Symptomatic scrotoliths in a child

Amelanotic/hypomelanotic variant of cellular blue naevus (CBN) can present a challenge for the clinician and histopathologist. We report a case of amelanotic/hypomelanotic variant of CBN that presented as a painless scrotal swelling in a child. We review the literature on amelanotic/hypomelanotic CBN, the key histological features and important differential diagnoses

α-Fetoprotein and human chorionic gonadotrophin-β as prognostic markers in neuroendocrine tumour patients

Serum chromogranin A is the most useful general and prognostic tumour marker available for neuroendocrine tumour (NET) patients. The role of other tumour markers is less clear. In order to determine the diagnostic and prognostic value of serum α-fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotrophin-β (hCGβ) in NETs, a database containing biochemical, histological, and survival data on 360 NET patients was constructed. This data was statistically assessed, using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, to determine the utility of commonly measured tumour markers with particular emphasis on AFP and hCGβ. α-Fetoprotein and hCGβ were raised in 9.5 and 12.3% of patients respectively and jointly raised in 9.1% of patients in whom it was measured. α-Fetoprotein levels associated strongly and positively with tumour grade, serum CgA and hCGβ levels, and worse survival. Human chorionic gonadotrophin-β levels also associated strongly and positively with serum CgA and AFP levels, and worsening survival. α-Fetoprotein and hCGβ are elevated in high-grade NETs, with a rapidly progressive course and poorer survival. They also correlate with chromogranin-A, which is known to be a marker of tumour burden and to have prognostic value. Thus AFP and hCGβ are clinically important in NETs and when elevated are poor prognostic markers

Occupational stress and its impact on employees' performance in District Secretariat - Jaffna

This study investigates the relationship between occupational stress and employees' performance. Stress is inevitable to the most of working individuals at their work and work place. Organizations have to take action to reduce the stress. The determinants of occupational stress that have been examined under this study include physical environmental stressors, individual stressors, group stressors and organizational stressors. The sample consists of District Secretariat employees from Jaffna in Sri Lanka. Field study was conducted with questionnaire as the primary data collection instrument. Data was analyzed using statistical technique with SPSS having the version of 13.0. The results show that the most important factors in determining the stress are role ambiguity, noise, temperature and polluted air. The most important factors in determining the employees' performance are labour turnover, initiative skill and no of grievances. The results also show that there is significant negative relationship between occupational stress and employees' performance

Extracranial-intracranial bypass of the bilateral anterior cerebral circulation using a thoracodorsal axis artery-graft.

Bilateral extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass-grafting of the cerebral circulation is uncommon. We report a case of anterior cerebral artery EC-IC bypass using the thoracodorsal axis artery-graft. The bifurcation of the thoracodorsal axis allows bypass of both anterior hemispheres, while matching appropriate small-vessel dimensions

Can mouth washes containing chlorhexidine 0.12% be used as synonym of a water solution of chlorhexidine 0.12%?

Chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) is a gold standard drug in dentistry and is widely used as a reference in both in vitro and in vivoexperiments. Due to ease of access, mouth washes containing CHX 0.12% are used as a substitute for aqueous CHX 0.12% solution in laboratory experiments. Additionally, it is well known that for product flavor purposes, volatile compounds are added to mouth washes formulations. Volatiles added to CHX 0.12% may improve wash's antibacterial ability. Volatiles add potency to the mouth wash formulation. Compared with an aqueous CHX 0.12% solution, it is proposed that CHX solutions and Periogard® would have antimicrobial activity. Antimicrobial activity was assessed in the present study via disk diffusion assays against Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguinisand Escherichia coli. Periogard® showed a significantly higher antibacterial activity in relation to CHX 0.12% (p0.05). Periogard(r) volatiles were analyzed by gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry (GCMS) and the presence of antibacterial menthol, menthone, isomenthol, menthyl acetate, trans-anethol and eugenol was verified. Finally, the use of Periogard® as a synonym of CHX 0.12% must be avoided, because its antibacterial activity is closely related to CHX 1%.</p