Reduced phosphorylated Foxp3 levels in Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a severe human infection which can lead to fatal consequences. Acute CCHF patients were previously shown to exhibit frequencies of regulatory T-cell (T_reg) but lower T_reg-mediated suppressive activities than the healthy counterparts. This study aims is to investigate the phosphorylation levels of Foxp3 protein (master regulator of T_reg cells) in CCHF patients. Blood samples collected from 18 CCHF patients and nine healthy volunteers were used to isolate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Total and phosphorylated Foxp3 expression levels in the isolated PBMC samples were monitored by western blot and quantified using ImageJ software. Total Foxp3 expression levels in CCHF patients displayed decreasing trend, but not significantly. In contrast, significantly lower expression levels of phosphorylated Foxp3 were reported in CCHF patients. Our results suggest a possible association between Foxp3 dephosphorylation and CCHF pathogenesis. Nevertheless, more studies are required to evaluate the effect of Foxp3 dephosphorylation on T_reg function, which would not only help to enlighten the CCHF pathogenesis but also contribute to the development of effective treatment strategies.

Innovative technique for patterning Nd-Fe-B arrays and development of a microfluidic device with high trapping efficiency

Trapping/separating bio-entities via magnetic field gradients created a vast number of possibilities to develop biosensors for the early detection of diseases without the need for expensive equipment or physician/lab technicians. Thus, opening a window for at-home disposable rapid test kits. In the scope of the current work, an innovative and cost-effective technique to form well-organized arrays of Nd-Fe-B patterns was successfully developed. High aspect ratio Nd-Fe-B flakes were synthesized by surfactant-assisted ball milling technique. Nd-Fe-B flakes were distributed and patterned into a PDMS matrix by the aforementioned technique. A microfluidic channel was integrated on the fabricated Nd-Fe-B/PDMS patch with a high magnetic field gradient to form a microfluidic device. Fe nanoparticles, suspended in hexane, were flowed through the microfluidic channel, and trapping of the magnetic nanoparticles was observed. More experiments would be needed to quantitatively study efficiency. Ergo, the microfluidic device with high trapping efficiency was developed. The established technique has the potential to outperform the precedents in trapping efficiency, cost, and ease of production. The developed device could be integrated into disposable test kits for the early detection of various diseases.

Diffuse nodular duodenitis in a woman presenting with dyspepsia and weight loss

Duodenal nodularity is an uncommon endoscopic finding charac-trized by numerous visible mucosal nodules in the duodenum. It is important to consider giardiasis in patients with symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, anorexia, diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss and abdominal distension. It is also important to remind giardiasis in patients with duodenal nodularity.

Fibrous dysplasia of inferior turbinate, middle turbinate, and frontal sinus

Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a non-neoplastic fibro-osseous lesion. Paranasal sinus involvement is infrequent. Involvement of the frontal sinus, sphenoid sinus, and middle turbinate is rare, and only sporadic cases have been reported in the literature. Nasal turbinates and especially the inferior turbinate are the least involved bones of the craniofacial region. To the best of our knowledge, only one case with McCune-Albright syndrome had FD of the inferior turbinate. Here, we report a rare case with FD of inferior and middle turbinates and review literature concerning FD of the craniofacial region.

The association of laryngoceles with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx presenting as a deep neck infection

OBJECTIVES

We present a case of an external laryngocele with laryngeal carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION

A laryngocele is a rare benign lesion of the larynx resulting from an abnormal dilation of the laryngeal saccule filled with air. When the neck of the laryngocele is obstructed, it fills with mucus and is called a laryngopyocele.

RESULTS

There may be a relationship between laryngoceles and squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx. A review of the literature found a reported association between laryngoceles and carcinomas of the larynx of between 4.9 and 54%. In this report, we present a case of an external laryngocele associated with laryngeal carcinoma. Another important point of this case is that a deep neck infection was the first symptom.

CONCLUSION

In the light of the cases presented in the literature, patients with a deep neck infection should undergo CT imaging and patients with laryngoceles must also be examined with direct laryngoscopy.

Is there a relationship between myringosclerosis and atherosclerosis?

OBJECTIVE

Myringosclerosis and atherosclerosis are two different pathologies seen in different parts of the body. Both of these occur following a similar physiopathological process. However this has not previously been adequately discussed in the literature. Trauma to either the tympanic membrane or to the intimal layer of the arterial wall results in the formation of a sclerotic plaque. The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between myringosclerosis and atherosclerosis.

PATIENTS

A total of 421 patients with the diagnosis of coronary artery disease were included in the study. All of the patients were evaluated for the presence of atherosclerosis by coronary angiography and for myringosclerosis by otoscopic examination.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The presence of myringosclerotic plaques, plaque dimensions and bilateral involvement of tympanic membranes were compared in the groups with and without atherosclerosis.

RESULTS

Amongst the 316 patients (75.0%) shown to have atherosclerosis, 65 (20.5%) also had myringosclerosis. Amongst the 105 patients without atherosclerosis, 24 (22.8%) had myringosclerosis. There was no statistically significant relationship between atherosclerosis and myringosclerosis (p > 0.05). Neither plaque dimensions nor bilateral involvement of the ears showed significant difference between the two groups (p >0.05 and p >0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that there is no similar genetic tendency between atherosclerosis and myringosclerosis. The significance of the plaque dimensions and the bilateral involvement of tympanic membranes have not been satisfactorily discussed in the literature and this is the first time that they are being addressed. In contrast to the reported articles, there is no relationship between atherosclerosis and myringosclerosis other than being similar pathological processes occurring as a result of endothelial-epithelial damage.

Castleman's disease of the bilateral parotid gland: a case report

OBJECTIVE

Castleman's disease (CD) is a benign lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by enlarged hyperplastic lymph nodes. We describe a patient who was found to have Castleman's disease as the cause of a parotid mass.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The mass was the hyaline vascular type. After surgical excision of the largest masses on the right side, the patient was followed up for 6 months. Another mass in the left parotid region also became larger and was excised, with the pathological examination demonstrating Castleman's disease.

CONCLUSION

Although rare in the head or neck region, Castleman's disease should be considered when investigating head-neck diseases.