Role of imprint cytology in gastrointestinal tract: A study

Touch imprint cytology is the science of interpretation of cells that are either exfoliated from epithelial surfaces or removed from various tissues. Over the years cytology has evolved into a major branch in diagnostic pathology. It includes both exfoliative cytology and fine needle aspiration biopsy. Exfoliative cytology has advanced to become the most reliable screening test for uterine cervical malignancies. It also finds its application in various other organ systems, either as a part of analysis of body fluid, lavage fluid, abrasive technique such as brushings and scrapings or the simple touch or imprint smears. Dudgeon and Patrick in 1927 and Bamforth and Osborn in 1958 have reported about imprint technique. Touch imprint cytology has been found valuable in the diagnosis of lesions of gastrointestinal tract, central nervous system, lung, thyroid, parathyroid, breast, ovary, lymph node, spleen, bone marrow, bone and soft tissue, oral cavity, pancreaticobiliary system. The application of video endoscopy has greatly facilitated the diagnosis of gastrointestinal tract lesions. Though taking biopsies has been common practice in endoscopic diagnosis, touch imprint cytology has not been widely practiced in this setting. This is in spite of several studies which have proved the usefulness of cytology beyond doubt. Many workers find the technique practical in giving an autopsy diagnosis especially because of its cost effectiveness. It can be used as a teaching tool for students of autopsy pathology due to its simplicity. With this background, we designed a study to investigate the role of imprint cytology in the endoscopic and intraoperative diagnosis of lesions of gastrointestinal tract and pancreaticobiliary system in our institute

P25@CoAl layered double hydroxide heterojunction nanocomposites for CO2 photocatalytic reduction

Artificial photosynthesis driven by inorganic photocatalysts offers a promising route to renewable solar fuels, however efficient CO2 photoreduction remains a challenge. A family of hierarchical nanocomposites, comprising P25 nanoparticles encapsulated within microporous CoAl-layered double hydroxides (CoAl-LDHs) were prepared via a one-pot hydrothermal synthesis. Heterojunction formation between the visible light absorbing CoAl-LDH and UV light absorbing P25 semiconductors extends utilisation of the solar spectrum, while the solid basicity of the CoAl-LDH increases CO2 availability at photocatalytic surfaces. Matching of the semiconductor band structures and strong donor–acceptor coupling improves photoinduced charge carrier separation and transfer via the heterojunction. Hierarchical P25@CoAl-LDH nanocomposites exhibit good activity and selectivity (>90%) for aqueous CO2 photoreduction to CO, without a sacrificial hole acceptor. This represents a facile and cost-effective strategy for the design and development of LDH-based nanomaterials for efficient photocatalysis for renewable solar fuel production from particularly CO2 and aqueous water

Solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas

Solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas is considered to be a rare pancreatic tumor. These tumors are typically present in women in their third decade of life. The tumors have a low malignant potential. We report a case of 22-year-old female who presented with intermittent abdominal pain of 3 years duration. Distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy was done as a definitive treatment. The importance of accurate diagnosis and treatment is emphasized

Pulmonary Artery Intimal Sarcoma: A Diagnostic Challenge Using a Multimodal Approach

Pulmonary artery intimal sarcoma (PAIS) is a rare tumor without clear syndromic presentation other than nonspecific symptoms of cough, dyspnea, and weight loss. This diagnosis is difficult due to challenging radiographic interpretations of multiple imaging modalities. We present a case of a 60-year-old male, who presented to his pulmonologist and underwent a CT chest with IV contrast that initially suggested primary lung carcinoma. CT angiogram showed significant vascular filling defects suspicious of an intravascular mass, rather than vascular invasion by lung lesions. The PET/CT scans further suggested a malignant process, but indistinguishable between an extravascular or intravascular etiology. Taking these results together, they suggested an intravascular malignancy, prompting a tissue biopsy, which ultimately led to a diagnosis of PAIS with metastases. Establishing a definitive diagnosis is essential as treatment and prognosis are different for sarcoma compared to carcinoma. There is no standard treatment to date, and management often includes a multidisciplinary approach involving surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. PAIS is a rare entity that cannot be diagnosed clinically and needs a multimodality approach for its diagnosis

Cholestatic Liver Disease in Late Childhood: A Report of Two Rare Cases

Cholestatic liver disease in late childhood has a comprehensive list of aetiologies, requiring a multidimensional approach. Among these, the genetic aetiology can range from having a self-limiting course to being associated with morbidity and mortality, requiring liver transplantation. Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis (PFIC) and Benign Recurrent Intrahepatic Cholestasis (BRIC) are two rare inherited autosomal recessive cholestatic disorders. Both are related to mutations in the bile formation transport system and typically manifest in infancy or early childhood. Among the PFIC types, The PFIC type 3 rapidly progresses to end-stage liver disease, while BRIC follows a benign course with intermittent asymptomatic periods. Here, authors describe two (17-year-old male, 19-year-old male) such unusual inherited autosomal recessive cholestatic disorders in late childhood: PFIC (type 3) and BRIC, which have distinct clinical presentations and liver function derangements

An unusual presentation of non-IBD related colorectal primary extranodal diffuse large B cell lymphoma with a colo-colonic fistula

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma of the sigmoid colon and rectum is relatively uncommon and aggressive. Due to its nonspecific symptomatology, patients are often diagnosed late into the disease and present with life-threatening complications, such as hemorrhage, obstruction, or perforation, requiring emergent surgical intervention. Patients with colorectal lymphoma typically have inflammatory bowel disease or immunosuppression. We present a case of a 79-year-old male with no known inflammatory bowel disease or immunosuppression, who had significant weight loss, diarrhea, and abdominal fullness, found by CT to have irregular wall thickening of the recto-sigmoid colon along with a colo-colonic fistula, concerning for bowel perforation. Endoscopic evaluation and biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of recto-sigmoid Diffuse large B cell lymphoma, with a PET/CT scan revealing stage IV disease. He had a partial response to six cycles of palliative reduced dose R-CHOP and is currently receiving palliative radiation to the sigmoid colon and rectum. Surgery and/or chemoradiation remain the mainstay therapy for this condition. Clinicians, however, must consider patient’s functional, nutritional, and clinical status prior to choosing an optimal therapeutic regimen. This case illustrates a unique clinical presentation of this condition and the associated diagnostic and therapeutic challenges that arise in order to prevent life-threatening complications

Abstracts of Scientifica 2022

This book contains the abstracts of the papers presented at Scientifica 2022, Organized by the Sancheti Institute College of Physiotherapy, Pune, Maharashtra, India, held on 12–13 March 2022. This conference helps bring researchers together across the globe on one platform to help benefit the young researchers. There were six invited talks from different fields of Physiotherapy and seven panel discussions including over thirty speakers across the globe which made the conference interesting due to the diversity of topics covered during the conference. Conference Title:  Scientifica 2022Conference Date: 12–13 March 2022Conference Location: Sancheti Institute College of PhysiotherapyConference Organizer: Sancheti Institute College of Physiotherapy, Pune, Maharashtra, Indi