Performance evaluation of ion exchange and affinity chromatography for HbA1c estimation in diabetic patients with HbD: a study of 129 samples

ObjectivesTo compare ion exchange and boronate affinity chromatography for HbA_1c estimation in patients with type I and II diabetes having hemoglobin D.Design and methodsSystems based on ion exchange and boronate affinity chromatography were evaluated and compared for their performance for HbA_1c estimation in patients with homozygous and heterozygous D disease.ResultsBoronate affinity chromatography shows least interference by HbD in heterozygous as well as homozygous diabetic patients for HbA_1c estimation.ConclusionsThe use of boronate affinity chromatography was found to be helpful in evaluating glycemic control in diabetic subjects with HbD.     

Histological grading patterns in patients of cutaneous leishmaniasis

Objective: To determine the histological grading patterns in a cohort of hospitalized patients of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Design: Case series. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at PNS Shifa Hospital, Karachi, from May 2004 to June 2006. Patients and Methods: One hundred patients of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL), admitted in dermatology wards at PNS Shifa Hospital, Karachi, were examined. Only admitted patients of all ages and both sexes were included in the study. Patients of CL, who had received or were receiving systemic treatment were excluded. The lesions having marked secondary bacterial infection were also excluded. Initial diagnosis was clinical. History of being to an endemic area supported the diagnosis. The lesions were divided in two groups. Early, with duration less than 03 months and late, with duration between 3 and 12 months. The clinical lesions were noted as nodules, plaques, ulcers, crusted ulcers, lupoid lesions and plaques with scarring. Three types of skin smears (slit skin smear, saline aspirate smear and dab smear) were taken and examined with Giemsa stain. Cultures were performed on Nicolle-Novy-MacNeal (NNN) culture medium from Defense Scientific and Technology Organization (DESTO) Lab., Pakistan. Incisional skin biopsies were done. The biopsy specimens were examined by hemotoxylin and eosin stain (H & E stain). The number of Leishmania Tropica (LT) bodies was graded according to modified Ridley's parasitic index 1983. Clinical features were correlated with the histological patterns. Results: Five histological patterns were identified in current study: 1) diffuse dermal infiltration without necrosis, 2) patchy dermal infiltration, 3) diffuse dermal infiltration with necrosis, 4) early reactive granuloma formation and 5) established epithelioid granuloma formation. LT bodies were identified in 75% of cases. Epidermal features were non-specific. The early lesions presented with diffuse infiltrate and late lesions showed granuloma formation. Conclusion: Five distinct types of histological patterns of CL have been recognized in this study. The early lesions presented with diffuse infiltrate and late lesions showed granuloma formation but the mixed patterns were also seen. The yield of LT bodies is much higher with histopathology as compared to skin smears and hence is most diagnostic.     

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

Recent advances in the development and administration of chemotherapy for malignant diseases have led to prolonged survival of patients and the promise of a return to normal lives. This progress comes with a price, however, and the nervous system is frequently the target of therapy-induced toxicity. Unlike more immediate toxicities that affect the gastrointestinal tract and bone marrow, chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity is frequently delayed in onset and may progress over time. In the peripheral nervous system, the major brunt of the toxic attack is directed against the peripheral nerve, targeting the neuronal cell body, the axonal transport system, the myelin sheath, and glial support structures, resulting in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.     

The critical role of the phytosterols in modulating tumor microenvironment via multiple signaling: A comprehensive molecular approach

Cancer is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, and its cases are rapidly increasing every year. Several factors contribute to the development of tumorigenesis. including radiation, dietary lifestyle, smoking, environmental, and genetic factors. The cell cycle is regulated by a variety of molecular signaling proteins. However, when the proteins involved in the cell cycle regulation are altered, cellular growth and proliferation are significantly affected. Natural products provide an important source of new drug development for a variety of ailments. including cancer. Phytosterols (PSs) are an important class of natural compounds reported for numerous pharmacological activities, including cancer. Various PSs, such as ergosterol, stigmasterol, sitosterol, withaferin A, etc., have been reported for their anti-cancer activities against a variety of cancer by modulating the tumor microenvironment via molecular signaling pathways discussed within the article. These signaling pathways are associated with the production of pro-inflammatory mediators, growth factors, chemokines, and pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic genes. These mediators and their upstream signaling are very active within the variety of tumors and by modulating these signalings, thus PS exhibits promising anti-cancer activities. However, further high-quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy as well the safety of the phytosterols.