Dermatological Side Effects of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors: 'PRIDE' Complex.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor therapy has become the standard treatment for non-small cell lung cancer and head neck malignancy. This class of drug comprises EGFR inhibitors (erlotinib and gefitinib) and monoclonal antibody (cetuximab). Use of this class of drugs has been associated frequently with dermatological side effects termed as PRIDE complex-Papulopustules and/or paronychia, Regulatory abnormalities of hair growth, Itching, Dryness due to EGFR inhibitors.

A rare case of nephrotic syndrome: 'nailed' the diagnosis.

An 18-month-old female child presented to us with clinical features suggestive of nephrotic syndrome. Her physical examination and detailed family history highlighted the familial occurrence of abnormal nails, suggesting a diagnosis of the Nail-Patella syndrome. Nail-Patella syndrome is a rare cause of nephrotic syndrome in children.

Curcumin alters the salt bridge-containing turn region in amyloid β(1-42) aggregates.

Amyloid β (Aβ) fibrillar deposits in the brain are a hallmark of Alzheimer disease (AD). Curcumin, a common ingredient of Asian spices, is known to disrupt Aβ fibril formation and to reduce AD pathology in mouse models. Understanding the structural changes induced by curcumin can potentially lead to AD pharmaceutical agents with inherent bio-compatibility.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome associated with Plasmodium vivax malaria successfully treated with plasma exchange.

We report a case of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in an adult patient with Plasmodium vivax malaria. The patient presented with worsening anemia, persistent thrombocytopenia and acute kidney injury. HUS was diagnosed based on the high serum lactate dehydrogenase, elevated reticulocyte count and presence of schistocytes on peripheral blood smear.

Are institutional review boards prepared for active continuing review?

Continuing review is an important responsibility of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs). Though being mentioned by many of the national and international guidelines, it is carried out routinely only in UK. The reasons may be inadequate training, overworked IRBs, less enthusiasm among the IRB members, cost bearing, etc.

Pleomorphic adenoma of the minor salivary gland of the cheek.

Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common tumour of the salivary gland. While the majority arises from the parotid gland, only a small percentage arises from the minor salivary glands. The cheek, however, is a rarely affected site with respect to pleomorphic adenomas of the minor salivary glands.

Colistin: re-emergence of the 'forgotten' antimicrobial agent.

The treatment of the emerging multidrug resistant (MDR) gram-negative organisms is a challenge. The development of newer antibiotics has recently slowed down. This has led to the re-emergence of the 'old forgotten' antibiotic "Colistin", whose use had almost stopped (after 1970's) due to the high incidence of nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity.

Tattoo reactions--an epidemic on the surge: a report of 3 cases.

Tattooing has been practiced in India since ancient era. It has tremendous religious and spiritual significance. In addition, tattooing for cosmetic purposes has become quite popular in recent times.

Extrapontine myelinolysis in a child with nephrotic syndrome.

Extrapontine myelinolysis is rare in children. We describe a 6-year-old girl with nephrotic syndrome who presented with symptomatic hyponatremia, and who developed acute quadriparesis with pseudobulbar palsy during rapid correction of the hyponatremia. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated bilateral, symmetric basal ganglia lesions (extrapontine myelinolysis).

Pilot study to evaluate the effect of short-term improvement in vitamin D status on glucose tolerance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective: To study the effect of improvement in vitamin D status on glucose tolerance in Asian Indian patients with moderately controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study was conducted in 28 Asian Indian patients with T2DM. Study participants were randomly assigned to a vitamin D-treated group (group D) or a placebo group (group P).

Treatment of hypogonadism with testosterone in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective: To investigate the effect of testosterone treatment on insulin resistance, glycemic control, and dyslipidemia in Asian Indian men with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypogonadism.

Methods: We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study in 22 men, 25 to 50 years old, with T2DM and hypogonadism. Patients were treated with intramuscularly administered testosterone (200 mg every 15 days) or placebo for 3 months in random order, followed by a washout period of 1 month before the alternative treatment phase.

Prevalence of hypogonadism in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in an Asian Indian study group.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of hypogonadism in Asian Indian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to correlate it with components of the metabolic syndrome and microvascular complications of T2DM.

Methods: One hundred consecutive male patients with T2DM between 25 and 50 years of age and 50 age-matched healthy adults without diabetes underwent assessment. Calculated free testosterone was derived by using serum total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin.

Laparoscopic transmesocolic excision of paraganglioma in the organ of Zuckerkandl.

Extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas (paragangliomas) are rare. We report the case of a 20-year-old female at 15 weeks gestation, who was detected to have a large paraganglioma (6.5 x 5 cm) in the organ of Zuckerkandl during an antenatal visit.

Application of modified ultrafast Papanicolaou stain in cytology of various organs.

This prospective study was conducted to assess the use of modified ultrafast Papanicolaou (MUFP) stain for fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of various organs. In India, many reagents are not easily available. In this modification, Gill's haematoxylin, EA-36, and isopropanol substitute Richard-Allan haematoxylin, cytostain, and ethanol, respectively.