Shaista M Vasenwala

Glyceryl trinitrate, a nitric oxide donor, abrogates ferric nitrilotriacetate-induced oxidative stress and renal damage

Ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA), a common water pollutant and a known renal carcinogen, acts through the generation of oxidative stress and hyperproliferative response. In the present study, we show that the nitric oxide (NO) generated by the administration of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) affords protection against Fe-NTA-induced oxidative stress and proliferative response. Administration of Fe-NTA resulted in a significant (P<0.001) depletion of renal glutathione (GSH) content with concomitant increase in lipid peroxidation and elevated tissue damage marker release in serum. Parallel to these changes, Fe-NTA also caused down-regulation of GSH metabolizing enzymes including glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione-S-transferase and several fold induction in ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and rate of DNA synthesis. Subsequent exogenous administration of GTN at doses of 3 and 6mg/kg body weight resulted in significant (P<0.001) recovery of GSH metabolizing enzymes and amelioration of tissue GSH content, in a dose-dependent manner. GTN administration also inhibited malondialdehyde (MDA) formation, induction of ODC activity, enhanced rate of DNA synthesis, and pathological deterioration in a dose-dependent fashion. Further, administration of NO inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), exacerbated Fe-NTA-induced oxidative tissue injury, hyperproliferative response, and pathological damage. Overall, the study suggests that NO administration subsequent to Fe-NTA affords protection against ROS-mediated damage induced by Fe-NTA.

Myopericytoma of lip: A rare lesion in an unusual location

Myopericytoma is a rare benign tumor with perivascular myoid differentiation. It shares histomorpholoic features with the so-called hemangiopericytoma, myofibroma and glomus tumor. We hereby report the case of a 14-year-old boy who presented with a slowly growing, painless, firm mass on upper lip, diagnosed as myopericytoma on the basis of histopathology and immunohistochemistry. To the best of our knowledge, this is only the second such reported case.

Schwannoma of the scrotum: case report and review of the literature.

Schwannomas are benign nerve sheath tumors composed of Schwann cells, which normally produce the insulating myelin sheath covering the peripheral nerves. Common locations include the head, neck, mediastinum, and retroperitoneum. These tumors are usually asymptomatic until they become large and compress the surrounding tissues. Most schwannomas occur during the third and fourth decades of life, with an equal gender distribution. We present the case of a schwannoma that originated in the scrotum.

Spindle cell lipoma breast

Spindle cell lipoma, which usually arises in the soft tissues, is rare in breast and is difficult to differentiate from primary mammary spindle cell tumor. Here, we present the case of a 48-year-old woman with a 3-cm, solitary, well-circumscribed and nontethered mass lying deep within the tissue of left breast, incidentally detected on routine mammography. The spindle cells proved to be immunoreactive to CD 34, but nonreactive to desmin and smooth muscle actin.

Tear film and ocular surface dysfunction in diabetes mellitus in an Indian population

Purpose: Ophthalmic complications in diabetes such as retinopathy, cataract, and infections have been extensively studied. Recently, attention has been drawn toward ocular surface changes in diabetes mellitus (DM). This study has been carried out to investigate the tear film and ocular surface abnormalities in type II DM patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 83 participants (130 eyes) were enrolled: 53 diabetics (80 eyes) and 30 healthy controls (50 eyes). Of the 53 diabetics, 24 patients (42 eyes) had some diabetic retinopathy. The tear film and ocular surface were evaluated using Schirmer test, tear film break-up time (TBUT), keratoepitheliopathy score (KES), Rose Bengal Staining (RBS) test, and conjunctival impression cytology. Results: When compared with the healthy controls, diabetics showed significantly reduced Schirmer, TBUT measurements and the higher grades of KES and RBS test (P < 0.001). Impression cytology analysis showed goblet cell loss and conjunctival squamous metaplasia in diabetics. Conclusion: Tear film abnormality is a significant feature of diabetic ocular surface diseases. These abnormalities are likely on account of poor quality and function of tears, combined with the subnormal ocular surface. Therefore, all diabetic patients especially those with evidence of retinopathy changes should undergo routine early examination and follow-up of tear function and ocular surface parameters.

Disseminated cysticercosis incidentally diagnosed in a patient of fracture shaft of femur

Cysticercosis is caused by the larval form of Taenia solium tape worm, cysticercus cellulose. The life cycle of T. solium consists of 2 host, the definite host is a man who harbours the adult forms of the worm in the intestine, while the intermediate host is the pig, where the larval form (cysticercus cellulose) is found in the skeletal muscle. Cysticercosis develops when human beings incidentally become the intermediate host and the eggs mature within their small intestine. The route of entry of the eggs into the human intestine may occur through autoinfection or by ingestion of contaminated food or water. Further, these eggs develop into the larval form which spread throughout the intestinal wall and are disseminated by the blood stream to brain, muscles, subcutaneous tissues or any other organ. Until now, only 50 cases of disseminated forms have been reported in the literature, with the majority of the cases being from Indian subcontinent. Regarding the clinical presentations, symptoms usually depend on the location, size and number of cysts in the involved lesion. However, it may present occasionally with dementia, muscular hypertrophy or subcutaneous nodules with relative absence of focal neurological signs or raised intracranial pressure. We, here, report a case of disseminated cysticercosis, detected incidentally in a man aged 52 years who presented with an open fracture of the right femur.

Pituitary adenoma: A case report with special emphasis on approach to diagnosis

Pituitary tumors are common in sellar area. The prevalence of clinically apparent pituitary lesions is estimated to comprise approximately 10% of all intracranial lesions, while incidental pituitary tumors are detected in approximately 11% of individuals at autopsy. Pituitary tumors are mostly found to be benign adenomas, however pituitary carcinoma has been reported to comprise about 0.5% of pituitary tumors. Pituitary adenomas are associated with an immense diversity in their endocrine manifestations secondary to hypo or hyperfunction of pituitary gland and ophthalmological manifestations due to mass effect. Progress in the diagnostic examination of pituitary adenomas and advances in the treatment of these tumors offers excellent prospects for a successful therapeutic outcome. We hereby discuss a case of pituitary macro-adenoma in a young adult male and review the recent advances in the classification and diagnosis of pituitary adenoma.

Ovarian Yolk Sac Tumor with Granulomatous Reaction Resembling Tuberculosis - A Unique Presentation.

Abstract Yolk sac tumors (endodermal sinus tumors) are an important subgroup of germ cell tumors of the ovary. They are seen in young females and are highly aggressive, but respond well to treatment. Although different morphological patterns can be seen on light microscopy, granulomatous reaction and giant cells are a very rare occurrence. We report the case of a young female with ovarian yolk-sac tumor in which a widespread granulomatous reaction was seen, causing a diagnostic dilemma.

Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Disease-Diagnostic Approach by Radiology and Histopathology

Aims and objective: This study aims at evaluating the patients of diffuse parenchymal lung disease (DPLD), by comparing radiological and cyto-histopathological findings to determine the importance of histopathology in the diagnosis of DPLD. Materials and methods: Seventy patients with chief complaints of dyspnoea & cough and bilateral diffuse shadows on chest radiography were selected. High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and bronchoscopy was done for further assessment. Results: Out of 70 patients, 44 were finally diagnosed on the basis of bronchoscopic findings, as usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) 24 cases (54.5%) and as non UIP in 20 cases (45.5%). Two cases of UIP additionally suffered from bronchogenic carcinoma. Conclusion: A combination of clinical, radiological, cytological and histological findings is necessary to evaluate the cases of DPLD and transbronchial needle biopsy (TBNB) gives a definitive edge over other diagnostic measures.