Focal adhesion kinase regulates insulin resistance in skeletal muscle

Aims/hypothesis On the basis of our previous studies, we investigated the possible role of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in the development of insulin resistance in skeletal muscle, a major organ responsible for insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. Materials and methods Insulin-resistant C2C12 skeletal muscle cells were transfected with FAK wild-type or FAK mutant plasmids, knocked down using small interfering RNA (siRNA), and their effects on the levels and activities of insulin-signalling molecules and on glucose uptake were determined. Results A significant decrease in tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK in insulin-resistant C2C12 cells was observed. A similar decrease was observed in skeletal muscle obtained from insulin-resistant Sprague–Dawley rats fed a high-fat diet. Increased levels of FAK in insulin-resistant C2C12 skeletal muscle cells increased insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake. These effects were reversed by an increase in the level of kinase activity mutant FAK or suppression of endogenous FAK by siRNA. FAK was also found to interact downstream with insulin receptor substrate-1, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and protein kinase C and glycogen synthase kinase 3β, leading to translocation of glucose transporter 4 and resulting in the regulation of glucose uptake. Conclusions/interpretation The present study provides strong evidence that the modulation of FAK level regulates the insulin sensitivity of skeletal muscle cells. The results demonstrate a direct role of FAK in insulin-resistant skeletal muscle cells for the first time. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorised users. This contains details of the authors’ contributions to the study. Niper communication no. 389     

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of orbital meningiomas

Meningiomas are benign tumors derived from arachnoid cells. Most commonly they arise within the cranial cavity, but they may arise extracranially in various anatomic sites. We present four cases of orbital meningiomas diagnosed on fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and confirmed on histopathology. All the cases are presented with orbital mass. FNAC smears showed classical whorling and syncytial pattern of cells, withround to oval nucleus, inconspicuous nucleoli and one eachcase showed intranuclear inclusion and psammoma bodies. FNAC diagnosis of such lesions is difficult, because cytological features may mimic other soft tissue lesions located in orbital region. Awareness of this entity and its cytological appearance is important to allow correct diagnosis. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Micronucleus assay in buccal smears of breast carcinoma patients

The aim of this study is to compare micronucleus assay in buccal smear of breast carcinoma patients versus normal benign cases as control group. In this prospective study, we selected a total 32 patients of carcinoma of breast and 49 patients of benign breast lesions diagnosed in fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). Acridine orange stain was done on buccal smears of these cases and micronucleus (MN) scoring was performed in 40× 0bjective in a fluorescent microscope. The MN score was expressed as positivity per 1,000 cells. The MN scoring in buccal smear was compared in malignant and benign breast cases. In fluorescence microscope, the micronucleus was detected as round orange shaped small intracytoplasmic structure around the nucleus. The mean MN scores in buccal smears of benign and carcinoma cases were 0.5014 ± 0.45768 and 2.1938 ± 1.08656 cases respectively. Independent sample Student's t test showed significantly high MN score in buccal smear of the cancer patients (P < 0.001). Micronucleated cells are significantly increased in buccal cells of the breast carcinoma cases. The increased number of MN in buccal smears raises the possibility that the genetic damage in breast cancer patients is generalized. In future, MN scoring could be used as biomonitoring of DNA damage and in early detection of high risk cases of carcinoma of breast.     

Image cytometry of insular carcinoma

To study the morphometric features of insular carcinoma (IC) of thyroid and follicular carcinoma (FC) in fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) smear to evaluate the role of the morphometric features to distinguish these two groups. We performed image morphometry in Hematoxyline and Eosin stained FNAC smears of eight each histopathology proven cases of IC and FC of thyroid. Nuclear area, diameter, perimeter, and standard deviation of nuclear area (SDNA) of these two groups were studied and compared. Nuclear area, diameter, perimeter, and SDNA of IC and FC were 30.43 μ(2) , 7.31 μ, 23.01 μ, 8.81 and 38.43 μ(2) , 7.66 μ, 25.63 μ, 10.83, respectively. Student's t-test analysis did not show any significant difference (P > 0.05) in these two groups. Nuclear morphometry data indicate that the nuclear size and shape of IC and FC are essentially similar and it is not possible to differentiate these two entities with the help of image morphometric data.     

External Ventricular Drainage for Intraventricular Hemorrhage

Hemorrhagic stroke accounts for only 10% to 15% of all strokes; however, it is associated with devastating outcomes. Extension of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) into the ventricles or intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) has been consistently demonstrated as an independent predictor of poor outcome. In most circumstances the increased intracranial pressure and acute hydrocephalus caused by ICH is managed by placement of an external ventricular drain (EVD). We present a systematic review of the literature on the topic of EVD in the setting of IVH hemorrhage, articulating the scope of the problem and prognostic factors, clinical indications, surgical adjuncts, and other management issues.     

Endocannabinoid signaling in female reproduction

Marijuana is a preparation of the flower, as well as the leaves and seeds, of the plant Cannabis sativa. Marijuana has been used for medicinal and recreational purposes for thousands of years due to its psychoactive effects including euphoria, sedation, and analgesia. Although it has been suspected for decades that marijuana has adverse effects on female fertility, the underlying molecular mechanism was not clear. The discovery of cannabinoid receptors and endocannabinoids has advanced studies if cannabinoid signaling. Since then, numerous studies have been published on cannabinoid signaling in female reproductive events, including preimplantation embryo development, oviductal embryo transport, embryo implantation, placentation, and parturition. This review focuses on various aspects of endocannabinoid signaling in female fertility.