A Record of Rotaloid Foraminifera from the Upper Permian-Lower Triassic Rocks of Kashmir, India

The first record of Rotaloid foraminifera from the Upper Permian-Lower Triassic of Kashmir is significant as it provides an insight to understand organic evolution. The present study explicitly reveals that Rotaloid foraminifers’ first origination was in Upper Permian in Peri-Gondwana Tethys and later migrated to other provinces of the world.Keywords: Rotaloid Foraminifera, Upper Permian, Lower Triassic, Kashmir, India

PHYSIOLOGICAL ROLES AND ASSOCIATED DISORDERS OF ADIPONECTIN

Among the adipokines, adiponectin is the first one to be described just over a decade ago. It is produced exclusively by adipose tissue and circulates in high concentration in human plasma accounting for 0.01% of proteins in plasma, almost thousand times higher than that of leptin. The normal circulating level of adiponectin ranges from 2 to 30 µg/ml. It is now observed that besides adipose tissue, adiponectin can also be produced by several other tissues such as hepatocytes, cardiomyocytes, and placenta. Adiponectin executes its action via autocrine as well as and paracrine effects. Researchers working in this area have revealed that adiponectin has insulin-sensitizing, anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective effects. Our review focuses on adiponectin, its mode  of action on different peripheral tissues such as skeletal muscles, heart, liver, brain and its the correlative account in various diseases.Keywords: Adiponectin, Obesity, Type 2 diabetes, Inflammation, Malignancies, Cardiovascular disease

Locoregional therapies in cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare and aggressive malignancy of the biliary tract. Complete surgical resection can be curative, but the majority of patients are diagnosed with advanced disease and usually die within a year of diagnosis. Most deaths are attributable to local disease progression rather than distant metastases, supporting the use of locoregional therapies. There is evidence that locoregional therapies can provide local tumor control resulting in increased survival while avoiding some of the side effects of systemic treatments, increasing potential treatment options for patients who may be unsuitable for systemic palliative treatments. This review considers the evidence for locoregional therapies in cholangiocarcinoma, which can be classified into endoscopic, vascular, percutaneous and radiation oncological therapies. Current guidelines do not recommend the routine use of locoregional therapies due to a lack of prospective data, but the results of ongoing trials are likely to increase the evidence base and impact on clinical practice

Minimizing the postoperative complications of severe hypospadias using a simple technique

Background The aim of this study was to decrease complication rates in proximal hypospadias surgery.Methods A simple method of stenting using a polypropylene stent has been developed for the most severe form of hypospadias during the period from January 2008 to January 2011 in the Department of Pediatric Surgery. The total number of patients was 46. The patients were classified into group 1 (n= 23), in which a polypropylene stent was used, and group 2 (n= 23), in which a polypropylene stent was not used.Results In group 1, complications occurred in three patients (13.04%), whereas in group 2 it occurred in 12 patients (52.2%). The difference in the total number of complications between groups was highly significant (P < 0.001). In group 1, no patient needed redo surgery, and in group 2 four patients (17.39%) needed redo surgery (P < 0.05). All other patients responded to repeated dilatation in the follow-up.Conclusion Although the sample size was small, this simple modification can decrease the complication rate significantly in the most severe form of hypospadias. Keywords: polypropylene stent, proximal hypospadias, surgical complications, urethroplast

Jejunal atresia presenting with mesenteric cyst in a neonate: a case report

Jejunoileal atresia is a congenital anomaly that is characterized clinically by bilious vomiting and abdominal distension. It has been associated with various congenital anomalies but its association with mesenteric cyst has only been reported sporadically. As this is a very rare entity, it is being reported with a brief review of literature

Sequential Palladium-Catalyzed Allylic Alkylation/retro-Dieckmann Fragmentation Strategy for the Synthesis of α-Substituted Acrylonitriles.

A straightforward synthesis of α-substituted acrylonitriles is described using 4-cyano-3-oxotetrahydro-thiophene (c-THT) as an acrylonitrile surrogate. This unprecedented two-step sequence featuring a palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylation (Pd-AA) and a retro-Dieckmann fragmentation provides a general entry into diversely substituted 1,4-dienes

Basal Cell Adenoma‑Clinicopathological, Immunohistochemical Analysis and Surgical Considerations of a Rare Salivary Gland Tumor with Review of Literature

Introduction: Basal cell adenoma (BCA) of the salivary glands is a rare benign salivary gland tumour. Differentiation of BCA from varied entities involving maxillofacial area is mandatory. Aim: To analyze the clinicopathological, histopathologic features, immunohistochemcal analysis and surgical considerations of this rare entity. Materials and Methods: This study included 12 cases of BCA from archives of department reported over the period of 13 years. All the pertaining clinicopathologic features such as incidence, age, sex and site of lesions were assessed. Tissue sections were stained by using panel of immunohistochemical markers, i.e. Pan CK, CK 5/6 and S100, Calponin, p63, CD 117 and smooth muscle actin. Results: BCA was observed in 26-52 years age group (mean age, 38.75 years) with female propensity of 7:5 male to female ratio. It is seen more commonly in parotid gland, followed by upper lip, buccal mucosa and palate. Solid type is the most common histopathologic type followed by tubular, membranous and trabecular. Only one case of membranous type of BCA showed recurrence. Pan CK, CK 5/6 showed strong immunoreactivity, calponin showed moderate staining, p63 and Ki‑67 mild staining, whereas CD 117 and SMA showed negative immunostaining. Conclusion: Vigilant comprehensive analysis of all the pertaining clinicopathologic and histopathologic features and immunohistochemical analysis are required for differentiating from other lesions with basaloid differentiation having varying prognosis.Keywords: Basal cell adenoma, basal cell adenocarcinoma, monomorphic adenom

Pediatric carcinoma of rectum - Varanasi experience

Background : Primary gastrointestinal system malignancies constitute approximately 2% of pediatric neoplasm and of these; colorectal carcinoma is the second most common malignancy. This is one of the rarer diseases in children. Aim : We reviewed our records to study the clinical features, outcome and the follow-up of this condition with evaluation of the prognostic factors. Settings and Design: Tertiary care Pediatric Surgery centre. Retrospective study. Materials and Methods : The data of all patients with diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma from January 1986 to January 2006 were reviewed. The confirmation of the diagnosis was by biopsy from the lesion. The age, sex, family history, clinical features, response to the treatment and follow-up were studied. Results : There were four male patients. All had bleeding per rectum as the presenting complaint. Three patients had advanced disease at presentation. All the patients had signet cell adenocarcinoma. The two patients expired and one was lost to follow-up. One patient is alive after one year of follow up and is receiving treatment. Conclusion : Colorectal cancer in children though rare can be a reality, hence any children presenting with pain in abdomen along with doubtful history of constipation and rectal bleeding should be examined carefully with special emphasis on digital rectal examination

Double coin in esophagus at same location and same alignment - a rare occurrence: a case report

Coin is the most common foreign body swallowed by pediatric age group. The multiple coin swallowing is extremely rare and very few cases had been reported in English literature. Most of them were present at different site and had different alignment in the esophagus. The location of the coin (trachea vs. esophagus) is commonly determined by the alignment of the coin on radiographic studies. A 4-year-girl was presented to us with history of coin ingestions one day back without any respiratory distress. On radiological study there was suspicion of two coins on same location and alignment. The diagnosis was confirmed after removal. The both coin was removed successfully by esophagoscopy. Unexpected second foreign bodies in pediatric esophageal coin ingestions are rare and it is mandatory to do post operative radiography after removal to exclude duplex coin or tracheal coin. We are presenting this case because of its rarity, difficulty in diagnosis especially when proper history is not available