Intercellular Communication in the Brain through Tunneling Nanotubes.

Intercellular communication is essential for tissue homeostasis and function. Understanding how cells interact with each other is paramount, as crosstalk between cells is often dysregulated in diseases and can contribute to their progression. Cells communicate with each other through several modalities, including paracrine secretion and specialized structures ensuring physical contact between them.

Cytologic Investigations for the Diagnosis of Malignant Pleural Effusion in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: State-of-the-art Review for Pulmonologists.

Lung cancer is the current leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and malignant pleural effusion, an indicator of the advanced stage of this disease, portends a poor prognosis. Thus, making an accurate diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion is of paramount importance. During the past decade, the prognosis of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer has improved substantially, especially in those treated with targeted therapy and immunotherapy.

Competence-Associated Peptide BriC Alters Fatty Acid Biosynthesis in Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Membrane lipid homeostasis is required for bacteria to survive in a spectrum of host environments. This homeostasis is achieved by regulation of fatty acid chain length and of the ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids. In the pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae, fatty acid biosynthesis is carried out by a cluster of fatty acid biosynthesis () genes (FASII locus) whose expression is controlled by the FabT repressor.

Tracheostomy for COVID-19 Respiratory Failure: Multidisciplinary, Multicenter Data on Timing, Technique, and Outcomes.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the outcomes of tracheostomy in patients with COVID-19 respiratory failure.

Summary Background Data: Tracheostomy has an essential role in managing COVID-19 patients with respiratory failure who require prolonged mechanical ventilation. However, limited data are available on how tracheostomy affects COVID-19 outcomes, and uncertainty surrounding risk of infectious transmission has led to divergent recommendations and practices.

The use of hysteroscopic endometrectomy in the conservative treatment of early endometrial cancer and atypical hyperplasia in fertile women.

Objective: To illustrate the effectiveness of hysteroscopic endometrial resection in conservative treatment of early endometrial cancer/atypical hyperplasia in women of reproductive age.

Methods: Review of outcomes of women of reproductive age who underwent fertility sparing treatment (hysteroscopic superficial endometrectomy followed by progestin therapy) in early endometrial cancer.

Results: Eight women with Stage I endometrial cancer and three with atypical endometrial hyperplasia underwent hysteroscopic superficial endometrial resection, followed by 1-year treatment with oral megestrol acetate.

Incidence of Uveitis in Secukinumab-treated Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis: Pooled Data Analysis From Three Phase 3 Studies.

Objective: The objective of this study was to report the incidence of uveitis in secukinumab-treated patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in a pooled analysis of three phase 3 trials (MEASURE 1-3 [ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers NCT01358175, NCT01649375, NCT02008916]).

Methods: Analysis included pooled patient-level data from all patients (N = 794) who received any dose (one or more) of secukinumab up to the last patient attending the week 156 study visit in MEASURE 1 and up to the week 156 visit in MEASURE 2 and the week 104 visit in MEASURE 3 for each patient.

Salinity profile in coastal non-agricultural land in Gaza.

The objectives of this study were to characterize the electric conductivity (EC), total dissolved salts (TDS), highly soluble salts (HSS), less soluble salts (LSS), cations (Na, K, Ca and Mg) and anions (Cl, NO, SO, PO) profiles in non-agricultural coastal land in Gaza Strip and to evaluate the effect of trees in salinity. Six locations were selected randomly in coastal zone in Gaza Strip and used for soil profile digging. Soil samples were collected from different layers between 0 and 150 cm depth, air dried and kept in plastic bags at lab temperature.

Secukinumab Immunogenicity over 52 Weeks in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Objective: Secukinumab, a fully human antiinterleukin 17A monoclonal antibody, is efficacious for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). This study examined the immunogenicity of secukinumab in patients with PsA and AS exposed to secukinumab for up to 52 weeks.

Methods: Antibody bridging assays were used to assess the immunogenicity of secukinumab in patients with PsA [FUTURE 1-3 studies, and AS (MEASURE 1-4 studies)].

Childhood lead poisoning in Gaza Strip, the Palestinian Authority.

Purpose: To assess lead poisoning among a pediatric population in Gaza Strip, the Palestinian Authority.

Methods: A total of 1705 questionnaires and blood samples were collected from children aged 2-6 years, by the finger stick capillary procedure, for the assessment of blood lead level (BLL), using the LeadCare kits. The samples were collected from children living close to lead processing units (hotspots) and far 100-500 m away (general population).

The fate of pathogens in treated wastewater-soil-crops continuum and the effect of physical barriers.

Secondary treated wastewater (TWW) could provide a cheap and sustainable alternative to potable water (PW) irrigation and ensure food security, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. However, TWW may pose a health risk by introducing pathogens to the irrigated soil and crop, and especially to irrigated vegetables that are eaten raw. To avoid contamination, national and international authorities have mandated the use of physical barriers, such as drip irrigation and plastic mulch, to separate the irrigation water and the crops.

Inhibition of IL-17A by secukinumab shows no evidence of increased infections.

Secukinumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody that selectively neutralizes interleukin-17A (IL-17A), has been shown to have significant efficacy in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Blocking critical mediators of immunity may carry a risk of increased opportunistic infections. Here we present clinical and findings examining the effect of secukinumab on infection.

Breast Density and Breast Cancer Incidence in the Lebanese Population: Results from a Retrospective Multicenter Study.

Purpose: To study the distribution of breast mammogram density in Lebanese women and correlate it with breast cancer (BC) incidence.

Methods: Data from 1,049 women who had screening or diagnostic mammography were retrospectively reviewed. Age, menopausal status, contraceptives or hormonal replacement therapy (HRT), parity, breastfeeding, history of BC, breast mammogram density, and final BI-RADS assessment were collected.

Nephrotic syndrome-induced thromboembolism in adults.

Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a well-defined syndrome characterized by the presence of nephrotic range of proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and hyperlipidemia. Although venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a well-reported complication associated with NS, the incidence, prevalence, risk factors, treatment options, and preventative strategies are not well-established. Thromboembolic phenomena in nephrotic patients are postulated to be a result of the urinary loss of antithrombotic factors by affected kidneys and increased production of prothrombotic factors by the liver.

[Infertility and kidney transplantation].

Renal failure impairs the endocrine system, especially in women, due to hyperprolactinemia, altering fertility, ovulatory cycles, libido and growth in adolescents. Renal transplantation is considered the best solution to the problems of renal failure and and of dialysis, as evidenced by comparing the rate of hyperprolactinemia (100% in chronic renal failure, 60% in patients on dialysis and 35% in post-transplantation). Kidney transplant is less efficient for restoring perfect function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis due in part to the immunosuppressant regimens prescribed.

PREGNANCY AND RENAL TRANSPLANTATION.

Pregnancy is common nowadays in kidney transplant female patients because of medical and surgical advances. However, pregnancy is a high risk one in these patients. Fertility is rapidly restored after the transplantation; thus, contraception is a good option in the first year.

[Laparoscopic treatment of vaginal agenesis: three cases].

Background: Ninety per cent of cases of congenital vaginal agenesis are represented by the Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome, the remaining 10% being represented by the testicular feminization syndrome and vaginal aplasia. Numerous surgical methods for the treatment of vaginal agenesis have been described. Neovagina construction by sigmoid colpoplasty seems to be the best surgical option as regards the anatomical and functional outcome.

Cutaneous metastasis in endometrial cancer: once in a blue moon - case report.

Background: Cutaneous metastases from internal malignancies are uncommon. Moreover, endometrial carcinoma rarely metastasizes to the skin, with a reported prevalence of 0.8%.

Simultaneous early ovarian and endometrial cancer treated conservatively with spontaneous pregnancy.

Introduction: Young cancer patients increasingly request fertility sparing alternatives to their cancer treatments, which they should be offered when allowed so by the risk-benefit balance and after obtaining informed consent.

Case Presentation: Here, we report the case of a 25 year-old nulliparous patient who presented with a synchronous endometrioid ovarian and endometrial carcinoma. She was able to conduct a full-term spontaneous pregnancy after conservative surgical treatment followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and hormonal treatment.