Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: Rare cause of head and neck swelling

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberance of head and neck is a rare neoplasm and accounts for less than one percent of Head and Neck Neoplasm. The objective of this report is to understand etiology, presentation, histopathologic identification and treatment option for this tumour. The goal of current report is to acquaint the clinician with presentation and treatment option for this disease.     

Cat-301 immunoreactivity in the lateral geniculate nucleus and visual cortex of the strabismic amblyopic cat

Purpose: It was investigated whether alterations in neuronal structure and function occasioned by strabismic amblyopia also may be reflected in alterations in the expression on Y type neurons of a Cat-301 antibody sensitive antigen in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) and cortex of our cat model of strabismic amblyopia. Methods/Results: The percentage of positively labelled cells was reduced in LGN laminae that received input from the deviated eye in strabismic amblyopic cats compared with normal cats. In the strabismic cortex, the density of immunopositive neurons was significantly reduced compared with normal, the effect being most pronounced in layer IV Conclusions: Despite previous physiological recordings indicating a decrease in X-cell associated acuity in strabismic amblyopia, the present findings imply that the changes in the early visual experience occasioned by strabismus also produce specific molecular changes in theY neuronal class.     

Two-year randomized controlled trial of vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) and vitamin D3 plus calcium on the bone health of older women.

Dietary supplementation with vitamin K(1), with vitamin D(3) and calcium or their combination, was examined in healthy older women during a 2-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Combined vitamin K with vitamin D plus calcium was associated with a modest but significant increase in BMC at the ultradistal radius but not at other sites in the hip or radius. INTRODUCTION: The putative beneficial role of high dietary vitamin K(1) (phylloquinone) on BMD and the possibility of interactive benefits with vitamin D were studied in a 2-year double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in healthy Scottish women > or =60 years of age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Healthy, nonosteoporotic women (n = 244) were randomized to receive either (1) placebo, (2) 200 microg/day vitamin K(1), (3) 10 microg (400 IU) vitamin D(3) plus 1000 mg calcium/day, or (4) combined vitamins K(1) and D(3) plus calcium. Baseline and 6-month measurements included DXA bone mineral scans of the hip and wrist, markers of bone turnover, and vitamin status. Supplementation effects were tested using multivariate general linear modeling, with full adjustment for baseline and potential confounding variables. RESULTS: Significant bone mineral loss was seen only at the mid-distal radius but with no significant difference between groups. However, women who took combined vitamin K and vitamin D plus calcium showed a significant and sustained increase in both BMD and BMC at the site of the ultradistal radius. Serum status indicators responded significantly to respective supplementation with vitamins K and D. Over 2 years, serum vitamin K(1) increased by 157% (p < 0.001), the percentage of undercarboxylated osteocalcin (%GluOC) decreased by 51% (p < 0.001), serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] increased by 17% (p < 0.001), and PTH decreased by 11% (p = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence of a modest synergy in healthy older women from nutritionally relevant intakes of vitamin K(1) together with supplements of calcium plus moderate vitamin D(3) to enhance BMC at the ultradistal radius, a site consisting of principally trabecular bone. The substantial increase in gamma-carboxylation of osteocalcin by vitamin K may have long-term benefits and is potentially achievable by increased dietary intakes of vitamin K rather than by supplementation.     

Verrucous carcinoma maxilla — A case report

A case of veruccous carcinoma of the maxilla extending to alveulus and palate is reported. Treated with radical maxillectomy: there has been no recurrence within one year. The coexistance of submicous fibrosis and veruccous carcinoma is observed and the histological features of the later are highlighted.     

Galactocerebroside mediates Ca2+ signaling in cultured glioma cells.

Expression of galactocerebroside (GalC) was detected in human glioma cell line (U-87 MG). Exposure of cells to antibody against GalC and fluoresceinated second antibody showed intense fluorescence on the plasma membrane. Possible involvement of GalC in receptor-mediated transmembrane signaling was explored in this cell line. Antibodies raised against GalC were used as ligands. Binding of anti-GalC to these cells caused a transient increase in intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i). The response was observed both in the presence and absence of extracellular calcium demonstrating that the rise in [Ca2+]i induced by anti-GalC was due to an influx of Ca2+ through plasma membrane as well as the release of Ca2+ from intracellular pools. Ca2+ influx was blocked by verapamil, indicating that influx is mediated by voltage-sensitive channels. Our results suggest that GalC can play a role in transmembrane signaling by modulation of voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels.     

Drug compliance among self-motivated leprosy patients

Regularity of DDS intake among 366 leprosy patients attending our out patient department voluntarily was assessed by urine spot test. It was found that only 54.6% of them had taken their last dose of drug within the previous three days. Those who kept their appointment showed better compliance than those who did not. Urinary DDS positivity was found to be unrelated to sex, occupation or the type of the disease. In the younger age group the compliance was low, as also among the patients coming from nearby places as compared to those who were residing in far off districts.     

Cytogenetics in head and neck cancer

Cytogenetics or the study of chromosomes has been an important tool in oncology. It localizes the abnormality on a particular chromosome segment as such but, the molecular analysis on the other hand focuses the exact gene of interest. Hence both are complimentary. Classical cytogenetics in combination with recent molecular techniques has given rise to various molecular cytogenetic analytical techniques such as florescent in-situ hybridization (FISH), spectral karyotyping (SKY) and comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). The role of telomeres and its concerned enzyme telomerase is important in carcinogenesis. This article summarizes the various cytogenetic techniques and presents an overall view of the importance of cytogenetcs in head and neck cancer.