Multilocular Cystic Renal Cell Carcinoma: An Unusual Gross Appearance

Multilocular Cystic Renal Cell Carcinoma (MCRCC) represents a rare variant of clear cell (conventional) renal cell carcinomas. Attributable to its distinct characteristics in prognosis and its natural history, MCRCC was recognised as a separate subtype of renal cell carcinoma in the 2004 WHO classification of adult renal tumors. We report this case of MCRCC from antemortem surgical specimen, due to its unusual gross appearance and a rare clinical entity

Genetic analysis of japonica x indica recombinant inbred lines and characterization of major fragrance gene by microsatellite markers

Traditional basmati rice varieties are very low yielding due to their tendency to lodging and increasing susceptibility to diseases. To improve the characters of basmati rice variety and study the inheritance of various physio-morphological and quality characters, F5 population comprising of 204 lines from the cross between NPT II (non-aromatic, japonica) and Taraori Basmati or HBC19 (aromatic, indica), were evaluated. Ample amount of genetic variability was observed for the characters plant height, tillers per plant, kernel length, kernel breath and L/B ratio. The grain yield/plant showed positive correlation with productive tiller/plant and test weight. Path coefficient analysis showed that the productive tiller/plant and test weight contribute to grain yield/ plant through direct effect. The parent off-spring regression was high for all the characters under study suggesting improvement of these characters by mere selection. Based on divergence study, 204 lines were categorized in seven clusters whereas parents were grouped in different clusters. Molecular restricted selection using specific SSR markers with depicting high correlation with aroma could offer great promise to select high yielding rice among high aroma lines. A total of 54 randomly selected F5 plants were subjected to SSR marker analysis using SSR markers. The F5 plants had an allele from either of the two parental lines (homozygous condition) or alleles from both the parental rice varieties (heterozygous condition). At some SSR loci, new/recombinant alleles were observed, which indicate the active recombination between genomes of two rice varieties and can be used for linkage mapping once complete homozygosity is achieved. SSR allelic profile based on two dimensional principal component analysis demonstrated high level of diversity among parents and F5 plants spread between them.Keywords: Oryza sativa L., basmati, microsatellite, phenotyping, rice, recombinant inbred lines (RILs)African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(32), pp. 5022-502

Poster abstract: A data-driven design framework for urban slum housing - Case of Mumbai

The current building assessment tools are limited to building performance analysis with respect to box models derived from the urban morphology of developed countries. Complex socio-technical issues associated with rapidly urbanizing cities like Mumbai are often missed. Here, we forward a conceptual framework for designing slum habitation adheres to norms of energy, health and environmental sustainability. This can enable in designing slum rehabilitation projects such that they are not only energy efficient, but are also acceptable to the occupants. This conceptual framework attempts to bridge the missing link currently existing in the early design stages of slum rehabilitation projects. The proof of the concept is a work currently in progress, hence, here, we only elaborate on the conceptual framework exemplified through three cases of slum rehabilitation houses in Mumbai

Development of an HPLC method for determination of pentachloronitrobenzene, hexachlorobenzene and their possible metabolites

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) are highly toxic and widespread in every environmental compartment. Some of metabolic products such as amino/nitro containing chlorinated aromatic compounds can be determined by gas chromatography coupled with electron capture detector (GC-ECD). However, it is difficult to identify some of chlorophenolic and chloroquinolic intermediates produced from PCNB and HCB by the above mentioned technique. Therefore, for analysis of these compounds and their metabolites, we have developed a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) based method.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The extraction of PCNB and HCB from soil and minimal salt medium was carried out with ethyl acetate and hexane respectively with good recoveries (98% for PCNB and 97% for HCB). The validation of the proposed extraction and HPLC method was done by analysis of PCNB and HCB biodegradation and their metabolites identification from anaerobic enriched soil samples.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A rapid, sensitive and simple HPLC based analytical method was developed for the analysis of PCNB, HCB and their possible intermediates.</p

Numerical Modeling of Fluid Flow in Solid Tumors

A mathematical model of interstitial fluid flow is developed, based on the application of the governing equations for fluid flow, i.e., the conservation laws for mass and momentum, to physiological systems containing solid tumors. The discretized form of the governing equations, with appropriate boundary conditions, is developed for a predefined tumor geometry. The interstitial fluid pressure and velocity are calculated using a numerical method, element based finite volume. Simulations of interstitial fluid transport in a homogeneous solid tumor demonstrate that, in a uniformly perfused tumor, i.e., one with no necrotic region, because of the interstitial pressure distribution, the distribution of drug particles is non-uniform. Pressure distribution for different values of necrotic radii is examined and two new parameters, the critical tumor radius and critical necrotic radius, are defined. Simulation results show that: 1) tumor radii have a critical size. Below this size, the maximum interstitial fluid pressure is less than what is generally considered to be effective pressure (a parameter determined by vascular pressure, plasma osmotic pressure, and interstitial osmotic pressure). Above this size, the maximum interstitial fluid pressure is equal to effective pressure. As a consequence, drugs transport to the center of smaller tumors is much easier than transport to the center of a tumor whose radius is greater than the critical tumor radius; 2) there is a critical necrotic radius, below which the interstitial fluid pressure at the tumor center is at its maximum value. If the tumor radius is greater than the critical tumor radius, this maximum pressure is equal to effective pressure. Above this critical necrotic radius, the interstitial fluid pressure at the tumor center is below effective pressure. In specific ranges of these critical sizes, drug amount and therefore therapeutic effects are higher because the opposing force, interstitial fluid pressure, is low in these ranges

A Correlation of Tumor Budding and Tumor Stroma Ratio with Clinicopathological Factors in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common carcinoma in the head and neck region. Both tumor budding and tumor stroma ratio are being studied in the recent years in various solid tumors for their role as a prognostic marker, however the studies in oral squamous cell carcinoma are limited. Methods: A total of 50 patients of oral squamous cell carcinoma proved histologically were included in the study over a period of 4 months (July 2022-October 2022). Tumor budding(TB) and Tumor stroma ratio (TSR) were evaluated on routine hematoxylin and eosin stained sections and these were correlated with clinicopathological parameters. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square test and p value &lt;.05 considered significant. Result: The mean age was 52.72 +_ 13.16 and M: F of 7.1:1. Most of the tumors were located on tongue (46%) followed by buccal mucosa (26%), gingivobuccal sulcus (12%) and retromolar trigone (8%). Palate and alveolus were the other sites involved constituting 4% each. Both TB and TSR were found to be significantly associated with grade of the tuumor, lymph node metastasis and size of the tumor. A highly significant correlation was also found between Tb and TSR with a p value &lt;.001. Conclusion: Both TB and TSR can be easily evaluated on routine H&amp;E sections and are highly reproducible and found to be reliable independent prognostic markers in OSCC. Thus, this simple and cost-effective method of prognostification which is currently lacking will help in identifying patients with poor prognosis and thus, individualise the treatment plan. Keywords: Tumor Budding, Oral squamous cell carcinoma, Tumor stroma ratio

Outlooks of Nanotechnology in Organic Farming Management

Technological advances are getting monitored with time, and science suggests nanotechnology as the emerging future. This even holds correct with human food consumption for health benefits, where organic farming is a better solution for the rising population and is even supported by major countries instead of using chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Nanotechnology provides a platform where nanoparticles help in better management for organic farming by using it as nano fertilisers, nanocides, nano biosensors, nano growth promoters, etc. These nanomaterials can be synthesised by three different mechanisms namely; chemical, physical, and biological methods. Since the chemical and physical mode of synthesis does not follow the criteria of organic farming and have their drawbacks. Hence, the biological method, also known as the green synthesis of nanomaterials fulfills the requirement of organic farming and has achieved the attention of researchers. Extracts of plant parts (stems, roots, leaves, flowers and, fruits) and different microbes, including bacteria, fungus, and mycorrhiza can be used as a base material for the synthesis of nanoparticles under green synthesis mode. The vision behind the green synthesis of nanoparticles was to curb the hazardous effects of chemically synthesised nanoparticles. In the present review, green synthesis of major elements of organic farming namely; nano fertilisers, nano-pesticides, and nano growth promoters, their modes of transportation, their advantages, and disadvantages in organic farming are discussed

Design and Development of Halogenated Chalcone Derivatives as Potential Anticancer Agents

Purpose: To design and develop halogenated chalcone derivatives and evaluate them as anticancer agents using different cancer cell lines.Methods: Based on in silico design and docking on known target, crystal structure of the complex of interleukin-1beta converting enzyme (ICE) with a peptide based inhibitor, (3S )-N-Methanesulfonyl-3- ({1-[N-(2-naphtoyl)-l-valyl]-l-prolyl}amino)-4-oxobutanamide (1BMQ), novel halogenated chalcone derivatives were designed (7a-h) employing LigandFit module of Accelrys (Discovery Studio, 2.1 version). Standard protocols for ligand and protein preparation were employed and their binding orientation validated using (3S)-N-Methanesulfonyl-3-({1-[N-(2-naphtoyl)-l-valyl]-l-prolyl}amino)-4-oxobutanamide (MNO 601), a caspase inhibitor as reference standard. Energy minimized conformers with best dock scores were considered for the identification of interacting amino acid residues with ligands. Selected derivatives were synthesized and analyzed by melting point, 1H NMR, IR and mass spectroscopy. Their evaluation for anticancer activity was carried out using adriamycin, paclitaxel and 5-fluorouracil as reference standards on prostrate (PC-3), colon (COLO-205), ovary (OVCAR-5), liver (HEP-2) and neuroblastoma (IMR-32) cancer cell lines, and % growth inhibition and half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values were calculated.Results: Among synthesized compounds, 7b showed the most promising cytotoxic activity with an IC50 of 49.9 ìM on colon cancer cell lines (Colo-205), followed by 7d with an IC50 of 66.6 ìM against ovarian cancer cell lines (OVCAR-5).Conclusion: We report the successful synthesis, spectral characterization and in vitro anticancer evaluation of a series of novel halogenated chalcone derivatives against a number of human cancer cell lines. The findings indicate the emergence of new anticancer compounds.Keywords: Halogenated chalcones, Dock scores, Anticancer activity,  Interleukin-1beta converting enzyme

Study - Hypoacusis in vitiligo

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo affects melanocytes in the skin. Since melanocytes are present in other organs as well, it is plausible that they may be similarly affected. METHODS: A comparative study of audiological functions was carried out in 180 patients of vitiligo and 60 non-vitiligo controls in the age group of 5-40 years. RESULTS: In vitiligo patients sensorineural hypoacusis of mild degree was found in 18, moderate in 13 and mild conductive hypoacusis in 3. In controls sensorineural hypoacusis of mild degree was found in only 2 cases. CONCLUSION: The difference between the two groups was statistically significant. Vitiligo patients have a higher prevalence of sensorineural hypoacusis