Protective effect of pioglitazone on cardiomyocyte apoptosis in low-dose streptozotocin & high-fat diet-induced type-2 diabetes in rats.

Background & objectives: Cardiomyocyte apoptosis is one of the pathologic phenomena associated with diabetes and related conditions including obesity, insulin resistance and hyperlipidaemia. In the present study, the protective effects of pioglitazone on cardiomyocyte apoptosis was evaluated in experimental diabetes induced by low dose of streptozoticin (STZ) combined with high fat diet (HFD) in rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats (150-200 g) were injected with low-dose STZ (45 mg/kg, i.v., single dose) and orally fed with a HFD (20 g/day/rat) for a period of 28 days and simultaneously treated with pioglitazone (20 mg/kg/p.o.) for a period of 21 days (from 8th day to 28th day). On 29th day blood was collected, serum separated and used for biochemical parameters. Heart tissue was used for cardiomyocyte apoptosis measurement and also for histopathological examination. Results: Pioglitazone treatment resulted in a decrease in cardiomyocyte apoptosis as revealed by a decrease in cardiac caspase-3, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and DNA fragmentation, and an increase in Na+K+ATPase levels in diabetic rats. Cardiac histology of diabetic control rats showed dense focal fatty infiltration in the myocardial cells whereas normal architecture with regular morphology and well preserved cytoplasm was observed with pioglitazone treatment. Pioglitazone treatment significantly reduced the heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, body mass index (BMI) and levels of serum glucose, leptin, insulin, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TGs), apoliproprotein-B glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and atherogenic index, and increased the levels of serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and cardiac antioxidant enzymes. Interpretation & conclusions: The present study results suggest that pioglitazone possesses cardiac anti-apoptotic potential in diabetic rat model and can be further explored for its use for treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Microflora of bile aspirates in patients with acute cholecystitis With or without cholelithiasis: a tropical experience

The current study determined the spectrum of biliary microflora with special emphasis on enteric fever organisms in patients with acute cholangitis with and without cholelithiasis or other biliary diseases. The patients were divided into three groups: Group A consisted of patients with acute cholecystitis with cholelithiasis; Group B consisted of patients with acute cholecystitis with gastrointestinal ailments requiring biliary drainage and group C consisted of patients with gallbladder carcinoma. Gallbladder, bile and gallstones were subjected to complete microbiological and histopathological examination. Antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates was performed as per CLSI guidelines. Bacteria were recovered from 17 samples (32 percent) in Group A, 17 (51.4 percent) in Group B and 1 (1.6 percent) in Group C. The most common organisms isolated were Escherichia coli (11, 29.7 percent), Klebsiella pneumoniae (10, 27 percent), Citrobacter freundii (3, 8.1 percent), Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (3, 8.1 percent), etc. The majority of Enterobacteriaceae isolates were susceptible to piperacillin-tazobactam and meropenem. As regards Salmonella spp., S. Typhi was isolated from 2 (3.8 percent) patients in Group A and 1 (16 percent) in Group C. Antimicrobial susceptibility of potential causative organisms, the severity of the cholecystitis, and the local susceptibility pattern must be taken into consideration when prescribing drugs. A protocol regarding the management of such cases should be formulated based on observations of similar studies.

Synovial hemangioma: a rare benign synovial lesion.

We report an unusual case of a 10-year-old female with complaints of pain and swelling of the right knee for the last 4 years along with the limitation of movement for last 1 year. Repeated fine needle aspirations yielded blood and a provisional diagnosis of hemarthrosis was suggested. Coagulation profile subsequently carried out was found to be within normal limits. Arthroscopic biopsy was performed and tissue was sent for histopathological examination. A diagnosis of synovial hemangioma was made. Subtotal synovectomy was performed and the lesion was completely excised. The patient is completely asymptomatic and shows no signs of recurrence at 1 year.

Fatal disseminated cryptococcosis in a HIV negative elderly Indian woman--an early diagnosis by polarizing microscopy.

An elderly HIV negative woman with disseminated cryptococcosis is reported. The clinical presentation was unusual. Rapid diagnosis is possible if Maltese crosses are demonstrated on polarizing microscopy of tissue sections or smears. Cutaneous involvement in cryptococcosis is uncommon, however when present, can be a valuable and relatively easily available source of material from which Cryptococci can be demonstrated.

Solid tumors of childhood.

OBJECTIVE: Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in children. There is the need to have the histologic review of malignancies in children from the Indian sub-continent. METHODS: In the present study, malignant tumors received over 12 years were reviewed and re-classified according to classifications based on prognosis. RESULTS: A total of 472 tumors were received over 12 years. Of these 318 were benign and 154 malignant. The commonest malignant solid tumor was lymphoma followed by pediatric renal tumors. The sarcomas included bone tumors, Rhabdomyosarcoma and synovial sarcoma. There were 13 germ cell tumors, 10 retinoblastomas and six neuroblastomas. CONCLUSION: The review revealed that a definite diagnosis or classification was not assigned in 21 cases in the original reporting. Of these 14 could be assigned a definite category on review and immuno-staining. These included five non-Wilms sarcomas, four Rhabdomyosarcomas, three Ewing's sarcoma/PNETs and two Synovial sarcomas. The study also revealed an unexpected high percentage (11%) of epithelial malignancies in children.

Fine needle aspiration cytology of chondroblastoma--a case report.

Chondroblastoma accounts for less than one percent of osseous neoplasms, and is one fifth as common as giant cell tumor, a lesion with which it is very frequently confused. It has a marked predilection for the epiphysis of long bones. Radiologically, these are lytic lesions with a thin margin of increased density. A majority of chondroblastomas have an entirely benign course and are successfully treated by curettage and bony chip grafts. Clinically, chondroblastomas may be confused with other neoplasms, both benign and malignant. Fine needle aspiration is fast gaining acceptance as an accurate and rapid technique for diagnosing osseous neoplasms. The cytological features of chondroblastoma like individually lying chondroblasts, nuclear grooves, chodroid matrix and chicken-wire calcification are diagnostic of this neoplasm and may allow fine needle aspiration to become a valuable pre-operative technique in the management of these patients.