Fluoride Anticoagulant Vials are Ideal for HbA1c Estimation in India

In developing country like India fasting (FBS) and post prandial blood sugar (PPBS) has always been used for diagnosing diabetes. HbA1c is seldom used for diagnosis. Almost all HbA1c test accompanies blood sugar tests, and only in 4.56% HbA1c is done alone. In this case two samples need to be collected one in Na‑fluoride/Na2 EDTA vials for blood sugar estimation and another in EDTA vial for HbA1c. We suggest through our study that the same Na‑fluoride/Na2 EDTA vials can be used for both the tests, without any change in test quality and results. This will reduce patients inconveniences and will also reduce the cost of HbA1c tests to a certain extent. [Med-Science 2015; 4(4.000): 2975-7

Vascular Cyst of Adrenal: A Report of Two Cases

Vascular cysts of the adrenal gland are rare heterogeneous group of lesions with an autopsy incidence of 0.06%. They have female preponderance with most common presentation being pain abdomen. Cysts of the adrenal glands are classified as (a) parasitic cysts (b) epithelial cyst (c) pseudocyst and (d) endothelial cysts. Out of these endothelial cysts constitute about 84% of the cases. As the clinical features and radiological findings of these lesions are nonspecific, a proper histological examination along with immunohistochemistry are necessary for a definitive diagnosis. Here, we report two cases of vascular endothelial cyst of the adrenal gland to emphasize the histomorphological and immunohistochemical features of these lesions

Synchronous existence of granular cell tumor and small cell carcinoma of lung: An unusual entity

Granular cell tumor (GCT) is a rare benign mesenchymal tumor that uncommonly occurs in the lung and tracheobronchial tree. Small cell carcinoma of lung is a centrally located malignant neoplasm that commonly occurs in elderly smokers. Concomitant existence of both the neoplasm in lung is extremely rare with only one reported case in the literature. Few rare combinations of GCT with other primary bronchogenic carcinomas have also been reported. Clinical symptoms depend upon the site and size of the tumor. Definitive diagnosis is by histopathological and proper immunohistochemical analysis. Identification of this entity is important as treatment requires individual therapy protocols that depend on the presence of metastasis, location of the tumors, and type of bronchogenic carcinoma

Asymptomatic intraperitoneal ascariasis: Importance of diagnostic laparoscopy

Migration of Ascaris from intestine into peritoneal cavity is rare and usually presents as acute abdomen. We report a case of 41-year-old male who was admitted for laparoscopic mesh rectopexy for rectal prolapse. During the initial laparoscopy, purulent fluid was seen in pelvis. A complete diagnostic laparoscopy was done. An omental nodule was found, which was excised and extracted in a bag. On histopathology, the omental nodule revealed gravid Ascaris lumbricoides

Distribution Study of the Different Forms of Soil Acidity and Available Nutrients in Upper Brahmaputra Valley Zone (UBVZ) of Assam

Soil acidity is a major constraint that affect crop growth and production in larger aspect. The objective of the study is to characterize different forms of soil acidity components in relation to the soil properties. So, 14 georeferenced soil samples were collected from Jorhat and Sibsagar district of Assam. The soils of UBVZ of Assam were highly to moderately acidic (pH range 4.27 to 5.34) with sandy loam to silty clay loam in texture and high content of organic carbon ranged from 0.72 to 2.59%. The exchangeable Ca and Mg value ranged from 1.40-2.64 cmol(p+)/kg and 0.7-2.0 cmol(p+)/kg, respectively with CEC from 7.8 to 14.2 cmol(p+)/kg and BS from 25.03 to 43.76%. Correlation between soil physico-chemical properties and soil acidity components revealed that OC had positive correlation with total acidity (r = 0.638*) and exchange acidity (r = 0.551*) while BS% had negative significant correlation with total acidity (r = -0.540*). Exchangeable calcium was significantly correlated with total acidity (r = -0.751**), exchange acidity (r = -0.610*) and exchangeable H+ (r = -0.557*) while Ex Mg had significant negative correlation with exchangeable H+ (r=-0.596*). Deficiency of various nutrients in soil can hinder the yield productive prospects in future. So, we must think of the holistic approach to meet the present need of the nutrients

CBC parameters and morphological alterations in peripheral blood cells in COVID-19 patients: Their significance and correlation with clinical course

Background:SARS-CoV2  infection  induces inflammatory responses and acute lung injury in human beings.CBC and its derivatives are important investigative tools in its prognosis. However very few studies highlight the importance of Peripheral blood cell morphology in this disease.Aim:To Analyze significance of the CBC,  derived parameters and peripheral blood cells morphology in Covid-19 patients,and to study their correlation with its Clinical Status of the patients at admission and at subsequent assessment during hospital stay. Material and methods: A Single center retrospective study of laboratory-confirmed 26 COVID-19 patients admitted at SSPH & PGTI, from April to July 2020., CBC, its derived parameters and Romanowsky stained peripheral blood  smears were analysed at two points of time during clinical course. Data was tabulated and analyzed using SPSS22 software.Results:On admission, 42.3% cases were mildly symptomatic and 19.2% were moderate to severely symptomatic requiring oxygen/ventilatory support. No significant statistical findings noted in CBC and its derived parameters at the  time of admission . Follow-up, revealed a significant change in WBC and platelet count. (p=0.002). 7 cases showed persistent changes in CBC parameters and blood cell morphology and 3 out of 7 had moderate to severe clinical course. Bizarre atypical mononuclear cells , 2-3 times the size of RBC with dense homogenous chromatin, nuclear  membrane irregularity and deep blue cytoplasm(?covicytes) were the most significant morphological finding. Conclusion: It is evident from our studies that a relevant number of cases having moderate to severe symptoms showed persistence of morphological changes and alteration in CBC parameters

Sclerosing liposarcoma of the anterior mediastinum: An unusual case

Liposarcomas are extremely rare in the mediastinum. Patients usually present late due to the compressive effect of the tumor on the adjacent structures. Severity of the symptoms depend mainly on the size of the tumor and the structure it infiltrates. Well differentiated slow growing liposarcomas are the most common ones in the mediastinum followed by dedifferentiated and poorly differentiated ones. These tumors have bad prognosis because of incomplete surgical excision due to its inaccessible location. Hence these patients should be kept under close follow up because of high recurrent rates. Here we are presenting a rare case of anterior mediastinal sclerosing liposarcoma in a 77 year old male

Immunohistochemical characterization of glandular elements in glandular cardiac myxoma: Study of six cases

Back ground: Glandular cardiac myxoma has varying clinical presentation with uncertain histogenesis and debatable immunohistochemical profile. Glandular epithelial differentiations are rare phenomenon known to be present as an intrinsic component of the tumor. The origin of the glands has been attributed to epithelial differentiation of a totipotent cardiomyogenic precursor cells or the entrapped foregut rests in the tumor. Materials and Methods: Retrospective study includes six cases of glandular cardiac myxoma collected over a perior of 4 years. Sections were examined to define the histogenesis, histological and immunohistochemical profile of the glandular elements. Results: Incidence of glandular cardiac myxoma was 6.6% with a male to female ratio of 1:2.Mean age was 49.9 years. Left atrium was the commonest site. Five were sporadic and one was familial. Chest pain and dyspnea were the commonest clinical symptoms. Histologically all myxoma showed well formed glandular structures with typical myxomatous area. No atypia, mitosis or necrosis was identified in the glandular elements. Markers in six cases of glandular cardiac myxoma were immunopositive for CK7, CK 19, EMA, CEA, focally for E-cadherin while immunonegative for CK20, Chromogranin, Synaptophysin, calretenin, vimentin, B-catenin, TTF-1 and GCDFP-15 favoring enteric differentiation. Conclusion: Glandular cardiac myxoma is a rare entity which shows characteristics similar to those of classical cardiac myxoma with benign glandular elements showing enteric differentiation. Complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice with good prognosis. It is important to recognize this entity to avoid an erroneous diagnosis of metastatic adenocarcinoma