Application of chemoresistive gas sensors and chemometric analysis to differentiate the fingerprints of global volatile organic compounds from diseases. Preliminary results of COPD, lung cancer and breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath has been proposed as a screening method that discriminates between disease and healthy subjects, few studies evaluate whether these chemical fingerprints are specific when compared between diseases. We evaluated global VOCs and their discrimination capacity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, breast cancer and healthy subjects by chemoresistive sensors and chemometric analysis. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with the participation of 30 patients with lung cancer, 50 with breast cancer, 50 with COPD and 50 control subjects. Each participant's exhaled breath was analyzed with the electronic nose. A multivariate analysis was carried: principal component analysis (PCA) and, canonical analysis of principal coordinates (CAP). Twenty single-blind samples from the 4 study groups were evaluated by CAP. RESULTS: A separation between the groups of patients to the controls was achieved through PCA with explanations of >90% of the data and with a correct classification of 100%. In the CAP of the 4 study groups, discrimination between the diseases was obtained with 2 canonical axes with a correct general classification of 91.35%. This model was used for the prediction of the single-blind samples resulting in correct classification of 100%. CONCLUSIONS: The application of chemoresistive gas sensors and chemometric analysis can be used as a useful tool for a screening test for lung cancer, breast cancer and COPD since this equipment detects the set of VOCs present in the exhaled breath to generate a characteristic chemical fingerprint of each disease.

Assessment of common risk factors and validation of the Gail model for breast cancer: A hospital-based study from Western India.

OBJECTIVE: Modified Gail Model is a noninvasive, easy to implement risk estimation tool for absolute breast cancer risk. It was developed with data collected from non African American females and further modified for African-American, the Hispanic, and Native American populations. The use of this model for population outside the US and European country is not yet validated. We evaluated the prevalent risk factors and the effectiveness of the Gail model for risk assessment in our local Indian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database was conducted on patients treated between 2008 and 2013. Six hundred and fifty patients were included in each group. Six questions were taken as per the breast cancer risk assessment tool calculator. A value of over 1.67% was taken as a high risk for breast cancer development. RESULTS: The mean age of the participant was 50 ± 21.3 years in cases and 41 ± 16.4 years in controls. Age and age at first childbirth >30 years were found to be significant and associated with increased risk of breast carcinoma, but the age at menarche, family history, previous breast biopsy, and atypical hyperplasia was no significant. The Gail model was assessed, and sensitivity was 10.30% and 96.30% specificity for our population. Positive and negative predictive values were 73.62% and 51.77%. CONCLUSION: Our study concluded that the Gail model is not an appropriate risk assessment tool for the population in its present form. For the future application of this model, we need to perform a bigger study with a higher sample size representing a maximum number of local variabilities in the Indian population.

Epidemiological characteristics of dengue disease in Saurashtra region, India, during year 2015.

BACKGROUND: Dengue is an important vector-borne disease with a spectrum of classical fever to hemorrhagic fever to dengue shock syndrome. The present study was conducted with objective to study epidemiological and demographic characteristics of dengue infections during the year 2015 in Saurashtra region, Gujarat state, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted at Tertiary Care Hospital, Rajkot, during the year 2015. A total of 3312 blood samples were collected and tested for dengue NS1 antigen and IgM antibody by capture ELISA testing from various districts of Saurashtra region. A pretested structured data sheet was used as a tool for data collection, and data analysis was done. RESULTS: Out of 3312 tested samples, 33.4% samples were found positive for dengue. Suspected cases were reported from all age groups, including majority from 15 to 24 years (31.1%) and 25 to 44 years (30.0%) and also 8.4% from 0 to 4 years. More than two-third (68.7%) of males were dengue positive than female cases. Significant numbers of cases (P < 0.01) were residing in urban areas (65.7%). Two-third cases (66.8%) diagnosed after 7 days of fever by IgM antibody test. Increasing number of dengue cases reported from July and reached to peak during October 2015. CONCLUSION: The present study reported that dengue mainly affected males and urban population. Perennial occurrence with seasonal increase during monsoon and postmonsoon months was reported. Effective implementation of vector control measures through efforts toward vector breeding source reduction and with the use of personal prophylactic measures against mosquito bites will help in reducing the dengue prevalence in the community.

Cas5d processes pre-crRNA and is a member of a larger family of CRISPR RNA endonucleases.

Small RNAs derived from clustered, regularly interspaced, short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) loci in bacteria and archaea are involved in an adaptable and heritable gene-silencing pathway. Resistance to invasive genetic material is conferred by the incorporation of short DNA sequences derived from this material into the genome as CRISPR spacer elements separated by short repeat sequences. Processing of long primary transcripts (pre-crRNAs) containing these repeats by a CRISPR-associated (Cas) RNA endonuclease generates the mature effector RNAs that target foreign nucleic acid for degradation. Here we describe functional studies of a Cas5d ortholog, and high-resolution structural studies of a second Cas5d family member, demonstrating that Cas5d is a sequence-specific RNA endonuclease that cleaves CRISPR repeats and is thus responsible for processing of pre-crRNA. Analysis of the structural homology of Cas5d with the previously characterized Cse3 protein allows us to model the interaction of Cas5d with its RNA substrate and conclude that it is a member of a larger family of CRISPR RNA endonucleases.

Correlation Between Obesity and High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) in Breast Cancer Patients of Southern Rajasthan.

Despite advances in management of breast cancer, etiology is still elusive. Diet, obesity and other life style factors have been implicated in its etiology. We assessed the role of obesity and HDL-C levels in patients with rural background in etiology of breast cancer. To know the relation between obesity and incidence of breast cancer in local population. Also to know serum HDL-C level in breast cancer and its correlation with breast cancer. A nested pilot study of 50 breast cancer patients was done and matched with 50 healthy women as controls. Obesity was measured by weight, height, BMI (Body Mass Index), waist circumference (WC), Hip Circumference (HC), WC/HC ratio, and Serum High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) was measured in patients and in controls. There was no significant difference in distribution of weight (p = 0.298), height (p = 0.653), BMI (p = 0.459) and WHR (p = 0.052) among cases and controls. HDL-C level was observed to be significantly lower in cases than control group (p = 0.017).Breast cancer patients of pre menopausal age had significantly low Weight (p = 0.037) and BMI (p = 0.011) than post menopausal patients. In our study population only low HDL-C level had significant correlation with breast cancer and none of the other anthropometric measurements were associated with breast cancer. However, large population based case control and cohort studies are needed to identify low serum HDL-C as an independent predictor of increased risk of breast cancer.

Breast tuberculosis- clinical spectrum and management.

Objective of the study was to report the clinical spectrum, investigative profile and management of breast tuberculosis patients attending a tertiary care hospital. Breast tuberculosis is an uncommon form of tuberculosis. Knowledge of its varied clinical presentation and diagnostic modalities help in diagnosing this easily treatable disease. Retrospective data of 63 consecutive patients with breast tuberculosis was analyzed and information regarding demographic details, clinical presentation, cytology, histopathology and management was noted. Breast tuberculosis is essentially a disease of females (98.41%). 49.20% patients were below 30 years of age and 68.25% were from rural areas. Incidence of tubercular mastitis increases with parity (71.42% with p > 2). Commonest presentation was with painless lump (73%). Nodulocaseous tubercular disease was found in 74.60% patients whereas, 6.3% were of disseminated variety. Primary focus was detected in lungs in 11.1% patients, while 46.03% presented with loco-regional lymph nodes. FNAC was found to be a sensitive tool of diagnosis in 74.60% patients; however 25.39% cases were diagnosed with biopsy. ATT remained mainstay of treatment with surgical intervention as and when required. Breast tuberculosis despite being uncommon is not rare. Although diagnosis is not difficult but one should know where to suspect. Once confirmed treatment outcome is often rewarding.

Anorectal Leiomyoma : Case Report of Rare Tumor with unusual Presentation.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) is a rare tumour of gastrointestinal tract, comprising of 0.1-3.0% of all gastrointestinal malignancies. They are commonly found in stomach (60-70%), very rarely in rectum and anal canal (<5%). The present case report is of a large anorectal leiomyoma (142×80mm) arising from posterior rectal wall, with its unusual presentation of urinary retention. In our case, in view of its massive size, recurrence and malignant transformation, we planned abdominoperineal resection. Although size and histological grade play an important role, complete resection still is considered the most significant favorable prognostic factor.