two different types of germ cell tumors. These may include germinoma, choriocarcinoma, embryonal carcinoma, yolk sac tumor, mature teratoma, immature teratoma, or teratoma with malignant degeneration. As far as we know, this is the first reported case of a primary third ventricle mixed germ cell tumor with leptomeningeal dissemination of the immature teratoma component that contains grossly visible mature elements at admission.

Thyroid uptake test with portable device (COTI) after 131I tracer administration: proof of concept.

COTI (collar therapy indicator) has been recently introduced for the detection of gamma rays with emphasis on thyroid investigations. The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of a prototype version of COTI including activity detectors with low sensitivity in performing thyroid uptake measurements for a large group of patients. Consequently, thyroid uptake tests were carried out for a total of 89 patients (22 males and 67 females; age: 44 ± 13 years) with thyroid cancer (n = 74), hyperthyroidism (n = 16) at 2 and 24 h after administration of 0.44-2 MBq of 131I. Eight individuals among the thyroid cancer patients were monitored up to 96 h after administration. The COTI device was equipped with two CsI (Tl) detectors, known as LoHi type, sensitive to activity ranges from 0.02 to 30 MBq of 131I. The uptake values from COTI were compared with those measured with a standard probe. It was found that the mean uptake of thyroid activity in thyroid cancer patients was 2.1 ± 1.3% at 2 h when measured with the standard probe, while it was 2.2 ± 1.2% when measured with COTI. In addition, the average uptake at 24 h after administration was 2.5 ± 3.2% and 3.2 ± 3.8% measured with COTI and the standard probe, respectively. A strong correlation was found at 24 h between the results obtained with COTI and the standard probe, while a weaker correlation was seen at 2 h. Overall, there was no significant difference between the results obtained with the standard probe and those obtained with COTI at both 2 and 24 h (Pvalue ≥ 0.05). Besides, 85% of the uptake values measured with COTI were less than those measured with the standard probe at the 24 h after administration. The average uptake value was 0.9 ± 0.8% after 96 h by COTI, and 1.4 ± 1.3% by the standard probe. Pertaining to the hyperthyroidism patients, COTI showed mean uptake values of 20 ± 16% and 23 ± 18% at 2 and 24 h, respectively. In contrast, the standard probe suggested higher mean uptake values of 26 ± 18% and 30 ± 22%, respectively. It is concluded that the prototype of COTI used in the present study has been proved to be a feasible and promising tool in thyroid investigations. It is noted, however, that the next COTI generation should include detectors equipped with collimator and energy discrimination.

Octreotide and lanreotide decrease ovarian ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by improving oxidative and nitrosative stress.

AIM: To investigate the protective effect of octreotide and lanreotide on ovarian damage in experimental ovarian ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS: Fifty-six rats were separated into seven groups; group 1: sham group, group 2: surgical control group with 3-h torsion and detorsion, group 3: 0.02 mg/kg s.c. octreotide 30 min before 3-h torsion, group 4; octreotide just after detorsion for 7 days, group 5: octreotide 30 min before torsion and just after detorsion for 7 days, group 6: single time 20 mg/kg s.c. lanreotide before torsion, group 7: single time lanreotide just after detorsion. RESULTS: All histopathological scores except congestion were significantly lower in group 1 than other groups. In addition, hemorrhage (group 2 vs 4: P < 0.05), degeneration (group 2 vs 4: P < 0.05, group 2 vs 5: P < 0.01 and group 2 vs 6: P < 0.05) and total damage score (group 2 vs 4: P < 0.05, group 2 vs 5: P < 0.05, group 2 vs 6: P < 0.05 and group 2 vs 7: P < 0.05) were significantly lower than other groups. Moreover, ovarian tissue total oxidant status and oxidative stress index levels were significantly decreased in groups 5 (both P < 0.05) and 7 (both P < 0.05) when compared to group 2. Furthermore, tissue levels of peroxynitrite were significantly higher in group 2 than groups 1, 3 and 5 (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Octreotide and lanreotide have a protective role against ischemia-reperfusion damage in rat torsion detorsion model by improving histopathological and biochemical findings including tissue levels of total oxidant status, oxidative stress index and peroxynitrite.

Melatonin attenuates ovarian ischemia reperfusion injury in rats by decreasing oxidative stress index and peroxynitrite

Background/aim: To evaluate the protective effect of melatonin on ovarian ischemia reperfusion injury in a rat model. Materials and methods: Forty-eight rats were separated equally into 6 groups. Group 1: sham; Group 2: surgical control with 3-h bilateral ovarian torsion and detorsion; Group 3: intraperitoneal 5% ethanol (1 mL) just after detorsion (as melatonin was dissolved in ethanol); Group 4: 10 mg/kg intraperitoneal melatonin 30 min before 3-h torsion; Group 5:10 mg/kg intraperitoneal melatonin just after detorsion; Group 6:10 mg/kg intraperitoneal melatonin 30 min before torsion and just after detorsion. Both ovaries and blood samples were obtained 7 days after detorsion for histopathological and biochemical analysis. Results: In Group 1, serum levels of total oxidant status (TOS) (µmol H2O2 equivalent/g wet tissue)were significantly lower than in Group2 (P = 0.0023), while tissue TOS levels were lower than in Group 3 (P = 0.0030). Similarly, serum and tissue levels of peroxynitrite in Group 6were significantly lower than those ofGroup 2 (P = 0.0023 and P = 0.040, respectively). Moreover, serum oxidative stress index (OSI) (arbitrary unit) levels were significantly increased in Group 2 when compared to groups 1 and 6 (P = 0.0023 and P= 0.0016, respectively) and in Group 3 with respect to groups 1, 4, 5, and 6 (P = 0.0023, P = 0.0026, P = 0.0008, and P = 0.0011, respectively). Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in histopathological scores including follicular degeneration, vascular congestion, hemorrhage, and inflammation in the melatonin and sham groups in comparison with control groups. Additionally, primordial follicle count was significantly higher in Group 6 than in Group 2 (P = 0.0002). Conclusion: Melatonin attenuates ischemia reperfusion damage in a rat torsion/detorsion model by improving histopathological and biochemical findings including OSI and peroxynitrite.