Predictors of long-term survival in patients with gallbladder cancer

The aim of this study was to examine the predictors of long-term survival (>24 months) in patients with gall bladder cancer. A retrospective review of 117 cases of gall bladder cancer resected between 1989 and 2000. The resections included 80 simple cholecystectomies and 37 extended procedures. Patients with survival >24 months (n=44) were compared with those having survival <24 months (n=73) for 17 prognostic factors. Overall median survival was 16 months with a 5-year survival of 27%. T status (P=.000) and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (P=.001) were independent predictors of long-term survival. Survival advantage was seen in T3N+ve disease (P=.007) with extended procedures. Complete (R0) resection was attained in 30 patients with a 5-year survival advantage of 30% as compared with incomplete (R1) resection (P=.0002). Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy improved survival in simple cholecystectomy group (P=.0008) but no advantage was seen after extended procedures. Stage III (P=.001) and node-positive disease (P=.0005) had significant benefit with adjuvant therapy. Poor differentiation and vascular invasion were associated with poor long-term survival. R0 resection was associated with prolonged survival. Extended procedures improved survival in patients with T3N+ve disease. Addition of chemoradiotherapy made significant improvement in long-term survival in stage III and node-positive lesions and in patients undergoing simple cholecystectomy. R0 resection predicted long-term survival in gall bladder cancer. T3 N+ve disease had better survival after extended procedures. Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy improved survival in stage III and node-positive disease. Poor differentiation and vascular invasion were adverse predictors of survival.     

Impact of endosulfan (thiodan) EC 35 on behavior and dynamics of oocyte development in the teleostean fish, Colisa (Trichogaster) fasciatus

Histomorphological responses of the ovary of a freshwater percoid fish, Colisa (T.) fasciatus, to endosulfan or thiodan EC 35 treatment, a popular pesticide, have been described. In addition, general behavioral changes of the fishes after treatment have also been recorded. Adult sexually mature females were used in the present study and all fish were in the prespawning phase of the ovarian cycle. The experiment was conducted under natural room temperature and day-night length for 30 days. Experimental fish were maintained in 1 ppm endosulfan solution, which was changed on alternate days after feeding with minced goat liver. Treated fish revealed that (a) the ovarian activity was retarded; (b) the ovarian wall became thicker; (c) the diameter of oogonia and stage I oocytes was not altered but that of stage II and III oocytes was greatly reduced; (d) the percentage of oogonia, stage I, and atretic oocytes increased considerably but that of stage II and III oocytes diminished significantly; and (e) yolk in the stage III oocytes appeared clumped and damaged.     

Impact of preschool education component in Integrated Child Development Services programme on the cognitive development of children.

Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) is India's most comprehensive programme to increase the survival rate and enhance the health, nutrition, and learning opportunities of pre-school children and their mothers through a package of services. The present study was carried out to measure the impact of the preschool education component of the ICDS on the cognitive development of children in the age group of 3-5 years. The study design used was case/control (ICDS attending children v. Non-ICDS). Results of the study revealed the ICDS Anganwadi attendance had positive influence on the cognitive development of children. The mean cognitive score of the attenders was 40.7 as against a mean score of 30.3 in the case of non-attenders.     

Synthesis of alpha-methyl-benzamido-alpha'-substituted styryl cyclohexanone thiosemicarbazones as potential antifertility agents

Cyclohexanone was condensed with N-hydroxymethyl benzamide in conc. sulphuric acid to give alpha-methyl-benzamido-cyclohexanone (I). The reaction of (I) with thiosemicarbazide in ethanol resulted in alpha-methyl-benzamido-cyclohexanone thiosemicarbazone (II). Condensation of (II) with various aromatic aldehydes in the presence of ethanol afforded alpha-methyl-benzamido-alpha'-substituted-styryl-cyclohexanone thiosemicarbazones (III) in yields ranging from 40 to 50 percent. The compounds exhibited pronounced antiimplantation activity in female albino rats.     

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.