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Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) is a rare and aggressive cancer of the sinonasal tract and is often characterized by intracranial invasion. However, SNUC rarely metastasizes to the spine. In this paper, we present a case of extradural metastasis and invasion of the adjacent spine by SNUC. A 42-year-old man presented to our hospital with two-month history of anosmia and nosebleeds. Imaging studies showed a neoplasm of the ethmoid sinus with extension into the anterior cranial fossa. The patient underwent resection of the carcinoma and began chemoradiotherapy. After completing chemoradiotherapy the patient complained of neck pain radiating down the right arm, and imaging showed an extradural mass at the C5 vertebral level. The patient underwent laminectomy for debulking of this tumor. One month later, the patient complained of recurrent weakness and pain in the right shoulder and arm. Imaging showed an extradural tumor wrapping around the C7 and C8 nerve roots, as well as a separate tumor at C2 adherent to the dura. The extradural tumor at C2 was surgically resected. Further imaging showed multiple new soft tissue masses at the thoracic level. We present a case of SNUC metastasis to the extradural spine representing the second case reported in the literature. Peri-dural metastasis and resulting symptoms should be included in the differential diagnosis and assessment of patients with SNUC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research note looks beyond the unitary household model and analyzes the influence of household resources by gender on charitable giving. We investigate the intrahousehold variables of income and education and their effects on giving behaviors in married couples. We use data from the longitudinal Philanthropy Panel Study (2005–2017) to examine how spouses' income and educational differences affect charitable giving behaviors and introduce fixed effects to control for unobserved heterogeneity. Initially, we find a positive relationship between both the husband's and wife's earned and unearned incomes and the likelihood and amount of giving by married couples. However, when fixed effects are used, we find women's earned income to be significantly associated with all forms of giving, showing that women's labor market earnings disproportionately influence giving behavior. Education is less of a factor in whether couples give and influences giving only when the husband has more education than the wife. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PReferentially expressed antigen in MElanoma (PRAME) expression in BRCA1-associated protein (BAP1)-inactivated melanocytic tumors and deep penetrating nevi: A pilot study The behavior of this tumor in most instances is indolent, although the distinction from Spitz nevus and nevoid melanoma may be difficult on histomorphology alone.3 Deep penetrating nevus (DPN) is the original name given to an entity that has also been called plexiform spindle cell nevus, melanocytic nevus with focal atypical epithelioid components, and clonal nevus. The immunohistochemical expression of the PReferentially Expressed Antigen in MElanoma (PRAME) has been used to aid in the diagnosis of primary cutaneous and nodal metastatic melanoma, most of which demonstrate diffuse positive nuclear staining. [Extracted from the article]

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous preparation that has been claimed to improve healing and mechanobiological properties of tendons both in vitro and in vivo. In this sub-study from the PATH-2 (PRP in Achilles Tendon Healing-2) trial, we report the cellular and growth factor content and quality of the Leukocyte-rich PRP (L-PRP) (N = 103) prepared using a standardized commercial preparation method across 19 different UK centers. Baseline whole blood cell counts (red cells, leukocyte and platelets) demonstrated that the two groups were well-matched. L-PRP analysis gave a mean platelet count of 852.6 x 109/L (SD 438.96), a mean leukocyte cell count of 15.13 x 109/L (SD 10.28) and a mean red blood cell count of 0.91 x 1012/L (SD 1.49). The activation status of the L-PRP gave either low or high expression levels of the degranulation marker CD62p before and after ex-vivo platelet activation respectively. TGF-β, VEGF, PDGF, IGF and FGFb mean concentrations were 131.92 ng/ml, 0.98 ng/ml, 55.34 ng/ml, 78.2 ng/ml and 111.0 pg/ml respectively with expected correlations with both platelet and leukocyte counts. While PATH-2 results demonstrated that there was no evidence L-PRP is effective for improving clinical outcomes at 24 weeks after Achilles tendon rupture, our findings support that the majority of L-PRP properties were within the method specification and performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon–fibre epoxy composites are widely used for high-performance structural applications, where they are often exposed to harsh environments. The result of moisture ingress has been extensively studied, causing significant deterioration in the mechanical properties of these composites. This study evaluates the performance of five commercial hydrophobic coatings as protective layers, to inhibit moisture ingress into the composite. The coatings evaluated were NeverWet, HydroBead, SHC, Aculon and LiquidGlass. These coatings were characterised and compared in terms of hydrophobicity, surface energy, roughness and chemical composition. This study also evaluated two atmospheric plasma pre-treatments as a means of enhancing the adhesion performance of these coatings. The pre-treatments involved the use of an air plasma for the activation of the epoxy, as well as the plasma deposition of a nanometre thick SiOx interlayer coating. The durability and protective performance of the coatings, with and without the pre-treatments were then compared using an abrasion test as well as a water immersion study. The use of both plasma pre-treatments was found to enhance the adhesion and the abrasion performance of four out of the five coatings. Of the coatings and pre-treatments investigated, the LiquidGlass in conjunction with a SiOx-coating interlayer was found to exhibit the highest abrasion resistance. This was followed by the composite, which was plasma activated prior to the application of the Aculon coating. Only minor differences were observed when comparing the total moisture ingress (M%) of the epoxy, coated with the different hydrophobic layers. The composite coated with the Aculon and SiOx interlayer exhibited the least amount of moisture ingress, at 0.90%, compared to 1.08% of the uncoated specimen. The shear strength of epoxy composite, coated with the LiquidGlass, NeverWet and the activated Aculon combination, were within the range of the uncoated specimens, therefore the moisture ingress was reversible upon heating and no permanent damage to the epoxy–fibre interface was observed. It is concluded that, of the five coatings investigated, both the Aculon coating and LiquidGlass in combination with a SiOx interlayer coating, exhibit the greatest potential as protective layers for carbon fibre epoxy composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although diffuse dermal angiomatosis (DDA), a rare acquired reactive cutaneous vascular disorder, has been previously reported in association with calciphylaxis (CP), the clinical significance of this relationship has not yet been elucidated. Methods: A total of 24 cases of CP diagnosed from 2013 to 2018 were retrospectively reviewed for the presence of associated DDA. Pertinent clinical information for each patient was also collected, and statistical analysis was performed using multivariable logistic regression, Student t test and Fisher exact test. Results: African American race and comorbid congestive heart failure were the only variables that demonstrated independent, statistically significant association with the presence of DDA. End‐stage renal failure, diabetes mellitus, immunosuppressive and hypercoagulable states, arrhythmia, body mass index, hypertension, coronary artery disease, patient age, duration of CP symptoms, gender, time interval from biopsy to death, anticoagulation therapy and sodium thiosulfate administration at the time of biopsy did not demonstrate a statistically significant association with DDA. Conclusion: DDA does not appear to be associated with disease severity or prognosis in cases of CP; however, in our population CP with concurrent DDA was more prevalent in African Americans and individuals with congestive heart failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]