Direct immunofluorescence findings in cicatricial alopecia: A retrospective study of 155 cases

Objectives: To study the direct immunofluorescence (DIF) in cicatricial alopecia (CA) patients. Materials and Methods: Approximately, 155 skin biopsies from CA patients examined over 7 years (2009–2015). Special stains and Hematoxylin and Eosin were performed, and final histopathological diagnosis was made. DIF (against anti-IgG, IgM, C3, IgA, and fibrinogen) on all these cases and patterns were noted. The descriptive statistics were applied along with ANOVA test. Results: Approximately, 155 patients with Male: Female = 1.24:1, age 7–65 years. In total, 57 cases were of Lichen planopilaris (LPP; 36.7%), 22 Lichen planus (LP; 14.2%), 22 Psuedopalade of Brocq (PPB; 14.2%),16 discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE; 10.3%), 8 end-stage scarring alopecia (ESSA; 5.2%), 2 cases each of Fungal folliculitis (FF), and Folliculitis decalvans (FD; 1.3% each), and in 26 cases, no specific diagnosis could be reached were collectively kept in the category of non-specific findings (NSP; 16.7%). On DIF: LPP positive for IgG = 4 cases (7%), IgM = 26 (45%), IgA = 11 (19.3%), C3 = 16 (28.1%), and fibrinogen = 11 (19.3%). LP positive for IgG = 2 (9%), IgM = 18 (81%), IgA = 2 (9.1%), C3 = 10 (45%), and fibrinogen = 1 (4.5%). DLE positive for IgG = 6 (37%), IgM = 8 (50%), IgA = 1 (6.3%), C3 = 9 (56%), and fibrinogen = 1 (4.5%). Limitations: Because this was a retrospective study, clinical follow-up and treatment history of the patient could not be retrieved. Conclusions: IgG positivity helps significantly in differentiating LPP from DLE (P 0.004) and NSP from DLE (P 0.005). IgM positivity helps significantly in differentiating LPP from LP (P 0.04), LP from PPB (P 0.00) and NSP (P 0.00). C3 positivity helps significantly in differentiating PPB from DLE (P 0.02).

Effect of organic and conventional farming practices on soil microbial population

Aim: Microbial community has an integral role in farming, but there is limited understanding of the complex response of microbial populations to organic and conventional farming systems. Therefore, the present study was carried out to study the effect of organic and conventional farming practices on soil microbial population in Haryana. Methodology: Fifty surface soil samples (0-15 cm) were collected from organic and their adjoining conventional farms at 11 districts of Haryana. Soil samples were processed and analyzed for Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azospirillium and phosphorous solubilizing bacterial (PSB) counts for the two types of farming systems. Results: In comparison to conventional farming system, overall, population of PSB (which was 25.71×104 CFU g-1 soil) increased significantly to 36.91×104 CFU g-1 soil (an increase of 43.5%). Similarily, Rhizobium population in organic farming system increased from 29.26×104 CFU g-1 soil to 42.14×104 CFU g-1 soil (an increase of 44.1%). The population of Azotobacter increased significantly from 15.83×104 to 22.01×104 CFU g-1 soil (39.0%), while Azospirillium population increased from 13.66×104 to 20.10×104 CFU g-1 with an increase of 47.1%. Thus, it is clear from the results that organic nutrient sources showed a stimulating influence on the microbial populations of organic farming. Interpretation: Higher microbial population recorded in organic farming in comparison to conventional farming leads to better soil health and increased productivity.

Isolated tuberculosis of the appendix.

Although appendicular involvement in intestinal tuberculosis has been reported in 1.5-3% cases, the prevalence of isolated tuberculosis of appendix is a comparative rarity. We report a patient with provisional clinical diagnosis of appendicitis, who was found to have tuberculosis of appendix on histopathology, after interval appendicectomy. He had no detectable tubercular focus elsewhere in the body. Post-operatively, he was treated with anti-tubercular regimen with uncomplicated clinical recovery.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of peritoneum presenting as intestinal obstruction.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) is a high-grade soft-tissue sarcoma of fibroblast-cell origin with a propensity for metastasis and recurrence. Primary MFH of the peritoneum is rare. We report a 60-year-old man with MFH of the peritoneum presenting with obstructive symptoms. Complete surgical excision of the tumor was done, and he is well six months later.

How important is history of unconsciousness in head injury patients?

A total of 100 patients of head injury were studied. They all underwent thorough clinical and neurological examination, skull radiography and CT scan of head. And with the help of all these parameters an evaluation was done to find out the importance of history of unconsciousness on risk of intracranial complications. A lot of controversies exist about detection of factors that make a patient of head injury a high risk candidate for developing intracranial complications. Young active population was the most commonly affected group in head injury with male preponderance at all ages. Roadside accident found to be the main cause of head trauma in adults while fall from height in paediatric age group. Although Glassgow Coma Index (GCI) was found to be a good predictor for intracranial complications as well as final outcome in patients with total score of 12 or less but it was not equally good in patients of minor head injury (GCI = 13-15). Similarly history of unconsciousness was not found to be correlating well with risk of intracranial complications but longer duration of unconsciousness was found to be a poor prognostic index.

Sigmoido-rectal intussusception.

Sigmoido-rectal intussusception is the least common type of intussusception seen in infants and children and is therefore usually misdiagnosed as rectal prolapse. Delay in diagnosis and treatment is due to lack of its awareness amongst surgeons, incomplete assessment of the prolapsed bowel at the anal orifice, and absence of classical traid of intussusception i.e. palpable abdominal mass, colicky abdominal pain, and bleeding per rectum.

Ultrasonography versus roentgenography in suspected cases of cholecystolithiasis.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the relative merits of ultrasonography and roentgenography in 50 cases of suspected cholecystolithiasis. The accuracy rate with roentgenography (plain X-ray abd, OCG and IVC) in the diagnosis of cholecystolithiasis was 92.5% where as it was 95% with ultrasonography. Oral cholecystography should be done in patients with normal ultrasound examination if the symptoms are strongly suggestive of cholecystolithiasis.

Inhibition of lipoprotein lipase activity by high density lipoprotein & apolipoproteins C, E & A in rhesus monkeys.

Experiments were conducted to study the effects of high density lipoprotein (HDL) and apolipoproteins C, E, and A on lipoprotein lipase activity in rhesus monkeys. The lipoprotein lipase activity was inhibited up to 32 +/- 6 per cent by monkey HDL. This inhibition was considerably decreased (2 +/- 0.02%) by using apolipoprotein-poor HDL. Apolipoproteins C and E inhibited the hydrolysis of activated intralipid by monkey lipoprotein lipase to a maximum of 83 +/- 7 and 57 +/- 5 per cent respectively. Apolipoprotein A produced little inhibition of lipoprotein lipase activity. The results of these studies demonstrate that HDL and apolipoproteins compete with the substrate for the binding to lipoprotein lipase in rhesus monkeys.

Basic fibroblast growth factor does not initiate mitogenic signalling via phosphoinositide hydrolysis in PC12 cells.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (b FGF) was found to be equally potent mitogen as compared to alpha-thrombin to reinitiate DNA synthesis in quiescent PC12 cells. Whereas thrombin was found to be an activator of phospholipase C as judged by a rapid increase in the formation of inositol triphosphate, inositol biphosphate and a massive accumulation of inositol phosphate when 20 mM LiCl was present as an inhibitor of inositol mono phosphatases, basic FGF failed to induce the breakdown of the polyphosphoinositides in quiescent PC12 cells to any appreciable levels, however, a simultaneous increase in the level of diacylglycerol was observed. b FGF also failed to stimulate protein kinase C which is believed to be activated by diacylglycerol. It is therefore concluded that bFGF receptor mediated 'signalling is not via phospholipase C activation and bFGF's early mitogenic responses and DNA synthesis are initiated independent of the inositol lipids and protein kinase C activation. Thus bFGF must have its own unique signal transducing mechanism independent of inositol pathways.