Large-Scale pathology-based cancer data - a reflection of population-based cancer data

Pathology-based cancer data is a high quality reflection of the patterns of cancer in the population it represents, provided the demographic details of the patients are carefully recorded. Relative frequency data is neither a replacement for population-based data nor a suggested alternative; it simply enhances the quality of population data and in very large data sets reflects the cancer patterns observed in the representative populations. Aware of the standard shortfalls of pathology-based data, the department of pathology, The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) standardized its data, representing 53.4% of the cancer data of Karachi Division (Pakistan) and also reflecting the cancer pattern of other provinces of Pakistan. This data was compared with 4 different population and institutional-based data sets. The findings substantiate the observation that despite the problems of interpretation of data from pathology laboratories, they are an invaluable source of information on cancer patterns in much of the world where incidence data are unavailable . If developing countries, unable to organize National Population- Based Registry should as an alternate develop National Pathology-based Registers a well targeted and monitored, a Cancer Control Program would be possible. A good quality, large-scale pathology data with demographic details of the patient recorded can also be extended to give coverage to the population.     

Prospective evaluation of 68Ga-DOTA-NOC PET-CT in phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma: preliminary results from a single centre study

Objective  

To evaluate the role of ⁶⁸Ga-labelled [1, 4, 7, 10-tetraazacyclododecane-1, 4, 7, 10-tetraacetic acid]-1-NaI³-Octreotide (⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-NOC) whole body positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) as a functional imaging approach for phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma.     

MCMV glycoprotein gp40 confers virus resistance to CD8+ T cells and NK cells in vivo

The susceptibility of certain inbred mouse strains to murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) is related to their inability to generate a strong natural killer (NK) cell response. We addressed here whether the MCMV susceptibility of the BALB/c strain is due to viral functions that control NK cell activation in a strain-specific manner. MCMV expresses two proteins, gp48 and gp40, that are encoded by the genes m06 and m152, respectively; they down-regulate major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I expression at the plasma membrane. Using MCMV deletion mutants and revertants, we found that gp40 but not gp48 controls NK cell activation. Absence of gp40 improved antiviral NK cell control in BALB/c, but not C57BL/6, mice. Down-regulation of H-60, the high-affinity ligand for the NKG2D receptor, was the mechanism by which gp40 modulates NK cell activation. Thus, a single herpesvirus protein has a dual function in inhibiting both the adaptive as well as the innate immune response.     

A case of rhabdomyolysis associated with thyrotoxicosis

Rhabdomyolysis is found to be associated with trauma; alcohol; drugs; viral infections, such as HIV, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus and influenza; metabolic disorders; dermatomyositis; polymyositis; and hypothyroidism. Few cases of rhabdomyolysis associated with thyrotoxicosis have been reported. A patient who presented with delirium to the emergency department and was diagnosed with thyrotoxicosis and rhabdomyolysis is hereby presented.     

Nontoxigenic Vibrio cholerae Non-O1/O139 Isolate from a Case of Human Gastroenteritis in the U.S. Gulf Coast

An occurrence of Vibrio cholerae non-O1/O139 gastroenteritis in the U.S. Gulf Coast is reported here. Genomic analysis revealed that the isolate lacked known virulence factors associated with the clinical outcome of a V. cholerae infection but did contain putative genomic islands and other accessory virulence factors. Many of these factors are widespread among environmental strains of V. cholerae, suggesting that there might be additional virulence factors in non-O1/O139 V. cholerae yet to be determined. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolate belonged to a phyletic lineage of environmental V. cholerae isolates associated with sporadic cases of gastroenteritis in the Western Hemisphere, suggesting a need to monitor non-O1/O139 V. cholerae in the interest of public health.     

Prenatal diagnosis of dicephalic parapagus conjoined twins

Dicephalic parapagus is a rare anomaly of monochorionic twinning. We present prenatal diagnosis of this anomaly with ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging. She was at the 19th week of gestation. Even if earlier diagnosis is possible, this was her first examination unfortunately. Baby had two head and a common trunk. This is one of the rarest twinning. Termination of pregnancy is performed and baby is delivered by cesarean section. Imaging findings of the case are illustrated and discussed with the autopsy findings.     

A new approach to postoperative peritoneal adhesions: Prevention of peritoneal trauma by aloe vera gel

Objective

Covering peritoneal surfaces with aloe vera gel may prevent peritoneal trauma and hence postoperative peritoneal adhesions.

Study design

Forty Wistar albino out-bred female rats (mean weight, 180 ± 25 g; mean age, 6 months) were divided into four groups. In Group 1, 0.1 mL aloe vera gel was injected into the peritoneal cavities. In Group 2, peritoneal adhesions were induced. In Group 3, adhesions were induced and the modeled area was covered by 0.1 mL aloe vera gel. In Group 4, the area was covered with aloe vera gel prior to adhesion induction. The rats were sacrificed on postoperative day 10 and the adhesions were scored both microscopically and macroscopically.

Results

The mean macroscopic adhesion score in the four groups was 0, 5.8 ± 0.42, 5.2 ± 0.79, and 1.1 ± 1.2 respectively, with the difference between Group 4 and Groups 2 (p < 0.001) and 3 (p < 0.05) statistically significant. The mean histopathological fibrosis values were significantly higher in Group 3 than in Group 4 (2.6 ± 0.51 vs 1.2 ± 0.91, p = 0.002).

Conclusion

Aloe vera gel can effectively decrease adhesion formation if applied before, but not after, after peritoneal trauma. This effect is likely due not to its chemical properties but to its viscosity, providing a covering to prevent peritoneal trauma.