Physical, Chemical and Functional Attributes of Neera Honey Infused Extrudates

Owing to the demand for the consumption of healthy extrudates, this study explored the infusion of neera (coconut inflorescence sap) honey in rice flour, corn flour and coconut milk residue blend-based extrudates. Neera honey, the concentrated coconut inflorescence sap, has numerous nutrients and a natural source of essential vitamins. Hence, the potential of neera honey as a biofortifying compound for the production of healthy extrudates was investigated. The rice and corn based extrudates supplemented with different concentration of neera honey have been prepared until the mix reaches 16 and 20% (w.b.) of feed moisture. Effect of addition of neera honey on the physical properties (expansion ratio, bulk density, specific length), functional properties (water absorption, water solubility, oil absorption), biochemical properties (total carbohydrates, total sugar, reducing sugar, phenolics, flavonoids, antioxidants), color parameters(L*, a*, b*), proximate compositions (moisture content, ash, protein, fat) and mineral profile of extrudates were recorded. Results suggest that addition of neera honey had a significant (p ˂ 0.05) impact on all the physico-chemical parameters evaluated. Incorporation of neera honey (feed moisture -20%) resulted in extrudates with less expansion, high bulk density and specific length, having high sugar, protein, phenolics, vitamin C and antioxidant activity. The combination of 60% rice flour + 25% corn flour +15% coconut milk residue samples infused with neera honey upto 16% feed moisture was found suitable for the preparation of nutritious extrudates based on functional characterization and minerals evaluation.

Sensorial, textural, and nutritional attributes of coconut sugar and cocoa solids based "bean-to-bar" dark chocolate

The impacts of cocoa solids and coconut sugar on the sensory perception of bean-to-bar dark chocolate were investigated with mixture design using response surface methodology. The maximum and minimum levels of cocoa nib, cocoa butter, and coconut sugar for the preparation of chocolate were 35-50%, 15-30%, and 20-35%, respectively. A suitable mathematical model was used to evaluate each response. Maximum and minimum levels of components caused a poor sensory acceptance of the resultant dark chocolate. The optimum level of independent variables, for the best set of responses, was 44.7% cocoa nib, 25.2% cocoa butter, and 30.2% coconut sugar, with a hedonic score of 8.28 for appearance, 8.64 for mouth feel, 8.71 for texture, 8.68 for taste, and 8.51 for overall acceptability, at a desirability of 0.86. The minimum time for grinding the chocolate mix was 24 hour, which was evident from the microscopic analysis of the chocolate mix. The optimized chocolate (70% dark) per 100 g constitutes 1.06 g moisture, 50.09 g crude fat, 10.37 g crude protein, 35.90 g carbohydrates, and 2.55 g ash content. The L, a, b values indicated a darker color and was stable under ambient condition with a hardness value of 59.52 N, which significantly decreased to 16.23 N within 10 min at ambient temperature (30 ± 2°C). The addition of coconut sugar along with cocoa solids incorporates polyphenols, flavonoids, antioxidant potential, and minerals into bean-to-bar dark chocolate and hence offers a commercial value and health potential for stakeholders.

Identification of Key Genes and Pathways in Persistent Hyperplastic Primary Vitreous of the Eye Using Bioinformatic Analysis

Background: The failure of the embryonic hyaloid vascular system to regress naturally causes persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV), a congenital eye disease. PHPVs molecular pathway, candidate genes, and drug targets are unknown. The current paper describes a comprehensive analysis using bioinformatics to identify the key genes and molecular pathways associated with PHPV, and to evaluate potential therapeutic agents for disease management. Methods: The genes associated with PHPV were identified using the pubmed2ensembl text mining platform. GeneCodis was employed to evaluate the Gene Ontology (GO) biological process terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) constructed a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network from the text mining genes (TMGs) in Cytoscape. The significant modules were clustered using Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE), and the GO and KEGG analysis for the hub genes were analyzed with the Database of Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) tool. ClueGO, CluePedia, and ShinyGo were used to illustrate the functions and pathways of the clustered hub genes in a significant module. The Drug-Gene Interaction database (DGIdb) was used to evaluate drug-gene interactions of the hub genes to identify potential PHPV drug candidates. Results: A total of 50 genes associated with PHPV were identified. Overall, 35 enriched GO terms and 15 KEGG pathways were discovered by the gene functional enrichment analysis. Two gene modules were obtained from the PPI network constructed with 31 nodes with 42 edges using MCODE. We selected 14 hub genes as core candidate genes: TP53, VEGFA, SMAD2, CDKN2A, FOXC, FZD4, LRP5, KDR, FZD5, PAX6, MYCN, NDP, PITX2, and PAX2, primarily associated with camera-type eye morphogenesis, pancreatic cancer, the apoptotic process involved in morphogenesis, and the VEGF receptor signaling pathway. We discovered that 26 Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs could target 7 of the 14 hub genes. Conclusions: In conclusion, the results revealed a total of 14 potential genes, 4 major pathways, 7 drug gene targets, and 26 candidate drugs that could provide the basis of novel targeted therapies for targeted treatment and management of PHPV.

An Affordable Neurosurgical Training System for Neurosurgical Residents; The Indian Perspective

Context

Neurosurgical training in India.

Aims

To establish a sustainable, functional, and relatively inexpensive neurosurgical training system.

Methods and Materials

The training system involved using a relatively inexpensive stereoscopic microscope and ophthalmological microinstruments , including two jewellers' forceps and a microscissors. Training modules were designed using commonly available materials such as gauze, latex gloves, and chicken wings.

Statistical Analysis Used

None.

Results

The system proved to be easy to construct, easy-to-use, and highly compact. This system allowed for residents to practice microsuturing and vessel anastomosis and allows the resident to be familiarized with operating under the microscope. Thereby , developing the hand-eye coordination and precise motor control required for neurosurgery as well as the art of appropriate tissue handling.

Conclusions

The inexpensive nature of this training system and its inherent simplicity allows for a larger portion of neurosurgical residents in India, without access to sophisticated skills labs, to practice their skills in a controlled environment, without compromising on their ward duties.

Neck failure following pathologically node-negative neck dissection (pN0) in oral squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Due to the risk of occult cervical metastasis, elective neck dissection (END) is recommended in the management of patients with early oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and a clinically node-negative (cN0) neck. This paper presents a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that recorded isolated regional recurrence (RR) in the pathologically node-negative neck dissection (pN0) neck following END in order to quantify the failure rate. Pubmed and Ovid databases were systematically searched for relevant articles published between January 2009 and January 2019. Studies reporting RR following END in patients with OSCC who had no pathological evidence of lymph node metastasis were eligible for inclusion in this meta-analysis. In addition, a selection of large head and neck units were invited to submit unpublished data. Search criteria produced a list of 5448 papers, of which 18 studies met the inclusion criteria. Three institutions contributed unpublished data. This included a total of 4824 patients with median follow-up of 34 months (2.8 years). Eight datasets included patients staged T1-T4 with RR 17.3% (469/2711), 13 datasets included patients staged T1-T2 with RR 7.5% (158/2113). Overall across all 21 studies, isolated neck recurrence was identified in 627 cases giving a RR of 13.0% (627/4824) on meta-analysis. Understanding the therapeutic effectiveness of END provides context for evaluation of clinical management of the cN0 in these patients. A pathologically negative neck does not guarantee against future recurrence.

Volume and location of the defect as predictors of speech outcome after glossectomy: correlation with a classification

The evaluation of speech outcomes after resection and reconstruction of the oral tongue remains largely unsystematic. A cross-sectional study was performed to analyse the speech outcomes of patients who underwent curative treatment with appropriate reconstruction. Sixty-nine patients were assessed for speech intelligibility and phonetics using a validated speech intelligibility assessment tool in the local language. Volume defects were classified as class I (less than one third), II (one third to half), III (half to two-thirds), or IV (two-thirds to total glossectomy). Defect location was defined as lateral, tip, or sulcus. The χ² test and Kruskal-Wallis test were used to test volume and location as predictors. Twenty-six patients had class I defects, 29 had class II defects, seven had class III defects, and seven had class IV defects. Twenty-two patients (31.9%) received adjuvant radiotherapy. Mean vowel, consonant, word, and paragraph intelligibility were 99.27%, 86.86%, 85.52%, and 88.72%, respectively. The incremental volume of the glossectomy defect was significantly correlated with speech intelligibility scores and phonatory alterations. In classes II and III, tip resection significantly affected interdental sounds. All patients in class III had affected alveolar and alveo-palatal sounds. The results positively corroborated the volume and location of the glossectomy defect to a classification system.

Elucidating the Sound Absorption Characteristics of Foxtail Millet (Setariaitalica) Husk

The current study deals with the analysis of sound absorption characteristics of foxtail millet husk powder. Noise is one the most persistent pollutants which has to be dealt seriously. Foxtail millet is a small seeded cereal cultivated across the world and its husk is less explored for its utilization in polymer composites. The husk is the outer protective covering of the seed, rich in silica and lingo-cellulose content making it suitable for sound insulation. The acoustic characterization is done for treated foxtail millet husk powder and polypropylene composite panels. The physical parameters like fiber mass content, density, and thickness of the composite panel were varied and their influence over sound absorption was mapped. The influence of porosity, airflow resistance, and tortuosity was also studied. The experimental result shows that 30-mm thick foxtail millet husk powder composite panel with 40% fiber mass content, 320 kg/m³ density showed promising sound absorption for sound frequency range above 1000 Hz. We achieved noise reduction coefficient (NRC) value of 0.54. In view to improve the performance of the panel in low-frequency range, we studied the efficiency of incorporating air gap and rigid backing material to the designed panel. We used foxtail millet husk powder panel of density 850 kg/m³ as rigid backing material with varying air gap thickness. Thus the composite of 320 kg/m³ density, 30-mm thick when provided with 35-mm air gap and backing material improved the composite's performance in sound frequency range 250 Hz to 1000 Hz. The overall sound absorption performance was improved and the NRC value and average sound absorption coefficient (SAC) were increased to 0.7 and 0.63 respectively comparable with the commercial acoustic panels made out of the synthetic fibers. We have calculated the sound absorption coefficient values using Delany and Bezlay model (D&B model) and Johnson-Champoux-Allard model (JCA model) and compared them with the measured sound absorption values.

Environmental and management controls of soil carbon storage in grasslands of southwestern China

In order to predict the effects of climate change on the global carbon cycle, it is crucial to understand the environmental factors that affect soil carbon storage in grasslands. In the present study, we attempted to explain the relationships between the distribution of soil carbon storage with climate, soil types, soil properties and topographical factors across different types of grasslands with different grazing regimes. We measured soil organic carbon in 92 locations at different soil depth increments, from 0 to 100 cm in southwestern China. Among soil types, brown earth soils (Luvisols) had the highest carbon storage with 19.5 ± 2.5 kg m^-2, while chernozem soils had the lowest with 6.8 ± 1.2 kg m^-2. Mean annual temperature and precipitation, exerted a significant, but, contrasting effects on soil carbon storage. Soil carbon storage increased as mean annual temperature decreased and as mean annual precipitation increased. Across different grassland types, the mean carbon storage for the top 100 cm varied from 7.6 ± 1.3 kg m^-2 for temperate desert to 17.3 ± 2.9 kg m^-2 for alpine meadow. Grazing/cutting regimes significantly affected soil carbon storage with lowest value (7.9 ± 1.5 kg m^-2) recorded for cutting grass, while seasonal (11.4 ± 1.3 kg m^-2) and year-long (12.2 ± 1.9 kg m^-2) grazing increased carbon storage. The highest carbon storage was found in the completely ungrazed areas (16.7 ± 2.9 kg m^-2). Climatic factors, along with soil types and topographical factors, controlled soil carbon density along a soil depth in grasslands. Environmental factors alone explained about 60% of the total variation in soil carbon storage. The actual depth-wise distribution of soil carbon contents was significantly influenced by the grazing intensity and topographical factors. Overall, policy-makers should focus on reducing the grazing intensity and land conversion for the sustainable management of grasslands and C sequestration.

Impact of postoperative radiotherapy on survival and loco-regional control in node-negative oral cavity tumours classified as T3 using the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual eighth edition

According to the eighth edition of the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual (AJCC8), a depth of invasion (DOI) >10mm is classified as pT3, representing a locally advanced tumour requiring postoperative radiotherapy (PORT). When node-negative, however, evidence regarding whether PORT improves loco-regional control or survival is unclear. To clarify this, two cohorts of patients were studied: (1) patients classified as pT3N0 by the seventh edition of the AJCC manual (AJCC7), with DOI >10mm and a tumour diameter >4cm (17 patients who received PORT), and (2) patients classified as pT1N0 and pT2N0 by AJCC7, with DOI >10mm and a tumour diameter <4cm (55 patients who did not receive PORT). Loco-regional control and survival were analysed. PORT was found not to impact overall survival or disease-free survival. It was also found not to impact local, regional, or distant recurrence. Although the two subsets of patients considered here (DOI >10mm with tumour diameter below or above 4cm) were previously distinct, they are both considered pT3 in AJCC8. Data from this study indicate that the routine administration of PORT to patients with a DOI >10mm may not be warranted in the absence of other risk features such as nodal disease or close margins.

Is pulmonary metastasectomy beneficial in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma? A review of literature

Metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has traditionally carried a dismal prognosis; however with advances in care, it has been shown that pulmonary metastasectomy is a viable therapeutic option in selected patients, palliating symptoms and improving survival. With the increasing incidence of human papilloma virus-related HNSCC and better availability of minimal access surgery, there is a need to better understand the role of pulmonary metastasectomy in the treatment of HNSCC. This article summarizes the literature on indications, results, surgical options and approaches, clinical dilemmas, and controversies associated with pulmonary metastasectomy in HNSCC, to identify suitable candidates and optimize outcomes.

Tuberculosis infection control measures at health care facilities offering HIV and tuberculosis services in India: A baseline assessment

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of world's oldest infectious disease and ranks alongside HIV as leading infectious killer. Tuberculosis infection control especially in HIV and TB care facilities has warranted attention after the recent health care-associated outbreaks in South Africa. The aim of this study was to describe the tuberculosis infection control measures implemented by HIV and TB care facilities in five high HIV burden provinces in India.

METHODS

Baseline assessment of 30 high burden Antiretroviral centers and TB facilities was conducted during Oct 2015-Dec 2015 by AIC trained staff using a structured format.

RESULTS

Thirty HIV and TB care facilities in five high HIV burden provinces were enrolled. Facility infrastructure and airborne infection control practices were highly varied between facilities. TB screening and fast tracking at ART centers is happening at majority of centers however inadequate TB infection control training, poor compliance to administrative and personal protective measures and lack of mechanism for health care workers surveillance need attention.

CONCLUSIONS

Local specific TB infection control interventions to be designed and implemented at HIV and TB care facilities including implementation of administrative, environmental and use of personal protective equipment's with the training of staff members. Health care workers surveillance needs to be prioritized considering the rising instances of tuberculosis among Health care workers.

Secondary lymphedema after head and neck cancer therapy: A review

Secondary head and neck lymphedema (SHNL) is a chronic condition affecting patients who have undergone treatment for head and neck cancers. It results from the disruption of normal lymphatic flow by surgery and/or radiation. The incidence of secondary head and neck lymphedema varies anywhere between 12 and 54% of all patients treated for head and neck cancer, but it is still commonly under-diagnosed in routine clinical practice. In spite of awareness of this condition, treatment has been difficult as definitive staging, diagnostic, and assessment tools are still under development. This review article is aimed at looking at the evidence, standards of management, and deficiencies in current literature related to SHNL to optimize management of these patients and improve their quality of life.

Primary calvarial tuberculosis

Background:

Tuberculosis is a very common disease in India. Its prevalence, capacity to affect every other organ, and atypical presentations make it an important part of the differential diagnosis for cases presenting in the rural setup. Primary tuberculous caries of the calvarium is a rare manifestation of this common entity.

Case Description:

A young lady presented with headache and discharging sinus of the scalp. Imaging revealed epidural abscess with midline shift. She underwent surgery, and histopathological diagnosis of tuberculous etiology was made. The pre and intraoperative images, radiological images, and histopathological images are reported and discussed.

Conclusion:

Tuberculosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of the osteolytic lesions of skull with discharging sinus. A high degree of suspicion, especially in patients from low socioeconomic status, is warranted in managing such cases.

Interaction of the antimicrobial peptide melimine with bacterial membranes

Melimine is a novel cationic peptide possessing broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity that is retained when attached to a surface, suggesting that interactions with bacterial membranes may be of primary importance to its activity. The effects of alterations in the environment on the conformation of melimine were investigated using circular dichroism and fluorescence spectra in membrane-mimetic solvents. Furthermore, the interactions of melimine with bacterial membranes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were examined using scanning electron and fluorescence microscopy, and perturbation of membrane integrity was tested by measurement of melimine-mediated diSC(3)-5 dye release from bacterial cells. Melimine has a predominantly random coil conformation that adopts a helical fold when exposed to organic solvents. However, when it is solubilised in micelles of sodium dodecyl sulphate, which are bacterial membrane-mimetic, the alpha-helical content increases to ca. 35-40%. A major effect of melimine was on the integrity of the cytoplasmic membrane both for P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. However, for P. aeruginosa the rapid loss of cytoplasmic membrane integrity correlated directly with loss of cell viability, whilst for S. aureus maximal dye release was obtained at concentrations where there was no significant loss of viability. There have been few studies to date investigating differences in the action of cationic peptides towards Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Consequently, further investigation of these mechanistic differences may allow more refined targeting of increasingly difficult-to-treat bacterial infections and/or further inform design of novel peptides with improved broad-spectrum activity.

Analysis of nuclear fiber cell cytoplasmic texture in advanced cataractous lenses from Indian subjects using Debye-Bueche theory

Alterations in ultrastructural features of the lens fiber cells lead to scattering and opacity typical of cataracts. The organelle-free cytoplasm of the lens nuclear fiber cell is one such component that contains vital information about the packing and organization of crystallins critical to lens transparency. The current work has extended analysis of the cytoplasmic texture to transparent and advanced cataractous lenses from India and related the extent of texturing to the nuclear scattering observed using the Debye-Bueche theory for inhomogeneous materials. Advanced age-related nuclear cataracts (age-range 38-75 years) and transparent lenses (age-range 48-78 years) were obtained following extracapsular cataract removal or from the eye bank, at the L.V. Prasad Eye Institute. Lens nuclei were Vibratome-sectioned, fixed and prepared for transmission electron microscopy using established techniques. Electron micrographs of the unstained thin sections of the cytoplasm were acquired at 6500x and percent scattering for wavelengths 400-700 nm was calculated using the Debye-Bueche theory. Electron micrographs from comparable areas in an oxidative-damage sensitive (OXYS) rat model and normal rat lenses preserved from an earlier study were used, as they have extremely textured and smooth cytoplasms, respectively. The Debye-Bueche theoretical approach produces plots that vary smoothly with wavelength and are sensitive to spatial fluctuations in density. The central lens fiber cells from advanced cataractous lenses from India and the OXYS rat, representing opaque lens nuclei, produced the greatest texture and scattering. The transparent human lenses from India had a smoother texture and less predicted scattering, similar to early cataracts from previous studies. The normal rat lens had a homogeneous cytoplasm and little scattering. The data indicate that this method allowed easy comparison of small variations in cytoplasmic texture and robustly detected differences between transparent and advanced cataractous human lenses. This may relate directly to the proportion of opacification contributed by the packing of crystallins. The percent scattering calculated using this method may thus be used to generate a range of curves with which to compare and quantify the relative contribution of the packing of crystallins to the loss of transparency and scattering observed.

Technique of cultivating limbal derived corneal epithelium on human amniotic membrane for clinical transplantation

BACKGROUND

The technique of transplantation of cultivated limbal epithelium rather than direct limbal tissue isa novel method of "cell therapy" involved in reconstructing the ocular surface in severe limbal stem cell deficiency [LSCD], caused by chemical burns.

AIM

To describe a simple feeder-cell free technique of cultivating limbal epithelium on human amniotic membrane[HAM].

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The limbal tissues (2 mm) were harvested from patients with LSCD. These tissues were proliferated in vitro on HAM supplemented by human corneal epithelial cell medium and autologous serum. Cultures covering more > or = 50% area of 2.5 x 5 cm HAM were considered adequate for clinical use. The cultured epithelium was characterized by histopathology and immunophenotyping.

RESULTS

A total of 542 cultures out of 250 limbal tissues were cultivated in the laboratory from January 2001 through July 2005. The culture explants showed that clusters of cells emerging from the edge of the explants in one-three days formed a complete monolayer within 10-14 days. In 86% of cultures (464 of 542), the growth was observed within one-two days. Successful explant cultures were observed in 98.5% (534 of 542 cultures) with 91% explant cultures showing an area of > or = 6.25 cm2 (6.25 - 12.5 cm2 range). The cultivated epithelium was terminated between 10-14 days for clinical transplantation. The problems encountered were inadequate growth (2 of 542) and contamination (2 of 542).

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrate a simple technique of generating a sheet of corneal epithelium from a limbal biopsy. This new technique could pave the way for a novel form of cell therapy.

Allelic heterogeneity of the carbohydrate sulfotransferase-6 gene in patients with macular corneal dystrophy

Allelic heterogeneity of the carbohydrate sulfotransferase-6 gene in patients with macular corneal dystrophy. Macular corneal dystrophy (MCD) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by grayish white opacities in the cornea. It is caused by mutations in the carbohydrate sulfotransferase-6 (CHST6) gene, which codes for the enzyme corneal N-acetylglucosamine-6-sulfotransferase. This enzyme catalyzes the sulfation of keratan sulfate, an important component of corneal proteoglycans. We screened 31 patients from 26 families with MCD for mutations in the coding region of the CHST6 gene. Twenty-six different mutations were identified, of which 14 mutations are novel. The novel mutations are one nonsense mutation found in one patient (Trp2Ter), one frameshift (insertion plus deletion) mutation in two patients (His335fs), and 12 missense mutations (Leu3Met, Ser54Phe, Val56Arg, Ala73Thr, Ser98Leu, Cys165Trp, Ser167Phe, Phe178Cys, Leu193Pro, Pro204Arg, Arg272Ser, and Arg334Cys) in 11 patients. These data demonstrate a high degree of allelic heterogeneity of the CHST6 gene in patient populations with MCD from Southern India, where this disease may have a relatively higher prevalence than in outbred communities.

Photodynamics of cataract: an update on endogenous chromophores and antioxidants

Cataract of the eye lens is characterized by (1) progressive opacification or loss of transparency; (2) accumulation of molecules that absorb in the UV-visible range of the spectrum; and (3) formation of fluid-filled vacuoles, particularly in diabetics when sugar levels in the lens are high. Of the various causative factors for cataract, light is an important one. Because the level of light below 320 nm reaching the lens is quite low, photodynamic effects of endogenous compounds absorbing in the UV-A-visible region become important in this connection. In this update we summarize a list of accumulant chromophores that have been identified in aging and cataract human lenses and their roles as potential sensitizers, antioxidants or as benign filters. Because such photodynamic cataractogenesis is oxidative in nature, we also cite examples where administration of antioxidants could help delay cataract progression.

Myocilin gene implicated in primary congenital glaucoma

Primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) has been associated with CYP1B1 gene (2p21), with a predominantly autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. Our earlier studies attributed CYP1B1 mutations to only 40% of Indian PCG cases. In this study, we included 72 such PCG cases where CYP1B1 mutations were detected in only 12 patients in heterozygous condition, implying involvement of other gene(s). On screening these patients for mutations in myocilin (MYOC), another glaucoma-associated gene, using denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography followed by sequencing, we identified a patient who was double heterozygous at CYP1B1 (c.1103G>A; Arg368His) and MYOC (c.144G>T; Gln48His) loci, suggesting a digenic mode of inheritance of PCG. In addition, we identified the same MYOC mutation, implicated for primary open angle glaucoma, in three additional PCG patients who did not harbor any mutation in CYP1B1. These observations suggest a possible role of MYOC in PCG, which might be mediated via digenic interaction with CYP1B1 and/or an yet unidentified locus associated with the disease.

Desmoplastic infantile ganglioglioma -- a case report

Desmoplastic infantile ganglioglioma is a very rare supratentorial tumor occurring in the first two years of life. A five-month-old female infant presented with recurrent seizures, large head and loss of acquired milestones. Computerized Tomographic Scan of brain showed a large subarachnoid cyst with a solid intensely contrast enhancing tumor in the right temporoparietal region with severe degree of mass effect. Craniotomy and total excision of the tumor followed subsequently by subduro-peritoneal shunt for the extracerebral fluid collection was done. The child made good recovery. Histopathology revealed features of desmoplastic infantile ganglioglioma, viz., marked desmoplastic component with glial and neuronal elements. Immunohistochemistry showed positive staining for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) with areas of synaptophysin and chromogranin positivity. Desmoplastic infantile ganglioglioma is a rare tumor of infancy, which has excellent prognosis after total excision. No adjuvant therapy is required. This is the first Indian report of desmoplastic infantile ganglioglioma out of less than fifty cases reported worldwide.

Successful Reconstruction of Damaged Ocular Outer Surface in Humans Using Limbal and Conjuctival Stem Cell Culture Methods

When the ocular outer surface is badly damaged, subsequent corneal transplantation fails due to the absence of basal cells that are needed to support the graft. With the realization that the limbus and the conjunctiva have adult stem cells that can be cultured, it has been possible for us to explant culture these on de-epithelized human amniotic membrane, and to graft the resulting viable and transparent epithelium to 125 needy human patients with success. Ultrastructural, histological, biochemical and immunological assays establish the identity of the cells and the tissue formed.