Tubular Krukenberg Tumor with an Occult Primary

Tubular Krukenberg tumor with an occult primary can cause problems in histopathologic diagnosis, by mimicking primary ovarian tumors. We present one such occurrence in a 32year old female who underwent surgery for bilateral malignant ovarian tumor. Gross examination of both ovarian tumors revealed bosselated, smooth outer surface with a few cysts on the surface. Cut surface was grey-white to yellowish in colour with cysts filled with serous fluid at the periphery. Microscopic examination revealed mucin laden signet ring cells, predominantly showing tubular architecture within a cellular ovarian stroma. The cytoplasm of these cells varied from granular eosinophilic to pale vacuolated appearance and showed PAS and mucicarmine positive mucin. Differential diagnosis with other primary ovarian tumors is discussed

Comprehensive Notes on Commercial Utilization, Characteristics and Status of Steroid Yielding Plants in India

The present article provides comprehensive information on the species used largely as commercial steroids in India. Details regarding part(s) used, characteristics and commercial utilization of important steroid yielding plant species are given in the present communication

Effect of deficit irrigation and in situ moisture conservation on soil moisture content and frequency of irrigation in kiwifruit cultivar Allison

The effect of deficit irrigation and in situ moisture conservation in kiwifruit cv. Allison vines was studied during the years 2011 and 2012 in the Department of Fruit Science, Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, HP, India. Soil moisture content and frequency of irrigation were investigated in kiwifruit in response to deficit irrigation and in situ moisture conservation techniques. Seven treatments viz., irrigation at 80 per cent Field Capacity (T1), 60 per cent Field Capacity (T2) and 40 per cent Field Capacity (T3), 60 per cent Field Capacity (FC) plus grass mulch (T4) or black polythene (T5) and 40 per cent FC plus grass mulch (T6) or black polythene (T7) were applied from March to October with three replications in Randomized Block Design (RBD). During the year 2011, the soil moisture content under kiwifruit vines was highest under the treatment T1 (15.3, 16.9) , followed by T5 (15.2, 16.8) and T4 (14.9, 16.6) at 30 cm and at 60 cm soil depth, respectively. Whereas, during the year 2012, the soil moisture content under kiwifruit vines was highest under the treatment T1 (14.9, 16.4), followed by T5 (15.0, 16.3) and T4 (14.6, 16.1) at 30 cm and at 60 cm soil depth, respectively. However,the least soil moisture content was, however, observed under T3 (11.0, 12.8) at 30 cm and 60 cm soil depth , respectively, during the year 2011, similarly, during the year 2012, the least soil moisture content was also observed under T3 (10.6, 12.7) at 30 cm and 60 cm soil depth, respectively. The frequency of irrigation was highest under T1 (16 irrigations) followed T2 (10 irrigations) while the least was recorded under T6 and T7 (7irrigations). Total numbers of irrigations applied were reduced from 16 (under T1) to 8 (under T5). The use of black plastic mulch may be beneficial as it helped to conserve moistureunder DI regime which is comparable to those in well irrigated vines. It may also reduce the high irrigation requirement of kiwifruit in areas where sufficient water is not available

Angelica archengelica extract induced perturbation of rat skin and tight junctional protein (ZO-1) of HaCaT cells

"n  Background and purpose of the study: Herbal enhancers compared to the synthetic ones have shown less toxis effects. Coumarins have been shown at concentrations inhibiting phospoliphase C-Y (Phc-Y) are able to enhance tight junction (TJ) permeability due to hyperpoalation of Zonolous Occludense-1 (ZO-1) proteins. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of ethanolic extract of Angelica archengelica (AA-E) which contain coumarin on permeation of repaglinide across rat epidermis and on the tight junction plaque protein ZO-1 in HaCaT cells. "n Methods: Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) from the rat skin treated with different concentrations of AA-E was assessed by Tewameter. Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) on were performed on AA-E treated rat skin portions. The possibility of AA-E influence on the architecture of tight junctions by adverse effect on the cytoplasmic ZO-1 in HaCaT cells was investigated. Finally, the systemic delivery of repaglinide from the optimized transdermal formulation was investigated in rats. "n Results: The permeation of repaglinide across excised rat epidermis was 7-fold higher in the presence of AA-E (5% w/v) as compared to propylene glycol:ethanol (7:3) mixture. The extract was found to perturb the lipid microconstituents in both excised and viable rat skin, although, the effect was less intense in the later. The enhanced permeation of repaglinide across rat epidermis excised after treatment with AA-E (5% w/v) for different periods was in concordance with the high TEWL values of similarly treated viable rat skin. Further, the observed increase in intercellular space, disordering of lipid structure and corneocyte detachment indicated considerable effect on the ultrastructure of rat epidermis. Treatment of HaCaT cell line with AA-E (0.16% w/v) for 6 hrs influenced ZO-1 as evidenced by reduced immunofluorescence of anti-TJP1 (ZO-1) antibody in Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy studies (CLSM) studies. The plasma concentration of repaglinide from transdermal formulation was maintained higher and for longer time as compared to oral administration of repaglinide. "n Major conclusion: Results suggest the overwhelming influence of Angelica archengelica in enhancing the percutaneous permeation of repaglinide to be mediated through perturbation of skin lipids and tight junction protein (ZO-1)

Nitrooxyethylation Reverses the Healing-Suppressant Effect of Ibuprofen

Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs like ibuprofen impede tissue repair by virtue of retarding inflammation. The present study was undertaken to explore if linking of nitrooxyethyl ester to ibuprofen reverses its healing-depressant propensity. Nitrooxyethyl ester of ibuprofen (NOE-Ibu) was synthesized in our laboratory through a well-established synthetic pathway. NOE-Ibu was screened for its influence on collagenation, wound contraction and epithelialization phases of healing, and scar size of healed wound in three wound models, namely, incision, dead space, and excision wounds. Besides, its influence on the oxidative stress (levels of GSH and TBARS) was also determined in 10-day-old granulation tissue. NOE-Ibu was further screened for its antiinflammatory activity in rat paw edema model. NOE-Ibu promoted collagenation (increase in breaking strength, granulation weight, and collagen content), wound contraction and epithelialization phases of healing. NOE-Ibu also showed a significant antioxidant effect in 10-day-old granulation tissue as compared to ibuprofen. Results vindicate that the esterification of ibuprofen with nitrooxyethyl group reverses the healing-suppressant effect of ibuprofen. The compound also showed equipotent antiinflammatory activity as ibuprofen

Critical success factors of a bottom up urban design process to deliver sustainable urban designs

A sustainable urban environment caters for peoples’ need. When the needs of the people are addressed, it increases the property values and attracts investors. The current urban design process is top-down, i.e., Designers and planners play the key role and the community has less engagement. There are serious criticisms of this process as it may not touch the “ground” level requirements, and therefore, these projects will fail to create sustainable environments. Accordingly, to overcome the drawbacks of the current top-down process, researches have discussed implementing a bottom-up process in order to deliver sustainable urban designs. Based on this argument this paper discusses what are the positive and negative implications of a bottom up urban design process and what are the critical success factors which can be derived from a bottom-up urban design process in order to deliver sustainable urban environments

Diffusion Tensor Imaging in a Large Longitudinal Series of Patients With Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy Correlated With Long-Term Functional Outcome

BACKGROUND Fractional anisotropy (FA) of the high cervical cord correlates with upper limb function in acute cervical cord injury. We investigated the correlation between preoperative FA at the level of maximal compression and functional recovery in a group of patients after decompressive surgery for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). OBJECTIVE To determine the usefulness of FA as a biomarker for severity of CSM and as a prognostic biomarker for improvement after surgery. METHODS Patients received diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) scans preoperatively. FA values of the whole cord cross-section at the level of maximal compression and upper cervical cord (C1-2) were calculated. Functional status was measured using the modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) scale preoperatively and at follow-up up to 2 yr. Regression analysis between FA and mJOA was performed. DTI at C4-7 was obtained in controls. RESULTS Forty-four CSM patients enrolled prior to decompression were compared with 24 controls. FA at the level of maximal compression correlated positively with preoperative mJOA score. Preoperative FA correlated inversely with recovery throughout the postoperative period. This was statistically significant at 12 mo postoperation and nearly so at 6 and 24 mo. Patients with preoperative FA0.55. CONCLUSION In the largest longitudinal study of this kind, FA promises a valid biomarker for severity of CSM and postoperative improvement. FA is an objective measure of function and could provide a basis for prognosis. FA is particularly useful if preoperative values are less than 0.55

The current state of animal models and genomic approaches towards identifying and validating molecular determinants of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and tuberculosis disease

Animal models are important in understanding both the pathogenesis of and immunity to tuberculosis (TB). Unfortunately, we are beginning to understand that no animal model perfectly recapitulates the human TB syndrome, which encompasses numerous different stages. Furthermore, Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection is a very heterogeneous event at both the levels of pathogenesis and immunity. This review seeks to establish the current understanding of TB pathogenesis and immunity, as validated in the animal models of TB in active use today. We especially focus on the use of modern genomic approaches in these models to determine the mechanism and the role of specific molecular pathways. Animal models have significantly enhanced our understanding of TB. Incorporation of contemporary technologies such as single cell transcriptomics, high-parameter flow cytometric immune profiling, proteomics, proteomic flow cytometry and immunocytometry into the animal models in use will further enhance our understanding of TB and facilitate the development of treatment and vaccination strategies

Particle concentration measurement and flow regime identification in multiphase pipe flow using a generalised dual-frequency inversion method

An acoustic particle concentration measurement method, originally developed for marine sediment, in which the backscattered energy received by emitter-receiver transducers in the megahertz range is used to construct concentration profiles in suspensions of solid particles in a carrier fluid is applied to suspensions of general engineering interest. Four particle species with range of densities and sizes are used. Concentration profiles in horizontal, turbulent pipe flow at a Reynolds number of 50,000 and three nominal volume fractions are presented for each particle species, using experimentally determined acoustic coefficients, in order to isolate the influence of particle size and density on transport and settling in solid-liquid multiphase flows. It is clear from the results that the method allows the degree of segregation in real suspensions and slurries to be measured, and has a range of potential applications in the nuclear and minerals processing industries, for example. Lastly, the limiting conditions of the method are explored through the concept of an acoustic penetration depth