Isolation of Stomatococcus mucilaginosus from drug user with endocarditis.

Stomatococcus mucilaginosus was isolated from the blood of a patient with endocarditis and a past history of drug abuse and aortic valve replacement. At autopsy, Gram stain of the aortic valve revealed gram-positive cocci. Our isolate was atypical for S. mucilaginosus in that colonies were nonmucoid and nonadherent to agar surfaces. Cellular capsules were demonstrated by light and electron microscopy. Phenotypic characteristics identified by conventional methods as well as profile numbers obtained by using two commercial identification systems for staphylococci, the API Staph-Ident and the dms Staph Trac, are presented. Practical tests that differentiate S. mucilaginosus from the genera Micrococcus and Staphylococcus include growth on nutrient agar containing salt and lysostaphin susceptibility. Additional tests that helped differentiate our isolate from group D streptococci included hydrolysis of L-pyrrolidonyl-beta-naphthylamide and streptococcal serogrouping.     

Allergic fungal sinusitis— A clinico-pathological study

The co-existence of fungal elements in allergic nasal Polyposis, has given rise to a distinct clinical entity known as ‘Allergic fungal sinusitis ’ (AF’S). Many a time, these fungal elements may not be diagnosed pre-operatively by routine diagnostic nasal endoscopy or CT scan of paranasal sinuses, due to the florid presentation of nasal polyps, which usually obscure the underlying fungal pathology. The diagnosis is often made intra-operatively. The post-operative confirmation of AFS is by histopathology, fungal smear, fungal culture, allergic murin study and fungal specific IgE titres. We report a series often such cases done in our institution, which highlight that AFS should be considered as a differential diagnosis in Sinonasal Polyposis cases, for their effective management.     

Publishing Nutrition Research: A Review of Epidemiologic Methods

The use of epidemiologic research designs and analytical methods is common in dietetics research. Food and nutrition professionals who seek to perform evidence-based practice or participate in research design, analysis, and communication need skills in the essentials of epidemiology. This is one of a series of monographs on research methodology that addresses these needs and supports the goals of the Board of Editors of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association to further enhance competency and skills. This monograph focuses on statistical approaches for univariate analyses used with the primary observational study designs associated with epidemiology. Tables illustrating the presentation and interpretation of these results are included.     

Subselective embolisation in management of JNA

Role of Embolisation in preoperative management of Nasopharyngeal angiofibroma is well established in present day therapeutic modalities. An improvised technique i.e., subselective embolisation has been provided by Interventional radiologists to fortify the therapeutic results. This study compares the final outcome of seven cases, four of which were embolised pre operatively. Each case was dealt with varying surgical approaches.     

Enhancement of cisplatin sensitivity of cisplatin-resistant human cervical carcinoma cells by bryostatin 1.

PURPOSE: Bryostatin 1, a unique protein kinase C (PKC) activator, is already in the clinical trials. An understanding of complex regulation of PKC by bryostatin 1 is essential for effective use of bryostatin 1 in the clinic. We have previously shown that the ability of bryostatin 1 to enhance cisplatin sensitivity correlated with its ability to down-regulate PKCdelta in HeLa cells. We have investigated how bryostatin 1 influences PKCdelta regulation in cisplatin-resistant HeLa (HeLa/CP) cells, and if bryostatin 1 could be used to reverse cisplatin resistance. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu), bryostatin 1, and small interfering RNA were used to manipulate PKC level/activation status. Cell death was monitored by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, Annexin V dye-binding assay, and analysis of hypodiploid peak in a flow cytometer. RESULTS: Bryostatin 1 elicited a biphasic concentration response on PKCdelta down-regulation and cisplatin-induced cell death in HeLa/CP cells; the maximum effect was achieved with 1 nmol/L bryostatin 1. Down-regulation of PKCalpha increased with increasing concentrations of bryostatin 1. PDBu induced down-regulation of PKCalpha in HeLa and HeLa/CP cells but it had little effect on PKCdelta down-regulation in HeLa/CP cells. However, both PDBu and bryostatin 1 enhanced the sensitivity of HeLa/CP cells to cisplatin. Knockdown of PKCdelta by small interfering RNA inhibited cisplatin-induced apoptosis but knockdown of PKCalpha enhanced cisplatin-induced cell death. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that although PKCdelta acts as a proapoptotic protein, full-length PKCdelta may inhibit cisplatin-induced cell death. Thus, persistent activation/down-regulation of PKCdelta by bryostatin 1 was associated with cisplatin sensitization. Furthermore, PKCalpha acts as an antiapoptotic protein and down-regulation of PKCalpha by PDBu was associated with cellular sensitization to cisplatin.     

Neuro-endocrine carcinoma of the nose and paranasal sinuses

The literature on Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses contains a plethora of contradictions concerning their nomenclature, classification, pathogenesis, diagnosis, therapy and prognosis. The term neuroendocrine carcinoma is used for malignant epithelial tumours showing a characteristic microscopic pattern and cytologic features. The idea of presenting this case of neuroendocrine malignancy, which itself is a very rare entity is to emphasise the role of electron microscopy in arriving at a diagnosis and the necessity of adequate surgical excision followed by radiotherapy for a longer tumour free survival.     

Role of Periductal and Ductular Epithelial Cells of the Adult Rat Pancreas in Pancreatic Hepatocyte Lineage: A Change in the Differentiation Commitment

Development of pancreatic hepatocytes in adult rats maintained on copper deficient diet containing 0.6% trien (CuDT) has been reported recently. To elucidate the histogenesis of hepatocytes a sequential study was undertaken using morphologic, histochemical, immunochemical, in situ hybridization, and Northern blot analysis. Male F-344 rats weighing 80 to 90 g were fed CuDT for 8 weeks and returned to normal rat chow. Beginning from 4 weeks of copper depletion, there was a progressive loss of acinar cells and by 8 weeks more than 90% of the acinar tissue was lost. During this period, there was an increase in the number of adipocytes in the interstitium, and in the number of interstitial and ductular cells. Morphologic observations were confirmed by immunoblot and Northern blot analysis, in which the amount of pancreatic proteins and their mRNAs decreased between 5 and 8 weeks. During this period, a progressive increase in the level of albumin mRNA was observed. In situ hybridization, performed at 7 weeks of copper deficiency, showed localization of albumin mRNA over interstitial and ductular cells. Pancreatic hepatocytes were identified immediately after the rats were returned to a normal diet and gradually increased in number. The hepatocytes occupied almost 60% of the pancreatic volume by 8 weeks. During the early recovery phase, hepatocytes were identified in ductules as well as in the interstitium. Based on these studies, it is concluded that both the ductular cells and interstitial cells, which resemble oval cells of liver, are capable of transforming into pancreatic hepatocytes and these cells may be considered stem-cell equivalent.