Biphenotypic sinonasal sarcoma—A recently described entity with many mimics: A case report

Biphenotypic sinonasal sarcoma (BSNS) is a recently described, low-grade, slow-growing sarcoma with neural and myogenic features with exclusive location in sinonasal track and characteristic PAX3- MAML3 gene fusion. Differentiating this tumor from its commoner mimics needs knowledge of this entity to avoid over treatment. This tumor has unique morphology, clinical course, and genetics. We report this in a 47-year-old female who was diagnosed with such a rare, solitary fibrous tumor—hemangiopericytoma (HPC-SFT) on limited initial biopsy. On subsequent excision, typical morphology and immunohistochemistry helped to clinch the diagnosis.

Vitamin A deficiency increases the oleic acid (C18:1) levels in the kidney of high fructose diet-fed rats

Background & objectives: Stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) is a key lipogenic enzyme responsible for endogenous synthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and plays a key role in various pathophysiology, including fatty liver diseases. In this experimental study the impact of vitamin A deficiency was assessed on SCD1 regulation in relation to kidney biology, under high fructose (HFr) diet-fed condition in rats. Methods: Forty male weanling (21 day old) Wistar rats were divided into four groups control, vitamin A-deficient (VAD), HFr, VAD with HFr consisting of eight rats each, except 16 for the VAD group. The groups received one of the following diets: control, VAD, HFr and VAD with HFr for 16 wk, except half of the VAD diet-fed rats were shifted to HFr diet, after eight week period. Results: Feeding of VAD diet (alone or with HFr) significantly reduced the kidney retinol (0.51, 0.44 ?g/g vs. 2.1 ?g/g; P < 0.05), while increased oleic (C18:1) and total MUFA levels (23.3, 22.2% and 27.3, 25.4% respectively vs. 14.7 and 16.6%; P < 0.05) without affecting the SCD1, both at protein and mRNA levels, when compared with HFr. Comparable, immunohistological staining for SCD1 was observed in the distal convoluted tubules. Despite an increase in MUFA, morphology, triglyceride content and markers of kidney function were not affected by VAD diet feeding. Interpretation & conclusions: Feeding of VAD diet either alone or under HFr condition increased the kidney oleic acid (C18:1) levels and thus total MUFA, which corroborated with elevated SCD1 activity index, without affecting its expression status. However, these changes did not alter the kidney morphology and function. Thus, nutrient-gene regulation in kidney biology seems to be divergent.

Purification and characterization of highly thermostable amylopullulanase from a thermophilic, anaerobic bacterium Clostridium thermosulfurogenes SVM17

A highly thermostable amylopullulanase was purified to homogeneity from the culture filtrate of the Clostridium thermosulfurogenes SVM17. On SDS-PAGE, the purified fraction having both amylase and pullulanase activities were observed as a single band. The molecular weight of the purified amylopullulanase on SDS-PAGE was 97 kDa. The optimum temperature for both amylase and pullulanase was 70 °C. The enzyme was completely stable at 70 °C for 2 h. The presence of 5% starch increased the thermal stability of the enzyme at 100 °C up to 2 h. Both amylase and pullulanase activities were optimum at pH 5.5 to 6.0 and were stable over a pH range of 4.0 to 6.5. The TLC analysis of the reaction products on starch showed that maltose was the main product along with trace amounts of glucose. The analysis of hydrolysis product of pullulan showed that maltotriose was the main product. At 5 mM concentration, Mn2+ and Ag+ strongly stimulated both amylase and pullulanase activities, where as Mg2+, Ca2+, Cu2+, Fe3+, Zn2+, Hg2+, EDTA, Cd2+ and Li2+ inhibited both amylase and pullulanase activities. When the concentration of metal ions was increased from 5 to10 mM, a further increase in amylase activity was observed in the presence of Ni2+, Mn2+ and Co2+. Where as substantial decrease was observed at 10 mM concentration of Ag+, Pb2+ and Ca2+.

Optimization of medium components using response surface methodology for production of thermostable amylopullulanase in submerged fermentation by Clostridium thermosulfurogenes SVM17

Response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite rotatable design (CCRD) was used to determine the optimal levels of medium components, viz., soluble starch, tapioca flour, peptone, magnesium chloride and ferrous sulphate for enhanced thermostable amylopullulanase production by Clostridium thermosulfurogenes SVM17 in submerged fermentation. The design contains a total of 54 experimental trials with first 32 organized in a fractional factorial design and experimental trials from 33-40 and 51-54 involving the replication of the central points. Within the tested range of concentrations, all medium components were found significant. The optimum levels of nutrients for maximum production of enzyme were (% w/v): potato starch, 5.2; tapioca flour, 6.3; peptone, 2.5; MgCl2·6H2O, 0.015 and FeSO4·7H2O, 6.0 ppm. After optimization of medium components, the strain SVM17 showed 96 and 409 % increased amylase and pullulanase activities, respectively when compared with the non-optimized conditions.

Auto - peep: How to detect and how to prevent - A review

Auto-positive end expiratory pressure [auto-PEEP] is a physiologic event that is common to mechanically ventilated patients. Auto-PEEP is commonly found in acute severe asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or patients receiving inverse ratio ventilation. Factors predisposing to auto-PEEP include a reduction in expiratory time by increasing the respiratory rate, tidal volume or expiratory time. Auto- PEEP predisposes the patient to increased work of breathing, barotraumas, hemodynamic instability and difficulty in triggering the ventilator. Failure to recognize the hemodynamic consequences of auto-PEEP may lead to inappropriate fluid restriction or unnecessary vasopressor therapy. Auto- PEEP can potentially interfere with weaning from mechanical ventilation. Many methods have been described to measure the Auto-PEEP. Although not apparent during normal ventilator operation, the auto-PEEP effect can be detected and quantified by a simple bedside maneuver: expiratory port occlusion at the end of the set exhalation period. The measurement of static and dynamic auto-PEEP differs and depends upon the heterogeneity of the airways. The work of breathing can be decreased by providing external PEEP to 75-80% of auto-PEEP in patients who are spontaneously breathing during mechanical ventilation but there is no evidence such external PEEP would be useful during controlled mechanical ventilation when there is no patient expiratory effort. Ventilator setting should aim for a prolonged expiratory time by reducing The respiratory rate rather than increasing inspiratory flow. Routine monitoring for auto-PEEP in patients receiving controlled ventilation is recommended