Langerhans cell histiocytosis with digestive tract involvement

Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) involvement in Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is not commonly described. We present two children presenting with GIT involvement with LCH, one successfully treated on standard protocol and other being treated on a protocol for relapsed disease. A review of literature showed almost 95% children were less than 2 years of age and 62% were females. Vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, intractable diarrhea, malabsorption, bloody stools, protein‐losing enteropathy, and even intestinal perforation are some of the reported symptoms. More than 50% patients died within 18 months from diagnosis. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2010;55:748–753. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Cytological grading of breast neoplasia and its correlation with histological grading

Cytological grading of breast cancer is not well established despite histological grading having gained a strong foothold. In our study we have analyzed 50 cases of breast carcinoma which included invasive ductal carcinoma, invasive lobular carcinoma, mucinous carcinoma, stromal sarcoma, apocrine carcinoma, papillary carcinoma. Papanicolaou smears were graded according to established Hunt's, Simplified Black and Modified Black grading systems. They were then compared with the Scarff Bloom Richardson grading system. Simplified Black grading system has been recommended for cytological grading of breast neoplasia because of its lucidity and its reproducibility. Cytological grading of breast neoplasia is important for neo adjuvant chemotherapy and also for predicting the prognosis of the patient on FNAC alone. Incorporation of other parameters like apoptosis and bcl-2 is also recommended.     

Flow-cytometric analysis of reactive oxygen species in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with thyroid dysfunction

BACKGROUND: Thyroid hormones are major regulators of energy metabolism and increased levels of the hormones (hyperthyroidism) results in an increase in the metabolic rate. Thyroid dysfunction causing alteration in hormone secretion leads to perturbations in the metabolic status. The hypermetabolic state may cause increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative stress in these patients. This study was carried out to verify our proposition by measuring the ROS in the terminally differentiated cells like the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the patients. METHODS: Flow-cytometric analysis of the ROS was carried out using 2',7' dichlorofluorescein diacetate in the isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the subjects. RESULTS: ROS generation was found to be 3-folds higher in hyperthyroids as compared with euthyroids and hypothyroids and this was not found to be gender specific. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperthyroidism results in ROS generation in patients, which can be detected flow cytometrically in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Hence, this could complement the other thyroid function tests facilitating the diagnosis and design of appropriate therapy.     

Isolated tuberculosis of the vastus lateralis muscle: a case report

Tuberculosis is 1 of the most deadly diseases in the world. With an increase in the incidence of HIV worldwide, tubercular infections at unusual sites are being reported. Skeletal muscle tuberculosis without bony involvement is an extremely rare presentation of tuberculosis. A case of isolated tuberculosis of the vastus lateralis muscle without any evident primary focus in a 30-y-old immunocompetent female is presented.     

Emerging hepatitis C virus inhibitors

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is widespread, grossly underdiagnosed, and drastically undertreated. The high risk of chronicity of this blood-borne infection and its relationship with hepatocellular carcinoma underscores its public health importance. Although infection rates in major markets have slowed, there are significant numbers of people who are still untreated. Till now, no vaccine or inhibitors are available for these patients; so, serious attention has to be paid on these patients for the development of these promising HCV inhibitors.