Proliferative index in astrocytic tumours.

The accurate grading of astrocytic tumours is of prime importance because it is critical to the patient management and survival/outcome. Although internationally accepted WHO grading system of CNS tumours is based on histological features of H&E stained sections, yet there are cases where differentiation between grade II and grade III is difficult particularly when the biopsy is small. Proliferative index derived from MIB-1 immunostaining has been found to be useful in the distinction between various grades of malignancy.

Identification of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type-1 Subtypes by Heteroduplex Mobility Assay.

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) has developed marked genomic sequence differences over the course of an epidemic because of an error prone reverse transcriptase (RT), which rapidly incorporates mutations resulting in genomic diversity, altered cell tropism, immune escape and variable resistance to antiretroviral drugs. The best preventive strategy for HIV control is development of an efficacious prophylactic vaccine using the most appropriate (antigenically related) subtypes. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis, HIV strains can be separated into major group "M" consisting of genetic subtypes A-K, "N", the new group and "O", the outlier group.

Reconstruction of Complex Abdominal Wall Defects.

Introduction: Reconstruction of large abdominal wall defects not amenable to primary closure remains a challenging problem. These defects result from trauma, previous surgery, infection and tumour resection. The primary objectives of abdominal wall reconstructions are to protect abdominal contents and provide functional support.

Hepatitis G Virus Infection in Healthy Individuals, Acute Viral Hepatitis and Persons at Risk for Parenteral Transmission.

Background: Hepatitis G virus (HGV), transmitted mostly by parenteral route, has been under investigation for its role as an agent for viral hepatitis. This study was carried out to find out the prevalence of HGV in healthy individuals, multi-transfused patients with acute viral hepatitis and those under going dialysis.

Method: The study included 200 healthy individuals and 180 patients, comprising acute viral hepatitis (100 cases), multi-transfused patients (50 cases) and patients undergoing dialysis (30 cases).

Detection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) A/AE Circulating Recombinant Form (CRF) in India: Possible Implications.

Background: Rapidly evolving viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) develop marked sequence differences in their genome over the course of an epidemic and in individuals infected for longer duration. This is because of the error prone reverse transcriptase (RT), which rapidly incorporates mutations resulting in genomic diversity, altered cell tropism, immune escape, and variable resistance to antiretroviral drugs. As a result, radically different genomic combinations may be generated in individuals infected by genetically diverse viruses that have mosaic genomes.

Outbreak of Viral Hepatitis E in a Regimental Training Centre.

Background: An outbreak of viral hepatitis occurred in a regimental centre with 265 cases occurring during a 3 months period.

Methods: 190 serum samples were tested for IgM antibodies against viral hepatitis E by Enzyme Immuno Assay (EIA) and for antibodies against Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B viruses. Epidemiological investigation comprised review of surveillance data, filling up epidemiological case sheet, sanitary survey, inspection of water supplies and bacteriological examination of water for coliforms.

Stroke at high altitude: Indian experience.

Unlabelled: Stroke is a common medical emergency. There is limited knowledge about stroke at high altitude. We present the clinical profile of 30 cases of stroke at high altitude seen at our center between November 1998 to July 2000.

Transient global amnesia : a case report.

Transient global amnesia is characterized by abrupt and short lasting loss of ability to recall recent events or to remember new information. A case of transient global amnesia is presented and the importance of awareness of this condition for the psychiatrist is discussed.

Massive lower intestinal bleeding--a decade of experience.

Background: Lower gastrointestinal bleeding is defined as hemorrhage orginating distal to the ligament of Treitz. Its diagnosis is difficult, often requiring endoscopy, angiography and isotope scans.

Methods: All patients with massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding seen in three gastroenterology centers of Armed Forces during an 11 year period between 1988 and 1999 were retrospectively analysed.

Venlafaxine induced hypertension:a case report.

Venlafaxine is a newly introduced antidepressant that is clinically different from other antidepressants, possesses a slightly different mechanism of action and may have unique efficacy properties and a faster onset of action. A case of venlafaxine induced severe hypertension is reported to highlight the need for caution while using this drug.

Hepatopulmonary syndrome: prevalence and clinical profile.

Background: The hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is defined as a triad of liver dysfunction, intrapulmonary vascular dilatations (IPVD) and arterial hypoxemia. There is paucity of Indian studies regarding the prevalence of IPVD and arterial hypoxemia particularly amongst patients with non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis (NCPF) and extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO), where liver dysfunction is not a feature.

Methods: All patients with portal hypertension and esophageal varices seen at a tertiary care hospital during 1995-98 were studied.

Bio-artificial liver from cultured human foetal hepatocytes: feasibility and prospects.

Background: Conventional therapy for acute liver failure has not been able to improve survival beyond 40%. Apart from liver transplantation, the most promising development in this field is the utilization of cultured hepatocytes to make 'bio-artificial liver support systems' as a 'bridge to transplantation' or ideally as a 'bridge to total recovery'. This study examines the feasibility of culturing foetal hepatocytes without the use of growth factors and formulating a bio-artificial liver support device in our set-up.

Cytokines and inflammatory bowel disease.

Cytokines are the key mediators of inflammation in the IBD and are focus of renewed interest to plan therapeutic strategies against this disease. However, there are gaps in our knowledge at present and a lot of questions need clear answers. Even with a therapy as specific as anti-TNF antibody, it is not clear if the benefit is attributable to simple binding and clearance of TNF-alpha or to binding on the cell surface and subsequent deletion of the activated macrophage.

UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL MUCOSA IN CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE - AN ENDOSCOPIC AND HISTOLOGICAL EVALUATION.

Over a three year period, 98 patients of moderate to severe chronic renal failure (S creatinine > 5 mg/dl) admitted in our centre were evaluated for upper GI lesions. All patients underwent upper GI endoscopy. In 68% upper GI mucosa was affected.