Acute West Nile Virus Meningoencephalitis Diagnosed Via Metagenomic Deep Sequencing of Cerebrospinal Fluid in a Renal Transplant Patient.

Solid organ transplant patients are vulnerable to suffering neurologic complications from a wide array of viral infections and can be sentinels in the population who are first to get serious complications from emerging infections like the recent waves of arboviruses, including West Nile virus, Chikungunya virus, Zika virus, and Dengue virus. The diverse and rapidly changing landscape of possible causes of viral encephalitis poses great challenges for traditional candidate-based infectious disease diagnostics that already fail to identify a causative pathogen in approximately 50% of encephalitis cases. We present the case of a 14-year-old girl on immunosuppression for a renal transplant who presented with acute meningoencephalitis.

Rumen metagenome and metatranscriptome analyses of low methane yield sheep reveals a Sharpea-enriched microbiome characterised by lactic acid formation and utilisation.

Background: Enteric fermentation by farmed ruminant animals is a major source of methane and constitutes the second largest anthropogenic contributor to global warming. Reducing methane emissions from ruminants is needed to ensure sustainable animal production in the future. Methane yield varies naturally in sheep and is a heritable trait that can be used to select animals that yield less methane per unit of feed eaten.

A Retrospective Case-Control Study Evaluating the Role of Mifepristone for Induction of Labor in Women with Previous Cesarean Section.

Objective: To investigate the role of "mifepristone" for induction of labor (IOL) in pregnant women with prior cesarean section (CS).

Methods: In this retrospective study, all pregnant women with prior CS who received oral mifepristone (400 mg) for IOL (as per clear obstetric indications) [group 1] were compared with pregnant women with prior CS who had spontaneous onset of labor (SOL) [group 2], with respect to incidence of vaginal delivery, CS, duration of labor, and various maternal and fetal outcomes.

Results: During the study period, 72 women received mifepristone (group 1) for IOL and 346 had SOL (group 2).

Empedobacter brevis Meningitis in a Neonate: A Very Rare Case of Neonatal Meningitis and Literature Review.

Empedobacter brevis is gram-negative bacilli that belongs to Flavobacteriaceae family. It was previously known with name of Flavobacterium breve. The reservoir of these bacteria is soil, plants, water, food, hospital water sources, including incubators, sinks, faucets, tap water, hemodialysis systems, saline solutions, and other pharmaceutical solutions.

Giant Atretic Occipital Lipoencephalocele in an Adult with Bony Outgrowth.

Background: We present unique case of a giant extracranial atretic occipital lipoencephalocele in an adult patient with new bone formation within it which was not associated with any developmental malformation of brain. Resection of the lipoencephalocele was performed for esthetic reasons.

Case Report: 18 year old female patient presented to the surgery OPD with complains of a large mass in the occipital region present since birth.

Icosapent ethyl (eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester): Effects on remnant-like particle cholesterol from the MARINE and ANCHOR studies.

Background And Aims: Remnant-like particle cholesterol (RLP-C) is atherogenic and may increase atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk. Icosapent ethyl is a high-purity prescription eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester (approved as an adjunct to diet to reduce triglyceride [TG] levels in adult patients with TGs ≥500 mg/dL [≥5.65 mmol/L] at 4 g/day).

Complications of subdural and depth electrodes in 269 patients undergoing 317 procedures for invasive monitoring in epilepsy.

Objective: Intracranial monitoring is fundamental to epilepsy surgery, with reported complication rates of 3-17%. We aimed to assess the differences in complication rates between subdural and depth electrodes.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 317 electrode implantation procedures.

Do phosphatase of regenerating liver-3, matrix metalloproteinases-2, matrix metalloproteinases-9, and epidermal growth factor receptor-1 predict response to therapy and survival in glioblastoma multiforme?

Context: Poor survival of the glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) has been attributed in part to the invasive nature of the lesion making complete surgical removal near impossible. Phosphatase of regenerating liver-3 (PRL-3), matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR-1) play a role in invasive nature of tumor cells.

Aims: This study was conducted to evaluate PRL-3, MMP-2, MMP-9, and EGFR-1 (markers) expression in cases to GBM and to correlate their expression with therapy response and survival.

Volumetric Analysis of Cerebral Peduncles and Cerebellar Hemispheres for Predicting Hemiparesis After Hemispherectomy.

Background: In some cases of refractory epilepsy, hemispherectomy is the final invasive treatment option. However, predictors of postoperative hemiparesis in these patients have not been widely studied.

Objective: To investigate how the volumetric analysis of cerebral peduncles and cerebellar hemispheres in patients who have undergone hemispherectomy may determine prognostic implications for postoperative hemiparesis.

Leminorella sepsis in very low birth weight neonate as cause of neonatal mortality.

Leminorella is a member of Enterobacteriaceae family and was known previously as Enteric Group 57. Based upon genetic differences using DNA hybridization, it has three taxa: Leminorella grimontii, Leminorella richardii, and Leminorella sp. strain 3.

Independent validation of the prognostic capacity of the ISUP prostate cancer grade grouping system for radiation treated patients with long-term follow-up.

Background: There has been a recent proposal to change the grading system of prostate cancer into a five-tier grade grouping system. The prognostic impact of this has been demonstrated in regards only to biochemical recurrence-free survival (bRFS) with short follow-up (3 years).

Methods: Between 1990 and 2013, 847 consecutive men were treated with definitive external beam radiation therapy at a single academic center.

Comparative study for better adjuvant with ropivacaine in epidural anesthesia.

Background: Better adjuvants for epidural analgesia are still evolving. Dexmedetomidine that is alpha-2 agonist can be used as an adjuvant in epidural analgesia and anesthesia.

Aims: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of dexmedetomidine versus clonidine in combination with ropivacaine in epidural anesthesia on intraoperative and postoperative analgesia, to find out the better adjuvant for regional anesthesia.

Icosapent ethyl (eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester): Effects on plasma apolipoprotein C-III levels in patients from the MARINE and ANCHOR studies.

Background: Apolipoprotein C-III (ApoC-III) regulates lipoprotein and triglyceride (TG) metabolism and may have a causal role in cardiovascular disease. In the Multi-Center, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized, Double-Blind, 12-Week Study With an Open-Label Extension (MARINE) and ANCHOR studies, icosapent ethyl, a high-purity prescription eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester, reduced TG, and other atherogenic lipid parameters without increasing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) compared with placebo.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of icosapent ethyl on plasma ApoC-III levels in patients from 2 phase 3 studies.

The O-glycosylated ectodomain of FXYD5 impairs adhesion by disrupting cell-cell trans-dimerization of Na,K-ATPase β1 subunits.

FXYD5 (also known as dysadherin), a regulatory subunit of the Na,K-ATPase, impairs intercellular adhesion by a poorly understood mechanism. Here, we determined whether FXYD5 disrupts the trans-dimerization of Na,K-ATPase molecules located in neighboring cells. Mutagenesis of the Na,K-ATPase β1 subunit identified four conserved residues, including Y199, that are crucial for the intercellular Na,K-ATPase trans-dimerization and adhesion.

Role of androgen receptor in prostatic neoplasia versus hyperplasia.

Introduction: Androgens play a fundamental role in the growth, differentiation, and maintenance of prostate tissue. The objective of the study was to evaluate and compare the androgen receptor (AR) expression in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), and prostatic adenocarcinoma. A relationship between the Gleason score and AR expression was also determined in cases of prostatic adenocarcinoma.

Complete septate uterus with obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis (OHVIRA) in a young woman-a rare variant of Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome.

Obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis (OHVIRA) is an unusual and special type of Müllerian duct anomaly. Patients usually present in adolescence, soon after menarche, with pain and pelvic mass and rarely with infertility in adulthood. Majority of the cases of OHVIRA have been reported in association with uterus didelphys and the presentation of uterus didelphys with OHVIRA is known as Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Adjuvant Therapy in Vulvar Cancer.

These American College of Radiology consensus guidelines were formed from an expert panel on the appropriate use of adjuvant therapy in vulvar cancer after primary treatment with surgery. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria® are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed every 3 years by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and review include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer-reviewed journals and the application of a well-established consensus methodology (modified Delphi) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures by the panel.

Neopterin: A candidate biomarker for the early assessment of toxicity of aluminum among bauxite dust exposed mine workers.

Introduction: Bauxite ore is a major source of aluminum (Al) which contains approximately 35-60% Al by weight. Occupational and environmental bauxite dust exposure may cause toxicity by interaction with human biological systems resulting in oxidative stress (OS) and cell death. A neopterin derivative as an antioxidant is able to modulate cytotoxicity by the induction of OS.

Tissue specific and abiotic stress regulated transcription of histidine kinases in plants is also influenced by diurnal rhythm.

Two-component system (TCS) is one of the key signal sensing machinery which enables species to sense environmental stimuli. It essentially comprises of three major components, sensory histidine kinase proteins (HKs), histidine phosphotransfer proteins (Hpts), and response regulator proteins (RRs). The members of the TCS family have already been identified in Arabidopsis and rice but the knowledge about their functional indulgence during various abiotic stress conditions remains meager.

Next Generation Sequencing and Transcriptome Analysis Predicts Biosynthetic Pathway of Sennosides from Senna (Cassia angustifolia Vahl.), a Non-Model Plant with Potent Laxative Properties.

Senna (Cassia angustifolia Vahl.) is a world's natural laxative medicinal plant. Laxative properties are due to sennosides (anthraquinone glycosides) natural products.

Effects of Icosapent Ethyl (Eicosapentaenoic Acid Ethyl Ester) on Pharmacokinetic Parameters of Rosiglitazone in Healthy Subjects.

Background: Icosapent ethyl is a high-purity form of eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester approved to reduce triglyceride levels in adults with triglycerides ≥500 mg/dL. Candidates for triglyceride-lowering therapy include patients with diabetes mellitus who may be receiving rosiglitazone. We assessed the effects of icosapent ethyl on the pharmacokinetic parameters of rosiglitazone.

Effects of icosapent ethyl on lipoprotein particle concentration and size in statin-treated patients with persistent high triglycerides (the ANCHOR Study).

Background: Icosapent ethyl (IPE) is a high-purity prescription form of eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester approved at a dose of 4 g/day as an adjunct to diet to reduce triglyceride (TG) levels in adult patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia (TG ≥ 500 mg/dL).

Objective: In this prespecified exploratory analysis from the ANCHOR study of patients at high cardiovascular risk with TG ≥ 200 and <500 mg/dL despite statin control of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, we assessed the effects of IPE on lipoprotein particle concentration and size and examined correlations of atherogenic particles with apolipoprotein B (ApoB).

Methods: Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to measure lipoprotein particle concentration and size.

Icosapent Ethyl (Eicosapentaenoic Acid Ethyl Ester): Effects Upon High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and Lipid Parameters in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome.

Background: The aim of this analysis was to examine the effects of icosapent ethyl (eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester, IPE) on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and lipid parameters in patients with metabolic syndrome, with and without stable statin therapy.

Methods: This post hoc exploratory analysis evaluated patients with metabolic syndrome treated with IPE 4 grams/day, IPE 2 grams/day, or placebo in phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled studies entitled: MARINE [triglyceride (TG) levels ≥500 and ≤2000 mg/dL] and ANCHOR [TG levels ≥200 and <500 mg/dL, despite low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) control with stable statin therapy].

Results: Compared with placebo in patients with metabolic syndrome in MARINE (n=204) and ANCHOR (n=645), at the approved dose of 4 grams/day, IPE significantly lowered hsCRP levels 40.

Sonographic prediction of scar dehiscence in women with previous cesarean section.

Purpose: To estimate the risk of uterine dehiscence/rupture in women with previous cesarean section (CS) by comparing the thickness of lower uterine segment (LUS) and myometrium with trans-abdominal (TAS) and trans-vaginal sonography (TVS).

Method: In this case-control study, in 100 pregnant women posted for elective CS (with or without previous CS; group 1 and group 2 respectively), the thickness of LUS and myometrium was measured sonographically (TAS and TVS). Intra-operatively, LUS was graded (grades I-IV), and its thickness was measured with calipers.

A prospective observational study of trial of labor after cesarean in rural India.

Objective: To determine the success rate of trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) in rural India.

Methods: The present prospective observational study enrolled pregnant women attending Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Kangra, India, in 2013. Eligible women had a previous low-segment cesarean delivery and had a singleton pregnancy with cephalic presentation.