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Background Primary neoplasms of the appendix are rare, present in less than 2% of surgical appendectomies. They are frequently misinterpreted in histopathological examination due to their relative rarity. This study focuses on understanding the disease burden of appendiceal mucinous lesions in our tertiary centre. Methods A retrospective analysis of all non neoplastic and neoplastic mucinous lesions in appendicectomy specimens were done from January 2021 to May 2024, which were received in the Department of Pathology in our tertiary care center at Wayanad. All the specimens and slides available were retrieved from the archives. The clinical presentation, radiological findings, gross and microscopic findings were collected from the HIS (Hospital Information System) and records available in the Department of pathology. Results From the 3 years and 5 months data of all appendicectomy specimens, 7 cases of mucinous appendiceal lesions were identified. 4 out of these were non neoplastic, simple mucocele. Almost all of which were clinically diagnosed as acute appendicitis. 2 cases were LAMN (Low Grade Mucinous Appendiceal Neoplasm) and 1 was HAMN (High Grade Mucinous Appendiceal Neoplasm). Conclusion Mucinous neoplasms of appendix are rare tumours with challenging clinical management. Staging of LAMN and high grade tumours is necessary to determine treatment options and prognosis. Mucoceles and Low‐grade tumours may be surgically treated while high‐grade tumours may require other options including debulking surgery and chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background NIFTP is a recently introduced entity in the WHO classification of tumours of endocrine organs. It is a diagnosis made exclusively on histopathological examination of thyroid lesions. However a preoperative suspicion can be made correlating with the ultrasonographic and cytological findings. Most of these cases may be over diagnosed in cytological evaluation as Papillary thyroid carcinoma or as a Follicular variant of Papillary thyroid carcinoma. A thorough histopathological examination of all thyroidectomy specimens is the key to diagnosis of NIFTP and thus we undertook this study. Methods A retrospective analysis of thyroidectomy specimens with a histopathological diagnosis of NIFTP was done from May 2022 to May 2024, of two years duration which were received in the Department of Pathology in our Tertiary care centre at Wayanad. The slides were retrieved from the archives and the clinical, radiological and cytology evaluation data was collected from the HIS (Hospital Information System). All 7 cases were compared with their cytology reports. Statistical quantitative analysis was conducted for demographic, ultrasound findings, cytology and histopathological diagnosis. Results were presented as frequency/percentage for categorical variables. Qualitative analysis examined with detailed descriptions of cases. Results Of these cases, about 71% were females, most of them above 40 years and ultrasound diagnosis of about 57.1% cases were TIRADS III. Cytological evaluation had 42.8 % cases with Bethesda category II and 28.5% Suspicious for Malignancy. Conclusion NIFTP may not be conclusively diagnosed or suspected in a preoperative radiological or cytological evaluation. Histopathologically it may be an incidental finding in a benign multinodular goitre. So surgeons might need to have a high index of suspicion for cases of benign, solitary or multinodular thyroid lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Snake venom hyaluronidases known as “spreading factor” are not extensively studied. Recently, it is argued that beyond its role as a spreading factor, venom hyaluronidase (HYL) deserves to be explored as a possible therapeutic target for inhibiting the systemic distribution of venom/toxins and also for minimizing local tissue destruction. In this context, in the present study, a low-molecular weight HYL has been isolated fromBungarus caeruleus(Indian krait) venom by single step chromatography on HPLC system. The apparent molecular weight determined by SDS-PAGE is 14 ± 2 kDa, as confirmed by zymogen study and LC–MS as well. The enzyme had optimal pH 6 and temperature 37°C. The Michaelis–Menten constant (Km) was found to be 8.48 µg/mL at 37°C. The activity of purified enzyme was completely inhibited by Ba2+metal ion andN-acetyl imidazole group-specific agents. This work yielded a highly active HYL fromB. caeruleusthe first one to be isolated. Further studies on its pharmacological actions will be interesting to develop lead molecules for better management of snakebite. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The different extracts ofTabernaemontana alternifoliaroots were used to evaluate the inhibitions of protease, 5’ nucleotidase, phosphomonoesterase, phosphodiesterase, acetylcholinesterase, phospholipase A2, hyaluronidase enzymes present in snake venom. All extracts were found to inhibit acetylcholinesterase and 5’nucleotidase in both snakes’ venom. The methanolic extract inhibited phosphomonoesterase, phosphodiesterase, hyaluronidase and phospholipase A2in both venom and protease in Cobra venom. As methanolic extract inhibited maximum number of toxic enzymes it was considered as an active extract. The study would be further validated byin vivoand pharmacological studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scorpions are distributed throughout the world and numerous biological molecules are found in their venom most importantly peptide toxins. These toxins modulate the ion channels either by blocking the pore of the channel or by altering the voltage gating. Molecules which block the pores have been useful in deciphering the structure of the ion channels. Many scorpion toxins have already been used for probing the voltage gated sodium channels and studying their activation and inactivation processes. The specialty of scorpion toxins is to discriminate between vertebrate and invertebrate channels which have led them to applications as pharmacological tools. Most of the scorpion toxin polypeptides were isolated, characterized and were shown to possess vital properties useful in the field of medicine. For instance, they show therapeutic properties such as antimicrobial activity, anticancer activity, used to treat autoimmune diseases and cardiovascular effects. Although the scorpion toxins exhibited good therapeutic effects in vitro and in vivo, no one has reached the market with success up to date. In this mini-review, the scorpion polypeptides, their interactions with ion channels and their uses as therapeutic agents are discussed.

This paper presents the results of the treatment of textile dye wastewater generated from a textile processing industry by electrochemical method. Experiments were conducted at current densities of 12, 24 and 48 A/m2 using mild steel as anode and cathode. During the various stages of electrolysis, parameters such as COD, color and BOD5 were determined in order to know the feasibility of electrochemical treatment. It was observed that increasing the electrolysis time and increased current density bring down the concentration of pollutants. Also COD removal rate and energy consumption during the electrolysis were calculated and presented in this paper. The present study proves the effectiveness of electrochemical treatment using MS as anode for TDW oxidation.