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Background: Ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac deaths are the most common cause of mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Index of cardiac-electrophysiological balance (iCEB) (QT/QRS) may predict malignant ventricular arrhythmias. In this study, we investigated whether iCEB value is increased in ESRD patients and whether it changes before and after hemodialysis.Methods: The study included 52 ESRD patients and 53 control subjects matched for age and comorbidities. Biochemical, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic values of all participants were recorded. QRS, QT, Tp-e were measured manually. QTC was calculated using Bazett's formula. Then, Tp-e/QT, Tp-e/QTc, QT/QRS, and QTc/QRS ratios were calculated. The changes in ECG parameters of the ESRD patients before and after HD were compared using paired t-test.Results: Mean age and male sex ratio was comparable in both groups (p = 0.448 and p = 0.777, respectively). Comorbidity incidences, and biochemical parameters except eGFR (p < 0.001), albumin (p < 0.001), HDL cholesterol (p = 0.03) and platelet counts (p < 0.001) were comparable in both groups. Compared to the control group, QT, QTc, Tp-e, Tp-e/QT, Tp-e/QTc, QT/QRS, and QTc/QRS ratios were higher in the ESRD group (p < 0.05 for each). While QT and QTc intervals did not change after HD in ESRD patients, Tp-e, Tp-e/QT, Tp-e/QTc, QT/QRS, and QTc/QRS parameters increased significantly.Conclusion: In addition to ventricular repolarization dispersion indices in ESRD patients, iCEB elevation and increasing values after HD session indicate the increased risk of TdP-mediated ventricular arrhythmia after HD. Larger studies are needed to confirm our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Résumé: Les syndromes d’ostéolyse constituent un groupe hétérogène d’affections qui peuvent être confondues à tort avec une arthrite juvénile idiopathique (AJI) au stade précoce de la maladie. Nous rapportons le cas d’une jeune fille de 16 ans qui présentait des déformations importantes des articulations, des nodules sous-cutanés et des indurations cutanées linéaires. Le diagnostic initialement posé a été celui d’une AJI pour laquelle la patiente a reçu un traitement immunosuppresseur. Les radiographies articulaires ont mis en évidence une ostéopénie sévère et une ostéolyse des articulations interphalangiennes des mains et des pieds. Le diagnostic final est celui de syndrome d’ostéolyse (syndrome de Torg/nodule-arthropathie-ostéolyse [NAO syndrome]). Nous passerons brièvement en revue dans cet article les différentes formes de syndromes d’ostéolyse et leur diagnostic différentiel avec l’AJI. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Osteolysis syndromes include a group of heterogeneous disorders that can be mistakenly diagnosed as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in early course of the disease. We report a case of 16-year-old girl who presented with severe joint deformities, subcutaneous nodules and linear skin indurations. She had been diagnosed as having JIA before and given immunosuppressive therapy. X-ray of the joints showed severe osteopenia and osteolysis of interphalangeal joints of the hands and feet. The patient was diagnosed as having Torg/nodulosis, arthropathy, osteolysis syndrome (NAO). Here, we briefly discuss osteolysis syndromes and the differential diagnosis between osteolysis syndromes and JIA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Solid electrolytes are crucial in obtaining high safety standards and high energy densities in all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs). For ASSBs, it is essential to design solid electrolytes with high ionic conductivity. Herein, a density functional theory (DFT) study has been conducted to investigate the impact of substitutional sulfur doping into Li 1.3 Al 0.3 Ti 1.7 (PO 4) 3 (LATP) solid electrolyte which has a sodium superionic conductor (NaSICON) type crystal structure. A comprehensive study of the effect of sulfur doping on structural stability, Li-ion migration path, and electronic properties was carried out. DFT calculations indicate that sulfur doping locally improves the Li-ion migration kinetics which is accompanied by increased polyhedral volumes in the diffusion path. Moreover, experimental and computational studies were carried out on the electronic state of bare and sulfur-doped LATP. Band gap measurements performed by UV–Vis absorption analysis revealed that sulfur doping decreased the band gap from 2.35 eV to 2.10 eV in alignment with the theoretical calculations in which 1.83 eV was obtained in the most stable sulfur-doped configuration. Compared with bare-LATP, it has been validated that S@LATP has better ionic conductivity with reducing activation energy barrier as a solid electrolyte for all-solid-state batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Malacoplakia is a rare inflammatory condition characterized by demonstrative Michaelis-Gutmann bodies, which are foamy histiocytes with distinctive basophilic inclusions. Malacoplakia is caused by the inadequate elimination of bacteria by macrophages or monocytes as a result of defective phagocytic activity. Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis is characterized by the destruction of renal parenchyma and its replacement by solid sheets of foamy lipid-laden macrophages. Prolonged infection of the kidney, which is frequently caused by an obstruction of the urinary tract, is the pathologic mechanism of that condition. We present a 6-year-old patient with a poorly functioning kidney who had a prolonged recurrent urinary tract infection. The results of histologic analysis revealed an inflammatory infiltration consisting predominantly of foamy and epithelioid histiocytes that contained round intracytoplasmic concretions characteristic of Michaelis-Gutmann bodies. We suggest that malacoplakia might be a stage of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Teratomas of the head and neck are rare. They develop in neonates and are associated with feeding difficulty, airway obstruction, and difficulty in swallowing (which may cause polyhydramnios). Although some tumors consist of immature elements, teratomas of the head and neck are mature in nature, and excision is the most effective treatment. We present a case report of a neonate with a polypoid mass protruding from his mouth. He exhibited respiratory arrest immediately after birth and underwent intubation. The mass, which was completely excised, was histologically identified as a mature teratoma. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The fatty acid composition in muscle (claw and breast) and hepatopancreas of the Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus ) of the north-east Mediterranean were determined. Fatty acid compositions were analysed by gas chromatography. The results showed that the fatty acid profiles were significantly different between claw meat, breast meat and hepatopancreas of the crab. The percentage of total saturated fatty acids was higher in the hepatopancreas than in the claw or breast meats. The total n6 fatty acids were 8.61%, 7.80% and 5.34% in the hepatopancreas, claw meat and breast meat, respectively. The claw and breast meats contained significantly (P<0.05) higher amounts of total n3 fatty acids than did the hepatopancreas. The n3/n6 fatty acids ratio was higher in the breast meat than in the claw meat or the hepatopancreas.It is concluded that claw and breast meat are good sources of n3 PUFAs. Therefore, the results suggest that claw and breast meat of the blue crab are appropriate for human health. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Angiokeratoma is a benign vascular lesion. It is the result of dilation of ectatic subdermal vessels and congested capillaries. Weakness of the vessel walls, either from acquired or congenital reasons, can cause formation of the lesion. Angiokeratoma is more common in males, in whom it forms on the scrotal wall. An equivalent form can occur in females, generally on the vulva. The clitoris is an extremely rare location. We present the case of a 14-year-old girl with a clitoral angiokeratoma. To our knowledge, this is the first presented case of clitoral angiokeratoma in a child in English published reports. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]