North Bengal Medical College

About: North Bengal Medical College is a other organization based out in Darjeeling, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Cancer. The organization has 624 authors who have published 691 publications receiving 5492 citations.

Amarogentin regulates self renewal pathways to restrict liver carcinogenesis in experimental mouse model

Abstract: Amarogentin, a secoiridoid glycoside isolated from medicinal plant Swertia chirata, was found to restrict CCl4 /N-nitrosodiethyl amine (NDEA) induced mouse liver carcinogenesis by modulating G1/S cell cycle check point and inducing apoptosis. To understand its therapeutic efficacy on stem cell self renewal pathways, prevalence of CD44 positive cancer stem cell (CSC) population, expressions (mRNA/protein) of some key regulatory genes of self renewal Wnt and Hedgehog pathways along with expressions of E-cadherin and EGFR were analyzed during the liver carcinogenesis and in liver cancer cell line HepG2. It was observed that amarogentin could significantly reduce CD44 positive CSCs in both pre and post initiation stages of carcinogenesis than carcinogen control mice. In Wnt pathway, amarogentin could inhibit expressions of β-catenin, phospho β-catenin (Y-654) and activate expressions of antagonists sFRP1/2 and APC in the liver lesions. In Hedgehog pathway, decreased expressions of Gli1, sonic hedgehog ligand, and SMO along with up-regulation of PTCH1 were seen in the liver lesions due to amarogentin treatment. Moreover, amarogentin could up-regulate E-cadherin expression and down-regulate expression of EGFR in the liver lesions. Similarly, amarogentin could inhibit HepG2 cell growth along with expression and prevalence of CD44 positive CSCs. Similar to in vivo analysis, amarogentin could modulate the expressions of the key regulatory genes of the Wnt and hedgehog pathways and EGFR in HepG2 cells. Thus, our data suggests that the restriction of liver carcinogenesis by amarogentin might be due to reduction of CD44 positive CSCs and modulation of the self renewal pathways. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Prevalence and significance of antiphospholipid antibodies in selected at-risk obstetrics cases: a comparative prospective study.

Abstract: SummaryIn a prospective comparative study we screened 112 women with a past history either of pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, recurrent abortion, IUGR, IUFD or abruptio placentae, with no apparent aetiology and a demographically matched cohort of 106 women having a past history of uncomplicated pregnancy outcome for the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) and their significance. In the former group, the prevalence of aPL ranged from 10–46.87% compared with 8.49% in the later group. In women with the presence of aPL, the incidence of pre-eclampsia, early onset pre-eclampsia and abruptio placentae were 25%, 14.58% and 18.75%, respectively. In the same group, the abortion rate was 25% and live-birth rate was 64.58% with IUFD rate of 10.42%. Fetal morbidity rates were also higher in the mothers with aPL positivity, the incidence of IUGR was 27.08% and oligohydramnios was 33.33% in them. All these complications were statistically significant when compared with those of aPL negative mothers.

Guided fine needle aspiration cytology of retroperitoneal masses - Our experience.

Abstract: Background : Early pathological classification of retroperitoneal masses is important for pin-point diagnosis and timely management. Aims : This study was done to evaluate the usefulness and drawbacks of guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of retroperitoneal masses covering a period of two years with an intention to distinguish between neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions and to correlate with histologic findings. Materials and Methods : FNAC was done under radiological guidance in all cases using long needle fitted with disposable syringe. Appropriate staining was done and cytology was correlated with histology which was taken as the gold standard for comparison. Results : Fifty-one patients who presented with retroperitoneal masses were studied. Forty-four lesions were malignant cytologically and 7 were inflammatory (tuberculous). According to radiological and cytologic findings, we classified our cases into four groups: renal tumors, retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy, germ cell tumors, soft tissue tumors. Except for cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and metastatic lesions, we had sensitivity and specificity of 100%. In NHL the sensitivity and specificity were both 50%. In cases of metastatic adenocarcinoma, the sensitivity and specificity were 84.6% and 81.8%, respectively. Conclusions : Ignoring the pitfalls, guided FNAC is still an inexpensive and reliable method of early diagnosis of retroperitoneal lesions.

A cross-sectional study to assess any possible linkage of C/T polymorphism in CYP17A1 gene with insulin resistance in non-obese women with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Abstract: Background & objectives: Insulin resistance (IR) is a major confounding factor in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) irrespective of obesity. Its exact mechanism remains elusive till now. C/T polymorphism in the -34 promoter region of the CYP17 gene is inconsistently attributed to elucidate the mechanism of IR and its link to hyperandrogenemia in obese PCOS patients. In the present study we aimed to evaluate any association of this polymorphism with IR in non-obese women with PCOS. Methods: Polymorphism study was performed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the Msp A1 digest of the PCR product of the target gene in 75 PCOS cases against 73 age and BMI matched control women. Serum testosterone, BMI and HOMA-IR (homeostatic model of assessment-insulin resistance) were analyzed by standard techniques. A realistic cut-off value for the HOMA-IR was obtained through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for exploring any possible link between IR and T/C polymorphism in the case group. Results: Significant increases in serum testosterone and HOMA-IR values were observed among the case group (P Interpretation & conclusions: The results showed that CYP17A1 gene was not conclusively linked to either IR or its associated increased androgen secretion in non-obese women with PCOS. We propose that an increased sensitivity of insulin on the ovarian cells may be the predominant reason for the clinical effects and symptoms of androgen excess observed in non-obese PCOS patients in our region.

Sacral spinal anaesthesia.

Abstract: Indian Journal of Anaesthesia | Vol. 58| Issue 1 | Jan-Feb 2014 80 pulmonary function and chest cage dimension changes after thoracoplasty in idiopathic scoliosis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 1995;20:1343-50. 7. Mathai AS. Non-invasive ventilation in the postoperative period: Is there a role? Indian J Anaesth 2011;55:325-33. 8. Ioscovich A, Barth D, Briskin A. Biphasic intermittent positive airway pressure (BIPAP) ventilation support in the postoperative period for patients with myotonic dystrophy. Internet J Anesthesiol 2006;10:2. scoliosis surgeries. Although surgical intervention corrects the spinal curvature, its effect on lung volumes and arterial oxygenation only becomes apparent after two or more years.[6] Owing to patient’s poor pulmonary function, post-operative respiratory compromise was anticipated. As the patient was fully conscious and co-operative, it was decided to give a trial of BiPAP to avoid reintubation and its subsequent complications. The effectiveness of NIPPV in hypercapnic respiratory failure secondary to chest wall defects and neuromuscular disorders is well established.[7,8] In the present case, it took 3 days for the respiratory acidosis to subside and for the patient to be clinically fit to be shifted out of the ICU.