Saroj Gupta

Anti-ulcerogenic effect of banana powder (Musa sapientum var. paradisiaca) and its effect on mucosal resistance

Orally administered banana pulp powder (Musa sapientum var. paradisiaca) was shown to have significant anti-ulcerogenic activity in rats subjected to aspirin, indomethacin, phenylbutazone, prednisolone and cysteamine and in guinea-pigs subjected to histamine. Banana powder not only increased mucosal thickness but also significantly increased [3H]thymidine incorporation into mucosal DNA. Relative to untreated control sections, histological studies showed that banana treatment increased staining by alcian blue in the apical cells with staining noted in the deeper layers of the mucosal glands. Banana-treated and control sections were also stained for DNA by the Feulgen reaction. The banana-treated sections showed a greater aggregation and intensity of pink spots when compared to controls. The present study suggests that banana powder treatment not only strengthens mucosal resistance against ulcerogens but also promotes healing by inducing cellular proliferation.

Serum Trace Elements and Cu/Zn Ratio in Malignant Lymphomas in Children

Serum copper and zinc levels, and Cu/Zn ratio were measured in 40 children with Hodgkins (n = 18) and non-Hodgkins (n = 22) lymphomas, and 30 controls using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The mean serum copper levels were higher in lymphoma patients than in controls (199.8 micrograms/dl v. 95.8 micrograms/dl) P < 0.001). The increase in serum copper level correlated with the stage of disease being maximum in Stage IV (219.4 micrograms/dl v. 143.2 micrograms/dl) (P < 0.01). On the other hand, there was a decrease in the serum zinc levels in lymphoma patients as compared to controls (86.1 micrograms/dl v. 117.4 micrograms/dl) (P < 0.001), but this was significant only in patients with advanced disease. The Cu/Zn ratio was therefore markedly increased in these patients (2.46 v. 0.83) (P < 0.001). Following successful treatment the abnormal serum copper and zinc levels returned towards normal. The exact mechanisms responsible for these alterations are yet to be elucidated. We conclude that serum copper and zinc levels and Cu/Zn ratio are easily measurable biochemical indices that can be used as predictors of successful treatment in pediatric patients with lymphomas.

Doppler ultrasound scoring to predict chemotherapeutic response in advanced breast cancer

BackgroundDoppler ultrasonography (US) is increasingly being utilized as an imaging modality in breast cancer. It is used to study the vascular characteristics of the tumor. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is the standard modality of treatment in locally advanced breast cancer. Histological examination remains the gold standard to assess the chemotherapy response. However, based on the color Doppler findings, a new scoring system that could predict histological response following chemotherapy is proposed.MethodsFifty cases of locally advanced infiltrating duct carcinoma of the breast were studied. The mean age of the patients was 44.5 years. All patients underwent clinical, Doppler and histopathological assessment followed by three cycles of CAF (Cyclophosphamide, Adriamycin and 5-Fluorouracil) chemotherapy, repeat clinical and Doppler examination and surgery. The resected specimens were examined histopathologically and histological response was correlated with Doppler findings. The Doppler characteristics of the tumor were graded as 1–4 for <25%, 25–50%, >50% and complete disappearance of flow signals respectively. A cumulative score was calculated and compared with histopathological response. Results were analyzed using Chi square test, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values.ResultsThe maximum Doppler score according to the proposed scoring system was twelve and minimum three. Higher scores corresponded with a more favorable histopathological response. Twenty four patients had complete response to chemotherapy. Sixteen of these 24 patients (66.7%) had a cumulative Doppler score more than nine. The sensitivity of cumulative score >5 was 91.7% and specificity was 38.5%. The area under the ROC curve of the cumulative score >9 was 0.72.ConclusionDoppler scoring can be accurately used to objectively predict the response to chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced breast cancer and it correlates well with histopathological response.

Giant cell tumour of the first metacarpal bone

A rare case of giant cell tumour of first metacarpal bone which was aggressive in its clinical behaviour but histologically benign, is reported in a thirty-one year old male. The tumour was excised en-bloc with disarticulation of the thumb and index finger with a gratifying result. The literature on giant-cell-tumour of the metacarpal bones is reviewed.

Massive gangrene of the stomach due to primary antiphospholipid syndrome: Report of two cases

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune disease, which may be primary or secondary to other autoimmune diseases. It produces thrombosis of arteries and veins of any caliber, and no organ is immune to its insult. This report describes two cases of massive gastric gangrene due to primary APS, which presented in a span of 2 years. In the first case a multiparous, 40-year-old woman presented with acute abdominal pain, hematemesis, and progressive abdominal distension, and was in azotemia and shock. A laparotomy revealed gangrene of the stomach without any other organ involvement. She was managed with a total gastrectomy and esophagojejunal anastomosis. Postoperative serology revealed a persistent elevation of anticardiolipin antibody with no other apparent predisposing cause. The histopathological examination of the specimen revealed characteristic extensive intramural vascular thrombosis without inflammatory changes in the vessel wall, confirming antiphospholipid syndrome. The second patient was a primiparous, 26-year-old woman who had severe abdominal pain in the first trimester followed by shock. An exploratory laparotomy revealed massive gangrene of the stomach with complete loss of the posterior wall and hemoperitoneum. She also underwent a total gastrectomy with esophagogastric anastomosis and was later managed in the intensive care unit, where she succumbed within 8 days. Her serology showed a highly elevated anticardiolipin antibody titer, and histopathological examination of the stomach revealed characteristic intramural vascular thrombosis without inflammatory cellular infiltrate in the vessel wall. Patients undergoing a total gastrectomy following acute gastric necrosis have very high mortality (50%–80%). Its association with APS is rare and it has not been previously reported. The combination is a formidable challenge to the physician and a dangerous disease for the patient. The rarity of the condition and its grave prognosis is highlighted.

Possibilistic Clustering Adaptive Smoothing Bilateral Filter Using Artificial Neural Network

499 Abstract--This research paper, we deals with the implementation of clustering environment noise load and smoothing it by filtering using bilateral and wiener filter neural network (adaptation method). The proposed method has an advantage of dealing with not only perform load but also to reduce the noise of environment. In this research paper we have used advance technique to find load considering on each Gaussian area for neural computing and filtering noise before cluster it such that, it should not disturb any other existing signal like telephone signal etc. Linear adaptation filter as OPAMP circuit used to filter noise using proposed method.