Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the femoral nerve: imaging findings and correlation with histopathology.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) are rare and aggressive soft tissue sarcomas. MPNST diagnosis is made based on biopsy, but distinct features are present on ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We present a case of a 24-year-old man presenting with abdominal pain and lower-extremity weakness found to have a large MPNST originating from the left femoral nerve and describe findings on imaging and their histopathologic correlation.

Rib osteochondroma presenting as acute paraparesis.

Osteochondromas are usually osseous outgrowths arising from the metaphyseal region of cortical bone. Moreover, osteochondroma can also arise from flat bones and the spine. However, their origin in the ribs is extremely rare and always near the costochondral junction. We present a 26-year-old male who presented with chief complaints of difficulty in walking for 2 weeks subsequently diagnosed with osteochondroma based on the presence of a cartilage cap on Magnetic resonance imaging.

Williams-Beuren Syndrome: The Role of Cardiac CT in Diagnosis.

Williams-Beuren syndrome is a multisystem genetic disorder associated with cardiovascular abnormalities, the most common of which is some variation of arterial stenosis. We describe a case of Williams-Beuren syndrome with multiple cardiovascular structural and arterial abnormalities and demonstrate the unique role of cardiac computed tomography in diagnosis.

Joubert syndrome: A classic case.

Joubert syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by hyperpnoea and eye movements, hypotonia, ataxia, developmental retardation with neuropathologic abnormalities of cerebellum and brainstem including inherited hypoplasia or aplasia of vermis. Cerebellar vermin anomalies are described in other disorders such as Dandy-Walker and rhombencephalon synapsis. These disorders should be distinguished from Joubert syndrome on the basis of imaging. Comparison with typical imaging and clinical findings may be helpful for appropriate diagnosis.

Sinonasal paraganglioma and Cushing's syndrome: A rare association.

In general, paragangliomas are symptomatic tumors, which may be clinically taken for other tumors, benign or malignant lesions. Paragangliomas of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses are an extremely rare entity and what is even rarer is its association with ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone production. We report this very rare case to highlight the rare association of Cushing's syndrome with nasal paraganglioma and the importance of total surgical resection in its treatment.

Transcriptional abundance of type-1 endocannabinoid receptor (CB1) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) in bull spermatozoa: Relationship with field fertility.

A highly sophisticated endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS) has been shown to play a crucial role in controlling sperm functions and fertility in men. In the present study, we report the differences in the expression level of components of ECS [type-1 endocannabinoid receptor (CB1) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH)] in spermatozoa from bulls with different field fertility ratings. Cryopreserved spermatozoa from crossbred cattle bulls (n = 40) were utilized for the study. The bulls were classified into high-, medium- and low-fertile bulls based on field conception rates. Sperm viability, capacitation status and protamine deficiency were assessed. Spermatozoa RNA was isolated from all the bulls, cDNA was synthesized and quantitative real time PCR was carried out to study the transcriptional abundance of CB1 and FAAH genes. Sperm viability was lower and capacitation was higher (p < 0.05) in low fertile bulls compared to medium and high fertile bulls. The expression level of CB1 gene was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in spermatozoa from low and medium fertile bulls compared to high fertile bulls. The expression of CB1 gene was 21.07 and 4.23 times greater in high and medium fertile bulls, respectively compared to low fertile bulls. The correlation between CB1 gene expression and field conception rate of bulls was positive and significant (r = 0.57; p < 0.001). Unlike CB1 receptors, FAAH gene expression was similar among high, medium and low fertile bulls. The correlation of FAAH expression with bull conception rate was positive but not significant. It was concluded that the transcriptional abundance of type-1 endocannabinoid receptor (CB1) was positively and significantly related to bull fertility.

Incubation of spermatozoa with Anandamide prior to cryopreservation reduces cryocapacitation and improves post-thaw sperm quality in the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

Anandamide (AEA), an endocannabinoid, has been shown to reduce capacitation and acrosomal exocytosis in human spermatozoa. Because buffalo spermatozoa are highly susceptible to cryopreservation induced damage, AEA was assessed as to whether it could protect spermatozoa from cryo-damage. Six ejaculates from six Murrah buffalo bulls (total 36 ejaculates) were utilized for the study. Each ejaculate was divided into four aliquots; spermatozoa in Aliquot 1 were extended in Tris-Citrate-Egg Yolk and frozen as per the standard protocol. Spermatozoa in Aliquots 2, 3 and 4 were incubated with AEA at 1 nM, 1 µM and 10 µM, respectively in Tris-Citrate extender for 15 min at 37 °C before cryopreservation. Cryopreserved spermatozoa were thawed at 37 °C for 30 s before assessment of sperm motility, membrane integrity, capacitation, acrosome reaction, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and lipid peroxidation status. The proportion of motile and membrane intact spermatozoa were greater (P < 0.05) with use of 1 µM AEA incorporated group compared with other groups. The proportion of un-capacitated and acrosome intact spermatozoa was greater (P < 0.05) with use of 1 or 10 µM of AEA compared with the other groups. When compared to the control group, use of 1 µM AEA resulted in a greater proportion of spermatozoa with high MMP (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the lipid peroxidation status of spermatozoa among any of the four groups. It was inferred that the protective role of AEA during cryopreservation of buffalo spermatozoa was dose dependent and incubation of spermatozoa with AEA at 1 µM concentration prior to cryopreservation reduced cryo-capacitation and improved post-thaw sperm quality in buffalo.

Small Cell Carcinoma of Anal Canal - A Rare Case Report.

Anal canal malignancy is one of the dreadful conditions. Most of the anal canal malignancies are squamous cell carcinomas for which the treatment is well established and the prognosis is usually favourable. Small cell carcinoma of anal canal is a very rare condition and poorly understood, which can present as haemorrhoids in its early stages and has an aggressive course. We present a case of small cell carcinoma of anal canal who underwent Abdomino Perineal Resection (APR) and chemotherapy. He developed liver metastasis during the course of chemotherapy and succumbed to the condition 4 months later.

The effect of baking and enzymatic treatment on the structural properties of wheat starch.

In this study, bread was baked with and without the addition of α-amylase. Starch was extracted from the baked bread and its molecular properties were characterized using (1)H NMR and asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) connected to multi-angle light scattering (MALS) and other detectors. The approach allows determination of molar mass, root- mean-square radius and apparent density as well as the average degree of branching of amylopectin. The results show that starch size and structure is affected as a result of the baking process. The effect is larger when α-amylase is added. The changes include both a decrease molar mass and size as well as an increase in apparent density. Moreover, an increase in average degree of branching and the number of reducing ends H-1(ß-r) and H-1(α-r) can be observed.

Rhinosporidiosis: A Rare Cause of Proptosis and an Imaging Dilemma for Sinonasal Masses.

Background. Rhinosporidiosis is a common disease entity in tropical countries; however, it can be encountered in other parts of the world as well due to increasing medical tourism. It may mimic other more malignant and vigorous pathologies of the involved part. Case Report. We present a case of a 36-year-old male presenting with proptosis due to involvement of nasolacrimal duct which is rare. We will discuss typical CT and MRI features of the disease which were present in the case. Conclusion. For a surgeon and a radiologist, this is a necessary differential to be kept in mind for sinonasal masses. CT and MRI are invaluable investigations. However, FNAC is confirmatory. Both clinical and radiological aspects are required to reach correct diagnosis.

Capillaria hepatica infection: a rare differential for peripheral eosinophilia and an imaging dilemma for abdominal lymphadenopathy.

Capillaria hepatica which accidentally infects humans is a zoonotic parasite of mammalian liver, primarily rodents and causes hepatic capillariasis. The diagnosis is difficult because of the non-specific nature of clinical symptoms, leading to misdiagnosis and can be confirmed only through liver biopsy or on autopsy results. This paper is written with an objective to report a new case of hepatic capillariasis as a rare differential for peripheral eosinophilia and an imaging dilemma for abdominal lymphadenopathy.

Double Meniscal Ossicle, the First Description: CT and MRI Findings-Different Etiologies.

We present a case of 2 ossicles in the medial meniscus with emphasis on MRI and CT findings. Meniscal ossicle is a rare entity and is quite uncommon on the medial side. By showing the typical signal characteristics and intrameniscal location, MRI can be helpful in distinguishing this from other more clinically significant abnormalities. It should be kept as differential from synovial chondromatosis or sesamoid bones like fabella as management is different for all of these entities.

Employees State Insurance Corporation health camps at Bengaluru, India: Bridging gaps.

Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) hospital at Rajajinagar, Bengaluru conducts regular health camps at industries. The health camps promote and re-install the confidence among the workers and management of the industries in social security systems. Camps are considered as a stepping stone at reforming and improving the health of the workers for better productivity at industries.