Integrated system for combined Raman spectroscopy-spectral domain optical coherence tomography

Raman spectroscopy (RS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) are powerful tools for optical analysis of tissues with mutually complementary strengths and limitations. OCT excels at visualizing tissue microstructure but lacks molecular specificity, while RS can relay tissue biochemical composition but typically cannot relate microstructure. Previous implementations of combined RS-OCT have utilized a common sample arm while maintaining independent RS and OCT detection arms. We present the design and application of an integrated RS-OCT instrument with a common detection arm for both RS and OCT. The detector is a spectrograph capable of sequential detection of the 855-nm OCT signal and the Raman scatter generated by a 785-nm source. The capabilities of the instrument are demonstrated ex vivo in the calvaria and retina of rodents, as well as in vivo in human skin.     

Guide flange prosthesis for early management of reconstructed hemimandibulectomy: a case report

Surgical resection of the mandible due to presence of benign or malignant tumor is the most common cause of the mandibular deviation. Depending upon the location and extent of the tumor in the mandible, various surgical treatment modalities like marginal, segmental, hemi, subtotal, or total mandibulectomy can be performed. The clinicians must wait for extensive period of time for completion of healing and acceptance of the osseous graft before considering the definitive prosthesis. During this initial healing period prosthodontic intervention is required for preventing the mandibular deviation. This case report describes early prosthodontic management of a patient who has undergone a reconstructed hemi-mandibulectomy with modified mandibular guide flange prosthesis. The prosthesis helps patient moving the mandible normally without deviation during functions like speech and mastication.     

Evaluation of antidiabetic and related actions of some Indian medicinal plants in diabetic rats

ObjectiveTo evaluate antidiabetic activity of chloroform extracts of Acacia arabica bark, Benincasa hispida fruit, Tinispora cordifolia stem, Ocimum sanctum areal parts and Jatropha curcus leaves.MethodsThe chloroform extracts of Acacia arabica bark, Benincasa hispida fruit, Tinospora cordifolia stem, aerial part of Ocimum sanctum and Jatropha curcus leaves were evaluated at different doses (250 and 500 mg/kg body weight.) for antidiabetic potentials in alloxan induced diabetic albino rats. The extracts were administered for two weeks in different groups whereas tolbutamide (80 mg/kg body weight) was used as reference standard throughout study.ResultsThe result of present study showed test compounds significantly decreases elevated level of serum glucose and also caused to reverse the cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL and LDL values when compared to untreated diabetic rats.ConclusionsOur finding indicates that different test extracts were able to ameliorate the derangements in lipid metabolism caused by diabetes mellitus in alloxan induced diabetic rats towards normal level.     

Acute stress disorder in hospitalised victims of 26/11-terror attack on Mumbai, India

The 26/11 terror attacks on Mumbai have been internationally denounced. Acute stress disorder is common in victims of terror. To find out the prevalence and to correlate acute stress disorder, 70 hospitalised victims of terror were assessed for presence of the same using DSM-IV TR criteria. Demographic data and clinical variables were also collected. Acute stress disorder was found in 30% patients. On demographic profile and severity of injury, there were some interesting observations and differences between the victims who developed acute stress disorder and those who did not; though none of the differences reached the level of statistical significance. This study documents the occurrence of acute stress disorder in the victims of 26/11 terror attack.     

Progression-free and overall survival in patients with relapsed/refractory germ cell tumors treated with single-agent chemotherapy: endpoints for clinical trial design

BACKGROUND:

Refractory germ cell tumor (GCT) patients have a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. The identification of novel active agents may be impaired by use of response as the primary endpoint in phase 2 trials. Improved endpoints could enhance the development of new effective agents.

METHODS:

The characteristics and outcome of refractory GCT patients enrolled in 7 single‐agent phase 2 trials conducted at Memorial Sloan‐Kettering Cancer Center from 1990 to 2008 were reviewed. The study agents were suramin, all‐transretinoic acid, topotecan, pyrazoloacridine, temozolomide, ixabepilone, and sunitinib. The major endpoints evaluated were response, progression‐free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS:

Ninety patients (87 male, 3 female) were treated. The primary tumor site was testis in 65 patients, mediastinum in 17 patients, retroperitoneum in 4 patients, and other in 4 patients. Eighty‐six patients had nonseminoma, and 4 patients had pure seminoma. Best responses were 1 (1%) partial response (ixabepilone), 15 (17%) stable disease, and 74 (82%) progressive disease. Median PFS and OS were 1.0 month (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.8‐1.3) and 4.7 months (95% CI, 3.5‐6.4), respectively. Eighty‐six of the 90 patients have died. The 12‐ and 16‐week PFS rates were 9% (95% CI, 3‐15%) and 6% (95% CI, 1%‐11%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

Patients with refractory GCT progressed rapidly to these single agents. PFS and OS may be useful endpoints for designing phase 2 trials testing novel agents in this population. Twelve‐week PFS (with comparison to the 9% benchmark rate reported herein) is the recommended endpoint for phase 2 trial design and median OS (using 4.7 months as the predicted median for the control arm) is suggested for phase 3 trials. Cancer 2012;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.     

Synchronous bilateral medullary carcinoma of breast: is it metastasis or second primary?

Bilateral breast cancer is a rare event accounting for 2-5% of all breast malignancies. A second tumor in contralateral breast may be either synchronous or metachronous lesion. Synchronous bilateral invasive ductal carcinoma is known but medullary carcinoma is rare. The etiology of bilateral breast cancer is uncertain and prognosis in these cases once thought to be poor but recent data suggest a similar survival compared to unilateral disease. We report a case of triple negative synchronous bilateral medullary carcinoma in a 38-year-old female who presented with lump in both the breasts for three months. Multidetector computed tomography breast scan revealed bilateral heterogeneously enhancing well-defined lesion in both the breasts. Fine needle aspiration cytology from both the breast lump was suggestive of malignancy. Patient underwent bilateral modified radical mastectomy with axillary clearance in a single sitting. Histopathology showed synchronous bilateral medullary carcinoma of breast with ER, PR and HER- 2/ neu negativity. Patient was treated with chemoradiation and she is on regular follow up for one year without any recurrence or metastasis.