Three rare and accidental findings of hemoglobinopathies encountered in high-performance liquid chromatography: case series

Hemoglobinopathies are the leading cause of some major genetic and social health problem in India. Among all hemoglobinopathies, sickle cell disorder and thalassemia are commonly found in Gujarat state. Double heterozygous state of hemoglobin S and D, hemoglobin E trait, hemoglobin D disease are very uncommon. In present instance, one case of 25-year-old male was diagnosed with sickle cell hemoglobin D disease. The case was confirmed through slide-based sickle test and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The peripheral smear findings showed presence of microcytic hypochromic red blood cells (RBCs) and many sickled RBCs. Ultrasonography (USG) findings showed hepatomegaly. Second case of 30-year-old female was diagnosed with hemoglobin E trait. The case was confirmed by HPLC. The peripheral findings showed normocytic normochromic RBCs and occasional target cells. Presence of gross hepatomegaly on palpation. Third case of 20-year-old female was diagnosed with hemoglobin D trait. The case was confirmed by HPLC. The peripheral findings showed normocytic normochromic RBCs

Wilms’ Tumor in Adults—Conventional and Unconventional Presentations of a Rare Entity with a Review of Literature

Wilms’ tumor (WT) in adults is a rare neoplasm. Only a few reports are available in the literature. The tumor often masquerades as renal cell carcinoma (RCC). For accurate reporting, histopathological examination (HPE) plays a vital role in early diagnosis and prompt administration of multimodality treatment helps to improve the prognosis. We comprehensively analyzed five cases of adult WT presenting in the third to fifth decade with flank pain, hematuria, fever, and palpable lump. After complete clinical, biochemical, radiological, and HPE evaluation, tumor was staged and treatment was planned accordingly. Patients with low-stage WT were treated with open radical nephrectomy and chemotherapy. One of the patients diagnosed with inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombus apart from the above treatment also underwent IVC thrombectomy. Another young male presenting with distant metastasis (stage IV) and focal anaplasia on histology received preoperative chemotherapy and then planned for surgery. Unfortunately, the tumor being unresectable, second-line chemotherapy was given but he ultimately succumbed to death. All other patients are on regular follow-up and disease-free. Adult nephroblastoma is a rare clinical entity with hostile behavior. The presence of IVC thrombus is not a contraindication to surgery. Although the management strategy as per pediatric protocol by the inclusion of multimodality approach improves survival, still the overall prognosis in adults is dismal. There is a need for a standardized treatment protocol to encourage a homogenous approach for this rare disease and thereby improve survival

Antibodies against endogenous retroviruses promote lung cancer immunotherapy

B cells are frequently found in the margins of solid tumours as organized follicles in ectopic lymphoid organs called tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS). Although TLS have been found to correlate with improved patient survival and response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), the underlying mechanisms of this association remain elusive. Here we investigate lung-resident B cell responses in patients from the TRACERx 421 (Tracking Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Evolution Through Therapy) and other lung cancer cohorts, and in a recently established immunogenic mouse model for lung adenocarcinoma. We find that both human and mouse lung adenocarcinomas elicit local germinal centre responses and tumour-binding antibodies, and further identify endogenous retrovirus (ERV) envelope glycoproteins as a dominant anti-tumour antibody target. ERV-targeting B cell responses are amplified by ICB in both humans and mice, and by targeted inhibition of KRAS(G12C) in the mouse model. ERV-reactive antibodies exert anti-tumour activity that extends survival in the mouse model, and ERV expression predicts the outcome of ICB in human lung adenocarcinoma. Finally, we find that effective immunotherapy in the mouse model requires CXCL13-dependent TLS formation. Conversely, therapeutic CXCL13 treatment potentiates anti-tumour immunity and synergizes with ICB. Our findings provide a possible mechanistic basis for the association of TLS with immunotherapy response

Study of Prevalence of Thalassemia and its variants using HPLC – A Hospital based Retrospective Study

Background: Structural defect in haemoglobin are the most common inherited abnormalities of hemoglobin synthesis. Objective: Early and accurate diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies. Diagnosis of these disorders through HPLC is most convient investigation for diagnosis of hemoglobinapathies. Results and conclusion: Abnormal hemoglobin fractions on HPLC were seen in 338 cases of total 730 samples examined. Out of all the cases, β Thalassemia Minor was the predominant abnormality. 75 cases (10.27%) were β Thalassemia Major and 17 cases (2.325%) were β Thalassemia Intermedia. 2 cases with diagnosis of Sickle β thalassemia were reported. In our study, one case of δβ thalassemia and 4 cases of δβ thalassemia trait were also reported. HPLC is easy and convient method to rule out hemoglobinopathies. The trend of labelling the diagnosis of hemoglobinopathy with HPLC instead of Hb Electrophoresis is rapidly rising. Thus, HPLC is a better tool to rule out hemoglobinopathy and improve the life standards of general population

Correlation of mucormycosis with duration of steroid and oxygen therapy

Introduction: Covid-19 patients have many complications after treatment, including fungal infection, disseminated intravascular coagulation, septicemia, cardiac problems, fissures, piles and meningitis. Out of these; Mucormycosis- A lethal fungal infection which is caused by the family of mucorcea; is more prevalent in post covid-19 patients. Mucormycosis is well correlated with post covid-19 infection; who underwent prolonged steroid & oxygen therapy during hospitalization. Mucormycosis is more common in covid-19 patients with immunocompromised status like Diabetes mellitus, Hypertension, cancer, organ transplant etc. Aims & objectives:(1) To correlate mucormycosis, a fungal infection in covid-19 patients with duration of steroid and oxygen therapy.(2) To correlate mucormycosis with various comorbidities & hospitalization. Materials&Method: All radiologically and histopathologically proven cases would be selected for our study. Complete clinical history of patients would be taken. Steroid and oxygen treatment given to the patient would be correlated.Type of study: Prospective & retrospective. Duration of study: 6 months Inclusion criteria: (1) Patients aged 18 years & above.(2) Patient with mucormycosis in covid-19 infection with or without hospitalization.(3)All radiologically suggested fungal infection in covid-19 induced pneumonia with active disease in recovery phase. Exclusion criteria: (1) Age less than 18 years. (2) Patients with incomplete clinical history. Conclusion: Mucormycosis is more common in hospitalized patients with prolonged steroid & oxygen therapy. We may prevent mucormycosis in covid-19 patients by reducing duration of steroid therapy

Proceedings of National Conference on Relevance of Engineering and Science for Environment and Society

This conference proceedings contains articles on the various research ideas of the academic community and practitioners presented at the National Conference on Relevance of Engineering and Science for Environment and Society (R{ES}2 2021). R{ES}2 2021 was organized by Shri Pandurang Pratishthan’s, Karmayogi Engineering College, Shelve, Pandharpur, India on July 25th, 2021. Conference Title: National Conference on Relevance of Engineering and Science for Environment and SocietyConference Acronym: R{ES}2 2021Conference Date: 25 July 2021Conference Location: Online (Virtual Mode)Conference Organizers: Shri Pandurang Pratishthan’s, Karmayogi Engineering College, Shelve, Pandharpur, India