Manna Valiathan

Raman Tweezers Spectroscopy of Live, Single Red and White Blood Cells

An optical trap has been combined with a Raman spectrometer to make high-resolution measurements of Raman spectra of optically-immobilized, single, live red (RBC) and white blood cells (WBC) under physiological conditions. Tightly-focused, near infrared wavelength light (1064 nm) is utilized for trapping of single cells and 785 nm light is used for Raman excitation at low levels of incident power (few mW). Raman spectra of RBC recorded using this high-sensitivity, dual-wavelength apparatus has enabled identification of several additional lines; the hitherto-unreported lines originate purely from hemoglobin molecules. Raman spectra of single granulocytes and lymphocytes are interpreted on the basis of standard protein and nucleic acid vibrational spectroscopy data. The richness of the measured spectrum illustrates that Raman studies of live cells in suspension are more informative than conventional micro-Raman studies where the cells are chemically bound to a glass cover slip.

Probing oxidative stress in single erythrocytes with Raman Tweezers

Raman Tweezers have been successfully applied to characterize chemically-induced oxidative stress on optically-trapped live, single erythrocytes. There is significant enhancement in Raman peak intensities corresponding to SS and C-S stretching modes that are induced by oxidative stress. This is consistent with the formation of mixed disulphides between protein SH groups and low-molecular-mass thiols such as glutathione during oxidative damage to cells. Enhancement in glutathione level as a protective response against oxidative stress has been observed. Principal component analysis of the data yields good discrimination between spectra of normal and stress-induced red blood cells.

Antidiabetic effect through islet cell protection in streptozotocin diabetes: a preliminary assessment of two thiazolidin-4-ones in Swiss albino mice.

This study was undertaken on the basis of several reports in the literature that pancreatic beta cells are capable of replication/regeneration and also being afforded protection against damage induced by streptozotocin. Nicotinamide was reported to give protection against streptozotocin-induced damage in rats. In the present study, two thiazolidine-4-ones with nicotinamide substitution were administered to Swiss albino mice with streptozotocin diabetes for 15 days. Concurrently, one group received nicotinic acid. Both the test compounds reversed the hyperglycaemia diabetic mice. Damage to pancreatic islets was also reduced in these groups compared to diabetic control and nicotinic acid treated groups. Since these compounds have been earlier found have antioxidant activity, one of the possible mechanisms of action could be by reducing oxidative stress in pancreas. Further, possibly by releasing nicotinamide in vivo, the molecules could have contributed to the NAD pool in pancreas and afforded protection. It is concluded that the test compounds have potential to be developed for multiple beneficial action in conditions like metabolic syndrome.

Micro-Raman Spectroscopy of Silver Nanoparticle Induced Stress on Optically-Trapped Stem Cells

We report here results of a single-cell Raman spectroscopy study of stress effects induced by silver nanoparticles in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). A high-sensitivity, high-resolution Raman Tweezers set-up has been used to monitor nanoparticle-induced biochemical changes in optically-trapped single cells. Our micro-Raman spectroscopic study reveals that hMSCs treated with silver nanoparticles undergo oxidative stress at doping levels in excess of 2 µg/ml, with results of a statistical analysis of Raman spectra suggesting that the induced stress becomes more dominant at nanoparticle concentration levels above 3 µg/ml.

Sudden death due to pulmonary aspergillosis

Sudden death due to respiratory pathology is not uncommon and tuberculosis with its complications is well known to cause death. We report a case of a male, train passenger, who started coughing out blood and died on reaching the hospital. Medicolegal autopsy confirmed the sudden unexpected death to be due to pulmonary aspergillosis in the person with past medical history of tuberculosis.

Sphenochoanal polyp with heterotopic glial tissue

An isolated polyp arising from the sphenoid sinus is rare. Due to the presence of important structures adjacent to the sphenoid sinus, a proper pre-operative radiological and nasal endoscopic evaluation is mandatory, along with a neurological and ophthalmological assessment. We report the case of a 23-year-old man with a sphenochoanal polyp with heterotopic glial tissue in the stroma. A Medline search did not reveal any previously reported cases of glial tissue in the sphenoid sinus presenting as a sphenochoanal polyp.

Infantile Cartilaginous Hamartoma of the Rib. A case report.

BACKGROUND Infantile cartilaginous hamartoma of the rib is a rare condition occurring in newborn infants, with an incidence of 1 in 3,000 (0.03%) among primary bone tumor cases. Reports of this condition so far have presented the clinical, radiologic and histopathologic features. To the best of our knowledge, reports of the cytopathologic features have not been documented. In the present case report, clinical, radiologic and cytopathologic features and differential diagnosis are enumerated. CASE A 1-month-old, male infant presented with a chest wall mass with a clinical diagnosis of osteochondroma. On fine needle aspiration cytology, a diagnosis of infantile cartilaginous hamartoma of the rib was suggested; it was supplemented by the clinical history and radiologic findings. CONCLUSION Although rare, this condition ought to be kept in mind while dealing with infantile chest wall masses to avoid an erroneous diagnosis of malignancy, owing to its ominous cytopathologic features.

Pap Smear Quality Parameters of 3 Sampling Devices Used by Auxiliary Nurse Midwives on Symptomatic Rural Indian Women

OBJECTIVE To determine whether auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs) could make good-quality Pap smears after focused training and to determine which sampling device is most effective in their hands in field practice areas. STUDY DESIGN In a downstaging cervical cancer screening program, 394 symptomatic rural Indian women between the ages of 35 and 60 were identified by the ANMs in 2 villages, with a total population of 14,747, and were invited to have a smear taken. Two hundred of these symptomatic women responded. The ANMs were educated to render information on screening for cervical cancer and to take smears with 3 sampling devices--Ayre spatula, modified spatula (with extended tip) and Cytobrush (Medscand AB, Malmö, Sweden). The smears were evaluated for 6 adequacy parameters. Smears made by gynecologists were used as controls. To establish the superiority of a method, chi2 tests were used. RESULTS All smears made by the ANMs could be used to render a cytologic diagnosis. The adequacy parameters of all the smears made by ANMs at least matched those of the gynecologists. The best results were obtained with modified spatula (with extended tip) and combination of Cytobrush with modified spatula. CONCLUSION Since only 50% of symptomatic rural women came for Pap testing, we conclude it is not easy to motivate women for such testing, even if a large-scale educational effort is made. ANMs can be taught to take reasonably good qualisuperior sampling device for ANMs is ty Pap smears. The superior sampling device for ANMs is the modified spatula (with extended tip).

Ovarian Pregnancy following Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection and Embryo Transfer: A Case Report

Ovarian pregnancy is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy following ICSI-ET, and the diagnosis depends on the physicians suspicion and experience. Preservation of ovarian tissue during surgery is of utmost importance to preserve fertility. We present a case of ovarian pregnancy who had a successful treatment preserving the ovary.

Myeloid sarcoma: A clinicopathological study with emphasis on diagnostic difficulties

BACKGROUND Myeloid sarcoma (MS) is a rare tumor composed of proliferation of myeloid precursors at extramedullary sites. They can arise de-novo or in association with hematological malignancies, most commonly acute myeloid leukemia. Clinically, it can masquerade as an abscess, cutaneous ulcer, or mass lesion. Morphologically, MS can mimic a variety of small round cell tumors including lymphomas and rhabdomyosarcoma. AIMS (1) To study the clinical presentations and laboratory findings in patients with MS; (2) to revisit the histomorphological findings and the differential diagnosis of MS; (3) to evaluate the diagnostic role of immunohistochemistry (IHC) and determine the useful markers for accurate diagnosis of MS. MATERIALS AND METHODS We reviewed cases of MS reported in our institution over a 10-year period from January 2004 to December 2013. The clinical presentations, laboratory data, and histopathological and immunohistochemical findings were studied. RESULTS There were nine cases in our database, none of which were clinically suspected to be MS. Age ranged from 3 to 55 years, with a slight female preponderance. Cervical lymph nodes were the most common site involved. Histologically, the common finding was the presence of medium- to large-sized cells with fine granular chromatin, small nucleolus, and scant cytoplasm along with scattered eosinophil precursors. Myeloperoxidase was the most useful IHC marker. All cases were also positive for leukocyte common antigen contributing to the diagnostic confusion with lymphoma. CONCLUSION The possibility of MS should be considered when dealing with unusual lymphoma-like neoplasms that cannot be categorized as any of the Non-Hodgkin lymphoma subtypes.