Breast adenomyoepithelioma diagnosed on core needle biopsy: a diagnostic challenge.

Adenomyoepithelioma represents a rare tumor of the breast characterized by biphasic proliferation of epithelial and myoepithelial cells. Owing to its nonspecific clinical presentation, the rarity, and the morphological pitfalls in differential diagnosis, the diagnosis may be extremely difficult especially on limited samples such as core needle biopsy; thus, the diagnosis is histological, which is confirmed by the specificities of the immunohistochemical analyses. Here we report a case of a 64-year-old female who presented a benign adenomyoepithelioma diagnosed on core needle biopsy, review the clinicopathological features of breast adenomyoepithelioma diagnosed on core needle biopsy, and discuss the useful clues to prompt accurate diagnosis.

Risk factors and early renal effects of environmental exposure to the trace elements in Moroccan adolescents.

BACKGROUND: In Morocco, the use of leaded-gasoline is still common even after its ban in 2011, and other sources of contamination by traces elements are not regulated. We aimed to assess blood and urinary cadmium, blood lead, and total blood mercury levels in Moroccan adolescents and to identify determinants and early renal effects of exposure. METHODS: The study included 149 school adolescents (12 to 18 years), from urban, industrial, and rural areas in Fez city (north of Morocco). Risk factors were investigated by interviews and questionnaires. Internal doses and early renal effects were evaluated by analyzing blood and urinary samples. RESULTS: The mean of blood lead levels (BLLs) in all adolescents was 47.81µg/l with no difference between boys and girls. Adolescents from the urban area had the highest BLLs mean. The means of blood cadmium levels (BCLs) and urinary cadmium levels (UCLs) were 0.29µg/l and 0.45µg/l respectively, with no differences between living areas or according to sex. The total blood mercury levels (BMLs) mean was 0.52 µg/l. BMLs mean was higher in the industrial area and among boys. This can be associated to the frequency of fish intake, the use of dental amalgams fillings, and the consumption of chewing gum. Rates of early renal effects markers were low, not correlated to the metals, and may indicate that renal effects of this environmental exposure could be limited. CONCLUSIONS: There is an urgent need for the limitation of trace elements' sources, particularly the strict application of the laws concerning leaded-petrol prohibition.

GIP mediates the incretin effect and glucose tolerance by dual actions on α cells and ß cells.

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) communicates nutrient intake from the gut to islets, enabling optimal levels of insulin secretion via the GIP receptor (GIPR) on ß cells. The GIPR is also expressed in α cells, and GIP stimulates glucagon secretion; however, the role of this action in the postprandial state is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that GIP potentiates amino acid-stimulated glucagon secretion, documenting a similar nutrient-dependent action to that described in ß cells. Moreover, we demonstrate that GIP activity in α cells contributes to insulin secretion by invoking paracrine α to ß cell communication. Last, specific loss of GIPR activity in α cells prevents glucagon secretion in response to a meal stimulus, limiting insulin secretion and driving glucose intolerance. Together, these data uncover an important axis by which GIPR activity in α cells is necessary to coordinate the optimal level of both glucagon and insulin secretion to maintain postprandial homeostasis.

The prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus in Hail region, Saudi Arabia.

The prevalence of subjects positive for anti-HCV antibodies was studied at Hail region Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The study involved 8862 subjects tested for anti-HCV antibodies at King Khalid General Hospital during the years 1994-Using Elisa, a total prevalence of 5.09% positive subjects was found. The disease is shown to be mainly acquired at school age and adulthood. Unlike hepatitis B virus, vertical transmission among preschool children does not seem to have an important role in transmission of HCV virus. Egyptians had a high prevalence of 26% as compared to other expatriates. Blood donors had a prevalence of 4.3% which is higher than that reported from other regions in Saudi Arabia. Medical staff had a prevalence rate of 2.2% indicating a relatively low risk of infection. Dialysis patients had a prevalence of 6.9% which is lower than that reported from other regions in Saudi Arabia. The higher prevalence of HCV infection in Hail (which has a lower socioeconomic status) compared to those in Riyadh and Eastern province suggests the possibility of other modes of transmission.

PATTERN OF HBsAg POSITIVITY IN SELECTED GROUPS AT KING KHALID GENERAL HOSPITAL - HAIL REGION, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is endemic in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The acquisition of infection occurs early in life. The availability of safe and efficacious vaccines has led to the feasibility of an effective control of HBV infection. This study compares the pattern of HBsAg positivity among selected groups of patients with similar groups in other regions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. OBJECTIVES: This study is conducted to determine the prevalence of HBsAg positive subjects among selected groups of patients attending the main general hospital in the Hail region. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 14029 subjects that were tested for HBsAg at King Khalid General Hospital, during the period from April 1994 to April 1996. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The overall prevalence of HBsAg positive subjects was 3.5%. The prevalence for Saudis was about 3.2% for Saudis. Pakistanis had the highest prevalence of 11.8%. The prevalence was 3.02% for blood donors, and 2.1 % among pregnant women. No significant difference was found among different age groups. Hail region had a lower prevalence of HBsAg positive cases compared to that estimated by previous studies in the Kingdom, suggesting success in efforts applied by the Ministry of Health (110H) for prevention of Hepatitis B viral infection. CONCLUSION: We can conclude that the prevalence of HBsAg positive subjects is declining in the Hail region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This decline suggests the success of preventive efforts such as vaccination of newborns with the HBsAg vaccine. However, screening of pregnant women for HBsAg scents to be necessary.