Correlation of Molecular Markers in High Grade Gliomas with Response to Chemo-Radiation

Background: The standard of care in high grade glioma (HGG) is maximal safe surgical resection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) with/without chemotherapy. For anaplastic gliomas, studies have shown use of procarbazine, lomustine, vincristine (PCV) improves overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS). Currently, there is substantial evidence that molecular markers strongly predict prognosis and response to treatment. Methods: Between January 2016 to January 2018, 42 patients were accrued and followed up till April 2019. The primary end points were to correlate molecular markers with response to therapy in terms of OS and PFS in HGG. The secondary end point was to evaluate frequency of 1p/19q codeletion, IDH 1 mutation, ATRX deletion and p53 in HGG patients. Results: The median age was 46 years (range 18-67) with M:F ratio 30:12. The frequency of IDH1 mutation,1p/19q codeletion, p53 mutation and ATRX mutation were 42.8%, 16.6%, 42.8% and 14.2% respectively. All the seven patients with 1p/19q codeletion had IDH1 mutation. Median follow up was 22 months. The 20-months PFS for different mutations were as follows; IDH1-mutated vs wild type: 53.6% vs 29.8%; p-0.035, 1p/19q codeleted vs non-codeleted: 85.7% vs 62.3%; p-0.011, p53 wild type vs mutated 32.1% vs 35.6%; p-0.035 and ATRX lost vs retained: 55.6% vs 53.3%; p- 0.369. The 20-months OS for IDH1 mutated vs wild type: 82.4% vs 30.6%; p-0.014, 1p/19q codeleted vs non-codeleted: 85.7% vs 65.8%; p-0.104, p53 wild-type vs mutated 45.5% vs 73.9%; p-0.036 and ATRX lost vs retained: 100% vs 60.3%; p-0.087. Conclusion: Codeletion of 1p/19q with IDH1 mutation in HGG is associated with a significantly favourable PFS. However, larger studies with longer follow up are required to evaluate OS and PFS in all the molecular subgroups.     

Cadmium Level in Blood and Milk from Animals Reared Around Different Polluting Sources in India

No abstract available.     

Two parallel prothrombin activator systems in Australian rough-scaled snake, Tropidechis carinatus. Structural comparison of venom prothrombin activator with blood coagulation factor X

It is uncommon for similar pathways/systems to be involved in highly divergent functions within single organisms. Earlier, we have shown that trocarin D, a venom prothrombin activator, from the Australian rough-scaled snake Tropidechis carinatus, is structurally and functionally similar to the blood coagulation factor Xa (FXa). The presence of a haemostatic system in these snakes implies that they have two parallel prothrombin activating systems: one in the plasma, that participates in the life saving process of blood clotting and the other in their venom, where it acts as a toxin. Here, we report the complete cDNA sequence encoding the blood coagulation factor X (FX) from the liver of T. carinatus. Deduced T. carinatus FX sequence shows approximately 80% identity with trocarin D but approximately 50% identity with the mammalian FX. Our present study confirms the presence of two separate genes--one each for FX and trocarin D, that code for similar proteins in T. carinatus snake. These two genes have different expression sites and divergent uses suggesting that snake venom prothrombin activators have probably evolved by the duplication of the liver FX gene and subsequently marked for tissue-specific expression in the venom gland.     

Lead poisoning in cattle and buffalo near primary lead-zinc smelter in India

Varying degrees of lead (Pb) poisoning was recorded in cows and buffaloes near a primary lead-zinc smelter in India. Affected animals had history of clinical signs characterized by head pressing, violent movement, blindness and salivation. These animals revealed considerably high lead levels in blood (1.43 +/- 0.07 ppm) and milk (0.75 +/- 0.19 ppm). Animals from the same place without the history of clinical signs suggestive of Pb poisoning recorded lower blood Pb levels than the affected animals; however, their blood Pb was higher than that reported for cattle in rural and urban areas of India. Affected animals also carried high levels of cadmium (Cd) in blood (0.11 +/- 0.01 ppm) and milk (0.05 +/- 0.01 ppm). These values were considerably higher than those for rural cattle in India. The findings indicated varying degrees of exposure of animals to Pb and Cd in the vicinity of the smelter.     

Effect of thiamine hydrochloride on lead induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver and kidney

Thiamine hydrochloride was studied on lead-induced endogenous lipid peroxidation in rat hepatic and renal tissues following po doses of 2.73 mg lead/kg bw for 6 w. Simultaneous use of 25 mg thiamine hydrochloride/kg bw po reduced lead accumulation in liver and kidneys. There were significant decreases in endogenous lipid peroxide in liver and kidney from thiamine hydrochloride-treated rats. Histopathological lesions in thiamine-treated livers and kidneys were milder in comparison to lesions in untreated Pb-exposed animals. This indicates the prophylactic potential of thiamine for lead-induced lipid peroxidation.     

Traumatic aneurysms and arteriovenous fistulas in Nigeria

Traumatic aneurysms and arteriovenous fistulas may be as common in the developing and less industrialized countries as they are in the developed countries. In a 4 year period 12 cases of traumatic aneurysms and arteriovenous fistulas were seen at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, Nigeria. Nine of these resulted from civilian injuries while 3 were due to military activities. The femoral vessels were involved in 7 cases while the extracranial carotid arteries were injured in 2 cases. Gunshots accounted for 6 lesions. Metal fragments and knife stabs were responsible for 2 cases respectively. All the 3 arteriovenous fistulas involved the femoral vessels--2 superficial and one deep. The vascular lesions were assessed by arteriography in 9 cases. All but one case were treated by excision, the vessels being reconstructed in 7 cases. There was one death due to septicemia.