Quantitation of angiogenesis and its correlation with vascular endothelial growth factor expression in astrocytic tumors.

Objective: To quantitate tumor angiogenesis by establishing intratumoral microvessel density (IMD), to study vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in different grades of astrocytomas and to correlate VEGF expression with tumor angiogenesis.

Study Design: Forty cases of astrocytic neoplasms (10 of each grade) were assessed for tumor angiogenesis and VEGF expression. The panendothelial marker CD31 was used to highlight microvessels.

Aging changes in the human brain: a histochemical and immunohistochemical study.

There are very few studies on neuropathological changes of aging in the Indian population. In the present study, the incidence of aging changes in 20 non-demented elderly humans above the age of 55 years were observed. The incidence of neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) increased from 20% in 50-55-year-olds to 80% in 55-year-olds and over.

Chorangiopagus parasiticus twins.

Chorangiopagus parasiticus twins (CAPP) occur due to asymmetric abnormality of monozygous, twinning. It is the commonest form of asymmetric twinning, occurring in 1% of monozygous twins. The asymmetric twin survives by parasitizing the more normally developed co-twin by connecting with the chorionic circulation, hence, chorangiopagus parasiticus.

Acromegaly: a rare manifestation of bronchial carcinoid.

Bronchial carcinoids usually present with pulmonary symptoms. Neurohumoral manifestations in the form of acromegaly and Cushing's syndrome are rarely encountered. We report a case of bronchial carcinoid with features of acromegaly due to ectopic production of growth hormone-releasing hormone.