Peters′ Anomaly-Anaesthetic Management

Peters′ anomaly occurs as an isolated ocular abnormality, in association with other systemic abnormalityor one component of a number of well-defined syndromes. We review our experience of anaesthetic management and systemic association of peters′ anomaly. To the best of our knowledge there are no reports in the literature of Peters′ anomaly with relevant to anaesthesia

Role of plasma renin activity in the management of primary vesicoureteric reflux: A preliminary report

Role of plasma renin activity in the management of primary vesicoureteric reflux: A preliminary report.BackgroundNonoperative management is the choice of therapy in most patients with primary vesicoureteric reflux (VUR). Such patients are regularly monitored for breakthrough urinary tract infection, deterioration of renal function, and progression/ appearance of new scars as the indicators for switching over to surgical intervention. In this descriptive study, we report our additional observations on serial measurement of plasma renin activity (PRA) in a group of such children followed prospectively.MethodsTwenty-six children (16 males and 10 females) with various grades (grades I to V) of primary VUR were enrolled. Besides the conventional investigations, we also monitored PRA. Ureteric reimplantation was performed based on established international criteria. PRA levels were correlated with the need for surgical intervention retrospectively.ResultsMean age at presentation was 39.3 months (range, 12 to 120 months). Nineteen children (73%) were subjected to ureteric reimplantation. The mean PRA in this group (N = 19) was 6.97 ng/mL/hour versus 3.28 ng/mL/hour in patients who were continued on nonoperative management (N = 7). Postoperatively, the PRA reduced and stabilized in all 18 patients at a mean value of 5.4 ng/mL/hour.ConclusionThe currently accepted end points of medical management are inconsistent. On the other hand, 94.7% of children in the surgical group had shown an activation and a progressive increase in PRA. Postoperatively, the PRA was reduced and stabilized in all these patients. Our preliminary observations suggest that high PRA is a more sensitive indicator for surgical intervention as compared to the existing criteria

Genomewide mRNA profiling of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma for identification of cancer biomarkers

Cancer of the esophagus is of two main types, each with distinct etiological and pathological characteristics. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is predominant type of esophageal cancers worldwide comprising almost 95% of cases. While ESCC is prevalent in the developing world, esophageal adenocarcinoma is commonly seen in the developed country, usually in association with Barrett's esophagus. In spite of its higher prevalence, ESCC has not been studied as intensively as esophageal adenocarcinoma. ESCC and esophageal adenocarcinoma are common cancers worldwide with poor survival rate among patients mainly because both of these cancers lack early biomarkers of identification. Molecular mechanisms contributing to initiation and progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma are still poorly understood. Development of DNA microarray technology allows high-throughput identification of gene expression profiles in cancers. In order to identify molecules as candidates for early diagnosis and/or as therapeutic targets, we analyzed the mRNA expression profiles of 20 cases of ESCC using whole genome DNA microarrays. A total of 2,235 genes were differentially regulated in the tumors as compared to the corresponding adjacent normal epithelium of which 881 were significantly upregulated. We validated two molecules that were not previously reported to be overexpressed in ESCC, oral cancer overexpressed 2 (ORAOV2) and fibroblast activation protein (FAP), by immunohistochemical labeling of tissue microarrays and archival tissue sections and found that they were overexpressed in 98% (116/118) and 68% (79/116) of cases, respectively. By gene enrichment analysis, we identified significant downregulation of several genes in the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway. Overall, using this approach we have identified a number of promising novel candidates that can be validated Further for their potential to serve as biomarkers for ESCC