Quantitative analysis of Argyrophilic Nucleolar organizer regions in odontogenic cysts and tumor - A comparative study

Retinoblastoma and polydactyly in a child with 46, XY, 15pstk+ karyotype-A case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Retinoblastoma (Rb) is the most common intraocular malignancy in childhood, originating from primitive retinal stem cells or cone precursor cells. It can be triggered by mutations of the RB1 gene or amplification of the MYCN gene. Rb may rarely present with polydactyly.

METHODS

We conducted karyotype analysis, copy number variation sequencing, and whole-genome sequencing on the infant proband and his family. The clinical course and laboratory results of the proband's infant were documented and collected. We also reviewed the relevant literature.

RESULTS

A 68-day-old boy presented with preaxial polydactyly and corneal edema. His intraocular pressure (IOP) was 40/19 mmHg, and color Doppler imaging revealed vitreous solid mass-occupying lesions with calcification in the right eye. Ocular CT showed flaky high-density and calcification in the right eye. This was classified as an International Retinoblastoma Staging System group E retinoblastoma with an indication for enucleation. Enucleation and orbital implantation were performed on the child's right eye. Karyotype analysis revealed an abnormal 46, XY, 15pstk+ karyotype, and the mother exhibited diploidy of the short arm of chromosome 15. The Alx-4 development factor, 13q deletion syndrome, and the PAPA2 gene have been reported as potential mechanisms for Rb combined with polydactyly.

CONCLUSION

We report the case of a baby boy with Rb and polydactyly exhibiting a 46, XY, 15pstk+ Karyotype. We discuss potential genetic factors related to both Rb and polydactyly. Furthermore, there is a need for further exploration into the impact of chromosomal polymorphisms in Rb with polydactyly.

The role of argyrophilic nucleolar organizing region-associated proteins in clinical exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objective

To investigate whether argyrophilic nucleolar organizing region-associated protein (AgNOR) parameters can be used as a biomarker that could potentially help with the management and clinical prognosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation.

Methods

This case–control study enrolled patients with COPD who were admitted to the Emergency Department and healthy sex- and age-matched control subjects. Peripheral blood samples were collected at hospital admission and the peripheral lymphocytes were silver-stained to investigate the quantity and distribution of AgNOR proteins. Fifty nuclei per patient were viewed and the total AgNOR area/total nuclear area (TAA/TNA) ratio and the mean AgNOR number for each patient were calculated.

Results

A total of 20 patients with COPD exacerbation and 17 healthy control subjects were recruited to the study. The TAA/TNA ratio and the mean AgNOR number were significantly higher in the patients with COPD exacerbation compared with the healthy control subjects. The mean AgNOR number showed a positive correlation with the pCO₂ levels on admission.

Conclusion

AgNOR protein levels were elevated during a COPD exacerbation compared with healthy control subjects and there was a positive correlation between pCO₂ levels and mean AgNOR number.