Branchial Cyst with Branchial Fistula: A Rare Association.

Branchial arch anomalies are the most common congenital neck masses. The second branchial arch anomalies followed by first arch anomalies are seen commonly in the descending order. They originate from remnants of branchial arches and clefts.

Prevalence of aspirin resistance in Asian-Indian patients with stable coronary artery disease.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of pharmacological resistance to aspirin therapy by measuring platelet functions using the technique of light transmission aggregometry.

Background: Aspirin is the cornerstone of antiplatelet therapy in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, a substantial proportion of patients manifest breakthrough thrombotic events despite regular intake of aspirin suggesting therapeutic resistance to aspirin.

Ultrasonography Guided Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology with Preparation of Cell Blocks in the Diagnosis of Intra- Abdominal Masses.

Background: Ultrasonography guided Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) is currently the most favoured and increasingly used pre-operative diagnostic procedure in various deep seated neoplastic and non-neoplastic mass lesions. Cell blocks prepared from residual fine needle aspiration (FNA) material can aid in better morphologic assessment and contribute to establish a more definitive cytopathologic diagnosis.

Aim: To assess the value of ultrasonography guided FNAC in the diagnosis of intra-abdominal (non-pelvic) masses.

Galectin-3 Immunohistochemical Expression in Thyroid Neoplasms.

Background: Galectin-3 has been implicated in the regulation of cellular growth, differentiation and malignant transformation in various organs including thyroid gland. It has been extensively studied as an immunohistochemical (IHC) marker in thyroid malignancy.

Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic role of Galectin-3 (Gal-3) in differentiating malignant from benign thyroid neoplasm.

Functional parathyroid cystic adenoma: A rare cause of hypercalcemic crisis with primary hyperparathyroidism.

We discuss a case of primary hyperparathyroidism caused by a giant cystic parathyroid adenoma presenting with neck swelling and hypercalcemic crisis. Fine-needle aspiration cytology of presumed thyroid swelling from one of the two sites aspirated yielded clear fluid but was not attributed to parathyroid pathology. Elevated serum calcium and intact parathormone (iPTH) levels suggested preoperative parathyroid pathology.

Use of reverse micellar systems for the extraction and purification of bromelain from pineapple wastes.

Reverse micellar systems of CTAB/isooctane/hexanol/butanol and AOT/isooctane are used for the extraction and primary purification of bromelain from crude aqueous extract of pineapple wastes (core, peel, crown and extended stem). The effect of forward as well as back extraction process parameters on the extraction efficiency, activity recovery and purification fold is studied in detail for the pineapple core extract. The optimized conditions for the extraction from core resulted in forward and back extraction efficiencies of 45% and 62%, respectively, using reverse micellar system of cationic surfactant CTAB.

Hamartoma of the breast--a case report.

A 45 year old female presented with a discrete palpable mass in the right breast. Repeated fine needle aspiration of the mass yielded only adipose tissue and was reported as lipoma - breast. Microscopic features of the resected mass were evaluated in conjunction with the clinical and gross pathologic finding and a diagnosis of hamartoma was established.