Intramyofiber skeletal muscle invasion: An unusual pattern of muscle infiltration in breast cancer

Skeletal muscle infiltration in carcinoma is a rare entity. Intramyofiber skeletal muscle invasion is the rarest type of muscle infiltration. Here we present one such case of intramyofiber skeletal muscle invasion in a case of breast carcinoma.

Bilateral giant adrenal myelolipoma: A rare scenario

Adrenal myelolipoma is a benign tumor-like growth, composed of mature fat cells and bone marrow elements. We report a case of a 44-year lady who presented with a complaint of pain in the abdomen. The only positive finding was contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) whole abdomen, which was suggestive of heterogeneously enhancing hypodense lesion of size 130 mm × 105 mm with few calcifications and 103 mm × 75 mm with intralesional fat attenuation in right and left adrenals. Rest laboratory parameters were normal. Only a few cases so far have been reported for bilateral adrenal myelolipoma but what stands out in our case is its giant size and bilaterality, managed surgically without any complications.

Retiform hemangioendothelioma: An uncommon vascular neoplasm

Retiform hemangioendothelioma is a rare vascular neoplasm of intermediate grade, the diagnosis of which can be challenging. We report a case of 35-year-old man with swelling in the postauricular region. He had undergone FNAC which had revealed blood only. Microscopic examination showed narrow, arborizing, vascular channels resembling normal rete testis. Evidence of mitoses or cytological atypia were lacking. Immunohistochemistry showed diffuse and strong staining for CD34 along with CD31 positivity. Immunostains for D240 and GLUT1 were negative. A diagnosis of retiform hemangioendothelioma was made. Histologically, it should be distinguished from Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma, Dabska tumor, epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, and angiosarcoma.

Interaction of organophosphorus insecticides phosphamidon & malathion on lipid profile & acetylcholinesterase activity in human erythrocyte membrane.

The organophosphorus insecticides phosphamidon and malathion were found to inhibit the activity of human acetylcholinesterase in vitro, in the human erythrocyte membrane. Lineweaver-Burk analysis indicated that the insecticide induced inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity was uncompetitive in nature. The total lipid, cholesterol and phospholipid contents of erythrocyte membranes were reduced following phosphamidon and technical malathion treatment, while the level of lipid peroxidation was raised following malathion treatment.

Indole acetic acid production by a Rhizobium species from root nodules of a leguminous shrub, Cajanus cajan.

A Rhizobium sp. isolated from the root nodules of a leguminous pulse-yielding shrub, Cajanus cajan, was found to produce high amounts (99.7 microg/ml) of indole acetic acid (IAA) during growth in basal medium supplemented with L-tryptophan. The Rhizobium sp. was a fast growing species which reached its stationary phase at 28 h. The IAA production could be increased upto 653.3% over control by supplementing the carbon-free incubation medium with glucose (5 g/l), NiCl2 (10 microg/ml) and glutamic acid (0.5 g/l). The possible role of rhizobial IAA on the rhizobia-legume symbiosis is discussed.

Effects of organophosphorus insecticide phosphomidon on antioxidant defence components of human erythrocyte and plasma.

Effect of organophosphorus insecticide, phosphomidon (250 and 500 ppm) on human erythrocyte and plasma were studied in vitro to get insight into the cellular antioxidant defence mechanism and malondialdehyde formation. The antioxidant defence system of erythrocyte was altered as evident by depression of glutathione reductase, glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase, whereas the level of reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, superoxidedismutase and catalase were stimulated. In the case of plasma fraction, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-s-transferase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, superoxide dismutase and levels of reduced glutathione were significantly depressed and the malondialdehyde formation and catalase activity were elevated indicating the less adaptive response of plasma to protect it from oxidative damage.

Effect of malathion on antioxidant defence system in human fetus--an in vitro study.

Malathion under in vitro condition even at lower concentration (250 ppm) altered the level of enzymes associated with glutathione cycle and antioxidant defence system in human fetal brain and liver. Such changes involved alterations in glutathione status and extent of lipid peroxidation. The inhibitory effect of malathion was dose dependent in case of human fetal brain and was more vulnerable than fetal liver. This alteration (inhibition or activation) was maximum in case of tissues from fetuses of early period of development, suggesting greater susceptibility of human fetus towards this organophosphorus insecticide.

Age-related changes of glycogen metabolism in human fetal heart.

The changes in the activities of three important glycogen metabolising enzymes, viz. glycogen synthetase, glycogen phosphorylase and alpha-D-glucosidase, along with glycogen content have been measured in adult human heart and human fetal heart collected at 13-36 weeks of gestation. At an early period, particularly 13-16 weeks of gestational age, the activity of glycogen synthetase and glycogen content were found to be maximum. However the activity of glycogen phosphorylase remained constant throughout the gestation and that of alpha-D-glucosidase showed a peak at 25-28 weeks of gestation, thereby indicating that fetal heart tissue has the capacity to utilise glycogen for energy.

Well-differentiated papillary villoglandular adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix.

This article presents a rare case of well-differentiated papillary villoglandular adenocarcima of the uterine cervix. This patient had vaginal bleeding and her disease was limited to the cervix. Since 1989, a total of 41 cases have been reported in the literature as a distinct entity. In the past, this tumor was included with other varieties of adenocarcinomas of the cervix and not as a separate entity. Due to its excellent prognosis, papillary villoglandular adenocarcinoma of the cervix, may be treated by a procedure less radical than a hysterectomy when the tumor is superficial with no vascular or lymphatic invasion. Recognition of this entity and separation from other varieties of adenocarcinomas of the uterine cervix are warranted.

Merkel cell carcinoma: an aggressive neoplasm.

This article presents a rare case of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) of the skin. This tumor is also known as trabecular carcinoma or cutaneous small cell undifferentiated carcinoma (CSCUC). This patient had a palpable non-tender mass in her right upper thigh and a large palpable lymph node in the right inguinal area. Microscopic examination revealed Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) in the skin of the upper thigh as well as in the inguinal lymph node. Immunoperoxidase stains confirmed the diagnosis. Due to its aggressiveness and very unfavorable prognosis, prompt diagnosis and adequate treatment are essential. Wide local excision with adequate margins followed by radiation therapy is the treatment of choice.

A case of cervical lymph node metastasis resulting from glioblastoma multiforme.

This article presents a rare case of metastatic glioblastoma multiforme (GM) to the cervical lymph node. In spite of very aggressive tumor behavior, extracranial metastasis from intra-cerebral GM is rare. Only a few cases are reported in the world literature. This infrequent extracranial metastasis may be due to the fact that patients do not live long enough to manifest metastases or result from the fact that brain tissue has some structural differences from other tissues in the body. This tumor can be easily mistaken for other anaplastic tumors like malignant melanoma, malignant lymphoma, or anaplastic carcinoma. Positive glial fibrillary acidic (GFA) protein stain (an immunoperoxidase stain) of this metastatic tumor can eliminate all other time consuming, expensive, and exhausting procedures for the patient.

Pulmonary epitheloid hemangioendothelioma: a peculiar rare tumor of vascular origin.

An extremely rare case of pulmonary epitheloid hemangioendothelioma (PEH), previously known as intravascular bronchoalveolar tumor (IVBAT), in a 38-year-old female is presented. This patient had a history of rheumatoid arthritis and bilateral multiple small pulmonary nodules which progressed over the years. The histopathological diagnosis of PEH was confirmed by immunohistochemical stains. Prognosis of this tumor is very unpredictable. There is no effective treatment for pulmonary epitheloid hemangioendothelioma.

[Activity of superoxide dismutase and its isoenzyme during normal pregnancy]. / Aktywnosc dysmutazy ponadtlenkowej (SOD) i jej izoenzymów w przebiegu ciazy prawidlowej.

High activity of SOD was found in erythrocytes and blood plasma in 38-40 weeks of uncomplicated pregnancy. Changes of SOD isoenzymes in blood plasma were found in course of pregnancy.

Orchitis: An unusual presentation of polyarteritis nodosa

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN), a systemic necrotizing vasculitis with multiorgan development, is generally restricted to the medium-sized muscular arteries. The varied initial clinical presentations of PAN can lead to a delayed diagnosis. We present the case of a middle-aged male patient who presented with an acute onset right-sided testicular pain as the initial clinical symptom with ischemic changes on ultrasonogram, thereby requiring orchiectomy. This was reported to be a case of tubercular epididymo-orchitis. On review, the biopsy revealed features of necrotizing arteritis as seen in PAN with fibrinoid necrosis and giant cells, thus highlighting the fact that vasculitis due to PAN may have a localized presentation at the time of diagnosis. PAN should be distinguished from other causes of epididymo-orchitis and other vasculitis lesions, the most common being tubercular etiology in the Asian population.

Radiation mapping inside the bunkers of medium energy accelerators using a robotic carrier.

The knowledge of ambient and peak radiation levels prevailing inside the bunkers of the accelerator facilities is essential in assessing the accidental human exposure inside the bunkers and in protecting sensitive electronic equipments by minimizing the exposure to high intensity mixed radiation fields. Radiation field mapping dynamically, inside bunkers are rare, though generally dose-rate data are available in every particle accelerator facilities at specific locations. Taking into account of the fact that the existing neutron fields with a spread of energy from thermal up to the energy of the accelerated charged projectiles, prompt photons and other particles prevailing during cyclotron operation inside the bunkers, neutron and gamma survey meters with extended energy ranges attached to a robotic carrier have been used. The robotic carrier movement was controlled remotely from the control room with the help of multiple visible range optical cameras provided inside the bunkers and the wireless and wired protocols of communication helped its movement and data acquisition from the survey meters. Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Kolkata has positive ion accelerating facilities such as K-130 room Temperature Cyclotron, K-500 Super Conducting Cyclotron and a forthcoming 30 MeV Proton Medical Cyclotron with high beam current. The dose rates data for K-130 Room Temperature Cyclotron, VECC were collected for various energies of alpha and proton beams losing their total energy at different stages on different materials at various strategic locations of radiological importance inside the bunkers. The measurements established that radiation levels inside the machine bunker dynamically change depending upon the beam type, beam energy, machine operation parameters, deflector condition, slit placement and central region beam tuning. The obtained inference from the association of dose rates with the parameters like beam intensity, type and energy of projectiles, helped in improving the primary beam transmission and minimizing the ambient radiation fields inside the bunkers.

Role of therapeutic thoracentesis in tuberculous pleural effusion.

CONTEXT: Prevalence of tuberculous pleural effusion is very high in the Asian subcontinent but very few studies have come up from this part of the world about the course of recovery of pulmonary functions after institution of anti-tubercular therapy (ATT) and thoracentesis. AIMS: To study initial lung function impairment, changes over time after institution of ATT and thoracentesis and residual abnormalities left at the end of six months of treatment. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Randomized open level interventional study over two years in 52 patients at a tertiary level teaching hospital. METHODS: The study population was divided into two equal groups, A (therapeutic thoracentesis) and B (diagnostic thoracentesis). Spirometry, chest radiograph and ultrasonography of thorax were done initially and at each follow-up visit up to six months. Statistical analysis was done (P value < 0.05 considered significant). RESULTS: Both groups were comparable initially. After six months none in group A and five patients in group B had minimal pleural effusion. During follow up, mean percentage predicted of FEV1 and FVC increased more in A than in B and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Pleural thickening, initially absent in both groups, was found to be more in B as compared to A at subsequent follow-up visits and this was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Thoracentesis should be considered in addition to anti-TB treatment, especially in large effusions, in order to relieve dyspnea, avoid possibility of residual pleural thickening and risk of developing restrictive functional impairment.