Beyond the Norm: Unveiling a Dermoid Cyst in an Inguinal Hernia Case.

This case report focuses on a rare presentation of a dermoid cyst within an inguinal hernia in a 15-year-old male patient. The patient presented with a four-day history of a persistent, non-reducible, physical exertion-related bulge in the left groin area, which improved upon lying supine. Ultrasound investigations revealed a complex cystic structure resembling a dermoid cyst within a left direct inguinal hernia. Post-operative histopathology confirmed the dermoid cyst with no signs of malignancy. This case emphasizes the need for a high degree of suspicion when dealing with inguinal swellings, as rare entities like epidermal cysts may mimic more common conditions like inguinal hernias.

GRP78 is Overexpressed in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Tissues and is Associated with High VEGF Expression in Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Neovascularization is essential for the growth and progression of tumor tissues. GRP78 is frequently overexpressed in various cancers and has been suggested as a proangiogenic factor. PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the expression levels of GRP78 and to test for significant relationships with the angiogenic markers, VEGF, and CD31. METHODS: In this study, paraffin-embedded NSCLC tissue samples (71 adenocarcinomas and 23 squamous cell carcinoma) were retrospectively collected from 94 patients with NSCLC. The expressions of VEGF, CD31, and GRP78 were determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: High expression levels of VEGF and GRP78 were observed in 65 and 74 cases, respectively. Thirty-six patients expressed high CD31 levels. Adenocarcinomas expressed higher levels of the three proteins than squamous cell carcinomas (p-value < 0.05). Moreover, a statistically significant association was found between the expression levels of VEGF and CD31 (p-value = 0.001) and VEGF and GRP78 (p-value=0.028). CONCLUSION: GRP78 overexpression was revealed in most of the investigated samples. The positive association between VEGF and GRP78 may indicate the proangiogenic role of GRP78 in lung cancer. Moreover, the positive association between VEGF and CD31 expression levels suggests that VEGF may cooperate with CD31 to promote angiogenesis in NSCLC.

Radiation dose and lifetime risk for radiation-induced cancer due to natural radioactivity in tap water from Jordan.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the radiological quality of drinking water in Ma'an governorate, which includes the archeological city of Petra and is one of Jordan's most important tourist destinations. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study in southern Jordan that investigates radioactivity in drinking water and its potential to cause cancer. A liquid scintillation detector was used to measure gross alpha and gross beta activities in tap water samples from Ma'an governorate. A high-purity Germanium detector was used to measure the activity concentrations of 226Ra and 228Ra. Gross alpha, gross beta, 226Ra, and 228Ra activities were < 110-724 mBq/l, < 220-362 mBq/l, < 11-241 mBq/l, and < 32-49 mBq/l, respectively. The results were compared to internationally recommended levels and literature values. Annual effective doses ([Formula: see text]) from 226 and 228Ra intake were calculated for infants, children, and adults. The highest doses were found for children while the lowest were found for infants. For each water sample, the lifetime risk of radiation-induced cancer (LTR) was calculated for the whole population. All of the LTR values were lower than the value recommended by the World Heath Organisation. It is concluded that there are no significant radiation-related health risks associated with consumption of tap water from the studied region.

Study of resveratrol against bone loss by using in-silico and in-vitro methods / Estudo do resveratrol contra a perda óssea usando métodos in silico e in vitro

By applying the in-silico method, resveratrol was docked on those proteins which are responsible for bone loss. The Molecular docking data between the resveratrol and Receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa-Β ligand [RANKL] receptors proved that resveratrol binds tightly to the receptors, showed the highest binding affinities of −6.9, −7.6, −7.1, −6.9, −6.7, and −7.1 kcal/mol. According to in-vitro data, Resveratrol reduced the osteoclasts after treating Marrow-Derived Macrophages [BMM] with Macrophage colony-stimulating factor [MCSF] 20ng / ml and RANKL 50ng / ml, with different concentrations of resveratrol (2.5, 10 μg / ml) For 7 days, the cells were treated with MCSF (20 ng / ml) and RANKL (40 ng / ml) together with concentrated trimethyl ether and resveratrol (2.5, 10 μg / ml) within 12 hours. Which, not affect cell survival. After fixing osteoclast cells with formaldehyde fixative on glass coverslip followed by incubation with 0.1% Triton X-100 in PBS for 5 min and after that stain with rhodamine phalloidin staining for actin and Hoechst for nuclei. Fluorescence microscopy was performed to see the distribution of filaments actin [F.actin]. Finally, resveratrol reduced the actin ring formation. Resveratrol is the best bioactive compound for drug preparation against bone loss.

Com a aplicação do método in-silico, o resveratrol foi ancorado nas proteínas responsáveis pela perda óssea. Os dados de docking molecular entre o resveratrol e o ligante do receptor ativador do fator nuclear kappa-Β [Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor kappa-B Ligant (RANKL)] provaram que o resveratrol se liga fortemente aos receptores, mostraram as afinidades de ligação mais altas de −6,9, −7,6, −7,1, −6,9, - 6,7 e -7,1 kcal / mol. De acordo com dados in-vitro, o resveratrol reduziu os osteoclastos após o tratamento de macrófagos derivados da medula óssea [Bone Marrow derived Macrophage (BMM)] com fator estimulador de colônias de macrófagos [Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (MCSF)] 20ng / ml e RANKL 50ng / ml, com diferentes concentrações de resveratrol (2,5, 10 μg / ml). Durante sete dias, as células foram tratadas com MCSF (20 ng / ml) e RANKL (40 ng / ml) juntamente com éter trimetílico concentrado e resveratrol (2,5, 10 μg / ml) em 12 horas, processo que não afeta a sobrevivência celular. Após a fixação de células de osteoclastos com fixador de formaldeído em lamela de vidro seguido de incubação com 0,1% Triton X-100 em PBS por 5 min, foi realizado posteriormente o procedimento para corar com rodamina faloidina a actina e Hoechst os núcleos. A microscopia de fluorescência foi realizada para ver a distribuição dos filamentos de actina [F.actina]. Finalmente, o resveratrol reduziu a formação do anel de actina. O resveratrol é o melhor composto bioativo para o preparo de medicamentos contra a perda óssea.

Study of resveratrol against bone loss by using in-silico and in-vitro methods

Abstract By applying the in-silico method, resveratrol was docked on those proteins which are responsible for bone loss. The Molecular docking data between the resveratrol and Receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa- ligand [RANKL] receptors proved that resveratrol binds tightly to the receptors, showed the highest binding affinities of 6.9, 7.6, 7.1, 6.9, 6.7, and 7.1 kcal/mol. According to in-vitro data, Resveratrol reduced the osteoclasts after treating Marrow-Derived Macrophages [BMM] with Macrophage colony-stimulating factor [MCSF] 20ng / ml and RANKL 50ng / ml, with different concentrations of resveratrol (2.5, 10 g / ml) For 7 days, the cells were treated with MCSF (20 ng / ml) and RANKL (40 ng / ml) together with concentrated trimethyl ether and resveratrol (2.5, 10 g / ml) within 12 hours. Which, not affect cell survival. After fixing osteoclast cells with formaldehyde fixative on glass coverslip followed by incubation with 0.1% Triton X-100 in PBS for 5 min and after that stain with rhodamine phalloidin staining for actin and Hoechst for nuclei. Fluorescence microscopy was performed to see the distribution of filaments actin [F.actin]. Finally, resveratrol reduced the actin ring formation. Resveratrol is the best bioactive compound for drug preparation against bone loss.

Resumo Com a aplicação do método in-silico, o resveratrol foi ancorado nas proteínas responsáveis pela perda óssea. Os dados de docking molecular entre o resveratrol e o ligante do receptor ativador do fator nuclear kappa- [Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor kappa-B Ligant (RANKL)] provaram que o resveratrol se liga fortemente aos receptores, mostraram as afinidades de ligação mais altas de 6,9, 7,6, 7,1, 6,9, - 6,7 e -7,1 kcal / mol. De acordo com dados in-vitro, o resveratrol reduziu os osteoclastos após o tratamento de macrófagos derivados da medula óssea [Bone Marrow-derived Macrophage (BMM)] com fator estimulador de colônias de macrófagos [Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (MCSF)] 20ng / ml e RANKL 50ng / ml, com diferentes concentrações de resveratrol (2,5, 10 g / ml). Durante sete dias, as células foram tratadas com MCSF (20 ng / ml) e RANKL (40 ng / ml) juntamente com éter trimetílico concentrado e resveratrol (2,5, 10 g / ml) em 12 horas, processo que não afeta a sobrevivência celular. Após a fixação de células de osteoclastos com fixador de formaldeído em lamela de vidro seguido de incubação com 0,1% Triton X-100 em PBS por 5 min, foi realizado posteriormente o procedimento para corar com rodamina faloidina a actina e Hoechst os núcleos. A microscopia de fluorescência foi realizada para ver a distribuição dos filamentos de actina [F.actina]. Finalmente, o resveratrol reduziu a formação do anel de actina. O resveratrol é o melhor composto bioativo para o preparo de medicamentos contra a perda óssea.

Study of resveratrol against bone loss by using in-silico and in-vitro methods / Estudo do resveratrol contra a perda óssea usando métodos in silico e in vitro

Abstract By applying the in-silico method, resveratrol was docked on those proteins which are responsible for bone loss. The Molecular docking data between the resveratrol and Receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa-Β ligand [RANKL] receptors proved that resveratrol binds tightly to the receptors, showed the highest binding affinities of −6.9, −7.6, −7.1, −6.9, −6.7, and −7.1 kcal/mol. According to in-vitro data, Resveratrol reduced the osteoclasts after treating Marrow-Derived Macrophages [BMM] with Macrophage colony-stimulating factor [MCSF] 20ng / ml and RANKL 50ng / ml, with different concentrations of resveratrol (2.5, 10 μg / ml) For 7 days, the cells were treated with MCSF (20 ng / ml) and RANKL (40 ng / ml) together with concentrated trimethyl ether and resveratrol (2.5, 10 μg / ml) within 12 hours. Which, not affect cell survival. After fixing osteoclast cells with formaldehyde fixative on glass coverslip followed by incubation with 0.1% Triton X-100 in PBS for 5 min and after that stain with rhodamine phalloidin staining for actin and Hoechst for nuclei. Fluorescence microscopy was performed to see the distribution of filaments actin [F.actin]. Finally, resveratrol reduced the actin ring formation. Resveratrol is the best bioactive compound for drug preparation against bone loss.

Resumo Com a aplicação do método in-silico, o resveratrol foi ancorado nas proteínas responsáveis ​​pela perda óssea. Os dados de docking molecular entre o resveratrol e o ligante do receptor ativador do fator nuclear kappa-Β [Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor kappa-B Ligant (RANKL)] provaram que o resveratrol se liga fortemente aos receptores, mostraram as afinidades de ligação mais altas de −6,9, −7,6, −7,1, −6,9, - 6,7 e -7,1 kcal / mol. De acordo com dados in-vitro, o resveratrol reduziu os osteoclastos após o tratamento de macrófagos derivados da medula óssea [Bone Marrow-derived Macrophage (BMM)] com fator estimulador de colônias de macrófagos [Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (MCSF)] 20ng / ml e RANKL 50ng / ml, com diferentes concentrações de resveratrol (2,5, 10 μg / ml). Durante sete dias, as células foram tratadas com MCSF (20 ng / ml) e RANKL (40 ng / ml) juntamente com éter trimetílico concentrado e resveratrol (2,5, 10 μg / ml) em 12 horas, processo que não afeta a sobrevivência celular. Após a fixação de células de osteoclastos com fixador de formaldeído em lamela de vidro seguido de incubação com 0,1% Triton X-100 em PBS por 5 min, foi realizado posteriormente o procedimento para corar com rodamina faloidina a actina e Hoechst os núcleos. A microscopia de fluorescência foi realizada para ver a distribuição dos filamentos de actina [F.actina]. Finalmente, o resveratrol reduziu a formação do anel de actina. O resveratrol é o melhor composto bioativo para o preparo de medicamentos contra a perda óssea.

Study of resveratrol against bone loss by using in-silico and in-vitro methods.

By applying the in-silico method, resveratrol was docked on those proteins which are responsible for bone loss. The Molecular docking data between the resveratrol and Receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa-Β ligand [RANKL] receptors proved that resveratrol binds tightly to the receptors, showed the highest binding affinities of -6.9, -7.6, -7.1, -6.9, -6.7, and -7.1 kcal/mol. According to in-vitro data, Resveratrol reduced the osteoclasts after treating Marrow-Derived Macrophages [BMM] with Macrophage colony-stimulating factor [MCSF] 20ng / ml and RANKL 50ng / ml, with different concentrations of resveratrol (2.5, 10 µg / ml) For 7 days, the cells were treated with MCSF (20 ng / ml) and RANKL (40 ng / ml) together with concentrated trimethyl ether and resveratrol (2.5, 10 µg / ml) within 12 hours. Which, not affect cell survival. After fixing osteoclast cells with formaldehyde fixative on glass coverslip followed by incubation with 0.1% Triton X-100 in PBS for 5 min and after that stain with rhodamine phalloidin staining for actin and Hoechst for nuclei. Fluorescence microscopy was performed to see the distribution of filaments actin [F.actin]. Finally, resveratrol reduced the actin ring formation. Resveratrol is the best bioactive compound for drug preparation against bone loss.

Anemia, Iron Deficiency, and Iron Supplementation in Relation to Mortality among HIV-Infected Patients Receiving Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in Tanzania.

Anemia in HIV-infected patients improves with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART); however, it may still be associated with mortality among patients receiving treatment. We examined the associations of anemia severity and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) at HAART initiation and during monthly prospective follow-up with mortality among 40,657 adult HIV-infected patients receiving HAART in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Proportional hazards models were used to examine the associations of anemia severity and IDA at HAART initiation and during follow-up with mortality. A total of 6,261 deaths were reported. Anemia severity at HAART initiation and during follow-up was associated with an increasing risk of mortality (trend tests P < 0.001). There was significantly higher mortality risk associated with IDA at HAART initiation and during follow-up versus no anemia or iron deficiency (both P < 0.001). These associations differed significantly by gender, body mass index, and iron supplement use (all interaction test P < 0.001). The magnitude of association was stronger among men. Mortality risk with severe anemia was 13 times greater versus no anemia among obese patients, whereas it was only two times greater among underweight patients. Higher mortality risk was observed among iron supplement users, irrespective of anemia severity. Anemia and IDA were significantly associated with a higher mortality risk in patients receiving HAART. Iron supplementation indicated an increased mortality risk, and its role in HIV infections should be examined in future studies. Given the low cost of assessing anemia, it can be used frequently to identify high-risk patients in resource-limited settings.

Acute fasting-induced repression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis is reversed by RF-9 administration in the adult male macaque.

Recently, hypothalamic RFRP-3 (a mammalian ortholog of avian GnIH) signaling has been proposed as an important negative modulator of the reproductive axis. The current study examined whether repression of reproductive hormonal expression during short-term fasting conditions in higher-order primate is influenced by altered RFRP-3 signaling. Eight intact postpubertal male macaques (Macaca mulatta) were administered a single intravenous bolus of RF-9 (n = 4), a potent and putative RFRP-3 receptor antagonist, or vehicle (n = 4) following a 48-h fasting condition. Intermittent blood samples were collected every 30 min during the 4-h post-bolus period, and blood glucose, plasma cortisol, and testosterone concentrations were measured. Relative to fed conditions, fasting reduced glucose and testosterone levels (p < 0.005) and increased cortisol levels (p < 0.05). Relative to baseline, mean testosterone levels were elevated 150 min after RF-9 (p < 0.05) but not vehicle administration. In addition, elevated mean plasma testosterone levels following RF-9 administration were equivalent to levels observed in normal fed monkeys. These results suggest an important role for RFRP-3 signaling in conveying metabolic state information to the reproductive axis in higher primates.

Anaemia, prenatal iron use, and risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To summarise evidence on the associations of maternal anaemia and prenatal iron use with maternal haematological and adverse pregnancy outcomes; and to evaluate potential exposure-response relations of dose of iron, duration of use, and haemoglobin concentration in prenatal period with pregnancy outcomes. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis DATA SOURCES: Searches of PubMed and Embase for studies published up to May 2012 and references of review articles. STUDY SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised trials of prenatal iron use and prospective cohort studies of prenatal anaemia; cross sectional and case-control studies were excluded. RESULTS: 48 randomised trials (17 793 women) and 44 cohort studies (1 851 682 women) were included. Iron use increased maternal mean haemoglobin concentration by 4.59 (95% confidence interval 3.72 to 5.46) g/L compared with controls and significantly reduced the risk of anaemia (relative risk 0.50, 0.42 to 0.59), iron deficiency (0.59, 0.46 to 0.79), iron deficiency anaemia (0.40, 0.26 to 0.60), and low birth weight (0.81, 0.71 to 0.93). The effect of iron on preterm birth was not significant (relative risk 0.84, 0.68 to 1.03). Analysis of cohort studies showed a significantly higher risk of low birth weight (adjusted odds ratio 1.29, 1.09 to 1.53) and preterm birth (1.21, 1.13 to 1.30) with anaemia in the first or second trimester. Exposure-response analysis indicated that for every 10 mg increase in iron dose/day, up to 66 mg/day, the relative risk of maternal anaemia was 0.88 (0.84 to 0.92) (P for linear trend<0.001). Birth weight increased by 15.1 (6.0 to 24.2) g (P for linear trend=0.005) and risk of low birth weight decreased by 3% (relative risk 0.97, 0.95 to 0.98) for every 10 mg increase in dose/day (P for linear trend<0.001). Duration of use was not significantly associated with the outcomes after adjustment for dose. Furthermore, for each 1 g/L increase in mean haemoglobin, birth weight increased by 14.0 (6.8 to 21.8) g (P for linear trend=0.002); however, mean haemoglobin was not associated with the risk of low birth weight and preterm birth. No evidence of a significant effect on duration of gestation, small for gestational age births, and birth length was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Daily prenatal use of iron substantially improved birth weight in a linear dose-response fashion, probably leading to a reduction in risk of low birth weight. An improvement in prenatal mean haemoglobin concentration linearly increased birth weight.

Daily contact with a patient and poor housing affordability as determinants of pulmonary tuberculosis in urban Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) among individuals aged 15years or more in urban Karachi, Pakistan. DESIGN AND SETTING: A case-control design was implemented in three major tertiary-care hospitals to select cases (n=342) with active pulmonary TB (i.e. two sputum smears positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis with clinical and radiographic evidence of current pulmonary TB and diagnosed between August 2002 and October 2003. Selected controls (n=342) were surgery patients from the same hospitals at time of recruitment of the cases, without clinical and radiographic evidence of pulmonary TB. RESULTS: Multivariable logistic regression model showed that daily contact with a pulmonary TB patient (adjusted odds ratio [ORadj])=5.07; 95% CI: 3.31, 7.78), and poor housing affordability (i.e. rented vs. owned) (ORadj=1.59; 95% CI: 1.13, 2.26) were significantly associated with pulmonary TB status. The overall adjusted summary population attributable risk (%) for both the risk factors together was 38.7. CONCLUSION: Reaching out to underprivileged TB patients for delivery of DOTS and focused education of patients and their contacts about M. tuberculosis transmission mode may substantially minimize pulmonary TB risk in this and similar settings.

First Report of Ratoon Stunt of Sugarcane Caused by Leifsonia xyli subsp. xyli in Pakistan.

Sugarcane (Saccharum hybrids), the second largest cash crop of Pakistan, is planted on 1.029 million ha with an annual production of 50 million tons. During a survey of the sugarcane crop in Faisalabad, Sargodha, and the Dera Ghazi Khan Division of the Punjab Province of Pakistan from 2007 to 2010, symptoms consistent with ratoon stunting, including stunted growth and reddening of the vascular bundles at the nodal regions (1), was observed on sugarcane cvs. CP77-400, SPF-241, CP72-2086, and NCo-310. CP72-2086 and NCo-310 showed severely stunted growth in both crop cycles. A chemical test was performed for detecting ratoon stunt from the field. Longitudinal sections of mature nodes were treated with a combination of hydrogen peroxide and hydrochloric acid. Healthy canes developed a blue-green color in the parenchymatous tissue around the fibrovascular bundles, diseased cane did not. This field test illustrated that as much as 25% of the plants were infected by ratoon stunt in the survey area. Aerobic bacteria were isolated from a stunted sample (NCo-310) on modified sugarcane medium (17 g of cornmeal agar, 8 g of peptone from soy meal, 1 g of K2HPO4, 1 g of KH2PO4, 0.2 g of MgSO4·7H2O, 0.5 g of glucose, 1 g of cysteinefree base, 2 g of bovine serum albumin, and 15 mg of bovine hemin chloride) and incubated for 3 to 4 weeks at 28°C. Light, off-white, round, and raised growth bacterial colonies (1.5 to 4.5 × 0.2 to 0.35 µm). Isolates were positive for the gram and catalase reactions and negative for oxidase, aesculin hydrolysis, urease production, and motility. The pathogen was identified as Leifsonia xyli subsp. xyli (formerly Clavibacter xyli subsp. xyli) based on its morphological characteristics (2). A direct antigen coating-ELISA was developed with antiserum raised against L. xyli subsp. xyli at the National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Infected or suspected to be infected plants of different cultivars were used for an ELISA test. Results showed that sugarcane cvs. NCo-310 (Log 1.342 CFU/ml) and CP72-2086 (Log 0.118 CFU/ml) had higher L. xyli subsp. xyli titres than the other cultivars tested (SPF-213 [Log 0.071CFU/ml], CPF-237 [Log 0.077CFU/ml], HSF-240 [Log 0.069 CFU/ml], NSG-555 [Log 0.060 CFU/ml], SPSG-26 [Log 0.076 CFU/ml], SPSG-79 [Log 0.074 CFU/ml], SPF-238 [Log 0.057 CFU/ml], and CP77-400 [Log 0.063 CFU/ml]). Cv. SPF-241 (Log 0.107 CFU/ml) was weakly positive for ratoon stunt (4). Axillary buds of sugarcane were injected via a sterile hypodermic syringe with an 18-gauge needle to deliver a bacterial suspension of 109 cells/ml (3). Inoculated sugarcane plants were examined at intervals over 9 months for the development of symptoms and the presence of bacteria. Cultivars were evaluated on the basis of average number of colonized vascular bundles. SPF-213, CPF-237, HSF-240, NSG-555, SPSG-26, SPSG-79, SPF-238, and CP77-400 were resistant; SPF-241 showed moderate resistance and CP72-2086 and NCo-310 were highly susceptible to ratoon stunt. The pathogen was reisolated from the inoculated plants and identified as L. xyli subsp. xyli by bacteriological tests and its serological reaction. To our knowledge, this is the first report of ratoon stunt of sugarcane in Punjab Province of Pakistan. References: (1) M. J. Davis et al. Science 210:1365, 1980. (2) L. I. Evtushenko et al. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 50:371, 2000. (3) M. P. Nayiager et al. Phytopathol. Z. 99:273, 1980. (4) G.-P. Rao and G.-P. Singh. Sugar Tech. 2:35, 2000.