Optimizing fibrin hydrogel toward effective neural progenitor cell delivery in spinal cord injury.

Transplantation of neural progenitor cell (NPC) possessing the potential to differentiate into neurons may guard against spinal cord injury (SCI)- associated neuronal trauma. We propose that autologous-like NPC may reduce post-transplant immune response. The study used the rat SCI model to prove this concept.

Determinants of Suboptimal Outcome Following Thymectomy in Myasthenia Gravis.

Background: Response to thymectomy in myasthenia gravis (MG) is influenced by various patient-, disease-, and therapy-related factors.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 128 patients with MG who underwent maximal thymectomy over 15 years was done to identify the determinants of suboptimal clinical outcome.

Results: Among the 128 patients, 62 (48.

Mucormycosis-induced ileocecal perforation: A case report and review of literature.

Gastrointestinal mucormycosis is a rare form of invasive mucormycosis with high fatality rate due to difficulty in establishing its diagnosis. The classic risk-factors include immunosuppression and metabolic derangement. A case of ileocecal mucormycosis following intracardiac repair of congenital heart disease in a 17-year-old boy is described here who lacked the typical risk-factors for mucormycosis.

Plasmacytoma of the clivus.

We report a case of solitary plasmacytoma of the clivus in a 55 year old male.

Quantification of diffusion and anisotropy in intracranial epidermoids using diffusion tensor metrics and p: q tensor decomposition.

Purpose: To quantitatively evaluate the diffusion tensor metrics p, q, L and fractional anisotropy in intracranial epidermoids in comparison with normal white matter in the splenium of the corpus callosum.

Methods: This retrospective study included 20 consecutive patients referred to our institute. All patients had a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study on a 1.

Rapid and simple method of photobleaching to reduce background autofluorescence in lung tissue sections.

Autofluorescence exhibited by tissues often interferes with immunofluorescence. Using imaging and spectral analysis, we observed remarkable reduction of autofluorescence of formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissues irradiated with light prior to incubation with immunofluorescent dyes. The technique of photobleaching offers significant improvement in the quality and specificity of immunofluorescence.

Optical diagnosis of the progression and reversal of CCl4-induced liver injury in rodent model using minimally invasive autofluorescence spectroscopy.

Worldwide, liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer in men and seventh most common cancer in women. Intoxicant-induced liver injury is one of the major causes for severe structural damage with fibrosis and functional derangement of the liver leading to cancer in its later stages. This report focuses on the minimally invasive autofluorescence spectroscopic (AFS) studies on intoxicant, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver damage in a rodent model.

Intracranial ewings sarcoma/peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor.

Central nervous system primitive neuroectodermal tumours (CNS PNET) are aggressive embryonal tumours composed of undifferentiated or poorly differentiated neuroepithelial cells seen in the pediatric age group. This is rare and only a handful of cases of ES/pPNET in CNS are reported. We report such a case in a 3 year old child.

Accurate localization and echocardiographic-pathologic correlation of tricuspid valve angiolipoma by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography.

Angiolipoma (angiolipohamartoma) of the tricuspid valve (TV) is a rare tumor which may be occasionally misdiagnosed as right atrial (RA) myxoma. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) provides accurate information regarding the size, shape, mobility as well as site of attachment of RA tumors and is a superior modality as compared to transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Correct diagnosis of RA tumors has therapeutic significance and guides management of patients, as myxomas are generally more aggressively managed than lipomas.

Experiences with carotid endarterectomy at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute.

Background: Atherosclerotic carotid artery disease poses a grave threat to cerebral circulation, leading to a stroke with its devastating sequelae, if left untreated. Carotid endarterectomy has a proven track record with compelling evidence in stroke prevention.

Objectives: a) To confirm that carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is safe and effective in preventing stroke at both short and long term.

Re-colorization of museum specimens: a modification of Romhanyi's technique based on pyridine/nicotine hemochromogen reactions.

Romhanyi's technique for preservation and restoration of color in museum specimens is almost unknown outside Hungary. The technique was based on the use of pyridine, nicotine and sodium dithionite (sodium hydrosulphite) for restoring the natural red color of formalin-fixed gross specimens. We developed a modification of the original technique using a mounting medium containing citrate-phosphate-dextrose (CPD) buffer and glycerin to control pH and osmolality.

Cerebral aneurysms in atrial myxoma: a delayed, rare manifestation.

Atrial myxomas are the most common primary tumors of the heart. Neurologic involvement usually occurs as a stroke with ischemic episodes. Following excision of cardiac myxomas, delayed neurologic events owing to aneurysms are rare and have not been reported from India.

Clinico-pathological study of cerebral aneurysms.

Aims And Objectives: A clinico-pathological study of cerebral aneurysms was undertaken to understand the histopathogical nature of the lesions and to ascertain possible etiological risk factors.

Material And Methods: Of the 255 cases of cerebral aneurysms operated upon at our Institute during the two-year period between Jan 1999 to Dec 2000, a detailed study was conducted on 57 cases where the aneurysm sac could be excised and subjected to histopathological examination. Aneurysm sacs were fixed in 10% buffered formaldehyde and processed through graded alcohol.

Teratoma masquerading as catamenial pleural effusion.

Pleural effusion is a common clinical entity in medical practice. We report a case wherein extensive investigations failed to yield a diagnosis and medical management including repeated thoracocentesis left the effusion refractory. The patient, a 26 years lady, gave a definite history of catamenial dry cough and wheeze.

Atypical meningioma: a clinicopathological analysis.

In this retrospective study, 382 operated cases of meningiomas were reviewed. 32 cases (8.3%) were histopathologically classified as atypical meningioma.

Primary osteogenic sarcoma involving sella-sphenoid sinus--case report.

A 38-year-old male presented with an extremely rare primary osteogenic sarcoma, unassociated with Paget's disease or late effects of radiation, involving the sella and sphenoid sinus region. Complete excision of the tumor was achieved through an extended frontobasal approach. Postoperatively, six cycles of combination chemotherapy (adriamycin, ifosphamide, and cisplatin) followed by a total of 55 Gy local radiotherapy in 33 fractions was given.

Bonnet monkey model for pancreatic changes in induced malnutrition.

Pancreatic degenerative lesions of identical nature could be induced in bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata) fed protein-deficient tapioca or cassava starch-based and corn-starch-based diets for 3 or 5 months. Marked to severe lobular and acinar cell atrophy in animals fed low-protein diets resembled human pancreatic atrophy resulting from protein deficiency. Animals fed low-protein, high-carbohydrate diets showed lesions akin to tropical chronic calculus pancreatopathy with diabetes mellitus.