Histopathological Study of Benign Tumours of the Larynx: A Descriptive Study in Coastal Karnataka.

A laryngoscopically benign lesion with minimal hoarseness may turn out to be mimickers of malignancy or malignancy itself. Histopathological study is mandatory in such cases to rule out malignancy. A descriptive study of histopathological and laryngoscopic findings of benign laryngeal lesions were studies over a period of 4.5 years. Among the thirty-six patients studied, the mean age of the patients was 42 years. The most common presenting complaint was hoarseness of voice seen in 87.5% of cases. Twelve cases of vocal cord polyps were diagnosed based on clinical, laryngoscopical and histopathological features. Seven cases of vocal cord nodules, presenting with hoarseness of voice and laryngoscopic finding of a small nodular growth over the cord. Nine cases of laryngeal papillomas and papillomatosis showed branching papillae, lined by squamous epithelium with fibrovascular cores. A single case of amyloidosis and four cases of granulomatous lesions suggestive of tuberculosis were studied. One case each of rhabdomyoma and granular cell tumour was reported and confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Rare benign tumours and tumour-like lesions mimicking malignancy on laryngoscopy need histopathological evaluation. It is mandatory to study excised biopsies of the larynx as grossly similar lesions can vary from non-neoplastic to frankly malignant.

Role of Substituent Position in Coumarin Derivatives during their Interaction with TiO2 Nano Particles.

The effect of position of benzo group in coumarin derivatives, 5,6 benzo-4-azidomethyl coumarin (5BAMC) and 7,8 benzo-4-azidomethyl coumarin (7BAMC) during their interaction with TiO2 nanoparticles in ethyl acetate, tetrahydrofuran, butan-1-ol and acetonitrile solvents has been studied using different spectroscopic methods and electrochemical analysis. Benesi-Hildebrand plots indicate that nature of interaction between 7BAMC and TiO2 is 1:2 in solvent with low dielectric constant whereas for 5BAMC and TiO2, it is 1:1 in all the solvents. From the fluorescence quenching study and binding equilibria analysis, it is observed that interaction between 5BAMC and TiO2 depends on the dielectric constant of the solvent. Time resolved quenching study reveals that quenching is dynamic for 5BAMC in solvent with high dielectric constant. Whereas for 7BAMC, it is dynamic in solvent with low dielectric constant. Hence the nature of interaction of these two coumarin derivatives with TiO2 NPs is different. From electrochemical analysis, it is observed that, free energy change for electron transfer is more negative for 5BAMC-TiO2 compared to 7BAMC-TiO2 therefore quenching is more efficient for 5BAMC-TiO2 compared to 7BAMC-TiO2 system, which is also confirmed from fluorescence quenching studies. Non-radiative energy transfer rate is more than radiative energy transfer rate for both the systems according to FRET study.

Discovered on gastrointestinal stromal tumor 1, a keystone in the diagnosis of extraintestinal gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

INTRODUCTION: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) but have a low incidence. Arising from the interstitial cells of Cajal, GISTs occur at different sites in the GIT with stomach being the most common. They can rarely be seen at sites outside the GIT such as omentum, retroperitoneum and are called as extraintestinal GISTs (EGIST). They have a spindle or epithelioid cell morphology and show positivity by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for CD117. Our aim was to study the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical profile of our cases of EGISTs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study of EGISTs received from 2010 to 2015 was done. IHC with CD117 and discovered on GIST1 (DOG1) was performed and tumors were scored based on the percentage of cells that stained positive. Thirteen abdominal non-GIST spindle cell tumors were included in the study as controls. RESULTS: Seven cases of EGIST were included (four-omental, three-retroperitoneal). All cases stained positive for CD117 and DOG1. One case of epithelioid EGIST scored 4 + with DOG1 and 2 + with CD117. Another case with mixed morphology scored 2 + with DOG1 and 4 + with CD117. All controls were negative for both markers. CONCLUSION: EGISTs are one of the rare differentials for spindle cell lesions outside the GIT. Although both markers stain positive, DOG1 showed higher score with epithelioid GISTs.

Protective Role of Co-administration of Vitamin D in Monosodium Glutamate Induced Obesity in Female Rats.

PURPOSE: Obesity in females is an emerging health problem. The consumption of MSG has been considered as a risk factor for obesity. The tastemakers in Chinese and fast foods, such as fish sauce and soy sauce, contain very high levels of glutamate. The deficiency of Vitamin D is associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effect of co-administration of Vitamin D on body weight control in MSG-induced obese rats. METHODS: Eighteen adult female Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups equally. The first group (Group I) was treated with saline served as the control; the second group (Group II) received a daily oral dose of 5 g/kg Body weight of MSG; the third group (Group III) received the same dose of MSG along with calcitriol (0.2 mcg/kg BW) for 15 days. RESULTS: The body weight, food, and water intake were measured. MSG treated rats showed a significant increase (P < 0.001) in the body weight, food, and water intake but significant decrease (P < 0.001) was observed in the rats treated with MSG along with Vitamin D. CONCLUSION: Ingestion of Vitamin D suppresses body weight gain in MSG-induced obese rats. Active agents in Vitamin D are useful for the prevention and treatment of obesity. Foods tested with high glutamate levels can be fortified with minute quantities of calcitriol to combat the adverse effects without compromising on the taste of the food processed. The fortification of junk foods might also combat largely prevalent Vitamin D deficiency in India.

The pitfalls in cytology diagnosis of poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma of lung and their treatment response.

CONTEXT: Lung is the most common site of small cell carcinoma (SCLC) - a poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma (PDNEC). SCLC comprises 15-20% of the invasive cancers of the lung. AIM: This study was conducted to appraise the accuracy and pitfalls of the diagnosis of PDNEC on cytology along with treatment responses if available. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Retrospective study for 2 years yielded 21 cases on cytology. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Slides of fine-needle aspiration of lymph nodes, the tumor, bronchial brush, and bronchoalveolar lavage specimens were used. The histological correlation was obtained as were treatment responses. RESULTS: Eighteen SCLCs were confirmed on review. Of these, 13 initial reports were concordant and five, discordant. The rest three cases which initially reported as SCLC were found to be negative (2) and combined SCLC (1). One SCLC with concordant initial and reviewed diagnoses failed to confirm on histopathology. The patients, all heavy smokers, were predominantly males in the seventh to eighth decade age group. The sensitivity and specificity of reviewed diagnoses were better than that of the original. The difference between histopathology and cytology diagnoses (reviewed and original) was statistically insignificant. All patients were categorized as "extensive stage" by positron emission tomography-computerized tomography, and five were treated with etoposide and cisplatin with/without radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Age group (61-70) and gender (males) distribution were statistically significant. Intermediate variants of SCLC may be misdiagnosed as adenocarcinoma. Similarly, combined SCLC may be missed on cytology if the observer does not sustain a high index of suspicion. Unequivocal cytology diagnosis opposed to negative histopathology report demands repeat biopsy.

Profile of pancreatic tumors at a tertiary care center.

BACKGROUND: Pancreas, a relatively inaccessible organ, poses diagnostic difficulties with overlapping presentation among benign and malignant tumors. In the present study, pancreatic aspirates obtained by computed tomography (CT) guided procedures were used for cytodiagnosis. Our study aims at correlating clinical, cytological, biochemical, and histopathological results in obtaining a final diagnosis. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective study of 2 years was done which included 32 cases of pancreatic tumors at a tertiary care center. Patient data were retrieved and analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-seven of the 32 (84.37%) cases were malignant tumors. Age distribution in malignant tumors was predominantly seen in the fourth to eighth decade, whereas in benign, it ranged in the second to third decade. Thirteen out of the 32 (40.62%) cases reported were females, with male:female ratio of 1.46:1. The most common presenting symptom was abdominal pain followed by jaundice and vomiting. Three of the 32 cases had visceral metastasis at the time of diagnosis. CT-guided aspirates in most cases yielded diagnostic material. Cytological and histopathological results concurred except for three cases. Cancer Antigen 19-9 was worked up for 14 of 27 malignant cases, 11 of which showed grossly elevated values (700-7000), and three cases showed mildly elevated values (100-300). Three of the four benign cases worked up for CA 19-9 showed normal values. CONCLUSIONS: Among the mass forming lesions in pancreas, malignancy was more common compared to benign tumors. A multidisciplinary approach in the assessment and diagnosis of pancreatic tumors yields accurate results in spite of the limitations faced in obtaining adequate samples by needle aspirates.

Castleman's Disease with Paraneoplastic Pemphigus.

Castleman's disease is a rare autoimmune disorder with varied clinical presentations. Castleman's commonly involves mediastinum and hence it is thoracic in most of the reported cases. Paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP) and myasthenia gravis can be associated with multicentric Castleman's disease. Its association with HIV, Kaposi sarcoma, and lymphoma is also well known. We report a rare combination of unicentric, extrathoracic Castleman's disease with PNP and myasthenia gravis.

Chronic intermittent stress-induced alterations in the spermatogenesis and antioxidant status of the testis are irreversible in albino rat

The study was undertaken to find out whether or not chronic stress-induced alterations in spermatogenesis are accompanied by oxidative damage in the testis and reversibility of these effects. Adult male rats (n = 10) were subjected to restraint for 1 h and later after a gap of 4 h to forced swimming exercise for 15 min daily for 60 days and controls (n = 5) were maintained without disturbance. After treatment period, controls and 5 rats in stress group were killed and remaining rats in stress group were maintained without any treatment for 4 months and then autopsied to find out whether effects are reversible or not. The body and testicular weight, total sperm count, and mean number of type A spermatogonia, mid-pachytene spermatocytes, stage 7 spermatids, and elongated spermatids (cellular association in stage VII of spermatogenesis) showed a significant decrease whereas the abnormal sperm count and germ cell apoptosis were increased in stressed and recovery group rats compared to controls. Activities of testicular SOD, CAT, GPx, and GST were significantly decreased whereas MDA levels were significantly increased in stressed rats compared to controls. The SOD, GST, and CAT activities of recovery groups were significantly lower than controls, whereas MDA levels and GPx activity of these rats did not differ from controls. The results, for the first time, reveal that stress-induced loss of germ cells leading to decrease in sperm count may be due to oxidative damage caused by chronic stress and majority of these changes are not reversible (AU)

Chronic intermittent stress-induced alterations in the spermatogenesis and antioxidant status of the testis are irreversible in albino rat.

The study was undertaken to find out whether or not chronic stress-induced alterations in spermatogenesis are accompanied by oxidative damage in the testis and reversibility of these effects. Adult male rats (n = 10) were subjected to restraint for 1 h and later after a gap of 4 h to forced swimming exercise for 15 min daily for 60 days and controls (n = 5) were maintained without disturbance. After treatment period, controls and 5 rats in stress group were killed and remaining rats in stress group were maintained without any treatment for 4 months and then autopsied to find out whether effects are reversible or not. The body and testicular weight, total sperm count, and mean number of type A spermatogonia, mid-pachytene spermatocytes, stage 7 spermatids, and elongated spermatids (cellular association in stage VII of spermatogenesis) showed a significant decrease whereas the abnormal sperm count and germ cell apoptosis were increased in stressed and recovery group rats compared to controls. Activities of testicular SOD, CAT, GPx, and GST were significantly decreased whereas MDA levels were significantly increased in stressed rats compared to controls. The SOD, GST, and CAT activities of recovery groups were significantly lower than controls, whereas MDA levels and GPx activity of these rats did not differ from controls. The results, for the first time, reveal that stress-induced loss of germ cells leading to decrease in sperm count may be due to oxidative damage caused by chronic stress and majority of these changes are not reversible.

Poorly differentiated (insular) thyroid carcinoma arising in a long-standing colloid goitre: A cytological dilemma.

Poorly differentiated (insular) thyroid carcinoma (PDITC) is an uncommon thyroglobulin producing neoplasm intermediate in aggressiveness between well-differentiated carcinomas of follicular cell origin and undifferentiated anaplastic carcinoma. Its cytomorphological recognition is essential for planning surgery and subsequent management as it is known for its aggressive behavior, advanced stage at presentation, local recurrences and rapid dissemination. We report a case of PDITC arising in a long-standing goiter, in which presence of microfollicular structures and minimal necrosis resulted in difficulty in distinguishing it from a follicular neoplasm of thyroid.

Delays in auditory processing identified in preschool children with FASD.

BACKGROUND: Both sensory and cognitive deficits have been associated with prenatal exposure to alcohol; however, very few studies have focused on sensory deficits in preschool-aged children. As sensory skills develop early, characterization of sensory deficits using novel imaging methods may reveal important neural markers of prenatal alcohol exposure. METHODS: Participants in this study were 10 children with a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and 15 healthy control (HC) children aged 3 to 6 years. All participants had normal hearing as determined by clinical screens. We measured their neurophysiological responses to auditory stimuli (1,000 Hz, 72 dB tone) using magnetoencephalography (MEG). We used a multidipole spatio-temporal modeling technique to identify the location and timecourse of cortical activity in response to the auditory tones. The timing and amplitude of the left and right superior temporal gyrus sources associated with activation of left and right primary/secondary auditory cortices were compared across groups. RESULTS: There was a significant delay in M100 and M200 latencies for the FASD children relative to the HC children (p = 0.01), when including age as a covariate. The within-subjects effect of hemisphere was not significant. A comparable delay in M100 and M200 latencies was observed in children across the FASD subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: Auditory delay revealed by MEG in children with FASDs may prove to be a useful neural marker of information processing difficulties in young children with prenatal alcohol exposure. The fact that delayed auditory responses were observed across the FASD spectrum suggests that it may be a sensitive measure of alcohol-induced brain damage. Therefore, this measure in conjunction with other clinical tools may prove useful for early identification of alcohol affected children, particularly those without dysmorphia.