To assess the efficacy and safety of the induction chemotherapy's combination of docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (TPF) in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) patients and its positive ...outcomes on tumor size and surgical resection.
A retrospective chart review of patient's medical records was conducted from 2018 to 2023. All patients diagnosed with OSCC and who received induction chemotherapy combination of TPF were included in the study. Patients with other conditions that affect chemotherapy tolerability, other primary malignancy, or incomplete medical records were excluded. Descriptive analysis was undertaken to summarize the data pertaining to tumors before and after administration of the TPF chemotherapy.
Five patients met the inclusion criteria. All five patients experienced a reduction in tumor size after receiving the TPF induction chemotherapy. Three patients showed a downstaging to stage 0 after surgical resection. Specifically, one patient demonstrated a reduction in overall stage from IVb to IVa after receiving TPF induction chemotherapy, and two patients demonstrated a noteworthy improvement in N staging, reducing from N2c to N2b. In contrast, the fourth patient slightly improved after the induction chemotherapy and surgical resection procedures. However, the stage of the fifth patient remained unchanged before and after the treatment approach.
The study shows that implementing TPF induction chemotherapy to surgical resection improves clinical outcomes in a subset of patients with advanced OSCC without any harmful consequences.
This report presents a case of primary non-keratinizing, undifferentiated nasopharyngeal cancer and an oncocytic (Hurthle cell) thyroid carcinoma developing simultaneously. The patient was diagnosed ...in August 2022 with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. After the staging process and before starting treatment for the patient, he was diagnosed with oncocytic (Hurthle cell) thyroid carcinoma on October 2022. Synchronous primary head and neck malignancies are well-known in the medical field. However, this is a rare case of two primary tumors of mucosal and non-mucosal carcinomas, highlighting the importance of discussing head and neck malignant cases in the multidisciplinary team meeting and performing frequent imaging and endoscopic examination for suspicious cases, especially in elderly patients. This case report describes the cases, the management modalities, and the outcomes, informing clinicians of the importance of considering the possibility of multiple primary malignancies when evaluating patients with head and neck tumors and a better approach to this rare and challenging case to ensure successful management.
To evaluate the accuracy and e cacy of ne-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in diagnosing thyroid nodules, correlating it with the histopathological findings.
A retrospective evaluation of 314 ...patients was undertaken at a tertiary referral center of King Abdullah Medical City (KAMC), Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, between 2010-2019. Patients who presented with thyroid swellings underwent ultrasonography and FNAC. If indicated, surgery was performed. The FNAC findings were compared to the final histopathological reports.
The findings for FNAC from our data set of 314 patients showed a sensitivity value of 79.8%, specificity of 82.1%, accuracy of 74.8%, positive predictive value of 74.8%, and negative predictive value of 85.9%. Conclusion: Our study showed that FNAC has high sensitivity and speci city in the initial evaluation of patients with thyroid nodules. When guided by ultrasonography, the accuracy can be markedly improved. Molecular markers once widely available can improve the diagnostic power of FNAC to be no less than the histopathologic evaluation of thyroid tissue.
•Acne patients had an abnormal in lipid profile.•Acne individuals with severe form are more inclined to acquire resistance to insulin as well as higher glucose and insulin levels.•Apo B-48 gene ...expression is elevated in acne individuals with severe form who have lipid abnormalities.•This illustrating the importance of genetic variables in acne, insulin resistance, lipid profile modifications as well as isotretinoin, a standard acne medication, can also cause lipid irregularities.
The contribution of insulin to acne is that it stimulates the synthesis of androgenic hormones, which are important in the development of excess sebum, hyperkeratinization, and sebaceous gland cell growth.
To ascertain whether the lipid profile abnomalies seen in acne vulgaris are genetically induced, we also seek to establish a link between insulin resistance and lipid profiles.
An analytical cross-sectional study with case-control design research investigation of 72 individuals with acne vulgaris and 72 healthy volunteers was carried out. Both groups' medical histories were taken, as were the severity and duration of the disease among acne sufferers, as well as demographic data. Anthropometry tests were performed on both groups, including their weights, height, and circumference of waist, as well as the profile of lipids, blood glucose levels after a fast, insulin levels during fasting, resistance to insulin, and Apo B-48 folding change.
Severe acne vulgaris patients showed significantly increased TG, TC, LDL-C, blood glucose levels after a fast, fasting insulin, and resistance to insulin levels. P = 0.005 showed that Apo B-48 expression increased in patients compared to healthy people. Apo B-48 folding change and insulin resistance were found to have a substantial positive simple linear association. Acne vulgaris, whether mild, moderate, or severe, has a significant positive linear connection with insulin resistance.
Acne patients had an abnormal in lipid profile. Acne individuals with severe form are more inclined to acquire resistance to insulin as well as higher glucose and insulin levels. Apo B-48 gene expression is elevated in acne individuals with severe form who have lipid abnormalities. This illustrating the importance of genetic variables in acne, insulin resistance, lipid profile modifications as well as Isotretinoin, a standard acne medication, can also cause lipid irregularities.
•The potential of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) in the context of the political, economic, social, technical and environmental (PESTLE) framework in Africa.•The prospect of dual use of building ...integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) in Africa.•Implementing appropriate energy policy and financing schemes in African cities.•Promoting a sustainable path for cost effective recycling and reuse of end-of-life PV in African cities.
Power outage is a regular occurrence in most African cities due to increasing energy demand from population growth and commercial activities outstripping the grid capacity. This results in disruption to normal life putting stress on businesses and affecting development across the continent. This review paper investigates the potential of solar photovoltaic (PV) in African cities from three perspectives. Firstly, the potential of rooftop PV in the context of the political, economic, social, technical, legal and environmental aspects (PESTLE) is evaluated. Thereafter, sustainable waste management of solar PV panels is reviewed in anticipation for the upcoming wave of end-of life solar panels. Finally, the prospect of dual use building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) as power generators and building components is investigated from case studies in Africa. Most studies highlight the strong potential of rooftop PV and BIPV due to the availability of high radiance in the continent. However, our review shows that affordability and lack of investment acts as a significant barrier to mass adoption of this technology which could be remedied by implementing appropriate energy policy and financing schemes. Alternative financing of PV products and service solutions such as leasing, pay monthly, pay-as-you-go, and subscriptions are emerging as popular options, and these approaches seem to act as drivers to market expansion. The review also emphasizes on the need for effective and sustainable waste management of solar PV products through implementing appropriately designed recycling schemes. This will need to be adopted now to ensure success and to prevent a waste management crisis in the future for the African continent.
Psoriasis is a chronic, relapsing and inflammatory multisystemic disease with both genetic predisposition and autoimmune pathogenic traits. Several types of vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms ...have been investigated as a predisposing factor for psoriasis susceptibility with controversial results. However, the exact pathophysiological effect of the VDR gene on psoriasis susceptibility remains poorly understood. We aimed to determine whether VDR gene polymorphisms, specifically rs7975232 (ApaI), afford psoriasis susceptibility in a given community in Saudi Arabia. Also, to assess its possible relation with disease severity.
In a comparative case-control study comprising 53 psoriatic patients and 41 matched healthy controls, we measured serum ApaI levels, and the PCR-RFLEP technique detected ApaI genetic polymorphism (rs7975232) for both groups. Serum vitamin D level was measured in both groups.
Our results revealed that A/A genotype of ApaI was significantly more predominant in patients than controls, while A/a genotype was more common in healthy subjects. Furthermore, A allele was significantly over-represented in the patients' group compared to the controls (P≤0.001). Serum vitamin D levels were significantly higher in mild psoriatic patients than in those with moderate and severe types (P=0.002). Mild psoriatic patients with a/a genotypes have higher vitamin D levels than severe patients with A/A genotypes and A/a moderate patients (P≤0.001).
Our data indicated clearly that VDR gene polymorphism, namely ApaI, is associated with psoriasis susceptibility. Furthermore, serum vitamin D level in psoriatic patients varies among different ApaI genotypes, where it is lowest in AA genotype.
Background
Several types of polymorphisms in vitamin D receptor (VDR) have been found in psoriasis.
Aim
This study looked at the role of the TaqI polymorphism in the VDR gene as a factor in changing ...plasma 25‐hydroxyvitamin D 25(OH)D levels in psoriasis patients and to see if it had any relationship with disease severity.
Subjects and Methods
Clinical examination, serum 25(OH)D level measurement, molecular studies and TaqI genotyping by PCR and RFLP were performed for the two groups.
Results
The T/t genotypes of TaqI polymorphism genotypes were most common in patients, while the t/t genotypes were more abundant in healthy subjects. The T allele was high in the patient group in comparison with the normal subjects, but there were no significant differences (p = 0.421). Patients with T/t TaqI genotypes had higher levels of 25(OH)D than those with T/T and t/t (p = 0.004). Moderate psoriatic patients with the T/t genotype had relatively high 25(OH)D levels compared with moderate patients with the T/t and t/t genotypes (p = 0.001).
Conclusion
The increase in 25(OH)D titers in moderate patients is greater than that in mild and severe patients. T/t genotypes are associated with increased 25(OH)D levels in moderate and mild patients.
Several types of polymorphisms in vitamin D receptor (VDR) have been found in psoriasis. In Saudi patients The increase in 25(OH)D titers in moderate patients was greater than that in mild and severe patients. T/t genotypes are associated with increased 25(OH)D levels in moderate and mild patients.
Background
Acne vulgaris (AV) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting the pilosebaceous unit, commonly presenting as comedones, papules, pustules, or nodules on the face, upper limbs, ...torso, and back, with comedones formation being the primary pathology leading to disfiguring inflammation, hyperpigmentation, scarring, and psychological impact.
Aim
The purpose of this study was to investigate the significance of two genetic variants in the promoter region of the tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) gene and their association with insulin resistance (IR) in acne patients. To understand how these variants contribute to AV and its associated IR.
Subjects and methods
An analytical cross‐sectional study with a case‐control design and research evaluation was carried out on 87 AV patients and 73 healthy volunteers. The medical histories of both groups were obtained, as well as the severity and duration of inflammation among acne sufferers, as well as demographic data. Biochemical analysis was performed on both sets of participants, including fasting blood glucose levels, insulin levels while fasting, IR, and serum TNF‐α. PCR‐RFLP analysis identified −863 G > A (rs1800630) and −308 G > A (rs1800629) variations, and real‐time PCR analysis evaluated TNF‐α gene expression in both patients and healthy people.
Results
Acne patients exhibited significantly higher levels of IR, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, serum TNF‐α, and TNF‐α folding change, when compared to healthy controls. The co‐dominant model for −863 G > A and −308 G > A variants exhibited significant variations between the two groups. Severe acne patients who had the A/A genotype for −308 variants exhibited higher levels of IR, serum TNF‐α, and TNF‐α folding change. Highly significant positive linear correlation between IR, serum TNF‐α, and TNF‐α folding change in severe AV.
Conclusion
There is a correlation between AV, especially severe acne, and the −863 G > A and −308 G > A polymorphism, which influences TNF‐α gene expression and serum TNF‐α levels.
Background
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA molecules that play a regulatory role in various biological processes by acting as intracellular mediators. They hold great potential as therapeutic agents ...for targeting human disease pathways; however, there is still much to be uncovered about their mechanism of gene regulation. Alopecia areata (AA) is a commonly occurring inflammatory condition characterized by the infiltration of T cells that specifically target the anagen‐stage hair follicle. The limited understanding of its precise cellular mechanism may be the reason behind the scarcity of effective treatments for AA.
Aim
The significance and function of hsa‐miR‐193a‐5p as a genetic marker for AA and its potential influence on the advancement of the disease.
Subjects and methods
A case‐control study comprised 77 individuals diagnosed with AA who were matched with 75 healthy controls. In order to measure the expression of miR‐200c‐3p in both groups, the real‐time PCR technique was utilized. The prediction of suitable genes for hsa‐miR‐193a‐5p, as well as the identification of pathways and gene‐gene interactions, were carried out using bioinformatic tools.
Results
The levels of hsa‐miR‐193a‐5p expression were notably elevated in AA patients in comparison to healthy controls. Our prediction suggests that the involvement of hsa‐miR‐193a‐5p in the development of AA is significant due to its influence on the inositol phosphorylation pathway and the Phosphatidylinositol signaling system, achieved through its direct impact on the IPPK gene.
Conclusion
For the first time, our study demonstrates the significant over‐expression of a new miRNA, hsa‐miR‐193a‐5p, in the blood of AA patients compared to controls, and highlights its impact on the IPPK gene and the inositol phosphorylation and Phosphatidylinositol signaling pathways, suggesting a potential therapeutic role for hsa‐miR‐193a‐5p in AA.
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