ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) is associated with gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastric carcinoma and gastric lymphoma. Current literature describes presence of H.pylori in various extra-gastric locations and its association with many diseases. Apart from the conventional location of gastric and duodenal mucosa, H.pylori have been isolated and cultured from gallbladder. AIM: Analysis of cholecystectomy specimens to detect H.pylori by means of immunohistochemical staining. MATERIALS AND METHODS: There were a total of 118 cholecystectomy specimens received in the Department of Pathology in three months duration. We have performed immunostaining for H.pylori in 45 consecutive cases of cholecystectomy specimen. Clinical and other investigational information were retrieved from the medical records department. For each case, routine Haematoxylin and Eosin stain was studied. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was done using purified polyclonal Helicobacter pylori antiserum. RESULTS: Majority of the patients had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy for the presenting complaint of right hypochondrial pain. Multiple pigmented stones were present in majority (27/45) of them. Immunostain for H.pylori was positive in ten cases. Six of these cases had pigmented gall stones, two had stones not specified and in two of the cases there were no stones. CONCLUSION: Helicobacter pylori is present in gall bladder and is commonly seen in association with stones. A more detailed study of cholecystectomy cases (both neoplastic and non-neoplastic) with serological, culture and molecular data of H.pylori is desirable to study the pathogenesis of cholecystitis, its association with gall stones and other gall bladder disorders.
ABSTRACT
Very few case reports of pure squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of stomach are available in the world literature. The exact pathology of this uncommon carcinoma in stomach remains unknown. This is an additional case report of SCC in an elderly female arising in the gastric antrum. She underwent distal gastrectomy, gastrojejunostomy and jejunojejunostomy. The histopathology was reported as SCC of stomach without any adenocarcinomatous component. She had no other source of extra gastric primary SCC. After surgery, the patient was advised adjuvant chemotherapy. This is an additional case of primary SCC of stomach.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and contraceptive efficacy of magainin-A in monkeys. DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. SETTING: Department of Immunology, National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Parel, Mumbai, India. ANIMAL(S): Male and female bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata). INTERVENTION(S): Animals were treated intravaginally with 1 mg of magainin-A before attempted conception, as well as daily for 14 days to assess local and systemic toxicity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Suitability of magainin-A for the control of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. RESULT(S): Complete sperm immobilization was observed within 20 seconds after the exposure to magainin-A (800-1,000 microg) in vitro. Intravaginal administration of 1 mg of magainin-A blocked conception in monkeys. When magainin-A was administered intravaginally for 14 consecutive days, no treatment-related abnormalities were observed in menstrual cycle length, vaginal epithelial cell morphology, and hematologic/serum biochemical profiles. The peptide inhibited the growth of sexually transmitted infection-causing pathogens but not HIV-1 and HIV-2. CONCLUSION(S): Magainin-A can be used as an effective and safe intravaginal contraceptive compound with additional protection against sexually transmitted infection-causing pathogens.
