Digital analysis yields more reliable and accurate measures of dermal and epidermal thickness in histologically processed specimens compared to traditional methods

Changes in the thickness of the dermis and epidermis have been described in the scenario of tissue expansion as well as inflammatory skin processes (psoriasis, contact hypersensitivity and so on). These changes have previously been quantified using ocular micrometers to obtain and then average a limited number of spot measurements, leading to suboptimal accuracy. We describe a rapid method of using freely available ImageJ software to analyze digitized images of fixed skin specimens. By determining the cross‐sectional area and surface length of a skin layer, a simple calculation produces more accurate and reproducible measurements of its thickness compared to historical methods, with excellent inter‐rater reliability.     

Anticestodal Activity of Trifolium repens. Extract

ABSTRACT

Trifolium repens. L. is an herbal plant that is used in the folk medicine of the Naga tribes of India as a deworming remedy. This study deals with evaluating its anticestodal activity using experimental Hymenolepis diminuta. Rudolphi infections in albino rats. Doses of T. repens. aerial shoots extract 200 and 500?mg/kg reduced the mean fecal egg counts of H. diminuta. by 47.72% and 54.59% and worm recovery rate by 60.00% and 40.00%, respectively. Praziquantel, the standard cestocidal drug, reduced the mean fecal egg count by 65.90% and worm recovery rate by 26.67%. The study suggests that the aerial shoots of T. repens. bear anticestodal properties and supports its use in the traditional medicine system.     

Recurrent Alternate-Sided Homonymous Hemianopia Due to Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathy with Lactic Acidosis and Stroke-Like Episodes (MELAS): A Case Report

Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) can rarely cause alternate-sided homonymous hemianopia due to stroke-like episodes involving the occipital lobes, as reported in three previously published cases. The authors report an interesting case of a 16-year-old presenting with myoclonic epilepsy due to MELAS with the rare ND3 mitochondrial mutation T10191C, with recurrent alternate-sided homonymous hemianopia. Visual field and corresponding magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings are presented. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of recurrent alternate-sided homonymous hemianopia in MELAS with documented visual field and MRI findings with resolution between each episode.     

BCA2 is differentially expressed in renal oncocytoma: an analysis of 158 renal neoplasms

The distinction between renal oncocytoma and renal cell carcinoma, especially chromophobe renal cell carcinoma and clear cell carcinoma with oncocytic features, is important due to the different biologic potentials of these tumors. RING E3 ligases have the subject of intense studies for their roles in many diseases including cancer and as potential therapeutic targets. All RING E3 ligases, including BCA2, contain a consensus protein sequence that would complex two or more zinc ions in the expressed protein. Identification of which ubiquitin ligases specifically affect distinct cellular processes is essential to the development of targeted therapeutics in these tumors. The ubiquitin–proteasome system regulates the turnover of proteins that have essential roles in the cell cycle, apoptosis, DNA damage repair, and in protein trafficking, which makes this pathway a target for oncogenic events. In this study, we investigated expression of BCA2 in renal oncocytoma and renal cell carcinoma. A total of 158 patients were included in the study. Our study has shown that 114/114 (100 %) cases of renal cell carcinoma were negative for BCA2. All 38 (100 %) cases of renal oncocytoma were positive for BCA2, and 6/6 (100 %) cases designated as oncocytic neoplasm which favor oncocytoma were also positive for BCA2. This is the first study to date evaluating the expression of BCA2 in renal oncocytoma. BCA2 could serve as a marker that may be utilized in the distinction between renal oncocytoma and its mimickers.     

Brain injury and neural stem cells

Many therapies with potential for treatment of brain injury have been investigated. Few types of cells have spurred as much interest and excitement as stem cells over the past few decades. The multipotentiality and self-renewing characteristics of stem cells confer upon them the capability to regenerate lost tissue in ischemic or degenerative conditions as well as trauma. While stem cells have not yet proven to be clinically effective in many such conditions as was once hoped, they have demonstrated some effects that could be manipulated for clinical benefit. The various types of stem cells have similar characteristics, and largely differ in terms of origin; those that have differentiated to some extent may exhibit limited capability in differentiation potential. Stem cells can aid in decreasing lesion size and improving function following brain injury.     

Establishment and characterization of a murine xenograft model of appendiceal mucinous adenocarcinoma

We describe the clinical, pathologic and molecular characteristics of a xenograft model of metastatic mucinous appendiceal adenocarcinoma. Tumours from patients with mucinous appendiceal neoplasms were implanted in nude mice and observed for evidence of intraperitoneal tumour growth. Morphologic and immunohistochemical features, temporal growth characteristics relative to controls, and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at multiple chromosomal alleles were assessed in a successfully engrafted tumour. Two of seventeen implanted tumours successfully engrafted and only one mucinous adenocarcinoma propagated throughout the course of the study. The successful xenograft is morphologically similar to the original tumour, produces abundant extracellular mucin and exhibits non‐invasive growth on peritoneal surfaces. The temporal growth characteristics of the xenograft tumour relative to controls reveal that tumour burden can be followed indirectly by measuring the weight or abdominal girth of engrafted animals. The cytokeratin, mucin core protein, CDX2, Ki‐67 and p53 expression patterns are identical in the xenograft and resected tumour and are consistent with the expected pattern of protein expression for mucinous adenocarcinoma of the appendix. LOH was found in 1 of 10 informative chromosomal loci (chromosome 10p23) in xenograft tumour cells. Although we were unable to engraft a low‐grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm, the engrafted adenocarcinoma will be useful for future evaluation of novel therapeutic strategies directed at mucinous appendiceal adenocarcinoma and evaluation of strategies for treating widespread, bulky, mucinous peritoneal surface neoplasms. Xenograft tumour enrichment can facilitate molecular studies of appendiceal epithelial neoplasia.     

Breastfeeding and complementary feeding as a public health intervention for child survival in India

The relevance of breastfeeding and complementary feeding as proven child survival interventions, is well documented by the scientific research. These two preventive interventions can save as many as 19% of all child deaths. However, despite the volume of evidence favouring mainstreaming of these interventions, many countries, including India are yet to achieve universal appropriate infant and young child feeding practices. This article attempts to explore the evidenced based role of these interventions in the crusade to save children, and looks into the present scenario of infant and young child feeding in India, along with a possible road map to achieve high rates of early and exclusive breastfeeding and appropriate complementary feeding in the country.