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Aim Salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is a morphologically challenging tumor, harboring a canonical CRTC1/3:MAML2 fusion, if investigated. However, the large cohorts available did not invesitgate the diagnosed cases adequately; leaving any mucin-producing malignancy possible MECs although >50% of salivary gland tumors secret mucin luminally or extra-luminally. This study examined the expression of stem cell markers Nanog, SOX2, OCT4, and MENA in salivary MEC using immunohistochemistry and to confer, whether or not, they may have a potential role in defining the tumoral molecular profile. Materials and methods Forty well-investigated parotid MEC cases (p63+, p40+, CK7+, Ck5/6+, AE1/AE3+, EMA+, S100 -, ATF1 -, WT1-, SOX9 - and SOX10 -), all with MAML2 rearrangements and without  EWSR1 alteration, were interrogated using immunohistochemical techniques to detect the immunoreactivity for Nanog, SOX2, OCT4, and MENA. Additionally, the POU5F1 FISH probe was used to confirm the immunohistochemical findings for OCT4. Results Immunohistochemical analysis revealed negative or nonspecific immunoreactivity of NANOG, SOX2, and OCT4 antibodies throughout all examined specimens, inferring deficient pluripotency factor within MEC cellular oncogenesis. However, MENA was widely expressed in all cases. The results of the POU5 F1 FISH probe were consistent with the immunohistochemical data, showing no detectable expression of OCT4, Nanog or SOX2, across all 40 samples. Conclusion Cancer stem cells likely do not play any significant role in the pathogenesis of salivary MEC. The widespread expression of MENA, however, suggests that it has functions beyond promoting stemness or pluripotency in these tumors.

Background and Objectives: Glucose Transporter-1 (GLUT1) is the key target gene for hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), which helps cells uptake glucose during cell division, malignant transformation, and nutrient depletion. Cancer hypoxia is a well-known condition caused by an oxygen imbalance in the cancer microenvironment. During chronic hypoxia, certain cancer cells can survive and adapt. These cellular alterations can make cancer more aggressive, causing invasion and metastasis. The study investigated the presence of GLUT1 in oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) and various histopathological grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) to assess the significance of GLUT1 as a prognostic indicator. Material and Methods: A total of 40 samples of tissue blocks, including 5 cases of normal oral mucosa, 5 cases of epithelial dysplasia, and 30 cases of OSCC with 10 cases each of well-differentiated, moderately differentiated, and poorly differentiated OSCCs, these cases were diagnosed using the Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining technique. GLUT1 expression was assessed using immunohistochemical staining, which involved evaluating the location of the stain and the percentage of staining. Results: The mean area percent was highest in poorly differentiated cases (47.37) and lowest in well-differentiated cases (13.42). In poorly differentiated cases, diffuse expression was observed in almost all malignant cells, exhibiting membrane, cytoplasmic and nuclear staining. A significant difference (p < 0.001) between all groups in regard to immunostaining was detected. Conclusions: GLUT1 expression increased from oral epithelial dysplasia to oral squamous cell carcinoma histological grades. GLUT1 in actively dividing cells may reflect the tumor’s aggressiveness and treatment response. Hypoxia increases this marker’s expression, indicating division and proliferation.

CL endemicity was reported worldwide including in Saudi Arabia, imposing a major challenge on the health authorities. Vitamin D and its receptor (VDR) are key modulators of the immune response where the VDR is expressed. A remarkable lack of data exists in humans about the contribution of vitamin D and polymorphisms of the VDR gene in protozoan infections, especially cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). This is the first work conducted to assess the relationship between vitamin D status, polymorphisms of the VDR gene (BsmI, ApaI, TaqI, and FokI), and VDR haplotype with parasite tissue load and susceptibility to CL. Fifty-two patients with confirmed CL (21 patients receiving vitamin D medication and 31 patients not receiving it) and 46 control subjects participated in this cross-sectional investigation. VDR genotyping was determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Serum levels of 25-OH vitamin D were assessed using the ELISA method in all participants. The skin biopsy quantified the parasite load based on the Ridley parasitic index. The mean serum level of 25-OH vitamin D in CL patients who were not receiving vitamin D therapy was significantly lower compared to CL patients on vitamin D therapy and controls (p <0.001 for both) and CL patients with no history of vitamin D therapy had a significantly higher frequency of vitamin D deficiency compared to CL patients on vitamin D therapy and controls (p < 0.05). Compared to CL patients with no history of vitamin D therapy, CL patients receiving vitamin D therapy had a significantly lower mean size of the lesion and RPI (p = 0.02, .03 respectively). The frequency of genotype \"aa\" and its \"a\" allele in ApaI SNP of VDR was significantly lower in CL patients compared to controls (p = 0.006 and 0.03 respectively). However, patients with CL had a considerably greater frequency of the \"A\" allele than the controls (p = 0.03), suggesting its role in CL susceptibility. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the genotype and allele frequency distributions of BsmI, TaqI, and FokI (p > 0.05). When compared to controls, CL cases had a considerably greater frequency of the \"B-A-T-F\" haplotype (p = 0.04), and a significantly lower frequency of the \"B-a-T-F\" haplotype (p = 0.01) suggesting that these haplotypes may have the potential susceptibility or protection against CL respectively. The \"Aa\" genotype in ApaI SNP of VDR had considerably lower levels of vitamin D with higher parasite load compared to the \"AA\" and: aa\" genotypes (p = 0.02,0.02 respectively). A significant negative correlation was found between the parasite load and 25-OH vitamin D levels (r2 = -0.53, p< 0.001). According to these findings, vitamin D levels and \"ApaI\" VDR gene polymorphisms could affect the parasite load and susceptibility to infection, whereas BsmI, FokI, and TaqI polymorphisms did not. Correction of vitamin D levels may aid in CL management.

On September 25, 2015, the Sustainable Development Agenda of 2030 was agreed and adopted by the United Nation. This agenda consists of 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) and 169 targets. It expressed a global call for taking urgent actions to save the planet. In this regard, the private sector is one of the key stakeholders that could shoulder a fundamental responsibility for accelerating the SDGs implementation process. The current article reviews important aspects of the role of the private sector toward SDGs achievement. The corporate social responsibility, circular economy, and the environmental initiatives are required to support the implementation of SDGs. However, for achieving SDGs the private sector faces a number of challenges such as lack of influential leadership, harmonious partnerships, shortage of investments, exhaustiveness and complexity of interlinkages among the goals and their targets, and lack of monitoring and evaluating methods for assessing the progress of implementation. Moreover, there is a dire need for a reliable set of measurable indicators to support the private sector in measuring the implementation progress. This review article highlights the role of private sector in beating the challenges confronting the achievement of SDGs.

The continuous production and widespread applications of synthetic plastics and their waste present immense environmental challenges and damage living systems. Microplastics (MPs) have become of great concern in various ecosystems due to their high stability and decomposition into smaller fragments such as nano-plastics (NPs). Nevertheless, MPs and NPs can be removed from the environment using several physical, chemical, and microbiological methods. This study presents a comprehensive narrative literature review, which aims to explore the various types of MPs and NPs, their sources, fate, toxicity, and impact on human health and environment. To achieve this aim, the study employed a comprehensive literature review methodology. In addition, it summarizes various methods of sample collection and analysis techniques. Remediation strategies for MPs and NPs removal are assessed and compared. Furthermore, it highlights interlinkages between the sustainable development goals (SDGs)—specifically SDG 14—and plastic pollution. Overall, priority for research and development in the field of MPs and NPs impacts on ecological ecosystems is a must as this will enable the development of scientific polices driven by global collaboration and governance which in turn will develop tools and methodologies that measure the impacts and risk of plastic pollution.

Key Clinical Message Castleman's Disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of retroperitoneal masses, especially in equivocal cases. Clinician should not presume all cases of retroperitoneal masses as a malignancy. Castleman's Disease is a heterogeneous group of lymphoproliferative disorders, that can develop in lymph nodes or in extranodal sites. It has three distinct histological subtypes; hyaline vascular, plasma cell or mixed. It can be unicentric or multicentric, and sometimes oligocentric or regional. In this article, we report a case of a 30‐year‐old male who presented with a palpable left lumbar mass, clinically suspected as sarcoma vs GIST, which was surgically excised and pathologically examined revealing a rare condition of intra‐abdominal unicentric Castleman's Disease with good prognosis. Castleman's Disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of retroperitoneal masses, especially in equivocal cases.

The pathogenesis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is still not fully unraveled. Though preventive vaccines and treatment methods are out on the market, a specific cure for the disease has not been discovered. Recent investigations and research studies primarily focus on the immunopathology of the disease. A healthy immune system responds immediately after viral entry, causing immediate viral annihilation and recovery. However, an impaired immune system causes extensive systemic damage due to an unregulated immune response characterized by the hypersecretion of chemokines and cytokines. The elevated levels of cytokine or hypercytokinemia leads to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) along with multiple organ damage. Moreover, the immune response against SARS-CoV-2 has been linked with race, gender, and age; hence, this viral infection’s outcome differs among the patients. Many therapeutic strategies focusing on immunomodulation have been tested out to assuage the cytokine storm in patients with severe COVID-19. A thorough understanding of the diverse signaling pathways triggered by the SARS-CoV-2 virus is essential before contemplating relief measures. This present review explains the interrelationships of hyperinflammatory response or cytokine storm with organ damage and the disease severity. Furthermore, we have thrown light on the diverse mechanisms and risk factors that influence pathogenesis and the molecular pathways that lead to severe SARS-CoV-2 infection and multiple organ damage. Recognition of altered pathways of a dysregulated immune system can be a loophole to identify potential target markers. Identifying biomarkers in the dysregulated pathway can aid in better clinical management for patients with severe COVID-19 disease. A special focus has also been given to potent inhibitors of proinflammatory cytokines, immunomodulatory and immunotherapeutic options to ameliorate cytokine storm and inflammatory responses in patients affected with COVID-19.

Background: Among gram-negative bacteria, Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the most common causes of healthcare-related infection. Bloodstream infections (BSIs) caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae are notorious for being difficult to treat due to resistance to commonly used antimicrobials. Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from bloodstream infections are becoming increasingly resistant to carbapenems. In the fight against carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, colistin [polymyxin E] is the antimicrobial of choice and is thus widely used. Objective: This study aimed to determine the global prevalence of colistin resistance amongst Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from bloodstream infections. Methods: PubMed, Medline, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library were searched for published articles without restricting the search period. Studies meeting the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria were included, and quality was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist. We used a statistical random effect model to analyze data with substantial heterogeneity (I2 > 50%) in the meta-analysis. Results: A total of 10 studies out of 2873 search results that met the inclusion criteria were included in the final synthesis for this study. A pooled prevalence of colistin resistance was 3.1%, 95% CI (1.5–4.7%). The highest colistin resistance pooled prevalence was recorded in isolates studied in 2020 and beyond 12.90% (4/31), while Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates studied in 2015 and before and in 2016–2019 showed a pooled colistin resistance rate of 2.89% (48/1661) and 2.95% (28/948), respectively. The highest colistin resistance was found in Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from Thailand (19.2%), while the least pooled resistance was in Klebsiella pneumoniae from South Korea (0.8%). The pooled prevalence of the multidrug-resistant (MDR) of Klebsiella pneumoniae from bloodstream infection ranged from 80.1%, 95% CI (65.0–95.2%), and the resistance prevalence of other antibiotics by Klebsiella pneumoniae from bloodstream infections were as follows; ciprofloxacin (45.3%), ertapenem (44.4%), meropenem (36.1%), imipenem (35.2%), gentamicin (33.3%), amikacin (25.4%) and tigecycline (5.1%). Klebsiella pneumoniae recovered from the intensive care unit (ICU) showed higher colistin resistance, 11.5% (9/781%), while non-ICU patients showed 3.03% (80/2604) pooled colistin resistance. Conclusion: This study showed low colistin resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from global bloodstream infections. However, significant colistin resistance was observed in isolates collected from 2020 and beyond. Significant colistin resistance was also observed in Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates in bloodstream infections from the intensive care unit (ICU) compared to those from non-ICUs. As a result, there is a need to institute colistin administration stewardship in the ICU in clinical settings.

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a rare type of mesenchymal neoplasm that first was discovered in the pleura but can also affect the peritoneum, lungs, mediastinum, and skin. Cutaneous malignant SFT is an extremely rare tumor that resembles dermatofibrosacoma protuberance (DFSP) histologically and immunohistochemically. Herein, we describe a case of malignant SFT that presented as a recurrent mass on the scalp. The first lesion was totally excised one year before recurrence and was diagnosed as a DFSP based on the histopathology and cluster of differentiation 34 immunostaining positivity. Re-examination of the previously examined specimen was considered. Activator of transcription 6 positivity was also detected in the tissue, confirming the diagnosis of a recurrent malignant SFT rather than DFSP. There was no evidence of recurrence, locoregional, or distant metastases at six months after lesion removal with a safety margin.

Actinomycosis is an uncommon chronic granulomatous infection that typically resides as commensals in the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, and female genital tract. Involvement of the extremities, particularly the digits and underlying bone, is extremely rare, especially in young age, often leading to diagnostic delays and therapeutic uncertainty. A 18‐year‐old female presented with a progressively enlarging, painless mass on the dorsum of the left ring finger. Clinical examination revealed a firm, non‐tender, subcutaneous lesion with no signs of systemic illness. Radiographic imaging demonstrated a lytic lesion with cortical erosion involving the middle phalanx. The mass was surgically excised under local anesthesia without preoperative antibiotic therapy. Histopathological examination confirmed actinomycosis, revealing filamentous bacterial colonies (sulfur granules) within a suppurative and fibrotic background. This case underscores the importance of including actinomycosis in the differential diagnosis of chronic digital swellings, particularly in atypical anatomical sites. Surgical excision remains a valuable diagnostic and therapeutic approach in such rare presentations. Key Clinical Message Actinomycosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic, painless digital swellings, even in atypical sites and young patients. Surgical excision can be both diagnostic and curative in rare presentations of isolated digital actinomycosis.