Role of Trace Elements in Breast Cancer and Their Characterization Using X-Ray Fluorescence Techniques

Breast cancer is the most common serious disease that occurs in the human body. Trace elements have an important function in biological and metabolism processes including activation or inhibition of enzymatic reaction, reactive oxygen species (ROS), competition between trace elements and metal proteins for binding positions and modifications in the permeability of cellular membranes which influence carcinogenic processes. A significant association between the abnormal concentration of trace elements and breast cancer has been found in many studies using XRF techniques like energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF), particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE), total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF), wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) and synchrotron induced X-ray fluorescence (SRIXE). This chapter considers trace elements like Fe, Cu, Zn, Cr, Cl, Ca, P, S, K, Na, Mg, Se, As and Sr. from the standpoint of their role as either inhibitory or causative agents of breast cancer. XRF techniques and sample preparation methods for analysis of biological samples are also reviewed

Gangliocytic Paraganglioma of Duodenum

Gangliocytic paragangliomas are rare benign tumors which are usually encountered in the second portion of the duodenum. Histogenesis of these tumors is incompletely understood. Patients usually present with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The endoscopic features of gangliocytic paraganglioma do not differ from those of other submucosal tumors. Therefore, they can be diagnosed histologically by the presence of epithelioid, spindle, and ganglion cells, which is similar to that observed for paraganglioma. We herein report a case of gangliocytic paraganglioma due to the rarity of the lesion and the characteristic histopathologic findings

On the evaluation of transition matrices in finite fields

A technique for evaluating the transition matrix Ak of a linear sequential machine has been given by Seherba and Roesser by transforming matrix A into a matrix AR in the real field, finding the powers ARk of AR In in the real field and then transforming ARk back to finite field. A technique for the same problem is suggested by carrying out all the computations in the finite field only, thus avoiding the cumbersomeness of the earlier technique

On the realization of linear sequential machines from the given delay transfer-function matrix

A technique for the realization of linear sequential machine from the given delay transfer-function matrix is proposed. The proposed technique exploits the ideas used earlier in multi-variable control theory and in general results in a non-minimal realization

Look Out for Fever: Clinical Profile of Dengue in Young Adults in a Tertiary Care Center in North India

Background Dengue fever (DF) is a common viral disease, clinical manifestations of which vary from influenza-like illness (DF) to life-threatening dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF)/dengue shock syndrome (DSS). The aim of this article was to study the clinical profile of DF in young adults. Material and Methods This was an observational study conducted in the department of medicine over a period of 2 years (January 1, 2013—December 31, 2014). Patients aged between 18 and 30 years with serology proven (nonstructural protein 1 [NS1]/dengue immunoglobulin M [IgM]) DF were included in this study. The clinical and laboratory data was recorded and analyzed. Results Out of 418 cases, the incidence of DF, DHF, and DSS was 87.32, 7.66, and 5.02%, respectively. The most common presentations were fever (99.76%) followed by vomiting (29.43%), pain abdomen (17.94%), myalgias (13.16%), petechial rash (12.92%), and bleeding (10.29%). Dengue NS1 and IgM antibodies were positive in 87.3% and 88.12% of the patients, respectively. Ascites, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, pleural effusion, gall bladder wall edema, and pericardial effusion were present in 8.13, 6.94, 6.70, 5.98, 2.63, and 0.72% of the patients, respectively. Complications included bleeding (10.29%), acute respiratory distress syndrome (1.67%), myocarditis (1.44%), seizures (1.44%), hemarthrosis (0.24%), and encephalopathy (0.24%). The mortality rate was 3.35% with death of 14 patients. Shock, bleeding, and elevated serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase levels predicted adverse outcome. Conclusion DF can present with a plethora of clinical manifestations in endemic areas. Adverse outcome is more likely if patients have elevated SGOT levels, shock, and bleeding. Continuous seroepidemiological surveillance is essential to control outbreak and minimize morbidity and mortality

Subcutaneous axillary and scalp metastases from non-gynecological retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma: an unusual presentation after surgical resection

Retroperitoneal leiomyosarcomas are rare sarcomas, with an incidence of less than 2 per million population. Cutaneous metastases from sarcoma account for only 1-2.6% of metastatic skin lesions. Cutaneous and subcutaneous metastasis from retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma is a very rare entity. We present a case of 72-year-old male with scalp nodule and subcutaneous swelling in left posterior axillary fold. Fine needle aspiration cytology from both these sites revealed a sarcoma, which was positive for Smooth Muscle Actin and negative for S100 on cell block immunohistochemistry (IHC). The past history revealed surgical resection of a retroperitoneal mass in 2010 which was diagnosed on histopathology and IHC as leiomyosarcoma. A final diagnosis of metastatic deposits from leiomyosarcoma was made. Retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma presenting as scalp and subcutaneous metastasis is an unusual presentation. Adequate clinical history and a high index of clinical suspicion is required to detect cutaneous and subcutaneous metastatic deposits occurring five years after surgical resection

Microwave characterization of

The microwave characteristics of Pb1−xCaxFe0.5Nb0.5O3 multiferroics (x = 0.0, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6), have been investigated as a function of frequency and substitution. The results depict −13.99 dB reflection loss at 11.65 GHz in composition x = 0.6. Microwave absorption is enhanced with substitution of Ca2+ ions and undoped composition 0.0 behaves as electromagnetic shield. The model governing microwave absorption is discussed and different compositions for electromagnetic applications have been suggested