Rhabdomyosarcoma-Report of Two Cases and Review

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children. It is seen rarely in adults. There are three variants of RMS which include  embryonal, alveolar which are commonly seen in children and pleomorphic type seen in adult. In recent years, spindle cell and sclerosing variants of RMS have also been recognized in adults. Because of the scarcity of data  further  extensive research has to be carried regarding the tumor. The prognosis  of the tumor is worse in adults when compared to children, with an overall 5-year survival of less than 30%. This review will discuss the clinicopathological characteristics of RMS, the different histological variants, and two case reports of our Institution.   &nbsp

Alterations in plasma lipid profile patterns in oral cancer

Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the alterations in the plasma lipid profile patterns in oral cancer patients and controls. Materials and Methods: The study population comprised of 15 oral cancer patients and 15 controls. The lipid profile patterns, such as, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), Very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) lipoprotein, and triglycerides were estimated in both the groups. Changes in the plasma lipid profiles of both groups were compared. Results: This study evaluated all the plasma lipid profile patterns in both the groups. A significant decrease in the total cholesterol and HDL was observed in oral cancer subjects when compared with the control groups. Conclusion: Lipids are the major cell membrane components, which are essential for various biological functions, such as, maintaining cell integrity, cell growth, and division of normal and malignant cells. The lower plasma lipid status may be a useful indicator for initial changes occurring in neoplastic cells

Cingulate transcranial direct current stimulation in adults with HIV.

BackgroundNeuronal dysfunction plays an important role in the high prevalence of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) in people with HIV (PWH). Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)-with its capability to improve neuronal function-may have the potential to serve as an alternative therapeutic approach for HAND. Brain imaging and neurobehavioral studies provide converging evidence that injury to the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is highly prevalent and contributes to HAND in PWH, suggesting that ACC may serve as a potential neuromodulation target for HAND. Here we conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, partial crossover pilot study to test the safety, tolerability, and potential efficacy of anodal tDCS over cingulate cortex in adults with HIV, with a focus on the dorsal ACC (dACC).MethodsEleven PWH (47-69 years old, 2 females, 100% African Americans, disease duration 16-36 years) participated in the study, which had two phases, Phase 1 and Phase 2. During Phase 1, participants were randomized to receive ten sessions of sham (n = 4) or cingulate tDCS (n = 7) over the course of 2-3 weeks. Treatment assignments were unknown to the participants and the technicians. Neuropsychology and MRI data were collected from four additional study visits to assess treatment effects, including one baseline visit (BL, prior to treatment) and three follow-up visits (FU1, FU2, and FU3, approximately 1 week, 3 weeks, and 3 months after treatment, respectively). Treatment assignment was unblinded after FU3. Participants in the sham group repeated the study with open-label cingulate tDCS during Phase 2. Statistical analysis was limited to data from Phase 1.ResultsCompared to sham tDCS, cingulate tDCS led to a decrease in Perseverative Errors in Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), but not Non-Perseverative Errors, as well as a decrease in the ratio score of Trail Making Test-Part B (TMT-B) to TMT-Part A (TMT-A). Seed-to-voxel analysis with resting state functional MRI data revealed an increase in functional connectivity between the bilateral dACC and a cluster in the right dorsal striatum after cingulate tDCS. There were no differences in self-reported discomfort ratings between sham and cingulate tDCS.ConclusionsCingulate tDCS is safe and well-tolerated in PWH, and may have the potential to improve cognitive performance and brain function. A future study with a larger sample is warranted