Paediatric type diffuse high grade gliomas in the WHO CNS5 classification: What the pathologist needs to know?

Pediatric-type of diffuse high-grade gliomas (HGG) are classified as a distinct group in the current fifth edition of WHO classification. This group of high-grade tumors is no more called as glioblastoma (GBM), which has been reserved for adult isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-wild type HGG. These tumors are uncommon as compared to embryonal tumors and low-grade gliomas (LGG). Pediatric-type of diffuse HGG biologically differs from their adult counterparts in that they are therapeutically less sensitive to alkylating chemotherapies. They comprise a heterogeneous group of molecularly defined tumors – predominantly histone gene altered, less common receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK)-mediated, and syndrome-associated. This review provides an overview of these uncommon tumors and discusses the diagnostic approach of this heterogeneous group of tumors.

Influence of age and gender on cold pressor response in Indian population.

Cold pressor test (CPT) is a simple and well documented laboratory test to evaluate the propensity for hypertension and sympathetic autonomic functions. Role of sex hormones was tested in the present study for the cold pressor response (CPR) in young adults of both sexes and in elderly population. The subjects comprised of young male (n=55), female (n=32) medical students of 17-25 years and elderly males (n=39) and females (n=25) of 50-70 years of age. The CPT was carried out in young and elderly males and females with one minute immersion of one hand in ice cold water (0-4°C). Both in young males and females the absolute rise in SBP and DBP in response to Cold pressor test (CPT) was highly significant, with diastolic percent rise exceeding systolic. In comparison to young males, the females showed greater percent rise in SBP and DBP. Similarly, in elderly groups of both sexes, CPR was associated with significant absolute rise in SBP and DBP with diastolic percent rise more than systolic in males only. Both in young versus elderly males and young versus elderly females comparison yielded comparable percent rise in SBP and DBP. The SBP and DBP percent rise was again comparable between elderly males and females. The greater responsiveness to CPT in young females could be attributed to increased pain sensitivity to cold, and/or genetic and hereditary factors overwhelming the hormonal protection offered by estrogen and nitric oxide (NO).

Smoking women and their lung function tests.

Smoking amongst women has become significant as the number of smoking women is increasing gradually in this developing society. It affects the lungs to produce Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Present study was conducted over 100 smoker's women and 100 non-smoker women in the age group of 30-40 Years. Three Lung Function Tests--FEVI, FVC and PEFR were employed to all smoking and non-smoking women. It was observed that all the above mentioned three parameters of lung function tests were reduced significantly among smoker women as compared to non-smoker women. These reduced parameters of lung function test among heavy smokers are suggestive of chronic obstructive lung diseases.