Histological pattern of central nervous system neoplasms

Objective: To see in a large series of patients the histological pattern of CNS neoplasms and to provide a comprehensive data about the frequency of CNS neoplasms in Pakistani patients and to give a clearer idea about their prevalence. Method: Retrospective study of all consecutive cases of CNS neoplasms diagnosed at The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) between 1st January 1994 and 31st December, 1999. Setting: The section of Histopathology, AKUH, Karachi. Observation: Our series included a large number of cases i.e., 1110 . There are very few local studies on CNS tumours and none so large . Our data was correlated with published Western and Pakistani data . Glial tumours were the commonest primary CNS neoplasms followed by meningiomas . Among glial tumours , astrocytomas comprised the largest group and the majority were high grade (Ill and IV ) astrocytomas. Percentages of anaplastic oligodendrogliomas and ependymomas were also significant. Male to female ratio was 1.6:1. However, meningiomas were more common in females. Almost half of the CNS tumours in patients 15 years or younger were in the posterior cranial fossa . Metastatic tumours were much lower as compared to the West. Conclusion: Except for the high percentages of anaplastic oligodendrogliomas and ependymomas and the low percentage of metastatic tumours, most of our findings roughly correspond with the published data

The Frequency of IgA Nephropathy at a Single Center in Pakistan

Objectives: To detect the prevalence of IgA nephropathy in Pakistani patients, as no significant published data from this part of the developing world is available in the international literature for reference. Method: The study was conducted in a university hospital on 105 consecutive renal biopsy specimens. Direct immunofluorescence microscopy was performed using antibodies specific for the heavy chains of IgG, IgA, IgM, C3 and fibrinogen. Results: Seventy-nine (79) cases were classified as glomerulopathies, out of which 10 cases (12.65%) were diagnosed as IgA nephropathy, among which one case was that of Henoch- Schonlein purpura. The age range was 6 to 65 years with median age of 25 years and male to female ratio was 1.5: 1. Nephrotic range proteinuria was seen in 40% of cases and 50% cases showed impaired renal function. The light microscopic examination revealed diffuse proliferative pattern in 3 cases out of which one case showed crescent formations. Focal-segmental glomerulosclerosis, minimum histologic lesion and advanced chronic glomerulonephritic patterns were observed in 2 cases each and in one case focal proliferative morphology was appreciated. Conclusion: The frequency of IgA nephropathy among glomerular diseases was 12.65% in our study, which is somewhat higher when comparing the studies from North America, United Kingdom and Northwest Europe. However, it was significantly lower when comparing the studies from other parts of Asi

Physico-Chemical Characterization Of Sweet Chestnut (Castanea Sativa L.) Starch Grown In Temperate Climate Of Kashmir, India

Studies were conducted to characterize the chestnut starch for physico-chemical properties. Chemical composition of chestnut starch showed low levels of protein and ash indicating purity of starch. The results revealed low water and oil absorption capacity of chestnut starch. Starch showed high swelling power and low solubility index. Swelling power and solubility index of chestnut starch increased with increase in temperature (50–90 °C). The results revealed high initial, peak, setback, breakdown, and final viscosity but low paste development temperature. Transmittance (%) of the starch gel was low and decreased with increasing storage period. The chestnut starch gel showed increase in % water release (syneresis) with increase in time of storage but was less susceptible to repeated cycles of freezing and thawing. Starch was also characterized for granule morphology. Starch granules were of round and oval shapes, some granules showed irregular shape

CMS Software Distribution on the LCG and OSG Grids

The efficient exploitation of worldwide distributed storage and computing resources available in the grids require a robust, transparent and fast deployment of experiment specific software. The approach followed by the CMS experiment at CERN in order to enable Monte-Carlo simulations, data analysis and software development in an international collaboration is presented. The current status and future improvement plans are described.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, latex with hyperref

Morphological pattern of salivary gland tumours

Objective: To delineate the spectrum of salivary gland tumors in our setup. Setting: The Aga Khan University Medical Centre, Karachi. Method: Tumors were analysed considering histological type, age and sex of the patients and anatomic location. The diagnosis of individual tumours was based on the 1991 World Health Organisation Classification. Results: During the span of eight years (1991-1998), 379 cases of salivary gland tumours were diagnosed. Of these, 205 (65.7%) were male and 174 (34.3%) were female. The median age at the time of diagnosis was 35 years. The median age for patients with malignant lesions (44 years) was 12 years older than those with benign tumours (34 years). Overall, malignant tumours were seen more frequently in males, however benign tumours were distributed equally between the two sexes. The most common site was parotid gland (82.85%). Only five cases of minor salivary gland tumours were seen. The most frequently diagnosed benign salivary gland neoplasm was pleomorphic adenoma (84.5%), followed by Warthin’s tumours (6.18%), Mucoepidermoid carcinoma was the most commonly encountered malignant lesion (56.9%), followed by adenoid cystic carcinoma (19.6%). Conclusion: Plemorphic adenoma was the most common benign salivary gland tumour and mucoepidermoid carcinoma was the most frequent malignant neoplasm. Parotid gland was the most common site of origin in both benign and malignant tumours. The overall relative frequency of salivary gland tumours in this series correlates with that reported in the international literature

Spinal cord compression: Histologic spectrum of lesions

Histologic diagnosis ultimately determines the prognosis and treatment of lesions causing spinal cord compression. Modem imaging techniques have revolutionized the procedure of localizing lesions pre¬senting with signs and symptoms of spinal cord compression. As a result, these lesions are more accessible for fine needle aspiration and biopsy. A quick diagnosis is possible if cytologic preparation is made. Similarly, intraoperative frozen section facility not only provides rapid diagnosis, but also offers oppor tunity of appropriate management decision there and then. Histology in many cases needs help of special stains and immunocytochemistry. This study looks at the histologic spectrum of these lesions, gender distribution and age range in Pakistani population

Breast Diseases: a histopathological analysis of 3279 Cases at a Tertiary Care Center in Pakistan

Objective: To know the frequency of breast diseases in Pakistani females. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 3279 breast specimens received over a period of 4 years (1 993-1996) at the department of pathology, the Aga Khan University Hospital. Results: Out of a total of 3279 breast specimens, common breast lesions included infiltrating duct carcinoma 37%, followed by fibro adenoma 16.95%, fibrocystic change13.96%, mastitis 6.83% and duct ectasia 5.33%. Majority of the cases of infiltrating duct carcinoma were encountered in the 5th and 6th decades of life. Tumour size was 2 or \u3e2 cms. in 93% of cases and 40% of them showed 3 or \u3e3 positive lymph nodes. Grade I tumours were 11.38%, grade 11 59.17% and grade Ill tumours 29.47%. Correlation of grade with lymph node metastases (3 or \u3e3+ve nodes) showed 15 cases (1.53%) of grade 1, 178 cases (18.25%) of grade II and 68(6.97%) cases of grade Ill tumours. Conclusion: This study shows that in Pakistani females, the most commonly encountered lesion in carcinoma of the breast followed by the benign lesions such as fibro adenoma, fibrocystic disease & others. Breast carcinoma occurs at a younger age group with predominance of high-grade lesions and with frequent lymph node metastasis