Progression of untreated gastric and pulmonary metastasis in a patient with resected acral melanoma.

We report a man in his 80s who presents with epigastric abdominal pain and fatigue for 2 weeks. His medical history was significant for left toe acral melanoma (excised 6 years prior) and a lung mass, further workup for which was declined at the time by the patient. On presentation, he had iron deficiency anaemia and esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a gastric mass. Histopathological analysis of gastric and subsequently, pulmonary, lesions were consistent with metastatic melanoma. This case demonstrates the unique slow progression of untreated pulmonary metastasis in metastatic melanoma.

Severe obesity, increasing age and male sex are independently associated with worse in-hospital outcomes, and higher in-hospital mortality, in a cohort of patients with COVID-19 in the Bronx, New York.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: New York is the current epicenter of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The underrepresented minorities, where the prevalence of obesity is higher, appear to be affected disproportionately. Our objectives were to assess the characteristics and early outcomes of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in the Bronx and investigate whether obesity is associated with worse outcomes independently from age, gender and other comorbidities. METHODS: This retrospective study included the first 200 patients admitted to a tertiary medical center with COVID-19. The electronic medical records were reviewed at least three weeks after admission. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: 200 patients were included (female sex: 102, African American: 102). The median BMI was 30 kg/m2. The median age was 64 years. Hypertension (76%), hyperlipidemia (46.2%), and diabetes (39.5%) were the three most common comorbidities. Fever (86%), cough (76.5%), and dyspnea (68%) were the three most common symptoms. 24% died during hospitalization (BMI < 25 kg/m2: 31.6%, BMI 25-34 kg/m2: 17.2%, BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2: 34.8%, p = 0.03). Increasing age (analyzed in quartiles), male sex, BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 (reference: BMI 25-34 kg/m2), heart failure, CAD, and CKD or ESRD were found to have a significant univariate association with mortality. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 (reference: BMI 25-34 kg/m2, OR: 3.78; 95% CI: 1.45-9.83; p = 0.006), male sex (OR: 2.74; 95% CI: 1.25-5.98; p = 0.011) and increasing age (analyzed in quartiles, OR: 1.73; 95% CI: 1.13-2.63; p = 0.011) were independently associated with higher in-hospital mortality. Similarly, age, male sex, BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 and current or prior smoking were significant predictors for increasing oxygenation requirements in the multivariate analysis, while male sex, age and BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 were significant predictors in the multivariate analysis for the outcome of intubation. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in a minority-predominant population, severe obesity, increasing age, and male sex were independently associated with higher in-hospital mortality and in general worse in-hospital outcomes.

Case Report: An incidental finding of an metastases noted in a "cancer to cancer adrenal tumor " from a large malignant nerve sheath tumor of the thigh.

In cases of peripheral nerve sheath tumors, current guidelines do not recommend routine abdominal imaging to stage the disease, as extra-pulmonary metastasis is considered rare. We report a case of large peripheral nerve sheath tumor in a 40 year-old-female with neurofibromatosis type 1 who had isolated adrenal metastasis. She underwent primary and adrenal metastasis resection.

Rheumatoid arthritis in an adult patient with mosaic distal 18q-, 18p- and ring chromosome 18.

Ring chromosome 18 has a highly variable phenotype, depending on the extent of distal arm deletions. It is most commonly presented as a combination of 18p- and distal 18q- syndrome. IgA deficiency and autoimmune diseases have been previously described in these patients. Seven cases of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) have been reported. Here we report the first case of late onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a 32 year old Dominican woman with hypothyroidism, vitiligo, IgA deficiency, interstitial lung disease (ILD), cystic bronchiectasis, and features consistent with 18p- and distal 18q syndrome. Comparative genome hybridization analysis showed a del(18p11.21p11.32), dup(18q11.21-q22.1), and del(18q22.1-q23). Chromosomal analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization showed three cell lines. One cell line was detected with a dicentric ring chromosome, another with duplication of the long arm and no short arm, and lastly a long arm terminal deletion of 18. The multiple autoimmune findings in our patient lends further support to the idea of loci on chromosome 18 playing a role in autoimmune disease expression. Late onset RA and ILD in a patient with chromosome 18 abnormalities are novel findings and are additional conditions to be aware of in this population.

A bilateral primary yolk sac tumor of the lung associated with chromosome 3 polysomy: understanding the Oct 3/4 and Sox 2 interaction.

Extragonadal germ cell tumors (EGCTs) in the lung are extremely rare and their pathogenesis is poorly understood. We report a case in a 48-year-old female which was very aggressive and stained positive for primoridial germ cell markers. Interestingly, there was chromosome 3 polysomy noted. To our knowledge this is the first chromosomal aberration noted in a primary germ cell tumor of the lung.

Vertebral osteomyelitis and epidural abscesses caused by Prevotella oralis: a case report

An interesting case of pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis with multiple epidural abscesses caused by non-pigmented Prevotella oralis is reported. The patient was a 68-year-old female who presented to the emergency room (ER) with severe pain and tenderness in her lower back with fever. She had recently undergone esophagogastroduodensoscopy (EGD) for complaints of esophageal reflux, which showed submucosal cyst in the esophagus. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the thoracic spine revealed multiple spinal epidural abscesses with signal enhancement at the level of T6 and T7, suggestive of vertebral osteomyelitis. Two blood cultures drawn one hour apart grew Prevotella oralis. The body fluid aspirated from the abscesses was also positive for the anaerobic commensal P. oralis. Necrosis associated with the submucosal cyst was implicated as the cause of sepsis and osteomyelitis due to this organism.

Vertebral osteomyelitis and epidural abscesses caused by Prevotella oralis: a case report.

An interesting case of pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis with multiple epidural abscesses caused by non-pigmented Prevotella oralis is reported. The patient was a 68-year-old female who presented to the emergency room (ER) with severe pain and tenderness in her lower back with fever. She had recently undergone esophagogastroduodensoscopy (EGD) for complaints of esophageal reflux, which showed submucosal cyst in the esophagus. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the thoracic spine revealed multiple spinal epidural abscesses with signal enhancement at the level of T6 and T7, suggestive of vertebral osteomyelitis. Two blood cultures drawn one hour apart grew Prevotella oralis. The body fluid aspirated from the abscesses was also positive for the anaerobic commensal P. oralis. Necrosis associated with the submucosal cyst was implicated as the cause of sepsis and osteomyelitis due to this organism.

Molecular genetics of head and neck cancer (Review).

Understanding of molecular regulatory pathways presents a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of head and neck cancer. These specific check points are becoming the targeted therapeutic approach. In this review, we highlight certain major signaling mechanisms, which are involved in the pathophysiology of head and neck cancer. Also, we discuss the current ongoing trials based on the in vitro success of targeted therapies.

Incretins and thiazolidinediones in glucose homeostasis and cancer: role of common polymorphisms.

With growing epidemiologic and molecular evidence linking the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus and oncogenesis, the role of anti-diabetic drugs as antineoplastic agents becomes a subject of intense investigation. Several trials are underway assessing the effect of adding metformin to the existing chemotherapy regimen in the treatment of cancers. This review has a focus on other commonly used drugs classified into two broad groups, incretins and thiazolidinediones. The aim of this review is to discuss the common genetic polymorphisms implicated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM) and how they are linked to molecular pathways involved in carcinogenesis.

Intraabdominal focal fat infarction in a 75-year-old woman presenting as acute abdomen.

Epiploic appendagitis is a rare, self-limiting inflammation of the epiploic appendices or omental appendices. It presents as abdominal pain often misdiagnosed as appendicitis, cholecystitis, or diverticulitis. Epiploic appendagitis can be treated conservatively with anti-inflammatory and pain medications. It is important to diagnose this etiology of abdominal pain in order to avoid long-term hospital stay and other medical expenses including surgery. In this case report we present a rare case of epiploic appendagitis that presents in a 75 year old female patient.

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in a 37-year-old man with normal coronaries--it is not always cocaine!

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. With the increase in substance abuse, the incidence of acute myocardial infarction (MI) in younger population has been on the rise. Traditionally, cocaine has been blamed for acute MI; however, recently, there have been more incidences of marijuana as an inciting factor. We present a case of marijuana-induced acute MI and discuss the proposed mechanism.

HIV and bone loss.

The use of antiretroviral therapy has significantly reduced the number of deaths due to HIV/AIDS. However, no current therapy can suppress the virus completely, and as the HIV-infected population continues to live longer new complications are emerging from the persistence of the virus and use of antiretroviral therapy. This review summarizes the clinical evidence linking HIV-associated osteoporosis to direct infection and antiretroviral therapy (ART) use. The purported molecular mechanisms involved in bone loss are also reviewed. Additionally, recommendations regarding the pharmacologic management of HIV/ART-related osteoporosis are given.

Clinical etiology of myiasis in ENT: a reterograde period - interval study / Etiologia clínica da miíase em otorrinolaringologia: um estudo retrospectivo

Myiasis in ENT, once a deadly disease still presents as a significant outdoor problem, though advances in management including supportive therapy has led to early healing with significant reduction in bed occupancy rate. AIMS: To assess the clinico etiology, relationship of myiasis to habit and habitat of patients and to assess the changes in age, seasonal, socioeconomic incidence, nasal bacterial flora and usefulness of certain commonly done tests with reference to a gap of 25 years. MATERIALS & METHODS: The presenting study was conducted on 80 patients selected over a period of two time intervals ; first 40 cases were chosen from 1979 to 1980 and next 40 over 2003 to 2004. Cases were studied in a retrograde manner and data tabulated. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS: Atrophic turbinates was the commonest pathological finding in nose in 30 percent of cases . Significant change seen was in the age group 51 and above with a rise of 30 percent. Mode during 2003-04 was 60 years. Incidence of palatal perforation dropped from 17.88 to 2.5 percent . Klebsiella emerged as a significant contributor to the nasal microbial flora. VDRL and split skin smear showed poor etiological association for the diseases.

Miíase em ORL não é mais uma doença fatal, mas ainda está presente como um significativo problema em ambientes externos. Entretanto, progressos alcançados no tratamento, incluindo terapêutica de suporte, têm levado à cura precoce com significativa redução na taxa de internação hospitalar por causa dessa enfermidade. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a etiologia clínica e as associações entre miíase e os hábitos e habitats dos pacientes; e avaliar diferenças no tocante à idade, estação do ano, incidência socioeconômica, flora bacteriana nasal e a utilidade de certos exames comumente feitos - um estudo retrospectivo de 25 anos. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: O presente estudo envolveu 80 pacientes selecionados em dois períodos; os primeiros 40 casos foram selecionados de 1979 a 1980, e os 40 seguintes foram coletados entre 2003 e 2004. Os casos foram estudados de forma retrospectiva e os dados foram analisados em tabelas. RESULTADOS E CONCLUSÕES: Cornetos atróficos representaram o achado nasal patológico mais comum - em 30 por cento dos casos. Alterações significativas foram encontradas na faixa etária dos 51 anos e acima, com um aumento de 30 por cento nestes. A média etária entre 2003-04 foi de 60 anos. A incidência de perfuração palatina caiu de 17,88 por cento para 2,5 por cento. Klebsiella foi o germe mais significativamente presente na flora microbiana nasal. Os exames de VDRL e teste cutâneo mostraram pobre associação etiológica entre as doenças.

HIV-1 expression induces tubular cell G2/M arrest and apoptosis.

Human renal biopsy studies suggest the presence of HIV-1 and associated signs of injury in renal tubular epithelial cells. Because renal epithelial cells lack conventional HIV-1 receptors, the modus operandi of HIV-1 in the induction of tubular cell injury remains a mystery. In the present study, we evaluated the role of HIV-1 gene expression in human proximal tubular cell apoptosis and cell cycle progression. HIV-1- or vector-transduced cells were assayed for cellular injury and cell cycle defect. HIV-1-transduced cells showed the progressive loss of viability in a time-dependent manner. Similarly, HIV-1-transduced cells showed greater apoptosis when compared with vector-transduced cells. A higher number of HIV-1 expressing cells showed cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and enhanced tubular cell expression of phospho-p53(ser15), phospho-cdc-2(Tyr 15), and phospho-chk-2 (Thr 68). These findings suggest that in addition to the activation of apoptotic pathway, HIV-1-induced G2/M arrest may also contribute to tubular cell injury.