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Background : Meningiomas are slow-growing tumors. Grading of meningiomas based on histological features has certain limitations in predicting the exact biological behavior, necessitating ancillary techniques. Objective : To study the Ki67 labeling index (Ki67 LI) in various histological subtypes and grades of meningioma and correlate it with various parameters for recurrence. Material and Methods : All intracranial and intraspinal meningiomas diagnosed between 2005 and 2008 were graded according to WHO 2007 criteria. Immunohistochemistry was performed using Ki67 (Dako, USA 1:50) in 300 cases. Statistical analysis was performed. Results : There was female predominance. The age ranged from 2-75 years including 11 children below the age of 18 years. There were 211 Grade I, 78 Grade II and 11 Grade III meningiomas. The mean Ki67 LI increased from Grade I to II and from Grade II to III and these were statistically significant. The Ki67 LI was high for the subtypes of clear cell, chordoid, papillary and rhabdoid but there was no statistical significance between the subtypes. The difference in Ki67 LI between recurrent versus non-recurrent and brain-invasive versus non-invasive meningiomas was statistically significant. Conclusion : High Ki67 LI indicates higher grade of meningioma. The difference in KI67 LI between recurrent and non-recurrent meningiomas was statistically significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel, simple and efficient analytical method for GC-MS based identification of cyanide has been developed using a single step nucleophilic substitution based derivatization of cyanide in aqueous medium. The nucleophilic substitution reaction of cyanide with S-phenyl benzenethiosulfonate results in the formation of phenyl thiocyanate as a cyanide derivative and it was found that the relative response of the resultant cyanide derivative was much higher than that of the cyanide derivatives resulting from disulfide based derivatizing agents. The sample preparation protocol for the identification of cyanide in aqueous samples was also optimized with the new derivatizing agent. Derivatization followed by liquid-liquid extraction was employed for the preparation of aqueous samples containing cyanide salts. The resultant samples were subjected to GC-MS analysis for the identification of the cyanide derivative. Under optimized conditions, the detection and quantification limits for cyanide aqueous samples were found to be 0.075 μg mL-1 and 0.25 μg mL-1 respectively. The calibration curve had a linear relationship with y = 0.086x - 0.076 and r2 = 0.997 for the working range of 0.25 μg mL-1 to 50 μg mL-1. The intraday RSDs were between 2.24 and 8.17%, and the interday RSDs were between 2.22 and 12.85%. The method can also be successfully employed for the identification of hydrogen cyanide in aqueous medium. The applicability of the present method was demonstrated by analysing a real sample from apple seed extraction.

We have studied differentially regulated nuclear proteome of the clinical tissue specimens of glioblastoma (GBM, WHO Grade IV) and lower grades of gliomas (Grade II and III) using high resolution mass spectrometry- based quantitative proteomics approach. The results showed altered expression of many regulatory proteins from the nucleus such as DNA binding proteins, transcription and post transcriptional processing factors and also included enrichment of nuclear proteins that are targets of granzyme signaling - an immune surveillance pathway. Protein - protein interaction network analysis using integrated proteomics and transcriptomics data of transcription factors and proteins for cell invasion process (drawn from another GBM dataset) revealed YBX1, a ubiquitous RNA and DNA-binding protein and a transcription factor, as a key interactor of major cell invasion-associated proteins from GBM. To verify the regulatory link between them, the co-expression of YBX1 and six of the interacting proteins (EGFR, MAPK1, CD44, SOX2, TNC and MMP13) involved in cell invasion network was examined by immunohistochemistry on tissue micro arrays. Our analysis suggests YBX1 as a potential regulator of these key molecules involved in tumor invasion and thus as a promising target for development of new therapeutic strategies for GBM.

Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest

The strict monitoring and precise measurements of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) in environmental and other complex samples with high accuracy have great practical significance from the forensic and Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) verification point of view. Therefore, this study was aimed to develop an efficient extraction and enrichment method for identification and quantification of toxic agents, especially with high sensitivity and multidetection ability in complex samples. It is the first study on solid-phase extraction (SPE) of CWAs and their related compounds from hydrocarbon backgrounds using covalent triazine-based frameworks (CTFs). This nitrogen-rich CTF sorbent has shown an excellent SPE performance toward sample cleanup by selective elimination of hydrocarbon backgrounds and enrich the CWC related analytes in comparison with the conventional and other reported methods. The best enrichment of the analytes was found with the washing solvent (1 mL of n-hexane) and the extraction solvent (1 mL of dichloromethane). Under the optimized conditions, the SPE method had good linearity in the concentration range of 0.050-10.0 μg mL -1 for organophosphorus esters, 0.040-20.0 μg mL -1 for nerve agents, and 0.200-20.0 μg mL -1 for mustards with correlation coefficients ( r 2 ) between 0.9867 and 0.9998 for all analytes. Limits of detection ( S/ N = 3:1) in the SIM mode were found to be in the range of 0.015-0.050 μg mL -1 for organophosphorus esters, 0.010-0.030 μg mL -1 for nerve agents, and 0.050-0.100 μg mL -1 for blister agents. Limits of quantification ( S/ N = 10:1) were found in the range of 0.050-0.200 μg mL -1 for organophosphorus esters, 0.040-0.100 μg mL -1 for nerve agents, and 0.180-0.350 μg mL -1 for blister agents in the SIM mode. The recoveries of all analytes ranged from 87 to 100% with the relative standard deviations ranging from 1 to 8%. This method was also successfully applied for the sample preparation of 1 H NMR analysis of sulfur and nitrogen mustards in the presence of hydrocarbon backgrounds. Therefore, this SPE method provides the single sample preparation for both NMR and GC-MS analyses.

Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest

Herein, for the first time, we have reported a copper(ii) bis(terpyridine) complex solution for instant 'naked eye' chromo-luminescent selective detection of fluoride ions in an acetonitrile medium at micromolar concentration. The copper complex [Cu(ii) (L)2] (NO3)2 [where L = 4'-(4-N,N'-dimethylaminophenyl)-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine] was characterized by mass spectroscopy and the terpyridine ligand by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The complex solution selectively discriminates F- ions from other anions such as AcO-, Br-, Cl-, CN-, H2PO4-, HSO4-, and I- in acetonitrile media via exceptional optical changes. The optical changes were evaluated by UV-visible and fluorescence techniques. Studies on the binding characteristics of the copper complex solution with fluoride ions revealed a displacement of copper ions from the complex solution as CuF2 resulting in the significant optical changes. Furthermore, displacement of Cu(ii) from the complex was established by means of mass spectroscopy in the presence of 20 equivalents of fluoride ions. The limit of detection (LOD) was found to be 5.07 μM which is within the permissible range of fluoride ions in drinking water set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Extraction and identification of lethal nerve agents and their markers in complex organic background have a prime importance from the forensic and verification viewpoint of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Liquid-liquid extraction with acetonitrile and commercially available solid phase silica cartridges are extensively used for this purpose. Silica cartridges exhibit limited applicability for relatively polar analytes, and acetonitrile extraction shows limited efficacy toward relatively nonpolar analytes. The present study describes the synthesis of polymeric sorbents with tunable surface polarity, their application as a solid-phase extraction (SPE) material against nerve agents and their polar as well as nonpolar markers from nonpolar organic matrices. In comparison with the acetonitrile extraction and commercial silica cartridges, the new sorbent showed better extraction efficiency toward analytes of varying polarity. The extraction parameters were optimized for the proposed method, which included ethyl acetate as an extraction solvent and n-hexane as a washing solvent. Under optimized conditions, method linearity ranged from 0.10 to 10 μg mL -1 ( r 2 = 0.9327-0.9988) for organophosphorus esters and 0.05-20 μg mL -1 ( r 2 = 0.9976-0.9991) for nerve agents. Limits of detection (S:N = 3:1) in the SIM mode were found in the range of 0.03-0.075 μg mL -1 for organophosphorus esters and 0.015-0.025 μg mL -1 for nerve agents. Limits of quantification (S:N = 10:1) were found in the range of 0.100-0.25 μg mL -1 for organophosphorus esters and 0.05-0.100 μg mL -1 for nerve agents in the SIM mode. The recoveries of the nerve agents and their markers ranged from 90.0 to 98.0% and 75.0 to 95.0% respectively. The repeatability and reproducibility (with relative standard deviations (RSDs) %) for organophosphorus esters were found in the range of 1.35-8.61% and 2.30-9.25% respectively. For nerve agents, the repeatability range from 1.00 to 7.75% and reproducibility were found in the range of 2.17-6.90%.

A simple ratiometric terpyridine-Cd(ll) complex was synthesized by the treatment of CdCl 2 with terpyridine ligand 4'-(4-N,N'-dimethylaminophenyl)-2,2':6',2″-terpyridine. The synthesized complex was found to act as a selective fluorescent chemosensor for pyrophosphate P 2 O 7 4- (PPi) over other anions like F - , Cl - , Br - , CO 3 2- , SO 3 2- , AcO - , NO 2 - , and H 2 PO 4 - . Furthermore, the receptor probe was also successfully employed in HeLa cell for PPi detection, which indicates this can be used as a chemosensor for cells., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Even though aneurysm involving the anterior communicating artery (A Com A) was common in clinical practice, producing compressive symptoms such as visual loss was rare. We report a case, in which patient had gradually progressive visual loss with features of the junctional chiasmatic syndrome, imaging revealed partially thrombosed large A Com A aneurysm. Intraoperatively, aneurysm was found compressing the optic chiasm and right optic nerve, following clipping and decompression of the optic nerve and chiasm there was gradually improvement in the vision over 2 weeks postoperatively., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Background: Injury to the spine and spinal cord is one of the common cause of disability and death. Several factors affect the outcome; but which are these factors (alone and in combination), are determining the outcomes are still unknown. The aim of the study was to evaluate the factors influencing the outcome following acute cervical spine injury., Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study at single-center with all patients with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI), attending our hospital within a week of injury during a period of October 2011 to July 2013 was included for analysis. Demographic factors such as age, gender, etiology of injury, preoperative American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade, upper (C2-C4) versus lower (C5-C7) cervical level of injury, imageological factors on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and timing of intervention were studied. Change in neurological status by one or more ASIA grade from the date of admission to 6 months follow-up was taken as an improvement. Functional grading was assessed using the functional independence measure (FIM) scale at 6 months follow-up., Results: A total of 39 patients with an acute cervical spine injury, managed surgically were included in this study. Follow-up was available for 38 patients at 6 months. No improvement was noted in patients with ASIA Grade A. Maximum improvement was noted in ASIA Grade D group (83.3%). The improvement was more significant in lower cervical region injuries. Patient with cord contusion showed no improvement as opposed to those with just edema wherein; the improvement was seen in 62.5% patients. Percentage of improvement in cord edema ≤3 segments (75%) was significantly higher than edema with >3 segments (42.9%). Maximum improvement in FIM score was noted in ASIA Grade C and patients who had edema (especially ≤3 segments) in MRI cervical spine., Conclusions: Complete cervical SCI, upper-level cervical cord injury, patients showing MRI contusion, edema >3 segments group have worst improvement in neurological status at 6 months follow-up., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Among the intracranial hematomas, chronic subdural hematomas (CSDH) are the most benign with a mortality rate of 0.5-4.0%. The elderly and alcoholics are commonly affected by CSDH. Even though high percentage of CSDH patients improves after the evacuation, there are some unexpected potential complications altering the postoperative course with neurological deterioration. Poor outcome in postoperative period is due to complications like failure of brain to re-expand, recurrence of hematoma and tension pneumocephalus. We present a case report with multiple intraparenchymal hemorrhages in various locations like brainstem, cerebral and cerebellar peduncles, right cerebellar hemisphere, right thalamus, right capsulo-ganglionic region, right corona radiata and cerebral hemispheres after CSDH evacuation. Awareness of this potential problem and the immediate use of imaging if the patient does not awake from anesthesia or if he develops new onset focal neurological deficits, are the most important concerns to the early diagnosis of this rare complication., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Isolated angitis of the central nervous system (IACNS)/primary angitis of central nervous system vasculitis (PACNS) is an uncommon vascular disease, sparingly presenting as an isolated inflammatory lesion on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The disease usually manifests as a long-drawn and progressive ischemic event. Delay in diagnosis due to focal nature of the lesion also contributes to the poor prognosis as the dismal natural history and immunosuppressive therapy. To date, only a few cases with tumor-like isolated angitis of CNS have been reported with clear and definitive diagnostic workup., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and malignant primary brain tumor in adults. The occurrence of this entity in infants is a rarity and portends a uniform dismal prognosis and survival in spite of all the latest available management options. The authors herein report a case of a GBM in an 11 month-old infant with tumor involving predominantly the left temporal and frontal regions who expired 10 weeks after tumor decompression. Literature and available management options have been reviewed in the context of the presented case., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Clinical case report and review of the literature. This is the first case of primary leiomyoma in an immunocompetent woman without previous history of uterine leiomyoma being reported in the literature to the best of our knowledge. Leiomyoma, a type of smooth muscle cell tumor, involving the vertebra is extremely rare. There were very few primary leiomyoma in patients with AIDS or in the immune-suppressed patients. This 48-year-old female came with H/o neck pain, weakness and bladder retention. On examination, tone increased in all four limbs, power on the right side of the limbs 4/5, power on the left upper limb 0/5, lower limb 3/5, left plantar was up going, decreased sensation over the left second cervical vertebra (C2) dermatome and all modalities decreased below C2. X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine showed kyphosis of the cervical spine with destruction of the C2 vertebral body along with pathological fracture. The patient underwent decompression of the C2 lesion through the C2 right pedicle with occipito-C1-C3 lateral mass screws fixation. Lesion anterior to the cord was reached by a transpedicular approach and decompression was performed. The lesion was pinkish grey, firm and moderately vascular and was destroying the C2 vertebral body. The patient improved symptomatically in power in the left upper limb and lower limb over the next 1 week duration from 0/5 to 4+/5. Histopathology revealed primary leiomyoma. The patient was evaluated with ultrasound abdomen and contrast tomogram of the chest, abdomen and pelvis to rule out other possible lesions in the lung, intestines and uterus. We suggest that leiomyoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of destructive lytic lesions involving the C2 vertebra. Histopathological examination with immunohistochemistry is necessary for the definitive diagnosis. Treatment of choice is surgery with complete removal., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Objectives: In the present study, we have tried to delineate the nature of psychiatric abnormalities caused by supratentorial meningiomas and the effect of surgery on them. We have tried to find the patient and tumor characters influencing the psychiatric abnormalities and their post-operative outcome., Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study conducted on patients with supratentorial meningiomas, admitted and operated in neurosurgery department, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, India, from July 2006 to July 2009. We have included fifty-seven patients aged between 15 and 65 years with a clinico-radiological diagnosis of supratentorial meningioma in our study. We later confirmed the diagnosis by histopathological examination of the tumor. We have evaluated the patients for psychiatric manifestations before and after surgery and also analyzed the various clinical and radiological factors influencing the psychiatric status., Results: We have enrolled 57 patients into the study. Frontal group had 22 patients (38.6%), parietal group had 10 patients (17.5%), temporal group had 10 patients (17.5%), occipital group had 6 patients (10.5%), and suprasellar group had 9 patients (15.8%). Twenty patients (35.1%) presented with psychiatric symptoms. The frequency of psychiatric symptoms was highest in the temporal group (60%) followed by the frontal group (45.5%). Frontal convexity meningiomas presented predominantly with depression, basifrontal and sphenoid wing meningiomas presented with mania or depressive symptoms, Suprasellar lesions and temporal convexity lesions presented with organic delusional disorder. Basifrontal meningiomas also caused organic personality disorders. The frequency of psychiatric symptoms was much higher in meningiomas with volume greater than 35cc compared to the smaller ones, in the frontal group. None of the patients developed new psychiatric symptoms after surgery. Among the twenty patients with psychiatric symptoms, 3 (15%) didnot improve, 8 (40%) improved partly and 9 (45%) improved completely., Conclusions: Meningiomas, although extra-axial, cause significant psychiatric symptoms up to 35.1%. Frontal and temporal group of meningiomas have the highest frequency of psychiatric symptoms. The frequency of psychiatric symptoms was significantly higher in meningiomas with volume greater than 35cc compared to the smaller ones, in the frontal group. Surgical excision of meningiomas ameliorates the psychiatric symptoms, either completely or partly, in the majority of the patients., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is an uncommon tumor constitutes less than 1% of all astrocytic glial neoplasms was first reported in 1979. PXA commonly occurs in young patients and manifests itself first as seizures followed by focal neurological deficits. The role of radiotherapy or chemotherapy has not yet been established because of the relative infrequency of this disease. PXA is classified as grade II tumor in the WHO classification of tumors of the CNS. In literature 9 to 20 % PXA may undergo malignant change at recurrence or may display at the time of initial presentation. Malignant transformation is mainly associated with high mitotic activity and necrosis. The criteria for PXA with anaplastic features was five or more mitotic activity per 10 high power fields, necrosis, microvascular proliferation, marked cellular anaplasia, and high Ki-67 labeling indices. PXA with anaplastic features management is highly controversial as very sparse literature is available. We are reporting a case of PXA with anaplastic features with atypical radiology and tried to review the up to date literature regarding this rare tumor.

Diffuse astrocytoma (DA; WHO grade II) is a low-grade, primary brain neoplasm with high potential of recurrence as higher grade malignant form. We have analyzed differentially expressed membrane proteins from these tumors, using high-resolution mass spectrometry. A total of 2803 proteins were identified, 340 of them differentially expressed with minimum of 2 fold change and based on ≥2 unique peptides. Bioinformatics analysis of this dataset also revealed important molecular networks and pathways relevant to tumorigenesis, mTOR signaling pathway being a major pathway identified. Comparison of 340 differentially expressed proteins with the transcript data from Grade II diffuse astrocytomas reported earlier, revealed about 190 of the proteins correlate in their trends in expression. Considering progressive and recurrent nature of these tumors, we have mapped the differentially expressed proteins for their secretory potential, integrated the resulting list with similar list of proteins from anaplastic astrocytoma (WHO Grade III) tumors and provide a panel of proteins along with their proteotypic peptides, as a resource that would be useful for investigation as circulatory plasma markers for post-treatment surveillance of DA patients.

A simple, sensitive and low temperature sample preparation method is developed for detection and identification of Chemical Warfare Agents (CWAs) and scheduled esters in organic liquid using magnetic dispersive solid phase extraction (MDSPE) followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. The method utilizes Iron oxide@Poly(methacrylic acid-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) resin (Fe2O3@Poly(MAA-co-EGDMA)) as sorbent. Variants of these sorbents were prepared by precipitation polymerization of methacrylic acid-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (MAA-co-EGDMA) onto Fe2O3 nanoparticles. Fe2O3@poly(MAA-co-EGDMA) with 20% MAA showed highest recovery of analytes. Extractions were performed with magnetic microspheres by MDSPE. Parameters affecting the extraction efficiency were studied and optimized. Under the optimized conditions, method showed linearity in the range of 0.1-3.0μgmL(-1) (r(2)=0.9966-0.9987). The repeatability and reproducibility (relative standard deviations (RSDs) %) were in the range of 4.5-7.6% and 3.4-6.2% respectively for organophosphorous esters in dodecane. Limits of detection (S/N=3/1) and limit of quantification (S/N=10/1) were found to be in the range of 0.05-0.1μgmL(-1) and 0.1-0.12μgmL(-1) respectively in SIM mode for selected analytes. The method was successfully validated and applied to the extraction and identification of targeted analytes from three different organic liquids i.e. n-hexane, dodecane and silicon oil. Recoveries ranged from 58.7 to 97.3% and 53.8 to 95.5% at 3μgmL(-1) and 1μgmL(-1) spiking concentrations. Detection of diethyl methylphosphonate (DEMP) and O-Ethyl S-2-diisopropylaminoethyl methylphosphonothiolate (VX) in samples provided by the Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Proficiency Test (OPCW-PT) proved the utility of the developed method for the off-site analysis of CWC relevant chemicals., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Aims and Objectives: To describe clinicopathological features of surgically resected vascular malformations (VMs) of central nervous system (CNS)., Materials and Methods: Histologically diagnosed cases of VMs of CNS during April 2010-April 2014 were included. Demographic data, clinical and radiological features were obtained. Hematoxylin and eosin slides were reviewed along with Verhoeff-Van Gieson (VVG), Masson's trichrome, periodic acid-Schiff, and Perls' stains. Morphologically, cavernomas and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) were distinguished on the basis of vessel wall features on VVG and intervening glial parenchyma., Results: Fifty cases were diagnosed as VMs of CNS with an age range of 14-62 years. These included 36 cavernomas, 12 AVMs, 2 mixed capillary-cavernous angiomas. Most of the cavernoma patients (15/36) presented with seizures, whereas AVM patients (8/12) had a headache as the dominant symptom. Twenty-nine patients were reliably diagnosed on radiological features. Microscopic evidence of hemorrhage was seen in 24/36 cavernomas and 6/12 AVMs, as opposed to radiologic evidence of 10 and 4, respectively. Reactive gliosis was seen in 16 cavernomas., Conclusions: Histological features are important for classifying the VMs of CNS as there are no specific clinical and radiological features. Type of VM has a bearing on management, prognosis, and risk of hemorrhage.

Objectives: Cognitive deficits caused by extra-axial benign brain tumors like meningiomas and the course of these deficits after surgery is not well known. The aim of the study is to assess the pre-operative and post-operative cognitive functions in patients with meningiomas in the supratentorial compartment., Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, patients with clinico-radiological diagnosis of supratentorial meningioma, operated upon and later confirmed by histopathological examination, were included. The patients were evaluated for cognitive deficits before and after surgery. The various clinical and radiological factors influencing the cognitive status were evaluated., Results: A total of 57 patients were enrolled into the study. Out of 57, 22 were males and 35 were females. The frontal group had 22 patients, the parietal group had 10 patients, the temporal group had 10 patients, the occipital group had 6 patients, and the suprasellar group had 9 patients. Meningiomas, although extra-axial, caused significant cognitive deficits in 42 patients (73.7%). The highest frequency of cognitive deficits is seen in the frontal and temporal group of meningiomas (90% each). Frontal meningiomas with volume greater than 35 cc and peritumoral edema greater than 40 cc caused a higher frequency of cognitive deficits. Also, patients with raised ICP had significant cognitive deficits. Postoperatively there was a significant improvement in the cognitive functions in the frontal and temporal groups., Conclusion: Meningiomas cause cognitive deficits in 73.7% of patients. Anatomical location of meningioma, elevated ICP, the volume of meningioma and extent of peritumoral edema significantly influence the incidence of cognitive deficits. Post-operatively, the cognitive deficits improve significantly in the frontal and temporal group., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Magnetic hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (MHLB) hybrid resin was prepared by precipitation polymerization using N-vinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and divinylbenzene (DVB) as monomers and Fe2O3 nanoparticles as magnetic material. These resins were successfully applied for the extraction of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and their markers from water samples through magnetic dispersive solid-phase extraction (MDSPE). By varying the ratios of monomers, resin with desired hydrophilic-lipophilic balance was prepared for the extraction of CWAs and related esters of varying polarities. Amongst different composites Fe2O3 nanoparticles coated with 10% PVP+90% DVB exhibited the best recoveries varying between 70.32 and 97.67%. Parameters affecting the extraction efficiencies, such as extraction time, desorption time, nature and volume of desorption solvent, amount of extraction sorbent and the effect of salts on extraction were investigated. Under the optimized conditions, linearity was obtained in the range of 0.5-500 ng mL(-1) with correlation ranging from 0.9911-0.9980. Limits of detection and limits of quantification were 0.5-1.0 and 3.0-5.0 ng mL(-1) respectively with RSDs varying from 4.88-11.32% for markers of CWAs. Finally, the developed MDSPE method was employed for extraction of analytes from water samples of various sources and the OPCW proficiency test samples., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Gliomatosis cerebri is characterized by diffuse infiltration of glial cells with preservation of neuronal architecture. It is an uncommon glial neoplasm of astrocytic origin that occurs in adults and is exceedingly rare in children., Materials and Methods: The authors retrospectively analyzed the data of 6 patients of gliomatosis cerebri operated between 2007 and 2012., Result: All patients underwent surgical decompression, followed by chemoradiotherapy. The survival ranged between 3 and 45 months. The mean survival was 18.5 years., Conclusion: Performance scores at presentation and the nonglioblastomatous histology seems to favorably affect the prognosis. Larger studies are required to comment on the role of combination of surgery, chemoradiotherapy as a treatment modality.

Sulfur monochloride (S2Cl2) and sulfur dichloride (SCl2) are important precursors of the extremely toxic chemical warfare agent sulfur mustard and classified, respectively, into schedule 3.B.12 and 3.B.13 of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Hence, their detection and identification is of vital importance for verification of CWC. These chemicals are difficult to detect directly using chromatographic techniques as they decompose and do not elute. Until now, the use of gas chromatographic approaches to follow the derivatized sulfur chlorides is not reported in the literature. The electrophilic addition reaction of sulfur monochloride and sulfur dichloride toward 3-hexyne was explored for the development of a novel derivatization protocol, and the products were subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis. Among various unsaturated reagents like alkenes and alkynes, symmetrical alkyne 3-hexyne was optimized to be the suitable derivatizing agent for these analytes. Acetonitrile was found to be the suitable solvent for the derivatization reaction. The sample preparation protocol for the identification of these analytes from hexane spiked with petrol matrix was also optimized. Liquid-liquid extraction followed by derivatization was employed for the identification of these analytes from petrol matrix. Under the established conditions, the detection and quantification limits are 2.6 μg/mL, 8.6 μg/mL for S2Cl2 and 2.3 μg/mL, 7.7 μg/mL for SCl2, respectively, in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. The calibration curve had a linear relationship with y = 0.022x - 0.331 and r(2) = 0.992 for the working range of 10 to 500 μg/mL for S2Cl2 and y = 0.007x - 0.064 and r(2) = 0.991 for the working range of 10 to 100 μg/mL for SCl2, respectively. The intraday RSDs were between 4.80 to 6.41%, 2.73 to 6.44% and interday RSDs were between 2.20 to 7.25% and 2.34 to 5.95% for S2Cl2 and SCl2, respectively.

A sample preparation method involving extraction, enrichment and derivatization of acidic degradation products of nerve agents was developed using magnetic strong anion exchange resins (MSAX). The method was performed in a single vial involving magnetic dispersive solid phase extraction (MDSPE). Analytes were derivatized with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) in the presence of resins. MSAX were custom synthesized using Fe3O4 nanoparticles as core, 4-vinylpyridine-co-divinylbenzene as polymer shell and quaternary pyridinium function as anion-exchanger. Hydroxide ions were the counter-anions of MSAX to effectively capture the acidic alkyl alkylphosphonic acids (AAPAs) and alkylphosphonic acids (APAs). Quantitative measurements of analytes were performed in the selected ion monitoring mode of GC-MS. Full scan mode of analysis was followed for identifications. Under the optimized conditions analytes were recovered in the range of 39.7-98.8% (n=3, relative standard deviations (RSD) from 0.3 to 6.5%). Limits of detection (LODs) were in the range of 0.1-1.1ngmL(-1); and the linear dynamic range was 5-1000ngmL(-1) with r(2) of 0.9977-0.9769. Applicability of the method was tested with rain-, tap-, muddy-water and Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Proficiency Test samples., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Arachnoid cysts are congenital or developmental intra-arachnoidal CSF-filled lesions, which develop probably as a result of splitting or duplication of the arachnoid membrane. Most of them are asymptomatic and are detected as incidental findings on Computed Tomography or Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the head carried out for other reasons. Although complications such as intracystic, subdural, and extradural hematomas are well known after a trauma, spontaneous hemorrhage in an arachnoid cyst is a rare and serious complication with atypical imaging features on cross-sectional imaging and only less than ten cases are documented in the literature till date, with none of them in the suprasellar location., Case Report: A 40-year-old female patient presented with history of headache since two months, which was sudden in onset, holocranial., Conclusions: Spontaneous intracystic hemorrhage is an uncommon and serious complication of arachnoid cysts, which can give rise to atypical features on imaging. Therefore familiarity with this rare complication is indeed essential.

The site of origin of primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) is quite varied and has significant influence on the prognosis. We report a case of intracranial peripheral PNET/Ewing's sarcoma arising from the superior tentorial surface in a 13-year-old girl. Gross total excision of the tumor was done. We have discussed the distinction between central nervous system PNET (CNS PNET) and Intracranial Peripheral PNET (pPNET/ES) as their treatment and prognosis varies radically. A review of literature shows that prognosis is better in intracranial pPNET/ES.