The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological well-being of college students: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

Even before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns regarding college students' mental health were on the rise due to the increasing number of students afflicted with mental health issues. Exposure to numerous pandemic-related measures exacerbated existing issues with anxiety, depression, and stress. This study aimed to assess depression, anxiety, and stress levels among university students in the Aseer region in Saudi Arabia.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Data were collected from eligible individuals using a web-based, self-administered DASS-21 questionnaire. This questionnaire consists of 21 questions with a rating scale of 0-3. Each of the psychological factors of depression, anxiety, and stress was categorized as normal, mild, moderate, severe, and extremely severe. Results were expressed using descriptive statistics as proportions, and the Mann-Whitney/Kruskal-Wallis' test was used to evaluate the presence of a significant difference between each of the socio-demographic factors of the respondents and the psychological outcomes.

RESULTS

Respondents aged between 18-24 years reported higher rates of extremely severe depression than other age groups. Females had higher rates of depression, especially severe and extremely severe forms. Extremely severe anxiety had a relatively high prevalence across all age groups. Extremely severe stress was more common among respondents aged between 18-24 years, while respondents older than 34 years reported the highest prevalence of severe stress. The Mann-Whitney/Kruskal-Wallis' tests showed statistically significant differences between participants in the different groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The COVID-19 pandemic had a high psychological impact on university students, which indicates that a psychological support program should be implemented to reduce this impact.

Detection and analysis of potential drug-drug interactions among patients admitted to the cardiac care unit in a tertiary care hospital

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to estimate how prevalent potential drug-drug interactions (pDDIs) were in patients with cardiovascular diseases who were hospitalized for more than 24 hours, and to determine the risk factors associated with these pDDIs.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A prospective observational study was conducted on patients admitted to the cardiac care unit in a tertiary care hospital. We included two hundred medical records of cardiovascular disease patients who were prescribed more than one drug. These medical records were analyzed for pDDIs using the Micromedex drug interaction checker database. Data were analyzed using Descriptive statistics. Chi-square test and the Pearson correlation coefficient were applied.

RESULTS

PDDIs were prevalent in 95% of the analyzed medical records, with at least one detected pDDI per record. Within the 200 medical records, 430 potentially interacting drug pairs were identified, with the majority resulting in moderate and major interactions. Aspirin/clopidogrel (111), furosemide/aspirin (89), enoxaparin/clopidogrel (89) and Lisinopril/aspirin (60) were the most common interacting pairs. Whereas, aspirin, heparin, clopidogrel, furosemide, ranitidine and Lisinopril were the most frequently implicated drugs in DDIs.

CONCLUSIONS

PDDIs were common among hospitalized cardiovascular patients. PDDIs were associated with age and number of drugs prescribed. The routine integration of an online drug interactions screening tool may improve the ability of pharmacists to identify cardiac patients at higher risk of potential drug interactions and conduct appropriate interventions thereafter.

Behavior of right atrial strain in patients with advanced idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension after initiation of specific combined therapy

Background

Right atrial (RA) function has emerged as an important determinant of outcome in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, studies exploring RA function and assessing its behavior in response to specific PAH combination therapy, independent of RA size in patients with PAH is not adequately investigated.

Purpose

Assess the behavior of strain based measures of RA in response to combined PAH therapy, independent of RA size in patients with PAH.

Methods

RA peak longitudinal strain (PLS) and peak active contraction strain (PACS) were retrospectively assessed in 38 patients with advanced idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) who were referred to Aswan heart Centre and not receiving proper GDMT; at baseline and during follow-up after initiation of specific PAH combination therapy in the form of either Sildenafil/Bosentan or Sildenafil/Macitentan.

Results

Most of the patients were females with median (IR) age 34 (27–39) years. All patients presented with dyspnea WHO-FC III. At baseline, all patients were receiving only monotherapy in the form of sildenafil. Median (IR) time to echocardiographic follow-up was 11 (8–18) months. Patients presented with markedly right ventricle (RV) and RA enlargement, depressed RV systolic function, and reduced RA strain parameters compared with values previously reported in healthy controls. Among various baseline associations of the RA PLS, the strongest were with baseline RA area (rho: −0.659; p<0.001) and RVEF by CMR (rho: 0.570; p<0.001). At follow up; RA PLS and PACS significantly increased (16.6 vs 24 and 7.06 vs 11.42, respectively: p<0.001); however, RA area did not show significant decrease. Only RV TDI & FAC showed significant improvement among different RV function parameters measured by echocardiography. During the follow up period, 11 out of 38 patients (28.9%) were hospitalized. RA PLS change was significantly lower in the hospitalized group than the non-hospitalized group (4.40 vs 10.2; p=0.014). RA PLS change was independently associated with hospitalization in the multivariate regression analysis (95% CI: −0.061 to −0.010; p=0.008).

Conclusion

Initiation of specific PAH combination therapy in undertreated patients with IPAH showed improvement in RA strain parameters despite no change in RA area during follow up.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Elucidation of Therapeutic Peptide Binding Partners from Isolated Mitochondria

CT20p is a protein derived from the C-terminus of Bax. It has selective cytotoxicity for cancer cells, such as the sensitive triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast adenocarcinoma cells, but not normal cells like the resistant MCF-10A epithelial breast cells. To understand the reason for the peptide’s selective toxicity, a "pull-down" experiment with biotinylated CT20p (biotin-CT20p) and whole-cell protein lysates from breast cancer and normal cells were performed. These studies revealed that CT20p binds to a cytosolic protein called chaperonin-containing TCP-1 (CCT), a molecular chaperone that folds actin and tubulin. However, this method could not detect possible rare interactions made by CT20p with mitochondrial proteins. To determine whether CT20p is associated with mitochondrial proteins as part of the mechanism by which it induces cell death, mitochondrial protein lysates from MDA-MB-231 and MCF-10A cells were isolated and a streptavidin-agarose pulldown procedure using biotin-CT20p was performed. Protein interactions were visualized by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) using silver staining. The results of the experimental procedure showed that biotin-CT20p did not "pull down" any observable mitochondrial proteins from the sensitive MDA-MB-231 cells, indicating that the peptide may not interact with mitochondrial proteins in breast cancer cells. Rather, the interactions observed with biotin-CT20p were with mitochondrial proteins derived from resistant MCF-10A cells, indicating that these interactions were not driving the cancer-selective cell death process. The absence of CT20p-associated proteins from the mitochondrial lysates of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells supports the hypothesis that CT20p, unlike the parent protein, Bax, exerts its cytotoxic effects via a cytosolic protein.

When old metagenomic data meet newly sequenced genomes, a case study

Dozens of computational methods are developed to identify species present in a metagenomic dataset. Many of these computational methods depend on available sequenced microbial species, which are still far from being representative. To see how newly sequenced genomes affect the analysis results, we re-analyzed a shotgun metagenomic dataset composed of twelve colitis free metagenomic samples and ten colitis-related metagenomic samples. Unexpectedly, we identified at least two new phyla that may relate to colitis development in patients, together with the phylum identified previously. Compared with the previously identified phylum that differed between the two types of samples, the differences associated with the two new phyla are statistically more significant. Moreover, the abundance of the two new phyla correlates more with the severity of colitis. Surprisingly, even by repeating the analyses implemented in the previous study, we found that at least one main conclusion in the previous study is not supported. Our study indicates the importance of re-analysis of the generated metagenomic datasets and the necessity of considering multiple updated tools in metagenomic studies. It also sheds light on the limitations of the popular tools used currently and the importance to infer the presence of taxa without relying upon available sequenced genomes.

Molecular Detection and Differentiation of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Complex and Non-tuberculous Mycobacterium in the Clinical Specimens by Real Time PCR

Mycobacteria are subdivided into three groups: the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, the non-tuberculous mycobacteria called NTM or MOTT (Mycobacteria Other Than Tuberculosis) and Mycobacterium leprae. Over the past few decades, the incidence of infections caused by NTM has increased world wide. The differentiation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex from NTM is of primary importance for infection control and choice of antimicrobial therapy. However, there is so far no report in Bangladesh about the detection of NTM and hence differentiation of MTB and NTM. Neither acid-fast bacilli (AFB) staining nor histopathology can discriminate MTB and NTM. In order to detect and differentiate Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and NTM we used commercially available LyteStar TB/NTM Real Time PCR kit (Altona Diagnostics, Germany) and analyzed 782 clinical specimens from tuberculosis suspected patients. We have found 49 MTB and 74 NTM positive samples from variety of clinical specimens such as sputum, bronchial lavages, body fluids, tissues, needle aspirates and swabs. Many of the PCR positive specimens were AFB negative on direct microscopic examination thus, indicating strong sensitivity of PCR than AFB staining. This is the first report in the country about detection of NTM and it warrants further elaborate investigation. Moreover, our results showed that multiplex real-time PCR assay is an effective sensitive tool for the rapid identification and differentiation of MTB and NTM directly from clinical specimens.

Abstract 3241: Peptide power: A PSMA-targeted CT20 nanoparticle to fight prostate cancer

Chemotherapeutic agents within targeted nanoparticles typically trigger cell death not only in tumors cells but also in normal cells that non-specifically uptake these nanoparticles. An alternative approach would be to target the delivery of a therapeutic agent that is toxic to cancer cells while less toxic to non-tumor cells. To accomplish this, a Bax-derived peptide (CT20) was developed as a selective cancer-targeting agent, and a folate-decorated hyperbranched polyester (HBPE) nanoparticle was employed to deliver the peptide to prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) (+) prostate cancer cells. The receptor-targeting capability of folic acid towards PSMA (+) in prostate cancer was examined using a fluorescence activatable probe, folate-S-S-doxorubicin, and the PSMA inhibitor 2-PMPA. Additionally, a folate-decorated HBPE nanoparticle was utilized to targeted-deliver the CT20 peptide to prostate cancer cells in vitro as well as in athymic mice. CT20-encapsulated folate (folate-CT20) nanoparticles were used to determine cell cytotoxicity against PSMA-positive and -negative cells using flow cytometry. Furthermore, cytotoxicity of folate-CT20 nanoparticles towards murine macrophages was evaluated to determine the consequences of non-specific uptake; the FDA-approved doxorubicin was used for comparison. Cell death associated with CT20 was determined through a violet ratiometric membrane asymmetry probe combined with SYTOX AADvanced dead cell stain to evaluate membrane asymmetry and membrane permeability. Folate-CT20 nanoparticles’ tumor-targeting and tumor-killing efficacy was evaluated in athymic mice bearing PSMA (+) tumors and PSMA (-) tumors. Nanoparticles were delivered intravenously through the tail vein and the tumor size was assessed with calipers and ultrasound. Folate-S-S-Doxorubicin was uptaken specifically by PSMA (+) prostate cancer cells showing fluorescence within 12 hours and cell death within 24 hours. Cells that were preincubated with 2-PMPA followed by folate-S-S-Doxorubicin demonstrated no cell-associated fluorescence or cytotoxicity. Similarly, folate-decorated nanoparticles were only internalized by PSMA (+) cells. Cytotoxicity of folate-CT20 nanoparticles towards PSMA (+) cancer cells occurred within 48 hours, while no changes occurred in PSMA (-) cells. When murine macrophages were treated with PSMA-targeting nanocarriers and doxorubicin individually, significant cytotoxicity only occurred in doxorubicin-exposed cells. In vivo, folate-CT20 nanoparticles were capable of preventing further PSMA (+) tumor growth and caused PSMA (+) tumor regression in some cases. Moreover, minimal liver and spleen damage was observed. Herein, we demonstrate that the CT20 peptide is capable of displaying specific lethality towards PSMA (+) prostate cancer cells and that folate-CT20 nanoparticles are promising vehicles to deliver CT20 in vitro and in vivo.

Citation Format: Orielyz Flores, Daniel Nierenberg, Ana C. Carr, Rania Bassiouni, Arati Limaye, Santimukul Santra, Charalambos Kaittanis, Annette Khaled, Jesus Manuel Perez. Peptide power: A PSMA-targeted CT20 nanoparticle to fight prostate cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3241. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-3241

Clinical Profile and Outcome of Intracranial Meningioma in Apollo Hospitals Dhaka

Background: A meningioma is a tumor that arises from the meninges- the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.Objective: This is a retrospective analysis of the recorded data of patients managed for intracranial meningiomas between January 2007 and June 2015 at Apollo Hospital, Dhaka.Methodology: Demographic data was analyzed for all but only patients who had surgery and histological diagnosis were analyzed for outcome.Results: This study shows that meningiomas had female preponderance. Majority cases were above 50 years of age. Convexity is the most common anatomical location of meningioma. Most common symptoms were headache (70%) followed by seizure in 34.3% of patients. 90% of the cases were benign. Malignant meningioma was 1.4% and recurrence was found in 1.4% of cases. Six patients with histological grades I, II and III meningi- omas were sent for stereotactic radiotherapy after incomplete tumor resection or for residual tumour. Total removal was done in 80% cases and the mortality was 1.4%, in patient who had poor GCS score on admission.Pulse Vol.9 January-December 2016 p.22-26

Detection of Nontuberculous Mycobacterium by Real Time PCR from Variety of Clinical Specimens

Aim: Nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) causes many types of infections including respiratory and non-respiratory infections such as skin and soft tissue infections, lymphadenitis, meningitis, gastro-intestinal infections, disseminated infections and even intravenous catheter-related infections. Increasing incidence of NTM is reported worldwide in last decade. However, incidence of NTM in Bangladesh is not known as detection of NTM is not undergoing in Bangladesh which is necessary to know as these NTM species are resistant to first-line anti-TB drugs and, when mistaken for M. tuberculosis, give rise to erroneous identification of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB). We wanted to know the existence of NTM from various clinical specimens including tissues from tuberculosis suspected patients visited in Apollo Hospitals Dhaka in 2013 to 2015.Material and Method: Sample processing, DNA extraction and real time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) were done according to the commercial LyteStar TB/NTM PCR kit developed by Altona Diagnostics, Germany. The target DNA sequences are amplified with IS61 10-specific primers for MTB complex and ITS-specific primers for NTM. Probes specific for MTB complex and NTM DNA are labeled with fluorophore dye FAM and HEX, respectively. We have analyzed 579 clinical specimens from tuberculosis suspected patient.Result: Among 579 specimen different types of tissues were 201 and histopathology data were available for 166 cases. In tissues NTM was detected by PCR in 3 1(19%) cases, 8 of which were compatible with histopathology findings and rest 23 cases showed no evidence of granulomatous lesion. We analyzed 378 different varieties of clinical specimens such as sputum, bronchial lavages, body fluids, pus and swabs. Among 378 samples 215 samples were requested for AFB staining. NTM was detected by PCR in 19(8.8%) samples and out of 19 NTM positive specimens only one was AFB positive.Conclusion: This is the first report in the country about detection of NTM in variety of clinical specimens and warrants further elaborate investigation. Our results showed that PCR is an effective tool for the rapid identification of NTM from tissues and AFB negative clinical specimens having suspicion for mycobacterial infection.Pulse Vol.9 January-December 2016 p.15-21

Use of a cytotoxic peptide as an immunotherapeutic agent in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer (VAC13P.1134)

Breast cancer is a challenge for immunotherapy because of its genetic heterogeneity and decreased immunogenicity, which impedes the use of immune checkpoint blockade. A promising approach is to generate dying cancer cells that operate like a vaccine to induce a tumor-specific immune response and eradicate residual cancer cells. This is termed immunogenic cell death (ICD) and is characterized by a unique molecular signature that stimulates immunity. To develop a novel ICD agent for cancer immunotherapy, our group discovered a therapeutic peptide, CT20p, and a nanotechnology-based platform to concentrate CT20p in breast tumors. Treatment of mice with nanomolar amounts of CT20p caused tumor regression, and dying breast cancer cells expressed markers characteristic of ICD: calreticulin (Crt) and heat shock protein (HSP)-70. The intracellular target of CT20p is a protein called chaperonin-containing T-complex (CCT) that folds actin and tubulin. CCT was overexpressed in breast cancer cells susceptible to CT20p. In contrast, normal epithelial cells, macrophages or NK cells, which have low levels of CCT, were unaffected by CT20p. Breast cancer cells treated with CT20p displayed alterations in IRE1 and PERK, mediators of the unfolded protein response (UPR) that are upstream drivers of ICD signals. Hence, CT20p-treated breast cancer cells were more effectively killed by NK cells and ingested by phagocytes, demonstrating that CT20p is a robust stimulator of innate immunity.

Central Neurocytoma: a Case Report

Central neurocytoma is a tumour showing neuronal differentiation. This tumour usually located in ventricles occurs at young age and carries favorable prognosis. For this, accurate diagnosis is essential. There is no published case report of central neurocytoma in Bangladesh. With these objectives, we have presented a case report of central neurocytoma in a 37 years old female. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pulse.v6i1-2.20351 Pulse Vol.6 January-December 2013 p.51-52

Correlation of Intra-Operative Frozen Section Consultation With the Final Diagnosis At a Tertiary Referral Center in Dhaka

Abstract not available DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pulse.v5i2.20261 Pulse Vol.5 July 2011 p.22-25

A Clinical and Histopathological study of Lichenoid Eruption of Skin in Two Tertiary Care Hospitals of Dhaka

Abstract not available DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pulse.v5i1.20184 Pulse Vol.5 January 2011 p.12-18

Abstract 5138: Structural insights into the dynamic functionality of Bax through molecular dynamics simulations

The Bcl-2 protein family modulates the balance between cellular life and death. Bax, a pro-apoptotic member of this family, participates in mitochondria-mediated apoptosis but also supports mitochondrial bioenergetics. In previous work, we showed that a peptide derived from the alpha 9-helix of Bax is cytotoxic, specifically when used to treat breast cancer cells. Such structural and biochemical studies are useful for identifying functional domains within Bax that can be developed into therapeutic peptides, but are limiting when ascribing function to domains at a molecular level. Computational modeling and molecular dynamics simulations of Bax provides a high-power analysis of the subtle changes that modulate the regulatory and effector activities of the protein. This study seeks to elucidate the consequence of alterations in micro-domains that confer activity, apoptotic or otherwise, to the protein. Molecular dynamics simulation was used to determine how the trans-membrane region of Bax conferred stability to the protein, identifying regions of high flexibility and differential exposure. Computationally rotating the Ψ angle at Pro168 altered the position of the α9-helix of Bax, mimicking the “active” and “inactive” forms of Bax. We found that “active” Bax, but not “inactive” Bax, presented a more relaxed structure which altered the conformation and exposure of the BH3 domain, potentially enhancing interactions among the family of Bcl-2 proteins. Since dysregulation of Bcl-2 proteins is implicated in a number of cancers, examining the basic structural dynamics at a molecular level yielded information that can aid in the design novel Bcl-2 family-targeting chemotherapeutics.

Citation Format: Annette Khaled, Rebecca Boohaker, Craig Finch, Sergio Tafur. Structural insights into the dynamic functionality of Bax through molecular dynamics simulations. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5138. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-5138

[Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis]

BACKGROUND

Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis (AIPD) is caused by an immune reaction to endogenous progesterone following exposure to exogenous progesterone, especially in oral contraceptives and intrauterine devices. Skin eruption develops cyclically during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle when progesterone levels are elevated. The resultant clinical symptoms are frequently confused with other forms of dermatosis. We describe a young woman presenting AIPD.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A 23-year-old woman had a history of a chronic pruritic papular-vesicular eruption on the trunk, present since the onset of puberty and unsuccessfully treated with antihistamines and topical steroids. Skin lesions normally began a few days before menstruation and resolved a few days afterwards. Intradermal testing using progesterone was positive, thereby confirming the diagnosis. The patient's skin lesions improved under oral contraceptives designed to inhibit ovulation and there was no relapse during subsequent menstrual cycles.

DISCUSSION

AIPD is a rare autoimmune disorder. The diagnostic criteria of AIPD include recurrent cyclical worsening of skin lesions and symptomatic improvement after inhibition of progesterone secretion by suppression of ovulation. The pathogenesis is unclear. Positive response to various tests with progesterone suggests involvement of various mechanisms such as antibodies and/or cell-mediated immune reactions.

CONCLUSION

AIPD is a rare disease that can seriously affect patients' quality of life and which may even be life-threatening in certain cases.

Malignant proliferating trichilemmal cyst of the scalp: histological aspects and nosology

BACKGROUND

Malignant proliferating trichilemmal cyst is a rare tumour usually located on the scalp of elderly women. About 40 cases of malignant proliferating trichilemmal tumour have been documented.

CASE REPORT

We report a case of a malignant proliferating trichilemmal cyst of the scalp in a 57-year-old woman. On the vertex she had a voluminous vegetated and multinodular tumour measuring 7 x 5 cm with spontaneous and abundant bleeding, and another lesion of the scalp corresponding to a trichilemmal cyst. Based on histopathological findings, the case was diagnosed as malignant proliferating trichilemmal cyst.

CONCLUSION

Diagnostic, clinicoprognostic and histological features of this tumour are discussed. Treatment is not yet standardized given its rarity.

Bim is a component of the endosomal-lysosomal interface in Interleukin-7 dependent T cells (57.10)

Bim is a key protein in T cell homeostasis. Bim deficiency prevents activated T cell death, and protects splenic T cells in IL-7R/Bim double knockout mice through an undetermined mechanism. We propose a novel function for Bim in T cells involving lysosomal development in both apoptotic and non-apoptotic cells. Using IL-7 dependent T cell lines, Bim-containing and Bim-deficient (Bim-/-), we determined that the transcription of bim increased in the absence of IL-7 and the loss of Bim protected cells from apoptosis induced by IL-7 withdrawal. Treatment of Bim-containing cells with Bim siRNA confirmed these results. Bim-/- cells had increased endosomal and decreased lysosomal proteins, suggesting that Bim plays a role in endosomal to lysosomal trafficking and maturation. Subcellular organelle fractionation revealed that the BimL isoform associated with both endosomal and lysosomal fractions in non-apoptotic cells. However, during IL-7 withdrawal, the BimEL isoform associated with lysosomal fractions and less so with endosomal fractions. In fact, reduced co-localization of endosomes and lysosomes in the absence of Bim was observed by confocal microscopy, suggesting a defect in an endocytic compartment. Overexpression of the individual Bim isoforms restored acidic organelle distribution with BimL contributing the most in non-apoptotic cells. These results demonstrate that Bim has both apoptotic and non-apoptotic activities in T cells that affects lysosomal equilibrium.

Astroblastoma

Aims and Objectives: Astroblastoma is one of the very unusual type of brain tumours, whose histogenesis has not been clarified. It occurs mainly among children and young adults. Astroblastoma has characteristic histological picture and varied biological behavioural. We report a 10-year old girl diagnosed as a case of astroblastoma.Clinical presentation: A 10-year old girl was examined for intermittent frontal headache and convulsion for two years. MRI revealed brain tumour which was later confirmed as astroblastoma by histopathological examination.Conclusion: Astroblastoma is rare because of its varied biological behaviour.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pulse.v4i1.6966Pulse Vol.4 January 2010 p.38-39

Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumour: A case report

Aim and Objective: Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumour is an unusual brain tumour with varied incidence commonly occured in younger age group. We report a 16-year old female diagnosed as a case of dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumour. Clinical presentation: A 16 year old female was examined for headache and convulsion for two months. MRI revealed a brain tumour which was later confirmed as dysembyroplastic neuroepithelial tumour by histopathological examination.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pulse.v4i1.6968Pulse Vol.4 January 2010 p.43-44

Bilateral renal angiomyolipoma not assocated with tuberous sclerosis: A case report

Angiomyolipoma is a tumour composed of varying admixtures of bloodvessels, smooth muscles and adipose tissue.Renal angiomyolipoma can be unilateral or bilateral. Bilateral angiomyolipoma has a very strong association with tuberous sclerosis. In non tuberous sclerosis patient, bilateral renal angiomyolipoma is relatively rare. We have described a 49 year old non tuberous sclerosis female presented with bilateral renal angiomyolipoma. Renal angiomyolipoma commonly behaved in a benign way and resection is curative in most of the cases.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pulse.v4i1.6965Pulse Vol.4 January 2010 p.36-37