Renal tubular dysgenesis

Renal tubular dysgenesis (RTD) is a very rare malformation, only 24 cases having been described. We present the case of twins born after 28 weeks gestation to a newly-arrived Ethiopian immigrant in whom oligohydramnios was diagnosed when she was admitted. 1 twin had developed polyhydramnios, died before birth and was born with hydrops fetalis. The other newborn suffered from pulmonary distress and anuria, and died 2 days after birth. At autopsy there were no apparent changes in the kidneys or urinary tract, but histological examination showed absence of proximal convoluted tubules. This was attributed to RTD and confirmed by histochemical examination.     

Assessment of the Weldability of EH36 TMCP Shipbuilding Steel Welded by High Heat Input Submerged Arc Welding*

High heat input welding is one of the alternatives adopted by the world’s major shipyards for increasing productivity in operations for joining materials in shipbuilding. However, the thermal cycles generated during welding may cause microstructural transformations that are detrimental to the mechanical properties, mainly toughness in the heat-affected zone (HAZ). The main aim of this study was characterization of the microstructure and assessment of the mechanical properties of the HAZ of EH36 shipbuilding steel produced by controlled rolling followed by accelerated cooling (Thermo Mechanical Control Process (TMCP) – thermo-mechanically controlled process) compared to a steel of the same grade produced by conventional rolling, both welded by the submerged arc process with two levels of heat input: 76 and 130 kJ/cm. It was observed that the presence of a more refined microstructure in the different regions of the HAZ, associated with the smaller grain size of the base metal and the lower carbon equivalent, were the main factors contributing to the excellent toughness of the HAZ of TMCP steel compared to conventional steel. The results achieved show that it is possible to obtain welded joints with excellent mechanical properties and toughness when using TMCP steel for high heat input welding, and its use is a possible strategy for optimizing fabrication times and costs in the shipbuilding industry.     

Urinary bladder transitional cell carcinoma with trophoblastic differentiation

Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) with trophoblastic differentiation (TD) is a newly recognized variant of urothelial cancer which produces placental proteins, predominantly beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). It has a poor prognosis. About 210 cases were described, mostly from North America, Europe and Japan. This is the first report of TCC TD in a resident of Israel's upper Galilee. A 69-year-old man whose urinary papillary bladder tumor was established cystoscopically, refused treatment and stopped follow-up. 3.5 years after his last visit, he returned and cytologic examination revealed malignant urothelial cells, while intravenous pyelography disclosed a urinary bladder defect. Cystoscopy showed numerous papillary masses dispersed over the bladder mucosa, which were resected transurethrally. Histopathologic examination revealed TCC grade III, stage A. Tumor cells were immunopositive for beta-HCG and human placental lactogen. 4 transurethral resections of large masses were performed within 2 months. Pulmonary metastases developed and the patient died 4 years after the detection of the urinary bladder tumor.     

Quality of T-Cell Response to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine in ART-Treated PLWH

We investigated specific humoral and T-cell responses in people living with HIV (PLWH) before (T0), after two (T1) and after six months (T2) from the third dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine. Healthy donors (HD) were enrolled. The specific humoral response was present in most PLWH already after the second dose, but the third dose increased both the rate of response and its magnitude. Collectively, no significant differences were found in the percentage of responding T-cells between PLWH and HD. At T0, stratifying PLWH according to CD4 cell count, a lower percentage of responding T-cells in <200 cells/µL subgroup compared to >200 cells/µL one was observed. At T1, this parameter was comparable between the two subgroups, and the same result was found at T2. However, the pattern of co-expression of IFNγ, IL2 and TNFα in PLWH was characterized by a higher expression of TNFα, independently of CD4 cell count, indicating a persistent immunological signature despite successful ART. mRNA vaccination elicited a specific response in most PLWH, although the cellular one seems qualitatively inferior compared to HD. Therefore, an understanding of the T-cell quality dynamic is needed to determine the best vaccination strategy and, in general, the capability of immune response in ART-treated PLWH.     

The influence of PTFE used as basic covered electrode binder on weld metal acicular ferrite formation

Weld metals obtained from covered electrodes agglomerated with polytetrafluorethylene presented ultra-low diffusible hydrogen content and appreciable quantities of acicular ferrite. This article investigates the polymer influence on its constituent formation. The microstructure produced by consumables containing this component presented acicular ferrite quantities higher than expected in the literature for weld metals with the same carbon, silicon and manganese content. This difference could not be related to welding parameters employed. The residual chemical element evaluation indicated nitrogen as being mainly responsible for the microstructural variances observed. The operational characteristics of classic E7018 and polymer-agglomerated electrodes showed the lesser weld metal nitrogen absorption must be associated with two main factors. The dissolved nitrogen of the metallic drops collected during the polymer-agglomerated electrode welding showed most effective shielding atmosphere. The carbon content of the polymer-agglomerated electrode indicated an atmosphere rich in this element. This is in accordance with a best shielding process hypothesis. The metallic drops’ average size, dissolved nitrogen content as a function of size and voltage oscillograms indicated metallic transfer mode changes.     

Characterization of Albanian water frog,Pelophylax shqipericus,sperm traits and morphology,by using phase contrast microscopy

Mature spermatozoa traits and morphology of endangered Albanian water frog, Pelophylax shqipericus, have been characterized for the first time through phase contrast microscopy, as part of successful implementation of in vitro fertilization technique for this species. The basic morphology of P. shqipericus spermatozoa consists of an elongated, thick, smooth‐edged, and solid‐staining head, continuing with a thin and long tail which usually extends 2.48 times the head length. The acrosome was not clearly discernible so the measurements were done on the head as a whole, while the middle section was better visible. Average length of head, including the acrosome and midsection was estimated to be 11.78 μm ± 0.32, while the tail length resulted 29.24 ± 1.75 μm. The average thickness of the head was shown to be 3.45 μm. The total sperm length resulted to be 41.02 ± 1.83 μm. The average sperm concentration was estimated of 25.5 × 10⁶/ml. Sperm amount, survival rate and motility were also measured. The sperm survival rate was maximal immediately after preparation of the suspension and tended to decrease over time of storage, reaching 50% after 72 hr. Decreased sperm motility seemed to follow the same trend as sperm viability. Sperm traits resulted to be very similar both in size and in shape with those of “Lessonae” frog group, one of the lineages of Western Palearctic species complex, suggesting a strong phylogenetic relationship among these species.     

An Epoxy Adhesive Crosslinked through Radical-Induced Cationic Frontal Polymerization

UV-initiated cationic frontal polymerization is exploited as a solvent-free, extremely fast, and low-temperature technique to obtain epoxy-based adhesives. Epoxy formulations are prepared by blending commercial resins at different weight ratios and adding photo and thermal initiators at different percentages. In addition, the influence of other critical parameters, including the joint thickness, the nature of the adherends, and the temperature, is studied. As the reaction front is thermally sustained, the boundary conditions play a key role during the curing process and heat dissipation through the adherends in particular. The thermal properties of the epoxy formulation are studied through differential scanning calorimetry analysis, and the joint strengths are investigated by carrying out single lap off-set shear tests under compression. The results demonstrate the feasibility of obtaining joints by means of the radical induced cationic frontal polymerization of the epoxy adhesives, which exhibit comparable epoxy group conversion and mechanical performances to the ones cured by traditional energy-intensive techniques.     

Association between pancreatic cystadenocarcinoma, malignant liver cysts, and polycystic disease of the kidney

Polycystic kidney disease is an autosomal dominant disease that may be associated with cystic disease of the liver. In women, the cysts may develop early and be more troublesome than in men. Cystadenocarcinoma of the pancreas is uncommon, comprising 1% of primary pancreatic malignancies. This case report is the first to describe a familial association between polycystic kidney disease and cystadenocarcinoma of the pancreas and liver in the English medical literature. A patient with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and multiple hepatic cysts developed cystadenocarcinoma of the pancreas with multiple malignant liver cysts. The patient's mother, sister, and niece had ADPKD, and the patient's sister also died of pancreatic cystadenocarcinoma. We believe that the development of these two disease entities in which the primary pathology is cyst formation has a genetic association.