Diagnostic Utility of Cytology in Assessment of Ploidy Status in Potentially Malignant Oral Disorders

Introduction: Oral leukoplakia, the most common potentially malignant oral disorder (PMOD) may progress to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Although, the current standard of care for assessing its malignant potential remains histological examination and assessing the severity of dysplasia, DNA ploidy analysis has been suggested as a surrogate marker to predict the behaviour of PMODs. Objectives: To detect aneuploidy and to correlate ploidy status with different grades of dysplasia in both tissue and cytology samples to predict the behaviour of these potentially malignant disorders and to assess the diagnostic utility of cytology samples for ploidy analysis. Methodology: After obtaining ethical clearance and consent, tissue and cytology samples of leukoplakia were collected and grouped based on the dysplastic findings into low-risk (n=20) and high-risk (n=20). DNA ploidy analysis was done using high resolution flow cytometry and its diagnostic utility was assessed. Results: Diagnostic utility was expressed in terms of sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV. On comparing the ploidy status of individual cases between tissue and cytology samples, cytology was able to accurately determine the ploidy status in majority of the cases. In the low-risk group, cytology had a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and a PPV and NPV of 100% with an overall diagnostic accuracy of 100%. Among the high-risk group, cytology had a sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 100% with a PPV of 100% and NPV of 83.33% and had an overall diagnostic accuracy of 90%. Combining both groups together, it had a sensitivity of 85.71% and specificity of 100% with a PPV of 100% and NPV of 92.31% and had an overall diagnostic accuracy of 94.74%. Conclusion: Overall, this study showed a positive correlation between cytology and tissue samples and ploidy and grade of dysplasia and cytology proved to be a simple and efficient with a reasonable diagnostic value.     

Clinicopathological study of parasitic lesions of the eye and ocular adnexa in a tertiary care ophthalmic center in South India

Purpose:To study clinical and pathological features of parasitic lesions in the ocular adnexa in a tertiary care ophthalmic center in south India.Methods:43 cases of ocular parasitosis were analysed clinically and correlated with the pathological findings (gross morphology and histopathology) over a period of five years (2015–2020).Results:Among the 43 cases, the age group ranged from 9 months to 78 years (mean age of 41.6 years). Female patients were more common than male patients, with a percentage of 63% (27) and 37% (16) respectively. Cystic lesion in the lid or orbit was seen in 23 cases (53.4%); solid mass lesions were seen in 17 cases (39.5%); subconjunctival worms in three cases; and subretinal parasite in one. Gross examination and histopathologic study showed Dirofilaria in 23 cases (53.5%), followed by Cysticercus in six cases (14%) and Microfilariae in four cases (9.3%). Exact species identification was not possible in ten cases (23.25%). Correlation between the type of lesion and type of inflammatory cells with the specific parasite was done.Conclusion:Our study showed that important clinicopathological correlations can be made from the parasitic lesions in the eye and adnexa, which can aid in definitive diagnosis and prompt identification of the parasite for patient management.     

Angio-3, a 10-residue peptide derived from human plasminogen kringle 3, suppresses tumor growth in mice via impeding both angiogenesis and vascular permeability

Anti-angiogenesis therapy is an established therapeutic strategy for cancer. The endogenous angiogenic inhibitor angiostatin contains the first 3–4 kringle domains of plasminogen and inhibits both angiogenesis and vascular permeability. We present here a 10-residue peptide, Angio-3, derived from plasminogen kringle 3, which retains the functions of angiostatin in inhibiting both angiogenesis and vascular permeability. NMR studies indicate that Angio-3 holds a solution structure similar to the corresponding region of kringle 3. Mechanistically, Angio-3 inhibited both VEGF- and bFGF-induced angiogenesis by inhibiting EC proliferation and migration while inducing apoptosis. Inhibition of VEGF-induced vascular permeability results from its ability to impede VEGF-induced dissociation of adherens junction and tight junction proteins as well as the formation of actin stress fibers. When administered intravenously, Angio-3 inhibited subcutaneous breast cancer and melanoma growth by suppressing both tumor angiogenesis and intra-tumor vascular permeability. Hence, Angio-3 is a novel dual inhibitor of angiogenesis and vascular permeability. It is valuable as a lead peptide that can be further developed as therapeutics for diseases involving excessive angiogenesis and/or vascular permeability.     

Bisphenol A is not detectable in media or selected contact materials used in IVF

There is a lack of data regarding potential exposure of gametes to bisphenol A during IVF. Detectable concentrations of bisphenol A were not found in commonly used IVF plastic culture dishes, suction tubing or growth media under normal-use conditions.     

In vitro antimicrobial and molecular docking of dichloro substituted benzoxazole derivatives

5,7-Dichloro-1,3-benzoxazole-2-thiol and its novel derivatives that have previously been synthesized in our laboratory are screened for in vitro antibacterial activity. In correlation to antibacterial activity, compounds are subjected to molecular docking studies with GlcN-6-P synthase. All the compounds showed good antibacterial activity. Among them, compounds 1, 4, and 5a emerged as good antibacterial agents without showing any resistance. In molecular docking studies all the molecules showed good inhibition with GlcN-6-P synthase. So, it can be predicted as inhibition of GlcN-6-P synthase may be responsible for antibacterial activity.