Correlation Between β2-Microglobulin, Grobulin Levels & The Number of Plasmatic Cells in Patients with Multiple Myeloma

Introduction: Multiple myeloma is multifocal neoplasia of plasmatic cells that affects the bone marrow. It is associated with the production of a urinary or serum protein. It represents approximately 1 percent of cancer cases worldwide and between 10 to 15 percent of all cases of hematological malignancy. Furthermore, it has been proposed that the β2-microglobulin levels are correlated with other factors that can predict multiple myelomas such as the number of plasmatic cells and the creatine levels. Goals: To determine the correlation between β2-microglobulin, globulin levels, and the number of plasmatic cells in patients with multiple myeloma. Methods and techniques: We conducted an observational, retrospective, transversal, and analytical study in the Hospital of the Mexican Institute of Social Security at the Veracruz port. Our population analyzed comprehended 45 patients between the ages 30 and 80 with a confirmed diagnosis of multiple myeloma. We measured the β2-microglobulin levels and globulin levels, and the number of plasmatic cells during the diagnosis of patients. Furthermore, we conducted a statistical analysis using a Pearson correlation. Results: The average age was 61 years with a margin of error of 11.48 years. The myeloma of IgG type was the one of major prevalence and represent 82.2 percent. It was followed by the IgA type and the IgM type, which represented 15.5 and 2.2 percent respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient (Pearson's r) between the β2-microglobulin levels and globulin levels was 0.92. The Pearson's r between the number of plasmatic cells and β2-microglobulin, excluding patients with high serum creatine levels (i.e. larger than 1.2 mg/dl), was 0.371. Conclusions: The predominant type of myeloma in the analyzed population was the IgG type. Furthermore, this myeloma affected mainly men in our study. The average age was 61 years with a margin of error of 11.48 years when compared to other populations in our study.

Drug-Induced QT Interval Prolongation

The correct measurement of the QT interval (using the QT correction formulas, preferably Fridericia and Framingham) as well as a correct interpretation of the causes and of the clinical consequences of a QT prolongation is very important in clinical practice. Drug-induced long QT syndrome (DILQTS) is one of the most common causes of LQTS. In the diagnosis and management of the DILQTS, it can be useful to follow the three-step rule presented in this article: detailed pharmacological anamnesis and correct ECG interpretation; database search and clinical interpretation; confirmatory test.

Solitary Plasmacytoma of The Jaws: Therapeutically Considerations and Prognosis: A Case Report

The plasma cell neoplasm is a rare malignant neoplasm of plasma cells that may present as Extramedullary Plasmacytoma (EMP) in soft tissues especially in the upper respiratory tract, in the bone as a Solitary Plasmacytoma of bone (SPB), or as a part of the multifocal disseminated disease as Multiple Myeloma (MM). The majority of 80% occurs in the head and neck region. In our case, a 23-year-old female patient presented with a non-tender swelling of the gingiva in the upper and lower jaws with the mobility of all teeth. The radiological examination showed severe destruction of bone around all teeth.

Application of Gene-Directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy in Cancer Treatment

Gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT) is an advanced cancer therapy that has potential use against localized and metastasized cancer. This strategy aims to improve the limitations of chemotherapy and existing cancer treatments by specific gene delivery, which allows the conversion of systemically administered nontoxic prodrugs to active chemotherapeutic drugs inside the target tumor cells, thereby resulting in a significant therapeutic index by introducing high concentrations of cytotoxic compounds to the tumor cells while limiting the systemic toxicity. The main attraction of GDEPT is by expanding the toxicity to adjacent non-expressing target cancer cells through local and distal bystander effects, leading to tumor regression. This review focused on the application of the six main GDEPT systems for treating cancer, including herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) with ganciclovir (GCV), cytosine deaminase (CD) from bacteria or yeast with 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC), E. coli nitroreductase (NfsB) with 5-(aziridin-1-yl)-2,4- initrobenzamide (CB1954), hepatic cytochrome P4l50 (CYP450) with cyclophosphamide (CPA), purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) from E. coli with 6-methylpurine deoxyriboside (MEP), and bacterial carboxypeptidase G2 (CPG2) with 4-[(2-chloroethyl)(2-mesloxyethyl)amino] benzoyl-L-glutamic acid (CMDA). In each system, the mechanism of action, clinical trials for the past decades, limitations, and areas that need improvement are discussed.

Developing a National School Health Strategy: The role of School Children and Parents in Priority Setting, Sudan, 2016

Background: School health policies and strategies, ensure a holistic healthy environment for children to harness an effective education. Beside provision of services, a health promoting school (HPS) includes an environment in which children and their parents are active participants and not only recipients. Aim: The study aims at exploring the views of primary and secondary schools children aged 10-17 years, and their parents on future strategic priorities for HPS interventions for the years 2016-20. Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional school-based, conducted in 10 localities (districts) of five purposively selected States in Sudan. Qualitative data was collected by interviewing students and parents using guided focus group discussions and was analyzed using Conceptual Content Analysis Technique. Results: Results were generated from FGDs with 271 students and 191 parents. Training of students, parents and teachers on health issues and first aid, improving health, nutrition and psychosocial services along with physical education were the top five priorities suggested by students and parents. Parents added establishing better coordination mechanisms between schools and families and charity funding for poor families as pressing priorities. Conclusion: The outcomes of priority setting by children and parents through an extensive process of engagement and consultation help in fixing the top priorities in view of constrained resources, therefore attracts political support and facilitate acceptance and endorsement by different levels of decision making.

Unique Beam Scanning Device for Active Beam Delivery System in Proton Therapy

A new Beam Delivery System (BDS) has been proposed for a proton therapy project, partially funded, called AMIDERHA. That BDS is characterized by an active scanning system which irradiates target with a pencil beam. The feature of this project was the using of an accelerator Linac with variable final energies and the Robotized Patient Positioning System instead of the traditional gantry. The active BDS of AMIDERHA then does not include a gantry and a pencil beam scanning system with a relatively long Source to Axis Distance (SAD) could be used. In this condition, the using of a unique device capable of scanning the beam for both horizontal and vertical plane in the active BDS of the project is possible. In this contribution this new beam scanning device will be presented. Furthermore, a preliminary design of the device and the trajectory simulations for beam parameter optimization will also be discussed.

COVID-19 in Costa Rica: Achieved Goals and Imminent Risks

Coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) emerged in China in December 2019 and it rapidly widespread around the world. As of May, 2020, there had been 3.618.325 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 253.381deaths and 1.184.145 recovered persons reported globally. In this review we present the evolution of the infection in Costa Rica and analyze preventive measurements taken to contain a potential explosive dissemination of COVID-19 infection. In Costa Rica, the accumulated incidence per 100.000 habitants of COVID-19 was 14.5 and the death rate 0.81 per 100.000 habitants. By May 3, the number of recovered patients were identical to those with active disease. So far, the health care system has not collapsed as most of the COVID-19 patients have being managed at home. However, the battle is not over yet. Due to the fact that re-opening of the country gradually will take and the number of new cases of undocumented immigrants, children and youngsters is steadily increased, unfavorable consequences in the following weeks might be anticipated. The Costa Rican health authorities are vigilant and diligently managing the COVID-19 pandemic.