In the rat dentate gyrus, beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR) activation is thought to be important in mediating the effects of norepinephrine (NE). beta-AR-immunoreactivity (beta-AR-I) was localized in this study by light and electron microscopy in the rat dentate gyrus by using two previously characterized antibodies to the beta-AR. By light microscopy, dense beta-AR-I was observed in the somata of granule cells and a few hilar interneurons. Diffuse and slightly granular beta-AR-I was found in all laminae, although it was most noticeable in the molecular layer. Ultrastructurally, the cytoplasm of granule cell and interneuronal perikarya (some of which contained parvalbumin immunoreactivity) contained beta-AR-I. beta-AR-I was associated primarily with the endoplasmic reticula; however, a few patches were observed near the plasmalemma. Quantitative analysis revealed that the greatest proportion of beta-AR-labeled profiles was found in the molecular layer. The majority of beta-AR-labeled profiles were either dendritic or astrocytic. In dendritic profiles, beta-AR-I was prominent near postsynaptic densities in large dendrites, many of which originated from granule cell somata. Moreover, some beta-AR-I was found in dendritic spines, sometimes affiliated with the spine apparati. Astrocytic profiles with beta-AR-I were commonly found next to unlabeled terminals which formed asymmetric (excitatory-type) synapses with dendritic spines. Additionally, beta-AR-I was observed in a few unmyelinated axons and axon terminals, many of which formed synapses with dendritic spines. Dual-labeling studies revealed that axons and axon terminals containing tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the catecholamine synthesizing enzyme, often were near both neuronal and glial profiles containing beta-AR-I. These studies demonstrate that hippocampal beta-AR-I is localized: 1) principally in postsynaptic sites on granule cells and a few interneurons (some of which were basket cells); and 2) in glial processes. These observations add further support to the contention that beta-AR-activation modulates synaptic function through disparate pathways: directly, at either postsynaptic densities or presynaptic processes, or indirectly, through adjacent glial processes.

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Background: Dengue fever is an endemic disease in Nepal that has shown increasing incidence each passing year. Dengue has a wide range of clinical presentations and laboratory findings. Thrombocytopenia is a common finding in dengue-infected patients along with other findings like leukopenia, lymphocytosis, raised hematocrit, and elevated liver enzymes. Thrombocytopenia is an indicator of disease severity and can lead to severe bleeding manifestations. This study aims to find the association of thrombocytopenia with other hematologic parameters. Materials and methods: This retrospective study enrolled 651 dengue patients tested at Patan Academy of Health Sciences who also underwent complete blood count at presentation. Results: Dengue-infected patients of all age groups with a slight male predominance. Thrombocytopenia was noted in 48.69% of cases. Thrombocytopenia showed a significant association with age (p=0.009), total leukocyte count(p=0.00), and hemoglobin levels (p= 0.015). Conclusions: Thrombocytopenia in dengue patients is frequently encountered. Increasing age, leukopenia, and anemia are factors significantly associated with thrombocytopenia at presentation.

Introduction: Urinary bladder is a site of various non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions, both of which can present with hematuria. Cystoscopy allows for direct visualization of the bladder mucosa and also obtaining tissue for histopathologic evaluation. The most common non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesion of the urinary bladder is non-specific cystitis and urothelial carcinoma respectively. Materials and methods: This study is a 4-year retrospective study conducted in the Department of Pathology at Patan Hospital, Nepal. All cases from the urinary bladder i.e., both cystoscopic and cystectomy samples were included in the study. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides were re-evaluated whenever required. Results: A total of 145 cases were included which consisted of 17 cystectomy specimens and 128 cystoscopic biopsies. There was a male predominance. The non-neoplastic and neoplastic cases consisted of 32% and 68% respectively. Chronic non-specific cystitis and high-grade infiltrating urothelial carcinoma were the most common non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions respectively. 56.1% of cystoscopic biopsies had the presence of detrusor muscle with 21.7% showing its invasion. Conclusions: Urinary bladder lesions have a wide spectrum ranging from non-neoplastic to neoplastic conditions. The presence of detrusor muscle in a cystoscopic biopsy, and its evaluation for invasion helps in diagnosis and further planning of patient management.