Nephroprotective effect of ethanolic extract of Azima tetracantha root in glycerol induced acute renal failure in Wistar albino rats.

The gravity of the impact of renal failure on human health is well known and as there is no specific pharmacotherapy for renal failure, the current study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of root extract of Azima tetracantha, an ancient medicinal plant used in Siddha and Ayurvedhic systems of medicine. The experiment was done in glycerol-induced acute renal failure in Wistar albino rats. Thirty rats were divided into five groups. Group 1 was given normal saline (10 ml/kg) per oral, group 2 with single dose of hypertonic glycerol (8 ml/kg) by intramuscular injection into the hind limbs, group 3 with glycerol and ethanolic extract of A. tetracantha root (ATR) 250 mg/kg, group 4, glycerol and ATR 500 mg/kg and group 5, 500 mg/kg ATR. Extract was given orally 60 min prior to glycerol injection. 24 h urine output, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, total proteins and albumin were measured for all the groups. Kidneys were examined for histopathological changes. The antioxidant activity of the extract was tested in vitro and in vivo. Rats treated with ATR showed significant improvement in biochemical parameters and histopathological changes compared to glycerol treated group. The protective effect was highly significant at 500 mg/kg. Both in vitro and in vivo assays showed significant antioxidant activity. The in vitro activity was comparable to vitamin-C. The ethanolic extract of ATR has nephroprotective effect in glycerol-induced acute renal failure and the mechanism of action could be the antioxidant effect.

A comparison of manual and automated methods of quantitation of oestrogen/progesterone receptor expression in breast carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Oestrogen/progesterone receptor expression in breast carcinoma is associated with good response to hormonal therapy and overall better prognosis. The predictive and prognostic capabilities of these receptors are enhanced by quantitation of immunoreaction. There are several manual and automated methods for this purpose. Whether they yield comparable results that can be used interchangeably is not yet clear. AIM: To compare the manual methods (H-score and Allred score) with automated methods (Immunoratio) for quantifying immunohistochemical (IHC) reaction for ER/PR in breast carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Samples from established cases of breast carcinoma were processed and stained by immunohistochemical methods to demonstrate oestrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR). Receptor expression was quantified by manual methods (H-score, modified H-score and Allred score) and automated methods (basic and advanced Immunoratio). In modified H score, the intensity of reaction was assessed by measurement of mean grey value {H (MGV)} or optical density {H (DC-OD)} of deconvoluted image. The manual counting was done with cell counter plugin of Image-J (NIH). The scores were compared and Pearson's correlation coefficient was determined. RESULTS: Both manual and automated methods produced results that were comparable. There was a statistically significant positive correlation among all methods (p<0.02). The strongest correlation was observed between advanced immunoratio and H (DC-OD) (p=<0.001). Basic immunoratio appeared to be less reliable than the other methods. Staining intensity measurements by various methods did not significantly affect correlation. However, intensity measurements by optical density resulted in lower H-scores but led to more reliable detection of negative immunoreaction. CONCLUSION: Both manual and automated methods of quantitation are comparable. Advanced immunoratio is a reliable alternative to manual methods. Cell Counter plugin is a useful tool for manual counting and quantitation.

Cervical extradural and extraspinal ependymoma mimicking dumb-bell schwannoma: an unusual tumor.

Ependymomas are common in intramedullary location and extradural location of the spinal cord is very rare. A few cases in the lumbosacral region have been reported. This report presents a cervical dumb-bell ependymoma with a small intraspinal extradural component and a large extraspinal component in the posterior triangle of the neck. The tumor was excised in two stages. This is probably the first such case report in the cervical region in the world literature. Possible histogenesis of ependymoma in this location is also discussed.

Automated measurement of immature granulocytes: performance characteristics and utility in routine clinical practice.

The granulocytic "shift to left" reflects marrow response to bacterial infection, and this may be quantified as band count or immature granulocyte count (IGC). The former value, used widely in neonatal sepsis, has been notoriously difficult to measure accurately and precisely. A reproducible, precise, and accurate counting of immature granulocyte counts may be possible with automation. This study of 200 febrile patients aimed at analysing the performance characteristics of automated immature granulocytes (AIGs) in predicting blood culture and their clinical utility. The absolute (IGC) and relative IG count (IG%) had area under curve (AUC) of 0.69 and 0.66. Moreover, the means of IGC and IG% between culture positive and negative groups were statistically significant suggesting that they are potential markers for bacteremia. IGC of 0.03 × 10(3) cu·mm and IG% of 0.5% offered sensitivity of 86.3% and 92.2%, respectively, and may be used for screening for bacteremia. Higher values, IGC > 0.3, and IG% > 3 had specificity greater than 90%, although the values were infrequent. It may not be long before that these automated hemograms are put into regular diagnostic use.

Giant cell tumour of talus--a case report.

Giant cell tumour of the talus bone is rare and is usually seen in skeletally mature adults. Here a case of giant cell tumour of the talus in a skeletally immature boy of 15 years is reported. The patient presented with swelling and tenderness of the left ankle with an osteolytic lesion seen in the talus on x-ray. A trephine biopsy followed by left talar excision was done. Following the biopsy report the patient underwent arthotomy and joint clearance. There was no recurrence noted at six months follow-up.