Malignant fibrous histocytoma of bone in neurofibromatosis--a case report

Multiorgan neoplasms are encountered frequently in patients with neurofibromatosis, which is a genetic disorder. Though skeletal abnormalities are common in these patients, the occurrence of primary bone sarcomas is very rare. We hereby report a case of post-radiation malignant fibrous-histiocytoma of bone developing in an elderly patient with neurofibromatosis.     

Ovarian carcinoma relapsing as a cerebellopontine angle tumour

Involvement of the central nervous system in epithelial ovarian carcinoma is rare. A 46-year-old woman with ovarian carcinoma relapsing with brain metastasis is described. She received radiotherapy for the metastasis and survived for 18 months.     

Structural elucidation of NASICON (Na3Al2P3O12) based glass electrolyte materials: effective influence of boron and gallium

Understanding the conductivity variations induced by compositional changes in sodium super ionic conducting (NASICON) glass materials is highly relevant for applications such as solid electrolytes for sodium (Na) ion batteries. In the research reported in this paper, NASICON-based NCAP glass (Na_2.8Ca_0.1Al₂P₃O₁₂) was selected as the parent glass. The present study demonstrates the changes in the Na⁺ ion conductivity of NCAP bulk glass with the substitution of boron (NCABP: Na_2.8Ca_0.1Al₂B_0.5P_2.7O₁₂) and gallium (NCAGP: Na_2.8Ca_0.1Al₂Ga_0.5P_2.7O₁₂) for phosphorus and the resulting structural variations found in the glass network. For a detailed structural analysis of NCAP, NCABP and NCAGP glasses, micro-Raman and magic angle spinning-nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS-NMR) spectroscopic techniques (for ³¹P, ²⁷Al, ²³Na, ¹¹B and ⁷¹Ga nuclei) were used. The Raman spectrum revealed that the NCAP glass structure is more analogous to the AlPO₄ mesoporous glass structure. The ³¹P MAS-NMR spectrum illustrated that the NCAP glass structure consists of a high concentration of Q⁰ (3Al) units, followed by Q⁰ (2Al) units. The ²⁷Al MAS-NMR spectrum indicates that alumina exists at five different sites, which include AlO₄ units surrounded by AlO₆ units, Al(OP)₄, Al(OP)₅, Al(OAl)₆ and Al(OP)₆, in the NCAP glass structure. The ³¹P, ²⁷Al and ¹¹B MAS-NMR spectra of the NCABP glass revealed the absence of B–O–Al linkages and the presence of B₃–O–B₄–O–P₄ linkages which further leads to the formation of borate and borophosphate domains. The ⁷¹Ga MAS-NMR spectrum suggests that gallium cations in the NCAGP glass compete with the alumina cations and occupy four (GaO₄), five (GaO₅) and six (GaO₆) coordinated sites. The Raman spectrum of NCAGP glass indicates that sodium cations have also been substituted by gallium cations in the NCAP glass structure. From impedance analysis, the dc conductivity of the NCAP glass (∼3.13 × 10⁻⁸ S cm⁻¹) is slightly decreased with the substitution of gallium (∼2.27 × 10⁻⁸ S cm⁻¹) but considerably decreased with the substitution of boron (∼1.46 × 10⁻⁸ S cm⁻¹). The variation in the conductivity values are described based on the structural changes of NCAP glass with the substitution of gallium and boron.

Understanding the conductivity variations induced by compositional changes in sodium super ionic conducting (NASICON) glass materials is highly relevant for applications such as solid electrolytes for sodium (Na) ion batteries.     

肿瘤相关基因Cap43在胰腺癌中的表达及意义

目的研究肿瘤相关基因Cap43在胰腺癌组织中的表达情况,探讨其对胰腺癌的诊断价值。方法收集1999年4月～2002年8月长海医院外科手术切除胰腺癌标本和癌旁正常组织33例,诊断均由病理证实。男性22例,女性11例,年龄30～73岁,平均58．1岁。所有组织标本按肿瘤、癌旁(正常)配对。采用RT-PCR和Northern杂交方法研究Cap43 mRNA表达情况。结果 RT-PCR结果显示,Cap43在肿瘤组织中表达显著上调,其在肿瘤组织和癌旁正常组织的扫描值分别为4 033±1 986和2 244±1 145,有显著差异(P<0．001)。Northern杂交亦显示Cap43在肿瘤组织中表达显著上调,相同病例的RT-PCR结果与Northern杂交的结果有较好的一致性,经回归分析,没有显著性差异(P>0．1)。结论 Cap43在胰腺癌组织中呈显著高表达,其有可能成为胰腺癌早期诊断的重要标志物。     

Orbital multiple myeloma: case report and review of computed tomography features

Orbital involvement at diagnosis in multiple myeloma is rare. Only a few a cases are reported with computed tomographic features. We report a case of orbital myeloma, and relevant medical reviews on computed tomography features are discussed.     

Characterization of Bacillus thuringiensis isolates and their differential toxicity against Helicoverpa armigera populations

Bacillus thuringiensis isolates were characterized in rhizospheric cotton soils by using acetate selection process from eight different locations in South India. The fact that B. thuringiensis indices were higher in proportion in soil samples taken from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka than from Andhra Pradesh, indicates the abundance of B. thuringiensis populations in the cotton rhizosphere. Biochemical typing of the isolates designated eight local isolates (BtNg13, BtCo1, BtHyb7, BtAm2, BtRm5, BtWr3, BtPl 4, BtN 9), which belong to subspecies kurstaki, the most prevalent subspecies. Toxicity assays on American boll worm larval (F(1) ) populations collected from the Andhra Pradesh, Bangalore and Coimbatore regions, with a susceptible insect strain against different isolates of B. thuringiensis kurstaki spore-crystal mix, revealed distinct susceptibility patterns and specificity. The highest susceptibility was observed in the F(1) populations of Coimbatore, followed by Bangalore and Hyderabad populations, in comparison with the susceptible insect strain. Significant differences were observed (p < 0.0005 and CD = 5.3975) among Btk local isolates, H. armigera biotypes, Btk spore-crystal mix concentration and their interactions, through the Multifactorial ANOVA analysis. The toxicity of local B. thuringiensis isolates was higher than that of HD-1 (reference B.t.k strain). Indigenous Btk isolates have an enormous potential for the management of H. armigera in terms of development of resistance to HD-1. The present study would serve as a baseline data for future resistance monitoring of B. thuringiensis strains in H. armigera in Southern India.     

Laparoscopic Right Hemicolectomy for Ileocolic Intussusception Secondary to Caecal Neoplasm

Intussusception in adults is a rare cause of abdominal pain. Unlike its paediatric counterpart, intussusception in adults is associated with obvious pathology. We describe a case of ileocolic intussusception extending to the splenic flexure. We were able to reduce the intussusception partially and pedicle was stapled carefully. The specimen was delivered through a small incision and right hemicolectomy was performed adhering to oncological principles. We recommend laparoscopic-assisted surgery is considered for adult intussusceptions.