Tej Bali Singh

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.

Serum prolidase activity and oxidative stress in diabetic nephropathy and end stage renal disease: a correlative study with glucose and creatinine.

Association of oxidative stress and serum prolidase activity (SPA) has been reported in many chronic diseases. The study was aimed at evaluating the correlation of glucose and creatinine to SPA and oxidative stress in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN) and end stage renal disease (ESRD) concerned with T2DM. 50 healthy volunteers, 50 patients with T2DM, 86 patients with DN, and 43 patients with ESRD were considered as control-1, control-2, case-1, and case-2, respectively. Blood glucose, creatinine, SPA, total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were measured by colorimetric tests. SPA, TOS, and OSI were significantly increased in case-1 and case-2 than control-1 and control-2, while TAS was significantly decreased (P < 0.001). Blood glucose was linearly correlated to SPA, TOS, TAS, and OSI in control-2, case-1 and case-2 (P < 0.001). Serum creatinine was linearly correlated with SPA, TOS, TAS and OSI in control-2 and case-1 (P < 0.001). In case-2, serum creatinine was significantly correlated with SPA only (P < 0.001). Thus, the study concluded that SPA and oxidative stress significantly correlated with blood glucose and creatinine. SPA, TOS, TAS, and OSI can be used as biomarkers for diagnosis of kidney damage.

Fresh Water Cyanobacteria Geitlerinema sp. CCC728 and Arthrospira sp. CCC729 as an Anticancer Drug Resource

An increasing number of cancer patients worldwide, especially in third world countries, have raised concern to explore natural drug resources, such as the less explored fresh water filamentous cyanobacteria. Six strains of cyanobacteria (Phormidium sp. CCC727, Geitlerinema sp. CCC728, Arthrospira sp. CCC729, Phormidium sp. CCC731, Phormidium sp. CCC730, and Leptolyngbya sp. CCC732) were isolated (paddy fields and ponds in the Banaras Hindu University, campus) and five strains screened for anticancer potential using human colon adenocarcinoma (HT29) and human kidney adenocarcinoma (A498) cancer cell lines. Geitlerinema sp. CCC728 and Arthrospira sp. CCC729 were the most potent as determined by examination of morphological features and by inhibition of growth by graded concentrations of crude extracts and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) eluates. Cell cycle analysis and multiplex assays using cancer biomarkers also confirmed Geitlerinema sp. CCC728 and Arthrospira sp. CCC729 as cancer drug resources. Apoptotic studies in the cells of A498 (cancer) and MCF-10A (normal human epithelial) exposed to crude extracts and TLC fractions revealed no significant impact on MCF-10A cells emphasizing its importance in the development of anticancer drug. Identification of biomolecules from these extracts are in progress.

Plasma Prolidase Activity and Oxidative Stress in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

Prolidase deficiency has been related to mental retardation and oxidative stress. The study aimed to observe plasma prolidase activity (PPA), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) in patients with Parkinsons disease (PD). 240 subjects with PD and 150 healthy volunteers were considered as cases and controls, respectively. PPA, TOS, TAS, and OSI were measured spectrophotometrically. PPA and TAS in cases were more significantly decreased than controls (P < 0.01), while TOS and OSI were significantly increased (P < 0.001). In cases, nonsignificant, positive correlation was observed between PPA and TOS and OSI while significant, negative correlation was observed between PPA and TAS (P = 0.047). PPA in cases was nonsignificantly decreased with increased duration of PD (P = 0.747) while TAS was significantly decreased (P < 0.001) and TOS and OSI were significantly increased (P < 0.001). It was observed that higher age groups had decreased PPA, and TAS and increased TOS and OSI compared to lower age groups in cases. In summary, patients with PD have decreased PPA and increased oxidative stress compared to healthy volunteers. PPA was associated with oxidative stress markers in patients with PD. Decreased PPA and TAS and increased TOS and OSI were associated with progression of disease and higher age.

Oxidative stress in children with neurocysticercosis.

Background: Free radicals can cause neuronal injury and play an important role in pathogenesis of neurocysticercosis. This study was done to evaluate oxidative stress (antioxidants and oxidants) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of children with neurocysticercosis and to observe their correlation with the type of seizure and outcome. Methods: Forty consecutive confirmed cases of neurocysticercosis were evaluated for their markers of reactive oxygen species, that is, oxidants (malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl and nitrite) and antioxidant (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, ceruloplasmin, ascorbic acid, copper and zinc) concentrations in CSF. An equal number of children, age and sex matched with an idiopathic generalized tonic-clonic seizure, were studied as controls. Results: Generalized tonic-clonic seizure (65%) was the most common presentation, and a single ring-enhancing lesion in the parietal lobe was the most common finding in cranial imaging. Oxidants such as malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl and nitrite in CSF were significantly elevated (P < 0.001), whereas antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, ceruloplasmin, ascorbic acid, copper and zinc levels were significantly lower (P < 0.001) in children with neurocysticercosis than in controls. There were insignificant differences in oxidant and antioxidant value in CSF in relation to the type of seizure, number and location of lesion in cerebral cortex and antiepileptic therapy. Conclusion: The significantly elevated malondialdehyde, nitrite and protein carbonyl values reflect increased oxidative stress, whereas decreased concentrations of glutathione peroxidase, ascorbic acid, zinc, copper, ceruloplasmin and superoxide dismutase point toward utilization of the antioxidants in neurocysticercosis. The observed changes in oxidants and antioxidants suggest the production of reactive oxygen species such as superoxide, hydrogen peroxides and hydroxyl radicals and their possible role in pathogenesis of neurocysticercosis.

Drug resistance in Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi isolated from chronic typhoid carriers

The authors thank the institutions that form the Colombian osocomial Resistance Study Group (CNRSG): C. de las Américas; . General del Norte; H. Central de la Policía; H. Federico Lleras costa; H. General de Medellín; H. Pablo Tobón Uribe; H. Universiario San Jorge; H. Militar Central; C. Fundación Valle del Lilí; and . Universitario de Santander. Funding: This work was supported by Merck Sharp & Dohme, anssen-Cilag SA, Pfizer SA, AstraZeneca Colombia SA, Merck olombia, Novartis and Baxter SA, which contributed to formaion of the network of institutions of the Colombian Nosocomial esistance Study Group (CNRSG). Competing interests: JPQ is an employee of AstraZeneca Waltham, MA); MVV has received consulting fees and research rants from MSD, Pfizer SA, Janssen-Cilag SA, Novartis, Merck olombia and AstraZeneca Colombia SA. All other authors declare o competing interests. Ethical approval: Not required.

Arginase activity in carcinoma of the gallbladder: a pilot study.

Carcinoma of the gallbladder is the third most common cancer of the gastrointestinal tract. Recent studies have shown increased arginase activity in various malignancies. The main aim of this study was to evaluate whether arginase activity increases in carcinoma of the gallbladder. The arginase activity was evaluated in serum and gallbladder tissue in 22 patients with histologically proven carcinoma of the gallbladder and 20 patients with cholecystitis using spectrophotometry and western blot assay. The Students t-test, analysis of variance, and Student–Newman–Keuls test were used for comparison of data and for statistical significance. The mean tissue arginase and serum arginase activity (118.64±17.45 and 15.91±1.91, respectively) in cases of carcinoma of the gallbladder were significantly higher in comparison with cholecystitis (86.37±4.45 and 12.73±0.72, respectively). Subgroup analysis showed stage III gallbladder carcinoma had the maximum tissue arginase activity (142.00±21.68 U/g of tissue) followed by stage II (124.15±19.88) and stage I (108.46±6.73). This significant rise in mean tissue arginase and serum arginase activity in patients with gallbladder cancer probably supports an association between arginase activity and the malignancy.

Role of nicotine in gallbladder carcinoma: A preliminary report

To assess the role of nicotine in gallbladder carcinoma and its association with the stage and degree of cancer differentiation.

Is north Indian population changing it craniofacial form? A study of secular trends in craniometric indices and its relation to sex and ancestry estimation

Objectives: Ancestry and sex estimation using craniometric indices is an important aspect of skeletal identification process, as it limits the number of antemortem records used to compare with a postmortem profile and establish a positive identification. These indices are also affected by secular or temporal changes. So the aim of the study to explore the usefulness of indices for sex and ancestry estimation in North Indian population and effect of secular changes on these indices. Materials and methods: In present study two temporally different skull samples of the North Indian population have been taken and eighteen craniometric indices were calculated on the basis of 17 craniofacial measurements for both sexes to examine the temporal changes and their use in ancestry and sexual differenciation. Contemporary sample comprised of 158 skulls (110 male; 48 females) and subrecent 325 skulls (206 males and 119 females) with an age range of 20-68 years. Results: Craniofacial measurements showed significantly higher values in contemporary males and females. In males highly significant secular/temporal changes were observed in orbital index and transverse frontal index and to a lesser extent in foraman magnum and gnathic index. In females, highly significant differences were observed in cranial, vertical, auriculo vertical and longitudinal craniofacial index. Discussion: There is a lot of variability in Indian and non Indian populations so these indices can be used for ancestry estimation but not for sex discrimination due to poor classification rate. Moreover, the causes of these temporal variations with other issues have also been discussed. Correspondence to: Vineeta Saini, Saini Sadan, Sector 12 A, Gurgaon, Haryana 122001, India, 221005, E-mail: vineetasaini2012@gmail.com

ABO & Rh (D) Phenotypes and Alleles in the Patients with Parkinson’s Disease among the North Indian Population

Aim: Recent studies have pointed the association of blood groups with cognitive impairment and dementia. This study was planned to find the frequencies of ABO, Rh (D) alleles and examine the effect of their phenotype in the patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in north Indian population. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry with the association of Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), India for the period of September-2011 to August-2015. Study Design: ABO and Rh alleles were determined in 240 patients with PD and 940 healthy individuals, which were selected as cases and controls respectively. Blood groups typing were Original Research Article Verma et al.; IBRR, 6(1): 1-6, 2016; Article no.IBRR.26866 2 done with rapid slide method. Allelic frequencies were calculated by using HardyWeinberg principle. Results: ChiSquare (χ) test was significant for the comparison of various ABO blood groups in between cases and controls (P < 0.001). According to Z-test of proportion, the frequencies of phenotype A, B and allele I were not significantly altered in cases as compared to controls (P > 0.05). While, frequencies of phenotype AB and allele I were significantly increased and frequency of phenotype O and allele I were significantly decreased (all P < 0.01). The observed phenotypes of Rh (D) blood groups and frequencies of allele D and d were not significantly altered in cases when compared with controls (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Study showed the increased frequencies of phenotypes B, AB and alleles I along with decreased frequencies of phenotype O and allele I among the patients with PD than normal population. It seems that the phenotypes AB and allele I may have the risk against the development of Parkinson’s disease; while phenotype O and allele I may have the protective action.