Histopathologic diagnosis with PAS staining of nail clippings was the most sensitive among the tests. It was easy to perform, rapid, and gave significantly higher rates of detection of onychomycosis compared to the standard methods, namely KOH mount and mycological culture.

The present study evaluates the nephroprotective effects of ursolic acid in a murine model of gentamicin induced renal damage. Wistar albino rats of either sex, weighing 150–200 g were divided into 5 groups; normal saline, gentamicin 80 mg/kg, intraperitoneally for 8 days, ursolic acid at 2, 5, and 10 mg/kg, per oral for 8 days, ursolic acid administered 3 days prior and concurrently with gentamicin for 5 days. Blood urea, serum creatinine, uric acid and blood urea nitrogen analyses and microscopic examination of kidney were performed. Gentamicin treatment caused nephrotoxicity as evidenced by marked elevation in serum urea, serum uric acid, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (162.33 ± 9.92 mg/dL, 3.13 ± 0.12 mg/dL, 6.85 ± 0.35 mg/dL and 75.86 ± 4.64 mg/dL; resp.) when compared to the saline treated groups. Co-administration of ursolic acid with gentamicin decreased the rise in these parameters in a dose dependent manner. Histopathological analysis revealed epithelial loss with intense granular degeneration in gentamicin treated rats, whereas ursolic acid mitigated the severity of gentamicin-induced renal damage. To conclude, our data suggest that ursolic acid exhibits renoprotective effect in gentamicin induced renal damage and further studies on its mechanis of action are warranted.

Granulomatous inflammation is a distinctive pattern of chronic inflammation that is encountered in a limited number of infectious and non-infectious conditions. Recognisation of granulomatous pattern and finding the etiology in a biopsy specimen is very important for specific treatment and outcome of the disease. We aimed at finding the etiology of all granulomatous lesions on tissue biopsy sent for histopathogical examination. A study was done at K S Hegde Medical Academy of Nitte University, Mangalore from January 2009 to December 2010. All the cases which were diagnosed as granulomas on Hematoxylin and Eosin stained sections were selected. Special stains like Ziehl-Neelsen stain, Gomori's Methenamine silver, PAS, Fite Faraco were done whenever required. We encountered 275 granulomatous lesions in our study. The most common sites were skin and subcutaneous tissue, lymph nodes, bones and joints. The commonest cause of granulomas was tuberculosis, followed by leprosy, foreign body granulomas, fungal infections, rhinoscleroma, parasites, tumor granulomas and actinomycosis. The morphological features and special staining helped us to find the specific etiology of granulomas in 253 cases whereas it could not be determined in 22 cases even after special stains. Thus we conclude that histopathological examination of granulomatous lesions helped us to find the exact etiology of granulomas in 92 % of cases. The correlation of histopathology with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) serological tests and culture correlation would have helped to find the specific etiology in the remainder of cases.

Primary intracystic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the breast is an extremely rare entity and has a low incidence in comparison with other breast cancers. We report a rare case of primary intracystic SCC in a 45-year-old woman who presented with a cystic lump in the right breast. Cytological smears of the fluid aspirated from the breast tumor revealed malignant squamous cells dispersed in single and occasional groups along with numerous cyst macrophages, suggesting cystic SCC. Histological study of the mastectomy specimen confirmed the diagnosis of primary intracystic SCC. Although the presence of abundant foamy macrophages in the background of fine needle aspiration cytology smears of the breast suggest benign breast lesion, when associated with malignant squamous cells, these suggest cystic primary SCC or metastatic SCC. The primary SCC should not be confused with metaplastic change in other breast carcinomas.

Context: Parotid gland tumors account for 80% of all salivary gland neoplasms. Most parotid masses are operated on before obtaining the final histological diagnosis, which complicates the management of the facial nerve damage during parotid surgery. Aims: The aim of this study is to analyze the age- and gender-wise incidence of parotid gland tumors, the incidence of various types of tumors, to assess their clinical modes of presentation, the efficacy of treatment, and to evaluate the complications ensuing therein, because of intervention. Settings and Design: The present study was conducted in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, A. B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences and Justice K. S. Hegde Charitable Hospital, Nitte University, Mangalore. Subjects and Methods: A clinicopathological study of parotid gland tumors was undertaken in a tertiary care hospital. Patients with parotid swelling were clinically evaluated, followed by fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). Surgery was planned and performed based on the tumor location and FNAC report. Patients were followed up for postoperative complications. Results: The study comprised 59 patients with parotid gland tumors. The age range of the patient affected was between 18 and 75 years. Benign tumors are more common than malignant tumor in the ratio of 3.5:1. Slow progressively parotid swelling was the common presenting complaint. Superficial parotidectomy was the most common surgery (69.49%) performed. The most common postoperative complication encountered was transient facial palsy (22.03%). Benign tumors were more common (77.97%). The most common benign tumor was pleomorphic adenoma, and malignant tumor was mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Conclusions: The incidence of parotid salivary gland tumors is increasing in recent years. Parotidectomy is safe procedure for treating parotid tumors. Transient facial palsy is the most common postoperative complication, which is reduced in superficial parotidectomy.

A 32-year-old female with obstetric score of G3P2L2 came to obstetric outpatient department with complaints of amenorrhea since one and half months, pain abdomen and spotting per vaginum since one day. There were no complaints of vomiting or febrile illness. Past obstetric history was normal. Urine pregnancy test was done and was positive. Clinical examination revealed soft abdomen with mild tenderness in the hypogastrium and right iliac fossa. Per vaginal examination revealed bulky uterus and right cervical tenderness was positive. There was no evidence of mass lesion. Ultrasonography of the pelvis showed right adnexal mass 4x3cm adjacent to right ovary and uterus height was corresponding to 5weeks 1 day. Haemoperitoneum with minimal fluid was noted in Morison's pouch. Routine haematological and biochemical examinations were within normal limits. Explorative laprotomy was performed. Intraoperatively, there was ruptured right tubal mass measuring 3x2 cm with moderate haemoperitoneum. Right salphingectomy was done. The specimen was sent for histopathological evaluation. The right fallopian tube measured 4cm in length and was dilated and ruptured near fimbrial end. Two tiny parafimbrial cyst seen each measuring <0.5 cm. Cut surface along the dilated segment of the fallopian tube showed thinned out wall and the lumen contained blood clot with pale glistening tiny cyst (m) <0.5 cm [Table/ Fig-1].Histological examination revealed ruptured fallopian tube. The lumen contained blood clot with branching, avascular villi with marked edematous stroma. Proliferation of cytotrophoblast and syncitiotrophoblast was seen with moderate degree of atypia. The villous structures were seen penetrating the muscularis layer of fallopian tube along with haemorrhage [Table/ Fig-2].The patient was followed weekly quantitative beta HCG titers until three successive beta HCG levels were negative (HCG<5mI u/ml). The Beta HCG values were 134 mIU/ml, 4.19 mIU/ml and 2.68 mIU/ml consecutively. DISCUSSIONEctopic gestation is a common phenomenon with an incidence rate of 4.5-16.8/1000 pregnancies. Tubal ectopic hydatidiform moles are quiet rare lesions, and 132 cases have been reported in the world literature [1]. GTD can be preceded by any type of pregnancy, including a term pregnancy, abortion, molar gestation, or rarely by tubal gestation. The median maternal age is 31 (range, 15-54) years and median gestational age is10 (range, 5-27) weeks [2]. Hydatidiform moles occurs due to a placental malformation; due to genetic aberration of the villous trophoblast. This is characterized by cystic swelling and trophoblastic proliferation. Molar gestation commonly develops within the uterus but may also occur in sites of ectopic pregnancy [3]. ABSTRACTThe incidence of hydatidiform mole is 1 per 1000 pregnancies. The occurrence of hydatidiform mole in ruptured tubal pregnancy is very rare. We report an unusual case of molar pregnancy in the right fallopian tube which presented as an adherent adnexal mass. The present case conveys the importance of histo...

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Background: Pimpinella anisum known for its various medicinal properties is also a natural antioxidant and a free radical scavenger with no documented evidence as a nephroprotective agent. Objective: To evaluate the nephroprotective activity of aqueous extract of Pimpinella anisum seeds in a rodent model of gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity. Materials and Methods: Wistar albino rats of either sex, weighing 150-200 g was divided into 5 groups; normal saline, gentamicin 80mg/kg, intraperitoneally for 8 days, aqueous extract of Pimpinella anisum seeds at 1, 2, and 4g/kg, per oral for 8 days, the test extract administered 3 days prior and concurrently with gentamicin for 5 days. Blood urea, serum creatinine, uric acid and blood urea nitrogen analyses and microscopic examination of kidney were performed. Results: Gentamicin treatment caused nephrotoxicity as evidenced by marked elevation in serum urea, serum uric acid, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (107.5±16.92mg/dl, 0.8±0.09 mg/dl, 3.05±0.29 mg/dl, 47.8±9.07 mg/dl) respectively when compared to the saline treated groups. Co-administration of Pimpinella anisum extract with gentamicin decreased the rise in these parameters in a dose dependent manner. Histopathological analysis revealed epithelial loss with intense granular degeneration in gentamicin treated rats, whereas aqueous extract of Pimpinella anisum mitigated the severity of gentamicin-induced renal damage. Conclusion: To conclude, our data suggest that aqueous extract of Pimpinella anisum exhibits renoprotective effect in gentamicin induced renal damage and further studies on its mechanism of action are warranted.