Augmentation of humoral and cellular immunity in response to Tetanus and Diphtheria toxoids by supercritical carbon dioxide extracts of Hippophae rhamnoides L. leaves

Hippophae rhamnoides L. commonly known as Seabuckthorn (SBT), a wild shrub of family Elaegnacea, has extensively used for treating various ailments like skin diseases, jaundice, asthma, lung troubles. SBT leaves have been reported to possess several pharmacological properties including immunomodulatory, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and tissue regeneration etc. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the adjuvant property of supercritical carbon dioxide extracts (SCEs 300ET and 350ET) of SBT leaves in balb/c mice immunized with Tetanus and Diphtheria toxoids. The dynamic changes in the immune response were measured in terms of humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. We have seen the effect of SCEs on immunoglobulin subtypes and secondary immune response generation. In addition, the effect of SCEs on antigen specific cellular immunity was evaluated. Our results show that SCEs 300ET and 350ET significantly enhanced antibody titers in response to both TT and DT antigens. The secondary immune response generated was significantly increased in case of TT immunized animals. SCEs also enhanced cytokine levels (IFN-γ, IL-4, TNF-α and IL-1β) and increased lymphoproliferation. Besides, both SCEs did not show any toxic effects. Therefore, the study suggests that SCEs are safe and have potent immunostimulatory activity and hence, seems to be a promising balanced Th1 and Th2 directing immunological adjuvant for various veterinary as well as human vaccines.

Curcumin Monoglucoside Shows Improved Bioavailability and Mitigates Rotenone Induced Neurotoxicity in Cell and Drosophila Models of Parkinson's Disease

Curcumin (CUR), a dietary polyphenol has diverse pharmacologic effects, but is limited by poor bioavailability. This is probably due to decreased solubility, cellular uptake and stability. In order to enhance its solubility and bioavailability, we synthesized the CUR bioconjugate curcumin monoglucoside (CMG) and tested its bioavailability, neuroprotective and anti-apoptotic propensity against rotenone (ROT) induced toxicity in N27 dopaminergic neuronal cells and Drosophila models. Our results elucidate that CMG showed improved bioavailability than CUR in N27 cells. Pre-treatment with CMG protected against ROT neurotoxicity and exerted antioxidant effects by replenishing cellular glutathione levels and significantly decreasing reactive species. CMG pre-treatment also restored mitochondrial complex I and IV activities inhibited by ROT. ROT-induced nuclear damage was also restored by CMG as confirmed by comet assay. CMG induced anti-apoptotic effects was substantiated by decreased phosporylation of JNK3 and c-jun, which in turn decreased the cleavage of pro-caspase 3. Q-PCR analysis of redox genes showed up-regulation of NOS2 and down-regulation of NQO1 upon ROT exposure and this was attenuated by CMG pre-treatment. Studies in the Drosophila ROT model revealed that, CMG administration showed better survival rate and locomotor activity, improved antioxidant activity and dopamine content than ROT treated group and was comparable with the CUR group. Based on these data, we surmise that CMG has improved bioavailability and offered neuroprotection comparable with CUR, against ROT-induced toxicity both in dopaminergic neuronal cell line and Drosophila models, with therapeutic implications for PD.

Design and synthesis of curcumin-bioconjugates to improve systemic delivery

Di-O-glycinoyl curcumin (I), di-O-glycinoyl-C4-glycyl-curcumin (II), 5'-deoxy-5'-curcuminyl thymidine (5'-cur-T) (III) and 2'-deoxy-2'-curcuminyl uridine (2'-cur-U) (IV) have been synthesized and characeterised by elemental analysis & 1H NMR. The antibacterial activities of these four bioconjugates has been tested particularly for multiresistant micro-organisms. Best results are shown by I & IV. These bioconjugates serve dual purpose of systemic delivery as well as therapeutic agents against viral diseases.

Synthesis and evaluation of novel bioconjugates as antiviral agents

Novel lipid (mannito-stearate) antiviral nucleoside and oligonucleotide conjugates were prepared with improved lipophilic and membrane associating properties of drugs. Potential advantages of these liponucleotide prodrugs are lower toxicity, increased cellular uptake, nuclease resistivity and antiviral activity. Oligonucleotide conjugate complementary to a unique segment of viral genome may selectively disrupt the processes dependent on the segment by hybridisation.

Fluorescent labelling of ribonucleosides at 2'-terminus; comparative fluorescence studies

In case of RNA's, multiple labelling can be achieved by exploiting the available 2'-OH position of sugar moiety of nucleosides. N-protected nucleoside viz. cytidine has been prepared using a selective photolabile group i.e. 2-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl. After protection of 5',3'-OH with 1,1,3,3,-tetraisopropyl disiloxyl group, 2'-OH was selectively activated by using N,N'-carbonyl diimidazole (CDI) and subsequently condensed with dansyl amide. After usual deprotection step comparative fluorescence studies of the monomer were carried out using different solvents/buffers.

Novel fluorophore for labelling of oligonucleotides

A novel fluorophore viz. 4-dansylamido-1,8-naphthalimido-N-pentanol has been designed, prepared and characterised. The comparative fluorescence has been studied in different solvents, solvent gradient, aqueous solutions of inorganic ions and buffers. This can be used for covalent tagging of oligonucleotides having potential application in Molecular Biology.

Study on curcumin-oligonucleotide conjugate as a probable anticancer agent: its hybridisation with telomere target sequence 5'-GGGATTGGGATT-3'

Curcumin-oligonucleotide conjugate was synthesised by attaching diglycyl conjugate of curcumin to 12-mer complementary telomere sequence 5'-AATCCCAATCCC-3'. An enhanced Tm of 6 degrees C was found, showing high affinity for the target strand. This may be exploited for the suppression of cancer i.e. by blocking the expression of telomere sequence [GGGATT]n repeats.

Synthesis of terminally labelled RNA sequences: fluorescence and hybridisation study of RNA-DNA duplexes

A stable and suitably labelled DNA-RNA hybrid, resistant to RNAse degradation has been prepared by hybridising the RNA sequence carrying methoxy group at 2'-position of ribose moiety in adenosines and labelled with dansyl group attached via a linker at the terminal uridyl unit. Study may be useful in sequencing and targeting specific viral sequences.

Effects of voluntary ethanol intake on the expression of Ca(2+) /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV and on CREB expression and phosphorylation in the rat nucleus accumbens

To define the molecular basis of alcohol drinking behaviors, the effects of voluntary ethanol intake on the expression of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV (CaM kinase IV) and on the expression and phosphorylation of cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB) [corrected] in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), central amygdala, and frontal cortex of rats were investigated. Voluntary ethanol intake significantly decreased the expression of CaM kinase IV and CREB phosphorylation but not of CREB protein levels [corrected], specifically in the shell of NAc. These changes were not observed in the core of NAc, central amygdala and frontal cortex. Mianserin treatment significantly attenuated ethanol intake and antagonized the voluntary ethanol-induced reduction in expression of CaM kinase IV and CREB phosphorylation in the shell of NAc. This is the first evidence to suggest that decreased CaM kinase IV-dependent CREB phosphorylation in the shell region of NAc may play a role in the reward mechanisms of alcohol drinking.

Laboratory and field evaluation of measurement methods for one-hour exposures to O3, PM2.5, and CO

While researchers have linked acute (less than 12-hr) ambient O3, PM2.5, and CO concentrations to a variety of adverse health effects, few studies have characterized short-term exposures to these air pollutants, in part due to the lack of sensitive, accurate, and precise sampling technologies. In this paper, we present results from the laboratory and field evaluation of several new (or modified) samplers used in the "roll-around" system (RAS), which was developed to measure 1-hr O3, PM2.5, and CO exposures simultaneously. All the field evaluation data were collected during two sampling seasons: the summer of 1998 and the winter of 1999. To measure 1-hr O3 exposures, a new active O3 sampler was developed that uses two nitrite-coated filters to measure O3 concentrations. Laboratory chamber tests found that the active O3 sampler performed extremely well, with a collection efficiency of 0.96 that did not vary with temperature or relative humidity (RH). In field collocation comparisons with a reference UV photometric monitor, the active O3 sampler had an effective collection efficiency ranging between 0.92 and 0.96 and a precision for 1-hr measurements ranging between 4 and 6 parts per billion (ppb). The limits of detection (LOD) of this method were 9 ppb-hr for the chamber tests and approximtely 16 ppb-hr for the field comparison tests. PM2.5 and CO concentrations were measured using modified continuous monitors--the DustTrak and the Langan, respectively. A size-selective inlet and a Nafion dryer were placed upstream of the DustTrak inlet to remove particles with aerodynamic diameters greater than 2.5 microm and to dry particles prior to the measurements, respectively. During the field validation tests, the DustTrak consistently reported higher PM2.5 concentrations than those obtained by the collocated 12-hr PM2.5 PEM samples, by approximately a factor of 2. After the DustTrak response was corrected (correction factor of 2.07 in the summer and 2.02 in the winter), measurements obtained using these methods agreed well with R2 values of 0.87 in the summer and 0.81 in the winter. The results showed that the DustTrak can be used along with integrated measurements to measure the temporal and spatial variation in PM2.5 exposures. Finally, during the field validation tests, CO concentrations measured using the Langan were strongly correlated with those obtained using the reference method when the CO levels were above the LOD of the instrument [approximately 1 part per million (ppm)].

Lymphatic filariasis of the ovary and mesosalpinx

We report 2 cases of filariasis, one in the ovary and the other in the mesosalpinx. In the first case, the patient underwent panhystrectomy and in the second case, right ovarian cystectomy with right salpingectomy were performed under general anaesthesia. Histopathology showed adult filarial worms in the dilated lymphatics of the right ovary, in the first case and in the mesosalpinx, in the second case. Both patients presented with complaints related to gynecological problems and not filariasis. Reports of filariasis in the literature and possible treatments and prevention strategies are also discussed.

Syntheses of Curcumin Bioconjugates and Study of Their Antibacterial Activities against beta-Lactamase-Producing Microorganisms

In the present study curcumin bioconjugates, viz. di-O-glycinoylcurcumin (I), di-O-glycinoyl-C(4)-glycylcurcumin (II), 5'-deoxy-5'-curcuminylthymidine (5'-cur-T) (IV), and 2'-deoxy-2'-curcuminyluridine (2'-cur-U) (V) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and (1)H NMR. The turmeric peptide (Tp) was isolated from the aqueous turmeric extract of the turmeric rhizome. The antibacterial activity of these four bioconjugates and also of the turmeric peptide and sodium salt of curcumin (III) have been tested particularly for beta-lactamase-producing microorganisms.

Interactions of 6-aminopurine (adenine) in water and aqueous urea solutions

Density (ρ), ultrasonic velocity (U), viscosity (η), and absorbance (A) of adenine in water, 1 M, 3 M, and 6 M aqueous urea solutions have been measured in the presence (and absence) of different concentrations of salts, i.e., NaCl, KCl, and CaCl2. From these measured values, the apparent molar volume (ϕv), experimental slope (Sv), apparent molar compressibility (ϕK), viscosity coefficients A and B of Jones–Dole equation, specific acoustic impedance (Z), hydration number (Sn), internal pressure (Pi), molar absorptivity (ε), hypochromicity (h), and oscillator strength (f) have been calculated at 298.15 K. The increasing and (or) decreasing trends of all these parameters indicate a strong interaction of urea in moderate concentration (1 M and 3 M) with adenine especially at the hydrophilic/polar and ionic sites, particularly by hydrogen bonding. However, the interaction at hydrophobic sites are relatively weaker. Higher concentrations of urea (6 M) have more denaturation effect. The π–π interactions (stacking) in adenine are more prominent in concentrated solutions and are also strengthened by the presence of cations up to an optimum concentration of salts (cut-off point). The self-association of urea and adenine is more significant in concentrated aqueous solutions and becomes negligible on dilution.Key words: interaction, adenine, urea, density, viscosity, and ultrasonic velocity.

Thermal endometrial ablation: a simple technique

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a technique for thermal endometrial ablation.

METHOD

The study was carried out in three steps; step I on 10 fresh uterine specimens, step II on 14 intact uteri during hysterectomy and step III in five patients, two weeks prior to hysterectomy. A simple device comprising a Foley catheter No. 14F, a three way cannula and a 20 cc syringe was used for the procedure. The balloon of the catheter was inflated within the uterine cavity with boiling normal saline for 9 minutes. Uterine cavity and serosal temperature was recorded during the procedure. Thermal injury was assessed by gross and histological examination of the specimens.

RESULTS

The mean maximum endometrial cavity temperature was 91 degrees C whereas serosal temperatures in steps I and II were 34 degrees C and 35.9 degrees C respectively. None of the balloons ruptured in any of the steps and there were no complications. In 13 of 14 specimens in step II, there was a zone of hyperemia with a depth of 3 to 7 mm. The corresponding histological picture was extensive hemorrhage and fragmentation of glands throughout the endometrium including the cornual regions. Consistent findings were noted in step III in which all but one showed extensive coagulative necrosis of the whole of endometrium with edema of the underlying myometrium. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the volume of fluid injected and depth of hyperemia.

CONCLUSION

This technique could be a simple, effective, inexpensive and safe alternative to hysteroscopic endometrial ablation.

Comparison of magnified chemiluminescent examination with incandescent light examination and colposcopy for detection of cervical neoplasia

Magnified Chemiluminescent Examination (MCE) or speculoscopy is a new visual method for detection of cervical neoplasia. It utilizes low magnification and a special "blue-white" chemiluminescent light. The study includes 125 women with unhealthy cervix who were subjected to magnified examination with projected incandescent light (PIL) and chemiluminescent light (MCE). This was followed by colposcopy and directed biopsy from acetowhite areas. Of all 125 subjects, 20 patients showed cervical neoplasia of varying degree on histopathology. MCE could detect 18/20 neoplasias while PIL detected 11/20 cases. Sensitivity of MCE (90%) was significantly superior (P < 0.05) to PIL (55%) in detecting cervical neoplasia. Colposcopy, as compared to MCE, is better than speculoscopy as it facilitates grading of lesions due to higher magnification but antecedent MCE detected the acetowhitening in majority of patients (32/43). However, tendency to "overall" acetowhite lesions was significantly less during MCE when compared with colposcopy. Thus, MCE is a new diagnostic tool which is better than routine incandescent light examination and correlates well with colposcopy.

Contact depigmentation caused by an azo dye in alta

Alta, a scarlet-red solution used by some Indian women as a cosmetic to colour their feet, was found to be associated with depigmentation at the site of application. Chromatographic and spectroscopic analysis of 3 brands of alta confirmed the presence of 2 dyes: Crocein Scarlet MOO (CSM) (brilliant crocein) and rhodamine B (tetraethyl rhodamine). Patch testing produced depigmentation at the site of application of alta, CSM and para-phenylenediamine (PPD). Although PPD has been reported to produce leukoderma, azo dyes have not previously been reported as depigmenting agents.

A novel fluorescent tag for labelling of some antisense oligonucleotides

A new versatile fluorescent tag, 4-acetylamino-1,8-naphthalimido-N-caproic acid (NCA) has been synthesized and characterized, and the optimal conditions for the maximum fluorescence using this tag allow a sensitivity level of 10(-9) mol/l. Useful fluorescence is observed upon covalent linking of this tag via its activated carboxy end to an alkylamino moiety, activated by the use of carbonyldiimidazole and hexamethylenediamine at the 5'-termini of an octamer, d(TCTTGCTC), a 33-mer, and a 41-mer complementary to the tat initiator of the HIV-1 genome. A new method for the generation of alkylamino function at the 5'-termini of oligonucleotides by the use of N-(4-bromobutyl) phthalimide is also described. The variation in fluorescence with respect to alteration of chain length of the oligonucleotides has also been studied. The fluorescence exhibited by these oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN)-NCA conjugates suggests that they may have a potential application as experimental tools in medicine and molecular biology.

Early biologic behavior of bone grafts. A fine needle aspiration cytology study

OBJECTIVE

To conceptualize, with fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), the early cellular events occurring in and around fresh autogenous and allogenic bone grafts during the first 40 postimplantation days.

STUDY DESIGN

Forty-eight cases of bone grafts were studied by FNAC at serial intervals of 10, 20, 30 and 40 postimplantation days. Twenty patients were recipients of autogenous grafts, 16 received 0.6N HCI partially decalcified allogenic bone implants, and 4 received combined autogenous and allogenic bone grafts (included in the allograft group). There were eight control cases of closed fracture shaft femur, which were managed conservatively.

RESULTS

The initial cellular responses in autogenous grafts, allografts and controls appear to be a part of the nonspecific reparative process followed by a more specific phase, with a steady increase in relative lymphocyte count from the 20th day onwards. Osteogenesis, as judged by osteoblasts and osteoclasts, was also comparable.

CONCLUSION

Partially decalcified allografts appear to be a good substitute for autogenous bone grafts in clinical practice when adequate autogenous material is not available. FNAC is a good technique for studying bone graft responses without interfering with graft uptake. It is helpful in the early detection of subclinical infection or any other pathology at the graft site.

Reduction of methylglyoxal in Escherichia coli K12 by an aldehyde reductase and alcohol dehydrogenase

Two enzymes, one NADPH-dependent and another NADH-dependent which catalyze the reduction of methylglyoxal to acetol have been isolated and substantially purified from crude extracts of Escherichia coli K12 cells. Substrate specificity and formation of acetol as the reaction product by both the enzymes, reversibility of NADH-dependent enzyme with alcohols as substrates and inhibitor study with NADPH-dependent enzyme indicate that NADPH-dependent and NADH-dependent enzymes are identical with an aldehyde reductase (EC 1.1.1.2) and alcohol dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.1) respectively. The K(m) for methylglyoxal have been determined to be 0.77 mM for NADPH-dependent and 3.8 mM for NADH-dependent enzyme. Stoichiometrically equimolar amount of acetol is formed from methylglyoxal by both NADPH- and NADH-dependent enzymes. In phosphate buffer, both the enzymes are active in the pH range of 5.8-6.6 with no sharp pH optimum. Molecular weight of both the enzymes were found to be 100,000 +/- 3,000 by gel filtration on a Sephacryl S-200 column. Both NADPH- and NADH-dependent enzymes are sensitive to sulfhydryl group reagents.

Comparison of pleural fluid cytology and pleural biopsy in the evaluation of pleural effusion

Pleural fluid cytology and pleural biopsy results were studied in 65 cases of pleural effusion. The efficacy of pleural biopsy in diagnosis of neoplastic and non-neoplastic pleural diseases was compared. Of the 24 cases with confirmatory evidence of cancer, 17(70.8%) has positive cytologic findings in pleural fluid, whereas pleural biopsy was diagnostic in only 13 cases (54.1%). For non-malignant pleural effusion in 41 cases 40(97.5%) has a definite diagnosis (tuberculous pleuritis, acute fibrinous pleuritis or hydatid cyst) which could be made by cytology while only 31(75.6%) out of 41 were diagnosed on pleural biopsy. The study indicates that cytologic evaluation of pleural fluid is more efficaceous in the diagnosis of malignant and non-malignant pleural disease than percutaneous pleural biopsy.

Determination of sulfadimethoxine withdrawal time from milk. Part I: Dosing, sampling, and assay

This study was undertaken to determine whether present regulations for discarding milk from cows treated with sulfadimethoxine (SDM) can be supported by modern analytical methodology. Two groups of milking cows (10 in first group; 11 in the second) were treated orally with SDM at the recommended dose levels for 5 days. The SDM concentration in the milk was determined with 4 methods (Charm Inhibition Assay [CIA], Charm II, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, and liquid chromatography) during the treatment and the subsequent withdrawal periods. The results of the 4 assays were compared.

Glyoxalase III from Escherichia coli: a single novel enzyme for the conversion of methylglyoxal into D-lactate without reduced glutathione

A single novel enzyme, glyoxalase III, which catalyses the conversion of methylglyoxal into D-lactate without involvement of GSH, has been detected in and purified from Escherichia coli. Of several carbonyl compounds tested, only the alpha-ketoaldehydes methylglyoxal and phenylglyoxal were found to be substrates for this enzyme. Glyoxalase III is active over a wide range of pH with no sharp pH optimum. In its native form it has an M(r) of 82000 +/- 2000, and it is composed of two subunits of equal M(r). Glutathione analogues, which are inhibitors of glyoxalase I, do not inhibit glyoxalase III. Glyoxalase III is found to be sensitive to thiol-blocking reagents. The p-hydroxymercuribenzoate-inactivated enzyme could be almost completely re-activated by dithiothreitol and other thiol-group-containing compounds, indicating the possible involvement of thiol group(s) at or near the active site of the enzyme.

Malignant ameloblastoma. A case report

The cytologic features of malignant ameloblastoma, a rare tumor of the jaw, are described. Fine needle aspiration smears showed high cellularity, with small basaloid and polygonal epithelial cells with mild to moderate pleomorphism lying singly or in clusters. In Giemsa-stained smears, pinkish stroma with stellate cells or irregularly shaped nuclei and isolated spindle cells were seen in the background. Histopathology of the tumor showed sheets of cells with features of malignancylike atypical mitosis and vascular invasion. The tumor cells stained positive for keratin on immunohistochemistry. A review of cytology smears revealed that the features were sufficiently characteristic of an ameloblastoma, but it was difficult to label the lesion malignant on fine needle aspiration cytology.

Nucleolar organizer regions in FNAC smears of breast lesions

The argyrophil technique for staining proteins associated with nucleolar organizing regions was applied to the fine-needle aspiration cytology smears of 45 cases of breast disease. These included 14 malignant and 31 benign lesions. A correlation with histology sections was done in 12 cases. There was a significant difference between AgNOR count of benign and malignant breast disease with one case out of 45 falling in the "gray" zone of overlap. Infiltrating lobular carcinoma was found to have the lowest NOR counts among the malignant lesions. The smear staining was superior to that on sections, the positive features being lack of background staining and better dispersion of NORs in the nucleoli.

Fine needle aspiration cytology of a lipoblastoma

A lipoblastoma, an uncommon tumor of childhood that can be mistaken for a liposarcoma, was preoperatively diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology. The characteristic features on the cytologic smears were the presence of immature fat cells in the form of spindle-shaped cells, stellate cells and vacuolated lipoblasts along with lipocytes. The cytologic diagnosis was confirmed by histologic study of the excised tumor.

Fine needle aspiration cytodiagnosis of subcutaneous sacrococcygeal myxopapillary ependymoma. A case report

A tumor located subcutaneously over the coccyx of a 32-year-old woman was diagnosed by fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology as a myxopapillary ependymoma originating in the soft tissue. The FNA smears showed characteristic papillary structures, consisting of a central mucinous core surrounded by cuboidal-to-columnar cells, and scattered ependymal cells. The excised tumor was connected to neither the filum terminale nor the cauda equina. Histopathologic study confirmed the cytologic findings.

Use of homologous platelet factors in achieving total healing of recalcitrant skin ulcers

We used homologous platelet-derived wound healing factors (HPDWHF) to achieve complete healing of recalcitrant ulcers of diverse cause. Twenty-three patients with 27 skin ulcers who had been receiving conventional wound care with no evidence of healing for an average period of 25 weeks (range, 12 to 156 weeks) were studied. The patients were first subjected to controlled wound care for 3 months, with saline solution and silver sulfadiazine dressings used in all cases. At the end of this period, persistent nonhealing ulcers were treated by topical use of HPDWHF and silver sulfadiazine. Ulcer parameters were recorded on the first day and every week during therapy until complete epithelization was achieved in either group. Each ulcer acted as its own control. In the controlled wound care group, only three ulcers in three patients achieved complete healing; the remaining 24 ulcers in 20 patients failed to achieve even 50% healing in the stipulated 3-month period. However, when subjected to HPDWHF applications, these ulcers healed completely, 100% healing occurring in 9.67 +/- 4.9 weeks (range, 3 to 19 weeks), which is highly significant (p less than 0.01). The healing response to HPDWHF applications was of uniform progression over the weeks. Only the basic cause of the ulcer determined the healing rates in this group. The shortest and the longest time to achieve 100% healing occurred in patients with diabetes (6.88 +/- 2.97 weeks) and in the venous stasis group (14.00 +/- 7.07 weeks). Age, sex, location of ulcer, ulcer duration, and ulcer measurements had no influence on the HPDWHF-stimulated healing rates. This is the earliest report of HPDWHF-stimulated repair in chronic nonhealing skin ulcers.

Cytomorphologic features of the rare epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of the salivary gland

The cytomorphologic features of an epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma arising in the submandibular gland are reported. The aspiration smears were cellular, with two cell types present: dark cells showing attempted gland formation and clear cells with vacuolization. The clear cells frequently formed globular masses and had indistinct cytoplasmic membranes. These globular masses of clear cells were usually adjacent to the fragments of dark cells. A striking feature was the presence of numerous naked nuclei.

Aspiration cytology of hemangiopericytoma: a report on two cases

The cytological features of fine-needle aspiration in two cases of hemangiopericytoma are described. The diagnosis was confirmed by cell block and the silver impregnation method, demonstrating reticulin fibers on smears as well as on the cell block. Histopathological correlation was done in both cases.

Histopathological study of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis

A total of 418 gallbladders removed surgically as chronic cholecystitis or carcinoma gallbladder were studied retrospectively for the presence of xanthogranulomas which were found in 45 (10.8%). The age of patients with xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis ranged from 15 to 80 yr with a mean of 45.3 indicating an early presentation of the disease in our population. The male to female ratio was 1:8. The gallbladder was invariably thickened and calculi of cholesterol or mixed type were present in all cases. Xanthogranulomatous foci appeared as yellowish nodules 2-15 mm in size, on the mucosal surface. In some gallbladders, the involvement was diffuse and these foci extended to the surrounding structures. Histologically, xanthogranulomas encompassed the full thickness of the gallbladder wall with variable extension into adjacent fat and connective tissue. This entity deserves distinct clinicopathological recognition, particularly because of a possible confusion with malignancy and the associated complications.

Highly efficient synthesis of oligodeoxyribonucleotides using alpha-phenyl cinnamoyl group for selective amino protection

alpha-phenyl cinnamoyl (alpha-PhCm) group has been found to be highly selective for exocylic amino function of all the three deoxynucleosides viz, 2'-deoxyadenosine, 2'-deoxyguanosine and 2'-deoxycytidine. The stereospecific nature of the group confers stability to the N-protected derivatives of 2'-deoxyadenosine and 2'-deoxyguanosine towards acids thereby minimising depurination. The easy preparation and introduction of the group, stability of the protected monomers, milder conditions for deprotection resulting in negligible side products during synthesis and above all hydrophobicity of the group are the additional advantages.