Cell block method (CB) has emerged as an invaluable tool for diagnosis of effusions. It can help overcome the problems faced by conventional smear (CS) by differentiating between reactive, inflammatory and malignant cells. Aristolochic acid A in vivo The aim of the study is to compare and correlate the CB diagnosis with the CS findings of various pathological conditions including malignancy.

Two years prospective cross-sectional study of 117 fluids received for routine examination and/or for cytology was conducted. CS as well as CB was simultaneously prepared from the fluid and the results were correlated and tabulated for statistical analysis.

Mean age of presentation was 43±21.1 years and male female ratio was 1.31. Ascitic fluid (46.2%) was the most common followed by pleural (40.2%). Among malignancies, primary ovarian and lung carcinoma were the most common to present with malignant ascites (33.3%) and pleural effusion (66.7%) respectively. Six suspicious for malignancy on CS were provided a definitive diagnosis of malignancy on CB. Overall, CB increased the yield of malignancy by 8.3%. The agreement between CB and CS for malignant effusions and suspicious for malignancy were 41.7% and 14.3% respectively. Sensitivity of CS method when compared to CB, for malignant peritoneal and pleural effusions was 90% and 75% respectively while the specificity was 68% and 79% respectively.

CB has a better diagnostic yield of malignancy and helps in providing a definitive diagnosis for cases that are suspicious for malignancy on CS. Hence, CB should be routinely employed along with CS for all effusions.
CB has a better diagnostic yield of malignancy and helps in providing a definitive diagnosis for cases that are suspicious for malignancy on CS. Hence, CB should be routinely employed along with CS for all effusions.The skull base is one of the most complex anatomic structures of the skeleton that is responsible for protecting and supporting the brain and is also involved in the development of the facial structures. The main objective of our study was to evaluate skull base abnormalities in a group of patients diagnosed with Turner syndrome by assessing lateral cephalometric radiographs. A total of 7 patients diagnosed with Turner syndrome in the Endocrinology Department of the Emergency Clinical County Hospital of Craiova were included in the study. The following cephalometric variables were measured in our study total skull base (N-Ba) Nasion (N)-Basion (Ba); anterior skull base (N-S) Nasion (N)-Sella (S); posterior skull base (S-Ba) Sella (S)-Basion (Ba). Regarding the investigated cephalometric variables, the mean±standard deviation (SD) recorded values in our study were 86.34±4.26mm for the total skull base (N-Ba), 63.87±2.54mm for the anterior skull base (N-S) and 38.33±4.87mm for the posterior skull base (S-Ba). The results of our study were compared to the ones provided by one of the most representative studies described in the literature. A reduced size of the posterior base of the skull is considered pathognomonic in subjects diagnosed with Turner syndrome. Also, the posterior base of the skull directly influences the maxillomandibular skeletal relationships and it is therefore necessary to calculate this cephalometric variable, which is easily highlighted on a lateral cephalometric radiograph.Despite progresses made in oncology, pancreatic adenocarcinoma has a grim prognosis and commonly presents with rapidly advancing jaundice which requires endoscopic treatment.
Our objective was to show the perspective of a high ERCP volume dedicated Center on endoscopic stenting for malignant biliary obstruction consecutive to pancreatic cancer.

We conducted a retrospective study, between October 2017 and October 2020, and enrolled hospitalized patients within the Gastroenterology Department of the Clinical Emergency Hospital Bucharest, diagnosed with pancreatic cancer with secondary malignant biliary obstruction which underwent ERCP stenting.

We identified 269 patients which were admitted in our Clinic with a pancreatic lesion on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging and underwent EUS-FNA. 115 patients with proven pancreatic malignancy were selected and underwent ERCP stenting. 69 received plastic stents and 46 metal biliary stents, with the stent chosen based on patient's characteristics and availability at the time of the procedure. Per total 234 stents were used for relief of the cholestasis syndrome. The number of ERCP procedures was higher in the plastic stents group with a median of 1,8 whereas the SEMS had 1,5 range of procedures. Procedures were successful in 54 patients following plastic stents and 33 that underwent SEMS. At 30 days, overall mortality rate was of 5%.

Malignant obstruction secondary to pancreatic cancer is amenable by ERCP. However, choosing the right stents still varies. SEMS seem to be more efficient on a long term with fewer complications rates and further studies should be performed.
Malignant obstruction secondary to pancreatic cancer is amenable by ERCP. However, choosing the right stents still varies. SEMS seem to be more efficient on a long term with fewer complications rates and further studies should be performed.Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) hold the promise to pushing cell level energy densities beyond 300 Wh kg-1 while operating at ultra-low temperatures ( less then -30°C). Batteries capable of both charging and discharging at these temperature extremes are highly desirable due to their inherent reduction of external warming requirements. Here we demonstrate that the local solvation structure of the electrolyte defines the charge-transfer behavior at ultra-low temperature, which is crucial for achieving high Li metal coulombic efficiency (CE) and avoiding dendritic growth. These insights were applied to Li metal full cells, where a high-loading 3.5 mAh cm-2 sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (SPAN) cathode was paired with a one-fold excess Li metal anode. The cell retained 84 % and 76 % of its room temperature capacity when cycled at -40 and -60 °C, respectively, which presented stable performance over 50 cycles. This work provides design criteria for ultra-low temperature LMB electrolytes, and represents a defining step for the performance of low-temperature batteries.Aristolochic acid A in vivo