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Ultrasound elastography is a simple non-invasive method for measuring tissue elasticity in relation to tissue fibrosis. The aim of this study was to compare echogenicity, volume and shear wave velocities of undescended vs normally descended testes.

Aim: To investigate the presence of Sur1-Trpm4 receptors in high-grade glial tumors, and their relationship with edema volumes in preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences., Material and Methods: MRI sections were extracted from T1-weighted (T1W) and T2-weighted (T2W) sequences and fluidattenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images. After that, T1W 3D magnetization-prepared rapid gradient echo (MP-RAGE) sequences were taken with and without contrast medium. Tumor and peritumoral edema volumes were calculated in cubic centimeters. Sur1- Trpm4 receptors were studied by immunohistochemical examination of tissue samples. Relationships between data were analyzed using Spearman's correlation coefficient., Results: In the immunohistochemical examinations, 58% of the samples from patients with high-grade glial tumors were positive for Sur1 and 74% were positive for Trpm4. The volume of tumors was correlated with the volume of peritumoral edema., Conclusion: The presence of the Sur1-Trpm4 receptor complex in high-grade glial tumors was confirmed. Further preclinical or clinical studies are required to identify and validate the role of Sur1-Trpm4 in glial tumor subgroups.

Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) is essential for the biosynthesis of dNTPs and a therapeutic target. We have identified a missense mutation in suc22 , which encodes the small subunit of RNR in fission yeast. The suc22-S239F mutation significantly sensitizes the cells to chronic but not acute treatment with the RNR inhibitor hydroxyurea. Preliminary data indicate that the drug sensitivity is likely due to decreased RNR activity. Since S239F is the first missense mutation reported for suc22 and the mutated residue is highly conserved, the results will be useful for future yeast genetic studies and potentially, the development of new therapeutics targeting RNR., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest present., (Copyright: © 2023 by the authors.)

In this work, to improve antibacterial, biocompatible and bioactive properties of commercial pure titanium (cp-Ti) for implant applications, the Zn-deposited nanotube surfaces were fabricated on cp-Ti by using combined anodic oxidation (AO) and physical vapor deposition (PVD-TE) methods. Homogenous elemental distributions were observed through all surfaces. Moreover, Zn-deposited surfaces exhibited hydrophobic character while bare Ti surfaces were hydrophilic. Due to the biodegradable behavior of Zn on the nanotube surface, Zn-deposited nanotube surfaces showed higher corrosion current density than bare cp-Ti surface in SBF conditions as expected. In vitro biological properties such as cell viability, ALP activity, protein adsorption, hemolytic activity and antibacterial activity for Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria of all surfaces were investigated in detail. Cell viability, ALP activity and antibacterial properties of Zn-deposited nanotube surfaces were significantly improved with respect to bare cp-Ti. Moreover, hemolytic activity and protein adsorption of Zn-deposited nanotube surfaces were decreased. According to these results; a bioactive, biocompatible and antibacterial Zn-deposited nanotube surfaces produced on cp-Ti by using combined AO and PVD techniques can have potential for orthopedic and dental implant applications., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

The aim of this study was to assess clinical findings, radiological data, pulmonary functions and physical capacity change over time and to investigate factors associated with radiological abnormalities after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in non-comorbid patients. This prospective cohort study was conducted between April 2020 and June 2020. A total of 62 symptomatic in non-comorbid patients with COVID-19 pneumonia were included in the study. At baseline and the 2nd, 5th and 12th months, patients were scheduled for follow-up. Males represented 51.6% of the participants and overall mean age was 51.60 ± 12.45 years. The percentage of patients with radiological abnormalities at 2 months was significantly higher than at 5 months (P < .001). At 12 months, dyspnea frequency (P = .008), 6-minute walk test (6MWT) distance (P = .045), BORG-dyspnea (P < .001) and BORG-fatigue (P < .001) scores was significantly lower, while median SpO2 after 6MWT (P < .001) was significantly higher compared to results at 2 months. The presence of radiological abnormalities at 2 months was associated with the following values measured at 5 months: advanced age (P = .006), lung involvement at baseline (P = .046), low forced expiratory volume in 1 second (P = .018) and low forced vital capacity (P = .006). Even in COVID-19 patients without comorbidities, control computed tomography at 2 months and pulmonary rehabilitation may be beneficial, especially in COVID-19 patients with advanced age and greater baseline lung involvement., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding and conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2023 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Replication protein A (RPA) is a heterotrimeric complex and the major single-strand DNA (ssDNA) binding protein in eukaryotes. It plays important roles in DNA replication, repair, recombination, telomere maintenance, and checkpoint signaling. Because RPA is essential for cell survival, understanding its checkpoint signaling function in cells has been challenging. Several RPA mutants have been reported previously in fission yeast. None of them, however, has a defined checkpoint defect. A separation-of-function mutant of RPA, if identified, would provide significant insights into the checkpoint initiation mechanisms. We have explored this possibility and carried out an extensive genetic screen for Rpa1/Ssb1, the large subunit of RPA in fission yeast, looking for mutants with defects in checkpoint signaling. This screen has identified twenty-five primary mutants that are sensitive to genotoxins. Among these mutants, two have been confirmed partially defective in checkpoint signaling primarily at the replication fork, not the DNA damage site. The remaining mutants are likely defective in other functions such as DNA repair or telomere maintenance. Our screened mutants, therefore, provide a valuable tool for future dissection of the multiple functions of RPA in fission yeast., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2023 Xu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Aim: To evaluate the relationship between anxiety and skeletal muscle index (SMI) levels in lung cancer patients on the first day of chemotherapy. Materials & methods: This cross-sectional study included 108 patients. We analyzed patient characteristics, SMI levels, pain status and predicted anxiety factors. Results: Anxiety was detected in 61% of patients. SMI levels were significantly lower in the high anxiety group than the low anxiety group (p < 0.001). A significant correlation was observed between anxiety and SMI levels (r = -0.292; p = 0.002). Anxiety levels were significantly correlated with trait anxiety (r = 0.618; p < 0.001) and visual analog scale-pain (r = 0.364; p < 0.001). SMI (odds ratio: 0.94), trait anxiety (odds ratio: 1.12) and visual analog scale pain (odds ratio: 1.28) were independent risk factors for anxiety after adjusting for sex, stage and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status. Conclusion: Our study highlighted that higher anxiety scores were significantly correlated with lower SMI levels. We found that SMI, pain and trait anxiety were independent risk factors for anxiety.

Background: Nowadays, aesthetic dermatology treatment has become not only physical beautification but also it can have positive effects on patients’ mental health. Body dysmorphic disorder can be the reason for treatment dissatisfaction. In the general population, the prevalence of BDD is 1.9% and it is more common among cosmetic patients. The aim of this study was to conduct the most comprehensive evaluation of body image and BDD among aesthetic patients. Methods: We recruited a group of 412 individuals, who were asked to complete 6 different on-line questionnaires concerning self-image, i.e., COPS, AAI, FAS, BAS-2, BSQ-16, and RSES. Results: The prevalence of BDD ranged from 7.28% to 11.17%, depending on the screening tool that was used. Our research revealed that BDD susceptibility, body image, body appreciation, and self-esteem were strongly interrelated (p < 0.001). A higher BMI was a risk factor for BDD, body dissatisfaction, and depreciation. The financial status markedly influenced all of the features. A history of psychiatric treatment influenced the risk of BDD, body satisfaction, body appreciation, and self-esteem. A history of cosmetic procedures and treatment satisfaction had no impact on the obtained results. Conclusions: Improving recognition of body dissatisfaction among aesthetic patients is very important. The psychometric assessment of patients before cosmetic treatment could be of help in choosing the appropriate approach.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels after 6 months of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) negative but assumed to be COVID-19 positive cases to investigate the relationship between IgG levels and thoracic computed tomography (CT) findings., Methods: This was a single-center study that included patients whose PCR test results were negative at least three times using nasopharyngeal swabs but had clinical findings of COVID-19 and thoracic CT findings compatible with viral pneumonia. Six months after discharge, the IgG antibodies were analyzed. The cutoff value for negative and positive serology was defined as <1.4 (index S/C) and ≥1.4 (index S/C), respectively. In addition, the patients were categorized according to their thoracic CT findings as high (typical) and low (atypical). Also, the patients were grouped into classes as <5% lung involvement versus ≥5% lung involvement., Results: The patients' mean age was 49.78±12.96 years. PCR was negative, but patients with COVID-19 symptoms who had SARS-CoV-2 IgG positive were 81.9% (n=95). The antibody titer and lung involvement ≥5% were statistically significantly higher in SARS-CoV-2 IgG positive cases (p<0.001 and p=0.021). Age and chest CT findings were the risk factors for lung involvement (OR=1.08, p<0.001 and OR=2.19, p=0.010, respectively)., Conclusion: This study is valuable because increasing severity (≥5%) of lung involvement appears to be associated with high and persistent IgG antibody titers. In probable cases of COVID-19, even if the PCR test is negative, high IgG titers 6 months after discharge can predict the rate of lung parenchymal involvement.

Erlotinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been shown to improve the survival of patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small cell lung cancer. Sarcopenia is a status with increasing importance in lung cancer, and it may predict a poor prognosis. We aimed to evaluate the impact of sarcopenia on erlotinib therapy and prognosis in patients with EGFR-mutated (exon 19 or 21 L858R) metastatic lung adenocarcinoma. Sarcopenia was defined as skeletal muscle index ≤39 cm2/m2 for women and ≤55 cm2/m2 for men. The patient characteristics, inflammation parameters, clinical and survival outcomes of the erlotinib therapy were examined according to sarcopenia status. We also analyzed the erlotinib treatment-related toxicity. Seventy-two patients were included in our retrospective study, and the mean age of the patients was 63.7 years. A total of 39 (54.2%) patients were diagnosed with sarcopenia. Patients with sarcopenia had a poor prognosis and had a shorter median progression-free survival (PFS) than patients without sarcopenia (10.5 months vs. 21.8 months, p=0.002). Sarcopenia (HR 2.08) and C-reactive protein > 6.5 mg/L (HR 2.57) were determined as independent poor prognostic factors for PFS of erlotinib therapy. Treatment-related toxicity occurred in 34.7% of patients treated with erlotinib, and sarcopenia did not significantly affect treatment-related toxicity. We also found that sarcopenia significantly affected the response to erlotinib. The expected survival outcomes may be low when erlotinib therapy is used in patients with sarcopenia and metastatic lung adenocarcinoma. This study showed that survival and clinical outcomes could be better predicted by detecting sarcopenia in patients with lung cancer using erlotinib.

Introduction: Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a disabling mental disorder characterized by preoccupation with appearance concerns. Due to lack of awareness of BDD among medical professionals and a limited number of proper diagnostic tools, the diagnosis is frequently missed. Among sparse diagnostic instruments, there is Appearance Anxiety Inventory (AAI), which was developed not only to search for BDD symptoms, but also to assess the progress of patients throughout the therapy., Aim: To translate and validate the Polish version of AAI., Material and Methods: Both forward and backward translation of the original English version of AAI questionnaire was performed in accordance with international standards. The validation of AAI was conducted on 49 individuals. They completed the questionnaires twice with a 3-6 days' interval. Moreover, the subjects were also asked to fill the Polish versions of COPS (Cosmetic Procedure Screening Questionnaire) and RSES (Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale) for the convergent validity., Results: The Polish version of AAI demonstrated very good internal consistency (Cronbach α coefficient value of 0.91) and good reproducibility (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) of 0.78). Convergent validity indicated a strong correlation between AAI and COPS and a strong negative correlation between AAI and RSES ( r = 0.67, p < 0.0001 and r = -0.57, p < 0.0001, respectively)., Conclusions: The Polish version of the AAI questionnaire showed sufficient or better psychometric properties to support its use in clinical and research work with Polish speakers., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright: © 2022 Termedia Sp. z o. o.)

Objective: Body image is defined as the perception of one's own body. While positive body image has a positive impact on quality of life, self-dissatisfaction may lead to depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. Body image might be quantified and evaluated: relevant instruments include the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) and the Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS).This study was designed to translate and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Polish versions of these instruments., Methods: Translation (both forward and backward) from the original English versions of the questionnaires met international standards. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability are reported from 89 participants for the BSQ and 103 for the FAS. The participants also completed the Polish versions of the Body Image Quality of Life Inventory (BIQLI) and the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) to explore convergent validity., Results: Both, Polish versions of the BSQ and the FAS demonstrated good internal consistency and reproducibility. Convergent validity revealed a moderate relationship between the BSQ and the BIQLI scores, and a strong one between the FAS and the BAS-2 scores., Conclusion: Polish versions of both BSQ and FAS questionnaires showed sufficiently strong psychometric properties to support their use in clinical and research work with Polish speaking patients.

Purpose: Histopathological differentiation of primary lung cancer is clinically important. We aimed to investigate whether diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters of metastatic brain lesions could predict the histopathological types of the primary lung cancer., Methods: In total, 53 patients with 98 solid metastatic brain lesions of lung cancer were included. Lung tumors were subgrouped as non-small cell carcinoma (NSCLC) (n = 34) and small cell carcinoma (SCLC) (n = 19). Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and Fractional anisotropy (FA) values were calculated from solid enhanced part of the brain metastases. The association between FA and ADC values and histopathological subtype of the primary tumor was investigated., Results: The mean ADC and FA values obtained from the solid part of the brain metastases of SCLC were significantly lower than the NSCLC metastases (P < 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively). ROC curve analysis showed diagnostic performance for mean ADC values (AUC=0.889, P = < 0.001) and FA values (AUC = 0.677, P = 0.002). Cut-off value of > 0.909 × 10 -3 mm 2 /s for mean ADC (Sensitivity = 80.3, Specificity = 83.8, PPV = 89.1, NPV = 72.1) and > 0.139 for FA values (Sensitivity = 80.3, Specificity = 54.1, PPV = 74.2, NPV= 62.5) revealed in differentiating NSCLC from NSCLC., Conclusion: DTI parameters of brain metastasis can discriminate SCLC and NSCLC. ADC and FA values of metastatic brain lesions due to the lung cancer may be an important tool to differentiate histopathological subgroups. DTI may guide clinicians for the management of intracranial metastatic lesions of lung cancer.

Objectives: Artificial intelligence (AI) applications in neurosurgery have an increasing momentum as well as the growing number of implementations in the medical literature. In recent years, AI research define a link between neuroscience and AI. It is a connection between knowing and understanding the brain and how to simulate the brain. The machine learning algorithms, as a subset of AI, are able to learn with experiences, perform big data analysis, and fulfill human-like tasks. Intracranial surgical approaches that have been defined, disciplined, and developed in the last century have become more effective with technological developments. We aimed to define individual-safe, intracranial approaches by introducing functional anatomical structures and pathological areas to artificial intelligence., Methods: Preoperative MR images of patients with deeply located brain tumors were used for planning. Intracranial arteries, veins, and neural tracts are listed and numbered. Voxel values of these selected regions in cranial MR sequences were extracted and labeled. Tumor tissue was segmented as the target. Q-learning algorithm which is a model-free reinforcement learning algorithm was run on labeled voxel values (on optimal paths extracted from the new heuristic-based path planning algorithm), then the algorithm was assigned to list the cortico-tumoral pathways that aim to remove the maximum tumor tissue and in the meantime that functional anatomical tissues will be least affected., Results: The most suitable cranial entry areas were found with the artificial intelligence algorithm. Cortico-tumoral pathways were revealed using Q-learning from these optimal points., Conclusions: AI will make a significant contribution to the positive outcomes as its use in both preoperative surgical planning and intraoperative technique equipment assisted neurosurgery, its use increased., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Dundar, Yurtsever, Pehlivanoglu, Yildiz, Eker, Demir, Mutluer, Tektaş, Kazan, Kitis, Gokoglu, Dogan and Duru.)

Purpose: To search for the utility of DCE-MRP to differentiate between posttreatment enhancement (PT) and tumoral enhancement (TM) in high-grade glial tumors., Materials and Methods: Thirty-four patients with glioma (11 grade 3; 23 grade 4) were enrolled. Enhancement in the vicinity of the resection cavity demonstrated by DCE-MRP was taken into consideration. Based on the follow-up scans, reoperation or biopsy results, the enhancement type was categorized as PT or TM. Measurements were performed at the enhancing area near the resection cavity (ERC), nearby (NNA) and contralateral nonenhancing areas (CLNA). Perfusion parameters of the ERC were also subtracted from NNA and CLNA. Intragroup comparison (paired sample t -test) and intergroup comparison (Student's t -test) were made., Results: There were 7 PTs and 27 TMs. In the PT, the subtracted values of Ve and IAUC from the CLNA and NNA and the subtracted value of Kep from NNA were statistically different. In TM, all metrics were significantly different comparing the CLNA and NNA. Comparing PT with TM, Ktrans, IAUC, Kep, and subtracted values of Ktrans and IAUC from both NNA and CLNA were significantly different., Conclusions: In PT, only Ktrans values did not reveal any difference comparing NNA and CLNA. To differentiate PT from TM, Ktrans, Kep, IAUC, and subtracted values of Ktrans and IAUC from NNA and CLNA can be used. These findings are in concordance with literature., Competing Interests: All the authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Tolga Turan Dündar et al.)

Rationale and Objectives: We aimed to investigate whether there are any differences in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values obtained from liver metastases due to gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NET) and adenocarcinomas., Materials and Methods: We included 54 patients with 167 liver metastases due to gastroenteropancreatic tumors. We divided the patients into two groups as liver metastases due to GEP-NETs (seven patients with 51 lesions, mean age: 48) and adenocarcinomas (47 patients with 116 lesions, mean age: 61.2). We used the independent samples t-test to compare the ADC and ADC mean values of the two groups and performed a receiver-operating characteristic analysis., Results: ADC and ADC mean values were significantly lower in the GEP-NET group compared with the adenocarcinoma group. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis showed a significant difference for ADC and ADC mean values, and area under the curve values were 0.733 and 0.790, respectively. The cut-off values were 933x10 -6 mm 2 /s for ADC and 801x10 -6 mm 2 /s for ADC mean . Diagnostic accuracies of ADC (Sensitivity = 80.2, Specificity = 64.7, PPV = 83.8, NPV = 58.9) and ADC mean (Sensitivity = 63.8, Specificity = 82.4, PPV = 89.2, NPV = 50) were calculated in differentiating adenocarcinoma metastases from GEP-NET metastases., Conclusion: The lower ADC and ADC mean values of liver metastases suggest GEP-NET rather than adenocarcinomas. ADC and ADC mean values obtained from liver metastases may be used to differentiate NETs from adenocarcinomas., (Copyright © 2020 The Association of University Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a disabling mental disorder characterized by excessive preoccupation with appearance. Trying to fix imagined defects many individuals with BDD search for aesthetic dermatology treatments. Due to omitting preliminary evaluation for BDD in subjects undergoing cosmetic procedures and lack of proper diagnostic tools among this group of individuals, the results of such interventions may face their disapproval and disappointment., Aim: To translate and validate the Polish version of a Cosmetic Procedure Screening Questionnaire (COPS), which can be used in a cosmetic procedure setting to screen patients suspected to be suffering from BDD., Material and Methods: Both forward and backward translations of the original English version of the questionnaire to Polish were performed in accordance with international standards. The validation was conducted on 33 individuals undergoing aesthetic procedures, who completed the questionnaire twice with 3-6 days' interval. Moreover, the subjects were also asked to fill the Polish versions of BIQLI (Body Image Quality of Life Inventory) and HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) for convergent validity procedure., Results: The Polish version of COPS demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach α coefficient value of 0.76) and reproducibility (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient, ICC, of 0.79). COPS correlated strongly with BIQLI ( r = -0.66, p < 0.01) as well as with HADS, in both depression and anxiety subscales ( r = 0.68, p < 0.01 and r = 0.66, p < 0.01, respectively)., Conclusions: The Polish version of the COPS questionnaire showed sufficient internal consistency and reliability. It can be used for BDD screening among the Polish speaking subjects undergoing aesthetic dermatology procedures., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright: © 2021 Termedia Sp. z o. o.)

Objective: Two critical processes in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic involve assessing patients' intensive care needs and predicting disease progression during patients' intensive care unit (ICU) stay. We aimed to evaluate oxidative stress marker status at ICU admission and ICU discharge status in patients with COVID-19., Methods: We included patients in a tertiary referral center ICU during June-December 2020. Scores of Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), and clinical severity, radiologic scores, and healthy discharge status were noted. We collected peripheral blood samples at ICU admission to evaluate total antioxidants, total oxidants, catalase, and myeloperoxidase levels., Results: Thirty-one (24 male, 7 female) patients were included. At ICU admission, patients' mean APACHE II score at ICU admission was 17.61 ± 8.9; the mean SOFA score was 6.29 ± 3.16. There was no significant relationship between clinical severity and oxidative stress (OS) markers nor between radiological imaging and COVID-19 data classification and OS levels. Differences in OS levels between patients with healthy and exitus discharge status were not significant., Conclusions: We found no significant relationship between oxidative stress marker status in patients with COVID-19 at ICU admission and patients' ICU discharge status.

Localized scleroderma is an inflammatory disease causing sclerosis of the skin. The aetiology and pathogenesis of localized scleroderma remain unclear. Localized scleroderma is considered a genetically driven disease. It is not well understood if genetic factors or environmental exposure individually can cause its development or if their interaction is needed to trigger the disease. Some authors postulate that familial clustering is evidence of a hereditary disease. Familial localized scleroderma has been rarely reported and is a case worth studying. We present the review of literature on this subject with 3 additional cases of familial localized scleroderma with paediatric onset., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Termedia.)

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the sudden cessation of regular cardiac activity so that the victim becomes unresponsive, with no signs of circulation and no normal breathing. Asystole, ventricular tachycardia (VT), ventricular fibrillation (VF), and pulseless electrical activity are the underlying rhythm disturbances in the pediatric age group. If appropriate interventions (cardiopulmonary resuscitation-CPR and/or defibrillation or cardioversion) are not performed rapidly, this condition progresses to sudden death. There have not been many reported cases of the approach and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias after SCA. Herein, we would like to report a case of a 15-year-old female patient with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) who was admitted to our clinic a year ago, and while her left ventricular systolic functions were improved, SCA suddenly occurred. Since the SCA event occurred in another city, intravenous treatment of amiodarone was done immediately and was switch to continuous infusion dose of amiodarone until the patient arrived at our institution's pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) 3 hours later. During the patient's 20-day PICU hospitalization, she developed pulseless VT and VF from time to time. The patient's pulseless VT and VF attacks were brought under control by the use of a defibrillator and added antiarrhythmic drugs (amiodarone, flecainide, esmolol, and propafenone). Intriguingly, therapy-resistance bigeminy with premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) continued despite all these treatments. The patient did not have adequate blood pressure measured by invasive arterial blood pressure monitoring while having bigeminy PVCs. The intermittent bigeminy PVCs ameliorated rapidly after intermittent boluses of lidocaine. In the end, multiple antiarrhythmic therapies and intermittent bolus lidocaine doses were enough to bring her cardiac arrhythmias after SCA under control. This case illustrates that malign PVC's should be taken very seriously, since they may predispose to the development of VT or VF. Also, this case highlights the importance of close vigilance of arterial pressure tracings of patients with bigeminy PVCs which develop after SCA and should not be accepted as normal., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest None declared., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a malignant form of neoplasm that originates from skeletal muscle. RMSs can exist anywhere in the human body but are more commonly detected in the neck region and extremities. The alveolar type is one of the subtypes of RMS that has a poor prognosis. Because the clinical manifestation of a tumour can be a painless mass, symptoms might be non-contributary to the diagnosis. Herein, a four-month-old girl was admitted to the emergency department with complaints of respiratory distress without a runny nose, cough, and fever. Recurrent effusions subsided with subsequent tube thoracostomy. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) was performed to determine the aetiology of the recurrent effusion. The Tru-Cut biopsy obtained during VATS resulted in the diagnosis of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. Pleural effusion decreased, and the tube drainage was stopped rapidly after first vincristine, actinomycin-D, and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy cycle. Persistent and recurrent pleural effusions should alert physicians to rule out unusual diagnoses like that of our case., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Termedia.)

One of the main issues in kidney transplantation is the optimal functional preservation of the organ until its transplantation into the appropriate recipient. Despite intensive efforts, the functional preservation period remains limited to hours. During this time, as a result of cellular injury, various proteins, peptides, and other molecules are released by the organ into the preservation medium. In this study, we used proteomic techniques to analyze the protein profiles of preservation solutions in which organs had been preserved prior to their transplantation. Samples were obtained from the preservation solutions of 25 deceased donor kidneys scheduled for transplantation. The protein profiles of the solutions were analyzed using 2D gel electrophoresis/MALDI-TOF and LC-MS/MS. We identified and quantified 206 proteins and peptides belonging to 139 different groups. Of these, 111 proteins groups were belonging to kidney tissues. This study used proteomic techniques to analyze the protein profiles of organ preservation solutions. These findings will contribute to the development of improved preservation solutions to effectively protect organs for transplantation., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

We report a 20-year-old male with rare asymptomatic aneurysm of the left ventricle that was concluded to be a pseudoaneurysm given its calcified walls and the history of severe blunt chest trauma 8 years ago. Multidetector computed tomography (CT) angiography of the coronary vessels helped exclude vascular insult and suggest traumatic intramyocardial dissection as underlying etiopathogenesis, besides providing a good view of aneurysm and cardiac morphology in relation to coronary vessels., (2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)