Optimization and validation of a label-free MRM method for the quantification of cytochrome P450 isoforms in biological samples.

Cytochromes P450 (CYPs) play critical roles in oxidative metabolism of many endogenous and exogenous compounds. Protein expression levels of CYPs in liver provide relevant information for a better understanding of the importance of CYPs in pharmacology and toxicology. This work aimed at establishing a simple method to quantify six CYPs (CYP3A4, CYP3A5, CYP1A2, CYP2D6, CYP2C9, and CYP2J2) in various biological samples without isotopic labeling. The biological matrix was spiked with the standard peptides prior to the digestion step to realize a label-free quantification by mass spectrometry. The method was validated and applied to quantify these six isoforms in both human liver microsomes and mitochondria, but also in recombinant expression systems such as baculosomes and the HepG2 cell line. The results showed intra-assay and interassay accuracy and precision within 16 % and 5 %, respectively, at the low quality control level, and demonstrated the advantages of the method in terms of reproducibility and cost.

Medical Students Understanding of The Scope of Plastic Surgery.

Background Plastic surgery has developed to benefit in a variety of challenging areas formerly handled by other disciplines. Medical students do not have a clear picture of plastic surgery as a career due to lacking scope, clinical practice, and understanding of plastic surgery as a clinical area of expertise, including general practitioners, nursing staff, medical trainees, and the general public, and misconceptions about the extent of reconstructive and plastic surgery. Methods A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on Kuwait University Medical students (2nd-7th Years) over a period of 1 month. A questionnaire and a consent form were provided to eligible students. The inclusion criteria were Kuwait University Medical students from 2nd to 7th Years with signed consent form. The response was collected via email sent in coordination with the Vice Dean of Student Affairs in the Faculty of Medicine. Using statistical package for the social sciences, responses were statistically analyzed. Pearson's chi-square test was used to calculate p -values, where p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results A total of 244 eligible medical students, 121 males and 123 females, were included in the study, with a mean age of 21 (±2) years. Similarly, 126 (51.6%) were preclinical students (2nd-4th-year students), while 118 (48.4%) were clinical students (5th-7th-year students). About 79.8% of medical students believed that plastic surgery plays an essential role in trauma management, whereas 9.2% did not consider plastic surgery significant for trauma management. This study found that only 15.5% of medical students were interested in enrolling in plastic surgery residency after graduation, while 47.1% of students did not consider plastic surgery residency after graduation. However, 37.4% were uncertain. The two most driving factors in deciding on plastic surgery residency were expected income (61.8%) and lifestyle (14.3%). Conclusion Improving medical students' education quality can enhance their perception and awareness of plastic surgery. Students should be taught the broader scope of plastic surgery. The inclusion of formal training during undergraduation is the essence of time and should be added to or improved during plastic surgery rotations with more emphasis on reconstructive and hand/peripheral nerve surgery. Student-led interest groups can be a useful tool for educating students about their specialty.

An Adult With Dyke-Davidoff-Masson Syndrome: A Case Report.

Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome (DDMS) is a rare disease affecting the brain with almost 100 cases previously reported, with only 21 cases among adults. Due to the intricacy of clinical manifestations and radiological findings, it is difficult to reach the diagnosis. It usually includes atrophy of the cerebral hemisphere, dilation of the lateral ventricle, hypertrophy of skull bones, and hyperpneumatization of air sinuses. Herein, we present a case of a 55-year-old female patient who presented with a new-onset seizure. This case emphasizes the importance of considering DDMS in the differential diagnosis of adult-onset seizures, especially in patients with a previous history of brain insult, and demonstrates the possibility of developing this condition despite the lack of childhood symptoms. To our knowledge, this is the first case reported in Jordan.

Renovascular Compression by the Diaphragmatic Crus: A Case Report.

Renovascular hypertension (RVHT) is among the most prevalent causes of treatment-resistant hypertension. Mostly it is caused by renal artery stenosis (RAS). With atherosclerosis being the most common cause of RAS, RAS due to external compression by the diaphragmatic crus is rare. The treatment of rare causes requires individualization due to the differences between their etiologies. Herein, we present a case of an 18-year-old patient presenting with high blood pressure readings. On follow-up, he was diagnosed with hypertension. On further evaluation, the right diaphragmatic crus compressed the right renal artery. This case emphasizes medical management in patients with hypertension secondary to diaphragmatic crus compression, and radiological findings in such cases.

Management of Glaucoma in an Adult Presentation of Sturge-Weber Syndrome.

Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) is a rare neurocutaneous syndrome. It is described by the presence of leptomeningeal angiomas, ocular involvement such as choroidal hemangioma and glaucoma, and port-wine stain over the face. Management of SWS-associated ocular complications is challenging and needs regular follow-ups. Herein, we present a case of a 28-year-old male patient who underwent glaucoma surgery but did not adhere to regular follow-ups and later presented with left-sided exophthalmos and eye pain. Management with medical treatment (latanoprost) was effective in the short term, but regular follow-ups are crucial to prevent further progression due to high failure rates.

Duplex Collecting System With Ectopic Ureter Into the Posterior Urethra: A Case Report.

The ureters are muscular tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder and are typically implanted in the superolateral angle of the trigone of the urinary bladder. Although renal anomalies are common, especially in the kidneys, ectopia of the ureter is rare. Clinical presentation depends on the insertion of the ectopic ureter, varying from asymptomatic (mostly in males) to recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and incontinence (mostly in females). Radiology is the best diagnostic tool to achieve a diagnosis. Ultrasound (US), intravenous renogram (IVR), micturition cystourethrogram (MCUG), and others are used to diagnose ectopic ureters, with US and MCUG being the gold standard modalities. Treatment depends on the functionality of the part drained by the ectopic ureter. Heminephroureterectomy and ureteroureterostomy are among surgical treatments for ectopic ureter, and it is either open or laparoscopic surgery. Herein, we present a case of a four-year-old female patient who presented with recurrent UTIs and incontinence.

Adult Presentation of Joubert Syndrome Presenting With Dysphagia: A Case Report.

Joubert syndrome (JS) is a rare autosomal recessive disease affecting the cilium, an intracellular organelle. It has a wide spectrum of presentations with the involvement of multiple genes. JS has multiple subtypes that are either pure JS or JS with other organ involvement such as the kidneys, liver, and others. However, all subtypes share the involvement of the cerebellar peduncles and the brainstem, which presents as "a molar tooth sign" on magnetic resonance imaging, hypotonia, and intellectual disability. It has a higher prevalence among children with few able to survive to adulthood. Unfortunately, survivors live with debilitating comorbidities. Here, we present the case of a 20-year-old patient who presented with a new onset of dysphagia that led to a diagnosis of JS.

Supradiaphragmatic origin of the right renal artery: a case report.

Renal arteries are the main blood supply to the kidneys. They originate from the abdominal aorta at the level of the first and second lumbar vertebrae. However, variations in their origin are common. Therefore, studying renal arteries before any surgical intervention such as renal transplant surgery, conservative or radical renal surgeries, renal trauma, and others, is crucial to avoid undesirable avoidable complications or morbidities. Herein, we report a case of an isolated right supradiaphragmatic renal artery that was discovered incidentally in a 66-year-old female patient with normal blood pressure.

Two-stage Reconstruction of Hand Extensor Tendons Using Silicon Rods.

The extensor system of the hand is an intricate complex component that involves a working balance between the extrinsic and intrinsic muscles of extension. Injuries to the extensor tendons are typically repaired primarily or by tendon transfers or grafts at a second stage. A 16-year-old boy sustained a right hand crush injury following an all-terrain vehicle accident, resulting in the loss of dorsal skin and extensor tendons of digits 3, 4, and 5 involving extensor zones 4-6, and oblique fractures in the second and third metacarpal bones. Primary surgery involved fixation of aforementioned fractures utilizing K-wires along with superficial circumflex iliac artery flap coverage for the raw areas post debridement. Following this, primary extensor tendon reconstruction was performed using silicon Hunter rod implants and autologous tendon grafts via a two-stage approach. Over a 2-year postoperative period, the patient demonstrated active functional extension of all four fingers with some limitations to range of motion. This case report supports the hypothesis that the pseudo-synovial sheaths created by silicone rod implants assist the easy gliding motion of tendon grafts in the second stage of reconstruction, reducing the risk of tendon adhesions, shortening, and extension lag.