Protein Profile of Human Saliva as a Predictive and Prognostic Tool for OSCC in Tamol Chewer’s Population in Assam

Objective:To identify potential proteomic salivary biomarker in tamol chewers and comparing it to healthy and Oral squamous cell carcinoma cases. Methods:A total of fifty unstimulated saliva samples were collected from the healthy volunteers, tamol chewers (without tobacco), and OSCC patients referred to North-East cancer Hospital, Jorabat, Assam, India. The 2-D gel analysis and western blotting were performed to analyze protein profiling. Results:The identified proteins were serum albumin, HSP (Heat shock protein) 27, gamma actin, SCC (Squamous cell carcinoma) 1, and Annexin A4. All the proteins were associated with OSCC development when their values were compared with those of normal healthy subjects. HSP27 was subjected to further validation using western blotting methods. An increase of 18.39% (Serum Albumin), 15.04% (gamma actin), 14.01% (SSC 1), and 20.22% (ANX4) were observed in Tamol chewers when compared with healthy control subjects. Conclusion:Our results revealed that the identified salivary proteins have a positive association with OSCC development. Profiling of these saliva proteomes especially HSP (Heat shock protein) 27 as a potential biomarker for OSCC detection in the high-risk population is recommended. Key Words: OSCC, Oral squamous cell carcinoma, ANXA4, Annexin A4, HSP-Heat shock protein, SCC     

Segmental cystic renal disease: sonographic and CT findings

Segmental cystic renal disease is a unique benign condition that requires no treatment. It can be confused on imaging, especially on sonography, with other more common cystic renal diseases and sometimes cystic malignancy. We report a case of segmental cystic renal disease with typical imaging features on sonography and CT for which nephrectomy was avoided.     

Chronic sphenoid sinusitis revisited: comparison of multidetector axial sections, multiplanar reconstructions, and virtual sinoscopy with endoscopic sinus surgery

OBJECTIVES: To assess the role of multidetector computed tomography (CT) and CT virtual sinoscopy in the evaluation of chronic sphenoid sinusitis and to compare the imaging findings with functional endoscopic sinus surgery. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Tertiary care teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Thirty patients with chronic sphenoid sinusitis referred for preoperative CT. INTERVENTIONS: Thin-section helical axial CT was performed using a multidetector CT scanner with multiplanar reformation (MPR) and volume-rendered or virtual sinoscopy images. Sixty sinuses were divided into quadrants for analysis. Extrasinus extension was labeled as the "fifth quadrant." MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Imaging findings were compared with those of functional endoscopic sinus surgery, and accuracy of the imaging modality was determined. RESULTS: Multidetector CT (axial CT and MPR) was found to be 100% sensitive, specific, and accurate in the evaluation of extent of sinusitis, status of the sinus septum, integrity of the optic nerve canal in relation to the sinus, and type of sinus pneumatization. Axial CT and MPR images showed sensitivity of 98% and specificity of 92% compared with functional endoscopic sinus surgery in evaluating the ostia. Regarding carotid canal integrity, axial CT and MPRs were 100% sensitive and 98% specific. Virtual sinoscopy showed sensitivity and specificity of 67% and 92%, respectively, for the 22 ostia that could be visualized and evaluated using this modality. CONCLUSIONS: Axial multidetector CT with secondary MPRs provide the necessary preoperative information regarding extent of disease and sphenoid sinus anatomy. Virtual sinoscopy is a navigational aid, an adjunct to endoscopy, and an educational tool for surgeons-in-training.     

A versatile stretch sensor for measuring physiological movement using a centre loaded,end-supported load cell

Acquisition of movement of some body parts can provide important physiological information. In clinical practice as well as for research purposes different types of sensors such as piezoelectric crystals, conductive rubber and optical displacement sensors are used for such measurements. Each of these sensors is associated with its problems. This paper discusses the use of a stretch sensor constructed using a small metal bar, approximately the size of a zipper slider that can be sewn into a fabric in the form of a belt. A combination of elastic, and Velcro material attached to the metal bar, provides a sensor that is capable of linear, steady state measurement as well as rapid response detecting slow and fast movement of the target. Incorporating the sensor in an elastic belt, allows measurement of physiological movements such as respiratory chest movements, abdominal and limb movements. This paper also discusses the potential use of the novel stretch sensor in measuring change in calf circumference during different manoeuvres, making it a useful assessment tool for calf venous function.     

Antioxidant mediated response of Scoparia dulcis in noise induced redox imbalance and immunohistochemical changes in rat brain

Noise has been regarded as an environmental/occupational stressor that causes damages to both auditory and nonauditory organs. Prolonged exposure to these mediators of stress has often resulted in detrimental effect, where oxidative/nitrosative stress plays a major role. Hence, it would be appropriate to examine the possible role of free radicals in brain discrete regions and the "antioxidants" mediated response of S. dulcis. Animals were subjected to noise stress for 15 days (100 dB/4 hours/day) and estimation of endogenous free radical and antioxidant activity were carried out on brain discrete regions (the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, brainstem, striatum, hippocampus and hypothalamus). The result showed that exposure to noise could alleviate endogenous free radical generation and altered antioxidant status in brain discrete regions when compared to that of the control groups. This alleviated free radical generation (H2O2 and NO) is well supported by an upregulated protein expression on immunohistochemistry of both iNOS and nNOS in the cerebral cortex on exposure to noise stress. These findings suggest that increased free radical generation and altered anti-oxidative status can cause redox imbalance in the brain discrete regions. However, free radical scavenging activity of the plant was evident as the noise exposed group treated with S. dulcis[200 mg/(kg $b$w)] displayed a therapeutic effect by decreasing the free radical level and regulate the anti-oxidative status to that of control animals. Hence, it can be concluded that the efficacy of S. dulcis could be attributed to its free radical scavenging activity and anti-oxidative property.     

“Perifollicular rim sign” in an enlarged ovary—an additional non-contrast CT finding in ovarian torsion

Emergency Radiology - To look for the presence of “perifollicular rim sign” on non-contrast CT in surgically proven cases of ovarian or adnexal torsion. A retrospective analysis of...     

Acute effect of aspartame-induced oxidative stress in Wistar albino rat brain

The present study was carried out to investigate the acute effect of aspartame on oxidative stress in the Wistar albino rat brain. We sought to investigate whether acute administration of aspartame (75 mg/kg) could release methanol and induce oxidative stress in the rat brain 24 hours after administration. To mimic human methanol metabolism, methotrexate treated rats were used to study aspartame effects. Wistar strain male albino rats were administered with aspartame orally as a single dose and studied along with controls and methotrexate treated controls. Blood methanol and formate level were estimated after 24 hours and rats were sacrificed and free radical changes were observed in discrete regions by assessing the scavenging enzymes, reduce dglutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation and protein thiol levels. There was a significant increase in lipid peroxidation levels, superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), glutathione peroxidase levels (GPx), and catalase activity (CAT) with a significant decrease in GSH and protein thiol. Aspartame exposure resulted in detectable methanol even after 24 hours. Methanol and its metabolites may be responsible for the generation of oxidative stress in brain regions. The observed alteration in aspartame fed animals may be due to its metabolite methanol and elevated formate. The elevated free radicals due to methanol induced oxidative stress.     

A simple method for quantitative assessment of elbow flexion strength

Assessment of elbow flexion strength is an important component of upper limb neurological examination and is necessary for patient screening, planning of surgical interventions and rehabilitation. Medical Research Council (MRC) Scale is the most widely used method for grading muscle strength. The major drawback of MRC grading is that it is observer dependent and imprecise. A quantitative measure of elbow flexion strength is an objective measure that eliminates such bias. Several instruments have been developed for quantifying the elbow flexion power. However, availability, quality and measuring standards vary widely between these instruments most being cumbersome and expensive. We report the design of an instrument that is simple and cost effective for quantifying elbow flexion strength objectively. The validity of elbow flexion strength obtained from normal participants using this in-house instrument supports its clinical use in patients with brachial plexus injury.     

Oxidative stress evoked damages leading to attenuated memory and inhibition of NMDAR–CaMKII–ERK/CREB signalling on consumption of aspartame in rat model

Many controversial reports are available on the use of aspartame as it releases methanol as one of its metabolite during metabolism. The present study proposes to investigate whether long term (90 days) aspartame (40 mg/kg b.wt) administration could induce oxidative stress and alter the memory in Wistar strain male albino rats. To mimic the human methanol metabolism, methotrexate (MTX)-treated rats were included as a model to study the effects of aspartame. Wistar strain albino rats were administered with aspartame (40 mg/kg b.wt) orally and studied along with controls and MTX-treated controls. Aspartame interfered in the body weight and corticosterone levels in the rats. A marked increase in the mRNA and protein expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) which resulted in the increased nitric oxide radical's level indicating that aspartame is a stressor. These reactive nitrogen species could be responsible for the altered cell membrane integrity and even cause death of neurons by necrosis or apoptosis. The animals showed a marked decrease in learning, spatial working and spatial recognition memory deficit in the Morris water maze and Y-maze performance task which could have resulted due to reduced hippocampal acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activity. The animal brain homogenate also revealed the decrease in the phosphorylation of NMDAR1–CaMKII–ERK/CREB signalling pathway, which well documents the inhibition of phosphorylation leads to the excitotoxicity of the neurons and memory decline. This effect may be due to methanol which may also activate the NOS levels, microglia and astrocytes, inducing neurodegeneration in brain. Neuronal shrinkage of hippocampal layer due to degeneration of pyramidal cells revealed the abnormal neuronal morphology of pyramidal cell layers in the aspartame treated animals. These findings demonstrate that aspartame metabolites could be a contributing factor for the development of oxidative stress in the brain.