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Microchimerism is a bidirectional exchange of fetal and maternal cells during pregnancy (Figure 1). Pregnancy is the most common and natural cause of chimerism, and bi-directional trafficking of hematopoietic cells occurs through the placenta. Therefore, we are all born as microchimera [1,2]. Although there are many unanswered questions it is thought that chimerism has an important role in human health. For many years, the clinical effects of maternal microchimeric cells (MMcCs) in organ repair and cancer therapy have just begun to be understood. While the mission of chimerism is straight forward, the subject is profound. Chimerism carries the potential for disease as well as for health benefits. Recent studies have shown that maternal stress and infections in pregnancy affect fetal neuro development and increased the risk of neurological or psychiatric disorders in the future life of the fetus. This article describes the role of Mc in the etiology of psychotic disorders.

Background & Objectives: Fluoride releasing bonding agents can help the orthodontist to minimize enamel demineralization independent of patient cooperation. This in vivo study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of resin modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) on reducing enamel demineralization around orthodontic brackets and confirm the superior caries-preventive effect of RMGIC by assessing the mutans streptococci (S. mutans) in plaque samples in vitro. Methods: 60 subjects (aged 14-20 years) scheduled to have premolar extractions as part of the orthodontic treatment plan were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups of 30 each (group 1: the brackets were bonded on the teeth using light cure composite resin and group 2: the brackets were bonded using RMGIC). Plaque scores (modification of plaque index by Silness and Loe) were recorded and plaque samples were collected before bonding, one week and one month after bonding. S.mutans colonies were recorded from the plaque samples inoculated on MSB agar plates, incubated under 95% N2 and 5% CO2 for 48 hours at 370C in a CO2 jar. After 1 month, the right maxillary and mandibular first premolars were debonded, extracted and depth of enamel demineralization area was estimated using polarized light microscope. Results: After statistical analysis, a significantly higher mean depth of demineralized lesions was noticed in group 1 as compared to group 2. A significant difference between occlusal and gingival depth was seen only in group 2, thus illustrating a wedge effect. In group 1, a statistically significant increase in the mean colony forming units (CFU) of S.mutans has been noticed at different time intervals whereas in group2, a significant increase was observed only at 1month. Unlike at 1 month, a statistically significant difference in mean CFU between group 1 and group 2 has been observed at 1 week (P<0.05). Conclusions: Enamel lesions adjacent to the bracket base on teeth bonded with the RMGIC were smaller than those on teeth bonded with a composite resin. The high “burst effect” of fluoride release for the first few days of RMGIC after bonding is confirmed by statistically significant reduction in CFU counts of S. mutans in plaque.

Mester et al., stated the laser effects in a review of their studies of 15 various biological systems, they observed the stimulating effect of low energy (in terms of J/cm2) laser and inhibiting effect of high energy laser and later reported the relationship of cumulative energy applied and the effects conforms to the Arndt-Schultz law. They concluded their experience with 875 healed cases and the results of their experiments had convinced them to recommend the use of lasers to stimulate wound healing [1].

Sojourn to high altitude may affect various human systems if proper acclimatization not followed. If acclimatization failed, sojourners may suffer with high altitude sickness such as acute mountain sickness (AMS), high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and high altitude cerebral edema (HACE). Although a sojourner’s tolerance to high altitude hypoxia varies according to differences in physiology and physical conditioning. Acute mountain sickness may cause headache, insomnia, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and fatigue. While HACE is more serious stage where brain swelling occurs and it is potentially fatal. A sojourner with HACE may experience confusion, amnesia, delusions, and loss of consciousness. Staying in high altitude (above 9000 feet) environment poses low oxygen supply (hypobaric hypoxia) to the different body organs including brain.

Covid-19 infection is caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. This has resulted in the present pandemic from which thousands of people have died including many front-line health care workers. Of the surgeons who have died from covid-19 it would appear that otorhinolaryngology surgeons have made the largest sacrifice (Figure 1) [1].

Bacterial blight (BB), is a disease caused by Xanthomonas oryzae PV. oryzae (Xoo), was first reported in Senegal by Trinh in 1980. BB represents a severe threat to rice cultivation in West Africa. Characterizing the pathotypic diversity of bacterial populations is a key to the management of pathogen-resistant varieties. Pathogenicity tests show that all strains are virulent on the susceptible rice variety Azucena, and interact differentially with twelve near-isogenic rice lines, each carrying a single resistance gene. On this rice panel, six races were identified, two of which were previously reported in Mali (A3) and Burkina Faso (A1). Four races (S2, S4, S5, and S6) are described for the first time in Africa. Races A1, isolated in Ndiaye and Ndioum areas is the most prevalent in Senegal. The Xa1 gene controls 100% of the isolates tested and xa5 controls all isolates except S4 strains. The geographical distribution of Xoo races is contrasted. Four races are detected in the North and two in the South East of the country. Race S4 can be a major risk to rice cultivation because strains from this race are the most virulent and can only be controlled by Xa1. To identify local sources of resistance, we screened Xoo strains representative of the various races on twenty-three rice varieties grown by farmers in Senegal. Four rice varieties namely Sahel210, Sangangbye, Dansna2, and Sahel305 effectively control all the isolates tested. Our characterization of the first collection of Senegalese Xoo strains provided insight into the races present in the country and identified sources of resistance in local rice varieties. This information will help design effective breeding programs for resistance to bacterial leaf blight in Senegal. 

A collegiate football player presented to the athletic training room with the complaint of intermittent left upper extremity swelling. Deep vein thromboses as well as abnormalities of the cervical spine were ruled out initially. He was referred to a vascular surgeon and diagnosed with McCleery Syndrome after evaluation of the thoracic outlet with dynamic ultrasound testing. He was treated surgically for decompression of his venous thoracic outlet syndrome and has since made a full recovery.

Significance: Due to the limited number of reported cases little is known about the characteristics of unilateral retinitis pigmentosa. Information from additional case reports can aid in learning more about the condition. We report a case of retinitis pigmentosa that has remained unilateral for 28 years and review the available literature. Case Report: A 40-year-old Caucasian female presented for an opinion as to the cause of her vision loss. Fundus autofluorescence demonstrated hypoautofluorescence in the midperipheral retina and a hyperautofluorescent ring surrounding the area of preserved photoreceptors in the macula. Optical coherence tomography showed disruption of the ellipsoid zone and the external limiting membrane. Electroretinography (ERG) showed severely reduced rod and cone function monocularly. Discussion: Retinitis pigmentosa is typically bilateral and symmetric. Unilateral retinitis pigmentosa is a rare condition that manifests with only one eye having changes typical of retinitis pigmentosa. The unaffected eye can have no signs of retinitis pigmentosa and must have a normal ERG after long-term follow up. It is critical to rule out inflammatory, traumatic, toxic, and cancer associated retinopathy that can present with retinal pigmentary changes. Unilateral retinitis pigmentosa generally remains unilateral, but long-term follow up with ERG is important. There is currently no treatment that can stop the process of retinitis pigmentosa, but gene therapy shows promise.

Introduction: Behçet’s disease is a rare, systemic, inflammatory condition that primarily affects young adults. It is characterized by a variety of clinical manifestations. However, neurological and cardiac presentations remain uncommon and often delayed in diagnosis. This disease can lead to severe complications, such as ischemic strokes and myocarditis, highlighting the systemic and complex nature of the condition.Case presentation: A 27-year-old patient was hospitalized after experiencing an ischemic stroke and myocarditis, which revealed Behçet’s disease. He had a history of oral and cutaneous ulcers, without a prior diagnosis of Behçet. Upon admission, brain imaging confirmed an ischemic stroke, and echocardiography and cardiac MRI showed acute myocarditis. Biological tests confirmed elevated systemic inflammation, which guided the treatment plan. The initial treatment included corticosteroids, immunosuppressors (azathioprine), and cardioprotective therapy. The patient showed significant clinical improvements, although mild deficits persist.Discussion: Myocarditis in Behçet’s disease is a rare but severe manifestation resulting from inflammation of the heart walls, often associated with other systemic vascular involvement. Although less common than oral or cutaneous ulcers, myocarditis can lead to acute heart dysfunction and even heart failure if not treated promptly. It is generally caused by an excessive inflammatory response, often associated with immune system activation, which affects the coronary circulation and damages the cardiac muscle. Treatment for myocarditis in this context relies on high-dose corticosteroids to control inflammation, followed by long-term immunosuppressive medications like azathioprine. While the initial treatment often leads to a rapid improvement in cardiac function, the risk of long-term complications, such as dilated cardiomyopathy or heart failure, remains high. Close follow-up is therefore essential to prevent these complications and optimize the long-term cardiac prognosis of patients with this rare disease.Conclusion: The progression of myocarditis in Behçet’s disease can be favorable if diagnosed and treated early, with significant improvement in cardiac function achieved through the use of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive therapy. However, the long-term prognosis remains uncertain due to the risk of chronic cardiac complications, such as dilated cardiomyopathy or heart failure.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic and gravely disease, portrayed by motor neuron (MN) death, thereby leading to progressive and accelerating muscle fragility, respiratory collapse, and, in the most severe cases, it even pave the way to death. At the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), abnormally have been reported in SMA, including neurofilament (NF) aggregation at presynaptic terminals, immature and smaller endplates, lowered transmitter release, and, eventually, muscle denervation. In this review the role of Agrin in SMA is studied. This review highlights the antagonizing role of Agrin in SMA