Cytohistological correlation in pituitary tumor and immunological assessment with the help of Ki-67

Background:

Tumors of the pituitary gland and sellar region represent approximately 10–15% of all brain tumors. Pituitary adenoma (PA), the most common pathology of the pituitary gland, can be effectively subclassified only with the help of immunohistochemistry (IHC). This is important and needed for individual patient management.

Aims and Objectives:

The objective of the study was to analyze the importance of intraoperative imprint smear cytology and correlating with final histopathological diagnosis. Furthermore, to classify the different types of PA with the help of IHC, prolactin (PRL), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and growth hormone (GH) and to predict the benign, atypical, or malignant nature of the tumor with the help of prognostic marker Ki-67.

Materials and Methods:

A prospective study was done in 34 cases. The patients whose pituitary gland samples are referred from the endocrine and the neurosurgery department to the pathology department for histopathological examinations were selected. We have studied the clinical features, radiology and touch imprint cytology, histopathology, and IHC with the help of PRL, ACTH, GH, and Ki-67 of PA over 2 years.

Results:

In our study, we had 32 cases of PA of 34 cases over a span of 2 years. We have seen that there is a correlation between cytological and histological diagnosis of the subtypes of PA in 62% cases, and the Kappa statistics show a moderate extent of agreement (Kappa - 0.320, 95% confidence interval = 0.031–0.609). Ki-67 when compared to the radiological grading showed a high degree of comparability (Chi-square test: P < 0.001). All cases with invasion had a higher Ki-67. On using the Fisher's exact test, we found that the Ki-67 expression with GH-producing adenomas and ACTH-producing adenomas was comparable (P = 1.000) while in PRL-producing adenomas too this was not significant (P = 0.269).

Conclusion:

PA can be effectively classified with the help of IHC. Intraoperative cytology is important in diagnosing PA, but histopathology remains the gold standard in diagnosing and differentiating PA from other pathologies of the pituitary gland. The radiological grading together with immunological classification and the prognostic markers of Ki-67 is important in deciding the benign or atypical nature of the adenomas thus helping in better patient management.

TiO2 decorated functionalized halloysite nanotubes (TiO2@HNTs) and photocatalytic PVC membranes synthesis, characterization and its application in water treatment

In this study photocatalyst, TiO₂@HNTs were prepared by  synthesizing TiO₂ nanoparticles in situ on the  functionalized halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) surface. Photocatalytic PVC membrane TiO₂@HNTs M2 (2 wt.%) and TiO₂@HNTs M3 (3 wt.%) were also prepared. Photocatalyst TiO₂@HNTs and photocatalytic PVC membranes were used to study the photocatalytic activity against the methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine B (RB) dyes in UV batch reactor. The structure and morphology of photocatalyst and photocatalytic PVC membrane were characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-Vis spectrophotometer and photoluminescence (PL). The PL study showed that the oxygen vacancies and surface hydroxyl groups present on the surface of TiO₂@HNTs act as excellent traps for charge carrier, reducing the electron-hole recombination rate.TiO₂@HNTs 2 (2 wt.%) and TiO₂@HNTs 3 (3 wt.%) degraded MB dye up to 83.21%, 87.47% and RB dye up to 96.84% and 96.87%, respectively. TiO₂@HNT photocatalyst proved to be stable during the three consecutive cycle of photocatalytic degradation of the RB dye. TiO₂@HNTs M2 and TiO₂@HNTs M3 degraded MB dye up to 27.19%, 42.37% and RB dye up to 30.78%, 32.76%, respectively. Photocatalytic degradation of both the dyes followed the first-order kinetic model. Degradation product analysis was done using the liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and the results showed that the dye degradation was initiated by demethylation of the molecule. MB and RB dye degradation reaction were tested by TBA and IPA as OH^* and H⁺ scavengers respectively. Mechanism of photocatalytic activity of TiO₂@HNTs and photocatalytic PVC membrane were also explained.

Role of zinc oxide nanoparticles for effluent treatment using Pseudomonas putida and Pseudomonas aureofaciens

The biological treatment of textile effluent is enhanced by the use of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles for the reduction in chemical oxygen demand (COD) from its initial value of 1700 ppm. The present research investigated the effect of ZnO nanoparticles when microbial cultures of Pseudomonas putida and Pseudomonas aureofaciens were used to treat textile effluent in three-phase inverse fluidized bed bioreactor. The parameters like-size of ZnO nanoparticles, static bed height, superficial gas velocities and solid media particle size-together affected the COD reduction and all of these were investigated in this paper. ZnO nanoparticles of 280 nm reduced the maximum COD to 47 ppm (97.24%) at low gas velocity of 0.0027 m/s at 10% inoculum size and at a static bed height of 2.43 cm.

Process parametric study for COD removal of electroplating industry effluent

This paper investigated the effects of parameters, like inoculum size (15, 10 and 5% of the working volume of the reactor), gas velocities (0.0027, 0.00342 and 0.0068 m/s), bed heights (0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 m), static bed heights (4.85 and 2.43 cm), sizes of solid media particles (12, 4 mm), and the height to diameter ratio (H/D: 0.25 and 0.5) onto COD reduction process for electroplating effluent (initial COD values: 1140 ppm) using Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas putida. The authors derived simple mathematical correlations representing the entire COD reduction process. The correlation between the inoculum volume and gas velocities was in the form of an equation Y = ax² + bx + c, as deduced from nonlinear regressions. The correlations were validated, and percentage errors were found out to infer the effects of all parameters in the COD reduction process. The maximum COD reduction was achieved to 28.30 ppm (97.52%), in a batch mode, at 10% inoculum size, 0.0027 m/s low gas velocity and a static bed height of 2.43 cm.

Flux improvement, rejection, surface energy and antibacterial properties of synthesized TiO2-Mo.HNTs/PVC nanocomposite ultrafiltration membranes

The present work demonstrates the preparation of modified halloysite loaded with titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles and its use as a nanofiller in a poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) hybrid ultrafiltration (UF) membrane for advanced water treatment.

Phyto-synthesis and structural characterization of catalytically active gold nanoparticles biosynthesized using Delonix regia leaf extract

Biological methods of nanoparticles synthesis are ecologically sound and sustainable alternative to the conventional methods. On the basis of aforesaid premise, the present study deals with the optimization and fabrication of gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) using easily available bio-resource, Delonix regia leaf extract. The use of practically nontoxic natural extracts and water allows the synthesis pathways presented to be considered as ‘‘green’’ and so permitting the synthesized Au-NPs to be used in sensitive areas, such as bioremediation. Various characterization techniques are adopted for the evaluation of size, stability, morphology, crystal nature, and purity of nanoparticles. Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy analysis showed a surface Plasmon resonance peak for prepared Au-NPs at 542 nm, and its absorbance increased with increasing the interaction time. Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed that the particles were spherical and 4–24 nm in size. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis displayed a 2.2 keV peak corresponding to the pure phase gold nanocrystal. X-ray diffraction analysis proved the fabrication of crystalline Au-NPs with face-centered cubic geometry within 10 min. Furthermore, ζ potential (−15 mV) and Fourier transform infrared data suggested the role of polar polyphenolic compounds of leaf extract in fabrication and stabilization process. Biofabricated nanoparticles are demonstrated to have catalytic activity for the reduction of toxic nitro-organic pollutant o-nitroaniline. Therefore, the present study offers a straightforward, cost-efficient, eco-friendly, and sustainable alternative for the fabrication of catalytically active Au-NPs.

Quality of care in patients with diabetic kidney disease in Asia: The Joint Asia Diabetes Evaluation (JADE) Registry

AIMS

Diabetic kidney disease independently predicts cardiovascular disease and premature death. We examined the burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD, defined as an estimated GFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) ) and quality of care in a cross-sectional survey of adults (age ≥ 18 years) with Type 2 diabetes across Asia.

METHODS

The Joint Asia Diabetes Evaluation programme is a disease-management programme implemented using an electronic portal that systematically captures clinical characteristics of all patients enrolled. Between July 2007 and December 2012, data on 28 110 consecutively enrolled patients (China: 3415, Hong Kong: 15 196, India: 3714, Korea: 1651, Philippines: 3364, Vietnam: 692, Taiwan: 78) were analysed.

RESULTS

In this survey, 15.9% of patients had CKD, 25.0% had microalbuminuria and 12.5% had macroalbuminuria. Patients with CKD were less likely to achieve HbA1c < 53 mmol/mol (7.0%) (36.0% vs. 42.3%) and blood pressure < 130/80 mmHg (20.8% vs. 35.3%), and were more likely to have retinopathy (26.2% vs. 8.7%), sensory neuropathy (29.0% vs. 7.7%), cardiovascular disease (26.6% vs. 8.7%) and self-reported hypoglycaemia (18.9% vs. 8.2%). Despite high frequencies of albuminuria (74.8%) and dyslipidaemia (93.0%) among CKD patients, only 49.0% were using renin-angiotensin system inhibitors and 53.6% were on statins. On logistic regression, old age, male gender, tobacco use, long disease duration, high HbA1c , blood pressure and BMI, and low LDL cholesterol were independently associated with CKD (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The poor control of risk factors, suboptimal use of organ-protective drugs and high frequencies of hypoglycaemia highlight major treatment gaps in patients with diabetic kidney disease in Asia.

Green synthesis and structural characterization of selenium nanoparticles and assessment of their antimicrobial property

In the present study, selenium nanoparticles were biologically synthesized by non-pathogenic, economic and easy to handle bacterium Ralstonia eutropha. The selenium oxo anion was reduced to selenium nanoparticles in the presence of the bacterium. The bacterium was grown aerobically in the reaction mixture. An extracellular, stable, uniform, spherical selenium nanoparticle was biosynthesized. The TEM analysis revealed that the biosynthesized selenium nanoparticles were spherical in shape with size range of 40-120 nm. XRD and SAED analysis showed that nanocrystalline selenium of pure hexagonal phase was synthesized. The formation of actinomorphic trigonal selenium nanorods was also observed. A mechanism of biosynthesis of selenium nanoparticles by R. eutropha was proposed. The biosynthesized selenium nanoparticles were investigated for their antimicrobial activity against potential pathogens. Selenium nanoparticles showed excellent antimicrobial activity. The 100, 100, 250 and 100 µg/ml selenium nanoparticles were found to inhibit 99 % growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pyogenes, respectively. Similarly, the 500 µg/ml of selenium nanoparticles was found to inhibit the growth of pathogenic fungi Aspergillus clavatus. The antimicrobial efficacy of selenium nanoparticle was comparable with commercially available antibiotic drug Ampicillin.

Investigation of photo-assisted and crude peroxidase mediated transformations of chlorinated phenols (CPs) from spiked and industrial wastewaters: identification of reaction products

This work focused on photo-assisted crude peroxidase mediated transformations of chlorinated phenols (CPs) from spiked and industrial wastewaters and the identification of reaction products formed. Garden radish Raphanus sativus was the source of crude peroxidase. No chlorine bearing compounds were detected by gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry analysis. Under identical test conditions, the concentrations of 4-chlorophenol and 2,4-dichlorophenol were demoted to zero from 514 mg/L, 652 mg/L and that of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol and pentachlorophenol were reduced to 18 mg/L and 37 mg/L from 790 mg/L and 1066 mg/L, respectively (high-pressure liquid chromatography analysis). Chloride ion release profiles also showed a progressively increasing trend. A neat chemical oxygen demand removal to the extent of 63-79% was achieved in the case of spiked wastewater sample and to the extent of 77% for industrial wastewaters. A hypothesis reaction scheme was also suggested to comprehend the mechanism of degradation reactions.

Photolytic degradation of chlorophenols from industrial wastewaters by organic oxidants peroxy acetic acid, para nitro benzoic acid and methyl ethyl ketone peroxide: identification of reaction products

In this investigation, chlorophenol (CP) containing industrial wastewater was remediated by ultraviolet irradiation in conjunction with organic oxidants, peroxy acetic acid (PAA); para nitro benzoic acid (PNBA); and methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP). CP mineralization was studied with regard to chemical oxygen demand (COD) and chloride ion release under identical test conditions. COD depletion to the extent of 81% by PAA, 66% by PNBA, and 67% by MEKP was noted along with an upwardly mobile trend of chloride ion release upon irradiation of samples at 254 nm. A 90-99% decrease in CP concentration (as per high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis) was achieved with an additional 15.0 ml of organic oxidant in all cases. Gas chromatography high resolution mass spectroscopy (GC-HRMS) results also indicated the formation of such reaction products as are free from chlorine substitutions. This treatment also leads to total decolorization of the collected samples.

Effect of lycoriside, an acylglucosyloxy alkaloid, on mast cells

The effect of lycoriside, an acylglucosyloxy alkaloid from Crinum asiaticum Linn, (family Amaryllidaceae), with or without sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucoside, was studied on the rate of degranulation of peritoneal mast cells of albino rats. Lycoriside, at lower concentrations (1-20 µg/ml), in vitro, produced statistically significant protection against Tween 80-induced degranulation, as also to sensitized mast cells challenged with an antigen (horse serum). It also provided protection against compound 48/80-induced degranulation of mast cells when administered in vivo (1-5 mg/kg, po). At higher concentrations (100 µg/ml and above), in vitro, however, it had a mast-cell degranulation effect per se. The addition of sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucoside to lycoriside did not modify the effect of the latter compound. The mechanism of the dual response elicited by lycoriside is appraised in view of a concentration-dependent anti- or prerelease effect on mast-cell mediators.

Investigation of UV-assisted chlorophenol congeners' degradation by organic oxidant p-nitrobenzoic acid in basic media

This research specifically addressed the photodegradation of selected model chlorophenol (CP) congeners, 4-chlorophenol (4-CP), 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) and pentachlorophenol (PCP), by an organic oxidant, p-nitrobenzoic acid (PNBA), in basic media. The reactions were followed by high-pressure liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis for residual concentration and the identification of photodegraded products respectively. Initial degradation was confirmed by the formation of ring cleavage compounds, and subsequent mineralization was evidently marked by an increase in release of chloride ions in the time course profile. The presence of fewer/no chlorine atoms in the degraded compounds corroborated the mineralization by UV/PNBA action. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) was also observed to fall appreciably to the extent of 73% during all CP congeners' degradation. The maximum COD decrease was observed in PNBA-assisted 4-CP degradation. The overall degradation kinetics conforming to second-order reaction is observed to follow the order 4-CP > 2,4,6-TCP ∼ PCP ∼ 2,4-DCP. The findings of this investigation elucidated the fact that PNBA was capable of successfully degrading/mineralizing the selected CP congeners.

Photochemical degradation of 4-chlorophenol in the aqueous phase using peroxyacetic acid (PAA)

The photochemical degradation of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) using ultraviolet irradiation (UV) of 6, 12 and 18 W with peroxyacetic acid (PAA) was studied in a batch reactor. The objective of this work was to investigate degradation and mineralization of 4-CP by PAA. The degradation efficiency increased with increasing UV input. The degradation process was also pH and initial PAA concentration dependent. The optimum conditions for the photochemical degradation of 4-CP as UV input, pH and PAA concentration was found to be 18 W, 9.5 and 3,040 ppm. The reaction efficiency decreased with increasing initial 4-CP concentrations. More than 95% mineralization of 4-CP was achieved with the UV/PAA process. The chloride ion concentration and chemical oxygen demand (COD) was evaluated. The chloride ion concentration and COD were decreased gradually with increasing UV input. Samples were analyzed by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), UV spectrophotometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for residual concentration and identification of final degraded products.

Role of common biochemical markers for the assessment of fracture union

The progress of fracture union requires close monitoring. Whereas, clinical examination and radiographic studies assess the outcome, biochemical markers like serum alkaline phosphatase and urinary hydroxyproline reflect the actual status of bone resorption and bone formation over a short time frame. 36 patients of long bone fracture were randomly allocated for the study. When the patient reported to the Department of Orthopedics after fracture, serum and urinary samples were collected and X-ray of the affected part were taken. Subsequent samples were collected and X-ray taken just after management (either operative or conservative), after 3rd, 5th, 8th and 12th week, respectively after onset of fracture. According to the course of callus formation the patients were divided into two groups that progressed to proper union or malunion. The levels of serum alkaline phosphatase, urinary total and free hydroxyproline levels were measured and statistically analysed and compared. A statistically significant positive correlation between total urinary hydroxyproline excretion and serum alkaline phosphatase indicate progress towards satisfactory union. Thus, serial monitoring of biochemical markers of bone turnover can be used as an adjunct to clinical and radiological evidence of fracture healing.

Gastric teratoma in a female infant

Gastric teratoma is a rare lesion seen most often in male infants. This patient, aged one year, female was having a massive benign gastric teratoma. The size of the tumour was 22 cm x 10 cm x 8 cm and weighted 2.250 kg making it one of the largest gastric teratoma. The tumour was removed by surgery. Histopathology revealed presence of all 3 elements in the form of skin, cartilage, fibrofatty tissue, blood vessels and gland with tall columnar epithelium. Postoperative period was uneventful.

Effect of surfactant-perturbed nanocaging on the ground and excited state proton transfer reaction

The effect of mixed cyclodextrin-surfactant systems on the ground and excited state proton transfer reactions of 4-methyl-2,6-diformylphenol (MFOH) in aqueous solution has been investigated by steady state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. It has been found that micellar media perturbs the solvation of MFOH and facilitates nanocaging. In the presence of micelle, MFOH preferentially resides in the interfacial region. Depending on the local pH due to compartmentalization of reaction media, normal or anionic form of MFOH dominates. Encapsulation of the probe within the cyclodextrin nanocavity enhances the shorter lifetime component of MFOH unexpectedly, which has been explained on the basis of reduced solvation and reduced dipolar effect due to confinement.

Discordance for Ellis-van Creveld syndrome in twins

Ellis-van Creveld (EVC) syndrome or chondroectodermal dysplasia is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterised by a variable spectrum of clinical findings. Classical EVC syndrome comprises a tetrad of clinical manifestations of chondrodystrophy, polydactyly, ectodermal dysplasia, and cardiac defects. It is extremely rare for EVC syndrome to occur in one of a pair of newborn twins. Review of the existing literature revealed that only one such case has been reported so far.

A study on body mass index (BMI) and some biochemical parameters of the medicos with family history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and coronary heart disease

Increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HT), coronary heart disease (CHD) is alarming; risk factors are fairly stable, passing fairly well from childhood to adulthood; genetic factors play a role. This is important to know the status of some biochemical parameters viz, fasting plasma glucose level, fasting serum insulin (FI), serum triglyceride (STG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL) among the medicos with family history (FH) of DM, HT or CHD and the relationship of biochemical parameters with body mass index (BMI). Mean age of the sample (n=67) was 22 years with 76.12% males and 23.88% females; 44.78%, 29.85% and 19.40% had FH of DM, HT and CHD respectively; 8.96% had the FH of three diseases. High BMI was seen in 62.69% cases; it was significantly high among those with FH of DM (p<0.05) but not significant against HT (p>0.05) or CHD (p>0.05). All had normal fasting plasma glucose level. Positive association existed (a) between BMI with FI, LDL and HDL, FI with LDL and HDL, TG with TC, TC with LDL and HDL, LDL with HDL among those with FH of DM; (b) between BMI with FI, STG and HDL, FI with LDL and HDL, TC with LDL and HDL, LDL with HDL among those with FH of HT; (c) between BMI with FI, STG and HDL, FI with TC, LDL and HDL, TC with LDL and HDL, LDL with HDL among those with FH of CHD. Multiple correlation coefficients (R) also indicated moderate association.

Kinetic modeling for the biosorption of copper by pretreated Aspergillus niger biomass

In this present work, a kinetic model for biosorption of copper was developed considering the possibility of different forms of functional groups being present on the surface of the biomass prepared from Aspergillus niger. Results showed that metal uptake by A. niger was a mass transfer driven process, requiring only 30min to achieve 70% adsorption efficiency. Copper sorption by A. niger was influenced by the biomass dose, initial metal ion concentration, and pH of the solution. The Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms were used to describe the behavior of the system at different pH. The retention capacity of the biomass was determined at pH 6.0 to be equal to 23.62mg/g of biomass. The pretreatment with formalin improved the uptake of metal ion.

Excited state proton transfer in di-(2-hydroxy-3-formyl-5-tert butyl phenyl) methane and solvent effect

The proton transfer reaction and the spectroscopic properties of di-(2-hydroxy-3-formyl-5-tert butyl phenyl) methane (HFPM) have been examined in different nonpolar and polar solvents at room temperature and 77 K, by means of absorption, emission and time resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. In the ground state, the primary closed form has been identified in all the nonpolar and polar solvents and the anion is detected only in presence of base in some of the polar solvents. After photoexcitation, the excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) is indicated by a large Stokes shifted emission (approximately 10,600 cm-1) in all the nonpolar and polar solvents used, except in water and ethylene glycol (EG). The ESIPT band is likely to be originated from the enol tautomer of the HFPM. Two types of anion and H-bonded complex have been detected in the excited state. In water and EG, only anion and H-bonded complex have been detected in the excited state. At 77 K, HFPM shows phosphorescence in pure ethanol, and in n-hexane in presence of triethylamine. It has been suggested that the appearance of phosphorescence is due to the rotation of the formyl group. The measured nonradiative decay rates have always been found to dominate in the decay processes of the excited state of HFPM. Some semiempirical calculations have been undertaken to rationalize the experimental findings.

Proton transfer reaction of a new orthohydroxy Schiff base in some protic and aprotic solvents at room temperature and 77 K

The ground and excited state proton transfer reactions of a new orthohydroxy Schiff base, salicylidine-3,4,7-methyl amine (SMA) has been studied by means of absorption, emission and time resolved fluorescence spectroscopy in some polar protic and aprotic solvents at room temperature and 77K. The spectral behavior of SMA has been investigated both in neutral and basic conditions. The intramolecularly hydrogen bonded enol and zwitterion have been detected in pure methanol and ethanol, the anion is detected in basic condition. At 77K, SMA shows phosphorescence in pure methanol and ethanol. From nanosecond measurements and quantum yields of fluorescence, we have estimated the decay rates of proton transfer reaction in methanol and ethanol.