Use of total cholesterol/albumin ratio as an alternative to high density lipoprotein cholesterol measurement.

In a study of apparently healthy males, we noted a correlation between serum albumin and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (r = 0.32, p less than 0.001). We then correlated the total cholesterol:albumin ratio (TC:Alb) with the TC:HDL-C ratio (r = 0.89, p less than 0.001). We used the TC:Alb ratio to determine whether this was better than TC by itself in predicting whether an individual had a TC:HDL-C ratio of less than or greater than or equal to 5. The ratio performed better than TC and correctly classified 89% of individuals (66% with TC) (p less than 0.001). Since measurements of TC and Alb are routinely available on multichannel analysers, use of this ratio would provide a less expensive alternative to HDL-C measurement.     

Application of adjunct techniques in cytologic material in the diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma: case report and review of the literature

A 4(1/2)-yr-old female presented with right-sided pleural effusion and a retroperitoneal mass. Cytologic analysis of the pleural fluid yielded malignant small round blue cells, which were noncohesive, 3-4 times the size of lymphocytes. The malignant cells had hyperchromatic, pleomorphic nuclei with moderate amounts of vacuolated cytoplasm. A few fiber-shaped cells were also seen. Immunostains for desmin, muscle-specific actin were positive; ultrastructural findings of thick and thin actin-myosin filaments confirmed the diagnosis of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. This case illustrates the importance of performing appropriate immunohistochemical stains and ultrastructural studies on cytological material to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.     

Digital image acquisition using a consumer-type digital camera in the anatomic pathology setting

Imaging is central to anatomic pathology. The captured images are used for documentation, archiving, teaching, and publication. The advent of low-cost, consumer-type, high-end digital cameras has provided a convenient, easy-to-use alternative for routine image acquisition. The various applications for digital image acquisition in anatomic pathology include, among others, digitizing conventional photographs, digital gross photography and digital macrophotography, digitizing radiographic images, and digital photomicrography. This article reviews digital image acquisition in the anatomic pathology setting using a consumer-type digital camera. The camera type chosen as an example for the discussion was selected for its popularity and wide use among pathologists and for its potential to function as a sole image input device in all applications combined. Techniques and accessories to further increase the functionality of the camera and help overcome some of the commonly encountered problems in some applications are described.     

Anti-Tumor Activity of Four Ayurvedic Herbs in Dalton Lymphoma Ascites Bearing Mice and Their Short-Term In Vitro Cytotoxicity on DLA-Cell-Line

The anti-tumor activity and chemopreventive potential of four Ayurvedic herbs viz. Curcuma longa L., Ocimum sanctum L., Tinospora cordifolia (Wild) Miers ex Hook.f & Thomas and Zizyphus mauritiana Lam. were evaluated using Dalton Lymphoma ascites (DLA) tumor model in Swiss Albino mice. The outcome was assessed using survival time, peritoneal ascitic fluid (Tumor volume) and hematological indices as parameters. Animals were divided into five groups (n = 6) viz. one DLA control and four Herb + DLA treated groups. All the four herb + DLA groups were pre-treated with respective herbs for 7 days and hematological indices were measured for entire five groups. On day-8 animals were inoculated with 1×10⁶ DLA cells i.p., and Herb + DLA groups were continued with oral herbal treatment for 21-days. Hematological parameters and tumor volume were assessed to find the effects of herbs. Short term in vitro cytotoxicity was determined by Trypan Blue exclusion method and LDH leakage assay using different concentrations of herbal extracts and 5-FU as a positive control and IC₅₀ for each herbal extract and 5-FU were determined. Oral administration of crude herb increased the survival time and decreased the peritoneal ascitic fluid content significantly. Hb, RBCs and total WBC which were altered by DLA inoculation were restored significantly by all the herbs except O. sanctum. All the four herbs showed in vitro cytotoxic activity against DLA cell-line. Moreover inter group comparison of all the four herbs for anti-tumor activity showed efficacy in the following order- T. cordifolia > Z. mauritiana ≥ C. longa > O. sanctum respectively.     

Potentiation of human alpha4beta2 neuronal nicotinic receptors by a Flustra foliacea metabolite

The effects of various Flustra foliacea metabolites on different types of human neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) expressed in Xenopus oocytes were investigated. Whereas most of the compounds tested had a small blocking effect, one of them, deformylflustrabromine, selectively increased the current obtained in alpha4beta2 receptors when co-applied with acetylcholine (ACh). The current increase was reversible and concentration-dependent. This potentiating effect was still present at saturating concentrations of acetylcholine, and no changes in single-channel conductance or reversal potential were observed, thus suggesting a modification in the gating of alpha4beta2 receptors. Dwell time analysis of single channel records indicates that the mechanism of action of deformylflustrabromine could be both an increase of the opening rate constant and a decrease of the closing rate constant on alpha4beta2 receptors. Thus, deformylflustrabromine may constitute an excellent starting point for the future development of related agents able to potentiate human neuronal nicotinic receptor function.     

Lack of chemopreventive efficacy of DL-selenomethionine in colon carcinogenesis

Epidemiologic observations and laboratory research have suggested that dietary selenium reduces the risk of colon cancer. Selenium-enriched brewer's yeast as a dietary supplement reduces the incidence of and mortality from cancer of the colon in humans. It is not clear whether the observed inhibitory effect is due to selenomethionine, or to other forms of selenium, or to a mixture of the selenium compounds present in selenium-enriched brewer's yeast. Therefore, bioassay described in this study examined the chemopreventive efficacy of 10 and 15 ppm selenomethionine, equivalent to 3.6 and 5.4 ppm as selenium, against azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colon carcinogenesis. At five weeks of age, groups of male F344 rats were fed diets containing 0 (control diet), 10 or 15 ppm selenomethionine. At seven and eight weeks of age, all rats except those in vehicle-treated groups received s.c. injections of AOM at a dose rate of 15 mg/kg body wt. The rats were maintained on their respective diets for 52 weeks and were then sacrificed. Colon tumors were processed and evaluated histopathologically. Colon tumor incidence and multiplicity were analyzed statistically. No obvious toxic effects were observed following dietary administration of 10 or 15 ppm selenomethionine as indicated by body weight gain. Administration of 10 or 15 ppm selenomethionine had no significant effect on colon tumor incidence and multiplicity. This study suggests that i) selenomethionine lacks chemopreventive efficacy against AOM-induced colon carcinogenesis and ii) other forms of selenium or a mixture of selenium compounds present in selenium-enriched brewer's yeast need to be evaluated for their chemopreventive efficacy.     

Further studies on the chronotherapy of asthma with inhaled steroids: The effect of dosage timing on drug efficacy

Background: Chronotherapy studies with inhaled corticosteroids have shown optimal therapeutic benefit when steroids are administered four times per day (QID) or once daily at 3 PM.Objective: This study evaluated whether more convenient once-daily dosage times (8 AM and 5:30 PM) produce improvement in asthma equivalent to QID.Methods: Efficacy outcome measures included FEV₁, peak expiratory flow rates, bronchial responsiveness, use of β₂-agonists, nocturnal awakenings, and responses to a quality of life questionnaire. Systemic effects were blood eosinophil count, cortisol level, 24-hour urinary cortisol, and evaluation for oral candidiasis and dysphonia.Results: Baseline measurements for all three treatment groups were similar. For morning peak expiratory flow rate, significant improvement was seen for the QID group (p = 0.001) and the 5:30 PM group (p = 0.003), but not the 8 AM group (p = 0.75). For evening peak expiratory flow rate, significant improvement was seen for the QID group (p = 0.005) and the 5:30 PM group (p = 0.01), but not for the 8 AM group (p = 0.47). There were significant improvements in all other outcome variables for each group except PC₂₀. There was a significant improvement in PC₂₀ only in the QID group. The systemic effects of the three regimens were comparable.Conclusion: Dosing of inhaled steroid at 5:30 PM had no increased systemic effects and produced efficacy similar to QID dosing. Dosing at 8 AM did not produce results consistently comparable to QID dosing. Optimal once-daily dosing of inhaled steroid is between 3 PM and 5:30 PM.