Search

Docetaxel is a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent in a variety of cancer treatment regimens. We present a case of apparent docetaxel-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) in a patient recently treated for metastatic prostate cancer. This medication is not classically associated with the development of SJS but in our case, along with a number of other case reports, and a single phase II clinical trial, an association was recognized. We encourage clinicians who employ the use of this medication to be aware of this relationship.

A sixty-eight-year-old male with a past medical history of recurrent cocaine use presented to the emergency department with recurrent diarrhea and was found to have a white blood cell (WBC) count of 1.9 × 109/L with agranulocytosis (absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of 95 cell/mm3). At admission, the patient disclosed that he used cocaine earlier during the day, and a urine drug screen tested positive for this. On hospital day one, the patient was found to have a fever with a maximum temperature of 313.6 K. After ruling out other causes and noting the quick turnaround of his neutropenia after four days of cocaine abstinence, the patient’s neutropenia was attributed to levamisole-adulterated cocaine.

Malignant melanoma is responsible for the majority of skin cancer deaths and is increasing in prevalence. Bone marrow (BM) involvement by melanoma is rare in the absence of widespread visceral disease. Here, we report the case of a 30-year-old female who presented to the hospital with back pain, low-grade fever, and easy bruising. She was found to be bicytopenic and in disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC). Surprisingly, BM biopsy showed extensive involvement by metastatic malignant melanoma in the absence of visceral or brain metastasis. The unique presentation of this case and the challenge of management of a potentially treatable cancer in a critically ill patient are discussed, alongside a review of published cases of metastatic melanoma in the BM and an exploration of currently available treatment options. The excellent response of our patient to combined immune checkpoint inhibitors has yet to be paralleled in the available literature.

Breast implant–associated anaplastic large T-cell lymphoma has recently been recognized as an entity, with few reports describing the two common subtypes: in situ (indolent) and infiltrative. Recently, the infiltrative subtypes have been shown to be more aggressive requiring adjuvant chemotherapy. We report a rare case of breast implant–associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) in a 65-year-old Caucasian female following silicone breast implantation and multiple capsulectomies. We discuss the rare presentation of this disease, histopathologic features of the indolent and infiltrative subtypes of ALCL, and their clinical significance. We also review the literature for up-to-date information on the diagnosis and clinical management. Treatment modalities including targeted therapy are also discussed. Although BIA-ALCL is rare, it should always be considered as part of the differential diagnosis especially in women with breast implants. Given the increasing rate of breast reconstruction and cosmetic surgeries, we anticipate a continuous rise in incidence rates of this rare disease; thus, caution must be taken to avoid misdiagnosis.

The effects of cooking and natural fermentation on the chemical composition, functional properties and protein digestibility of Hura crepitans seeds were investigated. The results showed a high protein content and in vitro protein digestibility which increased with cooking (at 100C) and increase in fermentation period (24–96 h). Functional analyses showed a decrease in oil absorption, water absorption, foaming and emulsion properties while fermentation increased the pH, bulk density and least gel concentration. The protein solubility profile of H. crepitans was pH-dependent as higher solubility was observed in the alkaline than acidic region. The foaming and emulsifying properties were decreased with increase in salt (NaCl) concentration. Therefore, cooking and fermentation processes of H. crepitans seeds can enhance utilization of the seeds. Practical Applications: Sandbox (Hura crepitans) seed is one of the underutilized oilseeds in Nigeria that is rich in protein. This study shows that through cooking and fermentation processes, the chemical composition and functional properties of the seeds can be enhanced. These processes will also increase availability and digestibility of protein in the seeds. Therefore, cooked and fermented sandbox seeds can be used as ingredients in food fortification owing to the high protein content and good functional properties.

Proximate composition, functional properties and in vitro protein digestibility of kariya protein concentrate (KPC) and isolate (KPI) were determined. The results showed that KPI has a high protein content of 91.94%. The KPC and KPI exhibited high solubility (KPC, 62.14%; KPI, 73.66%) at pH 10, bulk density (KPC, 0.57 g/mL; KPI, 0.48 g/mL), water absorption capacity (KPC, 206%; KPI, 140%) and in vitro protein digestibility (KPC, 82.32%; KPI, 92.38%) but low oil absorption capacity (KPC, 86.40%; KPI, 140.4%), emulsifying activity (KPC, 23.47 m/g; KPI, 12.49 m/g) and foam capacity (KPC, 15.00%; KPI, 3.00%). Foaming and emulsifying properties were improved at alkaline pH and higher salt concentration. In conclusion, the high water absorption capacity, gelling ability and in vitro protein digestibility exhibited by kariya protein products could make them useful ingredients in food applications. Practical Applications: The study provides information about the properties of proteins produced from kariya seeds (an underutilized oilseed). From the results, high protein content can be produced from kariya seeds by producing concentrates and isolates from it and this could be used in food fortification. Also, the results obtained revealed that kariya protein concentrates and isolates have high functional properties and in vitro protein digestibility and therefore can serve as ingredients in food formulations.

Enzymatic hydrolysates of kariya protein isolate were prepared by treatment with pancreatin and pepsin. The functional and antioxidant properties of the protein hydrolysates were investigated. Pancreatin (PcKPH) and pepsin (PsKPH)-treated kariya protein hydrolysates exhibited maximum solubility (PcKPH, 81.98%; PsKPH 79.17%), emulsifying activity index (PcKPH, 47.87m/g; PsKPH, 44.24m/g), emulsion stability (PcKPH, 341.08%, PsKPH, 223.11%), foaming capacity (PcKPH, 118.75%; PsKPH, 125.00%) and foaming stability (PcKPH, 81.25%; PsKPH, 87.50%) at pH10. Also, PcKPH and PsKPH demonstrated high DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical-scavenging activity (IC: 1.55 and 7.30mg extract/mL, respectively), metal chelating (IC: 1.23 and 1.04mg extract/mL, respectively) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) (0.40 and 0.21 AAE μg/g, respectively) activities. The results showed that PcKPH had significantly higher solubility, emulsifying properties, metal chelating and FRAP than PsKPH. High functional and antioxidant properties exhibited by the KPHs could make them useful ingredients in food systems and as natural sources of antioxidative peptides. Practical Applications: The study compares the bioactivity of peptides produced from kariya seeds (an underutilized oil seeds) using two different proteolytic enzymes (pepsin and pancreatin). The result showed that kariya seed protein hydrolyzed with pancreatin has better functional properties than those hydrolyzed with pepsin. However, kariya seed protein hydrolyzed with pepsin has better antioxidant properties than those hydrolyzed with pancreatin. Both results compare favorably with that of other oilseeds. Therefore, good functional and antioxidant properties can be produced from hydrolyzed kariya proteins.

The effects of substituting germinated Moringa seed flour for wheat flour on the rheological properties of flour blends and cake quality were investigated. Wheat and germinated Moringa seed flour were blended at different proportions. Pasting properties of wheat flour were influenced by germinated Moringa seed flour substitution. Substitution of the germinated Moringa flours for wheat flour increased protein, crude fiber, iron, calcium and zinc contents of cakes from 13.14 to 23.10%, 0.71 to 2.52%, 2.95 to 7.88 mg/100 g, 48.29 to 54.56 mg/100 g and 0.86 to 1.44 mg/100 g, respectively, while carbohydrate content decreased from 65.40 to 51.08%. Physical properties of cakes were influenced by substitution of germinated Moringa seed flour for wheat. There was no significant (P ≥ 0.05) difference in crust and crumb color, aroma and texture between 100% wheat cake and composite cakes. The taste and overall acceptability of composite cakes up to 30% germinated Moringa seed flour substitution were not significantly (P ≥ 0.05) different from the whole wheat flour cake. Practical Applications This study provided some basic information required for production of wheat-germinated Moringa seed-based cake. Considering the high protein and mineral contents of Moringa seeds and its lower carbohydrate content compared with wheat, this food product will be beneficial to the nutrition of vulnerable groups.

Roesner S, Appel R, Gbadamosi J, Martin R, Heesen C. Treatment of steroid-unresponsive optic neuritis with plasma exchange. Acta Neurol Scand: 2012: 126: 103–108. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Objectives – Until now, the significance of plasma exchange (PE) as a treatment for steroid-unresponsive optic neuritis (ON) is still unclear because placebo-controlled and larger studies are missing. We report our experience with 23 patients treated by PE due to steroid-unresponsive ON. Materials and methods – Patients were admitted to the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf between 2006 and 2010 with a visual acuity of

The solid-state fermentation of soybean protein meal (SPM) by Lactobacillus plantarum Lp6 was studied to evaluate the influence of soluble starch, acid protease and time on the degree of hydrolysis (DH) and viable cell counts (VCC). The fermented SPM (FSPM) was optimized for maximum DH and VCC using response surface methodology. The optimum conditions determined were the following: soluble starch (0.4 g/g of SPM), acid protease (0.1 g/g of SPM) and time (66 h). The optimized values were 22.58% and 9.08 (log cfu/g) for DH and VCC, respectively. Fermentation using the optimized process conditions increased the amount of low molecular weight peptides ( 97.4 kDa). The protein content (60.15%) of FSPM increased following fermentation of SPM. The free amino acids profile (0.32 to 8.03 g/100 g protein) and protein solubility (29.33% to 38.35%) increased significantly (P

In this study, effects of oxidation, esterification, osmotic pressure, and cross‐linking modification methods on functional groups in Amaranthus viridis starch and feasibility of utilizing both native and derived starches as fat replacers were evaluated. The functional groups in native and modified starches were found to consist of OH stretch, CH stretch, CO stretch, NH bend, CH₂ and CH₃ bend, CO stretch, and CH bend. The results showed that oxidation, osmotic pressure, and cross‐linking increased the presence of alkenyl group in starch samples, which enhanced their characteristics as fat replacers. Moreover, modification methods affected the functional groups, which could lead to variations in performance when used as food ingredient. The ability of native and modified A. viridis starches as fat replacers could be ranked as oxidized starch > osmotic pressured starch > cross‐linked starch > native starch > esterified starch. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Amaranthus viridis grains contain a significant amount of starch. The functionality of starch in food industry could be enhanced through modifications. Modified A. viridis starches have functional group (alkenyl group), which enhances their characteristics as fat replacers. Consequently, the modified starches could be used to partially replace fat in fat rich foods such as mayonnaise and salad cream. Thus, minimizes health risks associated with consumption of fatty foods

We describe a young man with prognostic unfavourable homoplasmatic mitochondrial DNA(mt DNA) 11778 Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) point mutation and confirmed multiple sclerosis (MS). This combination of LHON and MS-like disease is rare in both sexes, and in men has been described in only a few case reports. In a 4-year follow-up during immunosuppressive therapy with mitoxantrone, we found a remarkable time delayed visual recovery 12 months after acute onset of rapid sequential bilateral subtotal visual loss followed by episodes of isolated acute demyelinative optic neuropathy. Visual recovery to such extent after this latency is uncommon in both mtDNA 11778 LHON mutation and optic neuritis (ON) in MS. Relapses in visual deterioration must be considered as extremely rare in LHON. This case might support the hypothesis of an immunological pathogenetic factor in combined LHON and MS, and possibly in LHON alone. We suggest a search for the LHON mutation in MS patients with predominant visual impairment, independent of patients' gender.

This study investigated the simultaneous recovery of oil and protein from sesame seeds using aqueous extraction technique by the application of factorial design and central composite design. Solid-to-solvent ratio and pH were identified to have the highest significant (p

Cerebellar tremor is a frequent and disabling symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Supportive pharmacological treatment with different drugs showed only minor effects in a few studies and in clinical practice. Encouraged by previous studies with ondansetron, a 5HT3-antagonist, we conducted a small open-label, prospective and controlled study with 14 MS patients suffering predominantly from cerebellar tremor of the upper extremities. Principal outcome measure to evaluate a functional improvement of the single intravenous administered ondansetron injection was the subject performance in the 9-hole-peg-test (9HPT) and 3 blind assessed upper extremity writing and copying tasks. We neither found significant improvement in the upper extremity tests nor in the subjective response of the patients. In conclusion we could not confirm a beneficial effect of ondansetron on cerebellar tremor of MS patients.

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is one of the major proinflammatory cytokines expressed consistently in multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) is the only known naturally occurring specific antagonistic cytokine counteracting IL-1. Thus IL-1ra may have a downregulating potential in the disease course of MS. We analysed if circulating IL-1ra could be associated with different disease stages of MS in sera of 84 MS patients and 18 controls. IL-1ra showed considerable variations in MS patients and controls. Nevertheless we found significantly elevated serum levels in active as well as in stable disease stages compared to controls. IL-1ra levels were higher in progressive disease courses compared to relapsing-remitting MS, but not statistically significant (median: 516 versus 434 pg/ml). Further analysis with larger groups of patients and longitudinal studies will clarify if IL-1ra is useful as a prognostic serum marker in MS.