Evaluation of techniques of single continuous suturing in penetrating keratoplasty

AIM: To evaluate the three techniques of single continuous suturing-namely, torque, antitorque, and no torque in penetrating keratoplasty. METHODS: 53 eyes of 53 patients underwent penetrating keratoplasty using torque (17 patients), antitorque (18 patients), and no torque (18 patients) suturing techniques in this prospective study. Patients were followed up at 4 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. Keratometric, videokeratographic, refractive astigmatism, and best corrected visual acuity were determined in all the three groups at each follow up visit. Post-keratoplasty suture adjustment was done at 4 weeks, if the astigmatism was >3 dioptres. RESULTS: The initial astigmatism in the torque group was higher than in the other two groups, although it was not statistically significant. Following suture adjustment, there was a significant decrease in astigmatism in all the three groups (p<0.0001). However, no significant difference in the postoperative astigmatism at 3 months and at 6 months was seen among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: The three techniques of single continuous suturing-that is, torque, antitorque, and no torque produce a similar final astigmatic results. Suture adjustment is an effective method of reducing post-penetrating keratoplasty astigmatism.     

Solitary fibrous tumor of the infratemporal fossa: A case report

First described as a pleural neoplasm, the solitary fibrous tumor (fibrous mesothelioma) has been reported in a number of extrapulmonary sites, including the Head-Neck region. In the Head-Neck region, it has been described in the sinonasal tract, epiglottis, parapharyngeal, retropharyngeal spaces, parotid and infratemporal fossa. We present the second case of solitary fibrous tumor of infratemporal fossa described in world literature. A complete excision was achieved by transmaxillary approach.     

Some properties of acid and alkaline phosphomonoesterases of chicken spermatozoa

Alkaline (ALP) and acid (ACP) phosphomonoesterases present in the cell-free extracts of the Triton x-100 treated freshly ejaculated chicken spermatozoa were studied of some of their physico-chemical properties. Alkaline phosphomonoesterase was found to have the optimal specific activity at pH 7.6 in 100 mM Tris-HCl buffer and was temperature-dependent and reached its peak at 70 degrees C. This activity was stimulated by Mn++, Co++, Mg++ and Fe++ ions and inhibited by Cu++, Hg++, Ca++, EDTA and dithiothreitol. Acid phosphomonoesterase, in similar conditions of assay procedure, had optimal activity at pH 5.0 at 60 degrees C after 30 min incubation. It was stimulated by Co++, Mg++, EDTA and dithiothereitol, but other divalent ions and N-ethylmaleimide inhibited the activity. These data suggest that these enzymes of chicken spermatozoa are some how different in character from those of mammalian ones.     

Alterations in candidate genes PHF2, FANCC,PTCH1 and XPA at chromosomal 9q22.3 region: Pathological significance in early- and late-onset breast carcinoma

Introduction  

Younger women with breast carcinoma (BC) exhibits more aggressive pathologic features compared to older women; young age could be an independent predictor of adverse prognosis. To find any existing differences in the molecular pathogenesis of BC in both younger and older women, alterations at chromosomal (chr.) 9q22.32-22.33 region were studied owing to its association in wide variety of tumors. Present work focuses on comparative analysis of alterations of four candidate genes; PHF2, FANCC, PTCH1 and XPA located within 4.4 Mb region of the afore-said locus in two age groups of BC, as well as the interrelation and prognostic significance of alterations of these genes.     

RNA from brush oral cytology to measure squamous cell carcinoma gene expression

Background:  RNA expression analysis of oral keratinocytes can be used to detect early stages of disease such as oral cancer or to monitor on-going treatment responses of the same or other oral diseases. A limitation is the inability to obtain high quality RNA from oral tissue without using biopsies. While oral cytology cell samples can be obtained from patients in a minimally invasive manner they have not been validated for quantitative analysis of RNA expression.
Methods:  As a starting point in the analysis of tumor markers in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), we examined RNA in brush cytology samples from hamsters treated with dibenzo[a,l]pyrene to induce oral carcinoma. Three separate samples from each animal were assessed for expression of candidate marker genes and control genes measured with real-time RT-PCR.
Results:  Brush oral cytology samples from normal mucosa were shown to consist almost exclusively of epithelial cells. Remarkably, ß-2 microglobulin and cytochrome p450, 1B1 (CYP1B1) RNA showed potential utility as markers of OSCC in samples obtained in this rapid and non-surgical manner.
Conclusion:  Brush oral cytology may prove useful as a source of RNA for gene expression analysis during the progression of diseases of the oral epithelium such as OSCC.     

Helicobacter pylori Infection in Five Inpatient Units for People with Intellectual Disability and Psychiatric Disorder

Background A high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection has been reported among people with intellectual disability, especially those residing in hospital and similar settings. Surveys of inpatients have found unusually high rates of gastrointestinal malignancy, to which H. pylori infection predisposes. Methods Helicobacter pylori antibody testing was arranged for all residents of five inpatient units for people with intellectual disability and challenging behaviour or psychiatric disorder. Eradication triple therapy was prescribed for those people with a positive result. ¹³C urea breath testing was attempted after eradication therapy. Results Thirty‐seven residents were identified. It was possible to obtain blood for H. pylori antibody testing for 36 people. Twenty‐two (59%) had a positive result. Dividing the people studied according to length of stay in hospital showed that 4 of the 18 people resident in hospital for <4 years (22%) had a positive antibody test, compared with 16 of the 19 people resident in hospital for ≥4 years (84%; χ² = 14.6; P < 0.001). Treatment led to eradication of H. pylori infection in 11 of the 12 people who were able to cooperate with testing. Conclusions Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for H. pylori infection among people with intellectual disability who have a history of institutional care or prolonged hospital admission, especially those who have spent more than 4 years in such settings. Testing for H. pylori antibodies is well tolerated. Eradication therapy offers many health benefits, including a reduction of the risk for stomach malignancies.