Recurrent metastasi zing neuroendocrine tumor of paranasal sinuses

Neuroendocrine tumours- their rare occurrence and propensity for recurrences can undoubtedly pose as a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma. A case report of one such case with recurrence and bony metastasis is presented.     

KTP Laser assisted microendoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy and web excision for dysphagia management

Cricopharyngeal dysfunction is defined as the delayed or incomplete relaxation of the cricopharyngeal muscle during swallowing. This may cause dysphagia and aspiration, affecting the quality of life. For this condition, injection of botulinum toxin into the cricopharyngeus, dilatation of cricopharynx with bougies and external cricopharyngeal myotomy have been the treatment of choice with varying results. We present in this paper the treatment of this clinical condition by KTP 532 laser a recent advance in the field of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery. Very few series have been reported in literature so far regarding the use of laser for cricopharyngeal myotomy. This is perhaps the first series of eight cases of KTP laser assisted microendoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy and web excision reporting the benefit of this treatment by an Indian author in an Indian Journal. KTP laser assisted cricopharyngeal myotomy avoids an external scar; aids precise incision at the cricopharynx by direct visualization, brings optimum results in deglutition and reduces postoperative morbidity and complications. The short hospital stay reduces the overall cost. The use of KTP 532 laser in the treatment of selected cases with cricopharyngeal dysfunction is therefore safe and effective.     

Anterior skull base surgery— our experience

Anterior skull base surgery is now an accepted treatment modality for many lesions involving the anterior skull base including the pituitory region. This paper deals with a fifteen year experience over various approaches to the anterior skull base, and thereby trying to rationalize the appropriate approach for the tumours in different anatomical situations. Relevant literature has also been reviewed.     

Cellular basis for the negative inotropic effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the adult mammalian heart.

To define the mechanism(s) responsible for the negative inotropic effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) in the adult heart, we examined the functional effects of TNF alpha in the intact left ventricle and the isolated adult cardiac myocyte. Studies in both the ventricle and the isolated adult cardiac myocyte showed that TNF alpha exerted a concentration- and time-dependent negative inotropic effect that was fully reversible upon removal of this cytokine. Further, treatment with a neutralizing anti-TNF alpha antibody prevented the negative inotropic effects of TNF alpha in isolated myocytes. A cellular basis for the above findings was provided by studies which showed that treatment with TNF alpha resulted in decreased levels of peak intracellular calcium during the systolic contraction sequence; moreover, these findings did not appear to be secondary to alterations in the electrophysiological properties of the cardiac myocyte. Further studies showed that increased levels of nitric oxide, de novo protein synthesis, and metabolites of the arachidonic acid pathway were unlikely to be responsible for the TNF alpha-induced abnormalities in contractile function. Thus, these studies constitute the initial demonstration that the negative inotropic effects of TNF alpha are the direct result of alterations in intracellular calcium homeostasis in the adult cardiac myocyte.     

Efficient neutralization of primary isolates by the plasma from HIV-1 infected Indian children

We tested the plasma of 51 HIV-1-infected children (23 na?ve and 28 ART treated) for neutralization against five primary isolates (PIs) generated from adult Indian HIV-1-infected patients. The plasma exhibited neutralization potential with significantly higher neutralizing antibody titers in ART-treated children than na?ve children against three out of five PIs (p<0.0001). Further, in treated children, neutralizing antibody titers were higher in those children with suppressed viremia (<1000 RNA copies/mL) than non-suppressors against two of the three PIs. We report here for the first time the neutralization potential of the plasma of HIV-1-infected Indian children.     

Root Extract of Polygonum Hydropiper Alters the Expression of Rat Uterine Protein Profile in Presence and Absence of Ovary in-situ during Periimplantation Period: An Evidence on SDS-PAGE

Objective To study its effects on reproductive performance in albino rats.
Methods The chromatographic fraction （CF） of crude methanolic extract of the herb has been subcutaneously administered to female albino rats. Experiments were carried out in adult cyclic females and oavriectomised （OVX） females during early gestation period. Uterine horns were collected following the respective treatment regimen to stud）, the protein profile in 15% gel SDS-PAGE.
Results The CF induced changes in the expression of protein in rat uterus. New proteins have been expressed in uterus of adult cyclic females having ovary in-situ. The OVX females treated with CF showed altered uterine protein profile compared with that of OVX control and OVX estradiol-17β （E2） treated rats. The CF exerted its effect on expression of uterine protein during early gestation period in rats. While uterine proteins of CF treated females were similar to that of controls during preimplantation period; many of the proteins on day 6 of gestation have been found either missing or expressed in lesser intensity.
Conclusion The root of Polygonum hydropiper contains potential compound（s） which can alter the reproductive performance of female rats modulating uterine protein expression.     

Factors that Determine the Use of Skilled Care During Delivery in India: Implications for Achievement of MDG-5 Targets

The objective of this study is to identify individual level factors that determine the use of skilled birth attendants in India. Data from the cross-sectional, population-based NFHS 3 Survey 2005–06 was used. A sample of 31,797 women, aged 15–49 years, who gave births in the 3 months preceding the survey and for whom information was available on most variables, were included in the analysis. Both bivariate and multivariate techniques were used to determine factors associated with the use of skilled attendants at birth. In the study we found that wealth is one of the strongest determinants of skilled birth attendant use, with the poor being at a disadvantage. There are significant differences in the use of skilled delivery care among the urban and rural populations in India. Women in urban areas are more likely to use skilled attendants. Muslim women and women with lower levels of education are also less likely to avail skilled delivery services. The use of skilled care depended significantly on the place of delivery. Women who gave history of antenatal visits were more likely to have skilled attendants at birth. Our analysis demonstrates that there are several financial, social, regional and cultural barriers to skilled birth attendant use in India. Effective strategies need to be planned to generate demand for skilled birth attendants and reduce barriers to care seeking, especially among rural poor.     

Postaural apocrine hydrocystoma

Benign apocrine hydrocystoma is a rare lesion, especially in the postauricular region, the commonest site being the lateral orbital rim. It is a slow growing, asymptomatic transluscent swelling whose definitive diagnosis can only be made by histopathological study and the chemical analysis of the fluid. Surgical excision in toto is the treatment of choice. A case of benign apocrine hydrocystoma in the postauricular region is described with review of relevant literature.