Primary cutaneous lymphoma of scalp in a child: a case report

Cutaneous lymphomas are a heterogenous group of lymphoproliferative disorders with involvement of skin and form a separate group under Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Skin may be involved along with other organs but if the initial manifestation is in the skin, it is referred to as primary cutaneous lymphoma (PCL). One year eight months child brought with a scalp swelling of three months duration. Histopathology revealed a lymphoma and immuno- histochemistry studies were positive for T-cell lymphoma. The case is presented due to the rarity of primary cutaneous lymphoma at the age of one year eight months

Study of conjunctival impression cytology in assessing goblet cell density in dry eyes

Background: Dry eye is a chronic multi-factorial condition characterized by disturbances in the tear film and ocular surface with a decrease in goblet cells which can be assessed by conjunctival impression cytology (CIC) which is as effective as biopsy for diagnostic purposes. It helps establish not only the diagnosis of dry eye but also aids in grading the severity. This is a highly sensitive method to detect pathological changes in the conjunctival surface and confirm the clinical diagnosis. The aim of the study was to determine the goblet cell density by impression cytology, grading the severity of dry eyes and comparing the study with other studies.Methods: Study was conducted for a period of 2 yrs from August 2011 to July 2013 in 80 patients above 20 yrs age with clinically established diagnosis of dry eye who were subjected to conjunctival imprint cytology and stained with PAS to estimate he goblet cell density.Results: Out of the 80 cases of dry eye studied 45 were females and 35 were males with a female to male ratio of 1.28: 1 with a slight female preponderance. Age of the patients ranged from 21yrso 73 yrs. CIC showed positivity in 43 cases (53.75%) and negative in 37 cases (46.25%). 39 cases (90.70%) of positive CIC were above the age of 40 years.Conclusions: Dry eyes were found to be more common in age group above 40yrs with slight female preponderance. CIC showed decreased goblet cell density with increasing age in clinically diagnosed dry eyes

Primary monophasic synovial sarcoma, a rare pulmonary mesenchymal neoplasm: report of a case with review of literature

Synovial sarcoma is an uncommon malignant soft tissue tumour which occurs primarily in young adults. It most commonly occurs in the extremities near large joints, particularly the knee joint. Primary pulmonary synovial sarcoma has only occasionally been reported in the literature. We report a case of primary pulmonary monophasic synovial sarcoma in a 23 year old male patient presenting with recent onset of hemoptysis, cough and expectoration. Although an uncommon primary site, the characteristic histological and immunohistochemical features, and fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis for the characteristic (X;18) translocation, with thorough clinical and imaging correlation allowed a definitive diagnosis of primary pulmonary monophasic sarcoma. The mainstay of treatment for these unusual tumours remains complete surgical excision followed by adjuvant radiation and/or chemotherapy

Splenic artery aneurysm: a case report with review of literature

Splenic Artery Aneurysm (SAA) is very rare in occurrence and they occur in approximately 1% of the population and are usually an incidental finding,but the necropsy studies have given rates as high as 10%. For its rarity in occurrence  here we present a case of splenic artery aneurysm in a 40 year old alcoholic presenting with upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding. He was diagnosed as splenic artery aneurysm on CT scan and confirmed by laparotomy and pathological examination

PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL, PHARMACOGNOSTIC AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF ERANTHEMUM NIGRUM LEAF

Objective: To analyze the pharmacognostic characteristics and physiochemical parameters of the leaves of Eranthemum nigrum (E. nigrum). Methods: Microscopic characters and powder analysis had been carried out with the help of a microscope. The physiochemical properties such as loss on drying, total ash value, acid insoluble ash value, water soluble ash value, extractive values and fluorescence of E. nigrum had been performed. Results: Macroscopically, the leaves are simple, elliptical in shape, dull with smooth margins and acute apex. Microscopically, the leaf showed the presence of epidermal cells with uniseriate multicellular covering trichomes and diacytic stomata, followed by 4-6 layered collenchymatous cells and 10-14 numbered conjoint, collateral closed vascular bundles are some of the diagnostic characteristics observed from an anatomical study. Powder microscopy of leaf revealed the presence of uniseriate multicellular covering trichomes, lignified xylem vessels, epidermis with diacytic stomata and parenchyma cells. The investigations also included leaf surface data i.e., quantitative leaf microscopy and fluorescence analysis. Physiochemical parameters such as loss on drying, extractive values and ash values were also determined. Preliminary phytochemical screening showed the presence of steroids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, carbohydrates, glycosides, amino acids and proteins. Conclusion: The morphological, microscopical and physicochemical parameter results provided in this paper may be utilized as a basis for the preparation of a monograph on E. nigrum leaves

Patterns of epithelial cell abnormalities in Pap smears and its clinicopathological and demographic association: a descriptive study from Visakhapatnam city, Andhra Pradesh, India

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the leading cancers amongst women. Periodic pap screening is the simplest way to diagnose precancerous lesions. Factors such as ignorance, poverty poorly developed public healthcare delivery system put women in urban slums at a disadvantage for receiving any health screening activity. Objectives of the present study were to know the prevalence of epithelial cell abnormalities of the cervix among the subjects and to study the association with clinical and demographic characteristics.Methods: A camp based descriptive study was conducted in an urban ward. All women above the age of 20 years were included in the study. Data was recorded using a pretested questionnaire. Study variables included socio-demographic characteristics, symptoms of reproductive tract infection, findings of clinical examination, and Pap smear collection and evaluation. The latter was done from 194 women aged between 20-69 years. Pap smears were made by conventional Pap smear technique and reported according to The Revised Bethesda System of classification 2001(TBS).Results: Among the 194 women, in 8 subjects, the smears collected were unsatisfactory for evaluation. Analysis was done in the remaining 186 subjects. Among the latter, in 83.9%, the smears were negative for intraepithelial lesions (NIEL) and 16.1% revealed epithelial cell abnormalities (ECA). Among those with ECA, Atypical cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) was identified in 66.67%, Low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions(LSIL) in 16.67%, Atypical squamous cells-cannot exclude HSIL (ASC-H) and Atypical glandular cells-not otherwise specified (AGC-NOS) in 6.67% each and High grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) in 3.33%. Epithelial cell abnormalities were more common in women in the age group of 30-60 years (80%), they were more common in those with age at marriage between 13-18 years (63.3%) and in those with age at first child birth between 15-19 years (56.7%). Conclusions: Therefore there is a need for Pap screening at regular intervals through camp based approach in these populations to motivate the women, increase their awareness, ensure follow up and referral and timely intervention in appropriate cases.

PHARMACOGNOSTIC STUDY OF GOMPHRENA SERRATA STEM

Objective: To analyze the pharmacognostic characteristics and physiochemical parameters of the stem of Gomphrena serrata (G. Serrata). Methods: Micro, as well as macroscopic characteristics, were investigated. Physicochemical parameters had been done by implementing WHO suggested parameters; preliminary phytochemical and fluorescent evaluation of stem was executed for appropriate identification and standardization. Results: The color, shape, size, odor, and surface characteristics were reported from the stem and powdered stem material of G. serrata. Light microscope images of cross section and powdered stem revealed the presence of multicellular uniseriate trichomes, lignified xylem fibers, xylem vessels and parenchyma cell. Phytochemical testing confirmed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, saponins, tannins, proteins, amino acids, phytosterols, and flavonoids. Physicochemical parameters such as moisture content, ash value, extractive value and fluorescent behavior of stem powder have also been established Conclusion: The current research would be useful in order to supplement the information regarding standardization, identity and in performing additional explorations in Ayurvedic system of medicine

Delivering community-led integrated HIV and sexual and reproductive health services for sex workers: A mixed methods evaluation of the DIFFER study in Mysore, South India.

IntroductionWomen in developing countries continue to face barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, with marginalized women facing increased challenges to accessing care. The Diagonal Interventions to Fast-Forward Enhanced Reproductive Health (DIFFER) project implemented a package of interventions for female sex workers and women from the general population which integrated horizontal health services for the general population with existing vertical targeted interventions aimed at sex workers with an aim to improve SRH and HIV services. We present an outcome evaluation of the DIFFER project in terms of uptake rates for SRH services among sex workers in Mysore, India.MethodsAshodaya Samithi, a sex worker-led organization, implemented the DIFFER strategy through their community-based clinic and a Well Women Clinic (WWC), established at a partner private hospital that provided SRH services for women living with HIV. Mixed methods were used to evaluate the intervention that included a baseline (2012-13) and end of project (2015-16) cross sectional surveys (CSS), focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews, and analysis of service statistics from 2013-2016.ResultsThe CSS found that condom use, STI testing, and treatment were high before, and throughout the intervention; cervical cancer screening and treatment increased significantly, from 11.5% to 56% (aOR 9.85, pConclusionThe DIFFER strategy demonstrated that SRH service uptake can occur in conjuction with HIV services offered to sex workers. This model of integrated service delivery has been accepted by policy makers and needs further analysis for scaling up