Design, Development, and Evaluation of a Master-Slave Surgical System for Breast Biopsy under Continuous MRI.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) provides superior soft-tissue contrast in cancer diagnosis compared to other imaging modalities. However, the strong magnetic field inside the MRI bore along with limited scanner bore size poses significant challenges. Since current approaches in breast biopsy using MR images is primarily a blind targeting approach, it is necessary to develop a MRI-compatible robot that can avoid multiple needle insertions into the breast tissue.

Brentuximab vedotin administered to platinum-refractory, transplant-naïve Hodgkin lymphoma patients can increase the proportion achieving FDG PET negative status.

Normalization of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) imaging prior to high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) improves outcomes in relapsed and refractory (RR) Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), but many patients refractory to platinum-based salvage regimens are unable to achieve this goal. We therefore investigated whether brentuximab vedotin (BV) could normalize FDG PET in platinum-refractory HL prior to ASCT. Fifteen consecutive patients with RR HL and FDG PET positive disease after platinum-based salvage therapy were treated with a median of 4 cycles of BV.

Alterations in Polysomnographic (PSG) profile in drug-naïve Parkinson's disease.

Objective: We studied the changes in Polysomnographic (PSG) profile in drug-naïve patients of Parkinson's disease (PD) who underwent evaluation with sleep overnight PSG.

Materials And Methods: This prospective study included 30 with newly diagnosed levodopa-naïve patients with PD, fulfilling the UK-PD society brain bank clinical diagnostic criteria (M:F = 25:5; age: 57.2 ± 10.

Networking between community health programs: a team-work approach to improving health service provision.

Background: Networking between non-government organisations in the health sector is recognised as an effective method of improving service delivery. The Uttarakhand Cluster was established in 2008 as a collaboration of community health programs in rural north India with the aim of building capacity, increasing visibility and improving linkages with the government. This qualitative research, conducted between 2011-2012, examined the factors contributing to formation and sustainability of this clustering approach.

A study on morbidity among automobile service and repair workers in an urban area of South India.

Introduction: Service sector in Indian industrial growth has obtained significant numbers. Automobile service industry is one of the largest in the world with a majority of the workers in unorganized sector of the industry. This study was carried out among auto service industry workers in Vellore urban area to assess possible occupation related morbidity.

Autologous transplant for relapsed follicular lymphoma: impact of pre-transplant rituximab sensitivity.

Patients with rituximab-refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) have limited options. Before the rituximab era, autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) was shown to improve outcomes in chemotherapy-sensitive, relapsed FL, but the impact of rituximab-sensitivity on these results is unknown. We analyzed 194 consecutive relapsed patients with FL who underwent ASCT at out center and categorized them as rituximab-sensitive (RS, n = 35), rituximab-refractory (RR, n = 65) or no rituximab (NoR, n = 94) if transplanted before rituximab was used.

Computed tomography-based classification of axis vertebra: choice of screw placement.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to: (1) introduce a new CT-based parameter: free facet area and provide its normative data; (2) standardize the method of measuring isthmus width and height of the axis vertebra; (3) propose a new grading system to predict the difficulty in inserting transarticular and C2 pedicle screws.

Methods: Spiral CT scans of 47 adult dry axis vertebrae were studied. The methods of measuring isthmus width, isthmus height and free facet area are described.

Benign cephalic histiocytosis.

A one and a half year old girl born of a non-consanguineous marriage presented with multiple asymptomatic erythematous to hyperpigmented and skin colored papules on both cheeks slowly increasing in number of 1 year duration. On the basis of clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemistry findings, a diagnosis of benign cephalic histiocytosis was made.

Penile pyoderma gangrenosum.

A 70-year-old man presented with indurated penile ulcers of 1-month duration. Initial biopsy was reported as chronic ulcer. A repeat biopsy done due to inadequate response to doxycycline showed features of pyoderma gangrenosum.

Cognitive deficits and its relation with psychopathology and global functioning in first episode schizophrenia.

Aim: The aim was to examine the cognitive deficits profile in first episode schizophrenia patients as well as examine the correlation between cognitive deficits, psychopathology and global functioning. Better understanding of these various facets of this debilitating illness is imperative in planning treatment, thereby limiting decline in global functioning.

Methods: Forty-nine schizophrenia patients with illness duration less than two years comprised the sample.

HIV-1 Nef and T-cell activation: a history of contradictions.

HIV-1 Nef is a multifunctional viral protein that contributes to higher plasma viremia and more rapid disease progression. Nef appears to accomplish this, in part, through modulation of T-cell activation; however, the results of these studies over the past 25 years have been inconsistent. Here, the history of contradictory observations related to HIV-1 Nef and its ability to modulate T-cell activation is reviewed, and recent reports that may help to explain Net's apparent ability to both inhibit and activate T cells are highlighted.

Growing Up with a Parent having Schizophrenia: Experiences and Resilience in the Offsprings.

Background: Parental mental illness has been found to have an impact on offsprings in their emotional, social, and behavioral aspects of life.

Aims: To examine the experiences of offsprings of a parent having schizophrenia and to study their resilience.

Materials And Methods: A sample of 45 adults with one parent diagnosed with schizophrenia was selected using purposive sampling.

Effect of yoga therapy on anxiety and depressive symptoms and quality-of-life among caregivers of in-patients with neurological disorders at a tertiary care center in India: A randomized controlled trial.

Context: The concerns of caregivers of patients with neurological disorders have been a felt need for a long time, with many of them experiencing significant psychiatric morbidity.

Aims: This study aimed to find the effect of yoga in reducing anxiety and depression, as well as improving quality-of-life in caregivers of patients with neurological disorders.

Settings And Design: The study was conducted using a randomized controlled design, with yoga intervention and waitlisted controls.

Specific features identify patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma benefitting from autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Outcomes with autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (auto HCT) for relapsed and/or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) are typically poor. We hypothesized that certain factors could predict which patients experience a favorable outcome with this approach. We thus developed a predictive score from a cohort of 67 such patients using 3 factors independently associated with progression-free survival (PFS): (1) simplified Mantle Cell Lymphoma International Prognostic Index score before auto HCT (hazard ratio [HR], 2.

Evident stabilization of the clinical profile in HIV/AIDS as evaluated in an open label clinical trial using a polyherbal formulation.

Background & Objectives: The complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) have not been systematically evaluated for the management of HIV/AIDS patients. In a prospective, single-site, open-label, non-randomized, controlled, pilot trial, we evaluated a polyherbal formulation (PHF) for its safety and efficacy in treating subjects with HIV-AIDS.

Methods: A total of 32 and 31 subjects were enrolled under the PHF and highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) arms, respectively, and followed up for a period of 24 months.

Evaluation of Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) of Halometasone 0.05% and Fusidic Acid 2% W/W Topical Cream Versus FDC of Betamethasone Valerate 0.12% and Neomycin Sulphate 0.5% W/W Topical Cream in the Treatment of Infected Eczematous Dermatosis in Indian Subjects: A Randomized Open-Label Comparative Phase III Multi-Centric Trial.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of fixed drug combination (FDC) halometasone 0.05% and fusidic acid 2% (group A) vs FDC betamethasone 0.12% and neomycin sulfate 0.

Elderly pedestrian neurotrauma: A descriptive study from a premier neurotrauma center in India.

Context: Experience with elderly pedestrian neurotrauma at a major neurotrauma tertiary center.

Aims: To highlight the specific injuries and outcome of the elderly pedestrian neurotrauma patients within the city of Bangalore and its surrounding districts.

Settings And Design: A retrospective study consisting of demographic data, clinical findings, radiological details, and outcomes.

Clofazimine-induced Hair Pigmentation.

A 45-year-old man was treated with WHO multibacillary multidrug therapy for borderline leprosy and high dose daily Clofazimine for lepra reaction. Along with the expected side effect of skin pigmentation, the patient also noticed darkening of previously grey hair. This colour persisted eight months after completing multibacillary multidrug therapy.

Ileal ganglioneuromatosis with adenocarcinoma in a patient with multiple neurofibromatosis.

Von Recklinghausen's disease or type 1 neurofibromatosis is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by mucocutaneous neurofibromas, café-au-lait spots and involves many organs including gastrointestinal tract. Gastrointestinal involvement in neurofibromatosis is uncommon and is seen 25% patients and nearly 5% of them are only symptomatic (Shekitka and Sobin, Am J Surg Pathol 18:250-257, 1994; Tomita et al., Int J Colorectal Dis 21: 89-91, 2006).

Prevalence and patterns of diverticulosis in patients undergoing colonoscopy in a southern Indian hospital.

The prevalence of diverticular disease of colon of colon is reportedly low in Asian compared to Western countries. We analyzed the prevalence of colonic diverticulosis in a selected cohort of patients undergoing colonoscopy. Retrospective study of records of patients undergoing colonoscopy in a tertiary hospital in southern India.

Laminin 332 expression in breast carcinoma.

Laminin 332 (LN332) is a basally expressed extracellular matrix protein that enhances the migration and invasion of breast carcinoma cells. The goal of this study was to examine LN332 expression breast carcinoma. Triple negative breast carcinomas lack estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) expression and HER2 positivity.