Megakaryocyte in Peripheral Blood Smears – A Report of Two Cases

Myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), a clonal hematopoietic stem-cell disorder, results from the proliferation of one or more hematopoietic series of cells like erythroid, granulocytic or megakaryocytic series. Megakaryocytes (MGK) are large polypoidal cells seen within bone marrow aspirate (BMA) smears. We are presenting here two cases of MGK in peripheral blood smears (PBS), one with MPN and the other in a case of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with blast crisis. MGK in PBS is rare and is not always associated with neoplasm. It can be due to increased MGK differentiation due to reactive etiology

Flow Cytometer: The Need of Modern Hematology Laboratory

Indeed, laboratory diagnosis is rapidly changing from what it was in the past to the present. Nowadays, flow cytometer (FCM) has become a novel introduction to the modern diagnostic technique, mainly in the field of hematology. In case of acute leukemia, peripheral blood, bone marrow examination, cytochemistry and immunohistochemistry for differentiation of myeloid or lymphoid lineage is required, which is feasible by flow cytometry. It has dramatically improved the diagnostic efficiency and reduced the duration of sampling along with better diagnostic outcomes as well as provided efficient therapeutic monitoring of any drug or drug regimen. It has also opened some more sensitive therapeutic plans, like monitoring “Minimal residual disease (MRD)”, which is not possible without FCM. Detection of MRD has led to improved overall survival of patients. It has also opened up huge opportunities for research, which has become an important part of academic curriculum nowadays. Considering the importance and absolute necessity for better outcomes in hematology, the knowledge of basic principle of FCM becomes indispensable. Here, we try to elucidate the elementary components of this technique and also highlight its uses.&nbsp

Improvement of renal profile in Gentamicin-induced Nephrotoxicity in albino wistar rats by edible macrofungi Dacryopinax spathularia and Schizophyllum commune

he present work has been taken to assess the pharmacological efficacy of two edible macrofungi Dacryopinax spathularia and Schizophyllum commune in the improvement of renal profile of Gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in albino wistar rats. The intra-peritoneal administration of gentamicin 80 mg/Kg Body Weight per day had resulted in alterations in renal function and renal damage which was reflected by abnormal and significant (p=0.05) increase in renal function parameters of blood like Urea, Creatinine, Uric Acid and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN). On administration of high dose (500 mg/Kg BW) of D. Spathularia extract to the nephrotoxic group of rats the concentration of urea, creatinine, uric acid and BUN significantly decreased from 104.26±7.45 to 76.27±7.24, 1.17±0.43 to 0.68±0.47, 3.68±1.34 to 2.58±0.56 and 48.72±4.36 to 31.14±3.76 respectively, in comparison to the nephrotoxic group of rats. On the other hand, the administration of high dose (500 mg/Kg BW) of S. commune extract to the nephrotoxic group of rats resulted into significant (p=0.05) decrease in the concentration of urea, creatinine, uric acid and BUN, from 104.26±7.45 to 51.42±6.15, 1.17±0.43 to 0.62±0.14, 3.68±1.34 to 2.36±0.74 and 48.72±4.36 to 28.65±3.85 respectively, in comparison to the nephrotoxic group of rats. The results also revealed that S. commune extract showed comparatively more efficacy in the renal profile improvement of nephrotoxic rats in comparison to the D. spathularia extract

Correlation of serology with morphological changes in gastric biopsy of H. pylori infection

Background: Helicobacter pylori is involved in many gastrodeudonal complications and many diagnostic tests are available for its identification. The present study was done with the objective to evaluate the morphological changes induced by H. pylori in the gastric mucosa and to correlate them with the severity of the infection.Methods: This study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital from July 2013 to June 2014. 60 patients with symptoms of dyspepsia and requiring an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were included in the study. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed on all patients. Hematoxylin and Eosin staining (H and E), modified Giemsa staining were performed on tissue sections and examined microscopically for gastritis and presence and absence of H. pylori.Results: Out of 60 patients, 33 were male and 27 were females. Serology by immunochromatography technique was positive in 41 patients. Serology was found to have a sensitivity and specificity of 90.90% and 59.25% respectively. H. pylori was positive in 28 cases on H and E. With a sensitivity and specificity of 84.84% and 100% respectively. H. pylori was positive in 33 cases on modified Giemsa with a sensitivity and specificity of 100%.Conclusions: Simultaneous morphologic and serological detection of H. pylori helps in its complete distribution and identification of its precancerous morphological nature

Role of CRISPR Technology in Gene Editing of Emerging and Re-emerging Vector Borne Disease

Vector borne diseases are rampant across the world. Due to spread and establishment of vector species in different geographical areas, vector adaptation and resistance towards many insecticides the only option left is vector control for various vector borne diseases. Recent advancement in the field of genome editing have provided a variety of tools like, CRISPR, a novel genome editing techniques which can be applied for the control and prevention of many deadly diseases like dengue, chikungunya, filariasis, Japanese encephalitis and Zika. The present chapter is aimed to discuss the recent advancement in genome editing tools such as, their application, challenges, and limitations in vector control. Additionally, this chapter would potentially be advantageous to understand the hurdles, knowledge gaps in eliminating vector borne disease

Methylotroph bacteria and cellular metabolite carotenoid alleviate ultraviolet radiation-driven abiotic stress in plants

Increasing UV radiation in the atmosphere due to the depletion of ozone layer is emerging abiotic stress for agriculture. Although plants have evolved to adapt to UV radiation through different mechanisms, but the role of phyllosphere microorganisms in counteracting UV radiation is not well studied. The current experiment was undertaken to evaluate the role of phyllosphere Methylobacteria and its metabolite in the alleviation of abiotic stress rendered by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. A potential pink pigmenting methylotroph bacterium was isolated from the phylloplane of the rice plant (oryzae sativa). The 16S rRNA gene sequence of the bacterium was homologous to the Methylobacter sp. The isolate referred to as Methylobacter sp N39, produced beta-carotene at a rate (μg ml–1 d–1) of 0.45–3.09. Biosynthesis of beta-carotene was stimulated by brief exposure to UV for 10 min per 2 days. Carotenoid biosynthesis was predicted as y = 3.09 × incubation period + 22.151 (r2 = 0.90). The carotenoid extract of N39 protected E. coli from UV radiation by declining its death rate from 14.67% min–1 to 4.30% min–1 under UV radiation. Application of N39 cells and carotenoid extract also protected rhizobium (Bradyrhizobium japonicum) cells from UV radiation. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that the carotenoid extracts protected E. coli cells from UV radiation. Foliar application of either N39 cells or carotenoid extract enhanced the plant’s (Pigeon pea) resistance to UV irradiation. This study highlight that Methylobacter sp N39 and its carotenoid extract can be explored to manage UV radiation stress in agriculture