Chondrosarcoma of the nasal septum

Chondrosarcoma of the head and neck region are relatively uncommon, arising rarely in the naval septum. The reported cases of nasal septal chondrosarcomas are extensive lesions with involvement of paranasal sinuses, orbit or skull base at the lime of diagnosis. Those limited to the nasal cavity is extremely rare and to date there has been one case report in English language literature. We present a case of chondrosarcoma of the nasal septum with involvement of the nasal cavity alone and no evidence of bony erosion. Initial multiple biopsies showed mature chondromatous areas with no atypia. The patient had wide excision of the tumour. The final biopsy of the excised specimen revealed foci of well-differentiated chondrosarcoma. Wide surgical excision with adequate margins should be considered as the treatment of choice in lesion of nasal septum even if initial biopsies are negative for malignancy. Hence this case report.     

Budesonide enema in pouchitis--a double-blind, double-dummy, controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Pouchitis has been suggested to be a recurrence of ulcerative colitis in a colon-like mucosa. Topical steroids are a valid therapeutic alternative for distal forms of ulcerative colitis. AIM: To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of budesonide enema in the treatment of pouchitis compared with oral metronidazole. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six patients with an active episode of pouchitis (defined as a pouchitis disease activity index score >or= 7) and no treatment during the previous month were randomized to receive either budesonide enema (2 mg/100 mL at bedtime) plus placebo tablets or oral metronidazole (0.5 g b.d.) plus placebo enema in a prospective, double-blind, double-dummy, 6-week, controlled trial. RESULTS: Based on the intention-to-treat principle, we detected a significant improvement in disease activity at the end of the first week with both drugs (P < 0.01). After that, improvement was moderated until stabilization at 4 weeks in both treatments. The per protocol analysis showed that both drugs had similar efficacy in terms of disease activity, clinical and endoscopic findings. Fifty-eight per cent and 50% of patients improved (decrease in pouchitis disease activity index >or= 3) with budesonide enema and metronidazole, respectively (odds ratio, 1.4; confidence interval, 0.2-8.9). Adverse effects were observed in 57% of patients given metronidazole and in 25% of patients given budesonide. CONCLUSIONS: Budesonide enemas are an alternative treatment for active pouchitis, with similar efficacy but better tolerability than oral metronidazole.     

Flow cytometric estimation on cytotoxic activity of leaf extracts from seashore plants in subtropical Japan: isolation,quantification and cytotoxic action of (-)-deoxypodophyllotoxin

The cytotoxic activity of methanol extracts of leaves collected from 39 seashore plants in Iriomote Island, subtropical Japan was examined on human leukaemia cells (K562 cells) using a flow cytometer with two fluorescent probes, ethidium bromide and annexin V-FITC. Five extracts (10 microg/mL) from Hernandia nymphaeaefolia, Cerbera manghas, Pongamia pinnata, Morus australis var. glabra and Thespesia populnea greatly inhibited the growth of K562 cells. When the concentration was decreased to 1 microg/mL, only one extract from H. nymphaeaefolia still inhibited the cell growth. A cytotoxic compound was isolated from the leaves by bioassay-guided fractionation and was identified as (-)-deoxypodophyllotoxin (DPT). The fresh leaves of H. nymphaeaefolia contained a remarkably high amount of DPT (0.21 +/- 0.07% of fresh leaf weight), being clarified by a quantitative HPLC analysis. DPT at 70-80 pM started to inhibit the growth of K562 cells in an all-or-none fashion and at 100 pM or more it produced complete inhibition in all cases. Therefore, the slope of the dose-response curve was very steep. DPT at 100 pM or more decreased the cell viability to 50%-60% and increased the number of cells undergoing apoptosis (annexin V-positive cells). The results indicate that DPT contributes to the cytotoxic action of the extract from the leaves of H. nymphaeaefolia on K562 cells.     

Characterization of occupational exposures to cleaning products used for common cleaning tasks-a pilot study of hospital cleaners

Background  

In recent years, cleaning has been identified as an occupational risk because of an increased incidence of reported respiratory effects, such as asthma and asthma-like symptoms among cleaning workers. Due to the lack of systematic occupational hygiene analyses and workplace exposure data, it is not clear which cleaning-related exposures induce or aggravate asthma and other respiratory effects. Currently, there is a need for systematic evaluation of cleaning products ingredients and their exposures in the workplace. The objectives of this work were to: a) identify cleaning products' ingredients of concern with respect to respiratory and skin irritation and sensitization; and b) assess the potential for inhalation and dermal exposures to these ingredients during common cleaning tasks.     

Reconstruction of sacral defects following necrosis of buttocks due to embolization of internal iliac artery using a transverse lumbar flap

Fractures of the pelvis associated with uncontrollable hypotension are managed by stabilization of fractures and arteriographic embolization of the bleeding vessels. Embolization of these arteries may result in necrosis of the buttocks. The use of a transverse lumbar artery-based flap can be used for repair of these defects.     

Effect of side-chain alteration on hormonal activity of nonsteroidal estrogen antagonists

Incorporation of novel side-chains in 3,4-diaryl chromans, an established nucleus present in the nonsteroidal estrogen antagonist centchroman, has been carried out. The effect of variation in the nature of the chain on relative binding affinity (RBA) to estrogen receptor, estrogenicity, and antiestrogenicity has been studied. Presence of hydrazide residue on cis- and trans-3,4-diaryl chromans led to relatively higher RBA and estrogenicity as compared with corresponding acids and esters.