Evaluation of cost effective diagnostic tools in characterisation of Acute Leukemia in Southern India.

The incidence of Acute Leukemia (AL) subtypes varies according to geographical distribution and more predominant in developing countries. The aim here was to evaluate the usefulness of cost effective diagnostic tools in characterization of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in resource poor population. One hundred and two AL cases were diagnosed. For diagnosis, cytochemical analysis and immunohistochemistry were performed. Among the children < 12 years, ALL was 64.3% while AML accounted for 30%. In patients > 12 years, ALL was 59.4% and AML was 31.3%. The B-ALL occurred most frequently than T-ALL in both the age groups while based on immunophenotyping in AML, CD13 was the most commonly expressed antigen. Hence, cost effective diagnostic tools namely the immunophenotyping and cytochemistry are useful and improve accuracy and rapidly risk-stratify patients that were diagnosed with acute leukemia.

Seborrheic keratosis over genitalia masquerading as Buschke Lowenstein tumor.

Seborrheic keratosis (SK) is a common benign condition of the skin. It does not usually appear before middle age. Upper trunk and face are the sites most commonly involved. Lesions are also frequently seen on the extremities. SK of the genitalia is a rare entity. It has been frequently mistaken as genital warts and differentiation is made only on histopathology. We report a case of SK with polypoidal lesions restricted to the skin on and around the genitalia since 10 years. SK should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pedunculated lesions of the penis. The histopathology after shave excision is diagnostic.

Growth and characterization of pure and doped KHP NLO single crystals.

Single crystals of Potassium Hydrogen Phthalate doped with amino acid l-lysine were grown successfully by slow evaporation method. The concentration of dopant in the mother solution was 0.5mol%, 1mol% and 2mol%. There is a drastic change in the morphology due to variation in doping rates which is also reflected in the X-ray diffraction data. The Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy study confirms the incorporation of l-lysine into Potassium Hydrogen Phthalate crystal. The thermal study indicates the dissociating nature of the crystal. The nonlinear optical property of the grown crystal has been confirmed by Kurtz-powder second harmonic generation test. The dopant of 0.5mol% and 1mol% shows higher second harmonic generation result than pure Potassium Hydrogen Phthalate. Results are discussed.

A study on Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal, mechanical, NLO and laser damage properties on unidirectional Glycinium Picrate Mono Glycine crystal.

By directional solidification, single crystal of Glycinium Picrate Mono Glycine (GPMG) was successfully grown by Sankaranarayanan-Ramasamy (SR) method. An optically transparent crystal of GPMG has been grown along 〈011〉 plane by a mixed solvent of acetone and double distilled water. The evaporation rate was controlled and a single crystal of 12mm diameter and 35mm length was obtained. Single crystal X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal, mechanical, SHG and laser damage studies were carried out. The results are discussed in detail.

BCR-ABL Translocation in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Southern India.

Cytogenetics and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based assays provide important information regarding biologically defined and prognostically relevant subgroups in acute leukemias. We utilized karyotyping and molecular analysis by reverse transcriptase PCR for the BCR-ABL translocation, in addition to morphological study, cytochemistry and immunophenotyping, to study 24 cases of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Our objective was to determine the frequency of the BCRABL translocation in childhood ALL from southern India. Karyotyping showed one case of hyperdiploidy, one case of t (12; 21) translocation and one case of 46, XY-21+mar. The BCR-ABL translocation was found in 8.3% of these cases. One of these was a cryptic translocation, the karyotype being normal. BCR-ABL positivity in ALL is associated with aggressive disease and has been shown to be a poor prognostic factor, especially in children.