Experience of Antenatal Thalassemia Screening and Prenatal Diagnosis from a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Punjab.

Prevention of birth of thalassemia major children by identification of risk couples and prenatal diagnosis has been recommended as a realistic and cost effective method for control of thalassemia. We present our experience of antenatal thalassemia screening and prenatal diagnosis (PND) in a tertiary care teaching hospital. All antenatal women presenting to the antenatal clinic over 6 years were counseled for beta thalassemia screening.

Survival and relapse patterns in patients of cranial vs extra-cranial oligometastases treated with stereotactic radiosurgery/stereotactic body radiation therapy and systemic therapy.

Objectives: To evaluate the outcome of patients with cranial (C) and extra-cranial (EC) oligometastases treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)/stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and standard of care systemic therapy.

Methods: During the period 2018-2022, patients who received SBRT or SRS for oligometastases (≤5 lesions) in addition to systemic therapy were evaluated. PET-CT was done to categorize them as C or EC oligometastases.

Rare case of stromal predominant Wilm's tumour with rhabdomyoblastic differentiation in FNAC smears.

The FNAC smear and histopathology of stromal predominant Wilm's tumour with rhabdomyoblastic Differentiation along with immunostaining in a 7-year-old male. In this paper, the diagnostic potential of FNAC in identifying rare histological variants of paediatric renal tumours is highlighted.

Translation stalling induced mitochondrial entrapment of ribosomal quality control related proteins offers cancer cell vulnerability.

Ribosome-associated quality control (RQC) monitors ribosomes for aberrant translation. While the role of RQC in neurodegenerative disease is beginning to be appreciated, its involvement in cancer is understudied. Here, we show a positive correlation between RQC proteins ABCE1 and ZNF598 and high-grade muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Utility of Image Morphometry in the Atypical Urothelial Cells and High-Grade Urothelial Carcinoma Categories of the Paris System for Reporting Urinary Cytology.

Introduction: Urinary cytology (UrCy) is highly sensitive to diagnosing high-grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC) but cannot predict muscularis propria invasion. Further, the atypical urothelial cell category (AUC) may have variable outcomes. Image morphometry (IM) may be a valuable adjunct technique in this setting.

Renal Mucormycosis with Disseminated Lytic Bony Lesions.

Renal is a lethal opportunistic infection with extensive tissue invasion leading to infarction. We report a diabetic lady with disseminated fungal pyelonephritis presenting with extensive lytic bony lesions mimicking malignancy. Prompt initiation of antifungal therapy and surgical debridement is the key to successful management.

Utility of UroVysion Fluorescence in situ Hybridization in Improving the Diagnostic Performance of Urine Cytology.

Introduction: The atypical urothelial cell (AUC) category in The Paris System (TPS) in urine cytology (UrCy) is a challenging area. This study aimed to evaluate the UroVysion fluorescence in situ hybridization (U-FISH) assay in predicting the outcome of AUC. Additionally, we explored the association of abnormal U-FISH results in high-grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC) concerning muscularis propria invasion (MPI).

Utility of PSMA-PET derived volumetric parameters in initial risk stratification and prediction of prostate cancer metastasis - a head-to-head comparison of the radiotracers 18 F-PSMA-1007 and 68 Ga-PSMA-11.

Objective: This study aimed to explore and compare the utility of baseline 18 F-PSMA-1007 and 68 Ga-PSMA-11 PET/computed tomography (CT) derived volumetric parameters in initial risk stratification and prediction of prostate cancer (PCa) metastasis.

Methods: Forty treatment-naïve, biopsy-proven intermediate-/high-risk PCa patients were prospectively recruited. Each patient underwent PET/CT with 68 Ga-PSMA-11 and 18 F-PSMA-1007 (within 2 weeks).

Prognostic significance of Klotho expression in patients with renal cell carcinoma.

Introduction: Various molecular markers have been investigated in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) without significant reliability. We analyzed Klotho (tumor suppressive protein) expression in RCC to investigate its association with tumor-stage, grade, disease-free-survival (DFS) and overall-survival (OS).

Methods: Data of histologically confirmed patients of RCC with complete clinical follow-up were retrieved from Medical-Record-Library.

Clinical study of steroid receptors in nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer: A domain worth revisiting.

Introduction: The prognostic significance of steroid receptors in bladder cancer remains controversial. This study was designed to determine the expression status of androgen receptor (AR), estrogen receptors (ERα and Erβ), and its potential role in predicting survival in patients with nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

Methods: Sixty patients of NMIBC were screened and 57 (41 males and 16 females) were included in our study.

Spectrum of Hemophagocytosis in Bone Marrow Aspirates: Experience from a Tertiary Care Hospital in North India.

Background: Hemophagocytosis refers to the engulfment of hematopoietic cells by histiocytes. It can be seen in various conditions but is usually reported in the setting of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Optimal interpretation of hemophagocytosis in the bone marrow in relation to the underlying disease significantly contributes to correct patient management.

Potential role of Ga-PSMA PET/CT in metastatic renal cell cancer: A prospective study.

Purpose: Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), in addition to its utility in prostate cancer, is also an angiogenic imaging marker for hypervascular tumors like renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Our study aims to assess the potential role of Ga-PSMA-11 positron emission tomography (PET)/CT in metastatic RCC and compare it with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT).

Methods: Biopsy-proven RCC patients with known or suspected distant metastases who underwent Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT for staging/restaging were prospectively recruited.

Cytomorphologic and immunocytochemical characterization of pediatric pleuropulmonary blastoma with a comprehensive review of the literature.

Introduction: Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a rare, aggressive, primary intrathoracic malignancy typically seen in infancy and early childhood. Accurate distinction from congenital cystic lung lesions is crucial due to significant prognostic and therapeutic differences. Cytologic features have rarely been described.

Detection of focal lesions in the clot section with negative bone marrow aspirate and trephine biopsy-A series of 5 cases.

Bone marrow aspiration and trephine biopsies are commonly used procedures in clinical practice. The practice of making a clot section by using the leftover blood from the bone marrow aspirate material is not a commonly followed practice across centers. A clot section has the advantage of studying the added material with an increased possibility of detecting focal lesions such as myeloma, lymphoma, granuloma, and metastasis in the bone marrow.

MYCN amplification, TERT rearrangements and ATRX mutations in neuroblastoma: clinicopathological correlates- an Indian perspective.

Background: Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumour in childhood with a diverse clinical presentation and course. The early age of onset, high frequency of metastatic disease at diagnosis and tendency for spontaneous regression in infancy sets it apart from other childhood tumors. This heterogeneity is largely attributed to underlying genetic aberrations which are distinct in low-risk and high-risk NB.

Cytological spectrum of testicular malignancies with histopathological correlation: A retrospective analysis.

Background: Testicular malignancy is the most common solid organ cancer occurring in young men. The most common testicular malignancy is germ cell tumor. Extragonadal malignancies such as lymphomas are rare.

Macrothrombocytopenia: Role of Automated Platelet Data in Diagnosis.

Purpose: Inherited macrothrombocytopenia is an underdiagnosed condition and may result in misdiagnosis and inappropriate management. This research was done to study this condition in a hospital setting.

Materials And Methods: This study was conducted over 6 months in a teaching hospital.

ALK Gene Mutation and ALK Protein Expression in Advanced Neuroblastoma and the Potential Value in Risk Stratification in Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy Samples.

Objectives: The protein ALK is targeted for therapy in neuroblastoma, and ALK mutation confers a poor prognosis. We evaluated ALK in a cohort of patients with advanced neuroblastoma diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB).

Methods: Fifty-four cases of neuroblastoma were evaluated for ALK protein expression by immunocytochemistry and ALK gene mutation by next-generation sequencing.

Understanding the killer-cell immunoglobulin like receptor polymorphism in retinoblastoma.

Background: The KIR receptors present on the natural killer (NK) cells play a crucial role by exercising cytotoxicity to eliminate tumor cells. Both KIR and class-I HLA molecules exhibit extensive polymorphism. Although inactivation triggers the initiation of retinoblastoma; however additional immune alterations trigger tumor development.

Psychological implications of Covid-19 in healthcare workers.

Background: The Covid-19 outbreak has led to an unprecedented burden on the healthcare infrastructure. High morbidity and mortality rates have resulted in a state of stress and distress among the general population which has also impacted health professionals.

Aims: This study was conducted to identify mental health disturbances among health professionals during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Role of Automated Volume, Conductivity and Scatter (VCS) Parameters of Neutrophils as Indicators of Sepsis.

This study was done to evaluate the role of automated volume, conductivity and scatter (VCS) parameters of neutrophils as indicators of sepsis and its differentiation from other inflammatory disorders. In this cross-sectional study, 225 patients with culture proven or with clinical evidence of sepsis were included along with an equal number of healthy controls. In addition, 138 patients with non-infective inflammatory conditions-acute pancreatitis (50), burns (45) and acute myocardial infarction (43) were also included.

Comparison of 18 F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT With 68 Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT for Initial Staging in Intermediate- and High-Risk Prostate Cancer.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare 18 F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT with 68 Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT for initial staging in intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer (PCa) patients.

Methods: Forty treatment-naive, biopsy-proven, intermediate- or high-risk PCa patients were prospectively recruited. Each patient underwent PET/CT with 68 Ga-PSMA-11 and 18 F-PSMA-1007 (within 2 weeks).

Efficient valorization of feather waste by Bacillus cereus IIPK35 for concomitant production of antioxidant keratin hydrolysate and milk-clotting metallo-serine keratinase.

Keratinase production by Bacillus cereus IIPK35 was investigated under solid-state fermentation (SSF) and the maximum titer of 648.28 U/gds was revealed. Feather hydrolysates obtained from SSF exhibited paramount antioxidant properties in ABTS [2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid], FRAP [Ferric ion reducing antioxidant power], and DPPH [2,2,-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl] assay.