Evaluation of tumour associated macrophages in different histopathological types and grades of canine mammary tumours

Canine mammary tumours (CMTs) are the second highest reported tumours in female dogs, following skin tumours. Human breast cancers (HBCs) and CMTs share common clinical and molecular features and hence, CMTs are considered as ideal models to study the different aspects of HBC. The study utilised samples from 25 CMT suspected cases presented to University Veterinary Hospitals in Thrissur district from December 2020 to October 2021. The tumour samples were analysed histopathologically and the lesions were classified. Among the 25 cases, one was identified as ductal hyperplasia, one as a benign myxoma and all the others were found to be malignant neoplasms. Malignant tumours were further categorised into different histotypes.Histological Malignancy Grading (HMG) was also done in 23 malignant CMTs and 21.74 percent were found to be of grade I, 47.83 per cent were grade II and 30.43 per cent were grade III. Majority of the malignant tumours were simple carcinomas which comprised tubulopapillary, ductal, cribriform, solid and comedocarcinomas. Highly aggressive tumours like cribriform, solid, comedo and inflammatory carcinomas belonged to higher grades, either II or III. Infiltration of tumour associated macrophages (TAMs) was studied in different histotypes and grades of CMTs. It was identified that malignant high grade CMTs had greater TAM infiltration and hence, with further validation TAMs could be effectively used in predicting prognosis and also as a therapeutic target

A peer-support lifestyle intervention for preventing type 2 diabetes in India: A cluster-randomized controlled trial of the Kerala Diabetes Prevention Program.

BACKGROUND: The major efficacy trials on diabetes prevention have used resource-intensive approaches to identify high-risk individuals and deliver lifestyle interventions. Such strategies are not feasible for wider implementation in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a peer-support lifestyle intervention in preventing type 2 diabetes among high-risk individuals identified on the basis of a simple diabetes risk score. METHODS AND FINDINGS: The Kerala Diabetes Prevention Program was a cluster-randomized controlled trial conducted in 60 polling areas (clusters) of Neyyattinkara taluk (subdistrict) in Trivandrum district, Kerala state, India. Participants (age 30-60 years) were those with an Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS) ≥60 and were free of diabetes on an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). A total of 1,007 participants (47.2% female) were enrolled (507 in the control group and 500 in the intervention group). Participants from intervention clusters participated in a 12-month community-based peer-support program comprising 15 group sessions (12 of which were led by trained lay peer leaders) and a range of community activities to support lifestyle change. Participants from control clusters received an education booklet with lifestyle change advice. The primary outcome was the incidence of diabetes at 24 months, diagnosed by an annual OGTT. Secondary outcomes were behavioral, clinical, and biochemical characteristics and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). A total of 964 (95.7%) participants were followed up at 24 months. Baseline characteristics of clusters and participants were similar between the study groups. After a median follow-up of 24 months, diabetes developed in 17.1% (79/463) of control participants and 14.9% (68/456) of intervention participants (relative risk [RR] 0.88, 95% CI 0.66-1.16, p = 0.36). At 24 months, compared with the control group, intervention participants had a greater reduction in IDRS score (mean difference: -1.50 points, p = 0.022) and alcohol use (RR 0.77, p = 0.018) and a greater increase in fruit and vegetable intake (≥5 servings/day) (RR 1.83, p = 0.008) and physical functioning score of the HRQoL scale (mean difference: 3.9 score, p = 0.016). The cost of delivering the peer-support intervention was US$22.5 per participant. There were no adverse events related to the intervention. We did not adjust for multiple comparisons, which may have increased the overall type I error rate. CONCLUSIONS: A low-cost community-based peer-support lifestyle intervention resulted in a nonsignificant reduction in diabetes incidence in this high-risk population at 24 months. However, there were significant improvements in some cardiovascular risk factors and physical functioning score of the HRQoL scale. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12611000262909

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Not AvailableThe starch content (dry weight basis) from Curcuma amada Roxb., C. aromatica Salisb., C. caesia Roxb., and C. xanthorrhiza Roxb. was 45.24-48.48% (w/w), and the four species differed significantly in terms of ash content and the swelling power, solubility, and water-holding capacity of starch. Curcuma amada recorded the maximum swelling power, solubility, and waterholding capacity, whereas C. caesia recorded the lowest values for these parameters. Scanning electron micrographs revealed variation in the shape and size of starch granules as follows. Curcuma amada: oval to elliptical with a smooth surface, 16-48µm long and 11-26,µm wide; C. aromatica: oval to elliptical, flat with concentric rings on the surface, 9-60,µm long and 6-24,µm wide; C. caesia: round to oval with a smooth surface, 1O-39,lim long and 9-23,lim wide; C. xanthorrhiza: elongated, 9-47,µm long and 8-23,µm wideNot Availabl

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Not AvailableAn attempt was made to study the effect of three different maturity stages (90 days after planting, 140 days after planting and 180 days after planting) on growth, yield and quality of two Curcuma species viz., Curcuma aromatica Salisb. and Curcuma amada Roxb. Plant height, yield and dry recovery showed considerable variation over three growth stages. The two species differed significantly for plant height, dry recovery, yield, oil, curcumin and starch between the species as well as among the growth stages. The Species and growth stage interaction was also found to be significant. Fresh yield, dry recovery and starch gradually increased in both the species. Significant accumulation of photosynthate was evident even after 140 days of planting. Though the two species behaved more or less uniformly for all the aerial growth attributes, yield and starch, differential behavior of the two species was observed for curcumin, essential oil and protein content.Not Availabl

Giant cell arteritis causing annuloaortic ectasia

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a rare cause of ascending aortic aneurysm. We present here a 50-year-old patient who was clinically diagnosed with annuloaortic ectasia. She was successfully treated by Bentall′s operation. Histopathologically, the findings were of GCA. GCA should be suspected when older women presented with aortic aneurysm and continued surveillance of remaining aorta is necessary

Service users' perspectives on free legal aid services in India

Background of the Study: Free legal aid clinics (LACs) are functioning in few hospitals in India under the provision of Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. Currently, no literatures are available on the service user's (SUs) perspectives on services at free LACs. Methodology: The current study aimed to understand the perspective of SUs of free LAC working at National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, India. Forty SUs were randomly selected, their records were examined, and they were contacted over the phone to understand their perspectives on availed services from LAC. Results: Authors could contact and completed telephonic interviews with 32 SUs. Majority (53.1%) were diagnosed with psychiatric disorders and intellectual disability. They approached LAC for various legal issues related to property, labor laws, mental health act, family/marital issues, and others. Legal advices and referrals to appropriate centers were the few among the various services offered. Telephonic calls to understand perspectives of SUs showed; legal problems solved (15.6%), in the process (37.5%), not solved (15.6%), and yet to start the legal process (31.3%). Majority (87.5%) reported LAC service is useful, 65.6% were able to follow the instructions, 56.3% reported that they do not require any additional help, and 96.9% reported that they will recommend LAC service to others. An average score of 7.72 (±1.67) on visual analog scale was rated by the SUs which indicated high satisfaction. Conclusion: Free legal aid services are essential in hospitals, especially in psychiatric hospitals, to protect legal rights, and to address legal issues of the poorer sections in the society