Comparative analysis of immunohistochemical features of nodal versus extranodal diffuse large B cell lymphoma with respect to cell-of-origin classification

Background: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) represents a heterogeneous group of lymphoid malignancies with distinct oncogenic events and clinical behavior that cannot be unraveled by morphology and immunophenotype alone. Simple biological segregation such as the Hans classifier helps to explain the heterogeneous responses to standard treatment and provides a rationale for the investigation of novel targeted therapies. Aims and Objectives: In this study, we tried to estimate immunohistochemical (IHC) features of nodal and extranodal DLBCL using cell-of-origin classification (Hans Algorithm) with the markers CD10, Bcl-6, MUM1. Materials and Methods: Blocks of the patients with a histological diagnosis of DLBCL over the past 3 years were retrieved and submitted for IHC analysis to classify into germinal center B cell type (GCB) and non-GCB type. Results: Mean age for nodal DLBL was 48.19 � 14.68 years, extranodal were 55.7 � 13.22 years. Mean age for GCB were 56.6 � 15.66 years whereas for non-GCB were 51.45 � 12.85 years. Among nodal lymphomas cervical was the most common site and among extranodal lymphomas, intestinal lymphomas were commonest (including colorectal). Relative proportion of GCB among extranodal was 28.78%, whereas in nodal DLBCL it was 16.67%, relative risk of getting GCB type DLBCL was 1.72 times higher in extranodal compared to nodal DLBCL (P = 0.081). Total positivity of MUM1 was 17%, whereas for Bcl6 and CD10 it was 29% and 15% respectively. Ki67 was considerably higher in GCB type and for extranodal DLBCL in our study. Conclusion: Proportion of extranodal GCB type DLBCL compared to nodal DLBCL is considerably higher in our study population, though it varies greatly among Asian and world data. Uniform meta-analysis and systematic review is necessary to stratify.

Histopathological study of tumor budding in colorectal carcinoma and its correlation with clinicopathological parameters

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide. “Tumor budding,” defined by the presence of five or less tumor cell cluster in the invasive front of tumor, is a strong, reproducible, and independent prognostic marker of the biological aggressiveness of the tumor. Aim and Objective: The present study was conducted to assess the correlation of clinicopathological parameter with tumor budding in CRC. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients presenting with colectomy specimens with known histological diagnosis of colorectal adenocarcinoma were included in the study. Histological examination with hematoxylene and eosin stain and immunohistochemistry with pancytokeratin (Pan-CK) was performed in equivocal cases. Tumor budding was counted and scored as per international tumor budding consensus conference, 2016, recommended criteria. Tumor budding was correlated with other relevant clinicopathological parameters. Results: The age distribution ranged from 19 to 78 years with a peak incidence in the age group of 41–50 years (31.7%). Low-grade tumor budding was seen in 20%, intermediate grade budding in 16.7%, and high-grade tumor budding in 63.3%. No correlation could be established between age, sex, site, size of tumor, lymphovascular invasion, histological grade, and budding intensity. However, association between tumor budding and nodal involvement, perineural invasion and higher American Joint Committee on Cancer stage has been found to be statistically significant in this study. Conclusions: Tumor budding is emerging to be a promising and powerful predictor of nodal metastasis and a higher stage of the tumor. Immunohistochemistry with Pan-CK can aid in the grading of tumor budding and buid consensus.

Chikungunya virus infection in West Bengal, India.

Background: Chikungunya virus has recently re-emerged in India. Objectives: Assess prevalence of Chikungunya. Materials and Methods: Study conducted from April 2011 to September 2011. Two hundred and six patients (206) of both sexes (100 males and 106 females) of all age groups studied. Serum separated and CHIKV MAC IgM ELISA and Hemagglutination inhibition assay done. Results: 76 cases (36.89%) sero-positive by both the methods. Conclusion: Re-emergence and resurgence of the Chikungunya virus requires continuous monitoring.

Prevalence of Cataract Blindness in a Rural Puducherry.

Background: Globally there are 45 million people blind, 90% of these live in developing countries and more than 80% blindness is preventable or curable. In south-east asia, cataract is the single most common cause of blindness being responsible for 50-80% of all blindness. In India, 62.6% blindness is due to cataract. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of cataract blindness among rural population of more than 50 years of age in study area. To know the factors associated with cataract blindness. Materials & Methods: Using multistage cluster random sampling method, out of 5 commune panchayats in Puducherry district, Bahour commune panchayat was selected as primary sampling unit. Thereafter Seliamedu panchayat was selected out of 15 panchayats under the Bahour commune panchayat administrative area. House to house blindness survey was done in Seliamedu (all 5 villages). A person with vision less than 6/60 was considered as blind. Illumination was done to see the degenerative changes in lens, iris shadow. Results: Total 7410 population was covered, in which 11.6% were found eligible for the study. The calculated prevalence of cataract blindness was 10.8%. Increasing age, illiteracy, working status was associated with occurrence of cataract. Conclusion: Further detailed studies are needed to see the actual burden of blindness due to various causes in community for effective planning and to attain the global objective of vision 2020.

Management of chronic hepatitis B with New Livfit in end stage renal disease.

New Livfit (NLF) is a standardized, poly-herbal formulation that has been found useful in the management of hepatitis. The aim of this placebo-controlled study was to evaluate its usefulness against hepatitis B virus in the patients of end stage renal disease (ESRD). Patients were regularly evaluated at 6, 12, 24 and 36 weeks of therapy. With 36 weeks of treatment of NLF, there was rapid clearing of HBV-DNA in a significant number of patients. Significant seroconversion of the other markers of hepatitis B and restoration of the raised levels of ALT and AST was observed. The study suggests the potential usefulness of NLF in the control of HBV infection in the patients of ESRD prior to renal transplant.

Interrelation of xanthine oxidase and dehydrogenase and L-gulonolactone oxidase in animal tissues.

There is a correlation between phylogeny and the activities of L-gulonolactone oxidase (LGO), the key enzyme responsible for ascorbic acid (AH2) synthesis in animals and total xanthine oxidase and dehydrogenase [XOD(D/O)], the enzyme responsible for the production of endogenous superoxide radical (O2-.). LGO appears in the kidneys of amphibians and reptiles but livers of mammals. XOD(D/O) also is present mainly in the kidneys of amphibians and reptiles and livers of mammals. AH2 is a potential scavenger of O2-. and it appears that tissue specific expression of LGO takes place to counteract the endogenous O2-. toxicity. The interrelation of XOD(D/O) and LGO was also observed in the liver of rats during prenatal to postnatal development.

Maternal mortality.

Maternal mortality in Chittaranjan Seva Sadan, Calcutta, in 1983, 1985 and 1986 was 2.45, 3.01 and 2.8 per thousand respectively. Abortion contributed a little in 1983 and 1985, whereas it was 15.7% in 1986. Haemorrhage was the commonest single cause of death in 1983 (28%) and 1985 (21.4%) as opposed to eclampsia in 1986 (28.9%). Infective hepatitis during pregnancy and labour was the commonest indirect cause of maternal mortality followed by anaemia. Usual difficulties like lack of antenatal care, multiparity, low socio-economical status, illiteracy, etc, in populated developing countries are responsible for this sad state of affairs in this country as well.